Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Mother & Baby India

And just like that, the year has come to an end! And though there’s much that could have gone differently this year, one thing is for sure — the show must go on. We’ve all learned to find our way around the limitations in the current circumstances, and we’ve all learned to make the best of what we got. Christmas cannot be any different. I say, wear your dressiest mask, pocket the sanitisers, identify your safe social bubble, and you’ve got yourself a winner! To top it, Mother and Baby brings you your very own pandemic-sensitive X-mas special. Our cover mum, Suja Varunee sets the mood, as you delve into this very Merry issue. Beginning with ideas to make it extra special if it’s your li’l one’s very first Christmas,…

tips Megavitamins may not be safe for pregnant women, since excessive doses of vitamins can be harmful, and their effects on the fetus have not been fully studied. Women planning pregnancy and who are pregnant also are advised not to consume nonessential dietary supplements or herbal preparations, since their effects on the developing foetus are unknown. Therefore, it is safe is to take a prenatal vitamin supplement that contains folic acid and iron. Share your pregnancy photos with us and you could Win exciting prizes! Send high-res images with your full name, personal address and contact details to mbeditorial@gmail.com marked ‘THE WHOLE NINE MONTHS’ in the subject line. Featured mums-to-be will receive a gift hamper from Himalaya, valuing ₹1000 each.…

• Download and print Christmas themed artwork from the internet and temporarily replace your photos in the frames. • Cut cardboard into letters and cover them with fur to make huge fur letters. It brings out a cozy feel to the space. • Deck up your front door by wrapping a ribbon on it like a gift. • Change the cushion covers to more red and white colours. • Use empty glass bottles as candle stands. • Fill up a glass vase with pomegranate or plums to add a little colour in your space. • Floating tealight candles in wine glasses are perfect to lift the mood in your ambience. • Hanging cute and inexpensive stockings can make any space completely Christmas-y. • Fairy lights tie the whole look together,…

When Rebecca Bloomwood, the protagonist of Shopaholic & Baby, talked about how her husband has got ‘suddenly keen on her cleavage’ after she got pregnant, she was listing just one of the many ‘pregnancy wows’ that women can look forward to. Yes, you read that right. Impending motherhood doesn’t just come with its woes (be it cellulite or increased weight), but also brings along a bevy of positives. Read on for more. STAYING HEALTHY Pregnancy means no periods till you continue breastfeeding. This translates into freedom from PMS, dysmenorrhoea and cramps for that much time. Childbirth eliminates some of the proprostaglandin receptor sites on the uterus which cause the contractions of the uterus during menstruation and labour. This translates into reduced cramps. Fewer periods also reduce the exposure to oestrogen…

If you really don’t want to write a plan, that’s fine. But make sure you don’t go into complete denial about the fact that you will be giving birth. Even if you can’t bring yourself to put pen to paper, do the following: TRY AN ANTENATAL CLASS ‘This will help you start to get ready mentally and physically for the birth,’ says doula Nicole. You’ll pick up tips and find a new support network, too. DISCUSS THE BIRTH WITH YOUR PARTNER ‘Whether it’s your husband, boyfriend or mum, your birth partner is an essential part of any mum-to-be’s team,’ says Nicole. ‘If you’re on the same page about what’s important to you during the birth, they’ll find it much easier to support you.’ RESEARCH, RESEARCH Fancy learning about the pros…

Pregnancy is such a special time, and everyone around you also goes all out to make sure you feel pampered and cared for. One of the areas that expecting mums are especially pampered is with food. And what better time to talk about all the delicacies than during the festive season. With Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, I am sure your taste buds are tingling. Even though your social calendar may be empty, thanks to the ongoing pandemic, there is still the feeling that this is the time to do something special, something different. Well-meaning elders around you are probably saying ‘Eat for two’. Well, you do have another person inside you now. So does that mean two servings of desserts? Although that sounds amazing, it is something…

The festive season is a great time to uplift your spirits and bond with your family and friends. But all that fun does not come without it’s own side effects. The Holiday season means binge eating, less focus on nutrition and wellness, lack of rest and sleep and a general break from our regular routine. And it all shows up on your skin. We at M&B took it upon ourselves to give you fool-proof solutions to come common skin problems, so that you can enjoy the festive fanfare without a worry.. THE EFFECT Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes Sleep deprivation and late nights leave you feeling tired and can have terrible effects on your eyes such as eye spasms and dryness. On the outside, it can leave you with…

Cover your baby well to avoid heat loss, but at the same time, do not over cover. A good rule of thumb would be to clothe the baby in as many layers as the mum would need to keep warm, and then, add an extra layer. Before putting on woolens, make sure that the baby is wearing a soft layer of clothing inside, since direct contact with wool can cause rashes. Use a good moisturising cream that suits baby’s skin, especially after a bath. Bathe the baby with caution. You need to bathe her only twice a week in harsh winters. Baby’s skin has natural oils and the use of harsh soaps and repeated bathing in soapy water can cause the skin to dry. Water should be warm and not…

● Any paint on the floor or body if fresh, can be easily rubbed off with cotton soaked in turpentine oil. If the paint is old, even then it comes off in a day or two with scrubbing. ● The paint brushes: Wipe off the excess paint on old newspaper then soak them in turpentine oil for a few hours. Later clean with warm soapy water and pat dry with a clean rag. ● Fabric: Our cotton bedsheet got some paint on it. I rubbed a little kerosene on it with a clean cloth immediately. Then soaked it in warm soapy water. The entire paint came off and the linen was a good as new.…

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

MADE FOR YOU! Marking its entry into skincare segment, Bare Anatomy, India’s undisputed personalised beauty brand, launches India’s first ever 100% personalised and premium skincare range to celebrate inclusivity. The products promise fresh and clean beauty formulations, customised to each unique skin type, goals and concerns through a three-step regime. The new range is available in kits consisting of a deep pore cleansing facewash, intense hydrating moisturiser and overnight restorative night cream, to suit varied Indian skin types, ranging from oily, normal to dry. The products are made from high-grade botanical ingredients and cutting-edge technology, and is dermatologically approved, vegan and PEA certified, SLS and parabenfree. Formulated in their own state-of-the-art R&D lab, it factors in an individual’s skin type, problems, goals as well as lifestyle conditions such as diet,…

The spirit of festivities is truly unmatched. Rightly touted as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, there’s joy, laughter, revelry and enthusiasm all over, particularly from your li’l munchkins. But what’s the festivities without some decor and bling? In today’s times, it’s extremely important for children to have an inclusive mind and a secular outlook. All this, when inculcated in the formative years, has a lasting effect on their minds and propagates into their personality. Christmas is definitely the most sought-after festival when it comes to kids. The twinkle in their eyes when they see the candies, Santa Claus, stockings, cookies and gifts is truly heartwarming. Keeping all these elements in mind, we’ve come up with a fun DIY Christmas decor idea. All of this is made with items…

● Keep up the healthy eating habits to retain good skin, hair and body ● Read and research to know how you can enhance your little one’s wellbeing. It helps you be engaged proactively towards the baby. ● Make time to go back to your hobbies and recreational interests. It helps lessen the stress of rearing a child. ● Take up post-natal fitness programmes to shed the excess flab. ● Continue taking supplements of Iron, Calcium etc. with due advice from the doctor. ● Continue breathing exercises to keep postnatal depression at bay and have a healthier respiratory system. ● Most of all, enjoy the beautiful bond that the baby cements between you and your partner. The little life that you create together gives the best security to your relationship,…

Mums-to-be around the country sighed in sympathy at the news that Kate Middleton was suffering from extreme sickness with her second pregnancy, just as she did with her first. While this is difficult to deal with, it has at least raised the awareness of pregnancy nausea and how to manage it. But of course, it’s not the only thing you’ll experience while growing your baby. “During pregnancy the body experiences a lot of changes,” says Gail Johnson, spokesperson for the Royal College of Midwives, UK. And because hormones affect women in different ways, you could be in for some surprises. BABY HICCUPS What’s going on? According to one recent survey, the bizarre sensation of your little one hiccupping inside you is the most surprising side effect. From about week 20…

An important question that comes up when a woman starts labour is when to go to the hospital. One does not want to leave so late that one delivers en route to hospital. Neither does one want to go so early that the hospital stay is long and punctuated with medications and injections. WHY DELAY? Sometimes, women rush to the hospital the moment the first signs of labour start to occur. This is not a good practice to indulge in because hospitals have a protocol to deliver within 24 hours, of a patient being admitted. Hence, if a to be mum panics and reaches the hospital at the onset of normal pre-labour symptoms, her body may not yet be ready for the birth. However, since she has reached the hospital,…

Your baby’s first year is full of milestones and every parent does their best to capture each of these milestones, in the best way possible. Not just her first laugh, first crawl, or first steps, even the first of the holidays are exciting. So what if they are too little to comprehend the excitement of it all. That’s no reason to go easy on their first special occasion—whether it’s Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas or Halloween. It is obviously more of a kick for us parents than for them kiddos. One of those special times of the year has arrived, and it’s my favorite festival too. ‘Tis Christmas season and ‘tis raining lights, candies, stockings, reindeers and Christmas carols. There is something about the vibe this time of the year. There’s…

Music education is a brilliant channel to promote the overall development of a child, since birth. Indian Classical Music education in particular, has innumerable benefits. Being a parent to a four year-old, I observed that when my son was growing up, the education system in India does not tap into the potential benefits of teaching Indian music during early years. Having trained extensively in the discipline, I decided to make a change. And that’s what led me to start my classes, aptly named ‘Sur Taal aur Masti.’ I was very clear in my mind, from day one, that learning had to be made fun. If they dont enjoy themselves, they dont learn. I conduct one hour long sessions, which includes classical music basics, rhythm training, rhymes and age appropriate devotional,…

Swarupa Hegde is all about sticking to the schedule and maintaining a structure. Mum to one-year-old Darshana, she says, “I fed on a strict schedule. It helped to work our days around feeding times and once you know how much milk your little one needs to keep her satisfied, she gets used to the routine. I started with every two hours. Then I started feeding her for every three hours. Once your baby is used to the time period between feedings, her body is like an alarm clock. My little girl used to cry at three hours to be fed.” As a new mum, you are doing everything you can to take care of your baby. But are you the type of parent who likes to be in control with…

Dear Team, I feel very excited to write to you about my wonderful journety with M&B. I read your magazine in my prenatal class and then asked my hubby to order it immediately because I was so amazed by it. It has cleared a lot of my doubts and gives a lot of useful information about pregnancy. I’ve been reading your magazine since the start of my second trimester, and now I’m a happy mum to my baby girl Zara. Even my husband enjoys the magazine, and we’ve introduced a lot of our friends to M&B. Thank you for making me feel so much at ease as I stepped into parenthood, and I wish you every success. NISHA ARORA, LUCKNOW Dear Nisha, How wonderful that we’ve been a part of…

Suja Varunee is a popular South Indian actress, best known for her work in Kannada, Telgu, Tamil and Malayalam language films. Not one to beat around the bush, she is much loved by industry aficionados and fans alike, for being bold, and outspoken, yet grounded and charming in her demeanour. “My motto is simple: give me respect and love, and I shall build you a temple. Spew hatred, and I shall be your worst nightmare!” she says. Since taking on her new role of being mum to Adhvaaith, she reiterates that she saw a whole new meaning to life, one that taught her to celebrate the little joys. Here’s her story, in her own words... A BLESSING IN DISGUISE “I came from a family that wasn’t very well to do.…

When you think Christmas decor, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is a big Christmas tree near a chimney. Well, not everyone is fortunate enough to have the space for a gigantic Christmas tree. In these times, our li’l ones cannot revel in the Christmas decor outside, in malls, hotels etc. If you have babies and toddlers in the house, the worry is that your toddler might knock over the tree might leave you sleepless! Is it still possible to make the kids feel like Christmas without an actual Christmas tree? Why not! There are many alternatives to a traditional Christmas tree which would be a fun activity for toddlers, and also deck up your home for the festivities. FELT TREE WITH VELCRO Readily available green felt sheet…

Maya Rani, 78, is a mum to 30 children. She could raise all of them almost single-handedly, with good education, health, and social skills. Today, her children are valuable members of the society, each with their own rewarding careers, and loving families to come home to. Including her children’s spouses, and their respective kids, Rani’s family now boasts of over 100 members! However, Rani is not a biological mum to any of her kids. These children were once orphaned and abandoned infants. She was a caregiver at SOS Children’s Villages of India, a child care NGO. She joined the organisation in 1968,at age 26. After loosing her own mum when she was just eight years old, it took no time for her to realise that serving as an SOS Mother…

Let’s get the facts straight. You’ve got a baby inside you and it needs to come out. But do you really need a plan to achieve that? Isn’t it just a question of biology? And, even if you do embrace the concept of writing out your birth requests, won’t you still end up furiously shredding it during labour when nothing is going as you intended? The answer is, probably. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make one to help you process what you’re about to go through. Though birth plans are unheard of in India, and we cannot really control much in our hospitals, speaking to your doctor may help empower you. Many new age birthing centers also support and encourage you to choose your birthing style. “Writing a birth…

POST-PARTUM HAIR LOSS WHAT’S GOING ON? During pregnancy, the ‘hair fall’ part of the hair-growth cycle stops. But around three months after giving birth all that extra hair falls out and suddenly feels much thinner. WHAT YOU CAN DO Not much. The cycle does start again, so your hair will return to normal after a few months. SQUIRTY NIPPLES WHAT’S GOING ON? “For some women, they only have to hear a baby cry for the milk reflex to kick in and milk to come out,” says Roger. WHAT YOU CAN DO Two words: breast pads. NIGHT SWEATS WHAT’S GOING ON? Night sweats are purely down to hormonal changes. WHAT YOU CAN DO “Keep a waterproof mat under your sheets until the night sweats stop,” says Dr…

While you pile up the quilts and overwork the heaters, do you constantly worry about how to keep your little bundle of joy safe? Your baby’s skin is delicate, and this season is not kind. The extra layers of clothes does not help either. “Winter affects baby’s skin as much as it does an adult’s. But, since baby’s skin is thinner, more sensitive and vulnerable, it needs extra care and precaution,” says Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra, dermatologist, Skin Alive Clinics, Delhi. WHY WORRY Winter dryness may cause the skin to become scaly or lead to diaper rashes. “It can also cause frost bites on fingers and toes and chapped lips and cheeks,” says Dr Chhabra. “It is important to protect the baby’s skin in the harsh winter months because it is…

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.…

The other day, we were at a children’s park with my four year old niece and her friend. After playing for an hour, both refused to go home and insisted that they would like to play some more. We were at our wits end trying to convince them to go home. My niece threw a tantrum, fuming with anger, and tears flowing down her cheeks. Do you sometimes face a situation wherein you feel you need to punish your child? Alternatively, does your child occasionally behave excellently, and you miss applauding him? Most children upset their parents with undesired behaviour, and sometimes, surprise them with good behaviour. Dr Seema Rekha, behaviour expert at Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon, says, “The journey of an infant to being a toddler is a mix of…