2025 was a landmark year for mothers and their babies. There were several significant shifts in how society supports breastfeeding. Breakthroughs ranged from new federal laws to scientific discoveries. This year was about more than just headlines. It was about real progress in the rights and resources available to mothers. Whether it was a viral moment that sparked a national conversation or a major research study on the benefits of human milk, 2025 kept a focus on the strength and resilience of nursing mothers.
Here is Hygeia’s roundup of the most impactful stories and wins from the past twelve months.
Legal & Policy Breakthroughs
The BABES Enhancement Act Signed into Law
In November, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act was signed. It mandates that the TSA provide enforceable, hygienic guidance for handling breast milk and pumping equipment at airports.
The NEST Act Introduction
The Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act was introduced in the House to fund “newborn supply kits”. This includes breastfeeding supplies specifically for families in maternal health deserts and rural areas.
Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
This bipartisan bill gained traction in late 2025. It aims to ensure all VA medical centers provide private, hygienic spaces for nursing veterans and employees.
Scientific Discoveries & Research
The “Circadian Milk” Study
A Rutgers study published in Frontiers in Nutrition (Sept 2025) revealed that breast milk’s composition changes drastically throughout a 24-hour cycle. Melatonin peaks at midnight to aid sleep, while cortisol peaks at 6 a.m. to support alertness.
Ig Nobel Prize for Garlic Milk
Researchers won the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize for a study proving baby’s preference for flavored milk. The study showed that infants suckle longer when milk is flavored by garlic from the mother’s diet, debunking the myth that “bland is better.”
NICU Milestone
As of November 2025, over 55% of U.S. Level III and IV NICUs have officially transitioned to an “Exclusive Human Milk Diet” (EHMD). This means they use 100% breastmilk-based fortifiers instead of cow-milk alternatives.
Viral & News Headlines
FEMA Emergency Planning Update
In a win for advocates, FEMA updated its 2025 guidelines to explicitly include breastfeeding supplies and donor milk in federal emergency preparedness and disaster response plans.
The “Morning vs. Night” Milk Labeling Trend
Following the Rutgers research, a viral TikTok trend saw thousands of “pumping moms” color-coding their milk storage bags (yellow for day, blue for night) to help babies regulate their sleep schedules.
Public Pumping and Breastfeeding Incidents
Mother’s shamed for public breastfeeding or pumping created backlash for businesses but support for mothers In November, Aris Smith Kopiec went viral on Instagram after being kicked out of a Georgia restaurant for breastfeeding at the table. The incident sparked protests and a “nurse-in” at the location. Meanwhile, mother of twins, Dr. Elise Turner, was asked to leave a business class lounge for pumping under her shirt. The story made international headlines, forcing a public apology from the Virgin Australia airline.
Celebrity & Pop Culture Moments
Claudia Oshry sparked a massive online discussion in December about the safety and ethics of returning to weight-loss medications (like Ozempic/Wegovy) immediately after finishing her breastfeeding journey. Megan Fox and MGK welcomed their daughter, Saga Blade, and Fox’s aesthetic social media posts featured her nursing journey, helping keep the conversation around “natural parenting” trending.
Gisele Bündchen and Rihanna both welcomed their third child and continue to advocate for breastfeeding and natural parenting, while first time parents Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt opened up about their breastfeeding journey.
Hygeia Expands support for mothers
At Hygeia Health, we remain dedicated to providing the high-quality tools you need to provide for your baby with confidence. To better support you, we proudly expanded our offerings in 2025 launching our new maternity garment line. These pieces are designed with comfort and style in mind. They are aimed at helping mothers feel supported from pregnancy through postpartum.
Hygeia’s primary focus continues to be helping mothers access a high quality breast pump covered 100% by insurance. We believe that every mother deserves the best technology available, and we work hard to make the application process simple and accessible.
As 2025 comes to a close, it is clear that the landscape for breastfeeding and pumping mothers is stronger than ever. As we move into a new year, Hygeia Health remains your partner in health and motherhood. We are here to help you every step of the way and plan to continue expanding the ways we support you in 2026.