Mixed feeding risky - expert

Speaking at a Pitso ya Botsogo held in Gaborone recently, Baikalafi said that mixed feeding can result in diarrhoea in infants and should always be avoided. She said that mothers have to decide whether they want to breastfeed or bottle feed, and stick to whatever choice they make. However, she advised that it is important that mothers breastfeed to give their children all the nutrients and minerals they need. "If you breastfeed let it be exclusively so. The same goes for bottle feeding," she said.

"That is why there are increased cases of diarhoea and disease outbreaks. It is because mothers breastfeed their babies and give them a bottle at the same time," she said.  Baikalafi added that they encourage all mothers, including those on ARV treatment, to breastfeed for at least six months. "Studies are continuing and so far it has been proven that it is safe for mothers on ARV treatment to breastfeed; so I urge all mothers to be free and breastfeed," she said.