Exclusive breastfeeding Metadata

Proportion of infants 0–5 months of age who are fed exclusively with breast milk

Exclusive breastfeeding

BreastfeedingExclusive

Proportion of infants 0–5 months of age who are fed exclusively with breast milk

This indicator belongs to a set of indicators whose purpose is to measure infant and young child feeding practices, policies and programmes. Infant and young child feeding practices directly affect the nutritional status, development and survival of children. Infant and young child feeding practices directly affect the nutritional status and survival of children. Exclusive breastfeeding is the single most effective intervention to improve the survival of children. Improving infant and young child feeding practices is therefore critical to improved nutrition, health and development of children.

Percentage of infants 0–5 months of age who are fed exclusively with breast milk = (Infants 0–5 months of age who received only breast milk during the previous day/Infants 0–5 months of age) x 100. Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) include questions on liquids and foods given the previous day, and number of milk feeds the previous day, to learn if the child is being exclusively breastfed.

International definition and standards