Finding My Way Through Motherhood, One Song at a Time - Breathe
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Finding My Way Through Motherhood, One Song at a Time

Tue 5 May

This is a story about becoming a mother, the moments that don’t go to plan, the loneliness that can creep in, and the search for connection in those early weeks. One of our Breathe Melodies for Mums participants shares her journey with warmth and honesty, and how finding the right space at the right time made all the difference. This is her story…

My name is Sophia and four months ago, I became a proud first-time mother of my beautiful boy, Jahsiah. I had a gruelling six-day labour in which I was extremely tired and where absolutely nothing went according to the plan of having a smooth water birth. After many hours of contractions with minimal dilation, I ended up having an emergency cesarean. It was all worth it when my son was in my arms late that evening, such a surreal feeling and journey of growing him inside me. I still look at him now with wonderment at the fact that he was actually inside of me!

I certainly wasn’t prepared for the lack of uninterrupted sleep, with the constant waking taking a while to get used to. I was mentally and physically exhausted, with no immediate family close by to help. I felt isolated and alone. I needed to connect, to have an outlet, somewhere to go during the week, and a chance to speak to other new mums. My baby was around five weeks old when I came across the Breathe Melodies for Mums programme, and it sounded perfect for us.

I felt isolated and alone. I needed to connect, to have an outlet, somewhere to go during the week, and a chance to speak to other new mums.

My first apprehensions were that the songs might be sung at too high a pitch for me to feel comfortable, and that I might be too shy to fully join in. It had also been such a long time since I’d interacted with new people that I worried I might feel socially awkward or anxious.

I found the first session to be surprisingly open, friendly, warm and relaxed. It was so welcoming that, from the get-go, our names were learnt, including the babies’, and we were greeted with our names sung at the beginning of each session. This helped me learn the other participants’ names and really warmed my heart, as it felt like we were seen and embraced by the circle — such a lovely way to start.

Straight away, something serendipitous happened when one of the mums present turned out to be someone I’d met many years ago, when I used to sell my jewellery at a friend’s drum and bass nights at Brixton Jamm. We used to club together, and now we’re first-time mothers together! I later ran into another mum from the group where I live, and it turned out she lives on the same road, with our sons born just a few weeks apart. These moments made me feel like there was something really special about the group, bringing together people living nearby with babies of similar ages.

Other standout moments were hearing all the lovely voices and the harmonies creating an almost angelic, uplifting atmosphere. Jahsiah was regularly relaxed, engaged, smiling and in awe while we were there. It was also such a great touch that we didn’t have to rush off; we could stay, talk about what we were going through, what to expect, and share advice or concerns.

Going to the Breathe Melodies for Mums singing group over the ten weeks made me feel happier and more connected, both to my baby and to other mums in the community.

It was lovely to sing with other mums and see how naturally they got on with things when their babies cried; feeding, changing, playing or simply holding them. Witnessing that motherly intuition, which is such a strength in us, made me appreciate it more in others and also within myself.

The first song that stayed with us straight away was ‘Freedom Train’. We sang it in the first session while I was changing his nappy, and I remember singing it as we gazed into each other’s eyes. It felt as though it was only us in the room. I sang to him, and he loved it, laughing, smiling, and showing his dimples. I still sing it to him regularly now. It became a really special bonding moment, where we connected deeply. I could see how much he loves music, especially when I sing to him; it’s a way for us to be present together and play. He also loved meeting the other babies and was very much intrigued by them, wanting to engage and stare at them.

Going to the Breathe Melodies for Mums singing group over the ten weeks made me feel happier and more connected, both to my baby and to other mums in the community. It gave us structure and a sense of routine, as we had somewhere to be each week by 10 am. In those early days, it was really difficult to keep to appointment times, but having this to go to helped us get up and out much more easily.

We were taught songs that have now become part of our regular repertoire, like ‘Freedom Train’, ‘Arorro mi niño’ and ‘Blue Skies’. We still listen to the Breathe Melodies for Mums playlist from time to time and discover new songs to sing along to. Having continued access to that resource is really valuable, as it allows me to keep practising harmonies.

This group alleviates depression and found it did lift my spirits and make me feel more optimistic that I can be a good mother when things felt quite overwhelming at first.

This programme taught me that I can include my baby in music at home, continuing to play my instruments and write songs with him alongside me. It was also a powerful reminder that I am not alone; the challenges that come with motherhood are shared. I now have others I can talk to who are going through the same experiences, and together we can navigate them.

My advice to other mums who are considering joining this programme would be to just do it. You can only gain from such an experience of connecting with others in joyful harmony. A place where your baby can meet other babies, learn ways to bond more, and entertain and play with your child.

This group alleviates depression and found it did lift my spirits and make me feel more optimistic that I can be a good mother when things felt quite overwhelming at first. If I didn’t have the group, I may have gotten quite negative about the situation and my ability to cope. It’s a win-win situation!

New Breathe Melodies for Mums programmes are starting this May (2026) across London. Find out more and register HERE.