Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
5 MYTHS About Baby Skin All Of Us Have Believed As Moms!
As moms, we always want to push our limits to give our little one everything they deserve and more. While all of us are equipped with natural instincts to care for our babies, there is often an element of doubt. Are we doing the right thing or not? To allay our fears, we lap up advice and recommendations by others who have ‘more experience’. But ironically, this activity frequently leaves us even more confused and also makes it harder to tune back to our intuition!
Along with the mother, a new baby has countless well-wishers in the form of chachis, kakis, nanis, dadis and neighbourhood ladies who love to pitch in when it comes to looking after your baby. But as a new mom, we need to be wary of old-wives tales and myths regarding baby care, particularly when it comes to his skin. Your baby's skin is soft, thin, and much more sensitive than adult skin. Because of its fragility, it is also prone to losing moisture up to five times faster than an adult’s skin. While many age-old beliefs about your baby’s skin may stand true, and have been followed by our elders for years,many of them are not.
Let's Bust Some Myths Now, Shall We?
Myth 1: Oil Massage For Newborns is a Must!
Fact: The original purpose of an oil massage was to moisturise your baby’s skin and stop it from drying out. Well, it is certainly true that moisturisation is very important for your baby’s skin, especially in the winter when the likelihood of skin dryness increases even further. But an oil massage may not be suitable for every baby, particularly if they have hereditary eczema, or the weather is too warm. Our baby’s sweat glands are not developed as soon as they are born which means they are more prone to conditions like prickly heat. Packaged oils may also contain certain ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction or infection in your baby as their immune systems are underdeveloped at this stage. The bottom-line is that you must tread with caution in deciding whether or not to use oil on your baby’s skin.
To nourish your baby’s skin, it is best to stick to a gentle and nourishing body lotion such as the Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Lotion which is designed to suit all baby skin types. This lotion helps lock in moisture for a full 24 hours and also has a pleasant fragrance that your baby will love. The lotion soothes dry skin from first use itself. Your baby’s delicate skin stays soft and supple for the entire day. Since all Baby Dove products are hypoallergenic, the risk of developing allergies is also minimised.
Myth 2: Scrubbing Skin With Gram Flour Is Good For Babies
Fact: It is widely believed that gram flour, when rubbed on baby skin, will rid the baby of fine body hair. But there have been several reported cases where gram flour actually irritated baby skin and led to cracking and redness! As for the body hair, most babies lose this fine hair eventually anyway.
Myth 3: Use Antiseptics For Infections
Fact: This may seem like the logical thing to do, but over-the-counter antiseptics are one of the most common cause of skin irritation in babies! Washing delicate baby skin with soap and water is sufficient to maintain hygiene. Similarly, soaking clothes in antiseptics is a bad idea too. It is best to see a dermatologist to figure out a baby-safe cure for any infection your baby may be facing.
Myth 4: Don’t Use Diapers As They Cause Rashes
Fact: Diapers are amazing, undoubtedly. They keep your baby dry and let you get some sleep. But as new mothers, we are often told that diapers cause rashes and redness in our baby’s skin! Well, the truth is that maintaining ample hygiene and changing diapers frequently is an effective way to not let this happen.
While changing diapers, use Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Wipes to clean the diaper area effectively. These are alcohol-free and really soft – perfect for sensitive baby bottoms. The wipes which areas gentle as water effectively remove impurities while instantly moisturising baby skin. Then, apply Baby Dove Rich Moisture Diaper Rash Cream to provide instant comfort from irritation. The cream neutralises pH in seconds and provides instant comfort from the very first use. This cream forms a protective layer to shield your baby's delicate skin from any causes of irritation. This is also easier to spread than other diaper creams which makes it ideal for daily use.
Myth 5 : Baby Will Have Fair Skin If The Pregnant Mom Drinks Milk Infused With Saffron
Fact: Adding saffron to milk is a common practice in many Indian households. However, there is no evidence to prove that it helps lighten your baby's skin complexion. Skin colour is determined by genetics and practices such as these have no scientific basis.
So moms, while it is great to stick to traditions and customs, do so with caution. It is more important to trust yourself as you are the one closest to your baby and the one who understands all his needs the best. Just put your foot down and do not follow a baby-care ritual if your heart tells you not to.
Remember, you will not be doing anything ‘wrong’ or ‘imperfect’ by refusing to do something your motherly instincts don’t allow. As Baby Dove says, there is no right or wrong way of being a mother, just your way. Read more
Suggested for you
Carrot Corn Pasta in Creamy Cashew Sauce
As a mom you have to keep innovating and trying out new recipes to please the young fussy eaters. Here is a quick pasta recipe for your kid’s lunch box which will assure that he licks off his tiffin clean. You can add other veggies of your choice too – peas, broccoli, mushrooms, etc., depending on what your kid likes. It also has the nutrition from cashew sauce we've prepared here.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
10-15 Minutes
15-20 Minutes
Ingredients
¼ cups cashew nuts, chopped
2 tbsp cornflour
100 g macaroni pasta
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic clove, finely minced
3 tbsp capsicum, chopped
1 tsp dried Italian basil
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp oil
½ cup carrots, chopped
½ cup sweetcorn, boiled
Method
Step 1
Soak cashew in water overnight. For quick soaking, soak the cashews in water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for 2 minutes on high; set aside to cool.
Step 2
To make the sauce, in a mixer jar, add the drained cashews, lemon juice, cornstarch, 1 tbsp oil and ½ cup water. Blend it into a smooth sauce.
Step 3
Boil the pasta as per the package instructions. When cooked, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta.
Step 4
In a large pan, add with some oil, sauté onions on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add carrots; cook till the carrots are tender. Add the prepared sauce and seasoning. Stir.
Step 5
At this point, if the sauce is too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water, as needed.
Step 6
Now, add the cooked pasta and boiled sweetcorn and stir to combine. The sauce should coat the veggies and pasta. Check seasoning and adjust as per taste.Pack it into your kid’s lunch box.
Nutritional Information
Calories
466 K cal
Proteins
10.9 g
Fat
23.4 g
Carbohydrates
56.2 g
Cholesterol
37 mg
Sodium
58mg
Potassium
565 mg
Tip: Use whole wheat pasta for increased fiber content. Increase the quantity of veggies to increase its nutrition quotient. Read more
Suggested for you
Don't Forget To Do These Things For Yourself While Nursing
Breastfeeding mothers are among the most careful of people. They have friends and family to recommend them good care for the baby. They are wary about applying anything topically or eating something that trigger an allergic reaction. Every now and then, they check on their moppet to ensure he is just fine. But mom, are you sure your caution extends to yourself too? Are you taking care of your nursing body properly?
To make sure you don’t forget yourself in the rush of things to do, we have created a to-do list. Every item here needs your time and attention while you are breastfeeding. And yes, this is as important as making sure your baby is growing normally!
1. Consume a Nutritious and Wholesome Diet
Throughout your pregnancy, you were told to eat fresh, nutritious food as there was a little baby growing inside you. After the delivery, your responsibility toward healthy eating does not stop! For now is when your baby will turn to you for breastfeeding – something that may continue for several months to come. To regain your strength and ensure that your bundle of joy also grows by leaps and bounds, your diet must be balanced. While there’s no stopping you from consuming a certain food group, make sure you get sufficient proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats and dietary fibre, aside from plenty of water.
2. Keep Your Breast Skin Clean, Healthy and Fresh
Your breasts are going to be your baby’s favourite thing about you for quite some time! For his feeding pleasure as well as for your comfort and hygiene, make sure you wash your breasts well while showering. If your breast skin is sweaty, salty or smells weird, your little picky eater may be turned off. Worse, in your nursing days, your breast area is warm and sugary and this puts you at risk for bacterial growth and infection! Just remember to be gentle and not use any harsh, chemical-based products. After showering, rehydrate your body with a herbal body butter by Himalaya FOR MOMS. It has the healing powers of aromatherapy which work wonders for the skin.
3. Get Back to Exercise – Slowly but Steadily
Exercise during nursing? Before you get alarmed, check this out: exercise releases serotonin, a mood-boosting chemical, into your body which lifts your spirits and energizes you. Now isn’t that how you need to feel during the difficult, early postpartum period? Doctors advise that a few months after birth, you should slowly get back to exercise. This helps the body start toning itself to its pre-pregnancy status. Of course we don’t recommend weightlifting or strenuous running as you’ll still be way too exhausted for that. But walking, gardening, etc. are good both for your body and soul. An important tip: breastfeed before exercising to empty your breasts and feel more comfortable.
4. Devote Extra Attention to Your Nipples
Can you imagine how difficult it would be to feed your infant if your nipples were sore or cracked? Sometimes, improper latching, the wrong positioning and dryness of skin can lead to soreness of nipples. This is not only uncomfortable but can be severe enough to make feeding and pumping quite painful. The solution is simple – extra nipple care. Himalaya FOR MOMS has created a nipple care butter using potent herbs and the principles of Ayurveda. This means you can apply it topically without exposing yourself or your baby to any harmful chemicals.
5. Take Time Out for a Gentle Massage
The very prospect of a massage makes you instantly happier, right? Pregnant women are often advised to massage their abdominal area to prevent the formation of stretch marks. In the postpartum stage too, a massage has multiple benefits. It has been proven to improve blood circulation, trigger lactation, speed up healing, and also make you feel emotionally reassured. What’s more, you have earned yourself a massage, Mom! The only thing to be careful about is the massage oil you use. You cannot risk a product that’s harsh on the skin. Try Himalaya FOR MOMS’ toning massage oil and warm it a little before application. Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
How Parents Can Change the Attitude of Children
Many children have had quite a difficult upbringing but were never exposed to it due to the sacrifice of their parents. Although this may not be the case with all of us, many can identify with this sort of childhood.
Mentioned below is a small story that highlights the importance that parents play in their children’s upbringing. While this is supposed to be an actual incident, I cannot personally vouch for the genuineness of the same.
A young man who had just completed his Graduate Degree in Management applied for a managerial post in an established company. He had passed the initial screening and interview stages and was waiting to meet the company's Managing Director for the final interview.
The Director called him in and discovered that his records were outstanding, and he had won several medals throughout his career for academic excellence. The Director also noted that he came from a very poor background. He paused after reading that and asked the young man whether he had obtained any scholarships while at school. The young man replied in the negative.
The Director was intrigued. How could this young man get through college without any external financial help from such a poor background? He paused again and then asked the man who had paid for his school and college fees. The young man replied that it was his parents. The man was beginning to wonder whether his upbringing would be a negative factor for the post.
The Director then asked the young man where his parents worked and how they earned money to send him through school. The young man said he came from a community of laundry workers. He said that with pride, for having got to where he was now. His parents went from house to house, collected people’s dirty laundry, washed it, dried and ironed these clothes, and returned them by evening.
Did they have a Laundromat, or was it all labor-intensive, asked the Director. The young man said it was labor-related as it was all done by hand. The Director then asked the young man to show his hands. He showed a pair of hands to the Director that was clean, smooth, and well-manicured.
The Director then asked the young man whether he had ever helped his parents with the laundry during his holidays. He again replied in the negative. The Director further queried as to why he avoided helping them. The man said that his parents insisted that he get involved in extracurricular activities or read more books to make good use of his time.
The Director then asked the man to return home, inspect and clean his parents’ hands, return, and meet him the following day. The man thought that he had failed in his interview and returned home dejected.
However, he did as advised. He went home and told his parents about the interview. He then requested them if he could clean their hands. Although his parents were a little taken aback, they permitted him to do so. He slowly began to wash his parent’s hands. It was the first time he had ever done so. It was then he noticed how calloused and wrinkled their hands were. There were also so many bruises due to years of cleaning clothes. They even winced in pain when he cleaned their hands and applied some antiseptic.
It was then the man realized how much suffering they would have gone through so that he could get through school and college. After washing his parent’s hands, the man went and washed the remaining clothes for his parents. He then sat with them and had a long talk. That night he wept a lot and did not sleep well.
The following day, the man went straight to the Director’s office. The Director noticed that there were tears in the man’s eyes and that he appeared tired due to a lack of sleep. He asked him what he had learned from yesterday’s incident. The man narrated what had happened and acknowledged that he would not have been sitting there if not for his parents’ hard work. He also realized the importance of helping one’s parents, which he should have done a long time ago.
The Director was pleased with his reply. He said that was what he was looking for in a manager. He wanted a person who would not only help others but will also value the help of others. He wanted someone who knew the suffering of others to get things done. Monetary benefits should be a second priority to such a person. The director hired the young man.
From the above incident, it is clear that we should stop becoming over-protective parents. Don’t destroy your children through love and over-protection. If you are washing plates or cutting grass, let them experience it. Make it a practice to let them wash their dishes after a meal and clean their clothes. Make them more independent rather than hiring a housekeeper. The most important thing that your child will learn is how he copes up with difficulty and learns to work with others to get things done. This would change their entire attitude as a child.
We need to be better and behave better. What we have seen here is a constrained example of parenting. In addition, we must be aware that we are also accustomed to a certain level of chaos, both internal and external. The child should also know from a young age that respect is the basic foundational to love and that they must take care of their parents when they become old.
In other words, what is truly valuable is often underrated!
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.
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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
I have a question ... my bump is not showing...I have a already 5 month
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. okay no problem wait it will now onwards. 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 Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
57 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert my belly still not growing completely and I can feel my baby in abdomen not upper tummy
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
55 mins ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the docdggtor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
50 mins ago
Q. my baby girl is 1 month old she is crying while passing urine nd she is passing urine while feeding pls answer wat to do
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
38 mins ago
A. Both the situations are very normal for a child as a doctor said that the kid can cry extensively sometimes due to stomach pain as well as while passing urine and pooping also also but that is completely normal so nothing to be worried as of now
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
33 mins ago
Q. need second trimester proper diet
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
30 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please take healthy food items including fresh fruits and dry fruits. Please take eggs and chicken. Also drink chicken soup. You can also take banana shake. Please take lots of green vegetables and dairy products and soaked almonds.
Thanks and take care
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert my new born baby boy weight @ birth time 2.475kg, after 7 weeks weight 2.90kg. weight gain very slow. Can u pls advise why weight gain is slow till my baby using breastfeeding milk right now.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 mins ago
A. failure to thrive please. 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
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 min ago
Q. right now I am 39 week pregnant but never feel any type of pain is it ok my due date is 5/5/24
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
New Answer
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is difficult to say anything without any proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by your gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctors appointment on First Cry where the doctor can help you and guide you.
Thanks and take care
Check out this new Memory
Hema kuntal
Mom of a 1 yr 6 m old boy
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Lipsa patra
Guardian of a 2 yr 10 m old girl
1 min ago
#cute gudiya 🥰😘😘😘
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Pradnya Ganesh Misal
Mom of a 2 yr old boy
1 min ago
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Swapnil Ingle
Father of a 9 m old boy
1 min ago
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Sayyed souban uddin
Mom of a 1 yr 11 m old boy
1 min ago
#MamyPokoMilestoneMemories
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive