“I’m so sorry!” Jessica Alba is late – and looks frazzled. “My washing machine exploded and my 3-year-old fell down the stairs wearing my high heels. We had to have a chat about why we don’t wear heels on the stairs.” It’s a sun-soaked Santa Monica, California, day at the offices of the Honest Company … Read more
Tuck into… Japanese – style teriyaki fish set Japanese – style teriyaki fish set This much-loved meal – served with either rice or noodles – consists of deep – sea fatty fish like salmon or sardines. These are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help in baby’s brain and eye development, says Jenette. Tip: … Read more
4.2. “Melts” in your mouth: Maltodextrin Maltodextrin—a starch—dissolves in water, but not fat. In manufacturing, it’s spray-dried and agglomerated, which creates a powder that’s very porous on the microscopic level. Because of this structure, maltodextrin is able soak up fatty substances (they won’t cause it to dissolve), making maltodextrin useful for working with fats when … Read more
13 to 18 months “I’m outta here!” When baby wants to make a break for it. –Anitasethi Ph.D As your 17-month-old becomes more mobile, he won’t want to be defined. The little guy who was content to watch the world pass by his stroller would now rather get our and push (which is a challenge … Read more
Can you still eat or luak and rojak when you’re pregnant? Nutrition experts ladle out advice to Eveline Gan on hawker delights that are safe to consume. Say goodbye to… Kopitiam breakfast set Coffee and soft-boiled eggs are a quintessential Singaporean way to start the day. Coffee and soft-boiled eggs are a quintessential Singaporean way … Read more
4. Making Things Melt in Weird Ways: Methylcellulose and Maltodextrin At a high level, making gels is about transforming liquids into solids. In addition to creating gels, though, modern food additives can be used to alter other properties of foods, and another area of play in the modernist kitchen is that of melting. How can … Read more
New research throws mud at old thinking about sterile environments. Put down the hand gel for a second: a new study found infants who encounter a wide range of bacteria are less likely to develop allergies later in life. Pair that with past research that says the germs and microorganism that enter a baby’s body … Read more
Age 5 What to buy role-play toy Group role-play has the further effect of encouraging him to listen to others, share and take turns. Your child now has a vocabulary of about 2,000 words, loves telling long tales, and can identify the difference between fact and fiction, says Shan Shan. This means role-play is extremely … Read more
Bathtime Essentials It’s easy to get carried away and think you need a truckload of supplies to get your tiny baby fresh and clean; however, you probably need to buy much less than you think. Baby bath—choose a sturdy plastic model that will not bend and spill its contents when moved; fill using a hose … Read more
With a simple diet tweaks, you can say goodbye to foggy brain and forgetfulness, and boost your long-term brain health, too. Lifestyle factors such as caffeine, alcohol, stress, fatigue and depression are all linked to short-term memory loss as well as old-age illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. These factors, stress in particular, use … Read more
The best ones boost your child’s mental, physical and social development. Age 2 What to buy Modelling clay Modelling clay – you can buy cheap multi-coloured modelling clay Your two-year-old loves exploring his surroundings and is beginning to think creatively. Modeling clays provide the perfect opportunity to merge the two – and you will probably … Read more
Choosing diapers can be something of a minefield. The good news is that there are now plenty of options, and you can make informed choices that are right for you and your family. Whatever you choose, remember that babies go through 10 or more diapers a day in the early weeks, and you’ll need to … Read more
When Susan Dunn’s husband booked a holiday, she had no idea it would involve a 612km bike ride Surprise vacation He’d booked us on to the Macmillan Mexico Coast-to-Coast cycle ride, a grueling 612K bike ride featuring a 3,000m climb in the 40o heat. ‘In August 2010, my husband and I discussed booking a holiday … Read more
Telling your nine-year-old that she isn’t old enough to use social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook simply doesn’t work (even though the official minimum age or Facebook is 13). After all, she argues, her friends use these sites, and she would feel left out and excluded if she couldn’t take part. You don’t … Read more
Although you are likely to receive plenty of clothes for your new baby from well-wishers, it makes sense to have the basics ready before birth. Try to restrain yourself, though—babies outgrow their clothes very quickly. If you want to invest in an expensive outfit or two, buy them in bigger sizes so that he will … Read more
Almost as soon as your baby is born he will respond to stimulation and enjoy interacting with you. There is plenty of research to suggest that playing with your baby, singing to him, and talking to him can encourage healthy cognitive development and provide the foundation for his budding social skills. Allow your baby to … Read more
Set ground rules to ease those young fingers off the tablet. We share some tips. When you bought your five-year-old that tablet for his birthday six months ago, you never imagined he’d be glued to it. When you bought your five-year-old that tablet for his birthday six months ago, you never imagined he’d be glued … Read more
3.4. Making gels: Sodium alginate The gels covered so far are all homogenous, in the sense that they are incorporated into the entire liquid and then set with heat. Alginate, however, sets via a chemical reaction with calcium, not heat, which allows for an interesting application: setting just part of the liquid by localized exposure … Read more
Calming Diaper Rash Diaper rash results from contact with urine or feces, which cause the skin to produce less protective oil and therefore provide a less effective barrier to further irritation. Almost all babies suffer from diaper rash at some point, and it can be very uncomfortable. Here are some of the best ways to … Read more
All about dad Cuddle, play, love Did your partner rough-house with your baby practically from day one? There may be a scientific explanation for his high jinks. The “love hormone” oxytocin is present in increased levels in both parents after a baby’s birth, but it triggers different responses, spurring women to cuddle and men to … Read more