Growth & Development
Q: By how many months does an infant typically double their birth weight?
A: 5 months
Q: What is the daily vitamin D recommendation for breastfed infants?
A: 400 IU/day
Q: At what age should complementary foods be introduced?
A: 6 months
Q: What tool is used to assess weight status in toddlers?
A: Weight-for-length percentiles
Q: What is the usual weight range for a newborn in the U.S.? Is this the healthy target range?
A: 5.5–8.5 lbs (2500 to 3800 grams)
and No
Q: What growth measurement is used for children under 2 years old instead of BMI?
A: Weight-for-length
Q: What macronutrient provides 50% of an infant’s calories?
A: Fat
Q: What is baby-led weaning?
A: A method where infants feed themselves finger foods instead of being spoon-fed
Q: What is early childhood caries (ECC) and how is it prevented?
A: Tooth decay in young children; prevented by limiting sugar, avoiding bedtime bottles, and brushing teeth
Q: What is the recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding according to the AAP?
A: For the first 6 months, with continuation to 2 years or beyond
Q: What does it mean if a toddler jumps two percentiles in less than 6 months?
A: It may indicate abnormal growth that should be evaluated
Q: Why is cow’s milk not recommended before 12 months?
A: It’s low in iron, can cause intestinal bleeding, and stresses kidneys
Q: What does “responsive parenting” in feeding involve?
A: Recognizing and responding appropriately to hunger and satiety cues
Q: What is the risk of overconsuming cow’s milk in toddlers?
A: Milk anemia due to microbleeds and poor iron absorption
Q: What is one reason a breastfed infant may be protected from allergies and asthma?
A: Breastfeeding supports gut microbiome development, which reduces risk of immune-related diseases
Q: By what percentage should birth length increase by one year?
A: 55%
Q: When should iron supplements be given to breastfed infants?
A: Between 4 to 6 months and after that complementary foods should have iron in them
Q: What is a food jag and why is it common in toddlers?
A: Repetitive eating of the same food; due to neophobia and asserting independence
Q: Why are children aged 9–18 months at highest risk for iron deficiency?
A: They are have used up infant stores and are not getting enough iron rich foods. Alsom being moved to cow's milk and may be having too much of it.
Q: What is the AMDR (Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range) for fat in toddlers aged 1–3?
A: 30–40% of total calories
Q: Describe how iron-deficiency anemia can affect cognitive development in toddlers.
A: It may cause irreversible delays in cognitive function, affecting IQ, learning, and memory due to impacts on myelin synthesis and overall brain processing speed.
Q: Name two nutrients whose deficiencies can impair cognitive development and describe their roles.
A: Iron – essential for myelin synthesis and cognitive function; Iodine – critical for brain development and thyroid hormone synthesis
Q: List 3 signs of developmental readiness for solid foods and explain why each is important.
A: Sitting with support (reduces choking risk), doubled birth weight (shows growth and readiness), interest in food (shows cognitive and sensory engagement with eating)
Q: Explain how a leaky gut contributes to food allergies in infants.
A: Undigested proteins pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and potential allergy development
Q: What specific bacteria found in the gut of breastfed infants is known to provide health benefits and digest human milk oligosaccharides?
A: Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis