Preventing Grandmothers from Giving Babies Raw Eggs
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) has reminded parents to prioritise babies’ safety when childcare practices differ from those of grandparents, particularly when those practices do not follow medical recommendations.
IDAI Central Executive Board Chair Dr Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, a paediatric cardiology sub-specialist, said parents should explain matters courteously when faced with inherited childcare practices that could put a child’s health at risk.
“We should, of course, respect parents and grandparents, as they generally offer advice based on experience and affection for their grandchildren,” Piprim told ANTARA by phone on Monday.
Piprim said parents could discuss how to care for the baby with the grandparents and consult a paediatrician together if they have differing understandings.
For example, raw eggs may be given to a baby with the intention of making the child stronger or helping them grow faster. However, raw eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria, which can cause serious infections, particularly in babies.
“The principle is that good traditions may certainly be preserved, but if a practice could endanger a child’s health, the child’s safety must come first,” he said.
Piprim added that caring for a baby is a shared responsibility among all family members involved. Grandparents should therefore be included in receiving accurate health information so they have the same understanding as the baby’s parents.
He stressed that affection for a grandchild should be accompanied by an understanding of the safety of the care provided, including feeding and everyday childcare.
Differences in understanding about infant care have again drawn attention following reports that a baby in Surabaya died after allegedly being given raw egg by the grandmother. The cause of death in the case must still be based on information from authorised medical professionals.
IDAI urged families to ensure that all childcare practices and food given to babies are appropriate for their age and in line with health professionals’ recommendations.