Malaysia Palm Oil ITS Data 1-10 November 2012

ITS (1-10 Nov) = 518688 v 448624(up 15.62%)

How Vulnerable is Your Child’s Natural Body Resistance?

A child’s natural body resistance works the same way as an adult’s, only that it is not yet mature enough to fight off sickness and disease. You might be wondering why your child gets cough and colds all the time. That’s because his natural body resistance hasn’t built up a strong defense yet that will shield the body from viruses and bacteria.

Your child’s natural body resistance is always in the process of learning which microorganisms, the bacteria that live inside our bodies, are beneficial and which are harmful. So how vulnerable is your child’s natural body resistance?

The answer is: Very.

Without a healthy natural body resistance, children are more prone to sickness and disease. Viruses and bad bacteria enter the body through the food your child eats, or when he puts in his mouth a dirty hand or toy.

Aside from poor diet and unhealthy personal hygiene, stress is another factor that curbs the natural body resistance’s ability to protect the body from intruders. When a child is under stress, his body prepares for the fight or flight moment, but most of the time there is no imminent danger. A child’s natural body resistance weakens as it is suppressed during a stressful moment¹.

Consequently, when a child is under stress, he may find it difficult to fall asleep easily. This prevents the body from properly making new white blood cells that will fight off intruders.

Children who have recently taken antibiotics to ward off infections or allergies also have weaker natural body resistance. Antibiotics may kill the bad bacteria that cause sickness, but they also eliminate the good ones which are responsible for keeping the natural body resistance healthy².

One interesting theory raised in the medical field supposes that children raised in extremely sterile environments are more prone to illness. This may come off as a surprise, but the fact is, children who have not encountered different viruses and bacteria in their lifetime may find it difficult later on to conquer a sickness or disease³.

So what’s a parent to do? Aside from having your children vaccinated against a wide range of diseases, parents also need to make sure that their children are eating the right kinds of food, are reasonably hygienic, and have plenty of exercise and rest.

There is no magic solution to defending against illnesses, but you can always help your child build a stronger natural defense against sickness and disease.

Reference:
1. http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/strengthening-your-childs-immune-system.html
2. http://immunedisorders.homestead.com/antibiotics.html
3. http://www.winterdefence.com/sterileenvironment.htm

Doctors recommend sucking of breast to reduce breast cancer

This news was culled from BBC and according to BBC News, doctors have recommended that women can reduce their risk of getting breast cancer by having their breasts thoroughly and vigorously sucked.

The doctors said that regular sucking of the breast lowers the risk level that tends to build lumps, leading to breast cancer. Vigorously according to dictionary.com means "powerful in action, forceful and energetic"

BuniBuni.com have not conducted our own medical research on this but if BBC is right, then we will have to advise our dear men to do their part and save a life. by sucking a breast today.

 

Waking up to our Children’s Unhealthy Sleep Deficit

The amount of sleep that our children have been getting is become a cause for concern. According to 2007 survey given to 997 Malaysian parents with children aged 0-3 years old, the average amount of sleep that their kids got at night was just 9 hours, which is much lower than the recommended value. 44% of respondents also mentioned that their child was suffering from sleeping problems. A 2011 report also says that 14.5% of children in Hospital Kuala Terengganu snore, which could be signs of sleep-disordered breathing. With the clear correlation of sleep disorders to a stunted developmental growth, in terms of learning and attention span, there is a call for us to wake up and turn our children’s sleep health around.

 

Less Sleep = Impaired Development

 

Contrary to adults, children who are sleep deprived actually tend to become more hyperactive, which has a tendency to make them more irritable and inattentive. Sleep deprivation with kids also affects overall attention and limits their ability to learn and concentrate. Kids become are at risk of falling sick which leads to extended absences in school. Other negative correlations include weight gain, physical inactivity and reduced cognitive functioning. The good news, however, is that sleep problems for kids are easily treatable through good bedtime habits.

 

Putting in the hours

 

The amount of sleep needed actually depends on the age of the child. Below is a breakdown per age segment as well as some sleeping tips:

The schedule for newborns is often irregular, so don’t stress if that is the case with your little one! Sometimes sleep can last for a few minutes and other times for several hours. It is advised that you place your newborn on the bed as soon as sleepiness is seeming to set in, as it teaches him to get himself to sleep. You can also condition your little one to stay up more during the day by exposing him to light and noise, and by playing with him during the day. At night, just make sure that things are quieter, darker and less active. Remember, it is never too early to start reading nightly bed time stories!

 

3-11 Months = 14-15 hours per day

Infants will typically be sleeping 9-12 hours at night with 30-120 minute daytime naps about 1-4 times/day. As mentioned, putting your child to bed when he seems sleepy but not yet asleep encourages him to be “self-soothers,” enabling your infant to fall asleep independently and go back to sleep on his own when he wakes at night. At this stage, you should start establishing bedtime schedules. A bath before bed is often a good routine to help establish that it is “bed time”.

 

1-3 Years = 12-14 hours

Toddlers will need almost the same amount of sleep at night as infants do but naps are will start to reduce to once a day, lasting for 1-3 hours. At this stage, don’t be surprised if you encounter some sleep difficulties such as resistance to go to bed, night fears, and nightmares. The recommendation is to stick to the schedules and routines you’ve established them, Although it is easier said than done, be sure to communicate and enforce these routines! Establishing security objects such as blankets or stuff toys will help alleviate any night-related fears. Of course, bed time stories are a perfect way to end a crazy day and will be for years to come!

 

3-5 Years = 11-13 hours

The hours of sleep here usually all happen at night, as naps are typically phased out by now. At this age, your preschooler’s developing imaginations may cause more night-related fears and nightmares which can be solved by making soothing and consistent bedtime routines.

 

5-12 Years = 10-11 hours

Believe it or not, sleep disorders can be very common in this stage. In addition to the usual sleep barriers associated with anxiety and nightmares, research shows that kids at this age often start to over engage with media such as TV, Internet and video games as well as consume caffeinated products. The best way to deal with this is to limit these things in the evening and to continue encouraging a regular sleeping routine. Even kids at this age love a nice read-aloud with mom and dad before bed time! Get lost in a good chapter book together!

A Checklist For Mums-To-Be

By Sujatha Rajagopal

Important little details, from trimester one to delivery day

Discovering that you are pregnant can be one of the most exciting, yet confusing, period in your life. Once you’ve done the most obvious — find a doctor to take care of your pregnancy and childbirth needs — you may feel at a loss as to what to do next. Your mind is probably besieged by so many questions: What should I eat? When should I start shopping for maternity clothes? What will I need during my hospital stay?

We hope the following guidelines will help take away some of the guesswork.

Trimester One

Eat healthily, drink aplenty: It is never too early or late to start pumping more wholesome nutrients into your diet. Try to eat as much of fresh fruit and vegetables as you can. Eat plenty of iron-rich food too, such as whole grains and beans. Opt for more low-fat protein from lean poultry and seafood and complex carbohydrates from brown rice and whole wheat bread. Finally, try to cut down on high-fat, high-sugar and salty or cured food. At the same time, don’t forget to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to reduce the risk of swollen ankles and feet.

Ask your doctor which multivitamin is right for you: Ideally, you (and your baby) should be able to get all the nutrients you need from your daily diet. But pregnancy brings with it problems like nausea, vomiting and exhaustion, which tend to affect appetite. A multivitamin tablet or capsule therefore, can be rather convenient. Apart from folic acid, do ensure that you are getting sufficient antioxidants, calcium, zinc and iron. Always consult your doctor before buying nutritional supplements on your own.

Buy a few good pregnancy books: Each week of pregnancy brings with it slight changes inside your womb. Wondering what’s going on? Don’t wait for monthly ultrasounds to find out. Most major bookstores carry numerous titles on pregnancy and childbirth, so invest in one or two and dive in!

Get yourself a good calendar: Preferably one with large date boxes. Pregnancy makes remembering dates a necessity. Some important dates to record include your due date, dates for prenatal appointments and scans, dates for special tests if any and of course, that all-important date when you feel baby’s first kick.

Think about starting a pregnancy diary: This can be a special journal set aside for you to pen your daily thoughts and pregnancy experiences. Or it can serve as a book of letters that you write to your baby, telling him how you spent your nine months while awaiting his arrival. Or it can serve as both. Ask hubby to take a picture of you each month as your belly grows and put these snapshots in as well.

Trimester Two

Start budgeting for baby’s arrival: A little baby consumes a lot of milk, uses about 10 to 12 diapers a day, and needs other essentials like feeding bottles, toys, immunisations, well-baby check-ups and so on — all of which cost money. On top of that, you’ll need to start shopping for baby furniture too. By working out your finances sooner, you will be better prepared for any emergencies.

Start looking for childbirth classes: Sign up in advance if you want to know more about birthing positions and breathing exercises. Also, consider getting lessons on caring for infants or infant first-aid.

Exercise: Now that most pregnancy discomfort like nausea and heartburn should have abated, it’s a good time to start exercising regularly. Look for yoga, dance, aerobics or swimming classes designed for pregnant women. If cost is an issue, find a pleasant park close to where you live and take a leisurely walk at least three times a week. Or use housework as your exercise opportunity. Blast some music while you dust, vacuum and mop, but remember to take it easy.

Review your company’s maternity policies: Verify when and how to apply for maternity leave and other details like how much you can claim, whether your employer practises childcare relief policies, how much emergency leave you can take and so on. It is also a good time to discuss and plan out work responsibilities with the person who will take over while you are on leave.

Shortlist baby names: You would probably already know the sex of your child at this stage, so it’s a good time to start writing down some of your favourite names. You can always decide on the right one with your partner later.

Shop for baby: Start looking around for baby’s clothing, feeding bottles and toys. Once you’ve determined whether your child is a boy or a girl, you might feel like doing a few gender-specific things like getting the nursery painted blue or buying a pretty pink frock. Be sure to read the article on Baby Essentials for more ideas.

Shop for you: For most women, now is when pre-pregnancy clothes start to feel a little tight, especially around the belly. Here is what you should get:

• Fashionable maternity wear: loose-fitting blouses and tees, side-tab trousers and skirts with underbelly support, and denim dungarees.

• Comfortable lingerie: well-fitting bra (usually a size bigger that what you usually wear), maternity underwear, stretchable tights or shorts. Buy a few nursing bras closer to your due date for use after baby is born.

• Other clothing: Roomy nightshirts or pyjamas, a larger sweater.

• Other essentials: Support stockings to prevent varicose veins, pampering toiletries, well-padded cushions or pillows.

Trimester Three

Make your home safer: One of the first things you should do now is place a non-slip mat under rugs and carpets so that you do not accidentally slip and hurt yourself as you grow heavier with child. Also, invest in a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher and smoke detector. Keep hospital and other emergency numbers right next to your telephone.

Organize your memories: Once baby is born, your hands will be too full to begin organising all the new photos you’ll be taking. So start now. Buy some photo albums and photo-editing software, and consider signing up for free online photo-sharing tools. You can also start buying the supplies you will need to put together a memory box or scrapbook (see Collecting Little Memories). You can also start preparing baby announcement cards and envelopes.

Find out more about labour pain: Read up about Braxton-Hicks contractions, a key culprit in causing false alarms. You could also consider practising the breathing exercises that are used during labour. Ask your doctor or childbirth coach for advice.

Confide your doubts and worries in your spouse: It is easy to get carried away with your anxiety about childbirth and parenting. Don’t forget that your spouse may be having the same concerns. Have a quiet moment together at least once a week to discuss your worries as well as thoughts and plans for the future.

Familiarise yourself with the labour ward: Ask your doctor if you can have a tour of the labour ward and delivery room. Ask about what you’ll need to do and the forms you’ll need to fill up on admission day. Find out where the nursery is. Enquire about the special neonatal wards and visiting rules just in case your child needs to be placed under close observation after delivery. Start writing a birthing plan if you have specific requirements during delivery.

Be good to yourself: Childbirth and the weeks to come may drain you emotionally and physically. So have the time of your life while you can. Vent out any pent up emotions with your mother or friends. Get a pregnancy massage, a manicure or pedicure. Have romantic dinners with your hubby, watch a movie together, have a baby shower… have fun!

Start getting ready for baby: Ensure that all the necessary baby furniture is in place and stock up on formula, bottles, diapers, baby wipes and other baby essentials. And yes… decide on a name!

Make arrangements: If you have other children, look for reliable day and night care as well as someone to cook and clean while you are away. Decide who will be with you during labour and how you are going to cope with meals and housework after your discharge from the hospital. Stock up on dry and canned food. You can also prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them.

What to pack for the hospital

It’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag two to three weeks before your due date, just in case baby intends to arrive earlier. You will need the following during your stay:

• Your identification card or papers and prenatal health records.
• A nightgown or two, although most hospitals provide a comfortable hospital gown.
• Nursing bras for breastfeeding.
• Maternity sanitary pads and underwear.
• Socks and slippers to warm your feet.
• A favourite pillow and blanket to make your room or cubicle feel more like home.
• A photograph of your family for reassurance or even as a focal point during childbirth.
• Some pregnancy-safe massage oil or aromatherapy oils to calm your nerves.
• Personal care items like lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hairbrush and face and body moisturisers.
• Snacks for you and your partner in case you’re both too weary to walk to the hospital cafeteria.
• Spare change for hospital vending machine snacks or drinks.
• CD player and your favourite CDs as well as a book or magazine to wile away the time.
• A camera, some lipstick and face powder for Kodak moments.
• One or two newborn outfits for your baby as well as mittens, booties and a receiving blanket to keep her warm. Diapers will usually be provided.
• Clothes for use when you are discharged. You may not be able to fit into pre-pregnancy clothes so pack a set of maternity wear just in case.
• An extra duffel bag to bring home gift hampers and possibly, various formula or diaper samples that are usually given away at hospitals.
• A baby car seat.

Pregnancy can be an emotionally uncertain time for you and the rest of your family. For health issues, always ask your doctor if you are unsure about anything. Otherwise, tap into the wealth of resources available from your local library, bookstore or the Internet. Speak to your mother or a friend with kids for a better idea of what’s in store during these nine months. Being prepared will help to answer all your questions. Also, don’t forget to take this time to enjoy life! It’s not always that you are pregnant!

Treasuries Gain on Obama Vote, Head for Biggest Gain in a Week

By Wes Goodman

Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasuries rose, headed for the biggest gain in a week, as President Barack Obama's election to a second term bolstered expectations the Federal Reserve will stick to its policy of buying bonds to support the economy.

Obama, a Democrat, backs the Fed, which has purchased $2.3 trillion of Treasuries and mortgage-related bonds and instituted plans to purchase $40 billion of home-loan securities a month.
Republican challenger Mitt Romney said he wouldn't reappoint Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke to a third term in 2014. The U.S. is scheduled to sell $24 billion of 10-year notes today.

"With Obama winning, we can expect the Fed to carry out current monetary policy," said Hajime Nagata, who helps oversee the equivalent of $129.4 billion as an investor in Tokyo at Diam Co., a unit of Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Japan's second- biggest life insurer. "The Fed is committed
to a low interest- rate environment. If Romney had won, it would have been a game changer."

U.S. 10-year yields slid six basis points, or 0.06 percentage point, to 1.69 percent as of 6:26 a.m. in London, according to Bloomberg Bond Trader prices. The 1.625 percent security due in August 2022 climbed 18/32, or $5.63 per $1,000 face amount, to 99 14/32. It was set for the biggest gain since Oct. 26.

Japan's 10-year rate was unchanged at 0.76 percent. It was 0.755 percent earlier Tokyo trading, matching the lowest level since August.

Election History

Ever since Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater for the presidency in 1964, yields on 10-year Treasuries have dropped about 40 basis points in the first month when a Democrat wins, and risen 19 after a Republican victory, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The central bank announced its third round of bond purchases under its quantitative easing policy, known on QE3, on Sept. 13, saying it will buy agency mortgage-backed securities until the outlook for the labor market improves "substantially."

"The Romney camp is much more nervous about QE3 and an unconventional Fed than the Obama camp," Mohamed El-Erian, chief executive officer of Pacific Investment Management Co., said this week. A Romney victory would have created "a lot more uncertainty about monetary policy," El-Erian said Nov. 5 in an interview with Bloomberg Television's Maryam Nemazee.

Pimco, based in Newport Beach, California, runs the world's biggest bond fund.

Operation Twist

The Fed is also swapping shorter-term Treasuries in its holdings with those due in 6 to 30 years as part of its efforts to support the economy by putting downward pressure on long-term borrowing costs.

The central bank plans to buy as much as $2.25 billion of Treasuries maturing from February 2036 to August 2042 today, according to the Fed Bank of New York's website.

It is scheduled to sell as much as $8 billion of debt due from May 2014 to April 2015, the website shows.

"Treasury yields will go down" on an Obama victory, said Kim Youngsung, head of fixed income in Seoul at Samsung Asset Management Co., South Korea's largest private bond investor with the equivalent of $103.8 billion, speaking prior to Obama's victory.

Ten-year yields, benchmarks for mortgages to corporate bonds, dropped 19 basis points this year. They have tumbled 69 basis points since Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009.

Treasuries have returned 1.8 percent in 2012 and 15 percent since the inauguration, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch indexes.

Greek Vote

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras faces a test of his coalition government today as he seeks parliamentary approval of austerity measures to unlock bailout funds amid the third general strike in six weeks and defections from his three-party coalition.

The U.S. Treasury Department sold $32 billion of three-year notes yesterday and is scheduled to conclude this week's auctions with a $16 billion 30-year bond sale tomorrow.

The last auction of 2022 Treasuries on Oct. 10 drew bids for 3.26 times the amount of debt offered, versus the average of 3.08 for the previous 10 auctions.

Yesterday's three-year sale drew a yield of 0.392 percent, compared with a forecast of 0.383 percent in a Bloomberg News survey of 9 of the Fed's 21 primary dealers, those companies that underwrite the U.S. debt. Investors submitted bids for 3.41 times the debt available, the least since April.

Indirect bidders, the investor class that includes foreign central banks, purchased 25.1 percent of the notes, the smallest amount since May 2007.

Dollar Falls as Obama Re-Election Paves Way for Monetary Easing

By Monami Yui and Mariko Ishikawa

Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar weakened on speculation President Barack Obama's re-election victory will boost chances the U.S. will continue monetary stimulus policies that tend to weaken the currency.

The dollar reversed earlier gains versus the euro after Obama defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney, according to television network projections that show the incumbent winning the electoral votes needed for re-election. The Australian dollar rose for a third day as Asian stocks advanced. Demand for the euro was limited as Greece headed for a vote on austerity measures needed to keep its bailout on track.

"Monetary policy will remain loose under Obama so the dollar will be sold," said Michiyoshi Kato, senior vice president of foreign-currency sales in Tokyo at Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd., a unit of Japan's third-largest bank by market value.

"Dollar selling may not last that long as the U.S. faces the fiscal cliff," he said, referring to more than $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts that will be implemented in 2013 unless Congress acts.

The dollar fell 0.4 percent to $1.2861 per euro as of 2:48 p.m. in Tokyo, after earlier gaining as much as 0.2 percent. It declined 0.4 percent to 80.07 yen. The euro was little changed at 102.99 yen, after touching 102.18 yesterday, matching the lowest since Oct. 16. The so-called Aussie advanced 0.2 percent to $1.0454. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index of shares climbed 0.6 percent.

Obama was projected the winner in the battleground states of Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Colorado and Virginia. He also won Pennsylvania, where Romney made a last-minute bid for support to try to derail the president's path to re- election.

Count Continues
Votes were still being tallied in Florida, with the race too close to call in that battleground.

Romney had said he disagrees with the Federal Reserve measures to stimulate the economy and would replace Chairman Ben S. Bernanke at the end of his term in January 2014.

The extra yield investors demand to hold two-year Treasuries instead of similar-maturity Japanese notes dropped to 17 basis points, the least since Oct. 16, curbing the allure of the dollar over the yen.

"Obama's re-election is likely to boost expectations of continued easing by the Fed," said Junya Tanase, chief currency strategist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Tokyo. "If it leads to lower U.S. yields and higher stock prices, the bias will be for the dollar-yen to fall."

Greek Vote

In Greece, the 238 pages of austerity measures, ranging from raising the retirement age two years to 67 to eliminating Christmas and holiday payments for pensioners, will be debated in the 300-seat Parliament from 10 a.m. Athens time with a roll- call vote expected after 8 p.m. today. Approval of the legislation is the first of the parliamentary votes required by Nov. 12 to unlock a 31 billion-euro ($40 billion) portion of international aid.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras must stem defections from his three-party coalition to convince European Union leaders that his government is serious about staying in the euro and implementing reforms. The government has lost as many as four supporters since being formed in June, with the latest defection coming from Socialist Pasok, which provides Samaras with the votes he needs for his majority in Parliament. Demand for the euro was also hampered before data today that may add to evidence that the region's debt woes are weakening its core economies.

Europe's Economy
German industrial production probably fell for a second month in September, decreasing 0.7 percent from the prior month, according to the median estimate of economists in a Bloomberg News survey. A separate report may show euro-area retail sales slid 0.1 percent in September, according to another poll.

Europe's shared currency declined 1.1 percent over the past month, according to Bloomberg Correlation-Weighted Indexes, which track 10 developed-nation currencies. The dollar added 0.5 percent and the yen fell 1.5 percent.

"Europe's problems are far from being resolved," said Marito Ueda, senior managing director in Tokyo at FX Prime Corp., a currency-margin company. "There is a good chance that we see a sell-off in the euro when they return to the center stage."