By using simple, wholesome ingredients, you can customize your protein powder to your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or have specific food allergies, this homemade protein powder is versatile enough to meet your needs. 

The importance of protein for moms

Protein is essential for everyone, including mothers, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. During pregnancy, postpartum, and while raising children, the importance of protein for mothers becomes particularly evident due to the following reasons:

Daily protein intake calculator

Fetal Development:

Protein is vital for the growth and development of the fetus during pregnancy. It is essential for the formation of organs, tissues, and muscles in the developing baby.

Maternal Health:

Protein is necessary for the health and well-being of the mother. It helps maintain and repair maternal tissues and muscles, supports the immune system, and aids in the production of enzymes and hormones.

Lactation:

If a mother chooses to breastfeed, protein is crucial for the production of breast milk. Breast milk is an important source of nutrition for infants, and protein content in breast milk is influenced by the mother’s dietary intake.

Postpartum Recovery:

After childbirth, the mother’s body undergoes significant changes, and protein is essential for the recovery process. It helps repair tissues, including those in the abdominal area and the pelvic floor, which may have been stretched or damaged during pregnancy and childbirth.

Energy and Weight Management:

Protein can provide sustained energy, which is important for mothers who often have demanding and busy schedules. It also contributes to feelings of fullness, which can aid in weight management and appetite control.

Immune Function:

A strong immune system is essential for both the mother and the child. Protein is necessary for the production of antibodies and other immune system components that help protect against infections and illnesses.

Hair, Skin, and Nails:

Protein is a building block for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Mothers can experience changes in their hair and skin during and after pregnancy, and adequate protein intake can help support their appearance.

Muscle Maintenance:

Protein is essential for the maintenance and repair of muscles. It can be particularly important for mothers who want to stay physically active and maintain muscle strength to support their daily activities and childcare responsibilities.

It’s important for mothers to maintain a balanced and varied diet to ensure they are getting an adequate amount of protein, along with other essential nutrients

Benefits of homemade protein powder

Homemade protein powder can have several benefits compared to commercial protein powders. Making your own protein powder allows you to have more control over the ingredients, flavors, and overall nutritional content. Here are some of the benefits of homemade protein powder:

Ingredient Control:

When you make your own protein powder, you have full control over the ingredients you use. This means you can select high-quality, natural, and organic ingredients, and avoid artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers that are often found in commercial protein powders.

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Customization:

Homemade protein powder allows you to customize the blend to suit your specific dietary needs and preferences. You can choose the protein source, such as whey, casein, pea, hemp, or rice protein, and adjust the ratio of different ingredients to achieve the desired taste and nutritional profile.

Allergen-Friendly:

For individuals with food allergies or sensitivities, homemade protein powder can be a safer option. You can select ingredients that are free from common allergens like dairy, soy, or gluten.

Freshness:

Homemade protein powder is typically fresher than pre-packed options, which can sit on store shelves for extended periods. Freshly ground ingredients can retain their nutritional value better.

Cost-Effective:

In some cases, making your own protein powder can be more cost-effective than buying commercial options. This is especially true if you buy ingredients in bulk or already have some of the components at home.

Flavor and Taste:

Homemade protein powder allows you to experiment with flavors and add-ins like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, or sweeteners of your choice to create a taste that suits your preferences.

Nutrient Variety:

You can add various nutrient-rich ingredients to your homemade protein powder, such as chia seeds, flax-seeds, greens powders, or super food supplements, to boost the nutritional content and get a wider array of vitamins and minerals.

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Transparency:

Making your own protein powder ensures transparency in what you are consuming. You know exactly what goes into your protein powder, and there are no hidden or undisclosed ingredients.

Reduced Waste:

By making your own protein powder, you can reduce packaging waste associated with store-bought protein powders. This is more environmentally friendly.

Recipes for homemade protein powder

Protein Powder Recipe -1

Ingredients: 

• Chia seeds – ¼ Cup
• Flax seeds – ¼ cup
• Pumpkin seeds – ¼ cups
• Sunflower seeds – ¼ cups
• Almonds – ½ cup
• Walnuts – ¼ cups
• Oats – ½ cups
• Roasted channa – ½ cup
• Stevia or any sweetener of choice – ¼ to ½ cup as per taste

Method : 

• Dry Roast all the ingredients separately one by one and let them cool
• Mix all the roasted ingredients in a jar to blend them finely like a powder
• Mix Sweetener and blend again if needed.
• Now Keep the powder in an airtight container to keep it fresh for a long time and use it as required in smoothies or other recipes.

Protein Powder Recipe -2

Ingredients:

• Chia seeds – ¼ Cup
• Flax seeds – ¼ cup
• Pumpkin seeds – ¼ cups
• Sunflower seeds – ¼ cups
• Almonds – ½ cup
• Walnuts – ¼ cup
• Cashew – ½ cup
• Pistachio – ½ cup
• Milk powder – ½ cup
• Oats – ½ cups
• Roasted chana – ½ cup
• Stevia or any sweetener of choice – ¼ to ½ cup as per taste

Method : 

• Dry Roast all the ingredients separately one by one and let them cool
• Mix all the roasted ingredients in a jar to blend them finely like a powder
• Mix Sweetener and blend again if needed.
• Mix milk powder at the end and home made protein powder is ready to use.
• Now Keep the powder in an airtight container to keep it fresh for a long time and use it as required in smoothies or other recipes.

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Additional Tips

To add the variation and flavors in your home made protein powder you can add some other ingredients like cocoa powder, dry dates powder, vanilla powder or any other things like peanuts etc, to give it a different taste as well. 

Some optional ingredients which you can add in any of the above recipe

• Optional: sweetener (e.g., stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol)
• Optional: flavorings (e.g., cocoa powder, vanilla extract)
• Optional: nut butter (e.g., almond or peanut butter)
• Optional: greens powder (e.g., spirulina or wheat grass)
• Optional: super food supplements (e.g., maca powder or acai berry powder)
• Any other Protein source(s) of your choice (e.g., whey, casein, pea, hemp, brown rice, or a combination)

Tips for storing homemade protein powder

Storing homemade protein powder properly is essential to maintain its freshness and prevent spoilage. Here are some tips for storing homemade protein powder:

• Transfer your homemade protein powder into an airtight container, such as a glass jar, plastic container, or a resealable bag.
• Protein powder is best stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid areas with temperature fluctuations. The pantry or a kitchen cupboard is usually a suitable location.
• Exposure to light can cause protein powder to degrade over time. Keep the container in a dark place or use an opaque container to protect the contents from light.
• Moisture can lead to clumping and spoilage. If your kitchen is particularly humid, consider adding a desiccant packet or moisture-absorbing silica gel to the container to help keep the contents dry.
• After each use, make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air from entering. Moisture and oxygen can lead to protein powder degradation and spoilage.
• While not usually necessary, you can refrigerate or freeze your homemade protein powder if you live in a very humid environment or plan to store it for an extended period.

The post Homemade Protein Powder Recipe for Moms: All-Natural, Budget-Friendly, and Delicious appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

A baby shower is a special event held before the birth of a baby to celebrate and honor the expectant mother or parents. It’s an opportunity for friends and family to come together to offer their congratulations and support, as well as to provide gifts and well wishes for the new addition to the family. 

Baby shower games and activities are a common part of the celebration. These can include guessing games, quizzes, and activities related to parenting or baby care.

Baby shower games can add fun and entertainment to the celebration while helping guests bond and celebrate the expectant parents. Here are 57 baby shower game ideas to choose from:

1. Baby Bingo or Simply Bingo

Baby Bingo is a fun game where guests mark off baby-related terms on their bingo cards as they’re called out during gift opening.

Things Needed:

– Bingo cards pre-printed with baby-related terms.

– Markers or pens for guests to mark their cards.

– Prizes for the winners.

How to Play:

– Distribute bingo cards and markers to each guest.

– As the mom-to-be opens her gifts, guests mark off the items on their cards.

– The first guest to complete a row or pattern shouts “Bingo!” and wins a prize.

2. Guess the Baby Food

Guests taste different flavors of baby food and try to guess the flavor.

Things Needed:

– Various jars of baby food with labels removed.

– Spoons for tasting.

– Paper and pens for guests to write down their guesses.

– Prizes for the most correct guesses.

How to Play:

– Remove the labels from baby food jars.

– Number the jars and create a key with the correct flavors.

– Have guests taste the baby foods and write down their guesses.

– Reveal the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct guesses wins a prize.

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3. Unique baby names Race

Guests compete to create as many unique baby names as possible in a set time starting with a particular letter.

Things Needed:

– Paper and pens for guests.

– A timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the winners.

How to Play:

– Set a timer for a specific duration (e.g., 2 minutes).

– Guests write down as many baby names as they can within the time limit starting form a particular letter.

– The guest with the most unique names wins a prize.

4. Pictionary

A classic game where guests draw and guess words or phrases.

Things Needed:

– Paper and pens or dry-erase boards.

– A timer or stopwatch.

– A list of related words or phrases.

– Prizes for the winning team or individual.

How to Play:

– Divide guests into teams or play individually.

– Use the timer to limit drawing and guessing time.

– One person from a team draws a chosen word or phrase without using any letters or numbers, and their team tries to guess it.

– Set a time limit for each round, and keep score.

– The team or individual with the most correct guesses wins.

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5. Baby Trivia game for Baby shower

Guests answer questions about pregnancy, baby facts, or the parents-to-be in a trivia game.

Things Needed:

– A list of trivia questions.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct answers.

How to Play:

– Read out the trivia questions one by one.

– Guests write down their answers.

– After all questions are asked, go over the correct answers and tally the scores.

– The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

6. Baby Animal Match-Up with parents Animal

Guests match baby animals with their adult counterparts in a fun and educational game.

Things Needed:

– A list of baby animal names.

– A list of adult animal names.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct matches.

How to Play:

– Guests match the baby animal names to their adult counterparts.

– After everyone has completed their match-ups, go over the answers.

– The guest with the most correct matches wins a prize.

7. Word Scramble

Provide guests with scrambled words that they need to unscramble.

Things Needed:

– A list of scrambled words.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests who unscramble the most words correctly.

How to Play:

– Distribute the scrambled words and answer sheets to guests.

– Guests unscramble the words within a set time limit.

– Review the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct unscrambled words wins a prize.

8. Guess your Guest childhood Photo

Guests bring baby photos of themselves, and others try to guess who’s who in a guessing game.

Things Needed:

– Baby photos of guests (provided in advance).

– Numbered sheets of paper for guests to write their guesses.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct guesses.

How to Play:

– Display the baby photos with corresponding numbers.

– Guests write down their guesses for each photo.

– Reveal the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct guesses wins a prize.

9. Baby Shower Charades games

Overview: Guests act out baby-related words or phrases without speaking, while others guess what they’re miming.

Things Needed:

– A list of baby-related words or phrases to act out.

– A timer or stopwatch.

– Slips of paper or cards with the words/phrases written on them.

– Prizes for the best performers or guessers.

How to Play:

– Divide guests into teams or play individually.

– One person from a team draws a word/phrase from the pile and acts it out silently.

– Set a time limit (e.g., 1-2 minutes) for each round.

– The team or individual with the most correct guesses wins

10. Onesie Decorating

Guests decorate plain onesies or baby T-shirts with fabric markers, paints, or other craft supplies.

Things Needed:

– Plain onesies or baby T-shirts.

– Fabric markers, paints, or craft supplies.

– Aprons or smocks to protect clothing.

– A designated decorating area.

How to Play:

– Provide guests with plain onesies and decorating supplies.

– Encourage them to get creative and decorate the onesies.

– Once the onesies are decorated, the mom-to-be can keep them as keepsakes.

11. Nursery Rhyme Quiz

This is a fun game to play with your guest in baby shower party. Guests are quizzed on their knowledge of nursery rhymes and must finish the lyrics.

Things Needed:

– A list of nursery rhymes with missing lines.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct answers.

How to Play:

– Read out nursery rhymes with missing lines.

– Guests complete the missing lines.

– Review the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

12 Don’t Say “Baby” word

This is going to be fun and difficult game for a baby shower party where guest are not allowed to say word baby. Guests are given a clothespin or diaper pin and are not allowed to say the word “baby.” If someone catches them saying it, they can take their pin.

Things Needed:

– Clothespins or diaper pins for guests.

– Prizes for the last guest(s) with pins.

How to Play:

– Give each guest a clothespin or diaper pin when they arrive.

– Instruct them not to say the word “baby.”

– If someone catches another guest saying “baby,” they can take their pin.

– The guest(s) with pins at the end of the shower wins a prize.

13. Guess the Baby Item

Guests feel baby items inside a bag and guess what’s inside without looking.

Things Needed:

– Baby items placed in opaque bags (e.g., a diaper, pacifier, baby bottle).

– Blindfolds or eye masks for guests.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct guesses.

How to Play:

– Blindfold guests one at a time.

– Have them feel the baby item inside a bag and guess what it is.

– They write down their guesses, and you reveal the correct answers later.

– The guest with the most correct guesses wins a prize.

14. Who Knows Mommy Best

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Guests answer questions about the mom-to-be to see who knows her best.

Things Needed:

– A list of questions about the mom-to-be (e.g., her favorite color, food, hobbies).

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct answers.

How to Play:

– Read out the questions about the mom-to-be.

– Guests write down their answers.

– Review the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

15. Drink from baby bottle

Guests compete to see who can drink from a baby bottle filled with juice or water the fastest.

Things Needed:

– Baby bottles filled with a beverage (juice, water, or a non-alcoholic drink).

– A timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the fastest chuggers.

How to Play:

– Guests gather with their filled baby bottles.

– On “go,” they start chugging the contents as quickly as possible.

– The guest who finishes first wins a prize.

16. Guess the price of various baby items

Guests guess the prices of various baby items, and the closest guesses win.

Things Needed:

– A variety of baby items (diapers, bottles, baby food, etc.).

– Price tags or labels for each item.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the closest guesses.

How to Play:

– Display the baby items with price tags.

– Guests write down their guesses for the prices.

– Reveal the actual prices, and the guest(s) with the closest guesses win prizes.

17. Write Word ABCs Related to Baby

Guests come up with baby-related words for each letter of the alphabet.

Things Needed:

– Paper and pens or pencils for guests.

– Timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the most creative or complete list.

How to Play:

– Give guests a set amount of time to come up with a baby-related word for each letter of the alphabet (e.g., A for “Adorable,” B for “Blanket,” etc.).

– After the time is up, have guests read their lists aloud.

– The guest with the most complete list or the most creative answers wins a prize.

18. Guess the Due Date

Guests guess the baby’s due date and possibly other details like the baby’s weight. these can be an interesting games to play with your loved one in baby shower party and see the guesses about your due date.

Things Needed:

– Calendar or due date prediction cards for guests.

– A container for collecting the prediction cards.

– Prizes for the guests with the closest guesses.

How to Play:

– Provide guests with due date prediction cards upon arrival.

– Have guests write their guesses for the baby’s due date and any additional predictions.

– Collect the cards and keep them until the baby is born.

– After the baby’s birth, reveal the actual due date and compare it to the guests’ guesses.

– The guest(s) with the closest guesses wins a prize.

19. Who knows mommy and daddy well.

Guests answer questions about the parents-to-be to see who knows them best.

Things Needed:

– A list of trivia questions about the parents.

– Answer sheets or cards for guests.

– Pens or pencils.

– Prizes for the guests with the most correct answers.

How to Play:

– Read out the trivia questions about the parents-to-be.

– Guests write down their answers.

– Review the correct answers, and the guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

20 Bottle Bowling with a small ball

Set up baby bottles as pins and roll a small ball to knock them down.

Things Needed:

– Empty baby bottles.

– Small ball or soft toy.

– A clear space for bowling.

– Prizes for the best bowlers.

How to Play:

– Set up the empty baby bottles in a triangular formation like bowling pins.

– Each guest takes turns rolling the ball or soft toy to try and knock down the bottles.

– Award prizes to those who knock down the most bottles or get a strike.

21. Sock Matching – who can match the pair of sock quicker

Provide a basket of baby socks, and guests race to match pairs.

Things Needed:

– Baby socks (mixed up in a basket).

– Timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the guests who match the most pairs in the shortest time.

How to Play:

– Scatter the baby socks in a basket, ensuring that they are not matched.

– On “go,” guests race to match as many pairs of baby socks as they can within a set time limit.

– The guest who matches the most pairs in the shortest time wins a prize.

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22. Diaper Changing Races

Guests will change the diapers of dolls and baby mannequins in a given time frame.

Things Needed:

– Dolls or baby mannequins.

– Diapers.

– Blindfolds.

– Timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the fastest diaper changers.

How to Play:

– Blindfold guests one at a time.

– Provide them with a doll and a diaper.

– Time them as they attempt to change the diaper while blindfolded.

– The guest who completes the task in the shortest time wins a prize.

23. Baby Bottle Piñata, who can break it faster

Fill a baby bottle-shaped piñata with candy or small toys for guests to break open.

Things Needed:

– Baby bottle-shaped piñata.

– Candy or small toys to fill the piñata.

– Blindfold.

– A stick or bat.

– Prizes for guests.

How to Play:

– Hang the baby bottle piñata from a sturdy support.

– Blindfold a guest, spin them around a few times, and give them the stick or bat.

– They take turns trying to break open the piñata to release the goodies.

– Once the piñata breaks, guests collect the treats.

24. Baby Lullaby Karaoke

Sing lullabies or baby songs as a karaoke competition.

Things Needed:

– Karaoke machine or app.

– A list of baby songs or lullabies.

– Prizes for the best karaoke performers.

How to Play:

– Set up a karaoke machine or app with a list of baby songs or lullabies.

– Guests take turns singing their favorite baby songs.

– A panel of judges or the audience can vote for the best karaoke performer, who wins a prize.

25. Baby shower Memory Games

Display baby items for a minute, then have guests list what they remember.

Things Needed:

– A variety of baby items (diapers, bottles, baby food, etc.).

– A tray or table to display the items.

– Paper and pens for guests.

– Timer or stopwatch.

– Prizes for the guests with the best memory.

How to Play:

– Display the baby items on a tray or table.

– Give guests a minute to memorize the items.

– Cover the items or remove them from sight.

– Guests write down as many items as they can remember.

– The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.

26. Set up a Photo Booth

Set up a photo booth with props and backdrops for guests to take pictures. This is more on the side of making memories and clicking pictures rather then on a list of baby shower games but surely your guest will enjoy this.

Things Needed:

– Props such as baby bottles, pacifiers, onesies, and baby-themed accessories.

– Backdrops or a backdrop stand.

– A camera or smartphone with a tripod.

– Photo booth props like signs and frames.

– Prizes for the most creative or funniest photos.

How to Play:

– Create a designated area for the photo booth with a backdrop.

– Provide guests with props and encourage them to take photos individually or in groups.

– Offer a variety of props and backdrops to choose from.

– Guests can take printed photos as keepsakes or share digital photos.

27. Pop the balloon of other

Guests will save their own balloon while trying to pop balloons of other people to win a prize.

Things Needed

-Balloons

– Pins or tooth picks

How to play

-Each guest will hold a balloon in one hand and hold a pin in another hand.

-The target is to pop another balloon and save his or her.

-The one whose balloon will survive will be the winner at the end.

28. How old was mum and dad

This is a nice choice if you’re looking for cute baby shower games, and the game works perfectly for both mom and dad.

Things Needed

-Photos of mum and dad at different age

-Pen and papers

How to play

-Given pen and paper to each guest to write their answers.

-Show all of them the picture of mum and dad and ask them to guess their age in that picture.

-The one who will guess nearby age or correct age 

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29. Diaper Notes

Another one in the list of fun games for baby shower is Diaper-themed baby shower activities are always a huge hit, and this one is quite fun for your guests.

Things needed

-Lot of newborn diapers

-Colored markers

How to play

-Give each guest a diaper and a marker and ask them to write a funny quote, joke, words of encouragement, or anything creative on the back of the diaper.

-Give the box of personalized diapers to the parent(s)-to-be for inspiration during a late-night diaper change!

30. Super Parent in Training

For a fun and active co-ed baby shower game, consider this activity, which hilariously tests the skills of parenting. 

Things needed

-Cordless or cell phone

-Approximately eight pairs of unmatched baby socks

-Stack of diapers

-Baby spoon

-Baby doll or plush toy

-Timer

How to play

-Each of your guests will have a turn trying to be a super parent! When you say “Go,” the guests must pick up the phone and cradle it between their ear and shoulder. 

-At the same time, they must correctly sort the socks into matched piles, “feed” the baby, and change the baby’s diaper. 

-They can’t put down the phone while doing this and must be performing all tasks simultaneously. Before the next guest begins their turn, mix up the socks again. Time each guest to see how long it takes to complete the tasks

-Whoever has the fastest time wins!

31. Passing the gift

If you want t play some old school games pass the gift baby shower game is another classic that you may have played at other parties. It’s a great way to give your guests a little token of appreciation; plus, it’s a super easy baby shower game to organize!

Things required

-Music player

– Small gift for the winner

How to play

• All the guest will sit in a circle and pass the gift to each other
• One person will control the music and will stop it in between.
• When the music stops, person holding the gift box will be out of the game
• The person who stays in the race till last will be the winner and will keep that gift.

These baby shower games and activities are sure to add fun and entertainment to the celebration while creating memorable moments for the mom-to-be and guests. Feel free to customize them to fit the theme and preferences of the baby shower.

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Baby shower gift ideas – 2

The post 31 Baby Shower games ideas for a fun party your Guest will love appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

You may be looking for some gift ideas to give a new mom that are practical and useful both. In fact, most new parents already have enough onesies, burp clothes, and bottles form their baby shower to last a long time. Have at look at my top, best and unique list of postpartum gifts for mew mom to give in 2022.

Best gifts to consider for a new mom to help in postpartum recovery

Here are few gift ideas for a new mom to help them in their postpartum recovery and I am sure, they will like it a lot. These gifts are very useful for a new mom and they will surely use them.

1.     Postpartum recovery essentials kit

Postpartum recovery kit is a perfect gift for new mom after birth. It comes with all the essentials recovery items to ensure a good recovery. These kits include Disposable Underwear, Ice Maxi Absorbency Pads, Cooling Witch Hazel Medicated Pad Liners, Perineal Medicated Healing Foam etc. You can find it on Amazon.com very easily and can verify the reviews also. 

2.     Nursing pads

Nursing pads for a new mom is a must. This can be a best gift for new mom postpartum; these are very useful breastfeeding accessory. They can absorb breastmilk from leaking and prevent stain on clothes. You can gift a good, branded and reusable Nursing pads to a new mom, she will definitely thank you later.

3.     Postpartum maternity belt

Postpartum support belt can provide relief of swelling and helps to support abdominal muscle after delivery. It can speed up the recovery and can be used as lower back support, or maternity belt. This is also a useful and unique gift for a new mom postpartum which no one can think about.

4. A nursing pillow

A nursing pillow provides a comfortable position while breastfeeding to mom and baby both. It is not an essential accessory to have but definitely it’s very useful. I wish I had this while I was breastfeeding my son especially for initial few months. It will provide comfort while feeding and helps to support mom’s back, Shoulder and arm.

5.     Maternity night dress or pajama set

Maternity clothes are specially designed as per the comfort of new moms and always recommended by experts. There is all type of maternity clothes available including maternity bra, maternity dresses, maternity gown, maternity pajama and t-shirt shirt etc. This will be a perfect gift for a new mom as women love clothes a lot.

6.     Electric or manual breast pump

Breast pump allows mothers to extract milk easily when it is needed. There are two type if breast pump available: Manual and Electric. These pumps are designed to ensure comfort and as per mothers convenience. These are the best companion for a breastfeeding mom and can be given as a gift to new mom postpartum.

7.     A bottle warmer

Bottle warmer is an essential item for a mom postpartum. It helps to maintain correct temperature for breastmilk without boiling and retains its nutritional properties. Even bottle warmer can be used to heat up formula milk also. They are safe to use and the easiest way to maintain correct temperature according to baby.

8.     Organic nipple cream

Sore and cracked nipple is a side effect of breastfeeding and the area around nipples can be painful also. Nipple butters are the combination of oils and waxes that soothe sore and cracked nipple. Nipple butters are considered safe to use while breastfeeding. This can be a best gift for new mom postpartum who just started her journey of breastfeeding. You can choose a good organic brand nipple care cream as a gift.

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9.     A Diffuser and humidifier

A humidifier can solve the problem of dry air for babies especially in dry days like winter when babies are tend to get sick often. It will also helps in maintaining baby’s skin moisture.

A diffuser with essential oil helps to stay calm and relax. It can help in better sleep quality and relieve the symptoms of colic. You can gift them separately or buy 2 in 1 humidifier and diffuser suitable to your need. Make sure you tell new mom to never use diffuser with essential oil near to baby coz it can harm him.

10.     Postnatal multivitamins

It is very important for a new mom to eat well and take care of her nutrients and minerals so that she can fulfill a new baby needs. Postnatal multivitamins provide a big support after labor for recovery of body and to support breastfeeding. You can check with a good Dr. about which postnatal supplements are good for a new mom and gift her as a care from your side.

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Here is the list of best gifts for new mom postnatal for self care and self happiness.

11.      Personalized gifts

Personalized gifts are the one that goes with each and every occasion. You can give anything, a personalized pillow, mug, watch, phone back cover, personalized jewelry, home décor, photo frame, collage or anything that comes in your mind. You can even write a special customized message on it to make it more special.

12.     Gold bracelet or necklace

A gold bracelet, necklace or any gold accessory is a perfect gift for your loved one on any occasion. Now a days you can even order personalized gold accessories also. Women likes to wear accessories on every occasion, you can gift this on any occasion as well as to a new mom after her delivery.

13.     A good parenting book

There are lots of parenting books available to help mothers in the journey of motherhood and parenting. You can gift a good parenting book also to a new mom so that they can prepare themselves to face challenges in the journey of motherhood.

15 Postpartum body changes(Read here to know how body changes post-pregnancy)

14.     Silk accessories set for a new mom

Silk accessories can include silk eye mask, pillow case, a hair cap or hair scrunches etc. It will look like an elegant and luxurious gift and she is gone love it.

15.      A diaper bag

A diaper bag is the best gift for new mom postpartum to store all baby needs in one place when you are going out with baby. Every mom needs a bag whether it’s a proper diaper bag or simple bag to keep the essentials like milk, diapers, tissues, extra pair of clothes, toiletries etc, so why not to gift her a diaper bag as a gift after birth.

16.     New mom gift basket

There are many new mom gift baskets available online on Amazon which include many essentials for mothers and baby which are beautifully packed and look elegant. You can check them and gift as per your budget and need to your loved one.

17.     Neck and back massager pillow

A new mother’s body is going through so much like pain of labor, strained position, uncontrolled weight gain, frequent feeding and diaper changing sessions, caring for new baby and so on. In this situation neck and back pain is very common.
You can gift her neck and back massager which will help to soothe pain and stay relay. These type of pillows provide comfort and blood circulation in all these painful areas which helps to soothe tired muscles.

18.     A personalized and motivational water bottle

A woman needs to drink lots of water while on breastfeeding. You can gift a good personalized and motivation water bottle which will keep reminding her to drink water and stay hydrated throughput the day.

19.     Food preparation for new mom

A good and easily available option to consider while thinking about gift is food. New mom finds hard to cook food while taking care of her baby and her own body. You can order or cook food for her and give her a break. Another option is to subscribe for a monthly meal service and give her a chance to recover well after delivery.

20.     A Spa gift card

Mothers also need a break and a spa day is enough for her to take a break and stay relax. You can gift her spa day gift card so that she can visit any day to enjoy self pampering time. This is the best and unique gift for a new mom postpartum.

21.     A healthy snack subscription

A new mom needs to eat frequently and healthy but doesn’t get time to cook. The best gift you can give to her is a healthy snack subscription for a month so that she can eat healthy whenever she wants to eat without any stress of cooking.  Regular snacking a day is a good way to stay healthy and energetic throughout the day which is very important for a new mom to take care of her baby.

22. Yearly subscription of AMAZON or Netflix

You can give a yearly subscription of Amazon or Netflix so that she can watch her favorite movies or TV shows to keep busy herself while on rest with baby.

23. A good pair of scuff slippers

A scuff slipper is also a good option to consider as a gift. Scuff slippers provide comfort on legs and are considered as home slippers keep the feet warm and cozy.

24.     Hair styling tools

Hair styling tools like hair dryers, hair straighter, and hair volumizer can be a great gift for mom who loves to style their hair every day. It will save their time and they will use it in her everyday life.

25.     Skin care and skin tightening products

Pregnancy can cause many changes in skin because it that skin can feel stretched and loose. There are many things which stay same like stretch marks, dry and stretched skin and itching. A new mom needs nutrition for skin also to keep it firm and tight. A good skin care can be a good gift for a mom who just delivered a baby.

26.      A good headphones

You can gift her good noise proof set of headphones so that whenever she wants to listen her favorite music, she can without disturbing her baby’s sleep.

27.     Professional photo shoot

First few weeks of mom with her newborn are very special. You can arrange a professional photo shoot as a gift for new mom to create beautiful memories. She will like it a lot and definitely thank you later. Who doesn’t like a professional photo shoot with their new member: everyone likes it, right? This will be a unique and best gift from you to a new mom postpartum.

28.     A gift card for shopping

Sometimes we think that a mother can have everything so what to gift her, this is where gift cards comes in picture. You can give her a gift card on which she can buy gift of her choice whenever she wants.

29.     New mom affirmations

New mom affirmations are basically a set of cards to help and motivate new moms after delivery to enjoy their motherhood with confidence. These cards empower moms to live the joyful life they are meant to live. As a new mom a woman can struggle with all the thoughts and emotions motherhood brings, these cards were created specifically for mothers.

Best Gift ideas to give a new mom for baby

Here is list of gift items which you can gift to a new mom for her baby care.

30.     Baby’s first journal or photo book

Baby’s first journal you can say a photo book can be a best gift for new mom postpartum. She can use it to create beautiful memories with her baby and remembers it for lifetime. Motherhood is all about emotions and she can record her motherhood journey in this journal.

31.     A crib for baby

If you are planning to gift something big and useful or if you are sharing the gift expense in a group, a crib will be a perfect choice for new baby. There are many option available in market or online, you can choose according to their choice and theme. If they already have a crib, you can check for crib accessories.

32.     Baby stroller

Baby strollers are lovable and desirable gift for a loved one who delivered a baby. If you are spending a decent amount of money, this can great as a gift even for kids also. There are many brands and different type of stroller available from which you can make a selection.

33.     Soft swaddle blanket

Soft swaddle blanket for a good sleep of newborn babies are always recommended by experts. These soft swaddle are cheaper and very useful for babies to relax them. This can be a perfect gift for anyone who just delivered a baby.

34.     Newborn essentials kit

Newborn essentials kids include all the daily routine things like moisturizer, oils, shower gel, shampoo etc. A mom can use them anytime and can be a useful gift to choose.

35.     Baby storage organizer kits

Babies have lots of essentials which need to organize for easy access. You can give organizing kits which will help new mom to organize all the stuff of new born. It will be a great gift option to choose for anyone on any occasion.

36.     Stroller organizers

There are so many things to put in stroller when moms go out with baby. Stroller organizers are of a great help in this. It offers plenty of space and section to keep phone, purse, milk bottle, water bottle etc.

37.     Baby monitor camera

Baby monitors gives you a power to look after your baby when you are not with them. There are many smart baby monitor cameras are available you can choose to gift your loved one. These smart camera or video monitoring system will let mom see, hear and talk to their little one remotely.

38.      A baby carrier

Baby carriers are the one that moms can use soon after the birth of their little munchkin to hold them. It is a perfect gift to give new moms postpartum. Mothers can hold their baby and do work both together with the help of these carriers and they are safe to use also.

39.      A play gym

A play gym is a perfect for a new born baby because it helps babies to practice their fine motor and gross motor skills. It is a great option to let baby entertain himself and enjoying.

40.     Mum and baby duo clothes

This is something very cute and cheesy but a good gift for new mom. You can gift mom and baby duo clothes like mom and baby t-shirt or same clothes for both. There are plenty of designs available online or in market to choose from.

The post 40 best and unique postpartum gifts for new moms in 2023 appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

In natural birth control method, you don’t need to use any medicines, pills or devices. These are completely free of these and low cost methods. However their effectiveness is round 75% to 85%. These methods are generally considered as Fertility awareness method or Rhythm methods which are completely dependent on your own body signs and signals.

7 methods of birth control to avoid pregnancy naturally

These are some natural methods to avoid unwanted pregnancy, as many couple wants to have kids only with planning. Before choosing any of the following method, be sure in your mind that none of them is 100% reliable and you still can get pregnant but the chances are relatively less. Natural methods are always cost effective with no side effects and if you use them properly, you can avoid getting pregnant also.

1.    Track your cycle (Fertility Awareness methods)

In this method you need to keep track of your monthly cycle so that you can calculate the most fertile days of the month. This are the days when you are at high risk of getting pregnant and are considered unsafe to have sex without using any contraception method. But the accuracy of this depends on how accurately you track your cycle and how regular your cycle are. It’s very common for menstrual cycle to vary and irregular, which makes it harder to calculate the fertile days.

Read here to know about how to track your monthly cycle in detail

For example if your cycle is of 28 days then the days from 7to 21 are most fertile days. Ovulation happens 14 days before your next period so you should avoid unprotected sex 1 week before 14^th day and 1 week after 14^th day. So your fertile window is around 7 to 21 day of your menstrual cycle.

If your monthly cycle is 35 days then subtract 14 from 35 which is 21 and if you calculate fertile window then days from 14 to 28 are most fertile and unsafe to have unprotected sex. This can be a great method to avoid pregnancy naturally if your cycle is predicted or you are calculating it accurately.

2.    Withdrawal Method (Pulling out)

Withdrawal method also called pulled out and it’s a great method to avoid pregnancy naturally. In this method men pull their penis out before ejaculation, like this semen will not get a chance to meet egg and pregnancy will not happen. For this a lot of self control and practice needed because only a single drop of semen can also make you pregnant. This method will only work if men withdraw before any ejaculation.

3.    Herbs as a birth control (Herbal birth control)

Some herbs work as a birth control and are used to avoid pregnancy naturally. But there is no research on that and these are not FDA approved methods. There are some herbs like

• Wild carrot seeds prevent egg form implantation and must be taken for at least a week after having unprotected sex.
• Cotton root bark can be taken everyday like a green tea to prevent pregnancy.
• Parsley, which is easily available and can be used in many ways to avoid pregnancy naturally.
•  Neem can be used by men to promote temporary sterility in them. It can be used by female also which can kill the sperm naturally.
• Some other herbs are castor bean, Thunder God Vine, and gossypol and so on which can be used as a birth control method to prevent pregnancy.

4.    Breastfeeding

If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby like every 4 to 6 hours (Pumping milk is not countable) then this can prevent your body to release an egg which will prevent pregnancy naturally. This can work as an effective method to avoid pregnancy naturally. When you breastfeed baby exclusively on regular interval, your body stop ovulation. However, this method works only for first few months (5 to 6 months) only if your periods have not started yet. After that, this method is not that effective.

5.    Listen to your body signs like cervical mucus and Basal body Temperature

It takes lots of practice and observation for this method to work. Your body gives you some signals when you are ovulating like changes in the cervical mucus and basal body temperature. You can notice the changes in your cervical mucus throughout your cycle.

When you are ovulating, there can be lots of cervical mucus and it can look clear, stretchy or slippery. Before using this method as a birth control option, it is always a good idea to observe your cycle for at least six month and note down the pattern for calculating ovulation.

Same like cervical mucus your basal body temperature also changes while ovulation. There are special thermometers for checking basal body temperature; otherwise it’s very difficult to check this. You can keep a record of your temperature and try to take the temperature same time every day for an accurate calculation.

But again these are not full proof methods of preventing pregnancy and basically the idea is to avoid sex on most fertile days.  There are many other lifestyle factors that affect the production of cervical mucus and cause changes in basal body temperature which can confuse you. This is why these methods are harder to use.

6.    Some fruits and dried fruits to prevent pregnancy

There are some fruits and dried fruits which are helpful in avoiding pregnancy naturally. Some of them are:

• Citrus fruit which are rich in vitamin C are a great source to avoid pregnancy naturally. You can also take high potency vitamin c capsule also like 500mg three times a day to prevent pregnancy.
• Eating papaya can also help sometime. It will not let the fertilization happen and hence prevent pregnancy.  Some also claim that papaya temporarily reduce the sperm count so it can be consumed by the men also to avoid pregnancy.
• There are some more fruits and dried fruits believed to prevent pregnancy like pineapple, Ginger, Cinnamon, Dried figs, dried apricot, Neem and so on. But there are no proofs that any of them are effective in preventing pregnancy.

7.    Having no vaginal Sex

Yes, you heard me right. Having no sex is the only method which is 100% reliable till now. No other method whether it natural or not, can give 100% reliability of avoiding pregnancy. Having no sex means that you can’t have vaginal sex which will keep the semen away from vagina and it will not cause any pregnancy.

Some people think having no vaginal sex means no sex on fertile days but it’s ok to have sex on non-fertile days. But there are still chances of having pregnant. You can always talk to your partner take decision according to that. Remember, there are always other methods available, which can give you protection against pregnancy. Sex is an important part of a healthy relation, so in my opinion it’s not a good idea for long term to rely on.

Getting pregnant with irregular period? FAQs about irregular period and pregnancy

Things to keep in mind about natural methods to avoid pregnancy

There is no birth control method with 100% guarantee of preventing pregnancy. But when you use natural methods to avoid pregnancy, the risk is more. These are not approved methods to prevent pregnancy because there is no research on them.

• Natural birth control method don’t give protection against STDs
• They are only 75 to 85% effective if you use them properly.
• You cannot use natural methods to avoid pregnancy for long-term, for this you should always consult with your gynecologist.

The post How to avoid pregnancy naturally? 7 ways of birth-control appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Combination birth control pills, also known as the pill, are oral contraceptives that contain estrogen and a progestin. Combination birth control pills keep your ovaries from releasing an egg. They also cause changes in the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus (endometrial) to keep sperm from joining the egg.

Different types of combination birth control pills contain different doses of estrogen and progestin. Continuous-dosing or extended-cycle pills allow you to reduce the number of periods you have each year. You can check with your health care provider about the correct dosage of birth control pill for you.

15 most common Side effect of birth control pill

Even though birth control pills are very safe, using the combination pill can slightly increase your risk of health problems. Complications are very rare but it does depend on individual body and their lifestyle. The specific side effects vary widely among individuals, and different pills cause different side effects. Some of the most common side effects of birth control pills are:

1.    Spotting between period

During the first few months of using birth control pills, you may have some minor bleeding between periods. This is called breakthrough bleeding or spotting which is one of the most common side effect of birth control pill. It’s more common if you’re taking progestin-only pills.  It typically stops on its own, but report it to your healthcare provider if it happens, along with any other side effects.

2.    Changes in period

When you start taking birth control pills, you can feel some of the changes in your period as a side effect like light periods or missed period. This is because of the hormones they contain. Depending on the type of birth control, people can use the pill to safely skip a period.

Click here if you are looking for natural methods of birth control to avoid possible side effects of pills

3.    Vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is another very common side effect of birth control pill. You can feel increase or decrease in vaginal discharge or a change in the nature of the discharge. For some women pills can cause vaginal dryness also and all these changes can be because of hormone containing in pills.

These changes are not usually harmful, but alterations in color or odor could point to an infection. Check with your doctor if you feel like you are having an infection.

4.    Weight gain

Weight gain is a possible side effect of birth control pill. Birth control pills could lead to increases in fluid retention or water weight. They could also lead to increases in fat or muscle mass. However, some people may instead report weight loss when taking the pill. But there has not been enough research to confirm whether the hormones in birth control pills lead to weight gain or weight loss.

5.    Headache and Migraine

The hormone in birth control pill can cause you headache more frequently as a side effect. Birth control pill creates changes in hormone estrogen and progesterone which can trigger migraine in some women. However symptom depends on the dosage, type of pill and individual body.

6.    Breast tenderness

Taking birth control pills often causes the breasts to feel tender as a side effect, especially soon after a person starts taking them. Hormonal pills can also cause your breast to grow bigger. Wearing a supportive bra can help reduce breast tenderness.

4 stages of menstrual cycle, what is the normal cycle and what’s not

7.    Mood swings

Our hormones are responsible for changes related to mood. Hormonal pills are also a type of hormone which are given orally and can affect a person’s mood. These pill make changes in hormone which can affect a person’s mood and emotions.

8.    Melasma (Darkening of skin)

Some people can fell the darkening of skin due to these pills which is called melasma. Hormones are the primary cause of melasma – especially estrogen. Elevated levels of estrogen in the body increase pigment production, and hormonal birth control works by increasing the levels of estrogen in the body. That’s why melasma is commonly seen side effect with birth control pill.

9.    Low sex drive

These hormonal pills can affect your sex drive which is because of change in hormones due to the pill. Some people reported low sex drive and decreased libido while on birth control pill. It’s always a good idea to consult with your health care provider if you have any concern regarding this.

10.    Eye changes

The estrogen hormone in your birth control can cause eye inflammation. This can interfere with the eye’s oil-producing glands, resulting in dryness and blurred vision. Estrogen can also cause corneal thickening. This does not suggest a higher risk of eye disease, but it may mean that contact lenses no longer fit comfortably.

11.    Acne

Some forms of birth control pills can also cause or worsen acne, specially the pills which only contain progesterone. Even with the combination pills also you can notice an initial flare up as your body gets used to the new hormones.

10 reasons of late period if you are not pregnant

12.    Inflammations

Birth control pills can increase your risk of inflammation which can cause some health problems over time. Inflammations can also affect your body in the long run and can eventually lead to disease or conditions including certain cancers or arthritis. Increasing your cardiovascular health risk is also a side effect of birth control pills in long run. Always talk to your doctor who prescribes you these pills regarding all the side effects.

13.    Gallstones

Birth control pills in general could increase the risk of gallstones by increasing cholesterol levels in the bile and decreasing gallbladder movements. Some studies also found an increase in the development of gallbladder disease among women who were using oral contraceptives compared with those not taking these drugs. Both estrogen and progesterone have been shown to increase the risk of gallstones.

14.    Increased blood pressure

Birth control pills can increase your blood pressure from slightly to potentially dangerous. Birth control pill can also increase your risk of developing blood clot. Sometimes, if your blood pressure becomes too high while using the pill, you may need to switch to a new birth control method. If you feel any symptom of high blood pressure, it’s always better to consult with the doctor and check suitable option for you.

15.    Decreased testosterone

Mostly birth control pills contain the female hormone estrogen and progestin. They are often called combination pills. Many combined pills lower your testosterone. That’s the hormone that makes you want to have sex. Having less testosterone can decrease acne, but can also lower your libido. If you use non-hormonal contraception options, you won’t notice this effect.

Some of the serious side effects of birth control pill

Combination birth control pills increase the risk of certain conditions, which can be serious. Although these side effects are rare but there is always a possibility. They include:

• Liver disorder
• Heart-attacks
• Stroke
• Blood clot
• Severe headache
• Chest pain
• Blurred Vision or loss of vision
• Elevated triglycerides and pancreatitis
• Severe stomach pain

Birth control pills can lead to a higher risk for blood clots, heart attack, and stroke in women who smoke, especially if older than 35 years of age. Birth control pills should NOT be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke. The birth control pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Only a condom can protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Who should not use birth control pills

It is always better to avoid birth control pill to avoid serious side effect if you have following conditions or check with your doctor about the best option for you.

• If you smoke or have heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions, you may not be an ideal candidate for birth control pills.
• Birth control pills can sometimes be slightly less effective for women with obesity.
• Known or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina or certain hormonally-sensitive cancers.
• Pregnant or think you are pregnant.
• Blood clots
• Liver disease or tumor
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes affecting your circulation.
• Mental depression
• If you are over 35 and smoke

When to see a doctor

If you are taking birth control pills and having any of the following side effect, check with your doctor as soon as possible.

• Fainting
• Severe leg pain or swelling
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Chest pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty speaking
• Two or more missed period and symptoms of pregnancy.
• Severe headache or migraine
• Severe mood swings or depression
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure

The post 15 side effect of birth control pills that you should know appeared first on YourHealthyMom.

Motherhood is the most beautiful thing in this world but on the other hand parenting your child is very difficult task. The real battle begins when your baby is no more a baby but a toddler and you sweet cute little baby transform into a stubborn toddler. Toddlers behave differently than small babies, they starts walking around their 1^st birthday and start exploring the world.

Most toddlers show interest in doing things by themselves and try to explore the things their own way. Stubbornness is the most common and normal behavior for them. Generally, by the age of 18 months till the age of 4 or 5 years, this stubbornness is on its peak. It begins when children discover they have the power to refuse other people’s requests. They respond negatively to many requests, including pleasant ones. In general, they are stubborn rather than cooperative. They delight in refusing a suggestion, whether it’s about getting dressed or taking off their clothes, taking a bath or getting out of the bathtub, going to bed or getting up.

Read to know tips to potty train a stubborn toddler

This can be very frustrating period for parents. I am also a mother and I can say that this is really very frustrating. My son was refusing almost everything that he was doing since he was a baby whether its food, bath time, nappy change, going out sitting on car seat, and so on, this list is too long to explain.

The toddler phase and the teenager phase are considered the toughest to handle. Here I will explain my ways of handling a stubborn toddler without any punishment. Yes, here I am not talking about the hitting, spanking or behaving aggressively with your child. As research says, this can lead to other mental and behavioral problems in their adulthood. Before talking about the ways I will explain the characteristics of a stubborn toddler. I hope after reading all these characteristics you will feel little relaxed.

Characteristics of a stubborn child

Here are some of the characteristics of stubborn toddler or child that you can look for. All of them are not bad, but for some kids this can be their behavior also. Stubborn kids are difficult to handle but it’s not that bad.

• Tend to be fussy and independent.
• They can have frequent temper tantrums
• Stubborn kids tend to question everything which can be mistaken for rebellion
• It can be difficult to get them into a routine as they are free-willed
• They are committed and bent on doing what they like.
• Always want to be the BOSS and have strong leadership qualities.
• Tend to do everything at their own pace
• They have a strong need to be acknowledged and heard. So they always want your attention.

Is your toddler refusing milk? Click here to read my guide on this

15 tips to discipline stubborn child

Here are my top 15 tips that I was also using to handle my very stubborn child and believe me I am still using these tips. I keep reminding myself about these tips whenever I lose my temper on my kid.

1.    Don’t Argue with a stubborn child, try to request them rather than command

Stubborn children are always ready for an argument, so try to avoid that and don’t give them a chance to argue. Always listen calmly what they want to say and when you feel they are ready to listen then try to tell your side of story. Try to do more conversation rather than an argument.

Always try to request them like please can you come here for a minute or please can you do this for me, try not to give commands like come here now or do this. This way they will understand that you want them to do this otherwise they will always ready to fight back.

2.    Try not to force them for anything, make a connection with them

Do not force your child to do something that they do not want to. This will only make them more stubborn and they will be bent on doing exactly what they are not supposed to do. So, if you want your child to stop doing some activity, always try to give some time out like, last 5 minutes, by this way their mind will understand that this has to finish in sometime. Try to explain them the reason behind every action, to make them understand the situation better.

3.    Use distractions

Sometime distractions work. Distract your toddler with a toy or any other activity instead of always saying NO or STOP when he wants to play with something that he shouldn’t. This trick works well for toddler under the age of 2 years when they have poor impulsive control and lack of cognitive ability to understand why you are saying NO.

4.    Offer some choices

Stubborn toddler always wants the control in their hand, they don’t want to listen. So rather than telling them what to do or what not, try to offer some choices. By offer them options to choose from as this makes them feel as if they have control over their lives and can independently decide what they would like to do. Keep the choices limited to avoid confusion for your child and offer only two or three options. Like if you want them to do their homework then you can ask which one you want to do first.

5.    Control your own anger

There is only one way of controlling your child’s anger is by controlling your own first. If you try to get angry on a stubborn toddler, they will behave exactly the same and will get angrier then you. Always behave calmly; behaving aggressively can lead to an aggressive behavior in kids also. Aggressive behavior can leave a strong impact on their mental health also.

6.    Always encourage or reward a good behavior

Praise your child whenever possible is always a good way to reduce negativity. Always encourage your child with some good words when he or she behaves nicely. You can also give them small reward for that like cook their favorite food, do their favorite activity, watch their favorite show on TV and so on ( Don’t give them expensive or big reward as it can make them habitual of it ).

You can also try not to use negative words such as No, Cannot, Will not etc. if you will use more negative works, child will also try to use those words more often. Try to use more Yes instead of No.

7.    Establish a good routine and try to follow that

Sticking to daily routines as well as weekly ones can help improve your child’s behavior as well as performance in school. Bedtime needs to be defined and should be such that it provides for plenty of rest for your child. Lack of sleep and being tired can lead to behavioral problems in children between the ages of three and twelve.

8.    Try to understand the situation from your child’s point of view

Always try to think from your child’s point of view that why he or she is behaving like this and work on the reason. For example if you promised for something and somehow couldn’t do that then try to explain the reason first. Your child will only see it as a broken promise, but by outlining why you cannot do that and by setting a later date for that, you can salvage the situation.

9.    Set some rules and punishment

It is always important to set some rules for certain behavior that which one is ok and which one is not ok.  Like hitting and spanking is not at all ok. Set some punishment for them and always stick to that. Stubborn children needs rules and regulations to thrive. So setting some rules and punishments is always important. Always be consistent in that but try not to rigid, be flexible some times. You can also set some rewards if they behave good, this will encourage them for good behavior and discipline.

10.    Keep positive environment at home

Positive environment is very important for positive behavior. Try to talk nicely with other members of your family so that child can learn from you. Kids always like to copy their parents, so behave nicely with your spouse, this will encourage them also. Make sure that your home is a place where your child feels happy, comfortable, and secure at all times. Try to avoid argument in front of your child.

14 signs of potty training readiness. when should you start potty training toddler

11.    Remember this is just a phase and a normal behavior of them

Rigidity is usually a sign of a healthy developing toddler, not a “stubborn” one. That’s because toddlers are just beginning to recognize and predict their routines. So much of their world is new, surprising, and completely out of their control, which can be equally exciting and frightening. Always try to comfort your kid when not behaving properly and keep in mind that this is just a phase, it will pass out in few years. Have patience and take it positively.

12.    Avoid excessive No to a stubborn child

Do your child say No to everything, if yes, then think about your attitude once that do you say NO to your child very often? Don’t say excessive NO. Try some other way like we will think about it, I will try to do or I will do it in sometime and so on. But save yourself from saying excessive No. This can lead to a negative attitude in child and he or she will also try to avoid every situation by saying NO.

13.    Don’t expect too much form a stubborn child

You should not expect too much from a little human, after all they are just 2 to 5 year old. What do you expect that they will follow all your rules and commands? No, they will not, kids love to explore new things and love to do things in their own way; don’t expect that they are going to do everything perfectly. It is important to understand that stubbornness is a part of the personality of some children while in others; it is their way of nudging the boundaries and asserting their will

14.    Don’t give choices when its non-negotiable

Don’t get too emotional and get trapped. Sometimes children cry for the things that need not to be done. So don’t give choices when it’s non-negotiable. Such as sitting in the car seat, are not open to discussion, although you can explain why the rule must be followed. Going to bed or to day care also is not negotiable. Don’t ask a question when there’s only one acceptable answer, but direct your child in as kind a way as possible. Commands such as “do this or else” should be avoided.

15.    Ignore some of the behavior of stubborn child

Try to ignore some of the behavior that doesn’t need your attention. This is the best way to handle stubborn toddler. If you will avoid some of things, by the time they will get bored and leave that particular thing by their own. In this way they will get enough chance to explore something that they want to and you will also not feel bad for saying NO to them.

The post How to discipline a stubborn child? 15 ways to discipline them appeared first on YourHealthyMom.