The goal of this project was to examine the effect on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates of implementing the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Steps 1-9 with or without the 10th Step. For BFHI Steps 1-9, health staff from antenatal and maternity clinics were trained in BFHI using the WHO/UNICEF BFHI training course. In the BFHI steps 1-9+ group, staff from well-child clinics were included in the training, and during their stay in the postpartum ward mothers in this group were given flyers containing culturally appropriate messages developed to address the common barriers to EBF. Well-child clinic staff were also encouraged to discuss breastfeeding with the mothers during well-child clinic visits as they saw fit. Implementation of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative Steps 1-9 in health facilities increased exclusive breastfeeding rates and decreased diarrhea rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The goal of the Alive & Thrive (A&T) Grants Program (2009 to 2014) was to identify new solutions for scaling up effective and sustainable interventions to improve infant and young child feeding by linking research to program delivery. A&T awarded eight two-year grants in 2010 and four in 2011. The Grants Program was managed by the University of California, Davis.