World Breastfeeding Week

It is important to close the gap in the possibilities that women have to breastfeed their children since breastfeeding can act as a factor of equality in society.

Human milk is the best nutrition for children at a time when the epigenetic foundations for health and development are being established. Everyone has the right to access breast milk.

It is essential that no one is left behind, especially vulnerable mothers who may need additional support to reduce inequalities in the ability to breastfeed.

This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s appreciate breastfeeding mums and ensure they get the support they need.

Breastfeeding support comes in many forms – from staff welcoming breastfeeding in your local café to helpful advice from a health worker or maternity protections from your government.

These all help protect the health and rights of women and babies

Mothers who brestfeed need:

- Policies and attitudes that value women and breastfeeding
- A women and breastfeeding-friendly health care system
- Respect for women’s autonomy and her right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere
- Solidarity and community support

This year we want to really recognize breastfeeding mums, ensure they are seen and heard, and share relatable human experiences about breastfeeding and the importance of multi-level support.

World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year.

The theme for 2024 is Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.

The campaign will celebrate breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mother.

This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s appreciate breastfeeding mums and ensure they get the support they need.

Breastfeeding provides both short- and long-term benefits to the child and the mother.

For the child, breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and reduces incidence of disease and death. Breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, protects children from diarrhea and pneumonia, the two leading causes of death among children under age five. Other infections, including otitis media, Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, and urinary tract infections, are less common and less severe in infants who are breastfed.