Minerals

Iron

Iron accretion occurs primarily during the third trimester resulting in iron stores large enough to fulfill iron requirements from birth until 4 to 6 months of age. Once iron stores are depleted exogenous iron is needed from iron fortified complementary foods or formula. (AAP 2010)

Beginning at 4 months of age, exclusively breastfed term infants should begin receiving 1 mg/kg/day of supplemental iron and continue until iron-containing complementary foods have been introduced. Partially breastfed infants that receive more than half of their daily feedings from human milk and are not receiving iron-containing complementary foods should also receive 1 mg/kg/day of supplemental iron. (AAP 2010)

Zinc

Zinc concentration in human milk is unaffected by maternal diet and declines rapidly in the first six months of lactation. After the first 6 months, human milk is an inadequate source of zinc. The introduction of fortified cereals and meat as complementary foods at 4-6 months of age provides the zinc required for the older infant. (DiMaggio et al, 2017)