World Breastfeeding Week 2025, observed from August 1 to 7, focuses on the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” to highlight the vital role breast milk plays in an infant’s gut microbiome and overall health. Breast milk provides essential nutrition, immune protection, and supports cognitive growth, making it critical for infants’ development and disease prevention.
Health officials and experts stress the need for long-term, equitable support systems, such as skilled counselling, maternity protections, and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces to enable mothers worldwide to breastfeed successfully. The campaign calls on governments, communities, and healthcare providers to collaborate in nourishing future generations through breastfeeding support.
Breast Milk and Infant Gut Health – The Science and Benefits
Breast milk is a living fluid, uniquely tailored to nourish infants and cultivate a healthy gut microbiome crucial for immunity and digestion. It contains proteins, fats including DHA, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and prebiotics that shape gut bacteria and protect against infections, allergies, obesity, and chronic diseases. Colostrum, the first milk, is particularly rich in immune cells essential for newborn defence.
According to Dr Nidhi Rajotia, Unit Head – Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Artemis Hospital, “Breast milk meets the infant’s changing nutritional needs while fostering brain and immune system development.” Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond.
Challenges and Progress in Breastfeeding Support
Despite widespread awareness, exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below global targets, partly due to myths, cultural barriers, and lack of support. Dr Kiran Coelho, Senior Gynaecologist at Lilavati Hospital, debunks common myths such as breast milk being insufficient in hot weather or colostrum needing to be discarded, emphasizing that “Breast milk alone provides complete hydration and nutrition to infants.” Health experts advocate enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, extending maternity leave, creating lactation-friendly workplaces, and training healthcare personnel in breastfeeding counselling.
World Breastfeeding Week 2025 urges governments and societies to build sustainable, enabling environments that empower mothers, protect breastfeeding rights, and reduce reliance on formula—not only for infant health but also for environmental sustainability.
Expert Advice and Support Systems
Experts underline that breastfeeding is both a biological function and a social responsibility requiring community, healthcare, and policy support. Dr Rajotia highlights the importance of prenatal and postnatal education, including correct latching techniques, expressing and storing milk, and emotional support for mothers. Emotional well-being, adequate rest, and nutrition for lactating mothers are also crucial to sustained milk production.
According to WHO and UNICEF, comprehensive support across homes, workplaces, and healthcare systems is essential to overcome challenges, especially for women returning to work. Sustainable breastfeeding traditions contribute to healthier generations and align with ecological conservation efforts by reducing formula waste and emissions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Breastfeeding is not merely a private choice; it embodies values of empathy, care, and collective responsibility that underpin social harmony and health equity. The Logical Indian believes that empowering mothers through respectful dialogue, informed policies, and supportive communities can transform breastfeeding into a shared public health priority.
Investing in breastfeeding culture nurtures peaceful coexistence by bridging gaps in knowledge, access, and societal attitudes.
