93% of Indian moms feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public places. A staggering 93% of Indian moms feel uncomfortable while breastfeeding their children in public places due to a stark lack of breastfeeding facilities, reveal the findings of a survey conducted by Momspresso.com, India’s largest user-generated content platform that allows women to express themselves through different formats including text, audio, and video across ten languages. Titled ‘Breastfeeding Challenges faced by Indian Moms 2019’ the survey was conducted online among 900 moms, out of which 77% were millennials. The survey, which was primarily focused on breastfeeding facilities available in the country, uncovered a significant gap between the infrastructure and the needs of breastfeeding mothers in the country.
When asked about the barriers to breastfeeding comfortably in India, 53% of moms cited the lack of hygienic, appropriate or safe spaces while 47% said that it is the lack of privacy and constant staring by people that hinders comfortable breastfeeding.
Speaking on the survey results, Parul Ohri, Founding Partner & Chief Editor, Momspresso, says, “While there has been extensive conversation around the benefits of breastfeeding, much less has been spoken about the actual challenges of breastfeeding at work and in public places. New mothers are intent on breastfeeding to ensure their babies get the best nutritional start possible, but they also need that intent to be supported by simple facilities such as a designated breastfeeding space in public areas such as restaurants, banks, offices, and malls. Our survey presents clear data to indicate how the lack of hygienic and private spaces in the public domain are proving to be barriers to breastfeeding.“
“Another objective of our survey is for people to understand everyone plays a part in the successful breastfeeding journey of a mother. You will cringe when you read about the most awkward places where mums have breastfed their babies- a broom closet of an airport, a crowded beach, under a tree, waiting area of a passport office, bank queue, employee changing room without a chair …this list is quite an eye-opener. This survey provides more than enough information to warrant a policy change in public infrastructure to help mothers breastfeed successfully, no matter where they are.” said Parul