By about 6 months, an iron-rich formula should be offered because the infant has:

By about 6 months, an iron-rich formula should be offered because the infant has:

• A. Limited ability to produce red blood cells.
• B. Ineffective digestive enzymes.
• C. Exhausted maternal iron stores.
• D. Need of the iron to support dentition.

Answer: (C)

Main idea: after birth, infants rely on iron stored from the mother, and those stores are largely used up by around six months. Introducing iron‑rich formula at this time helps meet the ongoing iron needs during rapid growth and prevents iron-deficiency anemia. The other options don’t fit because the issue isn’t a limited ability to produce red blood cells, a digestive enzyme problem, or a need tied to dentition; it’s simply that maternal iron stores are depleted and dietary iron is now needed.

Main idea: after birth, infants rely on iron stored from the mother, and those stores are largely used up by around six months. Introducing iron‑rich formula at this time helps meet the ongoing iron needs during rapid growth and prevents iron-deficiency anemia. The other options don’t fit because the issue isn’t a limited ability to produce red blood cells, a digestive enzyme problem, or a need tied to dentition; it’s simply that maternal iron stores are depleted and dietary iron is now needed.