More than half a billion working women are not given essential maternity protections in national laws. World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year, supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners. The theme for 2024 is Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all. The campaign will celebrate breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mum.
Just 20% of countries require employers to provide employees with paid breaks and facilities for breastfeeding or expressing milk
Fewer than half of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed.
The Ministry of Health Srilanka has prepared a special program for the promotion of breastfeeding during the breastfeeding week.
The theme of this year's National Breastfeeding Week is “Save the Sri Lankan Excellence in Breastfeeding – Let's Support All Together!” to go
Initiation of breastfeeding within a short period of time after birth is an essential factor for good human development.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.
Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts to improve breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide.
