Tips For Moms

Eat Smart

Hunger pangs are a given when you are pregnant. But eat smart. Like juicy burgers and cheese burst pizzas? Who doesn't? Well, cut it out. No better time to eliminate junk food from your diet. It's low in fiber, tastes good, but packs huge number of calories in a small volume. Instead introduce plenty of fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, milk and lean protein into your diet. And cut back on your caffeine intake. The old aphorism that you are what your mother eats is no exaggeration.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

You need energy while you are pregnant and exercise will make you feel better and give you energy. You need strength to handle delivery; exercise will give you that strength. Brisk walking, swimming, Yoga, or whatever else works for you. Just do it. Moderate exercise is great during pregnancy. Good for you and good for your baby still taking shape inside you. Stay clear of smoking and alcohol. It's a crucial phase of your life. Lifestyle changes will do you a world of good.

Stay Calm, Avoid Stress

Stay Safe

Staying safe always, and in all situations, should be your priority. If you always wanted to go for that steep mountainous trek and have never got round to doing it, now is not the time. Keep bravado aside and do things that are safe at all time. Never sit in a car without a seatbelt. Get your groceries delivered rather than carry the month's supply of atta and rice in your own hands. On a airplane journey take as aisle seat, which will make those trips to the toilet easier. Just use commonsense.

Educate Yourself

No point going by those old grandma tales about the trials and tribulations of pregnancy. People around you are well-meaning but they are not necessarily experts. Attending childbirth classes will get you more prepared for D-Day. After all, forewarned is forearmed. You will learn about childbirth and caring for a newborn and also have the chance to ask questions, seek clarifications, voice concerns. Familiarise yourself with past pregnancies of your immediate family and report unusual incidences, if any, to your doctor.

No Popping Pills

Scrupulously observe the 'no popping pills' policy throughout your pregnancy. Let your doctor know all the drugs that you are taking, or plan on taking, regardless of whether they are prescription drugs or over-the-counter. Consult your doctor even on vitamins and herbs that you are taking. Some of them could affect your baby. The drugs you could start taking, in consultation with your doctor, include a pre-natal vitamin or folic acid.

Sleep Well, Be Rested

Your day's schedule is going to be determined by your child. Being sensible about it will ensure you are not perennially short of sleep. Follow the old adage—sleep when your baby sleeps. Get the baby's workaholic father to participate in the baby years. Take turns at night to rock the baby to sleep. Or work out shifts—if you are up with the baby at night, get your husband to do the morning care. Remember the baby will sleep easiest on your chest. Not time yet to start obsessing over getting the child into bad habits.

Ignore Unsolicited Advice

That's one of the biggest challenges of becoming a new mother. Everyone will have advice and tips to offer, often contradictory. Your head will start spinning if you follow every piece of advice that comes your way. Be selective about how you listen to. Certainly your doctor and maybe one or two others. Listen to others, thank them for showing concern and move on heedless. If someone decides to upbraid you about the gathering dust or unwashed dishes, hand them a duster.

Holding The Baby

Your newborn looks so angelic and delicate you are afraid to pick up and hold the baby. No need to fret over it too much. Just understand you must always support the newborn's head and neck. The rest is easy. Babies are born with an instinct for self-preservation. They will comfortably and safely curl up against you. Lay the child's head into the crook of your elbow and the bottom in your hand. It's quite simple once you start doing it.

Calming A Crying Baby

Ask most parents. They will tell you their greatest challenge is: how to calm their crying baby? Often the reason for the uncontrollable crying is not obvious and it drives you to your wit's end. A problem there certainly is; it's just that you can't see it. Try burping the baby. Stop feeding if the baby is crying. Rock your baby in your arms. Try singing, talking or playing soft music. If the crying refuses to cease, consider taking the baby out for a ride in a stroller. Or a car.

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