PUNE: The current lockdown amid the novel coronavirus has affected new mothers. With all shops closed and limited resources to deliver essentials, new mothers in the city are unable to buy baby items.
For those who have just delivered babies, or are due in the next 15 days, it’s a battle for essentials. Traditionally, Indian parents are discouraged from buying baby clothes or other utilities before the birth of a child. But with shops closed now, couples are scrambling to arrange for the basics like swaddle blankets, jhablas, cloth nappies etc.
One such new mother, Shraddha Bhange, tweeted her concern with Pune police appealing to them to allow newborn clothes on the list of essential services.
“In our culture, we don’t buy baby stuff before delivery. So we had no clothes, crib or car seat for the baby. I have borrowed a few things, but you know that too is risky. I don’t want to borrow more used clothes or even new clothes. Even diapers are not available in medical shops easily,” Bhange told Sakal Times.
Bavdhan resident Amruta Tamboli, who has a one-year-old daughter, is giving away the newborn clothes she had saved to a woman she hasn’t met yet. “I understand that this is a difficult time for expecting mothers. My friend told me about her friend, who is delivering in two days. Though I haven’t met her, I decided to pass on my daughter’s clothes to her,” she said.
Many maternity hospitals have shops and pharmacies on their premises that stock newborn supplies. But those delivering in small nursing homes that do not have such facilities are facing problems.
A few parents have opted to recycle and reuse old clothes for their children. Saumik Saha, an IT professional and Father of one-month old son, said, “We didn’t bother to buy any new clothes for our child. My mom stitched baby clothes. It’s hot these days, so we mostly keep the baby wrapped in a single thin cotton cloth. Moreover, there were a few clothes of my nephew who has outgrown them.”
Another new mother, Kranti Dhankure, said she is managing with old clothes and a few that her husband bought before delivery.
Dr Ashwini Margale, gynaecologist and obstetrician, said a lot of her patients in their ninth month of pregnancy raise this query with her. “I advise my patients to take help from relatives or friendly neighbours to arrange for baby clothes and other stuff,” she explained.
