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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

Call to action
Document
Our seven policy asks

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
breastfeeding and COVID-19
Document
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.

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The investment case for breastfeeding
Document
The investment case for breastfeeding

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

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Case studies
Document
Maternity leave legislation in support of breastfeeding

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

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Breastfeeding advocacy briefs

Advocacy brief on skilled breastfeeding counselling
Report
Advocacy brief on skilled breastfeeding counselling

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

See the full report
Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
Report
Breastfeeding and the Code

The aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes creates a major barrier to breastfeeding. Join us in protecting families from these commercial pressures.

See the full report
Breastfeeding in emergency situations
Report
Breastfeeding in emergency situations

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

See the full report
Breastfeeding and HIV
Report
Breastfeeding and HIV

We can improve HIV-free survival and development for children born to mothers living with HIV. Support is key to helping women with HIV breastfeed safely.

See the full report
Breastfeeding and early childhood development
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
Breastfeeding and gender equality
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
Breastfeeding and family-friendly policies
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
Breastfeeding and prevention of overweight in children
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

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

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