BREASTFEEDING IN INDONESIA ON THE RISE, BUT MOTHERS NEED MORE SUPPORT

On World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF and WHO underscore importance of sustained investment

1 August - As Indonesia commemorates World Breastfeeding Week 2025, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are highlighting the importance of strengthening support systems for breastfeeding mothers across the country.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed around the world from 1–7 August. In Indonesia, this important occasion is observed throughout the month of August, under the theme: “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”.

UNICEF and WHO commend the Government of Indonesia’s continued commitment to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among infants under six months has steadily increased, rising from 52% in 2017 to 66.4% in 2024. However, many infants are not exclusively breastfed for the full six months – the duration required to achieve the full health benefits.

With reliable and long-lasting support, mothers can better access help when they need it, wherever they are – at work, home or in their community. This includes skilled counselling from trained health workers, workplace policies and physical arrangements that enable breastfeeding, and ongoing support from community networks.

“By investing in support systems for breastfeeding mothers, we create a vital a safety net that ensures no mother has to navigate breastfeeding challenges alone,” said UNICEF Indonesia Representative, Maniza Zaman. “When women and their babies are supported to breastfeed successfully, it sets off a chain of positive outcomes – not only for the child’s development, but also for stronger families, healthier communities and ultimately a better future for the nation.”

“Indonesia’s steady rise in exclusive breastfeeding is a remarkable achievement and reflects the commitment of families, communities and the health system,” said Dr N. Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Indonesia. “With stronger support systems, every mother in Indonesia can have the resources needed to exclusively breastfeed for the full recommended six months, giving every child the healthiest start to life.”

Breastfeeding is a baby’s first source of protection and nutrition. UNICEF and WHO recommend that infants are breastfed within one hour of birth and exclusively breastfed in their first six months of life, with no other foods and liquids provided.

Evidence shows that breastfeeding boosts children’s cognitive development by 3–4 IQ points, reduces overweight and obesity risk and provides lifelong protection against non-communicable diseases. Babies who are not breastfed are up to 14 times more likely to die before their first birthday than those who are exclusively breastfed during their first six months.

Unlike formula production, breastfeeding is also environmentally sustainable, lowering carbon emissions and reducing packaging waste.

UNICEF and WHO call on all stakeholders – the government, workplaces, healthcare institutions, the private sector and communities – to accelerate efforts to support breastfeeding mothers. Key actions include:

• Expand access to skilled breastfeeding counselling through health facilities, community services, and remote options such as tele-counselling established by the Ministry of Health.

• Ensure all maternity facilities implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

• Enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) to protect families from unethical marketing.

• Integrate breastfeeding education into healthcare training curricula.

• Adopt family-friendly policies—including paid maternity leave, lactation rooms and flexible workplace arrangements.

Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-08-2025-breastfeeding-in-indonesia-on-the-rise--but-mothers-need-more-support