IYCF indicators and results

Percent of children born in the last 24 months who were put to the breast within one hour of birth. 
The WHO recommends that infants be breastfed within one hour of birth, and guidelines indicate that mothers should be supported to begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. Putting the infant to the breast just after birth requires skin-to-skin contact between the mother and infant. 
Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the infant’s temperature and exposes the infant to good bacteria on the mother’s skin that protects the infant and helps build their immune system. EIBF is also associated with an increased likelihood of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding duration. 

Percent of infants aged 0–5 months who were fed exclusively with breast milk during the previous day.
The WHO recommends that infants are exclusively breastfed until they turn six months old. EBF is defined as breastfeeding with no other food or drink, not even water. However, prescribed medicines, oral rehydration solution, vitamins and minerals are not counted as fluids or foods. 
EBF provides all of the fluid and nutrition infants need for the first six months of life. It reduces infant mortality, helps prevent diarrhoea, lower respiratory infections, for e.g. pneumonia, ear infections, and childhood overweight and obesity. EBF also provides health benefits for the mother. 

Percent of children aged 12–23 months who were fed breast milk during the previous day.
After the first six month of life, the WHO recommends that children continue breastfeeding to age two or beyond, while also being fed age-appropriate complementary foods. CBF provides up to half of a child’s nutrition needs between six and 12 months of age, and up to one third of the child’s nutrition needs during the second year of life (aged between one and two years). 
It also provides continued health and immune benefits for the infant and health benefits for the mother. CBF is also associated with higher intelligence test results among children and adolescents, especially for those breastfed beyond the first year of life.

Percent of infants aged 6–8 months who consumed solid, semi-solid or soft foods during the previous day.
The WHO recommends that infants are fed solid, semi-solid or soft foods from six months of age together with continued breastfeeding. At about six months, an infant’s nutritional needs exceed what breastmilk alone provides, and delayed ISSSF leaves infant vulnerable to malnutrition. Research has supported that ISSSF is associated with a reduced risk of underweight and stunting.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who consumed foods and beverages from at least five out of eight defined food groups during the previous day.
The WHO recommends that both breastfed and non-breastfed children are fed a variety of foods between six and 23 months of age to ensure that their nutrient needs are met. Target consumption is from five of the eight groups daily. 
The eight food groups used for tabulation of this indicator are: 1. breastmilk; 2. grains, roots, tubers and plantains; 3. pulses (beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds; 4. dairy products (milk, infant formula, yogurt, cheese); 5. flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry, organ meats); 6. eggs; 7. vitamin-A rich fruits and vegetables; and 8. other fruits and vegetables. Poor dietary diversity is associated with poor growth and micronutrient deficiencies.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who consumed solid, semi-solid or soft foods (but also including milk feeds for non-breastfed children) at least the minimum number of times during the previous day.
The WHO recommends that:

• Breastfed infants between six and eight months of age are fed complementary foods two to three times per day. 
• Breastfed children aged between nine and 23 months are fed complementary foods three to four times per day with additional nutritious snacks offered one or two times per day. 
• Non-breastfed children should be fed four to five meals per day to ensure they meet their nutrition needs for growth and development. 
  When infants and young children are fed less frequently than recommended, they may lack the energy, protein and nutrients they need.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who consumed egg and/or flesh food during the previous day.
The WHO recommends feeding breastfed and non-breastfed children animal source foods, including meat, poultry, fish or eggs, daily or as often as possible. Animal source foods contain energy, protein, fat, iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and other nutrients that are important for growth, especially linear growth, for e.g. length, height. Unfortunately, egg and flesh food intake for children is often negatively impacted by cost and intake remains low in many parts of the world.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who consumed a sweet beverage during the previous day.    
The WHO recommends against giving infants and young children sweetened drinks, including soft drinks, fruit-flavoured drinks, sports drinks, flavoured milks, fruit juices and beverages sweetened with sugar, honey, syrup or other ingredients. These beverages add energy to the diet with few other nutrients and may be consumed in place of other more nutritious foods. 
SwB is common across income levels in many parts of the world and is associated with an increased risk of obesity and dental caries among children. There is also an association between juice consumption and increased infant weight-for-age and child body mass index z-scores.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who consumed selected sentinel unhealthy foods during the previous day. 
For years, global dietary patterns have been shifting toward higher intakes of added sugars, unhealthy fats, salt and refined carbohydrates commonly found in commercially prepared food products. These foods are often energy-dense and nutrient-poor containing increased amounts of salt, sugar and fats. Examples include candies, chips or crisps, ice cream, fried foods, cakes and cookies. 
For infants and young children, these foods may replace more nutritious foods and result in an inadequate intake of vitamins or minerals. Early-life food preferences are also carried through childhood and adolescence and may result in an increased risk of overweight and obesity later in life.

Percent of children aged 6–23 months who did not consume any vegetables or fruits during the previous day.
Based on published evidence, the WHO has suggested that a low vegetable and fruit consumption is associated with increased risk of non-communicable diseases, for e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes. There is not an intake standard for fruits and vegetables for infants and young children, though ZVF is acknowledged as an “unhealthy practice” since fruits and vegetables provide important nutrients, vitamins and minerals. While health outcome data related to ZVF is from adults, there is evidence that suggests early eating patterns and habits significantly influence intake later in life.