Immunity building in our kids is an important aspect we parents work on as children are growing up. The steps we take should begin at an early age. Children also need to understand what it is all about.
It is obvious that their little minds are curious to know, why we need to work on building immunity. My daughter is going to be 4 years old and she has started asking questions and we try to explain her in the simplest way possible of building immunity while indoors.
How to explain kids in simplest way, importance of Immunity.
Be Open– Answer their questions in the best possible way you can. Educate them with love and kindness. They will be curious to understand how nutrition and immunity works.
Interaction– Talk to them about it and how being healthy is important.
Balanced diet– Importance of eating healthy food that makes them strong. Including fruits, milk with a supplement like PediaSure that has 37 essential nutrients for complete and balanced diet and dry fruits.
Hand wash– Washing hands is one important habit inside or outside home. We taught our daughter how to wash her hands properly like rubbing individual fingers, b/w fingers and from clean back side as well.
Wash hands before and after eating food, after play, etc.
Quick learner– Kids are quick learners and they understand easily if you are open with them. Give them age-appropriate information so they have the right information from you.
Just like we want to protect our children from diseases, it is important we also protect them from wrong or incomplete information. We must answer their questions to the best of our ability.
These are some really simple ways you can teach kids the importance of immunity and how we can inculcate clean habits. Staying healthy and taking proper precaution is the only way to stay safe from infections.
The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any brand. Any omissions or errors at the author’s end does not assume any liability or responsibility on any party mentioned in the blog.
After starting my diet plan I ordered some gluten free cookies from Amazon. Their taste was ok, but I don’t like the choice of ingredients. So thought of baking some gluten free cookies at home.
Here is my version of gluten free cookies sweetened with jaggery, made with love and yes approved by all family members eldest and the youngest!
Ingredients
190gm Oats Flour
90gm Almonds flour
30gms milk powder
1/2 tsp Cream of tartar
1/4tsp baking soda
50gm gram flour
1/2 tbsp cardamom powder
Two pinch salt
200gms jaggery ( take less or more 240 gms as per your sweetness requirements )
150gms Ghee ( clarified butter ) It can be reduced to 120gms too.
Tip – 1/2 cup desiccated coconut ( I have made half mix with coconut flavour by adding 1/2 cup coconut in half the mixture, take out two tbsp for coating before bake )
-Add some small pieces of jaggery too it tastes really nice in cookies, it doesn’t melt while baking!
Procedure
Shift all the dry ingredients ( Oats Flour, almonds flour, milk powder, Cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, gram flour) in a bowl and mix properly.
In another bowl add clarified butter ( Ghee ) and grated jaggery.
Now whisk ghee and jaggery to make it fluffy and creamy.
Add and mix dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in parts. ( Do not add all in a go ).
Make small balls from your dough and keep in baking tray.
Now keep it in fridge for 10 minutes, meanwhile pre-heat your oven 170c. ( You can store your dough in Fridge if you don’t want to bake at the same time )
Bake your cookies for 12min on 170C ( Keep an eye as temperature settings may be different in all oven )
Take our the cookies and let them cool on rack, do not touch until they are cool as they are super soft at this stage.
Once properly cooler store them in aur tight container.
Being a vegetarian and following particular diet, paneer & soya plays a very important role. I find it difficult to eat the chunks so was trying different versions to make it more appealing . Let’s see the recipe and it’s ingredients.
Nutrition facts for the recipe
Carbs:22gm Protien : 47 gm Fat -11gm
Macros change according to brand, above mentioned macro nutrients information are for Nutrela brand
Ingredients
60 gms soya chunks (Nutrela)
100gms paneer
10 gm olive oil/Ghee
Chopped Coriander
One onion finely chopped
2-3 green chilies finely chopped
Salt as per taste
1 tbsp Red chili flakes
Finely chopped/grated vegetables of your choice ( Capsicum, Carrot, cabbage, green chilli, zucchini, red yellow Bell pepper, cucumber)
Procedure
Instead of soaking soya we will directly grind it and make aata(fine powder)
Make sure there are no big pcs left
Add finely chopped onions, green chili, coriander, salt, red chili, ginger garlic paste.
Add finely chopped capsicum, carrot.
Mix properly until it’s combined to form a dough.
Make small equal sized balls and with the help of your palm flaten the top and bottom to form tikki.
Take a flat base big pan or tawa and spread one spoon oil on it.
Heat it on medium to low flame and put tikki gently on it.
Let it cook from one side, it will take around 5 to 10 minutes on low flame.
You can now cook without oil too with the help of frying pan foil by Asahi kasei.
Flip the tikkis gently and cook the other side.
Tikkis are ready to serve with coriander or tomato chatni.
How to manage money when you have a new member in family
Welcome new member of family
As you become parents and start a new life with your little one, you start learning many things.
One of it is money management as little bundle of joy comes with a lot of expenses. Starting from their daily needs to new wardrobe and all the needed items for taking care of the little one plus mother’s health.
It all starts the day you get pregnant from doctors visit and daily appointments to your delivery with a little one in your hand and beyond. You need to plan a lot to take care of not spending too much on extra expenses.
Let’s talk about how we can take care of not spending too much.
Choosing the right doctor and hospital
As new parents you try to search for the best doctor and facility for your pregnancy. Most of the high end hospitals comes with high packages, so you need to search and talk to your relatives and friends for suggestions. And choose the best doctor with good experience and needed facilities for delivery. Just make sure the hospital is clean and tidy with all needed facilities for your and your baby.
Choosing a right Health Insurance
As you know now a days medical cost is getting costlier every year. So one should decide early about there mediclame i.e. health insurance which covers maternity expense. Usually one would not get maternity benefit immediately after taking the policy as there is waiting period of 2 to 4 years depending on the provider.
This will save you a fortune on your delivery bill.
Vaccination
Doctor would recommend you take all vaccination for your baby. You can choose the required one only. Also they might suggest to take pain less one which cost higher, but their is not much difference with normal one. Your kid will cry for some time and then will forget about it and will be normal. Just try not to touch that place for a day or so.
Also if you are not going abroad then you can double check the brand and price as this also tends to increase the vaccination cost.
Cloth diapers
Switch to cloth diapers is the best way to save money and environment. You can buy diapers in lot or when they are at a discount. It would last long for three years and can be reused or sold again after your baby is diaper free. One diper can fit different size, so as your baby grows you don’t need to buy a new one, just adjust the same and you are good to go.
New baby clothes
My princess
We often do this mistake of buying a full wardrobe for your newborn in excitement. But the fact is most of the time we kept them covered in a blanket or rompers. And all the relatives and friends gift clothes too. So buying few sets and getting some preloved from cousins is also good. As the preloved clothes are best for newborn as the fabric is really soft with regular use. This way you can save a lot.
New baby shoes.
Now this one is really important, we can skip buying shoes for new baby until they are able to walk or stand on their own. Most of the time babies are wearing rompers so they don’t require shoes. When they learn to stand then only you would need proper shoes as before that most of the time they are in your lap, bedding or stroller.
Baby gear
Hi
Being a new parent we tend to buy many things like rocker, walker, stroller and most of the time it’s used rarely so think twice about what you really need for the baby. If you are living in a place where you can rarely use strollers, baby carrier is a better option and you can always check some pre-loved options as these items are not used at times and people give it in lesser price as pre-loved.
Initially we have also used a pre loved stroller to make sure she sits in it and get use to it. Then only we bought a new one and that too which can be used for longer period.
Pre-loved options
This is one really easy way to cut of your high expenses. Most of the baby items are rarely used and parents give you in less price. So when your are planning to buy costly items for baby, don’t forget to check pre-loved groups for better deals.
These Small small saving can helps you save a lot and keep your budget stable.
I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa. You can read my other articles for this #MyFriendAlexa campaign here #forbabynmommyblogs
Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes. Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation. This … Continue reading “Abdominal muscles separation after pregnancy”
Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes.
Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation.
This is a natural process where your abdomen muscles expands and make space, for giving space to the growing uterus and let your baby grow in the uterus. This abdomen separation is also known as DIASTASIS RECTI, normally abdomen muscles get it back to normal position after baby is delivered.
But in some case gap remains and can be seen as a bulge in front.I really wished to know this information before my pregnancy, so that I might have taken proper measures to avoid chances of getting Diastasis Recti.
But came to know about this when I started exercise and yoga after few months of delivery. So I felt like sharing this with all my friends who are planning/going to be new moms and one who have their little ones too.
What is Diastasis Recti?
Abdomen muscles separation during pregnancy is technically known as Diastasis Recti, during pregnancy as baby grows in uterus it puts pressure on abdomen muscles.
Due to pregnancy hormones connective tissues are relax and soft, so the abdomen muscles separates without and damage or tearing and allow space for the growing uterus. Abdomen separation of muscles starts from third month of pregnancy and at times after delivery too, when the abdomen walls is weak and baby is also not there to support the abdomen muscles.
Symptoms of Diastasis Recti after pregnancy
You can experience lower back pain.
Pelvic pain.
Unable to control urine leakage during sneezing or coughing.
Protruding pregnancy like belly after pregnancy.
Factors that can cause abdomen separation more
Being overweight before or during pregnancy.
Poor postures while siting, standing, walking, carrying weight and even while sleeping during and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy with multiple twins.
Getting pregnant soon after first baby.
Not doing proper exercise.
How to know you have Diastasis Recti?
You can contact your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.
Lie down on the floor folding your knees at 45 degree and back and feet relaxed on floor. Now you have to check from ribs to pubic bones. Now stuck your chin to your chest and try placing your finger from rib bones to pubic bones. Step by step, you can feel gap of one,two or three and more fingers. It would feel soft at that place, if you cannot feel the gap, relax and try again after some time.
If the gap is less it can be cured with some regular home exercise, if the gap is more you need to check doctor for proper way to cure.
Can it be cured?
Yes it can be taken care with proper exercise routine as suggested by doctor.
Maintaining good posture before and after pregnancy.
Trying to maintain normal weight and taking healthy diet.
If you have Diastasis Recti from first pregnancy, try to recover with doctor help before planning next 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.
#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”
#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 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.
Brett Lee having some fun time with kid
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.
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.
