A paediatrician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Dr. Aisha Mohammed, has raised concerns about the risks associated with bottle feeding in children, highlighting its potential to cause dental caries and ear infections.
In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Dr. Mohammed highlighted that studies indicate a strong connection between bottle feeding and dental caries, which are often referred to as cavities. She noted, “Dental caries occur as a result of the erosion of the tooth surface due to a mix of bacteria, acids, plaque, and tartar.”
Dr. Mohammed also revealed that nearly 14 percent of ear issues in infants can be linked to bottle feeding. She stressed that these infections can impact both the inner and outer ear, presenting significant health hazards for children.
The paediatrician recommended using spoon and cup feeding as a safer option than bottle feeding once complementary foods are introduced. Dr. Mohammed stated, “Employing the cup and spoon method can reduce the risk of ear issues and dental cavities in infants. This is important because feeding bottles can harm both the outer and inner ear, whether due to dripping or forced feeding.”
She also cautioned against the practice of forced feeding in certain communities, highlighting that it may result in aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung condition caused by inhaling stomach contents. Dr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of mothers following proper guidelines for breastfeeding and complementary feeding to avoid choking and other associated health problems.
She pointed out that choking can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is frequently difficult to treat.
Dr. Mohammed also encouraged mothers to closely monitor their babies’ eating habits to identify appropriate foods for complementary feeding. She noted, “If a baby is rejecting the offered food in a normal and gentle manner, it indicates an issue with the meal, and the baby should not be compelled to eat.”
