Pretoria: The Department of Health, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is joining the global community to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), which runs from 1 – 7 August. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the long-term health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for both mothers and children, as part of ongoing efforts to increase breastfeeding rates in the country.

According to South African Government News Agency, WBW is a global initiative celebrated in more than 120 countries. This movement aims to promote breastfeeding and foster a supportive environment for mothers, ultimately enhancing the well-being of both mothers and their babies. The department highlights that exclusive breastfeeding provides several benefits, including optimal nutrition for the baby’s first six months of life, protection against infections and illnesses, and reduced risks of various conditions, including obesity, asthma, and type 1 diabetes.

The department has expressed concerns about the decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates in South Africa, which have dropped from 32% in 2016 to 22% in 2024. This decline poses a challenge for the country to meet the World Health Assembly’s breastfeeding targets of at least 50% by the end of 2025, and 70% by 2030. Several factors contribute to this decline, including the increasing normalization of formula feeding, driven by aggressive marketing practices, particularly on digital platforms.

The department emphasizes that exclusive breastfeeding is a shared responsibility that extends beyond just the role of mothers. Families, communities, healthcare systems, and employers all play crucial roles in supporting breastfeeding efforts. The department, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR), and other partners, will launch awareness activities for WBW 2025 to engage individuals and organizations in enhancing collaboration and support for breastfeeding.

These efforts align with the 2025 WBW theme: ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems’, which emphasizes the need for long-term, equitable support structures for breastfeeding mothers and recognizes breastfeeding as a key factor in climate resilience.