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10 Simple Homemade Apple Recipes for Babies
Apples have been directly linked with maintaining a good healthy heart since they contain substances that reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body as well as provide various antioxidants to maintain the inner health as well. The structure of apple plays an important role as it is formed by a combination of fibres that are both soluble as well as insoluble. Both of them work towards stimulating bowel movement and keeping the intestine healthy at the same time. Furthermore, apples are great food for babies and using them in various ways can bring about tasty food items right in front of you.
10 Easy-to-Make Apple Recipes for Babies
To help your baby consume apples in a delicious manner, here are a few recipes:
1. Tasty Applesauce (For 5 Months and Above)
Out of various applesauce recipes for babies, this one is the easiest and quickest to make and introduce your child to apples.
Ingredients
Apples, peeled and cored
Unsweetened apple juice
Water
Cinnamon, grounded
Nutmeg powder
Vanilla essence
Method
Take the apples and chop them together. Place those pieces in a pan. Add some more water to it, creating a layer, and follow that up with the apple juice.
Heat the pan and let it start boiling. Lower the flame, place a lid and let it continue to cook for around 8-10 minutes until the apple pieces start getting soft. Don’t overcook to melt them completely.
Once they start getting tender, remove the flame and take the pan aside. Pick out the pieces and mash them together to a consistency that feels right for your baby.
For some added flavour, sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg powder. To give it an added style, add a tiny drop of vanilla essence.
Serve it nice and warm to your little one. If you want to serve it cold, add the flavours only when you are serving, while keeping the other portion frozen.
2. Apple Soup With Sweet Potato (For 6 Months and Above)
Combine the flavours of both these food items to create a delicious lip-smacking comforting soup.
Ingredients
Flour
Butter
Chicken broth
Applesauce
Sweet potatoes, cooked
Ginger, grounded
Cinnamon, grounded
Breastmilk or formula
Method
Take a pan and add some butter to it. Heat it and let the butter start melting. Add flour to the melted butter in the pan and stir it all together. Continue cooking it thoroughly until it starts getting a golden colour.
Now start pouring the chicken broth into the pan gradually. Remember to keep stirring while you do so. Follow that up with the applesauce, pieces of sweet potato, ground ginger and cinnamon all together.
Stir the entire mixture well and increase the flame to make it boil. Once boiling, lower the flame and let it simmer for another 5 minutes or so.
Once done, pour that mixture into a blender and run the blender for a few minutes until it starts getting the consistency of a puree. Pour this puree out of the blender back into the pan.
To this puree, add some milk and let it heat again until it gets nice and warm. Serve this warm soup to your child.
3. Apple and Grape Squash (For 6 Months and Above)
Put together this fantastic recipe to let your little one taste a wide variety of flavours.
Ingredients
Grape squash
One peeled and sliced sweet apple
Melted butter
Honey
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cloves, grounded
Method
Prepare the oven by heating it to about 180 degrees and keep it ready.
Cut the grapes into small pieces and place them aside.
Grease a baking tray and place the grapes in it with the skin side facing upwards.
Cover the tray and place this in the oven. Let it sit in for about 20 minutes or so.
While that goes on, take a bowl and add the pieces of apple to it. Follow it up by pouring some melted butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger altogether. Mix them well.
Take out the tray from the oven and flip the grapes. Pour the apple mixture over it, cover the tray and place it in the oven again for another 20 minutes.
If your baby is below the age of one, replace honey with sugar or any other sweetener.
4. Apple and Chicken Meal (For 7 Months and above)
As your child starts having solids, this meal will make him ecstatic and have more of it.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts, skinless and chopped
Apple, chopped
Sweet potato
Cinnamon powder
Chicken stock
Eggplant
Method
Take the sweet potato and peel it. Chop it into small pieces.
Take a pan and add the chicken stock to it. Heat it and let it start boiling.
Once boiling, add the chicken breasts to it and lower the flame. Let the preparation cook for about 10 minutes.
Follow it up by adding pieces of the apple and sweet potato. Stir it together and let it cook for another 10 minutes.
Once that is done, add the pieces of chopped eggplant to the pan and let it simmer on the flame for a few more minutes. Once the potato gets tender, remove the heat.
Run this mixture in the blender for a small time to make it a little consistent. Add cinnamon to it and serve it well.
5. Apple Shake (For 10 Months and Above)
One of the popular apple juice recipes for babies, this one adds the benefit of milk to make a great shake.
Ingredients
Apple
Water
Raisins
Almonds
Cinnamon
Milk
Method
Take the apple and place it inside a steamer or a pressure cooker. Let it steam the entire apple for nearly 10 minutes so that it is properly cooked.
Once it cools down, take it out and peel the apple properly. Remove any seeds that are present inside it.
In a bowl, add the apple pieces, along with milk. Mix it well. Peel the almonds and add them to the bowl, too. Mash the raisins into a puree and add it to the bowl along with a simple pinch of cinnamon powder. Avoid the powder if your baby doesn’t like it.
Add the entire mixture into a blender and run it multiple times to make it smooth. Make sure the almonds are crushed completely while blending.
If your baby is a year old or more, you can add honey to this to elevate the flavour.
6. Baked Apple Dish (For 6 Months and Above)
Turn the fruit into a great snack option for your child that has a different flavour with the same nutrition.
Ingredients
Various apples
Butter
Method
Cut the apples and remove its core. Do not remove the outer peel.
Take some butter on your finger and apply it to the inner part of the apple. If your baby loves cinnamon powder, feel free to apply a little bit of that as well.
Take a shallow tray with some water in it. Place these pieces in the tray.
Put the tray in an oven and set the temperature to 200 degrees. Let it bake for about half an hour or so until the pieces start getting soft. Keep a track of the water in the tray.
Once cooled down, take the tray out and remove the peels if you want them to. Feel free to cut the pieces further or mash them together for your little one.
7. Apple Salad Breakfast with Grains (For 10 Months and Above)
Let your little one have a nice filling breakfast now that he can start having solids properly.
Ingredients
Water
Salt
Yoghurt
Raisins
Peach
Apple
Wheat
Brown rice
Method
Take a pot and add water and salt to it. Place it on a flame and heat it until it starts boiling. Follow by adding the brown rice and wheat to the pot. Then, reduce the flame, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes.
Once cooked, turn off the flame and let it cool for a few minutes.
Spread a baking sheet on a platform and spread these grains on it. This increases their fluffiness.
Chop the apples together and add them to a bowl. Peel the peach and cut it into small pieces. Add it to the bowl as well.
Put all the fruits into the grain mixture along with some raisins, mashed if needed.
Follow up this entire mixture by adding some yoghurt to it, making sure it covers everything properly. You may proceed to add some wheat germ if needed as well.
As an alternative, you can add the fruits to the pot as well, making an even more consistent recipe.
8. Apple Rice Pudding (For 10 Months and Above)
Some nice sweetness to go with the sweet and sour taste of the apple.
Ingredients
Brown rice
Water
Ginger
Cinnamon
Brown sugar
Raisins
Apples
Method
Take a good-sized pan and add together all the fruits, grains, spices and ingredients together to it.
Place the pan over a medium flame and let it sit for about half an hour or so. This should be time enough to soften the rice. Around this time, the mixture itself will get a little soupy and a nice aroma will start rising, too.
Add milk to this mixture and let it cook for another 8-10 minutes. Ensure to keep the mixture soupy and not get gravy-like. Keep stirring it throughout so that it doesn’t stick to the pan, and add milk and water if needed.
Once cooked, cool it down and serve it to the child.
9. Apple Banana Custard (For 8 Months and Above)
For your little one who has a sweet tooth, this recipe will be quite a delight for him.
Ingredients
Apple, peeled and cored
Banana, peeled and deseeded
Cinnamon powder
Breastmilk or formula
Method
Prepare the oven by heating it to around 180 degrees.
Steam the apples and combine all ingredients in the blender to make a smooth mixture.
Pour this in a baking dish and let it sit in the oven for around 15-20 minutes.
Stick a knife in the mixture to check for softness and take the tray out when right.
10. Apple Papaya Dish (For 10 Months And Above)
Combine different fruits for a great tasting experience.
Ingredients
Sweet apple
Peeled and chopped papaya
Method
Steam the apples after peeling and chopping them and blend them until they are mush.
Add the papaya to this and run it again until it turns into a consistent puree.
Making sure your baby can eat apples and develop a liking for them can open an avenue of various food items for your child. By opting for an apple stew recipe for your baby you can create a wide variety of recipes and let your baby enjoy the beautiful flavours.
Also Read: Homemade Custard Recipes for Babies Read more
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Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) In Children
Instead of listening to the sweet sound of your child's breath while sleeping, have you ever heard their precious pearly whites grate against each other? Ever noticed your child grinding his teeth while asleep? This is known as bruxism, and some of the issues involved include jaw and face pain.
Video: Teeth Grinding Bruxism in Children - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig2WO5VPowA
How Common is Bruxism in Children?
Bruxism is common in children, with experts saying that 38% children would have been teeth grinders at some point in time. Children between the age group of 3 ½ years and six years are most likely to experience them. The exact extent of Bruxism is still unclear as a child grinding teeth at night may not even be aware that they are doing it.
Causes of Bruxism in Kids
Experts are still unclear about what triggers Bruxism; however, there are some suspects.
Anxiety
A child grinding its teeth while sleeping can be attributed to negative emotions such as stress and could be a coping mechanism.
Teething
Teething has been linked to teeth grinding in toddlers. They tend to do this because it helps ease the pain, just like we use our hands to soothe sore muscles.
Malocclusion
This is the imperfect alignment of the teeth that can cause irritation when the jaw is closed. Studies have shown that there is a strong connection between Malocclusion and Bruxism, with 12.75 % children having both conditions.
Pinworms
A study conducted showed that there was a relationship between pinworms and Bruxism. It is inferred that intestinal parasites release toxins that lead to nervousness and anxiety, thereby leading to teeth grinding.
Allergies
A study conducted has partially linked allergies to Bruxism. Researchers suspect that irritation in the inner ear can lead to children grinding their teeth to ease the discomfort.
Reaction To Certain Medication
A study conducted showed that children who were given drugs such as anti-depressants and anti-psychotics showed an increase in Bruxism. It is perceived that changes in the neurotransmission are responsible for teeth grinding.
Symptoms of Teeth Grinding in Kids
Some of the symptoms in children suffering from Bruxism include:
They have difficulty eating food as their teeth hurt while they chew.
You notice that your child has chipped teeth even though they have not had any injury.
Your child complains about problems such as jaw ache, earache and overall pain in the face.
You can hear teeth grinding sounds while your child is asleep.
The child complains of a lingering but dull pain in the forehead.
How Long can it Last?
Most children grow out of it. They stop grinding their teeth by the time their permanent teeth develop. However, there are instances when grinding teeth can be observed in older kids. This is most likely due to anxiety and will stop once the source of anxiety is addressed. It has also been noted that children who have emotional problems such as aggressive behaviour also have an increased risk of prolonged Bruxism.
Researchers have found it difficult to give a proper estimate on how long it lasts as many children grind their teeth unknowingly. It is also observed that in many cases parents have become aware of the problem only after the physical symptoms have reached an unbearable stage.
Side Effects of Bruxism
The pulp region of the teeth is exposed.
Cavities that are already present can get worse due to constant grinding.
Fractures can occur in the jaw area.
Scraping away of the enamel may lead to teeth becoming sensitive to temperature.
Some children may experience pain in the jaw area which is known as a Temporomandibular joint disorder.
Any reconstructive work that may have been done on the teeth could get destroyed by constant grinding.
Treatment for Teeth Grinding in Children
Children must deal with stress at school concerning studies and friendships. Find activities that put your child at ease, especially before they sleep as that’s when the grinding starts. You could start with having a heart-to-heart chat, setting up a nice hot water bath and finally reading them a bedtime story. Make this a routine, and it should help reduce the incidence of teeth grinding.
Be involved in their life and try to figure out the source of anxiety. This means talking to your child, regularly attending PTA meetings and figuring out the cause of their problem.
Anxiety in children could be attributed to academics or relationships. If they have problems in academics, you can help them study subjects that they find difficult to tackle. If they have problems making new friends, you could organise play dates with the neighbouring kids.
If the pain caused due to teeth grinding is too much, you can apply a warm compress on your child’s cheek.
Ear infections can cause children to grind their teeth to alleviate the pain. Give them medication such as Acetaminophen or ibuprofen so that the pain subsides. However, be sure to give the medicine at the required dosage and only if your child is over six months old.
Pacifiers help in reducing the damaging effects of Bruxism as teeth grinding is halted. The soft rubbery nipple helps accommodate the need for sucking and has been known to calm children that are anxious. However, prolonged usage, especially after permanent teeth have grown can lead to dental problems.
Children who have poorly aligned teeth might find it difficult to close their mouth, and hence they inevitably start grinding their teeth. In such a case, a visit to the dentist is required for corrective dental treatment.
Yoga and meditation are used by people around the world to manage stress, and the same can be applied to your child.
If your child is a Star Wars fan, make them try the Darth Vader breathing exercise. First, they need to inhale with their nose while keeping the mouth closed. Then, they exhale slowly while producing a Darth Vader type sound with their throat.
Important Things to Remember
Balanced Diet
Bruxism has been linked to poor nutrition, and it is considered that a deficiency of calcium and magnesium may be the cause. Since these elements help in the proper functioning of the nervous system, a lack of them may induce teeth grinding. Make sure that your child has enough milk, spinach and other green leafy vegetables included in their diet.
Night Guard
This is a device that is kept inside the mouth to prevent the teeth from touching each other. It can be applied just before going to sleep and removed the following morning. However, dentists do not recommend this approach unless a child has their permanent teeth in place.
Exercise
Exercise can help in reducing stress as it helps in the production of endorphin, a natural painkiller. This reduction in stress can help reduce teeth grinding.
Miscellaneous
In case you are not able to do anything to stop the grinding, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
It is unfortunate that researchers don’t have a satisfactory explanation for teeth grinding. However, the good news is that in most cases the condition disappears soon after it arrives. Only a handful of cases exist where dental intervention may be required. The best that you can do to prevent teeth grinding is to make sure that your child lives in a stress-free environment.
Also Read:
Braces for Kids Teeth
Herpetic Gingivostomatitis in Kids
Bad Habits in Kids and Ways to Deal With Them
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Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH): An Overview
There are several complications that can occur during or after delivery, and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of these. This usually happens after the placenta is delivered and is more frequently associated with Caesarean deliveries. Postpartum haemorrhage usually takes place immediately after delivery, but in some instances it can happen much later. Here’s everything you need to know about postpartum haemorrhage and when you need to see a doctor.
What is Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)?
Bleeding after giving birth is normal, but when this becomes excessive, it could indicate a case of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). A leading cause of maternal mortality, postpartum haemorrhage happens when there is a loss of more than 500 ml of blood after a vaginal delivery. In a Caesarean delivery, the average amount of blood loss is 1,000 ml and anything above this constitutes postpartum haemorrhage. Postpartum haemorrhage can be classified into two— primary postpartum haemorrhage and secondary postpartum haemorrhage.
Primary PPH – It is said to be primary PPH when the blood loss occurs within 24 hours of delivery.
Secondary PPH – This is when the excessive blood loss occurs any time after 24 hours have passed and until 6 weeks past delivery.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Postpartum haemorrhage symptoms can vary from woman to woman. The following are some common indications to watch out for:
Bleeding that cannot be controlled
Drop in blood pressure
Higher heart rate
Dip in the red blood cell count
Swelling in the genital area
Pain in the tissues around the vagina and perineal region
Causes of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Bleeding after delivery is common as the uterus continues to contract and eventually expels the placenta. In some instances, the uterus fails to contract after giving birth to the baby, leading to excessive bleeding of the blood vessels. Known as uterine atony, this can cause haemorrhage and is the most common cause of primary PPH. Excessive bleeding can also occur when small pieces of the placenta remain attached. Other causes include:
Tearing of the cervical or vaginal tissues
A tear in a uterine blood vessel
A hematoma in the vulva or vaginal region caused by bleeding into a concealed tissue area or space in the pelvis
Blood clotting disorders which are inherited or caused by pregnancy complications
An inverted uterus
Placenta accreta, where the placenta is abnormally attached to inner side of the uterus
Placenta increta, where the muscles of the uterus are invaded by placental tissues
Placenta percreta, where placental tissue burrows into the uterine muscle and may also rupture
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening condition and risks of this happening are higher in those who have had previous surgery for fibroid removal or a C-section.
Conditions That Increase the Risk of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Some types of pregnancy complications can increase your risks of experiencing postpartum haemorrhage.
Prolonged labour,
Having given birth many times previously,
Obesity
Infection
Placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterus much ahead of schedule and
Placenta previa where the placenta moves near the cervical opening, at times covering it
A multiple pregnancy
Over distended uterus as a result of a very large baby
Medications to induce labour or stop contractions
Use of forceps or vacuum during delivery
How Long Do You Bleed After Delivery?
After birth, the body gets rid of the lining of the uterus and this is why you bleed after delivery. The bleeding can last anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks after having a baby. It resembles a heavy period and can come out in gushes or an even flow. Known as lochia, at first, it is heavy and bright red but will gradually change colour to pink and then brown. Soon, it will turn to yellow-white and the flow will start tapering off.
Diagnosis of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Symptoms and blood tests are crucial in making a diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage. Your medical history as well as a physical examination will help the doctor arrive at a conclusion. The doctor will also need to know details of the pregnancy, labour, and delivery before arriving at any conclusion. Examination of the birth canal will help the doctor determine if there is any trauma. The placenta will have to be checked for completeness while assessing the uterine size is also essential for arriving at a diagnosis. The tests conducted are likely to look at the clotting factors of blood, the red blood cell count, pulse rate, blood pressure, and estimation of blood loss.
Postpartum Haemorrhage Treatment
The treatment of PPH will vary depending on factors like your overall health, medical history, and the extent of your condition. The intention of the treatment is to pinpoint the cause of the haemorrhage and stem it. The course of treatment can include:
Medications to start uterine contractions is administered.
Massaging the uterus manually to induce contractions is suggested.
Extraction of residual placental pieces from the uterus is carried out.
A detailed examination of the uterus and other pelvic tissues follows.
A Bakri balloon or a Foley catheter may have to be used to stem the bleeding inside the uterus.
The doctor might tie off the bleeding blood vessels with uterine compression sutures.
A laparotomy may have to be done which involves surgically opening the abdomen to locate the cause of bleeding.
As a last resort, a hysterectomy might have to be done in certain cases.
Complications of Postpartum Haemorrhage
Certain factors like the amount of blood lost, your health before the haemorrhage started, and the type of treatment available will be crucial in determining if there will be any complications. Complications of PPH are Sheehan’s Syndrome, severe anaemia, and in some cases, maternal death.
In Sheehan’s Syndrome, severe loss of blood cuts down the blood supply to the pituitary gland that can cause cells to die. PPH tends to be dangerous for those with anaemia and might necessitate a blood transfusion. Those with prior conditions that put them at risk of postpartum haemorrhage are more likely to develop complications.
Preventive Measures
The use of uterotonics or medications that cause uterine contractions is recommended by the WHO for the prevention of PPH. Active management of the third stage of labour, especially in C-sections and in cases where there is a lack of skilled birth assistants is also considered crucial to the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage. Opting for cord traction instead of manual removal has also been found to prevent PPH.
Apart from this, it is also suggested that you follow good prenatal nutrition and supplementation practices throughout the pregnancy to reduce the risk by treating health problems such as anaemia and hypertension.
Postpartum Haemorrhage Management
Assessment of previous and ongoing blood loss as well as vital signs such as pulse and blood pressure is important to the management of PPH. You will have to be admitted to hospital and kept under observation for a few days while being administered IVs and medications. If this is the case, then a suitable nursing care plan for postpartum haemorrhage can be worked out in consultation with your physician.
Conclusion
Postpartum haemorrhage is a serious condition but timely diagnosis and treatment can lead to a full recovery gradually. The pace of recovery will largely depend on the amount of blood lost as well as your health before and during the pregnancy. A good deal of rest, adequate intake of fluids, and healthy, nutritious food will help you get back on your feet quicker.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.
Also Read: Postpartum Depression Read more
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10 Tips to Survive Pregnancy with a Toddler
Are you expecting your second baby and have a little one running around the house? This can seem like a lot to deal with at first but with some guidance and help, you will be able to survive pregnancy with a toddler with ease.
At first, you will feel tired, run down and overwhelmed, especially with the second pregnancy as your hormones also wreak havoc on your body. On top of that as a mom of a one or two-year-old, you are well aware of the fact that your little munchkin has an abundance of energy and won't stay still. You have to constantly run around, play and make sure that your toddler is well cared for.
When you have a little human running around, chasing him can get a little rough during pregnancy. Here’s how you can ensure that your second pregnancy is as wonderful and interesting as your first one. With a little bit of help, of course!
Why Is It So Challenging?
The best part of your first pregnancy was that you could rest and eat whenever you wanted. When you have a little one tugging on your clothes, asking to play catch or house it gets much harder. The second pregnancy with a toddler is challenging, primarily because the mom has to match the energy and attention of her first child while establishing a routine to care for the second one in the making.
On top of that, the guilt of not being caring enough, attentive enough for your first child due to exhaustion can leave you feeling upset. Thankfully, you are not alone in this feeling! We are here to help by providing you with the best ways to deal with your pregnancy with these top 10 ideas.
Ways to Manage Pregnancy While Caring for a Toddler
Being pregnant itself is hard work especially if you are in your first trimester as your body is making room for the little one inside. With the morning sickness, hormones and many other things to deal with, there may be little or no time for your first child. Yet, you might be wondering how other mothers are dealing with it. What’s their secret? Is there a special routine that can get you by your second pregnancy while taking care of your first child? Well, as mentioned, the biggest secret is that you are not alone and there are many ways to ease your pressure during your second pregnancy.
1. Planning is Everything
Once you realise you are pregnant you have 35 weeks to plan out everything including the hospital visits and doctor's appointments. Take a little diary, sit down with your husband and prepare a game plan. Little questions such as ‘How long will you be on maternity leave? Will you send your toddler to daycare? Are you going to hire help once the baby comes? need to be detailed out before your delivery. Planning will calm your nerves and will give you control over the major decisions thereby reducing stress.
2. Don’t Try To Do Everything
Realise that what you are doing at the moment is amazing in itself, so you need not try hard to be a supermom, because you are already one. It will leave you stressed out and overwhelmed. Go easy on yourself and lower your expectations. If things go a little here and there, know that its okay and remember that you are doing the best you can. If you are having a tough day, take a deep breath and get some fresh air and know that everything will be alright.
3. Don’t Burn-Out
The biggest mistake that second time moms make is to burn out. Running around, doing chores, taking care of family leaves little room for rest making moms overwhelmed. Take a little time off to go get a massage, a hair-cut or a mani-pedi to avoid burn-out
4. Ask for Help
If you are a parent who can afford help or have in-laws or relatives staying close, feel free to ask for help. Often as mothers, you try to do everything by yourself leading to overtiredness. Do not be afraid to ask your friends for help who can perhaps babysit your toddler for a little while when you get some rest. In addition, if there is an opportunity for day-care and little cutie is old enough, don't hesitate! It may be overwhelming at first, but you will definitely appreciate the freedom over time.
5. Nap
Combat exhaustion with a nap! When you are pregnant with a one-year-old, get your little one to take a siesta with you. Shut your eyes and pause the world and get some rest, as this will go a long way in dealing with the rest of the day. A tiny nap will give you the much-needed reprise, get your stress levels low and give you the energy to deal with the toddler once you are up. In another scenario, if you are extremely caught up, get your hubby to watch the kid and get a 15-minute snooze. Once you wake up you will be less irritable and more patient.
6. Make Your Child Independent
Your toddler may follow you around and ask for help when it comes to things, but make sure you encourage your kid to pick up a few habits and learn to be a bit self-reliant. Let them play by themselves, encourage play-dates to avoid clinginess especially when the new baby arrives. Make sure you shower them with lots of kisses and hugs when they complete a task by themselves.
7. Plan Your Delivery Night
Discuss before-hand with your gynaecologist a birthing plan and a delivery schedule. Make sure that someone is there, preferably a family member or in-laws who can watch your little one while you go to the hospital. Keep emergency contacts handy prior to your due date.
8. Relax
When you are pregnant, people often advice and say that your mind should be calm. The way you feel affects your baby’s health and well being so it's important to relax. If your mind is clouded with negative feelings, sit down and take gentle breaths. Meditation is a good way to relieve anxiety or stress. If that doesn’t work, go for a short walk in the park if you can. It is important to exercise, care for yourself and love others deeply when pregnant, as your mood is your baby’s mood.
9. Focus on Your Marriage
It is easy to forget about your spouse and your special time together when you are exhausted and have a naughty toddler running around. Remember, that your marriage comes first! Get someone you trust to babysit, take help from your in-laws, parents and take a day off to go on a date. Make it a weekly or bi-monthly ritual if possible. It can be as simple as going for a movie, getting ice-cream or a nice walk, but make sure you spend time with each other. Your biggest ally is your hubby so include him in this journey of motherhood again!
10. Exercise
You may have heard this advice during your first pregnancy as well, but move. With a second pregnancy and a child, you may feel more exhausted than before. The best way to prevent this is by moving around, going for walks and staying active. When you do small exercises such as yoga, walking or jogging, your body releases endorphins keeping you happy and relaxed. This, in turn, will give you the energy to deal with your toddler.
Remember, being hard on yourself will not make it easy for you to survive the second pregnancy, especially when you have a toddler. What you are doing is a tough job, so you need not feel guilty for not doing enough. Pregnancy comes along with numerous good and bad days. What you should keep in mind is to make the most of every day and enjoy this beautiful experience of motherhood.
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Baby Inside! A Feeling Only Pregnancy Brings Along With Joy
So it pops up, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. It can be a hello from him or some other sign but how will I know until I see him. I have a living creature inside me. Oh! Yes! I am just pregnant; like many but with a uniqueness of my own. As they say, all pregnancies are different!
It is funny when people on the streets look at me starting from my stomach to my face and again go back to gaze at the stomach? Ouch, it hurts.. staring like that always does hurt. Doesn't it? So to avoid awkwardness I smile when our eyes meet. My husband tells me they look at me as if I am a zombie. No doubt, I have been walking like one these days. So how does being pregnant feels? I should say being pregnant is one thing and then nurturing a baby is another; both related yet different. Though I am familiar with the later, the former is what I am experiencing now.
We see it's end product too often- those cute adorable and naughty kids. But I have now known that whatever you know fails once you feel it personally. It is just an out of the world feeling. Actually, you have a world inside. It gets created there, grows there and it is lovely. And the best part of it is the movements which you start feeling from the fifth month of the pregnancy and it grows to be more prominent each month. Starting from the initial stage when your pregnancy gets confirmed you have this loving feeling for your stomach cause you want to feel it inside, a deep urge to know your baby is in there emerges. But it is of no use until the sixth week, when you go through the first scan. I was amazed to see a dot with a heartbeat. Really, I had read all about trimesters, baby's growth and all those videos available to know the process visually. But when I saw the scan I lay there like a dumb person, it was a dot but then the radiologist made me hear the heartbeat. The heartbeat of my baby who will be growing in me. I wanted to hear it loud and could have heard it the whole day. Wanted my husband to hear it too and also the whole world. At least to my world of all the close ones. I started looking forward to scans, I could see my baby this way. Isn't it amazing what ends with heart starts with heart - the human body? More amazing are women because all our lives we want to be slim but once we know we are pregnant we just are curious to see our bump - baby bump. And we fall in love with it. No wonder I have adored my body in pregnancy knowing it holds my baby inside.
I love when my baby kicks me, after all, it is our first mode of interaction. I feel like he is talking to me. It is just wonderful to feel your baby in the womb and no one can let you know how it feels because experiencing it is the real magic. The magic of love, the oneness of your baby, the unconditional, unspoken and most innocent love which remains till that child grows to be an adult.
P.S. I may have mentioned/addressed the baby as him but that doesn't mean I want a boy. For me whatever it is, a cute boy or a sweet girl, it should be a healthy baby.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
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1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why are my vomitings not stopping even in 5th month of my pregnancy. and constant headaches.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. this is seen in some people which my continue in second trimester also. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
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Q. is it normal to have 2 dominant follicles in Right ovary? Today is my D8 and the size of both the follicles are 20x18mm and 19x18 mm Is it normal.
and left ovary follicles 12x18mm.and ET size 7.89
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Dr Ghouse
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1 hour ago
A. if it is induced one then there can be chances. 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
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. what should I eat for a healthy baby in my 3rd month of pregnancy.kindly suggest a healthy diet routine
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread. Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu. Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
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Q. in which month of pregnancy we should start excercising for normal delivery
Dr Ghouse
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55 mins ago
A. no exercises vigorously only moderate walking ok. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
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I am 28 weeks pregnant and feeling breathlessness and Always tired ... is this normal ?
Dr Ghouse
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A. this cannot be normal always better to see the doctor once. 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
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
5 mins ago
Q. My 4 year baby have always complaint of abdomen pain.
Dr Vandan H Kumar
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3 mins ago
A. if the child is having abdominal pain give syrup colicaid or syrup cyclopam 5 ml to the child for now
then you have to meet the doctor to find the cause of abdominal pain because it can be either due to gas or due to worms or some other abdominal pathology or gastroenteritis, constipation, digestive issues.
in the meantime it is advisable to give only easily digestible food to the child and water andx buttermilk curd rice and dal.
can give poha upma daliya and fruits.
avoid milk products , packet foods and fried items and heavy diet.
you can continue anti-colicx medicines and your doctor may add antacids for the child for few days it will help in decreasing the gas as well as bloating.
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