The last episode of #roadiesrealheroes was a tough one for me… the first time in my four year long journey I had to face sudden death on the show , and more than anything else seeing @milindchandwani and @sohil_singh_22 ( who also happen to be my two most favourite roadies this year) had to say their final goodbyes . No matter how I put it , defeat is tough to deal with … but my victory lay in all the love all of you have showered on me and little did I know that this realisation would come at such a huge cost. Thank you for tagging me in your posts and comments , I promise I have read almost all of them and that’s the love and force that brings me back again tonight on a brand new episode of @mtvroadies at 6pm (not 7pm) on @mtvindia ! 😍🤟 #oncearoadiealwaysaroadie #roadiesrealheroes #gangneha
Fountainhead of Love 💕 #9months @mehrdhupiabedi
Thank you @priankasingha yours is such an important voice … thank you for sharing your story #freedomtofeed ❤️🤱#Repost @priankasingha with @get_repost
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It’s International Breastfeeding Week and I couldn’t be a prouder mother to participate in this celebratory movement that has created awareness for many mothers who realise the challenges women face daily leading them to believe breastfeeding their child isn’t always an accessible option to them. But things MUST and WILL change. I recall taking a domestic flight from Mumbai to Kolkata once where I wanted to breastfeed Kainaat during take-off as it helps reduce ear pain for an infant during elevation. Despite having my feeding apron on and wearing appropriate maternity wear for easy feeding with the least exposure, I was being glared at with unaccepting looks from two unknown middle aged men sitting on the row beside me and ironically an elderly lady sitting behind them. At this point my feeling of discomfort and frankly anger disturbed the feed and poor Kainaat and I were both unhappy. Why should I go into a tiny and possibly unhygienic cubicle of an airplane toilet to breastfeed my baby when sitting on my seat, in as concealed manner as possible, is the most feasible and natural option? So I continued to do so, despite the “looks”. NO woman, NO mother should ever feel uncomfortable when providing her child with the best she can offer. Thank you @nehadhupia for partaking in this annual movement and making noise for the #freedomtofeed. Thank you for this initiative ❤️
Colors of joy , Colors of freedom … #happyindependenceday … #Jaihind !
💃 📸 @nitisharoraofficial
#roadiesrealheroes … hope u guys enjoyed this season as much as we enjoyed being on it 📸 @rdeigg
This is what 43 years of togetherness looks like … #happyanniversary MA PA … I love you both so so so much ❤️ @babsdhupia @pdhupia 📸 @rjdeigg
Thank you @findingshanti we love this … also would love to hear @aashish20 s version … #freedomtofeed #fatherforfreedomtofeed ❤️🤱#Repost @findingshanti with @get_repost
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Mom Appreciation Post :
For all the times we feed our babies.
For all the times we struggle to feed our babies.
For all the times we do what we have to do no matter where, what and whose watching.
For all the times we do this with little or no sleep.
For all the times we do this and more ❤
#breastfeeding is such a personal journey but yet so impersonal given the conditions,(more lack of them ). Luckily I had my bestie Nicole @naturesogood to learn from, who was cool about feeding her children anywhere anytime (even on her trips to India). And while I did that too I would be lying if I said that it was smooth and didn’t make me uncomfortable at times.
@nehadhupia thank you for this initiative !
For all the pressure women deal with from bearing, carrying and raising children, the bare minimum is for us to have just basic facilities available in public places.
Whether a mother wants to breastfeed, bottle feed, formula feed or just catch her breath and sit back, is best left to her.
Incidentally my #breastpump was a lifesaver and I was so nervous about all things I heard on how bottle fed babies don’t have enough connection with the mother’s or then dont switch to breastfeeding. Happy to say luckily a mother child bond has NOTHING to do with this. Agastya was breastfed and bottle fed as per MY CONVENIENCE and i am the centre of his universe (for now).
Also big shout out to my #partnerincrime @aashish20 who set alarms to do the night shifts with Agastya (and also bravely faced my wrath when the alarms woke me up)
#freedomtofeed #parentinghacks #parenting #gustolove #internationalbreastfeedingweek
#MOOD … when I’m three hours away from a beach vacay!!! 😉🌊 📸 @nitisharoraofficial
When you are packing your little ones bag for a beach destination 🏖 … you jus got to make sure it’s super cute n comfy 🌴🌊… thank you @pabsco for sending us the cutest bathrobes ever!!! 💕 #beach #holiday #bathrobe #babyclothing 📸 @nitisharoraofficial
This #independenceday we need FREEDOM ….. to FEED ! #freedomtofeed 📸 @ashishjparmar
So chuffed … thank you @gulfnewstabloid for making #freedomtofeed your cover story … this means so much… ❤️🤱@gulfnews @freedomtofeed
Thank you for sharing your story … we promise to take this beyond a week .. ❤️🤱#freedomtofeed #Repost @sweataah with @get_repost
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Happy to be sharing my #breastfeeding story on this #worldbreastfeedingweek. When Zahra was born, one thing I was sure of was breastfeeding her. At first I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. It was painful, exhausting, latching was a struggle, but at the same time it felt wonderful. The bond we share through breastfeeding can’t be explained in words. One particular incident that comes to mind when I think of my breastfeeding struggles is on our third day at the hospital, a nurse came to give my baby her last dose of antibiotics. She had to be on antibiotics as she was born 24 hours after my membrane ruptured. The nurse had to call for help as she was unable to find her vein to change her IV and eventually took her to a different room. More than an hour later she came back saying they were still unable to find baby’s vein as she was hungry and dehydrated. She gave me two options: pump or give formula. I chose to pump. 15 minutes of pumping and still no milk. She said I wasn’t producing any milk so I might not be feeding her anything for 3 days. Shocked and disheartened, me and my husband had no choice but to opt for formula. In spite of knowing it takes 3-4 days before you produce enough milk, I was convinced I wasn’t producing any and opted for formula. Next day my lactation nurse Kathy came to my room to apologize for what we had to go through, and for the wrong information that nurse gave us. She said I was producing more than enough. I continued my journey of breastfeeding after that. Not every mother is lucky to have someone like Kathy to guide her through this wonderful and most difficult journey of breastfeeding. I know many incidents where a mother gave up breastfeeding because she didn’t have the right help. I’d recommend every mother who choose to breastfeed to do proper research and get help from a lactation nurse if they can. And if you choose not to breastfeed for your sanity or other reasons it is totally okay too. One shouldn’t be judged for the choices they make, breastfed or not. Lastly, I want to suppor
Thank you @nandininm for lending your amazing voice to #freedomtofeed ❤️🤱 #Repost @nandininm with @get_repost
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I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, I’m saying it’s going to be worth it. Breastfeeding is the hardest yet the most rewarding thing you will do in your life! #freedomtofeed @nehadhupia #internationalbreastfeedingweek
Down but no out 😈😉… see you this evening at 6pm on @mtvindia #roadiesrealheroes
According to me the biggest wealth that anyone can have and no one can take away from you is the wealth of education. . It is amazing that when I wanted to reach out and help, I stumbled upon like minded people that is @kiehlsindia and @cry_india … All you have to do is be a reason a child goes to school. I’m indeed privileged to have associated with this campaign because I truly believe that one child less at work is one child more in school and… #HealTheScars celebrates the true spirits of a protected childhood and pledges to champion education for every child.
#HealTheScars #KiehlsIndiaxCry #SayNoToChildLabour #UltraFacialCream #KiehlsGiveBack #KiehlsIndia #CryIndia
It started with me sharing my story with you… @debaratissen and I’m so glad the tables for turned and you have shared your story with us and joined the conversation #freedomtofeed ❤️🤱#Repost @debaratissen with @get_repost
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When I spoke to @nehadhupia I realised her story resonated with mine. I guess most mothers in our country have gone through challenges when it came to breastfeeding their babies. I too felt strongly about breastfeeding because my paediatrician, the fab doctor Jayesh Sheth said that six months of dedicated breastfeeding, and upto two years along with other foods, was essential for a baby. There were times when I have fed my child in an economy class plane seat, and also while travelling in the local train… And I completely agree with Neha that this is the most special moment a mom-n-infant can ever share. We need to increase awareness about @freedomtofeed Super fab cause Neha!
#worldbreastfeedingweek #freedomtofeed #momprenuer
#aboutlastnight for @thetimesofindia #timespowerwomenandmenawards styled by @meherahmed in @zwaan.official l @dune_london_india @justcavalliwatches_india @marksandspencerindia @chanelofficial 💃📸 @nitisharoraofficial
Thank you for sharing your story @mammaslifestyle ❤️🤱… #freedomtofeed #Repost @mammaslifestyle with @get_repost
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// #freedomtofeed 🤱Breast-feeding has been so beautiful, satisfying, frustrating, exhausting all at the same time with both my children.💕
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Nevertheless no one told me including my mom that breast feeding is difficult. From supply issues, sleepless night issues, pumping issues, latch issues, I have experienced it all both the times. .
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My breast feeding journey with Anaaya was pretty challenging as this girl stopped coming on me after I gave her the bottle.🤦♀️🍼 I felt like a failed mama who couldn’t experience the bond while nursing her child but would sit and pump before every feed which was quite exhausting! I din’t give up and continued with pumping to remove those extra ounces literally 7-8 times a day but I wanted to look at the bigger picture as that’s what made me happy that I was able to give those nutrients to my baby. After all a happy mom is equal to a happy baby!😊
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However, I’m totally encouraged to talk about the challenges as a breast feeding mom thanks to the lovely initiative which I totally support by @nehadhupia ! Leaving aside the cracked and sore nipple stories in the initial phase of breast feeding with my second baby where I would cringe my teeth everytime he would latch, I really wanted to take Shiv whose now 7 months old everywhere with me while dropping Anaaya for classes, taking her for birthday parties, his sisters school etc but I could never take him as “I always lived with a fear how will I feed him.” People will look at you from a different angle if you are feeding in the car, for instance once I was on a flight, covered myself with a feeding shawl to pump my milk and fellow passengers were staring at me, totally making me feel so embarrassed that I stopped pumping as I felt I was creating some offense! #honestmotherhood .
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I’m so glad we got an opportunity to talk about these issues and raise our voices to stop making any mom out there feel so awkward to feed a baby in public, if one wants to do it or not is their personal choice and their circumstances but there should definitely be FREEDOM TO FEE
Thank you @pragyadav for being such an important voice for #freedomtofeed … love and agree with everything you said. ❤️… #Repost @pragyadav with @get_repost
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#Freedomtofeed… without being judged, looked down upon or questioned… whether you choose breast or bottle, to know it’s truly only you (the mother) who can decide and should be respected for.
When my first son was born, I had never really thought about how I’m going to feed him. I didn’t really plan ahead because I didn’t know it was required.
When I was given my son to hold for the first time my Pediatrician made sure that he latched immediately. He was soon taken for his check-ups and without my knowledge, even given a formula feed. I was back in my room and ready to start my breastfeeding journey but no matter what I did he wouldn’t stop crying… and the nurse would come take him to another room change him and again give him formula and bring him back to me and he was of course a happy satisfied baby. And that’s how the circle started… no matter what I did, it was never enough. He always required more and we would end up topping up after every feed. Fear was put into me that I didn’t have enough and that my child would go hungry if I didn’t give him the bottle. I barely lasted 3 months and felt like a complete failure.
What I didn’t know then, was that a mother always has enough (except for some rare cases), the baby will create more milk by suckling. But because of the formula that was given at birth to make the nurse’s life easier his tummy expanded faster than I could produce milk and that way I got stuck in a cat and mouse race, never being able to provide enough for him. Also the palada and the bottle is easier for the baby and therefore he would refuse the breast which was hard work.
It was all proven to me when I had my second son and did not allow the nurses would take him away for feeding. I breastfeed him exclusively for almost 5 months until formula was introduced again taking over.
I’m not saying that formula is bad but, I always felt I was not given a choice. And being a first time mom I didn’t know better than to blame myself and my ability to produce, when the truth was
@pearls.world … thank you for this beautiful post and thank you for being such an important voice for #freedomtofeed ❤️🤱#Repost @pearls.world with @get_repost
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Neha, thank you for bringing this issue to the fore. This post is for you … only you could’ve made me put my thoughts down about this. 😊 My baby is now a year and a half old and I’m in absolutely no hurry to get her off the breast. This is her right, her natural instinct and is the most comforting thing in the world for her. I’ve been lucky that I haven’t faced many problems when I have chosen to breastfeed in public (apart from forgetting to put the damn cape into the diaper bag!), but I realise that most women have a different story to tell. Breastfeeding is the most natural, instinctive process and should be recognised for what it is – sustenance and comfort for our babies. It would be wonderful to see more public spaces making it convenient for women to feed as and when they need to, whether with a bottle or the breast. The idea is to just have a hygienic, calm space, to settle in for the feed.
Imagine having to hide the most beautiful, natural and pure thing from the world! Something almost every human being has depended on. As if there was some shame attached to it! It is plainly … bizarre. It’s time to remove the feelings of embarrassment that engulf breastfeeding in public, the fumbling and fidgeting to hide every inch of skin while we feed. I realise that a lot of people avert their eyes to give more privacy to the mother, but most do so because they can’t deal with their own discomfort and feelings of unease. Can’t gloss over the fact that people are conditioned to look at breasts with only one purpose in mind. Maybe it’s time to change our perceptions and in that moment, see just a mama feeding her baby milk. Plain and simple. Maybe you will also then see that most breastfeeding women do wear capes … but somehow, they’ve got them on the wrong way around 😉 #mumsaresuperheroes #normalisebreastfeeding #worldbreastfeedingweek #freedomtofeed @nehadhupia
Thank you @mansi.zaveri for this wonderful and thank you for lending your voice to #freedomtofeed ❤️🤱#Repost @mansi.zaveri with @get_repost
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To me feeding whether bottle or breast is about passing on values and energies to my child. I want to do it in a place where I am focused on transferring those positive energies to my child and not the anxiety of who is watching me or what if someone can see something from somewhere. .
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When I would see that little baby for whom the world was confined to nothing else but the comfort, smell and touch of the breast it made me feel special. It made me feel wanted. It’s magic when the howl, shrieks and cries all disappear when the baby just comes close to your chest.
I was a nursing mom almost 10 years ago and I remember being the first one in office who would head to the bathroom to pump every 2 hours. Remember maternity leave back then was just 3 months and this was the 2008 Lehman crash, my company was downsizing and I didn’t want to lose my job. I resumed in 45 days and continued to nurse exclusively for 13 months after.
I remember pumping in the bathroom and all the men and the women would know, oh, Mansi’s walking down the aisle. She will now walk straight to the pantry, place two bottles in the refrigerator and at sharp 5.30 she will carry an insulated bag to the refrigerator and head home.
I would step out even during important meetings after 2.30 mins because the discomfort would just make my mind numb. I had to just pump it out. Did it bother people, did they laugh, maybe? Did I care most definitely not? I truly believe in one line that I learnt from my mom, “ sabse bada rog, kya kahenge log.” When you stop paying heed it will start normalising things. Every woman in my office who got pregnant and returned back to work after did the same. Strong women don’t just do things, they pave ways for others too.
Whether it was work, at a park, at a restaurant, on the multiple road trips I took, I’ve fed everywhere. Even more with my second one because I didn’t want to restrict anything for my older one. She didn’t have to confine her playtime to my feed schedules.
#FreedomToFeed as an initiative is a brilliant idea f
… The tiny palms of all children are meant for toys and books and not difficult odd jobs like rag picking. We often use ‘scarred hands’ as a metaphor which depicts childhoods caught in labour and denied of care that they truly deserve.
Children earn these scars, as they walk through their ways of hardships and the lost childhood. These scars not only impact them physically, but also emotionally and mentally – I , along with @kiehlsindia and @cryindia we aim to send 6500+ underprivileged children back to school. Visit a Kiehl’s store near you to learn how to contribute to this beautiful cause.
#HealTheScars #KiehlsIndia #SayNoToChildLabour #UltraFacialCream #KiehlsGiveBack #CryIndia #Kiehls
This is beautiful and i promise you , you are nt late for this party … caus this party aint ending ❤️🤱#freedomtofeed #Repost @chola_the_label with @get_repost
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World breast feeding week 2019 @nehadhupia I know I’m late for the party but I’m here … I always had a romanticised vision in my head of how motherhood would be- perfect . I was definitely going to breastfeed my baby ,there couldn’t be a better way to bond . But he didn’t latch on and I beat myself up about it and how I was missing the most beautiful connection between Zai and me. Though it did take me a while I finally realised as long as he was growing and healthy what more could I want . That’s when it hit me, every mother and her baby are different . There is no right or wrong way and what ever way works for you that’s the way to go . So now I pump and I know the the bond between Zai and me couldn’t be stronger . I love him more then I can imagine and everything is- perfect ..here’s to all the moms out there it’s never easy but oh so worth it ..❤️ #freedomtofeed
