Interview with a Pediatric Nutritionist on Infants’ Health
By Rizwan Farooq Channa
Infant health begins long before a child takes their first steps. It begins with nutrition—what we feed them, how we nourish them, and what habits we set in place from the very start.
At Nutritech Nutrition, we’ve spent decades developing science-based nutritional products to support this critical early stage. But formulas alone don’t tell the full story. So today, I want to share something different: a conversation.
I recently sat down with Dr. Saira Khalid, a pediatric nutritionist based in Lahore, who has worked with hundreds of families across Pakistan. Her experience spans both clinical and community settings, and her insights—equal parts practical and compassionate—left a lasting impression.
This isn’t a transcript. But it captures the spirit of our discussion. Think of it as a window into how experts really think when the cameras are off and the focus is on helping families do better.
Me: What’s the most common nutritional issue you see in infants in Pakistan?
Dr. Saira: Iron deficiency. No doubt. It’s everywhere. Babies are born with iron stores, but by six months, those start to run low. If we’re not careful, they fall into mild anemia by their first birthday—and it’s so preventable.
Also, protein-energy malnutrition in low-income communities. Not just underweight babies, but kids who look “fine” yet have stunted growth, low energy, poor immunity. You have to look closely to catch it.
Me: Do parents usually know something’s wrong?
Dr. Saira: Sometimes. But more often, they’re not sure. Babies grow slowly, and when families are stressed or busy or dealing with misinformation, it’s easy to miss subtle signs.
What I see is a lack of early education. Parents want to do the right thing, but they’re bombarded with conflicting advice—from relatives, the internet, even well-meaning doctors who aren’t specialized in nutrition.
That’s why I like working with companies like Nutritech. You’re not just making products—you’re creating tools that fit local realities.
Me: What’s one myth you wish you could dispel?
Dr. Saira: That more food means better nutrition. I see babies being overfed with cereal and mashed roti, but they’re still missing essential nutrients—iron, vitamin D, omega-3s.
Also, the idea that supplements are “artificial” and should be avoided. That’s not true. Used properly, they can fill critical gaps when food alone isn’t enough.
Me: When do you personally recommend supplements?
Dr. Saira: I’m cautious. I don’t hand them out like candy.
But if a baby is weaning and not getting enough iron-rich foods, I’ll recommend an iron supplement. If a child is vegetarian, I look at B12. For babies with low appetite or recovering from illness, something like a protein-fortified syrup helps.
I’ve used Nutritech products in several cases—particularly for post-illness recovery and when mothers are struggling with breastfeeding. The infant formulas are well-tolerated and halal-certified, which builds trust in our communities.
Me: What’s your message to new parents?
Dr. Saira: Don’t panic. Don’t try to be perfect. Focus on patterns, not one-off meals. And don’t underestimate the first 1,000 days—they shape everything.
Also, find a health professional you trust. You don’t have to do this alone.
A shared commitment
Talking with Dr. Saira reminded me why we do what we do at Nutritech Nutrition. We’re not here just to create powders and formulas. We’re here to support families, simplify decisions, and provide evidence-based nutrition that works for real lives.
That’s why our formulations are developed with local practitioners. Why we keep palatability in mind—because if a child won’t swallow it, it doesn’t matter how scientifically sound it is. And why we’ve trained our support teams not just to explain dosage, but to listen first.
A global platform, a local voice
This November, as Nutritech Nutrition travels to London for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council, we’ll be carrying stories like Dr. Saira’s with us.
Because this isn’t just about trophies or exposure. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with other innovators, saying: this is what works in our part of the world. This is how we serve our communities. This is what matters to our children.
And maybe—just maybe—that conversation helps shape solutions far beyond our borders.
Final thought
Infant health isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about building resilience, one meal, one bottle, one supplement at a time.
It takes good science. But it also takes humility, and a willingness to sit down and listen—like I did with Dr. Saira.
At Nutritech, we’ll keep doing both.