Opportunities for strengthening infant and young child feeding policies in South Asia: Insights from the SAIFRN policy analysis project

Abstract

BackgroundSouth Asian countries experience some of the highest levels of child undernutrition in the world, strongly linked to poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Strong and responsive policy support is essential for effective interventions to improve IYCF. This study aimed to identify opportunities for strengthening the policy environment in the region to better support appropriate infant and young child feeding.MethodsWe mapped policies relevant to infant and young child feeding in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, based on a common matrix. The matrix described potentially relevant policies ranging from high-level strategic policy documents to implementation-level guidelines. We analyzed the data based on themes focused on caregiver interactions with IYCF interventions: provision of correct information to mothers, training of frontline workers, enabling mothers to engage with service providers and strategic support for IYCF.ResultsPolicy support for IYCF was present in relation to each of the themes assessed. In all countries, there was support for nutrition in National Development Plans, and all countries had some level of maternity protection and restrictions on marketing of breast milk substitutes. Sectoral and implementation-level policy documents contained provisions for system strengthening for IYCF and for training of frontline workers.ConclusionsThe key opportunities for strengthening IYCF policy support were in relation to translating strategic directives into implementation level documents; improving multi-sectoral support and coordination; and increased clarity regarding roles and responsibilities of frontline workers interacting with mothers. These findings can support efforts to strengthen IYCF policy at the national and regional level.

Trends and predictors of optimal breastfeeding among children 0–23 months, South Asia: Analysis of national survey data

“…In South Asia, national action for breastfeeding, including national policies and laws protecting, promoting, and supporting optimal breastfeeding, exists (Thow et al, 2017). However, our results indicate more action is required at the national and subnational levels to ensure that these polices are implemented and monitored.…”

“…The variation in predictors of optimal breastfeeding between countries illustrate that policy and program interventions need to be based on an understanding of local determinants for suboptimal breastfeeding. In South Asia, national action for breastfeeding, including national policies and laws protecting, promoting, and supporting optimal breastfeeding, exists (Thow et al, ). However, our results indicate more action is required at the national and subnational levels to ensure that these polices are implemented and monitored.…”

Protocol for a Systematic Review of Effects of Parenting Interventions on Early Childhood Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…One such intervention is a Parenting programs which comprises community-based parent counselling or parentgroup sessions, or center-based preschool and day care programs that provide families with info and assistance to aid survival, growth, and well-being of children. (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) It delivers direct learning know-hows to children and their family members. (12,13) Along with health and nutrition support, parenting programs stress on encouraging stimulation of children.…”

Feeding of Infants and Young Children in South Asia

“…Policy and legal: Government leadership in enacting, financing, and implementing policies and legal measures is key to building an enabling environment in which women and other caregivers can receive the information and support they need to appropriately feed their children. A policy analysis in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka concluded that more than three decades of policy advocacy and international policy guidance have contributed to a robust policy landscape on breastfeeding in South Asia (Thow et al 2017). Infant and young child feeding is a priority in national development plans across South Asia, and strong policy support exists for counseling as a best-practice intervention.…”

“…Infant and young child feeding is a priority in national development plans across South Asia, and strong policy support exists for counseling as a best-practice intervention. However, the policy landscape for complementary feeding is weaker than for breastfeeding and lacks clarity in terms of interventions, approaches, and coordination among different sectors needed to improve complementary feeding (Thow et al 2017).…”