Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
24 Foods You Must Avoid Eating during Pregnancy
A lot of things change as you go through one of the most beautiful phases in your life - pregnancy. Not only does your body change, but your entire lifestyle, your priorities, and your thinking change too. Prepare for the journey by acquainting yourself with the things to avoid during pregnancy and ensure good health not only for your baby but for yourself too.
Food is a very crucial element of your life as a mother-to-be. While good food nourishes you and your baby, potentially harmful food can pose a serious risk. Hence it is important to determine what to eat when pregnant as soon as you see that second line on your pregnancy test.
Video: Top 10 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V1Vl_ThiDU
What Not To Eat During Pregnancy
Healthy food for pregnant women is vital for a healthy pregnancy. There are several things you should avoid as many different types of food can pose a threat to your child. We simplify your food choices by bringing you this list of what to avoid eating during pregnancy
24 Foods to Avoid While Pregnant
1. Raw, Undercooked, or Contaminated Seafood and Fish
Don’t worry; you don’t have to give up on your favourite seafood entirely. You just need to ensure that you steer clear of certain types of seafood.
Raw fish in your diet is definitely a big NO. This means that if you’re a lover of sushi, you will have to hold back for those few months
Certain fishes, like mackerel, sharks, swordfish, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury in them, and mercury consumption during pregnancy could lead to delayed development and brain damage to your child. Opt instead for fish like chunk light tuna which has low levels of mercury and can be consumed in moderate amounts. It is best to avoid refrigerated and smoked seafood as it may be contaminated with Listeria, a harmful bacterium. Being exposed to Listeria during pregnancy can put you at an increased risk of preterm birth, or infection spreading to the newborn
A few kinds of fish may have been cultivated in contaminated water bodies, like bluefish, salmon, walleye, trout, and striped bass. These fishes are exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), which is extremely unhealthy for both mother and child. Exposure to PCB while pregnant can also have a negative impact on your baby’s immune system
Raw and undercooked shellfish like clams, mussels, and oysters, carry a majority of the seaborne illnesses. While cooking them can prevent some diseases, they won’t affect the algae-borne diseases. This is why it is a good idea to avoid shellfish entirely during pregnancy
Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which should be a part of your diet as it helps in the baby’s brain development. During pregnancy, you only have to be more cautious when consuming fish. A good idea is to try sticking to fresh water seafood during your pregnancy. This includes salmon, shrimp, trout and sardines. Also, instead of raw fish, try having fish that is cooked at 145 ℉. Cooking helps destroy many potential infections and toxins present in seafood, thus protecting you and your baby from harm.
2. Raw or Soft Boiled Eggs
Eggs can be almost irresistible when they’re cooked perfectly. Many of us enjoy eating soft boiled or undercooked eggs. However, during pregnancy, they’re definitely a big no-no as they may be contaminated with salmonella, which is a bacterium that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. You should also avoid other foods and desserts which are made from raw eggs, including custards and mousse.
The best way to have an egg during pregnancy is by cooking it until the yolk is firm. Otherwise, head for eggless salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other things that have an egg-less counterpart. You can also use pasteurised eggs to eliminate the risk of getting diseases.
3. Raw or Rare Meat
It is vital for a non-vegetarian mother to include meat in her diet, but this should also be done with some care and restrictions. Research suggests that raw meat contains Listeria bacteria and must be avoided during pregnancy. There may also be some other parasites in uncooked meat like Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause vomiting, foetal damages, and also miscarriages in expecting women.
Make sure that whenever you eat meat, it is properly cooked. It is also advisable that you cook your own meat at home with the use of a thermometer. Wash the meat properly with salt and water to ensure all the bacteria have been removed.
4. Unpasteurized Dairy
It is extremely important that you consume milk on a daily and regular basis for the proper development of your child. It provides you and your baby with important nutrients like minerals, calcium, and proteins. But make sure that you consume only pasteurised milk. Unpasteurized milk may contain pathogens that can cause severe food poisoning. It is advisable that you avoid all kinds of dairy products which are not pasteurised.
Make sure that you always consume fresh milk which has been boiled. Always make a couple of simple quality checks so that you can avoid unnecessary diseases and enjoy a happy pregnancy.
5. Unpasteurized Soft Cheese
Cheese is a favourite of almost everyone who has ever tasted it. But when you’re pregnant, you will have to follow some rules even when consuming this delicacy. A lot of the unpasteurised soft cheeses contain the Listeria bacteria, and rank high in the list of what we should not eat during pregnancy.
Instead of soft cheese, simply opt for hard cheeses. Some of these are Cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese. Always make sure that you buy cheese after you check the label for Listeria-free pasteurisation.
6. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
There is no doubt that fruits and vegetables are extremely healthy for you and your child during pregnancy. But you may be surprised to hear that almost 78% of the people around the world consume unwashed fruits and vegetables. Not only can the skins of unwashed fruits and vegetables contain harmful pesticides and herbicides, but they may also be home to deadly pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria. Unwashed raw vegetables like sprouts, lettuce and cabbage should be especially avoided during these times.
The fruits not to eat during pregnancy include papayas, pineapples and grapes. In fact, in some cultures, papayas are in the list of natural foods to avoid pregnancy, and are believed to cause miscarriages. Unripe papaya can be especially dangerous as it has certain compounds that trigger uterine contractions.
It goes almost without saying that you should wash each of your fruits and vegetable thoroughly before consuming them. You can also peel the skin off and keep them in separate utensils. Avoid leaving the vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator for long and then consuming them. Try cooking all of your vegetables, and make sure that the leafy ones are cooked well.
7. Raw Sprouts and Nuts Which Cause Allergies
Raw sprouts are an amazing source of protein and minerals, but they are still in the list of food not to eat when pregnant. This is because they may contain harmful viruses and bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Make sure that every time you have sprouts, you either shallow fry them or better even, cook them. They can still taste nice with proper seasoning.
You may enjoy various kinds of nuts during pregnancy, such as peanuts and cashews. Nuts are a rich source of vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for foetal development. But there are some nuts that can cause allergies and rashes on your body. Even if you weren’t initially allergic to them, you could develop allergies over time with extended exposure. Make sure that you consult with your doctor on what nuts to include in your diet and what to avoid entirely during pregnancy.
8. Restaurant Food or Store-Bought Salads
It is advisable to be extra cautious when ordering food for pregnant women at a restaurant, as one can never be sure of the ingredients that go into making it. It is best to avoid having salads that are available in restaurants or even in the store. The fruits and vegetables used in the salad may not have been washed properly, or they may have been cut a long time ago.
You can always make your own salad at home. Make sure that you clean the fruits and vegetables properly and cook your meat properly. And you also have the liberty of preparing your salad however you want at home, just as you like it.
9. Un-Hygienically Extracted Juices
You may argue that fresh fruit juice is always a good choice during pregnancy. But raw fruits and vegetables may carry the risk of being contaminated by deadly bacteria or viruses. Make sure you quench your thirst for fresh juice at home so that you are assured of freshness and hygiene.
When buying packaged juices, choose ones which have been pasteurised and refrigerated. Your immune system is suppressed during pregnancy, and you are more susceptible to bacteria that might be present in unpasteurised juices.
10. Excessive Caffeine
You might be a fan of coffee. But including caffeine in your diet is not a good idea during pregnancy. It is a diuretic, which can lead to excessive urination, causing you to dehydrate faster. Caffeine has also been linked to low birth-weight. Excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to higher risks of foetal deaths, stillbirths, and also abortions.
Make sure that you don’t consume more than 200 ml or 2 cups of coffee in a day. Also, enlist your doctor’s or pharmacist’s help in eliminating hidden caffeine in other products like energy drinks and medicines.
11. Herbal Supplements and Herbal Tea
Many people may suggest that you start taking herbal tonics and teas when pregnant, but these may cause more harm to you than good. Some herbs can even increase your risk of preterm labour or miscarriage, when taken in large amounts. There are also chances that you may end up buying unsafe or spurious herbs because there isn’t a way you can check their quality.
Avoid herbs like Wormwood, Saw Palmetto and Senna as they aren’t tested thoroughly like other medicines, and opinion is still divided on the advisability of consuming them during pregnancy. If you feel a lack of energy or fatigue, do ask your doctor to prescribe a multivitamin and continue with your regular tea instead of experimenting with herbal concoctions.
12. Canned Food
Canned foods are to be particularly avoided during pregnancy as they may contain preservatives and food additives which are added to increase their shelf-life. Besides, the walls of the can may contain Bisphenol A, a chemical which affects the endocrine activity of your child. Due to their long shelf life, the food may also contain harmful bacteria.
Whatever that you get in cans can also be purchased fresh. Always pick fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a good idea to choose seasonal fruits and vegetables for a meal to ensure that you get the maximum nutrients from your food.
13. Nitrate-Rich Food
Nitrate is a chemical that is added to some foods to prolong their shelf life. However, it can cause a lot of health issues especially for pregnant women. When nitrates react with haemoglobin in the blood, they produce modified proteins which interfere with your body’s ability to deliver oxygen to the placenta. Some of the foods that contain nitrate in high quantities are diet sodas, bacon, sausages and artificial sweeteners. These foods also have a very low nutritional value and must be avoided during pregnancy at all costs.
14. Excessive Sugar Rich Food
You might crave for ice creams and chocolates several times during your pregnancy. However, the high sugar levels in them could increase the sugar level in your blood, which could harm the foetus. Always keep a check on how much sugar you are consuming in a day and try your best to avoid sugar as much as possible.
However, there is no need to turn your back to the ice cream truck altogether; an occasional treat will do you no harm.
15. Street Food
Try your best to avoid your favourite street-food during pregnancy. Not only are they unhealthy, they can also cause food poisoning and other digestive problems. Don your chef’s hat and try your hand at preparing them at home where you are assured of quality and hygiene.
16. Excessive Fatty Food
Are you looking forward to eating as much fatty food as you want to during pregnancy because you’re going to gain weight anyway? Resist the temptation as too much fatty food can increase your blood cholesterol levels, making you vulnerable to obesity and heart disease. Make sure that you eat fatty food in moderation.
Consume food containing omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids as these are beneficial for your baby’s development. Some such foods include avocados, nuts, olives and pumpkin seeds. However, never binge-eat on these foods and always exercise moderation.
17. Excessive Artificial Sweeteners
You may think that artificial sweeteners are a great substitute for sugar, but it is not healthy to consume them during pregnancy. The placenta doesn’t filter the most commonly used artificial sweeteners, like saccharin, which means your child will be consuming the artificial sugar too. You can have them, but always make sure that you do so in moderation.
18. Un-prescribed Vitamins
Vitamins are surely a good source of nourishment for pregnant women, but they can be harmful when consumed in excess. They can affect the normal growth of your foetus and can also cause pre-term labour. Don’t make your own decisions when it comes to vitamins. Always consume them as prescribed by the doctor.
19. Simple Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy in your body, which makes them an important part of your pregnancy diet too. However, be careful with simple carbs foods such as cookies and corn syrup. Although they are not really harmful to your child, simple carbs tend to cause painful constipation. Try and avoid them by avoiding anything that is made from fine flour. Instead, consume high fibre flour like wheat, brown bread, and whole grain carbs.
20. Baked Food
Even if you love baked food, it is better to avoid it during your pregnancy. This is because the raw dough can attract harmful bacteria, which can cause severe food poisoning and even harm the foetus. If you just can’t resist baked goodies, then try opting for the commercially manufactured ones from popular and well-known bakeries.
21. Licorice
Many cuisines use Licorice, which is normally a harmless spice. But during pregnancy, Licorice tends to cause uterine contractions. This can lead to pre-term labour. Try and avoid it in all forms during pregnancy.
22. Leftover Food
You may feel guilty throwing away leftover food, but you should avoid eating leftover food during your special nine months. Even if it is stored in the refrigerator, there are chances that the food can attract disease-causing bacteria. Always eat freshly cooked food. If you have no other option, heat the leftover food in another clean utensil before consuming it.
23. Spicy Food
Spicy food is best avoided by a mother-to-be. During pregnancy, the chance of an acid reflux and heartburn is a lot higher, and consuming spicy food will only aggravate it. Spicy food can also lead to morning sickness. Always consume spice in moderation, and whenever you eat spicy food, make sure that you also have a glass of milk or a tablespoon of honey to prevent heartburn.
24. Alcohol
It goes without saying that alcohol consumption is bad for your health, not only when you’re pregnant, but at any time in your life. But in case you think that occasional drinking is okay when you’re pregnant, you’re terribly wrong.
Alcohol is another thing that isn’t filtered by the placenta and can reach your baby through the umbilical cord. This can not only cause miscarriage and stillbirth but also a range of lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities to your child through a condition called Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). There is no known safe time or safe amount of alcohol consumption during your pregnancy. It is best that you avoid consumption of alcohol entirely during pregnancy.
With this, you have the top 25 types of foods not to eat in pregnancy. It is advisable that you consult with your doctor before you decide to avoid any of the above-mentioned food in your diet. Consulting a nutritionist about the best diet for pregnancy will help you put together a balanced meal. Needless to say, you may indulge your pregnancy cravings as long you do so in moderation and stick to safe dietary choices. Read more
Suggested for you
Your 51 Week Old Baby - Development, Milestones & Care
What a busy year it has been for you and your 51-week old baby! She’s a toddler now finally. It’s almost hard to imagine one year ago at this time; you were heavily pregnant. You’ve had times of joy, but also you’ve had times filled with worry when your baby just wouldn’t sleep or when she wouldn’t eat any food. And when she cried, sometimes it would be almost a miracle to get her to stop. Through all that you’ve reached the age of one year, where your baby is mobile. Along with that comes a whole set of new challenges. Earlier you would sit in one place, rocking and breastfeeding your newborn. Now all you seem to be doing is running after her all day long! Now instead of fat lining her chubby thighs, you will start to see muscles growing there as she crawls, walks or toddles around.
51 Week-Old Baby’s Development
By 51-weeks along, your baby might be standing quite well and even walking. Some babies can even clamber up and down the stairs at this age. Once she masters the art of balance, she will be able to stand without wobbling and can bend down from that position to pick things up. If she’s not already walking, don’t worry, she will soon be! At 51-weeks old, you might have a picky eater on your hands. One day she might eat just three peas for dinner and the next day eats only bananas and crackers. But don’t force her to eat the way you want her to eat despite how worried you may get. Some babies at nothing during one day but make up for it the next day. If your baby eats only fruit one day, then tweak her meals the next day to include more veggies and protein. Also, your baby might be losing weight at this stage thanks to burning all those calories from running around. This is completely normal so keep feeding her healthy meals and let her grow at her own pace.
[Also Read: 12 Months Old Baby Development]
Fifty-One Week-Old Baby's Developmental Milestones
Below are a few 51-week old baby milestones you can keep an eye out for
Your baby will be extremely curious about sound and will start to dance to music
Your baby can toddle around and walk
Your baby will be able to imitate you
Your baby will be able to understand words like a drink, ball, more, mama, papa, doggie, gone, there, and what’s that.
Your baby will start expressing herself better. For example, she will throw tantrums and express her frustration by hitting herself, other toddlers or banging her head against the wall.
Your baby will enjoy toys like simple rings, stacking blocks and shape sorters.
Your baby will keep filling and emptying containers all around the house as a game
Your baby will start losing weight and gaining height.
Your baby will be able to use her fingers and scribble on walls or paper with crayons
[Also Read: 12 Months Old Baby Milestones]
Feeding
Around 12 months you will be weaning your baby away from the bottle and formula. At this time, the customary bottle at bedtime will be hardest to give up for your baby. This is because she will gain comfort and relaxation from that ritual the most. How do you decrease that dependence? The content of the bottle is not the issue; you can easily switch from formula to cow’s milk. But your baby falling asleep with a bottle in her mouth is an issue as this can lead to tooth decay, along with dependence. So avoid letting your baby lie down while sucking on a bottle. Remove it when she falls asleep. Milk remaining in your baby’s mouth while she sleeps also encourages tooth decay so you can also rinse her mouth with water. Ideally, you should switch to a cup from a bottle but if that doesn’t happen, gradually reduce the milk in the bottle by watering it down till you give only water to your baby at sleep time. Later, you can try again with the cup. The goal is for your toddler to drink only water and keep milk and fruit as foods. Give your baby full cream milk till she is two years old.
[Also Read: 12 Months Old Baby Food]
Sleeping
This stage will have your baby facing sleep disturbance again as she will actively be walking or moving around more. She will often stand in her cot at night and cruise along the rails, or if you are bed-sharing, she will use the bed head or your bodies as support to clamber around. No matter how tightly you tuck her in, she will still crawl, wriggle and somehow stand. You may have to resort to the usual relaxing techniques like patting, rocking or singing softly to put her back to sleep again. Once your baby has mastered walking during the day, the urge to stand at night will diminish, and she will start a new sleeping pattern. Teething will continue to cause pain in the second year as the eye teeth, one-year-old and two-year-old molars start coming in.
[Also Read: 12 Months Old Baby Sleep]
51 Week-Old Baby's Care Tips
Below are some ways you can care for a 51-week old baby
During the hours leading up to bedtime, relax your baby by playing calm music or keeping the light low so that she can fall asleep sooner
Babies at his age tend to bite, hit out or pull other toddlers. Don’t scold her but encourage her to say sorry. You can say, ‘see that baby is crying because you hit her. Why don’t you hug her?’ Keep practising this with your baby till she learns the importance.
With your baby in the room, keep the room temperature between 16-20 degrees centigrade.
Read and talk to your little one all day long to help develop her vocabulary. Avoid baby talk and talk to her as you would to an adult, albeit softly.
Let her explore different rooms in the house freely and check in periodically. Baby-proof your house before letting her do that.
Tests and Vaccinations
Your doctor will schedule a check-up around the time your baby turns one-year-old.
1. Tests
Your doctor will measure your baby’s height, weight and head circumference to track her growth progress. He will also ask questions on your baby’s talking, her sleep routine and whether she is crawling or walking just to get an evaluation on her sleep habits, mental and physiological development.
2. Vaccinations
Your baby will need boosters of immunisations she has previously been administered like vaccines for Hepatitis B, DTaP, Polio, Hib, Hepatitis A and the first doses of MMR and chickenpox vaccine.
Games and Activities
You can play the following games or activities with our 51-week old baby
Babies love music so try giving her an instrument made out of an item at home. For example, an empty plastic container filled with beans can make a shaking sound when your baby shakes it. She will love the sound.
One way to keep a baby busy while you cook dinner is to let her play with pots and pans. She can try out different sounds and also help her develop dexterity with her hands.
When you walk out, point at everything to your baby. For example, you can point at a cow and tell your baby, “That’s a cow. She says moo. Can you say moo?” This will help your baby with her knowledge and vocabulary.
Have your baby play with stacking blocks or sorting items or getting rings through a pole. This will help your baby develop fine motor skills and the concept of patterns.
[Also Read: 12 Months Old Baby Activities]
When to Consult a Doctor
You can consult a doctor for your 51-week old infant development for the following
If your baby wakes up too often in the night crying, check with your doctor as it may be pain caused from an ear or tooth infection.
If your baby rubs her eyes often, has difficulty seeing things or squints, she may have a vision problem.
When you notice your baby having symptoms of lead poisoning like vomiting frequently, consult your doctor.
Don’t be worried if your baby isn’t walking by 12 months; some babies need 24 months till they take their first steps. In the meantime, just give her plenty of safe space to experiment.
Previous Week: 50 Weeks Old Baby
Next Week: 52 Weeks Old Baby Read more
Suggested for you
Age Wise Baby Checkup - Why It Is Important & Schedule
Parenting is not only rewarding but can be challenging as well. As parents, it is essential to keep a tab on your baby’s age wise check-ups especially for the first year as it is a critical spell in the normal growth and development of a baby’s life. Your doctor may also want to keep a close check on the baby’s progress during this phase.
Doctors usually recommend baby check-ups immediately after birth, 3 -5 days after birth and then regularly at 1,2, 4, 6, 9, 12 months although different paediatrician’s schedules can vary a little. In these systematically scheduled check-ups babies are commonly checked for growth, progress, feeding amongst various other things.
Why is Baby Check-up Important?
It is advisable to schedule regular baby check-up appointments. Infant check-ups are important for the following reasons:
Track Baby’s Progress
Your doctor may like to conduct a thorough physical examination of the baby from time to time like recording the height, weight to establish if the growth and development of the baby are advancing normally.
Family Medical History
Your doctor may also like to know about the family’s medical history given the fact that any possible health issue of the baby can have an underlying genetic or hereditary cause.
Parents Can Ask Questions
Parents can discuss their worries and clear their doubts regarding their baby’s development during these check-ups.
Immunizations
Regular baby check-ups are important to help the parents to remain on track with the age wise routine vaccinations of their baby.
Follow Up Problems
The baby check-ups give your doctor an opportunity to follow up on any complications from the previous check-up.
Schedule for Monthly Check-Up for Babies
Soon after a baby’s birth, your doctor may make his health record booklet. A child’s health record can be a means of maintaining a record of baby’s well-being and progress. It may also contain a schedule for the age wise baby check-ups. At the time of every baby check up your doctor may record the baby’s weight, height, vaccinations and other significant health information in the booklet.
After Birth
Your paediatrician may carry out a complete physical examination of your baby shortly after his birth checking for vital signs, basic new-born reflexes, alertness, skin tone, hip stability to ensure that baby is healthy and responding fine. Other things that your doctor may scrutinise can include:
1. Hearing Screening
Your doctor may check the hearing ability of your baby to confirm that his hearing is A-OK by conducting two different tests namely OAE (Otoacoustic emission) and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response). The OAE test entails putting a microphone and a mini earphone in the baby’s ear to assess sound reflection in his ear canal. The ABR test involves placing electrodes on the baby’s head to evaluate the response of hearing nerve to sound. Both the tests can identify hearing loss.
2. Metabolic Screening
Metabolic screening of a baby involves drawing a blood sample from baby’s heels and testing his blood for sickle-cell disease, inherited disorders like hypothyroidism.
3. Immunization
After birth, your baby will get his first shot of hepatitis B.
Between 3 to 5 Days
The doctor is likely to ask you to bring your baby within a week or so of his birth for a checkup. A 2-week infant check-up is commonly done to ascertain if all is progressing well with the baby.
1. Baby Weight
At this point, the doctor will measure the baby’s weight to determine if he is feeding well.
2. Physical Checkup
Your doctor will possibly perform a physical exam of the baby. He may compute the baby’s length and plot it on a growth chart. He may also measure the head circumference.
3. Vaccinations/Shots
Your baby may receive the BCG vaccine. He will also get his first dose of OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine).
4. Screening Tests
Your baby’s doctor may conduct some screening tests to gauge if the behavioural development of the baby like smiling, cooing is on the right track. He may also ask you some questions on how the baby is generally doing and your observations of the baby’s actions and responses to rule out any probable behavioural issues.
At 1 Month
At your baby’s one month check up your doctor may execute the basic inspection, take measurements, assess development and psychosocial progression.
1. Baby Weight
The doctor will again measure the baby’s weight and mark it on the growth chart. Most new-born babies follow a growth pattern. Tracking your baby’s weight on the growth chart will help your doctor to see if he is advancing as per his pattern.
2. Physical Checkup
The doctor will subject your baby to a full head-to-toe examination checking his eyes, ears, mouth, the colour of the skin, lungs, heart, abdomen, genitalia, hips and legs to make sure that all organs are in a healthy condition. The doctor may also examine the soft spots on your baby’s head called fontanels and the shape your baby’s head to find out if it is rounding well.
3. Vaccinations/Shots
Your baby may get Hep B (Hepatitis B) vaccine- dose 2.
At 2 Months
A 2-month infant check-up generally comprises of a physical assessment of the baby’s body including baby eye check-up, basic measurements and evaluation of behavioural development.
1. Measurements and Behaviour
The doctor may weigh the baby to see if the weight has returned to his birth weight possibly after losing some during the early days after birth. He may also measure the baby’s length. He may also question you for your baby’s behavioural observations like alertness to sounds, movements and actions, crying and feeding patterns to track his development.
2. List of Immunizations
Your baby may get the following set of vaccines at this stage:
DTwP/DTaP (pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria)- dose 1
Rotavirus- dose 1
Hib (Haemophilus Influenza type B)- dose 1
IPV (Injectable Polio Vaccine)- dose 1
PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)- dose 1 (optional)
OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)- dose 1 (optional)
At 4 Months
You may have to take your baby for another check-up at this point. You may expect the typical procedure of physical screening, taking measurements, developmental and behavioural observations.
1. Hematocrit Screening
Your doctor may conduct haematocrit or haemoglobin screening at this leg to determine the incidence of iron deficiency and resultant anaemia in your baby.
2. Vaccines
Your baby may receive the following vaccines:
Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine- dose 2
Hib type B vaccine- dose 2
IPV- dose 2
PCV- dose 2
Rotavirus- dose 2
At 6 Months
At this stage babies usually begin to exhibit their personalities. A baby doctor checkup may lead to early detection of physical and behaviour issues and subsequent correction measures.
1. Baby Length & Weight
Baby six-week check-up is likely to include measuring of baby’s length and weight as usual.
2. Asking Questions
You may find yourself asking the doctor questions regarding your baby’s social and behavioural developmental milestones. You may also like to consult your doctor about introducing solids into your baby’s diet. Your doctor may ask you certain questions as well like is your baby holding his neck upright, is he rolling over, is he sitting with or without any support and other motor skills related questions.
3. Physical Exam
The doctor may carry out an appraisal of the physical development of the baby through examination and analysis of the growth chart to establish if the baby is growing consistently as per his growth chart.
4. Immunizations
Your baby may get the following vaccines:
DTaP- third dose
Hepatitis type B- third dose
IPV- third dose
Hib vaccine- third dose
PCV- third dose
Rotavirus vaccine- third dose
Influenza vaccine
At 9 Months
A 9 months baby health check-up may follow the usual procedures of physical examination, recording measurements and psychosocial assessment. In case of any concerns, the doctor can mention a 10-month baby check-up as a follow-up.
1. Developmental Screening
By now your baby may have covered several developmental milestones characteristic to his age. The doctor may implement a few screening tests to track your baby’s developmental advancement.
2. Hepatitis B Dosage
Your baby may get his final dose of hepatitis B if he hasn’t received it yet.
3. Oral Check-up
Your baby may have grown his first tooth by now. The doctor may perform your baby's first dental check-up to evaluate your baby’s oral health.
4. Blood Test
The doctor may recommend a blood test to check iron levels of your baby and for a lead screening to learn about your baby’s likely exposure to lead which can be harmful to his development.
At 12 Months/1 Year
Your baby’s first birthday celebrations may be followed up by another scheduled check-up which can be like your usual visits so far involving the following:
1. Physical Examination
The doctor will perform a routine physical examination to track normal growth.
2. Oral Health Examination
Your baby will get another oral check-up to eliminate the possibility of any tooth decay and to ensure the good health of gums and primary teeth.
3. Immunization
Your baby may get his fourth dose of Hib vaccine and PCV, the first dose of mumps, measles and rubella vaccine (MMR).
Parents can have many concerns regarding their baby’s health during these initial months. Parents should not shy away from voicing any apprehension relating to their baby no matter how trivial it may seem. During the newborn period, any problem however minor may require immediate attention as issues can quickly snowball into serious affairs.
Also Read: How to Take Care of NewBorn Read more
Suggested for you
Capturing Love With 20 Creative Couple Photoshoot Ideas
True love can be a rare thing to find, so when you find it, it only makes sense to make as many memories together as possible. One of the ways that you can truly celebrate your love and hold on to the memory of it for the rest of your lives is to invest in a good couple photoshoot.
20 Posing Ideas for Incredible Couples Photography
Here are some cute couple photos ideas:
1. Dancing
Nothing says romance like a couple dancing. Make it extra romantic by taking the pictures at night and with candlelight, or you can just make it fun and playful and play some beats you can really have fun with. This is almost certainly going to bring out the genuine smiles and laughter that will make the memory worth keeping.
2. City Life
Go around the city and get yourself and your partner to pose at your favourite haunts. Have your photographer pose you two together on a park bench with your arms around your partner or look at the menu of your favourite restaurant.These types of pictures can capture memories of your favourite things to do and are memories that have more meaning to them.
3. Musical Moments
Music may not translate well on to a still picture, but the image of the two of spending time jamming together or perhaps an image of you playing something while your partner looking on lovingly will speak volumes.
4. Date Night
Get dolled up and have some pictures taken at date night. Holding hands over a table lit by candlelight under the moonlight is one of the most romantic images out there and not one you will want to miss out on.
5. Goofing Around
Goofing around and acting like love-struck teenagers is not only fun and freeing, but also shows the child-like and carefree side of your love. Everyone has their own way of goofing off, so go ahead and act a little crazy.
6. At Festival Time
It could be a Christmas, Diwali, Eid or any other celebration depending on what you celebrate, but something that shows you spending important moments with the most important person in your life. The festive décor and atmosphere is sure to add some beauty to your pictures.
7. Shared Interests
Couples usually find something to bond over, be it religion, a love for the same activity or a passion for the same things. Using this common interest in a photoshoot will surely make the moment more meaningful. If the two of you bond over books, you can have the photoshoot in the library, if you bond over a sport, say basketball, have a photoshoot on the court and get an image of the two of you bonding over something that makes both of you feel good and that you enjoy.
8. Dress up
Dressing up in costumes and posing for pictures is a lot of fun and is something you can really get creative with. You can either dress up as characters from your favourite shows, or you can just pick out costumes that suit a location. Posing will be easier when there is a theme in mind.
9. Call of the Wild
Plan a photoshoot out in the wilderness for some fun and unique memories for the two of you to hold onto. You can pose in a camping setting or while out on a hike.
10. Details
While the face may have a lot of expressions, even pictures of random details, like a shot focused on your hands as you hold each other, a shot of your wedding rings or a picture of his hand holding out a flower and hers reaching out to take it.
11. At the Seashore
Everyone loves a beach outing, which is what makes beach couple shoot ideas a big hit. Plan out a day to spend at the beach and make some lovely memories that will last you a lifetime. Play in the sand together, build a sandcastle together or pose in front of the beautiful setting sun.
12. Stargazing
Stargazing brings with it a feeling of intimacy and isolation. It is a wonderful way to make it seem like the two of you are the only two people in the world. It may be a little tricky to execute this photo session due to the low lighting that is required, but the pictures will be well worth it.
13. Holding Hands
This one doesn’t really require a set location; you can hold hands anywhere you find beautiful and worth remembering. The point of it is to show that there is mutual respect, unity and support between the two of you; it is so much more than simply an affectionate gesture.
14. Lost at Sea
Hire a boat, and you can take some amazing seafaring pictures. Pose in front of the steering, or you can even imitate the famous pose from Titanic and stand at the bow of the ship with your arms held out. Other fun couple photoshoot ideas when out at sea is to take underwater pictures of the two of you exploring the marine life, or just having fun.
15. Celebrating Seasons
If you set your intentions to take a picture every season, you will be able to have a picture celebrating your love throughout the seasons and remember that while there are so many changes going on all around you, your love for each other will always remain the same.
16. Sunsets
There are so many beautiful places where you have a great view of the sunset. It doesn’t only have to be at the beach - it could be from the terrace of your building, a park bench, or a spot closer to nature.
17. A Good Match
Some couples enjoy dressing alike, and some may even have shared tattoos. When the picture is focused on the things that match, it only goes to show how good you are for each other. It doesn’t even just need to be matching physically, but it could also be matching in something like volunteering at an animal shelter since it is a passion that the two of you share.
18. Road Trip
Grab the gear and jump into your car. Take a road trip to a place that you have always wanted to visit and go crazy with the pictures. It is worth remembering the good times.
19. Railway Adventures
Taking pictures while travelling on a train is a different idea, but one that also captures your sense of adventure in a similar way that the seafaring and road trip photoshoots might.
20. At Home
There are so many wonderful places that you can use to set up your couples photoshoot, but nothing can be more intimate and sentimental than having really good pictures taken artfully in your own home.
After starting a family, it becomes so much harder to give each other time and attention, so be sure to make some time to be with each other and do something sweet like have a photoshoot that celebrates your lives and passions together.
Also Read: Creative Family Photoshoot Ideas Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
The One Thing That Can Help Every Woman Who Is Feeling Lost and Unfulfilled
You live a full life. From dawn to sundown, your hands are full with numerous chores to be finished for your household, especially your little ones. The moments that you spend with your family are beautiful and leave you feeling warm and reassured. However, in random moments, when you have some time to think only about yourself, it lurks in. That feeling of being lost and unfulfilled. How do you explain it and what can you do to make it disappear?
As women, our lives involve considerable change. With changes, we also sacrifice much of our former life, give up on many of our dreams, and are forced to choose one thing over the other. Pursuing higher studies OR marriage.
A high-flying career OR motherhood. Indeed, the choices we make are beautiful in their own sense but that doesn’t mean we don’t miss what we cannot choose. It is these forgotten passions that come back to haunt us and make us feel incomplete.
If you too encounter these emotions, don’t think it is too late to make a change. The magic words that can repair things are simple: financial and emotional security.
How to Become Financially and Emotionally Independent
Now that you’ve identified the gap in your life, how do you proceed to fill it? Getting a job that lets you apply yourself is the most effective solution. This in no way means that holding a job role is the only key to fulfilment.
But it certainly allows you to take out time for yourself, work on something you have always enjoyed doing, meet new people and make friends, and finally, use your interpersonal and professional skills. If you have a held a job before but are now a stay-at-home mom,
it can be intimidating to think about returning to work. The biggest concern is shaping your schedule around a new activity as your current schedule revolves completely around your child. But don’t let this stop you.
You can get onboard a specially tailored job opportunity for mothers that is considerate toward your priorities as a mom. One such opportunity is ‘Asmita’ by Netsurf. This is a program designed by Netsurf with a job role focused on marketing products from their personal and health care range.
Asmita has been designed keeping a mom’s day in mind and is extremely flexible in terms of working hours and location. In fact, you can function using a laptop and a smartphone and use your social circles to promote the products.
Since Asmita’s launch, as many as 76,332 women have joined the Netsurf business, taking the number of distributors up to a whopping 83,117! Not only that, more and more women every month are joining the group of Club Asmita achievers and getting rewarded and recognised for their efforts.
It is immensely gratifying to see your own hard-earned money flowing in every month and also get a chance to make the most of your education and skillsets.
Feeling financially secure works wonders for your emotional security as well. You are no longer dependent on anyone for the money you need for your personal requirements. You feel more self-assured and have better faith in your abilities.
The change will be visible for everyone to see - from your husband to your children. And just in case you are apprehensive that they won’t like this change in your schedule, don’t worry.
Your family has trust in you and knows that you will be able to balance your responsibilities. Plus, it does everyone good to do more things on their own, right?
It’s time to reclaim your life, mom. You have the right to follow your dreams and it never is too late for this. Feeling positive and gaining a strong foothold in life helps you become a more confident mother. This, in the long run, will rub off on your child. Not only will he learn to be independent and self-reliant like his mother but also look up to you as the best mommy in the world! Read more
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
8 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
3 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
5 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 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
5 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
4 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
2 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
1 hour 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
Check out this new Memory
Shalini Varshney
Mom of a 6 m old girl
New Milestone
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Mounika
Mom of a 5 m old boy
New Memory
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
karishma sehgal
Mom of a 2 yr 8 m old girl
1 min ago
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Prachiti
Mom of a 1 yr 1 m old boy
1 min ago
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Manju Krishna
Mom of a 9 m old boy
1 min ago
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive