whole milk and iron

Consumption of whole milk during infancy can contribute to iron-deficiency anemia:

• GI tract blood loss can occur when cow’s milk is offered during infancy
• Cow’s milk is low in iron, and the iron that is present has low bioavailability
• The relatively high potential renal solute load of whole milk is associated with an increased risk for hypertonic dehydration for infants, especially during illness.

(Akers and Groh-Wargo 2005, Fomon and Ziegler 1999)