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Consuming Cloves during Pregnancy - Is It Harmful?
Pregnancy is a special time, and during pregnancy, you would want to be sure of the fact that whatever you are consuming is perfectly safe and will not harm the health and development of your baby in any way. Therefore, it is wise to consider and scan all that you eat.
Clove is an aromatic, flavouring spice popularly used in food preparations like aromatic foods, puddings and baked goodies. It is commonly used for medicinal purposes as well. The various parts and forms of cloves used are the oil, stem, leaves, and dried florets.
Cloves claim to benefit health in many ways, but you may question its benefits and safety when pregnant. It is generally believed that the use of cloves during pregnancy can pose no harm if included in the diet in its spice form. You have nothing to worry if you wish to sprinkle some while cooking something special or use it to flavour your food during pregnancy. Having said that, it is advisable to consume it in moderate quantities and not overindulge it.
Is it Safe to Eat Cloves During Pregnancy?
According to experts, clove, when used as a spice to flavour food, is safe to consume during pregnancy. This means that you can safely add it to your food as an ingredient in small doses. It can be used both in the whole form or powdered form. But the use of clove oil and clove enhancements, when pregnant, may not be safe and is best avoided. You may also want to avoid using cloves for medical reasons like for treating toothaches, cold, and cough.
While eating cloves during pregnancy may not be damaging per se, it is always sensible to consult your doctor first in case of any doubt. Your doctor is in a better position to evaluate your health and suggest accordingly.
Health Benefits of Consuming Cloves During Pregnancy
Cloves, if added to the pregnancy diet in limited amounts, can have numerous health benefits. Some of them are listed below:
Cloves provide a small amount of Vitamin E, which is vital for muscle building.
Cloves supply small amounts of calcium and phosphorus to the body for bone development, which is especially required during pregnancy.
Cloves contain antioxidants, which not only help in activating the cell repair system but also make the immune system stronger by developing the body’s resistance against infections during pregnancy.
Cloves are a good source of minerals like sodium, manganese, and phosphorus which are useful for the proper growth of the baby.
The dietary fibre contained in cloves can help keep your bowels in order and combat digestive issues like indigestion and constipation, which is a common complaint during pregnancy.
Cloves have a lot of omega-3 fatty acids which may be useful in promoting the proper development of baby’s brain and nervous system.
Cloves contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. This can prove beneficial in easing pregnancy-related aches and pains.
Are There Any Side-effects of Consuming Cloves While Pregnant?
While consumption of cloves as a food ingredient is usually considered safe, there may be some side-effects of cloves, especially if used in the form of clove oil or clove supplements.
Clove oil, if ingested in a large quantity, can stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. This can lead to premature labour.
Cloves can cause allergic reactions and this can be dangerous when pregnant.
Over-consumption of cloves may lead to intestinal bleeding, breathing troubles, diarrhoea, seizures, increased mouth sensitivity, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and even liver or kidney failure in extreme cases.
Precautions to Take
Though cloves offer several health benefits it is still best to take certain precautions to prevent any possible pregnancy complications. The following points may be kept in mind:
Applying clove oil during pregnancy on the skin may be avoided. Studies suggest that clove oil can harm skin cells. It can also increase the sensitivity of the skin, resulting in rashes and burns.
Refrain from using clove oil for treating toothaches and other common ailments during pregnancy.
It is wise to consume cloves in limited measures during pregnancy. Overdose should be avoided.
Even during pregnancy, you can benefit from the goodness of cloves by consuming them in moderation. In case of any persisting doubts, it is always sensible to seek medical consultation. After all, It is better to be safe than sorry.
Also Read: Sesame Seeds Intake during Pregnancy Read more
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Dark Circles Under A Baby's Eyes - Causes and Remedies
Dark circles aren’t as common in babies as they are in adults. If you find them, however, the cause most often is something that’s not of concern. They are usually caused by allergies and the baby not having enough sleep or being tired. In some rare cases they could indicate an underlying problem.
What are Dark Circles and How Do They Form?
Dark circles are blemishes around the baby’s eyes that are more prominent under the eyes. There are several factors that can cause dark circles by affecting the underlying anatomy of the region. The sensitive skin around the baby’s eyes is called periorbital skin that is often thin and delicate. Underneath that skin are tiny blood vessels called infraorbital venous plexus which connect with the nose. When this region is irritated, the blood vessels swell up and appear prominent as they come closer to the skin which causes the entire area to appear as a dark circle. Dark circles can appear when some babies have nasal congesting caused by allergens such as pollen. Sinusitis can also trigger dark circles when the sinus cavities, which are hollow areas around the nose, become clogged and get infected by bacteria and other irritants.
Is It Normal for Infants to Have Dark Circles Under Their Eyes?
Yes, it’s totally normal for babies to have dark circles around their eyes. The thin skin under their eye which is richly supplied with tiny blood vessels can sometimes pop up as dark circles. If there is a family history of sensitive under eye skin and dark circles, then the baby can be expected to have dark circles at some point.
What Do Dark Circles Under Infant's Eyes Mean?
Most often dark circles are not a cause for concern. They are caused by tiredness, allergies or could just be genetic. In extremely rare cases however, dark circles can be caused by a tumor. If you notice that your baby has an unusually deep dark circle, talk to your doctor immediately.
Causes of Dark Circles in Infants
Here are some common causes of dark circles in babies:
The most common cause is the thin delicate skin under the baby’s eyes which highlight the blood vessels making them look darker.
Dark circles are also genetic and can be inherited. If members of the family have it they shouldn’t be surprised if their babies have them too.
Some babies have relatively thinner skin compared to others which makes it look darker.
Babies who are tired can also show dark circles. A long day in the sun or a day without much sleep can make their skin appear pale and the skin around the eyes darker.
In rare cases dark circles are caused by skin conditions related to bacterial infections, eczema, infection of the sinuses, respiratory infection and dehydration could also cause dark or bluish circles under the baby’s eyes.
Allergies are also known to cause dark circles and those types are often called as ‘allergic shiners’. Respiratory allergies and congestion of the nose can lead to a restriction of the blood flow in the veins under the eyes. This can appear prominent as a dark circle.
Remedies for A Baby's Dark Circles
There are few ways you can lessen your baby’s dark circles:
Ensure they get enough rest at proper times. Feed them healthy foods and keep them active so they have a healthy weight gain.
If their dark circles are caused by allergens, keep them away from pollen, dust or animals. Clean under their eyes with a clean cloth soaked in warm water.
Keep their hands clean and clip and file their nails to avoid unnecessary scratches on the face and eyes.
Can Dark Circles Under Eyes in Babies Be Prevented?
Except for the ones caused by allergies and tiredness, dark circles cannot be prevented. Many mothers try homemade pastes such as ubtan to remove dark circles which are not effective and can also be harmful.
Is There a Relation Between Dark Circles and Teething or Fever?
It is common for parents to associate fever and teething with dark circles but there is no evidence from research that they are related.
Are Puffy Eyes Related to Dark Circles in Babies?
No, they are not related to dark circles. Puffy eyes can be caused by long spells of crying or sleeping in an awkward position.
Do Dark Circles Indicate Poor Health or Improper Sleep?
Contrary to the popular opinion among parents, dark circles in babies are rarely an indicator of poor health or sleep routines.
Are Dark Circles Associated with Under-eye Bags?
Under eye bags could just be fat under the skin under your baby’s eyes and have nothing to do with dark circles.
Dark circles in almost all cases are not of concern and will resolve on their own when the underlying trigger subsides.
Also Read:
Eye Problems in Babies
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Babies
Eye Infections in Babies Read more
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Teething and Vomiting in Babies - Is It Normal?
It is still a controversial factor whether vomiting is caused because of the emergence of teeth in a baby. Most doctors advocate that vomiting, diarrhoea and rash are not caused due to teething. When such severe symptoms occur, the family doctor must be consulted. No other drug, homoeopathic medicine or herb is recommended when the doctors need to evaluate why the baby is suffering from vomiting.
What is Teething and When Does it Begin?
Between 6 to 24 months of a baby’s birth, teething generally occurs. When the baby’s teeth emerge or break through the gums, they show various symptoms to express their discomfort by being irritable or putting objects in their mouth. If the baby happens to be an early developer, the first tooth may sprout as early as 3 months. The day the first tooth appears it is a milestone to be celebrated, and the date can be noted in the baby diary. By the time your baby is 3 years, a full baby set of 20 teeth can be seen. The first few teeth to cut through the gums are called ‘pegs’ which are followed by the top centre teeth. Most parents remember the teething period of their baby as they experience a lot of discomforts.
Does Teething Cause Vomiting in Infants?
Teething, an exciting milestone in a child’s life, is often not a very pleasant experience for some. Every baby experiences different symptoms during the process of teething. Experts do believe that teething can cause localised pain or soreness, but it is less likely to cause rashes or vomiting. The paediatrician should try to find out if any other reason is responsible for the vomiting. The passive immunity that a child acquires from the mother gets affected because of exposure to a range of food to bite and chew after acquiring the first set of teeth. You might wonder at the question, can teething cause vomiting at night? It is very rare that babies vomit during their sleep unless they have a bacterial infection or indigestion. It is tough to predict the onset of teething in babies accurately.
How to Manage Teething Symptoms
Teething toddlers do not ever show any normal teething symptoms. Some babies drool, some become irritable whereas some have trouble in sleeping during their teething period.
An indicator when your baby is teething is slight visibility of a white mass below the gum and mothers can anticipate the emergence of teeth.
When babies start teething, you need to keep your drooling baby dry by making the baby put on a bib. The baby is sure to feel uncomfortable in wet or damp clothes.
When babies start behaving cranky, it is understood by mothers that they are uncomfortable and so, sullenness is another indicator of a baby’s teething duration.
If your baby happens to have inflamed and red gums, some relief can be provided to the baby by gently massaging the affected area with your forefingers.
Another symptom which confirms a baby’s teething phase is crying very frequently when the discomfort of teething becomes unbearable. The new moms should try to find out the other symptoms and try to pacify the baby.
Babies show different symptoms during teething. When they start chewing anything that comes their way, it is a sure sign of teething, and they should be provided with clean, hard toys or eatables that can soothe their gums.
Babies can be given relief for their unbearable pain by painkillers, but parents must avoid doing so and try giving cold compress, a teething ring or chilled spoon to reduce the discomfort.
It is quite a known fact that teething apart from being a joyous milestone can cause sleepless nights. It is quite a challenging task for new parents to understand the cause of discomfort of their babies. As the babies keep growing older, they become susceptible to many diseases which can cause vomiting. Sometimes intolerance to a specific food can also cause vomiting. Parents and caregivers should deal through the process of teething very gently and patiently.
Also Read:
Teething Myths Every Parent Should Know
Natural Teething Remedies for Baby
Teething Fever in Infants Read more
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Working Memory in Kids - Meaning, Importance and Ways to Improve
Working memory is a person’s ability to hold information in the mind while performing a complex task. The more working memory the person the faster they can process information and solve complex problems. Children have much smaller working memory capacities when compared to adults and as they grow some develop special challenges with it. How can you tell if your child is struggling with a working memory problem and what is at stake? Continue reading for all you need to know.
What Is Working Memory?
Working memory is our brain’s ability to store information for a short span so that the information can be used to perform an activity. This temporary storage which is similar to the RAM of a computer is essential for our everyday functioning during tasks such as having a conversation, following instructions, reading and comprehension, listening, etc. Some of the more specific examples where working memory is used involve doing arithmetic in the mind like adding two numbers, remembering a list of grocery items or recalling people or seating arrangements after a brief look at the tables at a dinner party.
Working memory is the workspace where we can crunch numbers and manipulate information to perform complex tasks. That is why people with higher working memory appear to be smarter and the children generally do well in class. Their large memory capacities allow them to juggle chunks of data and process them more quickly to accomplish a task at hand. It is also seen that children who have above average working memories also show higher achievement in areas such as mathematics and language. Because of this, these people also excel at language skills as they are able to better keep track of information or ideas presented in complex sentences or paragraphs.
Why Is Working Memory Important for Kids?
Working memory is essential for children to integrate new information they are learning with their existing knowledge in their long term memory. As they hear or see new information, their working memory kicks in to keep the information active so that it can be organized and used to solve a problem or complete a task at hand. Having a good working memory makes it easier for them to build knowledge and skills with less effort and minimizes the thought and attention needed to be given to the same task at every step.
While day-to-day tasks are one part of why working memory is important, it is also critical for academic performance, especially in math and language. Children will need a good working memory to perform basic arithmetic calculations in the head or to remember numbers in the intermediate steps. When it comes to language, it plays a major role in reading and comprehension. Young children have to do quite a bit of tasking in their minds when they are expected to read and understand a sentence. They need to be able to recognize words and remember the sequence of the words and string them together to extract a meaning. They should also be able to recognize the relationship between the words, for example, “The dog bit the man” is different from “The man bit the dog”.
Working memory helps children remember the meaning of words they ready while they decode what the rest means. Hence while they are learning to read children often find it difficult to comprehend long sentences. As they continue reading the rest of the sentence though could forget what they read in the beginning. This difficulty in decoding is also seen in adults who are told to comprehend lengthy sentences that contain highly technical information presented in the form of very specialized words. On the other hand, having a larger vocabulary and being presented with short sentences makes it easier to grasp what is being said.
Finally, being able to remember sentences is only one aspect of comprehension and fluency. Children need to be able to remember what was said in the beginning of the paragraph and connect every bit of information presented by the time they reach the end of the paragraph. Children with lesser working memory will have difficulty with comprehension as they cannot store enough information in the mind long enough to understand what they have just read.
For What Tasks Working Memory Is Used
Working memory is used for a number of essential tasks such as:
Having a conversation with people and responding appropriately when asked a question.
Carrying out instructions that are presented in a sequential format.
Reading new words and understanding the meaning of new words.
Paraphrasing spoken information from one person to the other or repeating information that was heard or read in written or spoken form.
Answering questions in class or remembering how to respond or what to respond when it is your turn to speak in class or a group.
Organization of everyday activities such as getting up, getting ready for school and packing for school according to the day’s schedule.
Reading books, long sentences or any written instruction.
Doing math problems in the head such as addition or subtraction.
How One Can Tell If a Child Has Working Memory Difficulties
While the reason for what causes working memory problems is varied, there are a number of identifiable signs that parents can look for. They are as follows:
The child has difficulty with basic organization or following/completing a given task that has sequential steps in it. They often lose their way in between or stop because they don’t know what to do next.
When presented with demanding activities, they often miss comprehending details or wholly forget chinks of instructions. They would fail to keep track of themselves.
Children often make mistakes while counting or writing in the classroom.
They are unable to correct their classroom work.
If they are not interested in the activity, they get easily distracted or do other things.
The children find it hard to wait for their turn and forget what to say or do when they are called upon.
Their organizational skills are very poor. They cannot carry their books or activity sets as per the schedule for the day. They often lose their belongings and forget steps when presented with sequential activities.
Their academic performance is consistently poor from the beginning and they below average to average language skills.
They find it difficult to read and struggle with keeping track of their place in the middle of sentences of paragraphs. They are unable to pick up on the contextual cues to predict consequent words when they are reading. They also struggle with the sounds of words and breaking it down for reading or they are unable to blend the sounds of words when taught to do so.
Their mathematical skills are poor and find it difficult to do simple arithmetic problems in their head.
They find it difficult to solve complex problems.
Their progress is very slow despite lots of effort put into learning. It is not that they are not putting longer hours but they are unable to retain information to learn efficiently.
They often cannot do their work independently and rely on a neighbor or friend for help with their work or to keep up with the task at hand.
Does Working Memory Develop as the Child Gets Older?
Yes, working memory in most children starts to improve around the age of 6 years as their brain continues to develop. Working memory is heavily dependent on the region of the brain called the frontal lobes which continue to develop as children get older. Working memory tests administered to people across ages should that there is a steady improvement and the adults perform twice as well as children. For example, in a working memory test that tests the ability to remember objects briefly presented in a visual array, grownups can recall 3 or 4 objects while children around the age of five can only remember half as many.
How to Improve Working Memory in Kids
Here are the methods to increase the working memory of kids:
How to Improve Working Memory at Home
Here are some methods and activities to increase working memory when your child is at home:
Assign a place for your child to put their important stuff so they would not forget it. Start with things like house keys, sports equipment, wallet and other items that are easily misplaced. To reinforce the habit set up a system of rewards and penalties. As soon as they return from school, their first task should be to keep things where they belong.
Use a reminder checklist for school so they know what to take with them the next day. The checklist is to be prepared the previous night and monitor them as they tick through their list and add items to the backpack. When possible, ask them to mentally recall the list and tell it to you and try to organize without it.
Lead by example. Make and use a “To-Do” list yourself on a daily basis so that they can watch you and form a habit from their childhood. Before they can commit things to their short memory and repeat mistakes, they could use To-Do lists to get things right and boost their self-confidence.
Brainstorm with your children about how you could work together to improve their working memory. Use every tool possible from writing on the palm to using stick notes, pocket diaries, smartphone reminders and even ask their friends with good memories to prompt them.
Consult a speech therapist to assess their language and rule out other possibilities of conditions associated with speech and language. You can then begin to look into their working memory.
Structure their environment such that there is less stress on their working memories. Break large tasks into smaller manageable chunks and offer information in a simplified way. You can also slow down the pace of activities and teach them strategies to cope with their working memory insufficiencies.
Regularly give them tasks that strengthen working memory without stressing them too much. Although there is much to be discovered scientifically in this approach, some progress is seen with children who are trained in it.
How to Improve Working Memory at School
Here are some methods and working memory activities for kids to help them out at school:
Make instructions clearly visible for the children so that they are reminded of them often. For example, write homework assignments in writing on the blackboard at a specific place every day. Even if the children forget what was said, they can be taught to look at the section of the board.
Ask the children to repeat instructions that you have just given to ensure that they have heard/understood what has been said. Encourage them to write down important notes, announcements or homework in a dedicated notebook.
Repeat new activities more than twice to ensure the grasp of all the steps and processes. This is because children with poor working memories need more repetitions to grasp the same compared to others. Even if they miss the first time, they can fill in the gaps with a subsequent repetition.
Make eye contact with the child while handing down an assignment or giving specific instruction. Speak slowly and give the information in small bits that they can grasp and ask them to repeat it at the end to strengthen their verbal working memory.
Make the class highly interactive and involve children with weaker working memories to become a part of something important. For example, in a math class, you could encourage them to volunteer and share all the material that they have learnt for the day. Such repetition will form strong anchor points for the mind.
Use unconventional strategies to teach by presenting information in a different way than the usual lecture. You could include a game or a physical activity as part of the lesson such that their memory is firmly made.
For children who are anxious because of their poor working memories, you could make the atmosphere more relaxing and ask them to breathe slowly and calmly before they are asked to repeat something.
Limit distractions and outside noise in the classroom and encourage them to visualize what they are hearing to improve their grasping and retention.
What If Working Memory Difficulties Are Left Untreated?
If poor working memory in a child is left untreated it could lead to difficulties with other areas such as:
Developing verbal and literacy skills such as reading and writing.
Poor performance in mathematics and basic calculations in real life.
Completing higher grades in school or attending college.
Keeping up with their peers in school. They lose confidence and become isolated when they are unable to progress at the same rate.
Ability to reach full academic potential in school or college.
Working memory develops steadily in all children as they get older. Children who show less working memory at a young age doesn’t necessarily have a problem. However, when you begin to notice many, if not all the signs of a working memory problem, you will have to consult a speech therapist or a psychologist.
Also Read:
Ways to Improve Memory Power in Children
Short-term Memory Loss in Children
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. Hello I had my period missed for April month and today I got my period. Is it normal to have period after 1 month or is there anything I should be worried about? Iam worried please let me know if that's ok or should I consult my doctor
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. consult your doctor for any evaluation required. 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
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. 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
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
50 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
46 mins ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
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