Anaya felt nervous as she left her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Nirav, at her mother’s house and booked a cab. This was the first time she was leaving him for someone else to look after, and being away for four days made her uneasy. She kept wondering if he would cry for her, even though he was very close to his grandmother.

Her friend Anisha’s advice rang in her ears: “Do it for yourself, Anaya. You also need a break from being a full-time mom.” And it was true. Since her pregnancy, Anaya’s whole life had revolved around her baby, leaving no time for herself.