As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are healthy. Therefore, the brief information on nutrition in this article will give you some ideas on the necessary preparations or on what to expect.

• Vitamin supplements for babies

Babies who are exclusively breastfed is lacking in vitamin D. Hence, vitamin D drops may be necessary to make up for it. Preemies or premature infants need a multivitamin with iron supplement as they require the extra nutrient to ensure a healthy growth.

All babies will benefit from having DHA which is a fatty acid that boost brain development. The breastfeeding mom can take the supplement to pass it on to the baby.

I was doing both breastfeeding and giving formula and hence, I did not give any vitamin supplements to my kids.

• Signs of food allergy

The normal symptoms to look out for are eczema or a hive, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms can appear instantaneously or after 24 hours of eating the offending food.

My kids were able to accept most food and does not suffer from any food allergy. My daughter was allergic to cow’s milk and I switched to plant-based and soy-based milk for her instead. My son had a friend who was allergic to chocolates and had to stay away from it. He also could not drink chocolate based beverages like Milo and Vico which are popular with kids.

• A picky eater

Most parents have encountered this problem with their children. Your child is a picky eater due to several reasons such as seeing you being fussy, he is not offered new foods often enough or it could be in his genes.

I have not met a child who could accept and eat everything that is put in front of him. My own kids have different preferences. I have one son who avoids vegetables in every meal and another son who avoids meat. The only way to ensure that they do eat is to offer a variety of dishes and to make the food interesting by cooking in various styles. For example, the one who does not eat meat likes to eat hamburgers instead. Hence once in awhile, I prepare beef or chicken hamburgers or hot dogs for him.

• Breastfed baby

Mothers know that their breastfed baby is getting enough to eat from the number of wet diapers, about 6 to 8 wet diapers per day. The baby should also be steadily gaining weight.

• Choking hazard

Small children are susceptible to choking due to their small throats and the lack of a full set of teeth. Do not give a young child under the age of 4 round foods like hard candies, nuts, and popcorn or whole cherry tomatoes. Cut up the food into smaller pieces to enable the child to chew easily before swallowing.

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

As a mom, you must have heard or read about the countless benefits of breastfeeding your baby. If you still have reservations about the side-effects of breastfeeding or have false ideas about it, read on to learn the truths.

photo credit: Raphael Goetter

It is painful

Breastfeeding should not be painful. If it is, your baby may not be sucking or latching on properly. Breastfeeding can be a great bonding process with your baby.

It makes the boobs saggy

Pregnancy will affect your breast due to the physical and hormonal changes. Then there is also milk production to nourish the baby. It is actually good as it helps your breasts return to its pre-pregnancy shape faster. Women who plan to breastfeed should be happy with this news.

You need big boobs to breastfeed

The size of your breast makes no difference to your ability to breastfeed. It does not matter whether you have big boobs or small ones. The milk production is in the glandular tissue which is not affected by the breast size.

Breastfeeding prevents me from getting pregnant

In the first six months, the chance of conceiving is low if you continue to breastfeed and your menstrual cycle has not returned.

Having an inverted nipple means breastfeeding is not possible

Having a sticking-out nipple makes it easier to breastfeed but not necessary. Getting the right advice or practice will ensure breastfeeding is still possible.

Likewise having a C-section

After a C-section (Caesarian) does not mean you cannot breastfeed. It is up to you to find a comfortable position that enables you to breastfeed easily.

Choosing either breastfeeding or bottle-feeding

A mom does not have to choose one and stick to it. A lot of moms have successfully combined both in order to give their babies the benefits that go with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

Guilty feeling if not breastfeeding

Some women feel that they have failed as a mom if they do not breastfeed. Some women prefer not to breastfeed for various reasons. They should know that breastfeeding is only one part of the love they will be providing throughout the growing up years. There should not be any guilty feelings for not breastfeeding. There are many other ways to bond with the baby including giving lots of hugs and cuddles.

Therefore, having learned all of the above should encourage women breast feeding their babies to continue with their practice.

After giving birth, women have to start thinking of a suitable birth control method or contraceptive. Although the options are many, not all may be suitable for you. Below are four common questions that women have regarding birth control which can help to guide you to make the correct choice.

Q: What is a safe method to use while I am breastfeeding my baby?

Women who are breastfeeding should avoid the Patch and the Ring that deliver hormones into the blood stream as well as birth-control pills that contain estrogen and progestin. All these can affect your milk supply.

The alternative is to take the “mini-Pill” (e.g. Micronor) or to use an intrauterine contraceptive like a diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap or condom.

photo credit: Raphael Goetter

Q: I would like to have another baby quite soon and would like to choose a suitable method that does not affect my chances of conceiving. What is a suitable choice?

You can apply the normal birth control methods except Depo-Provera which can delay or affect your fertility for a longer period.

Q: I would like to have a long-term contraceptive but I do not want it to be permanent. What is the recommended method?

An intrauterine contraceptive (IUC) is suitable, for example the Mirena IUC and ParaGard. Another option is the Implanon which is a matchstick-size rod that is implanted on your arm, just under the skin.

Q: Is it safe for women over 36 years old to take hormonal birth control?

It is safe as long as you do not smoke and do not have a heart disease problem. Research shows that taking the Pill gives protection against ovarian cysts and ovarian, uterine and colorectal cancers.