Other Articles from Samoina Wangui
Post Partum Depression : Precious Motherhood Moments
Recently, I have been having all these fuzzy baby thoughts. Perhaps it is because it seems like all my friends are welcoming their bundles of joy. Perhaps it is because only now after my baby has become a big boy, can I finally say I am enjoying motherhood.
See, I suffered Post partum Depression which took away my most precious moments. It left me in a daze under the heavy grey fog of depression. In spite of it, there were precious moments I cherished : bath time.
I remember how, on arrival from hospital, I admitted to mummy that I was scared about bathing the baby. I had no idea what products I would use, how I’d bath him. What I’d do when the temperatures plummeted to single- digit value and the list went on. First things first, mummy said. Choose the right product – a baby specific product. Secondly, bath time is key for baby’s proper development and third, there is such a thing as half-bathing when it is cold (Anyone else hoping the sun comes out to play soon?)
Thankfully, mummy did bath my son those first few weeks.
He was so tiny and looked so fragile, I was afraid he’d slip from my hands. When it was cold, my son got a half-bath from his granny. It always amazed me how fast mom was. She’d place the water in a basin and set it ready, all the while singing and playing with him. She’d then undress him in turns.
First it was his upper body. She would start by wiping his eyes then his face. She’d then proceed to his hair (curly baby hair – someone take me back to those days, now it is all kinks) using my favourite brand of baby wash. She’d then finish off by cleaning the diaper area, using some warm water or baby wipes when she was time pressed. I watched her do this seamlessly, and promised myself once I get the hang of it I would make sure I enjoyed it.
It wasn’t long after that when she resumed work and I had to take up bath time all by myself. Part of me always looked forward to bath time, simply because it was calming. Calming for both baby and I. Away from the dreary motions of depression, bath time provided much needed relief from the intrusive thoughts that plagued my mind. For him, it was an opportunity to play in the water. His bath toys always fascinated him and he’d glee, stimulated by the vibrant colours.
Even though I was smack in the middle of the throes of depression, I treasured these moments. They were truly the highlight of the day.
I look back with nostalgia at all the bath time fun, the songs and games. He is grown now, and if there is anything I learned while he was still young, is that you got to make the best of those moments when they are still young and cuddly – and not running around the house butt-naked, trailing tissue paper right behind them! Lay a foundation for proper bonding later on as they cross their milestones.
I cannot overemphasize the need to choose baby products that are gentle on your baby’s skin. The range we selected is gentle and mild for your newborn, so you need not worry about their skin reacting. More importantly, bath time is meant to create new memories to solidify bonding with baby. I find it amazing that, despite the loss of certain memories to depression, memories of bath time still linger in my mind. Warmth, cuddles; time slows down and it is just me and my baby, together – bath time.
