World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), held in the first week of August every year, is a global campaign supported by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners on the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. This initiative was started in 1992 to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children and build a support community for new mothers who face any difficulties in breastfeeding.

Why Did We Need An Awareness Week?

Gynaecologist, obstetrician and founder of Baby Soon Fertility and IVF Center, Dr Jyoti Bali with 26 years of experience says, “A reason why some mothers stopped breastfeeding was because of the increased marketing of formula as a convenient solution compared to breastfeeding.”

Experts agree that women undergo physical changes in their bodies during their pregnancy and while breastfeeding too, however, these have been exaggerated. “Breastfeeding can lead to temporary changes in breast size and shape, but these changes are typically normal and revert to baseline after weaning. Perceptions about breastfeeding causing long-term body changes are often unscientific or exaggerated,” says Dr Rao.

These were some of the reasons why women stopped breastfeeding and thus an initiative like World Breastfeeding Week was started. This also aims to highlight the health benefits to the mother and the child on breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding on Mother

Rao says that for the mother, it helps in faster postpartum recovery, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and can help with postpartum weight loss.

“Breast Feeding helps the mothers to shed their pregnancy weight more quickly because the production of milk requires the burning of calories,” agrees Dr Bali.

Other health benefits to mothers are postpartum healing, bonding with the baby and a decrease in the risk of ovarian cancer, mentions Dr Bali.

Breastfeeding Benefits on Baby

There are also nutritional values that help a preterm baby in his or her development. “For example, breast milk's higher protein content makes it easier for premature babies to absorb and digest than formula, which encourages better weight gain. Premature babies often have specific nutritional needs due to their early birth. Breast milk provides a tailored balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that support their rapid growth and development. The composition of breast milk adjusts to meet the changing needs of a preterm infant, including higher levels of certain nutrients,” says Dr Goel.

Dr Bali also points out that breast milk contains antibodies, probiotics and DHA and ARA, a kind of fatty acids that are required for brain development. Thus, a baby can benefit a great deal from breastfeeding.

Health Risks When Not Breastfeeding

Poor breastfeeding practices in infancy and early childhood, resulting in malnutrition, contribute to impaired cognitive and social development, poor school performance and reduced productivity in later life.

Sarwa points out that psychological factors like stress, anxiety, postpartum depression, poor latch due to anatomical issues or improper positioning, and other medical conditions are the common reasons for this. “Identification and management of the specific cause, appropriate counselling by a healthcare provider, support (emotional and workplace both) and alternative feeding options,” he says.

Unable To Breastfeed Your Child? Here is What You Can Do

Do not be worried about its safety, Dr Rao says that donated milk is screened, pasteurised, and distributed to ensure safety and nutrition.

Are You a Working Mother?

“Purchasing a superior electric breast pump can increase the effectiveness of the procedure. Maintaining a consistent pumping schedule—ideally, every three to four hours—helps keep the milk supply steady. Pumped milk can be refrigerated for up to four days if stored in sterile containers or bags that have been labelled with the date and time. Milk can be frozen and thawed for extended storage,” suggests Dr Goel.

A large new study, published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, has shown that using antidepressant medications during pregnancy does not increase the risk of developmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The analysis, based on data from more than 25 million pregnancies, refutes assertions made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and states that there is no evidence to support a causal link between the use of almost all antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Kennedy has previously claimed, without evidence, that certain antidepressants pose such a risk to fetuses. He has also linked vaccines to autism — a theory that has been widely debunked and contradicts established scientific evidence. The exact causes of autism remain unclear, though scientists believe neurological characteristics may begin developing in utero as the fetal brain forms.

“We know many parents-to-be worry about the potential impact of taking medication during pregnancy; our study provides reassuring evidence that commonly used antidepressants do not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD in children,” said Dr. Wing-Chung Chang of the University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Chang also warned against stopping antidepressant medication during pregnancy without medical advice.

“While all medications carry risks, so too does stopping antidepressants during pregnancy due to an increased risk of relapse,” he said.

He added that for women with moderate-to-severe depression, doctors and patients must carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits of continuing antidepressant treatment during pregnancy against the potential harms of untreated depression.

What Did The Study Find?

The meta-analysis was based on pooled data from 37 studies involving more than 600,000 pregnant women taking antidepressants and nearly 25 million pregnancies without antidepressant use.

Before adjusting for key factors such as underlying mental health conditions, the analysis found that antidepressant use during pregnancy was associated with:

• A 35 per cent increased risk of ADHD
• A 69 per cent increased risk of autism

However, these associations became greatly reduced or statistically non-significant after accounting for confounding factors.

Interestingly, antidepressant use by fathers during pregnancy was also associated with:

• A 46 per cent increase in ADHD risk
• A 28 per cent increase in autism risk

“Although our study found a small increase in the risk of autism and ADHD in the children of women who had used antidepressants during pregnancy, it also found that this risk disappeared when we accounted for other factors,” Dr. Chang said.

“The increased risk was also seen in the children of fathers who took antidepressants and of mothers with antidepressant use before, but not during, pregnancy,” he added.

“Together, this suggests that it is not the antidepressants themselves causing an increased risk of autism and ADHD, but it is more likely due to other factors, including genetic predisposition to conditions such as ADHD, autism, and mental health conditions,” the researcher explained.

Which Drugs Were Linked To Increased Risk?

Among the studies analysed, researchers found that only amitriptyline and nortriptyline remained associated with increased ADHD and autism risk.

These medications are generally considered second- or third-line treatment options for depression and are often prescribed in cases of treatment-resistant depression.

Researchers noted that women taking these medications may have more severe, chronic, or complex underlying mental health conditions, which could influence the observed association.

The study also found no difference in risk between high and low doses of antidepressants.

“The evidence suggests a link between either parent having a mental health condition and a slightly higher risk of ADHD or autism,” said Dr. Joe Kwun-Nam Chan of the University of Hong Kong.

“In addition to genetic factors, this link could be explained by the home and social environment, as ongoing family stress, changes in family functioning, and differences in parenting and caregiving may influence neurodevelopment,” he added.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that both parents have access to mental health support and treatment, both for their own wellbeing and to support the neurodevelopment of their child.

Limitations Of The Study

The researchers acknowledged several limitations, including a lack of data on factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle-related risks, and low birth weight in some studies.

Additionally, only a small number of studies examined antidepressant use during specific trimesters or evaluated exact dosage changes, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions in these areas.

The authors also noted that women prescribed antidepressants often have more severe depression than those who are not prescribed medication, meaning some bias may still remain despite adjustments for mental health conditions.

Former badminton player Jwala Gutta shared that she donated around 60 liters of breast milk during the first year after childbirth. Delivering a critical social message, the Commonwealth Games medallist highlighted the importance of breast milk donation and stressed that it is completely safe.

“I donated around 60 litres of breast milk to the government hospital in Hyderabad and Chennai during my first year of postpartum!” Jwala wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Noting that many babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) do not get immediate access to their mother’s milk due to medical complications, she said that “just 100ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1kg baby for several days” and support “dozens of infants in the NICU”.

“Donating is safe, screened, and desperately needed,” she said.

Why Breast Milk Is Important For Newborns

Babies should ideally be breastfed within the first hour of birth, often called the “golden hour”, right in the labour room. The yellowish first milk, known as colostrum, is packed with antibodies and nutrition. Early feeding can prevent low blood sugar levels, build immunity, increase the mother’s milk supply, and strengthen bonding between the mother and newborn.

However, in some cases, mothers may be unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions, low milk supply, or physical challenges such as pain, latching issues, or previous surgeries.

Further, in the case of babies in the NICU, mothers may not be able to directly breastfeed because babies are often too small, premature, or weak to suckle, or they require medical equipment like ventilators and feeding tubes that physically hinder nursing.

HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand how breast milk donation works and the myths surrounding it.

Experts Say Breast Milk Donation Is Safe

Health experts noted that donating breast milk is safe and extremely beneficial for premature or medically fragile babies. However, storing it the right way is crucial.

Also read: Shocking Study Finds Andes Hantavirus Could Linger In Semen For Years, Pose Transmission Risk

“Breast milk donation is safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow proper screening, pasteurization, collection, and storage protocols,” said Dr. Bhavya Rathore, Senior Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Indirapuram.

“Breast milk donation can be a lifesaving gift, especially for premature or low-birth-weight babies whose mothers may be unable to produce enough milk initially. Donating breast milk is considered safe when done through certified human milk banks that follow strict screening, testing, pasteurization, and storage protocols. Donors are usually screened for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and certain medications or lifestyle habits before donation,” added Dr. Sakshi Goel, Senior Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rainbow Children's Hospital, Delhi.

Busting Common Myths Around Breast Milk Donation

Myth: Donating breast milk will reduce nutrition for a mother’s own baby

Fact: Healthy lactating mothers with an adequate milk supply can often donate excess milk safely without affecting their baby’s nutritional needs.

Myth: Donated milk is unsafe

Fact: Certified milk banks carefully screen donors and process milk to ensure safety.

Myth: Donated milk may directly transmit diseases

Fact: Properly processed donor milk undergoes pasteurization and multiple safety checks before use.

How To Safely Store Breast Milk

Dr. Bhavya told HealthandMe that for safe storage, mothers should express milk with clean hands, use sterilised BPA-free containers, and refrigerate milk immediately after expression.

“Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and frozen for longer storage. Proper labelling with date and time of expression is important,” she added.

Dr. Sakshi told HealthandMe that for best storage, breast milk should be kept in clean airtight containers, refrigerated if used within a few days, or frozen for longer storage while maintaining the cold chain.

The experts urged that mothers should avoid donating breast milk if they have certain infections, smoke, consume excessive alcohol, or are taking medications that may not be safe during breastfeeding.

Fetal oxygen levels fall if asthma is not well controlled, which is why the baby is more at risk of being born prematurely or of low birth weight.

This is because when breathing is compromised due to a lack of control, the oxygen supply to the baby through the placenta is limited. It usually happens when the hormones affect lung function.

Do Not Stop Taking Inhalers During Pregnancy

Even though the wide range of medications that can be used safely during pregnancy without any health risks is often highlighted by researchers, the number of people who stop using their inhalers keeps increasing.

Several pregnant women, out of fear, think that the only symptom of being pregnant is the lack of breath, so they decide to use their inhalers to a lesser extent, which, actually, at times can worsen the situation even further.

At present, the practice of henceforth making decisions according to one's own gut feelings without looking for professional advice substantially raises the level of hazard.

Factors For Flare-ups

Living in a bustling city and being around allergens means there are always irritants in the air, making the very act of managing asthma day by day quite difficult.

Also, the anxiety that often goes with the responsibilities of raising children or the fear of not meeting the expectations of society, at times, has an asthma-inducing effect, like a flare-up.

Initial signs of illness, such as coughing or a sensation of chest constriction, which are distressing, should not be taken lightly as they are signals that, if not treated, will only lead to a bigger problem. By being vigilant, results can be improved without a drastic overhaul of one's daily habits.

Continue Asthma Treatment In Pregnancy

The strategy needs to be proactive and focused on prevention. Checking the symptoms regularly, taking the medication properly, and avoiding the things that are known to cause symptoms are a few of the basic aspects.

Besides that, small steps like enhancing the quality of air indoors, staying well hydrated, and doing breathing exercises on a regular basis are great in the control of the disease. The majority of ladies with asthma, if they receive adequate treatment and are knowledgeable about their disease, can look forward to an uneventful pregnancy and a safe delivery.

Actually, the key point is that pregnancy shouldn't mean stopping your asthma treatment. On the other hand, it's the time when the mother and the baby need to be protected through knowledgeable and trustworthy care.