Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Which statement by a mother indicates effective teaching on infant nutritional needs for her 3-month-old?

1. I started the baby on cereals and fruits because he wasn't sleeping through the night

2. I started putting cereal in the bottle with formula because the baby kept spitting up

3. I will start my baby on infant cereal at 4 months

4. I'm giving the baby skim milk because he is so chubby

The correct answer is: I will start my baby on infant cereal at 4 months

The statement that the mother plans to start her baby on infant cereal at 4 months indicates effective teaching on infant nutritional needs. Current guidelines recommend that solid foods, including infant cereals, should ideally be introduced around the age of 4 to 6 months, as this is when most infants are developmentally ready to handle them. At 3 months, infants typically still rely on breast milk or formula for their nutrition, and introducing solids too early may increase the risk of allergies and gastrointestinal issues. In this context, the other statements reflect common misconceptions about infant feeding. The first option about starting cereals and fruits because the baby isn't sleeping through the night suggests a misunderstanding that solid foods will improve sleep patterns, which is not supported by nutritional guidelines. The second statement about putting cereal in the bottle could also pose risks, such as choking or overfeeding, as it might not be appropriate for the infant's current developmental stage. Lastly, opting to give skim milk to a chubby baby disregards the fact that infants under 1 year should consume whole milk or formula to ensure they receive adequate fat and nutrients necessary for growth and development.