Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding

The Burkina Faso government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners (Ministry of Humanitarian Action, technical and financial partners), is committed to increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding from 72.5% in 2024 to 80% by 2028 by strengthening the follow-up of pregnant women in prenatal care through nutritional counselling, mass communication in support of exclusive breastfeeding and building the capacity of community health clubs on best practices in infant and young child feeding (IYCF). In addition to these actions, it is necessary to:

• Set up exclusive breastfeeding areas.

• Strengthen the capacity of health workers for antenatal consultations.

• Support and strengthen IYCF promotion activities by leveraging community-based health workers and nutrition-inclusive community health clubs.

• Carry out mass communication in favor of IYCF (exclusive breastfeeding).

• Organise the annual World Breastfeeding Week with the press caravan.

• Strengthen the actions of nutrition champions.

• Strengthen the promotion of the Baby-Friendly Health Facilities (FOSAN)/Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

• Strengthen the dissemination of the SLM (breast-milk substitutes) decree.

• Integrate sanctions for the various violations of the NetCode.

• Ensure regular follow-up of data relating to these actions.

Progress will be monitored annually through the national nutrition survey carried out by the Nutrition Directorate of the Ministry of Health.