Since its inception in 2009, Alive & Thrive, managed by FHI Solutions and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Irish Aid, and others, has focused on increasing early initiation, exclusive and continued breastfeeding as part of its efforts to strengthen maternal, newborn, and child health and wellness. The initiative includes country-specific programs in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, India, Madagascar, Nigeria, and regional programs in Southeast Asia and francophone West Africa. Alive & Thrive partners with national and sub-national stakeholders at various levels to strengthen breastfeeding awareness and support within health systems and policy environments, and to introduce and scale up data-driven social behavior change approaches that address breastfeeding barriers. In this brief, we discuss the benefits of breastfeeding, global breastfeeding recommendations, and key takeaways on Alive & Thrive’s implementation experience in Bangladesh.
Briefs & Fact Sheets