For a lot of new mothers, breastfeeding gets talked about like it’s one of the most natural, effortless parts of motherhood. But ask any woman who’s actually lived through it, and you’ll get a very different picture. It can be joyful, emotional, exhausting, painful and sometimes all of that at once.Popular TV Actor Divyanka Tripathi has now opened up an important conversation by talking honestly about her own breastfeeding journey, after welcoming twin boys in May this year. Her candid words have struck a chord with a lot of mothers.
28 Jul 2026 | 16:27
What was the most useful baby product during the first six months?
“Why does no one talk about breastfeeding openly?”
In a recent YouTube vlog, Divyanka, who welcomed twin sons with husband Vivek Dahiya on May 26 shared that she’s still figuring out breastfeeding, even two months into motherhood. As she and Vivek marked their babies turning two months old, the actor brought up something she feels doesn’t get discussed nearly enough.“Why does no one talk about feeding openly?” she asked. She pointed out that everyone loves talking about how breast milk is the best thing for a baby but almost nobody prepares mothers for what breastfeeding actually feels like on their end. “The baby benefits from breast milk. But what about the mother?” she said.Divyanka added that even the women closest to her, her mother, her sister, her friends had never really sat her down and explained what breastfeeding would actually be like.
“Your body changes in ways you never expect”
The actor also spoke about some of the physical changes that caught her off guard after childbirth. She explained that whenever it was feeding time, or even just when her babies cried, her body would automatically start producing milk with no warning. “You start leaking. Milk starts leaking. It can get embarrassing,” she shared.
The pain no one prepares mothers for
Divyanka and her husband Vivek.
One of the biggest challenges Divyanka spoke about was just how painful it gets when a feed gets delayed. Like a lot of new mothers, she’s had a steady stream of visitors coming to meet and bless her babies. And in the middle of hosting guests, she sometimes had to push a feed back. That delay, she said, comes at a real physical cost. “When I am busy hosting people, I sometimes skip feeding. It becomes excruciatingly painful.“She also shared her views on the guilt many women face. “No one talks about the pain and guilt.”Perhaps the most reassuring part of what Divyanka said was her advice for other new mothers. “Breastfeeding is no exam. Latching is not a talent. It’s something that both the mother and the baby learn with time. It’s a learning experience for all.”
What research says about breastfeeding challenges
Divyanka’s experience is far from unique. A major 2023 Lancet Breastfeeding Series found that although breastfeeding is widely recommended for infant health, many women end up quitting sooner than they’d planned to due to pain, trouble latching, lack of practical support, sheer exhaustion, and social pressure. Researchers concluded that successful breastfeeding isn’t just about the mother’s effort, it relies heavily on support from family, healthcare workers and workplaces too.The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a baby’s first six months, as it reduces the risk of infections and supports healthy growth and development, along with long-term health benefits. For mothers, breastfeeding has also been linked to a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.That said, WHO is also upfront about the fact that breastfeeding can be genuinely tough in the early weeks, and that timely support from healthcare professionals and family makes a real difference in helping mothers stick with it comfortably.According to UNICEF, plenty of mothers deal with sore nipples, breast engorgement and latching issues in those first few weeks. The organisation notes that timely support from trained health workers and family can make breastfeeding a lot easier and far more likely to succeed.
World Breastfeeding Week: A reminder that mothers need support too
Every year, World Breastfeeding Week is observed from August 1 to 7 by WHO and UNICEF, to raise awareness around breastfeeding and rally support for mothers. Experts say the conversation shouldn’t stop at the baby. Mothers deserve just as much attention.A lot of women quietly deal with sore nipples, engorgement, blocked milk ducts, sleepless nights, anxiety over their milk supply, and a nagging feeling that they’re somehow getting it wrong. All of this is completely normal but because it’s so rarely talked about, many mothers end up believing they’re the only ones struggling.Stories like Divyanka’s help normalise these conversations, and remind women that asking for help isn’t a sign of failure.
What every new mother should know about breastfeeding
File photo
Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s rarely effortless. Here are a few things experts often remind new parents of:Give yourself time. Both mother and baby are learning together, latching usually gets easier with practice and patience.Pain that doesn’t go away isn’t normal. A bit of discomfort early on can happen, but ongoing pain is worth flagging to a doctor.Don’t try to do it all alone. The family can pitch in with burping, changing diapers, cooking meals or anything that gives the mother a chance to rest between feeds.Take care of yourself too. Staying hydrated, eating well and getting whatever rest you can go a long way in helping the body recover after childbirth and through breastfeeding.Let go of perfection. Every breastfeeding journey looks different. Some mothers exclusively breastfeed, some combine it with formula, and some can’t breastfeed at all for medical reasons. What actually matters is that both mother and baby stay healthy and supported.
