Mommies n Littles

  Although  breast pumps  allow mothers the convenience of feeding their babies breast milk even when they are not around, using breast pumps has certain side effects and disadvantages that new moms should know about. Here are some side effects of using breast pumps: 1. It Can Reduce Milk Supply One of the side effects of pumping breast milk continuously is reduced milk supply. A breast pump’s mechanism is very different from a newborn latching on to your nipple and suckling. The latching of a baby is what stimulates more milk production in your body. If a baby is not allowed to latch on, the milk production reduces. 2. Freezing It Depletes Nutrients of Breast Milk When the baby feeds directly from the mother, the baby gets all the nutrients needed for healthy growth. Freezing breast milk for more than three months, thawing, and reheating causes depletion of vital nutrients in the breast milk. 3. Breast Pumps Can Cause Nipple and Breast Tissue Damage Breast pumps can damage the nipples

  What Is the Best Time to Have a Second Baby? The question of when to have a second baby can cause a dilemma among many couples. There is no right answer to this, as many factors such as health, finances, and personal preferences come into play. 1. Your Physical Health Getting pregnant means big changes taking place in your body, and those can only happen if your health is at an optimal level. Even if your first pregnancy was not too long ago, if you’ve recovered and are in good health, you can have a second baby. Wait for at least 24 months after 1 st child. 2. Your Age As women grow older, their menstrual cycle begins to change in terms of egg production. This is because women are born with a limited supply of eggs, and will eventually run out. With increasing age, the quality of the eggs also reduces, thus increasing the chances of miscarriage or genetic defects. 3. Father’s Age While planning a second child, the age of your partner is also under the scanner. Studies

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life. But it seems almost as soon as your little bundle of joy is born, you inevitably begin to ask questions like: “When will my baby say his or her first words?” “How soon will my baby say mama?” and “Exactly when will my baby begin to talk?” If you are a first-time parent and perhaps have spent limited to no time around babies or newborns, then you likely have no idea when your baby should reach this important developmental milestone. Don’t worry. As a first-time parent, there are many baby talking milestones that you have to look forward to, and they all come during specific stages of development. Eventually, at around 4 months old (for most babies, but not all), before they gain the ability to form words, babies try their best to imitate the sounds that they hear, mostly from their parents or other people around them. This is referred to as baby babble. By the end of 3 months By the end of three months, your child might: Smil

  Kids of today’s generation get exposed to technology and gadgets too soon; to be specific, even at times before they learn to speak properly. In every situation giving smartphones in the hands of toddlers and kids has become a solution that most parents adopt these days. But there are still some important questions you know about when it comes to kids and gadgets. How much screen time is good for kids? At what age parents should give phones to their children?  Parents are in habit of giving phones to their children in several situations such as when they cry, don’t eat food, get bored or a bribe for completing their homework. Such habits increase their screen time from 5 hours to 6 hours, which is not healthy for the kid’s eyes and physical health. They are exposed to gadgets at the minimum age of 2.5 years.  When toddlers get hooked on tablets and smartphones, they may unintentionally hinder their still-developing brains. The ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend attention

Sharing a bed with a baby is probably something that every parent has tried at some point. Who wouldn’t want to keep their bundle of joy next to them at all times? However, while sharing a bed or a room with their baby is a nightly habit for some parents, others would argue about the safety of this practice. Granted, there are some dangers when it comes to bedsharing. You may roll over the child. His/her body temperature may become too high if you are too close, arising several health problems.  Moreover, if the baby ends up tangled in the sheets, they wouldn’t be able to release themselves and breathe on their own. So you must understand the concept fully and follow the best practices. Many people around you advise that co-sleeping is dangerous. Yes, it is dangerous if the baby is not ready for bed-sharing. Co-sleeping is more common than you think. Co-sleeping can help boost a baby’s development What is Co-Sleeping or Bed Sharing? Co-sleeping is sleeping close to your baby, reg

  Why are new-age parents choose cloth diapers? It’s easy to see why cloth diapers are making a comeback. With the rising concern of toxic chemical exposure in babies and children and heightened awareness of the environment, cloth diapers make a smart, sustainable choice. But the benefits of cloth diapers don’t end there. Having a reusable supply of diapers on hand can ease anxiety. You won’t have to worry about running out of diapers—or about the stores or online subscriptions running out either. Cloth diapers are better for everyone. How To Choose The Right Cloth Diaper? Here are a few features to consider for choosing the right cloth diaper for your baby. Materials  like cotton, microfleece, and bamboo are durable, soft, and highly absorbent. These materials could be an ideal choice for baby cloth diapers, as they are easier to clean and safe for the baby’s skin too. It is better to choose a free-size cloth diaper that comes with gentle elastics. Such a diaper offers a comfortable f

  All babies cry when they feel uncomfortable and it is the only way they know how to communicate what they are going through. One common reason why a baby cries is because of pain caused by GAS. When your baby cries, they can swallow air. This may give your baby gas. It can make their tummy look swollen or feel tight. They might show some relief in symptoms after passing gas or having a bowel movement (pooping). Colic is likely to start around 2 weeks of age if your infant is full-term, or later if they were born prematurely. It almost always goes away on its own by 3 or 4 months of age. It can happen regardless of your baby's sex, their birth order, and whether you breastfeed  or bottle-feed. Colic Symptoms Infants often show signs of colic at the same time every day, usually in the evening. You might notice that your child cries: With no clear reason (such as  hunger  or a dirty  diaper ) like they’re in  pain. Along with clenched fists, stiff arms, an arched back, or curled leg

  What most babies do by the end of 6 months: GROWTH During the first few months of life, your baby was growing at a rate of about 1 ½ to 2 pounds a month. By now, she should have at least doubled her birth weight. At six months, baby’s growth will slow to about 1 pound a month. Height gain will also slow, to about a half-inch each month. Social and Emotional Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger  Likes to play with others, especially parents  Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy  video icon Likes to look at self in a mirror  Language/Communication Responds to sounds by making sounds  video icon Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds  video icon Responds to own name  video icon Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure  video icon Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”) Looks around things nearby. Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Brings

Growth and Physical Development: Twice the Size Each baby is different and will develop at her own pace, but once your baby turns about 5 months old, you may notice that she's about double her birth weight. Your baby's eyesight keeps on improving, and by now he or she can see much farther than before. Movement: Building Stronger Core Muscles - Your baby is getting stronger and she is working on building those all-important core muscles. By now, she can raise and hold her head and chest when lying on her stomach. She'll continue to strengthen these muscles as she pushes her head and chest further up. Personality: Your Baby Gets Experimental - Babies are fast learners and each experience will teach your little one so many things. she'll drop something and see that you pick it right up. This will encourage her to become curious and she will test out how she can influence the world around her. Engage her eager mind by taking her for walks around the neighborhood, talking t