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Your 4 Week Old Baby - Development, Milestones & Care
By now, it is nearly a month since you have given birth to your loving child and taken care of him. The cycle of feeding, sleeping and playing might seem like its happening for the longest time. Similarly, you will also spot signs that your baby is growing up really quick and he is slowly becoming the child he will become after a few years.
4 Week Old Baby Development
In about a month, the development of a baby goes through multiple phases and you will barely remember the time he was newly born. At an age of 4 week old baby growth spurt usually happens in a variety of ways. He will start discovering his limbs and try to figure out what they are and how to use them. His response to sounds will be even stronger than before and spatial placement will have improved. Although eyes are getting stronger, they might end up looking cross-eyed at times, as they struggle to focus. Their neck will be stronger which will result in them trying to move their head even more than before.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Development]
Four Week Old Baby Milestones
The age of a month is when your baby will start discovering gradually that they have a body of their own, too. Around this point, their weight would be substantial as well. A 4 week old baby weight should be increased by around 150 to 200 g every week.
As they start observing the environment around them, the inbuilt reflexes of the body might make them encounter their own hands and feet. They will start looking at their palms, their fingers, but fail to make a connection that these are their own and can be operated by themselves.
This discovery of their own limbs and other things surrounding them will manifest in the form of various sounds and grunts. This is primarily also when a baby starts to making cooing sounds. Now, in order to get your attention, he may realize to coo louder than usual and not cry right away. With this cooing, you can have long conversations that last through an entire afternoon.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Milestones]
Feeding
A 4 week old baby feeding is extremely essential in helping him gain the weight that is necessary. During this time, as your baby tends to put out his tongue more often, you might spot small spots of milk in their mouth or around after the feeding. This is normal and not a reason to worry since it primarily occurs due to their stomach still coming to terms with the milk amount. The valve of the food pipe is comparatively relaxed as compared to adults, and can sometimes allow a little milk to flow back into the mouth. It is best to keep wiping this off occasionally.
Due to the increase in feeding, you may notice that your own breastmilk amount tends to go down, especially towards the evening times. This can be fixed by taking a nap in the afternoon or playing with your child while lying down. It is also important that your own meal schedule stays on point and you do not end up delaying any meals just to be able to feed your child. Both food and rest are highly necessary to keep a consistent milk supply going.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Feeding]
Sleeping
All the novelty and discoveries that a baby undergoes at this stage tend to keep him awake for longer than usual. Once a feeding has completed, your child may lie down quietly and play with his hands or have conversations with you before drifting off to sleep. Around this age, you might start understanding if your child is naturally calm or more of the energetic sorts or even the attention-demanding kind.
Since a 4 week old sleep schedule is still a bit erratic, you should hold your child closer to you for longer and might need to cuddle them and rock them to bring them to sleep. The need to feel safe and secure is important at this stage since your baby starts realizing you might not always be around him or close to him.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Sleeping Basics]
Behaviour
Through the conversations of the previous weeks, your baby will further realize the different uses of his mouth. Cooing will be more frequent as well as other sounds of grunting and gargling. The social engagement need at this stage is quite high, and babies tend to demand constant attention and communication of all sorts.
Although they may not be able to convey their emotions through facial expressions, their face might bear glimpses of irritation, vague smiles, or even pain. These will help you pre-emptively understand what your child might require. The slow closing of his eyes is a cue that he is about to fall asleep and by laying him down and gently rocking him, you can lull him into one.
Upper body strength continues to develop speedily and more supervised time on the tummy is absolutely essential to get this going. Being able to hold their head and hold themselves up should be a constant effort throughout this age.
4 Week Old Baby Care Tips
Increased feeding sets in due to a growth spurt and babies require more food than usual. Make sure you get enough rest in the first place so that your breastmilk production stays on point and enough to feed your baby.
The increased curiosity can result in your baby staying awake for more time. They could constantly demand attention or not fall asleep by themselves as they used to before. It is important to hold your child in your arms and rock them or cuddle them so that they get their daily quota of sleep.
Keep your baby’s movements restricted when he sleeps so that his exploration of hands and feet does not end up with him hurting them.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Care]
Tests and Vaccinations
Usually, around the end of the first month of the baby and before completion of the second month, doctors recommend administering a secondary round of vaccination for Hepatitis B. This is primarily to prevent diseases from infecting the liver.
Games and Activities
As your child’s listening skills develop, you can go ahead and develop his auditory experience by playing games around sounds and so. By closing your palms around your mouth and making different sounds, watch him try to figure out what is happening or even gargle in excitement. You can even get close to his ear and whisper gently and talk to him. All these different techniques can get him excited to learn more. This can even cause them to coo at different volumes, and be in sync with how you communicate with them. Snap in the direction of the ear. This will make them realise they can hear sounds from two directions, leading them to understand the presence of two ears.
The only smell that babies are usually aware at this age is the smell of their mother’s breastmilk. This is also one of the important ways that your baby identifies you from anybody else. So, it is great if you can make him smell a bunch of other items that safe for him. Hold him in your arms, nicely cuddled in a blanket so that he is safely secured. Then take a small cloth and dab it in his powder. Don’t take a lot. Bring it closer to his nose and let him understand the fragrance. Same could be done with the sanitizer too. With each fragrance, let him look at your face and communicate a reaction to him. The connection between smell and facial reactions will help them understand what’s good and what’s not and communicate with you accordingly.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Games and Activities]
Consult a Doctor If
Around a month or so, your baby should already be giving enough signs that show a good and healthy development throughout. Therefore, it is important to note the presence or absence of certain conditions and understand if they need medical intervention.
If a 4 week old baby constipated issue are seen, with bowel movement not occurring for more than a day or so, this could create complications later on and should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately.
It takes nearly a month for a baby to start perceiving the surroundings and various sounds in a proper manner. But even after that, if your baby does not seem to respond to claps or calls in any manner, doesn’t blink eyes at loud sounds, fails to focus on things or notice your face even when you are in his field of view, has a faded colour in his pupils, these might be signs of a disorder and must be informed to the doctor soon.
Babies tend to make a lot of sounds at this age. They will move around their arms and legs and try to understand various parts of the body. Curiosity and interest are at an all-time high. Many babies are calm and composed too, but still do react to multiple triggers occasionally. Compared to those, if your baby is unnaturally quiet, does not move a lot, shows no interest in his arms or legs, or cries quite different from others, it might be necessary to bring this to the doctor’s attention.
With your baby being a month old already, he would be well on his way to discovering that he, too, is an individual by himself. By keeping a good family time and regular interaction with other family members, you can start developing a good feeling of security and home within your child.
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16 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
Being 6 weeks pregnant with twins seems like you’re unlocking a new milestone of sorts. The journey has officially begun, although a few women might just be discovering and confirming their pregnancy around this time. This could also be one of those key moments where you find out that there isn’t just one, but two, or even more babies in your womb. The news can make you ecstatic and also worry you about taking care of all of them together. It is important to be calm about it and tell yourself that you will figure things out on the way without any worries.
The Growth of Babies at 6 Weeks
The 6-week mark holds great importance in the entire journey of pregnancy. This is primarily due to the fact that the bodies of the babies are progressing towards looking more human-like. The formation of facial features – ears, noses, and a slight semblance of lips – happens during this time. The lungs are pretty much one of the last organs to form in the growth of a foetus, but their initial tissues do coalesce together at this point itself. Intestines begin to form in the baby, and tiny projections start appearing, which will ultimately grow into the arms and legs. The 6th week of pregnancy with twins or multiples also marks the growth of the pituitary gland along with the rest of the brain, combined with the supporting bone structure and muscles. This rapid development also makes the babies’ heart to start beating at almost double the speed of the mother’s.
What Is the Size of the Babies?
Even with all these major developments taking place in the babies, they are no larger than a pea - around half a centimetre in length.
Common Bodily Changes
As the babies inside you start developing and growing at a decent pace, the body begins to realise this and responds accordingly to their growth.
A variety of hormonal fluctuations will not only cause moods swings but will also result in a bunch of changes that will manifest physically. Fatigue, nausea, bloating, cramping, and a lot of discomforts may be present.
A few mothers tend to spot even at this stage. Most of the times this is normal, but sometimes it can indicate a pregnancy that hasn’t occurred properly in the uterus. If the spotting persists or worsens, it could mean an incoming miscarriage.
You will have more severe morning sickness because of your twin pregnancy. This is because morning sickness is associated with the high levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and this level is much higher in women pregnant with two or multiple babies.
You will gain more weight – after all, you’re eating for more than two! This is normal because your body requires more nutrients to nurture life growing in you.
Symptoms of a Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks
While most women experience the signs of twins at 6 weeks strongly, there’s no need to fret if you don’t experience them with as much intensity. Here are some of them:
Nausea tends to worsen around this time. Morning sickness will be present throughout the day, given the rapid changes taking place inside your body.
Bloating and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen is also a symptom experienced by women pregnant with multiple babies.
The increased circulation of blood will make the breasts tense up a bit, which will make you feel sore. Wearing improper or tight clothes could get them irritated as well.
The hormone hCG begins to increase substantially within the body, which ultimately results in increased pressure on your bladder and feeling the need to pee often. Constipation could be a possible condition faced by women who don’t have a proper intake of water and fibrous food during this stage.
All of these changes combined with a load of multiple growing babies simultaneously can leave you exhausted even after performing the simplest of activities.
Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks - The Belly
At 6 weeks of pregnancy, your baby bump may not be extremely visible. It’s still too early for the belly to be popping out – after all, your baby is the size of a pea!
Twin Pregnancy at 6 Weeks - Ultrasound
For mothers who haven’t yet been able to confirm whether they are pregnant with multiple babies or not, the 6-week mark tends to be quite fruitful in providing a conclusive answer. Although the presence of multiple sacs in gestation can be established at around 4 weeks, most women can get a good look at it once they complete 6 weeks. This also helps in deriving more information about the babies, like their growth and dimensions, and so on. The heartbeat of the babies is usually around 90-110 beats per minute, even though many babies might not have their hearts fully formed at this stage. The scans at this stage can show the babies as two large spots in your womb, but that first sight itself can be joyous for an expecting mother.
What to Eat
One of the biggest surprises for women who are pregnant with twins and multiples is the sudden change in appetite and the intense hunger pangs that result from it. The amount of nutrition that the babies draw from the mother to support their intensive developmental cycles can cause the mother-to-be to feel hungry throughout the day. Supporting your diet with healthy foods and consuming them in good quantities is essential, but it is important to ensure you don’t overeat.
Furthermore, the expansion of the uterus with the babies growing and making space for themselves can affect the stomach as well, leading to increased instances of heartburn and acidity. Combined with constipation, this can be absolutely irritating for a pregnant lady. Keeping an optimum fluid intake throughout the day and including fibrous fruits and food items can keep this in check.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Taking care of your body as it goes through a bunch of changes should be your main priority once you are pregnant. Keeping a few tips in mind that can be helpful for you in the long run.
Dos
Go for your first prenatal checkup if you haven’t already. This stage is the perfect time for the doctor to conduct numerous tests, ensuring that your pregnancy won’t hit any roadblocks and counter any complications.
Stick to a light exercise regimen that helps you maintain your physical movement capacity to a good level. Try to do this after having a meal, since it will reduce the chances of heartburn and even stimulate the digestion process.
Have smaller meals instead of the usual 3 large meals. The increased frequency of meals can keep your hunger in check, and the small quantities can reduce the chances of you feeling bloated or acidic.
Dont's
Stress and anxiety are the enemies of the little ones growing inside you. It is natural and biological for you to feel like that since your hormone levels are all over the place as a result of these changes. Take any measures, be it meditation, exercise, listening to music, and so on, in an effort to keep yourself calm and relaxed.
Delaying the consumption of any nutritional supplements or prenatal vitamins can be disastrous for the growth and development of the babies. Various elements such as folic acid and vitamins are essential and highly needed, especially around this time when the neural development of the babies is at its peak. Any lack of nutrients at this stage could lead to a child being born with developmental disorders or even serious birth defects.
What You Need to Shop For
The increasing size of your body and belly can make it necessary to purchase large and comfortable clothes that can be used for events or functions. Maintaining a balance between fashion and comfort is easily possible with a large variety of maternity clothes that are available in the market.
Your breasts will begin to increase in size and get fuller and more tender than before. Therefore, investing in a good bra that can support your breasts is a good idea. When going for walks, use shoes that provide a proper grip and have soft soles to avoid unnecessary sharp jerks.
Observing twins at 6 weeks on the ultrasound scan is what makes most couples feel like parents for the first time. Those tiny pea pods that are barely a centimetre in size will grow to be full-formed babies within no time. Their development and safety can be ensured by everyone, once the mother finds herself in a calm and safe place, supported by a healthy diet and the love from her family.
Resources and References: WebMD
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15 Practical Tips to Develop a Positive Attitude
The power of positivity is a remarkable thing. It can be an uplifting and joyful experience in your life that can bring about revolutionary change. Thinking positive is proven to be beneficial to both your mental health and emotional health.
Why Should One Develop a Positive Attitude?
Before covering how to have a positive attitude, it is crucial to understand why it is important. Developing a positive attitude is crucial because it can change the way you experience life and what comes with it. It is a known fact that positivity can help keep depression at bay. Positivity can also improve your mental strength and by doing so help you effectively manage difficult situations in your life.
The benefits of being positive don’t end there. Positivity is an uplifting experience that is infectious. This means your positivity can branch out externally and impact others; it can help others become lighter and happier.
Positivity in the workplace can make challenging tasks easier, improve relationships with your colleagues, superiors, and clients. This can help you advance in your career. Positivity in your personal life can help improve relationships with your family members, friends and partners; this can strengthen your support systems and make life happier and more enjoyable.
The power of positivity doesn’t just make it easier for you to interact with others, it makes you more approachable and makes it easier for them to interact with you.
How to Develop a Positive Attitude?
Now that we know why a positive attitude can help you in your life, here is how to improve your positive attitude in some practical ways.
1. Embrace Negativity With Solutions
Being positive doesn’t mean ignoring negative emotions or feelings. Accept negative feelings such as anger and sadness, and give them productive attention. This means, approach the negativity as a problem and see if you can find solutions for them.
2. Let It Go
Sometimes, problems do not have solutions and feelings cannot be resolved practically. This is when you need to accept that this is how you feel or that this problem has no solution, and learn to let it go and move forward to things you can solve.
3. Do the Little Things
Positivity is not something you can bring into your life overnight. Learn to consistently do the little things in life that nurture positivity. These include self-affirmations where you tell yourself what you appreciate in yourself and those around you.
4. Art
Art is, in its purest form, an expression of emotion and that can be beautiful. Positivity stems from appreciation and creativity; take up an artistic activity you do daily. Remember that this activity shouldn’t be used in comparison with others - this is your space to express your mind.
5. Exercise Regularly
It is a well-known fact that those who exercise for at least 45 minutes per day are generally happier. This is because exercise has a huge effect on the balance of your brain chemicals. Exercising regularly also improves your energy levels which keeps negativity that stems from fatigue away.
6. 'Me' Time
A very important distinction to make is that being social doesn’t mean you are positive; taking time for yourself is crucial to developing a positive attitude. During 'me' time, you should do the things you genuinely enjoy doing the most. This is the time where you indulge yourself.
7. Learn Something New
Psychologists say that learning something new shifts your brain chemistry. Being positive needs a healthy mind, and learning something new is essential to that. Constantly challenge yourself to do something new that is out of your comfort zone.
8. Try, Don’t Give Up
Positivity stems from productivity too. So, before you think something is too difficult or something is out of your reach, give it a shot. Don’t assume you cannot do something by its appearance alone. Remember that trying also boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Positivity takes effort.
9. Learn From and Let Go of the Past
Most negative thoughts come from experience. It is extremely common to cling onto your past failures and use them as excuses to give up. Change your approach, write down the experiences, find solutions to the failure, then let go of the actual failure. Keep only the lessons learnt.
10. Appreciate People
The people around you make you who you are. Learn to verbally appreciate them regularly, appreciation shown regularly to those around you will let them know you see them and their contribution to your life. Vocalize it; let them hear the positives. Keeping it to yourself isn’t going to help them recognize that you value them. Make notes of their contributions and regularly let them know that these things helped you or you valued these things. This also gives you the opportunity to do some self-reflection and see the support you receive regularly which boosts your mood as well.
11. A Healthy Sex Life
Studies have proven that regular and consensual sex makes you happier. Sex releases dopamine, a chemical that is directly related to happiness. What’s important is to not have frequent sex but regular sex. The difference is very important - regular sex that takes time can be a form of expressing your attraction to someone else and visa versa. Regular and consensual sex can boost self-esteem, build confidence and help you express your attraction to your partner. It also releases the stress built into your mind and body which is one of the biggest causes for negativity.
12. Sharing
An extremely important part of positivity is that it is inclusive, not exclusive. This inclusivity can be expressed through sharing. In the workplace, share credit. At home, share your time and your possessions. Share your experiences, your thoughts and feelings. Sharing fosters human connections in positive ways. Be careful however, as oversharing can become negative.
13. Take Initiative
Nothing good comes from being passive and letting things pass you by. Take the initiative to follow your interests and passions. Take the initiative to do things that you know you can or think you can. Take control of your actions. At work, if there is a project where you can contribute more, take the initiative to do so. If you want to learn a skill, find a way to do it. By taking the initiative, you are reinforcing your belief in your capabilities which will nurture a positive attitude.
14. Incorporate Healthy Activities
Your habits play a big part in how your attitude is presented, incorporating good healthy habits will help bring out your positive attitude. Try meditation, yoga and tai chi. Read a book every week. Sleep for a minimum of 8 hours every day. Eat healthy and on time. All these are small routine activities that bring about an attitude change for the positive.
15. Make Time for Recreational Activities
Working non-stop to build wealth doesn’t help nurture positivity and can actually be counterproductive. Make time for recreational activities to give your mind a chance to recuperate from the exhaustion of work. Listen to music, go to a show, play a sport or visit an art gallery. There are plenty of recreational activities you can do for free like going on a picnic, a hike or a walk in the park. Make time every day to do something recreational.
When developing a positive attitude, there are a few things that you should avoid doing. These things can negatively impact your life; here are a few of them.
Limit the amount of time you spend in front of the TV.
Get outdoors for at least an hour every day.
Don’t dwell on negative thoughts; write them down and try resolving them.
Don’t make excuses for your failures or blame them on anyone else.
Share the credit but accept responsibility for the setbacks.
Developing a positive attitude is a process, don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away. Consistency and patience are very important when bringing positivity into your life. A great and effective way to nurture this positivity is by gauging if you can do something small within thirty minutes. A good rule of thumb is, if you can do it in half an hour, do it immediately.
It is important to remember that sometimes, negativity is not a choice; conditions like depression and anxiety can cause it. Consult a psychologist if you feel you may have any issues with emotional imbalance.
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Is an Only Child a Lonely One Too? This is What Moms & Experts Think…
“Oh, look at your little one playing alone in his room. Don’t you think he feels lonely? I really think you should give him a brother or a sister.” If you are mother to an only child, chances are you are familiar with this conversation. Family members, friends, neighbours – everyone keeps telling us that having a sibling is good for children. The perception is – an ONLY child is also a LONELY child. But is this really true? We spoke to fellow moms and experts about this, and some really interesting observations came up…
Mansi, a Delhi-ite who got married at 22, faced a big dilemma after her baby was born. Mansi and herhusband were happy with their family of three. Although she did everything for her little girl, and loved her to bits, she also wanted to focus on her career. It was a personal choice to not have more children. However, people around her started making comments:
"Are you sure? She's going to get lonely."
"Don't you want someone to take care of you when you grow older?"
"What if something happens to her and you are left without a choice?"
"That is such a selfish decision!"
Comments like these were thrown at Mansi very frequently, even by people who didn’t know her well. Her personal decision of having an only child somehow became a public subject everyone kept discussing. It seemed to be a decision that would somehow harm her daughter.
What happened to Mansi is extremely relatable for all those of us who have one child – boy or girl. So, is having an only child really a bad idea? Are only children lonely and aloof too?
Let’s find out.
6 “Facts” About Only Children - What Moms & Experts Feel
1. No Playmate/Companion in Busy Homes
One of the biggest problems that only children are perceived to face is the absence of a playmate. Increasingly today, families are getting nuclear and mothers are also stepping out of the house to work. Expenses are rising, and the need to have a career is also becoming a priority in many women. In this setting, an only child often ends up spending time only with himself, with no companion to play alongside.
A mom says, "More than anything else, a second source of affection brings about a sense of balance in our children’s life. A playmate and sometimes a soulmate, with whom you share your parents, a family and a childhood.”
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Expert Opinion: Child psychologists agree that spending time with family members makes a huge difference to socio-emotional development in early life. So, when a child lives with a sibling, and finds a companion for play, it sure is helpful. However, this in no way means that only children cannot – or do not – have companions. It depends on the efforts we as parents are able to make for our child’s happiness. Many mothers today figure out ways to not let their only child feel lonely – either by spending more time with them when possible, organising playdates, or encouraging independent play.
Mrinalini Pandey Awasthi, a Pune-based homemaker, shares her thoughts about only children. Her son too is an only child, but she doesn’t let him feel the absence of a playmate. She says,
“My son is alone, but never lonely. I make it a dedicated point to give him my attention and my company whenever it is convenient. I have a simple KRA for myself - what did he learn from me today, and how many times did I make him laugh heartily."
2. No One to Look After Them Once the Parents are Gone
One of the most-quoted ‘negative’ effects of being an only child is that they won’t have a sibling to care for them, especially if something unforeseen happens to the parents. A personal conflict, an accident, loss of life, turmoil – in all these situations, an only child will have no one to support them. A mom, who has an only child, and regrets it, says, “We all grew up with our cousins, siblings. Now our parents are either gone or ailing but we still have each other. Our children will not have anybody, other than their workmates and if they are lucky, a handful of friends perhaps.”
Another mom feels, “I learnt a hard lesson. No matter how many books and toys and experiences you give them, it is not enough. It is important to have a balance, especially in a nuclear family where one or both parents are working and away.”
Expert Opinion: There is no doubt that siblings offer a beautiful kind of love, care and security. However, let’s be honest – many of us have faced situations when our friends and neighbours came to our help, and our siblings didn’t, or couldn’t. Child development experts believe that our children can definitely form deep bonds with people who may not be related to them through blood.
Also, just having a sibling does not ensure protection of any kind; it’s harvesting friendships and strong bonds (even with our siblings) that really matters. Tanya, a Mumbai mom, feels: “Siblings today don’t live together and many a times may not even be there for each other later in life. Life is unpredictable so I don’t know how one can say this!”
3. They Don’t Learn How to Share Things/Play With Other Kids
Since only children grow up alone at home, with no other children, many feel that they don’t learn the art of sharing. They tend to ‘own’ their belongings – from toys to books – and don’t want to let anyone else share these items. The same problem also crops up when they are playing with another kid, perhaps with someone from the neighbourhood. They are so used to playing alone that they find it hard to understand concepts of team spirit, playing for your side, sharing playthings with others, etc. This is a widely prevalent line of thought about only child behaviour.
Expert Opinion: This is simply not true. Only children can be taught the art of sharing just as well as children who have siblings. It only depends on how the parents teach them these things, and whether or not they themselves practise these good habits. Our kids learn from us as we are their role models.
As per Dr. Denise Duval Tsioles, a Ph.D. psychologist, “not being able to share” is only a stereotypical characteristic that we attach to only children. He says, “Only children are often described as being lonely, selfish, unwilling to share and lacking in patience, but these characteristics are typical of toddlers in general and a lot of adults, whether they had siblings or not. Personality is built on the types of early relationships children establish with their caregivers. Only children, like all children, model what they see."
Watch three people who grew up as only children talk about how it really felt like in their childhood!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33BMuKfVHAw
4. They Grow up Spoilt, Moody & Introverted
This is one of the commonly perceived characteristics of only child. Many people think that only children are either shy or introverted, as they don’t have other kids to talk to at home. They don’t like talking to or mixing with other people. They are also more prone to mood swings – behaviour that often makes them aggressive and selfish around other children. This behaviour, also called “only child syndrome”, supposedly emanates from how their parents have always pampered them – something that ended up making them spoilt.
Expert Opinion: This is another stereotype about only children that holds little truth. It is true that only kids may behave differently from kids who grew up with siblings. However, this does not mean they are spoilt or moody. In fact, as Dr. Tsioles says:
"Only children are not more spoiled, selfish or aggressive. They want friends, and if they display these behaviors they will not have any!”
5. Nosey Questioning About Why Their Parents Didn’t Have More Kids
If you are an only child, chances are you will have a difficult time growing up – this is a widely-held belief. Our society bombards parents with questions about everything – from their personal choices to their plans for children. Only kids are often asked why their parents didn’t have more children. While this might be seen as a joke/jibe, it can lead kids to thinking or worrying about this. Often, the underlying insinuation is that there was a ‘medical problem’ with the parents. Some kids also tend to develop a complex/feeling of isolation owing to how they are the only one in their circle of friends who doesn’t have a sibling.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Expert Opinion: On this, social experts and commentators agree. There is no dearth of people who interfere in other people’s lives – and being parents to an only child, or being an only child, can surely put you up for some irritating questioning in life. However, this is also true for children who have siblings. They get asked personal questions about sibling rivalry, favouritism shown by parents, and whether or not they are the ‘favourite child’. Interference and judgment are, sadly, a part of the society we live in, and shouldn’t dictate our personal life choices.
6. They Are More Prone to Depression & Bad Habits
Some people also believe that only children are weird, aloof and moody – factors that trigger depression in them in their growing up years. Since they have no one close in age to share their feelings with at home, they may also be likelier to take up bad habits. Smoking, drinking, etc., are often linked to lonely households, where the children grew up in isolation. This is seen as one of the psychological effects of being an only child.
Expert Opinion: Strangely enough, there seems to be some truth to this belief. According to a 2011 study by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, only children are 62% more likely to be unhappy, sad, or depressed. On the other hand, middle and youngest children are 37% and 15% less likely to be depressed. However, experts also believe that the way a child is raised, his home environment, exposure to social settings and friends, and individual temperament have a lot to do with these statistics. Parents of only children may thus need to be more particular about making time for their kids and being good listeners. The way our children grow up to be is largely in our hands – and being the only child in the household is by no means a ‘causal’ factor of dark habits and lifestyles.
So, To Have or Not to Have an Only Child?
Now that we studied the various beliefs around only children and also separated fact from fiction, the decision lies only with one person. You! To have or not to have an only child (or have multiple children) is a decision that only you can make with your partner, based on your emotional, physical, financial and other factors. No one else – not your family, not your society – should make this decision for you. There are many advantages and disadvantages of being an only child. There are also many advantages and disadvantages of having multiple children. It totally depends on what you feel works for you as an individual and as part of a family.
Jiya, a mom from Delhi with two kids, sums this up beautifully,
“I am not saying you should not have the second baby at all. I too am a mom of two. But everything has two sides. The lovely side of having two kids is more giggles, sibling love, baby smells, the same love in your partner's eyes for you, the pampering by your mom, handmade laddoos...
But this does not mean we should jump into a decision. We need to see if all the dynamics fall in place - finances, space, responsibility sharing, health, and age. Both the parents and their children deserve this extra thought!” Read more
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Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. pain in the upper portion of rib cage is normal
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. In this hguere it is very difficult to comment properly until a proper examination or assessment is done to find out the exact cause so it is advisable to consult your doctor so that he could examine and evaluate properly and will guide you accordingly for this .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 8 months
3 hours ago
Q. my last period coms on 5 April.. now I am pregnant but having light cramp pain in utres and lite spotting that comes on wipeing from tissue .. what to do
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. get the ultrasound testing 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
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
2 hours ago
Q. Eaten ajinomoto food by mistake 2 time
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. okay already had it it's 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 Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
1 hour ago
Q. My 2month old baby is doing green poop from last 10-15 days. Baby is formula fed
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
49 mins ago
A. Green colour Motion is normally seen in babies and mostly it may be dvue to less feeding or formula milk feeding babies.
If it is associated with mucous and foul smell inf motion than there could be some infection.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
1 hour ago
Q. My 2 month old baby has started breastfeeding now earlier baby was on formula Now i dont know when is baby full. How to schedule breastfeeding and formula both?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. if the baby is sleeping after breastfeeding and passing urine adequately nothing to worry. 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 Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. I'm 8 months old pregnant,can I eat Jack fruit?
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
1 hour ago
A. you can eat it in moderate amount.
do eat protien rich food during last trimister.
dtink lots of fluids.
tajlk e care n all the very best.
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