World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually from 1 to 7 August in over 120 countries, aiming to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies worldwide. Mothers are advised to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, without introducing any other foods or drinks. After this period, breastfeeding should continue alongside other foods until the child reaches two years of age.
Maternal health experts say breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to safeguard an infant’s health and survival. However, they note that many babies under six months are not exclusively breastfed due to a combination of factors, including poor maternal nutrition, time constraints, and limited support systems. Young mothers from informal settlements, experts add, are particularly affected—facing heightened socio-economic challenges that often make exclusive breastfeeding difficult, as seen in communities like Kibra in Nairobi.
Maryann Auma, now 22, had her first child at the age of 16 while still in school. She admits that nutrition was a significant challenge, preventing her from producing enough milk to adequately breastfeed her baby. As a result, her child stopped breastfeeding at eight months.
“I got pregnant when I was in class eight, and I had to leave school. My baby breastfed for eight months before stopping because I did not have enough milk. Even getting food was very difficult; I was just struggling to feed the baby and dress him,” Auma recounts.
Young mothers also face stigma, often experiencing shame and rejection that forces them to drop out of school, while the young fathers continue their education.
Ruth Awino, a young mother from Kibra, embodies this struggle; she fell pregnant at 17 while in form two and had to leave school.
“When I got pregnant, I had to drop out of school. I was expelled, and my father wouldn’t allow me to continue my education while pregnant. The father of my child abandoned me and his entire family left me too; he is the one who got me pregnant despite knowing the date and time,” she shares.
Emotionally, Ruth expresses that she feels judged by others for her circumstances.
“People look down on you if you don’t finish school. And since my father is someone who helps others, people greatly disdain me,” she says, wiping away tears.
Despite these challenges, there is hope through organisations like AWOCHE (Agape Woman and Child Empowerment) Foundation, based in Kibra. These organisations support women, including breastfeeding mothers, in making informed decisions. Idda Agutu, the programmes coordinator at AWOCHE Foundation, explains that the organisation works closely with young mothers to mentor and support them.
“We work closely with teen mothers, mentoring them and helping them understand how their children are developing. We also provide life skills training, teaching them proper breastfeeding techniques and learning about the challenges they face,” states Agutu.
Agutu, a mentor and facilitator at the AWOCHE Foundation, trains young mothers on proper nutrition for their children. She states, “Most of the teen mums have to hustle to provide basic needs for their children; therefore, breastfeeding exclusively for six months or up to two years becomes a challenge. Yes, we advise them to pump, but most cannot afford a breast pump.”
Ruth is grateful for the support she has received from the AWOCHE Foundation, which could positively change her life. “Since I could not return to school after giving birth, I had to explore my options and found AWOCHE Foundation, where I’m learning to bake.”
The young mothers are appealing to the government for assistance in starting small businesses after gaining relevant skills to cater to their needs.
“If possible, the government can help us young mothers with funds to open bakeries, because finding jobs is difficult; many want to hire those who have completed school. We do not have the means,” states Ruth Awino.
Maryann Auma, another teenage mother, echoed this appeal: “We ask the government to support young mothers with funds for businesses, so we can provide food and ensure our children receive enough milk and are breastfed properly.”
As theworld marks this year’s World Breastfeeding Week 2025 under the theme “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” Agutu urges the government to create safe spaces for breastfeeding mothers, especially those who are working.
“If you are around a breastfeeding mum, let us provide all the support necessary to ensure that the baby receives the milk, given its nutritional value for the child.”
This year’s theme highlights the importance of building robust support systems for breastfeeding mothers, which should encompass individual, community, and policy levels. It calls for the creation of supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers.
