Stunting is the most common manifestation of malnutrition and it affects 22.3% of children under the age of five. Contributing to this problem is taking babies off breast milk too early and replacing it with either (non-nutritive) alternatives. These alternatives include diluted milk formulas, creamers, condensed milk, flour, sugar water, or tea, including Rooibos.
Good nutrition is the foundation for a healthy future
Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential for healthy growth and development.
Conversely, inadequate feeding practices lead to major health issues and high infant mortality rates. Global malnutrition causes 60% of the 10.9 million deaths annually among children under five. Well over two-thirds of these deaths, which are often associated with inappropriate feeding practices, occur during the first year of life.
Among the important messages to enforce in addressing malnutrition is when and how to safely introduce milk substitutes into a baby’s diet to reduce stunting and infant death.
Milk substitutes and stunting
Sadly, some mothers substitute milk feeds with Rooibos typically within weeks of giving birth, which is ill-advised.
While Rooibos has many health benefits, it cannot replace breastmilk, formula milk, or any other macro-nutrient-rich foods since the tisane has no nutritional value. Water and rooibos lack protein, carbohydrates, and fat, which are all vital to a baby’s growth.
If possible, mothers should breastfeed their babies for the first six months and no other food or liquids should be given to the infant during that period, which includes water. For infants who cannot receive breast milk, an infant formula may be given, without any other complementary foods, until the age of 6 months.
Thereafter, other liquids like water and Rooibos (without sugar, honey, or any other sweeteners) can gradually be introduced, along with food.
Mothers and caregivers should keep in mind that infants are particularly vulnerable during the transition period when complementary feeding begins.
Complementary foods for infants
Complementary foods must be the following to guarantee that the infant’s nutritional requirements are met:
- Timely, refers to their introduction at the age of 6 months, when the infant’s need for energy and nutrients exceed what can be met by regular, exclusive breastfeeding or formula milk feeds.
- Safe, hygienically stored, prepared, and fed with clean hands using clean utensils; enough in that they give enough energy, protein, carbs, fat, and micronutrients to meet a growing child’s nutritional needs and prevent stunting.
Unsweetened and unflavored Rooibos without milk can help with soothing digestive issues – not only in babies and toddlers but in people of all ages. It is also a great way to hydrate, especially for breastfeeding mothers.
Given the known high polyphenol content of Rooibos, the tisane may potentially exert a pre-biotic effect in the gut to improve chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal concerns. Traditionally, among many other uses, Rooibos is consumed to aid digestive problems, such as stomach cramps and nervous tension. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Rooibos can ease colic, while it is not indicated for babies before the age of 6 months.
Breastfeeding mothers and nutrition
Breastfeeding mothers can also drink Rooibos as a source of pre-biotics for the infant, while also changing their diet to help treat colic. Breastfed infants with colic have significant reductions in crying time if the mother is placed on a hypoallergenic diet, where dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, and fish are eliminated, and Rooibos is introduced.
Polyphenol antioxidants in Rooibos are potent enough to measurably elevate the antioxidant levels in breast milk, thereby boosting the infant’s internal defense systems against colic or digestive issues. Mothers can drink 500 ml of green Rooibos and the effect of the polyphenol antioxidants will peak about one hour after consumption.
Red (fermented) and green (unfermented) rooibos are available in plain, flavored, and blended form, with green rooibos having slightly higher levels of antioxidants than the traditional red version. The fact that Rooibos is low in tannins, – and caffeine-free, making it a much healthier alternative to soft drinks and fruit juice, provided it is served without sugar, honey, or other sweeteners.
Both soft drinks and 100% fruit juice may contain as much as 20 to 26 grams of sugar per 250 ml. Research consistently shows a link between high sugar intake and a higher risk of being overweight and other illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Rooibos for infant wellbeing
Strong, unflavored rooibos (plain, without anything added to it) in baby’s bathwater can also help soothe dry and irritated skin conditions, such as eczema, nappy rash, and cradle cap.
Rooibos also contains allergy-fighting antioxidants like quercetin, which means it works as a natural antihistamine. Equally, the anti-inflammatory antioxidants in Rooibos can assist with a baby’s teething discomforts.
Rooibos can be given to babies 6 months and older as a cold or hot drink. Or, it can be given to babies as an unsweetened ice lolly to soothe inflamed gums while teething.
Who is the author?
Amanda Kuit is a Dietician whose services include General, Cancer Patients, Diabetics, Paediatrics, Cholesterol, and Kidney Issues.
References
- World Health Organisation: Stunting
