Keeping babies healthy

The story “Shock over 18 baby deaths at Ingquza Hill” (DD, Oct 27) about babies dying of malnutrition is truly sad. It is disturbing that something like this can still happen.

No doubt the role played by poverty in many parts of the country is huge.

However, even more disturbing is the ignorance displayed by so many mothers. It should be a natural instinct to breastfeed your baby and if you can’t, then research infant formulas.

Virtually every adult in South Africa has a cellphone with some kind of connectivity to information on just about anything.

There are even Xhosa internet access providers.

And what happened to the mothers, grannies and other family members who let this happen? Why is there no assistance, advice and care forthcoming from them?

With the child grant there is even less excuse.

The clinics must also be failing them and not giving them the practical advice they need.

I would wager that 100 years ago the infant mortality rate was, percentage wise, lower than it is today in the rural areas because back then people used common sense and worked together to ensure society functioned properly and that precious children were given priority.

– Name supplied, via e- mail