Table 2 Key recommendations and messages for promoting optimal feeding and health practices

1

Continue to breastfeed your child on demand, during the day and night throughout the first and second years. Breastfeed first before giving other meals.

2

Start giving soft and thick meals in addition to breast milk when child completes 6 months, then continue with mashed and semi-solid meals. Increase variety, amount and consistency of food as he/she becomes used to eating and chewing different foods.

3

Prepare a thick porridge made from a combination of cereal flours. Enrich the porridge by adding groundnuts, milk, egg or legume. Thin porridge does not contain adequate nutrients to support your baby to grow well and stay healthy.

4

Give undiluted cow’s milk to your child at least 3 times per week.

5

Cook, mash, and add one or more ingredients from legumes (e.g. beans, pigeon peas, bambara groundnuts, cowpeas) in each meal.

6

Cook, mash and feed animal source foods (e.g. eggs, beef, pork, chicken, liver, fish, sardines) at least 3 times per week.

7

Cook, mash, and feed vegetables (e.g. leafy vegetables, pumpkin, avocado) in each meal.

8

Feed your child a fruit (e.g. pawpaw, ripe banana, mango, orange) after a meal at least once per day.

9

Increase frequency of feeding meals per day (2–3 times at 6–8 months, 3–4 times at 9–11 months, 3–4 times at 12–23 months). Feed 1–2 snacks (e.g. fruit, bread with groundnut paste) between two major meals.

10

Encourage your child to eat with patience and love. Encourage a sick child to drink and eat more frequently during illness. Provide extra food after illness to facilitate quick recovery.

11

Wash your hands with soap before preparing meals or before feeding children. Wash your hands with soap after visiting the toilet, and after cleaning a child who has defaecated.

12

Learn to recognise early danger signs and symptoms of childhood diseases. Promptly take a sick child to the nearest health facility for examination and treatment.

13

Ensure that your child completes a full course of prescribed medications. Return for a follow-up visit at the health facility when required or if child’s condition is not improving.

14

Keep your home environment clean. Use preventive measures to protect your child and family from diseases.