World Breastfeeding Week 2026 launches events in Jersey and India

Jersey is hosting a week of free public events to mark World Breastfeeding Week from 1‑7 August. Organized by the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Jersey Steering Group with Family Nursing & Home Care, Public Health Jersey and Maternity Services, the programme includes a family picnic at Coronation Park, multiple Breastfeeding Buddies drop‑in sessions, a photographic exhibition called “The Art of Nurture”, and professional lactation advice from certified consultants such as Debra Hennessy and Debbie McCoy.

In India, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is observing the same week nationwide, urging families, communities and health workers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continue it up to two years. The ministry highlights the “golden hour” after birth, the importance of colostrum as a natural vaccine, and the health benefits for mothers, including reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers and postpartum depression. It calls on ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and other providers to create an enabling environment for breastfeeding.