Thus another risk factor stems from the persistent mythology about iron in infant formulas. Every ill conceivable in babies gets blamed on the iron in the formula at one time or another. Of course, this is mythology and nothing more. It is highly inadvisable to feed your baby low iron or iron free formula. I personally would consider suspect the judgement of a physician who recommended prolonged feeding of iron-poor formula or who advised whole cow milk to young infants.
Breast fed babies are lucky.
Whereas the majority of a bottle fed baby's iron intake winds up in the diaper because it isn't absorbed, mother's milk contains a special protein, lactoferrin, which binds up whatever iron is in the breast milk and transfers it into the baby's system with minimal loss in the stool. Note as well that iron deficiency does not occur solely in infancy. Older children can suffer its effects as well. Recent research 1 has identified the possibility of lower academic function in iron deficient school age children, especially adolescent girls.