Evaluation of Infant and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) program [ ]


Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world with six million malnourished children, 41% stunting, and 16% wasting across a population of 156.5 million. Feeding practices clearly impact nutritional status; breastfeeding is generally widespread in Bangladesh but often initiated late. In 2009, Alive & Thrive Infant and Young Children Program (IYCF), developed community based activities that were started to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. Breastfeeding was common in Bangladesh in the first 2 years of the baby’s life but there was delay in initiation, prelacteal feeding, and non-exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months.