TV or I pad for my lil one? ?

After analysing for last one year i finally have been able to make a decision to choose an Ipad over TV.

Its very important for every parent to know what his/her child is watching during the free time or mealtime on TV or Ipad.(I am talking strictly for children less than 12years). Some parents might think I am over protecting the child or doing the helicopter parenting (the latest fad in the parenting world....Uff !!). Let me explain myself.

CC, Flickr.com, by Yoshihide Nomura

I let my child, 3years of age, watch ipad sometimes when she way too cranky or during the mealtime(a bad habit i know but fussy eater has to eat something during the day :(  ) . I always prefer her watching an Ipad over TV .

My reasons:-

1. I get to choose the content on Ipad. I download educational apps and games which helps her to use brain and is entertaining at the same time.
2. There is no abusive language or violence she is learning during the Ipad session whereas on TV a child can scroll and watch any channel by mistake and if not the channel, there are even a lot cartoons which are not teaching good things. Cartoons like Doraemon or ShinChan on nickelodeon is a bad example of cartoon.
3. I can switch on Ipad anytime and anywhere to grab her attention.
4. I can make her forget to watch Ipad coz I keep it in a drawer which is not reachable to her whereas the TV is right there in the drawing room where the child can keep the track of time and can ask to watch a scheduled programme.

Due to all this, even when we(parents) watch TV alot of time my baby is interested in playing her game(in the same room) rather than sitting and watching TV with us.

If you think I am right or you think the same as a mother, please comment!

Happy mommying!

#IpadOrTv, #IpadForKids, #NoTvForKids, #TechDays, #NewMom, #NewMother, #NouvelleMaman, #BestForKids, #MothersParadise, #BlogForMoms

iPad during the meal time- let's make it a learning time

My 2 year could tell different shapes,  colours,  a-z and 1-10 before she was 18months. But all good things come at a cost , here it was my daughters mealtime in front of ipad :(
So I recommend that instead of making your child watch silly cartoons on TV,  on I-pad make them watch some constructive or informative videos. There are several apps which are useful, very informative and interesting as well. They can keep your child busy for hours. Though I recommend only 1-2 hour in a day which should be reduced eventually. I made sure my child is off this bad habit after she joined school(2+ years).

Here are my best picked apps on any tab and videos on YouTube.

List of videos online :-

CC, By Steve Paine, Flickr.com

1. Busy beavers. They teach colors, numbers and shapes etc really well. Its fun and have loads of interesting educative videos.
2. Chuchu TV. They have all the poems possible and with good teachings as well.Good animation with catchy tunes.
3. Little baby bum. Poems in British accent and very sweet and very soft voice. I love the soft music they play on.

List of best apps(educative) on my iPad :-

1. Phone4kids. This app gives a lot of options freely also. They have a lot interactive options which are educative for your child like drawing, directions, seasons etc.
2. KidloLand. Interactive app where a child can touch for various sounds and animation and along side the learning of nursery rhymes.
3.ABCSong.  Another app for painting, matching  and various other activities through which your child can learn A-Apple and B-Ball etc.

I know many mothers will say how can you let your child watch iPad during the mealtime but I had no option for a fussy eater. My baby takes 1+ hour to finish her meal. So I make sure I give her toys and tell her story when I start the meal and the last 15 minutes of iPad.

Sadly one cant deprive the child with the technology we use everyday. But everything should be given in  moderation.

Happy mommying!!


#NewMom, #newMother, #NouvelleMaman, #IpadDuringMeal, #GoodThingsIpad, #NoIpad, #IpadGoodOrBad, #MakeABadHabitGood

Potty training

One of the biggest and and the most important part of upbringing a child also includes her potty training. A child is able to feel and tell about the genital sensations after 18 months- 20 months. So one can totally remove the diaper after that as this is best time to make sure that your baby is toilet trained.

When to start the training?
- once the baby has started walking.
- able to speak
-  summers (the best time as the child will soil less clothes and and does not need to be covered up all the time, unlike winters)

How to start the training?

- Step1: Start by taking your baby after every 2hours to the loo to the wash basin or the pot. Do the ssssssss sound or start the tap to let the water flow, these sounds help in making the baby pee. hold the baby in U-shape and let her do her thing.

- Step 2: Buy a potty chair. Its of right height where any child loves to sit and encourage the baby to sit there whenever she/he wishes to pee.Another advantage is that its mobile, keep it anywhere. You can also give any book to read while sitting there.

-Step3: Toilet seat. initially you have to hold the baby once they are independent to climb up and hold the seat and pee, its easier for the parent as no one needs to clean but rather just flush.

Tips for quicker learning?

- Demonstrate how her/his elders don't wear diapers and go to loo every time they need to pee. Moms can take the child along with her to the loo and just show how its done (without doing the actual thing :)). Or can show how the elder sibling does it.

- NEVER scold the child if she accidentally pees or poops in her pants.

- Avoid travelling for a week while you are potty training.

- Remove the diaper completely during the day only then the child will understand what soiling the pants means and why going to the loo is important.( this should be done when you are at home for minimum 5-6days at home and after a month or so you have start the training.)

- Night wetting goes in later age so even if the child is potty trained you should still use the diaper at night.

- There are various youtube video showing kids/ toys doing it.

Whats the right age?

According to me 18month+ is the right age as the child is able to tell and feel properly and speak her mind too.

PLEASE DON'T stress if your baby has learnt a month later than your friend's baby. Every child is different and learns at her own pace. Be ready to clean your floor a bit as accidents(poop in pants) do happen and never scold the baby for it.

Happy Mommying!

#NewMom, #NewMother, #NouvelleMaman, #माँ , #PottyTraining, #HowToPottyTrain, 

Baby food: On the go

I have always felt the responsibility of making my baby eat before we leave home and pack something extra too for "mini me"- fussy eater. But my luck runs out and my patience too, from getting my baby ready to me getting ready as well as the home cooked food for her makes me go crazy and everything comes out on dear husband  by the end of the party :(
So after various bad nights-out and dinners (with the baby) I have realised one thing that - to keep the baby happy,  one has to give the baby the food she/he loves to eat . nutritional part to be completed at the day time. Here are the options that can make your baby happy and give her full tummy as well. The list is
1. When you Don't need to cook:-
      a. Cheese slice
      b. Biscuits (fortified n healthy)
      c. Peanuts
      d. Dry fruits
      e. Ready cakes/muffins
      f. Fruit cut (favourite)
      g. Yogurt
     
2. Cooked but less messy:-
     a. Sprouts
     b. Corn nibbles  (boiled)
     c. Rice (with favourite veggies)
    
Else you can also buy things like chips and chocolate which are high in calories and keeps the baby happy. I know you will think what kind of a mom am I who is suggesting this junk food for a toddler. But trust me one meal of this wouldn't spoil your outings,  your mood and your baby is also happy. So to be less guilty I am suggesting not the whole junk meal but a combination of balanced meal once in a while . like yogurt and chips(calcium and carbs) or cheese and biscuits( proteins n carbs) etc. So you also need to know what are constituents of the food item that you are giving.

Happy travelling! !

#NewMom,  #NewMother,  #NouvelleMaman, #BabyCare,  #FoodForToddlers, #FoodOnTheGo, #FoodWhileTravelling

How to wean off

One of the biggest task to make your child a bit independent of you can be done by weaning off (no more breastfeeding) the baby. As it sure takes time by the babies who know the difference between mother's breast and a bottle. I would really like to tell all the new moms that exclusive breastfeeding till 6months does help your child in various ways like- security, sense of belonging, immunity and brain development as well.  So don't jump the gun when other moms tell you that you can't have a life if you breastfeed your child but instead all the time that you spend with your child gives him a better future. My point is please wean off only after your baby is 6 months +.

~ start with one food at a time by giving the baby same food for a week and gradually add another item after a week. If the baby does not like it then add some flavours like sugar or salt. Slowly you will understand what is your baby's preference. You can discontinue the food which the baby is not having at all but do try to give it for a week or add some variation or try it again later.
~ start with 3-5 spoons  at a time and then gradually increase it to baby's requirement.
~ start with freshly cooked items only. Avoid microwave cooking.
~ a baby requires vitamin C and iron mostly for the right growth as these are not present in mother' s milk.

Things which can be given:-
1. Mashed potatoes
2. Curd/yogurt
3. Fruit juice like orange, sweet lime.
4. Rice (cooked and well mashed).
5. Watery lentils.
6. Porridge

- one can start anytime between 4-6 months if not breastfeeding exclusively. I am sure all the mom's knows their baby the best.....It's a phase which sure shall pass.



Happy mommying

#NewMom, #NewMother, #NouvelleMaman, #weaningOff, #HowToWeanOff, #WeaningAdvice, #6month+Baby

When to send the baby to PreSchool

i am a 24x7 mom and live in a joint family so my baby is pretty pampered by her grand-parents and other helpers. And being the only child she looked a bit bored after she had turned 18month+. So i had sent her to the pre-school. She did not mingle instantly with kids rather teacher told me that she was more comfortable with elders than children of her age. I was taken aback infact it made me work harder to make my baby go to school and make sure that she talks to kids. But things didnt seem to work my way, she fell sick more often, was quiet in the school and didnt get used to idea of eating by herself or the teacher during her meal time.
After 5-6months later i saw a drastic change when she became 2. She started telling me about her friends in school, atleast making an attempt to eat the lunch box and even started reciting poem and enjoying the school.

I will just say 2+years is the right age to send any kid to the pre-school cos the child is able express herself better, is more confident and is potty trained by then etc. There is nothing right or wrong in sending earlier than this age but it might help the child to be comfortable in the environment other the home. So i will suggest all the moms if you are a working mom, try to take sabbatical leave or do work from home coz with career your child's health and development is equally important. Try it, it will not only relieve you from tensions about your LO in the day care but also helps your child to grow with sense of security. Many will argue that so many working moms are leaving the kid after 6month+ of age only but i will say ask a child or his pediatrician which baby did better health wise. Already there is so much of pollution and unhealthy eating habits, give your child a better start for her/his future.


Happy mommying!

#newMoms, #NouvelleMaman, #RightAgeToPreschool, #WhenToSendTheKidToSchool, #PreSchool, #PreSchoolAdvice

How to clean baby's tongue

To start with the oral hygiene for a baby is as important as for an adult. Luckily a baby doesn't have teeth :) but still we need to maintain their oral hygiene. You will see white deposits on the tongue which has to be cleaned. These are basically milk deposit due to milk suction in initial months.

For a new born - 6 month old infant : One needs to clean the baby's tongue. Take a small soft cloth (muslin or cotton ) wrap it around your finger and clean the tongue in an up and down motion. Make sure that you do it before you feed the baby or after a while after feeding the baby ( coz it can cause the baby to puke right after the feed).Make sure that you use a washed cloth every time you do it. You can clean  every alternate day. 

6/8month and above : a small silicone finger fit brush are available to clean the gums and tongue. or you can continue to use cloth if your baby has not started biting :)

I had used mee mee finger brush. But the bristles are bit hard to clean with,  a baby's tongue. It is totally safe and can be given to the baby to clean her mouth on her own (but only under your supervision not even a care taker ). 

1year and above: there are various brushes available in the market for toothbrush training, choose any as per your convenience ( cost and availability). Make sure you choose a good brand and a BPA free product.

Happy mommying

#NewMom, #NewMother,  #NouvelleMaman, #BabyOralHygiene, #BabyCare ,  #BabyProductReview, #HowToCleanBabyTongue, #MeeMeeProductReview, #FingerBrush 

Burp it up!!

All the parents and babies have an important task after feeding: BURP. One has to make sure the baby burps right after the feed. It helps the baby to sleep better and the baby also feels better/lighter. Parents need to help the baby in burping as she/he cant sit uptil 5-6months. How to make sure the baby burps :-

• You as a Mother/Father should uphold the child such that the baby’s body is supported by you and the head can rest on your shoulder. In initial months your baby’s neck does not support her/his head so your hand(palm) should help her by holding the neck from behind but very delicately at the same time. The other hand should support the rest of the body. Baby burps quite quickly if you hold her properly.
• I strongly believe what you eat when you are exclusively breastfeeding does reflect in your milk and hence in baby's digestion. In fact the poops color also changes.Try eating spinach and checkout your LO's poop that day J it will change. So eat healthy and light food in the first month after delivery , it not only help you but also the baby to digest the milk. Avoid food like nuts, red and black beans etc.

The baby should not lie down immediately after taking the feed even if she/he has slept while taking the feed. But instead take her gently and uphold her with her head resting on your shoulder and wait till she/he burps or for 10-15minutes before you lie her/him down on the bed again.

Happy mommying

#NewMom, #NewMother, #NouvelleMaman, #HowToMakeBabyBurp, #BurpAfterFeeding, #NewDad, #BurpingIsImportant, #BabyCare

Food for baby after 6months

Yes finally you will be free from breastfeeding the baby everytime she/he is hungry as your doc will allow you to start you LO's food( mainly purees and liquids to start with). But then dear mom thinking about what to give to your child or cook for your child is the one of the BIG task. Yes you will have to cook sometime too and initially your Lo might not even like the taste...but that doesnt stop you from cooking with LOOOVE for your baby and experiment. So enjoy it and if the baby does not like it give that food a break and try again after 2 weeks or so.

Baby's requirement after 6m+
1. Iron
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin D

These three are not present in your breast milk or any formula milk(unless fortified). So its recommended to start one food at a time for the baby to include anyone of these three vit.

Things to be given as a puree(in soup or juice form)

• Oranges
• Beetroot soup or juice
• Lentil soup
• Sweetlime
• Semolina in milk
• Yogurt
• Rice soup
• Tomato soup
• Spinach Soup (few babies might like it)

You can add salt/sugar/butter or ghee as per the taste and requirement once the baby starts liking and digesting the food.

PS: Anything new you introduce to the baby's diet , make sure you give that food to the baby for 5-6days before starting another new food . As the baby's delicate stomach needs to handle a foreign/new food give it sometime to understand and digest(getting used to it) before starting anything new.



Happy mommying

#NewMom, #NewMother, #NouvelleMaman , #BabyFood, #FoodAfter6Months, #BabyCare, #FoodFor6Month+

What to buy for the new born baby

List of things you should buy for the baby before delivery

Things	Quantity	Why so many
Diapers (size- new born)	2 pack	You don’t want your husband to run to the store right after you have returned back home after delivery :)
Quick Dry sheet	4	Gets soiled frequently if nappies are used
Nappies	10-12	Baby pees and poops quite often in early months
Clothes- Top	8-9	If you get things washed weekly
Pyjamas	10-15	These are soiled more frequently if baby is wearing nappy
Vest	8-9
Feeding bottle (0 month)	1	Incase you are not able to breastfeed
Nail cutter	1	Nails are very soft but sharp too, they grow very fast
Baby pillow	1
Quilt/Blanket	2	According to your city’s weather and can get soiled if baby moves
Pair of socks	2-3	To make the baby comfortable as she is new to the temperature maintained in your room
Cap	2	To keep the baby warm Cotton
Stroller/Pram	1	Very convenient after you become comfortable holding the baby
Handkerchief	12-15	To wipe the baby’s mouth after feeding
Towel	1-2	U have to give bath to your baby after umbilical chord dries up
Soap	1	For bath
Baby oil/Coconut oil/baby lotion	1 bottle	For moisturising the baby body

Happy mommying

#ToBeMother, #newMom, #NewMother, #ThingsToBuyForBaby, #BabyCare, #WHatToBuyForBaby, #NouvelleMaman

To cut nails of a new born

In the first three months nails of a baby are very  very soft so it can be broken very gently with your finger tip.Right after you give your baby a bath try to cut nails as they are very soft due to water. Or you can use baby nails cutting scissors. Or let the mother nature work its way, they will break on its own but they tend to be sharp from the edges.

Initially I was afraid to cut my baby's soft and (oh sooo) tiny nails but my sister scolded me "if you as a mother cant do it then who else will do". Ok so that did make me cut her nails.
I used Farlin Baby scissors.

My Take:-9/10
It has a big enough lower part for easy handling. Tiny scissors blade  appropriate for the baby nail size. It really helped me to overcome my nail cutting fear.

BEST TIME to cut nails are when the baby is sleeping.

happy Mommying!!



#babyNailCutter , #BabyCare , #NewMom , #NouvelleMaman , #FarlinProductReview , #NewMother

How can I make my baby sleep at night?

Are you deprived of sleep due to your new born?  SO here is what you can do to sleep better.

Baby’s sleeping pattern keeps on changing. As 0-3months would be different from 3-6months and 6-9months and so on. It actually becomes a pattern when she/he is 9month+.

0-3months:- Initially baby will take the feed(if breastfeeding)  after every 2-3hours and will go off to sleep immediately. The new born wakes up for few hours only. So try and sleep with the baby as much as you can because this first month recovery is very important for the mother. So ask your husband (on leave from office,right?)  or mother or maid to help you with daily chores. If no then let your husband sleep with the baby in the day time so that he can handle the baby with you at night well.

3-6months :- Now you will see a big change in the baby. Baby wakes up for a longer duration, starts moving her hands/feet more and also has much stable neck and tries to focus her/his eyes. So the playtime with the baby begins from now on.  By now the mother and the father both are generally settled and know how to handle the baby well.

Baby pees or poops quite frequently in early stages. Make sure your baby is not wearing the diaper at the day time and therefore the baby will not sleep much during the daytime. And then you will have a good long night sleep( 8-10hr which includes your breastfeeding)

Things to do :-

1.  Put a quick dry sheet under the baby while she is lying on the bed/sleeping. (it prevents from soiling your bed)

2.  Make the baby wear soft cotton nappy instead of diaper.

3.  Play with the baby during the daytime.(sing to her, laugh or just talk silly things like all mums do)

4.  Always switch off your lights for night sleep, slowly it becomes the habit and soothing for both mother and child.

5.  Play some soft baby musical lullaby(various toys available) before the baby dozes off.

6.  If you have started one or two bottle feed then try and give the baby a bottle feed at night right before she and you sleep. This makes the baby sleep more as the stomach is full for a longer duration(formula milk) than breastmilk

6month + : dear mom now knows it all :)

Sleep well dear mom!!

Happy mommying

#NewMother ,  #BabyDoesNotSleepAtNight , #HowToMakeBabySleep , #BabySleep , #NewMom  

How to celebrate Breastfeeding Week

BREASTFEEDING WEEK (1-7AUG)

All new moms and moms-to-be lets do it!!! This is week is celebrated not to make you feel guilty if you are not breastfeeding but to promote some natural norms that our nature has given us.

So moms who breastfeed it’s the best thing you can give your baby for the first six months. But moms who have a fulltime job and cant leave or carry the baby along, try and give your baby EBM(expressed breast milk). Yes you can express the milk (a night before also) when the baby is not taking your feed and store it in a clean container and give the baby later on(when you are not around).

There are numerous moms who are not able to breastfeed because of insufficient supply or their baby prefers formula milk, for them I would say, Its OK, you are your baby’s mom “you know the best”. It’s alright if you are not able to breastfeed, several mother are not but then make sure your little one is taking other meals to suffice the nutrients required.

So I request all those mothers who are at home or shopping and are not breastfeeding your baby, Stop and think and read the following article.

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/pdf/infographic_breastfeeding.pdf

Giving formula milk is not bad or doing any harm to your baby but if you are free or can breastfeed your baby, then do it. Try and take leave from your office for those first six months when your baby needs you the most, and give her/him your milk only. Ask those mothers who are not able to produce milk or don’t have sufficient supply, it’s a terrible feeling. So I say if you can, enjoy the time and breastfeed your baby.

Happy mommying

#BreastfeedingWeek , #MotherToBe , #NewMoms , #CelebrateBreastfeedingWeek , #IfYouCantBreastfeed , #BreastfeedYourBaby 

No Diaper Rash

this is a tried and tested and your baby will not have any diaper rash.Following steps will help you to not buy those expensive #DiaperRashCream

1. After baby's bath or poopy always wipe and dry the genital area with a soft dry cloth.

2. Apply coconut oil(or a baby oil) on the outer area only. It basically provides layer to prevent the skin to touch the wet diaper until cleaned. (Coconut oil is not expensive and easily available). Avoid those costly diaper rash cream(chemicals)

3. then make the baby wear the diaper.

Note:

---- please change the diaper after every 5-7 hours depending on the baby's skin sensitivity.

---- Make sure whenever the baby poops clean it immediately and replace with the new diaper

---- do not reuse the diaper even if not a single drop of urine was there.

#HowToAvoidDiaperRash , #noDiaperRash , #preventDiaperRash , #DiaperCream