Innholdsfortegnelse for April - May 2021 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

All of a sudden it is raining babies in my life again. My friend Denise had her first, my friend Lucia had a second daughter, and old friend Brendan, best man at my wedding, added a daughter to his family too. I know they’re all fielding jokes about their lockdown activities, but seriously, these three babies were always on the cards, pandemic or not. It is frustrating not to be able to meet the brandnew little humans in person yet, but obviously we’re all being as cautious as we can. On the one hand, I feel such sympathy for everyone dealing with pregnancy and birth while Covid adds complications to all our plans, no matter how straightforward and simple. On the other hand, I envy new parents during this time,…

WIN A GIFT HAMPER FROM CARRIWELL WORTH R2 200! The Carriwell Seamless Premium Maternity & Hospital Panty (R79.95) has been made with seamless technology, so it has the stretch and memory to be comfortable during both pregnancy and post birth. The super soft yarn is gentle against the skin while still retaining the ability to hold a hospital pad in place. This light panty can be used in the final months of your pregnancy without putting any pressure on your belly. Available at Baby City, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Clicks, takealot.com, loot. co.za and leading baby and maternity stores. Send a clear, good quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com…

WIN A BABY CITY VOUCHER VALUED AT R380 Send a clear, good-quality, high-resolution photo to sharing@ypbmagazine.com Each photo published receives a R380 Baby City Voucher Send a clear, good-quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com…

SOOTHE SORE BREASTS CLEVER IDEA! Cherry Melon, our fave maternity store, has launched Breasties, a pad providing natural hot and cold therapy for sore breasts. Available for R329 from the three Cherry Melon stores (Canal Walk, Cape Town; Menlyn and Cresta, Gauteng) and cherrymelon.co.za. WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW – FAST Dis-Chem is now offering a rapid antigen Covid-19 test at its branches at OR Tambo and Cape Town International to meet the additional requirements for people flying abroad. International travellers are still required to have a negative PCR test 72 hours before flying but now, in addition, an antigen test before boarding a plane. This rapid antigen test is a nasopharyngeal test that provides results in approximately 15 minutes and will reveal if a person is currently infected with…

What a beautiful .. cake you have... All the better to share, my dear! When Zara Howell from Pretoria East turned 3, all her friends and family got together for a Little Red Riding Hood feast. Grandma was there too.…

When it comes to fighting colds and flu, it is essential to up your water intake and decrease your sugar intake. Sugar has devastating effects on the immune system. Not only does it increase the production of hormones that suppress the immune system, refined sugar needs micronutrients to be metabolised. This requires your body to use stored vitamins and minerals, further harming your defences. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will make sure that your body is getting all of the vitamins and minerals that are essential to fighting off the cold and flu. Fruit and vegetables are packed with thousands of phytochemicals. No supplement could ever match the power of eating a whole food. Make sure to drink six to eight glasses of water per day. Body…

FLEXIBILITY of a joint is related to the ability of the surrounding muscles to stretch and then to relax. Muscles tend to shorten when they are not used or when they are compensating for postural imbalance, such as during pregnancy, when your centre of gravity changes. Flexibility increases with stretching exercises, lengthening your muscles and making them more pliable. Stretching is nature’s prescription for relaxing the body, and relieves stress as well. STRENGTH is defined in a variety of ways and is affected by the kind of muscular contraction involved as well as the speed of those contractions. Strength can be increased during pregnancy if the level and the length of the exercise/ workout are extended very gradually. Toning and weight-bearing exercise increases strength. Building strength goes hand in hand…

Always sit comfortably when you’re going to feed – particularly when you’ve got perineal stitches or a healing caesar wound. When you feel more at ease, you can experiment with different feeding positions. SITTING Sit in a comfortable (preferably rocking) chair, with your feet flat on the ground or resting on a foot stool. Support your back and arms with pillows, and place a pillow on your lap to raise and support your baby if necessary. There is no need to support your breast unless it’s particularly full or heavy. Now cradle your baby in the crook of your arm, hold her tummy to your body – and start feeding. RUGBY HOLD Sit up and tuck your baby under your arm (like a rugby ball), with her legs behind you…

MUST DO Regular check-ups with your doctor, clinic nurse or midwife are essential. Make an appointment for your first visit as soon as you see two stripes or a plus on your pregnancy test. If you have no medical problems, you will have monthly checks until 32 weeks. These will become two weekly until 36 weeks and weekly after that, until your baby is born. If your healthcare provider is worried about anything at any stage, or if your pregnancy is categorised high risk, you may need more tests and monitoring more often. Your first antenatal check is a biggie. It will take a long time, so be prepared. Government hospitals or clinics are busy places, so always be prepared for long waits at every appointment. If you’re going to…

Not long ago, it was believed that the placenta shielded an unborn baby from most toxins a mother consumed. However, the placenta is not the perfect barrier we once thought it was, and we now know that – while the placenta does form a barrier for some infectious agents, natural toxins and certain foreign chemical substances – it is not always equipped to handle all the toxins in today’s diets and environment. Such toxins, it has been discovered, may be actively transported to the foetus alongside the substances required for the foetus’ growth and development. “Your antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the foetus from as early as the 20th week of pregnancy.” ITS PURPOSE ■ NUTRITION The placenta facilitates the transfer of nutrients and oxygen from you to…

“If you have miscarried more than twice during the second trimester, you may need hormonal treatment or a special stitch in your cervix to prevent another miscarriage or premature labour.” Doctor Trudy Smith, an obstetrician at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, stresses the importance of good antenatal care and recognising the signs of early labour so that you can get help. “Sometimes, spontaneous labour can be stopped or controlled long enough to mature the baby’s lungs to minimise complications,” she says. “But when the mother’s life is at risk, because there’s no way of stopping vaginal bleeding or controlling any pregnancy-induced hypertension, we have no choice but to deliver the baby early.” Labour that begins before 37 weeks is called preterm labour. Babies born before 28 weeks or weighing as…

It may be confusing to know when to go to hospital since there is so much variation among us in the way labour starts. You might prefer to stay at home for as long as possible, or you may feel more secure by being in a hospital environment from very early on. If you are unsure how to interpret what you are experiencing or just feel confused and anxious, you should not hesitate to call and get guidance and advice as to what’s happening. You should always report any warning signs such as severe or persistent headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, fever, severe abdominal tension and pain and any other unusual sign, just as you would have during your pregnancy. Every one of us enters labour in our own…

Q I’m still breastfeeding my toddler, and my baby is due in a month or so. I want to try tandem feeding, but the thing that concerns me is colostrum. I know how important it is for my newborn, so how do I make sure that my toddler doesn’t drink it all? Do I just get him to lay off the breast for three days or so? It is going to be so hard to do that, as of course this is the exact time where he will need to feed, what with a new baby in the house and all! I just can’t get my head around it. Please give some practical advice. A SISTER LINDA SAYS: Congratulations on your pregnancy and doing so well with your breastfeeding journey.…

1 HAVE A BABYMOON. Make your baby your top priority. Switch off your phone, and forget about housework and chores that can be done later. 2 KANGAROO CARE. Put your baby on your naked chest, so she can experience skin-to-skin contact. This will stimulate her sense of hearing (your heartbeat), touch and smell and help you bond. 3 BREASTFEEDING is one of the best ways to bond with your baby. If you’re bottlefeeding, remember to feed in the same way you would when breastfeeding, so that you don’t miss out on this wonderful bonding opportunity. 4 BATH TOGETHER. Sometimes it’s easier to simply get into the bath with your baby – partners can do this too! 5 NAP TOGETHER. You need all the sleep you can get, so take a…

NATHALIE: COT SLEEPER Since Nathalie Smith didn’t have the option of putting her baby in his own room, her first baby slept in the room with her for the first six months of his life until they moved into a bigger house. “A cot in our room was the only option. My husband refused to have Andrew in the bed with us, as he was terrified of rolling onto him and also wasn’t prepared to spend four months on the couch while I slept with our baby.” She admits, though, that while it was convenient to have her baby so close to her, he was a restless, noisy little sleeper that often kept her and Andrew up (even when he wasn’t crying), and she found it a bit much…

SAFETY FIRST! When your baby starts crawling, place old (clean) used school socks or aeroplane towelling socks over his babygro or pants and turn them down to create some thick padding to protect his knees and clothes. YUMMA LEE Our house is small, so I don’t have a baby monitor. Instead, I keep a fluffy bunny with bells at the foot of the cot. When I hear the bunny jingling, I know my son is awake and moving in his cot. NEO MASEKE Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little pieces of broken glass – the fibres catch even ones you can’t see! MEGHAN DANIELS Clean & tidy To get rid of the smell of juice or milk in a bottle or sippy cup, fill it with water,…

Vomiting happens when your baby’s stomach contents are forced up her oesophagus and out of her mouth. It’s very different from spitting up. Vomiting is forceful and repeated, whereas spitting up usually occurs just after feeding and causes no discomfort. In adults and older children, vomiting is usually accompanied by a feeling of nausea, but your child is still too young to tell you if she is feeling nauseous. WHAT CAUSES IT? Your baby can start vomiting because of anything from indigestion to motion sickness. Even long periods of crying can trigger the gag reflex. Her digestive system is still adjusting in her first few weeks of life, so vomiting may be common. A few months later, most of her vomiting bouts will be caused by a stomach virus, or…

PLAY Through play, your child learns about the things, noises and people around her. Language stimulation is heightened when you play with your child, plus it’s great fun. IMITATE For example, when your child says “eee” when they want milk – you repeat the noise (imitation) and then say “milk bottle”. They now hear the correct word even though they can’t say it yet. The more your child hears the correct word, the more likely it will be that they will say the word. EXPAND When your child points to a certain toy they want, like a car, you can say, “That is a car,” and you repeat this a few times so that they hear the correct word often. It is important to repeat the words and short sentences…

Structured classes aren’t needed to provide fun activities for your toddler. You can play some great games at home, and she can learn just as much from them! CHANGING COLOUR Cut squares of coloured cellophane, and give them to your child with the instruction to walk around and look at different objects through the coloured square. Talk to her about how the colours change when they’re “mixed” together. An older toddler can do this by herself, but do not leave a younger child unattended, as she may put the plastic in her mouth. MOVEMENT TO MUSIC Encourage your child to move to the rhythm of music, clap her hands to the beat or jump around when the tempo picks up. Alternate the kinds of music that you put on for…

“Your attitude towards your own mistakes is, according to experts, the best place to begin investigating your ability to help your children weather their own.” Does this sound familiar? Your child is sitting at the table trying to draw a truck. Suddenly he balls up the page and throws it across the room in a gesture of self-disgust. “I can’t draw,” he grumbles. And this from the child whose every scribble you’ve been praising since he first grasped a crayon in a little fist. If your instinct is immediately to start praising and assuring him of his superior artistic ability, read on. You might just find that you offer him the eraser instead, so he can fix the part of his drawing that wasn’t right. The playwright Samuel Beckett said:…

WINNING LETTER How would I do this without the Your Pregnancy & Baby team? My name is Remofilwe Kotu, and I am 32 weeks pregnant. I would like to thank Your Pregnancy & Baby for being with me throughout the journey. I last gave birth in 2008, and falling pregnant another 12 years later was a bit scary as I had to learn everything all over again. To make matters worse, my current pregnancy is a lot different than the previous one. This time I have to deal with morning sickness, for instance. But with the help, support and guidance of Your Pregnancy & Baby, I have managed to pull through. I am now more informed, equipped and ready for the arrival of our baby boy. My partner also had…

YOU COULD WIN A HAPPY FAMILY ORGANICS HAMPER WORTH R850! Eight lucky readers each win a Happy Family Organics hamper worth R850. The hamper includes a selection of stage 2 jars in various flavours. Every delicious fruit and vegetable is listed on the jar and can be traced back to the farm for confidence in every feeding moment. This is goodness you can see. The hamper also includes a collection of Happy Family Organics Puffs, dusted with apple and broccoli powders, lightly sweetened with real fruit juice concentrate, and enriched with vitamins and minerals. Our puffs melt in Baby’s mouth and encourage self feeding. Send a clear, good-quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com…

REUTERINA CAN HELP – CLINICALLY VALIDATED The Reuterina® range has been clinically validated in over 200 clinical trials and has a role to play in the prevention and treatment of a variety of disorders, associated with an imbalance of gut flora. Visit reuterina.co.za for more information on the products. REUTERINA PRIZE FOR COVER STARS 2021 Each of the six #coverstarsearch winners receives a Reuterina prize to the value of R1 000 and will appear on the cover of either Your Pregnancy & Baby magazine or Baba & Kleuter magazine. ENJOY EVERY DAY LOW PRICES WITH BABY CITY Baby City offers a wide range of quality branded items all under one roof. With every day low prices, it is no wonder Baby City is South Africa’s leading baby hyper. Visit babycity.co.za…

If you have read a few baby books or searched the internet for parenting tips, you have most likely stumbled across the mythical Unicorn Baby. This is the baby who feeds every four hours and sleeps through the night, sits at six months, pees pure gold and poops rainbows. Whether this baby exists or not does not matter. What matters is this: You did not get this baby. If you are looking to answer the question: “Is my baby normal?” then you are in the right place. The Unicorn Baby is an honest and hilarious account of parenting. Roxanne Atkinson uses her professional experience as an OT to identify and debunk 10 modern myths that cause all kinds of anxiety for new parents and often leads them down the wrong…

Chelino Baby stores: GAUTENG Ormonde, Fourways Mall, Kolonnade, Greenstone, Menlyn KWAZULU-NATAL Gateway Umhlanga chelino.co.za…

Q: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PARTNER WAS PREGNANT? Devastated! I was the lowest I have ever been, in a very dark place. Q: WHY DID YOU NOT WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN? Genetics, life experiences, my mental make-up, the world, the country, the sacrifices required, finance, I just saw very little upside when compared to what I wanted to do in life and how I was equipped to take on this new responsibility. Q: WHAT DID YOU WANT YOUR PARTNER TO DO? I begged her to abort. She decided against it, as she already felt a connection with the baby. You cannot tell a woman what to do with her body, nor can we men understand what goes on during pregnancy. I had to respect her decision.…

In honour of Mother’s Day this month, we asked moms to tell us about their favourite piece of advice from their own mother. What we got back was tremendously varied but with this common thread: all wise, and all said with much love. My mother always told me, “Whatever you do, always make sure you can still face yourself in the mirror the next day.” PAM KAMMIES, MOM TO DANNY (4) AND 18-MONTH-OLD TWINS AMAYA AND PHILIP I would sum up the best things I’ve learnt from my mother as follows: firstly, from her prosaic advice: “Always wear a vest in winter. Don’t go out with wet hair. Stand up for yourself and don’t let anyone bully you.” And secondly, from how she is with my children, which is simply…

1. HOLDING YOUR BABY It’s important to hold the full length of your baby against your body. This means that she does not have to turn her head to feed. You can also use the ”rugby hold”, which is useful if you’ve had a caesarean birth, if you’re feeding twins at the same time, or if your baby is very small. 2. TOUCH TO TURN Teach your baby to find your nipple by brushing it against her cheek. Not only will this stimulate your nipple’s erectile tissue, but your baby will respond to the ”rooting reflex” and turn her head to find the nipple. 3. OPEN MOUTH Now tease your baby with your nipple against her mouth. Don’t let her grasp onto your nipple until she opens her mouth as…

Q I just found out that I am expecting my second baby. During the first wave it seemed that pregnant women weren’t really affected, but now I’ve heard a number of stories about pregnant women getting really ill with it. Will it affect my baby? If I get it, will they do a caesar to get the baby out? Is it possible that I can get it, but my baby not? What are good sources of information about being pregnant with Covid – I don’t want to read scary stories, just facts. A DR KOLL ANSWERS: Before answering your question, I believe that it is important to point out that there is a lot that we still do not understand about Covid-19. What we do believe and the advice that…

The placenta often plays an important role in various cultures, with many societies conducting rituals regarding its disposal. In the Western world, the placenta is simply incinerated. Yet a new trend, placentophagy (or consumption of the placenta by the mother following birth), is becoming more commonly practised – yes, you read correctly. The placenta may be consumed in a number of ways including eating it raw, cooking it, dehydrating it and putting it into smoothies or dehydrating it and encapsulating it in a pill form. The theory is that it increases the production of breast milk, eases birth stress and decreases the likelihood of postnatal depression owing to the presence of oxytocin in the placenta. It is also thought to stimulate involution, or the shrinking of the uterus to its…

Pelviva is a new product, developed in collaboration with experts in women’s pelvic floor and bladder health. It provides discreet, easy-to-use treatment for the three types of bladder leakage: stress, urgency and mixed. Pelviva uses an electrical stimulation treatment programme to train and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, thereby mimicking the way your body works naturally causing the muscles to contract correctly. It fits like a tampon, and you use it for 30 minutes every second day for 12 weeks. R1 650 for a 3-treatment pack so you can try it out, R6 750 for a 15-treatment pack, which will last you a month. Visit pelviva.co.za for more information, after your pregnancy.…

A breech presentation means that the foetus lies in a longitudinal line of the uterus, but with the presenting part being the sacrum and not the head. Before 25 weeks, the incidence of breech presentation is 28 percent. But by delivery, this has decreased to around 3 to 4 percent of pregnancies. The attitude of the breech can vary, depending on the flexion of the limbs. BREECH PRESENTATIONS COMPLETE BREECH In this breech position, the attitude is one of complete flexion. The thighs are up against the abdomen, and the lower leg is flexed on the thigh. This and frank breech are the most common types of breech presentation. FRANK BREECH This is a breech presentation with extended legs. The thighs are flexed on the abdomen, and the lower legs…

Almost as soon as you announce that you are pregnant, people start offering advice, telling you what you can and cannot do, and how to raise your baby. It can become overwhelming. It is very hard to sift through it all and decide what to take seriously and what is simply an old wives’ tale. Tina Otte, an internationally certified South African childbirth educator, and paediatric nurse Heather Roach, look at the truth behind some common pieces of advice. DON’T PULL THE UMBILICAL STUMP OFF TRUE While still in your womb, the umbilical cord is your baby’s lifeline, quite literally. It allows him to receive nourishment and oxygen from your body. After he’s born, your baby’s cord is clamped and cut, leaving a 2 to 3cm umbilical stump. Tina says,…

Where your baby sleeps is not something that you’re going to figure out overnight. And even though it’s something that you’d probably decided on before your baby was born, once he’s home, it’s a whole different story, and the chances of your family playing musical beds in those first crazy weeks are pretty high. Whatever you ultimately decide, though, will be the right choice for you. When it comes to co-sleeping or cot sleeping, there is no right or wrong. There are, however, benefits and risk factors to both options. CO-SLEEPING: THE ARGUMENT According to Meg Faure, leading baby expert and co-author of popular baby books Baby Sense and Your Sensory Baby, two things usually dictate co-sleeping. The one is whether or not there is any other space in the…

Newborns can lose up to 10 percent of body weight in the first three days after birth. Although this would be drastic for an adult, taking into account the circumstances of the newborn, it’s considered normal. When this happens, don’t panic and – importantly – don’t blame it on breastfeeding. Here’s why: The newborn, having spent the first nine months of life in a sea of slightly saline amniotic fluid, is waterlogged, and 75 percent of his body weight is fluid. You know how your skin feels after a long bath or swim in the sea? Your baby is no different and uses up this extra fluid during the first three days, when breast milk is still in colostrum form (highly concentrated milk that contains very little water). Feeding is…

To give my baby medicine, I simply put it in the teat of her bottle – no need to even attach the teat to the bottle. She sucks on the teat very happily as if it is milk. No spills, and the medicine goes down with ease. ESME LOUW Once the wound on your baby’s arm from the TB vaccination has healed, start rubbing tissue oil on to minimise the scar. She will be grateful when she is older. CHANE FOURIE If your tiny baby has a bit of a stuffy nose and is battling to fall asleep, try rocking him to sleep in his car seat. He’ll be more upright than on his back in his cot. Once he is sleeping deeply, you can transfer him. TERRY-LEE LABUSCHAGNE Treat…

NOTE The basic recipe for making any simple fruit or vegetable puree is to use 1 cup fruit or vegetables and ¼ cup water, boiled or steamed for 10-15 minutes until soft. Puree in a blender, food processor, stick blender or use a fork to mash. Let cool to room temperature, then spoon into sterilised ice cube trays and freeze. CARROT PUREE INGREDIENTS ■ 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds ■ ¼ cup water, preferably filtered METHOD 1 Place the carrots and water in a stainless steel saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes until soft. 2 Puree using some of the cooking liquid to get the right consistency. 3 Spoon into ice cube trays that have been sterilised by pouring boiling water over them,…

Your baby is born with more than 100 billion brain cells. Some of these cells are already connected to each other to form pathways, which allow for the proper functioning of a few processes, such as breathing, reflexes and other basic functions that are needed to survive. When it comes to more difficult tasks – like your baby learning how to sit, grab onto an object, and other developmental milestones – his brain needs to create other pathways. Every experience that your baby has from the day he was born helps to build these connections and increase development. At no other time in his life will his brain develop as fast as it does now. In order to optimise this process of brain development, your baby needs to be stimulated…

Bribery has a negative connotation, says Dr Arina Lanser, a Johannesburg-based educational psychologist. “You get your way by manipulating your child to get the child to change her behaviour. The end result is something concrete at a specific time, such as ‘if you do this or that, you get five stars for each day, and then I’ll buy you a …’ “But what happens when the child returns to her previous behaviour afterwards? Do you then take the toy away, and get your child to start all over again? And if you conk in before the five stars are earned and give the toy early, what message are you sending then?” As parents, we find it difficult to stick with the deal because we work long hours and feel guilty,…

■ Buy the new bed, and put it in his room for a while before moving him. ■ Or, it could ease the transition to place the bed in the space the cot used to occupy, and rather move the cot. ■ Close the door, or put up a safety gate if your toddler likes to wander around in the dark. Don’t lock the door, as this can be frightening for him. It’s best to remove the door key just in case your toddler locks himself in. ■ Check that your house is safe if he does wander about at night. ■ Put the new bed in a corner so that two walls are preventing potential falls. Bunk beds are only appropriate from 9 years of age. ■ Put a…

YOU’LL NEED: THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT 1 Use the scissors to cut away the long flap on one side of the box. 2 Fold in the other three flaps, and stick them down. Now cut two semicircles big enough to fit a tennis ball in the flapless side. 3. Place the box on a flat surface and teach your toddler how to roll the ball through the holes. Start from nearby, and then move further and further away. Use both hands. A special thanks to Clamber Club for this cute idea. Visit clamberclub.com…

■ Don’t minimise their distress, acknowledge it. ■ Don’t patronise your child. Be honest. ■ Don’t draw attention to what you perceive as their failures. ■ Never compare them to other children. If they compare themselves to other children, point out that there are things they do well that others can’t. Make sure they know that everyone has unique abilities and talents. ■ Draw attention to your children’s attempts, as well as their successes. ■ Concentrate on their strong points and good traits – and stress those. “Fear of failure will dissipate as self-esteem improves,” says teaching expert Martie Pieterse. ■ Involve the child in analysing the cause of the failure: Did they approach the task wrongly? Would another approach have been better? What could they do in future to…

AMANDA ROBERTS (39) is all the way from Georgia, USA and craves ice all day long! QINISWA MTSHALI (26) from Esikhawini, KwaZulu-Natal wants mash and gravy, sweet chilli twisters from KFC, mangoes and Coca-Cola. BONNIE THABETHE (30) from Zonkizizwe, Katlehong, Gauteng craves brown bread and milk. NAKIA CHALLA (23) from Krugersdorp, Gauteng craves mangoes, watermelons, orange juice, spicy food and sweets. GERTRUDE CHARLES (30) from Postmasburg, Northern Cape says she doesn’t have any cravings. Gertrude, we are jealous of you!…

WINNER 1 The winner is on the cover of Your Pregnancy & Baby February & March issue. WINNER 2 He will be featured on Baba & Kleuter February-May cover, on shelf on 29 January 2021. WINNER 3 A newborn will be featured on Your Pregnancy & Baby June & July cover, on shelf on 14 May 2021. WINNER 4 A newborn will be featured on Baba & Kleuter June-September cover, on shelf on 21 May 20201. WINNER 5 She will be featured on Your Pregnancy & Baby October & November cover, on shelf 17 September 2021. WINNER 6 She will be featured on Baba & Kleuter October-January cover, on shelf 24 September.…

SOBERING STATS Last year, it was widely reported that the cost of educating a single child – from Grade R through university and taking inflation into account – could set you back R1.6 million. Double this if you plan on sending your child to a private school and want them to pursue a postgraduate degree. Statistics South Africa calculated that in 2020, even though inflation on tertiary fees was lower than usual, education costs still climbed by 4.7 percent. Overall, schools cost parents about 6.4 percent more than in 2019 and – notably – crèche fees increased by 6.7 percent, higher than the 2019 rise of 6.2 percent. Meanwhile, Covid has introduced new hidden costs to education, and while we may be saving on transport and uniforms, the tools for…

Johannesburg-based counselling psychologist Dr Robyn Rosin says that family and friends can provide invaluable support if you’re experiencing pregnancy alone. “Fathers usually run because they are petrified,” she says. “If the father of the baby has left, find support from other sources who love and care about you,” she advises. “If there’s really nobody on your side, that’s when one can expect to see a traumatic response.” In that case, seek counselling immediately – a good therapist should be able to refer you to a support group for single moms or women experiencing pregnancy alone. And it doesn’t have to be all bad. “There’s a strong possibility that being ‘abandoned’ by the baby’s father actually enhances your connection with your unborn baby, because you know you are now the only…

Keep it clean Washing hands is something that we constantly remind our children to do – and with good reason. Cold and flu germs are fairly tenacious and can survive on surfaces for up to eight hours. Any door handle, light switch, countertop, bathroom tap, handrail or remote control you touch could be contaminated. Washing your hands with soap and water – and not touching your mouth or face before washing your hands, could be the difference between illness and good health. If your spouse or colleague is sneezy or wheezy, use antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces they might have touched or coughed and sneezed onto. Regular hand washing – several times a day – is the key. BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM There are several simple steps you can take…

If you’re really feeling unwell, have a temperature above 38°C or any difficulty breathing, it’s time to consult your healthcare provider. Now is not the time to self-medicate. Although paracetamol is safe for use in pregnancy, anti-inflammatories are not advised, and some over-the-counter combination cold and flu preparations contain codeine, which is contra-indicated for pregnancy. However, it’s a myth that pregnant women can’t take medication – if you have an infection (like bronchitis) that needs to be treated, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic, so rather see your healthcare provider than allow an illness to progress because you assume that nothing can be done.…

Your baby benefits from the perfect formula at the right temperature, ”on tap”. Breast milk supplies proteins for brain development and immunity against infections. It also lines the gut to minimise the risk of allergies when solids are introduced. There are benefits for you too, as you will burn 1 000 calories every day just from breastfeeding. This means that you will lose extra weight gained during your pregnancy. Breastfeeding also minimises post-natal bleeding (and depression), strengthens bonding with your baby and completes the breast duct maturation process that begins in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Studies have shown that this maturation process provides significant protection against breast cancer. Starting in the first few days after birth, your breasts will feel soft, and you’ll probably not feel like you…

■ Wind your baby, and change her nappy before you offer the other breast. ■ To wind your baby: support her trunk with one hand, and rub her back firmly with the other. Pat and rub, rub and pat. Gently lift your baby under her arms and slowly put her over your left shoulder. This movement straightens the stomach and releases the air bubble into the food pipe. When she leans over your shoulder, the wind will automatically come up. ■ Your baby will not feed long at the second breast. When she falls asleep, there is no need to wind her. ■ Prevent or treat cracked nipples by: • Making sure your baby latches correctly • Using a nipple cream after feeding • Not pulling your baby off your…

CONSTIPATION 1 Legumes (such as chickpeas, beans and lentils). Legumes are an excellent source of soluble fibre, as well as being high in protein, which is particularly important if you’re a vegetarian or vegan. 2 Oat bran is also high in soluble fibre and is extremely versatile – it can be added to yoghurt, soups, cereals and even salads. 3 Water is essential for optimum digestion. Aim for at least 8 to 10 glasses per day. 4 Apples are rich in soluble fibre, which helps to improve digestion and make stools easier to pass. 5 Prunes are known to be a great source of fibre and are a common digestive remedy. Just be sure not to overdo it. Keep to three or four at a time, as they are high…

Q I WOKE UP, AND MY BED WAS ALL WET. HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS DISCHARGE OR SWEAT? A Vaginal discharge usually has a distinctive odour and will be slightly more ”mucousy” than sweat. Also, it would be more profuse between your legs. If your bed is wet or damp – I would guess that it is sweat. During pregnancy you do tend to perspire more as you get rid of heat for your baby as well. Be sure to wear cotton pyjamas and to have your room well ventilated (open windows) while you sleep. Always check with your caregiver if you are not sure. Q I’VE GOT SUCH BAD TOOTHACHE, HELP! A Do not delay in getting to the dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, you should…

The nurse had a small glucose monitor, which she used to prick my index finger. “3.9,” she said. “Interesting.” I had no idea what that meant. I was here for an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test), which was organised and executed with precision. Firstly, my blood was drawn and tested to establish a fasting glucose level. Next, I was given a glucose drink. My blood was tested an hour later and again after two hours. I was tired after the glucose drink but not very concerned. It was a routine test after all. Except that the two-hour blood test revealed a blood glucose level higher than it should be. I had gestational diabetes. “Gestational diabetes brought the gift of healthy eating.” At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what this meant…

PAIN KEEPS ME AWAKE Q I am 31 weeks pregnant, and I have major hip pain, especially at night. Tossing, turning and surrounding myself with pillows does not help. I can’t sleep. What should I do? A TINA SAYS: One of the most common complaints of pregnancy is pelvic pain. For some women, it is slightly uncomfortable, while for others, even slow walking is difficult. This is very common in subsequent pregnancies. The pelvis has a joint in the front and two at the back that is supported and held together by strong ligaments. During pregnancy (under influences of the pregnancy hormones) the ligaments soften and slacken, causing the joints to become less stable in order for the pelvis to widen so that the baby can pass through easily during…

Don’t stop once you get home. Continuing skin to skin will continue to deliver benefits. “Human babies thrive on frequent and prolonged skin-to-skin contact for many weeks after birth,” says Erica Neser, an international board certified lactation consultant based in Stellenbosch. It can be especially healing if you did not have the birth you envisioned. Michelle Walton, a therapeutic reflexologist, points out that all the initial benefits of skin to skin – regulated breathing and stabilised body temperature, heart rate and blood sugar, and a calmer baby – continue at home. “Skin to skin also ensures your milk production remains adequate for Baby’s needs. And it aids the release of the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin, which helps ward off postnatal depression and helps you and Baby sleep better.”…

It’s perfectly natural not to feel an instant bond with your newborn immediately after birth. You will be feeling exhausted and sore in sensitive places, and it’s instinctive for a mother to focus on her own recovery after birth. You can’t protect or care for your baby if you’re physically exhausted. On the second day after birth, you will be better equipped to ”take in” your new baby and may want to spend hours simply looking at her – it’s hard to believe she is truly yours. On the third day (which coincides with your milk coming in), while you may be experiencing a little bit of baby blues, you’ll probably be feeling more confident and loving towards your baby. Many moms also find it easier to build a bond…

■ It’s myth that cot deaths only happen in cots, and sudden infant death (also called SIDS) can happen anywhere, at any time. In fact, the majority of “cot” deaths in America happen on couches. ■ Smoking both during pregnancy and after, has been linked to SIDS. ■ The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that infants should be immunised. Immunisation is believed to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50 percent. ■ New research indicates that a dummy might help to reduce the risk of SIDS, so you could give one to your baby at nap- and bedtime. ■ Hammocks are a good idea if your baby has reflux or is a hypersensitive sensory baby, as they like to be curled up, and it helps them to sleep. Ultimately, though,…

When your child has outgrown their seat, you can help to save another life by donating the seat to Wheel Well, a non-profit organisation that has the seats checked and cleaned and then distributes them to people in need. The car rental company Imperial helps them with the logistics of the drop-off points. “We have partnered with Wheel Well not only for their passion for child safety and education but also, very importantly, their expertise in the cleaning, safety assessments and distribution of these seats to those in need. We are really proud to be part of the change on our roads through another well-placed activation and outreach crucial to the road safety mix,” says Imperial’s Esha Mansingh. Says Peggie Mars, founder of Wheel Well: “In 2016, we saw a…

Q The hospital arranged for my babies to receive the Synagis injection. What is it for, and is it really necessary? My twins were born at 33 weeks. The injection is very expensive and might not be covered by medical aid... And with two babies, I pay for two. A PROF. LUBBE ANSWERS: Synagis is an injection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, given to high-risk babies once a month throughout the RSV season. RSV can be compared to flu in older children and adults, but due to prematurity, this can be life threatening in preterm babies. The season is usually between autumn and spring. The injection is not a vaccine but protects the baby through virus-fighting antibodies. WHO SHOULD GET SYNAGIS? Premature babies are often at risk of…

IT ALL COMES UP AGAIN Q I think my baby (4 months) might have reflux. She spits up a lot, practically after every feed, and often cries when it happens. How much is normal? I am breastfeeding exclusively. So far her weight gain is normal. A DR KARBANEE ANSWERS: Bringing up milk after feeds is extremely common and is known as reflux. This is due mostly to the milk not staying in the tummy because the sphincter muscle of the stomach is not yet strong enough to close fully after feeds. As Baby is gaining weight normally, the spitting up does not require treatment. Baby will outgrow this over the next few months. Positioning the baby semi upright after feeds often helps. Letting baby sleep in this position after feeds,…

One of the cutest and most joyful times is when your baby finally starts to talk. While this milestone happens differently for each child, it’s something that eventually happens one way or another. But there’s more to talking than just words. It’s a vital development that your baby has been preparing for from the start. WHEN IT HAPPENS During their first year of life, most babies don’t say any words that we understand as such. But they are developing to talk from the very beginning. “Their language skills begin to grow the minute they are born. Their first form of communication is crying – they cry when they are hungry, tired or uncomfortable. From around three months, your baby starts to coo and gurgle, and at six months your baby’s…

In her book Baby Sense, occupational therapist Meg Faure gives the following tips to calm a fractious baby. She calls them the 7 S’s of calming: ■ SENSORY EYES Read your baby’s sensory world. Remove him from a stimulating environment or change the environment he’s in when he becomes over-stimulated. ■ SLEEP TIMES Routine is important to babies, so it’s important to keep regular sleep times. ■ SELF-CALMING Encourage your baby to self-soothe when he shows signs of over-stimulation. ■ SOOTHING TOUCH Swaddling and baby massage will calm him. ■ SLING MOVEMENTS are very soothing for your baby. This mimics the feeling of the womb. ■ SOUNDS FOR CALMING White noise, like the sound of the ocean or radio static, absorbs other sounds and help to calm your baby. Lullabies…

Motivate your child to do the right thing in this way, says Arina: ■ CONSISTENT DISCIPLINE, BOUNDARIES AND ROUTINES from birth bring a sense of security, predictability and open communication in times of problems or crises. Bribery as a temporary and expensive measure aren’t part of the plan. ■ REWARD ACCEPTABLE AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR with a clear, positive and strong reaction. Ignore negative behaviour. This way your child will exhibit positive behaviour to get attention and acknowledgement from you, the parents, and good habits are formed. ■ GIVE YOUR CHILDREN AGE-APPROPRIATE TASKS to do from an early age. This teaches responsibility, pride and inner motivation that spills over into other areas as well. ■ TEACH YOUR CHILDREN FROM A YOUNG AGE to make a plan and not to give up…

Children act out their feelings. This is how they communicate. They show you how they feel with their whole bodies. The message of a temper tantrum is: “I’m angry, tired, frustrated, disappointed, afraid, envious, hungry, sick, cold, upset.” Our role as parents is to read these messages and help our children to express their feelings in more appropriate ways. But if you’re expecting your 2-year-old to say, “Mommy, I’m cross with you because I wanted to stay up later tonight,” you’re in for quite a surprise. At her age, she won’t be able to meet those high expectations. So what can you do to understand your child’s feelings, but change her inappropriate expression of them? It’s reassuring to know there is a lot you can do. You simply don’t have…

■ Make a big fuss about the move. Tell him that he is such a big boy now and he can sleep in a bed just for big boys. ■ You don’t necessarily need to pack the cot away. You could also give him a choice about where he wants to sleep. It might be a good idea for him to nap in his bed at first, and sleep in the cot at night, until he asks to sleep in the bed at night. ■ Stick to your normal bedtime routine: kisses, hugs and stories. ■ Try lying next to your child in the bed. ”That’s perfectly okay,” Erica says, ”and you can slowly reduce the time that you lie there once he falls asleep easily.” ■ A light in…

YOU’LL NEED THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT 1 Pour about a cup of water into each plastic bowl. Add 10 drops of food colouring – a different colour in each bowl. Mix. 2 Divide the pasta between the bowls, so that the coloured water covers all the pasta. 3 Let it stand for three minutes. The pasta should not go soggy but has to absorb some of the colour. 4 Spread the pasta on kitchen towel to dry. Make sure the pieces don’t touch, otherwise they’ll stick to each other. Leave the coloured pasta in the sun to dry completely. 5 Dab glue onto some of the pieces and roll them in the glitter. 6 Thread the coloured pasta onto the string. Suggest…

Parents who tell their kids to finish everything on their plates are teaching them to overeat. “Intuitive or mindful eating involves listening to your body and eating when you are hungry and then stopping when you are full. When children are told to clean their plates they are basically being told not to listen to their bodies,” Kath explains. Children, however, may say they are full when they don’t like what they are being served. A parent needs to be aware of this and should play it down, Kath recommends. She suggests responding with: “That’s fine if you are full, you don’t have to eat anything. But let me know when you are hungry, and I will warm this up for you.” Giving your child a snack after he hasn’t…

“Even small babies absorb the sounds and colours of the outdoors – the clouds above and the beauty of smells in the garden, and the sound of wind in the trees. All these things leave an impression.” Children are born with a strong urge to explore their surroundings. Encourage them to look at their world closely and marvel at the wonder of it all. Be on the lookout for ”what if?” moments in your day-to-day life, whether it be while they’re playing in the mud or helping you tend to a worm farm in your kitchen. Spotted an ant highway on your kitchen floor? Play ”What if?”, and see what the ants do if you put an obstacle in their path, or try and lure them with different types of…

“Children only very rarely present symptoms, so it is very hard to know how common the disorder is in children, but it’s very rare.” Babies get sick occasionally. That’s what new mom Amber Benjamin told herself to calm her fears as she left her bundle of joy, Blaine, with his Ouma and Oupa and set off for the Overstrand Municipality offices, where she works as a by-law enforcement officer. He’d had a fever during the night and wasn’t fully awake by the time Amber had to leave home in the village of Hawston near Hermanus to clock in by 7am. Oupa gave him his bottle but reported that he was listless, drank his milk and went back to sleep. “This is odd because he is truly a busy little man,…

1 WHAT KIND OF ROLE MODEL ARE YOU? a Always politically correct b Super fit and healthy c Always financially stable d Owner of many expensive luxuries 2 THE FIRST OUTING WITH YOUR BABY WILL BE TO… a The JSE building b Your favourite restaurant c A museum d The zoo 3 YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITE FOOD IS… a Bananas b Meat c Smarties d Gourmet foods only 4 YOUR CHILD’S FAVOURITE WILD ANIMAL IS… a Tyrannosaurus rex b Cheetah c Bull d Lion 5 THE PRETTIEST ITEM OF BABY CLOTHING THAT YOU OWN IS: a A little blazer. b Brand name trainers. c Everything branded. d A little biker jacket. 6 YOU WOULD BE DELIGHTED IF YOUR CHILD GOT A MASTER’S DEGREE IN… a Political science b Sport science c…