Breastfeeding And Your Diet

Although it may sound clichéd, but it is needless to emphasize that a healthy diet is important for a healthy body. And this fact assumes more importance when an innocent life depends upon what you eat. Hands down, breast milk is the life-saving elixir for your child as their immunity and development are directly proportional to the quality of your milk. Therefore, breastfeeding requires a good diet plan to ensure that both the quantity and the quality of the feed does not deteriorate.

You as a lactating mother should pay special attention to your diet. Although not everything you eat reaches your baby, that does not allow you the freedom of choosing the wrong diet. The mammary glands, responsible for producing milk, keep a check on nutrients, i.e. proteins, calcium, iron and vitamins in the milk. If your diet is not proper, these glands will use all the available nutrients to produce nutritious milk, leaving you unnourished in the bargain.

Alright, we agree that you have gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, but this is not the time to lament your fat or unshapely body and start following a strict diet plan to get back in shape. Yes, you should not engage in gluttony, but calories are important too. On an average, you can consume up to 2000 calories, but add an extra 500 calories for your baby.

Eat every three hours as breastfeeding will deplete both your blood sugar and your energy levels. Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water or other liquids like herbal tea and coconut water. Opt for jaggery instead of sugar. Jaggery is rich in iron and it also helps maintain blood sugar level.

Make a list of foods rich in calories but ensure that the list is devoid of any oily or spicy food. Oil- or spice-rich food may upset your baby’s stomach. You may have your cheat days, but ensure what you eat does not have loads of oil and spices. Include the following items in your daily food chart – fruit, green leafy vegetable, dairy item, whole grain and lean protein.

Ensure your daily diet also comprises bottle gourd and moringa leaves, which boost milk production; almonds, which are good for the brain; ghee, as it is rich in DHA; milk, for calcium; edible gum, which makes bones stronger; and dill leaves.

You can get back to your workout regime while you breastfeed but do not stress yourself. Also occasional caffeine, soda or glass of wine is perfectly ok, but ensure that your baby is not sensitive towards them. Remember, “A healthy outside begins from a healthy inside.”

Best Baby Prams And Strollers Under 5000 Rupees

A pram or stroller is the best buddy to parents of newborn babies. Everyone needs a break once in a while. Prams/strollers provide a little cozy environment for your baby and keep them safe and sound while you guys take a stroll around.

Although parents understand the importance of prams and strollers, still they do not want to spend a fortune on them. Trust us, your child will not roam around in a pram or stroller once they learn to walk, so now is the only time to give your baby the comfort they deserve. Here we will share with your few options to look for prams/strollers under 5000 rupees:

Babyhug Rock-and-Roll stroller cum rocker:

This is a twin function travel system for your baby. You can use it as a stroller or rocker as per your requirement. Made with high-quality material, this travel system will make your baby’s ride comfortable and safe. It has swivel wheels, multi-position recline, 3-point safety harness, spacious basket, twin cup tray, footrest and canopy to make your baby’s outing enjoyable. It has reversible handle, that is, can be used as both forward and rear facing. It is easy to fold and compact to carry outdoors.

R for Rabbit Poppins: An ideal pram for moms:

Rabbit Poppins is a modern design and safety-certified pram for your baby. There can be times when you and your baby plan for a walk or outing alone. It is then that you have to struggle with folding and unfolding the pram while holding your baby. Rabbit Poppins comes to rescue in such situations, with its one-fold feature which helps you and your baby stroll the city alone. It has multi-recline positions, 5-point harness, leg rest, reversible handle, 6 inch wheels with suspension and a functional meal tray. It is lightweight and compact to carry around.

Sunbaby Rocking stroller with full net:

This stroller makes sure your baby is comfortable outdoors. It has a mosquito net which covers your baby completely while you and your baby get some fresh air. The front swivel wheels have suspension and the rear wheels are facilitated with brakes, making the ride smooth and joyful. This stroller can be converted to rocker by just moving the wheels in upward direction. It has an add-on feature of a rattle on the meal tray to keep you baby busy while you shop or grab a sandwich.

These are some of the best strollers and prams in the market you can opt from without burning a hole in your pocket. Remember, “No matter how much money you spend on the stroller, it is the memory of the rides that your baby will cherish.”

In Praise Of Praise

As a parent, we often give in to our children’s demands the moment they start throwing a tantrum, as it is the easiest way to make them behave. But even as we often give in, or admonish them for their bad behaviour, how often do we praise them for their good behaviour?

We often tend to take good behaviour for granted, but did you realize that this is exactly the reason your child starts throwing a tantrum?

Imagine a situation where you are at home, busy on the phone, and your child made a beautiful drawing and wanted to show you. You may just nod your head and not really notice it. Or, you were busy with your chores, and your child picked up the toys and put them in place, but you failed to notice it, or did not mention anything about it.

Now imagine a situation when you are on the phone, and your child starts screaming and shouting. You immediately place the call on hold and tend to your child’s need, giving him whatever it is they want so that they will be quiet and you can resume your call.

Did you realize what happened?

When your child was doing something nice, you did not give the attention he or she deserved, and were busy in your own thing. However, when your child started shouting and threw a tantrum, you immediately made time and attended to your child’s needs. While this was not something you may have done intentionally, the message it sends across to your child is very clear.

Your child felt that shouting and throwing a tantrum was the only way to get your attention. With time, this can become a habit.

Why it is important to praise your child

Whenever your child does something good, take the time and effort to acknowledge it and praise. For instance, if your child picks up one toy from the floor, you can praise by saying ‘Good.’ Next, if your child picks up the next toy, say something more encouraging such as ‘Wow, that’s really nice! Let’s see how many more you can pick up.”

Each time your child displays good behaviour, acknowledge and praise, so that it boosts their self-confidence, makes them feel you are proud of them and makes them want to do good each time. And yes, tell them that you are proud of them.

Baby Stroller: Features To Keep In Mind Before Buying A Stroller

Buying a stroller is one big and expensive purchase which makes new parents quite anxious. There are so many options available in the market, and that makes it quite difficult to select the right baby stroller. Here is the checklist one must consider before buying a stroller:

1. Budget

For every parent budget is a major factor to be considered. We will suggest you to stick to your budget and don’t get overwhelmed by the choices. For that, do some research before entering the shop so that you can buy a value-for-money product.

2. Purpose

Try to figure out where you will be taking it mostly. If you are into walking and running, a sturdier stroller will be required for all terrain, known as a joggers stroller. For a joggers stroller, the features of locking and adjusting wheels should also be considered, which will ensure your baby’s safety and comfort. Then there are umbrella strollers which can be kept in the back of the car and are easier to carry and fold but are less sturdy. If you are into travel, then an all-in-one system is the best, which allows you to use it as a car seat wherein your baby can rest safely and you can enjoy the drive.

3. Space

Leaving a home with a baby means carrying 2-3 bags of necessities, so you have to check a stroller with compartments. There are a few which come with a parent and baby cup holders, a basket under the seat, and storage spaces on the handle bar, which can be used to store baby food, groceries as well as shopping bags.

4. Weight

Heavy-weight strollers are not recommended, and generally umbrella strollers and lightweight all-purpose strollers weighing 8-15 pounds are good as they are easy to carry and use specially for mothers. With weight, you should also check how easily a stroller can be folded and handled alone by you.

5. Steering and adjustable handlebar

As a stroller will be used by both parents, it is recommended to have an adjustable handlebar which can be adjusted to the required height. You must check whether you are able to steer the stroller in and out easily in tight spaces as well.

6. Safety

A stroller must have straps to secure your baby’s safely; hence a 5-point restraint with waist, crotch, and shoulder straps is recommended which will allow parents to relax keeping the baby’s safety in mind.

7. Test drive

Do take a test drive of a stroller, that to a fully loaded one. Most of the strollers when pushed empty will do fine, but soon as they are loaded with items, you will get to know its actual performance.

With these tips in mind, you must be ready for your first stroller purchase.

Baby Furniture: Essential Furniture Pieces For Doing Up Your Kid’s Room

There is an artist in every child, and their room is their atelier. Your baby’s room is the personal space where they will discover and rediscover themselves. Therefore, designing your baby’s den should be a well-thought-out plan. It should be lively and stylish yet comfortable and baby-proof. Let’s make it superfun and exciting with a few ideas.

Before you get on work read about the essential baby room furniture.

  1. Bed: Bed is the core furniture of your baby’s room. You do not have to spend a fortune on your baby’s bed. However, make sure it is sturdy, safe and comfortable. You can choose from a variety of options like twin beds, bunk beds, full beds or loft beds.If you plan to buy a crib for your baby’s bedroom, you can pick a convertible one, which literally grows with your baby. The convertible crib transforms into a toddler bed when your baby outgrows it. Ensure that the mattress is firm, soft and chemical proof.
  1. Drawers: You will always feel shortage of space to keep your baby’s stuff.  To combat this challenge, you should have allotted space for their clothes, diapers, quilts, toys etc., also keeping in mind some extra space for future use. Having good numbers of cupboards and chest of drawers will help you organize your baby’s room. You can even label the drawers with colorful stickers to easily retrieve what you need.
  1. Creative station: Your nipper will require a station or place where he can sit and read story books, color their activity books or invent something new. This is a space which will bring out the best in him/her by nurturing their creative skills. Be cautious in designing this area and make sure that none of the games are chemically unsafe.
  1. Play mat: You can make a play area in one corner of the room. Investing in a play mat is worth the money as it not only keeps your baby safe from the cold floor but also safeguards your floor from paint and doh. Choose a well-cushion mat. You can go for a mat which has alphabets, animals or numbers as it makes learning fun.

You can add a little magic with wall art and simple DIY hacks. Ensure that the room inspires your baby to learn and grow. Your nipper’s hideout need not be budget thrashing; instead it should be a place where each corner depicts your love and care. Also, it should be built in such a way that with the growing age of your sweetheart, this area too can be changed accordingly.

Acidity And Heartburn In Pregnancy

The feeling of carrying another life in your belly is the most beautiful feeling in the world. However, the story of creation is not as rosy or comfortable as it sounds. It has its own set of difficult issues to negotiate with.

Some mothers have an easy pregnancy while for some it can be tough. Acidity and heartburn are common issues faced by most to-be moms. Although acidity and heartburn do not lead to any complication, they are uncomfortable and irritating. Here are the reasons that cause acidity and heartburn and few tips which will help you get relief.

Causes of acidity and heartburn

Heartburn is caused by the hormone progesterone. In the initial months of pregnancy, the uterine muscles relax to make space for your baby. This loosens the valve between the esophagus and the stomach. In the last months of pregnancy, your baby grows in size and pushes your digestive organ towards the esophagus, thus causing heartburn.

Acidity vs. heartburn

Acidity is caused when acid produced by your gastric glands is way above the optimal level. Acidity feels like a burning sensation after having meals. People suffering from it can also have constipation and indigestion.

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the lower part of the chest. It is caused when the stomach contents are pushed back into the esophagus.

How to avoid acidity and heartburn

As they say, “Prevention is better than cure.” If you have a persistent problem of acidity and heartburn during pregnancy, consult your doctor. Besides taking medicines, you can avoid foods which lead to acidity and heartburn. Chocolate, coffee, tea, soda, citrus, ketchup, spicy and fried food can trigger heartburn and acidity.

Relief from heartburn and acidity

There are few ways by which you can minimize the effect of heartburn and acidity during pregnancy:

  1. Drink lot of water. Sip liquid between meals rather than during meals.
  2. Eat small but frequent meals.
  3. Enjoy your meal. Do not gulp your food; relax and take your time to bottle down the food.
  4. Do not lie down right after having your meal. Walk around, sit down or stand for a while.
  5. Have your meal at least 3 hours before going to bed. Also, try and avoid liquid just before bedtime.
  6. Keep your upper body slightly elevated while sleeping.
  7. Avoid wearing tight-fitted clothes during pregnancy. Opt for maternity wear.
  8. Ginger candies can help combat heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
  9. You can consume antacids, which are rich in calcium or magnesium.

Eat right, sleep tight and enjoy the journey as the countdown to the joyous moment begins.

10 Products That You Need To Buy For Your Newborn

Shopping for your newborn is as nerve-racking as it is exciting. You want to buy everything best to make your baby comfortable in the new world. The tension of missing any important baby care product is always on your mind.

To help you out, we have jotted down 10 baby care product which are a must-have in your newborn’s bag.

  1. Comfortable clothes: When you are out for your kid’s shopping, buy clothes which will keep your baby comfortable. Preferably choose clothes which open from the front and has a wide head opening. Your bag should have onesies, rompers, undershirts, pajamas, sweaters, socks and mittens.
  1. Crib: Your baby will be sleeping most of the time during the first few months so investing in a crib will make your life easy. You do not have to worry about your baby’s fall if you make them sleep in a crib. The crib will also make your baby ready for solo sleeping.
  1. Bedding: Buy mattresses made up of foam or natural fibre which fits your crib cozily. Your baby’s bedding should include washable mattress, fitted crib sheets, blankets, side cushions, and a soft pillow.
  1. Bath tub: Your newborn really needs to be comfortable and well supported while you give them a bath. Whatever shape or size you choose for the bath tub, make sure that it is BPA free.
  1. Diaper: You can opt for either cloth or disposable diapers or nappies. Do not stock too many diapers as your baby will outgrow them. Also always keep a diaper rash cream in your bag when traveling with your kid.
  1. Bathing products: Choose non-toxic baby bathing products. Use lukewarm water while bathing your baby. If your baby is not dirty, you can just wipe them using lukewarm water.
  1. Baby car seat: This is a must-have item for the safety of your baby. The car seat will also ensure comfort of your baby on bumpy rides.
  1. Grooming kit: You would think why a grooming kit for your infant! But to keep your baby healthy, you need to groom them. The grooming kit should include a comb, oil clipper, petroleum jelly, baby powder and a first-aid kit.
  1. Nappy bag: You will require a nappy bag while you travel. It includes diaper, changing mat, extra clothes, wipes, face towel and rash cream.
  1. Breast pump: In the beginning your baby will not be able to consume the milk produced by you. So you will need to pump the extra milk out. It will also help your baby to adapt to the bottle easily.

Enjoy shopping baby care products for your newborn and do not forget to buy sweets for the guests who will visit to bless your newborn.

5 Advantages Of Using Cloth Diapers

The two most prominent types of diapers available in the market are the cloth diapers and the disposable diapers.

As a parent, you want the one that is best for your baby. If you are planning to buy cloth diapers, or if you are not sure but want to know what are the benefits of cloth diapers for your baby, then do read on.

5 pros of using cloth diapers:

  1. Completely safe: More than any other advantage, the one and biggest advantage that parents look for in a baby product is how safe it will be for their little one. A cloth diaper is 100 percent safe and will be very gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. Reusable cloth diapers are made with cotton and do not contain any harmful chemicals that could be toxic for your baby.
  2. Budget friendly: Using cloth diapers is a very economical choice, as these are reusable and you won’t have to buy fresh packs each time. They are priced very sensibly and are available almost at any baby store. As they are available through simple brands and stores, you can find the best quality at very reasonable rates.
  3. Easy to use: The concept of using cloth diapers are very simple and you can either use the ones you have to fasten with a baby safety pin, or buy the ones that come with ties or Velcro side straps. Depending on whether your baby is at home or you want to go out, you can choose the type of diaper that will work best.
  4. Absorbent lining when required: The best part about using a cloth diaper is that, while you can easily use it as a simple cloth option at home, without the need for an absorbent lining, you can insert a disposable absorbent lining when you have to take baby out. This will ensure that your baby is clean and dry, while the material you use is safe on baby’s skin.
  5. Environment friendly: Did you know that it takes about 500 years for a single disposable diaper to decompose? Imagine the amount of waste we are creating and leaving behind for our children! A cloth diaper is made of cotton, which is a biodegradable product. Also, since you will reuse the cloth diapers multiple times, it will create much lesser waste as compared to disposable diapers.

When To Worry About Your Child Weight

We all love babies with a little baby fat, but even though it does look cute, childhood obesity and weight gain is a serious issue that can affect your child’s overall health, even in the future years.

Any toddler and child can be overweight, and sometimes, it can be difficult to understand the same as a parent. So it is very important that you speak to your child’s paediatrician and understand how they can best track your child’s weight.

Understanding BMI in relation to overweight and obesity

While earlier doctors would take your child’s weight and height, these days, paediatricians are also trying to check on children’s BMI (Body Mass Index). The BMI measures the amount of body fat based on weight and height. This is a very accurate way to find out the exact amount of fat in the body, and will help understand if a child is actually overweight or obese.

If the BMI percentile comes between 85 and 95, it indicates overweight, and if it comes at 95 or above, it indicates obesity.

How to tackle the situation:

Now that you know your child may be overweight or obese, here are some tips that can help.

1. Work together as a family: Your child will benefit if the entire family can start eating and living healthy. If you ask your child not to eat junk, or spend more time in some physical activity, it is important to set an example yourself. Stop buying any junk food, and engage in actual games and sports.

2. Be direct but gently: Tell your child about the problem and help them understand how it can affect their overall health, now and later. Being direct does not mean you have to call your child fat. Tell them they have a little more weight than they should at this age, and doing simple and fun things such as playing and planning and eating a healthy and delicious meal can easily help reduce that weight. Say that the entire family needs to eat better, and do so.

3. Move more: With our busy lives, we often tend to ignore the benefits of daily physical activity, such as walking. Instead of taking the car, start walking with your child to nearby areas, and even for trips to the local market. Download walk tracking apps and show them how much they walked. This can be an inspiring way to get them on their feet.

How To Raise Your Child’s IQ

The first five years of your child’s are the most crucial in terms of cognitive and overall development. This means that, these five years are the time when your child will learn and grasp the most, and this is also the best time to help him or her make the most of his abilities in terms of learning.

The term IQ broadly covers areas such as information, linguistic skills, math, spatial understanding, memory, gross and fine motor skills as well as thinking abilities.

Here are tips that will help you raise your child’s IQ

1. Talk to your child all the time – You don’t have to talk to your child about things they will understand, but the key is to talk about anything and everything. From what you are eating to what you can see outside the window to what books you are reading and how you are doing the dishes or what colour dress your baby is wearing, keep talking to your baby about anything that you can think of.

2. Introduce language – India is a country of diverse languages and if you speak more than one language, make sure to do so at home in front of your child. Children who can speak more than one language have a higher IQ than those who speak only one language. You don’t have to be perfect at it, just make sure you speak the language enough so that your child can understand the difference in each.

3. Test memory – Try out fun and interesting ways to help your child test memory skills. Talk to your child about something and ask about it after some time. You can also show them a particular object and place it somewhere, then ask them later where you kept it. While this will be a great conversational activity and encourages communication and language skills, it will also boost your child’s memory.

4. Engage in age appropriate tasks – Letting your child take part in small activities around the house will encourage the gross and fine motor skills. Some really good objects that can help develop and improve your child’s fine and gross motor skills are papers, brushes, paints, pens, beads (make sure they are big enough to not have any choking hazard), household items and such that your child can hold and work with.

Encourage your child to talk and play as much as possible. More than anything else, playing is one of the best ways to boost your child’s IQ!