MCHIP provides technical support to improve the preventive and curative nutrition components of child health programs. Because sub-optimal infant and young child feeding and malnutrition increase the risk of under-five deaths from diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria, MCHIP is promoting Essential Nutrition Actions (ENAs): 

• Immediate and exclusive breastfeeding for six months; 
• Appropriate complementary feeding from the age of six months through two years, with continued breastfeeding; 
• Nutritional care of sick children, including continued feeding during illness; 
• Recuperative feeding to reverse weight loss after illness; 
• Care of moderately and severely malnourished children; 
• Integration of family planning with nutrition and health services to reduce stunting in children; and 
• Adequate intake of vitamin A, iron, zinc and iodine.