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Rachel V Thomas

Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent 400,000 Child and 140,000 Maternal Deaths Annually, Says WHO

Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent 400,000 Child And 140,000 Maternal Deaths Annually, Says WHO

<span>Breastfeeding</span> is important not only for babies' health and nutrition but also for protecting mothers from serious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

It urged governments to strengthen access to services and interventions that support breastfeeding as part of <span>World Breastfeeding Week</span>, observed annually from August 1–7.

The 2026 theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.

<h2>Breastfeeding Could Save Hundreds of Thousands of Lives</h2>

"Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent almost 400,000 <span>child deaths</span> and around 140,000 <span>maternal deaths</span> each year," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement.

"Every US$1 invested in breastfeeding promotion generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower health-care costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment, and increased lifetime earnings," they added.

<h2>Health Benefits for Babies and Mothers</h2>

The experts noted that breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect a child's health. It provides infants and young children with essential nutrition, boosts immunity, helps protect against serious illnesses, and supports cognitive development.

For mothers, breastfeeding also offers significant health benefits by reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as breast and ovarian cancers, and <span>type 2 diabetes</span>.

<h2>Global Breastfeeding Rates Have Improved</h2>

The WHO said breastfeeding rates have improved globally due to sustained investments in policies and programs supporting mothers and families.

Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months increased from around 37 per cent in 2012 to more than 47 per cent today. Over the past five years, the prevalence of breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38 per cent to 50 per cent.

Despite these gains, the WHO said many countries continue to lag behind global targets.

"Coverage of services supporting breastfeeding remains low, policies are inconsistently enforced, and service quality is often inadequate, especially in low-income, fragile, and humanitarian settings," the WHO said.

The agency noted that cost-effective interventions include skilled breastfeeding support within health systems, community-based counselling, maternity protection policies, and protection from the exploitative marketing of commercial milk formulas.

<h2>WHO, UNICEF Call for Stronger Support</h2>

WHO and UNICEF called on governments, health systems, workplaces, communities, civil society organizations, and families to strengthen the "Warm Chain of Support" for breastfeeding.

During World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies urged countries to:

<ul><li>Strengthen health systems to provide quality breastfeeding support for mothers and newborns.</li><li>Expand community-based counselling and peer support programs.</li><li>Fully implement and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.</li><li>Invest in paid maternity leave and supportive workplace policies.</li><li>Integrate breastfeeding interventions into antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal health-care services.</li><li>Sustain breastfeeding support in humanitarian and fragile settings.</li></ul>

"Breastfeeding is vital. By investing in proven solutions, we can give every child the best possible start in life and ensure every mother gets the care and services she needs," the agencies said.

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Breastfeeding is important not only for babies' health and nutrition but also for protecting mothers from serious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.It urged governments to strengthen access to services and interventions that support breastfeeding as part of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1–7.The 2026 theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impact, and scaling proven approaches that improve breastfeeding outcomes.Breastfeeding Could Save Hundreds of Thousands of Lives"Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent almost 400,000 child deaths and around 140,000 maternal deaths each year," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement."Every US$1 invested in breastfeeding promotion generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower health-care costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment, and increased lifetime earnings," they added.Health Benefits for Babies and MothersThe experts noted that breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect a child's health. It provides infants and young children with essential nutrition, boosts immunity, helps protect against serious illnesses, and supports cognitive development.For mothers, breastfeeding also offers significant health benefits by reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes.Global Breastfeeding Rates Have ImprovedThe WHO said breastfeeding rates have improved globally due to sustained investments in policies and programs supporting mothers and families.Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months increased from around 37 per cent in 2012 to more than 47 per cent today. Over the past five years, the prevalence of breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38 per cent to 50 per cent.Progress Remains UnevenDespite these gains, the WHO said many countries continue to lag behind global targets."Coverage of services supporting breastfeeding remains low, policies are inconsistently enforced, and service quality is often inadequate, especially in low-income, fragile, and humanitarian settings," the WHO said.The agency noted that cost-effective interventions include skilled breastfeeding support within health systems, community-based counselling, maternity protection policies, and protection from the exploitative marketing of commercial milk formulas.WHO, UNICEF Call for Stronger SupportWHO and UNICEF called on governments, health systems, workplaces, communities, civil society organizations, and families to strengthen the "Warm Chain of Support" for breastfeeding.During World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies urged countries to:Strengthen health systems to provide quality breastfeeding support for mothers and newborns.Expand community-based counselling and peer support programs.Fully implement and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.Invest in paid maternity leave and supportive workplace policies.Integrate breastfeeding interventions into antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal health-care services.Sustain breastfeeding support in humanitarian and fragile settings."Breastfeeding is vital. By investing in proven solutions, we can give every child the best possible start in life and ensure every mother gets the care and services she needs," the agencies said.

breastfeeding can help prevent 400,000 child and 140,000 maternal deaths annually, says who

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Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent 400,000 Child and 140,000 Maternal Deaths Annually, Says WHO

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