As World Breastfeeding Week 2026 unfolds from August 1 to 7 under the theme "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," the United Nations has issued a call for enhanced support for mothers and newborns globally. While exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months has increased from around 37% in 2012 to over 47% today, and breastfeeding up to two years has risen from 38% to 50%, millions of families still lack the necessary services and protections to feed their babies safely.

UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that health systems, workplaces, and communities must improve support through stronger counselling, maternity protections, and stricter regulations against the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. In a joint statement, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described breastfeeding as "vital," highlighting its role in providing essential nutrition, boosting immunity, protecting against serious illnesses, and supporting cognitive development in infants.

Mothers also gain health benefits, including reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes. Scaling up breastfeeding could potentially prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths annually, according to UN agency leaders.

Rawan, a nutrition assistant with the UN World Food Programme, noted, "Breastfeeding is important because it is a readily available, clean and safe source of food and hydration for infants and it also provides an immunisation system for babies."

The UN's appeal underscores the urgent need for countries to strengthen health systems to ensure mothers and newborns receive quality breastfeeding support before, during, and after birth.

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