Practical, pharmacist-written advice for Nigerian parents — feeding and milk choice, allergy prevention, teething, nappy rash and the illnesses we are asked about most.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. For a child under 3 months with fever, breathing difficulty, a fit, a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade, or a child who is floppy or unresponsive — call 112 or go to the nearest hospital now.
Feeding from birth to 6 months
Breast milk alone is the best food for the first 6 months — no water, pap or herbal mixtures. It protects against diarrhoea, chest infections and helps lower the risk of allergy later.
What to do at home
Feed on demand, about 8–12 times in 24 hours.
If breast milk is not possible, use a standard infant formula (stage 1) made exactly to the instructions on the tin.
Boil water and let it cool before mixing formula; throw away any feed left after one hour.
Vitamin D drops are useful for babies who are mostly indoors.
See a doctor or pharmacist if
Baby is not gaining weight or has fewer than 6 wet nappies a day
Refusing feeds, very sleepy or hard to wake
Starting solids at 6 months
Begin soft family foods at 6 months while continuing breast milk to 2 years. Nigerian first foods work well: enriched pap with soya or crayfish, mashed beans, pounded yam with palm-oil stew, mashed sweet potato, moi-moi, pawpaw and banana.
What to do at home
One new food every 2–3 days so you can spot any reaction.
Add an iron source daily — beans, egg yolk, liver, crayfish, fortified cereal.
No added salt, sugar or seasoning cubes in the first year; no honey before 12 months.
Avoid whole nuts, popcorn and hard sweets — choking risk. Use smooth groundnut paste instead.
See a doctor or pharmacist if
Poor weight gain, or the child refuses all solids after several weeks
Swelling of lips or face, or breathing difficulty after a food — this is an emergency
Milk and lowering the risk of allergy
Delaying common allergens does not prevent allergy — introducing them early and regularly does. Special “hallergy” milks are only for babies who already have a diagnosed cow's milk allergy.
What to do at home
Standard formula or breast milk is right for most babies. “HA” (partially hydrolysed) milks are not proven to prevent allergy.
From about 6 months, offer well-cooked egg and smooth groundnut paste regularly — this lowers the chance of allergy to them.
Cow's milk allergy (not lactose intolerance): blood or mucus in stool, eczema that will not settle, repeated vomiting, poor growth. It needs a pharmacist or doctor to confirm.
Extensively hydrolysed or amino-acid formula is used for confirmed cow's milk allergy — never start it on your own.
Plain cow's milk as a main drink only from 12 months. Soya, almond or rice milk should not replace infant milk in the first year.
See a doctor or pharmacist if
Blood in stool, rash plus vomiting after milk, or faltering growth
Any swelling of the face, tongue or difficulty breathing — call 112
Still not sure what your child needs?
Talk to a Horient pharmacist, or book a clinic appointment for a proper check.
