Training of Health Professionals in Breast Feeding, Complementary Feeding (Iycf)- Infant Young Child Feeding

More than 60 million children under 5 are stunted in India, comprising almost half the children in this age group. They represent an estimated one third of stunted children worldwide (1).Even in Maharashtra, the wealthiest state in India, 39 per cent of children under age 2 were stunted in 2005–2006. But by 2012, according to a statewide nutrition survey, the prevalence of stunting had dropped to 23 per cent (2).Globally, an estimated 1.4 mil-lion child deaths and 10% of disease burden could be prevented each year with improved BF practices (3).Sub-optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices is the important cause of high under nutrition rates. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is low (8-17%) in many countries. Evidence based on complementary feeding needs to be strengthened. We need to reinforce that program and policy actions to improve IYCF (4). We have recognized both the short and long term benefits of improved infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices for last 20 years but still our breastfeeding practices are not improved and stunting remains at 40%.The global rate of exclusive breastfeeding remains low and is not improving in India. With complementary feeding and maternal nutrition is given less importance. With other priorities in technologies, good IYCF policy is often under estimated. To improve child survival, growth and development we need quality and appropriate IYCF practices.