Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2019 i Your Baby & Toddler

All newborn babies born at Netcare Hospital maternity units will have a hearing screening done. The national programme is the first initiative of its kind in South Africa. The aim is to identify hearing loss in infants as early as possible. “Between four and six in every 1 000 South African children will be born with, or will develop, hearing loss in their first weeks of life. At a national level, this represents a considerable number of affected children and families,” says Jacques du Plessis, managing director of the Netcare hospital division. The cost of the specialised screening is covered as part of Netcare’s Maternity Passport offering, which can be obtained when expectant parents book their confinement at a Netcare maternity unit. If hearing impairments are detected as soon as…

I was told, “Never in a million years must you have a baby!” This came from a medical professional. I have borderline personality disorder and have had it for 20 years. And yes, I do become a danger to myself and the people around me and yes, maybe having a baby is going to be difficult. But why must that stop me from experiencing the one thing I have dreamt of? My own flesh and blood growing inside of me! I ignored all warnings, changed doctors and fell pregnant. I am now 31 weeks pregnant and literally pooping myself. What if they were right? What if I shouldn’t have fallen pregnant? What if I have my attacks? Am I going to be such a horrible mom? Hubby came home from…

HELP HEAL 300 LITTLE AFRICAN HEARTS Professor Robin Kinsley and an incredible team of doctors are embarking on a journey – to perform 300 heart surgeries on children born with congenital heart disease in Africa. They’ve partnered with Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital & Heart Centre and five government paediatric cardiac units. More than 3 000 South African children die or remain disabled each year while waiting for this type of surgery. Prof. Kinsley believes no child born with a congenital heart defect should ever be denied treatment simply because it’s too expensive. After spending 50 years in paediatric cardiac surgery and conducting more than 15 000 open heart surgeries, Prof. Kinsley is now continuing his legacy to help vulnerable children on our continent by founding the Children’s Cardiac Foundation of Africa.…

Q: My husband and I have very different views on discipline. I believe in giving our two-year-old a smack when he’s naughty, and my husband is really against smacking. As you can imagine, this leads to quite a heated debate. I don’t understand why he’s so against smacking or how to resolve this. Do you have any advice on this? A: Clinical psychologist Steven Kaplan answers: Presumably the debate is not about whether or not discipline is required at all. Rather, it is about what form that discipline should take. If you take that as your starting point, the problem is simple enough. The traditional argument in favour of corporal punishment is that it is convenient, and that, “It never did me any harm.” The truth is that it is…

WALKING INTO A toyshop can be a truly scary experience, especially for a new parent. The onslaught of bright colours, noises, flashing lights, buttons to press and levers to pull can be a real shock to the system (as can your toddler’s sensory-overload-induced tantrum!). It is no wonder that toy makers are looking for more ways to make their wares stand out from all the others crowding the shelves. But it’s not the brightest, most branded or loudest toys that are the big sellers, it is those toys that claim to be “educational” that fly to the tills. What exactly makes a toy educational? Do they really make a difference? And should we really care – and fork out the extra money for them? WHAT MAKES A TOY ‘EDUCATIONAL’? While…

Get comfortable on a bed or chair, and have someone hand your baby to you. In the weeks to come, you will learn how to get comfortable with your baby in your arms, but for now, rely on nurses and your partner for help. • Support your back and arms with pillows, and place a pillow on your lap to raise and support your baby if necessary. Use one hand to support your breast – place your fingers under the breast and thumb on top – then cradle your baby in the crook of your arm. • Make sure your baby’s tummy is against yours, and that he is lying on his side. His head shouldn’t be turned – ensure that the head, neck and spine are all in a…

NOSE Your newborn’s nose may be quite flat for a few days, thanks to being squeezed during birth. He’ll sneeze often to clear his nasal passage. This is quite normal. The midwife will gently suction your baby’s nose if it gets blocked while still in hospital. Once home, you can use saline drops to soften the mucus and then a mucus extractor to suction it out. You could also use an ear bud, but don’t push it into his nose. Just rotate it gently at the entrance or use damp cotton wool to wipe it off. EARS Your newborn’s ears are so soft because they contain very little cartilage at this age. Always dry behind the ears with cotton wool after washing your baby’s hair and head, and also cover…

IN SUMMER, appropriate clothes are just as important as putting on sunscreen. Choose outfits with a thick weave for your little one – look out for this promise on labels of T-shirts, playsuits and hats. A spokesperson for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) says babies younger than a year should not be exposed to direct sunlight whatsoever. So, can Baby come along to the beach then? Yes, says Dr Dagmar Whitaker, a dermatologist from Cape Town. “But put on sunscreen, wear sun-protective clothing, put on a hat and keep her under the umbrella.” EXTRA TIPS ✓ Invest in a special sunroof for the pram – it should offer protection against ultraviolet A-rays. ✓ Sunscreen: buy a dermatologically approved brand that was specially developed for children and has a…

How do we get started? > Sit your baby upright, facing the table, either on your lap or in a highchair. Make sure she is steady and can use her hands and arms freely. > Offer rather than give your baby food – put it in front of her or let her take it from your hand, so that the decision is hers. > Start with foods that are easy to pick up – thick sticks or long strips are best at first. Introduce new shapes and textures gradually, so that your baby can work out how to handle them. > Include your baby in your mealtimes whenever you can. As far as possible – as long as it’s suitable – offer your baby the same food as you are…

RAW DOUGH 1 cup flour ¼ cup salt 1 tablespoon cooking oil a few drops of food colouring ½ cup water › Combine the flour and salt, then add the oil. › Add the food colouring to the water. › Add the water to the dry mix bit by bit. › Knead until soft. FRAGRANT CLAY 1 cup flour ¼ cup salt 1 small pack (25 g) powdered cooldrink mix cup water 1 tablespoon oil › Combine the flour, salt and cooldrink powder. › Boil the water, add the oil and whisk to combine. › Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture bit by bit until you get the desired consistency for a thick clay. STRETCHY DOUGH 1 cup hair conditioner 2 cups cornflour (Maizena) › Mix the ingredients…

THERE ARE SO many things to do with toddlers these days, but most cost an arm and a leg, so we asked you to send us the things you like to do with your toddler that are free – for your toddler at least! Here are the top 20 things you like to do with your children in South Africa Sand between your toes Mix a beach with a bucket, spade and toddler – and you usually have a winning combination. Topping the list are Nature’s Valley and The Island at Groot Brak, both on the Garden Route, KZN’s Bay of Plenty & Zinkwazi Beach and Port Alfred’s Kiddies Beach, as they all boast golden sands and calm, wave-free lagoons. You can also get eco-friendly and take your tot to…

Q: My husband and I have always had a volatile relationship, and we end up fighting in front of our children quite often. They are four and two, and we also have a baby of six months. I often worry about the effect our fighting could have on them. A: It’s normal for couples to have different opinions, feelings and expectations about things, but it’s important to find a constructive way to negotiate these differences in a nonthreatening and respectful way. When it becomes heated and hurtful, the conflict will take its toll on the couple’s relationship as well as the family. Your children will learn that difference cannot be tolerated, and that conflict leads to shouting and hurt feelings. This will not give them the necessary life skills to…

CHICKEN & BROCCOLI BAKE 4 tablespoons butter ½ cup mushrooms, sliced 2 tablespoons cake flour 1 cup milk salt & pepper to taste ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon mild curry powder 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 cup cooked chicken (use leftover roast chicken) ½ cup broccoli florets, steamed ¼ cup cheddar cheese, grated ¼ cup breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. 2 Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, and brown the mushrooms. Add the flour and stir for a minute, then stir in the milk and stir until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper and let cool. Stir in the mayonnaise, curry powder, lemon juice and lemon zest. 3 Stir the cooked chicken and broccoli florets into…

There is a new South African app called My Pregnancy Journey that you might want to try. The app boasts weekly gynaecology videos, weekly yoga videos, weekly sonar and 3D images of a growing baby, weekly 4D videos and daily articles on everything from your body and the growth and development of your baby to information on nutrition, exercise and labour. There is also a journal for you to document your pregnancy journey and print it out afterwards. Other tools are a baby kick counter and contraction counter, as well as a hospital bag checklist and birth plan guide. Search for “My Pregnancy Journey” in your app store or check it on the website mypregnancyjourney.co.za…

WIN A BABY CITY VOUCHER VALUED AT R350 Send us a clear, good quality photo to littleangels@yourbaby.co.za Each photo published receives a R350 Baby City Voucher…

JIMMY FALLON & NANCY JUVONEN The couple have two daughters, Winnie (6) and Frances (5), born via a surrogate. “If there’s anyone out there who is trying and they’re just losing hope… just hang in there,” Jimmy told the Today show. “Try every avenue; try anything you can do, ’cause you’ll get there. You’ll end up with a family, and it’s so worth it. It is the most ‘worth it’ thing.” TYRA BANKS & ERIK ASLA Tyra admits to having had fertility problems. “When I turned 40, the one thing I was not happy about is that I did not have kids. “Of the IVF procedures I’ve undergone, I’ve had some not-happy and very traumatic moments. It’s difficult as you get older. It’s not something that can just happen.” Tyra,…

WE ALL WISH for our children to be happy, successful and healthy. But, who would have thought a sunny outlook on life would be able to help with that? Research shows optimistic people are healthier and live longer than pessimists. They are less stressed and less anxious, they don’t give up so easily, and they generally just do a lot better. Children with optimistic thought patterns are also usually able to better handle disappointment and recover from it quicker and believe more in what they can achieve. Probably the biggest benefit of optimism is that it’s an antidote to depression. Martin Seligman, author of the book The Optimistic Child, says a pessimistic mindset is oftentimes the seed that becomes depression. With so many children suffering from depression nowadays, optimism is…

WHILE PARENTS ARE generally good at ensuring their children have food in their bellies, clothes on their backs, a roof over their heads and a proper education, many falter when it comes to exposing their children to modelled behaviour of self-love, acceptance and a positive body image. You may argue that your own body image is the least of your troubles as a parent, but modelling a positive sense of self-worth is more important than you might think. While most parents would never dare call their children “fat” or “ugly” – and wouldn’t stand for other people doing so either – we, however, tend to use these words in reference to ourselves. This could be as a result of decades of self-denigration and loathing that have, unbeknown to us, been…

IN THE FIRST YEAR of life, babies grow faster than at any other time of their lives. An infant’s birth weight doubles after about five months and triples by his first birthday, by which time his length has increased by half. Adequate, appropriate nutrition is essential to ensure optimal growth and brain function. For the first six months, exclusive breastfeeding provides the sufficient amount of calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates that your baby’s growing body needs. Regularly measuring your baby’s weight and length, and plotting it on a growth chart determines the adequacy of your baby’s food intake. BREASTFEEDING YOUR BABY Breast milk is nature’s nutritional superfood. Not only does it provide the best nutrition and protection for your baby, but it’s also always available at the right temperature and…

• Your baby has the nipple and much of the areola (the dark circle surrounding the nipple) in his mouth. • His cheeks are rounded. • You can see a pink lip line on the top and bottom of his mouth. (You may have to gently compress your breast long enough to check.) • Long jaw movements are visible. You may see his temples and ears moving. • Don’t worry about your baby not being able to breathe – he will de-latch if he can’t. If he has not latched properly, de-latch (break the suction by inserting your clean finger into his mouth), change position and re-latch him.…

The general rule is that a baby younger than six months should stay completely out of direct sunlight. If Baby joins you on your beach trip, you should have an umbrella or a beach tent that offers protection against UV rays. Also pack extra towels, as your baby won’t be satisfied lying on a damp or sandy towel. Take along enough to eat (if you’re planning on staying a while) and, more importantly, enough to drink. If your baby is already crawling, it will be hard to prevent her putting sand, pebbles or even shells in her mouth. Allow her these all-important voyages of discovery, but try and remove as much as possible again, and rinse her mouth with fresh water. Too much saltwater can cause small tummies to become…

Q: My nine-month-old baby has suddenly gone from a happy-go-lucky chap who smiled all the time to a clingy baby who cries a lot. He refuses to go to my husband or anyone but me – I can’t even go to the loo! What is happening here? A: Remember that this period coincides with your baby’s increased mobility, as he starts crawling around now. Besides the greater exploration and independence mobility allows, the realisation that your baby is his own, separate, person can cause him to feel much anxiety and fear. Babies at this age do not understand that their caregiver will return when, for example, they leave the room. Time can also seem endless, and moments apart may feel like they will never end. Your baby also has to…

YOU AND YOUR FRIEND barely sit down when the blood-curdling screams start. You rush out to see who’s hurt, only to find your two children, each determinedly tugging on one arm of a doll while screaming loudly. It’s a scene that plays itself out in thousands of homes every single day, but that does not stop parents from feeling frustrated and embarrassed about it. Being charitable is a sophisticated skill and not something that comes naturally to a small child – but with your support and encouragement, he’ll slowly start sharing like a boss. As adults we understand too well how important the ability to share is for our toddler’s future social skill set. Dr Magdaleen Carstens, a child psychologist (and mom) from Pretoria, says sharing is one of the…

IT’S A FRIDAY NIGHT, and you have plans as a couple, so you drop your 18-month-old off at your mom for a sleepover – something you’ve done regularly since she was born. Only this time it’s different. Instead of happily hugging Gogo as soon as she sees her, your child is clinging to you in tears and refusing to even look in Gogo’s direction. And that’s not the only person she’s suddenly gone off of, everyone – from well-known friends to family – are suddenly being snubbed by your growing tot. Welcome to the phase called toddler anxiety. But don’t worry, it’s not forever. DEVELOPING A SENSE OF INDIVIDUALITY Having your usually uber-chilled tot morph into a decidedly unfriendly mite can make for some awkward social situations, but your little…

YOU WILL FIND that as your child grows, she starts expressing a desire for some responsibility. She may be begging you for a puppy or a gold fish. Before you head to the pet shop though, start instilling a sense of responsibility in something a little hardier. A rock garden is the perfect way to introduce your child to the concepts of responsibility and accountability. She will have to keep it clean and neat, while painting the rocks and being the creator of her little rock garden will inspire a sense of propriety. Your child’s fine motor skills and creativity will also be engaged to the full. YOU WILL NEED ❯ Small, smooth rocks (look around in your garden or at nurseries) ❯ Acrylic paint ❯ Sand (we used the…

CHARLENE DAWSON and her husband, Hennie, from the town of Nigel in southern Gauteng, have some pretty interesting genetic conditions between them, their three children and their extended family. Charlene, 27, explains Hennie has nail-patella syndrome. This is a genetic disorder characterised by small nails and kneecaps (patella is the Latin name for kneecap) – and in the 38-year-old boilermaker’s case, an inability to straighten his arms. It’s got a bunch of other names: hereditary onychoosteodysplasia (HOOD syndrome), Fong disease iliac horn or Turner-Kieser syndrome. It occurs in one in 50 000 people, and the chance of passing it on to your children is 50 percent. And it can remain undiagnosed for many generations. “Nail-patella syndrome is rare. I have only seen a handful in my career,” confirms professor Anthony…

A cardiac component is key to any exercise regime, but many of us have pools that are just too small to swim lengths in. If this is the case for you, try these ideas: 1 Create water currents by running as if you are writing your initials with your body in the water. Now turn back, and walk or run through the centre of your initials as fast as you can. The currents you have created make it difficult to run through them, giving you a challenging workout. 2 Grab your pool noodle, and place it around your chest and under your armpits. Lean forward, so that the pool noodle acts as your flotation device. Now start running from one end of the pool to the other. 3 Lie on…

IT HAPPENED sometime around two in the morning. My son, four months old at the time, had been wrestling with sleep since early evening. The routine’s agony was only surpassed by its sheer predictability. He’d scream his lungs out for about 30 minutes, fall asleep for another 20 and repeat. My partner and I exchanged glances under the fading light of our apartment and silently asked with our eyes: “What have we gotten ourselves into?” There have been many nights like that one, and I’m sure many more still lie ahead for both of us. Sleep deprivation is a staple of early parenthood. A recent study reveals that new parents face up to six years of sleep deprivation. This is because after the very early months (years?) of interrupting sleep…

Cancer causes more deaths in South Africa than HIV/Aids, TB and malaria combined. You can help sufferers by buying the Sunflower Funds Tube of Hope. The money generated by the sales goes towards the recruitment of blood stem cell donors to give the hope of cure to patients diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia who are in need of a life-saving stem cell transplant. A patient in need of a transplant needs a genetic matching donor. There is only a 25% chance that a sibling will be a match. The remaining 75% chance depends on finding an unrelated matching donor. The best chance of finding this match is someone from the same ethnic background as the patient. So, SA needs an ethnically diverse registry of committed donors. Buy your…

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT For the past five years, I’ve been trying to figure out who is for me and what’s best for me. I’m a single woman. I’ve been fighting for people who were not worth battling for. In the process, I took God’s plan for my life for granted. Until a light-bulb moment, when my foolishness hit me right in the face. I realised that no matter how stubborn you are, if you’re willing to go back to God, he’ll accept you. No presumptions could affect the dear will of God’s plan for you. I have often been accused of holding very high standards in terms of men. Some have even said I should lower my standards to fit in with those of the world.…

WIN A PURITY HAMPER VALUED AT R800 PURITY, through the Purity Journey Journal App, will help you document your unique parenting journey. It provides you with expert tips and advice for every stage of your child’s development – from pregnancy to after birth – and gives you 24/7 access to medical support, emergency contacts and info from baby nutrition to care-product ranges. Sign up today for the journey of a lifetime: purityapp.co.za Send a clear, good-quality photo to us at littleangels@yourbaby.co.za…

“IT WAS JUST after 3am, and Obakeng*, our 12-week-old son, had been crying for what felt like an eternity, but it was probably only 15 or 20 minutes at the most. My husband and I had decided a few days before to move him to his own bedroom, which was right next to ours, so that we could all start getting a better night’s sleep,” explains Cape Town mom Oratile*. “I wanted to rush into Obakeng’s room and cuddle him back to sleep. But my husband said we needed to be firm and let him soothe himself back to sleep. His attitude made me furious; we had a huge argument. That was the first time I realised that we might have different ideas on discipline and how to raise our…

EVERY CHILD IS UNIQUE – all the way from crown to toe. So, why do so many firstborns across the globe share specific personalities while middle and youngest children fit other boxes? Research has shown it time and again: the order in which your children are born plays a part in their personality. Michael Grose, author of Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, says a child’s position in the family impacts his personality, his behaviour, his learning and ultimately his earning power. “Most people have an intuitive knowledge that birth order somehow has an impact on development, but they underestimate how far-reaching and just how significant that impact really is,” Michael says. Cape Town psychologist Bettie Rall believes as the parent, you hold…

• Position Find a comfortable position for you and your baby. • Latching Ensuring that your baby is correctly latched onto the nipple makes breastfeeding much less painful. Get help from a lactation consultant or clinic sister if you’re struggling. • Demand feeding Don’t schedule feeds at first, as this interferes with your milk production and optimum nutrition for your baby. Give him a feed when he wants one. • Expert advice Registered health professionals – doctors, clinic sisters, midwives and lactation consultants – are best equipped to assist you if you find yourself struggling. An international board-certified lactation consultant is the gold standard of support – ask your registered health professional for a referral or visit lllsa.org.…

• Your baby eats frequently, and you can hear swallowing sounds as he suckles. In the first month, your baby has frequent stools. Be aware that this could slow down in breastfed babies, with a few days passing between stools. If this happens, it should not be seen as constipation, which appears as hard, pellet-like stools rather than infrequent stools. If you are worried about your baby’s bowel movements, always consult your doctor or clinic sister. • Your baby wets his nappies. • Your breasts feel softer after nursing. • Your baby’s weight and height are increasing. Each child is unique, and your baby’s growth should be plotted on his own growth chart by your clinic sister or doctor at regular check-ups.…

Q: My baby was born a week ago, and I am worried that I might not be able to care for his umbilical stump. How do I help it heal, dry up and fall off safely? A: After the baby is born, the cord between baby and mom is cut. The basic need at this time is to keep it dry, so it can fall off. There are different ways of doing this: 1. Delay bathing the baby, or don’t immerse him in the bath water, as this will keep it moist and delay the drying and falling off. 2. After every nappy change, pay special attention to the area at the base of the cord nearest to the belly button. Wipe it gently but thoroughly to clean out any…

WHETHER YOUR BABY has always been a good sleeper, you’ve just managed to get her to sleep through the night, or sleep has always been a problem and still is, you will find that in the six-to-12-month age band, new sleep issues arise. Here are the top five sleep problems arising in older babies: 1 SHE’S HUNGRY Waking for a feed more than once at night may indicate that she is not getting all the nutrition she needs during the day. It’s very important after six months that your baby gets all the essential fatty acids that are found in the fats contained in protein-rich foods such as meat, dairy, legumes and fish. Ensure that from six months, she’s eating solids that include these protein-rich foods. 2 SHE HAS A…

BASIC CHICKEN PURÉE from 4 months 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast 1 cup chicken stock (homemade or a low- or no-sodium version) 1 small apple, peeled and chopped 1 Place all the ingredients in a medium pot and bring to the boil over medium heat. 2 Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. 3 Remove from the heat and purée using a stick blender or food processor. CHICKEN & GREEN VEG STEW from 6 months 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into small cubes ¼ cup courgettes, washed and grated ¼ cup broccoli florets, washed and diced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley 1 Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan, and brown the chicken pieces. Add the vegetables and brown for a few more minutes,…

“My sister-in-law sets a kitchen timer to ring when time’s up. It works quite well, and in this way each child gets an equal turn. “And if food is to be shared, my dad was like Solomon: One of us could share, and the other one could choose. It still works well.” Wendy Dlangamandla from KwaMashu says her boys, Gugu (3) and Dumisane (2), have become good at sharing: “If they fight about a toy, it’s simple – it gets put away, and they don’t get it again. If the toys become scarce, and there’s almost nothing left, they start sharing with each other again to get their toys back. They have to ‘deserve’ them back. After every day of playing without fighting or grabbing from each other, they get…

IT IS VERY EASY to buy medication over the counter (OTC) at your pharmacy. These medications are as potentially dangerous as any prescription medication, so it’s important to know what you are buying. It is most important to understand that OTC medications are for symptomatic relief, meaning that they treat the symptoms and not the cause of the illness. Three medications are used most frequently to achieve relief from congestion and coughing, and these have significant side effects, especially when used in young children and when given in the incorrect dose. The doses of these medications have not been accurately studied in children. The side effects of these medications (see box below) have led to a global warning about the safety of products that contain these preparations. All medications containing…

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