Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 - January 2025 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

I love new year's resolutions and, for the past few years, mine have been the same: to stay out of hospital! Since March 2020, when we all feared the Virus That Shall not be Named, I've been dealing with another medical issue altogether, caused by “bad luck and bacteria”, to quote my doctor. It has made me very ill at times, and for long stretches just “meh”. This letter can't even serve as a public service announcement or awareness raiser for what I have, because it isn't preventable or predictable. Trust me, every time I see my surgeon, and I see her often, I ask about causes and preventative measures, and all I get is a shrug and “bad luck”. What this letter can serve as, though, is a warning…

“HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT THOSE LITTLE MOMENTS IN LIFE HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE SOME OF YOUR MOST TREASURED MEMORIES?” WINNIE THE POOH Women/moms/mom figures are caring and loving souls. When we find a small plant with a potentially beautiful flower, we will meet its needs with the correct sunlight and watering, knowing it could turn into something more beautiful than what it already is. We will generously give it water to bloom and grow. We “water” our babies to grow into wonderful, beautiful and strong humans. We also pour love, compassion and excitement into our kids. When we look at them, we see the most beautiful flowers blooming. But moms too… We are also flowers needing “water”, care and love. Thankfully, this need can be met if you search…

Send a clear, good-quality, high-resolution photo to sharing@ypbmagazine.com. Each photo published receives a R350 Babies R Us Voucher.…

SAYS WHO? The non-profit called Book Dash! HOW? Sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media so you can be alerted when they have sales. Quality auhentic African storybooks are going for as little as R15! Top toys for Christmas Stumped for ideas? Toys R Us have done the research. This is what kids want: ■ LEGO Creator Retro Roller Skate ■ LEGO Technic Mercedes AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull Back ■ Bitzee Interactive Digital Disney Pet ■ Furby Assorted ■ Squishmallows Plush Assorted ■ Rainbocorns Eggzania Fairy Mania Series 1 ■ Pets Alive Magic Bunny Surprise Series 1 ■ Hatchimals Alive Secret Hatch Puppadee ■ Gabby's Purrfect Dollhouse Celebration ■ Barbie Colour Reveal Ballet Series Doll ■ Mudslinger Extreme RC Rock Crawler ■ RC Leading…

#nourishing SUPER CHICKEN SALAD SERVES 2 PREP & COOK TIME 30 MINUTES INGREDIENTS ■ ¼ cup (40g) dried apricots, finely chopped ■ 2T fresh tarragon leaves, coarsely chopped ■ ¼ cup (60ml) white wine vinegar ■ 1t tahini ■ 1 small (200g) sweet potato ■ 200g chicken tenderloins ■ 1 bunch (175g) broccolini, trimmed, halved lengthways ■ 2 small (180g) baby marrow, shaved into thin ribbons ■ 1 ½ cups (120g) finely shredded red cabbage ■ 2 radishes (70g), julienned or grated ■ 2t sunflower seeds, toasted ■ olive oil ■ cooking spray METHOD 1. Preheat a large grill plate on high heat. 2. Place apricots, tarragon, vinegar and tahini in a small jug with 2T of water; stir dressing until combined. 3. Cut sweet potato crossways into 2mm-thick rounds. Spray rounds…

#1. LABEL IT The easiest way to find items in closed containers is to label them! #2. ENCOURAGE READING Opt for a shelf and reading nook all in one. While encouraging reading, it will also inspire your child to develop a good habit of cleaning and tidying. Add some fun scatter cushions. EXCITING FINDS #3. PUT BEARS IN A BASKET Use laundry baskets as storage containers for soft toys. #4. HIDE TOYS CLEVERLY Toys can be stowed away just about anywhere. Use decorative items such as boxes, kists, vintage suitcases and old picnic baskets as storage to cleverly hide toys in common spaces like the living room. This way, toys don't need to be moved to another room. #5. CUSTOMISE YOUR SOLUTION Do you have a big budget? Then commission…

ONE - ON - ONE TIME Spending ten minutes a day playing with your stepchild has a profound effect on your relationship, says Caroline Webster-Stratton, who devised the Incredible Years Parenting Programme. Allow the child to lead the play – this is not a time for teaching or prying. SET CLEAR CONSEQUENCES Together with your partner and their children, set up some household rules and clear consequences if these are not followed. The consequences should be immediate, age-appropriate and realistic. TOGETHER IS MUCH BETTER Work with your partner as a couple. If you have different and conflicting parenting styles, this will only create divisions within the family. It will also place a great deal of strain on your relationship and could leave you looking like the evil stepmom.…

Q&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. OUR EXPERT Meet Chantelle Chantelle specialises in women's and pelvic health. She is passionate about women loving and understanding their bodies through all the different stages of life. Her services include prenatal care, birth preparation, postpartum assessments, and addressing a spectrum of pelvic floor issues including incontinence, constipation, pain, and prolapse. Chantelle is a regular speaker at Babies R Us Mama Club events. Q How should I prepare my pelvic floor for giving birth? I'm really set on natural birth, but I also have a very tight pelvic floor that has caused me some issues over…

Are you eagerly awaiting that first flutter that is definitely not just a hunger pang? Are you worried that it will never happen? Or is your baby so active that you can't sleep? And how can you get your baby to move, so your partner can feel it too? Read on… HOW WILL I KNOW… First-time moms usually notice movement somewhere between 18 and 22 weeks. With your second baby, you'll most likely feel it earlier, simply because you know what to be on the lookout for. The answer is a little unsatisfactory. You'll know! Speak to other moms, and they'll mostly be able to tell you exactly when they felt it the first time. The descriptions can be very interesting: air bubbles, but not gas, like popcorn popping, or…

good buy The Carriwell Maternity Support Band provides extra belly bolstering, helping take some of the strain off your hips and back. It is designed with a soft, breathable knit fabric that's thin enough to be worn underneath anything in your wardrobe. This maternity support band is a must-have throughout your entire pregnancy journey. R226,50 at Baby City, Babies R Us at Toys R Us, Dis-Chem, Takealot, Loot, Woolworths, Clicks Baby, Checkers Little Me, leading baby and maternity stores, and selected pharmacies. carriwell.co.za There are five things that influence how you'll labour on the day. Often referred to as the five P's, they include, passage, passenger, powers, psyche and position. YOUR POSITION The way your baby is positioned in your body can affect labour and birth more than you realise.…

When 4-month-old Liam feels the urge to go, his mother is one step ahead of him. She simply pops him on the potty, where he makes a deposit in a matter of seconds. The difference between Liam and other babies his age is that he's virtually nappy-free – and likely to be fully toilet-trained by 9 months to a year. Impossible? Not according to supporters of elimination communication (EC), a small – but growing – movement that's gaining popularity among modern moms in Europe and the United States. EC is based on the principle that caregivers use timing, signals and gut instinct to determine when a baby needs to make a wee or a poo. Also known as natural infant hygiene, it is similar to toilet practices in traditional societies,…

You and your friend barely sit down when the blood-curdling screams start. You rush out to see who's hurt, only to find your two children, each determinedly tugging on one arm of a doll while screaming loudly. It's a scene that plays itself out in thousands of homes every single day, but that does not stop us from feeling frustrated and embarrassed about it. Being charitable is a sophisticated skill and not something that comes naturally to a small child – but with your support and encouragement, he'll slowly start sharing like a boss. As adults, we understand too well how important the ability to share is for our toddler's future social skill set. Dr Magdaleen Carstens, a child psychologist from Pretoria, says sharing is one of the most difficult…

1. Use leaves and other elements found in nature to point out different shapes to your toddler. Circles can be found in flowers, and the clouds have many different shapes.2. Point out different colours to your toddler when you're outside.3. Teach her to count by counting the number of trees you walk past or asking her to pick a certain number of flowers to take home and put in a vase.4. Get her to listen to different sounds: the sounds of birds singing, the crunch of twigs under your feet as you walk, and the different sounds water makes as it splashes, trickles and flows.5. Talk to your toddler about how a plant starts its life as a seed, and that it needs rain and sunshine to grow. Show her…

YOUR PRESCHOOLER As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you're having fun,” so fill up the long hours of the weekends and spare time with these cheap home-based activities. Not only will they keep your kids happy and busy, they'll also keep you sane(r). 1. Build a fort (with old blankets) or pitch a tent. (We're sure you have one lying around from your single camping days?) These bring such novelty to playing, and you'll see how new life is brought to all of your kids' toys once they're painstakingly taken – one by one – into their new “house”. And if the weather allows, consider pitching the tent in the garden. 2. Work that imagination. Make-believe games are easy to invent, and you really can follow your little one's lead…

1. MAKE DECISIONS “Thinking for yourself is not something you can learn in your twenties,” says Alan. “Allow your child to make age-appropriate decisions regularly, so that they become a comfortable decision maker.” In a world with an overwhelming number of choices, this skill is crucial. 2. DEAL WITH CHANGE “Parents need to lead by example on this one,” Alan says. “Demonstrate adaptability – you may need to develop this skill yourself first. Say to your child, 'Oops, things have changed. Let's change our plan in response.'” 3. ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE “South Africans are considered good at this in the workplace because we come from a multicultural society,” Alan says. Developing this skill means respecting differences, and not needing to force people to be like you. And…

1 ucook.co.za Dinner, made easy. Using fresh farm ingredients, UCook delivers perfectly pre-portioned ingredients with easy-to-follow recipes – so simple (and delicious) anyone can master dinner. 2 munch.co.za Made to measure. Trying to lose the baby weight, but still have energy? No problem, Munch delivers portion-controlled, already prepared meals, snacks, desserts and more straight to your door. 3 dinnerbox.co.za Too tired to cook? You will never need to again with Dinner Box. They do everything from everyday meals, kids meals, vegan, low-carb, soups – even breakfast, dessert and snacks. Brilliant for busy, working parents, or exhausted, sleep deprived ones. 4 babytastes.co.za Yummy, baby! We loved how Baby Tastes breaks down their meals into each stage of your child's growth, perfectly portioned and packed with texture, flavour and fun. Starting with frozen cubes for starting…

1 faithful-to-nature.co.za They got it all. Faithful to Nature stocks everything you need to keep your family organic and natural – from supplements and food to décor and jewellery. With a special Baby & Kids section and fast, reliable delivery. Yes, please. 2 ikids.co.za Go old school. There is a reason why wooden toys have stood the test of time – functional, fun, durable and safe. Check out iKids's beautiful and varied collection of wooden toys for children of all ages (you might have to drag Dad away from his wooden block tower masterpiece)! 3 brunolifestyle.co.za Cuddly, cute and 100% cotton. Snuggle up with handmade woollen blankies, leather booties, handstitched or knitted toys, beanies and natural soaps. All natural. All safe. 4 ecobaby.co.za Eco-Warriors, truth-Warriors, natural- Warriors and family-Warriors Because they believe that we need…

1 littlewildflower.co.za Wild and wonderful. Little Wildflower's collection of beautiful, personalised and handmade gifts is great for special occasions: baby showers, pregnancy announcements, birth or just a little bit of a spoil. 2 tiger-lily.co.za Who says baby essentials need to be ordinary? This range of toys, bedding, beaded mobiles and silicon eating sets are practical, yes, but also stunningly stylish – mostly made in Cape Town, with options to customise some products. 3 flynnjaxon.co.za Celebrating neutral colours and unisex styles with this beautiful range of baby and children's clothes – all designed, sourced and created in South Africa. 4 arkplaymats.co.za Ditch the primary colours for a play mat that looks interior designed, so beautiful, you won't want to pack it away when guests come over. Creating a practical play space that can be wiped clean, is water…

This pregnancy has been so much better than my first. I only had a little bit of morning sickness, and my face is clearer. However, I am much more tired because I have a toddler who is almost 4 years old. I buy every issue of your magazine – it has such useful information for my pregnancy. You would think that having a second baby you would know everything, but there are things that I have forgotten, and reading Your Pregnancy & Baby is really helping me prepare for the big day. Also, the YPB Planner is so good with my journalling. Thank you, guys, your magazines are amazing.…

Me (on the phone with my mom): “When are these kids going to be less needy?” My mom: “Well you're in your mid 30s on the phone with me so…” Having a daughter is like having a little broke best friend who thinks you're rich. @momlaughs My kid woke me up at 5.30am because he was too hot. Never thought of myself as an extraordinary problem solver, but I told him to take his blanket off. @themarvelousmrsmom Kids would be a lot cooler if every time they shouted “Mom!”, it was followed by “You're awesome!” and “Thanks for keeping me alive.” Being a mother to a toddler is hard work because you spend 90 percent of the time stopping them from accidentally killing themselves and the other 10 percent calming…

#loving To enter, send a good-quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com Baby products that value your lifestyle. This nappy bin is designed for simplicity and safetyy, featuring an easy drop-and-turn operation that can be done with just one hand, ensuring your baby stays safe. The bin is 100 percent odourless and requires no refill cassettes. Save money, live sustainably, and enjoy a durable, long-lasting product. magicbabyproducts.com @magic_babyproducts…

SERVINGS When comparing products, use the 100g column, as the “per serve” column will send you astray. Even if it's a similar product, the manufacturer decides how big or small the serve is to seem more appealing. FIBRE Fibre will make you feel fuller for longer, help control your blood sugar, manage your cholesterol, reduce your risk of chronic diseases and, of course, keep you regular. Most of us aren't meeting the recommended 25 to 30g a day, so go ahead and fibre up! FAT When it comes to fats, we're looking for healthy ones instead of being concerned about the amount. If a product has a high-fat content, check the ingredients to make sure the fats are coming from wholesome sources such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, coconut and…

When you have children, your house explodes with stuff – things you never knew you needed, but now can't live without. But there's a fine line before your house moves from being busy to being cluttered. So we've put together the ultimate guide to containing the chaos. The important thing to understand about decluttering before you even start, says professional organiser Lydia Ndlovu-Nkomo of All Things Organised, is that this is an ongoing process. It may seem daunting to start with, but just keep going. “The more organised you become, the easier it is to maintain,” says professional organiser Anni Williams of Awesome Organising. 1 YOU'LL NEED A PEN When we think of decluttering, most of us would immediately reach for a bin bag and start purging, but this is…

Congratulations! In the run of 40 weeks, your body is going to do something incredible. Two cells – one of yours and one of the child's dad – will grow inside of you and become a unique little person… your baby. While you're reading about the growth and development of your foetus, also allow yourself some time to think about the big life change that's coming. You're going to be a mom. This thought will no doubt have you all excited sometimes, and at other times almost panic-stricken. It's normal. The emotional roller-coaster is also made worse by your hormone levels and all the physical changes you're going through. Chat to your partner about everything, and ensure enough quiet time and rest so that your body and soul can prepare…

WHAT CAUSES THEM? We generally feel warmer during pregnancy because the baby is like a built-in hot water bottle. The placenta produces hormones that stimulate other hormone-producing glands – such as the thyroid (found where your throat is) and the hypothalamus, which is found in the caverns of your brain – to become more active. Among the many functions of pregnancy hormones, one is to boost metabolism. Metabolism is the rate at which you convert food into energy but also store sugar and fat into reserve supplies. This is achieved by stimulating your intestines to absorb maximum nutrition from your diet. Sugar is stored in the liver, and fat cells are plumped up to be used as energy later on. Extra fat stores also mean better insulation. By 10 weeks,…

Sr Marisce Blackaller-Smal – a nursing sister, midwife and lactation consultant at ABC Family Clinic in Cape Town – says that if you experience any of the following symptoms, it's best to go to the hospital or see your doctor immediately… You have a fever or you are very ill. Baby has decreased movement. You have abdominal pain – especially if it feels like period pain. If any fluid has been draining from the vagina. You have any vaginal bleeding. You've had any kind of trauma to your abdomen (you were kicked, you fell onto your tummy, car accident). Extreme vomiting. Leg or calf pain could mean a clot in the leg – rather have it checked out. You have any shortness of breath.…

1. CRYING The cry of the newborn is an urgent call for help. This first cry also changes the physiology of the baby's heart, dividing it into four separate chambers to deal with oxygenated blood from the lungs, and de-oxygenated blood from the body. It inflates the baby's lungs and keeps them inflated. 2. RELAXING Relaxation happens when the baby's instincts tell him that everything's okay – and he can take it easy. Utterly exhausted, the baby slumps, content, between the contours of your breasts and succumbs to the rhythm of your breathing and heartbeat. 3. WAKING UP Awakening a few minutes later, the baby deliberately moves in small thrusts. He also opens his eyes to look directly into yours. Instinctively, you might gently rub the back of his head,…

There is a good chance that as a parent of a baby under the age of 1, you have experienced, or are in the midst of experiencing, broken sleep. Trying to parent, consistently loving and meeting the demands of a small baby or toddler when you are sleep deprived has to be one of the toughest parts of parenting. But there are good reasons why a full night's sleep is but a dream in this stage. “STAGES OF SLEEP PROGRESS CAN BE ENHANCED, MUCH LIKE WE SUPPORT PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES.” THE MYSTERY OF SLEEP Sleep – like crawling, walking and talking – is a developmental milestone. This means that there are sleep norms: stages when you can expect certain things from your baby in terms of sleep. Like…

1 INVOLUNTARY PHYSICAL SIGNALS such as going still, getting louder, bobbing on and off the breast and kicking legs madly while lying on the back. Bowel movements are often quite obvious to parents and generally easiest to get in the potty or toilet. Baby sign language (signing) can also be used to communicate. 2 TIMING Usually when your baby wakes in the morning, after naps, 10 to 20 minutes after a feed, before or after a bath. 3 INTUITION You get a feeling that your baby needs to go. This occurs as a thought or, if you're holding her, your lap might feel warm before a wee. This two-way communication process involves Baby “signalling” and you responding by giving opportunities and cueing the baby by holding her over a toilet,…

YOUR TODDLER 1. Your child does not need to share every last thing that is his. Allow him a few things just for himself. These can be packed away when friends visit, so that no one else can play with them. Just remember that there needs to be more toys for everyone than special toys for just your child.2. From an early age, teach your child what sharing is, like during mealtimes: “One bite is for you, and one for me.”3. Set boundaries for your child, so that he realises life is not all about him. Even your 1-year-old can learn to wait a little: “Storytime is after dinner. I'm busy cooking and can't read to you now.”4. Involve him in buying birthday presents. Let him choose a present and…

Toddlers and sleep – two words guaranteed to make us all shudder. Mostly because toddler sleep challenges are numerous, and even worse than a baby's. Maybe you have a “just lie with me” child, or a “one more song” toddler, or your little one wakes up plenty during the night – individual kids have individual sleep issues. The most important thing to remember when talking about toddlers and sleep is to realise that it is not the same as babies and sleep. Toddlerhood brings about a whole new array of manipulation, temperament and imagination. 1. HE NEEDS A ROUTINE When it comes to toddlers, it all boils down to one word: discipline. Toddlers are boundary pushers, especially with sleep. During the toddler stage, there is so much growth and change.…

Q&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. OUR EXPERT Q I'm concerned about the new germs and bugs my child will be exposed to when she starts preschool. She's always been home with me and rarely gets sick, but I've heard from so many people that crèche syndrome hits hard and fast. How can I boost her immune system? A DR SINCLAIR ANSWERS: You may not believe it, but I can assure you that picking up new germs at school is actually the best way of building an immune system. This is because exposure ensures that your child's immune system develops the ability to…

1 magneticmunchkin.co.za Cute and convenient. No more fumbling and fiddling with buttons, zips and press studs, while trying one-handed to keep your baby from waking up completely, or rolling off the change table, made possible with a range of baby clothes with clever magnetic fasteners. 2 littleandco.co.za This local online store is packed with stunning locally manufactured goodies – everything from décor and toys to clothing and gift boxes. It's the hand-embroidered pieces that have our hearts though! Beautiful pieces of craftsmanship done by South African women. 3 abbyriver.co.za Designed for exploring. Instead of having to restock your child's wardrobe with every growth spurt or adventure, this clothing collection is thoughtfully designed to be durable, allowing for lots of movement and no awkward, tight fits as your child grows – great for hand-me downs…

1 kikkiandfranki.co.za Welcome home! Shop by theme, or product. This proudly South African range of vinyl and laser cut wooden wall art will turn any space into a baby-haven. All bespoke, personal and beautiful. 2 moonchildsa.co.za Looking for scandi-style children's furniture at South African prices? Here you go…When they say: 'create a space your child loves to be in', what they really mean is: 'create a space you'll all love to be in!' From floor bookshelves to rockers, play arches, high chairs and more. 3 littlewhitehouse.co.za If you dream of creating a drool- worthy nursery or children's room, then Little Whitehouse is a great place to start. Mix and match sophisticated beds, storage, bedding, rugs and lighting. You will want to curl up and sleep on every webpage! 4 hartelief.co.za Zoosh it up. Transform any room…

My pregnancy with our second child, Vuyo, was a roller-coaster ride from the start. I found out that I was pregnant in January 2022 and then the next day, I realised I was positive with Covid-19. I had to be in lockdown and ended up passing a lot of blood, so I assumed I had miscarried. However, three days later, I was having extreme sickness and after a week of waiting, I found out I was still pregnant. I went on to have 20 weeks of extreme sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) but, after a hospital stay, everything thankfully stabilised, and the next 20 weeks went pretty well. Although my boy and my body had given me a real rough ride, I had a “dream labour”. On his due date, I woke…

To enter send a clear, good quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com The Preggy Belly BandO is a super stretchy seamless belly band that turns regular wear into maternity wear, providing an inexpensive alternative to maternity bottoms. It covers unbuttoned pants, skirts and shorts, allowing you to wear your normal clothes throughout your pregnancy and also bridges the gap when tops become too short to cover your bump. R199,95 at Baby City, Babies R Us at Toys R Us, Dis-Chem, Takealot, Loot, Woolworths, Clicks Baby, Checkers Little Me and Baby & Maternity stores.…

Correctly installed safety seats can curtail the likelihood of post-accident hospitalisation for children by a remarkable 69 percent. 1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SEAT Make sure it is NRCS-approved with adjustable features and is appropriate for your baby's age and weight. Regularly check whetther your child still fits with the seat specifications, and adhere to manufacturer guidelines. 2. INSTALL IT CORRECTLY Many modern car seats come with features like latch systems and clear indicators to ensure correct installation, or the ISOFIX system. It is important that the seat belt straps are free from twists or knots. Check the correct angle of the car seat's base, which can often be determined by referring to the angle indicator or using the built-in adjuster. Rear-facing car seats are safer because they absorb most of…

Find the Baby & Me programme on your Dis-Chem app. It is packed with wide-ranging information and knowledge relating to pregnancy and babies. Features include weekly pregnancy updates, personalised tracking tools for you and Baby, breastfeeding tips, guidance on baby sleep patterns, nutrition advice for babies, and baby development advice and monitoring. The programme is integrated with Dis-Chem's existing pharmacy and clinic services and through multiple data sources will be able to alert you to any personal pressing health matters. Advanced features even help to identify parents and babies that could be high-risk. What else? Appointment reminders for prenatal consultations, vaccinations and other medical visits, as well as health assessments, monthly webinars with experts, tracking tools and clinic booking management, and a medication query tool too. For more information about…

POMEGRANATE LEMONADE MAKES 4 CUPS PREP TIME 5 MINS (+ CHILLING) INGREDIENTS ■ 2 raspberry & pomegranate flavoured cold-infusion tea bags (or cold-infusion tea flavour of your choice) ■ 2 cups water ■ 2 cups sparkling water ■ 2T pomegranate juice ■ 2 lemons, thinly sliced ■ pomegranate seeds frozen in ice cubes to serve (optional) METHOD 1. Place cold water-infused tea bags and water in a large jug; allow to stand 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. 2. Add sparkling water and pomegranate juice. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled. 3. Add the sliced lemons. 4. Serve over pomegranate seed ice cubes, or with ice cubes and pomegranate seeds, if you like. TURMERIC GLOW TONIC MAKES 4 CUPS PREP TIME 10 MINS (+ CHILLING) INGREDIENTS ■ 4 chamomile tea bags ■ 1…

#reading FOR DAZZLING DIVAS Your little one's favourite pop stars in alphabet form! In these cute reads, you get to explore the lives of the divas as you sing along with rhyming lullabies – because who doesn't love learning the alphabet through beautifully illustrated mini biographies? Enjoy Lullaby Legends with the ABC of Beyoncé: A Rhyming Lullaby and ABC of Taylor Swift: A Rhyming Lullaby, R250 each, Jonathan Ball. TIME TO EXPLORE CAPE TOWN This one is for intrepid little travellers. Filled with activities and facts about the city's six most popular destinations: Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the V&A Waterfront. If you're headed to the Mother City this holiday season, this is a must-have companion. Kids' Cape Town Guidebook & Activities…

So, you've been there, birthed that, and basically that means you're an expert at this pregnancy thing, right? Think again. Your second pregnancy can be very different from your first, say both the experts and second-time moms. “One thing that's for sure is that you're not the same person you were during your first pregnancy,” says Dr Qinisile Diale, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Netcare Unitas Hospital who is known as Dr Q by her patients. “It's not just that you're a bit older, but you've also grown as a woman. You are more experienced, and you are not travelling an untravelled road.” Read on to see what physical and psychological differences your second pregnancy may have in store for you. YOU'RE MORE TIRED THAN BEFORE You probably spent large…

Across cultures, a craving for items not typically desired is often considered a hallmark of pregnancy. Research has shown that pregnancy cravings arise from hormonal fluctuations that affect your sense of smell, taste and appetite, causing you to yearn for strange flavours, textures, and combinations. These hormonal changes can lower dopamine – a feel-good hormone – resulting in a craving for foods that subsequently raise the dopamine level again. Pregnant women are known for craving sweets, fruits, calorie-dense foods, odd combinations such as “pickles and ice cream”, or, in rarer cases, non-food substances such as clay and chalk. Cravings that follow a period of nausea, vomiting and food aversions in the first trimester might function to replenish lost nutrients. The process of sustaining new life increases your body's energy requirements.…

Q I'm expecting my second baby, and in hindsight I'm sure I had postnatal depression (PND) with my first. I simply didn't enjoy being a mother to the point that we put off having a second for four years. I also just felt too ashamed and busy to tell my doctor, and it did pass eventually and gradually after about 18 months. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to be pregnant, but I really don't want to feel so down and depressed again this time, and I'm determined to be more proactive. Is there anything I can do now already during my pregnancy to help me avoid PND, or do I just wait for it and then deal with it? What are my options? A KIARA ANSWERS: Yes, of course…

YOUR NEWBORN Just because babies can't talk doesn't mean they don't have lots to say! Your baby started communicating with you even before she was born and continues to do so now using her body and cries. You can decode these early messages. YAWNING Newborns do this a lot, but they're not bored or tired – yawning is actually an autonomic action. You may also notice your baby sneezing quite a bit. She does this involuntarily too – not necessarily because she's getting sick. SUCKING ON HER FINGERS If it's not around feeding time, young babies suck on their fingers or fists as a way to self-soothe, an important skill needed for sleep. Additionally, says occupational therapist and co-author of the Sense series of books, Meg Faure, your baby does…

There's nothing more disheartening than when your older baby starts to turn up his nose at his food. After all, you're doing your very best to try and get him to eat. But at this age, kids often become fussy and picky when it comes to mealtimes. So what (more) can you do? For one thing, make sure you aren't falling into these common food traps… 1. FORCE FEEDING WHY NOT? It's tempting to want to insist that your child eats when he starts to refuse. But it's a bad idea to force feed your little one. “Pressuring a child to eat often backfires. Your child may associate eating and mealtimes with anxiety and arguing, and this can lead to them refusing to eat,” says Lee-Anne McHarry, a paediatric dietician…

From the moment your baby is born, you analyse his poos – the colour, the texture, even the smell. It's one of the few ways we can figure out what's going on with our little person. If he stops making poos in his later baby or toddler years, you'll worry about what's going on inside his tummy, and your heart will break when you watch him in agony as he tries to push out a big, hard rock of a poo he's been holding in for days. According to Cape Town-based registered clinical paediatric dietician Kath Megaw, constipation in infancy is less common than in the toddler years because constipation in babies is largely due to dietary change from breast milk to formula or between different formula brands. “Lactose (milk…

You've heard it before: children are like sponges, taking in everything they hear, see, touch and smell. You can make the most of this learning by pointing out and explaining different concepts to your child while you both go about your daily activities. “Toddlers learn by storing past sensory experiences such as taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing,” says Francois de Bruyn, a psychotherapist with a special interest in developmental learning. “These stimuli are then integrated with the emotions prevalent at that moment. This melding of 'thinking and feeling' helps your toddler navigate tasks that she will retain in her memory and draw on throughout her life. Attitudes towards lifelong learning start early on, especially when we identify and afford our children regular opportunities to learn.” Making early learning fun…

■ Quiet time during the day contributes to a good night's sleep. That's why naps are very important. If your toddler is ready to stop their daytime nap though, exchange it with quiet time that includes 30 minutes to an hour of technology-free time spent in the room alone, reading or lying down quietly. ■ Use an egg timer, and let your child set it five to 10 minutes before bedtime to help avoid the “just five more minutes” argument. ■ Have a consistent bedtime routine of no more than 30 minutes. A bath is great way to start this. ■ Keep to a consistent early bedtime of between 7pm and 8pm. ■ Try to keep your child in a cot for as long as possible. Children should not be…

How are your crystal-ball-gazing skills? Because a huge chunk of parenting is making choices for your children now that you hope will be right for a future you can only imagine, and try to predict. Parents of children born in the United States in the 1980s believed that they should teach their children Japanese – incorrectly predicting the next world superpower. As the Washington Post noted in an article, the US intelligence community's first ever global trends report in 1997 failed to anticipate almost every major political development of the subsequent 15 years, including the 2008 global economic crisis. So, while taking each prediction with a shovel of salt, let's nevertheless try to imagine what the world of work and play will look like in the future – as well…

Along with my husband, Richard, and Aaron and Michael, our two sons, we made the big decision to leave South Africa and start a new life in Auckland, New Zealand, in July 2019. It was a tough move, filled with challenges, but it's a journey we're grateful to have taken. My husband started out as a training lead in a corporate company but now works as a business analyst. I am working as a health coach. Thank goodness my sister also lives in Tauranga, New Zealand, so we can visit each other a few times a year, normally in the holidays. Leaving South Africa was hard. The long flight with our kids was exhausting, and saying goodbye to everything we knew wasn't easy. We left behind our home, family and…

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1 hannahgrace.co.za Ready, steady… it's a birth-day! You've packed the baby bag, spent hours choosing cute baby onesies and mix 'n match outfits, but what about you? Hannah Grace's range of maternity wear includes an ingenious 7-day-combo, and a Ready for Hospital set, with nightie, pjs, gown and sleepshirt – they also have an all-pink, Barbie inspired range! 2 momsy.co.za Feel fabulous. Tired of maternity clothes that make you look and feel like a bus? Momsy's got you (stylishly) covered with locally-made, maternity and breastfeeding wear designed to make you feel confident and worthy. 3 maternitymommy.co.za Under wraps. Postpartum belly binding helps you recover from the inside out and is effective for the first 12 weeks after birth, regardless of how you gave birth – but that's not all, check out their maternity…