Return to your pre-pregnancy shape with these exercises, hopefully?
The Hundred
1. Lie on back, arm by side, inhale slowly.
2. Exhale as you bend your legs and bring your knees to your chest, one at a time. Keep inner thighs and ankles pressed together.
3. Exhale as you pull your ab. muscles up and in toward your spine. At the same time, slowly curl your head forward, chin toward chest, and raise your upper body off the floor. Use your ab muscles to stabalise your back and control your movement.
4. Inhale for a count of five, then exhale for a count of five, while you hold this position.
5. Return to lying on your back clowly, vertebra by vertebra.
6. Repeat exercises 5-10 times.
The Roll-up
1. Lie on your back with your arms over your head.
2. Inhale as you raise your arms perpendicular to the body.
3. Exhale as you pull your abs to your spine and slowly roll up into a sitting position. Keep your arms extended in front of you, parallel to the floor.
4. Continue exhaling as you roll forward, keeping your abs pulled up and in toward your spine, and stretch your torso over your legs, keeping your head between your arms, and reaching past your feet with your hands.
5. Keeping your abs pulled in toward your spine, slowly roll-back -- first inhale as you raise your body into a sitting position, then exhale as you lie back on the mat.
6. Repeat exercise 3-5 times.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Hours of sleep for babies to teens
Extracted the main points from this informative article. Details can be found in here. http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html
How much sleep is enough?
It all depends on your child's age. Charts that list the hours of sleep are simply averages reported for large groups of children of particular ages. It is important to note that there's no magical number of hours required by all kids in a certain age group. Do not get too worried if your child does not meet the sleep requirements listed on charts.
Most kids' sleep requirements fall within a predictable range of hours based on their age, but each child is a unique individual with distinct sleep needs. Here are some approximate numbers based on age, accompanied by age-appropriate pro-sleep tactics.
The First 6 Months
There is no sleep formula for newborns because their internal clocks aren't fully developed yet. They generally sleep or drowse for 16 to 20 hours a day, divided about equally between night and day.
Newborns should be awakened every 3 to 4 hours until their weight gain is established, which typically happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK if a baby sleeps for longer periods of time.
Newborns' longest sleep periods are generally 4 or 5 hours — this is about how long their small bellies can go between feedings. If newborns do sleep for a while, they will likely be extra hungry during the day and may want to nurse or get the bottle more frequently.
At 3 months, a baby averages 5 hours of sleep during the day and 10 hours at night, usually with an interruption or two. About 90% of babies this age sleep through the night, meaning 6 to 8 hours in a row.
But it's important to recognize that babies aren't always awake when they sound like they are; they can cry and make all sorts of other noises during light sleep. Even if they do wake up in the night, they may only be awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again on their own. It's best if babies learn early to get themselves to sleep, so let your baby try.
If a baby under 6 months old continues to cry for several minutes, it's time to respond. Your baby may be genuinely uncomfortable: hungry, wet, cold, or even sick. But routine nighttime awakenings for changing and feeding should be as quick and quiet as possible. Don't provide any unnecessary stimulation, such as talking, playing, or turning on the lights. Encourage the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. You have to teach this because your baby doesn't care what time it is as long as his or her needs are met.
Ideally, your baby should be placed in the crib before falling asleep. And it's not too early to establish a simple bedtime routine. Any soothing activities, performed consistently and in the same order each night, can make up the routine. Your baby will associate these with sleeping, and they'll help him or her wind down. You want your child to fall asleep independently, and a routine encourages babies to go back to sleep if they should wake up in the middle of the night.
6 to 12 Months
At 6 months, an infant may nap about 3 hours during the day and sleep about 11 hours at night. At this age, you can begin to change your response to an infant who awakens and cries during the night.
You can give babies at this age 5 minutes to settle down on their own and go back to sleep. If they don't, you can comfort them without picking them up (talk softly, rub their backs), then leave — unless they appear to be sick. Sick babies need to be picked up and comforted.
Between 6 and 12 months, separation anxiety becomes a major issue for some babies and may cause them to start waking up again. But the rules for nighttime awakenings are the same through a baby's first birthday: Don't pick up your baby, turn on the lights, sing, talk, play, or feed your child. All of these activities encourage repeat behavior.
If your baby wakes up crying at night, you can check in to make sure he or she isn't sick or in need of a diaper change. You can pat your child lovingly on the back or belly. Using a pacifier or thumb sucking can also help children of this age learn to calm and reassure themselves. If your baby continues to cry, you can institute the 5-minute visit pattern.
1 to 3 YearsFrom ages 1 to 3, most toddlers sleep about 10 to 13 hours. Separation anxiety, or just the desire to be up with mom and dad (and not miss anything), can motivate a child to stay awake.
Note the time of night when your toddler begins to show signs of sleepiness, and try establishing this as his or her regular bedtime. And you don't have to force a 2- or 3-year-old child to nap during the day unless yours gets cranky and overly tired.
Parents sometimes make the mistake of thinking that keeping a child up will make him or her sleepier for bedtime. In fact, though, kids can have a harder time sleeping if they're overtired.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers sleep about 10 to 12 hours per night, but there's no reason to be completely rigid about which 10 to 12 hours they are. A 5-year-old who gets adequate rest at night no longer needs a daytime nap.
School-Age Children and Preteens
Kids ages 6 to 9 need about 10 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age from a child's need for private time with parents, without siblings around. Try to make a little private time just before bedtime and use it to share confidences and have small discussions, which will also prepare your child for sleep.
Children ages 10 to 12 need a little over 9 hours of shuteye a night. But it's up to parents to judge the exact amount of rest their children need and see that they're in bed in time for sufficient sleep.
Lack of sleep for kids can cause irritable or hyper types of behavior and can also make a condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) worse.
Teens
Adolescents need about 8 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night, but many don't get it. And as they progress through puberty, teens actually need more sleep. Because teens often have schedules packed with school and activities, they're typically chronically sleep deprived (or lacking in a healthy amount of sleep).
Ideally, a teenager should try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, allowing for at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep.
Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html
How much sleep is enough?
It all depends on your child's age. Charts that list the hours of sleep are simply averages reported for large groups of children of particular ages. It is important to note that there's no magical number of hours required by all kids in a certain age group. Do not get too worried if your child does not meet the sleep requirements listed on charts.
Most kids' sleep requirements fall within a predictable range of hours based on their age, but each child is a unique individual with distinct sleep needs. Here are some approximate numbers based on age, accompanied by age-appropriate pro-sleep tactics.
The First 6 Months
There is no sleep formula for newborns because their internal clocks aren't fully developed yet. They generally sleep or drowse for 16 to 20 hours a day, divided about equally between night and day.
Newborns should be awakened every 3 to 4 hours until their weight gain is established, which typically happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's OK if a baby sleeps for longer periods of time.
Newborns' longest sleep periods are generally 4 or 5 hours — this is about how long their small bellies can go between feedings. If newborns do sleep for a while, they will likely be extra hungry during the day and may want to nurse or get the bottle more frequently.
At 3 months, a baby averages 5 hours of sleep during the day and 10 hours at night, usually with an interruption or two. About 90% of babies this age sleep through the night, meaning 6 to 8 hours in a row.
But it's important to recognize that babies aren't always awake when they sound like they are; they can cry and make all sorts of other noises during light sleep. Even if they do wake up in the night, they may only be awake for a few minutes before falling asleep again on their own. It's best if babies learn early to get themselves to sleep, so let your baby try.
If a baby under 6 months old continues to cry for several minutes, it's time to respond. Your baby may be genuinely uncomfortable: hungry, wet, cold, or even sick. But routine nighttime awakenings for changing and feeding should be as quick and quiet as possible. Don't provide any unnecessary stimulation, such as talking, playing, or turning on the lights. Encourage the idea that nighttime is for sleeping. You have to teach this because your baby doesn't care what time it is as long as his or her needs are met.
Ideally, your baby should be placed in the crib before falling asleep. And it's not too early to establish a simple bedtime routine. Any soothing activities, performed consistently and in the same order each night, can make up the routine. Your baby will associate these with sleeping, and they'll help him or her wind down. You want your child to fall asleep independently, and a routine encourages babies to go back to sleep if they should wake up in the middle of the night.
6 to 12 Months
At 6 months, an infant may nap about 3 hours during the day and sleep about 11 hours at night. At this age, you can begin to change your response to an infant who awakens and cries during the night.
You can give babies at this age 5 minutes to settle down on their own and go back to sleep. If they don't, you can comfort them without picking them up (talk softly, rub their backs), then leave — unless they appear to be sick. Sick babies need to be picked up and comforted.
Between 6 and 12 months, separation anxiety becomes a major issue for some babies and may cause them to start waking up again. But the rules for nighttime awakenings are the same through a baby's first birthday: Don't pick up your baby, turn on the lights, sing, talk, play, or feed your child. All of these activities encourage repeat behavior.
If your baby wakes up crying at night, you can check in to make sure he or she isn't sick or in need of a diaper change. You can pat your child lovingly on the back or belly. Using a pacifier or thumb sucking can also help children of this age learn to calm and reassure themselves. If your baby continues to cry, you can institute the 5-minute visit pattern.
1 to 3 YearsFrom ages 1 to 3, most toddlers sleep about 10 to 13 hours. Separation anxiety, or just the desire to be up with mom and dad (and not miss anything), can motivate a child to stay awake.
Note the time of night when your toddler begins to show signs of sleepiness, and try establishing this as his or her regular bedtime. And you don't have to force a 2- or 3-year-old child to nap during the day unless yours gets cranky and overly tired.
Parents sometimes make the mistake of thinking that keeping a child up will make him or her sleepier for bedtime. In fact, though, kids can have a harder time sleeping if they're overtired.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers sleep about 10 to 12 hours per night, but there's no reason to be completely rigid about which 10 to 12 hours they are. A 5-year-old who gets adequate rest at night no longer needs a daytime nap.
School-Age Children and Preteens
Kids ages 6 to 9 need about 10 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age from a child's need for private time with parents, without siblings around. Try to make a little private time just before bedtime and use it to share confidences and have small discussions, which will also prepare your child for sleep.
Children ages 10 to 12 need a little over 9 hours of shuteye a night. But it's up to parents to judge the exact amount of rest their children need and see that they're in bed in time for sufficient sleep.
Lack of sleep for kids can cause irritable or hyper types of behavior and can also make a condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) worse.
Teens
Adolescents need about 8 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night, but many don't get it. And as they progress through puberty, teens actually need more sleep. Because teens often have schedules packed with school and activities, they're typically chronically sleep deprived (or lacking in a healthy amount of sleep).
Ideally, a teenager should try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, allowing for at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep.
Source: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sleep.html
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD)
You can calculate the estimated date of delivery (EDD) by counting 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. But should remember that since you don't know the exact date of ovulation this EDD is approximate. Click on image below for the EDD chart.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Things to do with your kids during December school holidays
School holidays are the best! You never fail to see the enthusiasm in your child when the days approach... especially the month-long holidays in December! However after the initial thrill of saying goodbye to school, it's usually only a day or two before children start complaining about being bored at home. Instead of cooping them up at home or sit them in front of the computer or TV whole day long, why not plan some activities or outings for them?
It is never too early to plan. If you have time, start thinking now. Sign them up for holiday camps or workshops, bring them outdoors and plan for some fun excursions, or even enjoy some quiet reading and bonding in libraries! Here are some ideas to get you going.
Holiday camps
Science Buddies workshops
There are various workshops that employ different themes and are designed for small group of children to learn in an experiential approach.
Kids on Holiday
Check out their December Holidays programmes and fun activities for your kids!
Learning Horizon Holiday Camps
Especially designed to offer fun, interactive, and educational activities for children during June and December school holidays.
Workshops and courses
Isadora's Workshops
Regular drawing classes, printmaking, papier mâché and book-making are all part of the curriculum to encourage a child’s freedom of expression. Parents are more than welcome to join in the fun.
Toddler Pottery Making Course
Toddlers with clay? Sounds dangerous to some, but this is a great way for the tiny tots to express themselves. This activity will help their motoring skills and get their creative juices flowing. Just prepare yourself for the post-fun clean-up.
YMCA Capoeira Kids
Capoeira is a Brazilian artform that combines sport and dance. Children of all ages will enjoy its fun and uninhibited movements. Capoeira enables children to express themselves through movements to rhythm, and helps them to become more confident, expressive and creative!
Outdoors and Excursions
Bring them to the museumsIndulge in some meaningful knowledge pursuits. Learn about Straits Chinese values at the Peranakan Museum, where there are more than 20 children’s interactive stations in between the exhibits to make the Museum a welcome escape from the heat. Otherwise, at the National Museum, there is also a play-based programme that uses the museum's artefacts to stimulate toddler's natural curiousity, imagination, and creativity.
Kids Night Out
It's a 4-hour non-stop fun that includes a pizza party, arts and craft, a movie and more. Kids Night Out happens at least one Friday of every month and has a cool theme each time in every location. Drop your kids at these locations while you have some time for yourself.
Playground AT Big Splash
A new and exciting multi-purpose venture at the iconic Big Splash landmark. Touted as a lifestyle hub, Playground @ Big Splash features a wide array of dining and recreational amenities. The kids will be kept busy with a host of recreational options including the puntastically named LilliPutt (Singapore’s first themed, indoor mini-golf course) and Frisk ’n’ Romp Kids’ Playclub...
Interactive SquareKids seem to stick like magnets to this interactive game square at Parkway. You will see tiny tots jumping all over the projection of a game board, with images of cars and balls on the floor, to their hearts’ content.
Kiddies' Playground Daily
As if the excitement of VivoCity isn’t enough, this fun-filled kiddies’ playground has a third-floor water feature-cum-paddling pool. Perfect for our sunny Singapore weather.
Other things to do with your kids
Storytelling at Bookaburra
This popular centre attracts kids and parents with its storytelling and arts and crafts, which the youngsters can also take home.
SOL Playground Cafe
Play areas, activities, child-friendly menus and special deals make dining out with the kiddies less of a hassle.
Go Go Bambini
This fun-filled indoor entertainment area for kids has an interactive playscape, a soft play area for wee ones under the age of three, a café dishing up yummy salads, pastas and… wait for it... a nail bar for mummies while their kids are hard at play.
Creative Escape
A walk-in arts and crafts studio, catering to all abilities from first-timers to the more experienced crafters.
Story telling at libraries
Other than quiet reading and bonding with your kids, you may go for the regular story telling sessions or Fun with Tots programmes held at the various libraries islandwide!
Not enough? Look for more ideas here:
onePA offers a one-stop access to all of PA's courses, activities, facilities, interest groups and memberships.
Singapore for Kids. You'll be spoilt for ideas with what you get on this kids' activities resource portal.
Whats Happening.sg A premier local events guide for the latest happenings in Singapore.
It is never too early to plan. If you have time, start thinking now. Sign them up for holiday camps or workshops, bring them outdoors and plan for some fun excursions, or even enjoy some quiet reading and bonding in libraries! Here are some ideas to get you going.
Holiday camps
Science Buddies workshops
There are various workshops that employ different themes and are designed for small group of children to learn in an experiential approach.
Kids on Holiday
Check out their December Holidays programmes and fun activities for your kids!
Learning Horizon Holiday Camps
Especially designed to offer fun, interactive, and educational activities for children during June and December school holidays.
Workshops and courses
Isadora's Workshops
Regular drawing classes, printmaking, papier mâché and book-making are all part of the curriculum to encourage a child’s freedom of expression. Parents are more than welcome to join in the fun.
Toddler Pottery Making Course
Toddlers with clay? Sounds dangerous to some, but this is a great way for the tiny tots to express themselves. This activity will help their motoring skills and get their creative juices flowing. Just prepare yourself for the post-fun clean-up.
YMCA Capoeira Kids
Capoeira is a Brazilian artform that combines sport and dance. Children of all ages will enjoy its fun and uninhibited movements. Capoeira enables children to express themselves through movements to rhythm, and helps them to become more confident, expressive and creative!
Outdoors and Excursions
Bring them to the museumsIndulge in some meaningful knowledge pursuits. Learn about Straits Chinese values at the Peranakan Museum, where there are more than 20 children’s interactive stations in between the exhibits to make the Museum a welcome escape from the heat. Otherwise, at the National Museum, there is also a play-based programme that uses the museum's artefacts to stimulate toddler's natural curiousity, imagination, and creativity.
Kids Night Out
It's a 4-hour non-stop fun that includes a pizza party, arts and craft, a movie and more. Kids Night Out happens at least one Friday of every month and has a cool theme each time in every location. Drop your kids at these locations while you have some time for yourself.
Playground AT Big Splash
A new and exciting multi-purpose venture at the iconic Big Splash landmark. Touted as a lifestyle hub, Playground @ Big Splash features a wide array of dining and recreational amenities. The kids will be kept busy with a host of recreational options including the puntastically named LilliPutt (Singapore’s first themed, indoor mini-golf course) and Frisk ’n’ Romp Kids’ Playclub...
Interactive SquareKids seem to stick like magnets to this interactive game square at Parkway. You will see tiny tots jumping all over the projection of a game board, with images of cars and balls on the floor, to their hearts’ content.
Kiddies' Playground Daily
As if the excitement of VivoCity isn’t enough, this fun-filled kiddies’ playground has a third-floor water feature-cum-paddling pool. Perfect for our sunny Singapore weather.
Other things to do with your kids
Storytelling at Bookaburra
This popular centre attracts kids and parents with its storytelling and arts and crafts, which the youngsters can also take home.
SOL Playground Cafe
Play areas, activities, child-friendly menus and special deals make dining out with the kiddies less of a hassle.
Go Go Bambini
This fun-filled indoor entertainment area for kids has an interactive playscape, a soft play area for wee ones under the age of three, a café dishing up yummy salads, pastas and… wait for it... a nail bar for mummies while their kids are hard at play.
Creative Escape
A walk-in arts and crafts studio, catering to all abilities from first-timers to the more experienced crafters.
Story telling at libraries
Other than quiet reading and bonding with your kids, you may go for the regular story telling sessions or Fun with Tots programmes held at the various libraries islandwide!
Not enough? Look for more ideas here:
onePA offers a one-stop access to all of PA's courses, activities, facilities, interest groups and memberships.
Singapore for Kids. You'll be spoilt for ideas with what you get on this kids' activities resource portal.
Whats Happening.sg A premier local events guide for the latest happenings in Singapore.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Storing and thawing breastmilk
Some guidelines on storing breastmilk:
- At room temperature (less than 25°C) for up to 4 hours
- In a refrigerator with a temperature of 4°C or colder for two days
- In the freezer at 0°C for up to 3-6 months
If you are going to freeze breastmilk, do so within 24 hours. Milk that has been moved into the refrigerator from the freezer can be stored there for up to 24 hours.
Thawing milk
Thaw the milk slowly by swirling the container of milk in warm water or by putting the container in the refrigerator the day before it is to be used. Don't use hot water to thaw breast milk. Never thaw frozen breast milk in a microwave oven. The milk could get too hot and burn your baby's mouth. Microwaving can also damage valuable proteins in breast milk.
Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but it should not be refrozen.
Discard any excess milk left in the bottle after a feed.
Monday, September 15, 2008
National Immunisation Schedule
The National Immunisation Registry in Singapore collects and maintain complete and current vaccination records of children from birth to 18 years of age in Singapore, to promote effective and cost-efficient disease prevention and control. The Registry will send you your child's immunisation certificate once he/she completes the necessary basic immunisations. When your child registers for primary school, the school authorities will check your child’s immunisation certificates to see if he or she has completed all the immunisations.
There are nine potentially dangerous childhood diseases against which immunisations are available.
Diphtheria: Starts as a throat infection, but can cause obstruction to breathing and death.
Hepatitis B: An infection of the liver that may have no symptoms. It can lead to liver failure or liver cancer in adulthood.
Measles: Starts with high fever and a rash. Lung infection, deafness and brain damage can occur.
Mumps: An infection of the salivary glands. It can lead to brain infection, deafness or sterility.
Pertussis(whooping cough): Causes prolonged attacks of coughing and can result in pneumonia (lung infection) or brain damage.
Poliomyelitis: Starts with mild fever but can result in paralysed and deformed arms or legs.
Rubella(German measles): Complications in children are rare. Women infected during early pregnancy may give birth to deaf, blind or mentally retarded babies.
Tetanus: Causes severe muscle contractions, including those muscles that control swallowing and breathing. It often leads to death.
Tuberculosis: A disease that commonly affects the lungs. It can also affect the bones, kidneys, intestines and brain.
At Birth
BCG
Hepatitis B - 1st Dose
1 Month
Hepatitis B - 2nd Dose
3 Months
DPT/DT - 1st Dose
Oral Sabin - 1st Dose
4 Months
DPT/DT - 2nd Dose
Oral Sabin - 2nd Dose
5 Months
DPT/DT - 3rd Dose
Oral Sabin - 3rd Dose
5-6 Months*
Hepatitis B - 3rd Dose
1-2 Years
MMR - Primary dose
18 Months
DPT/DT - 1st Booster
Oral Sabin - 1st Booster
6-7 Years (Primary 1)
Oral Sabin - 2nd Booster
MMR - Booster dose
10-11 Years (Primary 5)(See note)
DT-containing vaccine - 2nd Booster**
Oral Sabin - 3rd Booster
* The 3rd dose of Hepatitis B vaccination can be given with the 3rd dose of DPT and Oral Sabin for the convenience of parents.
** Can use either : Diphtheria-tetanus vaccine; or Combined tetanus, reduced diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine
Note: Children in Primary 6 in 2008 will still receive the MMR booster and DT 3rd booster. Children in Primary 5 (2008 -2011) will receive the MMR booster and DT 3rd booster.
More complete information can be found here.
There are also immunisations that combine several vaccines together, as in 6-in-1, 5-in-1 or 4-in-1:
6in1 includes the following vaccines:DTPa + HiB + IPV + HEPB
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertusiss,Haemophilus influenza type B,Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Hepatitis B.
5in1 includes:DTPa + HiB + IPV
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertusiss,Haemophilus influenza type B, andInactivated Polio Vaccine.
4in1 includes:DTPa + HiB
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertusiss,Haemophilus influenza type B
Please consult your doctor if you need more information. The above information is obtained from http://www.nir.hpb.gov.sg
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Can we store formula milk in the fridge?
It is no longer recommended that we make up bottles using infant formula milk powder in advance to store in the fridge. Feeds should always be made up fresh, using boiled water that is hotter than 70 degrees C. This is because the milk powder itself is not sterile, and once made up, there is a small risk of harmful bacteria developing in any formula which is kept for use later in the day. Storing made up formula milk may increase the chance of a baby becoming ill and therefore it should be avoided. If it should be stored in advance for some reasons, do not keep it unused in the fridge for more than 24 hours. Any milk left over after a feed should be thrown away. Some parents may tend to reuse formula milk that is left over from a previous feed, especially now that the price of dried milk powder has gone up drastically. However, do note that this is not a safe practice.
Here are some rules on formular milk storage:
Here are some rules on formular milk storage:
- Keep formula prepared from powder in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours.
- Throw out any unused prepared formula that has been at room temperature for 2 or more hours.
- If formula has been warmed up or partly used for a feed, throw it out after 1 hour. Do not put in the fridge to re-use again.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Know about vaccinations and how they work
Below is a useful piece of information from the web on immunity and vaccines, which all concerned parents would be interested to know.
How Immunity Works
You get sick when your body is invaded by germs. When measles virus enters your body it gives you measles. Whooping cough bacteria cause whooping cough. And so on.
It is the job of your immune system to protect you from these germs. Here's how it works:
Germs enter your body and start to reproduce. Your immune system recognizes these germs as invaders from outside your body and responds by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies have two jobs. The first is to help destroy the germs that are making you sick. Because the germs have a head start, you will already be sick by the time your immune system has produced enough antibodies to destroy them. But by eliminating the attacking germs, antibodies help you to get well.
Now the antibodies start doing their second job. They remain in your bloodstream, guarding you against future infections. If the same germs ever try to infect you again - even after many years - these antibodies will come to your defense. Only now they can destroy the germs before they have a chance to make you sick. This process is called immunity. It is why most people get diseases like measles or chickenpox only once, even though they might be exposed many times during their lifetime. This is a very effective system for preventing disease. The only problem is you have to get sick before you develop immunity.
How Vaccines Help
The idea behind vaccination is to give you immunity to a disease before it has a chance to make you sick.
Vaccines are made from the same germs (or parts of them) that cause disease - measles vaccine is made from measles virus, for instance, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is made from parts of the Hib bacteria. But the germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won't make you sick.
Then the vaccines containing these weakened or killed germs are introduced into your body, usually by injection. Your immune system reacts to the vaccine the same as it would if it were being invaded by the disease - by making antibodies. The antibodies destroy the vaccine germs just as they would the disease germs. Then they stay in your body, giving you immunity. If you are ever exposed to the real disease, the antibodies will be there to protect you.
Immunizations help your child's immune system do its work. The child develops protection against future infections, the same as if he or she had been exposed to the natural disease. The good news is, with vaccines your child doesn't have to get sick first to get that protection.
It is common for your child to have fever after the immunisation. So don't worry too much. Click here for the side effects of various childhood vaccinations.
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21429
How Immunity Works
You get sick when your body is invaded by germs. When measles virus enters your body it gives you measles. Whooping cough bacteria cause whooping cough. And so on.
It is the job of your immune system to protect you from these germs. Here's how it works:
Germs enter your body and start to reproduce. Your immune system recognizes these germs as invaders from outside your body and responds by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies have two jobs. The first is to help destroy the germs that are making you sick. Because the germs have a head start, you will already be sick by the time your immune system has produced enough antibodies to destroy them. But by eliminating the attacking germs, antibodies help you to get well.
Now the antibodies start doing their second job. They remain in your bloodstream, guarding you against future infections. If the same germs ever try to infect you again - even after many years - these antibodies will come to your defense. Only now they can destroy the germs before they have a chance to make you sick. This process is called immunity. It is why most people get diseases like measles or chickenpox only once, even though they might be exposed many times during their lifetime. This is a very effective system for preventing disease. The only problem is you have to get sick before you develop immunity.
How Vaccines Help
The idea behind vaccination is to give you immunity to a disease before it has a chance to make you sick.
Vaccines are made from the same germs (or parts of them) that cause disease - measles vaccine is made from measles virus, for instance, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is made from parts of the Hib bacteria. But the germs in vaccines are either killed or weakened so they won't make you sick.
Then the vaccines containing these weakened or killed germs are introduced into your body, usually by injection. Your immune system reacts to the vaccine the same as it would if it were being invaded by the disease - by making antibodies. The antibodies destroy the vaccine germs just as they would the disease germs. Then they stay in your body, giving you immunity. If you are ever exposed to the real disease, the antibodies will be there to protect you.
Immunizations help your child's immune system do its work. The child develops protection against future infections, the same as if he or she had been exposed to the natural disease. The good news is, with vaccines your child doesn't have to get sick first to get that protection.
It is common for your child to have fever after the immunisation. So don't worry too much. Click here for the side effects of various childhood vaccinations.
Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21429
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Putting too much pressure on kids
Below is an extract of a very well written article which serves as a good reminder for all parents. Maybe it's time to reflect and ponder.
Obsession with paper qualifications has added a new dimension to parenting in Singapore. A good parent is often seen as the one who gives the best help possible to assist his child in the pursuit of academic excellence. The final goal of parenting, more often than not, is to help one's offspring obtain highly-paid jobs, preferably with social status attached to them. As a result many ambitious parents exert pressure on their children to excel in school work. They coax, demand, bribe or even threaten and thousands of dollars are spent on private tuition for young aspiring scholars... because of the importance placed on education, many parents tend to be over-concerned with their children's performance in school, thus sometimes unknowingly exerting unnecessary and even harmful pressures on them.
It is natural for parents to want the best for their children. Unfortunately, what a parent thinks is the best for his child may not be what the latter is capable of or is interested in doing.... Many parents are also guilty of intellectual snobbery. They are more concerned with the status rather than the well-being of their children. May would rather have their children fail at a university than have them sent to a technical college...
Another area of concern is related to the pressures and stress many parents exert on their children by involving them in all kinds of activities in order to have an "all round education". We are only too familiar with the laments of many parents over the tight schedule they have chauffering their children from one activity to another. For them life has become a hectic rush from school to music lession, tuition class, competitive games and martial art practice session, etc. leaving both parent and child very little time to relax. No doubt, no one can deny the values of engaging our children in such cultural activities, but need we make life so burdensome for our children? These activities are only helpful when they are tailored to the capacities of our children, allowing time for leisure and play. Children are young only once. We must allow them a break from the demands of a competitive school curriculum and the burden of so many extra-curricular activities.
There is yet another aspect of the paper chase. While those who can cope are caught up in the rat race, those who can't can cause problems to themselves and others. Many young people who are capable of high achievement along the academic road have fallen by the sideway because of their inability to cope with the pressures from school as well as from their parents. Child psychiatrists have found that neurosis in children could be caused by unrealistics parental pressures. These children develop symptoms such as nervous habits, withdrawal or aggressive behaviour...
By Esther Tan. One Voice, Jan-Mar 1984, pp 8-10
Obsession with paper qualifications has added a new dimension to parenting in Singapore. A good parent is often seen as the one who gives the best help possible to assist his child in the pursuit of academic excellence. The final goal of parenting, more often than not, is to help one's offspring obtain highly-paid jobs, preferably with social status attached to them. As a result many ambitious parents exert pressure on their children to excel in school work. They coax, demand, bribe or even threaten and thousands of dollars are spent on private tuition for young aspiring scholars... because of the importance placed on education, many parents tend to be over-concerned with their children's performance in school, thus sometimes unknowingly exerting unnecessary and even harmful pressures on them.
It is natural for parents to want the best for their children. Unfortunately, what a parent thinks is the best for his child may not be what the latter is capable of or is interested in doing.... Many parents are also guilty of intellectual snobbery. They are more concerned with the status rather than the well-being of their children. May would rather have their children fail at a university than have them sent to a technical college...
Another area of concern is related to the pressures and stress many parents exert on their children by involving them in all kinds of activities in order to have an "all round education". We are only too familiar with the laments of many parents over the tight schedule they have chauffering their children from one activity to another. For them life has become a hectic rush from school to music lession, tuition class, competitive games and martial art practice session, etc. leaving both parent and child very little time to relax. No doubt, no one can deny the values of engaging our children in such cultural activities, but need we make life so burdensome for our children? These activities are only helpful when they are tailored to the capacities of our children, allowing time for leisure and play. Children are young only once. We must allow them a break from the demands of a competitive school curriculum and the burden of so many extra-curricular activities.
There is yet another aspect of the paper chase. While those who can cope are caught up in the rat race, those who can't can cause problems to themselves and others. Many young people who are capable of high achievement along the academic road have fallen by the sideway because of their inability to cope with the pressures from school as well as from their parents. Child psychiatrists have found that neurosis in children could be caused by unrealistics parental pressures. These children develop symptoms such as nervous habits, withdrawal or aggressive behaviour...
By Esther Tan. One Voice, Jan-Mar 1984, pp 8-10
Thursday, July 24, 2008
How much milk does my baby need?
In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Some breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby's age or weight between one and six months. Breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until -- sometime after six months, depending in baby's intake from other foods -- baby's milk intake begins to decrease gradually.
Studies found that average breastmilk intake to be:
750 ml per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk in typical range of 570-900 ml per day.
875 ml per day at 7 months
550 ml per day at 11-16 months.
400-550 ml per day between 12 and 24 months
300-360 ml per day between 24 and 36 months
There is also a formula for estimating the amount of milk to offer a breastfed baby at a feed. Take your baby's weight (in pounds) and multiply by 2.5 (oz). Or take your baby's weight (in kg) and multiply by 156 ml. Divide by the average number of feedings in a 24-hour period. This will equal the amount of mother's milk per feeding. Remember that this is theoretical -- all babies are unique and have different needs.
Formula:
1 pound of weight needs 2.5 oz
1 kg of weight needs 156 ml
Sources:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#solids
http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight.htm
Studies found that average breastmilk intake to be:
750 ml per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk in typical range of 570-900 ml per day.
875 ml per day at 7 months
550 ml per day at 11-16 months.
400-550 ml per day between 12 and 24 months
300-360 ml per day between 24 and 36 months
There is also a formula for estimating the amount of milk to offer a breastfed baby at a feed. Take your baby's weight (in pounds) and multiply by 2.5 (oz). Or take your baby's weight (in kg) and multiply by 156 ml. Divide by the average number of feedings in a 24-hour period. This will equal the amount of mother's milk per feeding. Remember that this is theoretical -- all babies are unique and have different needs.
Formula:
1 pound of weight needs 2.5 oz
1 kg of weight needs 156 ml
Sources:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html#solids
http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight.htm
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Are your kids drinking too much juices?
If your toddler has recently lost his interest in food, do check if he is drinking too much juices. Too much juices can spoil a kid's appetite, at the same time not good for digestion. Read this:
Avoid fruit juice drinks because they contain a lot of sugar. Sugary drinks and juice can fill toddler's up and decrease their intake of more nutritious foods. Limit juice to about 125mL (½ cup) per day. If fruit juice is given it should be diluted with water and only in small amounts. Choose 100% fruit juice and avoid sugary fruit drinks.
Juices fill kids with empty calories. Fruit juices can fill kids up so that they're not hungry at the dinner table and are too full to eat more nutritious foods. Certain juices are associated with tummy troubles. Some fruit juices -- including apple, pear, and prune -- contain sorbitol, a naturally occurring but problematic sugar alcohol. Because sorbitol is not completely absorbed in the small bowel, it makes its way to the large bowel where it ferments and produces gas. In addition, many of the juices that contain sorbitol also have an imbalance in the ratio of the sugars fructose and glucose, which may reduce fructose absorption. These factors can lead to cramps, diarrhea, or loss of appetite in a child. Several studies have reported this malabsorption, or incomplete digestion.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Baby talk?
Baby talk is a nonstandard form of speech used by adults in talking to toddlers and infants, characterized by the shortening and simplifying of words, and more so, the repetition of words, as in cat-cat, car-car, bird-bird, especially in the Singapore context. It is so common to hear parents saying to their babies, "Look at that bird-bird!" while pointing to the bird in the sky, or simplying exclaiming "car-car, dog-dog!!!" in their eagerness to teach their kids.
While many researchers have argued that baby talk is more effective than regular speech in getting an infant's attention and studies have also shown that infants actually prefer to listen to this type of speech, we must know that children understand more than what they can say, so teach them the correct word (and pronunciation) from the start! Try not to simplify words like calling a banana "nana". Children are likely to initially struggle to say a word like “banana” correctly, perhaps saying “nana” instead. However, it’s important that adults continue to model the correct pronunciation. Aim to indirectly follow up an incorrect pronunciation from a child with your own correct model, as just hearing how it should be said in the right context is helpful to children.
Some examples of widely-used baby talk words in Singapore include:
bird bird (birds)
car car (cars)
cat cat (cats)
dada (dad, daddy)
dog dog (dogs)
milk milk (milk)
nana (banana)
num num ( food/dinner)
poo-poo (pass motion)
shee-shee (pee, urinate)
Instead of struggling to correct your kids' language when they grow up, why not start with the correct foundation now?
While many researchers have argued that baby talk is more effective than regular speech in getting an infant's attention and studies have also shown that infants actually prefer to listen to this type of speech, we must know that children understand more than what they can say, so teach them the correct word (and pronunciation) from the start! Try not to simplify words like calling a banana "nana". Children are likely to initially struggle to say a word like “banana” correctly, perhaps saying “nana” instead. However, it’s important that adults continue to model the correct pronunciation. Aim to indirectly follow up an incorrect pronunciation from a child with your own correct model, as just hearing how it should be said in the right context is helpful to children.
Some examples of widely-used baby talk words in Singapore include:
bird bird (birds)
car car (cars)
cat cat (cats)
dada (dad, daddy)
dog dog (dogs)
milk milk (milk)
nana (banana)
num num ( food/dinner)
poo-poo (pass motion)
shee-shee (pee, urinate)
Instead of struggling to correct your kids' language when they grow up, why not start with the correct foundation now?
Monday, June 16, 2008
What formula milk do you use and why?
Milk powder for kids are getting more and more expensive with the current inflation. Which brand do you buy for your children? And why? Can share with our mothers here?
Enfrapro A+ stage 2 follow-up formula /1.8kg for $36.20
Enfragrow A+ stage 3 grow up milk / 900g for $24.60
Enfrakid A+ Stage 4 grow up milk / 1.8kg for $39.50
Gain IQ 1+ growing up / 1.8kg for $51.20 / 900g for $26.70
GAIN IQ Kid 3+ Growing up / $1.8kg for $45.90 / 900g for $24.50
Pediasure
/ 1.8kg for $57.50 / 900g for $29.70
Similac Stage 2 follow-on / 900g for $34.10
Promil Gold 2 followup / 900g for $29.00
Prices quoted are from NTUC Fairprice (16 Jun 2008)
Enfrapro A+ stage 2 follow-up formula /1.8kg for $36.20
Enfragrow A+ stage 3 grow up milk / 900g for $24.60
Enfrakid A+ Stage 4 grow up milk / 1.8kg for $39.50
Gain IQ 1+ growing up / 1.8kg for $51.20 / 900g for $26.70
GAIN IQ Kid 3+ Growing up / $1.8kg for $45.90 / 900g for $24.50
Pediasure
/ 1.8kg for $57.50 / 900g for $29.70Similac Stage 2 follow-on / 900g for $34.10
Promil Gold 2 followup / 900g for $29.00
Prices quoted are from NTUC Fairprice (16 Jun 2008)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Beneficial kids' programmes on Playhouse Disney channel
Here are some educational TV programmes on Playhouse Disney channel for your kids:
Little Einsteins
Little Einsteins features four children (which include two boys and two girls) — Leo, June, Quincy, and Annie — along with their intelligent and transformable "Rocket". In each episode they embark on an adventure (or "mission") to solve some problem or help a new friend. These missions take them to far-flung locations including foreign countries and "extreme" environments such as Antarctica, underwater, or outer space. The show was designed to teach art and music appreciation by integrating famous or culturally significant art works and classical music into the scenery, plot, and soundtrack of each episode.
Mickeymouse clubhouse
This show, which stars Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto focuses on interacting with the kids to stimulate problem solving. Each episode will aim to "solve a specific age-appropriate problem utilizing basic skills, such as identifying shapes and counting through ten." Mickey and friends also get aid from a computerized flying machine named Tootles, who brings "Mouse-ka-tools" to them, where one of the tools is a "Mystery Mouse-ka-tool", which Mickey and friends will prompt the kids to guess what the surprise tool is.
Hi-5
Hi-5 is a children's television program, based on the original Australian TV show.The show was so popular in Australia that an American group assembled to form its very own Hi-5. The band comprises 5 cast members who perform to preschoolers. Their shows are made into DVDs and aired on Playhouse Disney channel. Each show has its specific theme like Senses, animals, machines, adventure, and wonderful songs and dance.
Pocoyo
Pocoyo is a fantastic pre-school animated cartoon series about a young boy who dresses in blue and who is full of curiosity, loves to play games and discover new things. Kids are encouraged to recognise situations that Pocoyo is in, and things that are going on with or around him. Pocoyo's world is set in a 3D space, with a plain white background and has no backdrops. Pato, Elly, Loula and Sleepy Bird are his friends! The show teaches good morals like sharing things with friends, say sorry when you are wrong, etc. Each character has its own distinctive dance, and most episodes end with the characters dancing.
Danny & Daddy
It is an interactive animation series in which Danny, a boy with a lot of imagination draws pictures starting from very simple drawings, and gradually creating what will be its final form, and Daddy and audience must guess what he is drawing. Each episode is a single picture full of ingenious creativity that stimulate the imagination of children.
Little Einsteins
Little Einsteins features four children (which include two boys and two girls) — Leo, June, Quincy, and Annie — along with their intelligent and transformable "Rocket". In each episode they embark on an adventure (or "mission") to solve some problem or help a new friend. These missions take them to far-flung locations including foreign countries and "extreme" environments such as Antarctica, underwater, or outer space. The show was designed to teach art and music appreciation by integrating famous or culturally significant art works and classical music into the scenery, plot, and soundtrack of each episode.
Mickeymouse clubhouse
This show, which stars Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto focuses on interacting with the kids to stimulate problem solving. Each episode will aim to "solve a specific age-appropriate problem utilizing basic skills, such as identifying shapes and counting through ten." Mickey and friends also get aid from a computerized flying machine named Tootles, who brings "Mouse-ka-tools" to them, where one of the tools is a "Mystery Mouse-ka-tool", which Mickey and friends will prompt the kids to guess what the surprise tool is.
Hi-5
Hi-5 is a children's television program, based on the original Australian TV show.The show was so popular in Australia that an American group assembled to form its very own Hi-5. The band comprises 5 cast members who perform to preschoolers. Their shows are made into DVDs and aired on Playhouse Disney channel. Each show has its specific theme like Senses, animals, machines, adventure, and wonderful songs and dance.
Pocoyo
Pocoyo is a fantastic pre-school animated cartoon series about a young boy who dresses in blue and who is full of curiosity, loves to play games and discover new things. Kids are encouraged to recognise situations that Pocoyo is in, and things that are going on with or around him. Pocoyo's world is set in a 3D space, with a plain white background and has no backdrops. Pato, Elly, Loula and Sleepy Bird are his friends! The show teaches good morals like sharing things with friends, say sorry when you are wrong, etc. Each character has its own distinctive dance, and most episodes end with the characters dancing.
Danny & Daddy
It is an interactive animation series in which Danny, a boy with a lot of imagination draws pictures starting from very simple drawings, and gradually creating what will be its final form, and Daddy and audience must guess what he is drawing. Each episode is a single picture full of ingenious creativity that stimulate the imagination of children.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Use of hand sanitiser in small children
Parents, be warned. Hand sanitizer can be hazardous to children if ingested. Read this:
Despite their obvious benefits, hand sanitizers can pose a very serious health risk. In recent months, several stories have circulated concerning individuals, most of them children, who were harmed by being left unsupervised with access to a hand sanitizer, such as Purell. Other children became very ill after just licking the sanitizer from their hands.
Apparently a little girl named Halle Butler ingested enough of the hand saitizer given to her at school to be come seriously ill. She was taken to the emergency room, and, thank goodness, recovered.
Hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol, so she and another little girl mentioned in another story who ate it after being given a dollop of it by a teacher got alcohol poisoning from ingesting the hand sanitizer.
Although both stories contain incorrect or dubious information such as Halle's blood alcohol level being at 85%, or that someone found "on the Internet" that ingesting three squirts of hand sanitizer can prove fatal to a toddler, the thought is still the same: Kids WILL put anything into their mouths.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Stages of labour
The process of labour and birth is divided into three stages.
The first stage begins with the onset of contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases: early (or latent) and active labor.
During early labor, your cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens). That's followed by active labor, when your cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together. People often refer to the last part of active labor as transition.
The second stage of labor begins once you're fully dilated and ends with the birth of your baby. This is sometimes referred to as the pushing stage.
The third and final stage begins right after the birth of your baby and ends with the separation and subsequent delivery of the placenta.
Every pregnancy is different, and there's wide variation in the length of labor. For first-time moms who are at least 37 weeks along, labor often takes between ten and 20 hours. For some women, though, it lasts much longer, while for others it's over much sooner. Labor generally progresses more quickly for women who've already given birth vaginally.
First stage: Early labor
Once your contractions are coming at relatively regular intervals and your cervix begins to progressively dilate and efface, you're officially in early labor. But unless your labor starts suddenly and you go from no contractions to fairly regular contractions right away, it can be tricky to determine exactly when true labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that may immediately precede them and contribute to so-called false labor.
If you're not yet at 37 weeks and you're noticing contractions or other signs of labor, call your caregiver immediately so she can determine whether you're in preterm labor.
During early labor, your contractions will gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. While the experience of labor varies widely, it might start with contractions coming every ten minutes and lasting 30 seconds each.
Eventually they'll be coming every five minutes and lasting 40 to 60 seconds each as you reach the end of early labor. Some women have much more frequent contractions during this phase, but the contractions will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute.
Sometimes early labor contractions are quite painful, even though they may be dilating your cervix much more slowly than you'd like. If your labor is typical, however, your early contractions won't require the same attention that later ones will.
You'll probably be able to talk through them and putter around the house. You may even feel like taking a short walk. If you feel like relaxing instead, take a warm bath, watch a video, or doze off between contractions if you can.
You may notice an increase in mucusy vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood — the so-called bloody show. This is perfectly normal, but if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your caregiver. Also call if your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions yet.
Otherwise, if you're at least 37 weeks along and your caregiver hasn't advised you differently, expect to sit out early labor at home. (When to call your midwife or doctor and when she's likely to have you go to the hospital or birth center are things to discuss ahead of time at your prenatal visits.)
Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to accelerate.
First stage: Active labor
Active labor is when things really get rolling. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger, and your cervix begins dilating more quickly, going from about 4 to 10 centimeters. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, is called transition, which is described separately in the next section.)
In contrast to early labor, you'll no longer be able to talk through the contractions. Toward the end of active labor your baby may begin to descend, although he might have started to descend earlier or he might not start until the next stage.
As a general rule, once you've had regular, painful contractions (each lasting about 60 seconds) every five minutes for an hour, it's time to call your midwife or doctor and head to the hospital or birth center. Some prefer a call sooner, so clarify this with your caregiver ahead of time.
In most cases, the frequency of contractions eventually increases to every two and a half to three minutes, although some women never have them more often than every five minutes, even during transition.
Transition
The last part of active labor — when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering.
By the time your cervix is fully dilated and transition is over, your baby has usually descended somewhat into your pelvis. This is when you might begin to feel rectal pressure, as if you have to move your bowels. Some women begin to bear down spontaneously — to "push" — and may even start making deep grunting sounds at this point.
There's often a lot of bloody discharge. You may also feel nauseated or even vomit now.
Some babies, however, descend earlier and the mom feels the urge to push before she's fully dilated. And others don't descend significantly until later, in which case the mom may reach full dilation without feeling any rectal pressure. It's different for every woman and with every birth.
If you've had an epidural, the pressure you'll feel will depend on the type and amount of medication you're getting and how low the baby is in your pelvis. If you'd like to be a more active participant in the pushing stage, ask to have your epidural dose lowered at the end of transition.
Second stage: Pushing
Once your cervix is fully dilated, the work of the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. At the beginning of the second stage, your contractions may be a little further apart, giving you the chance for a much-needed rest between them.
Many women find their contractions in the second stage easier to handle than the contractions in active labor because bearing down offers some relief. Others don't like the sensation of pushing.
If your baby's very low in your pelvis, you may feel an involuntary urge to push early in the second stage (and sometimes even before). But if your baby's still relatively high, you probably won't have this sensation right away.
As your uterus contracts, it exerts pressure on your baby, moving him down the birth canal. So if everything's going well, you might want to take it slowly and let your uterus do the work until you feel the urge to push. Waiting a while may leave you less exhausted and frustrated in the end.
However, in many hospitals it's still routine practice to coach women to push with each contraction in an effort to speed up the baby's descent — so let your caregiver know if you'd prefer to wait until you feel a spontaneous urge to bear down.
If you have an epidural, the loss of sensation can blunt the urge to push, so you may not feel it until your baby's head has descended quite a bit. Patience often works wonders. In some cases, though, you'll eventually need explicit directions to help you push effectively.
Your baby's descent may be rapid or, especially if this is your first, gradual. With each contraction, the force of your uterus — combined with the force of your abdominal muscles if you're actively pushing — exerts pressure on your baby to continue to move down through the birth canal. When a contraction is over and your uterus is relaxed, your baby's head will recede slightly in a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of progression.
Try different positions for pushing until you find one that feels right and is effective for you. It's not unusual to use a variety of positions during the second stage.
After a time, your perineum (the tissue between your vagina and rectum) will begin to bulge with each push, and before long your baby's scalp will become visible — a very exciting moment and a sign that the end is in sight. You can ask for a mirror to get that first glimpse of your baby, or you may simply want to reach down and touch the top of his head.
Now the urge to push becomes even more compelling. With each contraction, more and more of your baby's head becomes visible. The pressure of his head on your perineum feels very intense, and you may notice a strong burning or stinging sensation as your tissue begins to stretch.
At some point, your caregiver may ask you to push more gently or to stop pushing altogether so your baby's head has a chance to gradually stretch out your vaginal opening and perineum. A slow, controlled delivery can help keep your perineum from tearing. By now, the urge to push may be so overwhelming that you'll be coached to blow or pant during contractions to help counter it.
Your baby's head continues to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the time when the widest part of his head is finally visible. The excitement in the room will grow as your baby's face begins to appear: his forehead, his nose, his mouth, and, finally, his chin.
After your baby's head emerges, your doctor or midwife will suction his mouth and nose and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. (No need to worry. If the cord is around his neck, your caregiver will either slip it over his head or, if need be, clamp and cut it.)
His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside your pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders emerge, one at a time, followed by his body.
Once your baby hits the atmosphere, he needs to be kept warm and will be dried off with a towel. Your doctor or midwife may quickly suction your baby's mouth and nasal passages again if he seems to have a lot of mucus.
If there are no complications, he'll be lifted onto your bare belly so you can touch, kiss, and simply marvel at him. The skin-to-skin contact will keep your baby nice and toasty, and he'll be covered with a warm blanket — and perhaps given his first hat — to prevent heat loss.
Your caregiver will clamp the umbilical cord in two places and then cut between the two clamps — or your partner can do the honors.
You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name but a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.
Third stage: Delivering the placenta
Minutes after giving birth, your uterus begins to contract again. The first few contractions usually separate the placenta from your uterine wall. When your caregiver sees signs of separation, she may ask you to gently push to help expel the placenta. This is usually one short push that's not at all difficult or painful.
How long the third stage lasts
On average, the third stage of labor takes about five to ten minutes.
And then what?
After you deliver the placenta, your uterus should contract and get very firm. You'll be able to feel the top of it in your belly, around the level of your navel.
Your caregiver, and later your nurse, will periodically check to see that your uterus remains firm, and massage it if it isn't. This is important because the contraction of the uterus helps cut off and collapse the open blood vessels at the site where the placenta was attached. If your uterus doesn't contract properly, you'll continue to bleed profusely from those vessels.
If you're planning to breastfeed, you can do so now if you and your baby are both willing. Not all babies are eager to nurse in the minutes after birth, but try holding your baby's lips close to your breast for a little while. Most babies will eventually begin to nurse in the first hour or so after birth if given the chance.
Early nursing is good for your baby and can be deeply satisfying for you. What's more, nursing triggers the release of oxytocin, the same hormone that causes contractions, which helps your uterus stay firm and well contracted.
If you're not going to nurse or your uterus isn't firm, you'll be given oxytocin to help it contract. (Some providers routinely give it to all women at this point). If you're bleeding excessively, you'll be treated for that as well.
Your contractions at this point are relatively mild. By now your focus has shifted to your baby, and you may be oblivious to everything else going on around you. If this is your first baby, you may feel only a few contractions after you've delivered the placenta. If you've had a baby before, you may continue to feel occasional contractions for the next day or two.
These so-called afterbirth pains can feel like strong menstrual cramps. If they bother you, ask for pain medication. You may also have the chills or feel very shaky. This is perfectly normal and won't last long. Don't hesitate to ask for a warm blanket if you need one.
Your caregiver will examine the placenta to make sure it's all there. Then she'll check you thoroughly to spot any tears that need to be stitched.
If you tore or had an episiotomy, you'll get an injection of a local anesthetic before being sutured. You may want to hold your newborn while you're getting stitches — it can be a great distraction. If you're feeling too shaky, ask your partner to sit by your side and hold your new arrival while you look at him.
If you had an epidural, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will come by and remove the catheter from your back. This takes just a second and doesn't hurt.
Extracted from babycentre website
The first stage begins with the onset of contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases: early (or latent) and active labor.
During early labor, your cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens). That's followed by active labor, when your cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and contractions are longer, stronger, and closer together. People often refer to the last part of active labor as transition.
The second stage of labor begins once you're fully dilated and ends with the birth of your baby. This is sometimes referred to as the pushing stage.
The third and final stage begins right after the birth of your baby and ends with the separation and subsequent delivery of the placenta.
Every pregnancy is different, and there's wide variation in the length of labor. For first-time moms who are at least 37 weeks along, labor often takes between ten and 20 hours. For some women, though, it lasts much longer, while for others it's over much sooner. Labor generally progresses more quickly for women who've already given birth vaginally.
First stage: Early labor
Once your contractions are coming at relatively regular intervals and your cervix begins to progressively dilate and efface, you're officially in early labor. But unless your labor starts suddenly and you go from no contractions to fairly regular contractions right away, it can be tricky to determine exactly when true labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that may immediately precede them and contribute to so-called false labor.
If you're not yet at 37 weeks and you're noticing contractions or other signs of labor, call your caregiver immediately so she can determine whether you're in preterm labor.
During early labor, your contractions will gradually become longer, stronger, and closer together. While the experience of labor varies widely, it might start with contractions coming every ten minutes and lasting 30 seconds each.
Eventually they'll be coming every five minutes and lasting 40 to 60 seconds each as you reach the end of early labor. Some women have much more frequent contractions during this phase, but the contractions will still tend to be mild and last less than a minute.
Sometimes early labor contractions are quite painful, even though they may be dilating your cervix much more slowly than you'd like. If your labor is typical, however, your early contractions won't require the same attention that later ones will.
You'll probably be able to talk through them and putter around the house. You may even feel like taking a short walk. If you feel like relaxing instead, take a warm bath, watch a video, or doze off between contractions if you can.
You may notice an increase in mucusy vaginal discharge, which may be tinged with blood — the so-called bloody show. This is perfectly normal, but if you see more than a tinge of blood, be sure to call your caregiver. Also call if your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions yet.
Otherwise, if you're at least 37 weeks along and your caregiver hasn't advised you differently, expect to sit out early labor at home. (When to call your midwife or doctor and when she's likely to have you go to the hospital or birth center are things to discuss ahead of time at your prenatal visits.)
Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to accelerate.
First stage: Active labor
Active labor is when things really get rolling. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger, and your cervix begins dilating more quickly, going from about 4 to 10 centimeters. (The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters, is called transition, which is described separately in the next section.)
In contrast to early labor, you'll no longer be able to talk through the contractions. Toward the end of active labor your baby may begin to descend, although he might have started to descend earlier or he might not start until the next stage.
As a general rule, once you've had regular, painful contractions (each lasting about 60 seconds) every five minutes for an hour, it's time to call your midwife or doctor and head to the hospital or birth center. Some prefer a call sooner, so clarify this with your caregiver ahead of time.
In most cases, the frequency of contractions eventually increases to every two and a half to three minutes, although some women never have them more often than every five minutes, even during transition.
Transition
The last part of active labor — when your cervix dilates from 8 to a full 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the shift to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of labor. Contractions are usually very strong, coming every two and a half to three minutes or so and lasting a minute or more, and you may start shaking and shivering.
By the time your cervix is fully dilated and transition is over, your baby has usually descended somewhat into your pelvis. This is when you might begin to feel rectal pressure, as if you have to move your bowels. Some women begin to bear down spontaneously — to "push" — and may even start making deep grunting sounds at this point.
There's often a lot of bloody discharge. You may also feel nauseated or even vomit now.
Some babies, however, descend earlier and the mom feels the urge to push before she's fully dilated. And others don't descend significantly until later, in which case the mom may reach full dilation without feeling any rectal pressure. It's different for every woman and with every birth.
If you've had an epidural, the pressure you'll feel will depend on the type and amount of medication you're getting and how low the baby is in your pelvis. If you'd like to be a more active participant in the pushing stage, ask to have your epidural dose lowered at the end of transition.
Second stage: Pushing
Once your cervix is fully dilated, the work of the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. At the beginning of the second stage, your contractions may be a little further apart, giving you the chance for a much-needed rest between them.
Many women find their contractions in the second stage easier to handle than the contractions in active labor because bearing down offers some relief. Others don't like the sensation of pushing.
If your baby's very low in your pelvis, you may feel an involuntary urge to push early in the second stage (and sometimes even before). But if your baby's still relatively high, you probably won't have this sensation right away.
As your uterus contracts, it exerts pressure on your baby, moving him down the birth canal. So if everything's going well, you might want to take it slowly and let your uterus do the work until you feel the urge to push. Waiting a while may leave you less exhausted and frustrated in the end.
However, in many hospitals it's still routine practice to coach women to push with each contraction in an effort to speed up the baby's descent — so let your caregiver know if you'd prefer to wait until you feel a spontaneous urge to bear down.
If you have an epidural, the loss of sensation can blunt the urge to push, so you may not feel it until your baby's head has descended quite a bit. Patience often works wonders. In some cases, though, you'll eventually need explicit directions to help you push effectively.
Your baby's descent may be rapid or, especially if this is your first, gradual. With each contraction, the force of your uterus — combined with the force of your abdominal muscles if you're actively pushing — exerts pressure on your baby to continue to move down through the birth canal. When a contraction is over and your uterus is relaxed, your baby's head will recede slightly in a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of progression.
Try different positions for pushing until you find one that feels right and is effective for you. It's not unusual to use a variety of positions during the second stage.
After a time, your perineum (the tissue between your vagina and rectum) will begin to bulge with each push, and before long your baby's scalp will become visible — a very exciting moment and a sign that the end is in sight. You can ask for a mirror to get that first glimpse of your baby, or you may simply want to reach down and touch the top of his head.
Now the urge to push becomes even more compelling. With each contraction, more and more of your baby's head becomes visible. The pressure of his head on your perineum feels very intense, and you may notice a strong burning or stinging sensation as your tissue begins to stretch.
At some point, your caregiver may ask you to push more gently or to stop pushing altogether so your baby's head has a chance to gradually stretch out your vaginal opening and perineum. A slow, controlled delivery can help keep your perineum from tearing. By now, the urge to push may be so overwhelming that you'll be coached to blow or pant during contractions to help counter it.
Your baby's head continues to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the time when the widest part of his head is finally visible. The excitement in the room will grow as your baby's face begins to appear: his forehead, his nose, his mouth, and, finally, his chin.
After your baby's head emerges, your doctor or midwife will suction his mouth and nose and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. (No need to worry. If the cord is around his neck, your caregiver will either slip it over his head or, if need be, clamp and cut it.)
His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside your pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders emerge, one at a time, followed by his body.
Once your baby hits the atmosphere, he needs to be kept warm and will be dried off with a towel. Your doctor or midwife may quickly suction your baby's mouth and nasal passages again if he seems to have a lot of mucus.
If there are no complications, he'll be lifted onto your bare belly so you can touch, kiss, and simply marvel at him. The skin-to-skin contact will keep your baby nice and toasty, and he'll be covered with a warm blanket — and perhaps given his first hat — to prevent heat loss.
Your caregiver will clamp the umbilical cord in two places and then cut between the two clamps — or your partner can do the honors.
You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name but a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.
Third stage: Delivering the placenta
Minutes after giving birth, your uterus begins to contract again. The first few contractions usually separate the placenta from your uterine wall. When your caregiver sees signs of separation, she may ask you to gently push to help expel the placenta. This is usually one short push that's not at all difficult or painful.
How long the third stage lasts
On average, the third stage of labor takes about five to ten minutes.
And then what?
After you deliver the placenta, your uterus should contract and get very firm. You'll be able to feel the top of it in your belly, around the level of your navel.
Your caregiver, and later your nurse, will periodically check to see that your uterus remains firm, and massage it if it isn't. This is important because the contraction of the uterus helps cut off and collapse the open blood vessels at the site where the placenta was attached. If your uterus doesn't contract properly, you'll continue to bleed profusely from those vessels.
If you're planning to breastfeed, you can do so now if you and your baby are both willing. Not all babies are eager to nurse in the minutes after birth, but try holding your baby's lips close to your breast for a little while. Most babies will eventually begin to nurse in the first hour or so after birth if given the chance.
Early nursing is good for your baby and can be deeply satisfying for you. What's more, nursing triggers the release of oxytocin, the same hormone that causes contractions, which helps your uterus stay firm and well contracted.
If you're not going to nurse or your uterus isn't firm, you'll be given oxytocin to help it contract. (Some providers routinely give it to all women at this point). If you're bleeding excessively, you'll be treated for that as well.
Your contractions at this point are relatively mild. By now your focus has shifted to your baby, and you may be oblivious to everything else going on around you. If this is your first baby, you may feel only a few contractions after you've delivered the placenta. If you've had a baby before, you may continue to feel occasional contractions for the next day or two.
These so-called afterbirth pains can feel like strong menstrual cramps. If they bother you, ask for pain medication. You may also have the chills or feel very shaky. This is perfectly normal and won't last long. Don't hesitate to ask for a warm blanket if you need one.
Your caregiver will examine the placenta to make sure it's all there. Then she'll check you thoroughly to spot any tears that need to be stitched.
If you tore or had an episiotomy, you'll get an injection of a local anesthetic before being sutured. You may want to hold your newborn while you're getting stitches — it can be a great distraction. If you're feeling too shaky, ask your partner to sit by your side and hold your new arrival while you look at him.
If you had an epidural, an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will come by and remove the catheter from your back. This takes just a second and doesn't hurt.
Extracted from babycentre website
Allergic reactions to mosquito bites in children
Mosquitoes are flying, biting insects that are closely related to flies and gnats. Only the female mosquito feeds on humans, and she needs a blood meal in order to produce eggs. During a feeding, the female mosquito bites the human skin, and injects saliva. The saliva contains various proteins that prevent the blood from clotting, as well as proteins that keep the blood flowing into the mosquito’s mouth.
Many of the mosquito saliva proteins can cause immune reactions, including allergic reactions. If you are like most people with sensitive skin, you may find that you have a mosquito bite allergy. A mosquito bite allergy will appear as a very red swollen and itchy bump or bumps where mosquitoes have bitten. The allergic reaction is a reaction to the digestive enzymes and anti-coagulants that the female mosquito injects before sucking blood from your body.For the most part, children and adolescents are more likely to have a mosquito bite allergy than adults who have become immune to the mosquito’s saliva.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Home-made cough remedies for kids
If your child is down with cough and it has last so long, exhausting all medicines, don't give up! Try other natural home made remedies. They might work.
Cough remedy 1
The simplest and the easiest: drink a lot of fluid.
Cough remedy 2
Freshly squeezed lemon juice ( 1/2 a lemon )
Mix with a little bit of drinking water and drink immediately.
You can take this as many times as you want.
Cough remedy 3
1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Stir mixture in a little bit of drinking water and drink.
Active Manuka honey and propolis have been commonly used as ingredients in the home remedy for cough because of their strong antibacterial properties.
Cough remedy 4
Mix a syrup consisting of 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, mix and drink.
Cough remedy 5
Boil some water with 2 garlic cloves, 1 table spoon of oregano. Pour into a cup add 1 tablespoon of honey and drink.
Some researchers believe that honey, a traditional, natural home remedy for cough offer a safe alternative to dextromethorphan (DM), which can occasionally cause severe side-effects in children, including muscle contractions and spasms. So, try honey!
And not forgetting lots and lots of water.
Cough remedy 1
The simplest and the easiest: drink a lot of fluid.
Cough remedy 2
Freshly squeezed lemon juice ( 1/2 a lemon )
Mix with a little bit of drinking water and drink immediately.
You can take this as many times as you want.
Cough remedy 3
1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Stir mixture in a little bit of drinking water and drink.
Active Manuka honey and propolis have been commonly used as ingredients in the home remedy for cough because of their strong antibacterial properties.
Cough remedy 4
Mix a syrup consisting of 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, mix and drink.
Cough remedy 5
Boil some water with 2 garlic cloves, 1 table spoon of oregano. Pour into a cup add 1 tablespoon of honey and drink.
Some researchers believe that honey, a traditional, natural home remedy for cough offer a safe alternative to dextromethorphan (DM), which can occasionally cause severe side-effects in children, including muscle contractions and spasms. So, try honey!
And not forgetting lots and lots of water.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Coughs in kids
Coughs are one of the most frequent symptoms of childhood illness. Cough is generally a response to some irritating condition such as inflammation or the presence of mucus in the respiratory tract. In fact, coughing is a healthy and important reflex that helps clear the airways in the throat and chest.
Here's some guidance on different types of coughs and the kinds of conditions they're typically associated with.
"Barky" Cough
Barky coughs are usually caused by an inflammation or swelling in the upper part of the airway. Most often barky coughs are caused by croup, an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).
Croup can be brought on by allergies, change in temperature at night or, most commonly, a viral upper respiratory infection. When a young child's airway becomes inflamed, it may swell near, or just below, the vocal cords, making it harder to breathe. Children younger than 3 years of age tend to get croup because their windpipes are narrow.
Croup can come on suddenly, and in the middle of the night, when your child is at rest. Often it's accompanied by stridor, a noisy, harsh breathing (some doctors describe it as a coarse, musical sound) that occurs when a child inhales (breathes in).
"Whooping" Cough
Whooping cough is another name used to refer to the illness pertussis, an infection of the respiratory tract that's caused by a type of bacteria called bordetella pertussis. The illness is marked by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when a child breathes in. Other symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low-grade fever.
Cough With Wheezing
When coughing is accompanied by a wheezing sound as your child exhales, it may be a sign that your child's lower airway is inflamed. There is also the possibility, particularly in a younger child, that the lower airway is being blocked by a foreign object or mucus from a respiratory infection.
Nighttime Cough
Lots of coughs get worse at night because the congestion in a child's nose and sinuses drains down the throat and causes irritation while the child lies in bed. Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughs because the airways tend to be more sensitive and become more irritable at night.
Daytime Cough
Allergies, asthma, colds, and other respiratory infections are the usual culprits of daytime coughs. Cold air or activity can make these coughs worse, and they often subside at night or when the child is resting. It's a good idea to make sure that nothing in your house - like air freshener, pets, or smoke (especially tobacco smoke) - is making your child cough.
Cough With a Fever
If your child has a cough, mild fever, and runny nose, chances are that he or she has a common cold. But coughs with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius or higher can mean pneumonia, particularly if your child is listless and breathing fast. In this case, call your child's doctor immediately.
Cough With Vomiting
Children often cough so much that it triggers their gag reflex, making them throw up. Usually, this is not cause for alarm unless the vomiting persists. Also, if your child has a cough with a cold or an asthma flare-up, he or she may throw up if lots of mucus drains into the stomach and causes nausea.
Persistent Cough
Coughs caused by colds can last weeks, especially if your child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or breathing passages might also be responsible for these persistent coughs. If the cough lasts for 3 weeks, notify your child's doctor.
Home remedies
Try running a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier, and encourage your child to drink more fluids, especially water. Both methods help keep the mucus in the nose and chest looser and make it easier for her to move mucus up and out of the lungs. Hard candy or lozenges are good for coughs in children older than 4 (younger children may choke on them). You can also try warm liquids or tea with honey and lemon to a child above age of 1. There's no evidence to support the belief that milk products increase mucus production, so if your sick child wants a glass of milk, you needn't say no.
Here's some guidance on different types of coughs and the kinds of conditions they're typically associated with.
"Barky" Cough
Barky coughs are usually caused by an inflammation or swelling in the upper part of the airway. Most often barky coughs are caused by croup, an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).
Croup can be brought on by allergies, change in temperature at night or, most commonly, a viral upper respiratory infection. When a young child's airway becomes inflamed, it may swell near, or just below, the vocal cords, making it harder to breathe. Children younger than 3 years of age tend to get croup because their windpipes are narrow.
Croup can come on suddenly, and in the middle of the night, when your child is at rest. Often it's accompanied by stridor, a noisy, harsh breathing (some doctors describe it as a coarse, musical sound) that occurs when a child inhales (breathes in).
"Whooping" Cough
Whooping cough is another name used to refer to the illness pertussis, an infection of the respiratory tract that's caused by a type of bacteria called bordetella pertussis. The illness is marked by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when a child breathes in. Other symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and a low-grade fever.
Cough With Wheezing
When coughing is accompanied by a wheezing sound as your child exhales, it may be a sign that your child's lower airway is inflamed. There is also the possibility, particularly in a younger child, that the lower airway is being blocked by a foreign object or mucus from a respiratory infection.
Nighttime Cough
Lots of coughs get worse at night because the congestion in a child's nose and sinuses drains down the throat and causes irritation while the child lies in bed. Asthma can also trigger nighttime coughs because the airways tend to be more sensitive and become more irritable at night.
Daytime Cough
Allergies, asthma, colds, and other respiratory infections are the usual culprits of daytime coughs. Cold air or activity can make these coughs worse, and they often subside at night or when the child is resting. It's a good idea to make sure that nothing in your house - like air freshener, pets, or smoke (especially tobacco smoke) - is making your child cough.
Cough With a Fever
If your child has a cough, mild fever, and runny nose, chances are that he or she has a common cold. But coughs with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius or higher can mean pneumonia, particularly if your child is listless and breathing fast. In this case, call your child's doctor immediately.
Cough With Vomiting
Children often cough so much that it triggers their gag reflex, making them throw up. Usually, this is not cause for alarm unless the vomiting persists. Also, if your child has a cough with a cold or an asthma flare-up, he or she may throw up if lots of mucus drains into the stomach and causes nausea.
Persistent Cough
Coughs caused by colds can last weeks, especially if your child has one cold right after another. Asthma, allergies, or a chronic infection in the sinuses or breathing passages might also be responsible for these persistent coughs. If the cough lasts for 3 weeks, notify your child's doctor.
Home remedies
Try running a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier, and encourage your child to drink more fluids, especially water. Both methods help keep the mucus in the nose and chest looser and make it easier for her to move mucus up and out of the lungs. Hard candy or lozenges are good for coughs in children older than 4 (younger children may choke on them). You can also try warm liquids or tea with honey and lemon to a child above age of 1. There's no evidence to support the belief that milk products increase mucus production, so if your sick child wants a glass of milk, you needn't say no.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Kid-friendly eateries
Globetrotters
Where: 101 Thomson Road, 02-02 United Square, tel: 6356-5285
Open: 8am to 10pm (weekdays), 9am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
What: Kid and baby menus available, glassed-in play area with play structure and toys, colouring sheets and puzzles for older children, activities like pizza decoration at the kids' bar and cooking workshops
Disney Naturally
Where: 370 Alexandra Road 01-05/06 Anchorpoint, tel: 6479-2823
Open: 10.30am to 10pm (weekdays), 10am to 10pm (weekends)
What: Play area with computer terminals dedicated to Disney games. Screening of Disney movies and cartoons on giant screen. Games and play sheets with quizzes at every table which cater to kids of different ages
One-Ninety (Sunday Brunch)
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard, tel: 6831-7250
Open: 11.15am to 3.30pm (Sundays only)
What: Play area with a bouncy castle, video screenings, face-painting and other activities. Mini-buffet with kids' favourites such as mini burgers and French fries. Child minders are around to take care of the children
Food Junction @ Great World City
Where: B1-15 Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, tel: 6736-2030
Open: 10.30am to 10pm daily
What: Five of the 20 stalls have kids' menus and the food court uses a world map as a design theme. There is also a fun corner for youngsters equipped with rocking horses and other toys which is used as a venue for ad hoc story-telling sessions
Ikea restaurant @ Ikea Tampines
Where: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, tel: 6786-6868
Open: 9.30am to 10pm daily
What: Play Tent featuring children's and various smaller play stations throughout the restaurant. Kids' menu available. Baby food is sold at the restaurant and two microwave ovens are available for warming milk bottles
The Ranch Home @ Dempsey Hill
Where: Block 8, Dempsey Road, 01-14, tel: 6473-3231
Open: Various times, check by calling
What: The Ranch houses two restaurants - CA * California serves healthy fare like sandwiches while Ben & Jerry's sells premium ice cream. The homey, rustic touches include couches, outdoor swings and little cosy corners for play
Pasta de Waraku
Where: 10 Sinaran Drive, 01-07 Square 2, tel: 6397-6266
Open: 11.30am to 11pm daily
What: Kids' food served on plates with dinosaur designs and cutlery with either Pokemon or Hello Kitty designs. All youngsters receive a gift, ranging from toys to stationery. Kids' menu available with complimentary drink and dessert for each set meal
Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
Where: 52 North Bridge Road B1-44E Raffles City Shopping Centre, tel: 6837-3793
Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily
What: Play area featuring three sets of toys placed on low tables
Source: Sunday Times, 24 Feb 2008, Life!, P. L34
Where: 101 Thomson Road, 02-02 United Square, tel: 6356-5285
Open: 8am to 10pm (weekdays), 9am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
What: Kid and baby menus available, glassed-in play area with play structure and toys, colouring sheets and puzzles for older children, activities like pizza decoration at the kids' bar and cooking workshops
Disney Naturally
Where: 370 Alexandra Road 01-05/06 Anchorpoint, tel: 6479-2823
Open: 10.30am to 10pm (weekdays), 10am to 10pm (weekends)
What: Play area with computer terminals dedicated to Disney games. Screening of Disney movies and cartoons on giant screen. Games and play sheets with quizzes at every table which cater to kids of different ages
One-Ninety (Sunday Brunch)
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard, tel: 6831-7250
Open: 11.15am to 3.30pm (Sundays only)
What: Play area with a bouncy castle, video screenings, face-painting and other activities. Mini-buffet with kids' favourites such as mini burgers and French fries. Child minders are around to take care of the children
Food Junction @ Great World City
Where: B1-15 Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, tel: 6736-2030
Open: 10.30am to 10pm daily
What: Five of the 20 stalls have kids' menus and the food court uses a world map as a design theme. There is also a fun corner for youngsters equipped with rocking horses and other toys which is used as a venue for ad hoc story-telling sessions
Ikea restaurant @ Ikea Tampines
Where: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, tel: 6786-6868
Open: 9.30am to 10pm daily
What: Play Tent featuring children's and various smaller play stations throughout the restaurant. Kids' menu available. Baby food is sold at the restaurant and two microwave ovens are available for warming milk bottles
The Ranch Home @ Dempsey Hill
Where: Block 8, Dempsey Road, 01-14, tel: 6473-3231
Open: Various times, check by calling
What: The Ranch houses two restaurants - CA * California serves healthy fare like sandwiches while Ben & Jerry's sells premium ice cream. The homey, rustic touches include couches, outdoor swings and little cosy corners for play
Pasta de Waraku
Where: 10 Sinaran Drive, 01-07 Square 2, tel: 6397-6266
Open: 11.30am to 11pm daily
What: Kids' food served on plates with dinosaur designs and cutlery with either Pokemon or Hello Kitty designs. All youngsters receive a gift, ranging from toys to stationery. Kids' menu available with complimentary drink and dessert for each set meal
Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
Where: 52 North Bridge Road B1-44E Raffles City Shopping Centre, tel: 6837-3793
Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily
What: Play area featuring three sets of toys placed on low tables
Source: Sunday Times, 24 Feb 2008, Life!, P. L34
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