Groom Your Baby with Natural Oils

When I first held my nephew Rehaan in my hands, I was petrified inside. Yes, petrified is the word. He was all of 10 days, and felt like a little bundle of silk - so soft, so light. I was petrified that even my little hug would hurt him. His cute pink face, his tiny little fingers rolled up in a fist, his soft feet - everything about him was delicate. As much as I wanted to put him on my lap, his delicate little body and the fear of hurting him helped me resist the urge to pick him up. All I would do was hover around him and caress his smooth skin every now and then.

And then came the time to start his massages. But how could this little baby be massaged, and what if the massage oil harmed his delicate skin? I had doubts galore. But they don't say mothers know everything, for nothing. My mother too had answers for all my doubts. Massage forms an essential part of an infant's healthcare and grooming routine and helps in baby's growth, she explained. But at the same time it is imperative that the baby massage oil is enriched with healthy ingredients that nourish the baby's skin.

So what are these ingredients that would do wonders for the bay's skin, I wondered out loud. Of course mother had the answer!

Olive Oil - Olive oil does wonders for the baby's skin. When applied on baby's soft scalp and hair, it strengthens hair roots and softens frizzy hair. 

Almond Oil - Almond oil is a common ingredient in many massage oils. Many parents prefer massaging new-borns with almond oil as it is an excellent source of Vitamin E. Pure almond oil provides superior nourishment to baby's skin.

Jajoba oil - Research shows that jajoba oil protects and nurtures delicate skin and helps heal skin irritation and nappy rashes. Besides, this oil is also an effective moisturiser for the skin.

The session on natural massage oils was enlightening, to say the least. But I was surprised that instead of putting together a concoction of these oils for Rehaan's massage, mother brought out a bottle of Dabur Baby Oil instead.  It's the same as natural oils, I was told. The new Dabur Baby Oil is specially formulated for babies and is enriched with olive oil and almond oil. Moreover, it does not contain any artificial colours and is dermatologically tested to ensure skin safety.

Needless to say, I was relieved to know the details, but to be doubly sure, I checked up on the ingredients on the pack - Natural oils containing Sunflower, Sesame, Olive, Almond and Jojoba. Good. The sense of relief had gone notches higher - Rehaan's oh-so-soft and delicate skin was in good hands. And Dabur Baby Oil was not just taking care of his delicate skin, but also ensuring healthy bone and muscle development too.

I am participating in the #FirstLove activity at BlogAdda in association with Dabur.

Natural Oils are Best for Your Baby

Massage forms an essential and integral part of an infant's health care and grooming routine and helps in the baby's growth, so it is imperative that we use a massage oil that is not just enriched with healthy ingredients, but is also devoid of parabens and paraffins. These days we get many cosmetic and childcare products that claim to be parabens and paraffins free. Here's why the tag paraben and paraffin-free matters -

• Parabens are chemical preservatives used to increase the shelf life of cosmetic products.
• Recent research says parabens may be linked to breast cancer and fertility issues.
• In some studies, skin problems such as dermatitis, and skin allergic reactions have been linked to parabens.
  

• Paraffin oils are petroleum by-products obtained from petroleum refining process. 
• Lately there have been studies and reports that say paraffins might be carcinogenic, and since they easily penetrate the skin, one can imagine the kind of risk it poses.
• Refined petrochemicals are generally regarded as unhealthy so it's an unnecessary risk to regularly use therm on your skin.

Massage is also a great way to bond with the baby, and while the way you massage your baby is important, with what you massage your baby is equally important. In India, elders across the country stress on the use of natural oils for massaging babies. And rightly so. It is important to apply good quality natural oil on baby's skin to keep it moisturised and healthy.  Here are some natural oils that make for good massage oil option for babies - 

Olive Oil - Oilive oil does wonders for baby's skin and works as great massage oil. Research shows that olive oil not only nourishes the skin, application of olive oil on scalp strengthens hair roots and also softens frizzy hair.

Jajoba Oil - Jajoba oil protects and nurtures delicate skin and helps heal skin irritation and nappy rashes. Research shows that jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's own natural sebum (oily secretions which lubricate and waterproof the skin) and makes an effective moisturiser for baby's soft skin.

Tea Tree Oil - Tea tree oil has high antiseptic properties and is used for treating many skin allergies. The oil softens baby's skin and gives a relaxed feeling.

Almond Oil - Almond oil is a common ingredient in many massage oils. Many parents prefer massaging new-borns with almond oil as it is an excellent source of Vitamin E. Pure almond oil provides superior nourishment to baby's skin.

Chamomile Oil - This oil is recommended for newborns as it is good for sensitive skin. Chamomile oil is also useful for treating rashes and other skin breakouts. This oil is specially good for babies who suffer from colic and helps them to put them to sleep.

All these natural oils work their own different magic on a baby's delicate skin. While many working parents find putting together a concoction of all these oils at home a messy and time consuming task, trusted brands like Dabur have brought products like Dabur Baby Oil with Olive and Almond to make their task easier. 

The new Dabur Baby Oil is specially formulated for babies and is enriched with olive oil and almond oil and is parabens and paraffins free. Moreover, it does not contain any artificial colours and is dermatologically tested to ensure skin safety. So if you are looking for the goodness of olive oil and almond oil in a baby massage oil and that too without the harmful effects of harsh chemicals, then Dabur Baby Oil is the product to pick up.

I am participating in the #FirstLove activity at BlogAdda in association with Dabur.

5 Benefits of Eating Healthy

Every other day I keep coming across a number of 'Before' and 'After' snapshots. More often than not, these photos advertise just one thing - tricks and tips for quick weight loss. A woman who seems plump (photoshop for all you know!) in the 'before' photo, transforms into a model-esque figure in the 'after' photo - and the impact of such photos is so beguiling that it is very easy to be taken in by them. Go on a crash diet, and you too can look like us, they stress. But doctors and health experts warn that people should not opt for quick-fixes to lose weight, for their benefits are only temporary and the ills effects permanent.

Instead of going on crash diets, eating healthy in the first place makes more sense.  A well balanced nutritional meal not just keeps us healthy but also prevents creating a scenario where one might have to go on diets or detox programs. While the advantages of eating healthy are many, listing below 5 benefits that inspires all of us to put nutritional food on our plates.

1. Eating a healthy well balanced reduces the risk of quite a handful of diseases including chronic diseases, such as heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. So make sure you include a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats.

2. Another important benefit of switching to a healthy diet is increased energy levels. Avoiding excess fatty foods, sugars and refined carbohydrates helps prevent blood sugar fluctuations. On the other hand, unprocessed carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits and vegetables are nutritious, and allow us to maintain steady blood sugar level. In addition, they keep us energized through the day.

3. Include honey in your diet. Regarded as a power-food, honey is a treasure chest of nutritional and medicinal values and its health properties have been valued since ages. It contains antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart diseases. Recent research also shows that honey treatment may also help in reducing ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders. Also honey is fast becoming a healthier and tastier alternative to sugar since it is sweeter than sugar but contains fewer calories.

4. Eating balanced, nutritional food also helps in weight control. For example simple healthy choices such as replacing soda with water and choosing salads over fast food not only helps lose weight, it also ups your health quotient.

5. And last but not the least, eating healthy gives you cosmetic benefits too - a brighter smile and a flatter belly! Nutrition experts say that a healthy diet that limits sodium and high-sugar carbonated drinks promotes a flatter stomach. Also food with high water content, such as fruits and vegetables, moisturise  the skin and keep us hydrated. They also contain antioxidants that protect against cell damage thus helping the skin look fresh and younger.

Stressing on nutritional food does not mean starving oneself or being very picky about what to eat, rather it means eating a diet balanced in lean proteins, carbohydrates and fats. So fret not about crash diets any more and switch to a well-balanced, nutritional plate rich in healthy food. 

Photo Source: Natural Ways

Healthy Child, Happy Home!

Rehaan, the explorer!

This is my four year old nephew Rehaan – happy, curious, and wondering, ever ready to learn new things and experience all the excitement that the as yet limited exposure to life offers him. He loves the outdoors – take him to the park and within minutes he’s all over the place, trying all the rides, exploring the park, curious about the trees and flowers, the little insects, the butterflies, in short he has a wondering mind that wants to know everything - why the butterfly gives no butter? why the flower is pink but the leaves are green? why the dog barks but the duck quacks? And like most kids, he will sulk when it’s time to get back home.

Checking out a raccoon at the zoo

'Can I hold it please?'

Mom look, an opossum!

Rehaan loves animals and at the zoo, is absolutely a sight to behold  - with his animated curiosity about the animals - why the elephant is gray but the zebra has stripes? The parrots are so colourful but the swan only has white? At times, it's difficult to keep pace with him - questions, observations, answers - all mingled up in the conversation that we adults often dismiss as kid talk.

Nothing less than a dinosaur cake for me please!

You must be wondering why I am singing paeans about Rehaan.  He's just like any young kid, you must be wondering. Yes he is. Very much so. But he's also a super healthy child, not prone to falling sick, thanks too his super immune system. Touch wood and touch Dabur Chyawanprash for that. Hahah, I kid not. My mom and Rehaan's dadi (grandmother), calls it a rambaan for all those big and small illnesses that children come down with. Constant colds, runny noses, fevers and flus, stomach bugs - it's very rare that Rehaan bugs us with these issues thanks to the daily dose of a spoonful of Dabur Chyawanprash every day.

How Dabur Chyawanprash helps

Children's immune system is quite prone to taking a hit since they are exposed to a variety of food substances with all kinds of preservatives, additives and artificial colours added to them. These food items look attractive to the eyes but more often than not, have adverse effect on the digestive system. Besides this, with different kinds of pollution the kids are now exposed to, their immune system needs super boosting to help take on various infections and diseases. And times tested herbal mix Dabur Chayawanprash has anti-oxidant properties and helps to strengthen your body's internal defence mechanism - the immune system - thereby protecting you from day to day infections such as cough, cold etc.

Chyawanprash, a time-tested, age-old formulation has a number of herbs like Amla, known to be one of the best antioxidants, Giloy (Guduchi), known to have immuno-modulatory properties, and has more than 40 other natural ingredients.
Dabur Chyawanprash’s magnificent brew of Ayurvedic herbs strengthens the body’s natural defence mechanism by stimulating your NK cells* (Natural Killer Cells). NK cells assist in fighting with virus and bacteria in your body, thus giving us increased immunity from various infection.

Let's swing it!

And so this is why I have presented Rehaan as a perfect example of a healthy, happy child. One look at Rehaan, and everyone is content that he's growing right - happy and healthy. A healthy child makes for a happy home. Everyone knows that we need to not unnecessarily worry about Rehaan falling sick - for all that ashwgandha, guduchi, satavari and the many other magical fancy herbs in the Dabur Chyawanrash are doing their work to ensure that Rehaan and of course everyone else in the house remains healthy. So with Dabur Chyawanprash around, one can always count on increased immunity from infections. On this healthy note, here's wishing you a healthy and happy Diwali! 

This post is written for Dabur India's #ImmuneIndia blogging drive in association with Indiblogger.