Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding

WBTi

What is

Launched in 2004, the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) assists countries to assess the status of and benchmark the progress in implementation of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding in a standard way. It is based on the WHO’s tool for national assessment of policy and programmes on infant and young child feeding. The WBTi assists countries to measure strengths and weaknesses on the ten parameters of policy and programmes that protect, promote and support optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The WBTi also maintains a Global Data Repository of these policies and programmes. The unique web-tool helps in colour- coding and scoring each indicator. The WBTi process stimulates local action, bringing people together and encourages collaboration and networking amongst key organisations such as government departments, UN, health professionals, academics, civil society and other players (without conflicts of Interest). It assists in consensus building. Through use of the WBTi tool, countries work towards producing a “report card” and “ report” that can be used to mobilise action at local level by defining the gaps and recommendations for change. The WBTi encourages re-assessments every 3-5 years. The Global Secretariat at BPNI manages the WBTi and its repository.

Vision & Mission Statement

The WBTi envisages that all countries create an enabling environment for women to be successful in breastfeeding their babies optimally at home, health facilities or at work places. The WBTi aspires to be a trusted leader to motivate policy makers and programme managers in countries, to use the global data repository of information on breastfeeding and IYCF policies and programmes. WBTi envisions to serve as a knowledge platform for programme managers, researchers, policy makers and breastfeeding advocates across the globe. WBTi‘s mission is to reach all countries to facilitate assessment and tracking of IYCF policies and programmes through mobilising local partnerships without conflicts of interest and building a data repository for advocacy.

Publications

About BPNI

The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) is a 32 years old registered, independent, non-profit, national organisation that works towards protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding of infants and young children. BPNI works through policy analysis, advocacy, social mobilization, information sharing, education, research, training and monitoring the company compliance with the IMS Act. BPNI serves as the global secretariat for World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) programme, that analyses policy & programmes and galvanises action at country level in different regions of the world. BPNI is part of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN)

Funding Policy

BPNI does not accept funds or any support from the companies manufacturing baby foods, feeding bottles or infant feeding related equipment.BPNI does not associate with organizations having conflicts of Interest.