How much milo for 18mo

**Misschief** · 26-06-2011 10:25

Hi ladies,

DS has a severe iron deficiency and has been on iron supplements for the last 3 months. From next week we're going to have to stop the supplements for 3 months and then do another bloodtest and see how his levels are without the extra iron.
Now I want to introduce more iron in his diet. He's getting a lot already, but a bit extra can't hurt.
He gets 1 cup of Milo in the morning. Yet I was wondering if an extra cup at lunchtime, would be too much?
Milo is know for its extra iron, but if I put it in milk, it defeats the purpose as calcium attaches to iron which makes it harder to absorb

I tried giving it to him with warm water and he spat it right out

**babylove81** · 26-06-2011 10:55

I really have no idea, but... what if you gave him that new 'milo' cereal for breakfast and a cup of warm milo with lunch? Hope someone can help more than me...

**august** · 26-06-2011 11:02

You can milo cereal bars too.

**august** · 26-06-2011 11:03

Have you tried spiralina? Its a seaweed extract you can mix with orange juice.

**themissingpiece** · 26-06-2011 11:04

I'd be worried about the sugar content if you gave him two cups of Milo per day. And yes as you said it is with milk, which lessens absorption of the iron.
I will probably get shot down for this but my 17 month old can handle (and LOVES) nuts. I make sure I cut them up so he won't choke on them and we have no history of allergy, so it's a possibility for adding extra iron.
I would be looking at more food related ways of getting him the extra iron.
Hopefully others have more ideas for you.

**themissingpiece** · 26-06-2011 11:05

Originally Posted by august

Have you tried spiralina? Its a seaweed extract you can mix with orange juice.

Great idea, I take that myself in orange juice, it's great and my four yr old loves it!

**2darlingboys** · 26-06-2011 11:05

Milo did nothing for my iron levels.

**share a book** · 26-06-2011 11:09

How about to some spinach into different things you are cooking like if you make a stew or pasta or whatever. That should help more than milo. I'd be worried about the sugar levels in milo or any of the cereals/bars and things.

**HELPihavea2yrold!** · 26-06-2011 11:14

I give DS spinach to increase his iron. Just steam it so it keeps its nutrients

**mim1** · 26-06-2011 11:26

My ds was iron defiicient & anaemic at 12 months of age and went onto supplements for 3 months. His paed recommended that we use formula (with added iron) instead of cows milk until he was 2 years of age. You'll find some baby cereals & foods (in the baby food section) have added iron too. But my ds never really had a low iron after he got that initial 3 months of treatment.