Question: What is Down’s syndrome?
All medical practitioners have seen patients with this relatively common syndrome that used to be known by the rather derogatory and racist name of ‘Mongolism’. Modern medical students now call it Trisomy 21 to totally confuse their older peers.
The disease is named after a London physician who lived in the middle of the nineteenth century. One in every 600 children has Down syndrome, but the actual incidence may be two or three times greater, with these pregnancies ending in miscarriage. The main characteristics include a ‘Mongol’ facial appearance, mental retardation and congenital heart disease. They also have a heavily fissured tongue, low set ears and a single transverse crease on the palm. The effect the syndrome has can vary from one victim to another. Some seem to cope, or are not as severely affected, as others. Unfortunately, as child grows, the problems may become more obvious.
Despite the claims of some quacks, there is no effective treatment for this distressing condition, but it can be diagnosed during pregnancy by special tests.

Question: I do not have enough breast milk so how do I give supplementary feeds to my baby?
There is no need for you to stop breast feeding. The production of breast milk can be encouraged by the more frequent feeding of the baby and ensuring that the breasts are completely emptied after each feed. If essential, there are also medications available that can help build up beast milk production.
If your child is not gaining sufficient weight despite these measures, supplementary feeding is essential. This can take the form of formula milk, cow’s milk or solids, depending on the child’s age. Your doctor or clinic sister can guide you here.
At each feed, the breasts should be given first, and emptied as much as possible. After this, the supplementation can be given, and then the breasts again, if desired, to ensure that they are empty and give comfort to both mother and child. Weighing should be done weekly until an adequate rate of weight gain is achieved.