Commitment and capacity for the support of breastfeeding in South Africa : a paediatric food-based dietary guideline

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dc.contributor.authorDu Plessis, Lisanne M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorPereira, C.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-07-07T12:29:20Z
dc.date.available2014-07-07T12:29:20Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.descriptionCITATION: Du Plessis, L. M. & Pereira, C. 2013. Commitment and capacity for the support of breastfeeding in South Africa : a paediatric food-based dietary guideline. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(3)(Suppl):S120-S128.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.sajcn.co.za
dc.description.abstractThis paper aims to summarise current evidence and highlight best practices, in order to propose a paediatric food-based dietary guideline (FBDG) on exclusive breastfeeding for South Africa. A literature search was conducted to profile the current nutritional status of children and breastfeeding practices in South Africa, reflect on the commitment and capacity that has been pledged and built for exclusive and continued breastfeeding over the past five years, and highlight the action needed to improve infant and young child feeding practices in the country. From the review, it was clear that the nutritional status of children and breastfeeding practices in South Africa remain unsatisfactory. The evidence base supporting the importance of exclusive and continued breastfeeding on a global and local level has been broadened. There are comprehensive and practical international guidelines to guide the protection, promotion of, and support for breastfeeding. Comprehensive and sound national and provincial policies and guidelines have also been developed in South Africa. The political will to address infant and young child feeding has been advanced and demonstrated, and a supportive environment created through commitment and capacity building. There is a need for focused action addressing adequate monitoring and evaluation of processes during all stages of the implementation of evidence-based and theoretical planning. These actions should drastically improve exclusive and continued breastfeeding and advance the health and survival of children in South Africa. The recent momentum gained in support of improving infant and young child feeding could further be enhanced by the process of reviewing the preliminary South African paediatric FBDG and field testing the following proposed message: “Give only breast milk, and no other foods or liquids, to your baby for the first six months of life”.
dc.description.urihttp://www.sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/756
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent9 pages
dc.identifier.citationDu Plessis, L. M. & Pereira, C. 2013. Commitment and capacity for the support of breastfeeding in South Africa : a paediatric food-based dietary guideline. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(3)(Suppl):S120-S128.
dc.identifier.issn2221-1268 (online)
dc.identifier.issn1607-0658 (print)
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/94206
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMedpharm Publications
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectBreastfeeding -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectInfants -- Nutritionen_ZA
dc.titleCommitment and capacity for the support of breastfeeding in South Africa : a paediatric food-based dietary guidelineen_ZA
dc.typeArticle
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