Program challenges

Alive & Thrive (A&T) aims to reduce undernutrition and death caused by poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Bangladesh, the world’s seventh most populous country. A&T will use multiple platforms of change in the context of high rates of malnutrition to improve IYCF.

Bangladesh recently demonstrated substantial gains in health and education, but nutrition indicators continue to lag.

Breastfeeding culture but sub-optimal practices. Almost all children in Bangladesh are breastfed and continue to be breastfed until they are at least 2 years old. However, delayed initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeding, bottle feeding, and non-exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months are common. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is only 1.8 months. From 1994 to 2007, exclusive breastfeeding rates showed little change, ranging between 42% and 46%.

High levels of stunting. Approximately 43 percent of children under five in Bangladesh are classified as stunted. Stunting is an indication of lifelong compromised brain and physical development. Introducing complementary foods too early or too late can lead to stunting, as can a diet lacking in critical nutrients and animal foods.

Food insecurity and poverty. Bangladesh has large poor and ultra-poor populations. Poverty and severe household food insecurity can be major barriers to improving nutrition and IYCF.

Read about A&T's response