Professional Documents
Culture Documents
To Husband mahendra
www.Medimanage.com
Swagata Yadavar
Copy Edited By
Priyanka Parab
Pooja Biraia
Geetai Nivangune
Mahavir Chopra
Editor‐in‐Chief
K S Sankar
Contributing Doctors
6. Baby Hygiene 27
7. Friends, Family and the Baby 31
8. Thumb Sucking 35
9. Keep your Baby smiling in all weathers! 37
10. Diapering your Baby 41
11. Why is my Baby crying!? 47
The best foreword for this book probably is verily what it brought rolling down
my cheeks as I read it – a drop of tear.
Like the parenthood is the most natural human instinct, the tear drop is the
most natural expression of any human instinct.
I was wondering what brought about this drop of tear – only to realize this tiny
tear drop contained in it an ocean of emotions.
Awe at the almost superhuman ability to multitask during the period of rearing
the newborn – I have come across many a mother wondering aloud, looking
back at those demanding days of rearing their infant – Honest to God I do not
know where I got the ability to manage those days. This book offers valuable
wisdom to make those arduous days a little less arduous.
Gratitude – Some worthy has said ‘every child born is a proof that God has still
not lost faith in humanity’. The emotion of gratitude that I find in my tear drop
is that sense of gratitude to all the mothers and motherhood at large that
indeed holds humanity together and makes togetherness human.
As I was getting tossed around these and several other similar waves of
emotion, the tear drop suddenly chose to demonstrate another innate
character it possesses – of being a natural prism. And made my reflections
move from me the receiver to the givers of this book – Medimanage.com.
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Foreword
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
This reflection led to the realization that it is these very values that drive
Medimanage. I see it manifest in the very effort of bringing out this book. I see
unwritten but clearly visible in between every two lines of this book – We care,
that we help you care for the one you care for the most in this entire universe –
your newborn. Empathy in all that Medimanage does ‐ in understanding the
pain areas ‐ tempered with invaluable insights they provide. And the integrated
process driven approach that make arduous situations that much less arduous
for all those concerned.
‐K S Sankar
Editor‐in‐Chief
5
Coping with motherhood
As you face these fears, you are given nothing but Sense of humor
guidelines and more guidelines! Everybody talks
If there were an eligibility requirement for being a
about what you should eat, what you should avoid
mother, having a sense of humor would be placed
along with what to do and what not to when
at the top. The reason being, having a baby and
pregnant! There are solutions for everything from
caring for the baby is no mean task! It is a road full
backaches to swollen legs that come with
of ups and downs and having a sense of humor
pregnancy but none for soothing the nerves of a
soon‐ to ‐be mother. We understand what you are
going through, and here is our sincere effort at
trying to make you feel better.
6
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
will be of a great help if you are to make it through come and assist you in some of chores. When
the first year without any breakdowns! they are at home, relax, catch on some sleep
Imagine this scenario, it is 3 am at night and the and do something for yourself. This time alone
third time your baby cries for a feed or you are will rejuvenate you and energize you enough to
ready to go out and have finished dressing him in a handle motherhood once again!
very cute outfit, when he decides to spit up milk Be Open and Patient
on it. Just like these incidents, there will be several
There will be times when you are unsure of what
more moments that will leave you as a mother
you are doing. There will also be countless other
completely exhausted, frustrated and on the verge
times when you think, whatever you are doing is
of tears! This is where you will require a sense of
wrong! But don’t you worry, like most others
humor to laugh about such incidences with the
you will learn on the job. Experience is what
baby, as there is nothing you can do about them!
teaches you the best, along with the maternal
Ask for help instinct that everyone talks about. After all,
‘When in doubt ask for help’. This saying can be even the best of us fail sometimes; we just learn
modified for mothers, into, ‘whenever from the mistakes and do it again properly the
have their hands full with household as well as the Let go….
workplace chores, plus they are better at multi‐
When your baby is young, most of the time will
tasking than men, but still there is a limit as to how
be spent in caring for the baby. By the end of
much they can handle.
the day you will be exhausted with no energy
Whenever you find it difficult to take any more left to do anything else but to fall on your bed
strain, call for help. The reason you need to do and slip into an exhausted sleep! So, you may
that is an overstressed and unhappy mom is not in find that the dishes will lie unwashed, the house
the best shape to care for the baby. You can ask will be filled with diapers and toys etc. in short
either your spouse, mom, in laws or your friends to the house won’t be exactly visitor friendly.
7
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
If the sight of your house is making you don’t fret over it as after a few months you will
sigh. Don’t! It is, but natural that taking care be able to manage both your baby and the
of the baby will take over as your number household duties wonderfully!
one priority leading you to overlook your Motherhood is a journey to be enjoyed with a
household duties. Accept that the house heart open, a mind full of enthusiasm and a
will be messy for few months! Let go and smiling face….Bon Voyage!
8
How to prepare your home for
your newborn
that our life won’t be same after the arrival of the Dr. Geetanjali Shah, Pediatrician, stresses the
baby, others are excited by the very thought of the importance of sunlight “Sunlight is important for
imminent arrival of tiny feet. Whatever the feeling babies, we keep all babies in sunlight after
maybe, it is accompanied by the acceptance of a delivery to prevent occurrence of physiological
responsibility that rests on our shoulders, the jaundice. Later when the chances of jaundice are
responsibility of taking care of a little human less, we still keep them in for the benefit of
being! vitamin D. From whichever rooms are available,
There is an awful lot to learn and know about you have to select the right one.”
pregnancy and we often find ourselves feeling If the room where the baby is kept is not sunny,
overwhelmed by the myriad information on you can keep him in a spot at home where he
Parental Dos and Don’ts. With so much to think receives sunlight to benefit from it.
and fret about, the practical issue of how to Dr. Geetanjali also advices the parents to carry
prepare your home for the newborn is forgotten. out pest control at least 3 months before the
Here are our tips on how to prepare your home for
your newborn.
Room
Most women in India spend their last stages of
pregnancy, in their parent’s home. It is also this
home, which the baby is most likely to arrive from
the hospital room. The room that baby should stay
in, should be‐
• Well ventilated
9
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
arrival of the baby, if they are considering doing hinges, springs and routinely maintain the
it. furniture.
All furniture that you buy must be splinter free, other unknown hazards for the baby. The first
with smooth edges and of a solid construction. few months will be worry free as your baby
You should also need to check for exposed cannot crawl and thus will be safe from any
accidents, however it would be a wise move to
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
start baby proofing your home early on. that prevent your baby from opening the
The trick lies in looking at your home furniture and door and going out
appliances from your baby’s perspective. Take a • Stairs inside the house, need to be fixed with
tour of the house crawling and look at things that mesh gates
may interest you like open sockets, tiny objects
• The buttons on TVs and other electrical
lying on the floor and so on. Here are the common
devices should be covered by plastic shields
things you can do to baby proof your home.
• Windows need to be fixed with grills and
• Cover electrical sockets with plastic and
locks.
rubber outlet covers
You must have by now realized; parenting does
• Lock all your cabinets and drawers that are
not start from the moment when you bring the
within the baby’s reach
baby home but long before it, since the time you
• Pad all the sharp edges in your furniture or plan your baby. It is about changing your
smoothen it to avoid injury to the baby priorities or rather choosing the right things as
• Doorknobs can be fixed with doorknob covers priorities. Hope you have started doing that, and
Happy Parenting!
11
How to select a doctor
for your baby?
start in choosing the right doctor for your baby. near your home. You cannot take a sick child
and travel for 2 hours just to see the doctor!
Where to start
• How experienced is the doctor? If he is
You need to start by asking your close friends
experienced, is he also in touch with latest
and relatives for any good pediatrician that they
research and treatments? If the doctor is
can refer. You can also take suggestions from
quite new to the profession, he must have a
your Family doctor and your gynecologist;
doctors are known to suggest the name of their
own friends and sometimes relatives too, so it
won’t necessa ri l y be an u nbi a sed
recommendation. Once you get a few names in,
you can start your research.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
good reference for you to choose him. schedules, co‐ sleeping, vaccinations, single
parenting, day care system and alternative
The Doctors Clinic
medicines?
In the Western countries, there is a concept of
• Check if the opinions of the doctor match
interviewing the doctor before you select him to
up with your own views of parenting. It is
as pediatrician for your baby. You can follow a
always better to have a doctor who feels
similar routine for your baby by visiting the
like you do on most topics rather than have
doctor’s clinic regularly or by just paying a visit to
arguments during the visits.
his clinic with your friend. Once at the doctor’s
clinic, keep an eye for certain things such as. • Some doctors tend to overmedicate the kid
which has a negative impact on the child’s
• Notice the waiting area of the clinic‐ Is it well
health‐ so ask the doctor whether he
furnished? is it child proofed? are there things
believes in herbal or any other form of
to entertain the child with? Is there room
remedy or does he depend on antibiotics
large enough for many babies or is it
only.
cramped?
• Ask him if you can call on his personal
• Observe how the staff reacts to your visit;
phone number and does he always
are they friendly with other parents? Do they
entertain the call. You can also ask if he
take questions on phone, does the doctor
responds to e‐mails.
himself speak or does the staff answer on his
part? • After your talk with him, make a list of
certain things such as during the talk did he
• Ask other parents in the waiting room about
listen intently to what you were saying? Did
their experience with the doctor, whether
he seem to rush through it or was he
they are happy with him.
patient? From his demeanor, you will get an
The Doctor himself idea of how he is with kids and how
When you get an opportunity to meet the doctor receptive he is when it comes to the baby’s
himself, do consider these points. parents.
• What are his opinions on breastfeeding, baby After a careful analysis of all these factors, make
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
a well thought of decision. After the selection, seem to gel well, talk to him about it. See if you
inform him about your decision and contact him can resolve the issue before you change doctors,
after the delivery for the first checkup. In the as having the same doctor helps in diagnosis and
first year, there will be at least 6 periodic better treatment of baby’s illness.
checkups wherein the doctor will gauge your To ensure that your child’s health is in safe
baby’s growth. If, you find that in spite of your hands, choose your doctor carefully.
careful considerations you and your doctor don’t
14
Caring for your Premature Baby
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
If you find that your premature baby is not Premature babies have little tummies so they
prescribed for his age, don’t worry. A Premature babies tire easily too, and sleep through their
baby’s age, though he is born early, should be feedings so you need to wake them at night to
called the corrected age. For example, a 5 Mothers should select a comfortable position for
month old premature baby, who is born two breastfeeding the baby like holding him close to
months preterm, is actually only 3 months old as the chest while keeping the neck supported. It is
per as the corrected age. And if you want to found that premature babies are most
gauge his growth, remember to use the comfortable in the Football hold (see Football
corrected age. hold in the chapter ‘Feeding your baby’ page
no.20).
Vaccinations
Since a premature baby doesn’t have the rooting
Premature babies are vaccinated in line with a
reflex mastered yet, you have to help him by
full term baby’s schedule when their weight (1.5
placing him on the nipple with the areola into
Kg) is suitable for vaccinations. The only
the mouth. Compress your breast lightly with
difference is that these babies do not receive the
your fingers to make it easier for him to latch on
Hepatitis B vaccine at birth as other babies do.
to.
Instead the premature babies receive the
vaccine only after they start weighing in at least You will observe that your baby does not start
1.95 Kg. feeding right from the start and that he is just
suckling in a motion. You should allow the baby
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
to do that, as suckling stimulates the breasts to term peers in sleeping through the night.
produce more milk and makes it easier for the Normal babies take about 6 months time to
baby to get it. start sleeping through the night; premature
Premature babies take more time to feed as they babies, however take more than 6 months to
are not good at sucking. So even if your baby start sleeping through the night, which means
stops feeding for a while, wait for a few minutes to that the parents of these babies have to remain
see whether he has really finished feeding or not. awake in the night for longer periods of time.
Be patient with breast feedings as sometimes it Also do not allow the baby sleep on his back as
takes about an hour or so for a premature baby to premature babies are more likely to suffer from
fill up his tummy. SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as
Sleeping compared to normally born babies.
Premature babies spend the early few weeks of There are differences between a premature
their life in the NICU so they have more problems baby and term baby but only for a while. After
in understanding the difference between Day and their second birthday, you will find that his
Night and tend to take more time than their full growth and development is normal after a
while. So relax!
17
Feeding the baby
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
heals the uterus but also helps in burning estrogen and progesterone go down and
up to 300 calories per session. prolactin levels go up, which stimulates the
mother’s mammary glands to produce milk.
Understanding Breastfeeding
However, the baby is the one who actually,
Mechanism
regulates the milk flow. As the baby suckles the
Understanding the mechanism of how lactation
breast, prolactin ups the milk production in the
works, will help you understand the right way to
mother.
breast feed your baby.
Need based
Colostrum, the first feed: Mothers are advised to
Breast milk as mentioned earlier, changes its
breastfeed their babies as soon as possible,
properties according to the need of the baby.
preferably just after the delivery ‐ generally within
The breast milk at the start of the feeding
an hour. Even though this may seem tough for the
session is the foremilk or the ‘thirst quencher’
mother who has just overcome her labor pain, she
which is diluted and low in fat. And as the
should do it as immediate breastfeeding is
session progress, the breast begins to produce
essential for good health of both the mother and
hind milk that is high in protein, calories and fat.
the child.
Note: When the feeding session is a shorter one
During the first feed, you will observe a yellowish
or if you change breasts too soon while feeding
colored thick liquid is all that comes out, that too
the baby, he will only get the foremilk and miss
in a very small amount about a teaspoonful. This is
out on the more nutritious hind milk. Hind Milk
the precious Colostrum, that has antibodies which
helps the baby gain weight and shorter feeding
protect your baby from infections and this small
sessions in which he is deprived of hind milk can
quantity filled with protein, vitamins and minerals
result in him being underweight.
proves to be just enough to for the newborn’s
immature digestive system. Colostrum is To know when to change your breast, press your
produced in mother’s body for few days after breast and if it is softer than it was before the
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
For mothers who are ready, but clueless, as to opposite arm and hold the baby’s neck with
how to place the baby, here are the options: the arm on the same side of the breast that
is nursing.
• Crossover hold: Rest the baby, on the
pillow placed on your lap so that he is at • Side lying position: This is a good position
your breast height. Now support his head when you are nursing in the middle of the
and neck by holding him just below the night or if you are resting. Lie on your side
neck, with the arm that is opposite to the with your head on a pillow and position your
breast you are nursing from. Use the other baby on his side facing you. Make sure that
hand to support your breast. his mouth is in line with the nipple. You can
use a pillow to hold the baby close.
• Cradle hold: In the classic breast feeding
position, the baby’s head lies in the bend of A Proper Latch
the elbow of the arm of the same side of the Many problems that are associated with breast
body as the breast you are using. This is a feeding can be solved if mothers use the correct
favorite position because the mother can way to latch and position the baby for breast
support the baby when the baby is too little feeding.
to support his neck.
• Not just the nipple‐ the correct latch
• Football hold: The football position is great includes the nipple as well as the areola or
for heavy chested mothers and for mothers the dark area surrounding the nipple. Breast
who have undergone a Caesarian section milk will only flow once the baby’s gum
and want to avoid having the baby rest on squeeze the areola.
their abdomen. It is also a good position to
• Make sure the baby sucks the right part,
place an underweight and premature baby.
sometimes in his eagerness to get to the
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
milk your baby may end up sucking on There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to
another part of the breast which leads to sore breastfeeding. As long as the positioning of the
breast tissue. baby is right, there is no need to limit the baby’s
Here is the right way: feed; you however need to ensure that your
baby feeds from both the breasts and that he is
1. Tickle the baby’s lips with the nipple, so that the
satiated.
baby opens his mouth really wide. Another way
is to direct the nipple towards the nose and • Your baby will have his own pattern for
then down to his upper lip. This also prevents feeding – some babies like to feed for as
the baby’s lower lip from getting pressed. long as 45 minutes while others like to be
fed for only 15 minutes. The average
2. Once the baby opens his mouth wide enough,
nursing time for babies is 20‐30 minutes.
get him close to your breast. Do not push your
breast in the baby’s mouth, let him take the • Ideally one breast should empty at each
initiative. Keep a hold on your breast until the feeding, so that your baby gets the hind
3. Once the baby’s chin and the tip of the nose are • Sometimes babies drift off to sleep while
touching your breast, the latch is proper. Check still being nursed and wake up to be nursed
that the lips of the baby are turned outwards with your second breast. In order to
and not tucked in. If you feel that your breast is remember which of your breasts were
blocking his breathing, press your breast and nursed, tuck a nursing pad or fasten a pin on
4. Once the feeding is done and your baby still How many times?
seems to hold onto your breast, unlatch with As a newborn, your baby will feed eight to ten
care. Break the suction by putting your finger times a day, which means you are nursing every
into the corner of his mouth and gently pushing two hours. This does not mean that your baby
his gums till the suction is released. feeds as per the clock as some babies feed little
Duration by little all the time, while other babies like their
meals long. As the baby grows older, he will
21
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
• very cranky and fussy most of the time wait for your baby to wail in order to feed
him. Feeding beforehand, will avoid the
Not all of these behaviors are caused due to less
panic and the loud wails that may garner
milk supply, but if you find you baby is showing
more attention.
all these signs and is cranky and underweight,
then he is not getting enough milk.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Your doctor is the best person to tell you what • You don’t need to sterilize the bottle and
kind of formula comes close to the real thing it’s nipple as simple washing is enough.
and which one is advisable for your baby. The Some doctors recommend submerging the
special formulas should only be given when bottle and the nipple in boiled water.
recommended by a doctor.
• Check the instructions given by the
Different forms manufacturer before you start and do
Ready to eat: These formulas are already mixed exactly as mentioned. Too strong and not
with water and packed in bottles of different strong enough Formula can affect the
sizes. These are very easy to use but heavy on baby’s health.
Powder: The least expensive option is powder. • After you are done with the feeding, throw
It requires more time and work from the away the formula that is left, because
parent’s side. You need to mix the powder with improper preserving it can lead to the
the right amount of water as specified. growth of bacteria.
The Correct Way • For storing the liquid Formula, do as per the
instructions given, but don’t use the
Keeping it safe:
Formula that has been frozen but shows
• Wash your hands before you start the
white streaks.
process of preparing the formula.
• You can store prepared bottles of Formula
• Boil the water needed to be mixed with the
in the refrigerator. When travelling, you can
formula. Let it cool before you mix it with
take the Formula in an insulated box.
the Formula.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Bottle feeding your Baby baby swallows air it will lead to bloating.
• Emotional bonding: For parents who have • Check the flow: if the Formula is flowing
decided to feed their baby only Formula, you out of the baby’s mouth all the time, then
need to remember that feeding is not all the flow is too fast for the baby to swallow
about the physical need but it is also an properly and if the baby seems frustrated
emotional need, so you need to have an with the nipple, then it is too slow. Tighten
alternate skin to skin and eye to eye contact the cap or change the nipple accordingly.
• Signal‐ milk is coming: Stroke the baby’s contact it has a positive impact on the baby.
cheek with the finger or the nipple of the So even if you are bottle feeding, you can
bottle so that the baby opens his mouth. Then do so with the baby laid on your chest.
• Start slow: Your baby won’t be that keen on change the arm often.
• Don’t just leave it there: Do not leave the do not force him to complete the bottle as
bottle in the baby’s mouth unattended. It can your baby can tell know when it is full.
your baby when you are bottle feeding. likely to remain on the breasts for long
sucking, bottle fed baby will miss out on this
• Don’t let air in: Tilt the bottle so that the part and feel dissatisfied. You can give him
25
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
a pacifier for a while after feeding to avoid • Just hold the baby on the shoulder with his
because air in the tummy causes discomfort to baby on your lap and rubbing his back with
26
Baby hygiene
27
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
• Clean nappy and clothing on his head and gently pour water and rub
with the cloth. Do not forget to dry his head
• Ointment or cream for nappy rash
with the towel before proceeding further.
• Warm water • Face: There is no need to use soap for the
• A baby tub for a bubble bath baby’s face, just move your wet hands over
his face. For his eyes, use a sterile, cotton
Sponge bath wool ball and moist it in warm water and
Until the umbilical cord (and Circumcision gently clean the eyes in an outwards
wound if present) is healed, water baths will be a motion. For the ears, just wipe the external
no‐ no for the baby, a sponge bath is all that side of the ear, do not use ear buds.
your baby will have to contend with! • Neck and Chest: Clean this area carefully,
Keep all the apparatus ready before you start. especially the folds of skin where sweat and
Get the baby ready, remove all his clothing dirt can accumulate.
except the diaper and cover him in a loose • Arms: Extend the baby’s arms so that you
towel. Since babies can easily catch cold and can get to the creases of the elbows. To
feel uncomfortable being completely bare clean his hands, press his fists gently so that
always cover him in a towel and just expose the he opens his fist. Use soap for this area as it
part you want to clean. Do not remove his is most exposed to dust and germs. After
diaper until it is the time to wash his bottom. cleaning it, wipe it dry before the baby puts
You need to start from the cleanest part of the his fingers back into his mouth.
body to the dirtiest, i.e. from the head to
• Back: Place the baby on his back and begin
the diaper area.
cleaning his back especially his neck folds.
• Head: You don’t need to wash the baby’s There is no need to apply soap as the baby’s
head everyday with shampoo , shampooing back isn’t exposed much. Dry it and cover
it once or twice in a week and a daily rinsing the upper body if the temperature is cold.
with water is generally enough. While
• Legs: Extend the legs and wipe carefully,
washing the head, maintain a careful hold
28
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
get to the area at the back of his knees and With your free hand, wash the baby from the
dry. cleanest to the dirtiest area in the same way as
in the sponge bath.
• Diaper area: There is no special care that
needs to be taken for circumcised penis, just Oral hygiene
soap and water applied externally after the
You need to start taking care of the baby’s oral
wound heals is enough. Otherwise it is
hygiene even before his first tooth appears.
important to clean all the creases without
retracting the foreskin. For girls, wash from After feedings, wipe your baby’s gum with your
front to the back with soap and water and finger wrapped in gauze to remove any food
pour water over all the parts. residue and to prevent plaque buildup. After the
first teeth come in, use a baby toothbrush and
After washing the bottom, dry it and apply cream
with pea sized toothpaste on it clean his teeth
or ointment if needed.
and tongue.
Baby bath
Nail trimmings
Once the umbilical cord stump falls off, you can
For their size, newborns have an amazing nail
give your baby a full fledged bath. All kids have a
growth, their finger nails need to be trimmed
different reaction to being in water, some consider
every week and toe nails every 2 weeks. The
it to be similar to the womb and enjoy it and
best time to trim these is after a bath when they
others are tearful and wary of the water.
are asleep. You need a baby‐sized nail clippers
The things required are the same as a sponge or blunt‐nosed scissors to trim his nails.
bath. Once you have everything ready, undress Remember not to cut too close to his finger.
the baby and gently slip him into the bath tub,
talking to the baby in soothing words, hold him Ear care
firmly as he is expected to be startled at first. Hold
Clean the entrance to the baby’s ear but don’t
the baby in a semi reclining position with the neck touch the insides of his ear canal. Clean the
supported with your hands until he is old enough external part of the baby with a cotton wool
to support his neck.
ball. Don’t try the swab or with a finger.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Nose care push the matter deep inside the nose or worse
scratch the membrane.
Generally, the nose cleans itself through the
mucus but if you find that your baby has a cold Umbilical cord care
you can use an infant nasal aspirator. It has a Keep the stump of the umbilical cord clean and
special rubber suction bulb to remove the dry until it falls off. The cord usually falls off in a
excess mucus from the baby’s nose, all you have few weeks time. Clean the cord at each diaper
to do is squeeze the bulb at the end of the change to help it dry out and to prevent
syringe first, then insert the pointed tip gently infection. Wipe the area around the cord with a
into baby’s nose and slowly release the bulb. If cotton swab dipped in alcohol and then squeeze.
the secretions are thick, your doctor may Make sure you fold the diaper below the navel
recommend that you liquefy them with saline area to keep the cord from being soaked with
nose drops meant for babies. Do not use cotton urine. If you notice pus or redness at the base of
swabs, tissues or your fingers to remove any the cord, or if baby cries when you touch it, call
material from inside his nose as you may just your pediatrician.
30
Friends, Family and the Baby
31
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Even though the smoker does not smoke in play, sing and laugh with the baby, as you do the
the presence of the baby, the tobacco cleaning and changing.
particles remain on his body which can be Most of the time, you are grateful for their
harmful for the baby. presence for their experience and help with
• Flu blues: Ensure that visitors with flu avoid chores, lightens the burden over your head. The
close contact with the baby; they must not only problem is the clash of ideas, as you find
sneeze around the baby and if they do, they that your mother‐in‐law does not trust the
must use a handkerchief. When it is the modern nappies, your mother frowns upon the
mother who is suffering from a cold and has very idea of baby food being given to her
to breast feed her child, she must grandchild and sometimes they even disagree
remember to wash her hands before with your very instincts!
touching her baby. How to tell them what you feel?
Remember, a good social circle where the baby • Talk to them about the differences of
is loved and cared for is more important for the opinion, if needed take the help of your
baby’s development; the risk of catching the spouse. Discuss how parenting today is
germs is real only for the first few months. Later different from that of your childhood. Tell
the contact with germs will only boost the them how advanced research has brought
immunity and keep the baby healthy in future. forth different techniques today.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
parenting rules such as‐ what time the baby spend more time with the first born and let
needs to sleep, what is the correct time to them know that they are still loved and
massage the baby, what foods to offer to the nothing will change that.
baby etc. and let them do the execution, you • Give them time: Mothers will be totally
will find that they are more than happy to engrossed with the newborn in the early
oblige! days after the delivery, leaving the older
Older sibling and the Baby sibling on the sidelines. Mothers need to
consciously spend time alone with the older
When the second one’s coming the first one is
sibling perhaps when the baby is sleeping or
bound to feel left out, less loved and jealous, too!
when the spouse is looking after the baby,
The pregnancy part they can handle but having to
to make sure that the older sibling get his/
share their parents with another might prove
her share of attention too.
difficult for them. The parent’s lap has to be
shared and so are the hugs and kisses along with • Involve them: When older siblings are
the toys and sometimes the room. Suddenly they involved in the baby’s chores they will not
are the older one and are expected to behave feel left out. Ask them to do simple things
responsibly! Some measures taken by the parents such as getting you the diaper when you
can help the older kid deal with their siblings in a want to change the baby’s diaper, making
positive way, the bed and reading stories to the baby.
Remember not to let them do more than
• Be Honest and open‐ You must start
they should at their age, remember they are
preparing your older child for the arrival of a
kids too.
sibling, right from the time you are about to
show the signs of your pregnancy. You must Also Remember‐
tell them that a new member of the family is • Never leave your baby alone with a kid less
coming and is growing inside mummy. than 5 years of age
• More Daddy time‐Anticipating that the • Do not let the older child, hold the baby on
mother won’t be able participate as actively as their own.
before, daddies can take over! Fathers must
• Explain to the older child early on, how
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
delicate small babies are. Make sure they • Get him used to babies by inviting friends
understand that babies are not toys and over who have babies. Let your pet smell
they cannot pull and push the baby around. and see the baby from a distance and
When your firstborns are secure about your love observe their reaction.
and affection, they are less likely to feel • Take a baby doll and pretend that it is the
threatened and will be more like the bhaiya or baby for some days, talk to it, nurse it and
the didi you want them to be! treat the dog as you would if the real baby
Dealing with Pet’s Jealousy was home‐ no loud barking, no coming too
close or licking the baby and no fussing.
Pets have been your babies before you had
human ones! The arrival of the baby may bring • If the pet has a habit of sleeping with you
feelings of jealousy among your pets (dogs and and if you intend on keeping the baby in
cats). You need to prepare your pet for the baby your room, the dog has to sleep elsewhere!
before the actual delivery, only then can you Make the change at least a month before,
expect cooperation from them. so that the pet does not hold it against the
baby.
• Get your dog used to obedience training.
Get him to stay at your orders. Don’t worry; With time your pet is likely to adjust to the new
you won’t be curbing his personality in the born and treat it with their trademark style; with
process! By obedience training, you are just love and lots of affection!
34
Thumb Sucking
Your little angel is sleeping soundlessly on the How to deal with it?
bed, quite cozy in the blankets! Surely, a • Allow the baby to stay at the breast after
priceless image, when suddenly the baby’s the feeding is over. The last 5‐6 minutes of
thumb appears out of nowhere and he begins the feeding are when the baby is just
sucking on his thumb; you have a powerful urge sucking for comfort. If the baby still sucks on
to remove the thumb that instant. But, stop and the thumb after breastfeeding, then allow
relax! Thumb sucking is a very common habit him to feed at one breast and use the other
sonography images show that the baby is • Older babies who are bottle fed will find the
sucking his thumb even in the womb. Here is sucking experience of the bottle
why babies take up thumb sucking and how you unsatisfactory and may take up the habit of
can deal with it. thumb sucking. To deal with this situation,
Why?
Babies have an instinct to suck, when they
realize that the thumb provides for an excellent
sucking option, they gladly indulge in it! Thus
thumb sucking soothes and comforts the baby.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
the parents can reduce the flow of milk from pulling out the thumb from his mouth,
the bottle, so that the baby can be satisfied by which will make him more stressed than he
the feeding as well as the sucking part. already is.
• You may find that giving the baby a pacifier • Most kids stop thumb sucking on their own
will be a better option than allowing it to by the first or the second year when they
thumb suck, because the habit of sucking the spend time with their peer group.
pacifier is easy to break and the baby is likely
Buck teeth?
to discontinue it himself as compared to the
Most parents are worried that their thumb
habit of thumb sucking.
sucking baby will end up having buck teeth and
• The right time to break the habit of a pacifier
is destined to be laughed at for life. But these
is when the baby is around the three month
are just baseless fears of worried parents; thumb
mark. At this age, babies have a small
sucking in the first few years will not result in
attention span and quickly forget the habit.
buck teeth for life. The reason being, teeth
• When thumb sucking as a habit is carried over before 6 years of age are milk teeth and will fall
the first few months, it begins to become a off to make way for a completely new set of
way of dealing with stress, for the baby. So teeth. But if the habit stays beyond 6 years of
when you find your baby thumb sucking, age then you need to take some steps to stop
especially if he’s starting again after having your baby from thumb sucking.
stopped for a few days, it may be due to
Now that you know the truth behind thumb
stress.
sucking, go back and enjoy seeing your little
• Try to distract the baby whenever he tries to angel sleep!
thumb suck. You should do it without actually
36
Keep your baby smiling in all
weathers!
Your only solution to ensure the health and • On hot sweaty nights, your baby can sleep
safety of your baby in changing weather in diapers alone.
conditions is to keep him covered as much as • Damp clothes must be changed at once and
possible. In fact it is observed that parents pile prickly heat powder must be applied onto
on layers upon layers of clothes on their baby in your baby’s skin
attempts to ‘protect him’ even when it is not
Fans and air conditioners:
cold. Learn more about the effect of changing
When indoors, keep the temperature cool with
climatic conditions on the health of your baby
ACs and fans. Just make sure that your baby is
and keep him safe and healthy.
Summers
Your baby is crying. He is fed, clothed, his diaper
changed. Why can he be crying? ‐ It is hot and
sunny outside, the temperature soaring as the
day goes on and you are wearing light cotton
clothes while the baby is sweating it out in two
layers of clothes!
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
not directly under the flow of the fan or the AC minutes before an exposure to sunlight.
and that the temperature of the AC does not go • Protect the nose, lips and ears by making
below 220 C. the baby wear hats with rims, as these parts
If the hands and legs of your baby seem cold then are most susceptible to the sun.
he is not chilly, he is just perspiring. His head, neck • In the hot weather, take the baby out only
and underarms will tell you if they are really warm
in the mornings or late afternoons as the
or cold. temperature at other hours of the day will
Fluids be extremely hot for the baby.
fruit juices and water in cups but extra sweetened • Very high fever
and fizzy drinks must be avoided.
• Diarrhea
Being in the Sun
• Lethargy
• Babies are prone to sunburn as they have a
• Loss of consciousness
relatively thin and delicate skin. You need to
Rainy season
apply sunscreen with adequate SPF
protection (of at least 15). Apply sunscreen to After the heat of the summer, lashing monsoons
a patch of his skin first, to make sure that follow bringing along, humidity and waterborne
there is no allergic reaction to the sunscreen. diseases like Jaundice, Diphtheria, Cholera and
Apply sunscreen every two hours and 15
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Gastroenteritis. • All the baby foods that are given to the baby
Here is what you can do to protect your baby need to be prepared fresh.
• Due to the humidity during monsoons, causing malaria and dengue in monsoon so
babies wet the diapers repeatedly; you will make sure that your baby sleeps under a
39
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
more layers of clothes. care of his skin. Here is how you can,
• If the weather is chilly and dry, apply a • A well hydrated baby will have supple skin,
moisturizing cream on the baby’s skin before so make sure that the baby gets adequate
venturing out with him. water.
• When indoors, make sure that the baby is not • A good moisturizing cream meant for
too wrapped up in clothes and if he is hot babies, needs to be applied over his skin.
inside, reduce some layers to make him • Bath time should be cut down as water and
comfortable. soap dry up your baby’s skin.
Skin care With these precautions you can be sure that
The cold dry air in winters is sure to dry out the your baby will be smiling be it the summer,
baby’s soft and smooth skin. You need to take winter or the rain.
40
Diapering your Baby
It was the right time; he was engrossed in his thing you need to know about your baby’s dia‐
newest favorite toy when you decided to do it! pers.
As discreetly as possible, but just as you were
There are two options available to parents when
lifting his legs, he gauged your movements
it comes to choosing a diaper for their baby ‐ the
and showed his disapproval through his cries
traditional cloth diaper or the disposable one.
and kicks. Yes, we are talking about changing
There are also pros and cons that come with
the diaper ‐ the one chore that nobody really
each variety of the diaper and the things to con‐
enjoys; the baby does not like being in contact
sider when choosing a diaper for your baby are ‐
with the cool air outside and you don’t like
affordability, convenience and whether it suits
your baby’s discomfort along with the fact
your baby’s skin.
that you will get your hands and sometimes
We give you a comparison between the two to
even your face dirty, in the process. Whatever
help you decide better.
the case is, you need to do it; here is every‐
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Disposable Diapers
Benefits Drawbacks
Cloth Diapers
Benefits Drawbacks
• Less expensive
• Frequent diaper changes which means a • They are not adequately sanitized
very less chance of your baby develop‐ which increases the chances of a nappy
ing a diaper rash rash for the baby.
• These make it easier to know the • Require a lot of work, as they need to
amount of urine passed by your baby, be washed and cleaned regularly.
which in turn helps you to know whether • Cause frequent leaks.
the feed was enough or not, for the
baby.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
• All‐In‐Ones – These are the most convenient actual size of the diaper along with the size
types of cloth diapers which require no mentioned on the pack, to judge if it will fit your
These have a built‐in waterproof shell and are The place: Select a place which is clean, has a
fitted with Velcro or snaps. smooth surface and is at a suitable height for
• Covers and wraps with flats and pre‐folds: you. Spread a waterproof cloth over the surface
These provide a waterproof outer layer and where you change the baby’s diapers, to prevent
are used with most types of cloth diapers. stains on the surface.
These are generally fastened over the What will you need?
absorbent cloth layer with snaps or hook‐and‐
A fresh diaper, a change of clothes if the diaper
loop tabs. Pre‐folds are simple pieces of cloth,
has leaked; ointment or cream for the diaper
typically cotton that act as the absorbent
rash, cotton balls and warm water to clean
when you fold it to fit your baby. They’re used
babies less than a month old and a dry cloth,
with a cover and include squares and pre‐fold
towel or baby wipes to clean older babies.
diapers, with a center strip that is several
Make sure you have some toy that distracts the
layers thick.
baby while you are changing the diaper, or you
How to change Diapers?
can even sing and talk to him while you are at it.
In the early days diapers needed to be changed Remember: Make sure you have everything at
almost every hour when the baby is awake. hand when you start diapering your baby, so
Though the process of changing the diaper is a that you do not have to leave him unattended
tedious one, it is better to change the diaper even for an instant, while his diapers are being
43
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
changed. legs, slide the diaper half way in, then bring
the front side up, put out the tabs and then
Process of Changing the Diaper:
bring the tabs together .
• Wash your hands before you begin.
• For Cloth Diapers: For those with a
• Keep one hand on the baby to prevent him
separate cover, the pre fold diaper needs to
from rolling off the surface.
be folded to fit the size of the baby, for
• Unfasten the diaper but don’t remove it yet. small sized babies fold along the longer side
First check if it is soiled by stool, then clean of the cloth to increase the absorbency and
the area as much as you can with the diaper decrease the size. For older babies, fold
itself and then slide the clean diaper below the along the smaller side of the cloth, to have
baby. Hold a cloth over the front side of your sufficient front and back cover.
baby boy, as boys tend to spray urine as soon
• First slide the cover in, then put in the pre‐
as the diaper is removed.
fold diaper and close the Velcro tabs.
• Use baby wipes or a cloth to clean the bottom
• Remember to clean your hands with a
of the baby. Pay more attention to skin folds
sanitizer after diapering your baby.
and genitals as these areas are more prone to
bacterial growth which leads to a diaper rash.
Here are some tips to keep in mind
• For baby girls, wipe from the front to back so when using diapers:
that there is a less chance of infection. For
baby boys, clean from back to front as there
• If you are using safety pins to hold the
may be some dirt under the foreskin, but do
diaper, use over sized ones and keep your
not pull on the foreskin.
finger between the pin and the baby’s skin
• After cleaning the area, make sure that the as you are attaching it.
area is dry before you apply an ointment for a
rash or before putting a new diaper on. • Remember to empty the contents in the
• For Disposable Diapers: Now, lift the baby’s toilet before tossing the diaper in a diaper
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
bag or a diaper pail which is a plastic dust bin clean it as baby’s have a delicate skin;
specially designed for keeping soiled diapers. similarly don’t use soap every time you
clean. Using mild baby soap once a day is
• For cloth diapers, you can spray the diaper enough.
with water and sprinkle some baking soda on
• Use a cloth diaper, only after you sanitize it
it to get rid of the odor before washing. Also
completely by soaking it in boiling water
remember to keep the diaper away from
with 120 ml of vinegar.
other laundry items.
Ways to treat diaper rash:
• Wash the diapers with a mild detergent in hot • If the baby has developed a diaper rash,
water and give a double rinse each time you change his diapers more frequently. You
wash. will have to change the diapers also at night
to prevent the rash aggravating.
The Devil called as Diaper Rash
• Reduce the baby’s intake of liquid, so he
It is common to find red rashes around the diaper
urinates less frequently.
area of the baby; these are nothing but‐ ‘Diaper
rashes’. A Diaper rash affects more than 35% of • Keep your baby’s bottom open and let him
babies. It occurs when the nappy area is exposed remain on cotton blankets for some time.
to high moisture, various chemicals, frequent Babies can also be allowed to sleep with
rubbing and low air flow and when that the area bare bottoms.
develops openings; they are attacked by germs • Change the type of diaper if you find that
found in stool and urine. the baby’s skin reacts badly to the diaper
• Check the Diaper and change it regularly, contains zinc oxide on his dry bottoms
especially if it is soiled by stool. • Don’t use powder on the diaper rash but
• Let the diaper area dry completely before sprinkling a little corn flour helps.
putting a new clean diaper on it. If the baby’s rash shows no sign of improvement
• Don’t scrub the area with too much force to within 3 days, consult your pediatrician.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
What does the poop tell you? to mustard green Stool‐ These are the
Any pediatrician will tell you that to know if the stools that a breastfeeding baby will pass on
baby is okay, look not only at his face but also at a day to day basis.
his poop. Sounds weird? It is true. The color and • Slightly formed; light brownish to bright
texture of the baby’s stool can tell you about how yellow to dark green Stool‐ The formula
he is doing and feeling. Here is what the poop tells fed babies pass these kind of stools.
you,
• Frequent, watery, greener than usual
• Sticky, tar‐like, black or dark green Stool‐ Stool‐ This stool signals diarrhea.
Parents are alarmed that their newborn is
• Hard, pellet‐ like; mucous or blood
excreting this frightening looking stool. But
streaked Stool‐ The painful arrival of this
there is no reason to panic, as this is nothing
stool signals constipation.
but meconium‐ this stuff consists of the many
• Black stool‐ It is the result of iron
materials that the baby ingested when it was
supplementation.
inside the womb like bile, mucus, epithelial
cells. • Red streaked Stool‐ It means rectal fissure
or milk allergy.
• Grainy, greenish yellow or brown Stool‐ This
type of stool appears after few days of birth as • Mucousy; green or light brown Stool‐ It
the meconium makes way for a normal stool. can be a result of a viral infection or a
stomach infection.
• Seedy, curdy, creamy or lumpy; light yellow
46
Why is my Baby crying!?
47
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
but if you wrap them in way too many layers, What you can do‐
your baby will let you know by crying. Ensure • Swaddling or keeping the baby wrapped in
that you add only one more layer of clothing a blanket or cloth seems to help
than the number of layers you are wearing.
• Colicky babies tend to have gastronomical
• Diaper’s wet: Babies feel uncomfortable with problems so burp them frequently
soiled diapers, and will keep on crying until
• Sometimes modification in the breast
they are cleaned and dried properly. While
feeding mother’s diet (elimination of milk,
checking for the wet diaper, also look out for
beans, cabbage, spices and coffee) also
diaper rash.
helps
• Illness: If your baby is really not feeling well,
• Try soothing a colicky baby by singing him a
he will give a weak nasal cry. Others signs for
lullaby and creating a soothing atmosphere
illness are refusal to feed and lethargy.
• Relax, sometimes anxiety and tension in
• Colic: Attention all parents! If your baby
parents can also cause colic in babies
seems to cry often, even though he is fed, has
your complete attention and even after his Tips for mothers
diaper has been changed, then he might be a For mothers whose babies suffer from colic,
colic baby. ‘stress’ seems to be an understatement. The
incessant crying that can go up to 3 hours a day
More about Colic Babies‐
is enough to drive anyone mad;
• Colic condition starts in babies from the 3rd
Here are some tips for you:
week and continues till 3 months. Colicky
babies are known to cry for no apparent • Take a break‐ When you have done
reason for a longer period of time than normal everything to soothe your baby and nothing
babies. About 1 in 4 babies has colic. Dealing works, then it’s advisable to take deep
with colicky babies is very difficult since no breaths and just keep your calm. Try to
amount of soothing can get them to stop distract yourself by doing something else
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
49
Baby massage- A Gift for both
Parents and Babies
itself but the other practices around it like Research by The Touch Research institute at
applying kajal, instilling oil in the baby’s ears and Miami University has proven what our
nose along with the fear of the masseuse applying grandmothers have been saying since ages!
too much pressure on the baby. Massaging improves circulation, boosts
Baby massage if done in the right way will not only immunity, stimulates digestion, aids sleep,
foster baby’s growth and development but also improves growth, reduces stress and helps
give the mother and baby an incredible bonding during diarrhea and constipation in babies. It
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
also shows that babies who are massaged have are said to be more beneficial for the babies
more chances of gaining normal weight than than the commercially available baby oils, even
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
after being fed. Generally we, in India, massage massaging him. Hum a lullaby and call out its
the baby just before giving them a bath, so that name, it will reassure and soothe the baby.
the excess oil is drained off their bodies. But do ‐Feet: According to Reflexology, all organs have
leave a gap of time between massage and the pressure points represented in the sole of the
bath so that the baby isn’t too stimulated! If the foot. Thus a massage of the baby’s foot is
baby is cranky in the evening, a massage will help important. Start by massaging the baby’s sole
calm him down and also put him to sleep. in circular motions and gently stretch each toe.
Pressure: Even though your baby looks very tiny Use your thumb to rub from the baby’s heel
and fragile, you cannot be way too gentle, as a towards his toe.
massage done with less pressure will serve very ‐Legs: Start from the ankle and calves and
little purpose. To know how much pressure to continue to stroke upwards towards knees and
apply, close your eyes and press your fingers on thighs.
your eyelids until you experience discomfort, this
‐Stomach: Stomach massage is good for
is the pressure that you need to use. Even if it is
getting rid of gas and helps in improving
difficult at first to know how much pressure to
movement in babies. Massage the stomach in
apply while massaging, with time and your baby’s
circular motions, proceeding in a clockwise
response you will become better at it.
direction as you go.
The traditional way of giving the massage is
Another movement is to keep the palm below
sitting with legs stretched in front of you and the
the navel and sweep your fingers in an arc on
baby lying on your legs with his head away from
the stomach from right to left.
you. You can also spread a mat on the floor, keep
To get rid of gas, stroke the baby with your
the baby on its back and start massaging him.
thumbs. Start from the right side of the groin
Generally you start from the feet and then
move your thumb upwards and then move
proceed towards the stomach, the torso followed
them across towards the left side of the groin.
by the arms, hands and finally his face. After this
This movement is in line with the movement of
you turn the baby over and gently massage the
the bowel and hence is effective in expelling
back and finish by exercising his arms and legs.
gas.
Maintain eye contact with the baby while
‐Chest: Use gentle force from the middle of the
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
chest and move your palms outwards as you go. the baby and maintaining the contact. If you
‐Arms, hands: Starting from the armpits of the end it suddenly, the baby may start crying.
baby, squeeze and gently twist the arms moving Massages have long been a part of baby rearing
towards the hands. Be careful near the elbows, routine in India. Scientific research has just
massage the top of the hands and roll each finger confirmed what we always knew! There are
between the baby’s thumb and the fingers. innumerable reasons why you must massage
‐Head: The baby’s skull is soft for the first few your baby, so do not miss out on this wonderful
months; so you need to be careful while tool. Massage provides an opportunity for the
massaging it. Place your hand on the forehead baby and the one who is massaging to
and work gently towards the base of the cranium. communicate and bond. Hence parents and
Pour some oil on the top of the baby’s head and grandparents should make full use of it.
While massaging the face, stroke the eyebrows, • Do not massage immediately after feeding
the eyelids, the cheeks and the baby’s nose. or if the baby is not keeping well.
Gently massage his ear lobe too. • Exercise caution whilst massaging, around
‐Back: Turn the baby on his back gently and start areas on the baby’s body where there are
massaging slowly in a circular motion, massage rashes, bites or where the baby has been
his head first followed by the neck, arms and legs. vaccinated.
Do not massage the spinal cord; just place your
• Stop massaging when the baby shows signs
hand over it for the baby to feel the warmth.
of discomfort.
When you want to end the massage, do so by
• Be gentle when massaging his spine and
gently rubbing oil on your hands while talking to
near the neck.
53
Danger signs in Babies
baby. It is just that, we don’t recognize it and body is fighting infection. Fever, itself should
hence we are scared often even when there is not be a cause for worry, but you should look for
nothing wrong. a possible cause for the infection. For babies
running a temperature above 100.50 F medical
Danger signs for Newborns:
attention is needed. Dr. Geetanjali says, “Most
! Vomiting: All babies tend to throw up a little milk
newborn babies have fevers because of
after feeding which is normal, but if your child is
dehydration due to taking less feed. In this case,
vomiting excessively and if there is blood in his
Crocin does not help so we tell parents to
vomit, you should consult a pediatrician.
increase the fluids. If the fever does not subside
! Jaundice: All babies have a yellow tinge and mild
jaundice during the initial week after birth due to
the liver having not developed fully. But it is rarely
from the first day itself so notify the doctor if it is
present. To check if your baby is suffering from
jaundice, press the sole of the feet gently and
release. Then observe whether the color that
returns, is pink or yellow.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
then they have to get the baby for examination.” advises parents to try massaging the
! Excessive Weight loss: Newborns lose 8‐10% of tummy and keeping the baby on her/his
their weight in the initial week of their birth. Most tummy. Consult your doctor if the problem
the weight loss is more than 10% then it is a • If your baby’s tummy is bloated: Gas
danger sign. problems in babies especially breastfed
babies are common because they suck lot
of air along with milk. Another reason can
! Blood or mucus in the stool: Blood or mucus in
be the diet of the breastfeeding mother
the stool is a sign of danger. Please consult your
which produces gas. Generally, burping the
pediatrician immediately in such cases.
baby after feeding them prevents this
problem.
Don’t worry if‐
• If the stools seem loose: You might be
• Your child hasn’t passed stool for a day‐ Dr. hassled if the baby has loose stool but Dr.
Geetanjali says “Not passing stool is very Geetanjali says that “there is no reason to
common in babies. A baby can pass stools 10 worry if the stool is watery but wrangled
times in a day or once in 5 days. So there is a up.” She says that breast fed babies
wide spectrum and hence parents need not generally have loose stools. But if there is a
worry if babies don’t pass stools every day.” bad odor to the stool accompanied by fever
She says that if the baby is gaining weight and and abdominal pain, then you should seek
urinating every day then he is normal. If the medical attention for your baby.
baby is very restless then Dr. Geetanjali
55
Bonding tips for the New
Father
The first few months after the baby is born are the
most difficult, and occasionally the mother is
found at the end of her wits, it is in such situations
that a father can step in and take care of the baby,
letting the mother catch her breath.
Don’t say ‐
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
wife in soothing him, if he is found to be after a day’s play, you are bound to feel that
crying in the night. you have missed spending time with your
• ‘It can’t be that hard’‐ When your wife tells baby. But all is not lost; when you volunteer
you that it has been a long day, all you need to to massage the baby all by yourself in the
do is listen to her and empathize. If you take evening you will not only spend quality time
this opportunity to criticize her parenting bonding with your baby but also reduce the
techniques, all you will be doing is baby’s irritability and help him fall sleep.
demoralizing her all the more. Try shouldering • Burping: Dr. Geetanjali Shah, Pediatrician
some of her burden. says “Fathers can’t help much with feeding
• ‘I am bad at this’‐ That’s not a nice attitude to part but they can definitely help with
start with! You must embrace parenthood burping.” For burping you need to hold the
with openness and loads of patience. If you baby upright and pat his back gently for
seem to struggle at start, just relax as with about 10 minutes after feeding. Plus, the
time you will learn what works and what mother is often exhausted after the feeding
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
and use tear less soap and shampoo for the bottom’s wet, dads start looking for an exit
bath. strategy, but the process of changing
• Going for walks: You come home from work diapers doesn’t have to be so difficult. You
and instead of seeing your wife’s smiling face must maintain eye contact, talk to them,
you see an exhausted face staring back at you, make silly faces and see this as any other
the reason being she’s had a difficult day with time to bond with your baby. Changing
your baby! To help her out you can take the diapers will also earn you brownie points
baby outside (don’t forget the diaper) for from the spouse!
some time and give your spouse some much • Helping out at night: When you find your
needed moments of peace and quiet. Babies baby wailing out loud in the middle of the
too will like it as they love to look at the night, don’t crib but take hold of the
surroundings and imbibe things around them, situation! You and your wife can work up a
remember not to take him to very noisy areas; system in which you both take turns at
a stroll in the park or a round or two in the soothing the baby. It provides for a golden
locality works just fine. opportunity to be with the baby alone. In
• Playing: Mommies like to cuddle and hold such times, just rocking the baby along with
the babies while daddies like to be more gentle talking and singing will help calm
playful. They like to throw the babies up in the your baby down. What’s more, you will also
air, give their limbs gentle exercise and be able to see the serene face of the baby as
support the child on their shoulders and he falls asleep! And the sight of your baby
generally be involved in a more physical play falling asleep in your arms is something that
with the baby, plus babies love this kind of no father in the entire world would want to
child unless you are too rough. • Go skin‐to‐skin: Newborn babies are
• Changing Diapers: All fathers cringe at the comforted by the touch, voice and smell of
thought of changing the diaper. Spending the parent. Studies show that just holding
time with the baby sounds fine but once the your baby skin to skin against you is enough
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to stimulate him. When you are trying to get interpersonal relations with others and have
the baby to sleep try doing it on your bare lesser issues trusting others as they grow
chest, this will not only help the baby fall up. Research also shows that daddy’s
asleep quickly but you will love the interaction with the baby is as important as
experience, too. a mother’s interaction with the baby.
Daddies, you are parents too… For the First time anxious father, worried about
• Studies have shown that babies and toddlers, whether he will be able to do anything right;
whose fathers were involved in caring for here is tip‐ go with the flow, be open, and be
them in an active way by playing, talking and spontaneous. Help out your wife and trust us
spending time with them have better and your very own parental instincts, you will
do fine!
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Baby, Sleep like a Baby…
and help him to sleep better. change just before sleeping and a diaper with a
thicker soft pad may help prevent the
No magic number
discomfort experienced by the baby.
Though an average baby is supposed to sleep for
16 hours a day in the first month, there are a few
babies who only sleep for 12 hours a day, with a lot
of naps during the daytime, while some other
babies sleep for 22 hours a day! This shows that
there is a huge spectrum with no standard for the
number of hours that a baby must sleep. The baby
instinctively sleeps when he should and wakes
when he feels like he’s had enough sleep or for
other reasons like he is hungry or wet.
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Day‐ night mix up efforts should be made to put him off back
nights in the early months after their birth; this is Always a light sleeper
the reason why we find them wide awake at 2 am If you have observed your baby at night, you will
in the night and sleepy in the afternoons. Babies see that he tends to toss and turn and make
learn to adjust their body’s internal clock in time, sounds and even smile. This is because your
but you can help them to do it‐ baby spends most of his sleeping time in the
• When your baby is napping in the afternoon, REM or Rapid Eye Movement Sleep when the
do not make efforts to darken the lights in the brain is active and the baby is actually dreaming.
room or keep his surroundings extra quite. So don’t worry if your baby just cries softly and
Exposure to the natural day will help your moves around while sleeping.
baby develop ability to discern day and night Danger of SIDS
early on. If your baby is not in deep sleep, you
Babies naturally prefer to be sleeping on their
can wake your baby by holding him upright,
tummy as it supports their arms and legs and
burping him and even just gently touching his
gives a comfortable feeling like that of being in
chin. When he is awake you can stimulate him
the womb, even their tummy feels better when
by either talking or playing with him.
they lie this way. But research has shown that
• However take care not to overdo this as a
babies who sleep on their tummy stand the risk
baby should not be deprived of his required
of becoming prone to Sudden Infant Death
sleep quota and a tired baby will sleep less
Syndrome or SIDS which is responsible for the
soundly than a well rested baby.
death of many babies without any explainable
• At nights, make the atmosphere more sleep medical condition. To make sleeping on the
friendly by putting the baby to sleep in a much back easier for the baby, train the baby since the
quieter atmosphere. You can help him fall very beginning. Swaddling – wrapping the baby
asleep by either singing him a lullaby or by in soft material ‐ also contributes towards his
just rocking him to sleep and keeping the comfort while he is sleeping on his back.
room dark. Even when the baby wakes up at
Shh! baby is sleeping…
night, the interaction should be less and more
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Some parents can go to great lengths to prevent drowsy but not sleepy yet, and can fall asleep all
their baby from waking up from his sleep; they by himself. Remember you need to condition
switch off their mobiles, talk in whispers and your baby in such a way that he learns to fall
create a ‘no sound zone’ around the baby, only to asleep on his own, so that he can fall asleep by
find the noise of a honking car waking up their himself.
baby. Keeping the environment around the baby Letting them cry for a while
very quiet is not recommended, as the baby gets
You cannot always rush to soothe your baby
molded to sleep only in perfect silence which is
whenever he cries at night; your baby has to
difficult to achieve regularly in normal daily life.
learn to soothe himself back to sleep, at some
Also babies are capable of sleeping in normal
point of time. After the baby is 6 months old or
surroundings when the phone rings, people talk
older, you can start weaning him away from all
and vehicles move around, so do not over sensitize
midnight feedings and gradually make the baby
them early on.
fall back asleep on his own.
Sleep routine
Here are the different approaches –
Once your baby is older (about six to seven
• One method is to gradually reduce the
months) and does not need to be fed during the
number of times you go to soothe the baby
nights, you can start a nightly routine that
back to sleep whenever he starts crying.
encourages more sleep and fewer occasions of
Start by reducing the number of times you
waking up at night. Start a nightly routine with a
rush to soothe the baby immediately and in
massage, a bath, changing into nightwear, a night
case you do go to soothe him, remember to
time book reading session, saying ‘good night’
go at least a few minutes after the baby has
followed by lights out. If the baby awakens at
started crying. After a few days, stop going
night, you should soothe him without feeding.
to the baby altogether.
This job can be easily done by the father and your
baby is also not likely to demand feed from him. • You can feed the baby before he sleeps and
then put him to bed awake, yet drowsy.
Put baby to bed awake
Your baby will soothe himself and fall
Another concept that helps the baby to sleep
asleep. Even when the baby wakes up at
better is when the baby is put in the crib or the
night you should soothe him without
cradle while he is still awake. This way the baby is
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picking him up just by rubbing his back, approach you select and stick to it for so that
patting him and talking to him. the method works.
There is no ‘one’ way or method that works for all, All the parents of infants have to live through
you choose whichever method suits you and your sleepless nights early on and as time passes by,
baby to sleep. Another thing to remember is that babies and parents can get into a routine and
you have to be consistent with whichever say ‘Yes’ to a good night’ sleep.
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Teething Issues at Hand
The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
passed on from one set of arms to another). babies, to keep chewing onto something. This is
because the counter pressure that chewing
But when this peace is interrupted with his
brings, helps in relieving the pain under the
crankiness, loud cries in the night, avoidance of
gums.
feeds and random chewing (on anything he can
get his hands on), it is time to know that your baby Refusal to feed: When babies are teething, they
has begun teething. Teething generally begins usually refuse feed, as feeding creates a suction
around the fifth or the sixth month and brings that worsens the pain associated with teething.
along with it, issues of its own. This is the reason your baby will want to feed
one instant and refuse feed, the other instant.
The ‘Tooth Fairy’ often brings along with it, loose
motions, fever, irritability and pain for a baby. But Diarrhea: Though there is no scientific backing
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
to teething causing diarrhea, there are instances under pain when he undergoes the process of
of babies suffering from loose motions during this teething. To relieve his pain, run your fingers
period. over his gums. This gentle rubbing would create
Low fever: Though fever is not directly linked with a counter pressure and would relieve some of his
fever during their teething days. At such times, Offer a Cold drink: Here we mean something
parents must treat it as they would treat a low cold to drink and not a soft drink! The cool
grade fever unless the fever lasts for more than sensation of a liquid will help in soothing your
three days. baby’s gums. Also, it will take care of his fluid
get over the teething phase smoothly, Cool options: Once you have introduced your
Chew this: Babies try to get their gums on baby to solid foods, you can offer him cold foods
anything and everything they can that includes that will soothe his gums like cool apple puree,
remotes, table edges and even your finger as the cold yoghurt or cool soft fruit pieces.
counter pressure such chewing brings relieves Take care of other symptoms: Loose stools and
their discomfort. But, most of these places the mild fever often occur during the process
baby bites on aren’t amongst the most hygienic teething in babies and can be ignored for a
and safe places for your baby as they harbor while. But if loose motions last for 2 bowel
plenty of germs. movements and if the fever is higher than 101.50
Instead, you can give your baby a teething ring F, then there may be reason for concern.
that is commonly available, or a carrot with its Teething remains a problem, only till the time of
narrow end chopped off, so that the narrowsharp the arrival of your baby’s first tooth. After that
end does not hurt the insides of the baby’s mouth the baby’s body gets accustomed to the
or an ice cube or pieces of fruits wrapped inside a sensation. So if the teething process seems
clean soft cloth. difficult to you, have patience, soon it will be
Rub their gums: Your baby will be cranky and over and your baby will give you a sparkling
tooth smile!
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Foods for your Baby
your baby and Formula milk provides almost all Here are the early foods to offer your baby:
the nutrition needed until your baby turns 4‐6 4‐6 Rice cereal, (oat cereal if
months old. After this, you may begin to months rice doesn’t suit the baby)
6 Apple puree, Bananas,
introduce him to solid foods. The strategy is ‘be
months Pears, Peas, Carrots,
prepared and be slow’. Be prepared for the spills Squash and Other cereals
and meltdowns on the table and be slow, so that 7‐8 Chicken, Egg, Fish (only if
months parents are non vegetarian)
he can digest all that you feed him. Now that he 9 Yogurt, Beans, cheese
has started with the intake of solid foods, don’t go months
overboard by introducing him to a buffet!
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
feeling of fullness and aids sleep. thinning. Offer foods at room temperature
whether rice should or should not be concerned as • When feeding your baby, make sure he is
a baby’s first food option with increasing cases of awake and hungry but not starving. You can
babies reacting unfavorably to rice, as a result feed him a little formula or breast milk
there are other options that are being considered before starting other foods.
now‐
• When you are feeding solids to your baby
Fruits: Solid foods for many babies start with for the first time, make the texture of the
mashed sweet fruits, like, finely mashed bananas food very smooth and try feeding only a few
or apple puree. However many experts are of the teaspoons till your baby gets the hang of
opinion that starting a baby’s intake of solid foods eating solids.
with sweet options, makes him reject non
Foods to avoid for the first Year:
sweetened foods like vegetables and cereals.
• Honey‐ Honey is known to contain spores
Here are some guidelines you must keep in
of a particular breed of bacteria that are
mind, before you feed your baby:
known to cause health problems in babies
• Always consult a doctor before introducing less than a year old.
new food items to your baby.
• Citrus foods‐ These are highly acidic and
• Check if your baby is ready for solid foods, if can cause diaper rash in babies in their first
he is able to sit upright, if he shows interest in year.
food, and if the tongue thrust reflex (when
• Egg white– Egg whites are known to cause
solid food put into the mouth is thrown back
allergic reactions in babies if given early on.
by the tongue) has gone?
• Cow’s milk (For some babies) ‐ Some
• Once you offer a new food to your baby wait
babies cannot digest cow’s milk well. If you
for at least 3 days before introducing new
find your baby having diarrhea and an upset
food item. This way you can check for possible
stomach, keep him off cow’s milk for some
food allergies.
time and consult your doctor, who may
• Remember to offer foods that are suggest alternatives.
smoothened in texture by pureeing or
Here are some recipes you can use to prepare
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Baby Foods: (For 6‐8 month old babies) After removing the skin and seeds, boil the
preparation of food, care must be taken to not sugar to your baby’s foods. Jaggery is
discard the excess water that remains after boiling preferred than sugar to be added in kheer and
vegetables and fruits and after cooking dal. It is sheera but adding salt should be avoided. Your
advisable to feed this water to your baby or to use baby gets enough sodium from vegetables.)
Puree of vegetables including, broccoli, green Nachni is a great source of protein and is also
peas, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot and rich in calcium and iron as compared to other
cauliflower can be given as early foods to babies. cereals. Also, because of its high nutritional
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
value, nachni kheer is the first food which is given and use it whenever needed.
to a baby after 6 months. For one bowl: Boil water and add 2 to 3
Both Nachni cereal and nachni flour are easily tablespoons of moong dal and rice powder to it.
available in any Indian kitchen. Take a few nachni Stir well, and then remove from the flame, let it
cereals and roast them on low flame, then grind cool down to room temperature and serve. Rice
them in a grinder to make fine flour. You can keep is a great source of carbohydrates and moong
this flour in stock, as it has a very long shelf life. dal is very nutritious and easy to digest. This
For one bowl of kheer: Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of makes Moong dal and Rice Phej, the best food
nachni flour. Boil water for 5 minutes and then add for growing babies.
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
and any other green vegetables. foods has a smooth texture which suits a
baby who has newly been introduced to
Non vegetarian options
packaged baby foods.
A month after your baby has started the intake of
The Problem:
solids; you can introduce him to non vegetarian
food. You can start with soups and stews of Your baby gets so used to packaged foods that
chicken. You can also blend boiled chicken with he no longer accepts the homemade variety
other vegetables and spices, to add taste. When which, in comparison to packaged food, is not
only the yolk and not the egg white for at least a Here is what parents can do,
year. • When buying packaged baby food, check
Packaged Baby Food the pack for the specified age of babies who
can consume the contents.
In the early days of weaning, when you remain
busy dishing out a variety of food options for your • Many parents start their baby’s initiation
baby and he in turn remains busy rejecting your into solids, through packaged foods
offers, there is every chance that you might feel supplemented by homemade foods. And
like giving up on your efforts and buying packaged when babies get used to eating thick
70
Travelling with your Baby
This article makes sure that your travel with the number of diapers your baby will need and
If you are to travel with your baby, make sure you Diaper changing mat‐ You must carry a cloth, a
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
protection from cold, but also from the sun. Do baby’s health. If he okays the trip, ask for some
carry along light cotton clothing and hats to cover medicines for common cold and cough that are
him from sun, and apply sunscreen to his body, to recommended for babies. You must also be
prevent him from sunburns. aware of the temperature at the place you are
Medical kit‐ Travelling involves the chances of heading to, as you would need to pack your
sickness and accidents. Keep the baby’s medical baby’s bag accordingly.
kit ready with medicines for cold, fever, loose Follow the routine
motions etc. Learn about the basic first aid kit Do not change your baby’s routine much before
meant for kids, before you start your journey. you start your journey. This includes, not
Pacifier‐ Keeping your baby happy means keeping shifting from breastfeeding to bottles or
his pacifier close to him; even though you think it weaning the child before the journey begins. Let
is high time he learns to sleep without the pacifier. your baby continue with his normal routine so as
In a place and surroundings that are alien, the to feel secure when in unfamiliar surroundings .
familiar pacifier can reassure the baby, so let him
Modes of travel
have it.
Be it the car, plane or train travel; look for
Baby care products ‐ Carry along, the oils, baby
options to keep your baby happy. Here are
creams, diapers, soaps, shampoos and diaper rash
some tips‐
cream along with many sets of clothes.
Car travel: Before you decide to go on a trip in a
Some tips‐
car with your baby, invest in an infant seat in
Time it well your car. The infant seat makes sure that the
In order to have a smooth journey with your baby baby remains safe and secure during the
onboard, time your journey as per your baby’s journey. This way the mother is less hassled.
schedule. And take into account various factors Remember to adjust the belts according to the
like, modes of transport, the time taken for the size of your baby and make sure he is
journey etc. If it will be a long journey, time it comfortable. If your baby is soothed by a
according to your baby’s nap timings. particular song, bring the CD along to help him
Before planning to go on a long journey with your Take frequent breaks (about every 2 hours) and
baby, talk to a doctor and let him examine your let your baby out, so that he gets fresh air. Drive
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
slower than the usual speed and take care around means a hot and sweaty journey. So dress your
bad roads and avoid sudden jerks, as these can baby in loose cottons and use a wet cloth to
startle the baby, leading him into a crying fit. keep his temperature down. It is advisable to
Air travel: Babies below 2 years of age do not take the baby by bus only if it is a night journey.
require a separate ticket but you can still opt for Train Travel: Travelling in the train is better
one, if having your baby constantly on your lap than travelling in the car or in the bus, given the
proves to be uncomfortable. Moreover, a separate benefits of a smooth ride and space available in
seat for your baby will give you enough space to the train. But the chances of your baby taking in
be able to change his diapers, feed him and allow dirt and grime is more in the train, especially if
him to move around. If opting for a single seat, opt he touches the window grill or the seat covers
for one near the engine so that the noise of your etc. So make sure you frequently clean his hands
baby’s cries, does not disturb the other passengers and keep an eye on what goes into his mouth.
and the aisle seat so that you can move easily if
If you are travelling in sleeper class, the upper
you need to, without disturbing your neighboring
berth should be ruled out due to the chance of
passenger. Cover your baby’s ears with soft cotton
the baby falling down, when he turns or moves.
when the plane takes off as the pressure change
Opt for a lower berth and spread a clean sheet
can affect his ear drums.
on the seat on which you are seated. Let your
Bus Travel: Not a comfortable ride for you and
baby lie on the sheet. Create a barrier with
your baby. Your baby may not like to be held in
pillows, so that he does not fall. Keep him
one position for long and may soon get bored.
covered, so that he remains protected from the
Also, the seats in a bus are positioned closer,
cold wind outside. Keep the windows shut and
allowing very little leg space and room for
swaddle your baby.
movement for your baby. Unless you have a
Travelling with a baby may not seem to be an
window seat, the journey in the bus may be a long,
arduous one, for both, you as well as your baby. easy task, but it is not an impossible task either.
All you need to do is to plan ahead and keep
A bus journey, unless taken at night, generally
your cool.
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Solving the Vaccination
Woes
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Vaccination Schedule
Age of the child Government Schedule IAP Schedule
At Birth
BCG(Against Tuberculosis) BCG,
OPV (Against Polio) This dose of
vaccine at birth is called the zero OPV
dose. HB (Against hepatitis B)
HB
16 years TT TT
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
Tetanus, BCG for Tuberculosis, OPV for Polio. sometimes vaccines are not administered if
Along with these vaccines, Indian Academy of the baby is unwell.
Pediatricians has updated the list by including • Inform your Pediatrician about any sort of
HBV vaccine for Hepatitis B and MMR vaccine for allergy your baby may have especially egg
Measles, Mumps and Rubella or German measles. allergy.
As a new mother of an infant, you will be provided • Also, inform the medical professional if your
with a vaccine schedule after being discharged baby suffers from fits and seizures.
from the hospital post delivery. You may also refer
• Check the expiry date of the vaccine
to the chart given below indicating the schedule to
before it is administered, as expired
be followed for vaccination of your baby.
vaccines can be harmful for your baby
Some tips for your Vaccination trip:
Side effects of Vaccination:
• Prepare yourself mentally for dealing with
your baby’s cries and also take along his • Generally children develop slight fever after
favorite toy for distracting his attention from vaccinations and pediatricians prescribe
you aren’t comfortable seeing your baby cry, of rashes appearing on your baby’s skin, but
so that either of them can hold your baby • If your baby experiences allergic reactions,
while the vaccine gets administered. high fever and loss of consciousness after
your baby to a government hospital for Some common myths about Vaccines:
vaccinating him. Vaccines themselves cause many ailments
• Inform the medical professional who is to All vaccines are thoroughly tested before being
administer the vaccine, about any fever or introduced for administration. There are very
illness baby may have at that time because few known side effects of vaccines and these are
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Researchers have found that skipping vaccines your baby’s arm. So the next time when you
puts your child under a risk of contracting hear rumors pertaining to vaccination, you know
diseases. Hence, if a series of injections have what to do with those‐ Ignore the rumors and
been recommended for your baby, make sure he get your child vaccinated for sure!
78
Dealing with Common
Illnesses of the Baby
any disease, but if you find that he is not well, do rather than bundling him up in blankets, it is
not try the home remedies as he is still too young advisable to remove the extra layers of cloth to
to be fed anything other than breast milk.” cool down his body temperature. Unless his
body loses his body heat it can lead to
Mentioned below are some of the possible health
overheating and heatstroke. To ensure that the
problems your baby may suffer from and the ways
in which you can provide treatment
Fever
Whenever your mother would touch your
forehead and find it hot, she would get worried
and would ask you to strictly lie on the bed, eat
nothing but boring soups and curd rice. Similar
feelings occupy your mind when you find your
baby suffering from fever.
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baby loses body heat, switch on the fan or the AC age is having fever of more than 102.60F.
in the room your baby sleeps, but it is advisable to • The baby is having difficulty breathing
keep your baby out of the direct air flow.
• The baby is crying inconsolably and for
Increase fluid intakes– Older babies that are
long.
weaned must be given juices along with oral
• The baby is having fever after being in the
dehydration fluids, clear soups etc, while younger
sun (this can point to sunstroke)
babies, must be breast fed regularly so that they
get their daily quota of fluids. • The baby exhibits signs of dehydration
Medication to reduce Fever‐ For babies less than • The baby is cranky, lethargic, sleepy and
2‐6 months of age, having fever of 100.20 or more sensitive to light unlike his normal happy‐go
(102.60 for babies older than 6 months) you can ‐lucky self
minutes to 1 hour until the temperature drops. • For nasal congestion, instill saline drops
Call the doctor if, that are available as OTC drugs into the
baby’s nostrils so that the hard mucus
• A baby less than 2 months old has fever over
softens, and it can drip out of the nose or
100.20 and if a baby more than 2 months of
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can be swallowed by the baby which later Call the doctor if,
comes out with stool. The cold is accompanied with a fever of more
• You need to moisten the air in the room to than 101.40 F and if the fever lasts for more than
help your baby who is suffering from cold, 2 days. Also, if dry cough interferes with the
breathe easier. Keep a steam vaporizer open baby’s sleep. The general rule is, as Dr. Sane
in the room or keep a hot bowl of water open explains, “if the baby seems lethargic and weak
in the room, but keep it out of the baby’s or, if he seems more cranky than usual and if the
reach. baby is unlike his normal self then call the
• Make the baby sleep with an elevation doctor, otherwise if the baby is playful, you can
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• For babies who have started the intake of before switching your options.
solids, increase the consumption of fruits and • Increase fluid intake to compensate for the
vegetables, while that of dairy products, lost fluids and give your baby 60 ml of fluids
should be reduced. every hour.
Call the doctor if: There are frequent constipation • Continue feeding older babies solid foods
bouts or if there is a presence of blood in the stool. like mashed bananas, rice porridge and
Diarrhea potatoes.
Diarrhea is another problem seen mostly in bottle • If the baby is vomiting, stop all solids until
fed babies and to a lesser extent in breast fed vomiting stops. Till that time, give clear
babies. This is because breast milk has a substance fluids including oral rehydration fluids or
Symptoms: Liquidy stools, runny stools, mucus in • Reduce the intake of dairy products, other
stool, blood in the stool, vomiting, increased than bottle fed milk and breast milk, until
What you can do: Symptoms: Pain in the ear that worsens at
• Continue with either breast milk or formula night, baby pulling and rubbing his ears, crying
milk as before but if the problem persists, when sucking on breasts, slight fever, fatigue,
then it may be due to temporary intolerance runny nose and congestion, sometimes nausea
switch to soy milk. Do consult the doctor Cause: Infection and even allergy.
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Duration: Few days. Usually regular ear infection or the food pipe in the throat. In babies the
cases get cured within a week’s time. muscles that close the opening which keeps the
What you can do: food from entering in the esophagus, do not
work well. The food then reaches the esophagus
• Consult the doctor as ear infections need
where its acidic content irritates the lining of the
antibiotics and treating ear infections at home
esophagus, prompting the ‘spitting up’ of food.
is not recommended.
When could GER occur: From the time the
• You need to watch your baby and look for
baby is 2 weeks old and stays till the baby
symptoms of ear‐ache.
becomes one or two years old.
• When it becomes necessary to administer
What can you do:
antibiotics to your baby, complete the full
• GER generally does not require treatments
prescribed dose for 5 ‐10 days so that the
through medication, there are alternate
infection does not occur again.
ways to reduce the impact.
• To give the baby temporary relief from pain,
• Breastfeed the baby in small quantities at
hold a warm compress or a heating pad or a
regular intervals and don’t overfeed.
bottle filled with warm water close to his ears.
• Avoid feeding acidic and fatty foods to the
Gastro esophageal Reflux (GER)
baby, as these are difficult to digest.
GER is a common problem occurring in more than
• Once the baby is in a position to consume
half of the babies when they are less than 3
solid foods, feed him with foods that have a
months of age. GER is also the cause behind the
thicker consistency as these are less likely
‘spit ups’ that occurs in babies less than a year old.
to be thrown up.
Symptoms: Excessive spitting or vomiting,
• Medications that neutralize the stomach’s
extremely forceful vomiting, erratic feeding
acidic content can be helpful to the baby.
pattern, slow weight gain, poor sleep habits,
Give only if prescribed by the doctor.
excessive drooling, choking and frequent burping.
Ways to prevent GER:
Cause: GER occurs in babies, when partially
digested food is thrown back into the esophagus • Breast milk helps to prevent GER as it is
easy to digest, and keeps the acid level in
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• When you are breastfeeding, avoid the intake remedies. It does require doctor’s
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by an • When changing a nappy, clean your baby
kidneys, ureters, bladders and urethra of the baby. • Make sure the baby consumes enough
Generally, an unexplained fever is the only fluids to wash out unwanted bacteria.
symptom of UTI. UTI can cause serious damage in
• Avoid bubble baths and perfumed soaps
children less than 2 years of age, hence proper
that irritate the genitals, especially in baby
diagnosis and treatment are essential.
girls.
Symptoms: Unexplained fever, crying, irritability,
You can try these home remedies when the
stomach or back pain, cloudy urine, frequent
symptoms are minor and the baby otherwise
urination, vomiting and diarrhea.
seems well; however if the condition prolongs or
Cause: UTI happens when bacteria begin to grow worsens then consult your doctor immediately.
in the baby’s urinary tract.
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Stimulating the Baby
Visual stimulation
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And if you are wondering as to what you should between them in the early days after the baby’s
talk to your baby about, here are some tips: Talk birth. Activities like massages, rocking, cuddling
to your baby about what you are doing, point out and tickling the baby, help in stimulating the
at the various things around him and name them, vestibular centre in the baby’s brain which in
call him by his name, sing songs to him and so on. turn helps in maintaining balance and ability to
This kind of active stimulation is very important move. Touch also breeds familiarity in the
than the passive stimulation offered by DVDs and baby’s mind and helps in preventing childhood
CDs. phobias.
The latter can be used to supplement active For stimulating your baby’s sense of touch,
stimulation in the baby. Overall, it is the provide him with objects of different textures
participation of the parents in baby’s development including soft, hard, smooth, rough and
and their constant involvement in their lives that granular. As he touches each object, name it
stimulates the baby most. aloud for him to be able to hear. Make sure that
all objects are clean and safe for your baby and
When you speak to your baby in more than one
make sure he doesn’t put them into his mouth.
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Smell: Your baby’s sense of smell can best him. Hold a ball and let him reach towards it.
develop naturally, without any need of a conscious Remember, you need to be gentle with him and
effort from your side. As your baby comes in challenge him within the limits of his capacities.
contact with different smells at home, for instance Read to him‐ Reading stories to your baby will
the smell of milk – which he seems to like, while help in teaching him many things and will also
the smell of his own poop – which he does not like, help in keeping his mind calm and occupied.
he will keep learning.
Name things‐ Whenever you see new objects,
Other than stimulating your baby’s senses you point those to your baby and name them. He
also need to respond to his needs so that he feels will remember some of these words later when
loved and cared for. You need to respond to his he starts talking and this will leave you amazed.
cries indicating hunger and irritation, you need to
Peek‐a‐boo‐ This age‐old method of
cuddle him and play with him, entertain him and
entertaining a child, also serves as an
distract him. Through these gestures of love and
educational purpose for your baby. By way of
care, you are actually laying the foundation of
peek‐a‐boo, babies learn that, object
trust and love in the mind of your child. This way
permanence that is ‘if the object is not seen
your baby gets enough confidence to express
doesn’t mean that it is gone’ phenomenon.
himself without inhibitions and to venture and
If you notice, most of the ways of
learn new things.
stimulating babies mentioned in this article can
These are other things you can do: be easily done at home There is a lot of
Take him out‐ When your child remains at home stimulation that happens in a baby’s mind, when
for a long time, he gets acquainted with all the he interacts with you and with the environment
objects present around him and there remains around him; the trick lies in identifying and
nothing new that can stimulate his mind and body. channelizing the stimulation further.
If you take him to a park, his mind will be Stimulations should be fun for both, you as well
stimulated by the newness of the place and by the as your baby. You must constantly encourage
many other things which would attract his little him and applaud when he does well, but never
mind. push him into doing something; he is not in the
Challenge him‐To help your baby grow, challenge mood of doing at that time.
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Traditional vs. Modern
approach to Baby care
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
restrictive and learns to roll over. Remember to Remember: Do not wear your slings when you
swaddle your baby only if your baby likes it. are cooking, exercising, jogging or driving.
‘If you cannot carry your work to where your baby pictures had your eyes covered with Kajal. It is
is, carry your baby to where your work is’ – this time that you prevent your child from having
was the golden rule which many women in the similar pictures!
ancient times followed. The age‐old trend of the A popular notion behind the application of kajal
mother carrying the baby with slings has come to babies is, to keep the baby away from those
back and everyone is raving about its benefits. with evil intentions. Besides, there are still many
The slings keep the baby close to the mother and who believe in the medicinal property of the
the baby develops a sense of security which he Since ancient times the application of kajal to
finds soothing. The slings also allow the mother to babies has been considered as a remedy against
have both her hands free as the baby is tied to her some common eye ailments like corneal ulcer,
front body, thereby enabling her to do her work conjunctivitis, and trachoma. This is because
and keep a watch on the baby at the same time. compounds like copper sulphate and zinc,
Slings are highly beneficial for those babies who present in kajal were considered to be beneficial
need to be constantly cuddled and carried. for treating eye problems. But, since there are
But, along with the advantages, slings also have better treatments available today, the ritual of
certain drawbacks: First, overuse of slings, can be application of kajal to babies has become
you baby in a sling, in hot climate, your baby In fact, application of kajal to babies can cause
would feel very hot and uncomfortable. Third, if them harm as there is no way to ascertain if the
you become even a bit careless when bending finger of the person applying it is clean or if the
down, your baby can slide down onto the ground, sterility of the kajal is maintained. Further,
which can be very dangerous. doctors say that applying kajal can lead to eye
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allergies, glaucoma, conjunctivitis and other eye off evil spirits, while there is alternate reason
infections. that piercing the ear stimulates point for vision
the best way out is to apply the kajal mark Ear piercing is generally done within days of the
anywhere on your baby’s body, anywhere except birth, sometimes during the namkaran
around his eyes. ceremony. Parents think that when the skin is
very young there is no pain and therefore
Baby Massage, Verdict: Very good
piercing should be done as soon as possible.
Massage is one among the many practices that
Doctors on the other hand think that it should
India has given to the world. Every mother and
only be done around the 6 month mark, when
grandmother will tell you the kind of joy that
the tetanus (DPT) vaccinations are administered
massaging a baby brings, along with its associated
to avoid infection. Also as the baby is older he is
health benefits for the baby. Research conducted
in a better shape to tolerate the pain.
by The Touch Research Institute of Miami
Parents must also take care of the place from
University proves that massages are good for
where they pierce the ears. Parents should avoid
baby’s immunity, digestion, growth, stress
going to any other jeweler or ‘massagewalli’ to
reduction and sleep and also help in fighting
pierce their baby’s ears. It is advisable that
diarrhea and constipation in babies.
parents opt for a clean and hygienic place. Even
Moreover, the loving touch of the mother’s hands
the instrument that will be used to do the
along with the songs she sings to her baby during
piercing has to be selected with care. The gun
the massage helps in soothing the baby to a good
shot is a popular choice but there are several
sleep. It also helps to create a bond between the
parts of the gun that cannot be sterilized. A
mother and her baby.
sterilized needle can be used for this purpose.
Remember: Parents must ensure that the
Things to remember:
massage is done gently and without causing too
• Ensure that only a doctor or an experienced
much stress to the baby.
piercer does the job.
Ear Piercing, Verdict: Must be done with Care
• Choose a time when it is less crowded and
In India, all babies, be they girls or boys, get their
carry a toy to distract the baby.
ears pierced. It is believed that pierced ear wards
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• Make sure that the piercer washes his hands around the 4 month mark. The new hair that
with antiseptic solution and wears gloves comes may be thicker or curlier or even a new
while doing it. color! But whether you shave, trim, or brush his
• Ensure that the practitioner pierces at the hair a hundred strokes a day won't affect how it
centre of the lobe avoiding the nerve and the grows in. For some babies there is a delay in hair
Also it is common for babies to lose some or even to the baby than good! Sometimes the baby
all of the hair that they were born with, usually might just pull on the thread, which may lead to
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strangulation. Also if he puts the thread in the then try to remove it with an ear bud, you may
mouth which has been dyed, it can be toxic to the end up scratching and hurting the baby’s ear
baby. If you tie the thread too tight around the drums which will affect his hearing. Sometimes
baby’s neck, it may hamper the blood circulation. the oils themselves cause infections!
The thread remains wet for a long time after If it is the dirt in the ear that you are worried
taking bath and remains in close contact with the about, ask your pediatrician about it.
baby’s body, which increases the chances of You shouldn’t pour oil in the baby’s navel
fungal infection. especially when the umbilical stump is still
If you still want to tie the thread, tie it loosely linked to the navel as dirt particles containing
around the ankle not the wrist or the waist. germs stick to the oil which may cause
infections. You must take care of the stump and
Putting oil in the ear and navel, Verdict: observe it carefully for any signs of pus or blood
and consult the doctor if you find any. If the
Bad
stump seems to be partially separated do not
Earlier, putting oil in the ear was believed to
pull it apart. Be patient and let it fall off on its
soften the ear wax so that it can be cleaned easily.
own.
It was believed that the ear wax hindered hearing.
With these scientific reasons behind following or
Doctors today believe that ear wax, in fact helps to
discarding a ritual made clear, you easily
protect the ear against air, moisture, bacteria and
convince your elders about them, after all they
water. If you try to soften the wax with oil and
also want the best for the baby!
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Baby’s Development
Milestones
Each baby is unique and develops at his own pace. • Lift the head by 900while lying on the
Some may start walking early while some are early belly
talkers. So parents remember, do not compare • Hold the head steady when upright.
your baby with other babies as each of them
• Bring the hands together.
develop differently. Here is the development chart
indicating the development milestones for your • Smile spontaneously.
baby. Unless your baby is off track on most counts 2nd Month
you have no reason to worry.
As time passes by, you find yourself getting
1st Month increasingly better at baby care and now you
Even after one month, your baby still feels like a have learnt all the tricks that can help in
newcomer in the house amongst all of you. He has soothing your baby’s cries in no time. And by
just mastered the art of breastfeeding and the art the second month, the bond between you two,
of sleeping in his cradle. Here are the other things has become so strong that he recognizes you
he is expected to accomplish by this time… and even smiles and coos in your presence.
Most babies will be able to‐ Most babies will be able to,
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• Express startle, cry or stop crying in Some babies will be able to,
response to a bell • Laugh out aloud
• Respond with a smile • Lift the head up to 900 while lying on the
Some babies will be able to, belly
• Make sounds other than crying, like Very few babies will be able to,
cooing • Squeak when delighted
• 0
Lift the head to 45 while lying on the • Bring both the hands together
belly
• Smile spontaneously
Very few babies will be able to,
• Roll over to either side
• Hold the head steady when upright
• Bear some weight on the legs when held
• Stay on the stomach, with chest raised and upright
supported by arms
• Reach for an object kept at a short distance
• Roll over to one or the other way
4th Month
• Pay attention to objects as small as a raisin.
Your baby seems to be like an angel this month.
Babies must be kept away from small objects
He seems to be all smiles when you are close to
as much as possible.
him, he cries less and even sleeps peacefully
• Reach for an object at a distance
through the night. He seems cheerful and
• Laugh out loud, or squeal happy, and both of you seem to have a gala time
A thorough medical checkup for your baby ‐ Most babies will be able to,
scheduled during the third month ‐ should help in • Lift their head up to 900 while lying on their
clearing all your doubts pertaining to his tummy
upbringing , care and his development milestones. • Laugh out aloud
Most babies will be able to, • Follow the movement of an object in an
• 0
Lift the head up to 45 while lying on the belly arc, i.e. above the head at 15 cm for 1800
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• Stay on the belly with the chest raised, • Reach for an object kept at a short distance
supported by their arms • Smile spontaneously
• Pay attention to objects as small as a raisin. • Respond with a smile
Babies must be kept away from small objects
Some babies will be able to,
as much as possible.
• Roll over to either side one way
• Reach for an object kept at a short distance
• Bear some weight on the legs when are held
Very few babies will be able to,
upright
• Object, if the toy is taken away
• Turn in the direction of the voice of a person
• Turn in the direction of the voice of a person calling out to them
calling out to them
• Sit without support
• Sit without support
Very few babies will be able to,
5th Month
• Pull themselves up to the standing position
th
By the 5 month, your baby seems to be much from the ‘sitting’ position
stronger and active. He is now able to go and get
• Stand, holding onto someone or something
his toy from a distance, he even tries to crawl and
• Object, if the toy is taken away
is able to notice small things that seem interesting
to him, including fallen food pieces, tiny insects • Make an effort to get hold of a toy that
etc. Your baby’s increased activity also means that seems to them to be out of reach
you need to be more careful and alert. 6th Month
Most babies will be able to, It’s the sixth month, and there are already some
• Hold the head steady when upright signs of teeth in your little one, and he has now
• Stay on the belly with the chest raised, begun with his mischieves too. He has started to
supported by their arms pull and push in order to be able to get his toys,
and has even begun surprising you by making
• Pay attention to objects as small as a raisin.
different sounds.
Babies must be kept away from small objects
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Most babies will be able to, Most babies will be able to,
• Say ‘ah‐goo ‘or similar sounding notes • Try to feed themselves with the help of a
• Bear some weight on their legs when they are • Make a razzing sound
• Turn in the direction of the voice of a person Some babies will be able to,
calling out to them • Sit without support
• Make an effort to get hold of a toy that seems • Object, if their toy is taken away from them
to them to be out of reach
• Make an effort to get hold of a toy that
• Babble, by combining vowels and consonants seems to them to be out of reach
such as ga‐ga‐ga, ba‐ba‐ba, ma‐ma‐ma and
• Look for an object dropped in front of them
da‐da‐da.
• Turn in the direction of the voice of a person
Very few babies will be able to,
calling out to them
• Creep or crawl
Very few babies will be able to,
• Pull themselves up to the standing position
• Play peek‐a‐boo
from the ‘sitting’ position
• Babble by combining vowels and
• Pick up tiny objects
consonants such as ga‐ga‐ga, ba‐ba‐ba, ma
th
7 Month ‐ma‐ma and da‐da‐da.
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fingers onto almost anything he comes across. skills. He is entertaining everyone around him by
With so much of novelty around him, your baby mimicking the sounds he hears and doing things
Most babies will be able to, Most babies will be able to,
• Bear some of theibody’s weight on their legs • Make an effort to get hold of a toy that
• Try feeding themselves with the help of a • Look for an object dropped in front of them
Some babies will be able to, • Object, if their toy is taken away from them
• Stand holding onto someone or something • Stand, holding onto someone or something
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• Pick up a tiny object with the help of the tips • Understand a ‘No’
of the their thumb and forefinger Very few babies will be able to,
• Stand well, without support • Say “mama” or “dada” discriminately
• Respond to a one step command with • Play ball
gestures (“Give that to me” said with hand
• Stand alone well without support
out)
• Drink from a cup independently
10th Month
• Talk in gibberish
Your baby is getting smarter by the 10th month,
• Respond to a one step command with
but he is also getting thinner and losing his rate of
gestures (“Give that to me” said, with hand
growth. He continues to leave no stone unturned
shown)
in exploring your house. When you tell him
something, he listens and understands but has no 11th Month
intention of obeying. No wonder, they say, Your baby has now turned into a rebel; he resists
‘Parenting is difficult’. the diaper change, the rice cereal and the
Most babies will be able to, afternoon nap. At this point, he hates to be
• Stand by holding onto someone or something confined and makes sure that you know it. His
latest, favorite activity is to keep pointing at
• Pull up to the standing position from the
different things and he keeps doing this all the
‘sitting’ position
time.
• Object, if their toy is taken away from them
Most babies will be able to,
• Play peek‐a‐boo
• Get into a ‘sitting position’ while lying
• Say “mama” or “dada” discriminately on their from stomach
Some babies will be able to, • Understand a ‘No’
• Get into a ‘sitting position’ while lying on their Some babies will be able to,
stomach
• Walk by taking the support of the home
• Pick up a tiny object with the help of the tips furniture
of the their thumb and forefinger
• Point or gesture to ensure that their needs
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Very few babies will be able to, • Drink from a cup independently
• Say “mama” or “dada” discriminately • Pick up a tiny object with the help of the
• Stand alone well without support • (Many babies don’t reach this stage till 15
months)
• Drink from a cup independently
• Stand alone momentarily (many don’t reach
• Talk in gibberish
this stage till 13 months)
• Respond to a one step command with
• Say “mama” or “dada” discriminately (most
gestures (“Give that to me” said with hand
babies say at least one of these words
out)
before 14 months)
th
12 Month
• Say anyone word other than mama or dada
Your baby completes one year this month and he (many babies won’t say their first word till
also embarks on another milestone, which is 14 months or later)
‘Walking’. He starts with a few unsteady steps ‐
Very few babies will be able to,
holding on to someone or something for support ‐
• Play ball ( roll back ball to you) (many won’t
but is sure on his way to walking independently.
do this till 16 months)
Celebrate the year by taking a note of the many
things you learnt and all that you had to deal with. • Stand alone well ( many don’t get to this
Oh! What a year it has been! It seems just point till 14 months)
yesterday that you brought your baby into the • Use gibberish ( some don’t talk like this till
house from the hospital…. 15 months)
Most babies will be able to, • Walk well ( most babies won’t walk well till
• Walk holding on to the furniture 13 months)
• Point or gesture to be able to get their needs • Respond to a one step command with
fulfilled gestures (some take up to 16 months to
reach this stage).
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Mommy’s Health
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The Great Indian GUIDE for Postnatal Care
the discomfort: drips and even sprays out from the breasts,
• Feed your baby regularly – The more you thereby spoiling your clothes.
breast feed your baby, the less are the • But, don’t worry. This process of leakage of
chances for your breasts to swell. Regular milk from the breasts – known as ‘Let
breast feeding is necessary to make sure that Down’ ‐ is a physical process that takes
the increase in the supply of milk is met with place even when you think about your baby.
adequate outflow of the same. This in turn is ‘Let Down’ is more frequent in the early
essential for your breasts to return to their days after childbirth, it gradually decreases
normal size. with time, once the rhythm in demand and
• Warm up– If the milk does not flow out supply of milk is established.
smoothly, then try to soften the areola by way Here are tips to help you deal with deal with
of heat. This can start the flow. Another this uncomfortable and embarrassing
option for a smooth flow of milk, is to problem,
massage the breast that you are nursing your • Nursing pads placed in the bras help in
baby with. absorbing the leaks. Do not opt for nursing
• Cool it – The other ways of reducing breast pads which are lined with plastic, opt
engorgements are – to use ice packs, to keep instead, for those, that are made from
chilled cabbage leaves on the breasts, or to 100% cotton. These maintain the airflow
use specially designed cooling bra inserts and which are easy on your nipples. Both
when you are not feeding the baby. washable and disposable varieties are
available.
• Position – It is important to keep changing
the position from Cradle to Football hold (see • To keep your bed sheet from stains of wet
breast feeding positions page no.20) in order milk, place extra nursing pads and place a
to ensure that the milk is being taken by the large towel on the bed when you sleep.
baby in a uniform manner. • Wear dark clothes with big prints so that
• Leaking breasts‐ One of your most common the stains remain hidden.
routines as a new mother would be to keep • Do not pump milk as doing so will only
changing clothes ‐ yours as well as your baby’s increase the leaking.
– most of the times in a day . This is because
Sore Nipples
during the early days of nursing, milk leaks,
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Some mothers are known to suffer from the • Make sure you wash your nipple with water
problem of ‘sore nipples’ ‐ which occurs if the only and not with any type of soap, alcohol
position of the baby during breastfeeding is not or tincture as your baby will be in direct
correct or if the baby has a vigorous suck. If you contact with your nipple and consume what
suffer from ‘sore nipples’, breastfeeding may seem is applied on it.
difficult to you, but you will find that as time
Diet for the Mother
passes, the breast tissue toughens up to the
After delivery you feel like getting back in shape
challenge of breast feeding, and you no longer
and eating what you want to, without any
face any problem. Here are some beneficial tips
restrictions. Though there is nothing wrong in
that can help,
feeling this way, remember that you are still
• Check the position of the baby and check if
breastfeeding at this point and whatever you
the latch is right (for proper latching
eat in turn becomes your baby’s food too.
technique, read Feeding your baby page
Hence, the more balanced and nutritious food
no.20 )
you eat, the healthier will be the milk that
• After you are done with feeding, expose your becomes your baby’s food.
nipple to air. Another option is to wear breast
Right diet is also important for those mothers
shells.
who aren’t breast feeding, because taking care
• Do not keep the wet nursing pads for long, as of your baby and looking after him for his every
these can cause irritation to the nipples small need, is physically exhausting. So, it is not
• The cracks on the nipple can be healed by time yet, to go binging or to opt for extreme
applying lanolin cream. Products that contain diets, you still need to watch not only what goes
petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, must not be in your baby’s mouth but also what goes into
used. your mouth.
• Placing wet tea bags on the sore nipples helps Here is a list of essential nutrients that make
in healing. up the diet of a feeding mother:
before you start feeding, as this will ease the • Eggs, meat, fish and chicken
flow of milk and the baby will not have to suck
• Milk, curd and Indian cottage cheese
vigorously.
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• Nuts and seeds ‐ almonds, cashew nuts, Vitamins and Iron supplements
peanuts, etc. The doctor may recommend vitamin and iron
• Pulses and legumes ‐ green gram, soybean, supplements to a new mother, if her diet is
red gram, Bengal gram, etc. insufficient in essential nutrients, even after she
• Dairy products ‐ milk, paneer and curd, which Sex after Pregnancy
are the major sources of calcium. In the life of a couple, the birth of a baby means
• Sesame seeds, Soya beans, Pulses and Ragi. abundant joy and happiness on the one hand
and tiredness, exhaustion and no‐time‐for‐sex
• Vegetables like okra and cabbage and green
on the other. This is more in case of mothers, as
leafy vegetables like spinach and methi
the female hormones incline the new mother
(fenugreek).
more towards baby care than towards sex. And
Vitamin C
if you too have been giving all your love and
• Oranges, strawberries, mangoes, guavas, attention to your baby, your partner may feel
tomatoes. ignored and the intimacy and love between you
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their baby sleeps or even in the next room. relax. Forget about all your worries and
But this feeling of awkwardness must change chores and simply shut your mind and relax.
and women must look at themselves not just • Exercise: Many mothers notice the change
as mothers, but also as loving partners. There in their bodies post childbirth. Kegel
are also women who get uncomfortable with exercises help in toning the pelvic muscles
the idea of having sex after childbirth, yet, do while other exercises help get the body
not gather enough courage to refuse their back in shape (See Postpartum exercises
partners. This kind of approach leads to later in this chapter)
feelings of resentment between the partners.
• Try different positions: The standard
• Intimacy not sex: Sometimes, a loving touch, sexual position may not be too feasible for a
a cuddle, a candle light dinner or even mother post child birth, and for such times,
something as simple as, volunteering to ‘woman‐on‐ top’ and ‘side‐to–side’
soothe the baby’s cries if you are a husband, positions.
can bring back the spark in a couple’s life.
Birth Control
Love and intimacy need not always have
sexual connotations. Before you look at each other with love, we
would like to introduce this topic upfront. Yes,
Matters of the body:
we are asking you to start thinking about birth
• Lubricate : Pregnancy foll owed by
control unless you don’t mind having another
breastfeeding and hormonal changes make
baby this early.
the vagina dry. This in turn makes sex painful
If you think that you don’t need to take birth
for mothers. As a mother, it is advisable that
control measures until you have weaned your
you use lubricating products until the
baby, you are wrong. Though it is true that most
secretions start.
women don’t get their menstrual periods until at
• Indulge in foreplay: Only when you give
least 6 months after the delivery there are
yourself time to warm up, will you be able to
exceptions. Chances of conception without
give the kind of sexual performance in bed
periods cannot be ruled out. So it is better not
that meet you and your partner’s
to take chances and to talk to your gynecologist
expectations. Don’t rush, take it slow.
about the various birth control options available.
• Massage: Take a massage or a shower to after 6 weeks of childbirth.
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t has set in and you can’t seem to stop it. All the for effect, and a creased forehead that is
happiness that you imagined you will experience brought about by bouts of bad temper, you
after childbirth just evaporated in thin air and all definitely aren’t painting a happy picture of
that you are left with, is a feeling of a loss of motherhood. As a new mother, you have been
control and of dismay. These may be the kind of sleeping so little, that you feel drowsy
thoughts that go about in the mind of a mother throughout the day. Here are some tips that will
who suffers from baby blues. Baby Blues set in keep you on your feet, even with your meager
but if the symptoms don’t go away in sometime • Take turns: Which one do you think is
then it may be a case of Postnatal Depression or better, one groggy sleep deprived parent or
PND. two groggy sleep deprived parents? After a
Some symptoms of Baby Blues‐Excessive crying, few months when your baby does not need
lack of sleep, eating problems, persistent sadness, to be fed at night both of you can choose to
lack of concern for the baby and memory loss. do the night duty on alternate days. This
way, at least one of you can get some
Many women are seen to suffer from Post natal
decent sleep and can be a better parent
depression however they are not comfortable
during the day.
discussing it as they feel having such feelings is
wrong and inappropriate. It is important for • Shift the burden: if taking turns doesn’t
mothers to understand that PND is not the suit you, you can take shifts in one night
mother’s fault and does not reflect a mother’s itself. It can work this way‐ The mother
parenting skills. Also family members should look sleeps for few hours, say from 10 – 2 am,
out for these symptoms and consult a doctor as while the father takes care of the baby and
PND is easily curable. But it is important to bring then after 2am, the mother takes charge,
the problem into light, else, it can hurt the mother and the father sleeps from 2 – 6am.
as well as the baby. • Sleep with your baby: This option works
Sleep and You for those parents who have their baby sleep
with them so that whenever the baby cries,
It’s just a month into motherhood, and you already
the mother can nurse him on the bed itself,
resemble a zombie! With dark circles under your
after which both the parents can drift off to
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straining any part of your body 8 times. that leaves an impression on the mother’s mind
Abdominal muscles: These are the muscles that forever; but also leaves an indelible mark on the
stretched as they sheltered your baby for nine mother’s pelvic muscles. They become loose
months but now even as the baby is out of your and can lead to incontinence in some women.
womb these muscles seem to be sagging and Kegel exercises are recommended for relief.
Exercise for abdominal muscles: down or standing.‐All you have to do is, tighten
your pelvic muscles as if you are stopping your
• Sit on a chair with the spine erect, now take a
stream of urine. You have to tighten them for
deep breath and extend the stomach muscles
five seconds a time, four to five times in a row.
as much as you can, slowly take your stomach
Start by doing 2‐3 contractions at first and then
in to the maximum. Do this 5 times.
stay longer and try more contractions each time.
• For this exercise, sit on a chair as mentioned
General: You can also try other low intensity
above, this time while you extend your
workouts like walking, swimming and yoga to
stomach, do not take in the abdomen fully,
help regain the physique as well as the muscle
bring it halfway, hold it for a second and then
strength as before.
bring it fully in.
Now that you know how to take care of your
• Lie on the stomach and take in the muscles
baby and your own health, have a happy
and hold as much as you can.
parenting experience!
Pelvic muscles: Childbirth is a life‐altering event
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sleep. Most babies also get calmer when they Postpartum Exercises
are in close contact with their parents.
Many mothers find themselves looking
• Sleep again after feed: Many babies have the pregnant even after their delivery due to their
tendency to wake up early in the morning to bloated tummies, fat thighs and still larger
feed and sleep right back after the feeding; breasts! This is bound to make any woman
leaving the mother tired and sleepless. If you unhappy. So now to get back in shape, you have
feed your baby in your bed, you might as well dutifully cut down on your diet. But unless you
catch on some sleep after feeding, as the baby re‐strengthen the areas which were affected by
drifts off to sleep, so that you feel rejuvenated pregnancy, you can never truly go back to the
once you are up. shape you were in before getting pregnant.
• Take naps: Sleep when the baby sleeps, this Before you set out to work on your body,
way you can catch up with your lost zzz’s. remember, exercises are to be resumed only
Though this may not always be possible, try after 6 weeks of delivery as the muscles are too
as much as you can, to opt for a good nap weak to undergo any vigorous form of exercise
during the day, in between housecleaning and before that time. Also if yours was a
other chores. complicated delivery, consult your doctor before
• Beware of Sleep Deniers: Avoid Caffeine, you start any kind of exercise.
alcohol and high starchy foods as they can Yoga for you
interfere with your sleep and leave you feeling
Back under control: Backaches become a part
even more sleep‐deprived.
of life during pregnancy but sometimes the ache
• Fake it: Even after you have tried your best if remains even after delivery and gets worse as
nothing works, understand that you need to you keep bending down to pick up your baby.
accept ‘less sleep’ as a part of motherhood. To
Here is an exercise for your spine: Begin on all
feel good and fresh, take showers, wear new
fours with the neck at ease. Inhale and lift your
sets of clothes, exercise in the morning and
neck keeping the back straight or arching
have a positive attitude. Soon your body will
slightly. Now, exhale and bend your neck,
adjust to the routine of motherhood and you
tighten the abdominal muscles and tuck in the
will be in a better position to deal with lesser
neck and head. Do this exercise without
hours of sleep.
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Baby Song
At first you didn't lift your head;
You didn't know to smile.
The time before you knew my voice
Seemed such a long, long while.
I couldn't wait for you to roll,
And then to sit and clap.
And now you're off and crawling,
Not helpless in my lap.
Why didn't someone tell me
How fast a baby grows,
That every little baby stage
Soon comes, but sooner goes.
So I'll enjoy the fleeting time
Before you learn to walk.
and treasure every tiny noise
Before you learn to talk.
For soon you'll learn to walk,
Then run,
And talk and sing a song,
And never be my babe again.
The babe's forever gone.
Little baby, take your time,
For while you are tiny, you are mine.
- Diane Woolley
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References:
Books-
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