Jwala Gutta donated 60 litres of breast milk to NICUs in Hyderabad, Chennai
Synopsis
Jwala Gutta quietly donated 60 litres of breast milk to government NICUs in Hyderabad and Chennai — not as a campaign, but because her doctors asked her to. Her candid account of the physical demands, her own privilege, and the acute shortage of donor milk for premature babies has sparked a conversation India's maternal health discourse rarely has.
Key Takeaways
Jwala Gutta donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai during the first year after childbirth.
Just 100 ml of donor milk can feed a 1 kg premature baby for several days, according to Gutta's post on X .
The 42-year-old two-time Olympian said the initiative was encouraged by her doctors, including gynaecologist Dr Manjula Nagani .
Gutta acknowledged her privilege — access to nutrition, clean water, and domestic support — as key enablers of consistent donation.
She urged mothers with excess milk to consult doctors rather than discard it, calling breast milk 'liquid gold'.
The former shuttler kept her pregnancy and motherhood entirely private, avoiding brand endorsements throughout.
Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta has brought a vital but under-discussed aspect of maternal and infant healthcare into the spotlight, revealing that she donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai during the first year after childbirth. Her disclosure, shared on social media platform X, drew widespread appreciation for highlighting the life-saving role of donor breast milk for premature and critically ill newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
How It Began
The two-time Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient said the initiative was never a pre-planned campaign but something she embraced after encouragement from her doctors. 'I didn't really plan for this. I honestly didn't know much about breast milk donation,' she said. 'My gynaecologist and paediatrician encouraged me and explained that many new mothers are unable to produce milk for various medical and nutritional reasons.'
Gutta credited her gynaecologist, Dr Manjula Nagani, among those who pushed her to raise awareness on the subject. She acknowledged her own privilege openly: 'I am privileged, let me say that very clearly. I drink mineral water at home and have always been careful about hygiene since I suffered jaundice early in my badminton career.'
Why Donor Breast Milk Matters
On X, the 42-year-old former world championships medallist stressed that just 100 ml of donor milk can feed a tiny 1 kg baby for several days, potentially supporting multiple vulnerable infants. Donor milk serves as a critical bridge for newborns whose mothers cannot breastfeed due to medical conditions, malnutrition, stress, or premature delivery.
Breast milk is widely regarded as the gold standard in infant nutrition, particularly for preterm babies. Rich in antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and essential nutrients, it strengthens immunity, supports gut development, and reduces the risk of severe complications such as necrotising enterocolitis. 'I later learnt that breast milk is called 'liquid gold', so why throw away something so valuable?' Gutta said.
The Realities Behind the Decision
Gutta pointed to the harsh circumstances faced by economically weaker families, where limited access to nutritious food and healthcare frequently affects milk production. 'Many people live below the poverty line and don't get proper nutrition, which impacts milk production. There are also a lot more preterm babies nowadays,' she said.
She also flagged broader systemic concerns: 'Diet issues, lack of medical assistance, poor awareness, lifestyle changes, adulterated food, polluted air and contaminated water — all of these factors are affecting people.' The former shuttler noted that changing lifestyles and environmental pollution have compounded maternal and infant health challenges over time.
The Physical Demands of Donation
Asked whether the process was physically exhausting, Gutta was candid. 'It is painful and tiring, but I thought if it could help someone, why not? I never thought I was doing something extraordinary. I genuinely believed it was normal,' she said. She explained that consistent donation required pumping every two to three hours — a demanding routine that she maintained through discipline and domestic support.
Addressing concerns that donating milk could compromise a mother's own child's nutrition, she urged medical consultation. 'That's why doctors are there. You should always consult them. There are ways to increase milk supply. Obviously, no one should compromise their own child's nutrition, but many mothers produce excess milk that eventually gets discarded,' she said.
Keeping Motherhood Private
The former world championships medallist also clarified that she deliberately kept her pregnancy and early motherhood away from commercial endorsements. 'If you look at my Instagram, even during pregnancy I wasn't doing brand promotions. Motherhood and pregnancy were personal experiences for me. I wanted to enjoy them for myself, not for public attention,' she said.
Reflecting on the public reaction to her disclosure, Gutta observed: 'We are living in a time where normal things seem abnormal.' She concluded with a direct appeal: 'It is a very normal thing to do. People should talk about it more. I'm just a normal human being — if I can do it, anyone can.'
Point of View
Yet public awareness of milk banking remains negligible. The fact that a two-time Olympian had to be told by her own doctors before she knew donation was possible speaks to a systemic information gap. Her candour about privilege — nutrition, clean water, domestic help — also reframes the conversation: breast milk donation is not a universal ask, but a targeted appeal to those with the means. The harder question is whether this moment translates into institutional action — more milk banks, clearer hospital protocols, and a public health campaign — or remains a celebrity moment that fades without policy follow-through.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much breast milk did Jwala Gutta donate and where?
Jwala Gutta donated nearly 60 litres of breast milk to government hospitals in Hyderabad and Chennai during the first year after giving birth. The milk was directed to NICUs for premature and critically ill newborns.
Why is donor breast milk important for premature babies?
Donor breast milk is a critical nutritional bridge for premature or critically ill newborns whose mothers cannot breastfeed. According to Gutta, just 100 ml of donor milk can feed a 1 kg baby for several days; it also reduces the risk of severe complications such as necrotising enterocolitis.
What motivated Jwala Gutta to donate breast milk?
Gutta said the decision was not pre-planned — her gynaecologist and paediatrician encouraged her after she began producing more milk than her child needed. She realised many mothers in economically weaker circumstances cannot produce adequate milk due to malnutrition, stress, or medical conditions.
Is breast milk donation physically demanding?
Gutta described the process as 'painful and tiring', requiring pumping every two to three hours. She said discipline, domestic support, and access to proper nutrition were essential to sustaining the routine consistently.
Should mothers worry that donating breast milk will affect their own child's nutrition?
Gutta advised mothers to always consult their doctors before donating. She emphasised that no mother should compromise her own child's nutrition, but noted that many mothers produce excess milk that is otherwise discarded — and that doctors can guide ways to maintain or increase supply.
