We don't have a doctor and I hate the thought of sitting in an ER the whole day during flu season with a busy toddler and a little baby (I would if I had to though). DS (32 months) is a very picky eater and I notice he's getting very pale and he's dark under the eyes. I try to offer him lots of good things to eat, but he isn't very intrested. He's very active, bright and busy, but I'm not sure how anemia affects toddlers opposed to adults. I just have a feeling that he does have anemia and I'm not sure what to do about it :(

Does he take a multivitamin/mineral? That might be a starting point. Here's some more info:



I'd also make sure he's getting enough zinc & vit A:

When I was pg, my midwife would press my fingernail and then release it. If the pink came right back, it would show I wasn't anemic. Also you can look under lower eyelid - pull down on the cheek - should be pink.
High iron foods: lentils, tofu, pumpin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, sea veggies, figs, black strap molasses, dark leafy greens . . .

Thanks for the replies. He used to take a multivitamin, but hasn't lately. I'll have to get some as the ones we have are out of date now. I've been thinking of that lately and don't know why I haven't started again with this recent bout of pickiness.
It's very hard to get him to eat anything. I've never seen a pickier child. We do eat meat and once in a while he will have some. He sometimes asks for eggs. I found a site with iron content of food but the highest things are things he won't eat. He used to love raisins and other dried fruit, but he's not intrested lately. It says prune juice has 9.8mg's a cup, so maybe I could try that (not a whole cup as I'd have other problems on my hands, lol!).
I tried the fingernail thing, but don't know if I'm doing it right. It comes pink after a couple seconds. I'm having trouble checking his eyes as he won't let me.
I think I'd be more concerned if he were listless and complaining but he's acting fine.