WHO remains firmly committed to protecting and promoting breastfeeding and supporting mothers to give their babies the best start in life.30 July 2013 – From 1 to 7 August 2013, more than 170 countries will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week under the theme of “Breastfeeding support: close to mothers”. Breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children and one of the most effective ways to ensure children’s optimal growth, development and health. The Week aims to encourage more mothers to breastfeed their children.

Optimal breastfeeding practices – early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and appropriate complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond – are among the most cost-effective interventions to protect children from common causes of death, including complications from prematurity, newborn infections, pneumonia and diarrhoea. They are among the key interventions to reduce under-5 mortality and accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 at the core of the regional initiative on saving the lives of mothers and children.