This summer, World Breastfeeding Week will take place between Saturday 1 August and Friday 7 August 2026.
Along with our partners The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) and Barnardo’s, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH) will be holding social picnics across Hampshire to celebrate the week.
The picnics are free to attend and open to all families where they can meet new friends and talk to health visiting professionals for support and advice.
Sharon Atyeo, Health Visiting Community Nursery Nurse, said: “Join us for the celebration picnics where you will be welcomed to our warm and friendly atmosphere and a supportive environment. You will be joined by other parents who are also going through their own breastfeeding journey, and will show understanding and compassion in a safe space. Health Visitors are here to support you and your baby with breastfeeding and answer any questions you may have.”
Karen Sheldon, Infant Feeding Lead, said: “World Breastfeeding Week provides an opportunity for parents to come together to celebrate their own achievements, value breastfeeding, make friends, and share experiences.
“Breastfeeding not only provides valuable health benefits for the mother and her baby but also environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
“As a Trust, our aim is to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding to enable parents to experience a positive breastfeeding journey.”
This year’s theme will focus on tracking progress and evaluating breastfeeding impact on nutrition, food security and poverty reduction.
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) website states: “Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding will ensure optimum nutrition, food security and poverty reduction. Breastfeeding saves both the infant and maternal lives. It also supports nutrition, development and lifelong health. Breastmilk is a low-cost, locally available nutrition for all, hence promoting equity with economic returns to families and nations.”
The following picnic dates are:
Tuesday 4 August: Vincent’s Walk (behind Primark), Houndwell Park, Southampton, 1.00pm-3.00pm
Tuesday 4 August: Victoria Park, Portsmouth, 10.00am-12.00pm
Tuesday 4 August: Robin Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2NU, 1.00pm onwards (Due to the venue, you will need to book your attendance through this form )
Tuesday 4 August: Fareham Methodist Church, King's Rd, Fareham, PO16 0NU 1.00pm-2.30pm
Tuesday 4 August: Eastrop Park, Basingstoke (meet outside the Boat House), 11.00am onwards
Wednesday 5 August: Boorley Green (on the grass behind the Sports Pavillion), 12.00pm onwards
Wednesday 5 August: Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre, Eastbrooke Rd, Alton, GU34 2DR, 10.30am-12.30pm
Thursday 6 August: Portchester Castle, Church Lane, Portchester, 11.00am-1.00pm
Friday 7 August: Hart Leisure Centre, Fleet, Emerald Ave, Fleet GU51 5HS,1.30pm- 4.00pm
For more or continuing help with breastfeeding, our health visiting teams can be contacted here https://