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Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time for a woman but making healthy choices during this time is crucial. If you are pregnant, you must eat healthy foods to ensure that your baby gets the right nutrition for his proper growth and development. You should include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as they are full of essential nutrients and are packed with fibre. They provide the baby with minerals and vitamins necessary for his growth. One such healthy, tasty, and nutritious fruit that you should consider including in your diet is banana. Banana is a tropical fruit and contains essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and dietary fibre. Find out how eating bananas can help you during pregnancy.
Is it Good to Eat Bananas During Pregnancy?
Bananas are a rich source of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, and minerals like manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, and selenium. All these nutrients help in the healthy development of the foetus during pregnancy. Eating bananas can also provide relief from some of the complications that arise in pregnancy and can be beneficial for the health of both the mother and the baby.
Benefits of Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
Fruits are healthy and should be a part of diet especially during pregnancy. Some of the benefits of eating bananas during pregnancy are mentioned below.
Provides Relief From Vomiting and Nausea
Bananas are a rich source of Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 can cure nausea and morning sickness. Hence, eating bananas, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy is particularly recommended to women.
Helps Lower the Risk of Oedema
Many pregnant women experience oedema or water retention in the second and third trimesters of their pregnancies. Oedema can lead to swelling of the ankles, feet, and other joints. If you notice swelling in the joints or ankle, avoid consuming salty foods and include banana in your diet; it will help lower the swelling.
Gives a Quick Energy Boost
Bananas are high in carbohydrates as they contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose that can be metabolised quickly by the body to provide an immediate energy boost. During the last trimester of pregnancy, eating bananas can give you a quick energy boost. So, keep this fruit handy. Eating bananas will even help you fight fatigue and increase your energy levels.
Lowers the Chances of Birth Defects in the Baby
Bananas are a good source of folate, which is necessary for the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Eating bananas during pregnancy improves folate levels in the body thus lowering the chances of folate deficiency, which is known to cause birth defects in the baby.
Help in the Development of the Baby's Nervous System
Bananas are a rich source of the water-soluble Vitamin B6, which is necessary for the development of the central nervous system of the baby. Thus, regular consumption of bananas in the first trimester of pregnancy can prove beneficial for his brain development too.
Provides Relief From Constipation
Bananas contain a high amount of dietary fibre, which helps in stimulating the bowel movements and reduce bloating in the stomach caused by gas. A medium-sized banana contains about 6 grams of fibre. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy and that's why eating this easily available fruit can help. Eating bananas can improve bowel movements, thus providing relief from constipation.
Helps Maintain Blood Pressure
Bananas are a rich source of potassium. It is an essential mineral that controls blood pressure levels in the body. You can include banana in your diet and prevent fluctuations in your blood pressure levels.
Helps Prevent Acidity and Heartburn
Eating bananas can help protect the stomach and oesophageal walls from gastric acid. Acidity and heartburn are a common problem during pregnancy. Eating bananas during this time can keep acidity and heartburn at bay. It can also aid digestion.
Helps in the Bone Development
Bananas are an excellent source of calcium, which is necessary for the development of bones in both the baby and the mother. Calcium is also necessary for the regulation of muscle contraction in the body so include this fruit in your pregnancy diet.
Helps Maintain Healthy Skin
Bananas are a good source of Vitamin C. This vitamin, also called ascorbic acid, is essential for the absorption of iron in the body. It also helps in the growth of bones, repairing tissues, and maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and helps fight infections. Eating bananas during pregnancy can give the baby and the mother-to-be with all the benefits of Vitamin C.
Are There Any Harmful Effects of Consuming Bananas During Pregnancy?
Bananas are absolutely safe for consumption during pregnancy. They contain plenty of nutrients which have several health benefits for both the mother and the baby. However, they should be consumed in moderation. Bananas are sugary fruit, and eating them in excessive amounts and not maintaining proper hygiene practices can lead to tooth decay.
Women with gestational diabetes should also not consume too many bananas as they can cause sugar levels to increase rapidly. If you are pregnant and have gestational diabetes, it is suggested that you consult your doctor about eating bananas.
Pregnant women who are allergic to bananas should also avoid eating bananas. Bananas contain chitinase, which is an allergen that causes the latex-fruit syndrome. This group includes other fruits like kiwis and avocados, which should also be consumed after checking with a doctor.
Precautions to Take While Eating Bananas During Pregnancy
It is best to consume bananas that are fresh and clean. Avoid eating bananas that have been lying around for days, are overripe or have turned black. Also make sure to consult your doctor about including bananas in your diet, especially if you are allergic or suffer from gestational diabetes.
How to Include Bananas in Your Diet
You can include bananas in your pregnancy diet in one or more of the following ways given below.
Banana Smoothie: Having a smoothie or banana milkshake in pregnancy is a great way to include the fruit in your diet. Blend a ripe banana with some strawberries and low-fat milk to make a tasty smoothie.
Banana Oatmeal: Add some chopped bananas, oatmeal, and nuts like almonds in yoghurt and enjoy. It can be enjoyed as breakfast. Banana oatmeal is high in fibre, carbohydrates, and minerals and can give you an energy boost.
Banana Chips: You can have banana chips during pregnancy when you have a craving to munch on something. However, banana chips are usually deep-fried and salty. You can make a healthy, oil-free version by using low sodium salt and baking instead of frying.
Whole Fruit - If you don't want to make anything, just eat the whole banana. You will get the maximum health benefits from it by eating the whole fruit.
FAQs
1. Can You Eat Red Bananas During Pregnancy?
Red bananas are absolutely safe to eat during pregnancy. They are similar to yellow bananas in nutritional content and they also help improve lactation.
2. How Many Bananas Can I Eat Daily?
Bananas, like anything else, should be consumed in moderation. You can eat 1 to 2 medium-sized bananas in a day. However, make sure to consult a doctor before including them in your diet and also ask how much you should eat.
Bananas are an excellent source of essential nutrients for pregnant women and have several health benefits for both the baby and the mother. So go ahead and enjoy that banana smoothie or a whole banana! However, make sure you talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet during pregnancy.
Also Read: Foods to Eat During Pregnancy for Healthy Baby Read more
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Listening Activities, Games and Exercises for Kids
Asking your kid actually to listen to what you say is a tough task, isn’t it? All the mothers reading this article seem to be nodding in the affirmative. You may feel that child-bearing and child-rearing are no fun, but things can be different. Every kid loves games and activities. If one can weave some learning into it through listening games for children, your child’s listening skills can improve dramatically.
Best Listening Activities for Children
You can gain valuable insight about your child’s deepest thoughts through listening activities for kids. It allows better bonding with the kid and helps a parent to understand the child better. Check out these listening activities that are easy to organise and very effective too:
1. Become the Boss
This activity allows your child to become the boss during playtime for a limited duration. During this period, the child can tell you how to play and with which toys to play. Through this activity, you can know how your instructions are being perceived. It is also an opportunity to showcase listening skills to your child by doing it yourself.
2. Blindfold Walk
This activity will help kids to listen to and understand instructions to complete a certain task. Blindfold your child and ask him to listen to your directions to reach a specific place. Use instructions like “go forward/ backwards three steps, turn left right or go straight”. The destination can consist of a toy or some goodies as an incentive for the kid.
3. Dolls at Play
Take a couple of dolls from your child’s collection and sit down to play. In this activity, one doll becomes the mother while the other plays the child. Practice talking and listening while playing with the dolls. Use a typical scenario at home so it is easy for the child to identify and she can take the lead. Parents can proactively use such activities to develop listening skills in children.
4. Listen and Draw
One can use the drawing activity to build listening skills. Describe a picture to the child in great detail and ask her to listen carefully. Then handover some drawing sheets and crayons and tell her to draw what you described. Encourage her to ask questions if she isn’t clear. Describe simple images to young kids and detailed ones to older children.
5. Telephone
Whisper words or short sentences into your child’s ears and ask her to repeat it in your ear. Make it funny and exciting, so your kid enjoys the activity. Share silly stories or entertaining anecdotes which your child can understand and repeat. Tweak the game according to the age of your child.
Awesome Listening Skills Games for Kids
Listening is an important life skill that helps children to understand and recall classroom study. It teaches them to follow directions and exercises their brain in many ways. The following listening skills games are built to teach all this and more:
1. Guess Who
This game is used to promote language and perception. By using a recording of animal sounds or making one yourself, ask the child to identify the animal. Show an image of the animal so that their learning is reinforced. The connection between sound and image is thus strengthened. Play a few animal sounds in a loop and reward the child who remembers it in the right sequence.
2. Copycat
Listening skills can be enhanced by improving your child’s ability to comprehend rhythmic or repetitive patterns. Try clapping in different ways and ask the child to repeat it for you. If you have 4 or 5 children with you, whisper a sentence in a child’s ear and ask him to repeat it to the next and so on. Ask the last kid to speak the sentence aloud. The sentence may have changed a lot, and this underlines the importance of listening properly.
3. Hide and Seek
One of the most critical listening concepts is related to following directions. Hide your child’s favourite toy or a treat and help your child to locate it by providing verbal cues. Give simple directions and reiterate that if they listen well, they will be able to find the treasure. Send a message that if they listen actively, they can use the information that will lead to success.
4. Simon Says Remixed
The importance of focussing on the spoken word and following directions is wonderfully emphasised in this game. Begin with something like “Simon says touch your knees” and then say stand on one leg. Those who follow the second instruction lose. This will teach kids to listen to the entire directions and will reinforce effective listening.
5. End of the Word is the Beginning of the Next
This is a straightforward yet fun game that toddlers enjoy. Your child will have to listen carefully to the word the previous child says. She will have to come up with a word that begins with that word’s last alphabet. For example, Tiger…right…tree..elephant..and so on. Watch your child hang on to every word being spoken. This teaches great listening skills.
Listening Skills Exercises for Children
To communicate effectively with people during their adult life, kids need to understand active learning skills early. This not only benefits him during school life but has a positive impact on his social life. This is possible through active listening exercises for kids and helps them in identifying and practising these important skills. Use these activities to lay a powerful foundation of communication for your child:
1. Become a Role Model for Your Child
Ensure that you are maintaining eye contact with your child when he or she is speaking to you. This will lead to him doing the same while you speak to him. Repeat what your child says to you to reiterate that you understand him. When you become a model listener, it prompts the child to do the same with you and with others.
2. Practice Repetition of Conversation
After you have given certain instructions to your kid, ask him to repeat the same to you. For example, if you have asked him to clean his room, empty the wastebaskets and have a bath, tell him to repeat these three instructions. It allows him to process those instructions and also tells you if he has listened to what you said.
3. Initiate a Conversation
When you have a conversation with your child, make sure the topic is of interest to him. If you want a real conversation to happen, a topic of his/her choice will allow the child to express itself in a better way. Since the topic is close to his heart, the discussion will have a purpose for him. This will encourage active listening as he will be eager to know what you have to say about it.
4. Read Stories and Ask for Predictions
Surely you must be reading out bedtime stories to your tiny tot. This time, however, give it a slight twist by asking your child to predict the next step. If the child has to make a guess, he will have to listen to your story well and hang on to every word you say. You can even ask your kid to retell the story in his own words to check if he has understood it. Another way of checking if the child has been actively listening is to ask him to use his toys to tell the tale again. He will be able to act out the story only if he has heard and understood you properly. You can include stories with morals for initiating moral development in kids.
5. Group Story-Telling Sessions
Gather your child’s friends at your home or in the park for a unique story session. One child begins the story, and the next one has to add a few sentences to the story. This has to make some sense and will go on till the turn reaches the first child. This exercise will enhance listening skills since your child will have to pay attention to what everyone else is saying. Help those who are stuck but do not narrate the entire segment. You could also ask the kids to act out certain segments to make the whole narration interesting.
It is certainly no secret that listening skills are the key to becoming a great communicator. This critical art can become an essential asset in school, college and adult life. It will also help you to bond with your child especially since you will be playing and doing some truly crazy stuff with your child. This helps to lighten the child’s mood while improving his listening skills without any significant effort.
Also Read: How to Make Kids Listen To You Read more
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How to Make Baby Move in the Womb - Easy Tricks
Most first time mothers are eager to know how to make the baby move at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Although it is quite early, your baby’s movement in your womb can indicate that everything is fine. If you want your baby to move in the womb, here are a few tips to make that happen easily.
When Will You Feel Your Baby’s First Movement?
If you are thinking of ways to make your baby move in your womb, first you should find out when would be the right time for the same. Some movements might begin as early as in the middle of the second trimester. However, there have been scenarios where the baby hasn’t moved until the third trimester.
Tips to Make Your Baby Move in the Uterus
Whether it is making baby kick in the womb or encouraging him to move inside your uterus, there are a bunch of simple and common tips that women have used to make it happen. Indulging in them appropriately can help you yield good results.
1. Take a Nice Warm Bath
This technique has known to work for a lot of women. By filling up your tub with lukewarm water and soaking yourself in it, there is a good chance that you may feel or even see your baby move around inside you. The relaxed state in itself allows the mother to feel the baby better and be connected to him. And keeping the water slightly warm will even help the baby to be safe.
2. Massage Your Belly
Massage your belly, but gently. You might have noticed your baby reacting to when you rub your belly and other times when you touch your tummy. Massaging on belly will make use of that to nudge the baby into moving around. Some may move closer to the touch while others may move away from it. You could even feel his punch and kick the stomach pretty evidently.
3. Eat Spicy Food
Consuming spicy food will find its way into the amniotic fluid, which is consumed by the baby, making him move actively within you. This is a tip that you should consider after consulting an obstetrician because not every woman has a body that can handle spicy food in a good way. Sometimes a baby may also react adversely to the spicy food when it reaches him. You can eat spicy food once or twice, but do not make it a habit.
4. Talk to Your Little One
Babies are able to hear what’s happening inside the mother’s body and a lot of external sounds by the time they complete two trimesters of pregnancy or so. This is also where babies develop an affinity for the mother’s voice and form a close bond with her. Talking to the baby constantly will help strengthen the bond and even have him react to you. Let your partner engage in conversations with the child as well, at different times of the day.
5. Lie Down on Your Back
This is one of those tips that gets a lot of sceptical eyes. Nearly every tip to make the baby move makes use of a stimulus or a chance that will cause the baby to respond to it. So lying down may not seem to be the most potent one. However, if you have an active lifestyle daily, your baby would get used to those rhythmic movements and find itself sleeping soundly during those. Which is why finding things to not be moving anymore could cause the baby to wake up as a result of it and start moving around.
6. Poke But Gently
Just the way shaking your tummy encourages the baby to move, poking the tummy or the place of his presence can give him a stimulus as well and encourage him to move. This won’t hurt the child and he may even respond with a kick. Not only does it help in creating a good bond, but it can even turn into a private game, too.
7. Cough While Kneeling on Your Limbs
Sometimes, babies choose a position within the uterus that’s good for them but may place undue pressure on the mother. Therefore, to get him moving again, you can get down on all fours and just cough. The pull on the stomach and the act of coughing can encourage the child to move elsewhere. However, it can be risky, so do it under someone's presence or not do it at all if you are not comfortable.
8. Use an Ice Pack
We all are aware of how sensitive babies are to external temperature. Hot temperatures are not safe for the child, but cold temperatures can help provide a different stimulus. Just placing an ice pack on an area of your tummy can make the baby aware of the coolness, without harming him. Make sure you use a cloth to wrap the icepack.
9. Play Some Music and Sing Along
Listening to music or your voice allows the baby’s brain to interpret it and that strengthens the bond between the two of you. There have been cases where babies have been extremely excited to listen to specific music, which has found a response even after birth. Try this out for your little one as well.
10. Allow Your Adrenaline to Rise
Adrenaline is your body’s biological response when it considers itself to be unsafe. It rises up in cases of stress, anxiety, and nervousness, which is not good for the child. However, if you are simply watching a horror film or suddenly get scared by a loud sound, that simple adrenaline rush could instigate your child to feel it as well and move around within you.
11. Shine a Light on Your Tummy
Just the way your little baby responds to a massage and icepack, he will also do it when you shine a light on your tummy. Placing a flashlight on your stomach can allow some light to trickle in, which can be spotted by the baby. He will either move towards it or roll around to avoid seeing it.
12. Eat a Banana
If you’ve found it strange why doctors recommend eating a banana before an ultrasound, there is a link between banana consumption and the baby’s movement. It is hard to determine which constituent of banana causes the baby to get excited, but many have observed that babies get active as a result of eating bananas.
How Often Should the Foetus Move?
Each baby grows up and moves at its own pace. Most mothers experience kicks and punches towards the end of the second trimester. A few others have begun to find their baby to be moving only after entering the third trimester. Keeping a track of those movements is quite essential at this stage and your doctor can let you know more about it. A baby kicking less than other babies is not a cause for worry. However, any major deviations from the norm or a sudden silence out of the blue should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately.
What If the Baby Is Not Moving Much in Your Belly?
Using music to make the baby move in the womb may not always work and there are a couple of reasons why your child may not move a lot.
The final phases of pregnancy can make the space constricted, which keeps the movement of the baby restricted. But you should be able to feel light movement within you.
If using multiple tips fail to encourage the baby’s movement, this could be a sign of a complication or the baby being in distress. So, consult a doctor in such a case.
Mothers want to know more about making the baby move in the womb at 38 weeks since that calms them down as well. Trusting your doctor and keeping a track of your baby’s growth can help you understand it all better.
Also Read: What is Meant by Quickening in Pregnancy? Read more
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Let's Read Together - Building Habit of Reading Among Children
Kids are the most innocent creatures on this earth. Every parent wants to give their children the best start in life. And the early ages of a child is a sensitive period to start anything. I am the mother of a 1-year-old boy and being a mother, I am always worried about my son getting addicted to electronic devices (the phone or television). Technology can always be a part of life but too much of anything can be dangerous.
This is actually the best time to build good habits in your children rather than letting them watch TV or use phones. They can develop many good habits like brushing their teeth, sleeping early and the habit of reading. According to a survey, a reading habit is considered to be the healthiest one. It is never too late to start with; even paediatricians are recommending that parents start reading to their newborn child. So if you are looking for some tips to foster reading habits in your child, here are some:
Infants enjoy hearing their parents' voices; they find it very soothing and are likely to remember and relate more to their voices. So, new mothers, you can start from day one and then make it a daily routine. Your children will enjoy reading books when they grow up.
They asked a mother: “How did you persuade your child to read instead of playing with devices?" She replied: “Children don’t hear us, they imitate us.” Yes, when children see their mommy and daddy sitting and reading, they will also sit with them and read. So let your kids see your enthusiasm for reading.
It is good to make a reading space for your children. It is not necessary to have a big one; it can be a small corner or any comfy spot with good lighting.
Always explore the genres of books available in the market or online. Remember to choose books which are age-appropriate, so that kids will not lose their interest. For infants, start with picture books, as they have brightly coloured pictures and pop-up images which attract babies. For toddlers (1 to 3 years), picture books with fewer letters can be used. For pre-schoolers (3 to 5 years), stories and interactive books can help them to understand more and make reading fun.
Find reading moments in your daily life. Reading does not only mean to sit in one place and read; reading moments can be found anywhere; from reading road signs or groceries list.
There are always different ways to build good habits. I am going to follow these tips to build reading habits in my child. Are you?
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
11 hours ago
Q. Hi, for May 1st they will check AFI fluid... should I need to be on empty bladder for that scan... which is around 37 weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. It’s completely normal this kind of an ultrasound is different it is not necessary that your stomach should be full or you should go empty stomach you can have your basic breakfast and all whatever you would want to eat before you go ahead with getting a scan and there is no need to go empty stomach for the scan
Rayan has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. hi everyone..the position of my baby is still in breech position from first trimester till now as I entered in my third trimester position is still breech is it normal..
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. Check your scan report
parminder kaur has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. Mera Mera 7th month end pe hai ab scan Karate doctor please tell me
parminder kaur
Mom of a 1 yr 1 m old boy
10 hours ago
A. yess
Rayan has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
9 hours ago
Q. what types of clothes are good for a new born baby during summers
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. Cotton, Muslin clothes can be used. Prefer white or light coloured clothes since it absorb less heat.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 10 m old child
59 mins ago
Q. #asktheexperts please suggest diet plan for wait gain of my 2 years old baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
53 mins ago
A. normal traditional food rich in protein ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
31 mins ago
Q. My due date is 5/5/24 but doctor was saying that baby head didn't get down.is it possible normal delivery for me
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
9 mins ago
A. depends on many factors your doctor can explain you after ultrasound examination. 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
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