Mothers in Gaza are attending breastfeeding sessions at the Mother and Child Corner at Hikr al-Jame’ Health Centre in Deir el-Balah, seeking help while coping with hunger, displacement, stress and difficult living conditions.
The centre supports about 400 to 500 women each month, according to nursing manager and breastfeeding specialist Sabreen al-Buhaisi. Its sessions include guidance for mothers and advice for partners and relatives on how to support breastfeeding.
Support for mothers and families
Eman Huneidq, 38, visits the centre twice a week with her nine-month-old daughter, Ward. Huneidq, a mother of three with diabetes and a blood-clotting condition, said she had difficulty breastfeeding after Ward was born prematurely and spent 10 days in hospital.
Painful cracks in her breasts made breastfeeding harder, and she temporarily relied on formula. The source report says formula is expensive in Gaza and requires clean water; import restrictions also made it difficult for her to obtain suitable medical creams.
The centre’s staff describe the Mother and Child Corner as a safe space where women can discuss questions and fears. Huneidq said the sessions helped her breastfeed regularly, manage her diabetes and understand which food and drink were available to her family.
Displacement adds pressure
Hiba al-Masri, 23, is trying to breastfeed her three-month-old son, Yusuf, while living in a tent in central Gaza with her husband’s extended family. Fifteen people share the tent, leaving her little privacy while she cares for Yusuf and her other children.
Al-Masri lost a 20-day-old daughter during the early months of the conflict, when the family was displaced in northern Gaza. She said the centre’s support improved her ability to care for Yusuf and that his health had improved.
Breastfeeding specialist Iman Abu Ouda said transportation to health centres is scarce and expensive, while many mothers live in tents that provide little protection from heat or cold. Some women also believe that stress or insufficient food prevents them from breastfeeding.
Food, water and mental-health needs
The centre acknowledges severe food shortages while explaining that many women can continue breastfeeding in difficult conditions. Staff suggest lower-cost foods such as lentils, beans and chickpeas and provide available nutritional supplements. Meat, fish and fruit are often unaffordable for families, the source report says.
Some mothers turn to formula despite its high cost and limited availability. The centre also works with its mental health team to support women coping with grief after losing family members or homes.
For Huneidq, the support does not remove the conditions outside the clinic. Her family has no income and depends on a community kitchen for meals. In the tent, water must be carried, dirt and sand cover the living area, and she worries about insects and rodents near her sleeping baby.
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