Ministry of Health announced the health risks of a ban on bottle-feeding
Parents with newborns and young children are looking for new ways to feed their babies after the Ministry of Health announced the health risks of a ban on bottle feeding.
The move comes after Parliament passed the Breastmilk Supplement Regulation and Control (BMS) Act 2012. The law defines baby bottles as designated products, i.e. items that fall under statutory supervision.
I did not know all of the benefits to breastfeeding until today! I am going to do more research into this #AllOurhealth pic.twitter.com/Kex9l6d8y6
— eveš«¶ (@evieoxtoby) March 28, 2022
In the new rules, the Ministry of Health banned the use of feeding bottles, teats, pacifiers, and cups with spouts from May 28, 2022.
In particular, the new regulations do not ban infant formula, only restrict its marketing.
Also, parents of babies are advised to use cups and spoons instead of bottles, which are healthier for the baby’s development.
Health officials found that the pacifier the child used to feed was made of silicone, a different texture than the mother’s breast. Medical experts explain that this can lead to nipple confusion and may cause the baby to refuse to breastfeed.
Experts have found that sucking from a bottle can put pressure on the inner ear, and children can develop repeated ear infections.
It has also been argued that baby bottles are not easy to clean because they have multiple markings and often hide bacteria and microbes that often cause diarrhea and other infections in children.
Kenya is keen to regulate baby food. Kenya’s Breast-milk Substitutes Regulation and Control Act of 2012 prohibits the advertisement and promotion of any specific or complementary foods.
This is in line with the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Policy (MIYCN) 2019, which complies with laws and codes.
