We have all heard the term postpartum. For some mothers, it is a phase filled with joy and precious firsts. For others, it is marked by exhaustion, self-doubt, and unexpected challenges. And for many, it can be deeply traumatic.

The truth is that childbirth, breastfeeding, and the postpartum journey are experiences that are difficult to fully understand unless one has lived through them. Behind the images of a smiling mother and newborn often lie stories of physical pain, emotional struggles, and immense pressure to "do everything right."

One such story is that of Niveditha (name changed). Five months after giving birth, she was struggling with low breast milk supply. Determined to breastfeed her baby, she tried everything she was advised to do — medication, Ayurvedic remedies, dietary changes, and suggestions from doctors, family members, and friends. Nothing seemed to help. Then, in desperation, a relative suggested an extreme and harmful practice: burning her breasts in the belief that it would increase milk production.

Sadly, Niveditha's experience is not an isolated one. Across India,........

© The Better India