For a mother, breastfeeding isn't just a personal journey, but a process that the whole community has to support and make possible. “As a pediatrician, I have observed that a mother's ability to breastfeed often depends on the support she receives from those around her. While that first feed may happen in a hospital room, continuing the exclusive breastfeeding journey requires a network of support, encouragement and care at home, at work, and in the broader community,” shares Dr Padmasani Venkat Ramanan, Nutrition advisor at Smile Train India and Leading Paediatrician in Chennai with a special interest in Child Nutrition.
6 Ways To Build and Sustain Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities
Here are six ways listed by Dr Ramanan to support and make breastfeeding a little easier for every mother:
Equip and Educate Families
Families play a significant role, often without even realizing it. Let's ensure that the father and the entire family have the right information and are encouraged to be active participants in this journey. Behind every breastfeeding mother, there's (hopefully) a supportive partner, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, or friend. Whether it's helping with night feeds, watching over the baby so the mother can rest, or simply offering a few kind words, these small acts of support for breastfeeding mothers can make a world of difference.
Also Read: Doctor Answers The Most Common Question Breastfeeding Mothers Ask
Include Breastfeeding in Routine Care
Why should breastfeeding support only begin after the baby is born? If breastfeeding education is integrated into both antenatal and postnatal care, much like checking blood pressure or providing dietary advice, it can help normalize the experience and better prepare mothers. Dr Ramanan suggests, “A brief conversation during a prenatal visit about the tremendous benefits of breastfeeding to the baby and the mother, examination of her breast and education about what to expect in the first week at latching techniques can be beneficial.”
Train and Trust Frontline Health Workers
For many mothers, especially in rural communities, the first individuals they turn to after childbirth are Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi Workers, and nurses. When these frontline workers are trained in lactation support, they become invaluable resources. With the right skills and sensitivity, they can offer practical assistance during those overwhelming early days through home visits, counseling, or simply by being a trusted support.
Make Workplaces Truly Mother-Friendly
“Returning to work doesn't have to mean the end of breastfeeding. But too often, it does. When workplaces offer paid maternity leave, comfortable lactation rooms, flexible hours, and space to store expressed milk, they are merely fulfilling basic requirements and needs. They are conveying mothers: We see you, we value you, and we're here for you and your child,” suggests Dr Ramanan.
Also Read: 5 Seeds to Increase Breast Milk Production, According to Doctor
Normalize Breastfeeding in Public
Feeding your baby should never be a source of shame. And yet, so many mothers still feel the need to hide or delay feeding because they fear judgment from others. Through positive storytelling in the media, implementing awareness programs in schools, and our communities, we can change their perceptions. Every space, whether it's a park bench, a shopping mall or an airport lounge, should be a safe space for a mother and her child.
Offer Tailored Support for Special Situations
Not every baby can feed in the same way. Infants born with cleft lip and/or palate often face additional challenges when it comes to breastfeeding. Though direct breastfeeding is challenging, these infants should still get the benefits of breastmilk by expressing and feeding breastmilk through special devices.
Dr Ramanan advises, “Inadequate support for breastfeeding can compromise their nutrition, delay their treatment and impact their immunity. Healthcare professionals, caregivers, and organizations must work together to offer compassionate counselling, long-term guidance, and access to adapted feeding tools and techniques. With the right support and resources, even babies with complex feeding needs can experience the nourishment, comfort, and bonding that breastfeeding is meant to provide.”
A Shared Responsibility
Summing up, the responsibility of breastfeeding doesn't just belong to mothers; it belongs to all of us. Its success is shaped by the families we build, the workplaces we design, the policies we write, and the kindness we show. If we all come together- healthcare workers, employers, families, and community members- we can create a world where every mother feels seen, supported, and empowered to give her child the healthiest possible start.