Modern Lifestyle and Infertility

In modern times, 1 out of 8 couples impacted by infertility. This percentage is set to increase notably in cities, more so in couples wherein, both the partners are working professionals.

Here Dr Tan Chee Hoe, O&G from Pantai Hospital Cheras sharing his insights on how the modern lifestyle affect fertility in recent years and tips on optimizing fertility.

What is infertility?

Credit: Freepik

Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after trying for more than 12 months (6 months for women more than 35 years old), without any contraceptive precautions.

Is infertility a common problem in Malaysia?

Infertility is not something new. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 8 couples has a problem trying to conceive and having a baby.

The increase in infertility cases in recent years is likely due to increasing awareness of infertility complications and changes in contemporary lifestyles.

Is infertility just a woman’s problem?

Infertility has traditionally been thought of as a woman’s problem. But as it turns out, men are not spared from the causes of infertility.

In fact, men contribute to more than 40% of the causes of infertility. Women contribute to another 40% while the remaining 20% is due to unexplained causes.

In view of this, it is crucial to get the husband involved during fertility screening and treatment in order for the fertility doctor to provide you with a holistic treatment plan.

What causes infertility in men?

Credit: Medical News Today

The leading causes of male infertility are urogenital disease, sexual dysfunction, sexually transmitted disease (STD), obstructed spermatic cords, testicular mumps infection, testicular failure, undescended testis and varicocele.

 Others include hormonal problem, genetic abnormality, chemotherapy and local radiotherapy due to cancer.

Recent global data in semen analysis revealed that there is an increase in sperm abnormalities and sperm count is in a reducing trend.

Contributing factors for these findings include an increase in paternal age, unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, E-cigarettes, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, recreational drug use & steroid use etc.), processed food, obesity, plastics and chemical toxins, pesticide, herbicides, pollution etc.

How does the modern lifestyle affect fertility? What are the factors that contribute to infertility?

Credit: Medical News Today

Fertility decline as we age. It is best to start trying sooner than later. Unfortunately, a contemporary trend sees not only women opting to delay starting a family, men too are postponing fatherhood.

 In today’s rat race society, many are engrossed in chasing career opportunities and financial stability. Furthermore, we see a change in lifestyle and an increased search for freedom. Occasionally, some are still waiting for their Mr and Mrs Right to appear.

At birth, women are born with a fixed number of oocyte (eggs) inside their ovaries for their entire life. The decrease in fertility with female ageing is mainly due to the decline in quantity and quality of eggs.

A substantial number of eggs are lost before puberty and at every menstrual cycle. The progressive loss of eggs is a normal process, and the loss of eggs is accelerated after 35.

Women will be attaining menopause when the reserved oocytes (eggs) inside the ovaries are depleted, marking the end of the reproductive period.

Women younger than 30 have around a 20% chance of getting pregnant each month, and the chance declined to 5% per month when the women reached the age of 40.

The consequences of advancing maternal age are relevant to the risk of natural and medical assisted conception and the outcome of pregnancy.

Due to the ageing process, the quality of eggs is affected. There is an increased risk of genetic abnormalities called aneuploidy.

Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes in the fertilized egg, resulting in the condition such as Down Syndrome.

 Thus, as women age, they become less likely to conceive easily, more likely to have miscarriages and a higher risk of having children born with a chromosomal problem. Not to mention complications associated with pregnancy in ageing mothers.

Fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial polyps and ovarian cysts are acquired gynaecological diseases, which are more common when women age and in women who have not given birth before. These diseases might affect your chance to conceive in future.
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Semen analysis in mature men often show a lower sperm count and lower quality. Hence, mature men take longer to impregnate their female partner and fathering a child than younger men.

Besides, there is an increased risk of miscarriage, autism, abnormal genetic inheritance (i.e., Down Syndrome).

Why does stress cause infertility?

Credit: Freepik

Human has an excellent adaptive mechanism for stress. Stress could disrupt fertility, but it rarely causes infertility. Women can continue to bear children during war, famines and other extreme situations.

Is there any new treatment available to treat infertility in men and women?

Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening (NICS) is a type of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), especially if genetic testing is required.

 NICS can diagnose embryos with genetic abnormality before the embryo is transferred back to the uterus for implantation.

Therefore, it increases the chance of IVF success and produces a genetically healthy baby.

The principle of NICS is based on sequencing the genomic DNA secreted into the culture medium from the embryos, hence avoiding the need for embryo biopsy which causes potential injury to the embryos. Traditionally, embryo biopsy is needed for preimplantation.

Genetic Testing is not required when NICS is applied.

What are the complications one might face from the treatment?

Credit: Freepik

Infertility treatment is very safe. Complications from IVF includes Ovarian Hyperstimulation and IVF procedure-related complications, which are seldom encountered nowadays.

Perhaps, treatment failure is more of a concern than the complication itself.

Examples: Poor treatment outcome due to the ageing process, poor eggs & sperm quality, and poor embryo quality as well as underlying gynaecological health problem etc, are the most common causes of fertility treatment failure.

What are the prevention tips that may help optimize fertility?

Credit: Freepik

Women and men should maintain a healthy lifestyle before they start trying for a baby.

Being in optimal weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, exercising regularly, and optimizing pre-existing medical problems are essential in increasing pregnancy chances.

It is vital for your baby’s health if you have a successful pregnancy.

A healthy lifestyle is important; it includes consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables and having a regular good sleep rhythm.

Others include supplementing yourself with nutritious food, multivitamins, and essential nutrients (Folate, Vit D, Calcium, nutrient and good fat). It is found to be beneficial and can give your fertility a boost.

Nevertheless, regular fertility and gynaecological health screening are of utmost importance.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a gynaecological disease may help to preserve your fertility function for future parenthood journey.

Source:
This article is written by Dr Tan Chee Hoe, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) of Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)

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The AsianParent Malaysia

Baca juga:

9 Signs of infertility in men and women all couples should know

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Giving birth at home

In the past, most women gave birth to their babies at home. But with the coming of modern science, home birth is no longer promoted. Instead women are advised to give birth in hospitals or in birthing centres. Yet there are still women who prefer giving birth at home rather than in a hospital. This article will explore the reasons why women should choose or not choose home child birth.

When it is advised

Home birth is ideally encouraged for women with the following conditions. First of all the mother should have a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. Another is that there is an availability of a trained and experienced birth attendant. Next is that the home birth should be well-planned. Lastly, a modern hospital is nearby so that the mother can be easily and quickly transferred in case of emergencies.

When it is not advised

On the other hand, home birth is not encouraged when: (1) the mother has diabetes or high blood pressure; (2) a trained and experienced home birth attendant is not available; (3) the mother thinks she will not be able to stand the pain of labour and delivery; (4) the mother experienced or is at risk of complications such as preterm labour, pre-eclampsia or a breech position of baby ; (5) the mother had a previous cesarean delivery or a uterine surgery; and (6) the spouse is not supportive of home birth.

Benefits

The advantages that home birth can give to a mother are the following. First, she is in a familiar and relaxing environment with family and friends around when she gives birth. Second, she is more in control of the birth because she can decide on the environment she wants. Third, she is free to make herself as comfortable as she wants. Fourth, she can enjoy the comforts of her home. Fifth, she is not subjected to potentially problematic medical interventions. Sixth, she will have more attention, care, observation and monitoring by a trained birth attendant. Seventh, she will feel more capable and confident as a mother after giving birth. Eighth, she will have immediate bonding with her baby. Ninth, she will be able to breastfeed right after birth which is equally beneficial for her and for the baby. Finally, it is less expensive to give birth at home than to give birth  in a hospital.

Risks

Before you decide to have a home birth, several drawbacks should be considered. One is that if you cannot anymore stand labour pains, there is no option for an epidural. Two is that if complications such as exhaustion from labour, premature rupture of membranes, fetal distress, cord prolapse or hemorrhage arise, you have to be transferred to a nearby hospital. Three is you might feel the disapproval or discouragements of family, friends and physicians. Four is you are held responsible for every decision or preparation for the homebirth. Fifth is the lack of privacy due to the presence of family and friends may restrain the labour.

How to make it safe

Once you decide to go for a home birth, below are factors to be considered and preparations to be made to ensure safety:

1. Hire a certified nurse-midwife and an obstetrician with experience in home birth deliveries. Interview the prospective midwife who will assist you in the delivery. Get to know her and ask what you can do to cope with labour pains and other things you may need to know.

2. Prepare a back up plan. In case complications arise, you should have another plan to speed up your transfer to a nearby hospital.

3. Choose in advance a paediatrician to visit the baby within 24 hours after birth.  This is to ensure that the baby will not have any problem or complication.

4. Prepare the necessary equipment or materials for the procedure. Aside from the equipment that will be brought by the midwife or home birth attendant, you have to ask and prepare the other things that home birth will require.

To have a picture of what home birth is, watch this video about a woman’s options in giving birth at home or at a birthing centre.

If you are pregnant and are considering a home birth delivery, make sure that you have weighed the pros and cons of this type of delivery. No one else can decide what is best for you and for your baby. But your decision will definitely have an impact on your baby’s health and safety.

For more related articles on childbirth and pregnancy, see:

Hypnobirthing Ensures Pain-free Childbirth

I gave birth at home!

Managing labour pain

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Calling all Hot Wheels fans to Sunway Putra Mall this school holidays

With the August school holidays just around the corner, parents, it’s time to start planning as many activities as possible to keep the kids entertained! What better way to do that than to join in on the fun at the Hot Wheels Challenge Accepted event happening at Sunway Putra Mall’s main concourse from now until 18 August.

If your child is a fan of Hot Wheels, then this is an event not to be missed. With hundreds of toy cars on display and for sale, it is going to make every toy car lover’s dreams come true!

Join the super exciting Hot Wheels Challenge Accepted event happening at Sunway Putra Mall main concourse from 2-18 August.

Beyond the display and toys for sale, parents can spend precious bonding time with their kids by joining in the various challenges set up at the event.

Not only do you get to pique your child’s interest in cars, you also get to revisit your childhood by joining them in the challenges.

Beyond entertainment, it’s educational too!

Engage your child in a basic physics challenge as they use their Hot Wheels cars to knock down a tower of plastic cups in the Experimental Challenge.

Hot Wheels Challenge Accepted
 goes beyond just keeping the kids entertained. Each round of challenges also connects with children on an educational level and pushes boundaries. The edu-tainment event hopes to nurture a ‘Challenger Spirit’ by encouraging the kids to try, fail, try again and succeed.

As today’s parents are focused on finding products and services that help their children grow and develop, Hot Wheels provides help to kids to build the skills and confidence they need to take on the world.

These challenges are aimed at children from 4-12 years of age. During the launch of the event, kids of all ages tried the challenges and it’s interesting to see how kids of different ages are able to tackle these challenges with their own methods.

The delight on their faces when they successfully finish a challenge is a testament to how confidence can be built via mini-challenges such as the ones Hot Wheels have set up.

There are three challenges not to be missed in this exciting school holiday event at Sunway Putra Mall. First is the Experimental Challenge (Hit-The-Target), where children are tested on their aim and basic knowledge in physics. Using Hot Wheels cars and a track, children are tasked to aim their cars at a tower of plastic cups piled up a couple of feet away.

Get your child to test their physical boundaries in the Competitive Challenge.

The next is the Competitive Challenge (Overcome-The-Obstacles), which will test physical boundaries and Creativity Challenge (Slide-With-Car), which focuses on expanding their mental capacity.

Parents can get a “Little Engineers Passport Card” to collect stamps from each Challenge once it is completed and be a certified Little Engineer for Hot Wheels. How adorable!

Finish off the trifecta with the Creativity Challenge and collect all three stamps to be a certified “Little Engineer”!

For parents who want to take it a step further, the Triceratops Challenge is an exclusive challenge only made available for those who register for the Putra Junior Club. The challenge will take place only on 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th August at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

Join the Putra Junior Club during the school holidays

Join the Putra Junior Club!

To sign up for the
Putra Junior Club
 membership, all parents have to do is head down to the Concierge Counter, ground floor of Sunway Putra Mall and register any time from 10AM-1oPM daily.

The Putra Junior Club is a loyalty club by Sunway Putra Mall and welcomes all kids from age 4-12. Members will get exclusive invitations to future events, fun activities and more. Members also get to enjoy attractive offers and discounts at selected outlets.

Don’t forget to check out the great deals for Hot Wheels toys when you head to the Hot Wheels Challenge Accepted event at Sunway Putra Mall from 2-18 August.

For more information on the Hot Wheels Challenge Accepted event, visit the website
here
.

More fun and activities at Sunway Putra Mall

Come join the fun at Sunway Putra Mall this school holidays.

That’s not all! The fun continues at the East Wing, Ground Floor of Sunway Putra Mall with The Parenthood’s array of kids activities, including arts and crafts and a Petting Zoo area with rabbits.

Do your kids love animals? Bring them to the petting zoo area organised by The Parenthood at Sunway Putra Mall.

Don’t miss out on all these fun activities at Sunway Putra Mall this August school holidays! See what other parents who have dropped by are saying:

 View this post on Instagram

Selalu bila dah busy dengan kerja, weekend jelah masa yang ika ada untuk happykan anak anak. Boleh tak ika nak tahu aktiviti apa mommy selalu buat dengan anak2 selain lepak dekat rumah je time weekend? 😆 . Kalau ika lah kan, ika suka pergi mall dan mall yang ika paling suka ialah @sunwayputramall. Bukan je banyak aktiviti menarik untuk kids. Baru2 ni ika pergi sana, ada event Hot Wheels jugak tau! . Beden dengan Ayser apa lagi. Hot wheels tu memang feveret! Menjerit2 happy sebab ada banyak game yang best! Siap ada slide 🙈 . Btw kalau mommy ada plan nak pergi sana this week, boleh dapat 2 jam FREE PARKING tau kalau bagitahu kod ‘IKAHOTWHEELS’ dekat kaunter. . Promo ni tak lama, valid dari 5-18 Ogos je! Yelah bukan apa, benda best kenalah share. Haha so jangan lupa pergi okay! 😘 . #SunwayPutraMall #HotWheelsChallengeAccepted

A post shared by
 Ika Radiusite
 (@ikaradiusite) on
Aug 5, 2019 at 7:29am PDT

Source:
ikaradiusite

 View this post on Instagram

We were recently invited to the #hotwheelschallengeaccepted event, and my sons @coen.adler couldn’t be happier. Jumping, smiling and enjoying, we had a great time! It’s about time you take your little ones here. Go check it out if your kids are car enthusiastic! Use my promo code【shueannhotwheels】to redeem 2hrs FREE parking. (Valid from 5th-18th Aug 2019) @sunwayputramall #sunwayputramall #hotwheelschallengeaccepted #hotwheelsmalaysia

A post shared by
 mompreneur 板娘˘⌣˘
 (@shueanntay) on
Aug 4, 2019 at 10:32pm PDT

Source:
shueanntay

 View this post on Instagram

Hot wheels challenge accepted ( AUG 2 – AUG 18) @sunwayputramall @hotwheelsmalaysia #sunwayputramall #hotwheels #hotwheelmalaysia #hotwheelschallengeaccepted

A post shared by
 Vincent Lim
 (@imvincentlim) on
Aug 4, 2019 at 4:36pm PDT

Source:
imvincentlim

 View this post on Instagram

Miles has always been a fan of cars ever since he could hold onto one. Even his first word was “car!” So imagine his excitement when we first got to the Hot Wheels event @sunwayputramall 😊 There are fun challenges for your kids to complete, special promos and merchandise to check out. Well here’s one: use promo code: MEGANHOTWHEELS for 2 hours free parking from now until the 18th of August! #sunwayputramall #HotWheelsChallengeAccepted #milesteo

A post shared by
 Megan Tan
 (@themegantan) on
Aug 6, 2019 at 10:46pm PDT

Source:
themegantan

What are you waiting for?
Join in the fun at Sunway Putra Mall
 and don’t forget to hashtag #SunwayPutraMall!

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Working mums are up to 40% more stressed out than other people

For most women, the first time they have kids is life-changing. All they have known throughout their lives is how to be a daughter, how to be a girlfriend, then wife. But after giving birth, women have to learn to be mothers for the first time ever. Not to mention that they have to do this on top of everything else in their lives – like juggling a career. So it is understandable that working mum stress kicks in.

I remember the day I met my first born. The day we took him home and I realised that now, my world was not just about taking care of myself, but about him too. And I also had to think about going back to work soon after giving birth.

Everything changed

Once my confinement period was over, it was time to go back to work. But I was still so new at being a mother. I was still learning the ropes. In new jobs, you’re given at least a three-month probation for you to settle into your role comfortably. Some roles even require you to go through a six-month probation period.

Having only two months to adjust to being a mother, we’re thrown back into another cycle of balancing being a new mum and a career woman.

I struggled to find the balance because I constantly stressed to figure out which one came first. If I focus on work, I had to neglect my child. If I focus on my child, I could not complete my work.

It was a constant battle in my head and an emotionally draining too. I wish I had known or had expected how big the impact would be. But honestly, no stories or shared experiences could really define it until you’re in it.

Worse still, you don’t know HOW much stress it actually is on yourself!

Working mum stress now measurable

However, a university research has shown that a working mum’s stress is now measurable. In fact, the results show that working mums are 18 percent more stressed than other people.

Researchers from Manchester University and the Institute for Social and Economic Research at Essex University in the UK found that working mothers of two children record 40 percent higher stress levels. They looked at 11 indicators of chronic stress, including blood pressure and hormones, in 6025 women.

“The survey absolutely aligns with what we know about the context of Australian working mums,” says Rae Cooper, Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations at the University of Sydney.

“Motherhood is challenging for all women, but there’s a higher layer of complexity for working mothers.”

The survey also mentioned that mothers who work from home or those with flexible hours didn’t feel any less stressed.

“It’s good to feel grateful for the job you have. But we have to be really vigilant that women who are working at particular flexible hours are not doing unpaid labour.”

Research found that working mothers of two children record 40 percent higher stress levels.

A mother’s struggle

“I know my boss watches me when I get my lunch every day. But if she ever confronted me, it would be a great excuse to tell her that I’ve been working full time on a part time wage for a year now.” says Zoe, 41, a mother of two who works three days a week in a public relations firm.

“I work part-time, but if I really stuck to my hours, nothing would get done, so I have to go in on weekends, and log back on after my kids are asleep. I know my kids are resentful, but they don’t pressure my husband to ‘get off the computer’ the way they do me.”

Nicole, 44, a counsellor with three kids, describes her arrival from work to home like “walking into a crime scene”. “The house is a mess, the kids are crazy, I’m exhausted, but then it’s somehow my job to organise dinner.”

Dr. Inga Lass, a research fellow of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne surveyed nearly 20,000 households over 16 years.

The results found that after the first child is born, women do far more housework than men, and as the children grow up, the dynamic only worsens.

Working mothers have higher stress levels than other people

“Women have to find ways to combine housework, care work, and their paid work, whereas men can be much more focused on their employment. I think this is directly related to women feeling more stressed” says Dr. Lass.

Women are under more pressure to be a “good mother” than any other generation while still trying to work as hard as they would if they didn’t have kids.

Working mums should be respected and honoured as they are providing the best for their family. | Source: Pxhere

Mummies, if you’re a working mum and doing your best to find balance for your family, you’re a
 SUPERMUM
! You truly are a great role model to your children.
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Love yourself. Be more kind to yourself. Take breaks when you need to , and it is totally okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Discuss some options/responsibilities with your spouse so you can come to an understanding and that the tasks are equally shared.

SOURCE:
The Age

Read also:
Here are 4 tips for working mums

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My Baby Won't Stop Crying Due to Colic - Can I Give Him Gripe Water? Is It Safe?

Newborns typically
experience gas or colic
 during their first few weeks due to a still maturing digestive system. Gas and colic could make sleep difficult, and they may cry a lot from the pain. For a worried first time mom, this is of course very worrying and heartbreaking. So we did our research and stumbled upon gripe water Malaysia.

Now we started to ask ourselves, what is gripe water? Why is it often associated with children that have colic problem? Is it just another old folks’ remedy or would it actually work?

To be fair the
best treatment for colic is time
, as it goes away when the baby’s digestive systems become more mature. But in the meantime, moms are advised to burp their babies, hold them upright after a feed, try tummy rubs and the one recommended by everyone’s mum and aunty: Give them some gripe water after every meal.

So what is gripe water? Can I buy gripe water in Malaysia?

Credit: Unsplash

The formula for the first gripe water was created in England by a pharmacist named William Woodward in 1851. He claims it not only cures colic but calms the baby’s hiccups,
teething pains
, flatulence and other conditions. Back then the formula also consisted of 3.6% alcohol!

Today, we know better than to give babies alcohol. So the formula of gripe water today contains – sodium bicarbonate, ginger, fennel, liquorice, cinnamon, dill, chamomile, cardamom, peppermint, lemon balm and such. The exact ingredients depend on the country of origin and the brand that manufactures it.

Does it work and is it safe to use?

Credit: Unsplash

You may be surprised to learn that such a commonly used cure for colic has minimal scientific evidence of effectively relieving colic. Yet many parents do swear by its use. Believers say dill liquorice, fennel and ginger relieve the gas and stomach discomfort that are believed to be a cause of colic.

And yes, gripe water is safe to use as long as it doesn’t contain
 alcohol or sucrose
 which can cause tooth decay. Also, make sure to check the instructions and follow them carefully. As with any supplement or medication, always check with your doctor before using!

If you are sceptical of gripe water and wish to skip it, be glad to know that some things do work to re
lieve gas – burping, holding baby upright, massaging baby’s tummy and bending their legs back to the tummy
 are all time-proven methods of helping them expel gas.

Are there side effect to gripe water?

Credit: Pexels

It is said that gripe water is safe for your baby, however, it is advisable to get an opinion from your medical practitioner before you give it to your child. Some parents notice that their child will be drowsier than usual. But does this mean gripe water make your
baby sleepy
? Not exactly.

They’re probably just tired of being fussy all day long. With our without gripe water, a baby finally calms down after hours of crying will start to tire out easily.

The rule of thumb is whenever your baby starts to cry erratically after few hours, along with swollen lips and difficulty to breath, go to the emergency room right away. That could mean a serious sign of an allergy. You should also look out for watery eyes, hives, itchiness, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Alternatives to gripe water

If you are not convinced or comfortable with using gripe water, you can always try other safer alternatives:

Try antigas drops
 – Check with your paediatrician for some recommendations and suggestions. If she advises against it, try something else instead.

Check your baby’s formula milk
 – If your baby has started drinking
formula milk
, you need to make sure to prepare the milk correctly. Instead of shaking vigorously, use a spoon to stir the milk. Another quick solution is to
change your baby’s milk to the ones that do not contain cow’s milk or formulated especially for sensitive stomach
.

Massage, massage, massage
 – A nice,
smooth massage will help to calm down your baby
. Not only your baby will feel at ease, but you also get to bond with them. Make sure you practise bicycle-wheel motion exercise as often as possible as that would improve his gas situation.

Check your diet
 – If you still breastfeed your child, you might want to take a look at your own diet as sometimes your daily meal like soy or dairy, could be one of the main culprits.

Gripe water Malaysia is easily accessible at your local pharmacy, but be cautious, not all babies can take the medication. If all else fails, do check with your paediatricians for further investigation. Your baby might not be able to share his feelings via words, but those cries and tears alone should indicate that he is unhappy. Good luck mommies!

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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Hugging and kissing your baby can make him smarter: Study

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8 TV shows your preschooler should be watching

For several decades now, television has become an integral part of the lives of children. And b
efore you became a mum or dad, you surely had your own favourite cartoon show. Now it’s your child’s turn. Make sure he enjoys the very best educational preschool shows.

Back in the day, Sesame Street taught us about friendship and community. Captain Planet taught us to respect the environment. And how did 90s kids learn about bravery and honesty? By watching Scooby Doo.

Watching our beloved Rugrats introduced us to the concepts of kindness and the impact of bullying. Whenever we needed to be inspired to be strong and independent, we looked to the Powerpuff Girls.

With the increasing ability of networks to produce more cartoons, the responsibility of producing quality viewing for kids also grows.

According to a
study by the American Academy of Pediatrics
, television viewing can influence a child’s behaviour, concepts of gender, health habits, and school performance.

“Yes, we use a television in the classroom. Most preschools do this because these days, teaching has to be dynamic and adaptable,” says Clara Tagasa, head teacher at Pink Playhouse Manila, Philippines.

“Today’s preschoolers are of Generation Alpha. They were born after 2010 and they’ve never known a world without gadgets or digital media,” she further explains, adding that television can be used to spark a child’s interest and keep them engaged.

“It’s so important to always supervise them during TV time, even when they’re at home,” she stressed, emphasising that guiding kids and communicating with them offers them a more enriching experience. “But we keep TV time as brief as possible. We also engage them in hands-on activities, outdoor play like exploring, which is important in preschool.”

The latest screen time guidelines state that kids aged two to five should spend no more than one hour on digital media.
Kids under the age of 18 months
should not be exposed to screens at all
.

Since media consumption should be limited, mums and dads need to make sure kids have a quality viewing experience.

8 Exceptional preschool shows that enhance your kid’s learning

1. Creative Galaxy

Image source: Youtube

The show revolves around the amiable alien named Arty, who uses his love for art to come up with creative solutions to problems.

With his friend Epiphany by his side, they go on adventures across the galaxy to explore the arts and to inspire people with the power of creativity.

More than knowledge about art, the takeaway for kids is the lessons about friendship and compassion for others. Many episodes also encourage kids to be more active in problem solving.

2. Curious George

Image source: Youtube

The lovable monkey George gets into all sorts of trouble, but with his friend ‘The Man in the Yellow Hat’ by his side, he is able to learn something new through each adventure and misadventure.

As one of the most watched preschool shows, Curious George sparks curiosity and a passion for learning in its young viewers. This is a key component of learning, at any stage of life.

3. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Image source: Youtube

The kind and ever so curious tiger named Daniel is the star of this show. With his parents and grandparents, Daniel navigates each milestone in life, such as the arrival of his baby sister.

The show’s creators, who have
researched how the show affects kids
, frequently touch upon how to deal with feelings and how to care for others. It gives practical advice to toddlers, like how to deal with anger: “Stomp three times to make you feel better!”

With each episode, preschoolers learn more about important socio-emotional skills, how to build good relationships with others, and how to be more self-confident.

4. Peg + Cat

Image source: Youtube

The fun duo of Peg and her pal Cat are the stars of this quirky cartoon designed to teach preschoolers about numbers.

More than easing them into mathematics, the show teaches preschoolers the value of teamwork and playing well with others. Catchy tunes also teach kids about rhyming!
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5.
Tumble Leaf

Image source: Youtube

In this lightly paced, colourfully animated series, a little blue bear named Fig and his friends explore the world together.

As they make simple discoveries, viewers of preschool shows are able to better grasp problem solving, reading, rhyming, and basic shapes and geometry.

What drives the show is the concept that kids can learn a great deal about science through fun and play!

6.
Wallykazam

Image source: Youtube

Featuring an adventurous six-year-old named Wally Trollman and his dragon buddy Norville, this show sheds light on basic problem solving.

The show also has a magical element that makes learning about phonics and words more fun and interesting.

7. Word Party

Image source: Youtube

As its title suggests, this kid-friendly show focuses on helping establish the foundation of a child’s vocabulary in fun ways.

What makes this show unique is that it helps young viewers learn by “teaching” the young characters, who are baby animals still learning how to speak and read.

8. Doc McStuffins

Image source: Youtube

This show revolves around a smart little girl named Doc who, armed with a stethoscope and clad in a doctor’s coat, helps kids overcome their fear of going to the doctor.

She also gives preschoolers helpful health advice and encourages them to be diligent and independent.

The show’s creators make sure to research thoroughly before writing each script.

Since premiering in 2012, this show has gained recognition from organisations like the
Artemis Medical Society
, who commended it for inspiring future doctors.

Though these exceptional animated preschool shows teach kids a lot, the importance of balancing out screen time with physical activity and reading cannot be overstated.

While these shows offer a wealth of knowledge, nothing beats the lessons kids can learn  by spending quality time with mum, dad, siblings, and friends away from screens.

Sources:
CNN.com
,
Common Sense Media
,
American Academy of Pediatrics

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 on
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Celebrate Earth Day with the App Store

Protecting our planet’s environment and delicate ecosystems is no small task, which is why we have to start with its smallest inhabitants: our kids. To mark this Earth Day, why not take your little ones on a life-changing, mind-expanding adventure with some of the App Store’s most eco-positive offerings?

Celebrate Earth Day Using Apps That Teach Your Children About Our Planet

These apps have the power to instil not only a sense of magical wonder about the living world around us but also plant the seeds of caring for our beautiful blue world. Plus, they’re all a lot of fun!

All the World: explore + learn

On
iPhone & iPad

Watch inspiring and fun videos for children 4-10 years old on a wide range of topics that will help explain how the world works, and challenge kids to explore. There are also videos on Science and Nature which explore topics like why trees are important, and how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

WWF Free Rivers

On iPhone & iPad

Using the power of Augmented Reality (AR), WWF Free Rivers lets you view a digital diorama of a rural landscape, complete with hills, rivers and agriculture, right in the room you’re in. Explore how droughts and flooding can have an impact on land and life, or learn about how dams are built with this nifty app. More information
here
.

Grow Recycling

On iPhone & iPad

Learn to take care of our planet’s resources with fun recycling activities. With groovy characters, funky music and more, kids will learn to how to make new products out of the garbage they’ve sorted.

What’s in the Oceans?

On iPhone & iPad

An educational app about the deep sea and the animals that call it home. Learn about the pollution of the oceans and its dangers. See how plastics, overfishing, climate change and ships affect the life and health of different ecosystems.

Eco Birds

On iPhone, iPad, Apple TV

Help the Eco Birds save their home and environment from being destroyed by deforestation, pollution and oil spills in this highly addictive game. With an environmental focus, you’ll increase your score with more trees you replant and villains you hit.

Lumino City

On iPhone, iPad, Apple TV

Lumino City is a puzzle adventure designed to raise awareness about renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices as an intrinsic part of the gameplay. Almost every puzzle in the game involves powering up a location using renewable technologies or exploring a form of self-sufficiency.

On Apple Arcade:

Gibbon: Beyond the Trees

Journey with a family of gibbons as they find themselves lost in a dangerous world. The game deals with challenging but acute environmental topics such as deforestation, poaching and climate change.

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

Go on an adventure to protect the beauty and nature of a faux Mediterranean island where players can also learn about the different species inhabiting the island.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is a single-player narrative adventure where players explore the mysteries of our ocean through the eyes of Mirai, a deep-sea explorer and scientist. Offering an in-game encyclopaedia as well as footage from the award-winning documentary Blue Planet II, it encourages players to learn about and reflect on the incredible vastness of our ocean.

Apple Arcade offers unlimited access to a growing collection of over 200 premium games — featuring new releases, award winners, and beloved favourites from the App Store, all without ads or in-app purchases. It’s available at RM19.90/month, with a one-month free trial. The catalogue is packed with unforgettable adventures, fast-paced action games and runners, fierce multiplayer competitions, relaxing and creative puzzlers, compelling sports and racing games, beloved App Store classics, and so much more.
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3 Ancient Herbs to Strengthen Your Immunity

It’s everywhere you look; everyone, every media outlet and every single social media post and meme has something to say about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With such an information overload, now is the time to really put your thinking caps on and analyse the stuff you’re reading, checking out the sources of origin and knowing what applies directly to you. This sieve of information not only protects you from the misinformation out there (and let us tell you there are plenty), but also makes sure you stay informed and healthy which is exceptionally vital during a health pandemic like the one on our hands.

As of right now, the first thing we’ll say is don’t panic. This isn’t simply an urge for you to relax. We’re saying don’t stress – when you stress and panic, you put your body in fight or flight mode, raise cortisol levels and weaken your nervous system and immunity. And now is not a time to weaken your immunity – now is the time to strengthen it and make sure it’s running optimally.

So, we asked international expert, Dr Gerad Bodeker of Oxford and Columbia University, about natural products for which there is evidence of strengthened immunity and here are three that he mentioned:

1. Pegaga (gotu kola)

The first superfood to increase consumption during this pandemic is pegaga, which is high in immunity boosting properties and also works great as an antioxidant. You’ll want to find the right blend of pegaga though, one high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, which will help you fight off infections, support your body’s immune system and overall health – according to
research
 conducted by Chiang Mai University in Thailand.  In fact, Ayurvedic traditions see pegaga as a regenerative herb which is said to fortify the immune system, both cleansing and feeding it and to strengthen the adrenals. So if you want to rev up your immunity, check out Pegaga by PurelyB, a superfood blend that’s herbal, natural and high in antioxidants. It was formulated with traditional herbalists & medical scientists and contains the highest quality of pegaga, turmeric leaf, green apples, papaya leaf and dates and has been used for generations for its ability to strengthen immunity, improve digestion and promote skin health.

2. Turmeric & turmeric leaf (curcumin)

When you think turmeric, people associate bright yellow hued powder stashed in your kitchen.  Very few of us would be storing turmeric in its root form and even fewer would be storing or knowing about turmeric leaves! Turns out, that turmeric or haldi leaves are no less a health, beauty and medicinal wonder. Of course people in South Asia and Southeast Asia have been using turmeric and tumeric leaf for thousands of years  – in Ayurveda and local health traditions – and the reason is because it’s known to be a high anti-inflammatory food that is also high as an antioxidant. Known as “nature’s antibiotic”, turmeric helps to fight off foreign bodies and substances that don’t belong in the system, including viruses. An increase in turmeric consumption can help support the immunity no doubt. According to Medical News Today “curcumin is proven to improve immune function with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties.” Luckily in Asia, tumeric and turmeric leaf is a household ingredient, available in most kitchens making it very accessible. An easy way to consume turmeric leaf is by consuming it in the form of a superfood drink.

3. Elderberry

Elderberry is often reached for during seasonal change for internal health support. The berries are dark and beautiful and popular in Europe for a variety of health-supportive properties. Even Greek physician Hippocrates referred to elderberry as his “medicine chest” and recent studies have shown ways that elderberry functions to support a healthy immune response. In Asia, we don’t experience as many seasonal changes but regular elderberries can also promote immune function during trial times.

You’re a sip away from stronger immunity and a healthy mind and body! In times of uncertainty like this, leave panic on the shelf and instead do what you can to boost your immunity naturally. Your body, immunity and sanity will thank you for it!  And remember, the best advice for staying vigilant still stands – please don’t panic. It’s also important to wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. We’re in this together and we’ll power through soon enough.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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"He's Not Ready For School" — Kindergarten Teacher Questioned For Rejecting 5-Year-Old Student

A 50-year-old kindergarten teacher informed her student’s mother that her son did not meet the standard preschool readiness checklist. The child was kicked out of class for allegedly “not being ready for school.” The teacher further complained about the 5-year-old’s frequent crying which triggered stress and disrupted her lessons with other students.

In this article, you’ll read:

The kindergarten teacher questioned for rejecting the crying 5-year-old student

Preschool readiness checklist

Kindergarten Teacher Questioned for Rejecting 5-Year-Old Student

On Friday, 25th of March 2022, a mum expressed her frustration through a Facebook post. Her statement reached many netizens and gained over 14,000 shares and 7,200 comments.

Authorities in Selangor, Malaysia, are taking the appropriate steps to investigate the 50-year-old kindergarten teacher. The teacher allegedly asked the mother to stop sending her child to school because of his constant crying fits.

The kindergarten teacher reportedly complained to the mum that her son’s frequent wails were causing her stress. Additionally, the teacher said that the weeping 5-year-old was disrupting her lessons with the other students.

“It has only been four hours since my son went to school, and his teacher is already WhatsApping me this,” mum claimed.

The mother felt offended by her conversation with her son’s teacher on WhatsApp.

“Is it not normal for five-year-old children to cry at school?” She added, venting “A five-year-old child apparently doesn’t have the awareness to learn; it’s so sad that the teacher feels this way about my son.”

Teacher Claims the Child Is Not Ready to Attend School

The incident saddened the 5-year-old kid’s mother. To make matters worse, the teacher also lectured the woman for failing to educate her child when he was three or four years old. Because of this, her supposed carelessness made the child unfit for the standard preschool readiness checklist.

Despite the kid’s age, the teacher insisted to the mum that her son
“is still not ready for school.”
However, the mom refutes the educator, claiming that she manages her son’s studies at home. She then added that her teaching style was different compared to a teacher’s professional skills.

“I’m not a teacher […] my son can’t read as well as other five-year-olds. Does this mean he’s not fit to attend this kindergarten?” said the mother.

Teacher Urged Mum to Take Her Child Out of Class

The mum immediately rushed to pick up her son after receiving the teacher’s message. The text contains a message from the teacher suggesting her son take out of kindergarten. She said that it was because the 5-year-old kid frequently cries every day, causing her stress.

The child’s mum got the alarming message on the fifth day of her son at school. She felt too distraught to discuss the issue with the teacher at that time.

After some time, she resolved to write a Facebook post to vent out and express her frustration. The mum defended her son and said it was only five days since her kid started school. The child was not familiar with the new environment and the people he encountered.

“[Should he] stop going to school? What about his education and communication if he doesn’t start now? When he turns six or seven years old, starting school will be just the same,” mum said.

Additionally, the child’s family cannot afford to enrol him in a private school. She was worried about taking any action and had no intention to
“humiliate government servants.”

The Ministry of National Unity Took Action

The Ministry of National Unity took the necessary action regarding the case. They reassured the mum that they are seriously assessing her complaint. The officials also vowed to discuss the problem regarding the student in a proper manner.

“As teachers, they have to know what their responsibilities are and be ethical no matter the situation,” said Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

Meanwhile, the teacher in question was temporarily placed at the Hulu Langat District Unity Office until the investigation gets finalized.

Preschool Readiness Checklist

Is your child
ready for preschool
? It is essential to know and assess if your child is prepared for preschool before the opening of classes.

The Speech Buddy comes up with a
checklist
 for you to know what to expect with your child when school starts. Here are general guidelines for understanding what the teacher will be looking for when school starts:

Parents, you might want to check their
emotional development
, attention and independence. You could also check their basic knowledge of language, art, and mathematics.

Emotional Development

Recognizes other people’s emotions

Takes turns and chooses to share toys

Attention & Independence

Listens to simple instructions

Sits still during storytime

Can separate himself from you for a few hours

Enjoys doing things herself sometimes, such as getting dressed on her own

Language, Art, and Math

Recognizes some shapes and colours

Recites the alphabet and recognizes some letters

Expresses thoughts and needs verbally

Recites his full name

Counts to five

Draws with crayons or pencils

Says,

Speech buddy

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:
8 Homework Tips For Parents: How You Can Help Your Child Study At Home

Read more:
Effective Ways to Help & Motivate Slow Learners to Excel in Studies Without Shaming Them

Read more:
How to raise children who are deserving–not entitled

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Recently Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: 10 Things You Need to Know

What is Breast Cancer?

Cancer occurs when cells start to multiply uncontrollably, often forming tumours. In

breast cancer
, uncontrolled cell growth begins in the breast and forms a tumour. These cancerous cells may eventually spread to the rest of the body if left untreated.

It is important to note that not all breast tumours are cancerous. Nevertheless, it is best to get it checked immediately to make sure it is not a potential health risk.

One in 19 women in Malaysia

is at risk of getting breast cancer, although men are also at risk of contracting same cancer. Breast cancer affects approximately one million women worldwide and is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, behind lung cancer.

Dealing with Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Credit: Freepik

Dealing with the news will be a very confusing, frightening experience. You may be going through a lot of uncertainty, panic and fear as your doctor presents your diagnosis. You might even find relief to have an answer to a condition that has affected you for some time.

Take some time to come to terms with your diagnosis; you may not be able to absorb all the information of the diagnosis. Give yourself sufficient time to process everything, at your own pace.

As the reality of it sets in, you will need to start taking steps that will help you stay informed of your cancer progression, and how to effectively manage your overall well being.

Research is your best friend to understanding how this cancer affects you and those around you. You and your family can find out about current treatment methods, the associated side effects, and what to expect as your cancer changes through treatment.

If you have not spoken to your doctor about your diagnosis in detail, research can help you prepare questions that you want to ask them regarding your condition.

Breast cancer affects people differently, and how it affects you depends on many variables, from its stage to symptoms you will face, to how it affects your body. Knowing how it affects you can help you stay informed of how the medical team will treat you, and what to expect in the event something comes up.

Consult your medical care team to clarify questions about your condition and how to treat and manage it. If there are aspects you do not fully understand, ask for a simpler explanation.

There may also be instances where your doctor does not give you a full picture of your diagnosis. It helps to be informed so that, if you feel your doctor’s initial diagnosis seems dismissive or if they refuse to elaborate on your condition, you can immediately seek a second opinion that will accurately diagnose your complications and determine what it actually is.

Equally important is to get relevant and medically accurate information from trusted sources. In this age of connectivity, false information can be rapidly circulated by the public. Look for resources from known cancer research charities or organisations.

If something seems off to you, have it fact-checked or consult your medical team on the matter. Some organisations that you can get reliable information from including the Malaysian

Breast Cancer Foundation
, the UK-based

Cancer Research UK
, and charity organisations such as

Breast Cancer Now
.

Questions to Ask your Doctor

Credit: Freepik

Before you see your doctor again, you may want some time to think about what you would like to ask regarding your diagnosis. Consider the following list of questions:

What type of breast cancer do I have?

Where is the cancer located?

What stage is my cancer?

Are there other tests that need to be done?

Has my cancer started to spread to the rest of my body?

What are my options for treating the cancer?

What will my treatment be like?

What kind of side effects will I face?

Is surgery an option for me?

How will the treatment affect my daily activities/work?

What symptoms or side effects should I inform you about immediately?

Am I limited to what I can or cannot do?

What kind of follow-up will I need after successful treatment?

This is not an exhaustive list but may help suggest other questions you might want to ask. There may be some questions that are too early to ask, but you can consider them at a later point in your treatment.

Communicate with Family and Friends

Credit: Freepik

If you have not informed your family of this development, you might be feeling anxious about how you will break the news to them. What will they say? How will they respond?

Disclosure of your condition is a very personal matter. Who you decide to tell is up to you, based on your relationship with them or even how you perceive their reaction to the news will be.

You could start with some basic information on your diagnosis and treatment options, and let the conversation flow from there. Answer questions to the best of your knowledge.

You may choose to withhold some information or refrain from answering others because you are not sure yourself. Provide some booklets on breast cancer if you think it will help.

Having someone who knows of your diagnosis before you disclose it to others can be reassuring, as you have someone you can rely on for support when you bring up the news with others. They can even act as a mediator if need be. While you cannot predict or control how they react to the news, the important thing is to focus on getting your overall health back on track.

Having a strong support system is key to recovering and managing your condition. By building closer bonds with your family and close friends, you may find the strength to keep moving forward even as the cancer advances.
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 If you were not close with some of them, you may eventually find meaningful closure. If you are very close with others, it will reinforce the love and care they have for you, and vice versa.

Their participation in your wellbeing is important as a source of strong familial love and support, as well as being able to help you research breast cancer and learn its intricacies and what to expect from your situation. They can also help point out credible sources and learn about

myths surrounding breast cancer
.

Having someone when you see the doctor can provide outside perspectives to how your condition is progressing. They may recognize a new symptom that has developed or point out changes that you may not have noticed. They may even have other questions to pose to your doctor on your treatment plan.

In doing so, and by staying alert to your condition, they can help you manage your symptoms and encourage you on your journey.

Speaking to your children, especially if they are still very young, can seem a little daunting. When talking about your condition, do not speak down to them; despite their age, children can be surprisingly mature on the subject of many topics.

Be honest with your diagnosis and what it means; tell them it is not their fault (some children tend to assume it is their fault when a parent falls ill), and that you are still the same person they know. Answer their questions with these in mind. If you refuse to talk to them about it, you may risk alienating them or eroding trust.

Your cancer treatment can affect your overall performance in daily activities. It is alright to seek help when you find it difficult to do things you could normally do before cancer. Seek help when you need it, and have honest discussions with family and friends about how you feel.

Do not keep your emotions to yourself, or you may only end up hurting yourself and those closest around you. Just as they are being patient and doing all they can to help, be patient with them too. Resolve tensions amicably through candid, polite discussions on what you are all going through.

Disclosure and Your Work

Credit: Freepik

Outside of your family, you may feel afraid about how to approach the subject with your colleagues or your manager, or even your friends outside of your close circle. You may worry that your diagnosis may change their perceptions of what you can or cannot do. There is a fear that you will be alienated from your peers and colleagues for being less capable due to your cancer.

The important thing to remember is that while you cannot control how they react to your condition, you can control how you respond to them, or how you feel about it. Not everyone may have empathy for your condition, and some may outright choose not to acknowledge the situation.

 Reassure your colleagues and employers that you can still contribute to your work as best as you can, and are open to accommodate changes that can help you continue working.

If need be, speak to your immediate supervisor and work out something beneficial for you and your company via its policies on employee benefits. Some companies may offer medical benefits that can help cover the costs of your treatment while ensuring you can return to work once your cancer is treated.

As a precaution, look up ways to protect yourself and your rights; leaving your job should be the last resort, or if the condition has advanced and prevents you from working.

Discuss with your family for suggestions as well; they may offer insights that you may not have thought about.

Treatment and Care Options in Malaysia

Credit: Freepik

The type of treatment you will receive will depend on factors such as the size and location of the tumour in the breast, the results of lab tests done on the cancer cells, and the stage, or extent, of the disease.

Local Treatments

The term ‘local’ refers to treating the tumour without affecting the rest of the body. Local treatments include surgery and radiotherapy.

Surgery
may be needed depending on the severity of your cancer. If only the tumour is to be removed, this requires a lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision. This procedure removes the tumour and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue as well. It is recommended for those whose tumours are small, although in some cases radiotherapy (or other treatments) will be needed to shrink the tumour in order to remove it via lumpectomy. For advanced cases, however, a mastectomy – the removal of all the breast tissue – may be required. If there is an increased risk of cancer in the other breast, a double mastectomy (the removal of both breasts) may be done.

You should always discuss the consequences of surgery with your medical team and your family before deciding to pursue it. Consider the side effects, the chances of recovery, and how it will impact you in the long run.

Radiotherapy
is another form of local treatment that involves using high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells in the breast, chest and lymph nodes. This can be done via external beam radiation using a machine, or by placing radioactive material inside your body (brachytherapy), usually in or around the tumour. Radiotherapy is generally conducted before or after surgery, depending on your condition. It may also be used together with chemotherapy to complement your treatment. It may also be used to help treat advanced stages of breast cancer. As with surgery, it pays to know more about radiation therapy through research and by consulting your medical team, who will advise you on what will be done and how it will affect you. Some of the side effects include fatigue, a sunburn-like rash where the radiation was applied, as well as soreness and swelling in the breast area.

Systemic Therapy

Systemic therapy involves treatments that affect cancer cells throughout the entire body. They include chemotherapy (or simply chemo), hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

Chemotherapy
uses medications to destroy fast-growing cancer cells in your body. Its application in your treatment plan will vary depending on your cancer. It may be used before surgery to shrink a tumour prior to surgery or radiotherapy, or it may be used after surgery to destroy cancer cells that remain in your body after surgery or radiotherapy. It may also be considered to control cancer and decrease any symptoms it causes.

Hormone therapy
 involves preventing certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that can attach to cancer cells and promote their growth. This will require taking medications that will do either one of the following:

Stops production of a specific hormone(s)

Block hormone receptors

Substitute chemically similar agents for the active hormone(s)

Because of how it affects your hormones, side effects may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain and/or night sweats.

Immunotherapy
is somewhat similar to chemotherapy, but it entails using medicines to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Your immune system may not be protecting you from cancer because the cancer cells produce proteins that “blind” the immune system cells. Because cancer cells start forming from normal, healthy cells, the immune system does not immediately recognize them as a threat. Immunotherapy, therefore, assists your immune system to be able to target the cancer cells and eliminate them. It may be administered along with chemotherapy to treat advanced cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can be unnerving and your loved one has care needs that are unique. Engaging a caregiver for your loved one not only encourages better recovery; it also helps build strong emotional support for your loved one.

To give your loved one the best care he/she deserves, we provide a free care consultation for you and your loved one, to ensure that they get a Care Professional that best suits their needs.

Planning Ahead

Knowing is half the battle, as the saying goes. Being aware of how your cancer can change over time, and how your treatment will affect you overall, can help you make more informed decisions together with your doctors.

The side effects that emerge from treatment may affect you differently than other breast cancer survivors, so be sure to communicate how you feel with the medical team.

If a particular treatment causes a strong negative reaction, ensure your doctor knows about this so they can look into what might be the cause, or consider an alternate treatment method.

Changes caused by treatment can be drastic; you may find yourself anxious when you start losing hair, or when you have to decide to surgically remove a breast to treat your cancer. All these drastic changes will leave you unsettled, or make you feel like you have lost control of your body and your life. You may feel that your entire life has been disrupted by cancer and that you have lost a sense of who you are.

It is normal to feel that your body has let you down, or feeling like you need to exert control over your life to face the uncertainties of the future. Most of the effects you experience are temporary, but they may still leave you upset.

Your doctors may consider

palliative care
 to help you prevent and relieve side effects. You can also ask about complementary therapies to help remedy your ailments. Discuss how you feel about these changes with your doctors and your family so you do not feel burdened by the physical or emotional toll cancer inflicts on you.

Have someone close to you to help you weather difficult times. Having someone to support you can do wonders to easing your fears and helping you move forward.

Even after the cancer is treated, the after-effects of surgery and/or treatment methods can continue to affect you, even after leaving the hospital. You may find yourself worrying over the prospect of cancer coming back, or whether you can regain control of your life and get it back to the way things were. These are some concerns you will have as a cancer survivor, a state known as survivorship.

Breast Cancer Support Groups in Malaysia

There are a few breast cancer support groups in Malaysia you can consider joining. The

Breast Cancer Foundation
 is one such organisation that conducts awareness campaigns and fun activities for survivors. It is their mission to empower survivors and help them live their lives to the fullest. They also provide monetary assistance through the Breast Cancer Foundation Patient Fund and other endeavours.

The

National Cancer Society of Malaysia
 is a not-for-profit organisation that provides education, care and support services for people affected by cancer and the general public of Malaysia. They aim to deliver holistic cancer–related services to cancer patients, caregivers and the public, including wellness programs, public awareness campaigns and support for cancer survivors. They also manage the support group

PINK UNITY
, which has a page on Facebook.

There is also the

Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia
, which aims to provide the quality of life for women with breast cancer using a “Reach to Recovery” concept of psychosocial and material support, and offer public education, early detection of breast cancer and subsequent follow-up investigations and timely medical treatment. They offer individual and group psychosocial support channels to help you cope with your treatment and recovery, as well as to face the road ahead.

Living a Full Life with (and After) Cancer

Credit: Adobe

Once treatment finally stops and your doctors declare that you are cancer-free, you may be feeling very elated that it is finally over. But you may find that feeling eventually fades away and you’re left feeling vulnerable and worried about what is in store for the future.

Survivorship may have a different meaning to you compared to other survivors. It could mean being cancer-free after finishing treatment or living with, through, and beyond cancer. Your experience of breast cancer determines how you experience the rest of your life and how much it has changed since your diagnosis.

Much of the fear stems from this change, where familiar things have suddenly become so foreign and unrecognizable. Your workplace may have instituted new systems to get things done, and you will need to learn how these systems work. At home, your family members may have settled into new routines that you were responsible for when you were around. Some of them may no longer be dependent on you.

The important thing is to give yourself time to adjust to these changes. Life after cancer, for many people, means having to deal with unfamiliar situations on a daily basis and making changes of your own to adapt. Coping with the new life ahead requires an understanding of what you face, thinking through solutions and being comfortable with your decisions. Communicating with your family, friends and medical team can help you through the uncertainties that come up, so do not hesitate to bring it up with them.

You might feel worried that the cancer will come back. Every little ache or pain might put you on high alert because, to you, it might be a bad sign. Always keep in touch with your doctors if you have any medical concerns that may come up; it is always good to find out the truth, and it might be nothing more than a warning sign of a cold coming up. It is perfectly fine to feel anxious, but do not ever keep these occurrences to yourself.

You may find yourself developing a new perspective of life as well. Given what you have been through, you may find the motivation to make lifestyle changes as you adapt to things. This usually involves changing your dietary habits, such as having a healthier and well-balanced diet; reducing or quitting smoking; reducing alcohol intake; and being more active. Doctors believe abiding by these lifestyle changes can be helpful in reducing the risk of recurring cancer.

It also becomes important to check yourself for possible signs of returning cancer. Be aware of changes to your breast, chest or the surrounding area, and inform your doctors accordingly. Equip yourself with this information so you know what to look for when performing a self-check.

Don’t let the challenges of survivorship bring you down. With strong support from those around you and a comprehensive medical team rooting out for you, life with or after breast cancer becomes much more bearable.

Are you looking for someone to care for you and your loved ones?

Homage provides caregiving services for your loved ones at every stage. Our trained care professionals are able to provide
companionship, nursing care, night caregiving, home therapy and more
, to keep your loved ones active and engaged.

Provide the best care to your loved one today!

Reference:

American Cancer Society.  (2019).
Follow up Care After Breast Cancer Treatment
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/living-as-a-breast-cancer-survivor/follow-up-care-after-breast-cancer-treatment.html

American Cancer Society.  (2019).
How Immunotherapy Is Used to Treat Cancer
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy.html

American Cancer Society. (2019).
If You Have Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/if-you-have-breast-cancer.html

American Cancer Society. (2021).
Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy.html

American Cancer Society. (2019).
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/questions-to-ask-your-doctor-about-breast-cancer.html

American Cancer Society. (2019).
Surgery for Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer.html

Boyles, S. (2005).
What to Do After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/becoming-proactive-cancer-patient

Breast Cancer Foundation. (n.d.).
Introduction to Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.my/about-breast-cancer#introduction-to-breast-cancer

Breast Cancer Foundation. (n.d.).
Breast Cancer Treatment
. Retrieved 15 September 2021 from
 https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.my/treatment

Breast Cancer Now. (2018).
Coping with breast cancer emotionally
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/living-beyond-breast-cancer/life-after-breast-cancer-treatment/coping-emotionally

Breast Cancer Now. (2018).
Breast cancer and you: Coping with diagnosis, treatment and the future
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://breastcancernow.org/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/bcc44_breast_cancer_and_you_2018_web.pdf

Breast Cancer Now. (2018).
Talking with children about breast cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/talking-children-about-breast-cancer

Breast Cancer Now. (2018).
Telling your family and friends about your breast cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/telling-family-friends-about-your-breast-cancer

Cancer.net. (2020).
Breast cancer: Coping with treatment
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/coping-with-treatment

Cancer.net. (2020).
Breast cancer: Survivorship
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/survivorship

Cancer.net. (2018).
Living with chronic cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/living-with-chronic-cancer

Cancer.net. (2018).
The importance of follow-up care
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/follow-care-after-cancer-treatment/importance-follow-care

Cancer.net. (2019).
What is survivorship?
Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/what-survivorship
 Cancer.net. (2020).
What’s Next After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis?
 Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/follow-care-and-monitoring

Cancer Research UK. (2020).
Coping with breast cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/living-with/coping

Cancer Research UK. (2021).
Follow up after breast cancer treatment
. Retrieved 15 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/follow-up

Cancer Research UK. (2020).
Life after breast cancer surgery
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/living-with/life-after-surgery

Cancer Research UK. (2020).
Survival
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/survival

Cleveland Clinic. (2018).
Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer#management-and-treatment

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.).
Hormone Therapy to Treat Cancer
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17108-hormone-therapy-to-treat-cancer

Cleveland Clinic. (2020).
Radiation Therapy
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17637-radiation-therapy

Geisinger. (2017).
First steps in the fight against breast cancer: What to do after your diagnosis
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2017/10/09/16/57/first-steps-in-the-fight-against-breast-cancer-what-to-do-after-your-diagnosis

Mayo Clinic. (2021).
Breast cancer – Diagnosis and treatment
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352475

Michigan Health. (2017).
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: Now What?
Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/cancer-care/diagnosed-breast-cancer-now-what

Michigan Health. (2017).
To Lighten Your Load, Share the Burden of Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/cancer-care/to-lighten-your-load-share-burden-of-breast-cancer

National Health Service. (2019).
Breast cancer in women – Diagnosis
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/diagnosis/

UCLA Health. (n.d.).
What to Expect When Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.uclahealth.org/breasthealth/what-to-expect-when-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer

UCLA Health. (n.d.).
Understanding Your New Breast Cancer Diagnosis
. Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.uclahealth.org/breasthealth/understanding-your-new-breast-cancer-diagnosis

WedMD. (2021).
Breast Cancer Treatment
. Retrieved 16 September 2021 from
 https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment

WedMD. (2021).
What’s Next After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis?
 Retrieved 14 September 2021 from
 https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-cancer-plan-after-diagnosis

This article has been republished with permission from
Homage
.

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:

15 Cancer Signs In Children That You Shouldn’t Ignore, Alert Mommies!

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Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccine

Is it safe to get COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant?

Since the news about the development of the COVID-19 vaccine has been the front-page splashed, it has prompted abundant questions on its safety during pregnancy and lactation.

 Prior observational data has demonstrated that while the chances for these severe health effects are low, pregnant women with COVID-19 have an increased risk of severe illness including ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death compared to non-pregnant women of reproductive age.

Credit: Pexels

At this point, only limited data are available on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines including mRNA vaccines administered during pregnancy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently updated its advice around pregnant women receiving the vaccine, stating only those who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 through work or who have underlying health conditions which predispose them to develop complications from the virus, should take the vaccine.

On the other hand, The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the vaccines should be available to pregnant people but ultimately leaves the decision up to expectant parents and their doctors.

Credit: Pexels

In general, mRNA vaccines do not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. Thus, theoretically it won’t be able to give someone COVID-19. It does not interact with a person’s DNA because the mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell.

Based on this, it is unlikely for the vaccine to pose a specific risk for people who are pregnant. However, the actual risks of mRNA vaccines to the pregnant person and her fetus are unknown because these vaccines have not been studied in pregnant women.

One of the key considerations to note is that women who are pregnant and part of a group recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccine, such as healthcare personnel, may choose to be vaccinated after thorough discussion with their healthcare personnel.

Another crucial discussion includes the risks of developing a severe allergic reaction balancing the benefits of vaccination itself. CDC recommends that all vaccine recipients, including pregnant people, should talk with their healthcare provider if they have a history of severe allergic reaction especially to another type of vaccine they have received prior.

Side effects can occur after receiving COVID-19 vaccines and these side effects are not expected to be any different for pregnant as compared to non-pregnant women.

Credit: Times of India

Pregnant women who experience fever following vaccination may be counselled to take paracetamol because fever has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and paracetamol is considered to be relatively safe to be used in any trimester of the pregnancy.

There are neither data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating women nor on the effects of mRNA vaccines on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion.

Again, women who are breastfeeding and are part of a group recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, such as healthcare personnel, may choose to be vaccinated.

In conclusion, there is no evidence to suggest that any of the COVID-19 vaccines are likely to have adverse effects to either mum or baby and the data as well as recommendations on it has been contradictory.

However, in order to help protect them from these risks, it is important that pregnant women receive safe and reliable advice when it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccines.

Source:
This article is written by
Dr Ida Lilywaty Md Latar
, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) of Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)
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A Rescue To All Clinics: AI-Powered Software, Pay32 Clinic, Launches in Malaysia To Fully Digitise Clinic Inventory

With online shopping becoming increasingly prevalent, there is now a more urgent need to ensure products, especially those for medical emergencies, are well stocked and always available. Aiming to fully digitize medical practices nationwide, online
healthcare supply platform for manufacturers, medical and dental professionals, Lumiere32 has launched
 Pay32 Clinic, an AI-powered inventory analytics and vendor payment software.

Due to the pandemic, many players in the healthcare sector have seen a boom in business such as rubber gloves, face masks and  PPEs’
, to meet the rising demands from the public, hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, there has been huge support from
government bodies as well as local and international organisations in the form of monetary and equipment donations
.

That said, there are still significant issues that need to be addressed. Some of these issues include the
lack of proper logistics management systems
, especially for PPE (personal protective equipment) and difficulty in tracking inventory.
Manual checking
 has also been an ongoing issue in managing inventories.

Eliminating the ‘Out of Stock’ Occurrence and Digitising All Payment Processes

To address these issues, Pay32 Clinic offers 2 main solutions- a robust inventory analytics tool and an e-wallet, called Pay32 Wallet, allowing clinics to maintain full visibility over their medical stock and to streamline all incoming and outgoing payments respectively.

With the inventory analytics tool clinics can effectively track product expiration dates and availability, instantly making ‘Out of Stock’ situations obsolete.

Moreover, the software allows clinics to optimise their inventory using data from
 vendor invoices and related memos/delivery orders,
resulting in a more accurate record of their bottom lines. The software also provides trend updates to clinics, allowing them to better predict buying patterns before planning their purchases for re-stocking.

On the other hand, Pay32 Wallet, which also offers payment tracking and Buy-Now-Pay-Later capabilities, aims to encourage clinics towards adopting cashless payment options with a flexible payment plan.

With this, clinics will be able to lessen the paperwork involved when managing incoming vendor payments, while enjoying longer, interest-free payment periods (90 days) when purchasing supplies, thus strengthening overall cashflow.

Furthermore, the Pay32 Wallet allows clinics to have a maximum credit of RM100,000 per clinic, allowing for the hassle-free purchase of small medical equipment, instruments, consumables and other supplies without paying upfront.

Finding the Right Package According to Your Clinic

Beyond its digital features, Pay32 Clinic also offers varied subscription packages to multiple types of clinics including founder clinics, group clinics and super clinics. All packages will include a complimentary 6-month subscription and free digitization of data for up to 3 months.
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Pay32 Clinic is now available nationwide after successfully being implemented for 6 months across 200 selected clinics earlier this year.

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5 Simple Steps To Resilience: Prepping Your Child To Face The World

Long before any of us became parents, we all had some idea of what to expect. The less romantic might have anticipated their children’s first food fight, impromptu Crayola murals, or hot tears from having skinned their knees. Balanced of course by the cosiest snuggles, the cutest photographs, and those immaculate moments when our children might randomly proclaim, “I love you so much, mummy”.

What you might not have foreseen, is teaching your children to deal with the uncertainty of life. Just as there will be moments of pure bliss, there will also be challenging times that push their limits or even break their hearts. To accept and overcome these tremendous stresses, our children need to be Resilient – the ability to bounce back from any challenges.

Resilience can be taught, nurtured and honed. And this is especially easy if parents are aware of AptaGro™’s
5 Pillars of Resilience
. This neatly packaged roadmap from AptaGro™ helps mums and dads introduce essential values to their children, like Perseverance – that is the tenacity to achieve something as a result of persistence (never give up).

Or Daringness, the bravery, and courage to embrace new experiences. And when faced with challenges, children should be ready to employ Resourcefulness, the aptitude to find quick and clever solutions so they may thrive under any conditions.

Adaptability comes next, which is the ability to respond suitably and swiftly when the environment changes suddenly. And to tie all these pillars together, AptaGro™ has identified that children must be Self-Reliant. This is making their own decisions while yet being connected to family and friends.

In five easy steps, we’ll show you how to prep your child to face the world’s challenges!

5 Pillars of Resilience: 5 Steps For Building Resilience In Children

Step 1: Notice Your Child’s Natural Stress Response And Face Them Together

What sets them off? What are your children’s trigger indicators? Do they fight or flee when facing difficult situations? With your child, gently discuss their biggest challenges.

Academically, it could be solving math problems, writing a long essay, or simply the nerves of presenting their work in front of the class. You’ll know it’s their biggest challenge because children will express doubt and frustration as they aren’t sure if they can accomplish the task.

Then share with them that adults face challenges too. Did you know Dr. Seuss was rejected many times before anyone agreed to publish his children’s stories? Children can benefit from hearing that these feelings are common in all people, young and old.

This is the ideal time to teach Perseverance. Encourage your child to face each stress trigger or problematic situation because Perseverance is the drive that helps them get past the hard stuff to get what they want. Good grades, the praise of their teachers, the admiration of friends, these are all goals that motivate children. Without Perseverance, these goals are unattainable.

Step 2: Inspire Your Child To Say Yes To New Experiences

The human brain is like a muscle. It needs to exercise and grow by learning new things. Yet to learn, one must first have the Daringness to say ‘Yes’ to new experiences.

With young children, fear is a common response to new challenges and experiences. These situations make children feel uncertain, vulnerable, powerless, and anxious. They strip away a child’s sense of security and control.

To encourage Daringness, parents must first be supportive of effort and progress, rather than only praising successful outcomes. Commending your child on their willingness to try new things. This means parents must also learn to say ‘Yes’ if their child wants to learn to ride a bike, paint with their fingers, join an adventure club, run for class president and so forth.

This helps them overcome fear and see the world with new perspectives. Remember, daringness is the bravery and courage to experiment with the unknown. Join and support them on this journey.

Step 3: Coach Your Child To Enjoy Unstructured Play

Some of the best toys are ones that children repeatedly pick up because each play session requires them to apply new creativity. Open-ended toys that foster imagination and can be used in a variety of ways are especially well suited to impart
Resourcefulness.

Parents and children can even experiment with making their own toys. From crafting your own wooden building blocks, to fidget spinners made out of cardboard, to building your own sailing boat from bamboo skewers and straws, the objective is to have the final product look nothing like what it started off being.

With each experience, be your children’s guide. Show them how you would approach the raw materials and turn them into something fun and colourful.

When you share your creative process, they get a front-row seat in seeing how an adult approaches problems and they’ll soon realise overcoming obstacles are just part of regular life. All that’s necessary is applying resourcefulness – the power to discover clever solutions to thrive in challenging environments.

Step 4: Teach Your Child To Be Well-Acquainted And Comfortable With Change

Your children will begin school, eventually transition into university students, begin a career and in due course, move out of the house. They’ll begin relationships and they’ll also end them. Each phase of growth comes with its own uncertainties, change, and novelty. Resilient children must be able to negotiate each level successfully in terms of adjusting their behavior, their thinking, and their emotional responses.

This is the fourth Pillar of Resilience, that of
Adaptability
– the ability to respond suitably and quickly to challenging environments so that they may thrive as and when events change.

Research has shown that children who are more adaptable had a higher likelihood of participating in class, enjoying school, being more satisfied with life, possess higher self-esteem and have a more concrete sense of the meaning and purpose in life.

To teach adaptability,
encourage
 your children to seek out new or more information when faced with an uncertain situation. Or perhaps to take a different course of action. This can be as simple as asking a teacher for additional advice on how to complete a project. Asking for pointers is a great way to expand one’s thinking and incorporate new ideas to be more adaptable to new situations.

Step 5: Boost Your Child’s Confidence By Delegating Tasks And Chores

To tie all of
AptaGro
™
’s 5 Pillars of Resilience together, the final key is to encourage your child to be
Self-Reliant
. Now self-reliance does not usually come from academic institutions. On the contrary. It is learned at home, as modeled by both mum and dad. As a parent, take time to delegate tasks to your child. Start with easy tasks that you know your child can complete with minimal supervision.

Then applaud them for being responsible when they have shown their capability and done something good. Simple tasks include cleaning their rooms, putting the dishes in the sink after meals, or arranging their toys neatly.

But be careful not to force your children to do things
they are
not good at. The last thing you want is to see them becoming frustrated and losing self-confidence in their abilities. Instead present your children with significant choices, allowing them to pick the tasks that they are good at versus those they struggle with.

After all, self-reliance is allowing children to make their own decisions while still being connected to family. It is about weighing the pros and cons and how it affects not only themselves but the whole family as well.

Building resilience is a journey

AptaGro
™
 5 Pillars of Resilience
 have been attentively defined so parents will have a complete framework from which to impart the
characteristics
that promise future success. Parenthood is a lifelong journey and we’re excited to see you begin with a strong foundation.

AptaGro
™
 milk formula has itself been carefully crafted
with a patented combination of
prebiotics and probiotics to support
your child’s body and learning development
. This way, your child is ready to go out and experience the world,
because with resilience, they can make the most out of life’s opportunities and challenges.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
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 now!