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Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) was founded on 3rd December,1991 atWardha, Maharashtra.BPNI is a registered, independent,nonprofit,national organization;working towards protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding of infants & young children.BPNI acts on the targets of Innocenti Declarations, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes,and the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (WHO 2002).

BPNI's core areas of work include policy advocacy to educate policy makers and managers,training of health workers, capacity building of State governments for implementing the policy,social mobilization duringWorld BreastfeedingWeek (WBW) each year and monitoring compliance with the“Infant Milk Substitutes,Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution)Act 1992 and Amendment Act 2003 (IMSAct).

BPNI is notified in the Gazette of India as a child welfare NGO to initiate action under section 21(1) of the IMSAct for officially monitoring and implementing IMSAct since 1995

Over the years BPNI has played the role of a watchdog organization and exposed several big baby food brands on how they undermined the IMS Act.

BPNI coordinates and facilitates the education and training of grassroots personnel in health and nutrition sector and private hospitals through skilled counseling as a sustainable support to mother-baby dyads.Our training alliances include National Health Mission (NHM) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).BPNI training courses are self sustained.

BPNI works in close liaison with the Government of India and is recognized for its technical expertise and credible standing on the issues & concerns of child health and nutrition.BPNI's contribution in earlier fiveyears plan documents and restructuring of ICDS mission document for Government of India are golden feathers in it’s cap.BPNI holds major contribution in development of the National Guidelines on Infant andYoung Child Feeding (2004 and 2006) and Operational Guidelines for Enhancing Optimal Infant andYoung Child Feeding Practices (2013).Latest among these are guidelines for 'MAA' programme where in BPNI provided crucial inputs.BPNI is the technical partner to country's very first nationwide programme“MAA-Mother's AbsoluteAffection” for breastfeeding promotion launched by Honorable Health & Family Welfare Minister Sh.Jagat Prakash Nadda on 5th August,2016.

Other than the government,BPNI has been working in partnership with development partners like WHO,UNICEF, World Bank,Norwegian and Swedish Governments.

BPNI's Vision and Mission Statement

Vision 

BPNI is viewed as the last word in protecting breastfeeding from commercial influence as well as recognized as a global leader in providing impetus to the breastfeeding movement through innovative and sustainable approaches.

Mission 

BPNI seeks to work towards optimal nutrition of women and children,especially on enhancing breastfeeding rates in the country through countering commercial influence,capacity building of health and nutrition care providers,advocacy for maternity entitlements and other national policies.

Funding Policy

BPNI does not accept funds or any support from the companies manufacturing baby foods,feeding bottles or infant feeding related equipments.BPNI does not associate with organizations having conflicts of Interest.

Legal Status

1. BPNI is registered as a society under the Societies RegistrationAct XXI of 1860, S-23144
2. BPNI is registered under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FCRA )(FCRA No. 231650680)
3. Donations to BPNI are eligible for tax exemption under section 80G(5) (vi) of the ITAct,1961

International Status

BPNI is a part of a global network,the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).IBFAN is a Right Livelihood Laureate,the award received in 1998,which is popularly known as the Alternative Nobel Prize.It serves as the Regional Coordinating office of Asia to protect,promote and support optimal infant and young child nutrition in over 25 countries as IBFAN Asia. IBFAN is in official relation with WHO since last 3 years.

Affiliations /Memberships of technical committees nationally/internationally