1.2 Goal and Objectives

Infant and young child feeding is an integral part of the overall objective of ensuring the socio-economic well being of all Nigerians. It is in this context that the problem of malnutrition exists and within which the goal and objectives of this policy are derived.

1.2.1 Goal
The overall goal of the National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Nigeria is to ensure the optimal growth, protection and development of the Nigerian child from birth to the first five years of life.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives:
i. To promote, protect and support exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life.
ii. To create and sustain a positive image for breastfeeding throughout the society.
iii. To empower all women (including women who work outside their homes) to adopt and practice optimal infant feeding.
iv. To promote the timely introduction of appropriate and adequate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding up to 24 months and beyond.
v. To ensure the provision of specific feeding recommendations for all infants and young children irrespective of their circumstances of birth and health status.
vi. To promote the provision of appropriate information for nutrition counselling and support for households in the prevention of malnutrition in children.
vii. To develop and strengthen activities that will protect, promote and support adequate infant and young child feeding practices.
viii. To raise awareness on issues affecting infant and young child feeding in Nigeria.
ix. To provide an enabling environment for mothers, family members and communities to make and implement informed decisions on optimal feeding of infants and young children.
x. To support and enhance the provision of enabling environment without any form of discrimination for working mothers, fathers and other care-givers including those in part-time and domestic occupation to practice optimal infant and young child feeding.
xi. To promote the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV through appropriate and safe measures that ensure optimal infant and young child feeding.
xii. To ensure that health workers and other care providers have adequate skills and information to support optimal infant and young child feeding including in emergency situations.
xiii. To support and enhance the national capacity to address issues of infant and young child feeding in different situations and circumstances.and other care-givers including those in part-time and domestic occupation to practice optimal infant and young child feeding.
xi. To promote the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV through appropriate and safe measures that ensure optimal infant and young child feeding.
xii. To ensure that health workers and other care providers have adequate skills and information to support optimal infant and young child feeding including in emergency situations.
xiii. To support and enhance the national capacity to address issues of infant and young child feeding in different situations and circumstances.