Baby Cries For No Reason

Full tummy? Check. Clean diaper? Check. Fever-free? Check.

So why is your baby crying? Babies have their own good reasons. But even the wisest parents can't read their babies' mind – and babies don't have the words to tell us what's wrong. 

If you haven't already looked at 12 reasons babies cry and how to soothe them, you may want to start there. If you still need strategies, read on. Fortunately, you can offer comfort without knowing the cause of distress.

Here are some tried and true methods:
Something to suck on
Sucking can steady a baby's heart rate, relax his stomach, and calm flailing limbs. Offer a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let your baby go to town.
Snuggling and swaddling
Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb: Try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing your baby, or holding him against your shoulder to re-create that feeling. Some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier.
Music & rhythm
Try playing music, singing a lullaby or your favorite song, and dancing around the room. Experiment with different kinds of music to see what your baby responds to.
White noise
The growl of a vacuum cleaner might not seem very soothing, but many babies are calmed by a steady flow of "white noise" that blocks out other noises – much like the constant whoosh of bodily sounds they heard in the womb.
Fresh air
Sometimes simply opening the front or back door and stepping outside with your baby stops the crying instantly. If it works, savor the moment: Look around, look up at the sky, talk to your baby about the world around your home – whether it's a quiet cul-de-sac or a busy city street.
Warm water
Like fresh air, warm water can soothe and put a stop to your baby's tears.
For a change from a bath, try holding your baby in your arms under a gently running shower. Don't push it if your baby doesn't like the noise or splashing water, but some babies really take to it. Just make sure your shower is slip-proof.
Motion
The movement involved in being carried in your arms or a carrier may be enough. Other ways to get your baby in motion: a rocking chair, swing, or bouncy seat; setting your baby in a car seat on the dryer while it's on (don't walk away, though – the dryer's vibrations can cause the seat to move and fall off!); a ride in the stroller or car. 
Give yourself a break
A crying baby who can't easily be soothed puts a lot of stress on parents. Thankfully, as your baby gets older, he'll be better able to soothe himself and much of the crying will stop.

In the meantime, don't feel guilty about taking care of yourself as well as your baby. It'll make you a more patient and loving parent. When you're reaching your limit, try these tips:

• Put your baby down in a safe place and let him cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice
• Let someone you trust take over for a while.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that crying in itself won't hurt your baby – and he may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "My baby will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't express your frustration by shaking your baby.

How to trim your baby's nails?

Should I trim my baby's nails?

Yes. Your baby's nails may be softer and more pliable than yours, but make no mistake—they're sharp! A newborn has little control over his flailing limbs and can easily end up scratching his own face or yours.

Little fingernails grow so fast you may have to cut them several times a week. Toenails require less frequent trimming.

How do I trim my baby's nails without cutting his fingertips?

The best time to do this is while she's sleeping. Another good time is right after a bath, when your baby's nails are softest.

Make sure you have enough light to see what you're doing. Use a pair of baby scissors or clippers made especially to use on tiny fingers. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on your baby's hand as you clip.

Cut fingernails along the curve of the finger. Cut toenails straight across. Then use an emery board to smooth out rough edges.

Doctors recommend using only an emery board in the first few weeks of a new baby's life because nails are very soft. And new parents are also more likely to accidentally clip their baby's skin.

If you decide to give your baby a manicure while she's awake, ask your partner or a friend to hold her and keep her from wiggling too much while you work. Or have someone distract her so she'll let you hold her hand still for the clipping and filing.

Some parents bite their baby's nails into shape, but doing it this way could introduce germs from your mouth into any little cut your baby may have on her finger. You also won't be able to see what you're doing, and you'll find that your baby's finger is tiny compared to your teeth!

If I do cut a fingertip, how do I stop the bleeding?

If you do nick a tiny fingertip, don't be too hard on yourself—it happens to lots of parents. Simply rinse the cut under cool water, then wrap a tissue around your baby's finger and hold it with a little pressure. The bleeding usually stops in a couple of minutes.

Resist the temptation to try to put a bandage on your baby's finger. It's likely to come off when he puts his finger in his mouth, and he could end up choking on it.

Also, doctors don't recommend using a liquid bandage product for babies or toddlers because they'll probably suck it off. If your child has a wound that doesn't stop bleeding, it's a good idea to see your child's doctor.

Introducing solid food

When should I introduce solid food to my baby?

You can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn't ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months – though parents will attest that some babies are eager and ready to eat solids earlier.

How will I know when my baby's ready?

Your baby will give you clear signs when he's ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:

• Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.
• Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
• Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.
• Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling – though if your baby's teething, you might still see a lot of drool.
• Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
• Growing appetite. He seems hungry – even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.

Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.

How should I introduce solid food?

For most infants, you can start with any pureed solid food. While it's traditional to start your baby on solids with a single-grain cereal, there's no medical evidence to show that introducing solid foods in a particular order will benefit your baby. Good foods to start with include pureed sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce, bananas, peaches, and pears.

First, nurse or bottle-feed your baby. Then give him one or two teaspoons of pureed solid food. If you decide to start with cereal, mix it with enough formula or breast milk to make a semi-liquid. Use a soft-tipped plastic spoon when you feed your baby, to avoid injuring his gums. Start with just a small amount of food on the tip of the spoon.

If your baby doesn't seem very interested in eating off the spoon, let him smell and taste the food or wait until he warms up to the idea of eating something solid. Don't add cereal to your baby's bottle or he may not make the connection that food is to be eaten sitting up and from a spoon.

Begin with a once-a-day feeding, whenever it's convenient for you and your baby, but not at a time when your baby seems tired or cranky. Your baby may not eat much in the beginning, but give him time to get used to the experience. Some babies need practice keeping food in their mouths and swallowing.

Once he gets used to his new diet, he'll be ready for a few tablespoons of food a day. If he's eating cereal, gradually thicken the consistency by adding less liquid. As the amount your baby eats increases, add another feeding.

How will I know when my baby's full?

Your baby's appetite will vary from one feeding to the next, so a strict accounting of the amount he's eaten isn't a reliable way to tell when he's had enough. If your baby leans back in his chair, turns his head away from food, starts playing with the spoon, or refuses to open up for the next bite, he has probably had enough. (Sometimes a baby will keep his mouth closed because he hasn't yet finished with the first mouthful, so be sure to give him time to swallow.)

Do I still need to give my baby breast milk or formula?

Yes, your baby will need breast milk or formula until he's a year old. Both provide important vitamins, iron, and protein in an easy-to-digest form. Solid food can't replace all the nutrients that breast milk or formula provides during that first year. See how much breast milk or formula babies need after starting solids.

How should I introduce new food?

Introduce other solids gradually, one at a time, waiting at least three days after each new food. This way you'll get a heads-up if your baby has an allergic reaction to one of them (signs of an allergy may include diarrhea, vomiting, a swollen face, wheezing, or a rash). If there's a family history of allergies, or your baby develops an allergic reaction during this process, start waiting up to a week between new foods. 

Talk to your baby's doctor about which solids to introduce and when. To play it safe, the doctor may recommend that you hold off on feeding your baby more allergenic foods like soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, and nuts.

Even though it's a good idea to get your baby accustomed to eating a wide variety of foods, it'll take time for him to get used to each new taste and texture. Each baby will have unique food preferences, but the transition should go something like this:

1. Pureed or semi-liquid food

2. Strained or mashed food

3. Small pieces of finger foods

If your baby is transitioning from cereal, offer a few tablespoons of vegetables or fruit in the same meal as a cereal feeding. All food should be very mushy – at this stage your baby will press the food against the top of his mouth and then swallow.

If you're feeding your baby from ready-to-eat jars of baby food, scoop some into a little dish and feed him from that. If you dip his feeding spoon into the jar, you won't be able to save the leftovers because you'll have introduced bacteria from his mouth into the jar. Also, throw away any baby food jars within a day or two of opening them.

Some parents may tell you to start with vegetables instead of fruits so your infant won't develop a taste for sweets. But babies are born with a preference for sweets, so you don't have to worry about introducing food in any particular order. Also, don't leave any food off his menu simply because you don't like it. And stay away from foods that might cause him to choke.

If your baby turns away from a particular food, don't push. Try again in a week or so. He may never like sweet potatoes, or he may change his mind several times and end up loving them.

Don't be surprised if your baby's stools change color and odor when you add solids to his diet. If your baby has been exclusively breastfed up to this point, you'll probably notice a strong odor to his formerly sweet-smelling stools as soon as he starts eating even tiny amounts of solids. 

This is normal. If his stools seem too firm (rice cereal, bananas, and applesauce can contribute to constipation), switch to other fruits and vegetables and oatmeal or barley cereal.

At about this time, you can also introduce your baby to water, which may help keep constipation at bay (although your baby will get all the hydration he needs from breast milk or formula). You can offer 2 to 4 ounces of water per day in a sippy cup.

How many times a day should my baby be eating solid food?

At first he'll eat solid food just once a day. By around 6 to 7 months, two meals a day is the norm. By around 8 months he should be eating solid food three times a day. A typical day's diet at 8 months might include a combination of:

• Breast milk or iron-fortified formula
• Iron-fortified cereal
• Yellow, orange, and green vegetables
• Fruit
• Small amounts of protein such as poultry, lentils, tofu, and meat

There are certain foods that you shouldn't give your baby yet. Honey, for example, can cause botulism in babies under a year old. For more details, see "Foods That Can Be Unsafe for Your Baby."

Do I need any special equipment?

It's helpful to have a highchair, plastic spoons to protect your baby's sensitive gums, bibs, and plastic dishes and bowls. A splat mat on the floor can help keep messes to a minimum. You may also want to introduce your baby to a sippy cup soon after you start solids.

If you're making your own baby food, you'll need a tool to puree the food, like a blender, food processor, or baby food grinder. You'll also want to have storage containers for refrigerating and freezing extra portions. (Some parents use ice-cube trays – or similar devices made just for baby food – to store and freeze individual portions.)

Where should I feed my baby?

You'll want a sturdy, stable, comfy place for him to sit, at a convenient height for you. To start out, that might be a bouncy seat or even a car seat. (Just make sure that he's upright enough to swallow well.) Once he can sit up by himself, though, a highchair at the table is your best bet. Your baby will be able to participate in family meals, and you'll be able to eat your own meal and feed him at the same time. It'll also be easier to clean up after he chows down.

How can I help my child develop healthy eating habits?

• Don't feel you have to stick to bland, boring baby foods. Instead, offer your child more adventurous options.
• Make your own baby food – or if you're buying jarred food, check the labels. The fewer ingredients, the better.
• See our new rules for feeding your baby and the old guidelines that still apply.

Traveling Without Your Child

Leaving your child at home while you travel may be a frightening and stressful prospect if you've never done it before — and even if you have!
But you can prepare your child before you leave so that both of you can feel more comfortable.
Are Kids Ready?
Kids' readiness to stay at home depends largely on their age.Separation anxiety is common among kids between 6 months and 2 years old. For them, comfort is vital. Make sure they'll feel comfortable with a babysitter while you're gone and keep their normal daily routines going. If possible, it's better for kids at this stage to stay in their own home while parents are away rather than at someone else's house.
Preschoolers might not understand why a parent is leaving, may worry that they've done something wrong to cause it, and might think that the separation is punishment. So it's important to assure them that this isn't the case and to explain the reason for a trip in terms they understand.
Often, preschoolers will react to a parent's departure by regressing to younger behaviors, such as whining or asking for a bottle. If your child reacts that way, a reminder from you that the behavior is not appropriate and that you won't change your travel plans can be effective.
School-age kids might more directly show their feelings of sadness or anger about a parent's departure. Kids ages 6 to 8 may feel comforted by something of yours to keep close while you're gone.
Older kids may seem extra-moody about a parent's departure and act angry one moment and clingy the next. So consider scheduling activities to engage them while you're gone. It's important to reassure them that you'll miss them, too, and that you trust that the babysitter will take good care of them.
If your kids are teenagers, they might feel like they don't even need a babysitter while you're traveling. If you also have younger children, you can explain that the caregiver is there because of them and ask your teen to help the babysitter look after the younger kids while you are gone.
If you have only a teen and are not comfortable with leaving him or her alone, it is important to convey your concerns and to explain why you feel more comfortable having someone else in the house. If you do decide to leave your teen alone, establish clear rules for the time that you're away. And it's a good idea to have a friend or neighbor look in on your teen while you're gone.
Preparing the Caregiver
If possible, try to have the person caring for your kids visit before you leave. This will help them be more comfortable with that person and your plans to go away. It's also a chance to review the house rules, the kids' daily routines, and other important issues with the caregiver.
Things to cover:

• proper use of the car seat
• tips for comforting your child
• babyproofing or childproofing measures that are taken in your home
• rules your child follows with strangers
• the layout of your house and neighborhood
• what to do in the event of a fire, including information on where the fire extinguishers and the fire detectors are in the house
• what to do in the event of a medical emergency, including where and how to reach you at all times
• a list of important phone numbers
• a record of kids' allergies, medications, vaccinations, and medical history
• where to find a flashlight and spare batteries
• your travel itinerary, including times when you might be unreachable

Also consider leaving these with the caregiver:

• library cards
• membership cards for community centers, pools, museums, and other local attractions
• a calendar of local events
• cash for food and any emergencies
• a full tank of gas in your car (also check the oil and tires)
• a well-stocked food pantry and refrigerator
• favorite toys, videotapes, and books in plain view

a new book or toy to help distract or comfort your child

Stocking the Medicine Cabinet

A well-stocked medicine cabinet should have:

• acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• adhesive bandages
• antiseptic
• calamine lotion
• cool-mist vaporizer
• cotton balls/swabs
• insect repellent
• nail clippers
• sterile gauze pads and surgical tape
• sunscreen
• thermometer
• tweezers

If your child takes medication regularly, make sure there's a sufficient supply and that your caregiver knows how to administer it.
While You're Away
Check in with the caregiver regularly, if possible. Think carefully about how much contact will comfort your child while you're away. Some kids might need postcards or a daily phone call or email message, whereas others might get more upset when they hear a parent's voice.
Review basic details about your travel plans with your kids before you leave. You can mark your travel dates on a calendar to help them understand how long you'll be gone or instruct the caregiver to cross off each day at bedtime.
Be prepared for your child's behavior when you return. Young kids sometimes feel angry at their parents for leaving and act out or ignore them when they return.
If this happens, provide your child with the same sort of reassurance and discipline that you would in any other situation. Certainly, you should try to hug or kiss your child when you return but don't push it if your child is still angry.
Leaving a Paper Trail
Besides your itinerary, leave a folder with your child's medical information and these phone numbers:

• your child's doctor and your local hospital
• police, fire, and ambulance
• your pharmacy
• your dentist
• gas/electric emergency number
• health insurance company
• nearest relative and neighbor
• poison control center
• school/child-care center

Important medical information in the folder should include:

• health insurance cards
• your child's medical record (listing allergies, current medications, height, weight, age, and vaccination history)
• emergency medical consent forms (from your local hospital), which will let the caregiver seek medical care for your child while you're away

Seven keys to creating a successful baby sleep, feeding, and play schedule.

Getting into a regular schedule for sleep, feeding, and activities can make life easier for you and your baby. But how to start? Below, find seven great guidelines for establishing a routine that works.

Get your baby used to a bedtime routine early on

Once you have a consistent bedtime worked out, a daytime routine will fall into place, says Tanya Remer Altmann, a pediatrician and editor-in-chief of The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones.

And the easiest way to establish a regular bedtime is to start a bedtime routine that you and your baby can depend on night after night.

"The bedtime routine is the most important thing to consider when establishing a schedule," says Altmann. "You can't force it in the first few months, but you can start practicing at around 2 months."

Altmann says to keep it simple: a warm bath, jammies, a feeding, then lights-out. It's fine if feeding lulls your baby to sleep in the early months, Altmann says, but by 3 or 4 months you may want to try putting him down awake so he'll learn to fall asleep on his own

Teach your baby the difference between night and day

Many babies mix up their days and nights at first, sleeping long stretches during the day only to perk up once the sun goes down. Helping your baby learn to tell day from night is a key first step to getting into a workable routine.

Amy Shelley, mom to 8-month-old Alex, offers these tips: "During the day, keep the house bright. Do the exact opposite at night: Keep the house dim and quiet. Don't talk to your baby much during night feedings. Let him learn that night is for sleeping and daytime is for socialization and playtime."

Learn to read your baby's cues

Websites, books, your baby's doctor, and other parents can all help as you figure out an appropriate schedule for your baby. But your child will be an important guide, and he'll tell you what he needs – if you learn to read his cues.

"When parents take the time to be with their baby, the information they receive gets sifted through their own experience. 'Instincts' come from learning about your baby's temperament and what works for him," says pediatrician Daniel Levy, president of the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland.

Mom Liana Scott says paying close attention to 9-month-old Keaton has helped her anticipate his needs, which makes life easier and more fun for both of them.

"Now I'm able to feed him before he's really hungry and put him to bed before he's overtired and fussy," says Scott.

Learning what your baby needs when takes time and patience. But you'll see patterns emerge over time. And if you log your baby's naps, feedings, playtime, and so on in a notebook or on the computer, you can use this record to come up with a timetable for doing things.

When starting out, put your baby's schedule first

If you're encouraging your baby to follow a schedule or observing his patterns to figure out a routine that works, make this process a top priority for at least the first couple of weeks. Avoid deviating from the routine with vacations, meals on the go, outings that push naptime back, and so on.

Once you establish a pattern for your baby's sleeping, awake, and feeding times, changing things for an afternoon isn't likely to undo his habits. But it's best to keep your baby's schedule as consistent as possible while he's getting used to it.

Expect changes during growth spurts and milestones

Your child accomplishes so much in the first year. He'll nearly triple his weight and achieve some major feats like sitting up, crawling, even walking.

During periods of growth or when he's working to achieve a new milestone, don't be surprised if your baby diverges from his usual routine. He may be hungrier than usual, need more sleep, or return to waking up several times a night. Hang in there – your baby may be back on schedule shortly, or this may be a sign that you need to adjust your routine.

Adjust your baby's schedule to suit his age

It may feel like just when you've gotten into a predictable groove with your little one, it's time to change it again. As your baby gets older, he'll need fewer daytime naps and moreplaytime and stimulation. He'll also need to eat solid foods – first just once a day, but eventually several times a day.

As these developmental shifts happen, your child's schedule will shift as well. Reading up on these milestones and checking out our sample schedules for babies of all ages can help you know what to expect.

Don't expect perfection

Some parent-led schedules set the expectation that your baby's routine will always run like clockwork. And though babies do like consistency, you can expect changes from day to day and as your baby grows.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, your baby will want to skip a nap, have an extra snack, wake up before dawn, and so on. And life happens as well – vacations, older siblings, plans with friends and family, errands you need to take care of, and other factors will all come into play in your daily life with your baby. Variation is okay, as long as your baby is getting the sleep, play, food, care, and love he needs to thrive.

Substance Use During Pregnancy

Tobacco, alcohol and drugs can have harmful effects on anyone's health. When a pregnant or nursing woman uses these substances, her baby also is exposed to them, for all substances cross the placenta through the umbilical cord and enter into the baby's bloodstream.

While pregnant, it is best to eat well, stay healthy and avoid ingesting anything that might be harmful to the mother's or baby's health. A health care provider can give you more information about these issues.

"Street" Drugs

A pregnant woman who uses drugs like cocaine, crack, heroin and methadone may have a baby born addicted to the substances she took during her pregnancy. Cocaine is one of the most harmful drugs to unborn babies. Cocaine can cause a woman to miscarry and may cause preterm birth, bleeding, fetal death and fetal strokes, which can lead to brain damage and death. After birth, a baby who has been exposed to cocaine prenatally goes through withdrawal, signs of which include jitters and irritability. These babies are hard to comfort and are often unable to respond to their mothers. Cocaine use during pregnancy also may be linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.

Amphetamines or "speed" also are harmful to unborn babies. One study showed that the fetuses of mothers who used speed during pregnancy had decreased weight, length and head size. Another study showed that these babies had more strokes, or bleeding into their brains.

Marijuana

Marijuana can affect fetal and infant development and may cause miscarriage. Although the effects of marijuana on an unborn baby are still unknown, studies have indicated that prenatal marijuana use is linked to premature births, small birth size, difficult or long labor and an increase in newborn jitteriness.

Marijuana smoked by a pregnant woman remains in the baby's fat cells for seven to 30 days. Smoking marijuana can affect the amount of oxygen and nutrients the baby receives, which may affect growth. Marijuana is never safe during pregnancy and it can harm the baby at any stage. In addition, marijuana can have long-term effects on infants and children, such as having trouble paying attention or learning to read.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Babies with FAS have low birth weight, heart defects, facial defects, learning problems and mental retardation. Since it is not known if there is a safe level of alcohol during pregnancy, the best advice is not to drink at all. Even one drink a day has been shown to have effects on the growing fetus. The best time to stop drinking alcohol is before you conceive. If your pregnancy is unplanned, you should stop drinking as soon as you suspect you are pregnant.

Tobacco

Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have babies who are too small. Smoking also increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, stillbirth and newborn death. Babies born weighing less than 5 pounds may have more health problems early in life and learning problems later in school. If you smoke, quit now. Ask your health care provider for information about classes or support groups for pregnant women who want to quit smoking.

Prescription Drugs

Some prescribed medications may be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby. If you are taking any prescribed drugs, tell your health care provider as soon as possible so that your medications can be changed or adjusted as needed.

Over-the-Counter Medicines and Vitamins

Avoid over-the-counter medicines such as antacids, laxatives, sleeping pills, cold medications and pain relievers. While some are safe for pregnant women, many are not. If you feel you need any of these medications, first check with your health care provider. This applies to large doses of over-the-counter vitamin preparations as well, for taking large doses of extra vitamins can be harmful to you and your baby.

Caffeine

Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, cola drinks and some medications. For at least 10 years, there has been controversy over whether caffeine is harmful during pregnancy. Some studies suggest caffeine is harmful, pointing to an increased risk of miscarriage, early delivery or lower birth weight. Other studies have shown that women who consume a moderate amount of caffeine do not experience these problems. Because results are conflicting, no one knows the true risk. We recommend drinking as little caffeine as possible.

Ask your health care provider for more information about substances and their effects on pregnancy. Remember -- your baby needs a healthy mom!

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

How to Manage Physical Changes in Pregnancy Through Diet?

Pregnancy is full of changes; each change has a marked reason and contribution towards baby’s development. Every physical and emotional change has little bit of discomfort to accompany. But such discomforts can be overcome if simple home remedies are followed. Let us see some of the methods.

1.Nausea or vomiting: take lemon with honey to eliminate fatigue and nauseated feeling. Lemon / orange peeled, cooked with jaggery and made as lemon marmalade by seasoning it with little cinnamon helps in the same.

2.Flatulence or Indigestion: drink warm jeera (boiled cumin seeds) water throughout the pregnancy. It helps in mobilizing nutrients to baby by enhanced digestion, avoids or eases flatulence, and helps in active digestion.

3.Anxiety: Drink sweetening cardamom with boiled milk to help soothe your mind and keep your body relaxed. The combination triggers the neurotransmitters to secret the serotonin to ease the mind.

4.Sluggishness/ fatigue: Try ginger or pepper tea in the evenings. It helps to keep your mind revived, fresh and energetic.

5.Anemia: Have the first morsel of food with curry leaves, salt, jeera powder, asafetida and melted ghee. It helps to keep your appetite satiated, provides you daily dose of natural iron. –( this tip is quite Indian type but foods like dates taken does the same thing).

6.Constipation: Eat spinach. They are juicy, fibrous and rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, vitamins and folic acid to give you a great nutrient capsule for constipation. Make a soup, dhal, spinach rice or spinach seasoned wheat noodles or curries.

7.Heart burn: Drink diluted butter milk (diluted yogurt which is slightly sour and contains active good bacteria) with coriander. Add a little rock salt and little ginger. It helps in quenching thirst, keeps you cool and hydrated.

8.Aches and pain: Try garlic (2 or 3 in number) cooked with milk. It helps in controlling lipids and mobilizes fat and relieves aches and pain from weight bearing joints if there is gas trapped inside joints.

9.Hunger pranks: serve yourself with almonds, walnuts, pistas and raisins (each 3 in number) when you feel hungry. Chew them like a toffee, slowly and it helps in controlling between hunger pranks.

Tips :
1.Have a healthy pregnancy!!!

Back pain during pregnancy: 7 tips for relief

Back pain during pregnancy isn't surprising, but it still deserves attention. Consider seven ways to relieve back pain during pregnancy — from good posture and physical activity to complementary therapies.

Back pain during pregnancy is a common complaint — and it's no wonder. You're gaining weight, your center of gravity changes and your hormones are relaxing the ligaments in your pelvis. Often, however, you can prevent or ease back pain during pregnancy. Consider seven ways to give pregnancy back pain the boot.

No. 1: Practice good posture

As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. To avoid falling forward, you might compensate by leaning back — which can strain the muscles in your lower back and contribute to back pain during pregnancy. Keep these principles of good posture in mind:

• Stand up straight and tall.
• Hold your chest high.
• Keep your shoulders back and relaxed.
• Don't lock your knees.

When you stand, use a comfortably wide stance for the best support. If you must stand for long periods of time, rest one foot on a low step stool — and take time for frequent breaks.

Good posture also means sitting with care. Choose a chair that supports your back, or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Consider propping your feet on a low stool.

No. 2: Get the right gear

Wear low-heeled — not flat — shoes with good arch support.

You might also consider wearing a maternity support belt. Although research on the effectiveness of maternity support belts is limited, some women find the additional support helpful.

No. 3: Lift properly

When lifting a small object, squat down and lift with your legs. Don't bend at the waist or lift with your back. It's also important to know your limits. Ask for help if you need it.

No. 4: Sleep on your side

Sleep on your side, not your back. Keep one or both knees bent. Consider using pregnancy or support pillows between your bent knees, under your abdomen and behind your back.

No. 5: Try heat, cold or massage

Use a heating pad to apply heat to your back, or try ice packs. Rubbing your back also might help.

No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine

Regular physical activity can keep your back strong and might actually relieve back pain during pregnancy. With your health care provider's OK, try gentle activities — such as walking or water exercise.

You might also stretch your lower back. Rest on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach, rounding your back slightly. Hold for several seconds, then relax your stomach and back — keeping your back as flat as possible. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions. Ask your health care provider about other stretching exercises, too.

No. 7: Consider complementary therapies

Some research suggests that acupuncture can help relieve back pain during pregnancy. Chiropractic treatment seems to provide comfort for some women as well. If you're considering a complementary therapy, discuss the options with your health care provider.

Know when to consult your health care provider

If you have severe back pain during pregnancy or back pain that lasts more than two weeks, talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other treatments.

Keep in mind that back pain during pregnancy might be a sign of preterm labor. Also, back pain during pregnancy that's accompanied by vaginal bleeding, fever or burning during urination could be a sign of an underlying problem that needs prompt attention. If you're concerned about your back pain, contact your health care provider right away.

First Trimester of Pregnancy

Wow, there's a lot going on in there as your baby begins to develop and your pregnant body starts to go through some (big!) changes. Here's more about what to expect in the first trimester of pregnancy.

You may not look pregnant yet, but chances are you're feeling it. That's because a flood of pregnancy hormones is prepping your body to play baby hostess for the next nine months. And that means you could be in line for a bunch of wackypregnancy symptoms from breast changes to bloating to fatigue to flatulence. Sure, you might be less than thrilled with some of the stuff you'll be coping with (did we mention heartburn and constipation?), but remember that these temporary discomforts are part of the incredible process that's happening inside: You're growing a child! 

During the first trimester alone your baby changes from a single fertilized cell (a zygote) to the embryo that implants itself in your uterine wall to a peach-sized bundle of growing limbs and body systems. So much happens in so little time: Organs take shape, baby starts to move (aroundweek eight of pregnancy), and hair follicles and nail beds form. More major first-trimester milestones include the formation of muscles, the production of white blood cells to fight off germs, and the development of vocal cords (I want Mommy!). 

For Mom, a lot happens quickly in the first trimester as well. At some point, you'll likely have a routine ultrasound to make sure things are progressing as they should, and ascreening (done through a blood test between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy) to look for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and congenital heart defects. 

In terms of day-to-day stuff, by week five of pregnancy you may be well into morning-sickness malaise (which, unfortunately, doesn't just strike in the morning!). By week six, you might be wondering who replaced your boobs with those alien orbs (so tender, so tingly, and sooo big!). Pregnancy mood swings may hit by week seven, leaving you feeling up, then down, then up again — and that was just in the past five minutes! Weeks eight through 12 bring a laundry list of other possible pregnancy symptoms, including metallic taste, food aversions, and headaches. 

The thing to keep in mind when it comes to pregnancy woes during the first trimester is that every woman is different, so while your neighbor may have moaned about endlessly peeing, that may not happen to you at all. And just because your mom or sister reported cramping or spotting doesn't mean you'll do the same. No matter what symptoms you do have, take heart in knowing that most lessen or disappear as your pregnancy evolves. 

Your first ob-gyn visit may well be the longest as the doctor goes over your medical history and performs a thorough physical exam. You'll likely undergo a battery of tests including a Pap smear, urinalysis, and blood work to determine your blood type and Rh status, hCG levels, and the presence of any infections. You might also be screened for genetic illnesses or diabetes, depending on your family history. And while your practitioner is asking you lots of questions, be prepared to ask plenty of your own. Now's the time to inquire about prenatal vitamins, GERD, weight gain, sexual desire (or lack thereof), or anything (really…anything!) you might be concerned about.