Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2021 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…

Sheryl Salis, is a registered nutritionist, naturopath, certified diabetes educator, wellness coach, lecturer, health writer and insulin pump specialist. She has worked with a number of major corporates, and leading hospitals in Mumbai, and has been instrumental in setting up their departments for diabetes and wellness management. She also runs nutrition clinics at corporate houses. The monsoon season is here! Time to cosy up with a steaming cuppa and a book, by the window. Despite giving us relief from the scorching summer heat, the rains also bring along the season of infections. During this season, it’s particularly important to take extra care of our li’l ones, especially with COVID-19 crisis still looming over us. We need to keep the common cold, cough, flu or any other disease away from our…

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 the warmth of your skin do what’s needed. The bond between a mother and a child is magical, let it work its way through direct contact! ADEQUATE FEEDING While crankiness often implies that your baby is hungry, feeding your baby…

A pregnancy craving will bother you till you give in. Sometimes cravings shoot up in the middle of the night, and sometimes they are for foods you wouldn’t ordinarily reach out for. While cravings are a normal occurrence during pregnancy, do you need to control your these indulges? Let’s find out. WHY DO YOU CRAVE? There’s no definite explanation of why a pregnant woman yearns for particular foods as the reasons differ with each individual. Cravings generally indicate that your body lacks certain vitamins. For instance, lack of protein is reflected in craving for red meat. Or chocolate, for lack of magnesium. Hormonal changes also greatly alter the smell and taste buds, and could be the reason for cravings. Dr Veena Shinde, MD, DGO, consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist, and infertility…

Let’s face it – COVID-19 is here to stay. When we first heard about it the whole world was in denial. We felt that a few weeks of lock down and we would be able to eradicate this virus from the world. But 18 months later we are still no where close to being free of COVID. At the onset of the pandemic many couples decided to delay their Getting Pregnant plans but then since the pandemic continued to rage—life moved on and everyone started to accept the new normal, even couples who wanted to start a family. But what do you do when you’ve tested positive? Sure, it can cause panic and mayhem in your mind, but here are a few things to keep in mind: COVID can easily…

With the rising speculation of a third wave of COVID, affecting a relatively younger age category, it is important now, more than every to keep our li’l ones safe. As ever, I’m sure the tons of information thrown your way may leave you scared, anxious and worried—and some of that information might not even be verified! However, there has been increased concern over a COVID-related complication in kids, called MIS-C, and it’s time we had ‘the talk.’ WHAT Multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children (MIS-C) is also called paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PMIS), and is linked with COVID-19. The syndrome can occur simultaneously with COVID-19, or as a delayed post-COVID-19 complication, in tots who have recovered from COVID-19. For children with MIS, some vital organs including the heart, kidneys, brain,…

Monsoons usher in a welcome change from the scorching summer heat. But, along with the freshness, greenery and much-needed breeze, the monsoons also bring with it disease and illness. However, there’s really no reason why you can’t make the most of the weather, even if you have young children around the house. Dr Bhaskar Shenoy, consultant and chief, division of paediatric infectious diseases, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, says, “Due to wet and humid climate, various infections are common during the monsoons. The dampness, muck and stagnant pools of water are ideal breeding grounds for disease-causing microorganisms. While everyone is prone to diseases during the monsoons, children are most likely to fall sick due to their immature immune system. It is imperative for parents to take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure…

Aries This month, your Aries babe needs her mama’s total attention—and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it! You’ll also find her particularly interested in play dough activities, activities that involve crayons, and having a little buddy over for playtime. Be alarmed and be careful mum, she is prone to injuries this month. Taurus You’ve got a li’l dreamer on your hands this month. You’ll see her cooing, smiling and chuckling away in her sleep, or maybe even find her zoning out during the day. She’s slowly beginning to have dreams of her own, and may even remember and try to tell you about it. However, be mindful of the kind of dreams these are - if you find her wanting to sleep with you often or have it…

With COVID-19 wreaking havoc in the world since nearly two years, ‘the dreaded C’ has taken on a completely new connotation. Though the initial taboo has given way to more controlled anxiety, people rightly continue to fear the virus and its effect. The long-awaited vaccines are under way. More and more information is being made available about the disease every day. Healthcare facilities are increasingly becoming more adept at handling its complexities, and several parts of the world are opening up to near-normal daily life. And yet, Coronavirus continues to remain a mystery, consistently transforming itself, persistently remaining a fear factor, especially for vulnerable sections of the society. Our July issue is dedicated to an overview of the current status of the deadly disease and the nascent vaccine, in the…

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…

“YAMINI DAND, who is pursuing a PhD in English literature, initially thought that food cravings are a myth. “I was told if you crave for sweets, then it’s a girl and if for spicy food, it’s a boy. Soon, I realised I was craving for chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone. I don’t have a sweet tooth, but at that time I wanted a piece of chikki, chocolate, jaggery or laddoo, after every meal. The craving sensation is akin to how you feel when you get really thirsty and only water can satiate you. Strangely, the day after my delivery, my cravings vanished! As if my baby girl was the one craving for sweets, which could be true as Amyrrah loves sweets.” “SHABNAM LILANI, art curator and mother to…

Listening to all the news over the internet about COVID, and how lethal it has become, is so overwhelming, especially, if you are a new mum. You have uncontrollable paranoia about almost everything and in times like these, you can get worked up. You can’t think straight, and all you want for your little one is to be safe. In the past few months, there have been a lot of doubts floating around nursing during COVID, and whether you should get ‘jabbed’ or not? Well, is it safe? NURSING WITH COVID You might be wondering if you can still breastfeed your tot if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19. The answer is a resounding yes! Even if you have been infected, your milk is not only safe, but also advantageous to…

OK, so you’ve learnt what your body will do in labour. But how can you prepare for what it will feel like? There are ways you can distance yourself from the pain. “I recommend Kundalini yoga to physically prepare you for birth,” says Suzy. This form of yoga calls for lots of small, simple repeated movements. “You learn that you can distance yourself from the stress your body might be feeling and stay focused—which is perfect to prepare you for birth.” Kundalini yoga is generally suitable up until the 120th day of pregnancy, if you are well and already practise it. Otherwise, pregnancy yoga is recommended. Consult your GP before starting a new fitness regime when pregnant. Visit kundaliniyoga.org.uk…

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly wreaked havoc in India and around the world. Many fought courageously, and many have lost their loved ones. We all grieve differently—some of us find a way to deal with the loss in a healthy manner, and there are those of us coping with the trauma, constantly plagued with the thought, ‘why them and not me?’ A month ago, Anil was tested positive for COVID followed by his wife and parents. Due to severity of the symptoms, the parents were admitted to different hospitals, and eventually, everybody recovered, except his dad. He recently consulted us with feelings of guilt, negative thoughts about life and self, crying spells, sleep disturbance, and thoughts about self-harm. Anil currently blames himself for bringing the infection into the family, for…

● Use only boiled water for drinking and cooking. ● Avoid roadside food, juices and ice. ● Avoid eating uncooked food outside. ● Eat home-cooked meals and make sure nutrients rich in fruits and vegetables are easily accessible. ● Wash hands thoroughly before cooking, eating and after visiting the toilet. ● Ensure water does not stagnate in any water plants, pots or pans. ● Stay alerts to fevers. Visit a doctor if you have a fever two days after wading through rain and water.…

Shilpa Sawant, Is a Mumbai-based architect, founder of Astitva Architects and her own venture, SAS Design. In addition to sophisticated, aesthetic interiors, she has avid interest in the Origami, the Japanese paper art. She has been conducting Origami workshops digitally, and is also a visiting faculty member for interior design at Sir J.J. College of Architecture. www.sasdesign.inInstagram: @origami.sas YOU NEED 10x10 cm square paper Scissors Glue YOU MUST…

Being unwell during pregnancy can open a huge can of worms. From creating a dangerous environment for the unborn baby to risks to the expectant mum, illness can take quite an ugly turn. M&B shows you how with just a little care, you can be on top of the game If morning sickness, indigestion, backache and a swollen body weren’t enough to contend with, you also have to deal with a weakened immune system during pregnancy. Yeah, being pregnant is not easy. FIRST THINGS FIRST—MEDICATION If you fall sick during your pregnancy, it’s going to be doubly harrowing for you. You’ll not only be concerned about your health, but about your baby’s well-being too. Anything you eat or drink is going to be shared by your baby and that includes…

The COVID pandemic is spreading unabated, causing a flood of chaos, gloom, melancholy, grief, and most of all, anxiety and stress. However, many vaccines that have been administered, have given us all a glimmer of hope. Ever since vaccines were rolled out in various parts of the world, there has been an avalanche of information, presumptions and myths, floating around the internet and social networking platforms. We at M&B aim to sift through the chaos, debunk certain myths associated with vaccination in women, including during pregnancy. Studies from all over the world have shown that pregnant women are not necessarily at increased risk of getting infected. Also, just as in the general population, COVID-19 has a self-limiting mild or even asymptomatic course. However, mamas-to-be are more likely to require hospitalisation…