This year’s World Breastfeeding Week 2025 (1 – 7 August) is themed “Invest in Breastfeeding, Invest in the Future”. This global campaign, supported by WHO, UNICEF, charities and human rights organisations, highlights the need for systematic investment in breastfeeding support—from healthcare systems to workplace protections. It’s a timely reminder that breastfeeding is not just a personal act but a public health strategy and a matter of social justice.

The role of nurses and midwives

Nurses and midwives are central to the success of breastfeeding. They provide cvital support from pregnancy through the postnatal period, offering evidence-based advice, hands-on help, and emotional reassurance. Their role is especially key in the early days after birth, when mums may face challenges such as getting the baby to latch, concerns about milk supply, pain or low confidence.

In the UK, midwives and health visitors are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for new mothers navigating infant feeding. Their ability to offer culturally sensitive, non-judgmental support can be life-changing. Nurses will see women in primary and secondary care, for new or existing health conditions. Getting the right advice at the right time is crucial for women to meet their infant feeding goals. Nurses and midwives also play a key role in advocating for breastfeeding-friendly environments in hospitals, homes, and communities.

A personal reflection: breastfeeding against the odds

I had never held a baby before I held my own, let alone seen someone breastfeeding. I expected breastfeeding to come naturally and considered it would fit in with me being a full-time student. Instead, it was a struggle. I faced pain, exhaustion, and a deep sense of inadequacy. I didn’t persevere out of strength or determination—my baby simply refused to take a bottle. That refusal, more than anything else, kept me breastfeeding.

This experience taught me that breastfeeding success often hinges less on maternal willpower and more on circumstance, support, and sheer luck. I had access to a supportive partner, a safe home, a flexible university and a local support group. Many mothers in the UK don’t. And that’s where the inequality lies.

Infant feeding inequalities in the UK

The UK has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, with 3 in 10 babies receiving no breastmilk, and around 50% still breastfed at 6 weeks of age. The disparities are particularly stark across socioeconomic lines: mothers in deprived areas are significantly less likely to initiate or continue breastfeeding despite it providing food security for their infants. Of those who switch to bottle feeding during their baby's first few weeks, 90% wanted to continue breastfeeding for longer.

These inequalities are compounded by factors such as poor access to skilled support, cultural stigma, and aggressive marketing of infant formula. Black and minority ethnic women, teenage parents, and those with mental health challenges face additional barriers. These are not just feeding issues—they are reflections of broader systemic inequities.

Moving forward: a call to action

This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s celebrate the nurses and midwives who support families through their feeding journeys. Let’s advocate for policies that protect maternity leave, regulate formula marketing, and fund community-based support. Let’s ensure that nurses and midwives can access the necessary training and resources to provide evidence-based care. And let’s honour every feeding story—whether it involves breast, bottle, or both.

Breastfeeding is not a solo act. It’s a collective effort. And when we invest in it, we invest in a healthier, more equitable future.