04/09/2026
Breastfeeding can look completely different depending on where in the world you’re standing. 🌏
In Sweden, it’s so normalised that mums breastfeed openly almost anywhere, no second glances.
Australia actually has it written into law (since 1984), it’s been illegal to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother in public.
But in the UK, research paints a tougher picture: a large parenting survey found most mums felt the UK wasn’t breastfeeding-friendly, and many had faced negative comments just for feeding their baby in public.
Cultural beliefs shape it too.
In parts of Kenya, some mothers are taught not to breastfeed after an argument until a cleansing ritual is done.
In Mongolia, breastmilk is so valued that even adults will drink it — offered by a nursing mum to family, or used by elders for its health benefits.
In parts of India, there’s a long-held (and inaccurate) belief that colostrum, the first milk, is “impure.”
Same act. Same biology. Wildly different reception depending on the culture you’re raised in.
This was me breastfeeding Evie by the Vltava river in Prague when living there in 2016.
(Delicious wine drunk after my feed 🍷)
How have you found breastfeeding accepted around the world?
