Indonesia Marks World Breastfeeding Week 2025: Strengthening Nationwide Support Systems for Mothers

As Indonesia commemorates World Breastfeeding Week 2025, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize the critical importance of strengthening national support systems for breastfeeding mothers. Observed globally from August 1 to 7, Indonesia extends the observance throughout the entire month of August, embracing the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”

This year's theme underscores the urgency of creating robust, sustainable, and accessible support networks to assist mothers in breastfeeding successfully. While Indonesia has achieved notable progress, increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months from 52% in 2017 to 66.4% in 2024, there remains significant room for improvement. Many Indonesian infants still do not receive exclusive breastfeeding for the full recommended six-month period, potentially missing out on vital health benefits.

UNICEF and WHO have praised the Indonesian government's continued dedication to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding through targeted policies and initiatives. These organizations highlight the importance of sustained efforts to improve breastfeeding rates, emphasizing that comprehensive support systems can significantly enhance maternal and child health outcomes.

Effective support for breastfeeding mothers requires multifaceted efforts, including skilled counselling from trained healthcare providers, supportive workplace policies, and active community engagement. Establishing breastfeeding-friendly environments—whether at home, workplaces, or in public spaces—is essential for enabling mothers to breastfeed successfully.

Maniza Zaman, UNICEF Indonesia Representative, stated, “By investing in support systems for breastfeeding mothers, we create a vital safety net ensuring no mother has to navigate breastfeeding challenges alone. Successful breastfeeding supports not only the child's development but also fosters stronger families, healthier communities, and ultimately contributes to building a better future for the nation.”

Dr. N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia, praised the nation’s steady progress, remarking, “Indonesia's rising rates of exclusive breastfeeding reflect the dedication of families, communities, and the health system. Enhancing support systems can empower every mother in Indonesia, providing them with the necessary resources to exclusively breastfeed for six months, thus ensuring every child receives the healthiest start in life.”

Breastfeeding is globally recognized as essential for infant health, offering critical nutritional benefits and immune protection. UNICEF and WHO recommend initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth and continuing exclusively for the first six months. Research demonstrates that breastfeeding significantly boosts children's cognitive development, contributing to an increase of 3–4 IQ points, reduces the risk of obesity and overweight conditions, and provides long-lasting protection against chronic diseases. Alarmingly, babies who are not exclusively breastfed are up to 14 times more likely to die before reaching their first birthday compared to those breastfed exclusively for the recommended duration.

In addition to health benefits, breastfeeding also offers considerable environmental advantages over formula feeding, significantly reducing carbon emissions and packaging waste. This aligns with global sustainability goals and Indonesia's broader environmental commitments.

To further elevate breastfeeding practices nationwide, UNICEF and WHO urge a collective and coordinated approach involving government agencies, workplaces, healthcare providers, the private sector, and local communities. They have outlined key recommended actions:

• Expanding access to skilled breastfeeding counseling through healthcare facilities, community services, and tele-counseling programs initiated by the Ministry of Health.

• Ensuring maternity healthcare facilities fully implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a central component of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

• Strict enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) to safeguard families from misleading marketing practices.

• Integrating comprehensive breastfeeding education into healthcare professional training curricula to equip medical personnel with essential knowledge and skills.

• Promoting family-friendly workplace policies, including sufficient paid maternity leave, availability of lactation rooms, and flexible working arrangements to support breastfeeding employees.

By prioritizing these strategies, Indonesia aims to build stronger, sustainable support systems, enhancing breastfeeding practices nationwide, ultimately contributing to healthier families, thriving communities, and a resilient nation.