Can I have a vaginal birth after caesarean?

An obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than 13 years of experience, Dr. Chee Jing Jye is often asked this question by expectant mothers. Her current practice at The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre includes all areas of general obstetrics and gynaecology. She sub-specialises in Maternal Fetal Medicine with expertise in areas such as First Trimester Screening for Down Syndrome and high-risk pregnancy.

One mother in particular, AZ, went to see Dr. Chee recently with high hopes of being able to have a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC).

AZ is four months pregnant with her second child, just 18 months after having an emergency C-section with her first born daughter. AZ longs for the experience of holding her baby in her arms immediately after delivery. This was something she felt she had missed out on after giving birth to her daughter, having been under general anaesthesia for her C-section.

It really depends

Generally, there are a few factors to consider before deciding to go for a vaginal delivery after caesarean birth. VBAC may not be suitable for women who had to go through a caesarean birth due to a contracted pelvis. There may be a risk of uterine rupture if they chose to give birth vaginally. Uterine rupture can lead to life-threatening complications for both mother and baby, and may result in the need for surgical removal of the womb (hysterectomy).

AZ was asked whether she had any complications with her first C-section. The fact that it was an emergency surgery meant that there were some issues with the birth of her daughter. Women who have had a straightforward procedure and are not experiencing any complications in their current pregnancy are more suitable for a VBAC.

Dr. Chee examined AZ’s scar to see what type of incision had been made. She would also need to have a look at the uterus to determine how it had been cut. If the uterus had a vertical incision, there would be a higher risk of uterine rupture.

Weigh the options

AZ’s current pregnancy will need to be monitored for a low-lying placenta or the baby lying in an unusual position nearing delivery. She would also need to be aware of any medical issues such as high blood pressure and heart problems.

AZ looked doubtful but Dr. Chee reassured her that it is only for the safety of mother and baby that any recommendations against VBAC be made. In fact, based on her previous caesarean delivery that went on without any major complications, there is a 60-70% chance that she would have a successful vaginal delivery.

Dr. Chee also explained to AZ the several advantages of having a vaginal birth. AZ would be at a lower risk of infection and bleeding, and would normally recover faster with a shorter hospital stay.

In addition, a vaginal birth after caesarean does not bring any adverse side effects on the baby and is much less expensive than a C-section.
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Trial vaginal birth

After weighing the situation with her gynaecologist, AZs plan was to opt for a trial vaginal delivery procedure when she is due next year. Her baby will be monitored closely in the labour ward. If labour does not go smoothly or there are signs of fetal distress, then an emergency C-section will be performed.

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My Child Is Not Gaining Weight - What Should I Do?

We are not here to judge nor are we here to speculate. So parents, if your child is experiencing poor growth as diagnosed by their paediatrician and you’ve landed on this article, we’re here to offer you some advice.

Poor growth is hard to predict sometimes, especially if a child is born without any obvious causes that are usually linked to them. But guess what? Poor growth, or developmental delays, is actually rather common in childhood — occurring in 10%–15% of preschool children
1
.

It usually starts off slowly, when we notice signs like slow growth in height. If that has nothing to do with genetics, then it might be something to be concerned about.

Or perhaps it was flagged during a routine checkup or when preschool teachers or childcare professionals raise concerns.

If you’re looking for ways to overcome developmental delays in kids, here are some things you can try.

How to overcome developmental delays in kids

1. Never miss a visit to the paediatrician

Besides sending the kids to the paediatricians when they have a cold or when it is time for a routine vaccine, you should also make it a point to go to the paediatrician for half-a-year checkups to keep an eye on their weight and height progression.

If you suspect your child is experiencing a developmental delay, this becomes even more important. You should take your child to the doctor as soon as you feel something is off.

Request for a full-body examination beyond just the weight, height and head circumference measurements that all clinics will practice.

In a full body examination, the doctor will also check body proportion to see if there is an asymmetry between left and right. The doctor will also check if the child’s limbs and trunk are in proportion.

Doctors may conduct a neurological examination to check for abnormalities of muscle tone and strength (particularly in boys, to screen for muscular dystrophy). They will also check the skin for hyper- or hypopigmentation, which could suggest underlying conditions
2
.

If doctors are concerned about a child’s developmental progress, they might request for you to make more frequent visits. Be sure not to miss out on all of these appointments.

2. Follow the doctor or dietitian’s take-home advice

After the visit to the paediatrician’s, the paediatrician or dietitian will be giving you advice to follow at home on how to overcome developmental delays in kids.

For instance, if your child is not gaining enough weight according to their age or if they have recently lost weight, the doctor might recommend supplementing their diets with formula milk or a nutritionally complete supplement.

They will also recommend watching your child’s diet and giving them fresh, whole foods with a balance in their protein, carbohydrate and fats intake.

It can be a lot of effort to have to think up nutritional meals for your child every day, but the effort is surely worth it when you see their growth rise substantially the next time you weigh them or measure their height.

3. Go beyond home-based stimulation

Besides what you do at home, there are other ways to help stimulate your child’s development.

If your child is developing slowly physically, sending them for swimming classes or going to fun gymboree activities can really open them up to new experiences while stimulating their growth. Physical exercises can improve your child’s muscle and bone growth, while also keeping them healthy mentally. Aerobic exercises will also help to keep their hearts healthy
3
.

When children are kept active during the day, you also tire them out sufficiently so they can get deep sleep at night.

Sleep is equally important in a child’s development. In fact, studies have shown that the most fundamental requirements for healthy growth and development in young children include loving support and protection by parents and caretakers, adequate nutrition, and adequate sleep
4
.

If going for extracurricular activities is beyond your reach, then the most basic thing you can do for your child is just changing their environment from time to time. It could be that you introduce them to a daycare or a nursery with educational activities. Or it could be as simple as taking them to the zoo, bird park or aquarium once in a while.

Early intervention can make a big difference in a child’s development. So if you suspect your child is experiencing developmental delays, then you should take these steps to overcome them as soon as possible.

Complete your child’s nutrition with ASCENDA™

ASCENDA™ from WYETH Nutrition is a new nutritionally complete supplement which aims at providing kids with an energy and nutrient dense formula to support holistic growth.

ASCENDA™ is formulated with BUILD & LEARN™ System, a scientific blend of important nutrients such as high-quality protein, DHA and Sphingomyelin to help support body growth and learning. It is specifically designed to support the increase of height and weight with no added sucrose.

To support your child’s holistic growth and development, request a free sample
here
.

References

1
Choo, Y., MD, Agarwal, P., MD, MMed, Choon, H., MMed, FCFP, & Yeleswarapu, S. P., MBBS, FRCPCH. (2019, March). Developmental delay: Identification and management at primary care level. Retrieved October 23, 2020, from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441684/

2
Meschino, W. (2003, January). The child with developmental delay: An approach to etiology. Retrieved October 23, 2020, from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791071/

3
Sarah Sleziak Johnson, M. (2018, October 03). Physical activity is important for a child’s growing body. Retrieved October 23, 2020, from
www.canr.msu.edu/news/physical_activity_is_important_for_a_childs_growing_body

4
Dahl, R. (2007, September). Sleep and the developing brain. Retrieved October 23, 2020, from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1978403/

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11 things you should know about INFLUENZA

 Influenza is an infection of the respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs) caused by the influenza virus or sometimes better known as the flu virus. Although many of us misused the term ‘flu’ to describe the common cold caused by a milder virus.

 Influenza can be a deadly infection and usually manifests in a more serious condition which requires hospitalisation instead of just outpatient treatment.

 Common symptoms of influenza – high fever, chills, body ache, lethargy, cough, runny and blocked nose, breathing difficulty, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and sore throat.

 The virus is spread via human to human transmission – in cough droplets and saliva when talking or sneezing. One may also get infected after touching the mouth and nose with hands that were in contact with doorknobs, wall and other surfaces (usually in the public area) contaminated with the virus.

 Infection is spread faster in amongst children who are in contact with many other kids in kindergartens and schools.

 You can spread the infection to other people within the one week of your infection. It is important to practice hand hygiene and avoid contact with other people.

 The infection has a higher chance to cause severe complications in young children, pregnant women and the elderly.

 Influenza infection can cause death and severe complications. It can cause severe lung inflammation, brain inflammation, severe ear infections and sinusitis.

 Influenza symptoms can be almost similar from other viral fever, so it cannot be determined only by physical examination. A rapid test such as nose swab test can be done or further evaluation by specific laboratory tests will be done

 Treatment – You should go see a doctor if you have the symptoms possibly due to influenza. Antivirus may be given especially to the high-risk groups to prevent complication and to shorten the duration of infection by about 2 days.

 Prevention is better than cure. We are encouraged to get a yearly vaccine against Influenza. It is commonly available in family and paediatric clinics.

Reference: www.cdc.gov

Written by Dr Foo Chee Hoe

This article has been republished with permission from
DoktorBudak.

Read more:

How Should You Treat Your Children?

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Pregnancy Discrimination: The Untold Truth

Ten years ago, I lost my job due to my pregnancy.

I was looking forward to joining my new company in a few months’ time when I discovered I was pregnant. I decided to inform the HR personnel in advance, instead of turning up pregnant on my 1st day at work.

From then on, everything went downhill…

Credit: Unsplash

I was accused of lying about my pregnancy during the job interview.

I was told that my productivity will be low, especially a month before my delivery date.

I was informed that my 2 months maternity leave would be a critical period for the company, and I cannot be ‘away’.

I was told that upon returning from my maternity leave, I may not be able to fully concentrate on work due to my newborn.

Eventually, I received this text message — “Sorry to inform you that our Management has decided not to proceed with the offer.” I was in shock. This is not an “offer” at all, it was a contract – signed by both parties. Clearly, something is amiss here!

In the end, I made the decision to file a complaint to the Industrial Relations office. Through mediation, I was eventually offered RM10,000 by the company, which I had declined. My case could not be heard at the Industrial Court, and I subsequently filed a Civil Suit filed at the Magistrate Court.

But there is no legal protection on pregnancy discrimination in the Employment Act 1955 for the private sector. This protection is only made available for the public sector, as outlined in our Constitution Article 8(2). The only thing I hung on to was that Malaysia is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). That wasn’t enough for me to win my case in court. I had lost my legal battle.

I had then decided to reach out to the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and together, our journey towards public affairs, advocacy and lobbying efforts for change began.

Fast forward to 10 years later, am so pleased that the Parliament has, on Mar 21, approved the amendments to the Employment Act 1955 to prohibit job termination during pregnancy.

For many years, we have also advocated more rights for parents at the workplace, and today, this has become a reality – from 60 to 98 days of maternity leave (in line with International Labour Organisation, ILO), from 0 to 7 days of paternity leave and the right to request for flexible working hours, subject to the employer’s discretion. This is a win for my social battle.

According to the “Voices of Malaysian Women on Discrimination & Harassment in the Workplace” survey, undertaken in 2020 by the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) in collaboration with research agency Vase.ai, more than half of Malaysian women (56%) have experienced at least one form of gender discrimination in the workplace. This situation is real, and the actual statistics may even be higher. After all, it is an ‘untold truth’.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

AND STAND UP FOR THEM.

If you’re faced with pregnancy discrimination or unfair dismissal at the workplace, you may reach out to the Department of Industrial Relations (Jabatan Perhubungan Perusahaan Malaysia) at 03-8886 5460 or
[email protected]
 For more information, visit their website at www.jpp.mohr.gov.my

This article is written by Tan May Lee for theAsianparent Malaysia. She’s a Partner & Executive Director of Perspective Strategies & Former EXCO of Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

The Importance Of Folic Acid During Pregnancy & Why You SHOULD Take It

Read more:

Understand the Changes in Your Body During the First Trimester

Read more:

 Gynaecologist – Male/Female Ob/Gyn doctors in the Klang Valley/KL

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6 Ways To Relieve Labour Pain

We know that there are a variety of pain relief options available during labour like the epidural and gas, but raising your comfort level can actually help you deal with pain and labour without drugs.

Here are 6 ways to relieve labour pain:

Find a Soothing Environment

Your birth setting must feel safe to you. You should have space to walk and bathe, as well as a variety of furniture and devices to enhance movement and pain relief: low lighting, music to your liking, birth ball, low stool,
squatting bar
 and soft bed. It should give you the freedom to try a variety of positions.

Choose Your Birth Support Team Carefully

Having knowledgeable, supportive and caring midwives, doctors, nurses, partners, loved ones in your birth team can make all the difference. When you’re treated with respect and patience, you will feel less stress. Inhibitions decrease, and you can more easily trust yourself to find your best coping mechanism.

Learn About Labour

Fear is in the unknown, so knowing what lies ahead can help you prepare. Find out everything you can about labor from books, magazines, Web sites, videos, classes, a hospital tour and discussions with your health-care provider, family and friends. Discuss your birth plan with your doctor ahead of time. If you feel like they are dismissive of your fears or ideas, you still have the time to find another team.

Practice Rhythmic Breathing

Breathe fully in a slow rhythm
during contractions.
 Release tension with each exhalation and try moaning. Try imagining you’re blowing up a balloon. Also try taking quick breaths, about one every 2 to 3 seconds (20 to 30 per minute). Practice with a partner, so if you lose your rhythm, they can help you regain it with eye contact, rhythmic hand or head movements, or by talking you through contractions.

Take a Warm Shower or Bath

A warm bath or shower is very soothing, especially if you can sit on a stool and direct the stream of water onto your abdomen or back. Bathing in warm water can relax you, and it may even help to speed up labor.
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Keep Moving

This really makes a world of difference in labour. Move around as much as you can. Some mothers I know walked right up until it was time to push. Walk, lean, sway, rock and squat. Some positions will be more comfortable than others and only by moving can you find them.

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Tunes You Should Be Listening To While You Workout To Boost Your Mood

We all know that putting on a song that has some sweet nostalgia value sends us down memory lane, and that a really unique upbeat piece of music helps to improve our mood. It’s not rocket science. But the benefits of music go beyond making us feel better, especially when we combine music and workouts together.

A recent study conducted at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia confirms that listening to music while you exercise affects how much you enjoy your workout, your actual performance and even the amount of oxygen use.

So now that we know just how beneficial music is when combined with physical activity, the next question is this – what kind of music should we actually be listening to? Well, simply put – it depends on your goal. Let us explain.

If you’re aiming for endurance or workouts that take a bit of time to complete such as distance running or a long yoga class, we suggest finding tunes that have a slower-tempo as this can help you maintain a slower heart rate, so you can endure the whole length as well as distance. Conversely, if you are on a high intensity workout plan that’s on the shorter end time frame wise, such as HIIT, boxing or spinning, we suggest music that is fast – this will keep you moving and your heart pumping.

This article would not be complete without our trusty suggestions of playlists we love. Here are a few we use for a variety of workouts that match duration and beats per music.
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Fun Run 150-165 BMP
 for long distance running

I Love My ‘90s Hip-Hop
for a 60 minute yoga session

Low-Fi-Chill Lofi
 for a 90 minute yoga session

Run ‘N’ Bass 170-175 BPM
 for a sprinting session

Do you have a playlist you like to use for your workouts?

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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Mum shares why you should never go down a slide with your child

When kids play in the playground, getting hurt with small scratches and bumps sometimes is normal. But breaking a limb? Now that’s serious. However, there is one piece of playground equipment that can cause serious injuries such as broken limbs in children, as one mum found out a few years ago. Now, she makes it a point to share one picture every year, to raise awareness among parents on how to avoid this same injury in their own kids.

Playground Injury: The One Tip You Should Always Remember

Heather Clare, a mum of three, shared a post on Facebook recently telling the story of how she could have easily prevented her daughter’s playground injury.

She wrote that she was in the playground with Meadow, who was 12 months at the time.

Heather then decided to take her daughter to the slide and rode down it with her daughter. What she didn’t know was that when they went down, it caused her daughter’s leg to break.

“This picture is the moment her leg was breaking. She’s still smiling… because it was happening at this exact moment,” she writes.

This photo captured the exact moment when her daughter’s leg broke.

She later took her daughter to the ER, where the doctor informed her that her daughter’s injury is surprisingly common among children – and that it mainly happens whenever an adult rides down the slide with a young child.

“I share this picture every year in hopes that the pain Meadow felt and the guilt that I still feel will save other babies and parents from the same. Don’t ever go down a slide with a baby on your lap. There is no SAFE way to go down a slide with your little [one],” Heather wrote.

Playground Safety Tips

Here are some important
playground safety tips
 that mums and dads should always remember:

Always keep an eye on your kids, and never let them out of your sight.

Don’t go down the slide with your child, as this can cause leg injuries.

Make sure that the equipment is safe, and that there are no sharp bits sticking out or any rusty surfaces.

Dress your child appropriately. Make sure that their clothes can’t get snagged on the playground equipment.

Teach your child to not push or shove other children in the playground.

If your child is still young, it would be best to not let them play with the bigger kids just yet, as some kids can play pretty rough.

When playing on the swing, make sure your child holds on tight and avoids standing on the seat.

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Source:
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Want to Color Your Hair While Pregnant? You Can Use These 5 Types of Safe Dyes

Pregnant women are often very limited in their use of beauty products, even in the aspect of hair dye. The truth is finding the right pregnancy-safe hair dye is not that hard! Here are some of our top picks.

Some women may wonder, is it okay to dye one’s hair during pregnancy? Is it harmful to the baby’s health?

Truth be told, pregnant women are not encouraged to apply any products that contain chemicals, let alone hair dye. This is due to how most products contain harmful chemicals that seep through the skin and can harm the fetus.

Fortunately, there are now organic hair dye products designed to be safe for pregnant women’s usage, not containing harmful chemicals and processed using much more natural ingredients.
However, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor before colouring your hair.

Choosing Safe Hair Dye During Pregnancy

When buying hair colouring products, research and read the label before purchasing is extremely important, so here are some things to note:

Make sure the contents of the product are natural and free of harmful substances, including alcohol, ammonia etc.

Make sure the ingredients used are natural.

Seek the opinion of a physician before testing out any new products.

Our Top Pick for Pregnancy-safe Hair Dye!

#1 Naturtint Permanent Hair Color

Naturtint’s hair colouring products are free from harmful ingredients and made from safe natural plant ingredients.

Naturtint contains 1% or less of p-phenylenediamine or PPD, which is an amazingly small amount for a permanent hair dye that provides good coverage.

However, do note that although this amount is extremely little, do avoid using this product if you are allergic to PPD!

What we like:

Free from ammonia, parabens, artificial fragrances, resorcinol, heavy metals, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.

Enriched plant ingredients such as Oleic Acid (from Olives) and Meadowfoam Seed Oil to nourish and moisturize hair to add softness and shine.

Coverage up to 100% for long-term results.

32 different colours that can be mixed.

Vegan and free from animal cruelty.

 Naturtint Permanent Hair Color
Buy From Shopee

#2 Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel

Providing you with a natural and even hair colour, this permanent ammonia-free dye is made with organic herbal extracts, and can provide 100% coverage for natural tones, with bright colours.

What we like:

Clinically and dermatologically tested on sensitive skin.

Made with gluten-free ingredients.

Eco-friendly, gentle formula made without ammonia, resorcinol, parabens and alcohol.

Fights animal testing.

Consistent and odourless formula.

 Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel
Buy From Shopee

#3 Indus Valley Bio Organic Henna Hair Color

For those who love using henna, the Indus Valley Henna hair dye is a good option for you! It is a 100% organic henna that gives a natural-looking colour and is absolutely safe and halal.

What we like:

100% organic henna.

Pesticide-free, no fertilizers or chemicals.

High-quality fine microfine powder.

Suitable for hypoallergenic people.

A natural substitute for chemical dyes.

Halal-certified by KKM.

 Indus Valley Bio Organic Henna Hair Color
Buy From Shopee

#4 Organic Henna Paste Original by Hennaline

This product from Hennaline beautifies the hair and treats the scalp and promotes hair growth.
A non-preservative mixture, this product can maintain hair colour for up to 6 months.

What we like:

100% natural ingredients

Contains amla oil, coconut oil, afghan morocco oil and tropical essential oils.

Premium henna powder

Halal

 Hennaline Organic Henna Paste
Buy From Shopee

#5 Wella Color Touch

Colour Touch is a semi-permanent hair dye for women who like changing hair colours often, due to its ammonia-free colour content.

It is suitable for use only during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

What we like:

No ammonia

Hair root regrowth

Bright semi-permanent colour

High lustre

 Wella Color Touch
Buy From Shopee

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

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Start your day with FREE breakfast this October

Fitting breakfast into hectic mornings

Whether you are trying to get that extra 15 minutes snooze time, dressing for an important meeting or helping your kids get ready for school, mornings are one of the most hectic times of the day for most people, especially parents! Not every mum or dad has the time to prepare and cook breakfast, let alone enjoy a proper meal with the family before heading out to join the morning traffic or commuter jam!

Don’t forget the most important meal of the day

Breakfast is the pick-me-up that the body needs after 8 to 12 hours fasting (and sleeping). It fuels the body and brain by providing nutrients we need for the day ahead. That is why a nutritious breakfast is important to give us a strong start to the day.

Research has proven that children and adolescents who habitually consume breakfast are more likely to have better micro and macro-nutrient intake, less likely to be overweight or obese, and more likely to have higher physical activity levels¹.

On the contrary, studies show that people who skip breakfast were 1.34 times more likely to be overweight than breakfast eaters
²
.
 Breakfast fills you up and helps you to avoid overeating or snacking later in the day.

Despite all the benefits of eating breakfast, the fact is that many just can’t find the time to whip up a meal in the morning. Worryingly, breakfast is not only sacrificed by busy adults – a Malaysian study cited that 1 in 4 Malaysian children between the ages of 6 and 17 skipped breakfast at least 3 days per week
²
 because they didn’t have time to prepare or eat their breakfast. This is a concern!

Make sure it’s nutritious

Convenience is important in this day-and-age. Picking up a ready-made meal without having to prepare it is an appealing solution for many. But for some, pre-packed food like nasi lemak, sandwiches or burgers often do not provide the sufficient nutrients which our bodies need for breakfast. They often fall short in protein, vitamin D, calcium or energy.

This is why it’s important to pair a glass of milk with your breakfast. It is fast and easy and requires less preparation. On top of that, it helps to fulfill the nutrients our bodies need for a strong start to the day.

Calcium in milk helps children develop strong bones and teeth
³
, and it helps maintain healthy bone mass
³
 for adults to lead an active lifestyle. Besides calcium, milk also provides other essential nutrients, like protein.

Protein in milk serves as the building blocks of our muscles, bones, hair, fand nails
4
, and it also plays a major role in various biological processes, including the formation, regulation, repair, and protection of our body.

Besides that, each glass of 250ml of Dutch Lady PureFarm or +Protein milk also contains other essential nutrients such as vitamin D, A and B2. So, drinking a glass of milk at breakfast is the easiest way to boost your nutritional intake in the morning.

Grab your FREE breakfast

Dutch Lady Malaysia is collaborating with Kellogg’s to give out 50,000 sets of FREE milk and cereal breakfasts at 10 LRT stations from 21 October to 31 October, from 6 to 11am. It is the perfect breakfast for the on-the-go traveller, especially if you use the LRT to commute! It is quick, easy and nutritious, and a great way to start the day.

For more information on dates and locations (LRT stations) to get your free breakfast, visit Dutch Lady Malaysia’s Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/spread.the.goodness.of.milk
 or their website
https://www.dutchlady.com.my/events.php
.

Reference:

Adolphus, K., Lawton, C. L., Champ, C. L., & Dye, L. (2016). The Effects of Breakfast and Breakfast Composition on Cognition in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Advances in Nutrition, 7(3). doi:10.3945/an.115.010256

MyBreakfastStudy of School Children: Findings, Implications & Solutions, Symposium Abstracts, 3 December 2015, Nutrition Society of Malaysia. (2)

MOH (2010). Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims (as at December 2010). Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya

Role of dairy protein for developing countries, 2017. Jan Steijns.

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Going On a Babymoon? Here Are a Few Things To Keep In Mind

Can hubby and I go on a babymoon anytime soon?

You’d love one last romantic break with your partner before the little one arrives. This quick get-a-way is becoming widely known as the ‘babymoon.’ Travel agencies have coined the phrase to inspire expecting mummies to live it up one last time before becoming a mother, full-time.

Made popular by celebrities proudly sporting their very preggy bellies on exotic beaches, a babymoon is so much more than a lavish marketing ploy. It will be the one final trip you take with your partner; to spend precious time reconnecting before your little one makes an appearance.

The months leading up to your pregnancy can be stressful, and many expecting mums are preoccupied with turning their home into a family sanctuary while still juggling the demands of daily life. A babymoon will afford you and your partner a welcome break from the stresses of everyday life.

Remember to plan it well. You won’t be interested in recapturing the spark in your relationship if you’re cooped up in a hotel room, too exhausted to move, and too sick to do anything about it. Timing and location is everything.

When To Go On a Babymoon

The first trimester is out, thanks to
morning sickness
 and fatigue. And you’ll hardly want to prance around in a bikini – the healthy pregnancy glow is still a few weeks off, so for now, you’ll just feel bloated.

Travelling during your third trimester can also be tricky, as no mum wants to go into premature labour mid-holiday.

Experts from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology believe that the safest time to travel is from 18 to 24 weeks. So the best time to go on your babymoon will be during the second trimester. During this time, you have enough energy and the pregnancy hormones will work in your (and your partner’s) favour, leaving you looking and feeling fabulous.

Moreover, consider just taking a quick getaway, instead of a month-long trip. You wouldn’t want to be away from your trusted doctor for that long. And you don’t want the stress of connecting flights and heavy suitcases. It doesn’t matter if you are indulging in a two-week getaway or a short weekend break. It’ll be just what the doctor ordered.

Out of Babymoon Ideas? Here’s Where To Go

Many women have started to imagine how their babymoon ideas will be as soon as they found out they are pregnant.

The location is up to you but there are a few things to keep in mind. Stick to a couple of hours of travelling time to reach your destination. You’ll feel much more comfortable with a short trip. Far away or remote areas may be too unsafe or unsanitary for you and your precious bump.

Your babymoon destination should also feature temperate weather conditions and decent facilities, should any complications arise.

Check Restrictions

You may have a few days of vacation, but remember that you will still be travelling in the midst of a pandemic. So be on the lookout for travel advisories. Choose a location where the rates of local transmission (not just of COVID-19, but any disease) are low.

Moreover, if you’re travelling by plane or by sea, check their travel restrictions. Most airlines allow pregnant women to fly as long as they’re not past their 36th week. Cruise lines have restrictions as well.

Take the stress out of travel arrangements

Credit: Freepik

The point of your trip is to relax and unwind, not to add more trouble to your already frazzled nerves. If you are flying, best book a direct flight to avoid tedious hours in the airport lounge. Book an aisle seat in advance, as it will greatly ease your frequent trips to the restroom.

Most reputable travel agents now offer a babymoon service, where all your arrangements, from accommodation to tailor-made excursions are taken care of.

Other Things to Remember When Going On a Babymoon

Consider the cuisine

Before you pack your bags to some exotic location, spend some time looking up the local restaurants in the area. You might feel fabulous in your second trimester, but there are still foods that will make you cringe and should be avoided. You’ll want a selection of tummy-friendly foods and enough options to satisfy your pregnancy cravings.

Make sure to pack your
prenatal vitamins
 and some allergy and prescription medicines, if you have them. Also, wherever you go, don’t forget to drink enough water (just make sure that their water is safe to drink).

Plan your activities ahead

It’s not a secret that there are limitations to what pregnant women are allowed to do. So when planning your babymoon, it’s best to take that into consideration. You have babymoon ideas already planned out in your head, but your body might disagree with them.

You can still head to the beach but beware of the risks of taking a bath in the sea. Extreme watersports need to be put on hold for now, but you can enjoy a quiet walk or a foot massage by the beach.

Keep your doctor in the loop

Travelling entails a new set of challenges when you’re pregnant. Before relaxation, the most important thing is your safety. Make sure you speak with your doctor before getting started on your babymoon ideas or booking your trip. Tell him about your plans and check if you are in the best condition to travel. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, don’t be too disappointed if your doctor wants to keep you close to home.

Moreover, if you’re planning to travel overseas, ask your doctor about any necessary vaccines. Don’t forget to put your
OB-GYN
‘s number on speed dial, and make sure your partner or companion has it on his phone too.

While researching about your destination, do take note if they have access to quality medical facilities near the area (just in case), and jot down the contact info for nearby hospitals to keep on hand as you travel.

If you’re dreaming about going on a cruise, make sure there will be a health care provider on board, as some smaller ships (fewer than 100 passengers) don’t have medical personnel on staff.

Most importantly, don’t let your babymoon ideas put pressure on you and your partner. Remember your honeymoon? It’s all about taking time out and relaxing together rather than cramming as much adventure in as possible.

Spending some quality time with your loved one before you are both shocked into parenthood by sleepless nights and dirty nappies! Your most memorable moments will come in the quiet times you spend with your partner, be it cuddled up on the sofa watching a movie, or strolling the beaches of some tropical paradise.
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This article was republished with permission from theAsianparent
Singapore
.

Here at theAsianparent Malaysia, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Malaysia is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

Is Your Due Date Nearing? Here is How to Prepare for Your Baby & Labour

Read more:

Is Home Birth For You?

Read more:

Want to Give Birth in Malaysia? This is The True Cost of Delivery According to Malaysian Mums

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6 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight

You might be putting in all the effort – working out and eating right – and yet somehow your weight stays the same, or worse it looks like you’ve actually put on some weight! What could be happening? Why isn’t all that hard work paying off? Well don’t worry. We’ve got you! There can be quite a few reasons people don’t lose weight even if they’re working out and eating right. Check out the list below, does any of it resonate with you?

Stress

Our body’s relationship to stress is an interesting one. On its own, stress does not actually make you gain weight. However low-grade, everyday stress will cause the body to store fat. Let us explain; stress produces
cortisol
 – the fight or flight hormone that catabolises muscles, worsens insulin resistance, and promotes the storage of fat. In the past, this was necessary in life or death situations – for instance if we had to get away from dangerous animals. However, these incidences while intense, were also infrequent. But fast forward to our world today, where we suffer from daily low-grade stress like going through traffic jams, over exercising, worrying about work, kids, nagging bosses, etc. This means your body is constantly in a fight or flight state. And what does that mean? Your body is constantly producing cortisol which means your body starts storing fat because it thinks it needs it in the future. So if you’re working out too much, perhaps it’s time to swap some of your workouts with a relaxing yoga class (and by that we don’t mean a hard rocking ashtanga class, but more a calmer yin yoga class, coupled with meditation), take some nature walks and figure out ways to cut out the stress from your life. Not just for weight loss, but also for all the other benefits a stress-free life brings.

You’re adding muscle weight

People sometimes forget that hitting the gym has a tendency of making people gain muscles – unless of course all you’re doing is vigorous cardio. But if you’re mixing it up and balancing weight/resistance training, cardio, and good clean eating, chances are you are also gaining extra muscles and better bone density. The scale might say one thing, but it’s not telling you the whole story. It’s not taking into account that you’re putting on good muscle and stronger bone weight while losing fat, making your body look and feel more trim and lean. It’s best to focus on how you’re feeling on the whole and how you fit in clothes, than just what it says on the scales. For a better record of your progress, it’s probably better to get a body fat percentage test.

You’re not eating as healthy as you think

Maybe you buy all your food from health food stores, or from the organic aisle of the supermarket, but if it still consists of mostly diet sodas, low-fat anything, and a whole bunch of ‘organic’ chips, sweets and / or chocolates and gluten free bread, pasta etc, then you’re still just feeding an addiction and consuming empty calories. It might ease your guilt a little because you’re buying it from a ‘healthy store’ but let’s get real, these things aren’t real food. Our advice is to stick to real food. Vegetables, fruits, poultry, fish, meats – real, tangible foods.

You’re eating too little

The simple rule to weight loss is: Eat less calories + Move more = Weight loss. However it isn’t always that simple – our bodies are complicated. It is an intelligent, living, breathing, adapting entity that will shift and change to what it perceives as ‘being starved’ when you lower your caloric intake too much. So while you might think that eating less will mean you lose weight quicker, it can and will work against you. Your body will respond to your eating less food as you being starved and accommodate that by lowering its energy expenditure, so that you don’t starve as quickly. In order to combat this, try cycling your caloric intake by eating less one day and more another. Or if you feel your weight loss is already stalled, try
refeeding
 to kickstart it.

You’re not getting enough sleep

Remember cortisol from the entry above on stress? Our good ol’ fat storing friend? Well guess what, chronic sleep deprivation can also cause the release of cortisol which as we know will them prompt your body to store fat instead of burning it! Another reason you want to get your seven to eight hours of shut eye is because the biggest spike in
fat burning actually occurs in deep sleep
! So if you’re not getting
good sleep
, you’re missing out on the prime fat burning opportunity here.

You still fear fat

We’ve been told for so long now that fat is the enemy and it’s hard go against the grain and start eating fat, especially since the mass media, doctors, ‘experts’, friends, and family all seem convinced that fat will kill you. But there’s enough research out now exonerating dietary fat as the cause of heart disease, and all the other diseases fat is supposedly responsible for and yet, there’s still a voice deep down that thinks, “That stuff will kill you”.

But here’s the thing, if you don’t get over that fear and continue to eat a low-carb, low-fat and overall low-energy diet, all you’ll get for your efforts is being stuck and stalled. Good fats, like avocado, coconut oil, nuts, full fat yoghurt, butter, etc will not only supply you with much needed energy on your low-carb diet, but also helps you lose weight! Don’t take our word for it, read
Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes
 who will set you straight on the truth about fat.

Looking to lose weight the healthy way?

Weight loss can be an uphill battle. Fret not, we are here to support you in your journey. Say goodbye to crash diets and yo-yo weight gain. We provide you with helpful tips and recommended foods and beverages to help you lose weight the healthy and sustainable way. Find out
6 other possible reasons hindering your weight loss
,
top 10 habits to help you lose weight
 and
how to get yourself out of the weight loss plateau
.

References:
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Neuropeptide Y acts directly in the periphery on fat tissue and mediates stress-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome

Changes in the basal metabolic rate of a normal woman induced by short-term and long-term alterations of energy intake

Extended Or shortened sleep duration linked to weight gain

Growth hormone secretion during sleep

This article has been republished with permission from
 PurelyB.

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Are you ready to try the 10-hour diaper challenge?

“There aren’t enough hours in a day.” That’s a phrase almost all new mums tend to say. Not only do we have a million things to do – breastfeeding, burping your baby, changing diapers – we also lack sleep! This is a pretty stressful scenario, but one that is faced by every mum out there.

But what if you were given an extra 10 hours every day? Wouldn’t that be blissful? What would you do with those 10 extra hours? You could exercise, read a book, pamper yourself with some me-time and a whole lot more.

Better yet… What if those extra 10 hours were given to you at night? Imagine how much more rest you could be getting!

What Mums Want

Getting those 10 hours of joy is not a fantasy
. The answer is simple, actually. The secret is in keeping your baby dry. Now, with PetPet’s new range of diapers, your fantasy can become a reality.

PetPet spoke to real parents and asked them what they were looking for when purchasing diapers for their little ones. Here’s what they said: They wanted diapers with no leakage, that were long-lasting and kept their baby dry for longer periods of time.

Another of the major pain points of parents was that they spent too much time changing their baby’s diapers because of all the issues mentioned!

After thorough research and development, PetPet created diapers that address all of these issues.

The Secret Behind 10 Hours of Joy

The new range of
PetPet
 diapers utilises non-woven fabric and absorbent material processing and moulding techniques that ahead of everything else in the industry. It contains a superior “Fast Dry” technology together with the 360° AirThru system that provides  a quick drying mechanism that keeps babies comfortable and happy for up to 10 hours a day.

What does this all mean? Parents can now say goodbye to frequent changing. They can rest easy knowing that their little ones will be happy and smiling not only throughout the daytime, but as they sleep blissfully in their cribs at night. Best of all, no more leaks!

This means you can add valuable time to live your life!

Adding 10 Hours of Joy to Your Life

Now, with 10 hours of uninterrupted diaper comfort, mummies will find more time on their hands to enjoy life a little more. Here’s what you can look forward to:

1. Extended Play Time with Baby

Babies like to be comfortable, especially during playtime. The last thing you want is a grumpy baby when you’re enjoying playtime with them. With 10 hours of joy, mums can now have extended play time with their little ones and cherish every moment of it.

2. More Restful Nights

When your little one doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night for a diaper change, that means a chance to grab some extra Z’s. And for new mums, there’s no gift better than rest. Your little bub will also be getting better rest, resulting in a happier baby throughout the day!

3. A Happy, Smiling Baby All Day Long!

We’ve all heard those cranky cries of babies when it’s time for a diaper change. The sticky, wet feeling sure upsets those little ones. Now with PetPet’s Fast Dry technology, your baby will never be cranky from a wet diaper. Instead, he will be happy and smiling all day long.

4. More Savings

While regular diapers usually require a change every four to six hours, PetPet’s new and improved diapers can last you up to 10 hours! When you’re changing diapers less often and using fewer diapers in a day, you are definitely saving some money too. Mums know that one of the things we spend on the most is diapers, so it’s great that we can save on this now!

5. Less Stress for Mum

We’ve all heard of “happy wife, happy life” but there’s also “happy baby, happy mummy”. When baby is happy and mummy is well-rested, mum is definitely less stressed and more calm. When you are calmer, you are able to cherish each and every one of those moments you have with your little one!

Mums, are you ready to take the 10 hours of joy challenge? Try the new, revolutionary
PetPet
 diapers and share your experience with us.

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6-Month-Old baby dies after family feeds him honey: Botulism in babies

We have heard of it for a long time now, “Do not give honey to babies younger than one.” Doing so poses the grave risk of botulism in babies.

But how much do we really know about this rare but potentially fatal illness?

A little baby, just six months old, died after his family fed him honey. They were unaware that babies should not be fed honey.

Botulism in Babies: Baby’s Death Highlights Grave Dangers

According to
The Japan Times
, a six-month-old boy in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, died of infant botulism after his family fed him honey.

They had been giving him honey mixed in juice twice a day for about a month.

A member of the family was quoted as saying, “We were mixing the honey into store-bought juice and feeding it to our baby because we thought it was good for his body.”

Sadly, the baby had to be rushed to hospital after going into convulsions and suffering respiratory failure. Tests found out that he had ingested honey contaminated with toxin-producing bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum
,
a clear case of botulism poisoning.

The child died a month later. It was the first death caused by infant botulism in Japan since 1986.

What Is Botulism in Babies?

Infant botulism is an illness that can happen when a baby ingests bacteria that produce a toxin inside the body.

It is caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby’s intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.

The condition can occur in infants up to 12 months of age, because young babies have immature digestive systems.

Signs and Symptoms of Botulism in Babies

Symptoms of botulism begin between three to 30 days after an infant ingests the spores.

Though infant botulism can be treated, it is important to get medical care as soon as possible. Take your baby to the doctor right away if you spot any of these warning signs.

Constipation is often the first sign of botulism that parents notice. It is typically accompanied by floppy movements, weakness, and difficulty in sucking or feeding.

Other symptoms of botulism in babies can include:

Flat facial expression

Poor feeding (weak sucking)

Weak cry

Decreased movement

Trouble swallowing with excessive drooling

Muscle weakness

Breathing problems

Preventing Botulism in Babies

One important way to reduce the risk of botulism in babies is to not give infants honey or any processed food containing honey before their first birthday.

Honey is a proven source of the bacteria
Clostridium botulinum.
These bacteria are harmless to older kids and adults because their digestive systems are more mature.

It is best to pressure-cook home-canned foods to reduce the risk of contamination with C. botulinum spores. Boil home-canned foods for 10 minutes before serving them.

Also, Clostridium botulinum spores are everywhere in the environment. They’re in dust and dirt, and even in the air. Avoid infant exposure to potentially contaminated soil or dust. Exposure to contaminated soil occurs most often near construction and agricultural sites or other areas where soil is disturbed.

Source:
The Japan Times,
Mayo Clinic
,
KidsHealth

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Binge Eating: Possible Causes, How You Can Avoid It & What To Do If You Cave In

Binge eating is a term describing eating more than we need and feeling very full after. The reasons we overeat include stress, distraction or just because the food was just too good… which could be the case this upcoming festive season!

But, it can also be a symptom of an eating disorder where binging and purging becomes part of daily life. This is a clinically diagnosed eating disorder, which will not be the focus of this article as it’s within the realm of professional medical care. So back to the to the occasional binge. What are possible causes, how can you avoid it and what can you do if you couldn’t prevent it?

Possible causes of binge eating

From my personal experience, I can tell you that I binged when I felt stressed or was distracted—or both. I remember downing a 300g chocolate bar as a teenager after school when I felt down, and feeling exhausted while I was interning and eating till my stomach hurt while watching TV. In both cases I couldn’t believe how uncomfortable and guilty I felt after.

Other causes of binge eating include extreme restrictions, e.g. when on a strict diet and craving certain, which you then can’t stop eating when you finally get it. Low self esteem, loneliness and not feeling good about yourself can make you turn to food for comfort.

What can you do avoid binge eating?

Reflect:

There’s always a trigger or an initial feeling before you begin to binge eat. Stop and try and figure out what the trigger is and reflect on what makes you want to binge. Try writing a diary and record the situations that instigated the bingeing, and note down how you feel before you start eating to narrow down the trigger.

Brainstorming:

Once you know which situations instigate bingeing, brainstorm about ways to avoid and prevent this. For example if you’re a social binger who tends to overeat when out with friends, make a rule for yourself that you will only eat when not speaking. Whenever you speak, put your cutlery aside. If work stress is the culprit, think of something constructive to do before going home like going to the gym, meeting a friend or even getting a foot massage.

Get rid of your favourite binge foods:

There will be specific types of food (usually junk food high in sugar and fat) you binge on like chips, nuts, cookies, cake, popcorn, chocolate, ice cream or French fries. Don’t buy them and don’t keep them in your house. This is a very important step to follow – out of reach, out of mind.

Deprivation can lead to bingeing:

Binge eating is often a reaction to deprivation. We believe we must be thin to be attractive resulting in constant dieting for many of us. We then become defined by whether we are on a diet or not. Then if you eat a cookie, the diet cycle is broken and you end up eating the entire packet. The truth is it’s perfectly fine to have one cookie! Instead of dieting or not dieting, find long term solutions to eat healthily, stay fit and gives you the freedom to eat your favourite (even junk) food occasionally.

Change your relationship with food:

There’s immense stress associated with food for many people. Focus on being more connected to your body, understand what it need and when you actually feel hungry. Only eat when you are really hungry, and stop when the hunger subsides. Learn to distinguish between ‘stomach hungry’ (growling tummy) and ‘mouth hungry’ (when you just want to eat something without having physical signs of hunger). Look at food as nourishment and trust that your body will tell you what it needs and when. This process can take a while, so you need to ask yourself if you’re really hungry, concentrate on the food you eat and be mindful of how full you are.

Eat regularly:

Many of us binge when we don’t eat during the day and end up being overly hungry by the end of the day. Have a regular eating schedule and don’t wait too long to eat.
Have a healthy smoothie, nuts or dried fruit if it’s too long between meals
.

Long Term Solutions To Prevent Binge Eating

Long term solutions take time to implement. These simple tips will ease you along and make the process easier.

If you have the urge to binge, distract and delay yourself for as long as you can. A change of scene helps, e.g. leave the house and go for a quick walk

When you’re bingeing, know that you can stop anytime. It’s not a black or white situation – the earlier you stop, the better it is for your health.

Forgive yourself and accept that you’re on a journey and yes, you binge and know how bad it it. But, you are learning from the experience and remember how you uncomfortable you felt after bingeing when you feel the urge.

For myself it was a combination of many of the above. During my bingeing period, I reflected on the causes and began to satisfy this need with something else besides food. What really helped me the most was to move away from the notion of restricting myself, having chocolate if I wanted and not to eat everything at once. Practising mindful eating and feeling how my body responded really helped. Learning to love my body and flaws, accepting who I am, focusing on nourishing this amazing ‘machine’ and understanding what it needs was my key to success.

It doesn’t happen overnight—take one step at the time. Transformation happens in stages and every important journey starts with the first step. Be patient and kind to yourself!

Resource:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder.htm

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB
.

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Is Your Due Date Nearing? Here is How to Prepare for Your Baby & Labour

It’s that time of pregnancy where you start feeling anxious about when the baby will finally be here. Everyone is asking “is the baby here yet?”, “can you feel the labour setting it?” or are re-checking with you again and again about your “EDD”.

Likewise, you start feeling so settled in the pregnancy and wish that it would last a little while longer.
After all, it’s beginning to get a little comfy (you’ve gotten used to the aches) and you can feel the reassurance of the baby moving around certain times of the day, plus daddy-to-be is showering all the love and attention on you.

There are certain tell-tale signs of labour setting in that are hard to ignore. So here is how you can prepare for the baby and notice the signs of labour from the 35th week onwards.

Quick tips on preparing for the baby

Pack your bags and the baby’s bags separately. When the baby is born, its ideal to hand over the bag to the nurse so that they can decide what the baby needs to wear. The hospital maintains a certain temperature level.  Hence, remember to pack sweaters, socks, cap and mittens.

You may need to check with your organisation on what all documents you need to submit to the hospital for medical claims.

Prepare a template for announcing if it’s a boy or a girl. All the daddy needs to do then is to put a pic and the date of birth (you can include weight and height as well, if you wish).

Organise your home in such a way that when you return from the hospital, you know exactly where your things are. Some of the things that we may forget are:

Baby mattress, cover sheets and blanket. If you intend for the baby to co-sleep with you, getting a net bedding is also a good idea as using mosquito repellants around the baby is not good for the baby and sometimes leads to congestion.

Always have spare diapers ready. You may be surprised with the number of diapers that you will be pulling out in the first two to three weeks. Hence always keep a pack of 48 extra diapers in newborn size handy. If you are planning to keep the baby on cloth nappies through the day, the first month may see you may use around 20 to30 cloth nappies a day.

Don’t leave items like towels, toiletries etc for the last minute. Check with your friends what products they used in the first month and get those. Of course, no need to go overboard and stock up on everything. In the first 10 days, you may need to only sponge bath the baby hence keep soft muslin cloths handy.

It’s best to avoid using wet-wipes on your newborn baby. The extensive use of diapers and wet wipes are too harsh for the baby’s soft skin. Hence keep a stash of cotton handy, so that every time you need to clean the private area, you dip the cotton in lukewarm water and squeeze the excess water from it before applying it on the baby.

Stop listening to unwanted advice from people who are negative.  While people giving advice may mean well, what works for another may not work for you.

In case shopping for the baby is not allowed beforehand (according to some traditions), you can build an Amazon wish-list which you can order as soon as you come back from the hospital.

The first few days (or weeks) can be tough as your body will need to recover from childbirth. Arrange for the needed help beforehand if needed. For example, in Asian cultures, a ‘confinement lady’ can help to prepare meals and take care of the baby while the mother rests during the first month after delivery.

Consider preparing and freezing some meals before you’re expected to be in the hospital. They can be a lifesaver when you’re too tired to cook or just don’t have the time to do so once you’re back home.

When to start preparing for baby?

There is no right or wrong time to prepare for the arrival of your newborn. Some parents are super excited and head to the stores the minute they know they are expecting. Others wait till they are nearer to their due date.

A good time to start preparing would be in your second trimester. During this time, the morning sickness would hopefully have passed. You may also have more energy during this time, compared to the first and third trimester. Additionally, you will also be able to know your baby’s gender by the second trimester.

You may have also heard of the ‘nesting instinct’ during pregnancy. Many women get a burst of energy during the final weeks of the third trimester. Make the most of it if you’re inspired to clean and organize your house in anticipation of your baby’s arrival. However, do stay sensible and remember not to climb, lift heavy objects or overreach. Your safety is even more important than baby preparations.

Preparing for baby checklist

Here’s everything you need on hand for your newborn

Feeding

Bottle & Nipple

Nipple brush

Bibs

Burp cloths

Formula

Thermal bottle carrier

If you’re breastfeeding:

Breast pump

Milk storage containers

Nursing bras

Breast pads

Nursing pillar

Lotion for sore nipples

Diapering

Changing pad

Baby ointment or creams to prevent diaper rash

Disposable wipes

Washcloths

If you’re using cloth diapers:

4 to 5 dozen cloth diapers

Waterproof covers

Nappy liners

Safety pins, velcro or snaps to secure diaper on baby

If you’re using disposable diapers:

Newborn size diapers

Clothing

8 onesies or undershirts

8 one-piece stretchy sleepers

5 pairs pants

8 pairs socks or booties

5 pairs mittens

2 jackets or cardigans

1 or 2 outfits for dressing up (this is optional)

Laundry detergent for babies

Bathtime

1 infant tub

Washcloths (separate from those you use on baby’s bottom)

Baby soap

Soft baby towels

Sort bristled baby hair brush

Bedtime

If you are co-sleeping:

Ensure that you are using a firm mattress

Waterproof pads

Light comforter

Sleep sack

If baby is sleeping in a crib:

Safety approved crib and mattress

Waterproof mattress covers

Fitted crib sheets

Light blankets that fit the crib

Sleep sack

Other baby necessities

Infant car safety seat

Baby thermometer

Medicine spoon

Baby nail clipper/scissors

Baby monitor

Signs that your body is getting ready for labour

All that anxiety and no sign of the baby showing up? Well, there are a few signs that indicate the onset of labour:

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You may feel a cramp type of pain in the abdomen. The kinds you feel at the start of periods. This may be accompanied by back pain as well.

You may suddenly feel lighter on the tummy. It’s actually called “lightening”. The heaviness of the baby’s weight goes away and you start feeling more comfortable, or as if the baby has gone higher or dropped lower. Whichever way it is, it does make the mummy more comfortable to move around.

Of course, water-breaking is the most obvious sign.

Bloody vaginal discharge or the mucus plug breaking loose.

Few days of diarrhoea or nausea for no apparent reason.

Nestling instinct. One may feel like confining themselves indoors all of a sudden, and getting things huddled together for comfort.

Preparing your body for labour

While a woman’s body naturally prepares for labour as the delivery time approaches, following some quick tips mentioned below might equip you for an easier birth:

Rest and
relax
 as much as you can

Eat right all through your pregnancy, which will naturally aid your body to undergo the required changes.

Getting regular and light
exercises
 all through the pregnancy is recommended in most cases (unless bed rest is specifically prescribed by your doctor).Yoga is a great option.

Fill your hospital paperwork even before its time to arrive to smoothen the process.

Pack your hospital bag well in advance (details provided in section above).

Have your family and friends lined up to offer support and a helping hand when needed.

Stock up all the supplies you’ll need post birth.

Stay positive. Meditate and practice breathing
exercises
.

Ask as many questions as you want to. Your doctor will offer you thorough guidance all through.

Understand different labour positions. Take guidance from your doctor.

Accept that child birth- either through natural labour or
cesarean
 delivery are both normal and decided by the medical team considering the circumstantial requirements.

Seek emotional support if you need to.

All the best!

This article was contributed by our partner
Little Mister Trouble
 and has been published with permission.

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Get Rid of Bacteria with These 3 Natural Homemade Disinfectants and Sanitizers

Just when it seems that the threat of Covid-19 is dying down, it suddenly surges up again with more than 100 recorded cases of it in Malaysia. That’s why it’s important to take preventive measures for yourself, your loved ones, your home, and even your purchases. Even going to the shopping mall doesn’t seem as fun an activity as before due to all the precautions one needs to take and keep in mind in order to carry out the simplest of tasks such as shopping for household items. So,
prevent the spread of germs and viruses
 by taking necessary precautions such as disinfecting your purchases by using any one of the natural disinfectants listed below.

1. White Vinegar

Not just a powerful cleaner that cleans dishes and rusty tools, white vinegar is also a great disinfectant that helps to kill viruses and bacteria. However, since it isn’t a registered disinfectant like alcohol and bleach solutions, it is unable to get rid of certain germs such as staphylococcus. Yet, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an effective household disinfectant for your home. It just means that you’ll need to use other disinfectants alongside it to keep your home germ and bacteria-free.

2. Essential Oils

Unlike white vinegar which has a slightly off-putting smell to it (that goes away when dry), essential oils are anything but smelly. In addition to smelling good, they are also beneficial in many ways so it’s unsurprising that they’re great at combating bacteria too. Various types of essential oils can be used as disinfectants such as tea tree, lemongrass, thyme, and lavender. Nevertheless, similar to white vinegar, it might not be strong enough to kill all types of germs and bacteria. Therefore, don’t just rely on it alone and instead also find other ways to disinfect and sanitize your belongings.

3. Lemon

An easy to obtain and cheap to purchase natural sanitizer is the humble lemon. Its citric acid doesn’t just work well on alkaline stains but it also helps to combat bacteria. Though slightly less effective than white vinegar, it is still a viable sanitizer option for your home and belongings. Just make sure to also apply other disinfectant methods when you clean your home for a germ-free environment.

These three natural sanitizers cum disinfectants are wonderful items to keep around your home for they’ll help you to keep the germ count to a manageable level. What’s more, they’re not difficult to obtain as you can purchase them from malls, supermarkets, and online stores. So whenever you purchase from any shop, take the extra measure and sanitize as well as disinfect them with any of the natural options provided.
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Have you heard of the Durian Generation? Here’s how not to raise a brat

You’ve heard of apathetic Gen X-ers and entitled Millennials, but what exactly is the “Durian Generation” of youngsters? And what are their unpleasant traits? More importantly, how do you raise your child not to fall into that prickly category and be branded as a spoiled brat?

What Is the Durian Generation?

The name “Durian Generation” started across the straits for a new generation of youngsters in Singapore ? This (not so affectionate) label refers to kids who are
obnoxious, self-entitled
, yet soft on the inside and unable to fend for themselves. Because of these traits, they rely on their sharp and thorny exterior – their parents – to protect them.

Sound familiar? This term could very well describe many children in Malaysia. And hey, we love the durian too.

Of course, the old-fashioned name for this is simply to call the children brats who are spoiled rotten by their overprotective parents.But what makes this Durian Generation different from your garden variety brat? And how do you as a parent avoid raising your child to become one?

The Durian Generation of youngsters are obnoxious and soft on the inside with their overprotective parents serving as thorny exteriors.

Spoiled and Entitled

It is a part of a young child’s development
1
 to assert their independence by saying “no”, and it is also normal for them to whine or grumble sometimes – because adults do it too!

Toddlers (between the age of one and three years old) are also prone to temper tantrums, which is all part of normal development.
2

But if your child is constantly whining to get what he wants, is rude to you and other adults, acts bossy, has a horrible outburst when you won’t give him that new toy he’s been eyeing, then you may have a spoiled child on your hands.

Another warning sign that your child might be a brat is if he is way past the toddler years yet continues to act like one by kicking, screaming, biting other children and not using age-appropriate ways of communicating his thoughts or feelings.

Parents of the Durian Generation will often treat their children as if they are much younger than they actually are. They will be quick to come to their rescue instead of allowing them to resolve problems on their own, similar to the way helicopter parents do everything for their little ones.

They might even think that their child’s negative behaviour – such as being rude to adults, being aggressive towards other children, acting bossy and demanding – is actually “cute”. And they will just sit back and smile as their little one continues with his unpleasant display – a classic display of
permissive parenting
.

Parents have to learn to say “no” to their child and not give in to their every demand.

How Parents Spoil Their Kids

There is a difference between showing your affection to your child and being a permissive parent, overindulging them by giving in to their every whim.

You might be spoiling your child if you:

Don’t set age-appropriate boundaries

Easily give in and let him have his way instead of enforcing limits

Let him regularly interrupt and take over adult conversations

Constantly buy toys and other treats just to pacify him and avoid tantrums

Allow him to set the rules

Do not correct him when he is rude or aggressive towards others

Make excuses for his misbehaviour and blame others instead

Of course some parents think that their child can do no wrong and feel defensive if someone points out their flaws. But it is not healthy nor is it helpful if a child’s parents constantly shield him from the real world and allow him to get his way all the time.

A spoiled child has never had the chance to handle disappointment at an early age. Lessons that they should learn as toddlers, such as delaying gratification and acting within limits, are behaviours they will carry into adulthood.

Are You a Durian Generation Parent?

So what exactly is the difference between raising a spoiled child and raising a brat from the Durian Generation?

Parents who act as their children’s “thorny husks” are so protective of their children to the point of molly-coddling them, allowing them to get away with atrocious behaviour towards others, or deflecting responsibility for their poor choices.

Your child needs to learn to admit his mistakes and face the consequences of his actions.

One example is the
case
 of a 10-year-old boy who was admitted into the hospital when some dry ice he had purchased from a local ice-cream seller exploded in his hands after an experiment gone wrong.

Although it was an unfortunate incident, some netizens disagreed with the statement of the boy’s father when he said he was not angry with his son and his friends for their mischievous behaviour. Instead, he blamed the ice cream vendor for selling the dry ice to a child in the first place.

Some may feel that the ice cream vendor was partly to blame. But is it right for the father of the boy not to see that his son also played a part in this accident? What will the child learn from this incident? That the reason he was injured was due to the fault of someone else and not his own poor judgement?

Parents of the Durian Generation are quick to defend their child and blame others for everything. Instead of allowing the child to accept responsibility for his own actions, they face the consequences themselves.

Parents might overcompensate for their absence so allow their kids to get away with bad behaviour.

Why Do Parents Spoil Their Kids?

In a recent poll
3
 conducted among 250 parents, 95% of them regret spending too much time working during their children’s early years.

So it is possible that some parents may feel the need to compensate for their absence by overindulging their child. When they do get to spend some time together, they allow him to get away with anything, so as to avoid “ruining” what little time they have together.

Some parents also might make the mistake of offering their child too much help.
4
 They are quick to jump in to fix his problems instead of encouraging him to do things for himself as an authoritative parent might do. This spoils the child because he will rely on his parents for everything and be unable to do things on his own.

There are also parents who want to give their child everything they never had growing up. So they somehow end up replacing quality time, physical contact, and bonding activities with materialist things instead. Or they don’t want their child to feel “left out”
5
  if they don’t have the latest toy or gadget that everyone else does.

Then there are those who always brush off their child’s misbehaviour with the excuse that, “He is just a child.” That is fine for a two-year-old who is asserting his own independence, but not for a 10-year-old who should know better.

Parents need to set age-appropriate boundaries for their children.

How to Stop Spoiling Your Child

If parents don’t set age-appropriate boundaries for their children – even as toddlers – they will never learn what their limits are.

Here’s what you can do as a parent to nip the problem in the bud:

1. Set age-appropriate boundaries

Depending on your child’s age, there should be some rules established so that he will know when not to cross the line.

For toddlers, it is better to stick to three or four non-negotiable rules such as: no hitting, no biting other people, clean up your toys after you play, etc. It might be overwhelming if there are too many rules.

2. Be consistent

There’s no point setting rules if you are not consistently applying them. So if you’ve told your child that there will be consequences to their behaviour, but you allow them to continue with what they are doing, they will never learn to take you seriously nor respect the boundaries. This is an important part of being an authoritative parent.

3. Talk openly

If your child is old enough to understand, it’s a good idea to sit them down and talk openly about their behaviour. If they did something you did not approve of, you should pull them aside and tell them immediately.

It also helps to let them know beforehand what is expected of them, for example if you are bringing them to the library, you should gently remind them to be quiet, not to run around or play catch, and not to tear out pages of the books there.

4. Let them make mistakes and face disappointment

If parents are quick to swoop in and rescue their child from making any mistakes, then it may just set them up for failure
6
 later on in life.

You might think that coddling your child is helping his self-esteem. But by shielding him from disappointments in life and over-praising him for every tiny achievement, you will reduce his desire to put in any effort. It also affects his ability to self-regulate because he won’t be given the chance to challenge himself.

Raise your child to be respectful to others and responsible for her own actions.

There is nothing wrong with coming to your child’s defence or showering him with gifts. But you will actually be doing more harm than good if you hand him the world on a silver platter.

The effects of parenting styles on child development are many and far-reaching. You can make a difference in your child’s behaviour. Let’s turn the Durian Generation into sweet and respectful children on the inside, who are strong and tough enough on the outside to face challenges, and fend for themselves. They will realise that sometimes life just isn’t fair, but that’s ok.

To learn more about how to raise resilient children, visit
www.aptagro.com.my
.

What are views on this new Durian Generation of youngsters? Are parents really at fault for raising spoiled children? Leave your comments below!

Sources:

1

www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20070723/your-toddler-says-no-its-healthy

2
www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/spoiled-child

3

4

www.empoweringparents.com/are-you-doing-too-much-for-your-child.php

5

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2188742/How-modern-parents-childrens-demands-buy-latest-toys-gadgets.html

6

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-work/201203/has-coddling-entire-generation-children-set-them-fo

ALSO READ:

10 mistakes you make that will turn your kid into a monstrous brat

Parenting styles Malaysian mums and dads can learn from

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 theAsianparent Community
 on
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 or
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 now!


Manscaping tips: How should your hubby groom 'down there'?

Truth is, men are not exactly keen on the idea of shaving and waxing their pube area, or any part of their body for that matter. For most men, getting rid of hair on the back, arms, legs, and chest is unusual and “not the norm.”

The fact that Asian men are generally not too hairy all over may be the reason why it’s not a common concern for both the men and the women they are with.

Shaving and waxing that thatch of hair from
down there
 is almost always unheard of — or unwanted.
What for?
the men would ask. A
nd
why?

Well, there are many benefits to this grooming habit. The “modern men” have chosen the path to manscaping for simple, but practical and logical reasons: hygiene and sensuality, and the fact that your genitals can look more attractive and positively huge (by about half an inch, actually).

What Are the Best Manscaping Tips for My Husband?

Nornelie Paniza, registered nurse and licensed laser technician in an international dental and skin care clinic, says men from the Middle East especially, are very particular when it comes to personal hygiene.

“They grow very thick hair all over their body, and so they opt to go for laser hair removal to get rid of unwanted hair in areas of the body that gets too sweaty,” Paniza explains. Summer could be the worst time, because it is thick hair in the pubic area that causes an unpleasant smell. And this is the case for men in any part of the world.

Shaving or waxing that thick, dense forest down south has become part of good male hygiene. Those who have money go for laser hair removal.

There is nothing
emasculating
 with trimming and manscaping. Body builders and athletes have been doing this for decades now because it is a known scientific fact that hair follicles trap sweat, which contributes to foul odour, Paniza adds.

Who wouldn’t want a clean, shaven, hair-free, odour-free pubic area and a smooth scrotum?

Getting Down to Business

It may sound like a hard sell when you try to convince your husband or partner to try it, but it is going to be worth your while. Once he says yes, the next step is ushering him into the clean, shaven world of manscaping.

So you need to know how to do it — and help him do it. It is sensitive terrain you are treading, so proceed with caution.

Your Step-by-Step Guide:

Shaving

1. Select the the best sharp razor.

Some prefer an electric razor or body groomer that works best on “thick bushes.” Look for a multi-functional neck that can shave every nook and cranny, with ease.

Remember: You are working on a very sensitive area.
 It is best not to go cheap here — quality is imperative. While you’re at it, get a pair of sharp small scissors and mild shaving cream (Nivea, Colgate or Neutrogena are popular picks). The hypoallergenic kind is recommended for sensitive skin.

2. Take a warm shower and wash the pubic area with soap and water before shaving.

Warm water will help open up your pores, thus helping you shave more easily. Showering makes the hair softer and easier to trim and shave.

3. Snip and trim with the scissors if you are dealing with a first-timer, and the pubes are bushy and long.

Get rid of as much hair as possible for easier and more effective shaving.

Caution:
 First, make sure you have steady hands when snipping. You don’t want to hurt
anyone
 with those blades; and secondly, use trimming scissors for the sole purpose of trimming your pubes, and
nothing else
.

You don’t want bacteria to spread where it shouldn’t. Some use a dedicated trimmer, which is for the more “experienced” shaver. But trimmers are not used on the scrotum, as this area is extra-sensitive. Take another short shower just to wash off the extra hair from all the snipping.

4. Dry off and slather a handful of shaving cream or shaving gel all around the genitals and scrotum.

Your husband will need a hand mirror, for when he can do this by himself and without your help.

5. Start shaving, stroking downwards from the head of the penis, then around it, ever so gently
.

Get rid of the hair in the groin and the rest of the genital region. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against the grain. Look which way your hair is pointing toward and shave smooth, even strokes that same way.

6. Now, there is an important decision to be made here.

Do you shave all of it? Or just about half-an-inch? Whether you want to be totally or partially shaven, make sure it is what you truly want. This will be your guide on how “far and deep” you should go, and when to stop.

7. Now go under, stroking down into the hairline around the testicles.

Pay special attention to your testicles, carefully shaving them with a smooth upward motion. Don’t forget to rinse and shake your razor after every stroke to remove the tiny bits of hair that cling to the blades. The scrotum and shaft are significantly prone to nicka and cuts because of the folds, so be extra careful.

8. Get back in the shower and rinse and dry the area carefully.

9. Medical experts advise using an antiseptic after shaving.

Some use after-shave balms, post-shave elixir, and shave tonic (which can be used before and after shaving). Look in the market for one that suits you. Look for a disinfectant that is also soothing.

10. Don’t forget to moisturise the skin.

Some men do not mind patting the area with baby powder for a more refreshing feeling. This also prevents itching, which is normal, especially for first-timers. Some apply aloe vera for calming sensitive skin. Avoid using strong- or -over-scented lotion or powder.

Just massage the moisturiser in circular strokes around the shaved area.
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The first few shaves will be a tad uncomfortable, naturally. When hair starts growing back, it may become itchy and “ouchy” too, especially for the woman, during intercourse.

Over-the-counter Cortisone cream does the trick, says Paniza. It soothes irritation effectively.

We hope these tips have helped enlighten you and your hubby about proper grooming habits! Would you like to add more tips to help other couples? Let us know in the comments below!

Republished with permission from:
theAsianParent Philippines

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Stillbirth: Surviving the Emotional Aftermath

Shock, anger, sadness, grief and guilt are a few of the many
emotions
 that can overwhelm you when faced with the devastating loss of a baby to stillbirth. If you are going through this now, or have had a stillborn baby in the past, our hearts are with you.

While Singapore’s
stillbirth rate
 is comparatively low within worldwide trends, there is still much to learn about stillbirth, including the emotional toll it can take on a woman. The emotional aftermath of having a stillborn baby can often be misunderstood due to social factors such as cultural or religious beliefs, but in truth, it is nothing you can prepare for.

A study conducted by the
Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network
 found that women who have suffered a perinatal loss were at higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms.

However, the road to emotional recovery is not impossible and it will take time. Here are ways you can cope with this difficult loss.

Let yourself grieve

Going through a stillbirth is extremely personal. Pregnant women develop a strong emotional connection with their baby from the early stages of pregnancy, so it will undoubtedly affect you – the future you imagined has suddenly turned dark, while everything you had prepared in anticipation of his/her arrival is now the centre of these intense emotions.

You might find yourself frightened with the power of these feelings and it can be difficult for others to understand. Many will have their opinions on what you should be doing, but everyone deals with grief differently and you have every right to grieve your own way.

Dealing with guilt

Was there anything you could have done? What went wrong? Questions will plague you and guilt will follow. It is natural to want to blame someone, or yourself. But, your stillborn baby is not anyone’s fault – pregnancy complications, placental problems and many other factors beyond your control could have led to this.

Although the feeling of guilt can linger, one way to cope with this is talking to your doctor to help you make sense of what happened. While there may not be definite answers, at least you have some closure that can help put certain thoughts to rest. In some cases, your doctor may perform several tests to evaluate your health and you can also decide if you want an autopsy done.

Express your feelings

The thought of going home to a nursery you had carefully built and planned is difficult. You may feel as though you lost your entire world and it is understandable if you do not want to see the crib, clothes or diapers you had prepared. So, do not be afraid of telling family members to take it away before you arrive home.

You do not have to go through this alone and at times, expressing your feelings, especially to your spouse may help. Emotions can overtake you but remember, your spouse is coping with the loss too. He may not grieve the same as you but he deserves the same patience you need.

Lend support to one another, listen and most importantly, respect each other’s feelings. Nonetheless, expressing your feelings does not necessarily mean talking it out loud. You can express yourself through time alone and with activities such as daily journaling to let out your emotions or by reading a book.

Honour your stillborn baby

Give yourself time. The emotional trauma can be unbearable and at times, you just want to forget it ever happened. However, the gravity of the experience is not one that can be easily forgotten nor will it make the pain disappear. Instead, focus on gaining closure and honouring your stillborn baby, not only as a loss, but as a person.

Plan a funeral, lay your baby to rest and say your goodbyes but never forget. Naming your baby is a good way to cope and can be the outlet you need to be able to speak about your loss when you are ready.

Get a support system

It’s easy to push people away and choose to be alone. There are moments where you do not want to speak about it, be reminded or hear the slightest of words from anyone. But, keep in mind that your family also lost a chance to show your baby their love and they may be grieving as well.

The support of your loved ones is priceless and the love of a family can bring you up in ways you cannot comprehend in the moment. It does not mean you have to sit and talk about it out loud, but accept their helping hand. Let them help you with your household chores, cook your meals or show their love in the way they know how. It is okay to have help.

Nevertheless, seeking help in other ways is not something to be ashamed of. Joining a support group, online or offline, with women who have gone through the same experience of stillbirth can be helpful in expressing yourself to those who truly understand the pain.

Researching or reading stories from other women who have coped with this immense loss can help guide you and make this journey less lonelier. You are never alone. They have felt what you feel and it may just be what you need. If your sadness is overwhelming than usual and your emotional state has led you to feel unsafe with your thoughts, you may want to consider seeking professional help.

Take care of yourself

Don’t forget that the physical aspects of suffering a stillbirth can take a toll on your body – breastmilk may still be produced and your breasts may feel tender. While it can be mentally distressing, you will need to take care of yourself. It is also common to experience stomach cramps as your womb contracts to its normal size.

We know physical pain is incomparable to the negative swirl of emotions but keep in mind that your body also needs to recover. Taking care of your physical health can also help you cope better with your current mental state. Keep a close eye on your health, eat nutrition-rich foods, drink plenty of water and rest.

The future

The future might be a blurry state of mind now, but eventually you may want to try again. Do not let anyone pressure you into this situation, it is your body and the choice is yours. Grief may sneak up on you now and then but this is normal – you are only human. Only you will know when your physical and emotional state is ready for another journey.
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However, when you feel the time is right, speak to your doctor and have a discussion on how to go about another pregnancy. Just communicate your fears and be open-minded to advice – there is always hope.

This article has been republished with permission from
theAsianparent Singapore
.

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