When mothers initially feed their babies, they make them lie on their laps, however, the same position may not be safe when the baby is feeding off the bottle.

It is important to feed your baby through the bottle in a semi-upright position and support their head. Do not feed them lying down, as formula or the milk from the bottle can flow into the middle ear, and cause infection. Also, unlike breast and its nipple, the bottle does not have the mechanism to ensure that milk is being overflowed. Also, in order to prevent your little ones from swallowing air as they suck, tilt the bottle so that the formula fills the neck of the bottles and covers the nipple.

How can you choose the right bottle for you?

While some babies happily drink from any bottle, some are much pickier. Yes, you read it right, babies need different bottles, based on how their bodies react after being fed.

If you have a baby with gas, it is best to try a bottle with a venting system. Now, this allows your baby to avoid air in the milk while feeding. Such bottles mimic the shape and feel of a breast or an actual nipple. Bottles with fewer parts are also easier to clean, which could be great during the middle-of-the-night feedings.

For new moms, it is also a great advice to start with a slow-flow nipple to avoid overwhelming your baby and switch to a faster flow when they seem to hold the bottle themselves and can finish milk in less time.

What should you follow when you bottle feed your baby?

As per the National Health Scheme (UK), NHS UK, it is important to be prepared to experiment well with the kind of bottles that suits your baby the best. Thee is no evidence that only one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

It is always best to ensure that you screw the top tightly into the bottle before you feed your baby.

Bottle Feeding and The Right Positions

Bottle feeding is more than just feeding and nourishing your baby, it is also an opportunity to bond with your babies. Babies also feel secure when their caregivers are feeding. This is why it is important that even before you start bottle feeding, you first find a comfortable spot to sit with your baby close to you. Look at them and gently hold the and talk as you feed.

Hold your baby in a semi-upright position during bottle feeds, with their head supported. This ensures they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Brush the teat gently against their lips, and when they open their mouth wide, let them draw the teat in.

Take your time—babies feed at their own pace, so be patient and allow them plenty of time to enjoy their meal.

Do not leave your baby un-monitored

Always supervise your baby during feeding sessions. Do not prop the bottle or leave them alone with it. This can also cause choking hazard, or the milk could pool in their mouth which could increase ear infections.

The bottle's position matters as much as baby's position. When feeding, hold the bottle in a horizontal position, tipping it slightly. This helps the milk flow steadily and reduces the amount of air your baby may swallow. If the teat flattens, gently pull the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the suction. Should the teat become blocked, replace it with a fresh, sterile one.

Fetal oxygen levels fall if asthma is not well controlled, which is why the baby is more at risk of being born prematurely or of low birth weight.

This is because when breathing is compromised due to a lack of control, the oxygen supply to the baby through the placenta is limited. It usually happens when the hormones affect lung function.

Do Not Stop Taking Inhalers During Pregnancy

Even though the wide range of medications that can be used safely during pregnancy without any health risks is often highlighted by researchers, the number of people who stop using their inhalers keeps increasing.

Several pregnant women, out of fear, think that the only symptom of being pregnant is the lack of breath, so they decide to use their inhalers to a lesser extent, which, actually, at times can worsen the situation even further.

At present, the practice of henceforth making decisions according to one's own gut feelings without looking for professional advice substantially raises the level of hazard.

Factors For Flare-ups

Living in a bustling city and being around allergens means there are always irritants in the air, making the very act of managing asthma day by day quite difficult.

Also, the anxiety that often goes with the responsibilities of raising children or the fear of not meeting the expectations of society, at times, has an asthma-inducing effect, like a flare-up.

Initial signs of illness, such as coughing or a sensation of chest constriction, which are distressing, should not be taken lightly as they are signals that, if not treated, will only lead to a bigger problem. By being vigilant, results can be improved without a drastic overhaul of one's daily habits.

Continue Asthma Treatment In Pregnancy

The strategy needs to be proactive and focused on prevention. Checking the symptoms regularly, taking the medication properly, and avoiding the things that are known to cause symptoms are a few of the basic aspects.

Besides that, small steps like enhancing the quality of air indoors, staying well hydrated, and doing breathing exercises on a regular basis are great in the control of the disease. The majority of ladies with asthma, if they receive adequate treatment and are knowledgeable about their disease, can look forward to an uneventful pregnancy and a safe delivery.

Actually, the key point is that pregnancy shouldn't mean stopping your asthma treatment. On the other hand, it's the time when the mother and the baby need to be protected through knowledgeable and trustworthy care.

While long periods of sitting have become normal in today's workplace culture, their effects may go beyond back pain and weight gain.

According to health experts, prolonged sitting may also be quietly affecting reproductive and hormonal health in both men and women.

Previously, sedentary habits were only associated with non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but doctors are now observing a growing connection between inactivity and reproductive dysfunction.

A recent study led by researchers from Fudan University showed that extended daily sitting time is linked to a heightened risk of infertility in women of reproductive age.

Studies also suggest men with high daily sedentary time (over 6–8 hours) may experience higher testicular temperatures and decreased blood flow to the pelvic region.

In addition, desk jobs raise the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, two conditions that are intimately linked to issues connected to reproduction.

How Sedentary Habits Impact Reproductive Health

Dr. Lepakshi Dasari, Consultant Gynaecologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, told HealthandMe that sitting for extended periods of time can lower blood flow, impede metabolism, cause weight gain, and upset hormonal balance.

“Women may experience irregular periods, increasing PCOS symptoms, issues with ovulation, and decreased reproductive potential as a result. Long-term inactivity has been associated with worse reproductive function, lower sperm quality, and worse metabolic health in men,” she added.

Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women

Reproductive hormones in both males and females can be further disrupted by long-term stress, insufficient sleep, and inactivity.

“Although sitting by itself does not immediately cause infertility, a prolonged sedentary lifestyle can eventually lead to circumstances that are detrimental to reproductive health,” Dr. Lepakshi said.

“Looking at it from a gynecology standpoint, sitting for long hours is one of the things researchers nowadays associate with hormone imbalance, even besides the problem of weight gain.

Infertility: A Global Burden

As per the World Health Organization, about one in six people (17.5 per cent of adults) worldwide experience infertility, marking a significant health challenge.

Between 1990 and 2021, infertility prevalence increased annually by 0.49 per cent for men and 0.68 per cent for women, driven by delayed parenthood, environmental toxins, and lifestyle factors.

By 2050, over 75 per cent of countries may face population declines due to these trends.

Read More: World Thalassemia Day 2026: Why Screening Before Marriage Or Pregnancy Is Important

Dr Tripti Dadhich, Additional Director - Obstetrics and Gynecology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, explained that when an individual is inactive, the chances of experiencing insulin resistance increase, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues.

“If the body is less active, not only is the blood flow to the pelvis less efficient, but this can lead to discomfort and irregularities in menstrual cycles over a period of time. The majority of women are not aware that long sitting hours combined with poor sleeping and stress can cause hormonal imbalance,” she told HealthandMe.

How To Improve Reproductive Health?

Experts shared that simple routines can have a big impact on reproductive and hormonal health, including:

• Walking or standing every hour
• Exercising frequently
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Drinking plenty of water
• Managing stress
• Maintaining a proper sleep cycle.

Motherhood is often described as joyful, fulfilling, and transformative, but for many women, it is also a quietly exhausting experience. While sleepless nights and endless responsibilities are expected parts of pregnancy and parenting, constant fatigue should not always be dismissed as “normal.” One of the most overlooked causes is iron deficiency anemia.

Why Iron Matters

Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, the component of blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. During pregnancy, a woman’s iron requirements increase significantly because she is supporting both her own growing blood volume and the baby’s development. After childbirth, blood loss during delivery, breastfeeding demands, poor nutrition, and inadequate recovery can further deplete iron stores.

The result? Persistent tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, breathlessness, poor concentration, hair fall, and even mood changes. Many mothers continue to function despite these symptoms, assuming that exhaustion is simply part of motherhood. Unfortunately, untreated anemia can affect not only a woman’s health and immunity, but also her emotional well-being, recovery after delivery, and ability to care for her child.

Anemia Common Among Indian Women

In India, iron deficiency anemia remains extremely common among women of reproductive age. Vegetarian diets low in iron absorption, irregular meals, heavy menstrual bleeding before pregnancy, closely spaced pregnancies, and lack of routine screening all contribute to the problem.

The good news is that anemia is both preventable and treatable. Regular antenatal check-ups, timely blood tests, iron-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, jaggery, dates, nuts, lean meats, and iron supplementation when advised can make a significant difference. Vitamin C-rich foods also help improve iron absorption.

While we celebrate Mother’s Day, the strength and resilience of mothers, we must also encourage them to prioritize their own health. Fatigue should not be worn as a badge of honor. Sometimes, the body is simply asking for help, and listening to it is one of the most important acts of self-care a mother can offer herself and her family.