By Tarynn Ocampo
As August comes to a close for 2025, it also comes to a close an important awareness month; more commonly known as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. However, even if the month is ending, the awareness behind national breastfeeding still continues and advocates internationally, whether virtually or physically. National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is a significant time period in which people around the globe highlight the valuable role of breastfeeding for the betterment of both health and the well-being of infants and their mothers. This month is not only dedicated to advocating and raising awareness on this important event in an individual’s life – it is a symbolization of the gift of life. As we move forward from the month of August, let us carry the message and intentions of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month by recognizing the month’s importance, comprehending the significance of breastfeeding itself, and why breastfeeding is symbolized as a gift of life.
The Significance Behind National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
As previously stated, National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is not just a time for advocating for breastfeeding awareness – it is an opportunity to shine light on the extensive yet natural practice for not only the health and well-being of mothers, but for maternal love to grow within the relationship between a mother and their child. Through the participation of individuals during the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, multiple societies are given the opportunity to gain knowledge on what breastfeeding is and why it is important in the present generation. This not only allows insights to be gained, but it allows misconceptions, lies, and myths to be reduced or even hindered. National Breastfeeding Awareness Month also aligns with common international goals – such as reducing child mortality, improving maternal health for mothers, and promoting healthy & sustainable breastfeeding practices. This point does not only align with what National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is truly for, but it promotes unity among nations to meet these objectives for a more supportive world for mothers. Lastly, National Breastfeeding Awareness Month empowers mothers to breastfeed freely, without stigma or barriers, while encouraging a country’s policies to support the practice of breastfeeding.
The Value of Breastfeeding in Today’s Modern World
As more insights are gained on why Natural Breastfeeding Awareness Month is not just important to mothers, but to us as well – we learn that the practice of breastfeeding itself is an extremely eminent manner for mothers. Breastfeeding is also known as nursing, where a mother’s breast milk is used as a source of food for infants. This process can be done in two ways – from the direct breast of the mother or from expressing, also known as pumping out, and bottle-feeding it to the infant. However, why exactly is this process important? Well, it doesn’t just serve as an infant’s source of meals, but the process of breastfeeding provides infants with important calories and nutrients such as macronutrients, mainly fats, protein, and carbohydrates; alongside micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. These substances are also one of the main helpers in developing an infant’s health and well-being for the better.
Breastfeeding – A Symbolic Concept For The Gift of Life
Breastfeeding is not just a process for mothers, it serves as an important symbol for the gift of life. Through breastfeeding, every infant develops into a healthy individual. Through the process, infants are provided with accurate proteins and nutrients for healthy growth and development. To add on, breast milk contains antibodies, white blood cells, and other immune-boosting factors, the process strengthens an infant’s immunities allowing their immunity to diseases and sicknesses to be widely developed, which is critical during the early stages of their life. Additionally, in multiple parts of the world; breastfeeding assists in survival as it not only reduces infant mortality, but it prevents malnutrition and allows the infant to gain protection from fatal diseases. Lastly, it supports a mother’s maternal health. Breastfeeding serves as a way of recovering from childbirth, significantly lowering the dangerous risks of breast and ovarian cancers while strengthening the emotional bond between a mother and their child.
August Ends, But The Advocacy And Awareness Lives On
Even though August closes for the year, the act of advocating for the awareness of breastfeeding will live on like a legacy. By being more educated on the truths and misinformation revolving around breastfeeding, we are doing our part in advocating for a world where breastfeeding is taken seriously and greatly appreciated not just among families, but within countries as well. Let us do our own part in making sure that the concept of breastfeeding is to be educated for future generations to come. Let’s allow August to end, but let us let the advocacy thrive.
Sources Used
- Celebrating National Breastfeeding Month (August 2024) – District Health Department 10. (n.d.). https://www.dhd10.org/celebrating-national-breastfeeding-month-august-2024/#
- St. Clare’s Medical Center, Inc. (2025, August 1). National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. https://stclaresmedicalcenter.com/nurturing-bonds-celebrating-national-breastfeeding-awareness-month/#:~:text=National%20Breastfeeding%20Awareness%20Month%20is,of%20both%20infants%20and%20mothers.
- About breastfeeding and breast milk. (2017, January 31). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/breastfeeding/conditioninfo#: