‘‘I was educated on the importance of wet-nursing and exclusively breastfeeding Iqlas for the first six months at the same time nourish myself on available, affordable, nutritious foods and I was given porridge to increase my milk supply,’’ Nuria*.

35 years old Nuria* is a mother of 7 children and resides with her husband and children in a village in southern part of Somalia. Before moving here, they were farmers and pastoralist, growing sorghum and maize during the rainy season on their land. They consumed milk and sold the produced ghee in the market; they used the money to buy food.  

In 2022 when severe drought hit, they lost some of their property but managed to sell the remaining 11 cows and 18 goats and rented their land to come and settle their current village in search of a better life. They settled with some of their relatives. Nuria* manages household tasks and cares for her children, while her husband earns $3 a day as a casual labourer.

One day, Nuria* discovered an abandoned newborn girl near their home and decided to adopt her. She went through the necessary clearance needed to get the adoption papers naming her Iqra*. Nuria* became happy that she got an additional blessing to her family. However, the little baby became sick at 4 months old, suffering from diarrhoea and refused to feed, leading to weight loss.

Upon learning about Save the Children maternal and child health (MCH) center nearby, she sought help for baby Iqra*’s persistent diarrhoea. The community health worker present at that time screened the baby and she found out that baby Iqra* was malnourished as her mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) was 10.8 with a weight of 4kg and Height of 54. A healthy child of Iqra*’s age weighs 6.4kg a normal baby weight. Baby Iqra* was enrolled in the MAMI program which is the management of small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months and their mothers for management.

Exclusive breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for both the baby and the mother such as bonding and emotional connection between the biological mother and the child. On case as such as a non-biological mother breastfeeding a baby, the act of breastfeeding can foster a deep connection and provide a sense of closeness between the non-biological mother and the baby.

Under the care of healthcare workers, baby Iqra* received the necessary treatment for diarrhoea illness and her mother Nuria* was educated on exclusive breastfeeding and wet nursing. She also received individual counselling sessions on infant feeding practices. Through the infant young child feed (IYCF) program and blanket supplementary feeding program (BSFP) initiative, Nuria* learned about nutritious foods for herself and the importance of increasing her milk supply. She was provided with a porridge that helped enhance her milk production. By following the advice from the counselling sessions and program, Nuria*’s baby Iqra* showed significant improvement in health and weight gain.

After attending multiple counselling sessions and following the recommendations given, baby Iqra* health improved remarkably. At the last check-up, the baby had gained weight and met the necessary growth markers, leading to her discharge from the MAMI program at 6 months old. Nuria* now shares her experience with other mothers, emphasizing the importance of proper infant feeding practices in promoting children's health and development, regardless of biological relationships.

 

Nuria’s story

‘‘My name is Nuria*, I am 35 years old mother of 7 children who are aged between 16 years to 1 and half years old.

My family now consists of eight children, together with my husband and children we all now live in this village.

Before coming here in 2022, we were farmers and pastoralist in another village outside this district. During the rainy seasons we planted sorghum and maize on our own land. We exchange some of the farm produce for money and the remaining we used it as a source of food.

We also had 34 cows and 55 goats. We sold some of the animals when they increase in numbers and especially when we needed the money. The milk from the animals we mostly used for drinking and making tea while the remaining milk we produced ghee which we sold in the market.

The 2022 severe drought really affected our animals and crops. We managed to save 11 cows and 18 goats which we later sold. We also rented our land.

We settle here with my relatives in search of a better life than the one we were in at that time.

My husband is working as casual labour to earn a living he earns $3 a day. I look after the kids as well as doing the household chores. One day, I found a newly born baby girl that was left just near our house. I decided to adopt.

I went through the necessary steps needed to get the adaption papers. I went to the police, appeared at a hearing in a court and was then granted the adoption papers to be the mother of the baby and named her Iqra*.

At my house since I have small children, formular milk is available hence I started to give the formular milk to baby Iqlas’.

When Iqra* reached 4 months, she became sick, had diarrhoea, refused feeding, and finally losing weight. A mother from my nearby neighbourhood informed me the presence of Save the children MCH which is 2km from our village.

I decided to visit the MCH because Iqra* had persistent diarrhoea. The CHWs started the screening process and told me that she was malnourished.  She was admitted to receiving proper support treatment that was to help her recover at that time. The IYCF counsellor at the site provided me individual counselling sessions.

I was educated on the importance of wet-nursing and exclusively breastfeeding Iqlas for the first six months at the same time nourish myself on available, affordable, nutritious foods and I was given porridge to increase my milk supply.

I ate locally available foods, frequently breastfeeding Iqra* to increase my milk supply and sustain healthier lifestyle. I received 12 IYCF key messages. After three consecutive visits, my behaviour has changed very well. I realized that Iqlas started gaining weight and showed great improvement.

I started to share my experience with other mothers to save children’s lives, health, and development in early ages even when they are not their biological mothers.

Firstly, I am thankful to God for giving me baby Iqra*, second to SCI for its tireless assistance to help my daughter recover.’’

 

Background / Project information

 

Save the Children (SCI) Somalia started working in Somalia in 1951 and is registered in the three areas of operations in Somaliland, Puntland, and Somalia's Federal Government. SC's goal is to inspire breakthroughs in treating children and achieve immediate and lasting change. SC works closely with and sometimes through partners, including local NGOs, CBOs, and other stakeholders. SC Somalia works in 4 thematic areas: Child Survival (Health, WASH and Nutrition), Child Protection & Child Rights Governance, Child Poverty (Food Security and Livelihoods and Emergencies) and Education (including Education in Emergencies).

The objective of the USAID/BHA-funded program, Sustainable Opportunities for More Accessible Livelihoods, and Integrated Assistance (SOMALIA) is to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child morbidity and mortality and build resilience by improving access to safe, quality lifesaving primary health, nutrition, WASH, and protection services for crisis-affected communities, and help them meet their household dietary needs while seeking sustainable solutions wherever possible. SOMALIA supports most deprived populations with poor access to services, marginalized communities and IDP populations.

Save the Children implements BHA project that treats Malnutrition under five children, pregnant and lactating women, diseases like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and any contagious diseases such as measles among children. Follow up of children undergoing treatment for further advice to the parents, malnutrition screening for children under five, referral of children with danger signs, health education and IYCF promotion to mothers, immunization, and antenatal care services. The overall project objectives were Improved equitable access to quality integrated lifesaving Health and Nutrition interventions for boys and girls (0-59) months & PLW among drought and conflict affected communities in Somalia while investing in long term solutions meant to mitigate drought effects.