The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on governments, employers, healthcare workers, families and communities to strengthen support systems for breastfeeding mothers, saying collective action is essential to improve child survival and maternal health outcomes.
The appeal was made to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from August 1 to 7, with UNICEF stressing that creating breastfeeding-friendly environments is critical to ensuring mothers can exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life.
UNICEF said breastfeeding provides infants with optimal nutrition and antibodies that help protect them against infections and diseases while supporting healthy growth and brain development. It also offers long-term health benefits for mothers, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and Type 2 diabetes.
Despite these benefits, the agency noted that many women continue to face barriers such as inadequate maternity leave, limited workplace support, insufficient access to breastfeeding counselling and societal misconceptions.
“This World Breastfeeding Week, we urge every level of government, every workplace, and every community to build lasting support systems so that no mother lacks the encouragement or resources she needs,” UNICEF said in its statement.
The agency urged policymakers to adopt family-friendly policies, including extending paid maternity leave, establishing breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and equipping healthcare workers with the training needed to provide quality counselling and practical support to mothers. It also called for stronger enforcement of regulations governing the marketing of breast milk substitutes.
In Nigeria, UNICEF said breastfeeding rates remain below global targets despite gradual improvements in recent years. The organisation noted that workplace policies and broader community support remain inadequate for many nursing mothers, making it difficult to sustain exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months.
UNICEF emphasised that improving breastfeeding practices is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated efforts from governments, employers, health professionals, civil society and families.
The agency added that investing in sustainable breastfeeding support systems would not only improve maternal and child health but also contribute to better nutrition, stronger communities and long-term national development.
