Box 1.

Recommendations for integration of findings at the national level

Review and revise guidance, curricula and support materials to strengthen nutrition counselling for IYCF, including increasing dietary diversity, meal frequency, and quantities of food consumed, increased feeding of foods and liquids both during and after illness for sick children and integrate the management of SAM and the management of MAM at community‐level. The country needs to strengthen the capacity of community health workers around infant and young child feeding counselling and in the management of SAM and MAM in the community, pending on availability of supplies to treat acute malnutrition.

Review, adapt, and revise existing SBCC materials to support optimal IYCF practices and to counsel on challenges that mothers and families face. These challenges include the separation of mother and baby immediately after delivery, perceptions of insufficient breastmilk, maintaining breastmilk supply, early introduction of foods and liquids prior to 6 months of age, weak complementary feeding practices, as well as feeding practices during and after child illness, which can be conducted through well child clinic consultations prescolaires and community‐based activities.

Advocate to strengthen nutrition within iCCM—all stakeholders at the national level should also advocate with national leaders to prioritize

Funding for children's health and nutrition, for strengthening nutrition and child health interventions at the facility and community;

Adequate funding for and the strengthening of community care sites (sites de soins communautaires) and community health workers;

Adequate and reliable supplies of quality equipment, commodities and drugs for facility and community care sites; and

The integration of IYCF, management of MAM and uncomplicated SAM cases in community care sites.