“It was a nightmare for me when my child started crying in pain in the middle of the night. She had just recovered from fever and I didn’t know what to do or whom to call at that hour. It somehow struck me to browse the internet for a remedy and luckily I was able to identify the method to soothe her and it really worked out,” recollects Lakshmy Rajendran, who has been a ‘net mum’ since she conceived. New moms have turned to Internet as their best friend, whom they can rely on for every query, advice or suggestion.
Being a net mum has transformed parenting from a worrying experience to an enriching one. There are numerous web sites that offer a plethora of information on every milestone of a child’s growth, let it be any stage—from infancy to adolescence. “These websites have always helped me, whenever I faced a problematic situation with my child, they came in handy and I would recommend it to all, especially those who are rearing their child alone,” avers Lakshmy.
With sections on each phase, right from breastfeeding, potty training to weaning a child; confused parents can easily browse through to find solutions to their doubts. Sites such as babycentre, parentingnation, momjunction, to name a few; give a summary of how a child grows physically and mentally at each stage. Listing out the developmental milestones, it helps a parent understand the changes in a child as he or she enters a new cycle of growth.
“When you are raising a child, there is always a cloud of doubt on how your each step is impacting your kid. Especially when you have elders around you, the suggestions are many and you are tired and confused by the end of the day. Such sites come to your rescue, helping you make the right choice as the information is supported by facts and there is data available ,” states Shreya Sasidharan, who reads up on her child’s growth cycle month-wise. Even for all those who are excited to enter motherhood, the sites throw light on the dos and don’ts during pregnancy, week by week, making them aware of their transformation as a mother. “The entire phase is a new experience and we are always curious about the changes within the body. These sites give cues on weekly changes and developments and we get to know ourselves better. Especially there are forums where expectant mothers share their concerns, apprehensions, fear and anxiety; which we can easily relate to and feel secure,” says Nitya Vivek, who is enjoying her first trimester.
The sites are a boon to expectant fathers, too. They understand what a woman goes through, her needs, emotions and changes within. “We get to know how a baby grows inside, how the organs develop; also it helps me understand my wife better. I can take care of her needs, especially the nourishment, by knowing the vital ingredients to be included at each stage. It also guides in brushing aside all the superstitious beliefs attached, which are otherwise blindly followed in houses,” affirms Jabseel A. C., an expectant father.
As they say, every coin has both sides; a few experienced mothers claim that too much information available can easily deceive the expectant parents. “When my sister was pregnant, she used to come up with all sorts of doubts and conclusions after reading these sites. Since she used to share it, I was able to advise her whenever needed. Being well-informed is good, but blindly believing everything without discussing with any anyone can be dangerous,” asserts Divya Vijayan, mother of a 10-year-old.
Even doctors warn their patients about the authenticity of data available online. “Most of my patient’s parents are Internet dependent and it is a good trend.Being knowledgeable is very much needed as it helps doctors in making the parents understand different medical conditions. But the problem arises when they understand only a little and form opinions. It all depends on the education and IQ of the parents to understand what is implied,” says Amit Kumar, a consultant paediatrician. Supporting the same views, another Kochi-based paediatrician and neonatologist K. M. Anand adds, “The trend is very useful as it makes our job easier in convincing the parents about the dos and don’ts. Parents approach us with all their queries and it is our duty to guide them if they are wrong. It’s a technology driven age and we should avail of its benefits.”
