Skip to main content
  • High contrast
  • Contact us

Main navigation

  • About the Collective
  • Breastfeeding scorecard
  • Toolkit
  • News and events
  • Partners
Search area has closed.
Search area has opened.
SearchClose

Search UNICEF

Global Breastfeeding Collective

The Global Breastfeeding Collective is a partnership of prominent international agencies calling on donors, policy makers and civil society to increase investment in breastfeeding worldwide.

About the Collective
Breastfeeding safely during the COVID-19 pandemic

Breastfeeding during COVID-19

Mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should be advised to breastfeed with necessary hygiene precautions during feeding.

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential risk of transmitting the coronavirus. 

Read our key advocacy messages on breastfeeding and COVID-19

Breastfeeding: A smart investment

Breastfeeding is a vital part of providing every child with the healthiest start in life. It is a baby’s first vaccine and best source of nutrition, and can bolster brain development.

Breastfeeding also nurtures national economies. Increased rates of breastfeeding can improve a country’s prosperity by lowering healthcare costs and producing stronger, more able workforces.

But breastfeeding is not just a one-woman job. It requires encouragement and support from skilled counsellors, family members, health care providers, employers, policymakers and others.

By investing US$570 million a year for the next 10 years, governments, donors and partners can help raise the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50 per cent.

Improved rates of breastfeeding lead to...
UNICEF

A global breastfeeding call to action

The Global Breastfeeding Collective calls for increased financing and better implementation of policies, programmes and interventions to provide mothers the support they need to breastfeed.

Governments can take seven actions to drive progress on breastfeeding and raise the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50 per cent by 2025.

1. Increase funding to raise the rate of breastfeeding from birth to 2 years.

1. Increase funding to raise the rate of breastfeeding from birth to 2 years.

2. Adopt and monitor the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

2. Adopt and monitor the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

3. Enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies.

3. Enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies.

4. Implement the ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’ in maternity facilities.

4. Implement the ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’ in maternity facilities.

5. Improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling in health facilities.

5. Improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling in health facilities.

6. Strengthen links between health facilities and communities to support breastfeeding.

6. Strengthen links between health facilities and communities to support breastfeeding.

7. Monitor the progress of policies, programmes and funding for breastfeeding.

7. Monitor the progress of policies, programmes and funding for breastfeeding.

Our policy actions

Featured resources

Page
USA Launch: The 2023 Lancet Series on Breastfeeding

Including the influence of commercial milk formula marketing

Visit the page
Page
Marketing of Formula Milk

This report - the largest of its kind to date - draws on the experiences of over 8,500 women and 300 health professionals across eight countries.

Visit the page
Page
Global breastfeeding scorecard

Find out more about progress in countries and regions

Visit the page
Document
Call to Action

We believe in a world in which all mothers have the technical, financial, emotional and public support they need to start and continue to breastfeed.

Get the document
Report
Key advocacy messages on breastfeeding and COVID-19

Early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to thrive. The unparalleled benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risk of transmission.

See the full report
Document
The investment case for breastfeeding

The case to invest in breastfeeding has never been stronger, nor the need for action clearer.

Get the document
Report
Maternity leave legislation in support of breastfeeding

A collection of selected country case studies on maternity leave legislation in support of breastfeeding

See the full report

Breastfeeding advocacy briefs

Report
Midwives and Nurses - supporting breastfeeding worldwide

Midwives and nurses playing a vital role in breastfeeding worldwide

See the full report
Report
Nine SMART breastfeeding pledges

Nutrition for Growth Year of Action: Nine SMART breastfeeding pledges

See the full report
Report
Advocacy brief: Skilled breastfeeding counselling

Skilled breastfeeding counselling is one of the most effective strategies for improving breastfeeding rates.

See the full report
Report
Breastfeeding and prevention of overweight in children

Breastfeeding has important benefits throughout a child’s life. It reduces the risk of overweight and protects children from negative health consequences.

See the full report
Report
Breastfeeding and family-friendly policies

Maternity leave is critical to enabling exclusive and continued breastfeeding. Time, resources and protective policies are crucial to support breastfeeding.

See the full report
Report
Breastfeeding and gender equality

Supporting women to breastfeed is everyone’s responsibility. Breastfeeding programmes can support gender equality and foster women’s empowerment.

See the full report
Report
Advocacy brief: Breastfeeding in emergency situations

Breastfeeding in emergencies saves lives, but is no easy feat; mothers face immense challenges.

See the full report
Report
Breastfeeding and early childhood development

The gains from early childhood nutrition are forever. Breastfeeding supports healthy growth and protects against life-threatening and chronic illnesses.

See the full report

Subscribe for Updates

To receive updates on the Global Breastfeeding Collective and our seven policy asks, please subscribe below.

Explore the data

The Global Breastfeeding Collective has developed a country scorecard to track progress on seven policy actions and on breastfeeding practices within countries. Each action has a progress indicator and target – to be met by 2030.

Explore the breastfeeding scorecard

Footer

Home
  • About the Collective
  • Breastfeeding scorecard
  • News and events
  • Partners

Footer Secondary

  • Contact us
  • Legal