LESSON #4
PROTECTING, PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING

The International Code of the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

In response to a sharp decline in breastfeeding around the world the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1981 developed the International Code of the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Code was developed to protect and promote breastfeeding, and to control unethical marketing practices used to sell products for artificial feeding. The Code applies to all products that are marketed to replace breastmilk. This includes formula, other milks, infant foods or juices, and feeding bottles and pacifiers. The Code is considered the minimum requirement to protect healthy feeding practices for infants and young children around the world. The Code supports the availability of infant formula but restricts the marketing practices of such products. It recognizes the vulnerability of infants in the early months of life and the risks involved in inappropriate feeding practices, including the unnecessary and improper use of breast milk substitutes.

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