Children's Nutrition

Feeding Your Child for a Strong Future

June 21, 2026 by

Kamal Elrasheed

Introduction

More than one in three children under five in northern Nigeria is stunted, with the northeast having among the highest rates in the country. Stunting means a child's body and brain have not grown as they should because of poor nutrition during the earliest stages of life.

This is not only a hunger problem. It is often a feeding knowledge problem.

What a child eats during the first 1,000 days of life from conception to two years of age has a major impact on brain development, immunity, physical growth, and future learning ability. The good news is that parents can make a huge difference using affordable, nutritious local foods.

This guide provides practical advice to help your child grow strong, healthy, and ready for the future.

The First 6 Months: Breast Milk Only

For the first six months of life, breast milk provides everything a baby needs. It contains the right balance of nutrients, water, and protective antibodies that help fight infection.

No other food, water, herbs, or liquids are needed during this period.

Key Breastfeeding Tips

Start breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
Give the first yellowish milk (colostrum). It is rich in antibodies that help protect newborns from infection.
Breastfeed on demand, both day and night.
Exclusive breastfeeding helps reduce diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malnutrition.
Mothers should eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated to support milk production.

6–24 Months: Complementary Feeding

At around six months of age, babies need more nutrients than breast milk alone can provide. This is when complementary feeding begins.

Complementary feeding means introducing nutritious solid foods while continuing breastfeeding.

How to Start

Begin at about 6 months of age when your baby is developmentally ready for solid foods.
Start with soft, thick porridge made from maize, millet (gero), or sorghum (dawa).
Enrich porridge with groundnut paste, sesame, milk, or other nutrient-rich ingredients.
Gradually introduce mashed vegetables, beans, eggs, fish, and soft meat.
Feed 2–3 times daily at 6–8 months.
Increase to 3–4 meals daily by 9–12 months.
Continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least 2 years of age.

A Common Feeding Mistake

One of the most common mistakes is giving babies only thin, watery porridge such as diluted kunu or akamu.

While it may fill the stomach, it provides very little nutrition.

Instead:

Make porridge thick.
Add protein-rich foods.
Include healthy fats.

This simple change can greatly improve growth and development.

The Best Local Foods for Child Growth

Many of the most nutritious foods for children are already available in local markets.

Energy Foods

Millet porridge
Sorghum porridge
Sweet potatoes

Protein-Rich Foods

Groundnut paste (gyada)
Eggs
Fish
Beans (wake)
Soft meat

Vitamin and Mineral-Rich Foods

Moringa (zogale) leaves
Dark leafy vegetables
Carrots
Pumpkin
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes

These foods provide important nutrients that support brain development, immunity, healthy growth, and learning.

You do not need expensive imported baby foods. Properly prepared local foods can provide excellent nutrition for growing children.

Warning Signs of Malnutrition

Seek medical attention promptly if your child has any of the following:

Poor weight gain
Weight loss
Swollen feet, hands, or face
Very thin arms and legs
Enlarged or swollen-looking abdomen
Dry, patchy, or discoloured skin
Hair that becomes thin, reddish, or falls out easily
Lack of interest in food
Extreme weakness
Delayed developmental milestones

Early treatment can prevent serious complications.

Vitamin A and Iron: Two Nutrients Every Child Needs

Vitamin A

Vitamin A supplementation is provided free of charge at many government health facilities for children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Benefits include:

Protection against blindness
Stronger immunity
Reduced risk of severe infections

Parents should ensure children receive their scheduled vitamin A doses.

Iron

Iron helps the body make healthy blood and supports brain development.

Children who eat very little meat, fish, or other iron-rich foods may be at risk of iron deficiency anaemia.

Speak with a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you are concerned about your child's iron intake.

Practical Tips for Parents

Feed children a variety of foods every day.
Include protein in every meal whenever possible.
Wash hands before preparing food and feeding children.
Use clean water for cooking and drinking.
Continue feeding during illness and offer extra nutritious meals during recovery.
Attend routine child welfare and growth-monitoring visits.

Small daily improvements can have lifelong benefits.

Conclusion

A well-fed child is a child with a stronger future.

The nutrition choices made during the first two years of life can influence a child's growth, learning ability, health, and opportunities for years to come. By using nutritious local foods, continuing breastfeeding, and recognising early signs of malnutrition, parents can give their children the best possible start in life.

At Amkamed Pharmaceuticals, Gombe State, we are committed to supporting families with trusted health advice, nutrition guidance, and professional referrals when needed.

Need Advice About Your Child's Growth?

Visit Amkamed Pharmaceuticals, Gombe State, for trusted nutrition guidance and professional support. Our team is ready to help you give your child the healthiest start possible.

Amkamed Pharmaceuticals Caring for Families, Building Healthier Futures.

amkamed.com

References

Stunting and Severe Stunting Among Children Under-5 years in Nigeria: A Multilevel Analysis.BMC Pediatrics. 2017. Akombi BJ, Agho KE, Hall JJ, et al.

Mapping Local Variations and the Determinants of Childhood Stunting in Nigeria.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023. Ahmed KY, Ross AG, Hussien SM, et al.

The economic rationale for investing in stunting reduction.Maternal & Child Nutrition. 2013. Hoddinott J, Alderman H, Behrman JR, Haddad L, Horton S.Review

Advocacy for Improving Nutrition in the First 1000 Days to Support Childhood Development and Adult Health.Pediatrics. 2018. Schwarzenberg SJ, Georgieff MK.