The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have called on countries worldwide to bolster breastfeeding support as World Breastfeeding Week begins. Despite improvements in breastfeeding rates globally, millions of mothers still lack adequate care and assistance to breastfeed successfully.
The UN agencies report that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life has increased from approximately 37% in 2012 to over 47% today. Additionally, breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38% to 50% over the past five years. However, progress remains uneven, especially in low-income and crisis-affected regions.
Health and Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients, strengthens infants' immune systems, protects against serious illnesses, and supports healthy brain development. It also lowers mothers' risks of breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes.
WHO and UNICEF estimate that expanding breastfeeding support could prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and about 140,000 maternal deaths annually. Economically, every dollar invested in breastfeeding promotion can yield an estimated $59 in returns due to reduced healthcare costs, improved education outcomes, and higher lifetime earnings.
Recommended Actions
- Strengthen health services for mothers and newborns.
- Expand community-based breastfeeding support programs.
- Enforce regulations on marketing breast-milk substitutes.
- Invest in paid maternity leave and workplace breastfeeding accommodations.
- Ensure breastfeeding support continues during emergencies.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that investing in proven breastfeeding solutions is key to giving every child a healthy start and supporting mothers effectively.
