Every year from August 1 to 7, families, health workers, and communities around the world come together to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. In 2025, the theme is “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” – a call to action to build lasting, equitable support for breastfeeding mothers everywhere. This week is more than a health campaign; it’s a global movement to invest in the future of children, families, and the planet.
What is World Breastfeeding Week?
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual global campaign coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. Since its inception in 1991, WBW has aimed to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding worldwide. The week serves as a platform to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and to advocate for supportive environments that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully.
When is World Breastfeeding Week?
World Breastfeeding Week is observed every year from August 1 to August 7. In 2025, these dates remain the same, marking a dedicated time for global communities to focus on the importance of breastfeeding and to implement supportive measures that facilitate breastfeeding practices.
Why World Breastfeeding Week Matters
Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of child survival, nutrition, and development. It provides essential nutrients, strengthens the immune system, and fosters a strong bond between mother and child. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of certain cancers and promotes postpartum recovery. Despite these benefits, many mothers face challenges that hinder breastfeeding, such as lack of support, misinformation, and societal pressures. World Breastfeeding Week highlights these issues and promotes actions to overcome them, ensuring that every child has the best start in life.
How to Get Involved in World Breastfeeding Week
Participation in World Breastfeeding Week can take many forms, from individual actions to community initiatives. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and share this knowledge with your community.
- Support Breastfeeding Mothers: Offer assistance and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers in your family or community.
- Advocate for Supportive Policies: Encourage workplaces and public spaces to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies.
- Organize Events: Host workshops, seminars, or support groups to promote breastfeeding awareness.
- Use Social Media: Share information and personal stories using the official hashtags to spread awareness.
History of World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week was first celebrated in 1992, following the 1990 Innocenti Declaration by WHO and UNICEF, which recognized the importance of breastfeeding for child health and development. Since then, WBW has grown into a global campaign observed in over 120 countries, each year focusing on a specific theme to address various aspects of breastfeeding support and promotion.
Noteworthy Facts About World Breastfeeding Week
- WBW is celebrated in more than 120 countries worldwide.
- The campaign has been instrumental in promoting policies that support breastfeeding in public spaces and workplaces.
- Each year, WBW focuses on a specific theme to address current challenges and opportunities in breastfeeding promotion.
- WBW has contributed to increased global awareness about the importance of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
- The campaign encourages community involvement and the establishment of support systems for breastfeeding mothers.
Hashtags
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek, #WBW2025, #BreastfeedingSupport
Links
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