After discussing the introduction of solid foods with the mother of a 6-month-old infant, the nurse determines that the mother understands the information when she states that the first food is from which food group?

• A. Rice cereal
• B. Fruits
• C. Egg yolks
• D. Yellow vegetables

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to start solids with an iron‑rich, easily digestible food. At about 6 months, an infant’s iron stores are depleting and breast milk alone may not meet iron needs in the long run. Rice cereal, usually iron‑fortified and single‑grain, provides a gentle texture for initial spoon feeding while helping to boost iron intake. Fruits don’t address iron needs right away, egg yolk can be a potential allergen and isn’t typically chosen as the first food, and yellow vegetables, though healthy, aren’t the best early source of iron. So choosing rice cereal aligns with meeting early iron requirements in a practical, tolerable first solid food.