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Breastfeeding is one of the first and most powerful ways to ensure a child’s well-being. What appears to be a personal practice is, in fact, a must-do. Yet, millions of mothers worldwide face challenges while accessing the support they need to breastfeed their babies effectively. World Breastfeeding Week - observed globally from August 1st to 7th — invites us to pause, look around, and reflect on what we are doing wrong and how to create a better space for mothers. It is a global movement that challenges outdated beliefs, dismantles stigma, and clears the path to policies that prioritise both mothers and babies.
As global health space grapples with inconveniences and still-quiet-prevalent taboo, World Breastfeeding Week 2025 gives the spotlight to equity in breastfeeding support. After all, the right to this act is not just about mothers, but the entire society.
World Breastfeeding Week 2025 Theme
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2025 is ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.’ This theme highlights the urgent need for breastfeeding to shift from being a personal task to a shared societal responsibility. It underscores the importance of long-term, well-planned support mechanisms on all levels, from healthcare to workplace to overall community. The aim is to make this practice sustainable, not merely initiate it.
Additionally, the World Breastfeeding Week 2025 theme promotes the following practices:
- Introducing policies that provide paid maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly spaces in workplaces.
- Training healthcare providers to offer evidence-based breastfeeding guidance.
- Addressing and dispelling misinformation surrounding the topic and encouraging education across media platforms.
- Creating community-led networks that offer emotional and practical support beyond hospitals.
History and Significance of World Breastfeeding Week
In 1992, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) initiated World Breastfeeding Week in partnership with WHO and UNICEF. The inspiration came from the Innocenti Declaration of 1990, an important global commitment to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
Since then, WBW has grown into a powerful global campaign observed in over 120 countries. Over the decades, the focus of this initiative has expanded beyond raising awareness, encompassing the introduction of policies on parental leave, maternal health, infant nutrition, and gender equality.
Breastfeeding is one of the most cost-effective health interventions. It protects infants from infections, reduces maternal risks like breast and ovarian cancer, and promotes cognitive development. In low- and middle-income countries, it can significantly minimise child mortality, while high-income settings can leverage it for lifelong health and emotional bonding.
Key Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is as good for the mother as it is her child. It makes a significant impact on the woman’s body. As we understand this practice during World Breastfeeding Week, let’s understand the key benefits it offers to mothers:
- Long-term breastfeeding minimises risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease in mothers.
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size and reduces postpartum bleeding.
- Breastfeeding helps women burn extra calories and lose pregnancy weight.
- According to the WHO, breast milk is the source of antibodies that help babies fight numerous viruses and bacteria. Colostrum, the first milk produced after a child’s birth, is rich in antioxidants.
- It has also been noticed that babies who were breastfed without formula for the first few six months of their birth haven’t developed ear infections, respiratory illnesses, or diarrhoea compared to the babies who were fed formula.
- Babies who are breastfed are healthier than babies who are put on formula. It helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of childhood obesity.
- Doctors recommend breastfeeding the babies for at least a year after the baby is born, even after solid foods are introduced, which promotes the babies' growth.
- According to the studies, breastfed children have higher IQ scores as they develop.
- The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous. Breastfed babies have more leptin in them than formula-fed babies. It is an important hormone that regulates appetite and fat storage.
- Skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding enhances the emotional bond between mother and child, promoting a sense of comfort and security.
Myths vs Facts: What is Breastfeeding and What It Is Not
Even though it is a natural biological process, breastfeeding is still clouded with multiple myths, which can mislead and discourage mothers. It is crucial to create an informed environment and supportive community to keep lack of awareness from becoming a challenge in the future.
On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, we have listed below the most common breastfeeding myths.
Myth 1: “Not all mothers produce enough milk.”
Fact-Check: Most mothers are physiologically capable of producing just the right amount of milk required for their baby. The only catch is that breastfeeding must be frequent and effective. The said low supply of milk is mainly a byproduct of lack of information (and poor latching in a few cases), not an actual deficiency in production.
Myth 2: “Formula is just as good as breastmilk.”
Fact-Check: While formula works like an important alternative in some cases, it does not replace breastfeeding. Breastmilk contains live antibodies, hormones, and tailored nutrients that formula cannot replicate. It also adapts to the baby’s changing needs, offering lifelong health benefits.
Myth 3: “You shouldn’t breastfeed if/when you’re sick.”
Fact-Check: Unless there’s anything severe, breastfeeding can continue during illnesses. Breastmilk transfers protective antibodies to the baby, which helps fight infections. Yes, there are cases (however rare) where breastfeeding is paused due to serious conditions or specific medications.
Myth 4: “Breastfeeding is supposed to hurt at first.”
Fact-Check: While some initial tenderness is common, breastfeeding should not be painful. Persistent pain is usually a sign of improper latch or technique and should be addressed with professional help. With proper guidance, breastfeeding can and should be comfortable.
Myth 5: “Breastmilk loses its nutritional value after six months.”
Fact-Check: Breastmilk continues to provide essential nutrients and immune protection well beyond six months. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to two years or longer, alongside appropriate complementary feeding.
Myth 6: “Breastfeeding causes breast sagging.”
Fact-Check: Sagging breasts are not the result of breastfeeding, but of other factors like pregnancy, aging, genetics, and weight fluctuations. In fact, breastfeeding has no long-term negative impact on breast shape or firmness.
Myth 7: “Working mothers can’t continue breastfeeding.”
Fact-Check: Many working mothers successfully continue breastfeeding or pumping with the right support. Flexible work hours, lactation breaks, and designated pumping spaces can make breastfeeding compatible with employment.
Tips for Effective Breastfeeding
Here are some tips for mothers or new parents about breastfeeding:
- Start early: Take advantage of the baby’s natural sucking instinct within the first hour of birth to receive the benefits of colostrum.
- Ensure proper latching: Ensure that the baby latches properly to avoid nipple pain and make sure they receive enough milk. If required, seek help from a lactation consultant.
- Sit in a comfortable position: Use a pillow or cushion to support your arms and baby. Breastfeed the baby in a comfortable and quiet place.
- Feed on demand: Let the baby ask for it and dictate the feeding schedule. Feeding on demand helps maintain a good milk supply.
- Feed fully and observe: Allow the baby to feed fully on one breast before switching to another. Also, look for fullness hints like turning away or slow sucking. Focus on the baby’s growth and satisfaction, not timing.
- Eat well and stay hydrated: Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet and drink plenty of fluids to support milk production and overall health.
- Avoid stress: Stress and anxiety can affect milk production in women. Meditate, practice relaxation techniques, and take proper rest for healthy breastfeeding.
- Be patient: Breastfeeding can be challenging initially. Don’t hesitate to seek help from family members, healthcare professionals, or lactation consultants.
How Long Should Breastfeeding Take?
Every baby is unique, and feeding can differ sometimes. Breastfeeding varies based on the baby’s age and hunger. Here are the stages of breastfeeding:
- Newborns: Generally, 20 to 45 minutes per feeding, and every 2 to 3 hours.
- 1-3 Months: Often 15 to 30 minutes per feeding, 8 to 12 times in a day.
- 3-6 Months: About 10 to 20 minutes per breast, every 3 to 4 hours a day.
- 6 Months and Older: Breastfeeding frequency decreases with the consumption of solid foods, and session duration varies.
It’s essential to observe your baby’s feeding habits and needs and consult a paediatrician or lactation consultant if needed.
Wrapping Up:
When we prioritise breastfeeding, we prioritise woman empowerment, public health, women’s well-being, healthy children. By promoting sustainable practices, we can ensure support systems within which every mother feels confident and relaxed about feeding her baby. When it comes to supporting mothers and babies, it is not limited to just physical and mental well-being, but also financial freedom.
A Family Floater Plan by Care Health Insurance is the perfect way to ensure that. It is to give protection to the entire family against health-related expenses and offers a wide range of coverage, including newborn care (minus waiting period for the baby). As we observe World Breastfeeding Week 2025, let’s do our part by ensuring a place better than before for mothers and mothers to-be.
>> Also Read: Importance of Breastfeeding Milk
Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. Health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. See policy documents for details.
