WHO and UNICEF Call for Greater Breastfeeding Support Worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are calling for greater global investment in breastfeeding support, saying expanded programs could prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and 140,000 maternal deaths every year.

In a joint statement marking the start of World Breastfeeding Week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said millions of mothers still lack access to the services and support needed to successfully breastfeed their children.

Progress Continues, but Gaps Remain

The two United Nations agencies reported that the share of children who continue to be breastfed until the age of two has increased from 38% to 50% over the past five years. Despite this progress, they said improvements remain uneven, with many countries still falling short of global breastfeeding targets.

“Sustained investments in policies and programs supporting mothers and families are delivering results, but progress remains unequal and many countries continue to lag behind global goals,” the agencies said.

Health Benefits for Mothers and Children

According to WHO and UNICEF, breastfeeding provides infants with essential nutrients, strengthens their immune systems, and supports healthy cognitive development. For mothers, it lowers the risk of several non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

The agencies also emphasized the economic benefits of breastfeeding promotion, estimating that every dollar invested in breastfeeding support generates approximately $59 in returns. Those gains come from lower healthcare costs and improvements in children’s cognitive development, educational achievement, and long-term economic outcomes.

Call for Stronger Support Systems

WHO and UNICEF urged governments and healthcare systems to continue expanding policies and programs that make breastfeeding more accessible for mothers and families. They said stronger support services are essential to improving maternal and child health while contributing to broader social and economic development worldwide.