The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative: Implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding in 84 countries.

Breastfeeding could save the lives of more than 820,000 children and 20,000 women. Worldwide, despite evidence of the importance of both, only 42% women begin breastfeeding within an hour of birth, and 41% practice exclusive breastfeeding. In 2002, to mobilise action and support optimal breastfeeding, the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. The WHO identified the need to assess implementation of policies and programmes at the national level and provided an assessment tool. International Baby Food Action Network Asia adapted the tool to launch the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi). The WBTi facilitates measurement of the status of implementation of policy and programmes, and stimulates local action towards positive changes. Results of assessments from 84 countries reveal lack of attention to policy in almost all areas. Repeat WBTi assessments allowed us to analyse trends that showed positive changes towards strengthening the policy and programmes to support women to be successful in breastfeeding.

The status of policy and programmes on infant and young child feeding in 40 countries.

Optimal breastfeeding not only saves the lives of children under 5 years, but also improves children's quality of life. In spite of proven benefits and repeated emphasis, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children less than 6 months of age is only 36% globally. The Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding provided a framework for action in 10 areas, and identified the need to assess the implementation of policies and programmes in order to identify gaps and to take action to bridge them. We have utilized the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) tool to make such an assessment. The WBTi has been introduced in 81 countries and 40 of these had completed their assessment by April 2011. Their findings point out specific gaps in both the policy and programmes in all 10 areas of action identified by the tool. This shows that countries need to work in a co-ordinated manner, with clear plans and committed financial resources, to address gaps in all 10 areas of action. This can result in strong advocacy efforts as well as consensus-based action for the effective implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding to enhance rates of optimal feeding practices.