In this post, I am reviewing the e-book ‘Baby Sleep Solutions’ by Katrina Villegas. The in-depth review will provide an overview of the contents of the book, the strategies suggested, and the effectiveness of the strategies laid out in the book when practically implemented.
Personal Struggle with Sleep Training
All throughout my pregnancy, I had many friends and colleagues advising me on reading about sleep training techniques. But I refused to read about it. Why? I had a belief that sleep is such a natural activity for babies that once the baby learned to distinguish between day and night, it would automatically start sleeping through the night.
I didn’t think there was any specific intervention required on my end. Moreover, I felt that if at all there are days when the baby took longer to sleep, I could sing a few lullabies or roks the baby in a cradle, and the baby would doze off peacefully.
But all of my sweet assumptions about the sleeping patterns of a baby fell entirely apart within two months after my baby was born. My baby-girl would not fall off to sleep till about 4 am no matter how hard I tried. I would sing lullabies. I would walk around with her. I would swaddle her. I bathed her before bed. But everything failed miserably.
By the time my baby girl was eight weeks old, I was sleep-deprived and extremely frustrated with myself for not learning more about sleep training.
My experience with other online solutions
When I started looking for solutions on the internet, I found many sleep training courses run mainly by American women. The testimonials of most of these courses were great, but there were two issues –
They were expensive. (As Indians, we don’t earn in dollars, and spending a few hundred dollars on a course seemed to be a high price to pay)
They were in the form of audio and video recorded sessions. (This meant that I would have to watch multiple online tutorials in a sleep-deprived condition which would only make my health woes worse!)
What I was looking for was an affordable, handy book that I could read whenever I found some extra time on hand. Unfortunately, when I was looking for this information, I couldn’t find a book that met these requirements.
However, I wish I had found the book that I am about to review today, two months after my baby girl was born. I feel it would have been the perfect solution for the exhausted and struggling mama I was at that time.
Baby Sleep Solutions by Katrina Villegas: Full Review
Overview of the book
The book written by Katrina Villegas is a quick-read. It is a short 60-page book. What this means is that the author comes straight to the point without any fluff at all.
The book is divided into six neat chapters that will explain the strategies in a simple-to-follow language.
Towards the end of the book, you will find a ton of extra, helpful information about daytime naps and tips on modifying your baby’s sleep schedules as per its growing age.
What I like about this book is that it is extremely handy and a perfect companion for a sleep-deprived mom who has no time to skim through all the fluff. The chapters are concise yet packed with information.
Moreover, the book is written in such a way that you can read it while you are pregnant or even when your baby is a bit older, and you’re struggling to put your baby to bed.
Suggested Sleep Training Strategies
Throughout the book, the author has stressed the importance of building positive sleep associations by building two effective routines:
Naptime and Bedtime routine and
The Eat, Wake, Sleep Routine
The naptime and bedtime routine is a routine involving 3-4 quick activities that you do over and over every single day before naptime or bedtime. Repeatedly and consistently performing these activities helps the baby develop an association between these activities and sleep.
Secondly, the Eat, Wake, Sleep routine ensures that the baby does not develop an association between feeding and sleep. Thus, this strategy ensures that the baby falls off to sleep on its own without feeling the need to latch on to the mom’s breast or cry for a bottle.
What’s impressive about the book is that the book clarifies at the outset the success of these two routines depends entirely on the baby learning to take full feedings. This means that by employing the sleep training solutions provided in this book, you are not only teaching your baby the right way of falling off to sleep, but you are also actively developing correct eating habits.
In fact, as per the poll data of 300 people who employed only the tactics mentioned in this book collected, it was found that a whopping 80.4% of the babies were sleeping throughout the night, i.e., for a full 12 hours before the age of 6 months!
Oh, and what I must highlight here is that, unlike most sleep training courses, this book does not employ the cry it out method.
According to the author, you would not need to employ the cry it out method (except for a maximum of one night of letting a fully-fed baby cry for a few minutes) if you follow the strategies in the book.
Can the sleep training solutions work in a typical Indian home?
To begin with, the principles laid down in the book can be applied no matter where you stay. However, I understand that books are written with a western audience in mind often suggest using monitors, sound machines, and light-blocking curtains.
The mention of these products can often throw off a typical Indian in whose homes you will not find these products. Moreover, for years together, Indians have successfully practised co-sleeping with the baby right from the newborn stage.
Our ancient wisdom laid out the manner in which the mother could safely co-sleep with her baby. In fact, our culture also prescribes a specific type of mattress and bedding for the baby and the mother. Thus the use of a crib or having a separate room for the baby is rare. In fact, using a baby monitor is almost unheard of.
Given these disparities between Western and Indian cultures, can you still employ the practices suggested in the book?
In my opinion, yes, subject to a few modifications/ground rules-
In India, we do not put babies down to bed as early as 7.00 pm. You could, thus, modify the suggested routines as per the standard Indian bedtime (9:30-10.00 pm). The principles will work regardless of your preferred bedtime.
You can co-sleep with your baby once the baby falls off to sleep. However, while putting down your baby to bed, ensure that nobody else stays in the room with the baby.
There is plenty of white noise in Indian homes in the form of fans, traffic noises, the noise of people performing household chores in other rooms, etc. Thus the principles laid out in the book will work even if you do not use a sound machine.
However, let me reiterate that the techniques recommended in this book are sound and highly effective no matter your specific circumstances.
Final Thoughts
The book is a must-read for working moms who want to inculcate healthy sleeping habits from an early age using gentle but effective strategies that positively contribute towards the all-around health of the baby and the mom!
As someone who has suffered the consequences of not learning how to sleep train, my baby, I highly recommend you to buy this wonderfully informative and affordably priced e-book by Katrina Villegas.
The earlier you buy this book, the better it would be for the overall health of your baby and the health of the entire household, who otherwise deals with the harsh after-effects of sleep-deprivation and exhaustion.
In particular, the book is a must-read for working moms who want to inculcate healthy sleeping habits from an early age using gentle but effective strategies that positively contribute towards the all-around health of the baby and the mom!
In this article, I will give you all the information you need on the best diaper bags in India. I will tell you all about the best baby diapers bags for your specific needs, a comparison chart for a quick overview of my top diaper bags and a guide to help you determine which baby diaper bag to zero down on.
For almost two years after the birth of my baby, the only bag I used was the diaper bag. That is exactly why I think that investing in a diaper bag is not only a must but also needs some careful study.
I looked through plenty of options and then settled for a classic backpack styled diaper bag. It kept my hands free, evenly distributed the weight, looked stylish, supported all my travel plans and didn’t need any special maintenance or mending!
I strongly feel that if you buy the right diaper bag for your needs, you won’t have to bother buying another bag throughout your baby’s diaper-days.
So let me pass all the wisdom I gained from researching for, buying and using a diaper bag to you to help you settle down on the best diaper bag in India!
My Top Pick – Best Diaper Bag in India
In my opinion, one of the best diaper bags in India is the Robustrion Diaper Bag. It is trendy, affordable and super functional.
Me in Bali using my favourite diaper bag – the Robustrion diaper bag
You can read its detailed review in the review section below.
You can simply choose one of the above options based on your requirements. But if you aren’t sure what to look for in a diaper bag, continue reading this comprehensive guide.
Comparison Chart – Best Diaper Bag in India 2021
Before, I dive into reviewing all the diaper bags and setting down criteria that you must take into consideration when buying a baby diaper bag. You can toggle based on the diaper bag price or based on any other field in the table below.
In this article, I am going to be recommending diaper bags belonging to the following two primary types –
Backpack Diaper Bags
This type of diaper bag is the one that looks pretty similar to your backpack. You wear it over your shoulders. The diaper bag sits on your back.
The key advantages of using this type of diaper bag are –
Keeps your hands free
Distributes weight evenly over your shoulders
Looks similar to your other backpacks and does not immediately give you a ‘parent-look’
Looks good on men too
The disadvantages of a backpack diaper bag are –
the stuff inside this backpack is not quickly accessible. You will most often need to take the bag off one of your shoulders to quickly access the contents inside the bag.
Does not always suit ethnic clothing
Sling Diaper Bag / Messenger Diaper Bag / Tote Diaper Bag
Okay, now in a strict fashion-savvy world, all of these words would not mean the same thing. But for us Indians, who are more concerned about functionality than style, we would be using all these words interchangeably.
Basically, a sling diaper bag or a messenger diaper bag or a tote diaper bag is a diaper bag that looks like a purse and is worn over one shoulder. That is the reason these have been the go-to diaper bags for moms.
Some one-shoulder purse-style diaper bags can also be worn across the chest.
The key advantages of using this type of diaper bag are –
Keeps your back free
Contents inside the bag are quickly accessible
Women used to carrying a purse, find this convenient to use
Goes well with ethnic as well as western clothing
The disadvantages of using this type of diaper bag are –
Does not keep your hands free
Does not distribute weight evenly
Style may not suit men
How to choose from the best diaper bags in India?
Storage
The primary area in which a diaper bag differs from regular bags is in its storage function. A baby’s or kids diaper bag is meant to store specific items.
Now, let me tell you from personal experience that
you need to carry a lot of different items in your diaper bag and
you need to access each item really quickly (before your baby turns, throws a tantrum or start crying hysterically)
What this means that the diaper bag you choose must have enough storage facility. Additionally, this facility must be properly divided so as to be able to access it conveniently and quickly.
Diaper bags must come with neatly appropriated pockets for their contents. The key pockets that you must look for when you buy a diaper bag online are –
A few deep pockets for diapers
Insulated pockets for bottles (preferably insulated or padded)
A handy pocket for tissues or wet wipes
Additional pocket to store your phone or wallet.
These pockets must come in addition to the one big roomy pocket that allows you to store all your other items.
Plus you must also look at the placement of these pockets. These pockets must be quickly accessible and handy.
Style
Diaper bags usually come in either baby-friendly colours or parent-friendly colours. Thus some diaper bags obviously look like diaper bags from the outside as they use baby-friendly animal print or come in pastel shades.
Some, on the other hand, look like a regular backpack or purse. Thus you can carry these like your everyday wear bags and still look stylish.
What you pick depends entirely on what style you identify with more. If you like flaunting the parent in you, you could pick up a baby-print bag. If not, you could stick to the neutral, everyday-wear styled diaper bags.
User
Who is going to use the diaper bag? Is it only going to be the mom using it or will the dad also be using it?
This is an important factor to take into consideration.
Rarely will you find a dad comfortable in carrying a pastel-coloured diaper bag or a purse-styled diaper bag.
To avoid this discomfort, you should probably look at stylish diaper bags that are not only functional but can also be carried around by any parent without worrying about not looking cool!
In most cases, a diaper backpack is preferred by both parents while a one-sided sling bag is preferred by women.
Unlike diaper manufacturers in India that greatly differ the price of their end product, the pricing of diaper bags in India is quite uniform.
Most diaper bags produced by leading brands such as Robustrion, Mee Mee, Luvlap or R for Rabbit are similarly priced. These bags will also perform similarly in terms of their durability and quality of material used.
However, the only type of diaper bags that will prove to be truly top-notch in terms of their quality, finish and user-experience are the ones that come from internationally acclaimed brands such as Skip hop.
Therefore, if you are someone who is going to travel frequently with your baby and subject the diaper bag to rough and frequent use, you should definitely look at the higher-end brands.
If not, you could rely on any of the other product recommendations on this list.
Features
If you looked up for diaper bags in India online, you will find so many diaper bags that look almost identical and yet are priced a bit differently. Usually, the difference in pricing comes on account of the features that the diaper bag provides.
Some useful features to have in a diaper bag are –
Water-resistance
Even though I would like all diaper bags to be water-resistant, some are not. As a parent dealing in wet diapers, spills and leaks, it’s best to look for a bag that stays protected from this type of damage.
Changing pad
Most diaper bags come with a changing pad. I find this feature really useful as it lessens one-item from your diaper bag packing list. Plus, since the bag manufacturers make the changing pad, it usually folds down well and fits beautifully in the diaper bag.
Stroller-hooks
If you plan to run errands with your baby such as go shopping, go on long walks or travel extensively, you will be putting your baby in a stroller quite often. In this case, a diaper bag that can be conveniently attached to the stroller proves to be super useful.
Attaching your diaper bag to stroller hooks allow you to go diaper-bag free and give your shoulders some much-needed break while your baby is in the stroller.
Related: Click here to read my detailed article on the best diaper for baby in India here.
Look no further for this is the best diaper bag in India!
This Robustrion diaper bag is affordable, comes in colours that could easily please the tastes of either of the parent and delivers renders excellent functionality.
Me walking around with my Robustrion diaper bag
Robustrian is one of the most popular diaper bag brands and all of its diaper bags come with great storage space. On the inside, the backpack diaper bag has ample space to store enough baby-items. The diaper pockets are spacious and you can easily store about 6-8 diapers there.
Additionally, the spacious interiors will also you to store extra clothing, bibs, wipes, toys, books, feeding cover, etc. You will also find a pocket for your phone or wallet in here.
On the front side, you will find a handy pocket that lets you store 3 feeding bottles. The padding on these pockets keeps the bottles safe. In addition to this, the bag features a side pocket for storing a small water-bottle or any other item you would like to have quick access to.
The other side pocket is a wipes pocket. You could store your wet wipes in there and pull them out quickly as you need them without having to open your diaper bag.
Now, there are plenty of other brands that also have diaper backpacks using the exact same design. But I have found the make of this diaper bag sturdy. Its zips work seamlessly over the years and the stitching doesn’t give away despite rough usage.
I absolutely love this bag for its design and its premium feel!
The light grey and the denim colours that it comes in are unisex and no man would hesitate to carry this diaper bag along.
The bag uses the shape of a regular sling-style laptop bag. But it also offers the convenience of wearing it on your back like a regular backpack.
Plus, thanks to its wide shape, the bag rarely hangs below your waist which is a great advantage for shorter parents.
Moreover, the wide fit of the bag makes it possible for you to quickly access items in the bag without you having to dig through it. The diaper bag comes with a cool 12 well-placed pockets.
You can keep the diapers at the bag end and have all the other items placed in the front. The bottles can also be safely tucked on the sides.
Except for the fact that it is very difficult to partially open the bag while wearing it on your bag, this diaper bag has no serious flaws.
If you are someone who wants a diaper bag that blends well with the rest of your outfit, is highly functional and uses premium-quality material, go for this bag without a second thought!
Now I know that you must be wondering why I have enlisted a product here that looks almost exactly like the Robustrion Backpack diaper bag.
Let me tell you the reason for doing the same. This Motherly diaper bag adds a lot of functionality to the classic diaper backpack design.
Thus, although it may look similar to many other diaper bags on the outside, in terms of its functionality and pocket craft, it works way better than the basic Robustrion variant.
To begin with, it comes with two insulated wide bottle holders in the front. Additionally, it also comes with two spoon holders. (Trust me, many diaper bags do not come with spoon holders, but their availability proves to be super useful.)
The diaper backpack comes with a quick access zip on the bag that lets you access items stored on the bottom end of the bag without you having to dig through the content from the top end.
The highlight of the bag, however, is the anti-theft pocket on the bag. Wallets often get lost in the many contents inside the diaper bag. But this anti-theft compartment works really well to safely store a small wallet in it.
Additionally, the diaper bag also provides a bottle-cover and a changing mat to ensure that an all-round positive experience.
Coming to the design aspect too, the dual-colour makes this one of the cute baby diaper bags available online that also looks elegant and stylish. The metal zips and buttons are anti-rust and keep your diaper bag looking new throughout.
Of course, the enhanced quality and functionality features come with a more expensive price tag. But you won’t regret spending the few extra hundred rupees once you start enjoying the benefits that come with it.
Pros – Patterned design, comes in a variety of colours and patterns, Plenty of pockets available, water-resistant, comes with a diaper changing mat, durable
It’s amusing how all these diaper backpacks come in the exact same outer shape and yet on the inside are all a bit different from each other.
This Luvlap diaper bag looks particularly more attractive than many of the other uni-colour diaper bags. The patterned design instantly makes it comparable with the designer diaper bags available in the market.
(Especially moms of baby girls will love the design and the print on these diaper bags for girls!)
But it is not only for its good looks that I am including this diaper bag in this listing. On the inside, the diaper bag features three interesting elements.
The large main compartment of this diaper bag contains a pocket suitable to hold an iPad, a tablet or even a mini-laptop. I find this a great addition for working moms who need to double up their diaper bag as their work-bag too!
The outer pocket is neatly designed to maximise space. This means that there are only two bottle holders leaving ample space to hold a small napkin or a bib. Plus, there is a zippered pocket in here that’s perfect for storing wet diapers. This feature is particularly helpful for parents using cloth diapers.
On the back end of the diaper bag, you will also find a small anti-theft pocket useful to store your waller or your phone.
The other tit-bits on this bag are also a reflection of the thought that has gone in making this bag. Thus, you will find padded shoulder straps, a metal key holder on the side, a diaper changing mat and the overall use of water-resistant material to protect against spills.
Again, as I have stated earlier, like most bags features come for a price and you will find the pricing of this bag a bit higher than basic diaper bag variants.
Pros – Smart design with a minimal number of pockets, can store a 15-inch laptop, comes with a safety pocket on the back, insulated side bottle holder, water-resistant and durable.
Cons – A bit more expensive, the outer pocket can’t store bottles.
Are you looking for an R for Rabbit diaper bag? Well, this one is the best diaper bag backpack from the brand.
This diaper backpack comes in many colours but the blue and the steel grey one can particularly be used as a dad diaper bag.
The distinguishing factor of this diaper bag vis-a-vis most others is that it is spacious but comes with fewer pockets. In fact, it only comes with one outer insulated bottle holder. This trait of the R for Rabbit diaper bag makes it more suitable for babies that are exclusively breastfed where you don’t really need to carry many bottles along with you.
The inner space with fewer pockets can also be maximised to store a full 15-inch laptop, extra diapers, a changing mat that comes with the backpack and a lot of other baby products.
On the outside, the diaper bag is equipped with a regular smart pocket. You won’t be able to store bottles in this pocket. While the lack of a standard outer pocket may prove to be a problem for parents who need to carry multiple handy bottles, it can prove to be beneficial for parents who don’t want their diaper backpack to look like a baby bag.
The diaper bag also sports a safety pocket on the bag to store your valuables.
Overall, I find the diaper bag a great choice for parents of exclusively young babies, working parents or minimalist parents. The price tag, however, is a bit steep.
Pros – Affordable and durable,Attractive V-shaped tote, comes with small pouch, transparent bag, insulated bottle cover and a changing pad. Contains spaced out internal pockets.
This is one of the best bags amongst all of the Fisher Price diaper bags online India. In fact, in terms of its style and finish, I find it better than some of the more expensive diaper bags by Fisher-Price.
Firstly, the bag’s style is totally unlike other diaper bags. It is colourful but smart-looking. It suits almost all outfits. In stark contrast to backpack diaper bags, it can also be paired with Kurtas or other ethnic outfits.
Secondly, you will rarely find a V-shaped tote bag. Most other sling diaper bags come in a boring rectangular shape with stuffy outer pockets. The design of this bag comes with neat outlines and exudes trendy vibes.
In terms of its functionality, the inside area of the bag has four open pockets to store diapers, bibs, clothes and toys in a quick handy manner. It also contains a zippered pocket on the inside to store your valuables.
In addition to this, a beautiful insulated bottle holder, a small pouch, a transparent bag and a changing mat are all provided together with this diaper bag. These additions ease out the issues that you could face on account of lack of many internal pockets.
In my opinion, if you want a neat tote back, with no bulging outer pockets and handy inserts this is the best diaper bag for you.
Pros – Outstanding design, bottle-holders with magnetic closures, internal pockets with zips, clean design, stroller-friendly, highly durable product that comes with one of the best changing mats.
If you are someone who has lived abroad or someone who watches many Youtube videos of mommy bloggers, you will know of the global popularity of the Skip Hop brand.
Skip Hop has many designs and variants in the diaper bag, but the one that is easily available in India is its beautiful French Stripe Edition.
Now, let me tell you that it is an internationally shipped product and therefore far more expensive than any other diaper bag on this list. But if you are willing to spend the extra money, let me assure you that you are going to be ‘bagging’ a truly premium product.
First of all, this bag has style stamped all over it. Right from the elegant French stripes to the beautiful red zip-lines and the classic rolled handle, this diaper bag will not disappoint you on any level. If you do not want to carry it using the rolled handles, you can use the adjustable beige shoulder straps and keep your hands free.
The main compartment of the bag is zippered. In addition to this you will find two extra compartments on the side. You can store the complimentary changing pad in one of these. (By the way, I absolutely love the changing pad. (It’s so soft and evenly cushioned that the quality of this mat alone makes the exorbitant price of this bag worth it!)
Plus you will find one-of-a-kind magnetic closures on the external bottle holders that not only allow quick access but also store the bottle securely. You will also find two hidden quick access compartments on the side. One of these has a slit to quickly take out wet wipes.
What’s fantastic about this bag is that it stands even no matter what you stuff it with. You will rarely see this bag toppling over. It also does not look too bulky or bulge from the sides. It is also stroller friendly. You can hang it around the handles of most standard sized strollers.
Overall, this luxury diaper bag is most definitely worth the price. It can easily last you throughout your baby’s diapering days.
Pros – Neat minimalistic construction, comes with a cute animal print design, extremely affordable, a changing mat is provided, durable, excellent value-for-money
My mom tells me that when I was little there weren’t many designs and styles of diaper bags available in the market. The only type of diaper bag available was the classic messenger diaper bag with some cute animal or Disney print on it.
This diaper bag by Mee Mee is made using that line of design. Although, many modern women often overlook such diaper bags, these bags definitely deserve to be given a serious consideration.
Let’s dive straight into the pocket distribution of this bag. This bag comes in a straight but narrow-ish main pocket. The advantage of this large pocket is that it has a sturdy base where you can neatly store extra clothing, tiffins and toys. The side pockets on the inside are small thanks to which they do not run into the main pocket area and stay firmly put on the sides.
On the outside, it does not have too many pockets. But the pockets that have been made available are perfect to store a bottle, some wipes or other handy knick-knacks and a phone or some money. The bag also comes with a functional changing mat.
Now I know that this Mee Mee diaper bag is not feature-rich. But thanks to its minimalistic design, it stays true to its purpose. Sometimes having too many pockets can be a hindrance as you end up storing far too many unnecessary items in your bag and that’s where such diaper bags prove to be beneficial.
Plus, it comes at a really affordable price and therefore can be a perfect buy for those that want a good-old useful but not too jazzy diaper bag.
Pros – Small pouch for versatile use, waterproof material, can easily store enough diapers and wipes, ideal for users of reusable cloth diapers, affordable and super durable
Okay, okay! I hear you! This is not a diaper bag. This is a diaper bag organiser pouch. So why am I still enlisting this product amongst the ‘best diaper bags’ list.
Let me explain my views in detail here.
As a parent, it happens so often that you are just going out with your baby to run some quick errands or on a short post-dinner drive that carrying a full-fledged diaper bag seems absolutely unnecessary.
Similarly, you may even be travelling on a flight and you want to carry your regular handbag with full of stuff you need and would like to throw in a pouch containing the baby’s diapers instead of carrying a separate diaper bag.
It is in situations like these that this excellent small diaper bag organiser pouch comes in handy and deserves to be listed here all by itself.
This cloth diaper bag pouch comes in many attractive designs. It is made using waterproof fabric. In fact, it is a great product for cloth diaper users as they can easily stored soiled diapers in one compartment and fresh ones in the other.
Disposable diaper users could use one pocket to diapers and a folding mat and the other to store wipes.
Of course, the baby bottles and toys will have to go in other bags but for when you don’t need to carry all of those items, you can simply throw in this pouch in your bag. In fact, the pouch also comes with a loop to hang it to a stroller or to the handle of another bag.
As your baby grows older, you will prefer this little pouch over a full-sized diaper bag.
Pros – Spacious, affordable, durable, water-resistant, comes with sufficient inner pockets and a useful detachable front portion, can store both mom and baby products, travel-friendly
One of the biggest drawbacks of all diaper bags is that they are entirely baby-centric.
So except for one small zippered pocket on the back or the front, you won’t find any other area in the bag which allows you to store the stuff that you would normally like to carry in your handbag Thus I have had to let go off so many essentials like a moisturiser, make up, sunglasses, a small scarf, etc. when I would carry a diaper bag.
Thankfully, the makers of this diaper bag seem to have realised these woes of moms and have come up with a product that is functional enough to accommodate both mom and baby products.
First of all, the diaper bag comes in many attractive colours. Secondly, you get two bags for the price of one as the smaller part of this bag is detachable and can be used independently.
Moreover, the main compartment of the bag is huge. You can easily store all of your products as well as your baby’s products here. It has a zippered pocket on the inside and a couple more open products.
The front detachable compartment has a wallet and key holder. Plus using the outer detachable compartment, you can even segregate diapering products from eatables and other baby products.
I also find this diaper bag really suited for regular travellers. You can carry the whole set with you on your trip and then on your local days out, just carry the small detachable portion as a travel diaper bag.
I am sure that you will find making a choice much easier now that you know the ins and outs of a diaper bag and what you must consider when buying one.
But, if reading multiple reviews has left you a bit confused. Here’s a quick round-up of my favourites based entirely on the price of the diaper bag –
Looking for the best diaper rash cream in India and do not know which one to settle down on? Don’t worry! I have got you covered. Read this article to learn all about the best diaper rash cream, detailed reviews of the best nappy rash creams and a handy guide on how to choose a rash cream and how to treat nappy rash successfully.
Best Diaper Rash Cream in India – A complete guide
The last thing you want to see on the bum of your tiny little baby is a red rash caused by diapers. It burns and hurts the little baby so much that the only way to prevent it or relieve it by the use of the best baby rash cream absolutely essential.
However, the market is flooded with baby products, and a diaper rash cream is no exception to it. The sheer number of choices in the market will leave you confused about which one to zero down on and which cream is, in fact, the best diaper rash cream for babies in India.
That is why I have decided to write this article. If you have read my article on ‘baby essentials for the first 3 months,’ you would know that I love trying out different products, and over time, I have tried out several diaper rash creams, discussed with other new-moms and finally compiled a list to help you out.
Of course, what you need to know before you start reading about the best diaper rash cream in India is that the best way to prevent a diaper rash is by using a quality-diaper from one of the best diaper manufacturers in India.
Read all about the best diaper for baby in India here.
I get it! You are a super busy mom and have no time to read an article that runs into a few thousand words. You simply want an answer to your question on the best nappy rash cream. So here goes –
Which is the best diaper rash cream in India?
Based on my review, here is a quick summary. Choose one that meets your needs –
This comparison chart is perfect for those looking for a quick overview of all the products listed in this article. You can toggle based on any of the fields mentioned below to settle down on the best baby rash cream in India for your baby.
This is the best baby diaper rash cream available in the market. The Desitin Diaper Rash cream is widely popular not only in India but all over the world for its outstanding overall coverage and protection against a diaper rash.
The primary reason why Desitin is popular is that it contains 40% zinc oxide. This percentage is the highest permissible limit of zinc oxide allowed to be used in a cream that is sold without prescription.
What this means is that the Desitin Diaper Rash Cream with zinc oxide guarantees optimal protection by creating a strong barrier between the baby’s skin and possible irritants. This also ensures that it is a perfect all-night diaper rash cream that will continue to block wetness for up to 12 hours.
In fact, not only is it powerful as a preventive ointment but works significantly faster than other rash creams when it comes to healing a rash too.
Plus, given that it is free from any other chemicals usually found in cosmetics and creams such as parabens, phthalates, dyes and that it is also fragrance-free means that it can be used daily on the baby’s skin without worrying about possible side-effects.
Of course, I must state here that this cream is relatively expensive when compared to other rash creams found in the market. But, unlike most other creams that must be applied in large quantities, even a tiny glob of Desitin is enough to cover the entire bum area of the baby.
Thus, a 113 gm tube lasts for a substantially longer period and ultimately proves to be cheaper.
Now technically, this product is not branded as an anti rash cream but as an overall skin cream that protects against nappy rash, eczema, surface wounds, sores, burns, acne, etc.
However, that is precisely why this cream works better when it comes to offering both barrier protection and skin healing qualities. It contains zinc oxide to create a barrier, hypoallergenic lanolin to soothe, benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate to heal and benzyl alcohol to disinfect.
Thus this cream is designed to offer comprehensive skin care and proves to be particularly useful as a diaper rash cream for newborn babies.
More than its barrier function, I have found this cream to work like magic when it comes to providing relief from diaper rash without drying out the baby’s skin.
Additionally, what is impressive about this cream is that it is incredibly affordable. Therefore, parents can use it extensively without worrying about the cost.
However, one of the only minor downsides of this cream is with its tub-styled packaging. The tub-styled packaging may get contaminated if the cream is touched with soiled, unclean hands, and this may, in turn, impact the baby’s skin. I prefer the tube packaging more.
But, if due care is taken, this cream is one of the best and the most economical diaper rash creams available in the market.
Pros
Provides comprehensive care
Protects against diaper rash effectively
Affordably priced
Ensures speedy recovery
Cons
Its tub-styled packaging exposes it to the risk of contamination
The Sebamed baby rash cream works wonders when it comes to healing a diaper rash. Unlike most diaper rash creams that use zinc-oxide, Sebamed uses Micronized Titanium dioxide as its principle barrier-creating ingredient. Additionally, the use of titanium dioxide also ensures faster recovery from rashes as compared to creams with the base of zinc-oxide.
The cream is further strengthened with the use of natural beeswax and other oils coupled with the help of chamomile soothe the irritated skin and heal the rash and other skin wounds effectively.
In fact, when I was researching for diaper rash creams, I found that plenty of parents expressed tremendous pleasure with the healing properties of this cream.
When I used it on my little one, even I found that this diaper rash ointment healed my baby’s diaper rash entirely in less than three days.
However, in terms of barrier protection, I found the cream not to be as effective as the Desitin baby rash cream. I also had to use large globs of cream to cover the entire bum area. Thus, even though it is much cheaper than Desitin, its generous application may make the Sebamed nappy rash cream more expensive in the long run. Also, the makers of this cream recommend this cream for one month + babies. Thus the cream will not work with newborns.
The Himalaya baby diaper rash cream is one of the cheapest diaper rash creams available in the market. But that does not mean that it compromises on quality. It delivers terrific performance for its cost.
This baby nappy rash cream uses all-natural products to provide relief and protection from a diaper rash. Thus, it uses the Yashad Bhasma, i.e. naturally produced zinc oxide to create a barrier from irritants. In addition to this, it uses almond oil to moisturise the baby’s skin, aloe-vera to soothe and heal, and the five-leaved chaste to provide anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
I have found the cream to work beautifully on the baby’s skin when applied generously, which means that a 50g tube lasts for hardly any time. But the cream did not work on my baby’s skin when the rash was severe. For a severe rash, I found much better results with the use of Sudocrem or Desitin.
Nevertheless, this cream is beneficial for the overall nourishment and conditioning of your baby’s skin. Regular use of this product will not result in unwanted side-effects.
Also, those who use cloth-diapers may find the protection afforded by the Himalaya diaper rash cream sufficient enough and may not need to on higher-end creams.
Pros
Made using all-natural ingredients
Provides excellent nourishment and comfort to the baby’s skin
Heals rashes effectively
Cheap
Suitable for cloth-diaper users
Cons
Needs to be applied generously to work against severe rashes
Lo and behold, this cream is expensive! So why is it on this list?
The reason why Balmex features on this list despite its steep price is because of its baby diaper rash treatment speed. The cream works its magic in a matter of hours and works incredibly well even on severe rashes.
Just like Desitin, this cream also uses Zinc oxide. But it takes its effectiveness a step higher by the addition of Vitamin E and Aloe. The overall combination makes the cream not only useful for healing diaper rashes but also as a means to protect against rashes.
The Balmex feels lighter on the skin than Desitin, and it comes off far more quickly than Desitin. The overall composition of the cream does not feel like a paste but more like a moisturiser that nourishes the skin. It gently protects the baby’s skin against chafing and wetness.
Of course, all of the beautiful positives of this cream come against a large price tag and therefore must be used only by those that have deep pockets. Moreover, you should also note that the Balmex nappy rash cream is only available on selective online platforms.
Pros
Clinically proven to reduce redness in just 3 hours
Comes with an excellent zinc-oxide barrier
Strengthened with aloe and vitamin E for better nourishment
This cream is comparable with the Himalaya Diaper Rash Cream in as much as 98% of its ingredients are natural. This baby diaper cream is formulated to prevent diaper skin discomfort and employs avocado perseose for this purpose. The diaper rash cream uses the oxeoline of Alcacea to soothe irritated skin and sunflower oil distillate to repair the skin barrier continually.
Like Desitin, this cream is also free on chemicals such as parabens, phthalates and phenoxyethanol. Plus, the addition of zinc oxide makes this cream effective against wetness.
What is impressive about this cream that it can be used on a newborn as well. Plus the natural ingredients and fragrance-free formulation make it ideal for everyday use.
Also, even though this cream is more expensive than the Himalaya Diaper Rash Cream, it does not need to be applied in liberal quantities. A small glob is enough for proper coverage. Additionally, the cream comes off quickly without rubbing.
Pros
98% of its ingredients are natural
Uses zinc-oxide for barrier protection
Free from added chemicals and fragrance
Perfect for everyday use
Can be used on newborns
Ideal for overall protection and nourishment of skin
Provides excellent value for money
Cons
Less effective barrier-protection than Desitin rash cream
The Cetaphil diaper rash cream is comparable with the Mustela diaper rash cream in as much as its formulation is based on natural ingredients coupled with the use of zinc oxide. This diaper rash cream is cheaper than Mustela too and yet provides almost the same amount of relief and protection.
The cream is power-packed with protective ingredients such as chamomile, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil and shea butter. The cream claims to work effectively even on sensitive skin. Its oil-rich formulation allows ample moisturisation leaving the baby’s skin feeling soft. Plus, the cream feels light in weight and spreads easily across the baby’s skin.
All of the ingredients used in this cream are ethically sourced. The cream is also paraben-free, soap-free and does not contain mineral oil or alcohol.
However, my only concern with this cream is that it does not offer proper barrier-protection. Just like the Himalaya diaper rash cream, its ingredients are soothing and nourishing but don’t do much when it comes to blocking wetness and irritants from coming in contact with the skin.
Yes, this cream can be safely used every day, and it will work well provided the diaper is changed every two hours. But for use as an all-night cream, this cream falls well short of the popular Desitin rash cream.
I love this brand for how thoughtfully formulated their products are. The Aquaphor baby diaper rash cream is designed to offer a three-fold solution to diaper rash related problems – prevent, soothe and treat.
The cream achieves this balance perfectly by using a water-base coupled with the use of mineral oil, glycerin and 15% zinc oxide.
Most creams such as the Cetaphil stated above use about 8% zinc oxide, thereby making them less effective at blocking wetness and chafing. However, the slightly higher zinc oxide content of this cream makes it a better option for those that are looking to buy a diaper rash cream for blockage instead of healing.
For better blockage, the cream also comes in the Aquaphor Diaper Rash Paste variant, which contains 40% zinc oxide. Similarly, for those that prefer a petroleum jelly barrier, the Aquaphor Healing Cream may prove to be more suitable for you.
The cream is also preservative and fragrance-free, making it gentler on the skin of the baby.
In my opinion, this cream is ideal for those looking at a balanced formulation that is not too high on zinc oxide, and that does not rely on all-natural ingredients for its soothing qualities.
Of course, it is important to note that this cream is more expensive than most competitive market variants and may only be ideal for those with a high budget or limited use.
Pros
Designed to prevent, soothe and treat diaper rash
Contains higher quantities of zinc-oxide in comparison to similar variants
B4 makes one of the best nappy rash creams in India. Similar to the expensive Aquaphor, B4 also comes with a 15% zinc oxide content. Unlike Aquaphor, this cream is much thicker and forms a protective paste when applied on the baby’s skin.
The cream is particularly effective at preventing rash, and it does this job for just a fraction of the price of creams like Desitin or Balmex.
In addition to zinc oxide, the cream utilises the good old calendula oil and allantoin to keep the baby’s diaper area moisturised, soft and irritation-free. The formulation makes this cream ideal for use on newborns as well as for regular daily use.
You would also be delighted to know that this cream is readily available online as well as in pharmacy shops in most parts of the country.
However, one of the downsides of this cream is that it does not work as a remedy for diaper rash in babies. Thus, it should not be used to heal a diaper rash but only to protect the baby’s skin against inflammation.
Pros
Excellent barrier-protection
Ideal for everyday use
Strengthened with 15% zinc oxide, calendula oil and allantoin
Pigeon is one of slowly gaining popularity as one of the top diaper brands in India, and its diaper cream is also following suit.
The diaper cream is made using both the popular barrier-protection ingredients – zinc oxide as well as white petroleum jelly and therefore does an excellent job at blocking wetness.
In addition to it, its moisturising qualities are enhanced by the use of beeswax, aloe vera juice and shea butter. This combination leaves the baby’s skin feeling nourished and soft. The company also suggests that the cream is safe for use on newborn babies.
However, similar to the b4 Nappi Cream, I find the cream useful only for blocking irritants and not for healing an existing diaper rash.
Plus, similar to the Himalaya Diaper Rash Cream, this cream also needs to be liberally applied for it to be effective. Plus, its effectiveness at night is minimal.
Despite these shortcomings, the reason why I have included this cream in this list is for its affordable pricing and compatibility for regular use.
Frequently asked questions about a diaper rash cream
What causes a diaper rash?
The primary diaper rash causes may be enlisted as follows –
Frequent rubbing of the diaper against the baby’s skin
Exposure of baby’s delicate skin to irritants such as moisture, urine, stool, chemicals, etc.
Not changing a diaper immediately after a baby poops
Infrequent change of diapers
Allergies or skin infections
How does a cream protect your baby from a diaper rash?
A diaper rash cream creates a barrier between your baby’s delicate skin and factors that could potentially irritate it such as urine, stool, moisture, chemicals, etc. thereby ensuring that the skin stays protected and healthy.
That is precisely why a diaper rash ointment can work not only as a cure to a diaper rash but also as a protective measure against it.
Who should you use a diaper rash cream?
A diaper rash cream must be used on all babies that regularly use a diaper.
Do cloth diaper users also need to use a diaper rash cream?
Unlike a disposable diaper which contains chemicals and technology to absorb urine while keeping the diaper feeling dry, a cloth diaper absorbs the baby’s urine and starts feeling wet much sooner. In fact, traditional langots do not absorb the urine at all and immediately become wet.
Cloth diaper, unlike disposable diapers, are changed far more frequently which ensures –
That the baby’s bum area is cleaned frequently
That the baby’s bum area does not trap much heat
Therefore, the use of a cloth diaper rarely causes a diaper rash. That said, if you plan on using cloth diapers that can hold or absorb some urine, you must use a diaper rash cream.
Similarly, note that frequently changing cloth diapers can lead to the frequent use of chemical-based baby wipes or baby powder which can cause irritation to your baby’s skin and can result in the development of a diaper rash. That is also why the use of a diaper-rash cream may be advisable.
Alternatively, if your baby does not poop too frequently, you could avoid the use of cloth diapers and opt for the best diaper for baby in India.
(Note that during the first two months after the birth of my baby, I only used langots and I did not need to use a diaper rash cream at all. But that was because I would change langots promptly and would use warm water to clean the baby’s bum. I also let the baby’s diaper area air dry every single time to ensure that no moisture gets trapped.)
Can diaper rash be treated naturally?
While the best diaper rash treatment involves the use of a quality diaper rash cream, a natural diaper rash treatment that is often effective is the use of breastmilk or dahi or plain yoghurt on the rash area.
(Please consult your doctor before taking any action based on the remedies suggested in this post)
Can diaper rash be prevented without the use of a diaper rash cream?
In many cases, you can prevent a diaper rash by –
Using quality-diapers of the best diaper brand in India, such as the Pampers Premium Care Pants.
Regularly changing the baby’s diaper after every 2-3 hours and immediately after the baby poops.
Not rubbing the baby’s diaper area while cleaning it
Avoiding the use of chemical-based baby wipes and using clean, warm water instead
Letting the baby’s diaper area air dry completely before putting on a new diaper
Giving the baby some diaper-free time every day
Following the above techniques will allow you to minimise on the use of a diaper rash cream. Also, if you follow the above recommendations, you could simply use the Vaseline White Petroleum Jelly on the baby’s diaper area instead of a diaper rash cream.
Final Word
A diaper rash can cause tremendous burning and pain to your baby. Especially during the newborn phase, you should take appropriate care by not only using the best diaper for a newborn baby but by also using a powerful diaper rash cream like theDesitin Diaper Rash Cream.
Disclaimer: This post, is in no way, intended to substitute or complement medical advice. Please consult your paediatrician for specific medical advice. Consulting a paediatrician is also recommended if the diaper rash creams cause any discomfort to your baby.
This article will give in-depth information on the best coffee maker machine in India (for home use). A number of coffee machines based on various types of coffee brewing techniques which are available at an affordable price range have been reviewed and recommended. This article does not cover commercial coffee machines available in India.
If you had asked me what I missed the most within a few months of becoming a mother, the immediate answer to that would have been enjoying the amazing variety of coffee that I got at some of the best coffee shops near me.
Yes, I used to be a frequent visitor of coffee shops before my pregnancy. In fact, even during my pregnancy, I used to enjoy a cup of cappuccino every once in a while.
But all of that changed completely once my baby-girl was born. I had to stay indoors in order to look after my baby-girl and attend to her breastfeeding and nappy changing demands. While I did try to make a cup of coffee in the traditional Indian way every once in a while, I really started craving cafe styled coffee.
So when I pitched the idea of researching the best coffee machine in India, my brother and my mom were overjoyed. They love trying out different brews and they immediately jumped in to help me find out about the best home coffee machine.
We explored various options including looking at the best espresso machine in India. We checked out quite a few tea coffee machine options too before we zeroed down on the best home coffee maker.
All of this research does make me believe that I have become quite a bit of an expert on the subject of the best coffee maker in India. I am, therefore, compiling this guide to help you learn more about the home coffee machines available in India and to help you buy one that is right for you.
Okay, I must be upfront with you all. If you are looking to find a machine to match up to the ones that you have seen at coffee shops to try and make the best coffee in the world, you may be a bit disappointed. The main reason for that is that the commercial coffee machine price in India is quite steep. The other reason is that the choices available in the Indian market for home use are limited.
That being said, you will definitely be able to find an ideal espresso coffee machine or a drip coffee machine for home use online quite easily in a very affordable price range. In fact, I have also recommended a few other coffee makers that may work perfectly for your taste and requirement.
Make sure you read this article till the end as I have elaborated upon various different types of coffee brewing techniques and the best coffee machine for each brewing technique.
What are the different ways of brewing coffee?
If you are ready to move over the use of ‘Best Instant Coffee in India’, let me elaborate upon the various coffee brewing techniques.However, I will not be deep-diving into all the techniques known to mankind as this article is not about coffee brewing.
I am only going to dive into the details of techniques that you need to know about in order to zero down on the best home coffee maker for your needs.
Espresso
Espresso Coffee Machine
An espresso is a technique where boiling water is forced under pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. This is the most popular coffee brewing technique. Most coffee shops use sophisticated machines for the purpose of getting you a perfect shot of strong, smooth espresso.
Type of grind – Super fine grind
Can you make espresso coffee at home?
Yes. You will need to use an espresso coffee machine for the same. However, you should note that coffee shops use automatic coffee machine which are expensive and require a high level of skill and training.
A regular home espresso coffee machine available in India will give you great results but not exactly like the one you are used to drinking at your favourite cafe. Usually the higher the cost of coffee machine, the better the quality of the espresso.
French Press
A Classic French Press
This classic method involves the use of the steeping technique. Basically, you need to preheat your french press using some warm water. Follow it up by adding your favourite coffee beans ground coarsely to it. Let it sit for about ten minutes and you will end up with a beautifully steeped, rich in flavour and with a unique textural feel.
Type of grind – Coarse grind
Can you make a French press coffee at home?
Absolutely. In fact, a French press is the most popular coffee brewing technique used in most western households for the fact that a French Press is extremely inexpensive and brewing a coffee perfectly using this technique requires almost no skill.
In fact, if you are a newbie trying out various coffee brewing techniques, I recommend you to buy a French Press before you decide to buy coffee machine that is too expensive.
Aeropress
This method of coffee brewing is taking the world by storm. This innovative technique is a result of using the ideal water temperature and gentle but rapid air pressure to brew coffee that is smooth, rich in flavour but not bitter and low in acidity.
Type of grind – Any depending on your liking
Can you make an Aeropress coffee at home?
Absolutely. In fact, it is the most easy to use, easy to clean and easy to carry around coffee brewing option.
That is also why every Indian coffee maker and lover must invest in a good Aeropress Coffee maker.
South Indian Filter Coffee (Drip Method)
The South Indian filter coffee is prepared using the drip method of coffee brewing. In this method, ground coffee is put inside a steel filter with small holes. Hot water is poured over it and the brewed coffee gently and slowly drips into the lower compartment of the filter. This coffee is really strong and very high in flavour.
It is usually even stronger than a regular espresso. In fact, other drip coffee maker machines which use the same technique used to make the south Indian filter coffee do not produce such a strong coffee.
That is the reason why the South Indians refer to their filter coffee as a decoction and add milk to it. On the contrary, drip coffee beach machine makers claim to make the best black coffee in India that can be consumed directly even without adding milk to it
Type of grind – Medium fine grind
Can you make a Filter coffee / Drip Method based coffee at home?
Absolutely. South Indians have been drinking filter coffee for centuries now. In fact, the steel filter is one of the most inexpensive coffee-making gadgets available all over the world.
Likewise, you can also make a drip method based coffee using any drip coffee machine for home use.
Moka Stove Pot
The Italian Moka Stovepot Coffee Maker
This is the cheaper alternative to making espresso without using fancy coffee makers. It uses a three-compartment device. The bottom compartment is filled with water. The middle compartment has a steel filter with small holes. This is the compartment where you put ground coffee. This unit when placed on a stovetop, produces the exact result as that of an espresso machine. The steam of the boiling water passes through the coffee powder and results in a thick, smooth decoction.
Type of grind – Fine Moka grind
Can you make a Moka espresso at home?
Yes, in fact, this Italian technique was devised for brewing coffee at home and is extremely popular among coffee aficionados of Italy and the rest of the world.
Best Coffee Maker Machine in India – Reviews and Guide 2020
Morphy Richards New Europa 800-watt espresso and cappuccino 4-cup coffee maker is a leading best coffee maker in India. An espresso coffee machine price is usually quite steep. However, this one is extremely affordably priced.
What is particularly appealing about this coffee machine is that it comes packed with a number of great features. To begin with, it has a heat resistant, see-through carafe. This carafe is marked with cup measurements to make pouring coffee into a cup easier for you.
Secondly, the espresso maker uses a stainless steel filter which filters coffee extracts very smoothly. The removable drip tray also makes the coffee maker machine super easy to clean.
The best part, though, is the control that it vests in you. You are given the choice of determining how much steam pressure and strength of brew you want.
Additionally, if you are not a fan of espresso in its classic form, you can even make cappuccino or latté using the milk frothing nozzle that comes with it.
All of these features are safeguarded by a solid 2-year product warranty making it the best coffee maker for home in India.
Pros
Brews coffee really quickly
Perfect for a family of up to four
Requires almost zero prep
Makes really flavour-rich espresso
Comes with a frothing nozzle to make cappuccino/latte
Requires minimal cleaning effort
Runs on a powerful motor and comes with a 2-year warranty
Cons
The frothing nozzle and the steam regulator are a bit sub-par in terms of quality
Who should buy it?
Fans of the classic espresso looking for an ideal good quality home coffee making machine must buy this coffee maker.
Stop looking for a CCD coffee machine for home and look at this hugely popular coffee machine.
This machine uses the drip method of brewing coffee. Now, given that as Indians, we mostly drink milk-based filter coffee, buying this machine by Preethi is actually more useful to us than buying a café coffee day machine.
This machine uses drip technology to prepare a decoction to which you could add milk and get amazing-tasting filter coffee for your entire family.
The moderately-priced coffee machine comes with great features to make coffee-making easy for any average coffee-drinker such as a water-level indicator and an anti-drip system.
Pros
Affordable
Comes with an ergonomic handle
Has a 1-year product warranty
Water-level indicator helps while making coffee
Uses advanced anti-drip system
Cons
The plastic body makes the product prone to damage
Can only be used to make filter-coffee decoction
Who should buy it?
Those who love to drink filter coffee may consider this to be the best coffee maker machine as it can make a large amount of decoction in a matter of minutes. Remember though that the taste will entirely depend on the type of coffee beans you use. Make sure you the best coffee brand to make the most of this coffee maker.
Do you love black coffee and are looking for a great coffee maker? Philips has got you covered with this wonderful product.
Philips uses the drip method of brewing to deliver great-tasting black coffee to you in a matter of minutes. What’s important to note is that this coffee maker does not make a decoction. It makes light-tasting black coffee.
What’s great about this product is its attractive design. The product is compact enough to be placed on your kitchen platform. The body is equipped with an LED switch which lights up when you turn on the machine.
The drip-stop technology of this coffee maker ensures that the coffee does not drip or spill even if you pull out the jug to pour coffee before the brewing cycle completes.
The best part about this coffee machine, however, is the aroma twister. This feature circulates the coffee evenly throughout the jug to give you an end-result that is consistent in aroma and taste.
Pros
Attractive compact design
Can make approximately 4 cups of black coffee
Easy to clean
Dishwasher safe parts
Detachable filter
Quick stop technology to prevent spillage
Coffee machine cost is not too high for the fantastic quality of product.
Cons
Only makes black coffee
Who should buy it?
Black coffee lovers, go ahead and buy this product. You will be amazed to see the results you from given that the coffee maker machine price is really nothing when compared to commercial coffee machines.
If you love a shot of espresso a lot but do not know how to make it at home, this Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker is the perfect solution for you.
An espresso coffee machine price in India is usually pretty steep and spending such a huge amount for home use is not advisable. That is exactly why you should opt for a Moka Express. As stated earlier, Moka Stove Pot method of brewing is the closest you could get to brewing an authentic espresso without actually buying an espresso coffee machine.
This masterpiece by the Italian renowned company Bialetti is the perfect Moka Espresso coffee maker for home. Since it is made in Italy, there is no doubt about the fact that it will deliver an authentic Mocha experience.
All that you need to do is add some water to the lower compartment, some coffee to the middle one, place it on your stove and relish a cupful of yummy espresso.
The quality of this coffee maker is top-notch. It is made using high-quality premium looking polished aluminium. The handle is ergonomic and fits perfectly in the hand. The safety valve of this Moka pot is patented
What’s great is that this product is available in various sizes (3-cup, 4-cup, 6-cup and 9-cup) and you can buy one that suits your requirements.
Pros
Made in Italy and provides authentic Moka experience
Uses high-quality aluminium and patented safety valve
Easy to use, maintain and clean
Affordable and provides total value for money
Comes in different sizes
Cons
Given that this is a Moka express maker, it can only be used by Mocha aficionados.
Who should buy it?
If you love your espresso and want to enjoy one from the comforts of your home, this coffee maker is undoubtedly the best fit for you. It is also perfect for those that do not want to buy a sophisticated machine requiring a lot of maintenance.
Now let’s move to the best French Press coffee maker available in India. As I have stated above, French Press is one of the easiest coffee brewing technique that does not involve the use of any electric coffee machine and yet produces a texturally rich coffee.
Out of all the French Press Coffee Makers available online, this one by JEI is a standout. The finish of this product has a premium look to it. Every single element of this coffee maker is made using the highest quality material.
Unlike other cheap coffee machines or French Press makers, this one uses double stainless steel screen filters that not only give you a perfect brew but also work perfectly for frothing the milk. The large carafe is made of thick borosilicate glass that will not break even if you pour boiling water in it. The handle too is made of heat-resistant material.
What’s fantastic is that this French Press comes with extra steel filters and a few coasters. The company is also really prompt with any service-related inquiries.
Pros
Made using outstanding quality material
Comes with a double stainless steel screen filter, spring-loaded base plate
The quality of the carafe is excellent
Absolutely value for money
Comes with extra filters and coasters, measuring spoon and cleaning tool
Protected by a solid 2-year warranty
Cons
None
Who should buy it?
If you want to buy coffee machine online but do not really want a complicated machine, this French Press is perfect for you.
In fact, even hard-core French Press lovers will be highly impressed by this product by JEI and should definitely buy it.
Aeropress is the best coffee maker machine for home. It makes terrific coffee, takes little to no effort and involves almost no cleaning.
This American coffee maker which has been the latest sensation is a great choice for those that want an affordable espresso maker. What I love about the Aeropress is that does not require any set-up. It does not run on electricity.
The microfilters provided with the Aeropress ensure that the final product is smooth and free of any granules. You can use almost any kind of coffee powder with this coffee maker and stick to one that works best for you.
What’s terrific is that the coffee maker price in India (although this product is imported from the USA and is subject to customs duty) is still very much similar to the products listed above.
Pros
Lightweight, portable
Works with any type of coffee
Comes with 350 filters
Microfilters ensure that the coffee is smooth and rich in taste
One of the quickest way of brewing a perfect espresso
Cons
Need to buy filters after you exhaust the 350 provided at the time of purchase
Who should buy it?
If you want a coffee maker that’s really simple to use, takes almost no time to brew a perfect cup of coffee and is moderately priced, you should not look beyond the Aeropress.
This ingenious product that South Indians have been using for a few decades now deserves to be enlisted in this list.
If you think this is not a coffee maker machine, you are wrong! This can give you the experience of enjoying ‘the best filter coffee in India’ without requiring you to even step outside your house!
This humble stainless steel south Indian filter will make the best filter coffee decoction (much better than quite a few fancier alternatives), make it really quickly and will not require any effort on your part.
All that you need to do is put any good coffee-chicory mix in the top compartment, tamp it a couple of times, pour some hot water on top of it and let the coffee drip and percolate into the bottom layer. You could let it sit overnight or even make it in the morning rush hours. It takes no longer than 10-15 minutes for you to get a perfect filter coffee decoction.
I have used this drip coffee maker on numerous occasions to enjoy an authentic filter coffee experience without having to play with the machine. Additionally, the absolutely nominal filter coffee machine price makes it a perfect buy for every household no matter your budget and coffee preferences.
Pros
Cheapest coffee maker
Easy to use and clean
Requires no specialised skill, electricity or equipment
Makes the most authentic tasting filter coffee
Cons
Can only make upto 2 cups at a time
Who should buy it?
Ideally, everyone should own at least one filter coffee maker. It is the quickest, cheapest and the best way of enjoying an authentic, flavour-rich filter coffee.
So this Nescafe coffee machine is unlike any of the above coffee makers. The primary reason for the difference is that it does not require you to use any special kind of roast. You can simply use your regular Nescafe or Nescafe Gold and watch the Smart Coffee maker work its magic.
This app-based smart coffee maker works can make over 15 varieties of coffee. It is perfectly equipped to make both hot as well as cold coffee. What I love is that it only takes about 60-90 seconds for your mug of coffee to be ready.
You can not only use this coffee maker to make coffee but you can also use it as a leak and spill-proof mug that can be carried around.
The design can also sit perfectly on your work-from-home desk or even your office desk. In fact, after I started using this coffee maker, I stopped searching for the best coffee near me.
If you are willing to pay a little more than the average coffee maker price in India, this Nescafe É can definitely be considered as the best coffee maker machine for home.
I have picked out the best coffee makers available in the Indian market. Each of the coffee maker machine listed above is ideal for making a specific type of coffee. Choose one that can make the type of brew you like.
If you are not sure which brew you like, I would particularly recommend you to give a Moka Stove Pot or a French Press a shot. They both make for a rich coffee experience.
As a mom who has always tried to stay calm amidst the responsibility of looking after my kid while managing my work and family commitments, a freshly brewed cup of fine-tasting coffee enjoyed within the confines of my home can go a long way in uplifting my mood!
That is also why I can’t stress enough on the need of a good coffee maker machine. Invest in one right away so that you do not have to rely on cafes for your cuppa caffeine kick!
I am not kidding, I spent the most amount of time finding all about the best baby diaper in India. I wanted to make sure that I know all about the different types of diapers and diaper pants for babies.
In addition to that, I also had to decide if I wanted to be a part of the mom gang that chose disposable diapering options for their babies or one that chose a cotton diaper for babies.
However, when the baby finally arrived, I realised that I need to use a little bit of both. As you must have read in my post on newborn baby essentials, I used cloth diapers in the first couple of months and later on I only used disposable diapers.
So after reading all about diapers, trying half a dozen diaper brands, I now feel equipped to educate my fellow moms and to-be moms on the best diaper for baby, India.
The Mamy Poko pants are, in my opinion, the best diapers available in India.The outstanding quality of these diapers together with their affordable pricing is the reason why Mamy Poko continues to be mass favourite brand among the top 10 baby diaper brands in India.
The Mamy Poko baby diaper pants come with a crisscross absorbent sheet. This diaper has a very high absorption capacity and can absorb up to 7 full glasses of urine.
I particularly like how evenly the urine is spread once absorbed. Plus, the stretchable thigh fabric prevents leakage from the sides too. It is not only an ideal diaper for daytime use but also works perfectly well for the extended nighttime sleep period.
What’s incredible is the speed at which the diaper dries up. The quick-drying technology of this diaper ensures that the baby stays dry and comfortable throughout.
The Mamy Poko diaper pants use a breathable cotton-type material. The soft material and the powerful absorption capacity of these diapers prevent diaper rash.
I also find the fit of this diaper perfectly suitable for both baby boys and girls. In fact, if you have a chubby baby, this is the only diaper that will fit your baby well. Most other diapers are small on the waist fit and prove to be uncomfortable for chubby babies.
Despite the fact that these diapers do not come with a disposable tape or a wetness indicator, the superior quality fit of these diapers coupled with their excellent absorbing properties makes these diapers an absolute favourite among parents.
Pampers is known as one of the top diaper brands of the world. The reason for that is the premium quality product that it manufactures.
Pampers Swaddlers (not available in India) is considered to be the best diapers in the world. Unfortunately, these are no longer available in India.
However, the Pampers Premium Care Pants are in my opinion a better alternative. The Pampers Premium Care Pants are the best diaper pants for babies. You will not find a softer alternative in the pant-styled category of diapers.
Not only are they soft but they are also enhanced with aloe vera lotion to protect your baby’s skin. They have 3 air channels that ensure that the heat from the pee/poop does not get trapped inside and allows the baby’s skin to breathe.
The absorption capacity of this diaper is as good as the Mamy Poko diaper pants. In fact, this diaper dries out slightly faster than the Mamy Poko pants too.
It is also power-packed with a wetness indicator that turns blue to indicate the need to change the diaper.
However, the most thoughtful feature of the Pampers Premium Pants is the disposal tape on its back. Taped diapers are very easy to dispose of. However, pant style diapers can’t be rolled and thrown and usually need to be wrapped in paper. However, this diaper comes with a disposable tape. Therefore all that you need to do is roll the diaper upwards and then securely seal it using the disposal tape on its back.
However, the only downside of this diaper is that it is a bit tight on the waist of chubbier babies. It often causes a red rash on the waist as it fits healthier babies in a little too snug manner. It also causes leakage from the thighs when worn for a prolonged period of time such as while sleeping at night.
That being said, I would urge every mother to give these Pampers Premium Care Pants a try. If they fit well on your baby, you won’t have to look back. Yes, it is true that these diapers are more expensive when compared with the average diaper price in India, but the premium quality, material and its many rich-features make these diapers absolutely worth every penny you spend on them.
Pros
Ultra-soft with 2 air channels to allow baby’s skin to breathe
Super absorbent
Easy disposal tape
Wetness indicator
Aloe-vera lotion for added protection of baby’s skin
Suitable for both baby boys and baby girls.
Cons
A little too snug for chubby babies
Could cause a thigh leakage when used for prolonged periods
If you like taped diapers that provide you with the flexibility to adjust the tightness of the diaper as per the comfort of your baby, then you should not look beyond the Pampers Active Baby diapers. These diapers are the best baby diapers in India, especially amongst the taped-diapers category.
Pampers being one of the leading baby diaper brands of the world never compromises on quality.
These diapers come with multiple power-packed features. The most attractive quality of this diaper is its cotton-like softness. The diapers are very soft on the baby’s skin and therefore do not cause rashes.
Additionally, just like the Pampers Premium Care Pants, these diapers are also infused with lotion for added protection of the baby’s skin.
Furthermore, despite being a taped-variant of diapers, these diapers sit perfectly well around the baby’s waist. They do not leak or move when the baby moves, thus providing optimal protection.
These can be easily worn at night for long hours as the diaper’s added dry layer with magic gel quickly absorbs the urine and keeps the diaper feeling dry and fresh on the baby’s skin.
What makes these diapers a more popular choice vis-à-vis the Pampers Premium Care is its slightly lower price. Some parents of baby boys also tend to prefer this variant over the pant-styled diapers of Pampers.
Pros
Super absorbent and come with an extra dry layer with magic gel
Enhanced with lotion for added skin protection
Suitable for prolonged use
Fit perfectly well despite being a taped-variant of diapers.
Stays secure even if the baby moves
Cons
Slightly more expensive than comparable market variant brands.
Pigeon is among the relatively less-known diaper companies in India. The Pigeon brand is essentially a Japanese company that produces a number of baby products such as bottles, lotions, baby wash, soaps and liquid detergents for baby clothes etc.
However, it is also slowly gaining a lot of popularity in the diapering department. Pigeon diapers are as good as any other premium quality diapers made by top brands. In fact, they are friendlier on the pocket too as these diapers cost less than the average baby diaper price in India.
The diaper is made out of a silky soft material that does not cause any friction or rash when pressed against the baby’s delicate skin. The breathable layers of this diaper allow air to flow freely and further protects the baby’s skin from rash.
I particularly like the softness of the waistband of this diaper. It prevents any redness from on the waistline even when worn under baby shorts or pants. This diaper also comes with a wetness indicator to alert you when it is time to change the baby’s diaper.
The U-fold flap technology is also effective at preventing thigh leakages.
The only drawback that I experienced with Pigeon diapers is that the biggest diaper size (XL) of this brand seems smaller when compared to a similar size of other brands. I had to stop using it after my baby turned 15 months old as the fit turned out to be too small for her.
However, younger babies can definitely try these diapers out. Not only are they feature-rich, but they are also a bit more affordably priced.
I love Huggies diapers, especially for younger babies. The diapers are extremely soft and cheaper than comparable market variants.
In fact, in my opinion, the Huggies taped-style diapers are the best diapers for newborn baby in India.
These diapers are made out of air-fresh material that allows the air to flow freely, thus preventing the trapping of heat. In addition to that, the Huggies diaper has a blue-speed dry layer that does a fantastic job at immediately absorbing all the wetness from baby pee. It ensures that the baby does not experience any discomfort on account of wetness.
Once the wetness is absorbed, the quick-lock system keeps it securely locked inside the diaper thus preventing contact with baby’s sensitive skin.
If you are lucky to have a new born that sleeps through the night, these diapers are ideal for prolonged use as well.
In fact, the reason why I feel that these diapers work perfectly well on newborn babies is thanks to its super soft waist belts. Most taped-style diapers, such as the Pampers Active, have a waistband that feels like plastic on the skin and is likely to irritate newborn baby skin.
However, Huggies is an exception to that trend and works wonders when protecting delicate baby skin.
What is remarkable is that Huggies produces really high-quality diapers and sells them at a very affordable price. Regular user of disposable diapers could save a lot of money by choosing these diapers over other diapers.
Pro-tip: The sizing of Huggies diapers is not in line with the sizing standards followed by other diaper brands. Please check the weight band and choose the appropriate size before buying.
Pros
Air-fresh material
Blue speed dry layer
Quick-lock system to keep wetnessaway from baby’s skin
There are plenty of parents in India who strongly believe that Huggies is the best diaper brand in India. This statement is often based on their positive experience with the use of the Huggies Wonder Pants.
The Huggies Wonder Pants are the only diapers based on Bubble-bed technology. This technology uses a bubble-bed styled layer on the inside. Not only is this layer extremely soft but is also highly absorbent. This technology also ensures that the wetness is evenly distributed ensuring that the diaper does not feel heavy.
The other feature of the Huggies Wonder pants that I am a fan of is the cushiony waistband. The waistband is so soft and so beautifully designed that although it is made up of elastic, it feels like a piece of cloth hugging the baby’s waist. It ensures that it does not cause any irritation to the delicate baby’s skin.
This diaper comes with a triple leak guard to protect against leakages from the sides and the thigh area.
The diaper also claims to provide overnight comfort. However, I did feel that this diaper does not absorb as much urine as the MamyPoko pants Extra absorb ones and therefore may not be best suited for overnight use.
That being said, I strongly recommend new parents to try out the Huggies Wonder Pants simply for the bubble bed technology and the super-soft waistband that it is equipped with.
It is also slightly cheaper than the premium diaper pants offered by other brands.
I have not been able to find these diapers in stores and shops. However, they are a favourite amongst those looking for the cheapest baby diapers online in India.
Even though these diapers are much cheaper than other pant-styled diapers, they do not fall short in the features that they offer. The diapers look and feel premium.
The top layer of the diapers contains a zig-zag channel that creates a large absorbing area to distribute wetness evenly. The lower layer of the diaper is made of hydrophilic gel magnets that can absorb large amounts of liquid.
The diapers definitely deliver in terms of ensuring dryness. Their double leak guard is also highly effective in preventing leakages.
However, the only downside of these diapers is that the diapers do feel heavy after a period of time. I would not recommend these for overnight use.
But, in my opinion, you will not find more premium-looking diapers at this price range anywhere else. You should definitely try these out for day-time use. If your baby feels comfortable wearing these, it could save you thousands of rupees over a period of time.
Pros
Gentle on skin
Cushiony soft material
Double leak-guard
Zig-zag channel and gel magnets for optimal dryness
As I have mentioned in my post on newborn baby essentials for first 3 months, determining which are the best diapers for newborns will depend on how often your newborn baby poops.
If your newborn baby poops multiple times during the day, it is best to choose a cloth diaper from one of the best cloth diaper brands of India. I would, in fact, recommend using a simple nappy style cloth diaper or a langoti so that you immediately come to know when the baby pees.
Of course, use of such a diaper would be a lot of work in terms of the added laundry load and the constant need to keep changing nappies, but it is the only way to ensure that no heat from the baby’s poop remains in contact with the baby’s delicate skin for a prolonged period of time.
That being said, if your newborn baby does not poop more than once or twice in a day, you could definitely opt for the Huggies Dry taped diapers. In my opinion that is the best diaper for newborn baby.
However, if your baby is premature and born within the weight range of 1 kg to 3 kgs, I strongly recommend you to check out these Bambo Nature Premium Baby Diapers. These diapers manufactured by a leading Denmark-based company are specifically made for newborn babies and particularly for premature. Therefore, they are paraben-free, chemical-free and made without any perfumes, lotions or preservatives. They are extremely soft and allow maximum air circulation. They dry very quickly and provide optimal comfort to your baby. Additionally, they also come with a wetness indicator.
What are the different types of baby diapers?
In terms of the material used, the two predominant types of baby diapers are disposable diapers and reusable or cloth diapers.
In the disposable type of diapers, the two varieties are pant styled diapers or taped diapers.
Pant style diapers are supposed to be worn like regular pants; whereas taped diapers must be kept flat under the baby’s bum and then the waistbands must be securely sealed to the front line.
Pant style diapers are gaining more popularity as they are easy to use and stay secure despite the many movements of the baby. Taped-diapers, on the other hand, allow adjustment as per required fit and are easier to dispose of.
Which is the best brand of baby diapers in India?
The best brand of baby diapers in India is one that makes baby diapers that suit your baby the most. The leading diaper brands for babies are Pampers, Huggies and Mamypoko. These brands make diapers that are high in quality and that are unlikely to cause a diaper rash if used correctly.
Brands like Pigeon, Supples, Himalaya, Libero, Mee Mee, etc. are also slowly gaining popularity. But these brands, although sell diapers online, do not always sell it in a store close to your home and therefore it may be best to stick to diapers that are easily available.
Which diaper is best for baby boy in India or which diaper is best for baby girl in India?
Most diaper brands manufacture diapers that suit both baby boys and girls. Therefore you do not need to specifically buy one that is the best diaper for baby boy or best diaper for baby girl.
However, Huggies is the only brand that manufactures gender-specific diapers for newborn babies.
Frequently changing diapers (once in every 2-3 hours)
Changing a diaper immediately after the baby poops
Wash your baby’s bum with warm water while changing the diaper. You could even use any good-quality baby wipes.
Give the baby a few minutes of diaper-free time regularly. This exposes the baby’s skin to air and it dries out properly.
Do not wear tight diapers.
Use one size larger for overnight use of diapers.
Always use a diaper rash cream before putting on a diaper. You could even apply Vaseline petroleum jelly (not during summers) instead of a diaper rash cream. However, if you plan on putting the diaper for a long period of time (such as before naps or night-time sleep), use a diaper rash cream. In my opinion, Desitin diaper rash cream is the best diaper cream available in the market.
>> Read my detailed post on the best diaper rash cream in India here.
Conclusion
The diapers listed above are the ones that work well with most Indian parents. I recommend you to try out these diapers and then pick one that suits your baby the best. It may even happen that a diaper that works for your baby during its newborn stage may not suit your baby as it grows old.
Therefore, keeping an open mind and trying out a few options is always the best way of zeroing down on the best diaper for your baby.
Baby essentials for first 3 months covering all the actual newborn baby requirements and recommending those that can be avoided!
You are not going to like what I am about to say – newborn babies don’t need much.
I know as a mom-to-be, you are super excited about the arrival of your baby. You are probably just too eager to make a list of things you need for a new baby.
In fact, when I was pregnant, I had also gone out looking for a baby shopping list for first time moms. I had also planned on shopping for a lot of items from that list before the arrival of the baby.
However, my baby-girl arrived three weeks before her due date and I could barely shop for anything from that baby products list.
In hindsight, I am super thankful that I didn’t spend all that money because NEWBORN BABIES DON’T NEED MUCH.
I am about to get super honest with you in this article. I am going to list out all of the newborn baby essentials that I actually used. Of course, you should bear in mind that –
I am a mom from Mumbai. So it means that our flats are smaller than the flats in bigger cities. Therefore, if an item takes up too much space and offers little value, I prefer to not buy it altogether.
I now strongly advocate ‘essentialism’. Therefore, I do not recommend anyone, especially new moms who are soft targets of promotion campaigns, to buy something unless absolutely necessary. You will come across plenty of articles online (especially from American authors) that will provide a list that is double or triple the size of the list I am about to provide. But, we need to bear in mind that those lists may not always work for Indian or Asian parenting styles.
That being said, I am also going to list down newborn baby products that I did not use. However, if you plan on using these products, please go ahead and check those out.
Let me reiterate – every mom has her own unique style of parenting. What worked for me, may not work for you. There is no harm in checking out different types of baby products available in the market and then make a choice.
However, as someone who has gone through the journey of new mom-hood, I know that babies don’t need as much as their enthusiastic parents think they do!
When should you start making a list of things to buy for newborn baby?
In India, some cultures frown upon the concept of shopping for a newborn baby before its arrival. I personally did not abide by that cultural practice. I did shop for some newborn baby essentials in my last trimester.
However, I recommend you to wait it out till your baby shower. You will end up receiving a lot of stuff for babies as gifts at your baby shower. You could take stock of that stuff and then figure out what to buy for your newborn baby.
If you are not going to have a traditional baby shower, I suggest that you don’t start shopping for baby at least till you enter the 8th month of pregnancy. Go through my list containing the most essential things a newborn baby needs. Check out all the products that I recommend and mention therein.
Only buy necessary baby items from that list before the birth of the baby. The rest of the items can be bought later once you are sure that you absolutely need them.
The most awesome and realistic list of all the baby essentials for first 3 months
Yes, time to dive into the new born baby shopping list!
Clothing
Of all the newborn baby things to buy, parents are usually the most excited about clothes.
But in all honesty, the newborn baby clothes list is super basic.
Of course, what clothes to buy for newborns depends entirely on whether you plan on using cloth nappies or disposable diapers. The use of disposable diapers will allow you to use fancier clothing.
(Personal experience – during the first month, my baby used to poop around 8-10 times a day and therefore using disposable diapers did not make sense. However, in the second month, the poop frequency reduced and I could make a move to disposable diapers. Therefore, I bought all of my fancy clothing items during the second month.)
So here are the baby clothing items that you need –
Loose fitted t-shirts/shirts /jhablas
I bought about 2 sets of these adorable yet simple Cool Baby Cotton Shirt Sets. Thank God, I bought the smallest size. They fit my baby (born at 37 weeks) perfectly even though she was born 3 weeks before her due date.
Bottoms
The Cool Baby Cotton Shirt Sets came with cute soft bottoms too! But to be honest, in the first month when babies can pee even up to 20 times a day, I used to only put on nappies. I only started making better use of bottoms when my baby was about 2 months old.
Onesies
I love onesies. Babies look super cute in onesies. Although most of the onesies I used were gifted to me, I also bought a few onesies like these super adorable newborn sized onesies from Kiddeo. The print on these is suitable for both a baby-boy as well as a baby-girl. The fit was great and they were super soft for the baby’s skin.
Night suits / Rompers
Yup! I am also a fan of rompers being used as night suits, especially ones with feet. Babies look absolutely cute in them. Plus a romper is perfect for a 2 month or a 3 month old baby born in colder regions or during Indian winters, especially, if they learn to untie themselves from the swaddle. My favourite newborn rompers are the EIO 0-3 Month Rompers.
Frocks for baby girls
There is nothing like the joy of holding a super tiny baby frock. Go ahead and splurge on a few of these. The bigger ones do not look as cute as these ultra-tiny ones.
However, remember that you will find a lot of variety of fancy frocks that come in synthetic materials and with beads and sequins on it. But please don’t buy those during the newborn phase. Instead, buy frocks like these cotton ones from BabyBlossom.
I have used these and they look and feel great on the baby!
Sweaters
If your baby is born in winters or if you stay in colder regions, buying a good baby sweater like this one is non-negotiable.
Accessories
Now let’s move on to the newborn baby accessories department.
This is one area where parents can seem to completely lose perspective. We are talking about a real newborn baby here. Yes, it looks like the cutest squishy soft toy but it is still a real person. Let’s not drown the baby in ‘cute’ accessories. You can indulge in those as the baby grows a bit older. During the first 3 months, it is important to only buy basic newborn baby stuff.
So here is my super short new born baby accessories list –
Caps
Yes, we have all heard the importance of putting a cap on the baby’s soft head. Therefore it is important to buy plenty of caps. The only rule to bear in mind is that the cap should be made of cotton or wool based on the weather conditions in your town.
I particularly liked these caps by Boo Boo mainly because their fit was perfect. Most newborn baby caps available in the market are usually a bit too big for the first couple of months. However, these ones were an exception!
Socks
Babies do not need shoes in the first three months. But socks are important in order to keep the baby feeling warm enough, especially when it is not swaddled. I love these soft and warm newborn baby socks. However, for outings with the baby, I prefered to use these booties type socks with cute animals on it! Alternatively, you could also buy this set together with caps, socks and mittens.
Diapering
This is the real deal people! This is the one department that you need to focus on primarily when looking for new born baby products.
Make sure that you have all the required diapering products in your new born baby items list. These products include –
Disposable diapers
There is a wide variety of high-quality disposable diapers available online. My favourite diapers are the Pampers Premium Care Pant Diapers in the newborn size. The quality of these diapers is exceptional and they are hands down the best diapers available in the Indian market at the moment.
However, if your baby is born chubby or becomes chubby around 2 months of age, opt for Mamy Poko Extra Absorb Diapers in the new baby or small size.
If you prefer regular diapers and not the pant styled ones, the best diapers in the market are the Pampers Active Baby Diapers in the New Born or small size.
Also, you wouldn’t know which diapers you prefer until you actually start using them. You will have to try out different options and see what works best for your baby. So don’t fret if you feel lost at the moment.
Also, another point to note is that even if you intend to use cloth nappies, it always makes sense to purchase a few disposable diapers. They prove to be particularly useful when travelling with a baby or when taking the baby for routine doctor’s visits.
2. Cloth Nappies / Cloth Diapers
A cloth nappy is the cheaper and more environment-friendly option for the first few months of your baby’s life.
Some babies poop around 8-10 times a day in their first couple of months, while some babies poop once every 4-5 days. If your baby belongs to the former category, using disposable diapers will not make any sense.
In such a case, the most important baby thing to buy on your list should be cloth nappies. Also since you can’t determine how often your baby is likely to poop until your baby actually arrives, it makes sense to buy a few before the birth of your baby.
These are the best cloth nappies available online. Not only are they made out of soft cotton but they come with an animal design on the back!
However, if you do not want to keep washing 15-20 nappies every day, you could buy these fantastic cloth diapers by Bumpadum.
Cloth diapers are like regular diapers except that they come with replaceable inserts. So whenever the baby pees, the outside wrapper stays dry and you just have to change the inserts every couple of hours.
However, as I stated earlier, if your baby poops very often in the first couple of months, this option might not work well for you. In that case, stick to the classic cloth nappies.
Baby wipes
I do not know what life would have been without baby wipes. The first month of my life as mommy was spent breastfeeding and changing cloth nappies 24*7.
The one baby product that proved to be of utmost use was baby wipes. Mee Mee Baby Wipes are my absolute favourite. These wipes are paraben-free, anti-bacterial and enriched with aloe vera extract to soothe baby’s super sensitive skin.
But I recommend you to also try out other options such as the Himalaya baby wipes and Mother Sparsh Baby wipes. They are both really good in quality. Himalaya Baby Wipes are thinner and therefore softer on the baby skin. Whereas, Mother Sparsh Baby wipes, although a bit thicker, are water-based and therefore could suit your baby’s skin better.
However as with diapers, you will have to try out a couple of options and figure out what brand works best for your baby.
You can easily carry these around with you anywhere in the house. When not in use, you could fold these away and store safely. They can also be washed easily.
If you read or watch content by moms based in western countries, you may feel be tempted to buy a fancier diaper changing pad with a safety belt together with a diaper changing station. But in my opinion, constantly getting your baby back to the diaper changing station to change his diaper becomes a laborious task.
I recommend you to start by using a simple nappy changing mat and buy a diaper changing pad with safety belt only if you feel you absolutely need it.
5. Diaper rash cream
If you use disposable diapers, you must at all costs, use a good diaper rash cream. Diaper rash looks terrible and makes your baby very uncomfortable.
The only way to beat it is by using a very good quality diaper rash cream. The only two ones that I recommend are –
Both these variants are slightly expensive but they offer the best barrier protection for your baby’s skin. During the day you can use Sebamed Baby Rash Cream but once your baby starts sleeping properly at night, you should use the Desitin Maximum Strength Rash Paste at night. It provides the best barrier protection and can prevent wetness for up to 12 hours.
Diaper Bag
Okay, I am going to quickly slip in a product here that’s technically not for the baby. But I forgot to buy this product before the birth of my baby and when it was time to take my baby out for her first’s doctors appointment, I didn’t have a proper diaper bag to neatly store all the baby stuff in.
I, therefore, recommend you to buy this in advance.
I absolutely recommend using a diaper bag backpack. Carrying a traditional one-shouldered diaper bag is very inconvenient when you are carrying a newborn baby in your hand.
A backpack type diaper bag is far more comfortable. It distributes weight evenly and all the items inside the bag are easily accessible.
The bag that I have used for almost 2 years now, that I have travelled with everywhere and that is my absolute favourite baby product is this Robustrion Diaper Bag Backpack. It is absolutely worth every penny you spend on it!
Bath
The most important baby care products for newborn babies are the ones required for the baby’s bath. Newborn baby skin is very delicate and you must ensure that you do not choose chemical-rich bath products.
The only three bath products that I used for my baby were –
The reason why I chose Himalaya Baby Products is that their products are not harsh on the baby’s skin plus they are easily available at all local medical shops. Therefore you don’t have to depend heavily on online shopping for something as basic as baby soap or baby wash.
Now, you do not need to use both a baby soap and a baby wash. You could use either one of the two.
The aaya who bathed my baby for the first two months preferred a regular soap over a baby wash. But after two months, when I took over the task for bathing the baby, I decided to try out the Himalaya baby wash and it worked just as fine as the Himalaya baby soap bar!
Baby shampoo
I am a Himalaya brand loyalist when it comes to baby bath products. Therefore, when it came to choosing a baby shampoo, I didn’t look beyond the Himalaya Baby Shampoo. Even today, I use the same shampoo and honestly, I have no complaints whatsoever.
Baby oil
It’s time to be frank with you all here! I used the regular Parachute Coconut Oil for my baby. Period. I had seen my grandmothers use it earlier on my nieces and nephews. It had worked just fine for them.
Even the aaya who used to massage my baby girl for the first two months suggested that I use the regular coconut oil by Parachute for the baby.
Therefore, I was in no mood to shuffle things up and try out new products.
That being said, thanks to the many gifts that I received from my relatives and friends,
I did eventually end up trying out a few other baby oils. And of course, the one that emerged as my favourite was….. well, of course, the Himalaya baby oil!
Ah well, what can I say other than reiterating that Himalaya really makes good baby products!
Baby towel
Unpopular opinion alert!
I did not use all those cutesy baby towels that come with a hood.
Why? Because all those cute baby towels do not do a good job with absorbing water. They are essentially baby-wraps and not baby towels. Plus their material is too thick for the hot humid conditions in Mumbai.
I used this Kassy Pop muslin cloth bath towel from day 1. This towel is so soft and gentle on the baby’s skin. I just had to wrap the baby in it and it would instantly absorb all the water.
Trust me, look no further – this is the literally the best baby towel available online!
Baby powder
If you have read this article so far, you would already know which baby powder I am about to recommend! Yes, you got it right – the Himalaya Baby Powder. I bought a large bottle of it and it easily last for the first three months.
(Now, I have heard that there are mixed opinions online on whether to use a baby powder for the baby. But, I used it and I continue to use it till date. My baby has not faced any issues till date. But if you are not sure if you want to use it, consult your doctor and then determine your way forward!)
Baby powder puff
Again! We will remember all the important things needed for a new born baby and forget the little ones that make all the difference. The easiest way of applying powder to a newborn is with a soft puff. Yet, I bet that you won’t find many lists of baby products online that include this item.
But, don’t worry! I have got you covered here. The baby puff that I have been using since the birth of my baby is this green puff by Mee Mee.
Baby Nail Cutter
The nails of a baby grow at a terrific speed and even though they are super tiny, they are razor sharp. Not only can a baby scratch you with its super sharp nails, but can also end up hurting herself when she touches her face. Babies do that a lot, by the way!
So the best way to keep the nails trimmed is –
Skillfully peel them off immediately after a bath or
Skillfully cut them using a nail cutter.
Our baby’s aaya who used to come to bathe her could beautifully peel off my baby’s nails without hurting her at all. However, I would feel nervous about it and preferred using a nail-cutter. I used the Nail clipper set by Gocart with G Logo. I found it really safe for the baby and extremely easy to use!
Sleep
A baby’ first month is all about peeing, pooping, nursing and sleeping! Newborn babies sleep for around 16-20 hours of the day. Therefore, you must ensure that the baby sleep products that you choose are soft, comfortable and cosy!
Swaddle Wraps
Typically, baby swaddles have always been handed down from one sibling to another. They are usually made from the soft old cotton sarees of grandmothers and great-grandmothers. In fact, nothing shouts comfort the way these swaddling wraps do.
So ideally, see if you can get yourself some of these hand-me-downs.
If you can’t and need to buy a few online, I will recommend you to buy the ones from Mom’s Home. The design on these is adorable and the feel is so soft you would want one for yourself too!
Blankets
If you live in warm areas, go for this soft single gauze muslin blanket by Rachna. The print on this is really cute. I also washed it every other day and it only kept getting softer!
The piece of cloth that you put under a baby when you hold it or when it sleeps is known as the ‘receiving blanket’ or a ‘dupta’.
Elderly ladies from families often make these for the newborn babies and give it as a gift during the traditional baby shower ceremony. They make these from old and used cotton fabric and even embroider lovely designs on it! If you are lucky enough to get some of these, use these instead of choosing any product available online.
What would life be without these quick-dry sheets! I can’t even imagine! Given how often the baby pees in the first three months, a quick-dry sheet is an absolute must!
Instead of buying one made of rubber or plastic, I highly recommend you to buy these Bey Bee water-resistant quick dry sheets. They have an ultra-high absorbance and they keep the mattress underneath absolutely dry.
Plus, the material is comfortable and breathable. Unlike, plastic or rubber bed protectors, these ones do not absorb heat.
You just have to try these out to believe how incredibly awesome they are! I just can’t recommend them enough!
Feeding
Feeding bottle
I will be upfront and honest with you all. I exclusively breastfed my newborn baby for the first 4.5 months. Therefore, I did not use a feeding bottle for my baby in the first three months.
For babies suffering from colic, gas or other digestion problems, I recommend the Dr. Brown’s Options Narrow Neck Bottle. They control the flow of the formula and prevents the baby from taking in a lot of air while sucking.
Travel
Car Seat
If you are not going to be the ‘strictly indoors’ type mom and would like to take your baby out with you on car drives, you must absolutely invest in a good quality car-seat.
A premium quality car-seat ideal for frequent travel is the Graco car seat. Graco products are usually made of high-quality material. They last long and most importantly they go through take their safety compliance very seriously.
That is also why their products are more expensive than other comparable products available in the market. If you find the Graco car seat too expensive for your travel frequency, choose the more popular one – the R for Rabbit car seat.
Now I have to make an important point here –
In India, for ages, we have had babies, including newborn babies, travel on the laps of their parents. While it has worked well for us for all these years, a car seat does provide a lot more safety. Therefore, I would definitely urge you to buy one if you will be travelling in a car with your baby quite frequently.
Miscellaneous
I admit that this heading makes no sense. For a baby who is just about learning to adjust to a whole new world, it can’t possibly have any ‘miscellaneous needs!’
But the reason why I am resorting to this title is that I did not know which other category to place ‘books’ under.
Now, I have spoken about the benefits of reading to a newbornhere. My parents and close relatives found the idea ridiculous. But I persisted and today, as my baby-girl is growing older I definitely see the benefits yielding results.
Also, I am not talking about engaging in any heavy reading. I am just suggesting adding it to your bedtime ritual. It is a great way to bond with your newborn. This Hello Baby 4-page board book was what I started with!
What I will not add to my new born baby products list – But you could!
Now you all know, I practise essentialism and therefore do not indulge in unnecessary newborn baby shopping. But wants and needs are both relative. Therefore, what I consider unnecessary, may fall under the category of ‘essentials for newborn’ for you.
So here are products that I did not use/need but you could for your 0 -3 month old baby –
Pacifier
This one is a huge one on my list of baby products that I did not use. The first time I tried it was when my baby was 7 months old. But by then my baby was used to living without it and she didn’t really need it.
Again, let’s look at the fact that the standard master bedroom size in Mumbai is 10 ft * 12 ft. With a double bed and wardrobe, there is literally no place for a crib.
Secondly, if you breastfeed your child on demand, you will not have the patience to constantly pick up the child from the crib and put him down back again, particularly at night. We always co-slept with the baby and I am so glad we did it that way!
However, this LuvLap Baby Wooden Cot with Rocker is quite popular among parents that insist on buying a crib for their baby.
Playmats
We used to lay down the many receiving blankets that I received from my friends and family on the floor and my newborn baby would hang out there! A fancy play mat is definitely unnecessary during the newborn stage of the baby.
Nightlamp
These days, brands have modified every regular product to a ‘baby-version’ to lure new parents into buying it. We had a night lamp in place and therefore did not buy one of those star-shaped night lamps that play soft music!
Humidifier
Seriously? In Mumbai? No way! The western world will convince us of buying absolutely anything and we will blindly follow them without giving it a second thought!
You only need a humidifier if you live in seriously dry and cold weather conditions. If you live in one such area, check out this super popular good quality Allin Exporters Humidifier.
Burp Cloths
No burp cloths! I used a regular handkerchief instead! But if your baby is colic, you may need one! Decide on its purchase later!
Washcloths
We live in a country that has specialised aayas that bathe babies. Most continue to hire these for almost the entire first year of the baby’s life. In such circumstances, the concept of using a square-shaped washcloth while bathing just did not quite click with me and therefore I skipped this one completely.
Hate me for this one! But I used to hate watching my baby bundled up into a swaddle blanket (especially once she started wriggling out of it during her third month), Now the thought of further tying her hands down in mittens would make really comfortable.
But yes, I had to keep her nails trimmed at all times so that she won’t scratch her face red with them. If you don’t agree with my approach here, you could very well check out these Mitten, Cap Booty sets here.
Photoshoot props and hair accessories
My baby girl barely tolerated the cap that we tied around her head. Using fancy hairbands and hair accessories was out of the question. Plus, I also do believe that newborns need food, sleep and love.
They don’t need the pressure of over-enthusiastic parents dressing them up in weird accessories and props for a photoshoot!
That being said, if you are still sure that you want to plan on a newborn baby photoshoot for your baby, there are plenty of props available online. (Just please don’t let the photographer wake up your sleeping newborn baby,okay?) 🙂
Shoes
For a baby who can’t even turn on her tummy, buying shoes is a complete waste of money! In most cases, buying fancy socks are enough even for those outings with your baby!
Bottle sterilisers
I did not use a bottle for my baby during the first three months as I was exclusively breastfeeding. So the question of using a steriliser did not arise. Even later on when I started using bottles, I preferred the old-school method of boiling bottles on the gas stove.
However, I did sometimes wish that I had used a bottle-steriliser that would run in the background and sterilise all the bottles.
It is particularly useful if you also use a breast pump and pacifiers. The Philips Avent 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer is one of the leading baby bottle sterilisers in the market. Make sure you buy compatible feeding bottles with it.
Final Word
The nervousness and anxiety of not being properly prepared before the arrival of the baby is always looming large on the minds of expecting parents. But trust me, parenting is one skill that you can only pick up on the job.
Don’t worry about not being prepared or about choosing the wrong products or choosing products in the wrong sizes! Every parent goes through it and learns from it.
The first three months with a baby are special and equally overwhelming. But you could read all about my 6 awesome ways in which you could stay sane as a new momhere.
Also, tell us what would you include in your must-have baby items list?
So you won’t believe it when I say this but I had never been a fan of juices until I became a mother. I would always prefer eating the fruit itself instead of juicing it. The question of drinking a vegetable juice never crossed my mind as I always thought that vegetable juices tasted terrible.
But then all of these strong beliefs changed completely when I became a mother. Now, I have no time to clean, peel, cut and eat my fruits in peace. Trying to stay sane as a mother, required me to come to terms with the fact that gulping down a glass of juice is better than going hungry. Plus, the hormonal changes after pregnancy required me to add a few green juices to my diet.
That is why I started researching about the best juicer mixer grinder available in the market. After months of reading and trying out a few, I have come to the understanding that the best juicer machine is one that meets your requirements.
Therefore, it is very important to understand the various types of juicers, the difference between a juicer and a blender, and of course take into consideration juicer reviews together with the juicer machine price and then zero down on one.
Thankfully, to save you the trouble, I have decided to compile all of my research in this handy post which I am sure will help you find the best juicer in India for you.
Finding the best juicer mixer grinder in India requires a lot of research. However, if you are short on time, you could just find out all about the best juicer machines through the comparison chart below. The comparison chart below has details on the top juicers in India, the type of that juicer as well as the juicer mixer grinder price estimate.
Okay, first of all, I know that you hate technical terms. We all do. But in order to not make the mistake of buying the wrong juicer – one that does not serve your purpose, it is important to get the basics right.
Centrifugal juicer
If you wish to buy juicer online, you will come across the term ‘centrifugal juicer.’
Now my intention is not to bore you with technical details. Therefore, let me cut straight to the point.
A centrifugal juicer uses centrifugal force to juice fruits and vegetables. What this means is that the blades in a centrifugal juicer run at a very high speed and can therefore easily turn any fruit or vegetable that you put into it into pulp or juice.
However, because of the very high speed, leafy vegetables or softer fruits get thrown to the side of the juicer immediately and therefore do not get pulped very easily.
That being said, it is the most popular variant amongst juicers available online. The juicer machine price in India of a centrifugal variant is way cheaper than other variants.
Pros of a centrifugal juicer
Superfast
Most easy to clean
Quick and easy to assemble and use
Affordable
Easily available
Low maintenance cost
Veggies and fruits require almost zero preparation before putting them in the juicer
Cons of a centrifugal juicer
The heat generated by the juicer can impact the nutritional value of the juice
Noisy (not suitable for moms who plan on making juices while their baby sleeps!)
Not suitable for leafy vegetables, soft fruits, wheatgrass and hard nuts.
Juice requires immediate consumption
Who should buy a centrifugal juicer?
Juicing newbies
Those on the run
Those who do not mind some noise (i.e. those who do not intend on making the juice while their baby is sleeping)
Those who do not want to spend much on a juicer
In my opinion, the best centrifugal juicer in India is
Masticating Juicer
If you search for the best slow juicer in India or a cold press juicer in India, you will most likely end up getting results of a masticating juicer.
They work on the same principle as that of ‘chewing’. Thus, fruits and vegetables put inside a masticating juicer get pressed between two sets of teeth like blades that press the substance and push out the juice. Thus dry pulp and juice are separated using the same technique that we would normally use while chewing.
However, like chewing, this process is slow and takes more time. But it produces a healthier juice than a centrifugal juicer because the process takes place at a lower temperature.
However, you must note that all good things come for a price and therefore a slow juicer price is higher than a regular centrifugal juicer.
Pros of a masticating juicer
Produces a very high-quality, thicker juice
Yield quantity is better than a centrifugal juicer
The juice lasts longer than one made using a centrifugal juicer
Can easily juice greens, softer fruits
Some variants also support juicing of wheatgrass and nuts
Makes hardly any noise
Multi-purpose variants also allow preparing baby food, pasta, etc.
Cons of a masticating juicer
Takes longer to clean
Not as easy to assemble as a centrifugal juicer
More preparation of fruits and vegetables required
More expensive
Higher maintenance cost
Who should buy a masticating juicer?
Those who are serious about juicing
Those that need to consume juices for health requirements
Those that are willing to invest in a quality juicer
Those that need to store the juice for a couple of days and can’t consume it immediately
Those with babies or elders at home that want to avoid the noise of a loud juicer
Triturating Juicer
I have promised you that I won’t get too technical. So here is the what we need to know about triturating juicers –
They are the best kind of juicers available in the market. A triturating juicer uses two interlocking gears that rotate at a slow speed to squeeze and produce the juice.
In comparison with masticating juicers, this type of juicer gives more yield and retains more nutrients.
Pros of a triturating juicer
Best quality juicer
Gives a very high amount of yield
Least amount of oxidisation means that the juice can be stored for a longer duration
It works really well with leafy greens, wheatgrass, nuts and softer fruits that are difficult to juice in regular juicers.
Makes almost no noise
This juicer can be used for preparing baby food, pasta, sauces, etc.
Cons of a triturating juicer
Much more expensive than other juicers
More preparation of fruits and vegetables required
Higher maintenance cost
Not easy to assemble or reassemble
Difficult to clean
Who should buy a triturating juicer?
Those that settle for nothing but the best
Those that do not mind spending a good amount of money on a juicer
Those that need to consume leafy greens, wheatgrass or other ‘difficult-to-juice’ items regularly
Those that hate the noise of a regular juicer
Those that need to store juices for a longer period
Those that do not mind the arduous task of cleaning the juicer
Note
Now, you must note that if you are planning on buying a juicer online, you will mostly not be able to figure out if a juicer is a masticating juicer or a triturating juicer. Both these variants will appear under the head of a slow juicer in India.
However, online platforms do specify if a juicer is centrifugal or not.
Thus for the purposes of buying a juicer online, the only two categories of juicer are – a slow juicer / cold press juicer and a centrifugal juicer.
If you do not have the time to read further, click below to know more about:
Here I am making a list of the top juicers in India. Please note that all the juicers listed below are great. You could choose to buy any one of them based on your needs.
Also while some of these juicers will work perfectly for commercial use, I have made this list with the objective of using the juicer at home.
This Sujata Juicer Mixer Grinder is a fantastic option for someone who is looking for a good quality value for money buy. In my opinion, this has to be the best centrifugal juicer in the market.
Given that Sujata is one of the best brand for juicers available in the Indian market, the quality of this juicer is great for long-term use.
Features
The Sujata Juicer Mixer comes with a powerful industry leader 900 watts motor. It is a centrifugal juicer and therefore runs efficiently at 22000 rpm (revolutions per minute).
It comes with a unique honeycomb filter mesh that gives a higher amount of yield than other centrifugal juicers. The juices also retain their original flavour.
What’s great about this juicer is that despite the fact that it is totally affordable, it hasn’t compromised on the quality of key components. Its blades are fine quality high strength ones that do their job really well.
The mixer jar is transparent and unbreakable. Most importantly, the juicer machine is completely shock-proof.
Pros
Affordable
Powerful 900 Watts Machine
Non-breakable jar
Completely shockproof
Can run continuously for up to 90 minutes
Can be used for purposes other than juicing too
Cons
Noisy
Can heat up
Juice must be consumed immediately for higher nutritional intake
Who should buy it?
Anyone looking for an ideal, affordable, good quality juicer mixer grinder should buy this.
This is definitely the best Philips juicer online. It comes in a spectacular design that not only looks great but works very efficiently too. Given that Philips too is one of the best juicer brands in the country, this product has been made using innovative technology particularly suited to juicing fruits.
Features
This Philips Juicer Grinder can easily make up to 2 litres of juice in one go. It runs on a powerful 700 watts motor.
The best part about this juicer is its smooth sieve. It can be cleaned easily. Plus, because the sieve is placed upside down, it makes sure that it extracts the maximum amount of juice.
The two other factors that particularly impressed me about this juicer are the large feeding tube and the quick clean technology. Both of these are extremely time-saving.
The large feeding tube means that most fruits and vegetables need not be prepped or chopped before juicing.
On the other hand, the quick clean technology means that the juicer cleans itself free of all unwanted fibres and particles stuck in the lid and in the sieve. This saves on a lot of time that would otherwise have been wasted on manually cleaning parts of the mixer.
Pros
Stunning design
Easy to clean
A high amount of yield
Lightweight
Non-skid feet
No assembly required
Fantastic 2 Litre capacity
Cons
A bit noisy
Heats up
Not suitable for softer fruits and vegetables
Who should buy it?
If you are a Philips loyalist looking for an affordable decent quality juicer mixer, this product is perfect for you.
Bajaj is a trusted Indian brand that has been rolling out quality products for a number of years now. While you will find a large variety of Bajaj Juicer grinder products in the market, the one product that I particularly recommend is the Bajaj JEX 16 800 Watt juicer.
The reason why I have specifically included this variant is that it comes with a solid 800-watt motor that’s second only to Sujata Powermatic Plus mentioned above.
However, this fruit juicer mixer is more light in weight than the other juicers thus increasing ease of use. I particularly love the backlit LED panel. It immediately adds some style factor to the juicer.
Unlike most juicers online, this juicer comes with a dual-speed control. Thus you can choose to run it at a speed that is ideal for your juicing requirements thereby cutting down on the possibility of nutritional wastage.
Additionally, it comes with an excellent stainless steel juicing mesh. This mesh is particularly designed to give the maximum amount of yield. The Bajaj Juicer jar of this mixer can hold up to 1 litre of juice which is ideal for a small family.
From the point of cleaning, this juicer works really well for busy parents. All the important parts are removable and can be cleaned easily.
Let me also tell you that the juicer does not start until all of its parts are perfectly fit in. It comes with a dual lock for added security.
Pros
Light-weight
Strong 800-watt motor
Comes with a 2-year warranty
Provides a good amount of yield
Easy to clean
Can be assembled quickly
Comes with multiple accessories
Dual lock for added safety
Backlit LED panel
Highly affordable
Cons
Low juicer capacity of 1 litre
A bit noisy
Not suitable for softer fruits and vegetables
Who should buy it?
If you are a juicing newbie wanting to try out a high quality affordably priced juicer from a trusted brand, this juicer is right for you.
I have been a fan of Havells products for a long time now and the Havells juicer Mixer Grinder is no exception to it.
Although technically, this one is not just a juicer but a full set of juicer mixer grinder, I am including this product in this list because of its efficient juicing qualities.
Features
This product works on a 500-watt power motor. But because of its LED indicator based 3-speed switch, you get to use it at a speed that works best for your needs.
Its juicer jar comes in a 1-litre capacity, is transparent and in my opinion, looks absolutely stunning. The blending jar comes with a large feeding tube so that you don’t have to cut your fruits and veggies before putting them inside the blender. The pulp collector itself is large enough to hold up to 2 litres of pulp. Therefore, you can make juice for everyone in one go.
The 304 stainless steel sieve which this juicer employs is particularly useful to cut softer fruits more effectively.
Pros
Affordable
Provides a good amount of yield
Easy to clean
Looks fantastic
3-speed switch for convenience
The large feeding tube allows you to insert fruits and veggies without any prep
Comes with additional jars to make chutneys, purees, pastes, etc.
2-year warranty
Cons
Very noisy
Juicer jar can only accommodate up to 1 litre of juice
Who should buy it?
If you are looking for a very good quality yet affordable juicer that can also double up as a mixer and grinder, this product by Havells is perfect for you.
Find out the Havells juicer mixer grinder price in India
Sometimes when we think of making a juice, we just want to throw in some fruits like orange, mosambi or cucumber, blitz them and drink it off quickly. For such non-fussy quick juicing requirements, this Prestige juicer mixer grinder should work perfectly.
Just like the Havells product listed above, this product by Prestige is also a mixer and grinder. It is not just a juicer. Therefore, do not expect it to work with all types of fruits. You will find that it is particularly ineffective with leafy greens and wheatgrass. But with other harder fruits and vegetables, the powerful blades of these multi-purpose machines work wonderfully well.
Features
This machine is run on a powerful 750-watt motor. The motor, as well as the product, come with a solid 2-year warranty. The body is made using high-quality ABS Plastic while the mixer itself uses premium quality stainless steel blades.
The juicer jar is large enough to hold up to 1 litre of juice. Unlike traditional juicers, this multi-purpose juicer mixer grinder is easier to clean.
The product employs optimal safety locks. The handle of the juicer jar has a sturdy handle that grips well and prevents slippage.
Pros
Affordable
Provides a good amount of yield
Easy to clean
3-speed switch for convenience
Comes with additional jars to make chutneys, purees, pastes, etc.
2-year warranty
Cons
Very noisy
Juicer jar can only accommodate up to 1 litre of juice
Who should buy it?
If you are a juicing newbie and therefore do not want to invest in a product that can only be used as a juicer, you should buy this product as it is one of the cheapest juicer mixer grinder available online.
Note: Alternatively, you could also consider checking out the Maharaja Juicer Mixer Grinder which runs on an 800-watt power motor. In terms of its features, it is almost similar to the Prestige juicer mixer grinder.
This juicer by Usha is the best cold press juicer in India for those on a moderate budget. However, even then, you must not that the cold press juicer price in India is always quite higher than a centrifugal juicer. This is because a cold press juicer involves more complex juicing technology.
Features
This beautiful juicer by Usha works at 70 rpm. It is capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables and particularly leafy greens. It is a far more technologically advanced product and therefore should not be compared with a regular apple juicer machine or a carrot juicer machine.
Depending on the consistency of juice that you want, you can either employ the fine filter for finer juice or the coarse filter if you prefer thicker juice.
All of the parts of this juicer such as the pulp container, the juice container, the filter and the juicing bowl are easily detachable and therefore can be cleaned easily.
Pros
Capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables
Retains nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables
Better shelf life of juice
Comes with a solid 5-year warranty on the motor and a 2-year warranty on the product
Provides higher yield
Moderately priced
Low noise
Simple to assemble
Easy to clean
Cons
Smaller feeder tube requires prep of fruits and vegetables before inserting into the juicer.
Who should buy it?
Fans of the Usha Brand who want to make the switch from a regular high-speed juicer to a good quality moderately priced cold-press juicer should buy this.
Find out the price of the Usha Nutripress Cold Press Juicer
This has to be one of the best designed cold press slow juicer available in the market. The compact design makes it the best home juicer for small kitchens. It is also very affordable when compared with other cold press juicer machine prices.
Features
This juicer works at a 55 rpm which is slower than other comparable models and therefore retains maximum minerals and nutrients. The slow oxidation is particularly useful for retaining heat-sensitive nutrients such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The juice stays dense and lasts longer even a few hours after extraction.
This juicer also employs a juicemax technology that gives greater juice yield too. The pulp that it leaves behind is quite dry thus indicative of the fact that this juicer squeezes out almost all the available juice from the fruit or the vegetable.
The slow juicing technology is ideal for juicing all types of hard and soft fruits and vegetables. It can also juice leafy greens with ease.
One of the best features of this juicer is that it is super easy to clean. All that you need to do is pour some water in the juicer and run the juicer for a minute. This will immediately clean the juicer of any pulp or fibre left on the strainer.
Pros
Affordable
Capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables
Retains nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables
Better shelf life of juice
Lovely compact design
Solid 5-year warranty on Motor and 1-year warranty on the product
Easy to clean
Provides greater yield
Low noise
Cons
– A bit difficult to assemble
Who should buy it?
For you are looking for a good quality cold press juicer, this affordable product is the best at home juicer for you.
Find out the price of the Balzano Cold Press Juicer
Let me be honest here – I had absolutely no desire of ever considering a hand juicer for the purposes of juicing. I have always felt that it is a lot of labour. However, despite these views, I am forced to include this juicer in the list of the best juicers in India.
The biggest reason for adding this juicer to the list is that unlike any one of the regular electric juicer online, this juicer does a terrific job when it comes to juicing leafy greens and veggies. In fact, this one is not only the best vegetable juicer in India but is also particularly the best wheatgrass juicer available online. (Particularly amongst those found in an affordable price range)
Features
This juicer is a masticating juicer and therefore extracts more juice than regular high-speed juicers. Additionally, it minimises oxidation thus ensuring nutrient retention and longer shelf life.
The best part about this juicer is that all of its parts can be easily disassembled and rinsed off in soapy water.
This juicer uses durable stainless steel inserts on the end cap as well as on the tip of the auger. Since these are the areas that go bear the most amount of force, this juicer is not prone to much wear and tear. It is therefore likely to be your companion for a long time.
Also, since you have to manually turn the handle for juicing, you can adjust the speed as per your requirements. This also ensures that seeds of fruits do not get crushed while juicing and the juice does not taste bitter.
The manual juicing process also means that the juicer does not run on electricity making this juicer an excellent choice for areas that are often prone to power failure. The absence of an electrically operated mechanism makes this juicer extremely cheap amongst the cold press juicers available online.
Pros
Extremely Affordable
Capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables and in particular a great choice for juicing wheatgrass
Retains nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables
Better shelf life of juice
Easy to clean
Provides greater yield
Low noise
Does not run on electricity, therefore, saves cost as well as an ideal choice for areas prone to power cuts.
Durable
Cons
A bit difficult to assemble
Involves manual labour
Comes with only a 1-year warranty
Who should buy it?
If you really want to enjoy a high-quality, high nutrition juice and if you consume juices made out of wheatgrass or leafy vegetables and are looking for an extremely affordable juicer, this juicer is perfect for you. (Be prepared for the manual work of turning the juicer handle!)
Find out the price of Luxurious Necessities Lexen GP27 Cold Press Fruit
I have saved the best for the last. This is the most incredible juicer available online and hands down the best cold pressed juicer in India.
In fact, even globally, the Kuvings Slow Juicer is extremely renowned to the extent that the company claims to sell 5 juicers per minute.
Features
First of all, the juicer uses a patented large feeding mouth through which you can pretty much insert all types of fruits and vegetables without cutting them into pieces. This feature is usually rare in slow juicers and therefore Kuvings is a market leader.
The juice itself is prepared using a one of a kind copper wound brushless 240 Watt AC motor. It runs at a slow speed of just 50 RPM. The product itself is made up of BPA free plastic. These high-quality components ensure that the nutritional value of the fruits and veggies that you juice stays intact and the shelf life of the juice also increases. Furthermore, the juicer makes almost no noise at all when operated.
This juicer can run continuously for a good 30 minutes which is enough to prepare your daily dose of juice.
The best part about this juicer is that it comes with a Kuvings patented cleaning tool. Thus, all that you need to do is put the strainers inside the cleaning tool and allow them to rotate under running water.
The other highlight of this juicer is that you can even use it to make milk out almonds and nuts. This feature is highly beneficial to vegans who are looking for a healthy nutrient-rich substitute for milk products.
Furthermore, if you are willing to shell out a little more money, you can buy the fantastic smoothie and ice-cream making attachments to use with this juicer for added functionality and use.
Last but not the least, this juicer provides a whopping 10-year warranty on its gear and motor.
Pros
Capable of juicing all types of fruits and vegetables easily.
Retains nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables
Better shelf life of juice.
Comes with a patented large feeder to allow inserting whole fruits without cutting
Easy to clean thanks to its patented cleaning tool
Provides greater yield
Operates quietly
Durable and comes with a solid 10-year warranty on its gear and motor
Cons
Quite expensive when compared to other cold press juicers online
Who should buy it?
If you are serious about juicing, do not want to compromise on the quality at all, are willing to spend more and want the best juicer in India, you shouldn’t look beyond this juicer. This one is perfect for you.
Find out the price of the Kuvings Professional Cold Press Whole Slow Juicer B1700
If you have gone through all of the options listed above and are now left feeling confused about which juicer is right for you, read the buying guide below –
How serious are you about juicing?
If you consume juices daily or are planning to get serious about including juices in your daily diet, then you must look at buying a juicer that retains the nutritional value of the fruits or vegetables that you intend on juicing. Thus, in this case, you must buy a cold press juicer.
2. How much time do you intend to spend on making the juice?
If you are a mother like me who is always on the run, you would not have much time to prepare and cut all your fruits and vegetables before juicing.
Thus you will need a juicer with a large feeding tube so that you can pretty much insert the entire fruit. (Especially fruits such as oranges, sweet limes, apples must go in through the tube without requiring any cutting). Most centrifugal juicers or large juicer mixer grinders allow this. This can save you a lot of time. However, if you opt for a centrifugal juicer, you must also immediately consume the juice.
Together with the feeder tube, you must also take into consideration the cleaning time associated with juicing. If the juicer does not come with quick clean technology or if the juicer does not have a separate detachable pulp collector, you will be spending far too much time cleaning the juicer.
3. What are you planning on juicing?
This, in my opinion, is the most important factor to be taken into consideration when buying a juicer. If you juice leafy vegetable, nuts or wheatgrass you must opt for a cold press juicer. A centrifugal juicer will just not do justice here.
However, if you are still planning to opt for a centrifugal juicer, make sure it has speed controls. Thus you can use the lower speed option for difficult to juice items such as softer fruits and use the high-speed option for firm fruits and vegetables.
4. How much time will you take to consume the juice?
This one is pretty straightforward, if you do not intend on consuming the juice you make immediately, you should buy a cold press juicer. The juice made using a cold press juicer has a higher shelf life as it is made at a lower temperature and at a slow speed. It is particularly an asset when storing juices that contain heat resistant nutrients such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
However, if you plan on making fresh juice every day and consuming it immediately, a centrifugal juicer will work perfectly well for you.
5. What is your budget?
The cost difference between a centrifugal juicer and a cold press juicer is enormous. A centrifugal juicer is usually priced at around 5000-7000 INR whereas most cold press juicers (Except hand operated juicers) cost at least 10000 INR.
But if you can stretch your budget a bit, do not hesitate to buy a premium quality juicer such as the Kuvings Professional Cold Press Whole Slow Juicer B1700. It delivers excellent quality high on nutrition, longer-lasting juice and the 10-year warranty justifies its higher price.
Final Word
A fruit or vegetable juice is a great meal option for both adults and kids. Instead of ordering junk food, snacking on biscuits, wafers, etc. drinking a glass of healthy juice turns out to be not only filling but also very wholesome. Besides, making juice hardly takes any time if you opt for a time-saving juicer.
Are you one of those moms who run businesses? Are you struggling to strike a balance between your role as a mother and an entrepreneur? In that case, this article is perfect for you as it has some invaluable tips on how to excel in both these departments of your life.
I never thought I would say this but I sucked at managing my business after becoming a mother.
My whole life, I have been a disciplined studious person. Whenever I have set my mind to something, I have delivered results. That’s exactly why I even decided to quit my work and start my own professional practice. I was sure that I would be able to stay focussed, work hard and effectively serve my clients.
However, this whole self-disciplined lifestyle crumbled completely once I became a mother.
My initial struggle as a mom who runs a business
In the beginning, I was far too tired and the addition of the many mom-duties used to leave me completely overwhelmed. I just didn’t feel like I had the energy to work and be productive while I struggled to keep up with my life as a new mother.
During the times when I felt good, all I wanted to do was devote all my attention to my baby, watch her make progress every day. I just didn’t want to miss out on her many different growth phases.
All of these reasons were justifiable for the first couple of months. In fact, I could delegate my work, tell my clients that I am new-mom and could get away my tardy ways.
However, as the months progressed and I still continued to struggle to get the balancing act of being a mommy and running a business in order, my business started to suffer.
I did not know what is it that I need to do to get out of this rut and become that self-disciplined, productive working force that I used to be.
So I brainstormed for ideas, discussed ways to get back to business with my partner. But when I looked up the internet for getting my life sorted again, I only found articles about ‘getting back to work.’ There were hardly any articles about moms that run businesses.
That’s when I decided that once I get my life back in order, I would write an article for moms who run businesses.
Today, a couple of years later, I feel that I am in much greater control of my profession and my blogging business is also slowly and steadily flourishing.
Super useful tips for moms who run businesses
So what is it that worked for me?
Let me share all my secrets with you so that you too can conquer both the personal as well as the business areas of your life.
Have a separate work area
As a business owner, you are your own boss. This, in turn, will make you believe that you can take work with you wherever you go. You would be tempted to blend your personal and professional worlds in order to maximise your work productivity.
I had made this mistake in the beginning when I tried to work while nursing my baby. I tried working with a laptop in my bedroom while the baby slept or I used to reply to emails quickly using my phone will playing with my kid.
Unfortunately, none of these practices led to productive outcomes. I made mistakes in my work and my baby understood that I am not paying undivided attention to her.
The result? A complete failure on both fronts.
That is when I understood the importance of having a dedicated space that you call your work area and to work only and only from this space.
This space could be your office which is a short drive away from your home. Alternatively, you could even dedicate a desk inside your home where you will be able to completely cut off from your child for a while.
But the most important point to note here is –
If you need to work, you must only work from this dedicated workspace.
Physically delinking your personal and professional spaces will ensure that you stay focussed while working and make the most of the limited hours that you get to spend working.
The quality of your work will also drastically improve.
Initially, it will be difficult for you to fully separate the two parts of your life but the stricter you are with yourself, the better it will be for you in the long run.
Delegate or automate donkey work
In every article that I write on motherhood, I stress on this point. Whether it is my article on how to be a happy mom or the one how to stay sane as a new mom, I always advise mothers to delegate tasks.
In India, we are genuinely blessed to get the support of house-helps whenever we feel like delegating particular tasks. Make use of this blessing in whichever area of life you are most struggling with.
Alternatively, automate tasks that can be automated.
Do not hustle unnecessarily when somebody or something else can take care of it.
Household chores taking your business time? Delegate it to a house-help.
Sending standard responses to your business enquiries is eating up your work time? Set up auto-responders.
Designing flyers for your product launch is proving to be too much work for you? Outsource it.
(A great platform to connect with freelancers for all budgets is Fiverr.)
Now, I know that you must be worried about the added financial cost of delegating or automating. Here is my suggestion to you in this regard –
If the cost is within your means, spend it even it means cutting back on expenses in other areas.
Set a budget for these expenses and look around everywhere, check every platform to see if you can find a solution within your budget.
However, if you just can’t afford the expenses right now, do not borrow and add to your woes. In that case, just suck up to your situation and aim at achieving the financial position required to be able to afford to outsource.
As soon as you reach a point where you can afford it, spend that money to delegate or automate.
Say No
The first few months, or for that matter, even the first year of your motherhood journey is demanding. Your baby goes through a number of growth spurts and phases.
It is therefore essential to plan your day in such a way that you are able to devote additional time to your baby whenever required.
Therefore, the period right after the birth of your baby is not the ideal period for you to expand your business.
This is not the time to accept new customers, launch new products.Your focus during this period should be on delivering the best quality services to your existing customers.
Learn to politely refuse new work, new assignments, new orders or whatever it is that will make you feel overwhelmed.
It’s never easy to turn down business. In fact, I am not even recommending that you do it for too long. Just grow it at a slower, more manageable pace.
Eat the Frog, always!
The first few weeks after I started working on my business again after my maternity break were really painful for me. Why?
Well, simply because there wasn’t a day when I could finish all the items on my to-do list. I always felt guilty about not being productive enough.
No matter how focused I stayed, I just couldn’t strike off all the items on my to-do list. The hours I put in never seemed enough.
That’s when I decided to change my work-strategy. I adopted the principle of ‘eating the frog first.’
I used to make a list of things I needed to do during the day, mark the one that’s of utmost importance. This would be the task that I just couldn’t afford to delay and the one that would have the strongest positive impact on my business.
I used to work on that task first and then actively procrastinate on low-priority tasks.
This meant that although I couldn’t complete all the tasks I had set out to do, I would finish the most important one and my business didn’t suffer at all.
The less important tasks either become so irrelevant over a period of time that you don’t need to deal with them at all. Or, worst-case scenario, they become so important because of regularly delaying them that they become the ‘Frog’!
Work on all 7 days of the week (at least till your kids are young)
Okay, you must be thinking I have lost my mind. Given how overloaded we are as mothers, you must be thinking that it is absolutely foolish to not take the weekend off. Right?
Well, I hear ya!
But you know what, once you are a mother, there is no real ‘break-day.’ Whether you spend time with your kids, work on household tasks – you are always busy.
Plus, because of all these household responsibilities, the time that you get to spend on your business is already compromised. If in such circumstances, deciding to take the weekend off will only damage your business.
In fact, I work long hours on weekends as that is when my husband is available to look after the baby and our home.
So instead of working 8 hours per day on weekdays, I work 5 hours per day on weekdays and 8 hours per day on weekends.
Now again, once your kids become older and start going to school or daycare centres, you will be able to switch back to the old ways of slogging on weekdays and taking an off on weekends. But until then, you will have to work on all days to keep your business running smoothly.
Be clear with your family
The biggest challenge of running a business is that your family thinks that you can be flexible with your timings. Your family will most likely expect you to look after your child first and manage your business in your free time.
Since your family knows that you are the boss of your business, the associated assumption is that you can bend rules whenever required.
But, as you would be aware, that is far from the truth. As an entrepreneur, our commitment to our clients often holds us down. We can’t just take a leave whenever we like and we need to show up to work every single day.
If not physically, mentally we are always worried about generating the next sale, servicing a new client and upgrading our profiles.
Therefore, the only way to not let motherhood become an impediment preventing you from growing your business is by making your family understand that you are serious about your business. You will have to be firm with your family about your rules.
Let your family members know your work schedule for the week or even for the month in advance.
If your family members have to look after your kid while you are away, let them know your expectations from them clearly.
If any meetings or commitments are non-negotiable and just simply cannot be adjusted to accommodate emergencies, make it absolutely clear to them.
Stay happy, not guilty
Now I have an entire article on how to be a happy mom, but I will still touch upon this topic here.
As a woman who runs a business while raising a kid, I know for a fact that no matter how hard you try, you will fall short of perfection either in the motherhood department or in the work department.
Instead of letting this weigh you down, you just need to learn to hold your head high and feel proud about trying every single day.
Do not compare your work ethic to the time when you did not have a kid. That was the time when you had a clear singular goal in life, lesser responsibilities at home and definitely no need to run back home early evening.
Now your heart will always be thinking of your baby in the other room or back at home and the constant switch between your role as a mother and as an entrepreneur will not be easy.
So please don’t be your own critic and don’t pull yourself down.
Be happy. Give it time and everything will fall in place. I promise.
Final Word
Let me tell you that running a business while raising a baby is not easy. Every person will have an opinion on your life. Some may ask you to go easy on your business while some may question you for being lax about it.
Your job is to decide how you want to take your business forward as a mother looking after her baby. Stay clear about your goals and make slow but steady progress.
Finally, enjoy this phase of trying to balance your business life with your new mom life! This period, if put to use properly, will most likely bring out the best in you! All the best!
Wondering how to be a happy mom? This post is perfect for you!
Motherhood is challenging in so many ways. From dealing with many firsts such as holding a baby, feeding it, changing diapers to dealing with toddler tantrums and disciplining older kids a mom has to go through a lot.
While trying to cope with the constantly changing phases of her child, a mom also has to make time to work, nurture other relationships and manage her household chores.
All of this often leads to irritability, stress, mood swings and a feeling of guilt for never being a ‘happy mom’.
Well, first of all, I understand! It’s not just you who goes through these feelings. So take a deep breath and cut yourself some slack.
However, that being said, there are always ways in which you could transform yourself into a happy mom.
(Caution – Some mothers, especially new mothers, often suffer from postpartum depression. This condition can require medical treatment. It is best to consult a qualified medical practitioner to determine if your condition needs medical treatment.
This post is not intended to be written as a substitute for therapy or treatment. It is only written to suggest ways that will work as ‘pick-me-ups’ for moms who aren’t feeling their cheerful best!)
How to be a happy mom – Simple & Effective Tips!
Start journaling
If there is one habit that has truly been a life-changer for me, it is the habit of journaling.
Journaling involves pouring out your thoughts on a piece of paper. According to the book ‘The Artists’ Way’, one should build a habit of writing 3 full pages (6 sides) of longhand, stream of consciousness writing ideally first thing every morning.
Thus, the ideal suggested way of journaling is to simply engage in a brain dump exercise. Pour out all your emotions and mental clutter on to the journal.
Don’t judge yourself while writing. Let your writing flow. Don’t go back and edit. In fact, don’t go back at all. Just write and forget about it.
You will be amazed to see how clear-headed you feel for the rest of the day. You will feel lighter, less irritated and more mentally available to deal with what life throws at you.
Now, I do understand that with motherhood getting in the way of almost all tasks that you set out to do, sitting with a notebook and a pen and finding those dedicated 20-30 minutes in the morning may not always be possible.
Therefore, the best way to go about it is to use the website 750words.com.
Why do I prefer this website over the physical act of writing?
Finding a notebook and a pen is way more difficult than finding a device that can connect to the internet.
The privacy offered by this website is way better than that offered by a notebook. The fear of someone discovering your notebook and reading your private entries often makes us conscious while writing and we don’t end up pouring out our heart.
Who can even write for 20 minutes these days? My hands start hurting within 5 minutes!
That being said, you are free to choose a journaling style that suits you and that serves the purpose of clearing your head out first thing in the morning.
Also, let me be honest with you. I can’t do this every day. But I do end up doing it about 5-6 times a week.
Secondly, I can’t always start my day with journaling. But I do make it a point to write those 750 words or 3 full pages at some other time during the day.
Practice Meditation
Meditation is a powerful tool to help anybody feel centred. A few minutes of calm and meditation will go a long way in ensuring that you do not let your emotions get the better of you.
On days when you meditate, you will feel less stressed about dealing with your share of motherhood challenges.
Another point to note here is that there is no right or wrong way to go about meditation. Meditation is all about self-discovery. It is a practice that makes you more aware of your thoughts and helps you keep a check on errant feelings that can disrupt your peace.
The best way to start with this practice is by following a guided meditation. There are plenty of apps as well as videos available online that have meditations to help you cope with various mental issues.
However, if you are short on time, can’t find a good meditation online or are comfortable being in your own company, just sit down and close your eyes.
Observe the stream of thoughts without getting involved in them or flowing along with them. Just look at these thoughts from a third-party perspective. Open your eyes whenever you feel like you have reached a place of calm or if the thoughts become too difficult to handle objectively.
The simple act of meditating even for as little as five minutes can go a long way in ensuring that you stay happy for prolonged periods of time.
Never skip a workout
Exercising or working out instantly makes you feel better. Period.
We all know that exercise releases endorphins which are in essence like a natural pain-killer released by the body. These endorphins give you a feeling of euphoria and teach your body how to deal with stress in a better way.
Therefore, including some form of exercise in your daily routine is non-negotiable.
If you have the time, money, help and resources to go to a gym or join a fitness class, please do! If not, the least you could do is spend some time working out at home.
I am a big fan of home workouts. Home workouts are the best way to burn fat without fancy equipment.
I usually do about 30 minutes of a workout either in the form of Pilates, HIIT, Dance or Yoga!
Catch up with friends
Once you are a mom, it is very easy to forget your life outside of your family.
A day feels far too short and totally packed with things to do to even consider making plans with friends.
I remember how badly my social life suffered after I had a baby. While, initially it did not feel like an issue, over a period of time the lack of socialising started impacting my mental health in ways that I wasn’t even aware of.
That is when a psychiatrist friend recommended that I start meeting people other than my family more often and that I specifically fix days for it in advance.
Right after that first afternoon out with my friends, I realised how much I had missed that side of me. Catching up with friends was a delight.
That is when I understood how interacting with outsiders and friends helped me stay more cheerful in my interactions with my family.
Of course, do not do it to such an extent that you end up feeling guilty about ignoring your kids or about leaving them far too often with other family members. But if you have completely shut out friends from your life, bring them back into your life on priority!
Hire house-help
In India, we are blessed to have easy access to the services of maids, babysitters and caretakers.
Therefore, let me repeat what I stated in my post on staying sane as a new-mom, if you have the means, hire house-help.
You need not necessarily hire someone to look after the baby. Instead, you could hire help to take up other tasks that eat up your time.
After months of trying to be a supermom, I finally let go and hired a cook. By merely relieving myself of that one task, I could manage to get one full hour of extra sleep!
Similarly, pick an area that least excites you and working on which bogs you down the most and delegate it to a house-help.
Having lesser tasks will make sure that you feel less bogged down. Consequently, you will feel more energetic and vibrant throughout the day.
Nap
As a mom, half of our irritability stems from the lack of proper sleep.
The best way to make up for it is to sleep as and when possible. Do not discount the importance of small naps.
According to a study, the perfect length of a nap is 20 minutes. 20-minute nap results in improved alertness enhanced performance and works as an instant mood booster.
So if you can’t find time to fully compensate the hours of sleep you lost during the night, at least make that up with a powerful 20-minute nap.
Set realistic expectations
The biggest reason for unhappiness of any kind is the gap between what you expect and what you get.
As a mother, we expect our kids to behave properly, to get timely help and support from our family and friends and for the world to not throw surprises at you all the time.
Unfortunately, that’s not how reality works.
Every day will be different. No matter how well you plan your day, your plans will keep getting derailed.
Your child could spill and make a mess, an appliance in the kitchen could break down, your house-help could take an unexpected leave or some other unfortunate event could make your plans go awry.
But the damage it does to your mood could be minimised if you expect these events to take place. In fact, merely preparing yourself mentally for such events will work wonders in keeping your mood great!
Get back to your hobbies
The beauty of motherhood is not a certain capability but willingness to include.
–Sadhguru
Most of the times, as a mom, we choose to distance ourselves from things we like, from activities we enjoy and from people we love.
We get so immersed into our role as a mother that everything else that once used to be an integral part of our lives takes a backseat.
However, the only unfortunate consequence of this shift is that we suffer.
Therefore, the obvious correction required is that of getting back to your hobbies.
Initially, you will probably not be able to devote as much time to it as you would like to. You may even feel guilty about chasing your joys.
But over time, you will figure out a way of finding the right balance.
You may even be able to involve your kids in your hobbies. In fact, watching your kids participate in your hobbies is immensely satisfying.
Today, when I see my little toddler cheering me up as I dance, I feel overjoyed! It works as a terrific impetus to keep working more and more on my hobbies.
Treat yourself to your favourite food
Mothers are always so caught up household chores that they rarely look forward to their meals. Mothers often end up cooking food that their kids love and more often than not, gobble up their lunches and dinners in a hurry.
That is why it is important to step back and rework your eating habits.
The least you can do for yourself is include a favourite food item in one of your meals or as a meal in itself.
Making this small change will make eating feel like less of a chore and more of a personal treat!
My quick go-to favourite snacks are a cheese grilled sandwich that I have in the evening when I feel particularly exhausted or a small scoop of my favourite ice-cream after dinner.
Final Word
Finally, what you need to remember is that you do not have to transform yourself into a whole new person simply because you are now a mother. The closer you keep yourself to your true personality, the happier you will feel.
Being a mother is about taking your kids along with you on your journey. The only way of making the journey fun and exciting for your kids is by enjoying it yourself.
At the very outset, let me make it clear that speed cleaning your home only makes it look good on the outside. The mess in your drawers, the junk in your cupboards and the heaps of unwashed dishes and laundry do not magically get cleaned up.
But as a Mumbaikar Mom, who is always on the run, I have realised one thing – Something is better than nothing.
Even a ‘superficial’ speed clean up works wonders! It gets your surfaces looking shinier and your house looking tidier!
How to speed clean your home?
How to speed clean your home
The process of speed cleaning is simple – Tidy up your house first and dust your surfaces later. Let me explain it in detail each leg of the process:
Tidy up
The process of speed cleaning begins by tidying up your entire home first. Yup you can’t start cleaning one surface till everything is placed back where it should be.
Ideally, start this process with the living room. If you find something in the living room that is not where it should be, quickly put it back in place.
The most important point to be noted here is to not step out of the living room till the living room has been completely tidied up.
So if you find things in the living room that belong to the bedroom, just place them in a pile in one corner of the living room.
The other important instruction for you here is to not get carried away. Do not start digging through the mess in your drawers and cupboards while you are speed cleaning. Leave that for the day when you plan to deep clean. For now, only look at items that are visibly out of place such as pillows that are out of order or an empty cup next to the sofa or toys lying on the floor etc.
Once you are done with the living room, pick up the pile of stuff that belongs to the bedroom and target to clean up the bedroom next.
Begin first by putting everything in that pile back in its place. Once that is done, tidy up the bedroom the same way in which you tidied up the living room.
Continue this process of tidying up one room at a time.
Dust all surfaces
Once you are through with the process of tidying up, start dusting the entire house.
Again, the thumb rule is to do it one room at a time.
Also, whichever room you select, make sure you clean either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Sticking to a specific direction will help you to stay focussed and cover your entire house.
Your goal is to only dust the surfaces and not do a deep clean. So do not use this time to mop the floor or clean the fans or vacuum under the sofas.
Please reserve that for the day when you choose to deep-clean your entire house.
Time Taken
Since I live in Mumbai where the houses are really small, the entire process of tidying up and dusting does not take me more than 15 minutes.
However, I do admit that initially, when I started speed cleaning the home, it used to take me longer. Now I am used to the process and the regular speed cleaning also cuts down on the time required to dust surfaces.
But if you live in cities where you get to live in bigger houses, factor some more time to your daily routine. If you live in a villa (lucky you!), you could divide your house into zones and only do one zone per day instead of cleaning the entire house.
Additional tips
Set a 20-minute timer and then start the speed cleaning process. Setting up a timer helps me massively in ensuring that I stick to the routine. Do not get distracted or take up any other tasks during this process.
The best time to clean this way is first thing in the morning provided you wake up before your kids do. The act of cleaning in the morning will put you in a good mood for the rest of the day. Plus, the chances of you procrastinating on the task of cleaning also reduce.
Leave the other tasks of mopping, washing utensils, etc. to the maid (We are so blessed to have them in India). If you begin to start doing all the work yourself, you will never find time to work or look after the kids.
Teach the entire process to your husband too so that he sticks to it. As I had mentioned in my post on tips to help you stay sane as a new mom, take help of your partner. Do not attempt to do everything on your own. Share the responsibility of cleaning your home with your partner. My husband and I have split chores between the two of us and my husband does this quick clean up on weekends.
Understand that the cleaning will not leave your house looking brand new and sparkling clean. Yes, there will be plenty of areas in your house that would remain untackled. But all the visible areas will definitely look neater and cleaner. In fact, just a simple clean-up of the house using this method will also make your house much safer for your kids to run and crawl around.
I saw a huge difference in the way my house looked within a few days of regularly speed cleaning. In fact, if you clean your house regularly, cleaning up would start taking lesser time for you and you would no longer have to push the task to a day when you have free time.
(Insider info – I usually speed clean my home while I let the milk boil in the kitchen. I hate standing endlessly in front of it waiting for it to boil. So I use that time to make my house look fantastic!)
I am a mommy to a beautiful little girl! Being a hardcore Mumbaikar, I use various time-saving and effort-saving hacks to strike a great balance between my mom-life, home-life and work-life.
If you too would like to simplify your life, read my parenting tips and product guides.
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The book written by Katrina Villegas is a quick-read. It is a short 60-page book. What this means is that the author comes straight to the point without any fluff at all. 
