Author: สามิตร

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Parenting

Developing leadership skills at home

It’s difficult preparing children for the world of work as the future is so uncertain. However, the ability to lead others is one attribute that will always be in demand regardless of whether your child works for a large employer, in small business, community work, is self-employed or engages in project work.

The need for leadership skill development has never been greater. Initiative, innovation and resilience is the currency of the workforce of the future. These leadership skills are best fostered from an early age at home, which will give them a head start at school.

After working in the student leadership area for many years I’ve identified five skills and traits that form the building blocks for future leadership, which can be promoted easily by parents at home. I’ve included them below with tips how to put each into practice.

Responsibility

Being a leader means that your child is willing to take responsibility and be accountable for their actions. Personal responsibility is shown when your child is accountable for their behaviour, for their belongings and for the welfare of others. Practical ways to develop responsibility include:

  • Giving them responsibility for a certain part of their day such as getting themselves out of bed each morning
  • Encouraging them to restore relationships with others including siblings when they mess up
  • Taking responsibility for household chores including resolving problems if they forget to do them

Communication

The ability to clearly get a message across to others is common among effective leaders. While most leadership positions require your child to speak publicly, their communication skills can be developed through regular one-on-one or small group experiences at home and at school. Practical ways to develop your child’s communication skills include:

  • One-on-one conversations with adults about a wide variety of issues and topics
  • Regular discussions at the meal table where kids learn to share their thoughts, listen to others and report on events of the day
  • Encourage your child to participate fully in speaking activities at school such as daily news time, class and school plays and debate

Organisation

The ability to organise yourself and others is central to effective leadership. Thinking what needs to be done, planning ahead and making time are basic organisational skills at the heart of personal effectiveness and leadership. Practical ways to develop organisational skills include encouraging your child to:

  • Keep their personal space including their bedroom tidy and organised
  • Use a diary to help manage their time
  • Organise a weekly chores roster including all members of the family

Teamwork

Cooperating, encouraging and acceptance of others are essential qualities of an effective leader. A family is a great place to develop a sense of teamwork in kids as it naturally requires kids to compromise for the sake of keeping the peace. Practical ways to develop a sense of teamwork include:

  • Encouraging kids to share their time, possessions and spaces with other family members
  • Practise teamwork at home by encouraging siblings to cook and do other chores together
  • Emphasise the role of being part of a team by focusing on your child’s contribution to a team or group rather than individual achievementDiscuss emotions of characters in books, television programs and movies. “How you think that character felt when he was he was rejected by his friends?”

Leaders are needed in all walks of life – at work, in school, in families, in sport and in the wider comity. The skills of leadership are best developed in the first groube a contributing, responsible, caring family member you will be going a long way toward developing their innate leadership capabilities.

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Parenting

Transform your parenting with birth order knowledge

How can two or three children in the same family be so different? They are brought up in the same broad social environment, under a similar set of rules and an identical family value system. Even with a same genetic pool, they can still be so different in personality, interests and achievement.

It is useful to look at how a child’s position in the family impacts on their development. The position a child has in their family is a predictor only of personality, but a powerful predictor nonetheless. It is definitely a factor that parents need to consider as we look for ways to raise happy, well-adjusted and confident children.

The birth order layer

There’s a rich vein of information about each child at your fingertips that’s often unrecognised or ignored by adults. Birth order knowledge adds a wonderful layer to your understanding of what makes kids tick, and how you should parent. Let’s look at some of the characteristics of each of the birth order layers.

The first born child

First borns are born into a treasured yet pressured position. They are usually the objects of great delight in a family. Parents and grandparents often overdo everything with first borns. They are the centre of attention, which is an obvious plus if you are a first-born child.

The flipside to this adulation is that first borns are coached, prodded and pushed to perform. The expectations are high for first borns, so pressure is something they know all about. They fear failure, so they often steer away from areas where they can’t excel. They tend to narrow their options by sticking to the safest path.

First borns spend more of their time with adults and learn more from adults than subsequent children in the family. Spending more time around adults lends itself to high quality language development.

Unhappy with ‘dethronement’ (the arrival of another child), the first born child does everything their power to retain the favoured first position. They will go to great lengths to impress upon their parents the second born’s shortcomings. The arrival of another sibling also typically brings about added responsibility to the first born.

First borns are pioneers for parents and for any children that follow. Parents are usually hardest on their first borns in terms of discipline and they loosen up as they move further down the family.

Tips for parenting first born children

  • Encourage rather than criticise
  • Flaunt your imperfections
  • Give them some special privileges that go with being the eldest

To find out a whole lot more about first born children, including the three main types, characteristics, traits and more, grab a copy of the book Why first borns rule the world and last ones want to change it.

The second or middle child

Second or middle born children are casualties of bad timing. Born too late to get the perks, privileges and adoration of being born first and born too early to get the easy ride that youngest receive, middles often feel squeezed between these two siblings and wonder “Why me?” or “It’s not fair!”.

The positive side to middle born children is that as they are squeezed between two siblings, they become strong and vocal negotiators, and generally develop an adept set of people skills for outside of the family circle. Middle children tend to spend more time with children that aren’t in their family, to avoid the frustration of being an outsider in the family. They subsequently end up with more friends and social connections than their elder siblings.

Middle-born children have expectations grounded in reality, which gives them a significant lead in the resilience stakes over their siblings. They are generally more independent and mentally tougher than any other birth position. While this is a positive characteristic, middle borns are the people least likely to reach out for help when they need it. They are also renowned for being secretive, confiding in friends more than family members about their joys and problems. They learn early in life to play their cards close to their chest as they can get burned when insensitive siblings have access to their feelings.

Youngest children

Youngest children often experience a more relaxed parenting style so we often have to put pressure on them to do their best.

Youngest children in the family are typically charmers and manipulators. They love to get their own way – and they invariably do. They are in the fortunate position of having a sibling break their parents in for them and they don’t have the pressures of the first born.

Youngest are often babied, spoiled, affectionate, outgoing and uncomplicated. The pressure is off the last borns in terms of having to meet their parents’ high expectations so they are more likely to achieve in their own ways. Creative, artistic pursuits tend to be filled with last born children.

One of the traits many last borns share is persistence. They learn when they are young that if they persist with what they want they will outlast their siblings and wear their parents down eventually. Persistence is a characteristic that pays off for this group.

Last borns tend to be more impetuous – they act now and worry about the repercussions later. The positive is that they are more likely to stretch themselves and try new experiences than their siblings.

Last borns can appear a little self-centred, which is probably due to the fact that they tend to do less at home to help others. There are bigger, more capable siblings at home to take all the responsibilities so youngest children can easily grow up with an ‘I’m here to be served’ attitude. It is important to give youngest borns plenty of opportunities to help around the home.

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Parenting

Resistance words to avoid when talking to kids

Our choice of words when communicating with kids makes a huge difference when trying to get their co-operation. The more we push a child who is resistant, the more likely they are to push back and display greater opposition.

Sometimes one word can cause a child to fold their arms and thrust out their jaw in ‘you-can’t make-me’ defiance. Let’s take a look at some words that invite resistance, especially from strong-willed children who like to have their own way.

Resistance words

  • Must – for example “You must be on time!”
  • Never – for example “You should never be rude to your teacher.”
  • Always – for example “You should always clean your teeth before bed.”
  • You – for example “You need to go to bed now!”
  • Don’t – for example “Don’t yell at your brother.”

Why they invite resistance

‘Must’, ‘Never’ and ‘Always’ are absolute terms. They cannot be modified in any way. Absolute terms invite resistance from children and young people who do not like to be told what to do. Strong-willed children and young people often view these terms as open invitations to resist. If you have more than one child there is a good chance you have one of these children. If you were to say ” You must be nice to your brother”, a young resister thinks “We’ll see about that”.

Healthy alternatives

To help with this, you can replace absolute terms with more moderate alternatives that don’t back a child into a corner. For example:

  • Try “Please be on time” rather than “You must be on time.”
  • Try “It’s best to be polite to your teacher” rather than “You should never be rude to your teacher.”
  • Try “Clean your teeth before bed” rather “You should always clean your teeth before bed.”

Let them know what you will do

Many children do not like to be told what they should do. They like to think they are calling the shots. These children are not misbehaving – they just want to feel that they are in control. Which means sometimes, their instinct to resist becomes greater than their desire to follow. Instead of telling your child what to do, let your child know what you will do. It’s a subtle but powerful shift. For example:

  • Try “I’m saying good night now” rather than “Go to bed now.”
  • Try “I’ll put the meal on the table when it’s set” rather than “Set the table!”
  • Try “I’m driving you to school at 8.30” rather than “Get ready by 8.30.”

You need to follow through if this is to be an effective use of language.

Avoid ending an instruction on a negative

Ending an instruction on a negative only drives the negative behaviour deeper into the sub-conscious mind of your child. Saying “Don’t yell at your brother” will ensure that your child will keep yelling again and again.  Instead, say the behaviour you’d like in positive terms. For example say: “Speak quietly to your brother” rather than “Don’t yell at your brother.” If you can’t eradicate “Don’t” then develop the habit of ending on a positive. For example: “Don’t yell at your brother. Speak quietly.”

Words matter

Your choice of words makes a huge difference in terms of getting co-operation from more challenging kids.

Of course, some parents believe that their kids should always do as they say, so their language is peppered with absolutes and negatives. This invites resistance and can lead to an ongoing battle between parents and children. If this is the case, then maybe the language you use could benefit from a little tweak.

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Parenting

Pick your battles wisely

Three-year-old Sam was tired and cranky. He refused his mother’s request to put his plate in the sink after a snack.

Elsa, Sam’s mother, who was usually quite firm didn’t insist that her son comply. She knew that when her son got into ‘one of those moods’ it was best to leave him alone.

“You’ve got to pick your battles,” said an exasperated Elsa to the other parents in the room.

She also added, “You’ve got to pick the timing of your battles.” Tired and emotional kids are incapable of processing what a parent is saying. Reason goes out the window.

This was a smart piece of parenting by Elsa. She could have easily locked herself into a battle of wills with her son, but it would have been a fairly pointless exercise. She may have won the battle, but at the cost of an agitated son and ongoing resentment.

Is winning your aim?

Often the battles we have with kids are about bigger issues such as power (“You should do as I say!”) and control (“This is the way things should be.”) rather than immediate issues such as cleanliness and tidiness. Good sense goes out the window when we get locked into disputes with children.

Do you choose the right time?

Like all parents, Elsa wants to develop good habits in her child, but wisely she picks the time and place to do so. The best time for productive teaching and habit-forming is when parents and kids are fresh and on good terms. Spending enjoyable one-on-one time with kids is such a wonderful opportunity for relationship-building and teaching.

What battles do you pick?

The battles you have with your children reveal a great deal about your parenting values.  If you find that you stand your ground over a child’s disrespectful behaviour toward a sibling or friend then respect is a strong value you hold. If you always insist that your child uses good manners even when they are tired, then fair treatment and good manners are strongly held values. If you insist that your child is kind and generous to others, and you find yourself bristling at their selfishness, then generosity is more than likely a trait you value highly. We tend to fight hard for the values that we hold dearly, and become upset when our kids don’t follow suit.

Do you sweat the small stuff?

Sometimes children and young people can display a multitude of annoying behaviours and attitudes when going through difficult times. For instance, a young person may leave their bedroom messy, repeatedly sleep in, pick fights with siblings, continually argue with their parents and always come home late from school. If a parent fights with their child over everything then they are in for an emotionally draining time and a deterioration in their relationship. It would be better to ignore most of the minor misbehaviours and focus on the more significant behaviours such as how a young person treats others.

If, for instance, a young person continually swears at and is critical of a younger sibling, would you pick up on the swearing or the put down? I’d suggest that the put down is far more harmful than swearing and should be the focus of your attention. Often, we focus on the minor stuff at the expense of the more significant issues because it’s easier and less stressful that way.

Do you avoid all battles?

As much as we’d like always to maintain good relationships with our children, this doesn’t have to come at the expense of good child-rearing. The parent who never goes into battle with their children is generally not doing them any favours. This is known as the Laissez-faire or permissive approach where parents are high on relationship-building and low on firmness and boundaries. It’s far better for kids if you adopt a collaborative or authoritative approach where there’s a healthy mix of relationship-building and firmness. Parents who use this approach are generally adept at picking their battles, specifically those that should be ignored and those that are worth spending time and energy on. They also have spent a great deal of time building up enough goodwill with their kids that enables them to survive disagreements that they may have.

So, pick your battles wisely. Avoid using up energy and goodwill by fighting with kids over minor stuff, or when they are obviously tired and cranky. On the other hand, make sure you pick them up on the really important stuff regardless of their moods, which is where your parenting values come in.

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Health

How to Prevent Meningitis in Babies & Building Immunity

Meningitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the meninges, which protect the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is one of those diseases which are relatively rare but can become fatal quickly and can severely affect the quality of life for the surviving patient. Babies under 2 months of age are at greater risk of getting meningitis.

What is Meningococcal Meningitis?

According to the World Health Organization, meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis, a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The disease can affect anyone of any age, but babies, preschool children and young people are at higher risk of this infection.

Meningitis is one of those diseases which are relatively rare but can become fatal quickly and can severely affect the quality of life for the surviving patient.

Most of the people carrying the meningococcal bacteria do not show any symptoms of the disease and are also known as carriers, meaning they can still spread the infection.

How Does Meningitis Spread?

Meningitis is a contagious disease which can spread via respiratory droplets generated due to coughing or sneezing. Although it does not spread as easily as common flu and other respiratory illnesses, it is far more dangerous in comparison.

While this infection is fatal, about 10 -15% of the survivors suffer from life-long impairments, like, amputation, scars, deafness or brain damage.

What are the Symptoms of Meningitis?

Symptoms of Meningococcal meningitis could be similar to common flu, which makes it difficult to identify early. Some of the symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, vomiting, rapid breathing, stiff neck, confusion, increased light sensitivity and Diarrhea. In the later stages, dark purple skin rash may also appear.

Thus, discuss with your paediatrician if a combination of the above symptoms shows up in your child.

Acting fast is essential in meningitis as this disease can claim a life in as little as 24 hours.

How to Stay Safe From Meningitis?

The spread of Meningitis can be prevented, practicing good hygiene, covering your mouth and staying healthy. Vaccination is a safe  and effective way to prevent meningitis. Vaccination for meningococcal meningitis is available in India from 9 month onwards.

Seek medical attention immediately if your child shows signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease. These symptoms may first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen. 

Discuss with your paediatrician on the need of the vaccination in your family, as the vaccine is generally recommended for the high-risk groups in India.

Hope you found this article helpful in taking precautions and preventive steps about this serious illness and I sincerely hope that I have been able to help in a healthier future for your child.

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Health

Who I am one year on from having a baby

The first year of being a mum was completely different to how I ever imagined it. It is a complete rollercoaster of emotions that nobody fully prepares you for, but I would not change it for the world.

The first year of being a mum…

When Reuben was born, I was with his dad and we lived at his parent’s house, so I always had help if I needed it. I struggled massively with having our own routine, to fit around everyone else’s. Someone always wanted a cuddle and I constantly battled between wanting to cuddle my own baby, but not wanting him to be in someone’s arms all the time.

I loved the newborn stage, it is probably my favourite stage. I just loved the sleepy cuddles, the cute little outfits. Reuben was quite an ‘easy’ baby. I say easy, but no baby is easy. However, in comparison to some of my friends’ babies, I know I was quite lucky with him!

One of the toughest times I had with Reuben was when he was a month old. He would not sleep anywhere but my arms and as soon as I put him down, or gave him to anyone else, he would just cry. It was heart-breaking.

Hearing him cry was and still is one of the worst noises I can ever hear.

We had about 3-4 days of this. It was exhausting and I just broke down. I have always known babies can cry for no reason, but I hated not knowing how to make him happy. I would cry for hours every day, until I realised all he wanted was me, he felt safe with me and wanted my touch. This feeling never ever gets easier, even one year on.

Sometimes, I still break down, I still struggle…but I have learnt that it is okay.

I love to cook, so weaning was super fun and I loved watching Reuben explore new tastes and textures. I used a mixture of baby led and normal weaning. He absolutely loved getting messy and will eat pretty much anything you put in front of him, so in that respect, I am incredibly lucky.

We moved out of Reuben’s grandparents in November of last year and I started to really struggle. Reuben’s dad was not the most helpful around the flat and I was basically doing everything myself, which had a massive effect on my physical and mental health.

I started to not enjoy being a mum, I would cry and feel guilty for not enjoying being a mum. In reality, I was so stressed, anxious and overworked. I was looking after Reuben all day and going to work in the evening until about 2am, and then waking up at 6am with Reuben. All whilst trying to keep the flat tidy, eat properly and make time for myself. It just was not do-able.

A cook, a cleaner, a waitress in a hotel, I was not me.

My relationship with Reuben’s dad has never been good, he was very controlling and abusive, so this was something I was dealing with whilst being a new mum, which was incredibly difficult. He was not abusive whilst I was pregnant, but it started incredibly early on in our relationship after he isolated me away from my family, who I did not speak to for almost 3 years.

https://cms.emmasdiary.co.uk/userfiles/image/Who-I-am-one-year-on-from-having-a-baby.jpg

Just before Reuben turned one, I found the strength to leave his dad. It was by far one of the most difficult things I have ever done but I knew if I wanted to find myself again, this was what I had to do.

A year after having Reuben, I finally feel like myself again, I have time to myself. I can relax, do things I enjoy. I also enjoy being a mum, although I still massively struggle with my anxiety, I feel a million times better than I did at the start of this year. I have started getting back into makeup and doing things I enjoy

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Health

Family-Friendly Tips on Staying Active During Quarantine

We all know that exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Regular physical activity lowers blood pressure, helps you maintain a healthy weight, lowers cholesterol, boosts energy, and improves sleep. But exercise is also a great way to reduce any COVID-19 related stress and anxiety. One could also argue that regular exercise is especially important now that we are all quarantined at home watching Netflix for 16 hours a day – no judgment, and eating cereal for every meal – again, no judgment. The recommended amount of physical activity is 20-30 minutes 3-5 times a week. So, here are a few family-friendly tips on staying active during quarantine.

Ages 0-6 months:

Your newborn is still small and needs proper support so the best way to fit in exercise in this age range is to get outside and take a walk (avoiding close contact with other people). Whether you choose a stroller or a carrier, make sure your baby’s head is fully supported. As a bonus, babies who get fresh air and sunshine each day actually sleep better at night!

Ages 6 months-2 years:

Children in this age range love to crawl, climb, and be lifted so why not make that your exercise? Lift your little one over your head, do some squats, army crawl around the living room, you name it. Better yet? put on some tunes and let your little one lead you in a dance or two.

2-5 years:

By this age, your little ones can follow small amounts of direction which means you can play games. Stick with games that have minimal instruction but maximum movement: tag and all variations thereof: (freeze tag, shadow tag, TV tag, etc.), kick the can, capture the flag, kickball, hopscotch, red light green light, Simon Says, and musical chairs.

5 and up:

By this time the sky really is the limit when it comes to exercising with your kiddos. Riding bikes, going on hikes, playing at the park, yoga, karate, or dance, playing sports like baseball, basketball or soccer…really anything that you and your children enjoy doing together.

We hope you’ve found these family-friendly tips on staying active during quarantine helpful. We think these strategies are a great way to show your little ones that exercise can be fun and don’t we all need a little more fun these days? Having your children join you in your workout routine can also lead to a stronger relationship between you as well. Imagine having 90 to 150 minutes of designated time each week to spend laughing and playing with your kiddos?

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Health

Getting to Know the Three Phases of Breast Milk

Your body is amazing. Not only did it grow and birth a human, but it is also capable of exclusively nourishing that human through the first six months of their life. Did you know that as your baby grows and changes, your breast milk grows and changes, too? Yup, that’s right. Your body knows exactly how to create the perfect, most nutrient-rich formula to protect and help your little one grow. So today, let’s spend some time getting to know the three phases of breast milk.

Phase 1: Colostrum

Colostrum, otherwise known as “liquid gold,” is the precursor to your milk supply and produced for only 2-5 days postpartum. A nutritionally dense superfood for babies, colostrum contains white blood cells and immune-boosting support. Colostrum is high in protein but low in sugar and fat, making it easier for your newborn to digest. Colostrum is so beneficial to your newborn, you should make giving it to them a priority, even if you don’t plan to breastfeed.

Some women can produce colostrum throughout their pregnancy but don’t worry if you don’t notice any. Once the placenta is expelled from the uterus, hormonal shifts signal to the breasts that it’s time to start production. Colostrum is noticeably different from breast milk. It is thick, creamy, and typically gold/yellowish in color (but it can be clear). One thing you may notice is that you will produce far less colostrum than you will transitional or mature milk.

A feeding for your newborn will consist of about 1-1.5 teaspoons of colostrum. While this sounds like a dramatically small amount, your newborn’s stomach is quite small and does not begin to stretch until around day three. By this time, your baby will be capable of eating more per feeding, and, luckily, this is when your transitional milk will come in.

Phase 2: Transitional Milk

Typically, between days 3-6 postpartum, you will begin to produce “transitional” milk, the bridge between colostrum and mature milk. Your newborn is growing rapidly during the first few weeks of their life, and amazingly, your breast milk adapts to meet their changing needs. During the time of your transitional milk, your breasts are learning how much to supply based on how much your newborn is eating.

The content of your milk at this stage is changing, too. Compared to your colostrum, transitional milk has a higher content of fat and lactose (sugar), which helps give your baby energy. The protein content of your transitional milk changes, too. Casein and whey now play important roles in digestion and satiety. Whey proteins, which are rich in antibodies and remain liquid in your baby’s stomach. This makes them easily and quickly digestible. Casein protein, however, curdles when it mixes with the acid in your baby’s stomach, helping them feel fuller longer. If you begin to notice chunks in your baby’s spit-up, this is why.

Your breast milk changes the most during this transitional phase as your body learns how to match the changing needs of your growing newborn. By the end of your first month postpartum, your milk supply will transition into your mature milk.

Phase 3: Mature Milk

Your final stage of breast milk transition is your “mature” stage, typically reached by four weeks postpartum. At this point, your milk has made almost all of the changes and adaptations necessary to meet your growing baby’s needs. Your mature milk is especially effective at protecting your little one against bacteria. Perfect timing, too, as we’re sure you’re noticing your little one putting more objects into their mouth! Interestingly, your mature milk is so specifically suited for your unique baby, scientists are still having trouble fully understanding exactly which cells, antibodies, etc. breast milk is made of and how it works to protect babies. Amazing.

Mature milk is delivered to your baby during feedings in two stages: foremilk and hindmilk

  • Foremilk is the milk that comes out at the beginning of your feed. It is thinner, sweeter, and typically lower in fat. 
  • Hindmilk is the milk that comes in gradually as your baby continues to feed. It is more nutritionally dense and higher in fat.

Your mature breast milk not only satiates your baby’s hunger, but it also helps build their gut bacteria, boost their immune system, and feeds their rapidly growing brain. On top of that, your mature breast milk contains stem cells and hormones that help build the foundation for your baby’s health throughout their entire life!!

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Health

Why you should take meningococcal meningitis seriously?

As we celebrate World Meningitis Day this month, let me take some time and tell you a personal story and why you should take this name seriously.

About five years ago, when I had just got married and not even planning for a child, an untimely death occurred in my husband’s family. All that I remember now that it was due to meningitis and happened within 24 hours

Today when I was looking for some information about vaccines, I came across the term ‘meningitis’ and the memories of that incident came back to me.

On further research, I found that some bacterial forms of the disease are vaccine-preventable

Vaccine-preventable means you can get vaccinated and develop immunity against the disease. 

On discussing the disease in detail with my doctor here is what I learned, and why I feel every parent should know this:

What is Meningococcal meningitis?

Meningococcal Meningitis is a bacterial infection. Almost 1/10th of the healthy adults can carry the bacteria in their nose or back of the throat. Most uninfected carriers wouldn’t even know it as bacteria as its mere presence doesn’t cause any symptoms. The most common forms of this infection are:

  • Infection of covering of the brain, which is called ‘meningitis’ and
  • The infection of blood or ‘blood poisoning’ which is called septicemia

Although the bacteria may spread via droplets just like flu, the infection is rare but much deadlier than common flu. It may claim a life in just about 24 hours unless diagnosed and treated quickly enough.

What are the Symptoms of meningococcal Meningitis?

Identifying the disease quickly is important yet could be challenging, as it’s initial symptoms can be very similar to common flu. Fast diagnosis and antibacterial treatment are key to survival if infected.

The symptoms which are most common but not restricted to, are:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Stiffness in the neck
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • High sensitivity to light

The disease deteriorates rapidly and therefore it’s crucial to receive treatment as soon as possible. Even the family members and anyone in close contact with the infected should receive antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Can You Prevent Meningococcal Meningitis?

Fortunately, yes, some forms of bacterial and viral meningitis are preventable through vaccination. Meningococcal meningitis is one of those vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis. Available vaccines may provide protection from single serogroup to 4 serogroups i.e monovalent vaccine to quadrivalent vaccine. In India, parents may opt to provide vaccination for infants above 9 months of age against this deadly disease

I had decided to vaccinate my baby against meningococcal meningitis and protect her from this serious disease.

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Health

Newborn Care Basics: Breastfeeding Basics

Portrait of a cute newborn hold at mother s breast, his mouth open. Family, healthy birth concept photo, close up

Feeding baby is the most critical of newborn basics. Many mothers choose to breastfeed for a variety of reasons, and breastfeeding can be one of the most wonderful initial experiences for mother and baby. It can, however, take work to establish a successful breastfeeding practice. Here are a few breastfeeding basics suggestions to guide you in your nursing journey!

In the hospital

  • To start out, you can’t feed baby too often, but you can feed too little. Newborns who are getting the hang of nursing will need to eat often. It is important to wake baby to nurse in the first couple of weeks, as newborns are very sleepy. Aim for feeding 8-11 times per 24 hours.
  • The first milk that Mom produces is called colostrum. It is a superfood that is very concentrated and high in antibodies and fat. The amount of colostrum you produce may seem small, but it is just right for baby until your milk comes in. Baby’s stomach is very small and can only handle so much volume at once.
  • Get as much help as you need while in the hospital, especially if this is your first baby. While breastfeeding is natural, it isn’t always easy in the beginning. The lactation consultants are so knowledgeable! Even if things seem to be going smoothly, it never hurts to get some extra guidance. Babies can go through ups and downs with nursing so get as much information as possible while you’re surrounded by the experts.
  • With breastfeeding, it can be tricky to know if baby is getting enough in those first few days and weeks. Things to look for will be: the number of wet and poopy diapers as well as baby’s weight loss/gain. It is normal for baby to lose a small amount of weight (up to 10% of birth weight) in the first few days. A healthy time frame for baby to be back to and over birth weight is within the first two weeks.

Going Home

  • Your milk will come in around day 3 or 4, possibly earlier if this isn’t your first baby.
  • When baby begins to suck in the beginning of a feed he will trigger a hormone called oxytocin which will cause a “let-down”. This is when the milk begins to flow freely, making feeding easier for baby.
  • Most experts recommend on demand feeding in the early weeks. This means you follow baby’s cues for hunger rather than watching the clock. This ensures that baby is getting enough milk, whether or not every single feeding goes well.
  • Keep in mind that while the seemingly constant breastfeeding can be tiring, baby is getting more than just nutrition. They also receive comfort and nurturing!

Hush Hush Little Baby’s newborn professionals can help breastfeeding moms in major ways! We offer everything from 24 hour care, night care, postpartum doula, lactation consultants, as well as sleep training. We can bring baby to you for night or day feeds, so you can enjoy the time breastfeeding, but still be able to sleep or get work done during off times. This can truly make breastfeeding and adjusting to life with a newborn go smoothly and seamlessly!