Learning from large-scale community-based programmes to improve breastfeeding practices

Summary: Community-based breastfeeding promotion and support is one of the key components of a comprehensive program to improve breastfeeding practices, as outlined in the World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. This report shares experiences and lessons from community-based approaches so that others can use the information to strengthen existing programs and design new ones. The paper will be of particular value to individuals who are interested in studying and applying different models and the results and lessons emerging from them and assessing their applicability in a new setting.