The theme of this year's WBW is 'International code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes: 25 years of protecting breastfeeding'.

The inaugural ceremony of WBW was held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in the city, organised by Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF).

Speakers at the ceremony said that with dazzling advertisements, many unregistered baby foods distributors and marketers who import and manufacture substandard breastmilk substitutes (BMS) are putting child health and nutrition at risk.

They also said the country's markets are flooded with hundreds of BMSs, which is one of the threats to breastfeeding as it is being promoted as a substitute to breastmilk.

There is no alternative to breastfeeding as it gives the babies the best nutrition, protects them from diseases and helps them grow intelligent, they said.

They also urged the health ministry to stop the importing and marketing of the substandard baby foods considering the physical and mental health of the babies.

Speaking as the chief guest, Prof Dr MR Khan said there is no alternative to breastfeeding as it ensures physical and mental health of infants.

"We have to fight against those who are nor following the code of marketing while manufacturing the baby foods," he said.

BFF Chairperson Prof MQK Talukder called for ensuring breastfeeding promotion as breastmilk protects babies from various diseases as well as save huge foreign exchange.

He also said there are many baby food marketers in the country that are violating the code of marketing shamelessly.

He also urged the government to include the issue in its policy, as the National Nutrition Programme (NNP) will be meaningless without incorporating the breastfeeding programme.

Abul Kashem, executive director of NNP, said that breastfeeding is a right of babies and it can protect a baby from respiratory infections in the first month of its birth.

Many newborns in the country are not breastfed within the first hour of their birth due to lack of awareness, he said.

Though people are now aware of the importance of breastfeeding, many in rural areas still believe that powdered milk is essential for infants, he said, adding that to sensitise them that breast milk is the main food for the babies, raising awareness is a must.

Prof MA Mannan, president of Bangladesh Paediatric Association, said infant and maternal mortality rate in the country are falling due to proper breastfeeding.

Abdul Mannan, director general of directorate of family planning, said the rural women are more willing to breastfeed their babies than the urban ones.

Dr S K Roy, secretary of BBF, and the representatives of Canadian High Commission, Unicef, Action Aid and Dutch-Bangla Bank also spoke at the ceremony.