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Your Baby’s Precious Vision: Know the Red Flags that May Signal Eye Problems

June 2, 2016 by admin

There are so many things to worry about as a parent and the eye health of your baby will be one of them. However, understanding the potential eye problems your baby could be born with, or could develop, will help to ensure that your baby’s eyes are healthy and that they mature as they should.

In order to avoid any visual impairments, diagnosing any eye problems as early as possible is crucial. The types of problems that may arise could be congenital (i.e. hereditary) or they could develop after birth. At the first neonatal check, a baby’s eyes should be examined to identify any potential structural problems such as retinoblastoma, ptosis, corneal opacity and cataracts. Should anything be found, your child should be referred directly to a paediatric ophthalmologist.

If these aren’t diagnosed early enough and the right treatments aren’t provided, it could have long-term consequences. Despite increasing amounts of medical advancements with things such as laser eye surgery, early detection will lead to better prevention.

Congenital Eye Problems

There are a number of ways in which your baby could develop a congenital eye problem, with the most common cause being a genetic disorder. Diseases such as Marfan’s syndrome, albinism and anophthalmia are all types of genetic conditions that can be passed onto your children. Should you or your partner have a condition that affects the eyes, you should be extra vigilant for any signs in your baby.

Other causes of these types of problems include infections, the intrauterine effects of alcohol or drugs, and maternal diabetes. Defects to the globe of the eye, the eyelids, the cornea, the pupil and iris, the retina and the lens are all congenital problems that can occur in babies.

Problems that Occur After Birth

Babies can also develop eye problems after birth. This could be caused by something like conjunctivitis during the first month of their life (ophthalmia neonatorum). Or, it could be a condition like amblyopia, which can happen during a baby’s first 2 to 3 years and is caused by sensory deprivation during this critical retinal development stage.

Knowing the Warning Signs

Whether you’re concerned about your baby’s eye health or not, there are a number of signs you can look out for that may indicate underlying problems. Watch out for any signs that your baby is tearing excessively or if there is any irritation to the eye area as this could indicate a problem with the tear ducts or an eye infection.

Take note of how your baby reacts to the light because any sensitivity they demonstrate towards it may be indicative of high eye pressure. Monitor how your baby’s eyes move and be mindful of any signs that your baby’s muscles aren’t developing properly – e.g. one eye moving in a different direction to the other may point towards strabismus.

Your baby will receive eye tests at the start of their life as part of their routine check-ups but it’s vital that you continue these. As a child’s eyes rapidly develop, particularly during the first few years of their life, regular screenings are a must, especially if there are any known problems running in the family.

Sebastian Pearce is a Dad who has become knowledgeable on eyesight issues due to his young sons low vision. He wants to raise awareness with his articles and offer support to other parents experiencing similar issues.

6 Meals You must Try in Semarang

May 12, 2016 by admin

Semarang has loads of options to delight and amaze your tastebuds – everything from very modest food stalls to spectacular fancy restaurants, and almost every dish you come across can be amazing. This central Java city has plenty to attract those in search of great food and decent places to stay and if you appreciate simple online hotels booking Whiz Hotel Semarang makes things easy. The design of the building is awesome and the rooms are clean, comfortable and smell good. Hungry yet?

Lekker
Lekker (similar to what Europe serves as a crêpe) are different across Indonesia. Unlike the ones in Jakarta which are thin and crunchy and only come with chocolate the local favourite, Lekker Paimo comes in a variety of flavours. They are I can absolute taste sensation, you’ll never be able to have just one.

Loenpia

This is an absolute classic dish and one you will find served at all levels of gastronomy, right across the city. These flavoursome little spring rolls full of bamboo shoots, dried shrimp, chicken, and prawns are a real local favourite so you’ll see plenty of varieties. If you really want the best go for loenpia gang lombok or loenpia mbak lien.

Tahu Pong
Fried tofu can be a bit hit or miss, if it’s not flavoured properly it can be quite bland. However, served the local way it’s creamier inside than the normal white tofu, and with a splash of plecing (sweet sauce) it is absolutely delicious. This is one of the traditional foods of the area and you might see it alongside other favourites such as sliced raw cabbage, rice cake, egg, and shrimp fried with flour.

Wingko Babat

This is one of the dishes this city is known for. These luscious little pancakes with grated coconut have a subtle but striking flavour and make a good snack for any time of the day. Get them in either a large, plate-sized cake or small, paper wrapped nuggets of delicious.This one is to be particularly recommended, don’t leave without trying one.

Presto Milkfish
Seafood is always good in this town but this flavoursome dish of fish steamed in banana leaves. Packed full of spices there is enough ginger, turmeric and roasted coriander in the recipe t really pack a punch. When the fish goes in it’s covered in little spikes but the high-pressure cooking method leaves them soft and add texture to this traditional dish. Don’t be put off, they’re a real treat.

There’s lots of European influence to Semarang food and it’s a delight to get stuck into these tasty and fragrant local dishes. Wherever you go you’ll find great value and even greater variety. Go on, get stuck in!

The Best Places in England for a Cycling Break

April 29, 2016 by admin

If cycling is your thing then perhaps you should consider spending your next vacation on a cycling holiday. England has some absolutely fantastic places for you to cycle and many areas that are fully geared up for those looking for a biking holiday. Such is the varied landscape of England, there are lots of options for cyclists whether you prefer some adrenalin fuelled downhill biking, some casual cycling along flat roads or something a little more arduous like a cycling tour. In order to help you decide where to go, here is a run down of some of England’s best locations for a cycling holiday.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire has steadily grown a reputation as one of the best places to cycle in the UK, so much so that the 2015 Tour de France actually started in the English county. The Yorkshire Dales is where you should be heading if you are looking for a cycling holiday, a vast region of fields, greenery, wooded areas and most importantly, plenty of cycling trails. The Dales attracts thousands of cyclists each year and as such there is something of a community that has built up over the years which means there is plenty of people to help you find your way and plenty of options for you if you have any troubles.

Cornwall

If cycling along beautifully rugged coastal terrain is what you’re after then look no further than Cornwall on England’s south coast. This part of England has a far milder climate than the rest of the country giving you more days to be able to cycle and along it’s coastline has some beautiful little fishing villages and some busy harbour towns as well. There is a trek available that will take you right the way along the Cornish coast taking in places like Newquay, Padstow and St. Ives, beautiful places to see and lots of options for accommodation in all. Generally speaking the roads are flat and not too arduous but there are some rugged areas to watch out for, remember to stay safe when you cycle and use a helmet, head to Simpson Millar for some more information on how to stay safe when you cycle and what to do if you have an accident.

Lake District

The Lake District is a national park in the North of England, an area that is considered by many as an ideal location for hikers and climbers. Whilst this is true, it is also a perfect location for cyclists of all types. Firstly, there is a huge variety of accommodation available from B and B’s to hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Secondly there are over 100 cycling routes that have been mapped out around these areas that range greatly in difficulty from slow climbs to heart pumping downhill tracks. Finally, you will be cycling through some of the finest landscape in the country, amongst flora and fauna, lakes, mountains and forests, a perfect combination.

Baby on Board: The Fascinating Phenomenon of Daddy Nesting

April 22, 2016 by admin

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Men have slowly but surely become more involved in everything related to raising a child and a modern day father will often be tasked with changing diapers and feeding or bathing their child on a regular basis.

Fatherhood has definitely evolved and yet there is one phenomenon that many still think is exclusive to a pregnant mother, which is the urge to “nest” when the delivery date draws closer.

It now seems that expectant fathers are also prone to this behavior pattern when fatherhood is close to becoming a reality. Daddy nesting can take various forms. It might be that that they clear the yard in preparation, or they might decide to order some new seat covers from Shear Comfort for example, so that the family car is comfortable and ready for the new arrival.

Mothers it seems are not alone in getting that urge to build a nest as it were, so here is a look at the phenomenon of daddy nesting.

Keeping their precious cargo safe

A prime example of daddy nesting is to choose a safe family car or to review the current safety features in their existing vehicle.

A common theme amongst nesting fathers is to decide that now is a good time to review their transportation needs. A sporty model simply doesn’t seem right it seems, once fatherhood approaches, drawing expectant fathers to a family wagon like never before.

Becoming a parent changes your sense of responsibility and dads-to-be realize that they need a car that will accommodate a car seat and give them enough space for all the bits and pieces they will be carrying around when traveling with a baby on board in the future.

Nesting habits around the house

The nesting urge can strike fathers in all sorts of different ways and some of them might seem trivial, but in the eyes of an expectant daddy, they matter.

Although a baby will not be wandering around the house or the garage for some time to come, a pending arrival tends to focus the dad’s mind on how to make sure their tools and equipment are safely stored and maybe get rid of any items that are no longer required, if their man-cave is going to become family friendly.

If you are a father awaiting the birth of your first child, you may also find yourself staring at everyday objects like the garbage can, and wondering whether you need to get a bigger one that will cope with extra waste like diapers.

All in the hormones

Many of us understand that pregnant women will be heavily influenced by their hormones at certain times throughout their pregnancy, which is perfectly logical when you consider that a mother’s estrogen and progesterone levels can be up to three times their normal level with a baby on board, but dad’s hormones also get affected.

It seems that certain pheromones emanate from the mother’s sweat glands, causing the fathers testosterone levels to drop and his prolactin hormone to rise, which stimulates his paternal instincts.

This means that if you are anxiously awaiting the birth of your child, your body is taken over by the same sort of instincts that expectant mothers feel and you are being mentally prepared for the excitement and responsibilities of parenthood.

Time for construction

If you are a nervous father-to-be waiting for the big day, your nest building instincts will almost certainly fill you with an irresistible urge to start building what you need for the new baby.

Building the cot and putting up those extra shelves will be something you positively want to do, as your nesting instincts take hold.

Lewis Hutchinson is a new Dad who works as a life coach. Having a newborn in his life has changed his outlook on some things, and he is taking his first-hand experiences into consideration when coaching others, particularly men on the road to Fatherhood.

Benefits Beyond the Game: Boosting Child Development Using the Family Card Night

April 13, 2016 by admin

Kids are smart enough to know that play time is more fun than school time. However, they are not experienced enough to know that learning is good in itself and can be fun too. If your kid has a tough time with school work, you’ll be happy to know that you can help them develop skills at home. Even better, since you’ll be playing cards, your child will be more willing to learn and have fun doing it.

Good Winner

Of course, all people like the feeling of winning and no one likes to lose. Yet it takes emotional intelligence and a great attitude to be a good winner. A good winner feels great about winning yet remains humble and considers the feelings of those who have lost. Moreover, it takes a special person to lose and see it as an opportunity to get over it and try again. Winning and losing at cards helps children become more emotionally intelligent, which is a skill they will need in and out of school for their entire lives.

Extraverted Player

There is nothing wrong with being an introvert. Plenty of healthy, smart, and successful people are introverts. However, it can be hard for child introverts to be more social, especially in school settings. When it comes to participating in class, learning to be more social can help kids gain a higher sense of self esteem, especially if they enjoy a subject and can supply the correct answers. Playing cards in a family setting helps kids become more socialized versus retreating to their rooms or hiding behind a phone or video game screen.

Computational Skills

Particular card games require computation. This is a great opportunity for your child to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers. To give them added practice, you can make them the ‘official’ scorer, which would require them to compute the scores for all players or teams of the game.

Increased Memory

The brain functions like a muscle; areas of the brain grow stronger with increased activation. A particular portion of the brain is responsible for short term memory. Card games, such as Memory, help children become better players as well as strengthen their long and short-term memory. If your child is a fan of Memory, find similar family card games online.

Boosted Confidence

Depending on a child’s natural abilities, some school work may come easy to them. Most of the work at school will pose certain levels of challenge, which can be stressful and test a child’s confidence. Confidence is built through experiences. Children feel better about themselves by doing things successfully as well as when they overcome mental obstacles. Playing card games boosts confidence as children learn how to play and get better.

Followed Instructions

Games have instructions just like schoolwork and tasks within the workplace. Children benefit from learning how to play by the rules and follow instructions. It requires diligence and discipline to learn the rules and play accordingly. Moreover, children can teach younger siblings and older family members how to play games, which strengthens social skills.

Dominic Hicks is raising 4 kids with his wife. He enjoys writing on family topics once the kids are tucked up in bed and he has 5 minutes to himself.