WHO, UNICEF Urge Stronger Breastfeeding Support in Bangladesh

Every child has the right to the best possible start in life, and every mother deserves the support needed to breastfeed successfully, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF said on Tuesday, calling for stronger action to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in Bangladesh.

In a joint statement, UNICEF Representative ad interim to Bangladesh Gillian Mellsop and WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed said the two UN agencies remain committed to working closely with the Bangladesh government and partners to strengthen breastfeeding support.

“Together, we will continue to strengthen health systems, empower families, and create an enabling environment where every mother can breastfeed and every child can survive, grow and thrive,” they said.

The UN agencies said breastfeeding provides infants with the nutrients they need during the first six months and protects children against infectious diseases, strengthens the immune system, and supports healthy growth and brain development.

For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, including breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes, while contributing to healthier families and communities.

However, Bangladesh has seen a slowdown in progress on breastfeeding, according to findings from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025.

The proportion of infants under six months who are exclusively breastfed fell from 62.6 percent in 2019 to 56.6 percent in 2025. Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth also declined sharply from 46.6 percent to 30.4 percent over the same period.

The WHO and UNICEF said the figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen support for mothers and families.

“While breastfeeding is a natural act, it is not always easy,” they said, noting that many mothers lack the counselling, encouragement and practical support needed during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.

Many women also return to work without adequate maternity protection or access to breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, while families remain exposed to inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

The agencies said these barriers can be even greater in emergency and humanitarian settings.

They stressed that strong health systems, skilled health workers, community support, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, maternity protection, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and full implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes can improve breastfeeding outcomes.

They noted that every US$1 invested in breastfeeding generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower healthcare costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment and increased lifetime earnings.

The WHO and UNICEF called on the government, private sector, development partners, health professionals, employers and communities to strengthen proven measures to support breastfeeding.

They urged authorities to ensure that health workers have the knowledge and skills to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to expand the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative across public and private health facilities.

The agencies also called for stronger maternity protection for working mothers, including paid leave, breastfeeding breaks and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

They urged full enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, including measures to prevent inappropriate marketing through digital and social media.

The agencies further recommended integrating breastfeeding support into health, nutrition and social protection programmes so that every mother, particularly those in vulnerable situations, receives the necessary support.

They also stressed the need for stronger data, monitoring and research to track progress and guide evidence-based action.

“Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is one of the smartest investments Bangladesh can make in its children,” they said, adding that it saves lives, improves health and nutrition, strengthens learning and human capital, and contributes to sustainable development.