One month - Postpartum

What a month it has been! A lot of unbelievable learning - postpartum hit on the body, managing tiny (literally) baby, moments of happiness, lots of despair as everything was new, breastfeeding saga and many more. But we have sailed through the first month with days and nights fading into each other and a new routine set up completely around the baby's mood swings! 

First of all, postpartum effects on the body is absolutely underrated and under-explained! I wish someone told me clearly how important it was to do kegels during pregnancy, what will be the possible changes to the body and some parts might never return to normal and we need to cope with the new normal, how, for a few days, we might feel completely helpless with the body - especially with your baby in your arms, how all these can impact you emotionally and you still need to think positive and do your best for you and the baby! All I knew was that the stitches pain would last for 4-6 weeks and other basic things. But I had to go through a lot more which I never knew I would ever go through! All in all - it was a massive experience and I went through a self-learning phase with not much preparation. Although I am not fully recovered yet, I am almost there and one day (soon) it will all be well :-)

The best part of the delivery is, after all, holding your little baby in your hands. She was so tiny that it needs some getting used to. Initially it feels like - what if she gets hurt while changing clothes? Is her temperature going up? Why is she making those sounds? Why is she crying? And many more.. Eventually you learn and the baby grows each day and you build some confidence slowly.. although we are far from gaining full confidence as its been just a month and after all everything will continue to be a new experience with her :-)

People do say that days and nights will merge with the baby - this is completely true as I am up at least 3 times middle of the night and I don't necessary sleep during the day time. It is completely exhausting and I crave for extra pair of hands at least to sit with me and keep me company as the baby doesn't understand you yet - especially at nights as its complete silence. But then this is motherhood and one day I will cherish these alone moments with my baby which may seem hectic and tiring now :-) 

My baby came into the world 4 weeks early so her first humongous task was to pick up weight - it is indeed a pressure on the baby as she is closely monitored by the doctors and the worried parents. My little girl managed to surpass this at the 3rd week mark and now she is steadily growing! But there were several hopeless and hopeful moments that the parents have to go through... and I am certain this is again just the beginning...

Breast-feeding is indeed a big learning curve for the mothers and this one takes first-time mothers into a lot of self questioning. First 2 months are horrendous because you either make it to the supply that the toddler is craving for or you don't. It is not an easy path (for some maybe it is) and it does take a toll especially to wean off formula. The only thing that the mothers can do is to keep trying. My advice to the mothers is to accept the reality at the 8-10 week mark and don't kill themselves. Ultimately your baby needs to be fed in some way or the other and the baby will be all fine in the end as long as the baby eats well :-)

One of the most important things that kept me alive and positive during the first month is my family back in India (both Hyderabad and Delhi) and my dear dear friends who have been rock solid support for me with all the questions had I for them - love you guys for helping me get through the toughest month!! I don't forget my dear husband, of course! :-)

This blog is a simple snapshot of my one month experience and as everything is new to me on the baby growth I want to jot down what I felt during the month so I have a log to look back to and feel grateful for the all the experiences I would have gone through :-)