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Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding - Is It Safe?
For all new mothers, the safety of their babies is of the greatest priority. New mothers will take great care with everything they do, and all the lifestyle choices they make while pregnant or nursing a new-born baby. Some new moms, however, would like to get a tattoo in order to cherish this special moment in their life. In this article, we will look closely at some possible concerns with regards to getting a tattoo while breastfeeding.
Can Breastfeeding Moms Get a Tattoo?
Tattoos are created using a machine that has ink coated needles piercing the skin at a rate of hundreds of times a minute in order to create a design. These needles only penetrate to a few millimetres in the top layer of the skin and deposit ink just below the surface of the skin. While there is no conclusive study with regards to the dangers of getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, there are, however, some important safety considerations to be taken into account. The first of these would probably be the impact of the ink used for tattoo-making contaminating breast milk. This, however, should not be of much concern since the molecules of tattoo ink are too large to contaminate breast milk.
Another concern would be the risk of infections from the procedure itself. There are two possible types of infections that can occur on account of getting a tattoo. Local infection can occur on account of the failure to take the necessary care after getting a tattoo and may include swelling or scarring around the tattoo. Local infections pose no threat to the baby being nursed. Systemic infections are those that occur on account of negligence by the tattoo artist. Since tattooing involves the piercing of the skin by needles, equipment that is not sterilized and a generally unhygienic environment can cause blood-borne infections like hepatitis or HIV. While HIV can pass through breast milk to the child, a cracked nipple may transfer the hepatitis virus to the baby.
A tattoo on the breast while breastfeeding is not recommended, as it cannot be appropriately cared for while nursing; and if the tattoo does get infected, it would mean that breastfeeding would have to cease till the infection has healed.
Precautions You Should Take to Get a Tattoo while Breastfeeding
Certain precautions must be taken before you get a tattoo; these precautions are necessary for everyone, whether or not you are a nursing mom. The following precautions should be kept in mind while getting a tattoo during breastfeeding:
Ideally, wait till your baby is older than a year, and not completely dependent on breast milk.
Tattoos on the breast should be avoided.
Some groundwork with regards to the reputation of the tattoo artist or parlour is a must.
Make sure that the tattoo artist is using sterilized equipment; the machine, ink cups, etc. should be prepared before you and should not be lying around when you walk in.
Ensure that there is adequate lighting in the parlour. This not only ensures a well-done tattoo but also a cleaner, healthier environment.
It is also important that you see the artist washing his hands before starting the process.
Insist on natural inks and pigments as industrial pigments may be unpredictable with regards to infections.
After getting a tattoo, some time and attention must be given to healing of the tattoo area, on an average a tattoo takes one to three weeks to heal. Precautions include protection from exposure of the tattoo to direct sunlight, refraining from alcohol consumption, the regular use of antibiotic gel and frequent inspection of the tattoo and surrounding areas for signs of infections.
Risks Involved in Tattooing While Breastfeeding
There are certain risks of getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, these include:
Although rare, sometimes, nursing moms may have an allergic reaction to the pigments and ink used for making a tattoo. An infection will cause a temporary halt in breastfeeding.
Since tattooing involves the piercing of a needle through the skin, certain infections may be caused. These include Hepatitis and HIV that can be passed on from the mother to the baby under certain circumstances. The only way to prevent this is to approach a reputed tattoo artist and ensure that proper hygienic procedures are followed.
A tattoo may cause more localized problems like bumps, scars or granulomas. While these infections pose no threat to the baby, the mother may need to visit a doctor and have them treated.
While getting a magnetic resonance imaging scan (an MRI scan) done, some people with tattoos can feel swelling and pain, in and around the location of a tattoo. These symptoms are mostly temporary and will disappear shortly.
Is It Safe to Remove Tattoos While Nursing?
The use of lasers for tattoo removal makes the whole process very easy, painless, and with virtually no side effects. The laser emits powerful high energy light beams that break up the ink into smaller particles; these particles are then flushed out of the body by the immune system. This procedure is safe enough to be used by nursing moms and many women have undergone this procedure while breastfeeding their babies.
Are There Any Temporary Alternatives to Tattooing?
Henna is a natural pigment that has been around for hundreds of years; it is usually used for colouring hair, but can also make for nice temporary tattoos on the skin. If you would like a tattoo during breastfeeding without having to be exposed to the risks posed by a regular tattoo, then a henna tattoo would be a wise choice. A permanent tattoo can always be pursued when you feel it is safe to do so.
Getting a tattoo while breastfeeding may not be proven harmful but it is still advisable that the decision is delayed till the baby is a year old and all the precautions and risks highlighted above have been duly considered.
Also Read: No Breast Milk After Delivery: Reasons And Diagnosis Read more
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Toys for 3 Months Old Baby
Give them a toy and you’ll realize just how playful and curious your baby can be even at only 3 months of age! Toys are great in stimulating a baby's motor and sensory skills along with aiding in cognitive development. So, what kinds of toys are good for your 3-month-old? Continue reading to find out.
Teething Toys
Teething toys are designed to be chewed on by the baby. They aid in the eruption of the front, middle and back teeth.
1. Skills development
Along with stimulating their gums, teethers help build motor skills. They are also good for:
Keeping the baby busy for hours playing with the brightly coloured toy that have different textured features
Relieve soreness in the gums
Build jaw strength and hand coordination
2. Recommended toys
Teething toys with rattlers
BPA-free Hard/soft teething keys
Silicone water filled teethers
Developmental Toys
Developmental toys have interactive features that respond to inputs.
1. Skills development
These toys help in cognitive skills and sensory development. Their features include:
Motion sensors that activate sound effects and melodies
Flashing lights along with buzzers that stimulate both vision and touch sensory inputs
By flipping the movable parts or pushing the buttons, babies develop motor skills
Auditory stimulation helps develop hearing and differentiation of different sounds
2. Recommended toys
Talk and Go Farm Rattle
Take Along Musical Toy
Animal activity Rattle
Musical Toys
Musical toys produce sounds when struck or play tunes at the push of a button.
1. Skills development
These toys build their sensory skills and recognition. They are also useful in:
Putting babies to sleep with relaxing music such as lullabies and sounds of nature
Toys that also feature lights can serve as a bed light
A projector that can project images of stars and the sky in the night can help learn patterns
2. Recommended toys
Twinkle and learn Tambourine
Soft musical nightlight
Star projector with relaxing music
Light Up Toys
Light up toys come with flashing lights and synchronized sound. They could be in the form of a soft toy or a rattler.
1. Skills development
Visual stimulation is the primary function of these toys with auditory stimulation as an added benefit. They are also useful in:
Building motor skills as babies learn to touch and handle toys
Cognitive skills are built with the inputs giving out visual and audio response
Putting babies to sleep as a bed light
2. Recommended toys
Animal soft toy with motion activated light
Toys that double as bed lights
Baby lullaby projector
Activity Toys
Activity toys feature a host of things to play with making them great toys for 3-month-old baby boy or girl.
1. Skills development
Stimulation of the senses and self-expression are the important skills developed by these toys. They also help in:
Hand to eye coordination
Keep babies buy with their attention focused on the toys
Educational toys build a logical perception
2. Recommended toys
Soft cloth book
Play gym
Crib danglers
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are engaging and offer a range of textures to feel and explore.
1. Skills development
It builds motor and sensory skills while helping baby gain a feel for what each object can do. You will also find that:
They build the idea of textures and sounds together for each toy so babies can learn to recognize individual toys and their unique sounds.
The different textures stimulate tactile perception
2. Recommended toys
Roll and sing caterpillar
Spin to discover toys
Turn and learn driver
Crib Toys
Crib toys are fun and stimulating in every way. They can keep babies engaged most of the time with an assortment of interesting objects to play with.
1. Skills development
Crib toys develop visual ability, built grasping and auditory skills. They are designed over-all to serve these functions:
2. Recommended toys
Multifunctional hanging animal toy
Baby stroller with music
Wrap around crib- Giraffe
Baby Einstein Toys
These toys combine all the functions into one set of toys which each toy displaying a function.
1. Skills development
It builds sensory and motor skills in babies. They also have functions such as:
Activity balls that are easy to grasp for little baby hands
Each ball comes with one feature such as a mirror, chime, light and rattle.
2. Recommended toys
Roller pillar activity toys
Shake and spin activity toys
Bumpy ball
Hand-Held Toys
Handheld toys are the most basic toys that can be carried around and offered to your baby to soothe them.
1. Skills development
They develop motor and sensory skills along with vision. Handheld toys are useful because:
They are easy to carry around and offer to the baby when they need a distraction
The features and textures are stimulating
It promotes tactile and visual perception
2. Recommended toys
Wrist and foot finder rattler
Maracas musical toy
Birdie activity toy
What Do Age Recommendation Labels on Toys Mean
Age recommendations are guidelines offered to parents or gift-givers to help them choose a toy that is suitable for a baby of a certain age. The guidelines are based on the following factors:
Safety first. Some of the toys that are safer for older children are not suitable for toddlers, for instance, toys that have small parts that can be easily swallowed. Children younger than 3 years old tend to put things in their mouth often, therefore all toys are designed to prevent this.
A thorough knowledge of the various stages of development of children goes into designing toys. Toys for babies mostly involve grabbing, shaking and squeezing to build motor skills. A 6-month-old would just bang a bunch of building blocks together while a 2-year-old might want to stack them, older ones might want to build things and so on.
Observations of how children use the toys are done by the developers by testing them with real children to see how they appeal o different age groups. They also observe for how they play with the toys and pick out design flaws in them.
Inputs from parents and children go into making toys for different age groups. They need to be designed with the entire household in mind and other parameters that affect the rest in the house.
The history of similar is taken into account when building a new one or upgrading an existing toy.
Safety Tips for Babies
Toys for infants 3 months of age while being fun should also be safe. Since they can also be hazardous here are a few tips:
Choose toys that are well designed, whether you’re buying new ones or using a toy passed down from older siblings; ensure they haven’t worn out in ways that can be dangerous. Pay attention to stitches and seams on stuff toys and that they are not damaged. Parts on other toys should be securely attached and has no sharp edges.
Avoid picking toys that have a chord or a string that’s longer than 12 inches. Long chords can wrap around the neck and strangle babies in sleep or during play.
Watch out for cheap plastics that can be toxic. Certain manufacturers could add chemicals such as plasticizers to make toys more flexible, these chemicals can be harmful.
Balloons and other rubbery sheets that can break into tiny bits are a choking hazard and should be avoided.
How to Choose Best Toys for Your 3 Month Old Baby
At three months your baby can grasp things and reach for what interests them. Here are some tips on how to choose good toys for them.
Lightweight rattlers are ideal toys for kids of this age. They are colourful and make plenty of noise. Look for rattlers made out of good quality materials and without small parts that can be swallowed.
Soft stuffed animals and dolls make good toys for 3 months baby girl. Babies start developing an attachment to a plush animal or toy and it’s important you buy them a good one which can last for years.
Teething rings with rattlers are a good choice for this age. Soon they’ll have sore gums and gnawing on a soft but firm rubber ring is soothing.
Squeaky rubber toys that squeak while being easy to grip is a popular toy among babies of this age group. They can be taken anywhere and are perfect during their tub time.
Activity bars that have plush or plastic toys on them can be fit on their crib, stroller or car seat. They can keep your baby occupied all the time.
In general toys that stimulate the most visually, by sound and touch become favourites among babies. Therefore choose any that blends all these features. Read more
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Don't Take Risk in the Name of Doing Things for Normal Delivery. Health is Most Important.
I am Divya, mother of 1 year 7 months old baby named Era. The moment I got pregnant, both my husband and I were really scared, because it was an unplanned one. Then we visited my doctor who advised us to carry the baby as it was the first one. We decided to continue the pregnancy. Only then did I begin to feel free from worries - everyday we woke up as mom-to-be and dad-to-be. But the first three months were very crucial for me as I was going through nausea and vomiting a lot. In my fifth month I had to move to my in laws-home as delivery was to be done there.
After 6 months I stopped doing household chores like cleaning, cooking and dusting as my feet used to swell up a lot, and when I did do those things I couldn't stand for a long time. Even preparing lunch and dinner was really tough for me. And when you stop doing this, things become crucial. People around me, even my mother-in-law began to suggest that I shouldn't stop working as it might lead me to face a C-section later, and I should work as much as I can. Blah, blah, blah. In those times I would feel angry - I am going through sleepless nights, abdomen pain, and swollen feet and people are still talking like that. Then, somehow for the sake of my health I started mopping, sitting on my feet, doing all the work I could do.
Then, finally, the 'big day' came. After so many problems I delivered my baby girl via C-section, and this was the end of the myth that doing household chores would cause a 'normal' delivery. This made me realise that people will say what they are following their entire life. Everybody has a different body, different physical abilities, so follow your heart instead of hurting yourself during this precious period. If you think you can do everything tirelessly, go for it. But if you feel that you are uncomfortable doing anything, stop immediately, because it may lead to some other problem. Follow your heart despite the shitty things people say.
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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Beetroot and Chickpeas Balls
These crispy fried balls are a party pleaser. They are not just super-delicious to munch on; they also pack the nutritious qualities of beetroot and chickpeas. Be it any occasion, you can surely include it in the menu.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
15-20 Minutes
Ingredients
½ cup grated beetroot
¾ cup chickpeas, soaked overnight in water
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 tsp ginger - garlic paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chaat masala
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander
3-4 tbsp corn flour
½ cup breadcrumbs for coating
Method
Step 1
Pressure cook chickpeas till they are soft. Take them off heat and let them cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, drain the water and mash them.
Step 2
Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions, green chilies and ginger garlic paste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Step 3
Add the grated beetroot, turmeric powder, chaat masala, and salt to taste.
Step 4
Cook on medium heat till the moisture evaporates. Add the mashed chickpeas and chopped coriander. Take it off heat and let it cool down. When cooled, make small balls from it.
Step 5
Mix corn flour with ¼ cup water and dip the balls in it. Coat the balls with breadcrumbs. Repeat the same with rest of the balls. Dip the balls in the corn flour mixture for a second time and coat them again in the bread crumbs.
Step 6
Heat oil for frying in a pan and fry the balls till they are golden brown from all sides.
Step 7
Serve hot with dips and chutneys of choice.
Nutritional Information
Calories
379 Kcal
Proteins
17.4 g
*Fat
6.1 g
Carbohydrates
65.4 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
716 mg
Potassium
800 mg
*For frying, add approximately 10 grams of fat per serving, at 9 Kcal/gram of fat.
Tip -You can also add other veggies like cooked green peas, sweetcorn, grated carrots, chopped capsicum in the ball mixture. Read more
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
15 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
10 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
8 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
3 hours ago
Q. 22 week pregnant,baby konse month me or din me kitni baar move kartaa he ,pls bataye abhi sirf 2, 3 baar hi hota he
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. hi
yes it's enough
and the frequency and timing may vary as we all are different
but yes, the frequency of feeling baby movements will increase now
please go for regular check-up to your gynecologist
and follow his or her suggestions
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
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