The internet was set abuzz by international pop sensation Rihanna, who recently shared pictures on her Instagram breastfeeding her son, RZA. While cradling her son in her arms, she promoted lingerie from her brand, and was hailed as a 'Super Mom'. However, as this moment went viral, it raised an important question: Is the experience of breastfeeding the same in India? For many women in India, the journey of breastfeeding is quite different from what Rihanna's images portray. In a society where many women seek private spots in public spaces to breastfeed, the act is not as openly embraced and celebrated.
Rihanna’s images come as a stark reminder of the capacity of women to ace both their professional responsibilities and nurture their babies. They are also a wake-up call for normalising the very natural act of breastfeeding, precisely the message that Nguvu Change Leader Adhunika Prakash has been relentlessly stressing in India. Prakash is a persistent advocate for dedicated breastfeeding spaces and has been campaigning for India's Maternity Benefit Act to include breastfeeding facilities in workplaces in both formal and informal sectors.
Contrasting Realities: Breastfeeding In India
Citing the incident of a nursing mother who asked for a breastfeeding space at a Kolkata mall but was told that it was a 'home chore', Prakash says, "Notice the contrast. Rihanna’s breastfeeding images are viral. Everyone praises celebrities for sharing breastfeeding photos. But ordinary women are denied this right."
In another incident, Nisha Sharma, a Senior Executive HR, said, “I wasn’t able to breastfeed in the presence of my relatives and was even taunted many times”.
Also Read: Breastfeeding After 35: Expert List Tips to Keep Your Baby Healthy
Advocating For Breastfeeding Places
We do not have dedicated rooms in our workplaces, malls, bus stations, or other public areas where a woman can feed her baby with freedom and privacy, says Prakash, the author of the international best-seller ‘Breast Potion' and a co-author of 'The Shakti Awakening’. A woman’s dignity should not be questioned just because she wants to breastfeed. All mothers should have access to a safe environment to express milk and to nourish their babies.
Breastfeeding: A Fundamental Act Of Motherhood
Breastfeeding is a normal part of motherhood; it gives babies the nutrients they need and fosters an emotional bond that goes beyond simple feeding. Dr Atchara Venkatraman, Founder of Bump2Cradle, Childbirth Educator, Child Development Consultant, Child Psychologist (ICPEM certified) and Maternal and Infant Nutritionist said, “Breastfeeding helps build an emotional connection between a mother and her baby. It remains a source of comfort and care as the infant develops, offering a haven through times of ache or illness. As the child learns to recognise and respond to their mother's emotions, this act of breastfeeding also contributes to the development and strengthening of their emotional intelligence.”
Also Read: World Breastfeeding Week 2023: Expert Debunks Myths About Breastfeeding
Emotional Bond Of Breastfeeding
Dr Venkatraman added, “Breastfeeding fosters sentiments of love, trust, and emotional attachment by releasing the hormone oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’. This biological process deepens the mother-child bond and establishes an unbreakable foundation for their relationship.”
Bottomline
While Rihanna's public portrayal of breastfeeding highlights the empowering potential of women to balance their professional lives with motherhood, it also sheds light on the pressing need for India and the world to create more supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers. The act of breastfeeding should be embraced, celebrated, and facilitated, ensuring that all mothers have the freedom and dignity they deserve while nourishing and nurturing their children.
