In America, when caregivers begin offering solid foods to th…
In America, when caregivers begin offering solid foods to their infants, cereal most frequently is offered. Infant cereals offer both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of offering whole-grain infant cereal are: (1) the infant is developmentally ready to accept the cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, (2) the fortified cereal supplies supplemental iron and zinc, (3) the infant can digest the starch in the cereal, and (4) wheat cereals provide an opportunity for the immune system to become accustomed to wheat, which is one of the common food allergens.