Empowering Indian mothers: Adhunika Prakash’s journey to transform Breastfeeding

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A Childhood Lesson in Compassion

At 12 years old, Adhunika Prakash encountered a moment that would unknowingly set the course of her life. Her father was battling cancer, and an NGO visited their home to provide essential medical supplies. But for Adhunika, what stood out wasn’t the physical help—they asked her how she was feeling, a question no one had asked her in the midst of the family’s turmoil. “That moment left a mark on me because it made me realize how important it is to care about how people are coping emotionally,” she recalls. It was then that she decided she wanted to work for an NGO and make a difference in people’s lives.

From Personal Struggles to a Global Movement

Years later, this desire would resurface in 2013, when Adhunika found herself navigating the complexities of breastfeeding while living abroad, far from family and friends. Pregnant with her first child, she had committed to breastfeeding, understanding its vital role in boosting a child’s immunity. However, the reality turned out to be far more challenging than she had imagined.

Adhunika recalls to ImpactStories.in, "I had health issues growing up, so when I became pregnant, I wanted to make sure my baby had the best chance of staying healthy. I committed to breastfeeding for two years, but I found it incredibly hard and isolating". Living in a foreign country without a support system, she felt overwhelmed, with no close family or friends to guide her through the difficulties of breastfeeding.

Desperate for help, she joined an Irish online breastfeeding group. It was here, amidst virtual conversations with mothers from around the world, that Adhunika found the support she needed. "Even though I was physically alone, this online community made me feel understood and supported. I realized that mothers in India must be going through the same challenges, but many might not have access to this kind of support," she shares.

This realization sparked a transformative idea: What if she could create a similar network for Indian mothers?

The Birth of BSIM: Building a Lifeline for Indian Mothers

Returning to India, Adhunika couldn’t shake the thought of how much an online community could help Indian mothers, who often faced not only the practical challenges of breastfeeding but also societal pressure to introduce formula early. With this in mind, she launched Breastfeeding Support for Indian Mothers (BSIM) as a modest Facebook group for mothers in Pune, initially expecting only a small local community.

But the group quickly took on a life of its own. Word spread, and more mothers joined, bringing their friends and family into the fold. The stories shared by these mothers mirrored Adhunika’s own experiences—feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and the overwhelming challenges of breastfeeding in a society often quick to offer formula as the solution.

"It was all very organic," Adhunika explains. "Women from all over joined because they saw value in having a safe, non-judgmental space to share their experiences and seek guidance." What started as a local support group quickly became a thriving global community.

Battling Misinformation and Cultural Pressures

In India, one of the most significant challenges new mothers face is the cultural and familial pressure to introduce formula. "There’s a lot of misinformation, even from well-meaning family members and sometimes healthcare professionals. Many mothers are made to believe that formula is a quick fix, even when it’s not necessary," says Adhunika. This not only undermines mothers’ confidence but also leads to decisions that may not align with their initial breastfeeding goals.

BSIM’s mission evolved: provide emotional support while dispelling myths and delivering accurate breastfeeding information. To reach more mothers, BSIM expanded its offerings and launched a website with 65 key breastfeeding FAQs translated into 10 Indian languages, ensuring that essential knowledge was accessible to all.

"Information is empowerment," Adhunika emphasizes. "We wanted mothers, regardless of their background or location, to have the facts they needed to make informed decisions."

Scaling Up: A Global Community with a Personal Touch

As the group continued to grow, managing the increasing volume of queries became a challenge. At first, Adhunika handled everything herself, but as BSIM expanded, she realized she needed support. Today, BSIM is powered by a team of volunteers—breastfeeding mothers who have walked the same path and are eager to support others.

These volunteers offer round-the-clock support within the Facebook group, responding to queries and providing guidance at all hours. This online community has been a lifeline for mothers facing urgent challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One case that stands out involved a baby whose mother tragically passed away from COVID. The baby couldn’t tolerate formula, and it seemed like a hopeless situation—until BSIM stepped in. Mothers from the community came together to donate breast milk, ensuring the baby was fed exclusively breast milk for the first six months of life. "It’s moments like these that remind us why this work is so important," Adhunika says with emotion.

A Movement Recognized: Awards and Accolades

BSIM’s impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, Facebook recognized BSIM as one of the top five global communities—and the only one from Asia—providing the group with financial support and global visibility. "That recognition was a huge milestone for us," Adhunika notes.

In 2019, Adhunika received further recognition, winning the WebWonderWoman award from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Outlook Poshan award from the then Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu.

But for Adhunika, the accolades are secondary to the real impact. "The real reward is hearing from mothers who’ve been able to breastfeed because of the support they received. That’s what keeps us going."

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‍Expanding Her Reach: The Book ‘Breast Potion’

In addition to her work with BSIM, Adhunika authored Breast Potion, a book that simplifies breastfeeding knowledge for new and expecting mothers. Designed to be easy to understand, Breast Potion has become an international bestseller on Amazon. "The goal was to create a resource that’s accessible and helps mothers feel prepared before their baby arrives," Adhunika explains.

This book continues to play a critical role in spreading awareness and offering practical guidance to mothers across the world.

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‍Looking Forward: Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives

Even with its immense growth, BSIM’s mission remains the same: ensuring every mother who wants to breastfeed has the support she needs. Adhunika has seen gradual shifts in attitudes. "More families and healthcare professionals are becoming aware of the benefits of breastfeeding, but there’s still a lot of work to be done."

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"The real reward is hearing from mothers who’ve been able to breastfeed because of the support they received. That’s what keeps us going." – Adhunika Prakash

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The biggest hurdle? The cultural and familial pressures. "We still see too many cases where mothers are advised to introduce formula, not because it’s needed, but because of outdated beliefs or misinformation," she explains. But she remains hopeful. "Slowly, we’re helping to change that."

Summarizing the future of BSIM, Adhunika emphasizes that the group's work is far from over. "We need to keep pushing for more education, more awareness, and more support for mothers so they can make informed decisions that work best for them and their babies."

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