Nutritional Needs for Infants: Videos & Practice Problems

Which pair of measures are the primary clinical indicators used to assess an infant's growth during the first year?

An infant was born weighing 7 pounds. According to the typical growth expectation by 12 months, what weight should the infant be close to at one year? Show calculations.

A 12-pound infant needs daily calories estimated using the guideline 40–50 kcal per pound per day. Calculate the range of daily caloric needs for this infant and indicate how this compares to adult per-pound needs (assume adults need ~15 kcal per pound). Show calculations.

Which statement accurately describes how infant per-pound caloric needs compare to adult per-pound needs?

An 8-month-old infant is at the 85th percentile for length but the 30th percentile for weight. According to proportionality expectations, which of the following is the best interpretation?

A 10-month-old has length at the 90th percentile and weight at the 40th percentile. Which sequence of steps should a clinician take to evaluate whether nutritional intervention is needed?

Which of the following is the recommended sole source of nutrition and hydration for healthy full-term infants from birth through about 6 months of age?

At about six months you consider introducing solid foods. Which set of developmental readiness cues indicates the infant is physiologically ready to begin semi-solid foods?

Which of the following best justifies giving a vitamin K injection at birth and vitamin D supplementation to an exclusively breastfed infant?

Why is a vitamin K injection typically administered shortly after birth?

A caregiver wants to start solids and plans to introduce four new foods: pureed peas, iron-fortified cereal, mashed banana, and pureed beef. Which sequence best follows the one-at-a-time introduction strategy with a reasonable spacing to detect an allergic reaction?

An infant can sit with minimal support and accept food from a spoon, but still demonstrates a strong tongue-thrust reflex that pushes solids out. What is the most evidence-based interpretation and recommended action?

Which choice is the most appropriate first complementary food to prioritize iron intake for a 6-month-old starting solids?

Why is iron-rich complementary feeding recommended around six months of age?

Which combination of foods and beverages should be avoided before 12 months because each item directly correlates with the specific risks of infant botulism, nutrient inadequacy for growth, excess sugar intake, and high choking risk respectively?

Which snack is the safest option for a 10-month-old beginning finger foods?

What is the guideline for approximate daily fluid intake for young infants expressed as fluid ounces per pound of body weight?

A parent introduces a new food and sees a mild rash 24 hours later. According to the one-at-a-time introduction strategy, what is the most appropriate next step?

Which of the following explains why plain cow's milk is generally not recommended as the primary beverage before 12 months of age?

Calculate the approximate daily fluid requirement in fluid ounces for a healthy infant weighing 14 pounds using the guideline of 2 fluid ounces per pound. Should extra plain water typically be offered in addition to breast milk or formula for this age under normal circumstances? Provide calculation and brief justification.

For a 10-pound infant, calculate: (A) the estimated daily caloric requirement using 45 kcal per pound as a mid-range value, and (B) the estimated daily fluid requirement using 2 fluid ounces per pound. Show calculations and provide both final values.

Which weekly plan best synthesizes evidence-based feeding recommendations for a 6–8 month old being introduced to solids while continuing breast milk as the primary nutrition source?

An exclusively breastfed 3-month-old infant whose family reports daily short outdoor play without sunscreen shows no signs of rickets. Should vitamin D supplementation still be recommended and why?

A 9-month-old's growth chart shows consistent tracking at the 50th percentile for both length and weight for the first 6 months, then a progressive drop to the 10th percentile for weight while length remains near the 50th percentile. Which of the following is the most likely explanation requiring prioritized evaluation?

Why is offering fruit juice to infants under 12 months discouraged by pediatric nutrition guidelines?

A clinician wants to estimate the average monthly weight gain needed for a baby to meet the tripling-of-birth-weight expectation by 12 months. If a baby was 8 pounds at birth and currently 3 months old weighing 12 pounds, what average monthly weight gain is required for the remaining months to reach the tripling target at 12 months? Show calculations.

Which of the following first complementary foods best addresses iron needs for a 6-month-old infant?

During a 24-hour period an otherwise healthy 5-month-old (weighing 12 pounds) has had several episodes of diarrhea and low-grade fever. The caregiver asks whether to start offering plain water in addition to breast milk or formula. What is the best evidence-based recommendation?