Babycare: Myths and facts

For every woman, motherhood comes as a mix of emotions — of happiness, excitement, fear, confusion and unending questions. In the tug-of-war between traditional practices and modern-day notions, she will always be unsure about what is the best for her little one. 

Demystifying many popular notions, Dr Nitin Verma, associate director paediatrics, gives an insight into proper newborn care... 

Myths and facts:

Myth 1: For proper shape of baby’s head and to straighten the legs, oil massage, especially by Japa maids, are good. Putting drops of oil in baby’s ears and nostrils is healthy. 

Fact: Oil massage should be started after two weeks of birth using any baby oil. There is no need of a Japa maid. While most of them have the experience (not knowledge) to handle babies, many may have fixed ideas, not updated over the years. Also, massage does help shape the skull, but not the legs. Putting oil in ears and nostrils is a big no.

Myth 2: Applying natural body scrub ubtan (turmeric, gram flour, milk cream or curd paste) instead of soap nourishes the baby’s skin. 

Fact: Ubtan should be avoided and standard baby products like soap, shampoo and moisturising creams should be used. 

Myth 3: Feeding honey, or herbal paste (like bach) is healthy. 

Fact: Honey is contraindicated in the first year of life as it can cause Botulism, a form of poisoning. Similarly, herbal paste should not be used.

Myth 4: Can babies be given water? Will there be dehydration? 

Fact: No water is given to the baby till six months of age. Milk — breast or formula — provides adequate amount of water. The total amount of fluids a baby takes is fixed. Let us say a baby drinks 700 ml of milk. If we give 100 ml of water, the baby will drink 600 ml of milk. So while fluid will remain constant, the baby will lose out on proteins and calories in that 100 ml.

Myth 5: Wrapping babies tightly or swaddling helps proper development and straightening legs. 

Fact: Swaddling is the art of snugly wrapping a baby in a blanket for warmth and security. It can keep babies from being disturbed by their own startle reflex. It can also help babies stay warm and toasty for the first few days of life until their internal thermostat kicks in. It may even help to calm babies. It has nothing to do with keeping legs straight. 

Myth 6: The use of kajal (even if it is homemade). 

Fact: Kajal is not to be used for a year. 

Myth 7: Crying is good for the baby’s lungs. 

Fact: Crying is a natural phenomenon which has nothing to do with being good for lungs. 

Myth 8: Sunbathing keeps newborn healthy. 

Fact: Sunbathing, besides giving Vitamin D, causes tanning. All babies are routinely supplemented with Vitamin D since birth, so limited sun bathing is required. 

Myth 9: Moms should not breastfeed if they have fever or diarrhoea. 

Fact: Medicines taken by mothers get secreted in breast milk, hence they must check what medicine they can consume while breastfeeding. However, mothers may breastfeed with minor fever and diarrhoea as long as they feel well enough to do so. 

Myth 10: Using talcum powder and/or good nourishing cream. 

Fact: Talcum powder can be used after a month of age. Avoid so-called nourishing creams and use standard baby products. 

Myth 11: Baby’s tongue can be cleaned using cotton. 

Fact: Cotton should not be used to clean the tongue; instead, use a wet muslin cloth. 

(Published in Deccan Chronicle on May 30, 2017)

Aishwarya Rai or airbrushed doll?

 Just months ago did the whole world go gaga over Priyanka Chopra’s ‘unrealistic’ armpits in a photo that appeared on a magazine cover. The crease-free armpit caught the eye of many, forcing the actor to finally respond by tweeting a no-filter photograph of her armpits. And now, the flawless photographs of the ravishing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan remind us of the ‘armpit gate’.

As part of the latest photoshoot for L'Oréal advertisement, ahead of her customary Cannes appearance, two photographs of the 43-year-old actress have been released. The actor poses for photographer Prasad Naik in a baby pink dress for one photo and a shimmery grey gown for another. Though she looks gorgeous in the first photograph, one can’t help but notice the plastic look on her face — more like a frozen painting — on the second one. Sporting an open hair, light make-up and plum pink lipstick, she resembled the Kardashians to an extent, felt many, whereas some felt she looked ‘scary’. Why is the otherwise stunning actor Photoshopped to ‘perfection’ — if that’s what they call this? Why are natural looks being killed as part of marketing?

Celebrity photographers are of the opinion that airbrushing is just standard procedure. “I think it’s just a natural progression. Though there is a trend to keep pictures natural, there is also a desire among people to look flawless and perfect, which is capitalised by market. You wouldn’t want to see a face with too many pimples on a magazine, right? Earlier, we used to overexpose photographs to make the faces look flawless. Now, we can manage to achieve it using Photoshop. So it’s all about marketing,” says ace photographer Subi Samuel. Fashion photographer Dabboo Ratnani, too, agrees with him, but feels that ads shouldn’t go overboard with touch-ups.

“Airbrushing is a requirement these days. All photos need to be Photoshopped. Again it’s up to the photographer to decide how far you want to go. I usually keep my touch-ups very minimal and real. But I feel you shouldn’t overdo it. Airbrushing according to the needs of the image without making it appear artificial would be fine,” feels Ratnani.

Whatever be the case, we feel it’s high time our actors follow the Kate Winslet route — the Oscar-winning actress has a no-Photoshop clause in her contract with L'Oréal. In her own words, “I’d rather be the woman they’re saying ‘She’s looking older’ about than ‘She’s looking stoned’.”

(Published in Deccan Chronicle on May 14, 2017)

Serena of All Super Moms

When Serena Williams, hailed as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), announced that she was pregnant, the whole world responded with a surprised gasp. It was just weeks ago that the tennis superstar won the Australian Open without dropping a single set — her foetus should have been eight weeks old then. The news in no time set off a verbal duel in the cyber world between many admiring her amazing physical and inner strength, and others considering it ‘disrespectful’ and dangerous to the baby and an act trivialising motherhood.

With gynaecologists usually advising women to be cautious during week one to 12 that is the first trimester, does Serena’s graceful win bust the myths surrounding pregnancy care? Such as one should not engage in strenuous physical activities or undergo emotional stress? 

“Not necessarily,” says Dr Deepa Ganesh, Chennai-based laparoscopic and cosmetic gynaecologist, “Usually, one would not realise that they are pregnant till the eighth or ninth week; they might not feel any symptoms till then. We normally suggest avoiding physical activity only if they have symptoms like spotting or have had a history of miscarriage or were undergoing IVF treatment.”

In Serena’s case, pregnancy could have helped her put up her best show. “People who are physically active like Serena, have good cardiac activity and during pregnancy, their blood volume and cardiac output increases. More blood flows into the muscles, oxygen supply increases and the hormones secreting oestrogen, progesterone and some amount of testosterone will increase the muscle mass. Of course, it varies with person. But this could have boosted her performance too,” feels Dr Deepa. There is also a popular belief that pregnancy in women above 30 years falls under the high-risk category.

By undergoing long practice sessions, emotional stress and hectic training, 35-year-old Serena surprised everyone. “After 30 years, bone strength reduces and women are at a risk of developing hypertension and diabetes and due to their age, the child too has a risk of Down’s syndrome. But now-a-days, marriage and pregnancies happen late. But we have all facilities to keep a tab on the baby’s growth, check genetic disorders and take care of the mother’s health. With proper monitoring and increased checkups, delivering a healthy baby is not difficult,” opines Dr Manjula Anagani, Chief Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Hyderabad.

For most of the expectant mothers out there, pregnancy is no easy phase. It is a time of sickness that goes beyond ‘morning’, of extreme fatigue, of throw-up sprees and an emotional rollercoaster. So what makes Serena class apart? 

“Definitely her training,” says Dr Manjula. She further adds, “Taking care of her lower back is extremely important. With proper liquid intake, adequate diet that ensures good calorie intake, physiotherapy, controlled exposure to heat to avoid dehydration, exercises and getting enough breaks, a healthy pregnancy is possible for Serena. But since the uterus is a low-resistant organ, she should not fall and subject it to any trauma. Otherwise, she can deliver a healthy baby.” However, Serena is not the first pregnant sportsperson in her best form. Kerri Walsh Jennings won her Olympic gold in beach volleyball when she was five weeks pregnant. Canadian curler Kristie Moore sported a five-month baby bump when she won silver at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. 

‘Flying Flower’ Alysia Montaño was just six weeks away from giving birth to her daughter when she competed in an 800-m race. Do all these examples mean that it is safe for pregnant women to engage in hardcore sports? 

Dr Deepa says that there is no need to stigmatise lighter sports, though she wouldn’t advise a ‘rough sport’ after eight weeks. “We have instances of heavily pregnant women participating in marathons. “Exercise is usually recommended. Walking, running, and hitting the gym are fine, especially if you have been doing it before pregnancy; just make sure that you remain in the comfort zone. The moment you feel uncomfortable, stop doing it,” she stresses. 

Dr Manjula concurs, “Being a sportsperson, Serena’s abdominal walls will be stronger than normal pregnant women. So, that makes her different from others. But if others try to imitate her, it might lead to complications. “Exercising under proper supervision is recommended; even swimming is good. You just need to ensure than the uterus doesn’t suffer any trauma.” In short, not all moms-to-be can be stellar like the ‘GOAT’, but by carrying a life, they are still superwomen.

(Published in Deccan Chronicle on May 2, 2017)