World Breastfeeding Week: 1 August- 7 August | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

This week marks the annual World Breastfeeding Week to promote awareness that this practice gives children the healthiest start in life and that policies need to be strengthened that promote nursing. The theme of this year's observance is "women and work-let's make it work" which brings awareness to the need of working mothers to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding helps infants resist infections, provides them with critical nutrients, and strengthens the bond between mothers and their babies. A recent Lancet study found that infants who were breastfed for at least one year went on to stay in school longer, score higher on intelligence tests, and earn more as adults than those who were breastfed for only a month. Even though this evidence is supported by more and more studies, currently only 38% of infants around the world today are breastfed exclusively for the recommended first six months of their life.

Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week gives recognition to these studies and statistics. UN officials have put emphasis that more governments should join the growing movement and take action to implement protection for breastfeeding mothers.

To learn more, please click here.