Limitless Excitement Of A To Be Mommy.

Never thought that I would be so passionate about my pregnancy,

Obviously,

• No Morning sickness.
• No weird smell.
• No change in eating habits.
• No fainting or fatigue attacks.
• No weigh discomfort in abdomen.
• No swelling over legs.
• Gaining 20 kg weight was also very difficult, obviously eating every 2 hourly is not at all a task at ease, LOL.

I was blessed with an asymptomatic pregnancy, so was enjoying it to the fullest.

List of  weird things I used to do post conception has no check.

• I conceived during Navratri Festival, Festival full of Energy & Me being Gujju; Excitement level was beyond the threshold; followed by one of my friends wedding in which I danced madly on song"Jhingaat", may be this is the reason Kartavya too cant stop his body to shake on this song.
  
• Never got time for maternity photo-shoot as hubby was 350 kilometers away, but we never miss a single chance during functions & events to get ourselves clicked with our intrauterine baby.
  
  
  
• Baby Moon & Birthday celebration at Lonavla was part of the list.
  
• Not missing even a single day of my Yoga class so as to feel my baby's kick especially during "VAJARASANA" was the best part.
• Eating 3 fruits of different colour a day for fulfilling the nutrient need of my baby was the goal.
• I love Mangoes & my baby too, as eating 5 mangoes a day was our necessity.
• Getting good scold for eating Ice gola thrice a week before 15 days of my delivery was acceptable as it would be followed by the turmeric milk to prevent its after effects.
• 13 days prior my due date when I was told by my gynecologist that I can deliver within few days, 1^st thing I did was having Chinese food , as I knew, Post delivery, I wont be able to relish its taste for months.
• Flaunting my baby bump was one of the excitement. It was my 8^th month going on & many family functions in the loop. Shopping was like meditation for me & Shopping got more exciting on seeing the weird expression on Shopkeepers Face; Obviously he won't be encountering on daily basis, an 8th month pregnant lady matching her new earnings colour shades to the Gowns displayed to her. Bit Surprising but I couldn't help it, As it was the demand of the baby inside me; as what would be better than a trendy gown to show off the little one growing inside me.
• 
• Recording videos of my baby’s movement during 9^th month was my before sleep routine. Those waves, those hand print, those kicks was enough to keep me awake till 4 am & who can forget those multiple visit to washroom.
• Was not able to hide my excitement of buying clothes for my baby a month prior my due date, Washing them was for my baby's skin care but even ironing them was one of my craziest experience.
• Packing bag for hospital stay was the best part. Special mommy bag for my baby because when mumma would be busy in recovering post delivery, it should be easy for his attendant to find all the stuff.
  

So many preparation & till date when Kartavya is 14 months of age the preparations are on.

Its rightly said:

"Mother knows about the need of their children even before they realize."

"KARTAVYA" It's Not Just A Name.

A Mother is the best psychologist for her baby.

• Have I got a super power?
• Am I a mind reader? 
• Do I know magic?

These questions I used to ask myself when I was able to understand all implications of Kartavya,

• Suddenly my ears became so sharp that I was able to hear his low pitched cry even from the distance.
• My mind could read his body language & facial expressions.
• I could decode his reason of cry, whether it be pee, potty, hunger, sleep or just for seeking attention.
• I could even predict his future actions & would proudly disclose the astrology to my relatives.

I am sure, this would be experienced by all mommies,

It was difficult for me during my initial phase, but Kartavya always used to give me hints & gradually we both could understand each others necessity.

    I still remember my first 5 hours travel with Kartavya from Gujarat (Vapi) to Pune. 

Kartavya was just 4 &1/2 months of age.

We started at 5am, He was in deep sleep & completely wrapped to prevent him from getting cold,
I was so much tensed as this was his longest travel till then.

• What if he gets-up in between & would start crying?
• What if he finds himself uncomfortable in car?
• What if he gets sick?
• What if ? What if? What if?

So many anticipations. But how could I forget my super power,

My power of breast feeding, it was no less than a savior.

    He was in my lap the whole time & His slight motion means a signal to feed , I felt like being the

server on demand.

But a strange thing happened this time, as being tired I felt asleep & Kartavya got up. 

He saw me doze & instead of crying on not being attended, he lied in my lap calmly without disturbing

my sleep & was continuously looking at me with his twinkling eyes.

Almost for 30 min, this session continued & as I woke up; he flashed his most winning smile and then

started searching for his feed which was served in no time.

As I was elaborating my experience to my Husband he disclosed the fact depicting Kartavya’s obliging

nature of not disturbing Mumma during sleep.

Till date his nature has not changed, He is truly following the meaning of his name.

A quote "Whats there in a name!", needs to be changed. 

It should be:We are nothing without one's name.

As it is the most heard & spoken word which depicts you,

Your nature & Your identity is hidden in your name, 

Your Name is the thing which you carry all through out your life and even after death.

We chose "Kartavya" and the result is really magical.

How difficult can it get to take care of a little monster?

Till now all my post were about how happy go lucky mommy I was, but dear mommies I am no different from you all.

• I too had sleepless nights,
• Had my meals left handed so as to utilise my right one to feed my baby, 
• Hold on my nature's call to halt my baby's weep.
• No time to change my pee soaked clothes.
• Leaving my served meals to settle his blow up.

They always want us around, 
They are Aladdin and we are their Ginnie, Just one difference :

Aladdin need to rub the lamp , and our little monster just need to wimper & we get alert with HUKUM MERE AAKA gesture.

Rather than being gloomy for it I decided to enjoy every bit of it as I won't be able to relish these moments again.

Started reliving my Childhood with Kartavya and in no time I started enjoying this struggle.

His cry was no longer an irritant but reminder of my responsibility.

His magnetic hug was no more annoying as it was feeling of being substantive.

His all time mommy need turned to be a topic to tease my husband's jealousy.

So dear mommies , there are pros and cons in every situation it's us who have to turn the tables.
Its rightly said: 

There will be so many times you feel like you have failed, but in the eyes,heart and mind of your child You Are A Super Mom

Queries of all New Mommies.

      The 4th month had hardly passed & my relatives were continuously buzzing around to start the top feed for Kartavya,

• "You should start cow's milk, he would not be feeling full with your milk"
• "Goat milk contains more nutrition & is easy to digest"
• "Start dal-pani as it is rich in proteins"

I was no different from other new mommies for getting such advice, but me being a Doctor Mommy very well knew how important breast milk is for my baby.

      Relatives concern were also for my good, As I had seen patients suffering from cracked nipples, baby bite, breast engorgement & breast abscess even, So first thing came to my mind was:

Rather than curing them, Preventing myself from getting them would be a better option.

       So from the very beginning of my pregnancy, I started preparing my mind as well as my body for this beautiful journey of breastfeeding.

From the 3rd month of my pregnancy started reading articles on breastfeeding & started applying them.

1. Many physiological changes other than the increase in breast size occur, out of which one is thick crust over nipples, which later on turns to be very painful on the first latch of the baby.

Solution: Start observing your breast & nipples during pregnancy for such crust, clean it thoroughly with warm water & try to remove the crust. Your nipples & areola should always be soft and smooth.

2. Sore nipples & Cracked nipples.

Solution: Our body itself gives the treatment tool, our breast milk is the medicine which can be utilized as a local applicant for sore nipples,
It can even be utilized as a local applicant for baby's skin rashes.
You can even use the medication if it's severe.

3.Baby bite.

Solution: Be firm to your baby, Make them understand that it hurts.
Kartavya used to bite me and seeing me making a sound he used to feel that it's a type of game to which mumma is enjoying. So then I showed him how it feels if someone bites via biting him( intensity was mild) but please try to make them understand.
It took me a month but now it's a relief.

4. Breast Engorgement & Abscess.

Solution: It's not only their need but our body too needs to get rid of the continuous flow and what's better than soothing your little one with nourishing liquid.
Fix 2-hour feeding schedule for the first 3 months and later altering this frequency as per his demand, this helped me a lot in keeping a check over such issues.

5. Why baby need to burp after every feed?

Answer: Burping is the skill which all new parents need to master, Yes I am using word Parents because both Mom & Dad should learn to burp your baby.
While taking breastfeed, along with milk baby tend to gulp air along, this gas gets trapped in the gastrointestinal system & needs to be released.
Burping is one way, parents can help their baby get rid of that gas & thereby prevent them from the feeling of fullness & discomfort.

6. Difficulties faced by baby to latch nipples.

Solution: Shape & size of nipples also plays a very important role in breastfeeding.

From 7th month itself start giving shape to your nipples, by pulling it lightly while bathing, massage your breast with soft hands in round clockwise & anti-clockwise direction reaching towards nipples & then accordingly try to give shape to nipples.  This would ease the process of breastfeeding especially for baby.

Even after the followed steps if the issue is not resolved than Nipple shield is always the savior.

7. Baby refuses to take breast milk.

As your breast are full with milk, on baby's first latch there is a sudden gush of milk, due to which baby feels choked & even vomits out the milk.

Solutions:

 * Press your breast with hands or via using the breast pump to remove the gush & than make baby suckle.
* Try different positions for breastfeeding, especially Baby on top i.e Baby lying on your chest & make it suckle.

* Let baby take the first latch, now unlatch the baby, get the gush out & then again get back to your baby for a peaceful feed.

* If the reason is unknown than go ahead with a breast pump, Pump out your milk & feed your baby.

*Top feed should always be the last option.

8. Why take so much pain of breastfeeding every 2- 3 hourly for 6 long months?

Answer: *Nature provides the BEST.
*Even on Formula feed box its written: "MOTHERS MILK IS THE BEST FOR BABY."
*Benefits of Breast milk is proved scientifically.
*Breast milk provides the ideal amount of nutrients for baby, it has nearly perfect mixture of all proteins, vitamins & fat.
* It is always at right temperature & easily digestible.
* It is always available, Demand arises & supply is ready.
* Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight against bacteria & viruses.
* Breast feeding is even related to HIGHER IQ score in later childhood in some studies.
*Physical closeness with your baby, Those SKIN-TO-SKIN touching & EYE CONTACT, Everything helps to develop the bond with your baby.

9.Benefits of Breast Feeding for Mommies?

Answer:

* Yes New Mommies, 6 months exclusive breastfeeding is not only their but our need too.

* Breastfeeding develops mother-child bonding, You become the most important person for your baby.

* Breastfeeding is Time friendly & pocket-friendly too;

As there is No wastage of time in measuring formula, sterilizing feeding bottles & utensils

* Breastfeeding releases happy hormones which bring the glow to our face & early uterine retraction leading to early recovery after delivery.
* Breast feeding even lowers the risk of breast & ovarian cancer
* Best benefit is that you can relax while feeding your baby & like me can even take a quick short nap too.

10. Mother unable to produce milk.

Solution:
 * Make baby suckle though there is no supply, it may take time but gradually you start lactating as ultimately you are at no loss; because it develops a sense of security in the baby.
* Mothers diet too helps a lot in the lactation process.
* Stress-free living means stress-free lactating, as ultimately its a game of hormones, Stress hampers your lactation so please have a checklist.
* All mommies are different, many a time even after taking great care, Mothers don't lactate, then you can take medicinal aid.
* Still NO LACTATION, than accept the fact & forget about the society.
You are no less than a SUPER-MOM,
Lactation is not the only deciding factor for your capability of growing a newborn.
Contact Pediatrician & Go- ahead with Top-Feed.

Kept all these points in mind, and completed my journey of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding.

I & Kartavya used to enjoy every breastfeeding session as it even included our fun games, tease, his different funny posture while feeding etc.

So new mommies, don't hesitate and go ahead on the beautiful & extraordinary 6 months E.B.F (EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING)  journey.

As Breast-feeding is the Best-feeding.