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Best Matching Outfits for Couples this Valentine's Day
For some, Valentine’s Day is merely a Hallmark, ‘mushy’ cards holiday, and for some, it’s a day to express their undying and eternal love for their significant other. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic who’s quite flamboyant with your expressions of affection or an idealist who doesn’t believe in all these occasions and treats Valentine’s Day like any other day, chances are you have something planned for the day to make your partner feel loved – but you probably have no idea what you’re going to wear.
If you’re going all out with dinner reservations with your boo, you’ll need an outfit which is worthy of the occasion. And if a romantic stay-at-home meal and a Netflix marathon are what you’ve got planned, then it makes sense to dress a little low-key. Whatever V-Day plans you opt for, it goes without saying that you will be taking a ‘couple selfie’ to commemorate the day on your social media handles. So why not put some thought into your outfit to make it a little quirky and out-of-the-box? Below, we list down a few couple outfit ideas, ranging from colour-coordinated outfits to the classic black-suit-red-dress chic.
Valentine’s Day Matching Outfits for Couples
Matching couple outfits are an excellent way to show your affection for one another, whether you’re sporting matching sweatshirts, the classic red-and-black combo or just some cute couple T-shirts with quotes on them. Whatever the outfit may be, it is sure to bring a smile to your partner’s face.
1. The Classic Red-and-Black Combo
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Nothing can ever go wrong with this outfit. Whether you’re a couple who loves to chill in jammies and have a movie marathon at home or the kind that goes all out with candlelight dinners, this outfit idea is stellar and will always be. Your partner could wear a dapper black suit while you could wear a beautiful red chiffon saree (it will totally give off a ‘Badtameez Dil’ vibe, won’t it?). Also, if your man is willing to be a little adventurous, ask him to wear a black bow-tie instead of a normal tie. If you want to go a little casual, he could wear a white mandarin collar shirt with black chinos, while you could wear a red maxi dress! You could also wear matching black and red pyjamas if you’re going for the ‘Netflix and popcorn’ plan. If you’re staying at home on V-Day, might as well do it in style!
2. Colour Co-ordinated Outfits
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Going matchy-matchy with your guy can either be totally adorable or slightly hideous and weird. But that doesn’t mean you cannot look like a power couple on V-Day with outfits that complement each other! Opt for the colour-coordinated way - co-ordinated outfits aren’t boring when there’s a pop of colour involved. Colour is a beautiful way to give your outfits a fashionable and quirky edge. Just make sure that you keep your ensembles balanced and don’t go overboard with them (you don’t want to look like a Christmas card because you decided to wear a green dress and your man chose to wear a red shirt!). Choose one colour to wear between the two of you, and to avoid an excess of one colour, one of you could decide to wear a softer tone of the same colour while the other could go all vibrant. For example, you could wear a mustard Anarkali dress while your husband could wear a shirt which is a lighter shade of mustard with navy blue or black pants.
3. Patterns for Matching ‘Coupling’ Outfits
[caption id="attachment_219903" align="alignnone" width="564"] Source: Pinterest[/caption]
If you and your bae are a little adventurous and want to try something that looks a little out-of-the-box, patterns are something you should definitely try. If you're going to keep it casual but still want to look aww-dorable, you could wear a striped knee-length dress or a midi dress while he could wear a striped casual shirt with black or blue jeans. Plaid patterned outfits are great too if you want to look like a celeb couple seen walking on the streets by the paparazzi (you could certainly feel like one even if you aren’t one, right?). There are many other patterns that you could opt for, like Aztec prints, geometrical prints, etc.
4. ‘Coupling’ T-shirts with Quotes
[caption id="attachment_219904" align="alignnone" width="564"] Source: Pinterest[/caption]
While some go for colour-coordinated outfits, some like to be more vocal and expressive about their love and might want their outfits to portray the same. Well, what’s better than matching T-shirts with cute quotes or completion quotes on them! Still confused about what we’re talking about? Ok, here’s an example: your man could wear a T-shirt with ‘Mr. Good’ written on it, while you could wear a T-shirt with ‘Mrs. Life’ written on it (so romantic, sigh!). Or you could wear a T-shirt with the quote ‘If lost return to babe’ and he could wear a T-shirt with ‘Babe’ written on it. Awwww-dorable, right?
5. ‘Coupling’ T-shirts with Symbols
[caption id="attachment_219909" align="alignnone" width="563"] Source: Pinterest[/caption]
This outfit idea is very similar to the one with the quotes; but instead of quotes, the T-shirts have symbols on them. Remember those cheesy but cute flirty lines you use to acknowledge the value of your partner’s presence in your life? For example, “You’re the peanut butter to my sandwich”, or “You’re my Monica, and I’m your Chandler”. Well, imagine having those things printed on as symbols on your T-shirt. Cool, right? You could wear a T-shirt with a cute bread symbol on it, while your bae could wear one with an emoji of butter on it. There are plenty more of these, and we’re sure you’ll know exactly what your partner is to you and choose the right symbols for the both of you!
6. Inside Jokes or the ‘How We Met’ Story
[caption id="attachment_219911" align="alignnone" width="564"] Source: Pinterest[/caption]
Remember how Simran and Raj met on DDLJ and the iconic object which brought them together – the cowbell? Well, if they had to wear matching T-shirts, they would probably have two cute cowbells on their T-shirts. We’re sure you too have an adorable story of how you met, or have some inside jokes that connect both of you on a level only you both know. This year, customise and print those elements that brought you both together on your T-shirts, and give off major #couplegoals vibes to everyone. Also, these personalised T-shirts will make unique gifts for your lovers. These T-shirts will definitely take the sentimental value up a notch!
No matter how you decide to spend your Valentine’s Day, you will definitely get a trendy outfit option from this list. Show off your harmonious relationship with one of these stylish, matching couple outfits and celebrate your love with a hint of style.
Also Read:
Lovely Valentine Day Quotes and Wishes That You Can Dedicate to Your Wife
5 Romantic Poems, Just for Your Husband
Extraordinary Ideas to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Your Husband Read more
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This Simple Exercise At Birth Can Solve Bonding, Breastfeeding, and Parenting Problems For Newborns
Human beings are guided by their instincts more than they realise, acknowledge or give credit to. It goes by a lot of names – intuition, instinct, gut feeling. We look at a person and we just know we have found a new best friend, or the love of our life. In the midst of watching a cricket match, we just know that our team is going to lose. Instinct is rightly described by many as 'knowing something, without knowing why'. Let's find out about an instinct that our little babies have right from birth, and why it is so special.
Instincts have accumulated in us human beings over centuries. They are very deeply rooted, and sometimes override our conscious thoughts and judgement. However, some of the most basic instincts we have are about our primary needs – especially food.
What Is Newborn Baby Breast Crawl
Instincts are the highest in the initial years of life. Till we develop the ability to think individually and 'make decisions', it is our instincts that guide us through the initial years.
The newborn baby breast crawl, is the process during which a newborn that is placed on the mother's body right after birth, crawls to the mother's breasts and self-initiates the first breastfeeding session. (Note: this process is initiated before the baby is taken away for cleaning and measurements.)
It is common practice now-a-day to take the baby away immediately after birth for cleaning and measurements. The initial contact between mother and newborn is not initiated until these things are taken care of. While this might seem the norm, it affects both mother and child adversely in more than one ways. However, the single biggest motivation to mothers and doctors worldwide should be the findings of a study carried out in 2006 (Edmond et. al.) that predicted a 22% decrease in neonatal deaths if newborns were initiated to breastfeed within the first hour of their birth.
Breast Crawl Has Unparalleled Benefits for Mother and Baby
Apart from significantly decreasing chances of neonatal death, following advantages speak in favour of breast crawl and self-attachment.
1. Expulsion of Placenta
During the process of the newborn baby crawling to breastfeed, over the mother's body till her breasts, pressure is exerted on the mother's body. The newborn's limbs massage the woman's body, and in turn make it far easier and less painful for the placenta to be removed from the mother's body.
2. Initiation and Bonding
The newborn, guided by his instincts, seeks for the mother's breast to have his first feed. This leads to significantly heightened level of bonding between mother and baby.
Studies indicate that a mother may not instantly feel immense and deep love for her newborn the moment she lays eyes on him. However, a mother is most receptive in those initial few moments right after giving birth to her baby. If mother and child are allowed to bond during this period without being separated from each other, they are able to establish their new relationship better, faster, and in stronger ways.
3. Lowered Risk of Postpartum Depression
One of the biggest unaddressed problems of motherhood is postpartum depression. Postpartum depression (PPD) can have long-reaching effects on both the mother and her baby. However, baby breast crawl can effectively and significantly reduce the risk of a new mother going into postpartum depression.
As the baby seeks the mother's breasts to feed, he uses his hands, limbs, and his sense of sight, smell and sound to 'get to know' his mother. As the baby reaches the breast and touches them with his palms and hands, the mother experiences a surge of oxytocin (also known as 'the love hormone') in her body, and the infant's. This allows the mother to feel a deep connection with the baby, which further ensures that she feels love for the baby. This reduces the risk of PPD.
4. Ease of Breastfeeding
The surge of oxytocin that the mother experiences has another advantage: it helps her to release breastmilk easily and readily, as it facilitates the production of prolactin.
The number of mothers having problem with breastfeeding their babies, and low production of breastmilk is steadily on the rise. We hear an increasing number of stories about women struggling with these two things that should ideally come very naturally and 'instinctively' to them. The reason of course is that by taking the baby away from the mother right after birth, we are killing the very instincts that should help both mother and child in bonding and nutrition.
5. Sensory Inputs and Quiet Alertness
According to several studies, the following has been observed of babies in their early minutes of life: babies that are placed on the mother's body for breast crawl right after birth, stop crying and go quiet. They begin to assess their surroundings and taking everything around them in – the different sounds, smells, and the touch of their mother's body. They also are able to recognise the mother's voice and smell. Typically, babies then fall off asleep by a maximum period of 2-2.5 hours.
This period is called the initial quiet alertness. The baby's brain is in a state of alertness that allows it to process the very first sensory inputs about the world. Three things happen if babies are separated during this time from their mother:
they cry incessantly
the first breastfeed is delayed
sensory development is affected
6. Reduced Risk of Parenting Disorders
As explained earlier, oxytocin production is facilitated by the newborn baby breast crawl in both the mother's and the infant's body. However, this oxytocin goes beyond the initial bonding and plays a much bigger role in the life of both mother and child.
Studies have revealed that the initial contact and bonding facilitated through the baby crawling to breast after birth can actually curb future behavioural and parenting problems such as child abuse, abandonment, neglect, etc.
If you pause and reflect on this for a moment, it won't be hard to figure: most of the common sentiments we feel for our mothers stem from this connect that we all have with our mother. Why is it that we feel safe and secure when mother is around? Why do we crave for our mother's presence, her hug, when we are in trouble or stressed? It is because she is the first person who has nurtured us (quite literally) from the moment we opened our eyes and looked at her.
Why would anyone want to prevent this from happening?
Newborn Baby Breast Crawl: Dos and Don'ts
While the process seems very instinctive and natural, several seemingly minor mistakes can rob the newborn baby breast crawl of its efficacy. Here are some basic dos and don'ts to follow when aiding a newborn crawling to breast for his first breastfeed.
Do not 'clean' the mother's body before initiating the breast crawl. One would think that the breasts need to be washed and cleaned before contact. However, doing so will rob them of their odour, which feeds the baby with significant olfactory stimulus.
Do not wipe the baby's hands, even if the baby is thoroughly dried.
The mother should be sat with her head placed on a pillow. This will allow her to facilitate better eye contact with her baby.
The mother and baby may be kept warm using a blanket during the breast crawl to improve quality of skin-to-skin contact.
The mother and baby should be allowed to stay in the labour room till the first breastfeed is successfully completed. The baby should not be separated from the mother till the process is complete.
Other procedures like cleaning, measurements, bathing etc. should be delayed till after the first breastfeeding session.
From curbing postpartum depression, to helping mother-baby bonding, to ensuring ample breastmilk supply, the breast crawl has a lot of merit to be made a commonplace practice. Help your family and friends know more about this by sharing this knowledge with them. Read more
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Teaching Preschoolers To Deal With Buttons and Zips
Want to make your kid independent? Begin by developing self-care skills. Your 3-year-old will feel confident and important when she learns to dress on her own. To facilitate this, teach her how to deal with zipping and buttoning. Here are some developmental tips for dressing skills in kids.
Are you amazed at your little one’s enthusiasm for learning new things? Make her more independent by developing self-care skills like self-dressing, tying shoe laces, etc. For a child to dress up on her own, she needs to master the skills of buttoning-unbuttoning and zipping-unzipping. These are not too simple; in fact, such activities require high levels of concentration, hand-eye coordination, and improved fine motor skills.
Aid The Development of Dressing Skills in Kids
1. Feel The Zipper!
Attract the attention of your pre-schooler through targeted tasks. Give her a zipper to touch and feel. This way, she will get associated with how a zipper works. Also, you can show your tot how to zip up a zipper slowly and then quickly. By adding these fun elements when teaching dressing skills for preschoolers, you'll soon see her mimicking your zipping and unzipping movements. Also, she'll be able to relate more when you zip up her pants or shirt during dressing time.
2. Zip-Up, Zip Down
Before kids start zipping their own shirts or pants, give them zip up pouches, purses, bags or Ziplocs to toy with. The more they practice, the better their fine motor skills would become. Encourage your 3-year-old to put her crayons or pencils back in the pouch and zip them up. This is one of the best activities to develop zipping skills in kids.
3. Dress Boards
Invest in an attractive dress board that helps in honing pre-button skills for children. It will help your child get associated with zipping, buttoning, etc. While playing interesting dressing games, she'll build her concentration and get better control on nimble hand movements. Once she masters the art of zipping and buttoning on the frame, your 3-year-old will be ready to dress on her own.
4. Hand and Finger Isolation
Zipping is an intricate skill for tiny hands. So, be very slow when demonstrating your child how to zip and unzip. While unzipping, place the left hand on the left flap and slowly pull down the zipper, using the forefinger and thumb of your right hand. When zipping, show her how she needs to hold both the flaps together at the bottom with her left hand and help her pull the zipper up tightly by using the forefinger and thumb of the right hand.
5. Practice Brings Perfection
Allow your child to zip up her shirt or trousers. In case she gets stuck, show her how to pull the tongue of the zip out and push it in again so she can zip it smoothly. See to it that your little one holds the tongue tightly while pulling up the zipper. Don't forget to give a high-five at her zipping or buttoning accomplishments. With your constant motivation, she will continue to try till she zips like a pro!
If you can think of any other ways of developing age appropriate dressing skills in pre-schoolers, please share them with us. We shall be delighted to hear from you. Read more
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Green peas soup
This soup has a vibrant color, unique flavour and a creamy texture, which your kid will enjoy thoroughly! Even if you are in a jiffy, you can still prepare this soup quickly. Onions make this sumptuous soup slightly spicy, while potatoes and milk give it a lovely, creamy mouth-feel.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
3 People
10 Minutes
9 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup fresh green peas
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped potatoes
1/4 cup milk
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper (kalimirch) to taste
Method
Step 1
Combine all the veggies and 1 cup of hot water in a deep non-stick pan.
Step 2
Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 6 minutes, with occasional stirring.
Step 3
Allow the mixture to cool completely and blend in a mixer till smooth.
Step 4
Transfer the mixture into non-stick pan, add milk, salt, pepper and ½ cup of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Serve warm.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 1 cup (250 g)
Calories
153
Calories from Fat
25
Total Fat
2.7 g 4%
Saturated Fat
1.3 g 7%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4 g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.9 g
Cholesterol
0 mg 0%
Sodium
860 mg 36%
Potassium
177.5 mg 5%
Carbohydrates
24.7 g 8%
Dietary Fiber
4.8 g 19%
Sugars
8 g
Protein
8 g
Vitamin A
1%
Vitamin C
3%
Calcium
3%
Iron
10%
*Based on a 2000 calorie diet
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Every New Mom Must Read This Dad’s Message About The Post Baby Body
You’d think women would have it easier after the pregnancy ends and the child is born. Surely, her bodily changes would stabilise, and the interfering world would let her be at peace. But for women, the struggle goes on. She is told she has put on too much weight. She is given tips to lose the flab, tone the belly, and “bounce back” to her former self. There are massive changes going on in her life: the challenge of looking after a little baby, the physical and emotional drain she feels after the long, tumultuous months of pregnancy, and insecurities about her marriage and other relationships. But amidst all this, the pressure to lose weight doesn’t leave her. This is what made Brad, a 27-year-old Dad to two little sons, pen down a message for his wife and other women in her position who go through this insane pressure every day…
Brad, who became a father to his youngest son five months ago, has seen his wife Sarah struggling with her postpartum body. He has seen her struggling to find clothes that suit her new self, ward off people with silly comments about her postpartum body, and also face the wrath of a society fed on social media posts about moms who bounce back after childbirth. After witnessing all this, he decided to write a message for his wife and all the other new moms who go through this challenge.
This Dad’s message is what every woman needs to read. This is what your partner, your family, and all your loved ones want you to know.
“Whenever we're getting ready, I throw on a shirt and shorts and complain that Sarah's taking too long finding something to wear. Without a doubt it always ends up with her saying "it's alright for you" or "I always wear the same thing". A few times I've made that near fatal mistake of replying "well buy more clothes".
We all know it's not about the clothes. It's about the fact that the whole post natal process sucks ass. The kids have become the number one priority. For 9 months of pregnancy the body is stretched, poked and prodded like a science experiment. Personal space is no longer a thing. From the bathroom to the toilet, everyone wants to know what's going on. It swells and gains weight in places it hasn't gained before. It's okay though because everyone tells them they're 'glowing' and that should make it all better because it's beautiful and natural.
Then the baby is born. That was insane. The next few days are okay, people come in and visit, they say how great mum looks while they cuddle the baby. The partner takes a week off work to help out while they recover.
But soon enough, the partner has to return to work. People aren't visiting as often. They're left with the original responsibilities and a newborn that isn't sleeping properly yet. It's hard to rest, hard to eat well, hard to even leave the house for some. Then they look at Instagram and Facebook. Oh what do you know, the celebrities with a personal trainer, chef, nanny and a make up artist post a picture that goes viral of their "post baby body". That only took 6 weeks. From that point onwards the expectation is set.
Take as long as you need to look after yourself and get yourself back into the swing of things. Things are tougher than that in the real world. Find something that makes you feel nice. Clothes, candles or a new hairstyle. Nobody who loves you is going to care how long you take. What they will care about is your mental health.
It's unhealthy to think 6-12 weeks is enough time to bounce back with your pre-baby body. If you're not ready, don't set the bar so high that you fail. Set your own bar. The one that works for you.”
Now that’s a Dad who not only loves his wife a lot but also understands the struggles she has (and continues to) gone through. For him, what is important is not that his partner bounces back to shape like a spring, immediately after childbirth, but that she stays healthy and at peace. Take things more easily, new moms. You may not look or feel like you did before pregnancy. But then, your life isn’t the same. Your body has undergone immense struggle and transformation and the sagging skin, the excess weight, and the dullness are all side effects. They are not permanent; nothing is. With time, you will start getting used to this new you and also start feeling healthier and fitter.
Don’t rush things, moms, or feel that you have any societal standards to conform to. You are allowed to take as much time as you want to. Cherish the beautiful blessing God has given you. Everything else can wait. Read more
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
34 mins ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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