By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
As the world marks World Breastfeeding Week in the first week of August, the World Health Organization (WHO) is renewing its call for increased investment in breastfeeding, describing it as both a vital health measure and a smart economic strategy.
The 2025 campaign runs under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” part of WHO’s broader push to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life.
Alongside UNICEF, Ministries of Health, and civil society organizations globally, WHO is using the week to spotlight the support women and babies need throughout the breastfeeding journey.
“Breastfeeding lays the foundation for lifelong health and development not just for individual children, but for entire communities,” WHO said in a statement on its website.
This year’s focus is on creating strong, sustainable support systems. That includes expanding access to trained breastfeeding counsellors, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and promoting mother-friendly
environments in homes, workplaces, and healthcare settings.
WHO emphasizes that supporting breastfeeding is not just about promoting health it also makes economic sense. Breastfeeding is linked to lower healthcare costs, better cognitive outcomes for children, and stronger economic productivity over time.
“Investing in breastfeeding is investing in the future,” the statement reads.
“It’s one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to improve global health and reduce inequality.”
World Breastfeeding Week is observed every year from August 1 to 7, and continues to serve as a global reminder of the importance of nurturing the early moments that shape a child’s lifelong wellbeing.