The Importance Of Nutrient Absorption For Growing Kids

Parents, if you’re reading this article, it means that you are curious to find out more about nutrient absorption and its role in your child’s development.

Perhaps you have found that your child is not growing well or you are concerned about their physical development.

Nutrient absorption does play a role in your child’s overall development but most parents may not know what it is.

We are here to break it down for you.

Nutrient Absorption: What Is It?

A quick Google search will take you to a lot of scientific articles or journals that are packed with medical terms that most laymen would not understand off the bat.

Something so important to our children’s health should not be too hard to understand.

Nutrient absorption, simply put, is the main function of our small intestine.

So we know the human body has a large and a small intestine. The large intestine is used to absorb water and salts from the material that has not been digested as food, and get rid of the remaining wasted products.

The small intestine carries out most of the digestive process, absorbing almost all the nutrients obtained from food consumed
1
.

Some of the nutrients absorbed by the small intestine include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, iron, vitamins, and water
2
.

But did you know what if yours, or your child’s body is lacking certain nutrients, the absorption of other nutrients may not be as effective.

Complementary Nutrients: Eating Right For The Whole Family

What is now known as food synergy, nutritionists are advising people to eat foods that complement each other in nutritional value for better nutrient absorption.

Nutrients never stand alone. In fact, they have relationships with each other that we need to understand in order to enhance our nutrient absorption.

There are some key nutrients that are crucial in a child’s development, such as vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, protein, to name a few.

So as parents, it’s pertinent to know what we are feeding our kids and how the nutrients complement each other.

For example, if you are feeding your child plenty of vitamin C in their diet, they are more likely to absorb iron effectively. To put it into real meals, if you’re eating a lot of dark leafy vegetables, which are rich in vitamin C, the body is able to absorb more iron from fish or lean meats.

When the two foods are paired together, it makes for good food synergy.

Another example is Vitamin D and calcium, wherein vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are all key nutrients for strong bones
3
.

Vitamin B12 and folate are another two top nutrients that are talked about in child development. Folate is dependent on vitamin B12 to be absorbed, stored and metabolised
4
.

We commonly feed our kids meat, eggs, milk, and other foods of animal origin, which are rich in vitamin B12, while natural sources of folate include leafy green vegetables, beans, and legumes.

Keeping Nutrient Absorption In Mind

Since milk is a staple in our children’s diet, it is also important to ensure the focus is on nutrient absorption when choosing our child’s milk.

Dumex Mamil® has a Unique Prebiotics Mixture GOS/lcFOS (9:1) to maintain a good intestinal environment, which supports good nutrient absorption for your child’s overall growth and health
56
.

It is engineered with D-GestPro+™, which is a combination of Unique Prebiotics Mixture GOS/lcFOS (9:1), Protein, Calcium and Vitamin D sourced from cow’s milk as well as a 96mg DHA* content.

With all the nutrients in place to complement each other, you can be sure that your child’s nutrient absorption is on the right track.

Keen to try out Mamil® D-GestPro+? Visit Dumex Mamil’s
website
 for more information.

*Mamil Step 3 DHA content, based on 3 servings/day

References

1
Collins, J. T. (2020, August 10). Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Small Intestine. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459366/

2
Libretexts. (2020, August 14). 22.13A: Absorption in the Small Intestine. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from
med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Book:_Anatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)/22:_Digestive_System/22.13:_Absorption/22.13A:_Absorption_in_the_Small_Intestine

3
Harvard Health. (2009, July). Nutrition’s dynamic duos. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from
www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Nutritions-dynamic-duos

4
Harvard Health. (2009, July). Nutrition’s dynamic duos. Retrieved September 29, 2020, from
www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Nutritions-dynamic-duos

5
Slavin J. Fiber and prebiotics: mechanisms and health benefits. Nutrients. 2013;5(4):1417-35.

6
Coudray C, Demigné C, Rayssiguier Y. Effects of Dietary Fibers on Magnesium Absorption in Animals and Humans. J Nutr. 2003;133(1):1-4

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Montigo, Malaysia’s first thermoregulated drinkware brand has recently announced an exciting collaboration with the well-known international oral care brand, Colgate. Thanks to this partnership, lucky coffee lovers will be able to bring home a box of Colgate’s Optic White toothpaste when they purchase Montigo products, specifically the Knight’s Tumbler or Sense Coffee Cup.

A new yet established brand, Montigo was created with the sole purpose of offering drinkware that’s made to be with you every step of the way – during your daily activities, at your most passionate, or at your best or worst. In conjunction with International Coffee Day, Montigo, together with Colgate, aims to help those currently combating the problem of stained teeth by providing free Colgate Optic White toothpaste to lucky customers.

“We aim to provide drinkware that keeps you hydrated throughout the day while catering to the evolving needs of Say Goodbye To Coffee Stains With Montigo x Colgate Montigo celebrates International Coffee Day with a special collaboration with Colgate your lifestyle. Coffee is the most popular drink in the world after water, but many coffee lovers are shocked to discover their favourite morning cuppa stains their teeth. Thanks to our friends at Colgate, we’re able to provide added value to our customers so that they don’t have to give up their cuppa joe to protect their teeth”, explained Marcus Lim, Brand Manager of Montigo.

From 15th October, Montigo will offer exclusive deals on their coffee collections including:

Buy any two Sense Cup and receive 15% OFF

Buy any two Knight’s Tumbler and receive 15% OFF

Buy Knight’s Tumbler and Sense Cup together and receive 15% OFF

Find out more about the Montigo Coffee Month campaign at shopmontigo.com or visit their offline pop-up booths across these shopping malls in the Klang Valley: Starling Mall, Paradigm Mall, KL East Mall, Central i-City.

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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Babies and Pets: Can They Co-Exist?

Can babies and pets co-exist? Read this mum’s answers to frequently asked questions about babies and pets living in the same home.

Fur Mum Is Pregnant

When my husband and I adopted a female Siamese cat in the
first trimester of my pregnancy
, we received so much flak from other people for bringing home a potential baby hazard.

There were warnings of how the cat fur would give my child asthma, breathing problems, rashes, allergies, and a whole slew of other health problems. And until today, the queries have not stopped.

If you’re curious whether your pet and baby can co-exist harmoniously, this article should address your concerns.

Table of Contents

Will My Pet Hurt My Baby?

Will the Animal Hair Give My Baby Allergies?

How Do I Prepare My Pet for the Baby?

Pets and Babies Living in Harmony

Making Sure Your Baby Is Safe Around Pets

Will My Pet Hurt My Baby?

Unless your pet is the aggressive sort and exhibits signs of violence, or is fiercely protective about his territory, there is nothing to worry about! Most dogs are good with children while most cats are very docile by nature, so there is no reason why your pet would attack your baby.

Even in the event that your unknowing toddler agitates your pet by handling it roughly, it is not common that your pet would attack in response. Most of them would simply walk away from the offending tiny person.

Will the Animal Hair Give My Baby Allergies?

Theoretically, animal hair is not much of an allergen – it is the stuff that gets trapped in the fur that causes allergic reactions. So keeping your pet clean will reduce the chances of allergic reactions.

However, it is essential to note that parents with any form of allergy would have higher chances of genetically passing on the tendency of having allergies that may or may not be similar to the parent.

There has also been scientific proof that early exposure to pets in a baby’s life may reduce the chances of the child developing allergy-related symptoms like
asthma
.

It seems as though it may possible for newborns to get accustomed to fur (and the allergen particles that may be found in tit) and avoid forming any allergies in the first place.

Will my pet be jealous of the new baby?

Unless your pet is usually the type who doesn’t care much about how many hugs she gets a day, most pets will come to feel neglected after the baby arrives. They may be moody, have reduced appetite, and may even go through stages of withdrawal from human contact.

Thus, even if we might be overwhelmed by the demands of a new baby, it would be important to dedicate some one-on-one time to our pet daily. In other words, our pets should be given the same treatment that we would give to any existing older children in the house.

How Do I Prepare My Pet for the Baby?

If you’re one of those pet owners who believe that your dog or cat can understand human language, share the news of your pregnancy with them as you would to an older child.

Pets often play the role of an older sibling – playing with and watching over the newborn when mum’s not watching – and preparing them for a new member in the family is crucial.

It would be advisable to set up the baby’s room earlier so that your pet can get used to the changes in the house. If you would prefer your pet to stay off the baby’s crib or even out of the baby’s room, this would be a suitable time to start training your pet about the new boundaries.

Although it may sound far-fetched for some, it would be a good idea to expose your pet to babies before you’re actually due. Animals have a much sharper sense of hearing than us, and the piercing cries of a newborn may prove too much for their sensitive ears.

Ultimately, getting them used to the sights and sounds of a newborn will prepare them better for what’s to come.

Pets and Babies Living in Harmony

I know many success stories of parents who raise their offspring in the presence of pets and none have any horror stories to tell. In fact, most pets take well to the
introduction of a new family member
 and even go on to form meaningful human-animal relationships.

It’s most likely that your pet will eventually become your child’s best playmate, and the relationship will cultivate your child’s love for animals.

My baby (who is no longer truly a baby anymore) loves to play with our pet cat and even invites her into bed to nap with him. He has not suffered any pet-related ailments and now at 20 months, I believe he probably will not start having problems with animal fur.

So if you were to come up to me and ask me if babies and pets can co-exist, my answer would definitely be ‘yes’!

Making Sure Your Baby Is Safe Around Pets

Baby’s safety is our top priority, especially when pets are around. We all know how unpredictable animals are, and how our baby’s movements affect the animals.

We need to never lose our eyes when babies and pets are playing together. Always make sure that you will supervise all of their interactions, and know the behaviour of your pets so you can avoid any possible harm to the pets and babies.

There are a lot of risks when owning a pet, however, we cannot deny the fact that pets promote a healthy lifestyle and can improve one’s or your child’s social and emotional development.  But, how can we reduce any risks and ensure the safety of babies and pets from each other?

Here are the things that you need to know for babies and pets safety.
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Baby Safety Measures Around Dogs

Dogs are very aggressive, so
NEVER let your baby or child alone with dogs
 no matter how well you know the dog.

Check your child’s every action
 to prevent scratches or movements that can harm your dogs, because they might lead to dog bites.

Even if dogs are well-trained, they can still attack you for no reason, so ensure that they know how to gently interact with your babies.

Check your animal’s mood
, so you’ll know when they will not snap at your baby or injure your child.

Make sure that you will
not let your baby or child play with dogs if they are eating, sleeping, or just woken up from sleep
.

Babies do not understand dangers and dogs are likely to be confused.
If your dog is signalling any stress, move your baby away from the dog.

Not only you will prioritise your baby’s safety, but you also need to check and
bring your dogs to the vet
, so you’ll know if your dog carries any diseases or viruses. In that way, it will not only help your dog’s health but also your child’s and you of course.

Even if there’s a baby around, check as well if there are any changes on your dog’s skin or if there’s any skin irritation.

Keep clean around dogs and make sure that the feeding equipment of your dogs is clean.
 Your dogs should be well-groomed and be up to date with their vaccinations.

Babies and Cats

Unlike dogs, cats are very gentle and easy to take care of and play with. You can approach cats easily if they sense that you will not do harm.

However, the cat is still an animal. They are unpredictable too, and you can provoke them to scratch and bite for no reason. So here are the things you can avoid to ensure the safety of your cats and babies to each other.

Do not approach or let your baby near your cat, if cats are eating, sleeping, or peeing.

Cats are scared of sudden movements and shouting. So if your baby or child tends to do a lot of motions, move them away from your cat to avoid sudden reactions from your cat too.

Read your child’s and cat’s body language.

If you want your baby to play with the cat,
make sure that your baby is a bit far from your cat’s tail, so you can avoid scratches from cats
. This scares them and may lose patience.

Keep your cat clean and well-groomed
, so it cannot contact any diseases that might compromise its health and your baby’s.

Bring your cat to the vet
 for advice, to know more about its safety and health around children.

Keep your cats away from environments that can lead them to have diseases and carry viruses.

Here are the things that a parent and a pet owner need to remember when petting a dog or cat and having a baby around, so it will not be harder for you, to prioritize their safety and can create an amazing relationship for the cats, dogs, and babies.

Again, if you’re asking if dogs and cats are a danger to babies, always remember that pets are pets, and are very unpredictable.

There are a lot of risks your child can get if you will be owning a pet, specifically, dogs and cats. Most problems that parents are worried about are the diseases, allergies, and viruses it might carry that can be passed on to your child, and affect its
still-developing immune system
.

Fret not, parents! Because as long as you are avoiding the risk of infections by cleaning up, removing uneaten foods, keeping away your pet from your child’s toys and nursery, and can manage to be a responsible pet owner, it will not cause any problems.

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:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: SIDS Causes, Risk Factors and Tips for Prevention

Read more:
 Identifying Children With High IQ: An Age-By-Age Guide For Parents

Read more:
 Can My Child Grow Double Eyelids?

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6 Financial Hacks That will Help You Save More Money

We are still in the recovery period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and we are grateful for the fact that the worst is about to come to an end.

The outbreak has started to subside but the aftermath of it has hit some of us pretty badly in terms of mentally and financially. Loss of jobs, source of income, and many unforeseen circumstances are some of the repercussions vis a vis Covid-19.

In these crucial moments, the things that can truly save us are the ways we manage our financial situation and what we can implement to better our condition.

We are no expert in both economy and finance, but we figure these 6 financial hacks should be able to help you kick start your financial saving goal today.

1. Delayed gratification

Have you experienced a situation in which you have planned everything perfectly for your monthly budget, keeping track of your daily expenses only to find that by the end of the month, a budget leakage destroys your entire budget plan?

How could things go sideways when you have planned your monthly budget? What could be amiss?

It’s time to check on your spending habits.

Did you buy something out of impulses?

Did you treat yourself with expensive treats weekly?

If your answer is yes to one of them, you might have instant gratification, a situation in which you succumb to the temptation to fulfill your desire without delay.

There is nothing wrong with getting what you want but when your financial state is in a dire state because of it, then we suggest making a quick change in your spending habits.

Delay your needs, don’t fall prey to the temptation, and separate between your wants and needs which will bring us to point number 2.

2. Embrace the power of add to cart

Courtesy of Google

It is easy to succumb to the temptation in which all you want to do is to spend that extra money on shopping. Going on full-scale shopping leisure can be extremely tempting but you have to put a stop to it.

It’s hard to curb our shopaholic side but you can help to keep your finances in check by adding your items to the shopping cart.

By adding to cart, not only you have the power to curb your desire from spending your money at one go, but ultimately it will protect you from any

impulse purchases. It would probably something that you might regret later on. So that you can stop having a pity party with yourself thinking

‘
Why did I buy that in the first place?’
‘

3. Build up your emergency saving

Emergency savings should be your top priority. Experts recommend saving up for 6 months worth of emergency savings.

Your emergency saving is meant for the future goal that can sustain you in the future in the case of bad tidings. Hey, we can’t predict the future, so it is best to be prepared for it.

Think of your emergency saving, as your back up plan in case you run into any unfortunate circumstances like losing a job, family, or car emergency or medical situation that requires a huge sum of money.

Under no circumstances, you are to touch your saving unless the situation calls for it. It is what emergency saving is for.

4. Go with cash or cashless?

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Some people prefer a good old fashioned way to purchase by using cash. The trick is to draw a significant amount of cash based on their budget. It certainly helps to keep your finance in check and limit your spending on unnecessary things.

On the other hand, some people do enjoy being a part of a cashless society. You no longer have to pay cash and you don’t have to carry them in your wallet.

If you are using direct debit, chances are that you might overspend and not being conscious about how you spend.

Not a fan of having to tap your card or key in your ATM card pin? Use your phone instead and utilize e-wallet apps like Boost, Touch n Go, Grab Pay, and more in which you will get instant rebates for your purchases.

Cashless society doesn’t sound so bad, right?

5. Get extra income

Should you save money or earn more money?

We say why not both?

Living frugally can only support your financial situation for a while like canceling subscription of your Netflix account or eat cheap meals. But a side hustle that pays well, man that can go a long way and would be able to make a significant impact on your financial situation.

You can have a part-time job, look for a better job, or get a raise.

There are tons of part-time jobs that you can do so that you no need to rely solely on your saving.

If you lost your job, touch wood, at least you have something to back you up financially.

6. Read more financial tips and articles

If you are striving on a path of financial freedom in the future, you have to be prepared for it by equipping yourself with knowledge of finance.

There are tons of finance websites like RinggitohRinggit, RinggitPlus, and many more that highlight lots of financial tips and investments if you live in Malaysia.

You can also check out any personal finance channels from Youtube as their videos will guide you on how to save money efficiently and how to invest better.

After all, knowledge is power.

To more financial freedom in the future.

Want to save up more when you buy your gifts? Check out
Printcious
for more
custom made products
 with great price today.

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious.

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 on
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Is My Child Too Short?

No parent wants to suspect their child of having a medical condition or health disorder, but catching a condition early could mean the difference between optimum treatment and outcome, and not being able to do anything effective to help the child.
This is especially so when it comes to short stature or stunting.

According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, over one in five (21.8%) Malaysian children below the age of five years is considered stunted, making this a fairly common condition.

As height is a measurement that varies naturally within a population, it may be difficult for parents to tell whether their child is naturally short or is not actually growing well.
In view of this, there are three things parents can keep in mind when considering their child’s growth.

First is the child’s expected height based on their sex and age.
This can be measured against standardised growth charts, which come in the form of percentiles or standard deviations.
If your child’s height falls below the third percentile for age or is more than two standard deviations below the norm on the appropriate growth chart, then they can be considered short.

Such growth charts are available online from reputable organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as from your child’s paediatrician and in your child’s school report once they start attending primary school.

The second factor is the child’s genetic height potential.
How tall your child can grow is dependent on the associated genes he or she inherits from both you and your partner.
Therefore, if you and your partner are both naturally short, it shouldn’t be a surprise if your child is also short.
However, if both of you are tall and your child is short, then it might be a sign that something is preventing your child from achieving his or her full height potential.

Third is the child’s growth velocity, i.e. how fast is he or she growing?
If your child is growing at a normal rate, then starts to slow down, it is definitely a cause for concern.
This can be observed by tracking their growth on the appropriate sex- and age-based growth charts.
Your child’s growth should be fairly steady, i.e. more or less on the same percentile or standard deviation, throughout their childhood and adolescent years.
Growth faltering to a lower percentile is a sign of slowing down in growth rate and should be investigated.

Causes and types of short stature

There are many potential causes of short stature, but they can generally be grouped into three categories.

The first – and most common – is normal variant short stature.

Those within this category are generally short by nature.
It could be due to either their genetic potential, i.e. their parents are naturally short, or some unknown reason, i.e. idiopathic. Children in this group are usually otherwise healthy – just shorter than the norm.

Those who are “late bloomers” or “late developers” also fall within this normal variant short stature. Known medically as having a constitutional delay in growth and puberty, such children typically grow steadily, but slowly (usually below the third percentile, according to the growth charts). They achieve puberty much later than their peers,  however, they will continue to grow even after their peers have completed their growth, hence will catch up in height with their peers.

The second category comprises intrinsic or primary short stature, i.e. being born with the cause of your short stature.

A common reason for this is syndromic disorders, which are typically a result of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. In such cases, short stature is usually one out of a number of symptoms resulting from the main disorder.
Examples of such disorders include Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Noonan syndrome and achondroplasia, among others.

An intrauterine infection – where the mother catches an infection during pregnancy that also affects the foetus – can also cause the baby to be small. Such infections can usually be recognized and diagnosed at birth, allowing the baby to receive appropriate treatment.

Also in this category are babies who are considered small for their gestational age.
This can be due to factors concerning the mother (e.g. having chronic conditions like high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease), the baby (e.g. being a twin or having a birth defect) or the placenta (e.g. decreased blood flow to the placenta, placenta previa or placenta abruption).

While most children in this group tend to catch up in growth after birth, about 15% don’t and will remain small throughout their lives if not diagnosed and treated early enough.

The final category covers secondary causes of short stature.
There are multiple causes within this category, but one of the most common in Malaysia is that of nutritional deficiency including protein calorie malnutrition, iron and vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency is common among children as many children tend to spend most of their time indoors nowadays, resulting in a lack of exposure to sunlight.
The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) ray is a critical component in the production of vitamin D in our body. Vitamin D is, in turn, vital for the absorption of calcium to build and maintain our bones. In vitamin D deficiency, the bones are soft and bowed especially in the weight-bearing lower limbs resulting in short stature.

Other secondary causes of short stature include systemic disorders like gut problems, heart disease or a weak immune system, as well as hormone deficiencies, like growth hormone deficiency.

Act fast

It is important that parents bring their child to see the appropriate specialist – a paediatric endocrinologist, or at least, a general paediatrician – if they have any doubts in their mind about their child’s growth.

Do not be complacent and hope your child will catch up in height later.  Delaying diagnosis shortens the window period for remedy as the bones continue to mature with time.  Once fully mature, nothing more can be done to help them to grow any taller.

 Besides this,  if your child has an underlying medical condition that is hindering his/her growth, delaying diagnosis and treatment may lead to the prolongation of poor quality of life and the emergence of complications.
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Hence, if you notice that your child does not seem to be growing as he/she should be, seek help from a paediatric endocrinologist.  Do not delay. You may make a significant difference in your child’s future.

As the regular measurement of your child’s growth is important, parents can play an active role in monitoring their child’s height. Convenient digital tools such as the Growth Journey
TM
 mobile app endorsed by the Malaysian Paediatric Association can help parents chart their child’s growth as well as get serial measurements to ensure growth is on track.

The article is written by
 Dr Wu Loo Ling,
Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Endocrinologist of
Subang Jaya Medical Centre.

This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of theAsianparent.

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:
Why Does My Child Only Root For The Bad Guy When Watching TV?

Read more:
7 Breathing Exercises For Children That Can Help Them De-Stress And Feel Relaxed

Read more:
 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Handle Sibling Rivalry

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How Building with LEGO® bricks Can Boost Your Child's Creativity & Imagination

Play is one of the most important aspects of a child’s life because through games of patty-cake, playing house or building LEGO
®
 bricks, children learn to think creatively and develop social skills.

LEGO
®
 bricks are the perfect foundation for children to express their thoughts. They can build, unbuild, and rebuild to create worlds beyond their wildest imagination.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, and they are given free rein to rebuild based on a whole new set of ideas. The possibilities are endless!

Parents are attracted to the idea that brick building offers an open-ended, valuable play and learning experience in every setting. This offers children the freedom to explore, discover and construct their budding minds.

Benefits of Tapping into A Child’s Imagination

Courtesy of The LEGO Group 2021

Charlotte Reznik, PhD, a child educational psychologist, associate clinical professor of psychology at UCLA and author of The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success stated a few benefits from tapping into your child’s imagination
1
.

These include:

Strengthens bond between parent and child

Children learn best from their parents. By playing with them, you can encourage spontaneous creative conversations in your daily life which will eventually lead to imaginative thinking.

They encounter new experiences through brick building and from there it leads to countless opportunities for discussion. Take this opportunity to play easy word association with your child and collaborate with them in storytelling.

Improves fine motor skills

Did you know that children need the same muscles and skills when learning to write? Children that play with LEGO
®
 bricks can connect them with a precision that eventually helps to strengthen their fine motor skills while improving their hand-eye coordination.

Younger children can build muscles and control by picking up the pieces and putting them together.

Provides relief from boredom

With LEGO
®
 bricks, children are free to explore their ideas as they embark on a voyage of self-discovery in their imaginative world. Besides that, the bricks are designed in a manner that introduces characters, adventures and storytelling.

With a bit of encouragement, your child can invest their time in building a LEGO® world that enhances their cognitive abilities and skills from a young age.

Coaches mathematics

As the bricks come in many shapes, sizes and colours, this offers ample opportunity for children to practise their mathematical skills. Through brick playing, children will learn about measurements, numbers, symmetry, balance, estimation, and be exposed to quantities.

This encourages them to come up with new ideas through exploration, to problem-solve.

Teaches children to be persistent

Children are notoriously stubborn – they do what they want when they want to do it. Building LEGO
®
 bricks however requires planning skills. While the building process may seem frustrating at first, it also makes children curious as they want to see the end product.

Repeated playing with LEGO
®
 bricks can help children develop perseverance and overcome their frustration, knowing that their soon-to-be masterpieces will be built, the way that they want them to be built.

How Can Parents Help Boost Creativity With LEGO
®
Bricks For Fun Learning?

Courtesy of The LEGO Group 2021

For children, the sky’s the limit! As parents, you can encourage your child to inject more creativity into brick building by:

Providing all the tools needed in the process

Using LEGO
®
 bricks as the foundation, tap into your child’s imagination by providing them with different types of bricks that can form extensions from the same brick building.

Your child’s masterpiece could be a mega tower, and all you need to do is provide some tiny details to enhance the environment, say, some trees or cars to build up their imagination.

Communicating the right way

If you want to boost your child’s communication skills, you need to ask them what they want to build from the beginning. Help them brainstorm some ideas without giving them a definite conclusion.

This way, they are able to set their minds on the loose and eventually encourage and train their thought processes.

Tamar Chansky, PhD, author and child psychologist stated that parents can foster creativity by not using praises about products
2
. With that in mind, instead of saying “Great job buddy!”, you need to ask questions about the process. Use terms like “your ideas are creative” or “what made you choose this colour?”.

Your participation and encouragement will boost their confidence and creative set skills without interfering too much, letting your child’s imagination run on its own!

Setting a playdate

Some children are shy and are still trying to develop their social skills. Being in constant lockdown, some children (especially with two parents in a one-child household) find it hard to interact with other children. When forced to mingle, they will find the situation extremely stressful.

Since LEGO
®
 bricks are well-known toys among children, it acts as a common tool that all children will be able to recognise during playdates.

As such, this common thread will not only help your child come out of their shell, it can also help to foster new friendships while the children trade play ideas.

To celebrate children as the masters of creative problem solving and show what can be achieved when they creatively overcome challenges by building and rebuilding with LEGO
®
 bricks, the LEGO
®
 Group has launched its global Rebuild the World campaign in Malaysia for the first time.

The campaign aims to echo this by partnering local early learning and parenting coaches alongside parents to share their experiences as well as tips for parents through weekly Instagram Live sessions in October 2021 with details as below:

Malaysia

16 October 2021, 4pm
 – Parents can look forward to hearing more about how they can encourage creativity in children through play from actress-parent Diana Danielle and paediatrician Dr Ng Yi-Ki’s (@dryikis_crib) on Diana’s Instagram page (@dianadanielleb).

23 October 2021, 4pm
 – To learn how children can foster self-expression through play, parents can also tune in to parent influencer Mia Chai and entrepreneur, Lisa Ong’s (@lovelisa_13) sharing session on Mia’s Instagram page (@miamnmmm).

Singapore

2 October 2021, 11am
 – Additionally, they can also tune in to the Instagram page of Singapore-based entrepreneur-parent Cheryl Wee (@weecheryl) to understand more about how they can discover a child’s passion through play.

9 October 2021, 3pm
 – Singapore-based actress-parent Joanne Peh (@joannepeh) will also be sharing on her Instagram page on raising creative problem-solvers through play.

Reference:

(August 3, 2009) Reznick, C.
The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success
. Retrieved from
www.amazon.com/Power-Your-Childs-Imagination-Transform/dp/0399535071

(September 2, 2008). Chansky, T.
Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness.
Retrieved from
www.amazon.com/dp/0738211850?tag=psychologytod-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

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:

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

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Does Your Child Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects how a child perceives and responds to sensory information. This could show up in many different ways. For example, a child with Sensory Processing Disorder may find activities like tooth-brushing or being hugged extremely uncomfortable.

Kids with SPD can either be over-responsive or under-responsive to stimuli. An over-responsive child could find “normal” sounds overwhelming—while an under-responsive child may not react to pain, extreme heat, or cold.

SPD is a common disorder, but it isn’t very well understood. Some health professionals think it should not exist as a separate disorder, rather as a symptom of other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Others believe it should be considered an official medical diagnosis.

Credit: Shutterstock

Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder

The precise cause of Sensory Processing Disorder is not yet known. Some studies have suggested that this condition is genetic, meaning that it could run in families. There are doctors who believe there’s a connection between autism and SPD.

Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder can affect only one sense, like touch or sight, or it can affect multiple senses. Kids with this disorder can be oversensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input or experience a mixture of the two.

Read more
:
5 early signs of autism in toddlers

Signs of an over-responsive child:

Credit: Shutterstock

Finds lights too bright

Finds sounds too loud

Finds certain textures (e.g., clothes) too uncomfortable

Finds certain foods to be repulsive

Appears clumsy

Has poor balance

Avoids crowds or being too physically close to others

Seems to be bothered by background sounds others don’t hear

Extreme response to sudden sounds or touch from others

Signs of an under-responsive child:

Restless

Constantly touching things, even when inappropriate

Regularly chews on things

Enjoys spinning, running, jumping

Does not seem to understand personal space

Accidentally harms others while playing, as if unaware of his/her own strength

Very high tolerance for pain
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Children are more likely to have SPD than adults, although adults are more able to hide their symptoms from other people.

Treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder

Credit: Shutterstock

There are a few different therapies available for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder:

1. Sensory integration therapy (SI)

Sensory integration therapy is a form of occupational therapy. It uses play activities to teach kids coping skills which help them deal with everyday stimuli.

2. Occupational therapy

Kids who have SPD may need help with their physical movements, as they could be clumsy or lack balance. Occupational therapy can develop kids’ fine and gross motor skills, such as walking up or downstairs and handling utensils

3. Sensory diet

A sensory diet is not a food diet! It is a series of physical activities that kids with SPD can do at home, to help them with their sensory processing issues. An occupational therapist can help plan a sensory diet for a child, based on his or her individual needs.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
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5 Fun Ways to Teach Your Children About Giving Back During the Holiday Season

Watching your children opening up their holiday gifts can be a nerve-wracking experience to some parents. What if the child hates what is given and starts to throw tantrums? Ask any parents in this world, they would say that they want to raise children who not only appreciate gifts that are given to them, but also know the art of giving to others well.

However, the spirit of generosity does not always come naturally to children. They would want what others have, and they are certainly not afraid to let their parents know that fact.

According to a clinical child psychologist and Deakin University Professor, Jennifer McIntosh, when it comes to nurturing generosity and empathy, it is vital children are shown ‘the roots of empathy’ from a very early age
1
.

Teaching your children about the art of giving is an amazing way to encourage empathy and show compassion to others. The act of kindness to others also boosts their physical health, happiness, and sense of well-being.

Children will feel a sense of purpose and that promotes positive self-esteem. Indirectly, this also helps to increase children’s self-confidence and promote positive behaviours.

How to Teach Your Child the Art of Giving

Teaching your child to show generosity and kindness is not a one-time act, it should be an ongoing process. Persistence and patience are the main keys.

Here are a few tips on how to teach your children the art of giving from within.

Lead by example

Children listen to their parents and often emulate their parents’ actions and words more than you realized. Remember – you can’t teach your child to be gracious if you are not modelling the same behaviour.

Work together with your child on how to help the less fortunate. Carry out the art of giving in front of your child so they can observe and learn from you. The lesson here is for them to have more empathy towards others.

Make it joyous

Teaching our children the act of kindness and giving back should not be yet another task they need to tick off! Instead, get your child involved in the process of buying gifts.

Ask them what presents they want to give to others, where to buy them and how to wrap them. Getting them involved in the process makes them excited to do more good deeds in the future!

Make giving gifts a family tradition

We are used to giving other presents only when it’s their birthday or for holiday seasons. Why not treat gift-giving as part of your family tradition that can be passed down from one generation to another?

You can teach your children to give gifts to others just because it makes them feel happy, not just for special occasions. That way, your child will learn how to appreciate others.

Practice makes perfect

Sometimes as parents, we need to learn how to lower our expectations. Children might not be able to apprehend the meaning and the art of giving quickly, however with proper guidance, you will lead them in the right direction.

Most importantly, you should never give up on teaching empathy and continue to do so until your child shows positive change on their own. Remember, gift-giving does not only mean physical presents, you can also teach your child to give out to charity or the simplest ‘donation’ of all time, a smile.

Don’t forget to praise them

After your child gives away things to others, you must show your appreciation towards their gesture. Children are most likely to give more in the future when they feel that their actions are seen verbally.

The more positive the children feel towards the change they are making, the more likely they will be encouraged to take part in the future!

But Where to Get the Best Gifts?

With the holiday season coming up, we are most likely scrambling to find the best gifts for our family and friends. Here are some Christmas gifts ideas that you and your family can purchase for others:

Book collections

When you know a bookworm, getting them a set of book collections would be a dream come true! You can never go wrong when picking up someone’s next read. Just make sure you know what genre they like the most.

Where to shop?: Popular Bookstore

Tabletop football

Nothing screams family fun time other than a wooden tabletop football. Get this fantastic gift for your child and gather around for a family bonding session after the Christmas dinner.

Where to shop?: Toys R Us

Reed diffuser sticks

When looking for a fail-proof gift, reed diffuser sticks with brilliant scents are always a great choice. If you’re feeling festive, opt for one with hints of Christmas such as pine or plum. Plus, with the right packaging, it would be perfect as house decor!

Where to shop?: Maison Berger Paris

Festive hamper

When all else fails, getting your loved ones a hamper with all the sweet treats is an excellent fallback. We especially love cookies and popcorns that are Christmas-themed (think macadamia red velvet cookies, choco mint, butter caramel popcorn, cocoa melt popcorn, and many more!), perfect to be enjoyed by everyone of all ages.

Where to shop?: Eureka & Famous Amos

Your Ultimate Christmas Shopping Destination

We personally think the best place to find the perfect Christmas gifts should be under the same roof!

So come celebrate the magical Christmas season with Sunway Velocity Mall. In light of coming together to celebrate this festive season, Sunway Velocity Mall ushers in ‘Together for Good’ to spread joy and happiness.

With the theme that personifies the community rebuilding and reuniting again for a common goal, Sunway Velocity Mall has everything for everyone!

Want to create a magical experience for your children? Just bring your children over to the Main Atrium to light up the giant Christmas tree and experience the beautiful lights yourself! What’s more, you can also teach your children the art of giving by donating to charities at the Concierge counter, Ground Floor.

Receive a token of appreciation upon your donation as any small amount helps the good cause!

Plus, get your child to take insta-worthy photos at Sunway Velocity Mall’s Christmas Stations and upload the image on Facebook or Instagram and tag @sunwayvelocitymall & hashtag #SVMChristmas2021 #SunwayForGood.

 For every photo uploaded and tagged, Sunway Velocity Mall will be a step closer to donating more essentials to the needy.

Sunway Velocity Mall is bringing in a fun engaging digital experience for all shoppers with a Christmas Guardians Augmented Reality (AR) that features five (5) interactive games.

What the shoppers are required to do is to complete all 5 AR games that can be found in Sunway Velocity Mall’s Christmas Stations around the mall such as Main Atrium, in front of Popular, Sushi Zanmai, and L5 Commune. And you will get to redeem mystery gifts such as Sunway Lagoon Annual Pass worth RM689, cash vouchers, and many more!

What’s more you can also spend and redeem exclusive merchandise from Sunway Velocity Mall here. All you need to do is spend RM300 & RM600 to redeem exclusive gifts and vouchers (limited stock only!).

Keep Your Distance & Stay Safe

If you are planning to visit the mall or other public premises, remember to always practice the safety measures such as monitoring physical distance, sanitizing, and wearing masks. While visiting the mall, do abide by the measures in place that have been set by the mall and their respective stores.

For more information, please visit the Sunway Velocity Mall’s
website
 or check out their
Facebook page
 for live and latest updates!

Reference:

(Nov 28, 2018) First Five Years.
Teaching children the joy of generosity.
Retrieved from
www.firstfiveyears.org.au/child-development/teaching-children-the-joy-of-giving

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:

9 Things To Say To Your Kids Every Day

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TAP Reviews: Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App

As a mum, we’re guessing you probably have more than one pregnancy and child tracker app mobile application downloaded to track your child’s development, or give you helpful advice when tackling your obsession with your growing up child’s poop – so on, and so forth.

But these mobile applications can take a bulk of your phone storage and you might not have enough left to store all your child’s adorable pictures you take. So, what if we told you we found an app that has all the features mums love, packed into one?

Well, we recently tried the Enfamama A+ Club Mobile app and we love it.  Just read on for our honest review and why we think you should probably give it a go too.

What is the Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App?

The app positions itself as the “perfect app for mums” where you can track your pregnancy journey, as well as your growing up child’s milestones. The app offers personalised guidance according to the details you input which include your pregnancy stage, or if you have a child aged one and above.

Some of the key features of the app include:

educational content resources;

pregnancy tracker;

mommy checklist;

child poop tracker;

child milestone tracker;

child sleep tracker; and

a growth tracker.

So, is it really useful?

Here’s our review of the Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App

When you first download the app, you’ll have to sign up. A bonus point is that you can even sign up by connecting it to your Facebook – our preferred method because it is just faster to register that way.

After that, the app requires you to answer simple questions including if you are pregnant, as well as if you have a child aged one and above. Once you’re done, voila! You’re logged into the app.

At first glance, the homepage dashboard is extremely easy on the eyes – it is not busy, plus it’s quite user-friendly and easy to navigate. There is even a quick access feature under the “Actions” section which you’ll get to if you scroll down a bit further. Here, you can navigate to your trackers and search up any topics of interest quickly.

Tracking your pregnancy & child

Of course, the main feature of the pregnancy and child tracker app that mums value most are the trackers. So, let’s talk about that first.

When it comes to tracking your fetus or growing up child, the app will alter according to what you want to track. For example, if you are expecting and already have a toddler at the same time, you should have revealed these details when signing up.

However, your pregnancy has its own trackers, while your toddler’s trackers are separate from this on the app – you cannot access both of these trackers at once. So, you can easily switch between your fetus and child at the area below your name under “Your little one is”. Once you have selected which you would like to track, the app will refresh and you can click on “Child & me” on the bottom right corner to access the trackers.

So, what trackers are there? Here what you’ll see if you are tracking your pregnancy:

1# Mommy Checklist

As a first-time mum, this pregnancy and child tracker app is an especially helpful (and a super smart) feature to upkeep your well-being during your pregnancy. We know mental health is extremely important during a pregnancy journey because a happy mummy is a happy child, so they say. This feature acts as a checklist that caters to your stage of pregnancy. It lists a simple to-do checklist, which you can tick off every action once you have done it. It covers your mental health, as well as your communication, motor and social activities. It gives you simple tasks that you should be doing according to your pregnancy stage from reminding you to take a nap to make sure you avoid hot showers!

2# Pregnancy Weight Tracker

Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy helps you monitor the growth of your developing fetus, but how much should you be gaining? Well, that’s what this pregnancy and child tracker app is for. Here, you can input your weight before pregnancy, your current weight, height and which week of pregnancy you are in. Then, the app will automatically calculate whether your weight gain is normal or not. It will also share what is the ideal weight gain and provide important facts about your fetus’ development, as well as what supplements you should be taking – a very useful add-on for pregnant mothers to keep track of their growth.

And here’s what you’ll see if you are tracking your growing up child:

1# Poop tracker

We all know our child’s poop is a glaring indicator of their digestive health, which is why we’re often obsessed with their poop colour and texture. Well, instead of googling every time, this feature gives you the information you’re looking for right away. It has “poop records” which will detail the date, time and feeding type (i.e solids, etc). You then have to choose the colour and texture that best resembles their poop at the time. The app will then auto-analyse to provide a possible cause of the poop colour, as well as if this is normal or if you should visit your doctor. Plus, with this poop log, you can provide more information for your doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis.

2# Sleeping tracker

It is no secret that sleep is important, especially for children which is why it is always advised to track their sleeping pattern. This feature makes it easy to do that. It is especially great because it has a timer that you can just press to start when your child falls asleep! When your

child is awake just press pause and it will automatically log in their sleep pattern. But you can also log in their sleep manually if you forget to start the timer.

3# Milestone tracker

There are many developmental milestones for your child aged one and above, where you might not catch each one. With this tracker, it lists all the milestones your  growing up child should be experiencing at their age or stage. You can tick it off every time your child reaches a new milestone and this way, you’ll know your child is developing well.

4# Growth tracker

To know if your child’s – who is aged one and above – height, weight, head circumference and body mass index is developing at the ideal and usual rate, this growth tracker will calculate these details for you. Once you place in the details, it will calculate whether your child is developing normally, as well as above or below average. It also gives tips on how to nurture your child development too.

The app’s content bank is a goldmine

Besides the useful trackers, the app also offers a multitude of educational content.

As a mummy, we spend a lot of time researching about our child – the what-to-dos, the how-tos and more. To make it easier, the Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App readily provides you with all the content you probably need and it is sorted out according to your pregnancy stage, as well as your child’s one-year-old and above age, as well as stage. To top it off, there is video content too.

We particularly love their pregnancy articles as it details what you should expect at every stage of pregnancy – a lifesaver for first-time mothers!

Additionally, it also provides educational resources for common issues such as how to soothe a crying toddler at night, digestion issues, lactose intolerance, as well as useful information on your one-year-old and above child’s overall development. Yup, it is all at your fingertips in one app – no more scouring Google endlessly!

Here’s a Bonus! You can also request for free Enfamama A+ samples

Since it is an Enfamama A+ Club app, it also ties in all their maternal and growing up products. So, pregnant mums can actually request for free samples which we think is a great way to save money as you can try out products before splurging. To top it off, mums with a growing up child aged one and above can request for a voucher (at only RM20!) to redeem a 600g Enfagrow A+ MindPro trial pack!

Meanwhile, there are app-exclusive promotions so you can get more for your money’s worth and you can shop their maternal and growing up milk products directly on the app – the products are also categorised according to children’s ages and stages too.

Our final verdict? It’s mummy must-have!

If we managed to convince you, you can head over
Enfamama A+ Club Mobile app
 for more information.

Plus, if you sign up and download the app, you can enjoy club benefits that are worth up to RM700!

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:

Boosting Their Immune System: 5 Ways To Keep Your Growing Up Child Fit and Strong

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Why Washing Hands Is Crucial and How to Choose the Correct Hand Wash

Personal hygiene is important. We all know this but in today’s fast-paced lives, it is easy to forget the basics. However, in the past year and a half, the
COVID-19 pandemic
 has reminded us all about
the importance of personal hygiene
–
washing hands
 being among the most fundamental ones.

From the
World Health Organisation
 to leading
scientists and doctors
 all over the world, everyone has been emphasising on the importance of washing hands and the correct way to do so.

The importance of washing hands for general health and well-being

Now, pandemic or no pandemic, for general health and well-being in day-to-day life, maintaining hygiene is crucial and
handwashing is a key element
 to help get rid of germs and prevents diseases. However, we cannot ignore the fact that amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the
importance of hand hygiene
 has become even more important.

Handwashing becomes even more pertinent in households with children as they are curious and tend to touch practically everything that comes in their way- soil, floor, doors, handles, toys and books to name a few. Plus, their
immunity systems
 are not as developed and this makes them more vulnerable to infections and diseases.

Did you know that according to
studies
 it is estimated that washing hands with soap has the potential to reduce diarrheal diseases by 42 to 47 percent?

This is where a good, reliable hand wash or soap comes into play. Even the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 recommends using soap and water to wash hands properly to prevent the spread of pathogens like viruses and bacteria that carry deadly diseases.

Choosing the correct hand wash for your child and your family

Now that we have established the
importance of handwashing
 for your family’s health and well-being, the next question is which hand wash to go for? Today, there is no dearth of handwash brand and choices in the market.

Additionally, there is an excessive influx of information online as well as offline. This can easily overwhelm us as consumers making it difficult to choose the correct hand wash. I can say this with confidence because as a
 new mom that too in the age of a pandemic,
 this is a struggle I go through myself on an everyday basis.

I believe for any family; the right kind of hand wash would not only help kill germs but would also be kid-safe so we don’t have to buy multiple products or worry about the side effects of harsh chemicals on our children.

Plus, it needs to be gentle on our skin because we need to wash our hands repeatedly, especially in homes with young children.

Let me introduce you to Kirei Kirei- Japan’s No.1 Hand Wash. Lion’s Kirei Kirei is an anti-bacterial foaming hand wash that kills 99.9% of germs, and is dermatologically tested.

Safe to use for the entire family, this foaming hand wash is formulated with 100% cleansing ingredients derived from plants, and is proven gentle on the skin.

Why choose Kirei Kirei as your family hand wash?

While there are numerous brands in the market selling hand wash and foams, Kirei Kirei has managed to establish a niche for itself not only in Japan but across the region. Launched in Japan in 1997, Kirei Kirei has built a reputation in the past two and a half decades.

Today, the brand is present in seven different countries holding the No.1 Hand Wash position in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand and is all set to enter Malaysia aiming to help young kids and their parents stay clean, safe and healthy.

Here’s why Kirei Kirei is the hand wash for you and your family:

Removes 99.9% Germs:
Kirei Kirei formulated with Isopropyl Methylphenol (IPMP) that is effective in removing a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, and thus provides superior protection against germs.

Rich, creamy and fine foam for effective cleaning:
 The bottle of this handwash is specially designed so it instantly dispenses an ample amount of rich, creamy foam that is very fine making cleaning more effective than ordinary liquid hand wash. The very fine foam easily removes dirt even without rubbing.

12x more volume than ordinary liquid handwash:
Easy and thorough cleaning for younger kids. The foam makes it easier to spread thoroughly all over hands to the fingertips, more effectively cleaning a bigger surface area – useful for young kids.

A sustainable choice:
What makes Kirei Kirei stand out among ordinary handwash brands are its uniquely designed bottles that avoid spillage and reduce wastage furthering the cause of sustainability. The foam is easy to rinse off, hence uses less water. This means you can get more hand washes per package with foam-based hand wash and help the environment by saving water as well as packaging and transportation carbon footprint. Furthermore, they offer refill packs encouraging users to cultivate the habit of refilling to help reduce wastage for a greener, cleaner planet.

Make hand washing fun for your kids:
Kirei Kirei literally means “Clean Clean” in Japanese. This is a popular phrase used by moms to encourage good hand hygiene among kids in Japan. The foaming hand wash comes in a cute packaging with fun characters and vibrant colours making the hand washing routine a fun activity for kids and a bonding opportunity for families.

A trusted brand as Japan’s No.1 Hand Wash:
Kirei Kirei has been Japan’s No.1 hand wash for almost two decades and is widely popular across the region. It is a trusted brand in over seven nations. This gives mothers assurance and a peace of mind that it is a good quality product.

Kirei Kirei is a foaming hand wash that not only provides maximum protection against germs but it also makes a mundane everyday task fun for kids and for the family. This foaming hand wash is the best choice for you and your family.

Learn more about Kirei Kirei Malaysia
here
  and follow them on
Facebook
 to get more updates. Check out the Kirei Kirei Shopee Mall
here
.

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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Suffering From Nipple Blisters? Try These Mum-Approved Nipple Creams

During pregnancy, a woman’s nipples become slightly larger and more sensitive to prepare for breastfeeding. And as she begins breastfeeding her baby, she may experience
nipple or milk blisters,
 especially when her baby suckles for too long or too hard. This is when a good nipple cream comes in handy, so mum can continue breastfeeding comfortably.

Although a nipple cream is generally used during breastfeeding, some pregnant mums actually start applying it during pregnancy as an early preparation.

As both mum and baby are new to breastfeeding
, they are bound to encounter difficulties such as getting the right posture, in the early days. Using a good nipple cream not only helps make learning breastfeeding more bearable for mum but also soothes her with the much-needed comfort before, during and after breastfeeding.

Choosing The Right Nipple Cream During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

To help you
minimise the risk of nipple sores and/or blisters
 during pregnancy and breastfeeding, we have shortlisted 7 of the best nipple creams that are available at your nearest physical stores and online. These nipple creams are chosen based on the criteria below:

Quality ingredients

All ingredients in the cream must be safe for mom and baby.

Feel and texture

Comfort is key when breastfeeding, so you have to ensure that the nipple cream applies smoothly and is not too thick or sticky. Pure lanolin cream has a thick texture and provides all-day protection, while blended lanolin is lighter but may need to be applied a few times a day.

Smell and taste

Depending on the ingredients, certain nipple creams may have a slight smell and taste. Most babies are not bothered by this but those who are more sensitive to smells and tastes may react by rejecting your breasts.

7 Best Nipple Creams For Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

#1 Mama’s Choice Intensive Nipple Cream

Why is this great?

Unlike other products that use lanolin as its main ingredient, Mama’s Choice uses 100% natural ingredients, is free from harmful chemicals and best of all, is also safe if swallowed.

This product has also gone through many rounds of lab tests, so you can be sure of its quality and that it is perfectly safe for mum and baby. Experience a soothing sensation with Mama’s Choice intensive nipple cream that not only treats cracked and sore nipples but also conditions dry skin and improves skin elasticity.

Mama’s Choice nipple cream is also Halal-certified, so it is suitable for Muslim mummies.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

Lanolin helps condition dry skin

Date palm is known as an antioxidant with anti-ageing benefits. It soothes and hydrates cracked and sore nipples

A hydrating edible oil that functions as a natural emollient to hydrate dry and tight skin

Shea butter from the shea tree is anti-inflammatory and protects the skin to stay soft and smooth

Vitamin E to moisturise and strengthen the skin barrier function

Feel and texture:

Soft and light, easy to apply on the skin

Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested to be suitable for all skin types

Smell and taste:

None – so baby can enjoy a fuss-free nursing session with mummy

 Mama's Choice Intensive Nipple Cream
dari

Mama's Choice
Buy at Shopee
Buy at Lazada

#2 Medela Purelan – Lanolin Cream

Why is this great?

Purelan Lanolin Cream is made of 100% lanolin. What makes this product stand out is the fact that it is not tested on animals. We approve! Purelan is also effective in treating any dry skin problems such as cracked lips, rough elbows and knees as well as cracked heels.

It is also 100% natural and perfectly safe for babies, so there is no need to wipe it off before you breastfeed your little one.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

100% lanolin and free from preservatives

Hypoallergenic and suitable for mums and babies with sensitive skin

Safe if swallowed so there is no need to wipe off before breastfeeding

Feel and texture:

It has a thick texture that sinks into the skin and doesn’t leave a sticky residue

Smell and taste:

None, so it is baby-friendly

 Medela Purelan Nipple Cream (7g) -
RM72.00
5
/5
shop now

#3 Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream

SONY DSC

Why is this great?

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream is the number one nipple cream that is recommended by mothers and doctors in the USA and clinically proven to be safe for mum and baby.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

100% natural lanolin, free from preservatives, parabens, smell and taste

Hypoallergenic and suitable for mums and babies with sensitive skin

Safe if swallowed so there is no need to wipe off before breastfeeding

Feel and texture:

Thick, yet easy to apply

It may leave a stain but can be easily removed with a laundry detergent

Smell and taste:

None, so it is baby-friendly

 Lansinoh Nipple Cream -
RM24.50
Pilihan editor
dari

Lansinoh
5
/5
shop now

#4 Pigeon Nipple Care Cream

Why is this great?

Pigeon is a well-known brand and a trusted manufacturer of breastfeeding and baby care products. Lanolin acts as a great moisturising agent that is able to penetrate deep into the skin to nourish it from the inside. It can be used from the third trimester to overcome sore nipples, combat dryness and maintain healthy skin.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

100% natural lanolin

Hypoallergenic
 and suitable for mums and babies with sensitive skin

Safe if swallowed
 so there is no need to wipe off before breastfeeding

Feel and texture:

Thick and non-greasy
. Helps treat dry and cracked skin as it keeps the skin’s moisture intact

Smell and taste:

None

 PIGEON Nipple Care Cream (50g) -
RM49.00
5
/5
shop now

#5 Ardo Lanolin Nipple Repair Cream

Why is this great?

Ardo is a top-grade nipple cream that is made in Switzerland. It is highly popular in Europe and has long been a go-to repair cream for mums with dry and sensitive skin. This nipple cream keeps the skin’s moisture intact and is also recommended by medical professionals.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

No additives or preservatives
 and safe if swallowed

Made of
100% natural lanolin
 via a special extraction and purification process

Feel and texture:

Very light and non-greasy

No need to rinse your hands after application as it doesn’t leave a sticky residue

Smell and taste:

None, hence it is a
hypoallergenic
 product

 Ardo Lanolin Nipple Repair Cream -
RM35.90
dari

Ardo
Beli di Shopee
Beli di Lazada

#6 Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama

Why is this great?

This nipple butter is loved by many mums around the world. It is made of 100% natural beeswax, so we highly recommend it. It is a trusted product that is also widely used in pediatric wards around the world.

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

Organic beeswax
 that softens the skin without being greasy

Lanolin-free

Organic Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Seed Butter, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum  Parkii) Butter and Organic Mango (Mangifera Indica) Seed Butter that soften skin and protect against dryness

NON-GMO
 – safe for baby

Clinically-tested
 to ensure it does not irritate mummy’s skin

Feel and texture:

Very light and non-greasy

No need to rinse your hands
 after application as it doesn’t leave a sticky residue

Smell and taste:

None, hence it is a
hypoallergenic
 product

 Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama -
RM72.10
dari

Earth Mama
Beli di Shopee
Beli di Babydash

#7 Philips Avent Moisturising Nipple Cream

Why is this great?

Philips Avent Moisturising Nipple Cream is a blend of lanolin, coconut oil and aloe vera. It is one of the best creams in the market to hydrate and soften dry and cracked skin. Partner this with your Philips Avent Breast Pump for a smooth breastfeeding journey!

What we love about it:

Quality ingredients:

Coconut oil
to soothe the skin after breastfeeding

Aloe vera
to soften and hydrate the skin

Natural lanolin
to keep skin moisturised and supple

Feel and texture:

Light and soft
for easy application

Smell and taste

Although it is fragrance-free, there is a slight natural smell to it, which might irritate some babies

 Philips Avent Moisturising Nipple Cream
dari

Philips
Beli di Shopee

We hope these nipple creams will help you throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Happy trying!

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
:
Helpful Breastfeeding Basic Tips for the New Mum Within the First 6 Months


5 natural remedies for cough and cold during pregnancy

That tickle at the back of your throat is the first sign of an unwelcome intruder into your body and is enough to throw you into a frenzy of pill-stocking at the local pharmacy under normal circumstances.
But now that you have a little bub cozying up in your oven. Whether you are in your first trimester or ready to pop, perhaps you want to go
au naturel
 in ridding yourself of this pesky cold?

Below are some holistic time-tested remedies that you should definitely try to bring some relief without fear of potential nasty side effects.

Natural Remedies for Cough and Cold During Pregnancy

1. Garlic

Raw or cooked garlic is a great natural rermedy – just remember to gargle afterwards!

Garlic is a great bacteria-fighting
superfood
. If you can eat it raw, atta girl! Otherwise, peel four to five cloves of garlic, lightly crush, and then sautée it before adding it to your favourite dish.

Alternatively, you can juice four cloves of garlic, two tomatoes, and a lemon to make a delicious antibacterial and antiviral drink. If juices are not your thing, take the same ingredients, puree them and voila! You have a lovely tomato soup. Add a dash or salt, pepper and even light cream and you are good to go.

2. Herb Teas

Herb infusions
are readily available at your nearest supermarket. Choose from ginger, chamomile, and lemon flavours.

Ginger has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine from time immemorial to unclog the respiratory system and get rid of “wind” which is believed to be the culprit of aches and pains.

Chamomile is great for its general antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. Besides, when you breathe in the soothing aroma of your chamomile tea, is there anything more calming?

Lemon has got huge amounts of vitamin C which boosts the immune system – great for pregnant women whose immune systems are naturally lowered during this period. Lemon strengthens the body to enable it to fight its battles.

Take a deep breath and relax with our healthy recommendations to fight the bug.

3. Honey Ginger Lemon Mix

But maybe the last thing you want to do is run out to the supermarket when you are just about ready to fall on your face.

Fret not, make your own power-drink with readily available ingredients.

Take a tablespoon of freshly grated fresh ginger and place in a bowl of boiling hot water.

Allow it to stand for about five minutes.

Strain the water into a cup of warm water.

Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and another tablespoon of honey.

Mix together and taste. Add more honey to sweeten as preferred.

Ginger is used widely in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for getting rid of excessive toxin and helps the body to recover properly, according to Ivy, a TCM practitioner from The Learning Corner. Honey has great anti-bacterial properties and this power-packed drink is yummy!

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Highly recommended – take apple cider vinegar by itself or add it into food.

Many nutritionists swear by
apple cider vinegar
 and with good reason. It’s great for preventing coughs and colds when taken in the right amounts and also helps push the nasties out when you do fall sick.

On the one hand, when your body gets sick, your body turns alkaline. Apple cider vinegar helps neutralise illness so your body becomes inhospitable to the viruses. On the other hand, it thins your mucus down so it is easier for you to expel it and you breathe easier.

Moreover, it contains vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are essential in regulating bodily functions.

If you cannot abide its sour taste, take it in your salad or mix it with maple syrup or honey.

5. Berries

Yummy and healthy!

While our tropical climate might mean that berries are not always available, when they are, load up on them. They can be used as powerful natural remedies against cough and colds.

All
berries
 are full of antioxidants, but the one to surpass them all in healing properties is the blueberry. Antioxidants are integral in ridding your body of toxins that could be the cause of your sniffles and irritated throat. Either juice them into a shake or perhaps mix a handful into your favourite brand of natural yoghurt. While they may not be as soothing as a hot drink, they do their job in fighting the virus.

Coughs and colds plague the average individual about once or twice a year, and with a weakened immune system during pregnancy, it seems as if this is inevitable. You don’t want to introduce potentially harmful chemicals to your little bub, but you are worried that a prolonged infection would affect his growth. These home remedies will doubtless allow you a more well-rested sleep and hopefully tide you over through this down period quicker.

(Remember, do take these foods in moderate amounts! Seek a doctor’s advice if in doubt or if your body develops a reaction to any of these remedies. These should not be taken as a complete substitute to medicine for serious cases of cough and cold.)
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What other home remedies do you fall back on when the cold season comes around? Leave a comment below and tell us!

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3 Easy Indoor Activities to Keep The Kids Entertained

Katie Hurley, a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist and author of
The Happy Kid Handbook
, said playing provides both tension relief and a safe space to tackle difficult topics. Children use their endless imagination to play and utilise different kinds of manipulatives such as dolls, building bricks, colouring books, and more to express their emotions. Playing also helps children
develop cognitively,
 physically, socially and emotionally. This is especially helpful with the new normal as kids are more focused on learning indoors.
However, when you are stuck inside, it’s easy to run out of ideas to entertain your children. The key here is to create something quick and easy for at home family activities. Here are some ideas that will help your children learn without limits. Read on, we might have a surprise for you too!

Bake and Decorate

Getting your kids to help you in the kitchen will create a huge mess, that’s for sure, but it is also a fun and creative way to spend time with them. Letting your children help out in the kitchen gives them a positive experience with food.

According to children’s cookbook author,
Annabel Karmel
, children will start developing math skills without realising, as they weigh and measure ingredients. All the hard work put into rolling dough, using cookie cutters or even putting sprinkles on top of their cupcakes also help to refine their motor skills, strength and control.

Credit: iStock

Baking also increases your child’s language development as reading the recipes will help them expand their vocabulary. Get them to predict what will go in next during each baking step to make things interactive and fun!

By the end of the day, your children will not only learn something new and channel their energy to a new activity, but also get to bond with you and enjoy all those free desserts! It’s definitely a
win-win
 situation.

Jigsaw Puzzle Time

This is the perfect time to bring out all your favourite board games and jigsaw puzzles that you have left on the shelves to collect dust! A jigsaw puzzle is one of many excellent at home family activities as any member of the family can participate and try to fit in new pieces whenever possible. Besides, studies show that puzzles
 improve cooperation and collaboration skills
.

Building puzzles is also believed to help strengthen visual acuity, improve short-term memory, develop problem-solving skills, and increase fine motor skills. Some children might find building puzzles therapeutic, as doing something that
engagingly occupies their mind
brings them a sense of calm and serenity.

Credit: iStock

To encourage your children to continue playing jigsaw puzzles, you can always purchase designs that they prefer – anything from their favourite cartoon characters to beautiful views from around the World. Better yet, you can always find something your children like, and print it out to make your own puzzle.

Bring the World Indoors

If you can’t go out into the big world, why not bring the world to you! Animals fascinate children, so take this chance to re-create your own miniature zoo as one of your at home family activities and release your inner George of the Jungle. With HP Deskjet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One printer, you can print all kinds of cut-and-fold animals that children of all ages can try for themselves. Bright colours are most attractive to children, so do not forget to print out the animal’s habitats and backgrounds too, to make it more realistic.

Family-Friendly Printer For Learning & Work Needs

With the

HP Deskjet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One Printer, you get to print all your necessities while enjoying better print quality and faster printing speeds. Printing your children’s worksheet and creative learning activities can be done with just a push of a button.

The HP DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One printer is also the perfect home printer for the modern family, with a stylish and clean design that will fit right in with your home decor. Mobile Fax is available for the HP DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One 6475 Printer to meet your work-from-home needs as well.

This HP DeskJet printer also has the best in class HP Smart App that makes printing easy and convenient. You can set it up easily and it can connect to multiple devices from anywhere around your home. That means you can use either your work laptop, home computer, or smartphone to print all your items easily. Getting your children’s print-out activities will be less messy too, as the Smart Tasks in the app enables you to organise your documents 50% faster.

The printer is also made from up to 20% recycled material, as HP is committed to reduce plastic pollution. Teaching your children about sustainability without leaving your house is another way for them to keep on learning despite the pandemic restricting their outdoor activities.

Stand a Chance to Win HP Deskjet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One printer!

Want to win a HP Deskjet Plus Ink Advantage All-In-One 6075 printer? All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Download any
HP Print & Play
 materials to recreate your favourite outdoor park.

Step 2: Snap a photo of yourself and your kid with your recreated outdoor park.

Step 3: Head to HP’s
Bring The World Indoors
 page to submit your creation and tell them all about it.

Hurry, the contest ends on 13 November 2020 by 11.59pm!

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10 Activities That Will Boost Your Preschooler's Fine Motor Skills in No Time

Fine motor skills
 are what your preschooler uses to move the smaller muscles in his hands and fingers.

Your little one needs these for activities that require hand-eye coordination such as writing, playing with small objects, and for taking care of his daily needs through dressing and feeding himself.

Mastering control of his body and movements boosts your child’s confidence in himself, his actions, and in the world around him. It sets a good foundation for healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Also, refining motor movements help your child become independent in caring for himself. It also builds on his natural curiosity about everyday activities.

Photo: iStock

Building Fine Motor Skills

The preschool period is a critical time in building and refining motor skills. Once this window has passed, it becomes more challenging to gain these skills. That’s why it’s important to keep track of your preschooler’s physical development milestones.

To help him develop these, provide your child plenty of freedom and opportunities to practise and repeat different types of movements through fine motor activities for preschoolers.

1. Scooping Rice

Materials needed:

Two small bowls, uncooked rice, and a spoon.

What to do:

Place the bowls side by side, and fill one with uncooked rice. Give your child a spoon then ask him to scoop the rice grains into the empty bowl.

Create a challenge by using:

Different grains–barley, lentils, or anything else you have available

Different sized bowls

A smaller spoon to really work on his coordination

For an advanced challenge, have him move cotton balls using chopsticks.

2. Threading Pasta

Materials needed:

A handful of penne, sticky tape, and a piece of string.

Optional items: paper towels, hand sanitizer, resealable bags, and food
 colouring
.

What to do:

Tape one end of the string to a flat surface. Then, have him thread the pasta through the free end.

(
Tip:
Wrap some tape around the free end of the string to make the threading process smoother for little hands.)

Once he’s done, help him tie the two ends of the string together. Ta-dah!

For a creative challenge, have your little one put the pasta into a sealable bag before threading. Squirt in some hand
sanitizer and some food
 colouring. Seal the bag and have him shake the pasta around until they become coated in colour.

Spread the pasta onto paper towels to dry. Once dry, your child can start threading!

3. Cardboard Cutting

Materials needed:

Used cereal or snack boxes and a pair of scissors.

What to do:

Cut rectangular strips of cardboard, long enough for your child to hold comfortably. Give him child-sized scissors and have him cut the strips in any way he wants.

To really get those little finger muscles working, draw lines on the cardboards for him to cut along. Have him save the cuttings for a future art project.

For a more advanced activity, draw different shapes on the cardboard and have your child cut them.

4. Pouring

Materials needed:

A child-sized jug, water, a small tray, cups, and a permanent marker.
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What to do:

Your child is often eager to do everyday tasks for himself. Tap into this by placing the jug of water and a cup on a tray. Have your little one pour himself a drink.

To step it up, mark a line on the cup so he knows until where he should pour. You may also use several cups.

Fire up his imagination while he pours by pretending he’s in a party!

5. Opening and Closing Containers

Materials needed:

Used plastic jars and boxes or bottles.

What to do:

By having a variety of containers to remove and return, you’ll give your child plenty of opportunities to practise and refine his skills.

For a fun extension, mix up the lids and have him match them to the right container. Or add a little scent inside to stimulate his senses!

6. Setting the Table

Materials needed:

A sheet of paper, a pen (for drawing an outline of a proper table setting); and your child’s plate, cup, and eating utensils.

What to do:

Make mealtimes more interactive by inviting your little one to set his own place at the table. To get him started, use a sheet of paper with an outline of where his plate, cup, and eating utensils are placed.

Encourage him to match his items to the outline.

Once he gets the hang of it, test out his skills by having him set the table on his own!

7. Sorting Cutlery

Materials needed:

Several forks and spoons.

What to do:

Keep children’s interest in tableware by jumbling up the cutlery in a pile. Have your child place the forks and spoons into separate piles. When he’s done this, have him put the newly separated piles back in the drawers.

8. Pegging

Materials needed:

Some child-sized clothes pegs and a cardboard box.

What to do:

Prepare your preschooler for doing laundry with this activity. Grab a handful of pegs and begin by pegging around the edges of your box.

Have your little one open and close the pegs to his heart’s content. His fingers will get a good workout while he builds concentration, too!

9. Buttoning a Shirt

Materials needed:

Your child’s shirts/blouses that have buttons.

What to do:

Lay the clothes flat on a table. Show your child how to do and undo buttons. Ask him to do the same.

Too easy? Give his little muscles a challenge by having clothes that have different sized buttons.

10. Folding Clothes

Materials needed:

A few of your child’s clothes.

What to do:

He’s buttoned his clothes, and now its time to put them away! Lay out the tops on a table and show your little one how it’s done. Then, its his turn to fold his clothes and put them away. That’s laundry sorted for the day!

These simple fine motor activities for preschoolers are fun and engaging for young children. Best of all, you don’t need any fancy items–just a few things from around the house!

This article has been republished with permission from
theAsianparent Singapore

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
:
Single Sided Deafness And Why You Should Know About It!

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