Through a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Ms. Okore warned of a worrying trend: many parents in Nigeria are switching from infant formula to cow’s milk (adult milk). as a cost-saving measure. This practice stems from the economic difficulties faced by many families.
She pointed out that adult milk and infant formula are not designed the same. This is because infant formula contains easily digestible proteins, essential micronutrients such as iron and DHA that promote brain development, while adult milk does not provide these benefits.
The long-term risk of feeding infants cow’s milk is a deficiency of essential nutrients, which can lead to malnourished children. Ms Okore stressed that this situation could have repercussions on the mental health and brain development of children, which would affect the productivity and GDP of the country on a large scale.
She also warned against diluting the formula too much to stretch the quantity, which would not provide enough calories to children, increasing the risk of malnutrition.
To address this problem, Ms. Okore recommended that mothers opt for exclusive breastfeeding of infants under six months, as it saves money, provides essential nutrients and avoids hygiene problems. .
She suggested introducing complementary foods from six months, such as shrimp-enriched pap, dates, soy milk or family foods like mashed beans, yams, potatoes, rice and vegetables.
Dr Moruf Abdulsalam, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, highlighted the importance of adequate nutrition during childhood to ensure optimal growth and development of children. He warned that adult milk could cause intestinal bleeding and contain too much protein and minerals for a baby’s kidneys.
Thus, encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and gradually introducing appropriate complementary foods can help ensure a healthy diet and protect the health of infants.