Let’s face it mom’s out there, whether you are first time mom or second time mom, we always end up googling, searching, talking and wondering if we are making the right choice for the baby, from the products we use to the schedule we follow, we search we ask and we wonder. Keeping that in mind, I really thought of writing about the 6 best things I did after my second son, which I learnt from my mistakes from my first son. 

1. BREASTMILK - there is absolutely no substitute for this! Infant formula was created for the mothers who absolutely couldn’t produce milk at all for their kids, and who would want an alternate option for the survival of the same, I totally understand the pain we all go through trying to feed our child and the sacrifices and frustration that come along, but trust me there is nothing more greater in value, than the breastmilk you give your child! It builds amazing immunity and boost up their development, they have brighter sharper skills and much much more. What can I say, God created this especially for the baby you just gave birth to, and it’s definitely going to be perfect like the baby you hold in hand. Every Child deserves “breastmilk” if it can be provided. I saw remarkable difference in Shawn, we didn’t have to take him to the doctor, except for vaccination, he built his immunity and cured all the ailments by just drinking breastmilk and nothing else ! So I swear by this ! 

2. Bathing Products and Creams - Always use All Natural no Chemical Products, we used shampoo from BON organic and used the soap from La Flora Organics Coconut Milk Handmade Soap Bar with real Coconut Milk. 

Pure cold pressed Coconut Oil - this one thing has a truck load of benefits!!! But I will tell you my personal experience, my delivery stitches resulted in complete pain free healing the minute I started using this oil on it! Also I have been using this oil as a massage oil for my second son and it works wonders, any allergy, it’s gone the very same day in few hours of application of coconut oil, I had absolutely no issue with diaper rash, as even with little redness, coconut oil has always come to the rescue ! So highly recommend, for delivery stitches and oil massage for babies. 

3. Soul String Sling bag - Best gift i have received for Shawn, this is so comfortable to wear and has an amazing feel for the baby too, the way it holds the baby, the baby is always close to you and always in sling motion , I take this everywhere, Shawn really loves this and mostly sleeps off on it when we are shopping or travelling, best investment if buying last for 1 year. It is advised not to carry the baby long, without back support so this really does the job! 

4. Toys till 6 month old : Fisher Price Play Mat, or any kind of play mat, that will stimulate the child to play as and when he is lying on the back or on his tummy. Second things that were commonly used in Shawn's case, were good quality smooth edged rattles, the ones i got were gifted to us from Singapore, but I am sure you get good ones here too. The Teethers i liked best were "Aligator" Teether from Funskool, Giraffe Teether from Fisher Price, around the age of 5.5 to 6 months the "Explor-a-ball" from Play gro works wonders for them. Textures, and sounds are the biggest stimulations. The best of all the toys mentioned above is "HUMAN MOBIL", basically your physical, high pitched voice, along with amazing facial expression would make any baby bubble and squeak with Joy, Shawn had all the fun with all the HUMAN mobil he could possibly get. 

5. Clothing: Dont invest Much on them, as kids grow really fast and you will feel really bad to pack them and keep them away for good. After buying all kinds of clothing, i have come to realise, the freedom of movement and physical development is best achieved with minimal clothing, so "ONESIS" won my heart. All kinds of onesis, really sorts out all of baby clothing. I wouldnt vouch for one brand or the other, but having a good knowledge on how Pure Cotton should feel like, would make a huge difference in making your kids not go through a heated experience in clothing. Dress them right, dress them comfortable !

Things you would need 1. Muslin Burp Towels 2. Face Towels. 3. Regular Towels to Use After Bathing 4. Pure Breathable Cotton Blankets.

6. Lastly - Do take care of your health and regain your strength and identity. Both my Kids were normal delivery, so I wont talk on behalf of c-section people. So if you had normal delivery and if there is no medical conditions, then the below things is greatly needed to regain your strength which is lost. Somewhere i have read, that labor and delivery pain together is like 100 bones breaking at the same time. So in order to recover from it, 

1. "Ayurvedic Massage" Best to start this after 40 days of delivery. 

2. Natural Breathable Belt - Preferably Cotton Belt. - From the 3rd day of delivery or as advised by the doctor. 

3. Yoga - Trust me i have never gained as much strength from anything , as i have gained doing yoga. Yoga really makes you gain strength, posture and also lose those extra belly fat that you have gained during the course of your pregnancy. 

Getting yourself Back is very much needed to move forward in your life as an individual and also as a mother. Your mental Health and physical health is also as important as growing your child, never ignore it and never say you will regain it later on in life !!

So ending the blog now, Congratulation on this new venture of yours, do let me know if any of you have faced anything differently and if anything needs to be added in the above list of must know pointers. 

#Parenting #Delivery #Birthto6Months #PostnatalAyurvedicmassage #Yoga #Breastmilk #NaturalLiving #CoconutOil