My enjoyable Eric
Rose Kwamboka is Eric Junior Moriasi’s mother.
She tells Rebecca Njoki of her motherhood experience.
Initial days after giving birth
I have a supportive house help so I did not have reason to complain. The nights were strenuous though because the baby was not sleeping. For the first three months. Eric would sleep at 2am and wake up at 4am. How I wished he could speak and tell me what was wrong. I would change his diaper, breast feed him and check his temperature. But even when every thing seemed alright, he would still fuss. My sister showed me how to wash the baby. I just could not do it on my own: the baby was tiny, I feared I would drop him.
Going back to work
I go back to work after two months. Eric started taking formula milk then. I missed him and would frequently call home to check on his progress. If the weather turned chilly, I would call home to remind my house help to dress my baby warmly. Today I have relaxed because l can count on my house help who has been there since Eric was born. Now I only call home when it is necessary. When Eric was four months, I started introducing him to food and fruits. Though I felt that it was too early, I had to let him eat since milk was not enough.
Unsettling moment
Once or twice my son has choked on food, his eyes rolling backwards and him getting weak. This has been scary. I also fear leaving him on a chair by himself. Like many other babies, he tries to eat everything that he picks: that makes me conscious of the standards of hygiene in the house.
Best moments with him
Everyday with Eric is enjoyable. He is usually very active, healthy and playful. He is a good feeder too. So meal times are easy, as long as the food is not a lot. I feed him small portions, at intervals of two hours. I also enjoy seeing him grow. Now he has two teeth on his lower jaw. This is a milestone for both of us. While he breastfeeds, he bites me but when I stop him from suckling, he demands to be fed. I think he just likes being playful, and I love it too. He is learning to walk. He keeps holding on to chairs and tables as he takes his first steps.
Getting back to shape
I did not make an effort to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape and as a result, I retained my tummy bulge. At times it bothers me when my previously fitting tops cannot fit anymore.
Expectations of Eric
I suppose he will be a bright boy, caring and God fearing. And just as a boy is expected to be strong, Eric is already showing strength in all that he does.
END: BL19/65