Featuring @yuvi.1109
Motherhood often begins long before a child is born. It is shaped by the homes we grow up in, the values we witness, and the love we receive. For Sneh Panchal, that foundation was built in Mulund, Mumbai, where she was born and brought up, a place that will always feel like home to her. Growing up in a Gujarati joint family deeply influenced the mother she is today. Surrounded by grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts, she learned the value of togetherness, patience, adaptability, and emotional warmth. Now living in Kandivali, she finds it beautiful to raise her son in the same city that shaped her, carrying forward traditions, strong family bonds, and the belief that it truly takes a village to raise a child.
Below, Sneh shares her journey, raw, honest, and filled with heart.
When your son was born, what was the postpartum phase really like for you, physically and emotionally?
Yuvraj was born on 11th September 2024, and those first few days felt surreal. I was completely in awe of motherhood. I would just look at him for hours, unable to believe he was mine. It felt like my heart was suddenly outside my body, breathing beside me.
But as beautiful as it was, postpartum was also very real.
Physically, it was not easy. I dealt with painful breast milk lumps, cracked nipples, and discomfort that no one truly prepares you for. The sleepless nights started showing. My skin became dull, I experienced severe hair fall, and my body felt unfamiliar. I was healing, learning, and surviving all at once. Some days were overwhelming, and exhaustion quietly became part of my routine.
Emotionally though, I was truly blessed.
For the first few months, I stayed at my mother’s place, and that support became my biggest strength. My mother guided me through everything, from feeding struggles to understanding my baby’s cries. She held me together on the days I felt unsure. Her experience, patience, and reassurance gave me confidence as a new mom.
My husband was emotionally present throughout, checking on me, understanding my mood swings, supporting me during late nights, and making sure I never felt alone in the journey. His calmness balanced my anxiety.
And having my sister-in-law around at my mother’s place was such a comfort too. She stepped in whenever needed, helped with the baby, and simply being there made the days lighter. It truly felt like I was not navigating motherhood alone.
Postpartum was a mix of beauty and battle, physical exhaustion paired with emotional gratitude. Looking back, I realize it was not just about becoming a mother. It was also about learning to receive love and support from the people around me.
And for that, I will always be thankful.
In the early months, what was something you struggled with that no one had warned you about?
One struggle that no one truly prepared me for was how physically draining breastfeeding could be, especially the pain that comes with it in the beginning. The breast milk lumps, cracked nipples, and constant discomfort were overwhelming. Everyone talks about how natural and beautiful breastfeeding is, but very few talk about how painful and emotionally exhausting it can feel at first.
Along with that, the sleep deprivation hit harder than I expected. The broken sleep, the constant alertness, and still trying to function during the day slowly took a toll on my body and mind. I was not prepared for how invisible that exhaustion could feel.
What surprised me most was how you are healing, learning, and caring for a newborn all at the same time, without pause. Your body is recovering, your hormones are shifting, and yet you are expected to just know how to do everything.
It was beautiful, yes. But it was also raw, vulnerable, and far more intense than I imagined.
Did you experience mom guilt? What usually triggered it, and how did you deal with it?
Yes, I definitely experienced mom guilt.
It started in small, quiet moments. When breastfeeding was painful and I wondered if I was doing it right. When I felt exhausted and wished for just one uninterrupted hour of sleep. Even when I took a few minutes for myself and immediately felt like I should be doing more for my baby.
What triggered it the most was the pressure, the invisible expectation to be a perfect mom. To always be patient, always present, always calm. Social media did not help either. It sometimes made motherhood look effortless, while I was navigating sleepless nights, physical recovery, and emotional changes.
There were days I questioned myself. Am I enough? Am I doing this right? Could I do more?
What helped me navigate those emotions was reminding myself that a tired mom is not a bad mom. A learning mom is not a failing mom. I leaned a lot on my mother’s reassurance, my husband’s support, and honest conversations with myself. I slowly understood that motherhood is not about perfection. It is about presence and love.
And every time my son looked at me, smiled at me, or calmed down in my arms, it reminded me that to him, I was already enough.
That realization softened the guilt.
Now that your son is 17 months old, what has been the most challenging part of this toddler stage for you?
Yes, he is 17 months old. He is constantly exploring, climbing, touching, and testing boundaries. It is beautiful to see his curiosity, but it is also exhausting. You have to be alert every second. There is no pause button with a toddler.
Another challenging part is understanding his emotions. At this age, he feels everything so strongly but cannot fully express it yet. The sudden meltdowns over the smallest things, the frustration when he cannot communicate what he wants, it takes a lot of patience. Some days I have it, some days I am learning it.
And then there is the balance between setting boundaries and staying gentle. Teaching him what is right while protecting his confidence. It is a constant dance.
But even in the chaos, this stage is full of personality, cuddles, random kisses, and the sweetest Mumma calls. It is challenging, yes, but it is also the most alive and joyful phase.
Every day I am learning just as much as he is.
How do you deal with tantrums, clingy days, or moments when you feel completely overwhelmed?
Tantrums and clingy days can be overwhelming, especially when I am already tired. But I remind myself that he is not giving me a hard time. He is having a hard time.
On those days, I hold him a little longer, breathe a little deeper, and try to respond with calm instead of frustration. And when I feel overstimulated, I allow myself a small pause, because a regulated mom is what he truly needs.
Some days are heavy, but love always feels heavier.
What kind of man do you hope your son grows up to be?
I want him to grow up like his father. I hope he grows up to be kind.
I pray he becomes a man who respects women, who is gentle in his strength, and confident without ego. A man who stands up for what is right, who values family, and who never hesitates to show love.
I hope he grows up emotionally aware, someone who can express his feelings, not hide them. Someone who leads with compassion, works hard, and stays humble.
More than anything, I hope he becomes a good human being. Because if his heart is right, everything else will follow.
How are you teaching him to be both strong and emotionally aware from such a young age?
I let him explore, climb, fall, and try again, so he learns resilience and confidence. I do not rush to fix everything for him. I want him to know he is capable.
At the same time, I validate his feelings. If he cries, I do not say, boys do not cry. I tell him, it is okay, Mumma is here. I name his emotions so he learns that feelings are normal, not weaknesses.
I show him strength through boundaries, and sensitivity through affection.
If he grows up knowing that being strong does not mean being silent, and being emotional does not mean being weak, I will know I did something right.
Over these 17 months, what has motherhood taught you about resilience, patience, and love?
Looking back at these 17 months, motherhood has completely reshaped me.
It has taught me that resilience is not about being strong all the time. It is about showing up every single day, even when you are exhausted.
It has taught me patience I did not know I had, and on days I lose it, it teaches me humility too.
And love has taken on a whole new meaning. It is in the sleepless nights, the tiny hands holding my finger, the way he sees me like I am his whole world.
Motherhood has shown me that the purest, strongest love is the one that asks for nothing in return and gives everything anyway.
What would you like to say to another mom who is raising a boy?
To another mom raising a boy, I would say this. You are not just raising a son. You are shaping a future man.
Raise him with love, but also with values. Teach him kindness as much as confidence. Let him cry, let him feel, let him express, because emotional strength is real strength.
The world needs strong men, yes. But more than that, it needs good men. And it all begins at home.
To Every Mama Walking This Journey
Sneh’s story reminds us that motherhood is not about perfection. It is about presence. It is messy, beautiful, exhausting, and deeply transformative. It is sleepless nights and overwhelming love. It is learning, unlearning, and growing alongside your child.
If her journey resonated with you, know that your story matters too.
Join our Mama Tribe and share your experience with us by DMing @softsens on Instagram. Your words could be the comfort or courage another mother needs today.
