Despite increasing evidence about the value and importance of breastfeeding, less than half of the world's infants and young children (aged 0–36 months) are breastfed as recommended. This Series paper examines the social, political, and economic reasons for this problem.

Some mothers who would like to continue breastfeeding are forced to stop so that they can return to work. Workplace Lactation Support programs are an effective way to address this problem.

The Philippines has adopted policies to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding on par with global standards, yet the impact of these policies is not well understood.

In the Philippines, workers in the informal economy are not guaranteed paid maternity leave. A non‐contributory maternity cash transfer to informal sector workers could improve social equity, economic productivity, and public health and nutrition through supporting breastfeeding.

Findings indicate that the key drivers of child undernutrition in Myanmar, where prevalence of child stunting is 28% and wasting is 7%, are multifaceted and start in utero.

Breastfeeding-friendly maternity protection and practices in the workplace must be prioritized to increase breastfeeding rates and improve the health, nutrition, and wellbeing of mothers, children, and society.