Breastfeeding is proven to protect mothers and babies long-term, yet Europe has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world.
A growing EU-led initiative is now trying to change that by making breastfeeding support a community responsibility, not just a personal one.
Launched on World Breastfeeding Week (August 1), the "Baby-Friendly Community and Health Services" project is being rolled out across seven countries: Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Ukraine. It's already shown success in Norway, where it was recognised as an EU Best Practice in 2022.
"Our ambition is to bring the WHO-UNICEF standard beyond the hospital setting," said Anne Bærug from the Norwegian Directorate of Health. "We want to pilot actions outside health services, especially in less advantaged areas, to create breastfeeding-friendly environments" (WHO Europe).
Breastfeeding lowers women's risk of breast cancer and protects babies from infections, obesity, diabetes, and other noncontagious diseases. But despite these lifelong benefits, formula feeding is still treated as the default in many places.
"We frame breastfeeding as a bonus rather than naming the real risks of formula feeding," said Angela Giusti from the Italian National Institute of Health. "Why don't we talk about the missed protections and exposures linked to formula? Because when we do, it's too often turned against us, as if we're against women or freedom of choice, which is a misrepresentation of the truth. What we are saying is that society must change so women are empowered to breastfeed if they want to, not left to navigate a system that makes it harder at every step."
Formula-fed babies run a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and other long-term health complications. Additionally, babies who are fed formula may have greater incidences of obesity, asthma, and allergies.
In Calabria, a region with high childhood obesity and low breastfeeding rates, the initiative spans 29 municipalities, five community health services, two hospitals, and a wide range of schools.
Small changes are making a big difference. For example:
"Anyone who interacts with families has a role to play," said Giusti.
Despite decades of research, breastfeeding remains undervalued in most European health systems. Many countries don't even collect basic data on breastfeeding rates - a sign of how little priority the issue has received.
To address this, WHO/Europe is working with local governments to:
"Right now, companies selling breastmilk substitutes are sponsoring events for health professionals - a clear conflict of interest," said Bærug.
When you look at the bigger picture, breastfeeding isn't just about parenting - it's about future public health.
Personally, I chose to breastfeed my daughter, and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But I don't regret it at all. I nursed her for 18 months, and the toughest part was the weaning. I wrote a blog post about how I did it using The Dr Jay Gordon method.
So, is the saying true? Breast is best? Or should babies just be fed - whether that's formula or breastmilk? Let us know your thoughts below.