Please Don't "Force-Feed" Children:

I had to write this because of a recent news in circulation regarding a Nigerian woman who was recently sentenced to 15years Prison Time for the death of an 8month old baby she was babysitting in America because of force-feeding. I was shocked and saddened by the news. I even got more shock reading comments of some Nigerians who still support this feeding method. After sometime, I decided to write this:

There are many reasons babies don't eat at the time you want them to . From my little experience, I will list a few:
- Baby is thirsty, give water in-between feeding and see if they continue rejecting the food
- Baby is not hungry
- Baby doesn't like the food, try something else
- Baby isn't feeling well
- Baby is wet
- Baby is full
- Baby wants to sleep
- Baby doesn't like the person feeding at the moment
- Baby's mood
- The odor of the food isn't pleasant
- The food temperature
- Environment isn't comfortable
- Kid wants to feed self (signs of maturity)
...
Endless reasons I tell you. Babies and kids are humans too. They are just like you and me. As a parent or child-caregiver it's best to look for cues or signs when feeding or caring for children. There are reasons they cry too.  It's not always because they are hungry for food. That's another day's topic. May God help us to be wise mothers. God bless you all.

- Martha I. Iyen