North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

At what age should formula-fed infants begin receiving iron supplementation?

1. 2 months

2. 3 months

3. 4 months

4. 6 months

The correct answer is: 3 months

Iron supplementation for formula-fed infants is recommended to begin at around 4 months of age, as that is when their iron stores may start to diminish and their nutritional needs increase. Formula-fed infants typically receive iron-fortified formula, which usually provides adequate iron for the first 4 months. However, after this period, additional supplemental iron may be necessary to prevent iron deficiency, particularly if the infant was born prematurely or has other risk factors for low iron levels. Starting supplementation at 3 months might not be universally required or recommended, as most healthy term infants have sufficient iron from their formula until around 4 to 6 months. Therefore, the correct timing aligns with the developmental stage when infants can benefit from additional iron, ensuring they meet their growing needs effectively.