78th WHA Individual Statements
Investment in the protection and support of breastfeeding is an effective strategy to improve and protect maternal and infant mental health, and can decrease the risk of postnatal depression. Breastfeeding supports the emotional and cognitive development of the child and strengthens bonding through skin-to-skin contact, physical closeness and stress-regulating hormonal mechanisms from the first day of life.
WHO has highlighted the fake science baby food companies use to mislead and create doubt in women's ability to breastfeed, and together with inadequate support and maternity protection this can lead to anxiety and stress. Women have a sovereign right to choose how they feed their babies, but in order to do so they must be fully and correctly informed, supported and protected from misleading commercial messages.