Busting 5 Diaper Myths Every Mom Should Know!

New Pampers Dry pants with Triple absorption technology

 

Diapering is an integral aspect of any parenting journey and is something moms are always skeptical about, wondering if they are doing the right things. However, a raging debate which has plagued mothers for decades is the one between using a cloth and a diaper. Traditional mothers will vouch any day for cloth over diapers, bringing up concerns like diapers cause rashes and are not comfortable for the children. Which is, however, not quite true!

 

Diapers are crucial for infants to move around comfortably and not make a mess out of them every time. There are a lot of misconceptions around the use of diapers and it is integral to understand their benefits. For me, the deciding factor for a diaper is its absorption power. My experience the Pampers Dry Pants have been pretty nice, considering that I have noticed my baby sleeping better at night.

 

What’s awesome about these diapers is the fact that they come with Three Extra Absorbing Channels, which helps in making sure that the baby stays light and dry throughout the day and even overnight by:

• Absorbing 3 Times Faster; and
• Evenly distributing baby’s pee

Absorbs faster, Has magic gel, flexible belt, in built baby lotion

There is a lot of debate around finding the right diaper and around their utility. Many also debate the effectiveness and safety of disposable diapers versus cloth ones. So, let’s go bust some myths surrounding the diaper world and take a look at some truths about diapers!

 

1. Diapers like Pampers Dry Pants have lock in liquid technology hence prevents from leakage which is not the case in cloth. Diapers are meant to be used for long hours – they are crafted in a way to make them easy on the child’s skin, breathable and also has good absorbent ingredients to prevent them from getting soiled – also preventing the baby from feeling wet and cold.
2. Diapers are more skin-friendly than cloth since cloth is usually reused. Diapers don’t cause skin rashes unless you use them for too long and they get soiled. Skin rashes are caused by the increase in pH levels of the skin which happens due to the dampness from urine. The new Pampers Dry Pants not only comes with higher absorption power but they also contain a moisturizing lotion which prevents the chances of having rashes. It neutralizes the pH levels of the skin and also keep sit soft.
3. Sleep is an important aspect to consider while debating between cloth and disposable diapers like the Pampers Pants. Cloth diapers get wet more easily and it will keep waking your baby from the dampness. Disposable diapers, especially pant-style ones are have good space for movement and also absorb better – helping them sleep better. Undisturbed sleep, especially at night, is extremely important for the infant to develop both mentally and physically at optimal levels.
4. Thin diapers are highly effective and absorbs better, it’s the absorbing technology which has got nothing to do with the thickness of a diaper. They are more comfortable for infants than cloth or even the thicker diapers as they let the child move around more easily and is gentler on your baby’s treasures.
5. Pant style diapers are actually more comfortable – if you think the elastic would hurt your child, it won’t. Pant style diapers are developed to have infant skin-friendly elastic. In fact, Velcro diapers can get slightly uncomfortable as there is a slight chance of the velcro coming off while the child moves around.

My toddler being playful & less cranky with Pampers dry pants

While purchasing a diaper, getting the right brand can make all the difference. I have always been a Pampers Mom – their diapers are easy and soft on the skin, and lasts pretty long. Recently, I started using the next generation Pampers Dry Pants whose absorbing power has me pretty impressed.

 

As a mother, I’m very happy with this product and would recommend it for any mom too. It keeps my toddler dry, happy & playful for a longer time and with the triple absorption technology, I don’t end up changing his diaper that often which turns out to be more economical.

 

So, go get your baby a Pampers Dry Pants today!

Much Love!

Sakshi

 

 

 

Running…your first step to loose weight!

 

Its been little over a year now that i have been sharing my postpartum fitness regime on social media. After loosing about 22 kgs postpartum i weigh 55 kgs today which is 3 kgs down my pre-pregnancy weight.I started with mild to brisk walks & eventually running as my first step towards postpartum fitness. Running , definitely has been the game changer here!

Running – Is the most effective way to loose weight among-st many other exercises. countless people have shred weight by running after all its the most effective cardio exercise, live examples are myself  80 kgs to 55 kgs today & my husband from 110 kgs to 85 kgs ( shall share his story soon).

Why running –

1. Burns calories faster – Running is a high intensity exercise that stimulates more “afterburn” than low-intensity exercise. That is, even when comparing running with walking the same distance, studies find that running will lead to greater weight loss, most likely because your resting energy expenditure stays elevated after you run.Since running is faster then walking you burn more calories faster which is time efficient, especially for a person like me who is always on a clock.
2. works on whole body – Running is aerobic in nature — meaning it challenges your cardiovascular and respiratory system. A good run also counts as weight-bearing activity that improves the health of your bones in your legs and spine. All those miles will build muscle endurance in your legs , it also helps reduce tummy fat, but you need to be do strength training , balancing exercises to work on specific muscles of your body to compliment your workout along with running.
3. Runners HIGH – Runners who will read this will agree, its a high! Its difficult to stick to a workout routine if you don’t enjoy it. I think i had often put this up in my insta stories as well, that running for me is a state of trance, High which is just so motivating to keep going. Do  you know, studies show many runners have experienced on an anecdotal level which means running can actually get you high. Scientists have found links between moderate to intense exercise and morphine-like brain chemicals called endocannabinoids, which suggest endorphins alone aren’t responsible for the occasional flood of euphoria that rushes over you during a hard run.  Often when me & my husband have an argument, he goes out for a run and comes back home happy 🙂
4. Its convenient –  all you need is  pair of running shoes & a pair of head phones , & you are set for a run. You can do it alone. You can do it almost anywhere. it’s cheap, it’s accessible, and there are fewer barriers to maintaining a routine, even while traveling.

Few points & tips to bear in mind for beginners –

1. Go slow – Its very important to begin slow, as your joints, ligaments , muscles are getting used to any form of a workout. There will be some wear & tear of muscle hence its important to start with alternate days. Give some time for your tissues to heal & let your body adapt to the change. You may want to run faster. Resist that urge! It takes weeks for your “structural body” to catch up to your “metabolic body.”
2. Consistency – Once your body get use to running you should take a long-term approach to running. Commit to running regularly—say every other day—for the next three months & not just next three weeks. it will give you a great deal back in many ways. You’ll see improvements in elements as diverse as self-esteem and attitude to practical benefits like more energy during your workday. but to experience that you have to run daily , and not just one run a week.
3. Add variation in your running – When you keep running on same speed daily your body get used to it after a point it will stop showing results, hence its important to follow a walk-run-incline-sprint regime. I will share a program soon. Until then keep a variation eg: walk on the speed of 4 km/hr , Run on a spread of 6 km/Hr for half kilometer and then walk on incline of 3 for another half kilometer then sprint/fast run for a kilometer on the speed of 8Km/hr. Try combinations to feel the burn.
4. Don’t increase your run distance by more then 10 percent a week – By 4 weeks you will be very comfortable running and might happen that you over do by increasing your run distance drastically, This will cause injuries. Hence it is advised to practice 10 percent rule which is a good guideline for sensible running increases.To practice it, simply avoid increasing your total running distance or time by more than 10 percent from one week to the next.
5. Ensure a healthy diet – Since you will be putting in so much effort in loosing weight its important to compliment it with the right diet to see better results. Ensure to have High quality food like – Proteins , protein intake helps repair wear & tear of the muscles, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, healthy oils like olive oil, dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, unprocessed red meat. Avoid low quality food – quality food such as refined grains ( white rice) , sweets, processed food & fried foods.

Happy Running!

Much love

Sakshi 

10 TIPS FOR EVERY WORKING MOM TO STRIKE A GOOD WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

 

 

I confess I am a workaholic who fiercely loves her family. I struggle to find the balance between all of this and though it’s really hard it also a lot of FUN! I am brutally honest about this adventure we call being a working mom & through my honesty I hope to empower and inspire women to believe that they can do this.

“Motherhood is not the end of your Identity”

I am a Fashion professional by the nature of my job & General Manager Design & Marketing by designation. I work for a Bombay based export house and deal with clients like zara, oysho, Mango, Next, urban outfitters. In the past i had worked for brands like H&M, river island, top-shop and Masimo dutti to name a few.My job involves extensive travel around the globe for presentations & meetings. People who know me ,Know my jet setter life before becoming a MAMA.

I love my job & love my travels, it gives me a perspective to live life differently. Experiencing multi culture on my work trips definitely changed my horizon to a lot of things. Also it is so much self empowering to go out their in the world and make your mark.

I had my SONshine with great difficulty & a lot of wait but the wait was worth it. I love him more then words but at the same time i cant give up on my identity, And work is a very important part of me. Working full time & raising a tiny human sounds like a lotof work right!?! So the question is how do i do it?

 

“I think every working mom probably feels the same thing: You go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible — oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.”Tina Fey

Do i spend enough time with my son ? Am i part of his daily happenings ? How do i take care of him while being at work?

And the Answer to this is – I strike a balance, and have best of both worlds. Here are 10 ways, how i strike a work-life balance –

1. Let go off the guilt – Rather than dwell on how you’re not with your child, think about how your role of being a Working mom is benefiting the family. Your reason to work may be any, to provide a bright future for your children , help support your family status or elevating & developing self as an individual. Bright side is, in the end you are raising an independent kid.
2. A Reliable care giver – If you live in a joint family with your in laws and parents around then you are sorted, but its a real problem in nuclear family. If you are a nuclear family then its important to figure out a reliable care giver, A nanny who can take care of your child in your absence. There are a lot of professional agencies these days , Where security is not a big problem and they provide trained professionals. You can opt for someone living with you or some one who comes for 12 hrs.
3. A creche’ – If you are unable to find one suitable & trustworthy care taker at home then creche is answer to your problem. There are many state of the art creches/day care, who provide all the amenities that will keep your child safe & entertained. There will be some challenges like kids catching infection frequently, but that will happen when ever your kid will start going out, be it creche a play school or school for that matter. Its better they get use to it from an early age.
4. CCTV Cameras – It has been a blessing for me. I have got CCTV cameras installed in all rooms of my house and i can see my son live on my phone on my laptops. It ensures his safety and i get to see my curly cuddly running around & playing around the house 🙂 You can login from any part of the world all you need is a data connectivity or Wifi. Also keep calling time to time checking one your kid.
5. Support from work – It is very important to get some kind of flexibility & support from your work place. I have some credibility after working for so many years and with my past performances my employer has been kind to be flexible with me. All employers need to understand a woman has many roles to play in her life so be vocal with you employer to be flexible with you and figure out a working model where neither you nor them are affected.
6. Spend quality time with your child –  Above i have stated the logistics of making arrangements to keep your baby safe while you are at work. Now lets talk about making time for your baby.You need to design your day in such a way that you get to spend quality time with your kid so you don’t go on to the guilt ride. And honestly i wont be able to do this if i don’t have support from work. I prefer going late & coming late rather hustling in the morning & come tired home & not spending quality time with your child. So mornings are for him. I wake up anytime between 7-7:30 am. so an hr work out, or go for runs or just do stretches at home with or without my son. From 8:30 to 10:30 I give uninterrupted time to my son. We indulge into various activities , eat breakfast together, i make sure to feed him breakfast because then for other meals i am not around. I oil his hair, brush his teeth, do these little things , bath him and then in half hr get ready and leave for work. During evening i am back by 8-8:30 pm and then literally bath in 5 mins and then dinner in 5 mins and its time for his Nanny to go. From 9 to 10:30 – 11 pm is our time again. our routine is, some active play, then reading a book and sleep.
7. Create an activity/meal, chart– Make a chart for full week during weekends about his meals( breakie, lunch, evening snack, dinner, milk & quantity), medicines (if any). Time table for the whole day mentioning meals, nap time, play time etc.Or if you are sending your kids to a creche make notes in a book and hand it over to the concerned person there.
8. Organise yourself – Make sure to pack yours & your kids bags a previous night.Purses, work bags, baby bags/school bags.  Remove what to wear in the night for next day both for you & your kid. When you are at work, try & work smarter, without wasting time, not telling you to interact with your peers ( its one of the most important thing to be a successful manager) But casual internet surfing gossiping & long lunches etc eats time. You rather utilise that time and work efficiently and wind up on time for the day to go back to your baby.
9. Me time – Most importantly do not forget to focus on the golden Me time hr. Remove that one hr every day where you only focus on your self. It could be reading, running, working out, listening to music, painting or perhaps watch your favourite show. Remember you can’t serve your family if you will be irritated, frustrated. So make sure to rejuvenate your self everyday to get clarity of thoughts which will help you function better.
10. Delegate responsibility to your spouse – Don’t try to take everything on you, Delegate some responsibility to your spouse, eg: if you are getting late at work or have a work travel coming up, communicate with your husband to be around when you are not. Let your husband take care of your child when he wakes up during the night or early morning, so you catch on some sleep.

Hope you found this read helpful, Would love to know your thoughts in comments below.

Love

Sakshi 

 

 

 

 

SINGAPORE – WITH KIDS

World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. I so stand by this quote. I have been an avid traveller, 15 countries and counting….Recently explored another chapter that’s called Singapore. And it was indeed very special being first with my son.

 

Me and my husband love exploring Europe and we always do one country at a time. So Singapore was not on the cards, but once you have a baby Dimensions and perspective change and only country that came to our mind was Singapore. We were looking for a destination around India to avoid long haul flights. It took us only 4 hrs to land in this beautiful City of gardens.

Travelling with a toddler: Checklist & tips

And here is why? Take a look at Singapore through my eyes and find out what to do with kids.

1.  Singapore zoo – Walk on the wild side with award winning wildlife park where animals roam freely in their natural Habitat. This wild life park is spread over a 26 hectare with 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, which provides an excellent wildlife experience which your little one is sure to enjoy.  From White Tigers, pygmy hippos, and even naked mole rats to African cats and giraffes,they have it all, Which is sure to excite your little one. To be honest,i have never seen my son so excited. He was pointing out all the animals with his finger and was expressing is excitement was blabbering and jumping. Our favourite watch was orangutan, White tiger, different species of hippos , polar bear . They also have a dinosaurs land, where they have created different species of dummy Dinos which is great to educate our kids about. There are quick snack & gift stores all around the park. For adults , there is something called Breakfast with orangutans, Quite adventurous right! I would have done it, if i was travelling without my son.

TIP – Don’t forget to get a Map, to guide your way through this huge park with 11 zones depicting wild life from different countries. 

2. River safari – Visit River Safari in Singapore for a wildlife experience themed around the world’s freshwater rivers. From the Yangtze to the Mississippi, From Ganges to Nile river to encounter animals of all types, including the beloved Giant panda, Which was truly the highlight of our visit to river Safari. It is such a great Learning for kids , about the native animals and plants that are found around the world’s legendary rivers, and take a boat ride on the ‘Amazon River to spot Flamingos, which your little one is sure to enjoy.

Visitors can take a boat ride on the Amazon River Quest, or the River Safari Cruise; walk through the Squirrel Monkey Forest or see the Amazon Flooded Forest in the world’s biggest freshwater aquarium exhibit.

TIP – Buy tickets to zoo and river safari together to get a better deal 🙂

3. S.E.A Aquarium – Immerse yourself underwater at the Sea Aquarium and discover more than 100,000 marine animals, Yes its world largest Sea Aquarium. It is such a pristine feeling and such a sense of peace to see these gorgeous underwater creatures and makes you wonder what will underwater life be. My son was amazed to see such creatures and kept pointing out at the fishes. From little  to big, from pretty to fierce, you will witness every possible specie of underwater here.  You can also enjoy Dinning with beautiful views of these swimming creatures at the ocean restaurant by Cat Cora.

4. Universal Studios – Step into the glorious world of movies at this world-class theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa with enticing selection of attractions, rides and entertainment for families and thrill seekers. with Live entertainments , rides and many other attractions, your kid is going to have a busy day. However kids below 3 years of age have very limited things to do. But i am lucky, my son is a happy go lucky and enjoys his surroundings. So it was a lovely family day out!

TIP – You can do Sea Aquarium and Universal studios in one day. Make sure to get priority pass to cover everything in Universal Studios. 

5. Sentosa Beach – With Azure waters , sun & sand this beach is perfect for a family with small restaurants and pubs around. The pubs are all open air and are absolutely kid friendly. Watch your little one enjoy making a sand castle and his little foot prints as he takes a walk along the beach with you. Watch relaxing sun set as you sip on a cocktail while your little one is busy playing with sand. There is also  a kidzania at Sentosa beach.

Tip – someone told me there are red ants on Sentosa, and tea tree oil works perfect on stings. We didn’t find any ants there though. If you want to do Aquarium, Universal ,beach and other attractions at Sentosa , its ideal to stay there for 2 days, as its a little away from the city. They have lovely resorts around. 

6. Flower dome – Gardens by the bay – Its definitely No. 1 attraction in Singapore and a must visit for all age. My First reaction when i steeped in was Wow! Where am i !?! Is this a dream, Every thing is so beautiful. Step into an air conditioned flower dome  which replicates dry cold climate of Mediterranean region like Italy, Spain where every nook is covered with beautiful flowers possible, which gives a feeling of perpetual spring.  And a perfect place to take uncountable snaps and is every Instagramers paradise 🙂 Flower Dome is sure to amaze you and your little one.

 

7. Cloud Forest – Gardens by the bay -If you are excited after reading about flower dome,  Brace yourself to know about Cloud forest. A mysterious world veiled in fog, features a 35 meters tall Mountain covered in lush vegetation, shouldering world’s tallest indoor water fall. A lift takes you to the top level and then you explore and learn as you walk your way down. There is a lift at every level.  My son had so much fun exploring with us. very kid friendly place, there is a lot of space for kids to run around as well.

TIP – Carry a scarf or a light jacket as it get a bit chilly inside – Temp –  23°C – 25°C

8. Super tree Groove and OCBC sky walk – Make a trip to the top of one of these iconic Super trees and be awed by splendid views of the Gardens and the surrounding Marina Bay area. Or, stroll along the 22-metre-high OCBC skywalk, a 128-metre aerial walkway that connects two of the Super trees, and see the Gardens from a different point of view. Its a must visit to witness these iconic & never seen before structure and don’t forget to capture those wonderful moments at Super tree with your family as they make a Prefect  background 🙂

Tip – you can do gardens by the bay in one day, Flower dome, cloud forest and super tree. 

9. Merlion Park – When someone says Singapore, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Yes  ! That national icon, the mythical Merlion with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, throwing water from his mouth. Its a must visit  to this tourist attraction with lovely views of marina bay sands and the bay, & restaurants and pubs around. This place bustling with energy is a must visit where you can capture some fun moments with your kids perhaps with the water thrown by the Merlion 🙂  Its around the Fullerton Hotel also known as Fullerton square.

10. Marina Bay Sands – Last but not the least, and definitely the highlight of our trip.The famous marina bay sands which is known world wide for its ultra luxury  & Hospitality. and yes the infinity pool at the 35th pool with cities breath taking views is definitely a highlight. Whats amazing , and to my surprise this hotel being so busy and bustling with guests from around the world offers great amenities and features for kids in the hotel. we spent one day only chilling at the pool and little H enjoyed every bit of it.Be sure to be spoiled in luxury at Marina bay sands hotel and your kids will feel at home 🙂

Other fun places to visit – Bird park, Singapore flyer, Art science Museum, Singapore botanical Gardens, Night safari,Cable Car and Clarke Quay River Cruise, Chinatown,Adventure Park Zipline.

Stay tuned to read my review on hotels we stayed in Singapore.

Hope this helps you 🙂

Much Love

Sakshi 

 

 

 

Travelling with a toddler: Checklist & tips

I have been an avid traveller, 3 passports down, 15 countries & counting…. And in my view my travel is never going to stop as i feel one learns, grow, more with each travel. meeting different people in different countries & experiencing a variety of culture makes you more versatile. And i don’t think my travel life is going to change after having my baby, in fact it will be more fun with my little one. Excited to explore new countries with him 🙂

We got his passport made when he was 5 months old. And now he is one year old and we are off for our first family vacation to Singapore. Its not my first flight experience with him, we have flown within the country many times. But this one is our First long flight.

Travelling with a baby can be fun or the complete disaster if you don’t plan well.

So here is a quick checklist to what to pack for your baby –

1. Clothes – 2 pair for the day & one for the night should be ideal.
2. Shoes or booties – Carry not more then 2 pair of shoes or booties.
3. socks – carry these in plastic or fabric folders as you don’t want to waste time looking for those tiny socks in the suitcase. you will get these in any super market.
4. Bibs, Napkins – carry as many washable bibs & napkins you can, considering you don’t want to sit and wash them everyday during your holiday.
5. Bottles & Sippy cups – keep some extra just in case if you don’t f nd a steriliser everywhere.
6. Formula – stock up on formula depending on no. of days of your travel.
7. Ready to eat baby food – lots of options are available in the market.
8. Baby utensils, like bowl, plate, spoon. 2 each should be good.
9. A good stock of diapers – Half your cabin bag will be full of them 🙂
10. Diaper rash creme , wipes – carry according to no. of days you are out for.
11. Baby toiletries like baby bath, shampoo, creme, lotion.
12. Baby detergent – i will be carrying a small bottle of Johnson’s baby liquid detergent to wash bibs and if required some clothes.  It works great on stains.
13. Medication – Very important to carry all baby medication, make sure you carry basic medication prescribed by your paediatrician for, cold, cough , flu, vomiting, loose motions , colic etc.
14. Baby comb & hair brush.
15. Baby nail scissors, to cut their nails as their nails grow too fast. I have to cut my sons nails in every 3 days.
16. Baby carrier
17. A stroller
18. Some toys, books, colouring books that your baby loves to keep him entertained.
19. Blankets – carry at-least 2.
20. Carry some plastic bags as you may need to dump unwashed, used clothes or diapers on the go.

On the flight in the cabin bag –

1. Diapers, diaper rash creme, wipes.
2. Formula , Flask for hot water, & bottles or sippy cups
3. 2 pair of clothes for baby & one for you, just in case of a diaper leaks, happened with me once, You don’t want to start your vacation with poop on your clothes 🙂
4. Medicines – carry medication for vomiting & loose motions on the flight.
5. toys, books, to keep baby entertained on the flight.
6. Cotton to put in your baby’s ears to protect their ear drum from air pressure.
7. Blanket.
8. Hand sanitiser.

If you are heading to a Beach destination or a sunny place.

1. Swimming trunks, float, cap, goggles,
2. Sun block
3. Cap or a hat to protect your baby from sun.
4. Tea tree oil, apparently it helps with any insects stings. Sentosa island where we are headed to has red ants on the beach & someone suggested this really works. Its rarely available in India, but very commonly available abroad so you can check at pharmacies like boots internationally.
5. Water toys.

TIPS – 

1. Start preparing to pack well in advance, so you don’t forget anything.& keep a checklist on the table around where you are packing. Go over it again just so you don’t miss out on anything.
2. Travel smart & light, pre plan your’s & your baby’s outfits from now to save time.
3. carry lots of plastic bags to trash diapers on the go.
4. Pack all the baby syrup individually as they may spill & then pack in a bigger plastic so nothing leaks in your suitcase.
5. Make sure your diaper bag has water proof lining. I prefer a cross body diaper bag.
6. VERY IMPORTANT- Take number of your baby health care provider to connect in emergency.
7. As suggested above, do carry one extra pair of clothes for you on the flight as they may be leaky diapers & spit ups on the plane.

Happy vacay 🙂

A WOMAN Behind a MOTHER…POSTPARTUM JOURNEY!

 

After 6 years of struggle, bad health, emotional let downs & failures. After going trough every pin & needle in this world i had my baby. Words cant express my enthusiasm to finally have become a MOM, it was like a dream come true. But Wait why was i not happy?

I should have been the most happiest person ever, i was happy but what was that feeling?

” Yes! i was suffering from POST PAR-TUM DEPRESSION! And just by writing this i have tears in my eyes “

Just when i lost hope on having a baby and started focusing on my health & life in general, i  had my baby ! It was nothing but a miracle to finally conceive when i was least expecting it. But that’s not all. I always had problems in carrying pregnancy, each pregnancy got me gestational hypertension. Its a condition where the BP raises and fluctuates which affects the baby, and the flow of nutrients to the baby which leads to miscarriages.  And this time was no different. But my health care providers, understood my case after so many mishaps &  took very good care of me.

Believe it or not i got injected every single day until i popped this baby, I had major diet restrictions & by 7th month to add to my misery i was also  diagnosed by gestational diabetes, again major food restrictions here. Haven’t forgotten those jabs i use to give my self.  Clearly from all this you can gather i have gone through hell & back to get this baby. 

 

So Finally it was THE DAY that i had my little angel in my hands,something that i longed for years. Had gone through every pin & needle to get this baby. BUT i was not as happy as i imagined.I was irritable, had emotional outbursts, sleeplessness, pain ( as i had a c sec) , first 2 days i was worried if i will lactate. I had put so much pressure on myself from the moment i held him in my hands. I was absolutely geared to be a mother but some how i was not as happy as i should have been.

Finally 3rd day i started lactating, so one stress was off my head. But being a new mom Anxieties kicked in, would start crying any minute, i used to feel lonely, even with many people around.

I was a mix ball of emotions – Depressed, low, rude, Also i remember being  very possessive about my baby as i had him after so many struggles, i didn’t like people playing with him or holding him, i was very rude to people around me especially my mom & my husband. I knew what i was doing is not right but i had no control over me. A ridiculous fact, when my husband would give my baby all the attention which is bound to happen, i felt insecure, i would think that his love for me is dead, or he doesn’t care about me.And it occurred to me after months that I WAS GOING THROUGH POST PAR TUM DEPRESSION (PPD) its a clinical depression which hits most women after delivery. Hormonal change is hypothesised to contribute as one cause of postpartum depression. And i am not ashamed of sharing this, as this is very common and natural after having a bay. I am sure a lot of you may feel like reading your own story.

I knew about this before having a baby, but i was so overwhelmed in bringing this baby to this world that i didn’t bother about life after it.

So here are some tips on how can you cope with PPD – 

1. Pre-natal classes – Join a Pre-natal class, where you and your husband will be educated about delivery, postpartum, breast feeding , basically life after having a baby.also while you are pregnant it helps couples to get connected to the baby involving different activities.
2. Make husbands aware about this condition – Its important to make husbands aware about this condition so they can emotionally support their wives. give her your shoulder to cry. take out some time for her. Take her out for small drives and quick dinners. perhaps get her a glass of wine, Which wont hurt a breast feeding mom or the baby.
3. Join a counselling class, where experts talk to you, and help you over come this depression.
4. Be vocal about your feelings , We often don’t express what we feel. Especially such emotions. But it is very important to communicate what you feel. Let your husband, mom, relatives, friends know what you feel. Letting it out always helps.
5. Change in environment – I got over this with time, I came to my moms place, i actually needed a break from my surrounding. So plan a little getaway or go stay at a friends place or perhaps a resort.
6. Catch up on some sleep & me time – in between feeding times, try and catch up on some sleep .if you have help,  express your milk ( there is no harm in doing this sometime) You have to also thing about yourself along with your baby. Or read a book, watch  a movie, listen to some good music when the baby is napping. Do things that you like. this will definitely make you feel better.

 

Postpartum is not all about feeding the baby, changing nappies,sleeplessness only. This is the time you need to also take care of yourself. 

Make sure you have your mom or someone who can take care of the baby and you.So you can have some time to yourself and not feel drained out & forget about yourself. This is the time you need to focus on your health as you have given a birth to a human, it takes a whole village to do that. You need to focus to get enough nutrients to get your strength back. Also this is time to take baby steps towards achieving your pre-pregnancy shape, remember this needs to be done very slowly and at a steady pace.

 

Since you have given birth and you are breast feeding you need about 2000 calories a day. But don’t ever count calories and eat. Eat when your hungry.

Try to get a balanced diet.

What can you do to get a good & healthy diet & aim to steady weight reduction.

1.  Starchy food, like breads, rice etc.

2.  Lots of fruits & green vegetables.

3.  Protein, like pulses, fish , egg etc avoid  high protein food as this can cause gas to you and end up having a colicky baby.

4.  Dairy produce like Milk, yogurt, fruit smoothies etc.

5.  Try and avoid deep fried food, stale , junk , fast food.

6.  Nuts ( these are good source of energy, ) Good to have them in between meals when you get hungry because of breast feeding.

7.  Soups – Have a soup every day , this use to be my evening snack. spinach & tomato, carrots & pumpkin. etc.

8. Avoid having fatty foods like butter,cheese, deep fried. it wont do any good to you or your baby, and in fact will add extra lbs to your weight.

9. Avoid having those ladoos your mom, or mom in-law will make for you saying it will help you gain strength.There is a truth to it but without GHEE OR BUTTER. i had all the incidents that go in that ladoo separately like thymol seeds ( AJWAIN) this helps in digestion as your digestion is week after delivery. DRY FENUGREEK SEEDS (METHI), This helps in building strength. powder both these ingredients and have a spoonful every day. have nuts  which is part of it any time during the day. don’t eat too much. I basically had all the ingredients of that ladoo except sugar & ghee which would have added  extra lbs.

Do’s & don’t while Breast feeding 

1. Drink plenty of water while Breast feeding, As you loose a lot of water from your body during milk production. its good to keep yourself hydrated.

2. Remember to avoid, fatty food, deep fried, junk food, restrict your intake of caffeine & an absolute no for alcohol. while breastfeeding. occasionally a glass        of wine will be fine, but keep a gap of 3 hrs in feeding after having wine.

3. Eat food which is easy on the stomach & nutritious, like green leafy veggies, soups, juices, fruits, etc.

4. Aniseed ( Sauf) is a good source for milk production. So mix a spoon of these seeds in  glass of water and have it after couple of hrs. Try and have 3-4      such glasses during the day.

5. Mix some saffron in your milk, It good for skin, will help you & your baby to look bright & shinny 🙂

6. oatmeal porridge is also great for milk production. You can mix it with milk & dates (instead of sugar) or you can make it with veggies. This mostly use to be my breakfast along with fruits while breastfeeding.

Eating healthy during postpartum is very important as you are recovering, you are breast feeding & you want to want to aim towards gradual weight reduction. So during hunger panks eat smartly. My idea behind eating healthy was not just to weight Loss, i knew what ever i am eating i will be passed on to my baby. Also since i was diagnosed by Gestational diabetes, i had to watch what i was eating to normalise my sugar levels. My sugar levels were back to normal right after delivery however, since diabetes is a family history i didn’t wanted this to last,. My health care providers told me to keep a check on weight. if i put on i am not on the right track.This is the story behind a FIT MOM. I had gone through a lot & learned that healthy way of living is way to go!

Now what can you do to loose weight during postpartum – 

1. For all the expecting moms, please watch what you are eating. Apparently pregnancy gives us license to eat anything, right! One should not put on more then 12- 13 kg  during pregnancy. Its not only difficult to loose that weight later it also creates lot of compilations in the pregnancy.

2. Eat right during postpartum & breast feeding. Avoid sugar, ghee, butter etc. Try & have a balance diet. Read above.

3. Breast feeding definitely helps in losing weight. but along with a good balanced diet.  You cant expect to eat anything  & think i am BF and still not losing weight. BF is the best thing you can do for your baby. its best both for mom & the baby. So please BF your baby as long as you can. It helps build immunity & prevent babies from infections.

4. Please don’t be bed ridden, listen to your body. if you are feeling better after 10-15 days of delivery, start moving around the  house. Don’t do anything strenuous, do not lift weights. just be mobile in the house. Go down for walks.

5.  Do little exercises that your health care providers recommend. I remember i was told to do back strengthening & pelvis exercises as i had a c sec.

These exercises were advised & demonstrated by my heath care providers. So ask yours before doing this.

6. At around 4th month i started doing little stretches at home. You can do yoga or brisk  walks.At around 6th month i started running. only cardio. no weights.

 Working out can be in any form – climbing stairs, to doing house chores, some  stretches  at home, brisk walks, running, skipping etc.

7. Don’t go all out start slowly but be steady – You can choose to do 10 push ups 2-3 mins of planks, 20 squats, 20 triceps,10 surya namaskar. If you cant step out of the house, think out of the box, do these exercises with your baby, and perhaps  steal some kisses while doing it 🙂 I do it even now when cant find time to hit the gym.

8. I always say this, working out should not be only to reduce weight, it should become part of your life. its a fact if you workout, your body releases DOPAMINE, also called as HAPPY HORMONE, Its a neurotransmitter in the brain that’s necessary for feelings of happiness.

I will conclude this article by saying, Healthy living is a key to a happy lifestyle. And its important as mothers we take out time for our selves EVERYDAY.

Even if it is for half an hr, but give your self preference for that half hr. do things that you like, workout. Stop worrying about your baby & family during that hr or one hr. You need to be mentally & physically fit to be able to serve your family better. You are special as you are a MOTHER. Love yourself 🙂 

 

 

Disclaimer – I have shared my experience here , speak to your Health care providers.As every body is different. 

I would love to hear what you think about this article, your question are more then welcome 🙂

L O V E,

Uptownmommy

Sakshi