Infant Feeding Guidelines for the Asia Pacific Region

2019

IJERPH

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Infancy remains the most vulnerable period of human life for death, illness, and establishing a lifetime trajectory of growth and health. It is estimated that there are 5.3 million deaths under five years of age worldwide and approximately 800,000 lives could be saved by improving breastfeeding rates and duration. In Asia, an estimated 300,000–350,000 child deaths could be prevented with optimal breastfeeding and the majority would be under 12 months of age. We present a systematic review of studies of infection and breastfeeding in infants in Asia and further review interactions of selected infectious diseases and breastfeeding. Initially, 2459 records of possible interest were identified, 153 full text papers were reviewed in detail, and 13 papers describing diarrhoeal disease and/or acute respiratory tract infection were selected for inclusion in the review. Additional papers were selected to discuss specific diseases and their relationship to breastfeeding. The review found that a variety of methods were used with differing definitions of breastfeeding and diseases. Overall, breastfeeding when compared to the use of infant formula, is associated with significantly lower rates of diarrhoeal disease and lower respiratory tract infection, with a reduction of 50% or more to be expected, especially in infants under six months of age. The relationship between breastfeeding and specific diseases including measles and HTLV1 were reviewed. Breastfeeding reduces some disease rates, but there remain a few conditions where breastfeeding may be contra-indicated.

“…Many epidemiological studies and reviews have confirmed the protective role of breastfeeding against infection. [92,97,[107][108][109].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breastfeeding and the Risk of Infant Illness in Asia: A Review

Lee

2019

IJERPH

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“…The control group will receive notifications and library information on maternal and child health care only (see Figure 1 ). Relevant health education materials and guidelines from the Vietnam Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Nutrition, World Health Organization, infant feeding guidelines for the Asia Pacific Region, and the Australian government on infant feeding will be adapted to develop the library contents [ 25 , 121 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Breastfeeding by Empowering Mothers in Vietnam: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Mobile App

Duong

Pham

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Breastfeeding provides benefits to the infant and mother; however, the rates of breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, remain below optimal levels in many Asian countries. The aim of this study is to review the benefits of breastfeeding to mothers and infants and current rates of breastfeeding in Vietnam, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Vietnam. A two-arm, parallel triple-blinded randomised controlled trial will be conducted among 1000 mothers in Hanoi City, Vietnam, during 2020–2021. Eligible participants are pregnant women who will seek antenatal care from health facilities at 24–36 weeks of gestation and plan to deliver at two participating hospitals, own a smartphone, and carry a singleton foetus. Permuted-block randomisation method stratified by maternal age, education and parity will be used to ensure an equal number of participants in each group. A smartphone app will be developed to deliver breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding information to the intervention and control group, respectively. Data will be collected at baseline, before hospital discharge, and at 1, 4, and 6 months postpartum. This study envisages demonstrating whether a smartphone-based intervention can be effective at improving breastfeeding in Vietnam. Trials registration: ACTRN12619000531112.

“…It previously published guidance on public health nutrition for infants and adults for academic teaching and public health policy development. 1,2 The APACPH guidelines recommend the introduction of complementary foods at around 6 months of age to provide the additional nutrients and energy and food variety needed by the growing infant. 1 The complementary feeding period (6-24 months) provides an opportunity to reduce rates of stunting and wasting and at the other end of the spectrum to control overweight and obesity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 The APACPH guidelines recommend the introduction of complementary foods at around 6 months of age to provide the additional nutrients and energy and food variety needed by the growing infant. 1 The complementary feeding period (6-24 months) provides an opportunity to reduce rates of stunting and wasting and at the other end of the spectrum to control overweight and obesity. 3 It is now well established that early life nutrition and growth are important for establishing a lifetime trajectory for health, and the first 1000 days from conception provide an opportunity for interventions to reduce growth faltering and stunting, improve mental development, and reduce chronic disease later in life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guidelines for Complementary Feeding of Infants in the Asia Pacific Region: APACPH Public Health Nutrition Group

Asia Pac J Public Health

Lee

Low

et al. 2020

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Good nutrition in the first “1000 days,” including breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods, prepares for a healthy childhood and adult life, also contributes to the prevention of the double burden of malnutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding provides all required nutrients until an infant is around 6 months of age when complementary foods are needed. A literature review was undertaken of complementary foods in the Asia Pacific region. The foods being used at present are often of low nutrient density may provide insufficient amounts of some critical nutrients, and generally the variety is limited. Guidelines for complementary feeding are provided to assist in education and in public health planning.