Dr Tan Zhen Han 陳鎮翰兒科專科醫生

Dr Tan Zhen Han 陳鎮翰兒科專科醫生 I am a paediatrician at SBCC Baby & Child Clinic, Bukit Panjang Plaza #04-03.

A proud father of two, I am passionate about paediatric care, and committed to caring for your child's physical and developmental needs. Clinical services available:
- Acute childhood illnesses
- Newborn and well baby care
- Childhood immunizations
- Developmental, nutritional & growth assessment
- Health screening
- Asthma, eczema & allergy management
- Travel medicine & vaccinations
- Adolescen

t health

* * * *

As a proud father to a little girl, I know firsthand the concerns and challenges of caring for the physical and developmental wellbeing of our little ones. Thus, I am deeply dedicated to providing the best paediatric care for your children. My journey in paediatric care began in 2008, when I graduated on the Dean’s List from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore with my Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. I attained my postgraduate qualifications with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) in 2012. In 2014, I attained accreditation with the Specialist Accreditation Board as a Specialist in Paediatric Medicine, and was conferred Fellowship by the Academy of Medicine, Singapore in 2015. Over my 7 years tenure at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Singapore General Hospital, I trained in various departments including Paediatric Medicine, Neonatology, Intensive Care, Children’s Emergency, and Paediatric Subspecialities. In the domain of education and research, I was actively involved in the teaching of medical students and residents posted to the Department of Paediatrics, and have published several papers in various international peer-reviewed scientific journals. I was awarded the Outstanding House Officer Award in the Department of Paediatrics in 2008, the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (Silver Award) in 2012, and held the title of Chief Registrar for the Department of Paediatrics for the period from November 2012 to April 2013. Outside of work, I enjoy music, travelling and bowling, and am an active volunteer with the Children’s Special Needs Support Group in my church.

15/11/2023

Dear Moms and Dads,

I will be away from 16 Nov (Thu) to 28 Nov (Tue), and will be back at the clinic on 29 Nov (Wed).

There will be an attending doctor from 9am-1230pm on the following days:
- 16 to 18 Nov
- 23 to 28 Nov

Thank you very much.

30/08/2023

Dear Moms and Dads,

I will be away from 31 Aug (Thu) to 9 Sep (Sat), and will be back at the clinic on 11 Sep (Mon).

During this period, my clinic will be open without doctor to provide administrative assistance.

Thank you very much.

26/05/2023

Dear Moms and Dads,

I will be away from 29 May (Mon) to 17 June (Sat), and will be back at the clinic on 19 Jun (Mon).

During this period, my clinic will be open without doctor to provide administrative assistance.

Thank you very much.

25/02/2023

Dear Moms and Dads,

I am unwell and am on MC today (25 Feb).
The clinic remains open to provide administrative assistance.
Thank you very much.

03/11/2022

Dear Moms and Dads,

I will be away on the following dates:
- 5 Nov (Sat) - Clinic will be closed on this day.
- 18 Nov (Fri) to 2 Dec (Fri) - There will be no attending doctor during this period and clinic will be closed on Saturdays.

Thank you very much.

22/09/2022

Dear Moms and Dads,

I will be away tomorrow Fri 23 Sep, and will be back at the clinic on Sat 24 Sep.
My clinic will be open without doctor to provide administrative assistance.
Thank you very much.

Wishing you and your family a happy 2022! Thank you for your support in 2021. May the new year bring you and yours good ...
02/01/2022

Wishing you and your family a happy 2022! Thank you for your support in 2021. May the new year bring you and yours good health and happiness.

I will be on leave on 3 & 4 Jan, and will be back at the clinic on 5 Jan (Wed).

Thank you!

::: When can I add salt to my baby's food? :::Babies and children only need a very small amount of salt in their diet. T...
26/11/2021

::: When can I add salt to my baby's food? :::

Babies and children only need a very small amount of salt in their diet.

The Singapore Health Promotion Board recommends the following dietary salt limits for babies and children:
- 6 to 12 months - 1g of salt a day (0.4g sodium)
- 1 to 6 years - 2.5g of salt a day (1g sodium)
- 7 to 18 years - 5g of salt a day (2g sodium)

Before 6 months old, your baby will get all the salt he needs from breast milk or formula milk. Thereafter, even when your baby starts eating solid food, there is no need to add any salt, even if you think the food tastes bland! This is because in the first year of life, your baby's immature kidneys are unable to process large quantities of salt.

After 1 year old, although your toddler may start to enjoy the same dishes as everyone at home, I would still caution you to avoid, or at the very least minimize the amount of salt added. This will also benefit the rest of the family. It is at this stage that a child's salt intake generally tends to increase, with introduction of snacks, processed foods, and non-home cooked foods.

Learn to check the nutritional information on products, even if they are aimed at children, and choose those with less salt. Salt content is usually given as figures for sodium on the labels – to convert sodium to salt, multiple by 2.5.

For your reference
- 1 teaspoon of stock cube is ~ 2.3g of salt
- 1 teaspoon of light soya sauce is ~ 0.9g of salt
- 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce is ~ 0.5g of salt

Remember: What you feed your child today lays the foundation for taste preferences for tomorrow!

::: When can I give my baby water? :::Parents and grandparents often ask me when they can offer their baby water, as the...
13/10/2021

::: When can I give my baby water? :::

Parents and grandparents often ask me when they can offer their baby water, as they often have concerns over “heatiness”, as well as baby's needs in hot and humid Singapore.

Here are some answers to the common questions surrounding this:

1. When can babies drink water?
Water may be introduced in small amounts after 6 months of age. Prior to that, whether your baby is exclusively breastfed, or formula fed, he or she does NOT need extra water. Remember that breastmilk and formula milk is made up at least 80% of water!

When babies less than 6 months of age consume water, it puts them at risk of inadequate intake of calories, protein, and essential nutrients, as well as life-threatening electrolyte imbalance and water intoxication, as their kidneys are still immature and cannot handle the extra fluids.

This is also why you should be following the formula milk powder -water ratio EXACTLY as instructed on the tin when preparing formula feeds.

2. How much water can my baby have?
The American Academy of Paediatrics suggests offering 120-240ml of water per day for infants 6-12 months of age. However, I usually recommend that water be limited to around 60-120ml a day to avoid displacing valuable nutrition from breastmilk or formula.

If you are worried about your baby’s hydration status, monitor the number of wet diapers – generally babies should have around 4-6 good wet diapers in a day.

3. How should water be offered?
Offer water in an open, sippy, or straw cup to help develop cup drinking skills and familiarity with water. Don’t worry if your baby coughs a little when first learning to drink water – water is thin and flows quickly and is one of the hardest liquids to learn how to drink!

::: Sunscreen in children :::Warm, sunny days are wonderful for our kids to spend time outdoors playing and exercising, ...
17/09/2021

::: Sunscreen in children :::

Warm, sunny days are wonderful for our kids to spend time outdoors playing and exercising, and it's important they enjoy it safely.

Here are some common questions regarding sunscreen:

1. Who needs to use sunscreen?
Children above the 6 months of age should use sunscreen daily. For babies less than 6 months old, it is recommended to keep them out of out of direct sunlight, and to stay in the shade (e.g. under a tree, stroller canopy).

2. How do I choose a sunscreen?
A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher and a PA level of +++ is recommended according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

3. What does SPF stand for?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which measures the protection against UVB rays. For instance, if your child’s skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen allows him or her to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes (i.e. a factor of 15x).

SPF rating does not protect from UVA rays, which are longwave rays which pe*****te deep into the skin. For UVA protection, look out for more + signs after PA.

4. What are the types of sunscreens available?
Sunscreens can be generally divided into:
a. Mineral-based sunscreens (also known as physical blockers) – These work by sitting on top of the skin to deflect and scatter damaging UV rays. Look for the active ingredients of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

b. Chemical sunscreens – These work by creating a chemical by changing UV rays into heat, then releasing that heat from the skin. Look for the active ingredients of oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone.

Nowadays, many sunscreens use a combination of physical and chemical blockers.

5. How do I apply sunscreen?
Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going, and even on cloudy days, as up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can get through the clouds! Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet, hands, and even backs of the knees and rub it in well. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel.

6. Other sun safety tips
a. Limit sun exposure between 10am to 3pm when UV rays are strongest
b. Choose cool, comfortable, clothing that covers the body for additional protection
c. Choose a wide brimmed hat for your child to protect the face, ears and neck
d. Look for child sized sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection

::: Teaching Our Children Empathy :::Imagine your 5-year-old child watching his classmate crying after falling down – as...
02/09/2021

::: Teaching Our Children Empathy :::

Imagine your 5-year-old child watching his classmate crying after falling down – as a parent, what do you hope your child will do?

For many of us, the expected response would be that (apart from bringing it to the attention of the teacher) our child should go over to check on his or her friend, to be understanding and sensitive to the latter’s feelings, and provide some comfort if possible.

Empathy - the ability to imagine how someone else is feeling in a particular situation and respond with care, is not a fixed trait, and can be encouraged and fostered with time.

Here are some tips on how we can nurture empathy in our children:

1. Be a role model. We are our children’s first and most enduring teachers, and modelling empathetic behaviour is one of the best ways we can teach our children this valuable skill.

2. Talk about others’ feelings - For example, “James is feeling sad because Peter took his toy car away. What might help James feel better?

3. Suggest how children can show empathy – Using the same example “Let’s go see if James wants to play with your toy train.”

4. Use pretend play or stories to connect behaviours with feelings so that they understand cause and effect.

5. Help your child to name their feelings and validate their emotions. Sometimes when our child is sad or angry, we rush in to try fix it right away, to make the unpleasant feelings go away. However, these feelings are part of life and ones that children need to learn to manage. We should instead try labelling and validating these difficult feelings as it helps our children learn to cope with them. For example, “You are really angry when I turned off the TV and I understand why you feel that way as you love watching Peppa Pig. Once you are done being mad, you can come over and get a big hug from me.”

6. Read stories about feelings and kindness. Some of my favourites include ‘My Many Colored Days’ by Dr. Seuss, ‘The Invisible Boy’ by Trudy Ludwig, and ‘Have You Filled a Bucket Today?’ by Carol McCloud.

Last but not least, remember to be patient! After all, a large part of being a toddler is focusing on me, mine and I. Parents, teachers, and even siblings all play a powerful role in helping one another achieve this goal of fostering strong empathy skills.

::: My child is extremely shy. What can I do? :::Shy behaviour is normal in babies and children.A baby might cling to he...
30/06/2021

::: My child is extremely shy. What can I do? :::

Shy behaviour is normal in babies and children.

A baby might cling to her parents, cry, shut their eyes, or hide their head in social situations. A preschooler might not want to talk when unfamiliar people speak to him or might hide behind a parent. A school-age child might avoid answering questions in class, have trouble making friends, or avoid new activities.

Not all of us are extroverts, and the same goes for our children. It is just part of their temperament, which is the unique way they interact with the world around them.

Here are some tips on how we can help our child:
1. Role model confident social behaviour. E.g., when someone says hello to you, always say hello back.

2. Always stay with your child in social situations, while encouraging him or her to explore. As he or she gets more comfortable, you can gradually move away for short periods.

3. Encourage your child to take small social baby steps like saying hi to a neighbor or joining in a game for a few minutes. Try role-playing ahead of time to practice what she or he might say or do.

4. Create opportunities like playdates, and practice show-and-tell at home.

5. Acknowledge your child’s feeling and let him or her know you are there to help. E.g., "I can see that you feel anxious because you do not know who is at the party". Let your child know that his feelings are OK and that you will help him manage them. E.g., “I can see you feel a bit scared because you don’t know who is at the party. Let us look together before we walk in”.

6. If other people say your child is ‘shy’, gently correct them in front of your child. E.g., “Amy takes a little while to warm up. Once she is comfortable, she will join you to play”. This sends the message that you understand how your child feels and empowers him or her to deal with the situation when he or she is ready.

7. Avoid negative comparisons with siblings or friends.

Do bring your child to see me if your child’s shyness is causing him (or you) a lot of distress and/or getting in the way of his daily activities and school.

::: When Children Lie :::I can remember distinctly the “intense” conversation with my wife the first time my daughter to...
09/06/2021

::: When Children Lie :::

I can remember distinctly the “intense” conversation with my wife the first time my daughter told a lie, and we were wondering why she had done that, and we were questioning if we had done something wrong. ☹

Children may learn to tell lies from around 3 years of age, and more so around 4-6 years. At this age group, they often have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy, and thus for them, fact and fiction does not necessarily have a clear line.

There are many reasons why children may lie – from seeing how we will respond or getting our attention; getting something they want; covering up something to avoid disappointing us or getting punished; to spicing up a story to make it more exciting.

Here are some useful tips on managing these situations:

1. Recognizing the type of lie your child is telling provides us a window into your child’s world and teaches us how to deal with it.

a. “My classmate lives in a castle and has a pet dragon” – Such a lie is an exploration of their fantasy and their imagination, and can be left alone, or instead be used to engage your child in an imaginative chat.

b. “Mummy said that I can have cake before dinner” – Such a lie is an expression of their wishful thinking. In response, you may acknowledge the idea behind the lie and say “I know you wish that were true, because you love cake so much, but we don’t eat sweet things before dinner.”

2. What to do if your child has told a deliberate lie.

Let him or her know immediately that you are aware she is not telling the truth. Emphasize the benefit of telling the truth to one another, so that you can trust each other. Make it even clearer that you will not be punishing him or her for telling the truth, even if he or she admits to having done something wrong, and you can praise him or her for having an honest conversation with you. E.g., “I’m so glad you told me what happened. Let us see what we can do together to fix it.”

In striking a balanced approach in reinforcing our child to tell the truth, determine what an appropriate consequence for the lying (e.g., restriction of a certain privilege) should be. Harsh punishment is usually not very effective.

3. Help your child learn about the importance of honesty.

a. Be a good role model and be careful of the social white lies that we sometimes say too! For instances, if someone calls and we tell our child to tell them we’re not home, we have just modelled lying for our own convenience.

b. Have conversations about lying and telling the truth. E.g., “How would mummy feel if daddy lied to her?”

c. Use stories. I particularly like the books ‘Pig the Fibber’ by Aaron Blabey, and ‘The Empty Pot’ by Demi.

Remember that one of the things what makes the toddler years fun is their wild imagination. We just need to guide our children along and nurture the important values of honesty, strength, perseverance and faith.

::: How to split your time among your children? :::It can often be stressful trying to allocate your time equally betwee...
06/05/2021

::: How to split your time among your children? :::

It can often be stressful trying to allocate your time equally between your children, to ensure that all of them have your attention, and that none of them feel neglected.

However, the truth is that it is almost impossible to divide your time and attention equally, as your children’s needs are so different at different stages of their lives.

Sometimes your children may need you at the same time, and you cannot do everything or be everywhere at once, so deal with the greatest need first, and just do what you can at the time!

Here are some tips on how to best manage our time with our children:

- Group activities involving the whole family can not only give the main caregiver a break from feeling stretched between children, but also serve as a wonderful bonding time for everyone.

- If there’s a newborn at home, everyone’s focus may often end up on the little baby. Remember to engage the older sibling too – let him or her participate in any way possible such as handing you the diaper or wet wipes during change time or encourage him or new to take on new responsibilities and roles like greeting the baby when they wake up or helping to choose what the baby will wear.

- Coordinate with your spouse. Consider “mummy or daddy’s date” with the kids while the other takes a breather.

- Consider staggering your children’s activities including wake-up or nap times, so that one child is occupied while the other gets your full attention.

- Signal your availability clearly so that your child knows when to ask for your attention. Try to narrate it out loudly and consistently e.g. “I’m going to help your sister with her homework for 30 minutes. Would you like to sit with us and paint or would you like to go play by yourself first”.

Remember that every family is different, and as our children grow up, the parental relationship and sibling dynamics will continue to change and evolve (hopefully for the better!) over time.

Let’s cherish each moment we have with our children (no matter how difficult it may sometimes be) to build the foundation for a loving and respectful relationship. :)

::: Body safety: How to empower our kids :::It is never too early to start talking to our kids about body safety. Just l...
29/04/2021

::: Body safety: How to empower our kids :::

It is never too early to start talking to our kids about body safety. Just like educating our little ones about home, road and water safety, we also need to empower them to know what is right and wrong, and and regularly remind them about keeping their body safe as they grow up.

Here are some useful tips:

1. Use appropriate language and terms - Teach your child proper names of body parts as soon as he or she learns about them

2. Body parts are private

a. Anything that is covered by underwear or swimsuit is not for others to see, touch, or take photos of!

b. No one should also show them pictures of private parts.

c. Parents and doctors may need to check their bodies for medical reasons, but only in the presence and permission of mom and dad.

3. Their body belongs to them – They have a right to say “NO” if they do not want to hug or kiss someone, including their grandparents. Constantly reinforce the idea that their body is their own, and they can protect it.

4. Explain what a good vs. bad touches are
a. You can explain a "good touch" as a way for people to show they care for each other and help each other (e.g. hugging, holding hands). A "bad touch" is the kind you do not like and want it to stop right away. They need to say "NO" and “STOP” and tell you about any touches that are confusing or that scare them.

b. You may also role play some sample situations to help them differentiate what is right and wrong.

c. One caveat to this is that not all “bad touching” may hurt or feels bad. So as long as someone secretly touches their private parts, they need to know that it is wrong!

4. Listen to their gut feeling
Feeling frightened, sick in the tummy, having fast heartbeat or sweating a lot are early warning signs of not feeling safe and comfortable with someone, and if they feel any of these with a person, they need to leave the unsafe situation right away and tell you about it.

5. Secrets are not allowed – Even if someone says “Let’s keep this between us” or “Don’t tell mom or dad”, they shouldn’t listen to them.

6. Safety rules apply to EVERYONE - Remind them it does not matter if they know someone – a friend, neighbour, relative, teacher or coach – safety rules apply to everyone they know.

7. Children never get in trouble for telling - Reassure them that they will never get in trouble for telling, and that we as parents are here to protect them!

Don’t hesitate to talk to your children about body safety – hopefully with these tips, it will not appear intimidating 😊

::: Is my child lactose intolerant? :::A common question I get from parents is whether their child is lactose intolerant...
17/02/2021

::: Is my child lactose intolerant? :::

A common question I get from parents is whether their child is lactose intolerant.

Here are some useful tips to note:

1. What is lactose?
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and milk products such as yoghurt and cheese.

2. What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
- Nausea, abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating
- Passing more wind
- Loose stools / diarrhoea

3. Is lactose intolerance the same as milk allergy?
No! Lactose intolerance is a digestive problem (when the body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme lactase which helps to digest lactose), while milk allergy involves the immune system.

Milk allergies tend to appear within the first year of life, while lactose intolerance can start in childhood into adolescence and can become more noticeable into adulthood.

4. Is lactose intolerance common in babies?
Lactose intolerance is not very common in infants and typically only starts showing up after age three in children who were born full-term. However, it can sometimes occur temporarily in children after a viral infection such as a stomach bug.

5. When should I see a doctor?
Bring your child to see me if you are worried if your child has symptoms of lactose intolerance, so that I can determine if your child is truly lactose intolerant, rule out other conditions, and more importantly decide if a change in his or her diet is actually necessary.

::: Why is it so difficult for toddlers to share? :::Toddlers are notoriously bad at sharing and that is okay. Having di...
10/02/2021

::: Why is it so difficult for toddlers to share? :::

Toddlers are notoriously bad at sharing and that is okay. Having difficulties with sharing is developmentally appropriate at this age!

Apart from not having an idea yet of what sharing means, they are often focused on their own feelings, wants, and needs. While building a sense of self, a large part of it involves having a sense of ownership. They do not yet understand that things can also belong to others too, as well as the social and emotional dynamics of sharing. Moreover, toddlers often do not have a concept of time, so to them passing their toy to someone else means giving it up for good.

While it can feel frustrating and sometimes even embarrassing, remember that this is normal behavior. With support from us parents, they will keep getting better at sharing!

Here are some tips to help our child learn about sharing:
1. Model sharing and turn-taking for your child.

2. Share with your child about why sharing is good e.g. “When you share toys with your friend, everyone gets to have fun”.

3. Create opportunities for your child to learn and practice sharing. Play games that involving turn taking and talk through the steps. Point out good sharing in others and praise your child when he or she does so. Talk to your child about sharing before playdates with others.

4. Offer a “long turn”. It is okay to let children have a long turn before sharing the toy. You may say “Take as long as you want with the car, and Tom will wait for you to be done. Tom, would you like to play with the ball instead?”. Sometimes, you may also use a timer or clock as a rule keeper and visual aid.

5. Use stories. I particularly like the books “That’s (Not) Mine” by Anna Kang, and “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems.

Do not worry and let us be patient. It won’t be long before your child is able to understand that sharing is caring!

Address

Bukit Panjang Plaza, 1 Jelebu Road #04/03
Singapore
677743

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 13:00
18:00 - 21:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 13:00
18:00 - 21:30
Friday 09:00 - 13:00
14:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+6567656140

Website

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Clinical services available: - Acute childhood illnesses - Newborn and well baby care - Childhood immunizations - Developmental, nutritional & growth assessment - Health screening - Asthma, eczema & allergy management - Travel medicine & vaccinations - Adolescent health Hospital services available: Hospital care for newborns and children at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Thomson Medical Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Orchard Hospital. * * * * As a proud father to a little girl, I know firsthand the concerns and challenges of caring for the physical and developmental wellbeing of our little ones. Thus, I am deeply dedicated to providing the best paediatric care for your children. My journey in paediatric care began in 2008, when I graduated on the Dean’s List from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore with my Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. I attained my postgraduate qualifications with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) in 2012. In 2014, I attained accreditation with the Specialist Accreditation Board as a Specialist in Paediatric Medicine, and was conferred Fellowship by the Academy of Medicine, Singapore in 2015. Over my 7 years tenure at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Singapore General Hospital, I trained in various departments including Paediatric Medicine, Neonatology, Intensive Care, Children’s Emergency, and Paediatric Subspecialities. In the domain of education and research, I was actively involved in the teaching of medical students and residents posted to the Department of Paediatrics, and have published several papers in various international peer-reviewed scientific journals. I was awarded the Outstanding House Officer Award in the Department of Paediatrics in 2008, the Singapore Health Quality Service Award (Silver Award) in 2012, and held the title of Chief Registrar for the Department of Paediatrics for the period from November 2012 to April 2013. Outside of work, I enjoy music, travelling and bowling, and am an active volunteer with the Children’s Special Needs Support Group in my church.

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