With support from the Government of Ireland, Alive & Thrive is working to tackle malnutrition and reach global nutrition targets in the Mekong Sub-Region with a priority on the furthest behind in each context.

Breastfeeding in Lao PDR is widely socially accepted and strongly supported by government policy. While most infants are breastfed, the practice is often sub-optimal: slow initiation, pre-lacteal feeding, and mixed feeding are common.

Highlights the importance of Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC) as a simple and effective intervention to prevent newborn mortality and promote well-being, and provides an overview of processes to streamline EENC in health facilities and recommendations for health facilities implementi

Describes how Alive & Thrive is building regional and national momentum for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) policies in seven Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in Southeast Asia.

Lays out Alive & Thrive’s comprehensive approach for scale and impact through four components: advocacy, interpersonal communication and community mobilization, mass communication, and strategic use of data.

Describes Alive & Thrive’s use of advocacy and policy dialogue to educate and motivate policymakers and program managers; the distinctive features of the approach; and the results and lessons in 3 countries.