Bipasha Basu Opens Up About Her Emotional Breastfeeding Journey: Challenges and Advocacy for Normalization

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, actress Bipasha Basu shares her deeply personal experience with breastfeeding her daughter, Devi. Basu, who welcomed her first child with husband Karan Singh Grover on November 12, 2022, describes her journey as a mix of challenges and profound joy.

Initial Challenges

Basu faced a heartbreaking struggle as she was unable to breastfeed Devi during the first three months due to the baby’s heart condition. “Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mother and child,” Basu explains. “Despite the early difficulties, my milk began immediately after Devi’s birth, and it was incredible to see her instinctively start suckling.”

Support and Resumption

With the help of her doula, hospital staff, and lactation experts, Basu eventually resumed breastfeeding after Devi’s surgery. “It was magical to finally feed her directly after her procedure,” Basu reflects. She continued to breastfeed Devi for 18 months, though she initially planned to do so for a year. The process of weaning, she notes, was emotionally intense but manageable.

Complexities of Breastfeeding

Basu also acknowledges the complexity of breastfeeding, especially under challenging circumstances. She had to express milk frequently, a process she found both physically demanding and painful. “Breastfeeding can be difficult even without complications,” she says, urging for greater support and awareness for new mothers.

Advocacy for Normalizing Breastfeeding

Highlighting the need to normalize breastfeeding, Basu advocates for more public acceptance and support. “Breastfeeding should be a normal part of life, and mothers should have the space and freedom to do it comfortably,” she asserts. While she hasn’t faced personal stigma, Basu recognizes that societal attitudes in her country still need to evolve to fully support breastfeeding in public.

Conclusion

Basu’s message is clear: breastfeeding, though sometimes challenging, is a natural and essential part of nurturing a newborn. She hopes her story encourages more acceptance and support for breastfeeding mothers everywhere.