The breast choice: Strength, Freedom and Visibility

Before signing off for summer, here is your daily reminder to hydrate, wear breathable clothes, use sun protection, and avoid overheating when… breastfeeding your baby!

And now that I have your attention, let’s talk about the World Breastfeeding Week. A week dedicated to raising awareness, sharing information, and highlighting the 21st-century woman’s need for a supportive environment in addressing social and work-related challenges. I ask why such a week is still necessary? Why do we need to discuss this natural process further?

Breastfeeding (and even more in public) evolved into a taboo starting from the artistic trends and idols of the 19th century. Gradually, societies grew less tolerant, showcasing more discomfort and associating breastfeeding with less ‘civilized’ practices [1]. By the 1930s, European scientists and companies in the US were already marketing prepared baby foods. The postwar era further exacerbated societal contrasts, distinguishing between families that were financially capable of providing more for their offspring and those that were not. With stronger access to education, women began entering the workforce in increasing numbers. Nowadays, competitive work environments have impacted mothers by enforcing a ‘tight schedule’ for recently become mothers. It’s very often that women have to return to work as early as possible, directing them to breastfeed less and to settle for alternatives to baby food. In other words, a baby’s schedule is adjusted to the current structural barriers of our societies.

Behind the scenes of this reality, scientists have been trying to shed light on the long-term effects of breastfeeding. Studies have shown the benefits in brain development and the lower risk of obesity in later life of a child [2, 3] as well as the immunological benefits, which result from the transfer of passive immunity by the mother. At the same time, analysis of data from epidemiological studies demonstrated that breastfeeding may reduce the risks of breast [4] and ovarian [5] cancer, and type 2 diabetes [6]. Additionally, maternal mental health is positively impacted. The release of oxytocin is augmented, and the mother feels a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, leading to increased self-esteem for being able to cater for her baby [7].

Despite the known benefits, this topic still faces hitches. Information is lacking when it comes to good practices for efficient breastfeeding or when the mother faces troubles, has questions during the process, and needs counseling from trained health professionals. Importantly, work policies on national levels should be implemented to protect mothers and offer a supportive, flexible environment as well as physical space to accommodate any needs. Community support is a sign of everyday respect, meaning that women should feel confident to breastfeed anytime, anywhere, starting from the local coffee shop. 

The World Health Organization, along with UNICEF, is putting together yearly campaigns, emphasizing the importance of social resources and personal accountability. The World Breastfeeding Week 2025 [8] is focusing on environmental sustainability, highlighting how support from all fronts can reduce the climatic footprint generated by artificial baby food. It all starts with us. Stepping up to support, listen, inform, and empower change can bridge barriers and renormalize breastfeeding.

References:
[1] Inventing Baby Food: Taste, Health, and the Industrialization of the American Diet, Amy Bentley, University of California Press.

[2] Breastfeeding: crucially important, but increasingly challenged in a market-driven world, DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01932-8.

[3] Breastfeeding duration and brain-body development in 9–10-year-olds: modulating effect of socioeconomic levels, DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03330-0.

[4] Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50 302 women with breast cancer and 96 973 women without the disease. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)09454-0.

[5] Association Between Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer Risk, DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.0421.

[6] Duration of Lactation and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes, DOI: 10.1001/jama.294.20.2601.

[7] The Psychological Benefits of Breastfeeding: Fostering Maternal Well-Being and Child Development, DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46730.

[8] https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/