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.

In preparation for a national advocacy meeting on human milk banking in Myanmar, A&T worked with UNICEF to develop a brief on human milk banking as a component of a breastfeeding-friendly health systems.

The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator based on a 10-food group women dietary diversity score (WDDS-10) has been validated to assess dietary quality in nonpregnant women.

This landscape analysis was commissioned by Alive & Thrive (A&T), an initiative managed by FHI 360, to better understand the current state of evidence around adolescent health and nutrition in Ethiopia.

In February 2017, the first human milk bank in Viet Nam opened in the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children (DNHWC). The Ministry of Health and Alive & Thrive selected to establish these services at the DNHWC because of the hospital’s existing emphasis on breastfeeding.