Lüderitz joins drive to promote breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers and staff at Lüderitz Hospital marked World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2026 with a march through the streets of the harbour town on Thursday to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Observed annually from 1 to 7 August, this year's global WBW theme is "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works". In Namibia, the campaign is being observed under the theme "Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems for the Future". 

"Breast milk is nature's perfect food. Every drop of breast milk is valuable and contributes to a baby's health and development. It provides all the nutrients a baby needs during the first six months of life and gives every child a strong start. Breastfeeding protects infants against infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and other illnesses. It strengthens the baby's immune system, supports healthy growth and brain development, and lays the foundation for a healthy future," said Nurse Nathasia Simon.

She added that the benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond the child. "Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Breastfeeding also helps mothers recover after birth and strengthens the unique emotional bond between mother and child," Simon said.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until the age of two years or beyond. "We also see children who continue breastfeeding up to the age of four. We encourage mothers to breastfeed because it is affordable, safe and always available. There is no need to buy formula because the milk is with you," Simon said.

She urged fathers, families, community leaders and employers to support mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey. "A mother is more likely to succeed in breastfeeding when she is surrounded by understanding, encouragement and practical support. She also needs to eat well and stay hydrated while breastfeeding," she said.

Simon also encouraged mothers not to feel self-conscious about breastfeeding in public. "Your baby needs to be fed. Find a comfortable place, sit down and breastfeed your baby," Simon said.

World Breastfeeding Week was established in 1992 to commemorate the 1990 Innocenti Declaration, which promotes the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. Since 2016, the annual campaign has been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and in 2018 the World Health Assembly endorsed World Breastfeeding Week as an important strategy for promoting breastfeeding.