Hello and thank you for asking us on HCM! Low hemoglobin in children due to iron deficiency are mainly caused by not properly breast-feeding, use of other artificial milks, cow milk etc. Even when the mother is anemic too, she can t complete the baby needs for iron. Other reasons are parasitic diseases of children, like giardiasis, liver and kidneys function disorders, bone marrow diseases etc. Foods can t complete all the needs of iron when the level of hemoglobin is 8.6 so you have to take supplementary iron like iron drops. If your baby reject to take it, throw the drops into the milk or other drinks. If I have answered your question please kindly mark it as helpful. Best wishes for you! Dr Eriol.