Category: Parenting

When you go through the process of delivering the baby, it is natural that you feel relieved. However, the truth of the matter is that you must be very vigilant about your health even post pregnancy. This is very crucial because whatever you have in your diet or you consume has a direct impact on your baby via the breastfeeding. So, when you are taking care of your diet, by extension you are taking care of your baby. There are certain types of food items that are really bad for your health after pregnancy. Let’s find out what they are and avoid them.  

Spicy food
The spicy food is amazing in taste, but not a good news for your baby’s health. It reaches your baby’s body easily, it affects the baby’s digestive tract and blood flood. It can harm the baby’s health. So, it is better to avoid spicy food after six months of delivery.

Oily food
When you consume too much oily food it leads to the accumulation of fat in your body, it ruins your body structure and your look. So, try to avoid consuming sweets, butter or other fatty foods. In places of these things, you can add walnut, soybean, olive oil or peanut oil to your diet.

Food items that lead to gas
Avoid eating the food items that lead to burps, gas and acidity. These food items impact the health of your baby. For this avoid things like cheese, ice cream, carbonated drinks etc.

Food you are allergic to
It is important to avoid food that you are allergic all the times, but it becomes especially more important when you are in post-pregnancy phase. So, avoid any food item you are allergic to as it can harm the health of your baby.

Caffeine
Many women opt for coffee to keep their energy level up but it is inadvisable. The coffee contains caffeine that harms the child’s health as well as the mothers.

Breastfeeding is the sole way to feed your newborn after its birth. It is the prime source of nutrients to your babies. Hence, you have to keep yourself well on the diet so that your baby can benefit the best out of it.

You must be pondering over what-to-eat and what-not-to-eat while breastfeeding. Hence, to reduce your confusion, below mentioned is the list of fruits which you should not miss to eat while you are breastfeeding your child. So, take a quick read below and include them immediately in your diet.

Green Papaya:

The green papaya is the variety of unripe golden yellow papaya and it is essential to eat this fruit while breastfeeding. The green papaya contains the best galactagogue which helps in inducing lactation. Hence, it helps in enhancing the milk production. Besides this, this fruit also nourishes you with Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C and Vitamin D.

Strawberry:

Strawberry helps to keep you hydrated and also it can give you immense nutrients besides good taste. Being rich in Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium, eating strawberries would be great if you eat them while breastfeeding.

Banana:

Banana is high in Potassium and Folic acid. Thus, to maintain the electrolyte and fluid balance in your body and also to get back to shape, eating banana becomes important while you are breastfeeding your baby.

Avocado:

Avocado is rich in amino acids like omega 3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids and omega 9 fatty acids. Hence, it is good to eat this food as it can help to increase the production of milk.

Blueberry:

The juicy blueberry is highly rich in antioxidants which are good for the newborn baby’s health. Thus, include this in your diet to let the antioxidants reach your baby.

Oranges:

Eating oranges can be also beneficial while breastfeeding because it helps in tissue repair and growth in breastfeeding moms. Loaded with Vitamin C, oranges are also good for bone health.

Bed-wetting is an extremely common problem. It is also always normal unless your child has some other symptoms. If your child is younger than five years of age, then it is not really a thing to worry about. What is important about bedwetting is to remember that it is completely involuntary, that means, your child has no control over it and neither can he or she control it.

Causes of bedwetting

1. Body is still in development stage:

A reason for bedwetting is that the child’s bladder, brain and the nervous system are still maturing. The physical development of the body takes its own time and cannot be rushed to the stage needed for nighttime dryness.

2. Genetic factors:

If either of the parent had the experience of wetting the bed in their childhood, a child is more likely to experience it as well

3. High production of urine:

Another reason might be that your child is producing too much urine at the night. This may be because the hormone required to reduce the amount of urine produced at night is not produced in enough amount itself by the body.

4. Deep sleep:

Some children sleep so deeply that they can sleep through the brain’s signal of a full bladder and do not wake up to urinate, and so they end up wetting the bed.

5. Disrupted routine:

Bedwetting can also happen when your child is exhausted or has some minor illness. Stress can be a reason to wet the bed.

6. Medical condition:

Medical conditions like constipation and infection in the urinary tract can also be the cause sometimes. Uncommonly, bedwetting can also be a sign of diabetes.

Check with the doctor if the child has more worrisome symptoms.

There are a few practical ways in which you can help your child to stay dry at the night. Although, it may take some trials and errors to see what works best for your kid.

1. Child’s sleep environment:

Ask your child if there is any particular reason he or she does not want to go the bathroom. Ask them gently if they find an area scary at night or notice if the bathroom is far away from the bedroom. Let them know that it is okay to wake you up if they need you. Do not let them be in the dark if they are afraid of it and; put on a night lamp or a light in the hall.

2. Track your kid’s fluid intake:

Keep an eye on your child’s fluid intake. It is important that they drink enough water. It is a myth that restricting the intake of fluids will stop them from wetting the bed.

3. Make bathroom stop a routine:

Imbibe a bathroom stop right before the bed into your child’s daily routine. If your child wakes up in the night ask him or her if they want to go to the bathroom. Offer to go with them if they seem reluctant. However, deliberately waking up a child to go to the bathroom does not help in bed wetting.

4. Monitor the child’s daytime bathroom breaks:

Notice if your child is drinking enough water and going to the bathroom regularly. If it is not happening, the child is more likely to urinate at the night.

Milk is synonymous with cow milk for most of us. You would’ve grown up drinking cow milk and you’ll expect the same out of your kids too. Although cow milk is very beneficial, you’ll find that goat milk has much more than what cow milk can offer. So, if you’ve been wondering about why everyone’s been raving about goat milk, here’s why:

1. Easily digestible

Since the fat globules present in goat milk are smaller, it’s easier to digest. After you drink goat milk, it reaches your stomach to form soft curd that is less irritating for the stomach when compared to cow milk.If you find that your child has difficulty digesting cow milk, you can try goat milk and see if it’s better.

2. High in calcium

Now we all know that cow milk is high in calcium and makes your bones stronger. But, did you know that the calcium in cow milk only accounts for 28% of the daily recommended value whereas goat milk provides 33%? It is also very low in fatty acids which helps in lowering cholesterol levels.

3. Better absorption of vitamins and minerals

Although both cow milk and goat milk rank the same in the nutritional content, the nutrients like iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium that are present in goat’s milk are easier to digest and absorb. This is very effective to treat people suffering from anaemia (Iron deficiency) and bone demineralization.

4. High in vitamin A

The moisturizing qualities of fatty acids and triglycerides in goat milk help in keeping your skin baby soft and healthy. Because of high levels of vitamin A, it fights pimples and improves the complexion of the skin.

5. Less allergenic proteins

Cow milk contains more than 20 allergens which can trigger abdominal cramping, hives, runny nose and much more in kids, but parents usually ignore them or do not think of cow milk as the culprit. A1 casein (an allergen present in cow milk) is a highly inflammatory protein which can contribute to various gastrointestinal disorders. Goat’s milk, on the other hand, has a A2 casein which makes it the only one that comes close to brea*st milk, protein wise.

Goat milk is not extensively used in India because of the availability problem and it might be hard for you to let go of cow’s milk that you’ve been using since as long as you can remember. But every chance you get to provide your child with goat milk, do it. They might not take to the taste and the smell immediately, but it’s worth a shot.

Sure, you’re hip to multiple facts about breastfeeding, but check out this fresh list of nursing perks that extend to both you AND your little one.

1. A healthier baby
“The incidences of pneumonia, colds and viruses are reduced among breastfed babies,” says infant-nutrition expert Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and OB-GYN at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y., and the author of Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession (Elsevier-Mosby). Gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea—which can be devastating, especially in developing countries—are also less common.

2. Long-term protection, too
Breastfeed your baby and you reduce his risk of developing chronic conditions, such as type I diabetes, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.

3. Stronger bones
According to Lawrence, women who breastfeed have a lower risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis. “When a woman is pregnant and lactating, her body absorbs calcium much more efficiently,” she explains. “So while some bones, particularly those in the spine and hips, may be a bit less dense at weaning, six months later, they are more dense than before pregnancy.”

4. Lower SIDS risk
Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome by about half.

5. Fewer problems with weight
It’s more likely that neither of you will become obese if you breastfeed him.

6. A calorie incinerator
You may have heard that nursing burns up to 500 calories a day. And that’s almost right. “brea*st milk contains 20 calories per ounce,” Lawrence explains. “If you feed your baby 20 ounces a day, that’s 400 calories you’ve swept out of your body.”

7. It’s good for the earth
Dairy cows, which are raised in part to make infant formula, are a significant contributor to global warming: Their belching, manure and flatulence (really!) spew enormous amounts of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.

8. Better healing postdelivery
The oxytocin released when your baby nurses helps your uterus contract, reducing postdelivery blood loss. Plus, breastfeeding will help your uterus return to its normal size more quickly—at about six weeks postpartum, compared with 10 weeks if you don’t breastfeed.

9. Less risk of cancer
Breastfeeding can decrease your baby’s risk of some childhood cancers. And you’ll have a lower risk of premenopausal brea*st cancer and ovarian cancer, an often deadly disease that’s on the rise.

10. An unmatched feeling of power
“It’s empowering as a new mother to see your baby grow and thrive on your brea*st milk alone,” Lawrence says.

11. A custom-made supply
Formula isn’t able to change its constitution, but your brea*st milk morphs to meet your baby’s changing needs. Colostrum—the “premilk” that comes in after you deliver—is chock-full of antibodies to protect your newborn baby. “It’s also higher in protein and lower in sugar than ‘full’ milk, so even a small amount can hold off your baby’s hunger,” says Heather Kelly, an international board-certified lactation consultant in New York City and a member of the Bravado Breastfeeding Information Council’s advisory board.

When your full milk comes in (usually three to four days after delivery), it is higher in both sugar and volume than colostrum—again, just what your baby requires. “He needs a lot of calories and frequent feedings to fuel his rapid growth,” Kelly explains. “Your mature milk is designed to be digested quickly so he’ll eat often.”

12. More effective vaccines
Research shows that breastfed babies have a better antibody response to vaccines than formula-fed babies.

13. A menstruation vacation
Breastfeeding your baby around the clock—no bottles or formula— will delay ovulation, which means delayed menstruation. “Breastfeeding causes the release of prolactin, which keeps estrogen and progesterone at bay so ovulation isn’t triggered,” Kelly explains.

“When your prolactin levels drop, those two hormones can kick back in, which means ovulation—and, hence, menstruation—occurs.”

Even if you do breastfeed exclusively, your prolactin levels will eventually drop over the course of several months. Many moms who solely nurse will see their periods return between six and eight months after delivery, Kelly adds; others don’t for a full year.

14. Less time off work
Your baby will be ill less often, so that means fewer sick days for you.

15. It’s cheap!
According to La Leche League International, the cost of formula can range anywhere from $134 to $491 per month. That’s $1,608 to $5,892 in one year!

16. A great way to learn about your baby
“You have to read your baby’s ‘satiety cues’ a little better, because unlike with a bottle, you can’t see how much he’s eaten,” Kelly says. “You have to rely on your own instincts and your baby’s behavior to know when your baby is full.”

17. You can stash the condoms—for now
Breastfeeding can be 98 percent to 99 percent effective as a post-baby birth control option if a few guidelines are followed: Your period must not have resumed; you must breastfeed at least every four hours around the clock; you must not give your baby any pacifiers, bottles or formula; and you must be less than six months postpartum.

According to Kelly, nighttime feedings are the most important to the “lactation amenorrhea method,” so do not let your baby (or yourself ) sleep through a feeding. “Going long stretches at night without nursing seems to be directly responsible for the return of ovulation,” she says. Prematurely sleep training your baby can also hasten ovulation.

18. There’s nothing easier
Simply pull up your shirt and nurse. brea*st milk is always available and always at the right temperature.

19. Benefits for all
According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, the United States would save about $13 billion per year in medical costs if 90 percent of U.S. families breastfed their newborns for at least six months.

20. Better friendships
“Breastfeeding helps cultivate relationships with other moms,” Kelly says. Whether it’s talking about parenting styles, nighttime feedings or engorgement, nursing allows women to forge positive postpartum relationships. Adds Kelly, “Women are supposed to be sitting together, nursing and taking care of babies.”

Head to a kindergarten classroom today, and you’re likely to hear girl names like Sophia and Emma, Isla and Mila, Harper and Quinn. It’s a mix of long-time favorites and newer discoveries. Some are unisex and modern. Others feel surprisingly traditional.

But how about the kindergarten class of 2026? Or maybe 2031? Which rising girl names seem likely to soar – or quietly climb – in the next five to ten years?

We can get some insight by looking at the names that have gained in use most dramatically.

Most of these names won’t make that list, though. Instead, a mix of on-trend sound and just enough pop culture presence might transform these nine girl names into popular choices to fill classrooms of the not-so-distant future.

Louisa – For years, we marveled that Louisa failed to make the US Top 1000. Literary, lovely Louisa substitutes for the often-heard Sophia and Amelia, and shortens to the sweet Lulu and Lou. Tailored Louise regularly ranked higher than Louisa, but today, just as Elena and Stella outrank Elaine and Estelle, Louisa seems like the better bet.

Ophelia – Ophelia returned to the US Top 1000 last year, and why not? Sound-wise, Ophelia brings to mind Olivia, a name that’s ranked in the US Top Ten for well over a decade and currently stands at Number 2. Likewise, both Olivia and Ophelia are borrowed from Shakespeare. The same is true for former Number One Jessica, as well as Adriana, Miranda, and Beatrice. There’s no telling how high this name might climb.

Liv – Another possibility boosted by the success of Olivia, Liv is spare and minimalist. It’s a sister for Mia or Zoe, the female equivalent of Gus and Max. It’s also meaningful, a Scandinavian name meaning life. Actress Liv Tyler makes the unusual name feel more familiar.

Ruth – Biblical Ruth makes for a straightforward, serious name – but Ruthie is just plain darling. The name last topped charts in the 1910s and 20s, but is showing signs of revival today. With names like Grace and Claire so popular, it’s easy to imagine Ruth fitting right in.

Sloane – Ever since Sloane Peterson took a day off with Ferris Bueller in the 1980s, the name Sloane has slowly gathered momentum. Just 29 girls received the name in 1986, the year the iconic movie debuted. Since then, Entourage gave us a character by the name, and it’s slowly gone mainstream. Could Sloane be the next Quinn?

Zuri – Gone are the days when parents stuck to Western names, Americanizing anything unfamiliar. Popular names now come from Sanskrit and Swahili as well as German and French. Zuri means beautiful in Swahili, and it also brings to mind the very popular Zoey. This name could catch on in a big way.

Luna – Never underestimate the potential of a great nature name, or a name that works well in Spanish and English. Luna is both, with all the cachet of a Harry Potter heroine, too. The name appeared on the fringes of the US Top 1000 around the year 1900; today, it’s just outside of the current Top 100 and poised to go higher still.

Everly – It’s easy to dismiss Everly as a fleeting trend. After all, the name has gone from unranked to just outside the US Top 100 in less than five years, the kind of rapid rise that sometimes signals a short-lived name. (Remember Miley and Brittney?) But I think Everly has more staying power. It’s an Evelyn–Emily mash-up, a successor to Avery, and perhaps even the new Mackenzie.

Saylor – Christie Brinkley welcomed daughter Sailor way back in 1998, but I think it is Saylor-with-a-y that will go places. It brings to mind 1990s favorite Taylor, as well as current ends-in-r choices like Harper and Piper. In late 2015, two reality television personalities chose the name within weeks of each other. First came Kristin Cavallari’s Saylor, then Bristol Palin’s Sailor.

Those are top picks. Which girl names do you think we’ll hear more of – much more! – in the next few years?