mother smiling whilst holding and breastfeeding baby on a yellow feeding pillow

Why World Breastfeeding Week Matters And What It Means For Parents Today

Posted by Joe Junkovic on

Feeding a baby isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it certainly isn’t always easy. From latch challenges to cluster feeds at 2am, breastfeeding can be as demanding as it is rewarding. That’s why, for World Breastfeeding Week (August 1st–7th), we’re taking a moment to wrap a little extra care around your journey.

 

As shared by the World Health Organization, “Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future.” is this years core message. It’s a call to strengthen the systems and environments that empower families to make informed, supported feeding choices from the very beginning.  

                                                                                           

Whether you’re breastfeeding for a week, a year, or finding your own way through, we’re here to support you.

 

Mother feeding baby in Harper wingback rocking chair and footstool in cloud grey, showing supportive arms, gentle rocking base and soft boucle fabric.

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding (For Baby And You)

 

Breastfeeding is about more than just nutrition, it’s about connection, closeness, and long-term health benefits.


For babies, breastfeeding can:

  • Support immunity and lower the risk of infections
  • Reduce the chance of allergies and childhood illnesses
  • Aid healthy weight gain and development

 

For parents, it can:

  • Support physical recovery after birth
  • Lower the risk of certain cancers
  • Encourage bonding through skin-to-skin closeness

 

It’s free, natural, and available on demand, but that's not to say it’s always straightforward. Which brings us to one of the most important aspects of getting started…

 

Mother smiling and holding baby on a feeding pillow in run wild

Breastfeeding Positions And Attachment: A Calmer Start To Every Feed

 

How you position your baby, and how they latch, can make a world of difference. Not just to your comfort, but also to how well the feed goes, and how confident you feel doing it.

 

The NHS and Breastfeeding Network both recommend a few key principles:

 

Find your calm:

Sit in a comfortable, supported position. Use cushions or a nursing chair to reduce strain. Your shoulders should feel relaxed, not hunched.

 

Bring baby to you: 

Hold your baby close, nose-to-nipple, with their head, neck, and body in a straight line. Their head should tilt slightly back to allow a deep latch.

 

Look (and listen) for signs of a good latch:

  • Wide open mouth with lips flanged out
  • More of the dark areola visible above the top lip than below
  • Rhythmic suckling and swallowing
  • No clicking sounds or pain during feeding

 

If you’re unsure, uncomfortable, or just want some extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your health visitor or local breastfeeding peer support group. These small shifts in posture and positioning can be the key to turning frustration into calm.

 

A woman breastfeeding a baby using the Tiny Tails nursing pillow in pink with a strawberry pattern, against a pink wall.

 

What If I Can’t Breastfeed?

 

Sometimes, despite best intentions and every effort, breastfeeding just doesn’t work out. And that’s okay. 

 

Feeding challenges can be deeply emotional, especially when the experience doesn’t match what you hoped for. If you’re finding it difficult, or decide to stop breastfeeding altogether, it doesn’t make you any less of a parent.

 

There are many reasons why breastfeeding might not be possible—and every one of them is valid. It might be:

 

  • Medical: such as low milk supply, medication needs, or health conditions

  • Physical: like pain, latch difficulties, or previous surgeries

  • Emotional: including anxiety, trauma, or feeling overwhelmed

  • Practical: from returning to work to complex family routines

 

And while support is always available, so is compassion. You’re still nourishing your baby, still offering comfort, and still doing something incredibly important.

 

Bottle-feeding, expressing, mixed feeding these are all valid, loving choices.

 

What matters most is that you and your baby feel safe, connected, and cared for. However you feed, you deserve kindness, confidence, and the space to find what works for your family.

 

 

Cocoon white feeding pillow with grey woodland-inspired patterns on a beige nursing chair

 

Small Comforts That Make a Big Difference

 

We believe in the quiet helpers and the things that make feeding just a little easier, more restful, and more yours.

 

From nursing chairs that gently rock you through night feeds, to footstools that ease tension, to pillows that bring baby closer, our feeding essentials are designed with softness and support in mind.

 

This year, we’ve introduced two new designs to support those everyday feeding moments - the Harper Wingback Rocking Chair with Footstool and the Oscar Luxe Rocking Chair with Footstool. Both feature high backrests, generous armrests, soothing rockers, and hidden storage for keeping muslins, snacks, or spare vests within easy reach.

 

The feeding journey isn’t always picture-perfect. But with the right tools and a little reassurance, it can be a time to slow down, snuggle in, and find your rhythm together.

 

Curved feeding pillow in Our Planet print, featuring soft supportive shape and illustrated ocean-inspired pattern, styled on a neutral sofa.

 

Final Thoughts: There’s No One “Right” Way—Just What’s Right for You

 

However you feed your baby, World Breastfeeding Week is a moment to pause, reflect, and honour the care it takes. Whether it’s breast, bottle, expressed milk or a mix of all three - what matters most is that both of you are nourished and supported.

 

Let’s keep talking, keep listening, and keep showing up for the parents doing their best, day by day, feed by feed.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience, but it doesn’t always go the way you imagined – and that’s okay. Difficulties with latch, pain, milk supply, medical needs, returning to work or simply feeling overwhelmed can all affect your feeding journey.

If breastfeeding isn’t possible or you decide it isn’t right for you, you haven’t failed. Bottle-feeding, expressing and combination feeding are all valid ways to nourish and care for your baby. What matters most is that you and your little one feel safe, supported and cared for. 

Finding a comfortable position can make a real difference, particularly during those long feeds and late-night sessions. Try to sit somewhere supportive, relax your shoulders and bring your baby towards you rather than leaning forwards.

A supportive nursing chair, feeding pillow or footstool can also help you find a position that feels comfortable for both of you. If feeding is painful or your baby is struggling to latch, don’t be afraid to ask for support from your health visitor, midwife or a breastfeeding support service. 

There’s no single feeding journey that works for every family. The NHS recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods for as long as you and your baby wish.

Whether you breastfeed for a few weeks, several months, a year or longer, every journey is different. The most important thing is finding an approach that works for you and your baby, without feeling pressured to follow someone else’s experience.