National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria

A Policy that promotes optimal feeding practices for infants and young children, including early breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding. It targets mothers, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community health workers. This reduces infant malnutrition and mortality through training and enforcement.

What Is This Policy?

A policy that sets out Nigeria's approach to promoting optimal feeding practices for infants and young children, with emphasis on early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and appropriate complementary feeding from six months onward.

Who Does It Target?

Mothers and caregivers of infants and young children Healthcare providers in maternity and child health services Community health workers and breastfeeding counsellors Food industry regulators

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reduce infant and child malnutrition and mortality in Nigeria by promoting and protecting optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices through policy enforcement, health worker training, and community support.

Key Features

Early Initiation: Breastfeeding within one hour of birth as standard practice in all delivery settings Exclusive Breastfeeding: No water, formula, or foods other than breast milk for the first six months Complementary Feeding: Introduction of nutritious, age-appropriate foods at six months alongside continued breastfeeding International Code Compliance: Enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Accreditation of health facilities meeting the WHO/UNICEF ten steps to successful breastfeeding

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active across health facilities Coverage: All health facilities providing maternity and child health services Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health, Nutrition Division Partners: UNICEF, WHO, development partners, breastfeeding support groups

How to Access

Mothers receive feeding counselling at health facilities during antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Visit maternity and child health clinics for breastfeeding support and counselling Connect with community breastfeeding support groups Contact the Nutrition Division of the Federal Ministry of Health for resources and materials

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Nutrition Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the Child Rights Act 2003, the Marketing (Breast-Milk Substitutes) Act, and the National Nutrition Policy. Draws on the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, the Innocenti Declaration on Breastfeeding, and the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding.