Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) has simplified the process of tracking glucose levels for people with diabetes. It’s painfree, requires no finger pricks and gives real-time glucose data. In my last post, I shared the benefits of using FreeStyle Libre, a CGM device, in managing diabetes effectively. FreeStyle Libre uses a sensor to continuously measure the glucose present in the interstitial fluid. And the reader can show the current glucose reading, glucose trends, patterns and Time in Range (TIR) data. In today’s post, I will share more about the role of Time in Range in managing diabetes better. And, how achieving a higher Time in Range percentage using FreeStyle Libre can reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.

What is Time in Range or TIR?

Time in Range is the percentage of time an individual’s glucose levels remain within a target range. This target range is typically 70 to 180 mg/dL but it can vary from person to person. Your medical practitioner can help you set your target range. When you use a CGM device, the reader can show you when your glucose has been within the range and at what time it spiked or went down.

Image Source – www.freestyle.abbott

Higher Time in Range percentage means that your glucose levels have been in the target range for a longer period of time. On the other hand, a lower TIR percentage would indicate fluctuating glucose levels.

Increasing time spent in range has a positive impact on glucose management and lowers risks of related health issues. In fact, every extra hour in range has a positive impact on your glucose control, and every 10% increase in TIR can lower A1c by ~0.8%. Moreover, spending more TIR can reduce long-term health complications.

Importance of Time in Range in Managing Diabetes

Your CGM reader can show you the exact percentage of time when your glucose levels were in the above/below target range. By utilizing the Time in Range metric you can better understand how your daily activities are impacting your glucose levels. And, in turn, you can take appropriate actions to achieve better overall health.

Image Source – www.freestyle.abbott

Time in Range metric can help people in understanding how well they are managing their diabetes.

By using the CGM device you can aim to keep your glucose levels steady and in range, thus reducing the risk of low blood sugar & high blood sugar episodes.

Time in Range and HbA1c

HbA1c test has been considered an important means to determine the average glucose levels over the last 3 months. And, the doctors rely on the results of this test to understand how well their patients are doing in terms of managing their diabetes. HbA1c also helps in diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes.

Time in Range is an important metric that can be used in addition to HbA1c results to take charge of your glucose levels on a day to day basis. By using a CGM device like Freestyle libre, one can get insights into specific fluctuations or patterns throughout the day. People with diabetes can correlate the periods of high/low glucose levels with certain activities; like meals, physical activity, medications, stress levels or even sleep patterns and make changes in their lifestyle.

Reduce the Risk of Complications with FreeStyle Libre 

By using a CGM device, people living with diabetes can easily aim to increase their Time in Range percentage.

Achieving and maintaining Time in Range can reduce the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) episodes. Hence, higher the Time in Range, lower the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.

Since the CGM device keeps you updated at all times about your current glucose levels, your glucose trend and Time in Range, you are always in control of your health.

As soon as you notice the fluctuations, you can take appropriate measures to bring your glucose levels back in the range. Thus, Time in Range empowers you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle choices.

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As a caregiver to my husband, who has been living with diabetes, I have noticed how using FreeStyle Libre has made a significant impact on his overall well-being and diabetes management. Understanding and prioritizing Time in Range has been a transformative factor in effectively managing his diabetes.

To know more about Continuous Glucose Monitoring, visit this website.

You can buy Freestyle libre here.

The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive/for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.

Any photos displayed are for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in such photos is a model.

The post Role of Time in Range in Managing Diabetes using FreeStyle Libre appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring and CGM devices have gained popularity in the past few years. Now more people are choosing CGM over BGM (Blood Glucose Monitoring) as a better means to manage their diabetes. And, this, in turn is helping them to take control of their overall health. However, there’s a huge population who is still not aware of the benefits of CGM. Hence, this question, how can CGM help manage your diabetes better in 2023? Hopefully, this post will help people living with diabetes to make better decisions for their health.

Recently, I attended a session with Blogchatter, where the nutritionist rightly said that one of the most important tools in managing diabetes is self monitoring of glucose levels using a CGM device.

Did you know that 1 in 10 adults or approx. 537 million people worldwide are suffering from Diabetes? And, India comes second with the largest number of diabetics worldwide.¹

As per IDF, this number is expected to go up to 50% by 2045.² Shocking, isn’t it?

We know that there’s no cure available for diabetes, one can only manage it by keeping their blood glucose levels in control. And, to do that, following a healthy diet, physical activity, timely medication and regular glucose monitoring become an essential part of daily life.

However, people with diabetes find the process of glucose monitoring painful & tiring as it requires multiple finger pricks (using glucometer) in a day. My husband has diabetes and he detests finger pricking and thus avoids testing. But he understands that running away from glucose monitoring is not going to help him in any way. Furthermore, ditching regular glucose monitoring may result in diabetes-related complications too.

In one of my previous posts, I discussed about the painless way to monitor glucose levels using a CGM device.

Last year, we switched to a CGM device, FreeStyle Libre by Abbott. Since then, my husband has been happy & relieved as CGM has made his life so easy. He now feels empowered & in control to make informed decisions for his health. Moreover, no more running away as glucose monitoring is not a painful affair anymore!

FreeStyle Libre Sensor & Reader

Let’s talk a bit more about this CGM device and how it works.

What is a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) device?

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device helps you track your glucose levels throughout the day
and night. This can become a great way to stay updated on trends on whether your glucose levels are going up, down or staying steady.

How does a CGM device work?

The CGM kit, FreeStyle Libre, comes with a Reader, a Sensor and a sensor applicator.

This sensor is a small patch like thing that one has to place at the back of their upper arm using the applicator. It has a very thin filament which goes just under the skin and then measures the glucose present in interstitial fluid.

Image Source – https://www.freestyle.abbott/

If you are wondering about the application of this sensor, then let me assure you, it’s super easy & painless to apply. Also, you will not even feel that you are wearing a sensor on your arm after a while. It’s this comfortable!

This sensor keeps on collecting real-time data (current glucose levels) and you need a Reader to read that data. It’s as simple as that!

This reader is a small handheld device (with a screen) that is used to scan the sensor and it stores all the collected data which can be accessed any time.

You know what’s the best part of a CGM device?

It not just gives you the current glucose reading without any pricks or pains but it also shows you the glucose trend. And, this means FreeStyle Libre shows you where your glucose levels have been, and where they are heading. Amazing, right?

Image Source – https://www.freestyle.abbott/

I am sure by now you are convinced that in 2023 CGM is your answer to make glucose monitoring hassle-free and a CGM device can help you manage diabetes better.

But, if you still have any doubts, let’s list down all the benefits of using a CGM device.

What are the benefits of using a CGM device?

CGM is an effective way to monitor your glucose levels, leading to better diabetes management. When it comes to diabetes, one has to manage it well and for that self monitoring of glucose levels and accordingly making lifestyle changes is the right way.

1- If you are using a CGM device, then you don’t have to do multiple painful finger pricks for testing your glucose levels.

2- A CGM device like FreeStyle Libre keeps a record of your glucose levels and shows you current glucose reading as well as glucose trend, indicating fluctuations in your glucose levels. This can help you in making changes in your diet or any particular activity accordingly and improve your lifestyle.

3- You can wear FreeStyle Libre sensor for up to 14 days and the reader can store 90 days of glucose data. This means you can make glucose monitoring hassle-free with CGM.

4- Another best part, when you are on a vacation you can remain worry free from finger pricking and testing. As no more carrying your glucometer with you every time you travel.

You may also read – 5 Simple Tips for Traveling with someone Living with Diabetes!

5- You can show your daily glucose readings & trends report to your doctor which will help them to understand your diabetes management better.

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6- With CGM, you are always aware of your glucose levels, hence, it’s easier for you to avoid diabetes related complications.

7- By using a CGM device, you can learn how certain foods, physical activity, sleep pattern, and stress are impacting your glucose levels and in turn, help you to make informed decisions.

8- FreeStyle Libre sensor is water resistant which means you can keep a track of your glucose levels even while swimming and exercising.

9- The reader can scan the sensor even through the layers of clothing, no need take off your jacket/ sweatshirt just to take the reading.

10- It is extremely beneficial for children and older people who are dependent on caregivers as they can take the readings on their own with FreeStyle Libre.

So, make 2023, the year you make glucose monitoring hassle-free with CGM!

Learn more about Continuous Glucose Monitoring here. You can buy FreeStyle Libre here.

The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive/for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.

Any photos displayed are for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in such photos is a model.

References-

1- https://www.statista.com/statistics/271464/percentage-of-diabetics-worldwide/#statisticContainer
2- https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes/facts-figures.html

The post How can CGM Help Manage your Diabetes Better in 2023? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Recently, when I attended the session on Living Fully With Diabetes, I realized that it is such a common condition. Almost everyone around me has someone or the other in their family who has it. Even my husband is diabetic. But I never talked about it on my blog thinking that nobody would relate to it. Clearly, I was wrong. Hence, I thought why not share some tips on how we take care of things for my husband when we travel. So, in this post, I will be sharing the things you should know when you are traveling with someone living with diabetes.

In my last post, I shared how one can manage diabetes easily by taking care of a few things like their diet, physical activity, medicines and glucose monitoring. But all this takes a turn when one has to travel since it’s not easy to follow the same routine.

So, should we not travel and just stay at home?

Once my friend told me that he doesn’t travel with his family because his parents who are both diabetic can’t come with him. He told me that their routine goes for a toss and even a 3-day travel takes a toll on their health.

I understand that following the same routine is extremely difficult, but I feel that one can still manage their glucose levels with proper planning. Here’s what we do when we travel-

1- Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Rule 1 of managing diabetes is monitoring your glucose levels on regular basis. Keeping a tab on your blood sugar levels help in taking important decisions regarding your diet and physical activity. But, of course, traveling means carrying your blood glucose monitoring device with you everywhere.

My husband makes excuses to not to pack his glucometer so that he can avoid testing while traveling. He wants to remain free from the hassle of finger pricking and testing while on a vacation. Even if he carries it with him, he usually forgets to do the test.

Being a caregiver to my husband, I have to stay on alert during such vacations. I keep a watch on his diet and I make sure that he gets enough physical activity. I also keep a pouch with his extra medicines with me. And, I know if this is such a big matter of worry for us, it is for you too if you are traveling with someone living with diabetes.

TIP 1- Use CGM instead of BGM. Why prick when you can scan?

I have found a solution to my husband’s problem. We simply needed to shift from blood glucose monitoring (BGM) to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

BGM is the most common way of checking blood sugar levels and for that one has to use blood glucose meters. You use a lancet to prick your finger and apply that drop of blood on the glucose testing strip attached to the glucometer to get your current glucose reading.

Whereas, CGM is a painless way to monitor glucose levels. A CGM device comes with a sensor and a reader. In my last post, I shared about one such CGM device by Abbott called FreeStyle Libre. You simply have to apply the sensor on your upper arm, swipe the reader on the sensor to scan and see your glucose reading on the reader.

People living with diabetes for years find BGM frustrating and time consuming. So, why not shift to the painless way of monitoring. FreeStyle Libre has so many benefits like –

• It can be worn for up to 14 days.
• It’s convenient as it automatically measures & stores your glucose readings.
• It gives you 8 hours of glucose data and glucose trends.
• It’s water resistant so can be worn while you bathe or swim.
• Even a child with diabetes can use it.

So, why prick when you can scan?

2- Proper Diet

Rule 2 of managing diabetes is taking a healthy diet. But, when you are traveling with someone living with diabetes you notice that it’s not easy for them to focus on healthy eating. They can not follow the same meal plan that they follow at home. However, as a caregiver you can definitely keep a watch on what they eat.

TIP 2- Book a diabetic meal on flight!

If you are taking a flight, book your tickets with the airlines that give an option for a diabetic meal. Alternatively, you can also keep a few snacks in your hand baggage in case the meal gets delayed. If traveling by road, it’s always better to carry home cooked meal and healthy snacks for munching.

TIP 3- Request for diabetic-friendly food at the hotel!

While booking a hotel, call them and check if they provide diabetic-friendly food or if they can prepare meals on request. Most of the hotels we have stayed with were happy to cater to our request. However, they may charge extra for the special meals.

In case, we have to stay for more than 3 days, we book a cottage, they come with a fully equipped kitchen, and you get an easy option to prepare meals as you like. So, you see with a little pre-planning, diet for a diabetic can be managed easily.

3- Exercise

We all know the importance of physical activity to stay healthy. But regular exercise may become a matter of worry when on a vacation. You may have to give up your morning walks as you may want to sleep in till late and evening walks may not happen due to other plans.

TIP 4- Trek, Swim, Cycle and Play! 

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But planning your days beforehand may give you a chance to include time for physical activity. We never fail to plan a hike or trek while on a holiday. We also visit places that we can explore on foot. Most of the time, we book resorts with swimming pool so that my husband gets his exercise while enjoying at the pool. Also, we always keep some time for play. Badminton, table tennis and cycling are our favorite sports.

4- Medication when traveling with someone living with diabetes

Carry twice the medicines you need in case your stay gets extended. Also, it’s better to keep medicines in two different pouches in case one gets misplaced or you forget it somewhere. My husband keeps one in his backpack and I keep the other one with me. While booking the hotel, always check for the nearest pharmacy and its timings.

TIP 5 – Never ever skip your medicine!

Even if your sugar level is within limit, don’t skip your medicine especially when you are away from home. If you tend to forget to take medicines, then set multiple reminders on your phone or watch. It really helps!

I hope these simple tips will help you in planning your trip if you are traveling with someone living with diabetes.

Know More about Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

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Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post.

The post 5 Simple Tips for Traveling with someone Living with Diabetes appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Diabetes (Type 2) is the most common lifestyle disease nowadays. In simple words, we say, a person with diabetes has high blood sugar levels. And, this high blood sugar can lead to many health problems. However, diabetes can be managed. The first step to managing diabetes is glucose monitoring. Recently I got to know about the painless way to check blood sugar. Yes, Glucose Monitoring Can Be Pain-free!

I had a chance to attend an event on “Living Fully With Diabetes” where the speakers talked about how Continuous Glucose Monitoring help monitor glucose levels effectively. I got to learn about a device that makes glucose monitoring pain-free.

#LivingFullyWithDiabetes

This event was organized by the Blogchatter team and they invited actor Jay Bhanushali to share his experience as a caregiver to his mother who is a diabetic for the last 10 years.

How to Manage Diabetes?

My husband is living with diabetes for the last 5 years but we still struggle to manage it effectively. He was diagnosed during a routine health check-up arranged by his company for all their employees. He had high blood sugar and was immediately asked to meet the doctor and get all the tests done. And, next came high blood pressure and high cholesterol. That day changed our lives.

Being a caregiver to my husband, I understand the challenges that come with it. And, I can say that living with diabetes is not easy at all. The fight starts with accepting the fact that you have diabetes and now your whole life and the way you live is going to change. It does not just affect the person with diabetes but also everyone else in the family.

However, the doctor assured us that if we take care of a few things, they can be managed easily.

Here are the things he emphasized on, to manage diabetes and to reduce the risk of complications.

1- Healthy Diet 

We were given a list of food items that my husband can eat. The doctor pointed out the importance of having a balanced diet. He talked about eating healthy food in the right amounts and at the right times. We were also asked to meet a dietician to devise a meal plan for him.

2- Physical Activity

When my husband was diagnosed, he was in the overweight category. So, the doctor asked him to focus on achieving a healthy weight by including 1 hour of physical activity in his daily routine. So, he started taking stairs instead of choosing the elevator or escalator. He even bought a bicycle to ride to his office. Within a year, he was able to maintain a healthy weight.

You may also read – 5 Simple Cardio Exercises Best Suited for Beginners!

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3- Timely Medication

Since there is no cure for diabetes, medicines become an essential part of managing diabetes. So, one has to take medicines on time. Additionally, the doctor emphasized on not skipping the medicine even if the blood sugar levels are within limits.

4- Regular Glucose Monitoring

Glucose monitoring is the most important part of managing diabetes. Our doctor suggested we buy a glucometer and check the blood sugar at regular intervals to keep a tab on the glucose levels. This is the toughest part I feel because it is no joke pricking your fingers every 3-4 hours. My husband doesn’t like that part at all, so many times he skips testing just to avoid the prick. Especially while we are traveling.

Living Fully With Diabetes

During the event, Jay Bhanushali talked about how he takes care of his mother’s diet and exercise. I agree with his point that people with diabetes go through various emotions so, as primary caregivers, we need to understand what they are going through.

My husband gets too demotivated on days, he sees his glucose reading is too high. That’s when I have to jump in and be there with him.

During the event, Jay also shared about the continuous glucose monitoring device, FreeStyle Libre, which his mother is using. I found it quite impressive as there’s no painful pricking involved. One has to place the sensor on their arm and use the reader to scan their glucose readings. Another best part is that it can be worn for up to 14 days.

Know more about FreeStyle Libre and Continuous Glucose Monitoring, click here: https://bit.ly/BCRDiabetes

You can buy FreeStyle Libre here.

Conclusion

Diabetes can be managed effectively if one takes care of their diet, exercise, sleep, stress levels, and takes timely medicines. And, of course, monitors their blood sugar constantly.

Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post.

The post Is there a Painless way to check Blood Sugar for managing Diabetes? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Of all the queries that I get from my readers, the most prominent ones are related to the growth and development milestones of kids. I know when it comes to our children we want only the best and to be sure of our choices, we seek help and answers from people we trust. I want to thank all those who reach out to me and trust my suggestions.

Since we are talking about growth and development in children, I want to share how parents worry a lot about their child’s health, immunity, growth, as well as their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Hence, they are always looking out for ways to ensure that their child reaches all milestones in time. Here are some of the common doubts I have heard from parents –

• “My child is not gaining weight and keeps falling sick. How to ensure that my child is growing right?”
• “My son is not growing in height. All his classmates are taller than him. Should I give him any nutritional supplement?”
• My daughter keeps losing her focus during the online class. How should I make her pay attention during the online class?”
• My kid just plays games on the phone all day. How should I reduce his screen time?”
• My child is a fussy eater. How can I make him love his veggies?”

If you have ever worried about any of this for your child then don’t be surprised because you are not alone in this. We all worry about our kids and that’s absolutely normal.

Nutrition plays an important role in a child’s development. Along with that stimulation activities and a nurturing environment play a significant role in their cognitive development. I have already talked about the importance of cognitive milestones[i] in my other post.

My son is now quite independent at this age he likes to make his own choices, be it for food, play, or entertainment. I no longer have full control over what he should eat, watch, or play. We talk and discuss, sometimes we have healthy arguments too but that also is a part of growing up.

There are 3 things that my son knows are most important for him to grow into a happy and healthy individual and I know that these will help him reach all milestones.

1 – Eating Healthy Food

Being from a foodie family, we love eating and experimenting with our food. The current situation helped in bringing the super chef out of us and we learned how to give our cravings a healthy offering. We try to make everything at home by giving our favourite junk food a healthy twist. Check out this healthy recipe of Veg Momos using Multigrain Atta. Watch the video below-

Another way I ensure Nemit gets his balanced meals is through PediaSure. Do you know that recently Abbott has launched the New PediaSure in India? Yes, the favourite of all mommies, PediaSure now comes enhanced with two important nutrients, Arginine and Vitamin K2. I was invited to be a part of the launch event and it was such an insightful session where we got to know so many amazing facts about bone growth and development in kids from the experts.

Did you know that 60% of kids’ bone growth happens by the age of 6?

I got to learn about the two super nutrients that are known to support bone growth. Arginine is an important amino acid that promotes cell growth in bones to help them grow faster in case of growth delay. Vitamin K2 helps to build stronger bones by transporting and absorbing calcium in the bones. The new PediaSure is scientifically designed to help bones grow longer and stronger to further support catch-up growth.

2 – Mindful Screen Time

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I have followed zero screen time for a long time for Nemit as suggested by his pediatrician since he had a speech delay. But when things normalized we gradually moved on to mindful screen time. However, when the online classes started, we had to make certain rules. Thankfully, Nemit understood the importance of having a routine and fixed screen time. Recently, in a post, I shared a list of 5 fun and educational shows for kids on YouTube. Do check it out.

3 – Indoor/Outdoor Activity

Kids need a daily dose of physical activity along with nutritious food for optimal growth and brain development. Even when my son is not able to go outside we make sure that he stays physically active. We dance and groove to our favourite songs, we play badminton in our living room, we even play table tennis on our dining table. When we are not able to play with him then he does ‘online yoga’ or plays ‘the floor is lava’ or ‘the freeze game’. There are also some brain-boosting games that we play as a family. Check out this video below-

Along with these brain games, you can also include other toys that can inspire creativity, brain development and also assist in building various skills in young children.

These are three simple steps I follow for Nemit’s overall health. While each child is different and we must let them grow at their own pace, some steps on our part reassure us that we’re on the right track. Why don’t you tell me what’s in your checklist to ensure your children reach all milestones?

References

[i] https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-developmental-milestones-2795109

The post Key Steps to Ensure My Child Reaches All Milestones appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello parents! I hope you all are doing good. In today’s post, I will be writing about the ‘Growth Indicators in Children in India.’ And how to use these growth indicators to determine your child’s growth.

Have you ever faced a situation when someone close in your family pointed out that you are not feeding your child well? Because according to them, your seemingly happy & healthy child looks so weak.

Or, has it ever happened when a random someone declared that your child is too skinny or too short for his age? And then blurted out that unsolicited advice that should help your child gain weight or height.

I have been through this phase. And I know how it feels when someone judges you or your child. I made several visits to the pediatrician just to cancel out these doubts even though I knew those claims were baseless.

If you, too, get easily stressed out in such situations. Or, you start doubting yourself that you are not doing good enough for your child’s proper growth & development. Then this post is for you.

I am thankful to my son’s pediatrician for suggesting use a growth chart to track our son’s growth. My child’s regular growth monitoring made me sure that there’s nothing to worry about his weight & height.

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Thus, I feel it is important for every parent to know about the growth indicators, cognitive milestones, and developmental red flags; because this can save you from unnecessary stress. If there’s any deviation in growth (sharp incline or decline in growth line), you can intervene & take timely action. And once you know that your child is growing right, what others say won’t bother you anymore.

I have already talked about the ways to ensure that your child is growing right. Now, let’s talk about the growth indicators in children.

How to Use Growth Indicators to Monitor Growth in Children in India?

I started monitoring my son’s growth myself using the growth charts after he turned a year old. Keeping track of his growth at home not just helped to recognize that he’s growing well but in understanding his health & nutritional status.

Nemit’s Growth Chart

It is recommended to measure height & weight monthly during the first year, every 2 months during the 2nd year, and every 3 months thereafter, up to the age of 5-6 years.¹

I know that even if my boy is skinny, it’s not a matter of worry as his weight is in the expected range.

The following indicators are the three main growth indicators in children in India and are to be plotted on a line graph as x-axis & y-axis, as you can see in Nemit’s chart. The curved lines called percentile on the graph are used as the reference lines. In India, we use the new WHO Child Growth Standards (2006) for children.

1 – Weight for age

Low weight for age would mean that the child is not gaining the optimum weight as per his/her age. Similarly, overweight for age can point towards obesity, a common lifestyle problem in kids of this generation. Regular tracking & monitoring of weight can help the parents in determining the nutritional status of their child.

If your child is a fussy eater, their eating habits may lead to nutritional deficiency or growth deviation. I have shared 4 tips to develop good eating habits in kids.

2- Height for age

Like weight, measuring & monitoring height vs. age can help determine any underlying health condition that may be causing the delay in growth. Nutrition is an important factor influencing a child’s growth and health.

3- Proportional growth

This indicator reflects the body weight in proportion to attained height. This can help identify low weight for height (undernourished) and high weight for height (overweight) issues in children. Both of which are concerning situations for young children.

 

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A post shared by Neha Sharma (@growing_with_nemit)

Understanding the growth indicators in children is #FirstStepToGrowRight. Online tools nowadays are quite easy to understand and use. I found this to be true with PediaSure’s tracker. You can try it too. All you have to do is input your child’s details in the Grow Right tracker and find out for yourself how they’re doing. Now that I’ve begun using it, tracking has never been simpler. If I have any concerns, I can always download the report and show it to the doctor and clarify my doubts. You need not worry or get confused about growth charts when you have such a simple online tool. My biggest learning has been how tracking children’s growth gives so much insight on the further steps you can take for their development!

1. https://www.indianpediatrics.net/mar2007/mar-187-197.htm

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any brand. Any omissions or errors at the author’s end does not assume any liability or responsibility on any party mentioned in the blog.

The post How to Use the Growth Indicators to Monitor Growth in Children in India? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

In today’s post, I want to talk about the role of a nurturing environment on a child’s cognitive development. And share some easy ways to create a positive environment for your child. When I am saying environment, it includes both physical as well as the emotional environment.

We know how crucial are the initial years of a child’s life for their growth and development. A child’s brain develops rapidly during the first three years. It is the time of rapid physical, emotional and cognitive development.

If you have been following my posts on #FeedIQ, an initiative by Abbott, by now you know how nutrition plays a crucial role in a baby’s optimal development. As per a research from Abbott, 3 key nutrients i.e. DHA, lutein and natural vitamin E are essential to support brain development and encourage early learning skills in infants. Mothers can take care of their nutritional needs by including a good supplement like SimMom IQ+ in their diet.

But nutrition is not the only factor which influences a baby’s cognitive development. A positive, stimulatory, as well as a nurturing environment, plays an equally important role. In one of my previous posts, I have shared some of the age-specific stimulation activities for babies.

A study by neuroscientist Audrey van der Meer shows that neurons in the brains of young children increase in both number & specialization when they are exposed to a positive and challenging environment.

But do we parents really care about the environment our babies are exposed to?

Do we really focus on providing a positive & stress-free home environment for our babies?

Brain imaging research suggests that growing up in a stressful environment causes the brain to develop differently. Even pregnancy stress and postpartum depression are found to have negative effects on a baby’s cognitive development.

It is the responsibility of parents & caretakers to consciously create a warm, caring, loving & sensory-rich environment around the babies.

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Let’s see some of the best ways to create a nurturing environment around babies to have a positive impact on their cognitive development.

1- Cut out the stress and be a happy parent

We all want to raise happy babies but are you a happy parent?

It doesn’t take much to drop out the stress from our lives and focus on being happy beings. Children absorb all the sights, sounds, smells, textures and emotions around them. They can sense even the slightest tension in the environment.

Babies communicate their needs & emotions through their behavior. And if you want to understand their behavior, you should look at their environment.

I have shared a post on Instagram on how to be a happy parent. Check it out –

 

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Create a happy & positive environment at home. How? .

👉 Smile more…Laugh often! . 👉 Eat at least 2 meals together as a family. . 👉 Don’t complicate things, keep your life as simple as possible. . 👉 Do some crazy stuff together. . 👉 Don’t shy away from showing love n care to your partner. Say ‘I love you’ more often. .👉 Keep an unlimited stock of kisses n hugs & use them for no particular reason. .👉 Never take your fight to a level that it becomes abusive. . 👉 Show your child that 2 individuals who love each other can also have a difference in opinion & things can be sorted out by talking without getting highly aggressive. . 👉 Take care of yourself, do something for yourself without feeling guilty. . 👉 Remember memories matter more than money. . 👉 Throw out negative thoughts & people out of your mind and your life

A post shared by Neha Sharma (@growing_with_nemit) on Nov 25, 2018 at 10:31pm PST

2- Create a positive nurturing environment at home

One of the best ways to create a positive nurturing environment for babies is by providing them with unconditional love and care. Even the simplest acts of cleaning & changing your baby, breastfeeding her, rocking her to sleep, soothing her, makes the environment nurturing.

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Also, be available for your child when you are present around them. Listen to their cues in understanding their behavior. Don’t neglect their cries because that is their way of communicating their needs. Allow your baby to spend time with each member of the family. And also encourage other people in the house to have a positive interaction with the baby. Try to adopt shared parenting as well as positive parenting approach.

3- Indoor/Outdoor Stimulatory activities

One of the best ways to help your baby achieve cognitive milestones is through stimulation. Play-based learning is the most fundamental in a child’s physical as well as intellectual development. It builds a range of skills that enable young minds to take risks, solve problems, imagine possibilities, negotiate, and much more.

Babies as young as a few days old are learning about their environment through their senses. Some of the fun indoor stimulation activities for babies are reading, giving a massage, playing peek-a-boo, talking, singing and responding to their coo’s.

Just like indoor activities, spending time outdoors is a great way for a baby’s physical and mental development. You can take your baby for a stroll, talk to her about the surroundings, show her the things around & let her explore the sights and sounds. Spending time outdoors also helps in a baby’s emotional as well as social development.

So, dear parents, these are some of the ways in which you can create a happy, healthy & nurturing environment around your babies to have a positive impact on their cognitive development.

Hope you find this post helpful and worth sharing. Do share your thoughts in the below comments section.

The post 3 Effective Ways to Create a Nurturing Environment for a Baby’s Cognition appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hi everyone, today I am going to talk about Preterm baby care and what parents can do to help their premature babies achieve optimal growth in the initial months.

During my last trimester pregnancy, I was really worried as I had heard many cases of preterm deaths and complicated preterm deliveries. One of our neighbors had a premature baby who came back home after spending 15 days in the NICU. When they came home with the baby, I saw how tiny that baby was, so fragile like a small flower and had tubes going inside her nose. That was a really heartbreaking sight. I didn’t see the baby for the next 3 months as she was kept inside the house to avoid any infections.

Most pregnancies normally last about 40 weeks and if a birth occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy it is termed as preterm birth.

These babies are considered premature and have an increased risk of complications. These preterm babies need special care as some of their organs are underdeveloped and there are high chances of getting an infection.

I am listing down the 3 essential tips which can help parents in preterm baby care-

1 – Understand & Manage the Nutritional Needs of your Preterm Baby

This is the most important part of preterm baby care as proper nutrition is very important for their growth. Since the preterm babies are born before time, there is a possibility that their organs are not yet fully developed. Their digestive system may not work similar to a full term baby. If the baby has underdeveloped lungs, they may be given fluids through an IV (intravenous).

Breast milk is considered best for both preterms as well as full-term babies as it provides the essential nutrients along with DHA and natural vitamin E. If you are able to produce milk, and your baby is able to suckle then doctors will recommend exclusive breastfeeding every 2 hours. In case the baby is not able to latch, you will be advised to express milk for the baby.

You may also read – 6 Successful Breastfeeding tips for new moms!

In case you are not able to produce milk, consult a lactation specialist immediately. Do not delay! Your healthcare provider may ask your permission to give formula feed to the baby until your supply is established.

Please remember, even just a few drops of breast milk at a time will do them good.

In my previous posts on #FeedIQ, I have shared how the nutrition intake of a mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding impacts the growth of the baby. To avoid any nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, mothers can also take a supplement (after consulting their doctor) like SimMom IQ⁺ by Abbott. This is a specialized nutrition which offers an IQ⁺ blend of brain nutrients and high-quality protein that helps in the fetal brain development & healthy birthing.

2- Offer Kangaroo Mother Care

Many doctors recommend Kangaroo care since premature babies are not yet ready to live outside their mother’s womb. Kangaroo care is a technique where newborn babies are given direct skin-to-skin contact. Babies are placed on the chest of their mothers immediately after the birth. This is done for many hours a day at least 4 times a week.

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Studies have shown many benefits of this method for both baby and the mother. It is the best way to bond with your newborn and provide him the warmth and safety. Kangaroo care also helps in breastfeeding and fast weight gain in babies.

You may read more about Kangaroo Care, here!

3- Stay Positive & Stress-free

The whole birthing process and the realities of preterm birth may result in stress and anxiety in new moms. You are already coping with so much from raging hormones to the challenges of preterm baby care. But this is the time to stay strong and positive. A mother’s mental and emotional well being is essential for the well being of her baby. Your baby can sense your stress which is not good for both you and the baby.

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Just follow the instructions by your doctor for baby’s proper care and kick that stress out. Enjoy your motherhood and the time with your newborn. You won’t even realize how fast these little babies grow. Just cherish every moment spent with them!

According to WHO, every year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm. And preterm birth complication is the most common cause of death among children under 5 years of age (approx. 1 million deaths). More than three-quarter of preterm babies can be saved with feasible, cost-effective care.

Laerdal Global Health is a not-for-profit company dedicated to helping save lives of mothers and newborns. Their goal is to save 5,00,000 more lives every year by 2020. Abbott has collaborated with Laerdal to support their initiative of providing training workshops to nurses on ‘Essential care for every baby and Essential care for small baby’.

Reference –

www.tommys.org,

www.americanpregnancy.org,

www.nutritionnews.abbott,

www.who.int,

www.parents.com,

www.simmom.in

The post Preterm Baby Care – 3 Essential Tips for New Moms appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

The early years of a child’s life are the most crucial in terms of proper growth and development. Infants have a biological need and desire to learn. And as parents, we should assist them in their learning phase by providing the right environment and stimulation activities. In my previous post on Feed IQ, I have written about the importance of cognitive milestones in infant cognition. In today’s post, I will share some of the age-specific stimulation activities for infants to help in their cognitive development. I am sharing the activities as per my experience which I used to do with Nemit.

Stimulation activities for babies (0 to 12 months old)

A baby’s first year is the most sensitive time for both baby and the mother. The first 3 months are quite tiring for a mom, with continuous breastfeeding, cleaning, changing and no proper sleep and rest in between. And that’s why it becomes a challenge to stay motivated and happy at all the times. If you are not happy, it will show up in your behavior. And believe me, these little babies can sense our stress or the stressful environment around them. The stress is not good even for your little ones, I hope you know that! Hence, it’s always better to take help from your partner or other family members during this time.

The best you can do for yourself during the first 3 months is to take care of yourself.

Take proper nutrition and include foods rich in DHA and natural Vitamin E in your diet as these are considered as brain-boosting nutrients for the baby. We are well aware of the significance of proper nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding in a baby’s growth. But parents often do not understand the importance of stimulation in a baby’s brain development.

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Let’s see some of the stimulation activities you can do for your baby’s overall development.

0 to 3 months

One thing which I often hear from my friends who have babies in this age group is ‘My baby is too young to do any activity so what should I do? Such small babies just lie in one place, keep staring at the ceiling, and keep howling every 2 hours’.

Yes, that’s true! But then what we moms do at that time? We feed them, caress them, talk to them in the cutest possible voice, clean them, rush to them on hearing their first squeak. That’s what we do to make them feel loved. And that’s what constitutes stimulation for them.

Watch this video of Nemit responding to our talks when he was 2-months-old!

The first 3-4 months, babies communicate their needs by making different sounds (i.e cry). This is the most important time to bond with your baby and understand his needs better. The best stimulation you can provide is through touch. When you breastfeed your baby, he gets the warmth and comfort. When you attend to his cries and give him attention, he feels safe and secure. Talk to your baby in a soft loving tone, he will love listening to you although he may be looking somewhere else his attention will be on your voice only.

10 stimulation activities you can do with your (0 to 3) months old

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3 to 6 months

Soon after 3 months, the baby starts using movement and other sounds for learning & communicating. This is the best time to prepare a visual stimulatory environment and introduce sound-producing toys. Use colorful decorations in the baby’s room as they love to see around and observe things during this stage. You can give rattle toys, they will love to hold a rattle and shake it. And be ready to witness their cute toothless smiles while hearing the rattle create different sounds.

You can also make simple toys & puzzles at home for your baby using the locally available materials!

One of the favorite toys of all babies is play gym. My son rolled over for the first time while trying to grab a toy hanging on the play gym. Tummy time is another activity which helps them work on their neck muscles and strengthening their core. Talking and singing are one of the best ways to bond with your baby. Make faces and use different sounds to see how curious they get.

10 stimulation activities you can do with your (3 to 6) months old

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6 to 12 months

Once your baby is halfway through his first year of life, it will be time for more exploration and more movement. Your baby will experience many physical, mental and emotional changes. And he may seem self-motivated to learn new things and explore new avenues. The first thing you should do is to make the surroundings baby friendly.

At around 4 months, when our son first rolled over, we shifted our bed onto the floor. And soon after 6 months, we turned our home baby friendly. You can get many baby proofing techniques and ideas on Google.

10 stimulation activities you can do with your (6 to 12) months old

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I hope you find these stimulation activities helpful and will assist in your baby’s cognitive development. Do spread the love by sharing this post with your friends and family. And tell me in the comments section what all activities you do/did with your babies as new parents.

The post 30 Stimulation Activities for a baby’s cognitive development appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hi guys, today I want to take up another important topic related to babies i.e Cognitive Milestones in Early Childhood. 

In simple words, cognitive development is the brain’s ability to act and think. And cognitive milestones help keep a check on baby’s brain and intellectual development.

Just like any other new mom, I was also obsessed with the term ‘milestones’, when Nemit was a little baby. I used to keep a check on his physical growth every month and sometimes even every week since babies grow really fast.

For the first 30 days after birth, my complete focus was only on his physical growth. At that time I was not aware that there are cognitive milestones as well. And came to know about their importance only at a later stage.

At around 2 months, when a baby smiles for the first time, it is a growth milestone. And around 3-4 months, when the baby responds to our facial expressions with a smile, it is a cognitive milestone.

Keeping a track of cognitive milestones is as important as other developmental milestones.

Many parents are not aware of the different categories of developmental milestones. These are basically a bundle of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and communication milestones. And each one of these plays an equally important role in a child’s overall growth and development.

Physical milestones involve the development of gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills such as rolling over, crawling, sitting, standing and fine motor skills like mastering pincer grip, drawing, writing, eating etc.

With cognitive milestones, the focus is more on thinking, learning, exploring and problem-solving skills.

There are many ways in which a mother can assist her baby in achieving cognitive milestones. And further helping in infant cognition.

One of the best ways is through nutrition!

Source – Gooey Brains

You will be amazed to know that a baby’s cognitive development starts from the time of conception. And that is why during pregnancy, mothers are advised to take proper care of their health and nutrition intake. DHA and Natural Vitamin E are the most important brain-building nutrients responsible for baby’s cognitive development.

Many studies and research conducted by Abbott, reinforce nutrition’s impact on cognition.

Only a mother can provide these essential nutrients to the baby during pregnancy and later through breastfeeding.

I always say that each baby is unique and they achieve their milestones at their own pace. However, this is also true that parents play an important role in their baby’s growth and development. Cognitive development is directly influenced by the quality of time parents spent with their babies. Cognition is the most important part of a child’s development as it lays the foundation for lifelong progress.

Another best way to help your baby achieve cognitive milestones is through stimulation!

Source – www.essentialbaby.com

It’s important that parents provide the right environment and stimulation activities right from the birth. There are many benefits of stimulation for the development of baby’s thinking and intelligence, auditory and visual senses and also helps in improving their social and emotional skills.

To know more about the age-appropriate (0-2 years) stimulation activities check out this post here!

A baby’s brain doubles in size in the first year. And by the age of two, the brain has up to twice as many nerve connections as it will have in adulthood.

Babies are way smarter than we think. For the first 2 years after birth, they use their senses to learn about the world around them. They are constantly learning, thinking and exploring their surroundings. And working towards developing remarkable intellectual skills.

Hence, it becomes crucial for parents to keep a watch on their cognitive milestones. And take immediate action if they notice any red flags. As early intervention always help!

Check out the below chart for an age-wise list of cognitive milestones 

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I hope you find this post informative and helpful. Do share your experience with me related to developmental milestones in the comment below. And don’t forget to share this post!

Reference:

http://static.abbottnutrition.com/cms-prod/anhi.org/img/Cheatham.pdf

http://www.abbott.in/live-healthy/thrive/infant/boost-your-babys-development.html

https://anhi.org/education/course-catalog/B880EF2D92BB48A1AE80277F1B36C0C4

https://www.nap.edu/resource/19401/ProfKnowCompFINAL.pdf

https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2012/05/21/Abbott-Nutrition-Cognition-research-is-one-of-our-top-global-priorities

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The post Importance of Cognitive Milestones in Early Childhood appeared first on Growing With Nemit.