National Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding.

This National Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding is a sectoral document aiming at improving the nutrition status of infants and young children through the provision of essential interventions. The main goal of the Strategy is to contribute to improved health, nutritional status, development and survival of infants and young children in Kenya. To achieve the overall goal, the Strategy set out the following strategic objectives (i) ensure that policies and legislation that are supportive of IYCF are enacted and implemented; (ii) improve uptake of optimal breast and complementary feeding practices; (iii) promote and protect appropriate IYCF practices for infants and children in difficult situations; (iv) ensure appropriate nutrition of children born to HIV infected mothers and reduce the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV through breast milk; (v) promote efficient implementation of interventions through improved coordination and collaboration; (vi) strengthen the capacity of stakeholders, program managers and health care providers; (vii) strengthen monitoring and evaluation; (viii) strengthen research and timely dissemination of findings to decision makers; (ix) improve awareness on optimal IYCF practices through advocacy and awareness creation efforts; (x) specify roles and responsibilities in promoting appropriate IYCF practices; (xi) establish coordination structures for collaboration on IYCF program efforts; (xii) sensitize the public; (xiii) integrate the IYCF strategy into the health system.
The Strategy relies heavily on the combination of two interventions (exclusive breastfeeding and the introduction of appropriate complementary foods after 6 months of age) for reduction of child mortality and morbidity.