Nine principles for 9 months

Following this diet can better the chances of a normal birth weight, improve foetal brain development and reduce risk of certain birth defects. It also increases the chances of a safe and comfortable pregnancy.

Nine principles for 9 months

1. Every bite counts: If the food you have chosen does not measure up nutritionally, it should be something you truly enjoy.

2. All calories are not created equal: Choose quality over quantity. Those 100 calories in 10 potato chips are not equal to the 100 calories in a baked potato served in its skin. Your baby will benefit from nutrient-rich calories, rather than empty ones.

3. Starve yourself, starve the baby: Don’t skip meals. Eating regularly is the road to a well-nourished foetus.

4. Efficiency is effective: Choose lean meats over fatty ones, fat-free milk or low fat milk and dairy products over full-fat, broiled foods over fried. Spread butter lightly on toast, use a teaspoon (not a tablespoon) of olive oil to sauté. To start tipping the scale towards healthier weight gain, choose foods that are dense in nutrients — avocados, nuts and dry fruit.

5. Carbohydrates are a complex issue: Don’t drop carbohydrates from your diet thinking you will gain weight. Unlike simple carbs — white bread, rice and pav — complex carbs — brown rice, fresh fruit, dried beans and peas — supply essential B vitamins, trace minerals, protein and fibre. Since they are filling, but not fattening they keep your weight in check. Recent research suggests eating plenty of fibre may reduce risk of gestational diabetes.

6. Sweet nothings are exactly that: Sugar calories are empty calories and add up quickly, leaving less room for nutritionally substantial calories. For delicious and nutritious sweetness, substitute fruit (ground dates, dried apricots, raisins) and fruit juice concentrates for sugar.

7. Keep it raw: If your carrots have not seen their native fields for months — having been boiled, processed and preserved — they may not have much natural goodness left to offer you or your baby. Choose fruits and vegetables when they are in season, have been fresh-frozen or unadulterated-canned. Try to eat raw vegetables every day. While cooking veggies, microwave, steam or stir-fry lightly so they will retain their vitamins and minerals.

8. Family affair: Get the whole household to eat healthy with you, otherwise you will have a harder time doing so alone. In addition to a healthier baby and a slimmer you, there will be a postpartum bonus of a family with improved eating habits.

9. Bad habits can sabotage a good diet: The best prenatal diet in the world is easily undermined if the expectant mother does not eliminate alcohol, tobacco and unsafe drugs from her life.

What to avoid

• No level of alcohol consumption is considered safe during pregnancy.
• Though many doctors feel one or two cups of coffee, tea or soda per day won’t harm your baby, it’s wise to avoid caffeine altogether. High caffeine consumption has been linked to increased risk of miscarriage.
• Soft, unpasteurised cheeses (often advertised as “fresh”).
• Unpasteurised milk and juices.
• Raw eggs, foods containing raw eggs.
• Raw or undercooked meats, fish, or shellfish.
• Processed meats in hot dogs, deli meats.
• Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish may contain high levels of mercury, which can damage the developing brain of a foetus.

The art of feeding toddlers

TOO BUSY TO EAT Toddlers are notoriously fussy eaters. Eating is simply not on the fun agenda of the average one-year-old. You may be surprised that your up-to-now good eater suddenly loses interest in food, will not sit still long enough to take in more than two mouthfuls, and seems to be consuming only a fraction of his previous daily intake. Don't worry. This is normal toddler behaviour. The drive to master the arts of walking and talking is all-consuming right now, and your little one simply doesn't want to give up any of his precious time for the boring task of eating. His growth rate is slowing down, and with it his appetite, and although he uses up a great deal of energy by being so active, his body can make use of the extra fat stored over the past year to top up its fuel tank! Try to get him to sit down for his regular meals, even if it's only for a few mouthfuls, to help him learn that mealtimes are for eating. But in between, let him snack often with small amounts of healthy foods. Make each mouthful count by ensuring that you stick to nutritious choices.

Establishing a good bedtime routine for your baby

WHERE TO START The first step in establishing a calm and settled bedtime routine is to identify the objects and habits that help to soothe your baby. Does he have favourite music, a special blanket or an interesting mobile that have a calming effect on him? Does he like to hear voices as he drifts off, or is he happier in a quieter environment? Organise yourself and decide on a structure that should begin with bath time, progress to some quiet time and a feed, and end with putting your baby down, still awake, in his bed. Remember to encourage your baby to fall asleep on his own, as he needs to develop this ability in order to be able to eventually manage the night alone. Give him the time and space to find his own particular methods of self-soothing, even if this means enduring a period of crying before he nods off. And resist the temptation to jump out of bed and rush to him at the first whimper during the night. You will only be teaching him that he needs your help to go back to sleep, and he won't learn to do so on his own.

Baby development...

IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL Don't take it personally if your baby says "Dada" before "Mama" - it's only natural. "Mama" will come in time, so don't try to push him. The second year is full of challenging behaviour such as temper tantrums and refusals. Your child is testing your limits: "How far can I go to get what I want now". At this age your child finds it hard to understand that some things cannot be had immediately. Do take note of how he communicates, and be reassured if he gestures effectively and understands simple, single requests like "Go and get your shoe." Listen to what he says when he is alone in his cot: Children practise language and review their exciting experiences through "cot speech." You'll hear elements of the day's events, your own "no's" and even voice imitations as your child works at consolidating all that he's learning.

Your Baby, 15 Month...

STEPPING OUT ALONE Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, your toddler is always keen to go and explore his surroundings. Like a little wind-up toy, as soon as his feet touch the ground, he's off! At this age, children are constantly testing their abilities, climbing onto furniture, opening doors and cupboards, squeezing themselves into corners and getting stuck. At home, keep a regular check on your little one's whereabouts, especially when all goes suspiciously quiet! This usually indicates that baby's found something new and fascinating to do, and it could lead to trouble, or in the very least result in a big mess! When you're out and about, don't expect your toddler to be content just sitting in his pram. He's raring to go and doesn't want to be strapped into a seat! Shopping and going for coffee with friends is definitely more tricky nowadays, so go prepared with toys and snacks to distract you little adventurer. And remember to stay on high alert, ready to divert him away from trouble, whenever he sets off to investigate a new place.

Types of Birth Method...

Silent birth

Silent Birth refers to a method preferred by some members of the Church of Scientology. A silent birth involves delivering a baby in a completely silent, calm environment, without the help of pain relieving drugs. During a silent birth, all sounds are kept at an absolute minimum — speaking, whispering, and even playing music is discouraged, and anesthetic drugs are avoided. This silence is maintained for a period of seven days.

Hydro birth

Water birth entails a method of delivery where a mother gives birth to her child in a bathtub or pool full of warm water. Water is a muscle relaxant. It aids the passage of the baby through the birth canal. It provides greater comfort and mobility. The mother has more ease and freedom to move spontaneously, and to change position to assist the descent of the baby. Water helps relieve pain, so, other painkillers can be avoided. A hydrobirth shortens the duration of labour and reduces the incidence of artificial instrumentation at delivery. It helps in the reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation. This means less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.

Hypno birth

Hypno birth is based on the belief that birth is a natural phenomenon and not a medical incident. Hypno birthing therapists teach women how to self-hypnotise and use very slow breathing techniques that coincide with the body’s natural contractions.

The key element of this type of delivery involves teaching pregnant mothers a whole new childbirth vocabulary as follows,

Babies are not “delivered,” they are “birthed” through the “birthing process,” not “labour.”

Mothers do not “push” their babies out. They “breathe down” their babies.

Baby's star sign

My baby is Aquarius.

Weaning Q & A

Q: When to start?
A: For most babies, milk or infant milk provides all the nourishment needed up to the age of 6 months, but if you think your baby needs solids before this time, ask your health professional for advice.

Q: What foods should I offer to start with?
A: Baby rice, fruit (e.g. banana, apple, pear, mango) or vegetable (e.g. carrot, parsnip, potato, yam) purees mixed with your baby’s usual milk make good first weaning foods. These first tastes should be bland-tasting, smooth and gluten free.

Q: How much should I give and when?
A: One or two teaspoons of food offered before, during or after one of your baby’s usual milk feeds is all that you’ll need to give to start with. Gradually you will be able to increase the number of spoonfuls offered – be guided by your baby’s appetite, so if he still seems hungry after a couple of teaspoons of food you can give a little more. As your baby begins to want more, start giving some solid food at two and then three feeds a day.

Q: Increasing variety?
A: Try and give a wide variety of tastes as your baby is less likely to be a fussy eater later on if you do. If a food is rejected at first, try it again another time as your baby may grow to like it.

Q: How long will weaning take?
A: Weaning from a milk only diet to one containing a wide range of new tastes is a gradual process which can take quite some time, but by the age of about one year most babies will be eating a varied diet. Remember all babies are different so relax and go at your baby’s pace. Allow plenty of time for feeding, particularly at first, and let your baby enjoy learning this new skill.