Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Young Parents

During a holiday in Lombok some years back, my then-three-year-old helped release a baby turtle into the sea. It was part of a turtle rehabilitation programme run by the resort we stayed in. What a meaningful way to teach our little one about the environment, I thought. Beach resorts now have a whole host of super-cool activities for kids beyond just the requisite sandy beach plus big pool. Check out what we found in our Fun in the Sun issue this month: Your kid can learn to climb a coconut tree, go on a whale-watching eco-ride, plant sea grass for endangered dugong, and after all that, let loose in a three-storey indoor playground (get the details on page 82). We also highlight 10 of the coolest water parks for families…

THREE DAYS My baby is three days old and I am arguing with the sister in charge of the maternity ward. “Sorry, Mr John. You cannot come to the baby bath class,” she says. “It’s for mothers only.” Fathers can bathe their babies, too, I insist. She replies haughtily: “In our experience, only Caucasian men want to know how to bathe their babies. Asian men prefer to let their wives learn.” Women, I fume. They are their own worst enemy. ONE MONTH The big shock is realising that it is going to be a long time before we get eight hours’ sleep again. The baby sleeps a great deal but every three hours, like clockwork, she lets out a single piercing shriek that says: “Feed me within three minutes or…

Give her extra rewards because she is a “big sister” now. This helps her think positively about her baby brother. Although you had prepared your toddler in advance for her baby brother’s arrival – and she seemed fine at the time – she has turned out to be terribly jealous of him. She keeps whining just to get your attention, acts like a baby herself sometimes, and deliberately pulls you away when she sees you playing with him. The change in her behaviour tells you that the green-eyed monster is rearing its ugly head. When you understand the world from your two-year-old’s point-of-view, the jealousy and resentment seem hardly surprising. After all, she was used to having you all to herself, and she expected that way of life to continue…

BIORE UV MILD MILK The new Biore UV Mild Milk for kids is sweat-, water- and friction-resistant, so you can rest assured your little one is protected no matter how active he gets. Allergy-tested and free of alcohol, fragrance and colour, the mild moisturising liquid glides on easily and provides sun protection with SPF50+/PA++++. It’s suitable for both face and body. $13.90, from leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. J-FLEX KIDS’ SUNGLASSES Not only do these polarised lenses cut glare for better clarity and colour, but they also provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The flexible, non-toxic frames come in six designs and fit kids from ages two to six years old. Each pair comes with a water-resistant case and karabiner, so you can clip it easily to Junior’s…

Wouldn’t your child love to design her own shimmering foil stickers? It’s easy with Sparkletopia. Just choose a sparkle sheet, use the roller over it and peel to unveil her creation. Its Fairy Designer Studio allows her to decorate Sparkletopia fairies Flowerlite, Starlite and Sunlite, and add gems for that finishing touch. Your kid will also love the Jewellery Cabinet Set. Decorate the box and use it to store her precious trinkets. PRIZES Be one of 46 lucky winners to each receive a Sparkletopia Fairy Designer Studio, as well as a Jewellery Cabinet Set, worth $69.80. HOW TO WIN Send in your completed coupon or log on to www.youngparents.com.sg. Young Parents/Camtec Promotion Q Sparkletopia helps your child design her own shimmering foil stickers. A True/False Send your coupon to Young…

We joined these junior firefighters at the Kidzania Singapore opening. Check out our review on the website. Edible colouring sets? Yes, these “crayons” are candy sticks from Sophisca and the “paint tubes” dispense liquid chocolate. Run, before this angry dinosaur at Universal Studios Singapore gets you! It’s part of the street parade there. The new Pompompurin Cafe Singapore is so #instafriendly. Don’t you just love this cute cookies and cream caramel latte? See our video of the live butterflies at Science Centre Singapore’s new Butterflies Up-Close exhibit. Have you tried the pretty ice pops from I See I See yet? The popular Hong Kong popsicle shop just opened an outlet here. @youngparents_sg Follow us and find out what the Young Parents team is up to.…

Request a patch test before a treatment Children have sensitive skin and may develop allergic reactions to certain ingredients in skincare products, says Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director at The Sloane Clinic. A patch test can help determine whether such products – say, massage lotions or cleansing gels – will irritate her skin. If redness, itching or flaking occurs, it means that the product is not suitable for your child. Even if the label says “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist tested”, it’s safer to request one. “Natural” or “organic” is not always better Unfortunately, natural or organic ingredients are not necessarily safer for kids, says Dr Low. Take AHAs, or alpha-hydroxy acids, for instance. This popular spa ingredient, which promotes exfoliation, is derived from plants like sugarcane, but it can cause…

Four years ago, Felicia Tan watched her babies die in her arms – her heart shattered as they took their last breaths shortly after birth. In a span of 11 months, she had lost three babies after suffering late miscarriages during the second trimester of her pregnancies. Born too early at 23 and 21 weeks respectively, baby Dominic and twins Elvis and Louis did not survive their extreme premature births. Tears had flowed when Young Parents interviewed Felicia in 2014 (inset below), when she was still struggling to come to terms with her losses. Today, however, the graphic designer, 38, is full of renewed hope and joy. After an emotional decade, she is now mum to a healthy boy, Titus Low, whom she fondly calls her “rainbow baby” in her…

Get connected with Baby and with everything she does. Don’t let yourself stay in the shadows. Get involved You're no different from every other new father, perhaps unsure of yourself and slightly intimidated by fatherhood. But embrace this new chapter in your life with confidence. You need to get connected with your baby and with everything she does. Don't stay in the shadows. Be yourself You don't need to pretend to be super-funny or super-sporty, or super-whatever. Your baby will love you for who are you. If you'd rather read her a story than to sing with her, then do it. It's the time that both of you share that matters, not what you actually do together. Support your wife You're not the only one who is stressed, tired and…

Avoid saying that you don’t love him. If he thinks your love is conditional, he’ll become even more unsettled. When you’re angry with your child for misbehaving, you sometimes say things in the heat of the moment that hurt or belittle him. Take a look at these five common statements and ask yourself if you’ve ever uttered them. The next time you want to discipline Junior, take a few moments to reflect on what you want to say, and avoid these harsh remarks, which will only add to his distress. What not to say: “Why are you always so naughty!” That’s a general criticism of your child, not just a criticism of his behaviour. It is severe disapproval of him as an individual, and suggests that you dislike everything about…

Milk is an important part of a growing child’s diet – it provides essential calories for energy, calcium and proteins for growth and various nutrients to ensure physical and mental development. However, proteins found in many dairy products may be difficult to process for the delicate digestive system of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Enter goat’s milk, a viable dairy source that may not be on the mainstream radar, but has been the staple source of nutrition for children in some cultures for centuries. GENTLE ON THE STOMACH There are two kinds of protein in milk – caseins and whey. Compared to cow’s milk, the type of casein that’s present in goat’s milk results in a softer curd that’s easier for digestive enzymes to access. To put things into perspective, trypsin…

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star learners Building confident, creative children with character – that’s what this childcare brand aims to do. It has the 22 centres islandwide, making it the largest chain under the Partner Operator (POP) Scheme, which aims to provide affordable childcare. Its play-based curriculum helps kids develop a lifelong love of learning. Among its distinctive programmes are the Stanley Starfish Character Programme for character development, Write a Rainbow for writing and Ready Steady Go Kids, Australia’s largest and most reputable multi-sport and exercise programme for children. Turn to Young Parents Listings for centre details. Tel: 6250-0173/ E-mail: info@starlearners.com.sg/ Website: www.starlearners.com.sg/ Facebook: www.fb.com/ StarLearnersChildcare aquaducks Since 1989, the Aquaducks swimming programme has been offering unique Babies and Learn to Swim teaching programmes designed for each child’s safety and pleasure in the water. It caters…

What’s trending in the stroller scene? Compact designs that fit the smallest of spaces, like the overhead compartment of a plane. French label Babyzen Yoyo+ allows you to do just that, measuring 52cm by 44cm by 18cm when it’s folded. Its improved design now offers suspension on all four wheels and a padded seat, so your little one – up to 18kg – has a comfy ride. Did he spill his milk or snacks? No problem – the fabric can be easily removed and washed. Prices start from $799 and add-on accessories, such as car seat adapters, are available. Buy it at First Few Years, or find out more www.babyzen.com.…

The best way is to start a family early when you’re both young, says Dr Christopher Ng, obstetrician and gynaecologist at GynaeMD Women’s and Rejuvenation Clinic. It’s also important to lead a healthy, relaxed lifestyle – with regular exercise, low stress, a balanced diet, preconception vitamins along with folate, as well as avoiding alcohol and smoking. Instead of consuming expensive drugs or hormonal injections to help you conceive, try a sperm-friendly vaginal lubricant. It helps to prolong the survival of sperm long enough for them to swim from the upper vagina into the cervix and womb. Since it also acts as a lubricant, it can help relieve the pain of intercourse due to vaginal dryness, a condition called dyspareunia. There really is no scientific evidence that one sexual position is…

Share your concerns with the principal, and arrange for a regular progress update with the teacher in charge of your kid. You thought you could work with peace of mind, knowing that you’ve enrolled your toddler at a reputable childcare centre. Yet, you’re starting to have niggling doubts that the centre is not right for you or your young child. Look out for these telltale signs: He keeps crying Your little one has been attending childcare for more than six weeks, but he still cries when you leave him there each morning. You understand that he tears up frequently throughout the day, as well. While it is common for young children to show some degree of separation anxiety, this typically eases within six to eight weeks. He looks sluggish There…

TO WIN, TAKE OUR QUIZ NOW! Find out what kind of learner your child is: Is he a high achiever, creative thinker or gifted learner? Hurry! • The first 50 participants will receive a $20 Al Borgo cash voucher. • The next 100 participants will receive a $10 QQ Rice cash voucher. All quiz participants will enjoy: • A free three-month Young Parents digital subscription worth $15. • A chance to win $30,000 worth of lucky draw prizes! Join now at www.youngparents.com.sg/yp30 Hurry, this promotion ends on June 30, 2016. LUCKY DRAW PRIZES GRAND PRIZES • Three-night cruise getaway onboard the SuperStar Gemini Cruise • Legoland Malaysia Resort family package passes and a hotel stay ALSO UP FOR GRABS • KidZania Singapore tickets and premiums • The Good Dinosaur movie…

BRIGHTON MONTESSORI E contact@brightonmontessori.com.sg W www.brightonmontessori.com.sg T 6588-3883 @ FORT ROAD 16 Fort Road, Singapore 439077 @ FRANKEL AVE 125 Frankel Avenue, Singapore 458235 @ GREAT WORLD CITY 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #02-41A/42 Great World City, Singapore 237994 @ MOUNTBATTEN 764 Mountbatten Road, Singapore 437764 @ SUNSET WAY 41 Sunset Way, #02-01/02 Clementi Arcade, Singapore 597071 @ THE GRASSROOTS’ CLUB 190 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, #02-01 The Grassroots’ Club, Singapore 568046 LEARNING VISION E enquiries@learningvision.com W www.learningvision.com T 6781-0888 @ ALPHA (SCIENCE PARK II) 10 Science Park Road, Singapore Science Park ll, #01-02/03 The Alpha, Singapore 117684 @ BIOPOLIS One North, 11 Biopolis Way Helios, #02-01/03, Singapore 138667 @ CET EAST CAMPUS (PAYA LEBAR) 11 Eunos Road 8, #04-04, Singapore 408601 @ CHANGI AIRPORT Changi…