Have you become parent recently or are about to become one?

There is lot of excitement among would be parents. Specially when having the first child, excitement is mingled with a sense of responsibility. In an age with smaller families, couples are apprehensive regarding the rearing of the child.

But one thing is certain, they want to give the best to their child. Ask any couple, and they will list you a number of things that he/she has planned to do after the arrival of the new one: best environment at home, more time for the baby, taking care of all the needs of the baby etc.
They are ready to spend any sum of money to buy the best for the baby.

What is the best gift that a couple can give the newborn baby? Not every good thing in life is costly. Same is the case here. If a couple wants to really give a gift to their child that will last for a lifetime, they should give the gift of breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then adding new foods but still continuing breast feeding for as long as possible.

There may be pressures from all corners. Mother may say that the baby still remains hungry after feed - my breast feed in inadequate. The grandmother may say " Why don't we start the expensive new formula available in the market?" The doctor may say " If you are not able to feed, then you can try formula." The TV ads will pressurise " The complete food for your baby." Husband may think "Lets bring the new formula, lest people say that I am stingy and not taking care of the baby." The innumerable number of visitors at home will come with stories of successful weight gain in some of their known baby after adding formula feed.

But I would say " Dikhaawe pe mat jao. Apni Akal Lagao." Mothers, you must be bold and say " I breastfeed my baby well and I will continue."

I am sure that if you do this, your child will be very happy to be born to a mother who is strong and confident to do the right thing. He/she will learn this character from you.