new mom

So eagerly I waited to hold my little one, and now having him in my arms is so wonderful. Like all first time mother I to had my own fears and ways. Everyone around had been showering me with advices and ideas. I thought i had learnt a lot and am fully prepared for my child. Little had I known what was on my way.
My first challenge was nursing my baby. First day after birth, like all there was only colostrums I could offer my child, but he looked contented and slept all day. Second day no milk and even colostrums was all gone, I told my midwife and she said its normal, might take 2-3 days. What, my child will have nothing to eat. I was so disturbed by her words, but she assured me he would be fine and left with an advice to keep nursing him. I kept him on my breast all night but he was still so unsettled. I was shattered. His temperature began to rise. I spent that night somehow, blaming myself for everything. My child was hungry and yet I didn’t produce any milk. By morning I couldn’t wait any more and offered him supplement milk. Ahh, he drank it all like a .....
When midwife came later for routine checkups, I told her all about previous night. When baby was weighed he was way bellow his birth weight, though the temperature was normal again. She had no explanation for the temperature and we were sent straight to hospital.
There we were kept under observation for 48 hours, had a feeding schedule for baby, every two hours breast milk + supplement. Hold on I don’t have any milk, but yet the same reply it will come.
And it did that night, as the milk started flowing so did the tears. Tears for how helpless I had felt all the way, tears to show those who had doubts if I would ever have milk and tears of joy that my child will no more have hungry nights.
For a new mom nursing is not the only challenge. My next challenge was the new demanding soul in my arms and my sweet mother in law. When I say sweet, it’s not a satire she really is one of most amazing women I have met. Somebody praising her mother in law, hard to believe isn’t it. But if I tell you, she left her house and came all the way to stay with us to help me. In my last month of pregnancy, took over all my household chaos and helped me rest whenever I needed. I no more had to worry to wake up early to prepare my husband’s lunch. By the time I woke all was nicely done, and all I had to do was dig in the delicious breakfast served by mom.
After childbirth, she helped me massage and bath my child and get him dressed. Actually she used to do all this on her while I sat beside her and watch my little one grow. She always helped in settling him so that I could have my meals in peace. As if that was not enough she not only massaged my baby but me as well. Bless her. What after birth massage means only one who has gone through the birth pain can understand. Must be wondering why I call her a challenge then when she is actually taking care of my house and my biggest challenge.
For a first time mom, it’s like entering a new world. All of a sudden you are in a state of all unknown. Your energy level is low, you have a new life to look after,you see around and all you see is things to do. In such a situation what a woman needs is not just a hand but a mental support as well. Someone who can boost her energy levels, rather then telling what's wrong and what needs to be done.
Mother in law is a great help with household chaos but unfortunately she speaks without thinking. Though with no intention but words can hurt more than anything.
When the milk supply didn't started even by day 3, I was all shattered and tears began to flow from my eyes. MiL saw me crying and in order to calm me said, " You are so thin, what can be done. don't worry we have started giving supplement." Her first unintentional dagger. Thankfully I can now nurse my baby, otherwise every feed would have reminded me of those words.