Embracing Motherhood Through Song: Girija ’s Story

When Girija talks about her experience with Breathe Melodies for Mums, her face lights up. Sitting beside her baby boy, Vaayu, she recalls how music helped transform a difficult beginning into a journey filled with joy, bonding, and connection.

Vaayu was born two months premature while Girija and her husband were visiting family abroad; her world was turned upside down. What was supposed to be a joyful beginning to motherhood became a whirlwind of hospitals, unexpected challenges, and a long stretch away from home.

“It wasn’t the introduction to motherhood that I was prepared for,” she remembers. “He was hospitalised for weeks, and everything felt overwhelming. My maternity leave started suddenly, and I couldn’t return to the UK straight away. It was just chaos really.”

By the time they finally returned to London, the weight of that early trauma began to sink in “The enormity of everything we’d been through really hit me. I was feeling quite low,” she says. That’s when she came across a leaflet for Breathe Melodies for Mums at her local children’s centre in Southwark.

Singing gave me permission to feel whatever I was feeling. It helped me process the trauma of his birth and start bonding with him in such a powerful way straight away.
Girija - Breathe Melodies for Mums Participant

“I thought it looked really lovely,” she says. “I didn’t know that many songs or rhymes to sing to Vaayu and wanted to steer away from traditional nursery rhymes. He was already responding to my singing, so I wanted to learn more, and I wanted to meet other mums.”

Walking into her first session, Girija admits she felt flustered. “There were so many buggies, and I’d had to rush. But then I stepped into this calm space, cushions on the floor, Hannah (Breathe Singing Lead) and Tim (Breathe Support & Engagement Officer), just chatting and I immediately felt at ease. When Vaayu started crying, they just said, ‘Do what you need to its fine.’ It felt welcoming straight away.”

That first day, the music worked its magic: “The singing actually sent him to sleep. That was an added bonus!” she laughs.

I wasn’t expecting to feel the level of emotion I did. Singing in rounds with other mums was so powerful. None of us were singers, but together it sounded incredible
Girija - Breathe Melodies for Mums Participant

Finding Joy

For Girija, the Breathe Melodies for Mums weekly sessions became a lifeline.
“They were the highlight of my week,” she says. “Singing gave me permission to feel whatever I was feeling. It helped me process the trauma of his birth and start bonding with him in such a powerful way.”

She didn’t expect how profound the group experience would be:
“I wasn’t expecting to feel the level of emotion I did at the sessions. Singing in rounds with other mums was so powerful. None of us were singers, but together it sounded incredible.”

Music as a bond

Vaayu responded to the songs straight away and still does. “Even now, if he’s unsettled, I sing the songs from Melodies. He recognises them instantly. Sometimes it calms him, sometimes it helps him sleep. It’s a really special part of our bond now.”

Breathe Melodies for Mums has also strengthened Girija ’s confidence as a new mum:
“I’d never have sung out loud in the street before. But now, if he’s upset in the buggy, I just sing. It tells him I’m there and he’s okay. That’s been huge for both of us.”

It doesn’t matter how good you are at singing, it’s not about that. It’s about bonding with your baby, connecting with other mums, and having a space where honesty is welcome.
Girija - Breathe Melodies for Mums Participant

The Songs That Stay With You

One of Girija ’s favourite memories came towards the end of the programme. “We sang Banahaa altogether, a joyful Congolese song. Everyone was really going for it, and all the babies were transfixed. Vaayu especially, he would turn to Tim (Breathe Support & Engagement Officer), the only man in the group, completely mesmerised by his deeper voice. It was beautiful.”

Girija has adapted one of the songs, Belle Mama, into Vaayu’s personal bedtime song: “I added some lyrics to make it his. It’s become our special thing.”

Her advice to other mums thinking about joining?

“It doesn’t matter how good you are at singing, it’s not about that. It’s about bonding with your baby, connecting with other mums, and having a space where honesty is welcome. It was definitely our favourite part of the week, every week.”

Girija’s journey reminds us that motherhood doesn’t always begin as planned, but with music, community, and compassion, wellbeing and joy can blossom in unexpected ways.

If you’d like to learn more about Breathe Melodies for Mums and/or to register, click here.