Report of World Breastfeeding Week Celebration 2026

Theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”

As part of World Breastfeeding Week 2026, the Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), MAHE, Manipal, organized a series of awareness and educational programs, focusing on the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” The programs were designed to strengthen evidence-based breastfeeding practices and enhance the knowledge, skills, and confidence of nursing students and practicing nurses in providing effective breastfeeding support to mothers and families.

Seminar for Nursing Students

A seminar on “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works” was conducted for the students of Semester V BSc Nursing, I year PBBSc Nursing, and II year Diploma in Nursing on August 5, 2026. The sessions were delivered by Dr. Sheela Shetty, Assistant Professor – Senior Scale, and Dr. Binu Margaret, Assistant Professor – Selection Grade, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON.

The sessions highlighted breastfeeding as a fundamental component of optimal growth, development, and lifelong health of the child. Emphasis was placed on strengthening evidence-based breastfeeding practices, equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills, and addressing common challenges that can hinder successful breastfeeding. The theme reinforced the importance of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding practices and emphasized the pivotal role of nurses in fostering an enabling environment for breastfeeding. A total of 230 nursing students benefited from the session.

Breastfeeding Awareness Program for Staff Nurses

As part of an industry–academia collaboration, breastfeeding awareness programs were conducted for staff nurses at Dr. T. M. A. Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala, on August 5, 2026, and Dr. T. M. A. Pai Hospital, Udupi, on August 7, 2026. Mrs. Anusuya Vittaldas Prabhu, Assistant Professor – Senior Scale, Ms. Rashal Rashmi Martis, and Ms. Veena, PhD Scholars, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal, delivered the sessions.

The sessions covered the significance of the World Breastfeeding Week theme, the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, effective breastfeeding techniques, and the role of nurses in overcoming common barriers to successful breastfeeding. The interactive nature of the program provided an opportunity for participants to discuss practical concerns, clarify doubts, and share their experiences in supporting breastfeeding mothers. A total of 47 staff nurses (16 from Udupi & 31 from Karkala) attended the session.

Feedback was obtained from the participants following the program. The participants reported that the sessions were informative, relevant, and useful for enhancing their professional knowledge and skills in breastfeeding counselling and support. This theme-based breastfeeding week celebration reached out to a total of 277 beneficiaries and contributed to SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, by promoting optimal maternal and child health; SDG 4 – Quality Education, by strengthening the knowledge and competencies of nursing students and healthcare professionals; and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, through collaborative efforts between academic and clinical institutions.

The World Breastfeeding Week 2026 program was coordinated by Mrs. Anusuya V. Prabhu and Dr. Sheela Shetty under the guidance of Dr. Mamatha S Pai, Professor and Head, Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal.