Dr. Teresa Mwoma: Why breastfeeding doesn't make you age faster

Dr Teresa Mwoma is a Senior Lecturer at Kenyatta University and a prominent figure in the field of early childhood education. She is the founder and National Coordinator ECD Network for Kenya where she spearheads early childhood initiatives dedicated to improving lives of marginalized families and vulnerable children. She recently spoke to Jael Musumba on importance of proper diet in children. 

What does nutrition encompass?

Nutrition involves intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. It’s about how food affects the body, focusing on how it impacts growth, development, and overall health. It encompasses the study and the science of understanding how food and nutrients affect our health, growth, and overall well-being.

We celebrated World Breast feeding Week last month and now it’s National Nutritional Week. How are the two related?

Nutrition week focuses on broader aspects of nutrition, which include; balanced diet, prevention of malnutrition, promotion of healthy eating habits across all age groups among others. Breast feeding week, on the other hand, highlights the importance of breast feeding for both infant and mother therefore, making it more specific on one aspect and considering its critical role in early childhood nutrition.   

How is nutrition crucial to expectant and breast feeding mums?

Good nutrition supports health of both the mother and baby. For expectant mothers, it helps in foetal development, while for breast feeding mothers, it ensures that the baby receives essential nutrients through breast milk.

What’s the best advice you can give to young mothers who avoid breast feeding due to myths about aging faster?

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Breast feeding is a natural process that offers immense benefits to both the mother and the child. Myths about aging faster are unfounded. Young mothers should know that breast feeding has numerous health benefits for both the mother and baby, far outweighing any unfounded myths. It supports the baby’s immune system, enhances bonding, and helps mothers return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster. Aging is not accelerated by breastfeeding; in fact, the health benefits can promote long-term well-being. Instead, focus on the health advantages breast feeding provides, such as reduced risk of certain diseases for both mother and baby.

What happens to orphaned infants? How best can they be fed? What about mothers who can’t breast feed due to health issues?

Orphaned infants can be fed with infant formula that mimics the nutritional composition of breast milk. Mothers who can’t breast feed due to health issues can use formula milk or donor breast milk from regulated milk banks.

When it comes to weaning a child, what foods must never be missing from their daily meals?

When weaning a child, it’s important to include iron-rich foods like pureed meats, fortified cereals, and traditional vegetables such as sukuma wiki and spinach. Incorporate fruits, grains, and other locally available foods to ensure balanced nutrition during this stage. Dairy products or alternatives for Calcium and Vitamin D are also important.

What food should 2–5-year-olds eat?

The food should be well balanced and should include fruits along with traditional vegetables such as sukuma wiki, spinach, and carrots. Whole grains like ugali, whole meal chapati, and porridge from millet or maize are essential. Lean proteins from beans, ndengu, eggs, fish, and lean meats, along with dairy products like milk and yogurt, should also be part of their diet. It’s important to limit foods high in added sugars and focus on nutrient-rich, locally available options.

Some children only take a spoonful of food and are okay. For them, eating is a struggle. How can a parent make them love food?

Make mealtimes enjoyable, offer small portions, and introduce new foods gradually. Avoid pressuring the child to eat, and involve them in food preparation to increase interest.

What if a picky eater refuses to eat certain food such as vegetables/meat?

Offer alternatives within the same food group, such as blending vegetables into sauces or trying different textures and flavors. Consistently offer the food without forcing it.

What does it mean when someone says Failure-to-Thrive (FTT)? Is this term still used?

Failure-to-Thrive refers to a child not gaining weight or growing as expected. The term is still used but is often accompanied by more specific diagnoses to describe underlying causes.

How do you know if a child is growing enough or on the right growth percentile?

Regular check-ups with a paediatrician and growth charts help track a child’s growth compared to standardized percentiles, indicating whether they are developing appropriately.

When working with a child, how do you maintain their trust?

I find it important to build a trusting relationship with each child I work with. When they feel comfortable talking to me about their feelings, it makes my job easier. For example, if a child is hesitant to try new foods, I might tell them a story about when I was their age and tried something new. This helps them relate to me and realize that I understand what they’re going through.

There is a new fad diet that claims it can help children lose weight. How would you respond to this?

I would first look at the scientific evidence behind the diet. If there is no proof that it works, I would explain to parents why it’s not a healthy way to lose weight. If there is some evidence that it might work, I would still advise against it because of the risks involved with fad diets. Instead, I would recommend they focus on eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

With the introduction of feeding programs in schools, what must be considered for a well-balanced diet?

Ensure the food is balanced. Portion sizes and food quality are also crucial for proper nutrition.