Prioritise Breastfeeding: How Postpartum Doulas Help Create Sustainable Support Systems
World Breastfeeding Week 2025
When we talk about breastfeeding, we often focus on the baby. But at Hold The Mother, we know the key to successful and sustainable breastfeeding is supporting the mother, by showing up, and physical, emotional and practical care in the early weeks to months after birth.
This year, the theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2025 is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.” It’s a reminder that when communities invest in women, offering consistent, compassionate, practical support, the flow on effect to her baby, her family and community impact generations to follow.
Why Support Systems Matter
Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn’t always easy, and for many, it is harder than anticipated.
Mothers need to feel confident that they have access to evidence based education, quality care especially in the first few weeks after birth and they need time, rest, nourishment, encouragement, and hands-on help. They need their ‘village’’.
A Postpartum Doula is a key part of the ‘village’, as a someone a new family can trust and lean on as they navigate the fourth trimester.
Studies show that women who have consistent support in the postpartum period are more likely to initiate breastfeeding, breastfeed exclusively, and continue longer [Bohren et al., 2017]. But even more importantly, they feel less alone. Their mental health outcomes improve. They are more confident and connected in their sense of self as a new mother.
How a Postpartum Doula Supports Breastfeeding Mothers
At Hold The Mother, we walk alongside new mothers through the tender and often overwhelming early days of feeding. Our support includes:
Emotional encouragement in holding space to deeply listen and validate feelings, when breastfeeding feels unfamiliar or hard
Basic positioning and latch support, with referrals to Lactation Consultants (IBCLC’s) and Health Professionals when needed
Nourishing food and hydration so mothers can recover from birth and continue to establish and maintain supply
Practical help around the home, so feeding can become the focus
Gentle reassurance through growth spurts, cluster feeds, or changes in feeding plans
Connection to community resources, including support groups, associations or helpful books and podcasts
A Sustainable Model of Care
Sustainability means support that lasts. Our packages offer 6 weeks of support, and we always offer to extend this care, because we know it is needed well beyond the first 6 weeks.
Ideally, we will offer a preparation session with our clients to discuss their feeding goals and priorities, and we know that feeding is an individual experience. So that we have a good idea of what their goals are, we can gently walk along side them and provide the support they need.
Our focus is to create a safe space for the mother to rest and recover, to bond with baby and relax so that the oxytocin flows in, and ultimately mum feels.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health found that postpartum doula care improves bonding, feeding outcomes, and reduces postpartum depression symptoms [Gruber et al., 2021].
When we prioritise postpartum support, we’re investing in generational health.
Every Feeding Journey is Valid
While this week celebrates breastfeeding, we also honour the full spectrum of feeding experiences.
Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or using formula—your choices deserve respect, and your journey matters.
To Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, We’d Love To See:
Hire or gift a postpartum doula—an investment in maternal health
Check in on a new mum—ask how she is feeling, not just how feeding is going
Advocate for paid parental leave and breastfeeding-safe spaces at work
Share stories that celebrate feeding journeys, not just outcomes
Normalise support systems that wrap around the mother, as part of the breastfeeding experience
Hold The Mother = Thriving Communities
When a mother is nourished, seen and held, her entire family thrives.
This World Breastfeeding Week 2025, let’s go beyond awareness. Let’s build the sustainable support systems every mother deserves.
Because when communities come together to prioritise breastfeeding mothers, the benefits echo for generations.
Hold The Mother is dedicated to honouring, and holding the Mother during life's biggest transitions.
We are Melbourne based Doulas supporting families within 30 minutes of Greensborough, Victoria. Suburbs including Eltham, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Plenty, Lower Plenty, Rosanna, Macleod, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Ringwood, Croydon, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Doncaster, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Kew, Blackburn, Box Hill, Hawthorn and more.
We are deeply passionate about community building, connection and wrapping mothers in curated, accessible care. We have a range of Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Services available to meet you at whatever stage you are at, supporting you on the mother of all journeys.
Birth Doula Support, Postpartum Doula Support, Virtual Doula Support, Doula Mentoring, Postpartum Preparation Sessions, Mothers Blessings, Closing of the Bones Ceremonies, Events and Education Workshops, Social Events and Clubs.
For more information visit our Services page, and book in a Connection Call to explore how to work with us.
