Counseling mothers to improve breastfeeding practices

Health and Nutrition

“I counsel mothers on the appropriate time to introduce complementary feeding, and the benefits of continued breastfeeding. I also respond to any concerns they have about breastfeeding. I build confidence and give practical help, allowing them to also receive complementary foods for their children. I am passionate about working for my community, particularly vulnerable mothers and children. I also make an effort to recognize and praise what a mother and child are doing right,” shared Nasro.

Nasro Ahmed is an IYCF counselor and works at Shibis health Centre in Mogadishu supported by CISP. Nasro works with mothers, and her role is to give them counseling when they receive nutrition services at the centre. She provides one-and-one breastfeeding counseling for mothers experiencing difficulties in breastfeeding, including supporting re-lactation. 

“I come to work at 8:00 am in the morning. I do my daily activities at the center. I conduct three counseling sessions per day for mothers who visit the health center. I give counseling to groups of mothers then I visit the OPT department to meet them for one-one breastfeeding counseling. I also sign a card that indicates that I conducted the counseling and signed up the mothers,” Nasro explains. 

“I also use education materials on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices to show the mothers the indications and easily give specific advice for the mother’s needs,” she added. 

Nasro goes with a mobile team to the villages to talk to mothers regarding the importance of breastfeeding for the first six months as well as cleaning for children. The team also calls for mothers to bring their children who are identified as having acute malnutrition to the health center by giving them relevant information on key IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding). The most common challenge for new mothers is not feeding their children in the recommended way. 

This IYCF activity is under CISP’s “Support scale-up of preventive and curative nutrition services for children and women in Shibis and Shangani districts of Banadir Regional Administration (BRA)" project funded by UNICEF.

The program's general objective is to: improve or reduce the level of malnutrition in the region through the provision of at least 5 out of 9 basic nutrition package (BNSP) components, in partnership with the government, local authorities, and communities. Improve perception of parents/caregivers and the community at large towards infant and young child feeding practices, and remove community myths and misconceptions which contribute to malnutrition in children and PLW through robust community education.

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