Earlier this year, Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizers announced that, as part of COVID-19 precautions, there would be no in-person spectators and athletes’ families would not be able to accompany them to the games. After receiving pushback from breastfeeding athletes, the organizers reversed their decision in June and permitted athletes to bring their nursing children.

The organizers’ decision was an important one. But we need to do better to support people who are breastfeeding — and that starts with ensuring their voices are integral in policymaking, advocacy agendas, and research that directly affects them.

At the Olympics or not, supporting breastfeeding is a shared responsibility.