Innholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2021 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

One of the best bits of pregnancy and parenting is that they provide you with so much in your day, week, month and life to look forward to. This anticipation of good things to come helps us stay motivated when the going gets a little tough, and it adds meaning to the more mundane bits of life. During pregnancy you look forward to scans, finding out the sex, experiencing the first kicks and – of course –giving birth. To make sure that you anticipate a wonderful birth, it is important that your “looking forward” is framed in a positive way and that fear, although normal and natural, occupies an appropriate place. This is why you get The Better Birth Guide, afree supplement with this issue. Because nothing helps you prepare…

YOU COULD WIN A PHILIPS AVENT STERILIZER AND SOOTHER WORTH R892 Eight lucky readers stand a chance to win a Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer and 0-2 months soother. The Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer’s lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for sterilizing feeding bottles in and out of the home. Just add water, load and place in the microwave for 2minutes. It fits most microwaves. The contents remain sterile for up to 24 hours if the lid is unopened. To enter, send a hi-res image of your child with a parent, other carer or sibling to sharing@ypbmagazine.com. Send a clear, good-quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com…

ENJOY EVERY DAY LOW PRICES WITH BABY CITY Baby City offers a wide range of quality branded items all under one roof. With everyday low prices, it is no wonder Baby City is South Africa’s leading baby hyper. Visit babycity.co.za to see the enormous range of products. TOUCH, NOURISH & LOVE YOUR CHILD’S SKIN WITH EPI-MAX BABY & JUNIOR A gentle all-purpose emollient moisturiser for babies and children that is mild enough to be used as a moisturiser or a soap substitute on normal and dry skin, and for eczema and psoriasis. Epi-max Baby Bum Barrier Cream protects, conditions and restores sensitive skin areas, and can be used to repel wetness that could cause nappy rash. The range can be used from birth and is identifiable by the lilac packaging.…

1 DARKEN YOUR BABY’S ROOM and put soft linen in her cot. A sleeping bag will help prevent night waking. 2 For babies under 3 months, LIMIT STIMULATION after 4pm. A 100 percent cotton swaddling blanket will calm her and limit night wakings. 3 HAVE A CONSISTENT BEDTIME (6 to 7pm), preceded by a regular routine. Begin with a soothing, warm bath, followed by a calming massage. 4 How long your baby has been awake determines when she should sleep. It’s vital that she is NOT OVERTIRED AT BEDTIME. 5 PUT HER TO BED AWAKE. Give her a soft toy or blanket to help self-soothe at night. 6 IF YOUR BABY FUSSES, stay with her, place your hand on her and soothe her to sleep. 7 NIGHT FEEDS? Wait for…

1 BE HONEST. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER BABY? A The thought makes me want to hide under the bed. B I like the idea, but I’m not sure I’d manage two. C I’m hopping in the car right now to go baby shopping! 2 A FRIEND COMES OVER TO INTRODUCE HER NEW BABY TO YOU. A You can’t get enough of the little one and your friend has to wrest her from your arms. B You admire the little bundle, but you’re quite relieved when they leave. C You say all the right things, but the sound of the baby crying makes you wish they’d never come. 3 WHEN YOU MENTION ANOTHER BABY TO YOUR PARTNER, HE… A Turns the volume on…

STATEMENT: BABY OIL AND LUBRICANTS HAVE AN EFFECT ON FERTILITY True or not? All petroleum-based lubricants can indeed have an effect on the motility or survival of sperm. STATEMENT: SPERM LIVES FOR THREE DAYS ONLY. True or not? In a healthy environment, sperm can live for three to four days. STATEMENT: IF YOU URINATE AFTER HAVING SEX IT WILL PREVENT PREGNANCY. True or not? Fake news! This isn’t true at all. STATEMENT: WOMEN CAN’T FALL PREGNANT DURING THEIR PERIOD. True or not? This is most likely the case. Menstruation is an indication that the egg that was released during the previous cycle was not fertilised. That is why hormonal changes caused the lining of the womb to loosen. The lining will be built up again in…

Don’t worry about the alcohol – it evaporates during cooking, and only the flavour remains. You can serve this soup to older babies (from 9 months) by leaving out the seasoning and liquidising the soup in a blender or food processor. You can add 2 more lightly beaten eggs to the white sauce of the Mac & Cheese to up the protein content of the dish. Involve the whole family in the pizza making. Let each member of the family make their pizza with their own favourite toppings. Roll out the bases, spoon the tomato sauce over, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Then have bowls of toppings ready for each person to choose from. TRY THESE COMBINATIONS FOR CHILDREN Leftover chicken and pineapple Bacon and spinach Ham, mushroom and corn…

ROAST TOMATO SAUCE • 500g tomatoes (preferably roma/plum) • 1t sugar • 1t salt • 1t molasses • 10 basil leaves • 1clove garlic • 1t ground cumin • salt and pepper to taste 1 Preheat oven to 180˚C. 2 Cut the tomatoes into quarters and put them on a baking tray. 3 Sprinkle with sugar and salt and roast for 40 minutes or until the edges of the tomatoes start to blacken. 4 Put the tomatoes into a food processor or blender, add the molasses, basil leaves, garlic and cumin, and blend to form a smooth sauce. 5 Season well with salt and pepper and pour into an airtight container. This will keep for several weeks in the fridge. You could also freeze portions in Ziploc bags. EASY BREAD RECIPE • 1kg wholewheat flour • 1 sachet…

All medical procedures are not without risk, but thankfully complications are rare. It may occasionally happen that the stitch leaves ascar (like any cut does) in the cervix, and this may stop the cervix from dilating during labour, and you may not be able to have a natural birth. If you’re going to a private hospital, you need to get authorisation from your medical aid. If you’re going to a government hospital, you may be referred to a bigger academic training hospital or have to wait until a doctor and theatre is available. This emphasises the importance of early and regular ante-natal care. Don’t wait until you feel your baby move for the first time before going to the clinic, as this could put your baby at risk if there…

1 The ball should be large enough to sit on with legs bent at a 90º angle. 2 It is easily cleaned with soap and water. 3 Inflate the ball to a point that is slightly firm but still ”gives”; it should roll easily. 4 Keep sharp objects and heaters away from the ball. 5 Hold the ball with your hand as you sit down on it with your feet flat on the floor and about two feet apart to give you a stable base. Your partner or midwife can assist you by standing behind you if you feel unstable.…

1 Enroll in a prenatal exercise class that focuses on building the strength and suppleness of the pregnant body. 2 Change your environment to ease the workload on your back. 3 Think posture, posture and posture all the time. 4 Massage is a wonderful way to ease pain and tension in an aching back. 5 Use heat to ease spasm. 6 Visit an osteopath chiropractor or physiotherapist for treatments if the pain is intolerable. 7 Maintain excellent nutrition. This will boost your energy levels. 8 Lastly, don’t take your back for granted. It is the coat hanger that your body clings to, so take good care of it. It cannot be replaced.…

NEWBORN Your new baby’s first poo is called meconium. It’s black, sticky and difficult to clean, also because you’re uncertain about handling your baby. Very soon it will be second nature. Beware of pushing your baby’s legs up to the chest too vigorously, as this can lead to a poo explosion. NURSING BABY Good news! Breastfed babies’ poo really doesn’t smell bad, and the slight smell bothers parents even less than others. Yip, someone researched it! Their poo is also easy to wipe away. But be warned… When your baby begins to cut teeth, you’re in for some spectacularly bad nappies. Change your baby immediately to avoid nappy rash. OLDER BABY Once your baby starts eating solid food, his poo will change quite dramatically. The good news is that the…

Friends and family love sharing all kinds of advice when it comes to baby care, except for the dos and don’ts of cleaning your little girl’s genital area. If you’re feeling nervous about this, read on, so that you really know how to avoid causing any damage. WHAT’S NORMAL? At birth your baby’s kidneys aren’t fully functional yet, but within 24 hours after birth your baby should urinate. Your daughter’s genitals could appear really swollen. This is due to the high levels of oestrogen and progesterone that she was exposed to in the womb. These hormone levels drop quickly after birth, which means you could notice a thick, white discharge from her vagina. Also, don’t be alarmed if there is a tiny bit of blood present in the discharge on…

Once your baby is able to chew and shows an interest in bringing things to her mouth, it’s time for the next big step: finger foods. Your baby doesn’t even need to have teeth for this. ■ START WITH SOFT FOODS that melt in the mouth, like cubes of watermelon (with pips removed). Avocado and banana are also good options. ■ STEAM VEGETABLES AND HARD FRUITS like apples to make them easier to chew. As your baby gets more proficient with finger foods, give her grated cheese, chopped hard-boiled egg and strips of soft meat. ■ TEETHING BISCUITS AND RICE CAKES are also great finger foods. Intrepid eaters will also love chewing on toast fingers and baby biltong. Babies with good fine motor skills can dip steamed veggies, cooked pasta…

Contrary to popular belief baby's first food does not have to be a commercial infant rice cereal. If you want to use cereal, skip the sugary commercial brands, and make your own porridge with oats, barley or brown rice. Since the fibres in wholegrains may inhibit iron absorption, porridge should not be eaten at every meal. Weaning Sense (R320, Quivertree Publications) by local experts Meg Faure & Kath Megaw (occupational therapist and paediatric dietician) demystifies weaning and, using current research, gives you easy-to-use, real-food solutions. Grounded firmly in science and using simple and inspiring ingredient combinations with minimal equipment and quick preparation times, the authors introduce a revolutionary way to wean babies. Includes over 70 delicious foolproof recipes.…

There’s nothing more disheartening than when your toddler starts to turn up her nose at her food. After all, you’re doing your very best to try and get her to eat. But at this age, kids often become fussy and picky when it comes to mealtimes. So what more can you do? For one thing, make sure you aren’t falling into these common food traps in your desperate attempts. 1 FORCE FEEDING WHY NOT? It’s tempting to want to insist that your toddler eats when she starts to refuse. But it’s a bad idea to force feed your little one. “Pressurising a child to eat often backfires, and you become a ‘casualty of war’. Your child may associate eating and mealtimes with anxiety and arguing, and this can lead…

To ensure that your child gets the right balance of child-driven and structured play for optimal development, you should: ■ Give your child permission to play with you, other children and nature. ■ Stop feeling unstructured play is frivolous. It’s fundamental. ■ Be informed –understand your child’s development phases and needs as well as the value of free play. ■ Stop thinking of her future university results. Praise her, but beware of the pressure for achievement. ■ Stop worrying if she gets her clothes dirty or messy – it’s all part of the learning curve. ■ Take the time to meet your child in her “world” but allow her enough space to learn on her own and with other children. ■ When selecting a daycare provider or crèche, ensure they…

Debbie Claassen, a Gauteng podiatrist, says most of her young clients battle with the following: INGROWN TOENAILS “This is one of the most common problems and can easily be avoided. Follow the shape of the toe when cutting your baby’s toenails, but always leave the corners straight – don’t cut down towards the nail bed,” she says. She also advises parents not to cut toenails into aV shape in the middle. WARTS spread through water or sweat. Babies and children who go to swimming lessons or those who use public pools are most at risk. “It has to be treated correctly from the start, preferably by a podiatrist or dermatologist,” Debbie says. PIGEON TOES Feet that are turned in can be hereditary and could have several causes, says Debbie. Stiff…

Labelling a child as this or that has always been part of life, but these days, labels are attached very quickly, particularly when the child has a behavioural problem. “In many cases the emphasis is unfortunately strongly on the diagnosis and not so much on what can be done practically to help the child,” says Zelna Lauwrens, life coach and founder of Equal Zeal, an international organisation that teaches children life skills. NEATLY IN A BOX People use labels because they want to understand and control others’ behaviour, Zelna explains. “When somebody’s behaviour starts to veer off from the norm, it is easier for society to handle the difference if there is a name for it. When something is named, we think we can find a solution. “The great risk…

Q My darling little boy who just turned 4 years old, has inherited his ears from his grandpa. They are huge and stick out, and the edges don’t have that little curled edge that most ears have – they are rather flat, like a mouse or elephant. My mom says he will grow into them, but I don’t think so, as grandpa’s ears were exactly the same. To me, he is gorgeous, but I really fear that he will be teased at school. At least little girls can let their hair grow, but we aren’t really the type of family that has longhaired boys. I don’t want to make him unnecessarily self conscious about something that at this point doesn’t bother him at all, but on the other hand maybe…

FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS UP TO 2 YEARS ■ Point at pictures, and say or ask the names of things (depending on age). ■ Use aslow, sing-song voice. ■ Use different voices for different characters. Have fun! ■ Spend time talking about the pictures before turning the page. ■ Say a name, and ask your toddler to point to the item. ■ Praise your child each time she points at and names an object. FOR 2- TO 4-YEAR-OLDS ■ Give your child time to look at the pictures before you read. ■ Ask, “Where’s the...?”, “What’s that called?” or “What’s she doing?” ■ Follow the text with your finger as you read. ■ With familiar stories, see if your child can join in or finish phrases. Ask questions like: “Why…

Have you thought about what kind of mom you’ll be? Take our fun quiz, and see if you’re more tiger than helicopter. 1 IT’S DINNER TIME, AND YOU’VE MADE FISH, POTATOES AND VEG. YOUR PICKY CHILD ONLY WANTS FRIED CHIPS. WHAT DO YOU DO? A Make chips, but only with organic potatoes, adding some organic butternut and sweet potato chips too. B Make the chips, because you like eating them too. C Discuss the benefits of fish as brain food, and vegetables as powerful antioxidants, and insist your child eat them for the sake of his wellbeing and growth. D Tell your child that he’s not leaving the table until he has finished everything on his plate. It’s imperative he eats a balanced meal. E Try to compromise – if…

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20 OR MORE Are you sure you aren’t expecting already? If not, what are you waiting for? 19 OR BELOW You’re still feeling a little overwhelmed by motherhood, but an unplanned pregnancy at this stage wouldn’t be a crisis. Give yourself a few more months to feel completely ready for no. 2. 11 OR BELOW You’re definitely not ready. Don’t beat yourself up. These things take time. Don’t let outside pressure get to you. This is an important decision, and you’re the only one who can make it.…

Protecting our children from child abuse is no longer an issue for over-fives. We need to give our children as many skills as we can to reduce their chances of abuse –from the time they are born. Here are some suggestions. UNDER-ONES Infants cannot speak to tell aparent about abuse, nor can they run away from a threat, so the answer at this age is to be an extremely vigilant parent. Across the board, and at any age, children are far more likely to be abused by a familiar person, such as a relative, than a stranger. Most abusers –though not all – are men. Bear this in mind as you decide who you trust enough to leave your child with while you are not there. Check out the employees…

We all know that breastfeeding is good for our babies –there’s a slew of studies to prove that, which is why the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and breastfeeding up to two years or beyond. But what’s less well known is that breastfeeding has plenty of physical and psychological health benefits for you too. And we’re not just talking about (maybe) shedding that baby weight quicker. ”Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women’s bodies recover from pregnancy,” explains Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz from the University of Pittsburgh, co-author of an extensive study into the long-term benefits of breastfeeding. ”The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them,” she says. Local expert Sister Hettie Grove, a midwife and lactation…

THE LIST We’re assuming your cupboards are bare, but that you have basics like salt and pepper, so this is everything you’ll need to make your family meals for a week. FROM THE FRESH PRODUCE AISLES 1 packet onions 1 packet baby (pickling) onions 1 head garlic 1 packet/bunch leeks 1 packet celery 1 packet carrots 2 packets baby potatoes 2 sweet potatoes 1 butternut 1 cabbage 1 packet baby marrows (courgettes) 1 packet green beans 1 head broccoli 1 punnet button mushrooms 1 packet fresh spinach 1 packet fresh rosemary 1 packet fresh parsley 1 packet fresh origanum or thyme FROM THE DAIRY SECTION 500ml milk 125ml cream 1 block butter 1 block cheddar cheese 1 block Emmentaler/ Gruyère cheese 1 block mozzarella cheese 1 piece Parmesan cheese 6…

Pregnancy is stressful. You’re growing the little person who’ll have the most profound effect on your life ever. The stakes couldn’t be higher. So a certain amount of anxiety is only to be expected – and can even work in your favour. After all, knowing how important it is will motivate you to make responsible choices about your health, fitness, diet and work-life balance. But bad stress has been shown to increase the risk of preterm delivery and is a contributing factor in low-birthweight babies. It could even affect your baby’s personality and academic performance in the future. STRESS CAN CAUSE LABOUR When you’re stressed, your white blood cell count can decrease. These cells fight off infection. Pregnant women’s immune systems are already less strong (your body cleverly weakens its…

Q I’m 25 years old and have been suffering from an infection called Bartholin’s abscess for many years. I fell pregnant with my first baby when the abscess was still present, and sadly I had a stillbirth at 7 months. Now I am pregnant again (33 weeks), and I’m worried that I will experience the same problem again. Can this abscess affect my baby in any way? A TINA ANSWERS: Bartholin’s abscess occurs when the Bartholin’s gland duct in the labia becomes blocked and then the swollen gland becomes infected. It is not uncommon, and if not managed appropriately is more likely to recur in the future. It occurs more frequently during pregnancy, and is also more common in HIV-positive women. A Bartholin’s abscess should have no impact on a…

The biggest concern with your hot chips craving is your waistline, but what about cravings that can put your health at risk? Registered dietitian Nicqui Grant discusses when cravings become a problem. Excessive consumption of foods that are loaded in sugar can lead to blood glucose regulatory problems – which, if not managed well, could result in gestational diabetes. Eating too much salt is also dangerous, as it can impact your water retention and ultimately lead to poor blood pressure control. But the cravings that are a serious concern are the ones that include nonfood items such as laundry detergent, soap, coal, chalk, stones, cigarette ash, compost and soot. This type of craving is known as pica. The consumption of any of these items may be harmful to both Baby…

Your baby’s finally here, and you’re excited, but you’re also exhausted, uncomfortable and on an emotional roller coaster. No matter how you birthed your baby, the physical changes of postpartum are immediately visible, unlike the gradual changes of pregnancy. WHAT TO EXPECT ■ TENDER BREASTS. Your breasts may feel full and tender for several days when your milk comes in, and your nipples may be sensitive at first. You will have colostrum in your breasts until the mature milk comes in within three to six days after delivery. If you have any breastfeeding problems, talk to your midwife or alactation specialist. Relieve clogged milk ducts with breast massage, frequent feeding, feeding after a warm shower, and applying warm, moist compresses throughout the day. Tender breasts will feel better as your…

There’s a lot to think about before your baby arrives. Not least of this is what you’ll need to have on hand when your baby comes home from hospital. We’ve compiled areally sensible list of the basic items you’ll need to see you through the first few weeks with your baby. Once you’ve settled in and are more familiar with your baby’s needs, you’ll be able to go shopping knowing what you use alot, and what you don’t really need… ESSENTIALS FOR BABY BABY CLOTHES Choose inexpensive baby items that are easy for you to put on and comfortable for your baby to wear. Save the bows and frills for later when your baby is older and more patient. Babies grow quickly, and soon he won’t fit into those tiny…

IS BABY READY FOR SOLIDS? Don’t be in a rush to take this big step! Remember that your breastmilk alone is enough to satisfy your growing baby’s needs for the first six months, after which it’s time to start giving her solid food. If you are going to introduce solids to your baby earlier than this, do not do so before the age of 4 months. This is because her digestive system is not able to process anything but milk before this. In fact, giving your baby solids earlier than four months can have negative effects on her longterm health. Waiting much later than 6 months of age is also not a good idea, as her nutritional needs increase at this age. As a result, she’s ready to be exposed…

Q My baby is seven months old, and she keeps on pulling her ear. There also appears to be a lot of wax in that ear. Should I take her to the paed? What are the symptoms of an ear infection, and what causes it? A DR MARETHA COMBRINK ANSWERS: Ear infections (otitis media) go hand in hand with the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like a runny nose and fever. Your baby could lose her appetite and be unusually tearful, especially when you lay her down. Older children could appear clumsy and off balance when they walk or run. The infection can have a bacterial or a viral cause. During the infection or even during an allergic episode, the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the…

PRINCIPLE 1 BE CONSISTENT If you’ve made rules, you have to stick to them. A rule shouldn’t apply on one day and then not on the next. This just confuses children, and they won’t have a clue what is expected of them. It is difficult being consistent, mostly because we’re tired and we want to give ourselves abreak from it all by being more lax about the rules, but in the long term this does not pay off. When your rules are not consistently applied, your little ones will continue to test the boundaries, and test the boundaries… leaving you even more exhausted. Consistency over time will lead to more peace and quiet, especially when it comes to punishment, or rather, consequences. If your child knows exactly what will…

PLAY DOUGH This develops eye-hand coordination with both large and small muscle groups; is soothing and relaxing and allows for tension release (when she pounds on the dough); helps your child learn how to manipulate tools like scissors, knife and fork, and allows for feelings of accomplishment construction. Dough can help with problem solving, spatial awareness, and teaches your child to work either independently or with a friend. PAINTING AND DRAWING Physical strength and eye-hand coordination are improved; spatial awareness and body control takes place, as does an awareness of left-to-right directionality, and your toddler learns to share available tools and wait her turn. FANTASY PLAY Your child learns social awareness through role playing and acts out experiences that are meaningful to her in a safe, nonthreatening way. Fantasy play…

■ It’s best to shop in the afternoon, when your child’s feet are a bit swollen, to prevent getting shoes that are too tight. ■ Let the shop assistant measure both feet every time you buy new shoes, to ensure you get the right size. ■ Everyone has one foot that’s slightly larger than the other. Buy shoes that fit the larger foot comfortably. ■ Don’t buy shoes that are too big for your child – it could cause him to slide around in his shoes and fall. ■ Never buy shoes that are too small. ■ Don’t buy shoes with smooth soles. ■ Don’t buy too many shoes at a time. Your toddler’s feet will grow, on average, two shoe sizes per year until age 4. Buy shoes more…

Finger paint YOU NEED • ¼ cup Maizena/cornflour • 2 cups cold water • Food colouring WHAT TO DO 1. Mix all the ingredients except the food colouring in a big pot. Boil until the mixture starts to thicken. 2. Pour into a selection of smaller containers. 3. Add food colouring to make different colours in each container. 4. The paint gets thicker as it cools. 5. Use your fingers and some paper to create artworks and handprints. You could even try a footprint! Fragranced paint YOU NEED • A packet of jelly of the same colour as the paint that you want to use, for example raspberry jelly and red paint, cream soda jelly and green paint and so on. • Powder paint • Paper • Paintbrushes in various…

Here’s a strategy to get your preschooler’s interest. Leave books lying around everywhere. Make sure there are many that feature her favourite things, like cats, teddy bears or puppies. Create a special table in the lounge for your child’s toys and books. Don’t comment or fuss when she starts picking them up, but leave her alone, so as not to be pushy and invite atantrum. And then, when she brings abook, drop everything and read it to her. Catch her in this alert and receptive state, and she is bound to enjoy it. Let her turn the pages and look at the pictures for as long as she wants. You don’t have to read every word, just enough to keep her attention. Combine books and cuddling, as this will create…

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TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT NOAH. Noah was exclusively breastfed and has always been a very good eater. His favourite foods are fruit and vegetables, especially broccoli! He loves dancing and animals. When the music starts, he drops everything and throws his whole body into his dance, which is followed by lots of laughter. After that, he applauds himself! He loves his Labrador brother, Jock, and can chat to him for hours. He really is a little ray of sunshine who adores the outdoors. He is a very, very busy bee. WHERE DID HE GET THOSE BLUE EYES? My eyes were just as blue when I was little, but he definitely gets them from his dad. That said, he looks more like me every day, but he has his…

GOT COVID? TAKE THIS Fever, body aches and pain are among the commonly reported symptoms of Covid-19 and are also associated with other viral infections, including influenza. “Many Covid-19 patients describe experiencing severe headaches, body aches, sore throat and chest pain, and the most common symptoms reported are fever, chills and shivers. ”Paracetamol has been proposed as the safest drug for relief of these symptoms, particularly pain and fever, for most of the population,” says pharmacist Ria Westerman of Medipost, South Africa’s largest national courier pharmacy. “Even though paracetamol is effective and very safe even for pregnant women and babies, as with all medicines, it is extremely important not to exceed the dosage that is specified on the packaging or recommended by your treating doctor. When taken in excessive doses,…

PASS THE BALL – SIDE TO SIDE DO THIS FOR 2 SETS OF 8REPETITIONS Stand back to back with your partner, about 50cm apart. Your feet should be hip-width apart and your knees soft and slightly flexed. Holding the ball away from your body, quickly rotate to your right, passing the ball to your partner as they rotate to their left. Pause for a moment, then your partner takes the ball and rotates to the other side, as do you in order to receive the ball on the other side. Do this for two sets of eight repetitions. This is a great torso-rotation exercise. BALL FIGHTING DO THIS 8 TO 12 TIMES Stand facing one another at a comfortable distance apart, with your knees bent gently. Hold a large exercise…

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART Not everyone gets broody when they see another baby, but be honest about your emotions. How do you feel when you see apregnant woman? Does it make you fearful or a little envious? Pay attention to your honest response. Remember, you can’t predict what type of baby you will have. It could be the headboy, or a colicky baby who cries all the time. Only if you feel ready for either of these, should you proceed. IT TAKES TWO Your partner also has to be ready. Another child means a lot of extra work for both of you and extra financial responsibilities. If your partner isn’t in, this could lead to tension between you. Talk about it, and discuss the pros and cons. Sometimes you need…

1 When guilt attacks, analyse it. Is it healthy guilt or not? Is this about your child’s needs or your own issues? 2 Strive for balance. Obviously we want to provide the best level of care for our children, but be aware when that need creates unhealthy expectations of yourself. 3 Examine your “shoulds” and find out where they originated. How much baggage from childhood, for instance, is affecting your feelings of guilt? 4 Set aside a reasonable amount of time to spend with your child every day, doing something she enjoys. Even just 30 minutes is meaningful. It’s not quantity that’s important but quality. 5 Accept that it’s unrealistic to meet your child’s every need. Children need limits and boundaries. 6 Parenting is a learning process. Allow yourself to…

Years ago, our magazines did some research on what parents of babies and young children fear most. Top of the list was kidnapping and that their child would be the victim of crime. On WhatsApp groups and social media, these fears are discussed over and over. And yet, there is a much greater threat to our children’s lives and safety that gets very little air time: car accidents. If you always strap your child in, this puts you in a group of just 7percent of motorists. Clearly, greater awareness is needed. Please make apoint of talking to friends and family about car safety, as many people still think that holding a child on your lap is adequate. This is a huge mistake. An adult holding a child provides absolutely no…

Sunday FAMILY POT ROAST CHICKEN INGREDIENTS • 2 onions, cut into eighths • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks • 2 leeks, chopped into rounds • 6 baby potatoes, peeled and halved • 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks • 1 sprig of rosemary • 1 whole organic/ free range chicken • 2 cups chicken stock METHOD 1 Preheat oven to 180˚C. 2 Place vegetables and rosemary in a large cast iron pot with a lid. 3 Place chicken on top of vegetables and add chicken stock. 4 Put lid on pot, and bake chicken and vegetables for one hour. 5 Remove lid, stir vegetables around and baste chicken with cooking juices. (Remove vegetables and meat for your baby now.) Season with salt and pepper. 6 Bake…

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU ■ EAT FIRST Supermarkets know the power of the sweet smell of freshly baked bread. Just one sniff will ignite your appetite and send even the most hardened shopper down the aisle grabbing for anything that looks good. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop on a full stomach. ■ PERUSE THE PERIMETER Supermarkets are designed with the four basic food groups on and around the perimeter. If you stick to the outside aisles, you’ll find fresh produce, baked goods, dairy and meat. These are the most natural and unprocessed foods and best for your family’s health. ■ BUY FRESH, WHOLE AND ORGANIC IF YOU CAN If you have a choice, buy fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain goods. Processing foods…

1 California Dr Wadhwa at at Irvine the University says that of a good support network is great for managing your stress levels. Reach out to your partner, family and friends. 2 pregnancy Good information and prenatal about care is a stress antidote, says Dr Wadhwa. Arm yourself with information, so you don’t need to be stressed out by speculation and old wives’ tales. Well done for reading this – you’ve already made a good start! 3 to Be a good good to , healthy your body diet by . Scientists sticking know that the connection between the gut and our emotions is direct. 4 killing Exercise properties has proven : it releases stress-endorphins and makes you feel good. So add pregnancy-safe exercise to your day, such as walking or…

OXYTOCIN provides warmth and nourishment for the newborn as he is laid on your chest skin-to-skin. Your skin warms him, and your breasts supply the first milk – colostrum. ENDORPHINS provide pain relief for the baby as he works his way down the birth canal. Nature’s narcotic has no negative side effects on him as synthetic narcotics would have. ADRENALIN. A healthy full-term baby responds to the stress of labour with a surge in adrenalin, and research suggests these high levels provide built-in defence to provide protection during birth and to help the baby adapt to life outside the womb. Adrenalin also: ■ Prepares the baby’s respiratory system for real breathing. There is compression of Baby’s chest during labour, and vaginal birth squeezes fluid from the lungs into the throat.…

Q My baby is two months old, and my period hasn’t started again. I’m feeling more like myself now, and I’m sure my sex life is going to start happening again soon. Apparently, I can’t fall pregnant while breastfeeding, but I think it is best not to take any chances. What kind of contraceptives can I use now? The gynae tried to talk to me about it just after giving birth, but seriously, it was the furthest thing from my mind. A SISTER LINDA BRITZ ANSWERS: Adjusting to your ”new normal” once your baby is a part of your family can take time and some changes in all areas, and you will start to feel more confident and comfortable as the weeks pass. Usually by six weeks postpartum, your body…

Parenting is a wonderful thing. Your instinct is to protect and cherish, which means putting your baby’s needs first. Nothing is as important as this little person’s comfort and wellbeing. Before you have your own baby, it’s difficult to imagine what nappy changing will be like. Rest assured: all you’ll care about is that your baby is clean and comfortable. Also, prepare to feel deeply satisfied when you realise you can and do provide for your vulnerable little baby’s needs. Even the most terrible nappy experience will quickly fade and become a story from the trenches to chuckle over later. Here’s some advice to help you survive and flourish during this part of your parenting journey. PREPARATION IS KEY These nine tips help make life easier: ■ Hospitals don’t provide…

Q My baby is 3 weeks old, and I can sense that colic is going to be a thing! I’ve been there and got the T-shirt with my previous child. Basically nothing helped and we had to ride it out. Only recently I heard from friends that a chiropractor could make a difference. What do you do with newborns? She was born by c-section a week early. From what age can I bring her for a treatment, and how often? Do I have to wait for the colic to really start, or could I bring her now, already? A DR RAMSAMY ANSWERS: Colic in babies can be a very distressing condition for parents to experience, mainly because it is so poorly understood and therefore not always easy to identify and…

Time your baby’s first few bites well. Both you and baby should be calm and relaxed, and your baby should not be too hungry – an hour after a milk feed is a good time to aim for, so do this in the late morning or early afternoon. Seat your baby in the high chair or on your lap, and use a soft baby spoon to feed her her first taste of soft, runny food. Keep things relaxed and enjoyable; never force your baby to eat. Be prepared for chaos –this first step is really more about exploring the texture and taste of solids than anything else. If your baby decides to dip her whole hand into the bowl and lick the food off, let her. Encourage the exploration and…

#1 MAKE EYE CONTACT Babies recognise faces early on, and yours is the most important one of all. Make regular eye contact. By doing this, you get into the habit of looking your child in the eye when you communicate with her. Looking into your baby’s eyes conveys the message that you’re sincere, and she’s important to you. So put your phone down! #2 MAKE CONVERSATION While you’ll probably feel silly conversing with a young baby who just isn’t going to talk back, by leaving short pauses where your baby would speak, she’ll catch on to the rhythm of conversation and start filling in the blanks. Her gurgles will eventually fill the spaces, and you can respond to these as though you’ve understood what she’s said. #3…

Are you worried about your toddler’s bandy legs or knock knees? His flat feet or ingrown toenails? The way your baby walks, runs and balances on his feet could affect his skeletal development from his ankles, knees, hips and spine as he grows older. The average adult walks 18 000 steps a day – children can do a lot more than that. For this, we use design masterpieces: each foot has 26 bones, 19 muscles, over 100 ligaments, thousands of nerve endings and a complex network of veins. No wonder modern humans protect their feet with shoes. Unfortunately, though, this also leads to problems. “Each foot has 26 bones, 19 muscles, over 100 ligaments, thousands of nerve endings and a complex network of veins.” IF THE SHOE FITS About 70…

YOU WILL NEED • Wooden clothes pegs • Double-sided sticky tape • Mini pom-poms • Tipp-Ex METHOD 1 Stick the tape on the one side of the peg. 2 Stick a row of pom-poms to the tape. 3 Use Tipp-Ex to create two little eyes on the pom-pom that is on the opening end of the peg. SUPER SKILLS Encourage your child to play with the pegs by pinching the back in order to open and close them. This is a very good exercise that develops fine motor skills. Ask him to line up a whole row of caterpillars on the edge of the tablecloth, and then remove them. His fingers will get stronger in no time.…

You can also make a star-shaped fruit salad. Use watermelon, seedless grapes and raspberries – a great way to get your littlies to eat more fruit. Best thing to do with a picky eater is to cook with them. Children who help make their meals are more likely to try new tastes and textures. And it’s such a great opportunity to bond with your child. Use a plastic knife to teach your child to cut banana, avocado, grapes or any other soft foods. You may have to guide their hand at first. Children can help measure, stir, crack eggs and whisk. They can also use their hands to put ingredients into bowls for you, or pour liquids into and out of measuring cups.…

LIFT-THE-FLAP ON A FROZEN WORLD Pop-up Peekaboo! Penguin tells the sweet story of Polly Penguin as she searches for Charlie Chick. Babies and toddlers can lift big flaps and see five peekaboo surprises pop up from the pages: a sleepy seal resting on the rocks, a huge whale swimming to the surface of the ocean, a colourful squid exploring a deep-sea shipwreck, abeautiful bird preparing to take flight, and a huddle of adorable penguins keeping each other cosy and warm. R140, takealot.com, loot.co.za, Exclusive Books, Reader’s Warehouse, Graffiti Books. WHERE DID THE LION GET THOSE? I See a Lion by Elaine Macdonald tells the tale of alion wearing woolly socks. When the rest of the lion family appears, all of them are dressed for winter, in hats, scarves and mittens.…

She’s best known for her role as Pinkie in SABC2 show Hola Mpinji, but you will have seen her face pop up all over your screen, whether as a presenter, MC or brand ambassador. But this has been the year of staying at home, and just as well, because Gabisile Tshabalala’s home life is at least as interesting as her career. Gabi met her husband, Sacha Maswa Kongolo, at e.tv when she was working as an actress and he was their security provider. A friendship blossomed, but only after Gabisile’s divorce from her first husband did love bloom. Sacha now runs his own security company, offering guarding staff, camera installations and bodyguarding services, and Gabs helps him run it from their home in eastern Johannesburg. She’s also thinking outside the…