6 months old & only 8 lbs.

Part of what I do with the Baby Safe is helping young moms feel empowered to take care of their infant babies.

Here’s Linda's story:
18 years old, living with her boyfriend miles away from home, in a strange new township, with a 6 month old. With no jobs, they have no money to eat, let alone provide for their little baby girl.
Because Linda does not have the basic support and care of a mom, sister, or trusted friend, she has no one to encourage, advise, & help in the raising of her first born. Recently the baby has been struggeling to gain weight. 2 weeks ago, at her 6 month weigh-in, the baby was only 8 lbs.
Enter Baby Safe.
We were contacted by social workers to help address the situation. At first Linda was sent to the local clinic to get formula. However, a month later, the baby was still not gaining any weight. I was asked to go with Linda to her next clinic appointment. To advocate for her. To get some answers. If she was getting formula from the clinic, why wasn’t the baby gaining weight? What can we do to save the life of this child? How can we empower Linda to be a good mom? Come to find out, Linda was only feeding the child half of what her age requires. When I showed her how to properly make the bottle, hold the baby, and feed her, I discovered Linda did not know how to feed her baby. All Linda needed was someone to show her how to feed her child. To teach and encourage her.
We got Linda a check list on what days to go to the clinic to collect her monthly formula & baby cereal hand outs. A form on how many scoops of formula is needed to prepare the bottle, etc. Basic stuff.
We have some very good friends in Holland who were able to buy Linda, her boyfriend Joe, and baby a Christmas food parcel. I was able to deliver the package to them the other day. They were over-joyed at the bags of food! And I am super happy to report that the baby is gaining weight and looking better
*names have been changed due to confidentiality*