When 15-day-old Paguany Khor fell ill, he was admitted to the primary healthcare centre (PHCC) in Nyal, South Sudan, for three days. But when he was discharged, his mother, 20-year-old Nyayiena Mabieh, struggled to breastfeed him effectively.
Fortunately, International Medical Corps has provided lifesaving nutrition services in Nyal since April 2017. We offer services to children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women through nine outpatient therapeutic feeding programme (OTP) and targeted supplementary feeding programme (TSFP) sites, 44 mother-to-mother support groups and 13 father support groups.
Nyakueth Dak, a leader-mother trained in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) by International Medical Corps, assessed Nyayiena Mabieh’s breastfeeding difficulties and determined that her engorged breasts were the main issue. Nyakueth referred Nyayiena to the International Medical Corps-supported nutrition site in Gap, a village close to Nyal, for further counselling. At the nutrition site, Nyayiena was counselled on breastfeeding frequency, how to hand express breast milk and cup feed an infant, and good attachment and positioning. The MIYCN counsellor also provided her with information on practicing exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of her child’s life.
With regular support on breastfeeding, Nyayiena’s breast engorgement improved, and she was able to breastfeed her baby normally.
“My boy looks healthy and playful now,” said Nyayiena. “I’m grateful to International Medical Corps and the Ministry of Health for supporting me through my challenges.”
When Paguany Khor reached six months of age, the MIYCN counsellor and Nyakueth counselled Nyayiena on the timely introduction of complementary feeding.