Pregnancy myths in India

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in any woman’s life. In these nine months, she creates a unique loving bond between her and her unborn baby and makes heaps of future dreams about her little one. As soon as the news of the pregnancy spreads, the mother-to-be is surrounded by a hoard of relatives, colleagues, friends and well wishers who seem to be equally excited with the good news and have several advices for the lady. There are several do’s and don’ts which might be piled upon a woman from her elders and family members in Indian pregnancy. Some of such advices are based on scientific principles, while many others are purely misconceptions. There are several pregnancy myths which vary from country to country which can also be based upon determining the gender of the unborn baby. The following section will cover the most common pregnancy myths in India.

• Gender prediction during pregnancy in India : many Indians believe that the shape of the pregnant lady’s stomach gives away the gender of the baby she is carrying. If the stomach is carrying the baby high, it is a girl and otherwise it is a boy. This is a myth and has no scientific basis as the shape of the belly is hugely dependent on the original shape and features of the mother’s uterus, abdominal muscles, and the history of previous pregnancies as well. Pregnancy in India is a huge issue with several myths, and this is just one of them.
  
• A pregnant woman must eat for two : during pregnancy, India can surely get on one’s nerves. Elders constantly advise the mother to make her diet manifold, but only 300 to 400 calories extra are sufficient to provide all the nutrition to the growing fetus. Having a nutrient rich diet is important rather than just doubling up on the calories, as the baby is not a grown adult like the mother.
  
  
• Skin tone and facial structure determines gender of baby : one may have their aunties and grandmothers saying that they are carrying a girl because of the sudden glow on the face. However, the pregnancy glow is due to hormonal changes during this period and is same for everyone, regardless of carrying a boy or a girl.
  
• Baby’s heart rate is conclusive of the gender : gender prediction during pregnancy in India is so prevalent that every second person has his own opinion. Some people strongly believe that if the fetus’s heart rate is slow, it is a boy and faster heart rate indicates that the baby is a girl. However, it depends totally on the heath and the development of the fetus and this myth is hence, baseless.

Gender prediction according to Hindu mythology is also done when a pregnant woman craves for certain foods. Some people believe that having spicy food can lead to pregnancy complications. If the mother has pimples on her face, which could actually be the result of pregnancy hormones and having too much of fried and spicy foods, people speculate that it is going to be a baby girl according to Indian gender prediction beliefs. People go to extreme lengths to know the gender of the unborn baby. Gender prediction in India has become a root cause of female infanticide and hence tests which determine the baby’s gender have been made illegal to prevent them from becoming tools to merely satisfy the curiosity of people and result in abortion of female fetus. Such tests include ultrasound and Amniocentesis, which must be carried out by specialized doctors only to monitor the baby’s heath and look out for genetic abnormalities or pregnancy complications at the right time.

There are several other myths which surround pregnancies in India. These include:

Hindu mythology for pregnant women says that if the woman is completing her term somewhere around the full moon, it will stimulate labor. However, moon’s appearance does not affect labor at all.

Apart from baby gender prediction in Hindi mythology, it is believed that consumption of certain foods like oranges and saffron gives fairer skin tone to the baby. Although these foods are beneficial, they do not alter the skin tone as it is solely dependent on the baby’s genes. It is best to consult your doctor to determine what the best diet is for you.

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Questions Asked To Parents In Interview

Your little bundle of joy has grown out his baby clothes so fast! The toddler is now more than 2 years old and keeps you on your toes all day long. Not only do you keep worrying about his diet and health now is the time to also choose the right preschool. When the child is about 2 to 2.5 years old, parents start searching for a reputed preschool. The admission procedure may vary slightly from institution to institution, but school interview for parents happens in each preschool. Along with the child, the parents are interviewed in school to know about their background and how they take care of the child. Many parents get cold feet before the interview so it is important to be prepared with frequently asked school interview questions and answers for parents. School interview questions for parents are not many and serve only the purpose of ascertaining the bond between the child and parents and how have they prepared the child or school.

Parents interview questions and answers for admission in school have been discussed here to help the nervous parents of a toddler. School admission interview questions and answers for parents have been focused upon:

Know the preschool : whenever the parents apply at a preschool, it is expected that they have a fair share of knowledge about the school’s philosophy, vision, principles and a little bit about the history of the school as well. The interviewer must be confident that the views of the parents align with those of the school to ensure proper development of the child at home as well as in the institution. Thus questions asked to parents in school interview will be aimed at ascertain whether the parents know about the preschool’s curriculum and requirements.

Basic details : though the application forms requires all the details about the parents and the child to be entered in detail, parents interview questions  will also focus on basic details of parents educational, work and home background  including degrees, qualifications, jobs and income of parents.

Questions about the child : a great portion of the interview will be dedicated to your child. Nursery interview questions for parents include asking about the child’s nap time and food habits. It is required to know whether the child is a fussy eater, is allergic to certain foods, and when does he sleep so that he/she may adjust with the preschool schedule. Answers to such parent interview questions are known by the parents and hence there is no need to worry.

Medical details : parents interview questions and answers will include discussions about the child’s health and if he has any such medical condition that will require special care. Also, parents interview questions will include the immunization records and if the child is allergic to a specific item. Behavioral problems like bed wetting, thumb sucking are also inquired for and parents must be truthful.

Parents’ jobs : details about the jobs like office location, distance from the preschool and if one or both the jobs are transferable are asked in interview of parents for admission in nursery to decide what the best curriculum is for the child. If the jobs are demanding and offices are located far off, some other preschool may be suggested.

Questions about the child’s knowledge : Parent’s interview questions for school admission will include ascertaining how much the child knows, like the basic colors, shapes, animals, fruits and objects around him. The interviewer will be interested in knowing the means used by the parents to educate the child, like educational books and toys.

Interview questions for parents for nursery admission are not meant to scare the parents away. Teaching your child about the preliminary things like numbers, colors and alphabets will show that your child is confident and improve chances of being selected. Talk about the positive aspects of school and why you want to enroll your child in the institution to leave a lasting impact upon the interviewer.

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Innovative Fancy Dress Ideas for Kids

Co-curricular activities are an essential part of the curriculum of preschoolers. Such activities enhance the child’s confidence and help them know more about their surroundings from an early age. An exciting activity for children in the age group of 3 to 5 years is a fancy dress competition for kids. Fancy dress competitions give your child a chance to showcase their favorite personalities or show their imagination to others. Parents have an equally ecstatic time dressing up their bundle of joy in colorful attires and enact on the stage. There are several fancy dress themes that can be chosen by your kid’s school or daycare facility. If not, your child or you can decide upon one of fancy dress ideas that will make your child stand out from the other kids.

Winning such competitions gives your child an incredible moral boost that shapes his overall persona and encourages him to participate in more activities. There are several ideas for fancy dress for kids, whether girls or boys. Some fancy dress competition ideas for kids include:

Fancy Dress ideas for boys:
If you have a sparkling young lad that keep you on your toes all day long, dressing him up as a superhero like Spiderman or Batman may seem like a great idea. One can take inspiration from the child’s favorite story book, nursery rhymes or cartoon shows. Some such popular characters include Flintstones, Tom and Jerry, Alladin or Mickey Mouse. Other ideas for fancy dress for kids may include:

Dressing kids as a historical or religious character : if the parents want to present a good example before the child, one may consider options like Mahatma Gandhi, Gautam Buddha, Jawahar Lal Nehru or Tilak. These are the famous names of Indian History and one may consider them as a shining example or morals, principles and leadership skills which will inspire your little child. You may also choose Gods like Lord Shiva, Lord Rama or go for Lord Ganesha if you have a cute and plump boy as suitable ideas for fancy dress competition for boys.

New ideas for fancy dress competition for kids : may include dressing them up as new faces like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam or a speaking Tree or Mother Earth to explain the importance of Nature as well.

Dressing the kid like animals or plants : a good example in such a case can be the Tiger. Dressing up as renowned or endangered species of animals will win applaud on spreading awareness amongst the kids and adults alike. Kids fancy dress ideas include costumes of a dustbin, a lifeless tree or a dry water tap to bring attention to the burning issues in a fun and interesting way. Such ideas are different from convention and have a message too.

Fancy dress competition ideas for girls:

Girls prefer costumes that are more colorful and vibrant. This may be your baby girl’s first opportunity to dress up pretty and put on make-up. Fancy dress for kids this type will include costumes of fairies, and Goddesses like Lakshmi and Durga. Your teeny tiny girl may also dress up as Mother India or Mother Earth and tell the audience about her country and nature.

Kids fancy dress competition are an opportunity for your child to express her views and her likes and dislikes. Some girls may choose to enact their ambition in the competition. Children this age are very imaginative and may want to become a doctor, nurse, engineer, air hostess or a florist. All these are great kids fancy dress competition ideas.

Themes for fancy dress competition for kids also include dressing up the child as of opposite gender. For example, a girl may enact as being Mahatma Gandhi or improvise on male characters like choosing to be Lady Superman, which will be quite fun.

For More Information : Fancy dress ideas for preschoolers

Diet Chart of a 3 Year Old Indian baby

As you child grows, so does her dietary requirements. The diet for 3 year old babies should include a range of food items to provide the child with the balanced amount of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats. Giving the baby the right kind of nutrition can be challenging, but developing a diet chart for 3 years baby will help you greatly. The child may show tantrums when served with foods other than he has already eaten, but with time he will develop taste to several food items. The sample diet for 3 year


old Indian child is shown here to guide the parents :

When the child gets up, give her a cup of milk with 2 or more almonds, soaked overnight and peeled. The kids’ diet chart must include a variety of nuts like cashews, almonds, dates, figs and dairy products to give the daily dose of calcium. Breakfast is an important meal and must be full of goodness. The English menu plan for three year old baby suggests a whole wheat buttered toasts, omelets or brown bread grilled sandwiches for breakfast.

Brunch is the time when the child demands for snacks. The trick is to give the baby something that is filling but not zero on nutrients. Ideal options for diet for 3 year old baby are a bowl of fruits, fruit juices and soups which can different for each day of the week.

The diet plan for 3 year old baby must be highly nutritional and lunch must be given its due importance. For lunch, dal, paneer and seasonal vegetables like ladyfinger, cabbage, carrots and peas must be served with chapatti. A small portion of salad is also beneficial.

In the evening, children usually demand for something tasty for snacks. Mothers must not be tempted to serve their 3 year olds with junk food. If you are including items like burgers, noodles, pizzas and sandwiches in 3 year old baby diet, ensure a lot of vegetables like beans, carrots, tomatoes, capsicum and peas are used in the same along with cheese and dips to make them interesting. Fruit smoothies are another great option for a food chart for 3 year old.

Dinner is the last meal of the day and must be high on nutrients but light on the little one’s tummy. Serve a bowl of baked seasonal vegetables with parathas or moong dal and a cup of curd. Desserts will please your child, serve delicious carrot halwa or rice kheer which is yummy yet nutritious.

Some tips:

• The 3 year olds have small stomachs and get full on smaller meals. So serve them a number of meals through the day and plan the 3 years baby diet chart to include food from all nutrition groups.
  
• Helping the child with easy tasks in the kitchen like stirring cake batter or arranging the vegetables will help develop the kids’ interest in different foods and help you to include many items in 3 year old baby food chart.
  
• The meals and snacks must be regular with something different planned out for each day, so that the child does not become a picky eater.
  
• The diet chart for 3 year old must focus on a variety of grains. Making the kid used to whole wheat bread and multigrain rotis will help in the same.
  
• Diet chart for kids in India can be made even better by developing in the 3 year old the cues of how much or how little food will satisfy him. Encouraging the child to serve on his plate himself will develop such good eating habits.

For More Information : Diet plan 3 year old kids

Two year old baby diet chart

Babies feed on breast milk or formula food for quite some moths, as they get older; the parents switch to strained foods and baby cereal. If one has a 2 year old baby, it is time to introduce her to a greater variety of healthy foods to aid in her proper development. The food for 2 year old  must be rich in nutrients and must also not be sudden, which can be done by gradually switching from baby formula and breast milk to real food until the baby gets used to the taste. Babies this age are proactive and the mother may find herself always running after the child, but it is imperative to create a diet chart for a 2 year old baby ensuring a balanced diet reaches the tummy. The parents may find it difficult to come to a right diet for 2 years child and be tempted to feed the baby with anything that keep her tummy full and happy, but this must be avoided at all costs. The following section will give some important tips about creating a diet chart for a 2 year old baby.

Food for 2 year old baby is much more than just milk. As the baby grows, the demands of the body also rise and now a correct proportion of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates are required to keep up with mental, physical as well as social development skills of the child. Parents must realize that their baby is now a toddler and a 2 year old baby food chart can be designed with the help of the baby’s pediatrician.
A sample diet chart for 2 year old boy is:

Early morning : the first meal of the day must be healthy and full of nutrients. A cup of milk with 2 soaked almonds, a stuffed paratha with yoghurt or 2 idlis with chutney are appealing options.

Breakfast : as the toddler takes his bath and gets ready to take on the day, give him a bowl of poha or upma, fruit custard, a small plain dosa or grilled sandwich to provide with the right nutrients.

Lunch : The baby food for 2-year old must contain a good amount of fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts. Thus, soups and salads are a must with lunch. With time, the child will develop taste for these. The diet chart for a 2 yr old baby is incomplete without the mention of Indian pulses, rajma, and grains like bajra in rotis. The lunch must have seasonal vegetables, a few tablespoons of dal, baked vegetables like carrot, peas or cauliflower or diced cucumber and carrots in salad. These are good food for 2 year old baby India.
Dinner: make sure to keep the baby food for 2 year old as interesting as possible. At night, you may serve the child with a small pizza or burger with vegetables like capsicum, cabbage, tomatoes and onions. Children also love stuffed paratha rolls with dips or ketchup. You can also go for paratha or roti with matar paneer or kofta curry.

Mid day snacks : the 2 years old baby food chart lists out fruits as an important part of the baby’s diet. Hence, serve the baby with a cup of mixed fruit, fruit smoothie or custard instead of opting for junk food like noodles, cookies or chips when the baby is hungry. The 2 years baby food chart will ensure that such fatty foods are cut off from the diet of the baby.

Toddlers are active and require a lot of nutrition to develop properly. A 2 years old baby food chart will definitely help the parents with meeting the nutritional challenges of their growing child.

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Healthy Eating food tips for Indian Kids

Nutritious food for kids is the most important item in the parents’ agenda, as it is responsible for healthy mental and physical development of children. A balanced diet containing all the essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber is necessary for growth of body tissue, hence good food for kids must be given due importance. A kids food chart can be an important tool in this regard. Diet chart for kids lists out all nutrients in a balanced way, including fruits, green vegetables, breads, an assortment of pulses and nuts as well as sweet treats to provide your child with all the nutrition he needs. A specialist doctor can be consulted to create a diet chart for

kids in India that need special attention for development. Some guidelines to be followed to ensure nutrition food for kids are:

Number of calories required : the calorie intake for kids above 5 years of age rises due to indulging in greater physical and mental activities and cell development. Preschoolers must be encouraged to intake a variety of food items and must be restricted to take excess of fried or baked food products such as chips, pastries, candies and junk food. Diet chart for children in India must be balanced to account for the hectic schedule and pressure of studies.

Proteins required : it is absolutely essential to have high protein content in children’s food as it enhances muscle development and provides the necessary amino acids which are not found in other food groups. Protein rich foods include egg, fish, milk and milk products. A healthy diet chart for Indian kids will contain such foods including yoghurt, cheese and paneer.

Minerals and vitamins required: one crucial element of health food for kids is Calcium, which builds bone and teeth. The deficiency of iron and calcium in a child’s diet can affect the bones in growing body. A proper healthy diet chart for Indian kids includes items like milk, milk products like cottage cheese and yoghurt and green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

Food from other groups : healthy food for kids must contain a good portion of vegetables, fruits, cereals, milk group, meat as well as sweets and fats. Picky eaters often eat foods that provide them with only certain nutrients, eventually making them malnourished. Parents of such kids must nip this habit in the bud and encourage the child to eat as many varieties of food items as possible. The healthy diet chart for kids in India recommended by renowned pediatricians essentially contains carrots, spinach, brown bread, unpolished rice, whole milk, nuts and unskinned potatoes that contribute to a high calorie diet. To supplement the diet of the child, one can use several interesting snacks that are nutritious as well. Healthy Indian snacks for kids include poha, vegetable and cheese sandwiches, sprouted salads, fruit smoothies, idlis, upma and multigrain porridge with nuts.

Some tips :

1.) Avoid junk food items like cakes, chips, burgers, pizzas and aerated drinks which are low on nutrition and contain unnecessary fats. These slow the metabolic system making the child lazy, sluggish and prone to obesity and dental cavities. Switch to healthy food for kids which is high on calories and low on harmful fats.

2.) A healthy diet chart for Indian kids contains several energy foods as supplements, like banana shake, creamed soups and custards. Add vegetable toppings to pizzas and use veggies in making stuffed paratha rolls. Use delicious dips and salsa along with boiled vegetables and add sprouts and beans to bhelpuri and other snacks which will be loved by children and also be healthy food for kids.

3.) Instead of focusing on a few heavy meals, break the mealtimes into 5 or more small meals with small gaps. When the child is hungry after playing and demands for snacks, keep healthy munchies like soups and biscuits and nuts with toppings always ready.

4.) The most important part for healthy food for children is that they must never skip their breakfast.

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Importance of Vaccination for Babies

Parenthood brings incomparable joy to you and your better half but comes with its own share of responsibilities as well. Your newborn becomes the eye candy for everyone since her birth, and requires ample care for appropriate mental, physical and social development. A crucial aspect of normal development is to get the baby the scheduled vaccines on time. Vaccines protect the baby against deadly diseases by fortifying the immunity system of the body.

A vaccination chart is specially developed for all babies of India keeping their structure and demography of the country in mind. The baby vaccination chart lists out the important vaccines along with the scheduled time. Some of these vaccines may be oral in form as well. The child vaccination chart in India is discussed here.

1.) Vaccine given at the time of birth: the Hepatitis B vaccine protects the newborn against the Hepatitis B virus which is detrimental to the liver and may even prove fatal. To protect the child from infection of this virus, the fist vaccine is given within 12 hours of birth as per infant vaccination schedule India. Two other doses are scheduled between 1 to 2 months and 6 to 18 months according to the vaccination chart for children in India.

2.) Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal infections are a leading cause of serious throat and ear infections in children below 5 years of age. This bacterium is spread by coming in contact with infected person during coughing or sneezing and your baby can be protected against such infections by the pneumococcal vaccine which will be administered at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and between a year and 15 months of age according to child vaccination chart India.

3.) Hepatitis A vaccine: another crucial vaccine listed in the baby vaccination schedule India is the Hepatitis A vaccine which protects the child against Hepatitis A virus that causes serious liver problems. This virus is carried in faeces and contaminated water and food and spreads easily through contact. Some symptoms of Hepatitis A virus infection include abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and dark urine. To protect your child against this virus, be sure to get the first dose of vaccine between the recommended ages of 12 to 23 months. The second shot can be administered at an interval of 6 to 18 months.

4.) The Polio Vaccine: the Polio Drive has been hugely successful in India although each child needs to be immunized for several years to come to completely wipe out this crippling disease. The polio vaccination schedule India protects the baby against poliomyelitis that destroys the nervous system. This is a highly infectious disease that needs to be eliminated from the World on priority. The polio vaccines are scheduled at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months of age and lastly when the child is between 4 to 6 years old.

5.) The MMR vaccine: MMR stands for Measles, Mumps and Rubella which are three viruses that could prove detrimental to your child’s development and health. Measles is a highly infectious disease that is caused at least once in everyone’s life span. The symptoms include rashes, fever and a cold which could complicate to seizures, pneumonia and serious brain damage. Mumps is a virus that causes inflammation of glands below the jaws and may lead to swelling of ovaries and testicles, encephalitis or meningitis. Rubella is another infection characterised by pinkish rash. The MMR vaccine from the vaccination chart for babies is administered between 12 to 15 months and again between 4 to 6 years to provide complete immunity.

6.) DTP Vaccine: The vaccination schedule for babies in India also lists the DTP vaccine as an important immunization to protect all babies from Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis.

7.) HiB vaccine: this is another important vaccine of from Infant vaccination schedule India which protects the child against bacterial infection causing pneumonia and bacterial meningitis.

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What diet you should have after the delivery?

Giving birth to a baby and taking round the clock care of her can be extremely exhausting. It takes time for the mother’s body to recuperate from the stress of delivery and labor. Diet after delivery must be as nutritious as possible as the mother is responsible for not only recovering from the huge changes that have occurred in her body in the past weeks but is also the sole source of food for her teeny little one. Food after delivery must be particularly rich in Iron and proteins to give your child all the essential nutrients which will serve as a foundation for a healthy body throughout her life. If the post delivery diet is devoid of sufficient nutrients, the mother will also feel exhausted and weak from the round the clock feeding of the baby and may soon develop health problems. Regardless of whether one is breastfeeding or not, it is crucial that diet after delivery for mothers is given paramount importance.

In the forthcoming section, we will provide an insight into how to create a diet chart after delivery to maintain a good health after delivery.

1.) Foods that must be included in the mother’s daily diet: after delivery, it is all about keeping yourself energized while trying to lose all the pregnancy pounds gained during the 9 months. However, one must not immediately begin dieting or go on a rigid exercise schedule as it will only prove detrimental to the body. Instead, the diet after pregnancy must be such that it is not fattening and aids in weight loss while giving proper nutrition. Hence, some power-packed items that are a must in post pregnancy diet include lots of milk and milk products like yoghurt, cheese and cottage cheese to keep up the calcium and iron level. Also, include several sources of carbohydrates obtained from items like chapattis, parathas, khichdi, oats porridge and pulao. The after pregnancy diet must be high on proteins which can be gained from fish, meat, eggs, pulses and milk. Be sure to include at least two or more fruits like mango, black grapes, apples and dates in your everyday diet. Having mixed fruit custard and fruit juices as snacks and morning beverage may be a great idea to keep you energized while cutting down on the harmful caffeine at the same time.

Mothers must also drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to avoid dehydration. Have frequent snacks but cut down on fried or fatty foods.

2.) Foods to stay away from: many nursing mothers suffer from problems like indigestion or constipation. It is therefore advised to stay away from aerated drinks, friend snacks or spicy food items. Such items include sandwiches, cakes, burgers, pizzas and pakodas. All these items must be eaten as little as possible. Likewise is the case with sodas, colas, coffee, tea, tobacco, betel leaves and cigarettes which are a strict no-no in diet after normal delivery. A nursing mother should steer clear away from foods like jackfruit and onion in after delivery diet which may cause colic in babies.

3.) Post pregnancy diet India: The after pregnancy diet must be light on tummy yet packed with nutrients. The Indian diet after delivery include healthy items like oats dalia, turmeric, saunth laddoos, items made from gud or jaggery and fennel seeds, mustard are good for the mother. Some other edible items which are extremely beneficial for mothers include ajwain seeds, pulses, black sesame seeds and fenugreek. Each of these has goodness which cleanses the digestive tract and tones the uterus to prevent after pregnancy problems and aids in faster recovery. They have been recommended by elders since ages. If one is wondering about what to eat after pregnancy Indian food, these food items will prove to be extremely beneficial.

The diet for mother after delivery of baby must be balanced and nutritious for health of mother and the newly born.

For More information : Diet plan after the delivery

Exercising towards a flat stomach after pregnancy

How to reduce tummy after delivery?

It is a pertinent question that troubles each mother after giving birth to her little bundle of joy. Post delivery period is joyous but equally hectic for the mother feeding her baby every other hour and constantly thinking about exercise to reduce tummy after delivery. Tummy reduction after delivery is essential for all mothers, especially working moms who want to get back in shape as fast as possible. However, the body has undergone a lot of stress during labor and hence one must give it an appropriate period of rest before beginning with exercises after normal delivery.

When is the right time to start exercise after delivery to reduce tummy?

If one has continued with light exercises like walking or Kegel exercises all through pregnancy period it is safe to continue the same even after delivery. However, it is recommended to wait for at least six weeks prior to start real exercises to reduce tummy after delivery. After the six week postpartum checkup, one can move up from exercises like walking to light aerobics and swimming to reduce belly after delivery. As one feels that their body is gaining strength, the duration of exercises can be increased gradually. If one has not exercised during pregnancy period, it is best to consult your doctor to take advice about how to reduce tummy after delivery. After delivery, the ligaments and muscles or the body are loose and there is leftover fluid in your uterus, which implies that it will take around 3 months to your body to regain its original shape. In case of a C-section, the doctor may advise you to wait for up to 9 weeks before beginning with any kind of exercise schedule. How to reduce stomach after delivery: the best exercises

A postpartum exercise specialist will show you the best way as to how to reduce belly after delivery. Following the expert, one may head to the gym, recreation centers or Yoga centers that have special classes for new moms.

1. Kegels: these are the best beginner exercises for new moms. One has to sit on a bench and contract the hip muscles, as if trying to control urination before releasing and standing again. The exercise has to be repeated 10 to 20 times in each set.

2. Sit ups and leg lifts: these are the most common exercises to tone your muscles. Coupled with other exercises like jogging, swimming and cycling, an exercise schedule for up to each hour a day will aid in making the new mom fit in a matter of weeks.

3. Stomach exercises: if you are worried about how to reduce stomach after normal delivery, doing crossover sit ups is going to help you a lot. There are separate exercises for upper and lower abdominal muscles for excited mothers anxious about after delivery how to reduce tummy.

4. For tightening your tummy, lie with your back on the floor and bend your knees. Thereafter, lift up your legs to bring the knees close to the thighs with the hands touching the thighs. One can join an aerobic centre and consult an expert practitioner on how to reduce tummy after pregnancy.

5. Make sure that you are never dehydrated and keep plenty of fluids and some fruits with you during exercises as well. Easting a nourishing diet after pregnancy is equally important for the mother’s body and figure. If you are worried about how to reduce post pregnancy tummy, following a balanced diet and a regular exercise schedule will definitely accelerate the process of recovery and jumping back to your previous routine.

For More information : Stomach after Pregnancy

Diet Plan for Pregnant women

Pregnancy is a time when a woman gets in touch with her true feminine side. During these 9 months, the soon-to-be mother develops a unique bond with her child and begins to care for the baby even before she is born. It is important that pregnant women take a balanced diet to ensure all the necessary nutrients reach the mother’s body as well as provide nourishment to the developing fetus.

A pregnancy diet chart is the best way to estimate the daily nutritional requirements and stick to them. During early pregnancy a woman may feel exhausted and show lack of appetite but to keep one energized, following a pregnancy diet plan is essential. In the forthcoming section, we will cover some details about a diet chart for pregnant women.

A diet plan for pregnant women must be cleverly thought of and implemented. All the meals from the breakfast to the dinner must contain all the essential nutrients and not contain unnecessary fats which may lead to putting up of additional pounds by the pregnant woman. A healthy diet menu can be of the following type:

1.) A refreshing breakfast: the most common woe of pregnant women is morning sickness and nausea. To avoid these, it is important that the pregnancy food chart lists out a nutritious yet light morning beverage like herbal tea, fruit juice like apple or tomato, toned milk or a whole hearted nutrition of a dry fruit milk shake. Beginning the day with a refreshing drink clears out the toxins and leaves you toned for the coming day. Next item in the pregnancy food chart is the breakfast, which is considered the most important meal of the day even during pregnancy. Therefore, it must be loaded with nutrients. Some beneficial suggestions for breakfast include- whole wheat bread, idlis, dhoklas, ravas dosas, vegetable omelette and the goodness of dry fruits like cashew nuts. Other nutritious options include fruits like dates, apples, apricots, oranges and porridge, oats, upma or spinach parathas served with yoghurt.

2.) The brunch: the mid-morning meal or brunch is the time when pregnant women would like to munch on something, so this snack must not be too heavy or fatty. Soups are the best option for this meal according to diet for pregnant woman. One can draw up a schedule with different soups for each day of the week to receive all vitamins and minerals without feeling monotonous. Some options are Minestrone soup, tomato soup, mixed vegetable soup and creamy spinach soup.

3.) The nourishing lunch: Pregnancy is also the time when women have food aversions and sudden cravings. Hence, the diet plan during pregnancy varies from woman to woman with the basic aim of fulfilling all dietary requirements. When it comes to lunch, one must remember not indulging in a heavy meal that makes the woman feel lethargic or drowsy. Insist on rotis with a bowl of pulses and green leafy vegetables to provide fibres, carbohydrates, micro and macro nutrients and vitamins. Sprouted salad, curd, raita, vegetables like carrots, peas, cauliflower and an appropriate serving of rice must be included in Indian diet for pregnant women.

4.) Evening snacks: cut down on caffeine containing products like coffee, tea and aerated drinks and switch to milk and green tea which will have a soothing and toning effect on the pregnant body. Instead of munching on chips and cookies during evening, switch to fruits like apples, dates, nuts and have a small vegetable sandwich, fruit smoothie or delicious gourd or carrot halwa as per diet chart during pregnancy.

5.) Dinner: the last meal of the day must always be light. Good dinner dishes include Dal, vegetable Biryani, khichdi, palak paneer and various salads along with curd or buttermilk.

The diet chart for pregnancy month wise must be drawn out as the requirement of the body change with the growing baby. Pregnancy diet for Indian women is crucial as there are majority of malnourishment cases reported due to poor nutrition of the mother during pregnancy.

For More information : Pregnant women Diet Plan

How to take care of pregnant women

Giving birth to a baby is one of the most beautiful moments of a woman’s life. The joy of motherhood is a feeling indescribable. Right from the moment a woman becomes aware that a tiny little one is growing inside her, she begins to love her with all her heart. During the nine months of pregnancy, the woman has to be very careful about her baby and her health. Care of pregnant women can be a difficult task and the partners are required to be supportive at all times. Pregnant women must be fully aware of the changes taking place inside their bodies to avoid any complications and take proper care during pregnancy. Several books are available on pregnancy and internet is a great help in determining how to care during pregnancy. In the forthcoming section, we will cover several important tips on care to be taken during pregnancy.

The first step towards a healthy pregnancy is to change one’s dietary habits. Take proper meals on the right time and include all nutrients in a balanced manner. The baby developing in the mother’s womb is totally dependent on her for nutrition and hence your pregnancy diet must be capable of keeping the mother and baby healthy. The top care in pregnancy is that the diet must contain an array of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, milk and dairy products.

Pregnancy care includes coming out of harmful habits like smoking and drinking. Alcohol and tobacco is detrimental to the baby’s health and must be avoided at all costs. Even passive smoking is harmful for the baby. Likewise, a pregnant lady must cut down on caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea and aerated beverages to prevent problems like indigestion and constipation. Switching to herbal tea and fruit juices brings down the morning sickness, bloating and nausea that pregnant women are quite prone to. Avoid eating fried foods, synthetic and processed food items as well.

A few simple tips can go a long way to a healthy pregnancy, like taking a regular nap and drinking adequate amount of water. During sleep, your baby rests as well and your body repairs itself. It is advised to drink at least 8 to 9 glasses for water each day to flush out toxins from your body.

For all loved ones who are worried about how to take care of pregnant lady, you can do your bit by helping her exercise and if you are the partner, both of you can go to Yoga or special exercise sessions for expecting couples together. Joining such sessions helps learning valuable tricks and breathing exercises which help in a smooth delivery. Childbirth and breastfeeding classes make the couple ready for the actual experience and save them from unnecessary problems when the baby actually arrives.

Visiting your doctor on scheduled visits as well as whenever you experience any discomfort is the best care for pregnant women. During the first visit, the doctor runs several tests to ensure that the baby and the mother are healthy. He recommends prenatal vitamins and Iron and Calcium supplements that must be taken by the woman without fail.

One of very important care tips during pregnancy is to avoid certain foods like blue cheese and fishes like swordfish and catfish. Exposure to such items may put your baby’s life to risk. Also, if you have a pet cat, do not change cat litter during pregnancy and brush your teeth regularly. Poor dental health can sometimes lead to complications during pregnancy, so visit your dentist regularly.

For husbands perplexed about how to care in pregnancy time, avoid unnecessary burden on the woman by helping her in daily activities and stopping her from undertaking strenuous physical activities.

Pregnancy care tips are hundreds in number. So make sure you refer your doctor and elders regularly and have a balanced diet with a healthy lifestyle. Most of all avoid stress and enjoy the bliss of pregnancy for this period seldom comes back. 

Fore More about : Pregnancy