Children’s Day: Why good nutrition is a lifeline for babies

As the world celebrates Children’s Day today (Tuesday), it is a time for deep reflection on what it truly means to give our children a chance at life. Among the most powerful tools we have in shaping a child’s future is good nutrition.

For babies and young children, food is more than sustenance. It is the building block of brain development, physical growth, and immune strength.

The first 1,000 days of life—from conception to age two—form a critical window that can define a child’s lifelong potential. Yet for millions of Nigerian children, this window is closing far too soon.

Why Nutrition Matters

When children don’t get enough of the right nutrient, they may experience problems. The consequences of malnutrition can be devastating:

– Stunted growth, where children are too short for their age

– A weakened immune system, leading to frequent infections

– Low energy and poor cognitive development, affecting school performance later on

– Long-term health complications, including fertility problems and chronic diseases

Even overnutrition — feeding babies too much — can be harmful, leading to issues like diarrhea, obesity, and increased risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.

A Global and National Emergency

Globally, malnutrition remains one of the deadliest threats to children under five, contributing to nearly half of all child deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Most of these occur in the critical first year of life, when poor feeding practices and infections intersect in deadly ways.

In Nigeria, the crisis is particularly urgent. Recent figures from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) paint a stark picture:

– 43% of Nigerian children under five are stunted

– 9% are severely wasted

– 25% are underweight

– Between 5–8% are overweight

– Malnutrition is linked to 60% of childhood deaths

Poor breastfeeding practices, inadequate diets, poverty, and repeated infections are at the heart of the crisis. Shockingly, less than 20% of Nigerian babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life—despite the fact that breastmilk contains all the nutrients and antibodies babies need during this period.

What Needs to Change

Tackling child malnutrition requires awareness, education, and action. Experts recommend:

– Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months

– Timely introduction of nutritious complementary foods thereafter

– Educating caregivers on proper feeding practices

– Improving healthcare access to treat and prevent malnutrition-related illnesses

– Supporting community nutrition programs and ensuring food security for vulnerable families

In all, as we celebrate Children’s Day, let it be a call to nourish our babies. Good nutrition is a right. And every spoonful of care we invest in our children today is a seed planted for a healthier, stronger Nigeria tomorrow.