Which of the following is the first recommended solid food for infants?

The introduction of solid foods to infants is a crucial milestone in their development. Iron-fortified rice cereal is often recommended as the first solid food for infants primarily due to its iron content. Iron is a vital nutrient that supports healthy brain development and helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, a condition that is common in infants as they grow.

Infants typically have sufficient iron stores during the first six months of life, but these stores begin to decrease as they grow and become more active. Breast milk does not provide enough iron after this period, so introducing an iron-fortified cereal at the appropriate time (around 6 months) helps to meet the nutritional needs of the infant.

In contrast, pureed fruits, mashed bananas, and vegetable purees are often introduced later in the weaning process. While these options can be nutritious and are eventually introduced to provide variety and additional vitamins, they typically do not contain the same level of iron that fortified cereals offer. Thus, starting with iron-fortified rice cereal aligns with current dietary guidelines to ensure that infants receive adequate iron to support their growth and development from the start of their transition to solid foods.