The claim

「Babies can’t digest meat before age one」

Q: Babies can’t digest meat before age one

Myth — The opposite is true: red meat is among the most important iron-rich first foods, recommended from 6 months. Iron stores from pregnancy run low after 6 months, and a diet of only porridge and vegetables is a common route to iron-deficiency anaemia.

Verdict

Myth

The opposite is true: red meat is among the most important iron-rich first foods, recommended from 6 months. Iron stores from pregnancy run low after 6 months, and a diet of only porridge and vegetables is a common route to iron-deficiency anaemia.

Sources

AAP · American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2026/06/23). When can babies start solid foods? Readiness & feeding tips. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/starting-solid-foods.aspx
Direct source · Academic institution / professional society · checked 2026-10-13
WHO · World Health Organization
World Health Organization. (2023/10/16). WHO guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081864
Mechanism source ° · Government / official agency · checked 2026-08-02

° Sources with this mark do not address the claim directly; their content supports the mechanism behind the verdict.

「Babies can’t digest meat before age one」

Verdict

Sources

Related claims · Feeding

Further reading