As Indonesia observes World Breastfeeding Week 2025, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are emphasizing the need to strengthen support systems for breastfeeding mothers across the country. While the global event is marked from 1–7 August, Indonesia dedicates the entire month to raising awareness under the theme, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
The Government of Indonesia has shown continued commitment to promoting breastfeeding, with exclusive breastfeeding rates for infants under six months rising from 52% in 2017 to 66.4% in 2024. Despite this progress, many infants are still not breastfed exclusively for the full six months, which is necessary to achieve optimal health benefits.
To help mothers breastfeed successfully, strong and lasting support systems are crucial. This includes professional counselling by trained health workers, supportive workplace policies, and community-based assistance. Such support enables mothers to overcome challenges whether at work, home, or within their neighborhoods.
UNICEF and WHO stress that supporting breastfeeding mothers leads to broader positive outcomes, benefiting not only children’s development but also contributing to healthier families and communities. They acknowledge Indonesia’s progress and underscore the importance of investing in systems that allow every mother to breastfeed exclusively for the recommended duration.
Breastfeeding offers vital protection and nutrition for infants. WHO and UNICEF recommend that babies begin breastfeeding within an hour of birth and continue exclusively for the first six months. Evidence shows that breastfeeding boosts brain development, lowers the risk of obesity and disease, and significantly reduces infant mortality. Babies who are not breastfed are up to 14 times more likely to die before their first birthday.
In addition to its health benefits, breastfeeding is environmentally sustainable, helping reduce carbon emissions and packaging waste compared to formula feeding.
UNICEF and WHO are calling on governments, healthcare providers, employers, the private sector, and communities to step up efforts to support breastfeeding mothers. They urge the expansion of breastfeeding counselling services, implementation of baby-friendly hospital practices, enforcement of marketing codes on breast-milk substitutes, and the promotion of family-friendly workplace policies.
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