title: IYCF indicators on breastfeeding status
unit_of_measure: Percent
linearized_input: IYCF indicators on breastfeeding status | Percent | (Exclusive breastfeeding under age 6 months, 40) (Exclusive breastfeeding at age 4-5 months, 13) (Continued breastfeeding at 1 year, 80) (Introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods (6-8 months), 77) (Continued breastfeeding at 2 years, 20) (Age-appropriate breastfeeding (0-23 months), 53) (Predominant breastfeeding (0-5 months), 68) (Bottle feeding (0-23 months), 20)
table_text: Figure 12.2 presents a number of indicators summarizing the extent to which Egyptian children are being fed according to recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The exclusive breastfeeding indicators included in the figure highlight the fact that the majority of children are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months. Overall, only 40 percent of all children under age 6 months are being exclusively breastfed, and at age 4-5 months only 13 percent of children are receiving only breast milk. Figure 12.2 also provides information on the prevalence of predominant breastfeeding. Twothirds of children under age 6 months are in this category, i.e., they are exclusively breastfed or breastfed and receiving either plain water or non-milk liquids. In addition, Figure 12.2 considers the timely introduction of complementary feeding; as recommended, 77 percent of children age 6-8 months are being given solid, semi-solid, or soft food The continued breastfeeding indicators in Figure 12.2 show that breastfeeding continues well into the first year of life for most children. However, by age two years, the majority of children are weaned. Although bottle feeding is discouraged, one in five Egyptian children age 0-23 months is bottle fed Finally, the age-appropriate breastfeeding indicator in Figure 12.2 provides an overall measure of the extent to which recommendations with respect to the practices of exclusive breastfeeding and the timely introduction of complementary foods are being observed. Children are classified as receiving age-appropriate breastfeeding if they are age 0-5 months and exclusively breastfed or age 6-23 months and breastfeeding and consuming complementary foods. Around half of Egyptian children are being breastfed appropriately.
target: Figure 12.2 presents a number of indicators summarizing the extent to which Egyptian children are being fed according to recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices.