World Breastfeeding Week 2026 — Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works

Every year from August 1–7, World Breastfeeding Week brings attention to the importance of breastfeeding support around the world. The 2026 theme, “Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works,” focuses on building on proven strategies that help families meet their feeding goals — from skilled lactation counseling and Baby-Friendly care to community and workplace support.

This year’s message is a practical one: we already know a great deal about what helps breastfeeding families succeed. The opportunity now is to strengthen those support systems, make them easier to access and ensure families receive compassionate, evidence-based care wherever they are in their feeding journey.

At BCH, we’re proud to support families before birth, during their hospital stay and after they return home. Through our Family Birth Center, we offer personalized care, board-certified lactation support and education designed to help parents feel informed, confident and supported.

What does “strengthen what works” look like?

For families, meaningful breastfeeding support starts with access to the right help at the right time. That can include education before delivery, hands-on support in the hospital, follow-up care after discharge, encouragement from family and community, and workplace policies that make continued breastfeeding more realistic.

WHO highlights several proven strategies that improve breastfeeding outcomes, including skilled infant and young child feeding counseling, Baby-Friendly hospital practices, and community-based support systems that help families continue breastfeeding once they are home.

How BCH supports breastfeeding families:

BCH offers access to board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) who provide support during your hospital stay and through outpatient visits after you go home. Families can receive help with latching, nipple pain, milk supply concerns, engorgement, feeding a premature baby, returning to work, infant feeding concerns and more. BCH also offers phone support seven days a week, as well as in-person and virtual outpatient lactation visits.

BCH’s Family Birth Center at Foothills Hospital has achieved the international Baby-Friendly designation, reflecting evidence-based practices that support breastfeeding, parent education, mother-baby bonding and informed infant feeding. BCH also supports families who choose not to breastfeed by providing education on safe formula preparation and infant feeding techniques.

Baby-Friendly Designation

BCH is proudly Baby-Friendly, a global certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, promoted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This designation reflects our commitment to practices that support optimal infant feeding, maternal bonding and family education — regardless of whether a parent chooses to breastfeed or formula-feed.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes

Our breastfeeding essentials classes help parents feel more confident and prepared. Topics include positioning, latching techniques, hunger cues and how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. These classes offer space for asking questions and setting goals before your baby arrives.

• When: Second Wednesdays, 6 p.m – 9 p.m.
• Where: BCH Erie Medical Center, 101 Erie Parkway, Erie
• Cost: $40.00. Register here.

Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding Support Group

This free, drop-in support group is a BCH favorite. Held weekly at Foothills Hospital, it’s a relaxed, informal space where moms can ask questions, connect with other parents and receive guidance from board-certified lactation consultants.

• When: Thursdays, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
• Where: Foothills Hospital, 4747 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder (check in at the front desk for room info)
• Cost: Free. No registration required.

Learn more here.

Breast Pumps, Supplies and Donor Milk Support

BCH offers practical breastfeeding support beyond lactation visits and classes. Families can rent breast pumps at short- and long-term rates and purchase select breastfeeding supplies, including Ameda ComfortGel Pads and other helpful aids. For current pricing and availability, families can call the Lactation Scheduling and Help Line at 303-415-7230.

BCH’s Family Birth Center at Foothills Hospital also serves as a drop-off location for donor breast milk through Mothers’ Milk Bank, a program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation. Donor human milk is carefully screened, collected, processed and dispensed to help meet the needs of babies when a mother’s own milk is unavailable or not yet sufficient.

For BCH families, the Family Birth Center also functions as a milk depot for families who need to order or purchase donor milk for their newborn after discharge. This can be an important option for families navigating feeding challenges in the early days at home. Parents who want to learn more about donor milk access — or those interested in becoming a donor — can call 303-415-7230 for more information.

Need more support?

For breastfeeding or infant feeding support, call BCH’s Lactation Scheduling and Help Line at 303-415-7230 to speak with an infant feeding specialist, get phone advice or schedule a one-on-one appointment. Families can also learn more by visiting BCH’s Breastfeeding Support & Resources page.