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Dear readers,

Welcome you to yet another exciting edition of M&B. I trust that your Diwali has been explosive and you got to spend ample amounts of time with all your loved ones. Speaking of time, as I write this note, I can’t help but allow myself the occasional glance at the clock, and the date. We’re almost at the end of 2016 and I’m trying to recall the last 10 months, all the while wondering how time passed me by. Diwali has come and gone… can we really be in November?

This got me thinking. If wondering how one year went by as fast as it did, I cannot begin to imagine how you, as parents, must feel watching how fast your children are growing up, when all you want to do is freeze time. We certainly have no control over the weather, much less the ticking clock, but we do have something that can help take you back to those precious moments with your little one. Our article on creative ways to preserve memories will definitely make growing up a lot easier on you.

Now, while you want your babies to remain babies forever, you also want what’s best for them. And if you think your child needs some extra attention, our article on coping with Special Needs children is a must-read. If you think that you’re not nearly doing enough for your child, remember that even celebrities (though they can afford the best), still question their parental skills. Read all about how playback singer Khushboo Grewal balancesmotherhood and a successful career.

Apart from these interesting stories, we also bring you tips and must-haves to help protect your children from the cold, as well as some haircare facts that every expectant mother should know.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Cheers!

Editor

c.flanagan@nextgenpublishing.net

 

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Inhale, exhale, and count to 10… that’s what I usually mumble under my breath when I find myself torn between work and a zillion other commitments. Wouldn’t it be dandy to kick back, put your feet up and tune the world out, even if only for a few minutes? While the need to relax is certainly not overrated, when you’re expecting or responsible for a tiny person, it should become an essential part of your day! Think about it… how can you expect to do your best for your baby, when you neglect your own needs?

This is why, our October issue is all about YOU! That’s right, you’ve earned it. Whether it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that—shopping, a spa weekend, a babymoon or even just a night out on the town with your girlfriends—we think it’s time to spend some quality ‘me time’ before you’re elbows-deep in baby powder and diapers. Our feel-good issue tells you exactly what you need to do to relax your body and mind, before the baby arrives. With stories that detail ways to beat those pregnancy blues, and how to feel fabulous—we have it all.

Moreover, if you’re one who enjoys reading, we’re sure you’re aware of the extension on maternity leave, or the controversial commercial surrogacy ban. In this issue, we’ve delved deeper to give you a comprehensive look at both. Apart from that, we’ve also got interesting ways in which you can help your children develop into well-rounded adults. From going against tradition and un-schooling your kids by giving them a more practical education, to music therapy as a means to cope with various issues, we have it all.

Now, all that’s left is to take some time out, sit back and enjoy the issue we’ve so lovingly put togetherfor you. We hope you make the most of it!

 

Cheers!

Charlene Flanagan

Editor

c.flanagan@nextgenpublishing.net

 

Dear readers,
I’d like to welcome you to another exciting issue of M&B… exciting because it’s my first issue since Swati began a wonderful new chapter in her life. While her liveliness and guidance is tremendously missed around the office, working on this issue has been a great learning experience. What’s funny, though, is that when you give yourself time to think about things, you realise just how much you rely on and appreciate everything you have in your life. This is precisely why our September issue is all about what you hold dear. As they say, home is where the stories begin and we at M&B have certainly put our hearts into this edition, and some great features packed into this issue.

For starters, our cover mum is not your typical mum-nextdoor. Steffina Cherian is breaking stereotypes and you’ll soon know why. But apart from brave women that inspire us on a regular basis, we do have a few other wonderful beings that can show us a great deal of what it means to be back home, and feel loved—pets! Read all about how a furry friend can be a boon for both you and your children. Naturally, with pets around the house, you, as parents, will be concerned about the safety and well-being of your little ones. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with insightful articles on how you can prevent accidents—and deal with unforeseen dangers.

For those expectant mums and dads, our article on whether dads belong in the delivery room is really quite an eye-opener and will let you decide what’s ultimately best for you and your partner. Apart from this, our ‘Home’ special also features some adorably trendy baby rooms for your bundle of joy. Enjoy these stories and a lot more in our latest issue.

Cheers!

Charlene Flanagan

Editor

c.flanagan@nextgenpublishing.net

 

Dear readers,
As I write this note today, I feel a tug at my heartstrings. I leave Mother and Baby in some very able hands, to proceed to responsibilities a tad bigger—changing diapers and managing sleep schedules, if you may please. Some of you have been privy to my complicated pregnancy and subsequent loss last year, but not too many are aware that I am expecting a baby via surrogacy, and am attempting to induce lactation. Not many are aware simply because the information warrants a lot more space, detail and balance—the complete story that I intend to reveal some day, layer by layer.

It will not be a lie to say that of all my challenges, inducing lactation has been one of the toughest. It has been a huge pressure that I have thrust upon myself. From anxiety to unpredictability, the process has tested every resilient bone in my body. From heated arguments with breastpump dealers to heartfelt exchanges with my lactation consultant, this has put me on a roller coaster of emotions. With the stringent regimen of pumping every two hours, finding the space and comfort to do it, the process has shown me who the real heroes of my life are. And as I braved every challenge that came my way, this has allowed me to love and respect myself a little bit more.

I know that breastfeeding can be a cause of concern for many mums like me, and for many different reasons. As I move on to the bigger challenges of motherhood, I leave you with a very special issue. On the one hand, this month’s M&B talks about breastfeeding in all its might—the tried and the tested, the trials and the victories. On the other, it is our very first awards issue, where we’ve curated the best of the lot in the pregnancy and baby care segment. What an action-packed issue this is, and what a bitter-sweet feeling to be wrapping this up—perhaps my last in a really long time!

Love and cheers,

Swati Chopra Vikamsey

Editor

c.swati@nextgenpublishing.net

 

The hardest part about my day is waking up. No matter what time I sleep, mornings are always challenging. How one feels on waking up is an indication of how one sleeps. How one wakes up denotes how the day will go, and how each day goes is an suggestive of overall health and well-being. Obviously, this is true of babies too. And, more so. Not surprising then that more than just a few pages needed to address a critical aspect of your baby’s life—sleep. From problems to solutions, from tips to tricks, you’ll find it all in the pages of our sleep special.

In addition, we answer pertinent parenting questions like gender-neutral rearing, unconventional ways of bringing up a baby and raising a child in an inter-faith marriage. Of course, there’re the mandatory monsoon specials that make an appearance this time of the year. It’s a great time to sit back with a hot cuppa and your favourite magazine. And we’ve made sure to put plenty on your plate.

Happy reading…

Swati Chopra Vikamsey

Editor

c.swati@nextgenpublishing.net

Phew! What a month this has been. A mammoth anniversary issue, a gigantic American holiday, and the astronomic heatwave that’s hit the country with a vengeance. Hopefully, June will bring some respite with an early monsoon. I have always associated this month with the onset of clouds and the beginning of the school year. The smell of wet earth and the crispness of new books—both invigorating and exciting—always brings with it the anticipation of a brand new start.

For mums who are sending their babies to school for the first time, it will bring along some anxiety as well. After all, your li’l one has just grown some wings, and that will likely be met with mixed feelings. And why fret? If you handle the transition with enough preparation, it should all be good! Whether it’s choosing the right teaching method or the right school, whether it’s tackling separation anxiety or a change in routine, whether it’s nutritious snack options or fulfilling a supportive role, there are a host of advises that can make life simpler this back to school season. Read on, and let your baby fly!!

Swati Chopra Vikamsey

Editor

c.swati@nextgenpublishing.net