As part of a dedicated initiative to promote breastfeeding, a series of seven informative sessions were held, each lasting approximately 35 minutes. These sessions were specifically designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to support mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey. By addressing key topics and challenges, the sessions aimed to empower healthcare providers to offer comprehensive support to mothers in their communities.

The topics covered during the sessions included:

• Breastfeeding Support for All: Addressing the diverse needs of mothers, including those facing specific health conditions or challenges.
• Breastfeeding Basics: Providing in-depth guidance on breastfeeding techniques, proper latching, and positioning.
• Maternal Conditions: Offering strategies to manage breastfeeding while dealing with maternal health concerns.
• Infant Conditions: Supporting healthcare professionals in assisting mothers who are breastfeeding infants with various health conditions.
• First 1000 Days: Emphasizing the critical importance of breastfeeding during the first 1000 days of a child’s life for optimal health outcomes.
• Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Promoting the adoption of policies and practices that support breastfeeding in healthcare settings.

By targeting healthcare professionals, these sessions aimed to create a ripple effect of positive change, empowering them to provide effective breastfeeding support to mothers in their care. The collaboration among participating organizations further strengthened the impact of the initiative, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to educating and equipping healthcare providers.

This initiative aligns with World Breastfeeding Week and is a strong reflection of Egypt’s Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the quality of life for citizens and achieve sustainable development goals. Promoting breastfeeding contributes to several key aspects of this vision:

• Improved Health: Breastfeeding is an effective and low-cost method for improving child health and reducing infant mortality, which are central goals of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
• Gender Equality: Promoting breastfeeding empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, contributing to gender equality.
• Sustainable Development: Breastfeeding is a sustainable practice that reduces the burden on healthcare systems and the environment, supporting long-term development goals.

By encouraging breastfeeding, this initiative not only advances public health but also fosters sustainability and equality, making it an essential part of Egypt’s broader efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).