As a mommy, following the scheduled vaccine for my little ones is a must. Vaccination is a mandatory thing that I personally abide. We, Mommies, make sure that our kids as much as possible are free from any diseases, that's why we really follow most of the precautionary measures.

Recently, I was able to attend another health related event that got my attention because it involves  kids. As what I keep on mentioning on most of my post when it comes to our kids we make sure they are aware and nourished with information about health. So, I made sure that I get to know more about this mosquito issue and learn what is JE all about. Here are some of the insights of the topics discussed.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Transmitted by the mosquito vector Culextritaeniorhynchus, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to high fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures, spastic paralysis, and coma. It could also mimic a stroke, as was the case reported in Davao during the second half of 2016. There is no specific treatment for this disease. JE is fatal in 20 to 30% of cases and among those who survive, 30 to 50% suffer from permanent disabilities.

Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) have estimated that there are currently 3 billion people at risk for JE, living in JE-prone areas, including 24 countries in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. JE usually occurs in rural and agricultural areas, however, an epidemiologic study conducted by Dr. Anna Lena Lopez of the National Institute of Health (NIH) published in 2015, showed that the virus circulates in all regions of the Philippines, including urban areas like Metro Manila, constituting a significant public health burden.  The study showed that although majority of cases occur in children younger than 15 years of age, adults remain at risk, with 15% of cases occurring in individuals older than 18 years. In tropical areas, disease can occur year-round. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau surveillance system revealed that for 2016, among 875 acute meningitis-encephalitis suspected cases reported as of August 2016, 119 (14%) were laboratory-confirmed for JE.
As part of the government’s strategy to reduce mosquito-borne diseases, the 4S program was implemented several years back. 4S stands for: Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak. However, mosquito-borne diseases are still on the rise. According to the WHO, the most effective way of reducing disease burden is vaccination against the illness. The WHO cites that there is clear evidence demonstrating the impact JE vaccination has on disease burden in a population. Hence, the WHO has recommended that JE vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE is recognized as a public health problem.

The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has reviewed data on the different types of JE vaccines (inactivated and live attenuated vaccines) and has found them to have acceptable safety profiles. Local scientific bodies, including the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), have recommended that JE vaccination be given as a single primary dose for those 9 months old and above. For individuals less than 18 years of age, this should be followed by a booster dose 1 to 2 years after. Other preventive strategies for disease control include bed nets, repellents, long-sleeved clothes, coils, vaporizers and mosquito control measures.
About the Vaccine, The JE-chimeric vaccine, a live attenuated recombinant vaccine, was first licensed in the Philippines in 2013. The vaccine is produced by Vero cell culture, a cell culture technology recommended by WHO. It is the only JE vaccine available locally and is approved for use for individuals 9 months old and above, with high immunogenicity rates.

Mommies we need to be vigilant nowadays, that mosquito-borne diseases give us scary feeling for our kids. I hope this kind of information give you an enlightenment about JE just like me.  Do follow all the required vaccine for your babies.

December is really a busy month for Mommies like me, but still we need to ensure the health of our loved ones, specially our kids. Nutri10 plus is really a big help for me to make my kids healthy and strong.
Since December is the month of gift giving and since Nutri10 Plus is very generous enough to give plenty of vitamins for my kids. The kids and I decided to share it to some of our relatives. Yes, we are giving some of the blessings that we get. It is great to share your blessings.
My kids are happy to give the vitamins to their cousins. I love to share the benefits of Nutri10 Plus to our relatives and let them experience the "aktibo't malakas" Kids. I will ask my relatives more about the benefits of Nutri10 Plus soon once they started using the vitamins to their kids. So better watch out for another blog post about Nutri10 Plus.
Mommies, school days is about to start again after the 2 weeks holiday vacation of our kids. Let them take the Nutri10 Plus to make more active and for them have more appetite. To make that ready to face another challenges in school.

Kids will be kids and as they become older, they become increasingly curious, explorative, and impulsive.  And I can attest to that with my two kids.  Outdoor plays entail more interaction with people, animals and other things, exposing them to possible sicknesses. This causes so much anxiety among young moms, who always want their kids to be protected but who also know that they cannot always be there for them. This is where NIDO® 3+, developed with the best of Nestlé Research, comes in.

Last January 15, NIDO 3+ held an intimate press event for their 2014 campaign of NIDO 3+.  Showcasing the younger generation of moms, new NIDO 3+ brand ambassador Barbie Almalbis-Honasan attended the event alongside child expert and Associate Professor at the Family Life and Child Development Department of the College of Home Economics of UP Diliman, Dr. Lilian Leynes-Juadiong. Guests were among the first to hear the parenting experiences and expert insights on the different factors first-time moms worry about, including what can help moms in building their child’s body defenses while allowing them to explore the world on their own.



“Mothers are very keen on what they give their kids and they mainly worry about three things during the growing up years. First is if they are getting real value for their money. Second is the acceptability of these purchases, which may be food or drinks, to their kids. Does it appeal to their kid’s palate? Is this something that their kids can appreciate daily? Does it protect them as they explore new things? And, third, is ease of preparation which is something first-time, and often working moms consider,” shared Dr. Juadiong during the media event. “Given these factors, good and high-quality sources of nourishment and nutrients become mommy’s little helpers to help lessen the things they worry about. Special ingredients such as Lactobacillus PROTECTUS®, a unique combination of live active good microorganisms, play an important role in strengthening your child’s body defenses. With this, first-time moms can have peace of mind while allowing their kids to play and be healthy without adverse effects.”


Singer-songwriter, wife, and mother of two growing kids – Stina, 6 and Liam, 3 – Barbie proudly shared with guests her parenting experiences. “They say that having a child is like having your heart walk around outside your body. That's exactly how I feel about my kids, and when Stina was very young, I used to always panic whenever she fell down or hurt herself, and she would always cry.  We later realized that it was actually my reaction that caused her to fear and cry.  When I learned to be calm and just quietly help her up, she also learned to just rub her small 'boo-boo' and go right back to playing. When Liam was born, we already learned to apply the 'keep-calm' attitude with him, and like his sister, he's confident at play and knows how to pick himself up when he falls,” shared Barbie. “This is when young moms like me start to get a grip on motherhood and gain more assurance. I'm thankful for the things that help me equip and protect my kids every day,” Barbie added.

During the event, the attendees also had an exclusive screening of the refreshed version of the well-loved NIDO 3+ “You’re My Number One” music video. Barbie closely worked with fellow NIDO 3+ brand ambassador Sharon Cuneta who last revived the song back in 2009. “It was an honor to work alongside Sharon and her son, Miguel, for this project. I am equally thrilled that I got to do this with both Stina and Liam who also enjoy NIDO 3+ very much,” said Barbie.


Nestlé Philippines also gave a sneak-peek on the various initiatives of NIDO 3+ for this year, maximizing online platforms to reach and support first-time moms. According to a study1 on digital behaviour among women, mothers go online to gather relevant information and reach out for opinions. NIDO 3+ responds to this need of first-time moms in a creative way by optimizing social media.

A unique feature on the NIDO 3+ Facebook to watch out for is the “You’re My Number One” Sing-Along Tab. With everybody’s favourite NIDO 3+ song’s fresh new beat, moms and their kids get to sing along with Barbie for fostering bonds between mother and child. Other exciting apps include a digital meter which gauges what worries mothers during the kid’s growing up years and a special promotion for moms and their little ones to capture the protection and enjoyment kids experience with NIDO 3+.

Moms can look forward to using these starting February 2014 at www.facebook.com/nidofortified.ph.



With NIDO 3+’s new campaign underway, first-time moms can let their kids be kids with their love coupled with the protection of Lactobacillus PROTECTUS®, Prebio 3, and other essential nutrients. Despite the challenges of raising kids, the world of parenting can definitely be magical while enabling kids to be exposed, exploring and experiencing the world for them to grow into the best they can possibly be.

 
As a mommy, I am very particular with the foods I give to my kids.  Though there are times that they need to choose which food they're going to eat.  So, I need to introduce and train them to indulge in different nutritious foods even though they don't like it.

I am a mother of two kids, a 6years old and a 2 years old, and they're both boys.  I don't have any problem feeding my youngest son, especially at his age but with my eldest son, well I'm having trouble feeding him vegetables and introducing new foods.  He is very choosy with the foods he eat.   But what I like to both of them is that they both like fish and fruits very much.

Studies show that in the Philippines there 6 out of 10 mothers worry about their child's feeding behavior, I guess I am one of the 6 moms.  Feeding difficulties is prone to the first 11 years of a child's life and children who suffers feeding difficulties may experience impaired growth and low nutrient intake which result in physical and cognitive problems if not reversed.

"Feeding difficulties can be severe enough to impact on growth and nutrient intake, so it is important not only to address the eating behavior but also to provide adequate calories and nutrients to children at part of their management," said Dr. Rita Paz Rowena A. De Guzman, Fellow and Board Member, Philippine Society for Development and Behavioral Pediatrics.

The most common nutrients lacking in a child with feeding difficulties include Vitamin A & D , Iron and Zinc.  In order for a child to reach their optimum growth potential they require these essential nutrients as well as adequate calories.

I remembered my kids' Pedia gave my eldest son an Iron Booster, I guess because he looks pale.  While my youngest son was given Vitamins with Zinc.  Now, I am now really worried on these aspect.

IMFED explained about the different types of Feeding Difficulties, there are four general types of Feeding Difficulties:

1. Parental Perceptions - child who is achieving satisfactory growth but the parents believe their child's appetite is limited.
2. Fundamentally vigorous - child who rarely shows signs of hunger or interest in food. The child is very active, more interested in playing and is easily distracted.
3. Highly Selective eater - child has limited food selection, has negative reactions to take, texture, smell and appearance of food.
4. Fear of Feeding - child is afraid to eat after having a painful or bad experience withe eating

Oh my, I think my children experienced all those types of Feeding Difficulties.  So I better be more observant on the behavior of my kids towards their foods.  I guess one good Parental Advice are choose a designated place when eating, avoid distraction, do food chaining and Increase the amount of food gradually, I will try it all on my kids.

Identification and Management of Feeding Difficulties or IMFED program was developed by a multidisciplinary group of doctors led by Dr. Benny Kerzner and Dr. Irene Chatoor in order to properly screen a child for his/her specific feeding difficulties. IMFED is being used by 16 countries and endorsed by nine medical societies globally. IMFED employs a systematic approach in investigating feeding difficulties among children.

Currently, there are more than 400 IMFED MD Network who can be consulted for these conditions. These doctors have collaborated to form an IMFeD Network to share the advocacy of screening every child for feeding difficulties and to provide clinical expertise in managing these children.

Hmmm... I will ask my kids' pedia if she is with IMFed, so I can let my kids be screen, to be assess and be diagnosed to know if they do really have feeding difficulties.

Abbott Nutrition Philippines supports this endeavor by creating awareness on the IMFed MD Network.

To know the doctors who are part of the IMFed MD Network in your area, please call 995-1555 or 1-800-10-995-1555.

So mommies, try to be aware on your kids nutrition in take.  Health is very important to us, specially with our kids.  Developing good feeding habits is essential nowadays. Be aware and be healthy.