Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to share with you a new update of our IYCF-E repository. Below we share with you an outline of some highlights of recently published papers.

Click here to view the updated repository.

Several publications explore the impacts of socio-demographic factors, barriers to breastfeeding, natural disasters, and forced migration on IYCF. One study gathered perspective from hotline call logs to describe how an emergency perinatal and infant feeding hotline supported IYCF during natural disasters like hurricanes. Call logs from mothers described family vulnerabilities during a hurricane, running out of donor milk infant formula, and limited access to power and safe drinking water. Staff described training and strategies to provide support, including trauma-informed care, sharing talking points on re-lactation, offering mutual support (such as a "buddy system"), and having familiarity with the local area. An ethnographic study from Canada describes the cultural stereotypes and socioeconomic challenges that refugees face upon migrating to a new country. The study emphasizes the importance of promoting breastfeeding through healthcare support, culturally appropriate services, and interpretation services in healthcare settings. Additionally, implementing Baby-Friendly initiatives is highlighted as a key strategy, with recommendations for collaborative efforts by healthcare settings, healthcare providers, policymakers, public health agencies, service providers, and governments to support the breastfeeding practices of refugee mothers.

Several articles highlight diarrhea as a significant comorbidity of SAM among children. One study describes the characteristics, associated factors, and treatment outcomes among malnourished infants under six months in feeding centers, highlighting the critical need for improved healthcare access and comprehensive education on breastfeeding, hygiene, and nutrition to effectively address SAM. Another study discusses exploring defaulting rates from outpatient care, including strategies to reach vulnerable populations in the management of SAM.

Additional research on commercial milk formula in humanitarian setting explored infant feeding challenges and needs of mothers affected by war. Mothers described facing opposition from healthcare workers at maternity hospitals, where CMF was offered freely even if they wanted to initiate BF right after birth. They also described how they received CMF donations even if they said they did not need them and expressed concerns about being able to continue purchasing CMF or preparing it safely.

A systematic review also explored critical growth gaps among children under six months. The review compared weight gain using F-100 and diluted F-100 (DF-100) with infant formula (IF). The paper highlights recommendations to refocus malnutrition research on supporting and restoring breastfeeding rather than relying on supplemental milk products. It also offers a research framework to guide the design of future studies.

If you know anyone who would benefit from these updates, please direct them to this link to sign up for our email listserv. We aim to publish updates every 3 months – look out for our next update in Oct 2024.

-The IYCF-E Repository Team