Anu Chi Aai is a platform for Indian parents to find answers to all questions and worries related to parenting and childcare!
Motherhood is a life-changing experience. It is a constant, roller-coaster ride. Parenting entails a lot of learning, I remember being clueless about so many things. Like, what to eat during pregnancy, how to pack my hospital bag, how to pump and store excess breastmilk, what solids to start, and so on.
I was really fortunate to find the right people who lovingly guided me through the initial part of this journey with their invaluable experience and advice!
My mother – a treasure trove of traditional childcare wisdom
My prenatal teacher – a staunch promoter of minimum interventional delivery and exclusive breastfeeding
My doctor friends – demystifying anything related to childcare which requires medical expertise
My group of fellow moms – who trod the path a few months or years before me
CHILDCARE ARTICLES
Top 8 desi-foods boost your child’s immunity
Every so often, we bear witness to an ingredient or food that promises to revolutionise nutrition and bring in a new, glorious age of high immunity. The new buzzword? Curcumin. Western media is raging from [...]
The curious case of the tongue-tie baby
When a friend’s baby had trouble latching on the breast, she was repeatedly assured that this was normal. Babies take time. It will all sort out. You know, the routine lip service. However, routine examination [...]
What you need to know about your baby’s growth spurts
Year one of your baby's life is a tough one, especially for you. Getting the hang of feeding times, sleeping schedules, nappy changes and your own sleep deprivation can prove very challenging. And then, because [...]
How to deal with your child’s delayed speech milestone
It’s a harrowing time in a parent’s life when we’re asked this question over and over again: “Why is your baby not talking?” Relatives, neighbours and every member of society have one eye on the [...]
Common childhood ailments (What’s normal, what’s not and when to worry)
As a new mother, my default setting was panic. My son would let out three sneezes in a row, and I would rush him to the doctor, cradling him in my arms - Bollywood style, [...]
The pros and cons of the baby-led weaning method
The very idea of a six-month-old baby feeding herself sounds quite revolutionary. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect a child prodigy to accomplish. Surprisingly, it’s not. Recent discoveries by many ambitious, eager parents have [...]
Pregnancy
Stem cell banking – 8 questions you should ask before choosing it
When I was six months pregnant, carrying my first child, I got a call from an executive from a stem cell bank, requesting a meeting. I had heard the words ‘stem cells’ buzzed around from [...]
4 reasons why prenatal classes are a boon to a mother-to-be
"How will the baby know to latch on? Will my milk be sufficient?" "I’m always hungry. Is my baby going to have weight issues?" "My shoulder hurts, my back is broken, my feet are [...]
My very Indian pregnancy diet
Traditionally in India, pregnancy was equated to 'license to eat for two' :-). Even now, family and friends regularly enquire about your cravings, and some even offer ghee rich laddoos or snacks for munching. A [...]
Parenting
How to prepare yourself for breastfeeding
When the nurse handed me my newborn son to feed for the very first time, I felt helpless. Suddenly a tiny, breathing bundle depended on me for survival, and I had to be his feeding [...]
How to ensure a stress-free Mundan ceremony
You’ve thought about it. Weighed the pros and cons. You’ve even read our post about should one perform Mundan ceremony or not. And now you’ve reached a decision. You’ve decided to shave your baby’s head. [...]
How positive reinforcement can make a difference to your child
A few years ago, my three-year-old son spent a calm hour in the afternoon with his crayons, colouring up a storm on paper. He then showed me his masterpiece, to which I smiled. After a minute [...]