World Breastfeeding Week is always a good opportunity to highlight the importance of breastfeeding for adequate zinc nutrition.
Promotion and support of appropriate breastfeeding practices is a recommended strategy to enhance the zinc status of infants and young children, for two main reasons:
Breastmilk is an important source of bioavailable zinc
Breastfeeding protects against diarrhea, which causes excessive zinc losses.
And 3. Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet! (the #WBW2020 theme)
Safe and appropriate complementary foods should be introduced at 6 months of age, with continued, frequent, on-demand breast feeding until at least 2 years of age as described in the WHO publication Guiding Principles for Improved Complementary Feeding Practices. To ensure the nutrient needs for zinc are met, a variety of foods that includes meat, poultry, fish or eggs should be provided daily or as often as possible.
Relevant IZiNCG publications:
IZiNCG Technical Brief no. 5 Preventing zinc deficiency through diet diversification and modification
In IZiNCG Technical Document #2 Dietary intervention strategies to enhance zinc nutrition: Promotion and support of breastfeeding for infants and young children