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17 Old Wives Tales About Pregnancy & Gender Prediction
It is safe to say that pregnancy and gender predictions have been complementing each other since the beginning of time. Old wives tales of gender prediction have been analysed, shunned, debunked, only for them to keep making a comeback. Whether one believes in them or not, these stories are quite entertaining to behold.
Amazing Pregnancy Old Wives Tales
Here is a compilation of some of the best old wives tales about pregnancy.
High or low: How you carry your belly is one of the most widespread old wives tale for baby boy gender prediction. If you are carrying low, it is said that you can expect a boy and if you are carrying high it is said that you’ll have a girl.
In truth, how you carry depends on your muscle tone, strength, and the shape of your belly. Women who have had previous pregnancies also tend to carry lower due to increased elasticity of the muscles in the stomach.
Sweet or salt: If you crave for sweets like chocolates or desserts, it is said that you’ll have a girl. If you are more inclined to salty flavours, it is believed that you will have a boy.
Pregnancy cravings are normal and the kind of food you crave has absolutely no link to the sex of your child.
Baby’s heart rate: A heart rate of over 140 bpm indicates a girl and if it’s below 140 bpm it indicates a boy.
The foetal heart rate is between 120 to 160bpm for a healthy baby and is not determined by the sex of the baby.
Extra weight measure: A woman with extra weight out front is believed to be carrying a boy. A woman with extra weight around the hips and bottom is believed to be carrying a girl.
Where a pregnant woman carries extra weight is based on her anatomy and not on the sex of the baby.
Linea Nigra and the colour of the nipples: A dark line called Linea Nigra extending from the pubic bone to the navel region means that you will be having a girl. If the line extends from the rib cage to the pubic bone then you are likely to have a boy. Likewise, if your nipples are getting darker, you may have a boy, if not, a girl.
The dark line is a result of hormones, so is the darkness of the areolas and have no bearing on the sex of your baby.
It’s all in the hair: Another popular Indian old wives tales is that if your hair has gained volume, looks lustrous and you simply can’t stop admiring it, then you may be having a boy. Dull, thin hair is said to be courtesy a girl child.
There is no scientific backing to this. Some women see a boost in keratin that improves hair and nail quality during pregnancy; others seem to get a slightly worse end of the deal.
The bigger breast: It is said that a bigger right breast means that you will have a boy. If your left breast is bigger you are more likely to have a girl.
Increase in breast size is natural during pregnancy and there has been no evidence to prove this link.
Girl steals beauty: If you are having a girl, it is said that your looks may take a turn for the worse! It is also said that if you have an acne breakout, you’ll have a girl. However, if you feel more attractive then you may be having a boy.
There is no evidence to prove this tale.
Morning sickness: Do you have the worst morning sickness? Old wives say that you may have a girl. If you face no bitter moment of morning sickness, then you are likely to have a boy.
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy and the excess or lack of it does not indicate the sex of the baby.
Your sleeping position: If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you can expect a baby boy, if you feel like sleeping on your right, you may have a girl.
While this has no true backing, sleeping on the left is deemed to be the best position during pregnancy as it increases the blood and nutrient flow into the placenta.
Mood swings: Recurrent and severe pregnancy mood swings are linked to having a girl. If you have a generally pleasant pregnancy, you may have a boy.
Mood swings are caused due to hormonal changes in the body due to pregnancy, which has no relationship with the sex of the baby.
The cause of your heartburn: If you experience a lot of heartburn during pregnancy, it is said that you’ll have a girl. Heartburn is also linked to the baby having a lot of hair.
While the link between heartburn and sex of the baby has no real scientific backing, researchers at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore may have surprising found a link between heartburn and hair growth. Although not completely confirmed, the researchers believe that excessive pregnancy hormones are the reason for gastric reflux which causes heartburn and is also responsible for hair growth in the baby.
Partner’s weight gain: This one is definitely one of the most entertaining out of all old wives tales. If your partner puts on some extra weight during the course of your pregnancy, it is believed that you will have a girl.
As expected, this theory has no scientific backing to it.
A long, strenuous labour: It is believed that if you have a long and painful labour you will be having a boy.
While not entirely proven to be true, it is found in an Irish study that women who gave birth to baby boys had a longer labour time, saw more complications and needed emergency C-sections. This is attributed to the larger head size and the heavier weight of baby boys at births, in comparison to girls.
Cold feet: If your feet are always cold during your pregnancy, then you may be having a boy. If you enjoy warm and cosy feet during pregnancy, it may be a girl.
There is no evidence to prove the validity of this statement.
The colour of your urine: Bright yellow urine indicates that you are carrying a girl. Clear coloured urine can indicate a boy.
The colour of your urine has no link to the sex of your baby. Light coloured or clear urine may be the result of a good amount of water.
Pupil dilation: Do your pupils dilate when you stare into the mirror for over a minute? You may be having a boy as per the old wives tale.
Pupils dilate in low light or are aroused by something we see. It has no correlation with the sex of the baby.
Old wives tales have been around for a really long time. While none of them has been proven scientifically, some of them have been considered to be possible based on research. True or false, it sure does make for an interesting ensemble of predictions that you can enjoy while waiting for your baby.
Also read: 25 Surprising & Interesting Pregnancy Facts
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Baking Soda for Babies - Benefits and Ways to Use
Baking soda is one ingredient in your kitchen that is a great home remedy for a lot of your baby’s skin problems. We are still not aware of the various benefits and uses of baking soda. let's look at a few below.
Ways to Use Baking Soda for Babies
There are several ways to use baking soda for your baby, including:
1. Bathing
Baking soda is of a great use in the bath to relieve itchiness or skin problems faced by adults and as well as babies . Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your baby’s bath to relieve a nasty diaper rash. You can add a cup to your own bath to get smoother skin. Baking soda for baby acne is also beneficial.
2. Cleaning Feeding Bottles
To remove formula buildup from your baby’s bottle, soak it along with the rings and nipples overnight in a baking soda solution made by adding 4 tablespoons to 1 quart of warm water. Wash with hot water and soap the next day, dry and use.
3. Washing Clothes
If your home gets hard water, add a ½ cup of baking soda to one laundry load in your washing machine. This will make your clothes soft and smell fresh. Baking soda also helps to coax out tough stains.
4. Airing Diaper Pails
Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda in your diaper pails, whether you use disposable or cloth diapers. The soda helps negate the odour till the time you dispose or clean the diapers. It also helps coat the diapers with baking soda till they go in for a wash.
5. Refresh Stuffed Toys
Sprinkle some baking soda on stuffed toys to remove any odour. keep it for 15 minutes and then vacuum or brush the soda off.
6. Clean Toys
Mix 1 quart of warm water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Dip a cloth into this solution and wipe your baby’s toys to clean them. Rinse the toys with warm water later. This will remove any odour or dust from them.
7. Keep Ammonia Burns at Bay
Sometimes a baby gets ammonia burns, thanks to overnight diapers! . Sprinkling baking soda in your baby’s diaper before your baby goes to sleep at night can greatly reduce burns and the ammonia smell in the morning.
8. No more Cradle Cap
Baking soda can act as a mild exfoliating agent. Mix some baking soda and baby oil to make a paste and rub some on your baby’s scalp. This will brush away flakes of cradle cap.
9. Remove Crayon from the Walls
If your baby has scribbled all over the wall with a crayon, just rub the wall with wet sponge ,with baking soda on it and you can remove the crayon stains without taking off the paint.
10. Clean Baby’s Face after Eating
Sprinkle baking soda on a moist cloth and use it to gently rub the baby’s face, mouth, and hands after feeding the baby. This will remove any food odour and will keep your baby fresh throughout the day. Baking soda for baby's gas problems is also helpful.
What are the Benefits of Using Baking Soda in your Baby’s Bath?
Many parents might not realize what benefits adding 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda to your baby’s bath can bring about. Here are 7 important benefits of a baking soda bath for toddlers:
1. Reduces Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a condition many babies face and it can be painful and irritating for them. A baking soda bath for baby diaper rash is a well-known home remedy to relieve itchiness. Bathe for child three times a day for ten minutes in a warm bath with baking soda added , gives him relief.
2. Reduces Itchy and Dry Skin
Baking soda is known to relieve itchy skin due to its property to remove oil, dirt and sweat which may be the cause of itchiness to your baby’s soft skin. You can mix baking soda with few drops of essential oil and add it to your baby’s bath for an added calming effect.
3. Helps Eczema
A baking soda bath for baby eczema can help manage and reduce the symptoms. It can make your baby’s skin soft along with cleansing it gently. It will also remove the irritation experienced from eczema.
4. Helps Treat Constipation
Constipation is a common condition faced by babies, which causes them to develop problems in passing hard stool . Adding baking soda to their baths can greatly relieve the pain symptoms, by making them relax and help them pass softer stools. Baking soda for babies with reflux is also helpful to reduce the acidity problems.
5. Takes Away Bad Odour and Balances pH Levels
If your baby has been sitting with an overnight wet diaper for long, it’s bound to smell and make your baby uncomfortable. Add a little baking soda to your baby’s bath to dissipate the bad smells. The reason for this is that since baking soda is alkaline in nature, it will neutralise any bad smell from the diaper and refresh your baby.
6. Helps for Better Sleep
Sleep will come better to your baby is she is comfortable and clean. Bathe your baby in warm water with baking soda before putting her to bed, and she will sleep soundly throughout the night.
7. Reduces Bacteria and Detoxes Skin
Baking soda has antibacterial and antifungal properties as it is alkaline in nature. You don’t need scrubbing or harsh soaps to clean your baby’s skin. Especially if it is very sensitive and soft,just add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your baby’s bath to gently cleanse the skin.
Although baking soda has many, many benefits, it is not recommended to use for long periods of time. You may be tempted to use it often if your baby has skin problems, but it is better to restrict its use. Make sure to always bathe your baby in a highly diluted bath containing baking soda. Consult with the paediatrician once, before starting off with baking soda baths. Never use baking soda if your baby is younger than 6 months, as the skin would still not be strong enough to withstand baking soda.
Also Read:
Newborn Baby Care Myths
Tips to Diapering Your Baby at Night
Baby's Rolling Eye Movements
How to Prevent Baby Diaper Leaks Read more
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Does Your Baby Need a Play Gym? These 4 Reasons Are Too Good To Ignore!
Why would a baby need a gym? Is this one of those fashionable trends that are out to get poor unsuspecting mothers to sign up or is there some real substance behind baby-gyms? Find out why it may be a good idea to get a baby play gym now!
Physical exercise is essential for babies. Baby play gyms are important activity tools that keep your baby occupied in a variety of ways. They help your little one grow and develop in the years to come.
What Is A Baby Play Gym?
Before you start imagining rooms with machines for exercise, baby play gyms do not resemble adult gym or workout rooms at all! A baby play gym is a soft mat with two arches on either side, from which you can dangle toys overhead. Some gyms have lights, mirrors, baby pianos or tummy pillows to engage your baby in a variety of activities.
Benefits of Using A Baby Play Gym
Getting your baby to use a baby play gym may be the wisest choice you make. They have major developmental benefits for your baby such as:
1. Enhances His Motor Skills
Babies develop motor skills when they use baby play gyms. The toys that dangle from the arches of a baby gym encourage the baby to reach out and grasp them. Also, the baby starts kicking his legs when he is visually attracted to the toys, or the mirrors that reflect their faces, or the sounds that come from the baby piano. Reaching, kicking and grasping help in muscle development around the legs, arms, neck and stomach.
2. Improves His Hand Eye Coordination
Baby gyms also help in hand-eye coordination that helps the baby focus on the object and bring together both hands at the mid-line of the body. Continuous use of a baby gym will improve this reflex and help them develop the fine motor skills that are required for overall development. ||
3. Boosts His Cognitive Development
The hanging toys from the gym are specifically designed to improve the imagination of babies. Sounds, shapes, colours and textures stimulate mental and cognitive development in babies. Regular usage will help the baby recognize different colours, patterns and textures. Some gyms have mirrors attached to them which make the baby see his own face and recognize himself. Baby play gyms speed up the baby’s self-discovery and mental development as compared to those babies who do not use them.
4. Develops His Visual and Sensory Skills
As babies reach out to grab toys, they also learn to focus on objects thereby improving their visual perception. The sense of vision is stimulated and encouraged with regular use of baby play gyms. Although the baby’s vision is blurred at birth, continuous usage from birth till 6 months will see a remarkable improvement in the baby’s visual perception and coordination. Baby play gyms also have mirrors and sounds such as piano keys attached. These help improve self-awareness and sensory stimulation to sound and touch.
Are Play Gyms Safe?
As a parent, you may be concerned about the safety of your baby while using a play gym. However, be rest assured. Baby play gyms are designed especially for babies and are completely safe and fun. They are made with soft mats below that are cushioned and will not cause the slightest injury to even the youngest of infants.
There are plenty of varieties of baby play gyms available in the market. So go ahead, chose a good baby play gym that has a lot to offer to your baby! Go here to check out a myriad of cute, colorful and economical play gyms that your baby won't get enough of!
Does your baby use a play gym? Do share pictures of your baby playing in his gym. We would love to see just how much fun it can be! Read more
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Why I Hate Cinderella
And why should children be kept away from such fairy tales
When I was a kid, I had to participate in a fancy dress competition. Like my other girlfriends, I, too wanted a fairy tale princess attire for myself. But as luck would have it, by the time we reached the shop, all the costumes were sold out. The shop-owner held a mucky wig in his hand, saying that is what is left. And my father, who is never to call it quits, took it and I participated in the event as a sweeper!I hated all the princesses from that day on.And all the protagonists of the many fairy tales that I have read in my childhood.One thing which strikingly is common and comes right at your face when you read them is the beauty. All these ladies are beautiful to their bones. The story keeps accentuating the fact around every corner. Not a speck of ugliness has ever touched them. And there it is — the first seed of inferiority is sown.Looks.Somewhere, the small brain of a child, who reads the story, interprets that external beauty is immensely important. If I am not beautiful, I am not good enough. I am something less.This beauty does not stop at the epidermal level. No way, Sir. It goes much deeper. The lady also has a very kind soul; so kind and pure, even the birds and animals around can sense that and help herein her chores! Not an iota of anything bad has brushed past her. Not the slightest shade of grey.That is what it is meant to convey—the picture of a perfect lady. Love and kindness, almost dripping out of her.Cinderella could never have even dreamt of disobeying her stepmother. A naughty blotch of stain on her mother’s dress or a deliberate speck of leftover on the dishes. An innocent cut in the sisters’ dress while sewing nor a simple feigning of sickness.Something. Anything.Never, not once, is there a citation of her saying NO. That I will not.Message- never stand up for yourself.She had to be so perfect, so obliging and so dutiful.And there lies the ulterior motive. Raise ‘good’ girls.Why were these stories told?When a little girl hears this story, she relates to Cinderella. And hates the stepmother and stepsister. Mentally she has made a table of Dos and Donts. The actions of Cinderella check in to the Dos side and the cruel actions are featured on the other.Next time she does something, she relates to whether it is like Cinderella or like the sisters and she has a moral compass ready with her guiding her to make the ‘right’ decisions. Leaving her without any inkling of grey areas.Mission accomplished.Moving ahead in the story, there is always a stepmother/stepsister/witch ( again a feminine character!) so cruel to our Lady, that it brings you to the brink of killing her yourself.And since we are on the topic, just posing a passing thought. Why is the bridge always falling, kids tumbling down the hills & breaking their heads, and eggs falling from walls in our rhymes? But, will bottle this for some other day.Coming back to our lady. She always needs some rescuing from that evilness and is always so helpless, in need of support. Typical damsel in distress.And rubbing salt to the injury, cometh the charming Prince.It was never a woodcutter, or a farmer, or even a rich boy. Always had to be a Prince.Cinderella possibly couldn’t just dance her heart’s fill that night and let the prince see her in her real form. Maybe the prince still would have married her.Rapunzel never tried once to get out herself. Chopped off her hair and used it as a rope and escape.No, not happening. It has to be the Prince.What about teaching our children to try themselves?And all the stories end in marriage. Happily ever after. Leaves you with the impression that marrying is the ultimate aim. And marrying a prince — my my, nothing like it. No one wants to know the other side of the story.Stories are a wonderful medium to teach our children the things we want them to think about and eventually practice. The onus of teaching them to tell good from bad lies on us. Keeping this in mind, we have to choose our stories with care.Children need to learn that there will be bad days and the best person to rely on is yourself.Yes, you can take help. The help can be a girl or a boy (or an animal)and, most importantly, you don’t necessarily need to marry the help!!I am grateful for newer versions of stories like Merida, Maleficient, Moana, and Frozen. Girls have better role models to look up to. Characters who are not picture-perfect beautiful, have freckles and untameable hair, and yet are beautiful in their own way. When thrown a challenge, they don’t wait for a charming Prince, they pick up their skirts and fight. They fall and scrape their knees but they keep fighting.That is what I want my daughter to read and learn.So, I never told her those fairy tale stories and was happy when later one day she came up to me and asked- “Mama, why did Cinderella not say anything to her stepmother?”I knew I had chosen the right stories for her.FYI- I won the fancy dress competition that day. Read more
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Red soup with herbs
This recipe is all about beets, with a just little dill, tamari, and yogurt added. It’s different and best suited for summers, as it’s served at room temperature. Chilled or slightly warm options work too. The beet greens in this recipe add to the earthy taste. Tamari – a gluten free soy sauce, adds an earthy flavor of its own, balancing and modulating the beet taste, so don’t substitute that ingredient. In the end, using a super-thick yogurt will thicken up the soup. So all you beet-eaters, enjoy!
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
6 People
15 Minutes
15 Minutes
Ingredients
5 medium beets
5 cups vegetable broth(less salty)
3 tbsp. Tamari(gluten-free soy sauce)
1 cup chopped beet greens
2 tsp. chopped fresh dill
1 scallion(spring onion), chopped
1 ½ cups yogurt
Dill for garnish(optional)
Method
Step 1
Scrub beets under running water properly.
Step 2
Grate beets in a food processor or by hand.
Step 3
In a soup pot, combine the beets, broth, and tamari.
Step 4
Bring to boil over moderately high heat.
Step 5
Cover and reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 6
Add beet greens, dill, and scallion and simmer 5 minutes longer.
Step 7
Remove from flame and let cool to room temperature.
Step 8
Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Step 9
Just before serving, stir in the yogurt.
Step 10
Garnish with dill, if desired.
Nutritional Information
1 serving = 1 cup
Monounsaturated 1g Sugars 5g
Calories
78
Sodium
495 mg
Total Fat
4 g
Potassium
289 mg
Saturated
2 g
Total Carbs
8 g
Polyunsaturated
0 g
Dietary Fiber
2 g
Trans
0 g
Protein
3 g
Cholesterol
7 mg
Vitamin A
0%
Calcium
5%
Vitamin C
15%
Iron
4%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
14 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
14 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
14 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
10 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. 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
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Best activity toys for 15 month old baby
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Toys which have light and also sounds so that is going to be a good option for you to use apart from the different kids have different interest some kids like to play with cars some like to play with something else so just have to try to figure out what your child likes to eat just check what your child is more inclined towards
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. how to gain weight 32weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. You need to have a lot of good proteins and that is what is going to be helpful have a balanced diet and good have good amount of proteins as well which is what is going to be beneficial and good weight gain for your child as well
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