The current international recommendation is to practice exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 4 to 6 months. Expressing this recommendation as an age range was meant to allow for variation in individual infant growth and development needs. However, many have observed that the age range is programmatically confusing and inadvertently discourages optimal duration of EBF. As adopted worldwide, many countries and programs have restated the recommended age range as an age target, e.g., "up to 6 months", "about 5 months," or "at least 4 months." Further, as the scientific evidence base has changed, many have indicated the need to reconsider international policy. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has commissioned a systematic review of the scientific literature to examine the impact of EBF up to 6 months on infant growth and development, morbidity, and mortality outcomes. After global peer-review of this scientific paper, WHO will convene an expert panel (28-30 March, 2001) to draw conclusions and recommendations. At the same time, USAID has commissioned a review of the biologic evidence regarding infant development, EBF, and the age at which infants are ready for introduction of complementary foods (to be completed by April, 2001). The World Health Assembly will vote its recommendation in May 2001. We will present a systematic summary of the scientific findings and discussions, and the resulting impact on international and regional infant feeding policy.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Identify the major scientific criteria being used to guide international policy formulation for the EBF duration recommendations 2. Identify the 2 major scientific evidence papers that used to guide policy and the conclusions of these papers 3. Assess how the scientific evidence was used to make policy decisions by WHO and other institutions in 2001.
Keywords: Breast Feeding, International MCH
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.