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Skin-care Secrets to Keep Your Skin Healthy During Your Pregnancy
Roma picked up the pregnancy test kit and dashed out of the bathroom screaming with joy! Her husband, clueless, almost had a heart attack when she darted out, banging the door behind her. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she showed him the two pink lines. “I’m pregnant!” she said excitedly.
Roma and her husband did everything in their capacity to ensure their baby was healthy. But in the process, Roma ignored her skin. By the time their baby was born, she was troubled with skin issues, some of them irreversible.
Many to-be-moms overlook their skin during pregnancy and wonder how some mothers happen to have a radiant, healthy glow. If you are expecting and don’t want to end up like Roma, we have a bunch of skin-care secrets that can help maintain your skin health during those nine months! Read on to know what they are!
Skin-Care Secrets to Keep Your Skin Healthy During Your Pregnancy
What you eat and drink is what reflects on your skin. So, without a doubt, you should consume a healthy diet and keep yourself hydrated. But, skin during pregnancy can be a bit more demanding than usual.
Here’s that little extra you can do to maintain healthy skin while your body prepares to birth your little one:
1. Mild All the Way
As your pregnancy progresses, your skin may not be able to tolerate the same old personal care products you used every day before conceiving. You could develop an aversion to your favourite fragrances that, in the first place, were why you bought your favourite shower or personal care products. Or they could lead to skin rashes or irritation as your body embraces different changes during the term. You may then switch to mild soaps and shampoos with nourishing properties to keep your skin, scalp, and hair clean.
2. Moisturise Every Day
Most skin issues arise due to dry skin during pregnancy, which leads to loss of skin elasticity and the development of stretch marks. While the likelihood of developing stretch marks varies on the age, heredity, diet, and hydration of the skin, about 50-90% of pregnant women are prone to developing them.
In this case, a clinically proven oil for scars and stretch marks that doubles up for a good moisturiser, such as Bio-Oil, can help you nourish your skin. Bio-Oil is enriched with plant extracts, lavender oil, and rosemary oil that help soothe the skin, restore its elasticity and plumpness, and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone and mottled pigmentation. All you have to do is apply generous amounts of Bio-Oil twice a day all over your body, focussing on the areas that are likely to develop stretch marks, such as the tummy, buttocks, breasts, arms, and thighs, and within 12 weeks, you will notice a considerable improvement in your skin.
You may read the product ingredients carefully and consult an expert before using it during pregnancy.
3. Block the Harmful Rays of the Sun
If your skin-care routine already includes using sunscreen, continue using it even during your pregnancy. If not, get one that suits your need and apply it after your daily moisturiser. Sunscreen lotions can protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, which could lead to wrinkles, dark spots, premature ageing, etc. At times, some moms notice that their skin responds differently to the same products they absolutely trusted. It is then advisable to consult a dermatologist and seek a good sunscreen that sits on the skin and protects it from harmful sun rays.
4. Pampering Massage
As the baby grows, you would notice your body requires extra care to keep it toned and rejuvenated. You are likely to experience body aches and feel tired frequently. Your feet and back might give up after hours of running errands or working from your desk. The hectic schedule might lead to headaches and even sleepless nights.
This calls for an oil massage that can relieve the stress in your muscles and help you relax.
A gentle massage using Bio-Oil can help you tone those tired muscles and feel rejuvenated in no time. Bio-Oil is formulated for quick absorption and has firming and toning qualities that can help prepare your skin for the later stages of pregnancy, especially to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Its mild fragrance and soothing properties could also calm those pregnancy nerves, allowing you to enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest. If you’re looking for a deep moisturising oil that is light and non-sticky, look no further!
In fact, Bio-Oil is a one-time investment that tackles a number of issues! Several pregnant women and mothers across the world can vouch for its many uses that go beyond reduction of stretch marks. Let’s take a look at them.
10 Uses of Bio-Oil You Didn’t Know About!
Who wouldn’t like to use products that provide multiple benefits? Here are some ways Bio-Oil can be used as:
1. As a restorative treatment for brittle and damaged hair.
Hello, shiny lustrous hair!
2. To soothe plucked eyebrows and reduce redness.
No more red, bumpy post threading patches.
As a primer to thin out foundation.
For smoother application and full coverage.
To reduce dark circles.
For all those sleepless nights with your little one that are coming up.
As a nail and cuticle treatment.
When there’s no time for regular manicures, why not!
To soften dry elbows and knees.
Smoother skin, in those stubborn areas.
As makeup remover.
Perfect for your pre-bedtime routine
To soften skin and prevent cuts when shaving.
For a smoother glide!
To rub onto sunburns to prevent peeling and soothe burnt skin.
Less ‘ouch’!
To protect your hair from chlorine.
And way better smelling than a lot of other oils!
During these nine months, your body could change in unexpected ways. While you keep a check on your diet and exercise routine, ensure you have a proper pregnancy skin-care routine as well to ensure your skin remains healthy and glowing. With these tips, you would have one less thing to worry about during and after your pregnancy.
Also Read:
Pregnancy Glow – What It Is and How to Maintain It
11 Simple Pregnancy Beauty Tips
Here’s What You Can Do for Healthy and Glowing Skin Read more
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10 Very Important Things Parents MUST Do To Prevent Gadget Addiction in Kids!
From using them as pacifiers to exposing your child to them for educational purposes, there are a ton of reasons you let your child use a gadget. As parents, we rely a lot on gadgets to keep the kids entertained too. However, as they say, too much of anything - good or bad - can be harmful and so is the case with gadgets as well!
From using them as pacifiers to exposing your child to them for educational purposes, there are a ton of reasons you let your child use a gadget. As parents, we rely a lot on gadgets to keep the kids entertained too. However, as they say, too much of anything - good or bad - can be harmful and so is the case with gadgets as well!
With the arrival of the 21st century, the technological age has arrived too. Kids as young as 2 and 3 are proficient in using gadgets like smartphones, tablets and computers. While this proficiency can be a boon as it helps in both physical and cognitive development, the downside is too big to ignore!
Disadvantages of Excessive Exposure to Gadgets
Too much usage of gadgets can result in your child becoming addicted to them, which can have a wide variety of effects on your child including:
Lack of interest in development of real-life practical skills
Lack of focus or concentration on any task except when it’s done on a gadget
Poor time management and eating habits
Preventing Gadget Addiction
It is very tough to overcome an addiction, even as adults. This is why some preventive measures are necessary to ensure that your child doesn’t face such an addiction at all! With the widespread use of gadgets everywhere, it’s imperative to put these measures in place immediately:
1. Lead by Example
Children will always follow what their parents do, not what their parents say. If they see you spending a lot of your time on gadgets, they will do the same. Instead, lead by example and focus on cultivating healthy habits for yourself (like reading, cycling, etc.) so as to encourage your kids to follow the same habits. At the very least, try and limit the time you spend on gadgets (esp. the phone!) when in the vicinity of your child.
2. Be Strict With Rules
As a responsible parent, you need to ensure your child has a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits. Make tough decisions and put your foot down on limiting unhealthy habits like too much TV/computer time, no matter the pleading and cajoling. Make sure to explain to them the reasoning behind your decision.
A good thumbrule is NO screen-time for kids under 18 months, and ONE hour per day for kids between 2-5 years. Beyond this, try and limit screen time as much as possible (especially digital media) and do not let it exceed 2-3 hours per day at the very maximum. This is inclusive of TV, laptops, gaming, and mobile phone usage. These guidelines are as per the new norms by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Set a Daily Limit on Screen Time
Allocate an appropriate amount of screen time for your child, irrespective of the gadget (based on the guidelines discussed in #2). Give your child the option to watch TV, use the computer, etc. and let him choose what time of the day he wants to use the gadgets. This gives him a sense of freedom and involves him in making decisions too.
4. Involve Kids in other Activities
To limit gadget addiction, it is important to use different resources within your child’s reach that pique their curiosity. Involve your child in enriching activities like read aloud sessions, sports sessions, board games, art and craft time, etc.
5. Limit The Number of Gadgets in The House
When buying gadgets, try and limit the total number of gadgets in the house keeping the usability and affordability in mind. The kids don't really need the latest version of every game or laptop. Try and be strict with this right from the very beginning, and for yourself too! Also try and limit the number of visible gadgets in the house. For example, that game can remain in the playroom cupboard through the day until play-time.
6. Spend More Time with Your Kids
This may sound too simplistic, but studies have proved that kids who find themselves with a lot of alone time are more likely to get attached/addicted to gadgets. So, take the initiative to spend more time with your kids and do things that interest them - from playing with dolls to playing hide and seek. It might take quite a lot of effort on your end - but it is sure to pay off.
7. Avoid Using Gadgets as Crutches
It is easy to hand your child a cellphone or turn on the TV to keep him occupied and get your own work done. However, the little things matter more than you think - after a point these gadgets might become an addiction that distract your child from other activities! Instead, be involved, ask what they want to do and listen to what they have to say. Try and enrol the help of your partner, parents, or paid help when needed.
8. Maintain ‘Gadget-Free’ Areas and Time During the Day
From the dining table at dinner time to the play room, certain areas of the house should be marked as ‘gadget free’. Here, the whole family is not allowed to use any gadgets at all. This will ensure your child understands the importance of other activities in relation to gadgets.
9. Monitor The Content your Child Consumes on Gadgets
Make sure that the content your child consumes, including video games and cartoons, is child appropriate. Use this opportunity to communicate with your child about values and morals. This is particularly important in the context of how violence, women and problem-solving are depicted in gaming.
10. Praise Your Child’s Efforts
Finally, it is important to praise your child’s efforts when he makes the effort to prioritize other activities over screen time, of his own accord. Praising positive behaviour will encourage your child to continue doing it!
Do you have any other tips to prevent and control gadget addiction in kids? Share your thoughts with fellow moms in the comments below. Read more
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Egg Freezing – What to Expect
The technology of egg freezing is a boon for women today who wish to delay childbearing, due to medical needs or changing priorities or for any other reasons. After IVF, egg freezing is the next biggest technological advancement in the field of fertility medicine. The change from frozen embryos to frozen eggs has now given single women an opportunity to delay motherhood. By freezing their eggs, women can control their fertility and get pregnant at a time of their choosing. This Assisted Reproductive Technology is primarily used as a means to extend fertility by preserving Oocytes for later use (e.g. a woman can get pregnant at 40 using the eggs she had frozen at 30) or to protect fertility when other medical conditions or treatments may affect it adversely (e.g. before chemotherapy or early menopause). The process involves hormonal simulation akin to IVF before retrieving the eggs through a short invasive procedure under sedation. Depending on the patient’s age, the required number of eggs are harvested in one or more cycles and then frozen in the laboratory through a process called vitrification. Eggs frozen in this way can be retained for up to 10 years or more without any loss in the quality of the eggs. When the patient is ready for pregnancy, these frozen eggs are thawed and impregnated with sperm and the embryo is placed in the uterus, similar to IVF. About 2000 babies have been born in this way since 1986, and although more data is scarce to come by, the statistics so far imply that egg freezing has fairly satisfactory outcomes.
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing or egg banking or oocyte cryopreservation (as it is called by doctors) is a new technique in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) whereby the eggs of a woman of child-bearing age are frozen and stored for later use. This is a method to preserve and control the fertility of a woman who for various reasons, may choose to have children at a later period of time.
Is Egg Freezing Safe?
The first baby to be conceived from a frozen egg was born in 1986 and ever since two thousand more babies have come into the world in this way. No apparent increase in the rate of birth defects has been noticed so far (as compared to the general statistics) in babies conceived from frozen eggs. Risks in the process of harvesting eggs for egg freezing are comparable to those from other IVF procedures such as Ovarian stimulation, e.g. infection, bleeding etc.
When Should You Freeze Your Eggs?
The best age to freeze your eggs is in the late twenties and early thirties when you are living your healthiest and most fertile years. Because the fertility (quality) and number (quantity) of eggs harvested decides the success rate of conceiving later. Also, this is usually the age when a woman decides if she wants to delay parenthood and considers options such as egg freezing.
Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
Women may choose to freeze their eggs for a variety of reasons, both medical and social. Primarily, women with conditions requiring fertility-impairing medical treatment opt for egg freezing, in order to preserve their chances of bearing children later on. For e.g. women undergoing cancer treatment (radiation or chemotherapy), those with ovarian disease or undergoing surgery that may affect the ovaries or with a family history of early menopause, can freeze their eggs before starting with the treatment. Nowadays, even healthy women who wish to delay having children for career or relationship reasons are electing to freeze their eggs.
What if Your Age Is Above 38?
Most doctors would agree that the best age to freeze eggs is below 38. In fact, many centres have a cutoff age of 38-40 for freezing eggs. This is because eggs harvested from women under 38 are more fertile and have greater chances of a successful outcome after thawing. Also, the number of eggs can be expected to be harvested before age 38 than in the forties. Once a woman crosses 40, the chances of harvesting enough good quality eggs for egg freezing as well as the chances of getting pregnant are reduced.
How Many Eggs to Store for Achieving Pregnancy?
A woman below 38 normally produces 10-20 eggs per menstrual cycle. The vitrification or thawing rates and egg fertilization rates vary between 75-80%, i.e. out of 10 frozen eggs, 7-8 can be thawed and about 5-6 can be fertilized. Not all fertilized embryos can be implanted, however. Hence, it is recommended to store at least 8-10 eggs for each planned attempt at pregnancy. And it is better to freeze more eggs with increasing age to increase the chances of pregnancy, while also weighing other factors such as cost, etc.
How Long Can You Freeze the Eggs?
Eggs are frozen at temperatures of -190 degrees Celsius in liquid Nitrogen, just as frozen embryos are. It is assumed that storing eggs for longer periods does not affect the quality of the eggs. However, there is no hard evidence on this, as frozen eggs have so far only been stored for a period of up to 4-5 years. Even though theoretically, eggs can be frozen indefinitely and retrieved late, doctors recommend that frozen eggs be used before the woman reaches 45 years of age in order to achieve a successful pregnancy outcome.
How to Prepare?
Egg freezing is a major decision and must be well-thought over. So, it is necessary to first confer with a fertility specialist whether egg freezing is suitable or necessary, based on medical history, age and future plans about having children. Once it has been decided to go in for egg freezing, the doctor will monitor the patient’s fertility and hormone levels as well as follicular growth through ultrasounds and blood tests, as frequently as every two days. These are necessary to ensure that a good number of mature eggs are harvested during the procedure. For the same reason, it is also advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle prior to egg freezing.
Process of Freezing Eggs
The process of freezing eggs typically has three phases – ovarian stimulation, follicular monitoring (and bloodwork) and egg retrieval. The first two phases are similar to IVF, wherein the patient is given hormone injections for 7-10 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs and speed up their ripening. During this period, the follicles are monitored through frequent ultrasounds and blood tests. A day prior to the harvesting, the patient is administered a medication that triggers ovulation. The mature eggs are then harvested through a minimally invasive procedure under anaesthesia, which takes less than half an hour. The eggs so retrieved are frozen immediately.
What Happens After the Procedure?
Once the eggs are harvested, they are frozen (cryopreserved or vitrified) for later use. The process of retrieving eggs may have certain side effects such as bloating, infection or bleeding or other side effects related to Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, most women return to their normal schedule by the next day after the procedure.
How Does Egg Freezing Work?
Egg freezing involves harvesting mature eggs from a woman after hormonal treatment similar to IVF. Once enough healthy eggs are retrieved, they are frozen through a flash-freezing method called vitrification, in which the eggs are frozen in liquid Nitrogen rapidly at temperatures of -190 degrees Celsius. These cryopreserved eggs are thawed when required and combined with sperm cells and the resulting embryo is implanted into the patient.
Success Rate of Oocyte Cryopreservation
The success rate of developing viable pregnancies from frozen eggs depends on a variety of factors, including the number and quality of eggs harvested, the age of the woman when the eggs were harvested as well as the age of the woman at the time of pregnancy, the freezing technology used etc. In general, a good number of healthy eggs harvested from a younger woman (between 25-35) have a better chance of leading to a pregnancy. However, there is not enough data available yet to confirm the success rates.
Cost of Egg Freezing In India
As it is a new technology in fertility medicine, egg freezing involves considerable costs. It basically includes two types of costs. The cost of the procedure for retrieval of eggs and freezing them is similar to an IVF procedure and may vary between Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh. Once the eggs are frozen, the cost of retaining them in the frozen state is a recurring annual cost and may be anywhere between Rs.15,000 to Rs.30,000 per year.
What are the Potential Risks?
In egg freezing, the ovaries of the woman are stimulated through drugs to produce more eggs. This may sometimes lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries become swollen and painful. This causes other symptoms like vomiting, bloating and sometimes even fatal symptoms like blood clots.
The medical procedure for retrieving the eggs itself carries risks such as bleeding or risks from anaesthesia.
To be able to retrieve enough eggs for freezing, a woman may have to undergo multiple cycles of egg freezing, as a result of which the risks may be multiplied.
At present, data is lacking about the risks of pregnancy from frozen eggs and other social risks.
Few Facts About Egg Freezing
25 to 35 is the best age to freeze your eggs
Pregnancy is not guaranteed with frozen eggs
Most frozen eggs are not used
Same hormone injections are used in this process as in IVF
Egg freezing is currently an expensive affair
Egg freezing is a new-age reproductive technology that allows women to freeze their eggs and use them later to conceive, thus effectively delaying motherhood. Like many other reproductive technologies, egg freezing also has its advantages and disadvantages and is not yet fully understood in all its implications. Any decision on freezing your eggs is best made with the help of a qualified fertility specialist, after taking into consideration the costs, risks and benefits.
Also Read: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Infertility Treatment Read more
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10 Hobbies Men Can Take Up in Their 30s and 40s
No matter how busy you are in your life, indulging a hobby is always a good idea. Hobbies give a creative outlet for all the pent-up energy inside you while sharpening your skills. Any activity that helps you learn new things and limits your screen time binge-watching TV shows, especially after your 30s is worth pursuing. Therefore if you’re looking for a new hobby to try, here are some great ones to choose from.
Fun and Interesting Hobbies for Men
Here are some interesting hobby ideas for men:
1. Gardening
Gardening is a hobby that anyone can take up; it doesn’t involve too much technicality and comes to us innately as human beings. In fact, it’s important that we learn how to grow food if we have a backyard or some space for it around the house. If growing food doesn’t hold much appeal to you, growing flowers and decorative plants is a rewarding activity. If you have a day job that keeps you in a cubicle all day, some gardening time every week is a great outlet to get some sunlight, exercise and fresh air. Gardening also one of the best hobbies for men at home that gives a deep insight into nature and transformation of things.
2. Hiking/Camping
People often feel restless and unhappy because they are disconnected from nature and the outdoors because of living in crowded cities. If you often feel cooped up at work, there’s no better way to unwind than to take a hike on weekends. No matter where you live, there's sure to be someplace where you can go for a hike to get back in touch with nature. All you need are some decent boots, comfortable clothes and a local guide on hiking trails. If you want to take it to the next level, try camping. Nothing will put a man back in touch with his innate self like sleeping under the stars and cooking over an open fire in the outdoors. What’s more, camping or hiking is a great way to bond with your partner and children.
3. Archery
Although it’s one of the oldest hunting methods, modern day archery is quite sophisticated. It is also relatively inexpensive as you don’t need to own expensive equipment to practice this sport. All you need is an archery range, and you can get started. This hobby allows you to connect with the oldest form of hunting weapon used by men throughout the evolution of civilisation. Going back to this old sport which relies entirely on the strength of your upper body can bring great satisfaction. Its steady, focused activity can train the mind to settle and dwell in stillness.
4. Martial Arts
No matter how old you get, it’s never too late to learn martial arts. It will make you strong enough to defend your partner if the situation demands. Learning a martial art involves disciplining both the mind and body. Your skills in physical combat will give you a sense of confidence which will spill over into other areas of your life. It will greatly increase your health, build focus and discipline and give an outlet to the warrior inside you. There are many different martial arts you can choose from. If you seek something of high intensity try Taekwondo, Muay Thai or boxing. Take up Tai-Chi for a more relaxed form.
5. Fishing
Fishing is one of the most iconic male hobbies there is. It’s a great way for fathers and sons to spend some quality time together. If you live near a large water body where fishing is allowed, it’s definitely a hobby worth picking up. Fishing brings not only the pleasure of catching fish but also food. The hobby isn’t too expensive, to begin with; you’ll need a good fishing rod and a set of baits. The hobby also requires a great deal of discipline and plenty of patience. To get good at it, you will need to start with learning about fishing rods, the line, baits, and hooks and how the fish behave.
6. Travelling
Travelling is the greatest way to learn about other cultures and try out new things and meet people from all walks of life. Taking solo bike trips with your friends once in a while is one of the best experiences you have in your lifetime. Travelling and road trips with your family is another way to make wonderful memories.
7. Photography
Modern technology has made photography a widely popular hobby. Photography can be done both in the traditional form with a DSLR or you can use your smartphone with its awesome camera to take some stunning images. If you're serious about photography, it’s worth investing in a good camera and set of lenses that can open up the world to you in a whole new light. The coolest aspect of photography is that it can be combined with almost every other hobby or activity. If you love hiking, you can always take your camera with you and take great shots of landscapes or take it with you on travels and take pictures of every place you visit and its way of life.
8. Amateur Astronomy
Amateur astronomy visually opens up the final frontier to you; space. If you are interested in learning about stars, planets, what lies beyond, and how it all works, there’s no better way to do it than to take up this hobby. It takes time and practice however to learn to identify the constellations and the positions of stars in the sky. Once in possession of a medium-sized telescope, the true depth of the hobby becomes apparent. There are endless things to view in the night sky, the craters on the moon, the features on the planets and as you advance- thousands of deep space objects, asteroids and comets. Amateur astronomy can help you take your photography interests to the next level through Astrophotography. Photographing celestial objects is a whole other challenge that not many can take up.
9. Modelmaking
Building miniature replicas of aeroplanes, ships and cars is a hobby not only enjoyed by young boys but also by a lot of fathers. In fact, building accurate replicas takes years of experience and is a hobby dominated by men. Modelmaking teaches you the challenges of putting together thousands of pieces of the model by following instructions. You would need a keen eye for detail and sharp logical skills. In the end, you have a display item that looks fabulous in your office. For a greater challenge, try taking up something like 'Aero Modelling' where you will need to build flying models out of scratch and learn all about the physics of aeroplanes to fly them.
10. Woodworking
Woodworking and carpentry is a classic hobby that is highly appreciated by everyone. Men who can turn a lump of wood into something beautiful are admired by all. Carpentry skills also mean you can build your own furniture in the house or fix one on your own without any help.
A hobby is an excellent way to give your creative talent an outlet. However, remember that starting is the easy part. Sustaining it is harder, and mastery takes years. Any hobby that appeals to you is worth investing your time and money on if it builds your skill and provides a sense of satisfaction.
Also Read:
Why Job Satisfaction is Important and How to Achieve It
Annoying Work Habits Every Boss Don’t Like
Why It Is Important to Show Gratitude at Workplace Read more
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8 Mistakes You're Probably Making While Feeding Your Kids
What is the right way to feed your children? They seem to shy away from nutritious meals and like everything that's not good for health. You cajole, persuade and force – but hey, forcing child to eat food they don't like can be counter-productive. So, what should you do?
When it comes to children and eating, there is hardly any task more challenging for the parents! Kids often fuss over their meals and we put it down to basic, tantrum-throwing tendencies. Children will be children, and they are not the most discplined of eaters. But what if the real cause of such behaviour is a feeding mistake you as a parent have been making?
We have compiled the following list based on inputs by leading child nutritionists and dieticians. Follow these tips to make meal time a fruitful but hassle-free affair for your kids and you. And yes, meal-times with kids will cease being so exceptionally difficult!
8 Common Feeding Mistakes Many Parents Make
1. Forcing Them To Eat Everything On Their Plate
Is it really important that your kids wipe their plate clean? While it is a good habit to not waste food, forcing children to eat is a bad idea. In the long run, this affects their ability to read their body's hunger cues. Force feeding kids means they don't know when they're too full which can eventually make them overweight!
What you should do instead: Keep a close track on how much your child has eaten and if he displays signs of hunger. All of us have days of poor appetite! It is okay to eat a few hours after a meal, if he gets hungry again. Moreover, left-over food can be consumed later or used as next day's lunch.
2. Bribing Them With Food-Based Rewards
Which parent hasn't used this– "if you finish your meal, there's ice-cream in the fridge!" or "if you don't stop crying, there's karela ki sabji for lunch"? Food-based reward and punishment only makes the tasty (and often unhealthy) stuff more interesting, and the less-favoured food even worse.
What you should do instead: Say a permanent goodbye to food-based rewards. Use logical reasoning such as "if you don't eat this, you'll not be strong enough to play ball with your friend". Always works!
3. Pressurizing Them To Try New Foods
Did you know just why kids are unwilling to try new things? It's called “food neophobia” or an innate instinct to keep safe. So, should parents force their children to eat new things? No, no! Research has found that forcing them can create a permanent, life-long aversion they may never recover from.
What you should do instead: When introducing new foods to kids, make it clear that you will decide what is going to be served. But they have the right to pick whether, and how much, they want to eat. This makes them feel empowered. When they know they aren't being forced, they will be likelier to eat what is served. They get hungry too, you see!
4. Giving Snacks Close To Dinner
In the evenings after play-time, during a particularly boring lesson, or while watching TV – snacks are kids' best friends. But they could also be the reason they are not hungry at the dinner table.
What you should do instead: Avoid giving snacks too close to dinner. Stick to an hour prior to dinner time. Also steer clear of sugary, processed foods or carbonated drinks as they make you feel bloated and kill your appetite.
5. Serving Plain, "Boring-Looking" Meals
How can presentation make any difference to the taste of a boring cabbage or spinach or bottle gourd? Well, in a child's mind, it does! Plain meals that look drab, unappetising and a task to get through can really affect your child's appetite.
What you should do instead: Even though this is time-consuming, make the effort to jazz up your presentation of meals. Add grapefruit eyes, fun straws and the occasional low-fat-cheese strips. Or go the full hog and try out these Disney-themed lunches.
6. Giving Them Examples of Hungry People
"Finish your food. There are people dying of hunger in the world." We say that for various reasons– to encourage kids to eat up, to make them considerate toward world hunger and poverty, to vent our frustration. But sadly, these comments have been found to not go down well with kids.
What you should do instead: Once again, logical reasoning works better. Try something like – "If you don't eat dinner, you will be hungry at night. And Mamma will be sleeping then!"
7. Threatening To Withhold Their Dessert
"How much more do I need to eat before dessert?" "Finish this or you won't get any!" This is extremely common but bad conversation to have at meal-time! Kids don't learn to enjoy the full meal when they're constantly worried about dessert.
What you should do instead: You can serve dessert with dinner. Crazy as it sounds, this encourages kids to eat a more balanced meal, now that their much-anticipated treat has been realized.
8. Serving Portions Too Large For Them
Out of fear that our child isn't eating enough, we often serve gigantic portions. It's important to remember that kids can't eat the same portions as adults. On an average, toddlers and preschoolers need three full meals and two snacks. As long as this is being met, and your child doesn't get hungry in between, you're sorted.
What you should do instead: Consider creating compartments in your kid's plate so he gets a balanced diet but one he can actually finish. Double servings of small portions are better than one, huge portion the child is scared of.
Meal times will cease to be quite so challenging when you realize what forcing kids to eat can do to them! Work with your children's taste buds, put in that extra effort, and stay away from these all-too-common mistakes. Read more
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Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
11 hours ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Ashima Malhotra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
10 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Ashima Malhotra
Mom of a 10 m old boy
9 hours ago
A. avoid it
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
9 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. 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 Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
2 hours ago
Q. I am 7 month pregnant with second baby I have severe abscess pain in armpit and buttocks pls tell me remedy for this ...Dr recommend antibiotics and ultracet pain tablet I have taken some doses of it but worried about the foetal development..does it hurt my baby
Read moreDr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
35 mins ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
continue antibiotics regularly
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