Breastfeeding - a taboo topic for many in the world but many women have stepped forward to break the stereotypes and talk about this ‘natural process’ that every mommy goes through post giving birth. It is said that when the baby latches onto the mother’s breast for the first time, they bond! But looks like some shallow-minded people just cannot accept the fact that breasts aren’t objects but a medium of nourishment for the newborn baby. While we still wonder if that perception could be changed or not, some women have already decided to bring a change and break this social taboo. And we are proud to acknowledge Neha Dhupia for taking an encouraging initiative during the ongoing World Breastfeeding Week 2019. (Also Read: 8 Breast Care Tips That All Breastfeeding Mothers Should Follow)
After a lot of speculations, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi had finally ‘turned the rumours to be true’ and became a family of three with the arrival of their baby girl, Mehr Dhupia Bedi. It was on November 18, 2018, when Neha and Angad had embarked on this beautiful journey of parenthood and are cherishing every moment with their little angel. Soon after Mehr’s birth, the wishes of Dhupia-Bedi fans were finally granted by Angad’s father, Bishan Singh Bedi, who had tweeted the first-ever picture of their little cheesecake.
During this ongoing International Breastfeeding Week 2019, Neha Dhupia takes an initiative, #FreedomToFeed, wherein she reveals her stories with baby Mehr and her journey of breastfeeding her. Discussing the pros and cons of the motherhood journey and how she is blessed to have a great support system with her, Neha Dhupia says a lot in the video shared by her on Instagram. She captioned the video as, “#freedomtofeed - an initiative by Neha Dhupia Let’s start a conversation... as mothers we need #freedomtofeed ... #internationalbreastfeedingweek ... @freedomtofeed #ItsNotAnAd.”
In the video, Neha Dhupia starts with the part and parcel of the motherhood journey and elaborates on the same. She says, “It's been a little over 8 months since we embarked on this rollercoaster. And there is no better day than today and no better time than now to talk about how truly grateful I am for all the joy that the little one has brought into our lives. You know, I’m not going to lie, motherhood hasn’t been easy. The sleepless nights, sometimes you’re feeling like a mere food source, but the blues are all part of the package. I mean it’s amazing how the mommy brain works on autopilot, you know, resting the baby’s head just right when you’re nursing her or knowing when she is done and of course becoming the burping expert in the world.”
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Speaking about the challenges of breastfeeding and sharing a flight instance with Mehr, Neha Dhupia continues, “One of the most challenging for me was exclusively breastfeeding Mehr for six months and I still continue to nurse her. I mean it makes you realise the importance of a support system and sometimes the lack of it. For instance, I remember I was travelling with her once all by myself and I was on a flight and I knew that she needed a feed because I could hear her cry and as a mum you know exactly what your baby wants. I remember standing up in the plane, in the cabin and telling everyone, ‘Listen, I’ll be using washroom for about 15 minutes and if anybody would like to use it before me.’ Everyone knew I was taking my daughter in and what was actually going on. I remember taking her on me and the only thing I was looking up and just hoping that the seatbelt sign doesn’t go on before my little one finishes her feed. I don’t understand the consciousness behind it and why we need to be apologetic for doing something so right. But I guess, it’s all a part of the package.” (Also Read: Chhavi Mittal's Healthy Postpartum Diet During Breastfeeding Phase, Shares Tips For Newbie Mommies)
Concluding her video on a beautiful note with acknowledging the support system around her and ending it by talking about her initiative, Neha Dhupia remarked, “I really feel that we need a little more noise around it. You know, speaking of the support system that I was earlier, I was very fortunate to have a fantastic one. Whether it was, you know, my parents, Angad, you know, people at home, the support staff I have. People at work, they’d been amazing. My friends and of course, all the mommies I know, the amount of love and support they gave me, including my favourite one, my mum. I know I’m not alone, and on the onset of international breastfeeding week, I would love to encourage all mums whether breastfeeding or not to share their story. Talk to me and I would love to use my little platform to share your story with the world.”
Sharing the same video on Instagram, the doting husband, Angad Bedi wrote, "Freedom to Feed!! An initiative by my wife... It’s been a beautiful journey for us but even more for her.. there have been days which were tough, nights which were long for her and most nights alone fighting many demons in her head. But she endured it all. To see mehr smile and respond soo lovingly made it all worth it. I salute you neha...And all the mothers out there. Please do watch and share your story. #freedomtofeed @nehadhupia #internationalbreastfeedingweek."
In an interview with ZoomTV.com, before the birth of Mehr Dhupia Bedi, Neha Dhupia had advocated for breastfeeding and had stated, "For now I am only thinking about diaper changing and feeding the child. I will do what is healthy for the baby and mother.” Revealing the changes Mehr brought into their lives, Neha Dhupia shared in an interview with the Hindustan Times, post giving birth to her angel, “Angad has become calmer when it comes to movie ticket bookings. Earlier we would just spontaneously decide and go to the movies. Now it is different. I have told him to tell me one day in advance.”
Neha Dhupia had continued with how their little one, Mehr has put them on a timetable, and now not just as husband and wife, but as parents, they have to plan everything in advance. Neha had added, “If he wants us to eat out then I have told him to tell me two days in advance because the kitchen also needs to shut down. When it comes to travelling within the country he has to tell me three weeks in advance and if abroad then at least three months in advance. We have a schedule now that we follow as husband and wife. It's a scheduled love story. We have a particular time in the day slotted just for us. Mehr has put us on a timetable. It is all just so rewarding. It has kept me very busy. It has kept me entertaining.”
Neha Dhupia had also revealed how her husband, Angad Bedi has been a hands-on dad and helps her by just being around her. She had said, “He is showing full solidarity with diaper changes, tantrums or breastfeeding. He is a pillar but there's not much he can do. We are excited, emotional tired. It's all there.” Well, we have already seen how wonderful Angad is as a father to his princess. When Mehr had turned 7 months, Angad had posted a picture, performing his daddy duties by tying his baby girl’s shoelaces, and had written, “She’s 7 months today.. our lifeline Mehr. Waheguru sukh rakhe thank you universe for everything. @nehadhupia you bring a lot of happiness in my life. credit goes to the wifey.” Neha commented on his post, “I love u my baby’s daddy... only one thing... click such cute pictures for me also na. @angadbedi.” (Also Read: Neha Dhupia And Angad Bedi Post An Adorable Family Moment With Daughter, Mehr On 8-Month Birthday)
With so many glimpses of baby Mehr in Neha’s video, we can’t wait more for a family picture of the awesome Dhupia-Bedi trio!
