I have new found admiration and respect for all moms.

This was after my very 1st hands-on baby session with the newest addition to the family – 7 weeks old little ‘M’ –  whom my aunt entrusted in my good hands during a visit yesterday.

I had been meaning to visit & catch-up with her proper since finishing my temporary work stint and it so happened that our schedules were cleared for yesterday. So right after a very intense and exhausting (but good) session of yoga, I got lunch for us both and went to her place.

Over lunch, she shared about her birthing experience (for both kids), gave me her opinions on the various hospitals (after listening to that silly dilemma I have), passed me some very useful books which she purchased from Thomson Parentcraft for baby #1 and then while changing diapers of little M, told him that the next diaper changing will be done by me.

Gaah? Me? I’ve never changed a 7 weeks old baby before, so I thought she was joking of course. Not till after 15 minutes later, she said it was time for a diaper change (man, these bubs really change like 10 diapers in half a day!). I was taught how to wipe/clean downwards using wet cotton balls before patting dry, putting on diaper rash cream before plonking the cute baby butt onto a new diapers – except that there was more poo oozing out like a tube of overfilled mustard or something. Grr. And in that 10 minutes, thankfully little M was very patient with me though my arm were starting to ache from lifting that pair of little feet up in the air as I used the other to clean the little ass-hole (no pun intended) with little cotton balls and tissue again.

I did it over and over for three times (admittedly, I did improve) as my aunt stood by the cot, watching, guiding, talking and sometimes snapping a photo of a poo. It was darn good training and as much as it freaked me out the first time I did it, I felt a sense of achievement that I knew what I was doing.

Next, I was taught how to position the boob and how baby’s mouth should be just before breastfeeding time and it was hilarious to see little M bobbing and nodding his head away when he wanted his feed (looking for the areola) and how he gobbled the boob like a goldfish.

Lastly, I participated in undressing little M for his bath. Getting the clothes out was way easier than getting new ones back on. The more I took my time putting new clothes on him, the more he gave a ‘pissed-off’ cry, and the more stressed I became trying to complete clothing the little boy.

Thankfully that didn’t take too long. When it came to bath time, I was also surprised to see how ‘blue’ his little hands and feet quickly turned, as he got out of the tub. No wonder little bubs need to be dab dry quickly after a bath and be kept warm.

3 hours later, I ended my hands-on session to meet the mom in town for some mom-daughter bonding & shopping. I was so tired from the session that I practically fell into a daze on the bus.  Tired at how much there was to do, but thankful and grateful for opportunity.

At least I know what to expect when it comes to changing/feeding/bathing for mine the next time.

I wonder if I’d still need that confinement lady to come in.

Hmm, we’ll see.