Author: Archana

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Obsolete.
May be this is a strong word .. not in vogue would be more suitable. 
As I mentioned before, Pregnancy care and care of newborns has changed a lot since when I had a child. So I thought this post would be easy to write. 


Yet as I started to actually note what has become obsolete the list was not as long as I had envisaged. In many instances, the method had changed but the basic aim remained the same. Let the Mom get proper rest to allow her body recover from the delivery and pregnancy. 
Let the baby adjust to this World and grow healthily. 


So getting back to the things that are not in vogue any more. 
There is a process called ‘धुरी देणे ‘ dhuri dene – wherein, post bath, the baby is held over fumes of some medicinal herbs. It is supposed to prevent colds and so on. Here is an image of it which is from the Health Supplement of Sakal dated 13 Dec 2019. 

Neonatologists strongly discourage Dhuri. 
Ditto for Bal Gooti (it is an Ayurvedic combination of medicinal herbs to prevent and treat common baby complaints) and Gripe Water.  


There has been a practise of the new Mom’s having to stay in dark, poorly ventilated rooms. Going out of the house is hugely discouraged till 40 days after the baby is born. I am not challenging this practise but a gloomy room and relative isolation can cause any one to be depressed let alone a lady who has just been through 9 months of pregnancy and a demanding labour. 
Many Obstreticians now advise the new Mom to go out a little, exercise, eat a reasonable balanced diet (no need for ghee rich food at every meal) among other things. 


My list could be longer, but I know you have to visit other blogs as well!! So we shall tackle this topic another time after the AtoZ!! 

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver
Disclaimer: My posts do mention some products or service providers but these are not sponsored and not meant to be an advertisement.  All posts are from a maternal grandmother’s point of view!

This a recurring topic with new Moms and their newborns. And the grandmas as well. 
I stayed up every time our baby woke at night initially as we were not confident of handling and changing the infant and then just for solidarity with my daughter. Take care of the soiled diapers and so on. 

Its a rule for new Moms to sleep when Baby sleeps. Not for Grandmoms especially if she like decides to stay awake at night  —- then she (I) ends up dozing during the day. This can be pretty embarrassing or downright dangerous if driving. 

Night is also the time when Colic strikes and it is an unnerving experience for everyone. It is said that burping the baby after feeds is the best way to avoid Colicy pain. The hospital Nurses were a good guide for daughter and me to learn the firm touch vital to manoeuvre the tiny tot into different positions to encourage the burp.


While its considered bad manners for an adult to burp, that’s the best sound you want to hear from an infant!!  

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Memories
As I mentioned before, I have attempted to try some kind of stitching as we waited for the baby to arrive. Making a  baby sized ‘Dupta’ is just what grandmothers do. 


Naturally, I wanted to do something different. I struck upon the idea to make something using cut pieces from discarded clothes of the expectant Mom and Dad. This was totally in sync with the Reuse Upcycle theme! My design was inspired by one made by my Mom for my daughter. 

Fabric triangles stitched together to get this intricate pattern

Initially, I thought of simply using running stitch to bring my idea together but it was not strong enough. Buying a regular sewing machine seemed to be a waste so I got a mini version which served my purpose perfectly.

I cut up the fabric into triangles and placed them together like assembling a zigsaw puzzle. Once I got a design I liked, I stitched the pieces together to get these two unique pieces. 

I call these the MomDad dupti!! 


What have you stitched for a newborn? What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you after the weekend folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

 

Knitting!
In my mind, a grandmother has always been associated with knitting. When I was awaiting our bundle of joy, i decided to  knit.
Easier said than done.
It was years since I had touched knitting needles, I could’nt locate any of my pattern books and I needed to get wool. Luckily for me, the wool shop had a Sirdar pamphlet for a cardigan for newborns. 


I did remember the Knit and Purl stitches but how does on cast on? Making friends with technology helped and I found You Tube videos describing the process in detail. Some videos described beautiful patterns but I was faithful to my pamphlet. 
After an initial test process, I was ready to take up the cardigan. 

I used every free minute with my rediscovered skill. Soon the cardigan began taking shape…

In a matter of couple of weeks, I was thrilled to complete my cardigan and even had the courage to take up the bootees! This turned out be a bit complicated but soon I had a lovely pair ready. 
I thought my work was quite neat,which emboldened me to knit a bigger cardigan for gifting … and a bonnet too.. Here they are.. What do you think?

Have you knitted baby sweaters? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

 

                            

Specifically shared for Pilot Grandad

Grandma Loves Me!

For Daddy

                      For Mommy

What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!


Have a great weekend folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Imbibe
All of us know the story of how Abhimanyu learnt the about entering the Chakravyuha when still in his mother’s womb. 
While that is a story, my mother-in-law has always said, that kids brains are like sponges till the age of 5 and they soak in almost everything we tell them.  This happens even if they dont understand what we talk. Overall it contributes to higher intelligence. 


I took it quite seriously with my daughter, and in the same vein, I speak to my grandchild about everything. Each day, I describe a tree that I see from our balcony, its family, flowering, etc. I try to talk about the birds in our area (though I am not a bird-person), my husband talks about flying, Hindustani classical music and so on.. 

I think you get my point. The aim is that his brain can unconsciously imbibe diverse information. This is naturally in addition to stories, baby songs and so on.. 


Before I am accused of information overload, let me assure you, baby simply dozes off when bored so naturally we have to stop! 

Conversely, this also means no fighting, no arguments when baby is around!


What do you talk to a baby about? What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!


See you tomorrow folks!

Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver

Hello! Welcome to my seventh attempt at the April AtoZ blogging challenge. My theme this year is Experiences of a first time grandmother! Some sweet, salty moments and learnings! My posts are totally based on what I felt (may even border on rants) and are not meant to be a guide. 

Help!
In order to ensure to properly look after Mom and her newborn , Grandma has to be on her toes practically round the clock. And NO. I am not trying to glorify myself. Ask any grandma who has been in my position.


So I had to recruit reliable helpers. In Maharashtra, we have a practice of special helpers who come in to give a massage and bath to the newborn (a very difficult task). I was advised to check if this lady suffered from any skin ailments, other infections.. that was tough…..I relied on references and then hoped for the best! 

Besides this, Grandma needs to have good advisors for customs that are usually followed with a new born baby. In my opinion, its a good idea to know what they are and then decide what to follow. 


There is nothing wrong or demeaning in asking for help. It doesn’t lower self esteem or reduce a Grandma’s importance in any way. That is what I learnt..


What has been your experience? I am sure my thoughts may cause a deja vu to some of you especially someone who has hosted a new born. I would love to hear from you!

See you tomorrow folks!


Here are links to my previous AtoZ attempts. 
2013 Mixed Bag
2014 Exercising For Fitness
2015 Gardens of Pune
2016 Herbs
2018 Contemporary A to Z
2019 Caring for the Caregiver