Breast feeding:

Mother’s milk provides all the nutrients, protects infant from infections and other illness. Breast feeding is vital for your baby’s physical, mental and emotional growth. Ensure that you continue it till the time your baby is at least 6 months old.

Feeding schedules: You may not be sure how often you need to feed your baby, be it breast feeding or formula-feeding but generally a baby needs to be fed on demand.

Burping your baby:

Try burping your baby at short intervals between feeds.

Hygiene:

Maintain hygiene to prevent infections. Sterilize your baby’s feeding bottles, spoons, plates etc.

Massaging:

Massaging enhances the emotional bond with your child and can calm him down, improve sleep patterns, help digestion and improve their growth and development. Regular gentle massage by good quality natural/vegetable oils make babies more active and alert as compared to other premature infants. Be cautious about the timing, position and setting of giving a massage while keeping in mind baby’s comfort level.

Bathing:

Give a warm sponge bath by using mild baby soap and baby shampoo. Do not bathe your baby very often as this may result in dry skin or the risk of catching cold. Bathe your baby two or three times in a week, at least in the first year.

Clothing and diapers: Keep the baby warm, clean and comfortable. Change diapers regularly and keep baby’s genitals and buttocks clean and dry. Baby’s skin is very sensitive and prone to rashes. Use coconut oil to prevent any kind of skin rash.

Handle them safely:

Newborn babies are fragile and need to be handled with care. While carrying your baby, support his/her neck and head with the palm of your hand.

Medical checkups:

Regular medical visits for growth monitoring (baby’s weight, length, head circumference and reflexes) and immunization needs to be done.

Hope these simple tips for new moms and how to handle a new born will be useful to the readers.

Hallmarks of the disease:

Symmetric swelling of peripheral joints, bony erosions at margins, joint pain on motion, morning stiffness and fatigue. Initially, peripheral joints such as finger are affected and later on wrist, knees gets involved. “Rheumatoid Nodules” another noticeable feature limit joint movement affecting patient’s gait. They can cause dysfunction or complications, when they appear in heart, lungs or eyes.

Causes of Women Prone to Arthritis:

An interaction between genetic, environmental and hormonal factors leads to the autoimmune reaction. Menopause and smoking are risk factors. It affects mental as well as physical health, with patients experiencing flare-ups alternating with periods of relative remission.

Home Remedies for Women Prone to Arthritis:

Take rest to reduce joint pain support the diseased joint while walking.
Regularly exercise to strengthen the muscles and maintain ideal weight.
Swimming, water exercises, hot shower, heat pack help relieve pain & relax muscles.

Fish oils help decrease joint inflammation.

Living with RA:

As the disease progresses, muscles atrophy and the joints becomes fixed in odd positions. Employers and colleagues need to be sensitive towards these people, as they may take longer to do routine tasks and need frequent leaves. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication and surgery with focus on delaying disease progression. Early detection through blood tests for rheumatoid factor, along with x-rays and MRI can prevent disease progression. See your doctor if you have persistent discomfort and swelling in multiple joints limiting your movement.


A well balanced diet including a variety of nutrient rich and minimally processed foods is ideal for a breastfeeding mother.

You should be guided by your appetite and eat when you are hungry. A mother needs to consume 500 extra calories a day in order to fulfill her own nutritional needs and to maintain a normal weight while nursing.

Drink more fluids, especially water as the hormone oxytocin which is produced during lactation makes you thirsty.

Do not overeat; eat in moderation and consume five to six small meals throughout the day.

Eat a diet rich in zinc, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid.

Consume lots of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, nuts, eggs and dairy products to ensure a healthy diet.

Take at least five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Milk and dairy products ensure sufficient supply of calcium.

Avoid or minimize the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine during nursing as it will affect your health as well as your baby.

Strict diets to lose weight should be avoided. A mother tends to naturally lose weight while breastfeeding. A moderate exercise routine is recommended in order to maintain a healthy weight during breastfeeding and to improve muscle tone.

Speak to your consultant before taking any vitamin or health supplement. During lactation just make sure that you consume a healthy, well balanced diet.

Breast milk is the best when it comes to nutrient quality. It has the right amount of fat, protein & vitamins required for the healthy growth and development of your child.

Nursing is a wonderful experiment providing the ideal nourishment and a strong bonding experience.

Breast-milk comprises infection- fighting elements which strengthens your baby’s immune system. No matter how good is the quality of the formula, it can never compare to the complexity and the nutrition value of beast-milk.

It is believed that breast-fed babies face less difficulty in digestion and consumption. Studies have shown that bottle fed babies might develop gas problems.

It has been found that breast-feeding prevents obesity and increases a baby’s intelligence while formula has no such advantages for the babies.

Breast-feeding even has certain advantages for the mother as it helps in weight control and is believed to prevent certain cancers.
Babies who are fed on formula are said to develop more illnesses such as diarrhoea and upset stomach.

Your baby will never develop any allergy to breast-milk while it is not so sure in the case of formula – based milk.

Another benefit of breast – feeding to mothers is that it reduces the post – partum bleeding by contracting your uterus to its original size.

Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision which calls for thorough and careful consideration. Though some mothers are not able to breast-feed due to certain medical reasons, experts advise mothers who can breast – feed to opt for breast-feeding over formula feeding for a consistently healthy development and growth of the new- born child.

Breastfeeding should be encouraged amongst new mothers as it has an array of benefits attached to it. Mother’s milk is the best food supplement as it contains exactly the right amount of nutrients in appropriate proportions. It is the perfect balanced meal for your baby. No manufactured milk comes even close to being as nutritious as breast milk. Following are its benefits:

Increases immunity

A new born baby being so delicate is susceptible to many diseases. This is one of the primary reasons that doctors recommend breastfeeding at the very beginning. The initial milk that flows out of a mother’s body is packed with antibodies which increases immunity, protects intestines and strengthens the respiratory system of baby.

Increases intelligence

Breastfed babies have better developed brains than their non-breastfed counter. The longer you breastfeed your baby, the better it is for your baby’s development. Studies indicate that the emotional bonding that takes place during breastfeeding contributes to this factor.

May protect your baby from leukemia

Breastfeeding can lower the risk of developing acute leukemia. It is speculated that antibodies in the breast milk give a boost to the child’s immune system.

Beneficial for premature babies

If your baby is premature, your breast milk will also be premature containing the nutrients suited according to your baby’s needs.

Protects against allergies

Breastfeeding for six months or more makes it less likely that your baby will go to develop food or respiratory allergies.
Breastfeeding proves beneficial not only for the child but also for the mother in the following few ways:

Helps you lose weight

Nursing your baby can help you shed pounds more quickly, especially during the first year as your body burns calories when you produce breast milk.

Breast cancer – From a lump in the breast to swelling and then to changing of breast tissue are the warning signs of the disease. Mammography is performed for the detection of breast cancer. The sooner breast cancer is detected and diagnosed the better your chances of beating it.

Tip: Women should regularly self examine their breast. If any lump or hardness is felt in the breast or in your arm pit, one should immediately consult the doctor.

Menopause – Hormonal changes are common when a woman reaches her 40’s. it is not a disease or illness; it is the time when a women stops having menstrual periods. There are chronic conditions that appear in women after menopause.

Tip: Several non-prescribed treatments are available like aerobic exercises and intake of low-fat and low-cholesterol diet, which is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Cervical cancer – The second peak of the prevalence of HPV infection is in the age group of 45-50. The immune response in the women at this age is less pronounced. The best way to fight this disease is to get vaccinated on time or go for pap smear screening to reduce the mortality level by two-third.

Tip: To avoid this killer disease, women should stop smoking, avoid alcohol, always have protected sex, if under 45 get a HPV vaccine and have a healthy lifestyle.

Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis is when the bones become weak and brittle and consequently can fracture easily. The major risk for osteoporosis is lack of sunshine and low calcium intake. Getting a bone density test done is a way of knowing the risk of osteoporosis.

Tip: Weight bearing exercises and adequate calcium intake are important and can strengthen bones.
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity”.

Who gets it?
All women are at risk. Approximately 80% of the new cases occur in developing countries like India, which reports approximately one-fourth of the world’s cases of cervical cancer each year. The human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections is the main cause of cervical cancer and is associated with 99.7% of all cervical cancer cases.

What puts a woman at risk?

Starting sexual activity at a young age(below 18 years)

Having multiple sexual partners

Having Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Having had any sexually transmitted infection

Smoking

Having more than 3 children (multiple deliveries)

Having the first pregnancy at a young age (before 18 years)

Having a weakened immune system

Cervical Cancer Symptoms:

Early cervical cancers are easily missed as they affect an area of the body not visible externally and don’t usually cause express symptoms.
When the cancer grows larger, or spreads, women may notice:

Increased vaginal discharge

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Bleeding that occurs between regular periods

Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam

Bleeding or spotting after attaining menopause

Pain during sex

Periods that last longer and are heavier than before.

These must not be ignored and women should seek immediate medical attention. With regular screening tests, cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent and also highly curable.

As a new mother, your health is crucial for the child’s well-being. In the first few weeks with their new baby, mothers mostly talk about their sadness, anxiety, or irritability. These feelings are very common and are known as ‘baby blues’. Following are some tips for new moms to manage those challenging early days.

Diet: Keep eating a healthy diet(high amount of proteins, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables) and drink plenty of fluids as whatever you eat passes into your breast milk.

Exercise: Do light exercise on a regular basis to increase your energy and instill a sense of well-being in you, while reducing weight. It can also reduce the risk of constipation. Some less exertive exercises like walking, swimming, yoga pranayam are good options.

Personal Hygiene: Maintain personal hygiene, take proper care of your stitches if any and take care of you body by toning and oil massage.

Take Rest: Take out some time to relax, even if it is only 10 minutes. Set aside time for reading, listening to music, watching TV, meditation, showering or any relaxing activities.

Take Help: Accept or ask for help from friends and family for household chores that can take the pressure off of you.

Follow a Routine: Try to follow a feed routine for your baby so that your sleep does not get bothered all the time and try to sleep when your baby naps. Limit guest visits and outings while you are establishing your baby’s schedule.

Take out time for yourself everyday and do not spend a lot of time alone. In fact, you should talk to your husband, family, friends about how you are feeling.

Talk to other mothers you can learn from them.

Post-natal depression: Many women experience post-natal depression due to hormonal changes during delivery. It is advisable to talk to you partner or to your consultant.

Visit your doctor: Visit your pediatrician regularly and ask for a mental health professional if you are facing problems like depression, anxiety and mood swings.

1. Add honey to your lemon tea and have it twice a day.

2. Take one teaspoon of lemon juice and mint juice, add a few drops of ginger juice and black salt. Drinking this mixture will cure stomach pain.

3. Exact some juice from a piece of ginger. Massaging this juice on your tummy will give you relief from stomach ache.

4. Drink water. It will cleanse the body of toxins and guarantee better bowel movements.

5. Processed foods like chocolates and dairy products will aggravate your problems. Opt for healthier options like leafy vegetables or fruits.

6. If you regularly suffer from stomach ache, try going for a daily walk. It will make your digestive system healthier.

7. Mix one teaspoon of ajwain, some lemon juice and a pinch of black salt in warm water and drink it.

1.  Don’t take the eating for two concept too far. A pregnant woman only needs 300 extra calories a day and that’s only in the last two trimesters. You need not stuff yourself with all food in sight.

2.  Vitamin and minerals needs are important. Folic acid’ the vitamin B, that helps prevent birth defects, is more important than ever. That vegetables, whole grains and legumes, and take a moderate dose of multi-vitamins.

3.  Consume a lots calcium- enriched food. This helps build bones in the mother. Calcium also helps prevent pregnancy induced high blood pressure.

4.  Getting adequate nourishing fluids like water or milk is important to prevent constipation and provide for the expanding blood volume that carries oxygen and nutrients to both the mother and baby.

1. Skip aerated or caffeine-based beverages like coffee, tea, colas. Too much caffeine may affect the growth of the baby. A recent study said that pregnant women who consume even about a cup of coffee every day are at a higher risk of giving birth to an underweight baby. Cut down your consumption drastically if you can’t go without your daily fix.

2. Avoid eating foods that have been prepared with white flour. Likewise try and cut down on eating foods that are high in sugar content.

3. Although not scientifically proven, including large quantities of nutmeg in your meals can be detrimental.

4. Seafood that is high in mercury should be strictly avoided. Swordfish, shark and king mackerel are among these. Raw fish may contain listeria, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

5. While canned seafood is considered safe, skip smoked or frozen seafood like oysters, sushi, sashimi and smoked salmon.

6. Unpasteurised milk may contain listeria which can cross the placenta and lead to infection or blood poisoning in the baby. Ensure that the milk you drink is pasteurized. Stay away from mouldripened cheese (cheese that has a blue vein in it) like brie or camembert.

7. Make sure you cook raw eggs. When the eggs are cooked, see that the yolk and white are firm.

MAKING UP FOR THE LOSS
In any normal delivery at least 300 to 350ml of blood is lost. When the blood loss exceeds 500ml, its termed as postpartum haemorrhage. After pregnancy the body needs to build up on the lost haemoglobin. Since haemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body, low oxygen levels will affect the quality of your hair; skin immunity and also make you feel tired.

Secondly, since you will be breast feeding; the body will also need an extra dose of calcium, protein and vitamins.

WATCH YOUR DIET SMALL MEALS
Consume small frequent meals- five to six mini meals instead of three main meals. For instance, if you have your breakfast at 8:30 am and lunch at 1:30pm, sneak in a mid morning meal somewhere around 11:30am. Make sure you eat something filling, like a tall glass of milkshake, sprouts, soup or a plate of fruits. Do not mistake this for a diet plan and under eat two biscuits or a bowl of salad wont do.

MORE LIQUID, CUT CAFFEINE
Caffeine is permitted in moderation. Don’t take more than two cup of coffee a day. Caffeine is a stimulant which may not be good for the baby, especially if you are breastfeeding. Instead, opt for other liquids and drink a lot of water, Add to your diet , fresh fruit juices and milkshakes, especially with fruits such as apple and banana that will make up for the calcium requirement. Also swap whole milk for skimmed milk; it has protein minus the fat.

RESRICT FRIED FOODS, NOT FATS
With the enthusiasm to lose weight ASAP, most lactating women completely cut down on fats. But one needs to understand the difference between good fat and bad fat. Its best if you avoid fried items such as vadas, but give your body essential fats through nuts, homemade ghee (two to three tsps), paneer and olive oil.

BUILD ON ANIMAL PROTEIN
To lose weight instantly, don’t skip food. Instead substitute it for healthier option; jaggery for sugar, water melon juice, cola and brown rice for its polished cousin. Opt for flours like ragi, bajra, jowar and soy that five the needed energy.

INCREASE FIBRE
Keep away from refined flours like white flour and its products such as noodles, spaghetti and bread that take a long time to get digested. It is important for lactating mothers to improve the fibre content in their diet, Foods like spinach, methi, gourd, pumpkin, ladies finger, brinjal, bitter gourd, peas, mushroom and bell peppers are packed with fibre. They improve digestion, control sugar and provide anti oxidants and vitamins that are important post pregnancy.

EXERCISE
For women who have undergone caesarean surgery, its best to stay away from exercise for six months after the delivery. But exercise can usually begin 40 days after the normal delivery. You can do the Following:

WALK
Brisk walking for 20 to 30 minutes is good enough for a beginner. Make sure you don’t strain the leg muscles too much. Increase the time gradually.

YOGA
Post pregnancy, yoga is the best way to improve posture. Yoga will also work on your breathing pattern and concentration.

DANCE AND GROUP AEROBICS
Dancing or working out with music releases happy hormones in the body. Post delivery, some women go through depression and low body image. Dance and aerobics can help combat that.

How can women reduce their risk of cancer?
Although pap smears and mammograms are important in screening of cervical and breast cancer, but these alone are not answers for protection against all types of cancers. Smoking, radiation exposure, alcohol and chronic infections are the factors known to increase the risk of cancer. factors that may affect the risk of the disease are diet and obesity.

Here’s a list of some cancer symptoms, which are overlooked by women. If there is a frequent recurrence of these warning symptoms then its time for you to schedule a visit with your doctor.

1. Unex Plained weight loss, loss of appetite or weakness or fatigue.

2. Any oral ulcer that refuse to heal.

3. Difficulty in swallowing

4. Swollen neck nodes, nodes in underarms or any other abnormal swellings in the body.

5. Any lump in breast, nipple discharge.

6. Long standing cough with blood.

7. Bloating, rectal bleeding.

8. Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding or inter-menstrual bleeding.

9. Any abnormal per vaginum discharge or post-coital bleeding.

10. Any blood in urine or faeces.