Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i Mother & Baby India

DR KIRAN COELHO A succesful gynaecologist and practicing obgyn for the last 30 years. DR ANITA MADAN A doctorate in education, she is currently the Curriculum Development head with EuroKids International Pvt Ltd where she promotes a developmentally appropriate curriculum. DR GEETANJALI SHAH Popular Mumbai paediatrician, conducts holistic fitness workshops for pregnant women. NUTAN PANDIT Breastfeeding counsellor and natural birth therapist who’s been teaching in New Delhi since 1978. DR DHERANDRA KUMAR Consultant clinical and child psychologist, he is founder and director of Psyindia, and engaged in direct work with children. SONALI SHIVLANI Mumbai-based childbirth educator, certified by Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association, USA. ANIKA PURI Childbirth educator, prenatal and postnatal massage therapist, certified counsellor, reflexolgist and a holistic practitioner of women’s health and fertility in Delhi. EFFATH YASMIN Founder…

There’s plenty written about the joys (and struggles) of motherhood, but there are no words that can describe how your heart swells when you see your child smile at you. Or, when you see your son accomplish something. Or when he comes to you when he needs a hug. You can blame the hormones, but it is motherhood. It makes the heart expand at the most unexpected times. For Meghna Ghodawat, founder of The Skin Project, a beauty-tech company, motherhood has been one such rewarding experience. Here’s her story. HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF BECOMING A MOTHER? HAS IT CHANGED YOU IN ANY WAY? Meghna: Being a mother is a life-changing experience. It invokes a person in you which you didn’t know existed. Sure, it comes with a lot of…

• Stay hydrated by sipping water in between. • Breathe deeply and regularly as you stretch. • Listen to your body and stretch only as far as you are comfortable. • If you are already an advanced practitioner, then hold your urge to overstretch. Let it be easy and simple. A better time to enjoy giving a fillip to your practice would be a few months after delivery, so keep your eyes on that goal instead. For now, make necessary modifications keeping your pregnancy in mind, so that your practice is risk-free. Even if you are new to yoga, pregnancy is a great time to start your practice under a trained instructor, after getting a green signal from your gynaecologist. Taking a group prenatal class is also a great way…

When a woman is expecting a baby, everyone around her tells her that she would now need to be happy and relaxed. The concept is that she is carrying a child and the little child should not be exposed to undue stress. This is an age-old belief in our country, and, many of us dismiss this as an old wives tale, but there is some reality in this too. Did you know that the earliest brainwave activity has been seen in a foetus as early as day 21 of conception? Well, that’s true and even though your baby may not be hearing or understanding what is happening around him outside the womb, the baby can actually form some memories which then become a part of his life in the years…

● You have had a pre-term pregnancy earlier. Then, there are chances that you might face it in the subsequent pregnancies as well. Hence, it can be a good idea to stay away from massage therapy in such cases. ● You developed PIH or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. This is a critical condition, which if ignored, may endanger the lives of the mother as well as the foetus. In this condition too, avoid massage therapy. ● You are suffering from pre-eclampsia, develop sudden swelling with fluid retention or are experiencing severe headaches. ● You have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where a blood clot is formed in one of the deep veins in the legs. Getting a massage therapy at such times might dislodge the clot, which might even travel…

Effath Yasmin is India’s leading International Board Certified lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapist, internationally certified lactation educator and the founder director of Nourish & Nurture Lactation Care & Parenting Education, an outreach clinic for mothers and families seeking professional clinical lactation management and parenting counselling. Yasmin sits on the board of directors and National Advisory Board of Birth India, an NGO striving for safe and supported birth in India and an active governing council member of the International Association of Tongue-Tie professionals (IATP).…

What you don’t have, you can’t give “Infants can sense mother’s anxiety, and it can have a detrimental effect. Mothers should be as relaxed and comfortable as possible, and this responsibility lies with the entire family. Taking care of a baby should be a combined effort!” Dr Mehta states. Visino Kesiezie from Kohima, who is a mother to one-year-old Nono, says “When my daughter gets moody, I usually feed her something as she usually cries only when she is hungry. When that doesn’t help, I give her toys to distract her. At times I do get irritated as I am only human, but I try to calm myself. Sometimes looking at her face helps calm my nerves, on other occasions spending some time away from Nono calms me down. And…

When a toddler feels jealous, he’s doubting himself. To boost his self-esteem, tell him why you noticed when he did something that you think is great. Describe it in detail: ‘I saw how kind you were to your friend. She fell over and was upset, and you went straight over to look after her. I know you were enjoying playing with the sand, but you stopped to be kind to your friend. That was a lovely thing to do.’ If he just can’t stop jumping around, try this little trick to keep him in one spot long enough to calm down, without dampening his excitement. Pour some sparkling water into a clear plastic beaker, then let him drop in a few raisins. The raisins will be carried up to the…

Dear readers, It feels so good to be back home, to my first baby ever – Mother and Baby India. It’s been an adventurous two years that I have been away bringing up and caring for my own little one. My little elf is two! And that’s how long I’ve been away from what I loved the most. But then, now, what I love the most has changed! So, now you and I have something in common. We are both mums, and we both have a ton of questions and some experiential wisdom to share. Boy, what a ride this has been! Watch out for my little story, of a roller coaster of a ride as I embarked upon my journey to motherhood, in the forthcoming issues of your favourite…

Name : Shreeyan Goswami Age : Ten months From : Ghaziabad Name : Aadya Singh Age : One year From : Rishikesh Name : Vaihan Sholapurwala Age : One year From : Mumbai Send high-res images of your baby to mbeditorial@gmail.com with ‘Angel Spotting’ in the subject line, with your baby’s name, your address and phone number. If your baby’s pic has been featured on this page, you’ve won great goodies worth 1,000 from BuddsBuddy, a highly-dedicated baby products manufacturing firm.…

● Opt for a facility equipped with CCTV surveillance and security personnel from known agencies ● Insist on a tour of the entire facility to see if it is secure and child-friendly not just on the façade, but inside too ● Ask for opinions from people, online and offline, about the reputation of the facility ● Most importantly, keep a dialogue open with your child. Keep asking him/her about what happens in the school or day-care and keep a lookout for any disturbing verbal or nonverbal signs they may give.…

Being in your BMI range is one way to reduce the risk of C-section the second time around. If you are planning to have a VBAC, the best thing you can do is avoid gaining too much weight, exercise regularly and stay fit. There is also a fear of uterine rupture during VBAC. Women with a low transverse cut from the previous C-section, who have managed to be within their desired BMI range are usually considered fit for a VBAC. A study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology which took into account the 1213 patients saw that obese women even with a low transverse cut had 50 percent lesser chances of having a VBAC. Also, women who gained weight after their first pregnancy were 40 percent less likely to…

Pregnancy can be many things---overwhelming, exciting, stressful and awesome. Every mum’s journey to motherhood is uniquely her own, and there is no guaranteed hack to ensure that you will look and feel a certain way. But there are always a few things you can do to stay positive, and enjoy this phase of your life to it’s fullest. Here’s how... 1 JUST GIVE IN If there is ever a time in life to just say ‘no,’ it’s now. If there are a million things on a weekend to-do list, and all you can think about is taking a nap, go for it. Or if you had shopping plans with girlfriends after work, but are simply too exhausted, reschedule it for some other day. Listen to your body’s cues and act…

Different practitioners have different approaches towards meditation. While Dr Snehal Shah, homeopath and advanced clinical hypnotherapist uses the above-mentioned techniques to practise meditation, Dr Geetanjali Shah, Mumbai-based paediatrician helps her patients to follow a step-by-step approach for every trimester. “The first three months are very stressful as many women feel low and fatigued very soon. Relaxation, through corrective breathing, helps them regain their energy levels and also control morning sickness, nausea and other symptoms,” says Dr Geetanjali. The White Light Technique of visualisation is taught during the second trimester. “Here, expectant mum is made to lie on her back in a quiet place and breathe evenly, which would set in waves of relaxation through the body. Next, she is encouraged to visualise a white light entering her left leg and…

The mind of a toddler is one that’s constantly in motion, and most parents will agree that little kids are at their happiest and most manageable when they’re busy. Whether you’re looking to fill up an entire afternoon, or need an activity to keep your tots busy while you’re working on dinner, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy’s Home activity will suit every need. It will keep those tiny hands occupied with seven hands-on activities. As your baby slides, turns and flips the activations around the house, songs, sounds and phrases are played that introduce the alphabet, counting, and more. There are more than 55 songs, sounds, tunes, phrases, as well as lights to amaze your child. There are three learning stages. Level 1 has tons of activities, level 2…

BE FIRM ‘Don’t give in to your toddler’s demands for his “favourite parent”,’ says Dr Halsey. ‘If you say no and share the task, your child will get used to it and having either parent becomes the norm.’ RELAX ‘If your child will only let Daddy play with his toys, it may be because he’s more inclined to get involved in uninhibited play. So don’t be shy, make sure you are just as much fun to play with,’ says Tanith. TALK ABOUT It ‘While flattering, it is also demanding being the favourite. Both you and your partner can feel upset – one because the workload has been shifted on them, and the other because they feel all that love and effort is not being rewarded,’ says Dr Halsey.…

Dear editor, I would like to congratulate you on the wonderful work you are doing for the last few years. At the same time, I have a request. Can you please, please, please publish more articles on foetal development. I am currently six weeks pregnant. I find the whole process of the baby growing inside the womb very fascinating. It is so amazing that I am creating a whole human being inside of me. I would love to understand this process in more detail. And who better to ask this of than the experts? Thanking you in anticipation, MITALI JOSHI, MUMBAI Dear Mitali, Thank you for writing in. While it is easy to feel satisfied with ultrasounds and the growing baby bump on the outside, taking a moment to really…

Bag-it! WITH the Mee Mee Multipurpose Nursery Diaper Backpack, you can be quick on your feet each time your baby needs. It lets you stash all your baby essentials comfortably in one light yet spacious bag. Its multi-pockets help you keep each necessary item in its right place so that you can reach for it quickly without hassle. The adjustable and wide strap sits comfortably across your shoulder and back. It also opens widely so that you can see and access the contents inside easily. Plus, a diaper-changing mat is provided for easy and swift changing when on the go. The wide back and shoulder straps provide extra support and make it easy to carry and the compact size makes it convenient to carry everywhere you go. So grab one…

When it comes to labour and delivery, many women spend weeks, if not months, fretting over whether they will be able to deliver the baby. Prenatal yoga practice can help minimise the anxiety over labour. During labour, yoga can help connect you with your breath, move labour along with more ease and awareness, and teach you to be more in tune with your body. While labour is untimely and unpredictable, the ability to stay focused and calm is something that yoga teaches you to do almost automatically through deep breathing exercises and body strengthening poses. Here are the top prenatal yoga poses that work wonders in building core and back strength, hip flexibility and breath control, that can help calm your nerves during pregnancy, labour and beyond. 1. BHADKONASAN…

● Limit the intake of foods made of refined flour like white bread and buns. ● Avoid undercooked or raw eggs, or foods likely to be made with raw eggs such as mayonnaise and homemade mousses. Eggs should always be well-cooked. ● Also refrain from raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and fish. ● Skip eating fish which are high in methylmercury content such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. ● Do not consume unpasteurised milk or curd. ● Keep caution when you are eating out. Avoid raw vegetables, fruits, and juices when eating out, since you may not be sure of the hygiene practices. ● Avoid greasy or heavily spiced foods, junk foods, fast foods which are heavy in calories and provide fewer nutrients.…

Most women opt for a healthier lifestyle once they conceive. And among other things, they also realise that alcoholic beverages are not recommended during pregnancy. However, when for a breastfeeding mum, recommendation become vague and ambiguous. If you go by the recommendation during pregnancy, the safest option when breastfeeding is also to avoid drinking alcohol altogether. The reason for ambiguity is that research has been inconclusive on the effects of alcohol on a breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding isn’t a short-term life event like pregnancy. Besides, birth and nursing become a part of a mother’s life and lifestyle for a prolonged period of time. It is important to to be safe, and yet allow for mothers to not feel restricted in their choice to breastfeed while being able to lead a healthy…

Fussiness isn’t limited to nights. Day time too can turn into a battlefield if you are not able to help your baby stay calm. Here are a few practical tips and tricks that will help you soothe your infant’s nerves... CALMING MOTION “Rhythmic movements often comfort babies, probably because they remind them of the motion they experienced in the womb,” explains Dr. Saini. Swinging smoothly, rocking and taking a walk with the baby are some proven fuss-busters. SOOTHING SOUNDS Just like motion, sounds that remind your baby of the warmth of your womb should help ease the tension. A recording of the mother’s voice, or simply a white noise will do the trick. COMFORTING CONTACT There’s no other trick more calming that holding the baby in your arms and letting…

When a baby reaches a milestone, it’s a moment of joy and personal victory for the parents—an affirmation that they are doing something right. If the baby misses a milestone, however, or there’s a delay, a parent might end up feeling crestfallen. At a very early stage, a sense of competition slithers into the hearts of parents, without warning, compelling parents to push their children a little more each time. Between academics (alphabet, number, nursery rhymes) and EVS (Environmental Science) how much should we teach a child in the after school hours, (including school homework)? Mum Shweta Sayanakar shares her experiences: “I have always believed in striking a balance between play and studies like my parents did. But, I did get carried away initially with more focus on studies due…

They are little people now, with points of views that need to be heard. Also, they begin to understand ‘no’ as an answer when explained why. At this stage we miss the baby that grew up and admire the small individual in front of us. But even now they can’t be expected to sit still and focus on studies. They love running around, free play, all their toys, Tom and Jerry—a whole world around them is waiting to be discovered. So for teaching the alphabet or one to ten or poems or EVS (animals and their young ones, colours, days of the week etc.) just get your child to sit with you for short periods of time. After that, let the child return to free play. They have small attention…