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.

Arthritis is often associated with ageing, but it can also affect children. The most common form of chronic arthritis in children under 16, including those as young as 1, is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

Because its early symptoms can be subtle, JIA often goes unrecognized, delaying diagnosis and increasing the risk of joint and growth-plate damage.

Children May Not Say They Are In Pain

Young children may not know how to describe joint pain. Instead, they may change their behavior to avoid discomfort, making it important for parents to notice changes in movement and activity.

A toddler may limp, take longer to get ready or become less active, Dr. Rashmi Jinnakeri, Consultant Pediatrician, Apollo Hospital, Bengaluru, told HealthandMe. These signs may be mistaken for a viral infection, growing pains or simple clumsiness.

Also read: Too Much Cow’s Milk Linked To Severe Iron Deficiency In Toddlers, Including Three Deaths

Signs Parents Should Watch For

Unlike an injury, JIA symptoms tend to persist, Dr. Chirag Rajkumar Kopp, Consultant – Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, told HealthandMe.

Parents should watch for:

• Joint pain or swelling lasting more than six weeks
• Morning stiffness that improves during the day
• Neck or lower back pain with stiffness
• An unexplained limp
• Recurrent fever without an obvious cause
• Skin rashes
• Red eyes or sensitivity to light

Morning sluggishness:

A child who normally wakes up energetic may suddenly take much longer to get out of bed, get dressed or start moving. Similar stiffness or sluggishness may occur after an afternoon nap. This can be one of the more subtle signs of JIA in young children.

Sudden clumsiness:

Parents may notice a child dropping objects, tripping, coloring messily or struggling with buttons and zips. Subtle limping after waking may also occur and can improve as the day progresses.

Avoiding play and physical activity:

Children may begin avoiding sports, physical education or activities they once enjoyed. A child who previously loved running and jumping may increasingly prefer to sit or find reasons not to participate.

Going back on milestones:

Some toddlers may show regression in movement. A child who was walking may start crawling again or frequently ask to be carried. Mild swelling, particularly around a knee, can also be overlooked. If only one joint is affected, parents may assume the child bumped it while playing.

Fatigue, fever and rashes:

Some children may appear unusually tired, have low energy or repeatedly say they cannot walk. Fleeting rashes with fever may be mistaken for viral infections. Repeated low- or high-grade fever without cough, cold or vomiting can also occur.

Read More: 'Let's Fix Our Food': India Launches New Policy To Fight Childhood Obesity, Boost Nutrition

Growing Pains vs Juvenile Arthritis?

Children may describe both conditions simply as “leg pain”, making the distinction difficult, Dr. Rashmi said.

Growing Pains

• Usually occur later in the day after physical activity
• Often affect the thighs, calves or shins
• May improve with massage
• Do not cause joint swelling or redness
• Are usually gone by morning

Juvenile Arthritis

• Is often worse in the morning
• Causes joint-related pain and stiffness
• May cause swelling or redness
• Can improve with movement
• Persists over time, potentially for six weeks or longer

Early Diagnosis Matters

JIA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing inflammation. The exact cause is not known.

“When this goes unrecognized for too long, the effects don't simply fade with time. Joint damage can become permanent; a child's growth can be affected, and the disability that follows may last well into adulthood,” Dr. Chirag said.

Early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and, when needed, biologic therapy can control inflammation and help prevent lasting damage. With early recognition and treatment, most children can achieve symptom control and continue to run, play and grow without limitation.

A blood test is considered the first step towards fertility enquiries, but for many, the results might seem like a confusing jumble of numbers and acronyms. Reports sometimes contain terms like AMH, FSH, LH, AFC, and estradiol, which can confuse patients into thinking that a single "abnormal" figure indicates they are unable to conceive.

The truth is more reassuring, and more nuanced. Fertility experts stress that a single test cannot ascertain a person's fertility. Instead, these markers serve as parts of a bigger picture, assisting fertility specialists in comprehending reproductive health and suggesting the best course of action when necessary.

Fertility tests are guides, not verdicts

The idea that a single blood test can determine whether a woman would naturally become pregnant is one of the most widespread myths. Age, egg quality, ovulation, sperm health, uterine health, lifestyle, and underlying medical issues are some of the factors that actually affect fertility.

Although diagnostic markers offer useful information, they must always be interpreted in conjunction with the couple's overall reproductive profile, clinical history, and ultrasound results.

Understanding the ovarian reserve 'AMH'

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is perhaps the most talked-about fertility marker today. It is produced by small follicles present in the ovaries. AMH reflects ovarian reserve, which identifies the estimated number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. High AMH indicates larger ovarian reserve, whereas lower levels suggest fewer eggs. However, it can neither measure egg quality nor guarantee the ability to conceive naturally.

Many women with low AMH can still achieve successful pregnancies, especially if they continue to ovulate regularly. Similarly, women with high AMH are not necessarily more fertile; elevated AMH levels in women also mean Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), where ovulation may actually be irregular. For fertility specialists, AMH is useful in predicting the number of eggs that are likely to respond to ovarian stimulation medication, based on which they customize IVF treatment.

FSH determines ovarian function

Our pituitary gland produces Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and this hormone helps in stimulating egg development.

Usually, the second or third day of the menstrual cycle is when FSH is measured. If ovarian reserve is reduced, higher-than-normal levels may imply that ovaries need more stimulation to mature eggs. From cycle to cycle, the FSH levels change.

LH and the ovulation story

FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) cooperate to control ovulation. The ovary releases a developed egg in response to an increase in LH. LH levels may be disproportionately greater than FSH in PCOS-affected individuals, which can lead to irregular menstrual periods and ovulation. Instead of using LH alone, fertility specialists assess it in link with other hormone markers.

Estradiol and AFC: Completing the picture

An indicator of ovarian activity during the menstrual cycle is estradiol (E2), a type of estrogen generated by growing follicles. Combined interpretation is crucial since elevated early-cycle estradiol levels can occasionally conceal an elevated FSH.

The Antral Follicle Count (AFC), which is done via a transvaginal ultrasound, is another crucial evaluation. AFC gives an additional indication of ovarian reserve by counting the number of visible tiny follicles in the ovaries.

Indeed, the combination of AMH and AFC provides a more thorough insight than any test by itself.

Fertility evaluation isn't just for women

Female hormone testing frequently receives greater attention, whereas male fertility contributes to roughly half of all infertility issues. A semen screening remains one of the most significant and cost-effective tests, measuring sperm count, mobility, and morphology. When necessary, additional hormonal or genetic tests might be suggested.

Era of self-diagnosis

After getting a test report, many people search the web for quick answers, but those numbers without proper medical context from a specialist can cause unnecessary tension. The fertility markers depend on a variety of factors, some of which include: age, weight, menstrual history, prior pregnancies, medications, hormonal status, and lifestyle. Therefore, understanding parameters like “low” or “high” online may create confusion for individuals. Instead, consult a fertility specialist to decode the report.

(Dr Rubeena Zainab, Senior Consultant - Reproductive Medicine, Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital, Bengaluru)

For new mothers struggling with breastfeeding, artificial intelligence can offer something doctors often cannot: an answer at 2 am.

But a new report is raising concerns about what happens when those instant responses replace professional medical advice.

A national survey commissioned by Orlando Health found that 51% of women aged 18 to 44 would first turn to an AI chatbot, social media platform or search engine if they had an urgent breastfeeding question.

Only 29% said they would first contact a doctor or lactation consultant, while 21% would turn to family or friends.

The findings highlight a growing challenge as new parents increasingly use AI to navigate pregnancy, caring for their infants and breastfeeding.

Is AI Advice Always Reliable?

AI can quickly explain clinical terms, suggest possible causes for a problem and provide general breastfeeding information. But it cannot examine whether the baby is actually getting enough milk.

“There are certain questions that can't be answered by AI,” said Erynne Bowers, M.D., a pediatrician with Orlando Health Physician Associates.

Bowers said roughly one-third of mothers who come to her with breastfeeding concerns have already received inaccurate advice from AI. Some of the misinformation involves recommendations about how much milk a baby should consume or how frequently the baby should be fed. The expert says that's where generic advice from AI can become misleading and dangerous.

Also read: Could Light-Controlled Nanobots Revolutionise Breast Cancer Treatment? Indian Researchers Explore The Possibility

Feeding Pattern Is Different For Every Baby

A baby's nutritional needs depend on several factors, including age, birth weight, growth trajectory, medical history and feeding efficiency.

Doctors also examine the baby's weight gain, hydration, urine and stool patterns, alertness and developmental progress. They may observe the baby's latch, tongue movement and coordination between sucking, swallowing and breathing. These assessments cannot be done by an AI chatbot.

A baby may spend a long time at the breast but transfer very little milk. Another may feed for a shorter period but feed efficiently. A generic feeding schedule therefore cannot explain the entire problem.

Also read: Breastfeeding Can Help Reduce Mothers' Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Breast Cancer and More

How Incorrect Advice Can Create A Cycle?

Experts warn that telling a mother to feed less frequently, for example, could potentially reduce the baby's calorie intake while also lowering breast stimulation.

The report also describes the experience of Florida mother Emily Hunziker, whose newborn son began losing weight despite her efforts to breastfeed exclusively.

She worked with a pediatrician and lactation specialist, used a combination of pumping, bottle-feeding and supplemental formula while continuing to support her breastfeeding goals. Her son is now thriving and growing up well.

Also read: Breastfeeding Vs Mixed Feeding: Which Is Right For Your Baby? Experts Explain

Should New Mothers Stop Using AI For Breastfeeding Advice?

It does not mean that new mothers should completely stop using AI. AI can be useful for understanding medical terminology, preparing questions for a doctor or finding reliable resources. But it should not become the final decision-maker when an infant's nutrition or growth is at stake.

Warning signs like poor weight gain, unusual sleepiness, dehydration, persistent vomiting, breathing difficulties, severe pain or a sudden drop in feeding require medical assessment from a doctor rather than an automated generic advice.

Relying excessively on an AI chatbot for answers may delay seeking a physician's help which could, in turn, delay clinical examination and treatment.