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Nursing Pads (Breast Pads) - Benefits and Tips to Use
Pregnancy and delivery can often to lead to a situation where you may experience some milk seepage. This can often be an inconvenience. The good news is, whether minorly dismaying or majorly concerning; the situation has sparked inventions and creative solutions that put the modern mommy at ease. What are we talking about? Nursing pads, of course!
What are Nursing Pads?
A nursing pad (a.k.a breast pad) is a protective pad (made of cloth or composite material) that is placed between your bra and your nipple to protect your clothing from milk leakage.
What are the Types of Nursing Pads?
Nursing pads can be classified into the lines of materials used to make them.
Disposable Nursing Pads
As the name says, these are made for single use only. Disposable pads usually contain a lining of plastic to prevent milk seepage. However, this makes them unsuited to long period use. They are convenient but expensive in the long run.
Reusable Nursing Pads
Reusable pads are thicker than the disposable kind. They are made of fabric and can be machine washed to use over and over. You will need lots of pairs of reusable pads if you opt for them, as some of them will inevitably be getting laundered while others are being used. They are cost-effective in the long run.
Silicone Nursing Pads
Silicone pads are thin and sticky – they adhere to your skin and do not require additional back-up from a bra. They do not absorb milk leakage; instead, they apply pressure on the nipple to prevent it. These are specialised for use with dresses like sheer evening gowns and for physical activities like swimming.
Hydrogel Pads
Hydrogel pads are used to soothe sore or bruised nipples. Similar to cold compression bags, these pads are cooled in the fridge or freezer and then placed over your nipples to provide relief.
Home-made Nursing Pads
Whether as a temporary fix or a practical staple, nursing pads can easily be made at home, by you, for you! An easy quick-fix in an emergency is to make use of the absorbent properties of diapers or sanitary pads - simply cut out a circular piece from a diaper or sanitary pad and place them in your bra. Alternatively, a homemade nursing pad could be fashioned out of cotton fabric by simply folding them into overlapping layers or sewing multiple layers of fabric together.
When and Why to Use Breast Pads?
Milk leakage occurs because your body is producing more than enough milk for your baby. Once your baby’s feeding times and amounts become regularised, instances of leakage go down significantly as your body adjusts its milk production accordingly. However, it could still occur due to emotional or physical triggers, as long as you are still lactating.
Here are a few instances when you should wear nursing pads, so that you may be safe rather than sorry.
At the final stages of pregnancy and early weeks after delivery.
When you are not going to be near your baby for more than 2-3 hours.
If your milk production is overabundant
When you return to a professional setting after maternity leave.
During sex
While sleeping
Use hydrogel pads if your nipples are sore
Benefits of Nursing Pads for Breast Feeding Moms
Although breast pads may seem uncomplicated and trivial, they provide you with these invaluable benefits:
Soaks Milk Leakage
The primary use of breast pads is to soak up milk leakage and protect your outer-wear.
Avoid the embarrassment of wet-spots.
Refines Appearance
While lactating, your breasts can become tender and lose firmness. Even a supporting bra cannot maintain appearance.
Breast pads provide additional support and improve appearance by holding your breasts in place.
Soothes Tenderness
Breastfeeding causes nipples to become tender. Pads provide a soft medium between your nipples and bra and prevent rubbing on the bra.
It provides relief between feeding sessions, helping you nipple to recover.
Soothing hydrogel pads can take away pain or irritation and fasten healing process if your breasts are sore or bruised.
How To Use Breast Pads
To ensure proper care and to prevent irritation during use, follow these steps on how to use nursing pads.
1. How To Place Them?
Put your bra on before placing the pads in.
Ready The Pads
Take your pads out of their packaging.
In case of adhesive pads, remove stickers protecting adhesive surface.
Placing the Pads
Ease off your bra strap on the side you are placing the pad in.
Place the pad on your nipple. The whole of the nipple should be covered.
Bring the bra strap back up after placement.
Nursing pads can be used with both maternity bras and regular ones.
If you feel mild irritation in and around your nipples, apply baby-safe lanolin cream before putting on the pads and bra.
Positioning The Pads
Make sure the pads are correctly aligned over your nipples before you put your top on.
During the early days after childbirth, when milk leakage is at its highest, you will need to use a thicker pad. This may show through the clothing, but that is perfectly normal.
After the first few weeks of breastfeeding, leakage will decrease, the ad you can opt for thinner pads.
Care While Wearing
Your pads may slide around in your bra during the course of the day (Non-adhesive types).
If they feel out of position, take the time out to go to the restroom and position them correctly, or leakage could dampen your bra and top.
2. How To Remove Them
There is no certainty as to when you will need to replace a soaked nursing pad, so it’s best to carry an extra pair or two with you when you have to leave the house.
Replacing Your Pads
Removing and replacing your nursing pads should be done whenever necessary.
If your pads are damp or it is time to feed your baby or pump milk, you will need to remove them.
Taking Them Off
Be slow when peeling adhesive backed pads to prevent hurting your skin.
If they are stuck to your breast, dampen with water to loosen it.
Disposal
If you are using re-usable pads, store them separately for the laundry. If they are moist from seepage, put them in water or wash them right away as the old milk on the pads will attract germs.
Disposable pads can simply be thrown away.
Clean your breasts
If there has been seepage, then you will have to wipe your breasts with a wet cloth. Use warm water to dampen the cloth.
Wipe it clean and dry the area with a soft towel before you replace pads. Dried milk and moisture could both potentially serve as grounds for infection, especially when sealed with the pad underneath clothing for long hours.
Change Your Clothes
Heavy leakage during the first weeks may make the use of breast pads after delivery insufficient to prevent wetting your bra.
If leakage has seeped onto your bra or even your top, you might want to change them.
Carrying a change of clothes (bra and top) is advisable to avoid awkward situations.
Replacing Your Pads
Put on a new pad only after your skin is fully dried.
Pick a fresh, dry bra, if your old one was soiled.
Put your bra on and place fresh pads in position.
How Often Should You Change Breast Pads?
There is no set-time or rule for replacing your pads. The rule to observe is to simply replace your nursing pads when they are too damp.
Even if leakage is low, do not keep a moist pad on for too long.
During the weeks right before childbirth and the weeks right after it, you will find that you need to replace your breast pads often, maybe even several times a day, due to high leakage.
Beyond this period, milk production stabilises according to the needs of your child. This minimises leakage and the need to have to change pads often.
How to Choose the Right Breast Pad?
Your nursing pad needs are unique. There are multiple options to choose from that will suit your specialised needs! Here are some things to consider:
1. Consider Your Needs
If you are a first-time mommy, it will be hard to determine what your experience is going to be as far as milk leakage is concerned. In general, high milk leakage is limited to the first few weeks after childbirth. Ask yourself these questions to figure out what you will need:
For how many months do I intend to breastfeed?
Where can I buy nursing pads? Are they easily available?
What are my budgetary concerns?
Will I be spending my time at home or will I be back at work while continuing to breastfeed?
2. The Long Run
If you intend to breastfeed your baby for more than 6 months, you are likely better off buying reusable nursing pads. Although they are costly, the reusability makes them the cheaper option in the long run. This also makes them the greener option!
You will need to buy about 12 pairs of reusable pads to ensure you have a few at hand, at all times, while the rest are being washed.
3. Convenience
Disposable nursing pads may suit you if you do not plan on long-term breastfeeding – however, these do become costly as their count piles up over long-term use.
If you plan to work or spend a lot of time outside the home, the convenience of easy nursing pad disposal is unbeatable. They are easy to change, easy to carry around and you do not have to deal with the hassle of laundering them!
4. Making Your Own
If you are on a budget as you have used readymade pads after the initial stages of high leakage, you can opt to make your own ones.
A simple folded handkerchief or piece of cloth placed inside your bra can serve as a rudimentary nursing pad.
You can cut out absorbent, skin-friendly material, such as sanitary pads or diapers and use them as nursing pads. Do not use the gel kind, as the gel will leak.
You can make your own pads by sewing together multiple layers of fabric. You can make it circular or contour it to wrap comfortably over your breast.
Always use cotton fabric when making your own pads.
5. Materials Used
Your breast pad should be made of breathable fabric. Such fabric wicks moisture or milk away from the body. To ensure that moisture does not come into contact with your bra and outerwear, some disposable types of pads have a plastic lining. This lining traps moisture and increases chances of bacterial infection (bacteria and fungi thrive in humid conditions). Do not use such a pad for more than 2 hours at most and not more than once a day.
Are there Any Risks Associated With Nursing Pads?
The major risk associated with the use of breast pads is a bacterial and fungal infection.
Bacteria could block the ducts in the nipple, clogging milk flow. If this condition escalates, it could lead to mastitis.
If your child has ‘thrush’ (a fungal infection affecting the mouth), it could pass on to your nipple.
Chances for both of these infections arise from pads creating a moist, warm environment around your nipples. This only happens when the pad is damp or soaked and hasn’t been changed for a long time.
Using breathable pads and changing them regularly mitigates chance for infection.
Also Read:
How to Deal With Cracked or Bleeding Nipples?
How to Deal with Over Supply of Breast milk Read more
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Introducing Bottle or Cup to Breastfed Baby
One of the key problems that hinder a baby’s transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding is the fact that the mechanism powering them both is rather different. Breastfeeding involves creating a grip around the areola to press the nipple, which allows the milk to flow in smoothly and the baby swallows it up. Bottle feeding ends up with the baby taking more effort in suckling as he needs to reduce the milk flow to suit his own pace. Therefore, introducing the bottle needs to be a tricky endeavour.
How to Introduce Bottle Feeding to Your Breastfed Baby
To figure out how to bottle feed a breastfeeding baby here are certain steps and procedures you can adhere to:
Choose to introduce the bottle to your baby when he is hungry and not when it is the time to feed him. If you bring the bottle as per schedule, he will immediately notice the difference and choose to push it away. For a hungry baby, the presence of milk will take higher importance rather than the source, increasing the chances of him accepting the bottle.
Do your best to feed your baby via a bottle after making him sit upright. Many mothers continue to feed their little ones while they are lying down. Though that isn’t a problem, the chances of such babies developing ear infections and dental caries due to pools of milk staying collected in the mouth are higher. Give him support and hold him while he uses the bottle.
Try to keep the bottle feeding duration to last somewhere around 15 minutes or so, which should be closer to the usual time he takes when feeding on your breast. This could also make it necessary to choose an appropriate nipple size, which allows the milk flow rate to be as close as possible to your own. Any difference in it could either irritate the child or cause him to drink excessive milk before he realizes he has had enough.
Don’t push the bottle’s nipple in the mouth of your baby. It is necessary that the baby accepts the nipple by himself, just the way he accepts your breast. Start by stroking the nipple of the bottle against his lips to kick in his reflex of sucking on the bottle. The initial times might take a while before he gets used to the different texture of the artificial nipple, and realises that it also contains milk.
When a baby breastfeeds, he tends to take numerous breaks in between, just to catch some breath or to look around. Make sure the bottle feeding mimics that same behaviour as well. At times, babies can drink down a lot of milk in a single go, which can cause them to throw up when burping. Stay close to an actual breastfeeding session as much as you can.
Don’t force your little one to finish all the milk that’s present in the bottle. Most babies have a good idea of their satisfaction and will push away the bottle once they are done. Some may even fall asleep midway once their stomach is full and their nap kicks in. Don’t wake him up to finish the milk.
In the initial stages, start by switching your baby from one breast to another so that he doesn’t end up depending on one breast. Slowly, you can switch him from one breast to the bottle and then back, helping him get used to the sensation and trusting it fully.
Don’t mix breastmilk and formula milk in the bottle. The baby is getting used to the sensation of the new nipple, and a confusing taste of the milk can catch him off-guard. You can start off with breastmilk first and then replace it with formula as he accepts the bottle.
What to Do If Your Baby is Refusing to Feed on the Bottle
It is quite natural for a baby to be sceptical about a new entity being thrust into his mouth, especially when it feels nowhere close to the real breast. If your baby tends to refuse the bottle, here are a few ways you can make it easier for him.
Some babies might not accept the bottle when they are fully awake and aware of it. Choose a different time and see if it works for him. He might readily accept the bottle at night when is partially asleep or so.
At times, the temperature of the milk could also be a deal breaker for your child. While the milk from your breast is at the body temperature, the milk might taste better from the bottle if it is a tad warmer or even cold. Experiment with that as well and see if it works.
The position of feeding can be a little uncomfortable for the baby, causing him to reject the bottle. If sitting upright is getting difficult for you and the baby, you can start by using your lap and feeding him on his back. Else, if he likes a particular spot or a seat quite a lot, try starting him off from there. Gradually, you can return to the default feeding position.
Even if your baby does not drink from the bottle, let him play around with it and get used to the feeling. He might chew on the nipple or simply play with it. That would make him comfortable and more open to drinking milk from it.
The tastelessness of the artificial nipple might be weird for the little one. This can be countered easily by squeezing your breast and applying some breastmilk onto the bottle’s nipple. The familiar flavour will get him to start using the bottle immediately.
For a child that is already comfortable with a specific pacifier, opt for getting a bottle nipple made from the same material. Try warming the nipple up a bit to be closer to your body temperature as well.
What If Your Baby First Takes The Bottle and Now only Wants to Breastfeed?
Babies change their minds on the fly, which makes transitioning from breast to bottle more than a one-time thing. While you are rejoicing at the fact that your baby accepted the bottle right away, he might push it away after a few days and then choose only to breastfeed. The reason behind this could be a sudden realization that bottle feeding is absent from their mother’s breast and the touch of her skin and the body warmth. If this is the scenario for your child, try to sit with him for a few more days and using the bottle while he is next to you. At times, other situations such as an illness or other problems could cause him to reject the bottle. This would require a doctor to check him up and figure out the reason.
How to Teach Your Baby to Drink from A Cup?
Few families choose not to introduce the bottle at all. They rather prefer breastfeeding their child for a longer duration and then transitioning him directly to a cup. This has its advantages for sure. The chances of the baby getting confused with nipples are highly reduced. While most families continue to bottle feed their babies while they are lying down, opting for a cup can reduce chances of dental problems emerging early in life. Weaning the baby also gets a tad easier.
The transition to a cup requires more time than the bottle. Starting off with a sipper cup can be a stepping stone, allowing your baby to start sucking differently. Once that happens, you can make sure that at least one feed of the day is being rendered via a cup. As your little one grows up, he will get used to drinking from the cup right away.
What If Your Baby Completely Refuses to Take Bottle?
Some parents do complain about their baby not taking bottle feed at all. While they might blame time or habit for it, some babies would simply refuse to accept a bottle at all. Keeping him hungry for long durations is also not a good way to make him take the bottle. Such babies are well-used to the sensation of a nipple and might be more accepting of a sippy cup instead.
What If You Decide to Wean Your Infant from The Breast?
Whether you are deciding to wean your baby early just by habit, or to make it easier for you to return to work, it is necessary to continue giving him breastmilk in other ways. Make sure you get your baby adapted to a bottle or a cup early on, to make the transition easier for you as well as for him.
Moving from breastfeeding to bottle feeding can make mothers feel like they are breaking the bond with their child. However, the bond is made by the mother’s love and her presence, which can continue in various ways that go beyond the act of breastfeeding.
Also Read: Signs That Baby is Getting Enough Breast Milk Read more
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Pregnant After Sex - Try These Emergency Contraception Methods
Unwanted pregnancies can be difficult to go through and the best method of relief at this juncture is emergency contraception. It can help you prevent the risk of pregnancy when taken within the right time frame and truly comes as a medical boon to many couples.
What is Emergency Contraception?
As the name suggests, emergency contraception is used when you have engaged in unprotected sex or if other methods of contraception did not work effectively. They should be used at the earliest after unprotected sex. It is important to remember that these should be used only when required in an emergency and not be made a regular contraception alternative.
Is Emergency Contraception Safe?
Yes. Emergency contraception is largely considered to be safe for most women. There have been no reports of serious ramifications after the use of emergency contraception. However, if you are on any other medications, it is important that you inquire with your doctor if it is safe to use emergency contraception (ECP).
Who Can Use Emergency Contraception?
Any girl who has reached the reproductive age and has engaged in unprotected sex can use emergency contraception. There is no age limit on the use of any form of emergency contraception unless there is an underlying medical condition that requires special attention.
Methods of Emergency Contraception
There are primarily two methods of emergency contraception.
1. ParaGard IUD Or Copper IUD
This is an intrauterine device that is inserted into your uterus. This can be used up to 5 days after having unprotected sex. The IUD is also a long-term contraceptive option that can work for about 10 to 12 years.
2. Contraceptive Pills
These emergency pills are of two kinds:
Pills with ulipristal acetate
There is currently only one brand called Ella that offers these pills. Such pills also need a doctor’s prescription and should be used within 5 days or 120 hours after unprotected sex. The effectiveness of these pills remains the same even on the 5th
Pills with levonorgestrel
These pills are best taken immediately after having unprotected sex. Their effectiveness depends on how soon they are consumed. However, for they should be taken at least within 72 hours or 3 days of unprotected sex. Plan B One-Step, Take Action, After Pill, I-pill, etc, are some of the brands with contraceptive pills containing levonorgestrel.
How Does Emergency Contraception Work?
Emergency contraception pills usually work by delaying ovulation. This essentially means that they are preventing fertilization by blocking the eggs from being released by the ovary. Levonorgestrel pills delay ovulation but in cases where the implantation of the egg and fertilization have already taken place, it does not stop the pregnancy.
Pills with ulipristal acetate delay ovulation but may also prevent the fertilized egg from being implanted in the uterus, thus avoiding pregnancy. Hence, these work for up to 5 days to prevent pregnancy, the period of time that the egg takes to get fertilized and implant.
The copper IUD makes it harder for sperms to swim through and reach the egg, hence it preventing pregnancy
In Which Situations Should You Use Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is ideal if you do not want to end up with an unwanted pregnancy for any of the following reasons.
Your partner’s condom broke or was defective.
Your partner did not pull out in time(The pull-out method is not effective)
You missed out on taking birth control pill or other using contraceptive methods like patches or rings. Also, if you had applied the patch on a wrong day.
You miscalculated your safe period
You engaged in unprotected sex without any birth control method
If the diaphragm or the cervical cap slips out of its place or if you have removed it too early.
If your IUD or hormonal contraceptive slips out of place.
What Kind of Emergency Contraception Is Best for You?
The kind of emergency contraception that is best for you depends on a few factors like
The day on which you had unprotected sex
Your BMI or height and weight
Your history of pill or oral contraceptive usage
Your breastfeeding status
Access to the ECP
Any medications you are on
Your pregnancy status
While it is best to use the most effective methods of emergency contraception methods, IUDs and Ella are not available easily. IUD has to be inserted by a doctor or nurse and Ella is a prescription drug and cannot be purchased over the counter.
Plan B or other levonorgestrel pills are over the counter pills that do not require a prescription. While they can be about 88% to 95% effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, they are not as effective as Ella or IUD.
However, it is important to remember that if you were on birth control pills, ring, patch or the birth control shot, Ella will not be as effective. In such cases, levonorgestrel pills work better. Also, do not take pills like Plan B and Ella together as they can cancel out the effect.
The key to getting the best result from emergency contraception is to use it at the earliest interval.
How Should I Take an Emergency Contraceptive Pill?
Emergency contraceptive pills are taken orally immediately after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel pills should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and ulipristal acetate pills like Ella can be taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex. In case you vomit within two to three hours after taking the pill, you can consult your doctor about taking another dosage.
Effectiveness of Emergency Contraception
Plan B, when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, can prevent 85% of the unwanted pregnancies. However, these pills become less effective in overweight women and do not work efficiently in women over 165 pounds or 75 kg.
Ella’s effectiveness in preventing pregnancies can last for up to 120 hours and works just as well on the 5th day as it works on the first. Also, emergency contraceptive pills will not prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected sex after you take them. You will have to take another dose to avoid pregnancy. But, it is important to note that emergency contraceptives should not be used as a regular contraceptive method. There are other effective regular contraceptives that work well for most women.
IUDs have a 99% success rate in preventing unwanted pregnancy when used within 5 days unprotected sex. These also offer long-term protection. However, not all women are eligible to get an IUD.
It is important to remember that there is no emergency contraceptive that offers 100% protection. Hence, safe sex practices using protection is always encouraged.
Who Shouldn't Use ECP?
Emergency contraceptives are generally safe for most women. A few instances when they shouldn’t be used are as follows.
Plan B does not have any effect when you are already pregnant. Hence there is no reason for pregnant women to use it. However, if used, it does no harm to the fetus.
Ella should not be used by pregnant women as there is not enough research to know its effects. It should also be noted that breastfeeding women should not use Ella as the effects are unknown.
Pregnant women should not use IUD as it can increase their risk of infection.
Women who were subjected to sexual assault should not use IUD as it may increase the risk of infections like gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.
Women with pelvic inflammatory diseases, cervical cancer, puerperal sepsis, or vaginal bleeding that is unexplained should also avoid using IUD.
Plan B is also not effective in women weighing over 75kg as their liver produces a lot of enzymes that metabolize drugs faster reducing the effectiveness of the pill.
When Can We Say That Emergency Contraception Has Failed?
If taken on time and the right way, emergency contraception has a good rate of success. However, if you miss your periods and test positive on the pregnancy test, then the ECP might have failed. Instances in which they can fail are listed below.
Method Of ECP
Failure Rate
Possible Reasons For Failure
Plan B (levonorgestrel pills)
11% (If taken within 24 hours failure rate is around 5%)
- If the pill is taken after 72 hours
- If you had already ovulated
- If you are overweight (over 75 kg)
- You’ve vomited within two to three hours of taking the pill
Ella
1.3 % (As per a study in 2010)
- If you were on birth control pills, the patch or ring
- If you start hormonal birth control within 5 days after taking Ella
- If you vomit the pill within two to three hours of taking it
Copper IUD
1 %
· When inserted after 5 days of unprotected sex, in which case the sperm has already fertilized the egg.
Medication That Can Make ECP Less Effective
Certain medications are known to make ECP pills less effective and these include even some herbal remedies. St. John’s Wort is a herb that can significantly reduce the effectiveness of ECP pills. Antibiotics like rifampin, barbiturates, griseofulvin which is an antifungal drug and certain HIV drugs can also interrupt the efficacy of ECP drugs. Anti-epileptic drugs and drugs administered for seizures can also render emergency contraceptive pills ineffective in most cases.
Emergency Contraception Side Effects
The common side effects are emergency contraception include:
A headache
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Heavier or lighter blood flow than usual
Breast pain
Fatigue
Vomiting
When Should You Call the Doctor?
After taking the pill, you will need to consult your doctor if you miss your period and suspect that you are pregnant. Also, ensure to consult a doctor if you have severe abdominal cramps or notice that you have irregular bleeding for over a week. If you have used an IUD, consult your doctor in case you experience any discomfort.
If you have contracted any sexually transmitted diseases, it is best to visit a doctor and get treated on time.
FAQs
1. Is copper UID Effective for Emergency Contraception?
Yes. Copper IUD is one of the most effective emergency contraception methods and provides about 99% success rate when used within 5 days of unprotected sex.
2. Does Emergency Contraception Provide Protection Against STDs?
No. Emergency contraception does not provide any protection against STDs. In order to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases, it is recommended that you take the right precautions and use a condom before intercourse every time. You and your partner may also get tested for any STDs to rule to the possibility of getting any such infections.
3. Where Can I Get Emergency Contraception?
Plan B is easily available over the counter at most drugstores and can be purchased without a prescription. Ella is a prescription drug and is only given to you if you have a prescription from your doctor. You can contact a gynaecologist to get an IUD as an experienced doctor or a nurse will have to insert the IUD into your uterus.
4. How Much Does it Cost?
Plan B is available for about $40 to $50. Other ECP pills are available for about $15 to $45. Ella costs around $50 at the drugstore. However, the price may be higher if you order it online. IUD can vary in their cost and the price may go up to about $1000. However, if it is covered by insurance, you may be charged a lower price for the same.
5. Will ECP Have Any Effect on My Next Period?
Most women find that taking an emergency contraception pill affects their menstrual cycle as well as the nature of their period. You may find that your periods occur sooner or later than their usual time. However, most women get their period within the week of their usual date. It is also possible that your blood flow and your cramps may vary. You may have a heavier or lighter period than usual or even have more severe cramps than you normally get.
6. What if I Vomit After Taking the Pill?
In case you vomit within two to three hours after taking the pill, you may have to take another dose of the pill. If you vomit a second time, you generally do not need to repeat the dose. However, it is best that you contact your doctor about taking a second dose after you vomit.
7. Does Using Emergency Contraception Affect Chances of Getting Pregnant in Future?
No. Using emergency contraception will have no effect on your pregnancy chances in the future.
8. Can I Use Emergency Contraception If I’m Nursing?
ECP and IUDs are safe to use even when nursing. However, Ella comes with a caution that breastfeeding moms need to avoid it as the effects haven’t been adequately studied.
9. Can I Get ECP Before I Need Them?
Yes. You can buy over the counter ECP pills any time and keep it for emergencies. You can also reach out to your doctor to prescribe you ECP pills for future use in case the event occurs.
10. How Many Times Can You Use the Morning After Pill?
Although there isn’t a set limit to the number of times you can take the pill, it is best to restrict it under two to three times a month. If you find yourself using it more often, it is best to consult your doctor about an alternate method of regular contraception or birth control pills. The morning after pill should only be taken in emergencies.
While the use of emergency contraceptives has risen significantly over the years, many people have their inhibitions about the effectiveness of the same. It is important to understand that emergency contraception methods work well only in the case of emergency, it should not be made into a regular contraception. Care should be taken to use ECP responsibly and avoid overusing it.
Also Read: A Guide to Intrauterine Device Read more
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Baby needs a Hug !! Cute hugs and kisses from Babyhug!!
Hey Baby ... you want a Hug!! As the brand name says, my baby Adhithi got a big hug and cute kissesfrom babyhug products. Starting from day one, Babyhug played an important role in Adhithi’s loving life. Firstcry helped me to pack my hospital bag by sharing the essentials required for my new born and shop for the same products.
Babyhug is a one-stop solution to cater all the needs of my baby. And also lends a helping hand to grow my baby Adhithihealthy and happy 😊. Babyhug products are unique, affordable, pocket-friendly, eco-friendly.
Hereby I would like to share few Babyhug products loved by my baby Adhithi.
Thermal wear - As soon as my baby born, thermal wear kept Adhithi warm. So Babyhug cuddled her while she was alone in NICU
Mittens -Protected my baby’s delicate face
from nail scratches and kept her warm
Cloth nappy- Reusable, environment friendly, comfy, economical, washable,rash-free and reduce my baby’s exposure to chemicals
Quick dry sheet - Reusable , washable, comfy, rash-free, highly absorbent so that Adhithi can sleep peacefully through the night. It keeps her dry
Burp cloth - soft, cute and handy to wipe the milk spit-up from the corners of her mouth after feeding
Bed with mosquito net- Protects my baby Adhithifrom insects, keeps my baby safe, compact and easy to handle. Adhithi feels cosy and comfortable
Shoes - For a happy tinyfeet and cute walk, just go for trendycute walk by Babyhug. Adhithi’s first pair of shoes
Stroller - Perfect mode to takemy baby out. She feels safe and secured during movement. lcan walk, I can move here and there saysAdhithi.
Happiness is a little hug from a little one. Mommies out there, Babyhug make you stress free. Cute hugs and kisses awaiting for your little ones from Babyhug.To make your baby happy, just go for Babyhug products.
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Key Developmental Stages in Art for Pre-schoolers
Do you remember your artwork being displayed by your proud parents or an art teacher at school? If you do, you may have realised that art takes time to develop and that no two children develop the same way. Babies begin to learn art through scribbling at a tender age and it only blossoms when they are old enough to understand what they are doing. Let's look at some art development milestones in little ones.
When it comes to child development, psychologists talk about various developmental stages in a child’s life regarding all aspects of a child’s growth. Similarly, when it comes to art there are some key developmental stages too. These development milestones are crossed by each child in a particular sequential order, however the pace of each child differs as it is with any development milestone.
Let’s look at the 5 stages defined by researchers and psychologists:
1. Scribbling Stage
At first when a child is as young as 2 years of age, he is still curious about everything. He is exploring the world around him and registering images, shapes and colours. So when you give him paper and pencil, he will most likely move it in all directions, an act that is known popularly as scribbling. It may seem meaningless to the parent, but it is in fact a very important and necessary milestone for each child to go through. At first, your child may start with random scribbling, then move on to making some designs which have a specific pattern and then eventually try and write alphabets.
2. Pre-Schematic Stage
In this stage (from 3 years of age), a child starts drawing some specific shapes, symbols or objects. Their shapes and symbols may change continuously and erratically. Your child may also turn the paper multiple times in order to complete a shape. For e.g., in order to draw a square your child may turn the paper four times. By drawing these shapes the child is developing a schema for objects and things. By schema we mean he is building a visual image of all things and objects around him
3. Schematic Stage
By 6 years of age your child has formed a schema, by which we mean your child knows what a square, circle, house, etc. looks like and has also a visual image of it stored in his mind. In this stage the child uses a lot of base lines, straight lines to make a tree, house, etc. so the images look very stiff. As the child grows he learns to make multiple base lines and other complexities, to make an image look just as it ought to be. With handholding and correct guidance, any child can learn how to make creative images by this stage.
4. Transitional Stage
By now the schemas have developed and with correct guidance and your child’s creative skills have also developed. Your child will now attempt to produce his own art work. However, we may still find some traces of schematic stage, depending on the pace at which your child is learning art and his inclination towards it. For.eg. your child may draw a garden and children playing in the garden. However, the human images may look at little stiff.
5. Stage of Realism
In general, a child reaches this stage by 12 years of age. In the child’s drawings figures have a more natural representation and images start to look more real and natural in their appearance. At this stage the child becomes self-conscious about producing artistic and realistic art work.
Although there are defined stages for development, like each flower blossoms in its own unique way, each child blossoms in their own unique way and as parents it is our responsibility to give them that space and time for their development and growth. Read more
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The Story of My High-risk Pregnancy
After my wedding, I came to know that I had a kidney problem. My right kidney was not working properly. Doctors had prescribed me blood pressure tablets as I also had a high blood pressure problem.
After some time, I found out that I was pregnant. But I had a miscarriage in the second month of my pregnancy. I thought it was because of the kidney problem. After 3 months of the miscarriage, my family and I went to a resort. It was summertime and everyone in the family was having a lot of fun at the resort. Suddenly, there I felt weak and had trouble even walking. My periods too didn't come. I wanted to know whether I was pregnant or not. I checked once - it showed positive. I checked again - twice and thrice - it showed positive. My husband and I rushed to the doctor. It was a high-risk pregnancy. Almost two to three doctors said that I might have a pre-term baby and that I would have to undergo a C-section.
I was scared and I decided to consult my urologist. He was aware of my kidney problem completely. His wife was one of the best gynaecologists in the city. She was practising in a multi-speciality hospital which was great for patients like me who had a high-risk pregnancy. They both helped me a lot. They prescribed me different medicines. And my progestin medicines and high blood pressure medicines were changed. I used to have 6 tablets per day for my blood pressure. But every time, I went for checkups, I would get to hear my baby's heartbeat. On hearing that, I used to forget my fear, blood pressure, and every other problem. My baby was growing normally and doctors would tell me that my baby was doing fine. When I was 9 months pregnant, doctors gave me the date for my C-section. My baby will soon turn four months.
When she was born, her birth weight was 2.5 kg. I suffered a lot, but now it doesn't matter. I believe that nothing is impossible. We should trust God and be patient. Also, trust your doctors and appreciate them.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, take care of yourself and follow your doctor's suggestions.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. @ the time of birth baby weight 2.475kg but after completed 6weeks baby weight approx 3kg, why baby weight gain very slow, till breast-feeding milk and urinate 6-7 times and potty 2-3 times. can u please suggest why slow in progress in weight gain???
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. the average birth weight of neonates is about 3 kg.
during the first few days after birth, the newborn loses
extracellular fluid equivalent to about 10% of the body
weight.
most infants regain their birth weight by the age of 10 days. subsequently, they gain weight at a rate of
approximately 25 to 30 g per day for the first 3 months of life.
thereafter they gain about 400 g weight every month,
for the remaining part of the first year. x
an infant usually doubles his birth weight (taken as 3 kg) by the age of 5 months. the birth weight triples at 1 year and is four times at 2 years of age.
the weight of ca child at the age of three years is usually
five times that of the birth weight.
Manisha Singh has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mera baby 3 month ka h use gas bhuat banti h is karan wo bhuat rota hai
Manisha Singh
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
2 hours ago
A. it's very common for babies having gas problem ...you should recommend your doctor for this
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. Hi
what to give 6 months old baby to eat
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello dear! Once your baby completes 6 months you can start giving small quantities of semi solids like homemade cerelac, mashed bananas, apple puree, ragi and so on. Continue with breastfeeding. Keep Babyhug tummy roll on handy
Dr Muhsina has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. now I am in 30 weeks of pregnancy I have vomiting.I couldn't control what the reasons for this vomiting
Dr Muhsina
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
2 hours ago
A. Some women may have vomiting throughout their pregnancy. The most common reason for vomiting during the third trimester may be gastritis. Make sure you eat small frequent meals, preferably every 2 hours. If your baby's weight during checkups are adequate..u needn't worry much about this. You can also consult your doctor and take anti emetics and PPIs if the vomiting is bothering you or interfering with your daily activities.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
40 mins ago
Q. Is it okay is the baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
39 mins ago
A. For breastfed infants it depends on age. During the first month of life, stooling less than once a day might mean your newborn isn't eating enough. However, breastfed infants may go several days or even a week between bowel movements, using every drop they eat to make more baby, not poop.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
37 mins ago
Q. Is it okay if my baby does not pass stool for one day?
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
37 mins ago
A. Yes it is ok dont worry.
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