Morocco Launches 16th National Breastfeeding Campaign to Improve Infant Health

Yesterday 18:40

Morocco has launched the 16th edition of its National Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign, renewing efforts to improve infant nutrition and strengthen maternal and child health. Running from October 20 to November 20, 2026, the initiative is led by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in partnership with the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).

This year's campaign places exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life at the centre of its public awareness strategy. Its Moroccan Arabic slogan, “Exclusive breastfeeding is enough during the first six months,” highlights the importance of establishing healthy feeding practices from birth.

Investing in children's health from the earliest stages

The campaign forms part of Morocco's broader efforts to strengthen human development by improving nutrition and healthcare during early childhood. It is aligned with the country's national strategy for social and behavioural change communication, which promotes healthy practices throughout the first 1,000 days of a child's life.

This period is widely recognised as crucial for physical growth, cognitive development and emotional well-being. By informing families about the benefits of breastfeeding, the authorities aim to encourage practices that support healthy development and help prevent malnutrition and certain illnesses.

The initiative also reflects Morocco's stated priority of investing in human capital from the earliest stages of life, with maternal and infant health identified as important components of that objective.

WHO recommendations underpin the initiative

The campaign follows recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), which advises mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and provide exclusive breastfeeding throughout the first six months.

After six months, infants should begin receiving appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues until the age of two or beyond.

These recommendations are intended to ensure that children receive appropriate nutrition as their developmental needs evolve. The WHO has also established a global target of reaching a 70% exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2030, underscoring the importance of sustained public health action and support for mothers.

Healthcare workers and local communities mobilised

To extend the campaign's reach, the ministry has outlined an integrated programme of awareness-raising activities targeting mothers, families and the wider community.

Healthcare professionals, community outreach workers and local media are expected to play a central role in communicating health messages and encouraging recommended breastfeeding practices. Their involvement is intended to bring reliable information closer to families and strengthen awareness at the community level.

The programme also seeks to reinforce the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, which promotes maternity and newborn care practices that support breastfeeding. In parallel, the authorities intend to ensure compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, which aims to protect breastfeeding from inappropriate commercial promotion of replacement products.

Sustained support remains essential

Beyond the month-long awareness campaign, improving breastfeeding practices depends on access to reliable information, appropriate healthcare support and conditions that enable mothers to continue breastfeeding.

Morocco's latest initiative combines public communication with efforts to strengthen practices within healthcare facilities and regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes. Its broader objective is to improve public health outcomes by making infant nutrition a priority from the beginning of life.

As the campaign runs through November 20, the emphasis remains on encouraging families and healthcare providers to support exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside suitable complementary foods.