03/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 3, 2025 theSunday Special III

“Lack of outdoor exposure results in reduced stimulation and this leads to delays in physical and sensory develop ment.” Many urban parents rely on babysitters or daycare providers, which is perfectly ¿QH DV ORQJ DV H[SHFWDWLRQV DUH FOHDU “Provide caregivers with checklists covering hygiene, feeding, safe sleep and signs of illness,” advised Nor Azizah. Request photo or video updates and daily summaries. Ideally, choose caregiv ers who are trained in infant CPR and recognise choking hazards. Additionally, use tools like apps or calendars to stay on top of vaccination appointments and health check-ups. Baby-proof your home thoroughly, from installing stair gates and electrical socket covers to ensuring safe storage for medi cations and small choking hazards. Beyond sickness: A broader view of baby health Suppose there’s one thing Nor Azizah wishes more Malaysian parents under stood. In that case, it’s this. “A baby’s health is not just about treating sickness, but the nurturing of growth and development through proper environment, nutrition and stimulation – while paying attention to prevention and safety.” That’s the big picture. The good news? It doesn’t require perfection, just aware ness and consistency. So, if you’re a new parent feeling unsure or overwhelmed, take heart – you’re not alone. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask the experts. After all, your baby’s health isn’t just a checklist – it’s a journey. Like all great journeys, it starts with paying attention to the little things.

Many urban parents rely on babysitters or daycare providers, ţüÿÙüϰÿłϰĻãľöãÙŊēũϰżěãϰ¾łϰēĢě÷ϰ¾łϰ expectations are clear.

It’s not about being paranoid, she explained. It’s about knowing your baby ZHOO HQRXJK WR VSRW ZKHQ VRPHWKLQJ¶V R̆ Dehydration? In Malaysia? You bet In our hot, humid weather, it’s easy for babies to get dehydrated and par ents often miss the signs. “Sometimes they do not notice that their babies are dehydrated,” she said. Watch for fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth or unusually sleepy behaviour. These aren’t just minor concerns – dehydration in infants can escalate quickly. It’s also a common myth that babies need water early on to stay hydrated. “Water should only be intro duced after six months and only in small sips,” she added. Nutrition: It’s not just about solids Nor Azizah often encounters misconcep tions about when and what to feed babies, especially during the 6 to 12-month win dow. Many believe that introducing solids early helps babies sleep better or gain weight more quickly. Not true. “Solid food should be started at around six months. An earlier introduction may lead to choking,” she said. What’s more, iron, which is relatively low in breast milk after six months, is a key nutrient babies need from solid food. Even allergenic foods like eggs shouldn’t be avoided forever. In fact, “introducing common allergens early (around six months) actually reduces the risk of developing allergies later on,” she explained, citing the latest research backed recommendations. Oral care starts before teeth You wouldn’t think a baby with no teeth needs dental care. But according to Nor Azizah, that’s another common oversight. d, she ur baby QJ¶V R̆ u bet s easy par e - in solids oncep babies, thwin-

“Some parents missed or dismissed these vaccine follow-ups due to fear or misinformation,” she said. P QHXPRFRFFDO DQG LQÀXHQ]D YDFFLQHV are the most frequently overlooked. The former was only included in the NIP starting December 2020, meaning older kids might have missed it. The latter isn’t in the NIP at all, despite its importance LQ SURWHFWLQJ DJDLQVW VHYHUH ÀX related complications. So always check your child’s vaccine schedule and don’t skip follow-ups. Urban living: A double edged sword C LW\ OLIH R̆ HUV FRQYHQLHQFH EXW LW¶V not without its drawbacks – especially for a baby’s health. Air conditioning, for instance, helps prevent heat rash and dehydration but can dry out the air, worsening HF]HPD RU QDVDO FRQJHVWLRQ LI ¿OWHUV aren’t cleaned regularly. Then there’s screen time, not just for babies but for adults as well. “Excessive parental screen time reduces parent-infant “Som these va misinfor QHX are th The the m m N f U ed LW\ not w for a ba Air co prevent but can HF]HPD

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interaction, which can delay emotional bonding and language development,” warned Nor Azizah.

“Oral care should start even before the ¿UVW WRRWK DSSHDUV :LSLQJ D EDE\¶V JXPV with a clean, moist cloth helps reduce bac WHULD 2QFH WKH ¿UVW WRRWK HUXSWV EUXVKLQJ with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and infant toothpaste should begin.” B HOLHYH LW RU QRW \RXU FKLOG¶V ¿UVW GHQWDO visit should occur within six months of the first tooth eruption or by age one, ZKLFKHYHU FRPHV ¿UVW Forgotten vaccines and follow-ups Malaysia’s National Immunisation Pro JUDPPH 1,3 GRHV D JUHDW MRE RI R̆ HULQJ essential vaccines free of charge. But that doesn’t mean parents never miss them.

Typical fussiness occurs at certain times, such as when babies are tired, hungry or need a diaper change.

Babies need face to-face time, not FaceTime. Outdoor play matters, too.