2026 World Breastfeeding Week: A Public Health Expert, Dr Oluedo Eric, has appreciated World Health Organization (WHO) and ScienceDirect for accepting that a child that is on Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF), is also entitled to Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
2026 World Breastfeeding Week: A Public Health Expert, Dr Oluedo Eric, has appreciated World Health Organization (WHO) and ScienceDirect for accepting that a child that is on Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF), is also entitled to Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), Drops/Syrups of Vitamins, Minerals or Medicines. Speaking on the Theme for The 2026 World Breastfeeding Week “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable start in life, Strengthen what works”, Dr Oluedo who is also an Experiential Teacher in Nutrition, condemned Health Practitioners who insist that only breast milk will be given to an infant for the first 6 months. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a baby’s health, development, and survival in the earliest stages of life. It acts as their first vaccine, providing protection against diseases like diarrhoea, pneumonia etc. Investing in breastfeeding is a great investment in the future. The campaign focuses on tracking progress, evaluating impacts on nutrition and food security, and scaling up proven community and clinical support systems.
ScienceDirect clearly stated that “Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) refers to the practice of giving an infant breast milk only up to the age of six months, except for Oral Rehydration Solutions or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines”. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exclusive breastfeeding means that an infant receives only breast milk (including expressed milk) and no other solids or liquids, including water. Exceptions: Oral rehydration solutions, and vitamin/mineral/medicine drops or syrups are allowed”. To make this oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home, exclusive breastfeeding mothers will need: 1 liter of clean water, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir the ingredients together until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved and solution formed. Giving an exclusively breast feeding child this Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) will greatly increase the number of Africans practicing breastfeeding from the present 24% and exceed the 2030 World Health Assembly target of 70%.
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, community support, ecology, economy, science, education, and human rights. It is supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners.
From August 1 to 7 globally, World breastfeeding Week is celebrated to highlight the importance of nursing for a baby to ensure the best nutrition and overall health. This day promotes supportive policies that empower mothers, educate families, and increase awareness. Emphasising its significance, the event supports healthy communities by promoting breastfeeding and offering tools to guarantee that every child has the greatest possible start in life.
The campaign will celebrate breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mother by allowing an infant on Exclusive breastfeeding to also receive Oral Rehydration Solutions or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines, thereby increasing the percentage of exclusively breastfeeding African infants from the present 24% to the 2030 target of 70%.
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