Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 162 / #2-2025 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

I risk sounding like an old person now, but with Covid fading away in the rear-view mirror, I expected the world to feel great again and to experience a sense of moving forward. Instead, it feels like we’ve lost the plot as a planet. Maybe I’ve been doomscrolling too much, but there is just so much bad stuff going on, and we seem to be going backwards, as if lessons learnt from the past have all been forgotten, and we’re setting ourselves up for a painful repeat. But all is not lost. Generation Z are coming of age, and what a lovely bunch of people they are. Wiki tells me they’re better behaved, less hedonistic, have fewer teen pregnancies, drink less alcohol, and are more focused on education and job…

To enter send a clear, good quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com The Carriwell BellyBinder is used post-birth to help you regain your pre-pregnancy body. It promotes healing and recovery by offering compression and support for the weakened muscles in your hips, waist and belly. The BellyBinder shapes and slims your waist, helping you look and feel your absolute best and giving you the confidence you deserve after birth. R699,99 from Baby City, Babies R Us, Dis-Chem, Takealot, Loot, Woolworths, Clicks Baby, Checkers Little Me and baby and maternity stores. winner…

Spiced chickpeas, sweet potato & beef soup SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ■ 2T olive oil ■ 750g beef chuck steak, cubed ■ 1 onion, chopped ■ 3 carrots, roughly chopped ■ 2 celery stalks, chopped ■ 1T ground cumin ■ 1T ground coriander ■ 1t dried chilli flakes ■ 4 cups chicken stock ■ 500g sweet potato, peeled, chopped ■ 400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained ■ 1 cup chopped parsley leaves BREAD & KALE TOPPING ■ 75g butter, chopped ■ 200g sourdough, torn ■ ½ bunch kale, trimmed, leaves torn METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper. 2. In a large saucepan, heat oil on high. Sauté beef for 4-5 minutes until browned. Add onion, carrot, celery and spices. Cook, stirring, 4-5 minutes until…

Quick tips DO NOT OPENLY COMPARE YOUR DAUGHTER’S BODY TO THAT OF HER FRIENDS OR SIBLINGS. MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND AND TEACH YOUR CHILD THAT YOUR OPINION ABOUT YOURSELF IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. Always remember LEAD BY EXAMPLE, AND EMBRACE A HEALTHY AND BALANCED MEAL PLAN. Although girls generally become more aware of body talk when they enter the so-called “tween” phase at around 9 years of age, psychologist Michelle Andrews says that concerns about body image can begin as early as in prepubescent children too. Life coach Kerry Hibberd agrees, saying that body talk starts playing a major role with girls aged 9 and 10, but that children become aware of their bodies as soon as they are able to tell you where they feel sick or sore.…

Keep our annual Emergency & Safety Guide in your first aid kit – so you can refer to it when needed. Keep all these products out of reach of children, and only use with adult supervision.…

The hormones that race through your body when you’re pregnant affect just about every part of you, including your skin. And while this can work in your favour, and your skin will probably “glow” as a result of all the extra hormones and blood circulating around your body, you may also notice that it gets dry and scaly or starts to darken in certain areas. This, coupled with stretch marks and the emergence of visible dark veins, will probably leave you feeling like something out of a sci-fi movie. But don’t despair: it’s all completely normal. PIGMENTATION According to Dr Dagmar Whitaker, a Cape Town-based specialist dermatologist, pigmentation changes during pregnancy are caused by an increased production of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which acts on the cells that affect the colour…

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. “It’snot just that you’re a bit older, but you’ve also grown as a woman,” says Dr Q, as her patients call her. ”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 parts…

Many women imagine themselves lying on a bed and labouring in a passive way, being treated like a patient. But birth is not passive! It demands you to stand up and pay attention. Your reward is most likely to be a shorter, less painful and more satisfying experience with fewer interventions. “IN THE SQUATTING POSITION, YOUR PELVIS IS WIDE OPEN, INVITING YOUR BABY TO MOVE DOWN AND THROUGH THE PELVIS.” ACTIVE LABOUR An active labour means you’re actively involved in what’s happening to your body during labour and delivery. It involves freedom of movement as you use your body in any way that makes labour more tolerable. Positioning and movement play a big part in active labour. Studies have shown that when women are upright and mobile, the following tends…

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 EXPERTS Q How will I know if my newborn baby has jaundice after birth? What should I do, and how is it treated? A DR MARETHA COMBRINK ANSWERS: Jaundice is a common problem observed in neonates. Approximately 60 percent of fullterm and 80 percent of pre-term infants will develop neonatal jaundice during the first week of life. The yellow colour usually results from the build-up of bilirubin pigment in the skin. Bilirubin comes from haemoglobin breaking down in red cells. During pregnancy, the foetus has a higher number of red cells and haemoglobin to carry…

A family’s rhythm changes with a new baby in the house, and one of the big challenges is to find a routine with which everyone’s comfortable. Should baby feed on demand, or is a fixed schedule better? Should you follow a set routine that better fits into your daily programme, or should you allow yourself to be guided by your baby’s body language and take a more informal approach? There is no single right or wrong answer – even the expert opinions differ. The secret is in finding a new life pattern that fits your unique needs and personalities. But what are your options? Option 1 PARENTS IN CHARGE A parent-centred routine means the caregivers call the shots in terms of routine for their little one, says Sister Inamarie Greyson…

In 1988, Mike And The Mechanics sang, “Every generation blames the one before.” Generation Xers and Baby Boomers often feel their parents were hard disciplinarians, to blame for certain emotional deficits we sense in ourselves. After all, we feel, life is hard enough, so if a dummy brings a child some comfort, what’s the harm? But the backlash to “permissive parenting” popular today is that our parents, broadly speaking, can feel our babies are mollycoddled and overindulged, what with all that tending to them immediately when they are distressed, feeding them when they are hungry instead of on a schedule, lots of physical contact and attention, and giving them dummies and blankies to help them settle at night. Grandparents’ derision seems to come into focus strongest when they see a…

1. GO FISHING Cut fish shapes out of paper or cardboard and hide these around the garden. (They’ll have to be a bit visible though; it’s like hiding Easter eggs.) Let your toddler go around the garden trying to find them all, collecting them in a bucket or net as they go. You can play the same game with any shape: stars, hearts, circles, letters. If they know what their name looks like, cut those letters out and see if they can find them and pack them in order. 2. MAKE A QUICK NATURE BRACELET Take your toddler for a walk outside to look at nature’s bounty. Wrap a piece of masking tape around their wrist with the sticky side up. Tell them to collect small stones, flowers, pieces of…

Being able to read is a basic life skill. That’s why children are taught it in Grade 1, right? So why are we increasingly being told that parents of 1-yearolds must worry about raising a reader? Why is learning to read our problem as parents, and not the teacher’s job alone? Here are a few persuasive reasons why you should begin assembling humanity’s most fundamental academic tool right from the start of your baby’s life and some tips on how to do it. “TECHNOLOGY HAS MANY ADVANTAGES, AND THERE IS A PLACE FOR IT IN YOUR HOME. BUT TECH CAN NEVER REPLACE THE HUMAN CONTACT OF SITTING A BABY ON YOUR LAP AND SHOWING HIM A BOOK THAT HE CAN TOUCH, SEE FEEL AND CHEW”. YOU CAN DO IT! The…

SAFETY IN AND AROUND THE HOME ■ Keep a list of emergency numbers at all your landline phones, and also save these numbers on your cellphone. Using the acronym ICE (In Case of Emergency) at the beginning of each of these contacts makes these numbers easy to find in an emergency. ■ Keep all your heaters in good condition, out of a child’s reach and placed at least 1m away from curtains, any paper and furniture when in use. Ensure they have protective covers. ■ Make sure that electric cords are not frayed or overloaded and are placed out of reach, and fit all unused electric plug points with safety covers. ■ Install toddler gates at the top and bottom of all stairways and make sure that the strength of…

STOP DOG BITES BEFORE THEY EVEN HAPPEN Dogs don’t understand that biting people is wrong. Dogs often bite when they are scared or trying to protect themselves. In order to prevent being bitten by a dog, we all need to understand: ■ How dogs are feeling. ■ How to approach known and strange dogs safely. ■ When it is safe to approach or interact with a dog – and when it is not. MUST KNOW If you are bitten, do not pull away! Hold still – and if you fall, roll into a ball by tucking you arms and legs in. DEWORMING Worms are nasty parasites. Unfortunately, worms are a very common problem for children. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are free of this…

1 ANAPHYLAXIS (AN ALLERGIC REACTION) Anaphylactic shock is a severe whole body allergic reaction to a substance such as some foods (peanuts), stings or drugs. Anaphylaxis happens immediately after exposure to the allergen. It is severe and involves the whole body. It’s terrifying and action must be taken immediately. Causes ■ Food Peanuts are a common allergy culprit in children, and even a trace of peanut can bring on anaphylaxis in an allergy sufferer. Other common food instigators are fish, shellfish and fruit, as well as certain spices, food colourants and additives. ■ Stings Bees, wasps and jellyfish. ■ Drugs Particularly medicines like penicillin, anaesthetics and painkillers. Signs and symptoms Symptoms develop quickly (often within seconds) and may include the following: ■ Anxiety. ■ Abdominal pain. ■ Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing…

sharing@ypbmagazine.com WINNING LETTER HAPPY VAXX DAY! Our baby’s 9-month check-up was a milestone and gave us a moment of reflection as first-time parents. We’re deeply committed to keeping our baby boy Reagan safe from illness and ensuring his future health, and so we made the decision to follow the prescribed vaccination schedule. We visited the Baby Nest Clinic at Netcare Alberton Hospital, where we and Reagan always receive excellent care. My little one, generally a happy baby, sees these visits as just another exciting excursion, enjoying the new sights and sounds. However, that excitement quickly fades when the time comes for his vaccines. A brief 10-second cry follows the injections, but soon after, he’s back to his cheerful self – though he’s a bit wary of the head nurse, or…

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

It’s true, we all do it: “I’m so fat.” “I need to go on diet.” “I hate my orange-peel thighs.” “My bum looks big in this.” “I wish I was thin.” “I would be so happy if I lost weight” – and on and on it goes. But think about this for a second: if you’ve said anything like this within earshot of your daughter – no matter how young – you’re actually grooming her to hate her own body. Fast facts A POOR BODY IMAGE MAY INFLUENCE GIRLS TO ENGAGE IN UNHEALTHY AND DESTRUCTIVE EATING BEHAVIOURS. A STRONG BODY IMAGE CONTRIBUTES TOWARDS GOOD SELF ESTEEM AND SELF CONFIDENCE. WORDS CAN HARM HER While the media, the dolls they play with and societal pressure play a role in making girls…

“NOT EVERYONE WHO HAS PND EXPERIENCES DEPRESSION. MANY MOMS FIND THE OVERWHELMING SYMPTOMS ARE ANXIETY AND FEAR, RATHER THAN SADNESS AND DESPAIR”. There is a book on postnatal depression (PND) called When Your Blessings Don’t Count (Linda Lewis, Metz Press). The first time I heard the title, I was just blown away by the power of this phrase, because it is such a true description of how you feel when you have PND. When you have a baby, everyone tells you how lucky you are and what a blessing this new life will be, and you feel like you should be in love with your baby and the very picture of contentment. But what happens when motherhood doesn’t feel miraculous – when you can’t see the rosy picture and you…

Stress is a given in today’s world. But for pregnant women, this everyday phenomenon takes on new meaning, as you can’t help but wonder if your own stress is affecting your baby. The bad news is: yes, it can have an impact on the course of your pregnancy as well as on your baby’s development in the womb and after birth. This is according to two experts who have conducted research at Stellenbosch University on the impact of stress during pregnancy. They are counselling psychologist Sheila Faure and Dr Bavi Vythilingum, a psychiatrist who has worked at the Medical Research Council’s Research Unit for Anxiety and Stress Disorders. good buy Alora Instant Perineal Ice Pads (Alora Peri-Pads) are designed to deliver immediate, soothing pain relief if you’re recovering from childbirth.…

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but traditionally a full-term pregnancy is considered to be anything between 38 and 42 weeks. What happens when you go over the 40-week mark? Is this good or bad? And should you and your doctor do anything about it? Your friend was induced at 39 weeks – should you ask for this too? The last few weeks of pregnancy can feel like forever. You can’t wait to meet your baby, and you’re also physically exhausted. This could be why something to help things along might seem so attractive. However, doctors warn that induction should never be done for purely social reasons. Keeping your baby inside after 38 weeks has many advantages. This was confirmed in the journal Pediatrics: the brain is still developing during those last…

You are the foundation of security and trust for your baby, and the solid base from which she will explore the world of social interactions. Your role is to be your baby’s first and most important, available, attentive and loving social partner. How babies develop and organise their sense of self, and how social development unfolds, is dependent on their individual differences together with the unfolding relationship between a baby and her primary caregiver – you. A predictable, consistent, loving and tuned-in parent creates not only a sense of safety for their baby, but also a positive sense of curiosity and confidence to explore new physical and social surroundings. “A BABY’S CURIOSITY AND INDEPENDENCE NOW PREPARES HER FOR THE NEXT LEG OF THE JOURNEY TOWARDS CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT –…

The stubbornly uttered phrase of, “Daddy do it, not Mommy!” is familiar to many parents of little ones, and it’shard not to take it personally. But it’s good to know it’s quite common. While each situation is unique and dependent on the role of the parents, at some stage children do begin to prefer one parent over the other, and often the father figure takes preference. It’s natural to feel sensitive about this. Randburg-based educational psychologist Carol Jamieson reiterates that parental preference is not manipulation, but a way of exercising the beginnings of “own choice” as part of the attachment process. It’s common to hear them demand for Dad when it comes to bathing, feeding, putting on shoes or playing. But a few weeks later Mom could be back in…

Parenting presents us all with a learning curve of note! My children are close to leaving the nest and that curve still shows no sign of flattening out. I still worry about their health and safety pretty much all the time, especially now that they’re driving. No matter how vigilant we are, our children will get ill sometimes and they will have accidents and ouchies. This is all part of growing up and mostly you can kiss it better. What you can also do as parents is to take up arms against serious injuries and the repercussions of illnesses by taking protective, preventative action and knowing what to do in an emergency. And just so you know, fevers and falls have a way of happening at the most inopportune times…

This is how you make sure your helmet fits… 1 Two fingers above your eyebrows. This protects your forehead if you fall. 2 V shape strap around your ears. Make your fingers into a V shape around your ears. Keep the straps straight and taut. This will keep the helmet in position as you ride. 3 One finger space between your chin and the chin strap. The chin strap prevents the helmet sliding forwards and backwards on your head. 4 Do the helmet salute every time before you set off on a cycle, no matter how short. Shake your head to make sure the helmet is not loose. QUAD BIKES ARE NOT TOYS Most quad bike accidents involve the vehicle overturning. Excessive speed, inexperience and unsafe loads are usually to…

DIAL 112 From you cell phone you will reach a call centre with an automated menu. Don’t be put off. It helps prioritise treatment so you can be referred to the best emergency service closest to you. Emergency situations can be very scary, particularly when they involve an infant or young child. The most important thing is to try to stay as calm as possible and remember to follow these important steps when in an emergency: one If you think your child has taken poison, take her to the hospital. two If you think your child has been seriously injured, do not move her unless she is in further danger. Keep her warm and comfortable, and wait for help to arrive. three Know your basic CPR steps (see pages 24…

As a parent, it can be hard to make a judgment call when your child is injured or sick. You don’t want to rush to the emergency department if it isn’t really an emergency and can wait for a doctor’s appointment. On the other hand, you don’t want to hesitate to get medical attention if your child needs treatment right away. As your children grow older, you’ll learn to trust yourself to decide when it’s an emergency that needs immediate help. When your child is in need of emergency medical attention there are a few options: ■ Handle it at home Many minor injuries and illnesses, including some cuts, scrapes and bruises, can be handled with home care and over-the-counter treatments. ■ Call your local GP or the Netcare 911…

To enter, send a good-quality photo to us at sharing@ypbmagazine.com Ovaria is a nutritional supplement containing 4000mg myo-inositol for women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). A daily sachet will provide relief from PCOS symptoms and improve fertility, menstrual cycles, insulin resistance and other symptoms associated with PCOS. #ovaria | #mypcossupport #lamellepharma…

Bernice and Charl Crous are devoted parents to two extraordinary children, Charnice (4) and Hanloff (8), who each face unique medical challenges. Charnice, who has severe autism and the only known case of PGAP1 disorder in the country, requires continuous care and specialised attention. Her brother, Hanloff, diagnosed with Perthes disease and ADHD, also has his own set of needs. Despite these hurdles, the family navigates their complex daily life with unwavering dedication. As Bernice profoundly states, “God gave them to us, not to test us, but to make better people of us and give us purpose.” Their story is a poignant reflection of the power of family unity and unconditional love, guiding them through their unique journey. LIVING WITH PGAP1 PGAP1 disorder is a rare genetic condition that significantly…

Very few women nowadays will honestly say they’re happy with their bodies, with many seeming to downright loathe their own skin, flesh and bones. Stephanie Watson, manager of the Akeso Crescent Clinic’s Eating Disorder Unit, is among hundreds of experts who believes media that tend to emphasise thinness as a sign of beauty is very much to blame. And you’re not imagining it: it is getting worse. This is because the standards set for women are becoming even more unrealistic as technology progresses and women are digitally “perfected” into some media representative’s skewed idea of an “ideal woman”. “Women begin to compare themselves to the ‘perfect images’ reflected in the magazines and movies and are constantly attempting to meet an unrealistic ideal and, in turn, are constantly dissatisfied with their…

It’s hardly a secret that raising children is an expensive endeavour – and the costs are rising every year. But with some clever strategies in the aisles, you can shave money off your monthly budget and top up that education fund. PLAN AHEAD One of the most wasteful habits many of us have is impulse buying – whether it’s that extra bag of apples in the fresh produce section or tossing in a packet of lettuce because it’s on special. After all, if you buy food items without knowing how or when you are going to use them, chances are that they’ll be that grey, sludgy ooze you’re rinsing out of your vegetable drawer next weekend. Planning ahead is one of the simplest and easiest ways to avoid buying items…

good buy Keep things moving with Cool Stool. You have three options: Raw Seed & High Fibre Mix 250g available in original, cranberry and vanilla (R145), Gluten Free Raw Seed & High Fibre Mix 250g (R155), Raw Seed & High Fibre Mix Original (R145), a ready-to-use blend of 100 percent raw seeds and high-fibre ingredients, including buckwheat, digestive bran, psyllium husk, acacia gum, chia and linseeds. Cool Stool bridges the gap between harsh laxatives and other (often unpalatable) fibre supplements. They taste delicious while doing your digestive system a whole lot of good. Suitable for the whole family from 2 years old, including pregnant women. Shop on coolstool.co.za or at faithful-to-nature.co.za, Takealot, and selected Wellness Warehouse, Dis-Chem, pharmacies and health stores nationwide. Very few of us can say with certainty…

Q I am 30 weeks pregnant and have severe lower back pain. What causes this, and what can I do to manage the pain? How can I strengthen my back? A DR MICHELLE BRITS ANSWERS: Low back pain is extremely common and typically affects more than two-thirds of women during pregnancy. There are many contributing factors, which predominantly include hormonal and postural changes. It is important to note that every woman is unique, and any one, or a combination of these factors, should be considered when searching for the cause. During the first trimester, levels of progesterone increase expeditiously. Higher levels of this hormone help the muscles and ligaments located near the pelvis relax, and this can affect the stability and alignment of the joints in this area. Relaxin is…

REFLEXOLOGY is the manipulation of various pressure points on the hands or feet that correspond with specific organs and systems in the body. It promotes relaxation and is a calming, wonderful therapy while you are pregnant. Although reflexology is safe during pregnancy, there are therapists who prefer not to treat you in the first three months. MASSAGE A study at the Miami School of Medicine in America has shown that massage reduces the number of stress hormones in the body. It is best to consult a qualified pregnancy massage therapist. You should inform your therapist about any problems or complications in your pregnancy. Make sure the massage oil is safe for use in pregnancy. Some therapists prefer not to massage in the first three months of pregnancy. During massage you…

A number of things can influence how long it takes to resume intercourse post-delivery, namely type of delivery, pain, fatigue, hormonal impact, breastfeeding, financial pressure and psychosocial support. Firstly, it’s important to emphasise the wide spectrum when we talk about intimacy rather than just sex. Intimacy – whether during pregnancy or post-delivery – should never come to an end. That can be defined in the confines of what you’re comfortable with as a couple, and can be inclusive of positive affirmations and affection towards one another, to being supportive throughout the different stages and changes of the pregnancy, to touching and erotic play. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean penetration, but it could. With a normal vaginal delivery, recovery is usually quick. And discharge from the health facility is usually…

The newborn stage can be a daunting one for parents. There is a glut of information and advice about newborn play and early stimulation, and it’s easy to get confused about how much, when and what kinds of play are appropriate during this special period. Also, as parents, this is an enormous period of learning and growth for us and we need to appreciate the lessons we can learn from the newborn stage. It is important to remember that for the first six weeks of life, your baby will (hopefully) be sleeping and feeding with not very much awake time in between. Play becomes a natural part of your interaction with your baby and can easily become part of your daily routine. Also, at this stage, your baby is not…

VEGETABLES (sweet potato, butternut, potato, carrot, parsnip, cauliflower) YES FRUITS (apples, pear, banana, papaya, peach) YES, BUT… delay introducing citrus and berries until after 6 months EGGS YES, BUT… ensure they are well cooked MEAT (chicken, beef, pork, lamb, venison, liver, and so on) YES FISH AND SHELLFISH (hake, salmon and so on) YES TO FISH, BUT… no to shellfish, shark, marlin and swordfish DAIRY PRODUCTS (cheese, plain yoghurt or custard) YES Full cream cow’s milk may be used in cooking but not to drink until at least 1 year old. SOYA PRODUCTS (tofu, soya yoghurt) YES BABY RICE CEREAL (mixed with your baby’s usual milk) YES CEREALS THAT CONTAIN GLUTEN (wheat, rye, barley and oats. Avoid rusks, pasta, bread, flour and breakfast cereals or porridge containing gluten) YES NUTS…

My daughter Tayla snored from birth. She was like a little granny, snuffling her way through the night. As she got older, she got louder – we could tell she was sleeping (and was alive) from the comfort of the couch. It was only after her teacher recommended that we get her hearing tested that we became aware that not only did she have glue ear (with only 50 percent hearing) but also needed her tonsils (the little bumps on both sides in the back of the throat) and adenoids (hidden up in the throat between the nose and the mouth) removed. So we headed to theatre and, after both were removed, and grommets inserted, we were presented with a new and improved little girl. She slept through the night.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Old shoebox ■ Scissors ■ Glue ■ Koki METHOD 1. Cut an opening at the bottom of the box’s front large enough to use the cutout as a bridge. 2. Cut a hole on the side of the lid into which the bridge can fit. 3. Glue the bridge to the hole. Fold a 1.5 cm piece over the side so that it can be glued more easily. 4. Draw parking spaces in the box and number them. 5. There you have it! You have parking space and also storage space for the cars.…

1 Check your first aid kit regularly, replacing expired medications or any supplies that are running low. 2 If you are going to take your kit on holiday, include extra prescription medicines and anything else holiday-specific, like malaria medication and after-sun lotion. 3 Adapt this list to create a kit of essentials to keep in your car. 4 Include a record of your family members’ medical information so that you can find them easily in an emergency, even if you are far from home. 5 Type up your family’s information on a small card, laminate it and keep it in your car in case of an emergency. 6 Tape this card near the phones in your home and on the fridge too.…

It’s difficult to know whether to take your child to the doctor, or even the emergency department, when she’s sick – especially when symptoms come on at night. As a rule, the younger the baby, the more inclined you should be to seek medical attention. Babies’ conditions can deteriorate very quickly, so it’s always best to be on the safe side. As your child grows up, you will be more experienced in monitoring and treating her ailments, and probably more inclined to keep an eye on her condition and see if things improve. Whatever the age of your child, trust your instincts and always err on the side of caution. Don’t delay because you don’t want to worry your doctor with something potentially silly. Your baby’s health takes priority. FEVER…