Meet Santiago, a one-month-old son of two loving parents in Guatemala. “Santiago is the light of his parents’ life,” says our medical partners at Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK).
One month ago when Santiago was born, his mother was bedridden due to complications during birth. During this time, Santiago’s mother experienced lactation failure and could not produce any breast milk. “Santiago went three days without consuming anything other than water,” says WK.
Unable to afford infant formula, Santiago’s family did what they could to try and help his mother produce breast milk. “She visited local traditional healers and midwives, and took various herbal remedies to boost her breast milk. Although these remedies helped her produce some milk, it was far below what Santiago needs to grow, “ explains WK.
Without access to nutritious maternal milk, Santiago is at risk of dehydration and starvation, which will quickly begin to impact his development. If he does not receive enough calories, he may not survive his first months of life.
“I am just so afraid that my son is going to die from starvation,” says Santiago’s mother, “I know we need help–without it he can’t grow.”
$1,220 covers the cost of a 12-month program that will provide Santiago with infant formula to supplement his mother’s breast milk in order to replenish his calories and nutrition. This funding will also provide his mother with intensive counseling on how to properly prepare and mix infant formula, as well has one-on-one health education to prepare her for transitioning Santiago’s diet to solid food and watching out for other signs of illness.
