• Juice Helps Increase Vegetable Consumption and Promotes Weight Loss
• Eating Fruits and Vegetables Lower Risk of Death from Heart Disease
• Apple Antioxidants Can Extend Lifespan

0

CUDDLY BUDDIES are certified organic Bamboo fabric on one side (the cream coloured side), and either printed fluffy Minky or cotton flannel fabric on the other.

Angel Mel Collections is an exclusive line of organic products brought to you by Baby-Mel.com. All their products were designed with love and attention to detail. Previously, I had reviewed their Organic Baby Bamboo Wipes too. In conjunction with the launch of their new products, and also for the Parenthood Expo in Mid Valley, I will review several products from their new range. Stay tuned for more.

This time around, I’m reviewing Cuddly Buddies. Isn’t that such a cute name?

WHAT ARE CUDDLY BUDDIES??

• Cuddly Buddies are marketed as a multi-purpose baby product: as an over the shoulder cuddly Burp Towel, and also as a lovely Baby Bib (it has snaps at the back to attach around baby’s neck).
• It is made of 1 layer super-soft Certified Organic bamboo velour on one side, and either fluffy Minky fabric OR 100% cotton flannel fabric on the other: Minky & Bamboo or Flannel & Bamboo combo.
• Both the Minky and cotton flannel fabrics have fun and cheerful prints on them to choose from (the cotton flannel fabrics are imported designer prints).
• Handmade and Made in Malaysia. (In support of local products )

I received one Angel Mel Collections Cuddly Buddies (Minky & Bamboo) for reviewing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

• Who isn’t a fan of Minky fabric right? Just like how I love Minky cloth diapers, I will love other Minky fabric baby products too. This product is just divine because it offers a really pretty Minky fabric print too!
• It’s pretty wide in length, and because of this I figured it can be used for many other purposes too.

HOW I USED THEM:

As mentioned above, I have managed to discover many ways to use Cuddly Buddies for my baby! Below are some pictures of Cuddly Buddies in action:

This was Cuddly Buddies’ first intended purpose: As a luxuriously fluffy Burp Towel. Especially handy if other people wants to cuddle with your baby, but you’re unsure about the “cleanliness” of their clothings – lay the Cuddly Buddies on them first before passing your baby to them! Problem solved

Second intended purpose: Attach the Cuddly Buddies around baby’s neck with the snaps and it becomes a funky Baby Bib. I just love that it’s large enough for this purpose (good for messy meals), and my baby looks like he’s wearing a really cool bolero outfit doesn’t he?

Creative purpose #3: A stroller head liner. I created a comfy head cocoon for my baby using it. Since it’s super soft to lay on, he looks so comfy during his stroller naps!

Creative purpose #4: Since I babywear my baby, and he LOVES to bite/nibble on the baby carrier (however much I tried to stop him), I used Cuddly Buddies to line the front side of my SSC (soft structured carrier). He can nibble on it all he wants now because I know it’s clean!

Creative purpose #5: Again as a babywearing accessory, I used it on my chest so he can lay on it instead of my (sometimes) sweaty/stinky body :p

And for Purpose #6: As a “smelly blanket“ to roll around, cuddle, play, nibble, chew on or play peek-a-boo with! He really loves the colourful patterns on them.

Purpose #7: I also managed to use Cuddly Buddies as an emergency lay-on mat, just lay his head on any unfamiliar or not-so-hygienic-surface, and you’ve got your a clean and comfy enough place to lie on. (Sorry, didn’t manage to take a picture of this)

WHAT I LIKE:

1. As you can very well observe from the pictures, I love Cuddly Buddies because it’s so useful in many ways! Can anyone help me add in other uses for it too?
2. I absolutely love the Minky and Bamboo fabric combination – super soft on BOTH sides!
3. Adore the print of this one very much, and I bet there are other drool-worthy choices too.

TO BE CONSIDERED…

1. Due to the premium materials used (Certified organic bamboo, designer prints), the price for Cuddly Buddies, especially for the Minky & Bamboo fabric combo can be quite high for some parents.

Cuddly Buddies is available from the Baby, Mom & Organic products online store Baby-Mel.com. It can also be obtained with 15% introductory discount from their booth at the 6th Parenthood Expo, from 20-22 August 2010 happening at Midvalley!

Stay tuned for more Angel Mel Collections reviews from me in the coming days

Article by: Farhana Fadzil at http://clothdiapermalaysia.com

Hot Mama Nursing Pads are luxuriously made of 3 layers: Organic bamboo velour, Organic hemp & 100% Merino wool. These are some of the many fun prints you can choose from.

As promised (after the previous review of Cuddly Buddies), here is my next review for Angel Mel Collections’ new product range: the Hot Mama Nursing Pads.

Before that, here’s a little bit about my Breastfeeding Journey so far:

1. I am exclusively breastfeeding my baby for 6 months plus now.
2. I pump early in the morning and right before going to bed to reduce engorgement, and also to have some expressed breast milk stock as back up to use when I’m not with baby.
3. I experience overactive let-down reflex (forceful spraying of milk during breasfeeding), and occasional leaks when I miss a breastfeeding session.
4. I have been a user of reusable/washable breast pads because I think disposable ones are uncomfortable.

WHY USE REUSABLE NURSING PADS?

These are some reasons why I think disposable nursing/breast pads are a waste, and maybe bad for your health too. These are also why I use them 100% now!

• Do you realize how expensive a box of disposable nursing pads are in the market? After calculation, they are around RM1 for just one piece!
• It is quite a waste for your money, and also for the environment, since you are only using nursing pads for a few hours before throwing them away.
• The plastic waterproof backing on the disposable nursing pads are NOT breathable! Just like using disposable pads, they give a feeling of sweatiness and stickiness after some time, ideal grounds for infections and irritations. Having natural materials against your skin, especially so your BREASTS, is healthier and more comfortable too.
• What are in those disposables? Again, nobody knows for sure. Apart from the synthetic materials like plastics and adhesives, what sort of “absorbent material” do they use inside to suck up the moisture? I’ve cut up a disposable breast pad before and found out that they were SYNTHETIC GELS (maybe Sodium Polyacrylate and Tribulytin (TBT)! Eew…
• If you want to read up more about why I think disposable care products are sucky in general, read about “Are Sanitary Pads/Tampons/Diapers Dangerous?”

These are the absorbent gels commonly used in disposable products. [source]

ABOUT HOT MAMA NURSING PADS:

• Made from: Organic bamboo velour (top layer), Organic hemp (inner core), 100% Merino wool (back layer) & 100% Flannel in designer prints (outer part).
• Natural & organic fabrics used are chemical free, anti-bacterial, breathable, helps minimize skin sores and irritations.
• Comes in a wide variety of fun and stylish prints! (as seen in first picture above)

I received 1 pair Hot Mama Nursing Pads in Yellow Flowers (shown below) for reviewing.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

1. Obviously, the prints were the first thing that caught my eye. When I saw the other patterns available, I was already thinking whichI want next
2. Noticed that the nursing pads were not smooth in shape on the outside. It has a slightly pointed tip (like a mini version of Madonna’s outfit in the 80s, hehe)

USAGE

I used them during the day (around 4-5 hours), and all through the night (~10 hours). I  accidentally placed them in the washing machine for prewash, and after it come out, the fabric at the seams seems to frill a little bit. Oops!

WHAT I LIKE:

1. As I expected from an Angel Mel Collections product, the choice of designer prints are simply irresistable! It really makes you feel pretty and sexy (and only you’ll know it )
2. The previous type of nursing pads I have used were cellulose material (a bit rigid and unsoft), so to have soft bamboo velour against my skin is a very pleasant change. It definitely feels more comfortable.
3. It has pretty good absorbency probably due to Hemp material, and I don’t feel like I have to change the pads after each feeding session (even though I have overactive let-down problem).
4. It can last around 5 hours (or more, depending on milk supply) before it feels “wet”, so it’s quite suitable for outings too – for missed feeding sessions/engorgement/nursing in public.

TO BE CONSIDERED…

1. Personally, I prefer my nursing pads to be contoured so it would be smooth on the outside. Tnurse ihe pointed tip of these pads might make it visible over your bra and any tight clothing.
2. I considered them a little bulky due to the many layers. This makes drying time slightly longer compared to my other brands of reusable nursing pads.
3. I would prefer the nursing pads to be wider/large in size so it would sit nicely in the bra and wouldn’t shift around too much. This would also make it more comfortable, to have more bamboo velour  fabric against the , and for better coverage too
4. They’re a little too delicate to be washed in the washing machine, so you have to spend some time to hand wash them.
5. For those used to disposable nursing pads, these are NOT waterproof, so you might experience leaks if you wear them for extended hours (Mine was wet after I used it through the night – I had engorgement).

[source]

CONCLUSION:

I am a firm believer that reusable products are better than disposables. For those new to reusable nursing pads, yes, they are an investment in the beginning (just like cloth diapers), but you can really save a lot of money in the long run. And consider the health benefits too! Since they’re reusable, they might add up to your laundry, but have a good stash in hand so you can rotate their usage and have some spares too.

Angel Mel Collections’ Hot Mama Nursing Pads are really pretty compared to your usual nursing pads, but I suggest you have one or two of these to wear outside, or even at home to make you feel not only cheerful and pretty, but also for its function – comfort, health benefits and absorbency

Hot Mama Nursing Pads are available from the Baby, Mom & Organic products online store Baby-Mel.com. It can also be obtained with 20% introductory discount from their booth at the 6th Parenthood Expo, from 20-22 August 2010 happening at Midvalley!

Stay tuned for another new Angel Mel Collections product review from me in the next few days!

Article by: Farhana Fadzil at http://clothdiapermalaysia.com

Dengue Fever  – Swine Flu Alert

What is Dengue fever?
Dengue fever (pronounced Den-gay) is a viral infection caused by the female mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). Dengue fever occurs  in tropical and sub-tropical regions and usually increases in the hot and humid months. Dengue fever is not a new disease. It was discovered several hundred years ago. In recent years, dengue fever has become a major international public health concern.

Dengue fever nicknamed “breakbone fever” because dengue patients usually express contorted movements due to intense joint and muscle pain. Benjamin Rush from Philadelphia, US, first described “breakbone fever” in 1780. Slaves who developed dengue fever in the West Indies were said to  have “dandy fever” because of their posture and gait.

Dengue fever lasts for approximately 7 days, despite its sudden and acute onset. However, extra precautions should be taken after the recovery period. These precautions will help prevent severe illness from occurring in some people, such as dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS).  These illnesses are potentially lethal and are today the leading cause of childhood mortality in several Asian countries.

How is Dengue fever transmitted?
Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans (host) through the bites of the female striped Aedes aegypti mosquito (vector). This variety of mosquito breeds easily  during the rainy seasons but can flourish in peridomestic fresh water, e.g. water that is stored in plastic bags, cans, flowerpots and old tires. The dengue virus is  transmitted to its host during probing and blood feeding. The mosquito may carry the virus from one host to another host and the mosquito is most active in the early morning and later afternoon. A mosquito bite can cause the disease. Incubation period occurs when the viruses has been transmitted to the human host. The period ranges from 3 to 15 days (usually lasting for 5-8 days) before the characteristics of dengue appear. During incubation time, the dengue viruses multiply.

What are the characteristics of Dengue fever?
The Dengue virus travels to various glands in the body where it multiples. It then travels to the bloodstream, affecting some changes to these blood vessels. The virus may cause the blood vessels to swell and leak. The spleen and lymph nodes may also become swollen. Patches of liver tissue may die. Furthermore, a process known as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs. During this process, chemicals used to clot blood are used up, and thus severe bleeding (hemorrhage) occurs internally as well as the skin.

The signs and symptoms of Dengue fever are as follows:

- High fever (104 F, 40°C)
- Chills
- Headache
- Red eyes, pain in the eyes
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Deep muscle and joint pains (during first hours of illness)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low blood pressure and heart rate
- Extreme fatigue

Basically, dengue commences with high fever and other signs as listed above for 2 to 4 days. Then, the temperature drops rapidly and intense sweating takes place. After about a day with normal temperature and a feeling of well-being, the temperature rises abruptly again. Rashes (small red bumps) show up on the arms, legs and the entire body simultaneously along with fever. However, rashes rarely occur on the face. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet may be swollen and bright red.  Although the patient may feel exhausted for several weeks, most cases of dengue take approximately one week to recover. Once a person recovers from dengue, he or  she will have antibodies in their bloodstream which will prevent them from having a relapse for about a year.

Treatment
There is no specific treatment to shorten the course of dengue fever. Medications are given to alleviate the signs and symptoms. Aspirin should not be given to patients. It will cause severe bleeding. Hence, it is advisable to take paracetamol to relieve muscle and joint aches, fever and headache. The patient may be required to be sponged down with water at room temperature using a wet, squeezed out towel for about 20 minutes at a time. This will help to help lower the high temperature. Ice water should not be used for this purpose. However, bed rest is essential to a speedy recovery and the patient should consume plenty of water which will help to alleviate the illness. Patients should be kept in a room that has screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering or else under mosquito netting until the second period of fever has subsided. Hence, mosquitoes  cannot bite them. If the patient is bitten then the dengue virus may be transmitted to the mosquito and then to another host.

What is Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF)?
Dengue hemorrhagic fever occurs when the dengue virus re-infects a person who previously has experienced dengue fever. In this case, the previous infection teaches the immune  system to recognize the virus, resulting in the immune system over reacting. DHF is also known as dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and the symptoms in this case are severe. It is  a potential fatal immunological reaction and tends to affect children under 15 years old.

The signs and symptoms of DHF are as follows:

- Abdominal pain
- Hemorrhage (severe bleeding)
- Circulatory collapse (shock)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding of the nose and gums
- Sore throat and cough
- Pneumonia
- Inflammation of the heart
- Blood in the stool
- High fever (40 -41 C)

The initial symptoms of DHF are high fever and severe headache. Small purplish spots (petechiae) can be seen on the skin. This is because blood is leaking out of the vessels. Large  bruised areas appear due to severe bleeding. Sometimes, patients may begin to vomit a substance that appears as coffee grounds. This is actually a sign of bleeding in the stomach. The severe hemorrhage results in a decrease of blood in the body. The low blood flow will unable to maintain adequate supply of blood to meet the metabolic requests of the cells in the body. This state of low blood flow is the defined as Dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

Patients with DHF must be closely monitored for the first few days until their condition is stabilized. The patient’s condition may suddenly worsen after few days if the fever has not subsided. The temperature will then suddenly drop and the patient shows signs of circulatory failure. The patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock (DSS) and die within 12 to 24 hours. However,  he or she may recover quickly after appropriate volume replacement therapy. Fluids are infused to patients to avoid dehydration. Sometimes, blood transfusions may be necessary if severe  bleeding occurs. In addition, oxygen is given to cyanotic (bluish) patients.

Prevention and Control
At present, the only method of preventing and controlling dengue fever is to eradicate the mosquito population.

They are a number of ways to combat the vector mosquitoes:

- Improved water storage practices. Cover all containers to prevent egg laying female mosquitoes access to it.

- Implement proper solid waste disposal.

- Eliminate any sources that may collect water such as tins, bottles, plastic food containers and old tires. Mosquitoes breed easily in any source of standing water.

- Appropriate insecticides, such as larvicide’s can be added to water containers and man-made ponds. The insecticides can prevent mosquitoes breeding for several weeks. However, they  must be re-applied as per directions.

- Always clean and check drains to ensure they are not blocked especially during the rainy season.

- Breed small mosquito-eating fishes in an artificial pond to eradicate the mosquito larvae.

In addition to the above, there are a number of factors to help prevent the mosquito being attracted to human prey.

- Avoid wearing dark and tight clothing because mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Wear loose, white and long clothes, which cover the whole body. Mosquitoes find it difficult to bite through loose clothes than tight fitting clothes.

- Environmental conditions. It is suggested to sleep under mosquito netting or in a room which has mosquito screens on the windows. Mosquitoes are unlikely to bite in an air-conditioned  room and under strong fans. Mosquito coils are also useful to help prevent mosquitoes from entering the room.

- Apply mosquito repellants.

- Avoid reduce outdoor activities during morning and late afternoon because Aedes mosquitoes are daytime feeders.

(Dengue Alert in Selangor,  March 2009)

Other health related articles:

Hand Foot Mouth Disease HFMD info, symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment in Malaysia

Chikungunya fever, symptoms and the prevention in Malaysia

Bird/Avian Flu information and fact

Article Source :  http://www.expat.com.my/dengue.htm

Arabella Greatorex is the owner of Natural Nursery, an online store selling organic and fairly traded  products  for families including breast pads, baby slings, baby carriers, organic clothing and nappies, fairly traded toys and natural toiletries.

Arabella is passionate about helping new parents choose the right products for their new baby. The right nursing pads, baby sling or the right reusable nappies can make the world of a difference for the family.