Nutrition is at the forefront in the effort to provide children an opportunity for healthy growth and development. Poverty underlines areas where children and families are in grave need of advocacy. UNICEF (2013) published a report in which supportive strategies target the 1,000 days from conception to two years of age. The interventions support, and practices help to educate and establish community involvement in the health, wellness, and development of child, family, and thus the community as a whole. Through community engaged intervention, education goes a long way for everyone. More importantly, UNICEF members devote precious efforts to move policy and legislations towards effective and proactive measure that can be applied for the long term wellness of their citizens. It is important to understand that interventions is the guiding force for change, but policy, governmental support, and community involvement must move together to provide the best possible future. The following is a highlight of key components and interventions of an infant and young child feeding strategy that promotes wellness from the very beginnings of life.
Legislation
• Marketing of breastmilk substitutes
• Maternity protection skilled support by the health system •
Curriculum development for IYCF (infant and young child feeding)
• IYCF counseling and other support services
• Capacity development for health providers
• Institutionalization of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Community-based counseling and support
• Established community-based integrated IYCF counseling services
• Mother support groups
Communication
• Communication for behavior and social change
Additional complementary feeding options
• Improving the quality of complementary foods through locally available ingredients
• Increasing agricultural production
• Provision of nutrition supplements and foods
• Social protection schemes
IYCF in difficult circumstances
• HIV and infant feeding
• IYCF in emergencies
As with all things UNICEF, research and data help to establish the focus of need in varying communities. The programs, practices and advocacy efforts move forward towards social change by enlightening and educating policy makers of the benefits of change.
Source: UNICEF (2020). Improving child nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress. https://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Nutrition_Report_final_lo_res_8_April.pdf
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