8 things you should prepare for before going into labour

You’re in your last few weeks of the pregnancy and amidst your frantic rush to document all your belly shots before you pop, coupled with nesting instincts and waddling around restlessly, I’m sure at some point you would have scoured the internet for checklists on what else to do.

Getting ready the car seat

While the Malaysian Government is expected to enforce the use of car seats by 2017 (
The Sun Daily
), we started with our first child in 2010. The convertible was installed into the car and our first born made her first trip in a car seat. If you’re inheriting a hand me down car seat, be sure to check the manufacturing dates: car seats do
have a shelf life.

Unpack and set up that crib

Yes, have the husband do this way in advance and be sure to sun the mattress and have all the bedding washed and ready to go. Unless of course if you’re using a
Close and Secure sleeper
 to co-sleep, which is hardly any unpacking at all.

Pack that hospital bag

Change of clothes and breastfeeding clothes? Preferred brand of heavy flow sanitary pads and granny panties? Ipod with a zen playlist? Breast pump?Toiletries and other essentials? Check! But that’s not all, pack a change of clothes for the husband as well and going home clothes and diapers for your newborn. Have everything packed, double check it, and have it ready to go.

Put all documents in a file

Have all your necessary documents in one place for easy access and preferably in your hospital bag. Your prenatal check up booklet, medical coverage information, OBGYN contacts, and personal documents for registering at the hospital or specialist centre. If you have a scheduled delivery then make sure you have pre-registered documents with you.

Charge that camera, empty that flash drive

I remember how excited we were when we were first time parents! There were two smart phones and a camera rearing to go. Remember to make space for new memories. It would be most inconvenient when at the most crucial moment and the camera reads: memory full. Have on yourself spare batteries and flash cards, we wouldn’t want to
miss a thing.

When to go the hospital

You should already know in general when to be heading to the hospital, your decision for type of delivery and also your options for pain relief along with their side effects. Be sure to ask all the questions and raise any concerns at your last visit to the OBGYN, he or she will gladly furnish the answers.

Transportation

Be sure to appoint your designated driver to the hospital and have backup numbers to call just to be on the safe side. Preempt your driver on how to register you at the hospital and show them where the necessary documents are, in case of an emergency .

Gadgets or books

If you’re a tech junkie like me then be sure to pack along your tablet and charger to keep you company. Unless you are in a private room chances are you won’t get to choose your own entertainment. Do some light reading and having some music on can really help you ride out the contractions!

And there you have it. 8 things to prepare before going into labour. But the most important thing for me is to try to relax and enjoy the journey transitioning into motherhood.

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Man's bowels fall out after sitting on toilet for too long

Dads, do you play on your phone while sitting on the toilet? If you are reading this while on your ‘throne’, this might scare you a bit! Because, a man in China who, after playing on his smartphone for half an hour while sitting on the toilet, suffered from a rectal prolapse. In other words, his bowels fell out!

A local Chinese media reported this on Friday, February 9. The man, whose name has not been revealed,
 went to Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University’s emergency room in Zhongshan, Guangdong at around 1 am after noticing a ‘ball-sized’ lump hang out of his anus. The man was only able to walk with assistance from a friend.

A horrifying “revelation”

There, doctors found a “tail” measuring 16 cm protruding out of the man’s anus. They diagnosed him with rectal prolapse, according to the local report. The report added that the man had spent too long playing on his mobile phone while sitting on the toilet.

What is rectal prolapse? It is a condition where the rectum, or the lower end of the colon, drops down and turns inside out. As it worsens, the rectum may protrude down your anus.
It’s a condition that’s fairly common, especially among children and old people in particular.

Dr Dan Su, one of the hospital’s medical practitioners, said that most rectal prolapses can be retracted, but this case is an exception.

He had it from a young age

Su said the man had previously suffered from rectal prolapses when he was four, but in the previous circumstance, doctors were able to retract it.

Since they were unable to retract the prolapse, they decided to operate on the man to remove the protrusion. The man was able to walk around two days later.

A CT scan revealed the 6.3-inch bulge hanging outside the patient’s anus, as well as blood spots and bruises along the patient’s intestinal wall.

Su said that it’s possible that, while trying to eliminate waste, the man’s pelvic muscles might have weakened. Sitting on the toilet too long triggered the prolapse. T
he man is currently recovering.

Su warned that anyone with the condition must seek treatment as soon as they spot it.

Common in the very young and very old

Not pictured: the pain of rectal prolapse. | File photo

According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), rectal prolapse affects about 2.5 out of 100,000 people. It affects mostly adults over 50 years of age, though women over 50 years old are six times more likely to develop the condition. However, men who develop the condition are often in their 40s.

The condition isn’t a sudden phenomenon and tends to manifest in a gradual manner, returning back to normal after some time. When the rectum still hasn’t returned to its normal position, patients with rectal prolapse may feel like they’re sitting on a “ball.”

Around 50% of patients experience chronic constipation (a tell-tale sign) and if left untreated, this condition requires emergency surgery.

In your children’s case — as with the man’s experience when he was four years old — a prolapse may start happening when your child is between one to five years of age when he begins standing or potty training. The cause in these cases is often not known.

Possible causes of rectal prolapse

However, there are factors that increase the child’s risk of a rectal prolapse. They could be any of the following:

An
infection
 in your child’s bowel can cause his rectum to swell and move down through his anus. The infection may be caused by parasites or bacteria.

Constipation
 makes your child push too hard during bowel movement. The pressure from pushing too hard may cause the rectum to prolapse.

Malnutrition
accelerates the loss of fatty tissue that helps hold your child’s rectum in place.

Diarrhoea
 may cause swelling of your child’s rectum, raising the risk of prolapse.

Chronic conditions such as
Cystic fibrosis (CF) or ulcerative colitis (UC)
 may cause
malnutrition
 and
constipation
. UC can also cause
diarrhoea
.

Signs and symptoms of rectal prolapse

If your child is complaining of any difficulties during bowel movement or is generally stressed around it, you can check for any of these signs of rectal prolapse.

Rectal tissue
 seen through the anus after or during your child’s bowel movement

Pain or discomfort
 during bowel movement

Swollen
, pink, or red rectum

Bleeding
 or mucus from your child’s rectum, which may happen from rubbing against underwear or nappies

Once you’ve seen any of these signs, check with your doctor to confirm if it’s rectal prolapse. The doctor will examine your child’s anus for rectal prolapse or rectal polyps (a small growth of tissue in the lining of the rectum).

Rectal prolapse testing

The doctor may feel inside your child’s anus to check for bumps that cannot be seen from the outside. The doctor may also ask you about your child’s bowel habits. So if your child has any other medical conditions, tell them.

The doctor or medical professional may do the following tests:

A sweat chloride test shows the amount of chloride in your child’s sweat. This test is used to check for cystic fibrosis (CF). If your child has CF, your child’s sweat will contain a high amount of chloride.

An x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan may show problems with your child’s rectum. The healthcare provider may give contrast liquid to your child to help the intestines show up better in the pictures. Your healthcare provider may also place contrast liquid into your child’s anus. Tell the healthcare provider if your child has ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.

A sample of your child’s bowel movement may show what germ is causing your child’s illness.

How you can help treat it

Rectal prolapse can be treated, so be prepared for your or your child’s treatment.

Antibiotics fight bacterial infection.

Antiparasitics fight or prevent parasite infection.

Bowel movement softeners help prevent constipation.

Laxatives relax and loosen your child’s intestines to prevent constipation.

If the rectal prolapse is bad, injections may prevent your child’s rectum from moving through the anus. Be warned that a medical professional will give your child one or more shots of numbing medicine or anaesthetic. Afterwards, a needle will be inserted into the rectum to apply the appropriate medicine. Your child will feel some pressure or discomfort as the needle enters the rectum.

In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary if other treatments don’t work. Surgery can help correct the position of your child’s rectum to prevent it from hanging out of the anus. Surgery may include placing sutures or mesh into the rectum, or removing the part of the rectum that is prolapsed.

There are many things you can do to help a child get through this condition. You can check
this website
 for more information on rectal prolapse treatment and recovery.

Don’t multitask on the toilet!

The objective of going to the toilet is to eliminate waste, nothing more, nothing less, and should not be treated as “luxury time.” Multitasking during toilet time only raises the risk of rectal prolapse.

So parents, if you’re thinking of hiding from your in-laws, visitors, or kids, don’t hide in your bathroom, sit on the toilet, and burn hours away on your phone. And don’t forget to warn your children not to stay on the toilet for too long, or they might get rectal prolapse too!

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Children & Burns

Burns are classified by the amount of damage done to the skin and other body tissue. Accidents happen whether at home or in public, and burn in children often leads to injury not only on their physical health, also mental and emotional being.

Dr Marzida Abd Latib, Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon of Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GKL) here to explain about burn in children and what parents should do if this situation happen to them.

What are the common burns in children

The aetiology of common burns in children changes with age. Younger children suffer more scalds, for example hot water, hot soup, hot oil, hot beverages.

Older children usually suffer more flame burns. Example flammable liquid causing a fire.
 Other notable causes of burn in children include:

Contact with a hot object hot iron, hot stoves

Chemicals:

a child may come into contact with is through household cleaning and beauty products. E.g., drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, dishwashing detergents, oven cleaners, metal cleaners, rust removers, and hair relaxers.

Electrical burns

Such as biting an electrical cord, placing an object into an electrical socket, contacting a low voltage wire or appliance indoors (low voltage household injury)

contacting a high voltage wire outdoors) or being struck by lightning (high voltage injury)

Sunburn is a specific type of burn caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or from artificial ultraviolet sources, such as tanning beds).

Will appear similar to thermal burns and can range from painless erythema to painful erythema with oedema and bullae, appearing in sun-exposed areas only

Non-accidental injury (child abuse) should also be suspected from any suspicious lesions.

2. What are the different types of burns and symptoms?

However, burn wound constantly changes, which sometimes makes it difﬁcult to determine the depth of the injury in the ﬁrst 2-5 days and it is rarely homogenous throughout.

3. When should I take my child to the A&E for a burn injury?

Go to a hospital
accident and emergency (A&E)
 department for:

large or deep burns (2
nd
 and 3
rd
 degree burns) bigger than the affected person’s hand

burns of any size that cause white or charred skin

burns on special areas:  the face, hands, arms, feet, legs or genitals

burns with
blisters

all chemical and electrical burns

Also get medical help straight away if the child with the burn:

has other injuries that need treatment

is going into shock – signs include cold, clammy skin, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing, and weakness or dizziness

is under the age of 5

has a medical condition, such as heart, lung or liver disease, or
diabetes

any uncertainties at all

The level of care needed to treat a burn depends on many factors, including the location of the burn and the extent of the burn. If you’re not sure if your child’s burn is serious, check with your paediatrician.

4. Do’s and Don’ts of Burn First–Aid

Do’s

Stop burning process as soon as possible by:

removing the person from the area

extinguish flames with water, or smothering flames with a blanket, fire-extinguishing liquid

Cooling the wound

with tepid water to remove any residual heat and prevent progression of the thermal burn

effective if applied within the first few minutes of the injury

Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies.

Cover the burn with cling film, a clean bandage or cloth.

Keep the child warm.

Wrap using a blanket or layers of clothing, but avoid putting them on the injured area

Take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for pain.

Sit upright as much as possible if the face or eyes are burnt

Seek medical attention as soon as possible

Don’ts:

Do not start first aid before ensuring your own safety (switch off electrical current, wear gloves for chemicals, etc.)

Do not apply home remedies/ointments until the patient has been placed under appropriate medical care.

Do not apply soy sauce, toothpaste, turmeric powder, flour or greasy substances s like butter

it might become infected

it makes initial burn assessment difficult due to discloration

Do not apply ice, ice water because it deepens the injury;

Avoid prolonged cooling with water because it will lead to hypothermia

Do not try to remove anything that is stuck to the burnt skin, as this could cause more damage.

Do not intentionally open blisters.

5. How are burns managed or treated in children?

Outwardly, burns treatment for children is similar to that for adults, but there is significant physical, psychological, and social differences. Children have thinner skin, lose proportionately more fluid, are more prone to hypothermia, and mount a greater systemic inflammatory response.

Overall, it involves a multidisciplinary team including an emergency Physician, Paediatrician, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Anaesthetist, Nutritionist, Physiotherapist, & Rehabilitation Specialist, Child Councillor nurses and many more.

Depending on the extent and severity, a burned child maybe well taken care of in a tertiary hospital with Burn Unit set up which is usually headed by a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon.

Management of burns includes multiple phases: initial resuscitation, early burn management, rehabilitation and post-burn reconstruction as outlined below:

Primary survey evaluation:

 A, B, C, D, E (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neurological status), Exposure/ environmental control.

Secondary survey: head to toe examination after initial stabilization

Burn wounds will be assessed in terms of depth and extent

Intravenous fluid and urinary catheter inserted if required

Pain management

Any concern of non-accidental injury (child abuse) should also be addressed

Wound management

Treatment can be conservative which include cleaning, debridement, regular dressing change. Optimum wound care is instrumental toward recovery, as it protects the wound from further infection, provides comfort, and promotes healing

There is no clear evidence on which dressing provides the best coverage; thus, the choice can be made based on cost, availability, frequency of dressing changes (i.e. dressing which minimizes amount of changes may be more suitable for children)

Burn reconstruction surgery with early excision of burn wound and skin grafting is the mainstay of surgical burn treatment for wounds which are not expected to heal in 2-3 weeks’ time. This is usually required with extensive and deeper burn injury. This will help wound heals faster, better functional and aesthetic outcome as it reduces the risk of hypertrophic scarring and contractures. It also shortens the hospital stay which translates to lower overall medical cost. Nevertheless, skin donor site availability is a problem in major burns.

Nutritional support & Physiotherapy

high protein diet is important for wound healing. Encourage foods such as milk, meat, eggs, yogurt, cheese, beans and peanut butter.

A nasogastric tube may also be inserted if required to facilitate feeding.

Once wounds are healing and closed it is usually dry and itchy

May begin to apply olive oil or moisturizer at least 4 times a day.

 Use a circular motion when rubbing the lotion into the skin.

 Scar massage helps the skin be more elastic, softer and less raised. It also helps with itching.

Splinting the joints to prevent scar contracture.

Pressure garment and silicone gel sheet are also added as scar management tool which results in improved texture and thickness of scars. If a pressure garment is recommended, it will be custom ordered by a physical or occupational therapist.

Psychological management must not be overlooked.

6. What are the complications of deep or widespread burns in children?

They may cause multisystemic manifestations, including injuries t
o
 all major organs systems like renal failure, respiratory failure, sepsis and death.
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Specialized burn centres, which care for these patients with multidisciplinary teams, may be the best places to treat children with major thermal injuries

Deep wounds may potentially lead to infection, hypertrophic scarring, and scar contracture, unstable scar and chronic pain. All may lead to functional and social disfigurement.
 Follow-up visits for therapy and for fitting pressure garments (to control scarring) can last for months and even years.

The child may need long term to follow up and secondary reconstruction procedures like contracture release, skin grafting or flap surgery.
 Some unstable chronic burn wounds may also have transformed into skin malignancy at a much later age.

The disfigurement and impaired function suffered by many burn victims may be lifelong, and returning to school and society with these handicaps can be extremely stressful, particularly for children.

Their behaviour and self-esteem may change tremendously. They may have a major psychological breakdowns if not detected early.

7. What steps parents can take to prevent the future risk of burns at home?

Parents can take small steps to reduce the likelihood of burns. Some useful tips:

To always test the water temperature first before soaking a baby or toddler in a tub. Remember
: 140°F (60°C) water will cause partial-thickness burns in approximately 5 seconds, whereas water at 120°F (49°C) will cause partial-thickness burns in approximately 5 minutes

Never leave a toddler unattended as accident may happen in split seconds

Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking, using the oven or preparing hot milk and beverages

Place socket covers on unused plugs. Use safety cords, such as circuit breakers or ground fault interrupters. Cover or fix any exposed wires. Replace damaged electric cords. Never allow your child to touch wires.

Watch your child when he or she is playing with electric toys. Turn off and unplug electric toys or machines when not in use.

Do not use electric machines near water.

Keep electric machines out of your child’s reach.

Mind your hot cup of beverages on the table. Do not put it within the child’s reach or try avoiding the tablecloth when serving hot meals when there is a curious toddler around.

Put away chemical substances beyond the reach of children and never let them near you when you are using these substances.

A working fire alarm, aportable domestic fire extinguisher should be made available in all homes.

Closely supervise older children around candles, fires and grills.

Make sure you don’t leave matches and lighters where children can find them.

Also, don’t let children move logs in a burning fire, or throw on flammables such as straw or dry grass, which flare quickly, and especially not lighter fluid or gasoline.

Parents may also proactively educate their children in an age-appropriate manner on matters above. Teach the older children on first aid and important numbers to contact should such a mishap happens.

International Journal of Critical Illness and Injury Science  |  Vol. 2  |  Issue 3  |  Sep-Dec 2012 133

Krishnamoorthy, et al.: Pediatric burn injury review

CONCLUSION

Source:
This article is written by Dr Marzida Abd Latib, Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon of Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GKL)

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:

Handling head bumps

Read more:

What to do if your child swallows a button battery?

Read more:

9 household items that can put your children in grave danger

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Malaysian Mum Shares A Secret On Why Her Kid Falls Sick Infrequently

Until my son turned 3, I can count the number of times he has
 fallen ill with one hand
. His teachers at preschool would wonder at his amazing immune system and would lament to me that his peers would be skipping school often due to being ill. So it made me take a look at what I did to ensure my child falls sick less often.

The only time my son had to be in the hospital was when he had an
allergic reaction
 to some nuts in a cake. But besides that, he has never had to be admitted nor has he gone to the clinic for even the common flu.

Looking back, here are some of the things that I did that I want to share with other parents to hopefully, reduce the doctor’s visits.

Credit: iStock

Tips to ensure your child falls sick less often

1# Clean but not too clean

While I ensure my child takes his evening bath and
brushes his teeth
, I tried the theory of Hygiene Hypothesis to see if it would help with his immune system and to my surprise, it did.

The Hygiene Hypothesis is a theory that suggests that children’s environment’s should not be “too clean” so that it can actively stimulate the child’s immune system to mature properly and fight off diseases or illnesses Davis, C. P. (2018, June 13). The hygiene Hypothesis Definition, Information. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from
www.medicinenet.com/the_hygiene_hypothesis/views.htm

.

So my home was never too clean. I don’t mop or sweep or vacuum every day or every single time I see a strand of hair or dust on the floor. In fact, I only vacuumed once a week, changed his sheets once a week and let him occasionally eat stuff he had dropped on the floor.

In the end, I saw that his immune system was maturing and could handle these minor bacteria.

2# Prioritise sleep

One thing many of my friends and family never understood was how I would schedule my day around my son’s naps. We would be out having a family lunch and 2 pm would creep up, and I would promptly excuse myself to bring my son home for his nap.

Sure, he could nap in the car or
at the restaurant
 itself, but it would not give him the restful sleep he needed. To give him the most restful naps, we ensured he always had a dark, quiet room to nap in.

Without fail, every day he would take his naps at the exact same time and then he would go to bed by 7 pm. We established a very certain routine for him and one of the reasons we believe his
immune system
 is so strong is because of his sleep.

Good sleep and rest is associated with a stronger immune system Born, J., Dimitrov, S., & Lange, T. (n.d.). Effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human immune system. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20398008/
 and this is very evident in practice.

Credit: iStock

3# Don’t skip any vaccinations

One of the things we did was to stick to a
strict vaccination schedule
 too. We even opted in for the recommended ones like chickenpox and rotavirus. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

So when there was a small outbreak of chickenpox at my son’s preschool, it did not worry me as I knew my son would be protected from it. It’s a small upfront cost to pay.

After all, paediatric hospital bills can go well into the hundreds or thousands even for a one night stay – so why not vaccinate your children to prevent them from having to go through the ailment and treatment, right?

4# Provide a stable environment at home

Mental health is important. Yes – even from a young age.
Mental health
 can affect our physical health as adults, and the same applies for children. Children who are given a happy, carefree childhood environment will also benefit from it by falling sick less often.

Stress can negatively affect their physical health and when your child falls sick, stress could be a contributing factor. So as parents, we should try to create a stress-free environment for our kids.

5# Reinforcing their nutritional intake

My son is quite the fussy eater. He only wants to eat the same foods everyday – mashed potatoes, bolognese sauce with minced beef, salmon and steamed carrots and broccoli. Sounds healthy, right?

Well, while this might be healthy, it doesn’t hurt to
 reinforce their diet with additional vitamins and nutrients
. I ensure my child gets additional prebiotics by adding Similac Gain Plus® Gold to his daily intake.

Similac Gain Plus® Gold is the world’s first formula with 2’-FL, nucleotides and EYE-Q® NUTRITION SYSTEM.

EYE-Q® NUTRITION SYSTEM is the unique blend of Lutein, Natural Vitamin E & DHA for overall brain development to support fast learning, while protecting your child’s body defense with the dual system of 2’-FL and nucleotides.

The 2’-FL, which stands for 2′-Fucosyllactose, is an oligosaccharide composed of L-fucose, D-galactose, and D-glucose units. It helps to nourish your child’s gut.

Additionally, the 2′-FL is prebiotic that is able to ‘trick’ bacteria, reducing chances of them binding to the body
3
. It helps to fight off the harmful pathogens that try to enter your body.

Nucleotides, on the other hand, are the building blocks of DNA which help to strengthen your child from within.

So with all of these steps I took, I was able to ensure my child falls sick less and at the same time, ensure he is getting the best nutrition to support a stronger immune system while enhancing his learning ability.

Get your sample of Similac Gain Plus® Gold to support your child’s immunity
here
.

Reference:

1
 Davis, C. P. (2018, June 13). The hygiene Hypothesis Definition, Information. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from
www.medicinenet.com/the_hygiene_hypothesis/views.htm

2
Born, J., Dimitrov, S., & Lange, T. (n.d.). Effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human immune system. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20398008/

3
 Bode L et.al. Glycobiology 2012;22(9):1147-62.

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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7 Messages a Married Man Should NEVER SEND

Married life is different from one’s life as a single person; responsibilities shift, roles are reestablished. Once you’re a married man, there are things you once did before are no longer all right to do.

That’s why as a husband it’s important to keep your messaging habits in check. You may think that what you’re sending to other people is considered innocent and harmless, but they could possibly ruin your marriage.

7 Messages Married Man Should Never Send

These are seven messages a married man should never send.

1. Checking up on your ex-lover

It doesn’t matter if you’ve gotten over them for a long time, or if they were the one who messaged you first. This is a person you once loved, and such feelings can come back and complicate things with your wife. The past should stay in the past.

2. Complaining about your wife

Marital issues are a private matter, and should remain so. You may think it’s okay to whine about your wife to her sister or brother, for example, but it’s not. Worse still is if you’re venting your frustrations to your friends, who have no business knowing such things. If you’re frustrated with your wife, the best course of action is to talk about it with her in a healthy manner.

3. Obsessively texting a friend

This becomes more troublesome if you’re sending more text to your friend than you do your wife. It shows that you are more invested in what they have to say, and that is not a good sign in any marriage.

4. Messages sent from a secret messaging app

Although absolute transparency in any marriage is not ideal, and keeping things to yourself is at times even healthy, going to such lengths to keep certain messages private is a sign that you’re feeling guilty about something. If that’s the case, then a married man like you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.

5. Angry messages

Arguments between couples happen, but it is never okay for either party to send messages out of anger. In the heat of the moment it is easy to say things with the express purpose of hurting, only for it to be regretted later, once we’ve cooled down.

6. Flirty texts

This one is a no brainer. If you’re married, your only object of affection should be your wife. Otherwise, engaging in such conversations is called cheating.
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7. Sexually explicit images

If there’s anything anyone can learn from the digital age, it is that information spreads fast, and once you put it out there, it can never be taken down. Even if you’re only sending it to your wife, your images can be shared to anyone. If you’re feeling sexy and you want your wife to know, there’s a right time and place for it.

This post is based on Amberlee Lovell’s
Family Share article
.

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Maternity Bras That Make Breastfeeding A Comfortable Process

Women experience many significant physical changes during pregnancy, where in addition to a growing belly, their breasts also become much more sensitive.

Your breasts are growing due to increased progesterone levels and the expansion of your milk ducts in preparation for the coming baby.

During pregnancy, it's common to gain a cup size or two. Because your rib cage expands to make room for your baby, many women notice they are also wider across the back.

You may start to grow uncomfortable, sore, and short of breath, thus this is the perfect time for them to invest in the best nursing bra to ensure comfort throughout and beyond pregnancy.

In this article, let’s look at the best maternity bras, why you should get them, how to care for these undergarments, and more!

What are breastfeeding bras?

Breastfeeding bras are undergarments specially designed to entail to the needs of
breastfeeding women.

It has cups with flaps or panels that can be opened easily to give the baby access to the breast without the need to completely remove the bra during a breastfeeding session.

Difference Between Maternity Bra and Nursing Bras

Design

Maternity Bra

Nursing Bra

1. Fit larger sized breasts

Yes

Yes

2. Wide straps, lining with soft cotton on the inside, with extra hooks and hangers on the tape

Yes

Yes

3. No underwire

Yes

Yes

4. Hook/panel for easy breastfeeding access

No

Yes

5. Provides optimum comfort

Yes

Yes

Thus, we suggest that it's best for expectant mothers to purchase a combination of both, i.e. first buy a larger sized pregnancy bra as well as a breastfeeding bra to switch to near the middle of the 3rd trimester.

If you buy a breastfeeding bra to wear during pregnancy, you should choose one that has more room for breast augmentation as your breast will grow 1-2 sizes up after the baby is born.

Why Should You Use The Best Nursing Bra?

During pregnancy, many women ponder over whether they should invest in a breastfeeding bra or if they should just stick to their normal bras.

Many pregnant women and new mothers actually do recommend buying a breastfeeding bra are best as it helps provide comfort while their bodies change over time.

Here are some of the reasons why pregnant women are encouraged to buy breastfeeding bras:

They are
specially designed to accommodate breasts that are enlarged or abruptly changing in size
. Your breasts will likely go through dramatic size changes during pregnancy and have the potential to fluctuate in size depending on the breastfeeding and pumping sessions you have after you have given birth.

Most breastfeeding bras
come with multiple hooks
 which enable one to change the width of the bras to keep up with changes in one’s body size.

Breastfeeding bras are also usually
made of soft and stretchy material and do not consist of iron wires or stitches near the nipple
 (which can cause inflammation) in order to maximize comfort.

When Should You Get A Breastfeeding Bra?

A good sign of when it is time to get a breastfeeding bra is when you feel like your bra is too restrictive. Some things you can look out for is when you remove your bra and realise that it leaves ‘dent’ marks where the tape and the straps are, or when your breasts start to overflow out of the cups.

Every pregnancy is different, much like how every woman is different. Thus, each woman's breast will also change in unique ways. Some pregnant women will find that the size of their breasts continually
increases
 throughout the entire duration of their pregnancy. whereas, others may find an increase in the first trimester only, etc.

Depending on how your own body changes throughout your pregnancy, you will need to monitor it and purchase new bras as you see fit!

How many maternity bras will I need?

This is a question that is fully dependent on your body and personal requirements. To begin, you'll need to purchase a maternity bra. For pregnant women, these will be cordless bras. There are a variety of alternatives, such as T-shirt bras, which are both comfortable and fashionable.

You should first purchase a couple of bras and then assess your situation. You may require more at that time, or you may wait until your breasts have grown larger again before purchasing.

Moreover, you should consider purchasing a breastfeeding bra during 36-38 weeks because this is usually when you will start lactating. Hence, a nursing bra may be useful to use when breastfeeding. When you use a nursing bra, it contains a pull-down clip to let you feed your baby more easily.

Tips For Choosing The Best Nursing Bra

A good bra should provide ample support but should not be too tight as well. It should not leave any dent marks on the skin as that leads to the risk of clogged milk ducts, mastitis or even a decreased milk supply.

Here are a few things you should take note of before you buy your bra:

Wireless bras are more suitable during breastfeeding

It is advisable to choose a bra made of cotton or other natural materials. This is as natural materials absorb well and have good ventilation.

You should choose a bra that has a hook that is easy to operate with one hand, such that the mother can use the other hand to hold the baby.

Soft and stretchy material is ideal. This is so that there is enough allowance for the fluctuating shape of the breast.

Choose bras that have ample support

The bra should also be soft so as to enable any breast changes and minimize chances of irritation to the breasts and nipples

Bras that feature cups that can be opened to enable easy access for breastfeeding are recommended

Bras that allow for fluctuation in the ribs are also ideal

Caution!

It is not recommended to buy ‘normal bras’ in larger sizes as normal bras do not have the capacity to support and accommodate the growing breasts and body during pregnancy, given that they are made with different fabrics and structures.

In addition, normal bras have an iron underwire which does not accommodate for breast enlargement and can thus result in extreme discomfort if worn throughout pregnancy.

During the breastfeeding stage, a normal bra also poses much impracticality as it does not have any easy access openings that allow for breastfeeding.

This can also be harmful as it increases the likelihood of mastitis (blockage and infection of milk ducts) due to the constraint of the underwire and less breathable materials used.

How Do You Ensure Your Nursing Bra Fits Perfectly?

There is no denying that many women, not just those pregnant, are confused about how to make sure that the bra they buy fits perfectly, protects their breasts and provides comfort.

For pregnant mothers, the following are some of the ways in which you can make sure your breastfeeding bra fits well.

These tips can also apply to all women who are in the search of a comfortable bra.

Wrinkles on the bottom of the bra cup are visible indicators that your bra is too big.

The tape band of your bra should fit perfectly, lie neatly and not be skewed upwards on the back.

If your breasts peek out of the bottom of your bra, this means that your bra is too big.

If your breasts ‘overflow’ out of the top or the sides of the bra cup, it means that your bra is too small.

How to measure for a good fit?

Taking two easy measurements - underbust and bust - is the best approach to begin fitting a bra.

Your band and cup sizes are calculated using these two figures. These measures can be taken with a cloth measuring tape or a piece of thread and a ruler.

First, strip down to your bra to obtain your underbust, or band measurement. Wrap the measuring tape or thread around your torso and place it just beneath your breasts.

The measuring tape should be snug but not too tight around your torso. This measurement should be rounded up to the next even number. A band size of 34, for example, might be anything from 32.5 and 34 inches wide.

Wrap the measuring tape over the largest region of your breasts while still wearing your bra to get your bust measurement. If you're breastfeeding, remember to measure before each meal.

Subtracting your band size from your bust measurement yields your cup size. Every tenth of an inch of difference is a letter.

If your breast measurement is 37 inches and your band size is 34 inches, the three-inch discrepancy equals a C cup. A difference of four inches equals a D cup, and so on.

How often should I wash my maternity bra?

After two wears, it is normally advised that you wash your bra. This assumes it isn’t milk-stained, sweated in, or otherwise marked.

The wrinkles around your breast and armpits are hot and humid because our bodies are continually losing skin. Bras are figure-hugging and quickly absorb odours and grime.

Can I wash these bras by hand?

Yes, you can! While it is tempting to just toss your bra in the machine and let it do the job for you, hand washing your bras is recommended to get the most out of them.

Here are a few tips on how to care for your maternity bra:

Fill a bucket with around 5 litres of cold water and a tiny bit of biodegradable detergent to dissolve. Detergents containing bleach or strong enzymes should be avoided. Your bras will be harmed by them.

Whether you pre-soak or not is totally up to you. If you soak it for a few minutes before washing it, the fibres will stretch, giving the dirt and grime a head start on getting out.

Soak your undergarment for at least 10 minutes. Just in case any colours run, only soak comparable colours together. Any stains should be lightly rubbed off.

In the bucket, stir the water by dipping the bra in and out for around 5 minutes. When in the bucket, gently compress your bras, but never beat or wring them.

Fill with clean, cold water and discard the soapy water. You should only need two rinses, or until the water runs clear.

If you want to use a softener, dissolve a tiny quantity in cold water and soak for 5 minutes before rinsing.

Lay flat to dry or hang in the shade to dry. The sun, like hot water, may hasten the degeneration of the elastic in your bras, so keep them out of direct sunshine if at all possible.

10 best maternity and nursing bras

To aid in the search of finding the best breastfeeding bra, we have listed below some of the best breastfeeding bras in Malaysia for your consideration.

#1 Mamaway Ultralight Antibacterial Seamless Nursing and Maternity Bra

It is the best maternity bra to wear during pregnancy and after childbirth given its thin yet comfortable material.

It helps to eliminate any discomfort or pain that can be caused by sensitivity during pregnancy or when breasts are swollen.

This bra is also built with soft pads and openings that make it easy for mothers to breastfeed their babies.

What we like:

Very light and comfortable design

Can accommodate up to a 3 cup size increase due to its great structural support.

It is known to be more comfortable, ultra light and soft compared to other nursing bras

Stitched with soft padding and shapes to your breast well

MerylR Skinlife with adhesive silver microparticles, antibacterial and odour resistant

Materials: Nylon, spandex and polyester

 Mamaway Ultralight Antibacterial Seamless Maternity and Nursing Bra
Buy From Lazada

#2 Mamaway Antibacterial Crossover Sleeping & Nursing Padded Bra

This easy stretch bra is very suited for breastfeeding, especially during the early stages of breastfeeding due to its easily accessible openings.

The material used is also both easy to dry and absorbent to ensure the mother’s comfort even if there is a milk leak on the bra.

What we like:

Antibacterial and anti-odour material

Removable bra pads to provide better support

Flexible and strong enough to maintain its shape despite constant pull during breastfeeding.

Thin fabric that can be shaped to fit different breast shapes well.

Wide shoulder strap that provides extra back and shoulder support

Material: 100% Cotton

 amaway Antibacterial Crossover Sleeping & Nursing Padded Bra
Buy From Lazada

#3 Holabebe Hands Free Pumping Nursing Bra

Not only is the Holabebe breastfeeding bra comfortable for breastfeeding but also compatible with a hands-free breast pump!

The design is also neat and able to accommodate the breasts, ensuring that they stay comfortable and in good shape throughout breastfeeding. The opening is also easily accessible by one hand.

What we like:

Can accommodate up to a 3 cup size increase due to its great structural support.

Wide shoulder straps and side panels to distribute weight evenly

Back design contains many hooks and clasps to accommodate breast changes

1 drop-down clip for easy breastfeeding

Removable bra pads

Material: Nylon and Spandex

 Holabebe Hands Free Pumping Nursing Bra
Buy From Lazada

#4 Holabebe Seamless Nursing Bra

Another Holabebe bra for mothers to consider! This model can not only be used during pregnancy and as a breastfeeding bra but is also suited as a sports bra.

What we like:

Can accommodate up to a 3 cup size increase due to its great structural support.

Wide shoulder straps and side panels to distribute weight evenly

The back design contains many hooks and clasps to accommodate breast changes

1 drop-down clip for easy breastfeeding

Removable bra pads

Material: Nylon and Spandex

 Holabebe Seamless Black Nursing Bra -
RM39.90
Editor's Choice
5
/5
shop now

#5 AUTUMNZ Isabel2 Maternity & Nursing Bra

The AUTUMNZ Isabel2 is a soft and lightweight breastfeeding bra complete with a soft cup and o additional lining. It would definitely be a good pick for mothers who are constantly breastfeeding.

It is also highly functional with an easy opening that can be accessed with one hand.

What we like:

Attractive colour and pattern options are available

Easy opening

3-point hook opening that facilitates resizing according to one’s comfort

No extra wires and pads

Internal openings that enable breastfeeding

 AUTUMNZ Isabel2 Maternity & Nursing Bra
Buy From Lazada

#6 Lunavie Hands-Free Pumping Bra

The Lunavie bra is a very helpful breastfeeding bra that makes pumping a fuss-free and easy process.

 It allows the mother to multitask while pumping milk and even facilitates the process of breastfeeding directly from the breast.

What we like:

Hands-free and good design that helps to maximize comfort and enables multi-tasking

It is designed to work with all types of electric milk pumps from the largest manufacturers that include Medela, Philips, AVENT, Autumnz, Lacte, Evenflo, Spectra and more.

Comes with an additional adjustable back panel to ensure a perfect fit according to how your body changes throughout breastfeeding

This bustier style features a panel in the centre and a zipper on the front that allows 1 inch of side-to-side movement for proper pump lip positioning

Easy to clean as you can wash it safely in the washing machine with cold water, on medium cycle and using chlorine-free bleach if necessary.

 Lunavie Hands Free Pumping Bra
Buy From Lazada

#7 XIXILI Super Soft Wireless Pansy Bra

Pregnant women and new mothers would surely appreciate the comfort brought about by the XIXILI Pansy Bra. It’s perfect for at -home use or a casual day out.

What we like:

It is designed without an iron underwire

Features a more comprehensive coverage that provides high protection to the breast

Created with stretchy ultra-soft yarn-free knitted fabric

Has a removable bra cup for you to choose between different levels of coverage and comfort

Features a breathable mesh panel

Fit with a wide and snug elastic band that is comfortable and will not curl.

Easy access clip for breastfeeding that can be unbuttoned with just one hand

U-shaped rear wing for support

Adjustable bra strap on the shoulder

3 panels of back hook fasteners

 XIXILI Super Soft Wireless Pansy Bra
Buy From Lazada

#8 Neubodi Momready Maternity Bra

The Neubodi bra is an all-in-one bra design for pregnancy and lactation, designed to mimic the support of a regular daily wear bra while having the ability for adjustments.

It is also made of a soft cotton-spandex butter-like fabric that is very comfortable to wear and barely visible under clothing.

 The bra also comes with a removable foam pad that is extremely breathable that can be washed from time to time.

It also comes with a bra extender that can be used to adjust the size so as to increase breathing space.

 In addition, it is also designed without thread and features a drop-able bra cup to assist easy breastfeeding. It can accommodate up to a 3 cup size increase for when one’s breast size fluctuates.

What we like:

3 layer fabric for extra protection

Extra-wide (1.5cm) shoulder straps to reduce the pressure on the shoulders

Extra side panels for a more flattering fit

Iron cordless bra cups and lightweight structure

Double layer inside the cups for optimal leakage protection

Front and back panels are supported with 3 hooks for security

Breastfeeding clips to facilitate the breastfeeding process

Bra extensions to widen the tape band

Can be used during both pregnancy and lactation

 Neubodi Momready Maternity Bra
Buy From Lazada

#9 Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

This design is the smoothest of all and does not show any stitching, providing a comfortable experience for pregnant women. It is suitable for daily wear and can be worn during both pregnancy and lactation.

What do we like?

Luxuriously soft, invisible stitching to ensure comfort

Designed with stretchy fabric that covers your body and accommodates any fluctuation in size or shape

Features a removable foam pad

Easy to open and close

Bra cups are fully lowerable to enable easy access

Comes with a Bra Conversion Kit to be able to convert this bra into a normal bra when the breastfeeding process is complete

This bra has been tested and certified to the requirements of Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which ensures that the product is free of any harmful substances

Available in 5 different colours

 Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
Buy From Lazada

#10 Bmama Nursing Sports Bra

The Bmama Bras was designed with a threadless #D structure that provides all-day comfort and is virtually invisible under clothing.

 It fits comfortably and accommodates one's body shape as it changes from each stage to the next through its 4 extenders that allow easy adjustment.

The bra also has reinforced non-slip straps for optimal support and removable cups.

What we like:

Has side wings to support changes in breast size and shape

Designed with a large cup size

Iron cordless design

Comes with 3 hooks

Removable bra cups

High level of elasticity

Naturally designed with a breathable fabric to ensure long-lasting comfort

Suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers

Has a pleated design in the middle

Has a clip on the top to facilitate the breastfeeding process

 Bmama Nursing Sports Bra
Buy From Lazada

Final Remarks

We hope that this list and summary will be useful in helping pregnant ladies and new

mothers choose the most suitable and best nursing bra!

For more
parenting
 tips, read our extensive articles that are ever ready to help parents.

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:

5 Best Massage Oils For Pregnant Women


Nora Anne Disahkan Maut Akibat Kebocoran Usus, Tapi Masih Ada 15 Soalan Jadi Tanda Tanya...

Anak istimewa warga negara Ireland, Nora Anne Quoirin, 15 yang
ditemui mati di hutan di daerah Seremban
 telah disahkan meninggal dunia akibat kebocoran usus kerana mungkin kelaparan dan stres berpanjangan selama kehilangannya.

Menurut Ketua Polis Negeri Sembilan, Mohamad Mat Yusop berkata Nora Anne mungkin meninggal dunia antara dua hingga ke tiga hari sebelum mayatnya ditemui. Selain itu, tiada tanda perbuatan jenayah dan anak istimewa itu
tidak dirogol.

Terdahulu, Mayat Nora Anne ditemui pada hari ke-10 operasi mencari dan menyelamat secara besar-besaran yang dilancarkan oleh pihak berkuasa Malaysia.

Mayat remaja itu ditemui di kawasan lurah berhampiran anak sungai 2.5 kilometer dari resort penginapan tempat anak istimewa ini dilaporkan hilang pada 4 Ogos lalu, sehari selepas keluarganya mendaftar masuk untuk percutian selama dua minggu.

Proses bedah siasat mayat Nora Anne bermula pada 11.45 pagi dan berlarutan hingga malam. Ia diketuai oleh pakar patologi dari Hospital Kuala Lumpur dan Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban serta dibantu pakar dari Jabatan Kimia dan Jabatan Forensik Petaling Jaya.

Punca sebenar kematian anak istimewa Nora Anne masih menjadi bualan ramai

Walaupun telah diketahui punca kematiannya adalah disebabkan
kebocoran usus
 dan stres berpanjangan namun masih ada beberapa persoalan yang tergantung dan memerlukan jawapan terutama dari keluarga mendiang Nora Anne.

Antara soalan yang belum terungkai adalah seperti berikut:

#1. Jika Nora Anne maut dalam masa 2-4 hari lalu, sepanjang 10 hari kehilangannya, mengapa Nora Anne tidak ditemui lebih awal? Adakah Nora Anne bersembunyi?

#2. Bagaimana Nora Anne boleh ke kawasan hutan? Adakah dia keluar dan sesat?

#3. Bilakah waktu sebenar keluarga mendiang tiba di Malaysia?

#4. Adakah keluarga mendiang Nora Anne sampai bersama dengan saudaranya yang lain?

#5. Adakah mereka ada makan di mana-mana? Atau ada sesiapa yang terlihat mereka di lapangan terbang atau hotel?

#5. Semasa di Malaysia, keluarga Nora Anne ada tak menaiki sebarang kenderaan?

#6. Semua fakta asas ini masih belum diketahui dan tiada penerangan yang jelas.

#7. Adakah pintu bilik tidur dibuka atau ditutup pada malam kejadian?

#8. Adakah ibu dan ayah Nora Anne mengambil pil tidur? Ini kerana mereka langsung tidak dengar derapan kaki naik dan turun di dalam resort penginapan itu.

#9. Adakah Nora mengambil pil tidur kerana itu mungkin sebabnya mengapa dia tidak menjerit

#10. Adakah katil tempat tidur Nora paling dekat dengan pintu keluar?

#11. Adakah dua lagi kanak-kanak yang ikut bercuti itu tidur awal pada waktu malam? Ini kerana kebiasannya kanak-kanak akan terjaga di malam hari kerana teruja dengan percutian mereka.

#12. Adakah pintu gate utama Villa Luxury Resort itu telah dikunci?

#13. Ada satu laporan media mengatakan pintu gate utama itu dibuka pada malam itu. Adakah benar? Ini kerana kawasan itu adalah hutan, maka keselamatan seperti mengunci pintu gate patut diambil berat.

#14. Pada hari pertama percutian, Nora kelihatan sangat teruja kerana adanya air terjun. Adakah ia lokasi pertama pencarian kehilangan Nora?

#15. Kenapa Maebh Quoirin berbohong dan mengatakan ia adalah percutian seumur hidup? Sedangkan mereka pernah bercuti ke Australia dan beberapa negara Asia yang lain termasuk Bali pada 2017.

#16. Adakah media telah menemubual anak-anak mereka yang lain?

Walau bagaimanapun, masih banyak persoalan yang masih tergantung tentang kematian Nora Anne ini.

Tips menjaga anak istimewa
Partner Stories
Keibubapaan
The Five Pillars of Resilience – Why We Need Resilient Children Now
Pendidikan
Ketahui Rahsia Kejayaan Pelajar Cemerlang!
Anak
Keep Your Child’s Health And Safety At Home In Tip Top Order During This Pandemic Season
Give Health A Shot
Anak Anda Tercicir Janji Temu Imunisasi Rutin? Ini Yang Anda Perlu Tahu

– Dapatkan penilaian dan rawatan yang sewajarnya dengan doktor.

– Pastikan anak didaftarkan dengan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat dan borang pendaftaran perlu mendapatkan tandatangan dari doktor. Ia penting bagi memastikana anak anda mendapat elaun khas dan pendidikan khas.

– Tidak mengabaikan pendidikan anak dan bincang dengan guru tentang
aliran khas
 yang sesuai buat mereka.

– Fahami tingkahlaku dan keadaan anak anda. Jangan rasa malu atau marah dengan setiap perbuatannya kerana cara mereka berfikir ada ketikanya tidak sama seperti kita.

– Mengalah dengan anak jika mereka mahukan sesuatu seperti pakai baju warna apa, tak mahu makan, sepahkan rumah dan sebagainya.

– Untuk menjaga anak istimewa maka ibu bapa perlu mendapatkan rehat dan tidur yang mencukupi.

– Tetapkan jangkaan untuk masa depan anak mengikut kemampuan mereka.

– Raikan kemampuan anak anda asalkan mereka boleh membaca Al-Quran, membaca dan menulis itu merupakan satu pencapaian yang cukup membanggakan.

Semoga kes ini dapat diselesaikan dengan cara yang baik dan persoalan yang tergantung itu terjawab hendaknya.

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
theAsianparent Malaysia

Sumber:
Malaysia Kini
 ,
Bidadari,
Anne Brennan

Baca juga

Mayat Ditemui Di Air Terjun Disahkan Nora Anne, Pencarian Orang Hilang Berakhir

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Parents Often Forget These TWO Important Vaccines For Their Kids

Here in Malaysia, parents are really lucky because we are given an immunisation schedule with important vaccines for kids in Malaysia, whether you’re visiting a government or private hospital or clinic. There’s little to have to figure out on our own…

BUT, if you’re a parent who is currently visiting the government clinics or hospitals, there are two very important vaccines for your kids that are not on the national immunisation schedule, but is EQUALLY essential for your child’s health – the rotavirus and chickenpox vaccines.

According to Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, rotavirus and chickenpox vaccinations are often missed by parents. “Parents don’t even think about these vaccines because they are not listed in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). However, both vaccines actually play a vital role in keeping children safe and healthy.”

Important Vaccines for Kids in Malaysia: Rotavirus Can Kill

Dr Zulkifli explains: “Rotavirus is very contagious[1]. It’s the leading cause of severe diarrhoea in children aged under 5 years worldwide[2]. Each year, rotavirus kills around 215,000 children globally and accounts for up to 50% of hospital admissions for diarrhoea[3],[4].”

He stresses that rotavirus infection can be very dangerous: “An infected child will present symptoms such as fever, vomiting and watery diarrhoea1. The rapid loss of fluid can lead to dehydration. If left untreated, death may occur. Infants are most at risk of becoming dehydrated due to their low body weight[5].”

“The first infection is most severe and does not lead to permanent immunity. Reinfection can occur at any age, but the subsequent infections will usually be less severe[6],” he says.

Why Parents Should Avoid Letting Their Kids Get Chickenpox

Like rotavirus, chickenpox is also a viral disease and it is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Dr Zulkifli remarks: “Many parents think that chickenpox is not a big deal besides causing a few spots. However, they are not aware that chickenpox can cause complications or deaths, even in healthy children.

“Annually, there are around 4.2 million cases of severe complications leading to hospitalisation and 4,200 related deaths worldwide[7]. Complications include brain inflammation, bacterial infection of the skin, bloodstream infection and lung infection[8]. Scarring may also occur, especially in older children[9].”

He continues: “Being highly contagious, chickenpox spreads easily among children, especially in nurseries and pre-schools[10]. A natural infection usually provides lifelong immunity[10], but parents won’t be able to know in advance how severe the symptoms will be in their children, so it’s really not worth taking the risk.”

Prevention Through A Series Of Important Vaccines For Kids In Malaysia

Dr Zulkifli concludes: “It’s important to take preventive measures to protect children against these two diseases, and one of the ways is through vaccination.”

“I would tell parents not to be intimidated by the two vaccines. Think of both vaccinations as a series, that one leads to the next, since it’s recommended for children to receive the rotavirus vaccine as early as possible after 6 weeks of age, and then the chickenpox vaccine starting from 12 months old[11],[12].”

Currently in Malaysia, rotavirus and chickenpox vaccines are only available in private clinics. Pregnant mums should bear this in mind to add to their child’s immunisation schedule as one of the important vaccines for kids in Malaysia. And for parents who have infants below 3 months or kids that are about to reach the age of one, click
here
 to find your nearest clinic and talk to a paediatrician about rotavirus and chickenpox prevention for your child.

Dr Zulkifli Ismail is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist. He is currently the Immunise4Life Technical Committee Chairman and Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association. Dr Zulkifli was also a past president of the Malaysian Paediatric Association. He previously served as the Head of Paediatrics in a university hospital. He has more than 35 publications in peer-reviewed international and local journals. In 2012, he was given the Outstanding Asian Paediatrician Award by the Asia Pacific Paediatric Association. Recently in 2019, Datuk Zulkifli was awarded the Vaccine Hero Award by Ministry of Health Malaysia.

This article was originally adapted from
Immunise2Protect
.

MY-VVX-00061 Jul/2021

References:

[1]Mayo Clinic. 2019. Rotavirus.
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20351300
 (Accessed on March 15, 2019)

[2]WHO. 2013. WHO Position Paper. Retrieved from
www.who.int/wer/2013/wer8805.pdf?ua=1
 (Accessed on March 15, 2019)

[3]WHO. 2018. Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. Retrieved from
www.who.int/immunization/diseases/rotavirus/en/
 (Accessed on March 15, 2019)

[4]Fischer, T. K., Bresee, J. S., & Glass, R. I. Rotavirus vaccines and the prevention of hospital-acquired diarrhea in children. Vaccine. 2004; 22S: S49-S54.

[5]NFID. n.d. Frequently Asked Questions About Rotavirus.
www.nfid.org/idinfo/rotavirus/faqs.html
 (Accessed on March 11, 2019)

[6]CDC. 2018. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Retrieved from
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/rota.html
 (Accessed on March 15, 2019)

[7]WHO. 2014. Varicella and Herpes Zoster Vaccines: WHO Position Paper. Retrieved from
www.who.int/wer/2014/wer8925.pdf?ua=1
 (Accessed on 18 Apr 2019)

[8]CDC. 2018. Chickenpox Complications. Retrieved from
www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/complications.html
 (Accessed on 18 Apr 2019).

[9]Mayo Clinic. n.d. Chickenpox Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved from
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chickenpox/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351287
 (Accessed on 18 Apr 2019).

[10]Facts about chickenpox. Paediatrics & child health. 2005; 10(7): 413-4.

[11]WHO. n.d. Rotavirus. Retrieved from
www.who.int/ith/vaccines/rotavirus/en/
 (Accessed on April 29, 2019)

[12]WHO. n.d. Varicella. Retrieved from
www.who.int/ith/vaccines/varicella/en/
 (Accessed on April 29, 2019)

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Ease Menopause Symptoms with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Here’s How!

We think ageing gracefully is the new black! With age comes wisdom, experience, new perspectives…and menopause. But fear not – we have some tips for making this life transition easier thanks to TCM.

Menopause – it’s an unavoidable stage of life for us ladies. But it doesn’t have to be the negative experience you may have heard about. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries as a method to treat common ailments and health concerns naturally and effectively, including menopause.

For most women, the menopausal process begins with perimenopause. It typically occurs in the mid- to late forties when estrogen begins to decrease and menstrual cycles become irregular. While you may not experience menopausal symptoms during this time, it does indicate the beginning of the transition period. Your body will gradually stop producing eggs and reproductive hormones. Menopause, which follows, occurs after the menstrual cycle has been absent for at least one year. Along with infrequent or absent periods, other signs of menopause can include insomnia, hot flashes, sweating or chills, fatigue, anxiety, depression and decreased libido. Menopause is a gradual process can last anywhere from two to five years.

In TCM, menopause commonly represents an imbalance in the body, specifically in the kidneys. Symptoms of perimenopause or menopause – hot flashes, missing or irregular menstruation, etc. – are all signs that kidney energy – or “yin” – is decreasing.

Fortunately, this imbalance can be remedied with TCM approaches – herbal medicine, acupuncture, food therapy and simple lifestyle changes. In fact, a study by
Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine
 found that TCM practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine were as effective as potentially risky hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of menopause-related symptoms.

Herbs

Chinese herbs have been shown to help to reduce some of the uncomfortable signs of menopause by restoring balance and tonifying kidney energy. However, since symptoms may vary, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all program; It’s best to consult with your TCM practitioner for a treatment plan that fits your needs.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used as a method to regulate the body’s “Qi” (energy). It’s believed when energy gets stuck or blocked, your body won’t perform as it should, which can enhance symptoms of menopause including hot flashes, anxiety and insomnia. Acupuncture addresses blockages by moving energy within the body, allowing it to flow properly.

Food

Nutrition is an important aspect of managing menopausal symptoms as well. Kidney-strengthening foods will often be recommended, such as yams, fennel, apples, figs, walnuts and lean meats, to name a few. Additionally, incorporating a variety of flavours – salty, bitter, sweet, sour and pungent – at every meal may help to rebalance energy within the kidneys.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are also an important factor in reducing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Excessive emotional and physical stress, extreme exercise routines or lack of exercise altogether, restrictive diets and overindulgence in alcohol or unhealthy foods should be avoided. For the smoothest transition through menopause, it’s imperative to get enough sleep, maintain a balanced diet, including kidney-strengthening foods mentioned above and stick to lower intensity workouts like yoga, walking and swimming.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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Is It Necessary to Bathe Your Newborn Every Day?

Babies need to be kept clean, but frequent baths or over-cleaning can damage a newborn’s delicate skin. To properly care for your baby’s skin first you must understand some facts about your baby’s skin. Many parents often wonder, how often should I bathe a newborn? Do I really need to give him regular baths? How many times should I bathe my baby? How do I know if my baby is clean enough?

Baby’s skin is 30% thinner than adult skin, with a barrier function that is still thin and weak. This barrier function, which continues to develop during their first 12 months helps to protect the skin against harsh environmental elements like the sun and wind, but this barrier function can be disrupted by harsh soaps and cleansers.

Read more:
Mommies, Here Are Some Essentials You Need For Your Baby Checklist

Although your baby’s skin is naturally more hydrated than yours in the first 12 months of life and it may seem visibly hydrated and soft even after cleansing, your baby’s skin actually loses moisture very easily. To prevent moisture loss from the baby’s skin it needs proper care so that the barrier function remains healthy.

When Should I Bathe A Newborn?

Credit: Shutterstock

In the first days of your baby’s life, gentle care and hygiene are very important to protect your newborn’s delicate skin. Naturally, every parent wants the best for their baby and do not want to do anything that might lead to common skin troubles.

However, there are some parents who go to the extreme and refuse to use any kind of cleanser at all, while others take the opposite view by insisting that their child is kept clean at all times, even if it means bathing them several times a day.

“As a general rule, babies can be bathed once or twice a day”; says paediatrician Dr. Foo Chee Hoe. This excludes regular cleansing between diaper changes and keeping their mouth and hands clean throughout the day. Despite our warm weather, avoid giving frequent baths so that your newborn’s delicate skin is able to maintain its natural moisture and pH balance. Most importantly, remember to use products that are clinically proven to be safe, mild and effective for babies.”

Here are some simple Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind for baby’s bath time:

Credit: Shutterstock

Do

Prepare
 what you need in advance.

Test
 the water temperature before putting baby in. Use a bath thermometer to check for atemperature of 37 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer, dip your whole elbow into the water to test that it is not too hot or too cold.

Keep it simple
. All you need is a bath with warm water, a mild and gentle baby cleanser and a fresh towel, as well as a calm and safe space to undress and later dress your baby. If your baby is still very small, a small basin placed on a flat, stable surface such as a countertop may be easier for bathing your new-born rather than a full-sized baby bathtub. When using a baby bathtub, use a rubber mat to prevent baby from sliding.

Stay calm
. Your baby’s temperament will often reflect your own mood. Enjoy the bath time experience because every bath time can be a special moment to help a mother and her baby develop a stronger and deeper bond. To maximise the benefits, create a soothing ritual out of bath times; choose a time when you’re least likely to be interrupted, in between feeds so that he is neither full nor hungry, and use the time to interact fully with your child, without rushing.

Give your full attention
 to your baby; distractions like the telephone ringing will just have to wait.

Don’ts

Don’t leave your baby unattended even for a moment, regardless of whether he is in the tub or on the changing mat. Taking your attention away from your baby even for a second can affect his safety and well-being.

Don’t use any kind of skincare or products that are not specifically formulated for babies as may contain ingredients that are too harsh for baby’s delicate skin, leaving it dry or irritated.

Baby Skincare Essentials

Choosing the right skincare for your baby is very important, as the right skincare regimen will help protect your baby’s skin health and early development.

Credit: Shutterstock

While there are a great variety of options available, it’s important to use a trusted and established brand, with a long history of safe and trusted products.

The ideal cleanser for babies is one that safely and mildly cleanses without drying your baby’s skin. It does not cause irritation or inflammation and respects the baby’s sensitive skin barrier by maintaining the skin’s natural pH level.

As harsh soaps and cleansers can damage the skin barrier, causing the skin to lose its natural moisture and making the skin more vulnerable to irritants, it’s essential to choose products that are specially formulated for babies, which are hypoallergenic and clinically proven to be mild and gentle.

This article has been republished with permission from
DoktorBudak.

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

Picture this—mood swings, hormonal breakouts, unpredictable cravings—yup we’ve all been there and may have even thought “Wouldn’t it be so much easier to be a guy?” Ladies, we hear you.

Menstruation—pre, post and during, can be a whirlwind and throw us off our game. But it doesn’t always have to be this way and there are steps we can take to minimise these changes that may seem uncontrollable. By understanding what our body needs at each phase of our cycle as hormone levels fluctuate, you can supplement your body with the nutrients it so dearly needs.

Health Coach, Amanda Luukinen, breaks each phase down and shares her recipes for hassle-free dishes that will support your body through the month. Try incorporating these recipes to improve the wellness of your body and ease any unwanted symptoms.

Phase 1 – The Menstruation Phase

Miso Mushroom Ramen

irst up, menstruation—during this intense phase cravings can be real. This is because your body loses vital minerals such as zinc and iron causing you to crave nutrient-dense foods in order to keep up this process. This
Miso Mushroom Ramen
 is a simple yet comforting vegan, gluten-free dish to load up on the nutrients and minerals that have been drained from your body during this phase. This dish is loaded with lean protein and minerals, exactly what you need during your menstruation phase.

Phase 2 – The Follicular Phase

Avocado Toast

During the 7-10 days after your menstruation ends, your hormones levels are at their lowest and begin to rise, resulting in a rise in the energy levels. To sustain your energy levels, your body need proper fuelling.

Eating fresh, light foods such as veggies, lean proteins, and quality grains will provide long-lasting energy. This
Avocado Toast
 is a simple favourite that will have you feeling fresh and vibrant during this phase.

Phase 3 – The Ovulatory Phase

Warm Quinoa Spinach Salad

Ovulation, during the ovulatory phase is typically triggered in the middle of your cycle and lasts for 3-5 days. This is also known as your fertile window, as your body is working hard to create the healthiest egg possible. The upsurge of oestrogen level during this phase can cause dreaded hormonal symptoms such as breakouts and bloating.

What you can do to assist your body is to flush out excess oestrogen with foods that are high in fibre and antioxidants. This
Warm Quinoa Salad
 is a good example of high fibre dish packed with antioxidants that you can easily prepare at home.

Phase 4 – The Luteal Phase

Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

Photo: JSHEALTH by Jessica Sepel

Premenstrual symptoms kicks in just about 10-14 days before your menstruation starts, in the luteal phase. As energy levels gradually lesson and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone naturally decrease, you begin to feel sluggish, lethargic and can become more self-aware.

Nutritious food is fundamental to maintain your hormonal balance during this phase. These
Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes
 are a great way is warm, comforting and a great way to flush out excess oestrogen and keep the sugar cravings at bay.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB.

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New TV Brand ‘Cartoonito’ Encourages Young Ones To Laugh, Play & Learn

Cartoonito is a programming “block” that hosts animated series every morning on Cartoon Network. It’s specifically designed for younger kids of about 2-5 years old, and their parents and caregivers. Watch a playlist of videos
here
.

What makes Cartoonito special?

All
Cartoonito
 preschool content will align with Cartoon Network’s new tagline,
Redraw Your World,
which aims to empower kids to feel comfortable with who they are, embrace their uniqueness and believe anything is possible.

Based on the proprietary preschool educational framework of
Humancentric Learning
,

Cartoonito
aims to support every child’s humanity by celebrating their unique selves and encouraging them to interact with others with empathy, respect, and fairness.

What is Humancentric Learning?

This modern educational framework is inspired by Positive Psychology and 21st Century Learning, championing curiosity and independence and intertwines learning with play.

In partnership with Educational Psychologist Dr. Laura Brown, Humancentric Learning was developed around the principles of

identifying and developing one’s strengths, as well as feeling empathy for others so that every child can be the best version of themselves. Building on the learning’s four-pillar strengths: Curiosity, Courage, Humanity and Creativity,
Cartoonito’s
 diverse storytelling aims to be authentic, relevant and relatable.

Creativity
– Thinking and acting in new and meaningful ways.

Caring
– Treating oneself, others, your community and the world with kindness, compassion, respect, and fairness.

Curiosity
– Being interested in, observing, and exploring oneself, other people, your community, and the natural world.

Courage
– Being brave and persisting in the face of uncertainty, fear, or difficulty.

 Watch an explainer video
here
.

What does the channel look like?

Cartoonito will be bright, colourful and fun – bursting with music and energy. Guiding audiences through their journey are Nito, Glob, Itty and Wedge. They love exploring the world and learning new things.

NITO

Nito is a magical box of joy bursting with imagination, surprise and even other characters! Ever curious, Nito loves exploring the world and eagerly shares facts with others: “Oh, oh, oh! Pandas eat up to 40 pounds of bamboo a day!” They are a natural leader and everyone’s best friend.

WEDGE

Wedge can be cautious and careful, but is capable of feats of great derring-do with the encouragement of friends! A triple-threat trilingual character, Wedge is super into arts and crafts, loves to help others and is the ultimate team player.

GLOB

Glob expresses themselves through shapes, not words and physically shows their emotions. A neuro-diverse shapeshifter, they love playing pretend and becoming new things. Glob is very caring and protective of their friends – especially Itty – and is always coming to the rescue in hilarious ways!

ITTY

Itty is the baby of the group and is just learning to speak. Like the world’s happiest toddler, they bounce through life and radiate positivity! Communicates with giggles, goos and the occasional upchuck if upset.

Where else can I see Cartoonito?

In addition to Cartoon Network, in selected territories, Cartoonito will also be available on Boomerang, Cartoon Network’s companion channel. And also on the streaming service, HBO GO – available in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

What shows are available?

Cartoonito is the new home to
Lucas the Spider, Dino Ranch, Monchichi, Alice & Lewis, Ranger Rob, Mush Mush & The Mushables and Sesame Street-inspired Esme & Roy
and plenty of others.

Lucas the Spider

Lucas the Spider
follows the adventures of a big-hearted, impossibly cute, little jumping spider in a human-sized suburban home. This happy, inquisitive, music-loving, 4-year-old wants us to join him as he explores and learns about this giant world, spreading love and togetherness whilst having a ton of fun with all
his friends.

Esme & Roy
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Esme & Roy are best friends – and the best monster-sitters in Monsterdale! This pre-school series brings little viewers along on relatable monster adventures and is packed with playful learning, humour, heart, and musical monster-y fun.

Dino Ranch

Dino Ranch follows the adventures of the Cassidy Family as they tackle life on the farm in a fantastical, “prewestoric” setting where dinosaurs still roam.

Alice & Lewis

Six-year-old Alice has a magical key that leads her to Wonderland. In this “other realm”, she’s met an endearing rabbit, Lewis, and the two have become fast friends – best friends to be exact! Alice loves going to Wonderland and teaming up with Lewis and her other friends, even if it means contending with the whimsical, hot-headed Queen.

Beyond TV shows, what else is available for kids and parents?

Cartoonito’s online home is located here:
CartoonNetworkAsia.com/Cartoonito

and parents can also check out @CartoonitoAsia on
Facebook
 and
Instagram
. There are heaps of fun games, activities, videos and even AR filters to play around with on your phone.

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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If your child is sitting in the "W" position, stop him right now!

The
W-sitting position
 is the most common sitting position amongst children, especially during their play time. If you see your child sitting this way, it is best to correct his posture immediately to ensure that it does not become a habit.

According to paediatrician
Jean McNamara
,  it is common for children to sit in such manner because of the added trunk or balance for sitting upright while playing with toys. This excessive reliance to W-sitting might aggravate existing problems such as:

Orthopedic problems
. W-sitting can predispose a child to hip
dislocation
, so if there is a history of hip dysplasia, or a concern has been raised in the past, this position should be avoided.

Muscle tightness
. This position places the hamstrings, hip adductors,
internal rotators
 and heel cords in an extremely shortened range. If a child is prone to tightness or contractures, encourage another pattern of sitting.

Neurologic concerns/developmental delays
. If a child has increased muscle tone (hypertonia, spasticity), W-sitting will feed into the abnormal patterns of movement trying to be avoided (by direction of the child’s therapist). Using other sitting postures will aid in the development of more desirable movement patterns.

How to discourage W-sitting

There are two important things you need to do to discourage W-sitting.

1. Making your child aware of the difference between W-sitting and sitting with the legs bent
in front of the body.
 Correcting their habits by showing them the right form of sitting is the best possible preventive measure as you are their form of reference. You show, they’ll follow!

2. Your child needs to
 get used to
 sitting with the legs bent in front of the body. This requires practice to develop the necessary flexibility and control. When you see your child sitting between their legs, gently move her legs to a better position and emphasise the importance of “feet in front”. You can even turn it into a game – anyone with feet in front first wins! Encourage lots of twisting and reaching forwards to stretch the back and hip muscles while
you’re at it.

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Newborn dies from Group B Strep infection: Awareness needed

What can Group B Strep do to a baby? Well, a lot actually.

Group B Streptococcus, better known as Group B Strep or GBS, is a bacteria commonly found in the intestines or the lower genital tract.  It is not a sexually transmitted disease. But while it is normally harmless to healthy adults, it can make a newborn seriously ill if contracted. In worst case scenarios, the baby could even die.

This is was what happened to a couple in the UK when their newborn baby girl died from
infection
 only five days after she was born.

Tests for Group B Strep in pregnant women were not available on the Welsh NHS, and mum-to-be Gabby, did not know she was a carrier. She only realised something was not quite right when her baby Amber wasn’t moving during cervical sweeps to bring on labour.

They induced Gabby the very next day and Amber was born, weighing in at 11lb 4oz. Sadly, the infection had taken hold, and doctors rushed her to intensive care right away.

What can Group B Strep do to a baby? Amber was put on medication to regulate her blood pressure, she was suffering from seizures and she was severely
brain damaged
.

Even though it was an unbearable decision to make, the couple turned off their daughter’s life support machine after doctors said there was nothing more they could do. No parent should have to go through planning for their child’s funeral.

What Can Group B Strep Do to a Baby?

Babies who get infected by Group B Strep during labour can become critically ill. The infection usually presents itself in two forms.

A baby with
early-onset Group B Strep disease
will start getting sick within one week after birth. According to the American Pregnancy Association, signs and symptoms include:

Sepsis, pneumonia, and
meningitis
, which are the most common complications

Breathing problems

Heart and blood pressure instability

Gastrointestinal and kidney problems

Babies with
late-onset Group B Strep disease
however, only start developing symptoms within a week to a few months after birth. Minor symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing

Fever

Difficulty feeding

Lethargy

Irritability

However,
meningitis
 is the most common symptom.

How Can Mums Protect Their Baby from Group B Strep Disease?

No expectant mum wants to see what can Group B Strep do to a baby.

This is why routine screening for vaginal strep B is crucial for all pregnant women. The test involves screening swabs from both the vagina and rectum between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy. Afterwards, you can get lab results within 24 to 48 hours.

To avoid ever finding out what can Group B Strep do to a baby, intravenous antibiotics are given via IV during delivery. This would reduce the chance of your baby becoming sick. Mums are recommended to begin
antibiotics
 at the start of labour and every four hours during active labour until the baby is delivered.

Different factors come into play with a caesarean delivery. If labour hasn’t started and/or your water has not broken, then you will not need to be treated for Group B Strep during surgery. However, if you are already in labour and/or your water has broken, you will have to be treated even if you are having a cesarean delivery.

Sources:
Metro
,
Mayo Clinic
,

American Pregnancy Association

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Amid Covid Worries, Most Parents Plan to Send Their Children Back to School, Survey Shows

The Delta variant of the coronavirus is more contagious than anything we have seen so far. However, even amid concerns about the virus becoming more transmissible, most parents plan to send their children back to school for in-person learning, a
survey
 by RAND Education and Labor finds.

Image credit: Pine Hills International School

The results of the July 2021 survey represent over 3000 U.S. parents with children aged 5 to 18 years. “Because children under 12 were not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine at the time of this survey, we focused some questions on the youngest school-age child to understand parents’ willingness to send their unvaccinated children to school,” said the RAND researchers.

Credit: Parent survey July 2021 from RAND Corporation

89 percent of parents are willing to send their children back to school to resume physical classes despite an increase in COVID-19 cases during the time when parents took the survey. This is a 4 percent increase from a similarly worded survey done in May.

“With the virus evolving and changing over time, it is possible that these preferences will change. But the survey shows that parents really value in-person learning. Even parents with children under 12 were just as likely to send their children back to school,” suggested the researchers.

The majority of parents surveyed preferred their child physically in school because their child actually does better academically and socially when they learn in person. Slightly more than half of the group said their child wanted to attend classes in school again.

Credit: Parent survey July 2021 from RAND Corporation

On the other end of the spectrum, parents who were not so opened to the idea of sending their child back to brick-and-mortar classes were mainly concerned that their child might contract COVID-19.

In order for them to feel safer, Asian parents especially, needed these practices to be in place before considering whether to send their child back to school: ventilation in each classroom, most teachers vaccinated, social distancing, regular COVID-19 testing of staff and students, mandatory masking, and no group gatherings at mealtimes when masks are off.

According to the July survey, 83 per cent of Asian parents will get their child(ren) vaccinated for COVID-19 when a vaccine is authorised and available for their age, up from 78 per cent from the survey conducted in May.

Image credit: Borneo Post Online

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:

Why Are Malaysians Choosing to Homeschool?

Read more:

Schools Reopen in Malaysia: Doctor’s Advise on How to Prepare Your Child Amidst the COVID Pandemic

Read more:
  How to Prepare Your Child for Transition to Year 1 From Kindergarten

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How Can Husbands Help Ensure Their Wife Has A Healthy Pregnancy?

Very often when a couple becomes pregnant, a lot of the “work” in maintaining a healthy pregnancy falls on the mother-to-be. After all, she is growing the baby inside of her. By “work”, I mean she has to start watching what she eats (no more raw fish), she has to remember to take her supplements every day, she has to experience the morning sickness and months of water retention and acid reflux.

And yes, while the bulk of the effort falls on the woman during pregnancy, dads-to-be actually play a huge role in ensuring their wife has a healthy pregnancy too. So here’s what husbands can do to help their wife have a healthy pregnancy.

Ensuring your wife has a healthy pregnancy

1. Follow her to all her doctor’s appointments

Speaking from personal experience, I don’t know if it was because I already had so many things on my plate, I would often forget what the doctor says at appointments and sometimes messing up the information they would relay to me.

My husband had a very inflexible job at the time and couldn’t be at all my doctor’s appointments, leading to a lot of confusion surrounding what the doctor said about the baby’s development.

If I could do it all over again, I would put my foot down and force my husband to take leave for every doctor’s appointment so he could help keep track of my baby’s growth and remind me of what I need to do/when my next appointment was.

It’s also important for the husband to find out
what questions to ask
 during an OBGYN visit.

2. Remind your wife to take her vitamins

Sometimes we’re so busy, we tend to overlook the small stuff, like taking our daily vitamins. It would go a long way if you can prepare your wife a quick, healthy breakfast and put her supplements out for her so she remembers to take them before you both rush off to work or start your day.

3. Help her with counting kicks

This is something that is both a great bonding activity, as well as a practical method in ensuring your wife has a healthy pregnancy. Choose an hour during the day (the best would be when you both are preparing for bed) and lay down with your wife with your hand on her belly. Feel the baby’s kicks and count them with your wife. At the same time, you can sing and talk to your baby so he or she will recognise your voice when they are born.

To better keep track of the counts, you can download theAsianparent app and utilise the kick counter feature.

4. Massage your wife’s ankles

We absolutely cannot help it when we experience those dreaded swollen ankles. It would help if you could massage them to get the blood and water flowing, or prepare an Epsom salt bath for us. Your wife will surely appreciate the relief of putting her feet up at the end of a long day!

5. Doing the little things

The dishes, the laundry, the cleaning – these are all things that your wife shouldn’t be overexerting herself on during the pregnancy. Try to help out as much as you can so your wife can rest.

6. Reading up on more information

As your wife’s pregnancy progresses, so should your knowledge of what her body is going through or what the baby is going through. For instance, you should know that, by the third trimester, your wife should be sleeping on her left. Get your wife a pregnancy pillow that she can use to sleep with. Sleeping on the left side assists in increasing the amount of blood that flows to the placenta and baby.

7. Get involved with the nesting

Your wife will inevitably go through a nesting phase during her pregnancy. Get involved with it when the time comes. In fact, there is a thing called
male nesting
! Help her with setting up the baby’s nursery or sleeping quarters. Do as much as you can to show that you are an involved parent. Not only does it allow your wife to rest while the work gets done, it’s also very emotionally reassuring to pregnant women to see their husbands becoming more fatherly during this stage.

You may not realise it, dads-to-be, but by doing all these little things, you are ensuring good mental health and wellbeing for the most important woman in your life. And this is crucial to make sure the mother of your child has a healthy pregnancy so that both of you can welcome a healthy, happy baby to your family.
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This article has been republished with permission from
theAsianparent Singapore
.

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