Parents must be supported as they plan the best possible future for their children. Planning steps include appointing guardians, writing wills and giving clear instructions about the children's future. Families need counseling to surmount their feeling of anxiety and vulnerability, and economic support to overcome the loss of income due to illness. African mothers have always known that apart from satisfying a baby's emotional needs, breastfeeding boosts immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.

Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. Cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected in varying degrees from illnesses including, pneumonia,  staph infections, influenza, ear infections, and measles. Further, mothers produce antibodies to what ever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight diseases their babies are exposed to as well.