Statement
This World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF and WHO call for equal access to breastfeeding support
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 1 August 2024, – “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 b...
Statement
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 1 August 2023, - In the last 10 years, many countries have made significant progress to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. Yet even greater progress is possible when breastfeeding is protected and supported, particularly in the workplace. This World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme, “ Let’...
Statement
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 1 August 2022, –, “As global crises continue to threaten the health and nutrition of millions of babies and children, the vital importance of breastfeeding as the best possible start in life is more critical than ever. “This World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme Step up for breastfeeding: Educ...
Press release
More than half of parents and pregnant women exposed to aggressive formula milk marketing – WHO, UNICEF
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 22 February 2022, – More than half of parents and pregnant women (51 per cent) surveyed for a new WHO/UNICEF report say they have been targeted with marketing from formula milk companies, much of which is in breach of international standards on infant feeding practices. The report, How marketing o...
Report
Examining the impact of formula milk marketing on infant feeding decisions and practices
How marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding, systematically examines women’s and health professionals’ experiences of formula milk marketing. The largest ever study of its kind, it draws on surveys with over 8 500 pregnant women and mothers of young children (aged 0-18 months) across e...
Statement
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 2 August 2021, –, “At the start of this year, governments, donors, civil society and the private sector united to launch the Nutrition for Growth Year of Action . The Year of Action is a historic opportunity to transform the way the world tackles the global commitment to eliminate child malnutrition. “Breastfeeding is central to realising this commitment. “…
Press release
UNICEF and NHC jointly promote infant and young child feeding
BEIJING, 27 July 2021, —, To help give girls and boys the best start in life, and in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2021 (1-7 August), UNICEF is supporting the National Health Commission (NHC) of China to promote feeding practices for infants and young children. With the theme of, Protecting Breastfeeding...
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World Breastfeeding Week 2020 Message
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with this theme, WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding provides every ch...
Article
Sudan’s midwives saving lives amidst COVID-19
The first 1000 days between the start of a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday is a critical period. This is when the child lays the foundations of optimum health, growth, and neurodevelopment across their lifespan. UNICEF is supporting Sudan’s Ministry of Health to ensure health and nutrition for women and their children. This…
Press release
Countries failing to stop harmful marketing of breast-milk substitutes, warn WHO and UNICEF
GENEVA/ NEW YORK,, 27 May 2020, - A new report by WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) reveals that despite efforts to stop the harmful promotion of breast-milk substitutes, countries are still falling short in protecting parents from misleading information. The COVID-19 pandemic hig...
Article
8 facts on breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large., Fact 1: Breastfeeding for the fir...
Article
14 myths and truths about breastfeeding
Myths and truths about breastfeeding, 1. Myth? Breastfeeding is easy., The truth is while babies are born with the reflex to look for their mother’s breast, many mothers will still need to position their baby for breastfeeding and make sure their baby is correctly attached to the breast. Breastfeeding takes time a...