Until about 4 years ago, the recommendation in Canada was that babies
could start on homogenized milk at 6 months.  There was no big problem
with iron deficiency in Canada.  I know the AAP statement says iron
containing formula to 12 months, and the Canadian Pediatric Society
says to 9 months, but I just do not believe that a child taking milk
and a wide variety of other foods, including iron containing foods, is
at risk for iron deficiency.  The formula to a year is strictly
marketing, and very good marketing at that.  The whole iron deficiency
is a response to the fact that it is articially fed babies who are at
risk for developing iron deficiency.  That is why baby cereal was
developed.

But the iron deficiency situation is actually a very American problem,
but the approach is being exported around the world.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC