World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated annually from 1 to 7 August. It is a global campaign established in 1992 by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The initiative aims to raise awareness among governments, healthcare professionals, and the public about the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both mothers and children, while promoting policies and interventions that provide effective support to families.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to support healthy growth in infants and to help prevent a wide range of diseases. WHO and UNICEF recommend that newborns begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth to promote colostrum intake and reduce the risk of early complications. They further advise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding, together with appropriate complementary feeding up to two years of age or beyond, according to the wishes of the mother and child. In addition to the nutritional and immunological benefits for the infant, breastfeeding also provides important advantages for maternal health, supporting physical well-being and strengthening the bond between mother and baby.
In Italy, although it takes part in the international campaign held from 1 to 7 August, most national awareness initiatives are traditionally organized from 1 to 7 October as part of World Breastfeeding Week (Settimana Mondiale dell'Allattamento – SAM), coordinated by the Italian Breastfeeding Movement (MAMI – Movimento Allattamento Materno Italiano) in collaboration with regional authorities, local health agencies, family counselling centres and local associations. During the week, informational meetings, antenatal support courses, specialist consultation services, seminars, public awareness events, and family-oriented activities are promoted with the aim of spreading accurate information about breastfeeding and fostering increasingly supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers.
