Dhaka, July 31 -- Too many mothers and families around the world still lack access to services and interventions that enable and support breastfeeding.

Yet breastfeeding is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect a child's health. It provides infants and young children with essential nutrition, increases immunity, helps protect against serious illness, and supports cognitive development.

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For mothers, breastfeeding brings important health benefits too, helping reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as breast and ovarian cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Encouragingly, breastfeeding rates around the world are going up. Exclusive breastfeeding in the first ...