Motherhood is precious, yet it comes with countless struggles, silent compromises, and emotional woes that all mothers go through at some point in their motherhood journey. One common but not so spoken about issue is the breastfeeding struggles that are physically draining and emotionally overwhelming for most mothers who silently face them. This Breastfeeding Week 2025, let’s talk about these struggles. 

Most mothers across the globe would also agree that no matter how many prenatal books they read or how well prepared they felt just before the baby’s arrival, the real challenges of feeding and nurturing only begin when the baby cries and the latch doesn’t seem to be okay, or when the baby still feels hungry after a few feeds happened in quick intervals. Mother’s body feels tired and broken; yet she stays patient and resilient just for her tiny one.

The Unknown Struggles: Sweet-Bitter Journey Of Breastfeeding

In reality, all mothers go through breastfeeding struggles, some more than others; however, no one is entirely spared. Many celebrity mothers have shared their breastfeeding woes in media reports and public appearances from time to time. They all have agreed that breastfeeding experiences are not always sweet - they can be messy and painful, full of worries and concerns. Some of the breastfeeding struggles are full of doubt and frustration, leaving mothers with several unanswered questions about their milk supply, their baby’s weight gain, and whether they’re doing enough. 

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From not having enough milk to the baby not latching on correctly in the initial days, most mothers remain on their toes with issues that seem endless. Slowly, as time passes by, both the new mom and her tiny fellow get used to this wonderful process. They learn each other’s bodily rhythms, becoming deeply bonded and forming emotional connections. 

Some of the everyday struggles that most breastfeeding mothers experience are:

• Latching difficulties

• Doubts about milk supply

• Night feedings and body exhaustion

• Nipple cracks

• Swollen nipples or mastitis

• Judgements around formula feeding

• Public shaming

• Balancing work and breastfeeding

1# Shilpa Shetty, a Famous Bollywood Actress, had revealed publicly that after her son Kiaan’s birth, she suffered from postpartum depression. She also revealed how she struggled to feed her newborn due to latching issues and extreme exhaustion. In her words, “ The first time around, you are breastfeeding and tired all the time. You feel like a cow. I also went through postpartum depression, though I bounced out in about two weeks”. In her later interviews, the actress also revealed her concerns about giving formula milk to her second-born, daughter Samisha, just because she couldn’t breastfeed her successfully.  

2# Rubina Dilaik, openly discussed her breastfeeding woes, where she confirmed that she developed painful lumps in her breast due to excess milk accumulation, and her nipples became swollen and sore.  She struggled to feed her twin daughters, and her breastfeeding journey was a sweet-bitter experience. She also spoke about how mommy guilt took over her when she used to leave the house for work and couldn’t feed her twins on time. In her Instagram handle, Rubina referred to breastfeeding as a blessing and also highlighted how partners can help alleviate the guilt that new working mothers experience in their daily lives.

3# Smriti Khanna, another television artist and model, openly revealed her breastfeeding journey, stating that the initial months were emotionally overwhelming for her. In her words, “It’s been two days, we came home, the first night was so bad, it was a nightmare. I was doing that all the time. The baby kept crying, and I was wondering whether I was doing anything wrong.” Smriti also revealed that she felt tired, and their decision to top up with formula milk to satiate the baby for long hours worked well. 

4# Shikha Singh, a notable face on Indian television, opened up about her struggles with breastfeeding and how society holds double standards about feeding in public places. She referred to public shaming as a significant issue and how there is a lack of public awareness about breastfeeding as a nurturing process in a baby’s life. She said, “Breastfeeding is still a taboo, and a mother catches less hell for giving her toddler a Coke than she does for giving her toddler breastmilk.” While being optimistic about her breastfeeding struggles, she mentioned in her IG handle that breastfeeding is a “mother’s gift to herself and her baby.”

5# Addite Malik, a renowned television artist, opened up about her breastfeeding experiences, both good and bad, after she became a mother in 2021. Talking to the media, she explained why she chose both breastfeeding and formula milk for her son and how the combination helped her recover during the postpartum period. She said, “There is nothing greater than a mother’s instinct. I felt that my child wasn’t fulfilling his needs with just breast milk, and hence I chose to supplement.” She also revealed how this decision had sparked controversy and judgment, with people offering her suggestions that highlighted the disadvantages of formula milk. She stated that the formula milk was more filling than the breastmilk, which allowed her son to sleep for longer hours. Moreover, she could stay calm and felt less worried while going to her work.

6# Bipasha Basu, a renowned Bollywood star, has called for the normalization of breastfeeding in public places and emphasized the role of partners as pillars of strength during this challenging time in a new mother’s life. When she welcomed her baby girl in 2022, her breastfeeding woes were many. She recalled how breastfeeding felt like a daily routine, with new challenges arising from time to time. In her initial days, she struggled with positioning and latching; however, soon things worked out smoothly, and she felt blessed while nurturing her little girl. 

7# Ekta Kaul, another accomplished TV actress, advocated breastfeeding in public places as per the convenience of the lactating mother. She further expressed her opinions about why breastfeeding in public places should be promoted and made more aware of. She says, “Let’s support the right of women to breastfeed anywhere, anytime.”

8# Sania Mirza, a renowned tennis star, also shared her struggles with breastfeeding in public forums. Speaking to the media, she reported how balancing play and motherhood felt overwhelming. She admitted that in her initial days after delivery, she felt tired while feeding her son. She thought it was the most challenging part of her motherhood journey. Lack of sleep and the commitment involved in the process felt emotionally challenging. 

9# Neha Dhupia, spoke at length about how feeding her daughter, Mehr, exclusively for 6 months felt uphill and exhausting. She also revealed that support systems, such as family, are essential during this time. During International Breastfeeding Week in 2019, Neha Dhupia launched a campaign called “Freedom to Feed” to raise awareness about the need to normalize breastfeeding in public places and increase awareness in society. 

10# Soha Ali, a celebrated Bollywood actress, expressed her concern about having to pump breast milk in an airplane washroom and struggling to feed her daughter in public places. She also mentioned encouraging new moms to feed their babies without any hesitation in public settings, even if it feels emotionally overwhelming at times. 

11# Jankee Parekh Mehta, an accomplished singer, felt proud when she didn’t give up breastfeeding despite having so many issues like sleepless nights, tiredness, and not being sure whether she had enough milk to nurture her little boy. In her words, “My initial 40 days postpartum were challenging. There was a lot of self-doubt. Is my body producing enough milk? Why is he still crying? Is it because he is still hungry? I tried and tried, and those meltdowns every couple of days.” 

12# Kareena Kapoor Khan, a renowned Bollywood actress, discussed her initial struggles with breastfeeding her older son. While breaking the silence, she also mentioned how breastfeeding is emotionally draining, putting her in a state of guilt when her little one struggled with latching and never felt full. She mentioned physical challenges, sleeplessness, and its long-term impact on her body. With all its cons, breastfeeding still holds a special place in her life. She advocates feeding exclusively, even in public areas, believing that no mother should feel ashamed about this nurturing process. 

Despite its challenges, breastfeeding is an empowering journey in a new mother’s life. It teaches patience, resilience, and unwavering dedication. The path is rarely smooth, but it's enriching, carrying endless memories of mother-baby bonding that lasts forever. 

As society becomes more aware of and supportive of breastfeeding struggles, mothers can have a sigh of relief. They will feel emotionally supported, helped, and understood during trying times, knowing that they are not alone on their journey. Even the celebrity moms are not spared; behind their celebrity images lie stories of suffering and mental agonies - just like any other mother.