As the world celebrates the International Women’s day, we (Neha from sharingourexperiences.com , Anubhuti from criesnlaughter.com and I, Deepali) host this blog train bringing together a bunch of bloggers to rejoice this spirit of womanhood.
I’m so thrilled to interview, Akshaya Nandakumar babywearing educator and a very good friend of mine. Her Instagram Stories gives us some major Dabba Goals. She lives in Hyderabad. She is so passionate about sharing Babywearing with parents and caregivers because she personally knows how powerful it can be, and nothing is more inspiring than working with a family and seeing that moment when the baby snuggles.
Today we talk with her about babywearing. Babywearing changed her life. Let’s ask her everything about her experience with babywearing.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your family?
My name is Akshaya, and I’m a Tamizh girl living in Hyderabad. My husband runs his own company, I freelance, and somehow, in between all the chaos, we manage to raise our daughter in a nuclear home filled with laughter, books, and good food.
What’s your Parenting Mantra?
Don’t overthink it.
Can you talk a little about what brought your interest in babywearing?
I remember being a couple of weeks postpartum, and literally fainting because I was so unused to staying indoors. I’d walked and gone out with friends daily right until the delivery. Being suddenly cooped up at home with an infant took a toll on my health – physically and emotionally. In my mind, babywearing played a big part in bringing me back to ‘me’. There was the rush of knowing I was the only one who could instantly comfort my daughter in my brand new Soul ring sling. There was the familiarity of the light linen material moulding her in a baby bump against me. Both hands-free to do whatever! Baby close to my heart, where she belonged. The ability to confidently leave the house whenever I wanted. A revitalized confidence that parenting really could be as intuitive as I’d figured it would be. Oh, and P.S.? Awareness that *I* knew what was best for my baby and me, so back off please, thankyouverymuch.
What do you love about babywearing?
From outings with friends, to all girls’ vacations in Goa, from taking work calls with a baby on my back, to taking a one year old hot air ballooning, or trekking Tiger’s Nest – what I love about babywearing is that it lets me be me, while letting me be a great parent too. My sanity wouldn’t have been possible without babywearing.
What is the most common comment you get when you are out and about babywearing?
Abroad, people are usually very complimentary about how happy my daughter looks. In India, the comment I most frequently get is, “Doesn’t she know how to walk? She’ll never learn.” It’s sad that these comments come from a country where babywearing was traditionally done. I’m just glad that more parents are starting to babywear in India again.
Is your partner a keen baby wearer?
Definitely! He’s often the one reminding me to carry a carrier, even now, when our daughter is very well capable of running and jumping on her own. And I’ve to say, he’s right – when we’re on busy roads or in a crowd, there’s nothing like a carrier to comfort our daughter and make our lives easier.
What’s the first thing you’d tell someone thinking about trying babywearing?
Do your research, because the right carrier is like your favourite pair of jeans. It’ll last you a lifetime. And, just like when you’re shopping for jeans, it’s no use buying what someone else says looks good – you’ve to try on a few pairs to see what works best for you.
Is there anything that people should be careful about while babywearing?
The most important thing you can do is buy yourself an ergonomic carrier. This ensures your baby and you are comfortable in the long run. Double check certification and reviews before you commit to a brand. And do ensure you follow the brand recommendations – consider the minimum and maximum weight allowance, use the safety buckle if there is one, and wash/store the carrier per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
What activity are you most likely to rely on babywearing to get done?
I’m a wanderer, and babywearing makes my travels much easier 🙂 On a day to day basis, I use babywearing to shop, even now. Wandering up and down grocery aisles can get taxing on little legs.
And lastly, How would you explain the power of womanhood to your daughter this women’s day?
There’s nothing I feel like I can’t do if I want to.
In an ideal world, being a woman is neither a limitation, nor something to feel unduly proud of. In an ideal world, everyone has every opportunity to flourish like the strong, intelligent, capable people that they are. And no matter what else I do as a parent, I hope that I can create that kind of an ideal world for my child – one where she, too, feels that there’s nothing she can’t do.
Give me a one-word answer that arises to mind for each of the following:
Relationship: Stability
Parenting: Life-changing
Motherhood: Powerful
Books: Escape
Health: Irreplaceable
Happiness: Simple
Impossible: Nothing
Inspiration: Maya
Follow Akshaya on Instagram for more information about her babywearing.
Thanks for reading!
Love
Deepali
I would like to thank Neha (www.sharingourexperiences.com) for introducing me. Next on the train is Anubhuti (http://criesnlaughter.com/). Hop on to read her views and Let’s #Adorewomanhood
Loved it! Looking forward to more posts Deepali:)
And Akshaya u rocked it as usual ❤️
When I hear the word baby wearing, i so wish i could go back into time and just grab what i have missed.
With those rapid fire session with Akshaya , all i can say is I adore this woman for her ‘simple living but high thinking’ fundas.
Great initiative Deepali!!
I still feel little bit disappointed when I think about the time when my kid was a newborn. How I wish I knew babywearing at that time. But nonetheless, I came to know about it from a very good friend of mine and a naby wearing educator herself and trust me I can’t explain how it made my motherhood journey easy and so memorable. I proudly say I am a babywearing mum who loves to keep my kid closer.
Baby wearing is for sure a boon for new moms. Helps to stay close to baby with hands free. Baby feels comfortable too
Loved reading the interview. I too am.glad baby wearing is catching up in India and could not have agreed more with what’s been said. We need to try baby carriers to know what fits us before we buy one. It has to right for us together (mom and baby)
Recently, I am reading a a lot about Baby Wearing. I have never used it bit yes, seen many parents wearing it.
Loves the rapid fire round. Her answers are very simple yet perfect
I did find a rare kinda freedom when I discovered baby wearing. Of course I did not go for brands as Budget was an all time consideration. However, baby wearing allowed me to coo to the baby, comfort all the while teaching Grammar, History and Stuff to my students in the class.
Yes, Baby wearing is a boon!
Babywearing is not just about carrying your baby but it’s also about bonding and creating those special moments when one goes ‘awe’. I feel lucky to know about the importance of babywearing from an early stage. Still, I feel people need to be educated about the whole concept and made comfortable with its usage. I really appreciate Akshaya and her efforts for spreading the knowledge to more and more people.
I simply adore Akshaya… Met her on instagram and I learn so much from her posts and stories.. Glad to know more about her through this interview and totally loved her take on Baby wearing…
Lovely interview and interesting details. I heard about baby wearing and did wonder why its such a rage these days.. Now i understand and can appreciate.
Baby wearing is a part of my life. Really feel great that so many moms have come together to support it now. Great post
[…] we the bunch of bloggers have come together with Neha from Sharing our experiences, Deepali from myteenytot and Anubhuti […]
I so wish i had known about babywearing when my toddler was an infant…I went through a similar phase of staying in the house 24*7 and feeling like a total wreck. I now enjoy babywearing to the fullest and so does my toddler. It was lovely reading about Akshaya. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the knowledge about babywearing. I can see how much ease and comfort it would give to new moms ??
Akshaya is J deed a wonderful person. Indeed, she gives us some serious dabba goals. I was very late to learn about baby wearing and kissed it. When I read stories J always wish I knew about it before