The regulations were officially signed and launched by the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services (FMoH), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners during a national event held to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week.

The adoption of the BMS Regulations marks a significant milestone in Somalia’s efforts to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding by regulating the marketing and promotion of breast-milk substitutes in line with international standards.

The new framework seeks to protect families from inappropriate commercial influence and ensure mothers have access to accurate information and support to make informed infant feeding choices.

The launch coincides with the global observance of World Breastfeeding Week, held from 1–7 August under the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” The theme highlights the importance of expanding proven interventions, strengthening health systems, and improving community support to help mothers successfully breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is widely recognised as one of the most effective and affordable interventions for improving child survival, nutrition, health, and long-term development. Early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond are proven to reduce child illness and deaths.

However, Somalia continues to face challenges in achieving optimal breastfeeding practices.

Around 60 percent of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth, but only 34 percent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed.

Continued breastfeeding also declines to 49 percent at one year and 40 percent at two years, representing missed opportunities to improve child health and nutrition.

The government and partners said the new regulations build on ongoing efforts to strengthen Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programmes, train health workers and community health workers, expand breastfeeding counselling services, and support mother-to-mother support groups across Somalia.

They called on government institutions, health professionals, employers, civil society organisations, development partners, community leaders, and families to strengthen efforts to create an environment where mothers can breastfeed successfully.

The priorities include enforcing the new BMS Regulations, expanding quality breastfeeding counselling services, promoting maternity protection and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, improving monitoring and evidence-based programming, and engaging fathers, families, and communities in supporting breastfeeding.

Speaking at the launch, Somalia’s Minister of Health and Human Services, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, described the regulations as a historic step in protecting children’s health.

“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for ensuring children survive, grow, and thrive. As we commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2026, we reaffirm the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where every mother receives the support she needs to breastfeed successfully. The signing of the Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) Regulations marks a historic milestone in Somalia’s efforts to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding and safeguard every child’s right to the best possible start in life.”

UNICEF Representative in Somalia Sandra Lattouf welcomed the adoption of the regulations, saying effective implementation would now be critical.

“The adoption of Somalia’s Breast-milk Substitutes Regulations is a major step towards protecting breastfeeding, which saves lives by providing infants with vital immunity and optimal nutrition. The priority now is effective implementation, with strong monitoring, enforcement, and support for families to ensure mothers are protected from inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes. UNICEF is committed to supporting the Government of Somalia to put these regulations into practice through stronger health systems, quality counselling, and community-based support so that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

WHO Representative to Somalia Dr. Kamil Mohamed said breastfeeding remains a key public health priority.

“Breastfeeding is a priority of public health and one of the most cost-effective interventions for improving maternal and child health. WHO remains committed to supporting Somalia in implementing evidence-based policies and strengthening health systems that protect, promote, and support optimal breastfeeding.”

As Somalia marks World Breastfeeding Week 2026, health authorities and partners urged renewed commitment from families, communities, policymakers, and the private sector to ensure every mother receives the information, support, and protection needed to breastfeed successfully, giving every child the healthiest possible start in life.

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In a country repeatedly ranked among the worst places to be a mother, Somalia’s fragile health system, limited workplace protections, and widespread poverty create immense barriers to breastfeeding — one of the most vital actions for child survival and maternal health.

Despite these realities, government officials and health agencies gathered in Mogadishu on Monday to call for stronger national efforts to support breastfeeding.

At an official event, Somalia’s Minister of Health, Ali Haji Adam, acknowledged the critical role breastfeeding plays in a child’s development.

“Breastfeeding is vital not only for the survival and development of our children but for the well-being of mothers, families, and entire communities,” said Dr. Adam.

“The government is committed to creating sustainable systems to support mothers — from health services to workplace accommodations. Every mother should feel empowered to breastfeed.”

But for many Somali mothers, empowerment remains out of reach.

Conflict, displacement, malnutrition, and lack of access to health facilities all contribute to extremely poor maternal and child health outcomes.

Even in peaceful areas, societal and economic structures often fail to protect and support breastfeeding mothers.

Dr. Kamil Mohamed, Deputy Representative of WHO Somalia, stressed that breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions to improve infant health — yet mothers cannot do it alone.

“From cognitive development to immune protection, the benefits of breastfeeding are profound,” said Dr. Mohamed. “But without quality health services, maternity protection, and regulation of commercial influence, Somali mothers are left without the support they need.”

UNICEF’s Somalia Representative, Sandra Lattouf, echoed the urgency, pointing to the long-term costs of neglecting support systems for mothers.

In Somalia, 6 in 10 babies are breastfed within the first hour of birth

“We owe it to the next generation to ensure every child has the healthiest possible start,” she said. “Breastfeeding must be protected not just by words, but by actions — policies, education, and resources that make it possible even in the hardest conditions.”

In Somalia, 6 in 10 babies are breastfed within the first hour of birth, but only 1 in 3 infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months — a rate far below global recommendations.

Experts cite the aggressive marketing of infant formula and the lack of legal protections as major obstacles.

The International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes, a global standard to prevent unethical advertising of formula, remains largely unimplemented in Somalia — despite the country’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2015.

This gap continues to leave mothers vulnerable to misinformation and commercial pressure.

World Breastfeeding Week 2025 presents a stark contrast between the global call to action and the everyday realities for Somali mothers. While the week promotes awareness and collective responsibility — including paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and community support — many of these provisions are missing from Somali law and practice.

As the government renews its promises, advocates stress that only bold, structural reforms — from legislation to investment in maternal health — can shift Somalia from being one of the toughest places to be a mother to one where every child can thrive.

Without urgent action, the theme of “Create Sustainable Support Systems” will remain out of reach for the millions of Somali women doing their best to care for their children under the harshest conditions.

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