Key to the data tables
Infant and young child feeding indicators included in the on-line version of the Data Bank
Ever breastfed %
Proportion of children 0-4.9 years (0-2.9 years) of age who were ever breastfed.
Median exclusive breastfeeding (months)
Median duration of exclusive breastfeeding among children 0-3.9 months of age.
Median any breastfeeding (months)
Median duration of breastfeeding among children 0-3.9 months of age.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate <6 months %
Proportion of infants 0-5.9 months of age who are fed exclusively on breast milk.
"Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breast milk (including milk expressed or from a wet nurse) for 6 months of life, but allows the infant to receive ORS, drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines).
Exclusive breastfeeding rate <4 months %
Proportion of infants 0-3.9 months of age who are fed exclusively on breast milk.
"Exclusive breastfeeding" is defined as no other food or drink, not even water, except breast milk (including milk expressed or from a wet nurse) for 6 months of life, but allows the infant to receive ORS, drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and medicines).
Early initiation of breastfeeding %
Proportion of children 0-4.9 years (0-2.9 years) of age who were put to the breast within one hour of birth.
Bottle feeding rate %
Proportion of children 0-11.9 months of age who are fed with a bottle.
"Bottle feeding": is defined as any liquid (including breast milk) or semi-solid food from a bottle with nipple/teat.
Introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods %
Proportion of infants 6-9.9 months of age who receive solid, semi-solid or soft foods and breast milk.
Minimum dietary diversity %
Proportion of children 6-23.9 months of age who receive foods from 4 or more food groups.
Dietary diversity refers to the child receiving 4+ of the following food groups:
- grains, roots and tubers
- legumes and nuts
- dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
- flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry and liver/organ meats)
- eggs
- vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables
- other fruits and vegetables
Minimum meal frequency %
Proportion of breastfed and non-breastfed children 6-23.9 months of age who receive solid, semi-solid, or soft foods or milk feeds the minimum number of times or more.
Minimum meal frequency is defined as:
- 2 times for breastfed infants 6–8 months
- 3 times for breastfed children 9–23 months
- 4 times for non-breastfed children 6–23 months
Continued breastfeeding - 1 year %
Proportion of children 12-15.9 months of age who are fed breast milk.
This indicator includes breastfeeding by a wet nurse and feeding expressed breast milk.
Continued breastfeeding - 2 years %
Proportion of children 20-23.9 months of age who are fed breast milk.
This indicator includes breastfeeding by a wet nurse and feeding expressed breast milk.
Mothers given information on breastfeeding %
Percentage of mothers who received information on breastfeeding in connection with antenatal care.