Mother's diet can help determine sex of child: study

PARIS (AFP) - - Oysters may excite the libido, but there is nothing like a hearty breakfast laced with sugar to boost a woman's chances of conceiving a son, according to a study released Wednesday.

Likewise, a low-energy diet that skimps on calories, minerals and nutrients is more likely to yield a female of the human species, says the study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Britain's de facto academy of sciences.

Fiona Mathews of the University of Exeter in Britain and colleagues wanted to find out if a woman's diet has an impact on the sex of her offspring.

So they asked 740 first-time mothers who did not know if their unborn foetuses were male or female to provide detailed records of eating habits before and after they became pregnant. The women were split into three groups according to the number calories they consumed per day around the time of conception.

Fifty-six percent of the women in the group with the highest energy intake had sons, compared to 45 percent in the least-well fed cohort.

Beside racking up a higher calorie count, the group who produced more males were also more likely to have eaten a wider range of nutrients, including potassium, calcium and vitamins C, E and B12.

The odds of an XY, or male outcome to a pregnancy also went up sharply "for women who consumed at least one bowl of breakfast cereal daily compared with those who ate less than or equal to one bowl of week," the study reported.

These surprising findings are consistent with a very gradual shift in favor of girls over the last four decades in the sex ratio of newborns, according to the researchers.
Previous research has shown -- despite the rising epidemic in obesity -- a reduction in the average energy uptake in advanced economies. The number of adults who skip breakfast has also increased substantially.

"This research may help to explain why in developed countries, where many young women choose low calorie diets, the proportion of boys is falling," Mathews said.
The study's findings, she added, could point to a "natural mechanism" for gender selection.
The link between a rich diet and male children may have an evolutionary explanation.
For most species, the number of offspring a male can father exceeds the number a female can give birth to. But only if conditions are favorable -- poor quality male specimens may fail to breed at all, whereas females reproduce more consistently.

"If a mother has plentiful resources, then it can make sense to invest in producing a son because he is likely to produce more grandchildren than would a daughter," thus contributing to the survival of the species, explains Mathews.
"However, in leaner times having a daughter is a safer bet."

While the mechanism is not yet understood, it is known from in vitro fertilisation research that higher levels of glucose, or sugar, encourage the growth and development of male embryos while inhibiting female embryos.

Defeat AUTISM Conference(12-13 July 2008)

Many of you may have watched Larry King on CNN interviewing parents and doctors on Autism early this month to commemorate International Autism Day.
There was a letter in the Straits Times commenting that there was little coverage on Autism Day in the media. What say you?

This is a great opportunity for those interested to attend the following conference, the first of its kind in Singapore.

DEFEAT AUTISM
A Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Approach to Addressing Autism
Your Child Can Now Be On The Road To Recovery
This 2-day intensive conference will cover Complimentary and Alternative Therapies
that can assist in your child's recovery of Autism. Listen to what the experts in the field of CAM have to say about the most up to date research and development on how the following CAM modalities can contribute to those challenged with Autism, their development and recovery.
The conference will address:
* Food and Nutrition (including supplements)
* Homeopathy
* Bioresonancy Energy Medicine
* Neurofeedback
* Osteopathy
* Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
* Herbs and Essential Oils
* Craniosacral Therapy
* Ayurveda
* Hypnotherapy
* Kineosology
* Psychology

Presenters will be :
1. Dr Sundardas - Functional Medicine
2. Dr Joseph Guan - Neurofeedback
3. Dr Kenneth Kwek - Neurofeedback
4. John Yeo ( Nutrition & Supplements )
5. Dr Ishak Ismail ( Nutrition - President of M'sia CAM and Consultant to M'sian Government on CAM)
6. Marcio Ribeiro - Body Talk
7. June Webb - Auditory Integrative Therapy
8. Zoran ( Visual Therapy )
9. Linda Crawford - Bioresonance Therapy-/ Energy Medicine (Homeopath & Bioresonance
Practitioner from U.K
10. David Dixon - Parent talk
11. Dermot McGrath - Hypnotherapy
12. Mr Sanjay - Occupational Therapist
13. Dr Choo Lad Sim - TCM Practitioner, President of Acupuncture Association of Singapore
and more who have not confirmed yet ....

There will be many booths displaying products. Be sure to visit the Total Wellness Home booth and discover how people with autistic challenges can improve their health with the support of magnetic technology, far infrared technology, PiMag water technology all incorporated simply in a Wellness Home. We'll have a short DVD presentation from a couple from USA who shares their autistic child's improvement using these natural technologies.

Dates: Saturday 12 July & Sunday 13 July 2008
Time: 10.00am - 5.30pm (both days)
Venue: The Grassroots Club,
190 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8,
Singapore 568046
Next to Yio Chu Kang MRT Station

Fees: S$280 per person for two days.
S$240 per person for one day
Group Discount (minimum 4 persons) @ S$240.00 for 2 days
@ $200 for one day
* Earlybird discount: $240 (for two days). S$200 (for one day).
* Applies for bookings and full payment by 30 April '08.

Fees include all conference materials, two tea breaks and buffet lunch per day.
Organized by Complimentary Therapy

Complete the registration form in the attachment. If you can't access it, give me a call at 67332544 / 67332728 / 67376900

If you would like to get a copy of Complementary Therapy, May & June issue @ S$5.90 give me a call.
It should be out the first week of May.

I look forward to seeing you at the Defeat Autism Conference on 12 & 13 July 2008.


Warmest wishes
Jacqueline Seow


Omegapoint Seminars
Bringing You the Best Life Enrichment Programs and Opportunities (since 1982)
Ph: (65) 67332544 / 67376900 / 67332728
VBox 881654
Singapore 919191--

How Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy's Son Recovered From Autism

In this CNN op-ed piece, actors Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy reflect on their son’s recovery from autism in light of the recent federal court decision which conceded that vaccines could have contributed to another child’s autistic condition.
Carrey and McCarthy’s son, Evan, has been healed thanks to breakthroughs that may not be scientifically proven, but have definitely helped, such as a gluten-free, casein-free diet, vitamin supplementation, detox of metals, and anti-fungals for the yeast overgrowths that plagued his intestines. Once his neurological function was recovered through these medical treatments, speech therapy and applied behavior analysis helped him learn the skills he could not learn while he was frozen in autism.
When Evan was re-evaluated after these treatments, state workers were amazed by his improvement. But although Evan is now 5, not a single member of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or any other health authority has asked to evaluate and understand how Evan recovered from autism. Instead, they simply posit that he was misdiagnosed and never had autism to begin with.
Carrey and McCarthy believe that autism is an environmental illness, and that while vaccines are not the only environmental trigger, they do play a major role. Even if the CDC is not convinced of a link between vaccines and autism, changing the vaccine schedule should be seriously considered as a precautionary measure.

Diagnosis: Autism

The government now reports that autism occurs in about one of every 150 American children. Behavioral scientists are trying to identify the early symptoms so that a diagnosis can be made as early as possible. Researchers at the Mind Institute at the University of California at Davis believe that if they can catch it early, they can change the way a child's brain develops.

What is Autism?

Autism causes kids to experience the world differently from the way most other kids do. It's hard for kids with autism to talk with other people and express themselves using words. Kids who have autism usually keep to themselves and many can't communicate without special help.
They also may react to what's going on around them in unusual ways. Normal sounds may really bother someone with autism — so much so that the person covers his or her ears. Being touched, even in a gentle way, may feel uncomfortable.
Kids with autism often can't make connections that other kids make easily. For example, when someone smiles, you know the smiling person is happy or being friendly. But a kid with autism may have trouble connecting that smile with the person's happy feelings.
A kid who has autism also has trouble linking words to their meanings. Imagine trying to understand what your mom is saying if you didn't know what her words really mean. It is doubly frustrating then if a kid can't come up with the right words to express his or her own thoughts.
Autism causes kids to act in unusual ways. They might flap their hands, say certain words over and over, have temper tantrums, or play only with one particular toy. Most kids with autism don't like changes in routines. They like to stay on a schedule that is always the same. They also may insist that their toys or other objects be arranged a certain way and get upset if these items are moved or disturbed.
If someone has autism, his or her brain has trouble with an important job: making sense of the world. Every day, your brain interprets the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that you experience. If your brain couldn't help you understand these things, you would have trouble functioning, talking, going to school, and doing other everyday stuff. Kids can be mildly affected by autism, so that they only have a little trouble in life, or they can be very affected, so that they need a lot of help.

Here's a video by Psychologist Sally Rogers of the Mind Institute defines autism:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=7532368&ch=4227541&src=news

Detecting Autism Test I
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=7532287&ch=4227541&src=news

Detecting Autism Test II
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=7532416&ch=4227541&src=news

Airplane travel with your baby

Even if you racked up your share of frequent flyer miles before your baby was born, forget what you know of travel so far. Flying with a little one is a whole different story.

You can travel with your little ones and enjoy the process. Forethought and preparation are the keys.

Planning the trip

The details of your trip often can mean the difference between success and disaster. Keep these ideas in mind as you plan:

1) Examine all aspects of the journey when you book your flights. Aim for direct flights so that you can avoid changing planes. If you have to make a change, avoid short layovers that give you too little time to get from gate to gate, and conversely avoid long layovers that require lots of idle time in airports.

2) When you make your reservations, give the agent the ages of all passengers. You may learn some important rules such as:

- FAA regulations allow only one lap-child per adult. If you are traveling with two children, and only one adult, one child will require a seat of his own. (Not that you would want to travel with two children on your lap!)
- Some airlines do not allow newborns to fly, check on age requirements.
- Some airlines offer discounted prices for children’s tickets.
- Most airplanes have only one extra oxygen mask in each row, which means you can only seat one lap-child in each row. If two adults are traveling with two children, consider sitting across the aisle from each other, or two behind two.
- Some airlines count carseats or strollers as extra baggage.

3) If your child falls asleep easily and stays asleep, try scheduling travel for during your child’s nap or sleep times. If you have a finicky sleeper, on the other hand, avoid traveling during usual sleep times, as your baby may just stay fussy and awake.

4) Reserve your seats in advance to be sure your entire party sits together.
- If you have an infant, ask for the bulkhead (front row) and request a bassinet.
- Contrary to popular advice, I think it’s best to avoid the bulkhead with older babies and toddlers, because these seats offer neither under-seat space nor seat pocket, so you'll have to store all your toys and supplies in the overhead compartment. Also, in the bulkhead, the food tray pops up from the armrest, effectively trapping you in your seat when your table is laden with food.
- Don’t put your child in the aisle seat, as the food cart and passengers carrying luggage could injure your child.

Smoking while breastfeeding affects babies' sleep

Babies whose mothers smoke cigarettes before breastfeeding sleep less and not as well, according to study.

"Infants spent less time sleeping overall and woke up from naps sooner when their mothers smoked prior to breastfeeding...."

Fifteen nursing mothers and their babies were monitored on days when the mothers smoked and on days when they did not. On smoking days, the women were allowed 20 minutes to smoke in another room just before breastfeeding. Some had just one cigarette while others had two or three.

The level of sleep disruption was directly related to the dose of nicotine infants received from their mothers' milk, consistent with a role for nicotine in causing the sleep disruptions.

The findings, published in the journal Pediatrics, raise new questions regarding whether nicotine exposure through breast milk affects infant development.

While many women quit or cut down on smoking while pregnant, they often relapse following the birth of the baby. Mennella comments, "Because nicotine is not contraindicated during lactation, mothers may believe that smoking while breastfeeding will not harm their child as long as the child is not exposed to passive smoke. However, there has been very little research on either short- or long-term effects of nicotine delivered through breast milk."

How to Buy Infants’ Best Educational Toys?

Buying educational toys for infants can be difficult, because infants seem to do so little that educating them right after birth might strike you as a bit rushed. However, the fact is that your baby is learning at a great speed, taking in everything that is around, and picking up habits, information and words.

Research shows that many disabilities and learning disorders in young children can be avoided by providing them with appropriate cognitive stimulation as early as possible. By giving your infant the right stimulation, you can ward off such problems and groom your baby for pre-school and the challenges that follow.

Every parent wants the best of everything for their child, but sometimes it is hard to know what is best when there are so many choices and opinions. Choosing toys for your child can be stressful because of the sheer number of factors you have to consider before making a buy, and the staggering variety of options you have. However, selecting good educational toys plays a very significant role in your child's development, and as such cannot be disregarded or treated casually.

Here are some tips you need to know to understand more about your infants’ best educational toys.

Guideline for Your Toyshop
Remember these guidelines as you toyshop for your baby:
1. The visual perception of infants is limited, so make sure to buy toys in bright, contrasting colors.

2. Activity centers and crib mobiles fascinate newborns. Some mobiles come with an adjustable height option so that you can make sure the mobile is in your baby’s visual range.

3. Babies up to six months old have very limited motor skills and love high-pitched sounds. Chimes, rattles, teething rings, colorful pictures and soft blocks will stimulate your baby at this age.

4. For babies between six to nine months old, you can buy building blocks, activity boxes and cubes, stacking ring cones, and bath toys. Try to vary the textures of the toys.

5. Between the age of nine months and a year, babies are old enough to enjoy and learn from toys such as nesting cups, push and pull toys, large crayons, spades, and stacking blocks.

6. It always helps to keep in mind that you do not need fancy and expensive toys to stimulate your infant. You might bring home a very trendy toy for your baby only to find that baby finds the packaging far more interesting. Your young child just needs stimulation and a way to express their creativity, and this can be done with homemade toys as well.

Bathing your Newborn Baby

If you're not sure how to bath your baby, this article will help give you step-by-step instructions how to give your baby a nice, safe, clean bath!

First, you should ensure that you have a suitable baby bathtub for the job. Preferable, use a bathtub that has a sloped base, and line the base with a non-slip mat. Fill the tub with lukewarm water, testing the temperature with the corner of your elbow.

If may be much easier on your back if you use a changing station. Many of the stations sold in our local department stores come with concealed bath-tubs, hidden under the changing mat. The best thing about these stations is that they are usually the "perfect" height, so that you won't have to bend whilst bathing your little one. Believe me, the bending is back-breaking! Also, many stations have useful compartments and shelves for you to neatly store your soaps, creams, powders, diapers and other baby stuff!


*Make sure that all fans and airconditioners are turned off - you wouldn't want baby to catch a chill!

Step by Step:

The first thing you need to do is to wash your baby's hair, behind the ears and neck. You can do this before placing baby into the water, and you can keep his cloths on until after you've washed his head. Don't wash his face - that will probably only make him struggle! You can use sterilized cotton dipped in cool sterilized water to wipe his face before or after his bath.



To bath baby, place him gently in the bathtub whilst supporting his head, making sure that he doesn't hit his head if he should kick or push himself upwards! Use a soft sponge (I recommend Mothercare sponges) to scrub him gently. Splash the water all over his body for a good wash, avoiding his face and ears. Most importantly, don't miss any crevices.


How do I hold my baby when he's taking his bath?
Well, you should ensure that you support his neck with your forearm. With the same hand, grip around his armpit securely. This will ensure that baby doesn't slip from your grip and injure himself. Use your free hand to lather and scrub your baby.Talk to him in a gentle, reassuring tone to help him enjoy the bath!

Once you're done bathing baby, lift him out of the tub making sure you maintain your grip around shoulder and with your other hand support his bottom. Transfer him onto a towel, wrap it around him and dry him off. Apply some nappy cream, put on his cutest baby outfit and you're good to go!

How food affects your kids behaviour

This articles reveals what foods have positive effects, and which foods you should avoid.

Scientists agree that certain foods do affect children's temperaments and ability to concentrate. Meals containing lots of carbohydrates, such as potatoes or pasta, tend to be more calming than high-protein food, and caffeine acts as a stimulant. Hunger and lack of energy also makes children irritable and unable to concentrate as well as they usually might.

A healthy diet will have beneficial effects on how your child feels and behaves. It can help ward off colds and constipation, and can also boost energy levels, concentration and general wellbeing, leaving him more positive and cheerful

Hyperactivity: Food additives

The evidence linking additives to hyperactivity is growing. In study, 3 year olds who had a fruit drink with artificial colourings and benzoate preservatives were more hyperactive than those who had a placebo. New research from has just confirmed artificial colours and a preservative used widely in children's foods can affect children's behaviour. After eating foods that contained these additives, children experienced temper tantrums, poor concentration and hyperactivity.

Omega 3s: do they really boost child's brainpower?

Of the many fish-oil studies, only five have made it into scientific journals. They all involved children with learning difficulties such as ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and DCD (developmental co-ordination disorder). Some found improvements in academic performance and behaviour. But not all reached the same conclusion. And some had no placebo group, so there's no way of knowing if the children flourished because of the supplements or the extra attention they received during the trial. It is possible that omega-3 supplements may benefit all children, but there's no scientific proof that they do.

5 tips for feeding your children

· Avoid dehydration. Children are more easily affected by a lack of fluid than adults, and even mild dehydration can result in headaches and irritability.

· Eating breakfast can improve school performance and reduce symptoms of depression and hyperactivity.

· Give regular meals and snacks. Children become more whingey and easily upset when they're hungry.

· Provide plenty of iron-rich foods (meat, fish and fortified breakfast cereals). Low iron levels can lead to lethargy, irritability and depression.

· Avoid processed foods. Instead make meals and snacks from fresh, wholesome food whenever possible and include plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The Power of Epsom Salt

Useful Tips for Tired Mummies and Daddies...

How can Epsom Salt helps and what are it's benefits (eg. ease stress, lower blood pressure, create happy and relax feeling, raise energy level...etc)

Check out more information below...

Have you heard of Epsom Salt?

It's a natural remedy to help relieve muscles and joint aches. You can dissolved it in warm/hot bath and soak inside. It can help to calm the body and promote restful sleep. Have a DIY Spa @ home..

You can get them easily in Singapore from any pharmacies. Quite cheap :)

Information of Epsom Salt

Magnesium, which is a major component of Epsom Salt, is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body. Magnesium also helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

Researchers and physicians report that raising magnesium levels may:

Improve heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.

Improve the body's ability to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

Flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

Improve nerve function by regulating electrolytes. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.

Relieve stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

Fussy Eaters

Take heart if you're struggling to get your child to eat properly, because you're certainly not alone: fussy eating isn't just common, it's normal!

Problems arise when your baby is around 12 months old as they become more aware of the world, their natural instincts may make them suspicious of new foods. Experts agree that the earlier you introduce particular types of food – preferably within the first year – the more likely they are to be accepted by your children, but there are no guarantees.

Sharing mealtimes is definitely a good idea, even if you just have a sandwich while feeding your child. 'If children are fed on their own and all the attention is focused on them and their eating, they may see it as the perfect way to hold your attention and prolong meals by playing rather than eating.

Fussy eating and your toddler

A common time for problems to arise is during the 'terrible 2s'. Having lulled you into a false sense of security, your toddler will wake one morning with dietary requirements that would make a Michelin-starred restaurant struggle.

Dealing with a child refusing to eat

There's a great deal of difference between asking a child firmly to eat his meal and making him sit in front of a plateful of congealing food for hours. If children refuse to eat and you know that there's no underlying reason, explain that they'll be hungry later and there won't be anything else on offer until the next meal.

One important golden rule is to stay calm and never make an issue out of a refusal to eat. But that's easier said than done when your 2 year old has thrown her meal on the floor because it wasn't quite to her liking, or your 3 year old won't even come to the table. And there's nothing more frustrating than having your offerings rejected by a toddler who has spent the morning stuffing everything inedible he can find in his mouth

Encouraging your child to try new foods

Apparently, 40% of mums resort to arranging food into shapes or patterns in an attempt to get their children to eat. If it works and you have the time, go for it, but it can backfire.

The key must be to find a balance. Nourishing, healthy food doesn't have to mean slaving away on some culinary masterpiece – don't forget there's as much sustenance in a slice of ham, a carrot stick and bowl of pasta as there is in a labour-intensive home-made casserole, and it's much easier to live with a rejected carrot stick than a dish that's taken hours to prepare.

Food tricks and mealtime tricks for fussy eaters

. Tempt them with healthy, easy-to-eat finger food, such as cubes of cheese, hard-boiled eggs, baby new potatoes and raisins.

· If you're worried your kids aren't getting enough protein, make pancakes and add an extra egg.
· Don't forget that carrots are still carrots, even if they're baked in a cake – a sneaky way to increase their vegetable intake.

· If they have a nugget fetish, make your own by crumbing chicken or fish fillets.

· Make your own smoothies by blending together fresh fruit and natural yogurt.

· Raw food can be more appealing because of its texture. Try broccoli and runner beans as well as carrots and grapes.

(Send in your baby/kids photo to mykidzspot@yahoo.com.sg for a FREE write up in this blog! More details, check out the "Baby/Kid Write up" Section in the blog.)

Breastfeeding vital within first hour of birth

MORE than one million babies could be saved worldwide if mothers were to start breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.

Mother and child bonding:Mothers participating in a minute-long global synchronised breastfeeding project in Penang.

That was the message the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) sent out in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2007.

A global synchronised breastfeeding event was held in the Penang Caring Society Complex where 60 mothers joined their counterparts in over 21 countries to breastfeed simultaneously for one minute.

A total 128 mothers in Kuala Lumpur also participated in the breastfeeding.

“Exclusive breastfeeding (where all nutrients are naturally pro- vided from the mother) is crucial for the first six months of a baby’s life.

“Not only does this save lives, but it also reduces the risk of deve-lop-ing allergies later in life,” said Susan Siew, the Co-Director of WABA.

Deputy Director Liew Mun Tip said after birth, babies were normally whisked away for weighing and cleaning.

“These procedures can be delayed to give priority on feeding, which in the long run, is more important,” he said.

A surprising number of fathers were also present for the event.

Pong Yong How, a first-time father, said it was important for fathers to encourage breastfeed- ing.

“Breastfeeding is not an easy job. Newborns have to be fed over 10 times a day, ” he said.
WABA has also set up a Men’s Initiative to promote holistic family involvement.

WABA coordinator Julianna Lim Abdullah said mothers and fathers were a team when it came to raising children.

“During breastfeeding, many mothers sometimes experience anxiety and feel very alone when things don’t go smoothly.

“We find that their husbands are especially good at helping their wives relax in such situation,” she said.

(Send in your baby/kids photo to mykidzspot@yahoo.com.sg for a FREE write up in this blog! More details, check out the "Baby/Kid Write up" Section in the blog.)

Stemcord Seminar

For All Expectant Parents! This is a good chance to learn more about pre- and post-natal care, blood cord banking and protecting your baby's health.


Date : 22 September 2007, Saturday
Time : 2-5pm
Venue : Meritus Mandarin, Mandarin Ballroom, 6th floor, 333 Orchard Rd
Fee : $15 per person/$25 per couple (Inclusive of refreshments and a FREE door gift)

Call 6471 2002 to register now!

*Closing date: 19 Sep 2007

* Special Highlights:
- "Ask-A-Doc" - One to one consultation on specific medical questions on cord blood banking
- Fit to Deliver Exercise Demonstration.
- Breastfeeding Consultation.


Topics covered:
- Essential Pregnancy Tests For A Healthy Baby
Learn more about the essential pre-natal tests that you can take to find out the condition of your unborn child.
- Preparation For A Safe Delivery & Pain Management
Ease your fears as ou understand what to expect during delivery and the types of pain relief you can take.

- Storing Your Baby's Cord Blood
Ponder on the benefits of cord blood banking and seize this once in a life time chance to store your baby's cord blood.

- Handling Common Childhood Ailments In The First Year
Prepare for how to cope with common ailments that newborns may pexperience including jaundice, rashes, fever..etc.

Stemcord Seminar is brought to you by Stemcord & ParkwayHealth.
(www.stemcord.com)


If you wished to read up more about blood cord information, you may check out the "Saving Life with Newborn's Cord Blood" under the Baby's Health Section in the blog.






(Send in your baby/kids photo to mykidzspot@yahoo.com.sg for a FREE write up in this blog! More details, check out the "Baby/Kid Write up" Section in the blog.)

Caring For Baby Teeth

The baby's first teeth appear, on average, about six months after birth. Parents may notice excessive salivation and the child may become irritable while these first teeth are coming in.

When teeth appear, use a cotton swab daily to gently wipe the teeth and remove plaque. If your child has not grown up tolerating you "meddling in their mouth" you may have a much tougher problem. If your child is two years of age and their teeth have not been brushed and inspected by you, in all probability, plaque has not been sufficiently removed.


A common question asked by new parents is:

Why should I worry about cavities in baby’s teeth when these teeth will fall out anyway?

There are several reasons why baby teeth should be taken care of from the moment they break through the gums.

1. Baby teeth hold a place and serve as spacers for the permanent teeth. Decay and early loss of these baby teeth can cause loss of space for the permanent teeth, which leads to the permanent teeth shifting and thus leads to orthodontic problems for your child.
2. Healthy baby teeth are important in helping your baby speak clearly and properly.
3. Nice looking teeth are important for your baby’s self-confidence. Missing teeth, decaying teeth or bad breath can lead to your child getting teased by other children.
4. Your baby will need these baby teeth for biting and chewing. Without these teeth, your child might not get the proper nutrition.



Each year a large number of infants and young children experience tooth decay from milk, juices and other liquids being given to them in a bottle at bedtime. This decay from milk and juice is called “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” or “Baby Bottle Mouth”.

When a baby falls asleep, the production of saliva decreases significantly. If a baby is given milk, juice or other sugary liquid and is then put to bed without brushing, the sugar in these liquids along with the bacteria that is naturally present in a baby’s mouth join together to form an acid, which starts attacking and decaying the teeth.

It’s best to get into a routine early and not let your baby fall asleep in the crib with a bottle of milk, juice or other sugary liquid. Prevention is the key to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Preventative steps:

* Don’t put your baby to bed for the night with a bottle of milk or juice. Most juices contain natural sugars, while milk contains sugar called lactose, which bacteria can also use to create acid, thus causing the decay.
* Don’t let your baby use a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier. Lying around all day sucking at will on the bottle can be as harmful to teeth as putting a baby to bed at night with a bottle.
* Don’t give your baby a pacifier that has been dipped in a sugary substance. While this is tempting to parents to try and calm a fussy baby with a sugary pacifier, it can cause a lot of damage.
* Give your baby his or her bottle of milk a little before bedtime. This leaves you time to brush your baby’s teeth before you put him or her down for the night.
* Try to make the last thing your baby drinks at night before bed be plain water.





(Send in your baby/kids photo to mykidzspot@yahoo.com.sg for a FREE write up in this blog! More details, check out the "Baby/Kid Write up" Section in the blog.)

Trimming Baby Nails

Many babies, when they are first born, have long nails, and some parents worry that their baby will scratch his face. However, resist trimming your baby's nails this early, as the nail goes below the quick and can bleed.
Instead, use special mittens, put socks on his hands, or keep him wrapped up so his hands aren't near his face. When the nails have hardened a little, you can trim them, though it must be done very carefully. Little fingernails actually grow so quickly that you may have to cut them more than once a week; toenails require less frequent attention.




The easiest way to trim your baby's nails may be to just peel the ends off with your fingers. They're so soft that the surplus will easily come away. Or you can buy a pair of baby scissors or nail clippers with specially rounded ends. The nail-cutting may be easier if there are two adults involved: one of you can hold the baby and keep him from wriggling too much while the other does the job. (You may also want to try it while your feeding or sleeping so that he'll be calmer.) Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on your child's hand as you cut or clip.






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Bad body odour for kids

There's cases on kids(one of them is just 5 yrs old girl) to have body odour and parents are worrying about it. Here's some information/advice given by some doctors. Hope this helps.

It is certainly a little unusual for kids to have a noticeable body odour problem. At such young age, the glands within the skin, which produce the secretions that are then broken down by bacteria to cause the odour, have not yet significantly been stimulated by secondary sex hormones.

Changes at puberty, however, which include hair growth under the arms and the increased activity of secretary glands within the skin, do bring about a stronger odour. The kid may be undergoing a precocious puberty but there are other explanations too.There is for example one rare condition commonly known as fish odour syndrome where the person concerned secretes a particular chemical known as methylmercaptopurine, which results from the relative deficiency of the enzyme necessary in the body to break down certain ingredients of normal foodstuffs. Without these enzymes this chemical accumulates in the body only to be excreted through the glands in the skin producing this noticeable odour.

The good news is that avoiding certain food can solve the problem. Another possible explanation is that certain synthetic materials in clothing can react with sweat and cause an odour in their own right.

Furthermore, some people, including children, are simply born with more sweat glands in a certain area than others and they need to take extra precaution in masking the resulting odour.There is a treatment called Anhydrol forte, which contains aluminium chloride in a roll-on bottle that reduces sweating in the armpits, hands and feet when applied at night and washed off in the morning.

Advice would be to try thoroughly washing her clothes in hot water first to eliminate any residual smell, then using Anhydrol forte and if this fails, ask your family doctor about arranging a referral to a dietician in order to be able to avoid the foodstuffs responsible - if fish odour syndrome is the cause.

Baby Heat Rash

In order to treat your baby's heat rash, you need to understand what causes heat rash.

Heat rash is an eruption of little bumps on the skin that can show up when your baby overheats. Babies are most susceptible to heat rash. Most babies get a heat rash during the summer months. You will probably notice is on their face or neck first.



Causes of heat rash

Heat rash often occurs when the sweat glands are very active, so it's easier for them to become clogged with sweat, causing the rash. But done worry heat rash is not a serious condition.

Heat rash or prickly heat is caused by the blockage of the pores that lead to the sweat glands. It is most common in very young children but can occur at any age, particularly in hot and humid weather. An infant does not sweat. The sweat is held within the skin and forms little red bumps or occasionally small blisters.

Hot, humid weather is prime time for heat rash, but you might see it in winter, too, if your baby is wearing too many layers of clothing or is running a fever. Sometimes a baby will get heat rash after a cough ointment is rubbed on his chest.


How can you treat baby heat rash?

Heat rash or prickly heat is best treated by providing a cooler and less humid environment for the child.

Start by cooling your baby off. Loosen or remove his clothing, and move him into an airy room or a shady spot.

You might place him on a cotton towel, which can help absorb his sweat. Apply cool, wet washcloths to the areas affected by the rash. A lukewarm bath with a little baking soda — 2 teaspoons per gallon — can also help.

If it's hot at night, use an air conditioner or a fan in your baby's room. Direct the fan near your baby but not directly on him. Or place it far enough away so that only a gentle breeze reaches him. You want your baby to be comfortable, not chilled.

Powders are unlikely to help treat heat rash and should be stored out of reach of the infant to prevent accidental inhalation. Avoid ointments and creams because they tend to keep the skin warmer and block the pores.



Is heat rash painful for my baby?

No, it isn't usually painful, but it can be itchy. Some of the bumps may be tender to the touch.





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Ferber Method

Have problem getting your baby to sleep? Why not try out the Ferber Method?
Below are some information about it to share with you. Hope it helps.

The Ferber Method shows parents how to teach their child to soothe himself to sleep from the age of 5 or 6 months. The method has proven controversial, mainly because it has been misunderstood as a harsh system of letting the baby cry it out until he falls asleep. As the outline below shows, there is considerably more parental involvement in the Ferber method than many people have been led to believe


Process
The first night you attempt the Ferber method, put your child to bed as you normally do. Your baby should be tired but still awake when you put him to bed, so that he is left to fall asleep on his own. After you leave the room, the baby will inevitably start crying. Allow him to cry for about 5 minutes, then re-enter the room to console him. It's important that you stay in the room for only a short time - even if he is still crying - and that you don't pick him up or rock him. This second time you leave the room, wait 10 minutes before returning in the same manner. The third time wait 15 minutes, and set this as a maximum wait time for the rest of the night.

Every time thereafter, enter the room briefly and then allow your child to cry for 15 minutes. Eventually, he will fall asleep on his own during one of the 15 minute intervals in which you are out of the room. The second night, you should begin with a 10 minute wait before re-entering the room, followed by 15 and then 20 minutes. In a similar fashion, increase your initial and subsequent wait times by 5 minutes each night.

Using this method your child will soon learn to go to sleep on his own. Although it can be difficult to listen to your baby cry, understand that the Ferber method is a safe and effective way of getting your baby to learn to sleep on his own.


Benefits
Supporters of the Ferber Method believe that the process of teaching a child to sleep on his own encourages independence. It has also proven to be highly effective in reducing nighttime wakefulness in babies, resulting in better sleep for everyone.
Ferber’s method was designed to avoid unnecessary crying and to provide comfort to the baby.


What age is suitable
The Ferber method is meant for children aged 6 months or older, when our culture has decided that most babies are capable of sleeping through the night (yet many parents will tell you that their babies feel otherwise!). Some babies are able to sleep through the night at 3 months old, but under the age of 6 months (and sometimes later than that), most children will need to be fed during the night hours.
The Ferber Method is NOT to be applied during the first 4 months because truthfully, a newborn or young infant's wants and needs are *one in the same* and should not be ignored or second-guessed, just simply attended to! If your newborn or infant is unable to sleep on his/her own, that is very typical in the early months.




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Baby Teething and How to ease their Distress

There's no fixed time for teething, but on average, most babies sprout their first teeth between four and seven months of age.
Some may get their first white cap as early as three months, while others may have to wait until they are a year or older.
While teething, baby will be in discomfort and cranky.




How can parents help to ease their distress?
Here's some tips to share. Hope this helps.

• To ease his discomfort, give your child something to chew on, such as a firm teething rings, water filled, chilled rubber teething toys or a cold washcloth.
• If your baby is old enough for solid foods, he may also get some relief from eating cold foods like chilled applesauce, yogurt and pureed peaches as they will looked more appealing to your baby and also more nutritious than a chilled teething ring. The cold may numb the pain temporarily.
• Offering your baby a cold bottle of water can also help. If sucking on the bottle bothers your child, offer a cold cup of water. The water can also help replenish your baby’s fluid if they’re drooling a lot or have loose bowel movements.
• Giving your baby a hard, unsweetened teething cracker such as zwieback to gnaw on is another way to help relieve his pain.

*Avoid carrots or lollipops, as they can be a choking hazard. Try to ensure that your baby is getting the sleep he needs to during this uncomfortable time. Keep a consistent nighttime routine to help your baby sleep better.




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Potty/Toilet Training For Your Baby

Alot parents have the worries of when should you potty trained your baby.
Here's some tips for sharing. Hope it helps.

What is the best time to start?
The average age a toddler will potty train is 2½. If you use cloth diapers you can expect your toddler to potty train 5 months to 1 year earlier. Girls tend to potty train faster than boys.

Signs your child may be ready:

• Your child is staying dry for longer periods of time (often two hours or more). This indicates that her bladder capacity is increasing.


• Your child recognizes when she is in the process of urinating or voiding. If you try to potty train before this time, you'll likely run into trouble, since your child isn't really aware of what she's doing and so is unable to control something she can't understand.


• Your child is able to easily pull her pants up and down.


• Your child is able to sit and engage in an activity for several minutes without becoming distracted or irritable.


• Your child is walking and running well. Because the urge to potty is often sudden in toddlers, and because a potty isn't always steps away, it's important for your child to be able to make it to the toilet before an accident occurs.


• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your child shows interest and desire. Interest in keeping dry or clean. Interest in wearing "big kid" underwear. Interest in what you're doing when you go potty and a desire to do what you're doing.

Remember, age is not the most important factor. Potty training will be best accomplished when your child's physical and emotional development are taken into account as well.

Once your toddler and you are ready for potty training go out of diapers completely. Doing away with diapers will reinforce potty training.

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