9-year-old girl dies after jealous stepmother has her gang-raped

A disturbing and horrific piece of news has been reported. A nine-year-old Indian girl was raped and murdered. It was her jealous stepmother who ordered the gang rape of the child.

How could anyone be capable of such
 monstrosities?

Indian Girl Raped and Murdered

The incident happened in the Baramulla district of Indian-administered Kashmir. According to reports, the 36-year-old stepmother was jealous of the girl and her mother, her husband’s second wife.

Apparently, her husband would spend more time with his second wife, and his daughter was her father’s favourite.

On 24 August 2018, the stepmother took the girl to a forested area, where she ordered her 14-year-old son and his two teenage friends
to rape her.

She then strangled the child, while her son hit her head with an axe.

A boy sprinkled vehicle battery acid on her body, and his friend gouged
out her eyes
. The child’s body was then dumped in the bushes, and covered with pine twigs and branches.

On 4 September 2018, the decomposed body of the little girl was found hidden behind bushes.

Senior police officer Mir Imtiyaz Hussain told NDTV, “It was found that the stepmother had been nursing a grudge against the second wife of her husband, and her children.

“The woman conspired to kill her stepdaughter. She took her to the nearby jungle where she asked her 14-year-old son to rape the girl.

“The girl was gang-raped at the insistence of her stepmother and in her presence.”

Police have now arrested six people in connection with this case, including the cruel stepmother. The teenage boys have also confessed to their crimes.

The abuse was brutal and sickening. We hope that justice is swift, righteous and without mercy.

This young girl did not deserve to die.
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Source:
NDTV
,
TOI

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Parents, here's what a heavy school backpack can do to your child

Parents, this could be the reason why you would want to switch to roller bags. Recently, a Facebook post made by Zahir Ali has gone viral and has since raised concerns about schools bags for kids.

In the Facebook post which was posted 6 months ago, Zahir stated that his nephew underwent major surgery due to a back pain that was caused by his heavy school bag.

His primary school aged nephew had started walking with a bent back and complained of back pain whenever he had his heavy school bag on. ever since he since carry the heavy school bag.

The post also included pictures that showed just how badly Zahir’s nephew’s backbone had bent.

The post received concerned comments from the public and some stated that their child also had to go through surgery because of a similar issue.

Others say that they even they, as adults, find it hard to carry their child’s school bags because they are so heavy.

It is important that parents ensure that their kid’s only bring the books that are needed and necessary for the day. Always keep track of the class’s timetable if you are unsure.

If you have any thoughts on this topic, do share them with us.

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Why Club Med Cherating Is the Ultimate Holiday Destination, Perfect for The Whole Family

Travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have affected the whole family, especially children. It has disrupted daily routines, relationships with people, and limited recreational activities as they are forced to sit at home. With no movement restrictions to adhere to anymore, it’s time for parents to take their children on holiday at the all-inclusive family beach resort only at Club Med Cherating!

There is no doubt that the stay at home period causes many to spend time on screen; children who go to school have to go through an online learning system while parents work from home.

Being in this confined space makes many families depressed, and relationships become more strained than ever before.

How Club Med Cherating Is the Perfect Destination for Family Vacations

As we head into an endemic phase and domestic travel restrictions have been eased, this is the time for Malaysians to re-establish their family ties by going out to enjoy the fresh air, warm sunshine and lush greenery surrounding them.

So parents looking for that perfect location that has all of the above can look to Club Med Cherating as your next getaway – as it is the ultimate location for families seeking to reconnect and strengthen family bonds.

The resort’s signature all-inclusive formula allows guests to indulge in a worry-free holiday where accommodation, dining, entertainment, childcare (for ages four to ten), and a range of curated experiences and activities are all included within the holiday package.

With the school holiday season just around the corner, the resort’s all-inclusive concept also allows families to enjoy the beauty of nature within its expansive resort grounds while taking away the hassle of planning – providing more opportunities for family quality time and creating unforgettable memories.

#1.
Flash Sale (14 – 24 February 2022)

Club Med Cherating is currently having a flash sale with best rates offered for those looking to travel during 25
th
 February – 19
th
 March 2022, in conjunction with the school holidays.

This is the best opportunity to go for a family holiday as
children below six years old can stay for free
for bookings made during this period
.

#2. Last Minute Offer

For those looking for a spontaneous holiday, you can book a Club Med Cherating holiday online at least seven days before the travel date to
to enjoy an additional 5% discount off the current room rate.

The offer is available from 20th January until 21st March 2022. You can redeem the offer by entering the code AVALM1 upon check-out.

#3. Club Med in partnership with The Turtle Conservation Society

Club Med believes that fulfilling experiences cannot be at the expense of nature or others, and are committed to share their values on biodiversity preservation by partnering with The Turtle Conservation Society – the first non-governmental and non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of wild turtle population in Malaysia.

Launching on 25 February 2022, the collaboration will see monthly specially designed programs suited for the whole family introduced at the resort with the aim of raising awareness on one of the most endangered animals in the country.

You and the children can engage in interactive activities that are both educational and fun, including workshops to make eco-friendly soaps and exhibitions where you can learn about freshwater and seawater turtles.

#4.
Safe Together Program

The Safe Together program allows families to enjoy holiday moments with peace of mind; with more than 60 activities offered that are suitable for guests of all ages and various interests – all safely confined within the property to minimise contact with the outside world within the Club Med Cocoon.

Whether it is adults or children, guests can look forward to plenty of spaces and activities within the resort compound, such as:

For kids:
 Get the kids off their screens at the Mini Club (open to ages four and ten), where spaces and activities have been designed exclusively for the enjoyment of the little ones, under the care of the resort’s certified G.Os.

For those looking for tranquillity:
 Enjoy morning yoga and immerse yourself in the serenity of the adults-only Zen pool while enjoying the sunset and stunning views across the resort.

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For adrenaline hunters:
 Try the famous flying trapeze and show off your acrobatic skills, get close to nature by hiking or enjoy other sports options such as archery, tennis, rock climbing and sailing.

Therefore, with the various exciting areas and fun activities available at the resort, families should explore Club Med Cherating as their next holiday location for the upcoming school holiday season!

For those of you looking to book your next holiday at Club Med Cherating, just click the link for more information:
https://www.clubmed.com.my/r/cherating-beach/y

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8-year-old refuses to attend school, threatens suicide on 33-story building

Although schools are a place for all kinds of learning to take place, some kids don’t want to go to school for justifiable reasons, such as bullying, stress and pressure. Even more worryingly is the trend of child suicide from excessive academic pressure.

In 2016, we heard the
devastating news
 of a schoolboy who killed himself because of his “poor” grades. Now, another young boy has tried to take his life because of school-related stress and pressure.

8-year-old boy threatens suicide from 33rd floor

The attempted child suicide happened in China. Construction
workers stationed well above ground sighted a young boy very close at the edge of a 33-story building.

“I don’t want to go to school!” he wailed. Apparently, the boy had also wanted to jump from the building.

Once they saw this, the workers immediately rang 119. What ensued was a heroic rescue, widely shared on China’s social media, which you can watch below:

The footage shows a firefighter arriving on the scene. He walks towards the wailing child, unflustered. Once he reaches the primary-schooler, the firefighter talks to the boy normally.

After trying to
get a firm grasp on the boy, the rescuer manages to fasten a harness and rope round the boy’s waist. His colleagues, who were surrounding the boy, then manage to pull him back up safely.

Apparently, according to firefighters, the boy was soaked in sweat and was shaking intensely as they approached him. He was crying in a low voice about refusing to attend school.

However, after a 10 minute conversation between the two, the firefighter managed to console and calm the child down. It was only after that he was led back to safety.

Reportedly, the boy’s parents realised they need to change their parenting methods and help reduce the stress and pressure of learning and school, on their child.

When kids don’t want to go to school and can’t handle pressure, they might turn to drastic measures, like this child.  Thankfully this boy was rescued before it became too late. | Image Source: Screenshot from
youtube

Why kids don’t want to go to school

Children in many Asian countries are often under massive pressure to perform well academically. They’ve been taught the mantra to study with their utmost potential, excel in exams, and enter a quality university.

However, not all kids can cope. Some can’t handle the pressure. Take the case of a girl
who almost succeeded in ending her life
.

Sometimes, all it takes is pressure from parents, bullying and not giving space for kids to fail (failure is a part of life everyone should learn to tackle and overcome). How can we, as parents, help our kids to reach their full academic potential, while also relieving our expectations off them?

What parents can do to relieve academic stress

Parents, do understand that a bad grade, or one that’s below expectations doesn’t mean your child is a failure for life. There are many other factors which determine your child’s success later in life.

Here are some tips to help you relieve your child’s academic pressure.
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Be realistic – know what your child can achieve.
 Once you know their limits, find out what they need from you. Is it pressure? Or encouragement? Explain to your child the importance of their studies and let them know that you are there for them as a source of support.

Let your child decide how they want support
. Each child responds differently to pressure. Some may enjoy you setting them challenges. Others may want support and encouragement. Certain children might really need extra tuition, or the space and time to relax. Whatever the case, do adjust how you help your child specific to their needs.

Don’t come down hard if they’ve tried their best.
Don’t continue to force unrealistic expectations on your child if you know that they have tried their best. Your child still has a lot of time to progress and catch up on their own in the future.

Encourage them to be open about their struggles.
Tell your children that you’re there for them. They shouldn’t be fearful of talking to you about issues in class or subjects that they find especially tough. Knowing your child’s strengths and weaknesses will make it easier for you to help them better prepare for their exams.

Parents, we hope that this article on why kids don’t want to go to school and the methods to calm them from academic stress has helped your little one cope better. Remember that exams aren’t everything in life!

Reference:
Shanghaiist

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Happiness And Success: Finding The Right Balance Between Hard Work And Enjoying Life

Balancers seek the right equilibrium between hard work and enjoying life. They believe that finding the right balance is the key to
happiness
 and success.

It’s all about Yin and Yang. Hard work and determination are important, but so is taking a break and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. They take nothing for granted and focus on important tasks but know when to take it easy and relax.

How They Teach About Money Matters

Balancers want to achieve the right emphasis between teaching money management and letting their child learn and develop their own understanding of money themselves.

They believe that learning about money management is best achieved by actually doing, rather than just talking. Real-life experience will yield faster and better results than lecturing.

However, Balancers also believe that it would not be right to simply let their child experiment freely, so they do provide ongoing guidance and comment. These are not strict or heavy-handed instructions, but rather light and consistent advice and direction.

They are not obsessed with teaching their children about finance because they believe that a successful, enjoyable life is a lot more than just making money. Balancers, therefore, place lower importance on financial planning than other parent personas.

Balancers are most likely to say, “
Money parenting is important, but it’s just one aspect of parenthood. I want my child to understand that money has a specific role and place in the overall scheme of life
”.

Balancers do spend a certain amount of ‘quality time’ to teach their child how to handle and manage money, but they also ensure not to overload their child. They impart knowledge at the child’s pace and feel it unnecessary to keep pushing them all the time.

Just over half of Balancers (56%) work with their spouse to teach money parenting; in 25% of other households, the mother leads, and in 15%, the father leads.

Their Money Parenting Goals

Balancers encourage their child to invest their energy in other areas beyond money as well. Their children are therefore very familiar with experiences that mix learning and playing, such as education through fun activities and games.

The main financial goal is to provide for their child, and they do this through a savings account, the property they live in, Life Insurance policy, and investments for them in mutual funds, stocks and bonds.

Balancers are more likely than other parent personas to want their child to understand that money needs to be earned.

This is why despite giving their child pocket money they also encourage them to earn some money themselves by doing household chores or even taking part-time jobs. In this way, over time, their child builds a comprehensive understanding of the value of money.

In doing so too, Balancers hope to teach their child the value of money, the cost of different items, and how to budget and save. If they can achieve these, they know their child is well prepared for the future.

Their Money Parenting Success

Have Balancers achieved their goal? Most think that they have. In fact, all Balancers either think they have done a good job or are sure that they have; in contrast, only 49% of parents across Asia think the same.

It’s all about achieving the right balance of parental responsibility and their child’s personal learning. With this, all will work out well.

How Well They Know Money

Although Balancers admit they lack financial knowledge, they do not feel that increasing their own knowledge is key to teaching their child greater money management skills.

Rather, Balancers worry about being overbearing or focusing too much on money parenting.

Because of their reluctance to place great emphasis on actively teaching money management, they are not as focused on finding new tools and techniques for teaching money parenting.

However, if you are a Balancer who is curious about how other parents are money parenting, check out our
#MoneyParenting site
 or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest content.

Still unsure of your Money Parenting style? Check out our
quiz here
 to find out more!

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The Magic of Bile & Detoxing Your Liver

When we talk about digestion, we imagine the whole process through the intestine and this is true although there are a few processes that occur in the intestine. One, is the digestion of fats. Fats need to undergo a digestion process that ensures our “byproduct” or faeces don’t turn slimy and greyish.

So how do fats get digested in the body? Bile is responsible for the job. Bile is a dark green or yellowish brownish fluid that aids digestion of fats in the small intestine. Bile helps to break down fats into fatty acids so it can be easily digested and absorbed.

Bile is extremely important for waste removal

Bile plays an extremely important role in the digestive system. As mentioned earlier, bile helps with the digestion of fats in the small intestine, thus increases the absorption of fat into the body. With the absorption of fat into the body, bile also helps with the absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K.

Besides this, bile neutralizes stomach acids into alkaline to prepare it for the digestion in the small intestine. Bile flushes out waste products such as bilirubin and excretes it as faeces. This is how faeces get its yellowish to brownish colour. In case of lack of bile, the fats are unable to be digested and absorbed efficiently will lead to a condition called steatorrhea, which then causes fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins deficiencies.

Signs and symptom of bile deficiency include:

Vitamin deficiencies, specifically of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K

Jaundice, the classic yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

Stunted or abnormal growth

Diarrhoea

Loss of liver function

Liver failure

Which organ produces bile and how do we maintain its optimal function?

Bile is originally produced by the liver and then stored in the gallbladder. After we are done eating, bile is released into the duodenum. Duodenum is the first part of your small intestine. Therefore, it is also very essential to keep the liver healthy so it can produce sufficient bile.

Besides producing bile, the liver too has other functions. The liver plays vital roles such as filtering our blood from the toxins and harmful substances that result from various environmental and dietary factors, metabolises drugs, synthesis of carbohydrates, fats and protein and acts as a storage for vitamins A, D, E and K and glycogen.

Natural ways to detox the liver

In order to maintain the health of your liver, it requires nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Although the liver is able to self-cleanse, it’s function may be interrupted with the continuous burden from dietary and environmental toxins such as oily and processed foods, chemicals from skincare, preservatives and pollution from the environment. All of which can make us tired, sick and give our liver a whole lot more work to do. Hence, it is a good idea to regularly detox our liver.

There several natural ways that we can do to help our liver to function better:

1. Drinking natural green tea

Tea is widely known for its health benefits including to the liver. A study conducted in Japan revealed that green tea may help to improve liver health. This is not a surprise since green tea is packed with plant antioxidants.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage and kale are a major source of glutathione, which will signal the enzyme in the liver to cleanse itself. Cruciferous vegetables promote the production of glucosinolate, which helps to eliminate carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric has an ingredient called curcumin, which has incredible biological properties. It helps to promote activation of enzymatic activities in the liver to flush out toxins while also helps to promote liver cells repair. Turmeric also helps the promotion of secretion of bile.

4. Citrus

Citrus not only provides vitamin C, but it also helps the liver to synthesise harmful toxic material into water-soluble. Fruits rich in vitamin C such as grapefruit have powerful antioxidants like naringin and naringenin that help to protect the liver from inflammation and injury.

5. Beetroot

Beets promote effective oxygen supply into the blood circulation. Beets are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber which are beneficial for detoxing the digestive system. Beets protect the liver and promote the production of bile, thus stimulating better liver functions.

6. Garlic

Garlic is high in sulphur. Sulphur is a chemical ingredient which helps to detox the body. Other than that, garlic also contains selenium to help boost enzymatic activities and increase natural antioxidants in the liver. Diet high in selenium may protect our livers from the damage due to oxidative stress.

It is incredibly important to keep our liver healthy by giving it the essential nutrients it needs. It is also best to avoid fatty food or processed food that could burden our liver as well as expose ourselves to the harmful environment such as pollution, and sunlight as this could increase the attack of free radicals.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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Mums, Here's Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks developed during pregnancy are completely normal – don’t worry. Just think of them as a milestone of your beautiful motherhood journey. In fact, it is estimated that between 50 to 90 per cent of women develop stretch marks before giving birth¹
.

While we cherish our pregnancy moments, at times, many mums will admit that they would like to be rid of their stretch marks for cosmetic reasons. However, stretch marks – also known as ‘striae distensae’ in more medical terms – cannot completely disappear. Instead, they fade away in time, or you can improve their visibility if you treat them the right way.

So, here’s what you need to know about pregnancy stretch marks.

Quick facts to know about pregnancy stretch marks

Where do stretch marks appear?

Stretch marks are a common skin problem for pregnant women and they normally appear as streaks or linear lines on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs
2
.

When do stretch marks usually develop?

They usually develop after the 24th week of pregnancy. It usually occurs during a woman’s first pregnancy, however, there are cases where stretch marks appear for the first time during the second pregnancy
3
.

How do stretch marks develop?

There are two factors that contribute to stretch marks. The first is related to the physical stretching of the skin as a mum gains weight to accommodate the baby. The second, on the other hand, has been debatable among experts – it factors in the increased levels of hormones. These hormones are said to attract more water to the skin, which in turn, relaxes the bonds of the collagen fibres and makes the skin more prone to tears that essentially form stretch marks
4
.

Do all mothers experience pregnancy stretch marks?

No. The likeliness of experiencing stretch marks during pregnancy depends on various factors including your skin type (the elasticity of your skin) and overall pregnancy weight gain
5
. Stretch marks can also be genetic, according to studies
6
 – so, if your family has a history of getting stretch marks, you may get them too.

What do stretch marks look like?

Pregnancy stretch marks can be in various colours and largely depends on your skin tone. They can appear as pink, red, purple or brown marks
7
.

How to treat pregnancy stretch marks

As we’ve mentioned above – stretch marks are permanent. However, some stretch marks may fade away after your delivery. Although these marks are here to stay, there is a way you can treat them to make them appear less visible.

Topical treatments are one of the most common ways to treat pregnancy stretch marks – these topical treatments can be bought over-the-counter or easily found on the shelves of local pharmacies.

This includes products such as the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. However, Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks from forming during pregnancy and it
 has been safely used by pregnant women for years to maximise the skin’s elasticity, as well as reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming.

Prevent or treat pregnancy stretch marks naturally with Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)

You have probably heard of the popular Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. This magic oil in a bottle has become a household must-have amongst pregnant women because of its ability to treat skin issues, especially scars and stretch marks. The best thing is that it is completely safe for pregnant women to apply on areas prone to stretch marks during pregnancy to avoid it from forming in the first place!

But as mummies are becoming more conscious of the ingredients that they put in their bodies, you’ll be glad to know that Bio-Oil® has come up with an all-natural alternative that was rolled out in 2020 – the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural).

What is Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)?

The Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural), is an all-natural version of the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil – this formulation caters to more conscious consumers, especially mummies. It is 100 per cent natural and uses ingredients with no preservatives, parabens or artificial fragrances or colourants.

This new, all-natural formulation has the same effect on the skin as Bio-Oil®’s Skincare Oil – the original scar and stretch mark product.

Clinical trials showed that Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) was the first time a natural product has been proven to match the performance of a category-leading product. This means that it works exactly like the original Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil as it is clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars, uneven skin tone and of course, stretch marks.

The formulation features a unique blend of base oils, special oils, vitamins, plant extracts essential oils, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients.

Here are the natural oils in Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)’s formulation:

Three base oils:
Soybean, sunflower seed and safflower seed oil.

Four specialist oils:
Jojoba seed, chia seed, pomegranate seed and inca inchi seed oil.

Two vitamins:
Wheatgerm and rosehip oil.

Five plant extracts and essential oils:
Chamomile, lavender, rosemary, calendula and patchouli oil.

Safflower seed oil, in particular, have shown to improve the appearance of scars in just eight weeks, according to studies
8
. Meanwhile, oils such as jojoba oil help hydrate the skin without clogging pores, while chia seed and pomegranate oils were added to maintain skin health, as well as shun away harmful free radicals.

A quick TAP review on Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)

We recently tried the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) and here’s a quick review with three key items on what we think.

Texture & Smell:
The texture is seemingly much lighter than the original Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. It seeps into the skin much easier and leaves skin with a nice silky surface.

Smell:
The smell, compared to its original formulation, is also much lighter with a pleasant earthier tone.

Effectiveness:
 The bottle suggests applying the oil twice daily – once in the morning and once at night for best results. Since doing this, we have noticed that the appearance of small scars on the skin has greatly been improved, while the skin feels hydrated and much more supple to the touch. The skin texture also appears less bumpy in just a few weeks of daily application.  Although this is an oil, it is not as greasy as many would think it is – this is why it is important to massage it on your skin in circular motions until it is fully absorbed.

It is safe to say that we love the all-natural version of the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. So, if you are interested in giving the Bio‑Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) a go, you can log on to
Bio-Oil Experience
 and you can also purchase it easily online from Lazada and Shopee!

Reference:

 (2016, September 21). The use of anti stretch marks’ products by women in pregnancy: a …. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-016-1075-9

(n.d.). Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum – NCBI – NIH. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913631/

(n.d.). Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum – NCBI – NIH. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913631/

(n.d.). Pregnancy Stretch Marks | American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-concerns/what-are-pregnancy-stretch-marks-4575/

(n.d.). Stretch marks in pregnancy – NHS. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stretch-marks/

(2013, July 11). Genome-Wide Association Analysis Implicates Elastic Microfibrils in …. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3806248/

(n.d.). Stretch marks in pregnancy – NHS. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stretch-marks/

(2018, May 3). Applying Safflower, Olive Oil Can Minimize the Appearance of Scars …. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from
https://www.allure.com/story/can-applying-safflower-olive-oil-fade-scars

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:

This mum will inspire you to wear your stretchmarks with pride

Read more:

Things they never tell you about pregnancy

Read more:

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

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Fertile Period

There are times in your menstrual cycle when you are at your most fertile, and this is the time of the month when you are most likely to get pregnant.

Each menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your menstruation and continues until the subsequent first day of your next menstruation.

A normal menstrual cycle falls typically between 21 – 35 days. The menstruation (menstrual flow) usually lasts within 2-7 days on average. If your menstrual cycle is at regular intervals with few days in variation, you are likely to ovulate during most of your menstrual cycle.

Ovulation has usually followed the cessation of menstruation and the egg maturing process. You can use 3-4 of your menstrual cycle average length to calculate your Fertile Period (window), especially if you are keen to conceive.

You are most fertile at the time of ovulation (when a mature egg is released from your ovary), which is usually occurs about 14 days before your next menstruation begin.

If the attempt for pregnancy failed, the subsequent menstrual cycle would follow, and your menstruation will begin. If you have successfully conceived, then your menstrual cycle will not resume until the fetus is delivered and you have completed nursing your newborn.

Let us illustrate the estimation of your Fertile Period with an example here. If your menstrual cycle is averaged at 28-30 days, you will most likely ovulate at day 14-16 of your menstrual cycle by subtracting 14 days from the 28-30 days cycle.

If your menstrual cycle is averaged at 32-34 days, then your fertile window will be at day 18-20 of your menstrual cycle. You may need to add or subtract (plus & minus) 1-2 days from your fertile window to buffer cycle length variation.

If menstruation happens, it likely indicates a failure to conceive from the previous menstrual cycle. You may continue to try again for another six months if you are above 35. If you are below 35, you may try for another 12 months.

Every step in the human reproduction process must happen correctly for natural conception to take place. The steps include:

One of the two ovaries releases a mature egg.

The egg is picked up by the fallopian tube.

Sperms swim up the cervix, through the uterus and into the fallopian tube to reach the egg for fertilization.

The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.

The fertilized egg implants and grows in the uterus.

A menstrual cycle that is too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you are “
not ovulating”
 (Anovulation).

Ovulation disorder is a term for Infrequent ovulation or not at all during the fertile period, it accounts for 1 in 4 cases of infertility.

Ovulation disorder can be caused by problems with regulating the reproductive hormones by the brain, ovaries and other causes.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
 is the most common cause of female infertility due to hormonal imbalance in the ovaries, leading to anovulation. In addition, PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and increased male hormone secretion leading to abnormal hair growth on the face or body and acne.

Premature ovarian failure
 (primary ovarian insufficiency): This disorder is usually caused by an autoimmune response or premature loss of eggs from your ovaries (Due to genetics, surgery, infection, diseases or even chemotherapy) before 40. The ovaries no longer produce eggs.

The brain and pituitary gland
 are responsible for stimulating ovulation each month —by secreting Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). However, excess physical or emotional stress, extreme bodyweight, recent substantial weight gain or loss can disrupt hormone production leading to anovulation.

High prolactin.
 The excess production of prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) from the brain inhibits the body’s reproductive function, leading to infertility. This shut down can be caused by thyroid disease, stress, medications, and sometimes a growth inside your brain.

Below are some tips for women who are keen to conceive

Maintain ideal weight

Overweight and underweight women are at an increased risk of ovulation disorders. If you need to lose weight, exercise moderately and take care of your calorie’s intake. Intense exercise is associated with decreased ovulation.

Stop smoking

Tobacco has multiple adverse effects on fertility, not to mention its impact on your general health and well-being of the pregnancy and your baby.

Avoid alcohol

Heavy alcohol use may lead to decreased fertility and can affect the health of your baby too.

Manage your stress

Excessive stress can turn off the reproductive function and leads to poorer treatment outcome.  Divide and conquer your stress by break the obstacles into smaller tasks.

Meditate, exercise, encourage yourself and discuss the matters with your friends or family members. If you cannot resolve the stress yourself, it is time to get help from an expert.

Limit caffeine intake

Well, you do not need to give up your cup of coffee or tea. Limiting caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams a day should not affect your ability to get pregnant, according to recent clinical data.

If you are below 35 years old, you should get help from a fertility expert if you have been unable to conceive for 12 months or more.  On the other hand, if you are more than 35 years old, you should get help from a fertility expert if you cannot conceive after six months of trying.

Ever Link wishes you all the best towards your journey to parenthood. Happy trying!
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Source:
This article is written by Dr Tan Chee Hoe, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) of Pantai Hospital Cheras (PHC)

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
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Read more:
4 Vegan Recipes To Support Your Body At Each Phase Of Your Menstrual Cycle

Read more:
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Read more:
 Bloated? Your hormones are to blame. Here’s what you can do about it

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Tokyo Street Celebrates 11th Anniversary in Conjunction with 40 Years of the Look East Policy

 Look east and celebrate all things Japanese at Tokyo Street, Pavilion KL’s award-winning themed precinct, as it celebrates its 11
th
 anniversary. In conjunction with 40 years of the Look East Policy (LEP), Tokyo Street’s celebrations this year promise plenty of Japanese activities, culture, shopping and dining, right in the heart of Bukit Bintang!

The stunning ‘Art of Kimono’ exhibition is the main highlight of Tokyo Street’s 11th Anniversary. From now until 31 July at Centre Court, the inaugural ‘Art of Kimono’ exhibition features more than 100 pieces of Japanese kimonos, yukatas and fusion Japanese dresses that blend pop culture and Malaysian batik elements.

A selection of these beautiful pieces are showcased in a spectacular ‘Art of Kimono’ fashion show from Tuesday to Sunday at the Centre Court.

Plenty of authentic Japanese shopping awaits at Centre Court! From now until 31 July, indulge yourselves at the specially curated Japanese artisanal pop-up stores. Browse through a variety of intricately handcrafted tableware, decorative items, accessories, bags, towels, skincare and beauty products.

This Anniversary, immerse in Japanese cultural activities with experiential workshops, such as Traditional Japanese Fabric Making, Traditional Japanese Fabric Accessory Making, Japanese Lolita Accessory Making, How to use Furoshiki, and Traditional Japanese Game Katanuki experience. Get made up as Lolita, or try on a traditional Japanese Yukata to take photos while admiring the Japanese décor at Centre Court and Tokyo Street.

Tokyo Street’s 11th-anniversary celebration was launched today at a festive event with Guest of Honour His Excellency Katsuhiko Takahashi, Japan Ambassador to Malaysia, accompanied by his wife Madam Mami Takahashi, in their first official visit to Pavilion KL since their official arrival in Malaysia in December 2021.

 Also present to launch the festivities were Puan Sri Cindy Lim, Executive Chairman of Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Sdn Bhd; Dato’ Maznah Jalil, Pavilion REIT Board of Director; Ms. Kung Suan Ai, Director of Marketing of Pavilion KL; and Ms. Vichelle Woon, Head of Marketing, Regional Cards, Group Community Financial Services of Maybank.

“As this year marks the 40th anniversary of Malaysia’s ‘Look East Policy’, we look forward to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Japan. Tokyo Street not only houses Japanese retail and F&B brands, we also collaborate with Japanese business partners to showcase Japan’s rich culture, heritage and technology,” said Kung Suan Ai, in a speech delivered on behalf of Puan Sri Cindy Lim.

As part of today’s celebrations, guests were treated to a traditional Japanese drum performance, as well as a sake barrel-breaking and cake cutting ceremony before being given an exclusive tour of the ‘Art of Kimono’ exhibition and Japanese pop-up stores at Centre Court before proceeding to Tokyo Street.

Be Transported to Japan

Since opening in 2011, the award-winning precinct has become renowned for blending traditional elements and modern facets of Japan’s dynamic culture and ambience.

 From now until August 26, shoppers will also be transported to the streets of Harajuku at Tokyo Street, where they can indulge in Japanese cuisine at pop-up booths selling
sushi bentos
, Yatai Ramen, green tea and beer from Asahi at Tokyo Street’s Event Atrium on Level 6.

Shoppers can immerse themselves in Japanese popular culture at one of Malaysia’s largest animation, comics and games conventions AniManGaki, held at Tokyo Street until 31 July.

Cosplayers, anime lovers, comic enthusiasts, gamers, dancers and general shoppers can also check out AniManGaki’s cosplay, dance competitions and live musical performances on 30 and 31 July.

Keep your eyes peeled for popular Malaysian cosplayers Hakken, YingTze and Preston in AniManGaki special meet and greet sessions!

Marvel at the spectacular display of limited-edition anime collectables, cosplay costumes, props and motorcycles featuring exclusive anime wraps. Don’t forget to shop at the AniManGaki Marketplace where shoppers can purchase limited edition figurines, handmade crafts, Ichiban Kuji and Gachapon.

After exploring the exciting activities and pop-ups at Tokyo Street, sit back and enjoy a delectable Japanese meal at one of the precinct’s many restaurants. Don’t forget to check out exclusive promotions and discounts to shoppers who dine-in.

Rent a kimono or yukata at
Kuma Yukata
 to snap photos at Tokyo Street’s famed
Nakamise
– a long row of quaint stores with wooden finishings, inspired by the famous Nakamise-dori Street in Japan.

Or commemorate your trip to Tokyo Street with a snap by the precinct’s iconic
Asakusa
lanterns inspired by the Lantern of Kaminarimon (thunder gate) of Senso-ji Temple in Japan.

Shopper Rewards

Shoppers who spend over RM200 through a combination of two receipts at Tokyo Street, or one receipt mall-wide, will be eligible to participate in a Lucky Draw contest and stand a chance to win more than RM160,000 worth of prizes from Isuzu, with the grand prize winner driving home a new Isuzu ride!

Those who spend RM80 in a single receipt at Tokyo Street or RM150 at Pavilion KL speciality stores will receive Happy Gifts filled with Japanese snacks. With RM100 spent at Pavilion KL speciality stores, shoppers can redeem a RM10 Tokyo Street cash voucher.
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Maybank cardholders who spend RM150 at Tokyo Street or RM300 Pavilion KL speciality stores in a single receipt will be eligible to receive a free Japanese ceramic bowl with chopsticks.

For more information on Tokyo Street’s 11th-anniversary events and promotions, shoppers can visit
www.pavilion-kl.com
 or contact Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s Concierge at 03 2118 8833. Shoppers can also check real-time updates on Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s
Facebook page
,
Twitter page
 or
Instagram account
.

Shoppers are encouraged to snap photos and take videos of the exciting Tokyo Street activities and decorations and hashtag #happyanniversarytokyostreet and #pavilionkl.

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
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7 Best Milk Bags on the Market, Useful and Stylish for Moms Who are Always On The Go!

For parents who often go for walks with their baby, a baby bottle bag is one of the most important necessities for storing breast milk or formula milk. This is because baby milk is feared to be contaminated or spoiled if of the wrong temperature, or without proper storage over a long period of time.

To help overcome this problem, baby bottle bag can be used to store breast milk and formula safely, and can even be used to store baby food. The milk bag is not like any regular bag, it is usually insulated such as to always provide the milk with perfect storage mechanisms.

How to Choose the Best Baby Bottle Bag?

A good baby bottle bag offers safe storage for milk bottles and is usually insulated for longer preservation of milk, serving useful if you are on a long trip without access to a refrigerator.

There are baby bottle bag made for storing milk bottles only, and there are also wider ones for storing other necessities, such as diapers, wet tissues, small towels or snacks.

Here are some considerations before choosing a milk bag for daily needs:

Size
: Find a bag that suits your needs—will you only be storing a milk bottle, or do you need more space for a pump? Some parents choose smaller bags, suitable for travel.

Material
: Find a bag made of a material that is waterproof and easy to clean, as milk is at risk of spillage.

Durable:
 A good storage bag is preferably durable, with a sturdy handle. There are various types of bags available in the market made of nylon, synthetics, leather and others.

5 Best Baby Bottle Bag in the Market

#1 Skip Hop Grab & Go Double Bottle Insulated Bag

This Skip Hop bag has a beautiful design and is suitable for stylish moms who love fashion. Not only can it be carried on the back, but this great product can also be hung on a stroller, making it easier for mothers if and when they do not wish to hand-carry it.

The bag is also covered with insulation, such that baby milk can be preserved for up to 4 hours. It also makes for a great snack bag!

What we like:

Holds up to two large bottles or sippy cups

Insulation allows for bottles to stay warm or cold

Zip installed in 2 directions, allowing storage of 1 or 2 bottles

Includes frozen packs

Adjustable straps

Mesh pocket inside the bag

BPA and phthalate-free

Size (inches): 6.75L x 3.5W x 9H

 Skip Hop Grab & Go Double Bottle Insulated Bag
Buy From Shopee

#2 Lekebaby Thermal Insulation Bag

The Lekebaby brand is perfect for breastfeeding moms, both durable with easy access and management. Ice packs last longer to ensure milk is preserved throughout the journey and this bag even has a bigger capacity, suitable as a daily bag.

What we like:

Insulated layer keeps the bottle warm or cold

Keeps breast milk cool for up to 8 hours

Easy On The Go
: Stores up to six baby bottles

Comes with an adjustable strap for carrying on the shoulders

The design with two types of zippers allows for easy opening

Opening at the front allows for easy storage of milk bottles into the bag, and the opening at the top allows for easy access. Also includes a front zipper for smaller items.

Durable
: Made with 600D Oxford fabric, waterproof and durable, high-quality aluminium foil lining made with baby-safe material.

 Lekebaby Thermal Insulation Bag
Buy From Lazada

#3 Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Insulated Bottle Carrier

Looking for a simpler milk bag? Tommee Tippee has a product that is light, compact and suitable for mothers who want a milk bag for a short walk with their little ones.

This insulated bottle carrier has excellent thermal properties, keeping the baby bottle as cool or warm as needed. It is designed to keep a bottle of milk, yet can also be used to store a baby food jar.

What we like:

Great for moms who are always on-the-go

Excellent thermal properties

Neat handle that can be hung from a stroller

Keeps the baby bottle at an appropriate temperature for several hours

 Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Insulated Bottle Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#4 V-Coool Simplicity Portable Cooler Bag

This elegant V-Coool brand milk bottle bag comes in a variety of attractive colours! It is able to store milk at an appropriate temperature for 3 to 8 hours while ensuring that breast milk is free of bacteria and full of key nutrients that babies need for healthy development.

Additionally, it has two openings and can hold a milk pump in the top opening, as well as a milk bottle in the bottom opening.

What we like:

Interesting colours

Can store 5 to 6 bottles of milk

Durable

600D Oxford fabric material + 10MM pearl insulation cotton + environmentally friendly aluminium foil coating

24 x 117 x 25cm

 V-Coool Simplicity Portable Cooler Bag
Buy From Shopee

#5 Princeton Double Layer Cooler Bag 2.0

The Princeton Double Layer 2.0 bag not only looks great but also functions well, allowing for storage of 10 bottles and 10 packs of milk.

 There are 3 ways to carry it—crossbody, tote style, or backpack-style. It is made with polyester nylon and comes with a neat rose gold zip!

What we like:

Cooling effect of up to 12 hours

Up to 4 hours of heat effect

3 ways to carry: hand carry, backpack, sling

2 openings: top layer for storage of breast pump tools and accessories; bottom layer for storing baby bottles or milk storage bags

Water and dust resistant surface

Includes an extra zipped back pocket

 Princeton Double Layer Cooler Bag 2.0
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
:
Do You Know What's In Your Child's Milk?


Becoming Financially Savvy By Maximising Financial Knowledge

Go-getters believe that superior
financial
 knowledge and expertise are the keys to
success in life
. They want to give their child every possible advantage by imparting as much knowledge as soon as possible, and in many different ways.

How They Teach About Money Matters

Starting from an early age, Go-getters give their child pocket money to teach their child how to handle the money and learn techniques to grow money.

The child is also encouraged to undertake various household tasks for payment, and even a part-time job, so they understand the value of money, how it is earned, and how it can be used.

Of course, experience plays a part in broadening a child’s
financial
 knowledge, but to really learn financial sophistication requires education and application. It isn’t just ‘picked up along the way’ and cannot be left to chance. Therefore, Go-getters are least likely to allow their child to learn from real-life experience.

Rather, they are willing to try any sort of teaching methods to improve their child’s
financial
 knowledge and money management skills. Go-getters are more likely than to employ almost every technique and tool to increase their child’s financial acumen and teach money management — whatever does the job.

For example, 61% of Go-getters (versus 47% of other parents) give their child a savings box to encourage savings, 33% of them (versus 17% of other parents) teach their child to use a calculator and other money management tools, and 31% use games to teach their child to handle money (versus 19% of other parents).

Their Money Parenting Goals

Go-getters actively teach their child about money management, because they believe financial competence is vital. Half of all Go-getters say that a primary goal is to give their child a head start in life so that they have a better chance of
financial
 success in the future.

They place a lot of emphasis on their child becoming financially competent and understanding how to grow money. A key outcome they want to achieve is ensuring their child becomes affluent.

Based on their own
investment
 experience, Go-getters are much more likely to purchase a range of
financial
 assets for their child to deliver security and growth in their future. And you can be sure that Go-getters will show their child how to re-invest these to maximise the growth.

Their Money Parenting Success

After all this effort, do Go-getters think that they have done a good job of money parenting? Has their child learned about how to handle money and gained the head start that they hoped for?

Yes, they have. Every Go-getter parent in the survey is confident or sure that they have done a good job.

They feel they have gone above and beyond when it comes to money parenting. And the result is that they are confident that their child will become an affluent adult.

How Well They Know Money

Go-getters strongly believe that
financial
 skills are critical and need to be taught. And what better way to do that than to improve one’s own knowledge first? They are hungry for more personal knowledge about money parenting, like what other parents are doing, tools they are using, teaching styles — everything and anything to help their child become financially savvy!

Given the broad range of
investments
 that Go-getters have for themselves and their children, it is little surprise that they are much more likely than other parent personas to seek professional advice.

If you are a Go-getter who is curious about how other parents are
investing
, have an Eastspring Unit Trust Consultant get in touch with you to discuss your
investment
 goals.

Still unsure of your Money Parenting style? Check out our
quiz here
 to find out more!

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 sekarang!


What Is the New Standard of Gentle?

So much has changed since the time of our parents or grandparents. We are now more aware of the harmful effects of toxic chemicals. When it comes to caring for our children, we now know that natural and gentle care is best. This awareness extends even to breakthroughs in science and child development. As a result, we are better equipped than ever before to give our children the very best in child care. And with all these changes, a new standard of gentle has evolved. Read on to find out what this means for you and your child.

A New Standard of Gentle

With all the changes of modern life, some things remain constant and true, such as a mother’s love, and her gentle touch.

It is this timeless truth – married to the latest developments – that has made JOHNSON’S
®
 renew their focus on providing mums with products to care for their children in the gentlest, best way. This has resulted in a new JOHNSON’S
®
 and a new standard of gentle.

What to Expect from the New JOHNSON’S
®

With 125 years’ experience and in-depth knowledge in baby skin and manufacturing science, JOHNSON’S
®
 is a name synonymous to baby care.

With the New JOHNSON’S
®
, mums can expect not just a reformulation but a total reinvention of the baby care products JOHNSON’S
®
has become famous for. This new baby care line has Ultra Gentle formulas that contain 0% parabens, phthalates, sulfates and dyes.

They are also designed to be irritation-free for the delicate and developing skin of babies and toddlers.

Mr. Prashant Mahalingam, Country Director, Consumer at Johnson & Johnson Malaysia, said, “To create the New JOHNSON’S
®
 range of products, we put parents at the center — listening to more than 26,000 parents from around the world —
and paired their feedback with the latest science to shape and refine our products inside and out. The result is
JOHNSON’S
®
 gentlest range of baby care products ever,
raising the bar of our Best for Baby
™
 standard from the formulation to packaging design
.”

Here’s a list of what mums can expect to find in the new product range:

Purposeful Choices of Ingredients

JOHNSON’S
®
 carefully considered every single ingredient, rejecting over 400 ingredients, and using naturally-derived oils like coconut and cottonseed while replacing ingredients like mineral oil.

The new range has 0% parabens, phthalates, sulfates and dyes. This is a remarkable achievement – less than 2% of cosmetic ingredients globally meets these
s
tandards of gentleness! What it means for you is that nothing but the most gentle ingredients touch your baby’s skin.

Fragrances Designed with Mum and Baby in Mind

Everyone remembers the iconic smell of JOHNSON’S
®
products from their childhood. They trigger happy memories of a simpler time, with loved ones nearby.

Because smell, memory and emotion are intimately connected, JOHNSON’S
®
 retained the scents their classic products are known and loved for, while maximising bonding moments between parent and baby. All the fragrances are now free of allergens. And they continue to follow the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) global standards.

Parent-Friendly Packaging

The new
JOHNSON’S
®
 bottles are now equipped with pumps designed for easier and one-handed use for parents, so mum and dad can remain focused on the baby while taking care of the countless tasks we juggle.

Gentle Products for Every Stage in a Baby’s Life

JOHNSON’S
®
 products are specially formulated to address the special skin needs of babies. Mindfully designed to turn moments of care into opportunities to strengthen babies’ connection to their parents, they nurture children’s healthy development in every stage.

The new range features four “Ages & Stages” labels to help parents easily navigate between the products. The New
JOHNSON’S
®
 baby care range is suitable for minutes-old newborn babies to six year old kids.

Why You Should CHOOSE Gentle
™

There are many reasons to choose gentle – from the emotional to the scientific.

Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Ismail, Consultant Paediatrician and Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association, explained, “A newborn’s epidermis or the outermost layer of skin is 30% thinner than adults’. Baby’s thinner skin means it cannot absorb and retain moisture in the skin and is prone to moisture evaporation and dry skin.”

Parents need to select gentle cleansers that will keep the skin barrier hydrated. Dry skin causes itchiness and allows for easier penetration of bacteria and allergens.

Mr. Prashant Mahalingam said, “
At
JOHNSON’S
®
, we’ve always been committed to delivering only the best for babies. We have never been more passionate in advocating for parents to CHOOSE gentle, that is to select the gentlest baby care products for their little ones.”

Gentle Newborn Care Like No Other

JOHNSON’S
®
added a new member to their family of products — the New JOHNSON’S
®
 CottonTouch
™
 range. The CottonTouch
™
Top-to-Toe Bath and Face and Body Lotion are specifically designed for newborns. Blended with natural cotton, the hypoallergenic, ultra-light formula is clinically proven mild and safe from the first day of life while encouraging more parent-baby touch and interactions. The wash and lotion are formulated to be easy-to-rinse and lightweight. And there’s also no sticky residue, giving parents a good grip on their little ones and confidence to touch and connect with them.

Gan Mei Yan, a well-known radio announcer,
™
 is a fan of the New JOHNSON’S
®
 CottonTouch
™
products. “Expecting moms, you need this JOHNSON’S
®
 gentlest baby care for newborns!” she exclaimed during the launch of Cotton Touch.
™

She went on to say, “I believe every newborn deserves the gentlest baby care products. This ultra-light, easy-to-rinse wash and lightweight lotion with no sticky residue allows me to get a good grip of my little Seng Sum during bath and change. It gives me even more confidence to handle her, even though I have had experience caring for Seng Jo. And the smell… it makes her even more lovable to hug and hold!”

Choose Gentle
™

JOHNSON’S
®
 CottonTouch
™
products will be joining the current range, which includes Milk + Rice and Milk + Oats Wash and Lotion for Toddlers and Active Kids Shampoo for Toddlers and Kids.

Speaking at the product launch, actress and model Amyra Rosli told us about why she chooses JOHNSON’S
®
 Milk + Rice Bath and Lotion for her 1-year-7-months-old son, Aqeef Anaqi Bin Amar. She said, “As my little boy is actively crawling and constantly on all fours on the various floor surfaces at home, I have to ensure his skin is well moisturized and protected so that he can enjoy his exploration and develop happily.”

The New JOHNSON’S
®
 range of baby care products is available at major retail outlets nationwide. For more information about the New JOHNSON’S
®
, visit
www.johnsonsbaby.com.my
 or follow JOHNSON’S
®
 Malaysia Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/JohnsonsbabyMY
.

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 theAsianparent Community
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Mum horrified at gauze that emerged from uterus after natural birth

As patients, we trust surgeons to care for us and help treat the conditions or disease we are suffering under. However, mums, did you know that it’s possible that things left in body after surgery can happen, with possibly serious health consequences?

Two recent mum experiences highlight the very real possibility of these medical problems — and the problems they can bring.

Surgical mistakes can happen anywhere…

From Thailand…

Recently, a young mum found out the the effects of things left in body after surgery — except in her case, it was minor surgery, likely a episiotomy.

Seventeen-year-old Tan, a young mum from Thailand, gave birth naturally to her first child on 18 June 2018. There were no complications: she was allowed to leave after just three days, but did note that the wound from the episiotomy, was painful.

She paid no notice, thinking that all mums have some pain after childbirth. Even after a doctor’s consultation, she was only given pills to ease the pain.

However, it was only on 28 August 2018  – two months after her surgery – that she discovered the horrifying truth in the most gruesome way.

As reported in
The Phuket News,
she explains, “On Tuesday (Aug 28), the pain was so bad I could not stand or sit. I felt like there was something in my uterus. I went into bathroom and I found a piece of gauze in there. It was black and smelly.”

We are assuming that the gauze emerged from her vagina as she went to the bathroom. The young mum returned to the hospital within the day for an examination. The doctors prescribed her antibiotic medication and assured her that her uterus was free of anything else.

“The doctor forgot gauze inside my uterus for over two months. How lucky that my wound isn’t infected,” she writes in her post above. Tan also warns other women about the possibility of such mistakes and recommended them to pick a reputable hospital before giving birth.

On 30th August 2018, the Phuket Provincial Health Office officially apologized to Tan about her ordeal. Dr. Jirapan Taepan, the health office’s chief,  also admitted the surgical blunder which happened at a government hospital, and that Tan will be reimbursed for her trouble.

Investigations continue.

ประสบการณ์โดยตรง ที่โรงพยาบาลในจังหวัด ภูเก็ต #ลืมผ้าก็อตไว้ในช่องคลอดเป็นเวลา2เดือนกว่า…
Posted by
น้องตาล จิบิโก๊ะ
 on
Tuesday, 28 August 2018

Perhaps more common than granted?

However, medical errors can also occur in hospitals in developed countries, too.

Six months ago, a 42-year-old woman in Japan also faced a similar issue. After consulting a clinic for bloating that had persisted for three years, doctors used a CT scan to find out the issue.

They discovered that there were two masses in her abdomen. It was only after another surgery to remove these masses that doctors realised that it was a surgical sponge – another one of the things left in the body after surgery.

The results of the scan showed two masses to the left and right of the woman’s pelvis. | Image Source:
New England Journal of Medicine

These doctors penned their results in a report in the
New England Journal of Medicine.
 They deduced that the sponges were likely left behind from a cesarean section.

The woman had two sections before – one in 2012, and the other in 2009 –  meaning that the sponge could have been left inside her for at least six years. Dr Takeshi Kondo, the chief author of the report, said that the woman did not have any other abdominal or pelvic surgeries.

Thankfully, once the sponges were removed, the 42-year-old’s symptoms eased. She was allowed to leave the hospital after five days.

Mums from
a forum site
 have also expressed their horrifying experiences. One mum, adianlahni, said that she also experienced something similar in 2009, but even two years on, she’s “
still in pain, and can’t have intercourse because of the damage from the sponges that were in my body for 7 weeks. Sitting is uncomfortable and my vagina is sore all the time.
“

Even after consulting multiple gynecologists and being prescribed antibiotics, her infection still hasn’t gone away.

Things left in body after surgery: What you should know

Rare, but more likely in gyneocological surgeries

A r
eview conducted in 2013
 found that these events tend to be rare. Things left in body after surgery tend to happen between 1 in 5,500 operations to 1 in 18,760 operations. However, unlike other surgeries,
gynecological surgeries carry a higher risk
 of ending with things left in body after surgery.

Dr. Fizan Abdullah, a pediatric surgeon, explains why: body parts around the pelvis are tougher to reach and have small hollow spaces where it’s much easier for a small or spongy items to get stuck.

Symptoms of things left in body after surgery

Surgical objects that remain in the body can lead to different effects, depending on which part was operated on and what instrument was used. In general, the red flags that could possibly mean that there are things left in body after surgery are:

pain in the surgical area that could flare up or be persistent.

really painful headaches or leg pain

discomfort and bloating

Faecal matter that looks black, bloody, or tar-like.

Feeling constipated or finding it hard to urinate, possibly meaning a blockage.

Coughing or vomiting blood.

An Abscess or fistula growing

Struggling with basic movements such as breathing, swallowing, or eating.

Liquid streaks near or something seeping from the surgical wound.

Not feeling better after the surgery, such as declining weakness, fatigue and pain.

Swollen lymph nodes – especially swollen areas near the the armpits, groin, and neck.

Signs that an infection has occurred, such as:

Discoloration

Feeling feverish

Pus seeping

Soreness/Tenderness

Swelling

The surgical wound starts to tear or become undone.

Note that the object itself presents a danger — it doesn’t matter if it’s a fluffy sponge or a needle. In fact, sponges or gauzes can cause deadly infections. Do remember that even simple or minor surgeries may risk things left in body after surgery.

Pain or the surgical wound coming apart could be a sign that’s something’s wrong. | Image Source: Stock Photos

Effects of things left in body after surgery

The effects do vary, from no effects at all to sepsis or death.

Dr. Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says that “In two-thirds of these cases, there were serious consequences, whether that’s infection or even death. In one case, a small sponge was left inside the brain of a patient that we studied, and the patient ended up having an infection and ultimately died.”

Some good news: preventive methods

Traditionally, medial personnel prevented these accidents by counting the objects they use during surgery. But this is not always practical due to the large number of items used in a typical surgery.

Thankfully, hospitals are using two new ways to prevent accidents from happening again by using:
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radiofrequency tagging to find out if sponges were left in patient’s bodies. This cost-effective method works as a microchip woven into the it can be located using a wand or mat after the surgery to uncover any things left in the body after surgery.

bar-codes. By bar-coding sponges and scanning them during the surgery, medical staff can keep count of the number of sponges used. Once the surgery is done, these sponges can be scanned again to be sure that there are no differences.

References:
NCBI
,
New England Journal of Medicine
,
Coconut.co
,
CNN
,
babycenter
,
wieand law firm
,
livescience
,
Washington Post
,
thought.co

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This is the DANGEROUS reason to stop drying your clothes indoors!

Sometimes parents have no choice but to dry their laundry indoors, especially if it’s raining outside if pressed for space. But studies reveal that doing so have considerable health risks.

Allowing wet or even damp clothing on drying racks or radiators raises the moisture levels inside the house by up to 30%.

While this may sound harmless, it creates the perfect condition for mold spores to breed, and experts are particularly concerned about the Aspergillus fumigatus spores, which are known to cause lung infection.

READ: 8 harmless things that can harm your children

Professor David Denning from the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester told The Daily Mail, “One load of wet washing contains almost two liters of water, which is released into the room.

“Most of us are either immune to the fungus which grows in these humid conditions, or have a sufficiently healthy system to fight the infection.”

It’s even worse for people with preexisting conditions such as asthma and those with weak or damaged immune systems.

“The fungus can cause pulmonary aspergillosis—a condition which can cause irreparable, and sometime fatal, damage to the lungs and sinuses.”

Craig Mather, for example, was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1997, rendering his lungs weak and worsened the problems he had due to childhood asthma.

READ: Clean your house with environment friendly products made from kitchen ingredients!

“I only started to recover when my consultant diagnosed chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and prescribed me special drugs to fight the fungal infection,” he said.

“However, I noticed coughing fits and night sweats particularly when I had wet washing drying on the warm bedroom radiator.

For those who are guilty of the practice, professor David advises that “they dry wet washing outside, in a tumble dryer or in a well-ventilated indoor space away from bedrooms and living areas to be safe rather than sorry.”

What is Aspergillosis?

A group of ailments caused by a fungal mold called aspergillus, aspergillosis affects the respiratory system (windpipe, sinuses and lungs).

But it can also travel from the windpipe, sinuses or lungs to anywhere in the body.

Depending on its severity, aspergillosis’s symptoms can fall anywhere between mild wheezing to coughing up blood.

The ailment is caused by breathing in small spores of aspergillus mold. Typically, when it enters the body, one’s immune system quickly isolates and destroys the mold before it can spread to their lungs.

A person with damaged lungs or a weakened immune system, however, is more likely to develop aspergillosis when exposed to the mold.

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

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Ovulation Tracking: How To Use This Method To Better Plan A Pregnancy

If you are facing issues with conception, your gynaecologist may ask you to track your ovulation period or your fertile window. This is the time when the egg releases from your ovary and may or may not become fertilised by a
sperm
.

If the egg does get fertilised, it will travel to the uterus and implant itself to develop into a pregnancy. On the other hand, if the egg is unfertilised, then it will disintegrate and the uterine lining will shed during your period.

Understanding how your ovulation period and the cycle work is crucial, as it helps to better plan a pregnancy. It can also be a key to understanding if you are suffering from any underlying medical conditions.

Table of Contents

When Does The Ovulation Period Start?

How To Detect When Are You Ovulating?

How Does An Ovulation Calendar Help?

Ovulation Period: The Phases To Track

How Frequently Do You Need To Have Sex?

4 Common Types Of Ovulation Disorders

1. Polycystic ovarian syndrome

2. Premature ovarian insufficiency

3. Hyperprolactinemia

4. Hypothalamic dysfunction

How To Induce Ovulation?

When Does The Ovulation Period Start?

Image courtesy: iStock

Most girls begin to menstruate between the age of 10 and 15 years. This is the time when they begin to ovulate and can also conceive.

On average, a woman’s menses last anywhere between 28 and 32 days and the start of each cycle is considered to be the first day of menses. The egg is released generally 12 to 16 days before the next period is due.

Women reach the menopause stage between the age of 50 and 51 years, which is when ovulation typically stops. But even in the
perimenopausal
 or menopausal transition period, ovulation can take place.

How To Detect When Are You Ovulating?

Image courtesy: iStock

Here are the ways you can detect whether or not you are ovulating.

The cervical mucus increases in volume and becomes thicker due to increased estrogen levels.

You may also see a slight
 increase in body temperature
 during your ovulation period. According to medical experts, women are generally most fertile for 2-3 days before the temperature reaches its maximum.

You can use a basal thermometer to track the subtle temperature increase.

Another prominent sign is that some women may feel a mild ache in the lower abdomen. This pain may last between a few minutes and a few hours.

You can also buy ovulation predictor kits that are now easily available at drug stores.

How Does An Ovulation Calendar Help?

The ovulation calendar will help you to understand your most fertile period. This is an important tool to keep track of your cycle and also is key to understanding any irregularities.

There are several websites and apps that actually help you keep track of the cycle easily. All you have to do is feed in the correct information.

Moreover, you can also download one of these apps on your partner’s phone to help them know about your ovulation period if you’re trying.

Ovulation Period: The Phases To Track

The ovulation period is generally divided into three phases:

Periovulatory
: In this stage, the layer of cells around the ovum begins to become more like mucus and expand. The uterus lining also starts to thicken.

Ovulatory phase
: This is the phase when the egg releases from the dominant follicle within an ovary into the fallopian tube. The sperm can fertilise the egg at this stage.

Do note that the life span of a typical egg is only about 24 hours. Unless it meets a sperm during this time, it will die. This is the only time during a woman’s menstruation cycle that a woman can become pregnant. So if you are planning to have a baby you can improve your chances of getting pregnant, if you know your fertile window.

Luteal phase
: A fertilised egg gets implanted into the womb, while the unfertilised egg will slowly stop producing hormones and dissolve within 24 hours. The lining of the uterus starts to break down and prepares to exit the body during menses.

How Frequently Do You Need To Have Sex?

In many cases, a couple can have sex once during the fertile window and is able to conceive. However, if you are actively trying to conceive, then you can better your chances by having sex
every other day
 during the fertile window.

Note that the
best time
 to get pregnant is in the two days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself.

4 Common Types Of Ovulation Disorders

Often issues with ovulation can lead to infertility or difficulty in conceiving. So watch out for some of these common ovulation disorders.

1. Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
 is the most common endocrine (hormonal) disorder affecting young women. It is estimated that up to 10 per cent of women in Singapore may have PCOS.

Women with PCOS may often but not always have multiple cysts in their ovaries or have hormonal imbalances such as excess androgens (male hormones) and insulin resistance.

It can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms, and many may not be aware of their condition and go undiagnosed. Some of them include obesity, acne and abnormal hair growth. It is also one of the leading causes of infertility in women.

2. Premature ovarian insufficiency

Egg production stops prematurely in this condition. It will lead to a drop in estrogen levels and mostly affects women before the age of 40 years.

There can be several reasons behind it such as genetic abnormalities, environmental toxins or an autoimmune disease.

3. Hyperprolactinemia

In some scenarios, due to the use of certain medications or abnormality in the pituitary gland (which produces hormones), women can produce excessive amounts of prolactin. It can also cause a reduction in estrogen. This is a less common cause of ovulatory dysfunction.

4. Hypothalamic dysfunction

This is a condition where the production of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) gets disrupted. These are the two prominent hormones that stimulate ovulation and can affect the menstrual cycle.

Some causes of hypothalamic dysfunction include emotional and physical stress, and excessively high or low body weight. Sometimes, excessive exercise, low body weight and tumours can also lead to hypothalamic dysfunction.

How To Induce Ovulation?

Image Source: Pexels

If there is an abnormality in your ovulation, doctors may prescribe fertility drugs to treat the problem. Some common drugs which most doctors prescribe for ovulation include:
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Metformin:
 It’s typically used by women with PCOS. It is to treat insulin resistance and increase the chances of ovulation.

Bromocriptine:
Doctors can recommend this medicine in case of hyperprolactinemia.

Letrozole:
 It works temporarily by lowering a woman’s level of the hormone progesterone to stimulate ovum production.

Clomid:
 This oral medication increases the pituitary secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), thus stimulating ovarian follicles.

But note that these fertility drugs can have side effects such as the following, and must only be taken post-consultation:

Hot flushes

Mood swings

Abdominal pain

Vaginal dryness

Increased urination

If you have any doubt about your menstrual cycle, always consult a health practitioner. They can help track it better and advise on tests and medications if needed.

Medical News Today
,
American Pregnancy

This article was republished with permission from theAsianparent
Singapore
.

Here at theAsianparent Malaysia, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Malaysia is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.

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:

 Early Signs That You Might Be Pregnant With Twins

Read more:

 The Placenta’s Important Role in Pregnancy

Read more:

 What Are the 3 Trimesters of Pregnancy? A Guide for Pregnant Women

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Perfect Wedding Gift and Present Ideas for Your Sister

Ah, so the time has come that your sister take that big step and begin her own family. It’s the moment every girl has been waiting for, to know that she’s going to have her happily ever after. Little does she know that the true challenge has begun! Managing your own household isn’t an easy task. Kids, husband, chores AND her career is nothing compared to those late night couple arguments. So, what can you do to make it better? Get her an awesome wedding gift that can make her productivity at home a little better. So without further ado, here’s Printcious’ wedding gift and present idea for your sister.

Luggage

One of the best part about traveling is exploring new places with your lifetime partner. One of the bad things about it is packing. What I’ll give to never pack and unpack ever again! But if you got her a pretty luggage, I’m sure packing wouldn’t be that bad.

Kitchen electronics

This is probably one of the few expensive, but very useful things to get as a wedding gift. From toasters to blenders, there are multiple options to get as a gift. Just make sure you get them something they want or they will use. Check out online stores such as Lazada for your best buy!

Household Electronic

Electronics are a necessity in every household. Keeping a home clean is just not easy! That’s why we make machines do the heavy work for us. If you’re not sure what’s best to get someone, a sturdy vacuum cleaner is always a safe bet.

A Spa Day

Orchestrating a wedding is exhausting! It may have been a one day event but it took months of broken nails, sweat and tears to accomplish. I think someone is in need of a spa date.

A Red Packet

More commonly known as an angpao, red packets are actually more preferred when given a wedding gift. They have a direct control of their finances and in case they don’t like the gift, they don’t have to store it or awkwardly give it away. Plus, it’s nice having some pocket money after spending everything on the wedding!
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Left paralysed in car crash, woman walks again at her wedding

“I’m a woman paralysed in car crash” — nothing could prepare Jean Ling for that realisation when she finally woke up in the hospital.

On the day of the accident, she remembered it being a beautiful day in Glenlorchy, in New Zealand’s South Island. She was driving on Paradise road admiring the picturesque scenery filled with mountains and endless open fields. But after a quick check in the rearview mirror, her car skidded and hit a tree.

Only Five Minutes Away from Her Destination…

Condition of the car that left Jean paralysed in car crash in New Zealand | Source:
CNA

When she came to, she couldn’t feel her lower body. She looked down and saw that she still had all her limbs.

“Blood was coming out of my mouth. I couldn’t breathe that well, and I started to press the horn before I fainted,” recalled the 35-year-old when she was speaking to
The Red Dot
. (
Watch the episode here.
)

Ms Kelly Louise Morritt, who called the ambulance, remembers clearly the screeching tires and the massive bang that followed soon after. It was a miracle Jean was still alive. She was only five minutes away from the horse ranch where she’d planned to go riding that day.

Jean was flown to a hospital in Invercargill with punctured lungs and fractured ribs. A rod was inserted to pump out all the blood in her lungs so that she could breathe normally.

Paralysed in Car Crash with No Hope…

Paralysed in car crash: Jean undergoing rehabilitation in Burwood Hospital, Christchurch | Photo credit: Jean Ling

She didn’t know what the doctors were doing when they kept touching her from head to toe. She didn’t know they were testing if she could feel anything. Then it hit her — she was a woman paralysed in car crash. It was her, and she couldn’t feel anything from the waist down. Her spinal cord was severely injured.

How am I going to carry on with my life?

Will I be able to work? How am I supposed to take care of my mum when she’s old?
Those thoughts were running over and over in her head.

“I couldn’t control my bowels. Balancing was a problem and I had no core muscles. I was like a baby. From dressing up to cleaning up and showering, everything started from zero,” she said.

Who Would Love Me?

Stapped with rods to straighten her legs. Jean started training with a walker for her wedding. | Photo credit: Jean Ling

Although rehabilitation went well in Christchurch, the feelings of helplessness came back when she returned to Singapore. She felt terrible that she had to depend on people for help. What would become of her? Who would
love
 her? Even her boyfriend left her because he could not accept her disability.

But Jean’s faith in love slowly blossomed when she met Jake Oh through mutual friends. He proved to her that disability is no barrier to love and they got married in December 2017.

Determined to walk down the aisle herself, and as a surprise for Jake, Jean secretly started training.

When the day came, she walked with the help of a
walker
, clad in a beautiful white gown to be with the man of her life.

Life After Being Paralysed in Car Crash

The couple moved into a flat that was designed with Jean in mind. This helped her tremendously when Jake
works overtime,
 and slowly she learned to be more independent.

“I’ll try and accommodate her when I’m around,” said the 28-year-old. “I also have to let her be independent when I’m not around.”

When they went to New Zealand, Jean tried adaptive skiing, skydiving and even went horseback riding to finish what she had set out to do. And even though it was really emotional for her, Jean also revisited her accident site in Glenorchy town.

Despite everything she has been through, Jean remains positive. She looks forward to starting a family and having a baby of her own. While she thinks that it might be the next big challenge for them, it doesn’t seem to faze Jake. With a confident smile, he said “I don’t think it’ll be that challenging because our love has overcome everything.”

Watch Jean’s Amazing Story:

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Source:
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Images:
CNA
 screengrabs

Read also:
‘I Am 18. I Am A Single Mum In Singapore. This Is My Story’

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Stepfather drowning little girl in a hotel pool caught on CCTV footage

In the lottery that is life, some will be lucky, while others will simply lose. A three-year-old girl from Mexico was one of those who weren’t so fortunate.

When her mother remarried, the girl had acquired a stepfather from hell, who will eventually cause her demise.

It was even caught on a CCTV footage.

“Harrowing CCTV footage shows the killer, identified only as Jose David N., repeatedly tossing the child into the water,” said a
Mirror
 report. “The little girl—who could not swim—is seen struggling to stay afloat as her stepfather stands by and watches.”

According to reports, the family had been out on a vacation on August 12, 2015.

While the child’s mother was sleeping on their hotel room, the stepfather brought the girl with him to the public pool.

Other patrons of the hotel were present when the incident transpired, and they were seen scrambling out of the pool.

Sadly, the tot drowned to death.

Even more upsetting is the fact that the stepfather pleaded surprise during a court hearing after he was told that his stepdaughter had drowned.

Thankfully there was a CCTV footage showing what had really occurred, and it was enough to have him convicted and jailed with no possibility of parole.

It hasn’t been made clear what the intentions of the stepfather were, or the reasons that led him to kill his stepdaughter.

“After deliberation, judges Juan Salvador Alonso Mejia, Ana Lilia Garcia Cardona and Noe Reyes Millan found him guilty of killing her,” the same report said.

“Judge Garcia Cardona told the court how the stepfather even dragged the little girl’s hair and held her tiny body in such a position in the water that she was unable to breathe.”

When the CCTV footage was made public, it caused a massive outrage across South America.

The stepfather is now facing 100 years in jail.

Republished with permission from:
theAsianparent Philippines

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