Real-time evaluation can inform global and regional efforts to improve breastfeeding policies and programmes.

France Bégin,Karin Lapping,Irum Taqi,Roger Mathisen,Zoe Stathopoulos,David Clark,Christiane Rudert

doi:10.1111/mcn.12774

Abstract

Real-time evaluation can inform global and regional efforts to improve breastfeeding policies and programmes.

Highlights

The Collective developed a strategic advocacy approach to unify and align partners around shared priorities, messaging, and A Call to Action; the approach includes seven key policy and programme actions that need to be undertaken to achieve the World Health Assembly's 2025 global breastfeeding target
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, Alive & Thrive, and partners began working at the state level with the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Ministry of Health to expand maternity leave and Code enforcement
The need for stronger national measures to implement the Code and alignment of paid maternity leave regulations with the recommended exclusive breastfeeding period was identified as priorities

Summary

Introduction

The Collective developed a strategic advocacy approach to unify and align partners around shared priorities, messaging, and A Call to Action; the approach includes seven key policy and programme actions that need to be undertaken to achieve the World Health Assembly's 2025 global breastfeeding target. The Collective calls on governments to (a) adequately fund programmes that support breastfeeding; (b) adopt and enforce the Code; (c) enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies; (d) establish national and health facility‐level policies that promote the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (UNICEF & WHO, 2018); (e) provide more breastfeeding counselling to all mothers; (f) encourage community support for breastfeeding; and (g) track the data to measure progress on breastfeeding programmes.

Results

Conclusion