Breastfeeding: Challenges, Choices and Triumphs

As a new mom, delivering a child is just one part of the battle and while we would like to think we have time for the next one, it confronts us almost immediately. Breastfeeding!

It's how our tiny humans get their food for the first six months. Super important stuff, right? But here's the thing – we always hear about how great it is for the baby (which it is), but we don't often talk about what it's like for moms. When it comes to breastfeeding, every mom's adventure is different. For some it might be natural and for some it might be challenging.

For this blog, we asked 5 mothers to share their challenges and what helped them overcome them concerning breastfeeding.

When I gave birth to my beautiful boy, I was happy. The delivery was normal, the labour wasn't long, and I was a mother! However, despite trying for more than a week, I noticed my baby wasn't latching well, and that led to insufficient milk supply.

That's when my lactation consultant helped me understand the proper latching methods, and slowly, it worked. It felt like my first win as a mom!

Satya Shrinivas 40 years old, Mumbai

I was told breastfeeding is a bonding activity for the baby and the mother; however, I experienced sore and cracked nipples. The entire process of feeding my daughter became painful, so much so that I would dread feeding times. The doctor asked me to apply lanolin cream or breast milk to heal my nipples. After that, I also learned latching techniques to ensure my baby and I were comfortable.

Priyanshi Parekh 33 years old, Surat

When I had my firstborn, breastfeeding was natural, and I didn't experience any issues. However, when I had my second daughter, I had a low milk supply. When doctors informed me of this, guilt washed over me. I blamed myself for depriving my baby girl of nutrition. However, a new and improved diet plan with proper hydration helped increase the milk supply. Also, I would use breast pumps to increase supply and feed my daughter with a bottle for comfort.

Ridhima Kapoor 38 years old, New Delhi

I experienced engorgement, leading to pain and discomfort. I would have tolerated it; however, my baby boy wasn't able to latch as it was uncomfortable for both of us. I started doing warm compresses before feeding and cold compresses after to reduce the engorgement. Also, I used a breast pump and started feeding my son with bottles to be comfortable.

Neela Roy 41 years old, Chennai

When I gave birth to my daughter, it was time to feed her for the first time, and I was not ready. The exhaustion of a prolonged delivery led to a delay in milk production, and doctors had to give formula to my baby. I felt like a bad mother and even questioned if I was capable of nurturing my baby. However, doctors and my family supported me. Since my daughter was already given formula, she would rarely latch. So I used to pump and sometimes give her formula. The combination worked, and there were no hiccups in her growth.

Natasha Sule 28 years old, Indore

It's crucial to remember that while breastfeeding is a natural process, it doesn't always come naturally. Each mother-baby pair is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The most important thing is ensuring both mother and baby are healthy and comfortable, whether that involves exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. There's no right or wrong approach as long as you and your baby are happy and healthy. Remember to be patient with yourself and give your best effort.