Rituals: A 40-Day Journey of Holistic Care and Warmth in detail..

-

 











  1. Oil Massage:
    • Mixture of pure coconut oil infused with homemade(Appa made) turmeric powder.
    • Ameena warmed a small steel bowl of this mixture in hot water.
    • Once at a comfortable temperature, a thorough massage from head to toe was given.
  1. Exercise Routine During Massage:
    • While the baby received the massage, I engaged in simple exercises:
      • Head rotations
      • Eye rotations
      • Hand rotations
      • Shoulder exercises
      • Hip rotations
      • Basic bending exercises
  1. Fuming Hot Water Splashing:
    • Appa's foresight in building a spacious bathroom allowed water to splash from 5 feet.
    • The force of the water was so strong that it felt like I could have flown away!
  1. Fumigation:
    • A concoction of elaichi peel, garlic peel, and camphor was used.
    • Fabric probes heated over charcoal were massaged on my back, providing a sensation similar to ironing.
    • A tight tummy tie with a cotton cloth was applied to offer strong support for lifting the baby from the cradle.
  1. Dietary Practices:
    • In the initial weeks, I consumed til laddu prepared by mother-in-law, followed by fenugreek laddu.
    • Various types of rasam were prepared for lunch, with lemon and kokum being favorites.
    • Tender radishes became a staple in lunch to address piles/fissures resulting from the delivery push.
  1. Clothing:
    • I wore cotton feeding tops, thick pants, socks, slippers, a woolen sweater, and a woolen cap most of the time.
    • Sleeping on a rough rug was a part of the routine.
    • A soft cloth was kept for wiping the newborn's mouth after feeding.
  1. Lullabies:
    • Ramakrishna Keerthanas (O Banda Shri Guru Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Ramakrishna, Mannisi Munnadesi) and baby songs (Jojo laali naa haaduve, Chandianethake oduvanamma, Tilimugila thottilali) by me
    • Nanna Muddu thaare,hoovondu bali bandu by his grandpa, shaavige shaavige othu shaavige by his Appa were part of the musical ambiance during the rituals.
  1. Outdoor Activity:
    • Did not go out of the home except to the terrace for some sunlight exposure.
  1. Mindset and Stress Management:
    • Avoided thinking anything negative or becoming overly stressed.
  1. Physical Exertion:
    • Avoided engaging in overly tiresome activities.
    • Focused on preparing simple rasams, light breakfasts, and drinks.
  1. Negative Emotions:
    • Refrained from excessive worrying, especially during moments when the baby did not sleep or cried.
  1. Dietary Restrictions:
    • Did not consume bread, bun, biscuits, rusks, jam or any processed food.
    • Limited the diet to items prepared in the home kitchen.
  1. Craving Management:
    • When craving something crunchy, opted for homemade chaklis and karakaddis prepared by the in-law.

14.Room Ambiance:

    • Adorned the room with a few soft toys to create a cheerful atmosphere.

15.Natural Lighting:

    • Maintained the practice of opening windows during the day to allow natural light.

16.Nighttime Setting:

    • Closed windows at night to create a cozy and secure ambiance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Everyday Magic: Puttu!!!!!

-
Image
  This Friday evening , while I was curled up in your lap, my little Puttu, I felt so warm... and suddenly, this little feeling crept in—someday I’m going to miss this so badly (even though it’s far away!). One by one, all your cutest little moments started dancing through my head—like a slideshow made of love. The way you keep sniffing the air, trying to catch the irresistible aroma of fresh ghee... the way your eyes light up when dosa starts bubbling on the hot tawa, and you suddenly shout, “Uppittu Ammaaa!! Very me, very me, very me!!” I see myself in you completely. And oh, how you go after AppaChaami’s life too—“Me me me ONLY!”—not even sparing him! And that sudden shout of “Appa bandavu!” with full excitement as we both peek through the window when AppaChaami arrives… and then you go running and hugging him tight like you’re seeing him after 10 years! Appa’s face literally glows like a 100-watt bulb. And my heart? It just bursts with love. Your happy dance when semige st...
Read more

Between Stops...

-
The metro was alive with its usual rush, a sea of women moving through their day. I found a spot near the door, and right in front of me stood two girls—so different, yet perfectly in sync. One had long, neatly plaited hair, a simple cotton bag slung over her shoulder. A black bindi rested on her forehead, with a faint trace of kunkuma above it, as if she had hurriedly applied it that morning. Her feet, tucked into flower-bowed slippers, completed her effortless grace. The other was effortlessly stylish. Her nails, decorated with delicate nail art, tapped lightly against her phone. She wore  Levi’s jeans and Crocs—an unusual combination, but one that suited her. I love listening to college girls talk. Not in a nosy way, just out of curiosity. It’s fascinating to see how they are now, how we once were. There’s something refreshing about their unfiltered conversations, a kind of innocence wrapped in laughter. Today, the stylish one was upset—she had messed up her MC, and it weighed o...
Read more

Error is Human?

-
Image
On his 78th birthday, the college organized a grand ceremony to honor Mr. Rao, a beloved principal who was about to retire after decades of dedicated service. Though his age suggested he should be slowing down, he still carried the energy and vitality of someone in his 50s. The hall was filled with professors, lecturers, and staff—many of whom had spent more than 20 or 30 years at the institution because of Mr. Rao’s leadership. They spoke one by one, recounting stories of how he had influenced their lives, creating an atmosphere of trust, security, and mutual respect. The first story shared was one from a young accountant’s early days. Fresh out of college with a B.Com degree, he had joined a company as an accountant. Despite his inexperience, he was meticulous with his work, so much so that his accounts had no errors. His team lead, noticing this, began to take his work for granted, assuming everything would be flawless without needing thorough review. However, when the boss of ...
Read more