Topic: Breastfeeding

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit – Improving Access to Skilled Breastfeeding Counselling

Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective) is a partnership of more than 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide, which requires advocacy at the global, national, and sub-national levels. Developed by the Collective, this document is one of seven briefs that provide guidance and resources to stakeholders on how to advocate for adoption of these policy actions with government ministries, health care workers and managers, employers, donors, and other key decision-makers.

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit – Implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective) is a partnership of more than 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide, which requires advocacy at the global, national, and sub-national levels. Developed by the Collective, this document is one of seven briefs that provide guidance and resources to stakeholders on how to advocate for adoption of these policy actions with government ministries, health care workers and managers, employers, donors, and other key decision-makers.

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit – Enacting Paid Family Leave and Workplace Breastfeeding Policies

Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective) is a partnership of more than 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide, which requires advocacy at the global, national, and sub-national levels. Developed by the Collective, this document is one of seven briefs that provide guidance and resources to stakeholders on how to advocate for adoption of these policy actions with government ministries, health care workers and managers, employers, donors, and other key decision-makers.

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit – Strengthening Regulations on Breastmilk Substitutes Marketing

Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective) is a partnership of more than 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide, which requires advocacy at the global, national, and sub-national levels. Developed by the Collective, this document is one of seven briefs that provide guidance and resources to stakeholders on how to advocate for adoption of these policy actions with government ministries, health care workers and managers, employers, donors, and other key decision-makers.

How much should I feed my baby?

Wondering how much to feed your baby? Here’s a tip: Learn to read his or her hunger and fullness cues and you’ll always know when and how much to feed your baby.

Babies will let you know if they are hungry or full, but you have to watch for the signs. There are lots of ways your baby might tell you what he or she needs.

Your baby may be hungry if he or she:

  • Reaches for or points to food
  • Opens his or her mouth when offered a spoon or food
  • Gets excited when he or she sees food
  • Uses hand motions or sounds when offered food

… and if no one listens to these cues, then your hungry baby may get “HANGRY”!

Your baby may be full if he or she:

  • Closes his or her mouth when food is offered
  • Turns his or her head away from food
  • Pushes food away or shakes his or her head “no”

When it comes to feeding – whether it’s breast milk, infant formula or food – let your baby decide how much he or she wants at that time. Your baby does not need to finish a bottle or all of the food on the plate. Food is not a good reward or punishment.

And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is your baby ready to start eating foods?

How do you know if your baby is ready for foods other than breast milk or infant formula? Every baby is different – but you can look for these signs to tell that your baby is developmentally ready to start trying foods:

  • Your baby has good head control. Your baby can keep his or her head in a steady, upright position.
  • Your baby can sit up with little or no support. Your baby needs to be able to sit upright in a highchair to swallow well.
  • Your baby is able to grab objects. Your baby uses his or her hands to grab and hold onto objects, like a spoon.
  • Your baby shows interest in what others are eating. Your baby opens his or her mouth and leans forward when food is offered.
  • Your baby is about 6 months old. At around 6 months of age your baby’s gut has developed to digest foods other than breast milk or formula.

If your baby can do ALL of these things then he or she is ready to try first foods.

Breast milk and/or formula will remain a key source of nutrition for your baby throughout his or her first year. But by introducing a variety of nutritious foods beginning around 6 months you can teach your baby healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. So have fun with it. You’ve got this!

And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, 2018

The Global Breastfeeding Scorecard documents key indicators on the policies and programmes that impact breastfeeding rates and provides information on current rates of breastfeeding around the world. It is intended to encourage progress, increases accountability, and document change for all countries as they take the necessary steps to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

Global Breastfeeding Collective: Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit – Increasing Funding for Breastfeeding Policy Brief

Led by UNICEF and WHO, the Global Breastfeeding Collective (the Collective) is a partnership of more than 20 international organizations with the goal of increasing investment and policy change to support breastfeeding worldwide, which requires advocacy at the global, national, and sub-national levels.Developed by the Collective, this document is one of seven briefs that provide guidance and resources to stakeholders on how to advocate for adoption of these policy actions with government ministries, health care workers and managers, employers, donors, and other key decision-makers.

2018 Global Nutrition Report

The 2018 Global Nutrition Report shares insights into the current state of global nutrition, highlighting the unacceptably high burden of malnutrition in the world.

The First 1,000 Days: Listening to America’s Mothers

The First 1,000 Days: Listening to America’s Mothers summarizes the findings from in-depth interviews and ethnographies conducted by 1,000 Days with nearly 60 mothers of young children from across the country. Building upon our first-of-its-kind report on the nutritional health of America’s mothers, babies and toddlers – The First 1,000 Days: Nourishing America’s Future – this new report goes beyond the numbers to lift up the voices and stories of moms themselves.