Easiest Trick to Teach Your Child to Start Potty Training? All They Need Is A Cute Potty Toilet To Begin Their Journey!

There may be some parents who do not know, but one of the good potty training tips is to provide a comfortable potty toilet for children. This plays an important role even if it is just a beautiful pattern to attract the attention of the little one.

Before buying a potty chair, it is important that you consider the personality, development of the child and also how comfortable they are with the potty toilet before choosing a small seat or chair to try.

 Some children may need a seat with a handle to grip while others may just want to use a small seat with their favourite cartoon character on it.

Choosing The Right Potty Toilet for Your Child

There are two types of potty trainers: a potty toilet that looks like an adult and child-sized toilet while the second type is a small seat located in a regular toilet.

Depending on the child, they may move from a phase one seat to a phase two-seat in a few months, or it may take longer.

However, take note of the following features before buying a potty chair. Here are some potty training tips that some parents may overlook:

Should you pick a design to fit the size of the child, or according to the child's personality? If he is more interested in a particular cartoon character, maybe this is more helpful for the child to use the toilet.

Safety such as handles on the side of the toilet to prevent children from falling or stairs that are easy to use.

Ease of cleaning and storing when not in use.

5 Best Potty Toilets To Train Children To Use The Toilet

#1 BabyBjorn Potty Chair

Why is this product great?

The Babybjorn potty chair is a well-designed potty with soft contours, a high backrest and comfortable armrests. Children can sit back, relax and take the time they need.

This chair will stay on the floor, even if the child moves! It is also easy to take out, empty, rinse or wipe clean.

This toilet seat is designed in Sweden and made in the US and is available in some attractive colours!

What do we like?

Shape:

Comfortable toilet seat with backrest and armrests

Sturdy design with rubber band underneath

Security:

High splashguard prevents spillage

PVC -free and BPA -free plastic

Convenience:

Easy to empty and clean

 BabyBjorn Potty Chair
Buy From Shopee

#2 Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty

Why is this product great?

Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty makes the little workout process easy for moms and fun for kids!

While the baby is using the potty, the sound of the music builds the confidence of the potty training while the lights and the fun “twirling water" action gives credit to the success of the potty training.

Holding on to the toilet helps children feel safe. There are splash protectors for the boys and an easy-to-remove bowl for easy cleaning.

What do we like?

Shape:

Removable toilet seat for use on regular toilet seats (Not recommended for use on padded toilet seats)

Security:

The handle on the small ring helps the children feel safe

Convenience:

Disposal bowl for easy cleaning

Includes splash protectors for boys

 Fisher-Price Learn-to-Flush Potty
Buy From Shopee

#3 Summer Infant My Size Potty

Why is this product great?

The Summer My Size Potty features the look and feel of an adult toilet to ensure a comfortable and confident transition to the real thing.

The toilet handle has a watering sound to reward and encourage the toddler as well as a used cleaning dispenser can promote good hygiene habits.

The product also has a realistic flush sound to give appreciation to a job well done and motivate your child!

What do we like?

Shape:

A realistic design that looks and feels like an adult toilet, ensuring a comfortable and confident transition to the real thing.

Security:

Easy to use by children and makes small exercises without clutter.

The built -in wipe compartment also promotes healthy habits.

Convenience:

Having a flip-up lid and an easy-to-remove and clean bowl makes it easy to empty and clean.

Integrated spark controller for boys.

 Summer Infant My Size Potty
Buy From Shopee

#4 Thomas & Friends Thomas Railroad Rewards Potty

Why is this product great?

Thomas helps keep the little drills on track with fun train sounds and songs to give credit to each success! The toilet bowl is easily removed for easy cleaning, and there is a splash guard attached for the boys.

When the child is ready to move to the toilet, a small toilet seat can be removed for use on most toilet seats, and the seat turns into a sturdy stair seat.

The built-in potty mat is also small in size to help children feel safe in the large toilet, making the transition easier.

What do we like?

Shape:

Growing up with children from toilet seats to small rings & stools

Security:

Built-in splashguard for boys

The small mat fits the toilet seat. (Not recommended for use on upholstered seats)

Convenience:

Easy to remove for easy cleaning

 Thomas & Friends Thomas Railroad Rewards Potty
Buy From Shopee

#5 Nuby My Real Potty Training Toilet

Why is this product great?

Nuby My Real Potty Training Toilet is the best solution for your baby's toilet training needs. With so many great features including the sound of toilet flushing like real life, while pressing the flush button, a child must be excited to use it.

It has a back tank that locks in place and fits full-size tissues and even has an anti-slip rubber pad so the little one won’t slip during the training session.

What do we like?

Shape:

A realistic exercise toilet that looks and feels like an adult version

The sound of flushing the toilet is like a regular toilet.

Security:

Integrated splash protector for boys and girls in place and anti-slip rubber base to stop toilet seat from slipping

The rear tank is locked in place and fits full -sized baby wet wipes.

Convenience:

Toilet seat covers open and close

The toilet seat is removable for very easy cleaning

Splash protectors for boys and girls.

 Nuby My Real Potty Training Toilet
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
:
8 Best Baby Car Seats For Newborn & Toddlers In Malaysia


Could Your Child Have Bipolar Disorder? Here Are 6 Red Flags

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental illness involving extreme mood swings.

Children (though not as commonly as adults) can be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Sometimes it is hard to tell this disorder apart from other conditions, such as
ADHD
 or an anxiety disorder, as their symptoms can overlap. If you suspect that your child may have a
mental illness,
 be sure to get a formal assessment from a mental health professional.

Let’s now look at some signs that a child could have bipolar disorder.

1. Exaggerated sense of well-being

Credit: Freepik

Individuals with bipolar disorder experience something called manic episodes. During the episodes, your child could have unusually high self-esteem and confidence. She could also feel intense joy, one that seems unreasonable under normal circumstances.

Read more
:
Does Your Child Have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

2. Periods of severe hopelessness

Other than manic episodes, your child may also experience depressive episodes. Deep sadness, irritability and tiredness are features of this phase. This period can last for days or weeks, and can affect how much (or how little) your child wants to eat.

3. Overly high and extremely low

Credit: Pexels

Having bipolar disorder means one can go from periods of immense happiness, to phases of severe dejection. In between, there could be ‘normal’ periods. It is also possible for your child to have a mixed mood episode, where a child is exhibiting features of both manic and depressive states.

4. Difficulty controlling anger

If your child has periods of angry outbursts that last a few days, it may be a warning sign. It’s important to differentiate between normal anger, that can come once in a while, from sustained irritability or rage.

5. Heightened energy

During mania, kids may exhibit abnormally high energy, where they talk rapidly and change subjects quickly. Children in the midst of this phase may also have problems with sleeping or show very little need for it.

6. Challenges with focus at school

Credit: Freepik

Bipolar disorder can hamper one’s ability to focus. Kids who have this condition could be having issues with studying or paying attention at school.

This lack of focus can be highly frustrating for your child, as he or she may want to concentrate but finds it too difficult to do so.
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If you notice these symptoms in your child, be sure to seek help from a qualified expert. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but there are treatments to help keep the damaging symptoms under control.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

Peringatan: Anda tidak dibenarkan menyiar artikel ini di mana-mana laman web atau status Facebook yang lain, tanpa pemberian kredit dan pautan yang tepat lagi berfungsi pada artikel asal di laman
The AsianParent Malaysia

Read more:
 5 Early Signs Of Autism In Toddlers

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Top Beauty Fixes at Pavilion KL’s Beauty Hall to Relax and Unwind

Don’t let stress and your daily hustle get in the way of a much-needed pampering session. After all, everyone deserves some quiet relaxation after a long, frantic day.

Whether you want to indulge in luxurious beauty treatments, perfectly manicured nails, relaxing massages, or detoxification treatments, you can find the best “me time” treatments at Pavilion KL’s Beauty Hall precinct.

#1 Add acupuncture to your self-care routine

Where does acupuncture fit your self-care routine? Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine used to balance the body’s flow of energy, known as chi, by placing tiny needles into the skin at specific points. Stimulating these points activates your natural healing response, resulting in a wealth of positive health benefits.

Everyone is welcome to pop in for acupuncture treatment for relief after a stressful day, fatigue, a headache or migraine, acute pain, and more. The qualified professionals at
1TCM
 can accurately predict discomfort and pain in your body, making the craft perfect for anyone attempting to heal stress-induced muscle aches.

Location:
1TCM Acupuncture, Level 7, Beauty Hall, Pavilion KL

#2 You glow, girl!

While we’re firm (no pun intended) believers of gracefully ageing as opposed to anti-ageing, we are all for treatments that help us to maintain that youthful glow!

Bring a little luxury to your grooming routine with
AsterSpring
’s volumising facial, featuring energy-firming therapy. We love that results are immediate, erasing visible fine lines and wrinkles with potent freeze-dried marine collagen sheets. You will walk out looking energised and well-rested with fresh, plump and hydrated skin with less visible eye bags.

Location:
 AsterSpring, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#3 Itchy, oily scalp? Time to detox

If your scalp feels dry and itchy or your hair hasn’t been looking its best lately, it might be time to consider a scalp detox.
Tuesde
’s Signature Scalp Enzyme Treatment is a detox that deep cleanses your scalp to free the follicles of debris and rebalances the skin’s pH to create a better environment for healthy hair.

Similar to occasionally exfoliating the skin on your face, you should also do the same for the skin on your head (aka your scalp) to promote healthy locks!

Location:
Tuesde, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#4 The next generation of beauty

A new beauty trend is rising that harnesses the power of science — cellular beauty. The idea behind cellular beauty is to support the cellular processes that occur within skin cells so that the skin can function optimally. It takes around 28 days for your skin to renew or regenerate, however, this process slows down as you age, which can cause wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

The
Swiss Perfection
 RS-28 Cellular line is designed to provide an intensive repair of deep skin damage and offers optimal skin solutions to help defy ageing. If you are looking for a skincare routine that helps prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this is one for you!

Location:
 Swiss Perfection Boutique Spa, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#5 Flush those toxins away!

Mayfair
’s Lymphatic Detoxification treatment would likely serve you well if you’re feeling tired or your body is fighting to get back on track. A quick biology fact: the lymphatic system acts as a toxin recycling station where the toxin is filtered from the lymph nodes to the blood. When the lymphatic system works well, we feel healthy and have a strong defence against illness. So this may just be the perk-up you need!

Location:
 Mayfair Plus, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#6 Unwanted hairs no more

Constantly having to shave, tweeze, wax, or use hair removal creams on unwanted facial hair can be tiresome. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, laser hair removal may be an option to consider.
Luminous
’ Laser for Permanent Hair Reduction removes unwanted hair and can also help with other issues like ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation.

Location:
Luminous Integrative Medicine Clinic, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#7 Soak your worries away

Enjoy a spa-like soak at home with
Dr. Hauschka
’s Sage Purifying Bath Essence. A couple drops of this relaxing bath essence in your bath will help you relax and leave you with soft and hydrated skin. Continue to moisturise your skin with Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil that tones the skin while imparting a sense of deep relaxation and comfort at the end of a long day.

Location:
Dr. Hauschka, Level 7, Beauty Hall

#8 Nailed it!

Getting your nails done can be a great way to unplug from the world and be in the moment. It is tough to be elsewhere when your nails are being worked on. You can barely even be on your phone, lest the tips get smudged. It encourages you to be in the now. Getting your nails done is a time just for you to sit and be and watch the paint dry.
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Whether you want to go for the classic buffed nails, the Glazed Donut Nails (also known as Hailey Bieber Nails), the Classic French, or even the Textured Nails, Manicure
BMIC Nails
is the place to get your digits done! They also provide manicure and pedicure services for kids – perfect for a mother-daughter girls’ day out.

Location:
BMIC Nails, Level 7, Beauty Hall, Pavilion KL

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theAsianparent Malaysia website

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Parents horrified after suicide messages found hidden in YouTube Kids videos

Parents have been left horrified after some
cartoons
 allegedly uploaded on YouTube Kids were found edited with clips encouraging kids to harm themselves. Understandably, the question they are now asking is, “Is YouTube safe for my child?”

It is not known who exactly uploaded the disturbing videos. In one clip found on a children’s video game, a man suddenly appears on the screen and gives kids instructions on how to commit suicide.

“Remember, kids. Sideways for attention. Longways for results,” he says, holding what looks like an imaginary blade to the inside of his arm.

The disturbing clip was spliced with a children’s cartoon “Splatoon” on YouTube Kids

“Is YouTube safe for my child?” Parents worried after hidden suicide messages exposed

Dr Free Hess, a paediatrician and mum in the US, reported the video to YouTube and got the platform to take it down. She also wrote about it on her blog,
PediMom.

The clip was apparently found spliced into several videos of the popular Nintendo game Splatoon on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

Dr Hess, who regularly blogs on child cyber safety, writes, “Exposure to videos, photos, and other self-harm and suicidal promoting content is a huge problem that our children are facing today.”

“We have to start doing something NOW and we should start by educating ourselves, educating our children, and speaking up when we see something that is dangerous for our children.”

She also alerts parents to the fact that, the edited Splatoon videos are not the only dark and potentially dangerous content on social media platforms, especially on YouTube Kids. She has also found videos of children attempting suicide and other disturbing content on the app.

YouTube responds to disturbing content

Concerned about the kind of content our kids are getting exposed to, we reached out to YouTube Kids.

Tu Nguyen, a spokesman for YouTube Kids, said in a written statement to theAsianparent, “We work to make the videos in YouTube Kids as family-friendly as possible and take feedback very seriously.”

“We appreciate people drawing problematic content to our attention, and make it possible for anyone to flag a video. Flagged videos are manually reviewed 24/7 and any videos that don’t belong in the app are removed.”

“We’ve also been investing in new controls for parents including the ability to hand pick videos and channels in the app. We are making constant improvements to our systems and recognize there’s more work to do.”

As a reminder, she also advises that, “Users of the YouTube Kids app can also decide to have ‘Search on or Search off’. When you turn search on, your child can access millions more YouTube Kids videos beyond the home screen. This allows them to search for new content on their own. When you turn search off you restrict your child’s experience to a more limited set of videos.”

How does suicide content affect young minds?

Some children may just ignore the content of the video and move on, but others may get nightmares or even get strangely drawn to it.

On 13 Feb 2019, mummy Meridy Leeper shared a grim picture on what goes on in a 7-year-old’s head after watching disturbing content online.

She wrote on Facebook, “Kids youtube, roblox, fortnight… no matter how much you think you are monitoring your child.. notifications to what your child is watching. It doesn’t matter.”

“My 7 year old child was taught how to attempt suicide by kids youtube and these games. She has expressed that she doesn’t feel neglected or unloved. Instead, she was constantly told to ‘go kill yourself’ by other gamers, by kids youtube. Shown HOW to.”

The little child suffered from a severe anxiety attack, and her mum thought she had got over it, until she saw a picture the girl had drawn in school.

The worried mum shares, “I NEVER thought I would find myself helping my SEVEN YEAR OLD CHILD through an anxiety attack. PLEASE, keep your children away from these things.”

“I’m just so glad my child was able to express her feelings before she actually tried to harm herself. I never thought something as ‘innocent’ as kids youtube would have these subliminal messages.”

“Again, I’m only sharing our experience in the hopes to prevent another child going through this.”

Safety tips for parents on how to prevent self-harm in kids

In 2017, online media reported a very dangerous trend that was prevalent among teens –
the Blue Whale challenge.

The Blue Whale game allegedly assigned players tasks to complete over 50 days. These tasks start off tame with challenges like watching horror shows, but progress to dangerous orders such as self-harming.

At the highest and final level of the game, the child will be instructed to commit suicide.

Again, in 2018, reports emerged that a 16-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl had died in Barbosa, Colombia, after
playing the Momo suicide challenge
. They had played the game, which “invited young people to hurt themselves”, on WhatsApp.

Viral content about self-harm or suicide is worrying. As parents, we want to make sure that our children are not negatively influenced by social media.
Here are some safety tips
:

1. Know the warning signs

Watch out for these signs of distress and emotional turmoil:
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D
isplaying out-of character behaviour

I
njuries that are unexplained

S
udden changes in appearance, interests or habits

T
emperamental changes

R
ebellious/aggressive behaviour

E
xtended absence/deliberate social withdrawal

S
truggling to pay attention/increased lethargy

S
ending/posting moody or morbid messages (including expressions of death)

2. Empathise with your child

If you notice that your child is behaving differently, start off by asking these questions, “I noticed that you…. Is there anything you would like to share?” or “Is there something troubling you?”

Be willing to listen. Take your child’s comments seriously. Refrain from trivialising their thoughts or telling them that they should not feel negative about something.

Empathise with your child and show that you are genuinely trying to understand what’s going on in their minds. Don’t judge her or her thoughts. Be caring and kind.

3. Be aware of what your child is watching and reading

The best way to get your child to share what she has seen or read is to be more of a friend, and less of a parent. She should know that you mean only well for her, and you are ready to support her all the way.

Try to have open discussions with your children about movies, videos and news, in a non-judgemental way. You can talk about which characters she liked or disliked, and why she felt that way.

It might also help to friend your teen on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram, just to know the kind of posts they are liking and sharing.

4. Encourage a healthy lifestyle and a wide range of coping strategies

Encourage your child to develop a sleeping routine to help them get a good night’s sleep. Let her know that there are many ways to cope with stress, such as confiding in others, sports, art, and practising relaxation and deep breathing.

Proper nutrition can also help with sleep, general health and well being. A well-balanced diet helps the body and brain to function well.

5. Encourage your child to be a positive influence

Teach your child to distinguish between real and fake news, and discourage her from forwarding unverified messages.

Encourage your child to be a voice of hope and a pillar of support for her peers instead.

(Source:
CNN
,
Washington Post)

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


Breastfeeding and beauty treatments: A comprehensive safety guide

When you are pregnant, you are extra-cautious about what you eat, drink and apply on your skin and hair in order to keep your developing baby safe and sound. There’s also plenty of information related to what you should avoid and what is safe to use while you are pregnant

But after you have your baby, what is less common is information on how to keep your breastmilk safe for your little one — especially in relation to breastfeeding and beauty treatments.

Nursing mums need to know what treatments and products are safe to use or not. This is because minute quantities of what they apply on their skin and hair (similar to food and drink) are absorbed into their bloodstream, also potentially entering their breastmilk in the process.

This article is a guide* on what is and is not safe to use in terms of beauty products and treatments, when you are nursing your baby.

What beauty products and treatments are safe/ unsafe to use when you are breastfeeding?

1. Acne medications

With a huge selection of over-the-counter (OTC) topical acne remedies available, deciding what is safe to use while breastfeeding might be challenging.

Luckily, most OTC acne remedies use similar ingredients, so the best course of action is to select a product with ingredients that have no or a minimal effect on breastmilk, and therefore on your baby.

Here are four of the most commonly used main ingredients in OTC topical acne treatments, according to
Dr. James Abbey
 of the Infant Risk Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Do keep in mind that research on the link between these ingredients and breastfeeding is not extensive.

Benzoyl peroxide

This anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial medication is commonly found in many acne treatments, and is “an effective treatment for mild forms of comodonal acne

(forming white-heads and black-heads). It also complements prescription antibiotics for use in more severe forms of acne.”

While there is a lack of good studies on the effects of this medication on breastfeeding women, Dr. Abbey explains that “most tissues in the body contain enzymes that break down peroxide compounds and any of this medication that is absorbed would be rapidly destroyed.”

Because of this, topical benzoyl peroxide can considered to be the
safest option
 for treating acne among breastfeeding mums.

Salicylic acid (0.5 to 2%)

While there are limited studies on the link between this medication and breastfeeding, research has shown that up to 25% of the drug can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Also, studies show that other similar drugs can cross over to breastmilk.

For these reasons, if you are breastfeeding and are looking for an acne treatment,
 it’s best to stay away from anything that contains salicylic acid
.

Some ingredients in popular acne treatments may be harmful to use during breastfeeding

Lactic acid and glycolic acid

These are added to acne medication to help peel away skin and as a solution to scarring. According to Dr. Abbey, both drugs can be absorbed via the skin, as much as 50%. But he also points out that both lactic and glycolic acid are naturally present in babies, so it’s okay to use products that contain these ingredients while breastfeeding.

Products with these substances in them are often sold as skin peeling kits.

Tee tree oil

This all-natural essential oil is valued for its antomicrobial properties, and is extracted from the leaves of an Australian shrub known as
Melaleuca alternifolia.

No proper
studies
 exist that evaluate how safe it is for breastfeeding mothers to use products that contact tea tree oil. However, “some case studies have been published describing tea tree oil toxicity in toddlers who ingested a significant quantity.”

2. Nail care

Again, there isn’t much out there in terms of research on the safety aspects of getting a manicure or pedicure done while breastfeeding. However, the general consensus among both
experienced mums
 and
professionals
 alike is that it’s okay to get either done while nursing.

To be on the safe side though, look for/ request for nail polish that is free from chemicals such as formaldehyde, camphor, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde resin —
which have
 toxic properties and may be absorbed into your bloodstream in minimal quantities.

Also keep in mind that there is no research on the effect of newer types of nailpolishes such as Gelish or acrylics. If you are getting these done, ensure that that the room is well ventilated so that you don’t inhale any chemical fumes.

It is generally considered safe to use various hair treatments while breastfeeding, including colouring.

3. Hair treatments

Are you worried that dyeing, perming or relaxing your hair (or any other hair treatment) will have a bad effect on your breastfeeding baby? Well according to
La Leche League International
 (LLLI) there’s no need to fret.

They say that “no evidence exists that the nursing mother’s use of hair-care products, such as hair dyes and permanents, has any effect on her breastfeeding baby.”

LLLI does point out that some chemicals found in hair-care products may be absorbed through the skin. But they also says that if your scalp is healthy with no wounds or abrasions, less of the product will be absorbed.

Meanwhile, the Australia Breastfeeding Association quotes the
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists
 as saying “it is highly unlikely that a significant amount of the chemicals used [in hair treatments] would enter the breastmilk because very little enters the mother’s bloodstream.”

4. Skin lightening/ bleaching

A common ingredient found in many skin bleaching products is hydroquininone. According to Kelly Bonyata (
kellymom.com
),
 the absorption of this drug
 via the skin when applied topically is minimal.

Therefore, breastfeeding is assumed to be safe if a mum chooses to have skin whitening/ bleaching treatment.
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5. Hair removal

If you choose to do hair removal at home using a depilatory cream, information from the
 Australian Breastfeeding Association
says that this is perfectly safe, as the ingredients are poorly absorbed into the skin and “therefore are very unlikely to end up in breastmilk.”

They also say, “there is no evidence that electrolysis or laser hair removal would affect breastfeeding or your breastfed baby.”

6. Tattoos

Getting a tattoo can increase your chance of infection, especially Hepatitis B/ C or HIV which you can contract if the equipment is not cleaned or sterilised properly.

The
Australian Breastfeeding Association
 also cautions that bacterial infections can also be transmitted during tattooing “mainly as a result of contamination of the pigment used”.

While the risk of getting such as infection is low if you choose to get your tattoo at a reputable parlour, it is still poses a health risk that a breastfeeding mum should consider carefully before getting a tattoo done.

Are you thinking about getting Botox fillers? If you are breastfeeding, it’s better for your baby to not get this treatment done.

7. Facial cosmetic injections

Dermatalogic surgeon Dr. Ronald Sheldon
advises against
 getting facial cosmetic fillers such as Botox while breastfeeding.

He says that procedures like microdermabrasion, V-beam laser or Fraxel Restore treatments while beastfeeding are safe.

8. Creams and lotions

Skin creams and lotions in general (including those containing alpha hydroxy acids)
are considered
 to be safe to use when breastfeeding. However, it is best to avoid using these around the nipple area.

It is also
advisable
 to
avoid using products with retinoids
 — popularly used to get rid of wrinkles — while breastfeeding. During pregnancy, oral retinoids have been shown to cause birth defects.

Retinoids are also listed as Retin-A, differin, tazorac, retinol or retinyl, so check the list of ingredients on that face cream carefully before purchasing it, if your are breastfeeding.

Before you try out that new moisturiser, check the list of ingredients carefully if you are still breastfeeding your baby.

More ingredients to avoid in beauty products

Breastfeeding mums, when looking for beauty products such as lotions and creams,
professionals
 advise that you should carefully check the list of ingredients and avoid buying products with the following additives:

Petroleum:
Petroleum-based ingredients can irritate baby’s tender skin. Look out for the following names that indicate petroleum has been used in the product: propylene glycol, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum and isopropyl alcohol.

Formaldehyde:
This is used often in skin-care products as a preservative. It may cause serious allergies and allergicic reactions in your breastfeeding baby, if he is exposed to it. Look out for the following technical terms that formaldehyde ‘hides’ behind: hydroxymethylglycinate, DMDM-hydantoin and methenesmine.

Parabens:
These are commonly used in many skin-care products and are absorbed into the skin. Over time, they can accumulate in the body, “creating abnormal amounts of chemical buildup that can affect the endocrine system of a baby who is sensitive to the substance,” according to
LiveStrong
.  Look out for terms in the list of ingredients that use ‘paraben’ as a suffix, e.g. isopropylparaben or methylparaben.

*Please note this article is a guide only. For any health concerns related to you or your baby (including those related to breastfeeding and beauty treatments), seek professional medical help or advise without delay.

Always get beauty treatments done at reputed places, and if you are not sure if a treatment you are interested in getting is safe or not, check with the beauty technician first.

References

La Leche League International

Australian Breastfeeding Association

kellymom.com

LiveStrong

Featured image from
Pinterest
.

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Trying to Conceive? These 9 Tips Can Help

When you make the decision to try for a child, becoming pregnant can be stressful. Improve your fertility through a few lifestyle changes, either picking up or dropping certain habits.

Genetics and luck may play a part. But you might not realise there are a lot of other factors within your control that are hampering your chances of conceiving. Here are 9 things you should keep in check to maximise your chances of getting pregnant!

1. Kick that smoking habit to the curb

Image source: iStock

I’m sure by now you understand the life-threatening detriments of smoking, so I won’t harangue you for long about how this nasty habit can lead to severe health issues later in life. Instead, I’ll focus on how smoking can directly affect your odds of conceiving a child.

Quitting this habit is wildly
beneficial for both women and men
! In women, smoking can reduce how receptive your uterus is to the egg. And in men, smoking can reduce sperm count and damage DNA. Furthermore, the fact that women who smoke go through menopause (on average) two years sooner than women who don’t, is a clear indication of how smoking damages the reproductive system.

2. Nix caffeine and alcohol consumption

Image source: iStock

Both of these beverages should be avoided for maximum fertility. In a study by
The Fertility Society of Australia
, researchers found that “Women who consumed less than one cup of coffee were twice as likely to become pregnant, per cycle, as moderate coffee drinkers and the risk of not becoming pregnant increased with higher consumption.”

While this same research concedes that there still remains little evidence that alcohol consumption is detrimental to women attempting to conceive, experts have found that alcohol consumption can yield poor fertility in men. According to the study, “In men [alcohol consumption] can cause impotence, reduce libido and affect sperm quality.”

3. Learn to destress

Image source: iStock

Stress can be the root of a multitude of health-related issues. Though there aren’t any clear, direct links between stress and infertility, research is being done to draw a relation between the two. Many doctors believe that stress, specifically trying too hard to conceive, is
accountable for nearly 1/3 of all infertility problems.

Allen Morgan, MD
, director of Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Lakewood, N.J. says that while doctors don;t know too much about the relation between the two at the moment.; however, “What [experts] do know now is that when stress-reduction techniques are employed, something happens in some women that allows them to get pregnant when they couldn’t get pregnant before.”

4. Start taking multivitamins and supplements

Okay, so taking a multivitamin is hardly an “organic” solution to infertility. But taking a one-a-day type of multivitamin or a prenatal supplement can lend a hand in boosting your overall fertility. Supplements with
folate/folic acid will do wonders for your chances of conception
, mums!

5. Keep your weight in check

Image source: iStock

In a
study
 published in the British Medical Journal that found that very lean women and very obese women (BMI >38) had lower conception rates. So, the key is to instill healthy eating and exercise habits that you maintain over the course of your pregnancy.

The best way to know what a healthy weight is for you, is to calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index). If you’re curious about your BMI
 click here
 to visit the Australian Government’s BMI calculator and healthy weight information page.

6. Eat as if you’re pregnant: clean and healthy

If you’re going to create a hospitable living environment for a child, you might as well start eating like you’re already pregnant. To do this you can eat foods that are rich in whole grains. Not to mention an increase in your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. You should also try to find foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are components in all cell membranes. One food rich in these fats, for those who are fans of seafood, is salmon. If you want to improve your intake of omega-3s, the
Mediterranean Diet
 is a great way to do so.

Also, ensure you’re getting enough nutrients in your diet! Eating enough protein, iron, zinc, and having a higher intake of vitamins regulates menstrual cycles, as well as lower the risk of miscarriage.

7. Watch what you eat

Image source: iStock

Although it might be convenient and cheaper to pick up fruits and vegetables from your nearest grocer, they might have higher levels of pesticides. These chemicals
decrease male fertility
 which in turn affects your chance of becoming pregnant. It’s a good idea to switch over to organic produce to lower the risk of pesticides.

8. Track your cycle

Image source: iStock

Having sex within a day of ovulating increases your chance of conception. It usually happens 2 weeks or 14 days after the first or last day of your period.
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Knowing your menstrual cycle will help you know when’s the best time to have sex.

You can download an app to help you figure out your cycle if you’re not sure. Alternatively, you could track your
Basal Body Temperature
 (BBT) with a thermometer.

9. Choose your lubricants wisely

You can’t get pregnant without getting intimate. However, when you’re having sex to have a baby, it can feel more like a burden than pleasurable. You might not be in the mood for it but feel the need to have sex because it’s during the fertile window. Many couples use
lubricants
 to help them. However, not all lubricants are sperm-friendly. Choose one that is labelled “fertility-friendly” so you don’t lower your man’s sperm count.

Now you know which products might be lowering your chances of conceiving, improve your fertility and make a few lifestyle changes. We can’t wait to hear your good news!

This article was republished. with permission from theAsianparent Singapore.

READ: 10 Scientifically proven ways to improve your child’s memory

Be sure to check out
theAsianparent Community
 for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
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Want to Eat Homemade Bubur Lambuk? Make One on Your Own Using A Rice Cooker!

Bubur lambuk is a popular dish during the fasting month in Malaysia. How lambuk porridge is usually made is through gotong-royong in the mosque to be distributed to the congregation as food for breaking fast.

But now you don't have to wait for the fasting month to enjoy this dish, with the shared lambuk porridge recipe, you can make it anytime! Easy actually, even kids love it!

Lambuk porridge recipe

[caption id="attachment_442968" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
 Credit: Tatler Malaysia[/caption]

According to Nur Haziqah's sharing on her Facebook page, she has uploaded several ways to make easy lambuk porridge at home using only an electric pot.

You can cook lambuk porridge in large quantities and stored in a closed container, then placed in the refrigerator . If you do not feel like eating white rice, you can just heat the ready-cooked porridge at any time.

The good thing about this lambuk porridge is that all the necessary nutrients are complete in one porridge. Both in terms of meat and vegetables are all ready in one serving.
Usually lambuk porridge uses beef, but if you do not like to use meat, you can change it according to whatever your taste buds.

There are also people who make lambuk porridge with tau fish! Yes, don't be surprised, it tastes pretty good. Even when mixed with fried onions it is delicious!

Ingredients you need:

1 1/2 pots of rice- wash, soak for 15 minutes and drain.

The meat is cut into small pieces, washed and drained.

Adabi brand soup seasoning 1 pack.

Soup leaves sliced small

1 slice of carrot cut into cubes

1 seed potato diced

4 cloves garlic

5 onion cloves

2 inches of ginger

1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder

100 ml coconut milk

2 liters of water

fried onions

Sugar and salt

How to make bubur lambuk:

Grind ginger, garlic and onion with a little water until smooth. Heat oil and sauté the ground ingredients until fragrant.

Then, add 1 packet of soup seasoning and stir.

Add the meat and stir in 1 minute. Then, add the rice, stirring until smooth.

Transfer the rice inside rice cooker. Add water, potatoes , carrots. Cook until it becomes fluffy.

Next, add coconut milk, sugar, salt, black pepper powder, soup leaves and fried onions. Stir well and cook again until the rice is crushed.

Ready to serve. Good luck!

Best Rice Cooker Range with Prices Below RM100

Do you need an electric cooker or rice cooker at an affordable price? We at theAsianparent Malaysia have prepared some of the best options for moms to easily cook at home. Among them:

#1 Midea Rice Cooker MG-GP18B 1.8L

Keep Warm Function

Cooking automatically

Easy to use and can choose to keep food warm

Compact design

1.8 L/ 10 cups/ 10 people

1 year warranty by Midea Malaysia

 Midea Rice Cooker MG-GP18B 1.8L
Buy From Lazada

#2 ELBA 1.8L Rice Cooker ERC-1866 / ERC-1866T

Size 1.8 Liters

Has a power of 700W

The inner pot is removable

Warranty for 1 year

Conventional pot type

 ELBA 1.8L Rice Cooker ERC-1866 / ERC-1866T
Buy From Lazada

#3 Russell Taylors 1.8L ERC-18

ERC-18 (Steam Rack Included)

Size 1.8 Liters

Quick and easy cooking period

1 year warranty

Steamers are provided along

Beautiful and exclusive design

 Russell Taylors 1.8L ERC-18
Buy From Lazada

#4 Panasonic SR-E18A 1.8L

A brand that is trusted by many

It is high quality, strong and durable

User friendly

Suitable for medium-sized families

Cheap and affordable price

 Panasonic SR-E18A 1.8L
Buy From Lazada

#5 KHIND Rice Cooker 2.8L RC928

Enough for 14 family members

14 cups of rice

Save electricity with Smart Switch

Smart Switch allows the user to choose whether to stay hot or not automatically while cooking

No wastage of rice if choosing without staying warm (keep warm)

 KHIND Rice Cooker 2.8L RC928
Buy From Lazada

The benefits of porridge

[caption id="attachment_442983" align="aligncenter" width="670"]
 Credit: Instant Pot Recipe by Amy + Jack[/caption]

Porridge is a food that helps the digestive system be good for the stomach, in addition to being a healthy eating practice.
A serving of porridge taken at breakfast contains carbohydrates that help provide energy throughout the day.

Rice-based porridge, even with coconut milk, can replace main dishes such as rice.
It is not only nutritious, energizes, increases appetite, but also balances nutritional tastes such as sweet and spicy.
In addition to its health benefits, porridge is also popular during the fasting month because of its easy preparation, thus saving time.

In Malaysia, besides lambuk porridge, rice-based porridge can be mixed with other main ingredients such as marrow, meat, chicken, shrimp, fish and crab.

Coconut milk-based porridge can be combined with grains, beans, rice, vegetables, pumpkin, potatoes and sweet potatoes.

For the community, they always eat porridge with chicken soup, while the Chinese are also usually eating porridge with side dishes such as horseradish sauce, anchovies, youtiao and so on. In fact, it is usually eaten at breakfast.

So what are you waiting for, let's prepare this dish for the whole family. For kids who choose to eat, trust me they will love it!

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:

18 fabulous and easy to make rice cooker meals (desserts included)


Sensitive Skin? Here Are 5 Laundry Tips & Tricks to Avoid Irritation

Having red, itchy and dry skin? When it comes to having sensitive skin, there can be various triggers and one of them includes the way you do your laundry. This is especially crucial for mummies with sensitive skin babies and children because younger skin is even more vulnerable to irritation
1
.

This is because clothes have contact with our skin constantly, and if you don’t use the right methods to avoid depositing allergens and irritants when doing laundry, it can cause those pesky flare-ups.

So, here are five laundry tips for those with sensitive skin.

Tip 1: Know How Much Soap to Use

Certain laundry detergents may contain harmful chemicals that cause rashes, and even, contact dermatitis which shows up as a red, itchy rash that can be widespread or focused on body parts such as our armpits
2
.

Using too much soap when doing laundry could be a key culprit in causing this as it traps the detergent in the fabric, allowing these irritants to come into direct contact with the skin
3
. What this means is that detergent residue may be left on the clothes as your machine may not fully rinse off the excess detergent, therefore causing skin irritation when wearing these clothes.

Credit: Shutterstock

So, check the recommended usage instructions on your detergent to ensure you are using just the right amount.

Tip 2: Do an Extra Rinse Cycle

Now, we know that using too much soap can leave residue, but even when using the right amount, it is best to do an extra rinse cycle to be extra careful.

Doing this can get rid of any possible lingering soap residues. This prevents any possible irritation that you or your children can suffer from because of trapped detergent within your clothes.

Tip 3: Wash New Clothes Before Wear

New clothes are absolutely not clean. It is extremely important to wash new clothes before you or your kids wear them because they may contain any chemicals
4
, dyes
5
, allergens or bacteria
6
. These chemicals will leak more on the skin because of sweat too.

Credit: Shutterstock

In fact, allergic contact dermatitis from clothes is usually because of dispersed dyes that are present in brand-new, unwashed clothing
7
. Plus, before you took these new clothes home, they would have been tested by other shoppers as well, and that itself can leave more bacteria and even insects (such as lice!) on the clothing
8
.

Tip 4: Don’t Overload Your Washing Machine

As much as we want to quicken the laundry process by filling our washing machine to the brim, we shouldn’t. It is best to follow your manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to loading in your machine, as overloading it will make washing clothes ineffective.

Plus, overloading your washing machine may leave residual detergent on the clothing, and we’ve already explained how harmful that can be to the skin.

The 5th, Final & Best Tip: We Recommend Using the New TOP Gentle Care

We know detergent contains harmful chemicals and they are the main cause of your laundry irritating sensitive skin. Thankfully, there are specialised detergents that are made for sensitive skin such as TOP Gentle Care.

TOP Gentle Care is dermatologically tested
and formulated to
 clean well with its 3X Stain Busting Action and protects clothes with Fibre Care Tech. Moreover, it is a liquid detergent and is less risky than powdered detergent as there is less chance that it will leave detergent residue after your wash cycle.

Here are some other things that we love about TOP Gentle Care when it comes to laundry for sensitive skin:

It contains the revolutionary TOP Advanced Micro-Clean Tech with Lion Japan’s Anti-Microbial Tech that
effectively removes 99.9% of viruses (Covid-19 virus, Influenza A & HFMD virus) and bacteria*.

It does deep cleaning by penetrating into each fibre core to dislodge invisible and visible stains like dirt, sebum and sweat while preventing them from redepositing onto your laundry.

Clothes will also smell fresher for longer, and remain hygienically clean, making it suitable for the entire family – especially with the anti-malodour that prevents bad odours when drying clothes indoors.

It has Anti-Mite Dust, which removes 99.9% of mite dust that can cause allergies.

TOP Gentle Care comes highly recommended by us because it effectively cleanses – while protecting the skin. Now we have given you tips, and a product recommendation for you to protect your family’s sensitive skin, it is time to put these to the test and keep your family’s skin safe.

For more information on TOP Gentle Care, visit
www.topdetergent.com.my/gentlecare
 now.

*Tested by an independent lab in Japan.

References:

 (n.d.). Irritated skin on your child? It can be your detergent – Blue Net …. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://bluenethospitals.com/blog/pediatrics-and-neonatology/irritated-skin-on-your-child-it-can-be-your-detergent/2020-05-11

(n.d.). Rashes from Detergent: Could Your Laundry Soap Be Causing. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://www.healthline.com/health/rashes-from-detergent

(2019, June 15). Signs You’re Allergic to Laundry Detergent — Skin Reaction – Allure. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://www.allure.com/story/laundry-detergent-allergy-skin-reaction

 (2015, May 20). New clothes should be washed because chemicals can cause …. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3090175/Doctor-s-orders-wash-new-clothes-Chemicals-used-garments-wrinkle-free-look-shops-cause-allergic-reactions.html

 (2015, May 20). New clothes should be washed because chemicals can cause …. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3090175/Doctor-s-orders-wash-new-clothes-Chemicals-used-garments-wrinkle-free-look-shops-cause-allergic-reactions.html

(2020, September 21). This Is Why You Should Wash Your New Clothes Before You Wear …. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from
https://www.india.com/lifestyle/this-is-why-you-should-wash-your-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them-read-on-4147700/

(2019, July 23). Why You Should Always Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://time.com/5631818/wash-new-clothes/

 (2015, May 20). New clothes should be washed because chemicals can cause …. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3090175/Doctor-s-orders-wash-new-clothes-Chemicals-used-garments-wrinkle-free-look-shops-cause-allergic-reactions.html

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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 theAsianparent Community
 di
iOS
 dan
Android
 sekarang!


The Therapeutic Side of Art | Helping Kids Cope with Stressful Times

Kids can experience emotional and mental hardship, just like adults during difficult times. With children, unmanaged stress and anxiety can negatively affect their development—if they don’t discover ways to cope.

This is why activities like art, that encourage emotional growth and expression, are important.

Art as Therapeutic Aid

Art therapy is the application of visual arts for a therapeutic purpose. There are professionals who are licensed art therapists, using art as a way to achieve socioemotional and developmental targets, for example.

But you don’t
have
 to see a therapist to get therapeutic benefits from art. Your kid can experience some healing and nurturing advantages at home too.

Here are 5 areas in which your child can grow, through art therapy:

1. Self-regulation

Self-regulation is the ability to manage one’s feelings. It’s an important life skill that everyone needs.

Art develops this skill as it can be used to express or release one’s emotions, in a non-destructive way. Creative activities allow for an immersive experience where the maker gets absorbed into a state of ‘flow’—also known as ‘being in the zone’’.

This is why you often see young children, wide-eyed and intensely focused while drawing, colouring or sculpting.

This full involvement in the present moment also teaches children to take time to explore their feelings, instead of immediately reacting to something.

Once the MCO is over, try checking out these art jamming
venues
 or art classes in
Eduwis Elite
 with your kid.

2. Resilience

Credit: Freepik

Sometimes kids go through hard times. Although this is an expected part of life, what really matters is how they react to these challenges.

Do they remain dispirited for long, or do they bounce back quickly, with determination to keep doing their best?

Children who engage in art can build resilience that pours onto other parts of life. Finishing an art project and developing art-related skills give children the experience of seeing themselves push through difficult things, and coming out of it with something positive.

3. Self-awareness

Art sharpens your child’s ability to recognize her emotions, correctly identify her strengths and understand her limitations.

It does this through the process of shining a light on her life experiences and inner world.

To help this process, you can ask your kid questions that prompt self-discovery. Here are a few examples:

“What did you feel when you were drawing?”

“What do you realize about your art?”

“What would you name this drawing you made?”

“What is happening in this part of the picture?”

Besides questions, parents can also give children ideas on what to ‘explore’ while still leaving a lot of room for expression and creativity.

 Examples of prompts:

“Why don’t you draw how you feel when you’re angry?”

“Let’s paint ourselves as superheroes”

“Draw something that makes you really happy!”

4. Communication

Making art is a form of non-verbal communication.

Since children often find it harder than adults to express their feelings and thoughts in a way that is fluid or coherent, they could try using art to ‘speak’.
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There may be instances when drawing a picture is easier and safer than describing something with words. This is especially true if a child has gone through or witnessed a stressful or traumatic event.

Have gentle and encouraging talks with your child about her art pieces if possible. This may help you understand her better.

5. Self-esteem

When children have high self-esteem, they see themselves as being valuable. They also tend to have a brighter general outlook.

Research
 suggests that kids who frequently participate in art activities like painting and drawing are more likely to have higher self-esteem than those who don’t. This happens even without parental involvement.

But, how does art therapy foster self-esteem in our little ones?

Below are several possible ways, related to the other points we’ve mentioned:

Develops a skill or creative output that they can be proud of

Provides emotional release and fun, allowing for a more relaxed attitude

Opens up doors for sharing an interest with others, thus building more social bonds

Gives kids an insight into their inner worlds, allowing them to appreciate their uniqueness

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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

Read more
:
Right Brain, Left Brain, Whole Brain Training: What Does My Child Need?

Read more:

 Using Psychology to Shape Behaviour: Punish, Reward or Remove?

Read more:
A School Principal’s Guide to Manage Stress

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
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Mum and baby die after drunk doctor performs C-section

In a shocking
 C-section death
, a 22-year-old mother-to-be and her newborn have died, allegedly because the doctor who performed the operation was drunk.

C-section death of mum and baby allegedly caused by drunk doctor

In India, pregnant mum Kamini Chachi was admitted to a government hospital in Gujarat on Monday 26 November. She was in labour at the time, say news reports.

A senior doctor named Paresh Lakhani — who had been working at that hospital for 15 years — performed a Caesarian section on the young mum. But the baby died at birth and Kamini was bleeding heavily. Her family reportedly decided to move her to a private hospital. However, she died on the way.

Her relatives allegedly accused Lakhani of being drunk when he performed the operation, resulting in the mum and her baby’s c-section death. They informed the police that they believed the doctor was intoxicated. And indeed, a breathalyser test conducted by police confirmed the doctor was drunk.

Botad Superintendent of Police Harshad Mehta told
India Today
, “The police found that the doctor was drunk while on duty. He was first booked under the Prohibition Act and was arrested. His blood sample was sent for testing.”

Meanwhile, a postmortem on both mother and baby has been requested to find out if their deaths were caused by medical negligence or other factors.

“As per Supreme Court guidelines, only a committee headed by a civil surgeon can determine negligence charges. If the report is positive, we will book him,” added Mr Mehta.

Here at theAsianparent, we offer our condolences to the family of the mum and baby. We also hope that due justice is served.

C-sections are generally quite safe. Still, it’s good to know the risks. Image: File photo

C-section risks and accidents: How common are they?

You might be an expecting mum reading this who is planning for a caesarian section. Naturally, news of this c-section death will make you very anxious.

There’s no need to fret because a c-section is one of the most common surgeries performed around the world, every single day. Still, like with any surgery, it’s good to be informed of some of the potential risks of this procedure.

1. Breathing problems in babies

More common in scheduled c-sections, issues like rapid breathing can arise when a baby’s lungs aren’t fully developed.

2. Inflammation and infection of the uterus

Also known as endometritis, inflammation and infection of the uterus results in high fever, uterine pain, and
foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

3. Severe bleeding

During a c-section delivery, mums are more likely to lose a lot of blood compared to a vaginal birth.

4. Adverse reactions to anaesthesia

Though rare, some mums experience adverse reactions to common types of anaesthesia like a spinal block or epidural-spinal anaesthesia.

5. Blood clots

Following a c-section, clots can develop in the veins of the legs or pelvic organs.

These clots become dangerous and life-threatening when they travel to the lungs, otherwise known as a pulmonary embolism.

This is the reason why doctors encourage walking and ambulation after surgery.

6. Wound infection

C-section wound infections usually occur on the incision site or inside the uterus.

7. Surgical injuries

Aside from cuts and nicks on the baby’s skin, there is also a risk of damaging nearby organs like the urinary bladder.

On top of all of this, c-sections can make future pregnancies riskier. After a c-section, a mum is more likely to encounter placental problems and uterine rupture.

At the same time, mums, remember that c-sections safely deliver millions of babies around the world, every day.
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Sources:
Channel NewsAsia
,
BBC

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


Boosting Their Immune System: 5 Ways To Keep Your Growing Up Child Fit and Strong

When you become a parent, you want to give the world to your
growing up

child and you’ll find yourself with mountains of emotions that you never had before. Keeping your child happy, safe and healthy from any illness quickly becomes paramoun
t. As they get older and become more socialised and interactive with the outside world, our children will eventually fall prey to cough, cold or other infectious diseases. Hence building and to boost immune system becomes the main key.

Immunity plays a huge role in keeping your child above 1 year old healthy, and when they have strong immune systems, they are able to explore the world even further and learn many wonderful life skills and experiences.

Why Strong Immune System Matters?

Credit: Stock

Immune system
1
 is the body’s defence against infection. It attacks the germs to keep us healthy. When your child has a good immune system, basically it means that they have a strong foundation against viruses and germs. They will feel more in control to explore the world and experience new things without the fear of getting ill. Therefore it is vital to boost immune system for children as much as possible.

Research had shown that the more
mental stimulation
2
 a child gets around the age of four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in decades to come. Hence, letting the children play and explore the world around them becomes an important part of their development.

Playing is a part of these experiences give your child the opportunity to explore, observe, experiment and solve problems that will be useful for their future. However, the only way from them to experience such life is by making sure that their immune system is strong enough to handle any hurdles.

Help Your Child Boost Immune System: Here Is How!

Adapting regular practice to help boost your child’s immune system is an excellent way to ensure their health. These small changes will be beneficial for them in the long run, so it’s time to take proactive steps in strengthening their immunities.

1# Offer them varieties of snack

Credit: iStock

A well-balanced diet has always been an important part of boosting a good immune system. In fact, this healthy diet helps your body to fight infection and repair injury to cells, plus protect their bodies against infection and illness.

If your children love their fruits and greens, you are definitely the luckiest mother in the world! But if they don’t, don’t punish them for it. Instead, offer them different kind of treats that they might enjoy. Yoghurt, for example, is rich in probiotic aka good bacteria. These good bacteria fight any diseases in your guts and help to reduce risk of colds, ear infections and sore throat.

2# Insist on regular sleeping habits

For children, they might find it hard to go to sleep because the world is endless with fun plays and activities. As difficult as it might come, parents must insist on regular sleeping habits as getting enough rest helps to heal the body from daily stress.

A study has found that the
lack of sleep
3
 causes your immune system to weaken and eventually making you more likely to get sick. Sleeping also helps to boost your
immune memory
4
 as the interaction of immune system components during sleep reinforces the immune system’s ability to remember and recognise dangerous antigens.

Long hours of sleeping alone won’t be as effective as it should, unless you turn it into a quality deep sleep. Make sure that your child’s room is pitch black to avoid any disturbance during their sleep, and put away all the gadgets or any bright light toys an hour before sleep so their mind will be more at ease and less stimulated.

3# Stress-free life

A body of research suggests that there is a link between
immune system and stress
5
. When your child is stressed out, their body’s immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced, making them more susceptible to illness and infection. It has also shown that stress causes the effectiveness of natural infection fighting cells. So parents, if you noticed any psychological changes in your child, get them treated immediately.

Listen to their problems without any judgement and instead of trying to justify their emotions and reasoning, let them know that their voice is heard loud and clear. You also need to learn how to help reduce their
stress and anxiety
6

as it is vital for them to have some down time here and then.

4# Working out as family

Credit: iStock

Boost your children’s immune system by working out together preferably outdoors. In fact, physical activity actually helps to
flush bacteria out
7
 of lungs and airways simultaneously reduce the risk of you catching an illness. This is because exercise causes a change in your antibodies and white blood cells and these white blood cells help to fight disease.

So, instead of letting your child play alone, try new activities together that everyone can enjoy. Cycling, playing badminton or football, perhaps even doing yoga together will help to strengthen your relationship with your child. Moreover, exercise promotes endorphins to make you and your child feel better overall.

5# Teach them good hygiene practices

It gets pretty tricky at first since children tend to put their hands anywhere to go however, parents must teach them good hygiene. Make sure that your child washes their hands with after touching unknown surfaces or use hand sanitiser whenever possible.

Carry disposable wipes to clean surfaces before your children can reach to it also helps to reduce germs exposure. Whenever possible, teach them to avoid using the same utensils as others or wipe their utensils before using them.

Track Your Child’s Development Using Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App

Every child goes through different stages of development and growth. Hence, keeping track of their development and progress is a crucial step in making sure everything goes smoothly. Other than going to your doctor’s appointments for regular checkups, tracking your child’s development can help your doctor to understand them better.

As parents, your understanding of your child’s growth and development is the utmost importance to your doctor in case a problem arises. Which is why tracking their progress will come in handy. These days, there are easy ways to track their progress digitally such as using Enfamama A+ Club Mobile App.

W
ith the app, you can track your child above 1-year-old sleeping habits, poop tracker, growth tracker and milestones. The apps also cater to your child’s development through features such as personalised guidance, educational articles and tips and videos for better understanding.

The apps also enable you to view all of their exclusive offers and deals.
When you
 join Enfamama A+ Club, you will receive gifts and vouchers worth more than RM700 + 63% off* promo code to purchase Enfagrow A+ Step 3 and Step 4 600g pack from Shopee.

What are you waiting for? Learn more about Enfamam
a
 A+ Club Mobile App
 here
 and downlo
a
d it today.

*Terms & Conditions apply. While stock last.

Reference:

1
kidshealth.org/en/parents/immune.html

2
www.theguardian.com/science/2012/oct/14/childhood-stimulation-key-brain-development

3
journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00010.2018

4
healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep/learning-memory

5
www.apa.org/research/action/immune

6
www.umms.org/coronavirus/what-to-know/managing-medical-conditions/healthy-habits/stress-management

7
medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm

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Most Popular Baby Names 2020: 31 Names for Baby Boys and Girls

Are you having a baby next year and are unsure about names? We are here to help with our list of most popular baby names 2020.

These are going to be the most popular baby names in 2020, according to our predictions! And whether you are having a little boy or girl, our list has you covered!

Most popular baby girl names 2020

Ada
 – Short form of ADELAIDE, this name was borne by Augusta Ada King (1815-1852), the Countess of Lovelace (known as Ada Lovelace), a daughter of Lord Byron

Amara
 – Means “grace” in Igbo

Amelia
 – Latinised form of the Germanic name Amala, meaning “work”

Arabella
 – Medieval Scottish name, long been associated with the Latin word “orabilis”, meaning beautiful/ graceful/ lovable

Arya
 – From an old Indo-Iranian root meaning “Aryan, noble”

Aurora
 – Means “dawn” in Latin. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the morning

Ava
 – From the name Eve, which means in Hebrew, “to breathe” or “to live”

Charlotte
 – French feminine diminutive of CHARLES, meaning “”petite”

Ellie
 – Diminutive of ELEANOR, ELLEN; meaning light/torch/bright

Emma
 – Means “whole” or “universal”

Harper
 – Derived from a surname of a person who plays the harp or who made harps

Hazel
 – From the English word hazel for the tree or the light brown colour

Isabella
 – Derived from the name Elizabeth, meaning “my God is an oath”

Isla
 – From the name of the island of Islay, which lies off of the west coast of Scotland

Kennedy
 – From an irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Cinnéidigh meaning “descendant of CENNÉTIG”

Lucy
 – English form of LUCIA and feminine form of LUCIUS, derived from the Latin word for “light”

Luna
 – Means “the moon” in Latin

Maeve
 – Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Medb meaning “intoxicating”

Mila
 – Originally a diminutive of Slavic names containing the element ‘milu’; meaning: “gracious, dear”

Natalie
 – From the Late Latin name Natalia, which means “Christmas Day”

Nora
 – Short form of HONORA or ELEANOR; meaning “honour”

Olivia
 – Latin word oliva meaning “olive”

Penelope
 – Possibly derived from Greek πηνελοψ (penelops), “a type of duck”

Rylie
 – An English surname it is derived from a place name meaning “rye clearing” in Old English

Sadie
 – Diminutive of SARAH, meaning “princess”

Savannah
 – From the English word for the large grassy plain

Scarlett
 – From a surname which denoted a person who sold or made clothes made of scarlet

Stella
 – Means “star” in Latin

Thea
 – Short form of DOROTHEA or THEODORA; meaning “”gift of god”

Violet
 – From the English word violet for the purple flower

Zoe
 – Means “life” in Greek

Most popular baby boy names 2020

Asher
 – Meaning “happy, blessed” in Hebrew

Atticus
 – From a Roman name meaning “from Attica” in Latin

Brandon
 – From a surname which was derived from a place name meaning “hill covered with broom” in Old English

Caleb
 – Most likely related to Hebrew כֶּלֶב (kelev) meaning “dog”

Corin
 – Derived from French name QUIRINUS, the Sabine word
quiris
 meaning “spear”

Declan
 – Anglicized form of Irish Deaglán, which is of unknown meaning

Dylan
 – From the Welsh elements dy meaning “great” and llanw meaning “tide, flow”

Elijah
 – From the Hebrew name אֱלִיָּהוּ (‘Eliyyahu) meaning “my God is YAHWEH”

Everett
 – From  a name derived from the Old English name Eoforheard; meaning “brave as a wild boar”

Ezra
 – Meaning “help” in Hebrew

Felix
 – From a Roman cognomen meaning “lucky, successful” in Latin

Finn
 – From Irish fionn (older Irish finn) meaning “fair” or “white”

Grayson
 – From an English surname meaning “son of the steward”

Hunter
 – From an occupational English surname for a hunter

Isaac
 – From the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq) meaning “he will laugh, he will rejoice”

Jack
 – A slang word for “man”

Jasper
 – Meaning “treasurer” in Persian

Joseph
 – From the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning “he will add”

Kai
 – Meaning “sea” in Hawaiian

Leo
 – Meaning “lion” in Latin

Levi
 – Possibly meaning “joined, attached” in Hebrew

Liam
 – Short form of William, which was composed of the elements wil “will, desire” and helm “helmet, protection”

Logan
 – From a surname which was originally derived from a Scottish place name meaning “little hollow” in Scottish Gaelic

Lucas
 – Derived from Luke, which meant “from Lucania”, a southern part of Italy

Noah
 – Derived from the Hebrew name נֹחַ (Noach) meaning “rest, comfort”

Oliver
 – Meaning “olive tree”

Reuben
 – Meaning “behold, a son” in Hebrew

Sebastian
 – From the Latin name Sebastianus which meant “from Sebaste”

Silas
 – Derived from Silvanus, a Roman name derived from Latin silva “wood, forest”

Theodore
 – Meaning “gift of god” in Greek

Xavier
 – Derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria meaning “the new house”

Clearly the popular names of the
last few years
 (like Emma and Liam) have become mainstays in the list. A few oldies but goodies have made it back in the list (like Victoria and Charlotte – must be the royal English influence!).

Tips on choosing a baby name

Choosing baby names can be hard. You may have no idea what to name your child, or you may have a long list of names that you love. Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect name for your little one.

Avoid trends
. Trends come and go, but your children will have their names for life (unless they choose to change it). Ask yourself if the name you are choosing for your baby will sound ridiculous in 10 years time. Or if it will tempt other children to make fun of it in school.

Check the initials
. You might want to ensure that your baby’s initials doesn’t spell something odd, or worse, rude. For example, Charlotte Olivia White.

Contemplate possible nicknames
. Think about the potential nicknames that other people may give your child.

Consider sibling names
. It may be strange to have one child with a very common name and another with a very unique name. You may want to consider giving your kids names that go well together. After all, it’s likely that you’ll be saying the same breath very often.

Check the meanings
. This is an important step so it safeguards you from choosing a name with a meaning that is horrifying to you.

Contemplate its uniqueness
. Unique names can be fun. However, names that are too unique can make it hard for your child to grow up with. Ask yourself if it is too hard to spell or pronounce. After all, you surely don’t want your little one to have to continuously teach others how to say their name.

Decide on the spelling
. Some parents decide to go with unconventional spelling for a common name to make it unique. However, gossly misspelled names can make it incredibly difficult for your child to spell, pronounce and explain.

Have a look at your family tree
. If you don’t seem to be able to find the ‘perfect’ name, why not look at you or your partner’s family tree for inspiration? Choosing a name that has a strong significance can be really special for your families.

Say it aloud.
 Saying the chosen name for your baby out loud can help you decide if you want to go with it. Does it flow well together? Or is it a mouthful to say?

Enjoy the process
. Don’t stress out too much if you can’t seem to decide on a baby name. Some parents only find the ‘perfect’ name when their baby is born. If you make a mistake and regret the name you picked for your baby, don’t worry! You can use a nickname or if you want, legally change it, although this does require a large amount of paperwork and some fees.

So? What do you think? Do you think these will be the most popular baby names for 2020? Let us know in the comments.
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If you love unique names, check out this list of
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 that you will fall in love with.

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9 household items that can put your children in grave danger

We watch our kids like hawks when we go out to ensure their safety. But did you know your own home can house risks to your child’s safety? Now before you get alarmed, remember that being aware of what these risks are is the most important step to preventing accidents. So, without further ado, here are nine common household items that should make your list when childproofing your home.

9 Household Items to Watch Out for When Childproofing Your Home

1. Bathtubs

Whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, or even a really large aquarium, young children are especially at risk because they
can drown
 in less than two inches (six cm) of water. To prevent accidents, NEVER leave your baby unattended in a bathtub, even for a few seconds. If you have a pool, pond, or even an aquarium, ensure your child cannot fall into it.

2. Electrical Sockets

When childproofing your home, start covering all your electrical sockets just before your little one starts crawling and cruising. This is to prevent those curious little ones from sticking their tiny fingers in. Make sure the covers are on tight so that it cannot be pried open easily and double check that you do not miss any of the lower sockets that are within reach.

3. Drawers

Some kids are born natural climbers. Remember a toddler’s near-fatal accident when
the drawer
 toppled over? Or the one where the child’s
twin brother managed to save his brother from under the fallen drawers
? When childproofing your home, always secure shelves and drawers to the wall so that they do not fall over and cause unwanted accidents.

The same goes for flat-screen TVs that should be securely attached to your wall.

4. Window blind cords

According to a
study published in the journal
Pediatrics
, 17,000 children under six years old suffered window blind-related injuries or death from 1990 to 2015. Most of the children were found entangled or
strangled by the cords
.

If you have blinds or curtains installed at home, be sure to knot the cords higher up so that your little ones cannot reach them.

5. Hot Kettle

The kitchen is probably the most dangerous place for any child to be left alone in. Kettles, knives and washing detergents are easily found in kitchens, on stoves and in cabinets.

Be sure to have safety gates installed to deter your little ones from entering the kitchen, as well as safety locks on drawers and cabinets. Always make sure hot kettles and any other hot pans and dishes are kept out of reach.

If something is cooking on the fire, double-check that the handle is turned away from the front of your stove, so your little one cannot grab it.

6. Sharp Edges of Furniture

Falling and knocking into things are part and parcel of growing up. But you can reduce the chances of major injury by putting guards on the sharp corners of your furniture. They might look a little ugly for a while but hey, at least your bubs will be safe.

7. Medicine

Always, always keep all medications locked in a cabinet that is out of your children’s reach. Swallowing medication that is not meant for children has been known to cause
fatal accidents
.

8. Glasses

Do not let your children use glasses or glass cups until they are ready. Glass can break very easily and young children can hurt themselves because they lack the capacity to understand the danger. So store away the glasses and give them plastic cups instead.

9. Small Objects

Any small things lying around the house are potential choking hazards especially during the phase when babies put everything into their mouths. Keep such items stored away and always make sure to cut fruits into bite-size portions to reduce the chance of choking.

Never underestimate the importance of childproofing your home. Your little one’s safety should always be top priority.

Mums and dads, it’s not enough for just you to be aware of these safety tips. Please remember to share this information with your maids, nannies or any other caregivers of your little ones.

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Why Soup Is The Easiest Solution to Get Families to Bond Together

For many parents, in between jobs, children, after-work social life, forgetting about family mealtime is common. Although these days, while being in lockdown, more and more parents are realizing the importance of family bonding and sharing time and meals together at the dinner place.

Here in Malaysia, we always bond over food. Often you hear people greet each other with “Hi, how are you? Have you eaten?”. In fact, many will catch up with one another over a meal. Most children too, if you asked them, will say they are more likely to talk to their parents over meals.

Everyone leaves behind their work, house chores and games with no gadgets or distractions in sight, just to sit down and relax, laugh, tell stories with each other as a family.

Family Dinner Means Better Family Bonding

Looking at every family drama on television, family dinner is often for an occasion with rice,
lauk-pauk
, soup and few discussions about how hard school was. Although it is cliche, the familiar scene highlights an important part of being a family, the togetherness and the meals that brought them together.

Parents with busy schedules will often find themselves looking for the perfect time to strengthen family bonds, and eating together provides just the perfect platform. Younger children will feel a sense of security while older children will feel a sense of belonging in the family.

Research examining 5,000 teenagers has shown that when children eat with their parents regularly, they are more likely to be
emotionally strong and have better mental health
. Teens who ate regular family meals were also more likely to be adjusted have good manners and communication skills
1
.

The Most Versatile Meal: Soup!

Credit: iStock

Often forgotten or toss to the side, you can never deny the versatility of soup. Whether the weather is cold out, or sunny bright, you’d be happy to savour a bowl of soup with wondrous flavour.

In addition to its marvellous taste, soup has also long been lauded for its health benefits. In just about every culture from an early age, if we get sick, we were often told to eat chicken soup to feel better.

In fact, this has been hailed as a remedy dating back to the 12th century when Moshe ben Maimonides, an Egyptian Jewish physician and philosopher praised its health benefits
2
.

Soup is often eaten as a side dish or a meal on its own. These days, with many recipes to try, you can even make a savoury dish out of soup! That warm bowl of goodness serves perfectly as a little pick-me-up. When we feel too tired to cook, coming down with a cold or simply in the middle of a busy day, we can always rely on tasty soup to make our stomach happy.

In Asian dishes, soups are prepared beyond your regular chicken and cream. We incorporate many spices that are passed down from one generation to another. Our soups are hearty as we want to convey the feeling of fullness to people that eat our cooking.

As a mom myself, I enjoy preparing soup as it is the easiest and healthy meal to prepare for my son. He might be a picky eater, but he won’t know that I have added nutritious vegetables and spices to it! All he knows is that the meal is warm, yummy and makes him happy!

Soup is also an easy meal for children to help prepare, all they need to do is put everything in the bowl while stirring gently! Allowing children in the kitchen create a great opportunity for parents to bond with them.

In addition, children that help out in the kitchen hone their basic math skills in measuring and reading when they are asked to check out the recipe.

 Many know children are notoriously picky eaters, however, letting them help you cook to get them to open up to a new palate. Encourage them to try the new ingredients you’re working with and share their benefits.

My personal favourite when it comes to soup is the leftovers! Soups always come in a big batch, once you’re done with your meal, you can freeze them and cook them again for the next day.

If I make chicken soup the night before, for the next day, all I need to do is thaw it in the pot, add in some pasta and more seasoning and garnish with some cheese and voila, here comes a new meal!

Go Down Memory Lane With Campbell’s Soup

Making a meal together with your child does not have to be complicated. What matters most is the food tastes good and memories are built for eternity.

Get ready to create #countlesspossibilities in your own kitchen with Campbell’s Condensed Soups. We even prepared  a simple recipe for you to try yourself:

15 Minute Chicken & Rice Dinner

Preparation time:
 5 min

Cooking time:
 15 min

Serving size:
 4 people

Ingredients:

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
 (4 small or 2 large cut in half lengthwise for thinner pieces)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 teaspoon paprika

2 cups uncooked instant white rice
 (for creamier rice, decrease to 1 1/2 cups)

2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets (about 6 ounces)

Methods:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken and cook for 6 minutes or until browned on both sides
(to prevent sticking- make sure the skillet and oil are hot before adding the chicken)
.

Remove the chicken from the skillet.

Stir the soup, water and paprika in the skillet and heat to a boil.

Stir in the rice and broccoli.

Reduce the heat to low. Return the chicken to the skillet.

Sprinkle the chicken with additional paprika.

Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is done and the rice is tender.

Season to taste before serving.

You can also view more recipes to start exploring #countlesspossibilities on
Campbell’s Soup Malaysia’s Youtube channel
.

There you go, mums! We’re pretty sure these yummy and easy recipes will save you from another episode of “menu burnout”.

Choose convenience and enjoy more quality time with your loved ones. Get your favourite Campbell’s Condensed Soup flavours, heat up your pots and pans and enjoy a delicious gastronomic journey with #CampbellsMY Condensed Soup because #OneCampbellsCountlessPossibilities!

For more recipe ideas, exciting contests and product info, follow
Campbell’s Soup Malaysia on Facebook
 now.

Ready to stock up your pantry with Campbell’s Condensed Soup? Buy now at your nearest convenience store.

Reference:

(August 2004) Eisenberg M., Olson R., Neumar-Sztainer D., Correlations Between Family Meals and Psychosocial Well-being Among Adolescents from
jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/485781

(n.d.) Dr Harold Gunatillke, Healing Powers of Chicken Soup from
www.doctorharold.com/articles/soup.html

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:

Looking For A Convenient Way To Prepare Meals For Your Family? Fill Your Pantry With Campbell’s Soup

Read more:

Quick and Easy Mealtime Solutions For Busy Mums

Read more:

 Running Out of Food Recipes? Check out these 12 Easy Ideas on YouTube!

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As a parent, one of the challenging milestones is when your child reaches 17 years old and passes the driving test.

While they’re anxiously waiting to get their hands on their very first vehicle, you’re trying to figure out how to provide them with a car that works well, is safe, and will not break your bank in the long run.

Here are four tips to help guide you and your teen as you choose the best car, while enabling the parent and child bonding to grow in the process!

To Buy a New or Used Car?

The first question any parent might ask themselves in the quest to buy a car for their child will most likely be, “Should I buy a new or a used car?”. This guide to help you identify which option works best for you.

1. Budget

It’s important to set a budget that you’re comfortable with; this will make the car selection process smoother. With a set budget, you can easily shortlist the cars within your target spending and in line with your child’s needs or preferences.

In addition to that, a budget will help set a proper down payment for the car you’re planning on buying. It may also help you financially by providing some breathing room for future instalments.

Setting up a budget is easy. Here are some guidelines that you can use to set your spending limit:

Increase your deposit:
When buying a used car, a larger deposit equals to lower monthly payment. Putting down at least 20 per cent of the total car price into your down payment will significantly lower your monthly payments in the future.

Limit your monthly car expenditure:
 You should be able to live comfortably and meet your lifestyle needs after deducting your debt which includes the monthly repayment amount for the car. The 50/30/20 budget method is a good rule to follow where your needs (which include car payments, utilities, loans) are 50 per cent of your monthly income, while 30 per cent should be your wants (shopping, dining) and 20 per cent goes into your savings.

Shorten your loan term:
 Extending your loan term to nine years might seem like a great deal, but when you consider the cumulated interest, you end up paying more than you should. It’s best to go for a shorter loan term of five or seven years if your budget allows it

2. Financing

Once you have a budget, it is time to work out the financial aspect of owning a car. For this, it is better to have a thorough discussion with your child so that they can be prepared on what to expect as a car owner.

For comparison, we will be looking at the financing option for two similar models – the brand-new Proton Saga 1.3L Premium AT and a used 2020 Proton Saga Premium 1.3L.

Let’s say you have RM10,000 that you can fork out for the down payment and a monthly budget of RM500 for the monthly instalment. The brand-new Proton Saga costs RM39,800.00. With a down payment of RM10,000 and a five-year loan with a 3.5 per cent interest rate, you will end up with a monthly instalment of RM583.58, as calculated
here
.

Meanwhile, the used 2020 Proton Saga Premium 1.3L can cost as low as RM35,200 at Carsome. with a down payment of RM9,973 plus a five-year loan, you will end up with a monthly instalment of only RM494.

So, it is RM583.58 vs RM494, which means you are paying 15 per cent less! Both amounts may seem affordable, but if you’re going to hand over this responsibility to your child once they become a working adult, this surely needs some consideration between the both of you.

3. Maintenance

After considering your ability to finance the car for your child, the next most important thing to look at would be the maintenance aspect.

If you are going with a new car, it is advisable to service the car only at an authorized service centre with proper workmanship to keep its warranty valid.

But on the flip side, these authorized service centres limit your choices when it comes to maintaining the car. Bear in mind that maintenance at authorized service centres might be costly, especially if you continue beyond your warranty period.

Meanwhile, if you go for used cars, you are free to choose which workshop to send it for service, if the car has passed its warranty period. This works great if you already have a trusted workshop that you’ve been visiting, even more so if the workshop is close to home and it fits right in your monthly maintenance budget!

To top it off, you don’t have to worry about calling any authorized centres if the car has a sudden breakdown. You can pull up mobile applications on your smartphone and have certified professionals coming to look at the car in just a few taps, anytime you want!

4. Safety

When it comes to buying a car for your child, safety would be a major concern for parents. Needless to say, brand new cars are equipped with the latest systems and measures to ensure the well-being of its passengers, but it comes with a price.

For example, let’s look at the brand-new Proton Saga 1.3L Premium AT. At the price of RM39,800.00, it offers twin front SRS airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, as well as a reverse parking camera, all covered under the Proton warranty.

And then we have the used 2020 Proton Saga Premium 1.3L, a similar car with similar safety specifications that goes for only RM35,200 at Carsome. That’s a saving of more than RM4,000.

Dealership or Online?

Now that you’ve decided on which car you’re going to buy for your child, it’s time to decide on which route to choose.

Looking for a Dealership

If you’ve chosen to buy a new car, you might prefer to go to a dealership to proceed with the purchase. It is helpful if you can find a dealership that meets all your needs.

But what happens when your needs are not met? You might end up with less than exemplary service, and if they do not have available units, you probably have to wait a few months or even a year to get the car you have planned on buying.
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Spend Wisely When Shopping For Your Baby

Also, you might have to spend a lot of effort (and petrol money) to settle the deal with a physical dealership that satisfies your requirements.

Buying a Car Online

Alternatively,

online platforms offer a convenient and trusted solution to browse for cars conveniently.

Some platforms even offer you the feature to make a booking for a home test drive. All you have to do is submit your details, and they will send the car right to your doorstep. With only a few clicks, you can find all the cars you want in the comfort of your home. Online platforms have made it easier to pay for your purchase as well, as various payment methods are now supported.

However, a major concern when it comes to buying a car online is that you might not be able to physically inspect, and interact with the car you’ve chosen. Some platforms offer you a detailed report with clear images (some even come with a 360-degree view) of the car you have selected, to offer you that peace of mind.

If you’re still unsure and would like to research further, check out
Carsome
. With a huge inventory of quality used cars, it won’t be difficult to find one that suits your teenager.

Decisions, Decisions…

Owning a car is a major step forward in the life of a young adult. As a parent, you need to talk to your child first before gracing them with a car to ensure they are ready to accept such a responsibility.

Once they understand the reality of owning a car, they could prepare themselves mentally and physically to become a proper car owner, and you would have one less thing to worry about in the future
.

This article was inspired by “
Bring on the Budget: Buying a Car for Your Teen
” on Carsome.my

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
:
How to Encourage Character Building for Children in Positive Manner

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