Department explains cup-feeding of babies in hospital
Hospital confirms cup-feeding method of babies in their care and says its because of many health reasons.
The community of Krugersdorp is still seeking answers after the News published an article of an upset mother who discovered unexplained red marks on her baby while in hospital.
On 10 October the mother contacted local Freedom Front Plus councillor, Amanda de Lange after Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital refused to bottle feed her nine-month-old baby who was being treated for pneumonia. The mother also believed her baby was neglected by the nurses after she discovered marks on her child’s back.
The hospital’s response to the mother about the feeding was that no other baby in hospital is being bottle-fed and she is not allowed to bring her own bottles.
The News contacted the spokesperson for the hospital, Puseletso Mabidikame, who referred the request for comment to the Department of Health.
“It should be noted that the use of bottles and pacifiers is a top contributory factor to diarrhea and pneumonia, and those two conditions are the major causes of infant and child mortality and as such we discourage the utilisation of it in our facilities and opt for cup feeding, instead. The health benefits of cup feeding are reduced incidences of tooth decay and chronic hospitalisation of children. Mothers are properly oriented on cup feeding, accordingly,” Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson of the Department of Health, Steve Mabona, said.
Comment about the unexplained red marks has not been forthcoming and still remains a mystery.
Related articles here:
• Mother upset with baby’s treatment at hospital
• Hospital refuses to comment about death of mom and baby
• Shocking details about mother and baby’s death
