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8 Brilliant Super Simple Diaper Hacks for New Moms for Easy Diaper Changing Time
Parenting is a beautiful journey. New parents experience many emotions after a baby comes into their lives. They are happy, joyous and still feel overwhelmed at times. The sleepless nights and tiresome days are synonymous with new parents.
For new parents, things are difficult to manage, as they are always worried about handling the baby with extreme care. It is a never ending learning process and it is different with every baby. They are always on search of the best products for their little ones; be it the softest clothes, softest toys, gentle wipes, or the softest diapers. They are worried about sanitising and sterilisation. I recently became a mother for the second time to a lovely beautiful baby girl. They say you become wiser the second time and you kind of slow down, but the search for the softest diapers still remains a priority.
Making diaper changing an easy and comfortable job for both the baby and parent is really important. It usually involves keeping the baby entertained- that’s the key to a smooth diaper changing time! Here are some things that parents can do to ensure a hassle-free diaper changing process:-
1. Keeping Everything Handy
It is very important for parents to keep everything handy before they start changing the diapers. This can be done by assigning a specific “diaper changing corner” in the house where everything is organised - diaper changing mats, wipes, fresh diapers, rash creams, sanitisers etc.This way, every time the baby needs a diaper change, take the baby to the station, spread out the mat, and then place the baby on the mat before opening the diaper, to prevent any mess.
2. Maintaining Eye Contact
Always make eye contact with babies during the diaper change, as it gives them security and confidence. Lock your eyes with the baby even if you move around the room. Keep calling their name out, respond to their coo-ing, even if you turn away for a few seconds, and let them know you are still around.
3. Singing to Them
Music can calm most babies when they are cranky and they love your voice the most. So if the baby is cranky or crying continuously, make sure you sing to your child and calm him/her down. You can try singing nursery rhymes or even lullabies. Even talking animatedly helps calm down a cranky baby. It is always easier to handle a calm baby during diaper change.
4. Keep Their Favourite Toy Around
You can keep the baby's favourite toy along with all the essentials at the diaper changing station. Give this toy exclusively during diaper change, so that the baby doesn’t get bored of it and it manages to keep the baby interested and occupied during each diaper changing session. Exclusivity works.
5. Checking for Rashes
Wearing diapers continuously can cause rashes to some babies. Keeping the bottom of the baby dry and clean is a must. Always use a good diaper rash cream and apply it generously every time the diaper is changed, as prevention.
6. Using the Best Diaper
Always use diapers that are the gentle on the delicate skin of your little ones. Most babies develop rashes because their diapers don’t absorb well, keeping their bottom wet all the time. I have been using Huggies new born baby diapers for my little one and haven’t faced any problem so far. These diapers are the softest and are super absorbent, so that the pee or poop doesn’t leak. You can check out the entire range of products available, on their website.
7. Using Cotton or Soft Wipes
Remember to use only unscented, plant based wipes or cotton balls dipped in warm water to wipe the bottom of your baby. Wipes and cotton balls should also be used gently to wipe, without causing any irritation. Anything that is rough and coarse can make the skin inflamed. Never use cloth or any other material to clean the baby’s bottom.
8. Staying Calm
The key mantra for dealing with a cranky baby is not to lose your calm. Children sense our emotions and often replicate them. They turn irritable if they see us panicking. So if we stay calm and don’t panic, the diaper changing session will be super easy-peasy.
Remember, your child will not be little forever and these moments will never come back. Make many memories before they grow up. Also, each child is different and what may work for one baby may not work for the other. There is no ‘Perfect’ way. It is a long trial and error journey, so do what works for you and your baby best!
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
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A Guide to Postpartum Massage
Pregnancy can be a long and stressful time where your body goes through many changes. There is nothing better than a relaxing massage to get your body back to its former condition. Postnatal massage focuses on strengthening the muscles and tissues that have been altered during your pregnancy, so that your body regains its strength naturally.
What is a Postnatal Massage?
A postnatal massage is basically a full body massage after delivery. Typically, a traditional or professionally trained masseuse massages your entire body starting from the feet and ending with a relaxing massage for the head. Even traditional ayurveda recommends a 40-day confinement period for the mother after delivery, where wholesome care is provided to the mother and child. Traditional baths with indigenous herbs and natural remedies preceded by elaborate massages are an important part of this routine.
Massages are known to supplement blood flow and aid the release of endorphins that induce a feeling of relaxation. Postpartum massages are even specialised to cater to those specific muscles of your body that are strained after delivery.
10 Benefits of a Massage After Delivery
There are several benefits of body massages after delivery:
1. Helps With Recovery of the Uterus
Uterine contractions help in the natural cleansing process, eliminating blood and other discharge post-delivery. Stomach massage after delivery can aid the uterus in its natural cleansing process and also aid in restoring its pre-natal size and form.
2. Reduces Swelling
Reduced circulation caused by increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus and hormonal imbalances may lead to water retention and swelling of the joints. Working on the soft tissues of the body improves circulation and eliminates excess fluid and toxins.
3. Improves Breastfeeding
Postnatal massages involve special techniques to stimulate breast tissue. It, in fact, triggers the production of oxytocin which causes the ‘letdown’ reflex which could make you release breast milk even during the course of the massage
4. Reduces the Risk of Blocks and Lumps in the Breasts
Massages help improve the flow of milk, loosen out lumps and even help prevent mastitis. Mastitis is the bacterial infection caused by a blocked milk duct in the breast where milk starts to stagnate.
5. Improves Stability, Posture, and Co-ordination
During pregnancy, the core muscles stretch and become weak. Alteration in body mass causes the posture to change and hormonal changes make the connective tissues relax. A postnatal massage can reverse this change and help you get your strength back.
6. Reduces Stress
Pregnancy can be stressful and for months your body goes through a lot of changes. A postnatal massage is just the rejuvenation your body needs to unwind and beat that stress.
7. Helps in Dealing With Postpartum Blues
Postpartum depression may be a serious condition that affects only 10-15% of mothers. It is natural for any woman to experience anxiety, stress and other heightened emotions after delivery. Listen to your body and give it the attention it needs.
8. Speeds Up Recuperation
Postpartum massages can strengthen muscles and help quicken recovery of your body. It assists you in recovering from the stress of delivery while giving full attention to your child.
9. Makes the Skin Glow
Massages improve blood flow and help soothe stretched tissue. This gives you that beautiful post-pregnancy glow and even reduces stretch marks that you may want to lose.
10. Helps You Return to Your Pre-Pregnancy Body
Post-pregnancy massages can actually help tuck your tummy back in by working on the muscles in that area and improving blood flow. It strengthens strained muscles and helps your body regain vitality.
When Can You Start Massages?
Women who have had a normal delivery can start the postnatal massage as soon as they are back from the hospital. Usually, this is within the first five days after delivery. However, postpartum massage after a c-section can be performed only after the wound has sufficiently healed. This is generally after one to two weeks. It is better to get a go-ahead from the doctor before beginning the massage, in such a case. Also, the massage should ideally be continued for 40 continuous days to get maximum benefits. However, there are many women, mostly the working mothers, that often cut it short due to time constraints.
What Precautions Should Be Taken if You Have Had a Cesarean Delivery?
In case of availing a postpartum massage after c section, it is better to begin after one to two weeks and after getting approval from the doctor. This is because your scar needs to heal
before you can begin to take any risk of pulling the skin around that area. Even after beginning the massage, ask the practitioner to stay away from that area and only massage the remaining parts.
When Should You Avoid Post Delivery Massage?
As with any massage, one should take the following precautions before going for a massage:
Make sure you don’t have any prior conditions of eczema or rashes that may be aggravated through the massage. Identify any sensitivities and alert the practitioner who is giving you the massage.
The same applies to any oils or medications that might be applied to your body in the course of the massage. Also, avoid applying the products to your nipple area, so that there is no risk of the baby ingesting it.
Avoid using products that contain parabens. Parabens disrupt hormone function and are linked to breast and other cancers.
Women who have high blood pressure or conditions like hernia also need to inform the concerned people and ensure that associated pressure points are not unnecessarily triggered.
Women who have experienced consistent pre-term (Braxton-Hicks) contractions also need to be careful.
Women with conditions like pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), prior or current high-risk pregnancies should get proper medical advice before going for the massage.
Other complications like excessive swelling or sudden, severe headaches are also conditions that demand medical attention.
It is important to provide adequate support to any muscles that might have been extensively strained during the massage. For instance, the linea alba that separates the rectal muscles may be overly stretched due to the added weight and pressures of delivery. During massages, such areas should be tightly held together to train to remain aligned during the course of strengthening.
Which Body Positions Are Safe?
Just as in pregnancy, the best position for getting a stomach massage after delivery is the ‘side-lying’ position. Back support is usually provided using a pillow. It is better to avoid any special tables that have any depressions for the abdominal area causing it to dangle and lead to the misaligned application of pressure.
Post-pregnancy massage techniques could vary from mild circular motions to deeper techniques like craniosacral therapy. Craniosacral therapy focusses on the neck, facial and cranial muscles to ease severe headaches that a new mother is prone to. Different oils may be used to aid the massaging, from mustard oil (a warming oil) to sesame oil (cooling in nature) to coconut, almond or specially prepared ayurvedic oils. However, make sure that you are not allergic to any of them. There are also different schools of massaging techniques like acupressure, the Jumu massage from Indonesia, the Swedish massage, etc. You could even add some foot reflexology to your massage experience.
Postnatal massage is a great tool for new mothers to get back control of their bodies. Keeping all the precautions in mind, you can opt for the one that suits your needs the most, with proper advice from your doctor. Read more
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5 Amazingly Small Things that are Important to Men
Some things that are important to men only surface in an argument or are conveyed to you through subtle hints. You can start by openly asking your husband what he thinks is important or by just trusting your intuition. You'll hit the bull's eye sooner or later!
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Well, while that may be debatable, both sexes do think differently. Men have been trying to decipher what women think for years on end. Ladies, it's time you tried figuring out what your man finds important!
The 5 Seemingly Small Things That Men Find Important
1. Attention
Men love having their wives’ undivided attention when spending quality time together. The next time you go out, keep your phone away and get intimate instead! He hates not being the centre of attention as much as you do! Limit the interruptions that can get on his nerves and make the night about him!
2. Respect
Respect is important to men. You have to respect him for him to make you happy and respect you too. They like being respected by their peers and friends. However, respect from their spouse gives them added confidence. If he feels disrespected, it could have an adverse effect on his self-esteem.
3. Gratitude
All men love being appreciated and thanked for the deeds they do. All you need to do is say a ‘thank you’ or ‘honey, you’re the best!’ to make his day! Tell him how grateful you are to have a husband who drops the kids to school or takes them for their game practices. These are some of the small things you can do to make your husband happy.
4. Shared interests
To win your husband over, get interested in what interests him. When you do that, you can push for that new washing machine you’ve been eyeing! Once you cater to these basic needs of your husband it also gives you a chance to bond with him openly. If you cannot bring yourself to love cricket or bowling, encourage him nonetheless. Allow him to go out with his friends for beer and football. Simply listening to him while he talks about an upcoming football or cricket match can make all the difference!
5. Family matters
Family matters at the end of the day. Make the effort to get to know his immediate and extended family. It might not be something you may be looking forward to, but it'll make him happy. When you make the effort, it sends a positive signal to him. He then knows that you care about his family and he'll be grateful to you for it.
Making a man happy is not too difficult. A word of appreciation or a compliment means the world to him. The things that are important to men are things you can do with a wee bit effort. It does not need you to spend sleepless nights thinking about it. Men can be rational at times, but they can also be demanding. The trick is to figure out what they need! Read more
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Let Your Jewellery Dazzle With These 5 Tips
The season for romance and festivity is here! Apart from wearing gorgeous ethnic outfits, this is also when you bring out pretty jewellery! With some jewellery care tips, keep them looking as good as new.
When it's time to go out for a special night, you obsess about what to wear. But what about your sparkling accessories? Bring them out too and let them spruce up your outfits. Try these simple tips to ensure your prized possessions shine forever.
5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Jewellery
1. Wrap Gold in Muslin
While diamonds, being the hardest natural material, don’t need much to keep up their radiance, gold can lose its shine. What you should do is always clean your gold jewellery after wearing it. Use toothpaste, baking soda and a soft brush for this. You can also soak it in water mixed with a mild soap to loosen up grime. Finally, wrap it in muslin. Remember not to do this with imitation jewellery as the colour will come off!
2. Extra Care for Silver Jewellery
Let's say silver and moisture are not the best of friends. Silver tends to corrode, tarnish and turn black due to dampness. Don't let that disappoint you! Just polish silver jewellery regularly with toothpaste, a soft cloth or muslin. You can use a silver cleaning solution to really get it to shine. However, if your silver jewellery begins to tarnish over time even with care, you should take it to a jeweller.
3. Be Gentle with Stones, Beads and Pearls
Polki jewellery has uncut diamonds and is very delicate. Kundan, on the other hand, is made of glass. Since both are designed very intricately, they are prone to damage. Clean with warm, non-detergent soapy water. Don't do this for pearls, corals and opals as they may absorb soap and water! Use a soft cloth to wipe such accessories after wearing and store them in separate boxes.
4. Shun The Velvet
Switch to plastic boxes instead of velvet ones to let no dampness settle on gemstones. Zip-lock accessories separately and wrap them in cotton or muslin cloth. You can then put them into jewellery boxes. This is one of the most effective jewellery care tips that’ll keep dampness and dust away.
5. Pick The Right Bag
If you can die for your jewellery, here's a special tip for you: always store sparkling beauties separately, preferably in airtight bags. Place silica pouches along with your jewellery to reduce blackening. The right bag for your accessories goes a long way in keeping them snug and shining.
With these tips on jewellery care during any season, you don't need to stay away from your collection of stunning jewellery. Wear your gems with pride whether to a parent-teacher meeting, a date with your husband or to a seasonal theme party. Keep sparkling this Navratri! Read more
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Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
13 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
11 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
10 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
5 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
4 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
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