Kader Arby, the dad of a world-record brood of nonuplets, has spoken to the Times about the experience of raising nine miracle babies as the kids celebrate their first birthday. The 36-year-old Arby, along with his wife Halima Cisse, set a new world record last year when the latter flew to Casablanca, Morocco, to incredibly give birth to nine children at the Ain Borja hospital.
Cisse, from Mali, displaced previous record-holder "Octomom" Nadya Suleman, who gave birth to a whopping eight babies in 2009. Arby and Cisse's nonuplets were only taken off a ventilator back in August, five months after the babies were born.
Each of the kids is now happy and healthy, living in a flat close to the Ain Borja hospital in Casablanca with their mom and a team of round-the-clock nurses on hand. Arby said that the nurses help with the nappies, which is not his area.
Nonuplets dressed in their finest for birthday party
Arby added that the nonuplets have been bottle-fed since the beginning, following their doctor's recommendation. Arby had joked then, asking, "What kind of person could breastfeed nine babies at the same time?"
It was a fun family affair for Arby, Cisse, and the kids as they celebrated the nonuplets' first birthday together. Joining the brood of five girls and four boys in the celebration was their big sister Souda, who is now three years old. The Daily Mail reported that the hardworking nurses of the nonuplets were also there for the babies' big day.
Each was dressed in their finest attire, with girls Oumou, Hawa, Kadidia, Adama, and Fatouma wearing baby dresses and tiaras, and boys Elhadji, Bah, Oumar, and Mohammed VI in baby tuxedos for the occasion.
The people who attended the party were delighted that the family was complete for this important milestone as doctors feared even before they were born that there was a less than 50 percent chance that any of the nonuplets would survive. They all proved to be survivors, with the babies passing that test with flying colors.
Nonuplets delivered by a squad of doctors, nurses, and paramedics
According to Arby, who serves in the Malian military, the biggest challenge right now is getting the nine babies to sleep simultaneously. Arby said it is only the second time he has been able to visit his offspring since they were born.
Arby was prevented from seeing his kids up close, given their delicate situation after birth. They emerged into this world from a fraught labor just a year ago, weighing between 1 pound and 2 ounces (500 grams) and 2 pounds and 2 ounces. Metro reported that the nonuplets were delivered by a squad of 10 doctors, 18 nurses, and 25 paramedics.
Arby spoke of the difficulties of looking after so many children, pointing out that even just one baby is usually a challenge. Arby explained how each baby has a unique personality, with some kids needing more attention, some needing to be held more, and others getting upset more easily.
