World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), held in the first week of August every year, is a global campaign supported by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. This initiative was started in 1992 to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children and build a support community for new mothers who face any difficulties in breastfeeding.

Why Did We Need An Awareness Week?

Gynaecologist, obstetrician and founder of Baby Soon Fertility and IVF Center, Dr Jyoti Bali with 26 years of experience says, “A reason why some mothers stopped breastfeeding was because of the increased marketing of formula as a convenient solution compared to breastfeeding.”

Experts agree that women undergo physical changes in their bodies during their pregnancy and while breastfeeding too, however, these have been exaggerated. “Breastfeeding can lead to temporary changes in breast size and shape, but these changes are typically normal and revert to baseline after weaning. Perceptions about breastfeeding causing long-term body changes are often unscientific or exaggerated,” says Dr Rao.

These were some of the reasons why women stopped breastfeeding and thus an initiative like World Breastfeeding Week was started. This also aims to highlight the health benefits to the mother and the child on breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding on Mother

Rao says that for the mother, it helps in faster postpartum recovery, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and can help with postpartum weight loss.

“Breast Feeding helps the mothers to shed their pregnancy weight more quickly because the production of milk requires the burning of calories,” agrees Dr Bali.

Other health benefits to mothers are postpartum healing, bonding with the baby and a decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer, mentions Dr Bali.

Breastfeeding Benefits on Baby

There are also nutritional values that help a preterm baby in his or her development. “For example, breast milk's higher protein content makes it easier for premature babies to absorb and digest than formula, which encourages better weight gain. Premature babies often have specific nutritional needs due to their early birth. Breast milk provides a tailored balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that support their rapid growth and development. The composition of breast milk adjusts to meet the changing needs of a preterm infant, including higher levels of certain nutrients,” says Dr Goel.

Dr Bali also points out that breast milk contains antibodies, probiotics and DHA and ARA, a kind of fatty acids that are required for brain development. Thus, a baby can benefit a great deal from breastfeeding.

Health Risks When Not Breastfeeding

Poor breastfeeding practices in infancy and early childhood, resulting in malnutrition, contribute to impaired cognitive and social development, poor school performance and reduced productivity in later life.

Sarwa points out that psychological factors like stress, anxiety, postpartum depression, poor latch due to anatomical issues or improper positioning, and other medical conditions are the common reasons for this. “Identification and management of the specific cause, appropriate counselling by a healthcare provider, support (emotional and workplace both) and alternative feeding options,” he says.

Unable To Breastfeed Your Child? Here is What You Can Do

Do not be worried about its safety, Dr Rao says that donated milk is screened, pasteurised, and distributed to ensure safety and nutrition.

Are You a Working Mother?

“Purchasing a superior electric breast pump can increase the effectiveness of the procedure. Maintaining a consistent pumping schedule—ideally, every three to four hours—helps keep the milk supply steady. Pumped milk can be refrigerated for up to four days if stored in sterile containers or bags that have been labelled with the date and time. Milk can be frozen and thawed for extended storage,” suggests Dr Goel.

A rare 19th century disease that was once seen in sailors has claimed the life of a six-year-old boy in Queensland, Australia. A severe vitamin C deficiency, which went undetected for a long time, seems to be the reason behind the child's unfortunate death.

Connor Dean passed in August 2024 at Queensland Children’s Hospital. Newly released findings from Deputy State Coroner, Stephanie Gallagher, concluded that severe vitamin C deficiency, consistent with scurvy, was the most likely factor in his death that happened following cardiac arrest.

The case has drawn attention as scurvy is now considered extremely rare in countries where fresh food is widely available. But it has not disappeared completely.

Most Severe Outcome Of Scurvy

Scurvy develops when the body does not get enough vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, for a prolonged period. Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, a protein that helps maintain blood vessels, skin, bones, cartilage, and other tissues.

When there is a severe deficiency, blood vessels and connective tissues can become fragile, leading to bleeding, inflammation and problems with wound healing.

In Connor's case, his symptoms initially did not indicate scurvy clearly. He developed knee pain, limping and a shuffling gait in July 2024. His symptoms were initially thought to possibly be related to a playground injury. Doctors also considered conditions like infection and leukaemia.

His health deteriorated further. Doctors observed that he developed a persistent rash, reduced blood flow to the brain, renal problems, multi-organ failure and sepsis.

Severe vitamin C deficiency eventually emerged as the condition that could connect many of these symptoms. The coroner found that Connor's death was associated with severe vitamin C deficiency consistent with scurvy.

Also read: US Newborns Are Missing A Crucial Vitamin K Shot Which Can Lead To Brain Bleeding

Why Was The Child Become Deficient In Vitamin C?

According to the coroner, Connor's paediatrician had raised concerns about his growth and nutrition due to his diet. By 2023, he had become a very fussy eater and was avoiding fruits or vegetables completely. His diet was described as containing foods like white bread, beef sausage, custard and chocolate.

His mother had also said that he was taking a multivitamin. However, the supplement he was taking was not the one his doctor had specifically recommended. The coroner also found that the product's label did not include vitamin C.

Does Scurvy Risk Exist Even Today?

Scurvy exists even today even though severe cases are uncommon. A child does not develop scurvy because they refuse to eat fruits and vegetables for a few days. Severe deficiency generally develops after prolonged inadequate vitamin C intake.

Children with highly restricted diets are in high-risk groups, especially when their food choices exclude most sources of vitamin C. The risk can also be greater when there are underlying medical or developmental challenges that affect eating.

Connor had Down syndrome and a congenital heart condition, along with prolonged concerns about his growth and diet.

Also read: UK Flu Jabs Begin For Children And Pregnant Women: What You Need To Know

What Are The Warning Signs Of Scurvy?

Early symptoms are not specific, which can make the condition difficult to recognise. Possible signs include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Irritability
• Poor appetite
• Leg or joint pain
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Easy bruising
• Skin changes or small haemorrhages
• Poor wound healing
• Anaemia

As deficiency becomes severe, bleeding, tissue damage and serious complications can develop.

While modern food availability has made severe vitamin C deficiency uncommon, prolonged restrictive eating can still create serious nutritional gaps.

An analysis of health records from more than 1 million births found that the share of newborns whose parents refused the vitamin K shot rose by more than 57% during the first half of 2026. The rate increased from 5.2% to 8.1%, according to Reuters.

Vitamin K is a routine injection given to newborns within hours of birth. The number may sound like a small percentage but doctors are worried as vitamin K deficiency can cause sudden, potentially fatal bleeding in otherwise healthy babies, including bleeding inside the brain.

Why Do Newborns Need Vitamin K?

Newborns, however, are born very little vitamin K. Only small amounts cross the placenta during pregnancy, while the bacteria that help produce the vitamin have not yet become established in a newborn's intestine. Breast milk also contains very small amounts.

This leaves babies temporarily vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency bleeding, or VKDB. The standard vitamin K injection given after birth is meant to prevent that deficiency from becoming serious.

Also read: UK Flu Jabs Begin For Children And Pregnant Women: What You Need To Know

What Happens If A Baby Does Not Get The Shot?

The most concerning part about VKDB is that parents may have no warning that something is wrong with the baby. Bleeding can occur internally, including in the intestines or brain. According to the CDC, around 30% to 60% of late VKDB cases involve bleeding inside the brain.

Late VKDB can occur from one week to six months after birth, often in babies who are born completely healthy. The CDC says newborns who do not receive the vitamin K shot are 81 times more likely to develop severe bleeding than babies who receive it.

Possible symptoms can include unusual sleepiness, irritability, seizures, vomiting, bruising or a bulging soft spot on the baby's head. But importantly, most cases have no warning signs before a life-threatening bleed occurs.

Also read: US Woman Gives Birth To Naturally Conceived Triplets Weighing Nearly 19 Pounds

Why Are More US Parents Refusing It?

Reuters' analysis found that refusals accelerated sharply this year. Pediatricians and public-health experts linked the trend to growing mistrust of medical interventions and misinformation, amid other changes in US public-health messaging.

The CDC has historically recommended a vitamin K injection at birth, with the practice dating back decades. Its guidance says the shot is the most reliable way to prevent VKDB.

Doctors Are Concerned About The Current Trend

The concern among pediatricians is that if refusal rates continue climbing, VKDB could stop being a rare neonatal emergency and start appearing more often in hospitals.

For a newborn who looks perfectly healthy, the risk can seem invisible and not so concerning. The problem is that the bleeding the vitamin K shot is meant to prevent can also be invisible until it becomes a medical emergency.

The UK today began the first phase of its flu vaccination program, offering jabs to millions of children and pregnant women ahead of winter.

Nearly 19 million people received their flu jab in England last year, helping prevent an estimated 104,000 hospitalizations.

Why Do Early Flu Vaccinations Matter?

Flu season typically peaks in December and January. Starting vaccinations earlier for children and pregnant women aims to protect those most vulnerable to serious illness and limit the spread of the virus before it circulates more widely.

Starting vaccination in September gives children and pregnant women time to build protection before flu begins circulating more widely. As per the NHS, the children’s flu vaccine can take up to 14 days to work.

Who Gets the Flu Jab First?

Children and pregnant women are among the first groups offered vaccination because they are more vulnerable to serious illness from flu.

Most school-aged children will receive their vaccine, via nasal spray, at school.

Parents of two- and three-year-olds, as well as children in clinical risk groups, will be invited to arrange vaccination through their GP practice.

Pregnant women can receive the flu jab at any stage of pregnancy through their maternity team, GP practice or participating pharmacy.

NHS teams are also taking vaccines into local communities, including through high street pharmacies and mobile vans.

Why Are Young Children and Pregnant Women More Vulnerable?

Flu can be much more serious than a bad cold. Every winter, thousands of children require hospital care because of the virus, while pregnant women also face a higher risk of serious illness.

Flu can spread quickly among younger age groups, which means vaccinating children can also help limit transmission to people who may be more vulnerable, including babies, grandparents and pregnant women.

Vaccinating pregnant women can also help protect their newborn babies in their first weeks.

“Flu can really knock you for six, and for some children and pregnant women it can mean becoming seriously ill or ending up in hospital. Getting vaccinated only takes a few minutes, but it can make a real difference – helping protect you and the people around you from getting seriously unwell,” said Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England.

When Will Other Groups Get Vaccinated?

From 1 October, flu vaccinations will be offered to other eligible groups, including:

• People aged 65 and over
• Adults with some long-term conditions
• Care home residents
• Carers
• Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
• People experiencing homelessness
• Frontline health and social care workers

Parents of two- and three-year-olds will also be able to book appointments at participating community pharmacies through the National Booking Service from October.

NHS Expands RSV Vaccination Program

The NHS’s year-round RSV vaccination program is also expanding from today to include people aged 65 to 74 with a weakened immune system or certain long-term lung conditions.

RSV can make babies and adults with long-term lung conditions seriously unwell and increase their risk of hospitalisation.

Eligible people can receive the vaccine through their GP practice or, in some areas, a participating pharmacy. Those eligible should expect an invitation from their GP.

Pregnant women can also receive RSV, whooping cough and flu vaccines to help protect their newborn babies in their first weeks.

“Vaccinations play a vital role in protecting those most at risk from flu and they are also crucial for relieving pressures on our NHS over the winter months,” Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Yvette Cooper said.

“Everyone who is eligible for a free vaccination will be notified through their phone or in the post,” Cooper added.