HOW TO RAISE A HEALTHY CHILD...

Good nutrition to grow and be healthy

Your child needs the right foods to be healthy and grow well. Ask your health worker if your child is growing well and speak to them if you are worried about anything.

Birth to 6 months

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. It is the ideal food for your baby to grow, develop and be healthy.

Give your baby ONLY breast milk for the first six months of life. Do not give porridge, water or any other liquids. Do not give any other home or traditional medicines or remedies. Only give your baby medicines they receive from the clinic or hospital. Breastfeed as often as your baby wants, both day and night. Breastfeed your baby at least eight times in 24 hours. The more your baby feeds the more milk you will produce. Almost all mothers will produce enough milk for their baby not to need anything else for the first six months.

You can express (pump) breastmilk for other carers to give to your baby while you are away. They should use a clean cup, rather than a bottle. Store expressed breastmilk in a clean glass or plastic cup with a lid. Defrost in a fridge or at room temperature over 12 hours or by standing in water. Do not boil or microwave. It is best not to use bottles or artificial teats (dummies). Some babies find it difficult to suckle at the breast after using a dummy. Bottles are also difficult to clean and may have germs that can make your baby sick.

If you are HIV-positive, remember to always take your HIV or antiretroviral treatment. This makes breastfeeding safe.

Breastfeeding mothers should eat healthy food. They must not drink alcohol, smoke or take other harmful drugs.

Why should I give only breastmilk during the first six months of life?

Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months of life.

Baby’s tummy (intestine/gut) is not yet ready for any other foods, water or other liquids before 6 months.

Babies may get diarrhoea , constipation , infections and allergies if other foods, or other liquids – including water – are given before the baby is 6 months old.

Breastmilk contains enough water to quench your baby’s thirst during the first 6 months of life, even in hot weather.

Breastmilk contains special properties that keep your baby healthy. Breastfeeding reduces the chance of your baby getting pneumonia and diarrhoea.

Giving other foods before six months will cause you to produce less breastmilk and your baby will not get all the nutrients they need to grow and develop well.

Protection from preventable childhood diseases and injuries

Children should NOT only be taken to the clinic when they are ill. You should also take your child for their full course of immunisations/ vaccines and routine treatments according to the timetables in your Road to Health book.

Immunisations are free. They protect your baby from common childhood illnesses and disease. Make sure your baby gets all his or her immunisations.

Go to the clinic for your follow-up visits for you and your baby within six days of birth and at six weeks.

Make sure that you know when your baby needs to return to the clinic for immunisations or other care. If you miss the date for your clinic visit, make sure that you return as soon as possible.

If you are HIV-positive, get your baby tested for HIV at birth and at 10 weeks.

All children between 6 months and five years should receive vitamin A and deworming medicines every six months. This helps to keep them healthy.

Remember to wash your hands after using the toilet, changing nappies, before preparing meals and before feeding children. Wash your hands properly.

Many serious injuries can be prevented if parents and other caregivers supervise young children carefully and keep their environment safe.

A child should not be left unattended or unsupervised. Make sure that there is always a responsible adult taking care of your child and that you know where your child is at all times.

Protect yourself too. Decide on a contraceptive method of choice and also use male or female condoms to prevent both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (dual protection).

Special care for children who need a little more help

Your baby’s development, growth and health depends on so much more than just good health care. It depends on the daily care and protection you and your family provide to your baby from the moment that he or she is born (and in fact from when your baby is still in the womb and even before your baby was conceived)

HIV

– If you are HIV positive, make sure that you get the treatment that you and your baby need to stay healthy. If you are unsure of your status, ask the health worker for HIV counselling and testing for you and your baby. TB

– TB is common. Tell the nurse at the clinic if you have a cough lasting longer than two weeks, weight loss or night sweats, or if there is someone in your household with TB. If there is, your baby should receive medicine to prevent TB for six months. Serious injuries

– Many serious injuries can be prevented if you look after your child carefully and keep their environment safe. Supervision

– Your child should not be left alone, unattended or unsupervised. Make sure that there is always a responsible adult taking care of your child and that you know where your child is at all times. Disability

– Children with mental and physical disabilities need extra care. If your baby has a disability you will need support with caring for and protecting your baby. Tell your health worker and they will refer you to a social worker for parenting support. It is good to join a support group so you can share your experiences.