Baby Soother and Baby Feeder

 Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

 
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (i.e., no other fluids or solids) for six months and then continued breastfeeding combined with solid foods for 2 years or as long as mother and baby desire.\
Some mothers feed their babies by feeders and if the feeders are not clean, the children might face some health problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some mothers and a physician about the health problems of using contaminated feeders.

A mother, a resident of Maidan-War who doesn’t want to mention her name in the program, says, “I was feeding my child with a feeder and he was always getting sick. He was suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. I was always feeding my baby with stale milk.
When I took him to the hospital, the doctor told me that I have fed him with contaminated milk and feeder.”

Ahmad Seyar, a resident of Helmand province says, “My uncle’s baby is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. We feed him by feeder and use baby soother to be calm.”

Doctor Ahmad Sahil, a pediatrician at one of the private hospitals, Kabul city says, “If mothers do not pay attention to the cleanliness of baby soothers and feeders, the baby would suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat and severe mouth ulcers.  These problems would cause dehydration to children and if not treated on time, the baby might lose his/her life.”

Why do some mothers think about the causes of feeding babies by feeders?

The mother from Wardak province says, “The doctor diagnosed that the baby was fed by contaminated milk.”

Helai another resident of Maidan-Wardak says, “If a mother doesn’t properly tight the cap of the feeder or keep the milk inside the bottle for a long time, would cause the baby to suffer from different disease.”

Doctor Ahmad Sahil says, “If the feeder is not well-washed or drops from baby on the ground or feed the baby with stale milk, taking benefit from plastic feeder instead of glass feeder might cause some health problems to the babies.”

How do some mothers find solutions for this issue?

Helai says, “I the mother of four children and feed my baby by glass feeder and I avoid plastic feeder because it spoils the milk soon. I prepare an amount of milk according to the recommendation of the doctor. I don’t use stale milk; I always keep the cap of the feeder closed after using.”

Zuhal Popal says, “I am the mother of three children. I fed my all children with a glass feeder. I had been washing the feeder with hot water and a special brush and before and after feeding my baby and I was putting the feeder in the sun for some time.”

Doctor Sahil says, “It’s better to feed babies with a clean pot or cup instead of the feeder. If it is necessary, the mothers should feed their children in glass feeders; the mother should not keep stale milk for next time. The feeder should be washed regularly and after feeding, the feeder should be washed and put in the sun.”