How to select a maid in Singapore

A maid is supposed to be a helper. However, if you do not choose carefully, the maid can become a headache instead of becoming a helper.

If cost is the top priority, then you may want to go for myanmar maid as the minimum salary of myanmar maid is the lowest among three popuplar choice - myanmar maid, indonesian maid and filipino maid. In one example that i know, the employer just pay $500 a month to get a myanmar maid who also works on weekend without any rest.

Of course, basic salary is just one part of the cost. As a employer, you will have to pay for the food, utility, air tickets to and from their home countries, accomodation and toiletry. 

For Filipino maid, the cost will be much higher, the current minimum salary is $550 with 4 rest day in a week.

For some employers, health condition of the maid is very important for a few reasons. First, in many households, maid will be asked to take care of elderly who may wake up at the night and need some form of help in the wee hours. The maid needs to in good health condition to handle the situation.

Furthermore, it is expensive to see doctor in Singapore if the maid is sick or hospitalized, the cost will be incurred by the employer. Although there is insurance to help, employer may still be needed to pay a significant amount.

Lastly, many maids are required to handle baby who have a week immune system. If the maid is not healthy, the maid may pass the disease to the baby.

Some parents have highlighted that some of the maid have dental issue. This has cost many employers hundred or thousands of dollars as this part is usually not covered by insurance. 

Language is also a problem. It is important for maid to understand employer’s expectation and what employer want. If the employer cannot understand it, conflict may arise. In many situation, this is the root cause of abuse of maid that occurred in Singapore. 

In general, filipino maid may be better in communicating in English. A check on wikipedia shows that the percentage of population in the Philippine that is able to communicate in English is much higher than the other two countries Myanmar and Indonesia.

Lastly, family status of a maid is also a factor to be considered. For us who needs the maid to look after our children, we select a maid who is married with children. We need someone who has the experience in handling the children. 

Source: how to select a maid

Auspicious Chinese Names

Like English names, Chinese names carry parents’wishes towards their children. Parents wish thier children to be successful, to be wealthy, to be honest person, to be handsome or beautiful, to be lucky or to be gentle. For example, “chang（昌）”is commonly used in China, it means prosperous.

Traditionally, parents ask those scholars, fortune tellers or fengshui masters to give chinese name to their children. Many fortune tellers or fengshui masters are well versed in traditional five elements-metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Based on a child’s birth date, these fortune tellers will be able to tell that the child may lack certain element and will use the name as an opportunity to make up this/these missing element. For example, if one child is found to lack “water”based on his birthday. The name he is going to have usually will carry the water element, for example, tao（涛）.

Nowadays, many modern parents ignore these traditional five element because of the trouble and money involved. In some cases, they will need to pay a few hundred dollars if they want to hire a fortune teller to name their child.

Most parents still emphasize on auspicious and name with a good meaning. Name like “rui（瑞）”, “jun（俊）” are popular for boy as they means lucky and handsome respectively. Name like hui（惠）, xiu（秀）, fang（芳）are popular among parents with baby girls as they means kind, intelligent and fragrance respectively.

Some parents also worry that their children may not be able to write the chinese character, as a result, they choose name with fewer number of strokes so that it is easy for children to write. According to babyment.com, the number of strokes of chinese name vary from 3 to 19. Traditionally, the number of strokes for each character can be even more.

Source: auspicious Chinese name Chinese Names For Girl Chinese Names For Boy

How to boost your child’s immune system?

It is common to hear parent saying that their children fall sick very often since starting child care centres or kindergartens. Some parents see the positive side of this and say that it gives their childrne an opportunity to train their immune system.

One way parents can help their children is to choose a preschool that really take good care of children’s hygiene. For example, preschool teachers and children wash their hands very often. Washing hand can wipe off the bacteria and prevent the spread of bacteria from one person to another person.

At home, parents can help to improve children’ immune system.

If your child have been breastfed, congratulation, your child is more likely to have a stronger immune system. Breastfeeding provides the most natural nutrient source for your baby and also allows the transfer of maternal antibodies that can provide protection against infections and diseases while your infant’s immune system is undergoing maturation.

Prebiotics are a type of non-digestible fibre compound found in nature. They make their way through the stomach without being broken down by gastric acids or enzymes and bring about positive changes in the digestive tract and organs.

Probiotics are good bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal tract of children. They help the immnue system by fighting harmful bacteria thereby reducing the chances of sicknesses and intestinal disease.

Vaccination is another way that you can protect your child from illness. It is recommended that you follow the schedule recommended by the government agencies.

Furthermore, parents can help their children in boosting up immune system by providing food that is rich in vitamin or antioxidant. Food that are rich in these substances include vegetables and fruit. Make sure your child eat some vegetable or fruit for each meal.

Lastly, parents can encourage their children to do more exercise. With some exercises and sunlight, your child’s immune system will be enhanced.

Source: How to boost immune system of your child

Can I have coffee during pregnancy?

First, most gynaecologists agree that one cup or two is okay for most pregnant women.

Coffee in general is not a healthy drink for the pregnant women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends limiting your caffeine consumption to fewer than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. Exceeding that amount could pose danger to both expecting mothers and the growing fetus.

Why is it harmful to drink coffee during pregnancy?

All the harmful effect of coffee has to do with the caffeine in the coffee. Other food that is rich in caffeine include tea, chocolate, soft drink.

1. Coffee can cause an increase the blood pressure

2. Coffee can cause more frequent urination. Many pregnant women experience frequent urination due to growing fetus. Coffee makes it worse as coffee is a diuretic.  

3. Caffeine and polyphenols makes it harder to absorb iron. When this happens, the pregnant women may experience anemia - a common problem during pregnancy.

4. In worse situation, coffee may trigger miscarriage and premature birth. A study conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that pregnant women who consumed more than 300mg of caffeine a day were more likely to give birth to babies who were small for their gestational age.

5. Coffee can cause a change in your baby’s sleep pattern

Remember, caffeine is a stimulant and can keep both you and your baby awake.

What can I do? 

Decaffeinated coffee is one in which the caffeine content is significantly less. You can safely opt for this healthier type of coffee when you are pregnant.

If withdrawal of coffee causes headache in you, you can consider having one cup of coffee daily.

  

In conclusion, it is better to avoid coffee and other food or drink that contains caffeine. If you cannot give up coffee completely, you should minimize the consumption to one or two cups a day.

Source: Can I drink coffee during pregnancy?

Foods to increase breast milk

Source: Foods to increase breast milk supply

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal can help a nursing mother to relax. When the nursing mother is in a relaxed mood, her body will release oxytocin which is a hormone involved in breast milk production.

Besides increasing breast milk supply, oatmeal is also known for lowering the cholesterol level and maintaining healthy blood pressure as it is full of fibre.

Oatmeal is available in all stores and supermarkets in Singapore. 

2. Carrots

Carrots help to boost the quality of breast milk. In the human’s body, beta carotene will be converted to vitamin A which helps to maintain healthy eyesight for the baby.

However, you should avoid excessive consumption of carrots as allergies to carrot can still occur and your baby may experience a harmless colour change in his or her skin.

Carrots are available in all wet market and supermarkets. 

3. Sesame seeds

Sesame is rich in iron which is important for red blood cell formation. Having enough iron in the diet can improve the quality of the breast milk and benefit babies who are growing very fast.

Sesame also contains other minerals like magnesium, zinc and vitamins like vitamin E which are all beneficial for mothers and babies.

 Sesame seeds are available in supermarkets.

4. Garlic

Garlic is considered one of the best food to increase breast milk.

Garlic has many health benefits. It is good for the digestive tract and heart health. It is also used to treat bacterial and viral infection.

Garlic can be found in all supermarkets, some convenient stores in neighborhood and wet markets. 

5. Asparagus

Asparagus is considered as a must-have food for nursing mothers.

It is a high-fibre food and is rich in Vitamin A and K.

It helps stimulate the hormones in nursing mothers that are essential for lactation.

Asparagus is available in all supermarkets and wet markets. 

6. Sweet potato

Sweet potato is a major source of potassium. It has energy producing carbohydrates which is needed to fight the fatigue. 

Vitamin A found in sweet potatoes is beneficial for the development of the vision and immune system of growing babies.

7. Fenugreek

Fenugreek helps nursing women who experience low milk supply. Fenugreek is a galactagogue which is a substance that increases milk supply. It stimulates the milk ducts and can increase milk production in as little as 24 hours.

Studies published on Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have all suggested that fenugreek promotes milk flow.

Fenugreek may be available in the form of capulse in GNC. Fenugreek can also be purchased in certain wet markets.  

8. Fennel

Fennel is believed by lactation consultant to be a galactagogue which is a substance that brings more breast milk for nursing mothers.

Some lactation consultants say that fennel assists with triggering the letdown reflex and therefore helps nursing mothers to increase their breast milk supply.

Moderate consumption of fennel is recommended as excessive consumption may have a negative impact on the breast milk supply.

Fennel may be available in the form of capulse in GNC. Fenugreek can also be purchased in certain wet markets.  

Diarrhea in Baby

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a condition in which watery stool is discharged from the bowels frequently.

The symptoms of diarrhea may last for 2 to 4 days. This infection of the intestine is known as gastroenteritis in medical field.

Symptoms of diarrhea

Frequent stool and water stool are symptoms of diarrhea. Other symptoms of diarrhea may  include stomach pain, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, weight loss and fever.

When to seek doctor’s help?

As stated in KKH (KK women and children’s hospital) HealthPedia, majority of children suffers from diarrhea do not need any medication. Parents just need to ensure their babies remain well hydrated. Most of the children will recover from diarrhea in two days without any medicine. 

If any of the following happens to your child who suffer from diarrhea, parents should consider seeking doctor’s help as soon as possible.

1. Has a fever of more than 39 degree celcius.

2. Has bloody stools. This can be a sign of viral infection.

3. Has not wet diaper in three or more hours. This is can be a sign of severe dehydration.

4. Cries without tears. This can be a sign of severe dehydration.

5. Diarrhea condition does not improve after 24 hours.

6. Has black stools.

7. You baby looks unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive or irritable such as excessive crying

Source: Diarrhea in Babies

Low Lying Placenta

What is placenta and its function?

The placenta is an organ that connects the growing fetus to the uterine wall. It plays an important role in keeping baby alive and healthy. When my wife was pregnant with our first child, she was diagnosed with low lying placenta. Of course, the result can only be shown through ultrasound scan.

The placenta acts to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby via umbilical cord.  It also helps to protect the growing fetus from infections because it filters the blood from mothers.

What does it mean by low lying placenta?

Low lying placenta, also known as placenta previa, is a common problem during pregnancy.

There are three different forms of placenta previa which is detected through ultrasound scan. Different forms show different degree of seriousness of problem.

When the gynecologist informs you that your placenta lies low, you may want to know the exact form of placenta previa that you suffer from. This would give you a rough idea of what you will need to prepare.

When my wife was diagnosed with low lying placenta, we did not know what to do and were not aware of this at all. The only thing we did is to worry.

Why cesarean delivery (C-section) is needed if condition does not improve?

Gynecologist will tell you that you may need a Cesarean (C-section) delivery if the condition of placenta previa does not improve. This is really necessary. When the placenta lies low, it will cover all or part of the cervix which is the opening to the birth canal. A vaginal delivery is impossible in this case. Vaginal delivery in such case can cause severe bleeding which is very harmful to both the mother and baby.

Will my placenta move up as pregnancy progresses?

In many cases, the placenta will be able to move up gradually as pregnancy progresses.

If the placenta still lies low in the third trimester, you may need to prepare yourself for a cesarean delivery.

Precaution to be taken at home

First and foremost, always follow the instruction from the gynecologist. Usually, the gynecologist will ask you rest more and do not carry heavy objects. In some severe cases, hospital bed rest may be required. For the health of both mother and baby in the long term, expecting mother should slow down the daily activities for a few months.

Exercises should be banned. If placenta previa is detected during early pregnancy, you can still enjoy light exercises like brisk walking. However, if the condition does not improve in second trimester, all kinds of exercises should be disallowed.

Please take note that you should seek gynecologist’s help if you experience any severe cramp or bleeding.

Source: low lying placenta