In 1981, the World Health Organization published the International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes also known as “the Code”. This voluntary code of practice was created in response to the deceitful advertising campaigns run by baby formula companies, many of which claimed that their products were superior to breastmilk.
However, because the Code is not enforced, misleading baby formula advertisements persist, dissuading new parents from breastfeeding or causing premature cessation of breastfeeding. In 2023, the Lancet reported that “less than half of infants globally are breastfed in accordance with the recommendations of the WHO.” Meanwhile, the baby formula industry is raking in approximately $55 billion U.S. dollars in sales annually. Breastfeeding is one of the oldest and healthiest practices in the world, providing unmatched nutrition for newborns. It helps to build the baby’s immune system and is correlated with numerous positive health outcomes. Hesperian has always stood by the saying, “Breast is best.”
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme “Closing the Gap” invites people to focus on how breastfeeding supports survival, health, and wellbeing. Participate by combating misinformation about breastfeeding to ensure that infants everywhere are put on a path to good health. The WBW has social media images like these available in several languages to help spread the word:
Make awareness actionable by sharing our free resources with your community! In addition to general breastfeeding support in several of our books, on our HealthWiki, and in our Safe Pregnancy and Birth app, Hesperian has specific information for women with disabilities.
Latino Health Access