Introduction of solids
Giving your baby solid foods too early can cause problems because: o Your baby may not drink enough breast milk or formula. o Your baby’s system is not ready to digest solid food. o Your baby’s risk of...
View ArticleTexture Transition guide
The most suitable consistency for an infant’s or young child’s food depends on age and neuromuscular development of the jaws. Beginning at 6 months, an infant can eat pureed, mashed or semi-solid...
View ArticleFluid Intake for Babies
Water Offer room temperature water during the day and more often when the weather is hot or your child is very active. Ensure that the water is well treated by boiling or filtering. Try and avoid...
View ArticleNutritional Requirements
Complementary foods should provide sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients to cover a child’s energy and nutrient gaps, so that together with breast milk, they meet all his or her needs. The...
View ArticleQuantity Guideline for the Toddler
When planning and serving meals to your toddler, try to have him/her consume the following on a daily basis. A good rule for serving sizes for toddlers is the following: 1 tablespoon per year of age or...
View ArticleGuiding Principles for Complementary Feeding
1. Practice exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age, and introduce complementary foods at 6 months of age (180 days) while continuing to breastfeed. 2. Continue frequent, on-demand...
View ArticleQuantity Guideline for the Infant
The actual amount (weight or volume) of food required depends on the energy density of the food offered. For complementary foods to be energy dense, it is necessary for them to be quite thick and to...
View ArticleProviding a Stimulating Environment
The five senses help your baby develop an understanding of the world around them. The stimulation of these senses helps your baby develop in all aspects of growth and development. All of the senses...
View ArticleYour Baby’s Senses
The five senses include Sight Hearing Touch Smell Taste Sight Babies are born legally blind; At birth you need to be around 8” from their face for them to see you. By 6 months they can see at least a...
View ArticleYour Baby’s Senses Part 2
Touch Newborns have a well-developed sense of touch and use it often as they explore the world. Babies will begin to explore their world using tactile (touch) sensations, which is why many of the toys...
View ArticleHow to Sleep Train your Baby
In Africa and Kenya in particular, our culture influences how we train our babies to sleep. Most of us soothe our babies and will only put them to bed once they are completely asleep. But just as...
View ArticleHow to Establish Routines for your Baby
It is important to establish a routine for your baby as children thrive on routines. Your baby is better adjusted when they know what and when to expect. They thrive on predictability and learn from...
View ArticleToy Ideas and Tips
A toy is something to play with. Here are few ideas and tips to consider when getting and using toys for your little ones. • Choose age-appropriate toys. Read age and safety labels. Toys that are...
View ArticlePlaytime for Ages 0-12 months
Right from birth, help your baby be active through play as this aids in Helping them develop movement and achieve their growth milestones Helping to develop a strong heart, muscles and bones Keeping to...
View ArticlePlay Time for Ages 1-3 Years
This age is the toddler-stage and they are very adventurous. They are out to explore and conquer the world. It is important to allow your child to play but within safe limits. It is recommended that...
View ArticleEstablishing Family Traditions
This year has been a great year for you. You have a new addition to your family, a baby. Creating your own special rituals now, and faithfully repeating them throughout your child’s life, will provide...
View ArticleDown Syndrome
The first physician to diagnose and describe this syndrome was known as John Langdon Down and thus the condition was named Down syndrome. This is a genetic condition that is characterized by certain...
View ArticleSpina Bifida
This largely means “cleft spine,” and is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). In Spina...
View ArticleCleft Lip and Palate
Approximately 1 in every 500 Kenyan children is born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. This congenital condition may lead to difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speech development unless...
View ArticleTreatment Options for Cleft Lip and Palate
Since this condition is present at birth, the doctor will have a plan of treatment depending on the severity of the symptoms. These treatment interventions include: 1. Surgical Repair • Surgical repair...
View Article
