Breastfeeding rights and health challenges in Latin America

Following legislative advocacy for inclusive lactation rights, efforts to support breastfeeding have expanded into localized health initiatives and regional calls for regulation.

In Mexico, practical support measures have emerged, such as a glass jar collection drive in Guanajuato to support human milk banks. However, significant barriers remain for young mothers, including cultural stigma and a lack of information. Experts note a gap between intention and practice: while 62% of Mexican women express a desire to breastfeed, only 30% do so optimally. Advocacy groups highlight that aggressive formula marketing often violates international codes, contributing to these low rates.

Similar challenges are reported in Ecuador, where exclusive breastfeeding rates stand at approximately 43%. Misinformation and digital marketing of formula products, alongside inadequate workplace and public facilities, drive early abandonment of breastfeeding. The Pan-American Health Organization (OPS) has urged governments to regulate digital advertising to mitigate these issues.

In Costa Rica, despite legal requirements for workplace lactation rooms, mothers report a lack of hygienic and private spaces, which negatively impacts exclusive breastfeeding rates once they return to the workforce. Across the region, health experts continue to emphasize the need for stronger public education and improved infrastructure to protect maternal and infant health.