Washington: The US opposed a World Health Assembly resolution to encourage breastfeeding because it called for limits on the promotion of infant formula, not because of objections to breastfeeding, President Donald Trump says in a tweet.

Trump criticised The New York Times for reporting that US officials sought to remove language that urged governments to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, along with language calling on policymakers to limit the promotion of food products, such as infant formula, that can be harmful to young children.

Donald Trump has weighed in on US position on breastfeeding.

The Times reported that the US effort this spring during the UN-affiliated world health meeting was largely unsuccessful and that most of the original wording remained.

Trump wrote on Monday: "The US strongly supports breast feeding but we don't believe women should be denied access to formula. Many women need this option because of malnutrition and poverty."