Vientiane: The Ministry of Health of the Lao PDR, in collaboration with UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services – Laos, and Alive and Thrive, with support from the Embassy of Ireland and key development partners, commemorated World Breastfeeding Week 2025 on August 6 under the theme ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.’ This occasion highlights breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child health and development, while emphasizing the urgent need for stronger investment in policies and systems that support breastfeeding mothers.
According to Lao News Agency, the Vice Minister of Health, Ms. Aphone Visathep, emphasized that investments in breastfeeding are investments in the country’s future, contributing to improved child health, poverty reduction, and environmental protection. The Ministry urges all sectors to invest in breastfeeding, including maternity protections, skilled counselling services, and strong enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Breastfeeding is a natural, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to ensure every child receives the healthiest start to life. Breastmilk provides optimal nutrition, strengthens immunity, and fosters cognitive development without producing carbon emissions. In contrast, infant formula production contributes to climate change through significant greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and packaging waste. In the Lao PDR, formula consumption is estimated to generate 5.3 to 6.7 million kilograms of CO2 emissions and consume over 2.2 billion litres of water annually.
Ms. Takaho Fukami, UNICEF Deputy Representative in the Lao PDR, highlighted the critical role of healthcare professionals in supporting breastfeeding, as well as the importance of enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect families from harmful marketing practices. The Lao PDR is making progress in strengthening national systems to support breastfeeding, with labelling regulations for breastmilk substitutes endorsed by the Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department and a national enforcement decree in development.
All 18 provincial hospitals in the Lao PDR now employ staff accredited in breastfeeding counselling, with 87 healthcare workers trained between 2022 and 2024. Seven hospitals have received the Breastfeeding Model Hospital Award for excellence in maternal and childcare. Additionally, the Ministry of Health has launched a new maternal, infant, and young child nutrition MIYCN counselling package, enhancing breastfeeding support from pregnancy through early childhood.
Rob Green, Acting Country Representative for CRS Laos, expressed that the week is an opportunity to reflect on the Lao PDR’s success in prioritizing breastfeeding. By supporting sustainable systems, a future can be built where every child in the Lao PDR has the best possible start in life, nourished by breastmilk, supported by the community, and protected by strong systems.
