Breastfeeding : Set of infant and young child feeding indicators proposed by WHO

Remarks

Set of infant and young child feeding indicators proposed by WHO (source: WHO, 2007s)

Core indicators

Optional indicators

1. Early initiation of breastfeeding:

proportion of children born in the last 23.9 months who were put to the breast within one hour of birth.

2. Exclusive breastfeeding under six months:

proportion of infants 0-5.9 months of age who are fed exclusively with breast milk.

3. Continued breastfeeding at one year:

proportion of children 12-15.9 months of age who are fed breast milk.

4. Introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods:

proportion of infants 6-8.9 months of age who receive solid, semi-solid or soft foods.

5. Minimum dietary diversity:

proportion of children 6-23.9 months of age who receive foods from four or more out of seven food. groups

6. Minimum meal frequency:

proportion of breastfed and non-breastfed children 6-23.9 months of age who receive solid, semi-solid or soft foods (including milk feeds for non-breastfed children) the minimum number of times or more.

7. Minimum acceptable diet:

proportion of children 6-23.9 months of age who receive a minimum acceptable diet (apart from breast milk).

8. Consumption of iron-rich or iron-fortified foods:

proportion of children 6-23.9 months of age who receive an iron-rich or iron-fortified food that is specially designed for infants and young children, or that is fortified in the home.

9. Children ever breastfed:

proportion of children born in the last 23.9 months who were ever breastfed.

10. Continued breastfeeding at two years:

proportion of children 20-23.9 months of age who are fed breast milk.

11. Age-appropriate breastfeeding:

proportion of children 0-23.9 months of age who are appropriately breastfed.

12. Predominant breastfeeding under six months:

proportion of infants 0-5.9 months of age who are predominantly breastfed.

13. Duration of breastfeeding:

median duration of breastfeeding among children 0-35.9 months of age.

14. Bottle feeding:

proportion of children 0-23.9 months of age who are fed with a bottle.

15. Milk feeding frequency for non-breastfed children:

proportion of non-breastfed children 6-23.9 months of age who receive at least two milk feedings (infant formula, cow milk or other animal milk).

Remarks

Indicators 2-8, 10-12 and 14-15 are based on a 24-hour recall period.

Indicators 1, 2, 7 and 8 are considered top priorities for reporting among the core indicators.

Indicator 2 can be disaggregated for ages 0-1, 2-3 4-5 and 0-3 months.

The seven food groups mentioned under indicator 5 are: grains, roots and tubers; legumes and nuts; dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese); flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry and liver/organ meats); eggs; vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables; other fruits and vegetables.

Minimum number of times mentioned under indicator 6 is defined as: two times for breastfed infants 6-8.9 months; three times for breastfed children 9-23.9 months; four times for non-breastfed children 6-23.9 months.

Indicator 7 is the sum of two fractions: (1) the proportion of breastfed children 6-23.9 months of age who had at least the minimum dietary diversity and the minimum meal frequency during the previous day; plus (2) the proportion of non-breastfed children 6-23.9 months of age who received at least two milk feedings and had at least the minimum dietary diversity and the minimum meal frequency during the previous day.

Indicator 11 is the sum of exclusive breastfeeding under six months plus the proportion of children 6-23.9 months of age who received breast milk as well as solid, semi-solid or soft foods during the previous day.

Also see details Definitions of breastfeeding recommended by WHO.