A medical expert has urged mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life, highlighting its critical role in reducing infant mortality and shielding babies from infections such as malaria.
Speaking on Issues in the News, a RadioOne programme, Senior Registrar in Family Medicine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Damilare Soyemi explained that breast milk is rich in essential nutrients and antibodies that help strengthen a baby’s immune system and support healthy development.
He warned mothers against administering herbal remedies to infants, noting that many of these substances may contain alcohol and lack scientifically proven health benefits, making them potentially harmful to children.
Addressing a caller from Ibeju-Lekki who reported itching and darkened lips after taking malaria medication, Dr. Soyemi stated that such reactions could be linked to age-related sensitivity or the use of older drugs like quinine.
The expert also stressed the importance of proper environmental sanitation in preventing malaria, adding that the disease can lead to severe complications in infants, including coma and organ damage if not properly managed.
Reporting by Bukola Abe