Tooth extraction by the 'tooth-fairy'

Clarissa was fiddling with her lower incissors (front teeth) as both of them had loosened. They felt as if they would just fall off with the next Oreo cookies she likes to munch on. After a week they didn't but the gums started to hurt a little and swell.

So her 'tooth-fairy' (Mommy) decided that it was time for it to come off and gave it some encouragement by pinching the little gum attachment off. Ouch! Tears flowed down her cheeks and she as she grimaced in pain. Now that the tooth has come off, she occassionally speaks with a little 'pfff' with every word uttered. Oh, doesn't she look adorable with the new look?

Swine Flu - Keeping granny away from travel

I received a call from granny telling me about swine flu and how I should be afraid of people who have running nose, fever and cough. She told me she is going to stay away from the airports as there may be people coming from USA and Mexico.

With all that scare I looked into just how dangerous this 'pig'flu is.
"Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented".

General information
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
US Travel Advisory
Outbreak Notice
WHO Update

Contaminated milk and milk products?

The 2008 Sanlu Chinese milk outrage has highlighted the introduction of a industrial chemical called melamine into our children's foodchain. Milk and milk products from China are now deemed as potentially hazardous until further clarification from the health authorities. We start wondering what are the side effects of consuming our favourite White rabbit milk candy. Oral intake of melamine may lead to reproductive damage, or bladder or kidney stones, which can lead to bladder cancer.

Melamine is used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a very durable thermosetting plastic, and melamine foam, a polymeric cleaning product. The end products include countertops, dry erase boards, fabrics, glues, housewares and flame retardants. Melamine is one of the major components in Pigment Yellow 150, a colorant in inks and plastics.

Melamine is also used to make fertilizers.

Melamine derivatives of arsenical drugs are potentially important in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis.

Melamine use as non-protein nitrogen (NPN) for cattle was described in a 1958 patent. In 1978, however, a study concluded that melamine "may not be an acceptable nonprotein N source for ruminants" because its hydrolysis in cattle is slower and less complete than other nitrogen sources such as cottonseed meal and urea.

Melamine is sometimes unethically added to food products in order to increase the apparent protein content. Standard tests such as the Kjeldahl and Dumas tests estimate protein levels by measuring the nitrogen content, so they can be misled by adding nitrogen-rich compounds such as melamine. (taken from Wikipedia)

Now that we know all this, we start to wonder what else is present in the milk and milk products. How did the melamine end up in the milk? Was it added into the animal feed? Was it ingested by the animals through the plant fertilisers? Was it absorbed by the plants via contaminated water from melamine waste?

Let's hope that milk products from other countries are safe (or safer) to consume. The list of milk and milk product brands that are safe for consumption from Ministry of Health is given here.

Time to go green!!!

Other suggested readings:
Contaminated protein exports in China
Contaminated pet food

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease: Preventable Potentially Fatal Disease

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) caught my attention last year when an adult caught the infection from his two little girls who were attending kindergarden in USJ. The viral disease hit our home the second time after 1 year but this time it was through a friend of Clarissa at a different Montessori. Clarissa told me that her friend had mouth pain (ulcers) for several days and finally was away from school sick. Apparently her friend's sibling who was attending a Nursery caught it first and passed it to her and the Nursery was closed for a week due to HFMD. I was shocked that the health authorities did not advice the Nursery or Montessori earlier and parents were not advised of the possibility of the disease spreading to the other siblings or family members. After 3 days of fever and mouth ulcers, Clarissa developed red spots and blisters on her hands (palm) and feet (sole). Christa just started developing mouth ulcers.

Although HFMD is rarely fatal, it is moderately contagious and proven so since Clarissa and Christa have caught the disease twice from different Montessoris. Every parent who has a child infected probably has to take care of the child at home for a week to prevent the disease from spreading to others. (Some parents find it impossible to care for a contagious child for 1 week). The viral infection usually causes mild symptoms like fever, mouth ulcers, skin rash and blisters, sore throat, malaise, fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Potentially fatal complications to the brain, lung and heart may occur with infection from certain viral strains (EV71). Treatment is only to reduce the symptoms.


Here are some of the scary and gory details for those who still find it hard to believe that the disease needs to be given more attention and exposure:-
United States 2007
Taiwan 1998
China 2008
Vietnam 2008
Mongolia 2008
Singapore 2008
Malaysia 2008 and here
Malaysia 2006
Sarawak 2008 and here

HFMD is preventable if parents and teachers are careful to undertake these measures:-
*Maintain good ventilation.
*Wash hands before meals, and after going to toilet or handling stool soiled
materials.
*Keep hands clean and wash hand properly.
*Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretion e.g. after
sneezing.
*Cover nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing; and dispose of
mouth and nasal discharge properly.
*Clean children’s toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently.
*Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash
have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted.
*Avoid going to overcrowded places

I urge all parents to check your children for symptoms daily while encouraging good hand washing practice to avoid contracting HFMD. I also urge the health authorities to expedite the action required to advise kindergardens and schools with HFMD cases.

Uhm ... Daddy to the rescue!

I was busy doing my work this morning when the Montessori teacher called me up. "Clarissa has high fever and diarrhoea", she said. I instinctively thought that Mommy could sort it out for me. Unfortunately, she was at an outstation assignment.

I looked at my diary and quickly told my staff to find a replacement. "Ok, I'll come to pick her up now", I replied, half thinking what I would do with both Clarissa and Christa. It took me 30 minutes to get to the Montessori and another 30 minutes back to my office. "Hmmm ... so that's how the new Montessori looks!", I thought in my mind. I guess it's good that I had a feel of what the girls are going through each day and met the teachers.

I quickly sorted out the remainder of my 'work', got Clarissa some medication and told my staff I would be taking half a day off. "Don't think I can baby-sit while working", I said. I was quite surprised that both girls were quite well-behaved as I only provided them with a pen and a piece of paper and they were 'at work', not creating any mischief. She probably had a viral infection and soon recovered with medication.

As a reward (or rather to keep them happy), I decided to bring them to McDonald's along NKVE on the way home. Keeping the VIP pass handy, I managed to get 2 Apple pies free, 2 vanilla cone ice-cream, a fillet-o-fish and a Big Mac for me.

Mommy soon came along to save the day,... but I think Daddy did the trick this time. But I don't think I would be able to handle too many such episodes!

Partially Torn Toenail

This brave little boy was playing with the wooden spring door when it came off the hinges and fell on his little toe. He was lucky to have only a partially torn toenail and memory of excruciating pain when the door hit his toe.

When I asked him whether he was in pain, "No", he answered with tears still in his eyes.

It was impossible to save his toenail and it came off with a little tug. You can see the toenail in the kidney dish (see photo). That's why I don't allow Clarissa or Christa to play with the kitchen cabinet doors! One could get those child-safe locks for kitchen cabinets from IKEA if you are afraid of you children taking out your groceries or cutlery and injuring themselves.

6 vaccines at one go!

Benedict is due for another vaccination at 3 months next week. He will get a 6 in 1 vaccine (Infanrix Hexa) by GSK which includes Diphteria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Haemophilus influenza (type B) and Hepatitis B together in one injection. The last time he got it last month, he seemed fine.

I think it's better than getting 2 or 3 separate injections. Not to mention the pain and possible febrile episodes.

Find out more about vaccinations here:-
Infanrix Hexa: Consumer Medical Information
Baby Immunisation Schedule
Instant Childhood Vaccination Scheduler

Help! Dice in the nose!

This is a mother (and father's) nightmare. A dice (measuring 0.5cm3) pushed into the right nostril. If any of you get into such trouble, digging it out with some instrument may prove to be more damaging. All I did was ....

1. Use a nasal speculum to open the passage
2. Occlude the opposite nares by pressing onto it from the side
3. Ask the child to blow his nose (several times)

If that doesn't work, the child is better off with an ENT specialist!

The Gift of life!

As I was reading about the miracle heart transplant patient in the Star recently, it has struck me that many a life could be saved by unknown organ donors. I can imagine my relatives and friends telling me, "Are you crazy?", "Don't you have anything better to do?", "Are you trying to be a hero?" while a minority may quietly envy those who had the 'guts' to do so.

I don't really know many who have willed their organs to be donated. Nevertheless, I have found a useful site telling us more about Organ Donation called "Gift of Life". You could also print and copy the form and send it to the National Transplant Registry.

Besides, what am I going to do with my physical body when I'm away? Donate it to science or a willing recepient who needs it rather than let it rot away! Now, here's another reason why I shouldn't abuse my organs!

Now that I have little Benedict, I am reminded that life is more precious than I've ever thought before. Let's make every second of it count!

I want Mommy to send me to school!

It's one of those days when Mommy and I exchanged our 'duty' to send Clarissa to Montessori. So, it's my turn now.

"I want Mommy to send me to school! I don't want daddy!", said Clarissa. I suppose she wasn't too happy that I accompanied Christa for the past 3 nights during bedtime to keep her 'secure' as she was unwell. I also get up everytime she coughs to make sure that her blankets cover her adequately. (She tends to kick everything she touches in her sleep!)

"Hmmm! You can sleep with daddy tonight, ok?", I said. "Uhh? Ok! Daddy, send me tomorrow!", said Clarissa with a twinkle in her eye.

Once both of them get over the common cold they would be more cheerful. I hope.

What do you do when the children are sick?

"Daddy, come and help me!", called Mommy while I was working on my laptop. "Daddyyyy!!! Christa vomited!", said Clarissa (almost 4 yrs) while running out of the room to get me. It was another episode to clear up the mess and comfort Christa (almost 2yrs) who had her face, part of the hair, the neck and chest covered with fermented milk and rice from dinner. The stench would make anyone sick for a moment but I drew courage seeing that our little girl needed things sorted out quickly.

Christa was half asleep, drenched, feeling nauseated, confused, perplexed with the lack of assistance. I went to get some Scotties and a container (in case she throws up again!). "It's ok, Christa! Mommy is here! (so is daddy?)", said Mommy holding Christa while stroking her forehead.

Mommy told me that she started coughing a few times followed by 2 bouts of vomiting. After wiping off the vomit, I took Christa for a quick wash with Johnson & Johnson's Baby Bath to get rid of the stench and dirt (see How to give your baby a bath). Clarissa was quite supportive, helping to hold her clothes and diapers while calming her sister with a few kind words.

"Good girl! Wahh ... you are soooooo pretty in that dress!", said Mommy. She soon overcame the whole ordeal and felt hungry again. Just before I set out to continue my work, she came out and tugged on my shirt saying, "Daddy, I want milk!".

First Dental Check-up

Christa and Clarissa had their first dental check-up free at One Utama Shopping Centre yesterday. The event was part of the "Colgate Oral Health Month" co-hosted with Colgate-Palmolive and Malaysian Dental Association. The campaign will be held at other centres for the month of April.

Part of the highlights include a simple education programme:-
1. Brush with toothpaste
2. Follow with floss
3. Finish with Rinse
4. Visit the Dentist Regularly

You could also have fun educating your children at this children's site.

Every participant would be provided a free sample of Colgate-Palmolive toothpaste too! Clarissa (3+yrs)didn't like to see the teeth disease models (see photo). Christa (1+yrs) was just enjoying the whole thing except when she had to sit on the dental chair. It was too much to see a mirror stuck in her mouth! The dentist was not ready to see infants but we went ahead with me holding the struggling Christa tightly.

All ended up well with Christa and Clarissa both getting their toothpaste samples and a balloon each!

Lactose Free Milk to the rescue

Christa (1+yrs) has a liking to pick up things and still try to chew on them to find out they are edible. Or is it due to teething? It slipped my mind as to advice mommy to give Lactose Free milk when she came back with diarrhoea (pretty much foul smelling and "eeii... yer!", as Clarissa would put it) from the baby-sitter. 3 days later I thought we had some Similac LF formula in the cupboard.

So now we have 3 different trays of milk i.e.
a) 1+ growing up formula
b) 3+ grouwing up formula
c) Lactose Free Formula

She seems to be doing better 24 hours later and the diaper rash is gone after application of a zinc oxide-urea cream. Hopefully, in a week's time she could get back on her regular formula. I just abhor the cleaning up after every 'pooh-pooh'.

Diapers: Different Sizes and Functions

Fancy having no diapers during play at the Montessori on weekdays. Only the ScoobeDry diapers for the nights or long journeys. Clarissa (3+yrs old) is well-versed with her routine and nowadays she gets her own and brings it to mommy or daddy.

Christa (1+yrs old) uses something light and comfortable like Huggies,L size during the day and we use the ScoobeDry diapers at night. We thought she probably had the same wider hips and needed an XL size for sleep. This would definitely mean less diaper rash due to the breathable cotton lining and high absorbable materal. She usually removes her diapers as soon as she wakes up and reaches out for the 'potty', imitating her sister. While watching us wear her sister's diapers she attempts to wear the diapers on her own.

I wish one size fits all but they dont. I wish all brands work just as well (almost) but they dont. I have become almost an expert at diaper makes and can even spot a manufacturing defect if there is one. Well, that's because of the follow-through responsibilities during my 'night-duty'.