Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
To increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among employed women, employers should offer flexible hours, at least six months maternity leave, and breastfeeding facilities. Identifying modifiable barriers and facilitators may contribute to successful EBF among employed women, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity. This article is behind a paywall.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Generating exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) prevalence estimates and assessing progress are critical to identify necessary policy and intervention efforts. Among 94 lower- and middle-income countries mapped to policy-relevant administrative units, only six are projected to meet the World Health Organization’s ≥70 percent EBF prevalence target at the national scale and only three are on pace to meet the target in all district-level units by 2030.
USAID Nutrition Resource Hub
In the countries where the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Food for Peace implements development and emergency food security activities, data show that adolescent pregnancy is widespread—which increases the risk of childhood stunting and mortality for mothers and children. This brief describes promising evidence of what is working that Food for Peace can implement, including changing community attitudes toward early marriage and providing adolescents with life skills and livelihoods.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
While Infant and Young Children Feeding in Emergency guidelines outline interventions to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, these recommendations are rarely applied. Research evaluating the influence of interventions aimed at improving breastfeeding in emergency settings is important to encourage and implement optimal breastfeeding practices. This article is behind a paywall.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Timely initiation of breastfeeding was lower among married women, working women, women who watched television, women who delivered through caesarean section, and those with multiple births than among women who do not meet those criteria. Policies, behavioral change communication programs, and supportive care are critical to close gaps.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
The Quality of Maternal Nutrition and Infant Feeding Counselling during Antenatal Care in South Asia
There are evidence gaps about the quality of maternal nutrition and infant feeding counseling during antenatal care and the effectiveness of approaches to improve quality. Research suggests that unequal access to services, limited capacity-strengthening opportunities for frontline workers, and the short duration and frequency of counseling contracts constrain quality. The format, duration, frequency, and content of health worker training, with supportive supervision, are probable approaches to improve quality.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
The catalog provides strategic guidance and tools to design, implement, and monitor a “Stronger with Breastmilk Only” initiative and stresses that initiatives, regional advocacy, and communication products consider country context. It includes a guide for developing an evidence-driven social and behavioral change strategy. It is available in English and French.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Infant and young child feeding practices are normally seen as individual behavior health practices to be protected by health systems interventions. However, globalization of the baby food industry, and the shift of labor and production out of the home, has shaped feeding decisions. Preventing unethical formula marketing, reducing unhealthy ingredients in formula and complementary foods, and instituting marketing restrictions for unhealthy commercial products consumed by infants and young children are important interventions. This is a webinar.
Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Resource Review
Midwives, nurses and physicians play a critical role in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in health facilities. Part of a series coordinated with the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and NEST360, this webinar highlights the experiences of practitioners in Nepal and Rwanda.
Activity
USAID Advancing Nutrition hosts the web platform for the COVID-19 Infant Feeding Research Interest Group, as an active member and sub-group co-chair.