When introducing solid foods to an infant, what is the recommended first food?

The introduction of solid foods to an infant is a critical step in their nutritional development. Iron-fortified cereals are often recommended as the first food for infants because they provide essential nutrients, particularly iron, which is vital for the growth and development of infants. Breast milk or formula alone may not supply sufficient iron as the infant grows and starts to rely more on solid foods around six months of age. Iron-fortified cereals help meet these dietary needs while also being relatively easy for infants to digest when combined with breast milk or formula.

Additionally, these cereals are typically bland and have a smooth texture, making them a suitable first food that infants can easily accept. Introducing cereals as the first food also encourages a gradual transition to other solid foods that may have different textures and flavors.

While pureed fruits, mashed potatoes, and vegetable purees are nutritious and can be introduced later, they might not provide the same level of important nutrients like iron that fortified cereals offer at this initial stage. Thus, selecting iron-fortified cereals aligns best with nutritional guidelines for infants starting on solid foods.