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Is Banana Good for Babies?
Banana is the ideal fruit to give to babies as soon as they start weaning. Being rich in nutrients, it helps in the overall development of the child. Since it is sweet and creamy, babies also enjoy eating it!
Nutritional Value of Bananas
Nutritional value of one banana (100 grams)
Calories: 89
Total fat: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1 mg
Potassium: 358 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 23 g (Dietary fibre: 2.6 g; Sugar: 12 g)
Protein: 1.1 g
Vitamin A: 1%
Vitamin C: 14%
Iron: 1%
Vitamin B6: 20%
Magnesium: 6%
When Should Bananas Be Introduced to Babies?
Doctors recommend that you give your child bananas at the age of 6 months, right around the time he starts eating semi-solids. A small banana per day for a 6-month-old baby is ideal.
Amazing Health Benefits of Bananas for Babies
A mother’s first choice when introducing solids to her baby is undoubtedly bananas. It is the best food for babies who have just started to wean. However, there is a common question among moms: does banana cause constipation in babies?
Well, below are some of the benefits of bananas:
High in Fibre: It has high fibre content which keeps one feeling full for a long time. Moreover, the fibre helps in clearing the bowel.
Good for Fighting Urine Infections: Bananas are said to cure urine infections that usually affect babies by cleaning away all the toxins from the urinary tract.
Full of Nutrients: The fruit is loaded with nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, and vitamin B6. Bananas help babies gain weight.
Good for Bones: The potassium and calcium in banana help strengthening the bones.
Prevents Anaemia: Banana is rich in iron which is essential to produce haemoglobin in the blood. It also helps in the synthesis of red blood cells in the body.
Improves Brainpower: Folate present in bananas helps in developing the brain and improves memory. It also prevents brain damage.
Improves Eyesight: The Vitamin A present in bananas helps in improved vision as it aids in the protection of the cornea.
Cures Constipation: Bananas are high in fibre. This helps in good bowel movements, thus curing constipation in babies.
How Can You Give Bananas to Your Infant?
Listed below are few of the age-specific pointers for serving a banana to your baby.
Giving Bananas to a 6-Month-Old Baby: Peel the banana and cut it into pieces. Mash it with a fork. By doing so, the banana becomes extremely soft. This makes it easy for the baby to swallow it.
2. Giving Bananas to a 9-Month-Old Infant: By 9 months, a baby graduates from pureed food to small solid bites. Therefore, you can give the banana mashed or in small chunks.
3. Giving Bananas to a 1-Year-Old Baby: You could just peel a banana till the middle and give it to your baby. This way, the baby will be able to get a good grip on it without it slipping off his hand. However, make sure to snip off the extra peel with scissors so that it does not get inside his mouth. You can also peel the banana, cut it into small, round pieces and encourage your little one to eat it using a fork.
Precautions to Take While Feeding Bananas to Your Baby
Some of the precautions you need to take are:
Do not give your baby raw bananas as they are hard to digest. Make sure that the banana you are serving is ripe and yellow in colour.
Mash the bananas properly for babies who have just started eating semi-solids so they don’t choke.
Is Banana Good for Babies During Cold and Cough?
Bananas are packed with vitamin B6 which helps in relaxing the bronchial muscle tissue. Bananas are also said to improve the immune system and prevent bouts of cough and cold. However, it is a mucous forming food. Thus, it can aggravate the cough and cold.
Are There Any Harmful Effects of Giving Bananas to Infants?
A banana a day will do no harm to an infant. However, too much of anything is bad. Therefore, bananas too, should be given to infants in moderation.
How Much Banana Can a Baby Eat in a Day?
Is banana good for babies everyday? Well, the answer is yes. However, a baby should be given only a small banana once a day. Eating too many all at once could pose a problem to the child’s health.
Delicious Banana Recipes for Babies
Apart from eating it as a fruit, different recipes can also be prepared using bananas. Here are 3 easy recipes you can try making for your little one.
1. Banana Rice Pudding
A nutritious meal devoid of gluten and high in fibre.
What You Need
1 small banana
1 cup cooked brown rice
¼ – ½ cup warm milk
A pinch of cinnamon
A pinch of nutmeg
How to Make It
Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor to a smooth paste.
2. Banana and Strawberry Smoothie
This smoothie contains antioxidants and fibre which can help aid digestion.
What You Need
2 whole ripe bananas (peeled and chopped)
1 cup of fresh strawberries
Milk
How to Make It
Blend everything together and serve immediately.
3. Ragi and Banana Porridge for Babies
This is ideal if you want to give your baby something that is gluten and lactose-free.
What You Need
1 tbsp ragi flour
1 small banana
How to Make It
In a pan, boil ¼ cup water.
Lower the heat once it starts boiling, and add the ragi flour.
Keep stirring until the porridge turns slightly thick.
Take the mix off the flame and allow the porridge to cool down.
Add the mashed banana to the porridge and stir well.
Once this is done, you can serve it to your baby.
Fruity Bars
These are low in cholesterol and great for digestion.
What You Need
Half a banana (mashed)
3-4 tbsp. rolled oats
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius.
Grind the oats in a food processor (Keep it a bit coarse).
Then mix the oats with the mashed banana and make a dough out of it.
Make small bars of the mixture using your hands.
Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Cook for around 10-15 minutes until firm and golden brown.
Serve once cooled.
4. Banana and Yogurt Mix
Loaded with probiotics, this can aid in the proper functioning of the gut.
What You Need
1 ripe banana
Yoghurt
How to Make It
Peel the banana and cut it into small round shapes. Mix it with yoghurt. This healthy recipe is ready to be served!
Some other foods you can mix with bananas for more fun recipes are:
Berries
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Pears
Avocado
Kiwi
Banana is often the first fruit introduced to a baby after he starts taking semi-solids. This is because the fruit is smooth and creamy in texture which makes it easy for babies to swallow. These nutrients help in the baby’s bone development, improve the immune system, and improve vision among many other benefits. And you get all of this goodness at a great price!
Resources and References: Wholesome Baby Food
Also Read:
How To Stop Breast Milk Production
Colic In Babies - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Read more
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Figs for Babies - Health Benefits and Quick Recipes
We might get bored of cooking and feeding the same items for our babies every day, despite the meal being healthy. In such cases, mothers will be looking to experiment – the biggest question in their minds will be whether something is good for the baby or not.
Figs are one of the more healthy fruits available and are commonly eaten by adults who have problems with digestion system. Figs, incidentally, are one of the best health supplements you can give to your baby – it has a lot of the essential nutrients and minerals that can help your child grow up well.
Are figs safe for babies?
Can babies eat figs? Yes, figs are always safe for babies. They are a great nutrient and fibre source which can help your baby in growth and development. Figs are also an antimicrobial agent, which can help in the development of the immune system of the child. They are beneficial for the digestion system of the baby.
Nutritional Value of Figs
Here is the nutritional value of 100 gram of figs.
Nutritional Component
Value per 100 g
Water
79.1 g
Calories
74
Protein
0.7 g
Total Lipid (fat)
0.3 g
Carbohydrates
19.2 g
Dietary fibre
2.9 g
Vitamin C
2 mg
Riboflavin
0.1 mg
Vitamin B6
0.1 mg
Vitamin A
4 ug
Thiamin
0.1 mg
Niacin
0.3 mg
Folate
6 ug
Vitamin E
0.1 mg
Vitamin K
4.7 ug
Calcium
35 mg
Iron
0.4 mg
Magnesium
17 mg
Phosphorous
14 mg
Potassium
232 mg
Sodium
1 mg
Zinc
0.2 mg
Source: https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1884/2
Health Benefits of Figs for Infants
There are many health benefits of figs for infants, and some of them are:
1. Aid in Digestion
Even among adults, figs have been known to alleviate gastric problems naturally. The digestive system of infants are only developing, and are weak when they are young – figs can be a great supplement and can also help them absorb the nutrients better.
2. Laxative
Ripe figs have large amounts of dietary fibre, which can help when it comes to constipation problems. Figs have been known as a natural laxative since they are high in fibre.
3. Essential Vitamins and Minerals
As evident above in the table, figs have a lot of nutrients and minerals which can help your child grow and develop well. Minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium are extremely important for infants since their body is rapidly developing – and figs can provide them in adequate quantities.
4. Antimicrobial Properties
Figs are antimicrobial agents, which mean that they strengthen the immune system of the child as it is weak at young ages.
5. Liver
Similarly, the liver of infants are very weak- they are susceptible to a lot of infections conditions like Hepatitis and jaundice. Figs can provide adequate protection, in this case – even doctors prescribe dried fig recipes for babies at times.
When can you give figs to babies?
Figs or Anjeer for babies can be introduced as early as six months, according to reports – however; you should ensure that the baby is comfortable with other foods before giving it.
How to Choose and store figs?
When choosing fresh figs, check for any blemishes or marks which may be visible on the outside. With dry figs, always go for reputable brands with strong packaging. Figs can last around five days outside, and up to a week in the refrigerator when they are fresh. Store them in a dry place, or refrigerate them.
How to Prepare figs for Babies?
Depending on the age of the child and whether he is used to solid foods, you have a variety of recipes to choose from. Else, it would be better to give it in the liquid form, as fig syrup for babies.
Healthy Fig Recipes for Babies
You can use these recipes when you want to incorporate figs in your baby's diet.
1. Fresh Fig Puree for Babies
This method is great if the baby has not grown used to chewing and solid food just yet.
Ingredients
Two fresh figs
Method
This is fairly easy to make. First, chop the figs into small pieces. Then, just mix them in a blender until the puree is smooth. You can also add this to porridge, to make it easier to eat for your child.
2.Baked Figs
If the baby has a taste for solid food and can chew well enough, this recipe is suitable since it is easy to make, too.
Ingredients
3 figs and olive oil.
Method
Preheat the oven, and place the figs inside with a coating of olive oil. Then, let it bake until the skin of the figs become puckered and soft. Mash the figs, and feed it to your child.
3. Fig Milkshake
This is easy to make, and your child will be asking for more!
Ingredients
Six fresh figs, two tablespoons of honey and 300 ml of milk.
Method
First, chop the figs into small pieces. Then, you simply blend all the mixtures and serve it cold.
4. Fig Water
This is a traditional constipation recipe in Indian households.
Ingredients
Figs and water.
Method
If the figs are fresh, just soak them in water overnight and strain the liquid to give to the child. Else, boil the dry figs in water until the water becomes brownish, and feed to the child.
5. Dried Fig Puree
This is also a suitable fig puree for babies who have not switched over to solid food yet.
Ingredients
Figs, and formula if necessary.
Method
First, soak the figs in warm water – 2 or 3 of them. Then, blend this water with the figs into a smooth puree, and you can even add breast milk or formula to smoothen the puree out.
Figs are a great source of nutrition for children and can help in the development of digestive and immune systems in the child. However, make sure that the recipe you choose is suitable for your child to avoid fits and hisses.
Also Read: How to Increase Immunity in Infants Read more
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Anaemia during Pregnancy
Anaemia in pregnant women isn’t uncommon. A mild condition of anaemia is no cause for anxiety and is easily treatable when detected at an early stage. However, if left untreated, it may prove dangerous for both, the mother and baby.
What is Anaemia?
The medical condition when the total amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin decreases in the body is called anaemia. As a result, in pregnant women, the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry the required oxygen to the tissues and the foetus.
Besides other nutrients, an expectant mother requires a diet rich in iron, folate and Vitamin B12 to produce more blood for the growth and nourishment of the baby. When this dietary requirement isn’t met, you may become anaemic.
Normally, an average woman carries about 5 litres of blood in her body. During pregnancy, to meet the need of the growing foetus, this amount escalates to 7-8 litres of blood at the end of the third trimester.
Pregnant women are more susceptible to anaemia because the body produces more blood than usual. This requires extra iron, folate and Vitamin B12 to produce substantial amounts of healthy red blood cells and haemoglobin. If you don't take care of your diet, you might end up with a deficiency.
Types of Anaemia in Pregnancy
Did you know that there are more than 400 types of anaemia? Some of these are prevalent during pregnancy. The most common types of anaemia found in pregnant women are:
Iron-Deficiency Anaemia:
Haemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Iron-deficiency anaemia is the condition where the body doesn’t have enough iron to produce the required amounts of haemoglobin. Symptoms of iron deficiency in pregnancy are quite common among expectant mothers.
Due to the deficiency of iron, the blood does not carry the required amount of oxygen to the various parts of the body. This affects both the mother as well as the foetus.
Folate-Deficiency Anaemia:
Folate is a type of Vitamin B that the body requires to produce new cells. It also helps in forming healthy red blood cells. During pregnancy, the daily requirement for folate increases. Folate-deficiency causes a decline in the amount of healthy red blood cells.
Folate-deficiency anaemia can lead to serious birth defects such as neural tube abnormalities (spina bifida) and low birth weight.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia:
Cobalamin, or, Vitamin B12 is vital for the production of red blood cells. Women who do not include milk and other dairy products, eggs, poultry, meat in their diet suffer from Vitamin-B12 deficiency anaemia. In this condition, the production of the required amount of red blood cells is impaired.
Sometimes, an expectant mother may be consuming the required Vitamin B12, but the body may be unable to process the vitamin. This may also lead to the mother-to-be developing anaemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is known to cause pre-term labour or severe birth defects such as neural tubal abnormalities.
Symptoms of Anaemia While Pregnant
In mild cases of anaemia, one may not show any symptoms. However, as it grows severe, the followings symptoms may develop:
Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Pale complexion
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Chest pain
Cold hands and feet
Trouble concentrating or irritation
Initially, the symptoms of anaemia during pregnancy may be mild; however, there is a risk of ignoring them. With time, the symptoms may worsen and will have to be treated so as to not lead to complications later. You must immediately consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
These symptoms generally are controlled with dietary supplements like iron tablets, folic acid and Vitamin B12 supplements.
Remember, some amount of fatigue and weakness is unavoidable, and also normal due to the growing foetus in the body. Do not panic. The doctor will guide you best.
What Causes Anaemia During Pregnancy?
There are a number of factors that can cause anaemia in pregnant women. The risk is higher when:
the woman is pregnant with more than one baby
the pregnant woman vomits excessively due to morning sickness
the woman has been anaemic even before conceiving
the expectant mother doesn’t eat a diet rich in iron, folate and Vitamin B12
there are two pregnancies close together
a teenager becomes pregnant
Risks of Anaemia
Deficiency of iron, folate or Vitamin B12 may lead to complications of anaemia in pregnancy. It may have adverse effects on baby and mother.
Untreated iron-deficiency may cause:
Preterm or low birth weight baby
Post-partum depression
Developmental delays in the child
An anaemic baby
Undetected and untreated folate or Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause:
A preterm or low birth-weight baby
Neural tube defects or birth defects in the brain or spine
How to Diagnose Pregnancy Anaemia?
During the course of pregnancy, your doctor will periodically monitor you for chances of anaemia. Blood tests are conducted not only during the first trimester, but also in the second and the third. This is done to rule out the possibility of anaemia in the later stages of pregnancy too. The following blood tests are carried out to diagnose anaemia:
Haemoglobin Test: This test is carried out to measure the amount of haemoglobin in the body.
Hematocrit Test: The purpose of this test is to measure the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.
How is Anaemia Treated in Pregnant Women?
Your doctor may prescribe the following supplements to treat anaemia during pregnancy.
Iron and Folic Acid: This is to ensure that required amount of iron and folate is maintained in the body. You may be advised to increase the intake of iron and folate-rich foods.
Vitamin B12: You may also be recommended Vitamin B12 supplements in addition to foods like meat, dairy products and eggs to help tackle Vitamin B12 deficiency.
How Can Anaemia Be Avoided?
Prevention of anaemia in pregnancy must be of utmost importance for all expectant mothers. You must eat healthily and ensure to include iron-rich foods such as:
Dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli
Beans, lentils, tofu
Lean red meat, poultry
Fish
Nuts and seeds
Eggs
Cereals and grains
Remember that Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron better. So, whenever you are looking to eat iron-rich food, also include foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, kiwi, strawberries and bell peppers which are rich in Vitamin C.
When to Call Your Doctor?
All expectant mothers should consciously avoid any deficiency in the body during the course of the pregnancy. Moreover, anaemia during pregnancy third trimester should strictly not be ignored. Consult your doctor if the symptoms of anaemia persist for a long time. It must be immediately treated in order to avoid any complications.
While untreated anaemia can prove to be harmful, deficiency of iron, folate and Vitamin B12 can be controlled with the right dietary intake and supplements. Treating such deficiency early on can save the mother and baby a great deal of trouble. The key is to regularly consult your doctor for periodic checkups. Read more
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6 Ways to Wear and Rock Maternity Clothes After Delivery (Bonus: Inexpensive Maternity Clothes Hacks!)
A wardrobe full of pregnancy outfits may seem like such a waste once your baby is born. So why stash them away when there are ways to reuse maternity clothes after pregnancy? Little alterations can help transform those baggy clothes into cool fashion statements!
Don't be in a mad rush to donate your pregnancy outfits to charity after giving birth. Incorporate them into your post-pregnancy wardrobe. Yes! You heard that right. You can transform your maternity outfits without having to get rid of them and look cool doing it!
Ways to Rock Maternity Wear After Giving Birth
1. Draped Dress
The draped dress that you loved wearing during pregnancy can be worn after giving birth too. Just because the dress is a little big for you doesn't mean you have to relegate it to the back of your wardrobe. All you need to spruce up the look is to add a chic belt to the mix. Put the belt on around your waist and then pull some extra material out a bit so that it has a nice flow. The best part about these tips to use maternity outfits post-pregnancy is that you don't have to get rid of that cute dress!
2. Comfy Pants
Drawstring pants from your pregnancy days will still feel good after giving birth. A pair of comfortable pants cinched-in with a belt is just what you need to stay comfortable when going out. You could also sleep in them. But if you team the pants with a well-fitted vest or T-shirt that isn’t too tight, and accessorise the look with costume jewellery, watch your look transform! Wondering how to wear maternity clothes after birth? Here's your answer!
3. Tops that Flatter and Flow
Were you carrying a big baby? Chances are you'd want to get rid of those really loose peasant tops and T-shirts you once wore. However, a flowy top can be flattering to your post-pregnancy figure too. It's all about how you choose to wear it. Pair them with skinny leggings, jeans, or tuck them into a pencil skirt. The free-flowing material will make you feel comfortable.
4. Jeans Saviour
You must have splurged on maternity jeans when you were pregnant. Wouldn’t it be an absolute waste to get rid of them? Give them to your tailor and ask him to fit it to your new body size. If they cannot be altered, you can always wear them a few months after giving birth. Your tummy would like the extra room initially. Pairing the jeans with a classic cardigan for a cool layered look is one of the best ways to reuse maternity clothes after having a baby.
5. Layering for the Win
With the monsoons approaching, you'll be clasping at a jacket or a raincoat most of the time. Why not add on the maternity tees you had under your regular shirts for some extra warmth. You can cinch it in with a belt to make sure it doesn't look too clumpy, or just wear a long shrug or button-down shirt over the layers for a smart look!
6. Hello, Comfortable Sleepwear!
Can you image how comfy and rested you're gonna feel when you slip into those flowy, stretchy tees at night? Nothing like breezy PJs to get you a good night's sleep - and you don't even have to buy new ones! They are perfect for lounging in at home as well!
So if you feel like your wardrobe is overflowing with redundant options, fret not! A little bit of creativity and your maternity clothes can easily continue being your favourite - and it's no surprise that your body will relish the comfort as well! Read more
Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
16 hours ago
Q. hello good afternoon ma'am, Mera 1st trimester khtm ho gya h ,4th month chal raha hai actually mjhe kch dino se bhuk ni lgti h ,khana dkh k Mann ni krta h khane ka toh mai aap kch solution btaye
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
16 hours ago
A. hello it s normal during the pregnancy and it is absolutely nothing to worry and try to have small meal frequently and avoid taking a large meal at a time which can help you and any concern you can talk with you doctor she can guide you accordingly
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Mom of a 8 m old child
15 hours ago
Q. mera baby 10 month ka ho gya h abi tk khada ni ho para kya jru
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
15 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Babies start to stand between the age of 9 months to thirteen months. Please wait for sometime before consulting a doctor. Please give semi solid food items like banana and mashed potatoes and mashed apples to the baby. Also give suji kheer and daal paani to the baby. Continue giving formula milk to the baby. You can also give mashed idli to the baby. Masaage baby legs with BabyHug coconut oil.
Thanks and take care
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
14 hours ago
Q. assembly job vacancy in firstcry store
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
13 hours ago
A. hello dear this u need to ask them personally on call ot u can mail them as it is a parenting app so u can't right guidance on this here
Prachi Agrawal has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
13 hours ago
Q. Hello doctor,
my son is 2.5 months old and completely on breastfeeding. He hasn't pooped since three days. please advise
Prachi Agrawal
Mom of a 1 yr 6 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. After two months of age, babies may have constipation problem which is not concerning until they are showing any abnormal signs.
It may last upto 10 days too. Keep a check on baby's activity and feeding, till the time that is all fine, no worries.
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. i eat chips daily. will it harm my baby?? actually i dont like to eat chapatti
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
11 hours ago
A. dear Mum, if you eat chips daily then it will not harm your baby but it will be harmful for your health. so, you should not have it daily. you can have it occasionally.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
10 hours ago
Q. I am 31 week pregnant, my BP is shooted to 160, as per growth scan baby weight is less 1.4gm, under <.99 percentile. can you suggest me what to do ,or how much weight is expected
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. please take medicines to control your blood pressure as advised even regarding induction of labour also. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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