How will an iron deficiency affect my baby?

Many symptoms: Anemia, or low iron, can cause your infant to be pale, irritable, more tired than normal, weak or have rapid heart rate or fast breathing. It can usually be prevented with a proper diet, which in a breast fed infant means using a multi-vitamin with iron daily. Formula fed infants should only receive iron fortified formula. Pediatricians test for anemia between 9-12 months, and if concerns arise.

Fussy, pale, weak: Young babies often are a bit deficient in iron because they grow so fast, and new growth (new muscle cells, new blood cells, etc...) requires iron. Breastmilk or iron-fortified formula supply needed iron for a baby's growth (a baby can double his weight in the first 5 months). A baby who gets too iron-deficient and quite anemic can be fussy, not eat well, seem pale or weak, and have a rapid pulse.