The ghodiyu has been used for generations in India and has put many happy and healthy babies to sleep, while allowing their parents some R&R for their tired bodies.  It is essentially a hammock that envelops the child, simulating a womb-like experience, thereby quieting and calming the child.  With minimal strain on your body, the baby can then be rocked to sleep by pulling on the string attached to the hammock at whatever speed you like.  The best part is, it can be placed next to your bed so you don’t even have to get up in the middle of the night if the baby starts getting fussy!  All you new-mom Saheli’s know just how difficult and exhausting that can be!   

Additional benefits in using the ghodiyu are:

• Reflux Reduction  – due to the natural curve in the hammock the baby’s head is raised higher than the rest of his/her body
• Spine Support – the curvature of the spine is supported naturally once the baby is suspended in the hammock
• Prevents Plagiocephaly or Flat Head Syndrome – the baby’s weight is evenly distributed as the hammock conforms to the baby’s shape

Now Sahelis, you may be asking – where can find a ghodiyu in the USA?  Not only have we found a vendor that sells the original ghodiyu design in a lovely stainless steel, but we have also found a variation of this traditional Indian baby swing.  Ghodiyu.net offers the metal version, which we have tested and can honestly say is “heaven for kids”.  CitySaheli has watched a number of children fall asleep quickly and remain in slumberland for more time than when they are placed on an open mattress/playpen/crib. 

For a more modern interpretation, Hushamok.com offers a baby hammock, which offers similar, if not the same, benefits as the ghodiyu.  The makers of this baby hammock say this version was said to have originated in Latin America and it is truly different from others in that it is centrally suspended by a leaf-spring that causes the motion to be smooth and non-jerky.  

 As a special offer to CitySaheli Baby readers Hushamok.com has offered a chance to win a free MySeat ($219 value) when you purchase a hammock with the okoa stand.  Be sure to enter CitySaheli in the  where did you hear about us box.  Here is a sample of what it looks like.

* To prevent any ‘bumps in the night’, babies should not be placed in the ghodiyu/baby hammock once they are able to roll over on their own (approximately 4 – 6 months old).   

Vitamin D is a steroid with hormone-like activity and is also one of the four main fat-soluble vitamins. It regulates the functions of over 200 genes and is essential for growth and development of the body. 

Vitamin D is especially important for pregnant women.  According to Science Daily, seven out of every ten pregnant women in the United States are not getting enough Vitamin D. Though supplementation poses as a solution, prenatal vitamins do not provide enough vitamin D, and at times higher doses are needed to raise levels.

Vitamin D deficiency amongst newborns and infants has especially been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections, asthma, neurodevelopment disorders, and weaker bone structure. For adults, deficient levels have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and certain types of cancer.

CitySaheli asked Health Guru, Anita Mirchandani, how to ensure our Sahelis get enough Vitamin D.  Here is what she shared with CitySaheli: 

• Be cognizant about your annual physical and blood work
• As little as ten minutes daily of sun exposure could help achieve your recommended daily allowance (RDA)
• Dietary sources include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna or sardines, eggs with yolk, mushrooms, vitamin D fortified milk, orange juice fortified with vitamin D, 6 oz yogurt fortified with vitamin D, 1 ounce Swiss cheese * always check labels for exact daily value amounts
• Try a multivitamin (includes vitamin D) especially if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant, live in colder climates (up north especially), or work indoors most of the day
• Recommended amount of Vitamin D includes 5 micrograms (200 IU) for all individuals under the age of 50 including pregnant and lactating women

HappyBaby offers mothers a plethora of information on why organic, why frozen baby food and much more detailed information. They have teamed up with pediatrician, Dr. Sears.  Happy Baby also packs South Asian influenced meals including Baby Dhal.

CitySaheli talked to the founder and CEO of HappyBaby, Shazi Visram, to find out more about this innovative business idea.

What inspired you to start your own business in organic baby food?

I was inspired when I saw the opportunity to create a business that could actually make a difference in people’s lives. In this case, it was with children In the U.S.; our children are suffering from a horrific health epidemic where one in three is obese, 16% of toddlers are overweight, one in three will develop adult onset diabetes before even becoming adults, and the rates for ADD are staggering. When a friend of mine with twins was complaining to me about how she had no good options when it came to feeding her babies healthy foods made from real fresh foods, I realized there was a great opportunity to create something so much better. It was then that I saw that in our country we start babies off on processed foods that can sit on a shelf for three years and realized why they are addicted to processed foods as they grow into children! Further, by creating a brand with truly great products that could affect change when it came to babies’ health, we could create abundance and use that abundance to give back. We found a great partner in the nonprofit, Project Peanut Butter in Africa. My father is from Tanzania so working to help children in Africa really hit home. So for every unit of anything we sell we work to feed a starving child with Project Peanut Butter for an entire day. In general, this model has been effective and rewarding, and I hope it is inspiring for other businesses as well. 

Did you find it difficult to start your own business as a woman?

Not really in our case. I think being a woman working with other women to start an organization that appeals to women is a distinct advantage when it comes to building a brand, creating a marketing message and developing products that women will be excited to purchase for their family’s health and happiness.

What are your goals and plans for the future?

We aim to create a platform for health and wellness for young families so that parents can feel good about what they feed their children.

What would your advice be to young professionals like yourself who want to start their own business?

Be persistent. Surround yourself with talented people and partners whose skills complement your own. Be flexible with you business plan. Channel creativity to transform obstacles into opportunities. Truly love what you do because it will be easy to give up on something that you are not passionate about.

Below is a Happy Baby recipe for Homemade Granola.  Try it at home!

Happy and Healthy Granola Bars

Here is a healthy breakfast bar or on-the-go snack for you & your children!

1½ cups of HappyBellies oatmeal or multi-grain cereal

½ cup organic oat bran

1/8 cup organic sesame seeds

1/8 cup organic flax seeds

¼ cup organic pumpkin or sunflower seeds

½ cup of your favorite organic nut – like almonds or walnuts

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

2 cubes of HappyBaby frozen apple or squash (or one each!), defrosted

½ cup of organic honey or 100% pure organic maple syrup

2 large organic eggs

¼ cup of flaxseed or canola oil (organic)

¼ cup unsweetened organic shredded coconut

1 cup organic raisins or unsweetened dried organic cranberries

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8×8 dish with wax paper. Make sure wax paper sticks out just beyond sides of pan on 2 sides.

In a food processor, combine HappyBellies cereal, oat bran, seeds, nuts, and cinnamon until ground. Add in all other ingredients except raisins/cranberries and mix until well blended. Stir in raisin or cranberries. Should make a thick paste.

Spread into prepared dish and press down with spatula until evenly distributed. Bake for 20 minutes or until just done. Use ends of wax paper to remove giant bar to cutting block and cut into small bars while still warm. Store in airtight container for up to a week in the fridge or freeze in plastic bags.

Note: if you would like to add calcium, add ½ cup of nonfat dry milk or serve with yogurt or a glass of milk!  This recipe may be doubled and cooked in a 9×13 pan and add 5 minutes to cooking time.

*COOKIES!!! Instead of putting in a dish, plop down paste by spoonfuls and cook at 350 for 10 minutes. They will think you are the best mom to let them have cookies for breakfast! They will never be the wiser.

© Nurture, Inc. 2008

Massaging not only helps the baby and parent relax together, there are also proven therapeutic benefits.  Regular massages can also promote healthy growth and development by increasing blood flow and strengthening the immune system.  Additionally, different massage techniques can be used to ease a baby’s discomfort associated with a host of common ailments such as teething, congestion, colic, constipation, fatigue and dry skin, to name a few.  Depending on the practitioner and massage style, different massage techniques may be used.  It’s important to find the right technique for you and your baby.  Use CitySaheli’s list of tips to share the benefits of massage with your baby today.

CitySaheli Tips to Massaging your Baby

1.        Learn a few techniques. Take a class or pick up a book to learn a few massage techniques that are right for you and your baby. Below is a list of local resources:  

A. Local Classes

        i.      WeeMassage for Manhattan’s Happy Babies

       ii.      Infant Massage USA

      iii.      A Child Grows in Brooklyn

B. Books

        i.      Baby Massage: The Calming Power of Touch, by Alan Heath

      ii.      The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact With Your Baby Leads To Happier, Healthier Development, by Sharon Heller

C. Web resources

       i.     ivillage:http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/ncare/0,,lz_76tp,00.html 

      ii.    Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Channel

2.      Choose the right massage oil for your baby.  Experienced baby masseuses recommend using gentle, fragrance free oils to prevent allergic reactions. Examples may include olive oil, sunflower oil or canola oil.  In many parts of India, mustard oil is also used. 

3.        Choose a warm, draft –free place.  It is important to pick a place in your home where your baby can be comfortable.  Make sure there is no draft in the room, as you don’t want your baby to get sick.   Use the same place if possible – so that your bundle of joy starts to associate that place with her massage and can anticipate it.  If the changing table isn’t the right spot, you can massage your baby right on the floor. In India, mothers sit on the floor with the soles of their feet together, forming a diamond shape with their legs.  They drape a blanket over their feet and place the baby between the knees. It may sound uncomfortable but babies love it.  

4.        Choose consistent timing.   Babies thrive on routine and massage timing is no exception.  Think about your schedule and pick at least fifteen minutes each day that works for you and the baby.  Often, parents will massage before the baby goes to sleep, after a bath, or on the changing table with some milk, making the routine easy to stick to.    

5.        Start Massaging.  First, take a deep breath (or several) before starting. It’s very important that you are relaxed before massaging your baby. Second, always massage in a clockwise direction to maximize the benefits of the massage.  And most important, be sure to have fun!  

Want to get your baby hooked on dal? CitySaheli answers a few “frequently asked questions” below to help you get started.

What kind of dal should I buy for my baby?

There are many different types of Indian dal, or lentils.  Your best bet is either a moong dal or a toor dal.   These two are most appropriate for your baby since they are the least gassy and are the easiest to digest. 

Where can I buy Indian dal?

You can find almost anything in New York and Indian dal is no exception. There are at least two companies that have used Indian dal as the basis for ready-made baby foods.  There are also several online and retail stores where you can buy both organic and conventional dal.  

Baby Foods

1. WorldBaby Dal
2. Happy Baby: This local Brooklyn based company makes a delicious baby dhal dish using red lentils.

Loose Indian Dal

1. Organic Online
2. Conventional Online
3. Conventional: Stop by Curry Hill and pick up the lentils you would like to incorporate in your diet.  Check out Kalustyans and Little India Stores

Does CitySaheli know a good dal recipe for  my baby?

Indian dal can take less than fifteen minutes to make.  Below is a CitySaheli recipe for quick, easy and delicious yellow dal. 

Indian dal is incredibly versatile.  You can add other ingredients such as kale, spinach, and rice to keep it interesting for your baby.    If you have a particularly sensitive baby, you may want to mitigate the gassiness of lentils by 1) soaking the lentils in advance of cooking, 2) cooking the lentils extremely slowly, and 3) adding ginger to the recipe. 

Ingredients:

· Water: 2 ½ Cups
· Skinless split Moong beans: 1 Cup
· Turmeric powder: 1/8 teaspoon
· Cayenne Powder: 1/8 teaspoon (optional)
· Salt: 1/8 teaspoon

Directions:

• Rinse beans.
• Bring the water to a boil in a heavy stock pot. 
• Add all ingredients and bring to a boil again.
• Simmer on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Make sure the dal is well boiled and mashed completely.  Remember if you are using a pressure cooker, you only need to hear 1-2 whistles to know that the dal is completely cooked.  After using your pressure cooker, make sure you allow the cooker to cool completely before opening to allow the lentils to fully cook.  Add ghee (clarified butter) for flavor and serve.  If you don’t have ghee at home, you can always make it at home using this recipe: http://www.food-india.com/ingredients/i001_i025/i007.htm

Nutritious, easy to digest, and easy to make, Indian Dal is a must for all babies and toddlers.   When you’re making dal for your baby, you can also make enough for the whole family to enjoy.  CitySaheli promises that everyone will love it!