02/08/2025
🍼 World Breastfeeding Week 2025 ___________________________________
Theme: Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems
As a doctor and now, as a new mother, I’ve stood on both sides of this journey — advising others, and now walking the path myself.
Let me tell you honestly — breastfeeding is not always easy. It’s exhausting, messy, emotional. You’re healing, you’re sleep-deprived, your hormones are unpredictable, and yet you’re expected to feed and bond and smile through it all.
But — and it’s a big but — there’s no shortcut to breastfeeding. Unless there’s a medical reason, exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most powerful, cost-effective, and sustainable gifts we can give to our babies.
✅ It builds a baby's immunity like no supplement can.
✅ Protects against infections, allergies, obesity, and chronic diseases.
✅ Promotes emotional bonding and brain development.
✅ Reduces the risk of postpartum depression in mothers.
✅ Naturally spaces children and helps uterus contract post-delivery.
✅ Saves families thousands — no formula, no bottles, no prep.
🌿 From an Ayurvedic perspective, breast milk (stanya) is considered the essence of nourishment (rasa dhatu). It's not just food — it's medicine, emotion, and energy.
But let’s not just talk science — let’s talk support.
Breastfeeding mothers need:
✨ Understanding partners and families.
✨ Flexible workspaces and maternity benefits.
✨ Emotional support — not judgment.
✨ Practical help — healthy meals, rest, and someone to hold the baby while she showers.
🤱 Let us shift from just saying “Breastfeeding is the best” to actually making it possible for every mother. Let's prioritise breastfeeding by creating real, sustainable, and empathetic support systems.
To all new mothers out there — you’re doing something powerful.
And to everyone else — your kindness, patience, and small acts of help can make breastfeeding possible for someone.
With love and solidarity,
Dr. Umme Bilkis Ahmed
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist | New Mother | Women's Health Advocate