Parenting Tips

1. Danger Signs

Take your child to the nearest clinic if you see any of the following:

• Child is coughing and breathing fast (more than 50 breaths per minute)
• Child under 2 months old has a fever and is not feeding
• Child is vomiting everything

• Child has diarrhoea sunken eyes, and a sunken fontanelle
• Child is shaking (convulsions)
• Child has signs of malnutrition (swollen ankles and feet)

• Child is not moving or does not wake up
• Child is unable to breastfeed

2. 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.

A). Bring your baby to the breast as opposed to leaning forward to stretch your breast into your baby’s mouth. Support your baby’s head and neck.

B). Let your baby’s head tip back a little so their top lip can brush against your nipple