Choosing Baby's Doctor

Before you can settle down with a doctor for your baby, it will be beneficial to you if you can make a little investigation about the physician’s background and reputation. In most cases, your gynaecologist may suggest a child specialist, but there is no compulsion that you must continue with him. Talk to friends, neighbours and relatives. They may be resourceful in recommending a good doctor too. But whatever decision you take, make sure, you’re comfortable with the doctor you choose.

Pre-term labour

Identifying pre-term labor early can help prolong pregnancy. What are some of the causes of pre-term labor? What are the signs and symptoms of pre-term labor? The risks of an early delivery? How to care for a premature baby? Read about it all.

Pregnancy Week By Week

It's fascinating to learn how your baby develops from a tiny mass of cells into a full grown bonnie baby. Even though you won’t be able to see – or feel – your baby’s growth, there’s a lot happening inside the womb with developments happening rapidly. Find out all the exciting milestones - like baby’s first kick, it movements, heartbeat, when the hair and nails begin to grow, when baby starts to blink and many such interesting facts – in our pregnancy week-by-week guide. Also find out how baby’s growth is changing your body – and how to cope with it. 

Pacifiers And Oral Health – How To Protect Your Baby?

Pacifiers can come in handy when you want to soothe a cranky baby. But, at the same time many parents worry about its long-term effects on baby’s dental structure and oral health. While prolonged usage of pacifiers can cause tooth decay and misalignment of baby’s teeth, problems occur only when they’re used incorrectly.
  
Positives of a Pacifier
· It goes without saying that pacifiers are great comforters. To calm a crying baby, pop in a pacifier.
· Research also shows that pacifiers decrease the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Experts say that babies who suck pacifiers don’t sleep peacefully, so they’re less susceptible to SIDS.
· Pacifiers are a better option than thumb sucking. It’s easier to wean a child from a pacifier than breaking the thumb-sucking habit. Excessive thumb-sucking can also lead to problems in teeth development.
  
What harm can pacifiers do to the teeth?
· Pacifiers can ruin baby’s dental structure and alignment with prolonged usage.
· Parents are often responsible for passing on bacteria to the baby. Incorrect usage and improper pacifier care can cause tooth decay.
· Dipping the pacifier in sugar syrup or honey, can also lead to tooth decay
· Prolonged use of pacifier can result in crooked teeth, gap in between the upper and lower teeth causing bite problems, and protruding upper teeth.

Breast Feeding Problems and Challenges

Breastfeeding is something that could take a few weeks to get used to. Though it’s a natural, process, it could throw up a lot of unexpected challenges before you. But the more confidently you handle it, the sooner you will settle down to a comfortable ‘understanding’ that works out for both you and your baby.

Here are some Common Problems that Most Mothers tend to Face During Breastfeeding.
A Very Demanding Baby 

 There could actually be an underlying reason for this problem, which in most cases goes unnoticed for a long time. When the baby is not positioned properly, there is insufficient supply of milk, and that’s why, the baby’s hunger demands may seem never be satisfied. Sometimes, continuous feeding could also mean that your baby simply enjoys it and finds it very comforting. It could also happen if the baby is trying to increase the supply of milk. If this activity is a change from his normal feeding pattern, then it may get back to normal in a day or two. Make sure that you position baby properly and let him feed on demand.

 Bleeding/ Sore / Cracked Nipples
This is again a result of bad positioning. When your baby is not placed properly, it tends to suck your nipple and not the breast. if this is the case, dislodge the baby, by inserting your finger gently into his mouth to break the contact. Then, reposition your breast so that the breast, and not just the nipple is inside his mouth. Try different positions. Express milk and rub it on the nipples – this will help it heal. Use the less sore side to feed.

14 Easy Home Made Food recipes

When I was contemplating on introducing solids to my baby, I was in a bit of a dilemma. Should I resort to processed food or give baby home-made food? When I consulted with my other mommy friends, I discovered most of them had chosen the convenient option of ready-made formula food. So, after getting a green signal from my baby’s paediatrician I too followed suit.
But within a few weeks, I realized that my baby wasn’t too excited about it. In fact, after a couple of weeks, she had started to reject it. Every time I tried to feed her, she turned her head away. Well, I don’t blame her. How could you expect her to eat something so insipid and plasticky when there was a world of flavours out there?
  
4-6 Months
When your baby is between 4-6 months, stick to soft foods in puree form. It makes it easy for the baby to swallow and digest.

1. Banana Puree 

Bananas are rich in potassium and fibre. They’re one of the best first foods for babies – easy and very gentle on the stomach. However, be careful not to overfeed, as it could cause constipation

Recipe for Banana Puree
· Peel one small banana and mash it in a food processor
· To dilute the consistency, could add a little milk.

2. Brown Rice Porridge This is one of the most common first foods as it is light, easily digestible and safe for babies. To make feeding easier, you could make it as a thin consistency.
Recipe for  Brown Rice Porridge
· Dry grind a tbsp of brown rice
· Mix the rice with half cup of water in a cooking vessel.
· Cover it until it boils and reduce the heat
· Cook it for another 20 with cover
· If you want thinner consistency, add more water
· Add a pinch of salt and ghee for taste

3. Carrot Puree

Carrots are wonder foods loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant betacarotene.
How to make Carrot Puree
· De-skin and dice a small carrot
· Cook it well in about ½ cup of water with cover
· Allow it to cool and puree it the blender

4. Peas Puree

Peas are a high source of protein. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, iron and calcium too. To make sure that the skin doesn’t get in the way of eating, strain the puree to get a smooth consistency.

• Wash and cook a handful of shelled peas
• Cool the peas and blend it to a smooth consistency in a blender

 5. Apple Puree
Apples are naturally sweet and there is a good chance that your baby will love it! They make for ideal first fruits as they are easy to digest.
How to make Apple Puree
· Halve a medium sized apple.
· Cut the core and deseed it before cooking it in a saucepan
· Steam in pressure cooker – for 6-7 minutes
· Cool and blend into a smooth puree

6. Avocado Puree 

Avocado is a perfect first food for baby. Its buttery texture makes it a great weaning food. Avocado contains omega-3 which is good for the baby’s brain development 

Recipe for  Avocado Puree

· Take a ripe avocado, cut into half and remove the seed.
· Scoop out the flesh and transfer it into a bowl.
· Mash thoroughly with a fork or spoon or puree it in a blender.
· Add sugar and mix well.
· To dilute the consistency, add some water

Wholesome And Melt In Mouth Paneer Bhurji Wrap

All of us at home are great fans of paneer. Any dish I prepare with paneer gets wiped out in a jiffy (saving me the trouble of storing and carrying it over for our next meal). My younger daughter is such a die-hard fan of paneer, that she could have it for all her meals, gleefully!  In fact, on the days I make paneer, her hunger pangs are advanced by an hour – in anticipation of the dish that is waiting to be attacked.
Off late I have started making paneer at home. Initially it did seem a bit cumbersome and messy. But I realized that once you get the hang of it, it’s no big deal. It did take me a couple of futile attempts to perfect the art of getting a firm chunky block. But that didn’t stop me from trying. So what if you if you’re unable to make chunky paneer? Crumbly paneer is equally good and can tickle your taste buds with so many delightful options.