The Tablespoon Toddlers
From worried mothers to thriving toddlers, a daily nutrition supplement is helping children grow stronger, one spoonful at a time.
Best friends Surayya, 21 months, and Aisha, 22 months, are two cheerful toddlers who become very serious when food arrives. Their friendship began a month ago at the Outpatient Therapeutic Feeding Programme (OTP) at Primary Health Centre Dembo in Zaria, Kaduna State. What brought them together was their shared love for a nutritional supplement called SQ-LNS, Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement.
Just weeks earlier, their mothers had arrived at the clinic deeply worried. Both children had become weak, were eating poorly and were rapidly losing weight. Health workers introduced them to SQ-LNS, a nutrient-rich supplement packed in a small 20g sachet, lighter than a third of a Gala roll, and taken once a day.
At first, the mothers were unsure how the children would react. Their doubts disappeared quickly.
“After the first week, we had to retire the teaspoon. Even with the tablespoon, tears start flowing if there is any delay when eating.” says Hajara, Aisha’s mother.
Surayya and her younger sister Naima, 11 months, have been taking SQ-LNS for just one month. Back at the clinic to collect their next supply, Surayya can barely contain her excitement and quickly pulls her friend Aisha along with her. Nutrition officer Aliyu Nuhu smiles as he checks their records. Both children have made remarkable progress and are cleared for another round of supplements.
SQ-LNS is a nutrient-dense supplement used to prevent early childhood malnutrition. It contains more than 20 vitamins and minerals, requires no refrigeration or heating, and is designed to complement the diets of children aged six months and above. While it is not a replacement for breast milk, studies have shown that SQ-LNS can significantly reduce the risks of child mortality, stunting, wasting and other forms of malnutrition.
“I’ve never seen a child who loves coming to the clinic more than Surayya,” says her mother, Ramatu. “She stops whatever she is doing the moment I bring out a sachet of SQ-LNS. It is her favourite meal of the day.”
As part of the outpatient therapeutic program (OTP) sessions, mothers are also taught how to prepare nutritious complementary meals using local ingredients. On this day, pap (porridge) is prepared on site and mixed with SQ-LNS. The two toddlers waste no time. Huge spoonfuls disappear into eager mouths. Within minutes, the cups are empty.
Today, all three children are thriving. Their mothers speak with visible relief about the changes they have seen in just a few weeks, healthier appetites, steady weight gain, and children who now run, play and demand food with energy their families had feared was slipping away.
“In the past month, I’ve seen so many changes in Aisha,” says Hajara. “Her appetite has improved, she eats much more, and she is full of energy. The difference is very clear.”
Tiny sachets. Giant battles against malnutrition. Humanity really does keep surviving through the smallest things, usually carried in the hands of exhausted mothers who have not slept properly in years.
