AN INTRODUCTION TO

INFANT AND YOUNG

CHILD FEEDING
OBJECTIVES:

After completing this session
participants will be able to:
1. Describe the Global Strategy for Infant and
Young Child Feeding
2. List the operational targets of the Global
Strategy
3. State the current recommendations for
feeding children from 0-24 months of age
The Global Strategy for Infant and
Young Child Feeding

Developed by WHO and UNICEF to revitalize

world attention on the impact that feeding
practices have on infants and young children

Malnutrition has been responsible, directly or
indirectly, for 60% of the 10.9 million deaths
annually among children <5 years

Over two-thirds of these deaths occur in the
first year of life
Policy Initiatives

International Code of Marketing of
Breast-milk Substitutes (1981)

Innocenti Declaration (1990)

Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (1991)

Global Strategy for Infant and Young
Child Feeding
Exclusive Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides ideal food for the

healthy growth and development of
infants

Infants should be exclusively breastfed
for the first six months of life
Question

What does the term

“exclusive breastfeeding”
mean?
 Definition of Exclusive
Breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding means

giving a baby only breast milk, and
no other liquids or solids, not even
water. Drops or syrups consisting of
vitamins, mineral supplements or
medicines are permitted.

Virtually all mothers can breastfeed
exclusively provided they have
accurate information, and support
within their families and
communities.

They should have access to skilled
practical help from people trained in
breastfeeding counseling who can
help build their confidence, improve
feeding technique and prevent or
resolve breastfeeding difficulties.
 Complementary Feeds:

After six months all babies require other

foods to complement breast milk-we call
these complementary foods.

When complementary feeds are introduced,
breastfeeding should continue for up to two
years of age or beyond.
 Complementary Feeds:

Infants are particularly vulnerable during the

transition period when complementary
feeding begins. Ensuring that their
nutritional needs are met requires that
complementary foods be:
Complementary feeds are

Timely- they are introduced when the
need for energy and nutrients exceeds
what can be provided through exclusive
and frequent breastfeeding

Adequate- they provide sufficient energy,

protein and micronutrients to meet a
growing child’s nutritional needs

Safe- hygienically stored and prepared
and fed with clean hands using clean
utensils and not bottles and teats

Properly fed- they are given in response

to a child’s signals of hunger and that
meal frequency and feeding methods are
suitable for the child’s age
Feeding in exceptionally
difficult circumstances

Emergency situations

Malnourished children

Low birth weight babies

Infants of HIV infected mothers
Maraming salamat po!