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Can You Donate Blood While Breastfeeding?
Donating blood is a very fulfilling community service but is blood donation safe while nursing your baby? The answer is yes. However, remember to consult a doctor and get your blood test done to rule out anaemia or any other blood disorders before you donate your blood while breastfeeding. With your donated blood, you can save someone’s life. It is a “small gift” to the community which can have a large consequence on someone who requires it.
When is the Best Time to Donate Blood for Breastfeeding Woman?
Here are a few tips to remember about donating blood when breastfeeding.
It is advisable for nursing mothers to donate blood only after 6 months from the date of delivery since delivery and breastfeeding causes a lot of fatigue in mothers.
If you have not had any immunization within the past one month, you may donate blood.
You may donate blood if you have not had any minor dental work in 24 hours and major dental work in a month’s time.
It is advisable not to donate blood even if you have taken an aspirin in 72 hours.
It is advisable to donate blood only if you have not undergone a blood transfusion during delivery.
If the last time she donated blood was more than 3 months ago, you may consider donating blood.
Lastly, a nursing mother should donate blood only when she feels comfortable about it.
Things to Consider Before Donating Blood while Breastfeeding
Donating blood is undoubtedly a very noble initiative taken by an individual. However, we should refrain from being impulsive and consider the points listed below before making a move.
1. Stay hydrated.
Breast milk comprises 87% water and when you donate blood it takes away 15-16 ounces of water from your body. Therefore it is imperative that after donating blood, the donor should take as much fluid as possible in the next 48 hours to keep the body hydrated and replace the fluid that has been drawn out. The donor should also drink a lot of water in the 24 hours prior to donating blood.
2. Keep your iron levels normal.
Breastfeeding mothers should eat iron-rich food for several weeks before donating blood to have a normal iron level while donating blood. In case the donor suffers from low levels of iron, she may suffer from weakness after donating blood. Iron-rich food includes spinach, fish, chicken, whole grains and eggs. Do not forget to take fruits rich in vitamin c like orange, tangerines, grapes, plums, cherries for better absorption of iron.
3. Reconsider blood donation if you have a low supply of milk.
It is a known fact that when an individual donates blood, she loses about 15-16 ounces of water from her body; breast milk is three-fourths water. Therefore, if a nursing mother with low milk supply loses that much of fluid from her body, she may have a further decrease in her milk supply. However, many do not agree with this.
4. Eat a good meal before and after donating blood.
Breastfeeding a baby takes up 500 calories a day and donating blood also takes up quite a bit of your energy. Therefore eating a substantial meal with plenty of proteins and iron-rich food will keep you in good stead. However, one should eat 1-2 hours before donating blood but do not eat a full stomach.
5. Rest.
Let your mommy duties take a back-seat after donating blood. Take a good nap to restore back all the energy. After your body feels rested, it will do the needful to make up for all the blood that you have donated and a relaxed body will up your supply of breast milk. A good sleep of 7-8 hours in the night prior to the donation.
Things to Remember Before Donating Blood during Breastfeeding
Usually, people are of the idea that breastfeeding and blood donation cannot happen at the same time but according to experts donating blood while nursing a baby does not pose any risks either to the mother or the baby. Here are some things that one should remember before doing it.
The haemoglobin level should be between the 12-16 %
The blood pressure of the donor should be normal
Her heart rate and pulse rate should be normal
Her body temperature should be at a normal range of 96.2 - 97 degrees Fahrenheit and Oral temperature not more than 37.5 degrees Celcius
It is necessary to drink about half a litre of water before donating blood to prevent a drop in blood pressure which may result in lightheadedness or fainting.
Vigorous exercises should be avoided before or after the donation.
Intake of fatty food should be avoided for at least 24 hours before the donation. It can give wrong test result of the blood that has been donated by you.
Remember to relax while your blood is being drawn otherwise you may start feeling sick. You may do so by listening to music, sing or talk to someone to keep you calm.
Donating blood while nursing your baby is definitely inspiring; however, do it only after consulting your doctor and getting a health check. If your health does not permit, do not fret over it but wait for the right time. After all, you do not want a noble deed like blood donation to be a bad experience for you.
Also Read: How To Avoid Caffeine during Breastfeeding? Read more
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9 Doting Bollywood Grandparents Who Will Make You Smile!
There’s someone who loves your child with all their heart. They may not meet them every day or even talk over the phone often. But whenever they do, they cannot stop grinning and gushing, and the gifts and toys keep queuing up longer every time…Who are we talking about? Why, grandparents, of course!
Near or far, together or living apart, people like us or celebrities from Bollywood, grandparents are the most doting people on the planet! When your kids are young, they shower them with attention and care, babysitting for you and feeding your darling, all the while as delighted as little children themselves. With time, they become best buddies with their grandkids and while they enjoy this too, they cannot help but exclaim every day – where did the time fly?
In Bollywood too, grandparents keep their young friends at the centre of their universe. This is why we brought you a list of Bollywood grandpas and grandmas who couldn’t be happier than they are when their tiny pals are around! Prepare to have your heart melted…
1. Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is a grandfather to Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda. However, the Bachchan household has transformed ever since little Aaradhya was born and Amitabh Bachchan cannot stop gushing about her. He arranges his schedules around her so that they can spend time together, he makes sure he attends all her important school functions, and this is the best part – he is a rapt audience member for her singing!
"She sings to me. This generation is very different. They don’t like 'ale bachche' and all. They will talk straight to you. (Aaradhya can) quite cutely, imitate some of my dance moves that she has noticed on TV.
It's not just Aaradhya who's learning from Grandpa, but the other way round too! So, what is the little one teaching Big B?
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"These days Aaradhya talks non-stop and I would like to learn that from her. The media thinks I talk less. (Also,) When Aaradhya was one-and-a-half-year-old she started playing games on Ipad… searching for her favourite cartoons. I still have not been able to get very acquainted with FaceTime or Skype, and I have problems with them! But every time my family travels, particularly my granddaughter, it's a joy for Abhishek to come to me and say 'Hey, when did you speak to Aaradhya last?' It's just these little things that children or grandchildren do for you, which makes life a lot easier."
Children today really grow up fast and have a million things to teach us about being sunny and positive in life. The best part is that Big B gets to enjoy both roles – Dada and Nana. His daughter Shweta’s children Agastya and Navya also dote on him.
2. Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh
The popular Bollywood couple positively adores their little grandchild Samara. She is their daughter Riddhima’s baby girl and is already turning 7 years old in March 2017! And it's not only her grandparents but Samara's uncle Ranbir loves doting on her too!
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We wonder when Ranbir Singh will get hitched and give them another chance to experience the bliss of becoming grandparents.
3. Sunanda Shetty and Sudhakar Shetty
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Shilpa Shetty has a fitness and happiness secret you would never have guessed. Nah, we aren’t talking about diet and exercise. We are talking about love! Shilpa’s parents Sunanda and Sudhakar cannot get enough of little Viaan Raj Kundra, and this happy relationship certainly keeps this mommy fit and tension-free! When you have a support system to deal with the challenging role of parenting, things become a lot more manageable. Right, ladies?
4. Babita and Randhir Kapoor
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This couple was already having the time of their life with their cute grandkids Kiaan and Samiera Kapoor – Karisma’s children – when Bebo was blessed with Taimur! The doting grandparents are often seen in public swooning over the little nawab of Pataudi.
With the little nawab already stealing hearts across the country, he surely is on his way to becoming the most talked-about baby on social media!
5. Salim Khan and Salma Khan
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The Khan household has a new bundle of joy - Arpita and Aayush’s little son Ahil who is quite the centre of attention! Ahil looks happy and loved, and if this Iftaar picture is anything to go by, he has already picked up style tips from the household!
6. Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor
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Recently, Tusshar became a single father to baby Laksshya and now the Kapoors have a new, cuddly gift to cherish and nurture.
"We could not be more excited to be grandparents to Laksshya, and are completely supportive of Tusshar’s decision. This is certainly a tremendous blessing and an exciting time in our lives. Tusshar is a wonderful son, and he has proven, with responsibility, independence and kindness, that he will be a great father to Laksshya.”
Looks like the happy grandparents love their playtime with the tiny one.
7. Suresh Oberoi and Yashodhara
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Guess who is the focal point of the Oberoi couple’s life? Vivek Oberoi and Priyanka’s two kids Vivaan and Ameyaa! This adorable video shows just how much Suresh Oberoi loves spending time with his grandkids! Indeed, here’s one Dada who has reason to be doubly happy...
8. Pamela Chopra
She is the happy grandmom to Rani Mukherjee and Aditya Chopra’s daughter Adira. Last time we heard, this quiet couple and the family was having a blast of a time in Paris. We bet Adira gels with her Dadi beautifully!
9. Sharmila Tagore
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Happy grandmom to four little ones now, Sharmila was vocal about how she was looking forward to the birth of Taimur, son of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, back in 2016. Come 2017 and she was blessed with a new doll of a grandchild - Inaaya, daughter of Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu. While she would love to spend more time with them, she understands that commitments come first. However, there's no doubt that she loves doting on the adorable little starlets!
These grandparents just made our day, what about you? The love they have for their grandchildren is as pure and innocent as childhood – there’s a reason they get along like pals of the same age.
For your child to grow up with empathy and kindness, the role of the elders in the family is very crucial. They can teach life lessons with the simplest of stories; after all, they have a lifetime of experience behind them. Even if you don’t live in a joint family, make sure the kids bond with their grandparents every now and then, say, over family get-togethers or on the phone. This is not a relationship you want them to miss out on!
Unsure how to cement your child's bond with his grandparents without giving up on your parental beliefs? Read this complete guide on relationships and young children.
How is your child’s relationship with his Dada, Dadi, Nana and Nani? We are sure he is the apple of their eyes! Do share your pictures with us in the Memory Section. Read more
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All That Men Do For Us
We always talk about women and their sacrifices. No doubt women are doing a lot more, but we always forget the other pillar of our society, by that I mean men. I think men too deserve respect and need to be recognised for their sacrifices.
As a young boy, he compromises little things for his younger siblings. He cries when his sister gets married. He takes the responsibility of caring for their parents and makes them proud. He manages his life while staying away from his family. He also misses homemade food prepared by his mother, but he can't express these things.
After getting married, he maintains the balance between his family and his wife. In order to fulfil every demand of his wife, he forgets about his own happiness. From buying a diamond ring to extra shopping, he never says no.
And when he becomes a father, his entire world changes. He tries to give every kind of luxury, the best schooling, comfortable life and makes several sacrifices for his kids.
He hardly buys anything for himself. In order to give a better future, he saves money for the next generation by doing extra work. He does all this just to see a smile in the faces of everyone. When someone is doing all this, we should appreciate him and also do something in return. We must give men the respect they deserve. Children should learn to respect their father as he does so much for them without any questions. And a wife should understand her husband's situation and shouldn't make too many demands.
Whether men are poor or rich, they do anything for us without any hesitation o It's time to understand them too. They are the real heroes, and we should try to make them happy because they deserve it.
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.
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Motivational Stories of Inspirational Women Achievers
On the occasion of this international women's day, we thought of portraying motivational stories of 2 women achievers, namely the eminent Lila Poonawalla and the outstanding Dr. Bhargavi Davar. Read on to find how these personalities are trying to make a difference in the society in their own ways.
Story of Mrs. Lila Poonawalla
The lady with great determination and grit, Padmashri Lila Poonawalla needs no introduction. She is the first lady who dared to venture into a field dominated by men. Her hard work, focus and positive attitude helped her achieve the position of being the first women CEO of India.
However, acheiving eminence was not easy for her. She too faced many ups and downs on her road to success. It was mainly because of the hardships she faced in her childhood, that she went on to become so self motivated. She had decided that empowering women was her aim.
She realized that many girls find it difficult to gather the financial resources needed for pursuing higher education even when they were academically excellent and deserve to learn further. This motivated Mrs. Poonawalla to come up with the idea of providing merit-cum-need-based scholarships to such girls. By the way of these scholarships, she encouraged the deserving girls to meet the challenges, and strive for their dreams. She says, “I started the foundation for supporting wholesome education of girls. I wanted to enable, motivate and encourage these girls to overcome the challenges, and hence started providing them with financial assistance.”
Thus, she started the Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF). Elaborating more on the LPF’s establishment, she says,”The greatest gift I got in my life is the opportunity to be able to become a Mom to so many lovable girls. I don't know if destiny chose me or I created a destiny of my own, but this was how it was meant to be. That’s how LPF started off.”
About The Lila Poonawalla Foundation
Mrs. Poonawalla established LPF (Lila Poonawalla Foundation) in the year 1996 and since then it has supported girls who are academically outstanding, but financially weak to pursue higher education in India and abroad. Her organization gives scholarships to the girls from Pune, Amaravati and Wardha district. She has granted more than 5000 scholarships to around 2944 deserving girls.
She also holds the honour of being the first women mechanical engineer passing out of the College Of Engineering, Pune. There is a special instance which Mrs. Poonawalla always mentions in her interviews. She says that the year when she had turned 50, she was the CMD of Tetra Laval Ltd., and the Rausing family, owners of the Tetra Laval group, organised a special birthday for her in Switzerland. They also gave her a special birthday gift 10,000 Swiss Francs to enable her to start the Lila Poonawala Foundation.
When she retired from Tetra Laval, she requested the management to not give her any personal parting gift, but to invest in LPF instead. And she herself invested her savings and energy in the venture. In addition, Mr. Firoz Poonawala, her husband, had also supported her fully in this initiative.
In conclusion, she says that her success mantra is to stay focused, work hard, have a positive attitude and keep updating your skills and knowledge. With these, it is possible for an individual to acheive all the levels of success that one is aiming for.
Story of Dr. Bhargavi Davar
Dr Bhargavi Davar, founder of Bapu Trust, believes that only perseverance will bring about a change in the general attitude of the society towards the mental illness patients.
She had seen her mother being treated with lack of respect, indignity, social stigma and exclusion for most of her life. This dismal state of her mother left a deep impact on Dr. Davar, and she took it upon herself that no-one should live a life the way her mom did. And this is how Bapu Trust was formed.
Bhargavi says, “I feel my mother was a saint, who was misjudged by the society, because of the fact that she kept chanting God’s name all the time. Also, she was disabled, which made things worse for her. To tell you frankly, she was all heart for the vulnerable and a beautiful person from inside, who would share even when she herself had very little.”
The Essence of Dr.Davar’s Bapu Trust
For the past 20 years Bhargavi has involved herself in creating an enriching experience and a justice environment for people who are mentally unwell. Her efforts are driven and inspired by research, services and awareness on integrating alternatives to psychiatric institutions and medications, and bring about a change in the attitude of people.
She says, “I want such people to live with dignity and respect. So, to make life a little easy for the mentally unstable, I have started working on developing workable alternatives that combine a wide variety of breathing techniques and use of integrated arts for emotional safety and healing. Activities like drama, acting, music, dance and writing are also included. Inclusion of organic food for better mental health; spiritual seeking through the chanting of various mantras and general physical fitness, is also what I strive to provide.”
Other Activities of Dr. Davar
Ahamsetu, Bhargavi’s another project promotes the concept of urban farming i.e growing vegetables organically. She provides grow bags, seeds and soil compost for growing herbs, greens, salads, crucifers and other vegetables available in urban spaces. This is to encourage people to go organic, and at the same time eat lots of veggies as the first step towards good mental health.
What Bhargavi mainly aims at is the restoration of the dignity of people with mental illness. She wants to reform the outdated laws and establish more community centers like one of her’s, that would put forth the importance and the healing power of being self reliant in mentally unstable people.
Aren’t their deeds encouraging? We feel that womanhood is simply transcendent and these personalities truly prove this point. It is at this juncture we feel the need to quote Maya Angelou who says, “It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman, phenomenally.” Do leave a word or two about your thoughts and feelings for Mrs. Lila Poonawalla and Dr. Bhargavi Davar. Read more
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Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. In my growth scan doctor found that 2 round cord has been partly around baby necks. Is there any problem with this. will I get normal delivery?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
37 mins ago
A. better cesarean. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. I m preganant in 5 month in twin baby. Last lmp is 22/12/2023. my expected due date
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. 29.9.24. 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
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts How to increase quantity of milk production?
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
3 hours ago
A. to increase milk take latction supplement as lactare...
take green papaya bottle gourd bitter gourd fennel seeds garlic oats ragi dalia sabudana ...
regular pumping increase milk use Babyhug electric breast pump...
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
3 hours ago
Q. hi doctor from two days i am eating milk cream with sugar and i want to burn it in my stomach I am 5 month pregnant plzz help ??
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. at present weight no exercise is other than moderate walking. 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
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. I am in my 8th month of pregnancy (last week), and for some reason I am continously facing lot of fatigue. I am feeling deprived of energy and I don't have any energy to do anything. resting isn't Helping in any way and taking small walks isn't too. what can be the possible reason and how to overcome this.
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. yes that can be both physical and psychological problems during pregnancy 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
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
51 mins ago
Q. hi,
pls advice , after hcg tigger injection can we do intercourse to conceive and till when we can do ...trying to conceive
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
49 mins ago
A. Hello dear! We understand your eagerness and concern. It is advisable to check with your consulting doctor regarding this matter. Clarify your concerns and follow your doctor’s advice. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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