A nurse is planning to introduce complementary foods to an infant who is six months old and exclusively breastfed.

Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend as a good source of zinc?

“I will give my baby soft finger foods that he can pick up and eat by himself.” This statement indicates an understanding of the teaching because it shows that the mother knows how to provide appropriate complementary foods for her infant who is eight months old.Complementary feeding, also known as weaning, mixed feeding or introduction of solid foods, should begin for infants by six months of age (26 weeks) but not before 17 weeks.Breast milk or infant formula should continue during the complementary feeding period with amounts gradually reduced as the variety of foods increases.WHO and UNICEF recommend that infants start receiving complementary foods at 6 months of age in addition to breast milk.Initially, they should receive complementary foods 2–3 times a day between 6–8 months and increase to 3–4 times daily between 9–11 months and 12–24 months of age.Complementary foods should be nutritionally adequate, safe, and properly fed.

Choice A is wrong because pureed foods are not suitable for an eight-month-old infant who can handle more textured foods.

Pureed foods are recommended for infants who are just starting complementary feeding at around six

The nurse should assess for proper latch-on technique and encourage skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant.

These actions promote successful breastfeeding and bonding.

Choice C is wrong because limiting feeding time to 10 min per breast can interfere with the infant’s intake of hindmilk, which is rich in fat and calories.The infant should be allowed to nurse until satisfied, which may take longer than 10 min per breast.

Choice D is wrong because instructing the client to offer both breasts at each feeding can lead to nipple soreness and engorgement.The client should offer one breast until it is emptied, then switch to the other breast if the infant is still hungry.

Choice E is wrong because advising the client to feed the infant every 2 to 3 hr can disrupt the infant’s natural feeding cues and rhythms.The client should feed the infant on demand, which may be more or less frequent than every 2 to 3 hr.