Two new publications exploring women’s experience of breastfeeding in India and the UK:

An exploratory analysis of enablers of exclusive breastfeeding in England: Positive deviance in practice, Meg O’Loughlin, Regina Murphy Keith.  School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. World Nutrition 2025

This qualitative research explored exclusive breastfeeding in England, through interviews with mothers who practiced positive deviance by exclusively breastfeeding, alongside midwives and breastfeeding advocates, who facilitated the practice, to inform future policy and practice change. The findings were analysed through a power lens.   Click Here

O’Loughlin M., & Keith R.M.2025.“An exploratory analysis of enablers of exclusive breastfeeding in England: Positive deviance in practice.”World Nutrition,16(4), December,55–68

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Navigating Public Spaces: Women’s Coping Strategies for Breastfeeding in Urban India.Nupur Bidla,  Archana Dassi, 5.1.26 Preventive Medicine Research & Reviews

This new study by BPNI’s Nupur Bedlam  explores how urban women struggle with stigma and discomfort when breastfeeding in public spaces. A major challenge was the sexualization of breasts in urban India, which led to feelings of discomfort, shame, and fear of judgment. Through semi-structured interviews with educated and socioeconomically independent metropolitan women the study examines women’s coping strategies such as covers,  discreet seating, feeding before leaving home, and planning outings around feeding schedules.   Important reading for advocates, policymakers, and healthcare providers working to foster a more supportive environment. Click Here

Bidla, Nupur1; Dassi, Archana2. Navigating Public Spaces: Women’s Coping Strategies for Breastfeeding in Urban India. Preventive Medicine Research & Reviews ():10.4103/PMRR.PMRR_5_25, January 05, 2026. | DOI: 10.4103/PMRR.PMRR_5_25

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