Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2017 i Young Parents

Playground-trawling, movies, museum trips and a huge variety of enrichment classes – these all help to keep the young ones suitably entertained over the weekends. And now you can add one more addictive option to the list: ice skating. It’s fun for everyone – from kids above the age of three to adults – and provides a great workout while keeping even the most sweat-allergic parent happy. To get started, there’s no better place to visit than The Rink. Located at Level 3 of JCube (a mere five-minute walk from Jurong East MRT station), The Rink is Singapore’s first and only Olympic-size ice skating rink. The expansive venue hosts exciting events and activities, including skating lessons for kids and adults, and international tournaments in ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating…

Parents today pay more than two times what they did for infant formula 10 years ago. A 900g tin costs an average of $56, compared with about $25 in 2007. It is a hefty rise, considering that over the same 10-year period, the cost of fresh milk went up just 6.8 per cent to $2.81 for a 1-litre pack. Peiru Ng, 30, who is in public relations, spends $240 a month on about four tins of formula for her six-month-old daughter. She says: “I choose to breastfeed as I’m aware of the advantages. However, I have been supplementing with formula as my supply doesn’t meet her needs fully, especially since I’ve gone back to work.” Market research firm Euro-monitor reported that formula milk sales were valued at US$47 billion globally…

 Do dads operate differently from mums? It appears that your husband doesn't feel guilty about, say, going to supper with the boys instead of staying home with you and Baby. But the truth is, he does. Consider what actually happened before you start to blame yourself when things go wrong. Here are the different ways dads and mums manage guilt: Dads feel guilt as much as mums, but they often handle it in a different way. Dads generally talk less than mums about their emotions and concerns as a parent. Instead of discussing these feelings, dads may prefer to keep them to themselves and hope that the guilt disappears more quickly. This doesn't suit every dad; nor does it always work. They view the world in practical terms, and take…

Your kid can’t walk past the store without whining for another new toy. When you try to take the iPad away, he throws a fit. And, oh dear, did you just hear him mutter the “F” word?! You thought those days of toddler tantrums were over, only to find yourself dealing with bigger, badder behaviour. What happened along the way? Most behavioural patterns are shaped in the first seven years of a child’s life, explains Alfred Tan, chief executive officer of the Singapore Children’s Society. “If your child is behaving badly, it could be due to gaps or shortcomings during this period of growing up,” he says. As much as you loathe to hear this, the experts say the spoiling process probably started with you, the parent. Isn’t it so…

Play in all forms is all the rage among some parents here, who draw from educational philosophies such as Montessori, Waldorf and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers). The Facebook page, Respectful/Mindful Parenting Singapore (www.fb.com/groups/RIESingapore), which was inspired by RIE, was set up in 2015 by two mothers, Kasia Poleszak-Langner, 33, and Shumei Winstanley, 29. It has close to 4,000 members. Another Facebook group, Montessori in Singapore Homes (www.tinyurl.com/ MontessoriSG), set up in April last year by stay-at-home mother Karen Abts, 31, has more than 390 members. Elsewhere, more than 1,100 people subscribe to the Facebook group, Friends of Waldorf Steiner Education (www.tinyurl.com/WaldorfSG). The Waldorf Steiner Education Association Singapore (www.waldorfsingapore.com), founded in 2010 to promote Waldorf education and pedagogy here, started from a mother-run playgroup. It now has a nursery and…

Kids learn best when they’re having fun – and so do parents. That’s why there was a variety of hands-on activities for mums and dads at The Little Skool-House (LSH) Literacy Preschool Seminar: Young Parents Master Class on May 27. Over three hours at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, they picked up expert tips on how to spark their child’s interest in language learning. 1 This is how you make a “story tube”. Participants learnt how to create interactive language games at home using simple materials. 2 Celeb mum Diana Ser, the event’s guest speaker, shared how she uses everyday opportunities and multimedia to create a Mandarin-friendly environment for her three kids. 3 Senior education development specialists Ong Seok Yan and Kou Ye, as well as education development…

The stunning view from our room at Capella Singapore when we reviewed its Mother’s Day staycation package. Our favourite children’s watch turns 30 and we’re thrilled to be a part of its celebration. Happy birthday, Flik Flak! Celeb mum Diana Ser shared language learning tips at our The Little Skool-House Literacy Preschool Seminar: Young Parents Master Class. This lava cookie from Creamery oozes a delicious rich chocolate filling once ice cream is plonked on it. Yum! We joined these young Star Wars fans at Legoland Malaysia for a host of special activities. What beautiful work by @theletteringworkbook, who conducted workshops at the inaugural Faber-Castell Art Festival. @youngparents_sg Follow us and find out what the Young Parents team is up to.…

Babies under one year old should not drink fruit juice at all – that’s the latest stance by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is the AAP’s first change in recommendations on fruit juice since 2001. Over past years, it advised against offering fruit juice to babies younger than six months old. The concern is that juice offers no nutritional benefits early in life, and can take the place of what babies really need: breast or formula milk and their protein, fat and minerals like calcium. “Parents may perceive fruit juice as healthy, but it is not a good substitute for fresh fruit and just packs in more sugar and calories,” says Dr Melvin B. Heyman, paediatric gastroenterologist and co-author of the AAP statement released in May. “Small amounts…

 Gone are the days when caregivers relied on the sarong cradle to soothe a newborn. When it comes to choosing cots, buy from reputable retailers and ensure that products come with clear safety instructions. Parents now have a dazzling array of bedtime options for their babies – from cots that can be placed beside an adult bed with one side lowered, to self-rocking electronic cradles. Still, experts say the safest option is neither a co-sleeping cot nor a sarong cradle. It is a traditional crib with a firm mattress, with no drop sides or wide gaps between slats. Associate Professor Song Kee Hong from the National University of Singapore’s School of Design and Environment says: “Most cribs should be safe under normal conditions. But poorly designed cribs with drop sides…

PASTA WITH MIXED VEGETABLES IN TOMATO SAUCE Pasta sauce 3 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp white onions, chopped 1 tbsp garlic, chopped 2 pieces bay leaves 2 cans (250ml) whole peeled tomatoes, blended Salt, to taste Sugar, to taste White pepper, to taste Ingredients 100g green zucchini 100g yellow zucchini 100g carrot 250g pasta (your preferred type) Water, lightly salted 3 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp white onions, chopped 1 tbsp garlic, chopped Salt, to taste White pepper, to taste Parsley, chopped, for garnish Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, to finish 1 To make pasta sauce, in a lightly heated medium-sized pot, add oil and fry onions till softened. Add garlic and fry till lightly browned. 2 Add bay leaves and blended tomatoes, and…

If your child knows that he cannot retrieve the object he threw, he will no longer do it. Your one-year-old likes to throw things and this seemed like fun at first. But is your child’s habit creating all sorts of problems? For example, when he throws food, which ends up staining the floor; when he tosses something heavy or sharp, which can be dangerous, or when he keeps “accidentally” dropping his spoon time and again so you can return it to him. And if you’ve ever sat with your little one during a plane ride, you’ll have discovered how far he can throw a toy down the aisle, inconveniencing you and other passengers. Here’s what you first need to understand. For one-year-olds, throwing is: • A part of the learning experience.…

When your youngster becomes more comfortable talking about her allergies, she will feel more confident when explaining them to her friends. If your child has food allergies, parties may not be much fun. She feels left out because she knows she can't eat or drink everything that her friends scoff down happily. For example, she can't eat cake because it contains egg, or she can't have a biscuit because it is made with nuts. Most times, she is served a separate treat, but sometimes she gets nothing at all. But she doesn't need to feel lousy about herself. It's important to reassure your child. She did not cause these allergies, so she should not blame herself. She will feel happier understanding that such physical sensitivities usually occur for no obvious…

Once upon a time, it was much easier to keep up with the Joneses (or the Tans). You may have been jealous when you saw your perfectly groomed neighbour climbing into her perfectly polished new car, with her perfectly behaved kids trotting after her. But once they zipped off, they were gone for the day. Your jealousy didn’t last beyond that. Today, however, you’re forced to continue witnessing, and living vicariously, through your friends’ seemingly perfect lives. Everything is documented on Instagram/Facebook/ Snapchat, and catalogued according to #hashtags. Nobody wants to admit it, but we’ve all done our fair share of cyberstalking. We can’t avoid reading about our friends when their status updates pop up on our newsfeed. And often, we can’t help clicking on their accounts or hashtags, scrolling…

do Singapore Kite Day at Marina Barrage is back for its eighth year. Organised by PUB and the Singapore Kite Association, the event on July 29 and July 30 will feature captivating stunt kite performances by enthusiasts from around the world. You and your little one can also make kites and windmills with eco-friendly materials at the workshops. And look out for the Lolli-Drop – mini parachutes carrying sweets will be making a surprise fall. Admission is free. Find out more at www.tinyurl.com/SGKiteDay2017. do Fuel your kid’s interest in Mandarin with this musical production of Red Riding Hood. Staged by Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Little Company, this adaption of its 2013 English show is packed with humour and original songs. It runs from July 20 to Sept 1 at KC…

THIS MONTH, WE ASK My toddler eats only eggs and rice. What should I do if I can’t coax her to take anything else? It is normal for a tot to eat everything one moment and become very choosy the next. Up to half of all parents and caregivers have reported that their kids exhibit picky eating behaviour at some point. Eggs are high in protein, but eating vegetables and fruits will certainly make the meal more complete. Milk is also essential at this stage. You can be creative when cooking egg dishes. Here are some suggestions: • Omelette – include cheese, chopped chicken breast, and grated soft-cooked vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. • Hard-boiled egg – decorate with carrots, seaweed and other colourful vegetables. • Steamed egg – add stock, minced…

Cord blood banking may be one of the most crucial ways to protect your child’s health. Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after your baby’s birth. It has a high concentration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) stem cells, which can be used during stem cell transplants to replace and regenerate damaged bone marrow, and treat blood related disorders. You can also increase the range of possible treatments by storing your little one’s cord lining. This is rich in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) which can be used as a form of regenerative medicine. To date, more than 80 major diseases can be treated with cord blood, including conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma and thalassemia. With rigorous clinical trials in…

Be sure to brush your toddler’s teeth twice a day and floss a few times a week. 1 Her first tooth may come in at around six months. Most babies will cut their first tooth between six and 10 months, says Dr Natalie Epton, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at SBCC Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. Others may get theirs later – around or after their first birthday. Occasionally, some may even be born with a tooth, says Dr Chang Fu-Gui, dental surgeon from The Dental Studio. Expect the two lower front teeth to come out first, followed by the top two upper front teeth. By two to 2½ years old, your toddler will have a full set of 20 teeth, he adds. 2 Watch for crankiness, crying, rashes and loose…

Q Why won’t my baby sleep through the night? A Exhausted new parents, sinking into bed after a long day, may quickly learn to dread their baby’s midnight wails. But experts say such crying is normal and parents must learn to let babies get into a healthy sleep cycle. Infants have different sleeping needs from adults and many manage to sleep through the night only from around the nine-month mark. During their first year, babies will spend most of the day sleeping and this can range from 14 to 20 hours. Much of this is rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which experts believe is necessary for infant development. Babies will stir more easily. “It is normal for babies to wake up intermittently in the night and go back to sleep…

 Strange but true: Your toddler misbehaves only with you. That’s because others have several advantages. Don’t be afraid to bend the rules occasionally, particularly when you are on a family outing. For starters, there is the novelty factor. The relative unfamiliarity of another person can have a very stabilising effect on a two-year-old’s behaviour. For example, if your friend cared for your child every day, his excitement at being with her would soon wear off. You can be sure he’ll misbehave with her occasionally, as well. Secondly, time is a factor. Unlike others, you can’t hand him back after a few hours. They also don’t spend the whole day with your kid, dealing with every challenge he meets and ensuring that his schedule runs according to plan. Finally, others may…

 You have a very close relationship with your girl. You are there for her through thick and thin, ready to help with every major and minor difficulty, never running out of useful advice and suggestions, and always having her best interests at heart. Don’t tell her all the minute details of your troubles. She has enough to think about without having to worry about your problems, too. But your child is not your confidant. Learn to set boundaries in your relationship by not sharing excessively about your worries, such as conflict at work or issues with your mother-in-law. Here's a list of dos and don'ts. DO Be ready to listen Knowing you'll give her your attention, even if it's something trivial, boosts her confidence and strengthens your relationship. Give her…

THE WESTIN LANGKAWI RESORT & SPA There’s something about beach holidays that help you unwind and be rejuvenated. Perhaps it’s the idyllic pace, the fresh air and vast waters. At Langkawi, it’s also the serenity of the beach, as we discovered during our recent getaway. Unlike other beach destinations in the region we’ve been to, there were no screeching jet skis and parasailing boats. Neither were there hard-selling touts. My active kids, aged nine and five, still had their fix of water sports at The Westin Langkawi, where they tried canoeing (RM20, or S$6.50, for a double canoe per hour) and went on a pedal boat (RM60 per hour). Like others on the island, this luxe resort offers only non-motor sports so travellers can soak in the tranquility. Langkawi’s beaches…