Author: MomComIndia

First-Aid Kit for Newborns & Infants Upto 1 Year

When your baby is ill, you naturally want them to be okay in the fastest way possible. An infant’s immune system is not yet fully developed, and it is vulnerable to many infections (though it is common for babies to have fever 6-8 times in the first year of their birth). When your infant begins experiencing fever or some other kind of illness, it is difficult to know exactly, what is wrong . These are seven medicines that durably stayed in my kid’s first aid kit. The medications provided relief for my son & daughter between the ages of zero to twelve months. A disclaimer to parents curating out their own first-aid kit, seek prescription from your doctor first. This article is penned based on my personal experience as a new parent, it’s not intended to be medical advice.

Nasoclear (For Blocked Nose)

It’s common for babies to suffer from stuffy noses. A sudden change of temperature or sleeping indoors in air conditioning can cause a nose blockage, so this solution comes highly recommended by most paediatricians. A blocked nose can be really uncomfortable for them so why not provide solutions that are both affordable and effective! Nasoclear is a saline solution for nasal washing. It is non-allergenic which means it doesn’t irritate baby’s sensitive nasal tissues. This is an amazing way to give your baby the relief they need without having worry about harmful side effects or irritating against any of their natural bodily fluids.

It’s use is simple. Put one drop it into your baby’s nose 15 mins before feeding, and press the bridge of the nose to unblock the nasal passage. This is very useful when babies are not able to eat due to blockage in their nasal passages. Saline washes are even more important for babies with Allergies or Asthma.

This is the best nasal decongestant I have ever used for my baby. We used Nasoclear on a daily basis for Kabir, as we too sleep in an airconditioned environment. Every morning we made sure to use it for him to ensure that he stayed clear of any mucus build up due to temperature fluctuations during the night. It’s a good routine to follow to ensure a clean nasal passage for babies.

Vitamin D3 drops

Elders have always said that one should expose newborns to the rays of early morning sunlight for half an hour, every day. Sun bathing was believed to be the best solution for addressing their Vitamin D3 needs. However, over time more research has shown that though sun is good for children, it does not provide the body with all it needs and can result in deficiencies later on. Also we have observed exposure to direct sunlight can cause melanin build up creating a darker skin tone due to tanning. From day one we were advised by our doctor to give our son & daughter 0.5 ML of Vitamin D3 drops every day for the first yeare, so that their developmental needs are met. You should discuss this with your own doctor or paediatrician- do not try giving him/her Vitamin D without first consulting a professional!

Baby Crocin (For fever)

This medicine is recommended for fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. We use it when necessary after consulting our doctor, particularly after vaccination when the child is irritable and may get a fever. The amount of the dosage differs for each baby, as it depends on its age and weight. Please check with your doctor to confirm what you should do if your child develops a fever, to tackle any emergency situation.

Colic aid (For Stomach Discomfort)

It is fairly common for newborn babies to suffer from stomach issues. This is because the digestive system in infants isn’t all that well developed and can cause problems like gas, pain, cramps and other similar discomforts that result in continued irritability, often displayed by babies. Try not to worry – there are ways to deal with these symptoms like burping, gas relief etc. When nothing works one such way would be by administering Colic Aid which provides immediate relief. The dosage again depends on the child’s age and weight, so it’s always better to consult your paediatrician for the same before administering any medicine.

Calcarea Phosphorica (For Teething)

Calcarea is a homeopathic tablet that helps with teething. It can increase your baby’s appetite, lower their irritability, and ease the pain of teething without any side effects you’d have to worry about. We got this information from someone who gave us their expert opinion on this remedy to help us regulate our baby’s temper while teething. When Kabir was five months old, we began administering two tablets in the mornings and two at night, since he’d shown visible signs of his first tooth emerging. We continued giving him Calcarea throughout the duration of all teeth eruption because it noticeably decreased our son’s irritability. Additionally, I love that unlike much stronger treatments, you don’t have to worry about harming your baby when using Calcarea because it is absolutely safe.

Onabet Powder (For Rashes)

For diaper rash the best is to avoid rashes by regularly using a good rash cream, however if there is rash build up then you can explore Onabet Powder. We don’t generally use body powder, however this was recommended to us by our child’s doctor when he was suffering from a rash. If we happen to be on the go and need some quick relief, it comes in very handy. It is effective for adults as well, so I use it on myself occasionally!

Lacto calamine lotion (For soothing mosquito or insect bites)

Mosquitoes are a menace. Even if one applies roll on repellent on baby’s clothes, mosquito bites can’t be completely done away with. That’s why I always carry some bite relief with me at all times – especially when I know I’ll be travelling. Very popular in India, for skin care is the widely-known Lacto Calamine lotion. However, not many know that it is an excellent remedy to soothe any mosquito or other insect bites. Just an additional note, I never have applied mosquito bite ointment on Kabir’s tender skin. Even roll on or patch repellents are not advised before the age of six months because it can cause skin allergies and irritation.

Mamaearth Tummy Roll-On (for gas relief)

This product was not available during Kabir’s first year however when it came in the market sometime in 2018 we tried it out and found it to be quite effective against colic or gas. It has natural ingredients like hing & fennel which are known to give gas relief in babies. Just rub the roll-on on your babies tummy a couple of times and let it do the work.

Please refrain from administering any medication to your child blindly & always consult your paediatrician first. My aim is to help you be a more prepared parent. In case you’re looking for more information on this, please do consult your paediatrician. We hope you enjoyed our article about essential medicines for the baby. With this knowledge, we know that you can ease the challenges of parenthood. So what are you waiting for? Our tried and true approach to parenting has worked flawlessly for most families! Join us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or here on your favourite website. Help us to build an online community, by pressing the sharing buttons down below this post. Enjoy simplified parenting.

♥♥ बच्चों के लिए जरूरी दवाइयां, फर्स्ट ऐड एसेंटिअल्स| इस आर्टिकल में इस बारे में बताया गया है | इस आर्टिकल की जानकारी हिंदी में पाने के लिए नीचे दिए वीडियो को देखें ►

Some Important Articles on Newborn Care:

Baby Sleep 0-3 Months

Tummy Time for Newborn Baby

Baby Spit-Up or Vomiting in Newborns

Home Made VaporRub for Babies to Combat Cold & Cough in all Seasons

Cough and cold is a regular ailment for babies, in their first year since birth. This is especially common during the winter season when everyone in the family is suffering from common cold themselves. It is fairly easy for the baby to catch some infection given their low immunity. Your baby can’t communicate the congestion it feels. So we as parents can adopt some easy hacks up our sleeves to ease their discomfort.

Having said that, let me share an idea that we tried with our baby and so far they have worked well. My first baby’s first winter went as easy as a breeze. The home remedy I’d tell you about is a Vicks Vapor Rub. Now you may ask that this product is quite easily available at any chemist, then how is it a home remedy?

Nowadays we can even find Vicks for babies too. But doctors, on the contrary, do not recommend using it on the baby’s skin. The ingredients present in the product are very strong for a baby to inhale and can end up irritating the respiratory system. Also, applying it on the skin can give skin irritations to the baby.

To combat this, we can make our very own organic vapor rub, which will not only soothe but also help cure the congestion. For this, you need two ingredients, Ghee (clarified butter) and Kapoor (camphor). Camphor is a common ingredient in every household. It is used in both home-made as well as the commercially sold Vicks Vapor Rub. Additionally, Ghee has a host of benefits which also gives the much needed moisture. The amalgamation of Ghee and Camphor gives a very light paste and the aroma is very similar to the store bought one. The home rendition of a VapoRub  can be used by both adult and babies. After refrigerating it, if need be, the consistency of the product is really smooth and easy to apply on the baby’s back and chest.

It’s keys benefits are; this takes 5 minutes to whip up, can be refrigerated and super effective. Whenever the baby feels any cold related discomfort, this can be applied on chest, back and sole of the feet. Cover the baby and keep him warm after the application. Let the soothing VapoRub take its effect through the night .Though ensure that there should be no air exposure. Keeping the baby warm after application is a must. Also a point of caution is that it should not be applied directly around the nose. You can apply it anywhere close-by, maybe on the pillow or on the cot. Let the aroma release slowly throughout the night and that will keep the nose from blocking with phlegm.

Let’s get to the recipe now. To make this you will need:

 

7-8 tsp Ghee

6 pieces of Camphor

A jar to store

Heat a pan, add ghee and add camphor pieces. Keep stirring on sim and dissolve the camphor completely. Once mixed and dissolved well, cool it down and store it in a jar. Keep it at a cool place. Once it solidifies, it will work exactly like a store bought Vicks, which you may not even think of purchasing again once you have tried out this home remedy.

Your home will be filled with a aromatic fragrance of camphor, which is mostly pleasing. Do let us know how you find the recipe. It has been a huge boon for us and Kabir too responds well to it. I hope it really helps all the new mommies out there. Nurturing a healthy baby, is not a solitary task. I am with you in this journey. I am curious, are there any cold relief remedies that you can vouch for? Do tell us about in the comment box below. Your comments, questions and feedback are always welcome . Feel free to share this article and spread the word amongst your friends, relatives and new parent out there.

Do share our enthusiasm to build a parenting community. Introduce more parents to MomcomIndia. We reach out to you via our pages on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and this website. Enjoy simplified parenting.

♥♥ घर पे VapoRub कैसे बनाये| इस आर्टिकल में इस बारे में बताया गया है | इस आर्टिकल की जानकारी हिंदी में पाने के लिए नीचे दिए वीडियो को देखें ►

 

Must-read articles on baby winter care:

Baby Winter Care (Part-1) | Skin Care for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Baby Winter Care (Part-2) | Immunity for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Baby Winter Care (Part-3) | Right Clothing for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Cold & Cough Home Remedy for 0+ Months Baby: Mustard Oil Infusion

Babies catching seasonal cough and cold is a part and parcel of the process of growing up. Unlike adults, over-the-counter treatment doesn’t quite help when it comes to your tiny peach. In fact doctors too, advice home remedies for the newborn. Catching cold is very common for babies under the age of one. Their immunity is still in its nascent stages and can’t safeguard itself from catching some viruses and bacteria, especially in winters when they stay indoors for the most part of it, all wrapped up. When every other person in the house is suffering with seasonal cold, it becomes quite inevitable for the baby to catch it too.

Our country has been a land of home remedies for centuries now. Many rely on home-made solutions than over the counter drugs. Even if you do resort to baby medicines, always ensure that they are doctor prescribed. I reiterate, never get medicines merely on hearsay. With that being said, let me take you through a home remedy which I have used regularly with my son Kabir and I’ve hardly ever faced any issues, going about his routine with ease.

Mustard oil, or more commonly known as, “sarso ka tel”, is a common hero of every Indian household. We will use this as a base oil to an application oil infusion. This blend of oil and everyday herbs, relieves the tiny tot of cough and cold related discomforts. This oil can be applied by both children and adults alike. It is recommended to apply it right before sleeping, for it to take effect. An overnight application is the best. For babies, the warmth that this oil would provide, will melt down any phlegm formation and pass it out of the body the next day.

How to make the oil infusion?

Ingredients

1 cup mustard oil

6-8 garlic pods peeled and chopped

1 tsp Fenugreek seeds (Methi Seeds)

1 tsp Carom seeds (Ajwain)

Sieve

A tadka pan or ladle

Method

Lightly heat the oil in a ladle, add the chopped or crushed garlic, heat for about 1-2 minutes on low to medium heat. The idea is to infuse the natural properties of garlic in the oil. After switching off the flame, immediately add the fenugreek and carom seeds. Fenugreek is optional, but is strongly recommended for its wondrous properties. Let that also sear in the hot oil until garlic turns brown or dark-brown, while ensuring that none of the ingredients turn black and burn completely.

Storage & application

Let the oil come down to room temperature, sieve and store in a clean and dry glass jar. A pro tip; you can always slightly heat the oil before every use so that it releases more warm  properties for healing.

Apply the oil preferably right before the baby goes to sleep. The warm oil and a good rest will ensure the benefits. Apply this oil on the chest, back, neck, under the feet and cover with a pair of socks. You can also apply this on hands, but ensure they remain covered so that the oil doesn’t go into their mouth or burns their eye. No need to apply on forehead or top of the head as those areas of the body are already warm. Overheating of the body won’t do any good. Do not turn on the fan or AC when you are applying this oil infusion. This can be applied all year long as long as you use it as a home remedy, it’s important to visit the doctor when needed.

I would advise to make this oil every two weeks , in small batches. You can also make it in larger batches, only ensure proper storage in a cool dry place. No refrigeration is required. Additionally, apply this oil only when genuinely necessary during cold, cough or phlegm situation. It comforts the body to stay warm during the winter months too.

Winter months are challenging. While this oil infusion will ward of some of the winter woes, preparing for the cold months with your newborn, needs additional help. Worry not. We have an entire series dedicated just to winter care (links are below this article). I hope this has been helpful to you and we would love to hear your experiences too. Share your tried and tested home remedies with us. It’s a privilege to learn from each other’s domestic traditions.

Your comments, questions and feedback are always welcome. Feel free to share this article and spread the word amongst your friends and new parents. Do share our enthusiasm to build a parenting community. Introduce more parents to MomCom India. We reach out to you via our pages on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and this website. Keep warm. Stay healthy. And enjoy simplified parenting.

♥♥ सर्दी खासी का एक घरेलु उपचार सरसो के तेल से बना| इस आर्टिकल में इस बारे में बताया गया है | इस आर्टिकल की जानकारी हिंदी में पाने के लिए नीचे दिए वीडियो को देखें ►

Must-read articles on baby winter care:

Baby Winter Care (Part-1) | Skin Care for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Baby Winter Care (Part-2) | Immunity for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Baby Winter Care (Part-3) | Right Clothing for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

Baby Winter Care (Part-3) | Right Clothing for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

As a parent you would have heard everyone saying “That you have to be extremely careful during the first winter of the baby”. There are many reasons behind this, the most important being that there is a major fluctuation in the temperatures during this season, which varies from a sunny morning to a cold evening, that too changes from one day to another. This becomes all the more challenging with small babies as they are unable to regulate their body temperature on their own or even communicate as to what they are feeling. Thus, clothes can create all the difference during winter to keep the baby warm and safe during winters. Right clothing can help to spend the complete winters without any problems, whereas wrong clothing can cause serious problems during this season. What a parent generally does is to over-clothe the baby during winter, which in turn results in overtly heating the baby and raising the body temperature substantially, even when the baby is just moving of hands and legs. Overheating can cause serious health issues like dehydration and other medical conditions. The simple steps listed below would help you find a balance between keeping your baby warm and overheating.

1. Use Layering

As parents one generally makes the mistake of putting one or two large woolen / warm clothes on the baby, thinking it would be sufficient to keep the baby warm. In fact this is one of the most important reasons for overheating. Instead it is always advisable to clothe the baby in multiple layers of normal/ light woolen clothing. The advantage layering accrues is to help you assess the temperature in the room / surroundings and clothe the baby as per its changes. As an example, when the temperature is less you can add another layer on the baby and in case the temperature is more you can conveniently maintain the right body temp by removing the layer from the baby.

You can start off by putting on a soft vest/thermal on the baby, followed by a full sleeves t-shirt and adding on a sweater. In case you are moving outside with the baby you can just simply add a jacket. Layering not only enables you to maintain the right body temperature of the baby but also helps the baby to feel cozy and snug.

2. One Additional Layer

General rule for deciding the number of layers of clothing to be put on the baby is one more than the mother. Baby’s body temperature is slightly higher than adults so with that logic they need an additional layer of clothing than you to keep them warm and cozy. However, this can’t be taken as a rule for all the babies as some babies are exceptions to this rule and they are more susceptible to changes in temperature. In some cases, babies tend to feel warm even when the AC is running, thus requiring to further lower the temperature of the AC. Here, you as a parent would have to assess the general body temperature of your baby and you might have to add or reduce a layer accordingly, as a deviation from the rule.

3. Mittens, Caps & Socks

All these three are extremely essential part of the baby winter clothing, as baby’s hands, feet and head tend to cool down the fastest as compared to the other parts of the body. Normally the head is hotter than other parts of the body, however in winters even the head can get cold due to low temperatures especially because in the first year most of the babies don’t have much hair on the head. For Kabir I used cotton mittens and socks during the winter. Even for caps it is advisable to use cotton caps during light winters and cotton blend caps during the peak of winters. It is really not recommended to use wool caps on the babies, unless you are living in a place with harsh winters. You must always put socks on your baby, except while the baby is asleep.

4. Bodysuits or Footsies

For the night time the best clothing for babies is ‘Onesies’ as they are made of thick cotton and have ‘Footsies’ which cover the feet. They are convenient and are able to adequately cover the baby at night even if it kicks off the blanket.

5. Swaddle Your Baby

In case your baby is less than 2 months then you can ‘Swaddle’ or wrap a baby making the baby feeling warm and cozy. But swaddling is only advisable for babies up to 2-3 months and not after that. For babies more than 2-3 months you can buy sleeping bags for the baby in which the baby can be zipped up, making it feel snug . It gives the baby enough space to move around without the fear of it kicking the layer of blanket and being exposed to cold.

6. Use Hot Water Bottle

Babies tend to wake up for feed at night, which can extend from 5-50 mins. When you move the baby to feed, and then put it back to sleep, the baby tends to feel uncomfortable due to the change of temperature of the place where it lay. Therefore, it’s advisable to put a hot water bottle, where the baby sleeps, and cover it with the blanket when you move the baby for feed. You can remove the hot water bottle 2-3 mins before you are about to put the baby back or when you feel the place is adequately warm. You can then put the baby back after completing its feed. This will help keeping the place warm and baby would feel very snug and comfortable when you put it back after the feed.

7. First Layer is the Most Important

The first layer of the baby clothing, which is touching the baby’s skin should always be of soft fabric and be selected very carefully. Making the first layer of a fabric that traps a lot of heat, can result in making the baby sweat thereby causing discomfort, rashes, allergy, eczema etc. The first layer should be chosen carefully. It should ideally be made of cotton, fleece and flannel. However, I prefer to cotton garments in the first layer, as it is the most breathable fabric.

8. Take 1 Size Bigger

The last layer for the baby should always 1 size bigger, as when you tend to put the layers of clothing on the baby, the bigger size of the last layer would fit comfortably on the baby. It also enables you to add on some extra layers inside, in case of harsh winters.

9. Prefer Diapers

It’s advised to always use diapers in winter. Cloth nappies are not preferred. In a case that the baby remains in a wet nappy, there is a very high probability of it catching cold. This robs the parents of much deserved mental peace.

10. Iron Clothes

It’s advised to iron the baby clothes before you put it on the baby. This would not make the baby feel cold while changing the clothes.

11. Maintain Correct Room Temperature

It is essential to pay attention towards maintaining the room temperature, as this would help you in adjusting the layers of the baby clothing. For this a ‘Digital Non-Contact Thermometer’ comes in very handy. It monitors both the body temperature and the room temperature. To measure the temperature of the baby’s body, you don’t have to touch this thermometer to the body causing discomfort to the baby. And in the room temperature mode this can easily measure the temperature of your room, which can help you to maintain the suitable ambient temperature.

Also, as doctors often advice, use ‘Oil Heaters’ or ‘Oil Filled Radiators’ in the room to maintain the ideal room temperature.

12. Check Body Heat

It’s extremely important to measure the body heat of the baby to be able to ascertain if the layers of clothing on the baby is ideal. For babies upto 3 months, you can check the body heat by touching its belly and feet. In case the belly of the baby is warm and the feet are slightly cold, the layers of clothing are perfect. If both the belly and feet are warm, then the baby is feeling warm and you should reduce a layer of the clothing. If the belly of the baby is cold and the feet are either warm or cold, in that case the baby is feeling cold, thus you should increase the layers of the clothing. For babies above 3 months you can easily check if the baby is feeling hot or cold is by touching the nape of the neck. The most important signs of overheating of baby during winters, which merit immediate action from parents are:

  1. Sweating even in cold temperatures
  2. Wetting of hair due to sweat
  3. Redding of cheeks
  4. Heat Rashes on the body
  5. Faster breathing

These all are the signs of overheating, which can cause dehydration in the baby. Therefore, its very important, for a baby less than 6 months, to be breast fed as much as possible and for older babies to be given a sip of water every hour.

For Kabir, I used Onesies made of cotton in the first layer and in the second layer made him wear Body care Thermals. The layers on top of these were as per the ambient temperature and wind speed (in case we were stepping outdoors).

This brings us to the conclusion of our winter care series. Do reach out to me with your questions, comments, ideas and suggestions. This content is also available in a video format below. Please do like, subscribe, share the articles and videos with other parents. We love to interact with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and here on our website. Wishing you a wonderfully simplified parenting journey.

♥♥ सर्दियों में बच्चों को क्या कपडे पहनाये | इस आर्टिकल में इस बारे में बताया गया है | इस आर्टिकल की जानकारी हिंदी में पाने के लिए नीचे दिए वीडियो को देखें ►

Must-read articles for new mothers:

A Must Have List for New Mommies | For a Smooth Postpartum Journey

Weight Loss After Delivery | How To Lose Weight After Delivery

Diet Chart For Breastfeeding Mothers: Perfect Meal Plan For Indian Mothers

Baby Winter Care (Part-2) | Immunity for Newborn Baby (0-12 months)

The cold winter draft brings with it cough, cold and flu. Not just for the babies, the change of season is a challenge to the body, irrespective of age. Part 2 of our winter care is hinged on the precautions and immunity building measures that one needs to take to safeguard a baby in the trying months. Period between September end to the end of February, causes anxiety amongst parents, it is actually normal for a child to have cold and flu like symptoms, once a while. This triggers their immune system, building early resistance to it, therefore laying blocks to ward off the common cold as they grow up. This fact may help to relieve some of the stress in parents. Alongside precautions, measures and home remedies, one can be assured to have a snug winter with babies, looking especially chubby in their winter garments. Before we proceed to how to clothe your baby in winter, here in Part 2, we focus on the steps to prevent or avoid the onset of common cold.

Breast Feed

Breast milk is rich in antibodies that strengthens the baby’s immune system. WHO and all pediatricians would advise you to breast feed your baby. If your baby is less than 6 months of age, then exclusive breast feeding will keep your baby healthy. If you are formula feeding, for any reason, it would be desirable that a few feeds can be of breast milk. If you have low milk supply then read this article on how to increase breastmilk supply (link).

Wash hands frequently

While this is applicable and enforced by parents on themselves, we often forget to wash the baby’s hands as frequently. While crawling or otherwise, babies reach out and grab anything that attracts them. This especially worsens during teething, when babies try to chew anything in their reach. Hence its equally important to wash a baby’s hands often. Hand sanitizers are discouraged for a baby, due to the high alcohol formulation. If you are outside your home, wiping the baby’s hands with a baby wipe is an alternative option.

Also ask any visitors to wash their hands well, before touching or picking your baby. Discourage them from touching the baby’s face at all times, as infections make their way through nose and mouth.

Limit visitors for the first month especially if they are unwell

This is applicable to any member in the house, who might be sick. Restrict their exposure to the baby. If either of the parents are unwell, wear a mask and keep a distance from the baby, as much as possible. For parents, it is advised that they take steps to build their immunity as well, at the onset of winter.

Avoid smokers from being in close contact with your baby

Smoking in a closed space that the baby can be exposed to, is not an option at all. Quitting smoking would be the best for family health. However, if any family member smokes outside the home, ask them to bathe and change their clothes, before touching the baby. Smoke particles stick to hair and clothes. These are incredibly harmful to the baby.

Encourage outdoor time

Just because it is winters, do not keep your baby indoors at all times. Early afternoon sun is great for babies in winters. Fresh air revitalizes the lungs and does away with any minor afflictions. Research validates that child who spend more time outdoors, are healthier than children who are always indoors. That said, do apply sunscreen at all times of the year.

Influenza Vaccinations

These are additional vaccinations to provide immunity from seasonal cough and cold. For Kabir, we were initially skeptical whether to vaccinate him with the same, as it would add to his discomfort. Yet, we went ahead at the recommendation of our pediatrician. And we reaped its benefits when everyone around was falling sick with common cold. Before vaccinating your child, seek the opinion of your medical practitioner. Some parents also choose to vaccinate with the pneumococcal vaccine, to prevent pneumonia. Always follow the doctor’s advice.

Steam and home remedies

Observe your baby. At the first signs of cold symptoms, begin with additional measures like steam and saline, nebulize if required. Mustard oil application with garlic and ajwain (bishop’s weed), also provides warmth to the body. Once a day steam inhalation and 3-4 applications of saline, along with mustard oil application melts the mucus, that is later discarded by the body when the baby passes motion. To know more about these home remedies, check out in depth article and video on the same (link)

Immunity building foods

This is only valid for babies above 6 months of age, who have already started on solids.

a) Soup: at least 3 times a week, lukewarm soup is advised for the babies, in winters. Chicken soup is nutritious and has a warming effect. If you are a vegetarian, you can give a baby mix veg soup (carrots, potatoes, beetroot, spinach etc). Please do test the temperature of the soup before serving.

b) Dry Fruit Powder: Dry fruits are healthy all year round. However, they are especially beneficial during winter. Soak the dry fruits overnight and grind them into a powder, to be added to oats, khichdi and other meals. Do not give whole or big pieces of dry fruits to a baby. It’s a choking hazard.

c) Hing- Haldi- Garlic: Asafoetida (hing) aids in keeping the digestive system healthy. Turmeric (haldi) is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Garlic keeps the body temperature at a comfortable point, to avoid cough and cold. A pinch of these in any meal, on a regular basis, build immunity in the baby.

d) Seasonal Fruits and vegetables: A baby’s diet has to be charted according to its age. However, to get optimum nutrition adding seasonal produce is a must. In fruits, one can serve apple, pear, pomegranate, dates, oranges, avocado, papaya, chickoo. The best winter vegetables for a baby are- carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers, beans, peas. Do note that all the above have to be served in a mashed and easily digestible form to the baby.

e) Grains: Rice, wheat, Suji, Barley and Oats are wonderful for a baby. Do add them in turns, to a baby’s meal.

f) Eggs: Only after a baby is 8-9 months old, can you start adding eggs to its diet. Eggs are wonderful for a baby. Only the yolk is to be given to a baby less than a year old (that too with milk or water, as it is very drying to the throat). Only after the baby turns one, can you start off with egg whites.

The above points should help you develop your winter “must do” list. Do remember to double up on hygienic practices during winter. Children generally sleep more during cold months, so enjoy the nap times by catching up on your sleep as well. Do read the Part 1 of this series to know about the baby skincare routine (link).

The content of the baby winter care series is also available in video format below. Please do share your comments and feedbacks with us. We are available on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and on our website. I would love to assist you should you have any doubts on parenting at all. To make it a journey that we cherish, help fellow parents iron out the hurdles and celebrate the joys of conscious parenting, on our platform. Together we build a community. Enjoy simplified parenting.

♥♥ सर्दियों में बच्चों के बिमारियों से लड़ने की ताकत कैसे बढ़ाये | इस आर्टिकल में इस बारे में बताया गया है | इस आर्टिकल की जानकारी हिंदी में पाने के लिए नीचे दिए वीडियो को देखें ►

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