Studies have proven that adequate and appropriate fulfillment of
nutritional needs during the critical
However, in the most of the developing countries like Nepal, malpractice of adequate and appropriate infant
and young child feeding is causing high prevalence of malnutrition. The
problem of malnutrition is fueled up by the massive earthquake in
Nepal in 2015 and demands effective interventions for improving infant and
young child feeding practices to
achieve the key to sustainable development.
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| Source: Ekantipur |
According to WHO IYCF country profile report of 2010, only
53% of women in Nepal exclusively breastfed their babies while mere 34% had
initiated breastfeeding early (within an hour). Similarly only 70% of children
were introduced complementary feeding during 6-8 months.
Realizing the severity of these issues, government and non-government organizations are implementing interventions focused towards improving Infant and Young Children Feeding practices, especially in rural remote areas. However, there is still a long way to go to resolve this issue.
"Two months ago when my grandson was born, he suddenly started crying at night in the hospital. When I tried to feel his stomach, I realized that it was flat. Guessing he might be hungry, I fed him Lactogen (milk formula). I later got scolded harshly by the nurse at the hospital for feeding Lactogen to a newborn baby."
"I feed my baby water after oil massage. It's what my elders used to to."
"Sangita had been struggling to conceive since past few months. When she found out that she was pregnant, Sangita and her family's happiness had no bound. She soon gave a birth a healthy baby boy. With an aspiration to provide best for her baby, she crushed the cashew and fed him. Unfortunately, the cashew got stuck in the child's throat and he ultimately died. Because nobody informed Sangita about proper child feeding practices, her child faced an ill fate due to a preventable cause. Sangita is disowned by her husband and family. She is currently living in her maternal home."
“I have told my daughter in law to breast feed her child for at least 2 yrs as it prevents the baby from diseases. But since my daughter in law is a working woman, I think she will only feed upto 6 months.” (The quotes are based on the conversation with the target users)
The major similarity in the real life stories above is the need of awareness in the community to bring about changes in their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding nutrition and child feeding. Youth for Nutrition (YFN) is committed to address this issue to prevent child morbidity and mortality in Nepal.
YFN's Idea to Educate Mothers on Early Childhood Nutrition
A mother visits local health center for Antenatal, Postnatal care and Immunization services during pregnancy and after delivery. The government of Nepal is also providing incentive to encourage mothers to visit the health center for ANC/PNC services.
NutriBeads/Poshan Maala is a tool developed as an initiative to make the
mothers aware about proper child feeding practices. It is designed to provide
information on 3Es of breast feeding (Early initiation within an hour, Exclusive for 6 month, Extended
breastfeeding for up to 2 years) along with timely initiation of complementary feeding practices with inclusion of balanced meal
for children under 2 years of age.The NutriBeads is especially targeted to the golden 1000 days mothers (from pregnancy to until the child reaches 2 years of age) as optimum care during during this period lays a foundation for the physical as well as cognitive development of a child.
To receive services at that health center, a mother usually has to wait for certain time. The concept of the idea is to form and mobilize network of youth volunteers "Youth for Nutrition" who will make mothers aware on proper infant and young child feeding practices during waiting hours by using the nutribeads. The mothers who receive the information can easily understand and share about appropriate child feeding and implement the learning in practice to ensure good health and well being of her child. The NutriBead will be a constant reminder to the mothers about correct child feeding practices.
NutriBeads aka Poshan Maala
NutriBeads aka Poshan Maala
NutriBeads or Poshan Maala is an array of 23 colored beads in which each color holds a unique meaning.
NutriBeads is a cost effective technology. Though it might neither fall under the category of a modern nor a traditional technology, it is actually an "appropriate technology" which has been created to address the critical issue of malnutrition among children in Nepal so that no child or mother has to face an ill fate due to preventable causes. NutriBeads provides information on correct feeding pattern of children upto 2 years of age along with promotion of balanced diet.
The NutriBeads is designed in such a way that the message can be easily understandable for both literate and illiterate mothers of rural and urban communities. Given the cultural importance of beads in Nepalese community, it can also be a valuable asset for the mothers. Anyone who receives the information can easily share and communicate the message with other people in the community.
NutriBeads Color Indicator- White: Breast Milk
- Brown: Cereal/Grain
- Yellow: Pulse/Legume
- Green: Green Vegetables
- Red: Fruits
- Blue: Animal Source Of Food Like Ghee, Butter, Cheese, Egg, Meat
- Black (With Number): Time Interval Of Six Months
The past four months journey has paved a path for us to take baby steps as young changemakers in the field of health and nutrition. We are fortunate to have won the UNICEF HLM3 Youth Innovation Challenge and received USD 5000 as a seed grant to take our idea forward along with support and mentorship from UNICEF. We believe there are thousands of young people with the inspiration and innovation to be a voice for change. If you are one of them, come join us to fight malnutrition to save our children so that mothers like Sangita do not have to suffer again. We are also looking forward to any kind of support, feedback and guidance from like minded individuals and organizations.
