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How to Reshape Your Breasts After Breastfeeding
As a mother, you may want to improve the shape of your breasts once you have weaned off your baby. You may want to look your best and looking at those post-pregnancy pictures, and you will do everything possible to get back in shape. Once you start breastfeeding, your breasts sag, and they won’t have the wonderful shape that you loved. But, there is no need to worry. Here is what you can do to improve the shape of your breasts after breastfeeding.
Why Do Your Breasts Sag After Breastfeeding?
New mothers often associate saggy breasts with breastfeeding; however, that is not true. It is the end of pregnancy which causes the breasts to start sagging. The additional weight that new mothers put on during pregnancy for enlarged milk ducts starts reducing once the breasts start shrinking. Combined with a reduction in the pregnant woman’s body weight, this leaves the breasts in a deflated shape.
Easy Ways to Reshape Your Breasts After Breastfeeding
There are various ways to change the shape of your breasts after breastfeeding, and some of them are discussed below
1. Shower
Take alternate showers, but not a shower every alternate day. The key is to change the temperature of the water when you shower. This is a simple technique to gradually improve the strength and tone of the breasts and infuse them with life. Using this technique of alternating hot and cold water continuously during your showers, can stimulate blood circulation all around, and especially in your breasts. This will cause them to perk up and stay firm. However, this technique will only have a temporary effect and it will not reshape your breasts permanently.
2. A Proper Bra With a Proper Posture
Sagging of the breasts is what most pregnant women feel bad about once they wean their child from breastfeeding. All it takes for you to help reverse the changes is to use the right bra and hold yourself properly, right from the initial stages. You might have to replace your old bras with newer ones, or even opt for sports bras to get better support and shape. Furthermore, as you hold your child constantly and feed him, your posture changes, and it is slightly bent forward. Correct it and also correct your breastfeeding technique.
3. Massage Your Breasts
Breastfeeding provides a lot of stimulation to your breasts, but weaning leaves them with barely any stimulation at all. Massaging your breasts can help your breasts counter that in a better way. The various techniques ensure that your breasts receive stimulation from all directions, causing the blood circulation to revitalise and support the breast tissues in their repair and regrowth. Using olive oil or almond oil can cut down the sagging effect, and the massages can infuse strength in the muscles, helping them hold themselves together.
4. Natural Breast Creams
One of the popular ways most women use to counter the changes in their breasts post the breastfeeding stage is natural creams and supplements. Made from fenugreek or palmetto, these creams are known to have some interesting properties that affect the skin and muscle tissue in various ways. Applying these on a regular basis tightens up the skin effectively and results in a texture that is smooth and firm breasts. Additionally, fenugreek cream is known to work wonders in keeping the shape and size of the breasts intact. In any case, it is best to talk to your doctor before you begin using them.
5. A Proper Diet
Your diet during pregnancy, and while you were breastfeeding would be different from the diet you must be following now. Whatever you eat, you must remember to include food in your diet that improves the muscle tone, make your skin supple, and combat the elastic skin by tightening it. For this, you must include food items that are rich in Vitamin B and Vitamin E, as they improve skin tone. Apart from that, you must cut down on the consumption of animal-based food items that are rich in fats. These can add weight to your breasts but reduce their suppleness.
6. Specific Body Exercises
No matter what you eat, your breasts won’t return to their normal shape if you don’t exercise. Doing the right exercises is the easiest and most convenient way to naturally get your breasts firm and in shape. Technically, breasts are simply layers of fat so you can’t shape them directly. However, various muscles underneath them work in holding them up properly and keep your posture upright. Those are the muscles that need to be worked upon, and this will consequently improve the visual appeal of your breasts. It is best to opt for exercises that focus on your core and chest region, such as push-ups, dumbbell pullovers, and chest press. Start with light weights and build your strength gradually. Get a good gym trainer and talk to your doctor before starting these exercises.
7. Surgical Enhancement Techniques
This should ideally be your last resort and should be chosen only if you are unhappy with the way your breasts look. Even so, it is highly recommended to use every other natural method mentioned above for a substantial period of time and opt for surgical enhancement if their results are not up to the mark. Due to medical advancements, there are better enhancement methods that give your breasts a natural feel and look even after the surgery. There can be numerous surgical procedures and a clear choice of choosing the shape and size you’d like. Make sure you do adequate research about the procedure and choose an experienced plastic surgeon before going ahead with the surgical enhancement.
Are There Any Long-Term Benefits of These Breast Reshaping Methods?
Natural techniques can start showing their effect over a few months and take their time to reach their peak. The choice of going ahead with a particular method to make your breasts firm and in a proper shape depends on your willpower and the amount of time and money you are willing to invest in it.
Exercises, creams, and dietary changes can help in giving your breasts a proper shape. Your breasts may not return to the shape that you had prior to your pregnancy, but these methods would improve the saggy and stretched shape. However, if you are particular about your body image and willing to go the extra mile, then opting for a surgical enhancement might be the right choice for you.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to understand the costs that come with the freedom to choose how you’d want your breasts to look like. The effect of breast augmentation on a consecutive pregnancy and any effects on your body as well as a repeat procedure would all have to be taken into account before making your final decision.
While the chance of your breasts returning to the way they were before is close to impossible. There is a good chance of them reaching a state that is pretty good for your age and your body. Knowing how to get fuller breasts after breastfeeding through natural ways can help you get started on the right note and help you get into those gorgeous dresses to show off your amazing body again.
Also Read: How to Deal with Breast Engorgement? Read more
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10 Tips To Make Life Easier With a Newborn
Life is both rewarding and demanding when you have just delivered a baby. You might be flooded with an overwhelming sense of helplessness when your infant cries or catches that nasty little cold. It is also tremendous pressure sifting through heaps of advice given to you, both solicited and unsolicited. Some mothers tend to crack and have bouts of postnatal depression. Here we try to decode the secret to stress-free survival when you have a newborn. Learning to live without losing your mind when you have an infant can be simple. We bring to you some tested mommy-hacks to surviving the first few months with your tiny tot.
Tips to Make Your Life Easier with Your Newborn
The strongest of women have caved due to the sheer number of changes their body and mind are put through after giving birth to a baby. However, it isn’t all uphill. Having a tiny angelic face coo and gurgle at you just evens out the playing field. Nevertheless, here are some tips on how to keep your head around a newborn.
1. Sleep When Your Tot Sleeps
Sometimes we feel like we have to conquer all before baby wakes up. We end up doing the dishes, the laundry, and just about every other chore when the baby is sleeping. Don’t exert yourself. Sleep when your baby sleeps because you need your health and sanity to deal with whatever your little one throws your way when he is awake. Your house need not look perfect always. It's okay, people will understand that you have a baby. Your life has changed, and you should accept it.
2. Stock Up on Well-Fitting Outfits
Do not forget that your body has changed too. But that is no reason for you to look shabby. Buy a few outfits that don’t reflect postpartum dressing. Looking smart will definitely take the edge off once in a while. Also, remember to wear comfortable clothing because you are putting up with several other discomforts already.
3. Buy Products that Ease Your Life
Stock up on essentials items like a nursing pillow, nursing bras, bouncy seats, a baby wearer, or an effective bassinet. You may want to do your research about what kind of baby cots work for your house, which prams are multiutility and so on. Even research the right kind of wipes, baby diaper rash creams, baby bath lotions, and other care products so that they are off your worry list once and for all.
4. Indulge in Makeup or Other Feel Good Items
Make sure to buy things that make you feel good. Invest in some quality makeup, body care products, bath salts, or whatever makes you feel like you again, even if it is momentary. Don’t lose yourself in trying to be a mother. Unless you can hold on to the essence of yourself, you don’t have much left to pass on to your baby.
5. Ask Help from Loved Ones
Do not take the world head-on. Make sure to get help from your partner as much as possible. Let them help with the dishes or cleaning while you get some sleep. Pump milk into a bottle so that the baby’s father can feed him. This will help the father bond with the baby while you take a short break. If your family can help with cooking, shopping, or anything that you need, let them help. It will take some of the pressure off you for sure.
6. Make Friends in Mommy Circles
Join some good support groups. There are tons of beautiful women out there who are going through what you are. They are always a blessing with their empathy and tested suggestions to certain problems. You can find a support group with help from your paediatrician or hospital’s network. You could also join one online if there are none near you.
7. Make Some Time for Yourself
Take a warm shower, paint your nails, do your hair, or read a book. Remember that you need some baby-free time too because your mind and body are dealing with more than an average human can handle at a time. You deserve some me-time.
8. Clear Your Doubts with a Paediatrician
Ask as many questions as possible before you get discharged from the hospital. Keep a list of questions to ask when you take your infant for a paediatric visit. Even the smallest doubt you have is worth clarifying. After all the illusion of control is all we have in a world where everything else is chaos. Even your doctor may not have all the answers, but it’s worth asking anyway.
9. Pack Extras Wherever You Go
There is no such this as over-packing when you have an infant. There will be many cases of spit-ups, occasional vomit, diaper explosions and blowouts, and peeing all the time. You do not want to be caught with no change of clothes, diapers, rash cream, bibs, towelettes, or wipes. Take extra bottles, thermometers, and other utilities because you never know when the one you are carrying is rendered useless for some reason.
10. Remember That Nobody Has It All Worked Out
There is no perfect mother on the planet. We have all been a mess at some point or the other. We have all felt lost and helpless at some point when left alone with a wailing, hungry little munchkin. Just stop and remind yourself that it is all worth it and you can ride out and conquer all!
Despite how tiring and difficult parenting can be for a new mother, everything turns around the moment your baby looks up at your face and smiles. The innocence and the charm of your little one make every hardship seem trivial at the end of the day. Just remember to give yourself a break, don’t be too hard on yourself if you cannot figure something out, ask for help. Just power through the first few months with your baby in your arms and everything will fall into place soon enough.
Also Read:
Essential Tips for Parents on Taking Care of Newborn Baby
Natural Ingredients Which are Helpful for Baby's Skin
Is Crying Beneficial for Infants Read more
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Spinach Falafel
Falafel is easy to make, nutritious and kids are sure to love the deep fried treats. Feed your kids all the spinach you want with these delicious falafel. You can also add chopped veggies for a healthier falafel.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10-15 Minutes
10 Minutes
Ingredients
1.5 cups soaked split bengal gram
2 tsp besan
1 inch ginger
4 garlic cloves
A handful of spinach
A handful of coriander leaves
1 tsp sesame seeds
2 small green chillies
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
Method
Step 1
In a mixer, coarsely grind the spinach, soaked Bengal gram, garlic, ginger, coriander leaves and green chillies.
Step 2
To this add the sesame seeds and mix well.
Step 3
The mixture should not be too wet or too dry. If it is runny then add besan powder to make it thicker. Add water if too dry.
Step 4
Make a little ball out of the mixture in your palm and check if it holds.
Step 5
Heat a kadhai with sufficient oil to fry. Drop the balls one by one and cook for 3-4 min on a medium flame. A high flame burns the falafel and a low flame will break the falafel apart.
Step 6
Take out on absorbent paper and serve with mint chutney or sauce.
Nutritional Information
Calories
231 K cal
Proteins
1.5 g
Fats
2.9 g
Carbohydrates
3.4 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
626 mg
Potassium
158 mg
*For frying, add approximately 10 grams of fat per serving at 9 Kcal/gm of fat. Read more
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15 Ways to Make the Most of Your Balcony Space
As towns and cities in India grow and develop rapidly, the demand for bigger apartments and more living space is also rising. Accordingly, almost every residential project has at least one balcony attached to the living room. We asked a few families with young children about how they use their balcony and here are 15 unique answers we got!
How You Can Use Your Balcony
Every family has a different lifestyle and therefore, has different uses for their balcony. Some of these are quite out-of-the-box and will make your jaw drop!
1. As a Mini Garden
So what if you don’t have a courtyard or backyard? Your balcony can become your mini garden! You can grow potted herbs like tulsi, mint and curry leaves and use them in your dishes instead of buying from the supermarket. Hibiscus, rose and jasmine can be scenty additions to your green space.
2. As Your Baby’s Bedroom
Babies need all the warmth and fresh air they can get. You can convert your balcony into your baby’s bedroom, complete with a cradle, pillows and mattresses. And don’t forget to keep the balcony door open so that you know when she needs a diaper change!
3. As Your Toddler's Play Area
Once your baby starts sitting, you can make your balcony into her play area and teach her to walk there. This is a good way to keep the living room furniture out of their way.
4. As a Reading Corner
Once your child grows up, the balcony can become an excellent book-nook. You can set up book shelves and also add a wooden swing. The reading corner will give her the pleasure of curling up to a book on a lazy Sunday.
5. As a Puja Room
If you don’t have a separate Puja room in your home, the balcony can become one! You can place idols and images of gods there, thus transforming this extra space into a spiritual corner.
6. As a TV Room
As children grow older, they come home from school and instantly plonk themselves in front of the TV. To keep a check on this, install it in your balcony and allow her TV-time only once she has completed the homework. If you are a fan of daily soaps, you can watch them sitting in the balcony. That way, you won’t disturb your kids and also get some me-time.
7. As a Laundry Room
A balcony is the perfect place to hang up your wet clothes as they can get direct sunlight. So, your clothes will not only dry faster, but they’ll also be free from germs. Keep your laundry basket in the balcony and deposit all the clothes into it that have to go for a wash.
8. As a Food Vault
If you live in a joint family, you might be buying vegetables and other foods like rice and dal in bulk. You can store these in the balcony where there’s sunlight and fresh air. This will prevent them from getting spoilt.
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9. As an Outdoor Cooking Spot
When you host a family get-together, you can enjoy a D-I-Y bonfire in your balcony and cook delicious barbecue recipes.
10. As a Stargazing Deck
On a clear night, your balcony space can change into a stargazing deck. Armed with a pair of binoculars, your child will soon learn everything about stars and planets!
11. As a Birthday Party Room
Where can you celebrate and feel at home, yet be outdoors? In a balcony! Give your child’s birthday a twist by cutting the cake and serving refreshments under the stars!
12. As a Grandparents’ Room
Grandparents often need their own room so they can relax as and when they want to. The balcony can be set up with a bed and healthcare essentials for your parents or in-laws.
13. As a Cosy Couple Bedroom
The balcony can bring back the fire and passion in your marital life. Hang up curtains and transform it into your private space. And the best part is that you can keep intimate things here without the fear of your child finding out and asking “awkward” questions.
14. As a Pet Place
If you have a pet dog or cat, they can have their basket or kennel in the balcony. You can also provide them with food, water and a potty tray to keep them from dirtying your home.
15. As a Work Zone
If you or your partner work from home, the balcony is a promising noise-free zone and can help you stay focused. You can set up a table and a comfortable chair facing the sun and the blue sky.
Balconies are actually an extra room in hiding. If you implement any of these ideas for your balcony, your house will seem bigger than before!
Also Read:
Creative Ideas to Beautify Your Balcony
How to Design the Perfect Outdoor Dining Space
Amazing Design Ideas for Small Kitchen Read more
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6 Things your Child Shouldn't Hear From you!
Children pick up words and phrases that they aren't supposed to. This could be courtesy – you! Wondering what not to say to your child? Well, something unflattering or negative that could affect their confidence while growing up!
If you're prone to making negative remarks about your kids, refrain from it. They don't need their parents telling them how bad they’ve been. Instead, explain things to them in a positive way.
6 Things Not to Say to Your Child
1. “You’re an idiot”
Ouch! This sentence could damage any kid’s confidence. Yes, your little one may be a little slow on the uptake but it doesn't merit a sentence so harsh. Take the time to explain things to him without going off the handle immediately.
2. “NO!”
A resounding ‘No’ can really get hurt your little one’s feelings. If you keep making negative comments, your kid will lose confidence. If you don't approve of a certain action, tell them how you feel about it in a positive manner. Give them options before you say a no.
3. “Go away, not now!”
All kids deserve attention. Make the time to hear your kid out when he has a query or a problem. If it's something that is bothering him, hearing the little one out can do him a world of good. A mom who gives her kids a patient hearing will always be able to solve his or problems.
4. “Why can’t you be like your brother?”
It is never a good idea to compare one sibling with the other. Accepting both kids, flaws and all, is vital for a healthy upbringing. Appreciate both kids for their individual qualities. When they are chastised separately, it doesn't affect them psychologically.
5. “Let Dad come back...”
“Daddy will come home and take you to task.” While it may instil fear in him, it'll reduce your authority. There could come a time where he would not even heed the warnings you give. Using dad as a threat could be quite ineffective when he is out on a business trip. During this time, you may not get your kid to even listen to you. Therefore, it's best for the little one to know who the boss is from the get-go. Dad can be used as a secondary threat.
6. “Why did I get a kid like you?”
All parents have trouble with their kids when they are just learning how to walk and talk. If your kid is misbehaving, don't come down on him badly. This is because his behaviour could be a reflection of the environment he is growing up in. Change how you interact with your husband and others living in the house. Order brings order. This is definitely one of the things not to say to your kids.
As a mom, your job would be to nurture and care for your child. Give them the confidence they need to face any challenge life throws at them. Low morale or negative words could chip at their confidence. Watch what you speak around your kids, ladies!
Is there any phrase that you avoid saying to your child? Why? Tell us in the comments and let's help each other become better parents! Read more
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
18 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert hi this is Sarika here . my question is how to encourage my baby to latch because he get irritated whenever I try to latch him
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
18 hours ago
A. It’s very important that when you ask a question please provide us the age of the child currently I would say that if your child is unable to latch properly so whenever you’re feeding Press your breast with your hands for the feeding of the milk is better because the milk flow is going to be better and hopefully that you do the trick
Mohammad amin has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. my baby have gastric problem..
Mohammad amin
Guardian of a 2 yr 11 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. use colimex df drops
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts red scretch marks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. You can mix coconut oil and Kapoor together and that is what you can apply regularly want to your stretch marks is one of the best options that you can use currently other than that also I would recommend you that if you feel any kind of a burning sensation or irritation then you can have a word with your gynaecologist
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. left side pain kyu hota h
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. many times and the most common cause would be due to accumulation of milk clots and sometimes it can be neurogenic pain and sometimes it might be a partx any local mass like lymph nodes or tissue pain.
if it is not improving with simple massage as well as simple hot compressesx and expression of accumulated milk then meet your doctor at the earliest for local examination.
you can take paracetamol for pain.
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
2 hours ago
Q. I got chicken pox in my 8th week..it's just started how I can deal with it?
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello dear! Chicken pox during pregnancy is a matter of concern. Consult your doctor for personal evaluation and seek medical advice. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and follow your doctor’s advice. Good luck and take care
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. is sesame seeds healthy in 37th week of pregnancy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
7 mins ago
A. yes you can have but limited .
During pregnancy it is always advisable to have your normal routine foods and include more of sprouted grains along with green leafy vegetables and adequate water intake which helps maintain good health
Do have regular daily walking
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