Addressing the problem of exclusive breastfeeding in West and Central Africa called for a new approach – “business as usual” would not suffice, UNICEF West and Central Africa Nutrition Advisor Simeon Nanama told participants at the 11th Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day global webinar event in October. The new approach is Stronger With Breastmilk…
Popular music animates life everywhere and West Africa is no exception. Artists tell all types of stories in their songs and tackle all sorts of issues. The “Stronger with breastmilk only” campaign recently got a boost when Safiath, a popular artist in Niger, produced a song to support its awareness raising efforts, joining other artists…
At a recent virtual meeting of stakeholders in Southeast Asia discussing a new agenda for maternal, infant and young child nutrition, the moderator came prepared: She segued between topics with quotes about change. “We’ve been challenged to do things differently and this workshop is no different,” said Jane Badham, the moderator and a nutritionist who…
More than 500 stakeholders participated in the first-ever regional human milk bank webinar with A&T support. The Regional Human Milk Bank (HMB) Network for Southeast Asia and Beyond hosted the webinar “Human Milk Banking during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which drew participants from around the world. The webinar discussed the role of HMBs in the protection,…
For Alive & Thrive’s portfolio of implementation research activities, the pandemic has required adjustments. But it has also allowed researchers to adapt studies to investigate the impacts of the disease. A summary of implementation research studies indicates delays due to COVID-19, which were inevitable as lockdowns prevented research activities and the program activities that were…
A series of articles published in Le Monde Afrique highlights the importance of exclusive breastfeeding across West Africa and discusses the obstacles to achieving the target of 50% exclusive breastfeeding by 2025. Lack of information for Burkinabé mothers, difficulties in combining work and full breastfeeding in Dakar, fear of seeing their breasts sag for some…
Laos has adopted its first legal measure to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes (BMS), joining many ASEAN countries by doing so. The decree, “On Food Products and Feeding Equipment for Infants and Toddlers,” was signed by the Prime Minister, a result of years of advocacy and technical assistance from partners including A&T. Together with…
Around the world, COVID-19 has radically affected public health delivery, placing unprecedented stress on health systems that in many countries are under-resourced and ill-equipped. As the pandemic has upended daily life, Alive & Thrive has worked with government and other partners to design effective responses, providing technical assistance regarding breastfeeding and the maintenance of essential…
During outbreaks of contagious illnesses, the fear that infected mothers will transmit the disease to their newborns often becomes a concern. Initially, public health experts advised that COVID-19-infected mothers be separated from their nursing infants. Research to date shows that mothers with COVID-19 do not pass it to their infants through breastmilk. An Alive &…
Every year, World Breastfeeding Week features thousands of activities worldwide to promote the importance of breastfeeding. A&T supports activities in every country we work in and at the global level as well. See the World Breastfeeding Week Pledge Map for activities near you! Use the pledge form to add your activities. Let’s make #2020WBW trend…
