Vishen Lakhiani Talks on Parenting During Pandemic & Launching Online Classes for Families

Following the Movement Control Order (MCO), families are finding themselves with more time at home and having to rely on technology for work, as well as classes. Technology is as the centre of our lives – now more than ever – due to the pandemic as we have to adhere to guidelines, such as social distancing, to keep ourselves safe.

With this, online learning tools and free classes have taken the limelight of home activities, especially for those with children. Although technology has become an effective tool in keeping your little ones entertained, it is also our portal to information and  he key to a vast library of knowledge – let’s think of this precious time as the perfect opportunity to reflect on our marriages, our family relationships, and to focus on ourselves through important lessons!

Hence, new platforms such as
Little Humans by Mindvalley
 has launched to offer parents talks that walk you through key tools and practices that have changed the lives of parents worldwide. These classes, which focus on topics such as breaking unhealthy habits, fostering healthy technology usage and homeschooling, are curated by 12 transformational parenting experts – essential tools to be the best parents you can be, according to Mindvalley Founder Vishen Lakhiani.

Additionally, Mindvalley has launched a free online self development programme for teens amidst the coronavirus pandemic titled “
Be Extraordinary for Teens
“, which aims to helps teenagers in taking a deep dive into life lessons including meditation, goal setting and life planning – something to look at for your big kids, who may be in need of a pick-me-up during this difficult time.

Being a parent himself,  Vishen Lakhiani, understands the challenges parents faces and here, he talks about his own parenting experience while sharing some of his top tips.

What are the toughest challenges, in your opinion, that parents face during this difficult time?

With more than half-a-billion kids (including yours) out of school right now, parenting is one of the most important jobs in our lives. It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and right now we are being challenged like never before. Every day comes with a new set of challenges, but I believe the biggest ones we face are keeping the right mindset as parents, staying positive for ourselves and our children, while maintaining good eating habits, creating boundaries with healthy entertainment as well as adopting daily routines (for us too!)

What parenting methods do you practice at home? Are you facing any personal challenges?

One of the most important methods I practice at home is to debunk the three big lies we are taught as parents:

In order to be a good parent, we have to discipline our children;

We need to make our children happy and give them everything we never got in life;

We need to impose or traditions, our cultures and religious beliefs on our children.

These are the three big lies we are told that can help us build the right mindset as a parents:

A funny challenge I am facing is that my daughter has interrupted some of my Zoom calls and distracted me while having important meetings, but it turns into a humorous topic and makes us all more personable as humans.

What are the key pieces of advice would you give to parents?

The advice I would give focuses on solutions to the challenges I mentioned above.

The mindset of a parent

I’m passionate about helping parents raise conscious children and now is a great time to take a look at your own parenting methodology. In fact, our role as parents is not to mould our children. Instead, our role is to ensure our kids blossom into their truest and most authentic selves.

Staying positive amidst a pandemic

Anxieties won’t just affect you, they’ll affect your relationships and how you communicate with your kids. Positive instructions work better than negative and will likely get your children to listen more. Additionally, giving them the power to make certain decisions on their own builds character and helps them understand simple concepts in accountability, plus responsibility. Our job is to support and guide them, so, the best way to do that is by getting in the habit of spreading positive thinking and clear communication that is filled with praise as well as love.

Better eating habits

Beyond just washing your hands and quarantining, there is a lot more that can be done to guarantee the good health and safety of your kids. It starts with the right kind of nutrition—planting the seeds to ensure they understand why certain foods are better than others; and ultimately, helping their immune systems stay strong at all times, which will come in handy even after the storm passes.

Creating healthy entertainment habits

Part of our job as parents is to run our households with balance and efficiency– so, try to be flexible when it comes to screen time, especially right now as the burden of reducing screen time should be lighter. It can also be a very positive experience if you suggest the type of content to watch together, whether it’s a nature documentary or an animated history tour. Watching content together can boost empathy, bring humour to the relationship and overall strengthen bonds. You can periodically schedule FaceTime video chats or Zoom calls with family and friends, giving everyone a chance to connect and interact, and experience a sense of togetherness. As for some fun off-screen activities, think about improving reading habits together, being resourceful while doing arts and crafts and getting into baking, which seems only natural seeing as we’re spending more time cooking at home.

Creating daily routines

Routines aren’t just for your kids – they’re also for you. A routine can really help you stay on top of your responsibilities, in the very same way that routines can help your kids thrive, and level up their ability to juggle tasks, or switch from one area of focus to another smoothly. Balance is important. Don’t feel compelled to reinvent the wheel. You can easily use the traditional school routine as inspiration. Block time slots for breakfast and lunch, recess, and time for doing homework. Breaking down the day into small chunks of time will make it easier to address your kids’ needs. Playtime of course is very important. If you’ve properly segmented work and play, let them take the lead with their playtime. This can boost their creativity and play a role in overall development.

 4. What do you hope parents take away from attending these Little Humans sessions?

I hope parents take away the following:

How to support anxious children and how parents can manage their own personal anxieties;

How to break unhealthy food habits and show parents how to take care of their kid’s bodies & immune systems;

How to foster healthy tech habits and balance screen time in a digital first world;

How parents can homeschool children and ensure their educational needs are met;

How to create a winning daily routine at home that will give your days a new sense of stability and maintain order.

Check out the trailer to Little Humans below:

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Why you should switch to a natural body wash RIGHT NOW

As mummies, we take care of our families, our passions, our work, and, of course, our children. But have we forgotten to take care of ourselves?

Most of us wake up before the crack of dawn, attend to a million tasks all day, then crash into our beds at night. But mummy, in that race to do it all, you might be neglecting the most important person of all — yourself. You matter more than you think.

When was the last time you had a good look at yourself in the mirror? Or had a nice bath or shower? Where is the time for a proper skincare routine in the midst of all this busyness, you ask?

It is exactly for this reason that we should make sure that whatever we use on our bodies is made up of the most NATURAL and SAFEST ingredients. After all, taking care of yourself begins with taking care of your skin. And a body wash made of natural ingredients, such as honey, helps the skin remain soft, hydrated and clean, while not stripping it of its natural oils.

Many top-selling bath products claim to be “extra gentle” and “safe for delicate skin”. But did you know these actually contain undesirable chemicals?

How can we make sure that we are making the best choice for ourselves and for our families?

Well, a good product should be:

Of skin-friendly formulation, and enriched with moisturising effect

Free from undesirable chemicals that can cause skin irritation and allergies

Effective in removing germs, dirt and pollutants

pH balanced and consistent with our skin’s natural pH, so as to not disrupt the acid mantle

Natural Is Best

Mums, no doubt you know that natural is best when it comes to caring for your family. You always ensure that the food they eat is natural or organic. Why should the products that you use for caring for your skin be any different?

There are a number of powerful and natural ingredients that we can use to care for our skin:

Manuka Honey

Honey has been known since ancient times to have healing properties.
Manuka honey
, produced by bees from New Zealand that pollinate the native Manuka tree, is a natural antibacterial wonder. Honey also has antibacterial properties and can repair tissue damaged by infection.

Tea Tree Oil

Made from the leaves of tea tree, tea tree oil is used to treat fungal infections. It is also an antiseptic for cuts and bruises, insect bites, infections of the mouth and much more.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate has countless health benefits. It contains punicalagins, which are extremely potent antioxidants. Pomegranates also have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. There is even some evidence that pomegranates can help
fight cancer
.

Organic Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a wonder plant that is used in countless cosmetics products for its medicinal powers. Among its many benefits are antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Natural Means No Harmful Chemicals

Mums, many products contain a number of harmful chemicals. These chemicals may be effective in cleansing — some have antibacterial properties — but they are also known to have negative effects. Check out the ingredients list on every product to see what they’re made of.

Here is a list of eight chemicals that we should AVOID in our body wash:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is commonly found in household cleaning products and cosmetics.

When in high concentrations, SLS causes eye irritation/eye damage and skin irritation.

• Triclosan

Some lab studies suggest that Triclosan contributes to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, can possibly trigger allergies, and alter the body’s hormone levels.

In 2017, US FDA banned the use of Triclosan in daily use body washes and soaps.

• Parabens

Parabens are often found in personal care products.

These chemicals in body wash are associated with HIGHER cancer risks. They alter the body’s hormone levels, and have an impact on pregnancy rates and growth development.

• Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is toxic to the nervous system and has been characterised as a human carcinogen (causes cancer). It irritates the eyes, nose, throat & skin, which results in watery eyes, sneezing and nausea. It also affects memory and learning abilities.

• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

Methylisothiazolinone — known as MIT — is commonly found in personal care products and in detergents as preservatives. It causes skin irritation and allergies.

From January 2016, MIT has been banned from leave-on cosmetics in Europe.

• Dioxane

Dioxane can potentially increase the risk of cancer. It causes drowsiness, dizziness, headaches and anorexia (eating disorder). It also irritates the eyes, nose and throat when inhaled.

• Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Butylated hydroxytoluene, also known as BHT, is added to some personal care products. It can potentially cause cancer, irritate the lungs and alter the body’s hormone levels.

• Triclocarban

Triclocarbon is yet another common ingredient in “anti-bacterial” soaps.

Triclocarban may impact the body’s hormone levels and may cause irritations of the lungs, eyes and skin.

In 2017, US FDA banned the use of Triclocarban in daily use body washes and soaps.

A Natural and Safe Body Wash with All These Qualities

Mummies, you will be relieved to know that Betadine, a trusted brand for over 60 years, is now expanding its expertise with Betadine Natural Defense.

Betadine® Natural Defense range products are natural, made from the goodness of Manuka honey, and FREE from eight undesirable chemicals!

And that means, “Achieving personal hygiene with no compromise.”

Here is what truly makes Betadine® Natural Defense range the ideal body wash for the whole family:

●
BETADINE™ Natural Defence embraces your family’s health and wellness with natural ingredients.

It is enriched with these premium and skin-friendly ingredients for healthy and moisturised skin:

Manuka honey

Organic Aloe Vera

Vitamin E

●
Betadine® Natural Defense range is FREE from EIGHT undesirable chemicals:

Sodium Laury Sulfate

Triclosan

Parabens

Formaldehyde

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

Dioxane

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Triclocarban

●
Betadine® Natural Defense range also contains the natural germ-killing effects of:

Manuka Honey

Tea Tree Oil

Pomegranate

●
Betadine® Natural Defense range is dermatologically tested, soap-free and pH balanced.

In short, mummies, Betadine® Natural Defense range is natural, safe and trusted, and offers the skincare and protection the whole family needs!

You can now avail the goodness of BETADINE™ Natural Defense Range in three forms:

BETADINE™ Natural Defense Body Wash (comes in three variants: Manuka Honey, Pomegranate and Tea Tree)

BETADINE™ Natural Defense Hand Wash (comes in two variants: Manuka Honey and Tea Tree)

BETADINE™ Natural Defense Hand Sanitizer (Manuka Honey)

The entire BETADINE™ Natural Defense Range is now available at Watsons, Jaya Grocer, other leading pharmacies and on Lazada (online).

For more details, visit
 https://my.betadine.com/en/my/daily-protection

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Mum horrified at gauze that emerged from uterus after natural birth

As patients, we trust surgeons to care for us and help treat the conditions or disease we are suffering under. However, mums, did you know that it’s possible that things left in body after surgery can happen, with possibly serious health consequences?

Two recent mum experiences highlight the very real possibility of these medical problems — and the problems they can bring.

Surgical mistakes can happen anywhere…

From Thailand…

Recently, a young mum found out the the effects of things left in body after surgery — except in her case, it was minor surgery, likely a episiotomy.

Seventeen-year-old Tan, a young mum from Thailand, gave birth naturally to her first child on 18 June 2018. There were no complications: she was allowed to leave after just three days, but did note that the wound from the episiotomy, was painful.

She paid no notice, thinking that all mums have some pain after childbirth. Even after a doctor’s consultation, she was only given pills to ease the pain.

However, it was only on 28 August 2018  – two months after her surgery – that she discovered the horrifying truth in the most gruesome way.

As reported in
The Phuket News,
she explains, “On Tuesday (Aug 28), the pain was so bad I could not stand or sit. I felt like there was something in my uterus. I went into bathroom and I found a piece of gauze in there. It was black and smelly.”

We are assuming that the gauze emerged from her vagina as she went to the bathroom. The young mum returned to the hospital within the day for an examination. The doctors prescribed her antibiotic medication and assured her that her uterus was free of anything else.

“The doctor forgot gauze inside my uterus for over two months. How lucky that my wound isn’t infected,” she writes in her post above. Tan also warns other women about the possibility of such mistakes and recommended them to pick a reputable hospital before giving birth.

On 30th August 2018, the Phuket Provincial Health Office officially apologized to Tan about her ordeal. Dr. Jirapan Taepan, the health office’s chief,  also admitted the surgical blunder which happened at a government hospital, and that Tan will be reimbursed for her trouble.

Investigations continue.

ประสบการณ์โดยตรง ที่โรงพยาบาลในจังหวัด ภูเก็ต #ลืมผ้าก็อตไว้ในช่องคลอดเป็นเวลา2เดือนกว่า…
Posted by
น้องตาล จิบิโก๊ะ
 on
Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Perhaps more common than granted?

However, medical errors can also occur in hospitals in developed countries, too.

Six months ago, a 42-year-old woman in Japan also faced a similar issue. After consulting a clinic for bloating that had persisted for three years, doctors used a CT scan to find out the issue.

They discovered that there were two masses in her abdomen. It was only after another surgery to remove these masses that doctors realised that it was a surgical sponge – another one of the things left in the body after surgery.

The results of the scan showed two masses to the left and right of the woman’s pelvis. | Image Source:
New England Journal of Medicine

These doctors penned their results in a report in the
New England Journal of Medicine.
 They deduced that the sponges were likely left behind from a cesarean section.

The woman had two sections before – one in 2012, and the other in 2009 –  meaning that the sponge could have been left inside her for at least six years. Dr Takeshi Kondo, the chief author of the report, said that the woman did not have any other abdominal or pelvic surgeries.

Thankfully, once the sponges were removed, the 42-year-old’s symptoms eased. She was allowed to leave the hospital after five days.

Mums from
a forum site
 have also expressed their horrifying experiences. One mum, adianlahni, said that she also experienced something similar in 2009, but even two years on, she’s “
still in pain, and can’t have intercourse because of the damage from the sponges that were in my body for 7 weeks. Sitting is uncomfortable and my vagina is sore all the time.
“

Even after consulting multiple gynecologists and being prescribed antibiotics, her infection still hasn’t gone away.

Things left in body after surgery: What you should know

Rare, but more likely in gyneocological surgeries

A r
eview conducted in 2013
 found that these events tend to be rare. Things left in body after surgery tend to happen between 1 in 5,500 operations to 1 in 18,760 operations. However, unlike other surgeries,
gynecological surgeries carry a higher risk
 of ending with things left in body after surgery.

Dr. Fizan Abdullah, a pediatric surgeon, explains why: body parts around the pelvis are tougher to reach and have small hollow spaces where it’s much easier for a small or spongy items to get stuck.

Symptoms of things left in body after surgery

Surgical objects that remain in the body can lead to different effects, depending on which part was operated on and what instrument was used. In general, the red flags that could possibly mean that there are things left in body after surgery are:

pain in the surgical area that could flare up or be persistent.

really painful headaches or leg pain

discomfort and bloating

Faecal matter that looks black, bloody, or tar-like.

Feeling constipated or finding it hard to urinate, possibly meaning a blockage.

Coughing or vomiting blood.

An Abscess or fistula growing

Struggling with basic movements such as breathing, swallowing, or eating.

Liquid streaks near or something seeping from the surgical wound.

Not feeling better after the surgery, such as declining weakness, fatigue and pain.

Swollen lymph nodes – especially swollen areas near the the armpits, groin, and neck.

Signs that an infection has occurred, such as:

Discoloration

Feeling feverish

Pus seeping

Soreness/Tenderness

Swelling

The surgical wound starts to tear or become undone.

Note that the object itself presents a danger — it doesn’t matter if it’s a fluffy sponge or a needle. In fact, sponges or gauzes can cause deadly infections. Do remember that even simple or minor surgeries may risk things left in body after surgery.

Pain or the surgical wound coming apart could be a sign that’s something’s wrong. | Image Source: Stock Photos

Effects of things left in body after surgery

The effects do vary, from no effects at all to sepsis or death.

Dr. Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says that “In two-thirds of these cases, there were serious consequences, whether that’s infection or even death. In one case, a small sponge was left inside the brain of a patient that we studied, and the patient ended up having an infection and ultimately died.”

Some good news: preventive methods

Traditionally, medial personnel prevented these accidents by counting the objects they use during surgery. But this is not always practical due to the large number of items used in a typical surgery.

Thankfully, hospitals are using two new ways to prevent accidents from happening again by using:
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radiofrequency tagging to find out if sponges were left in patient’s bodies. This cost-effective method works as a microchip woven into the it can be located using a wand or mat after the surgery to uncover any things left in the body after surgery.

bar-codes. By bar-coding sponges and scanning them during the surgery, medical staff can keep count of the number of sponges used. Once the surgery is done, these sponges can be scanned again to be sure that there are no differences.

References:
NCBI
,
New England Journal of Medicine
,
Coconut.co
,
CNN
,
babycenter
,
wieand law firm
,
livescience
,
Washington Post
,
thought.co

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What is Influenza (Flu) in Children?

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illnesses, and at times can be fatal if it is severe. This can be prevented in the current era and the best way to do it is by getting a flu vaccine or influenza vaccine every year.

The flu virus spreads quickly from person to person, especially in crowded areas where people live, work, study or places of leisure in close proximity. Children are most likely to be infected and become the major spreaders of influenza.

So why is the paediatrics group susceptible? Influenza viruses are found in the nose and throat. Children touch their noses, eyes as well as mouths often and they have the tendency to put things in their mouths.

Therefore, often during play, close contact among them allows the flu germs to transmit very easily. A similar form of contact also exists between the children and their parents or caregivers, such as holding hands, parents carrying the children, feeding them, changing their diapers and so forth.

Symptoms of influenza

The usual symptom of an influenza infection is fever or feeling feverish/chills. Some infections come with cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle or body aches.

There are even cases reported with symptoms of headache, and fatigue (tiredness) while some may experience vomiting and diarrhoea, though these are more common in children compared to adults. It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Vaccination as an effective prevention

Vaccination has shown many
benefits
 including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children. Flu vaccines develop antibodies in the body approximately after two weeks of vaccination. These antibodies protect against infection from circulating influenza viruses.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against influenza viruses whereby research indicates their usefulness in the upcoming season.

Mostly, flu vaccines in Malaysia and other countries are “quadrivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses namely, influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses. It is highly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‘CDC’ and approved for use in Malaysia.

Everyone above 6 months of age and older should get influenza (flu) vaccine every season with rare exceptions. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this recommendation since the 2010-2011 influenza seasons.

Vaccination to prevent flu and its’ potentially serious complications is extremely important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic which led to nearly three million deaths globally. Before the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some evidence suggested that an influenza vaccine may stimulate non-specific immune responses that reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or the severity of COVID-19 illness after infection.

Many studies have been conducted on this and even though the influenza vaccine may only marginally protect people from COVID-19 infection, it remains an important aspect to receive an influenza vaccination to reduce the risk of a co-infection of influenza and COVID19.

This vaccine is not in our routine vaccination schedule under Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia ‘KKM’ for the paediatrics group; however, it is available at many medical centres. The lack of awareness among parents has led to many infections among children and its infection rate.

Despite such global success and the proven impact on human health and life expectancy, vaccines are still under-utilized.

Let’s take it from here to prevent something that can be prevented. Giving your child the best health is the most beautiful gift of love that you can provide to your little one. Get your child vaccinated today.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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:

Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children with Mental Health Disorders

Read more:
 What To Do If Your Child Has COVID-19?

Read more:

 How to Talk to Toddlers

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Mum gets 10 years in prison for her 'dirty' breastfeeding videos with son

For many mums, breastfeeding is a time to bond with and feed their child. In no way should this experience be
considered sexual
. However, recently, a mum has come under fire for a rare crime. Apparently, she uploaded multiple viral breastfeeding video with her baby son — but took a very adult approach.

Mum uploads viral breastfeeding video with a sexual twist

34-year-old Leigh Felton, the creator of a viral breastfeeding video which landed her 10 years of jailtime. | Image Source: yahoo screengrab

34-year-old American mum and single parent Leigh Felton was penalised with 10 years’ of jail time. Felton, a piano teacher who also educates kids with special needs, received this heavy sentence for recording and uploading videos of her breastfeeding her little boy in a sexual manner.

The mum was found guilty of one crime: lewd lascivious performance, as reported by
local media
.

Apparently
, a woman lodged a police report at the County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin. She claimed her husband bought seven recordings (which w
ere sold online) of Felton breastfeeding her son because “both of them were nude”.

In addition, the woman was convinced her partner traveled to Florida to personally meet Felton and have sex with her.

Local media
 also managed to gain access to legal evidence claiming that Felton’s viral breastfeeding video was sexual in nature.

They were clearly titled sexually, with videos being named “Mommy’s a Whore” or “Good Little Boy.”

One video showed the mum”rubbing oil on herself and the child”. Another one saw her “rubbing her breasts back and forth across the child’s face”. One extreme example even appeared to show the both the mum and her son’s genitalia seemingly touching each other.

“I regret making them”

Last month, Felton admitted in court that she felt sorry for recording her viral breastfeeding video (there were 45 of them) and was “ashamed of them”.

The mum admitted that she became lonely and depressed after her son’s dad cut off their relationship. It was then that she started recording breastfeeding tutorials with her male toddler. However, once she gained the interest of male viewers, she began sexualising her tutorials.

That lifted her spirits. “Finally, I was getting attention and felt like I had some worth,” recalls the mum. “I’m not a monster.”

According to Vollrath-Bueno, from what she’s seen in 15 years of her career, incidents similar to Felton’s are “the most terrible thing you can see.”

Felton’s son now lives with his dad.

Breastfeeding is not a sexual act

A mum breastfeeding her baby is a special time to bond. It shouldn’t be used for male viewing pleasure. What this mum did can be likened to child abuse. What if a paedophile saw the video, met her and harmed and abused her baby?

This news highlights another problem, too: sexualising mothers who nurse their babies in public. We should be increasing awareness about
public breastfeeding
 so that nursing mums feel safe to breastfeed in public.

What do you think, mums?

Source:
USA Today

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Penggal kepala kerana memperkosa

Membaca permulaan tajuk berita ini membuatkan hati saya berdebar-debar dan tertanya mengapa perkara ini tergamak dilakukan, namun di pertengahannya saya hanya berbisik –
hmmm … patutlah!

Bukan maksud saya membenarkan perbuatan seorang anak memenggal kepala seorang ayah kerana marah. Tetapi jika dia sanggup merogol anak sendiri, berulang kali, maka itu adalah akibat daripada perbuatan jahatnya.

BERKAIT:
Warn your kids about sexual predators!

Penggal kepala ayah

Seorang remaja 18 tahun memenggal kepala ayah dengan parang setelah dia diperkosa olehnya dalam rumah mereka, di tanah tinggi Papua New Guinea.

Tiada siapapun menyalahkan remaja itu di kampungnya. Malahan mereka melindunginya dan enggan menyerahkan remaja tersebut kepada pihak polis kerana beranggapan ayah remaja tersebut sememangnya layak untuk mati.

Bukan itu saja, menurut ketua gereja tempatan, pastor Lucas Kumi daripada kampung Rang, seluruh penduduk tidak mahu remaja itu disiasat.

Diperkosa beberapa kali

Seorang penduduk dan ketua kawasan telah menemui badan tanpa kepala itu selepas anak remajanya melaporkan kejadian tersebut dan menjelaskan mengapa dia melakukannya.

Menurut remaja tersebut, ayahnya telah datang ke biliknya malam itu dan memperkosanya beberapa kali. Dan pagi yang sama, dia cuba untuk memperkosanya lagi apabila remaja tersebut mengambil parang dan memenggal kepalanya.

“
Kami semua bersetuju yang dia boleh tinggal dalam komuniti ini kerana ayahnya memang layak untuk mati. Dia lakukakannya kerana trauma dan perbuatan jahat ayahnya. Itulah sebabnya kami bersetuju untuk membiarkan dia tinggal di sini.
”

Komuniti itu juga bersetuju untuk tidak melakukan pengkebumian formal untuk ayah remaja itu.

Jika menjadi mangsa

Dalam lima tahun antara 2006 dan 2010 sebanyak 1,823 kes penderaan seksual terhadap wanita dan kanak-kanak telah dilaporkan di Malaysia. 60% daripadanya dilakukan oleh ahli keluarga terdekat termasuk bapa kandung, bapa tiri dan saudara mara (PDRM).

BERKAIT:
Increase of rape cases in Malaysia

Jika anda menjadi mangsa, pastikan langkah berikut:

• Jangan salahkan diri

• Pergi ke tempat yang selamat, sama ada rumah anda, rumah rakan, balai polis atau hospital. Jika anda tinggal dengan pemerkosa, beritahu seseorang tentangnya dan rancang pelan keselamatan untuk meninggalkan rumah.

• Jangan mandi atau basuh mana-mana bahagian badan walaupun anda merasa diri ‘kotor’

• Beritahu seseorang yang anda percayai

• Pergi ke Pusat Krisis Sehenti atau Once Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) di bahagian Kecemasan mana-mana Hospital Kerajaan.

• Hubungi mana-mana NGO untuk sokongan dan nasihat.

Pusat Krisis Sehenti (PKS)

Pusat Krisis Sehenti ditempatkan di bahagian Kecemasan di hampir semua Hospital kerajaan. Pusat ini khas diadakan untuk menangani kes-kes sebegini. Tidak perlu membuat laporan polis sebelum ke sini.

PKS bukan sahaja akan memberikan rawatan fizikal, malah sesi kaunseling turut dijalankan dengan kerjasama agensi kerajaan dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO). Semua urusan berkaitan akan dilakukan hanya disatu tempat. Ia juga memberikan perlindungan dan bantuan perundangan melalui jaringan NGO dan agensi kerajaan yang terlibat seperti Polis.

Kaunseling

Setiap mangsa memberi reaksi berbeza kepada trauma ini, namun apa juga yang dirasakan oleh mangsa adalah perasaan yang benar. Antara perasaan dan trauma yang seringkali dilaporkan termasuk merasa terkejut, bersalah, sentiasa dihantui kejadian yang dapat dihidupkan semula dengan bau atau bunyi, hilang keyakinan diri, hilang kepercayaan, rasa tidak bernilai, merasa marah terhadap mereka yang hampir dengan anda, takut dengan orang lain atau tempat.

Mangsa harus mendapatkan kaunseling. Jika kesemua perasaan ini tidak ditangani dengan betul dan tidak dibantu untuk menghadapinya, ia boleh membawa kepada keadaan yang lebih buruk.

Kepada keluarga, saudara dan rakan mangsa, ketahuilah mereka amat-amat memerlukan sokongan. Buangkan rasa malu dan rasa ingin menyalahkan kerana perkara telahpun berlaku.

Kepada mangsa, jangan sekali-kali berputus asa. Ingatlah, ini semua bukan salah anda. Carilah ketenangan dengan mendekatkan diri kepada Tuhan dan sentiasa menyebut-nyebut nama-Nya. Sesungguhnya dengan mengingati Tuhan, hati pasti menjadi tenang.

Hubungi bantuan

Antara NGO dan agensi kerajaan yang boleh dihubungi sama ada ingin melaporkan kes atau mendapatkan kaunseling termasuk:

Women Crisis Centre (WCC, Penang) ~ 04-228 0342

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) ~ 03-7956 3488

All Women Action Society of Malaysia (AWAM) ~ 03-7597 0224

BEFRIENDERS ~ 03-7956 8144

Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat ~ 03-8323 1000

Talian NUR ~ 15999

BERKAIT:
Does marriage make rape okay?

BERKAIT:
Malaysian rapist to marry his 13-year-old victim

Rujukan:

Daughter, 18, cuts off her father’s head after he raped her in their Papua New Guinea village home

Kes dera seksual serius

OSCC bantu mangsa dera dan rogol

Rape @ AWAM

Flyer @ WCC: Rogol bukan salah anda!

Apa pandangan anda tentang isu ini di Malaysia? Kongsikan buah fikiran anda di ruangan komen di bawah.

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What Are Apgar Scores And What Does My Baby's Score Mean?

As soon as you give birth, you’ll notice the medical professionals in the room picking up your newborn and checking if he’s breathing. They will instantly follow this up by sharing a few–what may seem like random–numbers with each other. But these numbers aren’t just any off-the-cuff figures. They help doctors and nurses determine how your baby is doing and are commonly called the Apgar scores.

These scores assigned a minute after labour are especially useful to assess heart rate and umbilical artery blood gases in your baby.

But how do the
medical professionals
 assess and assign these Apgar scores and what does it mean if your baby is given a score of 1? Let’s find out.

What Do Apgar Scores Check?

Image source: iStock

The Apgar scores are assigned to newborns after 1 minute and 5 minutes of their birth.

The 1 minute score
is to determine
 how well your baby handled the birthing process

While, the 5 minute score is to check how your baby tolerates being out of the womb.

The test may be given again if your baby is found to have a few concerns regarding their condition.

Interestingly, the word ‘Apgar’ comes from Dr. Virginia Apgar who created the system in 1952. Since then, medical professional have used this benchmark to determine a newborn’s health. It is now an acronym that stands for and checks the following:

Appearance
or the skin colour of your baby.

Pulse
of your newborn’s heart rate after birth.

Grimace response
or reflex which is judged by placing either a catheter or syringe to your baby’s nose to check for their response.

Activity
or their muscle tone.

Respiration,
which is your baby’s breathing rate and effort.

All of these are examined and your baby’s Apgar scores are assigned after the birthing process.

The
American Academy of Pediatrics
 clarifies that while this test can not necessarily predict how your little one will grow up and develop. But it can alert the medical professionals if the baby is slow to respond to stimulation and if he/she needs further assistance in adapting to the new surroundings.

How Is Your Baby Scored During The Apgar Test

Image source: iStock

Apgar scores are based on five factors. Your newborn will be examined on these factors to check the overall health and each would be scored on a scale of 0 to 2.

A score of 2 is the best a newborn can get for each factor. Then all the figures are added up for a final score between 0 to 10. Your doctor, midwife or nurse will typically add up your baby’s Apgar scores.

While 10 is the highest possible score, only a few babies are given this score. That’s because most newborns still come out with their hands and feet blue until they are warmed up enough.

Take a look at how these scores look, what they mean and how your baby will be scored in the table below.

Apgar Scoring System

Apgar Score

0

1

2

Appearance

Bluish-grey or pale skin

Pink skin with bluish hands and feet

Normal pink skin

Pulse

Absent or no pulse found

Heart rate is below 100 beats per minute

Normal heart rate with above 100 beats per minute

Grimace response

Absent or no response whatsoever

Grimaces only with stimulation

Grimaces, coughs, sneezes, pulls away or cries

Activity

No movement and is limp

Can flex arms and legs a bit

Active movements

Respiration

Absent or no breathing

Breathing is slow and irregular; cries weakly

Normal breathing rate and effort; can cry strongly

What Does Your Baby’s Apgar Score Tell You?

Image source: iStock

7 or above:
Newborn babies are considered to be in good health if they score a 7 or above, which is usually the case in most births.

Between 5 and 7 at one minute:
Your baby might have gone through some problems during the birthing process and it may have lowered the oxygen in their blood to get this score. But don’t worry, the hospital staff will do their best to improve their oxygen supply so his/her 5-minute score can end up somewhere between 8 and 10.

Less than 5:
Only a small percentage of babies get this score. Babies who are born prematurely or delivered through an
emergency C-section
 have a higher chance of getting low scores. This may be due to the complications your baby had during labour. It may also indicate problems with their heart or respiratory system, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

However, these low scores aren’t that bad. Getting a low score does not mean your newborn is unhealthy. It only means that they just need some immediate medical care that may include helping them breathe better by providing oxygen.

If your baby’s score does cause a sign of concern, your doctor or midwife will let you know. They may even suggest the type of care as well as treatment your baby will need.

Yes, being a new parent may be overwhelming, and the process of labour and scoring doesn’t make things easier. But just remember that this crucial measure is what is needed to get your baby the additional help he/she needs. Once your little bub is settled well by the medical professionals, it is only a matter of time that you’ll have a healthy and happy baby back home.

Source:
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Medline Plus. (n.d.). Apgar score.
medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003402.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Apgar Scores.
www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/delivery-beyond/Pages/Apgar-Scores.aspx

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

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Why hand sanitiser might be harmful to health

We love their hand sanitiser. That little bottle is a must-have item in any mum’s handbag and we even pop it in our kids’ schoolbags, with stern warnings to use its contents to sanitise their hands often.

Of course, we use hand sanitiser as an easy way of cleaning our hands and importantly, those of our kids when soap and water is not readily available.

But what if we told you that the use of hand sanitiser may actually be bad for your
 health?

Why hand sanitiser might be harmful

Endocrine disruptors
 are “chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.”

Bisphenol-A, or BPA as we know it, is an endocrine disruptor, and you may know of it as being used in some plastics and food containers.

But did you know that BPA is also often found in the thermal paper that is often used to make receipts, bus tickets and train tickets? This is because the chemical can assist in binding dyes to the paper, making the printing more visible, according to a
Forbes article
.

In fact,
according to a paper published in
JAMA
, people who handle receipts have elevated levels of BPA in their urine and blood.

This is where the potential danger of hand sanitiser comes into the picture. Research published in the journal
PLOS ONE

shows that BPA is absorbed more rapidly and extensively when people use hand sanitiser before handling paper receipts.

The authors explain that this is because many hand sanitisers “contain mixtures of dermal penetration enhancing chemicals that can increase by up to 100 fold the dermal absorption of lipophilic compounds such as BPA.”

In simpler terms, hand sanitiser “opens up your skin to allow BPA to get right in,”
says Laura Vandenberg
, who studies endocrine disruptors at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

But that’s not all that’s not so good about hand sanitisers. Some of them also contain triclosan, which,
according to research
 published in
Microb Drug Resist
, not only kills bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria on our skin.

The study authors caution that “thus, widespread use of triclosan may represent a potential public health risk in regard to development of antibacterial-
resistant bacteria.”

What’s more, triclosan may be linked to “liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function”, says US-based environmental watchdog
Environmental Working Group
 (EWG).

Mums, we understand that hand sanitiser is a useful product to keep in your handbag and your kids’ schoolbags, for when you need to clean your hands on the go. The trick is not to use it excessively.

Also, there’s nothing like good old soap and water to effectively clean your family’s hand — so use this old-fashioned yet effective method whenever possible.

Share your thoughts on this article in a comment below.

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What You Need to Know about Heavy Metal in Baby Food: Here Are the Facts

Parenting is part love, part worry, with the latter often related to your
children’s wellbeing and health
. When little ones are old enough to start eating solid food at around six months of age, a whole new range of concerns related to food emerge. One of these, for many parents, is related to heavy metal in food. Let’s take a look at some scientific facts about heavy metals in food, and what you should keep in mind when it comes to your
child’s health and nutrition
.

What are heavy metals and how do they occur in food?

Credit: Unsplash

Heavy metals are

defined as
 naturally occurring elements that are present in the earth’s crust. Also known as trace elements, metals are literally, “heavy”: they have a high atomic weight and sink in water.

They include
 copper, zinc, magnesium, and iron, as well as arsenic, cadmium, and lead.

It is believed these metals are

brought to the earth’s surface
 by phenomena such as erupting volcanoes and earthquakes. They then get incorporated into soil and water, which of course are absorbed by crops and plants.

Experts
 agree that it is hard to completely avoid or eliminate heavy metals in foods.

“Metals – both beneficial and harmful – are in many foods”, explains

the U.S. Food & Drug Administration
 (FDA). The natural occurrence of metals in soil and water, as well as in the air, is also noted by the

FDA
.

According to the
 FDA
, metal levels found in food depend on many factors, including “growing conditions, industrial, manufacturing, and agricultural processes.”
Some crops, like rice,

naturally contain traces of arsenic
, because they are grown under flooded conditions, and so

absorb more elements
 (whether added or naturally occurring, or both) that are present in the water.

Sometimes, essential trace elements like iron are added to certain foods like cereal and bread by the manufacturer, to boost the overall nutritional value. This practice of fortifying foods and drinks with key nutrients is not new. For example,
orange juice is often fortified with vitamin D
, and many soy and almond milks have
 added calcium
.

The impact of metals on health

Credit: Unsplash

The effect of metals on health depends on the amount consumed, the type and properties of the metal, as well as a person’s age and developmental stage, explains the

FDA
.

Some metals are needed by the human body for good health maintenance, and in children for, proper growth development. For example,
research shows
 essential dietary metal iron is crucial for brain development, which in turn is linked to learning ability and other important cognitive functions for children. The dietary metal
magnesium
 is needed for energy production and heart health. And another dietary metal
—

potassium
—
is important for nerve and muscle health, as well to move nutrients into and waste products out of cells.

Other metals
, like cadmium and arsenic, provide no benefits to the human body and can be toxic when ingested in concentrated or high levels.

Heavy metals in baby food: The facts

Credit: Freepik

Recent news about heavy metals in commercially produced baby food may have left you with many questions. Let’s take a look at some facts on the matter:

What metals does baby food contain?
Most commercially produced baby foods should ideally contain only approved levels of essential metals like iron, magnesium, potassium that are beneficial for your baby’s health, as mentioned above. These should be listed on the packaging, along with the quantities.

Will heavy metals in baby food harm my little one?
 High quantities of metals
—
even the beneficial ones
—
when consumed over the approved levels, will

have a negative effect
 on a child’s health. The good news is that commercially prepared baby food generally contains

low levels
 of heavy metal. Also, many baby food manufacturing companies have stringent
quality and safety control measures
 in place that are monitored by scientific and governmental bodies. As long as you offer your child a variety of healthy foods, you generally do not need to be too concerned.

How about organic baby food?
 Most, if not all foods will contain traces of heavy metals
—
 including

organic baby food
. Heavy metals are naturally found in both soil and water, and traces can be found in all produce, even organic, as
identified by studies
. Therefore, organic foods often contain similar levels of heavy metals as non-organic foods.

Can I avoid heavy metals if I make my baby’s food at home?
Unfortunately, you cannot, as it is almost impossible to avoid metals in
grains, fruits, and vegetables
. Remember that they are present in the earth and water and so, are absorbed by all types of crops. Also, unlike many commercially produced baby foods which are routinely quality tested and under the scrutiny of various monitoring organizations, the same cannot be done when buying your own produce to make your own baby food. However, you can follow some safety tips (see below) when preparing your child’s food at home to ensure optimum nutritional value, hygiene and safety.

Food safety tips for parents to keep in mind

Credit: Freepik

There is no reason for mums and dads to panic over the presence of heavy metals in baby food. Keep the following food, nutrition and safety tips in mind that are relevant to both commercially prepared and homemade baby food:

Ensure your child gets a
 balanced diet
 when they are ready to eat solid foods at around six months of age. They should be offered a mix of fruits, vegetables, meats and fish, and grains to get adequate nutrition that will fuel their physical and cognitive development.

Alternate the types of foods you offer your child. Rotating foods could help minimize the overconsumption of heavy metals and ensure your little one gets a varied, balanced diet that contains all key nutrients.

While

rice cereal fortified with iron
 provides your child with a good mix of nutrients, it shouldn’t be the only option. Also offer other fortified cereals made with, for example, barley, oats and multigrain. This will help minimize the possible overconsumption of metals by eating only rice cereal.

Fish contains essential nutrients like Omega-3-fatty-acids and protein, crucial for healthy brain development in your child. However, larger types of fish like swordfish and shark may contain

higher levels
 of heavy metal mercury. Try to avoid these types of fish as much as possible, and instead opt for smaller fish like cod or salmon.
However, even if you can’t always avoid larger types of fish, there is no need to worry too much.
The Singapore Food Agency
 states that severe poisoning due to eating fish that contain high levels of heavy metals is rare, and may only occur in the event of severe ocean pollution.

Finally, always speak to a medical professional if you have any concerns or doubts about your child’s health and nutrition.

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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7 Hand Blenders That Are Lightweight & Easy To Use For Baby Food Prep & Family Meal

When it comes to cooking, one of the most important utensils is a blender. Some of us may prefer the traditional way of using a mortar, some prefer a regular blender, while others may prefer a hand blender.

There are many blender options in the market, such as common blenders with a larger base and overall size, suited for heavy or bulky use, while hand blenders are much more compact and lightweight.
Hand blenders have several advantages over regular blenders such as:

Smaller

Easy to use

Easy to clean

Takes up less space

Choosing The Best and Worthwhile Hand Blender For The Family

Choosing the most suitable hand blender can be difficult due to how many options there are in the market. Here’s a list of important details you should take note of when choosing the best hand blender!

Brand:
To ensure you will get the best-desired performance from a hand blender, you should choose one from a good brand. There are many brands available in the market, but normally, people will buy from brands that are already widely known in the local market.

Motor:
The real test of a hand blender is its motor efficiency. Hand blenders with good motors are able to grind and chop up ingredients easily, as compared to blenders with weaker motors. Look out for a hand blender with a motor capacity between 250 and 500 watts!

Speed:
It is much better if you buy a hand blender that has several different speeds. Variation in speed helps obtain better control — some hand blenders come with 2-speed variations while others even have 5-speed variations.

Weight:
Alongside the above factors, you should also consider the weight of the hand blender while using it. Since you have to hold it up during the usage, it is important to choose a lightweight blender!

Don’t forget to check on product guarantees — electronic goods are sometimes vulnerable to damage during use. Hence, choose a product that is able to offer you maximum warranty time.

7 Best Hand Blenders In The Market

#1 Philips ProMix Handblender Daily Collection (HR2533/01)

Designed with the Philips ProMix system, this unique state-of-the-art technology uses specific triangular shapes to create optimal food flow, with maximum performance for faster and consistent blending.

 It has a 2-button hand blender release system, making it easy to separate the blender blades for easy cleaning.

What we like:

Brand:
Philips

Estimated price:
Rm100+

650 watts

Anti-splash knife protector

Ergonomic design

ProMix technology

Single-button release system

Compact size

 Philips ProMix Handblender Daily Collection HR2533/01
Buy From Lazada

#2 PerySmith 5-in-1 Hand Blender

This Perysmith 5-in-1 hand blender can be used for blending, cutting, beating and more. In addition to coming in neat colours and designs, each part is easily removable for efficient and easy cleaning!

 It’s definitely a worthwhile purchase.

What we like:

Brand:
Perysmith

Estimated price:
 RM100+

Power rating: 850W, Voltage:220-240V ~ 50/60Hz

Beaker Capacity: 0.5L, Chopper Capacity: 0.5L

Gross Weight: 0.8kg, Dimensions: 240 x 230 x 150 (mm) 800 watts

2 speeds

Easy holding system for accessory exchange

Removable parts for easy cleaning

0.5L BPA-free mixing beaker with lid and chopper

 PerySmith 5-in-1 Hand Blender
Buy From Lazada

#3 Panasonic MX-GS1 Hand Held Immersion Blender

This is a high-performance handheld blender with multiple functions. Equipped with a Four-Blade cutting system, its speciality is that you can produce many types of food easily!

Should you want to make a meringue or a smoothie, with this, you have no worries!

What we like:

Brand:
Panasonic

Estimated price:
RM100+

Easy to use

Power: 600W

Easy-grip handle

2 blades

Stainless Steel Shaft

 Panasonic MX-GS1 Hand Held Immersion Blender
Buy From Lazada

#4 Kenwood Triblade HDP102WG

This blender from Kenwood features 3 angled blades from Triblade System™ to ensure all ingredients are mixed exactly as needed, in a short period of time!

Whether you’re making a delicate pie filling or a creamy soup, all can be done perfectly and easily.

What we like:

Brand:
Kenwood

Estimated price:
RM100+

3 angled blades

Power: 600W

Turbo function

 Kenwood Triblade HDP102WG
Buy From Lazada

#5 Carote Multifunctional Food Chopper

Manual hand blenders are one of the items that have become increasingly preferred recently. This product uses no electricity and works just by pulling the provided straps.

 You might be surprised—the end results are great!

What we like:

Brand:
 Carote

Estimated price:
RM20+

Food grade, ABS, BPA-free

Mini-sized

Saves electricity

Odorless material, high transparency, high temperature resistance

420 Stainless Steel Blade: 3-dimensional design, thin and sharp

Slip bottom silicone ring to add friction and stability

Two sizes: 900ml and 500ml

 Carote Multifunctional Food Chopper
Buy From Lazada

#6 Philips 800W Turbo Speed ProMix Hand Blender HR2652

This option is from Philips as well, but instead is a hand blender with a motor power of 800 watts, which will definitely simplify your affairs in the kitchen!

 Interestingly, it is also easy to use, with just one button.

What we like:

Brand:
Philips

Estimated price:
RM200+

Power: 800 watts

Turbo function

SpeedTouch technology

Black & stainless steel

Stainless steel blades

ABS plastic + stainless steel + anti-slip rubber

 Philips Turbo Speed ProMix Hand Blender HR2652
Buy From Lazada

#7 Tefal Optitouch Hand Blender HB8338

This hand blender has speed variations of 16 levels, making it the best choice, as it is not only comfortable to use due to its ergonomic shape, but also its 4-blade function that helps grind foods more efficiently and quickly!

What we like:

Brand: Tefal

Estimated price:
RM190-RM210

Power: 600W

16 speeds + pulses, 4 Blades & ActivFlow Technology

Anti-Splash Guard

Ergonomic handle

Metal legs and body

500ml mini chopper (anti-slip base) + 800ml beaker

 Tefal Optitouch Hand Blender HB8338
Buy From Lazada

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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Best Skincare Products for Pregnant Women That Are Safe & Effective

Using your usual best beauty products that contain dangerous substances or have very strong effects can affect both the mother and the fetus.

Many changes occur during pregnancy. Skin troubles that were not there before pregnancy can appear due to hormonal surges, which can result in dry or oily spots, dark spots, stretch marks, newly grown moles, itchy stomachs and more.

In addition, your favourite skincare product may not be suitable for your now sensitive skin.
Hence, it is crucial for you to alter your skincare routine appropriately by examining the contents in products you use more carefully to ensure you do not harm yourselves or your babies unknowingly.

How To Choose Safe, Effective & Best Beauty Products For Pregnant Women

Some ingredients that
should be avoided during pregnancy and  breastfeeding
 include:

 Retinoids
 — Products containing ingredients such as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A, retinols, retinyl palmitate and Tazorac should be avoided. Studies have shown that even small amounts of substance absorbed by the skin could potentially cause your child to have birth defects.

 Tetracycline
 — This antibiotic acne treatment can adversely affect the development of your baby’s teeth and bones.

 Hydroquinone
 — When applied, between 34 to 45 percent of Hydroquinone (a topical skin whitening agent) is automatically absorbed into the body. Although current studies do not show a distinct relationship between using hydroquinone during pregnancy and an increased risk of adverse effects, it is best to avoid it.

 Salicylic Acid
 — Although some products only contain up to 2 percent of salicylic acid, which has a low risk of impacting babies, some dermatologists still recommend pregnant women to avoid using it.

 Benzoyl Peroxide
 — The risks pertaining to the use of benzoyl peroxide to treat acne has yet to be confirmed, therefore it is best to consult your doctor before using it.

 Artificial Fragrances
 — Cosmetic companies use “fragrance" as an umbrella term for a mixture of hidden toxic chemicals, such as diethyl phthalate that has been linked to causing birth defects.

In a nutshell, it is safest to avoid products that contain the aforementioned ingredients and instead, choose products that use natural ingredients.

You could also consider your pregnancy term as a time to change up your skincare routine by selecting products created specifically to pamper your skin!

6 Best Beauty Products on the Market for Pregnant Women

In an effort to help expectant mothers to pamper, we, here at theAsianparents, have sourced some skincare products just for you!

Here is a list of 6 best beauty products on the market for pregnant women:

#1 HADA LABO Premium Hydrating Moisturizer Cream

Why it’s Good:

Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream is a light velvety cream that is directly absorbed into the skin to instantly hydrate it. Aside from hydration, it also tightens the skin, making it smooth, firm and soft.

Features we like:

 Contains collagen which helps to improve the density and elasticity of the skin so that it looks more taut and youthful.

 Contains peptides which aids in increasing collagen production to improve facial contours and minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

 Contains 5 HA, combines Super HA, medium-sized HA, small-sized HA, 3D HA and Nano HA to hydrate the skin thoroughly so that it is softer and smoother

 Balanced skin pH

 Low irritation

 Free of alcohol, dyes, fragrances and mineral oils.

Contents:

Air, Squalane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Triglyceride Caprylic / Capric, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate / Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Aslilinium, Aricon , Cyclodextrin, Caffeine, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate (Medium SA Medium, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Carnosine, Citrus Sinensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate (Sodium Hyaluronolate) Sodium Hyaluronolate (Sodium Hyaluronolate) Sodium Hyaluronolate, Phenoetyanol Acid Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, 1,2-Hexanediol, Elettaria, Elettaria Oil, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Poliathanthes, Cananga Tuberosa Odorata Flower Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyalu ronate Crosspolymer.

 HADA LABO Premium Hydrating Moisturizer Cream
Buy From Shopee

#2 The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

Why it’s Good:

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is infused with tea tree oil, which helps extract dirt and oil without drying the skin, resulting in cleaner and clearer skin after daily use.

Features we like:

 Natural and vegan content

 Can be used every day

 Made with purifying tea tree oil from the foot of Mount Kenya

 Cleanses the skin thoroughly

 Cools and refreshes the skin

 Reduces greasiness

 Enriched with organic Community Trade tea tree oil

Contents:

Aqua / Air / Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol Leaf Oil Alternifolia / Melaleuca Leaf Oil Alternifolia (Tea Tree), Sodium Benzoate, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Menthol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ci, 19 /2090 Blue 1

 The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash
Buy From Shopee

#3 Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Why it’s Good:

Cleanse your face twice a day with Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser! It is a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that is not only soothing but also effective in cleaning the skin.

This product is also safe enough to be used on babies, and therefore can be used daily for pregnant women.

Features we like:

 Soothes and cleanses, leaving skin smooth and soft afterwards

 Gentle, soap-free formula that cleanses without irritation — it will not remove the skin’s natural protective oils or emollients

 Moisturizes without leaving residue that can clog pores

 Good for special skin needs including sensitive or rosacea-prone skin

 Suitable for face and body

 Works without causing skin irritation

 pH balanced and non-irritating formulation used

 Can be used with or without water

 Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

 Helps with dehydration, irritation, roughness, tightness, and dryness of skin

Contents:

Air, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben

 Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Buy From Shopee

#4 Mederma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Why it’s Good:

Mederma AG products are among the top few beauty products on the market as they provide the benefits of glycolic acid exfoliation in a pH-balanced cleansing and moisturizing system for the whole body.

This product is soft, non-dry and suitable for all skin types. It cleans oil and dirt from your face, leaving your skin feeling smooth and fresh.

Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser is not merely a facial cleanser, it can also be used as a shaving cream on sensitive areas, such as the bikini line, face and armpits!

Features we like:

 Gently exfoliates dry dead skin cells

 Not only can be used as a cleanser, but also an excellent shaving cream

 Helps hydrate and soften dry skin, leaving skin fresh, clean and soft

 Provides the exfoliating benefits of glycolic acid in a pH-balanced cleansing and moisturizing system for the whole body

 Hypoallergenic

 Free of added fragrances

 Soap-free (results in minimal irritation)

 Non-comedogenic

 Recommended by a dermatologist

Contents:

Distilled Water, Acid Glycolate, Ammonium Glycolate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sorbitol, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

 Mederma AG Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Buy From Shopee

#5 Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Why it’s Good:

Without added fragrances, dyes, parabens or phthalates, this 100 percent natural toner is perfect for pregnant mothers whose skin may be more oily or sensitive than usual.

It helps shrink pores, remove excess oil, soothe itchiness and maintain the skin’s natural balance while ensuring the skin does not feel dry after use.

Features we like:

 Oil free

 Does not dry out the skin

 For all skin types

 Gently cleanses and refines pores to maintain clear, smooth & balanced skin

 100% Natural

 Soft Formula

 Recommended by a dermatologist

Contents:

All natural distilled witch hazel, contains 14%natural grain alcohol, and witch hazel extract

 Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
Buy From Shopee

#6 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

Why it’s Good:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel consists of a refreshing gel formula with purified Hyaluronic acid and olive extract that continuously supplies moisture to the skin. As it thoroughly hydrates tand softens the skin, this product is also very suitable for those with dry skin.

The Neutrogena gel is oil-free, dye-free, non-comedogenic and is especially preferred by mothers with oily skin because the gel formula permeates faster than regular cream moisturizers.

It is, therefore, no surprise that this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a top choice for those with sensitive or dry skin!

Features we like:

 Moisturizes the skin

 Suitable for sensitive and dry skin

 Tested by a dermatologist

 Allergies tested

 Oil free

 Non-comedogenic

Contents:

Air, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethiconol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyalurin 14, Sodium Hyalurin 14, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue

 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Buy From Shopee

Finding the best beauty products to use during pregnant is not as hard as you think it will be. We hope this helps!

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:

Getting Unwanted Acne Is The Worst! Try These Acne Patches To Remove The Acne Without Leaving Any Scars


Morning sickness tummy-friendly food guide

If you have morning sickness, stock up on the following foods. They are known to be tummy friendly.

What’s good for morning sickness
:

Applesauce

Apricots

Avocado

Bagels

Bananas

Corn

Crackers

Cheese

Cereal

Chewing gum

Cider vinegar

Cucumber

Curry leaves

Dates

Fennel

Frozen yogurt

Fruit Juice

Ginger

Grapes

Lemon drops

Lemons

Mints

Milk

Oatmeal

Peppermint

Potato chips

Potatoes

Puddings

Raspberry leaf tea

Rice cakes

Soda crackers

Sorbet

Sour candies

Whole wheat bread

Yogurt smoothies

Stay away from during morning sickness:

Alcohol

Betelnut (Supari)

Brocolli

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Caffeinated beverages like coffee and cola

Foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Foods containing excessive seasoning

Fried eggs

Fried foods

Garlic

Greasy foods

High-fat foods

Onions

Sausages

Strong-tasting vegetables

It’s also interesting to note that in a
2000 study by Cornell University
 evolutionary biologists, “the most-observed aversion was to meats, fish, poultry and eggs — the foods that were more likely to carry harmful microorganisms and parasites before the advent of modern refrigeration and food-handling processes,” The study went on to reveal that in “traditional societies with virtually no morning sickness, animal products are not a dietary staple. Plant-based foods — and corn, in particular — were found to be the dietary staple in six of seven societies with little or no morning sickness. The edible parts of the corn plant, the kernels, have very low levels of phytochemicals”.

Remember that eating more or avoiding all of these may not necessarily work for you, try some and find out which food works for you. Also it’s important to have a healthy diet during pregnancy, so do listen to your body about your needs.

Do also check out this article on
 tried and tested cures for morning sickness
.

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4 Easy Exercises To Help Your Kids Grow (Much) Taller

All parents want to give their children the best chance of success in life. At some point, the question of height might enter your mind: how do you help your kids grow taller? Is there any height increasing exercise available?

Research is proving height to be surprisingly important for your children’s future. Studies have
shown
 that each extra inch of height corresponds to an additional USD800 in annual earnings. Taller people are
more likely
 to have higher education and job status.

This even affects happiness — those above average height
report
 being more content than their shorter counterparts! Strange though it sounds, this seemingly arbitrary factor can change a
 lot
 in your kids’ lives.

Fortunately, it’s not entirely out of your hands. According to
Scientific American
, only around 60-80% of one’s height is determined by genes.

The other 20-40% can be influenced by environmental factors, such as nutrition and exercise. And good news:
in Asian populations, the effect of ‘nurture’ on height leans much closer toward 40%.

Height increasing exercise

To give your kids that crucial inch or two extra, here are some types of height-boosting exercises that they can work on! These are suitable for kids of all ages, particularly before they hit puberty — by 16, most boys reach their
maximum height
, while girls do so around 14 to 15.

These exercises won’t help your children’s height shoot up noticeably, but they might add that magic inch or two. At the very least, you can bet that your kids will gain great posture and a stronger body.

1) Spine-stretching exercises

Stretching exercises boost the spine’s suppleness, ensuring that all the vertebrae are aligned correctly. These easy and kid-friendly exercises by
Grow Taller Success Key
 elongate the cartilage in the spine, regenerating flexibility!

(Screenshots from Grow Taller Success Key)

(Screenshots from Grow Taller Success Key)

Click
here
 to find the full instructions for the exercises.

2) Posture exercises

With heavy schoolbags and long hours on the computer, kids might not always develop the best posture. Standing tall helps lengthen your children’s spines to their full potential.

These fun exercises put together by
Coolum Family Chiropractic
 will help your kids work towards a strong, healthy back.

(Image Credit: Coolum Family Chiropractic)

Not only does great posture elongate the spine, it makes your kids look more confident, creating the
illusion
of height. This will stand them in good stead for everything from school presentations to job interviews.

Click
here
 to find the full instructions for the exercises.

3) Neck exercises

Just like the back, a long, strong neck can provide that extra inch of height and poise. These simple neck exercises, according to holistic health guru Mickey Mehta, can remove tension in the neck and stimulate the thyroid, promoting growth.

Rolling the neck up and down. (Screenshots from Mickey Mehta/Times Living)

Rolling the neck left and right. (Screenshots from Mickey Mehta/Times Living)

Click
here
 to find the full instructions for the exercises.

4) Vertical hanging

The force of gravity exerts pressure on our spines,
compressing the discs
 and making us just that tiny bit shorter. This is also why astronauts can
grow up to 3% taller
while living in space!

According to health guru Mickey Mehta, vertical hanging lets the weight of your lower torso stretch your spine and decompresses the vertebrae. Over long periods of time, this makes it possible to increase your kids’ height by one or two inches. Every inch helps!

(Screenshot from Mickey Mehta/Times Living)

Click
here
 to find the full instructions for the exercise.

Disclaimer: Parents are advised to check with a medical professional before undertaking any exercise regime for your children.
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Want to help your kids grow taller? Feed them these foods!

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#TAPreviews: Effortless Beauty Lash Extension With Relaxing Head Massage Service At Home

Before we become mothers, we first become women who have strong identities. We might be career women or we might be academic scholars. We might be women who love to dress up and socialise with friends. We have these personas that we take decades to craft before we decide to add on another layer to that — and that layer is motherhood.

But becoming a mother does not make us less of who we were before our children came along. We still prioritise our careers, our passion projects and of course, our beauty.

Sometimes, though, beauty takes a backseat especially when we’re busy juggling our jobs, our kids and not to mention household chores. It can be absolutely exhausting.

Worse still, 2020 has been a crazy year. We did not expect to have to stay home for half the year and have even less “me” time.

This year, I have had nary a moment to brush my hair, let alone go out and get a massage or do the usual beauty treatments I enjoy doing from time to time.

Thankfully, I was recently introduced to Effortless Beauty, an online beauty booking platform in Malaysia, which aims to bring you the pampering you need right to your doorstep. And amidst this COVID-19 mess, they promise safety too.

#TAPreview: Effortless Beauty Booking Platform

The name is perfect for this platform because yes, indeed it is effortless to make a booking for your beauty treatments from manicures to lash extensions to make-up services to waxing and more.

As a busy mum myself, it is tough to set aside time to get dressed, get out of the house and go to a beauty appointment. This process is even more restricted now with the CMCO.

But when I got the chance to try out the Effortless platform for a lash extension with a relaxing head massage, the decision to make the booking was an automatic one.

A representative from Effortless contacted me before the service and asked about my lash preferences and I also filled in a declaration form for safety purposes. Then it was all good to go and time for my service!

With my husband caring for our baby in another room, I welcomed the therapist, Jessica, into our home and let her start working on my lashes from the comfort of my own bed. She was wearing a mask the whole time and she made it a point to sanitise her hands and her tools before the session started.

It was a really nice and relaxing session as she started by giving me the head massage with essential oils before starting on my lashes. Jessica was very professional, she questioned me about my lash preferences before I started, just to be sure I got what I wanted. I really wanted natural lashes and she definitely delivered on that end.

She was also very conscientious about the glue as sometimes it might sting for some people. She kept asking me if I felt okay and I was glad to say I was comfortable throughout the whole treatment session. The entire thing took about 75 minutes and I managed to relax and rejuvenate during the session. Though Jessica says many people take this opportunity to take a nap, I preferred to chat with her a little instead.

She was very knowledgeable on giving me tips to care for the lash extensions, such as not washing my face or coming into contact with water for at least 4 hours after the treatment and also no rubbing my eyes, of course. Another tip she gave was not to apply eye makeup or use eye makeup remover on the area as it might affect the longevity of the glue.

All in all, it was an enjoyable session.

Once done, I went straight to my baby to spend time with him.

Doing a treatment like this goes just beyond having pretty lashes, because during the CMCO, it can be quite depressing to stay home all the time. Having done my lashes, I felt an uplift in my mood as well because when we go out nowadays, we have to wear our masks and the first and most noticeable thing would be our eyes.

I got plenty of compliments from people who saw me after the lash extension and it can be a great feeling to take care of yourself despite busy schedules. As mums, we definitely deserve the kind of effortless pampering Effortless Beauty can offer us.

As for the price point, I have to say that their services are very reasonably priced. My lash extension with head massage was RM189. I know many parlours out there that offer lashes at a higher price point than this, so I found this to be incredibly affordable.

I think the lashes turned out great and this is something I will be looking forward to doing more often. I also look forward to trying out their other services, such as their massages which range from prenatal massage to postnatal massage to the usual traditional massages, starting from RM170.

To make your booking on Effortless now, click
here
.

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Almond Mylk Recipes

Learn how to spice up your almond mylk and get all the health benefits people are talking about.

Basic Almond Mylk Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup of raw
pre-soaked almonds

3 cups of filtered water

a pinch of salt

OPTIONAL:

5 brazil nuts for extra creaminess

10 hazelnuts if you want a yum mylk for your coffee

2 to 3 dates for a little sweetness

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla powder

 Download this Infographic
here

Homemade nut mylks will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Store them at the back of your fridge where it is coldest. You will notice that the mylk will separate, this is normal. Stabilizers and emulsifiers will make store bought ones separate more slowly. Just shake your mylk before using. If it smells funny or has clumps then it’s time to throw it out.

No more stalling, here are 3 easy recipies to jazz up your mylk:

Matcha Almond Mylk

Ingredients:

1 L of almond mylk

3 tsp Matcha powder

2 to 3 dates if desired

Chocolate Almond Mylk

Summer refreshment drinks. Chilled iced chocolate cocoa. With scoop of chocolate ice cream chocolate powder and ice. In glasses with tubes for drinking. White concrete table. Copy space

Ingredients:

1 L of almond mylk

4 tsp cocoa powder

3 to 5 dates

½ tsp cinnamon powder

Golden Mylk

Ingredients:

1 L of almond mylk

½ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp ginger powder

½ tsp cinnamon powder

1 to 3 dates if desired

To make the above drinks, place the ingredients into a blender and mix on high speed for about one minute or until all the ingredients have blended together. Store in the fridge as you would would the basic nut mylk. Before consuming, give the mylk a good shake as some of the ingredients will sink to the bottom when the mylk blend sits for a while. These drinks are absolutely delicious when consumed warm. Gently heat in a pan, stirring and ensure not to over boil.

So now you have your mylk, but what shall you do with the leftover pulp? I use it as regular almond meal but due to the added moisture it will be heavier. A good rule of thumb is to double the amount. If a recipe for, let’s say brownies (YUM!) calls for 100g of almond meal, use 200g of the wet pulp. With the additional moisture, your baking time might take longer too. Use the pulp to thicken soups and stews or add it to a salad. If you don’t want to use it immediately,  you can store it in the freezer and thaw it in the fridge before use.
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What parents must know about the Momo suicide challenge

Parents, you might have heard about the
Blue Whale challenge
 already. This is a dangerous “game” that presents various “dares” to kids. And if they fail, they are goaded to take their own life. In other words, it’s a suicide challenge. But as you might have tried to Google what the Blue Whale challenge is, another term might have popped up as a suggestion – “what is Momo challenge?”

Now, another similar challenge has reared its ugly head. Known as the Momo Challenge, this one uses a common, innocent messaging app – Whatsapp – to target children. We urge you to look out for it, learn more about it,
and
 learn how to protect your children from it. Here’s a clearer explanation of the risks of the Momo Challenge.

The Risks of Momo Challenge

So what is the Momo challenge? The Momo Suicide Challenge is a game which has roots in Japan. Essentially, it all started with Facebook group members daring themselves to contact an unknown number. Nowadays, the suicide game is popular on both Facebook and Whatsapp.

The anonymous person with the unknown number, who is commonly known as “Momo”, will instruct you to engage in odd activities, like waking up at night or overcoming a fear.

Children are then told to film themselves doing these activities and send it to Momo. If the challenge is successful, Momo will encourage you to partake in even more dangerous activities that involve harm – eventually leading to suicide.

More often than not, Momo won’t just message you normally. Momo’s messages may be filled with violent or scary content, and Momo will even call participants and intimidate them. Refusing to do the challenge will make Momo threaten to visit you and curse you.

It’s very to easy to see why children feel so pressured in this hideous challenge.

The bulging eyes, wide grin and warped features of Momo make it easy to believe that she’s real. Factor in the fact that children may have some difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy – together with peer pressure – and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

Interestingly, Momo herself isn’t real. Momo is actually a sculpture named “Mother Bird” by Midori Hayashi, a Japanese Artist (see below). It was an artwork exhibited in Tokyo’s horror Art Vanilla Gallery, and it was never intended to be used in a dangerous game on social media.

 View this post on Instagram

「違和感」はもう少し仕事しといたほうがいいと思う。山下さん撮影w ヴァニラ画廊にて

A post shared by
 Tinkerbell Asuka
 (@tinkerbellasuka) on
Aug 20, 2016 at 3:45am PDT

Real or a hoax?

Fears around the Momo Challenge being a very serious cyber threat circulate after a 12-year-old girl in Buenos Aires reportedly taking her own life in her home in Argentina. Apparently, she recorded her last moments before committing suicide. Police believe that the girl was encouraged to end her life by an adolescent adopting the Momo identity.

Parents, while this is no joke it is important to understand that there has so far been no concrete evidence behind the Momo Challenge being real. In fact, the entire lore behind Momo has been based on rumours circulating around the internet. As described above, the actual Momo character is not real. The grotesque figure is based off an art sculpture, yet the hideous model has raised intrigue and served as nightmare fuel for your children.

Why does it spread so much fear?

Now you know what is the Momo challenge. But what drove it to become viral? Well, it’s namely the fear factor. The intrigue causes kids find out “what is Momo challenge”, and from there, people drum up the hype to spread the Momo challenge. Other factors encourage the Momo challenge due to a few reasons:

Social Media Apps like Facebook and Whatsapp are easily accessible today
. Any unsuspecting child can just download it and be pressured into playing, thinking that there is no danger.

Children’s brains are still developing
. Children are still unable to differentiate fact from fiction. Don’t forget there’s also peer pressure. Both of these factors can make a creepy face and frightening messages become reality, leading to tragedies.

For children, scary things that seem implausible to adults, such as curses, are real to them. |Image Source: Stock Photo

Whatsapp uses encrypted technology and anyone can use it
 with just a phone number. This means that parents and police find it hard to trace messages coming from an account and are unable to keep an eye out for possible cyberbullying behaviour.

How can I protect my children from this cruel game?

Despite knowing what is the Momo challenge, you might be wondering how to protect your child from this viral influence. While not giving your child a smartphone or Whatsapp account may be easy, it may not be practical in our techno-centric world. Here are some sensible, easy tips to help protect your children.

Monitor and supervise your child’s online activity
. You can ask your child for their phone and check through their Whatsapp activity briefly.

Educate your children about the dangers.
Let your child know that suicide won’t benefit anyone, and that it will only hurts their loved ones. Listening to Momo’s instructions won’t do anyone good: It will just cause people to get hurt.

Educate your children about the dangers of this suicide game so that they know what to do if they encounter it. | Image Source: Stock Photo

Explain to your children about the dangers of the internet.
 Tell your child not to trust everything they read or watch on the internet. Many videos are doctored to make the impossible look real. And people can easily pretend to be someone whom they’re not, such as Momo. While you may be able to easily differentiate between someone playing a sick joke and a genuine warning, your child can’t.

Be open with your kids, and encourage them to be a positive influence
. If your child is old enough to understand clear risks, talk to them openly about this game. Tell them
why
 they should
not
participate in it. Also, encourage them to be a pillar of support for their peers!

Delay giving them a smartphone.

Young children shouldn’t be given a smartphone
. For older kids, any normal phone that can make outgoing calls is more than enough.

Be a good role model by limiting your own smartphone use, especially when your children are around.
Start with simple habits like keeping the phone at home when going to dinner and leaving it off before bed (yes, even if you have to buy an alarm clock!).

Set clear rules at home for using the smartphone
, such as a no-phone schedule (during meals, before bedtime) and limiting when your children have access to phones. If your younger kids use Whatsapp, make sure it’s only on the phone you or your partner uses.

Tackling the Issue of Suicide with Your Child:

1.
Share your own experiences.
 We’ve all gone through a lot of scary experiences. Share your own struggles and the lessons you’ve learnt from them, and how everything turned out okay in the end.

2.
Don’t freak out
. We all get panicky when it comes to suicide. However, your child will trust you more if you approach this in a calm manner.

3.
Get on social media.
 Friend your child on Facebook, and Whatsapp. Let them know that you can always talk to them on the phone wherever they are.

But what if my children are already playing the Momo Challenge?

The Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore, issued an
advisory
 on the trend of suicide games, such as the Momo challenge, via its online publication
Schoolbag
.

Here’s a breakdown of the safety tips they gave:

Know the warning signs.
 Keep an eye on your children for signs of distress, like out-of-character behaviour, aggressiveness, social withdrawal, anxiety, or fear.

Talk about your child’s feelings.
 Talk to your child with a smile. You have to make them feel safe confiding in you. Ask them calmly what the problem is and if you can help.

Stand by their side in this challenge.
 Assure him or her that “Momo” doesn’t exist, and that it’s okay to refuse instructions or go against peer pressure. If your child is too scared, say that you’ll stand by their side no matter what happens.

Talk about what your child is watching or playing.
 You can talk about which characters your teen liked or disliked, and why he or she felt this way.

Don’t be afraid to ask your child direct questions if they’ve done anything dangerous or had a scary experience.
Open up a healthy discussion with questions like “Have you ever been scared by someone recently?”

Lastly, don’t forget that if worse comes to worst, you can always block or delete unknown phone numbers from your child’s phone. Remember to file a police report and to also consult a paeditrician or a psychologist if your child had a traumatic experience.

References:
Yahoo News
,
ABC News
,
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