Time & again we ask ourselves, “How much is too much”? Be it buying new clothes, eating pizza, letting your kids watch tv for 2 hours, grumbling to your husband, online window shopping or Facebook time. The other day, I saw my friend’s room scattered with myriad of toys from Hamleys, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels & Chota Bheem like a musical piano, laser top, building blocks, countless soft toys, puzzles, drawing books, sketch pens, fancy cartoon bags & a lavish battery operated car. Once again I asked myself this question – “How much is too much”? CAUTION: Managing Toys Overload.
MasterCard’s current marketing campaign tagline says “There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else there is MasterCard”. The money spent on buying these wonderful toys brings a lot of happiness to a baby. And much more happiness to the parents. But how much happiness can it bring to a 2-year old baby? How many games or playthings does a child need to play with everyday? It maybe difficult to comprehend the answer, but, there is a bigger question. Does an avalanche of toys make your baby happy & the way you want your baby to be when he grows up?
Ask an underprivileged child the value of a burger – Priceless! Because he probably had one few months back. Your child relishes one almost every week. With so many choices & amenities, a child dispassionately dismisses the value of many things big & small like pull-over toys, sketch pens, colouring book or a barbie princess dress. When your child loses an eraser at school, you oversight the loss since it is negligible. But the child of a carpenter will keep his belongings safe since he values things much more. If you do not check this habit, will your children learn to value money? Actions become habits. Habits become nature. Nature becomes character. Do you want to teach your children the right value system? If the (obvious) answer is yes, then, no matter what your disposable income is, do not pamper them with unlimited trinket games. These are the possible reasons we envisage for why and you can manage Toys Overload:
Sharing is caring
If a child is engrossed with his toys the entire day, a robust sense of possessiveness & attachment evolves within them. They refrain from sharing it with their friends & become aggressive if anyone touches their belongings. It creates covetousness in children. On the contrary, some children don’t really care about missing toys or games. They have plentiful to play with. Hence, one or two missing from their kitty doesn’t really bother them.
Tidy rooms
Children have the habit of scattering their toys all over the place. They just love creating “mess”. Don’t they? Fewer toys means limited wreck. It comes to you as a blessing in disguise, as you will end up spending lesser time clearing the mayhem. Isnt’t this a good enough reason for managing the toys overload?
If your child is a couch potato, glued to his IPad, Xbox or Monopoly, he is less likely to indulge in outdoor activities & games. If a child is bored of his playthings, he will look for newer avenues of entertainment. This will spur enthusiasm in playing outdoors. Physical activity prevents obesity in kids (a phenomenon on an all-time high), improves brain activity & creativity, helps in balancing essential vitamins like Vitamin K which inturn strengthens bones & several other health benefits. To sum it all, making your baby taller, stronger & sharper.
Spawn creativity in them
Introduce your child to drawing, painting, art like origami, pencil shading or punch craft. Instead of playing with the same toys over & over again, let the creativity juices flow. A study says that creative children are more confident as it brings them appreciation which makes them happier.
Sissy kids
A child who is deeply attached to his toys, can easily flare-up if his toy breaks & will want one just like that one, NO MATTER WHAT. A child’s temper tantrum is very well known by every parent. Hence, even if they are your child’s best friend, toys should just be toys.
Happiness is not in quantity but quality, the quality time spent with your children. Do not invest money in the play toys. They can break in a minute. Instead, invest time in playing with your children in the beach, in a park or take them for a swim. A bi-weekly activity like dance, tennis or craft also helps in developing interest in other things that are far better than sit-at-home activities. Let them play hide’n’seek in the apartment with the neighbours, read a book & enjoy every little thing that you enjoyed as a kid. We had so little, yet, had so much fun. Today’s children have so much, yet, so dissatisfied.
We bring to you the Best Maternity Hospitals in Mumbai. A new mommy-to-be is delighted but anxious about becoming a mother. As motherhood comes with a lot of responsibilities, it is important that her family, friends & doctors are very supportive. You can also read our blogs on the Best Maternity Hospitals in Chennai & Best Maternity Hospitals in Bangalore.
To aid the decision in choosing the best gynecologists in Mumbai, listed below are best healthcare institutions in no particular order. Before choosing the right hospital for you, you may keep the following certain criteria in mind – 1) The location – the proximity from home is crucial in cases of emergency, 2) Facilities provided – room, amenities & food for the patient & attender, 3) Overall cost – delivery package & consultation charges, 4) Experience & personalized pregnancy care to ensure they push for a normal & safe delivery.
Lilavati Hospital – Best Maternity Hospital In Mumbai
Founded in 1978, Lilavati Hospital stands tall with a strong foundation in the healthcare space. The hospital is equipped with hi-tech facilities and excel in infertility treatments & high risk pregnancies. They also offer other services like painless deliveries, genetic counselling, repair of prolapse & cancer treatments. P.S – Lara Dutta had delivered at this maternity hospital.
Mumbai’s Breach Candy is the hotspot for many celebrities. The mommies-to-be of the tinsel town rely on these experts for their infertility treatment & delivery. From Karishma Kapoor to Kajol, this hospital has great gynecologists who are very experienced & offer specialized services.
Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital – Best Affordable Maternity Nursing Home In Mumbai
Dedicated to child care & women care, Nowrosjee Hospital provides healthcare services irrespective of the social-strata. This family run hospital aims to offer the best possible experience at an affordable cost. They organize awareness camps & fund raising camps to support those hailing from the non-affluent segment.
Address – Bai Jerba Wadia Hoapital, Acharya Donde Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400012
Contact Number – 022-24146965 / 66 / 67
Recommended Doctor – Dr. M J Jassawala & Dr. K R Damania
Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital – Top Maternity Hospitals In Mumbai
Motherhood is a blessing & Kokila hosptail does everything that possible to see that it remains so. From pre-conception to post-delivery surgical care, this institution is undoubtedly one of the best hospitals in Mumbai.
Sevenhills Hospital – Best Maternity Hospital In Andheri
Established in 1986 & spread across two cities – Mumbai & Vishakapattinam, Sevenhills rose to fame after Aishwarya Rai Bachan gave birth to her little doll at this hospital. Located very close to the airport, it offers the advantage of location & high-class amenities like residential accommodation, aerobics, water birthing labor room & a research institute & business convention centre.
Address – SevenHills Health City, Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri East, Mumbai – 400059
Contact Number – 022-67676767
Recommended Doctor – Dr. K K Panicker
L H Hiranandani Hospital – Best Luxury Hospital In Mumbai
Hiranandani Hospital has several awards & accolades to its cap. It is easily in the top maternity hospitals in India. Emulating global standards in healthcare, this multi-speciality hospital has dedicated full-time doctors who are dedicated to provide the best possible comfort & treatment possible for the dwellers of this city.
Address – Hiranandani Hospital Road, Hill Side Avenue, Hiranandani Gardens, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, Powai – 400076 (Also at Thane)
Contact Number – 022-2576 3300 / 3333 / 3500
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Anita Soni
L Raheja Hospital – Top Maternity Hospitals In Mumbai
Associated to the Fortis Group of hospitals, Raheja Hospital has created a niche for itself as it has empanelled a great team of obstetricians & gynecologists in Mumbai. Providing options for painless delivery & seamless treatments, doctors help with diet plans & recommend only necessary tests to patients.
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Alka Kumar & Dr. Alka Yaze
Bhatia Hospital – Best Hospitals In Mumbai
The Bhatia Hospital has an esteemed panel of doctors in every healthcare sector with decades of experience since 1932. Bhatia Hospital conjures up the image of an institution with an excellent nursing care & personalized services.
Holy hospital is one of the best maternity hospitals in Mumbai as it has a specialized neo-natal section for emergency cases. Detecting dietary consultation & foetal abnormalities & sexually transmitted diseases are addressed by an expert team without the slightest compromise.
Address – Holy Family Hospital, St Andrew’s Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai – 400 050.
Contact Number – 022-30610555
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Kevin Quadros
Cloudnine Hospital – Best Premium Maternity Services In Mumbai
This luxury maternity hospital is reckoned among the top 10 maternity hospitals in India which is spread across many cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon & Pune. They offer highest standards in luxury services & technology including antenatal classes, fertility & stem cell banking.
Address – Siddhachal Arcade, CTS Nos. 1084C and 1186A Link Road, Malad West – Mumbai – 400064
Contact Number – 1860 500 9999
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Dhrupti & Dr. Shantala Vadeyar
Hinduja Healthcare – Best Luxury Hospital In Khar
Delivering a baby is such a “sweet sorrow”. Hinduja as you may know, is one of the best hospitals in India if you are looking for luxury & comfort. Known for offering world-class services, Hinduja ensures the safe delivery of mommy & baby. The B-town actress Shilpa Shetty had delivered her little boy here.
Jaslok Hospital – Best Maternity & Paediatric Services In Mumbai
Just in case you were not aware of this tit-bit, Farah Khan had delivered here at Jaslok Hospital. One of it’s kind, this multi-speciality hospital reached pinnacle of human excellence when they brought robots to assist them in complex surgeries. Quite cool huh? Their maternity services on par with the best hospitals in Bombay.
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Danny Laliwalla & Dr. Duru Shah
Fortis Hospital – Best Maternity Hospital In Mulund
Fortis Hospital is located at multiple cities & has laid a strong foundation, offering a full spectrum of health care services including obstetrics & gynaecology. Antenatal classes, infertility treatments & post delivery cosmetology – all under one roof. Now that’s a pretty sweet delivery. They have 4 branches in Mumbai.
Address – Mulund Goregaon Link Road, Mulund-West, Mumbai – 400078
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Sonal Kumta & Dr. Kishori Kadam
Om Navjeevan Hospital
Adjacent to the Iskon Temple, is the Navjeevan hospital located at Navi Mumbai was established in 1979. With years of expertise, Navjeevan hospital is one of the most trusted hospitals.
Recommended Doctor – Dr. Himani Gupta & Dr. Kranti Phadnis
Tata Memorial Hospital – Best Maternity Hospital In Parel
Located at Parel, Tata Memorial hospital makes all the efforts to ensure that the hospital is friendly. They have a great infrastructure that has been augmented with installation of high value equipment that includes a digital mammography, minimal invasive surgical capabilities, surgical microscopes and anesthesia delivery systems.
Address – Dr. E Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai – 400012.
Below is a conversation between my 9-year old niece and me.
Jiya(My niece) – “Masi, do you know which is the world’s tallest building?”
Me – Burj Khalifa (hah…that’s easy! I said to myself)
Jiya – “Correct Masi. This was easy. One more?”
Me – (Quite confidently, with a smile on my face) Bring it on!
Jiya – Do you know which is the world’s tallest skyscraper?”
Me – “Er… No. Do you?”
Jiya(Chuckling) – “You don’t know? It is Petronas Tower”
Me – “Really? Hmmm…” (She knows & I don’t?)
Jiya – “Ok another one Masi, please?”
Me (My smile fading away) – “Ok go ahead.”
Jiya – “Which is the most expensive spice in the world?”
Me – “Vanilla?”
Jiya (Feeling victorious) – “Haha… No Masi. It is saffron. One more please?”
Me (Trying to avoid) – No princess. I got some important work. Later please?
Jiya – “Please Masi. One more. One more. Which animal can produce the loudest noise?”
Me – “Is it the Lion? It is the king of the jungle, right?”
Jiya (Laughing out loud) – “No Masi. It is the blue whale. It’s sound can be heard even 800 kms away.”
Me – “Hey, this is too much! How do you know all these things? Did your friends or teachers tell you”
Jiya – (Still laughing. Victorious but innocent) “No Masi. I don’t think my friends know because they didn’t teach this at school.”
I was impressed with her knowledge but embarrassed that I was ignorant of things a 9-year old knows. I couldn’t contain my curiosity. She ran and got me a copy of her RobinAge newspaper. She proudly said – “No Masi. This is how I got to know. I love it”.
It was the weekly issue of RobinAge – September 29-October 5. At first I thought it was a joke. I was spell-bound. So many interesting things packed fabulously in a 16 page newspaper. Did we just say “newspaper”? Yes, we did. Since when did we start buying newspapers for children? I asked myself. I grew up reading Tinkle & Champak as a kid; occasionally. Reading interesting stories & parables with morals, funny jokes or spotting the odd one out was what interested us. But look at what kids can learn these days. It is absolutely amazing to see how much a kids newspaper can offer.
Knowledge is available in abundance. As a parent, it is our duty to inculcate the habit of reading by introducing them to the finest source of interesting content that can keep them glued to reading & grasping as much as they can. This will ensure that our children have the cutting edge & have the ability to think beyond just academics. Building logical & analytical skills is taught even at schools. But, to boost your child’s holistic development, you need something more. And RobinAge is the answer to the young inquisitive mind. This is why –
It stimulates reading by representing content with great visuals
It is supplemented with a 4 page Jr. RobinaAge newspaper for younger minds
It entails a slice of history, arts & craft, news around the world & in your neighborhood, interesting stories & exciting contests.
About 25% of the content is contributed by kids. So let the creative juices flow. Your child will be delighted to see his contribution being published in about 17,000 copies.
The newspaper is available online & offline as well. The digital version of the newspaper is a great way to get the kids excited about reading. The online version is available through the Magzter app ( http://www.magzter.com/IN/Deep-Prakash/RobinAge/Children). In the print version, the copy is packed and sent in the name of the child. Care to need more?
Since they provide a weekly edition, the child retains it’s excitement & looks forward to the next issue every week. Afterall, we know how challenging it is for kids to focus & continue reading with a million distractions that excite them much more.
Please let us know if your child enjoyed reading RobinAge or any other magazine/newspaper that you would recommend to our other readers. If you also loved it, you know what to gift your child’s best-friend next time. Spending money on an expensive toy car or investing in your child’s holistic development by subscribing to a child’s magazine – The choice is yours.
This blog enlists the Best Maternity Hospitals in Bangalore. While the journey to motherhood is beautiful and exciting, we as mothers are anxious about what these 9 months will unfold for us. Some mommies-to-be are lucky to have a normal, smooth & safe pregnancy. On the other hand, some may experience complications like developing gestational diabetes, high or low blood pressure or common but severe symptoms like persistent nausea and vomiting.
Under such circumstances, it is important that we are with a gynecologist which understands us and in a hospital which is well located and ensures a comfortable pregnancy period – as comfortable as it can be. For our friends in Bangalore, here’s a list of the top maternity hospitals in Bangalore. You can also read on the best maternity hospitals in Chennai here.
The key criteria to decide on the maternity hospital would be (1) Location – needs to be relatively close to our home, even during peak traffic (2) Experienced doctors the mother is comfortable with (3) Doctors which prefer normal delivery (4) Amenities & quality of the rooms and food (5) Pricing – estimated cost for delivery & packages.
Cloudnine Hospital
Cloudnine is one of the best maternity hospitals in Bangalore owing to the luxurious experience it offers along with state-of-the-art infrastructure & facilities. With it’s maiden establishment in Bangalore in 2007, it has slowly expanded to other cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai & Gurgaon. They offer silver, gold & platinum luxury package thereby making your most important journey most memorable in life.
Address: Located across 13 branches
Contact Number: 080 67999 999
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Brunda Chanappa, Dr. Prakash Kini, Dr. Jaya Bhat
The Nest- Fortis Health-care
With a strong presence at multiple cities, Fortis Hospital has excelled delivering excellent health care services for decades. Experienced doctors & great infrastructure makes it one of the most preferred hospitals in all the cities across India. Antenatal programs & other support programs are devised to value add to a complete package that is offered to mothers.
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Gayatri Kamath & Dr. Anita Mohan
Motherhood
Definitely among the top 10 maternity hospitals in Bangalore is Motherhood Hospitals. Providing luxury & value added services like yoga, lamaze & antenatal classes, this hospital has won hearts of many mothers. They have the latest technology & equipment to ensure the safety of your baby & you. They are also one of the Best Maternity hospitals in Chennai.
“Ovum” as the name suggests, is the egg cell that fertilizes to grow into fetus. This is exactly what the hospital lays emphasis on. Right from planning pregnancy to monitoring the fetus carefully, this is one of the best maternity hospitals in Bangalore which help childless couples conceive in a natural way.
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Sapna Lulla & Dr. Harini Shetty
Apollo Cradle
Apollo Group of Hospitals always rank high in every city for their expertise & world-class facilities they offer. They have some of the best gynecologists in Bangalore who try to render the best experience throughout your pregnancy. Apollo Cradle stems from Chennai, and thus one of the top maternity hospitals in Chennai as well.
Address: 154/11, Opp IIM, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore – 560076
Contact Number: +(91)-80-26304050 / 26304051
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Mamtha Reddy
Manipal Hospital
The Manipal Group had laid a strong foundation in many sectors including the healthcare sector. The hospital has great expertise in managing high risk pregnancies & ascertaining fetal defects.
Address: 98, HAL Airport Road, Bangalore – 560017
Contact Number: 080-2502 4444/3344
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Meena Muthaiah
Columbia Asia
With it’s roots in Bangalore, Columbia Asia is a multi-speciality hospital which has a specialized unit for maternity care in Bangalore. It focuses on high risk pregnancies & pre-term birthing complications. Spreading it’s wings to other cities, Columbia Asia is one of the preferred hospitals for natural birthing.
Address: Kirloskar Business Park, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bangalore – 560 024
St. John’s Medical Hospital has been in this space for over 40 years. They have the best NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Bangalore. Handling complications in pregnancies is their forte. Pioneers in introducing the NICU unit, this hospital is the most preferred option for women who need extra care throughout their pregnancy at affordable costs.
Address: Sarjapur Road, Bangalore – 560 034
Contact Number: 080 – 422065137/ 2206513
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Annamma Thomas
Bangalore Global Hospital
The Global Hospital Group has spread it’s wing to other metro cities like Mumbai, Chennai & Hyderabad. This multi speciality hospital in Bangalore aims to match international standards in providing healthcare services & support. Experienced pediatricians & gynecologists are available round the clock to handle emergencies to you and your baby.
Located in the heart of the city is Mallya Hospital which offers comfort and luxury to mothers and take care of any exigencies. Nothings is more important than the new life – especially if you are born on a silver platter. Well located & good infrastructure makes Mallya hospital one of the best hospitals in Bagalore.
My entire family was elated & thrilled to celebrate my angel’s 1st birthday. Birthdays are always special. Aren’t they? And if it is the 1st birthday, nothing more exciting. The preparations had begun for a grand celebration. We were embarking on the final countdown. 6 days before the D-Day, my daughter’s fever manifested into “measles”. With rashes all over her body, high temperature & unexplained discomfort, we were in knee-high pain. She was vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) virus in their 10th month. We had meticulously followed the vaccination schedule as suggested by our pediatrician. And yet, she developed Measles. Why? We asked ourselves, do vaccinations really work always? If they do, to what extent are they effective? How well do they work?
The fact is that vaccines do work most of the times. About 90%-99% of the times, depending on the disease or infection. If you follow the schedule as prescribed by your doctor throughout the formative years of your child, you can be sure that your baby is shielded from diseases as long as hygiene & sanitation facilities are well maintained in your environment; both at home & at school.
As a parent you should be sure that the vaccine is recommended by a trusted pediatrician because it has to be approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) authority to work at it’s best intended purpose. The drop in the cases reported after the licensing of a drug/vaccine declines drastically, thereby aiding in eliminating the disease altogether.
If vaccinations really work well, then why do people get infected? In such rare cases, some people get infected even after getting vaccinated. It means that no vaccine is 100% perfect. Although the reasons remain unexplained, some who have a low immunity may get infected easily. You may also catch the infection if you have not received the recommended “booster shots” as per the vaccination schedule.
While you dread of having these diseases, you should remember that if you are vaccinated for a particular disease, even if you are infected by the virus, you will suffer a milder form of the disease.
How do vaccinations actually work?
The doctor injects a killed, weakened or a partial form of the diseased germ into your child’s body. To fight the infection, the body responds by releasing antibodies to attack the enemy. So, if your child happens to encounter the actual disease at some point in the future, the antibodies will still be prevalent to fight against them. Once the infection is combated, many anti bodies disappear. But the cells that are involved in the production of the antibodies remain alive as “memory cells”. They remember the original antigen & fight against it, if it tries to attack in the person. This shield is called “Immunity”.
What is “Herd Immunity”?
The idea is that, if most of the people in a community or a location have been vaccinated & develop immunity against a particular disease, it is tougher for the virus or bacteria to cause an outbreak & put the entire society at risk. Not all people have the same immunity. Some cannot develop immunity against a particular disease. While some are not immunized at all. However, if most of the people in that location are immunized, they indirectly develop something called “Herd Immunity” against the antigen thereby preventing an outbreak of the disease. Yes, the human body is exceedingly complicated.
This is the interesting bit: Research & Science has proved that the mortality rate has drastically decreased after meticulously following the immunization schedule. We have the vital statistics to prove that since the mid 1900’s the human body has developed resistance towards certain diseases that had taken a heavy toll on human lives. So, does this mean that the holistic health of infants these days is far more superior to the earlier days? Brace yourselves. Shockingly, the answer is ‘NO’. Infants these days are susceptible to many more infections & diseases. We are surrounded by various pathogens, harmful virus & bacteria & carcinogens that can attack us either through air, water or through physical contact. The underlying & fundamental equation is to collectively make efforts to keep the society clean & follow the safety measures as suggested by the experts. Depending on your strength of your immunity system & how effectively your antibodies are able to fight off the antigen, you may or may not fall sick. That also decides the effect or degree of your suffering if you are infected.
FAQs about vaccinations by parents
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about vaccinations that most parents want to know.
1) This is the million dollar question – Is natural immunity better than vaccinated-acquired immunity?
This is tricky but true. On some occasions, natural immunity lasts longer than vaccinated-acquired immunity. However, the risks involved with natural infection outweigh the risks caused due to immunization. In simple words, the benefits of immunity acquired through vaccination is far better than natural immunity because it may cause serious risks (though a minority) by affecting the brain or organs. Also in some cases like tetanus, they provide better immunity than natural immunity. Probably, that’s why your doctor recommends at tetanus shot if you have a deep cut or bruise.
2) Can my baby develop a particular disease after we inject a weaker or partial form of the antigen or virus?
The answer is “No”. You cannot develop the disease by getting injected with the mild form of the infected pathogen. However, there may be, in some cases, some side effects that may be temporary. But every vaccine is designed keeping the safety and overall health in mind thereby minimalizing the possibility of any lethal damage to anyone.
3) Do vaccinations really work always? Why are the vaccines not 100% effective?
Immunization against a certain disease aims at protecting a particular individual during future exposures to the disease causing antigen. In some cases, the victim’s body is unable to generate an adequate response as a result of which the effectiveness of the immunization is not the same as intended.
4) Why are there so many vaccines? Is it ok to skip few?
Many of them are rare or non-existent in most parts of the world. It is believed that prior to immunization, some of these diseases caused critical illness or death in many cases. If the recommended dosage was not given, over a period of few years, there might be an outbreak of these diseases again which were dormant all these decades. The disease will quickly begin to spread all over the world. Hospitals may not have the facilities to treat every infected patient & this may cause disabilities or long term critical illness for generations to come.
As a parent, all we wish is that our child grows up to be a healthy & happy child. To give your child a healthy start you should exclusively breast feed your child for atleast 6 months & follow the vaccination schedule as recommended by your doctors. Hope this answered your question if vaccinations really work always.
Irrespective of the social strata, the joy of capturing & cherishing your baby’s early childhood is priceless. In a dynamic lifestyle today, young parents are elated to invest in memories they can treasure for a lifetime. Props for the indoor & outdoor shoot, theme based décor, premium clothing, 1st birthday cake smash are things most parents are happily willing to spend for the dearest child. This is my experience of Baby Photography and Maternity Shoot.
Baby photography requires tremendous patience & perseverance. Factoring in their eating & sleeping schedules, as a photographer you have to be proactive capturing the right moment & expressions. From little giggles to big yawns, a child’s mood-centric shots are soul-stirring. Babies are so innocent & natural. They do not fuss about their looks & attire. A toddler if full of unending enthusiasm. Only a good photographer knows how to capture not just images but emotions & moods.
Many parents love to capture their baby’s 1st year progressing every month, as they grow up. From being swaddled like a cocoon & turning on either sides to crawling & walking, the album expresses an intimate relationship between a mother, father & their little angel.
When you have a look at these photo albums, you definitely wish to get one too. And I was no exception. I happened to see one of my friend’s timeline with her 2 month old baby wrapped in a soft blanket in a small basket with a teddy beside. “Beautiful!” was an understatement. I had the decided to get one for my baby as well. When the time was right & the stars were aligned, the hunt for a good baby photographer began.
But “who?” was the question. So, I Googled “ best baby photographers in Chennai”. I obviously wanted one of the best for my little one. So I chose one of the top 10 rated photographers on Google. I stumbled upon “Jaysfotography” by Jayashree. With an initial synergetic conversation, Jayashree took us through the agenda of the shoot. You can choose from different themes that you would like to explore. Some of them include balloons, soft toys, Tiger romper, Fruits in a basket, Close-up shots (like eyes, hands & feet), name, bubbles, D.O.B. etc. You can choose to shoot indoors or outdoors. I chose to shoot indoor. An indoor shoot is advisable for infants & toddlers as we have to consider convenience & hygiene factors. Also, since the child can relate to it’s favorite toys at home, he or she can evoke similar reactions which can be beautifully captured on a high definition camera.
Something about Jayashree – She is a self-taught photographer who decided to do a professional creative shoot for her son who was 6 months old in 2011. She hired a photographer and was really disappointed with the outcome of the shoot as it lacked creativity. That was the “Eureka” moment and she decided to fill this void and convert her passion into profession to start a lucrative art, “JaysFotography”. Opening a window to a genre of photography which is gaining grounds in India, she is the one of the best in Chennai who has specialized in new-born Baby Photography and Maternity Shoot.
Jayashree with her Camera and Me 🙂
My family was thrilled & over-joyed seeing the little princess dressed like a doll enjoying every moment with her toys and balloons around. Every image in the gallery above was shot at her studio on ECR. We hope our child enjoys & appreciates it as much as we do, few years later. We had a great experience & look forward to another shoot soon. This one probably OUTDOORS 🙂
While motherhood comes with a lot of expectation and joy, we all dread the time we have to go into labor. We have heard scary stories from our mother, sisters and friends on how one can only experience labor to know how painful it is. During the time of labor, it is very important for you to be in a comfortable atmosphere, in the hands of the best doctor. So, here are the Best Maternity Hospitals in Chennai compared across various parameters including doctors expertise, cost and facilities.
To aid the decision of choosing the best maternity hospital in Chennai, listed below are the top maternity hospitals, in no particular order. They help in facilitating natural birthing process. With many hospitals becoming commercial & inclining towards a cesarean (c-section) delivery, the doctors in these hospitals are reluctant to pick up the scissors, thus, pushing you to have a safe & normal delivery. You can read about the best gynecologists in Chennai here.
You may choose a maternity hospital while keeping certain criteria in mind – like the proximity, facilities provided, overall cost, experience & personalized pregnancy care. Below is a list of the best maternity hospitals in Chennai, based on the first-hand experience & feedback of mothers. For a doctor you might be just any other patient. But it is important for them to remember that for you (as a new mommy-to-be), it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sundaram Medical Foundation, Anna Nagar – Best Maternity Hospital In Chennai
With many hospitals becoming very commercial by the day, Sundaram Medical Foundation clearly stands out. The experienced doctors would always tread the extra mile for performing a normal delivery. The new block with it’s excellent facilities & ambiance, makes it a preferred option among mothers.
Address: No. 9C. 4th Avenue, Shanti Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600040.
Contact Number: 044-26268844 / 26144100. For Appointments – 26144123/124/125
Recommended Doctors – Dr. Shantha & Dr. Tara
Motherhood Hospitals, Alwarpet – Best Maternity Boutique In Chennai
Preparing yourself for the delivery is as important as the delivery itself. If you are looking for something more than just a normal & safe delivery, consider Motherhood Hospital. They provide a gamut of services like antenatal classes, fertility treatment & cosmetology (intensive care to help you get back to your shape post-pregnancy). Spread across three cities – Bangalore, Chennai & Hyderabad, Motherhood Hospital is one of the premium birthing boutiques in town which renders a luxurious experience.
Address: New No. 542, Old No. 143, TTK Road Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018
Cloudnine Hospital, T. Nagar – Best Premium Maternity Hospital In Chennai
Cloudnine aims to bridge the gap between Indian & International standards of well-being to ensure world-class stands in women & child healthcare. From planning pregnancy, neo-natal care to stem cell preservation, Cloudnine will embrace you in your journey from being a woman to a mother. This hospital is a hot favourite among mothers who are willing to spend that extra penny for the luxurious experience of having state-of-the-art facilities during their most exciting journey of their life.
Apollo Cradle, Thousand Lights & Apollo Hospitals, Nungambakkam – Best Luxury Maternity Nursing Home
Talking of offering premium birthing services, Apollo Cradle gives stiff competition in this segment. Centrally located, offering world class facilities, Apollo Cradle is focused on offering the best maternity care services in town. Apollo Hospital at Greams Road is also one of the most preferred hospitals in Chennai for those who don’t mind shelling out that extra buck for convenience, good service & facilities.
Address: No. 15, Shafee Mohammed Road, Thousand Lights West, Chennai –
Contact Number: 044-28298282/ 044-44244424
Recommended Doctor: Dr.Padmapriya & Dr. Nirmala Jayashankar
Venkataeswara Hospital, Nandanam
A multi-speciality hospital which focuses on patient safety & holistic well-being. From pregnancy to neonatal care unit, this hospital offers a host of speciality services. It is one of the preferred options for those staying around the airport.
Address: No. 36 A, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Tevar Road, Nandanam Extn., Nandanam, Chennai – 600035.
Contact Number: 044 45111111 / 044-42125212
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Shanthi Sanjay
Isabel Hospital, Mylapore – Best Affordable Maternity Hospital In Chennai
Trusted by many women, this hospital specializes in maternity services. With good facilities at reasonable rates, Isabel hospital is a preferred option in the non-premium segment. In a nut-shell – strong expertise but gentle care at an affordable cost.
Address: No.49, Oliver Road, Mylapore, Next to Luz Church, Chennai – 600004.
Contact Number: 044-24991081/82/83.
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Usha Krishnakumar
V. Kalyani Hospital, Mylapore (Also known as Seethapathy Clinic) – Most Trusted Maternity Hospital In Chennai
Seethapathy Clinic is chosen to be a ‘people’ hospital. While many hospitals look to gain commercial advantage, this hospital belongs to a different class. Known for handling high-risk pregnancies, the staff are very supportive & friendly – A trait every mother seeks from the nurses & doctors during her labor.
Address: No. 4, 2nd street, EVK Building, Dr. Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore, Landmark: Near Yellow Pages & Chennai City Centre, Chennai – 600004.
This hospital provides one of the latest surgical, medical & allied services with hi-tech operation theatres. The gynecologists & pediatricians take immense care of the patients to ensure they have a normal & safe delivery.
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Savitri Subramanyam & Dr. Mala Vijaya Krishnan
Prashanth Clinic, Chetp – Best Maternity Hospital In Chennai With IVF Treatment
Dr. Geetha Haripriya is the Chief Gynecologist at Prashanth Clinic. Specializing in IVF treatment, this maternity centre gives hope to many childless couples. Although these treatments may dig a hole in your pocket, the joy of having a baby is priceless.
Address: No. 77, Harrington Road, Chetpet, Behind Pachayappas College, Near Harrington Subway, Chennai – 600031.
Contact Number: 044-42277777
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Geetha Haripriya
SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani – Maternity Hospital With World Class Amenities
Foraying into multi-verticals, the SRM Group has well-established it’s roots in the healthcare space. It has access to the latest developments in the field of medicine. It maintains the highest standards & practices for prevention, diagnosis & treatment of diseases.
Address: No. 1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai (100 feet Road), Vadapalani, (Near Metro Station) Chennai – 600026.
Contact Number: 044-20002001
Recommended Doctor: Dr. P M Gopinath
Ramachandra Hospital, Porur
Providing maternity care since 1985, this hospital has a dedicated maternity unit with highly qualified doctors providing 24*7 care to patients. They have great expertise in genetic counseling, perinatal care, painless labor and various other services that help dealing with high-risk pregnancies.
Address: No.1, Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai – 600116.
Contact Number: 044-45928500 / 044-45928518
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Usha Rani
Fortis Malar, Adyar
Fortis Malar is one of the most preferred multi-speciality hospitals in Chennai. Established in 1992 in a prime location, they promise a hassle-free experience with the latest technology available. They conduct classes on birthing, labor support, breast feeding, post natal weight loss, birth control & new born care classes on all Saturday evenings.
Address: No.52, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai – 600020.
Contact Number: 044-42892222
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Nithya Ramamurthy & Dr. Jaishree Gajaraj
C.S.I Kalyani Hospital, Mylapore – Best Affordable Maternity Services In Chennai
Apart from offering maternity services for pregnant women, C.S.I also offers Nursing education for those who evince interest in this field. This well-known healthcare institution was started as a charitable Institution to provide subsidized medical care for the needy.
Address: No. 15, Dr. Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004.
Contact Number: 044-28470642
Recommended Doctor: Dr. Rajkumari & Dr. Prema David
The journey to motherhood is very special for every woman. From pre-pregnancy to post pregnancy, your gynecologist & pediatrician need to provide personalized care & make you feel comfortable throughout your pregnancy. Every hospital or nursing home is committed to offer a gamut of avant-garde services to ensure you and your baby are safe post-delivery. Today, you have a handful of premium birthing boutiques offering world-class facilities with value added services like yoga, lamaze classes, cosmetology (post-natal weight loss program) & expert dietitians to take care of your holistic health. Afterall, a healthy mind & body greatly influence the well-being of your baby in your womb.
No more parathas. Only corn flakes for breakfast. No more full fat milk. Only soya milk every morning. No more sweets. Only zero calorie artificial sweetener for dessert. No more coke. Only diet coke at a movie break. And yet children are over-weight these days. Juvenile diabetes & childhood obesity is on an alarming rise. Are The Well-Marketed “Health Foods” Making You Fitter Or Fatter?
Deepa, a mother of a 10-year old son who weighs about 40 kgs cried – “How much more healthier can it get?” Feeding children, tweens & teens has never been easy. The shift from regular snacking options to a healthier one takes enormous effort. Yet, if there is no marked difference; rather doing more bad than good, what is going wrong?
What you will read further is shocking but true. The marketers manipulate to sell products that are highly profitable. So do not get caught in the advertising gimmicks. The artificial foods do more harm to your system than good. Let’s look at some of the commonly foods you relish.
Cornflakes – Most Common Of The Well-Marketed “Health Foods”
Cornflakes
I remember as a kid, Cornflakes was my favourite snack soon after I came back from school or a quick fix for my mother in the morning if she was over-loaded with work on some days. Cold milk with fine chopped banana & apple along with a handful of almonds and grapes was as heavenly as you could imagine. But little did I know the truth behind it. “Corn” flakes is loaded with sugar & corn syrup that contains very high amounts of sugar. While you may end up over-eating considering it to be a healthier option, you are prone to diabetes because obesity causes resistance to insulin production. The high Glycemic Index in cornflakes promotes fat storage which only adds tyres to your tummy.
Soya Milk
Soya Milk
Soya is often marketed as a “superfood” with substantial health benefits. It is one of the highest sources of proteins if you are a vegan, But EVERYTHING ELSE IS NOT TRUE. It can also become hazardous to your body if it has not been fermented well. It can cause thyroid, hormonal imbalance (increases estrogen & decreases progesterone levels) & thus affects fertility in adults. Most importantly it may contain toxins which act as anti-nutrients that can interfere with the absorption of essential vitamins & minerals in the body. The key learning is that minimize the consumption of soya in your daily diet.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial Sweeteners
As the word suggests “Artificial” – there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NATURAL & GOOD ABOUT IT. Research has proved that our body is made to consume anything natural. As the famous saying goes, “If it is made from a plant, eat it. If it is made at a plant, don’t.” The body understands the natural constituents of sugar & knows how to deal with it. On the contrary it treats the alien artificial sugar like an enemy & starts fighting against it. These artificial sweeteners are known to increase your appetite. Since you feel that they are calorie-free, you tend to consume more than you otherwise would.
P.S – An interesting research has proved that those who consumed about 2.5-3 litres of water everyday, cause to flush out all the toxins from the body thereby aid in losing weight 35% faster than normal.
Diet Cola
Consuming Diet Cola is worse than normal cola. Do you want to know why?
Cola = High Fructose Corn Sugar Syrup + Carbonated Water + Preservative + Caffeine + Caramel Color + Phosphoric Acid
Diet Cola = Everything above + Aspartame (Artificial Sweetener) – Sugar (which is good) + Citric Acid + Potassium Benzoate
Hence, diet cola will save you from teeth decay caused due to the sugar residual on your teeth & will definitely save on the 100 calories. But, Aspartame has been linked to cancer & neurological problems. Phosphoric acid contributes to leaching of calcium from the bones thus causing osteoporosis. If Aspartame was proved to be harmless, diet soda is probably better than normal soda. But since people tend to feel that diet cola is not harmful, they tend to binge on snacks & coke about 28% more, assuming that it is healthier than the normal junk. A plethora of studies have proved that diet soda increases the risk of heart attack by about 45-50% over a long period of time. Now you know which is better of the two devils.
The same holds good in the case of the canned fruit juices. ‘Looks can be deceptive’. Heard that before? These canned juices are packed with calories. You will end up putting on more weight because the consumption of natural sugar in the fruit goes up 3X-4X times. Moreover, the processing of fruits kills the phytonutrients which shields you from various diseases and destroys the fibre which is essential in weight loss. Do you still want to gulp down those calories & sugar.
Most foodies feel that “Diet” is another word for “Die”. Because a majority of the tasty things we love are unhealthy & hence forbidden. Switch to normal healthy foods that your grandparents used to eat. They were definitely healthier than us. You are allowed to eat everything occasionally in moderation. Make healthy choices. Because children learn more from what they see than what they are taught. Be their role-model. They are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.
22.07.2016. If you were a Chennaite you would know the significance of this date. Yes, you guessed it right. It was on the 22nd of July, that KABALI, the latest movie of Superstar Rajnikanth was released. But this date was also very special for the entire team of Peekaboo Patterns. This day marked the launch of their 3rd store at Bergamo Mall, Khader Nawaz Khan road. Garima Agarwal, the founder of Peekaboo, had invited us for opening of her new store. Many of you may have spotted her colourful & enthralling store at Phoenix Mall as well. But, for those who may have not, let me introduce you to Peekaboo Patterns.
A passion for aesthetics & love for décor is what makes Garima & her concept totally stand out. The trend of customizing your child’s room & furnishings is becoming increasingly popular. It’s like a dream come true for any kid. Afterall, children are special & they deserve to feel like they are.
My Peekaboo collection
All the products were so incredible that you’d like to take home atleast one of each. But well, we need to shelve some for the next visit, right? 🙂
Quilt – Circus theme
Elegant & enchanting, with hues so brilliantly combined, brings the circus to life. With the lion who looks adorable & not ferocious, this is a true charmer. Just perfect for the good night dreams, this bed sheet creates the look of a cute animal party while your child naps peacefully.
Personalized Towel – Mermaid collection
A beautiful gift to your child, niece or your friend, this pink towel with mermaid applique work will be your baby’s favourite. We all love to add a personal touch to something we gift to someone very special. And there is no one more special than your own child. So go ahead & customize it. Etch your baby’s name just like I did & it will remain to be in your trinket box forever.
Name – Date – Time Cushion
Soft & sophisticated, this cushion captures the essence of the most extraordinary day of your life – when you became a “parent”. Yes, the day you were blessed with a little gift from God. Now etch your baby’s name, date, time & place of birth and create memories for a lifetime.
Rakhi – The knot of love
If you are a North-Indian, you will know the significance of the Rakshbandhan – A festival that celebrates the love between brothers & sisters. Finding good rakhis for kids was always a challenge. Your kids are bored of the same old Chota Bheem & Flower Rakhi. It came to me as a pleasant surprise when I stumbled upon her wonderful collection of rakhis. I grabbed 6 for my nephews & nieces just to see them delighted.
What I loved the most?
The concepts & collections so beautifully designed, you will be zonked! You can check out the cup-cake collection, circus collection & superhero collection.
All the materials used are of premium quality- very soft, child-friendly & skin-friendly.
Fabric colours did not transfer, bleed or fade after repeated washing.
Personalization of products – You can custom make it with your child’s name etched on it. You can choose the fabric & colours.
Child-friendly provisions with smooth finishing, giving safety the highest importance.
10 years & counting, this brand stands strong spelling trust, elegance & allure. The unparalleled quality & splendid design ensures that one gets value for money. Once you have tasted the “Peekaboo marvel”, it is hard to let go. You will come back again, probably not for the same product because they are very long lasting. But, for something new, exciting & most importantly something that your child will love.
To sneak a peek into the world of children’s fantasy or revamp your child’s room you can visit http://www.peekaboopatterns.com/ or call 044-24992365, 91-9962430862.
You can now register with ConfusedParent & receive an exclusive wow-cher for Rs.200, from Peekaboo Patterns, redeemable across all the products. If you are an existing customer, we would love to hear from you.
