👂✨ Why Baby Banz Earmuffs Are the Best Choice for Protecting Your Baby’s Hearing

For many South African parents, few things are more stressful than watching their baby’s delicate skin flare up with redness, dryness, or tiny itchy patches. Baby eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, affects up to 1 in 5 children worldwide — and while it’s common, it can leave parents feeling worried and overwhelmed.

But the good news is, with the right skincare routine, baby eczema is manageable. And no, it doesn’t mean your little one will always struggle with sensitive skin.

“Parents are often surprised to learn that baby eczema is not a sign that they’re doing something wrong,” says Karen Van Rensburg, spokesperson for Sanosan South Africa. “It’s a common skin condition linked to an underdeveloped skin barrier, and the key is to protect and strengthen that barrier with gentle care.”

Baby eczema usually shows up between two and six months of age. It can appear on the face, behind the ears, on the arms, legs, or even the chest. The skin becomes dry, red, itchy and, in some cases, scaly.

“Triggers vary,” explains Van Rensburg. “It could be heat, dry air, soaps with harsh ingredients, or even certain fabrics. Understanding what sparks your baby’s flare-ups is an important step in managing the condition.”

So what can parents do at home? Here are some dermatologist-approved tips:

1. Keep baths short and sweet

Stick to lukewarm water and limit bath time to 5–10 minutes. Avoid bubble baths and fragranced soaps.

2. Moisturise immediately after bathing

Lock in hydration by applying a fragrance-free, gentle moisturiser while your baby’s skin is still slightly damp.

3. Choose your products wisely

Opt for creams specifically designed for sensitive baby skin. Look for formulas enriched with natural oils, chamomile, or panthenol — like those found in Sanosan’s baby skincare range.

4. Watch the wardrobe

Dress your baby in soft, breathable cotton and avoid scratchy fabrics like wool. Always wash new clothes before wearing.

5. Spot and soothe flare-ups early

At the first sign of redness or irritation, apply a gentle, protective cream to calm the skin.

6. Don’t overheat the room

Babies with eczema are often sensitive to heat. Keep the nursery cool and use a humidifier if the air feels very dry.

7. See a healthcare professional when needed

If the rash is severe, infected, or your baby seems very uncomfortable, always seek medical advice.

“Parents sometimes think stronger products will ‘fix’ eczema faster,” says Van Rensburg. “But baby skin is incredibly delicate. Harsh ingredients strip away natural oils and make things worse. Gentle, consistent care is far more effective in the long run.”

Baby eczema can feel daunting, but with the right care and patience, most little ones outgrow it as their skin barrier matures. In the meantime, gentle skincare, lots of cuddles, and a watchful eye on triggers can make the world of difference.

“Think of it as supporting your baby’s skin while it learns to protect itself,” Van Rensburg adds. “You’re not just treating eczema — you’re helping build a healthy foundation for life.”

Sanosan focuses on natural ingredients and gentle formulas for healthy skin. Using active ingredients specially tailored to your baby’s skin, natural milk protein is the central ingredient in Sanosan and is especially nourishing. More than 90 % of the ingredients are of natural origin such as organic olive oil, and the formulations are biodegradable.

Safety first: all products are clinically tested and are free from parabens, silicones, paraffins, SLS / SLES and phenoxyethanol. For more info visit  sanosan.co.za 

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Baby Banz

The Banz Carewear offers eye, ear  and skin protection for babies and kiddies from birth to 10 years.    Reversible and adjustable sun hats, legionnaire swim peaks,  sunglasses for little ones and the well known Banz Noise Cancelling Earmuffs meeting the highest EU and USA standards.

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• 👂✨ Why Baby Banz Earmuffs Are the Best Choice for Protecting Your Baby’s Hearing - May 13, 2025

Every year, hundreds of families across South Africa lose loved ones in preventable drowning accidents. For youth 17 and under, drowning represents the second highest cause of accidental death after road accidents. The highest percentage of deaths are in children aged 1-9 years. This problem is not unique to South Africa, but follows trends seen globally, where 90% of the world’s accidental drowning deaths occur in middle to lower income countries. (World Health Organization)

Following on from the success of Lifesaving SA’s WaterSmart School programme, in partnership with the Department of Education and DHL, Lifesaving SA has launched a free online e-learning WaterSmart hub, making water safety content accessible to all South Africans. 

While water safety training does take place in South Africa, its reach is limited. This is because programmes currently depend on in-person instruction conducted by volunteers, such as those working with Lifesaving South Africa (LSA). 

In 2016, Lifesaving SA launched WaterSmart, a paper-based educational programme written for the Department of Education Life Skills Orientation curriculum for grades 4-6. Since its inception, each year 50 lifeguard facilitators present this programme in hundreds of underprivileged schools, thanks to the sponsorship from corporates such as DHL, who through its partnership with Lifesaving South Africa, connect people and help save lives.

In 2021 the KZN Department of Education partnered with Lifesaving SA where 6700 teachers and supervisors were trained to present the programme in their classrooms. In 2022 the programme was presented to 607 770 learners in more than 6000 schools, reaching over a million learners to date.

The DHL Lifesaving WaterSmart Online Hub seeks to address the problem of drowning in South Africa by teaching learners about the various dangers water poses, empowering them to better manage risks and maintain a constant awareness and vigilance whenever water is around.

The hub includes animated video content and interactive quizzes and spot the risks, making it fun and easy for children to learn about water safety and prevent drowning. The characters and scenes are presented in a simple, easy to understand format, allowing a greater audience to be reached. The content draws upon materials already developed by LSA for in-person training, including the character of “Resci,” who guides learners through the content. Teachers and parents are guided with learning plans, downloadable resources such as workbooks, readers, and posters to assist with delivering the programme to their learners and after each module is completed the learner is presented with a certificate.

Jed Michaletos, Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, expressed his delight, adding, “As a business, we talk about delivering excellence in a digital world, so when we had the opportunity to work with the Lifesaving SA team to digitize their learning materials, we jumped at it. This will increase the reach of the programme dramatically through ease of access – and really help deliver the message of water safety, to all. This project is a true demonstration of our organisational purpose, of Connecting People and Improving Lives.”

With summer having finally arrived after a long and wet winter, DHL and Lifesaving SA want to ensure that children are taught how to be safe around water to prevent unnecessary drownings because one life lost to drowning is one life too many.

To access the hub, visit https://watersmart.dhllifesaving.com/library/home or click on the QR code to start learning.

For more information about Lifesaving South Africa visit www.lifesaving.co.za and follow us on social media

X – @LifesavingSA

Facebook – Lifesaving South Africa

Instagram – lifesavingsouthafrica

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Baby Banz

The Banz Carewear offers eye, ear  and skin protection for babies and kiddies from birth to 10 years.    Reversible and adjustable sun hats, legionnaire swim peaks,  sunglasses for little ones and the well known Banz Noise Cancelling Earmuffs meeting the highest EU and USA standards.

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• 👂✨ Why Baby Banz Earmuffs Are the Best Choice for Protecting Your Baby’s Hearing - May 13, 2025

Fevers are no fun for anyone, and when your baby has one, it’s enough to make any parent sweat! Somehow, fevers always seem to strike in the middle of the night, just as you’re half-asleep, fumbling for the thermometer with one eye open and trying not to panic. Understanding why fevers spike at nighttime can help you stay calm and care for your baby with confidence³.

The Winter Link: Why Babies Catch More Colds and Fevers

Colds, flu, and other viruses circulate all year round, but they really hit their stride in winter. That’s because we’re all spending more time indoors.^1a with fewer windows open and more cuddling on the couch, germs can spread easily and the cold, dry air may weaken resistance.^1b Since babies’ immune systems are still developing, they’re more vulnerable to these seasonal challenges, with an average baby catching six to eight colds in their first year.²

The Reason Fevers Often Get Worse at Night

If you’ve ever noticed your baby’s fever climbing after dark, you’re not imagining things. At night, stress hormones like cortisol decrease, and healing hormones like melatonin increase.^3a The immune system becomes more active, releasing cells and signals to fight off invaders. This can raise body temperature, which is why fevers are more likely to happen – or worsen – while we’re asleep.^3b

How to Take Your Baby’s Temperature

It’s instinctive to touch your baby’s forehead or neck when you think they might have a fever, but your hand is not the most accurate method. Your baby’s skin can feel warm or sweaty after being in a heated room or wearing too many layers of clothing, but this doesn’t always mean they have a fever. The fastest and most accurate option for taking your child’s temperature is a digital thermometer.^4a

There are various thermometers on the market, but a rectal thermometer is the gold standard for accuracy and works well during a quick diaper change.^5a Forehead or temporal thermometers are another reliable option. These devices measure the heat coming off the artery on your baby’s forehead.^5b Follow the instructions on your specific thermometer and check the display for the results.

Top tip: Try to avoid taking your child’s temperature right after a bath or if they’ve been bundled up in blankets or layers (or swaddled, for infants). It can throw off the reading.^4b

Signs of Fever in Babies and What Causes Them

Normal body temperature for newborn babies is around 37.5 °C and 36.4 °C for older children⁸.If your digital thermometer shows a reading of 38 °C or higher, it means your baby has a fever.^5a

Fevers are often the result of a harmless viral infection.^6a Sometimes, they can occur as a side effect of vaccinations, showing that the immune system is actively building antibodies to protect against the germs the vaccine is designed to target.^6b In some cases, teething might also cause a slight increase in temperature.^6c

When to Call the Doctor

While we know fevers are often part of your baby’s natural response to fighting off bugs, there are times when professional advice is necessary. Call your paediatrician if:^5b

• Your baby is under two months old and has a fever over 38 °C
• The fever lasts longer than 72 hours (for children under two)
• They have other symptoms such as ear pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
• They’re showing signs of dehydration, like fewer wet nappies or a dry mouth
• They have a rash, stiff neck, or difficulty breathing

Panado® Has The Power To Fight Their Pain

Panado®’s infant-friendly formula is designed to soothe pain and fever and isfast-acting⁷. 

Panado® peppermint flavoured syrup⁹ – because it’s “mint to be” – is suitable from birth and is tartrazine, alcohol and sugar-free.  Panado®’s paracetamol-based infant drops¹⁰ are suitable for babies from the age of 3 months. The calibrated dropper ensures that parents provide the correct amount of medication, based on the weight and age of their child.

Panado®’s paediatric range also includes strawberry flavoured syrup which is as “berry nice” as it sounds¹¹. 

Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Do not exceed the recommended dose.  Dosage details can be found at https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight.  

When your baby isn’t feeling well, it’s normal to feel powerless and out of control.  Parents trust¹³ Panado® to bring comfort when your little one needs it most so your baby can stop fussing, start giggling, and get back to being the tiny boss of the household.

Panado® products are available at Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook. For references, visit: https://panado.co.za/references/

For full prescribing information refer to the Professional Information approved by SAHPRA.  Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK / 232625. www.adcock.com. 24.01.20251000001123. January 2025.

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Baby Banz

The Banz Carewear offers eye, ear  and skin protection for babies and kiddies from birth to 10 years.    Reversible and adjustable sun hats, legionnaire swim peaks,  sunglasses for little ones and the well known Banz Noise Cancelling Earmuffs meeting the highest EU and USA standards.

Latest posts by Baby Banz (see all)

• 👂✨ Why Baby Banz Earmuffs Are the Best Choice for Protecting Your Baby’s Hearing - May 13, 2025