WHO And UNICEF: Better Breastfeeding Can Save 820,000 Children’s Lives Annually

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have revealed that only 48% of infants worldwide have been exclusively breastfed over the past 12 years.

In a joint statement issued by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus to mark World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies emphasized that enhancing breastfeeding rates can save the lives of 820,000 children annually.

They urged equal access to breastfeeding support, highlighting its critical role in reducing health disparities and safeguarding the rights of mothers and babies to survive and flourish.

World Breastfeeding Week, observed from August 1-7, aims to raise awareness and promote action on the benefits of breastfeeding, with this year’s theme being “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

The global campaign is led by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and supported by WHO, UNICEF, and other agencies.

The statement read in part, “In the last 12 years, the number of infants under six months of age globally who are exclusively breastfed has increased by more than 10 per cent. This means 48 per cent of infants worldwide now benefit from this healthy start in life. It translates to hundreds of thousands of babies whose lives have been saved by breastfeeding.

“While this significant leap brings us closer to the World Health Organisation target of increasing exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50 per cent by 2025, there are persistent challenges that must be addressed.

“When mothers receive the support they need to breastfeed their babies, everyone benefits. Improving breastfeeding rates could save over 820,000 children’s lives each year, according to the latest available data.

“During this critical period of early growth and development, the antibodies in breastmilk protect babies against illness and death. This is especially important during emergencies when breastfeeding guarantees a safe, nutritious, and accessible food source for infants and young children. Breastfeeding reduces the burden of childhood illness and the risk of certain types of cancers and non-communicable diseases for mothers.

“This World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

The agencies further stated that many women do not receive the support they need to optimally breastfeed their babies, adding that more than half of the world’s population does not have full coverage of essential health services.

“This includes access to trained, empathetic and respectful health advice and counselling throughout a woman’s breastfeeding journey.

“Reliable data collection is key to tackling healthcare inequalities and ensuring mothers and families receive timely, effective breastfeeding support. Currently, only half of all countries collect data on breastfeeding rates. To support progress, data also needs to be available on policy actions that make breastfeeding possible such as family-friendly employment policies, regulation of the marketing of breast milk substitutes, and investment in breastfeeding. Improving monitoring systems will help boost the effectiveness of breastfeeding policies and programmes, inform better decision-making, and ensure support systems can be adequately financed.

“When breastfeeding is protected and supported, women are more than twice as likely to breastfeed their infants,” the WHO and UNICEF statement said.

The WHO and UNICEF emphasized that breastfeeding is a collective responsibility, requiring active involvement from families, communities, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

They advocated for increased investment in programs and policies that safeguard and promote breastfeeding, urging governments to allocate dedicated national budgets for this purpose.

The statement added, “Implementing and monitoring family-friendly workplace policies, such as paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks and access to affordable and good-quality childcare.

“Ensuring mothers who are at-risk in emergencies or under-represented communities, receive breastfeeding protection and support in line with their unique needs, including timely, effective breastfeeding counselling as part of routine health coverage.

“Improving monitoring of breastfeeding programmes and policies to inform and further improve breastfeeding rates.

“Developing and enforcing laws restricting the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, including digital marketing practices, with monitoring to routinely report the Code violations.”

To mark the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, Lagos State will participate in a nationwide campaign, joining other states and the Federal Capital Territory, by organizing a massive breastfeeding event where over 36,000 mothers will simultaneously breastfeed their babies at noon across the country, promoting a culture of breastfeeding and raising awareness about its benefits.