UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said that scaling up breastfeeding worldwide could save nearly 540,000 lives every year, urging governments to invest more in proven interventions that support mothers and babies.

In a joint statement released ahead of World Breastfeeding Week, the agencies said improved breastfeeding practices could prevent nearly 400,000 child deaths and about 140,000 maternal deaths annually, making breastfeeding one of the most cost-effective investments in public health.

They added that the economic benefits are equally compelling, noting that every US$1 invested in breastfeeding promotion generates an estimated US$59 in economic returns through lower healthcare costs, improved cognitive development, higher educational attainment, and increased lifetime earnings.

Despite the enormous health and economic gains, UNICEF and WHO warned that too many mothers and families around the world still lack access to the services, policies, and skilled support needed to initiate and sustain breastfeeding.

The agencies described breastfeeding as one of the simplest and most powerful ways to safeguard a child’s health, providing infants with optimal nutrition, strengthening immunity, protecting against serious illnesses, and supporting healthy brain development.

For mothers, they said breastfeeding also reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, including breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes.

According to the agencies, recent progress offers reason for optimism. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life has increased from about 37 per cent in 2012 to more than 47 per cent today, while breastfeeding up to two years of age has risen from 38 per cent to 50 per cent over the past five years.

They said the improvements demonstrate that sustained investments in policies and programmes that support mothers and families are delivering results, although progress remains uneven, and many countries are still off track to meet global breastfeeding targets.

UNICEF and WHO, however, expressed concern that coverage of breastfeeding support services remains inadequate, policies are inconsistently enforced, and the quality of services is often poor, particularly in low-income, fragile, and humanitarian settings.

They said evidence shows that cost-effective interventions include skilled breastfeeding support within health systems, community-based counselling, maternity protection policies, and stronger enforcement of measures to shield families from the exploitative marketing of commercial milk formulas.

Marking this year’s World Breastfeeding Week with the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” the agencies called on governments to strengthen health systems to provide quality breastfeeding support for mothers and newborns and to expand community-based counselling and peer support programmes.

In addition, they urged governments to fully implement and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, invest in paid maternity leave and family-friendly workplace policies, integrate breastfeeding interventions into antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal healthcare services, and sustain breastfeeding support in humanitarian and fragile settings.

“Breastfeeding is vital. By investing in proven solutions, we can give every child the best possible start in life and ensure every mother gets the care and services she needs,” the agencies said.