Otto Mboro: HFDI Strengthens Caregivers’ Capacity on Complementary Feeding with IYCF Session and Food Demo in Onna LGA
Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), Akwa Ibom State has equipped breastfeeding mothers, nursing mothers, and adolescents in Mkpok Community, Onna Local Government Area with practical skills on infant nutrition through an Infant and Young Child Feeding, IYCF, education session and food demonstration.
The activity, themed ‘Otto Mboro’ a local complementary food made from unripe banana is part of the HFDI’s commitment to improving maternal, infant, and young child nutrition in underserved communities through evidence-based interventions.
The Infant and Young Child Feeding, IYCF session targeted caregivers to strengthen their knowledge and skills on complementary feeding beginning at 6 months of age, and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond.
The session also discussed dietary diversity using affordable, locally available foods, age-appropriate meal frequency, portion sizes, and food consistency, and safe food preparation, hygiene, and responsive feeding techniques.
Participants were educated that breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet an infant’s nutritional needs after 6 months. Discussions also covered the prevention of malnutrition and how to support optimal child growth and development.
To translate knowledge into practice, HFDI facilitated a practical food demonstration using locally available ingredients. Caregivers were guided step-by-step on preparing “Otto Mboro’ from unripe banana Nkim Mboro, a food commonly found in Onna.
The demo emphasised nutrient-preserving cooking methods, balanced food combinations, appropriate consistency for infants 6 months and above, and hygienic handling before, during, and after preparation.
The participants were encouraged to replicate the recipes at home to improve the nutritional status of their children.
The interactive session recorded several positive outcomes. Caregivers showed increased knowledge on when to start complementary feeding, improved understanding of dietary diversity, and gained practical confidence in preparing nutritious meals.
One participant, Mrs. Esther Udo, sincerely appreciate HFDI for organizing the nutrition session. According to her, before today, I did not know the right time to introduce complementary foods or how to prepare balanced meals for my baby using foods we already have at home, especially Otto Mboro.
“The practical demonstration has given me the confidence to feed my child better. I will apply everything I have learned and also share this knowledge with other mothers in my community.” – she stated.
HFDI reaffirmed its commitment to sustained community engagement, continuous nutrition education, and regular follow-up to reinforce positive behavioral change and strengthen household capacity to provide adequate nutrition for infants and young children.
The organization noted that such community-centered interventions are critical to the adoption of optimal infant feeding practices, prevention of malnutrition, and improved child health outcomes in Akwa Ibom State.
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