Investing in Breastfeeding: A Critical Imperative for Global Health

Strategic Insights -

Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of early childhood health and development, offering protection against diseases and promoting a child's survival and well-being. Despite its benefits, only 48% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed globally, falling short of the World Health Assembly's target of 60% by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are urging governments and health administrators to invest in high-quality breastfeeding support, citing its economic returns of up to US$35 for every dollar invested.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Health Assembly's target of 60% exclusive breastfeeding by 2030 remains unmet, with only 48% of infants under six months globally receiving exclusive breastfeeding.
  • Investing in breastfeeding generates significant economic returns, with a return of up to US$35 for every dollar invested.
  • Millions of mothers worldwide lack access to timely and skilled breastfeeding support in healthcare settings, leading to inadequate guidance on breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
  • Less than a fifth of countries include infant and young child feeding training for healthcare providers, exacerbating the lack of breastfeeding support.
  • Health systems in many countries are under-resourced, fragmented, or poorly equipped to deliver quality breastfeeding support, in turn harming maternal and child health outcomes.
  • WHO and UNICEF call for governments, health administrators, and partners to invest in high-quality breastfeeding support by ensuring adequate investment in maternal and newborn care, including breastfeeding services.
  • National budget allocations for breastfeeding programs must increase to support these efforts.
  • Routine maternal and child health services, including antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, should integrate breastfeeding counseling and support.
  • All healthcare providers must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to support breastfeeding, including in emergency and humanitarian settings.
  • Strengthening community health systems to provide ongoing, accessible breastfeeding support is critical, along with protecting breastfeeding through adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
  • Economic returns of investing in breastfeeding: up to US$35 for every dollar invested.
  • Target: 60% exclusive breastfeeding by 2030.
  • Current rate: 48% of infants under six months exclusively breastfed globally.
  • Countries meeting WHO's global breastfeeding targets: fewer than 20.
  • Estimated number of mothers worldwide needing timely and skilled breastfeeding support: millions.

Sources:

  • World Health Organisation. (2025) Media release: Breastfeeding.
  • About UNICEF. (n.d.). https://www.unicef.org/who-we-are/our-mission-our-goals
  • About WHO. (n.d.). http://www.who.int/about/en/
  • WHO (n.d.). Download multimedia content here.