Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare: When Children Fall Really Ill And We Can’t Do Much

It is every parent’s worst nightmare when their beloved children are down with contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases like chickenpox, hand-foot-mouth disease or others. No matter what the disease is, it is definitely something parents want to avoid at all costs.

Parents will do their very best to help protect their precious children. Whether it is for their education or health, we don’t tolerate mediocrity.

So if you’re a new parent and you’re wondering where to even begin with giving the best to your kids, one of the first things to do is to fill up our knowledge cups on what to do when your child falls sick.
When kids fall sick, it can be overwhelming to parents and while we are not expected to know everything, there are a few key things we can take note of to remember.

There are diseases that are preventable by vaccines. This is why we have a National Immunisation Programme with a vaccination schedule for parents
1
.

But on top of that, there are also additional vaccines for other common diseases which parents can get for their children. These vaccines are available in private hospitals and clinics
2
.

One of these common diseases is chickenpox.

What is Chickenpox?

We usually hear about chickenpox as a disease that often affects children. This is caused by a virus known as varicella zoster virus, which makes it a contagious disease that can spread from person to person easily through contact (with the fluid from the chickenpox blisters) or air if the infected person coughs or sneezes
3
.

What Are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

Your child might start showing symptoms of chickenpox 10-21 days after being exposed. In fact, chickenpox can spread from 1–2 days before the rash appears in an infected person until all rashes are dry
3
.

So if you have heard of a recent outbreak of chickenpox in your child’s school, here are some of the symptoms to look out for
3
:

Fever, feeling unwell and/or tired for about five days before the rash appears.

The rash starts with small red spots and can be itchy for the child, sometimes also appearing on the mouth area. Usually it starts on the chest and back, then spreads to the face, scalp, and both arms and legs.

Within 24 hours, the rashes will look like water blisters, then burst, dry out and become crusty over 4 to 5 days.

New spots will continue to appear for five days and take about two weeks to disappear.

Though in most cases, a person is said to have lifelong immunity after chickenpox infection, the virus can remain hidden and recur as shingles in adults later in life
3
.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of chickenpox, it is highly recommended to take them to see a doctor to seek the right treatment plan.

Chickenpox Complications

There are instances in which serious complications can arise from chickenpox. The complications include bacterial skin infection, blood stream infection, pneumonia or even brain infection in severe cases
3
.

How to Prevent Chickenpox

If you are sending your child to day care or know that they will be at some point, exposed to a large group of children in an environment that you cannot guarantee their health, it is of course better to seek preventive care for your child.

In the case of chickenpox, one of the most effective ways in helping to protect your child against the disease is by getting them vaccinated
3
.

Immunisation for ANY preventable disease is IMPORTANT

Image for representation purpose only

Parents, we’re here to remind you how important vaccination or immunisation is for your children to help protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines can help in building your child’s immunity towards these diseases
4
.

By getting vaccinated according to the given schedule, you may receive protection from a number of life-threatening diseases, such as
5
:

Tuberculosis (TB) – This disease can cause serious infections such as meningitis and spread to other organs
6
.

Diphtheria – Toxins released by bacteria may lead to blocked airways
7
.

Pertussis – Can cause whooping cough and lack of oxygen to the brain
8
.

Tetanus – Bacterial poisoning that can cause cramps in the muscles of the body and affects the ability to open the jaw
9
.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – This bacterium can cause infections of the lungs (pneumonia), respiratory tract and neuritis (meningitis)
5
.

Hepatitis B – This virus can cause severe damage to the liver and increases the risk of the individual getting liver cancer in the future
5
.

Polio – This virus can cause paralysis and even death
5
.

Measles – This virus can cause fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, infections of the brain (encephalitis) and lungs (pneumonia)
10
.

Mumps – This virus can cause viral meningitis and infection of testicles (orchitis)
11
.

Rubella – This virus can cause fever, rash, nausea and mild conjunctivitis
12
.

Pneumococcus – This bacteria can cause severe diseases like meningitis or milder infections like sinusitis or ear infections
5
.

Rotavirus – This virus can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration
5
.

Human Papillomavirus – This virus can cause cervical cancer and genital warts
5
.

Varicella (Chickenpox) – This virus can cause a blister like rash and fever, which can also cause shingles later as adults if the virus reactivates
3
.

Influenza  – Influenza A can cause epidemics of flu diseases or flu season
13
.

Meningococcal – This bacteria can cause deadly infections of the lining of the brain, spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream
14
.

Hepatitis A – This virus can cause short term infection of the liver
15
.

Image for representation purpose only

Besides which, parents would also want to take these other cautionary measures in ensuring their child’s health is not compromised such as practising good hygiene habits and keeping the home environment clean.

Speak to your paediatrician or your doctor about protective and preventive measures to keep the family healthy and protected.

MY-VVX-00130 Sep/2022

REFERENCES:

Immunise4Life. The Malaysian National Immunisation Programme (NIP). Available From:

https://immunise4life.my/the-malaysian-national-immunisation-programme-nip/
. Last Accessed 19 August 2022.

Immunise4Life. 5 Additional Recommended Vaccines for Children. Available From:
https://immunise4life.my/5-additional-vaccines-for-children/
. Last Accessed 19 August 2022.

PORTAL MyHEALTH. Chickenpox. Available From:
https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/chickenpox/
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization:What is vaccination?. Available From:
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-what-is-vaccination
. Last Accessed 19 August 2022.

UNICEF. Vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Available From:
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/vaccines-and-diseases-they-prevent
. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.

Mayo Clinic. Tuberculosis. Available From:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

Mayo Clinic. Diphtheria. Available From:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diphtheria/symptoms-causes/syc-20351897
.
 Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

National Health Service Inform. Whooping cough. Available From:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/whooping-cough
. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.

Mayo Clinic. Tetanus. Available From:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tetanus/symptoms-causes/syc-20351625
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

Mayo Clinic. Measles. Available From:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/symptoms-causes/syc-20374857
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

National Health Services. Mumps – Complications. Available From:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mumps/complications/
. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.

World Health Organization. Rubella. Available From:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rubella
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Influenza Viruses. Available From
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm
. Last Accessed 21 August 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease. Available From:
https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html
. Last Accessed 24 August 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is hepatitis A – FAQ. Available From:
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm#overview
. Last Accessed 22 August 2022
.

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Bifido-WHAT?!: How To Choose A Probiotic

Chances are that even if you haven’t used probiotics, you have heard of them. With gut health being all the rage lately, these tiny yet powerful buggers have made quite a few headlines. Foods, supplements, drinks; they’re all the rage! But what are they, do you need them, and how the heck do you choose which one is best? Let’s find out.

As always, run everything by your doctor first.

What are probiotics?

When we think of bacteria, we often think of germs and all the things that make you sick. But your body is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria that you need to live a healthy life. We’re actually made up of 90% bacteria – woah!

Probiotics
are the friendly bacteria that live in our digestive tract and are beneficial to our health. These bacteria make sure that the digestive system is running smoothly by assisting in digesting food, along with destroying harmful pathogens and producing vitamins we need to live a healthy, happy, and balanced life. An easy way to remember this is that antibiotic means “anti-life” (killing off bacteria) and probiotic means “pro-life” (promoting the bacteria growth).

We are naturally born with probiotics in our colon but with modern living, full of antibiotics, antibacterial products, and poor diet and lifestyle choices, these healthy forms of bacteria are being wiped out and causing major health problems.

Taking a probiotic helps to top up the existing good bacteria, aids in converting the bad bacteria to good, and promotes a healthy balance between the good and the bad bacteria in our
gut flora
. This ultimately helps to heal digestive issues and has even been seen to relieve mood disorders and autoimmunities.

This is why picking a probiotic tailored to you is important. Supporting healthy gut bacteria ultimately means supporting a healthy life, and we’re all about living our healthiest lives!

Bifido-what?

When you first embark on the probiotic hunt, you’re going to find billions (literally billions- with a B) of different strains. This is where the confusion starts to set in that usually can lead to many of us just giving up on choosing. Let’s simplify this process for you so you can gut going.

There are three major probiotics available today that have been found to provide health benefits: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces. These are the things you want to see on the label when choosing a probiotic.

Lactobacillus bacteria predominantly live in your small bowel and are responsible mostly for supporting digestion and immune function. The most beneficial species are L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and L. paracasei.

The Bifidobacteria bacteria, predominantly found in your colon or large intestine, are responsible for producing the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. Butyrate regulates a variety of metabolic processes. The most beneficial of the Bifidobacteria are B. lactis and B. longum.

Finally, we have Saccharomyces. Saccharomyces is a friendly yeast that supports the gut lining from the effects of dysbiosis that can happen after taking a round of antibiotics, which can lead to leaky gut syndrome. This is why Saccharomyces should be taken when given antibiotics.

Choosing the right probiotic for you

Now that we understand what a probiotic is, let’s chat about who should be taking a probiotic. Raise your hand if you are someone that: has taken antibiotics in recent years, eats processed foods, lives in an urban area, struggles with stress, or lives in this modern world.

Then you should be taking a probiotic supplement.

And even if you live a generally healthy lifestyle, you can benefit from taking a probiotic. The people that are better off NOT taking a probiotic are those with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and people with compromised immune systems.

As always, run everything by your medical practitioner first.

When buying a probiotic you want to ensure that it is high quality. I highly recommend not skimping when purchasing a probiotic supplement. Due to the lack of regulation within the supplement world, you need to do your research and make sure that the product you’re investing in is actually doing something.

And since the
gut is the powerhouse
 to your overall health, it makes sense to make the investment, right?

Research has shown that some strains seem to be more effective than others for treating certain conditions, so it’s important to keep in mind what exactly you’re trying to resolve when buying your supplement.

How to tell which probiotic to buy

Brand quality — Look for reputable brands with quality customer reviews.

The number of CFUs (colony forming units) — You’ll usually see millions and billions, which seems like a lot. But, Billions is best. 5 to 100 billion colony-forming units is what you want to aim for. Start small and work your way up.

The number of various strains — Generally, you want to aim for 10–30 different strains. If you’re looking to heal a certain symptom (depression, anxiety, IBS, leaky gut, etc.) search for a probiotic supplement that has certain strains to heal that.

Survivability — There’s no point in buying a high strength probiotic if it doesn’t survive the trek from the supplier to your stomach! Check the label to see how many cultures survive the journey. Look for strains like Bacillus coagulans, Saccharomyces boulardii, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and other cultures that ensure probiotics make it to the gut and are able to colonize.

Research — Do your homework and look for brands that have strains that support your specific needs. Look for products that have been clinically trialled with a proven health benefit.

How to gut started with probiotics

Probiotics are generally recognised as safe, but if you have a compromised immune system or suffering from SIBO you’ll want to work with your medical practitioner.

For those looking to boost their gut health, I suggest starting with 30 to 50 billion CFUs and working from there. The process of finding the right probiotic can take a bit of trial and error. I suggest taking your probiotics on an empty stomach once a day for 3 months and then tuning into how you’re feeling since you first began. This is why when working with
clients
 I have them use a gut tracker.

The more imbalanced the gut, the more CFU’s you’re going to need to get it back into balance. In cases like this, you’re going to need closer to the 200 to 400 billion CFUs.

If you’re looking to better understand how to find a specific strain and dosage that works for you, I recommend working with a practitioner.

Potential side effects

Although probiotics are usually seen to improve gut health, you may experience some uncomfortable symptoms when you first start taking a probiotic supplement. This is due to something called “die off”. This can show up as gas, bloat, changes in stool and moods.

“Die Off” is a sign that the good bacteria are killing off the bad bacteria, producing detox-like symptoms. If the symptoms are causing too much discomfort though, try lowering your dosage and then slowly working your way up. If that doesn’t work, then it is possible that the strain that you are taking isn’t suited for your body. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach as we are all different so it takes a bit of experimenting.Keep in mind that probiotics should be seen as a preventative, not as a treatment to any condition and that it’s important to make sure you’re consuming a healthy diet and practicing other health-promoting lifestyle choices as well. Otherwise, you can’t expect probiotics to provide much benefit.

Is yogurt enough?

Simply put, no. Although in my programs I encourage fermented foods within the Rule of 5 plate, I encourage you to still get a quality probiotic. Think of fermented foods as the cherry on top of your sundae, you still need the delicious sundae first.

You can find a easy to follow sauerkraut recipe that you can toss into your daily diet here:
 3-Ingredient Sauerkraut

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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Rites of Passage for Children Growing Up: Do You Remember These?

We all remember key moments growing up, moments where we have passed a milestone and we said to ourselves: “I’m all grown up now!”.

These little “rites of passage” were significant at a personal level, helping to create formative memories and is something we all continue to revisit and talk about in our adulthood.

At the age of twelve, we would gain our own identity card, which we would then proudly put into our wallets.

For the average Malaysian kid attending public school, we would also vividly remember the key examinations we had to go through. UPSR, PMR, SPM!

As we turned eighteen, feeling the post-SPM bliss, we would likely also be in the midst of acquiring our driver’s licence and be planning for college, which is a major transition and passage into adulthood for many.

So many rites of passage that have created fond memories in our minds and are probably topics we still bring up with our friends when we meet up for reunion dinners!

But what is probably one of the most memorable milestones that we can all recall from attending a public primary or secondary school is getting vaccinated along with our friends!

For most, it was a moment of simply bracing ourselves physically, not wanting to be that one person in your class who winced or worse, cried at the sight of a needle. And if you were stern-faced and went through with it like a champ, a sense of relief likely followed.

Then we would go home and proudly tell our parents that we got vaccinated and we definitely didn’t cry!

Applying lotion to itchy blisters as a symptom of chickenpox. Image for representation purpose only

Perhaps another “rite of passage” that you might recall from childhood would be outbreaks of chickenpox in school. Some of us might recall getting chickenpox and having itchy blisters all over our bodies
1
.

We might recall the nagging voice of our parents saying, “Don’t scratch! It will leave scars!” or remember them rubbing calamine lotion
1
 all over our bodies and looking like little pink dalmations from it!

But the thing is, this didn’t need to be a rite of passage at all!

Not for us, nor for our children now.

If you still think that it is a rite of passage for all children to get chickenpox, that is a myth we are debunking right now.

Firstly, it is not “normal” for all kids to get chickenpox. Especially since many children are vaccinated against chickenpox nowadays, the outbreak of the disease has been substantially curbed comparatively to when we were kids. It is a vaccine-preventable disease
2
.

Secondly, the disease is not something that we should “force” our kids to get so that they can build immunity against chickenpox. Vaccination can help to build Immunity. Not to mention, the disease can cause serious complications that can even lead to death
3
.

Some of the complications that can happen if a child gets chickenpox include bacterial skin infection, blood stream infection, pneumonia or even inflammation of the brain, known as encephalitis
1
!

This is definitely not something we would want our children to ever endure! Not when there are preventive measures!

So what can parents do to make sure this “rite of passage” never has to happen to their kids?

Ask your doctor about immunisation against chickenpox.

Keep your kids at home if you know about an outbreak in school.

Teach your kids basic health and hygiene habits.

Ensure your child is healthy with balanced nutrition, getting enough sleep and keeping them in a healthy environment

We would recommend speaking to your healthcare provider about the ways you can help protect your child from getting chickenpox, as you now know that it is not a “rite of passage” they need to go through!

MY-VVX-00129 Oct/2022

REFERENCE:

PORTAL MyHEALTH.Chickenpox. Available From:
https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/chickenpox/
. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chickenpox (Varicella). Available From:
https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/prevention-treatment.html
. Last Accessed 14 September 2022.

Centre for Health Protection. Department of Health – The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Chickenpox. Available From:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/15.html
.
Last Accessed 22 August 2022.

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Does your child have a tiny hole near their ear? Here's what it is

Parents, carefully observe your child’s ears, just where they join the face. Can you spot a tiny hole (as depicted by the picture above)?

This small hole is known as a
preauricular pit
. It also has other names, such as preauricular sinus or fistula. The hole arises from a problem in ear development during the sixth week of pregnancy.

Actually, this small hole is the entrance to a sinus tract which continuously intertwines under the ear’s skin. The sinus canal can be either short or long, with several branches forming zig-zag shapes across ear tissue.

Preauricular Ear Pit Baby: A Congenital Defect

This innocent hole doesn’t usually cause problems, but if you notice something wrong, do consult a medical professional.

Neil Shubin, the Professor and Associate Dean of Biological Sciences
 at the
University of Chicago
, explains that the preauricular pit is an “evolutionary remnant of fish gills.” It goes without saying that just because you have this small hole, it does not make you (or your baby) a mermaid or an alien!

The preauricular pit was first documented by a scientist named Van Heusinger in 1964. Normally, this tiny hole is only found on one ear, but about 50% of people have them on both ears.

A preauricular hole near the ear actually counts as a
congenital defect
 because usually, babies don’t have such holes.

These pits can also appea
r as a dimpling rather than a hole. Fortunately, this condition is
 quite rare — only about 5% of the global population have it. Both genders are similarly affected by the condition.

Furthermore, while not all relatives might have a preauricular pit, it is likely to run in the family if both of your child’s ears are affected.

Note that there are certain ear conditions that can be mistaken for preauricular pits.

Preauricular tags
 are are mounds of skin near the ear. They don’t have a sinus tract and so are not at risk of an infection. At best, they are only “appearance problems” and won’t cause potential issues like preauricular pits.

A
branchial cleft cyst
 is a more serious condition which initially shows up as a small opening, skin tag, or dimpling
around the neck.
These cysts, which look like extra pouches of flesh, are at risk of becoming infected and needs to be drained.

Preauricular Ear Pit Baby and Potential Risks

Red Flags

Even though it’s rare, these holes can sometimes be associated with various ear infections and sinusitis. This is the reason why a pediatrician will refer your child to an ENT specialist if he is aware that your child has a preauricular pit. The ENT specialist will examine the child further to eliminate anything serious.

Wiyarni Pambudi
, a paediatric specialist and an International Board certified lactation consultant, says that preauricular holes don’t require medical attention and can be left as it is. However, there are some red flags to take note.

Not all children have identical symptoms, but here are common symptoms that requir
e treatment from an ENT specialist:

Inflammation
 of the surrounding tissue near the preauricular pit.

An
infection
, which is characterized by redness of surrounding tissue, pain, fever or swelling inside the and around the pit.

Abscesses,
which can appear with an infection. These are small masses filled with pus or an irritating fluid discharge, usually white or yellow in colour.

Cyst formations
. Cysts are painless lumps near the hole which expand slowly over time, as dirt accumulates near the hole. Unfortunately, cysts can
heighten the risk of infection in
the area.

Although it’s near the ear, the preauricular sinus is not usually related to hearing problems.

Congenital Syndromes Associated with Ear Pits

In rare cases, preauricular pits can jointly appear w
ith a genetic syndrome — together with a whole host of other problems associated with that syndrome.

A newborn baby with such a congenital defect will be carefully analysed to see if the hole will present an additional risk.

Here are some syndromes that come with preauricular sinuses:

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
 is a disease that usually presents with unsymmetrical
earlobes and a tongue bigger than its normal size. Do get this checked right away, as the syndrome has been known to cause abdominal irregularities and cancers of the kidney and liver.

Branchio-oto-renal syndrome,
which can be detected by:

pits seen around the neck with tags or pits in front of the ear

reduced hearing compared to normal

kidney abnormalities

What Can I Do If I Notice This Condition?

Always let a medical professional assess your child. Do not self medicate.

The best course of action you can take if you see a preauricular pit is to consult an ENT specialist or otolaryngologist. They are experienced in their fields and can administer the best possible treatment procedure for your child.

The specialist will assess if your child’s ear pit is dangerous or not, checking the severity of infections, or if there are possible genetic syndromes.

They will perform imaging techniques (MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds scans) to help them develop a diagnosis and ascertain what the best course of action is. They may also use an audiogram to test your child’s hearing abilities if they have ear pits with irregularities observed in the external ear.

If your child does have other syndromic features, your doctor may recommend you to consult with other specialists.

How Will the Doctor Treat My Child?

If your otolayngologist does find something requiring medical attention, they may perform at least one of the following, depending on the issue at hand:

Giving your child antibiotics if he suspects that the pit is infected.

Poking a needle into an abscess when antibiotics aren’t effective. The needle will allow the doctor to obtain cells and understand the bacteria causing the disease better. This technique is called needle aspiration.

Cutting open an abscess and draining it if needle aspiration fails.

Removing the whole tract by surgery if the preauricular pit gets infected too often. Parents can expect the surgery to take about one hour to complete after their child is anesthesised. As this is a minor surgery, it does not need to be done in a hospital. Surgeons normally only conduct the operation when the child has recovered from an infection.

What Happens After Treatment?

Once your child has received treatment for an ear pit infection, they will need to be closely monitored for further issues. If infections repeat, surgery is needed. Medical staff will advise parents to care for the bandaged wound, administer antibiotics, and schedule an appointment to follow-up on the child’s condition.

Surgical stitches will break down on their own, so not to worry. Do note that it is necessary for your child to keep his head raised while asleep and that he won’t be able shower while the wound is still bandaged. They should be fit enough for school, though. Just avoid activities that are too taxing, and the surgical wound will recover in no time.
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We at
theAsianparent
 hope that this information regarding preauricular ear pit baby was helpful in relieving your concerns. If you suspect a serious medical condition, please consult a doctor.

References:
Verywell Health
,
Blog Wiyarni
,
Business Insider
,
NeilShubin.com
,
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

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Milk: We’ll tell you why high quality protein is important for your whole family

Mums, you may have already heard how protein plays a huge part in your health and well-being. It helps build, maintain and repair tissues in our bodies, and also produces enzymes, hormones and other chemicals.
1
 To put it simply, protein not only builds strong muscles for our daily activities such as walking, running, exercising and working, it is also behind the formation of important tissues such as your skin and hair too!
1
 This is why protein is essential for you and your family. But did you know not all protein are the same? And have you ever heard of high quality protein foods?

Consider High Quality Protein Foods for a Strong Family

Protein is a “macronutrient” that your body requires a large amount of in order to function well. When a protein-rich food enters your stomach, it is broken down into different types of amino acids
2
  before your body can absorb it for the various functions and benefits.

This means it is crucial for your health – and the health of your family – to fuel your body with all the essential amino acids in the right ratios.
2

Hence, it’s a good idea to really consider where we get our protein intake in our diet to ensure our overall well-being by stimulating the growth of our muscles and the development of our bodies.
4
 This is why it’s important for you and your family to consume foods with high quality protein.

What Is High-Quality Protein?

A high-quality protein is determined by:
3

the quality and quantity of the amino acids profile – complete protein

its biological value – how well the protein is utilised by your body

its digestibility – how well it breaks down in your body

There are two types of proteins: complete proteins and incomplete proteins.

Complete protein, which is from animal sources like meat and milk, contain all nine essential amino acids that our body cannot produce, while incomplete protein, which is plant-based, is labelled “incomplete” because it does not contain all nine essential amino acids.
5
  As such, animal-sourced protein is more biologically complete than plant-sourced protein!

Fulfill Your Protein Requirements with Milk!

Milk is very important to Malaysians’ diet as a source of many essential nutrients. According to Indra Balaratnam, Consultant Dietitian at Indra Balaratnam Nutrition, you can get your sources of protein, retinol, riboflavin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium and potassium from milk and dairy.
6
 They are an important source of nutrients for all age groups of the general Malaysian population throughout their life cycle.

Unfortunately, Malaysians are consuming way less milk than the amount of our body needs. Based on the Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey 2014, Malaysian adults only consume 0.4 glasses of milk per week.
7
 This is far from ideal. The recommended intake by the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines recommends two to three servings of milk per day.
8

Milk is indeed a great source of high-quality protein and other essential nutrients that our body needs.  Indra recommends milk to be included in everyone’s daily diet for the many health benefits they provide.

Here’s why you should enjoy the goodness of milk every day:

Milk contains
nine essential amino acids
that are required to build and maintain a healthy body.
10

Milk has
high protein digestibility ratings
, which means your body can efficiently utilise the sources of protein from it.
9

Milk is made up of
80% casein protein and 20% whey protein
.
9
The branched amino acids in whey protein are essential for tissue maintenance in the body.
11
 In other words, they’re what you need for muscle building, maintenance and repair.

Your body cannot produce calcium on its own. Therefore
you need to consume calcium from your daily diet
. The high calcium content in milk helps children to develop stronger teeth and bones in their growing years.
12
As for adults, calcium helps to maintain healthy bones and prevent loss of bone mass.
13

Milk boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure, rehydrates you after a physical exercise and cleanses your skin too.
14

A Stronger Start with Dutch Lady +Protein

The good news is it’s simple to achieve your family’s protein requirement.

Ready-to-drink milk is a great choice of protein source because you can enjoy it any time, especially during your hectic mornings. Other foods with high quality protein like meat, eggs and fish require time to cook or prepare. Plus, you may lose some nutrients by overcooking or overheating your food.
15

So if you’re looking for a fuss-free way to have a stronger start to your day, go for a protein-filled breakfast with NEW Dutch Lady +Protein! It is the perfect breakfast choice for you – and your family – because it fuels your body with all the essential nutrients you need for an active day ahead:

Every glass of Dutch Lady +Protein gives you 10g of high-quality protein.

Two glasses of Dutch Lady +Protein fulfill 40% of the protein requirement for you and your family.
16

It’s packed with high-quality protein for STRONGER MUSCLES, high calcium for STRONGER BONES and other essential nutrients for your body such as vitamin A for healthy eyes, vitamin B2 to support the release of energy and vitamin D to aid the absorption of calcium.

It’s so easy to enjoy Dutch Lady +Protein every morning. No cooking is required – just enjoy this delicious milk with your favourite wholegrain breakfast cereal, blend it with fruits to make a smoothie or simply drink it on its own! It’s convenient and affordable, tastes good and really is the smartest way to give you and your family a protein and calcium boost for a stronger start, every day!

Let’s start your day stronger with Dutch Lady +Protein today! It’s available at your nearest hypermarket, supermarket, minimarket and selected provision store, or you can buy online at
www.eshop.tesco.com.my
.

For more information about Dutch Lady +Protein, please visit Dutch Lady Malaysia Facebook at
www.facebook.com/spread.the.goodness.of.milk
 or
https://www.dutchlady.com.my/plusprotein
.

References:

1
 The Benefits of Protein. Retrieved from
https://www.webmd.com/men/features/benefits-protein#1

2 Essential amino acids: Definition, benefits and food sources (2018, June) Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/essential-amino-acids

3 What is a “high-quality” protein? (2018, May) Retrieved from
https://www.bornfitness.com/high-quality-protein/

4 Getting childhood off with a strong start with protein (2010, October) Retrieved from
https://foodinsight.org/getting-childhood-off-to-a-strong-start-with-protein/

5 University of Massachusetts at Amherst,
https://www.umass.edu/nibble/infofile/incprot.html

6 Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, National Coordinating Committee on Food & Nutrition, Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2010)

7 Current nutrient intake among Malaysians, Adult: Finding from MANS 2014, THE MEDICAL JOURNAL OF MALAYSIA, VOL.70 SUPPLEMENT 1 SEPTEMBER 2015, pp12. Retrieved from
https://www.e-mjm.org/2015/v70s1/Asia-Pacific-Conference-on-public-health.pdf

8 Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (National Coordinating Committee on Food & Nutrition, Ministry of Health Malaysia 2010); Page 9

9 Hoffman JR & Favlo MJ. Protein – Which is best? Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2004; 3: 118-130. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905294/

10 Milk Protein. Retrieved from
https://www.milkfacts.info/Milk%20Composition/Protein.htm

11 MacLean D.A., Graham T.E., Saltin B. (1994) Branched-chain amino acids augment ammonia metabolism while attenuating protein breakdown during exercise. American Journal of Physiology267, E1010-1022. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7810616

12 MOH (2010). Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims (as at December 2010). Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya. Retrieved from
https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/sites/default/files/MYS%202010%20Guide%20to%20Nutrition%20Labelling%20and%20Claims.pdf

13 National Institutes of Health (1994) NIH Consensus Statement 12:4. Optimal Calcium Intake. Bethesda, MD: NIH. Retrieved from
https://consensus.nih.gov/1994/1994optimalcalcium097html.htm

14 9 incredible benefits of drinking milk. Retrieved from
https://www.medclique.org/nutrition-and-diet/milk-health-benefits-nutrition/

15 Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia, 2017. A report of the technical working group on nutritional guidelines. Ministry of Health. Retrieved from
https://nutrition.moh.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FA-Buku-RNI.pdf

16 In accordance to NRV Malaysia

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LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort Marks 10 Years of Awesomeness with Exciting News!

LEGOLAND
®
 Malaysia Resort invites guests to celebrate its 10
th
 Anniversary milestone with an exciting line-up of new and enhanced activities. Guests can also look forward to building more precious memories with friends and families with awesome month-long activities, especially for this momentous celebration.

“Being the first of its kind in Asia, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort never stops offering fresh, fun, entertaining, and educational experiences for the past 10 years. We will continue to build on our passion and commitment to providing our guests with a truly unique experience that is only available in LEGOLAND,” said CS Lim, Divisional Director at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

He added, “We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to guests, partners, and the government for the unwavering support shown. We will continue to challenge our boundaries with new offerings that are of great value and bring our guests new experiences at every visit.”

LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is dedicated to providing a one-stop holiday destination for friends and families by bringing them together for a different experience with each visit. In addition to the well-loved annual festivals and activities, guests can look forward to a series of enhancements for 2023 and beyond.

Shaded MINILAND –
Guests can walk around comfortably under new shades with cooling fans while browsing through iconic landmarks of LEGO builds from January 2023 onwards.

Refurbished LEGOLAND Hotel Rooms with New Themes
– Fellow explorer friends should look forward to experiencing the up-and-coming new themed room that will be joining the current offerings of PIRATE, KINGDOM, ADVENTURE and NINJAGO in the 1
st
 quarter of 2023.

First Ever Splash Carnival –
 Fans can look forward to the first ever water park festival for special shows, activities, friendly challenges and more while enjoying a splashing good time in Mid 2023 at the
LEGOLAND Water Park
.

New Thrilling 4D Movie at LEGO Studio –
 LEGO fans rejoice as the Resort will be bringing immersive cinematic experience to a whole new level with a new 4D Movie that will only be available at the
LEGO Studio
 around third quarter of 2023.

Above and beyond, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort will continue hosting larger scale annual festive events celebrating key holidays such as
Hari Raya, Chinese New Year
and more.

In the coming year, guests can also look forward for LEGO themed events like
Build the Thrills
 and
Friendship Fest
 that are uniquely available in LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

Meanwhile, for the rest of this year, guests can immerse themselves in the new world of mythical creatures with
LEGO MYTHICA 4D movie
, a spookily fun
Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
featuring a brand new 4D movie and the spectacular
Brick-Tacular Holidays
 to end the year with a bang.

“The investments and enhancements are in line with our strategic priorities to draw new and repeat visitations from domestic and international tourists to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. We are optimistic about the industry’s recovery and are fully supportive of the tourism revitalizing plans developed by the government with our new enhancements, activities, and promotions ahead,” said CS.

Commemorating the momentous occasion, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is constructing a 12-feet tall LEGO Anniversary Cake made of more than 90,000 LEGO
®
DUPLO® bricks. Designed with a touch of Malaysian flair, the Anniversary Cake will feature the Hornbill, Wau, and Hibiscus flowers and will be displayed for guests from 26 August onwards.

What Else to Expect at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort’s 10
th
 Anniversary Celebration

In addition to the grand LEGO cake, LEGOLAND has planned a bevy of activities for the big celebration such as:

Build Your Very Own LEGO DOTS Mosaic:

Set your inner creativity free and create bold and colourful mosaic using LEGO DOTS. Your masterpiece will be featured in our LEGO DOTS booth for other guests to enjoy.

Best Birthday Shows Ever:

Think about every show you’ve ever wanted at your birthday party like Bubble Shows, Magician’s extravaganza, Professional Balloon Sculptors, and Dance performances. LEGOLAND Malaysia will bring all of them to life at the resort so don’t miss your favourite show.

Meet and Greet:

Meet and party with some of your favourite LEGO

characters such as Emmet, Olli The Dragon, Bricky, and our newest LEGO Character Friends.

10th Birthday Lucky Draw

Stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM50,000. For a chance to spin the Lucky Wheel and win LEGOLAND Hotel Stay, LEGOLAND Day tickets, LEGOLAND Annual Passes, LEGO Sets, and exclusive LEGOLAND merchandise, guests only need to make a minimum spend of RM99 at any retail store in LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. Draws are hosted every Friday to Sunday and on Public Holidays. There will also be a special one-day only draw on Thursday, 15 September 2022.

Birthday Themed Activities

Try your hand at our
balloon sculpting workshop
 and bring home your best work

Participate in friendly basketball challenges at the
Slam Dunk Fun
 corner to win amazing prizes

Hunt for the hidden cupcakes around the Resort and stand a chance to win a prize for the
Treasure Hunt
 activity

A Taste of LEGOLAND At AEON Malls nationwide

LEGOLAND Malaysia will be taking the 10
th
 anniversary celebration to AEON Malls nationwide from 30 August to 2 October. AEON shoppers can have a taste of the one-stop family destination experience at the LEGOLAND AEON Roadshows happening in select locations.

At the LEGOLAND Roadshows, shoppers will be able to see a replica of the 12ft tall LEGO Anniversary Cake, join in some LEGO cake building activities and speed building contests.

In addition to enjoying some of the interactive displays and activities, AEON shoppers stand a chance to get exclusive LEGOLAND discounts and vouchers – especially on weekends when the EDUPLAY Express bus might make a surprise visit.

For more information on LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort’s 10th Anniversary Awesome Celebration, head over to the official website at
https://www.legoland.com.my/explore/shows-entertainment/10th-anniversary/

or
LEGOLAND social media pages on
Facebook
 and
Instagram
.

10
th
 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort

LEGOLAND Exclusive Deals

Birthday Kids Go Free

Children aged 11 and below can enter LEGOLAND Malaysia for FREE on their Birthday Week with the purchase of a 1-Day Double Park or 1-Day Triple Park adult ticket.

Birthday Guests under the age of 11 will also receive a surprise, button badge and RM20 retail voucher*.

Triple Park Pass Birthday Child Brings their Friend for Free

Children aged 11 and below with a valid Triple Park Annual Pass can bring their FRIEND/FAMILY for free on their Birthday Week (limited to ONE Double or Triple Park CHILD ticket only)

Birthday Guests under the age of 11 will also receive a surprise, button badge, and RM20 retail voucher*.

Triple Park Annual Pass Holders Bring-A-Friend at 50% off

Customers with a Triple Park Annual Pass can bring a friend to enjoy 50% off a 1-Day Single Park, 1-Day Double Park or 1-Day Triple Park ticket , limited to 4 tickets per day. This promotion ends 31 August 2022.

10% off on F&B for Annual Pass Holders

Customers with Annual Pass will get an additional 10% off on F&B, which ends 30 September 2022.

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*available while stocks last

Note: All promotions are exclusively available on the official LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort website. Retail offers are also available at the Resort and the online store.

LEGOLAND Malaysia @ AEON Schedule & Exclusive Promotions

AEON Exclusive Promotions

Kids Go For Free to LEGOLAND

Spend at AEON* and receive a voucher allowing kids to go to LEGOLAND for free. Vouchers are valid with the purchase of one adult LEGOLAND day ticket.

*Applicable in 28 AEON Malls nationwide with a minimum spend.

Unlock Ultimate LEGOLAND Discounts In a Snap

Share about the EDUPLAY Express bus in your nearest AEON (Fridays – Sundays) on Instagram / Facebook with the hashtag #LEGOLANDMY10.

Your post will unlock a secret LEGOLAND discount that you can use during LEGOLAND’s 10
th
 anniversary. Your post will also make you eligible to win weekly LEGO & LEGOLAND prizes.

AEON Mall Roadshow Schedule

30 August – 4 September

AEON Tebrau City JB

6
th
– 11
th
 September

AEON Shah Alam

13
th
 – 18
th
 September

AEON Nilai

20
th
 – 25
th
 September

AEON Cheras Selatan

30 September – 2 October

AEON Kinta 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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Two Goals In One! Money Parenting Through Fun

Do you believe that even through fun there are always things to learn? Are you keen to teach your child about anything and everything about the world as best as you can? You might be a

Go-getter

parent! (Find out your Money Parenting style for sure by taking our

quiz here
).

Go-getters strive to be the “best” parent they can by giving their child every possible advantage. They are driven and strive to be knowledgeable about all things, including finance, and they are always keen to learn more and pass on what they know to their child.

And since one of the most effective ways children learn is through play¹
, Go-getters are well-versed in using board games as well as apps to teach their children about money. If you are a Go-getter and haven’t started on this yet, no worries; you’ll soon see why this approach is best for you and your child.

Go-getters strive to be the “best” parent they can by giving their child every possible advantage.

Go-getters: Setting The Board For Learning

Before we bring out the games and begin our teaching, we have to remember what we’re trying to achieve with these games — we are Go-getters and goal-getters after all. Everything should have a purpose.

We want to build our child’s financial knowledge and teach the value of money, and most importantly, have fun while doing this. Used in tandem with other techniques, like experiential learning or more formal money lessons, games are a good tool to help children build a solid foundation for their future.

In order to achieve the above, we have to keep in mind the following:

Teach In An Age-appropriate Manner

Games that involve a fair bit of reading and understanding of the concept of money, like Daytrader, a financial board game, would probably not be the best game to start your 4-year-old off with. At your child’s age, probably something with less reading and thinking would be more fun. Similarly, simple games meant for children under 5 would probably not engage your pre-teen.

Games should be age-appropriate, challenging your child’s abilities so there’s always something new to learn.

Learning About Money Is An Ongoing Process

I’m sure as Go-getters, we’re always looking for opportunities to teach our children about money, whenever we can, as much as can. Why not make game sessions a weekly or monthly affair for the whole family to enjoy?

Put The Lessons Into Practice

Of course, like everything we are teaching our children, what they know in theory should be put into practice to translate into true learning. Use teachable moments in real life to show how what they’ve learned in games is connected to their lives. Match games with hands-on experience.

And now, let the games begin!

Games About Money: The Classics, Awesome Apps And More!

Go-getters are well-versed in using board games as well as apps to teach their children about money.

The Classics

With board games, everyone’s a winner. Not only will your child learn about money with these games, but you’ll also be able to spend precious hours with the whole family and make memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Monopoly

Do you play financial literacy board games like Monopoly with your kids? According to the Asia Money Parenting Survey commissioned by Eastspring Investments, 31% of Go-Getter parents do (versus the 19% average for all parents in the survey).

You can’t go wrong with Monopoly. Your children will get to practice their arithmetic, learn when to spend, and how to make money into more money.

2. The Game of Life

In modern times, The Game of Life (sometimes called just Life), has been adapted into an app, but nothing beats the original board game. Simulating the ups and downs of life, the game introduces important financial ideas like banking and insurance. There are even promissory notes and stocks to teach your child about! Your child could get a headstart in life.

3. Pay Day

Another classic from the 70s, Pay Day simulates the life of your average employee. One trip around the board equates to one month where you incur expenses and pay bills. It’s a great way to teach your child about the business of life. Your child could be budget-savvy in no time.

The Apps

Apps are easy learning tools of the modern world, and there are a ton of them that are games about money. As a Go-getter, you’re already ahead of the curve — Go-getters are twice as likely to use apps and online games to teach their kids about money.

If you’re interested in teaching your child about money through apps, here are a few of our picks:

1. Bankaroo

In Bankaroo, your child will learn to save money in a “virtual bank”. They’ll be able to track their allowance and the money they receive from grandparents, as well as their expenses. But it’s all done in a fun and motivating way.

2. Stock Market Game

Designed for teens and pre-teens, the Stock Market Game is a great way for your child to dip their toes into the stock market without fear of losing the shirt on their backs. There’s even an aspect of competition; you get to play online with other people and rank up when you make money. For a Go-getter like you, there’s nothing more satisfying than good competition for you and your child.

Gamify Everything

You’re not just limited to board games and apps. Why not go beyond what’s out there and invent your own game for your child so you can make it a part of your child’s life? There’s always room for fun and learning in life.

1. Play with money

Money is a great toy for young children. Familiarise them with coins for example and challenge your child to make the tallest stack, or group-specific denominations together faster than you. The possibilities are endless.

For older children, let them pay for a bill themselves (with your wallet and money of course) — and see if they can count out the cash properly.

2. Open up chores for business

Wish your child would help with some household chores? Make it a game. Put a monetary value on these chores. And when they’re done, add up their earnings together and pay them in cool cash. In all of this, they learn that money has to be earned.

3. Grocery game

During your next visit to the grocery, engage your kids by turning grocery shopping into a game. Have them hunt for the best bargains. Or you can give them a small budget and challenge them to make the most of their money.

There’s a good reason why Go-Getter parents turn to games to teach their children about money. Play comes naturally to children and it’s how they make sense of our world. Games are a useful tool to take advantage of the power of play. Harnessing this natural ability could be the start of building a secure and prosperous future for your child. No matter what the age of your child, you can start teaching money lessons through games today!

You can learn additional tips on how to make Money Parenting more fun by visiting our
#MoneyParenting site
 or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest content.

¹
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328350125_The_Effects_of_Play-Based_Learning_on_Early_Childhood_Education_and_Development

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1-year-old dies as his father leaves him in a shower to treat congestion

In a sad twist of fate, an infant lost his life two days back. The reason, his dad tried to treat his congestion and cough by placing him in the shower room, hoping that the steam might ease his congestion.

Nasal congestion gone wrong

According to
reports
, little Mordechai Halpern from Brooklyn, USA, woke up his father at about 3 30 am as he was unable to breathe properly and was coughing. His father gave him a home remedy of lemon, water, and sugar. But, that did not help the baby with his congestion. So the father decided to create some steam to ease the congestion.

Apparently, he strapped the baby in a stroller, covered him with a blanket so that the steam would be retained, and placed him in a shower room. He started the hot shower, and steam filled up the bathroom. He then left him there, setting an alarm for 5 am. Mordechai’s mum woke up at 5 and went looking for the baby. She found the baby unresponsive, and an ambulance rushed the baby to Maimonides Medical Center, where he died at 5:49 a.m.

According to the sources, little Mordechai’s body temperature was 108 F (42 C). A heat stroke can occur if the body temperature goes north of 104 F (40 C) in adults. In children, it can occur at much lower temperature. The autopsy results are not out yet, so we do not know the exact cause of death, but most likely, it is due to asphyxiation in addition to hyperthermia.

Treating nasal congestion the right way

Steam is one of the ways to treat congestion, but not like this. Many times, congestion can be managed at home, so it is important to understand the aspects of congestion.

Respiratory tract infections are the infections of sinuses, throat, airways, and lungs. They are most commonly caused by viruses but may be caused by bacteria as well. Doctors differentiate them into two types

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) – infection of the sinuses, nose, and throat

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI) – infections of the airways and lungs

Nasal congestion may be a symptom in either. That said, while URTIs may be mild, LRTIs almost always warrant a treatment.

The clue to the location of infection is where the wheezing noise is coming from. If it is from the nose, chances are it is a URTI. However, if you can feel wet sounds from the chest when the child coughs, it might end up being a LRTI. That said, a doctor may be in the best position to decide the treatment, and you should take the baby to a hospital if

There is a high-grade fever for more than 24 hours.

The child is breathing about 60 times a minute, with ribs being drawn in every time he takes a breath.

He seems disoriented and urinating less than 4 times in 24 hours.

The child has a history of wheeze or asthma.

If your child does not display these symptoms, you may be able to treat his congestion at home.

Things that might help in doing this are

Saline nasal spray/drops. These help in relieving the nasal congestion.

Hot steam. Reserve it for children older than 5 years of age. Use a steamer or a bowl of hot water. be careful to avoid splash burns. You can use menthol crystals or eucalyptus drops for the same.

Vaporubs are not indicated for use in children. So, be careful about using anything like a Vaporub.

Mums, if you feel that the congestion is not being relieved, just pop in your doctor’s office.
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Baby's Here, But Is My Marriage Going Out?

Jenny and James were happily married for 3 years before they decided to start a family. Both love children and felt that they were ready for the responsibilities of being parents.

A year later, baby G was born and soon, everyone was aah-ing and ooh-ing over the newborn. Everything was fine for the first 2 months. In the first month, Jenny had a confinement lady over to help out. When the confinement lady left, her mother dropped in every day to help look after the baby and to cook meals.

Then, it was time for Jenny to return to work. Baby G was sent to Jenny’s parents’ house during the day while Jenny and James went to work and was brought back when they are home from work.

And before long, the stress came. The midnight feeds and work pressure was taking a toll on Jenny and she felt that James was not helping enough.

James, on the other hand, felt left out as Jenny was focusing all her attention on baby G and was easily irritated. Soon, they were arguing about responsibilities, money, expectations and even parenting styles.

This unhappy marriage problem is a common scene in a home when there’s a newborn. Really makes us think how someone so small and so cute can put so much strain on a marriage?

Challenges and Suggested Solutions of Unhappy Marriage

Never-ending nappy change, lack of sleep, depleting savings and a messy house are definitely not romantic. Far from it. Whatever happened to what they say about babies being a bundle of joy and completing your life? Well, they are and they do.

It’s just that you need to make some changes from being husband and wife to being parents. If you don’t, you may end up feeling depressed and if it continues, may lead to separation or divorce.

What this article intends to do is to highlight the common challenges that new parents face and suggestions on how to overcome them.

Finances

Money has always been a favourite argument topic among new parents in an unhappy marriage. Not surprising. There just seemed to be so many things to buy, from nappies to formula (if the mother is not breastfeeding) to breastfeeding aids (if the mother is breastfeeding and working) to travelling equipment.

The nice little savings that you have saved up for rainy days suddenly felt not adequate anymore, especially if either one has to give up work to take care of the baby.

But hang on. Unless you have more money than you can spend, avoid buying everything you were told to get. Understand that you just have a baby.

There are only this many things it needs to be happy. Re-look at the list of things to buy for a baby and cross out the unnecessary stuff that baby product companies insist you buy. Forget about the branded stroller. Babies couldn’t care less for brands.

As long as it’s comfortable and safe, the baby will be happy.

Whatever it is, do talk to your spouse before investing in more expensive baby equipment. Don’t let this jeopardizes your relationship.

Careers

Occasionally, you have mothers (and sometimes, fathers) who will make the decision to resign and stay at home to take care of the baby. While some are happy to do so, others are a little reluctant, especially when their careers are moving upwards and giving them so much satisfaction.

In the latter circumstance, both parents would need to address the matter and iron out any issue there might be.

Work out how long the spouse will need to stay at home and if a single income earner is adequate to provide for the family.

Is there any other choice? Perhaps sending the baby to the grandparents or to a babysitter? Maybe it is possible to work out an arrangement to work from home? Ask your boss for flexible working hours?

The key to solving this unhappy marriage problem is to thrash things out and come out with solutions together.

Household Chores

Now that baby is here, there is an increase in household chores. There is more laundry these days and there are baby bottles to clean.
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On top of that, there are the usual household tasks too. But if it’s taking a toll on either of you, then do step back and look at the entire picture.

Understand that you do not need to be perfect. It’s ok to have a slightly messy house. Don’t let domestic chores be the reason for nags and complaints.

At the same time, work out a schedule with your spouse. Be a team. Never let one spouse take full responsibility for the entire home. Over time, that’s a recipe for disaster and resentment.

If you are the super busy type of parent, maybe can consider hiring a part-time domestic helper. Eight to ten hours a week should be enough to keep your house at an acceptable level.

Oh, and another piece of advice. Ladies, men need to be told what to do. Telepathy does not work. And guys, do offer to help. Trust me, your wife will appreciate the nice gesture.

Spend Time Together Without Baby

Another common complaint about parents is that they don’t spend as much attention on each other as they did before their baby. This cannot be denied.

Once the baby arrives, parents definitely will want to spend more time with it. However, this doesn’t mean that there will be more couple times.

Ten twenty years ago, couple time is unheard of, at least for many Malaysian parents. But I’m glad to report that these days, Malaysian parents are slowly but surely taking time off to spend with each other. It can be a second honeymoon.

Just a couple of days away from baby and work stress.

But it doesn’t necessarily have to be a vacation. It depends on the babysitter or the grandparents’ schedules. In fact, a one-day leave can be a good break where you can stay home with your spouse. Catch up on the Masterchef series marathon or have a romantic candlelight meal together.

Conclusion

And baby makes three. Isn’t that supposed to be a happy and exciting phrase of being married? Well, researches had shown that many couples felt stressed out once the baby arrived leading to an unhappy marriage.

Loving couples become distanced and if this is not addressed early, may lead to marriage breakdown. So, do start listening to your spouse and communicate more.

Make raising your child an adventure to be shared together, both ups and downs. After all, a marriage is for better or worse, right?

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
.

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How To Money Parent Your Child: An Age-Group Guide

If you’re like most Asian parents, you probably view teaching your child about money as a crucial task so you can prepare them for life. In fact, over 95% of parents across Asia rated money parenting as something that is important to their family, found
the Asia Money Parenting Survey
 commissioned by Eastspring Investments.

While it’s a clear priority for Asian parents, the methods to teach your kids about money are less obvious. How can you do this? And what money lessons are right for their age?

The key to teaching your kids about money lies in observing what they’re ready for. No two children are the same. Some will fill up the piggy bank with ease; others might have trouble understanding that money isn’t a limitless resource.

The important thing is to make
practical money lessons
 — simple, no-nonsense financial education — a regular part of your family life.

Every child is different, and certain things are better learnt and understood at specific ages. Here is a guide on how to money parent your child according to their age group:

How To Money Parent Your Child

3 – 6 Years Old: Introducing The Concept Of Money

At this age, it’s all about understanding the world. Toddlers and preschoolers need to learn the basics: what money is and what it’s for.

What can you do?

Familiarise your child with money. Give them coins and bills to play with, pointing out the pictures as well as the denomination on each of them.

You can also teach them that mommy and daddy work to earn money which goes into a bank account. Have your child accompany you to the ATM — maybe they can even press some buttons!

Most importantly, teach your child that we exchange money for things. Take them shopping with you so they see this firsthand. When you’re paying at the grocery, or at a restaurant, have your child help in settling the bill by finding the right note or coin from your wallet, or give them the money and let them give it to the cashier and have them receive the change.

7 – 9 Years Old: Teaching The Value Of Things

Having entered primary school, your child is rapidly learning more and more about the world every day. This is an ideal time to teach them about the value of things
¹
.

And how can you do this?

You can start by putting a price tag on everything. Not literally, of course, but at this age, your child is ready to understand that some items cost more than others. Take them on grocery trips and point out prices. Make them choose which cereal to buy based on your budget: one pricier box with the marshmallows, or two boxes of corn flakes?

A separate but connected lesson is the difference between value and price. For example, teach them that during recess, for the same amount of money, they could either buy junk food or a nutritious sandwich. The price of both items might be equal, but the sandwich would give them more value for their money, nutrition-wise.

To get started on money parenting for this age group, there are plenty of resources online.
Cha-Ching
, a financial literacy programme created by Prudence Foundation, in partnership with Cartoon Network, is a great starting point. There’s a wealth of online videos that provide financial education for your child around the four key concepts of Earn, Save Spend and Donate. Check out parent guides and downloadable tools for you to explore on your money parenting journey (
chaching.cartoonnetworkasia.com/en/parent-guides

10 – 12 Years Old: Saving And Spending

While the marshmallow test can provide fascinating insight on a young child’s ability to delay gratification²
, at this age, it’s time to put the lessons of the marshmallow test into practice. 10-12 year olds definitely have the capacity for some self-control, making this an ideal time to teach saving and spending³
.

How can you introduce this?

Your child’s allowance is key to learning about saving and spending
4
. Get into detail with them about how they are spending their money, how much they are saving (if any), and why this is important. Regularly check up on their progress so they become more aware of how they are doing financially.

You can also encourage them to be independent, such as letting them do grocery runs on their own, armed with just your shopping list and some money. That way they’ll have to make purchasing decisions based on the budget you’ve given them.

Still looking for more resources? Look at this Cha-Ching activity you can do with your child to understand what delayed gratification is and how to make purchase decisions.

13 Years Old And Onwards: Towards Self-sufficiency

Teenagers should be on the road towards financial self-sufficiency — and don’t think it’s too late to money parent them. To achieve this, you need to give them the right tools. This can include learning how to budget, recognising advertising traps, and discovering the power of compounded interest.

How do you teach a teenager about money?

Start by reminding them of the many ways advertising targets them — especially online where every click, every like and every search is monitored by tech platforms to deliver targeted ads and more. Do they notice how related ads would start popping up all over their social media feeds, every time they search for something on Google?

Educate them on how marketing can influence their spending behaviour. For example, one study found that the more children watched TV and its advertisements, the more likely they were to ask for more items at the grocery store
5
.

Teaching your children about money and raising them to be financially-literate adults takes a lot of work, but it is one of the best gifts you can offer them as a parent. For more tips on how you can discuss money matters with your child, read about money lessons that will last a lifetime.

At the end of the day, this is only a guide. Remember, every child is different, so teach them at a pace that they’re comfortable with. As a parent, you know that it is the journey that is important. As long as you’ve taught your child the basics of money management, on which they can build on with their own experiences, then you’ll know that you’ve done your job well.

Need more advice on how to Money Parent your child according to their age-group? Start by visiting our
#MoneyParenting site
 or contact us for a partner financial advisor.

¹
https://www.incharge.org/financial-literacy/resources-for-teachers/financial-literacy-for-kids/

2

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/12/marshmallow-test

3

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/10/15/the-5-most-important-money-lessons-to-teach-your-kids/#87fdf1468269

4
 https://www.incharge.org/financial-literacy/resources-for-teachers/financial-literacy-for-kids/

5
 https://mascdn.azureedge.net/cms/the-money-advice-service-habit-formation-and-learning-in-young-children-may2013.pdf

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Pregnancy Journey Story

My first trimester was the toughest. I had to tender my job resignation letter with 24 hours notice just because my body kept failing me from morning till late at night.

Lots of vomiting, lots of wanting to lay in bed all day not doing anything, losing weight because I couldn’t eat anything without throwing it all up again.

Pregnancy Journey Story

Credit: snappygoat.com

It was really devastating to the point that my husband & I got into big fights occasionally — for the miscommunication, misunderstanding, misconceptions of what pregnancy should be like.

Read more:

7 tips to make your marriage work

Losing My Appetite

Credit: bbcgoodfood.com

It was tough. I wasn’t making up when I said I didn’t have the appetite to eat. Never purposely tried to throw up every dinner. My body was truly not having it — at that point of time, food was just mere nutrition to keep me alive, not something to feast.

But Alhamdulillah it’s true when they said things get better over time — at least for me. My appetite did come back in my third trimester.

Truthfully, it was probably the best part of the pregnancy journey story. The pregnancy glow started to kick in. I was skinny before but I gained some KGs over the months and my family finally stopped bugging me with the “eat some more!”

Credit: Shutterstock

I think the excitement to welcome a new life into the family beats all the drawbacks of going through the journey. Pregnancy might not be breezy to everyone. Heck, it’d ever be. But that what makes having the little one here worth it.

I pray for TTC parents to be able to experience this soon. Allah is the Best Planner.

This post is written in conjunction with pregnancy journey campaign by @theasianparent_my this month.
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Can betel leaves really help clear a baby's nose congestion?

Betel leaf home remedy for blocked nose

A blocked nose in a young child is tough on both mummy and baby. Babies find it hard to breathe, eat and sleep, and mummy suffers just watching her child struggle.

As such, many mums search for and try unique home remedies to help their little ones get through mild illnesses, such as cough, cold and congestion.

This is exactly what Malaysian mummy
Shikin Jaiz
 did when her little one had a badly blocked nose. She used a traditional remedy using betel leaves to ease her child’s congestion.

We must admit, we were intrigued by her post – just look at all that snot that has come out!

Here’s what she did:

Gently steam 4-5 betel leaves until they are comfortably warm.

Apply a mentholated balm (she used Vicks) on the child’s chest in a thin layer.

Next, cover the area with the warm betel leaves. Leave them on for 10-15 minutes.

She says the results are truly remarkable (as you can see in the pictures) and really helped thin the mucus and draw it out.

Healing properties of betel leaf

Traditionally (in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine), betel leaves are used to assist with stomach pain and also ease redness and irritation caused by rashes and other skin conditions. They are believed to have antiseptic properties.

According to an article published in
South Asian Journal of Cancer
:

“Importance of BL (betel leaf) has been described in ancient books of Ayurveda. Use of BL was known for centuries for its curative properties.

In Chinese folk medicine betel leaves are used for the treatment of various disorders and claimed to have detoxification, antioxidation, and antimutation properties.

There are number of research experiments on BL, where the leaf extract, fractions, and purified compounds are found to play a role in oral hygiene, and to have various properties including anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory, anti-ulcer, hepato-protective, anti-infective, etc.,

Patents were also awarded for some of the biological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory associated with the leaf extracts and purified compounds.”

It is believed that the extracted oil from betel leaves is ‘warming’, and as such, can help heat up the body, easing issues such as congestion.

Betel leaf home remedy for blocked nose: Safety tips

Mums and dads, keep in mind that like many home remedies, this one has
not
 been verified by a medical professional or institution.

Also, mentholated ointments should be used carefully,
with the general advice being you should not apply it on babies under the age of two.
 If you need further clarification on this, please check with your child’s paediatrician.

*
Disclaimer: theAsianparent does not advocate this as a method of treating nose congestion in babies. We are simply sharing a home remedy shared by a mummy.

For any medical condition in babies and children, your first point of reference should be a paediatrician.

This article is inspired by the Vietnamese version of the same, published on theAsianparent Vietnam.

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4 reasons why you need insurance now that you’re pregnant

You’re ready to pop! You’ve done everything you can, from taking your prenatal supplements, to purchasing what you need once you give birth. However, are you truly ready for what’s to come? If you’re like most Malaysian moms, you may have missed out on one crucial thing: prenatal coverage and coverage for your soon-to-be newborn. But what exactly does this kind of insurance give you? Why is it necessary to have your child insured while he or she is  still in the womb? We give you the answers
and
suggest one of the best insurance plans for pregnancy in Malaysia.

Best Insurance Plans For Pregnancy: Why Prenatal Insurance Is So Important

#1: It protects your child even before birth

Most mothers will tell you that being pregnant costs more money than they initially thought. Between the checkups and prenatal tests you need to take within those nine months, the amount can add up to a hefty sum.

Getting your baby insured will help to protect your baby, even before he or she comes out of the womb. If complications were to arise, an insurance plan can ease your financial burden and allow you to focus on your pregnancy journey.

#2: It protects you while you’re pregnant

Most medical plans do not cover pregnancy, as most insurance or health plans are developed without pregnancy in mind, focusing instead on your future needs given your present situation. Maybe you were single then, without plans of having children.

But now that your family is set to grow, your needs have changed. That’s why prenatal coverage is important — to make sure that you and your child are cared for, no matter what happens while you’re expecting or when you’re in the delivery room already.

To answer these needs, there is actually a plan that is made for pregnant women.
PRUMy Child Plus
 gives your soon-to-be newborn  coverage as early as 14 weeks in the womb. This makes it the ideal insurance policy for women planning on starting a family, or for women who are already pregnant. It is also the only coverage that includes IVF pregnancies – the first in the market. The coverage includes prenatal needs, critical illness, medical needs and any additional options that you may choose.

#3 It covers a wide range of congenital conditions, including neonatal jaundice

As soon as babies are born, they undergo a series of tests, from how much they weigh, to checking for any congenital conditions. If your child has a congenital condition, you need to be ready.

PRUMy Child Plus covers a range of congenital conditions and other newborn coverage, including
neonatal jaundice
, which is the yellowing of a baby’s skin and eyes. It is one of the most common conditions that newborns can have, affecting up to 60% of full-term babies and up to 80% of preterm newborns.
[1]
 If left untreated, it can lead to serious harm.

It’s comforting to know that PRUMy Child Plus can help you through situations like this, if needed.

#4 You can use it for more than health insurance

Beyond pregnancy and newborn coverage, you may also get other kinds of coverage — savings, critical illness, and accident riders can be attached to your PRUMy Child Plus plan. When your child reaches 25 years old, the critical illness rider covering specified child critical illnesses will automatically convert to cover the 43 critical illnesses. This way, the coverage grows up with your child, making it the policy that they can have all the way to adulthood.

Best Insurance Plans For Pregnancy:
 With Prudential, Get Coverage with EASE

EASE stands for Easy and Simple Enrolment. This means that when you have been covered under PRUMy Child Plus, your next pregnancy can be easily covered under the EASE process, without going through the whole process of application again.

When you enroll now, you will get
free

50% additional
critical illness coverage for Essential Child Rider for
 three years
! The Crisis Care rider will allow you to receive a lump sum benefit of any one of the 43 covered Critical Illnesses listed. This means it won’t reduce or take away from your plan’s Basic Sum Assured.

Once you reach your third policy year, the additional 50% coverage can be converted to permanent coverage, no problem – absolutely no questions asked. You can even do this via smartphone –  it’s that easy!

For more information about the PRUMy Child Plus, click
here.

[1]
 Neonatal Jaundice,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65113/

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The most terrifying part of motherhood no one ever warns you about

It’s 2am and, as through most of my motherhood journey so far, I can’t sleep. This time, it’s not because I have a tiny newborn nuzzling at my breast every two hours, demanding love and nourishment.

Neither has a pudgy toddler just woken up bright and sunshiney, commanding me to play with him.

I can’t sleep this time because I’m terrified.

What or who makes me this fearful? None other than the vision of my two sons, now 5 and 8 years old, peacefully asleep.

How my motherhood journey confronts me…

As I gaze at them peacefully asleep, I’m scared because their bodies are too big to fit in a snug bundle in my arms anymore.

I’m fearful because their sweet faces no longer have those squishy baby cheeks. Instead, they bear traces of the young men they will soon become.

The
motherhood
 journey is terrifying for this reason. It gives me constant reminders of how fast time passes by. That soon, those little arms will no longer cling to me for comfort. Neither will they want me like they do now, even though I grumble about the million times a day I hear “mummy-mummy!”.

It is certainly the best teacher and reminder of mortality. The motherhood journey is defined by the too-quick passing of a day into tomorrow and yesterday. By one year, suddenly into five, and then ten.

What happened to that helpless little newborn?

Motherhood sees the rapid change of a fragile newborn into a robust toddler. The metamorphosis of a child into an adult.

Why did no one warn me that this hurtling of time is the most terrifying thing about the motherhood journey? Why did they not say that a year really is not that long? Who warned me about the sense of unimaginable longing when you’re spring-cleaning and stumble upon minuscule first-shoes?

So, fearful at 2am, I climb into bed with my children and take them into my arms. And then, in one moment, my anxieties melt away.

Even in deep sleep, they wrap their arms around me and cuddle up to me. My older son sleepily opens his eyes and whispers, “I love you”, before falling asleep again. My younger son smiles and giggles sweetly in his sleep.

Yes, motherhood is terrifying and tiring and challenging. But it’s also joyful and enriching and inspiring. It teaches life-lessons the best university in the world cannot teach. Learning how to balance the fear and joys of life is one of these lessons.

Understanding that each minute with your loved one is a privilege and not something to be taken for granted is something only motherhood can teach.

You learn lessons about time that quantum physicists are still grappling with – that it cannot be turned back, and that it passes faster than you ever imagined.

For now, I am calm again as I feel the warm little bodies of my children trustingly cuddle up to me. Their steady heartbeats slow mine down.

I know there will be more terrifying moments in my motherhood journey as time passes by faster than I want it to. But I must learn to embrace the swift passing of time as a rite of motherhood that we all must accept.

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Mothers’ Day Gifts That Will Surely Put A Smile On Your Mother’s Face!

Mothers’ Day is coming! It is the day to show our appreciation for the woman who clothed and fed us since young, who always put us first and who knows us better than anyone else in the world. What better way is there to celebrate our mothers than to handpick a unique and meaningful Mother's day gift that will bring endless joy to her?

Here at Photobook Malaysia, we celebrate moments and people through our wide selection of photo books and photo albums!

Photobook Malaysia has numerous types of books, papers, covers and accessories available that can inspire your creativity and help translate your dream to reality, and the website is also easy to navigate!

Apart from picture books, Photobook Malaysia also offers the best personal prints such as canvas prints, cards, stationery, calendars and others.

Giving the gift of a photo book or photo album will capture and help us remember these beautiful moments forever, and are therefore very memorable and significant Mother's day gift!

So what are you waiting for? Take your pick with these Mother's day gift below!

#1 Mother's Day - Great Job Momma

Surprise your loved ones with this special gift set collection from Photobook Malaysia. This unique gift box contains a variety of customisable products that will definitely not fail to touch your mother’s heart!

Product list:

1 Moleskin Notebook

Features: Magenta, 13cm x 21cm in size, 240 pages, plain pages, hardcover

Laptop Sleeve 13 "

Features: 13 "x 10.5" in size, Neoprene material

Flat Greeting Card

Features: 7 "x 5" in size, landscape orientation, thick fine art paper

Packaging Foldbox

 Mother's Day - Great Job Momma
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#2 Mother's Day - Stick By You

Express your appreciation and love for your mother with this gift! The Stick By You gift set features a variety of photo products that is customisable and will most surely make her happy!

Product list:

3 pieces of Magnets

Features:  6 "x 4" in size, 0.34mm thick, matte finish

1 Canvas Print

Features: 8 "x 8" in size, fine art canvas material

1 Flat Greeting Card

Features: 7 "x 5" in size, landscape orientation, thick fine art paper

1 Gift Box

Features: Top-bottom box type, 4L capacity

 Mother's Day - Stick By You
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#3 Mother's Day - You're “Brew"tiful

Surprise your mother for this year’s Mothers’ Day with a You’re “Brew"tiful set! This cute and cosy gift set will no doubt put a smile on her face.

Product list:

1 Magic Mug

Features: 1 oz capacity, made with black heat-sensitive coating on white ceramic material

1 Canvas Air

Features: 8 "x 8" in size, fine art canvas material

1 Flat Greeting Card

Features: 7 "x 5" in size, landscape orientation, thick fine art paper

1 set of Gift Box

Features: Top-bottom box type, 4L capacity,

 Mother's Day - You're “Brew”tiful
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#4 Rosette Mom

This paddleboard is perfect for serving individual dishes such as burgers, sushi and steaks.

 More importantly, especially on special occasions, serving appetisers, mains or desserts on this wooden preparation board would give it a much more rustic appearance and it will surely add to the celebratory mood!

 This preparation board will be a pleasant gift to any mothers!

Product:

1 Wooden Paddle Serving Board

Features: 15.35 "x 6.30" x 0.78 "(39cm x 16cm x 2cm) in size, made from acacia wood, can be personalised (by text only)

 Rosette Mom
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#5 I Heart You

Photobook Malaysia also has a selection of customisable coasters. You can choose from various carvings, patterns, sceneries and pictures to put on these coasters!

This coaster can not only be used as a useful decoration in your mother’s home, it can also serve as coaster for hot and cold drinks, and it has a non-slip bottom layer. Do not miss this incredibly meaningful Mothers’ Day gift!

Product:

Coaster

Features: 3mm wood composition made on non-slip cork and rounded corners with elegant black edges, made from Pine Wood Slotted Coaster Holder, has a stylish design, 3.75 "x 3.75" (95mm x 95mm) in size

 I Heart You
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#6 Canvas Tote Bag

Who does not love tote bags? This Canvas Tote Bag can be personalised as we provide embroidering services where you can feature your mother’s name or even a quotation that your mother loves!

This bag is perfect as a gift as it is both durable and can be washed by just throwing it into a washing machine!

Product:

1 Canvas tote bag

Features: 17 "x 15" in size, 1.2mm in thickness,  made from 100% polyester canvas material

 Canvas Tote Bag
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

#7 Bravado

Does your mother love to hang family photos?

If so, this Bravado set is the perfect gift for her! Made from a beautiful New Zealand Pine wood frame, this photo frame is a great way to celebrate and remember beautiful memories that you share as a family and the simple design easily complements any house!

Product:

1 Bravado Photo Frame

Features: Plot-shaped, 8 "x 8" in size, Ultra Luster paper, comes in Winter white or Woodland Brown colour

 Bravado
Buy From Photobook Malaysia

How to Download the Photobook Malaysia application

Now, everything is at your fingertips. You can create a photo album using Photobook Malaysia with
this link
!

Here's how:

1) Choose your country.

2) Select the size for your album book.

3) Select pictures from your photo album or from social media. You can select a minimum of 21 pictures or a maximum of 195 pictures.

4) Pick a layout choice. Your picture will be adjusted automatically.

5) When everything is done, choose a title for the picture book.

6) Select the type of paper, then add the book to the Cart.

7) Enter "voucher code" if any.

8) Click “check out" and your photo book will be prepared by us.

We hope this article about Mother's day gift would help you find the perfect present for the perfect woman!

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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