Infant and young child feeding
In 2002, WHO and UNICEF jointly endorsed the "Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding" to focus world attention on the impact that feeding practices have on the nutritional status, growth and development, health, and thus the very survival of infants and young children. The Global Strategy renewed commitment to continuing joint action consistent with the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding. In the scope of the Global Strategy, countries are urged to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate a comprehensive national policy on infant and young child feeding. This includes ensuring sufficient maternity leave to promote exclusive breastfeeding.
Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices include:
- exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months;
- timely initiation of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond; and
- appropriate feeding of infants and young children living in especially difficult circumstances (low-birth-weight infants, infants of HIV-positive mothers, infants in emergency situations, malnourished infants, etc.)
There is evidence that appropriate infant and young child feeding is among the most effective preventive actions for reducing under-five mortality. Promotion of breastfeeding ranked first, and improved complementary feeding, administration of zinc and vitamin A were also described as important ways to prevent deaths. Infants are particularly vulnerable during the transition period when complementary feeding begins. Ensuring that their nutritional needs are met thus requires that complementary foods be timely, adequate (i.e. they provide sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients to meet a growing child’s nutritional needs), safe, and properly fed. Appropriate complementary feeding depends on accurate information and skilled support from the family, community and health care system. A summary of the IYCF situation in the Region is available from the Nutrition Unit.
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Fact sheets
News and press releases
9 August 2011
WHO raises the alarm over nutrition threat
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21 December 2010
Small steps and big goals: Two countries' experiences in achieving MDGs 4 & 5
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2 October 2009
WHO backs the DoH over ban on milk products for Ondoy children
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16 May 2008
Emergency and humanitarian action in the wake of a natural disaster
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12 October 2007
Ruling is a victory for Philippine children, says WHO
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Relevant publications and documents
WHO/UNICEF Consultation on Breastfeeding Protection, Promotion and Support
In spite of what is known about the great benefits of breastfeeding that accrue to children, mothers, families and society—and the risks of disease and morbidity associated with bottle-feeding—the practice of breastfeeding continues to decline in many parts of the Asia and Pacific region. Breastfeeding competes for mother’s time, especially time she needs to earn income for the family, and breast milk is being made to compete against breast-milk substitutes. The clear inferiority of the substitutes is being masked by very aggressive marketing efforts of companies selling them. These campaigns often provide inaccurate information as well as incentives to health workers and professionals in clear violation of the national and international codes and agreements for marketing breast-milk substitutes. These tactics have undermined the efforts of governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), individuals, and international organizations to provide mothers and families with accurate information to help them make the right choices for their children and themselves. The aggressive marketing of substitutes has also made it very difficult for concerned individuals and organizations to create environments that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
WHO/UNICEF Workshop on the New Child Growth Standards for Children under Five
A WHO/UNICEF Workshop on the New WHO Child Growth Standards for Children under Five was held in Tagaytay City, Philippines from 31 May to 2 June 2006. The workshop was attended 50 people, including participants, temporary advisers, observers and secretariat.
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Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.