Milk & Formula

short fiction | motherhood

The baby is hungry, she declared.  

No it can't be that he's bored, he won't cry like that, she said.

Even if you fed him an hour ago I think he is hungry, she said.

I know its been 35 years but I have raised two boys myself, she contended.

See, you should always feed the baby before he cries, she said.

I used to feed M at least twice every hour -- they need energy to hold their head up you know, she stated.

Just nurse him and see if he stops crying, I will go to my room, she said.

Don't eat too many greens, the baby's stomach won't be able to handle it, she used to say.

Also don't eat fried foods -- I know its been five months but baby's stomach is still delicate, she would say.

Have caraway seeds with fennel at least twice a day; don't eat bread, stay away from peanuts, and make sure you're eating that pumpkin curry I make, she'd say.

Don't have too many nuts, okay, it creates gas for the baby, she'd call out.

Did he feed, she asked.

Oh he didn't drink much is it, she repeated.

He is a growing boy you know, I think he should have formula at least twice a day, she said.

Because, I think your milk won't be sufficient for him, she declared. 

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