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Pre-Birth Sex Determination - Should You, Shouldn't You?
Boy or girl? If you're an expecting mom, you may be curious. But in a country where pre-birth sex determination has such severely negative connotations, it is wiser to wait! With the International Day of the Girl Child coming soon on October 11, why not say a strict no to discrimination against the girl child? After all, girl or boy, your baby will be adorable!
There is an undeniable curiosity to find out whether your baby is a boy or a girl, especially if it's your first pregnancy. But sometimes, there can be a negative effect of sex determination. Not only has it led to girl child abortions and female infanticides, but it is also a punishable offence in India. Here's why you should experience one of life's greatest surprise and not be a planner ahead of time!
Why Gender Determination May Not Be A Great Idea
1. You'll Miss Out On The Fun Stories during Pregnancy
Trust us, you would not want to miss this! There are umpteen myths related to the baby's gender and some amazing old wives' tales. Carrying low or high? Holding your engagement rings over your bump or below? You have a sweet tooth or sour? All this can be far more fun than the scientific way!
2. You are Saved From Gender Disappointment
What if you are hoping for a boy or a girl, and find out the other way? Just disappointment! Pre-natal sex determination will only increase the risk of suffering from gender disappointment. Whereas, even if you're hoping for a girl, but get blessed with a lovely boy, you will be caught up in the joy of the moment.
3. Let It be a Surprise
Determination of sex of the baby will eliminate all the surprises. It will never be more exciting, happier, and a cooler surprise than to find out in your arms whether it's a son or a daughter. It's magical to watch a new life enter the world, than to find it out at the ultrasound.
4. Sex Determination Isn't Really the True Purpose of the Ultrasound
The ultrasound is to ensure your baby's health and its position. It is to let you know the baby is developing well. The 20 week scan is not for you to find out the sex of the baby and forgetting the actual purpose. Plus, have you not heard that ultrasounds are not 100% correct?
5. You Need Something to Get Motivated in the Delivery Room!
Would-be-moms, you need to push like a warrior! For this you need a lot of motivation. When you don't know the gender, you can really gear up for that final tough push.
6. You Can Avoid Being a Stereotype
You hate stereotypes, but aren't you being one of them by choosing to find out what's in your pouch? Once you check on the sex and announce it, everything around you becomes gender specific. Starting from wardrobe filled with the blues or pinks, to the gender stereotypical parties.
Your baby is a surprise you are guaranteed to love. Today, with the social stigma attached to the birth of a girl child, many nations are getting strict about sex determination. Even the United Nations has marked 11th October as International Day For Girl Child 2015. This is to eliminate gender inequalities and promote girls' human rights. Do your bit and wait it out. You'll love the surprise either way! Read more
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The Art of Toy Rotation - Your Step By Step Guide
Even if you give your child a truck-full of toys to play with every day, eventually, she will get bored. After a point, she will stop playing with them, and look for new ventures. This is when the importance of toy rotation slips in.
The system of toy rotation helps the child discover something new in an old toy, every time she plays with it. It enhances the child’s intellect, by giving her an opportunity to experience something new each time. It keeps the child engaged for a longer time, as it increases her interest in the toy. This method enhances the child’s intellect as well as her creative faculties. It will do a world of good to your child, and give you an opportunity to sneak in some valuable free time. Still wondering what the art of toy rotation is all about? Read on to find out how it benefits your child.
What Are the Benefits of Toy Rotation?
Toy rotation is a way to organise your children's toys into specific groups and giving your children access to only one or two groups of toys at a time. This has several advantages - it makes cleaning up much easier, reduces the clutter in your home, and makes children appreciate and play with all of the toys in the group that you give them.
The system of rotating toys for babies is a fantastic way to keep your child engaged by rotating sets of old toys on a daily basis. This system ensures that your child uses what she already has. Some of its benefits are listed below:
Your child’s creative and intellectual faculties are enhanced when she finds new ways to play with an old toy.
Even though your child plays with her old toys in this system, she remains engrossed and occupied. This eventually results in increased playtime.
Rotating toys and having only a set of few toys to play with every day keeps clutter at bay. This means less cleaning for the parent. The house will also look tidier and not like a toy shop.
Parents are spared from spending money on buying new toys every now and then, and children from being spoilt of choice.
While stacking away the day’s toys, you will have a better idea and accountability of the toys that are fine and can be played with, and toys which need to be disposed of.
Too many toys to choose from not only spoil your child but can also stress her out. The very thought of what to choose and what to leave can put your child under pressure. Through the toy rotation method, a child has less number of toys to choose from which eases off the pressure.
Allowing your child to play with a certain toy once a week or in 10 days makes her value the toy more. If your child is given the same toys to play with every day, she will lose interest in the toy and may refuse to play with it.
This method makes your child’s playroom more organised now that all the toys are neatly stacked away in boxes. It also makes it easy for you to keep a tab on all her toys while cleaning them up. You need not go treasure hunting for the toy parts all around the house.
It also teaches a child how to be independent and play on her own. This gives the mother some time for herself or time to spend with the other baby in case of a second child.
Toy rotation encourages a child to help mommy clean up and keep the playroom more organized. Since there are separate boxes for a separate set of toys, it becomes easy for the child to keep her toy back in the correct box. This way, the mother also gets some help in cleaning the play area, and it inculcates a sense of responsibility in the child from a tender age.
Simple Steps for Rotating Toys
Having too many toys to choose from and play overwhelms children and makes playtime stressful for them. Therefore, if you want your child’s playtime to be joyful, full of fun, new experiences and learning, introduce the system of toy rotation. Here is the stepwise guide to help you with toy rotation.
1. Observing
After the idea of toy rotation hits you, and you make up your mind to implement it, monitor your child closely. Keep an eye on the toys in which she shows more interest or disinterest. Pay attention to the time span of each toy play.
2. Select
Now that you have observed your child for a few days, select the toys that you feel she may be interested in. You can also dispose of the toys which are broken or beyond repair. Giving away toys which your child is not fond of or too old to play with is a good way to de-clutter the space.
3. Segregate
After selecting toys, you should segregate toys in the following criteria:
Cognitive and fine motor development - puzzles
Gross motor development – balls, vehicles, trains
Socio-emotional and language development – dolls, toy utensils
4. Organize
According to your child’s requirement, you can organize toys in different categories.
Daily - In this type of rotation, you need to have seven sets of toys; one for each day of the week.
Weekly - Here, you require 4 sets of toys for each week of the month. The child will get one set of toys to play with. Since you know your child well, it is solely up to you to decide how many toys should go in each set.
Monthly - This rotation requires you to rotate toys only once a month. 3 to 6 boxes of toys are enough. However, if you wish to have a new set every month, then you could have 12 sets.
Random - In this type of rotation, you can have several boxes with toys in them. You may give a new set of toys whenever you see your child getting bored of one set. This system of rotation is helpful for children with a short attention span.
5. Naming
Write down names on each box according to their categories or function. This will make it easy for you to select boxes while giving them to your child.
Keep a notebook and use a separate page for each category of toys.
Leave space for notes and note down which toys your kids play with and which ones they barely touch.
Having these remarks will help you when you go shopping for toys the next time. You will know what kind of toys your kids are into at the moment.
6. Arrange
Arrange each category into subcategories having a set of toys for each. For instance:
Puzzles and board games: These toys target the development of fine motor skills and cognitive skills in children.
Balls, pull-alongs, and vehicles: These toys target the development of gross motor skills in your kids.
Building blocks, soft toys, and dolls: These target fine motor skill development as well as emotional and social development skills in your kids.
7. Putting them in boxes
Put each category or subcategory of toys in each box. Remember never mix up categories/subcategories.
Have a group of toys for each category of toys.
Make 3-4 groups in each category such that your children are fully engaged with those toys.
Take help from family members like grandparents or aunts to organise this.
8. Stock Up
Stock up toys for future use. However, remember to keep them in places where your little one may not be able to reach.
Keep 2-3 boxes of toys hidden away.
When your kids are bored of the current box, you can swap it with a new one.
9. Exhibit
Place the boxes of toys on the shelf or some extra toys on display and see your little one light up.
Display the toys that you are giving them access to.
Note down which ones they play with and put the unused ones back into storage.
10. Change
According to the needs of your child and the way you have planned, rotate and change the set of toys.
Every 15 days to one month, swap the toys with a different box which the kids did not have access to previously.
Remember to put away the old toys before bringing out the new ones.
Now that you know what toy rotation is and how it works, implement this system at home. It may not work for you or your child initially; however, after a point of time, you will witness its benefits. Go ahead and give it a try.
Also Read:
Functional Play Importance in Kid's Growth and Development
Benefits of Activity Boxes for Children
Effects of Violent Toys on Kids Read more
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9 Beautiful Tattoo Ideas for Moms To Permanently Ink Your Love For Your Child
There are some things that never change in life – your love for your child is one of them. So why not turn your love for your child into a tattoo? Here are some unique tattoo ideas for moms.
Tattoos are perhaps the only worldly thing that you can actually take with you to your deathbed. They are permanent, eternal, and hence used by many as a form of individualism and expression. Getting a permanent tattoo can be a big concern for many people – how can you get something inked on your body permanently, forever, which will never change, when life itself is so dynamic?
But there are some things that never change in life – your love for your child is one of them. You may temporarily be enraged by the things your child says or does, but nothing they ever say or do will ever make you not love them or not care for them anymore.
So why not turn your love for your child into a tattoo?
9 Tattoo Ideas for Moms to Declare Their Love for Their Baby!
1. Name Ambigram: An ambigram is an image that looks upright even when it is turned upside-down. For example, if you turn a square upside-down (i.e. if you rotate it through 180o), it will still look like a square. But if you turn a triangle resting on its base upside-down, it will now rest on its apex.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://designshack.net/articles/graphics/how-to-design-an-ambigram/[/caption]
Not only images, but even letters can be made to look like an ambigram. The above image reads 'Yash' right side up, and even when turned upside down. You can get a similar ambigram of either only your child's name, or both your and your child's name. The ideal place to get this tattoo is on your wrist or arm.
2. Roman or Binary Birthdate: The birth of a child marks a significant day in your life – it is the day that gave birth to you as a mother, along with your baby being born too. A day that changed your life forever. You can get the birthdate of your child as a tattoo. To make it interesting, you can write the birthdate in Roman numbers, or binary code.
3. Name in Infinity: They say - “Once a mother, always a mother”. Now that you are a mother, there is one person in your life that you will always love. Your child is one person in your life who is never going to be without your care and attention. If there is a time when women understand the meaning of the word 'forever', it is after they become mothers. So why not put your infinite love for your child into a tattoo?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://www.flickr.com/[/caption]
You can insert your child's name into the infinity sign. This is a very symbolic tattoo and will show just how much you love your child!
4. Sound Wave: When you record sound, digitally it looks like a 'wave' – much like the wave formed by a beating heart on an electrocardiogram. So why not turn that into a tattoo?You can get your child to say your name, or say that she loves you. You can even tattoo the sound wave of the first time your baby chuckled, or even your baby's first cry as she was born in the hospital.
5. Heartbeat: Another popular trend among many parents is to get their child's heartbeat tattooed on their wrist. What could be more singular than your child's heartbeat?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Source: https://www.flickr.com/[/caption]
You can make this one more interesting by adding your child's name, initials, or any other special details in continuation of the heartbeat.
6. Fingerprint or Footprint: Those tiny hands and feet, those tiny fingers and toes of your baby are one of the cutest things that any and every mom loves to observe and keep staring at for hours together. Fingerprints of your child can make for another singular tattoo idea.
7. Your Honeymoon/Conception Date: Confused? Well, every couple likes to track back the moment of conception of their child, once they find out that they are pregnant. And because that was the day that your child was 'created' so to speak, doesn't it make that day a special day? The date of conception of your child might hence be a great tattoo idea. It will also be unique!
While it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact date of conception, we are sure you can make a pretty good guess. ;) If, however, you need help tracking the date, here are eight things you should know about your menstrual cycle, to successfully track back to the date you conceived your child.
8. Mommy and Baby Animal: If your child is old enough to have a favourite animal by now, you can get a cute cartoon of the animal tattooed. Mumma and baby elephants, mumma and baby squirrel, or a dog and a puppy, cat and kitten... you get the drift.
9. Portrait: We saved the best for the last. A really skilled tattoo artist can tattoo your baby's portrait on you! Nothing better than having a picture of your baby on you forever, no? Read more
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Rahul
Guardian of a 6 yr 5 m old girl and 1 yr 7 m old boy
1 min ago
#grandphoto
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Misha Thampan
Mom of a 2 yr 4 m old boy
1 min ago
#stylishbaby
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Pratibha
Guardian of a 9 yr 2 m old boy
2 mins ago
#stylishbaby
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to give children when starting solids?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. After completing the time of six months you should start with dal water and rice water followed by all kind of fruits and vegetables porridge khichadi mash banana mash potato mash sweet potato dairy products and varieties made made out of ragi Suji and oats can also be given to your child
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Low-fat hummus
Hummus is a dip common in Mediterranean cuisine. Traditionally, it is made from chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt. However, the salt makes it a high sodium food and the olive oil adds calories and fat. However, if you make hummus at home, you can use healthful ingredients that will keep the fat, sodium and calorie content low as in the recipe below. Stick with a serving size of 1/4-cup to fit the healthy hummus into any eating plan.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
5 Minutes
10-15 Minutes
Ingredients
1 can chickpeas,(400 gm can)
3 tbsp (tablespoon) fat-free Greek yogurt
3 garlic cloves, chopped
salt to taste,(optional)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Smoked paprika (optional)
Ground black pepper (optional)
1-2 sprigs of parsley and dill for seasoning (optional)
Method
Step 1
Drain the chickpeas into a sieve set over a bowl to catch the draining liquid.
Step 2
Add the chickpeas, garlic, salt (if needed) and yogurt into a blender and whizz to smooth.
Step 3
Add a tbsp of the chickpea liquid at a time until it has a nice creamy consistency.
Step 4
Scrape into a bowl.
Step 5
Squeeze lemon juice, stir well and season with spices (optional).
Step 6
Use fresh as a dip or accompaniment or refrigerate it.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 1/4 cup
Calories
46
Total Fat
1.5 g 2%
Carbohydrates
6 g 2%
Sugars
2 g
Calories from Fat
14
Sodium
125 mg 5%
Dietary Fiber
1 g 4%
Protein
2 g
*Based on a 2000 calorie diet
Tip:
Hummus stays for at least four days in the refrigerator and much longer in the freezer. So don't think twice, make a larger batch.
Either cook chickpeas at home without salt or purchase a canned variety that is low in sodium.
Sesame seeds or tahini paste can be added, but both will add fats and calories to the recipe.
You can serve with olive oil (½ tsp per serving). But if you want a check on your calories, please refrain from this.
Read more
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Positive Review of BabyHug's Wooden Number Puzzle for kids
The knob number board is quite useful for children from the age of 2.5-3 years old. This is a fun board for the kids. This not only helps them in recognising numbers but also associate quantity with the numbers. It is a great product to use as it aids us to teach our children numbers very easily and in a fun way. The knobs help in improving their pincer grip and also fine motor skills.
The number board is a new way to teach numbers to our children. It is made of wood and is very light weight. As a parent, this product can be used as an open ended activity too. The kids can explore the product and learn not only numbers, but, colours and fruits names as well.
It is a pretty good product for the children to use and learn new concepts of numbers and quantity association. It is lightweight and easy to use. The knobs on the number help in using it pretty easy for our little ones too.
I liked the colourful pattern that is used to make this product more attractive for the little ones to use. It is colourful, bright and light weight. The company has successfully managed to include two to three concepts in the same board which is commendable. It is not only a number board but also a new method to teach quantity association very easily. Moreover, the children can also learn colours and the names of various fruits.
The only suggestion I have for this product is to make the knobs with wood too. The wooden knobs are stronger and cannot be chewed by the children too. The ones made with plastic are easily spoilt or broken by chewing them.
I would strongly recommend this product as it serves more than one purpose. It nis educational and fun at the same time. Children get attracted with the colours of this board and learn new concepts in a play way method. Read more
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
1 hour ago
Q. hello, on my first visit doctor suggested me duphaston twice a day..so m taking it morning n bedtime.now on my second visit doctor added susten sr 200 one tablet daily at night ,as m already taking duphaston at night , kindly guide me when should I take the susten tablet,also m having dizziness after taking susten .
Read moreDr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. Regarding the mentioned concern your local doctor will guide you in a proper way and the doubts can be cleared accorjodingly .so you can discuss and get the solution for query.
Also online consultation can be taken on the platform and it will also be helpful in getting the proper guidance as there could be a detailed discussion which would be benifecial helpful in the correct manner .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. can I take gevocet m during breastfeeding
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
30 mins ago
A. Please check with your doctor they will be able to confirm whether you can take this medicine or or not as a Dr who have a fair idea and they will know for what thing you are willing to take this medicine so whatever doubt you have associated there be able able able to clear it up for you
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. can I take zanocin 200 during breastfeeding
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
30 mins ago
A. I’m not aware about what medicine it is for I can only tell you that these basic medicines you can take throughout your lactation it’s not a problem the medicines that you could take before your pregnancy can always be taken during the time of lactation
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert mam iam 33 weeks now when can I expect delivery date
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
31 mins ago
A. The basic delivery date is normally 39 to 3 40 weeks of your pregnancy whenever you are ready for your delivery and whenever you hit your labour that’s going to be the right time for you further move your Dr is going to tell you when are you going to deliver with the help of an ultrasound
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. iam 33 weeks pregnant now
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
32 mins ago
A. What is your question associated with your pregnancy that you haven’t mentioned clearly can you please repost your question providing all the necessary details so at least I know and understand what are you willing to ask and accordingly I can give you help and assistance on that
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Misha Thampan
Mom of a 2 yr 4 m old boy
New Memory
#grandphoto
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SWATI AGGARWAL
Mom of a 3 yr 11 m old girl
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