OVERVIEW

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6
months old are exclusively breastfed.
Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies
which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breast milk
provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of
life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs
during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year
of life. Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be
overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed
also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts
to improve breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide. Exclusive breastfeeding
refers to the practice of feeding infants only breast milk for the first six months of
life, with no additional food or drink, not even water, except for oral rehydration
solution, drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals, and medicines as needed. After six
months, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary
foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.

EXECUTIVE SUMMERY
Breastfeeding is one of the foundations of child health, development and survival.
For these reasons, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that
breastfeeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth and that infants
should exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months; complementary foods should
then be introduced, with continued breastfeeding until 24 months of age or older.
Despite extensive evidence that non-breastfeeding is associated with increased
mortality and serious morbidity and other long-term adverse health outcomes,
efforts at national level to increase exclusive breastfeeding and rates of continued
breastfeeding have, in general, had only modest effect. In 2017, only about 41% of
infants aged less than 6 months globally were exclusively breastfed and the rate of
continued breastfeeding at 2 years was 45%.2 Prior to initiating the guideline
process, a major review of approaches for improving breastfeeding practices noted
multiple determinants and influences on practices at structural, community and
workplace, and individual levels, which showed that several interventions can
significantly improve rates of breastfeeding.3 Breastfeeding counselling, along
with baby-friendly hospital support and community mobilization approaches, is
one of the key interventions to improve breastfeeding rates. Guidelines related to
breastfeeding counselling would potentially improve the quality and delivery of
services to pregnant women and mothers who want to breastfeed and may improve
monitoring of the quality of health systems by defining the expected services and
competencies of staff. This guideline examines the evidence and makes
recommendations and remarks on the implementation of some of the details of
breastfeeding counselling, such as frequency, timing, mode and provider of
breastfeeding counselling, to improve breastfeeding practices. The scope of the
guideline is limited to this intervention. This guideline does not aim to be a
comprehensive guide on all potential interventions that can protect, promote and
support breastfeeding. For instance, it will not discuss breastfeeding support in
facilities providing maternity and newborn services; potential medical
contraindications to breastfeeding; community based practices; peer support; or
support for breastfeeding in the workplace. Neither will it review the articles of the
International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes4 and its subsequent
related World Health Assembly resolutions.

BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FOR BABY

1. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies

Most healthcare professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6

months or much longer.

Breast milk contains everything baby needs for the first 6 months of life, in all the
right proportions. Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing
needs, especially during the first month of life.
During the first days after birth, your breasts produce a thick and yellowish fluid
called colostrum. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with beneficial
compounds. It’s truly a wonder food and not replaceable by formula.
Colostrum is the ideal first milk and helps the newborn’s immature digestive tract
develop. After the first few days, the breasts start producing larger amounts of
milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
About the only thing that may be lacking from your magical milk supply is vitamin
D.
Unless you have a very high intake (and most of us don’t), your breast milk won’t
provide enough. Vitamin D drops are usually recommended.

2. Breast milk contains important antibodies

Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and
bacteria, which is critical in those tender, early months.

This particularly applies to colostrum, the first milk. Colostrum provides high
amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies.

When you’re exposed to viruses or bacteria, you start producing antibodies that
then go into the milk. Its immunity, baby!

IgA protects the baby from getting sick by forming a protective layer in the baby’s
nose, throat, and digestive system Trusted Source.

Formula doesn’t provide antibody protection for babies. Numerous studies Trusted
Source show that babies who are not breastfed are more vulnerable to health issues
like pneumonia, diarrhea, and infection.
Objective

The primary objective of this project is to enhance awareness, education, and

support systems to promote exclusive breastfeeding among mothers and caregivers
within the Dakwa community for the first six months of an infant's life.

Background:

Exclusive breastfeeding is vital for infant health, providing essential nutrients,

antibodies, and fostering optimal growth. Despite its proven benefits, there is a
notable gap in exclusive breastfeeding practices within our target community. This
project aims to address this gap through a comprehensive and community-centered
approach.

Activities:

The project will implement a series of activities, including:

Awareness Campaigns: Conducting community-wide campaigns to highlight the

importance of exclusive breastfeeding and dispel myths or misconceptions.

Educational Sessions: Providing mothers and caregivers with evidence-based

information on the benefits and techniques of exclusive breastfeeding.

Healthcare Provider Training: Offering training sessions for healthcare

professionals to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support and
promote exclusive breastfeeding.

Community Engagement: Establishing community-based support groups and

involving local leaders to encourage a supportive environment for breastfeeding
mothers.
Target Audience:

The primary beneficiaries of this project are pregnant women, new mothers,
families, and healthcare professionals within the insert specific demographic
details community.

Timeline: The project will be implemented over a January to April, with activities
strategically planned to achieve maximum impact and sustainability.

Budget: The estimated budget for the project is 100,000 thousand naira only,
covering expenses such as educational materials, community events, training
sessions, and personnel costs. Funding sources include list potential funding
sources, such as grants, donations, or partnerships.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be employed to assess the

project's progress. Key performance indicators include increased rates of exclusive
breastfeeding, improved maternal knowledge, and community engagement levels.

Expected Outcomes:

Anticipated outcomes of the project include heightened awareness, increased rates

of exclusive breastfeeding, improved infant health indicators, and the
establishment of sustainable support systems within the community.

Conclusion:

Promoting exclusive breastfeeding is a critical investment in the health and well-

being of infants. This project seeks to create lasting positive changes within the
insert community by fostering a culture that prioritizes and supports exclusive
breastfeeding. The success of this initiative will not only impact individual families
but contribute to the overall health and development of the community.