Here is what Dr. Cordain had to say regarding my Iron inquiry to him




Hi Alex,

The newborn, full-term infant iron requirements during the first 4-6 months
of life are negligible. This unique situation for iron is explained by the
excess of circulating hemoglobin (Hb) the infant is born with. After about 6
months, when iron stores are exhausted, the iron requirements are very high,
especially during the following 18 months when weaning occurs. Iron requirements may
amount to about 100 ttgl kg/day, which is about four times more than for an
average adult menstruating woman. After about the age of 2 years, iron
requirements per unit of body weight are reduced.  Starting at about 6 months,
measures to prevent iron deficiency include: 1) completely avoiding cows milk
(consumption of which impairs iron absorption),  inclusion of vitamin C rich foods
(such as the mashed fruits and veggies you are currently feeding),  use of an
iron rich formula (also one containing DHA and AA) when not breastfeeding, and
introduction of mashed, sieved meats (such as those commercially available from
Gerber).  There is no indication that a 6 month infant cannot begin eating
strained meats.  All three of my boys (aged 12, 10 and 6) did just fine on these
meats starting at about 6 months of age.  In hunter-gatherer societies, first
foods were typically animal foods that were pre-masticated by the mother and
the soft bolus was fed to the infant.  Hunter gatherer children typically were
weaned later (2.5-3.5 yrs).  If you must use cereal, iron fortified rice
cereal would be the lesser of evils

Good luck & hope this helps


Loren Cordain, Ph.D.