Parents-to-be prepare for their baby’s arrival much before the due date. Slowly and steadily, all the necessary items on that checklist are ticked off. From stocking up on baby clothes, feeders and diapers, there’s so much more that parents need to take care. One such aspect is technology, a rather underestimated part of childcare and safety. M&B brings you some nifty tools that will help make parenting a whole lot easier

BY SANIA DHIRWANI

Video Baby Monitor

ABOUT
Don’t underestimate the importance of a baby monitor. From keeping track of your baby’s sounds, to even keeping a close eye on her when she’s in her crib and away from you, a baby monitor becomes a necessity for a busy parent.

BENEFITS
● To keep an eye from another room: With a video monitor, parents or caretakers do not need to constantly visit the child’s room. Just by watching in the monitor, parents can be assured of baby’s safety without disturbing their play or snooze time. Baby’s sleep pattern can be disturbed by incessantly checking in on her. Any potential hazards can be avoided just by glancing at the video monitor.
● To track sleep accurately: When you are training your baby to sleep on her own, it’s essential for parents to check how much sleep she is actually getting. When you leave the child alone, it is common for a baby to toss and turn without making any sound. An audio monitor might not be able to track all the movements.
● To provide security: This is one of the biggest advantages. It provides security both outside and inside the crib. As your child will grow, there’s a good chance that she might try to get out of the crib. In the process, she can fall and hurt herself. While you may not be able to completely eliminate potential dangers, you can certainly be aware of them. Morever, if you have a nanny to take care of your baby, you can monitor the nanny’s actions and ensure she’s providing your child with the care he needs.

LIMITATIONS
● Sound interference: In wireless video monitors, there may be some irksome and buzzing sounds. These sounds can be caused by other wireless  devices around the house like the wireless phone or wifirouters, that can interrupt the signal and cause disturbances.
● Limited range: Video monitors maybe free from the clutches of wires but they do come with a limited range
for hassle-free viewing. If you travel beyond a certain range, your phone might not be able to track your baby’s movements as you are not in the required frequency range.
● An expensive investment: Most working parents have a set budget for their expenses. Purchasing a video monitor can be an expensive affair, especially if you are opting for special features like wireless and HD camera.

SAFETY MEASURES
● Select a video monitor which delivers a longer range and creates less interference.
● Size does matter. Purchase a one that has a small receiver that can be easily carried around the house. Select the one that can be connected with an existing smart device you own.
● Low-battery indicator is one of the important features you should look out for. Get a monitor that lets you know with an alarm or fl ashing lights that you need to change the batteries.
● Some latest monitors tracks your baby’s vital signs. For example, a video monitor will alert the parents if the baby hasn’t moved recently, keeps track of the temperature in your baby’s room and even gives predictions when your baby will be awake.
● Many video monitors feature infrared light or night vision so you can see your baby on the monitor even when she’s asleep in a dark room.

Electric Breast Pump

ABOUT
With the increasing need for two incomes, and the maternity leave policies being three months in some companies, nursing mums tend to wean there babies earlier than required. Owning a breastpump helps take away the feeding worry for mums resuming work post birth.

BENEFITS
● Effi cient and ease-of-use: An electric pump helps you to extract more milk in less time, a useful tool for busy mums. Unlike a manual pump, the work is automatically done for you at a pace that you preset. This saves you from aching hands or difficult-tomaintain pumping patterns.
● Available in multiple types: There are a plethora of options available in the market that suits different needs of a mother’s lifestyle. Vishvanath Kanan, Medela, says, “Mothers with premature or low birth weight babies can opt for a two-phase double electric breast pump like freestyle that mimics baby’s natural sucking pattern, and thus increases and maintains milk production. Double pumped milk is also high in energy content and therefore benefi cial for preterm and low birth weight babies.” Further adding, he says, “Working mothers on the other hand can use electric pump and save a lot of time compared to manual pumps. A double electric pump in particular can save up to two hours of pumping daily.”
● Best alternative to breastfeeding: From an improper latch, inverted nipple or even busy schedules, breaspumps can be a great time saver. An electric breast pump solves maximum of your problems and is one of the most useful gadgets a new mother should own. Your baby will still be taking pure breastmilk even when you are away or are outdoors and finding it inconvenient to breastfeed your baby in a public space. Rajesh Vohra, CEO, Artsana, says, “Chicco NaturalFeeling electric breastpump is designed to extract milk in an effective, practical and delicate way. The extra soft silicone cup gently envelops the breast and the special texture ensures a soft and delicate  contact on the skin. Mothers can adjust the flow level that best suits her needs. It can operate through power cable as well as with battery.”

LIMITATIONS
● Cannot be carried everywhere: Some workplaces do not give you the privacy of pumping. The process of carrying the entire kit everywhere can itself be cumbersome.
● Hampers emotional bonding: According to some studies, pumps cannot act as a substitute for the mother. It cannot replace the motherbaby bonding that breastfeeding ensures. Excessive use of a breast pump can also interfere with the milk production.
● A noisy device: The downside of electric pumps are not as portable as battery or manual breast pumps. They tend to be more noisy and its hard to express discreetly with the sound of an electric motor thumping away. It is also dependent on an external power source.

SAFETY MEASURES
● Mr Vohra says, “The expression must be soft and gentle, otherwise it maybe uncomfortable for the mother. Adjustable flow rate is also an important feature as all mothers have different comfort levels. It should have an easy grip considering the mother  has to hold it for a while. Make sure the material of the pump is BPA free.”
● Select a model that allows you to pump both breasts at once. It will cut the pumping time by half, and doublepumping also boosts milk production by emptying both breasts. Look for one that comes with a case.

There’s nothing quite as exciting as the changing seasons. And as the temperature heats up, paying attention to your diet is particularly important, especially if you’re expecting or have a fussy eater at home. Operations Manager and Executive Chef, Anshul Sethi, of the Fortune Park Lake City Hotel, Thane, has designed a meal exclusives to tease your taste buds and help you stay healthy. What are you waiting for? Dinner is served

Broccoli Broth

YOU NEED:
1 cup broccoli fl orets
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp chopped garlic

For the stock
2 tbsp chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped carrots
10 gms salt
5 gms freshly ground pepper

YOU MUST:
Heat olive oil in a deep nonstick pan. Add in the garlic, onion, carrot and celery and sauté for two to three minutes. Now, add in the broccoli florets, salt and two and half cups of water. Let it cook for two to three minutes, stirring occasionally, before you season it with salt and pepper. Put on the lid and let it simmer for eight to 10 minutes. Serve hot with bread rolls

Mushroom and Spinach Timble with Fruit Salsa

YOU NEED:
100 gms chopped fresh fruit
1 finely chopped red bell pepper
1 finely chopped yellow bell pepper
5 gms jalapeno slices
5 gms chopped green chillies
2 ml tabasco sauce
10 ml lemon juice
Salt to taste
10 chopped button mushrooms
10 gms chopped garlic
15 gms chopped onions
35 gms blanched and chopped spinach
30 ml olive oil
5 gms parmesan cheese
5 gms fresh basil leaves
5 gms fresh thyme
20 ml balsamic vinegar
10 ml honey
10 gms brussel sprouts
10 gms rocket leaves
20 gms iceberg lettuce

YOU MUST:
Sauté some of the onion, green chilies, coriander and jalapeno in olive oil. Remove them from the fl ame and add in the bell peppers and fruit. Season it with a few drops of tabasco and lemon juice and set aside. Next, create a duxelle (fine mince) of the mushrooms by sautéing it with some garlic and the remaining onion. Season this mixture with the fresh herbs and set aside. Next, sauté the spinach with the remaining garlic in olive oil and set aside.

FOR THE GARNISH:
Toss the blanched brussel sprouts in a little of the fresh herbs and set aside. In a separate non-stick pan, heat the balsamic vinegar and honey and bring it to a string-like consistency. Set aside when done.

PLATING UP:
Use a mould that is four inches high and three inches in diameter to plate up the salad. Spread the spinach mixture on the bottom to create a vibrant green layer at the centre of the plate. Next, evenly spread the mushroom duxelle and pat it down to create a compact and firm layer. Finally, top it off with the fruit salsa. Before serving the dish, make sure you have sufficiently chilled it. This will ensure the layers remain perfectly stacked. As a final touch, scatter the brussel sprouts and rocket leaves on the plate and glaze it with the balsamic and honey reduction.

Sesame Palak Paneer with Coriander Roti

YOU NEED:
150 gms malai paneer
250 gms fresh spinach
1 finely chopped large onion
1/2 tsp kasuri methi powder
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1 tbsp oil or ghee
1 tsp white butter
2 to 3 fi nely chopped green chillies
1 tsp roasted sesame seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds

YOU MUST:
Take a sauce pan and boil the spinach on medium heat. Make sure to not overcook the spinach. When done, drain the water and set aside to cool. Grind to a fine paste when completely cooled and set aside. In a pan, heat the oil or ghee. When suffi ciently hot, add in the cumin seeds. After they begin to splutter, add the green chillies and onion and sauté till it turns golden brown. Next, add in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté till the rawness dissapates. Next add in the kasuri methi, kashmiri chillies, salt, garam masala and mix well. Now add in the spinach paste and cook well. When the mixture begins to leave oil, add in some water and let in simmer for about two minutes. Finally, add in cubes of malai paneer, the white butter and mix well. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve it with coriander roti.

Multigrain Egg Wrap

YOU NEED:
250 gms multigrain fl our
3 eggs
2 tbsp ghee
1 inch piece ginger
2 green chillies
2 large onions julienned
2 capsicum julienned
1 carrot julienned
Salt and pepper to taste
5 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp fi nely chopped coriander leaves
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1/4 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp Kitchen King masala

YOU MUST:
Start by making the dough. Add the multigrain fl our, salt and water and knead till soft and smooth. Cover the dough and set aside for 30 minutes. Next, divide the dough into equal balls to roll out. Next, apply some ghee to a dough ball and roll it into a thick chapati. Repeat the process till all the dough balls have been rolled out. Next, pan fry the parantha, occasionally drizzling with ghee, till evenly cooked. Your multigrain paratha is ready. Next, crack your eggs into a bowl and beat it adding some salt and pepper and set aside.

For the filling, heat oil in a pan and add the onions, ginger, garlic, green chillies and sauté until onions turn translucent.Next, add the julienned capsicum and carrots, and sauté on high flame for a few minutes. Add salt (as needed) and all the spice powder. To this mixture, add in the chopped coriander leaves, tomato ketchup. Turn off the heat and mix well. The vegetables should retain the crunchiness, so avoid overcooking them. Set the mixture aside.

Next, heat a tawa, and heat a little oil in it. Then, pour over some eggs and let it start to cook. Then place the parantha on top of the egg mixture and press it well. Once the egg gets cooked, flip it over to the other side, cook for two to three seconds and remove from heat. Now place two to three tbsp of the prepared vegetable filling on egg side of the parantha and roll it tightly. Wrap it in a butter paper and serve with mint chutney.

Avocado and Berry Mousse

YOU NEED:
1 large avocado
50 gms whipped cream
100 gms sugar
100 ml water
50 gms Fresh berries
8 gms gelatin
2 egg whites
50 gms cream cheese

YOU MUST:
For the berry and avocado puree, add in the berries, avocado, sugar and water into a sauce pan and heat the mixture for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and blend it till it turns into a fine puree. Set aside and let it cool for an hour. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and sugar until fluffy. Gently fold in the whipped cream and cream cheese till no lumps remain. Next, soak gelatin in 20 ml water and melt the same on double boiler until the gelatin dissolves. Slowly add the gelatin to the egg and cream mixture, and mix in the puree. Mix well to avoid any lumps and pour into moulds to set. Keep the mousse in the refrigerator for at least two to three hours. When you’re ready to serve, remove the mousse from the moulds and garnish with chocolate and fresh berries

 

Many couples choose to go on a Babymoon in an attempt to spend some quality time together before the stress of parenthood actually begins. M&B takes you on a journey and tells you everything you need to know about travelling  when pregnant

BY SANIA DHIRWANI

Kerala

ABOUT
People associate the term nature with God’s own country. Travellers across the globe come to Kerala to enjoy nature, its calm and serene atmosphere and the backwaters. Not only is it a place widely chosen by honeymooners, it is also gaining popularity as babymoon destination. Surround yourself with nature, sit back and relax with your partner.

WHY?
The climate: Kerala enjoys a tropical climate and the temperatures stay fairly consistent throughout the year. Mumsto- be can have a relaxing getaway in the region known for its beaches and backwater canals. Also, you can spend quality time in the seaside resorts of Kerala—popular tourist attraction— while unwinding with your partner.

Picturesque hill stations: Apart from the backwaters and the beaches, Kerala has some beautiful hill stations with tea and coffee plantations. One of the most popular hill stations is Munnar and Silent Valley. You can visit the dams, and if you’re lucky, you could catch a glimpse of wild elephants of Kerala. The hills in Munnar are not steep and the roads are broader, making it safe to travel.

Stay in houseboats: Not many places in India offer stay at houseboats. Kerala is one of them and you cannot miss out on it. Houseboats of Alleppey and Kumarakom is perfect for babymooning.

HOW TO TRAVEL?
The safest and fastest way to travel to Kerala is by flight from anywhere in India. From Mumbai it takes two hours to reach the destination. During pregnancy, you need to make sure that your travel is not quite hectic and you reach your destination quicky, in case of an emergency. Make sure you consult you doctor before you venture out. Taking a train means at least 22 hours of travel time.

MUST VISI T
Sree Padmanabhaswamy
Temple
Bekal Fort
Silent Valley Nationa Park
Periyar Lake
Tea Gardens in Munnar
Athirapilly waterfalls

Dharamsala

ABOUT
Nature’s gift to mankind comes in the form of the city of Dharamsala. Mountains and greenery surround this city in Himachal. It is one of the major tourist attractions in India. If you want to witness snowfall and travelling to Switzerland is a little too far, then Dharamsala is the place to be.

WHY?
For the food: Most of the restaurants and cafes in Mcleod Ganj have outdoor seating with mesmerizing views of the peaks and the deodars. Apart from the Tibetan cuisine, you can expect to indulge in good Indian and Continental foods to, and a mum-to-be can satisfy all her pregnancy cravings.

For the trek: Do not worry, you do not have to climb mountains with the belly bump. The Bhagsu waterfall trail is a can-do for anyone. You can sit on the rocks over there and dip your feet in the cold water. It is worth the little effort will you take to walk. Alternately, you get a little exercise as well.

The Dalai Lama Temple: It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful temples. It is situated in the main market of Mcleod Ganj. It is the perfect place to meditate and de-stress. The prayer chants will help you relax and will certainly be a soothing sound for your baby too. The temple is clean and colourful and you are surely to get good vibes from the place.

HOW TO TRAVEL?
There is no direct train or flight to Dharamsala. Take a flight to Chandigarh and then book a private car that will take you to Dharamsala. Travelling in your own car will provide you with comfort and you can take a halt whenever you feel uneasy or just want to stretch your legs. Do not travel by bus. Bus journeys are uncomfortable and will make you nauseous.

MUST VISI T
Triund hill
Bhagsu waterfall
Dal lake
Kangra Valley
Naddi view point

If you’re a first-time parent, there’s probably a good chance you can’t stop fawning over your bundle of joy. From her first toothless smile and giggle, her first cooing, to that first moment she holds onto your finger, your baby will give you memories to last a lifetime. And while you may have read the books, it’s a whole different ballgame when experiencing it first hand. M&B keeps you on your toes, with these baby steps

BY SANIA DHIRWANI

First Jab

WHAT?
Vaccinating your child can be one of the best things you can do to protect her from diseases, and strengthen her developing immune system. Vaccines can fend off life-threatening diseases that your child’s body cannot fight. The antigens present in the vaccines can trigger the immune system to create antibodies that fight against them.

WATCH OUT FOR! THE FIRSTS: Dr Bijal Shrivastava, pediatrics, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, says, “The first vaccine given to a child is called BCG (oral polio virus and hepatitis B) which is given at birth. There is no pain or fever following this vaccine. Minimum weight of the baby should be at least two kilos when this vaccine is administered.” Dr Madhuri Kadam, paediatrician, SRV Hospital, Goregaon, further opines, “The BCG vaccine-injected spot will develop a small boil after a few weeks. It should not be meddled with as it will pop by itself and leave a small scar after a few months for some children. However, if the lump appears in the axilla (armpit), then parents should visit a doctor.”

Dr Deepak Tirthani, consultant pediatrician, Hinduja Healthcare Surgical, Khar, says, “Other important vaccines given to the child in its first year are diphtheria and tetanus toxoids combined with HIV. Along with these vaccines, Rota viral vaccine is given to the child that prevents severe diarrhea caused by Rotavirus. In the first six months, the vaccine for pneumonia is also given to the child.”

SIDE EFFECTS: Your little one’s little legs may be sore where the vaccine was administered. She might also run a slight fever or be cranky. The doctor will probably recommend infant’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen for relief. Dr Kadam says, “The painful vaccines cause side effects like fever, pain or swelling. To avoid these they should use ice fermentation twice a day for their child.” Dr Tirthani, further adds, “In case of an emergency and if high fever (more than 104 degrees) sets in, parents must gives paracetamol drops to their infant.”

PREPARE! BREASTFEEDING: Few studies and analysis have found that nursing your child during vaccination shots, reduces distress in babies. It combines the comfort of holding and sucking, providing them with some relief.

BEHAVIOUR: It is important for parents to stay calm and supportive while the baby is getting her shots. Using humour as a distraction, helps decrease distress.

ASK!
It is very important to clarify doubts, if any, with the doctor before and after the vaccination. Know about the side effects, if there is mercury in some vaccines, ingredients in the shots, do vaccines cause autism or is it safe to give so many shots simultaneously.

Mum Speak:

Sanaa Bhambhani, mother to one-year-old Tarasha, says, “My daughter got her first shots six weeks in. They were OPV-1/IPV- 1, DTPw/DTPa-1, hepatitis B-2, and Hiv-1. It is very important to be prepared for your child’s first vaccination. I prepared myself by checking whether or not it is a healthy day for her. I made her wear comfortable clothes so that her peadiatrician could have a smooth examination. I also prepared her diaper bag with all the necessary items I needed for her. To keep her calm, I held her on my lap rather than making her lie on the examination table, and let her suck on a pacifier. This helped in reducing her pain as she was distracted and she was comfortable on my lap.”

First Cold

WHAT?
Although your baby’s immunity is strengthened by breastfeeding, she is not completely protected against viruses that cause respiratory infections. Dr Shrivastava opines, “All parents should remember that various viral colds are prevented till six to nine months of age because of the antibodies present in a mother’s body. While in utero, the antibodies are passed to the baby through placenta. After birth, they’re passed through breastmilk.” A baby can catch a cold several times before she turns one. It becomes important for parents to understand the symptoms their baby is showing, and how to prepare and carefully tackle the situation.

WATCH OUT! IRRITABLITY AND HYPERNESS: The baby will become extremely fidgety. There will be a bit of stuffiness and she will have a leaky nose. Also, because of chest congestion, there is a possibility that she will experience a rasping cough.

LOSS OF APPETITE: Dr Shrivastava says, “During this period they may reduce their food intake and prefer only breastmilk, which is completely alright. They may undergo a little weight loss for a few days, which is perfectly normal, too.” Also, because of a blocked nose, she may be unable to breathe comfortably and hence find it difficult to breastfeed.

PREPARE!
Dr Shrivastava elaborates, “Cold is a viral infection, which doesn’t need antibiotics for treatment, it can simply be dealt with nasal drops, steam and eucalyptus oil on the clothes.” Here’s what you need to keep at arm’s reach:

PLENTY OF WIPES: Keep soft tissues handy to dab at the constant flow from that wee nose. The softer material will also prevent the skin from drying and peeling. However, your baby’s sensitive skin will quickly redden from all the dampness. Apply some petroleum jelly to sooth the area.

STOCK UP: Keep the medicines, saline drops, thermometer and a humidifier ready. A humidifier will help banish dry air by releasing moisture in the nursery. This will loosen the mucus and ease your baby’s chest congestion.

ELEVATED HEAD: Try placing a couple of towels underneath the crib mattress. It will help your baby sleep better.

A HEALTHY YOU: Since you are the primary caregiver, it is of utmost important that you stay protected at all times. Make sure that your hands are clean to avoid catching your baby’s germs, or to pass on any.

ASK!
Call your doctor if your baby is listless,  has turned pale or is not reacting to you. If your child has high temperature and cold that has persisted for more than three days, you need to visit the doctor. Make sure you do not give her medicines that are not suitable for children and are without a doctor’s prescription. Also, the right dosage is essential. Always follow the dosage instructions given by the doctor.

Mum Speak:

Sanaa says, “For the first 11 months or so, Tarasha never fell ill. It was only before her first birthday that she caught a cold. I noticed that she kept on sneezing, became weak and pale and had sleepless nights. Her chest was congested. I started giving her steam, as that’s the safest we can do for small babies. She lost her appetite and stopped playing with her toys. I consulted a pediatrician when she did not get relief from the steam. He advised me to nebulise her thrice a day, prescribed a cold baby syrup and saline drops.”

Gone are the days when preschools functioned only as a transitional medium for kids before the big school. Today, there’s more emphasis on creating a strong foundation to bolster the child’s development and give her a conducive environment to grow in. To fulfil this demand, there are many teaching styles to choose from. Which one would you pick?

BY SANIA DHIRWANI
INPUTS FROM SWATI CHOPRA VIKAMSEY

Montessori

WHAT IS IT? Instead of focussing on academic education, the Montessori method concentrates on encouraging each child’s differences. It provides a nurturing environment to the child that helps in developing her social and emotional skills.

MORE ABOUT IT Montessori education was founded in 1907 by Dr Maria Montessori. Her educational methods were based on the scientifi c observation of each child’s learning processes. Payal Patel, head and director, The Montessori School Internationale, Santacruz, Mumbai, says, “The key is to know that each child is an individual with her own interests, strengths, weaknesses and pace of learning.” The four main areas of the curriculum are exercises of practical life, sensorial, mathematics and language. In a Montessori classroom, the exercises of practical life include activities like improving motor skills by teaching kids to button, zip, buckle and tie. The purpose is to make children independent and develop concentration.

THE BENEFITS! Learning method inspires creativity: Working within the parameters set by the teachers, children choose their own activities. The focus is more on the process than the end result, hence it leads to maximum creativity. Environment teaches self-discipline: When children are finished with a particular activity, they place the items back in their original place. This process caters to a young child’s intrinsic need for an orderly environment. Multi-age classroom: Montessori schools have a mixed-age group which allows the younger children to observe and learn from their older peers in the same environment and space. Older children have the opportunity to teach the younger ones and crystallise their learnings further.

THE TRANSITION.. The concern of most parents is the advancement from the Montessori education to regular schooling. Payal says, “The transition to regular school is fine. The children are well prepared in concepts of language, writing and mathematics. Since their basics are strong, they easily modify to the new environment. However, we would recommend children to continue with elementary Montessori.”

IN YOUR CITY..
✏ Harmony Montessori School, Khar, Mumbai
✏ Besant Montessori School, Juhu, Mumbai
✏ Vruksha Montessori, Alwarpet, Chennai
✏ Akshara Montessori House of Children, Ulsoor, Bangalore
✏ GD Goenka La Petite, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Play-Way

WHAT IS IT? This methodology focuses on the use of play. Children learn maximum when they are playing. The informal and free environment gives the child an opportunity to explore concepts of mathematics and language using various learning tools.

MORE ABOUT IT Fredrich Froebel, a German educator is considered to be the pioneer of the Play-Way method of education. Charmi Shah, director of Beehive Preschool, Ghatkopar Mumbai, says, “‘Learning by doing’ enables the child to grasp the fundamentals of each activity through creativity and receptivity.” Children develop interest in an activity when they are involved in the preparation of a particular item. For example, children can learn science with activities that involve conducting experiments, collecting specimens or minerals or making of squashes and jams. Children enjoy making things for themselves, and simultaneously gives them the exposure to learning. A lot of field trips, role plays and demonstrations are part of the play-way method.

THE BENEFITS! Enhances understanding of difficult concepts: Children are taught difficult methods through the use of specifi c tools, which are often the objects used in daily life. Counting and simple calculations can be taught by organising projects like opening a co-operative store, collecting of stamps and more. Value of group play: Children learn how to get along with others and learn how to handle confl icts in a group play. It evolves their social-interaction skills and makes them confi dent. Wonderful motivator: The child is not compelled to learn, but learns voluntarily. It forms a great motivational force that aids memory, freedom of choice and development of physical, psychological, intellectual skills and so on.

THE TRANSITION.. Charmi says, “Since the curriculum is based on keeping in mind the requirements of the CBSE or ICSE syllabus, the integration is not a problem. The children are taught the concepts of language and numbers, hence there is no diffi culty in the process of higher admission.”

IN YOUR CITY..
✏ Garodia’s Academy, Ghatkopar, Mumbai
✏ Leapbridge International Preschool, Sion, Mumbai
✏ Little Bo Peep, Khar, Mumbai
✏ Podar Jumbo Kids, across India
✏ The Tree House, across India
✏ Euro Kids, across India

A job, babies and life, how do working mothers manage it all? Reshma O Pathare speaks to some of them to find out..

THERE is no tougher job than being a mum. Life is never the same again after that tiny little being enters your life. Sleep deprivation, erratic timings with sometimes having no time for even a pee-break and zero inclination to even think of looking half as groomed as earlier – these are just some of the thousand ways in which a woman’s life changes when she becomes a mother. What then must be the state of those mums who need to go back to work after a short maternity leave? In India, a woman gets an average of 12 weeks as maternity leave; half of which she is expected to take before her delivery. Safe to say, most women need to go back to work leaving behind an infant who is barely two to three months. While the time frame differs in keeping with different policies of different organisations, more or less a woman needs to get back to her job by the time her baby barely completes six months of age. Leaving behind such a small baby and being able to contribute optimally at work without letting nagging worries about the baby bog her, is no cakewalk for any mother. So, how then do they manage this tight-rope walk? M&B spoke to four mums who have accomplished this feat and got them to share their mantra for success:

SHEETAL RAY 31, media and communications professional from Mumbai . Mum to Zidan, 9 months Got back to work when Zidan was 6 months

Managing breastfeeding “My work place is not too far from home. So I express breastmilk with an electric pump, and make one visit in the afternoon to feed him again. Zidan has just turned 9 months, so I feed him in the morning, express one feed for the afternoon, and then feed him directly at the night.”

Support system “I live with my in laws, so I get a lot of help from my mum-in-law. People in office are also supportive, but work is work and it does get difficult if I can’t reach offi ce on time, or I need to extend
my working hours. That is the challenge of being a working mother. But I am able to balance things out with the help of supportive colleagues.”

Guilt pangs
“Oh I suffer from a lot of guilt, even though it’s been three months since I resumed work, and know that he is in safe hands. I feel especially bad when Zidan clings to me when I am home, or when he cries because of delays at work. My family members give him all the comfort he needs, but I sill feeling guilty for not being there for him.”

Separation anxiety
“I strongly feel that it is not right for a mother to leave a small child alone. No one can take care of a baby as well as the mother. But in this day and age, we women have to take into consideration our careers and income opportunities in order to be able to provide a better life to our children. It’s therefore best to equip the child to deal with the separation anxiety by reassuring him of your presence, and by balancing work and home.”

Working around work
“Frankly, my dedication to work has taken a beating. Earlier, I was never in a hurry to go home, but now once I am done, I don’t think of doing extra work. Of course, I complete what I have undertaken, but I fi nd myself refraining from taking initiative and suggesting something new. Before Zidan, I never hesitated to work on holidays but these days if I have to work on holidays even from home I am frustrated.”

Mommy mantra
“The biggest challenge is to be a good mother who takes care of her child’s diet, growth, medicines etc, as well as to be a good employee who does her work immaculately. It is really tough to balance both, but I plan my day well. I have divided all his medicines in ‘morning-evening’ segments. I am also in the process of very slowly weaning him off breastmilk, and introducing him to new foods. Once I am back from work, I spend at least an hour with Zidan fi rst, and then occupy myself with other household work. I also avoid arranging meetings late in the evening, or very early in the morning.

SHAMLI SAKHARE CHRISTOPHER
35, architect from Bengaluru. Mum to Svara, 10 months Got back to work when Svara was 8 months

Managing breastfeeding
“My daughter started on solids by the time I resumed work, so that took a lot of load off me. I know that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for a baby, and I plan to continue breastfeeding Svara until she completes 15 months.”

Support system
“My partner and I believe in equal parenting. We consciously make an effort to adjust our professional responsibilities around our child. Besides, my mother-in-law is a huge support. She likes spending time with her granddaughter, and comes to my house during the day to supervise the nanny. Since I have my own architectural practice, my work timings are fl exible. My business partner also had a baby around the same time, so we understand the importance of giving each other space and fl exibility to fulfi l our motherly responsibilities.”

Guilt pangs
“I don’t feel guilty because I know that either my partner or mum-in-law is taking care of my daughter. However, I turn slightly anxious when I’m delayed at work because of an extended meeting or site visit. This may be because I have programmed myself to not see her during my standard work time.”

Separation anxiety
“I’m not sure if my daughter suffered from separation anxiety. In fact, I passed through that stage myself when I resumed work. This is a constant emotional struggle between the mother and her child. Maybe, at some point, we too will face this challenge.”

Working around work
“I don’t know if I’ve managed to balance work and baby, but I’m happy that I have enough time to spend with my daughter before and after work. At the same time, I am professionally driven, and have always made sure that I deliver to my clients what we have agreed upon.”

Mommy mantra
“The main challenge is in being a mother. It’s a never-ending responsibility. I’m yet to figure out if there’s a mantra at all. Motherhood is a continuous process; there are new challenges and new milestones every day. You just have to take it one day at a time.”