Nearly one in five infant deaths each year are attributable to poor breastfeeding habits.

Based on the global infant and young child feeding recommendations developed by the World Health Organisation in 2002, the Ethiopian National Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Guideline was developed in 2004. The guideline stresses the following IYCF strategies during the first two years:

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months (exclusive breastfeeding is defined as giving only breastmilk and no other food or fluid including water except medication)
Start optimal complementary feeding at six months with continuation of breastfeeding for the first two years or beyond (complementary feeding means giving solid or semisolid food to a child in addition to breastmilk).