Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 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 India’s…

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the global economy, creating widespread panic across the world. While the panic is for good reason – more than 100,000 people being infected and over 3000 fatalities – it is important to note that prevention is possible. In order to do that, the need of the hour is to initiate reasonable conversations around the prevention of this virus. Health experts have stated that the only way around is to educate yourself on the facts before you succumb to rumours and myths that have been widely circulated on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. With lockdowns imposed, schools being shut and daily routines turned upside down, your li’l one will definitely have a bunch of questions on his mind, and it is important…

Thirty one-year-old blogger Banashree Gala is mum to two-year-old Veer, and the winner of BabyChakra’s MomStar, a contest held across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Bengaluru, in a quest to award mums from different fields. All these mums, who are striving to break stereotypes, went on to become the face of India’s leading online parenting aggregator and platform. Mother and Baby India editor Swati Chopra Vikamsey was one of the jury members. “It was an interesting exercise, as the mums—all from different walks of life—were ‘judged’ on a variety of parameters,” she said. “In addition to talking about their life and work, the participants all wrote down a few lines on why they deserved to win. It was interesting to see how many creative and enterprising mums we have out there!”…

Clean hands are vital for the overall health of your child (or even you for that matter!). This is especially important with the current COVID-19 pandemic, to save yourself and your li’l ones from infection with a few basics hygiene tips, keeping clean hands being number one of them! That’s why washing hands or sanitising them several times a day, is highly recommended. There are two kinds of sanitisers: alcohol-based and alcohol-free. Since we’re talking about babies, toddlers and small children, the alcohol variety is out of question. That leaves us with the alcohol-free version, that usually use benzalkonium chloride, a known bacteria killing antiseptic, as its main ingredient. It is gentler on the skin but equally effective. Though it is milder than its alcoholic counterpart, it must never be…

Effath Yasmin is India's leading IBCLC, a biodynamic craniosacral therapist from Mumbai, India and founder of Nourish & Nurture. Her special interests lie in infant oral and sucking dysfunction, tongue-tie assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, biomechanics of breastfeeding and treatment of birth trauma, anxiety and depression. Yasmin serves on the national board of Birth India and international advisory board of ICAP (International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals) and GOLD Conferences. She is also the producer and director of an award-winning international documentary film Untying Breastfeeding screened across many countries.…

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. As all of us reel under the effect of a global epidemic and forced isolation, we are compelled to garner all resources to make it through these tough times. While there’s a whole lot of info out there on the deadly virus and its consequences, M&B puts together a guide on how you can stay safe, especially if you are a mum-to-be, or worried about your li’l ones. Our in-house lactation consultant also gives you a lowdown on breastfeeding when infected. It is a must-read! With playschools, daycares and even playing spaces shut down, our babies are affected too, and forced to stay by themselves, and indoors. Yet, they don’t really know why. Maybe, it’s time to have the talk. Turn to page 44…

1. Learn how to control the settings on your social media accounts so you can decide who gets to see what. Platforms such as Facebook even allow you to do this for every single post with just a couple of clicks and dropdown menus. There are several guides online that can teach even the least digi-savvy person to do this is just a few, simple steps. 2. Never post anything that gives away information about your location, whether this is your residence, workplace, your child’s babysitter’s residence, day care centre or playschool address, or the location of the playground you frequently visit. Sometimes even easily identifiable landmarks are enough to indicate your location whether you realise it or not. Scour your photos taken in public spaces before posting them. 3.…

By Dr Shivani Chandan L, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster RV Hospital. • Washing your hands is a must before touching the baby, and before using a breastpump or bottles. • Use a face mask only if you are sick, while feeding. • Get immediate medical attention if symptoms like cough or flu are prolonged. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, toys and surfaces with a household cleaning spray • Maintain at least 3ft distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. • Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose. • Avoid unnecessary visit to hospitals and gatherings. • Avoid non essential travel completely. • If your tot exhibits severe symptoms like shortness of breath, visit a doctor immediately.…

Being pregnant can be a trial at the best of times. But if it is in the hot and humid summer months, it can take the difficulties to another level. The summer season literally makes you a hot mama. Your own body heat plus that of the baby can turn you into a walking furnace! Here are some pointers which can make your summer months pass like a breeze. UNDER YOUR SKIN ♦ Exposure to too much sunlight can cause brownish coloured patches on your face and chest. Dermatologist Dr Rashmi Sarkar explains, “The melanin in your body acts up during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes, causing the condition called Chloasma. Usually, the patches disappear after the pregnancy. If not, consult a dermatologist.” ♦ It is advisable to avoid…

1. Why they need it: Tell them about the dangers of germs and the infections they can cause. The horrid memories of tummy aches/colds/fever will nudge her to be careful about their hand hygiene 2. The 20-second rule: When handwashing with soap or if using a sanitiser, tell your children that they have to rub hands for 20 seconds – front and back, and in between fingers too. Hands never to be dried on their own clothes as they might be dirty. 3. Not to be eaten: Tell them that sanitiser is made form chemicals. It kills germs. It is not made for humans to ingest either! 4. The process: Tell them to take a blob which should be enough for front and back of hand, between fingers and finger…

Experts give you some guidelines for buying medicines: * Start from the name itself. These days, it is mandatory to have the medicine name written in two languages. Often, drugs have similar names. Double-check spellings on the prescription and the medicine that has been bought. Ensure that the spellings match. * Check the expiry date. * Read the product insert before medicating. All instruction of reconstitution of medication should be carefully read and adhered to. Check how much water needs to be added if required, etc. Check that the volume is proper. * In case of liquid compositions, shake the bottle before use. * Check if the medicine needs to be consumed within a time-frame; if it requires diluting or dissolving. * The medicine should be stored in a cool,…

Do you have something to say? Is there any way Mother & Baby can help you in your journey of parenthood? Write in to the editor at this e-mail address: mbeditorial@gmail.com The letter of the month will win a special gift from Sophie la girafe® Hi M&B, I’m five months pregnant, and live in a small town in Himachal. Unfortunately, we do not have many options when it comes to shopping for maternity clothes or even newborn clothes. I absolutely loved all the dresses featured in the maternity collection and the newborn must-haves, and I at once placed a very large order. I also loved the fact that the newborn clothing was very gender-neutral. Thanks so much! SADHYA MARBANIANG, DHARAMSHALAM, Dear Sadhya, We’re happy to have been of such great…

The heat is on and you’ve planned a summer of picnics and days on the beach building sandcastles so big they need planning permission plus burying Daddy up to his neck in the sand when he dozes off! Keeping young children safe in the sun is a worry for many parents, but luckily there’s no need to hide your tot indoors all summer long. “The sun helps you synthesize vitamin D and there’s increasing evidence that it helps prevent many types of cancer,” says Rebecca Russell, SunSmart campaign manager for Cancer Research UK. KEEPING BABY COOL As a golden rule, keep your tot inside or in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest. Says Dr Heather Payne, UK-based consultant paediatrician, “Make a big deal about…

Even though that will mean even more trips to the loo, you still need to drink a lot of water (at least six-eight glasses a day). Lack of water can cause dehydration. This can lead to swelling or even preterm labour. Divya Deswal, Childbirth Educator and Doula, explains, “There are varied symptoms for dehydration, some being reduced urine output, lethargy, dryness around the lips, etc. Swelling in hands and feet could also be a sign of dehydration. It could also mean that you need to rest and put your feet up more often or, combined with certain other factors, it could be an early warning sign of another issue.” If plain H2O is too bland for your liking, spritz it up with a dash of fruit juice like orange, pomegranate,…

Priya Waghmare, 39, public relations manager: “I was in the middle of a house party when my water burst; or rather, started leaking. I thought it was urine, but the smell was different. I called my gynaec who said that I should come into the hospital only when my contractions start and are either 10 minutes apart or 30 seconds long. I waited for more than six hours without much change. I kept leaking fluid, which is not a good thing because you can catch an infection or you could go into dry labour. When I finally went to the hospital, I delivered within six hours. It was a normal delivery. I squatted because I didn’t want to lie down, and gave birth to my beautiful baby girl Krishna after…

Panic and anxiety has been on the high during this unusual situation worldwide, with the pandemic of Coronavirus (Covid-19) looming on us. As of now, young parents with newborns and infants are feeling vulnerable, especially with all the information given to them on how to manage illness while breastfeeding or caring for a newborn. Here is a guide for young families in the current situation of global crisis... WHAT IS CORONA VIRUS? According to the World Health organisation Corona viruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several corona viruses are known to cause respiratory infections, ranging from the common cold with mild symptoms to more severe respiratory diseases that may need intensive care. How contagious is it and how does…

Setup. it’s important to see to it that the paeditician has a backup setup; it is better to opt for a hospital even if it you visit the doctor for vaccination so that if a child has a reaction, it can be tacked immediately. Flexibility. A good doctor is pretty flexible. If the child is not able to take oral dosages, the doctor should be able to give you other options like nebulisers, nasal sprays, a suppository in the rectal area, etc. You should feel free to tell the doctor if your child finds it difficult to take too many medicines and medical professionals should be compliant. If not, you should reconsider your choice of doctor. Openness. Frank communication is paramount between doctors and patients. Ego hassles should not happen.…