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Breastfeeding Support Program in Northern Iraq

In October of 2018, I was invited by an OB/GYN to visit an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp to help create a breastfeeding support program. Quality breastfeeding support has been identified as one of the greatest needs due to the lack of resources to buy formula, as well as the lack of a clean water source, putting infants at risk for food insecurity and diarrheal diseases. During my time at the camp, I helped create a breastfeeding support program, Babywell, that provides weekly classes as well as one-on-one lactation support. In the past five years, Babywell has grown to five staff members and we have so many reports of women and infants receiving vital care as well as incredible changes within the community in regard to how they think about breastfeeding. Babywell is housed under a non-profit organization, STLI, that I have contracted with for several years, if you would like more information about how to support this work please contact me or visit STLI's website.

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Photo by Kalie Wolfinger

IDP Camp - Population 32,000

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