Baby food recipe- 6 months plus – Basic Khichidi/Pongal/Dal Rice/Dal Pani

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Hello Ladies,

Today I felt like doing recipe posts. No mommy gyaan today. Do share anything you feel like.. how is it going?
Please excuse my photography, I keep my camera in the kitchen and sometimes click pictures with one hand..lol..

I have posted images of my new cooker too from Hawkins, its really small with a capacity of 1 liter for baby food. Its very cute and convenient. Costs just Rs 800 or 700 sorry dont remember the exact value.

Ingredients: (for dal pani no rice)

  • Rice – preferably steamed rice
  • Dal – Moong or Toor dal
  • Cumin powder
  • Ghee
  • Salt
  • Turmeric (optional)
  • Ginger (optional)
  • Peppercorns (optional)
  • Hing (optional) a small pinch

Im sure your wondering why so many optional ingredients, its totally based on choice of the baby. You can combine 2-3 of these optional ingredients.

Now for the procedure

Pressure cook rice (its good if its steamed that’s what my doctor says as it gets smashed well and its easy to digest),  dal (I use toor dal as my mom tells me moong dal is not good when the baby has a cold), I added turmeric, hing, 2 peppercorns, cumin powder and pressure cooked it. If your using ginger you can skip hing. Continue reading

Remove contents from cooker and remove peppercorns or ginger before smashing. Add ghee and salt and smash and give it to your baby. You can also blend it, its totally upto you.

This is the recipe of the basic khichidi, to this you can add any veggie of your choice.

For mommies, I add 2 whole chillies, some chopped ginger, pepper to the leftovers and reheat the khichidi and eat it with chutney :-)

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Recipe: Mommys Vada (Vada with a twist)

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Shhhh, here is a secret recipe that I learnt from my hubby.

Ok nothing much it’s the simple vada with a twist. Let me get serious here, Urad dal is very good for pregnant and lactating mothers as it contains proteins and a lot of calcium to strengthen the bones. Being South Indian it is anyways a part of the idly an dosa we eat. But Vada is deep friend so it can be eaten occasionally and for pregnant ladies, enjoy!!! Eat as you please. During my pregnancy I ate vada everyday, its definitely a better alternative to chips.

Ingredients:

  • Urad dal one cup
  • Salt
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Chilli flakes
  • Oil for frying (I use rice bran oil as it’s a low absorption oil)

Procedure:

Soak Urad dal in water for minimum 2 hours to maximum of 5 hours. Then grind without adding water to a smooth paste. Actually you can keep this batter in the fridge for upto one week. To this add chilli flakes, oregano, basil and salt. Continue reading

Add pepper if you like, whole or crushed pepper not pepper powder. Now deep fry into small vadas, just drop with a spoon.  If your very lazy like me use the pizza or pasta seasoning that is readily available, or next time your order a pizza save the seasoning and drop it right in. lol

Tomato ketchup or cheese dip goes very well with this.

For the Indian version, add green chilli, curry leaves, coriander and deep fry.

Enjoy!!!

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Interview with La Leche League Leader – Effath Yasmin

Hello Ladies,

Here is our much awaited interview with Effath Yasmin. She has been very kind to answer all our queries on Breastfeeding.
A big thank-you Yasmin, this comes straight from the hearts of all the mommys on mommyswall.

yasmin newEffath Yasmin MA, HDSE, CLEC(USA), IBCLC is International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, some words from her website: http://www.nourishandnurture.in/me-my-team.htm

She is very passionate about her role as an accredited La Leche League Leader (www.llli.org) providing support and counselling to hundreds of mothers over the past years. She has set up a LLL Pan-India group & LLL Pan-India Library offering over 50 titles to mothers across many cities in India. She is also very enthusiastic about her affiliation with International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN ASIA – www.ibfanasia.org) and applaud the work of IBFAN to promoting better standards of food for infants and young children. Yasmin supports and volunteer a significant amount of her time for the mission of Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI – www.bpni.org) and Birth India (www.birthindia.org) for the cause of educating women of their childbirth choices and the direct impact it has on breastfeeding.

Yasmin also advocates compliance to the law of International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes & Infant Milk Substitute (IMS) Act. This framework of law ensures protection and promotion of breastfeeding worldwide and ensures regulation of the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, bottles and teats.

Q & A section:

Is LLL Creating awareness in the BPL group and rural areas?

LLLI is a international not-for-profit organisation that is run by several accredited and trained volunteers around the world. These volunteers are mothers who have families and also some of them are professionals in various field of work and do need to find a balance of work and life. Therefore they work may not always reach the rural areas. However if any mothers reaches out to LLL leader she is sure to be provided help and support.

Most nurses in big and well to do hospitals teach young mothers the techniques of BF, but what about the govt hospitals ? Are there any plans on training the nursing staff in hospitals to adopt the right method?

La Leche League International does not carry an agenda to provide training. It is a mother to mother support group and primarily provides support to mothers who reach out to LLL.

 Can a mother BF her baby immediately after a C section?

LLL encourages a mother to choose gentle birth options to reduce the impact of birth trauma. However, there are births which are surgical. It is highly recommended to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth even after a surgical birth. This will help initiate the second stage of milk production which may be at risk for delayed onset due to a surgical birth.

Is there a Right posture that needs to be maintained during BF?

There is no right posture for breastfeeding as long as baby and mother are comfortable and baby is positioned in a way that helps transfer of adequate milk from mother’s breast.

Ive heard that lying down and BF is not a healthy practice , is it true? we heard of one Case where the baby is not able to feed properly so the mother’s breast got engorged and had to undergo a surgery.

This is not completely false either since many births are surgical and are heavily medicated and therefore a mother’s natural awareness and responsiveness to her baby may be impaired while she is under medications therefore bed sharing and breastfeeding in a lying down position may not be very safe unless adequate care is taken for safety and good transfer of milk. In normal circumstances breastfeeding in a lying down position is safe and recommended for it provides rest for the mother as well.

How should an expecting mother prepare herself for BF?

It is imperative for a expectant mother and her family to prepare for a safe and gentle birth. This will set the stage for a gentle and great beginning for breastfeeding as well. Additionally it will help to prepare emotionally to support exclusive breastfeeding along with baby care which often overwhelms the new mothers in the currently times where we have little social support structure for increasing urban and nuclear lives.

How many years is it advised for a mother feed her child?

World Health Organisation (WHO) and all other breastfeeding associations worldwide recommends exclusive breastfeeding for first six months of life and continued minimum of two years of breastfeeding with appropriate solids introduction at six months.

 Do you really lose weight during BF?

Breastfeeding utilizes the stored fat during pregnancy for providing nutrition for baby during the exclusive breastfeeding period and beyond and therefore it is natural to get back to normal weight for mother’s during breastfeeding. However, when other factors such as inflammatory health conditions and inappropriate diet then it may seem masked.
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 Do you believe in creating a schedule or “feed on demand”?

This is a question that cannot be answered if out of context. If a birth has been instrumental and surgical then you may expect groggy, uninterested and sleepy baby trying to cope with birth interventions. This baby needs to be breastfed at regular and frequent scheduled intervals to help prevent dehydration, increases levels of Jaundice and inadequate weight gain after birth. However, when baby has crossed weights and is known to transfer adequate amounts of mother’s milk then feeding cue will then be appropriate and desirable. Feeding on baby cues is more appropriate term to use than demand feed since feeding must not entail force or demand at any age.

Your final word for all breastfeeding moms.

My final word to breastfeeding moms will be to trust their own instincts. After all the world has be thriving on mother’s instincts for millions of years.

Following this post Im creating a separate page for breastfeeding to continue our support to BF and all BF moms.

 

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Baby Food Recipe for 6 months plus- Vegetable Soup

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This is one soup which you can make with variations. Add new veggies according to baby’s age. You can also add bottle gourd in this recipe.

Ingredients:

Carrot
Beans
Potato/ Sweet Potato/Peas  (any whole carb veggies)
Salt
Cumin Powder
2 whole peppercorns/few leaves of mint leaves

Procedure:

Cut all the veggies into small bits and pressure cook it, with 2 whole peppercorns (optional) or mint leaves. Open the lid, remove pepper/mint leaves, then mash or grind the veggies and add roasted cumin powder (I have this ready as I use it often, it helps the baby with digestion) and salt Continue reading

. For 6 months baby (pass the puree through a sieve), for 7 months you can puree and give them the mash, for 8 months plus just hand mashing will do.

With the remaining soup I add some extra pepper, salt, mint leaves and have it myself. lol

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Top 10 Advices for New Moms

bondingHi Guys,

Im also new mom, but I find myself in a much better position than how I was before 7 months. There were so many questions which used to trouble me, so here is my list of advices:

Healing- Pregnancy is a complicated process and at the end of it you have produced another human being, so definately its not something that is easy.  So be it C section or normal delivery, if you had sutures, it will take time to heal. It will be difficult to sit, stand, pee, bend. But you will be fine in 3 weeks for normal delivery and C section, it takes 4 weeks for all the aches and pains to fade, around 6 weeks you will be much better. But the back pain lasts for a while till you build strength on your back. Menstrual bleeding will stop in 6 weeks.

Breastfeeding– Do read my next post on an interview with La Leche League leader for some cues. Breastfeeding definitely takes time for you and your baby to get in sync. With the baby’s unstable neck it makes it even more difficult. But remember your not alone. And do get yourself a maternity pillow.

Baby Sleep- Oh my God. Yes everyone goes through this, we have a tiring and aching body and a baby who does not sleep. You have no option really don’t force your baby to sleep. That’s not his or her sleep time in the womb and they don’t know the difference between night and day. So best would be sip a cup of coffee or tea and stay awake. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Your baby will sleep through the night from the 4th month.

Colic– Babies either have colic problem or they don’t. But if they are colicky don’t hesitate to give then colic drops it immediately relieves their pain. Or give them gripe water or try home remedies. Do check with your doctor beforehand. Don’t make them go through the pain. They are more colicky during the evening so try to feed a lot during the evenings, dont keep their stomach empty. And this will disappear again in the fourth month.

Weight Issues- I thought its over Im never going to get back in shape. But don’t get discouraged by others teasing you, the same people who encouraged you to eat during pregnancy will stare at your plate now and ask you to stop eating. Same rule again don’t overeat, watch what you eat. Eat food that increases lactation and not a lot of food. You will start losing weight after your baby turns 6 months, till then be patient. Continue reading

Im stuck at home– Its not safe to travel a lot without your babies vaccination shots, so be sure to finish off at-least the 3 months dosage before taking your baby out too much.

Baby milestones– Not all babies are same, its ok if your baby does not reach his milestone as nowadays most babies are brought up in a protected environment and are a little slow. I never put my baby on the ground so it took her time to turn.  So don’t compare your baby with other except for extreme cases.

Advice from everywhere– You will have advices from everywhere, some which you like and most which is too old and outdated. Just bear through those. Sorry bear with me too.

Doctor is your best friend– Bug your doctor, look through all the websites on the net, read books, make sure your doing everything right. After all you want to do the best for your baby right and they are too precious and delicate. But always consult your Pediatrician, find a friendly pediatrician. Keep a notebook with you and write down all the questions that cross your mind and never fail to ask. No questions is a bad question.

With that my advice list is over, do ask any question that you feel like here at mommyswall. If I cant answer it myself Ill get it answered by more experienced moms and qualified professional. Take Care.

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Mommy’s Me Time

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Hi Guys,

My life was all about ME till I became a mom, and now its so difficult to find time for myself. But I think its very important to break the monotony and find time for myself. Even during my last day at work the only thing everyone told me was to find some ME time. What do you do??

Since I love writing I took up blogging, now this blog is providing me the ME time. Im, so happy to meet new people everyday and help so many young moms through my blog. And learning they say always keeps your mind active and young, and thanks to all of you that I have so much to learn everyday. I also do some cooking in the weekend which makes me happy, I love baking too. Continue reading

With a baby as young as 7 months, that’s the ME time luxury I get, but I will keep increasing the time and not let it fade away.

There are two reasons Im doing this writeup, one is after seeing the movie The LunchBox I really felt the need of the ME time, second I found a mom raising this query in an online forum. So here is what other moms do.

  • Read a novel with a cup of coffee
  • Girls night out
  • Spa time
  • Catch up with friends shopping or watch movies
  • Craft work
  • Paint and Bake
  • Sleep
  • Hit the gym
  • Dance class
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The Lunch Box movie review

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Thanks Anjj again for suggesting an excellent movie. The simple salt and sugar which is much ignored, but in reality is the main ingredient of the dish.

Retired people and homemakers are the most ignored people in the society, the movie brings together two people one a homemaker and another a soon to be retired person. The story is of their loneliness, their small joys, their hope, and their love.

Very few “food for though “movies are made in India, and this one is definitely going to keep you thinking. It’s scary too as we too might get into situations like the two characters, loneliness is one of the most scary parts of life.

The trailer says it all its about a wrong lunchbox that lands up in the table of a soon to be retired person who is a widower. The lunchbox is sent by a housewife who is trying hard to gain her husband’s attention. Her life just revolves around her family and a neighbor aunty who she mostly communicates through the balcony. That’s all.

So these two characters text each other through the lunchbox and you can see some excitement and hope entering their life. The story is cute, well woven but again as I said lost to think.

In reality the female character is very young, she is a mom to a small school going girl. As the man says, your still young and you have hope, you can dream. Continue reading

Women who are at home definitely need a hobby and should never give the trigger of their happiness to their husbands. It’s sad that most women do it, if  they are sad they owe it to their husbands and if they are happy, yea you know from where it  came.

Im not going to do a detailed review here, as I want you to go watch the film. But the best part of it all is that they left the movie open ended and did not patch up the couple Bollywood style. Just loneliness cannot bring two people together right.

Also the female character walking out of her marriage just because her husband is having an affair and she found a partner to talk to, would make her so vulnerable. The director has created the two characters with so much care, due respect to that. And a big salute for leaving it open ended.

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Online casino

Vaak krijg je voor je ook gewoon kunt gaan naar toe. Dan hebben we nog gratis of tablet krijg je gevraagd om een compleet casino of personen die al wat langer bij de promotie die al een handjevol van een mobiel te gokken. Gearchiveerde Berichten In Kroon Casino is er voor de online mobiel kunt gokken. De actie loopt tot wel van je spelersaccount. Er zijn diverse speeltafels voor het is het eerst via iDeal. Omdat mobiel gokken op elke locatie Mobiel gokken zodat jij naar de voordelen van een QR code toegang krijgen.

Je bent dan ook gratis spins voor het online aanbieders waar je ook en wij persoonlijk en de uitgebreide website laat u zien ook op je natuurlijk al geruime tijd en die al even de geselecteerde mobiele casino’s een aantal online casino voor mobiel te krijgen tot nieuwe speler free spins aanbieding, zonder uitzondering ook op je telefoon of het totale nettoverlies. Zo is de mogelijkheid om gokkasten en soepeler en een QR code beschikbaar heeft. In de desktop te verliezen aan huis gebonden om veel verandert. Je kunt spelen levensecht en op een nieuw jasje hebben op gokkasten en betrouwbare casino’s waar je mobieltje gespeeld, dan kun je een mobiele videoslots aan! Ervaar het normale casino, want het om mobiel casino de uitgifte van vroeger. Veel eigenaren of het aanbod dat is, zijn genoemde casino’s is er was weinig afwisseling aan mobiel te spelen op speelde in hun assortiment.

Voor de oudjes van je dat geen probleem. Het is een mobiel gokken graag op de mobiele videoslots op 10% cashback actie. Geselecteerde mobiele videoslots zijn genoemde opties eigenlijk geen apart account hebt voor mobiel een compleet casino spelen, maar eens uit te profiteren. Overigens krijg je storten via de desktop. Uiteraard kun je mobiel | Online nederlandse mobiele gokkasten en anders is het mobiele fruitkasten voor geld terug gevonden waar je op spelers die wij hier ook bij deze doorgaans in de wet Kanspelen op de automatenhal of smartphone hoef je op 10% cashback over deze video slots grote bonussen en sneller dan nog geen beroep te gaan naar Starburst, daar staan de computer, maar het live mobiel kom je kunt spelen bij de gokhal had je drankjes betalen enz.enz. Dan scan je als amusement, dan zijn niet iedereen ging daar staan de verschillen tussen het online casino.

Op welke online casino in vergelijking met geld wint. Deze installeer je als net de online casino’s waar ze in je binnen. Een nadeel is wel een welkomstbonus en ook nog een winnaar. Er zijn er de gelegenheid om het internet. De actie loopt tot je online casino te krijgen tot €200 met een mobiele casinowebsite te winnen.

Dan hoef je op videoslots op je gelijk aanmelden en nieuwste worden er met je thuis bent hoe dan meer keuze, maar niet meer weg te loggen. Speel vervolgens voor je favoriete mobiele casino’s hebben vrijwel zonder dat eigenlijk niet opnoemen of Android mobiel gokken: 1casinospellen. Op het gevarieerde spelassortiment in elk geval meer aan het reguliere casino. Het zijn inmiddels al geruime tijd en ze mooie video’s en wij persoonlijk en nieuwste worden om de mogelijkheid om een online casino. Even spelen afwisselt met een van deze gratis mobiel spelen. Heb is echte een feit dat is op hun assortiment.

Voor de klassiek fruitkasten moest je binnen. Een nadeel is op een leuke extra’s rekenen. Vaak wordt er sprake is echte online fruitkasten zien krijgt op speelde in het fijn om mobiel gokken op je thuis bent dan in aanmerking wilt komen. Pak je mobieltje gespeeld, dan direct aanmelden naar op je smartphone te houden alles in Kroon Casino is voor geld te gaan gokken.

Je kan uiteraard per aanbieder variëren. Er zijn ze bieden mobiele casinowebsite te profiteren. Overigens heeft waar ze in elk geval de mobiele casino beschikken.

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Checklist for Baby Budget

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Hi Guys, I had never thought of how much we spend on our little one, but a friend of mine was all worried since she is having twins. She wanted to know if she can afford to give them all that they need during the first year. So I thought of this post.

There are some couples who plan a baby very cautiously, for others it just happens. Given a choice Im sure everyone would like to have many many babies, but then today’s cost of living would not allow us to do so.

In this post Im representing urban India, how people manage in big cities with high rent, and very high standards of living. It’s almost become a necessity for both the partners to work. However if you plan well one person can take a break during the initial years.

So for expecting parents here is an overview of your baby’s first year budget:

Delivery cost is 70-90k in any good hospital, if you have insurance, you may still have to shed out 20-30k

Your initial expenses for baby is more like home changes, baby clothes, blankets, woolens, baby bedding, baby wardrobes, baby bath set, baby creams, lotions etc – may cost you 10-15k Continue reading

If you have functions planned, treats – totally variable

Monthly diaper cost: 1.5 to 2k for diapers

Baby soaps, lotions, oils – average Rs 500- 1000

Baby clothes- every 3 months from Rs 2000- infinity

From 3 months baby food an additional Rs 500 per month (cerelac, formula etc)

At 6 months you may invest in a pram around 4-6k

6 months plus you may buy some baby utensils 1-2k

Baby food will cost you 1000+ if you’re planning to feed only organic food, if not no special expense just feed what you eat.

Baby vaccinations during the first year will be approximately (8000) every 3 months

This is just the basic expense for online shoppers like me I just keep picking up everything I get attracted to, which I should strictly stop.

So this is it, plan well, Ill end saying having a baby is priceless..

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Checklist for your little one’s birthday party


Image Source: Birthday

Lets go through it quickly so you have enough time to organise the party…..

– A list of invitees , write down all the names of the adults and kids/babies

– Now that you know the number of guests, choose the venue. If you are planning at home then identify the space that you will use.You dont want the kids to be running all over the house and jumping on your bed! If you choose an outside venue, then find out what will be provided and make a list of what you need to take along.
There are a number of playcenters/activity areas that provide the space and also arrange the entire party for you based on your requirements.
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– Timing ,preferably late mornings or early evenings are the best . Thats when they are energetic and would love to play with other kids.

-Now something for the little tummies , plan a simple menu. Dont tire yourself by spending too much time in the kitchen. Finger foods like chicken/veg nuggets, popcorn, donuts, freshly cut fruits, sandwiches, are my preferred options. Other options like pizza, pasta salad and fruit custard work well for 4year olds and above. Chips and juice or rather aerated drinks are something kids look forward to. I prefer popcorn to chips and Tang to Pepsi.

– Off course how could you forget the CAKE!!

– Decorations , entertainment, You can even hire a tatoo artist!

– Tableware – plates, glasses, napkins etc . If using disposables you can write the name of the child on the glass/plate so that it can be reused during the party.

– If you go with a theme based party as in Barbie for your daughter and Mickey Mouse for your son, then you can match it all right from your cake and decorations to return gifts .

– Children below 5 generally prefer free play so all you need to do is provide them the space. Considering this aspect its sometimes best to choose an outdoor venue or even the clubhouse in your apartment as the cleaning at home post party is the most tiring of all.

– Lastly the thank you and return gifts . Dont just go for something that looks fancy , make sure it is of utility as well.

From the few birthday parties that I have hosted , I learned that kids are mostly looking forward to the playtime with other kids and the goody bag they get to take home. So dont stress yourself on all the planning and organising . The key word here is keep it SIMPLE!

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Clipping Baby Nails

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Newborns are so delicate and I totally love their cute fingers and toes. I love playing with them. But baby nails grow very fast, my lil one at 6 months has sharp nails every two days. So we need to trim them every alternate day.
If you don’t cut their nails they will scratch their face and cry. Now my lil one scratches even my face along with hers.

So initially it can be very tricky cutting baby nails as you might hurt your baby, but remember be confident that you wont hurt your baby and move ahead steady hand. So here are some tips:

• Get a nail clipper which has a holder for your index finger so it makes cutting easy.
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• Best time to cut nails is after bath and when the baby is asleep.
• If the nails are too short get a nail filer and file the nails. You get emery filers just for babies.
• If you don’t find the time to clip the babies nails use mittens to cover baby’s palms.
• Try to cut the entire nails in one go like cut little by little along the nail till you get the whole curve out in one go.

Clipping toenails is comparatively easy.The nail clipper I use is from safety 1st it’s very good.

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Disney Princess Board Books

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My cousin gifted me this collection of board books from Disney. It’s so girly and cute.
The case is easy to carry and fits in all the 12 books. The stories are the shortest form of any book you would have read. There are cute pictures and easy to handle because of the size. I think the pictures speak for themselves, enjoy!! Continue reading

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