Yolanda and her twin sister Milvia were a huge surprise for her parents–they did not realize they were having twins! Even though this was a great surprise, it has been difficult for their family since Yolanda’s mother is unable to produce breast milk, leaving her hopeless to her daughter’s crying for milk. Her only option is to give her daughter sugar water to fill her belly and help her sleep. This is a delicate age as, without formula, Yolanda could face risk of seizure due to electrolyte imbalances, life-threatening diarrhea or other infection, and it could impede brain development.
Yolanda lives with her 6 brothers and sisters in a rural Guatemala. Together they live in a humble adobe home with a tin roof, where her mother spends her days weaving traditional Mayan textiles and taking care of the kids. Unfortunately, even if they spent every cent they had, they would not be able to afford the life-saving formula that their daughter needs.
Although dangerous, treatment for lactational failure is simple. Yolanda will begin to receive formula on October 16, and her parents will receive in-home motivational nutrition education, both helping her gain weight and grow well now, and giving her family the tools to prevent future cases of malnutrition in the long run.