World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to August 7: Why every breastfeeding mother needs a support system 

How to offer a healthy start to a baby’s life? The answer lies in exclusive breastfeeding. From antibodies to exclusive nutrients, the benefits of breastfeeding are immense. The World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. The theme this year for World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from August 1 to 7, is prioritise breastfeeding, create sustainable support systems.

“Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is also a skill that mothers need to learn,” says lactation consultant and child nutrition specialist R Baby Shree of Rao Hospital, adding that there is need to move beyond discussing the benefits of breast milk and focus on the support new mothers need. “Breastfeeding is not something a mother automatically knows after delivering a baby. She needs guidance and support.”

An engaging and informative session on breastfeeding, newborn nutrition and infant feeding practices, took the message across to expectant mothers, new mothers, and their families. The programme titled breastfeeding and beyond put together by Rao Hospital that specialises in women and child care, located in RS Puram, also highlighted common concerns surrounding breastfeeding, newborn feeding patterns, maternal nutrition, and the introduction of complementary foods.

Dr Asha Rao at the session on breasfeeding and beyond
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

One of the biggest challenges, Baby Shree points out, is the pressure from family members who assume that a crying baby means the mother is not producing enough milk. “Two simple indicators, baby’s diaper change more than six times a day and weight gain, can help establish whether the baby is getting adequate milk.”

“Breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant nutrition,” says Dr KS Krishnasamy, senior neonatologist & paediatrician adding that it plays a vital role in building a baby’s immunity and supporting growth and brain development. While mothers should exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, it is also recommended to continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until two years of age or beyond.

The lactation consultant also expresses concern about the increasing use of breast pumps. While pumping is important in certain medical situations, such as when a premature baby cannot breastfeed directly, it is not necessarily required for every mother. “Direct breastfeeding also supports the baby’s oral-motor development. Many mothers use pumps to check how much milk they are producing. But the quantity expressed by a pump cannot determine a mother’s actual milk supply,” she says.

Another misconception is that mothers need expensive foods to produce breast milk. “Breastfeeding should not be linked to privileges. A mother needs a balanced diet, adequate nourishment and confidence,” she says.

However, family support is crucial. Kangaroo care helps fathers to bond with their babies. Other family members can comfort the baby after a feed, ensure the mother gets adequate food and water, and, most importantly, avoid undermining her confidence by questioning her milk supply. Social media and formula marketing can further add to mothers’ anxieties. “Access to right information and lactation professionals can help mothers make informed choices,” says Baby Shree, adding “Breastfeeding is not the mother’s responsibility alone. The family, healthcare professionals, workplaces and society all have a role to play. Successful breastfeeding needs support.” With a different theme every year, the World Breastfeeding Week 2026, turns the spotlight on support systems that have proven effective in helping mothers breastfeed successfully.