nsuring adequate nutrition during children's first two years is vital if they are to reach their full potential. Poor feeding habits can undermine growth and development and can have a lifelong effect on children, their families and society. Breastmilk alone is sufficient for infants from birth to around six months of age. Then children begin to become accustomed to the family diet and start to sample foods which will form part of their own diet for the rest of their lives. 

Some of the issues to address include: What factors affect the duration of breastfeeding in different settings? What are the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding? How should current growth standards be interpreted for exclusively breastfed babies? How can nutritious complementary foods be made available in poverty situations? When should complementary foods be introduced? How to mobilize support to improve women's and children's access to nutritious, low-cost foods.