Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 - January 2023 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

Roast potatoes. That’s by far my favourite part of a big Christmas lunch or dinner. Parboiled, roughened up with a fork, cut in half and roasted in sizzling oil until they’re golden and then served with coarse salt and lashings of butter – the first bite a tad too hot. I think this would be my last food on death row, or the food I’d pick if I only ever had to eat one thing for the rest of my life on a desert island. You know those games. What’s yours? The reason I have potatoes on my mind is that this morning I broke the oval ceramic dish my mom used for roast potatoes during my entire childhood. She gave it to me a few years ago and of…

We love hearing from you. Send your letter to sharing@ypbmagazine.com WIN A GIFT HAMPER FROM BIO-OIL WORTH R3 100! Bio-Oil’s specialist skincare oils for scars and stretch marks give your skin exactly what it needs to stretch and recover beautifully throughout your pregnancy journey. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil and Skincare Oil (Natural) are light, non-greasy and easily absorbed. They help maintain the skin’s elasticity by keeping it supple and hydrated, and help repair damaged skin. The gift includes 200ml each of Bio-Oil Skincare Oil and Skincare Oil (Natural), a luxurious Bena gown, a hand-knitted baby beanie, a Maccie bamboo swaddle blanket and bibs, Shoo-Shoo leather shoes, a Bio-Oil toiletry bag and a beautiful set of pregnancy milestone cards. Discover specialist skin care for scars and stretch marks, and love your skin…

Nhlanhla Hlatshwayo (18) from Parys had a complication-free pregnancy, apart from low iron levels. At the Parys government hospital, her scan revealed that her little surprise – she only found out at four months that she was expecting – was a boy. “They could say what they wanted, but deep down I knew it was a girl,” Nhlanhla says. When she started having mild pain one evening, it was Granny’s turn to make a prediction. “This baby is going to be born tomorrow,” Ingrid said. And so it was. After an entire day of labour, Baby Remoneiloe was welcomed into the world naturally. “Remo was born on 2 August. She weighed 3,25kg. But she was not a boy!” Nhlanhla laughs. TOUGH TIMES The family were only allowed to pop in…

Ectopic pregnancies aren’t spoken about much. Probably because, in the vast majority of cases, an ectopic pregnancy can’t result in the birth of a healthy baby and will end prematurely. An ectopic pregnancy can also be very dangerous – even life threatening – to the mother and may cause irreversible damage to your Fallopian tubes. It’s a serious issue, and it’s for this reason that we need to talk about ectopic pregnancies. Every woman trying to conceive should know the warning signs, so that you can seek help immediately if there are any red flags. In most cases, an ectopic pregnancy will be discovered at around eight weeks, but the symptoms can sometimes be noticed between two and four weeks from the time of implantation. According to Dr Marlena du…

Fatigue associated with pregnancy ranges from mild to debilitating. The good news is that you can increase your energy levels naturally by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Start by following a satisfying and nutritious anti-inflammatory diet (one high in a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, and as few processed foods as possible), being sure to avoid rapidly digesting carbohydrates such as white bread, and staying well hydrated. TOP UP ON THESE FOODS ALMONDS This healthy nut has antioxidants and vitamins that increase body metabolism, control food cravings, and is good for the foetus’s growth and development. BANANA has folate or folic acid that is considered a prenatal vitamin. Foods rich in folic acid increase haemoglobin count, reduce body pain and prevent birth defects.  BARLEY is rich in iron,…

1. YOGHURT Yoghurt is a dairy product and is therefore a good source of calcium, important for the development of your growing toddler’s bones and teeth. Yoghurt also provides a good source of protein, important for muscle development as well as immunity. In addition, yoghurt is a source of probiotics, which help to improve the “good” bacteria in intestines, aiding in digestion and even immunity. 2. FATTY FISH Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines and pilchards provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are required for brain development. Rapid brain development takes place up until 2 years of age, where sensory, perceptual, cognitive and motor neural systems development occurs too. Omega-3 fatty acids have also shown to improve symptoms of attention deficit disorder. So make sure you pack in the required…

Our busy lives often mean we don’t spend as much time with our children as we’d like, and the guilt we feel sometimes drives us to want to entertain them every moment of the day. Naturally, our children do demand a lot of attention, and your toddler’s high energy and short attention span probably make you feel that constant stimulation is vital. However, encouraging your child to play alone has many benefits for him. “Children who are encouraged to play alone develop valuable skills such as imagination, independence and creativity. A child who learns to play alone will likely grow into a person who is more content with his own company and able to come up with novel and original ideas all through life. Solitary play also teaches self-soothing and…

Children are exposed to far more sunshine than most adults because of the time they spend playing outside. Playtime and school breaks are likely to fall during the most dangerous part of the day’s UV radiation. In addition, a child’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult’s, thus allowing more sun damage in a shorter time. The World Health Organization has warned that children are the most vulnerable to sun-induced skin damage and future sun-related skin cancers, but one of the best “insurance policies” you can offer your child is to equip her with sun safety awareness. Think of sun safety routines as a life skill for your child to develop and stick to for life. Here are our tips: ■ Avoid being in the sun when it’s…

Your Pregnancy & Baby has six issues per year, and we alternate between baba and mama by featuring a pregnant woman on every second cover. That means that there are three opportunities per year for a baby or child to appear on the cover: one cover for a boy, one for a newborn, and one for a girl. Baba & Kleuter has three issues per year and therefore three winners. For the next two covers, we are looking for two boys. Entries close 31 December. The newborn category (any gender) opens 1 January 2023. Turn to pages 6 & 7 to see what you can win. Each winner receives more than R5 000 worth of prizes! Turn to page 120 for the full terms and conditions. Use #CoverStarSearch on social media,…

Send a clear, good quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com WIN A GIFT HAMPER FROM CARRIWELL WORTH R2 200! The Carriwell Bando Preggy Belly Band (R199,95) is an essential item in your maternity wardrobe. This super stretchy seamless belly band helps you turn regular wear into maternity wear, providing an inexpensive alternative to maternity pants and skirts. The Bando covers unbuttoned pants, skirts and shorts, allowing you to wear your normal clothes throughout your pregnancy. When your tops become too short to cover your tummy, the Bando bridges the gap. The unique soft and seamless fabric offers light support, and the clever design means you can wear it in a number of ways during and after pregnancy. Available at Baby City, Baby Boom, selected Checkers Hyper stores, Dis-Chem, Babies R…

WIN A HAMPER WORTH R850 FROM NUNUKI! Nunuki is a skincare range for little humans that’s made with love and backed by science. Dermatologically tested and CANSA endorsed. Visit nunuki.co.za. To enter, send a hi-res image of your child with a parent, other carer or sibling to sharing@ypbmagazine.com.…

When new parents are sleep deprived, it doesn’t take much to start an argument. It’s not just the mothers that feel the stress of having a new little person to take care of; it’s both parents. Babies are an enormous responsibility, and when they’re not sleeping or eating or doing what you are expecting them to, you can’t take your frustrations (and anxiety) out on them. So it’s no wonder parents find themselves picking on each other for no good reason. There are a couple of topics that are like hot buttons to start an argument between parents and should be managed carefully, says psychologist Karen Viljoen. “Sometimes it’s not about what you’re saying, it’s how you’re saying it. When you’re tired, it’s much harder to communicate properly, because you…

“THERE ARE THOSE MEMORIES THAT CAN’T BE RECORDED BY PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEO CLIPS AND CANNOT BE PASTED AND SCRAP-BOOKED. FOR THESE MOMENTS YOU NEED A LIFE BOOK.” Recording every aspect of your child’s life can almost feel like a favourite hobby. This is perfectly understandable – we love our children! When you realise how quickly your baby is growing and how easily those precious moments slip away, the instinct to hold on kicks in, and out come the smartphones, scrapbooks and memory boxes. Locks of hair and little booties are carefully stored away. Even a dry umbilical stump, and later milk teeth are stashed in there! Everything is charted – weight, height, developmental milestones. All so that no aspect of the parenting experience is forgotten. Yet there are those memories…

Whether you have to travel for work, or want to travel for fun, getting on an aeroplane or in a car for a long trip is sometimes an inevitable part of your pregnancy. And because we are such clever and evolved human beings, we now know how to manage the additional risk and take intelligent precautions so that your trip can be safe, fun and even immune to judgement from your mother-in-law. Bonus. However, that definitely doesn’t mean you should take unnecessary risks, says Mike Schepers, CEO of travel vaccinations clinic Travac (travac.co.za). “In all cases, the welfare of the unborn child should be of primary importance,” he says. Here are the travel arrangements you should make to keep you and your baby safe. “MANY WOMEN DECIDE TO MAKE A…

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 heard about a cousin’s friend who suffered from obstetric cholestasis during all of her pregnancies, and all three of her children had to be induced a month early to prevent them being stillborn. What is this condition, and how common is it? Is there something I can do to avoid it? A TINA ANSWERS: Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a liver disease that occurs only in pregnancy. What happens is that the fine ducts secreting bile in the liver become obstructed, so bile can’t be excreted and is reabsorbed into the blood. This leads to an excessive…

THE FIRST MONTH ■ The reflexes with which your baby was born are still helping him to survive. He suckles instinctively, swallows if there’s liquid on his tongue, and turns his head towards your nipple when his cheek is stroked. When he gets a fright, he arches his back and throws his arms and legs wide open. ■ If you put his feet on an even surface, it looks like he wants to start walking. Your baby also grabs your finger. All these reflexes are vital precursors for later development. ■ Gradually, your baby also starts unfolding from his curled-up position, and his legs and arms stretch as he becomes accustomed to the world around him. ■ Around the end of the first month, your baby should be able to…

Babies and infants are little, delicate, uncoordinated and at risk of all kinds of calamities that can happen in an unguarded instant: falling, burns, accidental poisoning, allergic reactions and choking are but a few. But try not to become totally overwhelmed by fear. Devoting your thoughts to everything that can befall your baby is a stressful and joyless way to live. Rather, implement these simple life-saving strategies in your home – and try to relax the rest of the time. PREVENTION IS BETTER MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER Take a critical look around your home before baby arrives; but crucially, do it again after each major milestone, meaning once your baby can roll over, crawl and walk. At each stage, targeted safety precautions need to be followed. Keep your baby’s crib…

When are you at your best? When you are understood and respected? When you are not judged or set up to fail? When you are allowed to stretch yourself as far as you think you can go? Pretend play is all of these things to your child. It is the world of fun and play. It’s what childhood is all about. Your child’s imagination is the only limit. He is in charge, and opportunities are endless. Not to mention that it provides a near-complete brain work-out as it involves emotional, social, intellectual, sensory and physical development. EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT When a child feels confident and emotionally secure, his learning skills get a real boost, as he’s able to perform without anxiety. He isn’t limited by fear of failure so…

GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS This tree-shaped carousel-format novelty board book can be opened and folded back to create a free-standing Christmas tree using its integrated magnetic closure. A sturdy and gorgeous gift, featuring frame-worthy art. The story: a pine tree’s Christmas wish comes true when a parade of children visit to decorate its branches with unique festive ornaments from around the world – from German nutcrackers to Mexican piñatas, Chinese apples to Ukrainian spiderwebs. Secondary text offers informative context as to how the holiday is celebrated in different cultures around the world. It’s Christmas Everywhere: Celebrations from Around the World by Hannah Barnaby, R435, Jonathan Ball. KNOWN BY YOUR BUM Ziggy the zebra gets lost. In the search for his mom, he encounters many different bums. But none of them belong to…

PREP IT MEATBALLS INGREDIENTS ■ 2 slices brown bread■ 80ml milk■ 1 onion, chopped■ 1 egg■ 25ml chutney■ 25ml tomato sauce■ 10ml Worcestershire sauce■ 500g lean beef mince■ Salt and pepper METHOD Soak the bread in the milk and then break it into smaller pieces in a large bowl (do not add the excess milk). Add all the ingredients to this and mix thoroughly. Roll the mince mixture into small balls roughly the size of an egg. Pack tightly in a deep oven pan or oven-proof bowl. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 40 minutes at 180°C, removing the foil for the last couple of minutes so that the meatballs brown slightly. TIP Keep a bowl of water handy to dip your hands into before rolling each meatball. This helps…

Small children lead extremely small lives over the last two years, being kept home and isolated for long periods. Sadly, their exposure to playground equipment at schools and in parks was limited because of the pandemic lockdowns. Because of this many haven’t gradually developed the skills to play as safely as they would have. Be aware of this when you send them off to playschool, and make sure the school is geared to prevent accidents and deal with injuries properly. SWOT UP! “I always recommend that families go for a basic life support course. Have a look at the Resuscitation Council of South Africa’s website for a range of courses to choose from,” says paediatrician Dr Kevanya Coopoo, in a first aid article for Bestmed Medical Scheme (bestmed.co.za). Visit resus.co.za…

YPB148BB WIN ONE OF FIVE BRAUN IRT6525 THERMOSCAN 7+ EAR THERMOMETERS VALUED AT R1 200 EACH! For 100 years the Braun heritage has been creating products of excellence. The Braun Healthcare range consists of a range of ear, forehead, temple swipe and digital stick thermometers as well as the very popular nasal aspirator. The new Braun IRT6525 ThermoScan 7+ is a must have for all moms and this is your opportunity to win one! This infrared ear thermometer with age-adjustable fever guidance and LED light is suitable for the whole family. The Braun ThermoScan is the most used and recommended thermometer by doctors* and is suitable for use from birth. All Braun thermometers and nasal aspirators are available instore and online at Dis-Chem, Clicks, Baby City, Takealot, MediRite+ or visit gabinasa.co.za…

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…

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.…

SMOKED SALMON &EGG TOASTIES PREP + COOK TIME 10 MINUTES MAKES 2 COMBINE ½ cup spreadable cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill and 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind in a small bowl.  FRY 2 eggs 2 minutes until just set, in an oiled frying pan. TOP 2 slices toast with cream cheese mixture, 50g sliced smoked salmon and fried eggs. Season and serve with dill sprigs and lemon wedges. ROAST PORK &APPLE ROLLS PREP + COOK TIME 15 MINUTES SERVES 2 COMBINE ⅓ cup dijonnaise and 1 small chopped onion in a small bowl. HEAT 2T of olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add 6 fresh sage leaves; cook for 1 minute or until crisp; remove. Add 200g thickly sliced roast pork to the pan;…

Pregnancy can be a time riddled with anxiety. Here’s how to get out of your own head. Do you find it hard to relax even at the best of times? Then pregnancy must be all kinds of fun for you: your whole life is about to change, but you don’t really know the details of exactly how. What you do know is that you’ve committed to this change for life. You’re essentially going to bring a little stranger home and promise to look after all their needs for the rest of their under-age life, hoping that they will appreciate your efforts enough to return the favour in your twilight years. Even women who usually cruise through life on an even keel can be surprised to find they are feeling unfamiliar,…

THE ISSUE BACK PAIN The combination of extra pregnancy weight and poor alignment puts excess pressure on the spinal bones (vertebrae), disks, ligaments and nerves. The common habit of thrusting your pelvis forward makes matters worse. Rather than tucking your pelvis and tailbone under to decompress your spine, which flattens your back, you can train yourself to gently put your pelvis into alignment. 1 THE SOLUTION ALIGN THE SPINE Stand barefoot in your normal posture. Do you feel your weight on the front of your feet? If so, back your hips up slightly, until you feel your weight stack evenly over your heels (see picture left). Make sure you can lift your toes. As you gain weight throughout your pregnancy, slide your hips back to take the pressure off your…

Whether it’s to meet a granny, or just to take a sanity-saving break, sometimes travelling with a small baby has to happen. We know you’re already stressed out by the job of keeping a baby alive while occasionally getting an hour of sleep, and it would be a pity to add even more anxiety into the mix. 1. CULTIVATE ACCEPTANCE Your best-laid plans of booking the flight to coincide with baby’s sleep time will go awry when the airline tells you there is a two-hour delay. There will be tears – and baby will cry, too! (Ha, ha.) If you can see the getting-there part of the journey as almost like a circle of hell you have to pass through before your paradisiacal reward, you’ll go into grit-your-teeth survival mode,…

Puffiness of the wrists and ankles during pregnancy is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This is probably due to the changes in the cardiovascular system, causing the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin to become more dilated in response to the increased blood volume. Even though a certain amount of fluid retention is normal, too much can become uncomfortable and could lead to certain health problems, such as high blood pressure. You retain fluid according to your individual needs. If you’re overweight, you’ll retain more fluid during pregnancy than if you’re underweight. Even if you show no signs of swelling, you carry an increased amount of fluid in your body during pregnancy. WHY SO WATERY? There are a number of reasons for retaining…

Although your own motivation is an essential element to getting breastfeeding right, research indicates it is not the only one. Baby takes the lead in breastfeeding, and if he faces challenges, complications may arise. Everything that happens during labour affects you, your baby, and your collective instinctive abilities. Although sometimes what happens during labour is not in your control (for example an emergency caesarean section), you should always plan for the best. A breastfeeding-friendly birth prevents potential problems. But with help, even a less-than-perfect birth experience can result in a positive breastfeeding journey. VAGINAL BIRTH From a breastfeeding point of view, natural or vaginal birth (with minimal medical intervention) remains the ideal choice. A baby born naturally typically latches well, especially if you hold him skin to skin for as…

1. “Breastfeeding can be hard to start with,” says Pretoria midwife Heather Pieterse. And it doesn’t come naturally for many moms – you need to trust your body and your baby as you learn how to connect and get used to breastfeeding. Ask for help from your midwife or at your clinic, or watch “how to” videos online. “Attend breastfeeding support groups, and don’t underestimate the power of a lactation consultant, who will visit you at home and assist you if you’re struggling,” Heather says. When it comes to how often, “Feed your newborn on demand,” suggests Cape Town midwife Philippa Hime. Heather explains: “Babies need to feed often as their stomachs are very small, and breast milk is low in protein and digests very quickly.” In case you’re wondering…

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 My husband just doesn’t seem to be connecting with our 5-month-old baby at all. He doesn’t help care for the baby and when I ask him why, he replies that he contributes to the household. I’m afraid my son will grow up without knowing his dad. A SHERYL COHEN ANSWERS: There are many factors that could contribute to your husband’s distance. Firstly, many dads feel displaced by their baby, and he might feel the loss of having you all to himself before your son was born. Nurture your relationship as a couple, and spend some time together,…

MAKE TODAY FRUIT SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS ■ 1 banana■ 1 handful strawberries■ 3T Bulgarian yoghurt■ 12.5ml castor sugar (less if the banana is very ripe)■ 2 to 3 handfuls ice METHOD Mix all the ingredients in a smoothie maker or food processor, leaving the ice cubes for last. Test the thickness of the smoothie, and add more ice if you prefer. TIP Make this smoothie with any fruit of your choice. Experiment with the variety of fruit available at this time of year, or try a mixture of your favourites. You can also consider adding peanut butter to a banana smoothie for added nutritional value and a different taste. BONUS TIP Freeze your overripe bananas, and use them in smoothies. FREEZE FOR LATER BERRY DELICIOUS ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS ■ 2 litres vanilla…

Q My child sometimes wakes in the middle of the night in awful pain. It’s not a nightmare, and I’m sure he isn’t making it up, as he really appears to be in pain, clutching his arms or legs, and he can even tell me about it the next morning, but the pain is then gone. What is going on? Should we see the doctor? A Growing pains are deep pains that repeatedly occur in the legs or arms, striking during the day, evening and even at night. The pain can mostly be felt in the lower leg, around the shin and occurs in both legs at the same time. But it can also start in the arms, again in both arms. They affect about a third of children between…

1 The competition opening date was 23 September 2022. No late entries will be accepted. See pages 6 & 7 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 be accepted. Entries per…