Summer do’s and don’ts for to-be-mothers

Posted on May 26, 2017May 26, 2017 by admin

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful phases of a woman’s life. The feeling of nurturing a new life is priceless. But pregnancy comes with its own set of issues. And a harsh summer season just adds to your woes.
During pregnancy, your body temperature is slightly higher than normal due to the increased blood volume. The heat and the humidity further add to your discomfort. Here are a few guidelines to sail comfortably through the summer season during your pregnancy.

Do’s:

Stay hydrated: This is the most crucial thing to do in summers. During pregnancy, you are unable to eat or drink much due to the pressure on your stomach. Hence, keep sipping water continuously to stay hydrated. You can also go for homemade flavoured water. Other beverages like nimbu paani (fresh lime water), chaas (buttermilk) and aam panna also help you with hydration.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables: Fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables provide you with the necessary nutrients required during each season. Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, tomatoes, plums etc. are full of moisture and nutrients. Have them regularly.
Slather on the sunscreen: The high level of estrogen in your body during pregnancy makes you more susceptible to dark patches of skin called melasma. So, slather on the sunscreen to prevent such patches from appearing on your skin.
Choose safer sandals: I know that flip-flops seem like the ultimate footwear for hot summers. But they are the worst footwear to wear during pregnancy because they don’t offer any arch support. During pregnancy, you are carrying extra weight which puts pressure on your feet. So opt for comfortable footwear which offers good arch support.
Wear breathable fabrics: Wear light weight and breathable fabrics like cotton and mulmul. These help you to keep cool.
Stay cool: It is imperative to stay cool during this time. If you are a swimmer, go ahead and indulge in a cooling swim. Carry facial mists with you to spray on. This will instantly refresh and cool you. You can carry a spritzer filled with rose water for a refreshing feeling. You can carry wet tissues with you too.
Summer proof your office space: Stock things like extra water bottle, some healthy snacks and a hand fan maybe. Also keep a pair of your most comfortable shoes handy in office. Have a good cushion to support your back. Whenever you get time, try and elevate your feet for some time.
Exercise at cooler times during the day: Exercising during the hot time of the day can increase your discomfort.
Pamper yourself: Look your best during pregnancy. Go for your regular facials, manicure, pedicure or head massage. Avoid any kind of chemical treatments though.
Relax and rest: It is very important to lie down and rest during the day.
Stay happy: Happy mom equals to happy baby. The heat and the humidity along with your hormones tend to make you irritable. Try and indulge in relaxing and calming activities that make you happy.

Don’ts:

Don’t wear constrictive clothing: Too tight clothes will make you very uncomfortable and sweaty.
Avoid sodium: Avoid packaged and salty food. The excess sodium in these will lead to water retention and swelling in the body.
Stay away from too much sugar: Avoid too much sugar in any form. Stay away from sweets, bakery products and packaged juices.
Don’t eat for two: This myth of eating for two has long been busted. Yes, you do need extra calories, but you don’t have to double your intake. Have nutrient dense food and focus on nutrition more than calories.
Don’t go out in the sun during the mid day: The sun during the mid day is quite harsh and hence it is better to be avoided.
Don’t take any diuretic: Diuretics lead to a loss of many important electrolytes from the body. Hence, don’t take them unless suggested by your doctor.
Don’t stress: Stress is bad for you and your baby. So stay away from it.
Don’t take any medication on your own: Consult your doctor before consuming any medicine or even before using any topical creams.
Don’t compare: Each pregnancy is different, hence don’t compare your pregnancy with anybody else’s. This will give you undue stress.

Hope these pointers will help you sail through the summer like a song!

Stay healthy, Stay happy 

About Sarika:

Sarika is a diet and lifestyle consultant. She is very passionate about health and loves to help people be healthy the right way! She consults both online and offline. She is an avid blogger who writes informative articles about diet, nutrition and healthy recipes.

Baby Milestones 7th, 8th and 9th Months

Posted on March 29, 2017 by admin

Six months into your parenthood and your baby slowly and steadily grows from an infant to a toddler. He/she keeps getting more mobile, inquisitive and sprightly whereas you keep getting more and more awestruck with your baby’s development pace, don’t you?

This is the time when your little one is fully engaged with the world, thereby learning something new every day and surprising you every now and then. With the tiny steps of growth they undertake in each passing minute, you know there are precious moments you’ve spent with the apple of your eye, you’ll never get back again.

The following three months will see the coming of more firsts starting from advancing motor skills to uncanny attachments with funny soft toys.

Look out for these milestones your baby will be achieving on his 7^th, 8^th and 9^th months of

7^th Month:

After weeks of rolling sideways and flipping into their tummies, the tiny tot finally starts sitting without support and balancing his/her weight with those tiny legs well enough to bounce when you hold him/her, in the seventh month.

Your junior is now more sensitive to the tone of your voice thereby actually responding when you call his/her name and sensing your warning when you say “no”. It is also quite important to know that your baby thrives on the interactions he/she has with you at this stage, so shower them with instant games, cuddles and replies to encourage their communication skills. It’s a critical time for their language development.

Do childproof your home and keep the space safe for him/her to explore.

8^th Month:

By the time your bundle of joy is 8 months old, he/she is not only an eager explorer but also more cautious and curious about things around them. He/she would amuse himself/herself by putting things in containers and taking them out again. By trying to comb his own hair, drinking from a cup and even pretending to talk on the phone for that matter.

Watch out for these!

You might notice your little baby crying on seeing other babies cry, which is nothing but ‘reflexive crying’. This is him/her developing the feelings of empathy, pity and compassion.

Your 8-month-old baby’s mealtime should now start including baby cereal, fruits and vegetables as well as mashed and pureed meat. His/her diet should slowly start switching to solids from liquids at this stage even though he/she might still require 16-20 ounces of breast milk till his first birthday.

9^th Month:

Three-quarters of the way through your munchkin’s first year and your baby has come a long way from the time you first brought him/her home from the hospital. This is the time when your cute little baby will babble on to glory. Little do we know that this is when they’re actually trying to talk to us- we just fail to understand them yet. Your little one also develops social skills and will turn into quite a social animal, responding to gestures like blowing kisses or waving.

He/she will also become quite the mimic, mimicking away your expressions and actions. Separation anxiety will also be at its peak at this time and you can help them by warning people to approach slowly or let your baby make the first move.

Babies this age might soon be able to cruise along the edge of the couch or the coffee table to your surprise. They can also pull themselves to a standing position perfectly enough to amaze you.

This is also a tough phase to travel with your fast-growing baby since travelling might disturb her routines and your child expects predictability. Do be prepared for a grumpy, clingy version of your little one during this time and be prepared with distractions to cope with it.

Your baby might either reach milestones ahead of schedule or might even lag behind. What is important to remember here is that it’s pretty much normal and there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. However, consulting your baby’s doctor regarding this wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.

At the end of the day, every baby is different in their own way and develop at their own pace. Make sure you don’t miss out on these milestones and cherish each and every moment as they pass by.

Baby Milestones – 4th, 5th and 6th months

Posted on March 16, 2017 by admin

No syllable can be gathered up to express the feeling of new parenthood. The physical and emotional gut-wrenching journey, figuring out the reason behind the endless crying, the sudden feeling of alertness and protection when someone holds your munchkin and the sleepless nights. You have lived every moment mentioned here, right? Well, once you’ve survived the first three months with your tiny ball of joy, you know the next milestone awaits you!

The next few months are the time when you know your baby is stepping onto those tiny but crucial development stages, which you absolutely don’t want to miss. From almost growing teeth to looking like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when trying to sit up, there are quite a few firsts you’ll witness during this period.

Time to be awestruck by your baby’s 4^th, 5^th and 6^th month milestones!

4^th month:

Right when you think you know enough about your child, is when you’ll realize you were wrong. Your little one will keep surprising you at every step of your life, whether 4 months or 20 years old and that is when you know he or she is growing up.

The fourth month is when he or she starts teething. You’ll know their first tooth is on its way when they excitedly start rubbing their gum with their pocket-sized fists. Watch closely for this sign.

This is also the time when you’ll watch your tiny tot rolling over from one side to another in glory!

One of the most incredible accomplishments at this phase is hearing your toddler babble some vowels and ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when you’re least expecting him or her to. They finally become efficient communicators with their cute laughs and squeaks.

5^th month:

Your baby will double up in size as compared to the time of birth, when he or she is five months old looking cute as a button. However, you need to make sure that everything around you remain cleaner than ever since, as there’s a possibility of all of it ending up in the naughty one’s mouth every now and then.Five months is also the time when the apple of your eye begins to make real and long eye-contact with you and everyone around. Surreal, isn’t it? His ability to point out bright coloured objects is also considerably higher at this point. Do notice.

The best feeling is to watch your baby taking a solid, undisturbed nap looking as peaceful as a dove, after months of his birth. Setting up a proper bed-time routine will further help ensure this.

6^th month:

6 months old and the junior is already halfway through his first year! Amazing, isn’t it? This is the ideal time for your baby to start weaning onto solids and indulge in foods apart from the mother’s milk since the ability to start chewing also begins at this stage. It indeed turns out to be one of the most memorable and unforgettable times in both your and your child’s life.

This is also the quintessential time to play with your babies and make learning fun for them from the very beginning. They will be up and active throughout the day after the perfect night’s sleep and that is when playing and exploring should happen. It’ll strengthen their free, ingenious brains and keep them busy. Watching your tiny ones pick up things fast will brighten up your day!

Last but not the least, the stage after sitting and before walking marks the glory of your six-month old wonder! From initially watching him commando crawl all over the house to balancing on his or her knees and hands and eventually standing up, it’ll all happen now! They might even surprise you by entering your room in the middle of the night.

Nonetheless, every child is different in their own way and hence develop at their own pace. However, if you’re worried about your child’s development do consult a health professional.

No matter how challenging and exhausting parenthood is, at the end of the day, you know it is way too beautiful and fascinating! Relish and capture every milestone of your munchkin, because these precious moments won’t come back!

Cord Of Love

Posted on March 6, 2017March 6, 2017 by admin

A family that bonds together, stays together!

The simple six-letter word ‘family’ has thousands of emotions and warmth attached to its meaning. But have you ever stopped for a second to wonder what a bond in a family actually means? Did you ever realise why that ‘bond’ is so important and precious to each one of us?

Well, the answer to all of these questions will take us back to that one exceptional thing that keeps a family together. It is nothing but the ‘Cord of Love’!

In this world full of insecurity, fear, anxiety and where every other frightful emotion dominates, there is one priceless thing that helps us overcome each adversity. That one thing is the ‘Cord of Love’ which we are fortunate enough to share with the most special people in our lives: our parents and our children!

The bond a parent shares with their child is one of the most powerful and strongest bonds of nature. Whether you’re a single parent, a step-parent or even an adoptive parent, you’re sure to form an unbreakable bond from the birth of your little bundle of joy. However, apart from parents, we also share a certain emotional attachment with our grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts and siblings which may not overpower the ‘Cord of Love’ shared with parents. Yet it manages to hold a strong position in our lives. It gives us strength and keeps us all together in good times and in bad.

Out of all the relationships a person is involved in during his lifetime, it goes without saying that the ‘Cord of Love’ shared with our mothers is a clear winner. It is said to be the most powerful and unadulterated form of love as mothers develop a feeling of anticipation and emotion right when the baby is in their womb. That is when a strong establishment of relation and the ‘cord of love’ is already set with the baby.

Same might not occur with the father but even here, there’s no way the bond with the child would suffer. They share a bond of respect. The father’s love towards his child is developed when he holds his baby for the first time in his arms. That’s when the ‘Cord of Love’ begins.

The strength of every mother’s emotional bond with her child is so fierce, that it has the ability to triumph every other bond. A child’s physical attachment with the mother may end once the umbilical cord is cut, but the emotional and psychological attachment begins right then.

The umbilical cord provides everything the baby needs to survive inside the womb, but little do people know how it keeps providing even when the baby is outside the womb. Through ups and downs and thick and thins, through every life-threatening disease, this real ‘Cord of Love’ will always be there to protect and shield your little one. This unbreakable ‘Cord of Love’ will be shielded by none other than, Babycell!

No one can imagine life without parents! The tiny things that we do for each other, the love, the respect, the care, it all strengthens the bond and this is where the ‘Cord of Love’ gets more meaningful and glorious.

Love is always around us, it’s always available to us. If we choose to embrace this love towards our parents and children, the ‘Cord of Love’ will keep getting powerful and unbreakable through all our thick and thin and everything in between.

The importance of consuming Folic Acid during pregnancy

Posted on January 2, 2017 by admin

What is Folic Acid?

Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin.

Where is it found?

Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms, meat (such as beef liver and kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice.

Image result for folic acid vegetables and fruits

Benefits of Folic Acid

Folic acid is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency), as well as its complications, including “tired blood” (anemia) and the inability of the bowel to absorb nutrients properly. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folate deficiency, including ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and kidney dialysis.

Folic acid is used for memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related hearing loss, preventing the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reducing signs of aging, weak bones (osteoporosis), jumpy legs (restless leg syndrome), sleep problems, depression, nerve pain, muscle pain, AIDS, a skin disease called vitiligo, and an inherited disease called Fragile-X syndrome. It is also used for reducing harmful side effects of treatment with the medications lometrexol and methotrexate. Some doctors recommend to apply folic aciddirectly to the gum for treating gum infections.

Importance of Folic Acid before and during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant or might become pregnant, it’s critically important to get enough folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as folate. Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant must take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and “neural tube defects,” birth defects such as spina bifida that occur when the fetus’s spine and back do not close during development.

Image result for folic acid pregnancy

How much folic acid you need?

To reduce your baby’s risk of developing a neural tube defect, experts recommend that you take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day, beginning at least a month before you start trying to get pregnant. Don’t take more than 1,000 mcg per day of folic acid unless your healthcare provider advises you to. This is particularly important if you are a vegetarian. Vegans are at risk of being deficient in vitamin B12 and taking too much folic acid would make it hard to diagnose that deficiency.

Is the supplement recommended?

Yes. Many authorities, including FOGSI, ACOG and the March of Dimes, recommend that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin with folic acid or a folic acid supplement every single day

Signs of a folic acid deficiency

The signs of folic acid deficiency can be subtle. You may have diarrhea, anemia, loss of appetite, and weight loss, as well as weakness, a sore tongue, headaches, heart palpitations, and irritability.

If you’re only mildly deficient, you may not notice any symptoms at all, but you won’t be getting the optimal amount for your baby’s early embryonic development.

References

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1017-folic%20acid.aspx?activeingredientid=1017&

https://www.drugs.com/folic_acid.html

Everything you need to know about your Third Trimester

Posted on December 30, 2016 by admin

After passing through the first and second trimester stages, you would now like to know what to expect in the third trimester. You might feel that your belly can’t get any bigger but it will get bigger all through your third trimester. So, here is all that you need to know about your third trimester.

The third trimester of your pregnancy is from week 28 to week 40, which is usually 7-9 months. The feelings during this trimester tends to vary from nervousness to excitement about the baby coming.

Here is a week by week guide to your third trimester pregnancy.

Week Twenty Eight

By this week, your baby weighs nearly over 1 kilogram. At about this time, your baby can open his/ her eyes and turn his head. His fat layers are forming and his new shiny fingernails appear. At this stage, you will be nervous and excited about the baby. Start selecting possible baby names and begin planning the baby’s arrival!

Week Twenty Nine

Your baby’s head is getting bigger, and brain growth is very rapid at this time. Nearly all babies react to sound by the 30th week. During this time, your baby needs the maximum amount of nutrients and so you need to eat a large amount of protein, Vitamin C and calcium. In this week, the baby’s skeleton hardens even more and the brain, muscles, and lungs continue to mature.

Week Thirty

While your baby may soon slow up growing, but only in length. He/she will continue to gain weight until he or she is born. In this week, your baby continues to open and shut his eyes. As you and the baby continue to grow, don’t be worried if you feel breathless. This is because, as the baby is growing your uterus is pressing against your diaphragm.

Week Thirty One

You may notice lesser moments of your baby in your tummy. The baby is growing and does not have enough space to move. You’ve probably gained about 2 kilograms this month. Gaining weight is normal during this time.

Week Thirty Two

Your little one’s lungs won’t be fully developed until just before birth. The baby when awake will be practising all necessary skills like breathing, kicking and sucking. Some babies have a crown of hair already, others have only a few wisps. In this week, your body begins to start prepping for delivery by flexing its muscles. If you feel your uterus bunching or hardening periodically, those are Braxton Hicks contractions. These are like a pre-labor rehearsal before the real moment.

Week Thirty Three

Your baby should already be getting ready for delivery by turning upside-down i.e. his head should be pointing down for a normal delivery. Your doctor will be paying careful attention to your baby’s position in the coming weeks. Keep visiting your doctor regularly.

Week Thirty Four

Your baby is getting rounder as she/he will need the fat layers later to regulate the body temperature. If you don’t already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start. If you’ve been nervous about going into premature labour, you’ll be happy to know that most babies born at week 34- 35 and can survive outside the womb.

Week Thirty Five

By this week the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light for your baby. Also, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles. This week, your little one is now sporting fingernails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys.

Week Thirty Six

You may begin to feel an increased pressure in your lower abdomen and notice that your baby is gradually dropping. This is called lightening or engagement, and your lungs and stomach will finally get a chance to stretch out a little.

Week Thirty Seven

By this week, many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks around one inch long. But don’t be surprised if his or her hair isn’t the same colour as yours.

Week Thirty Eight

Babies at week 38 weigh about 3 Kgs and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one’s organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity.

Week Thirty Nine

Your baby has reached full term this week and is waiting to greet the world! If your water breaks, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Here are a few common experiences that you go through during your third trimester:

Craving or eating too often

With your trimester going on, you would be gaining weight. Sometimes while eating you may even feel full as your uterus is pressing your stomach. Here are some of the interesting cravings pregnant women have during their pregnancy.

2. Keep moving

As long as you’re not at risk for delivering a preterm baby, exercise is safe in the third trimester. But if you’re used to doing exercise, discuss with your doctor whether you should continue your routine.

3. Rest up

Feeling uncomfortable and going to the bathroom a lot at night can leave you tired. Use a body pillow when sleeping and limit your liquid and food intake after 6 p.m. To combat fatigue during the day, take a five-minute break every hour. Sit back, relax, do deep-breathing exercises or take a walk to rejuvenate yourself.

4. Anxiety

All pregnant women are nervous about how they are going to handle motherhood especially if they are expecting their first child. Babycell has an initiative “Mummy Ki Paathshaala” where they teach women about the journey towards motherhood

5. Planning the future

All to-be-parents, plan their baby’s future well in advance. They plan their child’s school, clothes, food, etc. Some parents also bank their baby’s stem cells with private banks. Babycell is one of leading stem cell banks in India –

Hope this helps you through the final leg of your pregnancy!

Tips of instating healthy habits in your child

Posted on November 1, 2016November 2, 2016 by admin

Nutrition is important for your child. It depends on what your child eats and drinks. It is important as parents to encourage children to eat a nourishing, balanced diet right from early years of their life. Your child needs to consume the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins. Educating them on healthy eating early in life will help maintaining good health and immunity for the long run.

The food Pyramid

They key to healthy eating is to enjoy all variety in the right numbers. Here is a display of food divided into 5 categories to help explain what should be eaten when. The five food groups are:

@more4momz.com

Here is a bifurcation of the pyramid:

The bottom of the pyramid is the biggest part of the pyramid. It contains the foods you should eat in bulk:

Grain foods: always choose wholegrain and/or high fiber varieties of bread, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles.
Fruits and vegetables: They should make up a large part of your daily food intake. Ensure to encourage their consumption during every meal.

The middle of the pyramid contains foods you should eat some, but not too much:

Dairy: the foods in this group are excellent sources of calcium, which is important for strong, healthy bones.

The top of the pyramid is the smallest part of the pyramid. It contains foods you can eat once in a while:

Pulses: Helps to build proteins, maintain, and repair the tissues in our body.
Sugar Contains: Should be taken the least as they contain a large amount of fats.

Now that we have bifurcated the food into different groups, to encourage your children to eat this you should always have incentives:

The food chart

All children love to be encouraged, so when they follow your diet chart you can always appreciate them with a star and grade them. This way they will want to be good kids and will want to follow eating healthy!

@ww.printablee.com

Tips for healthy eating:

Make school lunch interesting for the children:

Most of the time children spend is in school. Packing the perfect lunch box for your child could be a challenge. It is easy to run out of ideas and more importantly to give them something new which is tasty and healthy. Here are a few healthy Lunch Box Recipes:

Oats Idlis
Upma
Bread Poha
Paneer and Salsa Tortillas
Multigrain Pizza
Moong Dal Chila

Click on the link to get the recipes here – http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-kids-lunch-box-recipes-1434784

Breakfast is the most important meal:

Breakfast is the best way to refuel your body. It keeps your kids healthy and active during the day. Skipping breakfast makes your child tired and restless. Breakfast also can help keep kids’ weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body’s metabolism too. Here is a video which will help you understand the importance of it. – https://vimeo.com/122534561

Involve your kids while cooking food:

If you involve your children into cooking or even let them help in preparing the meal with you then it will make them happier and also they will love to eat to eat the food they prepare. They will land up eat vegetables they refused to taste in the first place – https://vimeo.com/122534563

Mommies, we hope this helps you maintain a balanced but yet healthy diet for your children. Eat healthy, stay healthy!

Everything you need to know about your first Trimester

Posted on October 26, 2016November 3, 2016 by admin

Having a baby is one of the most joyous phase of a woman’s life. But no matter how well you plan for your baby’s arrival, you may not be fully prepared for all of the changes in your body. With some healthy advice, nothing would come to you as a surprise.

Here are a few things that you need to know about your first trimester that will ensure a smooth and sound journey.

The First Trimester:-

The first trimester of pregnancy is a roller coaster of physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that may make you feel like you have little or no control over your body. The first trimester starts from the 1^st week of your pregnancy to the 12^th or the 13^th week. It is important to figure out your current week and calculate your due date accordingly.

Week one & two:

We count the first two weeks as the gestational period. Week one begins with the first day of your menstrual period. So at this point you are not carrying the baby yet.

Week three:

At this point, the miracle of life begins. Although many sperms may enter the outer layer, only one will reach the ovum and fertilise. Around this time the baby’s gender is also determined.

Week four:

This is when your test results will appear positive: You’re pregnant! You may feel bloated and moody. All your early symptoms start kicking in. Morning sickness will also start around the same time.

Week five:

By this time your baby’s heart is formed and divided into four chambers. Soon this heart will start pumping blood. Your baby is about a centimetre long and the development of major organs like liver and kidney begins during this time. You may start feeling fatigue during this time and you will also have the urge to pee frequently.

Week six:

By this time, your baby’s face is taking shape. Now the baby starts to grow a nose, eyes, ears, cheeks and chin. Sometimes the baby is even growing tiny hands and legs. Mood swings and tiredness take a toll over your body. Morning sickness becomes worse.

@livescience.com

Week seven:

The baby has started producing about one hundred new brain cells by this week. With the development of brain cells, the heart has become more complex. All the joints in the arms and legs of the baby are forming. Along with morning sickness and fatigue, food aversions will also start affecting you. All these symptoms will last till your first trimester comes to an end. @thebump.com

Week eight:

By the eighth week the baby’s toes and fingers have slightly webbed. The baby starts moving his hands and legs too (But you can’t feel it). Your baby’s taste buds are now forming too. Besides other symptoms, early pregnancy cramps also start. Your tummy starts expanding, you may experience heart burn and bloating.

Week nine:

By this time the baby becomes a fetus from an embryo. The heartbeat of the baby becomes stronger and there are distinct facial features. You will be really moody during this phase and have gained a kg or two as well. http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=784

Week ten:

In the tenth week, the baby has working arms and joints and his bones also start forming. All the vital organs start to function. Hair and nails start to grow by this time. The baby starts swallowing and kicking in there. The baby starts putting pressure on your organs, veins, muscles. You may feel really tired as the body is using all the energy to help the baby grow.

Week eleven:

You may not be able to feel it but the baby is moving comfortably. It develops some skin and starts looking more like a baby. Tooth buds and hair follicles start growing. You should try doing some exercise and relax your body during this phase.

Week twelve:

In your 12^th week, most of baby’s features are fully formed. The baby enters the growth phase. All organs and tissue start developing rapidly.

Here are few common experiences that you go through during your first trimester:

Weight Gain and loss

During the first few weeks, your baby is very small. This means you will gain around 1-2 kgs. Sometimes, you could lose some weight due to morning sickness and a loss of appetite. In order to maintain a healthy weight, you should focus on maintaining a balanced diet and eat frequent meals.

2. Fatigue

Feeling weak and tired is common symptom of your first trimester. Your metabolic rate during this time is way above normal. You could experience tremendous mood swings and hormonal changes during this period. Eating proper meals, consulting your doctor and taking multivitamins will help you overcome this feeling.

3. Doctor Visits :

It’s always better to visit a gynaecologist before you plan your baby to ensure a healthy pregnancy and avoid complications. But once it’s confirmed that you are pregnant, it’s a must to see your doctor every week. This enables you to keep a check on you and your baby. There are also a few tests that need to be done in your first trimester. It is significant to ask your doctor about them and get them done in time.

4. Food Aversions or Cravings

Food aversions are something that’s natural during your first trimester. During this time your digestion system slows down, resulting in a sense of repulsion toward food items that you once loved.

Cravings are the flip side of aversions. Although the cause is unknown, they may simply be your body’s way of telling you to eat what you can stand. It is advisable to check how healthy the food item that you are craving is, for before consuming it.

5. Morning Sickness

Nausea is typically an early warning sign of pregnancy. It may occur all through your first trimester, however the first few weeks are the most difficult. In this case consulting your doctor and asking them to prescribe you vitamins will provide some relief.

Heartburn

You might experience severe heartburn, especially during your first trimester. Heartburn, basically is a burning sensation in the oesophagus caused by stomach reflux. To avoid it, you can try eating frequent, smaller meals throughout the day. Avoid lying down immediately after eating something. Avoid eating food items that are spicy or greasy. http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=667

When it comes to pregnancy, it’s better to be wise. For more information, visit our blog today! http://13.126.47.98/blog_/

Pregnancy checklist.

Posted on September 30, 2016November 2, 2016 by admin

A baby is growing inside you, your body is changing, your hormones are jumping, and you are up for a great ride. There are plenty of things you can do to make this journey as safe and pleasurable as possible. Prepare for what’s about to come and prepare well. This pregnancy checklist will help you make your pregnancy fun, systematic and memorable:

Tips for the first trimester:

Take your prenatal vitamin and insurance for baby’s health:

As soon as you are overwhelmed by the news of pregnancy, start taking a prenatal vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid. This reduces the risk of neural-tube defects. Do a good research options for securing your upcoming baby’s health. One such move towards good health of your baby would be preserving his umbilical cord blood stem cells. Click here to read more about cord blood basics, benefits and umbilical cord blood stem cell banking facilities in India. Get all these questions answered well in advance.

Choose your Ob/Gynec:

It is time to look for an ob-gyn. If you don’t have one already, look for factors like proximity from your house, insurance coverage and which practice will best suit your perfect birth experience. Once you have chosen, book an appointment.

Schedule a check-up and take the tests:

In addition to your physical check-up, around the 10^th week you will have an ultrasound to check the baby’s heartbeat. Verify the due date with your ob/gyn.

During week 11 and 14, pregnancy screenings are given for pregnancy related plasma protein, HCG and blood tests that determine the risk of Down syndrome and trisomy. No matter what, you must take these tests between weeks 11-15.

Tips for the second trimester:

Enrol in a childbirth education class:

This is your 12-15^th week of pregnancy, you must enrol in a childbirth education class. The class goes on for 6 to 12 weeks and ideally you would want to finish by your 37^th week, in case you go into labour early. This class should cover the labour and birth process, also breathing and comfort measures.

Discuss your maternity leave and Set up the baby’s room:

If you are a working professional you will have to inform your Supervisor or Boss about your pregnancy on time. Discuss your maternity leave and all prospects of how work will be handled when you are gone. Once this is done, focus on setting up your baby’s room. Setting up your little one’s room along with planning the furniture can take quite some time. It is better to start now and occupy yourself with the best thing ever.

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Take a peek at your baby:

Around week 20, you will have an ultrasound. This is the time you check the growth of the baby and make sure all organs are developing properly. This is probably the time when you find out the sex of your little one.

The birth plan discussion and a babymoon:

Start discussing a birth plan with your partner and family members. Decide whom you want beside you during the birth of the baby. If you wish to go for a babymoon and are craving it, now is the best time to do it. Don’t push it, go for it.

Take the glucose screening:

During week 26-28, take the glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes.

Tips for the third trimester:

Start shopping and have a baby shower:

Start shopping for things you will need in the hospital like nursing bras, night gowns, baby clothes, diapers and wipes. Have your baby shower ideally two weeks before your due date so that you can shop for the things that didn’t come as gifts.

Choose a baby nurse and get help for the kitchen:

Interview and choose a nurse for your baby. Choose the best one as this person will be with your baby in their earliest days of life. Ensure to talk to your family and partner to get assistance with cooking and household chores, so that you can focus on the baby completely.

Choose a paediatrician and pack your hospital bag:

It is the perfect time to go scouting for the best paediatrician for your child. Do a good research and choose the best doctor, a one that your child will adore and like visiting. At the same time, start packing your hospital bag with all the essentials you and the baby will need. http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=595

Read up about breastfeeding:

If you intend to breastfeed which is best for the baby, get yourself completely prepared. Read up in depth about breastfeeding and also involve your partner in this learning. Do have a conversation with your doctor regarding the same as they will be able to give you the best tips.

Live this journey of your baby growing inside you with immense joy and positivity. While you enjoy the ride and keep yourself happy, don’t miss out on one time opportunity for preserving your baby’s cord blood stem cells, ensure that you take a presentation from reputed stem cell banks in India. Enjoy your pregnancy, relax and keep this pregnancy checklist with you through the 9 months, it’s sure to stand by you like a long lost friend!

5 ways to deal with your child’s tantrums and how to ensure their safety

Posted on September 28, 2016October 20, 2016 by admin

You’re standing in line at the store, almost about to pay the bill and ready to check out. For the fifth time in a row, your child asks for a piece of candy or a food pack. You’ve repeatedly said no, when suddenly, the tantrum starts! All parents have dealt with a similar situation.

For any parent, temper tantrums are one of the most stressful and frustrating things they will have to deal with, especially once your child hits the terrible twos. While every parent tries to avoid tantrums, there will be times when little ones simply cross all limits. Most of the times when this happens there isn’t much you can do as parents!

Here are five ways of handling these outbursts:

Hold your ground

Keep repeating the same words or the instruction you want him to follow. Keep calm and have a poker face! Don’t lose control even if you have to repeat the same thing a number of times. For example- If your child wants to eat ice-cream every day, you repeat the same thing. “You can’t eat ice-cream everyday”. This way the child will understand that you mean what you say. Also, your child may or may not calm down right away, but he or she will remember that throwing a tantrum doesn’t lead to satisfactory results.

Don’t lose your temper

As an adult, if you lose control over your child and start yelling, the child will see this type of behavior and start believing that something like this is acceptable at your house and follow the pattern. It is not always easy to stay calm and explain to your child, but that’s the best way a child will understand. Breathe, take some time off and cool yourself down before you go and talk to him. Raising your hand on your child is a big no as they may become more rebellious or might be scared of you.

Try to understand his needs

This point focuses on toddlers who haven’t learned to speak or can’t express what they want. Your child’s tantrums aren’t always because he wants something; it could be for other reasons. He could be hurt or he might have some pain or digestion problem. Some kids are teething or need a diaper change, that’s when they yell and cry. It’s very common for children to be cranky when they are sleepy or hungry. Sometimes you need to fulfill their demands and their tantrums may subside.

Give them a distraction

When you are out for a social gathering or a dinner, this is the best way to stop your child’s tantrums and also save yourself from some embarrassment. Keep a bag with toys, munchies or something that your child is fond off so they get distracted. If you catch it in time, it can even prevent a major breakdown. Since children aren’t very good multi-taskers they are bound to get distracted with something more amusing. To know more ways to distract your baby – http://13.126.47.98/blog_/?p=761

Give an explanation, rather than just saying no!

Most parents just say “no” or “It’s not for you” or “because I said so” instead of giving a valid explanation for their comment. This lands up frustrating the child more than anything because he is confused and clueless. You don’t have to give an explanation, but just brief them why is it that they can’t get what they asked for. They will be able to make more sense in such times.

Ensure safety of your children is also an important point when he or she is busy throwing tantrums. Most of the children land up hurting themselves intentionally or unintentionally.

Here are few ways to ensure the safety of your child.

Wait for the anger to cool down

The worst thing a parent can do is to instigate the child more when he is angry. Instead, wait for the child’s anger to cool down and then go and talk to him/ her. Sometimes when you instigate the child, they end up hurting themselves more because you don’t give them what they want.

2.Make him sit in a safe spot

Let the child be alone for a while, till his anger cools down. Leave them for some time in his bedroom or another safe place in the house where you feel comfortable leaving him or her alone for a little while is best. The spot should be free of distractions such as a computer, TV or handheld video game.

3.Avoid Triggers

Most of the reasons for a child’s tantrums are predictable and parents at a point are aware of it, such as homework or bedtime. They are usually things that parents make them do against their will. In such cases give them a hint beforehand or just find an alternative on how to get them to do it. This will avoid the tantrum and also keep your child safe before things get out of hand.

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