World Breastfeeding Week: Research shows the vital importance of support for mothers and infants

By Jennifer Johnson

Breastfeeding is an essential element in early childhood nutrition. Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed in a child's first months, and breastfeeding yields broad health benefits for infants and later in life. Yet globally, fewer than half of infants under six months old are exclusively breastfed. Improving those numbers would make an enormous difference in children's and public health.

World Breastfeeding Week 2025 (August 1-7) focuses on the theme, "Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future," promoting efforts to strengthen health systems and policies that support this critical practice. IFPRI research has identified important links between breastfeeding, maternal and child nutrition and care, and public health that can help guide effective breastfeeding policies and programs. This post explores insights from some of those recent IFPRI research efforts.