The Ministry of Women and Child Development will observe World Breastfeeding Week 2026 across the country from tomorrow. The week-long campaign aims to create awareness among families, communities and healthcare providers about the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, along with appropriate complementary feeding.

 

The Ministry has urged families to ensure that every newborn is breastfed within the first hour after birth, known as the Golden Hour. The Ministry emphasised that infants should be fed only breast milk during the first six months, without water, honey, ghutti, glucose or formula, as breast milk alone provides complete nutrition and hydration during this period.

 

After six months, nutritious complementary foods should be introduced while continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. The Ministry has also highlighted that breastfeeding benefits mothers by supporting postnatal recovery and lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type-2 diabetes and postpartum depression.

 

It has called upon healthcare professionals, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, families and communities to create a supportive environment that empowers every mother to breastfeed and ensures every child gets the healthiest possible start in life.