Ball pit dangers: Mum warns about drowning dangers at suspended ball pit

How unsafe can a ball pit get? A mum recently had the fright of her life at a newly opened suspended ball pit in Singapore. She took to Facebook to warn other parents of ball pit dangers at the area.

“There is a certain level of danger in the playground”, she says after her terrifying experience.

Singapore mum warns about ball pit dangers

Mummy Vivien Low who runs the blog “Beautiful Chaos”,
 shared on Facebook
, “Today I had the fright of my life.”

“We went to the newly opened Air Zone at City Square Mall.”

The attraction, which had a soft launch in January this year, is touted as the world’s first suspended net playground inside a shopping mall. The ball pit is suspended on the 3rd floor.

Vivien elaborates, “I was afraid of heights. But my boy
wanted to play.
 So I just went ahead. I thought the ball pit was the safest place of the 3 storey structure. But I was so wrong.”

“Not long into the play, I lost my balance in the ball pit and fell backwards. I could not reach the bottom and I could not stand up.
“

She recalls, “I tried to roll over, I couldn’t. I tried to find the net so I could grip it, I couldn’
t. My son was stuck inside too.

“I panicked and waved and screamed for help. None came. I seriously panicked and did not know what to do. (My helper stopped the video when she realised something was wrong and shouted for help too but none came).”

“I finally grabbed someone’s hand and managed to stabilise myself and stood up. And thereafter I pulled out my son, and 2 other kids: a boy and a girl. “

“It was then the staff came by to help me drag the kids out of the balls before I climbed out. The kids all went in alone. They were about 6-8 years old. The girl was crying and I think she went out after the
incident.”

Vivien says that the experience has left her terrified – she will not be going into the ball pit anymore. However, she will not stop her kids from doing so. She will make sure that her husband accompanies them.

“Just for info, the balls were up to about my armpits when I’m standing, and I’m 1.72m tall.”

Finally, she has this warning for all parents, “There is a certain level of danger in the playground and there is only so much the staff there can do. I appeal for you to go in with your kids.”

“Adult supervision needed. Lots of it.”

Her video has since then gone viral. Here it is:

Airzone apologises for the incident

Vivien’s post has met with mixed reactions from netizens, with many blaming her for over-reacting.

However, Airzone has apologised and clarified to The Straits Times, “It is a requirement at Airzone for children under the age of 7 to be accompanied by an adult.”

Currently, the pit holds about 40,000 balls. There are 2-3 trained staff on each level during peak time hours. Visitors have to attend a compuslory safety briefing before they can go inside.

Airzone said that they would be reviewing the safety measures, which includes the number of balls inside the pit. First-aid staff would also be trained to be quicker in their response.

Visitor feedback would be taken seriously. Other measures include making sure there are not more than 8 guests and staff members inside the pit at any point in time.

They are also considering reducing the slack of the nets to make the
pit shallower.

Mums and dads, what do you think of this incident? Have you had a similar experience? Do let us know.
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Single Sided Deafness And Why You Should Know About It!

Single-sided Deafness in hearing health influences a person’s emotional and physical health.
Hearing loss
, even in one ear, is associated with other problems which can range from balance to social and behavioural issues.

What is Single Sided Deafness (SSD)?

Single-Sided Deafness (SSD) or Profound Unilateral Hearing Loss refers to a condition where an individual has non-serviceable hearing in one ear and normal hearing in the other ear. A non-serviceable ear is defined as one with no usable hearing even with the use of a hearing aid. In an audiometry report, it is commonly referred to as profound hearing loss where an audiometry test is able to determine the degree of hearing loss.

What happens in SSD?

In the mechanism of hearing, sound waves travel through the outer ear to the middle ear, inner ear (cochlea), auditory nerve and eventually to the brain. In SSD, the damage is normally located at either the cochlea, or the auditory nerve. The injury at the outer ear and the middle ear, even to its maximal extent, will not cause SSD.

What causes SSD?

The causes of one-sided hearing loss could be as simple as impacted earwax, or as sinister as nasopharyngeal carcinoma or acoustic neuroma. There is no one specific cause but some possible ones include:

• Viral infection causes direct injury to the cochlea

• Blunt trauma to the head injure the inner ear structure

• Vascular insult decrease the blood supply to the cochlea

• Brain tumour e.g. acoustic neuroma

• Side effect of drugs affecting the inner ear or auditory nerve (ototoxicity)

• Congenital malformation of the inner ear

• Meniere’s disease

• Autoimmune disease

How is SSD detected?

An ENT doctor will normally perform a thorough examination but it is not uncommon to be unable to identify a cause in some situations. An MRI brain scan is always performed on adults to rule out acoustic neuroma, a benign tumour arising from the auditory nerve.

If you think you are experiencing one-sided hearing impairment (not only confined to SSD), please consult an ENT specialist as soon as you can. In a condition called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (sudden loss of hearing in one ear or both ear), if the treatment is delayed for more than two weeks from the onset of the symptoms, the hearing loss could turn permanent.

What happens to the senses of a person with SSD?

A patient with SSD will be able to hear with the good ear but will experience difficulty in localising the source of the sound. During a conversation, the patient will have a tendency to turn his or her head to direct the good ear towards the person who is speaking, in order to get a clearer sound. In a noisy environment, the person will find it hard to focus on a single person’s voice

How is SSD treated?

There are two ways to achieve binaural hearing – one is by rerouting the sound from the poor ear to the good ear, and the other is to restore the auditory function by inserting an implant. Rerouting the sound can be done through air (air conduction device) or through bone (bone conduction device).

For an air-conduction device, there is the CROS (contralateral routing of signal) system. The patient wears a behind-the-ear or in-the-ear device that mimics a hearing aid at both the ears.

The bone conduction system involves surgically implanting a device at the skull bone behind the non-serviceable ear. Alternatively, a person can use a stick-on bone conduction device which does not require surgery.

Restoring auditory function can only be achieved by performing surgery. There are two types of surgery – cochlea implant or brainstem implant, depending on the site of the lesion/damage. A cochlea implant bypasses the damage at the inner ear while a brainstem implant bypasses the damage at the inner ear and auditory nerve.

Single-Sided Deafness (SSD) is now listed as a disability by Malaysia’s Social Welfare Department (JKM).

In 2019, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) recognised SSD as a disability. The JKM registration form (pindaan 2/2019) is now available online at
JKM.

By DR CHAI CHIUN KIAN AND DR TANG MEE LING / SUNWAY MEDICAL CENTRE VELOCITY

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Financial Literacy For Children: Financial Conversations To Have With Your Kid

In most households, money is often deemed to be taboo dinner table topic, the same way how politics, religion, sex, or death were sometimes deemed to be taboo. Many parents are hesitant to broach the subject. Reasons given included that “money” related topics can only be discussed by adults, among adults.

But perhaps the real reason stems from the fact that we, as parents, often regard ourselves as being “not good with money.” It could be true, and it could explain why many of us are financially literate only after we entered the workforce in early adulthood. We learned from trial and error. Consequently, we think our knowledge of money is insufficient, and so we neglect to pass it down to our own children.

Financial literacy is the knowledge of how money works in the world. Not only adults, but children also need to learn how to make responsible and informed financial decisions. A
study
 by the University of Cambridge postulated that money habits in children are formed as early as by the time they’re 7 years old. At this age, they’ll eventually notice and are able to learn their parents’ spending habit. What your kids see you do is a lot more powerful than what they hear you say. Set a healthy example for them and they’ll be much more likely to follow it when they get older.

Five Most Important Financial Conversations To Have With Your Kid

1) People Get Paid For Their Work

Talk about your career. What do you do and why do you love what you do. How did you pick your career. Ask your child what s/he might like to do when s/he older. Whatever what they decide to be when they’re older, they will treasure their money much more if they understand the hard work that goes behind earning it.

2) Save Up If You Want To Buy Stuff

Children receive allowances as young as four. Parents should start giving kids allowance as soon as they can count money.
“The most basic tool for teaching your kids about money is by offering an allowance,”
 said Kathleen Grace, author of
Prince Not So Charming
. Talk to them about the idea of budgeting and saving. Ask them what do they want to buy with it; it can be a toy car or a Barbie doll of their choice. Make sure they use a clear jar when saving. Clear jars give kids a visual. When s/he uses a clear jar, s/he sees the money growing. Check how much the item costs and tell them how much they would need to save up before they can buy them.

3) How Does A Bank Work

Most children who watch their parents withdraw money from the ATM would find it hard to understand how does ATM or bank actually work. Most would probably think that anyone can just simply press a series of numbers on it and the money would freely come out of the ATM by itself. For a start, take her/him to the bank with the allowance that s/he has saved to buy the toy (step2). Open a savings account and deposit his/her the money s/he has saved. Then, open an online account and explain to them how online banking works.

4) Giving Back

Once they start making a little money, be sure to teach them about giving. Make them see that giving back is also an important part of life. You can start by telling them to sort through their old toys that s/he is no longer interested to play with and then decide which one to donate. In so doing, talk to them about charity and the importance of reaching out to others in their time of need.

5) Repercussions Of Impulse Buys

Kids know how to capitalise on the impulse buy; especially when it uses someone else’s money. Encourage your child to wait at least a day before they purchase anything over RM50, for instance. Parents must also be willing to stand by while their kids make poor money decisions with his or her money. Don’t be quick to swoop in, or they won’t learn a lesson. Alternatively, parents can also be open about their own personal money mistakes they’ve made in the past, too. Doing this allows you to lead by example.

Conclusion

Ultimately, to better improve how we teach our children about money, it’s crucial that we initiate a dialogue and talk about it. If your kids are old enough to ask you to buy them things at the store, they are old enough to start learning about money. The key is finding teachable moments to share with them how to handle money responsibly.

We as parents, should train good money habits in our kids from young. If you’re looking for a Financial Literacy workshop for kids,
MoneyTree Malaysia
 is the place to go!

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123.

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A Complete Guide to Mindfulness: Benefits, Techniques & More

Mindfulness is a major contributor to positive self-development. It covers a wide range of practices that can affect how you view yourself, how you interact with others, how you treat the environment, and more.

Yet, to many, mindfulness is just a vague term.

This guide will help you understand what mindfulness really is. Learn about the different ways you can practice and how to find relevant methods that work for you.

Mindfulness Techniques: Meditation

What is it, benefits, and how to practice mindfully

Meditation is an often recommended mindfulness technique available to everyone, regardless of demographics. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or are new to meditating, here’s how your meditation practise can become more mindful.

What Is Meditation

To find a meditation style that is suitable for your current state of mind.

Meditation is a skill that requires practice.

Thinking while meditating is not bad – it can in fact help train your mind to become more aware of your own thoughts.

The Benefits of Meditation

Here is a concise list that will make you want to start meditating immediately.

While there are many surprising things that happen when meditating, becoming a better listener is certainly one good reason to start!

Research has proven that the actual structure of your brain changes if you consistently meditate.

Burnouts in the workplace are worryingly common.

How To Practice Mindfulness Daily: Different Ways You Can Be Mindful

Nurture your body and mind

Now that meditating has been thoroughly covered, let’s focus on your body.

For almost two years now, Malaysians have been working from home. Did you know that your posture can affect your mood and health?

Speaking of being stuck at home. It’s a known fact that stress can lead to binge eating. Therefore, starting tiny habits to help create a healthier relationship with food is important. So is eating mindfully!

Exercising is a known mood booster. If you’re not mindful while training, however, you may injure yourself. Make sure to avoid mistakes while exercising.

For the female readers: learn about your menstrual cycle and how you can eat and work out to feel empowered while menstruating.

Mindful Relationships with Others

Foster healthy relationships with yourself and others

It’s easy to forget to be mindful when you’re surrounded by people you’re comfortable with. However, your words and your actions can have a lasting impact. Bringing mindfulness into your day-to-day interactions with others is key.

Also, the way others interact with you is not always an accurate reflection of how they feel about you. They may just be unaware of themselves and their words or actions.

Figure out your Attachment Style and then use this knowledge to understand how other people have different attachment styles from you

Seeing someone special? Here are 5 Ways To Be More Mindful In Your Relationship

If you’re a parent, this is how to Equip Your Child With Crucial Life Skills

Mindful Consumerism

Lifestyle changes and mindful gifts

The modern world applauds fast everything. Fast cars, fast food, fast fashion, etc. Unfortunately, consuming items produced quickly is usually harmful to the environment, those who produced the item, and to your body, too. Here is how to consume mindfully.

A Beginner’s Guide To Zero Waste Living and 5 Bulk Food Stores in Kuala Lumpur To Help You Get Into Zero-Waste Living

With Christmas around the corner,  instead of purchasing ‘one-time’ items this year, why not buy any of these 6 Mindful Gifts that will last longer than the Christmas season?

You are what you consume, so try to make it a habit to consume things that uplift your body, mind, & soul. Like these 12 Inspirational Books About Mindfulness

There’s More To Mindfulness

Becoming mindful is a lifelong journey. It’s about constantly re-assessing your internal dialogue, cultivating awareness of the way you interact with the world around you, and even the way others interact with you.

Yes, changing your lifestyle can be daunting. We’re here to help you remain relaxed throughout whatever changes you’re making to become more mindful. Improve your sleep, reduce stress, calm your body and mind.
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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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Baby Suffocated To Death In Childcare Centre, Caught On CCTV

When working mums go back to work, sometimes we don’t have a choice but to send our children to daycare. It is something we are reluctant to do as parents, but with little other choices, we proceed with entrusting our child into someone else’s care. But you might be wondering how to tell if a childcare centre is good.

Looking for the right childcare centre is one of the main concerns for parents who are going back to work. | Image source: iStock

We’ve heard so many horrifying stories lately on accidents and
mishaps in daycare centres
 that happened and it’s still happening globally.

Recently, an 11-month-old boy suffocated to death in a childcare centre in Taiwan. Reports say the babysitter is responsible for the baby’s death for hugging him to sleep.

According to
Taiwan News
, the babysitter was just trying to get him to sleep.
The 40-year-old woman told the police that he was an active baby, so she hugged him to coax him to take an afternoon nap.

How to tell if a childcare centre is good: Avoid accidents like this

She was seen wrapping her arms around the boy’s head and slinging her leg over his bottom as he laid on a sleeping mat.
With his face tucked against her body and being pinned down, the toddler can be seen trying to struggle free.

He tried to free himself of the sitter’s hold by wiggling his arms and body, but she continues to hold him in a tight embrace, giving little or no room to breathe.

How to tell if a childcare centre is good: Avoid accidents like this. The babysitter can be seen lying on top of the boy on CCTV. | Source: Asiaone

The babysitter only let go of the boy when he stopped moving after 19 minutes, to attend to other children. She did not seem aware that she had smothered him to death.

The motionless boy went unnoticed until a kitchen staff tried to wake him during snack time at 2 pm. By then, 40 minutes had gone by.
When she turned him over to his side, she discovered that his skin had turned purple and his body had become stiff. Alarmed, she hurriedly called for help and a nurse
performed CPR on the boy
.

It was too late

Paramedics arrived a few minutes later and rushed him to the nearest hospital, but it was already too late. He had stopped breathing and had no pulse.

The parents of the child were horrified with what they saw and demanded that the infant care centre provide them with justice.
The heartbroken mother told Taiwanese media that the babysitter had tried to apologise to the family, but it won’t bring back her only child.

The babysitter is currently being investigated for a case of negligent homicide.

Though we cannot prevent such accidents from happening, we can take precaution in choosing a proper and reputable childcare centre.

How to tell if a childcare centre is good

Image source: iStock

1. Find out how many staff members work at the childcare centre

Staff-child ratio is something that must be taken into serious consideration. In Singapore, according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the ratios range from one edu-carer to five infants, to one teacher to 25 kindergarten-age children. If a childcare centre has fewer than one carer to five infants, you should disregard that childcare centre and report them for negligence.

2. Inspect the childcare centre

When you visit the childcare centre, you will be able to see how they operate. Ensure hygiene standards are met. Make sure you are comfortable with the place before committing.

3. What are their communication practices

Some childcare centres offer you access to their CCTVs directly, while others send daily reports to you. Depending on which you are most at ease with, make sure communication practices are transparent and up to your expectations.

4. Read mummies reviews online

Other kiasu mummies out there will be happy to share their experiences with the childcare centre online. Pose a question in a group or ask your community of mummy friends for their reviews. This will give you a good idea on how good the place is.

*This article is from our archives.

SOURCE:
Taiwan News

Read also:

Just Stay at Home! 6 Edutainment Apps & Services to Keep Your Kids Learning

This article was first published on theAsianparent Singapore.

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Beautiful couples are more likely to have girls reveals study

Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. All these beautiful couples have one thing in common. All of them are parents of girls. Does this mean that beautiful couples have girls?

This common factor erects a step up into proving a study by Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa of the
London School of Economics.

The study’s hypothesis goes along a satirical yet controversial base. That beautiful people tend to have girls and the “not-so-beautiful” people tend to have boys.

Venus must be having such a good laugh at Mars right now.

What this study says

Since 1958, some 17 000 babies born in Britain have been followed for the study. All kinds of data about them have been gathered and analyzed. Dr. Kanazawa picked apart the numbers and found some interesting correlations.

At the age of 7, kids were rated by their teachers as either attractive or unattractive. Once these kids grew up and became parents, a correlation was gathered.

The subjects that were rated as “
attractive
” were more likely to have daughters than those who were rated as “unattractive”.

Kanazawa’s findings will be published in the Journal of Reproductive Sciences, along with his sketchy conclusions about evolution and mate selection, etc.

With a disproportionate number of girls springing forth from the loins of the attractive, this could apparently leave us with less than bountiful pool of attractive men to choose from.

A hypothesis is always accompanied with a risk that another research will sweep in to prove the theory wrong. The villain for this theory would be the statistics provided by Andrew Geltman, a statician at Columbia University.

He analyzed
People
magazines most beautiful celebrities’ issues from 1995 to 2000. He found that the people who made the list had more boy offspring.

This brings us to the celebrity couples who have boys. David and Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Giselle Bundchen. — All beautiful couples with boys.

We haven’t heard of the study covering any statistics and co relations on couples who have both boys and girls though. We’ll just have to wait for another theory to pop out about that then.

The best step to take now, is to laugh off this whole “beauty begets girls” theory.

What do YOU think? Do beautiful couples have girls, or boys?

Source: babble.com

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Do You Know What Kind Of Nutrition Your Child Really Needs?

Parents, we know that you’re always trying to find the best for your child, no matter the circumstance. There is no “rule” on what is best, of course.

After all, we know our children the best. But sometimes, we subconsciously shape our children’s eating behaviours and nutritional intake based on our preferences.

Find out what kind of
parenting style
 you are adopting, how that is affecting your child’s nutrition and what you can do to supplement their intake!

You can also stand a chance to get vouchers to buy the right formula for your kids, for up to 20% off by visiting this link
https://www.funwithnutrients.com

Don’t forget to get vouchers for up to 20% off by visiting this link
https://www.funwithnutrients.com
!

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What Your Cravings are Telling You

Craving is a strong desire for a certain kind of food. People crave differently. Some may crave for something sweet, salty, fatty, etc. Scientists believed that cravings can last for 3-5 minutes.

But, cravings also mean that your body is trying to tell you something about your body. It is a natural way for the body to maintain its balance. Food cravings are the results of the signal released from the brain to the body that gives us a strong desire to eat. Cravings can be due to the stress that some people want to eat to comfort themselves. Some hormonal responses also could lead to cravings for food. Nevertheless, here are some of the explanations of what your cravings mean.

1. Cravings for candy or sweets

Candy and sweets are high in sugar. Sugar is the source of energy. If you are craving for sweet treats that could mean that your body needs energy. But, candy won’t benefit your body. Instead, opt for something nutritious like fruits (eg. apple, banana, etc) that also pack in sugar and fibres.

2. Cravings for salty chips

People who crave salty food usually will go for high-calorie junk options like chips, crisps or savoury snacks. Cravings for salt can mean that your body lacks electrolytes or water. Therefore, instead of chips, get yourself extra hydration by drinking lots of water. If plain water sounds too boring, add on lime, mint or frozen fruit to make it more exciting.

3. Cravings for pasta or bread

Cravings for starchy food like pasta or bread can mean that you need a mood booster. High-carb foods can induce the release of the happy hormone, serotonin. Alternatively, you can revive your mood by taking a bath! So, the next time if you’re feeling sluggish, soak yourself with a warm bath and might as well with a treat of scented candles to lift your mood.

4. Cravings for ice cream

If you are craving for ice cream, this could mean that you might need extra healthy fats in your diet. Before you reach out for ice cream in your fridge, why don’t first try to snack on walnuts or almonds which are also packed with healthy fats?

5. Cravings for steak/burger

This could mean that your body is lacking iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. These nutrients are essential for making red blood cells in your body and maintaining healthy metabolism. Burgers and steak can be high in cholesterol so the other option you can go to such as eat up green vegetables like kale and broccoli that are also rich in iron and other vitamins and minerals.

6. Cravings for chocolate

Chocolate cravings can mean that your body needs extra magnesium. Chocolate can help release hormone serotonin that induces a happy mood. Apart from being high in sugar and fats, chocolate too has few vitamins and minerals. One of them is magnesium. Magnesium is important for energy production and muscle function. Women with premenstrual symptoms (PMS) also find themselves to cravings for chocolate, which is true due to lower levels of magnesium and haywire mood. Instead of a random chocolate bar, go for a chocolate drink using high-quality cacao powder that is rich in minerals.

How to reduce food cravings

Food cravings can be influenced by our dietary habits, lifestyles and mood. However, uncontrollable cravings may interfere with our healthy diets and risk gaining weight.  Therefore, to improve this, there are few things that we can do such as:

Manage the stress level

Many people will eat a lot during stress. Stress also will induce unnecessary food cravings and increase weight gain. Therefore, it is important to manage our stress level, for example by indulging in an exercise or going for a massage.

Keep yourself hydrated

Sometimes our brain gets confused; are hungry or thirsty? They both produce a similar sensation. Hydration can keep us from eating extra calories. Hence, it is good to drink water first before you claim that you want food. Plus, drinking plenty of water will help us to detox and maintain our well-being.

Get enough sleep

Not enough sleep will cause mood deprivation and hormone imbalance. Hence, unnecessary cravings. Therefore, getting enough sleep will improve this.

Maintain a healthy diet

A healthy diet will ensure that our body gets enough nutrients to function well. Make sure to take enough protein, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients so the body system is in balance. When the body is lacking certain nutrients, the brain will signal cravings to compensate for the lack.

If you’d like to avoid cravings, you’ll have to eat better. If you’re wondering how to eat better so you feel energised, have better digestion, avoid cravings and are able to better work towards your goals, check out our new
Wellness Starter Kit
 – a seven day virtual program for anyone wanting to incorporate mindfulness & healthy habits to overhaul their health. Because healthy living should be simple, effective and fun!

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB.

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What Kills Curiosity? Here's Why Parents Must Always Encourage Kids to be Curious!

I was watching a pair of one-year-old twins playing when they visited our home last weekend. The one thing that strikes me immediately is how different they are from one-year-old 20 years ago. While babies of the previous generation would lie in one place and keep
busy with a toy
 till hunger strikes, babies today are far more active and curious about the world around them.

Kids today want to know how everything works, they like to try out new things and learn from all their experiences. This is very different from the children of those days who were happy to hear stories about an experience, instead of experiencing it themselves.

The innate curiosity children have in them today makes them learn so much more easily. I watched one of the twins as he whipped out
his mother iPhone, went to an app a
nd turned on some music for himself so he could dance and entertain us all.

Credit: Freepik

Set a toddler free in a natural environment and they will ask you for the names of the plants around them. Show them an
interesting book
 and you will see how their curiosity makes them remember interesting facts. Throw them into an activity where they have to discover and you will see the same trend.

A curious child learns best. Many preschools that I have studied in the Klang Valley use the child’s curiosity and creativity to teach them basics in reading, writing and counting.

These are the children who do not hate studying because they are discovering a whole new world in a creative and fun way where they are allowed to explore the world around them with their curious nature.

Sadly, these children then progress to primary schools, a place where
their curiosity is not allowed to enter the classroom
 and dies a slow death. They are welcomed to a world of mugging and memorizing, a world of do’s and don’ts and a world of studying and not learning.

As curiosity fades in children, you will find children who have fewer friends, who read less and this child will be harder to inspire, motivate and teach.

How adults crush the curiosity of a child

Credit: Freepik

There are many ways adults constrain and crush the enthusiastic curiosity of a child:

1# Fear

A child who is afraid will no longer explore new things and will constantly seek a comfort zone where they are ‘safe’.

Children who are impacted by war, natural disasters, family distress or violence have their curiosity crushed.

Children who are constantly told to ‘sit down or they will be punished’ or ‘don’t go there or the dog will come and get you are the ones whose curiosity will fade over time.

2# Disapproval

“Don’t touch. Don’t climb. Don’t yell. Don’t take that apart. Don’t get dirty. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t.”

Your disgust for your child’s muddy shoes will not make them want to discover tadpoles the next time. Your disgust for a messy play area will not encourage your child to learn through play anymore.

Instead of reprimanding them for muddy shoes and messy rooms, teach them how to clean up after themselves. This way, they can always use their curiosity and learn and won’t get into trouble.

3# Absence

When an adult is fully present as a child explores the world around them, learning is so much more fun. They know they are safe because you are there and they can share their discoveries with you and learn more from you.

Today, many parents don’t have the time to spend with their children to explore the world around them and to learn from nature. An hour of TV has replaced a walk in the park. A day with parents has been replaced by a day with the maid.

Your absence has far more negative impacts on your child than you may think.

How to nurture the curiosity of a child

Credit: Freepik

You can nurture your child’s curiosity even when the education system does not. It does not take much. Here are some little ways to pique a child’s curiosity:

1. Go slow

Our mornings are usually a time frenzied one where we are all in a rush to get ready and go to work and school. Instead of making them miserable, stressed and late, set aside some time for talking about the weather.

When you walk or drive to school, look around and appreciate nature around or talk about an interesting topic.

If you can’t do this in the morning, set aside some time during the day where you can observe and discuss the world around you.

2. Be bored

Boredom may be included in the list of deadly sins, but it is actually the best and quickest way to pique curiosity. Pick a time in the day to shut down from electronics and all external stimuli and you will find all the minds turning on with ideas and questions.

3. Go outside

Going outdoors is not just about pointing out flowers and leaves to your child. There is physics with the lighting we experience in our lovely weather here, there are bugs to catch and classify and there are hiking trips to learn from.
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4. Make a game

I love this activity the most because it has worked all these years for my family. Whatever the age, your family will always enjoy this one. Have everyone in the house come up with 2 questions they don’t know the answer to. At dinner, pull out these questions and discuss them.

There are countless ways in which you can keep the bug of curiosity alive for your family. If you have a curious streak in you, chances are your children will follow suit too!

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123

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

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5 Natural Remedies for Cough and Cold During Pregnancy

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

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

Natural Remedies for Cough and Cold During Pregnancy

1. Garlic

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

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

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

2. Herb Teas

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

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

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

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

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

3. Honey Ginger Lemon Mix

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

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

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

Allow it to stand for about five minutes.

Strain the water into a cup of warm water.

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

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

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

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

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

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

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

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

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

5. Berries

Yummy and healthy!

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

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

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

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

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Fertility Tools Test Strip To Help Predict Your Most Fertile Times

Many couples have in common the desire to have children, be it immediately after marriage or even after a few years.
 There are numerous methods that make conceiving easier.
These
 include the
process
 of recording body temperature (BBT), weight control, checking cervical mucus, IVF and finally, the easiest of all, the use of an ovulation test strip.

What is an ovulation test strip?

An ovulation test strip is a home-based test that can be used to determine the exact time of a woman’s ovulation. This is a period of time where the possibility of becoming pregnant is the highest.

The ovulation test strips work by measuring the luteinising hormones (LH) present in the urine
. Typically, LH is secreted at low levels throughout one’s menstrual cycle.

However, once a developing egg follicle reaches a certain maturity, LH levels increase, and ovulation occurs shortly after in the following 12-36 hours. Ovulation test strips are thus able to detect ovulation by measuring one’s level of LH.

What does fertile window mean on the period tracker?

When it comes to getting pregnant, knowing when ovulation occurs is crucial since the window of chance to conceive is rather narrow each month.

The “fertile window" in a woman’s cycle lasts six days and corresponds to the lifetime of the sperm and the egg.

If you have intercourse in the three days preceding up to and including ovulation, your chances of getting pregnant skyrocket.

If a woman has intercourse six days or more before ovulating, her chances of becoming pregnant are almost nil. Then, in the three days coming up to and including ovulation, the likelihood of pregnancy climbs progressively to 27-33 percent.

What are the best fertile days to get pregnant?

A woman’s menstrual cycle lasts 28 to 32 days on average. Most women ovulate between days 11 and 21 after the start day of their last menstrual cycle.

Women, for the most part, ovulate around the middle of their cycles. However, even if a woman has regular periods and a normal cycle, there are a number of circumstances that might contribute to a lack of ovulation each month, such as hormone issues.

When should I use ovulation test strips?

There is no right or wrong timing to test for ovulation. Some women like to test their pee first thing in the morning, while others prefer to do it later in the day or evening.

Keep in mind that the quantity of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine might be diluted by drinking drinks. If this happens, it may appear that you are not ovulating while you are actually ovulating.

So, around 2 hours before the test, reduce your fluid consumption. It’s also a good idea to avoid urinating for 1 to 2 hours before the test.

How Do We Choose the Best Ovulation Test Strip?

With the endless choices of fertility tests to choose from, we have made the task easier by focussing on these
two essential
 factors:

Level of sensitivity
: The sensitivity of the test indicates the minimum amount of LH in your system that the test is able to detect.
A lower number indicates a more sensitive test as it shows that the test can detect lower ranges of Lh that would otherwise be missed out on tests with higher thresholds.

Ease of use
: Ovulation tests can be challenging to use, especially if you are new to them.
It is advisable to kit’s instructions to ensure that you are using them correctly.

The Best Fertility Test in Malaysia

#1 Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test

The Clearblue brand is one of the most accurate and reliable brands in the market, well-liked for higher sensitivity than other brands.
Test results are generated in 3 minutes and displayed through either a happy or sad emoticon.

The product is also recommended by gynaecologists and boasts an accuracy of over 99%.

Why we like it:

Fast results with only a 3-minute wait

Extremely accurate (>99%) in detecting LH surges

Clear results, depicted with either a happy or sad face

Identifies your 2 most fertile days

Recommended by experts

 Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test
Buy from Shopee

#2 BioTest Ovulation Test Kit

Each box contains 3 kits.

To use the test, you need to hold the test instrument down by the thumb grip with the exposed tip of the absorber facing down.
Then, place the tip in a direct stream of urine for 10-15 seconds to allow maximum urine absorption
.

Place the test kit on a flat level surface with the results window facing up. Results will form after 5 minutes in the window.

Why we like it:

Quick results with only a 5-minute wait

Easily available at pharmacies

Identifies your 2 most fertile days

 BioTest Ovulation Test Kit
Buy from Shopee

#3 One Step Ovulation Test

Each box contains 5 kits and is readily available in Watson pharmacies.

To use the test, you need to hold the test with the absorber facing down and place it in a direct stream of urine for at least 10 seconds.

Alternatively, you could also urinate in a collection cup and dip half of the tip of the absorbent into the urine for at least 3 seconds. Then, close the device and wait for the coloured strip to appear in the results window.

Results will take about 5 minutes.

Why we like it:

From a trusted pharmaceutical brand in Singapore/ Malaysia

Value for money

Quick results with only a 5 minute wait

Easy to use

 WATSON One Step Ovulation Test
Buy from Shopee

How to read an ovulation test strip?

You’ll get two lines if you’re using basic test strips. The control line is one line long. This is only to inform you that the test is functioning well. The 2nd line is the test line. When this second line is as dark as or darker than the control line, LH is rising.

A design will emerge on the screen if you’re using an ovulation test with a digital display, indicating if you’ve reached your fertile window.

When your test shows a positive result, you’ll know that your LH is spiking and that your fertile window is closing in on you in the following 24 to 48 hours.

Do ovulation test strips really work?

Ovulation tests are very successful in predicting ovulation because they are
97% accurate in detecting an LH surge.

Final remarks

Regardless of whichever kit you end up choosing, be sure to seek advice from your doctor if you need any clarifications or assistance on how to use them.

Additionally, please do consult your doctor if you are experiencing any irregular menstruation as well as to figure out if something may be going on.

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:

A Women’s Health Expert Answers Your Questions About Fertility Tracking


Is It Safe to Consume Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy comes with a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to your diet. Between the cultural nutritional taboos and all the concern about unpasteurised dairy and shellfish, eating becomes a bit of a minefield.

And then throw confusing topic of artificial sweeteners in the mix. Artificial sweeteners are lower calories substitutes for sugar, but it’s important to note that anything with the word “artificial” attached to it is made with ingredients of a chemical nature.

Artificial sweeteners gained popularity primarily because of their lower calorie count. Here was a substance that was sweet, but didn’t have the cons of regular sugar made from sugar cane and sugar beets like weight gain.

There are four main artificial sweeteners prevalent in the food and beverage market: aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin and sucralose.

These sweeteners are commonly found in products that are labelled ‘light’, ‘diet’ or ‘reduced sugar’. This means that everything from your soft drinks, juice and baked goods to chocolate, yoghurt and ice cream has some form of these four sweeteners if it’s labelled as having a lower caloric count.

Are artificial sweeteners safe?

The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) is an American government agency that reviews the results of animal, clinical and laboratory testing performed by manufacturers. It then grants approval for a product if the benefits outweigh the known risks. The FDA has
approved these six artificial sweeteners
safe for consumption: aspartame, acesulfame K, advantame, saccharin, sucralose and neotame.

The bottom line is yes; they are safe, but as with everything, should be consumed in moderation. And if you have an underlying health condition, check with a medical expert.

Are artificial sweeteners safe for pregnant women?

Although experts do agree that more studies should be done to ascertain the in-utero effects these sweeteners may have, the general consensus is they are safe to be consumed in moderate amounts. This means adhering to the daily intake as prescribed by regulatory agencies, nutritional experts and medical practitioners.

It is important to note that aspartame should not be consumed by anyone with a metabolic disorder called PKU (phenylketonuria), a rare condition that affects the liver. This also refers to pregnant women with high levels of phenylalanine (an amino acid) in their blood. As this is a component of aspartame, the metabolising process can be hindered.

Another artificial sweetener to be aware of when pregnant is saccharin, which while being approved for consumption, did have bad press when it was linked with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

This has been dismissed by
research conducted by the National Toxicology Programme
, which is run by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Studies have shown that this sweetener may cross the placenta so for peace of mind, ask your doctor or just avoid it while pregnant.

Natural sweetener is best

Being pregnant is a challenge
 and an incredible accomplishment both mentally and physically. Keep it simple and natural, and veer away from anything artificial as much as you can. The upsurge in clean and more plant-based eating has led to many healthier natural options, even for sweeteners.

Sugar has a bad rap due to being over-consumed, but raw cane sugar and coconut sugar are examples of natural sweeteners that are fine if consumed moderately. Honey is also another good option. At lastly, you’re pregnant! You’re literally making a human life inside you! So if you want a doughnut/hot chocolate/soft drink – go for it! Just don’t have too much and look out for healthy sugar craving alternatives.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

References:

https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/high-intensity-sweeteners

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/phenylalanine/faq-20058361

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304354526_The_Metabolism_and_Toxicology_of_Saccharin

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6 Natural Wellness Tips for New Mums from Health Experts

From needing to wake up at odd hours to breastfeed to juggling being a wife and a mum, to still finding time for yourself in between – being a new mum can be hectic. While it may sound like more to add to your long to-do list, maintaining a balanced lifestyle and caring for your wellbeing is more essential than ever as you’re entering this new phase.

Because if you don’t take care of yourself, how will you be able to take care of your new baby? Read that again and let it digest.

Since we want to make this new exciting, and at times overwhelming, phase easier for you, we asked our network of health experts for their best natural wellness tips for new mums. Bonus: All the experts included are also mums!

6 Natural Wellness Tips You Need to Know Now

So here they are – 6 natural wellness tips put together especially for you, from one mum to another.

1. Use natural supplements to recover and support your baby’s growth

Childbirth depletes the body of various nutrients, since parts of what you eat that normally would be stored, instead is used to create a little person. Incorporating supplements into your postnatal self-care routine helps you ensure that you get enough vitamins to nourish yourself and your growing baby.

Your baby’s brain and body develop fastest during the initial years. If you’re breastfeeding, your milk supports this development, which is why you should ensure that you consume enough nutrients. Even if you aren’t breastfeeding, supplements can help your body restore.

“A zinc deficiency may lead to
baby blues
 for the mother”, says the Health & Wellness Director and Naturopath
Johanna Arshad
, a mum of three. “Not receiving sufficient amounts of zinc through breast milk may also cause your child to cry more. Eating foods high in zinc, or purchasing zinc supplements, can help you avoid postnatal depression”.

Besides zinc, our own
Asian Traditional Superblend Pegaga
 supports improved cell growth, boosts brain function, milk production, digestive health, skin repair and wound healing. Pegaga has been used for centuries in Asia and also helps flush out excess toxins, ease inflammation, boost energy levels, and instigate weight loss.

2. Try eating healthy fats to support your baby’s eye and brain development as part of your natural wellness

Credit: Brooke Lark on Unsplash

If you are breastfeeding, Arshad also recommends you to eat plenty of
healthy fats
. Such as Omega-3, which contains the fatty acid DHA that contributes to optimal brain and eye development. Since your baby’s brain and eyes develop significantly in the first year, it’s crucial to ensure that it gets enough healthy fats.

Some foods that include healthy fats and oil to get you started: Avocado, nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, flax seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seeds etc.), olive oil, coconut oil, and more.

3. Take a Epsom Salt Bath to heal and stress down

Dr Carolyn Goh
, an integrated natural and modern medicine doctor and a mum of one, emphasizes the benefits of Epsom salt.

“Especially if you’re experiencing soreness after vaginal delivery – and even more so if you had a tear or episiotomy. Soaking yourself in Epsom salt for 15-30 minutes will help you heal, reduce the swelling, stress down and sleep better.

If you are recovering from a C-Section, an Epsom salt bath, or a heat-pad, can help reduce pain and discomfort. Also, remember to not lift anything heavier than your baby to avoid putting strain on the incision site. Know that constipation is common after a C-Section, so eat enough fibre to avoid and relieve yourself of any constipation”.

4. Natural wellness also includes stay hydrated to boost nutrition absorption and improve your sleep

Credit: Pexels

Did you know that breast milk consists of about
 90% water
? So if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, try to drink at least 3 litres of water per day. According to Dr. Carolyn, you should also consume herbs such as fennel and fenugreek to promote milk supply.

Even if you don’t breastfeed,
 staying hydrated is still important
. Why? Well, water keeps joints lubricated, delivers nutrients to cells, and improves sleep quality and even moods.

“Another way to improve your sleep is to nap when your baby is napping”, adds Dr. Carolyn, who also contributed to our complete
Postnatal Care & Recovery kit for new mums
.

5. Limit phone use to avoid harmful health effects

Social media has a habit of making life look perfect even when it’s not. As a new mum, adding more pressure onto yourself to appear perfect is simply unnecessary.

Marissa Parry
, a fitness expert, nutritionist, and a mum of two, also states that electromagnetic radiation (EMR), can be harmful to the health of your growing baby. If you’re unfamiliar with EMR, it’s emitted from technological devices like phones, tablets, laptops etc.

Research indicates that high amounts of EMR can compromise the immune system. The consequences of EMR are yet to be more comprehensively investigated. At this point, we don’t know enough to with certainty determine which problems may develop, or what other risks that may arise, which in itself is a reason to be careful.

So, reduce the close proximity of your phone to your newborn baby.

6. Get moving to boost your happiness

Although exercising might not be among your top priorities as a new mum, moving the body is necessary to boost your endorphin-, serotonin-, and dopamine levels.

“Even going for a walk or performing gentle stretches can help”, says Parry. Once the doctor has given you the green light, she encourages Postnatal Pilates to strengthen your core. “If you prefer high-intensity exercises, just make sure to listen to your body”.

Parry teaches at
Fire Station in Kuala Lumpur
, so if you are in the city, why not attend one of her classes when your body is physically ready and
M.C.O
 is over?

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB
.

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Know Your Chakra-Healing Crystals

Crystals are incredibly beautiful with their hues and tones. Not just worn as accessories (though advisable due to their properties as well as beauty), crystals can help with your healing and
chakras
. It’s not as easy as it seems though, as there are many different layers to knowing your chakra crystal and how to use it for your benefit.

Easy Guide to Understand How Chakra Crystal Works

General Rule Of Thumb

Chakra stones are crystals used for healing purposes with specific vibrations and colour to create healing for each chakra. All your chakras have different purposes and so do the chakra crystal for them. Your chakras have their own colour energy – use that as a guide to which crystals work best. Certain chakras are more sensitive to specific stones.

1# Crown Chakra

Credit: satincrystals.com

Starting from the top, your crown chakra is the core for enlightenment, inspiration, positive vibes and happiness. When unbalanced, this chakra causes stress and the inability to have clear thoughts. In turn, this messes with your purpose and further plans. Amethyst (purple, the colour of the crown chakra) or clear quartz crystals work best to align this chakra with its ability to give clarity and balance.

2# Third Eye Chakra

Credit: chakra-bracelets.com

Known for being the chakra that enables you to organise and prepare you for life, more often than not, the third eye chakra is a tricky one to handle as it’s very intuition-based. If your thoughts are clouded and the vision for your purpose isn’t clear, it’s time to get your crystals to charge this chakra. Amethyst also works for this chakra, but so do Fluorite and Angelite. It’s definitely a matter of preference which crystal feels right to you.

3# Throat Chakra

Credit: chakras.info

The throat being important for speaking, this chakra is one that allows you to speak the truth and express your feelings, thoughts and ideas. Not being able to articulate your thought process and speaking before thinking are often what happens when this chakra is not at its best. Using stones such as Aquamarine (blue like the chakra), Sodalite and Blue Apatite work great.

4# Heart Chakra

Credit: chakra.info

When it comes to the matters of the heart (think relationships and feelings), that’s what this chakra is about. The feeling of being unloved and also being disconnected from people you love, could lead to you overreacting and getting emotional when not necessary. Aventurine and Rose Quartz are known for the energy of love, be it with someone else or even self-love. Use those crystals to get you back on track with this chakra.

5# Solar Plexus Chakra

Credit: gemstagram.com

The ability to control and take charge of your life, and to have complete power over what you are as an individual is what this chakra is known for. When you feel like these aspects of your life are slipping away, align them back again to feel focused and gain confidence using crystals such as Citrine and Yellow Jasper.

6# Sacral Chakra

Credit: adelewalshblog.com

This chakra’s key focus is on energy flow for you body and wellbeing. The lack of motivation, the feeling of being uninspired and lethargic all come from this chakra not being at its optimum balanced stated. Tiger’s Eye and Carnelian are great crystals that work wonders for this chakra.

7# Root Chakra

Credit: newmoonbeginnings.com

Taking into account your physical body and how you treat it, the root chakra plays an important role with how happy you are with yourself. Safety and security is another aspect of the root chakra. To ensure it is balanced and your temper is intact, use Red Jasper and Garnet.

Do keep in mind that each of these crystals, due to their individual properties, work in different ways for different people. There are also crystals that are good for the home, such as Selenite – it’s known to be great for clearing out spaces – homes, offices & cars. Yup, crystals can be used for physical spaces too! Trust your instincts and feelings when it comes to using them.

So if you’re ready to balance your chakras through crystals. If you’d like to experience this balance for yourself sign up to our
LIMITED EDITION Relax & Restore Self Care Wellness Kit
 where you’ll be able to experience to find crystals that can help to balance out, plus enjoy a breathwork session which also works to harmonise your chakras. You’ll also receive goodies like Bach Flower Remedies, a natural soap, Palo Santo sticks – and so much more!

This article has been republished with permission from
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.

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Is Gratitude the Key to Happiness?

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DNA in this couple's hotel room matches baby dumped in bin, says Taiwan police

In an update to the baby dumped in bin by (allegedly) a Singapore couple case, Taiwan police have confirmed that blood samples found in the hotel room where the couple stayed matched the DNA of the baby.

It is yet to be confirmed if the baby was alive at the time of birth.

It was earlier reported that Taiwan police was looking for a Singapore couple, after the body of a baby was found in New Taipei City, dumped in a bin full of kitchen waste.

The couple is said to have put the baby in a black plastic bag and disposed of the body.

Baby dumped in bin: Taiwan police allegedly looking for Singapore couple

According to
Taiwan news reports
, it was an employee at a recycling company in New Taipei City, who made the shocking discovery on 26 February 2019. The body of the baby was apparently found with the umbilical cord and placenta still intact.

Police are now investigating a possible case of murder and abandonment.

To trace the culprits, police surveyed security cameras, and found that the infant had been abandoned at Ximending, in Taiwan. It seems that, the body was carried by a recycling truck from Taipei to New Taipei City.

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB NEWS VIDEO

A video captured outside a restaurant in Ximending showed a man in his 20s dumping a black plastic bag into the recycling bin. The man is believed to have a foreign accent, so investigations led police to a hotel popular among tourists from Southeast Asia.

According to witnesses and hotel staff, the man’s girlfriend seemed to be pregnant when they first arrived at the hotel (on 19 February), but by the time they checked out (on 26 February), her tummy had “disappeared”.

Initial reports had suggested that the man and woman were from Singapore and had left Taiwan on Tuesday, 26 February 2019. Police had found traces of blood and hair in the bathroom, and had taken samples there.

Singapore couple deny the pregnancy

Meanwhile,
in an earlier interview with Shin Min
, the man had denied the accusations, stressing that his girlfriend wasn’t pregnant. He also said that he had never left the hotel to dispose of the plastic bag at the time.

The woman too denied being pregnant, and asked how she would have been able to board the flight to Taiwan if she were so. The woman’s father also revealed that she had gone back to work the very next day after returning to Singapore. It did not seem like she had just given birth.

However, the man’s parents did confirm that the couple were in Taiwan on those dates. They however  said they weren’t aware of the pregnancy.

Head of the Taiwan police team in charge of the case, Mr Zeng Bozhong, told Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao that Taiwan police are certain of the Singapore couple’s involvement in the case.

If their suspicions are confirmed, Taiwan police may contact Singapore authorities to assist with investigations.

Here is the latest video of the news coverage:

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How to Minimize Stretch Marks Appearance - 6 Easy Tips You Can Try Today!

All women hate stretch marks, unfortunately, if you are genetically prone to it, sometimes there is very little you can do to prevent it.
Since stretch marks never really disappear, most people will do anything to minimize stretchmarks’ appearance and hide it every chance they get!

According to
Everyday Health
, in fact, n
inety per cent of
women who have been pregnant
 have stretch marks, and seventy per cent of people develop stretch marks during puberty. It is completely normal to have them regardless of your weight.

Stretch marks are developed when your skin is made to stretch at an abnormally fast rate. When it is stretched rapidly, the skin is unable to react fast enough and caused the middle layer of your skin to tear! These tears appear as a reddish-purple line at first, but over time will develop into the white streaks we see on your breasts, stomach, hips or buttons.

6 Ways To Minimize Stretchmarks Appearance

On the bright side, there are some steps to minimize how
stretchmarks will be. Here’s what you need to know!

1#
Minimize stretchmarks by using your
favourite moisturizer

Credit: Freepik

You can use
any mild moisturiser
 you have and slather it all over your skin to massage the areas where
stretchmarks
 have begun to appear. Massage the area several times a day.

Though some people believe that cocoa butter is an important ingredient that will help to reduce stretchmarks it’s interesting to note that no studies to date have proven so.

Although studies have proven that creams containing Gotu kola (also known as Luei Gong Gen/ Vallaria) extracts, vitamin e and collagen hydrolysates are associated with fewer stretch marks.

2# Exfoliate your skin regularly

Do so with a gentle exfoliate.
 There are many ready-mades exfoliates in the market. NTUC has tons and you can pick one that suits your skin type the next time you go shopping for groceries.

You can also make your own exfoliate using dried and powdered orange peel and yoghurt.

3# Take your supplements to m
inimize stretchmarks

Credit: Freepik

Vitamin E helps repair and replenish collagen.
A daily dose of Vitamin E or a massage with Vitamin E oils
 can help you reduce the appearance of these stretch marks.

Wheat germ oil, cosmetic products that contain peptides, and retinoids are some of the other products that may work on your skin. However, their efficacy is not known.

4# Drink lots of water

This way, you will keep your skin hydrated and it will remain relatively free from scars and stretch marks

5# Exercise regularly when you are pregnant

Credit: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

A lot of women avoid any kind of exercise and take long periods of rest. This could be detrimental to your overall health as well as the health of your skin.
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Take a stroll for a few minutes everyday.
 If you want, you can even enroll yourself in a special yoga class for pregnant women.

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:

You’re Beautiful, Stretch Marks and All – But If You Wish To Do Something About Them, Here Are The 7 Best Stretch Mark Creams You Can Try

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Mum's dirty diaper picture perfectly encapsulates being a new mum

The trials and tribulations of being a new parent speak for themselves, but let’s just say that the experience isn’t for the faint of heart.

Everything from sporadic sleeping patterns (of both you and your baby), earsplitting crying sessions, and general distress…it’s enough to break even the toughest parents.

While these aforementioned “pleasantries” are endearing in their own right, there’s nothing quite like diaper duty. Not only is it a unique way to bond with your infant, but it’s also debatably one of the grossest things you’ll be responsible for in your life. But, hey—someone has to do it.

Esther Anderson is no stranger to diaper duty. In fact, if you’re an active part of social media and follow Story of This Life’s Facebook account, then you already know she’s no rookie to the diaper game.

In an absolutely hilarious viral photo shared by Story of This Life’s Facebook, Anderson’s daughter, Ellia, aimed to test the validity of the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

In the photo (seen below), Anderson is seen holding her baby who’s just had what the internet has deemed “a diaper blow out”.

While the human eye will undoubtedly be drawn to the messy situation, on second glance, you’ll want to analyse Esther Anderson’s face!

The photo is being called the perfect definition of being a new parent, and for good reason. There are lot of things that come along with being anew parent, and the dirty work cannot be overlooked. It’s not all cuddles and cute giggles. Sometimes it’s about stinky, messy, and downright nasty situations.

In the photo, Anderson used the caption: “Second blowout of the day, and let me tell you … this one wasn’t nearly as bad as this morning’s. Let’s just say Ellia might go back into her Pull-Ups for tonight.”

Which, honestly, makes you grateful that we aren’t getting a first hand look at the first blowout!

In the comment section of the hilarious image, parents spoke their mind on the legitimacy and truth behind the photo.

One mother and commenter, Lily Fisk, had this to say:

“Blowout on my first child, the most memorable, was her christening. She was 2 weeks old. Barely weighed 5 lbs. She had a monitor strapped to her with a machine. The gown was one all of my cousins had worn and I. We did not know she was allergic to everything at the time, which made her unable to tolerate breastmilk. So in the middle of Mass, her monitor sounds off just as she decided to blowout. My father was holding her. His tie got stuck on the little flaps and pulled the diaper down. Yep. Still can not get the stains out.”

Looks like you’re not alone Esther! Other mums have had to roll up their sleeves and deal with diaper duty too!

Another mother shared her thoughts on the hysterical photo:

“I remember that happening one time when we were on our way to a picnic with the family. She had a blowout up to her neck! LOL. Had to put her in the tub and start all over. When we got there, the family was like, ‘Where have you been?’ LOL.”

LOL indeed!

Diaper blowouts like these are bound to happen. In fact, it’s one of the most fundamental challenges of being a new parent. Through it all, it’s important to stay on the brighter side of these messy situations! Way to embrace the stink, and share a hilarious image with your fellow moms, Esther! Good luck in your future endeavours!

This story was originally covered by
Babble

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3 Fun Ways to Improve Memory: Long-Term & Short-Term Memory

Sooner or later everyone gets old. That’s just the way of life. You’ve seen it happen to those around you from your parents, teachers, neighbours, etc. And as age catches up to you, slowly but surely your physical and mental abilities will start to falter. However, this won’t be a cause for concern if you know how to handle it properly. Since it’s going to happen anyway, it’s best to be as prepared as you can be so that you age gracefully. That’s why we’ve prepared several types of fun memory slash brain exercises that’ll help you and your loved ones to do so.

1. Music

Many studies have shown the beneficial aspects of music towards one’s memory. So that we don’t bore you with a list of academic papers covering the issue, we won’t list down the papers but you’re more than welcome to Google it yourself. Even if you think you aren’t in the least bit musically inclined, you can still boost your memory through learning by heart the lyrics to a song. To make it even more challenging, learn the lyrics of a song that’s not of your native language.

2. Jigsaw Puzzles

Don’t think that it’s just an entertaining game for children as jigsaw puzzles can also be a fun pastime for adults. Besides being a fun game that helps you while away the time, there are many benefits to this classic game. Famously known as a great fine motor skill activity, the impact it has on the mind especially the memory can’t be denied. From the moment the assembled
photo jigsaw puzzle
 pieces are studied and then disassembled so that it can be put together again, the neurons of the brain are working together to make the correct connections between the pieces.

3. Cooking

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Another fun and engaging activity that aids in boosting memory is through cooking. This activity engages all five human senses of sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste which are all connected to different parts of the brain. So, by training all of these parts it’ll definitely help you to improve your memory. Additionally, it’ll also satisfy your stomach which is a definite plus. Therefore, go and learn a new recipe be it for appetisers, main courses or desserts. Any kind is fine as long as it gets you thinking and working that brain of yours.

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious

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3 Best Pregnancy-Safe Toner to Get That Mom-to-Be Glow

An important routine in facial care is the application of toners, serums and moisturizers before ending with sunscreen. However, pregnant mothers can be apprehensive about the use of such facial products, hence we created this list of pregnancy-safe toner for expecting moms to use!

The function of toner or facial freshener is to gently refresh the skin without removing its natural moisture.

This means that toners should not irritate sensitive skin or cause extreme dryness while preparing the skin to absorb products such as moisturizers more effectively.

How to Choose the Best Pregnancy-safe Toner

First and foremost, avoid products that use formulas such as alcohol, parabens, synthetic dyes, and mineral oils.
Alcohol has several “secret" names, which allow it to go undetected in the ingredient list.

Check labels and look for words like ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol — in reality, they all refer to alcohol that can hurt your skin!

So what should you look for?

Botanical products are rich in vitamins such as artichokes.

Antioxidant-rich ingredients such as camellia and fermented rice.

Soothing and hydrating ingredients such as aloe and hyaluronic acid.

Anti-ageing ingredients such as niacinamide and peptides.

As a substitute for alcohol-based toners, it’s best to look for toners with a mineral base — specific ingredients like chamomile, ginseng, or peppermint is great for skin, especially oily or sensitive skin.

3 Best Pregnancy-safe Toner

#1 CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

This CosRX toner is a gentle exfoliating toner formulated with AHA, BHA, and purifying botanical ingredients that improve skin texture and elasticity, while reducing pore size.

It can soothe, refresh and soften the skin with a content of 0.1% AHA Glycolic Acid and BHA Betaine Salicylate. In fact, it can also reduce dull skin and get rid of dead skin cells.

What we like:

Made with natural ingredients: 10% Pyrus Malus Fruit Water (Apple) and Salix Alba Water (Willow), this toner is gentle enough for daily use for all skin types.

Can be used as a mask toner, just pour it onto a cotton pad for instant hydration on the skin.

Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic.

Ingredients:
 Mineral Water, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ethyl Hexanediol

 CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Buy From Shopee

#2 Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner

Hydrating and balancing the pH level, this product does not dry out the skin. The CoQ-10 Toner is alcohol-free and formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Cucumber, Sage and enzymes from Papaya.
This ingredient make-up makes the skin much calmer, smoother and protected from environmental pollution. The combination of plant, flower and fruit extracts benefit the skin with an immersive, fresh aroma!

What we like:

Hydrates and rebalances the skin with Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera essence — Cucumber and Aloe Vera extracts to provide skin relief.

Alcohol-free and formulated with antioxidants CoQ-10 and Sage.

Skin elasticity increases while being protected from pollution and environmental invaders.

Suitable for all skin types.

Formulated without 1,300+ banned substances including parabens, mineral oils, sulfate-based detergents, synthetic fragrances, petroleum-based ingredients, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde and GMO ingredients.

Ingredients:
Distilled Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Salvia Officinalis (Sage), Carica Papaya Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract (Cucumber), 1 Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, 3 Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate.

 Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
Buy From Shopee

#3 Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

This toner is gentle, non-drying and non-irritating to the skin, as well as fragrance-free for sensitive skin. It helps remove dirt and makeup residue, and can even be used daily.

Additionally, it does not contain dyes, sulfates, parabens or gluten.
This toner makes the skin feel healthily hydrated and is able to cleanse all skin types.

What we like:

Cleanses the skin in a single step.

Made from 100% natural ingredients for an exclusive formula from plants.

Removes and balances the skin’s oil content while soothing and refreshing, all without being dry.

Recommended by a dermatologist.

Suitable for sensitive skin and pregnant women.

Ingredients:
Natural Witch Hazel

 Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
Buy From Shopee

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
:
Best Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnant Women


How to Work on Your Decision-Making Skills

In most cases, the decisions we make in our personal lives are more trivial – what to watch on TV, what to eat for dinner,
what to gift a loved one
, etc. Decisions we make at work, however, have far-reaching consequences.

Your decision-making skills are something that can make or break your career. Luckily, decision-making is a skill everyone can improve. Here are some strategies that will help you make the right choices in a pressing and stressful environment.

Practice in Your Comfort Zone

If you have a million other things going on, don’t pressure yourself to work on this skill. Those who are distracted by urgent deadlines should not challenge themselves any further.

Instead, try thinking through decisions when you’re not pressured to multitask. Setting aside some time to focus on decision-making can be very beneficial.

Getting outside your comfort zone is great, but sometimes, practicing while you’re still in it is a better decision.

Avoid Making Emotionally-Charged Decisions

One’s judgment can easily become clouded if he or she is too emotionally invested in the problem. Use rational, careful thinking, instead of acting impulsively.

Don’t focus on your impulsive desires, personality differences, or ego – focus on the facts.

Making decisions when you’re upset, stressed, or anxious will surely
lead to poorer outcomes
. When you feel like you’re acting out of emotion, take a step back.

Look at the Problem in Short-Term and Long-Term

One thing that usually leads to further problems is when you’re looking at the situation only in the short-term. This kind of short-sightedness almost always leads to negative consequences.

Consider the potential issues stemming from failure to think long-term. Looking at the situation from the long-term perspective can, for example, prevent unexpected expenses that may ruin your business.

Make Evidence-Based Decisions

Rather than simply trusting your instincts, use hard facts when making vital decisions. Incorporating evidence into your decision-making can make all the difference.

When you’re about to resolve something, find out if your decision is supported by data. Get the most complete and current data possible. Challenge your gut feelings with objective evidence.

Ask an Expert

Every decision you need to make has probably been made in the past. While the issue you want to take care of may be unique to you, there’s a good chance somebody already resolved it at a larger scale.

Fortunately, most entrepreneurs love helping each other and are very approachable. A good alternative is
hiring a business coach
. An experienced coach can help you improve your decision-making skills by encouraging you to do some critical thinking.

Plan for Doomsday

Another step in the process of improving your decision-making skills is understanding the potential risks of the decisions you make.

Take 10 minutes to thoroughly think about the worst possible scenario of the decision you’re planning to go with.

For example, what’s the worst outcome of you firing someone? Will that person sue you for wrongful dismissal? Will that cause your other workers to lose motivation?

There are many ways to mitigate the wrong decision. However, it’s important to know its potential risks first.

Argue it Out

To improve your decision-making skills, encourage exhaustive debate. Give different members of your team the task of arguing for the given option. Others will have to determine flaws in their arguments.

By overseeing the argument, you’ll see every option from different perspectives. Spot how each argument is interpreted and what it’s about – values, vision, people, data etc.

Set Time Limits

To make smaller decisions, give yourself only a couple of minutes. Don’t forget that you can waste a lot of time going back and forth on minor decisions.

For the more crucial decisions, give yourself more time. Depending on the particular situation, this could mean a few days, maybe even a week.

The key is in providing yourself with an adequate amount of time to do some research and weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
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Use S.W.O.T. Analysis

By taking a look at your goals and finding clear patterns, making the right decision is easier. One way to do this is to take a piece of paper and create a detailed scenario.

Listing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is the basis of a
S.W.O.T. analysis
. It’s something that can help you improve your decision-making skills. Moreover, the work you put into this analysis can help you with all future decisions as well.

Draw a square with four boxes and list threats, opportunities, weaknesses, and strengths related to a particular decision.

If there’s a strong connection between weaknesses and threats, consider other options. If strengths line up with opportunities, you should probably proceed with the decision.

Don’t beat yourself up when you make the wrong decision. Instead, think about why it failed and learn how to avoid making similar ones in the future. Keep the tips mentioned above in mind, and you’ll be confident enough to make faster and better decisions.

I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on
Rough Draft
 gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious.

Read more:

How to Have a Positive Mindset

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