Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 166 / #1-2026 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

Thank you to our sponsors who are all on board again. All four winners receive prizes worth R4 600! Two winners will be seen on the future covers of Your Pregnancy & Baby, and two will be on the covers of our sister magazine, Baba & Kleuter. We’ve made is easier than ever to enter. No more categories: any baby or child from 0 to 48 months can enter any time before 31 August 2026. You can email or WhatsApp your entry. See page 10 for details. The full terms and conditions are in the back of this magazine, and also on our new dedicated #CoverStarSearch website. A huge thank you to Chela-Preg, Epi-Max, Panado and Safeway Babies for sponsoring prizes for all our winners. More on page 11.…

WIN MIKI SMIT WINS A TINY LOVE HAMPER WORTH R2500! Celebrate the moments that matter with Tiny Creations – beautiful, dermatologically tested keepsake kits designed to capture your family’s special memories. From layered family hand prints to simple, double and pure print frames, each kit offers a magical, hands-on way to preserve tiny hands, feet and precious photos. The range also includes the Magic Box for imprint keepsakes and the Belly Casting Kit to honour pregnancy. Safe for delicate skin and perfect for parents or loved ones, these kits transform fleeting moments into lasting treasures. SHARE & WIN! Share a pic of your little one, who might just feature on our #GROWING photo page and win a R350 Babies R Us voucher to spend in store. Mianke Goosen (6 months…

enter now! Send a good-quality photo to sharing@ypbmagazine.com or WhatsApp us on 076 433 4384 WIN A GIFT FROM CARRIWELL WORTH R2200! The Carriwell Lace Feeding Bra is designed for moms who like an easy-to-open cross-over style that enables Baby to nuzzle up easily. The bra is elegant but also suitable for nights. The cross-over design makes nursing very convenient, even at night. The extremely soft, flexible fabric makes this bra comfortable to lie down in, so you can nurse your baby in the prone position. The soft lace and fabric ensures no chafing or irritation, and there is no underwire, irritating seams, clasps or hooks. R299,99, Baby City, Babies R Us, Dis-Chem, Takealot, Loot, Woolworths, Clicks Baby Stores, Checkers Little Me, baby and maternity stores and selected pharmacies. winner…

BUY NOW Cumulus pendant light, R3 999,99 elevenpast.co.za. BUY NOW Space giraffe print, A2, R750 (excl. frame) thelocaledit.com. BUY NOW Led light star R99,99 Mr Price Home. BUY NOW Zippy bi-plane, R329 cinnaspice.co.za. BUY NOW Yellow solid wood cafeteria chair, R999, Makro. tip Paint your pegboard a bright accent colour like Dulux’s Dune Surfing available in acrylic PVA. Deli DIY pegboard 54x27cm, R103,45 amazon.co.za. BUY NOW BUY NOW Pluto single bed R1 399, Decofurn. BUY NOW Textured, dotted scatter cushion 50x50cm, R189,99 Mr Price Home. BUY NOW Sugar Cube side table in Pigeon Blue R2 149, thelocaledit.com. BUY NOW Wooden raccoon shelf décor, R190 mapetite.co.za. BUY NOW Spaceo rectangle shelves 2-pack R259, Leroy Merlin. BUY NOW Infinity desk R2 500 nestdesigns.co.za. BUY NOW Tufted, round printed rug 120cm, R799,99 Mr…

OUR EXPERT Meet Sister Claire A midwife with more than 34 years of experience, Sister Claire is the host of the Babies R Us virtual antenatal courses, which are offered on a monthly basis. There are two sessions Session 1 covers birth preparation, and Session 2 covers labour and going home with Baby. They are both two-hour sessions presented on a Wednesday or a Saturday morning. Bookings can be made online. Q My husband is against vaccination, and I’m struggling to convince him that he is wrong. Our newborn got the necessary shots in hospital when she was born, but now her dad doesn’t want her to have any more. I know that it is absolutely essential that she gets vaccinated on schedule. His family are backing him up. They…

OUR EXPERT Q I am 32 years old and 20 weeks pregnant. The clinic nurse tested my urine and said there is blood. What could be the cause? A TINA SAYS: Blood in your urine could be a sign of a severe urinary tract infection. This should be treated with antibiotics, plus you should follow the tips below. Be sure to report any pain when passing urine to your midwife or the doctor. Be sure not to limit your intake of fluid, as you will then be more likely to develop bladder infections and other problems. Instead of drinking many glasses of water throughout the day, sip your water constantly, and you are less likely to keep running to the toilet, as more water is likely to be absorbed, instead…

OUR EXPERT Meet Kath Kath is passionate about supporting parents through the intricacies of feeding their children with empathy and expertise. With more than 23 years of clinical experience and international paediatric dietetic qualifications, Kath authored Weaning Sense to provide practical guidance in this area. Q My “laatlammetjie” is nearly ready for solids, and the last time I did this 15 years ago, I started my baby on store-bought baby cereal. Now I am reading so much criticism of baby porridge that I feel I did the wrong things – it sounds like poison. Too much sugar, nutritionally devoid of substance etc etc. So what now? Is there a place for baby porridge? And how do I judge which one to buy? It feels like I need a course in…

OUR EXPERT Find more ideas at ot-mom-learning-activities.com QMy child is in grade R, and I notice that when she writes, she turns her entire wrist inwards – it almost looks as if she should be left-handed. She is quite clumsy and often drops things. What is the cause, and what should we do? Is she actually left-handed? ALIZANNE ANSWERS: What you are describing involves two aspects of your daughter’s fine motor development: the development of a dominant hand, and the development of an optimal grip. I would like to reassure you that we do sometimes see the hand position that bothers you in children. Keep a close eye on your daughter’s development and play the games below with her. In most cases, a little extra practice and time is needed…

I’m a girl mom, which has been a great source of joy in my life. I didn’t grow up feeling particularly restricted by my gender. My brothers and I did much the same things. I also mostly felt confident enough to speak up if someone “got me wrong” because I’m a woman. I was equally happy flouncing around in a pretty dress or raising Cain on my BMX. Little girls can be feral, even in fairy wings. I’ve observed though that little boys are typically socialised more into sticking to traditional boy things and guided away from girly things like heels or makeup or tutus (or even dolls!) while little girls are generally allowed a broader range: if they want to wear camo print and play with toy cars, nobody…

@SatiricalMommy Before kids, I didn’t understand the expression “I can’t hear myself think.” I get it now… @ashjadedasilva My husband hugged me from behind and said “thank you so much for everything you did today.” Then kissed me. My toddler then walked up, hugged me from behind and said “thank you for making me soup mama.” Then kissed my arm. Your children see everything. @kitkatgrilli Whenever I say goodbye to my 4-year-old, I tell him something silly like, “I love you stronger than Hulk!” and he says something like, “I love you faster than a cheetah!”. But this morning he was mad at me (we had a dispute over not biting the baby) and he goes, “I only love you normal today.” @oneawkwardmom I’m sorry for what I said while…

enter now! Send a good-quality photo to sharing@ypbmagazine.com or WhatsApp us on 076 433 4384 win WIN ONE OF EIGHT EPI-MAX® BABY & JUNIOR HAMPERS WORTH R900! Touch, nourish, love young skin with Epi-max® Baby & Junior emollient products for babies and children, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, dry skin and dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Visit epimax.co.za for more information.…

Let’s be honest, your baby doesn’t know or care about having the perfect party for his first birthday. Truth be told, he really won’t even know what all the fuss is about. Yet the pressure to have Pinterest-worthy décor and Instagram-able treats still pushes us to spend more than we’ve budgeted for and go way over the top. If that sounds like you, just stop! Sure, it’s important to celebrate the allimportant first year and to thank family and friends for their support, but there is really no need to become a mom-zilla when planning the Big Number One. Just remember to be practical, keep it simple and focus on enjoying the experience, advise our birthday planning masterminds. THE PLANNING It’s best to get a head start on preparations, but…

OUR EXPERT STEP 1 TALK TO YOUR PARTNER Couples should decide together that the time is right. Talk about things like affordability, timing and the age gap between your children, childcare and work options. If this is your first baby, you can also talk about parenting style and possible support systems. You can also both consult a doctor and tell them about your plan, so that any potential problems can be detected and treated early. This can prevent unnecessary stress and disappointment. Dr Mokgohloe Phasha, an obstetriciangynaecologist practising at Netcare Park Lane Hospital in Johannesburg, says that a pre-conception visit “offers the chance for women to enter pregnancy as their healthiest self, and lay the optimal foundation for their future baby. Although pre-conception appointments have an important role in ensuring…

Backache The changes in your body during pregnancy cause a shift in the centre of gravity that affects your posture. The expanding belly pulls the abdomen forward, and the abdominal muscles elongate and stretch up to 20cm to accommodate the expanding uterus. The back ends up picking up the slack. A weak pelvic floor and tight hamstrings also contribute to backache. QUICK FIX Become aware of your posture. When standing or walking, your chin should be pulled back, your shoulders and rib cage should be lifted up and back. When standing, try to tuck your bottom in, so that you feel your tummy muscles working to support your spine. Always bend your knees into a squat position, and keep your back straight when lifting. Bring items close to your body…

1. Buy seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables – they cost less and have a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals. 2. Buy in bulk, and prepare meals that can be frozen and used at a later stage. Not only is this budget-friendly, but it will also come in handy when you are in the last trimester and feel too tired to prepare a meal. 3. Look down. Often very expensive products are situated at eye level; the cheaper versions are placed at the bottom of the shelves. 4. Plan your weekly evening meals in advance, and create a shopping list that can be updated on a weekly basis. An organised shopping list will stop you from buying things you don’t need. 5. You don’t need to buy organic. Research has…

A pregnant woman is often the centre of all attention, and even complete strangers will flock to her. With all the attention focused on Mom, Dad can feel neglected. HOW TO INVOLVE DAD Sometimes all it takes is to reassure your partner that you love him and are proud of him. Reassure him that he will be the best father any baby could ask for. Here are 10 practical ways to involve him: 1 Invite him along to ultrasound scans, doctor’s appointments and prenatal classes, so he can see how your baby is developing and ask all his questions. If he really can’t attend the ultrasound scans, bring him a video clip or photo. 2 Decorate the baby’s room together. Even if your baby doesn’t start using it right away,…

Before you learn to integrate your other roles back into your life after having had a baby, you are 100 percent a mom. Your very first “separation” from your brand new baby is the state of being asleep. Initially, this state of being separate from your newborn creates anxiety for you as a mom, explains Meg Faure, who is an occupational therapist, childcare expert and founder of the Play Sense app. That is why many parents choose to have their baby sleep in their bed. And if you feel stress in being away from your baby, why not the other way around? “If we as adults suffer anxiety over separating from our babies for sleeptimes, it is understandable that at some stage in the first few years, your baby or…

Once your little one is potty trained during the day, you might be getting impatient about the ever-present night-time nappy. As with potty training, finally achieving dry nights requires patience and can take much longer than anticipated. A toddler’s body does not really “tell” him that it is time to wake up for a wee yet. He will eventually learn to control his bladder and bowel, as this is part of normal childhood development, explains Dr Iqbal Karbanee, Cape Town based paediatrician from paediq.com. The key to a successful transition is giving your child enough time to reach this milestone comfortably, he adds. “There is great variation in the age at which a child drops the night-time nappy. A significant number of 5-year-olds are still not dry through the night.…

This will be my first baby, which is why I decided to buy Your Pregnancy & Baby for the first time. I immediately fell in love with it as I love reading, and I just know I will be reading this magazine for the next few years. It has been such an amazing blessing being pregnant with our baby boy. I’ve had the most wonderful pregnancy experience so far. It has also been the most emotional journey for me for so many different reasons. One of the reasons is that 26 years ago, when I was born, we were five generations that were privileged enough to live at the same time. I got to know my great-greatgrandmother until I was 11 years old. And now, 26 years later, when my…

WIN A VOUCHER! Send a high-resolution photo of you pregnant, you and your babies or your family, and you could win a Babies R Us voucher worth R500. Email your entry to sharing@ypbmagazine.com with the subject ”BabiesRUs”. Include your ID number, contact details and nearest Babies R Us store. WINNING PH❤TO HE READ IT TOO I took a YPB Pregnancy Planner from our foetal specialist a few months ago, and it is one of the best magazines we’ve had, one that I could hand over to Mat so that he could also read through and understand easily, so definitely a favourite. Thank you! NICOLE MARSDEN PARKVIEW, JOHANNESBURG…

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

WEEK ONE The fertilised egg becomes a ball of cells that floats into the uterus and implants in the lining. It divides into two sections. The outer layer develops into a protective cocoon around the embryo. WEEK TWO The embryo burrows into the uterine lining and grows finger-like projections that absorb nutrients from your blood. WEEK THREE The embryo is a tiny disc that folds over itself to form a tube. This is the beginning of the neural tube, the foundation of the brain and nervous system. The primitive heart is already beating, and the baby’s blood is now pumped around his body. The folds that grow forward to become the face start to join in the front. WEEK FOUR 0.4g The eyes, nose and mouth become identifiable. There are…

OUR EXPERT Meet Des With 34 years of experience, Des is a seasoned midwife who finds immense joy in supporting mothers through the transformative journey from pregnancy to preschool. Des played a pivotal role in the inception of the Babies R Us Mama Club and takes pride in witnessing its growth and the benefits it brings to mothers and mothers-to-be. Q My first baby was born in Germany, and my gynaecologist was a very old man who looked like Einstein. He had my legs in stirrups and did a vaginal swab at every single appointment, much to my irritation, as I thought it was unnecessary. Now I’ve heard that Strep B in the vagina can potentially cause serious problems for a newborn. A friend’s newborn had sepsis and had to go…

BREAKFAST Low GI toast with poached egg and grilled tomato, and papaya on the side. Oats made with fat-free milk, 1T brown sugar and cinnamon, and an apple. Mielie pap with fat free milk, with 1T brown sugar, 1 boiled egg and 1 orange. LUNCH Low GI bread with tuna mayonnaise and sliced tomato. Baked beans on low GI toast with gherkins. Pilchards in tomato sauce on low GI toast, with lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber. Provitas with Bovril, or fat free cottage cheese and sweet chilli sauce. SUPPER Lentil curry, chutney and cucumber slices. Sweet potato and pilchard fischakes with gem squash and peas tossed in mint jelly. Durum wheat pasta with tomato, olive and garlic sauce, served with spinach and butternut. Beef stew made with plenty of veggies…

If there’s one thing people love to do when you’re pregnant, it’s to tell you what to do. Or, in the case of old wives’ tales, what not to do. “Don’t hang the washing, your baby will strangle itself in its umbilical cord,” your great antie will screech as your mom-in-law tells you not to sleep too much, as it’ll make your baby lazy during labour. Or, “Don’t you dare have a bath,” your gogo will warn as you lie in the tub, with your sisi dangling a ring over your belly to see which way it swings, to find out what you’re having. Yup, these are just a few of the ridiculous tales you may or may not have heard while pregnant. And while some are fun and harmless,…

Labour is painful – even though it is a natural physiological process. While it has never been safer in terms of survival of mother and infant to have a baby, the medicalisation of labour, which is in part responsible for the improved outcome for women, may now also be making labour more painful, as normal birth without obstetric intervention becomes increasingly rare. It’s possible to have labour with relatively little pain, but it’s wise to prepare yourself by planning some strategies for coping with pain. Planning for pain is one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll stay calm and be able to deal with it when the time comes. Pain in labour has a predictable pattern and is associated with contractions of the uterus. The location of the…

In hospital, new moms are surrounded by sisters and nurses who help with bathing, latching and nappies. But after about two days, most healthy newborns go home, and for the first time, you and your partner have to navigate these uncharted waters alone! Nothing can ever completely prepare you, but eventually you’ll get settled with your new roles and routine. BE PREPARED Make sure you get all the newborn essentials ready during your third trimester. Often midwives, hospitals and baby stores have lists of what you’ll need. Be practical and think of what will work best in your home and family. BABY AT HOME New babies feed between eight and 12 times in 24 hours, poo and wee (on average four wet and one soiled nappy per day), and sleep…

1 QUICK MASH BANANA & PAPAYA MAKES ABOUT 125ml INGREDIENTS 1 thick slice of papaya, peeled ½ banana, peeled METHOD Really? You don’t need a recipe for this! Just mash it up with a fork. Did you know? Made back in 2017, the current Guinness World Record holding smoothie measured more than 4000 litres. 2 OLD FAVOURITE AVO & BANANA MAKES ABOUT 100ml INGREDIENTS 1 thick slice of ripe avocado ½ ripe banana METHOD 1 Fork mash the avo and banana until soft. Keep your baby’s chewing ability in mind when deciding how soft to go. 2 Your baby’s appetite will determine if this is one meal, or whether half can be kept for later. 3 When feeding your baby raw fruit like bananas, make sure you choose ripe fruit,…

Stages of learning Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori found that learning about number requires three stages: 1. THE ABILITY TO SORT OBJECTS INTO SETS Before your child can identify, for example, three cars as being part of the same set, he needs to understand why they belong together. To do this, he needs to recognise the properties that cars have in common, like four wheels, a particular shape, and so on. 2. THE ABILITY TO MATCH OR PAIR ONE SET OF OBJECTS WITH ANOTHER SET There is one plastic animal in one set and one shell in another set. Give your child another animal and another shell, and see if he can match them together with the first set into pairs, so he will have two animals and two…

OUR EXPERT VIRAL CROUP WILL BE TREATED BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS – ANTIBIOTICS WILL NOT HELP. Q My 1-year-old has a nasty cough. It sounds like a bark and gets worse during the night. What causes this? Is it serious, and how can I help him? A DR JACO STRAUSS ANSWERS: This is a condition we generally see in our young child in the autumn as well as in the early winter months. You will know it as croup or, as your doctor will call it, laryngotracheitis (or the more severe form laryngotracheobronchitis). It is an acute inflammatory disease that results in the swelling of the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi). It is mostly caused by parainfluenza virus but can also be caused by respiratory syncytial…

TWO FOR ONE Meet Wanda, a girl with a crown of beautiful hair and a heart full of courage. Guided by the loving wisdom of her mother and grandmother, Wanda overcomes challenges and teasing and discovers that real beauty lies in self-love. This two-book volume (Wanda and Wanda the brave in one book) is a celebration of cultural heritage, family bonds and the power of friendship to inspire bravery in every child. It’s a Wandaful World! by Sihle Nontshokweni and Mathabo Tlali and illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, R250, Jacana. SCHOOL NERVES Luna is about to start school for the new year, but she is scared and does not know what awaits her. Luckily, her mom’s wise words comfort and guide her. Her mom says: be good, be kind,…