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How to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding Without Reducing Your Milk Supply?
Extra nourishment and lack of physical activity lead to the build-up of weight during pregnancy. After the delivery, shedding those extra kilos becomes a priority for most women. However, the next task at hand is to ensure that your baby gets all the necessary nutrition in the first few months after birth. In the initial months, the only source of nutrition for the baby is the mother’s breast milk. It is, thereby, very important for the mother to continue eating nutritious food and going on a diet is not an option.
Is It Safe if You Are Trying to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding?
A planned weight reduction program is safe even when you are breastfeeding. Having a sudden drop in weight is not recommended and a gradual, phased out decrease is ideal. The best way to reduce weight is by adopting a healthy lifestyle, consuming low-fat food, and following a moderate exercise routine on a daily basis. Breastfeeding also aids in stimulating weight loss, as the body will use your stored energy in fat to make milk for the baby.
Proper nursing combined with a balanced diet and exercise will help in the reduction of weight without having any impact on the quality or quantity of the milk to be fed to the baby. Breastfeeding and weight loss can go hand in hand.
When to Start Losing Weight While Breastfeeding?
Having a baby and managing your priorities during the first few weeks after delivery can be challenging, as your munchkin will need extra care. At this point in time, losing weight should not be worrying you. The excess weight has been put on over a period of nine to ten months and you should give it at least that much time to shed those extra kilos away.
You can wait for around six weeks after delivery to kick start your weight reduction regime. The initial six weeks can be considered as a transition period where the baby and the mother are trying to adapt to the changes in their life. It is important to focus on the baby at this time and not get distracted by any other activity.
Different Ways to Lose Weight When Breastfeeding
Weight reduction after pregnancy needs to be systematic and well planned. Given below are some tips on how to lose post-pregnancy weight fast while breastfeeding:
Adopt a moderate exercise routine: Start off with exercises which are not too taxing and heavy on the body. Develop an exercise routine that includes light walking for 20 to 30 minutes along with your baby. Increase the intensity of your exercises gradually. However, be cautious and do not burn too many calories while you are breastfeeding.
Do not cut down on food intake: Starving yourself might reduce your weight instantly, but it will also make you weak from the inside and reduce the production of milk. Consult your dietician and draw up the right diet that caters to your daily needs. This will ensure that you avoid unhealthy food and, in the process, do not put on weight.
Drink water: Drinking plenty of water is a good way to keep a tab on your weight. Water will aid in the digestion process and also remove toxins from the body. It is important to stay hydrated while you are breastfeeding. Water will help you do just that. It will also fill your tummy, thus, making you feel less hungry.
Breastfeed frequently: In order to produce milk, the body will use the stored energy in fats. Breastfeeding will burn a lot of calories and that is why it is important to maintain a good balance between exercise and food consumption.
Healthy Diet For Weight Loss
Following a good post-pregnancy weight loss plan while breastfeeding will ensure that the baby is not deprived of any essential nutrition and, at the same time, you are on track for weight reduction.
1. Eat Frequent, Smaller Meals
Having smaller meals at regular intervals will keep your tummy full and help you avoid unnecessary cravings during the intervals between meals. Ensure that your meals are high on nutrition. Avoid junk and fried food completely.
2. Eat Nutritious Foods
Have a healthy mix of food items in your diet plan. Given below are the ideal group of items that you should have in your daily diet.
Healthy foods
Description
Carbs and proteins
Include a good mix of food rich in carbohydrates and proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of a cell and very important for the growth and development of a child. Carbohydrates give energy to the body to carry out daily activities.
Healthy fats
Consumption of healthy fats is important to nourish the body. Avoid trans-fats and saturated fats consumption and include mono-saturated and polyunsaturated fat foods in your diet.
Food high on iron and vitamin C
Food items like leafy vegetables, whole grain, dried fruits and beans are a good source of iron. Citrus fruits, tomato, strawberry and bell peppers are high on vitamin C. Consumption of these food items will provide stability to the body, improve immunity, help lose weight and provide nutrition to the child.
Fish
Omega 3 fatty acid help in development of eyes and brain and fish is a great source of this mineral.
Whole foods
Fiber rich food items such as fruits and vegetables should form an important part of your over all diet.
3. Consume Vitamin Supplements Daily
Vitamins help the body to absorb calcium and reduce the risk of developing ailments such as blood pressure and diabetes. Vitamins also boost immunity and protect against seasonal diseases such as cold and cough.
4. Avoid the Following Foods
The following foods items must be avoided while you are breastfeeding:
Spicy food. This might upset the child’s stomach
Junk food and food with trans or saturated fat
Caffeinated drinks
Consumption of alcohol
Avoid vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower
Consult your doctor or dietician before adding any food item to your diet plan.
It can be challenging to lose weight after delivery. It is important to have patience and exercise self-control while trying to shed weight. It is not healthy to go on a crash diet and try to lose weight instantly. This will not only affect your health adversely, but will also have an impact on the baby’s health. Instead, make a plan on how to gradually decrease your weight and stick to the plan.
Also Read: Best Exercises To Reduce Your Tummy After Delivery Read more
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My Daughter Scared the Life Out of me! 13 Moms Confess How Childbirth Actually Felt Like
We salute and celebrate the miracle of childbirth, with these gruelling, tear-packed yet amazing real-life childbirth stories shared by inspiring and brave real moms in their own words.
Motherhood is a miracle, isn’t it? It is indeed a superpower to bring a whole new human into the world! Every birth is special, and the story of every birth is unique. This is a story that every mother holds close to her heart and can never, ever forget.
We at World Of Moms love to listen to and share these extraordinary stories of childbirth that are unique to every mom. This is why we have collected for you some real stories shared by WOM moms – stories that reveal the trials and tribulations women go through to become mothers. Here’s to all of you brave and gritty women out there – our salute!
Real Childbirth Stories from Real Moms
These are the stories of 13 brave women who walked through hellfire to bring life into this world.
1. Shweta Kumar (Kozhikode) - “C – section pain is real, and no, it did not make me a bad mother.”
When Shweta shared that she was going to have a C-section, she got a couple of strange reactions.She was almost led to believe that C-section deliveries are somehow less ‘real’ as the pain experienced in C -sections is lesser than labour. And since she isn’t getting to experience labour, she is missing out on a bonding experience. Some even indicated that C-sections are unnecessary and born out of a fear of labour pain! She was getting a C-section only because “she wasn’t brave enough” to face the real thing.
However, Shweta went on to have a safe delivery, which is the most important thing for both mother and baby. Her experience was a very real one, thank you very much! Shweta asserts that cutting open her stomach for her baby in no way makes her a bad mother. The pain is real, and the joy is real too. We echo Shweta’s words! You tell ‘em, girl! No one can validate your motherhood, but you. Shweta has described what she went through what she went through and how she battled the naysayers
2. Meenakshi (Pune) - “There was nothing normal about my normal delivery.”
For Meenakshi, the experience that would change her life turned out to be a nightmare. She had a normal and healthy pregnancy. She was extremely hopeful that she would have the delivery that she was expecting for - fast and easy. She was in perfect shape, and her doctor had assured her all would be well.
However, once she commenced labour, Meenakshi quickly found out that she was in for a hard time.
In spite of her cervix being dilated 8 centimetres, the baby wasn’t ready to descend. With local anaesthesia administered, Meenakshi could barely feel her legs, let alone pushing harder to compensate for the baby’s unwillingness.
She had to undergo a dreaded episiotomy (a cut made at the opening of the vagina) to get her daughter out.
This was not something that was discussed before the delivery while chalking out the birthing plan. She was left shocked and helpless. She further recounts, even after five months from the birth of her child, she is still recovering from the psychological and physical trauma. You can read all about Meenakshi's ordeal here.
To avoid such complications, Meenakshi advises women to do what she had not paid much attention to - check their doctor's credentials and the availability of emergency facilities at the hospital during selection.
It is indeed critical to ensure that the hospital you choose has all emergency facilities such as a neonatal intensive care unit or an intensive care nursery. The doctor who tends to you and delivers your baby is potentially in charge of you and your baby’s life. We would like to reiterate Meenakshi’s advice, about checking your doctor’s credentials and his/her experience of handling complications in pregnancies.
3. Sneha Puruswani (Pune) - “My daughter scared the life out of me.”
Sneha had a healthy pregnancy and was taken to the hospital in time. Her labour went swimmingly, except for this one thing that scared the life out of her - her daughter didn’t cry immediately after birth. She remembers the horror she felt when her daughter didn’t announce her presence to the world. Thankfully, her little one eventually did, much to Sneha’s relief.
Although it is quite rare, babies sometimes don’t bawl after birth. It can be hard to tell if the newborn is breathing or not, since breathing is a new bodily function, one that the baby has never had before. (In the womb, oxygen is delivered to the baby via the placenta) This is why crying is considered so important – it indicates that your baby is normal and healthy and that the baby’s breathing is functioning properly.
4. Vimala Shevale - “I didn’t think I would make it.”
Vimala was preparing for the birth of her first child. Her delivery was due in a week now. Everything was set. Suddenly, as she was going to have dinner, she felt a sharp twinge, as if someone was wringing her insides. This was not like the pain she had experienced before.
She knew this was it. Everything escalated so quickly that as soon as her husband hailed a rickshaw, her water broke.
She remembers telling her husband she wouldn’t be able to make it.
But fortunately, they reached in time for the birth of a precious, healthy, baby boy. Phew.
5. Ramya Sheshadri (Bengaluru) - “It all happened too soon.”
As soon as Ramya’s water broke at 11.30 P.M., she was rushed to the hospital. Luckily enough, her daughter was born at 4.52 A.M. In less than six hours! It was a quick and easy delivery, and Ramya believes there’s a reason for that - her little daughter had decided not to cause her any pain. To this day, she believes she has been extremely lucky to have such a speedy delivery. Here is Ramya’s baby-meet-cute story.
With the average labour time being anywhere around eight to twenty hours, we’d say Ramya was indeed blessed to have such a quick delivery. Did you know the longest delivery ever recorded was in the case of a Polish lady called Joanna Krzysztonek who was in labour for 75 days?!
6. Akshata Ram (Bengaluru) - “It felt like we had known each other for ages!”
Akshata was dreading labour pain for a long while now. She was worried sick about how it would turn out for herself and her baby. But when her daughter was born, she was besotted by her instantly! Akshata felt like she had known her baby for ages! What’s more, her daughter also seemed like a natural at breastfeeding, just as if she had always known how to do it. Akshata says, “Watching her made me instantly forget all the pain that I had endured.”
Did you also feel like Akshata when you first saw your baby? Well, you and your baby have been together through every breath for the last nine months, and that results in a bond that lasts for a lifetime. It is only natural that you and your little one feel so close. Here’s a fascinating fact for you - An unborn child has a powerful sense of smell. That is how newborns recognize their mothers. Hence after birth, your little one can recognize you immediately without having to know how you look. Isn’t this amazing!
7. Jasmeet Kaur (Thane) - “C-section does not make me a bad mother.”
Jasmeet had a C-section delivery. Her experience taught her quite a lot, but one of the biggest learnings was - C-section is no less painful than labour! The surgery hurt her quite a lot once the effect of anaesthesia had faded away.
It is often believed that C-section is not as painful as a vaginal delivery, or is the ‘easy way out’. But ask any mother who has been through it, and she will tell you – not only is the process very challenging but recovering from a C-section can also be intensely difficult. Jasmeet says she had the longest postpartum menstrual period of her life, lasting for almost 15 – 40 days! Whoa! You can read all about Jasmeet’s childbirth experience here.
8. Damneet Kaur (Bengaluru)- “Trust your medical team and be prepared for the celebration!”
Damneet was going to get a C-section. She was a little apprehensive about it, but thanks to a wonderful medical team, she was reassured and left feeling a little less worried. This helped her prepare a lot better for her hospital experience and the arrival of her little one. What you carry in your hospital bag is an important detail.
When the red-letter day arrived, she carried with herself her trusty pregnancy jeans, and a little makeup to look her best for this legendary picture. It all turned out okay! Here is her childbirth experience.
Carrying a little makeup and comfortable yet photo-friendly clothing to get changed into is indeed a brilliant idea. It ensures that you are dressed for the occasion of taking your little one home. Most importantly, comfortable and thick clothing keeps your stitches safe and protected.
9. Satabdi Mukherjee (Bengaluru) - “The breathing exercises didn’t work, and I was shocked at what my doctor said to me.”
Satabdi had a normal, healthy pregnancy but a rather difficult delivery. She had trouble pushing, and the regular breathing exercises she was told to follow didn’t work either. But here’s the last straw - she couldn’t believe what her medical team actually said to her! The doctor commented – you aren’t co-operating! Read Satabdi's full account here.
Labour is hard. You experience pain like never before. Doctors and medical health professionals need to make the experience better and easier for you. However, most of the times, women have quite a tough time with their medical team. The nursing staff and doctors are often neglectful and disrespectful. Not done! We totally agree with Rachel from the TV show Friends - “No uterus, no opinion!”
10. Anubhuti Mehn (Surat) - “My son was born on my father’s birthday.”
Anubhuti remembers the four days of anticipation before her little one was born. Every morning, she would wake up feeling like that was going to be the day, only to wait for more. Perhaps it was only destined to be so since her little son was born on her father’s birthday! What better than to have your child share his birthday with his beloved grandfather? This is Anubhuti’s overwhelming experience, in her own words.
Sometimes, lady luck is extra kind to you. Not only did she bless Anubhuti with a beautiful and healthy baby but also made sure that he was born on Anubhuti’s father’s birthday, to make it even more memorable.
11. Daksha Prabhakar (Pune) - “I wanted my daughter to share a birthday with my son.”
Daksha’s baby girl was in a breech position, and she was going to have a C -section. Her due date was just two days before her son’s birthday. She wished she could have the joy of celebrating both her children’s birthdays on the same special day. So, she decided to do something that was a risk of sorts. She delayed her delivery, and waited for two days to give her young son the best birthday gift of his lifetime, a brand new baby sister!
Daksha pulled off quite a risky one there! Nowadays, many women deliver their babies via a scheduled C-section procedure, but childbirth is still a high-risk and unpredictable thing. It's tough to get the exact details about what it's going to be like. If you too are planning to get a scheduled C-section, we recommend you discuss this in-depth with your doctor and follow his advice. He knows best.
12. Neelam Chitnis (Pune) - “This was not what I expected out of my second delivery.”
This was Neelam’s second child. Her first delivery was long and hard, and she was expecting it to be the same this time. As her due date came closer, she grew worried about the labour pain. She had prepared herself for the worst.
On the day of her delivery, however, she was pleasantly surprised. She was rushed to the hospital on a sunny Sunday morning at 9 a.m. This time, the labour was extremely fast and easy! She delivered a healthy baby boy at 11.30 a.m., in less than three hours, and with much less pain than her first delivery.
Childbirth is unforeseeable like that. You cannot predict what will happen. What you can do is, take a deep breath, believe in your support system and your medical team, and think about how you will finally get to meet the little miracle resting inside you.
13. Jayashree Raje (Thane) - “It took me 20 hours and felt like it would never end.”
Jayashree had long and hard labour. Although her cervix had fully dilated, her daughter was not ready to come out yet. She remembers her ordeal that lasted for 20 long hours! But this mommy felt everything was worth it once she set her eyes on her beautiful baby girl.
This is exactly what all mothers go through. Childbirth, be it two hours or twenty hours, is never going to be a cakewalk. However, we are sure moms forget all of their pain when they behold their little angels!
It is indeed amazing to read these gruelling and inspiring stories of real moms. Motherhood and childbirth are beautiful experiences. Yes, they come with immense challenges, but there is one thing every mother agrees with. Holding your baby close to you and feeling their breath makes every bit of the journey magical and worthwhile. We’re sure you have an equally interesting and gritty story that you can share in the comments, about the birth of your little one. Read more
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My child's Care, Development, and Improvements - How My Husband Supported Me
My due date of delivery was April 17th but my son was born on March 28th. The previous night my water broke and I was taken to the hospital. The next morning my labour was induced. It took many hours to deliver my baby due to sudden water breakage, and his heartbeats were low. He didn't cry after being born. At night he suffered fits and for the next five days, he had been under observation for fits in the NICU and proper medicines were given to him. He kept on sleeping continuously due to high dosage of medicines. I took my milk and fed him.
My paediatrician said observe him keenly for the first 6 months. l could not say that he was perfect nor could I say abnormal. My in-laws started to ask why was he not normal during that time. They asked me "Why was he not laughing like others infants in their 3rd month? Is there any problem?" Those words hurt me, but I didn't lose hope on him. Basically, I am an optimistic person, so regularly I cradled him and said, "you are a very good boy with an active brain. Your heart lungs and all parts of your body are good. You can walk you can talk well. I am eagerly waiting to play with you."
Now he is a very active and good observer. He can understand my words easily. My paediatrician praised him that he was perfectly alright and he is an intelligent boy. He appreciated me for his improvement and he said that my son became normal because of me. A mother has more power to cure a baby than the doctors. Not only mother alone can do everything but a father also, because without my husband's support and encouragement I may not have faced those hurdles alone. He boosted me when I felt low; he made me feel that l can do it. So, dear parents, be positive with your children and don't lose hope. We can mould them well with our positive words and attitude towards them.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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Republic Day - Easy Homemade Sweet Dishes
You can cook these simple and delicious dishes very easily for Republic Day.
1. Gajar ka Halwa
Ingredients:
Carrots- 10 nos, medium size
Milk-3 cups
Sugar-8 tbsp
Ghee-3 tbsp
Almonds-10 nos
Preparation:
1. Wash and peel and grate all the carrots in a bowl.
2. Peel the almonds and cut them roughly into long pieces to garnish on the halwa.
How to Cook:
Take a heavy bottom pan, put it on the stove and add the grated carrot. Stir the carrots for some time and now add 3 cups of milk and let it cook for some time. In between keep stirring so that the grated carrot does not stick to the bottom. Once all the milk has been reduced, add sugar and stir and let it cook for some more time.Once you notice that the halwa is nicely cooked, add some ghee and mix it well and after a minute turn off the flame. Now transfer the cooked gajar ka halwa in a plate or bowl and garnish with the chopped almonds.
2. Rawa Kheer
Ingredients:
Rawa-1 cup
Ghee-2 tbsp
Sugar- 3 to 4 tbsp
Water- 3 cups
How to Cook:
Take a heavy bottom pan, turn on the flame and add ghee and rawa. Roast the rawa in ghee for some time. Keep stirring the rawa to get a slightly golden color and then add 3 cups of water and let the rawa cook on a low flame. You can decide the consistency of the kheer depending on whether you want slightly thick or runny kheer. Once the kheer is cooked, let it cool and transfer into a bowl.
3. Bread Sweets
Ingredients:
Bread slice- 2 nos
Milk- 1 small cup
Sugar- 2 tbsp
Ghee- 2 tbsp
How to Cook:
Cut the corners of the bread slices. Take a pan and add ghee, now fry the bread on both sides till they become golden and a bit crispy. Do the same with the other slice. Now boil the milk and add sugar to it. In a tray, take the fried bread slices and the milk on them. Once the bread becomes soft and absorbs all the milk let it cool and your dish is ready to serve.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. ninth month mein kab tak delivery ho sakti hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. anytime after full term 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. my last period date Dec 26 pregnancy test date January 31 check panen apom 37 days ipom enaku evlo weeks and days what ?..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
9 hours ago
A. I don’t understand your language can you please post your question once again in English or Hindi whatever language you are more comfortable with because anybody on this only we can give you response on that
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. which good formula milk or baby food for 4 months old baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. no complementary foods below 4 months can use any branded formula milk. 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 this month
9 hours ago
Q. Iam 9month pregnant and having very painful condition due to constipation and gastric issues
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
9 hours ago
A. during pregnancy better not to take medicines for constipation take lot of water green leafy vegetables seasonal fruits you can try suppository if the problem is more o k o k
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. hi Doc,
eating raw mango, chapathi or any heat producing foods cause miscarriage during first trimester?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. no relation ok c. 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 Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
6 hours ago
Q. Hi Doc,
I'm getting cramps on my right side of lower stomach. is this normal or do I have to visit doc?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. without examination it is difficult to tell proper treatment as well as advice so you should visit the doctor5 for health assessment as well as examination.
whether any investigations is required or not will be told by the doctor5
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