Our breastfeeding journeys

In the lead-up to World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from 1-7 August, WHO Nepal invited mothers to share their personal breastfeeding stories. How was the experience for them? What challenges did they encounter? What support did they receive? And what advice would they offer to new and expecting mothers embarking on this journey? Here are some of their stories.

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beautiful connections between a mother and her baby. For many women, it is a dream. It’s something we believe will unfold effortlessly as we embrace motherhood. But my own journey did not follow the path I had imagined.

Despite being a dedicated pediatrician and a breastfeeding counselor, my strongest wish — to exclusively breastfeed and continue successfully — could not be fulfilled. This left my heart heavy and full of grief.

Social and familial barriers were my first hurdles. I felt very isolated at a time when I needed encouragement, comforting presence and understanding the most. Cultural barriers only added to the struggle: food restrictions, pressure to follow outdated beliefs, and unrealistic expectations made me feel like I was failing as a mother.

Then came my own health issues. Illness and a complicated recovery drained my strength while I was trying my best to meet my newborn’s need and keep family members happy. The challenge grew even greater when I had to return to work after just 2–3 months. The fear of losing my job, combined with the stress of balancing work and home, further disrupted my breastfeeding routine.

In the end, I was unable to exclusively breastfeed for six months and had to transition my baby to bottle feeding. What made it even harder was realizing that, despite being a breastfeeding counselor myself, I received no meaningful support.

I faced the real world of breastfeeding, far different from the idealized version I had been sharing while counseling other mothers. My experience taught me that breastfeeding isn’t determined solely by one’s willpower or dedication. It requires a web of support, health, love, resilience, perseverance, patience, persistence, practice. It is not a one-woman job. The entire family plays a crucial role in ensuring successful breastfeeding and a healthier motherhood experience. Support in the workplace is equally important.

My breastfeeding journey came with challenges, especially in the beginning. I had retracted nipples, my first born had difficulty latching and because of improper latch I developed sore nipples which were quite painful and uncomfortable. Another challenge, particularly in the cultural context of Nepal, was the lack of personal space. Female relatives and elders would often gather around while I was breastfeeding, offering advice and watching closely. While well-intentioned, this constant presence felt intrusive and made it hard to build a quiet, comforting bond with my baby during feeding times.

Despite this, I exclusively breastfed both of my sons until they started solid foods. As a doctor, I was aware of the benefits of breastmilk, and I was determined to give my children the best possible start in life.

I did not receive any support or counseling on breastfeeding before delivery. However, after delivery, the nurse in the maternity ward provided valuable guidance. She helped me with proper positioning and holding of the baby, and also assisted in managing my retracted nipples using a syringe plunger. She taught me the importance of warm compresses on the breast before feeding to aid milk expression. She also advised me to allow the baby to completely feed from one breast before switching to the other, to ensure the baby received both foremilk and hindmilk for complete nutrition. Her support was crucial in helping me establish successful breastfeeding.

Unless there are unavoidable medical or personal circumstances, I encourage new and expecting mothers to prioritize breastfeeding. It is one of the most rewarding experiences of motherhood and a beautiful way to give your child a healthy start in life. However, don’t breastfeed out of pressure or guilt. It should be a conscious and informed choice. To prepare yourself, start watching trusted YouTube tutorials or videos in your local language that explain proper techniques and positioning. Learning about the benefits of breastfeeding—for both mother and baby—can also help boost your confidence and make the journey smoother and more meaningful.

I would like to see more support for the emotional well-being of breastfeeding mothers, starting from their own families. Respecting a mother’s privacy during breastfeeding is crucial, as this helps build a peaceful and secure bond between her and her baby. In workplaces, I hope for more flexible and supportive working hours, especially during the early months, so that mothers can continue breastfeeding until their child begins solid foods.

Lastly, I believe healthcare providers—both nurses and doctors—should approach new mothers with kindness and compassion. Instead of judgment, mothers need understanding and support for the choices they make for themselves and their babies. These changes would make a meaningful difference in the breastfeeding experience for many women.

I was working as registered nurse in one of the renowned hospitals in Kathmandu during pregnancy. I received 2 months of maternity leave, plus an extra month. During that time, I exclusively breastfed for 3 months. Then I had to return to work.

Even after I resumed my duties, my husband supported me in continuing to breastfeed. During my breaks, I would express breastmilk at the hospital, and my husband would come to collect it and take it home. This way, my baby could still receive breast milk while I was on duty. However, it wasn’t always enough, and we had to supplement. Once I returned home from work, I would breastfeed again, so there was no need for supplements.

As a nurse, I was aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, and my colleagues and family supported me greatly. Still I faced challenges, especially with latching in the beginning.

I believe every new or expecting mother should have adequate knowledge about breastfeeding techniques and their importance. They should also have courage, a sense of readiness, strong bonding and love for child, and patience to ensure successful breastfeeding.

All sectors should support breastfeeding mothers by providing comfortable spaces and a welcoming environment for breastfeeding. Changes should focus on creating a more supportive and accommodating environment in communities, health services, and workplaces. This includes ensuring private and comfortable spaces for breastfeeding and expressing milk, access to proper storage facilities, and fostering a culture of acceptance and encouragement. Additionally, workplaces should offer flexible work arrangements and educate all employees on the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers.

I did my best to exclusively breastfeed my child during the first six months. However, as a working mother in the health sector, it was extremely difficult to continue exclusive breastfeeding without interruption. Despite my dedication to both my child and my duty, I was pressured at work and eventually forced to leave my job while my baby was just 6-7 months old. It was heartbreaking. I prioritized my child’s health and tried to give only breast milk, but due to a lack of proper support at my workplace, exclusive breastfeeding became increasingly difficult. My decision to continue as long as possible was rooted in my love and commitment as a mother, but circumstances made it emotionally and practically exhausting.

I did not receive any structured or professional support or counseling on breastfeeding either before or after delivery. As a health worker, people assumed I would already know everything, but being a first-time mother is different. What would have helped me greatly was proper counseling about how to manage breastfeeding as a working mother, emotional support from management, and facilities like breastfeeding breaks, a safe lactation room, or even part-time duty during the early months. Most importantly, I needed understanding from my employer, which I did not receive.

There were no breastfeeding-friendly policies or support systems in place at my work. Despite working honestly and performing my duty sincerely, I was judged for giving more attention to my child. I was even accused of neglecting work, which was not true. I was emotionally judged and professionally sidelined. Eventually, I was forced to leave my job, which was not only heartbreaking but also financially and mentally devastating. Balancing the physical exhaustion of breastfeeding and the mental stress of job insecurity was the most painful part of my journey.

My advice to new or expecting mothers is to prepare emotionally and practically for the breastfeeding journey. It is a beautiful but challenging phase, especially if you are a working mother. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family and health professionals. Educate yourself about your rights, make a breastfeeding plan, and talk to your employer in advance if you’re returning to work. Most importantly, don’t feel guilty if things don’t go perfectly — you are doing your best, and your love matters more than anything. Advocate for yourself and your baby — your voice is powerful.

I would love to see breastfeeding-friendly policies implemented in every workplace, especially in the health sector. There should be designated lactation rooms, paid breastfeeding breaks, and flexible work hours for mothers with infants. Maternity leave should not just be a formality but be respected and supported even after return. Communities should openly talk about the challenges working mothers face, and institutions should stop judging mothers for prioritizing their babies. I also believe breastfeeding counseling should be a standard service before and after delivery — not just for mothers, but also for their families and employers to build a supportive environment.