RADHIKA JINDAL

A real mom’s story of going from breastfeeding challenges to exclusively breastfeeding her baby. If you’re a new mom struggling, this one’s for you.

Entering Motherhood

·      Are you a new mom wondering what lies ahead?

· Do you find yourself worrying about milk supply or doubting if you’ll be able to breastfeed?

If yes, then welcome—you’re not alone.

When I delivered my first baby girl in February 2019, I was equally overwhelmed and clueless. I still remember when my gynecologist came to check if my milk had come in. I had no idea, and she pressed my breasts roughly to confirm. The staff helped me with the first feed, but at night, they gave my baby formula, saying “the mother needs rest.”

Doctors, pediatricians, and nurses came to see us before discharge, but one crucial person was missing—a lactation consultant. At that time, I didn’t even know what “lactation” meant. Though the discharge papers mentioned feeding every two hours, no one explained it clearly.

On the 6th day after delivery, my daughter was hospitalized with jaundice. I was told to pump milk for her, but being weak and still recovering, I couldn’t manage well. I did pump occasionally, but without consistency. Thankfully, my baby continued to grow well, and her weight gain brought me some peace of mind.

Discovering Breastfeeding Support

Back then, awareness about breastfeeding was limited, and consultations were often expensive. I had attended prenatal classes for exercise and delivery prep, but none focused on breastfeeding. My japa maid offered little help and mostly criticised me, which only made things harder as a first-time mom.

After 40 days, once I was allowed to step out, I finally met a lactation consultant. She identified latching issues and explained nipple confusion—a term I had never heard before. With her guidance, I was able to directly breastfeed my baby for 2–3 months and relied on pumping every 4 hours to build my supply.

I’m forever grateful to Dr. Shilpi, who gave me confidence, and to my supportive husband, who immediately invested in an electric pump without a second thought. With his help and my persistence, I continued giving my baby breastmilk for the first six months.

That phase taught me an important lesson: something is always better than nothing, and every effort counts.

What I Learned as a First-time Mother

1.    Fed is best: Whether breastmilk or formula, what matters is that your baby is nourished and doesn’t go hungry.

2.    It’s your choice: A mother has the right to decide whether to breastfeed, formula-feed, or combine both.

3.    Knowledge is power:  Awareness and education make the journey smoother. During COVID, online workshops and lactation classes became more accessible, covering topics like breastfeeding basics, postpartum challenges, and newborn care. These resources prepared me better for my second baby, where I was determined to exclusively breastfeed.

My Breastfeeding Journey as a Second-time Mom

I am grateful to God—the mother in me was always awake, and I had always envisioned exclusively breastfeeding my second baby, no matter what it took. To prepare myself, I attended workshops, connected with mothers who were breastfeeding exclusively, and read numerous books on the subject. Along the way, I also embraced positive affirmations and often found myself daydreaming about this beautiful journey.

I can't thank my family enough, especially my elder daughter, for their immense love and support throughout. Today, I feel so proud to have completed one year of a successful breastfeeding journey with my second baby.

Being a positive person, I continue to look forward to learning new things that can help my child grow and thrive. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Gayathri Kanumuri, the founder of Naricare Breastfeeding, a wonderful platform that supports expecting moms, new moms, and experienced mothers throughout their motherhood journey.

 You can read more about Naricare at the end of the blog.

What Helped Me Continue Breastfeeding

·       Meeting a lactation consultant

·       Using a breast pump to stimulate supply

·       Trying different feeding positions

·       Practicing skin-to-skin contact

·       Staying hydrated and following a proper diet

When Breastfeeding Finally Clicked

It didn’t happen overnight. But gradually, my baby and I learned together. Latching improved, my supply stabilized, and my confidence grew. One day, I suddenly realized that I was exclusively breastfeeding—without stress, without pain. It required patience, consistency, and determination.

My Advice to Other Moms

·      Don’t compare your journey with others.

·      Get professional help early—lactation consultants are lifesavers.

·      Combination feeding is okay while you work on supply.

·      Remember, breastfeeding is a skill you and your baby learn together.

·      Most importantly, fed is best—but the right support can help you succeed in breastfeeding.

What NariCare Offers: 

      •         Personalized Consultations: One-on-one sessions with certified lactation consultants to address individual breastfeeding concerns.

     •         Continuous Support: Unlimited text assistance and access to a dedicated WhatsApp community for real-time guidance.

     •         Holistic Postpartum Care: Services including nutrition consultations, workshops on introducing solids, postnatal yoga, core rehabilitation, mental wellness support, and newborn sleep guidance.

NariCare has successfully supported over hundreds of mothers across India, Australia, the USA, and Canada, helping them navigate their breastfeeding journeys with confidence.

Connect with NariCare:

     •         WhatsApp: +91 81421 44762

     •         Website: https://naricare.com

     •         Instagram: @trynaricare

     •         Facebook: NariCare

“You can reach out to Naricare and mention my reference—"Blogger Radhika Jindal"—to get the best guidance and support”. 

Also, You can also check out firstparents.com! I absolutely loved their journal and the session on what to eat after delivery. Don’t forget to use my coupon code RADHIKA10 to get 10% off on their website."

Conclusion

Once I believed I’d never be able to breastfeed. But here I am—one year of successfully exclusively breastfeeding my second baby.

To every mom who feels defeated: I see you. Your love is enough, your journey is valid, and your struggles do not make you any less of a mother.

Have you faced breastfeeding challenges? Share your story in the comments—we need to normalise the not-so-perfect side of motherhood too.

Also read, JUSTBEMAMA: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Treats

        Also read, Pregyanam Helps You Achieve Your Pregnancy Goals

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