Dangers of mixed feeding during the first 6 months

Dangers of mixed feeding during the first 6 months

• Mixed feeding means feeding your baby both breastmilk and any other foods or liquids, including infant formula, animal milks, or water.
• Mixed feeding before 6 months can damage your baby’s stomach.
• Mixed feeding increases the chances that your baby will suffer from illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, and from malnutrition.
• Giving your baby foods or any kind of liquids other than breastmilk, including infant formula, animal milks, or water before 6 months can damage your baby’s stomach. This reduces the protection that exclusive breastfeeding gives, and all of the benefits that your baby gets from your breastmilk.

Note for health worker:

• If a mother is HIV-infected, refer to the six Special Circumstance Cards for information on HIV and infant feeding.