Parenting Singapore

Confinement is a period for your body to recuperate and recover from childbirth. You have probably heard some confinement practices yourself, and you may or may not agree with them all. There are many confinement practices — some are useful, some are not.  In fact, some of them don't have any scientific basis at all. So, let's bust some common confinement myths. The Confinement Myths 1. "Now that my baby is born, I will lapse into depression." Some women experience a sad or depressed mood some days after giving birth — this "baby blues" or "postnatal blues" is short-term and linked to hormonal changes after pregnancy, and usually lasts only two weeks. Depression is diagnosed only when these symptoms persist; it may be accompanied by suicidal or infanticide intent. Do seek professional help if you have concerns. 2. "I am not allowed to bathe or touch water for fear of 'wind' entering the body." A related myth is: "I can only w...

Eating healthy before conception and throughout pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Good nutrition optimises the growth and development of your baby and safeguards your own health. During pregnancy, your energy requirement increases by about 300 kcal a day, which is not much compared to the average non-pregnant Singapore woman’s requirement of 1700 kcal a day. On the other hand, requirements for other nutrients (e.g. protein, folate, calcium, vitamin D and B vitamins) may be significantly higher than in the non-pregnancy state. As such, you should make smart choices by choosing a variety of nutrient-dense foods, rather than just eating more food! This is especially so if you now experiencing a smaller appetite. Essential Nutrients for Pregnancy More than 40 different types of nutrients are needed to sustain good health and promote your unborn child’s growth and development. Yet, certain nutrients are especially important to ensure optimal pregnanc...

It is important that a pregnant woman should not consume any medication, herbal product or health care supplement unnecessarily or in excess, unless there is strong evidence that she needs it to improve the health of the pregnancy and/or the fetus inside her womb. The use of fish oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding remains contentious. Pregnant women are advised to understand the potential benefits and ills when they decide to take fish oil supplement. What Is Fish Oil? Fishes that flourish in cold “temperate” oceans have generally higher content of oil in their muscles and organs. Fish oil comprises mainly omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA and EPA are the two most important omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks of fatty tissues in human, such as the gray matter of the brain, the light receiving layer (retina) of the eyes and the extensive nerve network. Why Is Omega-3 Fatty Acids Important During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding? The critical window when DH...

If you are looking for the best diaper brands for your newborn in Singapore, you've come to the right place. Babies go through a lot of wet and soiled diapers during those first few weeks. To prepare for this phenomenon, most parents build a stockpile of diapers before baby arrives. This can be an overwhelming task for both seasoned and first-time parents, and there are many factors to consider when stocking up, such as baby’s weight, diaper fit, and finances. It’s easy to get carried away while shopping for baby in pure pregnant bliss. But understanding what baby will actually need, versus purchasing a room-full of newborn diapers at the first sight of a sale, is essential. You may be wondering: How quickly do babies outgrow the smallest diaper size? What if you decide one style is better than another and experience stockpiler’s remorse? How many newborn diapers do you actually need? Should you stock up on larger diapers as well? To discover the answers, check out the guides below...

How the coronavirus spreads The virus spreads through respiratory droplets sent into the air when a person who has COVID-19 coughs or sneezes. It may also spread when someone touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their mouth, the inside of their nose, or their eyes. Current evidence suggests that the incubation period of the virus is anywhere from two to 14 days. It’s possible that someone could be infected but not have any symptoms (asymptomatic) and be able to spread the virus. Hand-washing, social distancing, and other ways to help prevent the spread of coronavirus What can I do to protect myself from catching the coronavirus? The most important step is to practice excellent hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth, and nose. Public health officials urge people to tightly limit gatherings and to stay home as much as possible. Social distanci...

Cases of  coronavirus  have been increasing across the world - and with the global death toll topping 2,800 and increasing every day, more people in Singapore are now choosing to cover their mouth and nose in public. It might be difficult to get N95 and surgical masks on the retail pharmacies (Watsons or Guardian). Several retail outlets ran out of both N95 masks and surgical masks on Friday (Jan 24), a day after  Singapore confirmed its first case  of the Wuhan virus on its shores. Most likely, you are doing your online research to find out where you could buy N95 masks online in Singapore. Updated: Here is a list of face masks that are available on Lazada Singapore. Do get them while stocks last. 1. 3ply Face Mask (surgical mask) Blue 40pcs SGD 39.90 online (Lazada) Chances of getting coronavirus: 6 times less likely than wearing no mask. If you are having trouble getting N95 mask online in Singapore, you might consider buying N9...

If you are looking for cord blood banking in Singapore, you are in the right place.  Stem cells are the basis of bone marrow transplants, a technique used to treat diseases such as leukaemia for many decades. Since the first stem cell transplant in 1988 much attention has been focused on stem cell therapy and its potential applications. Stem cells are “naïve” cells – capable with the right stimuli to transform into other cells types found in the human body e.g. liver, skin, red blood cells. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are one of the most primitive types of cells in the body. Created during the earliest phases of development they have the potential, given the right stimuli, to become specialised cells such as red or white blood cells. It is these properties and the fact that the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells that has prompted private companies to offer frozen storage of these cells from umbilical cord blood collected at birth. The umbilical cord blo...

If you are looking for reviews on Dr Benjamin Tham, you are in the right place. Qualifications MBBS (Singapore) 1990, MRCOG (UK) 1997, MMED(O&G) (Singapore) 1997, MRACOG (Australia) 1997, FRANZCOG (AUS/NZ) 2000, FAMS (Singapore) 2002 W C CHENG & ASSOCIATES Address: 339 THOMSON ROAD THOMSON MEDICAL CENTRE BUILDING #01 – 01 Singapore 307677 Profile Dr Ben graduated from University of Singapore in 1990. He worked in Alexandra Hospital (AH) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) during his housemanship year. He undertook his postgraduate training in the Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH), and obtained his specialist degrees in 1997. He subsequently joined the Department of Oncology & Urology and was sent for overseas training with Medical Research Council (MRC), University of Sheffield and Northern General Hospital in the UK for pre-invasive / oncologic gynecological conditions and cancer trials. During his 15 years of practice in KK Hospital, Dr Ben served as the head o...