Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Mother & Baby India

It’s been over a year since life changed collectively for most parts of the worlds. And if there’s one thing that has been synonymous with the year that went by, it is safety. It has been the buzzword recently, preceding other words like standards, norms and protocols. When we say, “take care” to friends and family lately, we mean a lot more than just a cursory greeting. Needless to say, the times have been tougher for families with the elderly and children. New parents are harrowed with the added fear of additional environmental hazards to the little one who is yet to develop defences against everyday triggers, leave alone a highly contagious and unpredictable disease! Mums-to-be are reeling under similar insecurities and anxieties. Mother and Baby has been by your…

NO MORE MOSQUITOES! Climate changes and increase in humidity make it a breeding ground for mosquitoes and insects, Protect your li’l one from these tiny onsters with Chicco’s anti-mosquito gel, specially formulated for babies to protect them against almost all sorts of mosquitoes, in particular the ones spreading dengue and chikungunya. Made with natural active ingredients, it protects your li’l one by keeping mosquitoes away both during day and night so as to allow her to play and enjoy her sleep peacefully. The product is dermatologically tested on sensitive skin as babies need products with delicate formulation, which not only protects them but is also gentle on their skin. It is free from DEET, alcohol and colors which ensures natural and delicate protection for babies, and children. Price: ₹299 onwards…

SIZE Lightweight compact size receivers are easier to carry around. Some can easily fit into the pocket of your apron! DOUBLE RECEIVERS Some models come with two receivers, which can be handy if you want to leave one in a room and have the other for moving around your home. VOLUME CONTROLS An adjustable volume is handy when you don’t want guests to hear every sound your baby makes. LOW BATTERY INDICATOR Transmitters and receivers that have a low battery indicator are helpful in reminding you to replace or recharge the batteries. POWER SOURCE Transmitters and receivers that are battery operated are good for moving around, but you will have to buy a lot of batteries. Look for models that can use rechargeable batteries. SOUND ACTIVATED LIGHTS Receivers that light…

So what if you can’t go out and frolick in the spring glory this Easter? There’s no reason not good enough to celebrate in style. And while you’re forced to downsize your festivities yet again, we at M&B have taken it upon ourselves to show you how to make the most of it. Here are a few ideas on how to throw a fun Easter do for the whole family at home.. DIY DECOR Get crafty with the kids with some DIY Easter décor that is sure to keep your li’l one engaged. There’s no time quite like the present to give your house the ultimate spring makeover, and why not get your tots involved you’re at it. You don’t need to do something extragavant, just a few knick-knacks that…

Eco-nutritionist Kavita Mukhi says keep your baby away from chemicals and toxins. “The food will taste better, keep you healthy and give you energy to achieve your dreams. Absorb sunshine, be active, be productive, be loving and be happy,” she advices. Here are her simple rules to get your baby (and you) started on the healthy path: ● Use organic saindhav namak (rock salt) and whole sea salt ● Use organic ghani oil (cold-pressed) of safflower (kardi), peanut, sesame, coconut, sunfl ower and mustard and organic ghee and milk ● Use organic whole unpolished brown and red rice ● Use organic wheat bread or better still Indian rotis and organic millets ● Use organic jaggery and unrefined sugar ● Use organic daals, spices, herbs, tea, coffee, honey, etc ● And,…

Starting a family can be a wonderful time in one’s life. However, while there are many who very much long to have children, for one reason or another, they are unable to conceive. There is a solution, though, in the process of surrogacy. According to Dr Rita Bakshi, Chairperson of the International Fertility Centre, “Surrogacy involves the carrying of an embryo and the birthing of a baby by one woman, referred to as the surrogate, for a couple. The embryo is usually created through the intended mother’s egg/donor egg and intended father’s sperm/donor sperm using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). It is then transferred in the uterus of the surrogate, who acts as a human incubator, carrying the couple’s baby through to the birth.” IS SURROGACY RIGHT FOR YOU? There are…

THE FUSS Everyone loves a pregnant woman. Strangers will admire your tummy, smile at you, offer you seats… THE ACCEPTANCE Permission granted to be unreasonable, tetchy and generally hormonal. Okay? THE GLOW No promises, but pregnancy hormones should make your skin radiant and your hair shiny. THE LIE-INS You’re supposed to rest, right? Yay for you. THE EXCUSES Can’t lug those heavy bags around, sorry. There’s an ever-growing excuse to skip chores – you are carrying a baby, after all THE GIFTS Here’s your chance to throw a bump party or baby shower. THE TREATS Pass chilled vibes to your baby with a pregnancy massage.…

UK-BASED PHYSIOTHERAPIST RUTH WHALEN SAYS “It’s very common to leak small amounts of urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh after having a baby (and during pregnancy)—a condition called stress incontinence. It happens when your pelvic floor becomes weak both from carrying the weight of your baby and the birth itself. “The pelvic floor muscles are the ones you contract when you want to stop yourself going to the loo. Pregnancy puts a huge amount of pressure on this area and it also has to stretch during birth. All of this makes them less efficient, and it can take a while for them to get back into shape. A cough or sneeze is a powerful activity that puts pressure on your bladder. Weak pelvic floor muscles can’t handle this pressure…

In India... You could be a new mum in any part of India, but your wise and concerned mum or mum-in-law will do her best to take care of you by using some of the age-old traditions. The most common ritual which is practised all over the country is an oil massage which is said to have little use besides relaxing your nerves. But most new mums can never seem to get enough of this! There’s a long list of foods said to be good for milk let-down and general health and well-being of the mother, like sweets made in ghee, nuts and fat rich food. “But they must be taken in moderation, or else they could play havoc with your digestive system and end up adding to your weight,”…

● Toys that promote violence, gender stereotypes and class/race discrimination are not recommended for children. ● Make informed choices before buying the toys. When possible read/find out the age, safety and operating instructions, and care of the toys. ● Buy toys such that they can be used in multiple ways whenever possible, and promote many of the child’s skills and creative imagination as well as spontaneity. ● Make sure that all batteries (which have hazardous material) in the toys, whenever present, are screwed down and cannot be pried open by your child. ● Check to see that all the toys can be washed or cleaned regularly to maintain hygienic standards. ● Before you buy any toy, check to see that it is well put together, sturdy, the paint is non-…

DR KIRAN COELHO A succesful gynaecologist and practicing obgyn for the last 30 years. DR ANITA MADAN A doctorate in education, she is currently the Curriculum Development head with EuroKids International Pvt Ltd where she promotes a developmentally appropriate curriculum. DR GEETANJALI SHAH Popular Mumbai paediatrician, conducts holistic fitness workshops for pregnant women. NUTAN PANDIT Breastfeeding counsellor and natural birth therapist who’s been teaching in New Delhi since 1978. DR DHERANDRA KUMAR Consultant clinical and child psychologist, he is founder and director of Psyindia, and engaged in direct work with children. SONALI SHIVLANI Mumbai-based childbirth educator, certified by Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association, USA. ANIKA PURI Childbirth educator, prenatal and postnatal massage therapist, certified counsellor, reflexolgist and a holistic practitioner of women’s health and fertility in Delhi. EFFATH YASMIN India’s…

MAKE THE RIGHT ORS You need: 200ml water, a pinch of salt, one tsp sugar You must: Stir in the water, salt and sugar together in the given proportion. Taste the solution to check that it is just as salty as tears. Mums don’t need diplomas or certificates to prove their skills when it comes to caring for their little ones. Their special mummy instinct backed by information and awareness can go a long way in dealing with any crisis. While instinct comes naturally, awareness must be cultivated so that one does not make a wrong move. Learning about the techniques of First Aid is the first step towards ensuring that your baby is in safe and confident hands, before you make it to the medical facility. Paediatrician Dr Geetanjali…

When in the womb, your baby is safe and secure. Once you welcome her into your world, chances are the environment around would not warrant the same. From dust mites to air pollutants, pesticide-injected foods to degraded toy quality, all could potentially form an unhygienic chain around your baby. Because these things are present everywhere and mock your baby’s life at every step, it’s hard to keep your baby away from their clutches. Moreover, your baby’s system isn’t all that strong and sound to fight off the harmful effects of pollutants and toxins acting as uninvited house guests. But being a little alert can make a lot of difference to your baby and her life. Even if you cannot remove all the pollutants and toxins from her vicinity, you can…

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has laid down some general guidelines to keep in mind when toy shopping: ● Toys made of fabric should be labelled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant. ● Stuffed toys should be washable. ● Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint. ● Art materials should say non-toxic. ● Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they’ve been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.…

India does not have a law or legislation governing surrogacy. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has set national guidelines to regulate surrogacy and has held commercial surrogacy legal in India. The process starts with pre-surrogacy legal counselling of the commissioning couple and the surrogate, surrogacy agreement and finalisation of the agreement. If the surrogate is married, her spouse is a part of the counselling and has to be in full agreement with the procedure. It’s the surrogacy agreement that governs the contractual relation between the parties. It means that surrogate mothers need to sign a contract with the intended parents. Amit Karkhanis, a prominent surrogacy lawyer and partner at Kaylegal and Associates, Mumbai, says, “A surrogacy agreement is a comprehensive document that deals with the relation between the…

During a recent diet consultation, when I got to the section on ‘eating out’ preferences, the young couple on call immediately said, “No way, we have completely stopped eating outside food since we got the news that we are expecting.” I am getting to hear this more and more during my consults, as parents want to do the best for their babies, without wanting to take any chances. I can’t really blame them—afterall, COVID-19 still looms large, and there is still no known effect on a pregnancy. But is it really necessary to completely forego small pleasures and enjoyments? Well, maybe not. The first challenge to eating out is the risk of getting stale food. We’re so blissfully unaware of when the food has been cooked and how it has…

1 Put your right foot on a low step or raised surface. 2 Keeping your chest straight, lift your left leg and step up, leaning your weight on your right foot. 3 Step down with your left leg, then your right leg. 4 Repeat this 12 times. You can hold a baby’s bottle in each hand if you want to tone your upper body, too. 5 Swap sides and follow the routine again, this time with your left foot starting on the step.…

NOISES OFF In our day to day life, we often take the five senses of hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste for granted. For a child, it is all the more important to apply these senses, especially during her growing years, when she explores her environment. If she is devoid of one, her social, emotional and cognitive development can get affected for life. Senior consultant surgeon, ENT & neurotology, Dr Ameet Kishore, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi says, “Worldwide figures suggest one to two babies per 1000 newborns have a permanent childhood hearing impairment. However, there are not many studies done in India. In India, the figures are likely to be two to three per 1000.” Hearing loss is a handicap that needs to be dealt with at the…

Aries Although her energy levels will be at an all time low this month, there’s no cure like some fun activities to lift her spirits. Give her puzzles or other mentally stimulating exercises to keep her occupied and engaged. All she needs is a little motivation, and a few words of encouragement to pep her up and get back to her happy-go-lucky self. Taurus If you’ve been contemplating getting a furry new family member, there’s no time like the present. She’ll show keen interest in interacting and playing with pets at the park, and seeing her squeal in excitement will surely tug at your heartstrings. She will also charge at all the activities she engages in with full gusto, so be sure to save on some extra energy for yourself…

Do you have something to say? Is there any way Mother & Baby can help you in your journey of parenthood? Write in to the editor at this e-mail address: mbeditorial@gmail.com The letter of the month will win a special gift from Sophie la girafe® Dear Swati, I’ve been an ardent reader of the magazine ever since my son Aryan was born, and since then, M&B has played such an important part of my mommyhood journey. Not only have I watched Aryan grow over the last five years, I’ve also witnessed M&B blossom into the masterpiece it is today. The information I’ve received from these articles is unlike anything I’ve come across. I’d also like to specially mention how glamourous the covers get with each issue! It truly is a…

• Carry nasal drops for your baby when travelling by air. Administering nose drops half an hour before a flight can help to ease the baby’s discomfort by keeping the ears clear. • If your child is prone to convulsions, remember to carry the suppository medication in your handbag and not with the checked-in luggage. • Asthmatic children need to have their inhalers close at hand for emergencies so keep it in your handbag instead of the checked-in luggage. • If you are travelling to a place where there your child may get any allergic reaction, remember to keep the antidote handy.…

Bisphenol A, often known as BPA is a chemical found in hard plastics and the coatings of food and drink cans, which tend to behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. BPA is used to make many products, including water bottles, baby bottles, dental fillings and sealants, dental devices, medical devices, eyeglass lenses, DVDs and CDs, household electronic and sports equipment. BPA can also be found in epoxy resins which is used as coatings inside food and drink cans. The harmful effects of BPA only came to light in 2008. How BPA can harm your child: ● Though animal studies on the dangers of BPA have mixed results, experts believe that BPA can mimic a particular hormone in the body and disrupt the…

Lead is a harmful carcinogenic substance found in old paint, dust, soil and water. Infants and children could suffer from lead poisoning from old, lead-based paint. If floors have dust from old painted walls, or paint chips, a baby could suck on lead-dusted hands or toys or breathe in lead dust. Some toddlers eat paint chips, soil, or chew on lead-painted window sills and stair rails. Excessive amounts of lead in the system of children could lead to: ● Lower IQ ● Behaviour problems ● Growth problems ● Anaemia ● Kidney damage ● Hearing loss…

If your life used to revolve around Friday night mojitos and a daily caffeine drip, finding out you’re pregnant can leave you wondering just how you’ll still feel like you over the next nine months. Even a simple decision suddenly becomes overwhelming (can I still go for a run? Will I actually survive without wine?) Losing control of your body and changing your lifestyle to accommodate your growing baby can take some getting used to. But pregnancy doesn’t have to mean missing out—it’s just a question of approach. In other words, stop thinking about what you can’t do and start enjoying what you can. YOU USED TO… BE A HAPPY HOUR REGULAR If you struggle to remember a weekend (okay, let’s admit it, even a week night) that wasn’t perked…

WHY IS IMMUNISATION IMPORTANT? A child is born with poor immunity as compared to an adult, and is prone to a whole lot of diseases, caused by bacteria and viruses. Immunisation assures that your child gets protection and is prevented from suffering the disease and its complications. AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD BE IMMUNISED? Immunisation usually starts almost as soon as the child is born. He should be given the BCG, oral polio and Hepatitis B vaccination soon after birth. WHICH ARE THE ROUTINE VACCINES THAT ARE GIVEN TO BABIES? The routine vaccines given to babies are BCG, Polio, Triple or the Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus vaccine (DTP), Hepatitis B, H Influenzae Bacterium vaccine (HIB), Measles vaccine, MMR vaccine, Chicken Pox vaccine, Boosters of polio and DTP, Typhoid, and…

PAMPER YOUR PERINEUM The perineal area is sore when you have had a baby and an episiotomy or perineal tear which becomes essential in the first couple of deliveries, only adds to the pain. The best way to soothe yourself is by sitting in a tub of warm, shallow water called a ‘sitz bath’ for a few minutes, as long as you can manage comfortably. Dr Manisha Mittal, Delhi-based obstetrician-gynaecologist, advises wearing loose cotton clothes that do not stick to your perineal area. This will reduce your discomfort. “Avoid sitting cross-legged and, most importantly, keep the area clean by splashing it with cold water and changing your pads frequently. In case the episiotomy goes right up till the rectum, consume a light diet so that you may comfortably pass your…

CONGENITAL FACTORS INCLUDE: * Some Genetic (familial) conditions cause deafness – if there is a family history * Infections (toxoplasma, rubella, CMV) in early pregnancy * Birth defects that affect the formation of the cochlea or hearing nerve ACQUIRED FACTORS ARE: * High jaundice * Birth hypoxia (low oxygen) * Toxic effect of some drugs * Infections after birth – some viral infections, meningitis and ear infections HEARING LOSS CAN BE PREVENTED IF: * If the expectant mother seeks treatment for infections during pregnancy * Avoids ototoxic drugs * Avoids exposure to loud noise * Gets early treatment for baby’s ear infections or other infections like meningitis…

Shilpa Sawant, Is a Mumbai-based architect, founder of Astitva Architects and her own venture, SAS Design. In addition to sophisticated, aesthetic interiors, she has avid interest in the Origami, the Japanese paper art. She has been conducting Origami workshops digitally, and is also a visiting faculty member for interior design at Sir J.J. College of Architecture. www.sasdesign.inInstagram: @origami.sas YOU NEED 10x10 cm square paper Scissors Glue 13. Enjoy your Origami Lollipop!!! YOU MUST 1. Take 10 cm X 10 cm square paper. 2. Make a valley fold diagonally to achieve a triangular shaped paper. 3. Make a valley fold on the upper flap dividing into half. 4. Open out the flap and you will have a guide crease made. 5. Make a valley fold aligning the bottom right corner to…