Infant and Young Child Feeding

Optimum infant and young child feeding practices are key to child survival, child growth, and child development. These are a pivotal cornerstone of the WHO and UNICEF's global strategy focus on the implementation of maternal, infant and young child nutrition programmes. Undernutrition, apart from direct implications such as stunting and wasting, also contributes to the global burden of disease, as an undernourished child is at a greater risk of developing diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and infections. This course endeavors to develop a profound understanding of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months, complementary feeding practices, maternal health, and nutrition, as well as IYCF in cases of mothers affected by HIV/AIDs, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), and in emergencies. Some of the major topics discussed in the course are:Malnutrition and associated factorsIYCF and child survival, growth and developmentBreastfeeding, breastmilk and good/bad attachmentsMaternal health and nutritionIYCF in HIV/AIDSIYCF in emergencies

Module 1 covers topics ranging from malnutrition as an umbrella term, as well as undernutrition, micronutrient-related malnutrition, overweight and obesity, and phenomena such as stunting and wasting.

Module 2 discusses the role of IYCF across three phases: child survival, child growth, and child development.

Module 3 is a comprehensive overview discussing breastfeeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, breastmilk, the anatomy of the human breast, principles of good and poor attachment, breastfeeding patterns, as well as the problems faced by breastfeeding mothers. 

Module 4 encompasses the discussions regarding complementary feeding, WHO recommendations for complementary feeding and key nutrition-related interventions in a child's life during the first 1000 days. 

Module 5 centres around maternal nutrition needs, maternal malnutrition, and interventions for improvement of maternal health.

Module 6 includes topics such as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), risk factors for transmission of HIV through breastfeeding, infant nutrition in the context of HIV/AIDS, and recommendations for infant feeding in the case of both HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers.  

Module 7 discusses the impact of emergencies on IYCF practices, nutrition problems arising during emergencies, and management strategies, including relactation and provision of breastmilk substitutes (BMS). 

Based upon a take-home approach, Module 8 includes printable flash cards for community/health workers. These cards can be used to educate mothers and other members of the community regarding IYCF practices, as well as sanitation and hygiene principles associated with complementary feeding.

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