Is it okay to use a pacifier?
Babies are born wanting to suck. Some even suck their thumb or fingers before they are born. This is a natural behaviour that allows them to feed and grow. It is also comforting and helps them settle. A pacifier (or soother) can be used to satisfy a baby need to suck. However, it should never be used instead of feeding, and it should never be used without the extra comfort and cuddling a parent can provide. If your baby seems to want to suck in between feedings, a pacifier can help.

What are the advantages?
Sucking on a pacifier is better than a thumb or finger because it causes fewer problems with future tooth development. A parent can control the use of a pacifier but it’s harder to control thumb sucking. When it’s time to stop using a pacifier, you can throw it away. You can’t throw away a thumb! Also, the latest medical research finds that using a pacifier may decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death.

What are the disadvantages?
Not using a pacifier properly can lead to problems with breastfeeding, teeth (cavities and overbite), and possibly, ear infections. Homemade pacifiers, sweetened pacifiers or pacifiers tied around a baby’s neck are not safe and could lead to injury or death. If you choose to use a pacifier for your baby, use it wisely and safely.

The Do’S and Don’tS of pacifiers
1. Never start using a pacifier until breastfeeding is fully established. Talk to your doctor or lactation specialist if you feel your baby needs to use one at this early stage. An exception is for premature or sick babies in the hospital. They may use one for comfort.
2. Never give your baby a pacifier instead of feeding.
3. Always see if your baby is hungry, tired or bored before giving him the pacifier. Try solving these things first.
4. Always sterilize the pacifier by putting it in boiling water for 5 min before the first use. Make sure it’s completely cooled down before giving it to your baby. Then, keep it clean by washing it with hot, soapy water after each use. Do not attempt to “clean” the pacifier by sucking on it yourself; this may spread germs from you to your child.
5. Always check for cracks or tears before giving a pacifier to your baby. Sometimes, parents give their baby a pacifier right after giving a medicine (like a pain reliever, antibiotics or vitamins); some of these medicines can cause the material in the pacifier to break down. If there are cracks or tears, throw it out. Replace the pacifier every two months, before damage occurs.
6. Never dip the pacifier in sugar or honey. This will damage the teeth. Honey can lead to botulism, which is a type of food poisoning.
7. Never tie a pacifier around a baby’s neck. This can cause strangulation and death. Instead, you can use clips with short ribbons attached to them. These are available where you buy pacifiers and are safe to use.
8. Never make your own pacifier out of bottle nipples, caps or other materials. These can cause choking and death.
9. Never let your older child crawl or walk around with a pacifier all day long. This may interfere with speech development and may cause problems with their teeth.
10. Never let your baby or child chew on a pacifier. It could break down and cause choking and death.

Tips on getting your child to stop using a pacifier
1. Limit the time you allow your child to use a pacifier. Use it only for sleep time and comfort until about 12 months old and then plan to give it up.
2. Never use punishment or humiliation to force your child to give up using a pacifier.
3. Involve your child in the decision to stop using it by giving him the choice of throwing it away, putting it away or leaving it under the pillow.
4. Start a reward chart to mark your child’s progress.
5. Praise your child when your child has given up the pacifier and tell her you are proud that she is growing up.
6. Allow your child to express his feelings and if your child is upset or angry, give him special cuddles to help him cope.
7. If your child asks for the pacifier again (and she probably will), don’t give in. Remind her that the pacifier is gone and that she is grown up now. 

Even, so much more cute and fancy design of pacifier in market, please ensure the pro and con of applying it to your baby.

In parenting circles, thumb sucking is a double-edged sword; while comforts your child, it may cause orthodontia problems. This ongoing debate boils down to one question: When should parents take issue with thumb sucking? 

Children suck their thumbs for a variety of reasons. For infants, it is a natural reflex that often begins in the womb. As babies grow, they learn a lot about their bodies and the world around them through sucking. They suck on their fingers, clothing, and toys. From this action they learn what is pleasing and what is uncomfortable. Sucking on an ice cube or cool teething ring feels good when those first teeth are trying to break through, but when the same teething child sucks on a hard plastic toy, she may experience discomfort.  Young children also use sucking to soothe and comfort themselves. Since the action is relaxing, it often induces sleep—which is why parents notice children sucking their thumbs when they are tired. In fact, many thumb suckers fall asleep more easily, are able to put themselves back to sleep quicker, and sleep through the night much earlier than their non-thumb sucking peers.

Why Thumb Sucking Must Stop With all these positives, is there a point when parents should be concerned about thumb sucking? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), after a child’s permanent teeth come in, thumb sucking can cause problems. It can interfere with proper mouth growth, teeth alignment, and cause changes to the roof of the mouth.  One factor that determines whether a child will have dental problems is the intensity with which she sucks. A child who just rests her thumb in her mouth or passively sucks on it is less likely to develop problems than a child who sucks her thumb in earnest. Parents whose children are vigorous thumb suckers should pay attention to any changes in their child’s primary teeth and consult a dentist if any are noted.

When to Kick It As mentioned, the ADA recommends children give up thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth start coming in, which is typically around the age of five. But the good news is that the majority of children lose interest in thumb sucking long before this point. If your child is not one of them, you may have to intervene. Studies of older thumb suckers show they have one thing in common: they were all encouraged by their parents, in one way or another, to stop sucking their thumbs at an early age. Here’s how you can get your child on track.

1. Create an environment where she wants to stop on her own.
Nagging your thumb sucker is no good for either of you. Instead, encourage her to realize how much she has grown and changed. Show her what she has left behind on her way to maturity. Point out that she no longer has use for diapers, bottles, or high chairs. Tell her how proud you are of that. Ask her what else she thinks she will give up. If she doesn’t say thumb sucking, then you should suggest it.

2. Weaken the habit.
When you notice your child’s thumb in his mouth, try to distract him. Engage him in an activity that requires he use both hands. Be especially prepared before nap and bedtime. Have him hold the book you are reading or hug a stuffed animal with each arm.

3. Help her notice.
When your child wants to give up thumb sucking, tell her about a habit you gave up and how hard it was. Then decide on a secret signal between the two of you. When she unconsciously slips her thumb in her mouth, and she will, you can use the secret signal to help her realize what she is doing. By using a secret signal, you replace what could be a shameful situation with fun.

4. Use authority.
Comments from your child’s pediatrician and dentist can work wonders. These authority figures have been a constant in his life. They can help him feel that he wants to stop sucking his thumb because he is growing up.

5. Consider peer pressure.
Friends are very important to this age group. Having a sleepover with friends that do not suck their thumbs can be very helpful. If your child sucks her thumb and her friends mention it, this might be the motivation she needs to stop.

Rena has starting attended her baby-swimming class since her 6th mths. Actually, I wished that Rena could freely do so, since I’m only could floating…:sob:sob: . RENA BOLEH!!

Hata Sports Plaza is our choice. Just 5mins by subway, from Kotakemukaihara sta. to Kanamecho sta. , plus 15mins walk. Fuhh… quite a distance to get there. At the beginning, Rena so nervous when she get into the pool. So do I. It’s been for awhile not soaking your body in. The baby-swimming class is held daily, start from 10:30 to 11:30. First 30mins is activity in group; leading by the instructor, having some stretching exercise and to get your baby used to the water. And the 2nd half time is free to play with your infant. I think Rena really having fun.

By the time your child is a toddler, she is beginning to have enough coordination to learn how to swim. There are a variety of specific activities that you can do with your toddler to help the process of teaching your toddler to swim. One of the very first things that many swim classes for toddlers teaches in to blow bubbles. To do this, have the child sit down in a shallow area of the pool. Tell them that you are going to use your mouth to make bubbles in the pool. Take a deep breath, and blow the bubbles. Ask your child if they can blow bubbles in the pool. This will help them get comfortable with having their face in the water. Another activity that you can use to teach your toddler to swim is to teach them how to kick. Here again, you will want to sit with them in a shallow area of the pool, or on the steps. Teach them to use their legs to kick, keeping their legs straight and their knees bent slightly. Next, it is time to help your toddler to go underwater. Instruct your toddler to breathe deeply, and then hold his breath. On the count of three, “bounce” him down under the water. Help him to wipe the water out of his eyes, rather than to rub it into his eyes. Toddlers can also learn to float on their backs. Have your child rest her head on your shoulder as a pillow. Support their body with your arm. After a while, you will be able to remove your arm, while still supporting their head. Then, they will be floating! In addition to the time you spend teaching your toddler to swim, many organizations offer swimming classes for toddlers. 

General tips – making water fun
Use bath time to show him how fun being in the water can be. Gently splash water over his body or move him gently through the water on his back. Visit your public swimming pool off-peak, when it is likely to be quiet, as babies can get stressed in noisy, crowded situations. Ask another friend with a baby to come along too. In the pool, make sure you keep your baby’s face close to your own and maintain eye contact. It’s important for them to feel you are close by in an unusual situation. When you are both more confident, gradually move him further away from you, still looking into his eyes, and try swishing him around gently. Blow bubbles in the water. This helps to show babies what they should do with their mouths and breathing in the water, as they can’t inhale water if they are blowing out. If your baby is around six months old, and able to sit unaided, sit her on the side of the pool and sing Humpty Dumpty to her. As you sing ‘Had a great fall’ lift her down into the water with a gentle splash.
 

Researchers have documented that the stimulating effect of child-paced infant/toddler swimming lessons has the potential to increase intelligence, concentration, alertness, and perceptual abilities. Improvement in social, emotional and physical development has also been published. Of course, the manifestation of such  inspired cognitive, personal and motor development takes time, patience and repetition. I have personally observed this phenomena and have confirmed this with other veteran instructors, especially in children who started lessons prior to12 months old, but it’s never too late to receive these unique and subtle benefits of infant-toddler swimming. These babies eventually become extremely peaceful and relaxed in the water. Water is a forgiving healer, its caressing and stimulating effect on children with special needs is most remarkable. Its buoyancy is like an invisible helping hand. Zero gravity allows for freedoms that do not exist on the dry land. Optimal learning conditions, combined with kindness and patience can even release a withdrawn or hurting child from their shell. In what other medium are you able to bond face to face, skin to skin and share the joy of learning together?

A special time, a special place for you and your child. 
Early swim lessons set a positive foundation towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment in a variety of water sports and aquatic venues on, in and under the water. Each class is an interactive recreational activity in a new and exciting liquid environment. “Go Pool” are often among the first words spoken by young “Diaper Dolphins”. Swimming imports great joy into the lives of infants and toddlers. It also fashions healthier and stronger individuals. This is often a child’s first social experience out of the home that involves their peers. They learn to relate and interact with each other and look forward to seeing their class mates. Caring and patient moms and dads of young children have an ideal opportunity to meet like minded people who share common interests.                     
For the right people, in the right situation, baby swimming can nurture a connectedness to family, community and to the outer world.  Safety skills are a primary reason why many people initially enroll in lessons. But, as you now know there is much more to infant/toddler swimming than merely one aspect. However, with the acquisition of safety skills not only is early swimming life enhancing,  it can be lifesaving. The younger a child can begin their swimming adventure the sooner they will be able to build a foundation for the eventual ability to perform age appropriate safety skills (never imposing techniques on a child against their will or with the use of  force). 

We must note that it is always the parents’ responsibility to ensure the safety of their children. Swimming safety skills and home pool safety will be discussed on following pages. (i.e.. supervision, barriers, pool safety fencing, CPR and child centered swimming lessons).

Many kids can swim before they can walk. As, their swimming progresses you will witness improved coordination, strength, endurance and lung capacity.The smooth and fluid exercise in the water results in healthier naps following class. Parents attending the evening classes have noted improved sleeping patterns throughout the night.
 

Trying to keep a preshooler entertained can be tough. The task can be especially daunting when you are dealing with siblings and other day to day chores.
The trick to keeping a preschooler entertained, is to understand what they like to do, and then finding ways to make the most out of those likes and dislikes. With a little bit of effort, there is no limit to what you and your preschooler can learn together.

1. Explore the neighborhood.
   Up until now, he has seen the world through a stroller or baby carrier, but he has had little opportunity to see things at ground level. So strap on your walking shoes and let him be the guide around your neighborhood. He will marvel at all the rocks, trees, bugs and flowers. Pack plenty of snacks and water, and bring along the stroller just in case he wants to hitch a ride on the way back home.
2. Sing to him.
   Kids love music, so start belting out your favorite tune and watch him start to sing and dance to the beat. It doesn’t matter how good your singing is, as long as both of you are having fun together.
3. Let him play in the kitchen.
   There are several opportunities to entertain a preschooler in the kitchen. Let him have his own cabinet full of plastic bowls and lids, in which to play with. Pots and pans and plastic spoons are another hit with this age group. So let him have her fun in the kitchen, while you prepare dinner or do dishes.
4. Let him check himself out.
   If you want to entertain a preschooler for an extended period of time, put him in front of a mirror and let him watch himself at play. He will be amazed at his image, and love making funny faces at himself in the mirror. Play along with him to see who can make the funniest face.
5. Curl up and read a good book.
   Let him pick a favorite book and then curl up together to read it. After you have finished the story, hand the book over to him and let him read it to you. It may just be gibberish, but he will love acting like a grownup.
6. Switch out his toys.
   Toy boredom is sure to set in with any child, so stash some of his toys in a closet and switch them out ever so often so that he has something new and exciting to play with. You can keep some of his birthday presents in storage as well, and then open them up throughout the year to keep him entertained.

Last saturday, we went to kaiten zushi-Kappa Sushi Restaurant for dinner. And, it’s the first time for Rena to had sushi in Kappa, dat we’re used to visit regularly while student.

Actually, Rena only had smoked-salmon, tamago=eggs, miso soup and green beans. Else, we’re not serving a raw fish to her, yet. But she’s enjoyed most to watch the plates moving around on the conveyer. Yess.. its a self-service sushi restaurant, which you can just choose your sushi from the ‘display’ and, of course, you could order (tru the intercom) if it’s not around.

Sushi (and seafood in general) may be one of the best sources of nutrition available to us. Packed with protein, dense with nutrients, and often low in fat, sushi is an excellent way to enjoy a meal regardless of one’s dietary lifestyle choice. Sushi is an excellent source of lean protein and contains very little heart clogging saturated fat, unlike meat from terrestrial animals, and what fat is available is mostly in the form of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are not only a nutritional requirement for humans, but also a fat that shows promise in remediating many ailments from which we suffer for lack of this sssential fatty acid in our modern diet, including cardiovascular disease. The seaweed wrap used in rolls (maki), called nori,  is rich with essential vitamins and minerals. Wasabi and ginger both have antibacterial qualities, and ginger is widely regarded as aiding digestion and improving circulation.

A Healthful Food
Fish is widely recognized as a very healthful food. High in protein and low in fat, countless types of fish are actually staples in many parts of the world. Even those fish that are higher in fat are still healthful and heart friendly, unlike many terrestrial meats that can be high in saturated fats. Most fish is high in the particular types of fats referred to as “Omega-3″ fatty acids. These fats are essential to the human diet as we do not synthesize them biologically, and we must either consume the particular Omega-3s that our bodies require, or their precursor fatty acids which the body converts into the fats we use. These fats are originally manufactured by algae, and eventually are incorporated into the fish as they move up the food chain. The two most widely spoken of are abbreviated as DHA and EPA. These two Omega-3 fatty acids are currently being studied as they are now considered very healthful fats, alongside monounsaturated fats such as olive oil. Omega-3 fatty acids however may be better for you than you realize.

Potential Health Benefits
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to raise the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood (the food・cholesterol). This, in turn, can lower the amount of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood. In some cases, a person’s LDL can be raised slightly, however with a greater rise in HDL, a person’s ‘ratio’ can improve tremendously, which is an overall positive change to cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to increase the particle size of the LDL in your blood, which is also considered a positive and healthful change. The consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to be beneficial to those with type II diabetes, helping moderate blood sugar levels and epidemiologic studies have shown a lower prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance.

Studies have also linked the consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids with improved endothelial (blood vessel wall) function, reduced platelet aggregability (blood clotting), and lower blood pressure. These are widely regarded cardioprotective benefits.
A report in the March 23 online issue of the Journal of Neuroscience indicates that a diet rich on Omega-3 fatty acids may ward off Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of Omega-3 consumption have shown a up to a 70% decrease of amyloid protein in the brain, the plaque widely regarded as the cause of Alzheimer’s.

Also remember that your central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and all nerve sheaths) is mostly DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid. The body is constantly in need of repairing and replenishing itself, so the consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids is critical to maintaining proper central nervous system health.

Since Omega-3 fatty acids are required for proper development (which includes developing babies), pregnant and lactating women are encouraged to eat foods rich in DHA and EPA. This includes many nuts and seeds, however fish is the richest source of these fatty acids and a great way to incorporate them into your diet. Raw fish is often avoided in western society during pregnancy, so nutritional supplements are sold specifically to target pregnant and lactating women, which are either fish oil or Omega-3 fatty acids taken directly from the algal source, specifically one called Neuromins, and sold as Expecta Lipil, among many others. If you can’t have the fish, you can have the next best thing. But remember, there is still plenty of cooked fish available if you choose.

Today, Omega-3 fatty acids are considered quite beneficial to cardiovascular health and seafood consumption is suggested by doctors the world around. Today, many people take Omega-3 supplements, generally called ‘fish oil’ or “Omega 3 Oil,” to incorporate more of these fatty acids into their diet, which is perfectly fine, however we would like to remind our readers that deep, cold water fish are also excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, and tasty too, so keep eating that sushi!

Health Risks
As with any raw food there is some degree of risk of food borne pathogens, but with seafood the current hot topic is contaminants. Basically, the answer to the question “is sushi good for you” is a resounding ‘yes’, however anyone eating fish, especially raw should be aware of the potential health concerns. The recent talk is the contaminant such as heavy metals that can be present in some fish, especially the larger predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish. Essentially, the higher up the food chain a fish is, the the more contaminants concentrate. While studies swing wildly one way or another, there clearly is some degree of heavy metal content in the larger predatory fish, but the health questions to focus on are to what degree and how much is bad for you.

Contaminants
Due to the potential for contaminants such as mercury (as well as pathogens) pregnant women are told to avoid the larger, predatory fish, and any raw meat, something that those with weakened immune systems are told avoid as well. However, in moderation, any cooked seafood is not only safe, but a healthful choice due to the beneficial nutritional profile of sea foods in general and the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids, required for proper health. Traces of other contaminants have been reported as well (e.g. PCBs, flame retardants) however studies have not shown the presence of concentrations large enough to hurt someone who eats seafood in moderation. Essentially, by polluting our planet we are soiling our oceans and its denizens as well, a process that reverberates throughout the food chain and finally affecting us. Fortunately, a recent report from the Institute of Medicine has concluded that the benefits of eating seafood far outweigh the potential risks, and anyone worried about the potential health concerns would do well to review the article. As with many foods, eating sushi does in fact carry with it some small risk of pollution related contaminants being consumed, however in moderation, it is a perfectly safe food. But that said, please do remember that there can be other risks.

Pathogens
Aside from contaminants, raw seafood can also be the vector for various pathogens, viral, bacterial, as well as larger parasitic creatures. Proper sanitary conditions must always be met or any raw food could possibly make one sick. Anisakiasis is a particularly nasty and potentially fatal infection caused by microscopic larval worms that live in some marine creatures that can be avoided by thorough cooking, or certain deep freezing techniques, which are required by law in the United States for certain sushi grade items. While rare, it is one of the many risks inherent in all uncooked sea foods. Fortunately incidents of illness from sushi are few and far between. More people are sickened by contaminated produce in the US than by sushi, so at least for now, purveyors of sushi seem to be maintaining proper sanitary practices. And before you ask, tapeworms require a freshwater stage in their lifecycle, so as long as you stick to the saltwater fish you should be fine. No one should ever eat freshwater fish raw under any circumstances as the risks of parasitic infection increase dramatically due to the large number of freshwater parasites that exist, the freshwater ecosystem being a much better environment for parasitic creatures.

Fortunately, sushi is as safe as any other food as long as proper handling conditions are met. While certain individuals should take steps to minimize particular risks due to their current condition, for most of us, sushi is as safe as it is good for us. That said, it is wise to make sensible decisions as to where you will be eating sushi, and if an establishment looks as though it may not be taking the proper precautions, it is best avoided. Be smart and you should have no problems finding an enjoyable and delicious sushi meal.

May Allah save us and our children from covert means of destroying faith.

Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
By Khalid Baig
Posted: 21 Rabi-u-Thani 1424, 21 June 2003

As expected there was much frenzy around the latest Harry Potter book. Bookstores and clubs around the world arranged special midnight parties and other events in celebration of the launching of the long-awaited fifth book in the series. A grandiose countdown was held in Times Square for the coming of the fifth book.

The book was set to break many old records. Online Bookseller Amazon had already received one million pre-orders of the new book, its largest pre-order ever. Scholastic, the American publisher had ordered 8.5 million copies as the largest first printing ever. Worldwide, 13 million copies of the book had rolled off the presses in a massive print run.

The other books in the Harry Potter series have been translated into more than 55 languages, including Urdu, Persian, and Turkish. Nearly 200 million copies of the first four books have been sold in 200 countries.

What is all this craze about? The series chronicles the growing up of a young orphan wizard named Harry Potter who attends a secret magic boarding school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry is a very unique wizard. His parents are killed while he is a baby by a wicked powerful wizard named Voldemort, but generally called “you-know-who” or “he-who-must-not-be-named”. Voldemort fails in his attempt to kill Harry and instead is nearly destroyed when his magic rebounds on him. Harry is left with a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. Harry is sent to live with his “muggle” (non-magical people) relatives for the next ten years. He lives a miserable life, tormented by his aunt and uncle and his spoiled cousin. They attempt to keep him from knowing that he is a wizard.

Then, suddenly a letter arrives from Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday, changing his life completely. Harry finds out he is a wizard and rather famous for his encounter with the evil lord Voldemort. Despite opposition from his aunt and uncle, Harry goes to the wizard boarding school where he meets new people, including his best friends Ron and Hermione. Harry discovers that he has both admirers and enemies.

Each book details the events of one school year. The main characters in the story have few noble qualities; they lie with impunity, use profanity, don’t respect their elders, break rules regularly, and are unrepentant.

While the books are characterized by most people as innocent fantasy and entertainment, they contain many evil messages – not all of which are subtle. The books glorify magic and sorcery. Harry and his classmates regularly cast spells, brew potions, learn to tell the
future, communicate with the spirits of the dead, train magical animals, and ride brooms. They study astrology, crystal gazing, numerology, transfiguration, and divination. Darker things occur as well such as murder, human sacrifice, drinking of unicorn blood, etc. The fight between good and evil in this book is actually a conflict between “good magic” and “evil magic”, both of which are evil. The books are in effect promoters of paganism. They glorify magic and paganism while non-magical people, called Muggles, are despised and portrayed as boring, narrow-minded, and paranoid of magic. Not surprisingly, the main characters in the story have few noble qualities; they lie with impunity, use profanity,  don’t respect their elders, break rules regularly, and are unrepentant. And for all these qualities and more, the books are popular and are having an effect. It is the “in” thing to purchase the book. And not just the book. Children have gone crazy over Harry Potter memorabilia, surrounding themselves with Harry Potter T-shirts, posters, toys, costumes, wands, hats, etc. The media has been glorifying the book that glorifies sorcery.

Welcome to the world of capitalism and paganism, where
superstitions and the occult reign supreme in the hearts and minds of people, and where the twin forces have forged an “alliance of the willing” that is doing its “magic” on a global scale. Capitalism is all about maximization of profits and if that requires appealing to the lowest instincts and the darkest recesses of human nature, so be it.  Millions of dollars have been spent on advertising the latest craze on billboards, buttons, bumper stickers, and posters etc. U.S. publisher Scholastic alone has planned a $4 million marketing budget for this single book – among the largest advertising budgets ever for a book. The media machine — equally adept at political, cultural, and commercial propaganda — has been doing its part faithfully, paying a great deal of attention to the smallest events relating to the coming of the fifth book. It has been glorifying the book that glorifies sorcery.

Even if it were innocent entertainment (which it is not) the extreme devotion would be unjustified. But this culture is given to extremes and incidents of mass craziness are nothing new in it. The cabbage patch dolls craze in the 1980s was similar to current craze over the Harry Potter books. The Cabbage Patch Dolls were the fad of the 1980s. The most distinctive feature about them was that each doll looked a bit different from others and came with its own unique name and birthday, “adoption papers,” and a “birth certificate.”

Marketing gimmick and television coverage combined to make sales explode starting in 1983. Chartered planes were used to bring the dolls from the overseas manufacturing plants to meet the ever increasing demand. Fist fights among eager customers often broke out in retail stores when a shipment of dolls arrived. In 1985, Coleco posted record sales of $600 million, thanks to their Cabbage Patch Kids.

When life has no higher purpose, entertainment and fun become the over-riding goal in life. When there is no belief in or clear concept of God as Creator and Master of the universe, superstition, sorcery, and the occult become fascinating. When life has no higher purpose, entertainment and fun become the over-riding goal in life.

It is a reflection on the state of the society that there has been scarce opposition to this series that promises to become darker with each new release. The Role of Muslims In this current state of hysteria, Muslims should have played an important role in opposing this book and exposing the flaws of this culture. It is theduty of Muslims to guide the world, rather than blindly follow the ignorant masses. The Qur’an commands us in Surah Al-Kahf, “And don’t obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.” [Al-Kahf 18:28]

Yet, unfortunately, we find very little opposition or reflection from Muslims, many of whom have chosen
to blindly follow the pop culture. Many Muslims have assured themselves that the books are harmless fiction. Others even claim them to be beneficial because they encourage reading. Reading what? It does not occur to them to ask that question. Islam prohibits both pointless entertainment (lahw) and sorcery. But countless Muslims seem to be unaware of that. And they are the ones fascinated by Harry Potter.

Last week was sooo hot and sooo tough for me. Ohh my.. Rena had fever, and doc said that she got a pnuemonia (again!!). Very pity… poor her lung easily caught with phlegm.  Yes, mama have to take leave for a week. This week, started back her nursery-day life. Hope she’ll be fine.

Ops, recently.. received an email from a doc-fren.. written of her kind thought. Yeah, she’s a good pediatrician. Let me share it here. Also as a reminder to myself.  So…? Malang Tidak Berbau.

1) please please please …when you’re driving with kids in the car, please try your best to make sure they are in their car seats, or if they’re big enuff, to wear seatbelts, no matter where they’re sitting. soooooooo many MVA s(motor vehicle accidents) that involved kiddies, end up with the kids having worse injuries than the adults involved in the same accident. the kids end up with severe brain injury (cuz their skull bones are still softer than ours, and their brains are more ‘watery’), comatose in the ICU, and later become mentally/physically retarded for the rest of lives. or they die. while the adults walk away with a bit of broken bone or two, minor scrapes and bruises, and oh..maybe a chipped tooth.
 you think this wont happen to you? cuz you drive extra careful, never forget your signals, and never exceed the speed limit, that it’s ok for your kid to practice gymnastics in the car? think again.. there are lots of drivers out there who are not careful, who never signals, and “pantang betul kalau kena drive under 120km/h”… lost control, and there goes YOUR car, with YOUR kids flying out of every smashed window, while the other driver zooms off, still without “langgar pantang” (know what i mean?)

oh… and having a sticker saying yo u have “kids in the car” tells other drivers to please be extra careful when driving around you. NOT give you the right to drive 140km/h on the freeway, zigzagging between lanes at your own free will-kids or no kids in the car!

2) same goes when on a motorbike-helmets please-for the kids too. already in tv-commercial. dah tak terkira dah the cases i’ve seen.. both parents (helmets on)on the bike, toddler in between(cute anakku cap on), mom pregnant. crash (jatuh longkang je).. dad bruised on the chin, mom scraped her knees, baby in belly ok, toddler with the cute cap?–> severe head injury, died 48 hrs later in ICU.

3) LOCK all medicine, minyak tanah, racun rumput, poisonous stuff,etc.. up and away from all kids. I’m sure all of ya are already smart enuff to NOT put the poisons in mineral water bottles kan?

4) Careful with traditional/herbal medications. Stuff that are ok for you to ingest may not be suitable for your kids, esp ‘em really y oung ‘uns. even vitamins or IQ boosters,that are being sold in catalogs and such. look up the ingredients.
and just a general rule la–> dont apply stuff onto your kids that you wouldnt dream of putting on yourself, even with a knife aimed at your throat. i’ve seen babies with severe burns after dear mom/dad coat them with oil, onions, and black pepper cuz they “just cant stop crying”. marinated..roasted, literally. no joke.

5) those cute little beadie bracelets for your little girl (or boy, whatever, metrosexuals can start young ).. they can plug their puny airways with those.

Still…. summer season. Highest temp recorded yesterday was 37C for Kanto area. Phewwwww!!! very hottttt and humiddddd. No longer fan. It won’t make you feel comfort at home anymore.

Aha!! photos was taken from a kid’s mag. Anyone interested? Tunic style-knit with a diamond shape. See-through colored-inner wear just so nice. Also, suits with the re-make slender denim.

Last saturday, we went to Costco in Funabashi with frens for shopping. Well, attempting activity as usual… As planned, we bought for rena a new child seat. Ehemm… of course to fit in our new MPV (Alhamdulillah… we afford to buy our dream).

Rena’s just nice to be seated in her new pinky-disney seat. But for awhile, surprisingly… she’s so nervous!! ha ha.. so cute. She grips her hands at the side-guard of the seat and sit back tightly. Very good gal indeed. But sometimes she start talking and mumbling when abah stopped by at the traffic light. Anyway, its a compulsory to have child car seat for your children in Japan.

Use Child Car Seat for Your Children
To protect your child from the risk of car accident.

When children under six years old ride in automobiles, the law requires parents to restrain them in child car seats. However, the rate of child seat usage remains at a mere 47% (according to a joint study conducted by the National Police Agency and the Japan Automobile Federation between April and May of 2004), and shows a tendency to fall with an increase in age. It is the duty of adults to protect children, as they cannot protect themselves.

Q: Is it safe as long as I hold my child tightly?
A: This case can be seen often when young infants ride in cars, however people can hold babies safely in their arms till the speed up to 7 km an hour. (at the sudden stop)

Q: Is it safe if my child sit in backseat?
A: In a traffic accident, backseats get the same degree of impact. There is also a risk of being thrown from the car.

Q: Is it safe if I drive to a place nearby?
A: More than half of all accidents occur when shopping, visiting friends, and other everyday activities.

Q: Is it safe if I drive carefully?
A: Certain accidents due to such factors as oncoming traffic unexpectedly straying into your lane or vehicle collisions due to ignoring traffic signals cannot be avoided.

Q: Is it safe if my child uses a seat belt made for adults?
A: Younger children’s sitting height is not tall enough for using a seat belt. If your child were involved in a car accident wearing a seat belt designed for adults, she would suffer fatal injuries in the neck and the stomach.
In order to avoid an accident, you may have to make a sharp turn or to break hard suddenly. Using appropriate child car seats can reduce accidents including, being stuck in the power window or releasing the lock and falling out of the car.

There are three different sizes of child car seats. Parents have to use the right child car seat for your child,fs height and weight.

For young infants (Rough standard/ Height; up to 70 cm, Weight; less than 10 kg, Approximately up to 1 year old)
For toddlers (Rough standard/ Height; up to 100 cm, Weight; over 9 kg, less than 18 kg, Approximately 1 – 4 year old)
For school children (Rough standard/ Height; up to 135 cm, Weight; over 15 kg, less than 36 kg, Approximately 4 – 10 years old)

Child car seat installed and used incorrectly can not be useful in an emergency. It is reported that only 20% of child car seats are installed and used correctly.

Make sure to choose the right child car seat for your car. (Ensure to check the specifications and try it out.)
Make sure to read the owner’s manual thoroughly and confirm the proper usage.
When placing a child seat in a vehicle for infant use, fasten the seat belt tight so that it sinks into the seat it’s placed upon without any slack or rocking motion.

Lately, Tokyo weather is not sooo calm. Cloudy and raining for a week. Realized that rena had a cough again lastnite.. Mama just afraid if she might troubled with pnuemonia or bronchitis, as previous. Rena has been admitted twice within this two years. 

Found an article said that if your baby frequently coughing only at nite, she/he is probably having an asthma.

1. How to beat asthma
   Asthma partially obstructs the bronchial tubes, making breathing difficult. The cause of asthma is still not known. But if you are an asthma sufferer, you can, through natural means, considerably reduce the number of asthma attacks you get.

2. A placebo study has shown that asthmatics who consume 1 gram of vitamin C per day had 4 times fewer attacks. When they stopped taking vitamin C, the attacks resumed with the same frequency as before (Trop. and Geog. Med., Vol. 32, Mo. 2, 1980).

3. As for magnesium, it also works wonders! Dr. Zack H. Haddad of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southern California conducted a study on thirty children suffering from asthma associated with allergies.

4. Twenty of them drank a daily amount of mineral water rich in magnesium, while the others received no magnesium supplement. After three months, the first group had a higher level of magnesium in their blood, and they were able to breathe more easily.

So taking vitamin C and magnesium is an excellent way to prevent asthma attacks.

But what can you do to breathe more easily during an attack?
Simply drink 2 or 3 cups of strong coffee. By activating blood circulation, it eases espiratory blockage.

In addition, the American Lung Association recommends the following exercise:

l. While standing, contract all your muscles. Keep them contracted for a few seconds.
2. Release the muscles, like letting the air out of a balloon. Relax all your muscles completely until you feel like a limp cloth.
3. Let yourself fall to the floor, and stretch out. Close your eyes and relax your face and your feet.
4. Imagine that you are floating on water. Concentrate on the effect the earth’s gravity has on your muscles and on the pleasant feeling of being completely relaxed.
5. Breathe gently and quietly, as if you were about to fall asleep.
6. Open your eyes. Practising this exercise when you feel an attack coming on, or once it is already started, will help you overcome your asthma condition.