Article

Launching workshop for the Complementary Feeding Bowl

This innovation aims to improve Infant and Young Child Feeding practices among children 6-23 months in Burundi.

Elisa Revert Santamaria & Laura Heraty

Participants on the launching workshop for the Complementary Feeding Bowl. — UNICEF Burundi/2022/E.R. Santamaria

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17 June 2022

On 17 June 2022, the Ministry of Public Health’s National Integrated Food and Nutrition Program (PRONIANUT) and UNICEF, organized the launching workshop on the innovative Complementary Feeding Bowl toolkit. The innovation aims to improve Infant and Young Child Feeding practices among children 6-23 months in Burundi.

The toolkit will complement the existing counselling package on good Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and serve as a reminder for caregivers on the quantity, quality, frequency, as well as consistency for the different foods given to children based on their age. The workshop was an opportunity for UNICEF and partners to engage on the action framework for improving dietary diversity, food frequency and minimum acceptable diet of children aged 6-23 months in Burundi using this new innovative approach.

UNICEF Burundi/2022/E.R. Santamaria Dr Fidèle NKEZABAHIZI, Medical Director of MoH/PRONIANUT between Dr Donatien NKURUNZIZA, SEP/PMSAM representative and Johanne DESORMEAUX, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF.

UNICEF Burundi/2022/E.R. Santamaria Presentation on the use of the toolkit by Francine NIYIZIGAMA, in charge of the prevention of malnutrition MoH/PRONIANUT.

The innovative toolkit is comprised of:

UNICEF Burundi/2022 Complementary Feeding Bowl and the food groups illustrations along the rim. 1. Breastmilk, 2. Grains, roots and tuber; Sweet Potato 3. Pulses, nuts & seeds; Beans 4. Dairy products: Glass of milk 5. Flesh foods; Fish, 6. Eggs, 7. Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables; Carrot and 8. other fruits and vegetables; Spinach.

Bowl with demarcations showing the different elements to explain key aspects of complementary feeding including: The cues on the rim of the bowl that represent the 7 required food groups for a diverse diet. On the inside of the bowl the demarcated lines indicate the quantity of foods to be given to a growing child according to their age; and above each of these quantity lines is a symbol of the small bowl, referencing meal frequency per child per day. A hand-washing symbol at the bottom of the bowl reminds caregivers of good hygiene practices and sanitation.

The slotted Spoon encourages appropriate food consistency that is energy-dense and prevents the preparation of water-downs foods. If the food passes through the slots in the spoon, it indicates that the food is very diluted and not of a suitable consistency for optimal Infant and Young Childing Feeding.

UNICEF Burundi/2022/E.R. Santamaria Complementary Feeding Bowl and Slotted Spoon.

During the workshop, participants were reminded of the current burden of wasting and stunting of children in Burundi. This workshop served as an information and sharing opportunity about the consequences of malnutrition in the community and the importance of food diversification in preventing malnutrition in all its forms.

UNICEF Burundi/2022/E.R. Santamaria Partial view during the presentation of the Complementary Feeding Bowl and Spoon.

Currently, cooking demonstrations are conducted with materials such as bowls, plates, or spoons that do not illustrate and reinforce good Infant and Young Child Feeding practices on meal quantity, quality, and frequency.

This innovative toolkit will complement and improve the existing community-based comprehensive and integrated Infant and Young Child Feeding package implemented by UNICEF and it partners. The Complementary Feeding Bowl with the slotted Spoon fills this gap and is an innovative, easy-to-use tool that a mother or caregiver can take with them after the cooking demonstration sessions and continue good feeding practices at home.