KATHMANDU, Aug 3: A mother’s embrace is heaven for an infant, and breastfeeding is the first gift of that heaven. Just a drop of a mother’s milk is more powerful than hundreds of medicines. Breastfeeding not only strengthens the body but also nourishes the soul. A mother’s milk is the safest food in the world. A nation that honors a mother’s milk secures a brighter future.
Many such sayings have been made public in praise of the significance of a mother’s milk. These expressions reflect the belief that children who are breastfed grow up to be not only physically strong but also mentally healthy. However, the trend of breastfeeding appears to be slowly declining, facing threats due to modern lifestyles, time constraints, lack of milk, and the growing promotion of alternative feeding options.
Perhaps due to such alarming signs, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated August 1 to 7 as World Breastfeeding Week. This year, the week began on Friday and is being marked in Nepal as well through various programs. Experts have warned that declining breastfeeding trends could have serious consequences for both maternal and child health.
According to the WHO and UNICEF, it is crucial to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and to exclusively breastfeed the infant for at least six months. Breast milk not only provides all the essential nutrients for the baby but also reduces the risk of infectious diseases.
In Nepal's urban areas, breastfeeding in public is still considered awkward. Due to the lack of proper breastfeeding facilities in offices, shopping malls, and other public spaces, many women are turning to bottle-feeding. Additionally, concerns about physical appearance and other reasons have contributed to a recent decline in the number of women who breastfeed.
Under Nepal’s The Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act, 2018, all government, local, private, and public institutions are required to establish breastfeeding corners. This provision clearly aims to promote a mother-friendly environment. While breastfeeding spaces have been established from Singha Durbar at the center to rural-level local offices, experts say this is still not enough.
Pediatrician Dr. Sunilraja Manandhar emphasizes that breastfed children are not only physically healthier but also mentally stronger. He says the belief that breastfeeding affects a woman’s beauty is nothing more than a myth. “Breastfeeding benefits not just the baby, but also the mother,” he explains. “It reduces the risk of breast cancer and helps shed body fat, enhancing physical fitness and appearance.”
Public health expert Dr. Aruna Upreti echoes a similar view. “A mother’s milk is like nectar for a baby. The first milk, known as colostrum, is even more important. It helps the baby fight off various diseases and is also economically convenient,” she said. “Breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child.”
Dr. Upreti added that breastfeeding does not harm the mother—in fact, it enhances her beauty. It also helps protect mothers from uterine complications. “It’s foolish to say that breastfeeding ruins a woman’s body,” she stated. “Everyone must stay alert to such baseless myths and misinformation. Breastfeeding empowers mothers both physically and mentally.”
‘Breastfeeding key to eliminate malnutrition’
Nature has shaped a woman’s body—particularly the breasts—in a way that supports a child’s physical and mental development. The more a mother breastfeeds, the healthier and prettier she becomes. At one time, breastfeeding was not just cultural practice, but considered an essential and inseparable part of motherhood. In villages, it was customary for mothers to breastfeed their babies within just a few hours of birth. This wasn’t just a cultural practice—it was also recognized as beneficial from a health perspective.
However, today—especially among the educated population—the use of bottle milk, formula milk, and other artificial alternatives is on the rise. Many women, due to professional responsibilities, are unable to breastfeed on time. In some cases, mothers are compelled to return to work shortly after childbirth, which results in shortened or discontinued breastfeeding.
Doctors view this as a negative trend. “The thick yellow colostrum produced immediately after childbirth is extremely nutritious and beneficial for the newborn,” says gynecologist Dr. Sangita Mishra. “But unfortunately, many people still discard this first milk, thinking it’s impure.” She adds, “Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients a baby needs for the first six months. Ideally, breastfeeding should begin within the first half-hour of birth, and the baby should be fed in frequent, short intervals.”
She explained that the antibodies and immune-boosting elements present in breast milk protect infants from diarrhea, pneumonia, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses. According to Dr. Mishra, breastfeeding not only supports a child’s cognitive development but also has positive impacts on the mother's health—reducing the risk of breast cancer, depression, and obesity.
A child should be breastfed for at least two years. After six months, along with breast milk, homemade complementary foods should also be introduced. Dr. Mishra emphasized that breastfeeding should not be done with stress, sadness, irritation, anger, or scolding the child. She noted that even in cases of low milk supply, talking to the baby, singing, smiling, and engaging during breastfeeding can foster positive emotional development in the child.
However, the declining number of mothers who exclusively breastfeed for the first six months in Nepal is a growing concern. This trend is more prevalent among educated mothers, where the rate of exclusive breastfeeding tends to be lower.
Six-month leave is essential
Considering the health of both mother and child, it is essential that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least six months. However, in Nepal, working mothers are entitled to only 98 days of maternity leave. Dr. Aruna Upreti expressed concern that this limited leave may lead to health complications for babies born to working mothers. “A three-month maternity leave for women working in private or government offices may not be sufficient,” she said. “Perhaps it’s time to revise the existing provision.”
Uma Sharma, a working mother, shared her own experience. She said that after giving birth, she breastfed her baby regularly. But since her leave lasted only three months, she continued breastfeeding by bringing her baby to the office. “After staying home for three months, I began taking my baby to the office so I could continue breastfeeding,” she explained.
Like Uma, Sunita Khatri is also a working mother. Recalling her past, she said, “When I was pregnant, my husband went abroad. After the baby was born, I was not in a position to go to the office. So, I quit my job to take care of the child.”
She believes that women should receive at least six months of paid leave. According to the government’s current policy, women are granted 98 days of maternity leave. If they need to take additional leave, it has to be unpaid, said Mohan Prasad Koirala, Under Secretary at the Department of Health Service. “At present, maternity leave is limited to 98 days. If women wish to extend it, they must take unpaid leave,” he explained.
He added that unpaid leave can disrupt office work and create problems. “If a woman takes more than the allocated days off, it can affect the services delivered to the public and also create budgetary issues,” under Secretary Koirala stated.
Nutritious diet is essential for mothers along with the baby
A mother's diet and health are critically important for the nourishment and well-being of her child. Since newborns are primarily dependent on breast milk, the mother’s nutrition directly impacts the baby’s nourishment. Especially for breastfeeding mothers, it is essential to consume a balanced and nutritious diet. That’s why women need nutritious food from the moment they become pregnant. Whatever the mother eats is passed on to the baby in the womb. Just as newborns require nutritious food, so do postpartum mothers. “Only when the mother is healthy and well-nourished will the child be healthy,” says public health expert Dr. Upreti. Hence, it is extremely important to ensure that mothers receive proper nutrition.
These days, many mothers complain that they are unable to produce enough milk for their babies. According to Dr. Upreti, this issue is often a result of inadequate maternal nutrition. “First and foremost, mothers must be fed nutritious food. Traditional foods like jwano (carom seed) soup and sutkeri masala (postnatal spice mix), which are highly beneficial.”
Breastfeeding demands a significant amount of energy from the mother’s body — nearly 500 extra kilocalories per day. In such cases, energy-rich foods like pulses, green vegetables, fruits, and dairy products are essential. After childbirth, a mother’s body is often weak. She may experience reduced blood levels, muscle fatigue, or vitamin deficiencies. To rebuild strength, the body requires sufficient amounts of iron, protein, vitamin B, folic acid, and other nutrients.
The quality of a mother’s diet also affects the quality of her breast milk. If the mother is malnourished, the child may also suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Therefore, all essential nutrients must be provided to the mother. Dr. Upreti recommends protein-rich foods such as lentils, meat, eggs, milk, ghee, paneer, and green vegetables, which are rich sources of vitamins and minerals.
Breastfeeding: A tribute to motherhood
In Nepali society, mothers tend to be shy, which often makes them hesitant to breastfeed in public. However, across the world, breastfeeding is increasingly being done openly rather than in hiding. Breastfeeding is not only a mother’s responsibility—it is also a child’s right. In recent years, growing awareness about the importance of breastfeeding has been observed in various countries. From parliamentary chambers to shopping malls, parks, airports, and offices, women can now be seen confidently breastfeeding their babies in public.
When Australian MP Larissa Waters breastfed her newborn daughter in Parliament for the first time, it gained significant attention from international media. Similarly, a U.S. Congresswoman also breastfed her child during a session, sending a powerful message that motherhood and professional duties can be balanced together. “In our society, women are made to feel embarrassed while breastfeeding,” says Dr. Namrata Pandey. “But this is one of the most sacred acts of nature. The state and society must work to change this mindset.”
She further adds that breastfeeding is not just about nutrition—it’s a beautiful expression of the emotional bond between mother and child, and society must learn to embrace such natural processes openly.
As we mark Breastfeeding Week, it is essential to ensure collaboration between public health experts, social workers, and the government to make the campaign successful. The role of both parents is crucial in this mission. Men must support breastfeeding, share household responsibilities, and provide emotional and psychological support to mothers. Breastfeeding is not solely a mother’s duty—it is a shared responsibility of the family and society. We must create an environment conducive to breastfeeding.
In Nepal, Breastfeeding Week should not be confined to just one week of observance—it calls for sustained effort. The declining trend of breastfeeding can have long-term consequences on motherhood, child health, and society at large. What is needed now is awareness, support, and systemic reform. The message that “a mother’s milk is a child’s first vaccine” must reach every corner of society.
Benefits of breastfeeding for mothers
Breastfeeding helps mothers lose pregnancy weight and enhances physical well-being. It also assists in contracting the uterus and reducing postpartum bleeding. Breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child. Additionally, it is financially beneficial—there is no need to purchase expensive formula milk, which can place a financial burden on families.
