What is the first solid food recommended for a 4-month-old infant according to standard guidelines?

The recommendation to introduce iron-fortified cereals as the first solid food for a 4-month-old infant is based on nutritional guidelines aimed at meeting the growing dietary needs of infants. At around 4 to 6 months, infants begin to show readiness for solid foods, and one key nutritional concern at this age is iron deficiency. Babies are typically born with sufficient iron stores for the first few months of life, but by about 4 to 6 months, these stores can diminish, and breast milk or formula alone may not provide enough iron.

Iron-fortified cereals are a good starting point for several reasons. First, they are specifically designed to meet an infant's nutritional needs, providing not only iron but also other essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they can be easily mixed with breast milk or formula to achieve a suitable consistency for an infant who is just beginning to try solids.

Introducing other options like strained yellow vegetables or pureed fruits may also be appropriate as infants progress with solids, but they do not provide the same level of iron fortification that cereals do. Whole milk is not recommended for infants under one year of age as a primary drink, as it lacks the necessary nutrients that breast milk or formula provides and can lead to digestive