Baby Talk January 2019

Editor’s Note 

Published by: 

Where will this year take you? 

It’s 2019 and although the year has just begun, can’t you just feel the possibilities that 

await you in your journey as parents? Of all the resolutions one can make, to be a better 

parent has to be one of the most notable ones, for it is directly linked to a selfless kind of 

love; The love of a parent towards their child or children. To be a better parent means to 

provide the best guidance to your offspring and to of course, to provide for them. The 

early developing years, as we all know, is a critical time in the life of a little child, for it’s 

when the body and brain undergo rapid development as well as growth. At BabyTalk, 

particularly in our Baby & Toddler section, this is our main focus, to help parents make full 

use of this window of time in their children’s lives. 

BabyTalk is a mommy & child magazine that features a special guide each month, with 

topics that vary with each issue. Other than the Baby & Toddler section, we also have 

Bump to Birth, Bright Kids and Life & Style. This New Year’s issue is brimming with ideas, 

information and motivation for parents of babies, toddlers and young children, as well as 

parents-to-be. We hope you will be able to take it all in and let’s keep the fire of hope and 

dreams for our children alive! 

Much love to all 

Cindy 

contents JANUARY 2019 

AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd (829271-K) 

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Email: info@acepremier.com 

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John Lim 

Editor 

Cindy Antoinette Fernandez 

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With thanks to 

Dr Khoo Boo Aik, Gaia Chinniah, 

Jessie Foo Xiang Yi, Rosh Vettiveloo, Daisy Ng, 

Verona Lee and Dr Agilan Arjunan. 

Regulars 

03 Cute Snaps: 

Smile baby. You’re on camera! 

04 BT BUZZ: 

Science health news on pregnancy, 

babies and more 

05 Ask Our Experts: 

Our panel of experts are here to 

help you 

Bump to Birth 

06 Fertility & conception: 

6 reasons why your ovaries are 

so important 

09 9 months: 

Help, I can’t Sleep 

12 Feature: 

Dengue during pregnancy: What 

should I do? 

BT Guide 

15 Deliver your baby in comfort 

Baby & Toddler 

20 FEATURE: 

All you need to know about hair care 

for tiny tots 

Available at 

25 Health & Medical Diary: 

The trouble with sensitive skin and 

how to deal with it 

28 Early Education & 

Development: 

How screen time may be affecting 

your toddler’s development 

Bright Kids 

31 Growing up: 

Hygiene: How does your child fare? 

34 Feature: 

Is second-hand smoke exposure 

endangering your children’s lives? 

Life & Style 

37 Money Talk: 

Eco friendly (and wallet friendly) 

party ideas 

40 Love for Life: 

Veganism: Little ones and alternative 

diets 

43 Out & About: 

The latest news about town 

44 SUBSCRIPTION: 

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Our Experts 

Developmental Education & Learning Consultant 

Rosh Vettiveloo 

Expert in learning support, concentration, memory, dyslexia, dyspraxia, hyperlexia, general reading 

acquisition difficulties, AD/HD, homeschooling learners with learning difficulties in Malaysia and early 

intervention procedures in multilingual environments. Trained in mild to moderate learning difficulties 

and qualified Specialist in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (UK) and Educational 

Assessor (UK). 20 years practical experience in the field of special education. 

Holistic Care & Wellbeing Gaia Chinniah 

Gaia is a Malaysian born entrepreneur who has lived in New Zealand for over 30 years. She is the 

CEO of Ruby Face Sdn Bhd who exclusively distributes ethical products including World Organics 

from New Zealand. She holds a Master in Management Studies and a career of over 10 years in 

Marketing of big brands and as a Television presenter. Gaia has a passion for empowering people 

and some of her hobbies are pastel art, reiki, yoga and staying healthy. More about Gaia can be read 

here: www.worldorganics.com.my & www.rubyface.com. 

Fertility & Conception Dr Agilan Arjunan 

Dr Agilan Arjunan, a Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, graduated from University of Malaya 

and obtained his specialist degree from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, London. 

Armed with his passion for laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, he pursues his dream in helping couples 

to conceive and build their families through the latest technology of reproductive techniques. He is 

also passionate in disseminating knowledge in the field of fertility and hopes readers can differentiate 

facts from myths. 

CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN AND NEONATOLOGIST Dr. Khoo Boo Aik 

Dr Khoo is a consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at Sunway Medical Centre. He completed his 

medical degree from National University of Malaysia (MD-UKM) in 1997. He obtained his paediatric 

postgraduate membership from royal college of paediatric and child health (MRCPCH) in Glasgow, 

UK in 2003. He continued his neonatal subspecialty fellowship training in 2005 at Liverpool Hospital 

and the Royal Hospital for Women (RHW), Sydney, NSW, Australia. In 2009, he was accredited as 

consultant paediatrician and neonatologist under the National Specialist Register (NSR), Malaysia. 

Currently, he also holds a part time lecturer post at Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health 

Sciences, Monash University, Sunway Campus. He is a father of 3 energetic boys aged 13, 11 and 7. 

Child Psychology Jessie Foo Xiang Yi 

A trained clinical psychologist and a member of Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology. Jessie 

graduated with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from HELP University, Malaysia and conducts 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to enhance adolescents’ and adults’ ability to cope with 

psychological distress and live a meaningful and hopeful life. She uses play and art techniques 

to engage with children. Jessie performs psychological assessments on children to diagnose and 

determine psychological, social, behavioral and educational functioning. 

Dietitian Verona Lee 

Verona received her credential in dietetics from National University of Malaysia (UKM). Her passion 

for nutrition began after witnessing some of her family members suffer from diet-related chronic 

diseases, which made her realise how important diet and a active lifestyle is to everyone’s health. She 

has practiced in all areas of nutrition with a special interest in child nutrition. 

Early Childhood Education Daisy Ng 

Daisy is a mother of two and Founder of Trinity Kids Malaysia. A dedicated practitioner in early 

childhood education, she has been featured on BFM, The Edge, NTV7, The Star and given talks 

on related topics. As a certified Dr Sears Health Coach in children/family nutrition and ante-natal 

wellness, Daisy actively promotes a wholesome and non-processed diet in Malaysia’s schools. An avid 

reader and writer from a young age, she now writes about topics in early childhood education, child 

development and nutrition. 

2 BabyTalk | January 2019

Cute Snaps 

little 

Stars 

Jayden Lai, 

24 months Perak 

Winner 

Do you have a little star 

aged between 1 month to 36 

months who would light up 

this page? Send your photo to 

babytalkmalaysia@gmail.com 

with name, location and age. 

Please state email subject as 

“Cute Snaps – Little Stars”. 

Suhirthan 

8 months Selangor 

Kimora See Hyun Na 

1 month Selangor 

Putri 

8 months Selangor 

Elijah Lim Jiu En 

1 month Selangor 

Dhiran al Jeyabalan, 

21 months, Kuala Lumpur. 

Snap & Win 

A surprise gift! 

BabyTalk | January 2019 3

BT Buzz 

Suck on your baby’s pacifier! 

Ovaries work hard for nearly 50 years, so it’s logical they’d like to retire someday. After 

menopause, our busy ovaries finally take a break and quit producing hormones and 

releasing eggs. Without these hormones, your menstrual cycle stops for good. (After a year 

without a period, you’ve reached menopause.) You may want to talk to your doctor about 

hormone replacement options to help maintain your libido, lubrication and other benefits of 

estrogen now that your ovaries are no longer producing it naturally. 

Yet another culprit for early 

menopause 

Studies have demonstrated that fetal malnutrition can lead to 

adult chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and coronary 

artery disease, but a new one out of China now suggests that 

it also can lead to early menopause and premature ovarian 

failure. Results are published online today in Menopause, the 

journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). 

Infants are especially sensitive to changes in their environment 

while still in the womb, during their earliest stages of 

development. It has already been documented that the 

development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during 

the fetal stage plays a critical role in adulthood reproductive 

health. Natural menopause is a milestone of ovarian aging that 

results in the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Although 

several studies have investigated the association between 

famine exposure in early life and risk of various metabolic 

diseases in adulthood, the association with reproductive aging 

was not evaluated. This new study involving nearly 2,900 

Chinese women specifically sought to address the effect of early 

life exposure to famine on age at menopause. 

If your baby stays up at night, 

read this! 

New Michigan State University research suggests babies 

who are less active get less sleep, something new parents 

may want to consider when looking for possible solutions 

for the long, sleepless nights. Napping doesn’t help 

either. In fact, babies who slept less at night, yet napped 

more during the day, still weren’t able to get as much 

sleep overall as those who slept more at night. Plus, 

the tired tots weighed significantly more based on their 

length, indicating a potential risk for early onset obesity. 

The research, published in the journal Infant Behavior 

and Development, is one of the first to focus on the 

connection between common health behaviors in babies. 


Ask Our Experts 

Every one of us is an unique individual. 

Our personality is a result of i) how our brain is hard-wired 

to be, and ii) layers of our experiences. Therefore, there are 

some children who are naturally introverted and it is not 

reasonable to expect them to change and conform to a 

certain idea of a ‘thriving child’. 

Daisy Ng 

} 

Can a preschool education help an overly shy/ 

introvert child overcome his or her lack of social 

skills issue? ~ 

Going to school is more than learning from the books. A 

key part of school life is the social interaction with peers and 

the experiences with others. The skills/habits acquired would 

contribute to the shaping of the child’s personality. 

An introverted child may have a higher level of sensitivities. 

It is important to respect this and gain his trust to build his 

confidence. Group activities, be it structured or unstructured 

playtime, provide opportunities for the child to interact 

with others. In a school that provides for individuality, the 

child may gain a better understanding of his strengths and 

preferences, develops his confidence in being his unique self. 

For a sensitive child, a high pressure school environment that 

adopts a cookie cutter approach to child development will 

certainly be a poor fit. 

Gaia Chinniah 

Holistic Care & Wellbeing 

} 

I bought a body lotion from an organic brand and 

it made my skin break out in rashes. Is there anything I 

should know before I purchase organic skincare? ~ 

Before you purchase any organic skincare, it's very important 

for you to do a patch test first and wait for 24 hours in order 

for you to see if your skin can adapt to it or if there is any 

allergic reaction. The best place to patch test is behind your 

ear which is a hidden spot as well as generally virgin skin as 

you would have unlikely applied any products to this area to 

desensitize the area. 

skin care, depending on the type of extractions used and 

potency of the ingredients can mean the formulations can 

be very stimulating for virgin skin. This stimulation is very 

good as it’s indicating a living product that is activating your 

cells but it can get your immune system wondering about 

this new thing that you are applying onto your skin. In some 

cases a rash may not be a reaction, but, merely response to 

the first-time application of organic product - and it may not 

occur with future use as your skin may adjust to the new 

extracts. It’s quite like sore muscles after your first ever gym 

work out - with ongoing sessions your muscles get used to 

being stimulated in this way and the pain subsides after the 

adjustment period. It is important that you recognise that a 

reaction will more likely to be itchy and sore and a slight rash 

may be a response to active ingredients. Should this happen 

it is best to clarify the difference with the person you bought 

the product from or a skin professional. 

If it's your first time purchasing organic skin care, it would 

be better for you to speak to a consultant in charge to get a 

suggestion as to what would be good for your skin type as 

some of the ingredients used may not agree with your skin. 

Hence why a patch test is always recommended. Organic 


Bump to Birth 

Fertility & Conception 

6 reasons why 

your ovaries are so 

important 

Your ovaries are a pair of glands that have multiple functions, and they work hard at 

performing every one of them. Ovaries are what make women unique. Although they are 

an important part of our bodies, many women do not really know what they’re for. For 

starters, did you know that your ovaries are responsible for your reproductive health? 

Let’s get to know them better and see all that they do for us. 


Bump to Birth 


THE PRODUCTION OF HORMONES 

1 3 

Many women are familiar with hormone names such 

as estrogen and progesterone, but not everyone 

knows where in the body they’re produced from, 

and that’s the ovaries. These two hormones play very big 

roles in initiating puberty and menopause in a female body. 

They also influence everything that happens in between this 

period. While estrogen controls lactation after childbirth 

and helps regulate your menstrual cycle, it also assists with 

blood clotting and maintaining bone mass. Progesterone on 

the other hand, helps to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. 

Together these important hormones are responsible for 

running a woman’s reproductive life cycle. 

4 

OVARIES PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS 

The estrogen produced 

by the ovaries helps 

maintain bone density 

throughout a woman’s life. 

After menopause, estrogen 

levels drop, putting women 

at risk for osteoporosis. Here’s 

what happens: 

There are two types of 

osteoblast cells: the type that 

create bone cells and ones 

that absorb them. The former 

get a boost from estrogen, 

so when estrogen disappears 

after menopause, the latter 

may start absorbing more 

bone than is being produced. 

That’s why if you have a 

hysterectomy, doctors often 

recommend keeping your 

ovaries intact if possible. 

HEALTHY BONE 

THEY’RE ADAPTABLE 

ACCORDING TO AGE 

OSTEOPOROSIS 

BONE 

Ovaries are roughly the size and shape of an almond 

and are pinkish-gray in color. They’re very adaptable and 

change size based on a woman’s age. Younger women have 

larger ovaries during their reproductive phase and then the 

ovaries shrink after menopause. During pregnancy the ovaries 

shift from their original position in the body and usually don’t 

return to that spot. 

2 

THE GATEKEEPERS OF YOUR EGGS 

Ovaries are also responsible for producing the female 

sex cell, known as the egg or ovum. A female baby is 

born with all of the eggs she’ll have for her lifetime. 

At birth, that equals to hundreds of thousands to millions 

of eggs, but only 300 to 400 will mature and be released 

for fertilization. At puberty, a woman’s egg count drops to 

around 400,000 and she’ll only have 400-500 eggs left when 

she reaches menopause. The ovaries do get a little break from 

all that hard work by 

taking turns releasing 

the egg each month 

during ovulation. 


Bump to Birth 


5 

THEY GIVE YOU THAT WOMANLY 

LOOK! 

You can thank your ovaries for producing the 

estrogen that gives you that lovely womanly look, 

with your shapely hips, bountiful breasts, and overall feminine 

features. Estrogen is also responsible for developing the 

female reproductive organs. During pregnancy, your ovaries 

gives you that womanly baby bumps, which is a direct result 

of their reproductive duties. 

They place us at risk too, for 

certain diseases 

From ovarian cysts to polycystic ovary 

syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer, 

women are at risk of experiencing an array 

of ovarian illnesses that men don’t. Of all the 

reproductive tract cancers, ovarian cancer 

is the leading cause of death in women. So 

it’s important for women to take good care 

of their reproductive health with regular 

gynecological exams and Pap tests. See your 

doctor if you experience any symptoms like 

pelvic pain, bloating, or discolored or foulsmelling 

vaginal discharge. 

6 

OVARIES ENHANCE SEXUAL 

PLEASURE 

Our ovaries produce estrogen that lets us have 

a thriving, active sex life, with a healthy libido to 

boot. Normal estrogen levels lets you keep that drive at its 

optimal state and help lubricate the vagina. After menopause, 

estrogen levels drop, which 

can decrease libido and cause 

vaginal dryness, making 

sexual activity unpleasant. 

The longer you keep your 

ovaries in working order, the 

better your sexual desire. 

All is not lost after 

menopause though - you 

can ask your doctor about 

hormone replacement 

therapy and topical estrogen 

to maintain your sexual 

activity and pleasure. 

One day, they’ll stop 

working 

Ovaries work hard for nearly 50 years, so 

it’s logical they’d like to retire someday. After 

menopause, our busy ovaries finally take 

a break and quit producing hormones and 

releasing eggs. Without these hormones, your 

menstrual cycle stops for good. (After a year 

without a period, you’ve reached menopause.) 

You may want to talk to your doctor about 

hormone replacement options to help maintain 

your libido, lubrication and other benefits of 

estrogen now that your ovaries are no longer 

producing it naturally. 


Bump to Birth 

9 Months 

Help, 

I Can’t Sleep! 

When you’re pregnant, you’ll come to know that sleepiness and 

tiredness do not necessarily add up to having restful sleep. Read on… 


Bump to Birth 

9 Months 

Many pregnant women find that as their pregnancy 

advances, sleep becomes difficult, especially at 

night. If you’re one of them, do know that you’re 

certainly not alone, no matter how serious your situation 

seems to be. For some women, pregnancy symptoms such 

as nausea, heartburn and the constant need to pee are the 

causes for not being able to sleep properly at night.. 

Different trimesters seem to come with their own set of 

sleeping challenges for pregnant women. Here are some ways 

around it. 

Breasts start to feel uncomfortable 

Your breasts get tender during pregnancy and as a result 

finding a good sleeping position may be a problem especially 

if you are used to sleeping on your stomach. 

The first trimester of your pregnancy is the best time to 

train yourself to sleep on your side. This is also a good time 

to begin using a maternity pillow which will support your 

pregnant body for a better night’s sleep. You can use it 

whichever way you want for now, to get comfy and to avoid 

putting too much pressure on your aching breasts. 

First Trimester 

Sleepy all the time 

During the early stages of your pregnancy, you might 

sometimes feel overwhelmed with sleepiness. High levels of 

progesterone in your body might be the cause. Progesterone 

is a hormone that helps regulate a woman’s reproductive 

cycle. It also makes you feel drowsy most of the time. The 

sudden flood of this hormone in your body can make a 

normal working day feel like a long, exhausting one. It may 

also make you feel tired or like you’re coming down with 

the flu. 

Consider yourself lucky for you can still catch naps 

comfortably while your tummy hasn’t ballooned yet! So, nap 

whenever you can during the day to rejuvenate your mind 

and body. It’ll help you overcome that sleepy, tired feeling. 

Endless need to use the bathroom 

Your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder, urging 

you to get up and go pee ever so often, interrupting your 

sleep. You can try to keep this under control by controlling 

the amount of fluids you take in at night, especially before 

bedtime. You could instead, take in as much fluids as you 

like during the day, when peeing won’t cost you to lose 

precious sleep. 


Bump to Birth 

9 Months 

Second Trimester 

You should be enjoying better sleep during your second 

trimester. Your body would have adjusted well to your 

pregnancy by now and you may not feel as tired as you used 

to in your first trimester. However, there may still be causes for 

sleepless nights, such as: 

• Physical issues such a leg cramps and blocked nose. 

• Morning sickness, which some women tend to suffer from 

throughout pregnancy. 

• Indigestion and heartburn during the night. 

Your baby might start getting more active, which might result 

in him kicking and moving around in your tummy while you 

are trying to settle in for the night. Unnecessarily worrying 

about the future might also keep you awake, as you find 

yourself tossing and turning in bed. 

Third Trimester 

As your time for delivery gets closer, you may find that 

getting a good night’s sleep seems almost impossible. In fact, 

most pregnant women rate their sleep quality as poor in the 

final trimester. 

In this trimester, you may find your bump is just too big for 

you to sleep comfortably. Lying on your left side, with pillows 

wedged in-between your knees and behind your back, is still 

the best sleeping position for you. It may be the only way 

to increase your comfort level and allow you a more restful 

night’s sleep. 

Your growing baby is now putting pressure on your bladder 

too. This means more midnight toilet trips, especially if you’ve 

had lots to drink before bedtime. Try taking in less fluids at 

night and also, empty your bladder completely when you’re in 

the toilet. 

During this trimester, you may find that your sleep may be 

interrupted by other pregnancy issues as well, such as: 

• Backache 

• Leg cramps 

• Heartburn 

• Vivid dreams 

The truth is, losing some sleep is something every pregnant 

mother might have to endure en route to having a baby. So, 

think of it as a rehearsal for when your baby is born. 

Some solutions to try 

• Switch to sleeping on your left side 

Sleeping on the left side helps to improves circulation to the 

heart and allows for better blood flow to the fetus, uterus, 

and kidneys. After 16 weeks into your pregnancy, it is not a 

good idea to sleep on your back as your baby is now putting 

pressure on your blood vessels. 

Try lying on your left side, with your knees up and have two or 

more pillows between your knees to contain the pressure at 

your hips and pelvis. If you wake up in the middle of the night 

and find yourself sleeping on your back, just roll over to your 

left side and continue sleeping. Alternatively, you could place 

a couple of pillows behind you to stop you from rolling over to 

your back. 

• Have a sleep routine 

Try to have a regular bedtime. Although it is tempting to 

sleep in, try not to as it would make it harder for you to doze 

off at night. 

• Wind down to get ready for bedtime 

Take some time to relax, as bedtime gets closer. Avoid 

vigorous activities or even scary movies. Instead, have a warm 

mug of milk or read a book to wind down. 

Will lack of sleep harm 

my baby? 

Sleeplessness is very common in pregnancy but it won’t 

harm your baby. It can, however, make you feel overly 

tired or exhausted. Sleep deprivation may lead to a 

longer labour or even a caesarean section. Listen to your 

body and rest when you can. If you’re a working mumto-be, 

think of taking your maternity leave a little earlier 

so you can catch up on all the rest you need. 


Bump to Birth 

Feature 

DENGUE DURING 

PREGNANCY 

WHAT SHOULD I 

DO?! 

Dengue is an infection that is passed on by mosquitoes. Once you get bitten 

by the mosquito, if you are unlucky you get infected with a flu-like illness. 

In some cases, this infection can develop into a very severe case of dengue, 

causing it to be a deadly illness. 


Bump to Birth 

Feature 

With the huge rise of dengue cases in our country, 

it has become a worry for people everywhere. It is 

found to be most common in tropical and subtropical 

areas of the world, and that places us Malaysians at 

high risk all year around. 

Dengue is now so common that everyone is at risk of getting 

it. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 

about 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every 

year. It is the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry this virus 

and spread it through their bites. These mosquitoes have 

distinctive black and white stripes on their bodies and they 

breed in stagnant water 

They are most active during dawn and dusk, but they 

may come out to feed at other times too. Mosquitoes are 

known to breed much more in the rainy season which is 

when dengue cases shoot up to its peak. These mosquitoes 

carry the virus with them for life, which is approximately 

for 40 days. 

See your doctor, get a blood test 

done 

The reason a blood test should be done is so that your 

doctor can confirm if the dengue virus is present in your 

bloodstream. It is also possible to have dengue but have very 

mild symptoms. Severe dengue can be potentially fatal, with 

complications that could lead to bleeding and organ damage. 

The warning signs normally appear three to seven days after 

the original symptoms and these can include reduced fever, 

abdominal pain, rapid breathing and bleeding gums. Most 

people suffering from dengue take about two weeks to 

recover but might still feel weak for a couple of weeks after. 

What are the symptoms of 

dengue? 

Symptoms usually start appearing about three days after 

being bitten by an infected mosquito. Below are some of the 

symptoms of dengue: 

• Sudden high fever 

• Severe headache 

• Pain in the eyes which cause eye movement problem 

• Severe body ache 

• Loss of taste 

and appetite 

• Mild bleeding from 

nose and gums 

• Nausea and vomiting 

The symptoms stated 

above can easily be 

confused with other 

illnesses that have similar 

symptoms, such as a 

bad case of flu - only a 

blood test would be able 

to determine if you have 

been infected with the 

virus. 

How dangerous is dengue during 

pregnancy? 

If you are pregnant and happen to contract this disease, it is 

most likely to be severe. This is because during pregnancy, 

your immune system is 

suppressed. You might need to 

be admitted into the hospital 

for treatment. However, there 

have been many cases where 

pregnant women only had a 

mild infection of this disease. 

Contracting dengue 

might give rise to possible 

complications like pre-term 

labour and having a low birth 

weight baby if you happen 

to get infected during your 

pregnancy. Dengue causes a 

drop in blood platelet levels 

which can be determined by a 

blood test. Pregnant women 

who get infected usually have 

their blood platelet levels drop 

quite low. 


Bump to Birth 

Feature 

There is a high chance of losing too much blood if you 

happen to go into labour while you are having dengue 

and might need a blood transfusion or this could be very 

dangerous to you and your baby. 

How can I get 

treated? 

There is no specific vaccine 

or anti-dengue treatment 

currently available for 

dengue. The main form of 

treatment available is to 

relieve symptoms. 

Symptoms can usually be 

controlled by taking a dose 

of paracetamol, which is 

considered to be safe during 

pregnancy. You’ll also have 

to drink lots of fluids and 

keep yourself hydrated 

during dengue. Being very 

closely monitored by your 

doctor is also very important 

during this period of time. 

People with severe dengue 

need to be treated with drips 

at the hospital to prevent 

dehydration, and to stabilize 

their blood platelet level. 

People who undergo proper 

treatment only take a few 

days to recover and are fit 

enough to leave the hospital 

within days. However, if 

you do not get the right 

treatment in time – it may 

cause you your life. 

Either change the water regularly or empty them. As a safety 

measure, you could also burn mosquito coils around your 

house in order to keep mosquitoes away. 

Put on mosquito 

repellent wherever 

you go 

You could also prevent mosquito bites 

by wearing long sleeved clothes, staying 

in cool areas – so yes, turn 

up that air conditioner 

in your house just to be 

safe. Plus, use mosquito 

repellent available in roll on 

or spray forms. Take them 

with you when you go out 

because you never know 

where mosquitoes are 

lurking about. 

No immunity for dengue 

Unfortunately, no one can be fully immune to dengue after 

having it once. The dengue virus has four distinct, but closely 

related strains. If you have had one strain of dengue, it means 

you are immune to that one particular strain - but you’re still 

at risk of contracting the other three. 

If you are infected with one strain, and then get infected by 

another strain of dengue – chances are it may be worse off 

than the previous one. This is why it is best to take further 

steps in preventing dengue, especially when you’re pregnant. 

You cannot tell for sure if you are safe from dengue, but you 

can do your best to keep the mosquitoes away from you. 

Aedes mosquitoes breed in still water, such as in flower pot 

trays, abandoned ponds or aquariums, vases and old tires. 

Reference: 

• www.cdc.gov 

• www.momjunction.com 

• www.dengue.info 


Having a baby is no ordinary matter. 

Although women the world over have 

been giving birth forever, it’s still a special 

occasion to each and every family. This is 

your special guide to choosing the right 

hospital to deliver your baby in. 


If you’re a first-time mom, everything, including labour and 

birth will be new to you and just the thought of all these 

might seem overwhelming. They’ll seem to be neverending 

decision-making too, for your partner and you would 

have to decide on your baby’s name, an insurance plan, the 

colour and style of your baby’s nursery, and even what kind 

of diapers to use; but the most important decision would be: 

which hospital to give birth in. 

The choice of where you will have your baby can have a big 

impact on your precious birthing experience. There are of 

course a number of options available to you and it’s up to you 

to decide on the most ideal one. 

However, if this is your first baby, chances are you might be 

still clueless. When you have your pregnancy confirmed, your 

GP may lay out some options for you, but it may not be easy 

to make a choice. Take your time don’t rush into it; instead 

do some research at your own pace. Have a look around; get 

some ideas from women with children or people you trust. 

In this article, we list down some things you should consider 

when choosing the best hospital for you plus we provide you 

with a list of eight popular hospitals in the Klang Valley. 

NAME? 

INSURANCE 

What kind of hospital birth do you 

want? 

The first question to ask yourself when choosing a place for 

delivery would be; what kind of birth do you want? Would 

you prefer having a very relaxing environment with little 

intervention or drugs for pain? 

Another option would be to have your delivery in a hi-tech 

environment with latest technology and access to all types 

of pain relief. This would be in a modern day hospital that 

provides you with the latest technology, plus you would be 

given the option for an epidural for pain relief if you wish. 

Some hospitals, despite being high-tech, will still allow you to 

attempt an an-natural birth if that’s what you want. 

Private or Government? 

One obvious deal-breaker on whether to 

go for public or private healthcare is the 

cost factor. Our local healthcare is heavily 

subsidised by the government which makes 

it free for government officials and 

inexpensive for others. For instance 

it costs up to RM800 approximately 

for a caesarean birth at a government 

hospital, but you’ll need to put down 

from about RM15,000 for the same 

procedure at a private hospital. 

You’ll need to consider antenatal and 

postnatal doctor visits too. Where you 

have those check-ups however, need 

not be the same place you deliver. 

There is also an in-between option 

called the Full Paying Patients 

(FPP) Scheme which is available at 

Putrajaya Hospital and Selayang 

Hospital, where you get a private 

hospital-like service in a government 

hospital, for a cost of between 

RM2,000 and RM5,000 depending on 

the kind of delivery. 


Additional facts to consider 

when choosing your hospital 

Take into account the accommodations and practices of 

each possibility and what will make you feel most at ease. 

You'll also find that many hospitals also offer: 

• Childbirth and parenting classes and lactation consultants 

• Certified nurse-midwives on staff 

• The ability to have an unmedicated, "natural" delivery 

• Birthing stools, birthing balls, and other equipment to help 

you feel comfortable during labor 

• The option to wear your own clothes during labor and 

delivery 

• The option to have friends and family attend the birth and 

to videotape your delivery 

Should distance matter? 

When choosing your hospital, you may have 

to decide if you would be willing to travel 

quite a distance while in labour or would you 

rather have the hospital be somewhere close 

to your house? However, bear in mind that 

this factor should not play such an important 

role when making your decision because all 

you want at the end of the day is excellent 

care; the distance is only a one-time thing. 

The only thing you have to ensure is to get 

to the hospital in time if you’re having an 

unscheduled birth. 

Moving on to one more very important thing to find out ahead 

of time is the number of people that would be allowed into 

the delivery room while you are in labour and who are those 

people. Most hospitals have a policy of only allowing one 

person into the delivery room; it being either your mother or 

your husband. So, if you are thinking of having your sister or 

best friend in there with you, you should check ahead of time 

to make sure this would be allowed on the day of your delivery. 

A little tip for all you expecting mothers; the best way to find 

out about hospital facilities available in your area is by asking 

your doctor, friends or people you know who have been 

through it. This would enable you to see everything first hand, 

plus ask questions that will help you in making your decision. 

So, which hospital, then? 

When you go hospital hunting, you’ll probably find similar 

offerings, if not the same facilities; from public hospitals to 

private hospitals. So this is when you have to consider the 

minimal factors as well. Such as, visiting hours allowed in the 

hospital and the length of stay for you and your new baby. 

If you’re wondering where to start, we’re here to help you 

with that. You will find a list of 8 hospitals in the Klang Valley 

that you can consider for your delivery, along with their 

contact details and visiting hours. 

Hospital policies on labour and 

birth 

Before deciding on the hospital for your delivery, you might 

want to check out the hospital’s policy for labour and birth 

because different hospitals tend to have different policies. 

To ensure mobility during labour for instance, you should 

consider a hospital that allows you to move around the 

hospital if you wish to and not keep you in your room. 

Something really important to find out about the hospital 

policy during labour is about their birthing positions. Be 

sure to find out if you are free to take on the birthing 

positions you feel most comfortable with or do they have 

doctors trained for one specific way only. 


Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur 

Gleneagles is a leading medical centre that has be 

operating centre in the heart of Kuala Lumpur that has 

been operating for more than 15 years. 

Address: 282 & 283 Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur, 

Malaysia. 

Contact Number: 03-4141 3000 

Visiting Hours: 12 pm to 2 pm / 5 pm to 8 pm 

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur 

As the pioneer of the well established Pantai and Gleneagles 

chain of hospitals, this hospital was first established in 1947 

within the cozy, residential area of Bangsar. Pantai Hospital 

was the first hospital to offer water birth in the Klang Valley, 

beginning in mid 2009. 

Address: 8, Jalan Bukit Pantai, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, 

Malaysia. 


Visiting Hours: Morning until 10 pm 

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist 

Hospital 

Established in 1984, Tawakkal Hospital is now part of 

KPJ Healthcare Berhad which is the largest healthcare 

provider in Malaysia spanning over 20 specialist 

hospitals worldwide. 

Address: No 1, Jalan Pahang Barat, 53000, Kuala Lumpur, 

Malaysia. 


Visiting Hours: 12 pm to 3 pm / 5 pm to 9.30 pm 

Prince Court Medical Centre 

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Prince Court Medical 

Centre is a resort-styled hospital which has only recently 

been named the world’s top hospital for medical tourists 

according to Medical Travel Quality Alliance. 

Address: 39, Jalan Kia Peng, 50450, Kuala Lumpur, 

Malaysia. 

Contact Number: 1-800-88-7262 

Visiting Hours: 10 am to 9 pm 


Columbia Asia Hospital, 

Bukit Rimau 

Located in the highly populated residential area of Shah 

Alam, Columbia Asia, Bukit Rimau, offers treatments in a 

wide array of specialties which include pediatrics, obstetrics 

and gynecology. 

Address: Persiaran Anggerik Eria, 40460, Shah Alam, 

Selangor, Malaysia. 

Contact Number: 03 5125 9999 


Sunway Medical Centre 

Located in Bandar Sunway, Sunway Medical Centre started 

its operations in 2009. Being one of the foremost private 

healthcare facilities in the country, this medical centre offers 

a comprehensive range of medical services from wellness 

centers to aesthetic and laser centers and eye centers. 

Address: Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150, 

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 


Visiting Hours: 11 am to 1 pm / 5 pm to 9 pm 

Parkcity Medical Centre 

Opened in December 2012, this medical centre is one of 

the latest additions to the Sime Darby Health Group which 

is currently known as the Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care 

Group after its recent merger with the Australian company 

Ramsay Health Care Limited. 

Address: No 2, Jalan Inti Sari Perdana, Desa Parkcity, 52200, 

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 



Thomson Hospital 

Kota Damansara 

Located in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya and formerly 

known as Tropicana Medical Centre, the hospital is a tertiary 

healthcare centre which offers a range of medical services 

such as children and women healthcare, fertility services, 

ENT and head and neck procedures. 

Address: 11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 

47810, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Darul Ehsan Malaysia. 





Feature 

All you need to know 

about hair care for 

tiny tots 

Some infants are born with a full head of luscious locks while some are born 

with sparse hair or even bald. While genetics do play a part in determining the 

type of hair children inherit from their parents, the quality of care given will 

still influence the health of the hair and scalp. 



Feature 

Hair care in children has gained more importance as 

parents are now aware that a clean scalp promotes 

healthy hair and one of the signs of good health in a 

child is a head of shiny hair. 

As a parent, of course all you want to do is care for your child 

the best way possible, but you may not know where to start! 

Here are some answers to common questions regarding child 

hair care. 

How often should I wash my 

baby's hair? 

Your little one would never benefit from over washing his 

hair, regardless if he has a full head of hair or sparse hair. 

Babies’ sebaceous glands on the scalp produce natural oils 

that keep their scalp moisturised, so over washing could 

result in a dry and flaky scalp. 

From infancy right up to about six months, chances are he is 

less mobile and is most likely on an a milk diet. Hence, there 

is a low chance of him getting mushy baby food particles 

stuck in his hair. 

Practice washing his hair with shampoo about once a week, 

as this would be alright in our humid climate. On other 

days, you can rinse his head with plain lukewarm water 

during bath time to get rid of any dust or particles of lint on 

his tender scalp. 

My baby has very little hair – is it 

still necessary to wash? 

Yes, it is necessary even if your little one has sparse hair, tufts 

or only wisps of hair as not only the hair is cleaned with every 

wash – so is the scalp. However, it is not necessary to use 

shampoo every time you clean baby’s hair - Just shampoo 

once a week if needed, to prevent stripping off the natural 

scalp oils. 

What is the difference between 

baby shampoo and normal 

shampoo? 

Most adult shampoos contain sulphate, which is a chemical 

substance used to provide a ‘squeaky clean’ feeling after a 

hair wash. Sulphate is a powerful degreasing agent found 

even in common household products, such as laundry 

detergents and dish washing liquids. 



Feature 

Baby shampoos are 

believed to contain 

a reduced amount 

of sulphate in order 

to cater to a baby’s 

fragile scalp. Do 

keep in mind that 

despite widespread 

awareness, many 

baby shampoos still 

contain sulphate, 

so if you plan on 

avoiding it completely, 

remember to look out 

for one that states 

‘sulphate free’ on its packaging. You may also check out adult 

shampoos made specifically for people with sensitive scalp – 

these shampoos are allowed on your baby’s scalp in very small 

amounts, provided the ingredients are gentle enough. 

Is it a good idea to blow dry my 

baby's hair? 

Blow drying your baby’s 

hair may not be the most 

conventional method to 

dry his hair, but it can still 

be done if you practise a 

few safety measures. Take 

not of the following: 

• The blow dryer should 

be of good quality 

• It should be one with 

comes with an option 

to use the cool setting 

• Blow drying should be done away from any area with 

water, such as the bathroom 

• Your little one should never be left alone with the blow dryer 

Have your baby sit in your lap, and then turn on the blow 

dryer to a low setting. Remember to test the head of the 

wind on the back of your hand before pointing it at your 

baby’s head. With the blow dryer at least six inches away 

from his head, gently run your fingers through his hair to dry 

it thoroughly. 

Would temporary styling gel or 

colour spray damage my baby’s 

hair/ scalp? 

Hair styling and colouring have become fashion statements 

in the recent years and many parents have jumped onto 

the bandwagon by sporting rainbow colours in funky 

styles for their little ones’ hair. But are these styling and 

colouring products safe? Well, if used sparingly and 

infrequently, there should be little or no risks of damaging 

your baby’s hair and scalp. 

However, use these products only on the hair, and avoid 

touching the scalp as the chemicals in these products might 

cause irritation. Do use these products only occasionally 

and remember to wash it off thoroughly. Hair styling and 

colouring products tend to leave residue on the scalp, causing 

undue irritation. 

Always do a patch test behind your baby’s earlobe and look 

out for any rashes within 24 hours. If nothing appears, then 

the product is safe for occasional use. 

How do I detangle knots from my 

baby's hair? 

It’s actually quite easy these days, with all types of baby 

conditioners available in the market. Use them on your baby’s 

hair post-shampooing. Rinse it off completely though, unless 

it is a no-rinse formulation. Alternatively, you can use a water 

based detangling spritzer and run your fingers gently through 

your baby’s hair. 



Feature 

What kind of oil can I apply on my 

baby’s hair? 

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis or better known as cradle cap 

is very common in babies. It is believed that cradle cap is due 

to secretions of the sebaceous glands on the infant's scalp 

while still in the uterus, due to maternal hormone influence. 

My toddler loves playing dress 

up, are curlers and straightening 

irons safe for use on a child's 

hair? 

Crimpers, curlers and straightening irons are a definite no-no 

when it comes to little children’s hair. These beauty tools 

need high heat settings to achieve these hair styles and the 

excessive heat would only cause damage to your child's hair. 

Your child's hair is far more fragile than yours and therefore 

not able to withstand the process. 

The protein structure of the hair may even get altered due 

to the heating process. However, if the wind- tousled, beach 

look is what you’re after - all you have to do is mix some 

dilute saline water and pour it into a spritzer; spray it into 

your child’s hair and braid it. Proceed by using a blow dryer 

on cold setting to dry the braids. Leave the braids to air dry 

for half an hour or so, undo the braids and Voila - gorgeous, 

loose curls! 

Using oil is a great way to loosen the flakes and to soothe the 

scalp of your baby. Your little one would also love a gentle 

scalp massage and it is a fantastic way to lull a tired baby to 

slumberland! A pea size amount is sufficient for the entire 

scalp - take care not to massage or rub vigorously. 

The most popular oils that are used for babies are mild baby 

oils, and also other oils such as sweet almond oil, olive oil 

and extra virgin coconut oil. For older children, pure Argan oil 

would be a great option to promote healthier scalp and hair. 

The oil used should be of a lightweight texture which washes 

off easily with minimal shampooing or one that does not 

form a greasy film over the scalp, for it will then act as a dust 

and dirt magnet. 

My child dislikes having haircuts. 

How do I calm him down? 

Although it’s not as intimidating as visits to the dentist, some 

little ones aren’t fans of hair salons either. This is a tricky issue 

and if it’s not handled properly, it may lead to the child feeling 

traumatized by the entire experience. Below are some tips 

that have been tried and tested – who knows, they might 

work like a charm for you as well! 



Feature 

• No more tears® formula is gentle 

for newborns 

• Dermatologist-tested 

Carrie Junior Baby Oil 

• Enhanced with Fruito-E 

• Leaves baby’s skin free from dryness 

• Available in two variants 

• Let your child see you get your hair cut a few times so that 

he knows it isn’t something to be fearful about. 

• You can role play with him at home acting as his hairstylist. 

Get him to sit in a chair and clip off a few strands of hair 

just to show him there is no pain involved. Keep the mood 

as light as possible. 

• Instead of calling it a hair 

'cut', which may sound 

painful, try calling it 

something else like a trim or 

make up another name that 

your child might find more 

acceptable. 

• Bring along a favourite toy, 

book or snack to the hair 

salon to keep your child 

occupied or distracted. 

• Do some asking around as 

to where the kid-friendly hair 

dressers are in town - those with stylists who are good 

with kids. 

• Be prepared for some tears in the initial days but as your 

child gets older he will realise that hair cuts are not a big 

deal and that his tears and tantrums would be a thing of 

the past. 

Here are our top picks of hair care products for 

your little one: 

BabyOrganix Gentle Hair Shampoo 

• Specially formulated with hydrolyzed 

soy protein 

• Vitamin E in our shampoo guard against 

environmental damage 

• Free from harmful chemicals such 

as SLS, Paraben, Mineral oil and 

methylisothiazolinone 

Johnson’s Baby Conditioning Shampoo 

• Soap-free and clinically proven hypoallergenic 

• Paraben-free 

Johnson’s Baby Oil 

• Moisturizes baby’s delicate skin and helps 

protect from dryness 

• Pure mineral oil forms a silky barrier to help 

prevent excess moisture loss 

• Dermatologist- and allergy-tested 

Why isn’t my toddler’s hair 

growing? 

Hair growth for toddlers vary in rate. Some 

may have been born with little hair and may 

not have a thick head of hair until the age of 

three or even four years. Others develop thicker 

and longer hair more quickly. It’s also common 

for a toddler to have uneven hair, 

which could be a leftover from 

babyhood from rubbing 

hair off in places. Hair 

growth pattern may also 

change course as they 

grow. So, be patient 

with your little one’s hair 

growth and pay more 

attention to the care it 

receives while growing out. 

4 toddler hair care tips 

1 Most toddlers have fine hair, so it can get 

damaged easily. Avoid using combs meant for 

adults on your little one’s hair - instead, use a soft 

wide-toothed brush to groom or style his hair. 

2 You can a good quality baby oil to moisturize 

your little one’s hair before bath time. 

3 If your little one is a girl, avoid over-styling 

for now – headbands, barrettes and others can 

be too much for her hair, causing them to break. 

4 Don’t neglect sun protection! Use proper caps 

when taking them out in direct sun. 



Health And Medical Diary 

The trouble with 

sensitive skin… 

and how to deal with it 

It’s troublesome to have to deal with sensitive skin on yourself if you have 

it, but imagine if you had to watch your child suffer the discomforts of this 

annoying condition. Regardless if you’re familiar with sensitive skin or not, it’s 

always good to know how to handle it with care so that your child can have a 

better quality of life. 




Symptoms of sensitive skin: 

• Redness 

• Itchiness 

• Tingling 

• Tightness 

• Dryness 

• Stinging 

Whichever symptom(s) your child has, appropriate care 

and attention will help keep their skin feeling soothed 

and comforted. 

Trace the 

source 

You’ll have to know 

what’s triggering the 

sensitivity, and only 

then can you address 

the problem. There 

may be a number of 

things around and any 

of them could be the 

culprit, including heat, 

bath soaps, laundry 

detergents, pet dander, 

dust mites, certain 

fabrics and cigarette 

smoke. The first step 

is to identify and avoid 

anything that might be causing the irritation. 

Choose fabric with care 

Fabric in this regard could mean any 

fabric at all that comes to contact 

with your child’s skin - clothing, 

bed sheets, blankets, etc. Choose 

items made of fabric that are soft 

and comfortable, such as fineweaves 

or natural materials like 

cotton (instead of wool or nylon). 

Tip: Clothing tags have been the 

cause of rashes and redness at the 

back of the neck in many children. Cut 

them out from all your child’s clothing to 

minimise the risks of rashes and reddening. 

Moisturise! 

If dry skin is an issue for your 

child, try an appropriate 

skin moisturising lotion (one 

specifically designed for children’s 

dry skin). An organic body lotion 

LOTION 

for babies/children may be 

helpful, for it does away with all 

the usual additions and chemicals 

LOTION 

LOTION 

present in many other lotions, 

thus minimising the chances of 

your child’s skin acting up. The 

best time to apply the lotion it 

is just after bathing, when your child’s skin is still damp, to 

help lock in moisture. Pat skin dry with a towel (never rub) 

before applying the lotion. If your child is active and sweaty, 

try choosing one that is non comedogenic, which means the 

product tends not to clog pores. 




Laundry care 

MORE 

PRODUCT 

TRIPLE ACTION 

3.6 KG 

Choose a laundry detergent free of colors and 

fragrances, which can irritate the skin. Avoid 

antistatic products or fabric softeners, which often 

contain chemicals and fragrances, as well. Since 

liquid detergents sometimes rinse out easier than 

powder detergents do, they may be a better 

choice for sensitive skin. You may find that 

sticking with a baby detergent, designed for 

the most sensitive of skin, is the best option for 

your child. 

Tackle that itch 

Many kids with asthma, hay fever, or other allergies are more 

likely to have eczema, a condition that causes the skin to 

become itchy, red, dry or cracked. Sometimes a moisturizing 

cream is all you need to treat the condition, but if this doesn’t 

do the trick, you may need to see your child’s doctor or 

dermatologist. The doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or 

a topical corticosteroid. 

Try to keep your child from scratching (keep his nails short), 

and instead gently pat the itch with his fingertips. 

Gently does it 

You'll also want to take care when washing your child’s body. 

Use warm, not hot water, and a gentle soap, bubble bath, or 

shampoo, also free of chemicals and fragrances. If possible, 

limit the number of baths and showers from every day to 3 

to 4 times a week to avoid stripping your child’s skin of its 

natural oils. 

Screen off the sun’s ray 

Look for SPF (sun protection factor) numbers on 

the labels of sunscreens (selecting an SPF of 30 

or higher) to protect your child’s skin. But if your 

child has sensitive skin, you should also look for 

products with the active ingredient titanium 

dioxide. Also, don't use sunscreens with PABA, 

which can cause skin allergies. 

Editor’s pick 

Before buying, test it 

Before trying a new product, be sure to test a bit of it on the 

inside of your child’s wrist or arm. If a rash appears, or if your 

child’s skin feels itchy, hot, dry, or like it's burning (even after 

a few days of use with no problems), stop using the product. 

Ask your doctor for advice if needed, especially if the product 

has caused discomfort to your child’s skin. 

We like the BabyOrganix Hydrating Cream Bath 

as well as Nature’s first Aid. The Cream Bath is 

known for its deep-hydrating properties as it 

gently cleanses troubled skin. It is calming and 

soothing, with lavender to nurture 

and moisturise sensitive skin. The 

brand’s famous Nature’s First Aid 

(not pictured here) with antioxidantrich 

Calendula Oil is a natural, plantbased 

cream that protect cells from 

environmental damage, leaving skin 

radiant and supple. Babyorganix is 

known for its zero-chemical content 

and is compatible to sensitive skin. 

Its prized formulation nourishes, 

soothes and softens dry, cracked or 

irritated skin quickly. 



Early Education And Development 

How screen time may 

be affecting your 

toddler’s 

development 

Tablets and smartphones seem to play a 

big role these days in the lives of toddlers, 

mainly as distractions while mom or 

dad get chores done. Still, the more time 

toddlers spend staring onto a screen, the 

less time they spend learning through 

experiences in the real world. Plus, their 

ability to learn, communicate and even 

to build on their vocabulary are greatly 

affected. Read on… 




The next time you’re out at a 

restaurant with your family, 

take a look around. Screen time 

seems to be an inescapable 

reality of modern childhood, with kids 

of various ages dedicating hours of 

their full attention towards their tablet, 

smartphone and even television. While 

it’s not a bad thing, it can easily take a 

turn for the worse if you let it. 

Educational apps are all the rage now, 

where else educational TV shows have 

been around for quite some time now. 

They are great ways for children to 

sharpen their developing brains and 

hone their imagination and all — not to 

mention the break these screen times 

provide harried parents. Still, when 

parents themselves rely on it too much, 

sooner or later, the effects will show. 

Studies have already revealed the links 

between cognitive development in kids 

with extended exposure to electronic 

media. Children these days, from 

infancy even, spend hours a day in 

front of some form of electronic media. 

Today, it’s not uncommon to see twoyear-olds 

playing games on the touch 

screen of a parent’s tablet or phone. 

We can’t help but go: “What a smart 

child.” On the long run though, it may 

not be the smartest thing to do. 

Long-term 

consequences - now’s 

the time to think 

about it 

Toddlers tend to form habits fast, and 

so they will get hooked to screen time 

if parents let it be. This will not be an 

issue if it doesn’t cause permanent 

damage to their still-developing brains. 

Too much screen time too soon is the 

very thing impeding the development 

of the abilities that parents are so 

eager to foster through the tablets. The 

ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend 

attention to what others are saying 

and doing, and to sense other people’s 

attitudes and communicate with them, 

to build a large vocabulary — all those 

abilities are harmed. That’s a bitter pill 

to swallow but it’s the truth. 

Parents may mean well, and it’s easy to 

conclude that getting their kids to be 

tech-savvy at a tender age may provide 

them with an educational edge, but 

without realising it, all that screen time 

can actually be doing more harm than 

they ever imagined—and they need to 

start planning out future screen time 

with more wariness. 

Between birth and age three, for 

example, a child’s brain develops 

quickly and is particularly sensitive 

to the surrounding environment. In 

is called the critical period of child 

development, because the changes that 

happen in the brain during these first 

tender years become the permanent 

foundation upon which all later brain 

function is built. In order for the 

brain’s neural networks to develop 

normally during the critical period, a 

child needs specific stimuli from the 

outside environment. While the world 

evolves and changes around us, this 

rule in child development has not and 

will not change. The problem is that, 

essential stimuli are being pushed aside 

in favour of screen time. Little ones at 

very tender ages are spending way too 

much time in front of a screen and not 

getting enough required stimuli from 

the real world. Consequently, in very 

large scales, their developments are 

being affected. and not just for a while 

- if the damage happens during these 

crucial early years, those results can 

affect them for long term. 




But there’s loads of 

stimuli in there! 

True, the tablet and/or smartphone 

offers a whole lot in terms of stimuli, but 

the ability to process multiple actions 

simultaneously—is exactly what young 

brains do not need during their critical 

developing years. They need to be 

emotionally nourished, communicating 

with family members, connecting with 

them, making friends, etc. 

For example, a smartphone-told 

story can never take the place of a 

mother reading a story to a child. 

The smartphone way is akin to force 

feeding images, words, and pictures 

all at once to a young brain. So, rather 

than having to take the time to process 

a mother’s voice into words, visualize 

complete pictures and exert a mental 

effort to follow a storyline, a toddler 

who follows stories on a smartphone 

might get incompetent in terms of 

cognitive growth, for the device is 

doing all the thinking. 

How the modern 

world is creating 

little introverts 

There is an area of the brain, called 

the frontal lobe, that is responsible for 

decoding and comprehending social 

interactions. Why is this important? 

Because it is the part of the brain we 

use when we learn how to empathize 

with others, take in nonverbal cues 

while talking to friends and colleagues, 

and learn how to read the hundreds 

of unspoken signs—facial expression, 

tone of voice, and more — all the 

elements that add color and depth to 

real-world relationships. This learning 

and developments takes place during 

the critical growing years. 

The issue today is, while this crucial 

development is dependent on 

authentic human interactions, a 

growing number of toddlers and 

children are spending lots of precious 

time in front of tablets instead of 

communicating and playing with 

family members and other children. 

Hence, their empathic abilities—the 

near-instinctive way most of us read 

situations and get a feel for other 

people— is slowly being dulled off. 

This is after all, 

real life 

Often, we break out in a laughter 

when we see babies trying frantically 

to “swipe” a page of a magazine, 

or punch their adorable little fingers 

onto a poster or book as if it were a 

touchscreen. It’s cute to look at, but 

it points to something much deeper 

in the child’s brain— which is a wrong 

understanding that all actions have an 

immediate effect, and all stimuli elicit a 

quick response. 

This is true only in the on-screen 

world, but nowhere else! And this is 

where confusion and misconceptions 

begin - in the tender developing 

years. When every finger swipe brings 

about a response of colors and shapes 

and sounds, a child’s brain responds 

gleefully with the neurotransmitter 

dopamine, the key component in our 

reward system that is associated with 

feelings of pleasure. Dopamine hits 

in the brain can feel almost addictive, 

and when a child gets too used to an 

immediate stimuli response, he will 

learn to always prefer smartphonestyle 

interaction—that is, immediate 

gratification and response—over realworld 

connections with people, pets, 

toys, etc. 

This pattern and its consequences, 

mimics, in a less intense manner, the 

disturbing cycle teachers, psychologists 

and physicians often witness in young 

children with behavioral issues. 

A time for everything 

Now that we’ve helped you understand 

how overexposure to smartphones can 

pose a danger for your young child’s 

developing brain, it’s up to you to 

make an effort to control the situation. 

We’re not denying that there are a lot 

of benefits to letting little ones use 

technology. Once a child is over the age 

of two, feel free to allow limited screen 

time. We recommend a maximum of 

an hour of playing with the tablet or 

smartphone each day—to help develop 

coordination, hone quick reactions, and 

even sharpen language skills. As long 

as you treat it just the same as with 

allowing them access to other toys and 

tools - it should stay in moderation, and 

never stand in for human interaction. 

There has to be clear boundaries 

between the online world and reality. 

Powering off when you need to is the 

best way to help your child differentiate 

between the two. 


Bright Kids 

Growing Up 

Hygiene: 

How does your 

child fare? 

Kids do not always see the point of keeping themselves clean, especially when 

they’re busy having fun. Cleanliness can sometimes even be quite a chore when 

you’re a young child with so many other things to do. However, with the recent 

spread of alarmingly dangerous diseases everywhere, good hygiene habits will 

definitely go a long way in keeping our loved ones well and free from harmful 

diseases. Here are some useful pointers to keep in mind when it comes to hygiene 

and cleanliness. 


Bright Kids 

Growing Up 

Forming lifelong habits 

Most habits, especially those that last a lifetime, are formed 

during childhood. We tend to form all sorts of habits from 

the time we are young. This is why it’s really important that 

kids are taught and reinforced on daily hygiene habits such as 

morning and night teeth-brushing, hand washing and so on. 

They are the keys to a healthier life, really. 

Tip: Try making bathtime 

a precursor to a relaxing 

bedtime story. As young kids 

take part in these actions daily, 

they will start to accept them 

as part of their daily lives. 

When a child begins to attend 

pre-school, he or she will begin 

to pick up hygiene lessons at 

school and this can serve you 

if you know how to use it to 

your favour. At this age, since all their other friends are also 

doing the same, they find it fun and acceptable to wash their 

hands, use a hankie and so on and so forth. 

Sometimes, all you will have to do is to reinforce good 

hygiene practices at every opportunity. For instance, you 

can remind your child to wash his or her hands for at least 

20 seconds before every meal, after using the bathroom and 

after coming in from playing outside. 

Are those hands clean? 

Disease-causing germs on unwashed 

hands can enter the body when a 

person touches their nose, mouth, 

and open wounds. Alternatively, 

these germs can spread to others by 

handling shared items and touching 

common surfaces. So, teaching kids 

to wash their hands properly greatly 

reduces the risk of transmission. 

Hands should be washed before: 

• Eating or serving food 

• Preparing/helping to prepare a meal 

• Putting in contact lenses 

• Tending to or helping to tend to someone who is sick or 

treating a break in the skin 

Cleanliness at Home 

As a parent, your household hygiene habits count too. Be 

diligent about cleaning and disinfecting tables, countertops, 

and other frequently touched 

surfaces. Disinfect the hard 

surfaces that kids touch 

frequently, including door 

knobs, tables, light switches 

and countertops. However, 

do remember that all food 

contact surfaces must be 

rinsed after disinfection. 

Sanitize soft surfaces like bags 

or backpacks. These practices 

will help you to stop the 

spread of germs your child 

may bring home from school or the playground. 

Get the whole family involved 

Most households with school-going kids will find it a 

challenge to maintain a balance in chores within the 

household, especially when it comes to designating cleaning 

duties to the kids. This is especially when the school year is in 

full swing, where family schedules can 

be overtaken by after-school activities, 

special events, sports practice, and 

homework. However, it is still essential 

that important cleaning tasks be carried 

out within the household to prevent 

the spread of germs at home. 

With some planning ahead, you can 

indeed turn cleaning into a daily habit for 

everyone and if done right, it’s possible 

for a family to fit some important tasks 

into their daily routines – and make 

cleaning quicker and easier, too. 

Involve your kids - Ask your child or 

children to help you come up with 

a chore assignment plan. By taking 

ownership, they will be more engaged 

and feel like a part of the solution 

to keep the house looking clean and 

staying germ-free! 

Wash hands after: 

• Using the bathroom 

• Taking out trash 

• Playing with, touching, or cleaning up after pets, especially 

reptiles and exotic animals 

• Touching uncooked food 

• Caring for a sick person 

• Blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing 


Bright Kids 

Growing Up 

Assign a family member to each specific cleaning task. 

Each person can hold multiple responsibilities, such as 

taking out the trash and doing the dishes. To keep things 

lively and also to beat boredom, tasks can be rotated to 

either weekly or fortnightly. 

Create a rotating weekly schedule or cleaning wheel to show 

which family member’s turn it is to help with a certain task, 

like sweeping, folding laundry or taking out the garbage. 

Beneficial habits to form 

• Kids rooms. Make sure your child straightens up his or 

her room at a certain time every day, be it before bedtime 

or when they return from school. 

• Clean bathrooms. Have a ruling where the last person 

out of the shower is to spray the bathroom with a daily 

cleanser, or squeegee shower walls and doors. Using a 

disinfectant spray each day can help prevent the growth of 

mold and mildew in showers and tubs. 

• Kitchen habits. Clean the kitchen sink every day. Don’t 

forget to clean cutting boards that are used with raw 

meats, poultry, and seafood. 

• Wipe away! Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters 

with a disinfecting wipe every night before bed — moist 

surfaces breed more germs than dry surfaces. 

• Debris-free. Empty backpacks daily to get rid of debris. 

• Ready for use. Replenish hand sanitizer and tissues as 

needed. 

• Donate regularly. Set up a box or bin for “items to 

donate” and regularly add the toys, clothes, and other 

items you are no longer using to keep clutter minimized. 

Disinfect & protect 

Anti-bacterial products can be found in almost every 

household in Malaysia. They can be in the form of household 

cleaning products and even personal hygiene products. In its 

broadest definition, an antibacterial is an agent that interferes 

with the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Antibacterials 

are now most commonly described as agents used to disinfect 

surfaces and eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. 

List of antibacterial products available in the market: 

Hand soap/gels 

Disinfectant sprays 

Floor washes 

Laundry powders/liquid 

Bath gel/soap 

Kitchen cleaning products 

Free your household of 

dust and mold 

Dust and mold are often not treated as potential 

health hazards, but in truth, they certainly are. 

Every household should be concerned about 

them, for they can cause serious respiratory 

problems, among others. Here's how you can 

keep them under control: 

• Vacuum carpets every week. 

• Routinely use non-residue producing 

disinfectants for bathtubs, shower curtains, 

sinks, 

and other areas that are often wet. 

• If you have a ventilation fan in your 

bathroom, make sure to turn it on whenever 

you use the shower, as it helps keep mold 

from growing 


Bright Kids 

Feature 

Is second-hand 

smoke exposure 

endangering your 

children’s lives? 

It’s a hard concept to take in but, did you know that children who are exposed to 

secondhand smoke are inhaling nicotine and other chemicals into their bodies just 

like smokers? Read on… 


Bright Kids 

Feature 

Cigarette smoke 

is known to 

contain around 

4,000 chemicals, 

a number of which are 

known cancer causers, 

and is related to a range of 

illnesses such as asthma, 

chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease, 

cancer, and heart disease. 

Although it can be quite 

challenging to try and keep children away from secondhand 

smoke produced by smokers, it is the responsibility of parents 

to do whatever they can for their children’s sake. Here are 

some pointers. 

If you haven’t quit the habit yet... 

Smoking is a challenging addiction to give up but if you’re 

serious about taking charge of your health, there are 

resources available, which can help guide you through the 

process. Since January 2007, the Ministry of Health Malaysia 

has provided a hotline service to aid smokers in giving 

up their habit. This hotline is known as Infoline Berhenti 

Merokok at 03-88834400. It operates daily during working 

hours. Infoline Berhenti Merokok is hosted by the Health 

Education Division of the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Services 

provided: Advice on quit smoking; Tips to quit smoking; and 

Quit Smoking Clinic. Operating Hours: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. 

Mondays to Fridays (working days only). 

Fact 

No amount of secondhand smoke is 

considered safe to inhale, especially for 

children! 

Help other family members quit too 

If there are any other smokers who spend a lot of time 

around your children, try to help them stop smoking too. 

Although quitting a habit such as smoking is a personal 

choice, you may be able to persuade them to quit, especially 

if they already know the dangers of smoking to their own 

health and to others. 

Try explaining to them about the harmful carcinogens that 

your children are being exposed to by their habit. This may 

take a bit of tact, but it has to be done for the good of your 

family. Don’t forget to emphasise on the personal benefits 

they will enjoy as a result of quitting too. Lastly, offer as much 

emotional support as possible to help them quit the habit. 

Encouraging fact 

20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart 

rate and blood pressure decrease. One year after 

quitting, your risk of contracting coronary heart 

disease is cut in half. Ten years after quitting, the 

risk of dying from lung cancer is 50% lower than 

that of a continuing smoker. 

Make your home a smoke-free zone 

Your home is where your family lives 

in so you have every right to forbid 

smoking in your house, especially if 

you’re serious about your children’s 

health. As troublesome or sensitive 

as it can get, you will have to start 

somewhere. One way is to make 

a polite, casual announcement in 

Facebook, for example, that you wish 

to take the wellbeing of your family 

seriously and request that family 

members and friends who visit your 

home from now on refrain from 

lighting up inside the house. 

Be aware of outside 

exposure 

NO 

SMOKING 

You may be able to control the situation in your own home, 

but it’s not quite possible to do the same when you bring 

your child to public places. Nevertheless, it’s still just as 

important to try and limit their exposure to secondhand 

smoke as much as possible. 

Firstly, identify the places that do not ban smoking in their 

premises and as long as you can help it, avoid frequenting 

those places with your child. After all, there are plenty of 

other places, such as certain restaurants, playgrounds, parks, 

etc, that operate on a no- smoking policy. 

Avoid theaters, entertainment venues, and anywhere that 

smokers are likely to feel comfortable lighting up. If you 

happen to be in a restaurant which allows smoking, keep 

your children away from the tables of smokers. 


Bright Kids 

Feature 

You have a right to protect 

your kids 

Sometimes, you will just have to take the time 

and effort to explain to the smokers in your life 

that while you value their presence in your life 

and your children’s lives, you cannot allow them 

to smoke around your children, and that your 

children will not be allowed to be around them 

while they are smoking. Help them understand 

how they are putting everyone around them 

at risk when they smoke, particularly children, 

who are still developing. Do your best to be firm, 

but also respectful when executing this message 

and hope for the best. 

While talking to your child would work, especially if you 

happen to have good communication between you both, 

there are also alternative methods which can help you 

along. Search for YouTube videos which might help your 

children understand the dangers of smoking and secondhand 

smoke. Here is one such video worth your child’s attention: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF7SNcw7kxQ 

What steps are taken by your 

child’s school? 

DANGERS OF SMOKING 

HEART LUNGS BRAIN STOMACH 

Educate your children about 

smoking and secondhand smoke. 

Merely informing your child that smoking and secondhand 

smoke are bad or dangerous does not help them understand 

exactly why they should not do it. Instead, try explaining 

to them the different ways that smoking and secondhand 

smoke can harm the body. You may also use examples to 

back up your points. If you tell them that smoking is bad for 

their lungs, you might consider showing them a picture of a 

smoker’s lungs. 

Be just as serious when explaining why avoiding secondhand 

smoke is also important for their health. Point out, for 

example, that even secondhand smoke exposure can lead to 

respiratory problems, etc. 

As a parent, you will always have the best intentions at heart 

when it comes to your child’s health, but it will not always 

be possible to shield him or her from the habits of other 

people. You’d have a much better chance though, if they fully 

understood the ramifications of secondhand smoke, as well 

as smoking itself, of course. 

Most schools do have some sort of anti-smoking program, 

but some may have a less well-developed program than 

others. Ask your child’s teacher what the school’s program 

involves, and whether or not they include education about 

secondhand smoke in their program. If you are not satisfied 

with the current program, suggest ways it can be improved, 

or better still, ask if you can help. 

Children who live with 

smokers are more likely 

to develop: 

• Asthma • Sore throats 

• Bronchitis • Ear infections 

• Pneumonia • Eye irritation 

• Colds 

• Allergies 

• Coughing/ 

wheezing 


Life & Style 

Money Talk 

Eco Friendly 

(and Wallet Friendly) 

Birthday Party 

Ideas 

Here’s a fact: Birthday parties generate a lot of waste. There are wrapping papers, disposable 

plates and cups which are not necessarily biodegradable , paper towels, birthday cards, 

balloons and the list goes on! You can do your part in helping Mother Earth in many ways, and 

one of it is making birthday parties ( and any other celebration!) as eco-friendly as possible. 

Furthermore, you’ll also be saving some green in your wallet too! Here’s how... 


Life & Style 


Invitations 

Well, in the beginning, there 

are invitations to send out. 

One of the easiest tips for a 

green party in this area is to 

use the internet for online 

invites instead of having a part 

in wasting precious resources 

through paper invitations. 

You’ll also be saving on 

postage as well. Still, if you 

do somehow prefer a touch 

of tradition in your invites, try 

printing out invitations from 

recycled paper instead. After 

printing them out, involve the 

kids in personalising each card with colour pencils, etc. Hand 

deliver the cards to nearby addresses and mail the rest. 

Do away with too many 

disposables! 

Nowadays, when you think of children’s 

parties, you can’t help thinking about 

disposable plates, napkins, tablecloths, 

cups and even cutlery that get tossed away 

after just one use. What a waste of money 

and natural resources! Rather than buying 

paper products, consider instead reusable, 

kid-friendly cups, plates and cutlery. Of course, some effort in 

doing the dishes will be needed, but think about the amount 

of trash you won’t be generating on your part! 

Tip: Allocate a bin for leftovers on plates and another 

for the used dishes that need to be washed. That 

way, you can tackle them later and they won’t look so 

intimidating piled up in the kitchen sink! 

Party Food 

Sadly kids’ parties in these modern times have become 

synonymous with sugary foods that are loaded with 

saturated fats, but it need not be that way. Healthier, 

greener options for kids party foods are not as complicated 

as they sound. Here are some party ideas from cooking guru 

Jamie Oliver himself: 

1) Set up a “ Do 

it yourself “ food 

station, where your 

child can invite his 

or her guests to 

make fill up their 

own pancakes, make 

their own tacos, 

etc. You could even 

have a pot of pasta and let them decide on which of 

your tasty homemade sauces they prefer! With a little 

planning ahead and a dash of creativity on your part, the 

possibilities are endless. 

2) Get clever with the 

healthy stuff! A ‘spaceship 

power juice’ or ‘Princess 

Elsa blueberry smoothie’ 

will always sound more 

enticing than just ‘healthy 

fruit juices’. Set up your 

juicer/blender on a table 

and make them to order – 

just like in a juice bar! 

3) Use natural colourants for home-made goodies. Colorintense 

foods such as beetroot, spinach and oranges, or 

a blend of colorful fruits like blueberries, strawberries, 

mangoes, pineapple and kiwis make great food dyes and 

they add delicious natural flavours to your home-made 

fare too! Whether you are dyeing an icing, smoothie, or 

cake filling, you will be surprised how beautiful natural 

tints come out. 

4) Home-made ice-lollies! 

These give you the chance to 

get really creative, using lots 

of different fruits or juices to 

create your own combination 

of goodness that the kids will 

love. There is no need to spend 

money on expensive trendy ice 

lollie moulds, either; Instead, 

try using old yoghurt pots – they work a charm! 

5) Cover fruits with chocolate! Melt some dark chocolate 

in a double boiler pan, dip peeled, halved bananas or 

other soft, kid-friendly fruits and let cool on a greaseproof 

paper. 


Life & Style 


Birthday cake fact 

Store-bought birthday cakes 

come in disposable pans and 

cardboard boxes, generating 

unnecessary trash. Making 

your own, however, can be 

a much better choice and 

you also get to control the 

ingredients that go into the 

cake, which is especially 

important if you have guests 

with allergies! 

Party drinks 

Popular party choices such as 

juice boxes, bottled water and 

other single-serving beverages 

are known to create lots of 

waste, for they’re present 

in almost every kids’ party! 

Instead, Fill a pitcher or 

two with homemade syrup, 

ice water or even milk and 

supply some sturdy plastic 

cups instead of paper cups. 

Creativity can also go a long way in party 

drinks! For example, labeling a large pitcher 

of drink as “Premium Fuel Tank” will 

surely add some excitement to the drink, 

as would allowing little guests to sprinkle 

a pinch of of ‘Fairy dust’ into their drinks, 

from a bowl of coloured sugar. 

Greener deco options 

Fancy streamers and 

balloons are not cheap, 

but parents still seem 

to go for them when 

it comes to their kids’ 

birthday party deco. 

Balloon are also known to 

either pop for get popped 

before the party finishes, presenting 

choking hazards for small children. 

Greener, more kids-friendly 

alternatives would include use 

materials you already have on hand 

to create longer lasting decorations. 

Use recycled paper to make banners 

and party hats, which guests can 

color and decorate themselves as 

part of the party activities. 

Birthday presents 

It might seem weird, but it is perfectly alright to request that 

no gifts are brought to the party if that is what you want 

to do. Instead, you can ask that everyone bring something 

to donate to a local charity or organization. Or, if dealing 

with especially difficult relatives, for instance, you can try 

requesting that the gifts not come excessively wrapped, 

rather wrapped in a reusable cloth bag, or newspaper or 

something like that. 

Or you can let all the parents know that it’s going to be a ‘gift 

for all’ birthday party. This means that all the gifts received 

will be placed in a pile and every kid will get to pick one 

out to take home. This develops a sense of sharing and that 

everyone at the party is special. Kids go home with a better 

sense that it was THEIR day too. 

Bid conventional 

goodie bags goodbye 

It seems to be a trend for parents to 

offer goodie bags filled with candy and 

cheap toys! You don’t have to succumb 

to this, especially if you care enough for 

your child, those little guests and yes, 

the earth too! You can still send guests 

home with a small token. You could 

always substitute the normal offerings 

for a small paperback book or some art 

supplies for the goody bag. Tie up the treat in an inexpensive 

bandannas and you’ll have the perfect party gift! 


Life & Style 

Love For Life 

Veganism: 

Little ones and 

alternative diets 

Going vegan these days isn’t just a passing fad. Many people are looking into veganism 

to live a life which excludes exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals – be it for food, 

clothing or any other purpose. Even though it is becoming less of a rarity these 

days, questions do arise on whether the drastic restrictions associated with a vegan 

diet is suitable for young children, especially during the critical developing years of 

toddlerhood till five or six years old. 


Life & Style 

Love For Life 

Concerns on the lack of nutrients 

There are concerns on the apparent lack of nutrients 

in a vegan diet which may affect a child’s growth and 

development. For instance, vegan food can be lacking in 

vitamin D, calcium, iron and possibly vitamin B12, which 

are typically derived from the intake of milk and meat in 

normal diets. 

A vegan diet also isn't very energy-dense: one would have 

to eat a lot of it to get enough energy. Toddlers typically 

don't eat a lot, so getting enough calories into them can 

be difficult. Some dieticians recommend adding some good 

vegetable oil to their food. 

Another downside of a vegan diet is the lack of protein. A 

child who is fed with meat and fish would easily get all the 

right amino acids compared to a child who is getting protein 

from pulses. The problem here is that one type of bean might 

not provide every amino acid, so there has to be a good 

balance of pulses which the little one has to consume. In 

short, a child will get all the essential amino acids by eating 

some chicken meat, but a child who only eats one type of 

bean won't. 

Be fully informed 

Like any other alternative diet practiced in the world, 

information and knowledge are the keys to ensure that you’ll 

be getting all the right nutrients. Needless to say, parents 

raising their offspring on a vegan diet have to be adequately 

informed on their child’s nutritional needs and how they will 

be met, because, when a vegan diet starts to go wrong, or 

when one starts to lax and nutritional requirements are not 

met, the child will have to suffer the consequences. 

The first symptom is usually that the child fails to thrive or 

grow properly. This will probably be due to the shortage of 

calories and protein that are required for children to thrive. 

Rickets might follow, (caused by deficiencies in vitamin D and 

calcium). Yes, such are the severities of deficiencies in major 

nutrients in a child’s diet. 

However, here are the kickers: 

While we may have mentioned 

all of the above as the possible 

downsides of children on a 

vegan diet, the fact is, countless 

children all over the world today, 

who are all on ‘normal’ diets, 

suffer the above outcomes too, 

and then some! The availability 

of fast foods, modern day foodpreparation 

methods and the 

over-use of poor quality or overly 

processed ingredients all add up 

to bring about dire consequences 

to children’s health and wellbeing. 

Now, that’s food for 

thought, isn’t it? 

And here’s another one.. 

Vegan families are more likely to cook at home, and are likely 

to be very knowledgeable about nutrition because they have 

had to make a lot of effort to follow the diet through. Most 

of them follow a whole food diet, and avoid trans-fats and 

too much salt. It's actually makes it much easier for vegans 

and their children to meet the requirements of the food 

pyramid than for other people. 

Vegan nutrition for babies and 

children 

Healthy infants can thrive on well-planned vegan 

diets. Breast milk is the best food for infants, 

but if you cannot breastfeed your baby, use 

properly formulated commercial soya infant 

formula. Infant formulas are fortified with 

vitamin D3. They are safe alternatives to 

breast milk. Note: The vitamin D3 is from 

lanolin though, a derivative from sheep. 


Life & Style 

Love For Life 

Tips on vegan diets for young 

children 

Most vegan babies are ready to enjoy family meals by the 

time they are one. Here are some of the best foods for your 

vegan child. 

• Green vegetables - Other than being an excellent source 

of iron, they’re also rich in calcium and antioxidants. 

Not many young children take to them easily at first, so 

vegan parents may have to resort to blending them into a 

tomato-based pasta sauces or adding them to juices with 

sweeter vegetables such as carrot. Yummy! 

• Calcium-fortified tofu , which just happens to also be 

rich in protein, can be made into a mash or be served as 

finger food. 

• Low salt yeast extract is a good source of B vitamins for 

older children – Think Vegemite and the likes. 

• Use more soya bean oil or rapeseed (canola) oil for they 

are known to encourage the production of fatty acids 

that are important for the development of the brain and 

vision. You can also add a little of these healthy vegetable 

oils to cooked grains to increase their calorie content, and 

improve palatability. 

• Use avocado, or seed/nut butters on bread to increase 

calories. 

• Mashed pulses such as lentils, mung beans and chick peas 

provide energy and protein. Make sure they’re well-cooked 

though. Strain them through a sieve to get rid of the skins, 

so that young tummies can digest them and get the best 

of all the nutrition they have to offer. 

• Using black molasses for flavoring is known to boost iron 

and calcium intakes. 

• Non-dairy milks e.g. soya milk are popular vegan choices 

for they are fortified with calcium, vitamin D2 and 

vitamin B12. 

• Don’t forget to add sources of Vitamin C for healthy skin 

and also to help absorb iron. Vitamin C-rich foods include 

broccoli, cabbage, kiwi fruits, oranges, strawberries, 

pineapple and oranges. 

So….thinking of raising a vegan kid? Consult with a 

registered dietician if you have any doubts about your 

decisions. He or she can help point you the right direction so 

that your child can thrive on this alternative diet. 

Calcium needs of 

toddlers 

We need calcium as one of 

the nutrients for healthy 

bones. Vegan toddler can 

thrive on calcium-fortified 

plant milks, breakfast 

cereals and some tofu to 

meet their calcium needs. 


Life & Style 

Out & About 

Preschool White Lodge 

Establishes Presence in Kuala 

Lumpur 

White Lodge International Preschool (White Lodge), one 

of the leading preschools known to be implementing 

personalised learning modules in Singapore, recently 

opened in Bangsar South and Mont Kiara. White Lodge 

was born in Singapore in 1999, with three students and 

two teachers and armed with the ambition to provide 

better early childhood education and support to parents 

and children alike. Since then, it has enrolled over 10,000 

students from more than 30 nationalities to successfully 

grow into becoming one of the very first preschools in 

Singapore to recognise the value of creative education 

to preschool-aged children. Jayne Nadarajoo, Founding 

Director of White Lodge Education Group Services, said that 

she was inspired to establish White Lodge after realising 

that childhood education tends to focus on academic 

excellence, with little emphasis on long-term intellectual 

and emotional growth. White Lodge offers a variety of 

programmes for children aged 18 months to six and a half 

years in an environment where it includes an orientation 

towards mastery and students are fundamentally motivated 

to demonstrate mastery rather than just good grades. 

Holiday joy at Zoo Negara for 

over 300 children! 

Mention a visit to the Zoo and most children will jump for 

joy for the opportunity to get up close and personal with 

exotic animals! In conjunction with the spirit of the season, 

Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd. (Mundipharma) in 

collaboration with Lions Clubs from District 308 B1 & B2 (KL 

& Selangor), hosted over 300 children and their caretakers 

from four children’s homes and seven children refugee centres 

to a special visit to the zoo. 

The Mundipharma sponsored initiative is part of the 

company’s Corporate Responsibility programme. Speaking 

at the event, Mr. Suresh Pragasam, Regional General 

Manager, South East Asia at Mundipharma said, “Aligned to 

our Corporate Responsibility pledge, we are always on the 

lookout for deserving cases and are committed to helping 

children in need. As children’s well-being is one of our key 

areas of commitment, the educational excursion to the zoo is 

especially meaningful as these children get to be themselves 

with peaked curiosity as they learn more about animals.” 

Helping young Malaysians with 

AS move again 

Arthritis Foundation Malaysia aims to change Ankylosing 

Spondylitis (AS) patients’ lives through the launch of its 

‘Will You Back Me Up?’ campaign in conjunction with 

World AS Day 2018, to raise funds for young patients who 

need access to biologic treatments to lead a normal life. 

“First signs of AS usually occurs when patients are in their 

late teens or early twenties, and most of them tend to 

brush the pain off as a sports injury or sleeping in a wrong 

position. The back pain experienced by AS patients can be 

misleading and it should not be taken lightly. World AS 

Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of May every year. 

Some notable celebrities with AS include Taiwanese singer, 

Jay Chou and lead-singer of American band Imagine 

Dragons, Dan Reynolds.To learn more about Ankylosing 

Spondylitis and the AS Fund by Arthritis Foundation 

Malaysia, please visit http://afm.org.my/as/. 

Sri Kota’s first ever Kids Club 

launched 

Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre opened their doors to 

a large number of young citizens recently, as the hospital 

officially launched its Sri Kota Kids Club, where kids can 

go to learn and discover healthy fun every time they visit 

Sri Kota. The fun-filled launch, officiated by Sri Kota’s 

Hospital Director Madam Tan Suet Guan, together with 

the Consultants Pediatrician, Dr. David Foo & Dr. Diana 

Osman, and Consultant O&G Dr. Vidnodhini saw children 

bonding with their families through various activities. 

“In conjunction with our upcoming 20th anniversary 

celebration, Sri Kota is extremely delighted to present 

the Sri Kota Kids Club for our young patients, offering 

them the opportunity to enjoy exceptional benefits in 

our hospital. The joyous occasion also welcomed the 

children from Good Samaritan Home, and the atmosphere 

was brought to life exclusively for the launch, where the 

children participated in entertaining activities as well as an 

interactively-educational hand hygiene demonstration. 


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