Global nutrition targets 2030: breastfeeding brief

Overview

Exclusive breastfeeding – defined as the practice of only giving an infant breast-milk for the first 6 months of life (no other food or water) – has the single largest potential impact on child mortality of any preventive intervention. Exclusive breastfeeding provides essential, irreplaceable nutrition for a child’s growth and development. It provides protection from respiratory infections, diarrhoeal disease, and other potentially life-threatening ailments. Exclusive breastfeeding also has a protective effect against obesity and certain noncommunicable diseases later in life.

As of 2024, nearly half (48%) of infants under six months were exclusively breastfed, bringing the world close to the 50% target set for 2025. Building on this progress, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Member States at the 78th World Health Assembly passed a resolution to raise the target to 60% and extend the timeline to 2030. This extension provides an opportunity for stakeholders to intensify focus, investment, and coordinated action to support exclusive breastfeeding. The purpose of this brief is to highlight the interventions and policies needed to achieve the revised 60% target by 2030.