Postpartum bodies carry a lot of weight. Only some of it is due to the Pregnancy. The rest of the weight comes from Society and it’s expectations. .
The weight of your family’s expectations, expectations from relatives far or close, or your own self. All wanting you to do what’s best for the baby, and yet not trusting you enough to believe you do know what’s best for your baby. The weight of doubt you put on yourself, because your baby is gaining too much weight or not enough weight. Diapers or no diapers. Breast of formula. Direct or pumping. The weight of being a selfish Mom because you chose to go back to work, or the weight of lacking ambition, because you choose to be a Stay at Home Mom. .
You just don’t seem to get it right. Cuddle your baby too much and you are spoiling them. Try to teach them to self-soothe and you are a heartless Mom. .
Don’t want to give guthi to your child, you believe too much in western medicine. Give guthi and you are ruining your baby’s health.
You cease to exist and are replaced by this zombie, sleep-deprived, overwhelmed and tired Mom who just seems to be winging it. People forget that just like your baby, you are a new-born too. Mom-Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and unfortunately, your body doesn’t go back to being fit and healed just because you have a baby to take care of. .
But the only person who has no expectations from you is your baby. She just wants you to be you. And that is the beauty of Motherhood. So for these tiny humans, I say, chuck what others say, you are enough! You know what’s best for you and your Baby. Motherhood is hard enough, shrug the weight of other people’s expectations off. As for the weight on the weighing scale: It took nine months for your body to create a miracle. Be kind and gentle to it. This was your baby’s first home.
On that note, I am going to have a walnut on brownie because it’s the weekend and calories don’t count. Hugs to all Moms out there. You are my heroes.
