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Eating Chocolate During Breastfeeding - Is It Good or Bad?
Women generally have cravings during their pregnancy, when the craving for chocolate may go beyond its normal potential then and immediately after delivery. While indulging in a little bit of chocolate can be great for you, is it good for your baby? Breastfeeding mothers are usually wary of everything that they eat in order to avoid exposing their baby to something that might be harmful. So, the question is whether eating chocolate during breastfeeding is good or not? Should you be concerned?
Can Chocolate Be Eaten When Breastfeeding?
There is no harm in eating chocolate when breastfeeding, but you will need to do so in moderation. If you notice the consistency of your baby’s stool has changed or find that he has gas problems, you will need to curb your intake until you have weaned your little one.
Ingredients of Chocolate
Chocolate that is available in readily consumable form has the following ingredients:
A culinary masterpiece, the brown delight is made from roasted and grounded Theobroma cacao seeds.
Other ingredients of chocolates include chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, and sugar.
Chocolates also have nutritional value and contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, minerals, vitamins, caffeine, and cholesterol.
Craving for Chocolate While Nursing
As you will be required to breastfeed your newborn quite often throughout the day and even at regular intervals during the night, sleep deprivation will be common during this time. Your body will be inclined to light sleep in order to attend to your baby’s call. All this sleep deprivation alters the brain and impacts its decision-making abilities. This can result in hunger pangs and cravings that seem out of your control.
Consuming Caffeine-rich Chocolates When Breastfeeding
Consuming chocolates rich in caffeine can affect the health of a baby when he is in breastfeeding.
If you are consuming more than 500 mg of caffeine and/or theobromine a day, your baby will be irritated. He will be fussy and won’t get sound sleep.
For mums fond of dark chocolate, a preferable change would be shifting to white chocolate that has a low caffeine content.
Effects of Caffeine in Chocolate on a Breastfeeding Baby
The half-life of caffeine is high in babies, and it takes longer to get out of their system. When breastfeeding, if the mum gorges on too much chocolate, it may cause an upset stomach for the baby followed by irritability and insomnia. He could also become hyperactive. High quantities of caffeine intake through chocolate can also lower the production of breast milk.
Effects of Theobromine in Chocolate on a Breastfeeding Baby
Theobromine isn’t a cause for worry if the lactating mother is consuming chocolate in a limit. However, the baby will show signs of extreme gas formation in case you are including too much caffeine in your diet and consuming other cocoa products as well. Theobromine is a major component in cocoa solids, hence dark chocolates contain higher levels of theobromine than milk chocolate.
When Should Breastfeeding Moms Stop Eating Chocolate?
If the infant shows the following side effects after you’ve consumed chocolate, then you should stop consuming them or curb your cravings to a large extent.
Vomiting
Formation of gas
Irritability
Insomnia
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Hyperactivity
Disinterested in drinking milk
Is White Chocolate a Better Choice Than Dark Chocolate During Breastfeeding?
Definitely yes! Dark chocolate consists of cocoa solids, hence higher levels of caffeine and theobromine. White chocolate has a lower caffeine content and doesn’t have cocoa solids or theobromine. This makes the latter a better choice.
Should You Avoid Chocolate-mixed foods?
Foods with chocolate as one of the ingredients shouldn’t be a complete no-no as it depends on how the baby reacts to it. Chocolate cookies, milk, and cakes can be a part of the mum’s diet if the baby is alright with it. However, look out for any signs of intolerance to cow’s milk, eggs or other ingredients in the chocolate, as some babies could be allergic to them.
FAQs
1. Can I Consume Chocolate Laxative During Breastfeeding?
You can opt for a few medications such as chocolate laxatives which can enter the baby through breast milk and not harm the baby. However, a doctor’s advice prior to consumption is necessary.
2. Is It Safe to Drink Hot Chocolate When Breastfeeding?
You can drink an occasional cup of hot chocolate. However, keep an eye out for any gas problems with your baby. If you notice it, you may need to temporarily stop consuming it until your baby is weaned.
Chocolates are undeniably delicious. However, eating them in moderation during breastfeeding is the key to stay clear of any repercussions. You can also look up with your healthcare provider if you have any more concerns about chocolate and breastfeeding. In case your baby shows any side effects, it is best to avoid it until you are no longer breastfeeding your little one.
Also Read: Coffee during Breastfeeding Read more
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29 Weeks Pregnant with Twins or Multiples
When you are 29 weeks pregnant with twins or triplets, foetal development will pretty much be the most critical thing that you and your doctor will be concerned about. By this time, you will start feeling that things are starting to get serious all of a sudden. This is true to some degree since your babies will begin to develop a unique sense of identity and would behave in ways only you would be able to understand. Knowing how and when your babies move and kick is just as important as putting all things together to help them settle when they finally come out. Any responsibilities that you need to take care of for the family and your babies need to wrap up in these weeks as you won't be able to function more in the coming months.
The Growth of the Babies At 29 Weeks
The growth of your babies will reach a point of slowdown, but only in matters of their length and size. Most babies begin to plateau around on these fronts by the 29th week, but their weight keeps increasing substantially. It would reach nearly thrice of what it might be now, giving your back a hard time, literally.
Any hair that was present on the skin of the babies until now will find its way out rapidly in this week. The vernix covering their skin would start thinning as their skin gets thicker with all the fat deposits, keeping them safe. If there are tiny remnants of hair that stay even after your babies are born, those too will go away in a few weeks post their birth.
Their movements will get a new energetic vibe. With the amniotic fluid surrounding them and providing them with a natural medium for movement, their kicks, punches, stretches, thumb sucking periods, acrobatics, and all kind of activities will reach their zenith. These activities are quite essential for their development and these also help the mother get a fair idea of how their babies are progressing. Knowing that your children are active around specific time periods of the day can reassure you of their well-being and if you feel something is wrong, you can intervene immediately. There is no need to compare your twins or triplets with someone else's.
What Is the Size of the Babies?
As mentioned earlier, this current phase focuses more on the weight of the babies than their physical attributes. When looking at their size or their length, it would tend to be nearly the same as that of the previous week, hovering close to 38-39 centimetres. Their weight, however, would nearly cross a kilogram or come close to it pretty much.
Common Bodily Changes
The bodily changes that a pregnant woman undergoes are more pronounced when she is expecting twins or triplets. While some might continue to irritate just as before, a few might ruin the entire experience altogether.
Constipation during pregnancy is normal and you will experience it even in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Not only is it difficult to combat, but it can be quite irritating also because you don't want to spend your precious pregnancy time sitting on the pot. The culprits making this worse than before are two parameters that work in tandem. The two hormones, relaxin and progesterone, relax the body during pregnancy. The other is the increasing size of the uterus that tends to disturb the position of the intestine. Since one relaxes the bowel muscles and the other makes it difficult to push out the contents, you will be constipated. To combat this, all you can do is drink a lot of water and eat fibrous foods.
While you may not attribute haemorrhoids to be a result of the various changes in the body, the truth is that they are indirectly related to all the reasons that cause constipation to occur in the first place. The presence of a constipated digestive system is what causes many women to strain and apply pressure to pass the stools. This increased strain causes the blood vessels to come under immense pressure, which can swell and form haemorrhoids. Furthermore, the blood circulation is already at its peak, with a lot of quantity flowing in the lower body region. Therefore, the strain can easily cause haemorrhoids to form. Handling constipation effectively can keep these in check, too.
The relaxation of muscles can cause your intestines to not function with the same strength as they did before. This relaxation also affects smaller muscles within the body, which prevent substances from flowing back in the reverse direction. The most significant organ to be affected as a result of this is the sphincter that separates the stomach from the oesophagus. Once this valve-like muscle is relaxed, the contents of the stomach will begin to find their way back up your throat. Stomach acids will increase, causing you to feel that acidic and you may experience a burning sensation in your throat. A dietary restriction combined with a streamlined eating schedule can reduce its frequency, but won't treat it completely.
Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy At 29 Weeks
Apart from gaining weight, many other symptoms of the pregnancy would resurface around this week.
The tendency to scratch your belly and itch it all over will get a lot stronger, but you need to be careful not to give in. It is quite natural to feel that, since your skin is being stretched extensively to house your babies comfortable, and that causes it to be thinner than usual. This thin layering is what increases its sensitivity, with any minor interaction resulting in irritation or the need to scratch it out. These can leave red marks that won’t fade away even after pregnancy. Therefore, investing in some moisturiser would be a good choice for you.
Your lower body will be stressed. By the 29th week of pregnancy, there will be a lot of pressure on the back, as your back supports your increased tummy weight and your hips and leg struggle to keep your balance and posture upright, with the change in weight and joint strength. The hormones don’t make it easy for you, and your ligaments loosen up. There will also be an undue pressure in various regions of your body.
Just when you are making your peace with all these changes and looking forward to much-needed rest or sleep, your bladder will awaken you from your slumber and cause you to walk wobbly to the toilet to pee. This will be a frequent situation for you and your bathroom will become your second home.
Twin Pregnancy - Belly At 29 Weeks
The size of your belly will increase and you will feel the urge to itch it. Your stomach will be quite large by now, but don't let that large size affect you. You should feel proud that your babies are developing in the right manner. Any slight twitching experienced in the abdominal region would be a result of the tiny hiccups the babies tend to experience. Your uterus would have expanded quite a lot by now and you can touch your tummy above your navel to look for its topmost portion.
Twin Pregnancy at 29 Weeks - Ultrasound
Your doctor would suggest an ultrasound scan in the 29th week only if they require to check something on an early basis. On doing an ultrasound scan, you will see that the membrane separating your babies will begin to show itself in a much clearer way. Your twins' or triplets' bodies would also be developing rapidly now and the head would tend to increase in size to house the brain comfortably.
What To Eat
Babies require a balanced and proper diet without fail for their unhindered growth. Consuming anything harmful will affect the babies directly. So, watch before you eat. Your diet should be rich in calcium and protein during this week. Include a lot of green leafy vegetables and cereals to maintain your haemoglobin levels. Also, eat fibrous fruits to ensure that your health is fine.
Pregnancy Care Tips
Take a few tips into account to prepare yourself for the weeks to come and stay healthy and calm.
Dos
Take maternity leave if you haven’t done so already. Enjoy your time at home.
Keep a bag ready with all the necessary items that you’d require for your delivery.
Dont's
Avoid consuming smoked meat or uncooked items.
Don't expose yourself to extreme temperatures as it can be harmful to the child.
What You Need To Shop For
With your little ones arriving in a few months, get yourself some useful items, like:
Quick use baby wipes
Tiny nail cutters and thermometers
Sanitary napkins for yourself
Be ecstatic that you are 29 weeks pregnant with twins or triplets. It won’t be long before you would have them in your house. Soon your family will be complete and your little ones will call you mommy-mommy and your heart will swell with pride.
Previous Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 28
Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 30 Read more
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Vegetable Dalia Khichdi
Here is a healthy one-pot meal made of broken wheat, namely Dalia. It is not only low in fat & cholesterol, and high in iron & fiber, but also simple and nutritious. It is one dish that is often recommended for growing up kids, and for people recovering from illness – like a cold or flu.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
15-20 Minutes
Ingredients
2 cups Dalia
2 cups chopped veggies(tomato, carrot, onion, beans, spinach, bottle gourd, cabbage)
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp jeera
1/2 tsp haldi powder
Red chilli powder(according to your taste)
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander
1/2 tsp garam masala
3 tbsp ghee
Salt to taste
Method
Step 1
Pressure cook dalia with a little salt and haldi powder.
Step 2
In a pan, heat ghee and add jeera. Next, sauté ginger garlic paste and onion.
Step 3
Now, add curry leaves, mixed veggies and sauté well till all veggies turn soft.
Step 4
Next, add haldi, red chilli powder and garam masala.
Step 5
Now add the pressure cooked dalia, water and salt.
Step 6
Cover the pan and let the Khichdi cook for 5-10 mins.
Step 7
Remove in a bowl, garnish with chopped coriander and ghee.
Step 8
Serve hot
Nutritional Information
Calories
337 K cal
Proteins
6.8 g
Fat
28.2g
Carbohydrates
5.1g
Cholesterol
98mg
Sodium
159mg
Potassium
12 mg
Read more
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Sprout Chaat
The word 'chaat' brings to our mind food that is oily and fried, basically junk. We are here to change that approach by incorporating healthy elements, namely lentils, to the disparaged image of the 'chaat'. Lentils are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and proteins. Moreover, the process of sprouting activates the food enzymes, and increases the vitamin content substantially. So there you have it, a healthier version of the 'chaat' for your teenybopper.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10-15 Minutes
Overnight soaking and sprouting is required
Ingredients
50 g Green gram (Moong)
50 g Chick peas (Chole)
50 g Rajma (Red Kidney beans)
20 g Cucumber – (chopped in small pieces)
30 g Boiled potato – chopped in small pieces
2 tbsp fine chopped onion
1small ripe tomato – chopped
2chilies – fined chopped
1tsp tamarind chutney (optional)
1tsp of coriander chutney (optional)
½ lemon
½ tsp chat masala
½ tsp roasted jeera powder
1tsp sugar (optional)
Method
Step 1
Soak green gram and other lentils overnight in water. In the morning, drain the excess water and keep them in muslin cloth.
Step 2
You need to hang them in the cloth for at least 24-48 hrs. Once they start sprouting remove them from the cloth and pressure cook them for 1 whistle.
Step 3
Now take a bowl and add the boiled sprouts.
Step 4
Next add salt, jeera powder, chat masala, salt, chopped chillies.
Step 5
Also, add the chopped cucumber and boiled potatoes.
Step 6
Sprinkle lemon juice over the mixture evenly and toss it.
Step 7
You can even add tamarind chutney and coriander chutney over the mixture.
Step 8
Garnish it with coriander leaves.
Nutritional Information
Calories
110 Kcal
Proteins
6.6 g
Total Fat
0.4 g
Total Carbohydrates
20.3 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
42 mg
Potassium
386 mg
Tip -It can be served as a topping on salty biscuits / crackers as well as on roasted papad. Read more
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Breastfeeding woes of a new mother : A Herculean task to a cherished victory.
Disoriented and sedated on the day of my c section I was so elated to hold the little angle in my hands..the nurse gently asked me to breastfeed her and I gladly cradled my baby into the position.. but to my dismay I had no breast milk supply. My gynaecologist suggested that it will happen so in a day or two n prescribed medicines for it which worked but I had a long way to go. My nipples were flat which was totally inacceptable for my lil girl to suck and all she liked was no milk and only sleep... I was having a good supply of milk but my baby was not getting it..It took a toll on her health and she lost 600 g weight..she was admitted for phototherapy for jaundice. Meanwhile I used nipple sheath to feed her which she was getting accustomed to but weight wasn't increasing.. My pediatrician got frenzied with me using nipple sheath and asked me to discard them which I unwillingly did and in that ordeal of feeding her directly for a day I landed with a breast lump.. I got operated for it and the immense pain of the dressing came along with pumping milk and discarding it along with feeding directly from the other side.It started taking a toll on my health. Constant pain and a guilt to feed my baby with formula milk for those twenty days was depressing. With immense support of my husband and mother I not only recovered from the lump but also successfully started breastfeeding my munchkin. Her health started improving and so was mine. It was an end to all the misery of pumping,painful feeding,sore nipples. I started enjoying the sessions of breastfeeding. But thats not the end. Suddenly my milk supply decreased remarkably ,I got panicked but with shear determination to exclusively breastfeed her I changed a bit of my diet,increased liquid intake and a few medicines and most importantly I developed a positive attitude that I will get sufficient supply got things back on the track.What seemed as an impossible task was now a cherised victory for me.My baby has turned eight months old and I am still breastfeeding her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. hello dr..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 hours ago
A. the levels are on the lower side. 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
Sarika gupta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
12 hours ago
Q. Hi.. Priyanka kalra doctor..I am 39 weeks 3 days pregnant, AFI level 8 is this normal?and normal delivery possible for me? Is the fluid enough for up to 1 week?Do I need a drip? please suggest me.
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
12 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is quite difficult to say anything about it without personally examination and proper reports evaluation. So better to consult with your treating gynaecologist in person as she knew the exact health condition of your pregnancy and can guide you better.
Take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
10 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
10 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
9 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
1 hour ago
A. Check your scan report
parminder kaur has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 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
9 hours ago
A. yess
Rayan has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
8 hours ago
Q. what types of clothes are good for a new born baby during summers
Rayan
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. Cotton, Muslin clothes can be used. Prefer white or light coloured clothes since it absorb less heat.
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