MSc
Sanjana did her post graduation in Applied Microbiology from Vellore Institute of Technology, India. Her interest in science and health, combined with her passion to write made her convert from a scientist to a writer. She believes her role at MomJunction combines the best of both worlds as she writes health-based content based on scientific evidence. Sanjana is trained in classical music and traditional dance form Bharatnatyam. She is an avid reader of fiction and enjoys travelling to new places, listening to music and watching Netflix when she is off work.
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Children with an anxiety disorder may experience irrational nervousness and fear, affecting their daily functioning. Thus, anxiety activities for kids can help them cope with the situation and go about with their routines. Anxiety is a feeling of extreme nervousness or uneasiness about a situation or outcome, and all children experience anxiety at some point. […]
The mucus plug in pregnancy is a thick layer of mucus that forms in the cervical canal (1). The plug helps prevent the carriers of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms from entering the uterus and infecting the baby. When the cervix starts to dilate during childbirth and pushes the baby out of the womb, the […]
Pregnancy ultrasound enables healthcare providers to identify existing problems in the growing fetus and allows parents to see their baby for the first time. As a result, ultrasounds are now an important part of routine prenatal care for most pregnant women. Diagnostic ultrasound procedures are considered safe, and according to the American Congress of Obstetricians […]
Knowing the right Tylenol dosing for infants is important to avoid over dosage or other side effects. Tylenol is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine prescribed to babies either as an analgesic (pain-relieving medicine) or an antipyretic (medicines used to treat fever). Infants’ Tylenol should be preferred over Tylenol tablets for babies and young children as the […]
According to a Soviet psychologist, Lev Semyonovish Vygotsky, dramatic play for toddlers promotes emotional, cognitive, and social development (1). When children are two to three years old, they show their interests in various activities such as dressing up like you or repeating what you show and wish to be a part of the adult world. […]
Gross motor activities for infants require them to use their largest and strongest core muscles such as the torso, legs, and arms (1). These activities are associated with improved physical activity and better development, resulting in enhanced and reduced (BMI) (2). According to WHO guidelines, infants should ideally be engaged in such activities for a […]
Babies have delicate eyes that may get irritated easily (1) Irritated eyes may present as redness around the baby’s eyes or itching in the eyes. For most children, the redness subsides by itself without any medical intervention. However, it is important to contact your child’s pediatrician if you notice any other signs of eye irritation, […]
Preparing smoothies for toddlers is a healthy way to include the fruits and vegetables they would not eat otherwise in their diet. Smoothies provide children with all the necessary vitamins, proteins, and minerals. In addition, they are healthier than juices since the fiber content of the fruit or veggie is retained (1). Smoothies also provide […]
White curds in baby poop or streaks and chunks in poop are not always a cause of concern. The undigested fat globules of breast milk may be passed along with the excretion of poop in breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies may also experience the same symptoms. Apart from poop discoloration, medical attention is suggested if your […]
How long can a baby sleep in a pack ‘n play while meeting all the suggested safety precautions? This question is sure to emerge in the minds of many parents. A pack ‘n play is a play yard with bumper pads that can be conveniently folded and packed. Its compact size makes it easy for […]
Bumbo seats are a popular type of baby seat that parents may consider for their little one. But when can babies start sitting in a Bumbo seat? You need to understand Bumbo seats first. Bumbo seat is a brand of seats known for their unique shape that may help a baby sit without any support. […]
There are times when a mother may notice that her newborn won’t sleep unless held. While some babies like being held to sleep sometimes, some do not sleep at all without being held. Being held by the mother provides a feeling similar to that in the womb; the baby can feel your heartbeat and the […]
The fourth week of pregnancy is when most women find out that they are pregnant. When you are four weeks pregnant, your baby is around the size of a poppy seed and is developing in the inner lining of your womb (1). Most pregnancy symptoms are not clearly visible except for a few, such as […]
Hiccups are the repeated contractions of the diaphragm (1). These contractions cause the vocal cords to shut, creating the characteristic ‘hic’ sound. Newborns get hiccups frequently, and it is usually not a cause for concern until your baby is a year old. However, if the hiccups seem odd or are frequent after the age of […]
Taking your baby out for the first time is a special experience. But you need to ensure that your baby is safe and sound and away from possible hotspots of germs or infections. This is where strollers come into action. A baby stroller is an essential travel system for most would-be or new parents and a […]
Babies start experiencing gas a few days or weeks after birth. It usually resolves by itself at six to seven months but may last for longer. A common cause of gassiness in babies is air swallowed while feeding or crying. For breastfed babies, the mother’s diet may also cause gassiness (1). In such cases, tummy […]
Heat rashes affect about 40 percent of newborns, mostly in the first month of their lives (1). A baby’s heat rash is often due to underdeveloped sweat glands. However, in some cases, heat rashes may occur due to the blockage and inflammation of sweat glands or overheating. In either case, these rashes can be treated […]
Babies start to smile from the time even before they are born. Yes, you read that right. During the 11th week of pregnancy, your baby can smile and make complex facial expressions while still in the womb (1). These smiles, known as reflex smiles, may continue for a few weeks after birth as well. But […]
The sight of a baby crying can worry parents for sure. Nevertheless, it is common for babies to cry for a total of three hours a day. Crying serves various purposes and may communicate different emotions of the baby. In some cases, crying might only be their way of telling you that they need attention […]
Postpartum insomnia is defined as trouble falling and staying asleep during the phase after delivery. It may be characterized by sleep disturbance such as suddenly waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep for the rest of the night. The major cause of sleepless nights during the postpartum period […]
Jaundice is a condition that leads to the yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is common in both babies and adults. However, newborn jaundice might cause concern in parents. Jaundice in your baby occurs mostly due to the overproduction of a pigment called bilirubin in their body (1). The increased amount of bilirubin is […]
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a disorder of the intestines that leads to frequent abdominal pain and discomfort (1). IBS is different from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBS and pregnancy may co-exist, especially in women who already had the disorder. The pregnancy condition causes changes in bowel movement and gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, usually with […]
There are times during natural childbirth or vaginal deliveries when certain situations or complications may require a doctor’s intervention to assist the delivery. Vacuum-assisted delivery is one such method to assist complicated natural deliveries where a baby is pulled out from the birth canal with the help of a vacuum pump. Read along to know […]
Watching a baby swimming in a pool with their cute little hands and feet can be a heartwarming experience for parents. However, introducing your baby to swimming at the right age is vital to ensure their safety and enjoyment while in the water. Thus, many parents choose to enroll their babies in formal swimming lessons. […]
Applying heat to a specific body area can help in soothing muscle tension and relieve pain. Perhaps that’s why several women turn to a heating pad during pregnancy to eliminate cramps and aches. A heating pad is an electric or manual device, such as a heating pad fillable with hot water, which can be used […]
Noticing your baby wheezing can be distressing, but not all wheezing should worry you. Around 50% of children may experience an episode of wheezing in the first year of life, according to one study (1). Wheezing may be a sign that there is an obstruction in the airways. The severity and cause of this obstruction […]