Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2021 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

Idon’t want to jinx it, but I’m feeling ever so slightly hopeful that things in general are getting a little better. As I write this, the third wave is in decline, my husband and I are halfway vaccinated, and most of my extended family and close friends are fully vaccinated. We’re tentatively looking at flights to go and see family in Germany for Christmas, and we might leave our eldest behind there for the gap year that didn’t happen in 2021, after a 2020 matric year that is best never spoken about again. I’m even considering a delayed birthday party later this month with all my friends, something I’ve never done. Yoga, cake and mimosas in the garden! We’ve all been for proper haircuts, and the warmer weather is motivating…

Send your letter and contact details to sharing@ypbmagazine.com. Remember to include your name and surname and where you are from. We love hearing from you. OUR WINNING LETTER RECEIVES A GUESS WOMEN’S WATCH WORTH R2 895! Known for classic and iconic branding, Guess continues to hold its position as the fashion leader. From glitz dials to bracelet details, Guess watches create their own path with signature pieces. Offering sophisticated yet casual elegance, Guess has styles that can be worn from work to weekend. Always comfortable to wear and pleasing to the eye, Guess offers wearable timepieces for every occasion. The prize watch has an all-gold case and metal chain straps, with a gold-embossed dial.Go to guesswatches.com or contact Treger Brands on 011 089 6000. MY BIRTH IN LATER YEARS “I…

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Children need their sleep in order to develop and grow optimally. According to Dr Thulja Trikamjee, a specialist paediatrician and certified allergist from Cape Town, allergies to anything in the environment can result in disturbed sleep. If you’re allergic, this triggers an inflammatory response in the upper respiratory tract. While sleeping, we tend to not be able to compensate for some of the congestion in our nostrils, which is why many people snore or sleep with their mouths open. These two symptoms alone can be very disruptive to sleep. “The main culprit of night-time allergy is the house dust mite, which lives in all our homes and loves to make its own headaches and tiredness. Dr Tamatha Urquhart, a paediatrician from Faerie Glen in Pretoria who specialises in allergies, says…

1 Make sure you whisk well to fully combine the yolks and whites and to incorporate air. This will give you light and fluffy scrambled eggs. 2 Add a little water to loosen the mixture. 3 Cook over low heat. You have to take your time with scrambled eggs and cook them low and slow (for a long time over low heat). 4 Use the right pan: make sure your pan is big enough, but not too big (you don’t want too thin a layer of egg in your pan, or it will cook too quickly). Also, use a non-stick pan to avoid that stuck-on layer of egg at the bottom of the pan. 5 Take them off the heat as soon as they’re cooked. Don’t leave them on the…

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If your child is taking antibiotics, it is a good idea to give them extra probiotics. This is because antibiotics change the balance of organisms in the gut, which could lead to an increase in harmful bacteria. As a result of this, your child might experience gastritis and diarrhoea, or bloating and intestinal pain. If your doctor doesn’t prescribe probiotics, ask them about it. Also ask when you should start with the probiotics, as taking them at the same time as the antibiotics might interfere with the efficacy of the antibiotics.…

You are trying to conceive – you may even be pregnant already, without knowing it. How exciting! But did you know you should visit your gynaecologist even while you’re trying to get pregnant, to get as ready as you can be for the day that sperm meets egg? Most of us know about taking folic acid and a pregnancy multivitamin, attaining a healthy weight, not smoking or taking drugs, eating well and exercising, but there is one more thing to do: you should also check your immunity against certain diseases that are dangerous to foetuses, as well as undergoing screening via blood tests for inherited conditions if they run in your family. So you need to see your doctor IRL. HIV It is crucial that you know your status before…

Readers* spill some of their discussion points... “I co-slept, and my partner would moan about being woken up by the baby. He only started to loosen up about it when I went back to work and was in the same boat as him. Talking about the strain we were both under helped, and he began to get up and keep me company while I was feeding. I wish we had talked about what language our child will be spoken to. He is Xhosa, and I am Zulu. I didn’t think this was going to be an issue, but it has been.” – Nompumelelo Zulu “I was very clear with my partner that when the baby was born I didn’t think I would cope with cooking. I told her it was…

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Q I’ve had two scans already and just found out that my medical aid only pays for two. My next check-up is at 20 weeks, and apparently that scan is really important, so I’ll have to pay for it out of my own pocket. What happens at that scan that makes it such a big one? I wish I’d skipped the previous scan, just for finances’ sake. A DR KOLL ANSWERS: Scans are a very important part of antenatal care and, ideally, three to four scans should be performed during a low-risk pregnancy. In a high-risk pregnancy, more frequent scanning will be required. The first scan is performed at the first antenatal visit, ideally at around eight weeks from your last period. This will firstly tell us that the pregnancy…

Norma Bustard, registered nurse/ midwife and nurse manager of the obstetric and gynae block at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Parktown, explains why government hospitals have a bad name: “People just don’t understand hospital protocol – especially when it comes to obstetrics,” she says. “The maternity unit has to cope with women who come to admissions in advanced labour who have not been for any antenatal care. This means that they have no medical records, and where there’s an additional language problem, it’s almost impossible to get an accurate obstetrical history. "There is no time to run tests or do investigations that would otherwise improve the outcome for mother and baby. We simply have to do the best with what we have. When things go wrong, the press…

Already in their first hours of life, healthy newborns try to lift their heads and display intense movement activity. However, when a baby is born, he doesn’t have much control over his limbs and body. His posture is dominated by his heavy head, which he isn’t able to lift at birth. Indeed, a baby’s head at birth accounts for 25 percent of his entire body length and 33 percent of his body’s volume. So while it may seem that learning to control and move his own head is a small thing, it is actually a significant achievement that is vitally important for the development of many other skills. Head control is actually the start of your baby’s mobility. WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? Developing head control enables your baby to look…

Reflexes in the newborn are important, so take the time out to watch your baby as he’s tested soon after birth, and ask exactly what is being tested, why and what the reflexes mean. WHAT ARE PRIMITIVE REFLEXES? They are movement patterns that develop in the womb for the foetus to develop and survive. The brain stem (survival brain) controls them, and they assist in the birthing process. These reflexes play an enormous role in a baby’s early development and in survival for crucial periods. As the central nervous system matures, and the reflex has done its job, it should undergo inhibition or transformation by a higher part of the brain. This continues until they are all inhibited and are replaced by postural reflexes that remain for life. Each primitive…

1 Be prepared Gone (thankfully) are the days when preparing nipples for breastfeeding meant roughing them up by rubbing them with a towel. “It has been found that doing so can remove the protective substances produced by the breast during pregnancy and afterwards,” says Esme Nel Hough, professional liaison for La Leche League South Africa, a non-profit organisation providing information and support to breastfeeding women. Lotions, too, aren’t really necessary, Esme says. “Your nipples are already producing what they need for their protection. Don’t use soap on your breasts, as this can dry them out. When you bathe or shower, rinsing with clear water is fine. If your nipples are very dry, you could apply a lubricant.” Rub a bit of your colostrum (if you have any) into your…

Depending on whether you have your baby in a government or a private hospital, the layout of the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) can vary. The various machines and equipment can be intimidating, but it is important to know that everything in the unit – from the machinery to the staff – is there to help your baby thrive. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BIRTH? If your baby has been born prematurely, they may need to be taken to the Nicu. Gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Serilla Moodley from Netcare Waterfall Hospital explains: “In private hospitals and most public facilities, there will be a paediatrician present at the delivery of a premature baby. The next step really depends on how small the baby is and how well it responds the moment it is…

With a disproportionate number of women working in the services industry (tourism, hospitality and beauty, for instance) that was directly impacted by lockdowns, this translated to reduced working hours, job losses and, in some cases, business closures. This meant those fortunate enough to have had savings have likely seen them depleted, while many have had to rely on debt to survive. “The reality is that the economic and social impact of Covid-19 could push many women into poverty or cause them to lose their financial independence – a scenario that should be of grave concern to all of us,” says Pat Magadla, senior business development manager at Old Mutual Investment Group. According to the 2021 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor, Covid-19 Special Report, 44 percent of South African women…

Just like your baby’s body and senses develop and respond to the world, so too does his skin. As his skin develops and grows, you may find your baby experiences rashes or spots. Keep these points in mind... AT BIRTH When your baby enters the world, he may be covered in a fine white substance that looks and feels like melted cheese. This is called vernix and is normal. During his first bath, the vernix will be washed off. You may notice a few white spots on your newborn baby’s face but these are no cause for alarm. Called milia, these little white spots will clear up on their own – no special treatment required. RASHES Almost every baby experiences a rash at some point. Whether it be heat rash,…

Laughter is universal. It’s a form of communication that is understood across all languages and cultures. Everybody knows it indicates joy or happiness, relief or amusement. Laughing is good for us, too. Many studies have shown that it releases endorphins that can reduce pain; it lessens the effect of allergies; it’s good for heart health as it improves blood flow and increases the heart rate; it decreases physical and emotional stress and improves immunity. People who use humour as a coping mechanism are generally more resilient to life’s knocks and can better care for themselves. Humour is also a social lubricant and resolves conflicts. Our ability to laugh is inborn and instinctive – deaf-and-blind babies laugh, never having heard or seen an example. So, laughter is a powerful tool, and…

FOOD FOR THE SOUL Wimpy has partnered with online bookstore Ethnikids to create a set of books called The African Folktale Collection, all written by local authors. On the back cover of each book is a piece of the South African flag – if you collect all six books, you will have a full flag. The English books will be available in store and can be collected when you pick up you kids’ combo meal for takeaways or sit down. The digital versions of the books (in all official languages) can be downloaded from Wimpy’s rewards app and website. YEE-HAW! ANOTHER GORGEOUS GEORGE BOOK! George and the Nightmare by Claire Tucker is the fifth in this series. Ella has a nightmare, and George the goofy horse is terrified that he…

From about 18 months, your toddler makes important developmental strides. Suddenly, she’s running, climbing, jumping and saying some basic words. It’s during this time that another special part of her development starts to take shape, and soon she’ll demand to be her own boss. Clothing choices become all-out battles, mealtimes turn into tantrum hour, and simple tasks seem to take hours. Daily parent-toddler clashes are impossible to avoid, and parent patience begins to wear thin! LETTING GO Long before your toddler verbalises her independence with: “I can do it!” she has already begun exercising her autonomy by starting to crawl, pull herself up or squirm around when you change her nappy. Learning independence is a positive step in your child’s physical, emotional and social development. She begins to realise that…

YOU WILL NEED • Invest in a cute mould for making the lollies. • ½ cup of ripe strawberries • ½ cup of plain full cream yoghurt METHOD 1 Use your stick blender to pulp the strawberries and mix with the yoghurt. 2 Pour into the mould and freeze overnight. 3 For easy removal from the mould, run under hot water briefly. NOTE Strawberries are in season now and at their sweetest, juiciest best. You could, however, easily swap them out for any other berry or fruit pulp you like. If you prefer sweeter, less creamy lollies, use a ¼ cup apple juice and a ¼ cup yoghurt instead.…

Q I have an only child who will be going to Grade R next year. She is bright and ready, but I’m worried she might make herself very unpopular because she simply hates sharing her things. We didn’t send her to playschool because of the pandemic, so she has been alone mostly and never had to learn to share. She likes playing with other children, but is extremely possessive over her own things – her toys, her clothes, her food. What can I do in these last few months to get her more used to sharing? I think she’ll flip out if she has to share even a cup of water for a paintbrush! A MADELEIN ANSWERS: It can be terribly embarrassing when a child refuses to share. It can…

COGNITIVE • She can communicate her needs and ask for help. She should be able to communicate any discomfort. • She must be able to react to an instruction. • She should be able to talk to other children and knows her own name. • She shows clearly that she wants to explore and learn and is curious about her surroundings. • She asks questions and can tell you about her experiences. She’s proud of what she can do. • She can play with toys in a meaningful way. • She should be able to listen to a short story. • Her memory should be good enough that she can remember what she has learnt, in order to tell you about it, and to remember a little friend’s name. EMOTIONAL…

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MY 2ND CHANCE Eleven years after my first pregnancy, I decided to give this a second try. Being mom to my firstborn son at the age of 20 was a bit challenging for me. I never got to take pictures, have fun with friends or enjoy my pregnancy. I was always indoors and hiding my bundle of joy because my family was not happy with my pregnancy. I was just always sad. Today, as I’m writing this letter, I’m so excited at 22 weeks pregnant. It took me 11 years to realise that pregnancy is a beautiful journey, and I’m so privileged to be able to go through this again. I have been travelling, feeding my cravings and finally, for the first time, experiencing how amazing it is to be…

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• Don’t misuse antibiotics. • Follow a healthy diet with as little preservatives and processed foods as possible. • Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and excessive exposure to pollution. • Stuffed toys are big carriers of dust mites. Try freezing them to kill mites. • Regularly wipe hard surfaces in the bedroom with a damp cloth to remove dust. • Try to keep pets out of bedrooms. • Remove and clean carpets and curtains regularly, as they are also carriers of mites. • Ensure mattresses are kept as clean as possible.…

For your body and your little one’s body to work optimally, a healthy digestive system is essential. More than 500 different kinds of bacteria are hard at work in the digestive tract. Exactly how many and what their characteristics are differs from place to place. Every person on earth has a unique gut microbiota profile that is shaped early in life. However, this profile, or biome, isn’t fixed, but is constantly being impacted upon by all kinds of factors, for example diet or illness to name just two. Dr Anton Janse van Rensburg from Johannesburg says that unfortunately many aspects of our modern lives aren’t conducive to a healthy biome. “Because of antibiotic use, smoking, stress, anti-inflammatories, antacids for the stomach and the absence of fermented food in our diets,…

Probiotic supplementation before and after birth can possibly reduce the incidence of asthma, allergies and eczema in children, according to Bengt Björkstén, professor of Allergy Prevention and Paediatrics at the Karolinska Institut in Stockholm, Sweden. Scientists have observed that the gastrointestinal flora differs between allergic and non-allergic children. According to a theory known as the ”hygiene hypothesis”, babies who are born in sanitised hospitals and come home to sparkling clean homes may be more prone to develop allergies. ”It has been suggested that modern living is associated with too little microbial stimulation early in life, and that allergic disease and autoimmune disease could be regarded as a consequence of a ‘microbial deprivation syndrome’,” Prof. Björkstén says. Because children’s bodies don’t have to fight off as many bacteria as they did…

“One afternoon a domestic worker came to my office,” says Dr Goolam Mohamed, chair of the Sandton Fertility Centre in Johannesburg. “She was a single 38 year-old with a deep sadness on her face. She told me that she had had two ectopic pregnancies and her fallopian tubes had been cut off. She said she was depressed and had no desire for anything except a child. “I knew she could not afford traditional in vitro fertilisation, so I tried a different process at a very low cost. “An ultrasound showed that she had a good number of eggs, so instead of injecting hormones, I administered oral ovulation induction agents. To my delight, she produced six follicles, which I then harvested using local anaesthesia to save costs. Five eggs were harvested.…

We get it. When you’re worried about your health or your child’s health, and you have an entire world’s worth of information at the tips of your fingers, why wouldn’t you search online for answers? Dr Bernard Linde, a paediatrician from Stellenbosch, says he appreciates it when parents do some online reading before a consultation. “Parents sometimes think that their doctor will be annoyed by their lists of questions, but it actually indicates structured thinking and a need for practical advice with a specific goal in mind,” he says. However, he adds that he is sometimes astounded by how badly people differentiate between science-based advice and unfounded suggestions by other people. Websites aren’t always written in the most accessible language, and few of us ever bother to look at the…

Attachment parenting can seem to be quite mother-focused, especially because of its focus on breastfeeding. But it’s very possible to include fathers in the approach too. We’ve got some tips on how to do that: • Encourage skin-to-skin contact with Dad. • Pick tasks or duties that Dad can do, like bathing or bedtime stories. • Baby slings fit dads just as well as they do moms! • Encouragement and support of Mom as she breastfeeds is a vital element of attachment parenting.…

Email your question for our experts to: sharing@ypbmagazine.com Please note that experts unfortunately cannot respond to each question personally. The answers provided on these pages should not replace the advice of your doctor. DISTURBED BABY? Q I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first child. When I am in the shower or even after intimacy, my womb feels as if it tenses up into a tight ball. Could my baby be disturbed by this? A TINA SAYS: What you are describing sounds like the slight contractions of the uterus known as Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus contracts continuously during pregnancy, but you are not usually able to feel this until the second half of your pregnancy. The release of oxytocin during lovemaking can cause these gentle contractions and, in some…

Matches. Mud. Newspaper. Raw potatoes. Toothpaste. Ash. Soap. Pickle juice. What do these random things have in common? They’re all things that pregnant women have craved – and eaten. Food cravings in pregnancy are very common, and for some the increased appetite and strong desire for certain foods is real – including cravings for foods they’ve never wanted before, and peculiar food combinations such as mashed potato topped with caramel sauce. Most women with food cravings seek out actual foods that, while they may not be nutritionally ideal, do hit the sweet (or savoury) spot: pickles, chips, chocolate – and junk food. But it’s the burning desire to eat non-nutritive items such as laundry starch, chalk and soil – a phenomenon known as pica – that reveals the strength of…

Pregnancy brings with it an array of physical discomforts. After all, when you’re growing a new human within the confines of your body, there are going to be massive changes to your system. The most noticeable and visible are to the musculo-skeletal system and in your centre of gravity as your belly grows. We accept that some sort of back pain is inevitable and unavoidable, but some of this pain is a direct consequence of poor posture and body mechanics at a time when your ligaments are lax and the fact that you’re gaining weight over a short period of time. Lower back pain (LBP) can occur as a result of many things while you’re pregnant. You may feel pain in the sacro-iliac area, or in the entire pelvic girdle,…

• Pretty bunting in pink or blue with matching cupcakes are cool. • Feeling fancier? Fill balloons with small toiletries such as handbag-sized tubs of bum cream or little packs of ear buds, then inflate with helium and let them fill the room. The balloons will start to sink as the treats inside weigh them down – allow Mom-to-Be to prick those in reach with a baby safety pin. If budgets are tight (and whose aren’t?), the host needn’t make the whole spread. • Cut out large speech bubbles, and use a magic marker to write down anecdotes from the parents-to-be’s own childhoods. Guests will see them as they come in and discuss whose childhood the stories are from. • A picnic-style potluck (in your garden or at the botanical…

Most of us 60 million ordinary South Africans use the government healthcare system. After all, only about 10 million South Africans belong to the medical-aid schemes that make private hospitals accessible to ordinary citizens. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. There are pockets of excellence in the state system. The doctors and nurses you’ll see in the private sector are the same ones who once practised or still practise in the state (because all doctors are state-trained, and many remain there, at least part-time). It’s also only in the state healthcare system where you’ll see a team of specialists make peer-reviewed, academically based decisions, which is ideal for complex cases. HOW DOES IT ALL WORK? Dr Salome Mokgohloe Tshabalala, a Johannesburg-based obstetrician who worked in the government sector…

1 BUY THESE BASICS Every pregnant woman needs these three basics in her wardrobe. First off, a good pair of maternity jeans. Choose a pair of ultra-soft dark denims. They work well for a casual look, and you can style them up for a more formal look. Opt for jeans that adjust in size with buttons or an elastic waistband over your bump, or choose a style with a stretchy waistband that sits directly beneath your bump. Leggings are perfect for layering under an oversized denim shirt on the weekend, or worn with a shift dress for work. They’re also great to wear in the first few weeks once baby arrives, as they’re super comfortable and stretchy too. Lastly, the lifesaving wrap dress will take you through each trimester. It’s…

Remember that when it comes to milestones like head control, you need to look at your baby’s corrected age to monitor if his development is on track. Corrected age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks premature your baby was born from their actual age in weeks. So if your 9-month-old baby was born 3 months premature, they would be expected to meet the same developmental milestones as a 6-month-old baby who was born full-term. By about 2 years old most prem babies have caught up and you needn’t do it anymore.…

Preemie Connect is a support group for families affected by prematurity. It provides a safe space where families can receive emotional support. It also provides care packages from time to time, depending on whether members are allowed in hospitals due to the pandemic. The packages are filled with essentials for Mom and Baby because, let’s face it, no-one is really prepared for when a baby is born prematurely. Preemie Connect represent parents in the Global Alliance for Newborn Care. Reach the group through social media, or send them an email. Details below: Facebook : @Preemie Connect Instagram: @PreemieConnect email: preemieconnectsa@gmail.com…

Breast milk is the best food for your premature baby because the antibodies help protect them against infection, and the rich colostrum stimulates their digestive system. It’s also rich in DHA, essential for brain, eye and nerve development. You have colostrum when your baby is born, no matter how premature they are. Premature babies usually don’t receive milk within the first 24 hours because they first need to be stabilised. If your baby is too young to breastfeed, they can be given expressed breast milk via tube feeding. Ask the nurses to show you how to express into a sterilised bottle, how to store it safely and how to get it to the neo-natal intensive care regularly. If you aren’t well enough to provide breast milk, your baby will likely…

Q Is there anything I can do to avoid my newborn getting jaundice? My first didn’t. She was born in Germany in winter, and I remember that they gave her vit D supplement (I think) that could have prevented it. My second was born here and developed jaundice, even though I did nothing differently. It was so bad that we struggled to wake her up for a feed. With the pandemic I really want to avoid having to go back to hospital for treatment with my third baby who arrives soon. Also, of course, I have two other children at home. A DR COMBRINK ANSWERS: During pregnancy your baby is equipped with an adequate amount of red blood cells to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity in an oxygen-poor environment. After birth,…

Q My baby has pimples. What should I do? A It’s actually quite common for newborn babies to get pimples during their first month of life. There’s no need to whip out the pimple creams and potions, and these are definitely not recommended. Just make sure that you wash your baby’s face with water and a mild moisturiser, and this little bout of baby acne will clear up within a few weeks. Q What can I do about unsightly cradle cap? A Cradle cap won’t bother your baby, but it can be rather ugly to look at. Yellow, greasy and scaly patches will develop on the top of your baby’s head, and it may even look like your baby has dandruff. It may occur when skin glands surrounding the hair…

Is your child ready? Readiness, and not age, should be the deciding factor. It also shouldn’t matter what season it is, or when his sibling or cousin or friend did it. Your child’s own readiness is what matters. So, how will you know when he is ready? One of the first signs is that he begins to show an interest in family members’ toilet activities. By all means, let him observe you or help you flush. Experts say you can typically expect this type of interest to occur when your little girl is about 32 months old and your little boy about 36 months old. Another early sign that the end days of nappies might be approaching are that your child makes an attempt to pull his own pants up…

Q How can I encourage independence without starting a war ? A Don’t ask questions that have yes or no answers. Your toddler will bounce you back and forth! Choices are a great way to compromise without giving away too much of your power. Ask: “Would you like cheese or Marmite on your bread?” Q My toddler asks to do things I know he couldn’t possibly master. What’s the best way to handle this? A If it’s safe, then let her try, but encourage teamwork. Say: “Let’s try this together.” Make a mistake on purpose, or pretend you’ve forgotten how to do it, and ask her for help. Q Is my toddler too young, or can she tidy her toys? A Toddlers can definitely help, but it’s important that you…

You’re pregnant again, and you’re over the moon! But, your eldest isn’t showing as much enthusiasm as everyone else in your life. “Why is this?” you wonder, a little bit put out. “Why can’t my little sunbeam be as excited about the news as I am? Why rain on my parade?” Imagine for a moment your partner came home bubbling over with excitement. He’s just met The Most Amazing Woman! He’s so sure you’ll love her too, he’s asked her to move in with the two of you. Your reaction? Hell to the no, right? It’s the same for your little one. You can’t expect your 2-year-old to be excited by the arrival of someone they can only possibly see as a rival for your time, attention and even love.…

A IS FOR AMNIOTIC FLUID You are what you eat, and so it would seem, is your baby. Studies have shown that what you eat during pregnancy determines what your baby will like eating. That’s because the flavours of your food are carried through the amniotic fluid to your unborn child. If you eat lots of fruit and vegetables, this is what your baby will develop a taste for. Joburg-based dietitian and nutritionist Jane Badham says these studies show that moms-to-be who include a range of vegetables and fruit in their diets will positively influence their children’s likelihood of eating and enjoying the same vegetables and fruit when they are weaned. “This is good news, because acceptance of unusual tastes before birth might override their natural preferences.” B IS FOR…

Créche Guard Gummies are specifically formulated to give your children the daily nutrients they need for good health. They’re ideal for fussy eaters who might not be getting all the important vitamins and minerals from their diet. Rest assured that your children are getting the essentials – vitamins A to E and minerals – for healthy growth and development, in individually wrapped one-a-day gummies. Créche Guard Gummies are strawberry flavoured and suitable for vegetarians. For more information on the price and stockists, visit crecheguard.co.za.…

WINNER 1 The winner (a boy) will appear on the cover of Your Pregnancy & Baby February & March 2022 issue. WINNER 2 The winner (a boy) will appear on the cover of Baba & Kleuter February-May 2022. WINNER 3 A newborn will be featured on Your Pregnancy & Baby June & July 2022 cover. WINNER 4 A newborn will be featured on Baba & Kleuter June-September 2022 cover. WINNER 5 The winner (a girl) will be featured on Your Pregnancy & Baby October & November 2022 cover. WINNER 6 The winner (a girl) will be featured on Baba & Kleuter October-January 2022 cover.…

“What personality trait did your child inherit from you or your partner that you are really happy about?” CARMEN LEWIN (31) from Cape Town says that her boy Cieron Jesse, who is now 14 months old, inherited his love for cars from his dad, Keenan Smith (30 years old). From about 5 or 6 months, Cieron would want to disassemble his car toys and try (in his little way) to put them back together again. He is crazy about the steering wheel, and the hooter is his absolute favourite. He said ”dadda” and ”car” before ”mamma”. NOMPUMELELO NKOSI (25) from Brackendowns, Johannesburg, said that her baby girl, Siminaye Sobetwa (12 months), is so smart that it scares her. Siminaye is also very curious. Perhaps it’s because both Mom and Dad…

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.…

PICK A JOGGER If you’re considering taking your baby along when you go for a run, you need a decent pram that is specifically made for the task. There’s a lot to consider to make sure you hit the sweet spot between speed, stability, safety, performance and manoeuvrability. Joggers have a single, smaller front wheel for easy steering. You don’t want the jogger to veer off on uneven terrain. For comfort, oversized air-filled tyres and suspension offer a smooth ride for the little passenger, who should be properly strapped in with a five-point harness. If punctures could be an issue where you run, you can fill the tubes with slime. To make sure your run doesn’t turn into a heavy slog, choose a lightweight aluminium frame and aerodynamic design. Even…

ITALIAN BAKED EGGS • 2 pork sausages, casings removed • ½ cup baby spinach leaves, washed • 4 tomato slices • ¼ cup pouring cream • 1½t tomato paste • 1T flour • ¼t dried oregano • ¼t salt • 4 eggs • butter or olive oil for greasing 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease 4 ramekin or individual oven-proof dishes. Layer the dishes with sausage meat, spinach leaves and tomato, dividing the ingredients evenly between the dishes. 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the cream, tomato paste, flour, oregano and salt. Divide the sauce evenly between the dishes, drizzling it over the meat, spinach and tomato. 3 Place the dishes on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and increase the temperature to 200°C. 4 Crack an egg into each dish, and return to…

Not only do the digestive and immune systems benefit from a good balance of these bacteria, your skin can also benefit. Every surface of your body is covered in microscopic creatures, mostly bacteria. These organisms create their own micro-ecosystem called the microbiome, and it helps you stay healthy, as your skin is your first line of defence against outside attack. “20% OF VISITS TO THE PAEDIATRICIAN IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS ARE DUE TO COLIC.” Probiotics also feed the skin microbiome, helping them thrive and multiply further, and ultimately outcompete the not-so-good bacteria. They encourage the health and growth of your body’s natural micro-ecosystem. We take a closer look at more conditions that can benefit from some probiotic know-how……

to Dr Goolam H Mohamed for this article that was written especially for Your Pregnancy & Baby’s readers. Dr Mohamed will be presenting a talk on low dose IVF at the Fertility Show Africa on Saturday, 9 October 2021. The Sandton Fertility Centre will be exhibiting at the event as well. For more information on the show, visit fertilityshowafrica.com. Dr Mohamed founded the Sandton Fertility Centre to help people from all over our continent who are battling to conceive. He also specialises in male fertility and fertility in couples where one partner is HIV positive.…

Positive thinking doesn’t mean burying your head in the sand and ignoring the unpleasant aspects of life. It means acknowledging that bad things happen but tackling all scenarios with a productive and upbeat outlook. And ongoing research shows that positive thinking can have measurable benefits, including better coping skills during times of stress – common in pregnancy. Positive self-talk (that endless stream of thoughts that runs through your head) and an optimistic attitude are major resources for helping you adjust to the multiple demands of parenthood. So, if you’re naturally a glass-half-empty person, now’s the time to change that mindset. Here’s how: DITCH THIS... • I have diabetes/weight issues/backproblems/a thyroid disorder. • It’s going to make my pregnancy a misery. FOR THIS... • I’m going to stay healthy and get…

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY TEETH? Due to the pregnancy hormones, the mucous membranes of the mouth, the gums, become swollen and sensitive, and they sometimes bleed when you brush your teeth. It’s normal for food to become trapped more easily, and because of this, you may be at more risk of developing gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that may weaken the supports of the teeth. TEETH TIPS • Dental plaque (bacteria, saliva and remains of food) may become more of a problem in pregnancy, so you may need to brush and floss more frequently. Whenever possible, brush your teeth after every meal for at least five minutes. • If you’re experiencing pregnancy nausea and vomiting, brush your teeth afterwards to clean your mouth – or use a good mouthwash.…

• Don’t stand with locked knees, or with all your weight on one leg. • Avoid crossing your legs. • Pay attention to good body mechanics and good posture. • Try and gain weight evenly and healthily. • Wear sensible shoes with a low heel or – better still – no heel. • Fast relief can be found by adopting a position that shifts the weight of the baby away from the sensitive spot causing the pressure. Kneeling on all fours and rocking forward and back can bring tremendous relief. • Make sure that you have a firm, well-supporting mattress. Sleep on the side of your body that has no pain. • Use pillows to elevate your knees, and keep the knee joint soft. • Hot and/or cold packs may…

Many baby showers are co-ed these days. (We’ll leave you to explain it to grandma.) If you count some “men’s men” among your friends, consider a Hardworking Handyman party, where the lads cooperate to assemble the pram or cot, or put the finishing touches of paint and shelving to the nursery. After all that hard work, let the studly father-to-be and friends relax with an ice-cold beer – from a baby bottle, in a game of down-down! Sneakily seal one of the bottles’ nipples shut so that a certain player can’t win – just don’t forget to award him a “booby” prize afterward.…

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, dial *134*550# from your cellphone to register for MomConnect, a free service with many benefits. You then answer a few simple questions about your pregnancy. This helps ensure that the weekly information you receive is tailored to the correct stage of your pregnancy, and the messages on baby health will continue up until your child’s first birthday. The messages are available in all 11 official languages. The information was compiled by experts in maternal and child health and cover antenatal care, accessing care in labour, diet and nutrition, non-pregnancy-related infections, hypertension, newborn care, breastfeeding and immunisation. Your pregnancy will be registered in a national database.…

Q I’m so scared of taking my preemie home from the Nicu. On the one hand, we’ve waited forever for this day, but I’m filled with anxiety. We live on a farm quite far from medical help, so the last two months have been very hard, as we also have a 2-year-old at home. Please empower me with practical advice. I’ve got a very good monitor, but what else do I need to stay safe and healthy? I should totally limit visitors as well, right? Does it make sense to have a nurse come and stay with us for a month or so, and where does one find such a person? Also, does my toddler pose a risk to the new baby? Should we keep him home from playschool as…

Liz Senior, occupational therapist and founder of Clamber Club (clamberclub.com), says that back and tummy lying, as well as side lying, all play an important role in the development of head control. “Laying Baby on his tummy develops the strength of the back muscles and core stability. Lying on his back encourages your baby to use his back and neck muscles, and lifting his feet to play with them strengthens the tummy muscles.” Work those little muscles further with these fun exercises: • Sit on the floor with your legs outstretched. Prop your baby (on his tummy) over your leg, so that he can lift his head to see the world around him. • Lie your baby on his back on a bed, and move a toy around in front…

When you are tracking your premature baby’s milestones, you have to adjust their age. Begin with your baby’s actual age in weeks, and then subtract the number of weeks that your baby was early. This is your baby’s corrected age, and you can expect your baby to behave like a baby of that age. For example: Your baby is 10 weeks old, but was born 5 weeks early. Ten minus 5 is 5, so you can expect your baby to be at the developmental level of a 5-week-old who was born at full term. How does this impact reflexes? The sucking reflex is usually only fully developed somewhere between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy. Therefore, babies born earlier than this might have a weak ability to suck.…

Lactation consultant Linda Britz offers her step-by-step guide to getting a good latch: 1 SIT IN A COMFY CHAIR – preferably one with sides where you can rest your arms. 2 USE THE CROSS-CRADLE HOLD to start with, and make sure Baby’s head is well supported. 3 LIFT BABY CLOSE TO YOUR BREAST and not the other way round (so don’t move your breast down to baby). 4 ALIGN BABY’S NOSE with your nipple. 5 TICKLE BABY’S NOSE with your nipple until they open nice and wide, then make sure you give them a good amount of breast tissue and not just the nipple. 6 OBSERVE BABY. Make sure the feeding is consistent and active. (Baby must be suckling and swallowing.)…

Located in Bantry Bay between the vibrant city and the Atlantic Ocean, the President Hotel welcomes you to Cape Town and all its breathtaking sights, thrilling activities and inspiring experiences. Sophisticated luxury and personal service come standard, while local style, authentic artwork and innovative design set the iconic hotel apart as the most-loved destination in the Mother City. The President Hotel is Cape Town’s most popular family resort offering two-bedroom apartments, on site kids activities, a kiddie pool, childminders and remote working facilities for parents on the go. However, the hotel is also a favourite with couples and lends itself to romantic ambience. Soak up the scenery from your spacious, sea-facing room – the President has unsurpassable views of the Atlantic Ocean. Savour a delicious breakfast taking in the ocean…

It’s a fact: having a baby puts your life out of sync. Those crazy first weeks can make you feel pretty out of control on the one hand, and stuck in a groundhog day of repeated tasks on the other. Eat, poo, sleep... eat, poo, sleep – and repeat. One school of parenthood will tell you to go with the flow. In other words, be led by your baby’s needs and cues. “TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TOWARDS YOUR BABY’S ROUTINE – SLEEP, AWAKE TIME AND FEEDING NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AND BE AGE APPROPRIATE.” The other approach – a parent-led baby schedule – is based around a timetable, or routine. “A routine doesn’t only comprise sleep. It consists of three factors: sleeping, awake time and feeding,” says Jacqui Flint, owner…

Sudocrem is proven to soothe and protect your baby’s delicate skin and works in three simple ways. First, it contains an emollient that soothes sore patches. Second, its cooling properties help ease pain and irritation. Finally, a water-repellent base forms a protective barrier, helping to stop any irritants (urine and faeces) coming into contact with the skin. Dis-Chem, Baby City, Clicks, Shoprite Checkers and other major retail outlets. 60g for R52, 125g for R90, 250g for R150 and 400g for R200.…

YOU WILL NEED INSTRUCTIONS 1 Paint the ice cream sticks in a colour of your choice, and allow them to dry. 2 Cut the white paper to size. 3 Use the khoki to draw a simple picture on the paper, or trace a picture with pencil, and get your child to go over the lines with the khoki. Paint the picture. 4 Line the sticks up tightly, and glue the paper in place. Allow to dry. 5 Use the box cutter to cut the paper in the grooves to separate the sticks again. 6 Shuffle the sticks, and then give the whole pile to your child to see if she can build the puzzle and reveal the picture again.…

Most toddlers still need a night nappy for a year or even two after they are free of nappies during the day. When is the right time to drop the night nappy? Keep a beady eye on it. If you notice for a whole week that he wakes up dry, you can give it a go. Be sure to take him to the toilet just before bedtime though to increase the chances of a dry night. Limit liquids from later afternoon. Invest in some waterproof mattress protectors. A nightlight is a good idea; it might help him go to the bathroom by himself at night. It is very common for boys to be ready later than girls and for the process to take longer for boys. Boys also need a…

Q My toddler has eczema that just doesn’t go away. We have tried so many things, and some help and some don’t. At times it gets a little better, and I get hopeful, but in fact I have to face the fact that this is chronic. How can I help him? In a way I even feel like it is affecting his personality, as he is so often uncomfortable and miserable, and I am so tired of saying ‘don’t scratch’. I want to throw everything I can at this problem, so please give me advice on the best tests and treatments that are out there. A DR KHOZA ANSWERS: As a parent, your instincts to help and protect can be overwhelming. In my clinical practice, I’ve never seen a calm…

#1 Borrow a friend’s baby for a few visits so that your child gets a chance to see and hold a newborn if she has never done it before or is unfamiliar with babies in general. Kids don’t know how much a little baby cries and sleeps, and how little they can actually play with them – best to prepare them for this. #2 Buy your child a big-ticket gift, and pretend it is from the new baby. Some people say this is deceptive, but it goes a long way towards making a strong first positive impression from the get-go.…

Your toddler was happy to be cared for by you, the nanny and the grandparents, but lately you get the feeling that she is missing out on having some little friends. Does this mean that she is ready for playschool? “A child needs to have reached a certain level of intellectual, physical, emotional and social independence to be considered ready for playschool,” says Cape Town psychologist Welma Wehmeyer. Many experts agree that 2 ½ to three years is a good age for playschool. At this age, your child would have mastered a number of skills, and many schools require that your child is fully toilet trained before being admitted, for instance. If your child is keen to explore and learn new things and isn’t being stimulated much at home or…

SMS YPB141PG WIN ONE OF THREE PIGEON NURSING KITS WORTH R2 060 EACH! Each hamper contains a Pigeon Rapid Steam Sterilizer, Pigeon Liquid Cleanser (500ml), Pigeon Sterilization Tongs and three Pigeon Breastmilk Storage Containers (160ml). Stay on top of your cleaning and sterilizing game with Pigeon’s Rapid Steam Sterilizer plus Liquid Cleanser. The sterilizer sterilizes all your feeding accessories in six minutes and holds up to five slim or wide neck containers with removable trays for easy maintenance. It has an energy saving auto switch with translucent lid for easy viewing of contents. Pigeon’s highly effective cleanser is made from 100% food grade ingredients and kills 99.99% of bacteria. Removal of all your sterilized items is simple with Pigeon’s Sterilization Tongs which have a comfortable grip and long neck. To…