Data driven student support: utilize the LASSI to improve academic performance.

Globally, breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ways to promote child health and survival []. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia, where alternatives to breast milk may not be practical or accessible. Breast milk is naturally clean, safe, and rich in antibodies that protect infants from common childhood illnesses, including respiratory infections and diarrhea. It also provides essential macro- and micronutrients that meet an infant’s nutritional requirements during the first six months of life and continue to support growth when combined with complementary foods thereafter []. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) advise that breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth and that infants should receive only breast milk—no additional liquids or foods, not even water—for the first six months []. In Ethiopia, breastfeeding for an extended period is a common practice, with 76% of mothers feeding their children for at least two years, and a median breastfeeding duration was 23.9 months []. Nonetheless, despite global recommendations, a significant share of infants are not exclusively breastfed (41%) [], while 27–36% do not begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth [, ]. Additionally, between 25% and 46% of newborns are given pre-lacteal feeds—such as butter, honey, or plain water—before breastfeeding is established [, ]. The first milk, or colostrum, is also frequently discarded or avoided (19–77%), often expressed and removed before feeding begins [, ]. The latest UNICEF report indicates that 39% of infants miss exclusive breastfeeding and 77% do not start breastfeeding within the recommended first hour of life []. These suboptimal breastfeeding practices are largely linked to inadequate access to accurate health information within communities about the risks associated with such behaviors [, ].