08/09/2025
*Long post and lot of emotions ahead*
Thankyou Snehal for sharing in detail your breastfeeding story, which will surely help new Moms to be convinced that Exclusive breastfeeding is possible.
Please read Snehal's story in her own words:
"Hi everyone, my daughter turned 6 months yesterday and I am starting work tomorrow but it felt like time just flew by.
Let me start this post by saying motherhood is an experience which has so many hues to it and I tried to soak in most of them happily.
My first & second trimester were easy with only bloating & gas as issues, third trimester however was a roller coaster. What started as a borderline GDM, led to high AFI leading to so many food restrictions and bed rest towards the end that made me extremely nervous about delivery. It was a planned induction, though labour was intense it was short and I had a vaginal delivery with a healthy baby girl. Extremely grateful to Rolly ma'am & my gynac who instilled the confidence and guided me through all of it.
Breastfeeding has been a very special journey for me as it helped me bond with the baby. I could give skin to skin and the nurse helped with the first latch within 45 mins of delivery. Though the first few weeks latching was painful and waking every 2-3 hours exhausting I could establish a good supply. Baby was gaining 35 gms weight until 3.5 months post which we went through our first low. Weight gain slumped to < than 20gms and my pead advised complimenting with formula assuming I have supply issues. Though hesitant I started 1 top feed, while still having heavy breasts. Baby just dint take formula, neither by spoon nor by bottle. I spoke to Rolly ma'am, LC and read about the weight gain saga. That's when i realised it's normal to have the slump and if supply isn't an issue expressing BM and feeding should be tried.
Having directly breastfed only, baby was also not used to and took a lot of time and patience for her to be bottle fed even once a day. But I am glad I retracted from the formula path, believed in myself and continued with my EBF.
Weight gain of baby is > 25 now, mother & baby both happy and active😃
My 2 cents -
1. Mother instinct is real ! Trust yourself and don't just blindly follow all the advice (you will get a lot of it). Do what you feel as a mother
2. Seek help, you can't do it all. First 2 months matter a lot. I was at my mom's place, we had our erstwhile family maid come stay with us taking care of both me and baby like her own. I got massage done for myself 1.5 months and I used to love those 45 mins!
3. Your partner being around and involved in taking care of both matters. Being in the same city, my husband used to stay weekends and few weekdays at my parents place and it helped me a lot emotionally
4. You cant pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself. Since I had too many food restrictions during pregnancy I was very clear I would eat what brings me joy and nutrition than just follow the age old traditions. I had icecream in week 2. I went for coffee in week 4. I used to go for walks every evening post feeding from week 3. My husband encouraged all of the above and parents supported
5. Postpartum blues are real. Inspite of having a speedy recovery and great support in caring for the baby, I did have temper issues and snapped at everyone which is when I did counselling once and just that helped me manage my emotions better. Don't wait for it to worsen, seek support at the earliest signs
6. Travel if you can, we started with a staycation at month 3, short domestic trip at month 4 and international trip at 5.5 months. (You need a lot of prep and tons of patience) This helped us immensely as a couple to understand if we can handle baby on our own and help us have some quality time (this translates to just having a meal in the room or sleeping in late) haha ! But you appreciate those small moments too
7. Enjoy all the moments, now when I look back and realise I will not be able to carefree spend time with her whenever I want, it hurts !
8. Last but not the least, this group is a saviour. Thank you Rolly ma'am for creating this wonderful community
All the best all you rockstar mommies, you have got this ♥️
