Breastfeeding

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2026, "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthening what works," is linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1. This SDG addresses the goal of ending poverty by 2030.

It relates to breastfeeding because breastfeeding:

- Provides optimal nutrition for children, serving as an unparalleled biological foundation for early childhood.

- Promotes food security, as breast milk is a natural, renewable, and self-sufficient resource that requires no transportation, packaging, or fuel.

Given the benefits of breastfeeding for children, breastfeeding women, their families, the global economy, and the environment, World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from August 1 to 7 to raise awareness and spur action on breastfeeding-related issues. T

he World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launched this observance in 1992 to commemorate the 1990 Innocenti Declaration—an international agreement adopted by the WHO and UNICEF in Florence, Italy, aimed at protecting, promoting, and supporting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.

In 2026, the theme for World Breastfeeding Week is "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthening what works."

Many practices have been shown to improve breastfeeding outcomes:

- Skilled counseling on infant and young child feeding

- Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative

- National mass media campaigns

- International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

- Paid maternity leave

- Workplace breastfeeding support

El Código se aplica en todos los países, con independencia de lo establecido en las políticas nacionales sobre la alimentación de los lactantes cuyas madres están infectadas por el VIH. La aplicación del código es fundamental para que no disminuyan las tasas de lactancia materna.

In addition to the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Human Milk Substitutes, other complementary actions are needed to promote the optimal feeding of infant and young children. The Breastfeeding Promotion Initiative led by WHO and UNICEF, aims to increase global commitment to breastfeeding. In addition to achieving full implementation of the code through strong legal measures, the initiative's call to action urges governments, donors and partners to do the following:
• Increase funding for breastfeeding promotion initiatives.

Any type of promotion of breastmilk substitutes, bottles and teats should be completely prohibited at health care facilities, as established by the International Code of Marketing of Human Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly. In addition, no free or subsidized donations of breast milk substitutes or other products, gifts or samples may be given to health workers at any health system facility.

Regarding the administration of feeding the premature newborns in intensive care areas, the written breastfeeding policy should explicit issues related to the:

The International Code of Marketing of Human Milk Substitutes requires appropriate actions to enforce its principles and objectives, including the adoption of national laws and regulations or other relevant measures. All actions should be made public. Since the code is a minimum requirement, governments can adopt additional measures - potentially more stringent than those set out in the code - and make them legally binding.

Interventions to support responsive caregiving during the postnatal period should focus on promoting positive interactions and strengthening the caregiver/infant relationship.

Health care workers should encourage mothers, fathers, and other caregivers to be aware and responsive, responding to the child's needs, cues, clues, behaviors, and desires.

It is important to encourage caregivers to develop skills in the contexts of play, communication and feeding, such as breastfeeding on demand.

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.