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Eucalyptus Oil for Babies - Is It Safe?
Essential oils have been used for treating various ailments for a long time now. They are used widely now as they possess various medicinal properties. One such essential oil, which is used as a home remedy for respiratory problems, is eucalyptus oil as it possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. For the various benefits it offers, you might be tempted to use it on your baby if he suffers from a cold or congestion, but should you use it on your baby? It is important that you understand whether it is safe for babies or not.
What Is Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is obtained from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus oil is used in medicines, as a perfume, and also has some industrial uses too. It is a colourless liquid and has a sweet and strong woody smell. More than 700 species of eucalyptus are found in the world, of which only 500 odd species are used to produce the essential oil.
Are There Any Benefits of Using Eucalyptus Oil?
Eucalyptus oil is used as a natural therapy to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, cold, and other respiratory diseases. It helps strengthen the immune system too. It improves respiratory circulation and has antioxidant properties. Cineole present in eucalyptus oil is an organic compound which offers a lot of benefits like lowering pain and inflammation.
Eucalyptus oil offers a cure for the following:
Cold and flu – The essential oil cleans the body of harmful microorganisms and the toxins that cause common cold and flu.
Hair damage – Eucalyptus oil is used with olive and coconut oil to moisturise the hair and treat dandruff and itchy scalp. Eucalyptus oil helps nourish the hair.
Allergies – Eucalyptus oil helps treat sinus and allergies and is also used as a room freshener. The anti-microbial properties of eucalyptus oil also help kills germs.
Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe for Babies?
A common query among parents is whether eucalyptus oil is safe for babies or not. While it is true that eucalyptus oil has many beneficial properties, using eucalyptus oil for a baby suffering from cold may be unsafe because of the following reasons:
Eucalyptus oil may have very high cineole content which can lead to breathing problems and nervous system issues in young children. The amount of cineole will depend on the chemotype or the species of the plant.
Even if the variety of essential oil you use does not have high cineole content, it may still have compounds that can harm children. These compounds may cause irritation or a burning sensation on your baby’s skin.
Eucalyptus oil, if ingested, can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and other side effects like breathing problems and wheezing. Its application may also lead to extreme cases of coma and seizures.
This oil can also trigger asthma attacks in some babies.
Using Eucalyptus Oil for a Cold
If you do want to use eucalyptus oil on a baby’s blocked nose, it is important to know the right and safe way of using it. Plus, you should also know what type of eucalyptus oil is safe for babies. You should avoid using Eucalyptus globulus for children, as it is not safe for kids under the age of 2. Eucalyptus radiata can be used, but even this should be used only after consulting with a paediatrician.
How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Babies
You can use eucalyptus oil to soothe and open the airways of your baby’s nostrils if you follow a few precautions.
To use eucalyptus oil for a cold, put two drops of the oil on a tissue or cotton ball and keep it at a safe distance from your baby.
For a blocked nose, add three drops of oil to a bowl of boiling water and place it under the baby’s crib. The rising steam releases the essential oil and can provide comfort to your baby.
The oil should not be applied near the child’s mouth or nose as it may cause respiratory problems to him.
Although eucalyptus oil may be used with some precautions, it is still not recommended for babies because of its side effects. So here are some alternative methods you can try instead of using eucalyptus oil.
Alternatives to Eucalyptus Oil for Treating Baby’s Congestion
Instead of using any essential oil for treating congestion, you can follow the methods mentioned below to put your baby to ease. These include the following:
1. Nasal aspirator
A nasal aspirator can be used to clear mucus from the baby’s nose. It can also be used to clear the baby’s airways so that the child can breathe easily.
2. Hot water compress
Using a hot water compress can loosen the thick mucus blocking your baby’s nose, throat, or his chest. Take a small cotton cloth dipped in hot water and squeeze out the excess water. Apply the hot water compress on the affected area to treat congestion. Remember, that you should not put the hot cloth directly on your baby’s chest. Furthermore, the cloth should be warm or else your baby may get hurt.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Eucalyptus Oil on Your Baby
No doubt, eucalyptus oil offers a number of benefits, but it is not suitable for children, particularly for kids who are below 10 years of age. Using eucalyptus oil on babies can lead to side effects, which could range from mild to severe. If you do use eucalyptus oil on your baby, and he experiences any breathing difficulties after inhaling the oil, consult a doctor immediately. Some people think that using diluted eucalyptus oil won’t harm the baby, but that’s not correct. Even the diluted eucalyptus oil can harm the baby. Remember: eucalyptus oil is not safe for babies. Hence, you should refrain from using this oil for babies and toddlers.
Even small or diluted amounts of eucalyptus oil can lead to serious reactions in babies, and it is advisable to steer clear of it. Use one of the recommended alternative solutions to clear your baby’s congestion. Read more
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Diet Plan for 15 Month 2 Week Old Toddler
Introduction
There will be so many things that you see changing in your little one at this age, and his eating habits are going to be a part of that. He may be going through teething troubles, learning how to walk and run, and keeping you on your toes as well! Make sure you fuel his energy with healthy, home-cooked food - starting with these delicious ideas!
Food Menu & Schedule for 15 Month 2 Week Old Toddler
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 1
Breakfast
1 egg or paneer(cottage cheese) paratha with green chutney
Mid-morning
1 glass of apple milkshake
Lunch
Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of tomato
Evening
Seviyan(semolina) porridge
Dinner
Paneer(cottage cheese) cutlets with broccoli soup and toast
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 2
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs + multigrain toast + 1 glass of fresh orange juice
Mid-morning
1 glass of chocolate milkshake
Lunch
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Evening
Whole wheat crackers with dahi(curd)-palak(spinach) dip
Dinner
Paneer(cottage cheese) or egg pulao with vegetable raita
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 3
Breakfast
Rajgira(amaranth) puff porridge with almond and walnut powder
Mid-morning
Papaya
Lunch
Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + grated carrot
Evening
Boiled sweet potato with chaat masala(spice powder mix)
Dinner
Chole(chickpeas) paratha and pumpkin soup
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 4
Breakfast
1 cup of poha + 1 small glass of fresh orange juice
Mid-morning
1 glass of milk
Lunch
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Evening
Paneer(cottage cheese) cubes with honey or chaat masala(spice powder mix)
Dinner
Ragi(finger millet)-wheat roti with any sabzi and dal
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 5
Breakfast
French toast + 1 glass of fresh apple juice
Mid-morning
1 glass of chikoo(sapota) milkshake
Lunch
Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of boiled beetroot
Evening
Rajgira(amaranth) ladoo dipped in milk
Dinner
Spinach-quinoa khichdi with curd
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 6
Breakfast
Dhokla + green chutney
Mid-morning
Strawberry yoghurt or banana raita
Lunch
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Evening
Ragi(finger millet) satva
Dinner
Baingan(brinjal) bharta with bajra(pearl millet) roti and kadhi
Diet for a 15-month-old – Week 2, Day 7
Breakfast
1 egg or besan(gram flour) omelette
Mid-morning
Custard apple milkshake
Lunch
Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of tomato
Evening
Potato-cheese lollipop
Dinner
Drumstick soup with moringa leaves+ paneer(cottage cheese) paratha
Conclusion
Now that’s a lot of wonderful options to tease your baby’s taste buds with, right? From milkshakes to porridge to toast to eggs, there are so many options that are apt for your little one - and we’re not done! Head on over to the next page to find out what’s in store for Week 2 for your bub! Read more
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Memory Retention in your 17 Months Old
The level of memory retention in a 17-month-old child is quite limited. Known as infantile amnesia, there are interesting reasons to why kids fail to remember things like their first birthday or their first favourite toy. Parents, for their part, can help enhance their toddlers' memories with a few activities.
How far back can children recall things? Just as you find it tough to remember the first few months after your birth, your toddler suffers from the same memory loss too. He’ll find it quite hard to recall his first memory experiences. Let’s take a closer look at the limitations of memory retention in kids.
An Insight into Toddlers’ Memory Development
1. Pace of Memory Development
Infantile amnesia can be best explained with the help of the pace of brain development in toddlers. At about 2years of age, a toddler’s brain develops actively and learns intensely. Specifically, new synapses – such as the connection between neurons – disappear and form constantly. So, the brain keeps forming extra connections without knowing which will be useful. At a later stage, it removes the less important ones.
2. Selective Memory Retention and Recall in Children
Aside from a few exceptionally emotional or traumatic memories that babies retain, toddlers forget most of their earliest memories. For instance, a child may vaguely remember a car accident she was involved in at the age of 2. Others may remember drowning, falling off a horse, or a sibling’s birth at home. These are experiences that caused emotional stress of some kind in infancy and are remembered for long.
3. No Long-term Memory
Long term memory retention and recall is quite poor in children aged about 15 months or less. Even though these young ones get to know their moms and dads via daily visual contact, they fail to remember or learn much at this stage. As they use their short term memory only, it’s best to limit teachings to simple things.
4. When Does a Child Start to Remember Things?
The frontal lobe of a toddler’s brain, which is the region associated with the retention and retrieval of memory, fails to mature before 12 months after birth. According to experts, 6-month-old babies usually remember things for up to 24 hours. At about 9 months, they start remembering events for almost a month. However, it’s only when they are about 17 months or older that they begin developing powers of recall for four months or more.
5. Retrieval of Memory in Children
The period pertaining to how far back toddlers can remember, and the methods of memory retrieval, are important factors that influence what can be recalled. Along with the emotions associated with a specific event, the age of a child when the remembered event took place, and the age when he has to recall a memory, matters too.
There are many ways to improve memory retention in toddlers. You can play ‘I spy’ games, sing to your child, and praise him enthusiastically when he remembers something. As he grows older, move toward asking questions, encourage him to help you complete a familiar bedtime story, and motivate him to recite his favourite nursery rhymes. Read more
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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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Social media making you really social or stressing you out?
Remember the time when we as kids used all our play time outside, talk with friends, enjoy the delicacies at neighbor Aunty's house, playing time ended with the darkness of the day, played freely without any fear of safety with all the children in the colony or bhaiya and didi's! Our mommies bought a new thing, it was immediately shared with friends around, whenever she tried hands on a new recipe and a full bowl reached our neighbors place. Our fathers also even after coming back from a busy day at office, tried spending time with other uncles sharing the talks over a cup of tea! So, there was a time when we were actually social.
The life these days has become very fast. Everyone is busy struggling to keep ahead in this race and hence, not able to devote much time with family, friends, neighbors or our social circle. At right time, the social media platforms had taken up the position. Since most of us are far from our family and friends, it sometimes helped to share and know about each other and ended the distances. But gradually it penetrated strongly in our life! Rarely face to face but we all started updating and sharing aggressively about our daily life and activities on Facebook, whats app, twitter, Instagram, etc. We cooked something new or went to a restaurant, we were more focused taking a perfect pic to sent the update though we tasted the food ordered later. We went for an outing but instead of enjoying the place or the moment, we posed at our best to capture the most for updating rather than making memories. The outfits we wanted to look cool in to a party but we flaunted it to update for fb or insta. Its not that I was not a part of all this but at a point in life, it made me and may be many others to realize that its better to enjoy that particular moment of life than to update. Yes, it is important to capture for reanimating the memories but not to capture everything to update even to the extent of mapping with false carried expressions. Not only this but once updated, we are really into this again and again multiple times to check the comments, likes or views though it may keep us engaging but it's also true that it provides stress because someone who was dear to us did not liked or commented on our special post. Now-a-days it feels like people want to more advertise than to share about their happy wedding, expensive buys, foreign trips, their achievements or everything or anything. But please remember that not everyone will be happy at your achievements or updates and that most of the comments appreciating or appraising you would be just 'fake' . Somewhere its truly written that showing every good page of your life may attract an evil eye; you believe it or not but it may sound true at some point in your life. So, its always good to keep a part of your life private. Also, it takes a toll on our productive time, our time which we would have actually spent with our family or friends but we were busy scrolling down the fb or insta pages!
Every new platform, new app, new technology surely benefit us but when we start creating a dis-balance; it may ruin our life, our relationships, our special moments. Keep updating but bring a balance. Those people who are going deep into this just start trying it once and you will feel the difference! Read more
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Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
17 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreSwati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. Do consult your doctor as soon as you can. It's important to find the real reason because without that, proper medication is not possible.
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
17 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
10 hours ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. it's my 5 month n I still didn't went for check up yet not even once is it okay if I go now or?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 hours ago
A. You should have started going from the very beginning itself once you get to know you’re pregnant but since you haven’t reached that now if you’re pregnancy has been healthy last five months please get it checked with your doctor also if you need to start with any supplements or diet the doctor would advise you after a ultrasound so please visit your gynaecologist
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. size chart is not correct for age of the baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. generally it is available from Indian academy growth chart download from Google. 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
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
3 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
1 hour ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
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