- Former badminton star Jwala Gutta donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai after childbirth
- She said donor milk plays a crucial role in saving premature and critically ill babies admitted to NICUs
- Gutta highlighted rising concerns over maternal malnutrition, premature births, and lack of healthcare awareness
- The Olympian urged society to normalise breast milk donation and encourage informed conversations on infant nutrition
Agartala/New Delhi: Former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta has revealed that she donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai after childbirth. Her initiative has triggered nationwide discussion on maternal health, premature births, and the growing importance of donor milk for critically ill newborns.
Jwala Gutta Highlights Importance of Breast Milk Donation
Former badminton champion Jwala Gutta has opened up about her personal journey with breast milk donation. The two-time Olympian said she donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai after becoming a mother.
Her statement has attracted attention across the country. Many people praised her for raising awareness about donor milk and neonatal healthcare.
Gutta explained that the idea did not come from a planned campaign. Instead, her doctors encouraged her after explaining how donor milk helps newborn babies admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
The former athlete said many mothers cannot breastfeed due to medical complications, stress, malnutrition, or premature delivery. As a result, donor milk becomes critical for survival and healthy growth of vulnerable infants.
Why Breast Milk Is Called ‘Liquid Gold’
Medical experts often describe breast milk as the best nutritional source for newborn babies, especially premature infants. It contains antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and nutrients that strengthen immunity and improve digestion.
Gutta said she later learned that breast milk is often called “liquid gold” because of its immense value in infant healthcare.
She also explained that even a small amount of donor milk can make a major difference. According to her, nearly 100 ml of donor milk can feed a one-kilogram baby for several days.
Key Benefits of Breast Milk Donation
| Benefit | Impact on Infants |
|---|---|
| Stronger immunity | Helps fight infections |
| Better digestion | Supports gut development |
| Nutritional support | Essential for premature babies |
| Reduced health risks | Lowers complications in NICUs |
Doctors Encouraged the Initiative
Gutta revealed that she initially knew very little about breast milk donation. However, her gynaecologist and paediatrician informed her about the shortage of donor milk in hospitals.
She credited doctors, including Dr Manjula Nagani, for motivating her to contribute and spread awareness.
According to Gutta, many economically weaker families struggle with poor nutrition and limited healthcare access. These conditions often affect maternal health and reduce milk production among mothers.
She also pointed out that premature births appear to be increasing in India. Consequently, hospitals require more donor milk for newborn care.
‘It Was Painful and Tiring, But Worth It’
The former world championships medallist admitted that the donation process was physically demanding. She said mothers need to pump milk every few hours to maintain regular supply.
Despite the exhaustion, Gutta continued because she believed the effort could save lives.
She said she never considered the act extraordinary. Instead, she viewed it as a simple and compassionate responsibility.
The badminton icon also acknowledged her privilege. She said access to nutritious food, clean drinking water, and domestic support helped her continue the process smoothly.
Gutta recalled that she became extremely careful about hygiene after suffering from jaundice earlier in her badminton career.
Motherhood Remained a Personal Journey
Jwala Gutta also clarified why she kept her pregnancy and motherhood away from public attention.
She avoided turning the experience into promotional content or brand endorsements on social media. According to her, motherhood was deeply personal and not something she wanted to commercialise.
However, she eventually chose to speak publicly because discussions around breast milk donation remained limited despite growing healthcare concerns.
She said society should openly discuss donor milk and remove hesitation surrounding the topic.
Awareness Needed Around Maternal Health
Apart from breast milk donation, Gutta also raised concerns over broader healthcare issues affecting mothers and babies.
She highlighted unhealthy lifestyles, food adulteration, polluted air, contaminated water, and lack of medical awareness as major challenges.
According to her, these factors are worsening maternal and infant health conditions across the country.
She further advised mothers to consult doctors before donating milk. She stressed that no child’s nutrition should ever be compromised. However, she added that many mothers naturally produce excess milk that often goes unused.
Public Reaction and Social Impact
Gutta’s social media revelation received widespread appreciation online. Many users called her initiative inspiring and socially significant.
Health experts and child welfare advocates have also welcomed the discussion, saying public awareness about donor milk remains low in India.
Her comments have now renewed focus on neonatal care, breastfeeding awareness, and maternal nutrition.
Ending her message with an emotional appeal, Gutta urged society to normalise breast milk donation. She said that if one person’s effort can help vulnerable babies survive, more women should feel encouraged to contribute.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
Q. Why did Jwala Gutta donate breast milk?
Jwala Gutta donated breast milk to help premature and critically ill babies admitted to NICUs in government hospitals.
Q. How much breast milk did Jwala Gutta donate?
She donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk during the first year after childbirth.
Q. Why is donor breast milk important?
Donor breast milk supports newborns whose mothers cannot breastfeed due to medical or nutritional reasons. It improves immunity and reduces health risks.