The Soulful Mama👩‍👦

  Breastfeeding Myths Every New Mom Should Know (and My Real Experience) Introduction Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful parts of motherhood — yet it often comes wrapped in myths, doubts, and endless advice from every direction. When I became a mom, I realized that for every question I had, ten different people had ten different answers. Some were helpful, most were not. So today, I want to share my real breastfeeding journey , bust some common myths, and give you the confidence to trust your body and your baby. My Breastfeeding Journey My breastfeeding journey started in the hospital. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I still remember how awkward and uncomfortable it felt when the nurse tried to teach me how to latch my baby. Having strangers touch me so personally — apart from my husband — was embarrassing. Latching was a tough skill to master and required a lot of patience and practice. But slowly, with time and self-learning, I found my rhythm. And that’s when I also st...

My Breastfeeding Journey: From Doubts to a Beautiful Bond (1 Year+ of Exclusive Breastfeeding) Introduction Breastfeeding is more than just feeding a baby – it’s a powerful emotional, physical, and soulful journey. As a mother who has exclusively breastfed my baby for over 1 year and 2 months (and counting), I want to share my honest, unfiltered experience with you – the struggles, the doubts, and the unmatched joy of this beautiful bond. The Beginning: When It All Started My breastfeeding journey began the very first day my baby came into this world. After a planned vaginal delivery suddenly turned into an emergency C-section (you can read my detailed birth story here  https://www.thesoulfulmama.com/2025/07/c-section-vs-normal-delivery-my-real.html  I was emotionally drained and mentally exhausted. Negative thoughts started creeping in: “Will I be able to produce milk?” “Is my body ready?” “Will I fail to nourish my baby?” Support That Changed Everything I owe a lo...

Normal Delivery vs C-Section: What New Moms Should Really Know (Without the Guilt ) I come from a middle-class family, rooted in traditional values. Like many Indian women, I grew up hearing that normal delivery is the best —not just physically, but also morally. My mother, my colleagues, everyone around me echoed the same advice: "Do everything possible to have a vaginal delivery." So, during my entire pregnancy, I prepared for it. I walked for kilometers daily, sat in squat positions, stayed active, ate healthy—all with one goal in mind: normal delivery . Somewhere, I started believing that by following all the “rules,” I deserved one. The Big Day and the Unexpected Turn When my delivery day came, I was in active labor , the pain was intense but I bore it bravely. My mind kept saying— “this pain is worth it because you’re strong, and you’re going to deliver normally.” But after hours of pain, the doctor came in, did a vaginal check-up, burst my water bag, and informed...

25+ Gift Ideas for Your Brother and Sister This Raksha Bandhan 25+ Gift Ideas for Your Brother and Sister This Raksha Bandhan Raksha Bandhan , the festival celebrating the cherished bond between brothers and sisters, is not just about tying a rakhi and exchanging sweets. It's also the perfect occasion to show your love through thoughtful gifts. Whether you're a sister looking for the perfect gift for your brother or a brother searching for something special for your sister, we've got you covered. Here’s a curated list of  25+ unique and thoughtful Raksha Bandhan gift ideas  to make this celebration truly memorable. 🎁 Gift Ideas for Your Brother 1.  Personalized Wallet A leather wallet engraved with his initials or a sweet message. 2.  Grooming Kit Help him stay stylish with a premium grooming kit including beard oil, trimmer, face wash, and more. 3.  Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker Great for health-conscious or tech-savvy brothers. 4.  Customized Rakhi Hampe...

Like many of us, I’ve always wanted to feel fit, active, and energetic throughout the day. But let’s be honest—just wanting something doesn’t make it happen. And I was caught in that same loop: “I’ll start from tomorrow… from Monday… from the 1st of next month… or maybe from January 1st.” Let’s face it— that “perfect start day” never comes. 😄 🌟 The Turning Point One usual day while randomly scrolling YouTube for weight loss shortcuts or magical diets, I stumbled upon a video. The girl in the video spoke so genuinely and confidently about her transformation and credited  Rujuta Diwekar’s book   “Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight.” I got curious, ordered the book, and started reading it slowly. To my surprise, the more I read, the more I got  hooked . It wasn’t just another diet fad—it was  common-sense nutrition , deeply rooted in our Indian culture. No crash diets, no fasting, and no calorie counting—just practical advice that made  total sense . 📖 The B...