Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood? Infact, 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they enter kindergarten.

Some parents may think that it’s not a problem since they’re just baby teeth, but research shows that tooth decay and cavities might affect the development and alignment of their future adult teeth.

They are even linked to other health problems in the future, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Tooth decay and cavities are easy to prevent, yet many parents tend to take it lightly and ignore the proper steps to keep their children’s teeth clean and healthy.

Don’t Skip Fluoride

We’ve all heard about how too much fluoride is bad for a child.

While this is true, most parents interpret this as skipping fluoride altogether, which is a big mistake.

While fluoride-free toothpaste may be able to clean, they offer little to no protection against plaque and tooth decay.

The trick is to use the recommended amount of toothpaste – grain size (1-3 years old) or pea size (3+ years old)

Avoid Sticky Sweets

Sugar is bad for teeth, especially the kind that sticks to your teeth.

So that means sweets like toffee, gummy bears caramel and even dried fruit, are not the best choices for snack time.

For healthy teeth and gums, limit their sugar intake and ensure they brush their teeth right after.

Supervise Brushing

Sure we want our kids to be independent and all, but not when it comes to brushing their teeth.

Most children (especially ones below 6-years-old) don’t brush all of their teeth and sometimes hardly any of them.

So instead of sending them to the bathroom while you get busy with your phone, be involved.

Do it yourself if you must – at least until they’re are older and understand what they need to do.

Wipe Them Clean

At a time when brushing isn’t convenient, wiping your child’s teeth and gums can help in maintaining their oral hygiene and avoid plaque build up.

Individually packed and sterile tooth and gum wipes can be really helpful when you’re out and about.

PIGEON Children’s Toothgel is co-developed with leading Paediatric Dentist in Singapore to effectively prevent tooth decay in children. It is made with dentist recommended level of 1,000ppm fluoride that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

PIGEON Baby Tooth & Gum Wipes are free from alcohol, colouring, artificial fragrances and preservatives. It is sterilized with individual sachet and made from 100% food grade ingredients.

Originally developed for Pigeon Malaysia on Parenthood.my

Treating yourself to a spa experience is probably far from your mind at the moment.

Or maybe it has been on your mind, but you just don’t have the time or maybe even feel guilty about taking some time off for yourself.

Well, I say- screw that, because every woman – especially if you’re a mum- deserves to take some time to rejuvenate and be pampered.

As the saying goes, a happy mummy makes a happy baby, so taking 2 hours of your time way from your baby or kids would probably do more good than anything else.

If you’re cracking your head on where to go because there are just too many to choose from, well, let me share my recent experience at Swasana Spa at Impiana KLCC Hotel so you can judge the place for yourself.

Swasana Spa is located on the 4th floor of Impiana KLCC Hotel.

Upon arriving, you’ll be led to a waiting area where you’ll be served a refreshing cup of their signature welcome drink.

If you opt for an oil massage, here is also where you can choose the type of oil you’d like to use for your treatment.

Swasana Massage– their signature massage is a blend of Asia’s 3 most popular massage styles – Balinese, Thai, and Malay. The signature massage also incorporates Seri Dewi Facial – a type of facial that adopts an acupressure approach to the vital points on the face.

It enhances blood circulation while effectively revitalizing facial features and is my favourite part of the whole treatment.

Other spa treatments that are available include body scrubs, body wraps, facials, bath treatments, and waxing.

They also have a section called CHILL that centres around reflexology and acupressure – concentrating on the feet, neck, and shoulders. Perfect for those who have had a long day (or just don’t want to get naked).

After your treatment, you’ll be led to a lounging area where you can enjoy tranquillity further while sipping on some hot ginger and lemongrass tea. Ahh yes, serenity… Well, that’s also where you’ll realize that it’s time to face reality again. But you know what? You’ll feel much more energised, rejuvenated and ready to face every dirty diaper that comes your way.

Swasana is a multiple award-winning establishment, among which the spa clinched the “Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards- Spa of the Year since 2016-2018, ASEAN Spa Service Standard 2019 to 2021, Tripadvisor’s #1 Spa 2018 and many more.

To view Swasana Spa’s signature menu, please  click here

Book your slot via WhatApp at (6017) 216 6508

For further enquiries, please email them  or call  (603) 2147 1089

Operation hours: 10am -10pm

Chronic constipation in children is an emerging public health concern that is commonly overlooked by parents. If your child has fewer than three bowel movements in a week or an unusual poop size or texture, it needs to be addressed.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what kids are really feeling and whether it is just a passing phase, so we brush it off and dismiss it as being difficult. But this happens because not many parents recognize or are aware of underestimated diseases such as chronic constipation, much less, talk about it openly.
Most Malaysians’ diet is high in carbohydrates and fats, the same goes to our children, who more often than not despise even the sight of any vegetables, and this leads to constipation.

So how can you tell when a child is constipated?

According to Webmd.com, a child who has a bowel movement fewer than three times a week (or less often than he typically does), and whose stools are hard and difficult to pass, is constipated. American Academy of Pediatrics also mentions that any child with stools that are large, hard, dry, and accompanied by painful bowel movements, soiling between bowel movements, or blood on the outside of the stool may have constipation.

Chronic constipation happens when your child’s constipation last for two weeks or more and is absolutely vital that you see your paediatrician.

In Cleveland, a 6-year-old boy has suffered from constipation ever since he was potty training. At 2 years old, the boy had a painful bowel movement and after that, his mother noticed that he stopped having any, she said. She then took him to the doctor who prescribed stool softeners and medicine that ended up not working.

By the time he was 4 years old, his mum would find stools on the floor because it was coming out of his pants when he was running around and playing. According to Dr Reema Gulati of MetroHealth System paediatric gastroenterologist, this was because, after years of holding his stool in, his colon and rectum have stretched and now could not feel when he needed to go to the toilet.

Effects of stool build-up in the body

Impacted or build-up stool in the body can have many effects, which include abdominal pain, loss of appetite and even bladder infections.

But that’s not the end of it. Many sources and gastroenterologist stressed that chronic constipation can lead not just to physical problems but emotional ones too.

Take the case of the 6 years old for example, a child can certainly feel emotionally upset by the “accidents” they have when they soil their clothes. They usually do not have control of this leakage of stool. Their self-esteem and interactions with other people can be affected. Children are often ashamed or embarrassed. They may avoid going to school and even playing with friends.

Because of this, Dr Reema Gulati advises parents of young children, especially in the early stages of potty training- to keep the experience positive and never to reprimand.

Food, Drink & Changes in Habit

Treating and preventing your child’s constipation can be done with some simple changes in their diet and habits.

According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, dietary fibre is in the forefront of this. You can increase your child’s fibre intake by adding fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains. Some fruit juices such as pear and prune can also be helpful, and you should also make sure your child drinks more water.

Staying active is another factor that might help. Your toddler or child should be getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

But research in Sweden and Scotland found that the reason behind chronic constipation is not just about food and level of activity but the gut environment. So if you really want to relieve children of constipation, keeping the intestinal environment balanced is another good place to start.

You can get your child’s gut working at a healthy level by giving them food or drinks with prebiotics that stimulates the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut and to also establish a good toilet routine.

Having your child sit on the toilet for 10 minutes at the same time each day helps create a routine and uses the body’s natural tendency to move the bowels.

Disclaimer: Information published in this article and website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. We do not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurance to the content in this article. Parenthood disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on the information provided.

We all love having that cool, energizing and natural coconut water straight from the fruit itself to beat the heat on a hot and sunny day. But a lot of us Asian mums believe that coconut water might be too “cooling” and only drink it during the last trimester.

During the last trimester, a lot of Asian mums also believe that consuming a lot of coconut water will help “clean” your baby, so that the amount of vernix caseosa (the waxy or cheese-like white substance found coating the skin of newborn babies) is reduced when the baby is born.

Benefits of Consuming Coconut Water During Pregnancy

According to Dr. Hon Sook Kit, Gynaecologist, Gleneagles Medini Hospital, coconut water is rich in electrolytes such as potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes help to relieve heart burn, constipation, and more importantly, they are necessary for healthy muscle and nerve activities during labour.

Coconut water also fights against dehydration, and replenishes lost fluids as 95% of its content is water. Good hydration helps to maintain good blood flow to the uterus and, indirectly, to the baby.

Studies have also shown that good hydration can result in good liquor volume, which is an important part of the baby’s wellbeing. And when baby is strong and healthy, he or she will be able to withstand the stress of labour much better.

Precautions to take when consuming coconut water

Coconuts are best consumed immediately after they are cut as they are ripe with nutrients then. Do also keep in mind that a ripe coconut can be harmful as it leads to constipation and can also increase a person’s body fat.

It is best to restrict the intake of coconut water to one glass a day in order to prevent an overdose of sodium or potassium. Some doctors may recommend that you stop drinking coconut water two weeks before surgery.

Side-Effects of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy

Generally, coconut water is safe to be consumed during pregnancy by most women. However, just like any other food or beverage, moderation is key as coconut water also contains sodium, which should be avoided if a pregnant woman is suffering from high blood pressure and is on medication for it. Always discuss with your doctor before consuming coconut water if you have blood pressure issues.

Desaru – a coastal town in Johor has been on my “To Visit” list for a while now. It is known for its pristine beach and is easily accessible especially if you stay in Peninsular Malaysia. So while doing some research for our family vacay, I came across Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, which recently opened its doors to the public in December 2019.

I’m familiar with the Anantara brand having visited their hotel in Seminyak and Ubud, Bali. From their great hospitality to amazing rooms and amenities, I knew I just had to make a visit to the brand’s first luxury hotel in Malaysia to see if they are child-friendly as well.

Anantara’s hospitality was immediately prominent the moment we arrived at the resort. We were greeted with sounds from the kompang accompanied by their staff singing the Rasa Sayang song (a beautiful Malaysian welcome, in my opinion!).

We were then led to a beautiful check-in lounge that overlooked their pool and the ocean – a truly breath-taking view that left us at awe. We were offered their signature welcome drink and a strawberry smoothie, which my boy enjoyed, and it was straight to our room for some much need rest.

Stunning Sea Views & Child-Friendly Amenities

It’s good to note that all of the rooms in Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas’ main blocks are facing the sea. We stayed in the Deluxe Sea View Corner Room which has some extra balcony space – perfect for my boys to run around.

The rooms in Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas are also child-friendly. We were very happy when we saw that they had a cot set up in the room and also had a baby bathtub prepared in the bathroom together with toiletries for the kids. Definitely a plus point in my books! Besides that, they also provided a kite and some batu seremban – another very Malaysian element – for some good ol’ family fun.

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Let’s be honest, us parents would do whatever it takes to keep our children safe from all potential dangers be it outdoors, or at home where they spend most of their time in. But unfortunately, no matter how careful we are, accidents may still happen.

But instead of panicking and being clueless about what to do, wouldn’t it be great if we had an idea on how to handle certain accidents and be hands-on ready to come to their first aid?

We’ve put together a list of potential accidents and spoke to Dr Mohammed Ridzuan Abdul Razak, Senior Resident Medical Officer, Emergency Department, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur on how we should handle certain situations.

My baby rolled off the bed and knocked his head!

Accidents like these do happen when you least expect it. If it does happen, here’s what you’ll need to do.

1. Notice if your baby cries immediately. Crying is a good sign that your baby is conscious.
2. Pick him up and console him.
3. If his nose bleeds, stop the bleeding immediately by pinching his nose.
4. If swelling occurs, add some ice cubes into a cloth and place it on the affected area.
5. Monitor your baby for 24 hours and look out for signs that are out of the ordinary, such as vomiting, drowsiness, fits or fever.

If worried or uncertain, always seek medical attention at the nearest clinic or hospital.

My child burned himself with boiling water!

Safety and prevention is of utmost importance when it comes to situations like these. Make sure your child is nowhere near your cooking stove, and ensure that your hot drinks or soup are out of reach. But if it does happen, follow the steps below.

1. Remove your child from the heat source to prevent further injury
2. Cool the burn with cool running water for 10 minutes – do not apply any creams or greasy substances like butter or toothpaste
3. Remove any clothing or jewellery that’s near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies, but do not move anything that’s stuck to the skin
4. Cover the burn with sterile dressing or plaster
5. Don’t break any blisters

Please seek immediate medical attention if the burn covers a large area, affects the face, hands or feet, genital region or joint area. Cover with a clean cling film temporarily. If a burn appears infected, seek help.

My child is having a fever with seizures!

Febril Seizures are convulsion or fits that can happen when a young child has a fever over 38 degrees. The seizures usually last for a few minutes and stop on their own, but can be prevented by keeping your child’s fever down and administrating paracetamol on time, especially on the first two days of fever. If your child gets a fit:

1. Gently lay your child down on a flat surface
2. Maintain their safety – remove any objects from around them to prevent injury
3. Cushion their head using a blanket or pillow, but do not restrain them
4. Make sure their airway is open
5. Once seizure stops, check their breathing, pulse and whether they can respond to you.

It is possible that they may bite their lips or tongue during the seizure, but do not be tempted to put any items into the child’s mouth when they are having a fit.
– Dr Mohammed Ridzuan Abdul Razak

Get emergency medical care if your child:

• Has a febrile seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes
• Has trouble breathing or turns blue
• Isn’t responding normally
• Has another seizure within 24 hours
• If you are worried for any reason

In any situation where you are worried or unsure what to do, always call for help using one of these emergency numbers.

Agency	Emergency Numbers
Police & Ambulance	99
From Mobile Phone	112
Fire	994
Civil Defense	991
Traffic Police	03 2072 9044

Also Read: First Aid Guide: Burns & Bleeding

Disclaimer: This article was produced by Lily Shah for Parenthood Magazine in collaboration with Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Information published in this article and website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. We do not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurance to the content in this article. Thebuxombabe.com disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on the information provided.

As parents, we hope that we’ll never have to use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on our children. Nonetheless, it is super important that we equip ourselves with the knowledge and steps so that in an event of an emergency, you’ll have an idea on how to perform CPR and what measures to take.

Do note that infant CPR is slightly different than an adult’s. For the purpose of this article, ‘infants’ are referred to babies age 0- 12 months old.

CPR should only be performed if breathing has stopped and the infant is unresponsive or unconscious”.

– Dr. Mohammed Ridzuan Abdul Razak, Senior Resident Medical Officer, Emergency Department, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL).

Can I perform CPR even if I have no training or practise?

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As parents, we automatically want the best for our children – to be healthy, to be safe, and to also be equipped with skills and resources that’ll help them succeed in their adult lives. A lot of these lifelong skills are obtained during their early years of learning, hence the reason why so many parents put so much thought in choosing the right pre-school for their children.

This is even more apparent in recent years where both parents are working to make a living and to provide the very best for their children. But what makes a good early childhood education? What are the key considerations that parents need to look out for in this day and age?

Look For a School That Can Anticipate the Future

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