A nurse is teaching a group of parents about infant nutrition.

The nurse explains that iron-fortified infant formula is recommended for infants who are not breastfed because:

Hold the newborn in a semi-upright position during feeding.This prevents the formula from flowing back into the baby’s ears and causing infections.It also helps the baby swallow less air and reduces the risk of choking.

Choice A is wrong because warming the formula in a microwave oven can create hot spots that can burn the baby’s mouth.The formula should be warmed by running it under warm tap water or placing it in a bowl of warm water.

Choice B is wrong because discarding any unused formula after 2 hours at room temperature is too long.Bacteria can grow rapidly in warm milk that is left sitting out and unused.The formula should be discarded after one hour at room temperature or within 24 hours if refrigerated.

Choice D is wrong because burping the newborn after finishing each ounce of formula is not necessary.Burping can interrupt the feeding and make the baby lose interest in finishing the bottle.The baby should be burped only when they show signs of discomfort or after finishing the feeding.

Normal ranges for formula intake vary depending on the baby’s age, weight and appetite.In general, newborn babies need around 150 to 200 ml per kilo of their weight a day until they’re 6 months old.The baby should be fed when they show signs of hunger, such as rooting, sucking or crying, and not forced to finish the bottle if they are full.

“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