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When to Start Buying Baby Stuff - the Right Timeline to Know
Pregnancy is an exciting time for all pregnant women, and it’s normal to plan for the baby’s arrival driven by the nesting instinct. You may be wondering what the right time to buy all the stuff your baby would need in the months to come is. Hence, we have put together a list of things you can purchase on a good timeline. Continue reading to get an idea of all the things you will need to buy you’re your baby in the coming months.
When Should You Start Buying Baby Stuff During Pregnancy?
There is no right or wrong time to start planning for your baby’s nest. You can start by making a list during the first trimester and buy stuff along the way, considering the monthly budget constraints or wait until the last month and pick it all up at once. Most women will find themselves making long lists and can’t wait to go shopping. To stop yourself from overspending, it is good to spread out the shopping over the months and take it slow. If you have a baby shower planned, you can make room for expected gifts and avoid buying the same thing twice.
Baby Stuff to Buy in Trimesters
Distributing your purchasing process over the entire gestational period can help you get all the essentials before the baby comes. So, depending on the trimester, consider these things before buying baby stuff:
1. First Trimester
The first trimester is the planning stage for buying baby stuff:
Plan and create a budget for everything you will need to buy. Now is an excellent time to think about when you start to buy baby stuff seriously. Baby clothes, toys, and other essentials can be expensive to purchase all at once. Have a plan about how much you will spend every month on it.
Research all the baby gear you will need to buy. A year from now, you will have twice as much stuff in the house, and it is a good idea to put some thought into what you’ll buy. Everything from the pacifier to the baby wipes and strollers comes in different brands. Read buying guides on picking what is suitable for you within budget and avoid. Good research will help you choose great products and save money.
The first trimester is a good time to stock up on consumables with a long shelf life. This includes conditioner, shampoo, detergent, dish soap, and toilet paper. You can also pick products that might go up in price over the months and stock them up to save money.
2. Second Trimester
Now is the time to put your plan into action.
De-clutter the home and start preparations to get the nursery ready. Now is the time to think long-term and buy only what is essential. If you are planning a baby shower during the second trimester, it’s a good idea to wait for all the gifts you will receive before making a purchase decision.
Start working on the nursery. By now, you would know the baby’s gender, so you can go ahead and decide the nursery’s theme. Research the various baby cribs available online and choose one that best fits the décor. Order a cute bookshelf with all the baby books you will be reading for them in the future.
Order the furniture and the crib. Now is a good time to order the furniture as it will take anywhere from days to weeks to arrive. You will also have plenty of time to put the furniture together by yourself and enjoy every moment of it.
Resist buying all the stuff you can expect during the baby shower. Your friends are more likely to gift essentials such as diaper packs, baby clothes, soft toys, parenting books, mugs, and feeding bottles. Wait until after the baby shower to purchase what is missing.
3. Third Trimester
The third trimester is the best time to start buying important baby stuff.
By now, you should have a good count of all that you already have and everything else that needs to be purchased. That includes clothes, wipes, lotion, strollers, and even a car seat. This is also a good time to make a purchase for yourself and pick up things such as nursing bras and tops, breastfeeding creams, breast pumps, blankets, and diaper bags.
Prewash all the baby clothes you bought online or received as a gift and have them ready. It’s always a good idea to wash clothes before you try them on as the clothes could pick up a lot of dirt and microbes on their way from the factory to your home.
Always stay on the lookout for good deals online on baby apparel and accessories. If you get an essential item such as diapers or clothes at a discount, grab it before the offer expires.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Baby Stuff
It is never a good idea to rush into buying baby stuff without a plan in place. So here are some essential things to consider before you start purchasing:
1. Budget
The first thing that will strike you is how much having a baby costs! If you do not have a budget, you will surely strain your finances. Plan for what is needed and budget to save for something better in the long run. Since many brands compete to offer great products at competitive prices, it’s a good idea to research the best budget-friendly products or even go for second-hand products at half the price.
2. Space Available in the House
If your real estate is on the smaller side, you might want to reduce buying unnecessary furniture. Initially, babies are tiny, so bassinets, cribs, clothes, changing tables, diapers and formula will take up most space. If you have a dedicated nursery, plan to keep everything within the room. If not, wait until you move to a more prominent place to buy stuff your fancy.
3. Baby Shower
If you plan to have a baby shower, wait for all the gift items you will receive from your friends. Once you have a list of all that there is, you will have an idea of everything else needed. Setting up a baby shower registry is a great idea to let people know the items you’d like to receive. On the same note, you will also receive items passed down from other parents who wouldn’t need them.
4. Baby’s Gender
Most people still wait until they know the baby’s gender before planning for the nursery décor. To find out the baby’s gender, you will have to wait till the 20 weeks scan, beyond which you will know for certain. The baby’s gender won’t matter if you plan to go gender-neutral.
5. Pregnancy Month
Many parents wait until after the first trimester before going on a shopping spree. The pregnancy is going well, and women are in the best stage with the morning sickness behind and all the extra energy.
Is It Bad Luck to Buy Baby Stuff Too Early?
Good and bad luck is an idea that many people believe in, which has no grounding in reality. At best, it can be called a superstition. Buying things early during the pregnancy does not influence how the pregnancy will progress. If anything, buying things when low prices is a good long-term idea. On the other hand, it’s also possible to make bad purchasing decisions such as buying something too early or unnecessary.
Things You Should Not Buy for Baby
It is important to limit what you purchase for the baby. Here are things you can avoid:
Baby formula is a consumable you need to wait before stocking up. It is impossible to tell which formula they can handle until they are born.
Baby shoes are also a commodity that is unnecessary until you know what fits well for the baby.
Avoid stocking up too much of anything. If you find that your baby cannot handle a particular lotion brand, the whole batch goes to the garbage.
The best time to start buying stuff for your baby is after the first trimester when you are ready with the plans for a nursery and know the baby’s gender. Having a list of all the things you will need will help you check off items each month and prepare for the baby’s arrival.
Also Read:
Hospital Bag Checklist for Delivery
Things to Take Care Before Baby Arrives
Things To Do in Your Last Week of Pregnancy Read more
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Autism In Children: Reasons, Signs & Treatment
Finding out that your child has autism will leave you entangled in a lot of emotions like rage, sadness, fear, worry and nervousness. However, there are a lot of people sailing in the same boat as you. It is crucial that you power through these emotions for the sake of your child who needs you the most. In this article, we will look at autism, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
What is the Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children?
Autism is an umbrella term that is used to categorise a range of disorders that include different syndromes and conditions diagnostically classified under DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It covers a set of cognitive and behavioural defects which include social integration, linguistic development and communication impairment. The spectrum in the name Autism Spectrum Disorder implies that there is no fixed manner or degree limiting the symptoms. Different children show different extents of the disorder which means that they all have special abilities and challenges to face. The child could have mild, moderate or severe symptoms.
ASDs do not have a racial or socioeconomic bias. Based on data from the CDC in the United States, the probability of a child acquiring one of these conditions ranges from 0.3% to 1% of the population. Boys stand a higher risk of having an ASD, with a four times higher rate than that of girls; although girls exhibit far more severe symptoms.
Although the rates of ASD are increasing by around 15% per year, scientists are unsure if the increase is in real terms or if the diagnostic methods for identifying them have improved. Now, there are several disorders that come under the term Autism Spectrum Disorder. These are:
1. Autism
Also known as autistic disorder, children having it mainly show difficulty in mastering communication skills. In addition, they exhibit lower degrees of empathy, that is they find it tricky to read the emotional responses of the people around them. Autistic children find it very hard to clearly express their thoughts, feelings, and desires. It is also quite common to find children with autism having talents and skills in different areas, such as mathematics, memorisation, music, art, dance, etc.
2. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
An extremely uncommon condition, it manifests in children who have developed without showing any symptoms for 2-3 years, and after which they begin to show lowered levels of communication ability.
3. Asperger’s Syndrome
Children with this syndrome have normal to better-than-average linguistic skills. However, they have problems socializing and communicating. Therefore, Asperger’s is also called high-functioning autism.
4. Pervasive Developmental Disorder
PDD is an umbrella term used for those children who show symptoms of an ASD but do not quite match the other conditions.
If your child shows a few symptoms of autism, it does not immediately mean that she has ASD. For example, your child might be unable to comprehend simple words, refuse to change habits, show repetitive behaviour, have difficulty getting along with other children, and so on. However, many kids are like this and it needn’t necessarily mean anything. If you feel like your child has marked differences in communication as compared to other kids of her age, you could go to a certified medical expert for a diagnosis.
Causes of Autism in Children
The causes of autism are still debated by both medical researchers and professionals. However, they all agree on one thing – that it is likely that there are several causes of autism. Research shows that autistic behaviour in some instances can be caused by getting Rubella while pregnant, phenylketonuria in the baby, and encephalitis (brain swelling). Generally, the consensus is that the following things may be responsible for autism:
1. Genetics
Studies on identical twins show that autism appears in the other twin more than it would if they were fraternal. In addition, having an autistic child increases your chances of having a second autistic child by 5 percent; which is significantly higher than the average rate of 1.5. Some studies have identified a set of genes linked to autism, especially in the presence of other factors like hormonal imbalance, anoxia, and exposure to toxins. A genetic condition known as Fragile X syndrome is also known to be linked to autism.
2. Environmental Factors
There are several possible environmental factors involved with autism such as premature birth, foetal alcohol syndrome, maternal obesity, pregnancy diabetes, and certain pregnancy medications for seizures. Another set of culprits could be toxic chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, mercury, and lead.
3. Parental Age
Research has connected the age of the parent to autism in the child. Interestingly, teenage mothers and women over 40 tend to have more autistic children than women between these ages. The age of the father also plays a major role, with a 50-70% jump in risk of having an autistic child for fathers over 50 years old.
4. Other Health Issues
A host of conditions have been shown to have links to autism. Some of them are neurofibromatosis, Down’s syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and infantile epilepsy.
One extremely crucial thing to remember is that there is no link between autism in your child and vaccination. In recent years, it has been a trend for people to not vaccinate their children for the fear of the vaccine causing autism. This was due to a now well-debunked study that linked a mercury-preservative, called thimerosal found in the MMR vaccine, to autism. While thimerosal is not used anymore, multiple large-scale studies have shown that there is no connection between vaccines and any ASD.
Signs of Autism in Children
The signs of autism in children can be observed from a very young age. However, here you can find signs of autism in children of different age group:
1. In Preschool Children
Autism can be observed in children from 6 months to 4 years old. Here are the signs to look out for if your baby is less than a year old.
Your baby is uninterested in baby games or faces
Your baby isn’t smiling, laughing, or reacting to voices and other sounds
Your baby isn’t showing any interest in talking or making sounds and gestures
Your baby isn’t comfortable being touched for long periods of time
For children between one and two-years-old, here are some important signs to take note of:
Your toddler isn’t employing any body language
Your toddler isn’t using at least two words at a time by the time she is two
Your toddler has shown a regression in verbal ability and speaks less than before
Your toddler prefers to live in her own zone, withdrawing from human interactions
Your toddler doesn’t like to walk much or even if she does, it is only on her toes
Children with autism between two and four years old show the following symptoms:
A child finds it difficult to express herself in words and may even not talk entirely
Speech problem, a child talks, but with an uncommon rhythm, that is with stutters, high or low-pitched vocalization or in a flat tone
A child isn’t comprehending instructions or directions given to her by her parents, family or teachers
Expresses emotions loudly and in public for no obvious reason
A child shows signs of hyper-focus, which means she looks at a single object or talks about one thing for hours at a time
Prefers her own company, often shunning other children of her age
A child repetitively does things like open and close doors, walk in circles, flap limbs, or line up toys in a specific way
Stubborn behaviour, especially about her taste in food and habits
Shows fear for simple things like chairs or stuffed toys but might not be afraid of vehicles or heights.
She is unable to sleep comfortably through the night
2. In School-Age Children
In many cases, autism symptoms in children do not show up early on. However, as there is still the risk of developing an ASD later in life, it is important you pay attention to the following signs in your school-going child.
1. Sensitivity
Children with autism show strange reactions towards stimuli such as lights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch. They might appear to not pay attention to those directly talking to them, but at times be annoyed by gentle sounds like papers shuffling or birds chirping. Any sudden change in sensory stimuli around them, like an appearance of bright lights, loud sounds, and rough textures can bother them greatly.
2. Emotional impairment
Children with autism cannot express their emotions in a socially acceptable way. They might begin to shout, weep, or laugh without any apparent cause. If faced with anxiety, your child might even show hysterical or aggressive behaviour like biting, scratching, hitting, breaking objects, and so on. They might show inappropriate gestures or expressions in a social context, choosing to ignore other people, thereby having few or no friends at all. These kids tend to show obsessive behaviours, especially when it comes to certain objects that preoccupy them constantly.
3. Neurological impairment
If your child has autism, she will likely be smarter at non-verbal tasks than verbal. She’ll tend to use short sentences and find it very difficult to speak with regular grammar. She will also tend to be good at visual and spatial tasks, but less efficient with questions that require abstract thought. These children tend to take things literally as they find it hard to comprehend idioms, similes, or metaphors.
How is Diagnosis Done?
Stages of Diagnosis
Children who have autism have a unique pattern of development. While sometimes, ASD can be noticeable from birth, usually the lack of linguistic and social abilities surface after a year or two. The faster autism is diagnosed, the faster you can help your child cope with the disorder.
The doctor will first observe the unique behaviour of your child. For the diagnosis to be done, your child should have a problem in at least one of the following: social behaviour, linguistic ability, or hypersensitivity.
1. Screening
Medical professionals usually attempt a diagnosis in 18 months old. This is because signs of autism fluctuate. However, several children with high-functioning autism cannot be diagnosed until they go to school and exhibit unconventional social behaviour. In other cases, autism test for the child can be made much earlier if the symptoms are obvious. The most common method of screening your child is via the M-CHAT-R or the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised. It is usually performed for children between the ages of one and two. This method observes all behaviours and reviews them against a standard control for that specific age. To make the test more viable, a post-test interview is taken. However, as this test is not totally comprehensive, if you suspect or notice strong autism symptoms, you should get a developmental screening for your child, which will tell you of any developmental disabilities your child may have. If there are any problems, your doctor will suggest a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
2. Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation
This method is a significant improvement over screening. It includes observing your child’s development and behaviours, as well as performing genetic, hearing, vision, and neurological tests. For this, you might have to go to a specialist like a developmental paediatrician or a child neurologist. For this evaluation, a set of diagnostic tools are available. Some of them are the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition.
Treatments for Children With Autism
Unfortunately, autism has no cure, but there are many things you and your doctor can do to help improve the condition of your child. Some of the therapies and treatments for children with autism are:
1.Neurobehavioral Impairment
Therapy with a trained child psychotherapist is the first option. In cases where children with autism also show signs of depression or anxiety, this treatment is strongly recommended.
2. Medication
Medication may be required to relieve some of the symptoms that children with autism go through such as seizures, aggression, depression, and insomnia.
3. Treatments Not Recommended
There are a significant number of treatments recommended for autism, but must be strongly avoided as they don’t show much efficacy and can even be harmful. Some of them include gluten-free diets, oxygen therapy, monitoring brain activity, and using medication to remove mercury.
Common Health Complications
Autistic children may be susceptible to some common health conditions. These include:
1. Seizures
These usually start in childhood or adolescence and may occur at any time.
2. Genetic Disorders
These include Angelman’s syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Sclerosis, and Duplication syndrome.
3. Sleep Problems
These may be caused by sleep apnea or gastrointestinal disorders.
4. Gastrointestinal Disorders
Autistic children are susceptible to diarrhoea or chronic constipation.
5. Pica
Children with autism may eat things that are not food, like chalk, clay, or dirt even when they are grown up.
6. Sensory Integration Dysfunction
This is caused by a difficulty in processing sensory information, and may cause unusual responses to sounds, sights, and smell which may seem normal to others.
Prevention
Child autism is beyond the control of parents as it is vastly determined by genetics. For those who feel that they may be at risk, here are some of the precautions:
1. Diet
Avoiding alcohol and eating organic food will help, as alcohol and pesticides have been linked to autism in children.
2. Age
For those who have a family history of autism, studies have shown that having children between the ages of 18-40 years maximises the chances of having a non-autistic child.
Parenting Tips
1. Educate Yourself
It is important that you, as a parent, learn as much as you can about Autism so you will be able to support your child and help her with her condition. There are also several parent support programs for those parents who have a child diagnosed with autism.
2. Communicate
As this is the one major skill your child with autism lacks, it is important to help her communicate clearly. You can do this by talking clearly and simply in a noise-free environment. You should enunciate with enough pauses, so your child can process your words in her own time.
3. Support Groups
Thankfully, there is a lot of support these days for children who have an ASD, and you must realise that you are not alone. If you can, find a group of parents either in your area or online whose children also have autism. You will learn a lot about raising children with autism, as well as be able to lend your support to those parents.
It is painful to come to terms with the fact that your child might have autism. However, the most important thing for you to do is not lose hope. The key thing to remember here is that you have to help your child live a fulfilling life.
Also Read: Conduct Disorder In Children Read more
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Toys for a 6-month-old Baby
Your baby is growing up fast and can now sit up by himself. He may even be able to grab two objects and bang them together. He loves listening to new sounds and learning that he can make things happen! Here are some baby toys for 6-month-olds that you can get your baby to aid in his development:
Action/Reaction Toys
Toys that do something when your baby plays with it, such as squeak, rattle, move, flash lights etc., are action/reaction toys.
1. Skill Development
Action/reaction toys help in your baby’s cognitive development.
Toys that move slowly encourage your baby to start crawling.
2. Recommended Toys
Plastic keys on a ring
Squeaky toys
Dolls or stuffed toys with recordings that activate when pressed
Toys with movement - cars, stuffed animals, etc.
Stacking Toys
Stacking helps babies develop some important skills.
1. Skill Development
Your child learns how to solve problems
Developing the creative part of the brain
Developing gross and fine motor skills
2. Recommended Toys
Stacking rings or blocks
Toys That Encourage Crawling
Most crawl toys are cushy and colourful, often incorporating colourful lights, movement, or some sound.
1. Skill Development
Helps develop motor skills
Encourages mobility in your child
Encourages tummy time
2. Recommended Toys
Battery operated walking dogs
Roller, on which your baby is propped up
Toys with wheels
Role Playing Toys
These are toys that help him imitate the actions of daily life.
1. Skill Development
Helps your baby understand the world better
Helps develop hand-eye coordination
Builds self-confidence
2. Recommended Toys
Play-phone or cell phones
Lightweight toy hammers
Soft Toys
Your little one will soon grow attached to his soft toys.
1. Skill Development
Stuffed toys can be a great tool in getting your child to learn to self-soothe at night while falling asleep
The different textures that soft toys and dolls come in offer a great sensory experience for your little one.
2. Recommended Toys
Stuffed animals
Dolls
Soft books
Noisy and Flashy Toys
Toys that make noise and flash lights when touched are fun for your baby.
1. Skill Development
Cause and effect are now becoming a reality as your baby will be able to experiment with different toys to see how certain things he does makes certain things happen.
2. Recommended Toys
Rattles
Balls with bells in them
Toys with button options that have different sounds; for example, a toy that has the options of pressing different animal buttons and learning what sounds they make.
Building Blocks
At this age, it is best to go for the softer bigger blocks.
1. Skill Development
Building blocks teach your child hand-eye coordination
Builds his focus
Teaches him problem-solving
2. Recommended Toys
Fabric building blocks
Building blocks with projections that can be used for assembling
Colourful dominos (age-appropriate size)
Push Toys
Toys that babies can push are a lot of fun for them and will encourage them to move.
1. Skill Development
Aids in the development of motor skills
Your baby can be kept engaged for a long time, improving his cognitive development as well.
2. Recommended Toys
Toys with wheels
Walkers
Balls
Bath Toys
Use bath time as an opportunity for play and learning.
1. Skill Development
Bath-time with toys can stimulate several senses.
Your baby is introduced to the fact that some animals live underwater and some can float on top.
2. Recommended Toys
Rubber ducky
Pouring tumblers
Floating toy ship
Toy sea creatures
Balls
Balls are a lot of fun and can be used for many different purposes when it comes to children.
1. Skill Development
Helps them learn how to crawl
Can be used as a push toy
Helps in the development of motor skills
2. Recommended Toys
Rubber bouncing balls
Balls with lights
Balls with rattles or bells inside
Books and Puzzles
It's never too early for your baby to delve into the deep and wonderful world of books and knowledge! Furthermore, he will benefit from puzzles for this age group.
1. Skill Development
Helps with memory development
Aids in the ability to recognise objects and faces in pictures
Problem-solving skills are exercised
2. Recommended Toys
Indestructible books are made from a very thick paper-like material, and are filled with colourful pictures. These are safe even for your baby to chew on, and are washable as well.
Pop up books are great for getting your baby to interact while you read the story to him.
Inset puzzles with very large pieces
Activity Gym
Babies love to observe things; your little one is going to love having a play gym for him to play with and observe.
1. Skill Development
Motor development takes place when he swats at his toys
Observe and experiment with different toys
2. Recommended Toys
Standard play gym
Themed play gyms such as a tepee-shaped play gym
Portable play gym bassinettes
Musical Toys
Music has a way of soothing and calming babies, and musical toys do just that!
1. Skill Development
Teaches your baby to self-soothe and use the sound of music for comfort
Playing with toys such as toy keyboards helps to develop some musical creativity in your child
Helps develop a bond between you and your baby
2. Recommended Toys
Toy keyboard
Toy drums
Toy xylophone
Battery operated dolls or stuffed toys that sing and dance
Wagons
Kids love to be pulled around by their family members as this gives them the chance to explore, and have a great time while doing it.
1. Skill Development
Helps your baby learn balance and exercise his motor skills
Can help him develop their memory and recognition skills
2. Recommended Toys
Walker wagons which are wagons with long handles to help baby hold onto something as he tries walking
Walker stations that have a seat and which your baby can use to pull himself across the floor
Four in one trike has features of a stroller, tricycle and a wagon.
What Does Age Recommendation Labels on Toys Mean?
When considering toys to buy for your little one, you are going to want to be prepared rather than running around the aisle buying things at random. Age recommendation labels are meant for parents and those who wish to buy presents for your little ones. They are based on the following:
Guidelines for safety
Very good knowledge of child development
Observations made based on children of certain age groups playing with certain toys
History of toys that are similar
Information from parents whose children have played with the toys.
Safety Tips for Babies
Though toy companies usually mention the age recommendations on their toy boxes, it does not mean that you can just leave your little one alone. There are always safety measures that you need to undertake in order to have safe play time with your little one.
Do not ignore the age recommendation labels on toys; instead, pick them according to the age and skill level of your child.
Pay attention to other information such as “flame resistant” or “washable.”
Discard plastic wrapping to avoid choking.
Choose toys that are lightweight, colourful, and do not have any toxic paint or materials on them, as children like to put things in their mouths at this age.
Make sure there are no small removable parts. like the eyes and noses on stuffed toys.
Make sure there are no sharp edges or materials like glass or metal as these can injure your little one.
Do not leave any toys that have strings or cords around your baby’s crib or while your baby is left unsupervised as they can pose a strangulation threat.
Throw away any broken toys.
Always supervise your child while he play with his toys.
How to Help Your Baby Learn While Playing?
Here are some ways that you can help your baby learn while playing:
Use a roller to help keep his upper body elevated so that he can look around, and do keep an eye on him during this time.
While playing with building blocks, stacking toys, and puzzles, you can talk to your child about the shape, colour, and how to play with them. You will encourage your child to think and learn to use his problem-solving skills.
Gently roll a ball to your baby to give him a bit of a physical work out. He will use his motor skills and learn how to catch a moving object. If the ball doesn’t quite reach him, he may be encouraged to crawl to it.
Hide a rattle behind your back and shake it, so that your baby will start to understand that just because he cannot see it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t still exist.
Sing nursery rhymes such as 'Old McDonald' to help teach him about animals and the sounds they make. You can make it even more fun by using stuffed animal toys or by showing colourful pictures of the animals.
You can encourage early role play by taking him around the house and allowing him to do things such as turn the lights on and off, or perhaps ring the doorbell.
How to Choose Best Toys for Your 6-month-old Baby
Out of the vast number of toys that are available, choosing some can be tricky, so we have some tips that you can use. Just pick the toys that are:
Safe and long lasting
Interesting to your child
Interactive in nature
Challenging but not frustrating
Encouraging to the developing needs and skills
Children of this age are constantly learning and every waking moment of theirs can be used as a learning opportunity. So, getting developmental toys for a 6-month-old baby will play a huge role in helping him achieve those ever important developmental milestones right on schedule.
Also Read: Best Toys for Your 6-9 Month Old Baby
Read more
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Prawn Spinach Stir Fry
This recipe packs in quite a punch of nutrition. Beneficial point to note about prawns is, they are low in saturated fats. In this dish, the goodness of spinach further adds value. The combination forms an irresistible entrée. Given here are the steps to cook this protein, iron & mineral rich Prawn Spinach Curry.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
20 - 25 Minutes
30 - 35 Minutes
Ingredients
1/2 Kg shrimp, deveined
1 small bunch of fresh spinach
1 large onion
4-5 cloves of garlic
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp salt
Cooking oil as required
Method
Step 1
If you are using fresh shrimp clean & devein it. If you prefer the frozen type, soak in lukewarm water for 15 min.
Step 2
Finely dice onion & garlic. Wash, drain & chopped spinach leaves.
Step 3
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add garlic & fry till it turns golden-brown in color. Now, add onion & fry till it turns golden.
Step 4
Add all the spices, salt & fry for 1-2 minutes. Make a thick paste adding a little water in it.
Step 5
Add shrimp in the above masala & mix to blend it well. Cook on low flame about 5 minutes or till shrimp is cooked well.
Step 6
Now, add spinach & cook for a few minutes on medium flame so that the sauce dries up.
Step 7
Remove from the flame. Serve hot with naan, bread, chapati, roti or whole wheat pita bread. It also tastes best with rice.
Nutritional Information
Calories
654 K cal
Proteins
29.2 g
Fats
24.5 g
Carbohydrates
57.0 g
Cholesterol
263 mg
Sodium
598 mg
Potassium
288 mg
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
8 hours ago
Q. hi mam for 2days I am seeing my baby bumb decreasing is it cause of worry?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. I don’t know how the bumps of your child decreasing that’s not fair to me second you have not mentioned the current age of your child to do it and there is no clarity in the query it would be difficult for me to help us so if you don’t mind can you please repost with all the necessary details associated with your question
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 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
6 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
6 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
2 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
1 hour 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
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