About Essential Nutrition Actions at Critical Stages in the Life Cycle of Women and Children
Practices and Behaviours Self Assessment Tools at Post Natal and During the First Six Months
| Recommended ENAs at Post Natal and during the first six months |
Rating* |
Discuss and identify key gaps key gaps in the performance of recommended behaviours
|
Exclusive breastfeeding (0-6 months): |
All lactating mothers:
- Breastfeed their baby frequently and on-demand day and night (at least 8 times).
- Empty one breast before switching baby to other breast.
- Visit the clinic in case of breastfeeding difficulties and breast problems.
- Visit the clinic in case the child is having feeding problems.
- Do not give water, glucose, or other fluids like sodas, tea to their baby.
- Do not give pacifiers to their baby.
- Continue breastfeeding even if pregnant.
- Understand that mixed feeding may cause their baby to get diarrhoea, respiratory and ear infections.
If separated from their child during the day, lactating mothers:
- Can express enough breast milk to feed their baby during their absence.
- Have taught to the caregiver how to feed the child during their absence using a clean, open cup.
- Store expressed breast milk up to 8 hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours in a refrigerator.
If HIV negative / unknown status, lactating mothers:
- Go for HIV testing and/or practice safer sex while breastfeeding.
|
Total 1: …. |
|
Maternal nutrition including Iron Deficiency Anaemia control: |
All lactating mothers:
- Increase energy intake through two additional meals a day.
- Have a varied diet (cereal/starchy roots plus animal foods/legumes/nuts plus fruit/vegetable).
- Reduce workload at least in the first 3 months after delivery.
- Continue to take daily the Iron/Folic Acid or multiple micronutrient supplementation if recommended by the health workers.
- Use daily iodized salt for all family members.
|
Total 2: …. |
|
Infant Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies (VMD) control: |
|
1. Infant Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) control:
- Lactating mothers and their baby sleep under an ITN to prevent malaria.
- Normal nets are treated at least twice a year.
|
Total 3: …. |
|
2. Vitamin A supplementation:
- All mothers receive one 200,000 IU dose of Vitamin A within 8 weeks after delivery.
| Total 4: ..... |
|
Early detection and referral of infant with malnutrition: |
- All mothers bring their child monthly for weighing.
Note: appropriate weighing means that the child’s growth is monthly plotted on the Child Heath Card and that the mother is informed and counselled on the nutrition status of her child. This includes explanation on the curve growth and assessment of feeding practices.
- All mothers bring their child to the clinic immediately if he/she is not gaining weight or is losing weight.
|
Total 5: …. |
|
Correct use of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): |
- All lactating mothers understand clearly the correct use of LAM as a family planning method based on the simultaneous existence of all conditions below:
1) Lactating mother did not get menses;
2) Baby is exclusively and frequently breastfed;
3) Baby is less than six months old.
|
Total 6: …. |
|
Overall Score (Total 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5+ 6): |
..... |
|
