Multiple births can present significant health concerns both for the mother and her unborn children - even more so in the developing world.
As well as twins and triplets having a much higher chance of being born prematurely, underweight and needing time in intensive care, many mothers struggle to provide enough breastmilk to adequately feed more than one new-born.
In a country such as Malawi, where formula milk alone costs more than most people earn, babies from multiple births are at significant risk of malnutrition.
This was the case for triplets Jacqueline, Jessica and Janet - but thanks to Open Arms' early intervention through community-based care, they are thriving under the care of their loving mother and family!
Jacqueline, Jessica and Janet were born in July 2023 and immediately faced a difficult battle. All of them were underweight, extremely vulnerable and required two months of intensive care in hospital.
Weight gain continued to be a challenge for the sisters once home, as their mother struggled to produce enough milk to feed all three babies. The smallest of the triplets, Janet, was re-admitted to hospital with malnutrition in January 2024. With the other two also showing signs of malnutrition, and their mother clearly burdened trying to care for them as well as her older twins, the Social Welfare Office in Blantyre referred the family to Open Arms in February 2024.
The triplets were immediately enrolled onto Open Arms' Community-Based Care Programme for urgent nutritional and developmental support.
Through frequent visits from Reintegration Officer Anthony (left) and Assistant Chikondi, the family received regular supplies of infant formula, likuni phala fortified porridge flour and other essential baby items, as well as wellbeing checks to monitor the triplets' growth and development and support their mother as needed.
After just 4 weeks, the girls had all gained a substantial amount of weight and strength, and started to catch up on key developmental milestones such as sitting independently and reaching out for things around them.
Their mother was overcome with emotion and gratitude to Open Arms for stepping in at such a critical time and 'saving her babies'. She has expressed that she is finally at peace knowing she can care for her children without worrying about losing them to malnutrition.
Now 18 months old, all three triplets have gained and maintained a healthy weight, are fit and strong and show no signs of or long-term effects of malnutrition at all.
They are each walking independently, responding to their names when called and clapping their hands when prompted, which shows improved coordination and physical development. They wave goodbye when people leave, demonstrating important social interaction skills, and point at objects they find interesting - an early sign of curiosity and cognitive development. They are also starting to utter their first words - a joy for their mother to hear!
Early intervention is key in tackling malnutrition and its damaging effects on children - protecting not only their physical growth and health, but also their cognitive development, which has a significant impact on their future prospects.
Through community-based care, Open Arms steps in to intervene for children such as Jacqueline, Jessica and Janet when they need it most - helping them survive their infancy, grow up to thrive with their families and look forward to a brighter future.
Our aim is to extend this support to 100 children and their families over 2025, so whether it's through donations, fundraising, volunteering or spreading awareness, thank you for your wonderful support that enables our team to provide this life-changing care.
Your donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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