5 Ways To Make Your House Safer When You Have Kids

When you first become a parent, you go through the many motions of preparing your house for the baby. Many mummies experience the “nesting” period, where they have this uncontrollable need to ensure the home is ready to welcome the new member of the family.

Once the baby arrives, a new round of changes starts to happen. At 6 months, you start weaning your baby and starting them on solids. At 9 months, they learn to stand. At a year, they’re already toddling around the house. This is when the real child-proofing has to happen.

That minimalist metal coffee table you love so much? The sharp edges now have to be covered with rubberised stoppers. The gorgeous vintage lamp you found on one of your pre-baby travels? It has to go now.

But child-proofing your home doesn’t have to be all that expensive or painful. In fact, the experience can be quite empowering if you follow the right steps.

Here’s how to child-proof your home with 5 easy steps:

1. Keep your house properly segregated

Most homes are already configured in a way that the rooms are very obviously segregated. However, with modern design, many parents might have opted to have a more open layout for their homes.

While the open kitchen might have been a good idea when you did not have kids, introducing children to a household with no segregation between the kitchen and other rooms can be dangerous.

The kitchen and bathroom areas should be properly cordoned off. This can easily be done by installing baby gates and child-proof locks. Don’t allow your kids into areas where there is open water or fire source.

2. Use cordless appliances

One thing most parents are certainly guilty of is the use of electronics all over the house. This means there is plenty of exposed wiring all over the place – posing a great risk to our kids when they start to walk around on their own.

It is important that you don’t leave your electronics lying around with wires tangled up or dangling everywhere. It is also crucial not to leave electrical sockets open.

Reduce the risk of home accidents by using appliances that are cordless or wireless, including using a cordless vacuum so you can clean your house with ease without worrying about your child tripping on a wire or suffering from strangulation.

The Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner MC-BJ980W147/R147 is perfect for parents who wish to keep the house safe AND clean at the same time. Its long battery life allows for usage of up to approximately 65 minutes. While vacuuming, parents also don’t have to worry about children tripping over any cords, making cleaning less stressful!

The vacuum cleaner is charged similarly to a handphone, making it easy for parents to unplug and stow away safely when not in use.

3. Keep the house dust-free

Many allergens come about when the house is not kept in clean conditions. When you have a home that is dust-free, it can improve your entire household’s well-being and health.

You can do this with frequent cleaning, made easier with a cordless vacuum that can reach even the hard-to-reach spots, like Panasonic’s 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner MC-BJ980W147/R147 which cleans at lightning speed and reaches even the smallest corners and edges. The cordless vacuum cleaner also comes with several attachments such as a mattress nozzle, crevice nozzle, dusting brush, and a vacuum hose.

Not to mention, it has a House Dust Sensor (Mite Sensor) function, detecting even the smallest of particles. When dirt is detected, the vacuum will inform you through its lamp function. Red means dust is detected while blue means that the area is clean.

It is also lightweight so it can be carried from room to room with no hassle! If your rooms have different textures, such as tiling, wood flooring or carpet, the Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner runs seamlessly over each surface with its unique V-shaped brush.

4. Switch to organic household products

Use products that do not contain toxic or poisonous substances. Stay away from phthalates, ammonia, chlorine or sodium hydroxide.

Why are so many brands now switching their products to be made of organic ingredients? Many household products contain toxic or poisonous substances that are harmful to children.

But with new organic products in the market popping up, parents can ensure their households are clean and pest-free without worrying about their child’s health.

5. Ensure all furniture units are screwed down

This is a given for all households with toddlers. Toddlers who are still learning to walk will grasp onto furniture to maintain their balance. If your cupboard or shelving unit is not screwed down or to the wall, it could easily fall onto your child and harm them.

It is best to have all the furniture screwed down and minimise the risk of accidents happening at home.

So these are 5 easy tips on how to child-proof your home to make it safer for the kids. Got any more tips to add on? Let us know!

Learn more about the Panasonic 200W Power Cordless Stick Vacuum
here
.

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This Gifted Child Is Only 4 But Already Knows The Periodic Table!

Little Ashton is just four, but he can already name the elements of the periodic table while doing his Math addition sums! We ask Chaven Alex, mummy of this gifted child in Singapore, more about this little prodigy she has been raising.

How did she know that her child was gifted? Read all about it here!

Read about this gifted child in Singapore!

To start off, mummy Chaven tells us that Ashton was a premature baby.

“He was preterm at 33 weeks exactly but weighing almost 2.9 kg. He cried so so much, uncontrollably since he turned a month old. It didn’t stop till he was a year old!”

“He needed very little sleep and it was worrying. We sent him to the doctors repeatedly for checks. He was growing fine and very chubby. ‘Nothing was wrong’ with him. His refusal to sleep and daily need of having me to rock him in my arms made me loose 25 kgs in 6 months after his birth.”

“I was desperate, so was my husband. We had no help from family and I was obstinate and determined not to have a helper. I wanted to raise Ashton ‘myself’.”

“His constant cries kept me home for a year”, says Chaven, who left her job in the Luxury industry when she was 2 weeks pregnant with Ashton, as she had a threatened pregnancy with excessive bleeding.

“He cried everywhere we went. His lack of sleep was worrying”.

The family tried all sorts of remedies to help the baby cry less and sleep more. And then one day, things changed.

“At 8 months old, we received a book from a friend. I put that aside as I thought Ashton was still too young. When he was 10 months old, I remember he was crying so bad, he kicked and the book dropped.”

“He caught a glimpse of it and he went all quiet. I showed him the book and started reading. He looked all enthusiastic. My husband didn’t believe me when I told him what had happened.”

“I then bought his first ABC book from Changi Airport. I showed it to him for 3 days and I found out he could recognise the alphabets. When I asked him, “Which was letter ‘Z’”, he would flip the pages and point and I still have videos of those days.”

Was my baby gifted?

“I didn’t know he was ahead of others his age. I had many friends in a support group but it’s just not us to chat about such things or make comparisons for milestones. It was through a video I put up on my Facebook that friends commented that, at that age, babies wouldn’t be able to recognise letters.”

“I brushed it aside thinking ‘every child is different’ and mine just happened to love Alphabets. He grew up to show an interest in numbers. He could Count 10-1 (backwards) before he turned 2.”

“And he could spell colours at the age of 2. He could also count/speak in simple Spanish, French, Japanese at age 2. More milestones followed. He did addition/subtraction, recognised planets including the 5 dwarf planets before he turned 3.”

“He could read any book I showed him. As he got on with his learning and was outspoken, we had strangers coming up to us tell us he might be gifted. We also sent him to attend a preschool for 2 months when he was 2 years of age, but he couldn’t sit when the teacher started the class.”

“I was desperate as he was inquisitive and I finally sent him to 2 psychologists for IQ Tests. He was proven Gifted with an IQ of about 160.”

Surprises me every day

We saw a video where he was naming the elements of the periodic table while doing his Math sums! Tell us more?

“Yes I could see that he was getting bored at home as he has no school. My 100% time with him had to be shared with his baby sister.”
 (Ashton’s kid sister Ansley is just 1)

“I see a frustration in him which I hadn’t experienced before, so I keep having to think of daily activities to keep him busy or stimulated.”

“One night, I just thought – since he loves numbers, why not try the Periodic Table of Elements which I was strong at. I asked him during bedtime and showed him the chart on my phone. He said he wanted to learn them but I brushed him off saying, “Ok, lets do this when you get older, this is challenging’”.

“He went to bed, only to bug me the next day, wanting to learn. I drew the table (only half of it) and he was so happy!”

“I took a shortcut by printing the table from Google and taught him. He took 3 days to tell me elements from 1-50 and a week to learn all 118 elements when I randomly asked him the atomic numbers.”

Here is a video of the little genius at work:
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“He has an amazing memory and the ability to empathise which is what I love most about him.”

“Mannerism, respect and love is what I want him to understand from young. He has  achieved it and I am very proud of him.”

Nurturing a gifted child

How have you nurtured the gifted child in Ashton in terms of exposure to knowledge, activities and even nutrition?

“Raising Ashton was never easy”, says mummy Chaven.

“Every time I look back, It’s hard not to get emotional. It is indeed tough. He has a highly inquisitive mind which needs stimulation almost every second.”

“A lot of talking, everywhere we go. He learns. It doesn’t and won’t stop. For food, he eats very simple things. Mainly Organic vegetables, soup, porridge daily, and no he doesn’t take sweets or any sort of snack since he was a young baby.”

“People never believed us until they tried offering him or enticing him with delicious food and was rejected.”

Challenges of raising a gifted child in Singapore

What are the challenges that a gifted child may face in Singapore especially when it comes to schooling? Does Ashton go to preschool?

“Ashton isn’t in school. It is tough. So tough to find him a suitable school or teacher I must say,” reveals Chaven.

“I got to learn that the best preschools/brands don’t necessarily bring out the best in a child. It’s the teacher who needs to have loads of patience to handle a gifted child. As they might throw tantrums and get bored easily if they are forced to go through the normal stream or curriculum.”

“We were advised by doctors to send him to a true Montessori which means students in class are of different ages and are grouped according to their pace or abilities. It’s impossible to find one in Singapore. I tried my best.”

“Skipping grades seems like a ‘taboo’ to the local system. Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is only at Primary 4. And I don’t know how I am going to survive another 6 yrs in Singapore without a school which can offer him more”

“I am desperate to find a school which can accept him for who he is…I have tried writing to the Minister of Education but I guess these gifted preschoolers are deemed minority or less significant.”

“To a tired mother who is trying to keep up in raising him happily, I am forced to think of options – like leaving Singapore. I sincerely hope and pray for a day that the Singapore educational system will pay more attention to young gifted children and help us in supporting a local true Montessori.”

“We definitely look forward to support and hope that Ashton can stay and be educated in Singapore.”

What are some other challenges you foresee for Ashton, in terms of behaviour, personality development and socialising with peers?

“He doesn’t have a problem socialising at all. He is taught to meet and greet people of all ages. To show respect and manners at all times to the young and elderly. He greets anyone and everyone.”

“The only challenge I faced is, he needs to learn more and more, and I have limitations of my time and abilities. We need to find a good teacher or support from Government for gifted children.”

Advice for other parents

What advice do you have for parents, especially for those of gifted children?

“I don’t think I can advice as every child is different. What seems great for my child does not apply to others”, says Chaven

“For gifted children, traits are obvious and parents need to spend more time in monitoring them, listening and providing what’s best for them. More importantly, give them your TIME.”

“They need constant attention from us. Ignoring our child’s giftedness might indeed harm them or make them grow up unhappy or not feeling understood.”

“This might make our child loose confidence in themselves or us, and deter the child to communicate with parents when they grow older.”

Thank you so much Chaven, for sharing your blessed experience with us. Here’s to more amazing discoveries and learning from little Ashton. Love, happiness and peace to this family!

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The Bun is in the Oven!

No we are not talking about opening up a new bakery in town! As a matter of fact, a new baby is coming soon! So for those who are expecting, keep on reading to know a few ways to celebrate your upcoming newborn.

Gender Reveal Party

So you have revealed your pregnancy to your family and close friends not a while ago and now it’s time for a gender reveal party! There a lot of fun ways to reveal your baby’s gender.

It is known that blue represents a boy while pink represents a girl so why not cut a cake with a blue or pink cream inside. Everyone will be excited to see the colour inside while you’re cutting the cake and they will surely enjoy eating the cute cake afterwards. You can might as well pop a balloon filled with pink or blue-coloured confetti and surprise your guests!

Baby Shower

A best friend or a sister of yours is throwing you a baby shower? Lucky you! Babies need a lot of things when they arrive so just enjoy your baby shower and have fun with your relatives and friends during the day.

Hate being the centre of attention? Plan a small get-together like a brunch or hi-tea instead. A small and cosy baby shower would usually be made of of an all-girl guest list where they could share their labour tales and later everyone would go Oohs and Awws over cute baby things while you open up the baby gifts such as custom baby onesies  from them. Of course, when all is getting too overwhelming, it is time slide into those loose and comfy graphic maternity t-shirts  for a more relaxed feel while you spend time with your ladies.

Baby Announcement

Announcing the arrival of your little bundle of joy is so exciting! We know! Choose an appropriate time to announce your baby’s arrival because although all of them can’t wait to meet your little sunshine, they’d understand that you are having your hands full with the baby.

So, invite those closest to you that would truly share the happiness with you. Want your baby announcement party be more interesting than usual? Wear baby announcement t-shirts  (your husband included) that have your baby’s name, birth date and weight printed on them. So instead of answering the same questions over and over again, they can read those details on your custom printed t-shirts! Cool, isn’t it?
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For every occasion and celebration, be ready with some tokens of appreciation  for your guests to appreciate them coming to see you and your baby. Congratulations and enjoy all the wonderful moments of becoming a parent!

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious

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Back To Breast: Tips For Breastfeeding After Bottle Feeding

During breastfeeding, latching for the majority of newborn babies can be easy, but for a reluctant few it’s a herculean task—especially when they’ve gotten used to bottle-feeding. For whatever reason, if you are a mum who wants to go back to the natural way of
breastfeeding after bottle-feeding
and struggle at it—we’re here to help.

You might be wondering while looking at other breastfeeding mums, like you are missing something very important or maybe you want to give your baby the natural healthy feed. On the other hand, you might also be wondering what methods to use to get your baby back to breastfeeding after bottle feeding. If your little one is throwing tantrums during breastfeeding then you need to understand the possible reasons behind this struggle.

Photo: iStock

Below mentioned could be the cause of why your baby is not breastfeeding-

Baby is too sleepy

Inadequate flow of breast milk

Baby is too lazy to suck

Lack of comfort or coordination between mum and baby

Fussy baby

Comfortable with the easy flow of the milk bottle

Medical reason

Nursing strike

As a mum, you can analyse the issue and can further employ the following tried and tested methods to get your baby back to breast or improve breastfeeding-

1. Try different nursing positions

Some babies are comfortable in specific nursing positions and

some prefer one breast over the other. When resuming breastfeeding after bottle feed, try different
nursing positions
 like cradle hold, cross-cradle or crossover hold, side-lying position and football hold.

Try these different positions to find the best position for you and your baby during breastfeeding. | Photo: iStock

By trying these positions, you will come to know in which position your baby is less fussy and comfortable while breastfeeding.

2. Snuggle, cuddle and relax the baby

Before breaking the bond between the baby and the bottle, make your baby feel at ease by being present both physically and emotionally. Try cuddling, snuggling and playing with your baby, after all, babies love cosy cuddling sessions. Your baby will feel more comfortable with you and will bond while doing so. You can try feeding the baby after a few minutes of playtime and pampering.

If your little one is still not latching or interested, try giving a light
massage
 to soothe your baby.

Photo: iStock

3. Use breastfeeding supplementer

There are various breastfeeding artificial nipples and supplementers available in the market. You can place them on your breast and then feed the baby easily. These breastfeeding nipples or supplementers will give your baby the comfort of

bottle nipple but the nutrition of your milk.

4. Increase lactation or breast milk flow

Low milk flow can irritate your baby and will make him/ her avoid the breast completely. Try different home remedies and
food items
 to naturally increase breast milk flow.

You can also discuss this with your gynaecologist or paediatrician and can take supplement powder or tablets to boost lactation.

5. Skin-to-skin contact

Try giving your baby more of skin-to-skin contact and warmth. While feeding strip your upper clothes till waist and have the baby wear only a nappy or diaper. This will bring more skin-to-skin contact and comfort for the baby.

Use a blanket to cover yourself and baby if the weather is cold.

6. Continue to offer your breast

Even if your baby is continuously rejecting your breast and is constantly fussing for the bottle; keep on offering your breast first. Whenever your baby is hungry, first offer to breastfeed.

Try offering both your breasts gradually to see which one the baby prefers. Do not give up, if the baby rejects them and does not latch. Keep trying gently!

Photo: iStock

7. Minimise the distractions

Dim the lights, switch off all musical toys and minimise the distractions around the baby before breastfeeding. Take the baby in a separate room where distractions are less and cuddle the baby to feed.

You can slowly reduce bottle feed or can offer a combination of both breast and milk bottle as per your baby’s need and comfort. The trick is to stay positive, relax and keep trying.

This article has been republished with permission from
theAsianparent Singapore
.

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website.

Read more:

14 tips on how to increase your breast milk supply

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More than half of newborns not breastfed within the first hour, says UNICEF

Did you know that breastfeeding newborn babies within the first hour of birth is very crucial to their health? As it turns, most mothers don’t, because more than half of newborns aren’t being feed during this time frame.

Most of them are also unaware that delaying the start of breastfeeding increases the risk of death for these infants.

At least that’s what UNICEF Senior Nutrition Adviser France Bégin said in a
press release
.

“Making babies wait too long for the first critical contact with their mother outside the womb decreases the newborn’s chances of survival, limits milk supply and reduces the chances of exclusive breastfeeding.”

Kredit: Genetic Literacy Project

The press release also states that a delay of two to 23 hours increases death risk in the first 28 days of life by 40 percent. If the delay reaches 24 hours or more, the risk doubles.

According to a
Forbes
 report, there are two primary reasons why this delay happens.

First is the lack of skilled attendants during childbirth. The second is the preference for cow’s milk, sugar water or infant formula to feed babies during the first three days of a baby’s life.

Called “From the First hour of Life,” the UNICEF report says that there is “enormous potential for skilled birth attendants to better support women in initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth – to not take advantage of this is a missed opportunity.”

Meanwhile, feeding other liquids that isn’t breast milk reduces a mother’ milk, which then makes supply of breast milk harder to establish and maintain.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding within the first hour? Read on!
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Breastfeeding within the first hour

There is a cornucopia of benefits that breastfeeding within the first hour brings. According to a
Better Health article
, here are some of them:

It makes the mother more confident that she can breastfeed.

The baby starts to receive the immunological effects of colostrum (the first breastmilk, which provides protection against infection and disease).

The baby’s digestion and bowels are stimulated.

Sucking difficulties may be avoided if the baby feeds properly at this stage.

The bond between mother and child is established and enhanced

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Do These Things to Increase Your Child’s Height

When it comes to the question of stature, surveys and studies from around the world seem to agree; the taller a person stands, the easier life becomes. Researchers looking at the unfair advantage of height report that taller people earn more money and enjoy more attention from their peers, resulting in greater levels of happiness
1
.

However, stunting is prevalent among Malaysian children throughout various ethnicities and across different income levels. According to UNICEF’s 2018 ‘Children Without’ study, the stunting rate was at 22 percent within Malaysia’s urban poor – a rate worse than Ghana, Africa despite our country’s Gross domestic Product (GDP) achievements
2
.

Meanwhile, one in five Malaysian children are stunted and this could be detrimental to their health as they may be at increased risk for various chronic conditions later in life
3
.
Stunting has a long-term impact on a child’s development within areas including academics, physical aspects and overall health
4
.

As parents, we train our children to surpass us by building their minds, securing their health, and implanting a never-say-die attitude no matter the obstacles. But the statistics also remind us to consider physical growth when sharpening our children’s edges for success.

Here’s what you can do to give your child a height premium.

Surprising nutritional facts

Pay close attention to the first five years of childhood – this window is critical in achieving your child’s growth potential. Did you know that children achieve 60% of their final adult height in the first five years of life
5
? Plus, nutrition contributes as much as 80% towards helping children achieve their maximum height potential
6
.

Top foods that can help your child grow taller

Among the best foods for strengthening bones, joints and muscles are protein rich beans like chickpeas, lentils, and peas. Not only are these beans packed with protein, but provide growing bodies with iron and Vitamin B that’s required for growth, as well development.

Almonds are another important dietary addition. They add healthy fats, fibre and Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin that doubles as an antioxidant

Cheese, yoghurt, egg yolks and fermented foods like tempeh and natto (traditional Japanese fermented soy bean) are especially rich in Vitamin K
2
. This unique nutrient promotes bone density to support enhanced growth and helps maintain height.

Eggs are another awesome yet readily available power food. It is a good source of protein and provide Vitamin D to increase calcium absorption for sturdier musculo-skeletal health. Researchers from the American journal Pediatrics have also uncovered evidence that eggs have the potential to prevent stunting
7
. Not to mention, eggs are an easy-cook breakfast food for your kids start their day – have them scrambled or hard!

Steam some sweet potatoes too, as they are a flexible and palatable food, rich in Vitamin A for bone health. Together with servings of yoghurt, sweet potatoes offer the body fibres that boost good gut bacteria for a better immune system.

What about milk?

Milk is a key component for a healthy, balanced diet. Even more so for children who are picky eaters and might not take too quickly to a plate of steamed vegetables. For parents who are concerned on their child’s growth patterns, PediaSure® is one such brand, which is a complete and balanced supplement, scientifically formulated to help kids catch-up on growth. With two glasses a day, parents will be able to note improvement in growth in as soon as eight weeks
8
.

In fact, PediaSure® encourages parents to measure the height and weight of their children against a growth chart at least once in six months to monitor children’s growth progress. For any concerns on growth patterns, parents are encouraged to talk to their paediatricians.

Did you know you can also predict if your child’s growth is on track to achieving their potential adult height? You can do this by using
height-predictor
.

To cater to finicky tastes buds, parents can opt between vanilla and chocolate flavours, or the newly introduced plain flavour (with 0% sucrose) for a complete and balanced nutritional supplement. Formulated with Arginine (to trigger the release of Growth Factors), Natural Vitamin K
2
 that promotes calcium transfer into bones, and 25 key nutrients for longer bone growth
9
.

Helpful exercises!

Do lots of stretching exercises with your child. Before and after hitting the playground, do simple ones like the wall-stretch. Ask your child to align their back with a wall, then raise their hands and stretch out as much as possible. Perform this stretch both by standing on their feet and seated on the ground. Alternatively, get your child to do toe-touching exercises. These are great for elongating the spine and improving posture.

Encourage your child to perform high-intensity workouts too! Running, climbing, swimming, and jumping activities are all great ways to stimulate growth hormones
10
 in the body and help your child grow taller.

Don’t forget to emphasise rest and sleep

Combined with excellent nutrition and fun-filled activities, getting adequate sleep (most young children need an average of 10-13 hours of sleep a day) will go a long way to helping your child achieve their maximum height potential
11
. Lack of sleep actually suppresses growth hormones and even affects school performance. This means a noticeable effect on decision making, shortened attention span and the decreasing of memory power.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

Or so the saying goes. Good hygiene habits such as teaching children to frequently wash their hands also go a long way to reducing downtime caused by sickness. It’s important to remember, when children fall sick, the nutrients meant for growth are redirected to battle against illness, thus becoming ineffective in contributing to their overall growth. This is also the reason PediaSure® has been designed to reduce sick days by up to 64% for more growth days
12
.

Four steps to take your child to greater heights

PediaSure®’s Grow Right campaign, that emphasises the importance of nutrition, play, good hygiene practices and sleep, is a well-rounded strategy to boost peak growth in your child when their bodies are most pliable.

Taking these four components into consideration when planning your child’s every day schedule ensures not only growth in terms of height and weight, but also places them on a path to adulthood success. And that’s the ultimate goal for any parent.

Learn more and request for a
free PediaSure sample
.

Get the #1 child nutrition supplement recommended by experts for your child by PediaSure now
!

References:

1
“Tall vs short: Which is it better to be? – BBC Future.” 28 Sep. 2015,
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150928-tall-vs-small-which-is-it-better-to-be
. Accessed 28 Jul. 2020.

2
 “Children living in poverty: unseen, but among us – Unicef.” 26 Feb. 2018,
https://www.unicef.org/eap/press-releases/children-living-poverty-unseen-among-us
. Accessed 28 Jul. 2020.

3
Full report of IMFeD Nationwide Growth Screening exercise among 225 participating private paediatric clinics between April – July 2018 among 20,748 children between 1-5 years old

4
 “Childhood Stunting: Context, Causes and Consequences.”
https://www.who.int/nutrition/events/2013_ChildhoodStunting_colloquium_14Oct_ConceptualFramework_colour.pdf?ua=1
. Accessed 28 Jul. 2020.

5
WHO Growth Standard, 2007.

6
Jelenkovic, A, et al. Genetic and environmental influences on height from infancy to early adulthood, 2016.

7

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/1/e20163459
 – Lora L. Iannotti, Chessa K. Lutter, Christine P. Stewart, Carlos Andres Gallegos Riofrío, Carla Malo, Gregory Reinhart, Ana Palacios, Celia Karp, Melissa Chapnick, Katherine Cox and William F. Waters. Eggs In Early Complementary Feeding And Child Growth: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics July 2017, 140 (1) e20163459; DOI:
doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-3459

8
Huynh DTT et al. J Hum Nutr Diet (2015), 28, 623-635. Longitudinal growth and health outcomes in nutritionally at-risk children who received long-term nutritional intervention & Huynh DTT et al. Jr of Nutr Sci.2016;5(20). Impact of long-term use of oral nutritional supplement on nutritional adequacy, dietary diversity, food intake and growth of Filipino preschool children.Kenneth R. Ginsburg, The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds. Available from
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182
. Last accessed June 29, 2020.

9
 Van Vught AJ et al. Dietary arginine and linear growth: The Copenhagen school child intervention study. Br J Nutr (2013), 109, 1031-1039.

10

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2679385/

11
Steven Dowshen, MD. Can Lack of Sleep Stunt Your Growth? Available from
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/sleep-growth.html#:~:text=A%20single%20night%20of%20no,is%20normally%20released%20during%20sleep
. Last accessed June 29, 2020.

12
Huynh DTT et al. J Hum Nutr Diet (2015), 28, 623-635. Longitudinal growth and health outcomes in nutritionally at-risk children who received long-term nutritional intervention.

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How Drinking Tea Helps to Relieve Nausea During Pregnancy

A common symptom for many, if not all, pregnant women is nausea, where some will even continue to experience it until the end of their pregnancy.

 This, leading to the question of whether or not there is actually a safe and efficient way to soothe one's nausea!
Many women have probably resorted to various methods to try to curb their nausea such as the use of aromatic oils, an abundance of rest or even changing their diets to no avail.

The last resort would probably be a trip to the doctors to seek professional counsel.

How Drinking Tea for Nausea Helps With Your Morning Sickness

The tradition of making and drinking tea spreads across multiple cultures and has been practised for thousands of years.
A warm soothing cup of tea can help to relieve morning sickness and energize you.

Although there are not that many studies on the benefits and risks of drinking herbal tea during pregnancy, some physicians recommend a limited intake often tea for nausea unless they are from more well-known brands.

They also suggest lighter teas such as mint or ginger.

The following are a few factors that you should consider before drinking tea for nausea while expecting:

Some teas are not safe to consume while pregnant:

These include PMS teas, diet teas, cleansing and detoxifying teas, black and blue cohosh, dong quai, etc

Avoid taking Herbal Laxative Teas

These are known to be harmful to pregnant women as they can cause contraction of the intestinal muscles.

In addition, these teas can cause increased urination or diarrhoea, both of which can lead to dehydration. It is recommended to only take these after you have both given birth and finished breastfeeding.

5 Types of Herbal Tea for Nausea During Pregnancy

To aid you along your tea journey, we have listed down some types of teas that are safe to consume during pregnancy.

#1 Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is known to aid digestion, soothe sore stomachs and can reduce nausea. It may also help to reduce a woman’s morning sickness.
Ginger tea also assists the digestive tract by fighting indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea as well as colds. It is known to have strong antibacterial effects on the mouth and throat and aids in muscle recovery.

To make ginger tea, grate a small amount of peeled ginger into a pot of boiling water and let it simmer for 10-20 minutes, depending on how strong you would like your tea. Next, strain the ginger out and enjoy or add some honey, cinnamon or lemon for flavour.

SUPER TEA INFUSION Instant Ginger Tea

Fragrant and homely

Made with Asian herbs

Spicy and aromatic drink with a sharp taste

A soothing blend

 SUPER TEA INFUSION Instant Ginger Tea
Buy From Shopee

#2 Chamomile Tea

In traditional medicine, chamomile has been used to relax digestive muscles and treat conditions such as nausea, vomiting, gas and digestive disorders.
Taking chamomile extract is thought to be more effective than ginger in reducing nausea and vomiting caused by pregnancy.

However, pregnant women should exercise caution and consult their doctor before drinking chamomile tea as it may pose a risk to their pregnancy.

To make it, add 1 tablespoon (2g) of dried chamomile to 1 cup (240ml) of hot water and let it stew for 5-10 minutes.

Lipton Chamomile Gentle Herbal Infusion

Soothing

Fragrant

Pairs well with honey

Caffeine-free

 Lipton Chamomile Gentle Herbal Infusion
Buy From Shopee

#3 Honey Lemon Tea

Honey Lemon tea can fight nausea due to the citrusy aroma of lemon and the antibacterial properties of honey. The antibacterial properties of honey protect against infections that may cause nausea and its sweetness helps to balance out the sourness of the lemon.

Add 2 teaspoons (10ml) of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons (15ml) of honey to 1 cup (240ml) of hot water and stir well.

DOORAEONE Honey Lemon Tea

Improves skin tone

Excellent source of Vitamin C

Detoxifies the body

Filled with 100% selected Wildflower Honey

Caffeine Free

 DOORAEONE Honey Lemon Tea
Buy From Shopee

#4 Halba Tea

According to herbalists, fennel seeds are an effective digestive aid. It is known to soothe the muscles of the gastrointestinal system as well as reduce gas, bloating and stomach cramps.

A study previously done on 80 women found that taking capsules with 30 mg of fennel before menstruation helped to reduce symptoms such as nausea and weakness.

You can make fennel tea by adding 1 teaspoon (2g) of dried fennel seeds to 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water, then letting it rest for 5-10 minutes before straining.

Traditional Medicinals, Organic Mother’s Milk Tea, Fennel & Fenugreek

Boosts women’s health

Promotes healthy breastfeeding

Made from organic materials

 Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother’s Milk Tea Fennel & Fenugreek
Buy From Shopee

#5 Mint Tea

Mint tea is actually one of the most popular teas used in treating stomach aches and nausea. Mint tea is often cited as a good solution for many common ailments associated with pregnancy.

It is specifically known to be a natural remedy for overcoming nausea and vomiting, as well as relieving heartburn.

Mint tea bags are readily available at most grocery stores and online platforms. Alternatively, you could also make it yourself by soaking 10-15 crushed mint leaves in 1 cup (240ml) of hot water for 10-15 minutes.

Ahmad Tea Peppermint & Lemon

20 foil-coated sachets

The cooling mint is topped with a little lemon

Each box includes 20 tea bags with hanging labels wrapped separately in foil to retain aroma and flavour

Caffeine-free

 Ahmad Tea Peppermint & Lemon
Buy From Shopee

We hope this helps!

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

Natural Remedies For Morning Sickness

Read more:

Morning sickness tummy-friendly food guide

Read more:

3 yummy, easy-to-create Chinese recipes for morning sickness


Worried About Swollen Feet During Pregnancy? Use Compression Socks Instead!

Throughout pregnancy, a woman will find that her body changes dramatically. These changes are a way to support the growth of the baby. Through this, many women complain of swollen feet, and an easy way to relieve the swelling is by wearing the best
compression socks
.

The problem of swollen feet may seem daunting, but if it is not accompanied by high blood pressure, you need not worry too much.

However, if swelling persists to the point where varicose veins arise, it’s time to start wearing compression socks, but be aware of these various characteristics, to help you choose the right pair!

Features of High-Quality and Best Compression Socks

Wearing compression socks will help prevent the development of varicose veins, which are unpleasant and can be associated with symptoms such as pain, itching, burning or cramping.

There are several types of compression socks to choose from, so here are some features to aid you in choosing the perfect pair:

Compression rates:
 The most common compression socks are found at light compression levels (8-15 mmHg), moderate (15-20 mmHg), firm (20-30 mmHg), X-Firm (30-40 mmHg). Usually, pregnant women can only wear the moderate compression socks that are sold on the market, but you can always check with your doctor beforehand.

According to the size of one’s foot,
compression socks should fit tightly
 yet not compromise comfort.

If you experience swelling only at the ankle, knee-high socks will suffice
. However, if the swelling extends to the top of the knee or higher, consider longer compression stockings or pantyhose.

Fabric:
 Thick fabric is much more durable than thinner fabric, and is ideal for post-surgery. Sports and casual compression socks are ideal for daily wear after surgery.

Lastly, it is extremely important to choose socks that are easy to wear, and comfortable!

6 Best Compression Socks

#1 Miracle Copper Anti-Fatigue Compression Socks

Miracle Copper Socks use copper fibre and has a mild compression rate (8-15 mmHg), serving to soothe swollen feet, improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and help relieve pain.

What we like:

Compression rate
: 8-15 mmHg

Sock length
: Knee-high

Material
: 84% Nylon, 10% CuTEC Copper Nylon, 7% Lycra Spandex.

Reduces swelling

Improves blood circulation

Revives tired feet

Controls odour

Relieves pain

 Miracle Copper Anti-Fatigue Compression Socks
Buy From Shopee

#2 EBENE Bio-Ray Compression Socks

This product uses Bio-Ray Technology, designed to improve blood circulation and oxygen in veins, which helps reduce fatigue in the legs.

EBENE’s socks come in free size and are suitable for those who have to stand or sit for long periods of time.

What we like:

Compression rate
: Moderate (15-20 mmHg)

Sock length
: Knee-high

Material
: 80% Microfiber Nylon

Promotes blood circulation and oxygen in veins

Relieves pain and pressure on the feet

 EBENE Bio-Ray Compression Socks
Buy From Shopee

#3 Findcool Medical Compression Pantyhose Open Toe

These pantyhose from Findcool are made of high-quality Nylon, making them extremely comfortable and sweat-absorbent.

It has toe openings and is of waist length to increase comfort levels for the wearer. They are also machine-washable!

What we like:

Compression rate
: Firm (23-32 mmHg)

Sock Length:
 Waist level (pantyhose)

Material
: 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex

Comfortable and of good breathing space, flexible

Helps support muscles and relieve tensions in the knee, calves and feet

Promotes blood circulation, reduces fatigue and reduces venous diseases

 Findcool Medical Compression Pantyhose Open Toe
Buy From Shopee

#4 Maternity Therapy Compression Socks

If you are searching for colourful socks, you are bound to love these ones! Its eye-catching patterns are accompanied by the amazing function of relieving foot pain.

This product can also improve blood circulation, thus effectively reducing swelling in the legs of pregnant women.

What we like:

Compression rate:
Firm (20-30 mmHg)

Sock length:
Knee-high

Material
: Nylon

Soothes feet, reducing pain and swelling

Helps reduce pain by increasing blood circulation

Can be worn with all types of shoes

Comfortable design, suitable for long distances

 Maternity Therapy Compression Socks
Buy From Shopee

#5 Mediortho Anti-Embolism

MEDIORTHO Anti-Embolism Stockings (TED) are 18 mmHg compression stockings commonly used in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in hospitalized patients, and for other use, as directed by physicians.

This product is clinically proven to reduce and prevent the formation of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

What we like:

Compression rate:
Moderate (18 mmHg)

Sock length:
Above the knee

Material:
80% Nylon, 20% Spandex

Suitable for before and after surgery

Prevents DVT

 Mediortho Anti-Embolism
Buy From Shopee

#6 Copper Infused Zipper Compression Socks

The Copper Infused Zipper Compression Socks are made to stabilize and support muscles and joints, as well as reduce swelling, improve blood circulation, control odour and help relieve pain.

The zipper is easy to use, and the socks are soft with a comfortable amount of breathability. The product is made with nylon and spandex to ensure maximum comfort.

What we like:

Compression rate:
Moderate (15-20 mmHg)

Sock length:
Knee-high

Material:
 Nylon and Spandex

Reduces varicose vein problems, swelling, edema, lymphedema, superficial thrombophlebitis

Helps refresh tired feet

Promotes blood circulation

Durable zip

Comfortable

 Copper Infused Zipper Compression Socks
Buy From Shopee

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theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

Feeling Tired Lately? Here Are Some Food & Drinks To Increase Your Energy Quickly!


Usher in the Lunar New Year at With Celebrations at Sunway Putra Mall

Tong-tong-tong-chiang!

Chinese New Year is around the corner. The time of the year where auspicious greetings fill the air, homes are cleaned and decorated, debts are settled, and reunions with friends and family are held every day.

From 7th January to 20th February 2022, head on over to Sunway Putra Mall to welcome the Year of the Tiger at the Main Concourse, Ground Floor where #100Blessings and larger-than-life 福 ‘Fú Chinese character makes a festive environment to be in. The auspicious red lanterns are instantly captivating and adoring the main structure is a sight to behold.

Here are 6 activities happening during the Lunar New Year at Sunway Putra Mall

#1 Wonder-Fu Blessings Augmented Reality (AR)

Sunway Putra Mall is incorporating a digital element to this year’s Chinese New Year celebration
–
 a special online to offline experience. Shoppers can scan a special QR code and customize a special Chinese New Year greeting to be shared with their family and friends and they will be rewarded with 300 Sunway Pals points at the Sunway Pals Booth, GF.

#2 Wonder-Fu Room

Don’t miss the chance to take incredible photos at the Wonder-Fu Room. The entire room and swing are wrapped with phrases of Chinese blessings, creating a chance for that perfect photo.

#3 Festive Bazaar and Home & Living

No Lunar New Year celebration is worth celebrating without festive essentials! Make your way towards the Festive Bazaar at Main Concourse & East Wing, GF where an array of fashion apparels, snacks, cookies, hampers and more are available.

Take the chance to spruce up your home in time to receive visitors by visiting Home & Living Roadshow by Niki Cains Home at East Wing, Level 2.

Fill your mouth with Chinese delicacies at F&B outlets such as Zhia Kitchen, Go Noodle, Dolly Dim Sum, Simple Life, and more!

# 4 Weekend Specials

Catch all the performances during weekends and on Public Holidays until 13 February 2022. See if you can catch the God of Prosperity for extra blessings as he gives out attractive vouchers and gold coin chocolates.

Also, catch the lion dance performances and 24 Season Drums performances. Kids can take part in the Kids Workshops at the Edutainment Hub, Level 4 with Chinese Calligraphy Workshop, Paper Cutting Art and more. Indeed a celebratory time for the whole family! Check out their Wonder-Fu Activities schedule
here
!

#5 Wonder-Fu Calligraphy Competition

What is Chinese New Year without some calligraphy? Show off your calligraphy skills by joining the Wonder-Fu Calligraphy Competition on 22 January 2022, 2 pm – 4 pm.

If you are 13 and above, register
here
 before 19 January 2022 and stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM3,000!

#6 Wonder-Fu Redemptions

When you shop and dine-in at Sunway Putra Mall, get rewarded! In the spirit of spreading Lunar New Year joy and happiness, we want to pour out #100Blessings on our Sunway Pals members.

Tier 1 – Wonder-Fu Angpow Set

Spend RM200/ RM100* in TWO (2) receipts to redeem.

Tier 2 – Blooming Candy Box

Spend RM350/ RM300* in TWO (2) receipts to redeem.

Tier 3 – Blooming Gold Charm/ Pendant

Spend RM1,800/ RM1,500* in FIVE (5) receipts to redeem.

*Exclusively for Sunway Pals members only.

Stay Safe This Chinese New Year!

As we create memories together this Lunar New Year, remember to always prioritize your safety. Sunway Putra Mall only allows fully vaccinated shoppers to enter. However, children of 17 years and below are allowed to enter the mall accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents.

Remember to always follow the SOPs set by the government such as monitoring physical distancing, sanitizing hands regularly, and wearing face masks so that everyone can enjoy the #100Blessings together this Chinese New Year.

For more information on #100Blessings at Sunway Putra Mall, visit the website at
https://www.sunwayputramall.com/100-blessings
, check out their
Facebook page
 or call 03-2786 9300.

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 m
ore:

10 Fun Facts About Chinese New Year

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All You Need To Know About Spotting During Pregnancy

There are a variety of reasons for spotting during pregnancy. Some of them are severe, while others aren’t. Spotting can happen at any time during pregnancy and in fact, is typical in the first trimester. However, it does not always indicate a serious condition.

Let’s take a look at spotting, what causes it and the treatment available.

What is spotting during pregnancy?

Spotting refers to extremely mild vaginal bleeding that occurs during pregnancy or between cycles.

Light and brown spotting is common, but severe spotting can be red.

Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels

What causes spotting?

Spotting can be caused by various reasons and is related to how long you have been pregnant. Let’s take a look at spotting in each trimester.

Spotting during pregnancy 1st trimester

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates
15 to 20% of pregnant women suffer bleeding in the first trimester
.

According to research,
spotting is most prevalent in the sixth and seventh weeks of pregnancy
. However, it wasn’t always an indication of a miscarriage, or that something isn’t right.

A variety of factors can cause spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy:

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilised egg attaches itself outside the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can cause light to severe vaginal bleeding.

It is often accompanied by other symptoms like pelvic discomfort, fainting, rectal pressure and pain in the abdomen.

A medical emergency might arise if an ectopic pregnancy is left untreated. Prompt treatment lowers your risk of ectopic pregnancy problems, enhances your odds of future healthy pregnancies, and lowers future health risks.

Implantation bleeding

Implantation bleeding may happen 6 to 12 days after conception. It’s thought to be an indication that the embryo is settling into the uterine wall.

Not everyone experiences this phenomenon, but it’s generally one of the earliest signs of pregnancy for those who do.

Depending on how long the blood has taken to leave the body, you may notice various hues. The colour of the implantation bleeding ranges from pale pink to dark brown.

Because it’s simply mild spotting, it’s not like your typical period. You won’t need a tampon or a sanitary pad because you won’t be bleeding enough.

Implantation bleeding can persist anywhere from a few hours to three days and will eventually stop on its own.

Miscarriage

Miscarriages are most common during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you know you’re pregnant and are experiencing brown or bright crimson blood with or without cramping.

You may also have the following symptoms after a miscarriage: weight loss, mild or extreme back pains, cramps, and vaginal discharge.

Having a miscarriage doesn’t mean you’ll have trouble getting pregnant again. It also doesn’t inherently raise your chances of having another miscarriage.

Spotting during pregnancy second and third trimester

Irritation of the cervix, commonly after intercourse or a cervical check, can produce light bleeding or spotting in the second trimester. This is a regular occurrence that typically does not warrant worry.

Another cause of bleeding in the second trimester is a cervical polyp. This is a cervical growth that is completely harmless. However, due to an increased number of blood vessels in the tissue around the cervix, you may have spotting.

If you have excessive vaginal bleeding, such as during a menstrual cycle, call your doctor immediately. Heavy bleeding in the second trimester might indicate a medical problem.

Here are some examples of possible issues you might face:

Placenta Previa

When the placenta lies low in the uterus and partially or fully blocks the entrance of the birth canal, this syndrome develops.
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In the late third trimester, placenta previa is highly uncommon, occurring in just one out of every 200 pregnancies. However, a bleeding placenta previa, which might be painless, is a medical emergency that has to be treated right away.

Premature labour

Late-pregnancy vaginal bleeding might be a sign that your body is preparing to give birth.

The mucus plug that covers the uterus entrance will pass out of the vagina a few days or weeks before labour begins, and it will generally contain small quantities of blood.

If you start bleeding and experiencing signs of labour before the 37th week of pregnancy, see your doctor right away since you may be experiencing premature labour.

Vasa Previa

The growing baby’s blood arteries in the umbilical cord or placenta straddle the entrance of the birth canal in this highly unusual disease.

Vasa previa is very dangerous for the infant because the blood veins might burst apart, causing severe bleeding and oxygen deprivation.

Abnormal foetal heart rate and heavy bleeding are other indications of vasa previa.

How long does spotting last in early pregnancy?

Although only approximately a third of pregnant women have implantation bleeding after conception, it is a common pregnancy symptom.

Implantation spotting usually lasts a few hours to a few days, although some women have reported implantation spotting lasting up to seven days.

How to stop spotting during pregnancy?

You should relax and call a gynaecologist because there are treatment options available for you. Do note that the source of your bleeding will determine your treatment.

These treatments include:

Rest, relax or take time off work.

Don’t do any hard lifting and strenuous activity.

Avoid having sex and douching during your pregnancy.

Don’t use tampons.

Drink lots of water to avoid being dehydrated.

You can also keep track of how many pads you’ve used and whether the bleeding is becoming worse or better.

Can constipation cause spotting during pregnancy?

Constipation doesn’t cause spotting during pregnancy. Many pregnant women have trouble going to the toilet because the enlarged uterus puts additional strain on the blood vessels in the lower belly. Constipation can be prevalent throughout pregnancy and after birth.

Bleeding with clots during pregnancy first trimester: is it normal?

Women can pass blood clots vaginally during pregnancy, which is a reasonable cause for anxiety. In addition, women may bleed during the first trimester of pregnancy due to implantation or miscarriage.

While not all occurrences of passing clots within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy indicate a loss, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is a cause for concern, so consult your gynaecologist if the problem persists.

When should I seek professional help?

Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

Call your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding in any trimester since this might indicate a problem. While it’s most probably nothing to worry about, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Your doctor may advise you to rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous exercise and travel.

You should also expect to have an ultrasound performed to determine the reason for your bleeding. Ultrasounds of the vaginal and abdominal regions are frequently combined as part of a comprehensive examination.

Final remarks

Spotting during pregnancy can be a scary experience for anyone. Please contact your doctor’s if you have any concerns. Being able to speak with your doctor about your symptoms may be highly reassuring throughout pregnancy.

To learn more about pregnancy, you can get more information
here
.

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

Pregnancy Concerns: Spotting

Read more:

Mum with placenta previa during pregnancy shares her trauma

Read more:

Symptoms Of Successful Implantation: How To Know If You’re Pregnant

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Teen stops schooling to follow K-pop idols

The 17-year-old who completed her O-level examination last year, told her mother that she wanted to take a break from her studies to concentrate on pursuing her favourite celebrities such as Korean boy band SHINee and K-pop icon Super Junior.

The girl’s 50-year-old mother, who only wants to be known as Chen, said that her daughter works multiple jobs to support her K-pop passion. She works as a sales girl, administrative assistant and had also distributed brochures on the streets.

Chen said that her daughter has spent about S$3,000 (RM9,177) to follow her favourite pop stars. She buys their merchandise and collectables.

“She would spend hundreds of dollars on specially-made posters of her idols,” she said.

Chen said that she has tried to advise her daughter into thinking of her future, but it all fell on deaf ears.

What are your thoughts on your teen taking a gap year before going to college/university? Share your thoughts and feelings in the comment section below.

Source:
Teen stops schooling for a year to follow her pop idols

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

Do you have unwanted acne appearing on your face or even on other parts of your body? Here are some of the best acne patches we recommend to remove those acnes!

During pregnancy, the surge in hormones may cause many physical changes to occur in a woman’s body.
These include weight gain, mood swings, and various skin problems such as dry or dull skin and even acne-prone skin.
Even though everyone has to deal with growing acne, not all medications on the market are suitable for pregnant women with acne.

In order to treat acne, many people use acne patches as it helps to shrink the acne and is an excellent alternative to using thick acne cream that will often cause the face to appear oily. What is the best acne patch product to treat acne?

How to Choose the Best Acne Patch

Acne patches come in several types, and they are all used to treat different problems. Some examples include medicated acne patches to treat papules, nodular or cystic pustule acne, non-medicated acne patches to treat acne and whiteheads, and microneedle acne patches for nodular acne problems or deep cysts.

However, not all acne patches are safe for you and your baby. Consuming large amounts of products containing retinol and retinoids, or benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid could potentially cause the newborn baby to have birth defects, and therefore should be avoided.

 If you are unsure about a product, consulting your doctor would be safest.

Since there are an array of acne patches on the market to choose from, along with so many considerations to think of, we have collated the 6 best acne patch products for you that are safe for you and your baby!

6 Best Acne Patch Products On The Market

Here are some pregnancy-friendly acne products that will help get rid of existing acne, prevent the growth of new acne and remove dark spots so that acne is not a cause of concern for you during your pregnancy!

#1 BREYLEE Acne Pimple Patch

Why it’s Good:

Formulated with hydrophilic colloid from Belgium, this ultra-thin, natural-looking acne patch is very comfortable on the skin.

This patch covers the entire surface of the acne, which prevents external pollutants from coming into contact with the acne, facilitating its healing. This affordable acne patch is also recommended to be used before makeup.

Features we love:

 Comfortable

 Made from natural ingredients such as tea tree extract

 Reduces inflammation, regulates oil secretion, soothes skin and accelerates wound healing

 Easy to use

 Suitable for various skin types

 BREYLEE Acne Pimple Patch
Buy From Shopee

#2 Purito All-Care Recovery CiCa-Aid

Why it’s Good:

Looking for a quick and easy way to remove your acne? The Purito All Care Recovery Cica-Aid is the right one for you!
It is formulated with Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid and Asiatic Acid which has been proven to soothe and extract inflamed stubborn acne.

This must-have product helps to reduce scarring and increase recovery time by creating a moist environment to remove the trapped sebum.

 It also acts as a waterproof barrier to protect the acne from external irritation.

Features we like:

 Anti-inflammatory effect for natural coverage

 Quick acne care without scarring

 Made from high quality hydrocolloids

 CICA care

 Purito All-Care Recovery CiCa-Aid
Buy From Shopee

#3 WATSONS Acne Patch

Why it’s Good:

Readily sold in many Watsons stores, these hydrocolloid patches effectively absorb secretions and protect the acne from dirt and other contaminants.

When wearing the Watsons Acne Patch, you do not have to worry about your appearance, since it is very small and thin and therefore not easily visible on your skin.

Features we like:

 Thickness of 0.04cm

 Waterproof

 Breathable

 Comfortable

 WATSONS Acne Patch
Buy From Shopee

#4 Mighty Patch Invisible – Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch

Why it’s Good:

This acne patch covers blemishes with a thin and invisible hydrocolloid protector. It absorbs purulent pimples, speeds healing and prevents the growth of pimples, ensuring that there are no more red spots.

As a non-medicated patch that is not clearly visible during the application, you can even apply concealer on it!

Features we like:

 Thin and light

 50% more absorbency than other brands

 Clear, matte, and tapered smoothly

 Easily blends with any skin color

 Comfortable

 Made with high quality medical grade hydrocolloid that gently removes the pus stuck in your whitehead

 Natural, non-irritating, and completely safe

 Prevents scarring and infection

 Comes with a stronger adhesive to ensure the patch stays

 Mighty Patch Invisible - Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch
Buy From Shopee

#5 NEXCARE Acne Patch

Why it’s Good:

NEXCARE Acne Patch is one of the most readily available products in the Malaysian market, especially in well-known pharmacies.

 It is safe to use on a variety of skin types and is a non-medicated product.
It is not only easy to use, as you only have to open the liner and apply it onto your dry skin, it also absorbs excess oil from the affected area.

Features we like:

 Gentle but effective

 Prevents scarring

 Works while you sleep

 Transparent and breathable

 Suitable for various skin types

 NEXCARE Acne Patch
Buy From Shopee

#6 Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

Why it’s Good:

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch is a hydrocolloid patch that prevents secondary infections during healing.

 It also provides intensive treatment for the smallest problem areas while protecting the skin from external contaminants.

These dermatologist-approved acne stickers are safe to use during pregnancy and lactation!

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Read more
:
5 Secret Steps To Getting Dewy Skin Like Koreans


Choline: the often-overlooked crucial nutrient for pregnant mums

Pregnant mums often think that taking a prenatal supplement provides them with all the nutrients a growing baby needs. But that may not be the case when it comes to one critical nutrient: choline.

Pregnancy is a time when demand for choline is high.
Most prenatal supplements contain a low amount of
choline,
1
 leaving many pregnant women without enough of it. In fact, choline still remains important
after
pregnancy, during lactation – and even then, lactating mums might miss out of getting enough of this nutrient. This can have a critical effect on your health and your child’s development.

Why is choline so important? And how can you get enough of this this essential nutrient during pregnancy and when breastfeeding? We’ll tell you why here – and what you can do about it.

What Is Choline?

Choline
 is an essential nutrient which is grouped together with B-vitamins due to their similar functions.
2
 Like folic acid, it protects growing babies against neural tube defects and supports brain development.
3
 This influences lifelong memory and learning functions.

Your liver can make small amounts of choline.
3
 However, intake from food is necessary to meet your body’s – and your developing baby’s – demand for the nutrient.

Why You Need Choline During Pregnancy

1. To replenish choline stores

Choline demand is high during pregnancy because mums deliver a large amount of choline across the placenta to the foetus.

The placenta is unique as it is one of the few non-nervous tissues to store large amounts of choline as acetylcholine. Some experts believe that this is a reserve storage pool that ensures delivery of choline to the fetus. Incredibly, choline concentration in amniotic fluid is ten times greater than that in maternal blood.
4

2. For proper placental function

Did you know that pregnant moms grow a whole new organ in pregnancy – the placenta – that is essential for a healthy pregnancy? Dietary choline is one crucial nutrient needed for proper placental development and function, a process known as placental angiogenesis. Specifically, higher
dietary intake of choline
 may improve signaling mechanisms responsible for placental angiogenesis – ensuring that exchanges between mother and foetus are at their best.
5

3. To prevent preeclampsia

Choline may also alleviate cases of preeclampsia
, a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure. If preeclampsia is not diagnosed or controlled, it could severely affect the health of both mummy and developing baby.
6

4. For DNA formation and stress regulation

In pregnant women, choline plays a critical role in two important fetal development areas. Higher maternal
choline intake alters gene methylation
 (a process that is crucial in forming DNA) and the expression of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone, a key regulator in stress response. This suggests that low levels of maternal choline intake may have an adverse effect on maternal and foetal responses to stress
1
.

5. Vital role in foetal brain development

You may have heard of the brain building benefits of DHA in milk. Choline too plays an important role in foetal brain development – in fact, it works in synergy with DHA.
Studies
 have found that these benefits are enhanced with combined choline and DHA supplements during normal pregnancy.  Together, they help develop foetal hippocampal neurodevelopment (responsible for enhanced memory function and development) better than choline or DHA alone.
7

Choline Intake Beyond Pregnancy

The importance of choline continues post-pregnancy. Large amount of choline is transferred during lactation and this means that breastfeeding mums too need choline in their diet to replenish their body stores
1
.

Do You Have Choline Deficiency?

Mums, now that you are aware of the high demand of choline during pregnancy and lactation, how much choline do you actually need?

As pregnant women are at greatest risk of choline inadequacy, with 90-95% consuming less than the recommended adequate intake (AI)
8
, the US Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women consume 450mg of choline per day. The demand for choline is even higher for breastfeeding moms at 550mg per day
9
.

What could happen when you don’t get enough choline? In cases of choline deficiency, fat accumulates in the liver and may lead to liver disease. This may show up as elevated ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and reduced VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) levels in the blood. A choline deficiency can also cause elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine – linked to early development of heart disease
10
.

Sources of Choline

In a nutshell, pregnant and lactating mums need to bank more choline to ensure they have sufficient stores of this essential nutrient.

Here are some examples of how much choline-rich food
11
 you should eat to meet your AIs of this important nutrient:

BOILED EGGS (1 boiled egg, 50g = 146.9mg choline)

Eggs have always been unbeatable when it comes to breakfast recipes. To fulfill your daily choline needs, take three eggs per day during pregnancy and four eggs per day if you are breastfeeding.

BROCCOLI (1 bunch broccoli, 608g = 113.7mg choline)

Broccoli is a great source of choline, and you can munch on this healthy vegetable during mealtimes or as a snack. To get the recommended choline levels, take four to five heads of broccoli if you are pregnant or lactating.

TOFU (1 piece, 13g = 13.8mg choline)

Yes, that’s right: You have to eat at least a plate of 33 pieces tofu to meet your daily dose of choline during pregnancy and 40 pieces tofu while breastfeeding.

However, if you are unable to eat these foods in the recommended quantities, or you do not eat a diet containing milk, meat, eggs, or other choline-rich foods, then, you should consider a dietary supplement that is enriched with choline, to help meet your increased needs of this nutrient.

Replenish Your Choline Needs

Enfamama A+ is an everyday nutritional milk supplement scientifically formulated to support the increased nutritional needs of both mum and developing baby during pregnancy and lactation. Compared to other maternal & lactating milk supplements, Enfamama A+ contains the highest level of choline
▲
.

When it comes to replenishing your choline needs, only Enfamama A+ meets more than 100% of the required choline intake for pregnant and lactating mums
.

Enfamama A+ also helps provide these
essential nutrients
 while supporting appropriate weight gain:

100mg DHA in 2 servings/day to help meet expert recommended daily DHA intake
•

High in folic acid that is essential for growth and division of cells

Calcium aids in the development of strong bones and teeth

Iron is a factor in red blood cell formation

Prebiotic (inulin) helps increase intestinal
bifidobacteria
 and helps maintain a good intestinal environment

Lower in fat: 80-82%
*
 less fat than full cream milk

Including Enfamama A+ in your diet is a great way to help meet your choline requirements, plus you’ll also be receiving a host of other nutritional benefits.

For more information about Enfamama A+, visit the

Enfamama A+ website
.

References:

1
 Zeisel SH. 2013. Nutrition in pregnancy: the argument for including a source of choline. Int J Womens Health. 5:193-199

2
Bonetti F et al. 2017. Nutrition and functional foods for healthy aging. Academic Press:139-158

3
Wikipedia. 2018. Choline. Available on
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choline

4
 Steven H Zeisel. 21 August 2006. Choline: Critical Role During Fetal Development and Dietary Requirements in Adults. Annual Review of Nutrition, Vol. 26:229-250.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.26.061505.111156
,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2441939/

5
Xinyin Jiang, Sara Jones, Benjamin Y. Andrew, Anita Ganti, Olga V. Malysheva, Natasa Giallourou, Patsy M. Brannon, Mark S. Roberson, Marie A. Caudill. 16 December 2013. Choline inadequacy impairs trophoblast function and vascularization in cultured human placental trophoblasts. Journal of Cellular Physiology.

6
 Xinyin J et al. 2013. A higher maternal choline intake among third-trimester pregnant women lowers placental and circulating concentrations of the antiangiogenic factor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT1). The FASEB Journal.
27(3):1245-53. Doi
10.1096/fj.12-221648
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195033

7
Rajarethnem et al. 2018. Combined Supplementation of Choline and Docosahexaenoic Acid during Pregnancy Enhances Neurodevelopment of Fetal Hippocampus.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28210506

8
 Chetham CL. 2014. Mechanisms and correlates of a healthy brain: A commentary in Monographs of the society for research in child development. 79(4):153-65

9
 Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. 1998. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

10
 Sha w et al. 2010. Metabolomic profiling can predict which humans will develop liver dysfunction when deprived of dietary choline. FASEB J. 24(8): 2692-2975

11
 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2018. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Available on
ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/

•
For adult pregnant and lactating females, the minimum intake for optimal adult health and for fetal and child development is 300mg/d EPA+DHA, of which at least 200mg should be DHA. FAO 2010. Fats and fatty acid in human nutrition. Report of an expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper no. 91. FAO:Rome.

▲
Compared to other key maternal milk brands in the market as of Sept 2017. Enfamama A+ Choline levels: 560mg per 100g powder

*80% (Chocolate) – 82% (Vanilla) less fat than full cream milk

MYS-01/11P16/18351

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5 Biggest Parenting Mistakes You Make That Will Destroy Your Relationship with Your Children

No parent is perfect. In some ways, parents can make mistakes that can hurt their children. However, there are some damaging things that parents do can cause long-term problems for children as well as damage a parent’s relationship with their child.

5 Damaging Things Parents Do That Affect Their Relationship with Their Child

Exposing them to distressing news at a young age

Nowadays, media thrives on sensationalism. Everywhere you look, you’ll see distressing news about the wars that are going on, and different types of human tragedy.

While kids should know the reality of the world, they should be exposed to these things only when they have enough understanding of what’s really happening. It can frighten them and make them feel that the world is not a safe place to be.

Try and avoid such conversations in front of your kids, and monitor their exposure to television, the internet, and media so you can limit their exposure to negativity while they’re young.

Fighting with their spouse

Even if you think that your child can’t hear you argue with your spouse, chances are that they have some semblance of what’s really going on as children are actually more perceptive than you might think. The best way to address issues with your spouse would be to do it calmly, and away from your children.

You can take a drive somewhere to sort things out calmly. Screaming and shouting won’t do anyone any good. If your children see you fighting with your spouse often, they might think that it’s normal and accepted behaviour, and they might behave that way when they have their own families.

Too busy to have time for their children

Nowadays, parents have to juggle a lot of things to balance their family life as well as their work. Which is why most parents never realised that puting your work first somehow is damaging things with your children.

However, work shouldn’t be an excuse to not have time for your kids. Spending a few hours each day to just be with your kids is more important than finishing that proposal or nailing that deal you’ve been working on for months.

Remember, your kids won’t be kids for long; you don’t want to miss anything during that stage of their lives.

Insulting their children

You should never insult your children, regardless of how angry you are. Children hang on to each and every word that you tell them, and they’ll take it with them until they grow up.

If you always tell your children that they’re failures and they’re bad people, they will grow up like that. Whenever you’re disciplining your child, make sure to talk to them calmly and set expectations for their behaviour.

Always use positivity when disciplining your child. They’ll thank you for it in the future.

Hitting or hurting their children physically

This is one thing that you should never do to your kids. Hurting them physically then you’re teaching them that hitting is acceptable behaviour. You can be firm in disciplining your kids without resorting to hitting them.

Set boundaries by being kind, gentle, respectful, and firm. Always be calm and understand that children don’t always know the consequences of their actions.

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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Mum Warns Of Bouncy Castle Dangers After Toddler Fractures Her Arm

Just how safe are bouncy castles for little children? This mum’s recent Facebook post highlights bouncy castle dangers, and what can go so terribly wrong.

Mum Warns Of Bouncy Castle Dangers

Mummy Joanna Shen had a harrowing experience at the recently concluded Art-zoo. For those who don’t know, Art-zoo is the largest animal-themed inflatable playground in Singapore. This year, it was held at the
[email protected]
 Bay from 9 March -1 April 2018.

Joanna writes that the incident happened on 23 March 2018, “On that fateful March 23rd Friday, I decided to bring my elder girl out for an evening of fun since the weekend had approached. Since my hubby was busy at work, I went along with my mum, sis and her boyfriend.”

“Mum, my girl and I went in first as my sis and boyfriend wanted to grab some food at the food stations outside.”

After 10 minutes, mummy and daughter decided to try out the bouncy slide, “We came to the bouncy slide which was the only slide there. My daughter was filled with excitement to try that out and so we decided to join a short queue for it.”

Joanna stresses that there were no height restrictions or other rules mentioned.

“I was trying to look for any height restrictions at that time likewise with all other Theme Parks that placed that at all the different rides that is deemed to be only safe for children above 1.2 m. But there was NONE at #Artzoo.”

Toddler gets badly hurt at bouncy slide

Apparently, the staff did not warn about risks posed to little children either.

“The only thing he told me while I was carrying my Daughter was “Have fun!”. No other questions were asked.”

“Thinking that it should be safe since #Artzoo seemed relaxed with the safety regulations, I decided to let my Daughter try it out. Since it is a “bouncy” slide, it should be a soft landing even if she were to fall right?? Boy, I was so wrong!”

“This was one of the worst decision that I had ever made in my entire life! And a haunting one too!!”

When they reached the top of the slide though, they were informed that mummy and daughter had to slide separately.

“I let my Daughter go down the slide first. Halfway through, she tumbled and landed on her back and started to cry. I immediately rolled myself down the slide, carried her up and walked away as she was wailing uncontrollably saying “Pain pain.. no more slide..no more slide..”!”

“I checked for injuries and to my horror, I felt her limp left arm dangling from the flesh from the upper arm!”

The distraught mummy was in the brink of tears and ran immediately to call the staff to get an ambulance to go to hospital.

Had to be rushed to hospital

Mummy Joanna was extremely disappointed by the lack of arrangements at the event in case of medical emergencies.

“To my surprise, there was NO medic available and I was brought to a rest station and handed 2 packs of MELTED ice packs to put on my daughter’s arm! One of the staff said he had called a GRAB to send us to SGH, the nearest hospital he mentioned.”

However SGH’s A&E were unable to handle the case, as the child was below 3. They requested that the child be taken to KK hospital instead.

“I could not let my distressed Daughter wait further and asked for an ambulance to send us but they mentioned that it will require 30 min to get an ambulance. Again, we had to call for a taxi to rush to KKH.”

PHOTO: FACEBOOK / JOANNA SHEN

“KKH was prompt and immediately prioritised my Daughter for X-ray and cast before carrying out a surgery requiring GA (anaesthesia) the next morning.”

“Which is why my Daughter ended up with 2 wires sticking out of her left arm to hold the bones together. And will have to continue to have the cast for more than a month! She was hospitalised for 3 days.”‘

Disappointed by handling of the incident

Joanna is also disappointed that the event organisers made only feeble efforts for compensation.

“During the entire ordeal at the hospital, a staff claiming he is a manager for #Artzoo called and mentioned to me to keep my hospital bills and that they will settle it with their insurers BUT that was the last I heard from them about paying for my hospital bills.”
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She is most hurt though, by the lack of safety precautions, which caused her little child to get badly hurt.

“While I do not require any compensation, is that how we should be treated when my Daughter had to suffer for her fall because there were no safety measures that was put in place??”

“Sure, accidents happen and as parents we have the responsibility to make sure our kids are safe BUT having NO medic, giving us MELTED ice packs, NO ambulance to standby during an event which is meant for kids to play?”

We hope the little girl recovers soon, and is back to her happy, playful self.

theAsianparent reached out to Art-Zoo. Here is their response on the incident:

“We are aware of the incident that has happened within the Art-Zoo premises, and have reached out directly to the family. The well-being of every visitor is important to us and our priority now is to see how best to assist, and we are resolving the matter privately with the family. Our current focus is on them at this moment.”

Here is Joanna’s full post on Facebook:

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Nutricia AptaGro Is Finally Here In Malaysia! Here What Happened Over The Weekend That You Need To Know

Malaysian mums witnessed the launch of Nutricia AptaGro by Danone Dumex over the weekend. Hosted by local celebrity and mum of four, Daphne Iking, the crowd was ushered into the start of the event with quirky anecdotes about her kids.

Guests were also treated to an educational video about the new growing up milk formula and testimonials from real mums.

Nutricia AptaGro was officially launched with a launch gambit, presented by Denis Phelps, Acting Country Manager of Danone Dumex Malaysia; Guillaume Lorcy, Marketing Director of Danone Dumex Malaysia; Normalis Mohd-Sharif, HR Director of Danone Dumex Malaysia; Frederic Lebas, Operations Director of Danone Dumex Malaysia; and Elspeth Hindle, Healthcare Nutrition Director of Danone Dumex Malaysia.

Time for fun and games

Excited families gathered to experience the introduction of the new growing up milk formula at Desa Park City on a bright and sunny Saturday morning.

During the fun-filled morning, kids were invited to push their physical limits by trying out The Resilience Challenge.

Starting with the Crane of Resourcefulness, the tots were given control over a pint-sized crane to dig into a sand pit. After which, they would be required to cross over the River of Perseverance, testing their ability to hold onto the mini Flying Fox the full distance.

The brave ones would go on to cross the Bridge of Daringness, before advancing to the Maze of Adaptability, where they would have to find their way out of.

Finally, they would climb up the Hill of Self-Reliance, guided by rock climbing grips, then sliding down to the finish line!

The kids also got to sample the new AptaGro milk during the event, which was being handed out by friendly Danone Dumex staff.

Sporting looks of content after all the fun and games, as well as a nice big gulp of the milk, the kids were ready to go for another round of The Resilience Challenge.

Nutricia AptaGro

AptaGro is Danone Dumex’s most advanced growing up milk formula to date, with a vision for parents to raise resilient children.

Resilience is the most important key to success in raising future-ready children in this fast-moving world. Gone are the days where parents are overprotective over their kids and shelter them from the ways of the world.

“The art of raising children now goes beyond providing them food and education. We need to expose them to the world so they can build resilience. And for this, their body needs to be ready,” says Denis Phelps.

For this, parents must too have resilience, adds Daphne Iking in her opening speech.

Nutricia AptaGro contains ActiveDuoBio+ and other essential nutrients for children to enhance their physical and learning development.

The growing up milk formula is packed with an internationally-patented combination of prebiotics GOS/IcFOS (9:1) and probiotic B.
breve
 M-16V, boosting good bacteria in your child’s body.
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The advanced formula also has the highest DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) level*.

*Compared to other growing up milk brands in the market as of Feb 2018. AptaGro contains 89.7mg/100g of DHA.

It is now available for online purchase on Lazada, as well as in Tesco, selected AEON, Cold Storage, Village Grocer, and Ben’s stores. You can also find Nutricia AptaGro at selected Chinese medical halls and baby stores.

For more information about AptaGro, visit
www.aptagro.com.my
 and check out the official AptaGro Facebook page
here
.

Read more:

Does your toddler really need growing-up milk?

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Leukaemia in children: Mum shares important warning signs!

Never had the thought crossed this mummy’s mind that her child may be suffering from cancer… he was, after all, a very healthy child, who rarely caught a cold. Never once had he taken antibiotics.

Mummy Mary Anne Loh recently posted on Facebook
 about the day that changed her life forever…

How it first started

Mary writes about her son Ethan, “Ethan was a 100% breastfeed child, very healthy with almost zero to none sickness. No major fever, cough or flu whatsoever.”

“If he catches flu or cough bugs, he could self recover in less then 3 days with no medication. So literally he never had any medication in his life until D-DAY (Diagnosis Day)”

The troubles began in early 2015, and Mary elaborates on the first warning signs, “It all started early 2015, first major bout of flu & cough, followed with mild fever. 1st round it went off by itself in less then a week, no Dr visit as it wasn’t bad.”

“After 2 weeks of break it came back, this round it stayed longer & was a tad worse then the 1st round, took Ethan to a paeds near home, Dr confirmed lungs was clear, was only given PROSPAN & it went off after.”

“Ethan was normal, still active & a monkey.”

Soon, other symptoms started to surface, “Around mid Feb 3rd bout of flu & cough but no fever, it also went of in less then a week. Come March he started complaining pain under his armpit which I thought was from how I carry him sometimes. I keep a close eye, it came n went off in a few days.”

“Towards 3rd week of March the underarm pain came back again, this round he refused to lift his arm. And again it went off by itself.”

A worried Mary consulted many paediatricians, “From Jan to March I have taken him to paeds many times, for assurance although I was assured he was fine & partly growing pains.”

“Come April, I notice a little weight loss but he was still active & eating although at times complain of stomach discomfort which we all thought was gas as he was passing out gas a lot.”

Each time she was assured that everything was alright, “Paeds also assured nothing was “wrong” … honestly I can’t really see anything significantly wrong either … From Jan to April we did travel back to Penang for CNY & he was active, we even did railway trip to Ipoh which he was fine too although a little tired then usual.”

Even blood tests failed to reveal the truth, “Come May, leg pain started, he can’t walk long & always wanted to be carried. Stomach discomfort has become more frequent, weight loss became more significant. And again paeds assured he was fine, blood test which was done at paeds didn’t show anything either.”

“We had plans to go Disney on 23/5/15, however his leg pain has gotten from bad to worse on n off, some days he was ok & some days it was bad.”

And finally when Ethan’s leg pain refused to go away, Mary made a decision, “On 19/5/15 after our morning day out at the park I made an appointment later afternoon to see a Pediatric Orthopedic Dr Yong Su Mei at Park City Medical Centre.”

Dr. Yong suspected that something was wrong, “Xray was done & it was clear but our life saver Dr Yong was concerned about Ethan’s bloated stomach & noted that he was a little on the pale side. She then suggested & insisted & referred us to Pediatrician Dr Liew Pei Sze.”

“Dr Liew attempted to “touch & feel” Ethan’s tummy (actually was the spleen & liver) She ordered for a complete blood count to be done (CBC) … while waiting for the nurse to prepare.”

“I started googling … I gauged Dr Yong & Dr Liew facial expression along with what I find on google … my world was on a stand still …”

“It took “forever” for the blood result to be out, I called my close friend Ang SH, her precious angel battled leukemia before gaining his angel wings recently.”

“SooHsia tried to calm me, what are the odds of 2 good friends with their sons having leukemia? At 6:38pm of 19/5/15 DrLiew broke the news; WBC was at 24 (normal is 7, a bit higher if infection) Dr Liew said this; and yes I remember each word like it was yesterday!”

The doctor said, “”Mommy Ethan, from the blood test, I am sorry to say the probability of leukemia, a form of blood cancer is very high. Ethan’s platelet & hemoglobin is at a dangerous stage, we need him admitted & will transport him out by ambulance the next morning at 7am to SJMC.””

“”He needs both blood & platelet transfusion. He will be referred to Dr Chan, a paediatric hematologist & oncologist, they will do a bone marrow aspiration to finalize the type & to find out more. I’m so sorry Mommy Ethan, are you ok?””

Mary will never forget that day, “I was “never” ok after that day, how can I? So you see, symptoms varies & some takes a long time to surface.”

“Most of Ethan’s symptoms were very much associated with growing pains, most of the time they are actually.”

Finally, she has this message for all parents, “I don’t mean to give everyone a fright but awareness is REALLY VERY IMPORTANT!!! And if I had to talk about it daily for the rest of my life so be it, I will.”

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PHOTO: FACEBOOK / MARY ANNE LOH

Thank you, Mary for sharing this very important information, and creating awareness about the symptoms we so often overlook. It has been 2.5 years since Ethan started his treatment, and we are glad that he’s recovering well…

Leukaemia in children

Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. These abnormal and defective white cells crowd the bone marrow and flood the bloodstream.

As leukaemia progresses, the cancer interferes with the body’s production of other types of blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. This results in anaemia (low numbers of red cells) and bleeding problems, in addition to the increased risk of infection caused by white cell abnormalities.

Leukaemia is the most common type of cancer in children and teens.

With proper treatment though, most children with leukemia will be free of the disease without it coming back.

Symptoms of leukaemia in children include:

Fatigue or pale skin

Anaemia

Infections and fever

Easy bleeding or bruising, experiencing frequent nosebleeds, or bleeding for an unusually long time after even a minor cut, because leukaemia destroys the bone marrow’s ability to produce clot-forming platelets.

Extreme fatigue or weakness

Shortness of breath

Coughing

Bone or joint pain

Swelling in the abdomen, face, arms, underarms, sides of neck, or groin (swollen lymph nodes)

Swelling above the collar bone

Loss of appetite or weight loss

Headaches, seizures, balance problems, or abnormal vision

Vomiting

Rashes

Gum problems

(Source:
WebMD
,
KidsHealth
)

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