Infant And Young Child Feeding Practices

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Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Indicators in Pakistan

Indicator Value (%)
Early initiation of breastfeeding 20
Exclusive breastfeeding (0-5 months) 48
Continued breastfeeding (12-23 months) All children 63
Continued breastfeeding (12-23 months) (Poorest 20%) 67
Continued breastfeeding (12-23 months) (Richest 20%) 60
Children consuming foods (6-23 months) <=2 food groups (severe food poverty) 38
Children consuming foods (6-23 months) 3−4 food groups (moderate food poverty) 47
Children consuming foods (6-23 months) At least 5 food groups (minimum dietary diversity) 15
Minimum Meal Frequency (6-23 months) 61
Minimum Acceptable Diet (6-23 months) 13
Zero vegetable or fruit consumption (6-23 months) 61
Source: UNICEF (State of World’s Children 2024)

 

Breastfeeding in Pakistan (%)

Region Within the first hour of birth Exclusive up to 6 months Continued at 1 year Continued at 2 years
Pakistan 45.8 48.4 68.4 56.5
ICT 91.3 57.6 74.1 55.2
Balochistan 61.1 43.9 69.5 57.3
KP 46.9 60.8 74.5 64.9
Punjab 43.7 44.3 62.9 51.2
Sindh 48 52.3 77.5 63.1
Source: NNS 2018
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