
My baby girl was born underweight at 1.87 kgs and didn't latch in the hospital. The staff said it's since she's small and doesn't have enough strength to suck yet.
Unfortunately in the whirlwind of the first few days, recovering from a c-sec and formula feeding her every few hours, I had delayed getting a breast pump and thought my supply had not started yet...

The Shooting Pain Stopped Me On My Tracks


On the 4th day after delivery I had extremely painful shooting pain in my c-sec scar and couldn't walk..We had to rush to the hospital emergency for a checkup. 

The Lactation Specialist (who was an angel) helped me pump for the first time and all of the shooting pain went away!
From then on I was triple feeding my baby - pumping every 2-3 hrs day in and day out, formula feeding her and also trying to breastfeed her which was still unsuccessful! 

My baby had gotten used to being bottle fed and refused to latch - bottle drinking is easier for babies since they don't need to work hard for milk
It was extremely demotivating and depressing ... Pumping 24/7 gave me sore and cracked breasts and made me extremely sensitive and upset.. When she was a bit bigger we tried pipe feeding her, using a pipe dipped in a milk bottle, which was extremely difficult as well since she was refusing that too.


I still remember breaking down in front of my husband, I wanted to stop breastfeeding completely, I didn't want to touch them ever again because they were hurting so much...

And My Baby Saved Me...Voila She Learnt to Latch


Thankfully the next week itself she learnt how to latch.. And I've been happily breastfeeding her from her 6th week.
As she grew, I completely skipped letting her drink from a nipple bottle, and started her off with straws and open tumbler. I was afraid she would stop breastfeeding again if she got bottlefed again.


She's 22 months now and I currently don't want to stop breastfeeding, the peace and calm I feel when I feed her is incomparable.. And she happens to be a very demanding baby, all of our relatives have gotten to know her love for "Mummy Duddu"

I'm going on an office trip with her for 3 days next week and I'm a bit apprehensive about everyone seeing her ask for duddu... But I don't want to stop anytime soon!


If she's the only baby I'll have in my life, I want to savour these precious moments for as long as possible 

My Breastfeeding Story

My Breastfeeding Journey- rough start, but now I don't want to stop!

Read more to learn Neha's breastfeeding story - how she handled her breakdown, latching issues and now wished the precious moments would continue forever. 

Rough Start But Don't Want it to Halt

Motherhood is a mixed bag of thrills and thunders. Anticipate the unanticipated goes so well with motherhood. Especially if you are a new mom, your life is always regulated around your little one and its erratic schedules. Every day you are learning something new and the journey is replete with overwhelming opinions by the people around you. In such overwhelming times, a supportive environment that is free of any bias and judgement is a manna from heaven. When you are starting out new and welcoming the unknown, a community that is rooted in sharing and growing goes a long way in shaping you as a mother and in turn reflects positively on your parenting journey.

A community for moms goes beyond your family. These days with nuclear family becoming the new normal, the families are not available to guide the new moms in their motherhood and postpartum journey. In such isolating times, a community becomes an ecosystem for moms to understand their role in their little one’s lives and offers her all the support to help her keep her feet firmly grounded in this new journey.

Moms are always subjected to pressure and people often call them out if there is any misstep. If not that, they are inundated with conflicting opinions and unsolicited advice that it becomes too overbearing for the moms. A community of moms help her get through this situation by offering a safe space to share concerns and receive constructive advice.

A community fosters a climate of positivity and growth. It encourages one to share their experiences, tips and resources and enables the moms to learn from each other and grow together in this parenting journey. One can be completely at ease while asking questions or doubts as moms make each other feel at home. A community is formed only to help women rise and throw malaise.

Moms happen to be in different motherhood stages. Especially, Momly – a motherhood community welcomes moms across different motherhood stages right from conception to toddlerhood. The moms are experienced and have actually lived in your premise most of the times so the advice and ideas shared are rooted in truth and from the lived-in experiences. Hence the tips are authentic and tried and tested.

Communities often share valuable information about maternal and baby care, mothers’ wellness, information on healthcare providers, baby stores and baby supplies, and other parenting services.

Communities like Momly make it a point that they offer virtual and offline support by conducting periodical offline meetups. These meetups provides opportunities for moms to shed their motherhood roles for some part of the day, come and circle up together, meet like-minded moms and share a moment of laughter ad relaxation. Thus, giving birth to lifetime bond of sisterhood. 

Momly is more than an App or a virtual platform for moms. It is a motherhood destination where moms group together to build an effective and robust ecosystem for each other to express and share their journey, and grow from the insights gleaned from the shared journey. It is a definition of community living where moms don’t judge each other instead they willingly step forward to hold each other a safe space to come and share their doubts, worries and apprehensions.Momly goes beyond digital and creates a personal touch that breaks barriers between moms and helps nurture a relationship that is sacred and nourishing.

"Since I have joined Momly, its quite welcoming. Whatever questions I ask, I do get an answer basis on others experience. So, I am quite happy with the group".

"Yes, it’s very helpful I can resolve any quick doubts and it is a trustworthy as these are real moms with answers."

"Momly has been very helpful in my journey."

"I have had a great experience with Momly." 

"Community has been a savior for most of my pregnancy and postpartum doubts. It’s a genuine group of Experts plus moms trying their best to help each other." – Shifa,

 Motherhood, community and cultivating meaningful connections

Find Your Village: Navigating Motherhood through Community


I am a mother of two. When I had my first baby in 2021 during peak COVID, I had no knowledge about breastfeeding. Despite being told that breastfeeding would come naturally, I faced many challenges. I gave birth to a late preterm baby and couldn't initiate breastfeeding in the first 36 hours. The nurse discarded my first expressed milk saying it's dirty. I was ridiculed for having flat nipple. When I could just express 30 ml in the first few days per session, i was told my milk supply is low. The baby didn't latch and when it did, it was extremely painful and again i was told it's normal to have pain. We caught COVID during the second week from delivery and things went downhill. My daughter lost more than 500 gms of birth weight and I had to switch to formula out of fear. Giving her a bottle made it worse to continue my breastfeeding. It took me a month to understand the nuances of breastfeeding, supply -demand and other concepts which helped me become an EPF mom. I was able to continue for almost an year and also donated milk.

Having been traumatized with my first, i chose to attend a breastfeed session with my husband during my second pregnancy. We visited a lactation consultant on day 5 post delivery when I experienced mild nipple pain. My LC quickly corrected my latch and it has been a joyous ride of 6 months. Yes , we still have ups and downs. Say, I recently had to formula feed my baby for medical reasons and I was able to quickly transition back to bf. I still do have my doubts, questions but the core concepts, knowledge and trusting my body and baby helps me navigate it.

My kind advice to new mothers is to prioritise understanding breastfeeding. There are too many _many complexities and nuances in it that could often misled the new mother if under-prepared. We are very emotionally vulnerable after delivery, and slightest questions or criticism on our supply or baby's growth can affect our confidence. It’s important for every mother to make an informed choice regarding breastfeeding or formula feeding without being misled by false myths. When in doubt, please do not shy away from reaching out to an LC.

Breastfeeding releases myriad emotions. It is a period of highs and lows. Celebrating moms and their nurturing spirit on the occasion of Breastfeeding Week. Read these timeless stories of mothers who showed resilience and strength in the tough times of breastfeeding. 

Rising through the odds: Navigating my Breastfeeding Challenges

It was 0200 am…swaddled in muslin was my 2weeks old daughter. looking (and behaving) like an owl. Happily breastfeeding with the most innocent and content expressions..(probably wondering why I was staring at her!. 

 I will never forget this night that made me realise this magical bond with my baby. Forever grateful for it as it made me trust my body even more and feel grateful for all that it has done to connect me with this beautiful soul in my arms…

2 years done....still the beautiful journey continues

And here I am after 2years, feeding her as her tiny hands pinch me, squeeze my belly, scratch me, pull my clothes… same content expressions but innocence replaced with naughtiness. As she giggles and tells me about her day while breastfeeding I again thank my body, my baby and my stars for this beautiful journey.

I started exclusively breastfeeding my daughter on 2nd day after she was discharged from NICU. Latching was an issue and it was quite painful. I was so clueless as I hadn’t done an extensive research beforehand (one thing all expecting mothers must work on).

The unsolicited advice created a confusion

I was solely depending on all the well meaning advice by my mother, my Jappa, my sister, sister in law and other experienced ladies of the family. On 3rd day I started receiving all sorts of suggestions and doubts about my diet, my baby’s milk requirements, my milk supply, if it’s inadequate etc etc. It was a difficult and confusing time for me. 

When the going got tough, sisterhood came to rescue

Thankfully I had two rock solid women by my side- my sister and my sister in law. Who told me to just believe in myself, my baby and my body and just do what seems right. I thank them everyday for this!

"Breastfeeding is the best thing on travels" - says my lactation expert


My husband and I love travelling. Thus when my daughter turned 4months we decided to take our first international trip with her. I consulted my LC to understand how to start bottlefeeding her. She gave me the best advice on this. She made me understand how breastfeeding is the easiest thing to do while travelling and bottle feeding comes with its own share of additional works like sterilising, carrying bottles, formula, warm water etc etc.. Thankfully I decided to give it a try and oh how much I love my decision! 

The family that travels together stays together

My daughter is now almost 25 months old and we have taken her on 6 international and 11 within India trips. I have exclusively breastfed her everywhere… in flights, trains, buses, boats, cable cars, hotels, pools, restaurants, parks, beaches everywhere. I even breastfed her during my first solo hike with her. There were times when she didn’t like the local food, specially in offbeat places but thanks to breastfeeding I was always sure that she is getting good nutrition.


My journey so far has been incredible! Some people told me I will be bound due to breastfeeding. But I feel it just made me completely free! Because I can literally be anywhere with her and still provide her a nutritious meal. Some people also told me that we can travel more freely without her but my husband and I just don’t want to travel without her in these initial years. 

Did I struggle after resuming work? Not at all

Some people also raised doubts about how I will join back work. But I am fortunate to have my office right below my residence. Also as I search for good quality cows milk, I know she is still getting all nutrients of milk through me.


This amazing journey has had a good share of lows as well. Like all parents we have had many many sleepless nights due to colic, sleep regressions, illnesses, teething pains, separation anxiety, play school, growing pains list is endless. And as she finds breastfeeding calming and reassuring, there were days it did drive me crazy and question my own decision.

But breastfeeding is the best decision I took in my life

But at the end of the day honestly, every breastfeeding session reassures me that this was and is the right decision for us.


My Fairytale Breastfeeding Journey

My journey started off real easy, I was in the hospital for 4 days and the nurses trained me so well. No latching issues. 100% support from family, good rest and food. My baby was gaining the necessary weight. Parenting looked so easy.

When I Realised MotherHood is Never a Walk in the Park


I think after 3 months, breastfeeding was very draining for me mentally, I hated the process. Feeding for 30 mins on each breast made me restless. Repeating the whole thing like 8 times a day was just exhausting. I eventually started ignoring the signs when she wasn't feeding well. I dint pump to maintain my supply. 

(My perception - once the milk sets in I thought it would not go away). I did not speak about my discomfort. Told everyone that everything was great.
Eventually after a month, when she was 4 months old I realised my supply was going down. I expressed this to my doctor, but he didn't seem to think there was any issue, since there was no problem in weight gain. I started paying more attention trying to revive it but not with a lot of success. We tried bottle feeds and she out right rejected it.


Then I started work after another month and things just went downhill. She was active but wasn't putting on enough weight. Everyone said you can start solids and that will improve her weight. She ate in good quantities but it dint reflect in her weight. I tried all the things possible to improve my supply, cluster pumping, pumping extra when she was not feeding. Used spoon bottles to feed 30 ml or so with lot of struggle. I just put people around me in stress too. Nothing worked and she just gained 1 kg from 7 to 11 months. She was only 7.5 kgs on her 1st birthday. She was a small baby at birth, so doctors said this could be because of that.


Luckily she started taking a bottle after 1 year, and solids also digested better. 3 or 4 feedings in a day from me also were helping. Brest feeding now felt very comforting, I enjoyed every second of it. the way she clung to me, I felt one with my daughter . I really enjoyed this phase. After 15 months I weaned her off. She is still in the lower spectrum of weight but she is vey active and happy. Even today, I still carry the guilty. I am always worried about her growth.

Learnings In My Journey: A Lesson For New Moms


I hope this story helps someone out there breastfeeding - not make the mistakes I made - not to take breast feeding for granted. 

Express yourself and seek help. Parenting can take a toll on mental health. 

And also keep your child used to the bottle. 

So whenever there is problem there is something to fall back on. Practice feeding in different positions.

Rough Start But Don't Want it to Halt

Find Your Village: Navigating Motherhood through Community

Rising through the odds: Navigating my Breastfeeding Challenges

My Fairytale Breastfeeding Journey

Motherhood is Not a Walk in the Park

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