DH holds World Breastfeeding Week 2026 Fun Day to join hands with community in supporting and encouraging breastfeeding (with photos)

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     To support World Breastfeeding Week, the Department of Health (DH) today (July 31), in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA), the Hong Kong Committee for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, held the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 Fun Day. Through recognising about 100 mothers who have achieved exclusive breastfeeding for their newborn babies for six months, and commending winners of a breastfeeding promotional video competition, the event aimed to raise the public's sustained awareness of and support for breastfeeding.

     Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually between August 1 and 7. The theme of this year is "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works". Officiating at the Celebration and Recognition Ceremony of the Fun Day, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, praised every breastfeeding mother for giving their babies a healthy start in life with boundless love and perseverance.

     "The Government has long been committed to supporting breastfeeding by implementing a range of measures and mobilising all sectors of the community to build a breastfeeding-friendly environment and atmosphere, enabling mothers to breastfeed undisturbed in different settings to foster maternal and child health," said Dr Fan.

     Noting the theme this year places an emphasis on consolidating successful experiences, she highlighted one of the typical achievements, the accreditation of Baby-Friendly Health Facilities initiated by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Research has shown that designated Baby-Friendly Health Facilities can effectively support breastfeeding and help raise the overall breastfeeding rate. Data from the DH also revealed a higher breastfeeding rate in designated Baby-Friendly Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs). The total number of Baby-Friendly MCHCs under the DH has reached 20, while the remaining nine MCHCs are expected to complete the accreditation process within this year (2026/27).

     With a view to consolidating and strengthening baby-friendly measures at public and private hospitals with obstetric services, the Government has set up a dedicated working group under the Committee on Promotion of Breastfeeding. At present, all eight public hospitals with obstetrics departments have been designated as Baby-Friendly Hospitals. One private hospital has also achieved the accreditation, while another is undergoing the accreditation process.

     The Government also promotes collaboration among different sectors of society, including the provision of babycare rooms in more public and private facilities. Currently, there are over 440 babycare rooms in the premises of public organisations. Separately, the Government has incorporated the requirement for provision of babycare facilities in the sales condition of commercial sites.

     In addition, the DH has launched the Breastfeeding Peer Support Scheme, "Love•Latch•Chat", in which trained volunteer mothers with breastfeeding experience provide encouragement and support to mothers in need as peer counsellors.

     The DH launched a citywide breastfeeding promotion campaign today, calling on the public to work together to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment through various events and platforms. Members of the public can visit the thematic website for more information on World Breastfeeding Week 2026.

Ends/Friday, July 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:33

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The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Committee for United Nations Children's Fund and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, held the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 Fun Day today (July 31) to support World Breastfeeding Week. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (centre), the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Edmund Fong (second left), and other officiating guests at the Celebration and Recognition Ceremony of the Fun Day.

The Department of Health (DH), in collaboration with the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Committee for United Nations Children's Fund and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, held the World Breastfeeding Week 2026 Fun Day today (July 31) to support World Breastfeeding Week. Photo shows the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Edmund Fong (front row, tenth right); the Consultant Community Medicine (Family and Student Health) of the DH, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan (front row, twelfth right), the Principal Medical and Health Officer (Family Health Service) of the DH, Dr Patrick Chong (front row, nineth right), and representatives of five newly designated Baby-Friendly Maternal and Child Health Centres under the DH.