In teaching mothers-to-be about infant nutrition, which instruction should the nurse provide?

A) Supplement breast milk with corn syrup.
B) Give cow's milk during the first year of life.
C) Add honey to infant formulas for increased energy.
D) Provide breast milk or formula for the first 4 to 6 months.

Breast milk or formula provides sufficient nutrition for the first 4 to 6 months of life. Infants should not have regular cow's milk during the first year of life. It is too concentrated for an infant's kidneys to manage, increases the risk of milk product allergies, and is a poor source of iron and vitamins C and E. Furthermore, children under 1 year of age should never ingest honey and corn syrup products because they are potential sources of the botulism toxin, which increases the risk of infant death.