World Breastfeeding Week 2026 | 1 to 7 August
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated worldwide annually from 1 to 7 August. The 2026 theme, Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: Strengthen what works. This theme has local relevance, when communities come together to support breastfeeding, families and future generations all benefit.
Breastfeeding is a sustainable and nutritional, first-food system providing food security and aiding poverty reduction.
This World Breastfeeding Week, we’re strengthening what works. Breastfeeding supports infant nutrition, public health, family budgets, food security, emergency resilience and environmental sustainability— but families need trusted support, fair access and protection from commercial influence. ABA is here with practical support through the National Breastfeeding Helpline, LiveChat, local groups and evidence-based resources.
Ninety-six per cent of Australian mothers start out breastfeeding their baby, one of the highest initiation rates in the world. But by six months, only around a third are still exclusively breastfeeding. ABA says this gap between intention and outcome shows that Australian families do not lack motivation — they need stronger support systems and better protection from the commercial pressures that can undermine breastfeeding confidence.
“Most Australian mothers want to breastfeed, but breastfeeding is not sustained by intention alone,” says Ms Victoria Marshall-Cerins, Executive Officer of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. “Families need trusted, practical support when challenges arise, and they need infant feeding information that is free from commercial influence.”
ABA supports families earlier and more equitably and protect parents’ infant feeding decisions from inappropriate formula marketing. Learn more about our Free 2 Feed campaign and write to your local MP Free 2 feed | Australian Breastfeeding Association
This World Breastfeeding Week, ABA is calling on:
1) parents and families to connect with trusted breastfeeding information and support through ABA
2) health professionals to refer families to ABA’s National Breastfeeding Helpline, LiveChat, local groups and evidence-based resources
3) policymakers to support stronger regulation of infant formula marketing that reflects the full scope of the WHO Code and protects families from commercial influence. Read more here
ABA's support transforms lives
Fotini,
Mum to 6-month-old and 4.5-year-old
“The first 2-3 weeks were really difficult. I had latching problems and the ABA helped me which was great. I also found the ABA classes were really good, especially the amount of information and type of information that was presented to help prepare mums. ABA has so many avenues to get support.”
Maddie
Mum to an 18-month-old
"In the early days we had trouble latching so I found a lot of information on the ABA website. I also called the Helpline. It is amazing to have this service available. Attending a local group also helped me."
Free WBW26 events
Local World Breastfeeding Week events in your community
Various, check the calendar for details
Connect with a ready-made social network of local parents for World Breastfeeding Week celebrations.
FREE webinar: Strengthen what works: turning evidence into everyday breastfeeding support
Tuesday, 4 August, 7:30 - 8:30pm AEST
This special one-off event will focus on breastfeeding support that truly works, bringing together practical insights, evidence-based guidance, and real-world support strategies.
Events for ABA Virtual Village members
FREE for Virtual Village members
Tuesday, 4 Aug, 1:00-2:00 pm AEST
Newborn Virtual Village – Wellbeing for new mums
FREE for Virtual Village members
Thursday, 6 Aug, 10:00 - 11:00am AEST
Newborn Virtual Village - Comfortable attachment and early days support
FREE for Virtual Village PLUS members
Wednesday, 5 Aug, 7:00 - 8:30pm AEST
Breastfeeding Preparation Session
