When mothers receive the support they need to breastfeed, the benefits extend to everyone. Enhancing breastfeeding rates could save over 820,000 children’s lives each year, according to the latest data. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for increased access to breastfeeding support to reduce health inequity and ensure both mothers and babies can thrive.
UN LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR BREASTFEEDING
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a joint statement to mark World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from 1-7 August. They emphasized that breastmilk contains antibodies crucial for protecting babies against illness and death, especially during emergencies, when breastfeeding ensures a safe, nutritious, and accessible food source for infants and young children.
HEALTH BENEFITS FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Breastfeeding significantly reduces the burden of childhood illness and decreases the risk of certain types of cancers and noncommunicable diseases for mothers. “In the last 12 years, the number of infants under six months of age globally who are exclusively breastfed has increased by more than 10 percent. This means 48 percent of infants worldwide now benefit from this healthy start in life,” the agency chiefs noted.
CHALLENGES TO BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
Despite the progress, persistent challenges remain. An estimated 4.5 billion people, more than half the world’s population, do not have full coverage of essential health services. As a result, many women lack the necessary support to optimally breastfeed their babies, which includes “trained, empathetic, and respectful health advice” and counseling.
IMPORTANCE OF RELIABLE DATA AND SUPPORTIVE POLICIES
The leaders highlighted the need for reliable data collection to address healthcare inequalities and ensure timely, effective breastfeeding support for mothers and families. Currently, only half of all countries collect data on breastfeeding rates. Additionally, data on policy actions that facilitate breastfeeding, such as family-friendly employment policies, regulation of breastmilk substitutes marketing, and investment in breastfeeding, is crucial.
COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTIONS
When breastfeeding is protected and supported, women are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their infants. This requires a collective effort from families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and other decision-makers. Increased investment in programs and policies that support breastfeeding through dedicated national budgets is essential.
IMPLEMENTING FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES
Policymakers can play a central role by implementing and monitoring family-friendly workplace policies, such as paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Additionally, ensuring that mothers at risk in emergencies or from underrepresented communities receive breastfeeding protection and support as part of routine health coverage is crucial.
Boosting breastfeeding support is a shared responsibility with profound benefits. By investing in supportive policies, reliable data collection, and comprehensive healthcare services, we can ensure that more mothers receive the support they need to breastfeed, ultimately saving lives and fostering healthier communities. As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, let’s commit to making breastfeeding support a priority for the health and well-being of mothers and children worldwide.
