RML MAINS 2025
Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)
Easy
Complementary feeding for a 6-month-old baby includes:
Appeared in: RML MAINS 2025
Explanation
- At 6 months, an infant's iron stores, acquired in utero, begin to deplete, making iron-rich foods essential.
- Breast milk or formula alone is no longer sufficient to meet the increased energy, protein, and micronutrient needs for rapid growth after 6 months.
- Complementary feeding should start with single-grain, iron-fortified cereals and pureed or mashed fruits and vegetables, which are easy to digest.
- Introducing varied textures like semi-solids is also crucial for the development of oral motor skills.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: Exclusive breastfeeding ('Milk only') is recommended up to 6 months. After this age, it is nutritionally incomplete, especially in iron and calories, to support continued growth.
- Option C: Biscuits are typically high in refined sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and lack the essential micronutrients (like iron and zinc) needed for a 6-month-old. They are considered energy-dense but nutrient-poor.
- Option D: Cow's milk is contraindicated before 12 months. Its high protein and mineral content can strain an infant's kidneys, it's a poor source of iron, and it can cause microscopic intestinal bleeding, leading to anemia.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Infant Nutrition and Complementary Feeding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- A key nursing role is educating new parents on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines to prevent malnutrition and promote healthy growth.
- Nurses must counsel parents against the early introduction of cow's milk and sugary foods, explaining the risks of anemia, obesity, and kidney strain.
- Patient Safety: Incorrect feeding practices are a major cause of failure to thrive, iron-deficiency anemia, and obesity in infants. Proper guidance is a critical preventative measure.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key subject and age in the question: 'Complementary feeding' and '6-month-old baby'.
- Recall the WHO/IAP guidelines for infant feeding. The 6-month mark is a crucial transition point.
- Remember that exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months. This immediately makes 'Milk only' a questionable option for a baby at 6 months needing complementary foods.
- Evaluate each option based on nutritional suitability for a 6-month-old. Ask: 'Does this provide the necessary nutrients, especially iron?' and 'Is this safe for an infant's digestive system?'
- Iron-rich cereals and semi-solids are specifically designed for this transition. Biscuits are processed and often unhealthy. Cow's milk is known to be harmful before 1 year.
- This systematic evaluation points directly to the correct answer as the only option that is both nutritionally appropriate and safe.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Infant Nutrition and Complementary Feeding
- Stem keywords: Complementary feeding, 6-month-old baby
- Lead-in keywords: includes
- Clinical cues: Age: 6 months - This is the critical age when complementary feeding should begin as per IYCF guidelines.
Question ID
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Reference Book
E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 80-82
E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 458-460
E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 129-131
Practise the full RML MAINS 2025
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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