Human babies are extremely vulnerable. They are born helpless – unable to feed themselves, to walk or even hold up their own heads. They cannot protect themselves from danger and need 24/7 care from the moment they are born. With no inbuilt immunity, their tiny bodies are also highly susceptible to disease and malnourishment.
It takes many years of development before a human baby can achieve even small milestones in independence. For new mothers, the resulting sense of responsibility can be overwhelming and scary.
But in Timor-Leste, the situation for new mothers is even more frightening. Every five hours a child under the age of one will lose their life, making them 14 times more likely to die than an Australian newborn.
Yet with education and support, these deaths are largely preventable.
Amilzia sleeps peacefully in her mother’s arms.
Her small face appears from the yellow and blue sarongs that swamp her tiny frame.
Her hands, half the size of mum’s finger, are crossed over her chest, and the thick string bracelets on her wrists rise and fall as she breathes.
The bracelets are there to ward off bad spirits.
Since she was born two weeks ago, her family has been worried about her health. Amilzia’s been struggling to breastfeed and is losing weight. While this may be normal for newborns in their first week after birth, the little girl hasn’t shown the healthy and normal signs of regaining weight.
She’s a 2.3kg bundle of joy, but the situation is distressing for mum Rosa, who is already having difficulty producing breastmilk.
Amilzia’s grandmother Filomena has been visiting the pair at their home in Timor-Leste’s Liquicia district, to provide encouragement and support.
Great grandmother Natalia, who makes the long walk down from her home in the mountains, has also joined them.
All three women are worried Amilzia will become malnourished and won’t gain enough weight to receive vaccinations – if she’s lucky to get them.
They know there’s a chance the little girl might not survive.
But worry, at the moment, is all they feel they can do. When they’re not distressed or anxious about Amilzia’s future, they’re hopeful things will change.
