A Gauteng mother spoke of the hidden trauma of watching her infant become dangerously ill, describing months of fear, guilt and emotional strain as her family struggled to understand what was making their baby sick.
Her daughter first became unwell at nine months old, with symptoms worsening over the following weeks.
Speaking to anonymously, the mother said by the time the baby was 11 months old, what began as stomach problems had turned into a medical emergency.
In early December, the infant was rushed to hospital suffering from severe diarrhoea and blood in her stools. Doctors said the symptoms were consistent with food poisoning, and the baby was kept in hospital for five days due to the severity of her condition.
The cause of the illness, she suspects, is the Nan HA 0–12 months (800g), previously sold as Nan HA 6–12 months in an 800g tin.
“I cried when she got admitted,” the mother said. “She had food poisoning that we did not know where she got it from.”
Doctors initially suspected the infection may have been transmitted within the household, possibly from the baby’s older sibling, who showed no symptoms.
In the midst of her ordeal, the Department of Health issued a nationwide warning over a recalled infant formula linked to a potential food safety risk.
The affected product was described as the is NAN Special Pro HA Infant Formula (0–12 months), 800g, batch number 51660742F3, with a best-before date of December 15, 2026, after the possible presence of Cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus, was identified.
The department cautioned parents and caregivers to take immediate action. “The Department of Health urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the affected Nestlé NAN product.”
Despite stabilisation, the infant continued to suffer from green, foul-smelling stools and intermittent diarrhoea after discharge, forcing her mother to learn how to manage hydration and care at home while remaining on constant alert for signs of relapse.
Beyond the physical illness, the emotional toll was profound.
The hospital admission meant the mother was separated from her two-year-old child for several days, adding to the strain.
She described overwhelming feelings of self-blame after learning that the baby’s feeding regimen may have played a role.
“When I found out about this, I was devastated and blamed [myself]. I felt like I had just poisoned my baby,” she said.
The infant had been prescribed a specialised formula after difficulties with breastfeeding, following an earlier switch from another milk due to digestive problems.
While doctors acted in the child’s best interests, the mother says the experience left her fearful of making the wrong decision again, haunted by the thought that something meant to nourish her child may have caused harm.
Today, she continues to care for her baby cautiously, balancing gratitude that her daughter survived with lingering anxiety and guilt.
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