&w=3840&q=100)
World breastfeeding week 2025 calls for better support for new mothers
As part of WHO's Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures campaign launched earlier this year, WBW 2025 highlights the vital role of continued healthcare support for mothers and babies during the breastfeeding journey.
Theme for WBW 2025
World breastfeeding week began in 1992, launched by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in partnership with WHO and UNICEF. It was created to raise awareness and build support for breastfeeding across health systems and communities.
The week is observed every 1st to 7th August to mark the 1990 Innocenti Declaration, a global commitment to protect and promote breastfeeding.
According to a joint statement by WHO and UNICEF in 2024, improving breastfeeding rates could save over 820,000 children 's lives every year. To help close this gap, the official theme for 2025 has been marked as 'Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future.'
The campaign focuses on efforts to strengthen:
Health systems that offer skilled, sustained breastfeeding support from pregnancy through early childhood
Policies, laws and programmes that prioritise women, babies, and breastfeeding
Community solidarity to uphold every woman and baby's right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere
India's focus: Creating sustainable support system
In India, the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) announced the theme and slogan for World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2025 - 'Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems'
According to the National Family Health Survey (2021), 88.6 per cent of women gave birth in hospitals, but only 41.6 per cent were able to start breastfeeding within an hour of birth.
Doctors say that feeding within the first hour after birth can help with milk production and encourages early bonding. This period is often called the 'golden hour' and can play a role in getting breastfeeding off to a good start. BPNI is prioritising breastfeeding support in the maternity hospitals where women come to give birth to bridge this gap.
Why breastfeeding matters
Dr Anuradha Kapur, principal director (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) at Max Healthcare, highlights that breastfeeding offers a wide range of physical, emotional, and long-term health benefits – for both babies and mothers.
Benefits for the baby
Complete nutrition: Breast milk has the perfect mix of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals tailored to your baby's changing needs as they grow.
Boosts brain development: It contains key nutrients like essential fatty acids that support better learning, memory, and motor skills.
Stronger immunity: Breast milk is packed with antibodies that protect against infections like diarrhoea, pneumonia, and ear infections.
Long-term health: Breastfed babies have a lower risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and even some childhood cancers.
Gentle on the tummy: Easier to digest than formula, it helps reduce constipation, gas, and colic.
Benefits for the mother
Faster recovery: Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, a hormone that helps the uterus shrink back to its normal size and reduces bleeding after birth.
Lowers disease risk: It reduces the chances of breast and ovarian cancer, and may also lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
Aids weight loss: Making breast milk burns extra calories, which can help with gradual weight loss post-pregnancy.
Emotional bonding: The skin-to-skin contact fosters a strong connection with the baby and may help reduce stress and postpartum depression.
Shared responsibility
The WHO underscores that investing in breastfeeding support is one of the most effective ways for policymakers to improve public health, boost economic growth, and ensure a healthier future for the next generation.
To achieve this, everyone has a role to play:
Enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes will help safeguard public health and reduce misleading information.
Employers can create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces with flexible breaks and private spaces.
Families can offer emotional support, proper nutrition, and a stress-free environment to new mothers.
Healthcare professionals can provide timely, respectful, and evidence-based counselling.
Governments must implement and enforce policies that protect breastfeeding rights.
For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
How KGMU donor milk bank is proving to be a lifeline for premature, critically ill babies
Lucknow: Three months ago, 27-year-old Geeta (name changed) gave birth to a premature baby at just 28 weeks of pregnancy. The newborn, weighing 1,000 gm and suffering from severe lung issues, was placed on ventilator support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of KGMU. Due to the stress of the situation, Geeta was unable to produce breast milk. Doctors began Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) — a skin-to-skin contact method — and supported the baby with donated human milk from KGMU's Human Milk Bank (HMB). As the baby slowly responded to treatment, the lactation team counselled Geeta, helping to initiate her own milk production. In time, both mother and baby began to improve. "When the baby improved, the mother wept with joy taking him in her hands — and so did the team and I," shared Prof Shalini Tripathi, in charge of HMB. This case was shared during World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7), highlighting the role HMB plays in saving newborn lives, especially those who are premature, critically ill, or whose mothers are temporarily unable to breastfeed. She said many babies weighing under 1,000 gm remain in care for 2-3 months, and their families often form a lasting emotional bond with hospital staff. The bank prioritises babies weighing less or critical due to limited NICU capacity (55 beds). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo In rare cases where a mother is seriously ill or on medications incompatible with breastfeeding, doctors explore alternatives or safe substitutes. She explained, "Ideally, every baby should be fed the mother's own milk (MOM). But for very low birth weight infants — especially those under 1,000 gm — formula milk poses serious risks like necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a dangerous condition. That's why we use donor milk only when absolutely necessary and work continuously to help mothers establish their own supply." For safety, she said, they follow strict hygiene protocols: every batch of milk is pasteurised, stored in sterilised bottles and microbiologically tested to ensure no bacterial growth. It is run by a dedicated team: HMB manager Anshika, microbiologist Prof Sheetal Verma, Lactation Management Unit (LMU) in-charge (Obstetrics) Prof Renu Makker, paediatrics lead Dr Smrati Jain, along with 13 lactation counsellors, two hygiene helpers and one lab technician. "Breast pumps and storage containers are boiled or autoclaved," said Prof Renu.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Awareness exhibition conducted at SAT hosp
T'puram: As part of World Breastfeeding Week celebrations, SAT Hospital organised a breastfeeding awareness exhibition and a series of informative programmes for lactating mothers on Tuesday. The exhibition was inaugurated by hospital superintendent Dr S Bindu at the hospital's recreation hall. The event highlighted the importance of breastfeeding in ensuring healthy growth and improved immunity for infants. The exhibition drew significant participation from mothers and families, who were educated about postnatal care and the long-term benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. The event was jointly organised by the hospital's departments of neonatology, nursing and gynaecology. Dr A Shermin Nasreen (RMO), Dr Radhika (HoD, neonatology), former HoD Dr Shobha Kumar, Dr Ashwathi, Dr Sujamol Jacob (HoD, gynaecology), chief nursing officer Shyamala and senior nursing officer K Jyothi, along with staff and students from various departments, actively led the awareness activities. Interactive sessions, quiz programmes and special classes have been scheduled in the coming days. The week-long observance will conclude on Thursday, aiming to promote informed and healthy breastfeeding practices among new mothers and families. TNN
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Hans India
District Administration Implements UNICEF Recommendations to Strengthen Child Welfare Services in Gadwal
Gadwal: District Collector B.M. Santhosh announced that the district administration is taking comprehensive measures to improve child welfare services in line with the recommendations made by the UNICEF team. On Tuesday, a review meeting on the implementation of the Supervised Supplementary Feeding Program was held at the IDOC Video Conference Hall. Officials from various departments, along with the UNICEF team, participated in the meeting. As part of their visit, the UNICEF team inspected the medicine store near the Gadwal Medical College, an Anganwadi center, and a Primary Sub-Center in Gattu Mandal. They evaluated the supply of medicines, the distribution of nutritional supplements, and the implementation of medical services. The UNICEF team briefed the Collector on their observations and appreciated the district's progress, particularly in identifying and addressing nutritional deficiencies among children. They lauded the district's effective mechanisms for detecting malnutrition in early stages. In response, the District Collector assured that all suggestions made by the UNICEF team would be carefully followed and used as a foundation to enhance the quality of services delivered at the district level. He emphasized that special attention would be given to children who are not responding to nutritional services or show signs of growth retardation, and appropriate corrective actions would be taken to restore their health. He further stated that awareness meetings would be conducted with self-help groups, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers to ensure a unified and coordinated approach. A clear and common message will be disseminated among all stakeholders to strengthen inter-departmental coordination. The Collector noted that, following UNICEF's guidance, the Supervised Supplementary Feeding Program will be implemented more effectively. Services such as distribution of Balamrutham Plus, medical support, nutrition, and health education will be delivered in a more integrated and efficient manner. The meeting was attended by Additional Collector Narsinga Rao, District Welfare Officer Sunanda, DPO Nagendram, District Medical Officer Siddappa, UNICEF team members, and other officials.
