You don’t have to stop travelling once baby arrives. The keys to enjoying smooth air travel?
Proper planning and staying calm.
What’s the best age for air travel?
Baby is never too young to travel, except for his first seven days. In fact, the younger baby is, the more low-maintenance he is.
What medication/immunisations does baby need?
Before international trips, allow four to six weeks to meet with your child’s doctor for advice about medications and immunisations. Keep a copy of your child’s vaccination records on your trip. Avoid giving baby sedatives on long flights as it can have the reverse effect. Sucking on a preferred drink can have the same soothing effect.
Plan-ahead strategies
1) When reserving your flight, say you’re travelling with an infant. Ask for a flight that’s not fully booked and get a front-row seat (for more leg room). Often, these seats are also near the toilets, so you can change baby’s diapers urgently.
2) Book a bassinette for baby to sleep in during the flight.
3) Arrive at the airport early to check in before the queue starts forming.
4) Look for flights that won’t upset your baby’s routine, like night flights or those that coincide with baby’s naptime.
5) If you’re changing planes, ask for a courtesy cart between gates.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
How to clean your Bundle of joy
How To Clean Your Baby From Top To Toe
Even when they perspire, babies are never so dirty they need to be scrubbed. Still, a warm daily wash is good to help baby relax before bed. Plus, it’s bonding time with your new bundle of joy.
How often must I bathe baby?
Until your baby is crawling, it isn’t necessary to bathe him everyday. What's important is to wash his face and clean his genitals after each nappy change. Other areas to focus on are his hands, neck and skin creases, where accumulated sweat and dirt may lead to skin irritation. When bathing him, keep a good grip.
Where should I bathe baby?
A small plastic baby bathtub is ideal for HDB bathrooms. He'll feel more secure with you and enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. If your baby is small enough, bathroom sinks are also good, as they are at a convenient height. But cover metal taps and use a non-slip bath mat or towel.
What do I need?
The key to making bath times special is to set aside a time when you are both relaxed, and have everything you need for washing, drying and changing close by:
1. Large towel
2. Mild baby soap
3. Wash cloth
4. Cotton wool
5. Bath toys
6. Clean diaper
7. Diaper changing cream
8. Fresh clothes
How do I bathe baby?
Close the windows to prevent baby catching a chill.
Fill the bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of warm water (use your elbow or wrist to check that the water isn’t too hot or cold). Add a squirt of soap.
Bring baby to the bath area and undress him.
Gradually slip him into the bath, one hand supporting his neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly so he doesn't get cold.
Wash him with your hand or a soft washcloth or sponge from top to bottom, front to back. Rinse your baby thoroughly.
Wrap him in a towel and pat him dry. If his skin is dry, apply a mild lotion before dressing him.
Top To Toe Cleaning Guide
Head:
Rinse baby’s head with soapy water and pat dry. You can also use a little baby shampoo and a soft bristle brush to prevent cradle cap or what looks like dandruff. Don’t pick at the scales, as it will cause the scalp to flake even more. Instead, smear a little baby oil on baby’s hair to dissolve the flakes, so they become soft and loose and can be easily washed off the next day.
Eyes:
Get two pieces of cotton wool, one for each eye, squeezed in warm water. Hold the cotton over baby’s closed eye and gently wipe across, from the inside corner out.
Nose:
If there is any dried mucous around his nose, use cotton wool squeezed in warm water to dab the area.
Ears:
A gentle wipe with a soft washcloth or cotton wool squeezed in warm water will do. Don’t try to scrape wax off baby’s ears; it is antiseptic and traps dust and dirt, preventing them from getting to the eardrum. Removing it may only cause irritation and more wax to form.
Mouth:
It’s good to start cleaning his mouth early, so he gets used to the idea and won’t have problems with brushing in future. Wrap a small piece of sterile gauze around your finger and dip in cool boiled water. Gently wipe his lips, and then massage baby’s gums to clean and stimulate them. Next, gently swipe across the top of the tongue to remove the white film of milk.
Neck:
Baby’s neck, along with other areas like the thighs and armpits, should be cleaned by running a soapy finger along them. Avoid baby powder as it tends to accumulate in these areas and cause irritation.
Skin:
Use a mild soap formulated for infants as regular ones strip off the protective natural oils. Or try no-rinse formulas.
Umbilical cord:
After baby is born, his umbilical cord is clamped and cut close to his body in a painless procedure, leaving a stump. Within 10 to 21 days, this dries up and drops off, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal. The area must be kept clean and dry, and some hospitals give surgical swabs to clean the area after bath. Keep diapers below the stump so it's exposed to the air and not to urine. When the stump falls off, you may notice a little blood, which is normal.
Hands and feet:
As babies frequently put their hands and feet in their mouth, these should be wiped with a washcloth moistened with warm water regularly.
Nails:
Many newborns have long, and often, sharp fingernails and toenails. Avoid cutting his nails during his initial few weeks as they are very soft and may bleed. Put on mittens and booties to keep him from scratching himself. When the nails have hardened a little, trim them using baby nail clippers or baby scissors. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid cutting the skin, and keep a firm hold on your child's hand as you cut. Alternatively, peel the ends off with their fingers, or bite them off.
Genitals:
During diaper changes, use a cotton squeezed in warm water to wipe the exterior diaper area, then apply some diaper changing cream like Drapolene or Mustella to protect against nappy rash. If the child has pooped, simply use the diaper to wipe most of the poop off his bottom then clean the bottom using wet wipes or moistened cotton. Then apply the diaper changing cream.
BOYS: Avoid bubble baths, as they can be drying and irritating to penile tissue. Cleaning the external area is sufficient. For the circumcised, clean with soap and water as with normal bathing. For the first few days after circumcision, the penis may look quite red and you may notice a yellowish discharge, but don’t be alarmed as this indicates the penis is healing normally.
GIRLS: With a moist washcloth, wipe the area from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria from her anus to her vagina or bladder, which causes infection. Her genitals may appear swollen and red, or there may be a clear, white or slightly bloody discharge — all are normal in the first weeks. But if they persist after six weeks, consult a doctor.
Even when they perspire, babies are never so dirty they need to be scrubbed. Still, a warm daily wash is good to help baby relax before bed. Plus, it’s bonding time with your new bundle of joy.
How often must I bathe baby?
Until your baby is crawling, it isn’t necessary to bathe him everyday. What's important is to wash his face and clean his genitals after each nappy change. Other areas to focus on are his hands, neck and skin creases, where accumulated sweat and dirt may lead to skin irritation. When bathing him, keep a good grip.
Where should I bathe baby?
A small plastic baby bathtub is ideal for HDB bathrooms. He'll feel more secure with you and enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. If your baby is small enough, bathroom sinks are also good, as they are at a convenient height. But cover metal taps and use a non-slip bath mat or towel.
What do I need?
The key to making bath times special is to set aside a time when you are both relaxed, and have everything you need for washing, drying and changing close by:
1. Large towel
2. Mild baby soap
3. Wash cloth
4. Cotton wool
5. Bath toys
6. Clean diaper
7. Diaper changing cream
8. Fresh clothes
How do I bathe baby?
Close the windows to prevent baby catching a chill.
Fill the bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of warm water (use your elbow or wrist to check that the water isn’t too hot or cold). Add a squirt of soap.
Bring baby to the bath area and undress him.
Gradually slip him into the bath, one hand supporting his neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly so he doesn't get cold.
Wash him with your hand or a soft washcloth or sponge from top to bottom, front to back. Rinse your baby thoroughly.
Wrap him in a towel and pat him dry. If his skin is dry, apply a mild lotion before dressing him.
Top To Toe Cleaning Guide
Head:
Rinse baby’s head with soapy water and pat dry. You can also use a little baby shampoo and a soft bristle brush to prevent cradle cap or what looks like dandruff. Don’t pick at the scales, as it will cause the scalp to flake even more. Instead, smear a little baby oil on baby’s hair to dissolve the flakes, so they become soft and loose and can be easily washed off the next day.
Eyes:
Get two pieces of cotton wool, one for each eye, squeezed in warm water. Hold the cotton over baby’s closed eye and gently wipe across, from the inside corner out.
Nose:
If there is any dried mucous around his nose, use cotton wool squeezed in warm water to dab the area.
Ears:
A gentle wipe with a soft washcloth or cotton wool squeezed in warm water will do. Don’t try to scrape wax off baby’s ears; it is antiseptic and traps dust and dirt, preventing them from getting to the eardrum. Removing it may only cause irritation and more wax to form.
Mouth:
It’s good to start cleaning his mouth early, so he gets used to the idea and won’t have problems with brushing in future. Wrap a small piece of sterile gauze around your finger and dip in cool boiled water. Gently wipe his lips, and then massage baby’s gums to clean and stimulate them. Next, gently swipe across the top of the tongue to remove the white film of milk.
Neck:
Baby’s neck, along with other areas like the thighs and armpits, should be cleaned by running a soapy finger along them. Avoid baby powder as it tends to accumulate in these areas and cause irritation.
Skin:
Use a mild soap formulated for infants as regular ones strip off the protective natural oils. Or try no-rinse formulas.
Umbilical cord:
After baby is born, his umbilical cord is clamped and cut close to his body in a painless procedure, leaving a stump. Within 10 to 21 days, this dries up and drops off, leaving a small wound that may take a few days to heal. The area must be kept clean and dry, and some hospitals give surgical swabs to clean the area after bath. Keep diapers below the stump so it's exposed to the air and not to urine. When the stump falls off, you may notice a little blood, which is normal.
Hands and feet:
As babies frequently put their hands and feet in their mouth, these should be wiped with a washcloth moistened with warm water regularly.
Nails:
Many newborns have long, and often, sharp fingernails and toenails. Avoid cutting his nails during his initial few weeks as they are very soft and may bleed. Put on mittens and booties to keep him from scratching himself. When the nails have hardened a little, trim them using baby nail clippers or baby scissors. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid cutting the skin, and keep a firm hold on your child's hand as you cut. Alternatively, peel the ends off with their fingers, or bite them off.
Genitals:
During diaper changes, use a cotton squeezed in warm water to wipe the exterior diaper area, then apply some diaper changing cream like Drapolene or Mustella to protect against nappy rash. If the child has pooped, simply use the diaper to wipe most of the poop off his bottom then clean the bottom using wet wipes or moistened cotton. Then apply the diaper changing cream.
BOYS: Avoid bubble baths, as they can be drying and irritating to penile tissue. Cleaning the external area is sufficient. For the circumcised, clean with soap and water as with normal bathing. For the first few days after circumcision, the penis may look quite red and you may notice a yellowish discharge, but don’t be alarmed as this indicates the penis is healing normally.
GIRLS: With a moist washcloth, wipe the area from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria from her anus to her vagina or bladder, which causes infection. Her genitals may appear swollen and red, or there may be a clear, white or slightly bloody discharge — all are normal in the first weeks. But if they persist after six weeks, consult a doctor.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square
Is this a good Hotel?
YOU DECIDE......................
2)
Just came from Thailand after spending 3 weeks in Bangkok on business. I stayed at the Novotel in Siam Square as it is a very central location close to the business district, Siam BTS station, shopping and entertainment venues and most major highway routes. The location is good but this hotel has some serious issues in the food hygiene department. The breakfast and lunch buffets are quite comprehensive with something to suit all tastes but I was very put off by having to compete with the 'creepy crawly' cockroaches at the buffet so after that experience I ordered 'A la Carte from the Chinese restuarant which has a good dim sum menu. I showed two different staff members the cockroaches on the sushi and on the cold meats at the buffets but they didn't seem to bothered and shrugged it off. The Chinese restuarant is a much more professional outfit although I was disappointed to see more cockroaches there too. This hotel needs an exterminator bad. If you see 6 or 7 roaches crawling around, you know there are so many more 'behind the scenes'. The hotel has a nightclub. As a woman I felt uncomfortable with the open 'flesh trade'. A lot of single men and working girls. The pool is small in this hotel, but the spa is good. The girls at the spa were very helpful and welcoming. Would I go back? I would if they dealt with the bug infestation and cleaned up the place. Location is really good. By all means stay there but skip the food and club is really "men only".
3)
Some Pic :
Comments by others:
1)
This is such a wonderful hotel with such lovely staff it is such a shame that this hotel seems to have a cockroach problem. On 2 occasions I saw cockroaches walking around the food area in the buffet. I remember I stayed here 2 years ago too and saw one but thought it was a one off thing, but this time it confirmed they have a problem. These are not the big ones but those small german ones and they say if you see one that means there are hundreds of them. Because of this we will have to stay elsewhere which is a real letdown because it is quite a good hotel with wonderful staff but this really needs to be looked at by management ASAP as I have seen another reviewer found them in their room. Novotel please sort it out.
This is such a wonderful hotel with such lovely staff it is such a shame that this hotel seems to have a cockroach problem. On 2 occasions I saw cockroaches walking around the food area in the buffet. I remember I stayed here 2 years ago too and saw one but thought it was a one off thing, but this time it confirmed they have a problem. These are not the big ones but those small german ones and they say if you see one that means there are hundreds of them. Because of this we will have to stay elsewhere which is a real letdown because it is quite a good hotel with wonderful staff but this really needs to be looked at by management ASAP as I have seen another reviewer found them in their room. Novotel please sort it out.
2)
Just came from Thailand after spending 3 weeks in Bangkok on business. I stayed at the Novotel in Siam Square as it is a very central location close to the business district, Siam BTS station, shopping and entertainment venues and most major highway routes. The location is good but this hotel has some serious issues in the food hygiene department. The breakfast and lunch buffets are quite comprehensive with something to suit all tastes but I was very put off by having to compete with the 'creepy crawly' cockroaches at the buffet so after that experience I ordered 'A la Carte from the Chinese restuarant which has a good dim sum menu. I showed two different staff members the cockroaches on the sushi and on the cold meats at the buffets but they didn't seem to bothered and shrugged it off. The Chinese restuarant is a much more professional outfit although I was disappointed to see more cockroaches there too. This hotel needs an exterminator bad. If you see 6 or 7 roaches crawling around, you know there are so many more 'behind the scenes'. The hotel has a nightclub. As a woman I felt uncomfortable with the open 'flesh trade'. A lot of single men and working girls. The pool is small in this hotel, but the spa is good. The girls at the spa were very helpful and welcoming. Would I go back? I would if they dealt with the bug infestation and cleaned up the place. Location is really good. By all means stay there but skip the food and club is really "men only".
3)
One of the best 4* Hotels with great location and offers an Azazing breakfast!. Right in the heart of the shopping district with 6 storey malls airconditioned malls and plenty of food outlets in this buzzing part of Bangkok. Although a popular place for teenagers to hang out and date! the Hotel itself offerd good size rooms with good room facilities and one of the biggest TV's I have seen in a hotel room. The decor could do with an update and as we found out that during our stay , the Hotel was undergoing renovation. As indicated by a tripadvisor review , we too were put up in the 7th floor and realised only in the secind day that there was loads of noise and were told the Hotel was undergoing renovations. I complained to the Hotel manager that the should clearly state this on their website or agencies and it was not known to us. Although work was supposed to stop at 6P.M , we could hear noises till 9 P.M as they admitted they were trying ti rush the work and despite several complains the noise did not stop and we could not be ask to pack and unpack for another floor for an extra night so instead we were given the room for an extra hald day at no extra charge. Staff were extremly friendly and great lift service with a pleasant tasty breakfast with great variety. The lobby area was very busy and this was expected with the size of the Hotel. With renovations I can expect this Hotel to to stand out even more than it current does. We also found the massage and beauty centre offered inside the Hotel to be of a very high standard and worth the price. We went to the top most floor to get a view of Bangkok and the floors at the top are really exclusive with muich better decor - I guess these were the executive rooms. I would highly recommend this Hotel for a short stay in Bangkok. Half a hour drive via the expressway from the airport.
Some Pic :
Sunday, April 13, 2008
THE EYE OF JUDGMENT™ - Biolith Rebellion Set
"More Than Meets the Eye"
Because I can't be assured that everyone who is looking to buy this game knows what a CCG is, I will briefly explain. A CCG is a collectible card game. Players buy packs (3.99 a piece, maybe less on ebay) or theme decks (14.99 a piece) from a store or online vendor, and use the cards found inside to play a game against other players. The cards found inside range from common, uncommon, and rare, to ultra-rare. Each pack contains 5 commons, 2 uncommons, and either a rare or an ultra-rare. Each card does something different when used. Cards are the essence of a CCG, and this is true of EOJ.
Gameplay: 9/10
(I'll do the bad note first. There is no ‘campaign' mode. You can play against the computer on various levels of difficulty, but the matches are just skirmishes. For that reason, and that reason alone, Eye of Judgment loses a point for game play. Everything else is perfect)
I can't say enough about this aspect of The Eye of Judgment (EOJ). For those who have played Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, YuGiOh, or any other CCG, there is more than enough depth for you to wrap your fingers around. For those that haven't, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
Eye of Judgment's gameplay revolves around a 3x3 grid on which creatures are placed. This grid is set on a table or floor in front of the player, and the Playstation Eye (which comes with the game) is set up to look down on the playing field. When a card is placed on the field, it scans it in and the card shows up on your television to both you and your opponent. The first player to have 5 creatures on the grid wins. That's where it stops being simple.
Players exchange ‘turns' while playing the game.
A turn consists of 5 phases:
-The draw phase (draw a card)
-The energy phase (receive 2 energy)
-The action phase (use spells, or attack with summoned creatures)
-The summoning phase (summon a creature)
-The resolution phase (resolve any remaining actions)
Each ‘turn' a player receives 2 energy and draws a card from their deck of 30 cards. That energy can be used to cast spells, summon creatures, or activate the abilities of creatures already in play (such as attacking). Energy can also be saved and carried over to the next turn. Each creature has a set of attack directions, defense directions, and possibly a back side. When a creature is placed on the grid, the player decides what direction to face the creature (N, S, E or W). If it was just summoned the creature immediately attacks in its attack direction (which could be the space directly ahead of it, two spaces ahead of it, to the left and the right of it, the whole 3x3 grid, etc.). If possible, the creature is then counterattacked, and the turn ends. Only one creature can be summoned per turn, and for 1 energy, a creature can be rotated 90 degrees once a turn.
There are a TON more rules and interesting things to say about the gameplay, but I'm trying my best to keep this short, so here are two last points. There are 5 types of creatures in the game (wood, earth, fire, water, and biolith). On the 9 square grid, each square represents an element. In the default position, there are 2 grids for each element around the edges, and a biolith square in the middle. When a card is placed on it's matching element, it gets 2 additional hitpoints. When it is placed on it's opposite element, it gets 2 hit points taken away. When it is placed on a neutral element, there are no bonuses or penalties. Biolith are neutral to all elements. Also, these squares can be ‘flipped' over by use of spells or abilities, changing the element of the square.Last, there are already restrictions in place on the most powerful cards. Restrictions can exist for race (ex. Only 1 god in a deck), spell type (ex. Only 1 ‘dominion' spell in a deck), or by the cards themselves (ex. Only one of this card in your deck). These restrictions do two things. They limit the number of the most powerful cards you can use in a given deck and even the playing field, and they encourage variety.
Variety: 10/10
I have to give this area its own section to really drive home the importance variety provides in a CCG. Every card in EOJ has a use, from the first common you get, to the most rare ultra-rare. Some cards have extra abilities like a chance to dodge attacks, or gain extra mana. Some cards have magic attacks that can't be dodged. You can even purposely place cards on fields that would kill them (like placing a Leapfrog Banding on an Earth field) to activate their abilities (When leapfrog bandit dies on a non-wood field, your opponent must discard a card). The strategies and types of decks in this game are amazing, considering only the first set of 110 cards are available right now.Here are just a FEW of the ways you can build a deck in EOJ:You can build a deck around making your opponent discard… around gaining lots of energy quickly… around ensuring that you never lose very much energy… around getting to 5 creatures as fast as possible… around possessing your opponent's creatures… around the biolith creatures… around a specific hero or phantom creature… around a combination of different abilities… and on and on.And each deck is viable. There is no haymaker deck that everyone runs because it's the best. Each of the above options has its strengths and weakness, and all of them utilize common and uncommon cards as much if not more than they utilize rares and ultra-rares. The variety in this game is abundant, and player's can really find what they enjoy and not only play with it, but win with it.
Graphics: 10/10
The graphics in Eye of Judgment are very, very pretty. Animations look flawless on screen, with the cards coming to life to attack each other and defend themselves. The game also runs in HD at 720p for those of you with an HD television. Not much more to say here, being that this is a card game, and not an FPS or RPG.
Sound: 8/10
The sound is well done in EOJ, but I have to dock it two points. First, the music is just plain bad. Repeated, Blaring guitar riffs on the main menu and submenus quickly get on my nerves. However, the in battle music is actually quite good, and in either case, you will probably want to shut them off anyway to concentrate on the game. The second point got deducted because of the voiceovers. They sound good quality wise, but the voice acting is pretty cheesy. I personally find that endearing, but others may find them annoying.
Online 10/10
This is where players will spend the bulk of their time playing. There are two different ways to play EOJ online. First, you can set up a custom game with another player. To do so, you open up a room, or join a room that has already been opened. In an ‘open' room, anyone can join your game, or you can join anyone's game. Once two players are in a room, they hit ‘begin game' and the game starts. You can also open or join a ‘closed' room. To join a closed room, you need an invitation from whoever is hosting the room. This lets you choose to play against your friends, etc. online. The rules to play by are chosen by the person who hosts the room, and dictate the board that will be played on, the time you can take for a turn, etc.The second way to play online is through the ranked matching system. When you play a ranked game, the rules are set by the game, and your opponent is chosen through a queue system. Ranked games improve your player ranking, and the list of top players can be viewed at any time online. You can also set up a ranked duel with another player.In addition to just playing with another person you can also type a message to them, or talk to them through the microphone in the camera. Either option can be disabled too, if you would rather not.Last, when you play a game online, you first have to scan your deck into your save file. This lets the game know that you actually own the cards you are playing. Second, when you play a match, the computer shuffles your deck for you, and decides what you draw (randomly). This eliminates the ‘honor' system, and keeps matches fair.
Overall Conclusion 9/10
The Eye of Judgment brings the CCG world to life through the Playstation 3. The gameplay is top notch, well balanced, addictive, fun, and strategies vary greatly. Rare cards do not dominate deck builds because of their typically high costs and or restrictions, and some of the most competitive decks only consist of a few rares. Because the game can be played online, you will never be wanting for an opponent to try out a new deck against, and the custom game rooms allow you to play against friends and family across the country. As card set expansions are released, more strategies, possibilities, and themes will open up, making the game even stronger. The Eye of Judgment is a great game period, for the seasoned CCG fan, or the newbie opening a pack for the first time. Pick it up.
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