Breastfeeding rates show decline in global and regional data

Global and regional data indicate a decline in exclusive breastfeeding rates. A survey by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) network, an WHO-UNICEF initiative, shows that while breastfeeding initiation is increasing, exclusive breastfeeding rates at six months have dropped to a 16-year low of 22.6% on average.

In Italy, a significant regional disparity exists. In the Campania region, only 31.3% of infants aged 2-3 months were exclusively breastfed in 2025, compared to the national Italian average of 48%. Nationally, exclusive breastfeeding rates for healthy, full-term infants start at 71% at birth but decrease to 48% at 2-3 months and 39% at 4-5 months.

While BFHI-accredited facilities show higher rates of immediate skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation compared to national averages, systemic challenges remain. Only 25% of participating countries have the program managed directly by their government.