Last Updated:
Ileana D’Cruz, now a mother of two, reflects on her breastfeeding journey, early struggles, and how she learnt to embrace instinct in parenting.
Ileana D’Cruz: With two little ones now at the centre of her life, Ileana has been candid about her experiences as a new mother
Actor Ileana D’Cruz is embracing motherhood with her husband, Michael Dolan, in Houston, Texas, where they are raising their two sons. Their first child, Koa Phoenix Dolan, arrived on August 1, 2023, followed by their second son, Keanu Rafe Dolan, on June 19, 2025. With two little ones now at the centre of her life, Ileana has been candid about her experiences as a new mother.
During an Instagram Live on August 30 for Live for Freedom To Feed, she spoke with fellow actor Neha Dhupia about the realities of early parenting, particularly breastfeeding—one of the first and most important aspects of motherhood.
Recommended Stories
Before giving birth, Ileana sought advice from close friends to prepare herself for what lay ahead. She recalls being warned about the challenges of breastfeeding and admitted that the reality was far more difficult than expected.
She shared, “She did tell me, you know, breastfeeding is really intense. It can be really painful, but she’s like, it’s the most beautiful thing as well. And she was absolutely right. She’s like, it was definitely painful initially. And then, you know, you have the other complications that come with breastfeeding… I had no idea it was going to be as intensely painful as it was.”
Despite the initial hurdles, Ileana emphasised how meaningful the experience ultimately was. “But it is such a, I don’t know, maybe privilege is the right word. It’s such a privilege to be able to feed your child, and the connection that you can have with your baby is really lovely.”
Reflecting on her first days as a mother, Ileana admitted she felt stressed and vulnerable when she interacted with a lactation consultant at the hospital. What was meant to be a supportive encounter instead left her unsettled.
“At the hospital, we were told, you know, ‘Would you like a lactation consultant to come and speak with you’? So I was like, ‘Yeah, of course, you know, I’d love to have an expert come and talk to me’. And I just felt so much judgment from this woman. She was like, the first question, she’s like, ‘Do you plan to breastfeed? Are you going to be formula feeding as well’? And I’m like, ‘Well, I plan to breastfeed only, but you know, you don’t know what’s going to happen’… I’m like, every woman has her own journey. Every mother has her own journey with her child, and you know, what’s best for your kid, instinctively,” she recalled.
Like many new mothers, Ileana was caught between conflicting pieces of advice. While some people at the hospital discouraged her from pumping milk for the first six weeks, her doctor recommended it earlier due to inflammation. The contradictory guidance only heightened her anxiety.
Looking back, she described those moments as overwhelming: “I think I was so worried. It’s very, very painful. So like I had a fever and everything was really bad.” At the time, she leaned heavily on expert opinions, worried that even small mistakes could affect her baby’s health. Over time, however, she began to place more trust in her own instincts, learning to navigate motherhood in her own way.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
Loading comments…
Go to Source
Author: News18
 "SCO summit: Xi takes aim at Trump, slams ‘bullying’ behaviour in world order")
