Key excerpts from Unicef’s “Facts for Life”

Nutrients present in your baby’s food play an important role in maintaining the overall health. Here is a brief discussion of nutrients that are important to ensure that your baby grows well and remains healthy.

The practice of co-sleeping is very common in Indian households wherein the baby sleeps in close proximity to the parents and not in a separate room. It is more comfortable for a mother to sleep next to her baby as she can easily soothe her restless baby while sleeping and feeding her easily in the night.

In Indian households, once a baby is born elder members in the family begin making laddus, dry fruit mixes etc. for the new mum. These laddus and mixes are generally made out of postadana, saunth, methidana and dry fruits like dates, raisins, munacca, almonds, pistachios, etc. mixed with ghee and jaggery. These dry fruit mixes are also given in milk. For years, it has been a practice in India to give foods like fenugreek (methidana), fennel seeds (saunf), barley etc. to mothers after their delivery. These substances are believed to increase the production of milk in the nursing mothers. Such substances that enhance the production of milk are called Galactogogues.

During pregnancy most women gain an average of 10-12 kilos, some part of which is typically maternal stores for energy. Gaining weight during pregnancy is essential and it sheds post delivery. However, if you gain weight above the prescribed range, your maternal stores increase. The larger the maternal stores you have towards the end of pregnancy, the harder your post delivery weight loss becomes.

At the time of birth, depending upon the birth weight, body stores, feeding status, availability of energy sources and presence or absence of disease. Every baby has her own optimum level of glucose or sugar in the blood. If, however, the level of glucose in the blood is low for some reason, there can be a condition called hypoglycemia. Don’t worry though, this is perfectly curable.

At the time of birth, depending upon the birth weight, body stores, feeding status, availability of energy sources and presence or absence of disease. Every baby has her own optimum level of glucose or sugar in the blood. If, however, the level of glucose in the blood is low for some reason, there can be a condition called hypoglycemia. Don’t worry though, this is perfectly curable.

There are many situations and patterns regarding your newborn baby that may make you concerned about her well-being. One of them may be her breathing pattern.

Cradle cap, also known as crusta lactea or milk crust, appears in yellowish, patchy and greasy scales over the baby’s scalp. It is a harmless and non-itchy scalp condition that is found in many new born babies.

The birth of the baby is an amazing journey for all parents. Sometimes, due to circumstances you baby may be born earlier than expected. The feeling of joy is now mixed with anxiety. You will be excited to take your little one home, but youneed to keep in mind certain things, which is very natural for a mother of a pre-mature baby.

Newborn’s poop looks strange and colourful at the initial days and you may wonder if that is normal. Don’t worry! It is normal. Your baby’s poop will change every day for the first week after birth. This is how it will be.