This year's celebration, under the theme 'Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems', calls for renewed efforts to highlight barriers associated with breastfeeding.
According to the reports released by the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, bottle-feeding has increased by 12 percentage points, skyrocketing from 22 per cent in 2022 to 34 per cent in 2025.
This means that three out of 10 mothers in Kenya have opted for bottle-feeding over natural breastfeeding. This is a worrying trend, and action must be taken.
For years, the stigma associated with breastfeeding mothers has always been an elephant in the room. The discomfort associated with breastfeeding in public, especially among young or first-time mothers, acts as one of the reasons that has contributed to the above worrying Ministry of Health report.
Additionally, various research sources have shown that some face judgment and stigmatisation regarding their parenting and feeding practices. In most cases, the stigma is reinforced by harmful societal practices and attitudes.
Recently, a clip went viral on social media of a husband mocking his wife for breastfeeding, citing petty hygiene concerns. The video sparked heated debate online, and you could see how women were heartbroken and sad in the comment section, some confessing that they opt for artificial ways of feeding the infant for fear of such humiliation.
The stigma associated with breastfeeding mothers negatively impacts their ability to continue breastfeeding and also discourages them from seeking help and support services from healthcare professionals.
As Kenya joins the global community in marking this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, improving breastfeeding rates is a crucial public health issue.
This means that a cross-government approach is required to get rid of all barriers to healthy breastfeeding, rooted in cultural and societal norms. So, how will this be applicable?
Extensive education regarding the benefits of breastfeeding must be provided for both mothers and the public in general. Also, the Ministry of Health needs to create safe places for mothers to breastfeed comfortably.
Corporate communicator and Africa for SDGs fellow
