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October 2024
It’s official: temperatures are rising, and with them, health threats and general discomfort all around for us. If you are pregnant though, hotter weather can be even more harmful as…
Every year in Singapore, approximately 10 in 100,000 infants and children under the age of five become very sick from severe pneumococcal disease. They require intensive treatment in the hospital…
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling,…
Five years ago, Aisha Jiffry, 44, was going through the motions in a job that left her tired, uninspired, and with little time to pursue her own passions. Blessed with…
Yes, men do get them too. But did you know that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from migraines? Furthermore, we experience them more frequently, for longer…
In Singapore, cervical cancer is the 10th most common cancer in women. That translates to over 200 new cases surfacing each year. In 2022, the National Population Health Survey reported…
Your child has slept through the night, but there is a large wet patch on the bed. Your child wakes with a piercing scream in the middle of the night,…
Does your child sleep well? Children need sleep. But even more importantly, they need to sleep well. Sleep is crucial for their overall health and development, and plays a pivotal…
After a long day at work, you are looking forward to spending some quality time bonding with your family over dinner. But you arrive home only to find that your…
Immunity is important all year round, especially with COVID-19 variants skulking around and Singapore’s inevitably hot weather. For parents, keeping their children and families healthy is always a top priority….
Gone are the days when the kitchen tap was the only outlet for drinking water at home. Now, with water purifiers, it’s easy to have clean, temperature-specific water at the…
Children often complain of fatigue, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. But these complaints could indicate something more dire — like Gaucher (pronounced go-SHAY) disease — if they are accompanied…
Imagine a world where the bacteria and bugs that make us sick no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat, and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe…
It may sound strange, but science has proven that deaf people can appreciate music too. They do so by sensing vibrations in the part of the brain that processes hearing….
The birth of a new baby is a joyous occasion. However, for every mum-to-be who carries a precious pregnancy to term, there may be another who has a miscarriage. Such…
Probiotics is such a buzzword these days. But how much does the average person really know about these so-called good bacteria? For example, is it safe to munch on those…
Hearing loss is not just a problem for the elderly. In Singapore, about 1 in 1,000 babies born each year has profound hearing loss, and 5 in 1,000 have some…
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is common in our everyday lives as Singaporeans. Turn a corner in any neighbourhood and you will likely encounter a TCM medical hall or two. During…
Bel is an easy-going, athletic 13-year-old who avoids conflicts with a smile. Of my five children, she would be the one to question why I was so curt with a…
Pilates has become a popular workout in Singapore, with the addition of at least four new Pilates studios and classes in Singapore over the past year. Whether done on the…
Get your air purifiers ready: haze may be coming our way soon. This is due to a high likelihood of El Nino conditions which will bring hotter and drier weather…
When we think of physiotherapy, the first thing that often comes to mind is recovery from injury. But beyond physical injury, there are a host of issues that physiotherapy can…
The recent World Environment Day (5 June) was a reminder to #BeatPlasticPollution and help release the chokehold of plastic on our planet. But apart from foregoing plastic, there are many…
When her dad was diagnosed with cancer, it was a rude wake-up call for entrepreneur Andrea Chow. Late nights attending social events, smoking and drinking — it was time to…
Still think it’s taboo for a ‘real man’ to talk about reproduction? Heads up, we’re in 2023 now and male infertility — defined as the inability for a male to…
Are you part of the ‘sandwich’ generation? This refers to working adults who support their ageing parents while raising a family. The burden can be quite heavy, especially when it…
As mums, we love cuddling with our little ones, and marvelling at the baby-smooth, velvety feel of their skin. But sometimes their skin gets dry, inflamed, red, and bumpy. Even…
Breast cancer during pregnancy is known as gestational breast cancer, or pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC). It refers to breast cancers that occur whilst pregnant, in the first year postpartum, or…
The common adage during pregnancy is that you can, and should “eat for two”. That, we now know, is a misconception. Pregnancy nutrition does not mean eating more. A pregnant…
Did you know that wheezing is one of the main signs of impending asthma attacks in children? The problem is that parents often find it challenging to recognise wheezing. This…
If you are pregnant, and feeling aches and pains around certain parts of your body, take heart. You are not alone, and there is a remedy for the pain. Almost…
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a giant spotlight on vaccines, but not all parents are quite convinced. And while we’ve been distracted by COVID-19 for over two years, the Aedes…
Working mothers juggle a multitude of balls, from career to household, family (extended as well), friends, and more. Though our time is limited, our to-do list seems to be never-ending….
If your past two years were spent working from home, you’ve probably experienced some aches and pains – the result of too much time spent at the table hunched over…
Like any other young mum, motherhood means love, family, and happiness for 34-year-old financial services advisor, Joy Chia. She met her husband-to-be in 2002, and they tied the knot in…
Azizah Azman skips rope, plays badminton, and has even started inline skating – all while living with a stoma. (This, by the way, is an opening on the abdomen that…
Earlier this year, the Friso #ReallyKnowPoop Constipation Survey polled 1,000 Singaporean parents to better understand the constipation woes of their toddlers aged 12 to 26 months. 18 per cent say…
Even before those reports (in May 2021) about the COVID-19 virus being airborne, air purifiers had already been seeing a steady uptick in sales. In addition earlier studies show that…
As COVID-19 swept the globe over the past two years, we began to become more aware of airborne threats that could affect our lives, as well as the lives of…
The most important thing to every parent is the health and well-being of their child. When your little one falls ill, you want a doctor who not only hastens their…
Three to four months after giving birth to her first child, Mary* (*not her real name) and her husband had sex. To her shock, the advertising specialist felt “a burning…
Sex is bliss, but not when every slip, stroke, and slide brings pain rather than pleasure. And while you can achieve satisfaction by other means, why limit intimacy when you…
Children pick up a lot from school, from academics to social behaviours. On top of these, they also pick up some things that can keep them out of school —…
The concept of work-life balance takes on a whole new slant when it comes to 41-year-old Aaron Tay. Work: he is currently working as a Financial Services Manager at Vineyard…
Even before those reports (in May 2021) about the COVID-19 virus being airborne, air purifiers had already been seeing a steady uptick in sales. Add to this earlier studies showing…
While you and the grandparents are probably vaccinated against COVID-19, your children may not be. Apart from taking the usual measures to stay safe, such as masking up, and staying…
Even as Singapore is reacquainting ourselves with pre-circuit breaker living, it’s important to keep in mind that we aren’t out of the woods yet. But by continuing to practise safe…
Since the start of this year, and throughout the circuit breaker in Singapore, nine-year-old Aly has been in the pink of health. Her mother, artist and Lula J Jewelry founder,…
You know you’re a parent when you find yourself taking photos of your child’s poop, and having no qualms about talking to other parents about your child’s faecal matter. Don’t…
When my child first said his head hurt, I didn’t think he had a headache. I figured the active kid had bumped his noggin on something, and that the pain…
Did you know that Singapore has one of the highest rates of childhood myopia among seven to nine-year-olds in the world (source)? At age five, almost a fifth of children…
As COVID-19 cases in Singapore began to increase, the government put out a call to expand the country’s mask supply. One dad heard, and responded. Together with his family, Keenon…
So COVID-19 case numbers are coming down, and our children are going back to school in a couple of weeks. But that’s no reason to let your guard down. In…
Exercise has multiple benefits for everyone, especially when you are pregnant. So no matter how tempting, unless there are valid reasons to do so, pregnancy is not an excuse to…
The school bag is packed, the uniform is ready. Now what to put in the lunchbox? You may even be thinking of packing two — one lunchbox for recess, and…
Your immune system keeps you healthy by preventing viruses, bacteria, and disease from invading your body, and there are various ways to help it do its job well. Apart from…
When people talk about investments, one would not usually associate it with a study table and chair set. But let me explain… Before I was given such a set to…
In Singapore, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in about one in four to five pregnancies. This is according to a study published in May 2018 by the Agency for Care…
Admit it, you’ve been tempted to buy into one – or more – of those uber-healthy trendy superfoods, if you haven’t already done so. After all, the nutritional benefits sound…
Mothers have an amazing ability to think on their feet while running around all day. They make sure everyone in the family is cared for, often at the expense of…
What if, God forbid, your baby is born with a birth defect and requires intensive care, can you afford the hospital bills that come with it? Read on to discover…
Designing a child’s bedroom can be tricky business, but putting the right Feng Shui touches on Junior’s room may actually set the stage for healthy growth and harmonious living. [banner][/banner]…
Majority of Singaporean parents today seem to be feeding their children at least one dietary supplement. You have probably bought some cute gummy bear-shaped multivitamins for your little one, haven’t…
Tips on enhancing the bond between mother and child through sensory play. As a new mum, your first year of parenthood is as thrilling as it is challenging. Today’s mums…
Learn how to identify the signs of a delicate tummy and turn a grumpy tummy into a happy tummy that aids your baby’s learning and development. Beyond six months of…
Children with persistent food allergies to dairy products, eggs and tree nuts will now be able to eat such foods without adverse reactions once they complete the Food Oral Immunotherapy…
A baby boy cried every ten minutes for six hours and vomited at least five times during that time. When he was finally admitted to hospital, an initial examination revealed…
Your kids can give you headches, but did you know that children can get them too? In fact, children can even get migraines. Migraine is “very common in children”, Dr…
For children, especially those with special needs, movement is important. This is not simply a matter of health; a foundation of movement and activity in the early years paves the…
Remember those idyllic days of people-watching at cafes and late-night partying? All that will change when your first child arrives. What you initially imagine to be a picturesque, Instagrammable first year…
It seems that when a woman gets pregnant, the general public opinion is that she should cut back on her exercise. Perhaps this is due to the perception that pregnant…
Pregnancy can seem overwhelming at times. On top of having endless pregnancy guides and parenting books to browse through, the long list of do’s and don’ts can leave you feeling lost….
Edema (water retention) is a condition you are likely to experience when you are pregnant. You’ll discover that physical expansion is not limited to the middle of the body. In…
Pregnancy is that one (or more) span of time in a woman’s life during which she is naturally expected to pack on some kilos without hosting any qualms about it….
Eczema is a chronic disorder of the skin that is more common in young children. According to a study done in 2002 (the most recent one here), the prevalence of…
Pregnancy marks the start of an incredible journey for every woman. It also signals the impending arrival of an amazing metamorphosis of the female body. Some facets of this transformation…
Approximately six to seven per cent of all singleton pregnancies in Singapore deliver prematurely, or about one in 15 babies, says Dr Mark Loh, Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Mount Elizabeth…
The mention of fitness might trigger mental images of sweaty men and women gruelling themselves at the gym, all in the pursuit of a svelte figure and good health. But,…
In late February this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe called for measles vaccination campaigns to be stepped up across the region after recording 22,000 cases of the…
The skin of newborns may be flaky and dry because it has yet to mature. A young child’s skin is delicate and therefore vulnerable to becoming dry too. Lessening exposure…
World renowned slimming experts Marie France Bodyline unveiled their new celebrity spokesperson, Singaporean actress Fann Wong, to the media on 7 January 2015 at 72-13, Mohd Sultan Road. The event,…
If your child has been pulling at his ears or complaining of pain in his ears, do not ignore him. He could be having an ear infection. Left untreated, this…
That post-baby tummy fat you’ve been carrying around might just be a condition called diastasis recti. Don’t worry, this condition is usually harmless. It is a well-known fact that some…
As a first-time mother, I spent 16 hours in labor. Going in and out of a pain I had never experienced before, I remember being told to curl up on…
You may be surprised by how your body looks and feels after you give birth. If you worried about your size when you were younger, your uneasiness about your body…
Not counting those who do it for religious reasons, circumcision is fairly common in Singapore. According to the Ministry of Health website, there were 1,870 circumcision procedures performed in hospitals…
Pregnant? Congratulations! Having a baby sets you on a steep learning curve, upon which you’re likely to come across the concept of cord blood banking. With advanced medical knowledge in…
Little C is born. Our horsey boy came into the world on 3 July 2014. And boy did he make a quick galloping entrance. My total labour pushing time was…
Is your child an extremely fussy eater? Or one who takes two hours to finish a meal? He or she may have a feeding disorder. International pediatric nutrition expert Dr…
Your nutritional health before and during pregnancy can affect your baby’s future health. Dr Abdul Aziz Bin Mohd Ali Sujak from Aziz Clinic For Women Pte Ltd tells us why…
Don’t we all live in a world where we are constantly fed with visuals of perfectly airbrushed, slim, and toned bodies? Not to mention images of those lucky genetically-privileged celebrity…
No parent wants their child to have to go under the knife but sometimes, doing so is necessary and might even benefit the young one. Plastic surgery is one such…
Walk into any pharmacy and you’ll be greeted by rows of colourful bottles promising to make your children taller, healthier, and brainier, and give them good vision and excellent digestion…
Two-thirds of with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have no risk factors for this birth complication which happens in about five per cent of births worldwide. Dr Kelly Loi from the Health…
Lim Zong Neng, Anson, a pharmacist at Watson’s Tampines Mall, tells us what the essential medications that you should always have in the medicine cabinet for children are. Children tend…
Carrying a child when you’re over the age of 35 brings with it some additional risks to both yourself and your baby. But it’s not at all an impossible task….
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean or VBAC is the term used to describe the process when a woman gives birth vaginally after having had a previous caesarean delivery. It includes birth…
After giving birth, your body looks and feels like it belongs to a stranger. You’re oozing fluids from too many places, your abdomen looks as if baby hasn’t exited the…
Travelling with children can be a daunting prospect – there are vaccinations to think about and the worry of how to respond in a medical emergency in a foreign country….
The bad news: myopia is hereditary. “Genetics has a definite role,” said Dr Gerard Nah, an eye surgeon with W Eye Clinic and the founder of the Vision Performance Centre…
Throughout your pregnancy, you will have to go through a series of blood tests, ultrasounds and the like. This is all done to ensure the health of both mother and…
As a parent you want only the best for your child. So, you weigh every choice you make carefully. You research, you speak to your friends and you consult doctors….
No, we’re not just talking fussy eating here. If you or anyone in your family has Crohne’s disease, is celiac or has an allergy to nuts, for example, watching what…
Wong Lina, 37, who manages a travel agency, is the mother of three children aged 12, 10 and 5. She delivered all her babies through C-section. For the first one,…
When the Standard Chartered Marathon takes place on Sunday, you’ll see, in addition to the sculpted calves pounding the pavement, several sets of chubby legs that belong to the newly-walking….
Myopia – or short-sightedness – is so commonplace here in Singapore that most of us parents hardly spend sleepless nights over it. After all, we have better things to worry…
Birth in water, known as water birth, is one of the gentlest ways for a baby to be born. This ancient practice, which has been revived by birthing mothers today,…
Teething is one of the many milestones in a baby’s first year and like colic, it makes parents feel helpless and wish we could be the one suffering instead of…
In the past, it was believed that pregnant women had to abstain from physical activity. However, it is now known that exercise, correctly done, is important and beneficial to the…
A month ago, I experienced some bleeding while urinating. You can imagine my anxiety and fear as I was 15 weeks pregnant then. I thought I was going to have…
According to the American Pregnancy Association, about 70 to 80 per cent of pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, but don’t be fooled…
What are you doing to deal with the haze? Six mums share their coping strategies… [banner][/banner] BRING OUT THE AIR PURIFIER “We turn on the air conditioner all day. We…
Just the thought of visiting a dentist is enough to send shivers up my spine. Memories of the drill in my tooth and the painful injections in the gums will…
The term ‘midwife’ means ‘with woman’. Traditionally, mothers depended on specially-skilled wise women to care for them in pregnancy, labour, birth, and postnatally. Present-day midwifery is a reflection of how…
Sex during pregnancy and after giving birth can be as enjoyable as before, as long as you’re paying close attention to your body One of the things that many women…
You’re pregnant, you’ve bought the necessary baby items and spent a load on infant paraphernalia. You’ve read up on how to breastfeed, how to burp the baby, how to distinguish…
Children are prone to suffer from sore throats and coughs. There are no known statistics on how often they get this illness. Says Dr Penny Lo, a general practitioner, “It…
It is encouraging to see that more new parents in Singapore are realising the importance of breastfeeding. According to a report in The Straits Times last August, hospitals say that…
The first ‘home-away-from-home’ for families with sick children opens in Singapore. A new Ronald McDonald House (RMH) was opened last month at the National University Hospital (NUH). The is a…
Is my Baby at Risk of Allergies? “I am in my last trimester of pregnancy and have had multiple allergies since young. How, as a mother, can I play a…
For a woman, pregnancy is a time of change. Physically, your body is changing to accommodate your baby’s needs. Emotionally, you are beginning to realise that you are now responsible…
The UN General Assembly has designated 15 October as Global Handwashing Day and it’s a reminder to the general public (especially children and their parents) that proper hand hygiene is…
New mothers are consistently on the alert when it comes to their babies. We worry about the smallest things – from whether baby is breathing properly to whether baby’s poop…
Immediately after he is born, your baby will undergo several tests and examinations. But you may be engrossed in meeting your baby for the first time (and perhaps too fatigued…
The trend towards eating organic foods and using organic products is constantly on the rise, with more and more people choosing an organic lifestyle for personal health and eco-conscious reasons….
Proponents say that vaccinations are safe and that the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the small risks associated with vaccines. Opponents argue that children’s immune systems can deal with most…
Your due date is long past, you are tired of feeling pregnant and most of all, you can’t wait to meet the little bundle that has been incubating inside you…
You have been cyber-stalking at your friends’ babies on Facebook; you have even been gawking at your colleague’s baby bump. When you find yourself secretly browsing those floral rompers at…
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common and contagious viral infection that can affect children as well as adults. It hit epidemic levels in Singapore in early 2012,…
Having featured the stories of Dewi and Joycelyn, two mothers whose babies were born prematurely, we now examine the causes of premature labour and some health issues which pre-term babies…
For two days after she had delivered her baby prematurely, Joycelyn lay in a coma. Her husband shuttled between the Intensive Care Unit and the neonatal ICU, burdened with the…
My son’s food allergies had taken front seat in our family for the past year, and I took comfort in the fact that my daughter, a.k.a. ‘The Bug’, was allergy-free….
When she was pregnant with her second child, Dewi Singgih had to visit her gynaecologist every five days. Thirty-two weeks into that pregnancy, Dewi was presented with the grim news…
It was one in the morning. Something happened while she was dreaming. She was all wet. But it was still two weeks before her baby’s due date. Was this the…
As their estimated delivery date draws near, many expectant mothers eagerly anticipate the arrival of their bundle of joy while dreading labour pains. Knowing what to expect in the final…
The time which our children spend running around and playing at the playground has given way to watching television, playing video and computer games. However, it is not too late…
The first 30 to forty days after you give birth is the period where you are confined to a certain regimen comprised of nutritious diet, to-do’s and not-to-do’s, and lots…
Whether you are trying for a baby, or have just gotten a positive result from your pregnancy test (congrats!), it is good to know what you are in for when…
A lot people have this dated, 1970-s era image of ‘asthma kids’: you know, the sallow, weedy kid with Coke-bottle specs who sat on the sidelines during gym class. Scratch…
While there are many allergy tests to choose from, there are only three that should be considered. The Skin Prick Test (SPT), the IgE blood test and the oral food…
Dealing with a sick baby can be very stressful, especially for first-time parents. Babies can’t talk. They cannot tell you if they are feeling dizzy, queasy, or wheezy. But you…
Many Singaporeans think peanut allergy is an ‘angmo’ affliction; strictly a Caucasian condition. Research done by Chiang Wen Chin, an allergy specialist at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH),…
There are plenty of myths about food allergies in Singapore. Myth #1: Not many people have them. Myth #2: Allergies are not a big deal — just a rash around…
Allergies are an increasingly important issue for many Singaporean families: 20% of children in Singapore suffer from asthma (SingHealth), 5% of children have food allergies (National University Hospital), and 10%…
Supermodels pop a baby and are back on the catwalk in a couple of weeks, looking fabulous. You grunt, puff, holler and gasp a baby out, and still look like…
“If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it,” wrote The Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich. Her mock graduation speech column was turned into…
Our birth rate may not be growing but services for mums and children are booming. If you are currently expecting a baby, you can enjoy facilities and services – such as…
You’re pregnant, and worried about your unborn baby. That’s perfectly normal, of course. Low to moderate levels of anxiety are experienced by every mother-to-be in pregnancy. They tend to fluctuate…
Perinatal depression, which refers to depression occurring during pregnancy or the first year postnatally, affects up to 15 per cent of women in Singapore. Dr Cornelia Chee, Consultant & Director…
