Category: Lifestyle

It begins with time in the womb!

Becoming a mother is one of the most amazing feelings for us ladies. As a mother, it became quite necessary that I look towards what best supports my baby’s brain health and overall development.

So, giving a smart, intellectual start to your baby is possible if you take small steps at a time.

Join me on this journey to boost your baby’s brain development.

In this blog, I will be with you on the following highlights:

• Superfoods that Help Baby’s Brain Power
• Yoga Benefiting Mother and Baby’s Development
• Sleep Quality: For Better Baby Development

Spinach: Spinach (known as Palak in Hindi), is a power-packed superfood mothers should incorporate into their diets. Rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, folate, and potassium, Spinach as a superfood, does wonders during pregnancy, not just for the mom but for the baby as well. It provides essential nutrients like folate along with others and helps our baby’s overall development.

Coconut: Coconut is another superfood for expecting women. It was my faithful companion throughout my pregnancy journey. It helps maintain amniotic fluid levels and is essential in preventing dehydration-related difficulties such as low birth weight and preterm labor. I highly recommend this superfood to fellow expecting women for its nourishing benefits promoting overall well-being.

Jaggery: As an expecting mother, I added jaggery to my diet. It not only prevents anemia but also boosts hemoglobin levels in your body. Jaggery helps with digestion-related issues, strengthens our immune system, and flushes out toxins. All this aids mothers in maintaining good health, which directly leads to a baby’s healthy development.

Legumes: Legumes are another superfood for pregnant ladies or mothers with infant diet concerns. By adding enough legume-rich diets to their lifestyle, mothers get optimal fibre, protein, folate, iron, and calcium. I opted for diets including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and soybeans.

Almonds: Among all dry-fruit families, almonds stand out as the king! It is particularly essential during pregnancy and for the baby’s brain development. Incorporating almonds into my diet during pregnancy, I ensured I got optimal protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Making sure of this secures a healthy pregnancy and also helps to prevent possible birth-related issues.

Methi Dana: Methi dana (Fenugreek) has surprising benefits for our health during pregnancy. We get iron, folate, and calcium from fenugreek. To the little I know about Folate besides calcium and iron, it is a crucial nutrient that helps in baby’s brain development and prevents neural tube defects. Including Methi in your diet ensures optimal health and development for the unborn baby.

Yoga has been there for more than 5000 years in India, most of us know that! But to talk specifically about what it does to help develop a baby’s brain is a highlight.

Prenatal yoga is unquestionably beneficial for infant mothers and babies’ overall development. When I opted for yoga as part of my lifestyle during pregnancy, it lowered stress and made my pregnancy journey easier. Expecting mothers to make their lives stress-free, improve mental health, and have better physical health must make yoga part of their daily routine.

Let’s not forget ourselves (I meant with the phase a pregnant mother goes by) and how yoga helps in managing the phase altogether:

1. Lessens stress, anxiety, and depression
   The combination of breathing with careful movements helps elevate symptoms like stress and depression during pregnancy. Slow breathing stimulates the neurological system and blocks cortisol, which, when in excess, can lead to depression. Through gentle exercises and mindful breathing, pregnant ladies get emotional balance.
2. Less Painful Labour Experience
   Another vital benefit of prenatal yoga is that it helps expecting mothers ease the pain during labor.
   By promoting physical strength, relaxation, and flexibility, prenatal yoga can improve the labor experience while delivering the baby. Prenatal yoga includes some poses that target muscles used during delivery. Hence, enhanced endurance!
   The breathing exercises contribute to the effective management of pain during contractions. In short, prenatal yoga eases anxiety, promotes a positive mindset, cultivates mental resilience, and has a positive impact during labor.
3. Boosts blood flow
   The movements and stretching while performing yoga help increase blood flow to the heart. It helps a baby with its overall development by increasing oxygen-rich blood. Proper blood flow is essential for a robust supply of oxygen and nutrients for optimal baby brain development. During pregnancy, this enhanced blood flow contributes to the better health of a mother and the ideal growth of the foetus.

Proper and quality sleep is crucial for us mothers to ease the pregnancy process. Correct? So, during this time, an adequate sleep pattern is vital since it is not just associated with us; it also affects the health and development of our baby’s brain and overall well-being.

At the time of pregnancy, it is essential to maintain a healthy immune system. After all, everything we do can affect the child we carry! And having proper sleep is required for better immune function and correct baby development.

Tips for Better Sleep:

• Ensure finding a comfortable position to sleep.
• Strategize eating and drinking to avoid triggering acidic reflux.
• Make sure to reduce screen time and non-relaxing exercises before going to bed.
• Incorporate calming breathing exercises and gentle yoga into your day.

Knowing that Indian culture has so much to offer is bliss. You can bring this bliss to yourself and your baby’s development by adding simple steps to your routine. Begin with a few yoga asanas and one of the superfoods to lay the right foundation and optimal baby brain development.

I believe mother’s day is an everyday thing. I sometimes feel that my house is at war in the morning and by the time I drop my kid at the school, everyone at the house surrenders for a break like true soldiers.

Jokes apart, I will really take the moment to not skip this special day we all know as Mother’s Day, and appreciate those famous names. To make it a gem-of-a-day and to appreciate every mother as an unsung hero, nothing can do better than THE MOTHER’S DAY.  As we celebrate Mother’s Day in 2025, it’s time to honour and appreciate the women who have shaped our lives and inspired us to be the best versions of ourselves.

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, and yet, one thing that unites us all is the unconditional love and sacrifice of our mothers.

From the rural villages to the bustling cities, Indian mothers have always been the backbone of their families, working tirelessly to provide for their children and nurture them with love and care.

That’s the reason why I am dedicating this blog to mothers and some of the inspiring stories who have overcome challenges and made a difference in their families and communities:

Sudha Murthy is a well-known philanthropist, author, and social worker who has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on society. She is also the proud chairperson of the Infosys Foundation.

But what many people don’t know is that she is also a devoted mother who has raised two successful children while pursuing her own career.

Sudha Murthy’s daughter, Akshata, is a successful entrepreneur, while her son, Rohan, is a film director.

Despite her busy schedule, Sudha Murthy has always made time for her family and instilled in them the values of hard work, honesty, and compassion.

Laxmi Agarwal is a survivor of an acid attack who has become an inspiration for millions of women across India.

After being attacked at the age of 15, Laxmi refused to be a victim and instead fought back against the perpetrators.

She went on to become an activist and advocate for the rights of acid attack survivors, and even inspired a Bollywood movie based on her life story.

Laxmi is also a proud mother who has raised a daughter with love and courage, despite facing numerous challenges along the way.

A social worker and activist who has dedicated her life to caring for orphaned and abandoned children. Known as the “Mother of Orphans”.

Sindhutai has adopted over 1,000 children and raised them as her own.

Despite facing poverty and discrimination, Sindhutai never gave up on her mission to provide a better life for these children.

Her inspiring story has been featured in numerous documentaries and films, and she continues to inspire others to make a difference in their communities.

Mary Kom is a world-renowned boxer and Olympic medalist who has broken numerous barriers in the male-dominated sport of boxing.

However, many people are unfamiliar with that she is also a devoted mother who has balanced her career with raising three children.

Mary Kom’s dedication and hard work have inspired countless women across India to pursue their passions and break free from societal norms.

Renuka Shahane is a well-known actress, director, and writer who has made a name for herself in the Indian entertainment industry. She also worked as one of the two anchors of the vastly popular Hindi language TV show of DD National, “Surabhi” a series, which made her a household name in India.

But what sets her apart is her commitment to balancing her career with motherhood.

Renuka has two sons whom she has raised with love and care, while also pursuing her passion for acting and filmmaking.

Her inspiring journey shows that it’s possible to have a successful career while also being a loving mother.

Manasi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player who has shown immense resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

In 2011, Manasi lost her left leg in a road accident, but that did not deter her spirit.

She embraced para-badminton and became a champion in the sport. Manasi is not only an inspiration in the field but also in her role as a mother.

She has a young son and has been an incredible source of strength and support for him.

Manasi’s journey reminds us that with determination and a positive mindset, we can overcome any challenge and be exceptional mothers.

Chandro Tomar, popularly known as “Shooter Dadi,” is an epitome of inspiration.
Born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, Chandro broke stereotypes and societal norms by taking up sharpshooting in her 60s.

She not only excelled in the sport but also inspired her granddaughter, who is also a professional shooter.

Chandro’s dedication, courage, and zest for life are qualities that she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. She has shown the world that age is just a number, and it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

Sheegauri Sawant is a transgender activist and advocate who has fought for the rights and welfare of the transgender community in India.

She became a mother figure for an orphaned girl, Gayatri, who was abandoned by her family due to her gender identity.

Gauri not only provided a loving home for Gayatri but also fought a legal battle to ensure her right to education and a better future.

Gauri’s unconditional love and unwavering support have transformed both their lives and have set an example of acceptance and compassion.

Kalpana Saroj is a self-made businesswoman and entrepreneur who has defied all odds to achieve success.

Born into a Dalit family and facing discrimination and poverty, Kalpana overcame these challenges to become a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry.

Despite her demanding career, she has always been a dedicated mother to her two children.

Kalpana’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian mothers who not only navigate their personal and professional lives but also break barriers and create opportunities for themselves and their families.

Savitribai Phule holds a significant place in Indian history as the first female teacher of the country and a social reformer.
In the 19th century, she fought against societal norms and advocated for women’s education and empowerment.

Savitribai Phule faced immense opposition and hardships, but her determination never wavered. As a mother, she raised and educated her adopted son, Yashwant, and instilled in him the values of equality and justice.

Savitribai Phule’s contributions to education and social reform continue to inspire generations of Indian mothers to strive for a better future.

These incredible Indian mothers have shown us that motherhood is not limited to biological bonds but extends to the impact we create on the lives of others.

Hope their stories remind us of the power of love, strength, and resilience in shaping not only our families but also our society.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s honour and appreciate the inspiring mothers who have made a difference and continue to inspire us all.

Love for all the Mothers out there!