Ethiopia Scales Up Breastfeeding Support for Every Mother

Ethiopia just made a powerful commitment to give every mother the support she needs to breastfeed successfully.

At World Breastfeeding Week 2026 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health joined forces with the World Health Organization and community partners to expand programs that have consistently delivered real results for families. The focus is simple: stop experimenting and scale up what already works.

Dr. Dereje Duguma, Ethiopia's State Minister of Health, emphasized that breastfeeding isn't just tradition in Ethiopia. It's a national health priority that protects babies from disease, helps mothers recover after childbirth, and strengthens entire communities.

The country is taking concrete action. Ethiopia is expanding its Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, which helps mothers start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. The program trains healthcare workers to provide skilled counseling throughout pregnancy and early childhood, ensuring mothers get expert support when they need it most.

Ethiopia is also cracking down on misleading formula marketing. The Ministry committed to stronger enforcement of laws regulating breast-milk substitute promotion, including inappropriate ads on social media that can undermine mothers' confidence.

But support doesn't stop at the hospital door. Ethiopia is pushing for paid maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces that give mothers adequate time, private space, and support to continue breastfeeding or express milk after returning to work.

The Ripple Effect

When mothers can breastfeed successfully, the benefits multiply across generations. Babies get optimal nutrition for healthy growth during their most vulnerable months. Mothers experience better postpartum health. Families spend less on expensive formula. Communities become more resilient.

Dr. Bejoy Nambiar from WHO Ethiopia pointed out the real challenge: these proven interventions remain underfunded and underimplemented globally, even though evidence shows they work. Closing that investment gap means healthier families and faster progress toward development goals.

Ethiopia's cultural embrace of breastfeeding gives the country a strong foundation. Now, with expanded programs reaching more mothers in hospitals, workplaces, and communities, that tradition gets the modern support system it deserves.

WHO is working alongside Ethiopia to strengthen policies, train healthcare workers, and ensure accountability so every mother receives the help she needs to give her child the healthiest possible start in life.