DCH, IBCLC
Preeti Ga博士ngan is a pediatrician and a lactation consultant certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Virginia, US. Dr. Gangan has completed her MBBS and post graduation in Pediatrics (DCH) from the prestigious SethG S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai. She has 15 years of experience in her field of medicine.
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Experiencing sinus infection when breastfeeding can cause discomfort to mothers, and they may worry if it can be transmitted to the baby. Also, many are unsure about the safety of medicines they take. Sinuses are air-filled spaces within the bones of the face and are most commonly located near the cheeks, around the nose, or between the eyebrows. These are lined mucus membranes, and an infection may lead to sinus inflammation, thereby increasing mucus production (1) (2). It is a common infection that affects about 31 million people in the US every year. Dr. Theodore Kremer, a board-certified pediatrician from St Louis, Missouri, says, “Bacterial sinus infections often start with plugging of one of the openings of the bones of the skull called a sinus passage. After one of these openings becomes clogged, mucus builds up in the sinuses. Bacteria can thrive and reproduce quickly when the mucus cannot drain appropriately.” Read this post to learn more about the precautions...
Spinal tap or lumbar puncture in babies is a process that involves the extraction of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower spine. This process is useful in the diagnosis of chronic illnesses. It is mostly done when doctors find it challenging to detect the reason for an illness through any other diagnostic test. Read this post to learn more about lumbar puncture in babies, the reasons behind doing it, the side effects of the procedure, and how to care for your baby after the lumbar puncture is done. [mj-toc] What Is Lumbar Puncture? [caption id="attachment_550516" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] Lumbar puncture, also referred to as a spinal tap, is the process of inserting a syringe in the lower spine to extract cerebrospinal fluid (a clear liquid that circulates within the nervous system, carrying vital nutrients) (1). The fluid is drawn out from a cavity or pocket of cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the entire nervous system. Cerebrospinal fluid is significant because it...
Eating bananas during breastfeeding can provide you with essential nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, and fiber. Besides, bananas contain several phytochemicals that can support overall health in the long run. But since bananas are also high in carbohydrates, some new moms might consider avoiding them to cut down on calories and lose weight. Is this the right move? Read on as we give you an insight into the safety of bananas for breastfeeding women and their possible maternal health benefits. We also give you some delectable banana recipes you can try without feeling guilty. [mj-toc] Can You Eat Banana While Breastfeeding? You can eat bananas while breastfeeding since their regular consumption can benefit nursing mothers and their babies. Banana is a nutritious fruit with a considerable amount of micronutrients and bioactive compounds such as phenolics, carotenoids, biogenic amines, and phytosterols (1). These compounds are good for the mother as well as the baby. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="//www.finesse-bg.com/articles/ways-understand-important-milestones-babys-life_0074502/" title="16 Important Developmental Milestones In...
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also known as lucerne, is a plant of the Fabaceae family (1). Its leaves and roots are used to prepare herbal supplements in traditional medicine, whereas its seeds are used as food. Several mothers use alfalfa postpartum during breastfeeding as the plant possesses galactagogue effects (2). But is alfalfa safe for nursing mothers and their babies? Can consuming alfalfa help boost nutrition and increase breast milk supply by adding vital vitamins and minerals? Read on as we give you an insight into the safety of alfalfa for lactating women, its possible health benefits, and its side effects. Understanding these details is necessary before you add alfalfa to your lactation diet. [mj-toc] Is Alfalfa Safe When Breastfeeding? Alfalfa is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (3). However, there is inadequate data on the safety and efficacy of this plant-based ingredient for nursing mothers. For this reason, alfalfa consumption in lactation should be...
Parents will invariably notice the color of the baby's poop when changing the diapers. There could be instances when you may notice an unusual color, such as greenish poop in infants. Changes in the baby’s stool color may often reflect the infant’s health. In this post, we tell you the causes, treatments, prevention, and how to stop green poop in babies. [mj-toc] Is It Normal For Breastfed Babies To Have Green Poop? [caption id="attachment_881175" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] If your baby is growing and gaining weight optimally, then green poop may not be a matter of concern. A breastfed baby’s poop is usually mustard yellow, green, or brown in color. Newborns have green, brown, or black tar-like stool known as “meconium” (1). [mj_protip type="Quick fact" title="Quick fact"]Green stool in babies is always normal, but green stool, especially dark green stool, can be mistaken for black stool. Black stool in babies may indicate an underlying gastrointestinal issue (12).[/mj_protip] Signs of a...
Is it safe to wear a bra during breastfeeding? Many nursing mothers are curious to know the answer to this question. Breastfeeding is an important phase after childbirth. It brings considerable changes to the size and texture of a woman’s breasts. This change often results in changes in your bra size, and your previous regular bra might not fit anymore. So, you may want to choose a different bra that can help you feel comfortable and give you more flexibility to breastfeed your baby even in public. Read through this post to get complete information about choosing the right bra for yourself during breastfeeding. [mj-toc] Is It Safe To Wear An Underwired Bra When Breastfeeding? It is usually suggested to avoid wearing an underwired bra while breastfeeding. An underwired bra could cause blocked milk ducts or breast infections like mastitis, thus resulting in a reduced milk supply (1). However, some nursing bras have flexible low-gauge wire support. They flex and...