OP-ED by Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural, essential and effective acts of care, yet not every child is breastfed, and far too many women are left to navigate this journey without support.
The evidence is strong and decades old. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for child health and survival, especially when initiated within the first hour of birth. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life offers unparalleled benefits for both infant and mother. It protects children against gastrointestinal infections, including in high-income countries.
Early initiation, within one hour of birth, significantly reduces newborn mortality.
Beyond protection from disease, breastmilk is a vital source of energy and nutrients for children aged 6–23 months. It can meet over half of a child’s energy needs between 6 and 12 months, and one-third of needs from 12 to 24 months. During illness, breastmilk is often the only food a sick child can tolerate, acting as both nourishment and medicine. For malnourished children, it can be lifesaving.
The benefits extend into later life. Children who were breastfed are less likely to become overweight or obese, more likely to perform well in school, and have higher income levels as adults.
For mothers, longer durations of breastfeeding reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
With so many well-documented advantages, why is exclusive breastfeeding still not the norm?
Because too many mothers face systemic and social barriers: inadequate maternity leave, absence of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, limited counselling support, and the unchecked marketing of breastmilk substitutes. These obstacles undermine even the most motivated mothers. The burden of breastfeeding continues to fall disproportionately on women, without the networks they need to succeed.
In Timor-Leste, breastfeeding is widely accepted and culturally valued. That foundation must now be supported by systems that give mothers the time, space, and confidence to continue breastfeeding — especially when juggling paid work, domestic responsibilities, and caregiving.
With the theme of Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future, WHO calls on governments and partners to make bold, sustained investments in breastfeeding. Every $1 spent on breastfeeding support returns up to $35 in health and economic benefits. The key actions include:
- Creating enabling environments through extended paid maternity leave and breastfeeding spaces at work
- Scaling up the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to create environments where breastfeeding is promoted from birth.
- Embedding breastfeeding in national health strategies and budgets as a cost-effective intervention for child survival and maternal health and;
- Enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to shield families from misleading commercials.
Timor-Leste has already taken promising steps. The Ministry of Health, with WHO and UNICEF support, adopted the National Decree Law regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Awareness of the Code has been elevated through national campaigns, and breastfeeding continues to feature prominently in annual initiatives like Nutrition Week. The highest level of political commitment is visible. But progress must accelerate.
Let us strengthen support networks. Let us expand maternity protections. Let us hold stakeholders accountable to the Decree Law. Only then can we improve the rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
As we mark World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated every August in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, governments, and civil society partners, let us recommit to making breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding fully supported. Together, we can ensure every child gets the healthiest start in life by investing in breastfeeding and investing in the future.
When a natural act such as breastfeeding costs nothing, yet reduces healthcare burdens, boosts cognitive development, strengthens economies, and gives every child a healthier start in life. Why wouldn’t we invest in that future?