By Dr. Saswati Pattanaik & Tengmesil R. Marak
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2025, observed annually from August 1st to 7th, is a cornerstone global campaign dedicated to championing the profound benefits of breastfeeding. This year, under the compelling theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO)and UNICEF, calls upon the world to build enduring structures that empower mothers to breastfeed successfully. This theme highlights a critical understanding: breastfeeding isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a collective responsibility with far-reaching implications for public health, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
The call to “Prioritise Breastfeeding” emphasizes its fundamental role as the optimal infant feeding method. Breast milk is a living, dynamic substance perfectly tailored to a baby’s evolving needs, providing not only complete nutrition but also crucial antibodies that fortify their immune system against a myriad of illnesses. From reduced risks of respiratory infections, diarrhea, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in infancy to lower incidences of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes in later life, the health advantages for the child are undeniable. For mothers, breastfeeding offers equally significant benefits, including a reduced risk of postpartum hemorrhage, decreased likelihood of certain cancers (breast and ovarian), and faster recovery after childbirth.
Beyond individual health, the economic benefits of breastfeeding are substantial. It is a cost-effective solution for families, alleviating the financial burden associated with purchasing formula, bottles, and other feeding accessories. For healthcare systems, increased breastfeeding rates translate to reduced healthcare expenditures due to fewer infant illnesses and hospitalizations. On a broader scale, studies suggest that optimal breastfeeding practices can contribute significantly to a nation’s economy by reducing healthcare costs and increasing productivity.
Crucially, the “sustainable support systems” aspect of the theme draws a direct link between breastfeeding and global environmental goals. Unlike industrial formula production, which demands significant resources (water, energy, land) and generates considerable waste (packaging, carbon emissions), breastfeeding is an inherently environmentally friendly practice. It’s a natural, renewable resource that leaves virtually no ecological footprint. In an era where climatechangeandresourcescarcityarepressingglobalconcerns,prmoting breastfeeding is a tangible step towards a greener, healthier planet. It lessens the burden on landfills, reduces the demand for plastic, and conserves vital natural resources.
The theme for WBW 2025 urges a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach. It recognizes that for breastfeeding to thrive, mothers need unwavering support from various spheres of their lives. This includes robust healthcare systems that provide evidence-based information and hands-on assistance, workplaces that accommodate breastfeeding mothers with flexible policies and appropriate facilities, and communities that foster a culture of acceptance and encouragement. When all these “actors along the Warm Chain of Breastfeeding support” are aligned and committed, breastfeeding becomes simpler, more effective, and more widely practiced.
This year’s focus on creating sustainable support systems is a testament to the understanding thatshort-terminterventionsareinsufficient.Trueprogressrequiresingrained, lasting changes in policies, attitudes, and infrastructure. It demands a societal shift that views breastfeeding not as an isolated maternal act but as a cornerstone of public health and sustainable development, requiring collective investment and commitment.
Actions for Impact and Alignment with Global Goals
To truly “Prioritise Breastfeeding” and “Create Sustainable Support Systems” in 2025, concrete actions are needed across multiple levels. Governments play a pivotal role in enacting and enforcinglegislationthatprotectsandpromotesbreastfeeding.Thisincludesadvocatingforand implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, ensuring that mothers receive unbiased information free from commercial influence. Furthermore, governments must invest in comprehensive public health programs that train healthcare professionals in lactation support, integrate breastfeeding counseling into routine maternal and child health services, and expand access to breastfeeding support services, especially in underserved areas. Policies for extended paid maternity leave and flexible work arrangements are also crucial to enable mothers to continue breastfeeding upon returning to work.
Healthcare facilities are vital links in the “warm chain of support.” The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) remains a critical framework for ensuring that hospitals provide optimal care for mothers and infants, fostering early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding.
Beyond hospitals, primary healthcare centres, clinics, and community health workers must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide ongoing, accessible, and culturally sensitive breastfeeding support throughout the infant’s first two years and beyond. This includes offering peer support groups, which have been proven effective in empowering mothers and building their confidence.
Workplaces have a significant responsibility in creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment. This involves establishing clear policies that guarantee break times for breastfeeding or expressing milk, providing clean, private, and safe spaces for lactation, and offering flexible work schedules. When employers recognize and support breastfeeding as a legitimate and beneficial aspect of an employee’s life, they not only contribute to maternal and child health but also foster greater employee satisfaction and productivity.
At the community level, a cultural shift is essential. Public awareness campaigns are vital to normalize breastfeeding in public spaces, challenging stigma and misconceptions. Local communities can organize events, workshops, and support groups that bring mothers together, provide accurate information, and create a sense of shared experience and empowerment.
Engaging fathers, partners, and extended family members in breastfeeding education is also crucial, as their support significantly impacts a mother’s breastfeeding journey.
The theme of sustainable support systems for breastfeeding directly aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), underscoring its broad impact:
- SDG 1: No Poverty: Breastfeeding is a cost-effective and readily available form of infantnutrition, reducing household expenses and contributing to economic stability, particularly for vulnerable families.
- SDG2: Zero Hunger: Breast milk provides complete and optimal nutrition for infants, safeguarding against hunger and malnutrition, especially in times of crisis or food insecurity.
- SDG3: Good Health and Well-being: This is perhaps the most direct link.Breastfeeding significantly improves infant and maternal health outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality rates for both.
- SDG4: Quality Education: Research suggests a correlation between breastfeeding and improved cognitive development, potentially leading to better educational attainment for children.
- SDG5: Gender Equality: Supportive breastfeeding policies, particularly in the workplace,empower women to balance their maternal roles with their professional aspirations, promoting gender equality.
- SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Workplaces that support breastfeeding contribute to a healthier workforce and can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Breastfeeding is a prime example of sustainable consumption, as it generates no waste and requires minimal resources compared to formula production.
- SDG13: Climate Action: By reducing the environmental footprint associated with artificial feeding, breastfeeding contributes to climate change mitigation efforts.
As World Breastfeeding Week 2025 approaches, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments are invited to reflect on their role in this “warm chain of support.” By prioritizing breastfeeding and investing in robust, sustainable systems that empower mothers, we not only secure the health and well-being of the next generation but also lay the groundwork for a more equitable, prosperous, and environmentally conscious world. The celebrations of WBW 2025 in Tura, Meghalaya and across India, will undoubtedly see a surge in local i initiatives, educational drives, and community gatherings, all contributing to this vital global movement.
(The writers are from the Department of HDFS, College of Community Science (CAU-Imphal) Tura, Meghalaya)
