Healthy Kids Learn Better and Faster. Follow These Tips To Keep Your Child Healthy

How often do you hear parents sighing about how fast their
children are growing
? Yup, SO OFTEN. Children seem to grow by the minute, don’t they? They pick up new words, phrases and skills really quickly during toddlerhood because this is when they develop and learn the most.
This is precisely why your growing child’s health should be your top priority. Studies have shown that healthy children are better learners.

 If your
child often falls sick and has to miss many important school days
, she will eventually fall behind her peers. Children learn through play and have so much to explore in their formative years, so if you want your child to continue developing and learning well, start instilling healthy habits in your child from now.

5 Tips To Keep Your Child Healthy

Children are the happiest when they are strong and healthy because they get to
 play and learn
 whenever, wherever! So let’s try to minimize their sick days, shall we? Follow these simple tips to keep your child healthy:

1# Practise good sleep habits

Credit: iStock

According to
experts,
 sleep-deprived children are not only more susceptible to germs and viruses, but also experience more behavioural and academic problems. Explain to your child about the importance of sleep – it is when our body restores and repairs itself in order to continue functioning well the next day.

Try setting a
regular bedtime routine
, for example, bath-bedtime story-bed – this helps your child to feel ready for sleep. Other than that, you can also help your child to sleep better by having a “wind down time” together before bedtime by reading books or listening to soothing music, and for older children, keep daytime naps short.

Oh, and
stay away from chocolates and candies
 at night, too!

2# Practise good hygiene

Credit: iStock

No matter how many times you have said it to your child, keep reminding them over and over again because practising good hygiene is THE best protection against
 viruses, germs and all sorts of infections
.

Hand washing is proven to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs, so mummy, keep a bar of gentle hand soap and sanitiser in your child’s school backpack and again, don’t stop nagging them about handwashing.

3# Balance indoor and outdoor playtime

Credit: iStock

While it is safer to stay indoors as much as possible due to the current pandemic, you should still try to let your kids enjoy the outdoors for a couple of hours daily, with strict supervision, of course.

Staying in doesn’t mean you have to make your
 child read all day
, in fact, there are many fun things that they can learn from spending time with you, for example, helping you cook in the kitchen, assisting you with various chores (but make it fun, turn chores into fun games and challenges!) and so on.

This keeps them moving and teaches them a thing or two about responsibility. When it’s time to play outside, let them release their energy – run, jump, climb and ride – it’s an effortless way to make them work their muscles so they can be strong and healthy!

4# Drink enough water

Credit: iStock

Another reminder that never gets old! Water keeps us hydrated, flushes out toxins in our body, maintains our body temperature, gives us energy, boosts brain function and the list goes on! Get a cool water bottle for your child to encourage her to drink enough water every day. Keep cool and stay hydrated!

5# Provide a balanced and nutritious diet

Credit: iStock

Growing children need adequate nutrients daily to achieve healthy growth.
Introduce a variety of foods
 to your child to expose her to different tastes and textures.

Providing a balanced diet to your child from an early age is important to ensure she gets adequate vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are essential for growth and brain development. A good diet also supports a child’s ability to learn.

Nutrients That Support Your Child To Learn Better

Watching your little one’s progress day by day makes you want to do more for your child, doesn’t it? So why not further support your child’s learning abilities by providing her with the proper nutrients that have been proven to strengthen the body’s defence system and support overall brain development?

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a scientifically-developed formulation that supports your child’s body defense and fast learning.

a prebiotic that is able to “trick” bacteria, reducing chances of them binding to the body.¹

2’-FL & NUCLEOTIDES FOR A STRONGER BODY

Now that you’ve strengthened your child’s body defense, complement it with the
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Many mums have tried and believe that
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 Gold
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:

Credit: iStock

Want to see your child continue thriving and making the most of her childhood? Keep her well and healthy with all the tips we shared above and
help strengthen her body defense and brain development
 with
2’-FL, Nucleotides & Eye-Q
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 Nutrition System
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References:

Bode L et.al. Glycobiology 2012;22(9):1147-62.

Goehring KC, et al. J Nutr. 2016 Dec; 146(12):2559-2566. Epub 2016.

Pickering LK, et al. Pediatrics. 1998; 101(2):242-249

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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Weekend Movie Night? Here are 9 Kid-friendly Movies to Watch on Netflix

As we are cooped up in our homes for the weekends because of the Movement Control Order (MCO), you may find an increase in TV time with your kids – movie nights are the norm for most families during this time, especially on weekends.

However, while Netflix’s extensive library of movies and series is a godsend, picking a kid-friendly movie is probably a struggle we have all faced. So, here are our top seven picks for kid-friendly movies, that you may have not watched yet and is enjoyable for the entire family.

1. Hugo

Based on the book titled “The Invention of Hugo Cabret”, the story follows a young orphaned boy who lives on a railway. He befriends a young girl and reveals his secret plan of finishing an automaton his late father had dreamt of. They embark on a journey to find a key that could unlock his plan.

2. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

With various Spiderman movies popping out almost yearly, it can be hard to keep up. This animated version follows spider-teen Mile Morales who is visited by his alternate-world counterparts with a mission to prevent the collapse of the universe after the portal opened. With a heart-warming message that anyone can be a hero, this might just be the movie your kids need right now.

3. Richie Rich

A classic movie from the 90s, this one is definitely for the parents too! The story follows the world’s richest kid, who has been aptly named “Richie Rich”, and his plan to take down a top executive looking to ruin his father’s company. Expect scenes featuring rollercoasters in home, cunning, yet adorable tactics from this nostalgic movie!

4. Bolt

The story follows Bolt, a celebrity canine who stars in a show as a super-dog. He believes his powers are real and embarks on an adventure to find his owner, only to find himself lost in the streets of the Big Apple. Full of laughable and comedic moments. the movie also feature light-hearted scenes which tug at your heartstrings.

5. Free Willy

Another classic to revisit, Free Willy tells the story of a street kid named Jesse who befriends a killer whale. Jesse then takes the tasks of protecting his whale friend  to free it from its exploitative owners who want to kill the animal.

6. Pachamama

Pachamama is a goddess worshipped by the indigenous people of the Andes. This movie tells the tale of a 10-year-old boy who dreams of becoming his village’s shaman. However, the boy finds himself with his bestfriend and a talking llama to find a ceremonial golden statue after a villainous Incan overload steals it.

7. The Rugrats Movie

Rugrats will always remain a Nickelodeon kid-tv show legend, with the smart and practical Tommy and his friends falling into the cutest adventures. In the movie, a disgruntled Tommy wants to return his baby brother Dil to the hospital only to find himself lost in the woods with his baby friends. This heart-warming tale showcases the importance of sibling-hood and the bond of friendship.

8. Where the Wild Things Are

This follows a young boy named Max, who feels misunderstood and runs away from home in a wolf costume. He finds himself in an imaginary forest where mysterious wild creatures crown him as their ruler. Max promises to do good in his new kingdom, but quickly finds that ruling is not as easy as it may seem.

10. Ramona and Beezus

A tale between two sisters, the story follows Ramona and her sister Beezus, who now have to cope with changes after their dad loses his job. Ramona is a grade-school student with a big imagination and begins to dream up plans to save up money to keep their home.

Set Netflix parental controls for your kids

Let’s admit that the TV can be considered as co-parent during this crucial stay-at-home time – it keeps your kids occupied and you in peace (even just for a while). However, to ensure that they are using the platform safely, Netflix has updated its parental control based on user feedback and this is what you can do:

Parents can now:

PIN protect individual profiles
 to prevent kids using them

Tailor their kids Netflix experience by
filtering out titles that are not appropriate for their age.
 We’ve built these filters using country ratings so they are more intuitive

Remove individual series or films by title.
 When this filter is used, the blocked title(s) won’t show up anywhere in that profile.

Easily review each profile’s setting using the
 “Profile and Parental Controls” hub
within account settings;

See what their kids have been watching
within the profile created for them; and

Turn off auto play of episodes
 in kids profiles.

With that being said, happy watching!

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#TAPReviews: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort And Villas

Nestled in the quiet town of Penawar is Desaru Coast, a popular tourist destination from the 70s and 80s that has been recently revived by a slew of luxury properties.

One of the globally renowned hotel brands that have opened its doors to the public is the well-known Anantara Desaru Coast Resorts and Villas.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas is filled with the natural beauty of local flora and fauna.

Just a short hour’s drive away from the JB-Singapore border and about a 4-hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur, it’s a destination that families have been flocking to post-pandemic.

We recently stayed at the Anantara property for three days and enjoyed the various activities around the property.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort And Villas: A Destination For The Whole Family

It’s tucked away in an exclusive cove of Desaru Coast, so you have a small stretch of private beach to enjoy with the family. With a huge pool for hotel guests to enjoy, the kids will want to spend most of their stay here. We recommend going in the early mornings after breakfast to enjoy the pool as the weather is great and there is plenty of time the rest of the day to check out the other features in the resort.

Book the 2-bedroom villa which comes with a small dipping pool that the kids will absolutely enjoy.

We got to stay at their 2-bedroom villa which has a small dipping pool and a huge verandah that we also spent a lot of time in. We requested for a baby crib since our tot is only 2 years old and still sleeps in a crib.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas is a very family-friendly destination, so they will provide a crib upon request.

The villa itself was stunning, with a bedroom downstairs facing the pool and a perfect place to watch the sunrise from. There’s a large living room and dining area where you can lounge and play with the kids.

The upstairs bedroom is a massive loft with a bathtub in its expansive bathroom and even a mini walk-in closet.

They also have a kids and teens clubs which the kids can go to for short guided activities like painting rocks, playing board games, video games, rock climbing and more. We dropped Jedi off here for a couple of hours and he enjoyed his time with the other kids around his age here. You can opt to leave your kids here if they are aged 3 and above, and there are 2 on-site aides to keep them entertained.

Bicycles are scattered around the property for guests to use.

Bicycles are scattered property-wide for those who want to enjoy a leisurely ride around the compound. Alternatively, we also saw many people who brought their own bicycles or decided to put on their running shoes for a jog around the place. It’s easy to clock in a 3km ride or run around the place over one loop.

And if you’re anything like me, I enjoyed spending time at their gym, which was equipped enough for a quick workout every evening after my child went to bed.

Though most of the resorts are tucked away in a quieter part of the small town, you’re only 10 minutes away from the nearest row of shops. Not to mention, there is also Grab if you need something urgently.

But one thing you don’t have to worry about on the property is food options.

Family Friendly Food At Anantara Desaru Coast Resort And Villas

Sea.Fire.Salt. is their beachside casual dining restaurant with delicious grilled meats and seafood. This is where we got to taste some of their best a la carte grilled dishes and sides. It’s a romantic experience for couples and also suitable for families to have your meals at. We recommend coming here for dinner because you get to watch the stunning sunsets from here. Be sure to make a reservation so you’ll be guaranteed a table.

The sunsets from Sea.Fire.Salt are beautiful.

If not, Turmeric is the other restaurant you can head to for buffet dinners (a la carte also available) for a more localised taste with Thai influence. We spent most of our lunches here tasting parts of their a la carte menu, which was absolutely delicious and the very fussy toddler enjoyed every one of his meals here. This is also where breakfast is served.
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There are many food options that are family-friendly at the Turmeric Restaurant.

The breakfast spread is huge and they offer dishes for both kids and adults (a little bonus for the kiddies is that they have vitagen at the breakfast buffet!). We loved the atmosphere of this poolside restaurant, which was often bustling in the evenings with diners.

We capped off our last day at Anantara Desaru by unwinding at the spa – and this is something I would recommend all parents to set aside time for. If you plan your spa appointments right, you can drop the kids off at the kids or teens clubs so you can enjoy a couple of hours of relaxation with your spouse.

It was our first visit to Anantara Desaru, but we are sure it won’t be our last. It was definitely the best in-property experiences we’ve had since lockdown was lifted as a family.

Go on a nature walk with their guides to find out more about the flora and fauna here.

Be sure to ask the concierge for the wide range of activities that the resort has planned out for families too – from a nature walk where you can learn about the flora and fauna on the property to mangrove cruising to a Johor Bahru foodie tour to an immersive cooking class that the whole family can enjoy, there’s just so much to do here.

For more information about Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas, visit their website
here
.

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TV Moms You Love! Here Are 5 Of The Best Mom Characters on TV

Haven’t we all grown up watching these mom characters on tv thinking, wow would we one day be like them? Any TV moms on your mind?

TV Moms: Mom characters on tv – Margaret Phua

Before you do a double take, keep in mind that we titled this article “Favorite TV Moms”, not “Best TV Moms”. So yup, we aren’t contesting the fact that Margaret Phua was one of the most suffocating TV moms of all time.

That being said, the vain, spunky, vegetarian and slightly “atas” mum was also arguably the funniest mum to have graced local TV.

Mom characters on tv – Lynette Scavo from Desperate Housewives

Though she is no where as close as beautiful as the other mums on desperate housewives, Lynette is the one mum who has earned our respect season after season.

While her tactics may not be approved by all (like impersonating a girl online when interacting with one of her teenage sons to find out if he has been using drugs,) Lynette is without a dount one of the strongest, most rational and loving mothers we have ever seen.

 Growing up – The original Mrs Tay

Mrs Tay definitely deserves some sort of prize for being the most patient, understanding mom characters on tv and wife on the planet.

With her perfect diction, loving ways, she cared deeply about the well-being of her children, didn’t judge her children’s bad decisions that didn’t really matter, and knew far more than her sweet smile let on.

The Simpsons – Marge Simpsons

Trying to maintain some sort of order in the ungrateful Simpson household, Marge Simpson provides a grounding voice in the midst of her hectic family of five’s crazy antics. She is one of my favourite mom characters on tv!

Malcolm in the middle – Lois Wilkerson
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Mothers
 parent in different ways, but when you have the crop of five children that luck had bestowed on Lois, the only tactic that works is fear!

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
:
6 Reasons why your kid shouldn’t watch Peppa Pig, according to parents

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Feel Yourself Up — Your Step-by-Step Guide To Breast Self-Examination

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer globally, and ‘early detection to improve survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control’. In light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with this statement in mind, make sure you carry out regular self-examinations and annual mammograms.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB
.

Read more:

Breast Cancer: What You Eat Really Matters

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A Celebration For All Moms - Super Brand Day Special!

Yes, you have come a long way since you heard your little one’s first cry. From understanding your child’s cries to handling tantrums in toddlerhood and so on, you’ve overcome a great deal of challenges and life changes. Watching your child reaching different milestones as they grow up is a beautifully rewarding experience every parent can relate to, a mom especially. Now, have you ever realised that your child’s milestones are also YOUR milestones?

Well, they are! Your little one couldn’t have done it without your love, patience, time and attention. Every milestone reflects your own personal growth. Just compare your patience before and after you’ve become a mom, or how independent and responsible you’ve become the moment you have your child’s life and future in your hands. Do you see it now?

Motherhood isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Certainly, there are days when you feel defeated and beyond exhausted, but there’s nothing those tiny hugs and kisses can’t fix, agree? Your journey as a mom is a big deal and should be celebrated every once in a while. Treat yourself to something simple and sweet, for example, celebrating your child’s birthday as your birth-day too!

Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day

Yup, why not celebrate your birth-day as a mom from now on? Can’t go wrong with a double celebration, can you? Double the fun, double the cake and double the memories! To kick off this fantastic idea, here’s a special celebration for all moms out there with the
Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day
campaign.

“We want all moms to know that they are loved and valued. This special celebration is our humble way of giving back to you, for all that you are and everything that you do. Happy Birthday, Mom!”

It’s so easy to join the
Happy “Birthday” Moms – Giveaway*
campaign. Just follow these simple steps:

Visit the
Happy “Birthday” Moms – Giveaway*

here
.

Submit a photo telling us about your motherhood journey.

The FIRST 500 valid entries will receive a giveaway voucher via the email address provided.

*Terms & Conditions applied.

*Voucher redemption from 24 Feb – 26 Mar 2021

*Limited to the first 500 submissions only.

*Applicable to Maternal Milk/Adult Milk/Growing Up Milk/Formula Dietary Food for children aged 1 year old and above only. While stocks last.

*Vouchers to be used on either
S-26 GOLD® PROGRESS®
,
NANKID®
,
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, or
CERELAC®
 official stores.

More Offers Await on Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day!

Besides being an early bird for the
Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day
 campaign, you can also grab a bunch of other irresistible offers exclusively. With gifts and vouchers totaling RM700,000!

Get your wishlist ready and set your reminders now!

24 Feb : 12am-2am – Kick Start Promos

GIFT BOX (limited quantity)

FREE gift box for mom & kids worth RM139.80 with minimum spend of RM700

For spend on products in the campaign.

VOUCHERS (limited quantity)

S-26 GOLD® PROGRESS® Official Store
: 20% off with minimum spend of RM600 (max RM250)

NANKID® Official Store
: 20% off with minimum spend of RM600 (max RM500)

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: 20% off with minimum spend of RM400 (max RM500)

GIFT BOX (Loreal Paris + Skiphop) (limited quantity)

Worth RM139.80 with minimum spend of RM700

For
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,
NANKID®
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 official stores purchases only.

Gift with Purchase

CERELAC® Official Store
 20% off with minimum spend of RM120 (max RM25) & get Free Bo Bear towel with a minimum spend of RM60 (100 units).

24 Feb : 12pm-2pm – Lunch Surprises (limited quantities)

S-26 GOLD® PROGRESS® Official Store
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3) CERELAC® INFANT CEREALS WITH MILK RICE AND MIXED VEGETABLES 250G (6 MONTHS+)

24 Feb : All-Day Vouchers (limited quantities)

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: 15% min spend RM250 (max RM40)

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24 Feb: All-Day Promos (limited quantities)

Gift box (Loreal Paris + Skiphop)

Worth RM140 min spend RM700

For
S-26 GOLD® PROGRESS®
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purc
hases only.

24 Feb: Odd hour 2pm-6pm

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 min spend RM600: 38 units (Skiphop bag worth 319)

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 min spend RM700: 40 units (Easel worth RM499)

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 min spend RM400: 33 units (Thermos lunch set worth RM205)

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Get another RM20 off with a minimum spend of RM300 (limited collectable vouchers).

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

It’s time you make your motherhood journey more meaningful. Celebrate your wins, no matter big or small because every single one counts. Share this great news with your fellow mom-friends, too! We’re ready to make your day, so wait no more, send your entry for the
 Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day
 campaign today!

Get ready to shop at
Happy “Birthday” Moms – Super Brand Day
 on 24 February 2021.

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Heart failure in babies: Heartbroken Singapore dad shares his grief

Eight days after her first birthday, little Ho Yuan En Jovelynn’s infant care teachers found out that her lips had suddenly turned purple and she was very lethargic.

Her worried parents took her to KK Hospital, where she was diagnosed with heart failure.

Sadly, baby Jovelynn passed away on 17 February 2018, on the second day of Chinese New Year. She was only 20 months old.

Her heartbroken father, Jason Ho, shares his grief with theAsianparent. He hopes there were will be more facilities to treat heart failure in babies in Singapore.

“Singapore is so advanced but nothing can be done to save my daughter”, says Jason…

Heart failure in babies: Singapore dad shares his grief

You might have read about Jason before. He and his wife had
met with an accident while going to visit their critically ill baby in hospital…

Jason works as Sales Executive, and his wife Cindy Lim works as Clinic Assistant. The couple are also parents to Ho Yuan Kai Jovan,10, and Ho Yuan Le Javier, 4.

Jason tells us that family history was the cause of Jovelynn’s illness, “I myself am a heart transplant patient. I suffered heart failure when I was 15 years old. My mother is also a heart failure patient.”

Doctors at KK Hospital had diagnosed Jovelynn with cardiomyopathy.

The heart disease had impaired the baby girl’s growth and development.

Says Jason, “She was learning to walk, jump, crawl and talk, but after she started on medication she had no strength to do all that.”

“For the first 6 months, she was on medication but when her doctor resigned from KKH there was a month without a specialist. That was when her condition turned from bad to worse.”

“She was in and out of hospital for 8 months. Then later, when her condition worsened, she had to be warded in NUH paediatric ICU for 2 months.”

Dealing with the loss of a child…

As parents, we cannot imagine what Jason and his wife would have gone through…

Jason shares, “We can accept that she is no more, but my heart still aches in sadness. Whenever I see her pictures, I still cry.”

“My wife also misses her badly…when anyone mentions her name or she sees her pictures or videos she will cry badly…”

“Jovelynn’s elder brother, who is 10 years old, understands what happened. He also has this condition (although in a mild form) and is on medication. My younger son does not understand much as he is still quite young.”

Jason also talks about his regrets, “We regret that we couldn’t do much for her, take her overseas, or even bring her out to see the stars or lights. My little girl loved the lights a lot, and she loved to go out.”

“We also regret not taking more family photos with her. We wanted to take 1 last family photo but we couldn’t.”

There are some valuable life lessons that only death can teach us…

And Jason has this advice for all parents, “Love your children more, they are God’s gifts.”

“I always wanted a girl. When I first found out that my third child was a girl, I was super happy. But happiness won’t last, you never know what will happen tomorrow…”

“So please treasure the time you have with your children.”

Heart failure in babies in Singapore

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This father remains disappointed that he was unable to save his own daughter, “In Singapore there is no heart transplant program for children.”

It is true that Singapore does not have a paediatric heart transplant programme. Malaysia, China, India, Japan and Thailand are among the many countries in the region where paediatric heart transplants have been performed.

According to Associate Professor Quek Swee Chye of NUH, in Singapore, the main barrier to starting a paediatric heart transplant programme is the lack of donor hearts.

Dr. Chye has been quoted as
 telling Channel NewsAsia
 earlier, “For kids, there are different ages and sizes from newborns, infants, to toddlers, children, adolescents. You have to have a heart that is of fairly similar size. That’s a major difficulty compared to the adult population.”

Countries where paediatric heart transplants have been performed usually have a larger population and a bigger donor pool.

Also, children are not covered under Singapore’s Human Organ Transplant Act, which allows doctors to recover the kidneys, liver, heart and corneas from the bodies of all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents of sound mind if they die for any reason, unless they opt out.

We hope that Singapore can one day develop a paediatric heart transplant programme, so that babies like Jovelynn have a better chance of survival.

Daddy Jason’s words are heart-wrenching, “If I could, I would give up my heart and give to her…” 🙁

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Dangerous flu symptoms: How to identify these in your kid

The U.S. is currently facing its worst ever influenza (flu) outbreak. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 53 children have
reportedly
 lost their lives. While this health crisis has happened far away from us in Singapore, we should not be complacent, because flu outbreaks of varying strains can strike any time. And parents must be aware of dangerous flu symptoms in their kids.

When a flu outbreak hits, the most vulnerable sections of any community are children and the elderly. This is because their immune systems are weak in comparison to older kids or younger adults.

Because of this, parents must know how to be prepared if their child gets the flu. Most importantly, they should know when to rush their kid to the doctor before the illness can become potentially fatal.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to identify the kind of flu a child might be suffering from. That’s because there are three major strains of flu, each with its own symptoms and dangers.

Dangerous flu symptoms depend on the strain

Even experts agree that it can be difficult for parents to identify which flu strain has attacked their child.

“Every once in a while, even among healthy children, this influenza strain and others can make a person very, very sick, really fast. It’s deceptive,” Dr William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, U.S., told
The New York Times
.

Typically, flu — which is a communicable respiratory disease — comes from three types of flu viruses.

As per
WebMD
, these include type A, B and C.

Type A
. This type of virus mostly affects birds and animals. Also, type A flu virus is spread by those already affected and may be always present on the surfaces that they touch. This is a constantly changing virus and epidemics are often due to this particular strain.

Type B
. This causes the flu in most adults and children. Persons affected by type B flu virus may be seen sniffling, and coughing. They may have body aches and high fevers. All of these are dangerous flu symptoms and may indicate that the affected needs immediate medical attention.

Type C
. This is a milder strain of flu. You may not notice the same dangerous flu symptoms if a person is affected by the type C flu virus. This strain is not implicated in epidemics.

Many parents often confuse the dangerous flu symptoms with those of regular cold and cough. So let’s quickly understand the differences between the two so you can identify if your child has influenza or is suffering from cold and cough.

Differences between symptoms of flu and cold

As per the CDC, the primary difference between flu and common cold is that they are caused by
different
 viruses.

“Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

“In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu.

“People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalisations
,” the
apex agency explains
.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention lists the common difference between the symptoms of flu and common cold. | Image courtesy:
CDC

What you must know is if your child has a common cold, it will not be accompanied by a serious medical condition.

However, in the case of flu,
if
symptoms are ignored and your child’s health is not carefully monitored, the outcome could very well be fatal.

7 dangerous flu symptoms you must watch out for

Some dangerous flu symptoms can often give away information that your child’s condition is rapidly taking a turn for the worst. So it is crucial for every parent to monitor their children closely, especially if they are below the age of five.

Keep an eye out for these dangerous flu symptoms in children:

Your child is breathing fast or has trouble breathing at all.

His skin has taken on a bluish hue.

He refuses to drink liquids, even water.

He remains inactive and barely speaks with anybody.

Your baby or toddler is irritable and doesn’t want to be held for comfort.

Symptoms of flu (coughing, sneezing, aches) go down, but fever remains constant and surges in some cases.

The fever is accompanied by a rash.

If you spot any of these, know that they are dangerous flu symptoms and can lead to other fatal medical problems such as pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections.

The New York Times
 warns, “Children with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, heart conditions or seizures are also at increased risk for developing influenza-related complications, and the illness can exacerbate their underlying medical problems.”

Therefore, parents must always be on the lookout for these symptoms and seek prompt medical support. You must pay even closer attention to babies and toddlers and ensure that all children are getting enough liquids through the day.

In the case of flu, the symptoms can turn fatal within a matter of 48 hours. So we suggest you pay very close attention to your children if you suspect they have the flu.

Sources:
CDC
,
The New York Times

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Do Big Hips Equal Easier Births?

Back in the day, mothers would assess their daughter-in-law’s “potential” by how wide her hips were. It was believed that the size of the hips are an indication of fertility and also how easy it would be to bear and deliver children with small women often believed to have more difficulty during labour.

Despite the fact that small women with small hips have been birthing children since well before we were all born, the myth still persists that big hips = easier births. Many modern women opt for elective Caesareans because they believe their hips are just too small to allow a baby through.

Even modern doctors guided by modern technology like the ultrasound, are known to make remarks that a woman’s hips are too narrow, or a heavier baby would automatically need a Caesarean. But ultrasounds are not 100% accurate, and personally, I know of a few women who have pushed out babies 4-4.5kg in weight. Amazing, but they did it!

So it may not come as a surprise that pelvic size is only one of many factors that contribute to a successful vaginal birth. Yes it is true that an optimal
pelvic formation
 has a round opening with round buttocks, and a less optimal pelvic formation has an oval opening with smaller buttocks.

But it does not mean that only women with the optimal pelvic formation can deliver normally. The hormone relaxin is produced during pregnancy, helping to loosen up the pelvis, making it a dynamic, flexible passageway. A baby’s head is also a flexible structure with joints that can be molded or compressed with the plates of the skull overlapping while it makes its way through the birth canal.

What’s more important is eating healthy and staying active. There is a noticeable association between how well a woman is nourished and how easy the birth is. Back then, many women suffered from nutritional deficiencies and illnesses like polio or rickets can cause pelvic anomalies, leading to risky births and high mortality rates. It was not the size of their hips per se, but the fact that their bone structures were compromised by illness.

We’ve come a long way since then and standards of living have risen. Many diseases have been eradicated and most of us have some working knowledge on what foods to eat for a balanced diet. We know that pregnancy is a time to
prepare and nourish
 our bodies and our babies.

We also know that exercise can help keep us flexible, strong and limber to prepare for labour. Exercises like Kegels and squats are especially good to strengthen the pelvic floor and open the pelvis up.

So if you’re hoping for a vaginal delivery, don’t worry about things you can’t change, like your pelvis size, and start focusing on things that you can, like your diet and fitness!

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Baby suffers 30 seizures a day, as parents seek help

As much as it pains people to see babies having seizures back to back, one often wonders what on earth could possibly cause seizures in babies after birth? But this is what three-month-old baby Kimberly has to go through
up to 30 times per day
!

When baby Kimberly’s first seizure lasted 30 minutes only two days after she was born in Indonesia, this made her parents worry. Tests were carried out and she even went through an MRI. Even though her seizures were controlled with medication, they refused to go away completely.

Seizures in Babies After Birth: Hemimegalencephaly

Doctors diagnose Kimberly with a rare neurological condition called Hemimegalencephaly, which can cause seizures in babies after birth.

Unable to stop the seizures and with no experts in Indonesia to handle her condition, Kimberly was brought to Singapore’s KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to seek treatment. An MRI scan conducted at KK Hospital later confirmed that she has Hemimegalencephaly.

Hemimegalencephaly is a rare neurological condition in which one side of the brain is abnormally larger than the other. The enlarged brain tissue was responsible for the frequent seizures and needed to be removed via surgery.

This would leave Kimberly with no control over the other side of her body and only her left brain to manage all bodily functions.

Taking into consideration how young Kimberly is and her rare condition, doctors are unsure what the outcome will be. But her parents vow to give her a fighting chance of survival because Kimberly is a miracle baby, one they had waited 10 years for. They do not want to lose her.

To date, Kimberly’s medical fees are more than SGD70,000, excluding surgery fees. Estimated bills might go up to SGD150,000 due to possible multiple surgeries, according to
GiveAsia
.

What Are Seizures?

Seizures in babies after birth can recur many times in a day.

Seizures occur when cells in the brain experience abnormal electrical activity, temporarily disrupting the brain’s normal electrical signals. In simple terms, the brain short circuits,
says Adam Hartman, M.D
., assistant professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

According to
National Neuroscience Institute
, the occurrence of seizures could be due to:

Brain injury

Infection in the brain

Brain Tumour

Stroke

Genetic susceptibility

While one can clearly tell when an adult has seizures, this is not the case for babies who show far more subtle signs. In fact, it is very easy to miss it, and parents who have never seen seizures in babies after birth, might not even notice anything wrong.

As hard as it is to watch, here’s a video showing how subtle seizures in babies after birth can be:

Video of Back-to-Back Seizures in Babies After Birth

Seizures in Babies After Birth: Different Types and Signs to Look Out For

Febrile seizures
 –
 Baby’s eyes are rolled with limbs that either stiffen or twitch and jerk. These seizures, are usually triggered by very high fevers.

Focal seizures –
 Signs include sweating,
vomiting
, turning pale, and spasms or rigidity in one muscle group, for example, the fingers, arms, or legs. Your baby might also show signs of gagging, lip smacking, screaming, crying, and loss of consciousness.

Absence (petit mal) seizures –
 Parents may notice baby staring into space or daydreaming. Your baby might also blink rapidly or look like he or she is chewing something. The seizures typically last less than 30 seconds and recur several times a day.

Atonic (drop attack) seizures –
Your baby will suddenly go limp and unresponsive due to the sudden loss of muscle tone. For example, your baby’s head might drop suddenly, while
crawling
 on the floor.

Tonic seizures –
Stiffening of various parts or the entire body.

Myoclonic seizures –
Cluster seizures that happen several days in a row which involve jerky movements in the baby’s neck, shoulders, or upper arms.

What Should Parents Do If They See Seizures in Babies After Birth?

As crazy as this sounds, take a video of your baby having a seizure because showing the video to your paediatrician later will help him make better judgements.

It is also crucial that parents note these important details below:

How long did the seizure last?

Where did the seizure start? Was it focal (on the arms, legs, eyes) or was it spread out on different parts of the body?

What was the seizure like? (Was there staring, jerking, or stiffening?)

What was the last thing your baby was doing before the seizure? (For example, waking up, or eating.)

Also do not forget to take safety precautions when the baby is undergoing a seizure.

Roll your baby to the side to prevent them
choking
 on their vomit.

Do not try to stop the seizures, and don’t put anything in their mouth.

If your baby seizes for more than fiveminutes, turns blue or has trouble breathing, call for help immediately

Also seek medical help immediately if your baby is unresponsive for 30 minutes following a seizure.

Watching your baby stiffen and going limp during a seizure can be a frightening experience for a parent t0 watch — and to have to watch it happen 30 times in a day. Do spare a thought for the parents who are giving their miracle baby a fighting chance to survive. You too
can contribute.

Sources:
GiveAsia
,
NUH
,
Parents
,
WebMD

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The Mindful Guide To Self-Quarantine - Part 1

Crazy times at full speed! We know, this is all quite unreal. We feel the effects and we certainly feel the panic and anxiety. But there’s a difference between feeling it from others and allowing ourselves to let it overtake us. Most of us regardless of age, race, geographic location or profession are in self quarantine. The exception are the front-liners, emergency relief providers and those helping with basic supplies. And those are our true heroes. But for the rest of you who are working from home, we have a guide for you.

Social distancing and self-quarantine is at the tips of everyone’s tongue but how do we make sure we’re doing it properly – safely, mindfully and healthily? So even though you’re home in your own fort, here are some key rules and guidelines to put into place for yourself and your family.

Establish a routine
 – the last thing you want to do is act like everyday is a Sunday. Don’t lay in your sweatpants on the couch, binge on junk food and have Netflix marathons. This tricks your mind into hyper-relaxation which is great for a Sunday, but not for every single day. You’ll want a dedicated timetable that allows you to get your tasks done and on time.

Self monitor & preventative mindset
 – you can start by washing hands properly (20 seconds at least), not touching your face, taking your temperature daily in the mornings and disinfecting surfaces that are high-touch. if you don’t feel 100%, please start by staying away from family members/those in your home. This means avoid common items (utensils, knobs, handles, cupboards) which are shared by others. If you sneeze or cough, use a tissue to cover your mouth and throw that tissue away immediately. Make sure you wash your hands after every sneeze too. It’s important to make sure surfaces in your space are clean from blood, bodily fluids and that these spaces are well ventilated with natural air or air conditioners. Continue to monitor your symptoms closely, and if you don’t see visible improvement, contact your health care provider immediately.

Basic hygiene
 – even though you may not be exposing yourself to the outside world and may already be washing your hands often there are other equally important parts to hygiene. These include flossing, brushing your teeth, showering at least once a day, doing the dishes after each meal (you’re home after all) and cleaning your space in the mornings. Showering in the morning also wakes you up and refreshes your mind, energising you for a more productive day!

Cook real meals
 – yup, it’s so tempting to open that tin of tuna and boil up some instant noodles but now more than ever, we need something that feels nourishing and grounding and cooking can do just that. There’s also the nutritional element of what you’re providing to your body. This is especially not a time to slack on nutrition in the name of convenience as our bodies need to be stronger to fight diseases and viruses out there. Also, don’t forget to include herbs that help with immunity – such as
tumeric & turmeric leaf, pegaga & elderberry.
 If you’re looking to test the waters with a simple healthy recipe that does wonders for immunity, start
here
.

Exercise
 – gyms and yoga studios around your city have closed but there are plenty of other ways to access those happiness-spiking endorphins. Firstly, put on a great
playlist
. Then get yourself moving – freestyle, dance and yoga – whatever takes your fancy. If you prefer someone guiding you through the process, there are a ton of free classes that are being held free on Instagram Live or IGTV during COVID-19. You can also choose from these
at-home workout classes
we love.

Dedicate a work space
 – if you’re working from your bed and the couch and on the floor, chances are you’re going to feel pretty lethargic soon, or might even feel like your back and legs don’t quite like this set up. If possible, set a designated space in your home – perhaps an uncluttered corner where you can set up a standing or sitting desk and a back supporting chair. Ideally this space will receive natural sunlight (or be bright enough to work in) and give you the quiet you need to concentrate. If you can have some background music playing and also get a candle burning, there’s nothing like it!

Get some face time
 – self-isolation does not mean isolating from the world. Pick up that phone and call friends and family you haven’t spoken to in awhile. If you can video chat with them, even better. We still need to emotionally connect during self-isolation and we still certainly need human interaction too, even if it may be via screens. Some great video tools out there include
Zoom
,
Google Hangouts,
 &
Skype
  and we love
House Party
for social calls!

Stay calm
 – granted probably easier said than done, but this is paramount. We’ve said it before – panic weakens the immune system so please be careful. We know you’re bombarded with perhaps children at home and new responsibilities with this schedule and set up, but as much as possible, limit your exposure to the news and stay calm – your immune system will thank you for it. Some ways to help with this period are these mindful tools like
 EFT
,
Ho’oponopono
 and guided meditation videos like
this
. There are also great apps that help you cultivate a meditation practice such as
Headspace
,
Calm
 &
Insight Timer
.

Learn something new
 – take this opportunity, a time that’s free from commute and outside runs to learn something new from the comforts of your home. Whether it’s a skill like photography, how to make a new dish, or take the chance to educate yourself on the power of herbs, there are tons of opportunities available. Check out our very own
Natural Home Pharmacy
 – an easy to follow video program created by Naturopath
Amanda Teh
 on how you can heal your body from common illnesses with delicious natural remedies you can make with ingredients in your very own kitchen! It’s all online & will completely transform your life!

These are just a few basic guidelines to ease you and your indoor schedule. Stay tuned for our next article The Mindful Guide To Self-Quarantine – Part 2, where we’ll be talking about how to maximize your work from home set up, the importance of human connection and a few other important things during this  COVID-19 time.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB.

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Is Your Child Growing Optimally? Here’s What You Need to Know

A growing up child can be hard to keep track of, especially with the many milestones they are bound to cover in their early years –  watching them grow into their own personalities is a truly heartwarming journey.

However, as parents, it is natural to worry about their development and it can be hard to keep up – they just grow up too fast! Mummies and daddies – especially first-time parents – will undoubtedly be flooded with questions and concerns when it comes to their child’s growth. But what exactly constitutes ‘normal’ growth? Here is what you should know.

There are 3 key indicators to optimal child development and growth

In truth,  development in children is a tricky subject. This is because most of the findings that indicate if a child is growing optimally or may be suffering from poor growth are based on statistics and information gathered by professionals from children themselves¹
.

However, as with every milestone, every child is different in their developments. Of course, there are indicators on whether your child is growing optimally versus children that may be considered “not growing well” which could be a cause for concern. If you spot signs of underdevelopment (as we will discuss later), you should consult your paediatrician as well.

So, to understand if your child is growing normally, there are a few things you should take note of.

Height

Generally, a child’s height increases by 30 per cent within their early years, and more than 50 per cent later on – this would typically be around 25 centimetres early on and double their height within their fifth year²
. It is also said that children grow at least three and a half inches (roughly nine centimetres) in their second, as well as a third year³
.

In terms of growth percentiles, there are several references that doctors or parents may refer to, but the common one would be World Health Organisation’s (WHO) growth percentiles, which is taken as a worldwide standard
4
. Percentiles are measurements that indicate a child’s growth pattern – these charts appear as lines in curved patterns and doctors use them to reference a child’s height, as well as weight by plotting it on the chart
5
.

However, if your child is growing below the normal percentiles, it could be due to various factors including genetics, delayed growth
6
 and the most important factor – nutrition. In fact, a global analysis of 65 million children showed that their height was directly affected by their overall health and the quality of their diet
7
.

Weight

Children generally gain about 2.2 kilograms after their second year, while this weight gain remains more or less consistent every year, until the age of five
8
. However, there is a misconception that thin children are ‘underweight’ but this may not be the case, as they may be naturally slender with a well-balanced diet and a lot of physical activity
9
. Nevertheless, as we have mentioned, it is best to consult your paediatrician to see if there is an actual cause for concern.

Therefore, regular height and weight measurement on the growth chart are very important to monitor if your child’s development is on track.
Try out this convenient and easy-to-use growth tracker
here
 to ensure your child’s physical growth is at an optimal rate.

Diet

Many factors – if not all – of a child’s development always circles back to nutrition for the very fact that it is a key competent in supporting and maintaining their growth. The same study that focused on 65 million children, which reported data gathered between the year 1985 and 2019, concluded that nutrition, as well as the quality of food, remain a key factor in a child’s health. This has led to a further verdict that lack of quality food can lead to stunted growth and affect their well-being throughout their life
10
.

Besides physical growth, poor nutrition within their diet also causes issues with a child’s intellectual development, as a child with an improper diet can hamper their learning abilities, and cause them to become sick often simply because their body’s nutritional needs are not met
11
.

In summary, nutrition is absolutely crucial for a child’s development

At this point, you have probably realised that nutrition is the main factor that aids their height, weight and overall development – but then again, it is no secret either. Nutrition has always played a fundamental role in determining and supporting their growth progression. Good health is attributed to adequate nutritional intake, while lack of nutrition could lead to delayed growth
12
. Meanwhile, nutrition also serves as the foundation of their well-being in their future.
13

Of course, growth in children is not exclusive to just weight gain- studies have concluded that nutritious food provides them with the ability to grow properly overall
14
. Think of it this way: feeding your underweight child with food in a bid to get them to gain weight could go awry if their diet is not well-balanced or with the right nutritious components because although they gain weight, it may not correlate healthily with their height
15
.

Fret not, as long as you instil healthy eating habits in your child, as well as ensure they get adequate nutrition, you’re on the right track. But make sure these good practices start young and are maintained throughout their life.

Support your child’s nutrition with Milnutri™ SURE, the new Catch-Up Growth formula for your child’s growth

Thankfully, these days, there are many products readily available to ease the burden of parents because as many of us know, it can be quite an obstacle to get your growing up child to finish all of their fruits and
vegetables
. For picky eaters and children who are undernourished, food intake from main meals sometimes might not be sufficient to support their nutritional needs.

To supplement your child’s daily diet, we’re introducing Milnutri Sure that provides children with adequate nutrition. Milnutri™ Sure is specially formulated to support your child’s ‘catch-up growth’ as it is a formula dietary food that helps provides complete and balanced nutrition to aid your child’s overall growth and development.

It is specially formulated with 100% of the Recommended Nutrient Intake for Malaysia (2017) with selected nutrients*** that contribute to a child’s growth and development. It also contains IcFOS and inulin, which are prebiotics that supports a good intestinal environment for your child. This is crucial for your child’s body to be able to absorb nutrients properly and support crucial bodily functions – the bodily functions include warding off infectious bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as supporting brain health.

Meanwhile, Milnutri Sure also contains these key nutritional components:

Lysine:
 This is an essential amino acid that needs to be provided in daily diets of children.

Calcium and Vitamin D, Arginine:
 Calcium supports strong bones and teeth, while Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Meanwhile, Arginine is an amino acid required by synthesis of protein.

Highest DHA 88mg/100g** & OMEGA 3,6,9
: These are found abundantly in the brain

To top it off, Milnutri Sure tastes great and has zero sucrose* to encourage healthy eating.

With a balanced diet and Milnutri Sure (an energy-dense formula at 1kcal/ml) as a supplement, you can notice visible growth in 4 weeks
^#
!

The best part is that you can r
equest for a free sample now
 and try it out first. If you are ready to give Milnutri™ Sure a try, you can check out Milnutri™ Sure’s
website
 or
Facebook page
 for more information.

*** Selected nutrients according to age group, based on Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) for Malaysia 2017:

1 – 3 years: ≥ 100% RNI for vitamin E, K, B2, C and iodine;

4 – 6 years: ≥ 100% RNI for protein, Vitamin E, K, B2, C and iodine; and

7 – 9 years: ≥ 100% RNI for vitamin E, K, B2, C and  iodine.

** Milnutri Sure DHA (88mg/100gm) content is based on other Formula Dietary Food for children aged 1-10 in similar Recommended Consumer Price within range of RM90-115/kg basis as of May 2021.

* No sucrose were added during production nor detected in final product.

^
Body weight improvement of 0.5kg in children aged 3 to 6 years with weight for height z- score between -1 to -3 in 28 days. Reference: Devaera, Yoga, et al. “Comparing Compliance and Efficacy of Isocaloric Oral Nutritional Supplementation Using 1.5 kcal/mL or 1 kcal/mL Sip Feeds in Mildly to Moderately Malnourished Indonesian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition 21.4 (2018): 315-320.

#
Follow recommended intake per day (2 glasses for 1-3 years old, 3 glasses for 4- 6 years old, 4 glasses for ≥ 7 years old) and used as supplement on top of a normal dietary intake of children.

Reference:

 (n.d.). Growth and Development – Clinical Methods – NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved April 10, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK335/

(n.d.). Physical Growth of Infants and Children – Children’s Health Issues …. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/growth-and-development/physical-growth-of-infants-and-children

(n.d.). Growth Problems | Boston Children’s Hospital. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/g/growth-problems

“When Your Child Is Not Growing Well | The Star.” 13 Dec. 2020,
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2020/12/13/when-your-child-is-not-growing-well
. Accessed 26 Apr. 2021.

(n.d.). Growth Charts (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. Retrieved April 26, 2021, from
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/growth-charts.html

(n.d.). Delayed Growth: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis – Healthline. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
https://www.healthline.com/health/delayed-growth-symptom

(2020, November 5). Poor nutrition in school years may have created 20 … – ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 11, 2021, from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201105183840.htm

(
2020, January 1). Normal growth and development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002456.htm

(2018, July 26). How to know if your kid is underweight – Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/parenting/child-underweight-when-you-should-and-shouldn-worry/hKRJAbxuDANpcIFYDxDfrI/

(2020, November 5). Poor nutrition in school years may have created 20 … – ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201105183840.htm

 (2020, January 1). Normal growth and development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002456.htm

(n.d.). Nutrition and Growth – NCBI – NIH. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005655/

(2020, November 6). Poor Nutrition in Childhood Likely Behind a Global Height Gap …. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.courthousenews.com/poor-nutrition-in-childhood-likely-behind-a-global-height-gap/

(2020, November 6). Poor Nutrition in Childhood Likely Behind a Global Height Gap …. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.courthousenews.com/poor-nutrition-in-childhood-likely-behind-a-global-height-gap/

(2020, November 6). Poor Nutrition in Childhood Likely Behind a Global Height Gap …. Retrieved April 12, 2021, from
https://www.courthousenews.com/poor-nutrition-in-childhood-likely-behind-a-global-height-gap/

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theAsianparent Malaysia website

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How You Can Nurture Your Kids' Natural Talents Without Pressuring Them

Watching your kids twirl to a simple dance, tap to a beat and running their curious fingers across musical instruments would make you wonder what talents each child would hone.

Some parents take it easy and let talents flourish on their own, others choose to nurture them from a very young age. Why else are average Malaysian parents pushing kids to learn one extra language, pick up one musical instrument and master one sport activity on top of the extra tuition classes?

Of course, not every child with or without talents will end up a child prodigy and play the piano like a pro, but there is always that small chance when kids are encouraged on the right path.

Useful Skills Gained

Credit: Freepik

There are many skills that a child may develop from different activities.

Sports:
 physical fitness, motor skills, social skills and leadership skills.

Music:
 focus and fine motor skills.

Dance
: focus, physical fitness, motor skills, posture and poise.

Speech and Drama:
 build confidence, language and self-esteem.

I do think that children who balance studies with extra-curricular activities are more well rounded. They seem to have better social skills and have higher self-esteem. Giving children exposure to a variety of learning experiences really enriches their abilities.

It Starts With The Parents

Credit: Freepik

If you already have a strong interest in certain activities, chances are your kids may emulate what you enjoy. But giving your children the opportunity and exposure to trying a variety of things could really help pinpoint something they would enjoy for themselves. If you give them a choice, most kids will find something they actually enjoy.

Do not force your children to do what YOU think is most ideal for them.
 You can steer them that way, but if they show no interest, be open to trying something else.

Parents need to make conscious effort and time to let your children experience new things. If left to themselves, many children are happy to spend the whole day in front of the television watching cartoon and not gain anything.

If not you, then who? Busy parents forget how important it is to kids to have their parents actively involved in what they do.

Sure, the fun factor is important, but your involvement is important too.

How to Encourage Without Pressuring?

Credit: Active for Life

Parents need to respect that each child learns differently. Of course, it is possible that some kids are just inherently more talented than others. Some kids naturally have many interests, others take their time to pick and choose.

It is common to see Malaysian parents spending money enrolling their children on this and that, sometimes with high hopes. But do bear in mind that not all children are able to handle so many things at once. At best, most children have the capacity to handle two extra-curricular activities besides school.

So do keep an eye on them, because we’re all about nurturing, not forcing. Start slow and work up to a pace they can manage. Heavy schedules too soon can end up being overwhelming and could kill the interest and talents completely.

Keep encouraging them and teach them not to be disheartened if they cannot master something right away. Teach them perseverance and not giving up, does have its fruits. Be their moral support while trying not to hover too much (I know, we mums always do that).
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After all, as parents, we only want the best for our children.

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5-Year-Old girl allegedly molested by father on train in full view of public

A video of a 5-year-old girl allegedly being molested by her father on a train has sparked much outrage. More so, because police have stopped investigating the matter, saying the father’s actions were not illegal.

Little girl allegedly molested by father on train

The
widely-shared video
, captured by a female passenger on a train in Jiangxi province, south China, shows a man fondling a little girl.

He is seen lifting her shirt, caressing and rubbing her back, and kissing her neck and face repeatedly.

If we look closely, we can also see him sliding his hand into the child’s pants.

The little girl is heard saying, “Daddy, I’m in pain. Stop touching my bottom.”

His wife and mother-in-law were apparently sitting next to him during the train journey, but both were too busy with their phones to notice and react.

The witness who took the video sent it to a local newspaper and complained about the incident to police.

Authorities started investigating the issue only after the video went viral. Police later released a
statement via Weibo
 that the man (referred to by his surname Zhou) and girl in the video were father and daughter.

However, according to the police investigation, the man’s actions, “does not constitute molestation and could not be deemed illegal. We sincerely thank citizens for their concern.’

The statement sparked anger and disappointment among netizens.

“An adult man lifts up a child’s clothes on public transport, kissing and licking the girl. If this doesn’t count as molesting, what does?” asked a netizen.

Wang Zhenyu, a lawyer at Beijing-based Yipai Law Firm, has been quoted as saying, “The police may have concluded that because it was a father and daughter, the act did not constitute molestation. If that’s so, it’s illogical. Fathers can molest or even rape their daughters.”

“However, they might mean that, while investigating, they found because they are father and daughter, the action did not involve sexual desire.”

Intra-familial Sexual abuse

This case is disturbing mainly because the little girl had no idea that she was being sexually abused. She trusted her father completely.

The sad truth is that most child sex abuse cases are committed by acquaintances or relatives of the victims. In case of abuse within families, the victim might also find it harder to disclose the truth because she:

Is unaware that it is abuse

Abuse does not always have to be painful, so the victim may have been gently coerced into the act.

And in the disturbing scenario that the abuse has been happening for a long time, ever since the victim was young, she may even have been led to believe that the abuse was part of normal interaction and love between family members.

“Enjoyed it”

The abuser may confuse the victim with questions like, “How can you say that you were abused when you enjoyed it?”

Again, the lack of pain may be misleading, and the pleasure, too shameful to reveal.

Has been promised “rewards”

The abuser may have promised to give the victim “rewards” or “gifts” if she kept their “special relationship” a secret.

Little children are often vulnerable to fall for such promises. The child herself is confused about what has happened, and whether it was right or wrong.

She might feel “special” and comforted by all the attention and the gifts.

Fears the abuser

It may be love and loyalty towards her relative and the fact that the revelation would get him into trouble. The victim may also have been told that no-one would believe her if she revealed the truth.

Or she may even have been threatened by the abuser, with dire consequences.

Is worried about her parent(s)

Many victims worry that the painful revelation would be too much for their parent(s) to handle.

Also, the assumption that things that happen within a family should be kept “private” often deters victims from disclosing the truth.

Protecting children from sexual abuse

Every parent must take steps to educate and protect their child from sex abuse. Here are some pointers:
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Mums, are you encouraging your little ones to be creative?

Know your child

Show interest in her day-to-day lives. Ask her what she did during the day and what games she played after school. Know who your child is spending time with, including other children and adults.

Talk about body parts

Teach your children about private parts from a young age. Use proper names for each body part. It eliminates a lot of confusion. Feeling comfortable using these words and knowing what they mean can help a child talk clearly if something bad has happened.

Explain the meaning of private parts

Tell your child why only some parts are called “private”. It is because they are not for everyone to see. Only mummy and daddy, and maybe a doctor in the presence of a parent is allowed to look at them. Not even friends or relatives they know well.

Explain “good touch” and “bad touch”

Be clear. Explain that no one should touch their private parts and that they should not touch any one’s private parts as well. Also, no one should be allowed to take pictures of private parts.

Never force your child to gives hugs and kisses to relatives, friends or other acquaintances.

No “private” secrets

Most paedophiles will tell the child to keep the abuse a secret – either lovingly or using a threatening tone. Explain to your child that no matter what happens, she should confide in you. That she will never get in trouble for telling you the truth, even if it was about her parent.

Teach her to say “No”

If she feels something “bad” happening, she must learn to say “No!” and try to leave the area immediately.

Tell your child that if an adult — including family members — asks her to do something that makes her uncomfortable, it’s okay to not obey that adult. Even if it’s someone she knows very well.

Choose caregivers carefully

Whether it’s a babysitter or a maid, be diligent about screening caregivers for your child.

Discuss the news

Incidents of sexual violence are frequently covered by the news and portrayed in television shows. Discuss them proactively with your child, ask questions like, “What would you do?”

Know the warning signs

More than the physical symptoms, emotional or behavioural signs are more common. Watch out for:

Changes in behaviour, such as an increase in angry outbursts, withdrawal, etc

Increased anxiety and depression

Sleeping issues such as nightmares

Unexplained bruises, cuts, welts or marks on the bodies

Showing anxiety about being alone with a particular person

Displaying age-inappropriate behaviour, or sexual knowledge/language

(Source:
 NextShark
,
CCTV
,
Weibo,

SCMP
)

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7 reasons why women have affairs: An insight from the expert

Did you know, about 50% of all cheating spouses are the wives? Yes, Singaporean women have affairs! And the numbers are increasing at an alarming rate!

10 years ago, only a maximum of 3 out of 10 cheating partners were the women. 20 to 30 years ago, you would hardly hear that Singaporean women have affairs.

Gone are the days when women were meek and docile. Welcome to the 21
st
 century. Women of today know what they want, and aren’t afraid to get what they want.

But why do Singaporean women have affairs? Is it simply because they can?

Let’s find out what the expert has to say. We approached Leonardo Talpo.

Leondardo specialises in marriage counselling. With 15 years of counselling experience, a Social Science Master Degree in Counselling and being a certified NLP Master Practitioner, he’s got a lot to share!

1.The dreaded mobile phone

“He loved his mobile phone more than me. He stopped hugging me, caressing me or making me a priority for him.” Sounds familiar? The mobile phone seems to play a huge part in why Singaporean women have affairs, says Leonardo.

Many women complain of their husbands continuously using What’s App even after office hours. Their husbands are busy replying to ‘work related’ messages until late in the evening, or even at night.

“At a certain point, I didn’t care anymore. I was just so sad everyday. Until I met this guy…”

This is something that Leonardo frequently hears from his clients.

2.All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl

See, even when talking to your bosses, if it’s always going to be like ticking a checklist of what’s done and not done, you’re going to loathe the sight of your boss eventually.
Right
?

Marriage is not a job that needs to be done! Conversations should not revolve around what the kids did and when you need to buy milk and eggs. This is another reason Singaporean women have affairs.

“He didn’t talk about
us
 anymore. He didn’t share his life anymore. All we do is speak about children and the logistics of the house”. These are the common complaints from Leonardo’s clients.

Couples need to have real conversations that have nothing to do with kids and household logistics!

Leonardo states that many of the women are helpless. They have tried unsuccessfully to get their husbands to
discuss
 the issues at hand. They have tried to get them to talk about ways to spice up the marriage. But to no avail.

And here’s the worst part. Indifference. Stonewalling. Singaporean women have affairs after many failed attempts at working things out with their husbands.

Some of them have even tried
screaming
 at their husbands in a desperate attempt to provoke a reaction.

“I would have preferred him
slapping
 me instead of his lost-face, powerless body language and cold-shoulders.”

And when all of this fails, one day out of the blue, they meet a guy…

You know the rest of the story.

3.Not the ONE for me

You might not have expected this but it is true. Some Singaporean women have affairs because in spite of a voice inside telling them to say
no
 when their man proposed, they went ahead.
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“I knew from the beginning he was not the man I was looking for. But I didn’t listen to it. He was nice after all.” Leonardo has heard this one too many a time.

And what happens? Distance leads to more distance. The couple grows apart over time. Yes, this can happen to anyone but it’s more likely to happen when you didn’t even start with a strong force drawing you to your man.

Eventually, conversation becomes a rarity. The husband and wife spend their time doing their own things. Some even sleep in separate rooms.

Singaporean women have affairs when they feel that they no longer share anything in common with their partners.

The kids? Well, they are with the helper mostly.

“I was so bored until by coincidence one day I met this guy…”

A bored heart gets lonely. A lonely heart is often a wondering heart. Need we say more?

4.Too good may not be that good

Some people fall head over heels in love and get married because they can’t wait to spend their lives with that special someone. Others get married because they feel it’s a necessary phase of life that has to begin.

“I was getting old, already well into my 30s. I had to find someone to marry. Family pressure.”

Another major reason for Singaporean women to have affairs is that they married someone who seemed to fit the bill.

He’s a nice guy. Everyone is happy with my choice. He’s decent. He takes care of the family. He has a stable job. He drives a nice car. He’s a good father. He’s perfect.

But maybe he’s too perfect. Maybe I need to disagree. Maybe I need some drama. Maybe I just need to feel something because right now I don’t feel anything.

Life goes on. He smiles, she smiles, they smile when everyone is around. Everything looks perfect from afar.

Little does he know that for a couple of years now, his wife has been with this guy…

Sometimes the truth does hurt.

5.Please put on the pants!

Now listen, not all women are control-freaks. Not all women like making all the decisions. Sometimes, all a woman wants is for the man to be the one wearing the pants in the house.

Leonardo comes across clients who complain about their husband’s lack of opinion. If the wife doesn’t make the call then
nothing gets done
! The husband almost never wants to have a say in running the houeshold.

Singaporean women sometimes have affairs because they are tired of having to make all the decisions in the relationship!

Anything and whatever may not be the best way to run the family.

“Sometimes I felt as if I was dealing with a son and not with a husband. For the sake of the family’s harmony, I kept doing what I had to do.”

Having to bear the weight of the family on her frail shoulders is not every woman’s cup of tea. Many women find themselves frustrated, angry and eventually lonely.

And then along comes a man who is strong, assertive and sensitive all at once. The marriage is history after that.

6.An eye for an eye and the marriage goes blind

This one is a no brainer. He cheated on me. And he justified his cheating by saying I didn’t care, I was too busy, I was too angry, I was too tired, I was too bossy.

Well yes, I was busy caring for the kids while you were busy ogling at other women. I didn’t seem to care because if I didn’t care about the groceries that needed stocking than who would?

I was tired staying up all night nursing a baby and caring for a sick kid. Meanwhile, you were up all night checking out 21-year-old girls on Instagram.

Yes I was angry because instead of sharing the responsibility of raising a family with me, you were sharing someone else’s bed!

Some men lack involvement in the family for no apparent reason. Some men lack involvement in the family because they are involved elsewhere.

And when the woman finds out, her whole world collapses. Because more often than not, a woman’s entire world is her family.

Cheating husbands are a huge reason Singaporean women have affairs

Singaporean women have affairs because of their husband’s infidelity. They want to teach them a lesson and make them feel the same pain.

At times, these wives ensure that their husbands know about the affair. Leonardo adds that often they regret this as the aftermath leaves them at a loss of what to do.

7.Paradigm Shifts

Women have always had affairs, but why do Singaporean women have affairs more commonly now?

Women’s roles have changed. Women’s place in society has changed. Women are no longer martyrs. Education, exposure and the media have all played their part to evoke a greater sense of individualism in women.

Women are stronger, more assertive and financially independent. They are able to stand on their own feet.

Having said that, the core of a woman’s heart – the longing for love, acceptance and belonging, remains. And if they don’t find this in their marriage, they aren’t afraid to find it elsewhere.

It’s not to say that they actively go on a hunt for it. But when opportunity arises, why not? Women of this generation do not always feel a need to
settle
. If they aren’t happy, they make a change.

Social media and electronic devices have also increasingly shifted men’s attention. Tech junkies by nature, men love to spend time with their devices. And when attractive women seem to appear everywhere, it isn’t all that difficult for their eyes,
and hearts
 to wonder.

Even if you take infidelity out of the equation, a man’s disconnect is a recipe for disaster in a marriage. Above and beyond all that a man provides,
a

woman needs emotional presence.

No woman wants a husband who chooses his devices over her!

What’s common?

From his experience as a marriage counsellor, and of course being married himself, Leonardo notices these similar patterns in most Singaporean women who have affairs.

Lack of excitement in the bedroom. Monotony and the same old boring sex life is a no go.

Women are ambitious creatures. They like moving forward and they want to move forward
with
 their partners. Remember, still waters breed pestilence.

Emotional immaturity. Those bawdy jokes and a callous attitude towards life may have been attractive to girls. But when they become women, they want a man who is wise and mature to lead the family with.

I’m sure you’ve heard this enough. The inability to communicate effectively spells trouble in a marriage.

Women feel deprived of passion and intimacy due to these factors. That causes them to feel vulnerable and in need of a medicine.

Leonardo stated that as surprising as this sounds, many clients do say that they feel like they will
die
if nothing is done.

Almost all of his stories end with a client saying,

“And one day, almost by chance I met this guy…”

A married woman meets a married man, a divorced man or a single man with painful past love stories. Common ground is established.

Leonardo describes it as such:

It’s like throwing petrol in the fire. The connection will start rapidly. The sense of being understood, being acknowledged and feeling important again makes intimacy explode.

Suddenly, the boredom fades away. Her senses are fully ignited once again. Her world seems more colourful, more beautiful. The cycle of romance creeps in.

Finally, the princess finds her prince charming. A woman needs to feel more emotionally connected to be satisfied sexually. Now that that’s going well, the sex life is all charged up, albeit with a different man.

So here we are, in a new situation that seems ideal.

What does the expert have to say?

Here are some words of wisdom from the man who has seen it all.

Leonardo defines an affair as nothing more than an
illusion
 of finding joy and love again. And because it is an illusion, he cautions that it’s better not to start it.

Of course, he expects you to rebut him with this common question:

What do you mean, are you saying I need to live an unhappy life until I die?

No. You most definitely don’t. You have better choices. He presents two such choices to you.

1.Time is of essence

If you are unhappy in your marriage, don’t wait until you can’t take it anymore. If you need to shake the boat, do it now!

Seek help before it’s too late!

Afraid that your husband will leave you if you do? Well, if you don’t do anything about your marriage, it’s headed that way anyway.

And if you can’t sort your marriage out by yourselves,
ask for help
. There is no shame in asking for help. Seek counselling, seek therapy, do something. There is a lot at stake and an entire family is involved.

You may not be equipped with the right knowledge and skills to save your marriage so go looking for it if you must.

2.Divorce if you must

If you are 100% sure that you no longer care about your marriage and if you aren’t willing to work with your husband to re-design you marriage, then make your decision. Inform him and file for divorce.

Once you’ve done that, you will have a more clear and objective mind when looking for a partner. This way, you avoid falling into a rebound relationship.

You will also feel more dignity in your new relationship. You will know that you are honest to yourself, your husband and your family. If you are confused, unsure of what to do or scared, once again, seek help!

On a concluding note, Leonardo wishes to stress to you that marriage is not just a feeling, it is a work in progress. As time goes by, the world, society, and people around you change. You and your husband are changing, evolving and growing individually.

Your relationship must grow as well!

References:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/adultery-its-not-just-the-men

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Best Dental Floss to Use for Perfect, Shiny and Bright Smile

Dental floss is a thin filamentous string used to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth in areas that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. So, if you're looking for the best dental floss in the market, look no further. We have the complete guide right here.

Water floss actually helps to remove food particles from teeth and reduce bleeding and gum disease - but is generally not considered a substitute for toothbrushes and floss.

Generally, flossing does not remove layers and plaque on teeth but can help reduce bacteria even below the gum line.

The American Dental Association claims that up to 80% of the plaque can be removed with this method, and flossing can provide certain benefits to individuals with orthodontic appliances.

Choosing The Suitable And Best Dental Floss For You

If your teeth are close, consider a thinner option.
 Therefore, the smaller the thread, the easier it is to get into a tight space.

If you have a large gap between the teeth, choose a thicker floss.
 Look for a thicker type such as woven yarn, which consists of several strands woven together. Another good option is dental tape, which is a flat nylon tape available in waxed and non -waxed types.

If you want to persuade kids to use floss, consider the flavoured type
. Let the child choose a flavoured option that makes them excited (or at least a little more prepared) to try the floss.

Like other products, finding the right dental floss for oral care needs may require some trial and error.

There are so many types of floss and flossing products to choose from but no matter what product you choose, the most important thing is to floss every day!

5 Best Dental Floss On The Market For Cleaner Teeth

#1 Platypus Orthodontic Flosser

Dental floss from Platypus is the only flosser with an innovative structure that fits under the archwire, between the teeth, to the gums, and can even be used while wearing braces.

The tip of this floss spatula is suitable for the bottom of the curved wire where it allows you to floss as usual between the teeth.

Teeth cleaning can be done all over the mouth in less than 2 minutes!

What is interesting?

Suitable use for braces with fast and effective.

Fits easily under curved wires and between brackets.

Angled to aim and clean orthodontic equipment.

It is important to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

The softer bristles gently clean the enamel gingiva while providing greater access around the bracket & behind the wire.

 Platypus Orthodontic Flosser
Buy From Shopee

#2 Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss

Oral-B Glide Pro-Heath Comfort Plus Floss is very gentle and not rough on the gums while being effective in dealing with plaque.

It can pass through the space between the close teeth, with a refreshing mint flavour.
So every time after cleansing, you will feel a comfortable cool effect and maximum level of cleansing!

What is interesting?

Effectively removes tough plaque between teeth and just below the gum line.

The smooth, break-resistant texture is easier in tight spaces compared to regular yarns.

Gliding is up to 50% easier in tight places to clean teeth in hard-to-reach areas.

The taste of mint is cool and refreshing

Combines comfort with the power of cleansing to remove plaque effectively.

Softer on the gums.

 Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss
Buy From Shopee

#3 Colgate Portable Water Flosser Rechargeable

The Colgate Water Flosser is a portable flossing tool designed to remove plaque between teeth & along the gum line. It comes with a very fine stream of water to clean between the teeth.

The device has 3 adjustable pressure modes (Soft, Normal, Pulse), according to individual preferences.

It is suitable to carry anywhere, because this product is equipped with an adjustable water tank, filling up to 140ml.

What is interesting?

Designed to remove plaque between teeth & along the gum line

Only 50 seconds for cleaning

Equipped with 3 Pressure Modes (Soft, Normal, Pulse)

Waterproof (IPX7)

Easy flossing that gives a clean feel

Easy cleaning around braces and dental work

Gentle on the gums

 Colgate Portable Water Flosser Rechargeable
Buy From Shopee

#4 Verona Peppermint Floss Pick

Verona dental floss acts to clean the gaps of the teeth and gums from food waste that can damage the teeth while providing freshness to the mouth.

This mint-flavoured floss is an option as it cleans effectively with the use of polyester yarn. At an affordable price, you will love it!

What's interesting:

Effective cleaning

Works to remove food waste and plaque

Stay fresh

Mint flavor

The yarn is made of polyester

The handle is ABS (Food Grade) material

 Verona Peppermint Floss Pick
Buy From Shopee

#5 Panasonic EW1211

The Panasonic EW1211 is a simple complement to an oral hygiene regime. Get rid of leftover food from inaccessible areas by simply brushing your teeth.

This product has a refillable tank with a three-tiered water jet intensity with gentle cleaning of the space between the teeth due to the double pump for air and water!

What is interesting?

Effective dental care with 2 water jet barrels

Triple advanced oral care

Easy-to-grip design

Wireless

130ml tank

 Panasonic EW1211
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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Man left shattered after fiancee dies from cancer moments before their wedding

It was meant to be the happiest day of Yang Feng’s life. He had just changed into his three-piece suit, and finished distributing the wedding candy.

And it was now time to exchange wedding vows.

Source:
CCTV/WEIBO

In a cruel twist of fate, however, his fiancee died from cancer, moments before their wedding.

“The wedding can’t be held anymore. Please leave, all of you,” said a heartbroken Yang, as he tried to hold back tears.

He knew she had cancer

Two years ago, 27-year-old Yang Feng met 32-year-old Xiao Hui quite by chance.

He was working as a deliveryman then, and she was hitchhiking. The two got talking, and at the very onset, Xiao Hui revealed that she was suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia, or cancer of the white blood cells, since the age of 24.

What started off as sympathy, soon blossomed into love.

Yang told
China Youth Daily
,
 “I found her pitiful at first, but as we interacted more, I wanted to take care of her all her life, and I started to pursue her.”

He knew that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Source:
CCTV/WEIBO

Even while they were dating, Yang would spend about 3,000 yuan (S$600) to 4,000 yuan of his 5,000-yuan salary on her treatment.

Things took a turn for the worse when Xiao’s condition deteriorated on 10 Aug, and she had to be warded in hospital in Henan province, China. A determined Yang decided to wed her in her hospital room.

Source:
CCTV/WEIBO

Fiancee dies on wedding day

Heartbreakingly, the bride-to-be died on 12 Aug 2018, moments before the couple could exchange their wedding vows.

“If only I had gotten to know her earlier,” said a devastated Yang.

Source:
CCTV/WEIBO

The tragic love story has won the hearts of netizens in China.

One of them commented, “Maybe this is true love – not expecting to grow old together, but just being with each other until the final moment.”

Another netizen wrote, “If there is an afterlife, I wish you will meet again and never be separated.”

We hope so too.

Here is a moving video about the story:

Source:
Weibo
,
China News

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#PendidikanKewangan
Apakah Gaya Pendidikan Kewangan (Money Parenting) Anda?
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