World Breastfeeding Week: Addressing pain, stigma, and mental health in new mothers

New Delhi: As World Breastfeeding Week kicks off, global campaigns echo a powerful message: it’s time to normalise breastfeeding, talk about its challenges, and stop romanticizing the pain mothers endure silently.

Despite being a natural act, breastfeeding remains shrouded in cultural taboos, misinformation, and systemic neglect, especially in countries like India, where public breastfeeding is often shamed, and maternal health services remain inadequate.

The Reality Beyond the Glow

“My baby wouldn’t latch for days. I was bleeding, crying, and terrified — but all anyone told me was ‘this is natural,’” shares Richa Mehra, a 29-year-old mother from Lucknow. Her story isn’t rare. From cracked nipples, mastitis, low milk supply, to postpartum depression, millions of women battle silent wars during what should be a nurturing phase.

Yet, their stories rarely feature in public discourse. According to UNICEF, only 41% of infants globally are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, not due to unwillingness, but lack of support, awareness, and societal stigma.

The Public Stigma

In India, breastfeeding in public is often met with hostile stares, forcing mothers to hide in toilets, cars, or avoid stepping out altogether. This week, maternal health advocates are urging both government and private institutions to provide safe, hygienic, and private lactation rooms in public spaces.

“India needs a nationwide campaign to normalise breastfeeding — on billboards, TV, and streets. If we can advertise baby formula, we can talk about breast milk,” said Dr. Anjali Menon, a gynaecologist based in Bengaluru.

Health System Still Lags

While hospitals promote exclusive breastfeeding, few offer real-time lactation counseling or mental health support. Rural health centres, in particular, lack trained professionals to assist first-time mothers.

“We need to stop assuming breastfeeding just ‘happens’ naturally. It’s a skill that often requires help, and it’s time we acknowledged that,” says lactation consultant Neha Rastogi.

Breaking the Silence, One Week at a Time

World Breastfeeding Week 2025, themed "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents", aims to advocate for better workplace policies, paid maternity leave, and breastfeeding breaks, especially in informal sectors where women return to work days after delivery.

Activists are calling on influencers, policymakers, and media to amplify real maternal stories, destigmatise nursing in public, and treat breastfeeding as a health right, not just a maternal duty.

As thousands take to social media using hashtags like #BreakTheTaboo, #NormalizeNursing, and #BreastfeedingRights, one thing is clear — the conversation has begun, and it’s long overdue.