Hundreds of mothers breastfed their infants in public places in major cities across Greece on Sunday to mark World Breastfeeding Week celebrated throughout the globe.

Mothers in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Argos, Nafplio, Messolonghi  Nafpaktos and elsewhere, gathered at central points in each city and nursed their babies, sending the message that they are supportive to breastfeeding.

Every year, countries around the world observe World Breastfeeding Week to send the message that breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to provide children everywhere with τhe best start to life.

This year, the World Health Assembly embraced the annual celebration of World Breastfeeding Week by Member States as a valuable way to advocate for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding everywhere.

The theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is “Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life” — a recognition of the importance of breastfeeding to a baby’s future.

Establishing exclusive breastfeeding – feeding infants nothing but breastmilk for the first six months of life — helps young children grow, preventing undernutrition, promoting brain development, and reducing the risk that children will become overweight.

Breastfeeding is also a newborn’s first vaccine, providing vital antibodies and an immunity boost.