Best websites in India for shopping Kids’ clothes

    1. www.firstcry.com - The best one according to me as you get almost everything from clothes to shoes , stationary , baby gear, birthday party stuff, toiletries, etc. at reasonable prices. Also, as they have their stores located in major cities one can always drop in and even avail the ongoing discounts.

     2.  www.hopscotch.in- Good online website for buying premium quality stuff for kids. Their delivery is not so fast however the items are worth waiting for.

    3. www.ebay.in – One gets maximum variety of products , however searching the right one is bit tedious and as multiple sellers are involved quality & size  gets compromised a few times. Very good if one is looking for heavy bargains & discounts.

Other websites like Amazon, Snapdeal , Jabong, Myntra , Shopclues , etc. too the sell  good kids products but since not limited to kids items have less variety & options. The above mentioned sites are fully devoted to Kids related requirements and hence, I found those to be quite convenient.

Importance of Grandparents (Parents in law) in early growing years of child

In India majority of the household follows paternal family, as here the girl moves to the boy’s house (however exceptions do exist & there is no qualms about that). Let’s talk about the general scenario where in Boy & girl get married, girl moves to boy’s side. Whether they stay together or in different location maintaining good relations with them is always a boon.

  1. They are young parents best guide & motivator: Kids do not come with a manual, also how much you read or watch , your experience of rearing the child is your own. The parenting journey can never be replicated even in case of other child too only comparisons may be possible. In times of bewilderment their one liner “….Nothing will happen to the kid, don’t worry!” does magic. 

 2. With their experiences & knowledge sharing one gets to learn a number of things without much effort.

 3.  Being them around (at least in 90% of cases) one can be assured that your child is in safe hands. As parents they may be harsh on you but as Grandparents they are always lovable for the kids. This sense of security no other can provide.

  4. One does not need to worry about putting young kids in play homes or creches, I would not say all of those are bad as they exist because people need them since everyone might not be fortunate to have a family member around an infant or toddler 24 X 7, the only thing I wish to stress is that one should not create need of such things voluntarily. Try to always maintain cordial relation with them. 

 5. Never consider your Parents in Law to caretakers for your child & leave all the responsibilities related to child on them. They have already reared their kids and your major support but that does mean that they should be burdened, they too have their lives and in wee years of their life they too might be having many dreams that they wish to fulfill. 

  6. Being nice to your Parents in Law will help you in long term too as kids will grow up learning family & moral values. Your behavior with the elders would be a role model for them to follow.   

Baby Feeding Bottle Sterilizer

Hi Friends,

One of the major concern faced by parents during starting years of parenting is stomach upset & stomach infections in babies due to unclean bottles . Although, the feeding bottles are boiled and used then too,  babies keep getting infections.Pediatricians too warn parents regarding disadvantages of prolonged bottle feeding and possible infections due to dirty bottles. However, for working mothers at times Bottle feeding is a necessary bane which they have to bear because on completion of maternity leave they are required to get back to work & baby is with a secondary caregiver. Even though child might be in safe hands it can never be 100% ensured that all care has been taken in cleaning nipples ,bottles & teethers which babies keep in mouth. 

Baby Feeding bottle sterilizer is a one stop solution for all such issues as you can sterilize a number of bottles , nipples , accessories & teethers, etc. in a go and can be assured of getting rid of 99.9% bacteria. It may seem a big investment and even family members & well wishers may consider it a sheer waste of money but it is one of greatest invention that ensures to a large extent  health & feeding safety of baby. It not only saves the baby from getting infections but always saves whole family from suffering & pain that everyone undergo if baby falls sick & her immunity weakens.

Hence, it is a smart investment which all parents should make; in longer run this not only saves baby from infections & yourself from baby's health related worries but also saves money spent on treatments & medicines!!!

Pic (Courtesy)- Philips Avent Sterilizer

Importance of Garbh Sanskar

During early period of my first pregnancy, one of my friend from Maharashtra got me introduced to a ceremony & corresponding rituals held at his home during his wife's pregnancy performed for well being of child and to inculcate few virtues in the unborn. As I had never heard of something about it before , I was astonished at first instance, on later thought I recollected that even our religious books have notations of incidents like Abhimanyu learning how to break CHAKRAVYUH when he was in his mother Subhadra's Womb . Also, Prahlad is told to have attained the virtuous & serene nature exactly opposite to that of his father Hrinkashyapu because his mother was in an ashram during pregnancy and he was peaceful & God loving due to the listening & learning when he was in womb. 

I did not go for any ceremony but on searching online , I could find a CD called Garbh Sanskaar ,released by Times Music,some portions of which even Great Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has voiced. I thought to give it a try. At first go, the music and voices seemed very soothing. Soon, I made it a part of my routine, ,while doing my Office or home chores I started playing CD for 30 minutes or so., and realized that I was getting calmer & happier, I was getting less irritated due to physical and hormonal changes & my anger too was always under control .

Today my daughter is 7 & Son is 5 years old & along with my other friends who have either attended Garbh Sanskaar ceremony or made such routine like me ; I can confirm that it is really effective. We all found that our babies are comparatively calmer, peaceful ,healthier , braver & virtuous than Kids of their age. 

There might be others reasons too affecting well being of the child ,however one should definitely give Garbh Sanskaar a try , Best if one could get it done ritually otherwise Garbh Sanskaar CDs / Music (from various sources) are readily available. 

Pic (Ref)- (Courtesy) M/sTimes Music - Garbh Sanskar CD

Benefits of Pomegranate to get rid of Dysentery /Diarrhoea

In case your kid is suffering from Dysentery/ Diarrhoea, one of the best remedy is Pomegranate. Pomegranate Seeds or Juice may be given to child without any additives (not even Salt or Sugar) to stop dysentery & also to regain the lost energy. 

Kids can be kept given small potions of pomegranate seeds/juice at regular intervals till bowel movements become normal. Bananas are also helpful in controlling dysentery, however some kids do not eat much especially when their body is dehydrated.

Pomegranate is a Super-fruit which has numerous health benefits. It helps to maintain Good immunity ,Skin texture & glow, helps to maintain blood sugar level & blood pressure and also  has been reported to reduce risk of cancer.

Caution- ORS is a must for Kids during dehydration. Do not Skip that ! 

How to get rid of Baby Nappy Rashes

If your baby has got Nappy rashes, I am sure just like me you too might have been advised by doctors & elders a number of remedies. Pediatricians assure that rashes will go in 2-3 days, whereas most of the times it takes longer to heal, also the babies remain cranky due to discomfort. I too tried almost every possible remedy suggested to me but what worked for my baby is MUSTARD OIL !

1. Mustard Oil due to its Antibacterial and Anti fungal properties works wonder on skin problems. Also, as it is natural & free of chemicals , it is safe for the babies. 

2. Clean the affected area and apply few drops of Mustard oil .

3. Leave the skin uncovered to expedite drying, skin should be in contact of fresh air as much as possible.

4. Mustard Oil is very effective in Cold too . Since ages , elders have suggested to apply & massage mustard oil with very little camphor (optional) on baby's chest & back when they get cold and believe me it works wonder. 

Caution -Buy pure & fresh Mustard oil only and ensure Mineral Oil is not added to it as that may act as irritant . Before applying too you may do a patch test to check for any type of skin allergies.

Ugadi Wishes !

As a North Indian, I never knew new how important this time of year is. Although, this is the second Navratri time of the year there too but the celebrations are a bit special in South India and now ,I can confirm the same. 

The thought behind distributing Neem Flowers & Jaggery  is also amazing! Both reflect the contrasting tastes- Bitter and Sweet , so are the memories of an year ...some sweet & some bitter !!!