Imogen Kandel

It seems we've just gotten over the melamine milk scandal that killed six infants and caused serious illness to 300,000 more, when we stumble upon another piece of disturbing news. 

The Daily Mailreported that a number of female babies in Hubei have developed premature puberty. The babies, ages 4 to 15 months, have hormone levels comparable to an adult woman and have formed breasts. At present, the only thing linking each case is the use of infant formula produced by Chinese company Synutra. Synutra maintains their formula has nothing to do with the defects and thus far authorities have refused to run tests on the formula.

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The summer break is drawing to a close, but while you’ve been away on holiday the team at beijingkids has been busy giving your favorite magazine an overhaul. We’ve got a brand new cover and a few shiny new tweaks inside. Be prepared to see new sections introduced over the next few issues and old sections revamped. We love it! And hopefully you will too.
 
This August is the pregnancy issue. We got two moms to scour high and low, looking for information to help newcomers and veterans alike navigate the maze of birthing options in Beijing. They found everything you need to know about hospital and natural births. For parents who are struggling to adapt to life with a baby, mom Sonia Cahill spoke with a therapist about postnatal depression and what you can do to spot the signs. If Chinese pregnancy traditions have always baffled you, Kara Chin is here to set things straight.

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The "Yellow Fever" line is an oldie but a goody, and it's often been said that behind every  stereotype exist a gain of truth. A regular contributor to beijingkids, Dinah Chong Watkins, gave her two cents as to why she believes expatriate men prefer Chinese women in her recent China Daily column.

If that piques your interest, then click here and here for more of the same, but different. 

Sunny Guo (mom of one) will be holding infant swim classes at Splash Recreation Club at the Sino-Swiss Hotel this Sunday. A yummy barbecue banquet will be served after the class. If you love this lesson, then sign up for one of Sunny's regular swim classes held at pools around town. Thanks to Liora Pearlman (super mom) for sending beijingkids this info.

Details below (keep scrolling for all the dates, times, locations and Sunny's contact details):

AGES
DOLPHIN: newborn to 2 years old
SHARK: 2 to 5 years old

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Remember when you were a teenager? I do, and it wasn't pretty, both literally and metaphorically speaking. You look back on all the crazy things you did and marvel that you did them -- and that you occasionally got away with them!

In a blast from the past (and for those of you with teenage kids, a reminder of our present), I found these three interviews with UK teens on The Guardian online. I've included some choice quotes for you for you below, but if you'd like to read more click here.

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I recently received an email from Oakwood Apartments and to be honest, at first I wasn't sure whether to believe it.

According to Oakwood: On June 12th, Assistant Front Office Manager, Tracy Cui, received a phone call from a rather distressed resident. It seemed his wife was going into labor, "right now!" In true superhero style, she was quick to respond, rushing up to the couple's apartment to help in any way she could. Ms. Cui then proceeded to assist the father deliver a healthy 3.85kg baby boy named Luca.

Ms. Cui, when not fielding calls at the front desk of Oakwood, must be a miracle worker because the delivery lasted a mere 10 minutes.

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Summer is here and we all have our hot weather gear on to prove it. The temperature is rising, the kids are out of school and it's time to pack your holiday itinerary with oodles of fun.

Our huge double summer feature has come to the rescue of families still searching for ways to fill their hot and sticky days. We've got a list of 20 any day activities to satisfy restless little ones. Want to get out and about? Nine Beijing day trips, excursions and fun spots will keep you occupied. Need a beach-side break? Kara Chin has found China's best sandy locales, including Sanya and nearby Crab Island. If traveling across the Middle Kingdom, our China excursions will have you prepped and ready to go with all the best tips from people who've done it before. Heading overseas? Get inspired with four great family holidays from around the world.  

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The Shanghai World Expo is upon us and if you're planning on braving the queues with your kids, best to make sure your standing in line for the best the expo has to offer. We found this great Expo itinerary for kids on Cnreviews.com -- be sure to scroll all the way down for handy tips.

Also, check out their transportation guide and 10 Exciting Things-To-Do At The Expo. For kid favorites, my money's on the Aviation Pavilion's flight simulator and the Swiss Pavilion's cable car. 

After a spate of school killings and violent attacks across China, local authorities have clamped down on International Children's Day celebrations. Long lines at your local Pizza Hut are still expected, but there are noticeably less large scale activities than in previous years.

Check out these interesting articles from local newspapers:

Children's Day garden party to take no chances

After deadly attacks, security tightened at schools ahead of Int'l Children's Day

More security at schools for Children's Day

Check out this article from Xinhuanet.com:

Children in China's main cities are reaching puberty too early - a condition known as sexual precocity - and at a much higher rate than those in Western countries.

A Beijing doctor, who runs the city's first sexual precocity clinic, said her research into the condition showed that in Shanghai, the rate was as high as 1 percent.

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