05_BT_May 2022

Creating Good Memories
We have come a long way, haven’t we? While I am pleased that things are opening
up and we are gradually settling into the new normal, I still remind myself to stay
safe – not just for me, but for my loved ones as well. Needless to say, masks and
sanitisers are still my best friends! I think after the ordeal we have been through,
taking necessary steps to prevent the virus has become second nature to most of us.
A silver lining from all this is that we are now prioritising health like never before.
As parents, our child’s health and well-being are always on top of our minds –
especially when we have infants in our care. The recent emergence of MIS-C in
kids due to COVID-19 is terrifying, and with schools reopening, we must stay extra
vigilant. Thus, we now have the responsibility to educate our kids on what this
pandemic is all about and help them practise better safety measures when they are
out of the house.
Last but not least, a Happy, Merry, Wonderful Mother’s Day to all mamas and
mummies-to-be out there. All of you are truly queens in your own right and simply
the best in these trying times. Sure, we might have to miss that Mother’s Day dinner
at her favourite restaurant, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a memorable
celebration at home. As they say, home is wherever mom is!
Till we meet again next month!
Much love
Lily Wong
Bump to Birth
Editor’s Note
04 9 Months:
Having Twins, Triplets or More? Here
Are Your Birth Options
BT Guide
12 Simple Reading and Math
Techniques for Right-Brain Learners
Baby & Toddler
22 Health & Medical Diary:
Understanding Multi-System
Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
(MIS-C)
contents May 2022
Special Feature
34 16 Classic & Creative Ways to
Make Mother’s Day a Memorable
One at Home
Life & Style
41 BT Recommends:
Disinfection Made Super Easy:
Philips UV-C Disinfection Mini Box
44 FEATURE:
How to Choose Health Insurance
for Children
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Bump to Birth
9 Months
Having
Twins,
Triplets
or More?
Here Are
Your Birth
Options
Expecting more than one baby can be a great blessing
and an exciting journey. However, you will have
different needs as well as health risks compared to
women with a single pregnancy. As a soon-to-be
mother to twins, triplets or more, understanding and
learning the unique risks of your multiple pregnancies
while maintaining a healthy balance will ensure a
safer delivery. Dr Nor Idayu Bte Ahmad Ruslan, O&G
Consultant at Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, discusses
the differences in care and experience for women with
multiple pregnancies, distinction in labour and delivery,
and postpartum care.
Multiple pregnancies occur when one
fertilised egg (ovum) splits before it
implants in the uterine lining or when
a different sperm fertilises two or
more separate eggs simultaneously.
These two different types of multiple
pregnancies result in either identical or
fraternal siblings. The most common
type of multiple pregnancies are twin
pregnancies. Generally, a fraternal
twin is more common than an
identical twin, occurring in 3-4 in 1000
deliveries worldwide.
Multiple pregnancies can easily be
diagnosed by using an ultrasound. The
first-trimester ultrasound is essential
in determining the number of babies,
types of chorionicity (either the baby
has her own or sharing a placenta) and
amnionicity (either the baby has their
own or sharing sac of amniotic fluid)
Birth Options
The decision as to whether to plan for
a vaginal birth or a caesarean birth will
depend on several factors, including the
position in which the babies are lying
in your uterus, how well the babies are
growing, any comorbidities and your
personal preferences about the birth.
Both vaginal birth and caesarean birth
have benefits and risks, depending on
your individual circumstances.
In a twin pregnancy, you can opt for
a vaginal delivery if the baby lying
nearest to your cervix (the leading twin)
is head-down, and you have no other
complications. The position of the
second twin can change after the first
baby is born and should not influence
how you choose to give birth.
If the baby nearest to your cervix is
bottom-down (breech) towards the
end of the pregnancy, Caesarean birth
is usually recommended. A Caesarean
section is the best option if you have a
monoamniotic twin (when your babies
share the same amniotic sac) or triplet.
Discuss with your obstetrician regarding
your delivery options so that you can
have the safest birth plan for you and
your babies.
4 BabyTalk | May 2022

Bump to Birth
9 Months
Dr Nor Idayu Bte Ahmad Ruslan
O&G Consultant,
Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh
Complications and
Common Symptoms
Most women with twins or triplets
have a healthy pregnancy and will
give birth to healthy babies. However,
complications are more common,
and you will be offered extra care
during your pregnancy. Some of the
conditions that may occur include
anaemia, pre-eclampsia, gestational
diabetes, risk of delivering prematurely
and postpartum haemorrhage.
Ideally, pregnant mothers should take
a prenatal vitamin with folic acid three
months prior to conception. Stay healthy
and exercise regularly.
You will be in the care of obstetricians
throughout your pregnancies, which
means frequent follow up with serial
ultrasound. Involve your partner and
get their support throughout the
journey. Do not be afraid to discuss any
issues pertaining to your pregnancy
with your doctor.
REAL-LIFE ACCOUNT OF MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES
Problems that many pregnant women
experience, such as morning sickness,
heartburn, swollen ankles, varicose
veins, backache and tiredness, will also
be doubled or tripled in mothers with
multiple pregnancies.
Other signs unique to multiple
pregnancies include excessive weight
gain during pregnancy, a larger
uterus, and of course – more than one
heartbeat will be picked up during
Daptone or multiple body part felt
during an examination.
Despite being categorised as “highrisk
pregnancies”, most multiple
pregnancies progress smoothly. The
chances of a smooth pregnancy increase
if you take better care of yourself. The
most important step is proper nutrition.
Madam AZ, a 28 years old nurse with a strong family history of
twins, was also carrying twins. The early ultrasound revealed
that she has a monochorionic diamniotic twin, which means her
twins shared a placenta but had different amniotic sacs. She and
her husband were counselled regarding the possible outcome
of twin pregnancy, like growth discrepancies and the need for
regular follow-up.
She suffered from severe morning sickness during her first
trimester, which warranted multiple visits to the ER and
admission for intravenous hydration. Her condition improved
in the second trimester. She was not anaemic, and her glucose
tolerance test was normal. Her babies were growing well, and a
gross anomaly scan showed normal baby girls. She had regular
checkups and adhered to a good dietary habit.
However, during her routine ultrasound at 34 weeks, the
doctor noted that her second twin was smaller with reduced
liquid. Dexamethasone was given to enhance lung maturity.
The couple was counselled on the risk of intrauterine growth
restriction and the risk of delivering her prematurely if there
were any evidence of fetal distress. She was monitored closely
for any evidence of fetal compromise.
Thankfully, her daily cardiotocograph was normal. Her babies
were delivered via caesarean section at 36 weeks, weighing
2.2 and 1.8 kilograms respectively. The caesarean section was
uneventful, and she was discharged after the second day of postop.
Both babies were healthy, did not require any oxygen, and
were discharged on the third day.
6 BabyTalk | May 2022

Brand Story
CRYOCORD:
Safeguarding A
Healthy Future
For Your Child
CryoCord, a premier and leading stem cell bank
in Malaysia, is renowned for their impeccable
services that combine modern technology and
scientific professionalism. Leveraging on their
experience and expertise in stem cell banking
and research, this award-winning company aims
to provide premium quality service in long-term
stem cell cryopreservation.

Brand Story
Established in 2002, CryoCord was
conceived from the talents, skills, and
vision of a dedicated group of visionary
medical and investment professionals. It
all began when Dr K. Y. Then (Chief
Technical Officer) and Academician
Emeritus Professor Dr Cheong Soon Keng
(Medical Director) identified a need for
stem cells preservation in our region,
which subsequently led to their concept
of a premium stem cell cryopreservation
bank in Malaysia.
Today, CryoCord has progressively grown
to become one of the largest and most
comprehensive private stem cell facilities
in Southeast Asia, specialising in long term
human stem cell and tissue
cryopreservation.
“When I graduated from medical school
in the ’70s, it never dawned on me that
the umbilical cord stems cells can yield at
least two types of stem cells, one for
curing blood cancers, the other for
repairing damaged organs,” says
Academician Emeritus Professor Dr
Cheong Soon Keng, Medical Director of
CryoCord Group.
CryoCord started with processing and
banking cord blood stem cells in just a
class 100 cleanroom to culturing various
cells, including Mesenchymal Stem Cells
(MSCs) in 10 cleanrooms. Operating from
the company’s wholly owned and purposebuilt
laboratory in Cyberjaya, their current
facilities now serve a suite of MSCs
processing and storage derived from the
umbilical cord, bone marrow, dental pulp
and adipose tissue. CryoCord has also
expanded their services to Indonesia with
a fully operational laboratory.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are one of the most miraculous
elements of the human body. These cells
have the unique ability to multiply
themselves, often throughout the life
of a human. For infants, baby stem cells
are undifferentiated “master” cells that
differentiate into other cell types to form
the brain, nerves, muscles, and other
body parts.
Should You Store Stem
Cells?
The decision is entirely up to you. On the
one hand, stem cells may literally be a
life-saving choice for your child or family
member should an unfortunate health

Brand Story
issue arises. On the other, it’s a once in a
lifetime opportunity to store your baby’s
stem cell. Many families who have opted
for stem cell banking shared that they are
doing this for peace of mind in the form
of “bio-insurance”.
Infant Stem Cell Banking
If you are looking to store your baby’s
stem cells, CryoCord offers infant stem
cell banking for two types of services: cord
blood and CordMSCs.
Cord blood: Cord blood
remains in the veins of a
newborn’s umbilical
cord following birth and
contains valuable stem
cells, predominantly
Hematopoietic Stem
Cells (HSCs), which can
generate blood cells and
cells of the human immune
system. HSCs can be used to treat
more than 80 different types of diseases
such as leukaemia, anaemia
and thalassaemia.
CordMSCs: Mesenchymal Stem Cells
(MSCs) can be found in the Wharton’s
Jelly, the soft connective tissues of the
umbilical cord. MSCs can be potentially
used to treat diabetes, heart disease,
spinal cord injury and more.
It is ideal to store both because HSCs from
cord blood can only differentiate into
blood cells such as red blood cells, white
blood cells, platelets, etc., whereas MSCs
from Wharton’s Jelly can differentiate into
other types of cells and tissues like bone,
heart, cartilage, etc.
What to Expect
It’s important to be fully informed on how
stem cell procedures are carried out. Rest
assured, procedures at CryoCord are safe,
efficient, and painless. Here’s what you
can expect:
Procedure
The procedure for collecting cord blood
is painless and poses no threat to the baby
or the mother. Additionally, cord blood
collection does not interfere with
the delivery process. Following
standard post-delivery care,
the blood remaining in the
umbilical cord is collected
into a sterile, specially
designed cord blood
collection bag through a
wide-bore needle. The blood
flows into the bag by gravity
until it stops, after which the
collection is complete. The blood bag
is then clamped, sealed and labelled. The
procedure usually takes 3-5 minutes. Two
tubes of maternal blood are also drawn
for serology testing.
Storage duration
In theory, there is no limit to how long
stem cells can be stored. The current data
indicates that stem cells stored for 15 years
can still be successfully used for
transplantation. The New York State
Health Department guidelines for cord
blood banking states that cord blood stem
cells can be stored indefinitely in
liquid nitrogen.
Why CryoCord is the Ideal
Choice
When choosing a stem cell banking
facility, always go with a reputable and
certified company. CryoCord is highly
recommended due to their strategic
approach and programs.
Expansive supply of stem cells
CryoCord’s CordMSCs® undergoes
cellular dissociation and expansion in
the laboratory prior to storage. Only
through cellular dissociation can the
properties, viability, and cell count of MSCs
be identified.

Brand Story
Treatment generally requires a higher cell
count than those isolated from the cord
tissue. Therefore, expansion of cells before
storage is essential to ensure enough cells
are available when needed, especially
during an emergency. At CryoCord, all
cells are expanded or grown before going
into storage. Thus, cells are “treatment
ready” whenever there’s an urgent need
for them.
High standards of quality
CryoCord’s laboratory holds a clean-room
environment that significantly reduces the
chance of contamination during stem cell
processing. Their state-of-the-art
laboratory is one of the first laboratories
in Malaysia to be certified to cGMP (PIC/S)
requisites which was awarded by NPRA
(BPFK), a division of the Ministry of Health,
Malaysia. It is also the only stem cell bank
in Malaysia to obtain both cGMP
certification and AABB (USA) accreditation
and the largest stem cell bank in Southeast
Asia with ten Class 100 cleanrooms.
The Laboratory Accreditation Scheme of
Malaysia (SAMM) has awarded CryoCord
with ISO 15189. In addition, their facilities
are certified for medical testing and have
obtained ISO 14644 Class 5 (Class 100)
Cleanroom with high-efficiency particulate
air (HEPA) filters, certified by National
Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) and US Federal Standard 209E.
Comprehensive coverage
CryoCord offers several value-added
programs to ensure stem cells are safely
stored at their facilities. The programs
include:
• CryoCare Enhanced: Covers the cost
of acquiring a matched stem cell
sample for the baby or their siblings or
transplantation cost.
For the
10th time in a
row, CryoCord is the
esteemed winner of the
BabyTalk Readers’ Choice
Awards 2021 for two
categories: Best Stem Cell
Bank and Best Cord
Blood Storage.
• CryoSure: Guarantees money-back
payment if your child’s stem cells are
not viable when there is a need to use
for treatment.
• CryoFree: Guarantees the waiver of
annual storage fees for the remainder
of the 21 years in the event of either
parents’ demise.
• CryoMove: Guarantees against the
loss or non-viability of stem cells
during transportation to and from the
storage facility.
For more information, visit their website at cryocord.com.my or call their 24-hour hotline 1800 88 3300.

BT Guide
Simple Reading and Math
Techniques for Right-
Brain Learners
We all excel in different areas of life, some of us more creatively inclined and others more
academically inclined. Decision making, critical thinking, and behavioural skills are often
determined by which side of the brain is stronger. Additionally, both personality characteristics
and learning styles can be affected by brain dominance. When it comes to children, their more
dominant brain plays a significant role in their early learning experience.
Right Brain vs Left Brain
There are two sides to our brain: the left side and the
right side. Left-brain-dominant children tend to perform
better academically. It is easier for them to plan, structure
and concentrate on projects. Conversely, right-brained
learners tend to be more creative, spontaneous, emotionally
intelligent, and intuitive. Right-brained children also learn
differently. To memorise information, right-brained learners
need to create connections, patterns, and logic. A rightbrained
child has a good memory for whole concepts but
might have difficulty breaking them down into specific points
unless they can visualise them. As a result, right-brain learners
may struggle with absorbing information at school.
12 BabyTalk | May 2022

BT Guide
10
Characteristics of
Right-Brain Learners
1. T hink intuitively and respond well to
open-ended activities.
2. Employ a common-sense approach to
problems.
3. Remember faces rather than names
4. Make subjective statements.
5. Are spontaneous, impulsive, flexible, and
creative.
6. Solve problems through synthesis.
7. Express themselves candidly.
8. Prefer essay tests
9. Lack a strong sense of time and
structure.
10. Tend to see “the big picture.”
Source: Dr Antonio Maurice Daniels, Research Associate in Education, University
of Wisconsin-Madison
Taking these characteristics into consideration, education
and learning techniques for right-brained children would
require a different and creative approach. Parents can still
help their right-brained kids learn effectively by identifying
their unique brain characteristics early on and using
appropriate learning techniques.
Reading Strategies
Right-brained children learn words and letters better with
visualisation rather than by memory. Start with helping them
recognise words and sounds. This would create a strong
foundation for their reading skills. Below are some effective
methods to try:
• Sounds and stories: You can start by introducing sounds.
Using stories and visuals will help you introduce them
effectively. All sounds should be displayed from the
start. Practice each sound one at a time. You should
use stories, body movements, and images to teach the
sounds rather than chanting or memorisation.
• Appealing materials: Ensure the child is reading
material that interests them. Those who are rightbrained
dominant need to find meaning in what they
do. Otherwise, they have difficulty following a set of
steps or following through a process if they do not
understand why it’s important. Thus, go for stories or
books with a strong plot and details to facilitate clear
visualisation and meaning.
• Picture-oriented teaching: Teach reading with pictures.
Right-brain oriented children, who see the world
holistically and intuitively rather than in parts, benefit
from phonics programs that incorporate visual images
in the reading materials. It’s a good idea to write the
name of the word on top of a picture or incorporate the
written text of the word into the picture. For example, a
stick figure person sitting down on a chair can represent
the words “chair” and “sit”.
• Colourful presentation: Using colours can also help your
right-brained child remember words better. To teach
specific phonics sounds, colour the letters differently
from the rest of the word. Using this method will tap
14 BabyTalk | May 2022

BT Guide
into the visual nature of right-brained students and
enhance their retention of phonics sounds.
• Vocabulary via visuals: Use pictures to build vocabulary.
Children with a right-brain orientation learn to read
through pictures. An excellent way to help them increase
their vocabulary is to create word pictures in their minds.
Some ideas include:
• Using pictures of different vocabulary words
(particularly items they care about) in notebooks,
and put the name of each item beneath the picture
• Labelling items around the house
• Reading picture dictionaries
• Drawing pictures for different vocabulary words
Math Learning Tips
Most standard math curricula today cater to the left-brain
learner – they are sequential, detailed, repetitive, and often
presented using plain or black and white text. Thus, it’s little
wonder why right-brain dominant children often struggle
with math. You can try the following suggestions, which are
aimed at imaginative children who respond well to pictures,
colours, and big-picture concepts.
• Big picture learning: Teach math as whole concepts
instead of individual processes. Repeating and reviewing
many math processes in each lesson is often ineffective
for right-brained students as they tend to learn
conceptually rather than in a linear sequence.
• Use visual guides: Show how math problems are done
instead of verbally explaining them. Children often
respond to visual learning when explanations are not
clear to them. Use graphic pictures and diagrams to
explain math concepts. Draw diagrams as you teach and
encourage the child to do the same.
• Find patterns: Teach your child how to find patterns
in math. You can use charts to show the relationship
between numbers.
• Make math colourful: Right-brained learners love
colours, so utilise different tones and hues to your
advantage. Instead of just writing numbers in black, you
can use colourful highlighters to indicate what is added
or subtracted.
Using Both Sides of the Brain
While it’s helpful to use an approach that addresses the
dominant side of your child’s brain, you should never
overemphasise either side. Always aim for balance by
encouraging whole-brain learning. This way, they can learn to
utilise both logical and creative thinking when they need to
resolve a problem.
In the case of a right-brained child, teach him logical and
analytical thinking skills. On the other hand, a left-brained
child should start using images and visualisations for learning
and cultivate creative hobbies like drawing or more activities
that use physical movements like dancing.
16 BabyTalk | May 2022

Brand Story
Through understanding the way we learn,
MindChamps approaches pedagogy with
a distinctive perspective. Using a 3-Mind
Revolution approach: the Champion Mind,
Learning Mind and Creative Mind, the
academy offers a wide range of preschool
choices, from early childcare to performing
arts. For parents looking to enrol their
children in quality educational programs,
MindChamps is truly the ideal place for
your child to explore their full potential.
Unleash the
Champion Mindset
in your child
Every child has endless potential that can be fully
unlocked, with the right means, the right discovery, and
the right support. For over two decades, MindChamps has
been championing a global education movement with the
belief that education is an opportunity that every child
deserves regardless of their background.
MindChamps is a
BabyTalk Readers’
Choice Awards 2021
winner in two
categories: Learning &
Enrichment Programme
and Preschool (Johor
Bahru, Johor).
MindChamps Preschool:
Enriching the Minds of
Your Little Ones
Hailed as a Global Education Movement
by New York Times and Wall Street Journal
author Dr Joseph A. Michelli, MindChamps
views education the unconventional way.
The academy emphasises teaching the
"how to learn" instead of "what to learn"
as it aims to improve education for the
future generation. In addition to working
alongside international experts to
construct their curriculum, they derive
their inspiration and research from all
domains: Education, Psychology,
Neuroscience and Theatre.
The S.M.I.L.E.S. methodology is at the
heart of MindChamps Preschool's
curriculum. This preschool offers children
a nurturing and safe space to learn and
explore as they develop their Sensory,
Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional
and Social skills through highly experiential
classroom activities. To ensure an allencompassing
learning experience, two
programmes are included:
• Core Programme: Enquiry Teaching
& Learning, MindChamps Reading &
Writing, Fun with Language,
Numeracy Strategies, The Love for
Chinese Language, and The Love for
Malay Language
• Enrichment Programme: Creativity &
Theatrical Strategies, Gourmet
Moments, Music for the Mind, and
NeuroMooves
Your child's formative years are
undoubtedly a crucial time that will shape
their education journey. The right step
forward will set the important foundations
for them to catapult themselves into the
magical process of learning. Take a chance
and unlock victory at MindChamps.

Brand Story
DSA
D Swim Academy
TEACHING
MORE THAN JUST
DSA: The Best
Swim School
for Your
Little Ones
Whether your child is an active five-year-old or just a toddler learning to walk, swimming
is such an excellent physical activity for children. According to the American Academy
of Pediatrics, swimming doesn’t just offer a host of health benefits – recent studies suggest
that water survival skills training and swim lessons can help reduce drowning risk for
children between ages 1-4. Therefore, if your little one seems ready for some water-filled
fun, it’s time to send them to a swim school.
A Reputable Swimming Academy for
Your Precious Ones
If you are looking for swimming lessons catered to children,
D’Swim Academy (DSA) is one of the best swim schools in
Malaysia, specialising in swimming classes for children of all
ages and adults. Having served more than 100,000 customers
worldwide, DSA is a well-established name in the local swimming
scene and an affiliate member of the Malaysian Aquatics Industry.
Currently, DSA has its head office and a thriving swimming
facility at the National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil, along with
multiple branches in Kg. Pandan, Shah Alam, Setia Alam and
adjoining areas in Klang Valley.
“DSA has been associated with the Aquatics industry in Malaysia
for over 11 years. When we first started, we had the vision to

Brand Story
raise the standard of
Aquatic education in
Malaysia, to champion
water safety among
communities, raise the
bar of livelihood of
swim teachers, and
promote professionalism
in the aquatic education
industry,” says the academy.
“We went on to adopt the “The
Australian Way” of swim teaching and
water safety via AUSTSWIM, a renowned
national organisation for the teaching of
swimming and water safety in Australia.”
Quality and Excellence
in Swim Education
Parents will be glad to know that DSA is
the largest and only swim school in
Malaysia to be certified as a Gold Level
AUSTSWIM Swim Centre with Certified
Swim Teachers. It is also rated as one of
the top swim schools in the country by
their students and alumni.
“We strive to bring you the best service
because we believe all children deserve
to learn to swim! One important focus in
DSA’s swim education is to provide
children with the proper foundation in
swimming, thus bringing out the best
swimming potential in them,” DSA shares.
"We are proud that we have trained many
learners into national-level swimmers.
In fact, some of our best swimmers
have also went to compete at the
Olympics twice."
DSA offers a myriad of swimming and
lifesaving classes through its many
programmes that adhere to international
industry standards for swimming and
water safety. Their lessons are also
updated and upgraded regularly to align
with industry trends and the needs of their
students. Additionally, the academy
provides comprehensive training to their
staff, teachers, and coaches, as well as
conducts regular reviews of their
programmes and teaching methodology.
Rest assured that DSA’s swim teachers
and coaches are certified swimming
teachers and CPR qualified with
qualifications from AUSTSWIM and the
Life Saving Society Malaysia (LSSM).
Exclusively Designed
Swimming Programs for
Children
DSA has a variety of swimming
programmes for children of ages and skill
levels. The Baby and Me Swimming
Program for babies as young as six months
is one of their vastly popular swimming
programmes at the pre-learner level. DSA
also offers the Kiddie Swimmers Program
for toddlers aged three to four years.
For older children, the Learn to Swim
Program is designed for children aged five
and up and is divided into three sections
based on their age groups. DSA also offers
Specialty Programs, such as the Special
Care Swimmer Program for children with
special needs or disabilities. Other specialty
programs include Artistic Swimming and
Water Polo, which require advanced
swimming skills.
The DSA Advantage
DSA undoubtedly stands out as one of
the top swimming schools in Kuala
Lumpur, thanks to a strong suite of
features, which include:
• World-class standard of teaching
methodology
• A passionate and energetic group of
swim instructors and coaches
• A wide range of aquatic programmes
are available to meet diverse needs
• Student progress tracking system
• Certificates of appraisal
• Competitive swimming development
and participation
In addition, the academy focuses on
providing a proper foundation of swim
teaching so young swimmers can learn
the right way to swim through fun and
excitement.
Moving forward, DSA has a few new
centres opening soon. “We will be looking
at opening new centres soon this year
both at Klang Valley and outside of Klang
Valley. One of them shall be at Quayside
Mall Kota Kemuning, which we target to
open sometime in mid-2022,” DSA says.
“We will also offer our toddler program
at more locations such as The Club Bukit
Utama, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club and
Kompleks Sukan Panasonic Shah Alam to
serve children within the PJ, Mont Kiara
and Shah Alam areas.”
For more
information about DSA
and their swimming
programs,
visit their website at
www.dswimacademy.com
or call
1300 222 372

Baby & Toddler
Health & Medical Diary
Understanding
Multi-System
Inflammatory
Syndrome
in Children
(MIS-C)
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
is a serious condition associated with COVID-19. It was
first identified back in April 2020 by doctors in the United
States. In Malaysia, between June 2020 and December 2021,
a total of 174 cases of MIS-C was confirmed by the MIS-C
Malaysia Study Group. Data shows that a majority of these
cases require critical medical attention from the paediatric
intensive care units. In this article, Dr Livia Chow Huey Ling,
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist at Pantai Hospital
Ayer Keroh, explains more about MIS-C, its symptoms and
the treatment protocol.
We know that COVID-19 can infect
children, and the severity in the
majority of the affected children are
mild. However, recently there have
been many cases where children
developed serious complications when
infected with COVID-19, particularly
a condition called multi-system
inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C).
We have also been seeing an upward
trend in the number of children below
12 years old being infected with
COVID-19. There have been 50,826
children being tested positive till mid
of February this year. At the same
time, we are also seeing more children
requiring admission to the Paediatric
Intensive Care Unit (PICU). From
June 2020 till December 2021, there
have been 174 cases of multi-system
inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C).
22 BabyTalk | May 2022

Baby & Toddler
Health & Medical Diary
Dr Livia Chow Huey Ling
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist,
Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh
What is MIS-C?
MIS-C is a severe but rare complication
of COVID-19 infection where different
organs in the body get inflamed. For
example, the brain, heart, eyes, lungs,
kidney, skin and digestive tracts.
MIS-C usually occurs in older children
between 8 to 11 years old. However,
cases occurring in younger and older
children have also been reported.
Causes of MIS-C
The exact cause as to why MIS-C
occurs is not yet fully understood,
and to date, it is being continuously
studied. It is believed that it is caused
by an overactive immune response to
the COVID-19 virus and thus results in
inflammation and damage to various
organs in the body.
Symptoms to be
aware of
What are the symptoms that parents
should look out for if they suspect that
their child might have MIS-C? There
is a variable presentation of MIS-C in
children, and each child might not
have the same symptoms. Common
symptoms include:
• Persistent fever lasting between 3 to
5 days
• Tummy pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rash
• Feeling lethargic
• Heart palpitations
• Red eyes
• Swollen hands or feet
• Swollen lips or tongue
• Headache
• Swelling of lymph nodes
Warning signs that indicate a more
serious condition are:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe tummy pain
• Difficult to wake your child up
• Pale or bluish discolouration of the
lips or skin
• Child appears confused
If your child develops any warning signs
or appears very sick, bring your child
to the hospital immediately. Similarly, if
your child has any of the above MIS-C
symptoms, please consult your doctor
immediately for further advice.
Doctors will need to perform several
tests, such as a COVID-19 test, some
blood work to look for evidence of
inflammation in the body to detect any
organ impairment and to look for other
causes besides MIS-C that can present
with similar presentations. Depending
on the symptoms that the child
presents with, there might be a need
for a chest X-ray and a heart scan.
Treating MIS-C
Children diagnosed with MIS-C will
usually need hospitalisation, and some
may require treatment and closer
observation in the Paediatric Intensive
Care Unit (ICU). Treatments will
include medication that reduces the
body’s excessive immune response and
medication that reduces inflammation
in the body. Other treatment and
support will be given depending on
the condition of the child as well as
test results. Most children recover from
MIS-C if detected and treated early.
From January to March this year,
we see more children infected with
COVID-19 and more of these children
are presenting with more serious
symptoms that need care in the PICU.
The best way to prevent complications
of COVID-19 infection, which includes
MIS-C, is to prevent COVID-19 infection
in the first place. Thus, it is crucial to
maintain strict preventative measures.
It is also advisable for children above
five years old to get the COVID-19
vaccination to protect against
COVID-19 infection. Above all, we
should not let our guard down as we
prepare to enter the endemic phase.
24 BabyTalk | May 2022

Brand Story
Heartwarming
Essentials For Your
Toddler
Mumu understands the passion and dedication of every
parent: your kids’ well-being will always be your top
priority. Designed with quality, safety, and convenience
for moms and babies in mind, this Penang-based brand
provides a wide variety of choices for your toddler’s needs
ranging from toys, lunchboxes, and a plethora of everyday
items that are practical and easy to use at the same time.
Mumu has several product categories
under their wing: Feeding, Utilities and
Wooden Educational Toys. All their
products spotlight minimalism and
sustainability, achieved using materials
such as natural-coloured wood, foodgrade
materials, and eco-friendly soybased
inks.
Spark Creativity, Ignite
Imagination: Mumu Alnico
Wooden Toy
Timeless and versatile, wooden toys are
made to imprint lasting impressions on
your baby’s childhood. The Mumu Alnico
series, which features magnetic wooden
blocks, takes a fresh approach to
conventional wooden toys. Available in
Alnico 24 and Alnico 42, these toys are
made from exceptional quality beech
wood and are designed to be smooth
around the edges.
Did you know that the name Alnico is
derived from the special (and stronger)
magnet it uses? Alnico is ingeniously

Brand Story
named after the combination of aluminium
(Al), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co). Every
single Mumu wooden toy is a unique
experience, from allowing the child to
enhance their hand-eye coordination to
improving visual-spatial recognition. This
series provides hours of fun while
cultivating creativity and encouraging
imaginative play.
Carefully Packed with
Love: Mumu Lunch Box
A daily routine of being a parent is
making sure your child is eating well.
Packing their lunch box is an affectionate
task, a loving gesture to ensure your little
one is getting proper nourishment even
while away from home. Apart from food,
the container used to pack snacks and
lunches is equally important.

Brand Story
MUMU is a BabyTalk
Readers’ Choice Awards
2021 winner in three
categories: Toddler
Training Potty, Baby
Wooden Toy and
Compartments Lunch
Box for Children
The Mumu lunch box comes in three
different models for ease of packing.
Taking inspiration from the suku-sukuseparuh
initiative by the Malaysian Ministry
of Health, these lunchboxes are designed
with separate compartments. Mumu Tiga
comes with three compartments, while
Mumu M3 provides a detachable
3-compartment box. For more food
varieties, Mumu Lima offers five
compartments. These three types of
lunchboxes feature watertight lids with
their own set of utensils that fit seamlessly
into an insulated bag. Mumu Lunch Boxes
are also made from BPA-free plastic and
freezer-safe.
No More Potty Mess:
Mumu Euphony Toddler
Training Potty
Their first step, first run, first time eating
on their own – as your baby grows, each
milestone gives love-struck parents a sense
of delight. Even when your little one is
attempting to use the toilet, aka potty, on
their own – it’s a memorable moment for
doting moms and dads! The name
Euphony reflects this happy emotion,
ensuring a mess-free potty-training
experience for you and your toddler.
Euphony is a training toilet made from
eco-friendly material, equipped with a
flushing sound for the full experience. Its
clean white colour provides a realistic
experience to help your baby get familiar
with an actual toilet. Not only does Euphony
offer a comfortable sitting experience, it
also meets international safety requirements
and standards of EN 71, ASTM F963-17,
and AS/NZS ISO 8124. Talk about a
multifaceted training potty! Perfect for
children aged 18 months to 5 years.
Make your parenting journey even more
delightful with Mumu. Log on to
wildmumsinc.com and browse through
their exciting range of products.

SPECIAL FEATURE
Mother's Day Special
1
The Gift of
Breakfast
As one of the most
classic ways to start
off Mother’s Day, making your mom
her favourite breakfast is guaranteed
to make her smile as soon as she
wakes up! Even if she’s not much of a
breakfast person, serving her a cup of
coffee in a pretty mug with decorations
at the side while she’s still in bed
would certainly be an excellent way to
begin this special day. But why stop at
breakfast in bed? It’s enjoyable to have
a Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch
with all your loved ones too!
2
Family Bake-
Off
Breakfast aside, you can
also have the rest of
your family join you in a family bakeoff,
with your mother as the judge. The
winner gets more love – and yummy
cookies from her. Baking is sure to
bring on loads of fun and giggles.
16C
lassic &
reative
Ways to Make Mother’s Day
a Memorable One at Home
The new normal has altered how we celebrate holidays and special days – Mother’s
Day included. In Malaysia, we often bring our moms out for a special dinner or
organise a family outing to make it a day to be remembered. These days, to keep
ourselves and our loved ones safe, we have settled into home-based celebrations.
Whichever ways we choose to honour Mother’s Day, it should always be a day
when we express our respect and love towards the queens of our hearts. Here’s how
we can make this day a memorable one in the comfort of our own homes.
34 BabyTalk | May 2022

SPECIAL FEATURE
Mother's Day Special
3
Picnic in the
Backyard
If you have lots of food,
and a cosy backyard,
bring the Mother’s Day party outside,
with a cute blanket set up and picnicready
munchies.
4
Handmade
Presents
Don’t forget to get her
a present. But it doesn’t
have to be expensive. In fact, handmade
ones can be superbly memorable gifts
for mom. Regardless of how it turns
out, the effort that goes into something
made from your hands (and heart) will
really show her your appreciation!
5
Heartfelt
Hand-Written
Messages
If you are not the
arts-and-crafty type, you can send her
beautiful hand-written letters to tell her
how much she means to you.
6
Spa Day at Home
Nothing pampers
women like relaxing
spa treatments – even
at home. Have a spa day with your
mother: put on mud masks, soak in
bath bombs, and have a foot bath. It
wouldn’t hurt to give her a massage
while you’re at it. You can also get
someone over to give you and your
mom a manicure or pedicure.
7
Wine Tasting
Is your mom a wine
lover? Create a bespoke
wine tasting session
with different varieties of red, white,
and rose wine, matched with curated
charcuterie boards.
8
At-Home
Photoshoot
Help your mom get
dolled up and round
everyone up for a photo session. You
can also set the stage with props to
make it more exciting. Try funny poses
to create a collage of fun moments
with your mom.
10
Movie Night
If you are looking
for a simple activity,
nothing beats warm
and cosy blankets, tasty snacks and a
good movie. Re-watch your mother’s
favourite movie or choose something
heartwarming and romantic.
11
Disco Night
Remember, your mother
was young, wild and
free once too! It’s time
to remind her that she’s never too old
to have fun. Decorate your house in
disco lights, get dressed like it’s the 70s
or 80s again, and have a dance party.
12
Virtual Gaming
Sessions
If you live far away
from mom, Mother’s
Day is the best opportunity to bring
your family together via a video call to
honour your special lady. Chats aside,
try out various online games such as
Among Us or word games.
13
Poetry Session
How about dedicating
warm and meaningful
poetry to your mother?
Have your family come up with short
poems written for your mother and
perform them in the living room
together. Add in some background
music, or have someone strum the
guitar for a complete performance.
14
Painting
Exchange
Drawing or painting with
watercolours can also be
a calming activity for mothers and their
loved ones. Here’s an idea to make it
more interesting – make painting a
team effort! Each of you can spend 15
minutes painting on a single canvas,
just picking up where the other has
previously left off. The end product will
be pretty surprising!
15
Card Games
Card games are a fun
way to bond with one
another. Pick something
that’s fast and easy – for instance, UNO
or even poker if your mom enjoys it.
16
Quiet Time
Mother’s Day doesn’t
need to be jam-packed
with activities. Most
moms would appreciate just spending
quiet time alone or with their kids. This
also lets her chill out and enjoy some
well-earned me-time.
Spending time with your mother and
showing her your love is what’s truly
important regardless of where or how
you are celebrating this special day.
Showing up for her is all it takes to let
her know that she is loved and adored.
She deserves all the attention and care
in the world, so be with them and
celebrate Mother’s Day in your own
unique way and with all your heart.
36 BabyTalk | May 2022

Brand Story
ONLY THE BEST
FOR YOUR CHILD
Your child deserves the best. Staying true to this motto, BabyDoc is set on elevating
children’s healthcare to a whole new level by creating exceptional products for your
child’s health and well-being. Founded by medical professionals who passionately believe
in the health and well-being of our children, BabyDoc assures parents that they will be
getting the very best for their precious offspring.
“There are plenty of products on the
market that use the lowest-cost
ingredients to maximise profit. Here at
BaBydoc, we don’t believe in average. We
believe that your child deserves the best,”
the brand states. “We believe that nothing
is more important than creating a legacy
of care for our children.”

Brand Story
From their award-winning Intensive
Cream and Bio Cream to a wide range of
baby essentials, every single product from
BabyDoc has your child’s well-being in
mind. To date, it’s an award-winning
brand that parents can trust and rely on.
BabyDoc Bio Cream: Loving
Care for Irritated Skin
The BabyDoc Bio Cream was specially
formulated to care for your baby’s skin,
especially if he or she experiences bouts
of itchy and irritated skin. Enriched with
luxurious skin-loving ingredients such as
jojoba oil, olive oil and ceramides, this
moisturising baby cream also nourishes,
protect and boosts your baby’s skin health
whilst providing calming relief.
Effective but gentle, the cream features
Biofence – an ingredient made from the
symbiotic combination of prebiotics and
probiotics. Biofence has been scientifically
proven to repair skin by boosting the
child’s immune system, encouraging the
growth of healthy skin microflora and
protecting the inflamed skin from
infections and pathogens.
BabyDoc Bio Cream’s unique formulation
also helps reduce problematic skin in kids
without all the harmful chemicals often
used in conventional brands. Safe for all
skin types, the cream is hypoallergenic,
pH balanced, and free from parabens,
perfumes, PEG and colourants. It’s
truly an all-in-one skin saviour for little
ones suffering from red, irritated, and
itchy skin.
The cream is easy to use as a daily
moisturiser. After bathing your child, apply
the cream liberally to towel-dried skin.
Massage the cream gently onto your
child’s entire body and let the cream work
its soothing magic on your little one’s skin.

Brand Story
Vitaux Vitamin D3 Drops:
A Dose of Sunlight in
a Drop
Vitamin D is one of the most important
vitamins for a child’s healthy development.
Sufficient vitamin intake during
formative years promotes physical
growth and prevents various health
issues for children in the long run.
Vitamin D promotes bone growth,
boosts the immune system, prevents
ADHD, and reduces depression.
Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, this
vitamin is produced in our bodies when
we receive adequate sunlight. While
sunlight is abundant in Malaysia, Vitamin
D deficiency in both kids and adults
remains a common health condition.
Here’s where the Vitaux Vitamin D Drops
can help.
BabyDoc is a BabyTalk
Readers’ Choice
Awards 2021 winner in
the Moisturising
Baby Cream
(Skin Irritation)
category.
Vitaux Vitamin D Drops can
remedy the lack of Vitamin
D in an effortless way.
Suitable for children aged
one and above, just add
20 drops (1ml) of the
liquid into food or mix
in other liquids such
as milk, water, or
juice. Each drop
(0.05ml) contains
20iu of Vitamin D3
and 2iu of Vitamin
E. Take it once a day
for a healthy boost.

BT Recommends
Disinfection
Made Super Easy:
Philips UV-C
Disinfection
Mini Box
It’s now a known fact that
the COVID-19 virus can
survive up to a few hours
on plastic, metal, fabric
and other general surfaces
for a few hours, leading to
a risk of infection – even
at home. So how can we
prevent this and ensure a
cleaner surface? One very
effective way to counter
surface germs and viruses is
through UV-C disinfection –
a science-backed technology
employed in the latest
Philips UV-C Disinfection
Mini Box.
To give you some context, UV-C is an
invisible band of light that impairs and
breaks down the DNA/RNA structures
of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In several
tests, these UV-C light sources reduced
SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19)
on surfaces to below detectable levels in
less than 10 seconds.
Enter the Philips UV-C Disinfection
Mini box – one of the top-rated,
highly sought-after, and portable UV-C
devices. It’s easy to see why this device
sells as Philips has a whopping 35+
years of experience developing and
refining UV-C lighting and technology.
What We Love About
This Nifty Gadget
This device allows you to place
your everyday items such as your
phone, glasses, stationery, toiletries,
watch, jewellery, and wallet inside
a compartment and sterilise them
– killing 99.99% of all bacteria and
viruses in just under 8 minutes.
That’s not all, as the box is portable and
easy to use with its intuitive controls,
clear digital display, and convenient flipup
cover. The mini box also switches off
automatically when not in use.
More Benefits in a
Single Box
As a device intended for indoor use,
the average single charge of the Philips
Mini Disinfection Box clocks in at a
decent 2.7 hours a day. Its average
lifespan is ten years, so you’ll be getting
great mileage out of it.
With a 99.99% disinfection rate,
this device is also up to date against
all pathogens. The gadget leaves
no residue behind after sterilisation,
making things more convenient.
Moreover, it has a sleek, modern
portable design available in 3 unique
colours: white, pink, and green.
Whether you’re a person who travels
frequently or occasionally ventures
outdoors, the Philips UV-C Disinfection
Mini box is the ideal solution for those
that want to ensure their items are
disinfected safely and quickly.
BabyTalk | May 2022 41

Life & Style
Feature
How to
Choose
Health
Insurance
for Children
Welcoming a newborn child is perhaps the most defining
and significant moment in any parent’s life. However, as
any parent would know — children are vulnerable and need
special care well into their adolescent years. This is why a
health and wellness plan that includes health insurance,
vaccinations, healthcare and screenings to support their
growth should be a priority for any new parent.
When it comes to a health insurance
policy, it’s vital to have one very early
on. According to health experts, the
right health insurance policies should
mirror key life milestones from
pre-birth, infancy and childhood to
young adulthood.
“The cost of Critical Illness insurance is
often the highest, followed by medical
insurance and life insurance. The sweet
advice here is to purchase insurance as
early as possible because when you are
healthier and young, you pose a lower
risk of facing these sorts of medical
issues and therefore enjoy paying
insurance at a lower premium,” says
Annie Wong, Managing Director of
Annieway 96 Sdn Bhd, a professional
financial planning consultancy.
Prenatal Coverage
It’s a good idea for parents-to-be to
consider maternity benefits when
deciding on health insurance policies.
Prenatal coverage usually includes
pregnancy, diagnoses, pre-birth medical
costs for both child and mother, and
hospitalisation due to delivery. It is
important to review the policy to
see what is excluded – for example,
congenital diseases, to avoid any
unfortunate surprises.
Birth and Infancy
Some parents assume that their
newborn is covered automatically
by insurance and vaccinations. Do
check with your insurer if these are
incorporated into the policy. Also,
examine the terms carefully to see if
it only covers the newborn child up
to a specific number of days from the
delivery date.
Childhood and
Adolescence
Whether your child is still a baby, a
toddler, or in their teens, they are still
vulnerable to various diseases as well
as accidents that can lead to serious
injuries. Should these unforeseen
health hazards affect your child, health
insurance can let you focus on helping
your child heal and regain their health
without concerns about funds getting
in the way.
Young Adulthood
When your child reaches adulthood,
it is ideal to begin a new plan or
change your current family package
to an individual one to ensure better
coverage. You may wish to consider
one that allows for the maximum
age at exit for dependents as it gives
you time to decide on alternative
possibilities that would best benefit
your child.
What To Look Out For
Regardless of which health insurance
you select for your child, it should
meet your long-term needs. When
selecting a plan, it is advisable to
find a list of hospitals that have
connections with health insurance
providers to save costs on treatments
done there. Identifying which hospitals
have experienced paediatricians and
child specialists can help lighten the
financial burden, especially in an
emergency. In addition, know your
budget and decide on the amount you
wish to invest into your insurance.
“Talk to an expert, a licensed financial
planner or insurance agents from
different companies and compare
quotations. Agents will generally
provide you with different plans,
benefits, and prices. Most importantly,
you will need to understand your
needs first. Then, you can focus on the
features and benefits,” Anne advises.
44 BabyTalk | May 2022