<\/p>\n
Porridge prepared from sieved maize, otherwise known as \u2018Mmore Koko\u2019 in the local parlance has the tendency of getting babies who are fed with it drunk, the Ghana Health Service has revealed.<\/p>\n
The pudding that has over the years been the ideal meal for babies due to its easy-to-prepare nature and affordability is made from fermenting blended maize and made into a meal for babies.
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But when the maize is kept for too long, it turns into alcohol for these babies, which according to the Ghana Health Service is not good for the brain development of babies, especially those that are getting off exclusive breastfeeding.<\/p>\n
This forces the baby to sleep and the result is that the baby misses some meals during the day.<\/p>\n
Mothers have therefore been advised not to serve only this porridge, and if they do they do not have to ferment the maize, and ultimately the pudding must be fortified.<\/p>\n
Greater Accra Regional Nutritional Officer, GHS, Faustina Vimariba Tour made this known to starrfm.com.gh on the sidelines of a media workshop for journalists organized by UNICEF.<\/p>\n
The workshop was on the theme \u2018Equipping media workers with information to support media reportage on nutrition and nurturing care.<\/p>\n
The exercise hosted some 20 journalists from media houses across the capital and had representatives from UNICEF as well as the Ghana Health Service as speakers.<\/p>\n
Participants were also taken on a tour of the Children\u2019s unit of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital where they were briefed on procedures at the Antenatal Clinic, Postnatal Clinic, Child Welfare Clinic and Nutrition Department.<\/p>\n
Madam Tour said \u201c\u2026some people will give only \u2018Mori Koko\u2019 and sometimes they over ferment the \u2018Mori Koko\u2019 which is the maize porridge and it becomes alcohol. So, when you feed the child with it, it means that the child ends up getting drunk because it is the alcohol you have given to the child, and when the child sleeps, the child will miss the number of times that they\u2019re supposed to feed.\u201d<\/p>\n
As to whether there is research to prove any long-term effects of this practice on children, she noted \u201cwe cannot really tell the alcohol percentage. but alcohol is not good for the brain development of the child so it has some effects. If it\u2019s something they like, it should be fortified by adding other things to make it rich. Fortify it with groundnut paste, soya, etc
Also, it shouldn\u2019t be very light but should be thick and friendly for the child. Three to four spoons is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Madam Tour, transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to adding complementary food has become difficult due to the schedules of mothers in the present day.<\/p>\n
Research for exclusive breastfeeding shows that the percentage of infants aged 0-6 months receiving only breastmilk has reduced from 52% in 2014 to 43% in 2017.<\/p>\n
Speaking to starrfm.com.gh on the issue, she indicated \u201cbecause of how to transit from the exclusive breastfeeding to the addition of complementary food, the reason is that at 6 months, the nutrients in the breast milk is no more enough for the needs of the child. The child is growing, there are some gaps in Vitamin A energy, iron and certain key nutrients so you need to add on food.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media tour at the Antenatal Clinic, Postnatal Clinic, Child Welfare Clinic and Nutrition Department. Ridge Hosp.
She went on \u201cyou\u2019re not going to stop breastfeeding but you add family food to the breastfeeding so that the child will be able to get the nutrients that the child needs and the transitioning has to be done gently and with love and care.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome mothers do not have time, so they don\u2019t pay attention, they just want to push the food for the child to be able to take within a certain period so they can move but responsible feeding meaning that you having time to be able to feed the child with love and care. So, the child sees the food as something that is enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring these feeding times, it\u2019s not just you giving the required nutrient but also building the food habits of the child. If you rush the child to eat fast, the child will learn to eat fast. And also not feeding with one type of food. Everything starts at this age. The child is like a tabular rasta If they [mothers] can get leave from work it will really help and anybody at home should also support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statistics<\/p>\n
Breastfeeding prevents 3,774 deaths of babies each year. It saves Ghana over $5.8 million and generates more than $594 million for the economy, which is nearly 1.5% of Ghana\u2019s gross net income through having a healthier population.<\/p>\n
Source: starrfm.com.gh<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Featured Video\n<\/p>\n\n
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