The World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) uses 15 indicators to assess how well each country supports breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF). These indicators cover key areas of policies, programs, and practices, helping to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for action at national and community levels. Together, they provide a comprehensive picture of a country’s commitment to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.
WBTi—Ten indicators of policy and programme
1. National Policy, Governance, and Funding: Countries without a comprehensive policy on infant and young child feeding, spearheaded by a national coordinator, make less progress.
2. Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative / Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding rates have been shown to be higher among babies born in Baby-Friendly hospitals than among babies born in other hospitals.
3. Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: Clever slogans, striking images, giving out of free samples or supplies, and all kinds of attractive gifts have been used to persuade mothers, health professionals, and workers that bottle feeding is as good as breastfeeding. The provisions of the Code and WHA resolutions need to be enacted in national legislation and fully enforced.
4. Maternity Protection: One of the most common reasons mothers give for stopping breastfeeding is because they have to return to paid employment; women need adequate paid maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks in the workplace.
5. Health and Nutrition Care Systems (in support of breastfeeding & IYCF): Health professional training in breastfeeding.
6. Counselling services for the pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: Community-based support for the pregnant and breastfeeding mother: access to mother support groups and other community support.
7. Accurate and Unbiased Information Support: Comprehensive national information, education, and communication strategy with accurate information on infant and young child feeding at every level from national to local facility, community, and family.
8. Infant Feeding and HIV: Policies and programmes to support HIV+ mothers in their feeding decisions supported by up to date evidence (WHO Guidelines on HIV and Infant Feeding 2010)
9. Infant and Young Child Feeding during Emergencies: In disaster situations it is difficult to use formula and bottles safely. Disasters and emergencies can happen in any country; the best preparation is good breastfeeding practices.
10. Monitoring and Evaluation: Are monitoring and evaluation data regularly collected and used to improved infant and young child feeding practices?
WBTi—Five Indicators for Practice
11. Timely Initiation of Breastfeeding within One Hour of Birth
12. Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first six months
13. Median duration of Breastfeeding
14. Bottle-Feeding
15. Complementary Feeding—Introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods