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Saving lives with 'first milk' in Ethiopia
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We’ve long understood that colostrum, the first
breast milk, is the most potent natural immune
system booster known to science. However, not
everyone knows this.
Research estimates that 830,000 newborn deaths could be prevented if every
infant was given breast milk in the first hour of life. In the Somali region of Ethiopia,
many pastoralist communities believe that ‘first milk’ is not good, and feed babies
a mixture of tea, sugar and honey for the first three days. Community health
promoters trained by Save the Children are working to change this approach.
(Neima)
(Sukra)
Mother of six, Neima, was one of the first to make the switch. She tells us:
“When I was pregnant with Sukra, the health promoter told me about the
amazing benefits of first milk.
“At first I was confused, but over time, I was convinced. I gave Sukra the first milk
immediately after I’d given birth. I realised that it was very good for my baby and
nothing bad has happened to her. She is the healthiest and strongest child in the
family. She hasn’t suffered from diarrhoea like my other children and she is more
active. She’s fast and eager to learn new things.”
Child Guardian
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