Q. I am worried about damaging myself during childbirth. Is there really any danger during childbirth?

Ans: No need to worry as you would not damage yourself as you push. The vaginal walls are stretchable, and made of folds, so they can stretch to allow the baby through without causing any damage.

Q. Should I breast-feed my baby immediately after birth?

Ans: Try offering your baby the breast and leave it up to her. There will not be any milk, but a newborn baby's urge to suck is often quite strong, and sucking is comfortable.

Q. When can we resume our sex life after pregnancy?

Ans: The best time to start making love again is when you are both ready. You may feel too sore and tender to resume sex until after the post natal check-up, or you may want to try sooner, it's up to you. Relax as much as you can, and use extra lubrication, as your vagina may be slightly drier than normal.

Q. I am breast-feeding my baby ; do we still have to use contraception?

Ans: Even if you are breast-feeding or haven't started your periods again, you need to use contraception. The doctor or midwife will discuss this with you soon after the birth. If you want to start taking pills, make sure the doctor knows you are breast-feeding; if you previously used a cap, you must have a new one fitted as your cervix will have changed shape. 

Q. How will I know that my baby is getting enough milk from me to satisfy his hunger?

Ans: When you are breast-feeding you can't actually see what your baby takes, so it's natural sometimes to worry that he's not getting enough. But as long as you offer a feed whenever your baby cries, and he is gaining weight normally with occasional spurts, you have no need to worry. Remember that your baby will probably lose weight during the first days of life, and won't regain his birth weight until he is two or three weeks old.

Q. Will breast-feeding alter my figure permanently?

Ans: Your breasts may be slightly smaller after you've weaned your baby from the breast, because some of the fatty tissue has been replaced by milk glands. Otherwise, you will probably regain your pre-pregnancy figure more quickly if you breast-feed, because the hormones released encourage the uterus to shrink back to normal quite quickly, and the fat reserves that your body laid down during pregnancy are used in the production of breast milk. Your waistline, too, contracts sooner. 

Q. Is it necessary to be careful about the drugs and medications I take even after childbirth?

Ans: If you are breastfeeding your baby, what you eat and drink will be passed on to your baby through your milk. So, it's still vital that you tell your chemist or doctor that you are breast-feeding before they prescribe any medicines for you. It's sensible to avoid stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine too. 

Q. My baby never seems to finish her bottle? Is she suffering from some ailment and is the milk sufficient enough?

Ans: Poor feeding could be a sign of illness, or of a serious underlying defect that needs medical attention. Check again how much milk your baby should have for her weight, and see if that matches what she takes. Most important of all is to have your baby weighed regularly at the clinic, where her weight will be plotted on a growth chart. Poor feeding, if combined with inadequate weight gains, is always a cause for concern. 

Q. How much amount of food is ideal for my baby?

Ans: Let your baby decide how much food she wants at each meal. At six months, start with no more than four tablespoons of food in her bowl, and offer more if she eats it all. Some days she will eat voraciously, others hardly anything. If she is gaining weight normally, there's no need to worry.

Q. Should I force my child to eat foodstuff that he dislikes?

Ans: Respect your child's opinions. If he doesn't like something, don't mix it with something he does like, he will only end up disliking both. Try varying the form you give it in like if he doesn't like vegetables, he might eat them raw or liquidized in soups.

Q. Every new tooth my toddler cuts is preceded by days of crying. What should I do?

Ans: The first teeth shouldn't cause any trouble, but the back teeth, cut during the second year, can give pain. There are ways you can help him: 

• Rub his gums with your little finger.

• Give him something firm to chew on: a carrot is ideal.

• Check for sharp edges on his smaller toys.

• Avoid giving repeated doses of medicines or teething gels.

Q. My ten-month-old wakes up at 6am and won't go to sleep again. What should I do to make him sleep for longer hours?

Ans: Early morning waking probably just means your baby has had enough sleep. Leave a few toys in his cot each night to occupy him for a while when he wakes and with a drink in a non-spill breaker in case he's thirsty. When he is tired of his toys and calls for you, changing his nappy and offering some new toys in his cot may help.
If early waking is a regular pattern, you could try adjusting his sleep times throughout the day so he has a later bedtime. 

Q. What sort of shoes should I buy for my baby?

Ans: Any leather or canvas shoe is suitable provided your child's feet has been properly measured and the shoes fit in length and width.
Avoid all plastic shoes: plastic doesn't mould itself to the shape of your child's foot like leather.

Q. What should I do to avert my child's fears?

Ans: Always respect your child's fears. A little wariness will help to keep him safe in some situations- being afraid of dogs or strangers, for example, is reasonable and normal. If he seems very anxious and fearful, discuss his fears with him and take them seriously. Put on a nightlight to dispel his fear of the dark and help him feel more secure.