This Mysterious Thing Called Sibling Bonding

 

It was one of those sunny mornings in May, during summer vacations, when the sibling was born. This little boy, all of six years old and the apple of everyone’s eye in the family, was told he had a sister.

I’m not sure how he took to the news. He must have been pretty excited, confused, anxious too, about this new entrant. But little did he realise that on that day, he was gifted a sibling — a sibling for life, whom they would both cherish in their own very strange ways!

Breastfeeding: Natural Doesn't Always Mean Easy

Soon after delivery, the next mammoth challenge for a new mom is feeding the baby — and figuring out breastfeeding.

We often hear that breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. And it is. But natural doesn't necessarily mean easy.

A tiny human who has never done this before is expected to latch onto a mother who has never done this before, and somehow the two of them are supposed to figure it all out while recovering from childbirth, running on very little sleep and dealing with a whole lot of new emotions.

No wonder those first few weeks can feel overwhelming!

I still remember that my baby took about five days to really learn how to latch properly. Those early days were a mix of trial, error, patience, and a lot of learning for both of us.

One very important thing I learnt during that time is this: breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful.
If it is, it is usually a sign that something needs adjusting — most often the latch or positioning. It is not something a mother is expected to simply “tough out”.

For the love of .... pasta!!

 “What do you want for lunch tomorrow?”

And we somehow know the answer even before it comes out of her mouth.

“Ummm… can I have pasta?”

There it is.

The standard response!

I don't even have to bother with a sauce. Pasta, a few veggies, salt and pepper. That's it. Almost like a salad.

And she will bring her lunch box back, cleaned up and empty.

Every. Single. Time.

And every single time this happens, I am reminded of the day — or rather, the day before — she was born. :)

This rather excessive love for pasta has a little story behind it. It's probably time to narrate it now...