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9 Best Dinner Foods for Your Baby to Help Him Sleep Peacefully All Night! (With Recipes)
Putting your baby to sleep is perhaps one of the toughest tasks you need to accomplish every day. Babies wake up often every night and find it difficult to sleep at a stretch. This also affects your health as you need to stay up with your baby and help him feel better. Very often, your baby finally falls asleep at 6 AM and for you, it is time to get started on the new day! Well, what if you found that making a couple of changes in your baby's dinner can solve this problem?
If your baby has weaned off breastmilk and been introduced to solid foods, he probably eats a variety of things for dinner. Purees, porridge, rice, fruits...Our purpose is to keep his dinner nutritious, filling and easy to digest. But here's the interesting part: research suggests that diet has a very crucial role to play in your baby's SLEEP cycle!
How Food Helps in Promoting Sleep in Babies?
The contents of any food item that we consume have an effect on our overall health. While some foods make us alert and wakeful (think coffee, for adults), there are certain food products that are known to promote sleep. These food items combined with complex carbohydrates help in the release of sleep-promoting substances in the body. This makes your baby feel sleepy and comfortable after his dinner. Simply put, this means he is likelier to nap sooner and for longer!
Did you know that according to some studies in child development, each sleepless hour a night can potentially cut down TWO cognitive years in a baby?
9 Dinner Food Recipes for Babies to Help them Sleep Better Through the Night
Here are 9 dinner foods for babies that are not just nutritious and easy to digest but also help your little one get a good night's sleep!
1. Warm Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a wholesome food in itself, extremely healthy for both babies and adults. But here's the best part: it is also an excellent source of melatonin which helps trigger insulin production. Insulin in turn helps in inducing sleep! You can prepare oatmeal in many different forms, the simplest of which is a porridge, light and easy to digest for babies. We recommend mixing it up with apples to improve both the taste and the nutrition quotient.
Recipe: Oats Porridge With Apples
2. White Rice
Rice is well-known be high in glycemic index. This, according to several scientific studies, has been found to help people sleep better and faster. Now you know why many people tend to feel sleepy after consuming rice! Although brown rice is highly recommended for babies due to its higher nutrient value, white rice has a higher glycemic index when compared to brown. Plus, rice is easily digested by babies and is light on the stomach too. Try this rice pudding with apples again - quite a delicious dinner food to help your baby nap!
Recipe: Apple Rice Pudding
3. Spinach
As mothers, we keep stressing on feeding green leafy vegetables to our little ones. We want them to reap the benefits of nutrients such as iron, vitamins and minerals. But did you know that apart from providing the required nutrients, green veggies are also rich in tryptophan - an amino acid that our bodies use to synthesize proteins? Tryptophan also helps in the production of melatonin - the body's ‘sleep hormone’! It is also called the body clock hormone as it determines the baby's sleep-wake cycles. Whew, spinach has so many other health benefits that its sleep-inducing property is just another feather in its cap!
Recipe: Creamy Spinach Soup
4. Cherries
Cherries are another great addition to your baby's dinner, for the same reason as spinach - they are replete with melatonin, the sleep hormone! They are also quite delicious which means your baby is likelier to accept them easily. Keep in mind that tart cherries contain the most amount of melatonin so choose them over the sweet ones.
How to Feed: It is best to de-seed and puree the cherries before feeding your baby. This makes them easier to consume and digest.
Watch: An Easy Cherry Puree Recipe for Your Baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r1eN0arpnk
Key Takeaway:
All you need are cherries, either frozen or fresh. Defrost the frozen cherries for 4-5 hours before preparing the puree.
Puree the cherries in the food processor or blender.
Place the mix on a low-medium flame for 5 minutes. Remove when it starts steaming.
Strain the mixture to get out the chunky bits with a mesh sieve.
5. Bananas
Bananas are loved by many babies for their soft, sweet taste. But did you know that they contain a good amount of magnesium which is a natural muscle relaxant? Relaxed muscles mean your baby feels sleepier after dinner and eventually sleeps better! Apart from this, bananas also have good amounts of melatonin and serotonin. We recommend the following banana puree recipe for your little one.
Recipe: Banana Puree
6. Chicken
If you are a non-vegetarian, you may be considering introducing chicken in your baby's diet. You have a great reason too! Chicken contains high levels of tryptophan. And as we discussed, this amino acid will definitely make your baby sleepy post dinner! Needless to say, chicken will also take care of the protein requirements of your baby. It is a great idea to begin with shredded pieces and soup post the age of 8 months. Here is a recipe you can try to reap the double protein benefits of chicken and lentils. If your baby is old enough to self-feed, serve it in a bowl that has his favourite cartoon characters for maximum attention! ;)
Recipe: Chicken Potato Lentils
7. Walnuts
Walnuts help the body in the production of serotonin - a chemical that soothes the brain and affects the mood of a person, making them more relaxed. This helps them sleep better and longer. Walnuts also contain melatonin which, as we saw, is great for napping. We recommend adding walnuts to your baby's dinner after making sure there are no small pieces that can induce choking. Nuts are recommended for babies after they have crossed the one year milestone so as to minimise risks of allergies. Consult your paediatrician to discuss this further.
Recipe: Walnut Halwa
8. Chickpeas
Legumes, in general, are high in protein as well as tryptophan and hence a great sleep promoter. But apart from high protein content, chickpeas are also high in iron, potassium, fibre and vitamins K, C and B-6. This makes them a great, nutritious dinner food! It is advised to boil the beans and mash them to include in your baby's diet. This makes it easy for them to consume as well as digest chickpeas.
Recipe: Chickpeas Hummus Dip
9. Dairy Products
Finally, this one is no surprise - the milk before bed-time is certainly a great idea. But even apart from milk, other dairy products like cheese and paneer are also packed with tryptophan. Hence, something like a bowl of bananas mashed in milk an hour prior to bedtime will ensure your baby sleeps comfortably through the night. Also, if going for cheese, opt for swiss and cheddar as they have the maximum amount of tryptophan. You can also make the following recipe part of your baby's dinner sometimes, for a special treat! It is tailored especially to a baby's taste and digestive power.
Recipe: Suji Kheer For Babies
Did You Know:
Certain foods like sugar and caffeine are stimulating in nature and hence the term 'sugar rush' is actually a real thing. It is therefore advisable not to include food items containing these properties right before bedtime. As a rule, go easy on the sugar you add to any baby food to also protect your child from the risk of tooth decay and developing unhealthy eating habits.
Tips While Feeding Your Baby to Ensure Sleep Throughout the Night
When babies first begin eating solid foods, they may experience discomfort that also affects their sleep. There can be several reasons for this. For one, their digestive system is still coping with the sudden change from liquids to solids. The timings between the feeding of solids and milk probably haven’t been properly worked out yet. Sometimes, the quality of the food matters more than the quantity consumed. Apart from this, there may be certain things in the breastfeeding routine of the baby that is holding up their sleep schedules. You can follow these following tips to induce a long night’s sleep in your baby!
While breastfeeding, keep the light turned off so as to make it clear that it’s not daytime. Alternatively, you can use a nightlight or dimmer switch. Use white noises (such as the hum of the fan) in the background which can help soothe the baby.
Ensure that you burp your baby after breastfeeding; otherwise, trapped air in his stomach can cause him to wake up.
Fixing a schedule for the baby’s eating and sleeping patterns is beneficial for the baby’s overall development. From the months of 4 to almost 18, it is ideal that bedtime should be between 7 to 8 pm, depending on where your baby is along the age line. Accordingly, dinner should be timed an hour or 1.5 hours before the baby’s bedtime.
It’s not just dinnertime that should be fixed. The baby’s daytime routine also plays an important role in getting him to sleep through the night. Schedule timings for his meals and naps as is age-appropriate. Eventually, this can help the baby naturally feel drowsy by his bedtime.
One of the main reasons for babies to wake in the middle of the night can be indigestion, because of which the child faces discomfort. ‘Tummy Time’ is gaining popularity among new parents now, owing to its several benefits, one of which is improving digestion. Lying on their tummy during the day (for example supervised floor play) provides the baby’s abdominal organs with a kind of ‘massage’, which also helps to relieve gas, and stimulate normal bowel movements. Keep in mind that this should not be done immediately after a meal. Also, while babies should compulsorily be made to sleep on their back only, tummy time during their waking hours can be of help.
It will take up to the age of 8-9 months for the baby to sleep through the entire night (meaning a consolidated 11-12 hours of sleep). To remove the association of feeding and sleeping in their brains, it is important to wean your baby off being fed to sleep. Start with moving his nursing at the beginning of his bedtime routine (rather than at the end). If he persists in waking, make it earlier. i.e right before/after dinnertime.
Remember to put your baby down to sleep when he is drowsy, but still awake. Rushing to get your baby to sleep right after nursing can prove to be problematic, as when the baby wakes up, he doesn’t know how to fall asleep on his own. Instead, when he is feeling calm and relaxed and is frequently closing his eyes, put him down to bed, and let him learn to put himself to sleep. Keep in mind that it may take a week or so for the baby to develop this habit.
Along with the baby’s food habits, something that can help your baby’s sleep routine is having your partner take charge as well. Dr. Diana Julian, Child Sleep Consultant, talks about how fathers can be the secret to a baby’s blissful sleep and various techniques they can incorporate. The father can feed the baby a bottle of breast milk during the night feedings, which makes for a dad-baby bonding session as well. Some mothers also claim that since their husbands took charge of rocking their baby to sleep when he wakes, it has proved to be a success! It could be because the baby associates feeding to the mother and expects to be fed when he wakes in the middle of the night and sees her. Try a role-reversal and see how that works out for you!
Is Your Diet Affecting Your Breastfed Baby’s Sleep?
When your breastfed baby refuses to sleep throughout the night, there are doubts that can creep into your mind regarding the effects of your breastmilk on your baby’s sleep. While there is no concrete research which state that elements of your diet can affect your breastmilk, there are certain tried-and-tested techniques by mothers which seem to alter their babies’ sleeping patterns.
The first thing to note is that breast milk is not made up of what you eat, but what is in your blood. So there is no particular list of foods that is applicable for mothers’ to avoid. However, if you seem to incorporate caffeine and sugar a little more than the healthy amount in your daily diet, cutting it down is ideal - it definitely will help to improve your overall health!
There are some mothers who have seen a slight improvement in their babies’ sleep patterns once their caffeine/sugar intake was reduced as well. Another possibility to consider is allergic reactions to some food nutrients that may be passed on through your breast milk to your baby. If symptoms like diarrhea, rashes, fussiness, gas, colic and so on keep your baby up at night, keep a track of what you eat and when these symptoms show up. If you see a link, reduce the suspected food and speak to your health-care provider about further remedies.
So moms, make sure you include these food items in your baby's dinner to help him sleep uninterrupted. If your baby sleeps well, he will be happy and active the next morning, and so will you! Do you know of more recipes and sleep-promoting dinner foods for babies? Share them with other mommies by leaving a comment below. Read more
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Yoga for Kids - Benefits and Poses
Yoga offers a gamut of 'asanas' or poses for addressing different aspects of wellbeing. From poses that simply calm us down to poses that therapeutically cure many underlying physical conditions, the science of yoga is very versatile. The purpose of designing a yoga program for kids becomes very important in choosing the right kind of poses for them. Yoga programs for kids are mainly intended to make them learn to accept their bodies, be more disciplined in their actions and be calmer to focus and concentrate in a better way. When practised over a period of time, it makes them physically and mentally strong and improves their overall health and wellness.
What is Yoga & Why is it Important
Yoga is the ancient science of combining and harnessing the physical, mental and spiritual energies of the body to unfold its full potential. It has gained significant popularity in the recent times as an effective means of combating the pressures of today's world. Many adults have integrated the practice of yoga asana in their regular schedule and have greatly benefited from it.
It is a very economical tool to stay fit and focused in life. A few hours of daily practice ensures great improvement in the activeness, immunity and the general wellness of a person. With many new forms of exercise mushrooming every single day, this ancient practice of yoga is slowly and steadily growing due to its holistic healing nature.
Kids in today's day and age are over stimulated with the availability of so many distractions in the form of gadgets and toys. This has a profound effect on their attention span and their concentration level. Low immunity due to unhealthy eating habits and pollution is another major cause of concern for parents today. Halting the rapidly changing world is impossible. The only solution to this problem lies in dealing with it by empowering the kids.
Yoga is a blessing to mankind and the importance of yoga for kids in solving these problems cannot be reiterated more. Kids are generally very quick at learning and therefore, incorporating yogic practices in their routine early on in life can be a great way to ensure a healthy lifestyle for them.
Benefits of Yoga for Kids
There are innumerable benefits that yoga has for kids when practised regularly. Here are a few of them:
It can be an effective calming technique for kids. A simple exercise of observing their breathing pattern can improve their focus, attention and calmness.
It can help them build a positive self-image about their body and give them a control of their flexibility and agility.
Asanas like the suryanamaskar improve their ability to balance their body which indirectly acts as a meditative posture for them.
Holding the focus to stay in a certain posture is especially good for kids as they take their baby steps towards achieving self-control.
Channelised breathing patterns, prescribed in the various pranayamas, boost the immunity and energise the body. This protects them from upper respiratory problems that have become a common problem among children today.
Some asanas improve the core strength immensely, correcting their postural problems.
Some yoga postures are specifically designed for children with autism spectrum disorders to meet their special therapeutic needs.
In today's competitive world, even school-going children are subjected to tremendous stress. The pressure to achieve and excel in academics and extracurricular activities is high, due to which many kids suffer from anxiety related issues. Yoga asanas, not only help them relax but also give them the time and patience to slow down and get a perspective on things around them. Learning a new skill is easier in childhood and the neuronal connections made at a younger age tend to leave a lasting imprint in their brains.
8 Effective Yoga Poses for Children
There are a few yoga asanas that are scientifically proven to help children improve their overall physical and mental awareness. Here are a few asanas that are great for kids.
1. Adho Mukhasvanasana - The Dog Pose
This pose mimics the posture of a dog stretching itself. It involves balancing the weight on the legs and the hand in an inverted 'U' position. In this posture, the kid is encouraged to tuck in the toes facing inwards, raise the hips as much as possible and push the chest well inside. The head that is hanging down is stretched inwards.
This asana is particularly helpful to children in improving blood circulation to the extremities of the body. It also serves as a good stretching exercise for improving flexibility to do other complicated yogic poses. The ability to balance the core of the body is also improved by regular practice.
2. Vrikshasana - The Tree Pose
This yoga posture, as the name suggests resembles a tree. In this posture, the child is made to stand in one leg and then fold the knee of the other leg to place it over the thigh of the leg used to balance the weight of the body. The arms are stretched up with the hands folded in the 'namaskar' position. The child balances the weight on one leg for a few minutes and then repeats the same with the other leg.
This asana comes only with practice and may take a few tries to perfect. It is usually suggested to improve concentration as only focusing can help in balancing the weight of the body in one leg. This is one exercise that kids are bound to enjoy and have fun doing.
3. Virabhadrasana I - Warrior Pose I
The warrior pose of yogasana increases body balance and core strength for the kids. It is particularly useful to kids in creating a positive image about their own body, thereby increasing their self-confidence. It is helpful in alleviating any pain in the chest, ankle, knee and arms.
In this posture, the child is first made to stand with the legs wide apart and arms spread out at shoulder length. Then, by twisting the right foot to face outwards, the right knee is gently bent in the forward direction. It is ensured that the left knee is straight and the position is sustained for about a minute with normal breathing.
4. Tadasana - The Mountain Pose
This is a very simple yoga posture that can be a good starting point for advanced asanas. In this posture, the child is first made to stand in an erect position with both the legs close to each other. The hands are then raised above the head to join in the namaskar gesture. The asana is a true measure of the stamina and balancing ability of the child.
This asana ensures an erect posture for the kids. Many a time in classrooms as well as during study times, children tend to bend over and put a lot of strain on the spine. Incorrect posture causes pain and other discomforts to the children at later stages of life. This yogasana is very helpful in correcting such postural issues.
5. Uttanasana - The Rag Doll Pose
This asana is a part of the suryanamaskar exercise and hence, is a good precursor to the more complicated version for kids. In this asana, the kid first raises the hand above the head and then bends over as straight as possible to touch the feet. Care must be taken to not bend the knees while doing this. If the child is not able to touch the feet fully, he or she is encouraged to catch the portion of the leg which is reachable.
This exercise is very beneficial in stretching the hamstring. The hamstring is a very important muscle in the leg that needs to be flexible for good agility. By practising this asana, the muscles stretch considerably making it less prone to injury.
6. Baddha Konasana - The Butterfly Pose
The name of this asana can be very exciting for kids as it mimics the action of a butterfly. To practice this asana, the child is made to sit on a flat surface with legs stretched in front. Then the knees are bent inward, parallel to the floor to make the soles of the feet touch each other. The soles are then held tightly with the hands and the knees are flapped up and down like the wings of a butterfly.
This asana is very helpful in strengthening and flexing the inner thigh muscles. It shapes the thigh muscles in the long run and ensures a very erect posture.
7. Setu Bandhasana - The Bridge Pose
The pose resembles an inverted U, where the upper body is bent like a bridge.To do this asana, the child is first made to lie on their back on a flat surface. Then, the knees are folded in an inverted V shape and the hands are folded in the reverse direction and placed near the head. Then the hips are gently lifted above the ground as high as possible.
This asana is quite challenging and can be perfected with practice. With every try, the flexibility is improved significantly. This asana causes the reverse flow of blood to the torso and the head and re-oxygenates these regions. It is very helpful for kids to improve their stamina, immunity and streamline their blood flow.
8. Pranayama – Breathing Exercises
Pranayama is a very key aspect of yogasana and has very significant benefits to the body. As the word suggests, these exercises which modulate the breathing pattern have calming effects on the body and improve the self-awareness levels. Many a time, breathing patterns change during the course of life and the right kind of energising breathing techniques are lost. Practising these breathing techniques equips the kids to face the world with better calmness, clarity and focus. There are many breathing techniques in pranayama and the basic ones can be taught to kids to be practised on a regular basis. This also keeps upper respiratory infections away, by reducing the allergic reactions of the body.
Yoga exercises for kids have to be taught in a very creative and fun way to the children. Unlike adults, children pick up when taught with a lot of imaginative pretend play incorporated in it. A simple posture of bending over and touching their legs can be taught in a fun way by asking them to stretch their hands to reach to the stars and then catch them to smear it on their legs. This not only helps them learn it quickly but also keeps them motivated to pursue it every single day until it becomes part of their routine.
Another interesting thing about teaching yoga exercises for kids is that they enjoy learning it in a group. It can be a great way to encourage them to play and learn as a team. As a weekend fun activity either with their friends or with other yoga practising adults of the family, the stretching and bending can warm them up for a week full of hard work.
Family yoga programs are on the rise today, owing to the increased awareness about the benefits of yoga, among people. The new generation that is going to make the future of the world needs to be protected against all the unwanted consequences of technology. Going back to the roots to circumvent this problem is the only solution to this and there is no better way than yoga.
Also Read: 15 Fun and INteresting Outdoor Activities for Kids Read more
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Using Evening Primrose Oil In Pregnancy - Is It Safe?
Evening primrose oil has long been used to relieve stress, hot flashes, PMS pain, and for other health issues in women. It is also believed that evening primrose oil helps induce labour. If you are pregnant and your due date has come and gone, you must be willing to try everything to induce labour, yes, even herbal remedies like using evening primrose oil. But is it really safe to use it during pregnancy? Let's find out!
What Is Evening Primrose Oil?
A herbal oil made from the extract of a herbaceous flowering plant called the evening primrose plant, evening primrose oil is known for its numerous medicinal properties such as treating skin disorders and providing relief from various pre-menstrual symptoms. The oil, used as a herbal supplement, is usually taken in the form of capsules. Some women even use them to insert in their vaginas to induce labour, but it is not safe. Even capsules are not safe unless and until, they are recommended by a doctor.
How Safe Is it to Take Evening Primrose Oil in Pregnancy?
The safety of evening primrose oil during pregnancy depends on how far a woman is in her pregnancy. It is considered extremely safe and beneficial during the first trimester, but it gets less beneficial by the third trimester and should be used in regulated doses under medical supervision.
When Can a Pregnant Woman Use Evening Primrose Oil?
There is no exact time to start using the oil during pregnancy; but if a woman wants to use it during pregnancy, she can use it in her first and second trimesters. However, it should be used only after consulting with a doctor, better yet under medical supervision.
How to Use Evening Primrose Oil While Pregnant
There are numerous ways in which primrose oil can use be used during pregnancy. One can use evening primrose oil in the following ways -
Primrose oil can be used orally; in fact, evening primrose oil capsules for labour are taken orally for the first 35 weeks of pregnancy.
It can be used vaginally to induce labour. Many women start using it between the 38th and 40th week of their pregnancies to induce labour.
Evening primrose oil can be used for massages during the first trimester of pregnancy.
What Are the Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Pregnant Women?
There are a large number of benefits to using evening primrose oil during your pregnancy, here are a few:
One of the most important benefits is that you can use primrose oil to induce labour in a healthy and safe way.
Primrose oil is known to be a great remedy for common skin conditions that are caused during pregnancy due to your weaker immune system and hormonal imbalance.
Evening primrose oil is known to be a great way of easing muscle pain through massage.
Primrose oil is known to help increase the likelihood of a safe vaginal birth by reducing tearing.
Primrose oil reduces the risk of premature or late deliveries.
It reduces the risk of preeclampsia.
During the first trimester, it is common for you to feel uneasiness around the breast or experience breast pain, evening primrose oil helps avoid that.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Evening Primrose Oil in Pregnancy?
Like with anything good and healthy, moderation is the key. Using evening primrose oil excessively can have major side-effects on a woman's health during pregnancy. Here are some potential risks of evening primrose oil that are likely to arise if it is used during pregnancy.
Although this oil is known to induce labour, if taken in the last week of pregnancy in high doses, it can cause a condition called “arrest of decent”. This means the baby stops descending to the vagina and this in-turn needs a procedure that requires your baby to be pulled out through a tool called the vacuum extractor.
As evening primrose oil is a blood thinner, it can lead to complications during labour and delivery. Hence, it should be avoided if a woman has had or is going for a C-Section.
If used excessively, evening primrose oil can cause severe abdominal cramps.
Using evening primrose oil can cause headaches, nausea, and diarrhoea.
This oil, in excess doses, can cause bloating.
This oil can cause a condition called postpartum haemorrhage or PPH.
Where Can You Buy Evening Primrose Oil?
Evening primrose oil is available in pharmacies, health stores, organic stores, or online. You can use capsules orally or you can slit the capsules open and spread it over your skin to be used in a massage as the oil is easily absorbed into the skin. But before using it (in any form), do check with your doctor.
Thing to Remember
Here are a few key points to remember about evening primrose oil.
Evening primrose oil must be used in moderation.
Talk to your doctor before and while using this oil.
Avoid using primrose oil for aromatherapy.
It is unsafe to feed young children primrose oil without medical clearance.
While evening primrose oil, like other oils, can be hugely beneficial when used in moderation, but even for that, consulting a doctor is necessary. This oil is not recommened to all during pregnancy or otherwise, as it may not work for everyone. So don't self-prescribe it - check with your doctor and make safe choices!
Also Read: Castor Oil During Pregnancy Read more
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Is Gardening Safe during Pregnancy?
When you know you are pregnant, you are filled with an ocean of emotions, which include anxiety, excitement, and fear. You have tons of questions about what’s good and what’s unsafe during your pregnancy. In such a time, if you have a strong love for gardening, you are sure to wonder if you can continue showering your love and care to mother nature. The good news is that yes, you can follow your hobby of gardening even during your pregnancy. Besides, it helps you to relax and keep your mind calm. Play safe and remember to avoid contact with harmful chemicals in the soil.
Can You do Gardening when Pregnant?
Hobbies can help you keep the mind calm and even lift your spirit, which will certainly benefit you during pregnancy. Gardening is one of them and is also a form of exercise to keep you healthy. You should also be aware that it does involve certain risks like exposure to deadly chemicals. While you indulge in gardening, you must take appropriate measures to safeguard yourself and your baby during pregnancy.
Risks of Gardening while Pregnant
Before you pull up your sleeves and get busy with your gardening, it is essential that you learn what risks it may involve. The soil used for planting might often have parasites and some potent chemical pesticides. Consider the below-described hazards and take the necessary precautions while gardening.
The major thing you should be aware of is a condition called toxoplasmosis, which occurs due to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. You are at high risk of contracting it when you touch the soil, contaminated by the faeces of an infected cat. It can cause flu-like symptoms in mothers and contributes to blindness or mental disabilities in the unborn baby.
Besides, chemicals like herbicides and insecticides are also considered unsafe for pregnant women. Exposure to these may impact the baby’s development about the brain and nervous system.
Things to Keep in Mind while Gardening during Pregnancy
You need to take utmost care of your routine activities and hobbies, during your pregnancy, and take precautionary measures if it involves anything that may be harmful to you and your baby. There are possibilities of Toxoplasma parasite entering your body through contaminated soil. It is unsafe for you and your foetus and is known to cause stillbirth and miscarriage. You are vulnerable to injecting the infection unknowingly when you touch your face or mouth after handling the contaminated soil. To avoid such instances and ensure a safe pregnancy, remember the below tips while gardening.
1. Stay Away from Chemicals
Let your family or friends help you in chemical treatment of your garden. Stay indoors for when the chemicals are being sprayed. Sprays often stay afloat in the breeze for a while, so to avoid inhaling them wait for the chemicals to dry, before you return to the garden.
2. Integrated Pest Management
It is best to opt for an integrated pest management system during your pregnancy. It encourages the use of harmless chemicals and treatment methods to protect your garden from insects and pests.
3. Dress Appropriately
Refrain from gardening at noon and if you cannot avoid, apply good sunscreen and wear a hat to be protected from heat. Wear loose clothing to optimise your comfort. Plus, opt for long sleeves and long pants to avoid contact with the contaminated soil and chemicals.
4. Be Hydrated
When you are working under the direct sun, it often causes dehydration. Hence, it's important that you keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by drinking water at frequent intervals.
5. Use Gardening Tools
Avoid exerting pressure on your wrists as you are more prone to tennis elbow or carpal tunnel during your pregnancy. You should use appropriate gardening tools for specific tasks.
6. Maintain Proper Posture
Always work in kneeling position instead of bending for long hours. This will prevent you from putting a lot of pressure on your back and spine. You should keep off from lifting or moving heavy objects during pregnancy and leave it to someone else.
7. Frequent Breaks
Instead of sitting for long periods, you must stand up once a while or walk around the plants to prevent exhaustion. Also, while you pull out weeds, take some support of a bench or short stool to be seated.
8. Keep Cats Away
The parasite that causes infection contaminates the soil through the faeces of the cat. If you don’t own one, it is possible that cats from the neighbourhood who may be infected use your area for littering. See to it that you do not allow cats to linger around in your garden.
9. Use Gloves
Wear gloves so that you don’t come in direct contact with the soil. Besides, you shouldn’t touch your eyes, mouth or face with the soiled hands or gloves unless you have washed your hands and finished with your gardening for the day.
10. Wash Before Eating
Don’t be tempted to pick the fruit or vegetable from your garden and eat it raw. Ensure that it is thoroughly washed before you eat it.
You can keep your love for gardening alive during your pregnancy, but with extra care and precautions. Ensure that you steer clear of any toxins or soil-borne infections in gardening. These if ingested by you, can prove hazardous to you and impact the development of your growing baby. So be responsible and make use of appropriate gloves and gardening tools while out in the garden. Also, maintain proper posture as you work to avoid undue physical strain on your body.
Also Read: Household Work To Do and Avoid During Pregnancy Read more
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Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes in Children
Diabetes is a very common illness these days but when a child is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the world around the parent seems to collapse and they seek answers to the following questions:
What is Type 1 diabetes?
What should I do now?
How do I care for my baby?
Is it curable and is it dangerous?
Diabetes Mellitus often referred to as “Diabetes”- is a medical condition characterized by increased sugar levels in the body. It is categorised as:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
The sugar levels in our body are controlled by the pancreas, whose main purpose is to secrete Insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts glucose into glycogen. Glucose generates energy for our day-to-day activities but excess glucose causes serious health problems and is termed in the extreme as diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that occurs when there is little or no insulin produced by the pancreas. In the absence of insulin, the body is unable to break the sugars (in our food) and hence the sugars remain in the bloodstream. So, the blood sugar levels rise above the optimal level, endangering our lives.
It is often found in children, sometimes after birth. It is also categorised as an autoimmune disease because it is our own body’s defence mechanism that is destroying healthy cells. Without proper care and medical help, this can become a serious problem over a long period, damaging other organs too. This type of diabetes is also referred to as “Juvenile Diabetes in children”, “Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in children”, “Brittle Diabetes in children” and “Sugar Diabetes in children”.
What Are the Causes of Type 1 Diabetes?
Researchers have identified a few reasons for this condition in children. It could probably be a viral infection, which compromises the body’s immune system or a hereditary component that could explain the autoimmune aspect of this type of diabetes. However, the exact cause for this condition is still unknown.
The only known reason is the special beta cells (produced in the pancreas) that carry insulin are destroyed by the antibodies. Ideally, these cells should destroy only unhealthy/foreign cells.
What Are the Symptoms?
It is important to be alert and notice the following symptoms in children:
Frequent urination
Feeling very thirsty
Eating more than usual or even noticeable weight loss
Feeling unusually tired
Nausea
Feeling irritated
Rapid breathing or falling unconscious
How is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed in Children?
It is important to keep a track on some red flags such as frequency of urination, increased water intake and intense urge to eat more. If you think these symptoms occur consistently for a given period, it is advisable to approach a medical practitioner.
Physicians will suggest blood tests and urine tests to confirm the diagnosis. It is recommended that you do not use glucose meter at home because it might not give a reliable reading. Also, it is good to take the HbA1c test, which indicates an average blood sugar level for the last 3 months.
Routine visits to the doctor are required to monitor the sugar levels and control it.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Type 1 Diabetes?
Research data shows us that the most probable risk factors of Type 1 diabetes are:
1. Genetic Predisposition
If you have a gene marker linked to Type1 diabetes, the chances of you developing Type 1 diabetes is higher. The Chromosome 6 is the marker that is linked to Type 1 diabetes. HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) complexes are found to be connected to this type of diabetes and if there are multiple makers of these complexes, you have an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes.
2. Viral Infection
Viruses such as German Measles, Coxsackie and Mumps have found to trigger Type 1 diabetes. These viruses attack the body’s immune system and cause the body to fight against its own self, creating an autoimmune problem.
3. Heredity Factor
The family history plays a very important role. If both parents have Type 1 diabetes, then their child is more susceptible to developing the same. Furthermore, it is observed that the father having Type1 diabetes increases the risk as compared to the mother or other siblings having Type 1 diabetes.
4. Geographical locations
The environment in which we live affects our body. People living in warm countries have a lesser risk of developing Type 1 diabetes because the chances of viral infections are less. Cold countries have shown more cases of Type 1 diabetes rather than warm countries.
5. Other autoimmune diseases
Some autoimmune disease like Graves’ diseases and multiple sclerosis have an increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes as a co-existing condition because they have the same gene marker HLA, which is affected.
Complications of Type 1 Diabetes in Kids
Type1 diabetes is a serious illness. It needs close monitoring and proper care. If not managed properly, it could give rise to a lot of complications, sometimes short-term and sometimes long-term.
Short-Term Complications
Following are some short-term complications:
1. Hypoglycemia
Type 1 diabetes is an insulin-dependent diabetes. Regular insulin injections need to be taken before every meal to keep the sugar levels under control. If the dosage of insulin is given in excess then the person goes into a hypoglycemic state, which means there is very less sugar/glucose in the body. This condition is can cause the patient to become unconscious and if not treated immediately the person may go into a coma. Following are some symptoms of hypoglycemia:
Sweating
Numbness in hands, legs and face
Increased heartbeat and sweating
Feeling drowsy/sleepiness
Confused and unclear speech
Headache
It is important to understand that when you notice any of these symptoms, you should NOT administer insulin. It is advised to take the child to a hospital.
Hypoglycemia can occur in 3 stages: mild, moderate and severe. Mild and moderate stages can be treated easily without much damage to the other body organs. In severe hypoglycemia, some damages caused to other organs cannot be reversed.
Upper and lower limits of blood glucose vary for each person, some children might be just fine with a glucose reading of 60-70 but some children might become hypoglycemic at those levels.
It is advisable to know the glucose levels of your child and be prepared for such events. It is recommended to stock up supplies of food such as sugary drinks, glucose tablets and eatables that release instant sugar into the body. Your child’s doctor will give you tablets for instant release of sugar when needed.
Sugar levels fluctuate during the night when the child is asleep. So it is important that you give the right dosage of insulin before dinner. This condition is called Nighttime Hypoglycemia.
2. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
When there is a shortage of insulin in the body, the body burns fat to make up for the lack of glucose in the body. When fat is broken down in the body it releases ketones. Excess of ketones in the body can make the blood acidic, leading to this complication. Signs and symptoms of DKA include:
Fruity smell of the breath (it is an important symptom as the ketones released in the body have the fruity smell)
Excess thirst
Frequent urination
Loss of weight
Fatigue
Feeling of confusion
There are simple tests that can be done at home to confirm whether your child has ketoacidosis. Check the child’s glucose levels using a home glucose meter. If the value is above 250mg/dl, then there is a possibility that the child might have DKA. There are ketone strips available in pharmacies; it is used to check for ketones in the child’s urine. If the strip turns deep purple, it indicates that the child has too many ketones and might have DKA. After you are sure the child has DKA, visit the doctor immediately for treatment. DKA is a serious condition and must be addressed without delay.
Long-Term Complications
If the sugar levels are not managed properly over a period of time it can lead to serious long-term complications. These complications arise if the sugar levels are not controlled for over a period of 10 years or more. In long-term complications, the blood vessels are affected. The damage of tiny blood vessels is known as Microvascular complications. Damage to large blood vessels is known as Macrovascular complications.
Microvascular Complications
Blood vessels carry blood to different parts of the body. When they are damaged, it affects other parts of the body such as the eyes, kidney and liver. Eventually, the nerves also get damaged and this condition is called ‘diabetic neuropathy’.
The most commonly heard complaints of patients with Microvascular complications are:
Loss of vision in the eye which is due to the damage to the retina of the eye.
Tingling sensation in the feet. Sometimes, they may experience loss of sensation in their feet after a period of time. If this is left untreated they may develop a sore in their foot which might get infected resulting in a surgery.
Macrovascular Complications
When large blood vessels get affected it results in serious heart ailments. The damage to the large blood vessels causes plaque to get deposited in the arteries of the heart resulting in a heart attack. It is also advisable that the person not only manages his glucose levels but also follows a healthy-heart diet to counter the effects of this complication.
Treatment
Treatment for Type1 diabetes is an on-going process. It is a lifetime disease and so one needs to have patience and perseverance. It might seem as if it is impossible to manage.
You need a good team of doctors, a paediatrician, a dietician and a diabetic expert to help you and your child.
1. Blood Sugar Monitoring or Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
Since some of the complications of Type1 diabetes are serious and life-threatening, you need something that can monitor the glucose continuously without having to wait for the warning signs.
CGM is done by inserting a fine needle just under the skin to monitor the sugar levels in the blood. This is just a tool to complement the regular glucose monitoring methods and might not be very accurate.
2. Insulin Therapy
Insulin administration is very important in the treatment of Type1 diabetes. The doctor might give a mix of insulin types depending on the child’s needs.
Following are the various types of insulin available:
Rapid-acting Insulin (therapies such as lispro, aspart) - The insulin acts in 15 minutes and lasts for 4 hours.
Short-acting Insulin (Humulin R therapy) - Insulin must be taken 15-20 minutes before food. It lasts for 4-6 hours.
Intermediate-acting Insulin (Humulin N therapy) - Needs an hour to start working and it lasts for 12-24 hours.
Long-acting Insulin (therapies such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir) - It lasts for 20-26 hours.
3. Options for Insulin Delivery
There are various ways to administer insulin to a person depending on the requirements:
Insulin Pen - This is just like a pen with a cartridge filled with insulin. In this type of a device, one cannot prepare tailored mixtures of insulin.
Needle and Syringe - The needle is very fine and almost painless. It is convenient to use in cases when multiple insulin types need to be mixed.
Insulin Pump - This is a device which is worn externally and works along with the CGM. It has a tube that it connected to a storage device under the skin below the abdomen.
4. Other Medications
When the child is unwell, the intake of carbohydrates is less and they might need a lower dosage of insulin. The hormones during a sick period raise the blood sugar levels in the child and so it is important to closely monitor the sugar levels before administering insulin along with other medications.
5. Healthy Eating
A diabetic diet is boring and it is very difficult to make a child follow it. It takes a toll on the parent to enforce a strict diet on children but a good dietitian can make your job a lot easier by suggesting healthy and tasty meal options for your child. A child with Type 1 diabetes requires a nutritional diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, grains and high fibre. The only thing one needs to mind is the carbohydrate and fat intake. Sugar and sweets can be included in the diet occasionally, with the approval of the doctors.
6. Physical activity
Do not restrict your child from playing or doing any other form of physical exercise. The only precaution you need to take is to check the glucose levels during the activity and post-activity since exercising reduces the glucose levels in the body. You must adjust the dose of insulin accordingly. It is a good practice to include a regular exercise routine into the child’s lifestyle.
7. Emotional Health
Type1 diabetes is an ongoing illness and can take its toll on children. They feel different from other kids as they have to eat right and take insulin shots regularly. It would be good to get your child into a support group where they can meet other kids with Type 1 diabetes.
Irritability, being one of the signs of low sugar, you need to understand that when your child behaves badly, it might be his need for food/sugar.
Some children show symptoms of depression, as well. If you observe frequent mood swings and reclusive behaviour, you need to visit a good diabetic counsellor to work with the child’s mental struggle. Changing the general lifestyle at home can help the child remain positive and less depressed.
Educate children with diabetes so that they are prepared to manage their diabetes with lesser stress.
Advanced Technology and Devices to Manage Type 1 Diabetes
A lot of pharmaceutical companies have developed devices (also use technology) that can make life easier for patients. Some of the devices, which might be in their approval stages include:
Artificial pancreas designed by Medtronic automatically monitors the glucose levels and administers the insulin as needed.
Livongo developed a device to monitor glucose and can upgrade itself as technology improvises.
Big Foot Company invented an artificial pancreas that can send updates to your Smartphone.
Omnipod, is a tube-free insulin pump. It can pump insulin worth for 3 days.
Timesulin, is a cap that can fit on any pen. It sends data about your last dose of insulin to your Smartphone too.
How to Help a Child Living with Type 1 Diabetes?
Managing Type1 diabetes can be difficult but you need to make your child independent and self-sufficient. Talking to the child and allowing them to express their anxiety can help overcome some mental obstacles.
The following pointers can help the child:
Teach your child to monitor her own blood sugar levels
Train them to take insulin injections by themselves
Educate your child about the food habits that he needs to follow
Encourage your child to be physically active and manage diabetes
If the child is away from you, it would be good for them to wear a medical ID card
Can Type 1 Diabetes be Prevented in Kids?
There are no preventive measures for Type1 diabetes. The best way to prevent it would be to have a healthy lifestyle and test for the genetic markers linked to Type1 diabetes.
What Are the Other Types of Diabetes in Children?
There are other forms of diabetes too, such as:
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
In Type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced in the body. This condition can be easily managed by regulating the diet and also staying active. In very rare cases, kids might need insulin injections.
Gestational Diabetes in Children
Babies born to mothers who had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes later on in life. It also increases the risk of obesity in children. When gestational diabetes is left untreated in the mother, it alters the metabolism process in the child, as well. They are at a higher risk of developing diabetes or obesity. It is a treatable condition and a good doctor will catch the symptoms early and treat it.
When Should You Seek Help From Your Healthcare Provider?
When in doubt, it is advisable to consult your doctor, especially if the child:
Has lost conscious
Is unwell and the sugar cannot be controlled.
Has been vomiting or has had diarrhea
Has blood sugar higher or lower than the prescribed readings
Is sweating
Has blurred vision
The anxiety and fear of your child having diabetes can overwhelm you. However, with the right care and knowledge, it can be managed effectively.
Also Read: Measles(Rubeola) in Children Read more
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