World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth until a baby is 6 months old. Nutritious complementary foods should then be added while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or beyond. World Breastfeeding Week 2025 The theme for 2025 is Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future. World Breastfeeding Week will shine a particular spotlight on the ongoing support women and babies need from the healthcare system through their breastfeeding journey. This means ensuring every mother has access to the support and information she needs to breastfeed as long as she wishes to do so - by investing in skilled breastfeeding counselling, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and creating environments - at home, in healthcare, and at work -that support and empower women. This isn’t just about doing what’s right - it’s also smart economics. Breastfeeding delivers a hopeful future not only for children, but for societies. It reduces healthcare costs, boosts cognitive development, strengthens economies, and sets children up with healthy beginnings. This includes efforts to strengthen: Health systems that offer skilled, sustained breastfeeding support from pregnancy through early childhood Policies, laws and programmes that prioritize women, babies, and breastfeeding Community solidarity to uphold every woman and baby’s right to breastfeed anytime, anywhere WHO and UNICEF Recommendation for Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life Continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond, with the introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at six months Source: WHO World breastfeeding Week website Related resources WHO Infographics on Breastfeeding World Breastfeeding Week IEC Materials