Parenting Archives — Page 3 of 5

When to start reading to your baby?

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby? Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy … Continue reading “When to start reading to your baby?”

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby?

Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy we should start reading good books and listening nice music and shlokas. This was because your baby starts listening you from the womb.

Sharing few tips for reading to your child as per her age:

0-3 months your baby is small, not able to sit. You can hold your baby and read and talk to her, sing her rhymes.

3-6 months babies start looking at objects and can see & understand different shapes as well as pictures. They tend to touch different surfaces in order to explore and so you can use nice picture books with varying textures.

6-12 months babies start sitting alone and love to explore more. They will try to hold the book and most probably try to eat it too. Try getting colorful hardbound books with small words and pictures during this time.

1-2 year baby is now big enough to hold books and choose his/her favorite book from their mini library. They can now flip papers of her book and ask you to read. They would love to ask questions to you from the book and start recognizing the books’ pictures with objects and living beings around them and often would let you know what they saw in the book.

You can always try doing small activities with them, asking to bring the items shown in picture from objects around them. Match fruits and vegetables, animals and toys & so on.

3+ babies can ask you to tell a story that is there in the books and ask you many questions related to the story. You can start with numbers and letters recognizing and counting objects in the books. You can start with good habits books and books related to the school and family/ friends, as they would love to hear about the activities happening around them and enjoy creating their own stories.

How reading helps your baby

Reading books helps your baby recognize sounds and rhythm.

Reading is a fun activity that creates a bond with the baby and comforts him/her..

You can make a schedule for reading books at night or during the day.

Reading regularly to babies helps in improving language skills and they show interest in reading when they start preschool.

Reading with actions and singing attract them and they learn to show and let you know, how they feel, what they see and so on. It helps babies communicate better.

What kind of books to choose?

For babies you can choose cloth books and touch & feel books.

For toddler’s you can try books with different sounds and fold-outs, when they can see different surprises as they open the folds or press the object.

Toddlers start learning from their surrounding and show interest in the objects around them, so you can get them body parts books, fruits-vegetables books, animal story books.

Preschool kids love listening to rhymes and doing small activities while reading books. So you can get books of small stories with pictures.

Kids later start showing their interest in long stories and learning numbers and the alphabet so you can get story books and learning books.

I have a toddler and she loves reading books, and while I was searching for new books, I found about Neev academy and their Literature festival.

Neev academy is organizing a literature festival, which is happening in Bangalore on 28th and 29th of September. It is a children’s literature festival with the intention to celebrate books and the love of reading. The second day is open to all parents, students or anyone who loves to read.

Distinguished authors and speakers are coming in for various reading, writing, storytelling workshops and panel discussions. It would be great to be part of this festival and learn more from the authors and speakers.

I have one more good news for all of you, they are organizing Neev Book Awards 2018 for distinguished children’s literature.

They aim to recognize outstanding writing that leads to a fuller understanding of India, Indian lives and Indian stories. The nominated entries can be viewed at http://neevliteraturefestival.org/awards.

The best part is that it’s completely free. One can view the program schedule on their website: http://neevliteraturefestival.org/

So, what are you waiting for? It’s a great way to introduce your child to the world of books and enjoy learning with fun.

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How weekend breaks helps!!

There are a number of ways taking a quick weekend away can benefit your health. Taking leisure time can led to experiencing more positive frame of mind, stress-free attitude, less depression and more satisfaction.

WHEN WE HAVE EACH OTHER WE HAVE EVERYTHING!!

Weekend is the best way to give a pause to your busy life and enjoy your special moments with family..

Mommy and baby enjoying beautiful morning

Sometimes you just want to relax and spend some time with family. Never let your work life affect your family life…so take a break every weekend or at least once in a month and have a long ride?

How weekend getaway helps you!

It helps you both physically and mentally improving your productivity at work and happy relationship…?

Morning track in a national park and then relaxing in a stream of fresh water

Benefits of weekend gateways

Benefits start even before you visit any place or do anything i.e. even with a thought of getaway or holiday boosts your happiness. This is my personal experience as well as results of scientific study.
Screen free time as when you are out for holidays, we enjoy the place and company and most of the time no network really helps?.
Daddy and baby enjoying the view
When you are free from your cellphone and laptop your brain and eyes are also stress free and they are also on relax mode.
Out of home means no kitchen, no cooking ? so you have more couple time, family time and you enjoy food together.

You can have more of outdoor activities with kids as most of the time we are busy with home and office work.
When you are on holidays you do more of physical activity and it’s more of your body exercise ?.

Fun time with Kid & beautiful Colosseum at back

You get free from all tension and get solution to most of your problems as after holidays you are all positive and stress free and you can concentrate proper in your work life.

Tips to plans a nice weekend gateway

Selecting a place according to your mood, whether you want a relaxing holiday or full of adventure or if not outstation then as per your interest.
Depends on ones interest – they can plan to watch a play ( I am talking about live performance ) or visit an exhibition or a movie or if possible go and watch your favourite team’s match.
Or just to relax one can pamper themselves with some nice Spa session and beauty session.

If planning outstation then one of the most important part after deciding where to go is selecting the best accommodation.
Always keep in mind the location should be near to all places you want to visit. Otherwise you would end up most of the time in traveling from hotel to places.
If you are traveling with kids/toddlers having a room with kitchen works best, as you can anytime access kitchen for kids.

Dadu dadi with granddaughter having good time at archaeological site

If you don’t want to spend too much money on lodging then definitely go for home stays through airbnb or any other website.
Recently we have a wonderful stay at Silver Brook Estate, Coorg and Ivorycoast’e, Kannur. These are both home stay’s and have kitchen facilities with helpers, you’ll feel home away from home at such places ( Would share proper detail of places soon ).

Kids enjoying the sun and having some fun

Keeping the luggage light, yes I know with a baby you have lot and lot of stuff to carry but try keeping only the essentials for the trip. Less luggage means less stress before, on and after a holiday as less things to pack – unpack, less things to take care of this means more free time in hand and relaxed mind.

Always carry good sunscreen lotion and mosquito repellent for you and kids (for some really good & natural baby products click here). I have been using Mamaearth natural mosquito repellent and Mamaearth baby sunscreen.
Planning to visit all places before traveling, saves your time and helps you finding the best location as per the places you have planned to visit.
If you have infant or toddler then baby carriers are must have. kids are so relaxed and comfortable in carriers that they allow you to enjoy the place and you also have your hands free to do other stuff like taking some amazing pics.

Daddy enjoying beautiful sea and baby sleeping comfortably in her carrier

Check my other post on baby carriers – Strength and Bonding

If possible try visiting some new places and avoid going to crowded places, in our recent trip we explored some really nice places that was not listed as tourist attraction but was worth visiting.
Always carry some snacks while traveling and keep having something every few hours. It gives you energy to enjoy more on your trip.

There is nothing wrong in a lazy beach vacation but physical activity helps oneself unwind more effectively then lounging does.

Hope these tips helps you plan some more gateways and revive yourself having family bonding time. I am taking my Alexa rank to next level with Blogchatter #MyFriendAlexa

All Pic are from our trips.

Cochlear-Hear Your Way!

#MyFriendAlexa This is in continuation with my blog Importantance of hearing screening for newborns. As I have already introduce Cochlear implants to you, let me share some more details for Cochlear implants. Before we start this in detail we need to understand How hearing works? Our Ears have three sections Outer Ear that catches sound … Continue reading “Cochlear-Hear Your Way!”

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This is in continuation with my blog Importantance of hearing screening for newborns. As I have already introduce Cochlear implants to you, let me share some more details for Cochlear implants.

Before we start this in detail we need to understand

How hearing works?

Our Ears have three sections

Outer Ear that catches sound waves and send to middler ear.
Middle Ear transfers the sound waves in the air to mechanical pressure waves that are transfer to fluid in the inner ear.
Inner ear ( Cochlea ) then converts the pressure waves into sound signals that our brain understands.

So basically what happens is

Sound waves enters the ear canal and strikes the eardrum.

With effects of these sound waves the ear drum and the three bones know as ossicles with the middle ear vibrate.
With the effect of vibration moving in the inner ear fluid, the tiny hait cells present in the cochlea detects the movement and change them into chemical signal that can be taken by hearing nerve.
Then these hearing nerves transfer the signals to brain with electrical impulses and their these signals are interpreted as sounds.
Sharing a quick video of this for better understanding.

Now the question is what is Cochlear Implant?

Cochlear implant is an electronical medical device that replace the function of damaged iner ear cochlea and send sound signals to the brain.

How Cochlear Implants works?

Their is two parts of Cochlear Implant.

Sound processor worn outside the ear and it contains microphone, batteries and this can be attached with cloths for small babies.
Implant this is actual implant and is placed inside ear through small surgery.

Coming to how implant works..

Sound processor that is worn behind ear captures sound and turns it into digital codes.
Then the sound processor transfer the digital codes to the coil on the outside of the head to the implant.
Then the cochlear implant converts the digitally coded sounds into electrical impulses and send them along the electrode erray placed in the inner ear.
Here the implant electrodes stimulate the Cochlea hearing nerve, which send the impulses to the brain and then they are interpreted as sounds.
Here is a small video for easy understanding.

What age a child can get a Cochlear Implant?

How early you get to know about the baby hear loss ,you can cinscon your doctor and with proper test and cinfconfirmat of level of hearing loss, Cochlear implants can be done with 12 months of age.

How long is the Cochlear Implant surgery?

Surgery takes three to four hours. During the operation a small incision is made behind the ear and internal device know as receiver stimulator is places under the skin and is secured to the child’s skull.

Why one should have Cochlear Implant?

It is better then a normal hearing aid- Hearing aid amplify sounds and cochlear implant channel sound to bypass the damaged part of the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerves. The implant generates signals and send to auditory nerve and then it is send to brain, where they are recognized as sounds .
Understanding of full sentences is better with cochlear implants the hearing aids.
They can hear better in table meetings, crowded places and restaurants.
Talk and hear on phones and can enjoy music.
They feel more safe with cochlear implants as now they can hear alarms, approaching vehicles and traffic.
Newborns start normal development and start connecting with their family members and other people as now they can hear them and respond back.

Points to take care

Cost- yes this is really important point as these implants are bit costly so one can choose from the different model and contact them for better price.
Taking care the device should not get hit by any hard object.
Protection from water- but now they are coming up with new device which can be worn for swimming too.
Maintenance – changing batteries and wires.
Takes times and proper training to get used to with sound through device, as sounds are translated through device first and may sound unnatural, but for newborns its good as they start hearing through this and learn this way.

Cochlear has come up with new Nucleus 7 which can be connected and control directly from your smartphones.

How Nucleus 7 is helpful for parents?

With new smart phone app now parents are able to monitor important aspects of child’s sound processor usage.
Parents can monitor the battery life of sound processor and current status of device,feeling confident about functioning of device.
Parents can now track the time in speech and coils off with the hearing tracker.
They can locate the missing processor with find my processor feature in app.
They can minimize any time child spend without sounds.

My words

I feel cochlear implant is such a nice way to bring your baby back to her normal development as without sound they are not able to connect with surroundings. Yes main concern is for surgery and costing as getting this implant is costlier and not everyone can afford. Hoping government comes up with better easy schemes that anyone can afford getting this implant. Do share your views on this.

Here are some words from happy family of Cochlear implants.

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Importance of hearing screening by Cochlear

#MyFriendAlexa Hearing screening yes this is as important as any vaccination provided to your newborn baby. We are not so aware about this as it is not a compulsory test in Indian hospitals. But I am happy to see now private hospitals are taking initiative in new-born screening. This test is now included in compulsory test … Continue reading “Importance of hearing screening by Cochlear”

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Hearing screening yes this is as important as any vaccination provided to your newborn baby. We are not so aware about this as it is not a compulsory test in Indian hospitals. But I am happy to see now private hospitals are taking initiative in new-born screening. This test is now included in compulsory test for newborns.

We had this test for our baby girl at Apollo Cradle, in starting few days. I was really tensed when the doctor said they are not getting response so they need to do test again. After one month, thankfully she started responding soon and we were happy as no such test happened again.

But as I was unaware of these test and all details, I decided to learn more about this and share with all new moms. Let’s discuss more about hearing screening and related details.

What is newborn hearing screening?

New born hearing screening focus on identifying hearing loss at early stage. As we all know knowing the problem at early stage is better so that we can get proper solution as soon as possible. Hearing screening can be done as early as starting few days and if any hearing loss is detected further test can be done. We can get confirmation for the level of hearing loss and can start the treatment and early intervention as soon as possible.

Sharing a small video to know how hearing works in my next blog.

Early Intervention refers to therapy and other services provided to babies and family that may help with hearing loss and learning important communication skills.

Now the question is what is hearing loss?

A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing is said to have hearing loss. It can vary in severity. A peep with mild hearing loss may find it difficult to understand conversations in noisy places such as restaurant. Someone with moderate hearing loss has difficulty understanding regular conversation unless voices are raised. Others who have severe hearing loss are unable to hear even very loud sounds close to there ears.

What causes hearing loss among newborns?

Family history
Infection suffered by the mother during pregnancy
Premature birth
Lack of oxygen at the time of birth
Severe jaundice soon after birth.

How is newborn hearing screening done?

We need to do it as soon as possible,as early the hearing loss is discovered, treatment can begin and baby can get back to normal language and development.

There are two types of screening test that may be used for newborns.

Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) – This test measures how the hearing nerves respond to the sounds. Some tones and clicks are played through soft earphones into baby’s ears and three electrodes are placed on baby’s head measures the hearing nerves response.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) – This test measures sound waves produced in the inner ear. A tiny probe is placed just inside the baby’s ear canal. It measures the response when the clicks or tones are played into baby ears.

What is the next step if the baby not pass the hearing test?

It is possible at time baby not pass the hearing screening at birth as in my case too. But that does not necessarily mean that baby had hearing loss. In fact most of the babies do not pass the hearing test and have normal hearing afterwards, their can be many reason like baby might get fluids inside ear at the time of delivery.

So to be sure, we need to take proper further testing and hearing evaluation with a medical evaluation. Make sure these test are done before baby is three months old, so that if their is any hear loss, treatment can be started as soon as possible and baby can meet all round development at time.

What to be done, when hearing loss is confirmed?

Now when you get confirmation with hearing loss,it is important to know the type and level of hearing loss the baby has. You need to consult good and experienced Audiologist, Otolaryngologist (ear/nose/and throat doctor) and pediatrician. As some babies with hearing loss and have some effects on vision also,so proper test is important.

Audiologist will help you with special hearing test and therapy needed and if the hearing loss is permanent, hearing aid and therapy might be recommended for your baby.

Mom’s with Brett Lee – Global Hearing Ambassador of Cochlear’s

I was really happy to attend this informative session by Cochlear India knowing the importance of new born hearing screening. As most of us are unaware of the fact that out of 1000 babies 1 to 3 are born with some degree of hearing loss. So as earlier we can detect the problem we can start treatment with early intervention.

It feel so good to see Brett Lee Cochlear first Global hearing ambassador . He has been spearheading ‘Sound of cricket’ campaign to raise awareness about the various impacts hearing loss can have on individual life and family. He is actively participating and spreading awareness and giving his personal time and attention, going and attending all government hospitals and meeting all patients.

Covering full details for Cochlear implant in my next blog.?

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Benefits of sitting on floor and eating with hand

#MyFriendAlexa Nowadayswe have culture of sitting on dining table and eating with fork and spoon, same we are following with our children. But have we ever thought why our traditional way of eating was actually sitting on floor and eating with hands! Our elders also used to sit on floor and eat with hands. So … Continue reading “Benefits of sitting on floor and eating with hand”

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Nowadayswe have culture of sitting on dining table and eating with fork and spoon, same we are following with our children. But have we ever thought why our traditional way of eating was actually sitting on floor and eating with hands! Our elders also used to sit on floor and eat with hands.

So today I was listening to Dr. Rhutuja and can’t agree more, every word she said was true and just want to share the same with you all.

Nowadays we have nice and costly high chairs for our kids, and from starting we let them sit on high chairs with food and most of the time they are on chairs or sofas. Slowly this becomes their habit and they will not sit down on floor. Let’s discuss how this changing lifestyle affects our kids heath in long-term.

Benefits of sitting down and eating:

1. Yoga posture (Sukhasana)

Our traditional way of sitting on floor while having food and if you have noticed while doing yoga also we sit on floor, so it’s a two-way benefits as you are doing yoga also while eating (sukhasana).

2. Easy Digestion

While sitting on floor and eating we tend to move forward and bend to eat and by this way we helps our abdomen muscles in secreting digestive juices which helps in easy digestion of food.

3. Strengthen Lumbar region

Sitting down and eating helps kids maintaining good body posture, opening their hip-joint and giving more flexibility to their pelvis and legs and strengthen their lumbar region of the body.

4. Family bonding

It’s not only kids will sit and eat, as a family you all have to sit down together and eat. This will help in some family bonding time also.

5. Improves Blood circulation

It helps in improving blood circulation by relaxing the nerves and calms your body, that helps in easy digestion too. As when you sit on chair your blood circulation is directed towards feet and while sitting in crossed legs position heart receive proper blood circulation.

6. Eating with hands

While sitting down we should also teach them eating with hands then with spoon/forks. Traditionally we eat with our all fingers as per ayurveda our five fingers are the extension of five natural elements ( will discuss it in my next blog ). While eating with five fingers it energies the food and helps to keep all pranas balanced.

7. Flexible

When your kids body is easy and flexible while sitting on floor, sitting on chair is not be hard. But if you let your kid only sit on chair every time it will be hard for them to get flexible and sit comfortably on floor.

For encouraging kids we need to step forward and set an example for them, they love to do what we do so why not share some good habits that we had from our elders.

Sleep peacefully

Sleep Peacefully Bangalore is a beautiful place with lovely weather. Anyone would love and wish to stay here, but every good thing has some drawbacks too. Everyday changing weather is not so good for our little ones and catching cold is so easy, when the weather is so confusing. We are living on the top … Continue reading “Sleep peacefully”

Sleep Peacefully

Bangalore is a beautiful place with lovely weather. Anyone would love and wish to stay here, but every good thing has some drawbacks too. Everyday changing weather is not so good for our little ones and catching cold is so easy, when the weather is so confusing. We are living on the top floor of our building and it’s usually warm the whole day and cool in the morning and night and my girl just doesn’t want to cover herself with a blanket during the night. As a result, we have to wake up in the middle of the night as she is unable to sleep with a blocked nose, since babies are obligatory nose breather, and then we all are sleep deprived and drowsy the next day with a cranky baby and tired mommy. Thankfully, I discussed this problem with my doctor and she suggested using saline nasal drops. Saline drops are safe and can be used by anyone as a first line of treatment.

Let me share some helpful information for saline nasal drops and some quick mommy tips:

Nasivision can be used as first line treatment as it is safe to use.
Nasivion saline dosage should be checked before giving for babies and kids.

Directions to use Nasivion – (consult your paediatrician before using the product)

for 0-1 years : Nasivion® Mini 0.01% Nose Drops – Up to the age of 4 weeks, instill 1 drop of the solution into each nostril 2-3 times per day. From the 5th week of life until the age of 1 year, instill 1-2 drops into each nostril 2-3 times per day or as directed by the physician.

for 1-6 years : Nasivion® Child 0.025% Nose Drops – 1-2 drops into each nostril 2-3 times per day or as directed by the physician.

Nasal saline drops can be used for both kids and adults too.
If the cold is more you can consult doctor for further treatment.
But this is really effective when your baby is so cranky and not able to sleep peacefully.
Try putting a blanket once your baby is in deep sleep.
Or for the ones like me who knows mommy is acting smart and wake up as soon as mommy try putting blanket, we make her wear full night suits or double cotton layer as per climate.
Always consult your doctor before giving any medicine to your baby, we all share what works best for us and baby so i am sharing mine. Hope this is helpful for all my mommy friends.
take care babies and sleep peacefully.

All mommies take care of your little ones, try including healthy diet according to season as it helps to build good immunity and they don’t catch cold easily. Hope my little tips is helpful for all.

You can get more information here

And you can get more information about happy nose,happy mom here

PS.- Every child and body is different, so checking with your pediatrician is a good before giving any medicine.

KiddieHug- Cloth Diapering Made Easy

Cloth diaper is such an important part of my parenting journey, as it has provided me with great knowledge and sharing my bit towards environment. Most of all keeping my baby chemical free, and it keep inspiring me to share stories of all moms whom I admire as a part of my cloth diapering journey!! … Continue reading “KiddieHug- Cloth Diapering Made Easy”

Let me introduce you to one more mom Dhivya Sidharth from kiddie hug , who has grown as a mother and an entrepreneur with great knowledge of cloth diapering.

Let’s have some words from her , how she started her cloth diapering journey and became an entrepreneur.

“December 14, 2016 is the day I’ll cherish for lifetime! It was the day I brought into this world a little life, our bundle of joy Aadheerkh.

And diapering topped the list among all other postpartum challenges!
I was so worried with the chemicals touching the baby’s skin!
Five months went through and then I landed in Cloth diapers through a friend. It was a whole new concept and wondered even if they existed!
This brought much of interest in me and I started researching about the different types and started recommending the diapers to my friends and relatives. I had to leave my job (Assistant professor) to take care of my boy and eventually a business idea struck!
I started a small multi-branded online store for cloth diapers in December 2017.
Having dealt with many brands and like-minded moms, I understood their actual need and designed my own diapers.

Thus KiddieHug was born!
I successfully launched my brand website on 24 June 2018.”

Know as you all know about our new brand KiddieHug , so we have two types of diapers in kiddie hug.

ALL IN ONE ( ready to wear ) – comes in two types of outer fabric PUL and Minky soft.
POCKET DIAPERS also comes in two types of outer fabric PUL and Minky soft.
INSERTS – with pocket diapers you need to use different type of inserts, bamboo, charcoal insert and hemp.
All inserts have different absorbance capacity.

Some more details of KiddieHug diapers

Features of KiddieHug diapers :

- They are easy-to-use diapers – take a clean diaper and snap it on the baby (very close to disposable diapers) and you are free for hours.
- KiddieHug diapers are very comfortable to babies of all sizes and shapes. They fit babies with weight 4-17kgs.
- They keep the baby stay-dry and comfortable with premium quality fabrics. Narrow crotch, 4-level sizing make the diapers very trim.
- They have super cute prints.
- Most importantly, they are father/daycare friendly diapers. Anyone can learn easily as they are very simple and hassle free.
- Easy to use similar to disposable diapers just this is fabric that’s good for your baby skin, just take a clean and washed diaper and snap on the baby and you are free for few hours .
- Quality of fabric used is really good and keep baby dry and happy .
- Real cost saver – A set of 15 diapers (Rs. 900*15 = 13,500) can replace the disposable diapers that a baby uses for 2.5 years. Roughly if a baby uses 6 disposable diapers per day, (6 diapers per day *365 days per year*2.5 until potty training* Rs = Rs. 54,750)
- Best of all its eco-friendly and saves earth from all disposable diapers .

They have eco-friendly packing too , that can be reused for daily use.
You can connect with their support group for all your cloth diapering questions and more details KiddieHug Cloth Diapering Circle
KiddieHug Cloth Diapering Circle

Enjoying Cloth Diapering made easy by KiddieHug ?

Lactation: myths, facts & diet

As soon as you know you are going to be a mother soon, you are showered with lots of advices about what to eat what not to eat. What is good for you and your baby. Often new mother get confused what is right or wrong for her and baby. Let’s have some points on … Continue reading “Lactation: myths, facts & diet”

As soon as you know you are going to be a mother soon, you are showered with lots of advices about what to eat what not to eat. What is good for you and your baby.

Often new mother get confused what is right or wrong for her and baby.

Let’s have some points on this topic what is good for a new mom and her baby.

Your health depends on what you eat and drink and your child’s nutrition starts right from the womb!! So it’s really important for any pregnant woman to EAT RIGHT and HEALTHY, to avoid maternal and child complications during and post delivery.

Let me clear one most prevailing myth i.e. “you should eat for two now!!!”

No that’s not needed, you should eat how much you want to less or more, it’s your body you knows how much food you and your baby need.

Important point to remember are:

Balanced healthy diet is most important, especially the micro nutrients like fiber, fluids, vitamins and minerals
Regular exercise (as per your doctor’s suggestion)
Physical active lifestyle
Stress free mind

All these points keeps you healthy and helps you in prevention of pregnancy disorders like:

High maternal weight gain
Gestational diabetes
Pre-term delivery
Big baby and many such complications that can affect lactation part a big way

To avoid all such complications it’s important that pregnant woman and her family understand how much the DIET is equally important as any medications and supplements.

Good quality antenatal diet helps in production of good quality breast milk post delivery!!

Diet post delivery:

First it’s most important to know-

“Exclusive Breastfeeding is not a choice, it’s a responsibility!!”

Exclusive Breastfeeding is mandatory for new born, irrespective of the mode of delivery and the post delivery diet. What is lagging today’s scenario is women’s self determination and busy life to do exclusive breastfeeding.

Diet during Lactation, common facts and myths.

Myths–

A LSCS mother would not be able to breastfeed because she was nil stomach
Water intake should be strictly restricted for the mother
Mother should not eat pulses, certain veggies and fruits which may affect the baby’s health and digestion
Certain food indulge in LSCS suture healing
Plenty of ghee based and dry fruits desserts will enhance milk production

Facts:

Any new mother can do exclusive breastfeeding irrespective of her mode of delivery and her diet status
Plenty of fluids is mandatory for the mother to enough hydrated to do feeding 24/7
Balanced diet of all food groups is mandatory to keep the mother away from constipation, to cope up with blood loss, to be nutritionally healthy enough to nurture one more life

Lactation Foods :

Plenty of protein based foods like pulses, legumes
4-5 liter of fluids per day excluding juices
Iron rich foods like GLV, ragi, soya, pomegranate, watermelon, poha etc.
Milk and milk products, 1ltr / day
It’s important to avoid more of simple carbs to avoid mother taking additional calories
No dieting till the mother completes 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding

( you can find good organic products here )

Lactation Golden Rules :

Exclusive breast feeding till 6 months of age and continue till one year minimum and if possible 2-2.5 years
No formula milk or cow’s milk till one year of baby’s age
Never use feeding bottle

These were some really good and important points get to know in the discussion with doctors at Apollo Cradle

Hope this helps all new mothers. Coming soon with breast feeding positions for new moms.

Breast-Milk- The Liquid Gold

When you become a mom you had a beautiful bonding with your baby from the womb , as the little one takes her first breath outside your womb the first thing your baby wants is the liquid gold from her mom. Yes those few drops of breast milk from her mom is precious, it’s the … Continue reading “Breast-Milk- The Liquid Gold”

When you become a mom you had a beautiful bonding with your baby from the womb , as the little one takes her first breath outside your womb the first thing your baby wants is the liquid gold from her mom.

Yes those few drops of breast milk from her mom is precious, it’s the liquid gold!

Breastfeeding is so important for every mom and baby and creating awareness for importance of breastfeeding is much-needed today.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August all over the globe to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

Apollo Cradle taking initiative by creating awareness and educating people about the importance of breastfeeding.

It was a great experience where Dr. Aparna Jha cleared our doubts and helps us understand more about the benefits of breastfeeding and Dr. Srividya and Dr. Mohanieshwari help us with proper knowledge of nutrition during Lactation and best position for feeding baby while C-section.

Speakers:
Dr. Aparna Jha, Sr. Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician.
Dr. Srividya, Nutritionist and lactation expert.
Dr. Mohanieshwari, physiotherapist , Child birth

Some really good points doctors take in the discussion and would love to get them pinned here for all.

Stages and types of Breast milk

colostrum yellow colour milk which secretes in the first three days after delivery.

It is rich in IGA antibodies which has anti-infective actions.
Lactoferrin,which is immunomodulator, also has tropic action on intestinal growth.
Casein having anti-adhesive property.
Oligosaccharides- prevents bacterial attachment.
Cytokines- Anti-inflammatory.

Foremilk and Hindmilk- milk which starts secreting after three days of delivery.

Rich in carbohydrates, fats, proteins, growth factors, enzymes and nucleotide.

Benefits of breast milk to the infant:

Best possible nutrition to infant.
Reduces the chances of chronic disorders like insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, childhood cancer , obesity and overweight, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease.
Reduces the chance of acute infection like diarrhea, otitis media, urinary tract infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, septicemia, infant botulism.
Exclusive breastfeeding for more than six months is an independent predictor of better medical health through childhood and adolescence.
It also improves the cognitive development of the baby, studies have shown Breast fed babies have better IQ then non-breast fed babies.

Benefits of Breast milk to the Mother during Lactation:

Skin to skin contact of the mother and the baby increases the bonding.
Breastfeeding releases oxytocin hormones, which helps in reducing the size of uterus faster and thus reduce bleeding post-delivery.
Breastfeeding also releases prolactin hormones which keeps the mother relaxed and helps her to sleep better.
Breastfeeding enhances the weight loss post delivery.

Long term health benefits for mother:

Reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer
Also reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
Reduces the severity of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis.

Contra-Indication of breastfeeding :

There is no absolute contra-indication of breastfeeding.
Relative contra-indication are – HIV positive status of the mother, full-blown active tuberculosis and herpes infection of the nipples site.

Now as we all know now days there are lot of people who are ready to give free advice to a new mom, and their comes lots of myths too. Let’s know what doctor have to say about the myths.

Myths about breastfeeding:

colostrum should be discarded well it the power House of immunity and should definitely be provided to baby.
Even after breastfeeding baby cries because it is not getting enough milk -baby cries does not always mean hungry baby, it generally cries for warmth of mother
Baby needs water apart from breast milk – mother foremilk contains enough water and so baby does not need any kind of external fluid for its healthy survival.
Mother cannot breastfeed when she is sick – mother may breast-feed even when she is sick.
Mother has to stop breastfeeding if she conceives mother can continue breastfeed just taking care of her nutrition.

This discussion is endless with lot more points to be cleared and I was feeling really good to got this chance to learn more about breastfeeding and spreading a word through my blog.

Would love to share details about breastfeeding position and nutrition diet that should be given to every mother after delivery.

Stay tuned for my next blog?

Multigrain coconut Jaggery cookies

Now my girl is grown up from baby to toddler and she loves munching on cookies and I am happy , she enjoys them and just make sure she had some healthy munching when mom and Adya both are happy ?. So we made one more healthy cookies for her and mommy daddy too. We … Continue reading “Multigrain coconut Jaggery cookies”

Now my girl is grown up from baby to toddler and she loves munching on cookies and I am happy , she enjoys them and just make sure she had some healthy munching when mom and Adya both are happy ?.

So we made one more healthy cookies for her and mommy daddy too. We all love eating these healthy cookies anytime .

Sharing my easy recipe for these cookies

INGREDIENTS

120gms Multigrain flour ( Mix of whole-wheat flour, Ragi flour and Jwar flour)

70gms jaggery (grated or fine jaggery)

75gms Ghee ( clarified butter )

1 tsp cardamom powder

70gms designated coconut

1-2 tbsp milk ( if needed)

(You get all the organic products used here )

PROCEDURE

✔ Add ghee and jaggery in a bowl and whisk well until creamy.

✔ Now add all the dry ingredients in this creamy mix.

✔ Combine all with a spatula.

✔ If you feel it’s little dry and not combining then you can add one or two table-spoon milk so that a dough can be formed for making small balls.

✔ Make small balls and slightly flatten it with fingers.

✔ Now coat these balls with little more Coconut and place them on baking tray.

✔ Now preheat the oven at 160-170 and bake these cookies for 12-15 mins, keep an eye and bake till it’s golden brown. ( I have baked in Microwave convection mode, please see temperature as per your oven. )

✔ Take out the cookies tray and let them cool in tray or wire rack as they are soft and can break.

Your yummy healthy cookies are ready to eat, you can store them in air tight container and enjoy munching any time.

Hope you and your little one enjoys these cookies, do leave your comments and tag me with #forbabynmommy or @forbabynmommy on Instagram, when you try them .

Foe more easy healthy yummy recipes keep following my space and check out more from our summer food blog train by lovely mommies.

This blog post is a part of #Baby/ToddlerFood blog train hosted by Anisha from momzdiary ,Danisha from Lovethatyoucanbuy and Deepali from myteenytot.

We 40 Mom Bloggers are here with some amazing Baby & Toddler Food Ideas just for you.

This is a month-long blog train. Stay tuned for some very healthy ans yummy recipes everyday.

I would like to thank our lovely mommy Manvi for introducing me and would love to invite Amitoj to hop on this train and share her recipe.