Kick-Start Your Postpartum Fat Loss Plan

By Ira Rasmadin | Fitness Mom | www.themanyplanners.com

You were determined to follow a workout and nutrition plan after finding out that you’re baking in the oven. Then 15 months later, your new sport shoes are still in the box, and the price tag on your sportswear is still intact. Worst of all, people are still asking when you are due. Ouch! Then when it’s becoming pretty embarrassing to explain to people that that bump is no longer a baby bump, you started asking around on ways to get rid of it. Popular answer? Eat right and exercise. I do too, but most of the time I really want to shout at the people who have been telling me this as if it’s easy as opening a bottle jar.

It’s not!

It’s not easy for a working mom, its not easy for stay at home mom, it’s not easy with one kid, let alone two or more kids. Time, money and well, time again has always been the issue here. Believe me, whatever excuses you have, despite being told that they’re not, are valid.

However, I’m here to tell you despite having obstacles, it shouldn’t stop you. The only way you can get through it is to embrace these changes. Just like how you used to worry so much about your baby being exposed to germs then three kids later, you just stop giving a damn about those little rascals being covered in dirt.

You adapt to these changes and get better with time. Here are 5 tips to help you kick-start your routine.


#1 Adapting to change is a family business.

It might be tricky to start a new routine when your husband expects you to be in the kitchen by the evening. Or when your kids expect you to read them bedtime stories every night. Quality time with your family is important, but it’s not wrong to make some little changes. You could push dinnertime to an hour later, or maybe do meal preps earlier.

You could make arrangement with your husband about reading bedtime stories. Sure, even a slight change will obviously upset your whole family. However, having your whole family adapt to your change is a basic fundamental of your weight loss plan. You’ll have to reason with your family on why you’re doing this.

Just remember that at the end, you will not only be a happy and healthy mom, but also a positive person. Imagine what that could contribute to your family.


#2 Manage your expectations

We all know that the key to successfully hitting your weight loss goal is to stick to a solid fitness and nutrition plan. It requires great discipline and motivation to get things going. However, these plans, despite being the sole purpose of your goal, are not set in stone. You’re a mom. There will be times when one of your kids will fall sick, leaving you with a completely sleepless night.

You maybe demotivated to work out that day, and one day of missing out can make you feel like you have strsyed from your goal, which further demotivates you. But here’s the thing, it is okay to miss out a whole week of workout plans. Don’t punish yourself for being a tired mom. You’ll find that it’ll be easier for you to jump back on your wagon with this mindset. Remember, positivity is key.


#3 Ditch calorie counting.

Have you ever been in such pressure where the very first rule applied on your weightloss plan is to limit your daily calorie intake? In order to lose a pound in a week, you must cut down 500kcal a day. It’s great if you have calorie counting skill, but if you don’t, why add up the trouble? Despite being a very popularized topic for weight loss, calorie counting is not significant to your weight loss plan.

Instead you should focus on eating quality food and asses your body weekly. Did you gain or lose weight? If it is a gain, then adjust your portion size. Or lose 1 or 2 sugary drinks and see if it makes a difference. Of course, the easiest way to do this is by keeping a food log. You can get one from www.themanyplanners.com.


#4 Carbs are not your enemy, sugar is!

Once before, there was a time where eliminating carbs from your diet was a popular trend, which died off pretty soon afterwards, but you can still hear this advice from time to time.‘Don’t eat carbs’. It is not wise to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet as they are your body’s preferred energy source. Your body needs them to keep its functions at its most optimum level.

What you can do is to eliminate carbs with high Glycemic Index (GI) or in other words, high sugar contents. This type of carbs comes in a form of refined grains such as white rice or white bread. Have brown rice and whole meal bread instead.

#5 Choose the harder option.

You don’t need to enroll a gym membership, or commit to a weekend run. We all get the idea that not all mothers have the luxury of time. However, you can always choose to do the extra work, which could burn hundreds of calories spaced throughout the day.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Wipe the floor with washcloth instead of your fancy mops. Walk to the restaurant instead of having it delivered to your office. Even better, prepare your own meals. Always choose the harder option.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ira is a “fitness advisor” who has been in the industry for five years. She provides personal training, coaching as well as advises on fitness related topics. She also writes fitness articles. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her two young kids while doing her daily chores as a full time mom. You can visit her blog here www.themanyplanners.com

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

By Dr. Fauziah Zainal Abidin 
Consultant Paediatrician with special interest in Developmental Paediatrics
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital 088-518 888


“Ahmad’s mother has been concerned about him for sometime now. At three years of age, he has not started talking like the rest of his siblings. He has not even called her “mama” and sometimes she was not even sure whether he can hear well. He hardly looked at her or responded to her calls. He would be quite happy being on his own rather than playing with his siblings.

He somehow finds watching the wheels of a moving car or the turning of a fan more fascinating than anything else. She is also concerned with his feeds. He does not like anything else with his rice and efforts to feed him the fried chicken or meatballs have resulted in almost battlefield like scenes and a
meltdown for Ahmad. She had talked to her husband and her own mother about her concerns but she would be reassured that he would “grow out of it” as one of her cousin’s did before.”

What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition which affects an individual in the areas of communication, social interactions and having restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activity. This affects the individuals ability to interact with others and they often find the world to be a confusing place as they have difficulty adjusting and adapting to new and unfamiliar people and surroundings.

They may also have sensitivity issues, either being too sensitive or less sensitive in any of the five senses, hence the preference for or avoidance of certain foods, noises, clothing or even certain lights. Every individual with ASD is also different. The term itself reflects that no two people with ASD are alike, even though they all have difficulties in communication and socialisation, each will have a unique combination of character and so may seem quite different.

ASD affects around one in every 100 people and is diagnosed 4 to 5 times more common in boys than in girls. Although it is a life long condition and there is no cure, early intervention can have a tremendous results in helping those affected to live to their full potential.


What are the causes?

There is no known direct cause of Autism. Much research is being done to try to find out more of the cause but at this point it is believed to result from changes in the brain development which may be caused by a combination of genetic factors and environment. ASD is known to run in families but no specific genes have been determined so far. ASD is not caused by parenting or social circumstances. Various reputed research has been done to prove than ASD is NOT cause by vaccines or other medical treatments.

Assessments and diagnosis

Whilst receiving a diagnosis can be distressing or a heartbreak for most families, sometimes it can come as a relief to all their questions and worries before. For the young children, diagnosis leads to acceptance and empowerment for their parents to seek assistance and can dramatically improve their outcome. There are no laboratory or imaging tests that diagnose Autism. Diagnosis are made based on the ability of the individual in the main area of concern ie. social and communication and behavioural patterns.

For older children and adults, a diagnosis can help to explain why they feel different and allow them to access support and assistance to improve their quality of life. Developmental Paediatricians, Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist are trained to diagnosed individuals through a series of clinical evaluation and assessments.

Experts disagree about the true increase in ASD prevalence. More awareness about ASD leads to parents become more likely to take their children to be diagnosed and more doctors now are able to properly diagnosed ASD.

Living with ASD

ASD causes individuals to struggle to understand and relate to other people and environments. This can often result in extreme behaviour, such as tantrums in a young child or rudeness in older individuals. It is the only way they can cope with their stresses and feelings of anxiety. Parents on the other hand are often perceived as bad parents who are unable to control their children from behaving badly.

Adults with ASD also struggle with social situation and ‘small talk” They may appear rude, overly critical and awkward. They will have difficulty in forming relationships and maintaining friendships. Parents may feel unprepared or doubtful of their ability to provide the necessary care and education.

On a positive note, there are many treatment options, social services and programmes that can help. The problem is usually how to get access to them. Meeting with a healthcare provider or an educator can be a good source of information. Talking to an Autism Support group can help find local resources.

Meeting with a Paediatrician can help evaluate a child’s development and rule out other problems that may be helped and subsequently referred to the other experts who will develop an intervention plan for the child. Going through the transition to adulthood should be dealt with together with family members, healthcare service providers and other professionals.

Communications and reports should be kept well. Some adults with ASD are able to achieve independence to a certain extent thus self-advocay is an important aspect for individuals and family members with ASD. Through Self advocay, they may take on more responsibility for their education, employment, health care in their own community and else where.


For more information about this topic, please feel free to contact Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital at 088-518 888 

Allen Solomon on spending priceless time with his daughter Alana

MIMMA Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight Champion 2013 Allen Solomon on spending priceless time with his daughter Alana.

Interview by Stella Matilda | Photo by Vosper Photography 


Allen Solomon, 33, Degree in Architecture but followed his passion in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for the past 3 years.

It all started when his dad enrolled him for a Taek Kwan-Do training when he was only 6 years old. Soon he diversified his skills into Karate at 12, then Fencing at 15, and then Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (BJJ) at 23.

His wife, Caroline Anthony whom he met at a martial arts tournament share the same interest as him. She has a black belt in Taek Kwan-Do and blue belt in BJJ. “At home, she is my red belt”, says Allen.

He plans to continue fighting for another 3 yrs, but not sure if he wants Alana to see him fight in cage.  “They say your subconscious is a product of your surroundings, but my earliest memories in life is about 2-3 yrs old. So our job as parents is to build memories for our kids. i take that job seriously”, says Allen 



How does it feel to be a daddy for the first time?

My mindset went from thinking about what I’m going do in the next 5 minutes to what I’m going do in the next 10 years. I had a hair cut (because of Alana). Now, I am now looking for places to buy a shotgun! (giggles)

What is the best thing about being a dad?

I find that I have better focus now, and that time is very very limited. So I learn to maximize everything I do so I can spend more time with those chipmunk cheeks on my daughter. Time spent with her is priceless. She is very sharing. Always giving me a bite of her food. I melt everytime.

What is the hardest?

I think I worry too much for no good reason. I’m devolving into a very traditional dad. I plan to change that and try to be that cool dad that all my friends had growing up.

What is the funniest thing ever happened to you as a dad?

My daughter seems to be a natural at trolling me. Everytime she sees a photo of a monkey, she goes “papa”- its her first words. I think I’m making her spend too much time with me in the dojo.

Do you think your daughter loves MMA or are you trying to get her into MMA?

I’m am definitely NOT letting her do MMA. Her mom seems to have other ideas. I don't wanna get anxiety attacks. I dont know, I love her, she can do whatever she wants. But I’m gonna have the last say :P

Would you like more children?

I’m looking at my wife right now, raising my eyebrows and coyly saying yessssss.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood.

(Laughs out loud) I was born in Scotland, raised in Sabah, and studied in Australia. I’m very confused and lost as a kid.

What are your hopes and dreams for your daughter?

Like every other parent, I wish her to find success and elevate herself higher that what her predecessors have achieved. The next generation will always do better. I plan to compound that effect.


Featured Daddy | Issue No.2 | Page 62

Sex and Pregnancy

By Dr. Alagammai Ramanathan | Consultant Obstetric & Gynaecologist
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital (Tel: 088-518 888)

Sex is considered a taboo subject especially for Asian community. Both women and men are just too shy to bring the subject up for discussion and hence do not get accurate information on this subject be it.

Most women wait at least six to eight weeks after giving birth to have sex again, according to a new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. It may also be the absolute last thing in your mind especially while you are dealing with nausea and vomiting and later on with the baby, breast feeding and diaper changings through the night.

Most women avoid sex during pregnancy for the fear of losing the baby. It is good to take time and
discuss it with your partner as intimacy is an important part in life. Other women, however, may crave sex in pregnancy. And men, too, are split into different groups regarding sex during pregnancy. Some men may find nothing sexier than a pregnant woman, but other men may be too afraid of hurting the baby. But desire aside, is sex during pregnancy even safe?

Can I have sex during pregnancy?

A lot of times the male partners are more frightened to have sex than the women. In most cases, sex is 100% safe for mom and baby. During the first trimester most women needs to deal with nausea, vomiting and hormonal changes to the body so sex may be the last thing in your mind. During the second trimester women most feel better, there is more lubrication, and have engorgement in the genital area and the tummy is not so rounded yet. This is usually the best time.

As for third trimester the stomach grows and it becomes more tiring, sex may seem less attractive- not to mention physically difficult during the final weeks of pregnancy. There are some exceptions, which your gyny doctor will warn you about. Among other issues is, if you have an incompetent (or weakened) cervix, unexplained bleeding, diagnosed with placenta previa, frequent premature contractions with no known cause or rupture of the amniotic membranes. The best will be to discuss with your gyny doctor along with your partner. It is important for both partners to be there during this session.

Sex can hurt the baby?

Babies are well cushioned. Below the skin is our fat layer, followed by muscles, thick uterine muscles, amniotic fluid only then the baby. As there is water surrounding the baby, it is well cushioned and most movements do not harm the baby. So go ahead! babies are very safe inside the womb and the jolt will not affect the baby.

Can infection occur due to sex?

Well from below the cervix is closed and it has a mucous plug to seal and hence infection does not enter into the cavity. So it is safe. Same goes for swimming, it is ok to swim during pregnancy, the water does not enter the vagina and into the uterus and harm the baby, so there is no need to change your lifestyle. In fact swimming is a good form for exercise during pregnancy.

Can I develop contractions during sex and will that lead to delivery prematurely?

If you start cramping after sex, don’t jump. An hour or two of mild cramps isn’t unusual because both orgasm and the prostaglandins in semen can cause uterine contractions. Increased blood flow and congestion makes blood vessels more fragile on the cervix surface, and they may bleed a bit if
your partner’s penis rubs against the cervix.

However, heavy bleeding warrants call to your gyny because the placenta could be breaking away from the uterus and other causes needs to be looked into for example a cervical growth. But don’t worry - it’s all unlikely to happen. Having an orgasm causes the release of prostaglandins, which can theoretically cause contractions, unfortunately never been completely validated in scientific studies. Does it work? Well...if you’re ready to deliver, a little sex might jump-start the process.

Sexual positions during pregnancy.

This is by far the most difficult question to answer. Well usually what is good and comfortable for the baby is good and comfortable for you. The traditional man-on-top position is more uncomfortable for pregnant women and in the 3rd trimester it is not advisable for women to be flat on the back as the pregnancy can compress the blood vessels and cause a little fall in the blood pressure.

If possible avoid oral sex as bowing air into the vagina may predispose to air embolism though it is very rare.

You can have satisfying sex when pregnancy. You will need to find the most comfortable position, it is the time to explore and experiment together. Communication and openness are the keys to maintaining or improving sexual satisfaction during your pregnancy.

Riverson@Sembulan Block A-1, 
Lorong Riverson@Sembulan, 
88100 Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Tel: 088-518 888 
Website: www.gleneagleskk.com.my
Facebook: Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu
EMERGENCY 088-518 911

Pregnant Women Should Not Travel to These Countries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an alert for travel to countries and regions experiencing Zika virus outbreaks.

Some of these countries include Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Thailand and the Philippines. (View the full list here.)

Recent reports from Brazil indicate that the virus, which is spread to humans through mosquito bites, is responsible for a birth defect that causes babies to have abnormally small heads. Expectant mothers infected with Zika virus while pregnant have given birth to infants with microcephaly, a condition defined by abnormal cerebrums and improperly developed brains, WSBTV reports.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC advises  all travelers to countries where the virus is ongoing to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites: wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets. The organization also recommends the following precautions specifically for pregnant women:

Consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. Women trying to become pregnant, or who are thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas.

The Zika virus has been linked to one U.S. case of the birth defect, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health. At this time, there is no medication to prevent or treat Zika.

Areas with Zika, click HERE.

For more information regarding this topic, please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website HERE.

Skin Care For Tiny Tots

What is the BEST practice?

By Dr. Joanne Lee Guey Feng
Consultant Paediatrician & Lactation Specialist
KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital | Tel: 088-211 333

For most parents whom I came across, have different ideologies in caring for the delicate skin of their
newborn babies. For some new parents, bathing a baby can be a huge task with lots of ‘EXCITEMENT’ and ‘ANXIETY’ (more so if you have to bath a crying baby in a tub of water, who is just a few days old). How stressful! What a struggle!

Parents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) would be:
• Does a newborn baby who has just delivered truly need a shower? Do they need a bath time after coming out from labour room?
• Must you bath your young baby every day?
• How many times do you need to shower your baby in a day?
• Can I use plain water to clean them? Or must I use a baby shampoo/ body cleanser?

Surprisingly, the approach to skin care for newborn babies has created some confusion among neonatal staff from 9 nurseries in United Kingdom, and even in our local setting among the confinement ladies of Sabah. So, what is the best practice that we can refer to?

World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NIH) published a statement in 2006 with recomendations for the issue of caring for the newborn skin.

Below are the guidelines adapted by North Trent Neonatal Network, United Kingdom:

1. Leave Vernix Caseosa to absorb into the skin. Do not rub it off.
2. Only bath a baby when he/ she is physiological stable.
3. If necessary, bath a ‘well’ baby when his/her temperature has been within an acceptable range for 2-4 hours after delivery, but preferably delay the first bath until the second or third day of life to assist with skin maturation.
4. Ensure the temperature of bath water is maintained at 37°C. Use a bath thermometer.
5. Avoid baby toiletries and other cleansing products until the baby is at least a month old—use plain water to cleanse baby’s skin.
6. Only bath baby 2-3 times a week—‘top and tail’ in between bathing.
7. Use the best quality nappy available to the baby—changed soiled nappies frequently and cleanse the nappy area with plain water or unperfumed, alcohol-free baby wipes.
8. Expose the nappy area as often as possible and consider using a thin layer of barrier ointment in nappy area to protect the stratum corneum –ensure ointment is preservative-free and does not contain
anti-septic, fragrance or colourings.
9. Avoid the use of ointments/ lotions/ talc powder on the baby’s skin unnecessarily.
10. Ensure the umbilical cord is kept clean and dry, allowing it to be exposed to air as frequently as possible.

Dr. Joanne’s Q & A

Q: What is Vernix Caseosa?
A: Vernix is the sticky, whitish covering on the outer skin of a newborn baby. It is formed from the skin epithelial cells during the last trimester (6 months of pregnancy). It is said to be the ‘Natural Skin Cleanser & Moisturizer’ for the baby with important protective functions, preventing the invasion of harmful bacteria attaching to the skin as well as preventing excess water/ temperature loss to the environment.

Q: Do we need to remove this Vernix immediately after birth?
A: No need to. You could just wipe it off from baby’s eyes and mouth, but leave the Vernix on the skin over 24 hours.

Q: When would be the best time to give a newborn baby his/ her ‘FIRST’ bath?
A: Recommend to bath baby after day 2 or 3 post-delivery, when the baby’s temperature is more stable with less risk of hypothermia (low body temperature). For premature babies or a baby who is ill, it is best to delay the bathing until baby is more stable.

Q: What is ‘Top-Tail’ bathing?
A: Most hospital baby nurseries or neonatal units adopted this method to clean the baby’s skin, mainly cleaning baby’s face and buttocks.
i. Before starting, wash your hands clean with soap and running tap water.
ii. Place baby is a safe and flat changing mat or changing table.
iii. Soak some cotton balls into a bowl of warm water. Then squeeze the cotton balls dry.
iv. First, wipe the inner part of the eyes softly and spread to the outer eyes. Using seperate cotton buds for each eye.
v. Take another cotton ball to wipe the face, nose and mouth.
vi. Wipe the earlobes, back of the ears and neck area.
vii. You can then wipe the baby’s hands and feet with cotton balls or a piece of towel.
viii. Lastly, use a cotton ball to wipe the baby’s buttocks clean. You can apply a layer of the nappy barrier cream to the buttocks before changing a new diaper.

Q: If we bath our babies 2 to 3 times a day, will it give any effect to baby’s skin?
A: For the first 1 month of life, it’ll be enough to just bath a baby 2 to 3 times per week (once every 1 or 2 days). Babies don’t tend to sweat as much as a normal grown-up toddler. If we bath them too frequently, their delicate skin will lose the acidic protective barrier and its moisture.

Q: How do I make choices between different brands baby body cleanser in the market?
A: A good baby skin product should be non-fragrant without chemical ingredients that can irritate the skin. However, during baby’s first month of age, bathing with plain water will be sufficient.

Q: Is there any difference between cloth diapers versus disposable diapers in the prevention of nappy rash?
A: 17 collective reports in the Cochrane Review reported no difference between the usage among these two. Frequent changing of diapers and strong absorptive diapers are proven to reduce the risk of
nappy rash.

Q: Which nappy rash cream should I consider buying?
A: From my personal experience, I actually kept 3 different nappy rash creams for my little one. It’s more of preference with affordability of the purchase, there’s no one magic cream to suit all ‘bum bums’. The main factor is to consider having is a good habit of frequent washing of the buttocks each time your baby wees or poops (my boy poops up to 8 time per day!) remember to change their diaper before you go to sleep.. ZZzz

Please feel free to call KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital 088-211 333 should you need more information or advice regarding to this topic.

Gastro-oesophageal Reflux in Infancy

Blergggh!! Regurgitation in young infants - should I be worried?

By Dr. Alvin Khoh, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist

Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital | Tel: 088-518 888

A newborn baby!

Congratulations all around! The birth of a child is definitely a joyous occasion for the family. One can spend hours just staring at a newborn baby - watching every expression and every movement that the baby makes. And then suddenly, the baby regurgitates out its milk! And not for the first time. The baby seems to regurgitate various amount of milk every now and then.

The above scenario happens quite frequently to many newborn babies and causes a lot of distress among parents. Various unhappy thoughts would often come into mind: Will my baby have enough milk, since he seems to “vomit” everything out? Will my baby grow well? Am I feeding my baby correctly? Is there anything wrong with my baby’s digestive system? Will the milk go into my baby’s lung and cause damage? Should I change formula? Thankfully, for the majority of these babies, these episodes of regurgitation are not harmful to them.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a common condition and is a normal phenomenon in healthy babies. Reflux happens when there is movement of stomach content back up into the oesophagus. The oesophagus is the food tube that carries food from our mouth into our stomach. When reflux happens in babies, the milk may regurgitate all the way up into the mouth. This manifests as regurgitation or “posseting”.

Many parents often perceive these episodes of regurgitation as vomiting. From a doctor’s perspective, vomiting occurs when there is a forceful contraction of the stomach, leading to emptying of the stomach content out through the mouth. Usually, vomiting is a symptom of an underlying illness.

Compared to vomiting, the process of regurgitation is effortless and occurs spontaneously. Some babies regurgitate more than others - this does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. It does not harm your child and is unlikely to cause problems in later life.

Why does reflux happen in babies?

The lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle the closes the oesophagus from the stomach after we swallow. In babies, this muscle relaxes more frequently, thus allowing the stomach content to reflux upwards into the oesophagus. Studies have shown that a healthy baby can reflux up to 30 times a day, although not all reflux leads to visible regurgitation. Most babies tend to regurgitate at least once per day, although in some, it can be as frequent as after every feed. It mostly happens after feeding, but it can occasionally occurs at other times, e.g. after coughing or crying.

For most babies, you don’t have to do anything about reflux and regurgitation. It is a natural process and will resolve by itself with time. This is because as the baby grows, the oesophagus gets longer, the stomach grows larger and more importantly, the lower oesophageal junction also becomes more mature and stronger. After 6 months of age, an infant also starts to take more solids and spend more time sitting upright, and this will also lead to an improvement in symptoms. Generally, the problem disappears around 1 year of age.

When should I worry about my baby’s reflux?

Generally, if parents have any concerns or uncertainty about their baby, they should seek medical advice. You should also seek treatment if your baby has the following:

• blood or bile (greenish) in the vomit
• fever, unwell, irritable
• choking episodes
• breathing difficulty or fast breathing
• not gaining weight or losing weight
• feeding refusal

What is the treatment for reflux?

In most babies with reflux, there is NO need for medical treatment. As mentioned before, reflux is a normal phenomenon and will get better over time. However, the following practice may help in some

babies with frequent regurgitation.

You should regularly burp your child after each feed. In babies with more frequent regurgitation, some parents find it helpful if they stop and burp their baby midway, or hold the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after each feed. You can also try giving smaller and more frequent feeds, but definitely avoid overfeeding, especially with bottle-feeding.

Changing from breastfeeding to bottle feeding/formula is NOT RECOMMENDED as it does not have effect on reflux. If your baby is already on infant formula, it is also not recommended to routinely change formula for the same reason. There are some special infant formulas in the market that may reduce the frequency of visible regurgitation, but it is generally better to consult your doctor first before switching formulas.

Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease

In a small percentage of babies with reflux, it can lead to problems. This is when doctors call it Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease. These babies may have breathing problems due to milk aspiration, or sometimes poor weight gain. In these group of babies, the doctor may start some

medication or suggest the use of a special thickened infant formula.

Conclusion

Regurgitation or reflux is a common problem in young infants. In most cases, it does not cause harm to them and will improve with time. It does however cause parents to be distressed and often leads to

tired parents from constant washing and mopping up. It is best to seek professional advice is you are worried about your baby’s condition.


Please feel free to call Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital 088-518 888 should you need more information or advice regarding to this topic.

Making No Excuses - Maria Kang

Modern Day SUPERMOM

Interview by Stella Matilda
Photo by Larry Wong

We are grateful to have Maria Kang gracing Parents Avenue Magazine Sabah's front cover for our launch issue. She is the most inspiring and influential mother, wife, author, speaker, business owner, nonprofit founder, fitness philanthropist, and social entrepreneur. She is a widely known as “Fit Mom” whose No Excuse campaign to get people active, has reached millions of people around the world.

Maria Kang is a mother of 3 sons, a wife to a former Marine, a business owner of elderly residential care homes and a nonprofit founder, Fitness without Borders. Despite growing up on McDonalds, sugary cereals and frozen dinners, she developed a passion for fitness and nutrition when she witnessed her mother struggle with health-related diseases. Maria started teaching aerobics classes in high school and became a part-time personal trainer while attending the University of California, Davis, where she received two majors in International Relations and Asian History and a minor in Political Science in 2002.

She has won several beauty and fitness titles including Miss Petite Teen International, Miss San Francisco Chinatown, Miss Philippines USA, Miss Bikini California and placed top five in both the Bikini and Model America National competitions. She has been on the cover of Max Sports and Fitness magazine, Shape Malaysia, Sacramento Parent, SF Weekly and has appeared on Good Morning America, Today Show, Dr. Oz, Inside Edition, Fox and Friends, CNN, Meghan Kelly, Access Hollywood, Geraldo Rivera, Neil Cavuto and Bethenny, to name a few.

In her twenties, Maria battled an eating disorder and began her popular blog in 2005. She gave birth in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and started the first free No Excuse Mom group in Elk Grove. In 2014 she started the No Excuse Mom movement, where she rallied thousands of mothers to begin hundreds of free workout groups in over 25 countries. In March 2015, she launched her first book with Harmony books, titled “The No More Excuses Diet” detailing a realistic meal plan, home workouts and her trademark goal-setting strategy of S.P.E.E.D., S.T.R.I.V.E. and S.C.O.R.E.


The interview with Maria Kang:

Why did you start up No Excuse Mom and what are your future goals for this movement?

No Excuse Mom (NEM) was created because mothers were seeking a positive, healthy and empowering community of women who prioritized health and overcame their challenges/excuses. In January 2014, we expanded our mission to include free workout groups throughout the world. Our goal is to continue inspiring mothers to take action, forfeit excuses and become leaders of their home - after all, if you want to raise a healthy child, you must be a healthy parent.

Being a mom of 3 kids (all boys!), how do you balance your life between your business, family and personal life?

Every morning I set my 3 “Ps” - which are my professional, personal and physical goals. Despite how busy I am, I try to put at least something in each priority bucket. Having a lot of responsbility means I also don’t have a lot of free time. So planning, prepping and prioritizing are all very high on my list. I don’t watch (if any) TV and when I am engaged in an actvity (like spending time with friends or working for example) I am completely focused and ensuring the time is quality.

Do you think being a working mom has made your kids more independent and more successful in life?

I absolutely believe that we must set strong examples for our children. They watch, observe and will eventually emulate us. We demonstrate what is possible. We teach the universal principles found in hard work, persistence, reflection and discipline. My children are with me the majority of the time.

Sometimes I will swim with them in the pool or help build a Lego building, but it’s also equally or more important, for them to see me work: interact with my elderly residents, film a TV segment, or lead my local NEM group. The sooner you teach your children about taking responsibility and accountability for their actions and aiming their short term desires for long term goals, they will become more successful!

What advise would you give to moms who are struggling to balance their work, family and personal life?

I would suggest they make sure they take time for themselves. Do ONE thing that you know is for you. For me, that’s working out. If I have additional time, I will write a journal or read a book. You can’t put yourself last on your list because eventually you will burn out. Here are my concrete tips:

• Maximize your time and focus on your activity. I would even suggest to time how long it takes to get tasks done so you can schedule your day accordingly.
• Set balanced goals (going back to the 3 P’s)
• Get enough sleep - at least 7 hours.
• Eat every few hours and bring a water bottle everywhere you go. Health is Wealth!
• Count your blessings. When you live in a state of gratitude, you feel more abundant rather than drained.

How do you spend your time with your family?

• We wake up together nearly every day. They always sneak themselves in my room around 4/5am. We always snuggle and play in the mornings.
• They workout with me whether it’s at the park or in my home gym - they are there!
• We love going on hikes and the park.
• The boys bake with me often, 80% of the time they bake with me (and I bake often)
• They are with me ALL the time, so we always sing in the car on the way to the next destination

Tell us a little bit about your book The No More Excuses Diet.

It’s a simple, realistic and factual approach about fitness, nutrition and troubleshooting excuses. It focuses on the number 3 and becoming your best self and breaking down your goals into 3 days, 3 weeks a 3 months. 

To purchase The No More Excuses Diet by Maria Kang, please click HERE.

What was your kids reaction when they first saw your book in store?

They were super excited! But they are so young so they were quickly distracted by the Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtle books in the other aisle, lol.

What are your hopes and dreams for your kids when they grow up?

I hope they are healthy. I hope they have courage and convicted in their beliefs. I hope they find a great life partner, find their passion 

To know more about No Excuse Mom Movement, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.