Human milk bank (HMB) services are an essential component of a breastfeeding-friendly health system. HMB services give at-risk infants, such as those born pre-term or low birthweight, access to the multiple benefits of breastmilk when they need it most.

The first six months of life are critical for child health and development. Breastmilk provides all the nutrients infants need during this period, supporting brain development and reducing the risk of infection and malnutrition.

Despite recent improvements in maternal and child health, death rates for children under 5 remain high. Efforts must be made to attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for health and hunger.

This technical brief highlights key factors that influence newborn nutritional outcomes and the evidence-based practices that can be applied globally to support optimal infant nutrition within the first 28 days.

Alive & Thrive (A&T) conducted an impact evaluation to test an integrated package of interventions to improve breastfeeding practices in the Boucle du Mouhoun region from 2015 to 2017.

Alive & Thrive (A&T) supported the government of Burkina Faso in the implementation of the National Scale Up Plan for the promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices with a focus on early initiation of breastfeeding (within the hour after birth) and exclusive breastfeedin