Happy Children's Day - 14th November 2009

India's first Prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14th. He liked children a lot and loved spending most of his time with them. Children called him Chacha ( Uncle) Nehru fondly.

After he bacame the Prime minister of India, his birthday is celebrated as Children's day in India.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the lovely children "Happy Children's Day" Enjoy this day and have fun!!!

Taking Care Of The Infant And Yourself After Childbirth

For Baby:

Burping is extremely important after every feeding - the longer you can do it the better (on average 5 minutes after every feed). Way to do is hold baby on shoulder - just be careful with the head. Also make sure to place the baby on tummy while he/she is awake - this really helps gas to pass out.

Asafetida (Hing) mixed with warm water rubbed on baby's tummy in case of gas/pain brings instant relief.

For congestion in chest, make a 'potli' of ajwain (small pouch filled with ajwain), heat it on a pan (tava) and give 'sek' (Warmth) to the baby on the chest. First test it on your skin to make sure its luke warm and not burning hot.

Make sure to dry the baby’s belly button (to avoid any infection) after bath.

Use dettol and mild soap for their clothes.

Keep your baby in a clean and well ventilated room.

Change the baby’s bedding regularly.

Don’t let visitors handle the baby without washing their hands with soap. Just ask them politely to do so.

It is very important to exclusively breast feed the baby till it completes 6 months of age.

Bathe the baby with lukewarm and not too hot water.

Oil massage can also be done before bathing. Just check with a patch test that your baby is not allergic to the oil.

For Mother:

Use green gram (moong daal) instead of split pigeon peas (toor dal) to avoid gastric troubles in the baby if the baby is on mother’s milk.

Drink plenty of liquids-water, milk and avoid cold food.

Avoid heavy foods like kidney beans (Rajma), chick peas (Kabuli Chana) , black gram (urad daal) etc.

Do take clarified butter (ghee) with every meal.

Ensure your hair is dry before going to the baby else baby catches up cold.

Don’t forget to take iron, calcium and multivitamin supplements as long as you breast feed.

Always sit with a bottle of water while you are breastfeeding and make sure to drink it because the baby takes up a lot of fluids from your body.

Do watch what you eat. Avoid gassy foods like dry beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, etc. For the first week or so. My mother-in-law tells me that eating lady fingers causes body pain in mothers, brinjal causes skin rashes in babies and spinach causes loose motion or constipation for new born babies.

Foods like clarified butter, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, cottage cheese (paneer) are considered good foods for health as also for good milk production. Eat nutritious diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Take 5 almonds a day which will increases mother’s milk.

Avoid usage of chilies or chilli powder atleast for 45 days.instead use black pepper powder. It prevents cold and help in internal healing.

Tie a belt around the tummy for first 2 months or so especially after bath to help tummy get back to shape.

I feel the most imp thing is to take adequate rest. Work we do all through our lives. This is the time we can really enjoy the much needed rest and bond with our little one...

Essential Needs:

Cotton Frocks
Cotton Nappy
Wiping Towel
Wrapping Towel
Receiving Blanket
Rubber Sheet
Disposable Diaper
Mitten & Booties
Sweater Set

Bath Needs:

Baby Bath Tub
Baby Towel
Baby Toiletries
Baby Soap
Baby Shampoo
Baby Oil
Baby Lotion day/bedtime
Baby Powder
Baby Hair Oil
Baby Cream
Baby Bath
Baby Rash Cream
Baby Wipes
Bath Towel
Baby Buds
Cotton Balls

Sleeping Needs:

Baby Mattress
Baby Blanket
Baby Quilt
Pillow
Baby Bed Sheet
Night suits
Mosquito Net
Baby Monitor
Crib Or Cot

Traveling Time:

Baby Carry Cot
Baby Car Seat
Push Chair Or Pram
Mother Bag

Accessories:

Baby Photo Album
Baby Nail Clipper
Baby Nail Scissor
Rattle
Teether
Baby Hair Brush & Comb
Thermometer forehead/axilla
Cloth Detergent

Sweet potato kheer

Ingredients:
1 Medium sweet potato
1 Litre milk
¼ Cup sugar
¼ tsp Cardamom powder
1 tsp Raisins
1 tsp Almonds, slivered
1 tsp Pista (pistachios), slivered
1 tbsp Fine vermicelli
1 tsp Refined oil

Steam the potato in a pressure cooker for 3 to 4 whistles. Peel off the skin of the steamed potato and grate it. Take oil in a thick bottomed pan and heat it. Add vermicelli and stir-fry until light golden. Drain the fried vermicelli and keep it aside. Pour milk in a deep pan and boil well for 7 to 8 minutes. Now add sweet grated potato, cardamom powder and sugar. Stir well until sugar gets dissolved. Then add remaining ingredients and simmer for 2 minutes. Take off heat and serve it hot.

Add the potatoes in milk just before serving.

Educational Cartoons For Kids

Nowadays kids like to spend most of their time in front of the television. It's really difficult to keep them completely away from the cartoons. But we can restric what they watch.

Thought of sharing some cartoons that I find good for children viewing:


1) Gali Gali Sim Sim



Feedback: It comes with very good educational value & it's fun to watch.


2) Cbeebies



Feedback: It's meant only for kids till the age of 5 and very very educational. It teaches kids all the alphabets, words, rhymes, counting, dancing, singing etc.


3) Tom And Jerry



Feedback: Very funny and entertaining.


4)Make Way For Noddy



Feedback: Teaches you to help others and be responsible.


5) Mickey Mouse Club House



Feedback: Helps to solve problems and mathemathics for preschoolers.


6) Baby Einstein



Feedback: Very very educative.


7) Brainy Baby



Feedback: Fun way of learning.


8) Teletubbies



Feedback: Very colourful and simple easy language to relate with toddlers.


9) Cailou



Feedback: Very informative and real-life situations explained well for 4 year olds.


10) Lazy Town



Feedback: Songs and dance which keeps the kids on their feet and active.


11) Barney



Feedback: Educational videos with lots of sing-a-long songs. Fun to watch.


12) Wordsworld



Feedback: Excellent way of teaching phonics and word building.


13) Higgly Town Heroes



Feedback: Teaches about different professions.


14) Little Einsteins



Feedback: All about music.


15) Blue's Clues



Feedback: Helps problem solving skills in preschoolers.


16) Handy Manny



Feedback: Help kids learn to be polite as Handy Manny and help others.


17) Sesame Street



Feedback: Fun way for preschool learning.


18) Bob The Builder



Feedback: Adventurous and educational.


19) Pingu



Feedback: Funny and entertaining


20) Adventures of Portland Bill



Feedback: Very helpful.

Source:- www.youtube.com

Twenty Times

Source: www.youtube.com