Cow’s milk-induced iron deficiency anaemia in babies and young children.

Earlier this year a Queensland hospital-based Haematologist (1) sounded the alarm on the connection between providing dairy milk to babies and toddlers and iron deficiency anaemia in these children.

These concerns were reinforced by Professor Desiree Silva a Perth-based Pediatrician who has co-directed an ongoing study since 2017 on the incidence of low iron levels in babies and younger children.

The study found more than half (2) had what was considered ‘low iron’ levels; 20% were deemed ‘very low’ in iron and 2.6% were classified as ‘severe iron deficiency anaemia’.

Iron deficiency anaemia can be potentially life-threatening for babies and young children.

Dr. Sally Campbell (1) proposed that levels of one litre or more of dairy milk daily was likely to result in an iron deficiency in children – particularly in those aged five years and under.

How does dairy milk cause iron deficiency?

1. Low iron content
   Whilst dairy (cows) milk is a significant source of nutrients such as calcium, proteins and some Vitamin D, it’s naturally low in iron unless the animal is given fortified stock feed.

2. Reduced iron absorption
   Caseins (3) and calcium in the milk antagonise the absorption of non-haem iron; competing for absorption within the gut.

3. Reduced appetite for iron-rich foods
   Larger cups of dairy milk tend to fill the stomachs of young children, diminishing their appetite for solid, iron-rich foods and leafy-green vegetables.

4. Gastrointestinal irritation in susceptible children
   Calcium, Phosphorus, and the larger proteins of dairy milk can irritate the immature digestive tracts of young children giving rise to health issues such as atopy (4), microscopic blood loss, or the activation of autoimmune conditions like Alopecia areata (5).

A Children’s Health Queensland article (2026) proposes that iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) caused by excess dairy milk consumption affects around 1:5 children under five in 1^st world countries. Australian medical guideline recommend children under 12 months NOT be given dairy milk at all, and a maximum of 500mls per day for children 1-5 years – and even those >5 years to puberty.

1. Sally Campbell: 2026 – Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH).
2. 56% of 10,000 children (and their mothers) in the ‘Origins’ study.
3. Caseins are phosphoproteins found in the milk of all mammals.
4. Atopy is an inherited sensitivity to one’s environment where the individual is more susceptible to conditions such as eczema, rhinitis, asthma etc.
5. In a pre-disposed child.

Copyright 2026 Anthony Pearce – I acknowledge the studies of the Doctors and Health departments stated herein. This article was NOT AI-generated.