Dietetic Technician Practice Test

What is the best feeding plan for a normal 3-month-old infant?

1. (8) 4 oz bottles of 20 cal/oz formula per day

2. (6) 5 oz bottles of 20 cal/oz formula per day plus rice cereal added to the bottle at night

3. Breastfeeding on demand

4. Breastfeeding alternated with 20 cal/oz formula throughout the day

The correct answer is: Breastfeeding on demand

Breastfeeding on demand is widely acknowledged as the best feeding plan for a normal 3-month-old infant. At this age, infants are typically developing rapidly and have specific nutritional needs that breastfeeding can effectively meet. Breast milk is designed to provide the perfect balance of nutrients, antibodies, and hydration that infants require during this critical growth period. Feeding on demand allows infants to regulate their own hunger and fullness cues, which supports healthy growth and development. It also encourages a strong emotional bond between the mother and child, and breastfeeding can adapt in composition as the infant grows and their dietary needs change. Moreover, breastfeeding has additional health benefits for both the infant and the mother, including a reduced risk of infections and a quicker postpartum recovery for the mother. The other feeding plans, while they may provide sufficient calories, do not match the flexibility, nutritional completeness, and bonding benefits that breastfeeding on demand offers. Formula feeding can be effective but doesn't have the same immunological benefits as breast milk. Additionally, introducing solids like rice cereal at an early age is generally not recommended and might not provide the necessary nutrients during this stage of life.