Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2022 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

At the risk of giving away my age here, but The Sound of Music was the soundtrack of my early childhood. I knew all the words and still do. If I close my eyes, I can see the cover of the record sleeve, with Julie Andrews as the musical nun Maria, frolicking in the Alps. So wholesome! What made all these happy childhood memories pop into my mind again is our article on happiness on page 114. “I just want them to be happy” is something pretty much all parents say when chatting about their children. If we could just leave it at that, but often rather fixed ideas of what happy looks like start to intrude. We want their lives (and ours) to look a certain way and go…

WE’RE ONLINE! Social media Follow us on social media for regular updates on #CoverStarSearch For all the rules and full terms and conditions, see page 120. To enter a boy email a picture to coverstar@ypbmagazine.com Make sure it is a recent, clear, good quality image. Remember to include name, age, where you are from and contact details. Age limit: 48 months CLOSING DATE FOR BOYS: 31 DECEMBER 2022 To enter a newborn email a picture to coverstar@ypbmagazine.com The baby can be of any gender. Make sure the photograph is recent, clear and of good quality. Remember to include name, age, where you are from and contact details. Age limit: Up to 3 months ENTER NEWBORNS FROM: 1 JANUARY – 30 APRIL 2023 To enter a girl email a picture to coverstar@ypbmagazine.com…

WIN A HAMPER WORTH R1 000 FROM WE MIGHT BE TINY! We Might Be Tiny just arrived in South Africa! This award-winning Australian designed kid’s tableware range is adored in more than 40 countries. Premium silicone products that are stylish, functional and eco-conscious. The hamper includes a snackie© and grip cup (blue or pink), as well as a silicone muffin cup set. Visit wemightbetiny.co.za to see more. To enter, send a hi-res image of your child with a parent, other carer or sibling to sharing@ypbmagazine.com.…

KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. Start as you mean to go on. And don’t fall in the trap of thinking you want someone who will be part of the family. Family members help themselves to the contents of the fridge. Family members borrow each other’s clothes and make-up… The boundaries get blurred, and mixed messages are sent. This does nobody any favours. A clearly defined working contract setting out the rights and obligations of each party will go a long way to keeping the relationship ticking nicely. Keep the boundaries firmly in place. PAY PROPERLY AND TIMEOUSLY. And don’t expect your domestic worker to work overtime without paying her. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY AND PLAINLY WITH YOUR NANNY. You can use a book to communicate with one another. Do not patronise the nanny, and…

About a third of infertility cases are attributed to sperm. Male fertility depends on three factors: ◼ QUANTITY A healthy, fertile man will have 20 million sperm per millimetre of semen. You’d think that a fraction of that number would be enough to do the trick, but amazingly, only 200 of that number reach the egg. Although you only need one successful sperm to get the job done, the fewer healthy sperm he has, the more difficult it is. ◼ QUALITY The sperm has an oval head and a long tail to propel it forwards. Fertility problems may occur if the sperm are of abnormal size or shape. ◼ MOTILITY The sperm has to wriggle and swim its way to the egg. Good sperm motility (movement) is important for impregnation.…

You’ve heard of the love languages, right? If not, let’s get you up to speed. According to the worldwide best-selling pop psychology book by Gary Chapman called The Five Love Languages, there are five different ways of expressing and receiving love: If you purr all day when your partner gives you a compliment in the morning, words of affirmation are your thing. If your favourite activity is to simply hang out all day and do stuff as a couple, quality time is what makes you feel loved. Gifts – that one is obvious. Some people feel hurt when they don’t receive gifts on all the big days like birthdays and anniversaries; others couldn’t care less. Physical touch is another obvious one, but note that it doesn’t only include sex, but…

Labour is not about lying passively in a bed attached to all kinds of medical technology. Labour is not about handing over your power and permission – it’s not about handing over control. Labour is a time that demands your involvement from the outset, so that you can help your body do what it has to do. Getting the edge to compete with the intensity of labour is easier than you think. We show you how to stay in control of your labour. 1. GET FIT FOR POWER AND STAMINA Pregnancy takes its toll on your body long before labour will. Toning up for birth, by strengthening the muscles that really count, will increase your capacity for the hard work ahead. Join a class that specialises in pregnancy exercises, and start…

OUR EXPERT 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. Q I am 28, and I am currently 33 weeks pregnant. My previous pregnancy resulted in me giving birth at 26 weeks, and my daughter weighed only 1,025kg. She’s now 10 years and absolutely fine. Recently, I had contractions and ended up being admitted to hospital overnight. They told me that my baby’s weight is 1,6kg, which has made me very scared. Is baby’s weight fine according to how far pregnant I am, or should I be panicking? I don’t want to have another pre-term birth. A TINA SAYS: Pre-term birth occurs in about 10…

1. I AM LONELY For nine months, your baby was a part of you, but now she finds herself completely separate from you and alone at times. She could be crying because she misses your presence, your warmth and touch. All she needs is to feel you close and to hear the familiar sound of your voice. Hold her, rock her gently and talk to her in a soothing tone. If you find your baby is particularly needy of your constant presence, find a baby sling that suits your needs and carry her around with you as you go about your day. Not only will she be calmer because she’s close to you, but your constant movement is also reminiscent of being in the womb, and she’ll be very soothed…

Whether your baby is just beginning the transition from liquids to solids or already enjoying different tastes and textures, try to incorporate these top foods, so she gets the most out of her meals. CEREAL In the early days, mixed with breast milk or formula, cereal’s mild flavour and fine texture makes a good transition from your baby’s liquid diet. TIP Stick to sugar-free products, and choose one that is fortified with iron. SWEET POTATO PURÉE Sweet potatoes contain several important vitamins, and the fibre content helps the digestive tract. Peel and cube, place in a saucepan, adding just enough water to cover. Simmer until soft, and mash or blend to a fine consistency. TIP Avoid overcooking, as this reduces the food’s nutritional content. Check tenderness regularly during cooking. You can purée…

STEP ONE GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Your child should know that you love her and accept her no matter who she is or what she does. Tell her and show her every day that you love her. STEP TWO SUPPORT NEW CHALLENGES Encourage your child to try new things, even slightly risky challenges. Let her try by herself at first, and let her battle a little before stepping in to help. STEP THREE HELP HER SOLVE PROBLEMS Don’t lecture or scold. Instead, try to figure out what went wrong together, and decide on what changes to make for the next time. STEP FOUR EMPHASISE THE POSITIVE Be specific and sincere when praising your child. Point out what she did, and tell her that you’re proud of her. This will encourage her.…

OUR EXPERT 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. Q Our son is nearly 4. We adopted him as a baby. He is black, and we are white. Initially our aim was to raise him “colour blind”, as we considered ourselves colour blind. After all, children start life out this way: not seeing race. But, increasingly, I can see that our plan was too simplistic. The world is not colour blind. Boy, don’t we know it now, as we’ve had to field thousands of questions from all races over the years about our family! Pretending we’re all the same and preaching that to him…

OUR EXPERT 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. Q I feel overwhelmed and snowed under by trying to make a name for myself at work, while still trying to manage the world of my little humans at home. Most days it just feels like there is too much going on. Please share some inspo to keep me strong! Follow Olivia on Facebook and Instagram @iamoliviawallis and LinkedIn Olivia Wallis A OLIVIA SAYS: You aren’t alone. According to a report by Deloitte entitled Women @Work 2022: A Global Outlook, 40 percent of women in South Africa feel burnt-out, and 51 percent of South African…

Human milk has been specially designed to meet all your baby’s nutritional needs at any specific age. It is a living fluid and its composition adapts as your baby’s needs change (milk will even become more diluted in hot weather to help quench your baby’s thirst). Breastmilk contains vital ingredients. Colostrum is the protein-rich first milk, which is produced in the first days after birth. Colostrum changes, as your baby grows, into mature milk. Even though the composition of breastmilk changes, it always consists of the same basic nutrients. BASIC NUTRIENTS FOUND IN BREASTMILK PROTEIN Protein is needed for growth. Human babies’ bodies grow slowly and they feed often, so there is only a small portion of protein in breastmilk (one percent). CARBOHYDRATE Nearly all of the carbohydrate in breastmilk…

During labour and birth, your body uses a powerful mix of hormones to birth your baby and also prepare the way for breastfeeding. As your placenta separates from the uterus, your body releases a mix of prolactin (to stimulate milk production) and oxytocin (to allow the milk to flow), so that you are ready to feed as soon as you and baby would like to. Babies are born competent, capable, ready and eager to breastfeed. As long as there are no medical complications, your baby is ready for his first feed almost immediately after birth and most will latch onto the breast within the first hour oflife. In fact, the best start for breastfeeding is when a baby is kept skin to skin with you immediately after birth, for at…

At birth, your newborn’s stomach is the size of a small marble and can comfortably digest about 5ml (a teaspoon) per feed. In the first week, his stomach will grow to about the size of a golf ball and be able to hold about 50 to 60ml. By day 10 it is the size of a large chicken egg and can hold 60 to 80ml. If you are following a baby-led feeding pattern, then the amount of milk produced by your breasts will exactly match the small amount that your baby’s tiny tummy can hold. FOLLOW BABY’S CUES In time you will learn to recognise the signs that your baby is full. Your baby will get enough milk if you feed him until he shows signs of being full. These…

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or you are going to go back to work after your maternity leave, a breast pump can help you in many ways throughout this journey. From the start, you may need a pump to stimulate milk production if your baby is not feeding effectively. You may also find yourself expressing excess milk and storing it for later, so that dad can do a midnight feed and give you a longer sleep. At about six weeks into your breastfeeding journey, you and baby have more of an idea of how to do this intricate dance. Your milk supply has settled down and you have been given the go-ahead by your doctor to become more active. It’s time to start regaining a bit of your life…

Q Will my breasts shrink after breastfeeding? A Pregnancy will alter the shape of your breasts, not breastfeeding, so whether you breastfeed or not, your breasts are bound to change when you become a mother. Make sure to wear supportive underwear throughout your pregnancy. Your breasts may or may not get smaller after breastfeeding. Q Is it true that eating flavoured or brightly coloured foods can affect the milk supply? A Eating strongly flavoured foods may affect the taste of your milk once baby has been born and in some cases it is necessary to curb some of what you eat while breastfeeding. Eat a well balanced diet during your pregnancy and afterwards, especially when breastfeeding. Despite what you’ve heard, it is okay to eat oranges, chocolate and the occasional…

Netcare Ncelisa Human Milk Banks have been operating for nearly five years. Keeping abreast of global feeding practices, these milk banks are there for you when you are unable to breastfeed your own baby. Until you are able to establish or reestablish lactation, Netcare makes pasteurised donor breast milk available to your baby, to ensure optimal nutrition, whilst supporting your lactation, until such a time that breastfeeding becomes an option. Good news is that they also provide milk where needed to public hospitals. Another well known South African organisation that distributes donated breastmilk to those who need it, is Milk Matters. Visit their website at www.milkmatters.org to become a donor.…

LOOKS LIKE SHE HAD A LOT OF FUN AT HER PHOTO SHOOT! Yes! She is an energetic young lady. She is super friendly, says hi to everyone and loves to blow kisses. But make no mistake, she can be bossy at times and wants to be in control everywhere she goes. SHE SOUNDS LIKE QUITE THE CHARACTER! TELL US MORE… Lisakhanya is always busy. She loves playing with her brother’s cars. Her favourite shows are Cocomelon and Mr Bean. We are so fortunate that she is a complete foodie who eats everything… Nothing like her picky big brother. SO DOES SHE TAKE AFTER HIM IN OTHER WAYS? She looks just like him! His name is Mnqobi Serge Langa, and he is 5 years old. Both of them look more like…

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General good health practices are good for sperm health too. Control your weight, avoid excessive smoking and drinking, manage stress levels and eat healthily. That’ll give your sperm the best chance. Consider a multivitamin, as certain trace elements like zinc are essential for sperm production. Dr Goolam Mohamed, a fertility specialist, adds that sperm may be damaged by environmental toxins such as the phytoestrogens found in plastics and certain foods. He recommends that you get plenty of antioxidants, either from fruit and vegetables or in supplement form, to help clear the toxins. Male fertility is also affected by cardiovascular problems, diabetes, blockage of the ejaculatory duct and various other conditions. Your doctor will investigate these possibilities.…

OUR EXPERT 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. Q I’m 27 years old and 16 weeks with my first child. Since the eighth week, I have had a lot of thick saliva and mucous in my mouth. It’s really uncomfortable and is getting worse as my pregnancy progresses. It causes me to vomit, especially at night when I have heartburn. Can you tell me what causes it – and what I can do to get rid of it? A TINA ANSWERS: I can understand your frustration and discomfort with this very annoying niggle that some pregnant women experience. Excessive salivation is called ptyalism or…

OUR EXPERTS 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. I took painkillers! Q Up until I found out I was pregnant – I was six weeks already – I was quite dependent on pain tablets, as I suffer from terrible headaches. I am so worried this may have affected my baby. I took one tablet a day. A DR KOLL SAYS: It is extremely unlikely that the small amount of drug that was taken would have any effect on your baby. The most important thing for you to do now is to take proper care of yourself. Stopping smoking, drinking and quitting recreational drugs now…

It’s not unusual for you to be less excited by the gynae’s green light to have sex weeks after the birth of your baby. If it were up to you, you would not have sex until your baby turns 21 – because you just don’t feel up to it. Rest assured you’re not the only girl whose sex drive disappeared along with her bump. There’s a whole bunch of reasons for this, but fortunately also plenty of solutions. THE FIRST SIX WEEKS Although your doctor will tell you this, it’s almost not even necessary to be reminded that you’re not supposed to have sex for the first six weeks after baby’s birth. You’re probably so busy with the new bundle of joy that sex will be the last thing on…

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,…

EVERYJOURNEY HASASTART LEGO DUPLO is a big start for endless fun. But behind every moment of humble play something deeper is happening. Big bricks that take some trial and error to master – that’s a big start for kids learning to never give up. They also start to develop vital emotional and interpersonal skills such as patience, confidence and problem-solving. IMMERSE ANDEXPLORE Observing kids develop as they grow with LEGO DUPLO is moving and fun. From an early age they constantly practice life skills through play. From ‘hands-on’ skills to social skills, playing with LEG® DUPLO inspires and supports a child’s imagination, curiosity, and courage one little step – and one big brick – at a time. LEGO® DUPLO® Wild Animals of Africa (10971) Cute baby elephant and a baby…

MOVE OVER, PLASTIC … Cloth books are making a comeback! Animals, whether wild or from the farm, are always a popular theme with babies. On each page is a pretty illustration of a South African animal with the animal’s name in Afrikaans and English for little ones to learn new words. These bilingual books include crinkle paper in the first page for hours of sensory play! Wild Animals, Farm Animals, R185, NB Publishers. BEST PLOT EVER Three hungry cats, one little penguin… With bare cupboards and hungry bellies, three cats steal a penguin and put him to work to catch fish for them. A hilarious sequence of events unfolds as the penguin makes his escape and the cats get their just desserts. Deftly told and beautifully illustrated by exciting debut…

1 The competition will be open for entries from 23 September 2022. No late entries will be accepted. See pages 10 & 11 for closing dates for the three different categories. 2 By entering the competition, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. 3 Participants must be either the parent or legal guardian of the child. The magazines reserve the right to request proof of such relation. If it is proven that there is no relation between the child and the person who sent the photo, that person will indemnify the magazines against any claim from any third party should the child be chosen as a winner. 4 You are automatically entered into both competitions: Your Pregnancy & Baby and Baba & Kleuter. 5 Only email entries will…

Pregnancy is a time of wonder and amazement at what your body can do. In 40 short weeks you are growing a complete human being. Breastfeeding is equally amazing. Your body can feed and nourish a baby! Once you’re up and running, breastfeeding is the most natural and effortless thing in the world. It is also deeply satisfying and an experience and skill that I wish for every new mother and baby to master. What we often fail to realise though is that there’s so much about motherhood you can only really learn through experience. Breastfeeding is one of those things. Until you’ve actually done it, you can’t know for sure what it feels like, or if you and your baby will manage. For many, it’s not initially as natural…

The first few weeks can be a real roller coaster ride as you get to know your baby and he gets to know you. It can take up to six weeks for you and baby to get thehang of breastfeeding and for breastfeeding to become established. The best way to do this is to let your baby lead the way – called baby-led or demand feeding. A mother and her baby are a finely tuned team, and as feedings increase, mom’s body responds to the clues that her baby is giving by producing exactly the right amount of milk. Using a dummy or delaying feedings at this time will slow the production of milk and may cause problems for you both. Most babies need and naturally request eight to 12…

DAY 1 (FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER BIRTH) Number of wet nappies: 1to2 Number of poo nappies: The first one usually occurs within the first eight hours after birth. Colour and texture of poo: Thick, tarry and black (meconium) DAY 3 TO 4 Number of wet nappies: 3to5 Number of poo nappies: 3to4 Colour and texture of poo: Looser, greenish to softer yellow 5 TO 6 WEEKS Number of wet nappies: 6to8 Number of poo nappies: 3to6 Colour and texture of poo: Yellow, seedy, soft and watery…

For most women, going back to work and continuing breastfeeding is the challenge they face at around four months. In this instance, you will have to pump at work (and store your milk there) to keep your supply up. Talk to your employer about it. A private, clean environment has to be provided for you to pump in peace. Learn how to best store your milk, so baby can continue benefiting from it, and teach your child-minder how to defrost and warm it properly before feeding baby.…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) promotes exclusive breastfeeding for all babies (including babies of HIV positive women) for the first six months of life. This is now possible thanks to early HIV intervention during pregnancy, and taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication regardless of the mother’s CD4 (white blood cell) count. HIV-exposed babies receive drugs post-delivery to further prevent MTCT (mother-to-child transmission). A pregnant woman owes it to herself, her partner and unborn baby to get tested for HIV early in her pregnancy. The advantage of early intervention if her test is positive is that the mother can learn how to maintain, and even improve, her state of health, while reducing the risk of HIV transmission to her unborn baby. ARTs are available, free of charge, to all pregnant women in…

Louise van Rensburg, owner of specialist Cape Town consultancy HR Plus says, “By law, you’re allowed to take two 30-minute breastfeeding breaks while at work, where you can either breastfeed your baby, or express your milk, each working day for the first six months of your child’s life. And breastfeeding breaks are paid time.” You can combine your breastfeeding breaks into one hour, and take that time at the beginning or the end of your normal workday, or you might choose to express milk during your usual lunch break. Cleanliness, accessibility and security are key features; a toilet is not suitable. This is according to the Code of Good Practice on the Protection of Employees during Pregnancy and after the Birth of a Child. However, few employers and employees are…

Most lactation consultants in South Africa are in private practice and consultation fees vary. Depending on your medical aid plan and how you are invoiced, you may have the option to claim the consultation fee back through your medical aid. Find a consultant near you by browsing on the following websites: • La Leche League: lalecheleague.org • breastfeedingonline.com • milkmatters.org • International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA): ilca.org – provides referrals to board-certified lactation consultants. lalecheleague.org breastfeedingonline.com milkmatters.org ilca.org…

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Secondary infertility can be enormously stressful, frustrating and saddening for couples. Be sure to take care of your emotional needs and your relationship as a couple during this difficult time. Family and friends sometimes fail to understand the intense yearning for a second child and may even seem unsupportive. One mom reports, “People would say things like: ‘Well at least you’ve got one child.’ They seemed to think we were ungrateful for what we had, and making too much of the desire for another baby. I think they were trying to cheer me up, but it was very hurtful, as if they were dismissing a very painful experience.” While couples with primary infertility are likely to seek medical help and counselling, couples with secondary infertility are often less quick to…

Let’s get real – we all love our children, but every parent has at one point or another lost their temper with their child. This is one of those little secrets all parents know. Good moms and dads get angry. Good moms and dads are human. Getting angry with your 3-year-old toddler when she’s drawing on your white percale linen is normal! Anger is a normal reaction when you reach your limit. Apparently even the renowned parenting author Dr Spock admitted to once screeching “shut up” to his baby who screamed all night. But if this is happening a bit too regularly, and you’re becoming aware that you’re getting angry most of the time about small issues, it’s time to do something about it. “STRONG ANGER RESPONSES USUALLY OCCUR WHEN…

Dr Louis Grundlingh, an obstetrician practising from Mediclinic Panorama in Cape Town, explains that low-grade headaches tend to be more common during the first trimester, because this is the time when your body experiences a surge in hormones and an increase in blood volume – two factors that can make your head throb quite unpleasantly. You’re even more likely to suffer from headaches if you’re under stress and/or have poor posture. Other factors that aggravate headaches include: not getting enough sleep, dehydration and caffeine withdrawal (if you’re doing the smart thing and kicking your coffee and fizzy drink habit). Dr Grundlingh notes that if you’re pregnant and frequently suffer from headaches, “other medical conditions – such as low blood pressure, low iron levels, eye (vision) problems, abnormal glucose levels and…

Your pelvic floor is designed, like most of your body, to function unconsciously – and for the most part, it does. However, when this hammock of muscles is weakened, as can happen during pregnancy, the results can be very unpleasant, uncomfortable and embarrassing. As Bettina explains, “Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur when there is a weakness or an over-activity of the muscles, or both. These problems often creep up on us later in life after menopause, and then they are harder to fix.” ◼ STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE is a weakness of the pelvic floor muscle found in the front of the pelvis. This will make it difficult to control the flow of urine – from a few drops to urine running down the legs. For some it even means not being…

In the past, placenta calcification was only identified after the birth when the placenta (also called the “after-birth”) was physically examined by the doctor or midwife. Small white calcium deposits were seen and felt like little hard stones. This was not thought to be a problem. It was said that the placenta was simply ageing – a normal phenomenon when baby is due or late. Other signs of an overdue baby are long fingernails, little vernix (natural Vaseline or barrier cream provided by nature to protect baby’s skin in the amniotic fluid) and dry, peeling skin. With modern technology and sonography, placenta calcification can be identified before the birth. If calcification is suspected when baby is due, this is not a problem, but calcification in early pregnancy could mean that…

OUR EXPERTS 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. Q When my baby was just a year old, it was a chaotic time in our lives. We moved twice, and somewhere between him reaching his developmental milestones and us unpacking boxes, his immunisation charts disappeared. I know he had all his shots in hospital after he was born, and he would surely have had the necessary jabs at his six-week visit, but after that I’m not too sure. Can one start on a clean slate and repeat all the immunisations? Is it harmful to immunise twice against the same illness? Is it too late…

Your child’s self-image will help determine how she handles the successes, failures and disappointments that will come her way. It forms the foundation of her future, so it’s important that she has a good self-image. In her book Mommy Make Me Fly, Dr Charlene C. Lew explains that your child’s self-image consists of two main components – the outer and the inner. The outer component is influenced by how others treat us and the inner component by our own achievements. When you praise your child and treat her with genuine love and respect, you improve her outer self-image. When you allow her to try to succeed on her own and to experience success by making her own decisions, you are improving her inner self-image. UNDER 2 YEARS Your toddler’s independence…

Discipline is a dirty word in many households. There are so many techniques and theories always doing the rounds, leaving parents frustrated and confused by conflicting advice. When choosing a technique for resolving issues with your child, always use what works best for your own family. “Think about it,” says parenting expert Dr Michele Borba, author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, “Kids aren’t born obnoxious, rude, defiant, bossy or selfish. They learn those behaviours. Then the behaviour helps them get what they want, so they continue using them.” What we view as bad behaviour is a learnt response – and it can be unlearnt, she says. 1. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT Cape Town clinical psychologist Jenny Perkel, author of Babies In Mind, says that children naturally don’t always do what…

SIX MONTHS TO 1 YEAR Your baby grows rapidly in his first year. Milk is still one of the most important foods in his diet, but it is also at this age that you should be exposing your baby to a variety of new foods. There are four essential brain foods (protein, vitamins and minerals, slow-releasing carbohydrates and essential fats) that should always be part of your baby’s menu, even if you don’t manage to provide them with every meal. By 12 months, your baby should be eating three full meals a day, with two snacks in between. CARROTS ARE ◼ Good for the immune system. ◼ Important as they promote eye health. ◼ Full of fibre, calcium and beta-carotene. ◼ Good finger foods and a nifty teething aid. UP…

How can you prepare for breastfeeding? Your pregnancy hormones are doing everything your body (and breasts) need to do to get you ready to produce the perfect milk for your child. Successful breastfeeding starts with the belief that you can do it. So, find out as much as you can about breastfeeding as this will help build your confidence that you can do it! PREPARE FOR BREASTFEEDING • Take a breastfeeding class. • Ask your healthcare provider to give you a list of lactation consultants in your area. • Talk to your healthcare provider about any health issues you may have, such as previous breast surgery or any injury. If you are on medication for a chronic condition, check that it is safe to take this medication while breastfeeding. •…

AT BIRTH MILK Your breasts are stimulated to make colostrum in small amounts. BABY Will probably be awake and alert in the first hour after birth. This is a good time for that first breastfeed. MOM You’ll be emotional and exhilarated. FIRST 12 – 24 HOURS MILK Your baby will drink about one teaspoon of colostrum at each feeding – exactly what your baby needs in the right amounts. BABY It is normal for baby to sleep deeply – labour and birth are hard work for him too. Some babies like to nuzzle and may be too sleepy to latch properly at first. Feedings may be short and disorganised. As your baby wakes up, most will have a strong instinct to suck and feed every one to two hours. Many…

The key to successful breastfeeding is looking after yourself as well as your baby. You are the supplier, which means you need to be healthy and relaxed enough to make the milk that will nourish your baby. YOUR DIET Making sure you eat a healthy diet is especially important if you are breastfeeding. You must get all the nutrients needed to produce breastmilk and to maintain your energy levels. This includes eating meals that contain enough protein, calcium, iron and vitamins. HANDY HIGH-ENERGY SNACKS • Wholegrain sandwiches and Pro-Vita crackers • Milk drinks • Fruit • Yoghurt • Nuts and seeds • Avocado • Cheese and biscuits YOUR DAILY REQUIREMENTS ♥ WATER Many women get very thirsty during and after breastfeeding. Drink to your thirst. Expect to drink two and…

Breastfeeding is a natural practice, but many moms find a lot of challenges along the way. We’re here to help. BREASTFEEDING MULTIPLES Breastfeeding more than one child may sound daunting but it is entirely possible. It’s a case of supply and demand. The more the baby suckles, the more milk you will produce. Moms do face special challenges, mainly that twins and triplets are often born early and start their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this case, a breast pump is a very good idea. Don’t delay starting to express if the babies aren’t with you. Don’t wait until the next day, even if you’ve had a caesarean section. Stick to the same feeding timetable the babies would have – express every two to three hours.…

MYTH Moms who breastfeed should steer clear of “gassy” foods such as cabbage, to avoid giving the baby tummy troubles. FACT True and false. There is a theory that gas forming vegetables (like cabbage and broccoli) can cause your baby to become gassy. However, there is no conclusive evidence to substantiate this. Eliminate these foods only if baby seems to be struggling with wind and then see if baby’s gas improves. But try not to eliminate them unnecessarily as they are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. MYTH Mom’s milk starts to become less nutritious after the first year. FACT Mom’s milk is nutritious way beyond the first year. Yes, at some point your little one will need nutrition from other sources (after six months), but your milk remains a valuable contribution…

Having a traumatic birth experience and then being ill afterwards are challenging conditions for bonding and breastfeeding. However, giving your newborn preemie donated human milk is the best you can do if you cannot breastfeed yourself, since breast milk is seen as the first medication your baby receives. It provides all the nutrients a baby requires and protects against potential infections. Mother’s own milk is always the first choice, but thankfully medicine has evolved, and now human milk banking can help when Mom needs a bit of attention herself. Let us first look at some facts about donated human milk. The composition of breast milk changes based on the age of the baby. Mothers can produce milk from as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy, so you should have milk…