Pregnancy, Parenting and Beyond

The pyramid divides food into six groups. Here's a quick look at those groups and how many servings a day from each group you should aim for: • Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta (6-11 servings a day): Choose whole grain varieties like whole-wheat bread or unprocessed brown rice over white whenever possible; they contain the most fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. • Fruit (2-4 servings a day): Vary the color of the fruit you eat and choose fresh over canned — most prepackaged varieties are preserved in sugary liquid. Bonus: The fiber in fruit will help you head off constipation and hemorrhoids — two common pregnancy symptoms. • Vegetables (3-5 servings a day): As with fruit, fresh is best for fiber, folate, and other important vitamins. Broccoli, for example, is packed with folate, calcium, and B vitamins — all essential nutrients for your growing baby. • Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts (2-3 servings a day): Choose lean meats and eat fish sparingly (some variet...

Under-wired nursing bras have been linked to plugged milk ducts and mastitis . If the under-wires press on the milk ducts, they can interfere with your milk flow, clogging the ducts, which then become infected. Plugged milk ducts and mastitis are painful and can put you in bed for several days. A soft-cup nursing bra provides much more support than you might realize. Look for one with non-stretch straps made by a company that specializes in nursing clothes and accessories. Those whose size is 38 or 40 with a DD and more... tend to get mastitis or plugged ducts even with non-under-wired bras... they need to take special care. Is it really necessary to get a Nursing Bra? If u plan on breast-feeding, then YES... The snap-clips which open up and allow you to expose only the breast is much easier and comfortable rather than having to take off your Bra. Also, if you plan on using leak pads, get a bra with cups of a size bigger. Get only one or two bra's initially, because B-feeding ...

> Prepare them well with your personal information... > Don't overwhelm them, parents tend to get nervous. > Avoid mentioning that they are coming here for Pregnancy or Delivery - as that is a like taking away job positions from people here in the USA - for e.g. Doula's, Birthing consultants, Baby-sitters... > You can mention that Parents/in-laws are coming here to visit and see their Grand-children. > Try to show that they are working or have some reason to return to India. > Avoid getting upset over the issue, many-a-time the visa is denied. Stay calm, you and your husband/partner will surely be able to go through the moment.

> Feeling angry or irritated at small/petty issues. > Feeling over-heated/ hot.. really hot...!! > Bursting into tears - for no particular reason > Cooking - Blah!! don't feel like entering the kitchen > Eating - taste buds feeling weird... > Missing close family members and friends > Desperate need to go back to India > Sad and lonely > Read books that you like - not Pregnancy or Baby related. > Watch your favourite movies. > Meditate and Pray. > Call home as often as possible and stay connected with your loved ones.

Cloth diapers is a subject that has been discussed and something that i myself was considering on doing... > The cloth is soft and delicate to the baby's skin. > Lesser chance of rash. > Out here they use the cloth diapers and a waterproof chaddi/diaper outside. but the outer pant/panty costs approx $17 each, which i personally feel is too expensive.. > Moreover, washing and drying the cloth is gonna be really tough... as most of our babies are due almost in Fall/Winter. > Cloth diapers are good to use in the afternoons, especially during summer. > Also, u can use it more often in the first 3months, when baby will mostly be in the Crib (confined area - not moving around as much). > Diapers are easy to use and throw.. Pampers is a gr8 brand for newborns. and with all the other issues of your own back ache, your vagina healing, your body changes, getting baby to BF, burp, sleep, colic.... diapering is something u dont want to fuss with... jus use disposable and b...

Baby Care Skills: If you are first time parents and short on time... Check out for weekend/crash courses offered by Hospitals or the Community Center. Learn minor tasks like - How to bathe, diaper, comfort your baby. Childbirth Class: If u are going to opt for a natural vaginal delivery, such a class will prepare you for every step of the process. Take your husband or birth partner along with you. You will learn breathing and relaxation exercises, nutrition facts, comfort techniques and postpartum care. You can opt for Bradley method or Lamaze or most classes actually offer a combination of various methods. = Check your hospital, community center or even Insurance Plan for class options (for e.g. Kaiser has classes at select centers) Breastfeeding: This class will teach you the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. The proper positions, latching techniques and tips for establishing a healthy milk supply. =Always ask for a lactation consultant during your hospital stay. Pr...

Contributed my mom's on the IHM Comm. >Cotton bedsheets >Baby pillows for positioning (mustard seeds-RYE- pillows) >Light Blankets >Mittens >one-foot square bits of cloth as Burp Cloths >Swaddle cloths >Towels >gripe water >plastic or cane mat/chatiee >Almond oil for body massage >Coconut oil for hair and to massage self >Kajal Pencil >Sweaters and caps >Flasks >Pressure Cooker >Any of your favorite foods, especially ladoos (ding and methi) >Incense - if you wish to use it for baby and yourself Avoid using Gripe water for gas relief, baby gets used to it and you may have to continue using it until your child is 3-4yrs. Just give lil' sips of warm water, and if baby cries for more than 20mins - due to stomach ache - give Mylicon. Avoid buying Clothes from India, baby out-grows them real fast, Indian clothes don't fit well due to use of diapers here, and clothes available here are really good.

Tips from Members on IHM and Indian Moms: >Check with Friends and neighbors in the area, as to which doctor they recommend? >Try to go to an Indian, as they know more about our personal habits, foods, and remedies. >Go to a doctor who has not less than 15years in the business. >Check that the Ped is in network with your Insurance, and that the hospital that they are affiliated with is in network as well. >It is not necessary for the Ped to be affiliated with the Hospital where you will deliver your baby. >Check that the Ped practice has multiple doctors, in case your Ped is out of town or not available. >Are the office hours of the practice comfortable to your schedule? >What are their after-hours policy, on-call doctors/nurses, weekend arrangements? >If you do wish to meet the doctor, do they charge a fee for prenatal consultation? http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/postpartum/pedsquest/index.php

Are u kidding me?? I have never heard of this one before... Have any of us done this? http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-tools/articles/tool-birth-plan.aspx

Shoulder Straightener: Squeeze your shoulder blades together, while sitting or standing and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat this a few times during the day. The new curves that you body is taking on, makes you hunch forward. This move realigns your posture and stretches your chest and back muscles. Squats: Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a chair. With you weight on your heels, slowly lower your body as if sitting, pausing at knee level. Squeeze your glutes and thighs to come up. Repeat 10 times, thrice a day. This helps to prepare your muscles during labor. Kegels: Contract your pelvic muscles (as if stopping yourself from peeing), hold for 5 seconds, then release. Repeat 10times, thrice a day. This strengthens the pelvic muscles and helps prevent leaking pee. Baby Hugs: Pull in your abs as if to "Hug" your baby, hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Do not hold your breath. Repeat this a few times daily. This helps to tighten muscles around the uterus that stretch and weaken as t...

After delivery you will not have the time or energy to go shopping until approximately 3 months - so shop before delivery... 1.Big box of diapers. Pampers is the best and most recommended brand. (minimum 15-20 diapers during the initial days. Diapers never go waste.) 2. Wet wipes. 3. Minimum 10 soft blankets. 4. 5 towels. 5. 6-8 burp towels. (buy matching with dresses) 6. Car seat with stroller matching - buy good and long purpose which we can be converted for toddler use 7. pink clothes for girl baby and blue clothes for boy baby full cover clothes till toe, half clothes 8. Bath tub - infant to toddler and bath-time toys. 9. Bath liquid soap, shampoo, lotion and powder. (for massage Almond oil or regular Coconut oil (Johnson baby oil gives rashes to most Indian babies) 10. Alcohol swabs. 11. Baby complete bath to medical kit (consists thermometer, medicine droppers, comb, nail-clipper, e.t.c) 12. Car seat toys and Crib hanging toys. 13. Breast pump and some bottles in case of eme...

There's no real harm in sleeping on your right side, lying on your left side is actually good for you and your baby: It improves the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and it helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body. That, in turn, reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands. If you train yourself to sleep on your left side early on, you'll have an easier time falling asleep when your belly is bulging later. During the second half of pregnancy, avoid sleeping on your back, a position that puts the full weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, intestines, and the inferior vena cava (the vein that transports blood from your lower body to the heart). Back-sleeping can also put you at risk for backaches and hemorrhoids, inefficient digestion, and impaired breathing and circulation. Lying on your back in the second and third trimester can also cause changes in blood pressure. For some women, it can cause a drop in bloo...

Bloating and Gas are a part of every Pregnancy. For some it may be short-lived while for other it may linger through the entire nine months. As the system that processes your food, slow down - Gas production steps up. Gas production does not harm you or your baby physically, but to try to dimish the discomfort and beat the Bloat... you can... >> Take it Slow. A slow digestive system calls for slow eating. Sit down at every meal. Chew your food well. Try not to gulp. >> Avoid the Overload. Eat smaller meals. Eat more frequently to avoid the feeling of Hunger. >> Keep moving. Not only physically - by taking walks. But keep your insides moving - by not getting constipated. >> Fiber overload. Excessive amount of high-fiber foods also cause gas. >> Foods to Avoid. Avoid foods that are associated with flatulence: Beans, Onions, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, green peppers and fatty/oily/fried foods. Avoid Carbonated drinks/sodas. Substitut...