Yes, I am a Stone-hearted Mother.

Nature is the Master,
Its rightly said: Nature is not Mute, It is Man who is deaf.

Its Us who have to understand Nature's hints and just follow to get our queries solved.

It took me 3 months to get answers of the most difficult question of motherhood till date,

When, Why & most difficult, How to Wean Breastfeeding?

*When?
    I, Being a follower of breastfeeding groups on social media and sincere reader of breastfeeding articles, knew the importance of breastfeeding until 2 years of baby's age. 
But as Kartravya turned 16 months of age it became a challenge for me as it was not only affecting my health but his continuous clinging made things laborious.

*Why?  
    Once your baby starts getting proper nutrition from other sources you can stop breastfeeding, but in my case, Kartavya's solid food intake was as per Criterion, so reason for weaning was not to increase his intake but it was totally self-serving.

*How?
    It felt like torturing my little toddler by trying new methods that too in discontinuation.
Hereby sharing my experiences.

1.Child-Lead Weaning.

Let your child decide when to stop breastfeeding without being prompted to do so.

(a) Don't Offer, Don't Refuse: No demand = No supply policy.

(b)Dropping one feeding at a time: 4 times in a day turns to be 3 and gradually just 2 to 1.

(c)Distraction: Try distracting him with play or other food of his choice.

(d)Postponement: When your child asks to nurse, say "Not Now, Later." Sometimes later never comes as he gets busy with something else.

(e)Shorten the feeding sessions: Previously it used to be in minutes, now it should be in seconds.

(f) Day weaning: Pick one. Don't try day & night weaning at a time.

    This method requires time, which I was lacking, and after trying it for 15 days I finally gave up and switched to another method.

2.Mother-Led weaning.

You need to be reluctant, as here you are at the deciding end, your child can be willing or unwilling.
You can do nothing but just to see him crying.
I opted for this method.
Advises from my Mommy friends, My Gynecologist & obviously Elders I tried many trials and error.

(a) Application of aloe-vera pulp / Bitter gourd pulp on my Breast.
     
     Its horribly bitter in taste.Kartavya's feeling was like being ditched. How can tasty breast milk taste so bad.But this reaction was short term, as for the second time when he came for latch, the bitterness was gone as it got wiped with my clothes and he could again enjoy the taste of his choice.

(b) Application of red-colored lipstick to the Nipples.
    
    Who said a child doesn't feel mothers pain!
Kartavya was not ready to latch as he felt like my mommy is hurt, how can I add more pain to her by feeding.But this technique was of no use at night during dream-feed.

(c) Application of Medicine i.e FEMITE Lotion. 

    This time i need to be sure-short.
No more experiments on my little one.
So instead of trying it alone, I opted to take help of my mother.
I applied this lotion on my nipples and the taste is not only horrible but long lasting on your nipples even after whipping it out.
As Kartavya tasted it, he did nothing but directly went into his cradle and lied down with his mouth open.
Whenever he use to demand, I used to apply the lotion.
At night I used to sleep in other room & My mother & brother used to handle his hunger by offering him food of his choice.
Days were fine as I was always out for work & No Mommy means No Feeding.
But during nights I could do is just hear him yelling.
Gradually things changed & in just 4 day, Kartavya became so calm, composed, No asking for feed, co-operative while long travels & best of all was his 10 hours uninterrupted  sleep.

Kartavya was prepared for this phase but It was Me, who took so much time to perceive Natures call.

These 4 days were the most difficult days of my motherhood
How can you see your little one suffering knowing that you are the reason behind it and all you can do is just wait & watch.
Its Miserable.
Nor a single day or night of these 4 days I could prevent my eyes from getting moist, but that's what the Nature teach us.

Nature does nothing Uselessly.

Mother-child bond is the strongest But Nature prepares even a Mother from the very beginning to take harsh steps for her child's good.

I admit, that I am not at all happy in loosing my Super-power of breastfeeding, but may be this is my stepping stone in taking difficult decisions to curve Kartavya's future.

So Dear New Mommies sometimes its fine to surrender as who knows it might be for your baby's good.

Wishing all Mommies out there, A Very Happy Womens Day.

Ever wondered;

Why International Women's day (8th March every year) is celebrated before Mothers day( In India, Mother’s day is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of May)?

It can't be a mere coincidence, but a cardinal indication that though motherhood is the predominant responsibility of a women but nothing can overpower the responsibility that we mommies have for oneself.

Being A Women itself is a boon and turning into a mother is a blessing.

But,

• Some mommies are overburden with the responsibilities of baby, work as well as home,
• Some are continuously being taught, the ways of upbringing their baby,
• Some are suffering from body-shaming after delivery and Some are worried of  the stretch marks,
• Some are not getting attention from their Spouse,
• While, Some are getting over-attention from their In-laws by being counted for their failures as mother.

So My Dear Mommies, Its fine to temporary apart yourself from these responsibilities and spend some ME-Time.

Yes Mommies, We too require some Me-Time.

Enjoying motherhood is very important but there should not be a feeling of guilt while relishing being a Women.

• Enjoy being with self,
• Love your body, Calm your mind,
• Party hard with friends,
• Shop,
• Watch Movies,
• Go on a date with your husband,
• Celebrate life

At 1st instance, even I felt like; Am I a Good mother?

How can I enjoy, by burdening my responsibility on someone else shoulder.
But
What matters to your baby is A HAPPY Mother.

Because A Happy Mother = A Happy & A Healthy Child.