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Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) Anemia Micronutrient intake Nutritional status of children and women © 2008 Min Zaw, Courtesy of Photoshare

Early Breastfeeding Provides a newborn with colostrum, a key supplement for the infant’s immune system. 67% of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of life, and 84% within the first day. 20% of newborns are given food or liquid other than breastmilk (prelacteal feed), although this is not recommended. 98% of infants are ever breastfed. The early initiation of breastfeeding is important for a number of reasons. Early suckling benefits mothers because it stimulates breast milk production and releases a hormone that helps the uterus to contract and reduce postpartum blood loss. It also fosters bonding between mother and child. 98% of infants are ever breastfed.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Children who receive only breast milk and no other foods or liquids, even water, are considered exclusively breastfed. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, since breast milk contains all the nutrients that a baby needs. Antibodies in breast milk provide immunity to disease. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of a child’s life because breast milk is uncontaminated and contains all of the nutrients necessary for children in the first few months of life. In addition, the mother’s antibodies in breast milk provide immunity to disease.

Exclusive Breastfeeding by Age Percent of children exclusively breastfed Half of children age 0-5 months in Myanmar are being exclusively breastfed.

Duration of Breastfeeding Median duration of breastfeeding in months among children born in the last 3 years The median duration of breastfeeding for children 0-35 months is 23.7months and children are exclusively breastfed for a median of 2.3 months.

Breastfeeding Status Under 6 Months Percent distribution of youngest children under 6 months who are living with their mother by breastfeeding status Supplementing breast milk with other liquids or foods starts at an early age in Myanmar. Contrary to the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding, 26% of children under 6 months were given plain water, other milk, or other non-milk liquids while 21% were fed complementary foods in addition to breast milk.

IYCF Practices The Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) recommendations by WHO: Children 6 to 23 months should receive 4 or more food groups daily and Minimum frequency of feeding as the child gets older. Breastmilk or milk products

Percent of children age 6-23 months fed with all three IYCF practices Overall, 16% of all children 6-23 months were fed in accordance with IYCF recommendations.

© 2009 Kyaw Thar, Courtesy of Photoshare Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) Anemia Micronutrient intake Nutritional status of children and women © 2009 Kyaw Thar, Courtesy of Photoshare

Percent of children age 6-59 months classified as having anemia Anemia in Children Percent of children age 6-59 months classified as having anemia Almost 6 in 10 children age 6-59 months are anemic. 31% have mild anemia while 26% have moderate anaemia.

Percent of children with any anemia Anemia by Age Percent of children with any anemia Anemia is most common among the youngest children and decreases with age.

Percent of women age 15-49 classified as having anemia Anemia in Women Percent of women age 15-49 classified as having anemia Almost half of women are anemic. Most of these women have mild anemia.

© 2012 Jana Bukovinova, Courtesy of Photoshare Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) Anemia Micronutrient intake Nutritional status of children and women © 2012 Jana Bukovinova, Courtesy of Photoshare

Micronutrients and Children Among youngest children age 6-23 months living with the mother: Among all children age 6-59 months Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required for good health. Vitamin A, which prevents blindness and infection, is particularly important for children. In the 24 hours before the survey, 70% of children age 6-23 months ate foods rich in vitamin A. 54% of children age 6-59 months received a vitamin A supplement in the 6 months prior to the survey. 59% of children ate iron-rich foods in the day before the survey, and 8% received iron supplements in the week before th survey. 43% were given deworming medications in the week before the survey.

Iron Supplements and Pregnant Women Percent of women age 15-49 with a child born in the past 5 years, number of days they took iron tablets or syrup during the pregnancy of the last child Pregnant women should take iron tablets for at least 90 days during pregnancy to prevent anaemia and other complications. Six in ten women took iron tablets for at least 90 days during their last pregnancy.

Micronutrients and Women 35% of women received a post-partum dose of vitamin A 55% of women took deworming medication during pregnancy of last birth

Iodized Salt 98% of households in the MDHS had their salt tested for iodine. Among households with tested salt: 82% of households had iodized salt.

© 2012 Kyaw Kyaw Winn, Courtesy of Photoshare Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF) Anemia Micronutrient intake Nutritional status of children and women © 2012 Kyaw Kyaw Winn, Courtesy of Photoshare

Nutritional Status of Children Percent of children under 5 29 7 Children who are stunted are considered too short for their age. 29% of children are stunted. This is a sign of chronic malnutrition. Children who are wasted are too thin for their height. 7% of children are wasted. This is a sign of acute malnutrition and often reflects a more recent scarcity of food. Children who are underweight are too short for their height. 19% of children are underweight. This indicator combines stunting and wasting. 19 *Based on the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards

Child Stunting by State/Region Percent of children under 5 stunted, or too short for age In Myanmar, stunting is most common in Chin and Rakhine and least common in Yangon. Myanmar 29%

Percent of children under 5 stunted, or too short for age Stunting in the Region Percent of children under 5 stunted, or too short for age Myanmar has the lowest rate of stunting compared to neighbors with recent DHS surveys

Women’s Nutritional Status Percent distribution of women age 15-49 The 2015-16 MDHS also took weight and height measurements of women age 15-49. Just 15% of Myanmar women are thin. 25% are overweight or obese (BMI>=25.0).

Key Findings Children are breastfed for a median of 23.7 months. Children are exclusively breastfed for a median of 2.3 months. 51% of children under 6 months are exclusively breastfed. 58% of children under 5 and 47% of women age 15-49 are anemic. 59% of pregnant women took iron supplements for 90+ days as recommended. 82% of households have iodized salt. 29% of children under 5 are stunted (too short for their age). 25% of women are overweight or obese.