Infant & young child feeding in the context of COVID-19

To support implementers on how to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of evidence-informed guidance briefs will be produced and updated every ten (10) days as new information and evidence emerges. This Brief is meant to provide information specific to infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in the context of COVID-19. This Brief does not cover wider mitigation and response measures available in other guidance. As a nutrition community, we will continue to develop our understanding on practical solutions to deliver programming in the context of COVID-19. Documenting and disseminating these lessons and emerging evidence will be key to implementing the most appropriate and effective responses in the face of this pandemic.

This brief consolidates recommendations on Infant and Young Child Feeding in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations align with WHO’s interim guidance on Home Care for Patients with COVID-19 presenting with mild symptoms and management of contacts (17 March 2020), the Clinical Management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected (13 March 2020) and Operational guidance on infant feeding in emergencies (2017).