“Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed”
At a breastfeeding corner in Omdurman, mothers receive practical support and information to feed and care for their children during the early years of life.
Since 9-month-old Layan was born, her mother, Iqbal, has brought her to Bir Hamad Primary Healthcare Centre for services including immunization and nutrition screening.
At the UNICEF-supported health and nutrition facility on the outskirts of Omdurman in Khartoum State, children and parents receive a range of free services, including nutrition care and treatment.
Layan has received all her immunizations and is meeting her growth milestones. While she is breastfeeding well today, the beginning was not easy.
Like many mothers, Iqbal faced breastfeeding challenges in the days after Layan’s birth.
“The first three days were the most difficult,” Iqbal recalls.
“My baby couldn’t latch properly, even when my mother tried to help, it was still difficult and there was no milk, only water.”
Iqbal’s mother, aunts and grandmother wanted to help, but they too had limited access to accurate information about breastfeeding and were familiar with misconceptions that had been passed down through generations.
They also did not know that colostrum, the thick, yellowish first milk produced after birth is highly nutritious and helps protect newborn babies like Layan. Colostrum is a baby’s first milk and should not be discarded.
Although she felt frustrated and had many questions, Iqbal was determined to breastfeed Layan. Putting her to the breast frequently, adjusting her position and seeking support at the health facility eventually helped Layan breastfeed successfully.
“I asked my mother many times, ‘Why me?’” she recalled.
Once Layan was able to breastfeed well, she slept peacefully and cried less after feeding.
“I was very happy that my child was finally able to breastfeed.”
A dedicated space for mothers
One day, Iqbal noticed a change at the health facility. In the waiting area, a small space had been set aside. There, mothers sat on large mats attending a session led by Rayan, a nutrition counsellor, while their babies played with toys. Some mothers breastfed during the session.
It was the newly established breastfeeding corner. A dedicated space where mothers can learn about infant and young child feeding practices, including breastfeeding, while feeding their babies comfortably and safely.
When Iqbal joined the first session, she never missed another.
Rayan, who has worked at the facility for three years, has supported mothers like Iqbal to overcome challenges around infant feeding and breastfeeding. When UNICEF and partners proposed establishing a dedicated space for pregnant and breastfeeding women, she led the team. Nine months later, the number of mothers attending continues to grow.
“Many mothers are not familiar with the recommended feeding practices, the foods children should eat and at what age, how often they should eat or even the correct consistency of the foods prepared,” Rayan explained.
Rayan has encountered several misconceptions about infant feeding, most commonly giving babies water or food before six months of age.
"Many mothers tell me that their parents and grandparents followed these practices, so they believe they are correct," she added.
Today, she is confident that the breastfeeding corner is meeting an important need.
Every day, Rayan provides individual counselling in addition to twice-monthly group sessions, where she addresses challenges such as poor latching, cracked nipples and incorrect positioning. She has also seen how mothers learn from one another’s experiences.
During each visit, Iqbal learns more about how to support Layan’s nutrition and development. In a recent session, she learned that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, meaning no other foods or liquids, including water, unless medically indicated. She recalls giving Layan water early on, on her mother’s advice, something she now regrets.
“I have learnt a lot of information I didn’t know.”
After six months, Layan started eating complementary foods alongside breastfeeding to support her growth and development. She still prefers breast milk and is eating only small amounts of other foods. But breast milk alone is no longer sufficient for her nutritional needs. At the breastfeeding corner, Iqbal is receiving guidance on age-appropriate meal frequency, dietary diversity, food consistency and responsive feeding to help Layan continue to grow and develop well.
More than a place to breastfeed
In just a few months, the breastfeeding corner has become a trusted space for mothers and children. Every day, Rayan welcomes pregnant and breastfeeding women. She has also created a WhatsApp group to share reminders about the monthly group counselling sessions. More than 2,600 mothers have received infant and young child feeding counselling since the corner opened.
Rayan also screens mothers for malnutrition so that those at nutritional risk can be identified and supported.
A message to mothers
Iqbal’s journey began with uncertainty, but being able to breastfeed Layan successfully brings her joy.
To mothers who are struggling to breastfeed, Iqbal says: “Don’t give up, keep trying and seek support until the child latches on the breast.”
For Rayan, Iqbal’s experience is one of many she encounters. Stories like hers reinforce the importance of the breastfeeding corner and of continuing to reach mothers with practical information and support.
“I like that I can support mothers to nurture their babies. All I say to them is “breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed.”
“While it can be challenging, breastfeeding ensures babies are healthy and, with the right support, mothers can do it successfully.”
She also encourages partners, parents, grandparents and other family members to support mothers with kindness and accurate information, and to protect them from misinformation or pressure to introduce water or foods before six months. It is a reminder that successful breastfeeding depends on support from families and communities, skilled health workers and accessible health services.
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Across Sudan, UNICEF and its partners, with support from the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, are helping parents and caregivers access information on infant and young child feeding and care through Mother Support Groups and breastfeeding corners. These initiatives provide mothers and caregivers with the knowledge and support they need to promote healthy growth and development, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life — a critical period for health and well-being.
