By Aisha Zardad
Under the theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its call to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies.
August is not only categorised as Women’s Month but also Breastfeeding Month.
Highlighting breastfeeding contributes to good health and a thriving future for children.
WHO and UNICEF continue to advocate for supportive environments that enable mothers to breastfeed—at work, at home, and during clinic visits.
Breast milk is nature’s perfect first food, rich in nutrients, antibodies, and growth-promoting factors. It acts as a baby’s first vaccine, significantly reducing the risk of diarrhoea, pneumonia, and other infections—often making the difference between life and death.
According to WHO, the globally increasing breastfeeding rates could prevent approximately 820,000 deaths of children under the age of five each year.
WHO has reminded mothers that breast milk is not only a source of nourishment but also a preventive measure against many childhood illnesses.
“Exclusive breastfeeding could prevent nearly 50% of diarrhoeal episodes and 33% of respiratory infections among infants,” said WHO.
The organization also stated that breast milk helps prevent future health risks such as obesity, asthma, and type 1 diabetes in children.
Breastfeeding matters for South Africa and beyond.
