Advice from the experts
Parenting Hub

INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER DAY (15 FEBRUARY): EARLY DETECTION CAN SAVE LIVES!

Of the 800 to 1 000 children that are diagnosed with cancer in South Africa each year, more than half tragically go undiagnosed. Dr Charlotte Ingram, Medical Director at the SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) says SA has among the highest childhood cancer mortality rates with two thirds of children never reaching a specialist treatment centre and when they do, their cancer is often at an advanced stage. “Many childhood cancers are treatable with cure rates of between 70% and 80% in well-resourced countries, while in contrast, eight in ten African children with cancer die without access to adequate care. Despite SA having an established oncology healthcare service, its infrastructure is overburdened, which is further impeded by low cancer awareness in the primary healthcare setting and widespread service delivery challenges.” She says unlike adult cancers, childhood cancer is difficult to prevent or screen for because the causative genetic and environmental factors are less understood, but if it is detected early, most children can be treated successfully.  “Knowing what the early warning signs are is vital in order for treatment to commence as soon as possible. Unfortunately, among certain local ethnic groups, there is still a lot of stigma and myths that surround childhood cancer. Some of these include:  Two of the most common childhood cancers in South Africa are leukaemia and lymphoma. Leukaemia is caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in the body and accounts for a quarter of all childhood cancer cases in the country. Early symptoms include chronic fatigue, bone and joint pain, weakness, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, swollen lymph nodes, fever and unexplained weight-loss. Lymphoma is triggered by tumours that begin in the lymph glands, the spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow and can affect other organs throughout the body as well. Look out for painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin, persistent fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight-loss and itchy skin. If any of these signs or symptoms persist, its best to make an appointment with a doctor who will be able to conduct tests to rule out the possibility of blood-related cancers.  Dr Ingram explains that in many cases, a bone marrow transplant, which is also referred to as a stem cell transplant is used to treat leukaemia and lymphoma and other blood and immune system diseases that affect the bone marrow.  “Childhood cancers are different from those found in adults as most of them occur in developing cells such as bone marrow, blood, the kidneys and nervous system tissues. Chemotherapy kills both cancerous and healthy blood cells inside the bone marrow, which is why transferring a new, healthy set of blood stem cells by way of a bone marrow transplant, helps their immune systems to recover from the intense treatment. Replacing diseased or damaged cells with non-cancerous stem cells will help the body to make healthy cells. “At the moment, SA’s overall childhood cancer survival rate is at an unacceptably low 52%, nearly 30% less than in developed nations. In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) established the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which aims to achieve a global survival rate of at least 50% for all children diagnosed with cancer within the next decade. “To deliver on that promise, policymakers need to prioritise childhood cancer by: Debunking the misconceptions around childhood cancer among a large percentage of our population;  Increasing our country’s capacity to deliver quality services for children living with the illness, along with access to care; Whilst also increasing the number of bone marrow donors. Currently, only 73 000 donors are part of the national registry, which is miniscule if you consider that more than 23 million people are eligible.” Do your bit by helping the SABMR spread awareness around childhood cancer this month by sharing its social media posts with family and friends: https://www.facebook.com/sabonemreg/ https://www.instagram.com/sabonemreg If you are between the ages of 16 and 45 and want to become a donor, contact the SABMR on 021 447 8638 or email: [email protected]. Financial donations can also be made via www.sabmr.co.za/donate to help boost funds for their Patient Assistance Programme.

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

The low down on Covid-19 test protocols

As South Africa finds itself starting to move out of the second wave of a Covid-19 outbreak, over 8 million Covid tests have been carried out in the public and private sector since the start of the pandemic. The global gold standard method to diagnose Covid is the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test. It is currently the most accurate way to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.  Will your medical aid pay for the test? According to Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, ‘Funding is in accordance with the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) guidelines, all clinically appropriate and referred diagnostic testing for suspected Covid-19 cases will be funded as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) condition.’  Bonitas pays for up to three Covid-19 diagnostic tests from risk, whether the result is positive or negative.  However, this is subject to the member or beneficiary being referred by a registered healthcare practitioner (doctor or nurse). This referral is dependent upon whether the member is showing symptoms, has been in contact with anyone who has Covid-19 and prior to hospitalisation.  It should be noted that laboratories will not normally accept walk-ins for testing and require a referral or request from a healthcare practitioner. This is to ensure that we don’t test unnecessarily and jeopardise the availability of these tests for those who really need them. ‘Despite the PCR being arguably the most accurate laboratory methods for detecting, tracking and studying the Coronavirus, there are limitations in its widespread use,’ says Callakoppen. ‘These include: Access to the test kits; the complexity of performing them; the need for specialised staff to administer them; potential global shortages; high costs; the requirement for laboratory equipment and the delayed turnaround times. For this reason, testing should only be done when it is clinically necessary.’ What about Rapid Antigen Tests Immunoassay devices that detect the SARS-CoV-2 antigen within 15-30 minutes have also been promoted as a possible solution when access to PCR tests is a challenge. An antigen – detected in the blood or any other fluid – is any substance that makes the immune system produce antibodies. Viruses and bacteria are antigens.  However, these tests are not as accurate as the PCR tests and have shown variable performance during evaluations, with sensitivities ranging from 0 to 94%. Test specificity has been high, but sensitivity has been erratic, which we need to bear in mind. Why is specificity and sensitivity critical?  Sensitivity is the percentage of true positives (e.g. 90% sensitivity = 90% of people who have the target disease will test positive). Specificity is the percentage of true negatives (e.g. 90% specificity = 90% of people who do not have the target disease will test negative). These allow you to rule conditions in or out but not definitively diagnose a condition. What does the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) say? The CMS currently still advocates the PCR test to diagnose Covid-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also previously advised that the role of these rapid antigen tests must be evaluated and are “not currently recommended for clinical diagnosis pending more evidence on test performance and operational utility”. However, the WHO has now approved the use of antigen tests (and this is the South African approach as well) as an alternative to the more expensive PCR tests. This is however, in certain defined scenarios such as testing confirmed people in communities where infections have been detected, screening of high risk groups and individuals and for contact tracing purposes. They have also provided conditional recommendations for the use of these tests such as screening at ports of entry, routine screening for employees at their place of work, schools, prior to certain urgent medical procedures, etc. The challenge with these tests is that they are most accurate in patients between 5 and 7 days after showing symptoms – therefore the timing of testing becomes critical in order to ensure accuracy of the result. What about Rapid Antibody Tests? Many countries, including South Africa, are using antibody or serology tests such as the ones offered at various drive-throughs. These can detect whether someone has previously been infected and estimate how widespread the infection is but they are not recommended for diagnosis of Covid-19.  For this reason, these are not funded by Bonitas Medical Fund as the use for these tests is limited for purposes of government surveillance and research rather than diagnosing Covid-19. If individuals want to know whether they have previously had Covid-19, for their own information, this test would be able to confirm that – but it is not used to identify whether you currently have the infection. If these tests are done too soon after the infection, they produce incorrect results as the antibodies (IgM and IgG) will not be detectable. There is also no scientific evidence that it provides any immunity to another Covid infection.  ‘What is clear is that laboratory testing plays a vital role in the diagnosis and the prevention of the spread of the virus,’ says Callakoppen. ‘Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the timing and correct use of the different types of tests is crucial to gain the best results. We reimburse up to three PCR or rapid antigen tests done in or out of hospital for our members and recommend that this protocol for testing remains, until further research is conducted and evidence provided.’

Parenting Hub

NEW TO MOTHERHOOD IN COVID-19 TIMES

The six weeks after childbirth, known as the post-partum period, is a vulnerable time for women and their infants.  The impacts of the ongoing pandemic have only heightened concerns that new mothers in South Africa are able to access the care and resources they need as they step into motherhood. It’s not unusual for the need for post-partum follow-ups to extend for four to six months, especially in cases where there are physical and emotional issues and health complications.  In South Africa, primary health care provides free services to pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under six years.  Given the severe economic impact of the global pandemic, this access to post-partum care has become particularly important to the country’s new mothers. As with pregnancy, nutrition is a particular focus of post-partum care.  New mothers need the support to recover from the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth so that they can cope well with the different challenges presented by infant care.  Exclusive breastfeeding, which means providing only breastmilk to the exclusion of water, tea, juice or food, from birth for the first six months of life, is crucial and requires ongoing support within the family and through community and healthcare connections.   According to ADSA (The Association for Dietetics in South Africa) spokesperson, Professor Lisanne du Plessis breastfeeding is not only the best source of food for babies; it is also a major cost saver for food-insecure families and a major immune support for vulnerable children.  Therefore, we have to make sure during this COVID-19 time that our new moms are healthy and well-nourished. She says, “Mothers should try and eat a healthy balance of fresh, whole foods including carbohydrates from unrefined, whole grain starches; proteins from meat, eggs, fish, chicken, beans and legumes; healthy fats; fruit and vegetables as well as dairy thatsupplies vitamins and minerals. They should try to avoid fast foods and other ultra-processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, preservatives, and unhealthy fats.  It is interesting to note that breastfeeding moms need around 500 additional calories daily, which equates to an extra snack such as a wholewheat bread sandwich with cheese or peanut butter; one to two glasses of milk, and an extra vegetable plus a fruit.  What is most important is a focus on fresh and whole foods.  New moms who are battling currently with household food insecurity need to raise this issue with their primary health care providers and get connected to a community-based or non-profit initiative which supports families through food parcel or other food security programmes.   When it comes to nutrition, post-partum care and breastfeeding, some of the same pregnancy restrictions should continue.  Prof du Plessis says, “Limit coffee drinking to just one cup a day, avoid other drinks and snacks that contain caffeine, and keep avoiding cigarettes and alcohol.” An issue for many new moms is managing the weight they gained through pregnancy.  Another Registered Dietitian and ADSA spokesperson, Cath Day says, “Don’t rush it. Don’t worry about how much you weigh for at least the first six weeks after the birth of your baby. During this time, concentrate on eating fresh and minimally processed food.  Focus on your support system and on getting enough rest. Once you have healed from childbirth and established a good breastmilk supply, you can begin to think about getting your body back. Go slow, do what you can, and be kind to yourself.  If you are not back to your pre-pregnancy weight by six months, then you can start looking at your diet and exercise regime.  Remember, it took you 9 months to gain the extra weight, so give yourself enough time.”  As disruptive as the pandemic has been, and how it has shaped many women’s experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and new motherhood, what’s important to remember is that COVID-19 has not changed the essentials of bringing a new life into the world.  Moms need the same as they always have.  They need support and encouragement from their families and friends.  They need access to good, fresh foods.  They need easy access to quality healthcare and professional support when needed.  Day says, “There is currently no evidence to suggest that pregnant women and new mothers need to adapt their nutrition specifically in response to COVID-19. Pregnant mothers and new mothers should concentrate on eating a healthy and well-balanced diet made up of minimally processed and fresh foods such as wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds, plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, and plant-based oils. Combat stress with a healthy, balanced diet along with enough sleep and exercise.  Consider stress management techniques such as walking, deep breathing, meditation, yoga or Pilates. It is really important that if mothers require nutrition and food support, there are various government, non-government and community-based programmes providing food parcels and other social relief.” Prof du Plessis adds: “Although everyone is encouraged to stay at home with COVID-19 regulations in place, it is important that new mothers continue to go for their check-ups and take their babies for routine immunizations and follow-up clinic visits, according to the schedule in the Road to Health booklet.  During these visits, mothers should ask questions about their health and their children’s growth, health, and nutrition.  They should also request breastfeeding support if they are experiencing challenges to their goal of breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months.  The pandemic has not changed the essentials of life, and post-partum maternal and infant health remains a high priority in our country.”

Impaq

The future is female – women in STEM in South Africa

When people think of science, technology, engineering, or maths, they tend to think only of bespectacled old, bearded men. The truth is, though, that women have been pioneers in STEM fields since humans invented them! While sadly often overlooked or forgotten in the annals of history, women have made invaluable contributions to science throughout the millennia and continue to do so to this day!  As 11 February is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s look at what amazing things some South African women are doing in these fields today! Youngest working doctor in SA At the end of last year, Thakgalo Thibela received her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, which is already no mean feat. But what makes her achievement extraordinary is that Dr Thibela is only twenty-one years old, making her the youngest working doctor in South Africa today! Although she is currently on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg, she aims to specialise in neurosurgery when she gets the opportunity to do so. Speaking of her incredible achievements, Dr Thibela has said: “It’s a reminder to all the young girls that we are capable of being whatever we want.” A princess AND a nuclear physicist  A princess AND a nuclear physicist? Senamile Masango is proof that women can do it all! Born into Zulu royalty in Nongoma, Kwa-Zulu Natal, this phenomenal young woman soon developed a fascination with the starry skies and outer space. Having obtained her masters at the end of 2019, she is now working toward her doctorate in nuclear physics. Masango is the first African woman ever to have worked on a project at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.  She has also established a non-profit organisation, the Senamile Masango Foundation, which provides programmes to women and young schoolgirls, aimed at increasing the number of highly qualified and competent women in STEM across the continent. Breaking the glass ceiling  Breaking the glass ceiling in any industry is tough, let alone a field as male-dominated as Mathematics, but in 2002, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng became the first black woman to obtain her doctorate in mathematics education.Since then, she has been the vice-principal of research and innovation at UNISA, the acting executive dean at the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UNISA, and is currently the vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town. Last year, she was named one of Times Higher Education’s (THE) 10 People of the Year – the only African on the list!  Dreaming big Tebogo Lebelo is a second-year PhD student in human genetics, focusing on prostate cancer research. Knowing that what she does will bring a significant change in people’s lives fuels Lebelo’s love for her work and drives her to work even harder to contribute to a better life for cancer patients. “I love cancer research because it helps us understand and tackle this global health burden. We look into ways to better diagnostics and contribute to treatment solutions, ways that can be translated from the lab to hospital [bench to bedside].”  When she was in high school, a programme on SABC 2 called Women in Science played a considerable role in Lebelo’s career choice. It made her believe that she can dream big.   “From that day, I just saw myself in a lab coat ‘making magic’ [creating solutions for issues in the health system]. I wanted to be ‘the hero in a lab coat’ because we all know that not all heroes wear capes. We need more of those shows for our young girls, to inspire and encourage them that science is for us. It is not something to shy away from but to engage in.” Morongoa Ngoasheng, who completed her MSc (majoring in atmospheric chemistry) with distinction, also encourages young women to dream big. “They are going to try to discourage you, make you question everything that you are going to do, don’t let them, focus on your dreams”. Ngoasheng is currently working as a chemistry graduate at a global mining company and says that her love of chemistry is growing the more she works in the field. “By Africans, for Africans”  “By Africans, for Africans” – that’s the motto of Johannesburg software designer Charlette N’Guessan Desiree. As facial recognition technology becomes globally ubiquitous, N’Guessan Desiree noticed that many Africans are sceptical of this new advance in technology. The 27-year-old realised that people across the continent would be less suspicious of similar technology developed by someone from the continent. Thus she set out to design African-specific software with her company, BACE Group. Last year September, she won the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa prize for engineering innovation – the first woman ever to win the award! Sources: https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/at-just-21-dr-thakgalo-thibela-becomes-one-of-sas-youngest-doctors-ca2c9b5c-3dd9-4527-acdf-df919e6a35c7 https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/how-senamile-masango-went-from-rural-nongoma-to-a-degree-in-nuclear-physics-20553543 by Jacqui Smit

Parenting Hub

Top tips to be more productive at work

Ticking all the items off your to-do list is one of the most satisfactory feelings in the world. But everyone struggles with productivity at one stage or another. If you’re feeling a little under-inspired, Adzuna has some great tips to help you be more productive! PS – It has nothing to do with working longer hours. The key ingredient to the secret productivity sauce is working smarter! Get the task done and dusted ASAP Starting a task and pausing just to get back to it later is a major time-waster. If you want to be more productive, it’s essential to deal with a task as soon as it pops up. Either do the task right away or pass it on to someone else, but never touch and go. Also, make sure you finish off each day with all prep for tomorrow out of the way. “For every minute spent organising, an hour is gained.” – Benjamin Franklin Learn to say NO The office “Yes Man” is always the favourite, but sometimes, the word “NO” is much more powerful. By always saying yes in an attempt to please everyone, you’re increasing your stress levels and working towards a burnout. Saying no once in a while will help you stay focused on your commitments and excel at what you do best. “It’s only by saying “no” that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.” – Steve Jobs Take regular breaks This one might sound a little counterintuitive, but taking scheduled breaks can help improve concentration. Research has shown that taking frequent short breaks during long tasks can help you maintain a constant level of performance. You can also use your break time to fit in some exercise, which enables you to be more productive. A quick walk around the office park could be all you need to clear your head and get you back in the game. “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen  Use tech to your advantage Technology is a major distraction for most of us at home and at the office. However, there are a lot of brilliant apps and platforms that can actually help you be more productive. Evernote, for example, syncs everything from your to-do list to your calendar and much more across all your devices. Technology can either interrupt or boost your productivity; it just depends on how you choose to use it. “The purpose of technology is not to confuse the brain but to serve the body.” – William S. Burroughs

Tommee Tippee

When should I start expressing breastmilk?

Hints and tips on when to start and what to do. IN THEORY YOU CAN START COLLECTING MILK ANY TIME. IN PRACTICE MOST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RECOMMEND THAT YOU ESTABLISH YOUR BREASTFEEDING ROUTINE FIRST BEFORE USING A PUMP.  In theory, you can start collecting milk any time. In practice though, most health professionals recommend that you establish your breastfeeding routine first before using a breast pump. If you are very uncomfortable with a very full feeling in your breasts in the first few weeks after your baby is born, you may want to relieve engorgement with an occasional expressing session. This should only be a short session though, simply serving to give you relief. If you imagine expressing is like placing an order with the milkman, each time you do it you’re telling your body that it needs to deliver the same amount of milk again tomorrow. Placing too many orders in the early weeks will just make your body think you had triplets and you’ll end up with a huge supply. Easy does it! Once you are ready to start expressing, then try to express at the same time of day and after a feed. The time of day you choose really depends on the reason behind you expressing breast milk. For example: WANT TO STASH SOME MILK?  Express in the morning, as it is the most productive time because your milk-producing hormones have been doing their stuff at night. Milk supply is regulated by hormones and your circadian rhythm, so many women have the most volume of milk in the morning. WANTING TO LET DAD DO THE NIGHT FEED?  Giving them milk that you have expressed in the evening is perfect, as it contains all those lovely sleep-inducing hormones. It’s worth noting on the container when it’s night-time milk. Want to boost your milk supply? Express after each daytime feed to increase the order with the milkman! FEELING ENGORGED AND SORE? Express little and often, as you need relief. JUST REMEMBER Each time you express you are tricking your body into thinking that your baby has really taken that 10am feed! Even if you express and no milk comes out at all, you’re placing the order for milk to be made later

Parenting Hub

Give Your Heart and Share the Love with Cadbury this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the ideal occasion to show those closest to you how much you care.  Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend or simply taking the opportunity to experience some self-love, this Valentine’s Day, Cadbury is calling on chocolate lovers to Give Your Heart & Share the Love! Giving your heart away couldn’t be easier than with the limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Out Heart slabs, available in Dairy milk chocolate and creamy Dream variants, available from major retail stores nationwide.   Be generous to those you love and gift them your heart – simply pop out your Cadbury chocolate heart and share – but don’t forget to keep a few pieces for yourself to enjoy! If sharing your heart is only the start Cadbury also has a few suggestions on how you can mark the occasion with some fun activities: Put your feelings into words – Cadbury is helping romantics share their love and show appreciation for all the small gestures of love through the power of words.  You could use their poem generator or get creative and write your own. Follow Cadbury Dairy Milk on social media for more tips. Get baking – we know that chocolate releases those ‘feel good’ endorphins in the brain so spending some quality time together whipping up some scrumptious treats could be just the activity you need! Cupcakes, brownies, macarons – your choices are endless. Once you’ve created your masterpieces, get down to the enjoying!  Visit https://cadbury.co.za/recipes for some tasty chocolate-inspired recipe treats. Picnic in the garden – even though we can’t wander far from home, there’s nothing that says you can’t bring the outdoor fun to your backyard by putting the perfect picnic basket together with your favourite snacks. Set up a blanket on the grass and watch the sunset set as you sip on mocktails, eat yummy snacks including your favourite Cadbury Dairy Milk Pop Out Heart slab and enjoy the beautiful outdoors together.  Spa Night – quality time is the love language all partners understand and appreciate. Nothing says quality time better than setting up a home spa for you and yours. We recommend making your own body scrub using salts, olive oil, zesty citrus and lavender.  Then light a few candles, and let the relaxation begin while snacking on some strawberries dipped in delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk of course! STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A DOUBLE DATE  Cadbury believes it is not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority – it’s necessary. Which is why treating chocolate lovers, who are generous enough to pop and share their hearts, a chance to win a double date – one for you and a partner, and a me-time date just for yourself!   To find out more follow @CadburyDairyMilkSA on Facebook or @CadburyDairyMilk_SA on Twitter and Instagram and #CadburyShareTheLove

My Breastpump

Pregnancy and COVID

Looking back at last year, we had no idea how COVID-19 would change the way that we live. It has crept into every facet of our lives. We have had to change the way that we work, learn, bury our loved ones, and socialise. Nothing is “normal” anymore. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on women who are pregnant. The ability for pregnant women to receive health care and general support from friends and loved ones have changed drastically. Pregnancy is a time where a woman and her partner need to be supported and have their regular medical checkups to help them have a healthy baby.  Our new normal does not allow for large baby showers, friends popping over for a chat and a cuddle of your baby. Grandparents can’t visit in hospital and in some NICU visitation to the baby is very limited. So how then does a woman and her partner prepare for pregnancy and the time when your baby comes home?  Here are 5 topics to consider: Social distancing / Self Isolation during and after pregnancy: The current research suggests that women who contract COVID-19 while pregnant have an increased risk of severe illness and death compared to non-pregnant women. They also have an increased risk of having adverse pregnancy outcomes like prematurity.  Over the last year we have learnt that it is almost impossible to have no risk of contracting COVID but if you do need to leave your house, you can consider the risk of the activity. This will allow you to plan and put in place ways to reduce the risks. There may even be some activities you will have to avoid.   In general, the more people you have close and prolonged contact with will increase your risk of getting COVID-19. You also need to consider the actions of the people that you live with and how they are interacting with other people.   The best way to protect yourselves from contracting COVID-19 is to limit interactions with people. Steps that you can take when you need to interact with others are: Wear a mask over your nose and mouth, try to keep about 2m away from other people, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and if indoors try to be in a well-ventilated room.  Events like baby showers, shopping for baby items and visit of friends once baby is home, need to be rethought as to how to make it safer for you and your baby. Some baby shower ideas are online zoom parties or drive by and drop off the gifts and a note. What ever you decide to do, consider the risks and how to reduce them. My Breastpump has an online store where you can have breastfeeding items delivered to your home: https://bit.ly/3obw7vH Look after your health. Keep all your health care appointments. Talk to your health care provider about the safest way to deliver your baby. You might consider having a home birth with a Midwife or giving birth in hospital.  Eat a health balanced diet and take all your vitamin and mineral supplements. Keep active so that you are strong for the delivery.  Find online antenatal classes to help you prepare for your delivery. The class should include information on different delivery types, how to recover from delivery, information of how to care for your baby once you get back home and are breastfeeding.  Finding out what your hospitals policies are around COVID.  It is best to know what the hospital policy is regarding COVID testing before delivery, your partners ability to see your baby, what if you do have COVID and visitation during hospital stay for family members. This will help you to be prepared and to pack your maternity bag accordingly.  Many hospitals are not allowing non-parents to visit in the maternity ward. This may be lonely and scary, but it does allow you and your partner to have a baby-moon, where you both can focus on getting to know your little one, gives you time to learn how to breast feed and allows you to rest and recover after your delivery.  Learn as much as you can about breast feeding. Breast feeding, although it is natural, is a learnt skill that you and your baby will need to learn. It is important to know how to breastfeed, what is normal and learn as much about breastfeeding before you give birth. Include your partner so that he will be able to help you if and when you need it. There are many videos that you can watch on YouTube about breastfeeding with a deep latch. You can visit our website for more information on breastfeeding and expressing milk. It is highly recommended that you find a lactation consultant that can give you an online breastfeeding workshop while you are pregnant. This gives you the necessary information to breastfeed well and someone you know that can help you if you need the help. If you would like to book a consultation with Carey a SACLC please email [email protected] for more information on a breastfeeding workshop.  Have a plan for when you get home. The first few weeks after the birth can be difficult due to sleep deprivation and learning to care for your new child. COVID-9 just makes it so much harder because we are all social distancing. Have a plan or ideas of how you are going to make life simpler for yourself. Firstly, let your family know about visitation and how you would like them to interact with your new baby. Let them know what you would like: No visit policy, Visit but you can only look though the window or you can visit but you must wear a mask and sanitise.  Will you have someone in the house to help you? If so, will that person need to self-isolate before they move in? You can ask your friend s and family to support you by taking

Parenting Hub

The 2021 school year starts later… Don’t get caught out

With schools returning later than usual, now is the time to think about putting some money aside to cover the costs of starting the new school year. Nozizwe Fakude, Head of Customer Insights at DirectAxis, and a mother of one, says with schools starting later parents who haven’t planned ahead could find themselves under financial pressure when they need to fork out for uniforms, stationery and other back-to-school expenses. By anticipating back-to-school expenses parents can budget now and spread the costs rather than having to buy everything in January. Another advantage of thinking ahead is that you can shop when it suits you and when prices are best. DirectAxis spoke to some parents and teachers, who had the following suggestions to help manage back-to-school finances and avoid unnecessary expenses. Avoid last-minute surprises: Before the uniform gets bundled into the wash and hung back in the cupboard, check to see if it’ll last another term. Do the same with shoes, school bag and inventory the stationery. This ensures that you only buy what is really needed.  Make a list: Studies show that people who shop without a list can spend up to 23% more. Find out from the school or other parents exactly what your child needs for the next year and by when. They may not need everything in the first term. Try to get as much detail as possible, so you don’t waste money buying the wrong thing. Cross off the list anything you already have. Set a budget: Unless your child is just starting school or moving from primary to high school you should have some idea of what you spent the previous year. Alternatively, ask other parents what they typically spend. Using this, your inventory of what they already have and the list of what is required should give you a good idea of how much you’ll need to spend. Once you’ve got a budget, stick to it. It may be an idea to involve your child. Agreeing the list of requirements and what the budget is may prevent them asking for everything they see when you go shopping. If they do, it makes it easier to say no. Score second-hand savings: Children can quickly grow out of jerseys and blazers. If the school has a second-hand shop you may be able to find good quality second-hand items there. Alternatively talk to other parents who have children who are older or leaving school and ask if they have any uniforms they want to sell. Seek out savings: Look for opportunities to save money. Some schools provide a discount on school fees if these are paid in a lump sum at the beginning of the year. The same may apply to bus fares. If you are able, try to take advantage of these savings. The recent increase to Level 3 lockdown, gives you a good reason to shop online, where it is often easier to compare prices and you have access to discount vouchers.  Don’t be tricked by what’s trendy: Children can be very brand conscious and may want something because it’s trendy and consequently more expensive, rather than because they need it. This can be true of shoes, sports gear and particularly technology. Many schools require children to have tablets or laptops and most children want top-end technology that comes at a price. Rather find out the specifications of what is required and what the equipment is being used for. This will help you decide what’s most appropriate. If in doubt, ask the teachers or other parents, rather than a computer salesperson, what offers the best value or what most children use.  If your child does require a tablet, laptop or other device or new sports equipment, consider buying it as an early birthday present. Set a little aside: Inevitably there’ll be some expenses that the school didn’t warn you about or which you forgot. If you can, put some money aside to cover these unexpected items.  “Most of the people we spoke to agreed that planning ahead, making a list, setting a budget, actively looking for savings and spreading expenses over time are the best ways of reducing back-to-school stress,” says Nozizwe.  For more information on how to manage your money visit: https://www.directaxis.co.za/make-a-plan/make-considered-financial-decisions

Parenting Hub

Keep calm and keep going

Did you know that even happy and good changes cause us stress? Think of a new baby, a new house, a new job, a new year … The arrival of the COVID-19 coronavirus is a huge stressor. We have had to make big changes to working conditions, home schooling children, staying in touch with loved ones via phone or digital platforms and managing tough economic challenges among others.  Even so, South Africans are doing themselves proud and adopting mask wearing, hand sanitising and social distancing. But isolation and fear of catching or passing on the virus do take their toll on our emotional, mental and relationship wellbeing. Healthy lifestyles can help us to manage this stress. Some are: Eat healthy food.  Because carbohydrates raise serotonin levels, they act like a natural tranquilizer so it’s competent to dive into bread or muffins when anxiety rises. No problem there but check that you are also eating proteins in meat, chicken or eggs, as well as vegetables, fruit, seeds and nuts, as these are the building blocks of good health.   Exercise two or three times a week. Exercise has been found to decrease symptoms of depression.  While we do not always feel like it, just start, even if it’s a walk around the block 3 times a week. Enjoyment and motivation tend to follow once we begin. Get a good night’s sleep. Seven to eight hours is recommended as sleep is relaxing to both body and brain and has an important role in supporting our immune system.  If you find yourself worrying instead of sleeping, and feeling on edge and overwhelmed during the day, there are two Nativa Complex® formulations which support emotional and mental wellbeing and a good night’s sleep. Nativa Calm Complex® can assist the body to cope with everyday emotional strain, tension and irritability. Its formulation of vitamin B, GABA and herbal actives can help the body with anxiety support, promoting calmness and enhancing focus. Oh for a good night’s restful sleep! Vitamin B, magnesium and herbal actives in Nativa Night Complex® can support the body with restful sleep, undisturbed sleeping patterns, relaxation and reducing mild anxiety. Available from Dis-Chem, Clicks, Takealot and selected pharmacies. Prices: Nativa Calm Complex® around R120 for 30; Nativa Night Complex® around R124 for 30

Brainline

Opportune time to prioritise online learning as primary method of education in South Africa

Distance Educator, Brainline, says the postponement of the reopening of schools should signify the importance to prioritise online learning as the primary method of learning in the country. This follows an announcement by the Basic Education Department that schools will now only open on 15 February, two weeks later than the initial opening date due to fears over the rising Covid-19 infections in the country. Brainline CEO, Coleen Cronje, says thousands of learners may suffer an academic set back due to a loss of precious educational time. ‘Hundreds of thousands of learners were affected by the long school closures last year. The fact that the reopening of schools has been pushed back another two weeks again translates into valuable academic time being lost. It is important that the Department of Basic Education and relevant stakeholders urgently look at ways to minimize the impact of the current status quo, starting with setting up reliable e-learning platforms,’ she says. Cronje has welcomed suggestions that the Department is looking at opening online schools to reduce pressure on school admissions. Earlier this week Gauteng’s Director-General of Education, Mathanzima Mweli, said the department was working with provinces and private education providers to come up with regulations and policies that they can follow to open online public schools. Cronje says now is the opportune time for basic education authorities to look at restructuring the current traditional school system by phasing in e-learning elements.  ‘South Africans are familiar with a more traditional classroom set-up but now is the time to evolve. E-learning and also mobile learning should be viewed as an additional learning resource that can assist in accessing learning tools. President Cyril Ramaphosa in a recent State of the Nation Address said that government wanted to provide learners with a tablet to access e-learning platforms. He also indicated that government was working with network operators to reduce the cost of data. This drive should be on government’s radar more than ever before.’ However, Cronje admits that the quality of e-learning will be dependent on the learner’s access. She says it is expected that online learning and even home education will see another growth spike in the year to come. ‘Home education in South Africa has experienced significant growth over the last few years. At the end of 2018, there were an estimated 100,000 home education learners in the country. Several factors have driven the growth of home education as an alternative option, ranging from increasingly sophisticated distance e-learning technology to an ever-growing network of tutors. Because it’s based on individual needs, home education can provide a safe space for children who may have found the traditional schooling environment challenging. Nowadays it is also a safe and secure environment for parents amid fears of Covid-19,’ says Cronje. As a fully functional online school, Brainline has not been affected by the 2020 school closures and virtual classes will resume on 25 January as planned. Cronje says Brainline is also accommodating learners who were affected by reduced curriculums in 2020. ‘Due to the school closures, many schools had decided to reduce their curriculum, therefore resulting in some students not having completed important aspects of the work. We have consequently decided to offer online catch-up classes for our senior learners to ensure they are up to date with the work and that they can join the rest of their peers when classes start on the 25th.’ Brainline is IEB recognised. Learners who are enrolled with us to complete their final examinations and who fulfil the requirements for this qualification will receive their National Senior Certificate (NSC), as issued by Umalusi.

Prima Baby

Chicco Baby Hug 4-in-1 Accessories

Chicco, one of the world’s most beloved baby products labels, brings you indoor furniture for your baby with the utmost luxury and quality, that is affordable and most importantly, guaranteed for 12 months. The Baby Hug 4-in-1 has been an award-winning, stand-alone piece of baby furniture that has revolutionised parenting around the world. Exclusive to Chicco, this recliner, crib, highchair and lounging chair in one now welcomes two brand new accessories to make it even more versatile and useful. The Baby Hug Changer tray is an easy clip on accessory that attaches to the Baby Hug and offers mom a place to change baby with ease. Easy to clean and store. The Baby Hug Meal Kit is a useful clip on highchair tray that transforms the highchair capability of the Baby Hug to extend far beyond the kitchen. Should baby need to grab a bite to eat, simply clip the Meal Kit in place and transform the Baby Hug into a legitimate highchair. With the Baby Hugs versatile settings, parents can adjust the recline and height at any stage to make it into the furniture item best needed at the time. The most handy and versatile piece of furniture on the baby market! Grab one of these accessories at stores such as Takealot, Loot.co.za, Babies R Us, The Kid Zone, Brand Hubb, Babanino and others. 

Catrobatkidz

The Benefits of Enrolling Your Child in Catrobatkidz

As parents, you have lots of options when it comes to choosing extra-mural activities for your children. At first glance, they all seem to offer the same benefits, such as developing strong, healthy bodies, improving co-ordination and providing children with an outlet for all their energy.  Children benefit from physical activity in many ways – a topic we explored in our previous blog, but that doesn’t mean that all extra-murals are equally good.  There are a few reasons why the Catrobatkidz programme stands out as it offers some benefits you probably haven’t thought of. Here are just a few of the advantages of enrolling your child in Catrobatkidz: Discipline & Confidence Our trained coaches show the children in their care how to follow the rules and behave properly. This way, they learn patience, discipline and how to get along with their peers. Along with discipline comes confidence. A child who knows how to behave around others will naturally be more confident. This confidence goes hand-in-hand with self-esteem. At Catrobatkidz, we’ve seen shy children blossom into children who are confident, secure and open to trying new things, all thanks to our amazing coaches. Listening & Following Directions As much as Catrobatkidz is about movement and activity, we also teach children how to stop, listen and focus on instructions. The earlier children can learn this skill, the better as it’s one that will serve them both inside and outside of the classroom.  Body Awareness & Co-ordination If you’re not sure what body awareness is, it’s often described as having a sense of your own body – understanding where each part is located in space and how it feels. This knowledge helps us know how far to reach for a glass or how close to stand next to another person. At Catrobatkidz, we incorporate exercises and activities that help children develop body awareness and fine-tune their co-ordination. Why is this important? Children with a good body awareness and co-ordination are less likely to hurt themselves when running, climbing or performing other activities. Rhythm & Timing Music makes exercise fun and it helps young children develop two other important skills – rhythm and timing. Children respond to music from an early age. In fact, your probably remember how your little one would sway and clap their hands to a favourite song.  Despite their physical response to music, rhythm and timing play an important role in helping children develop emotionally and intellectually. Being ‘in tune’ with the people around you helps you feel connected to them and makes communication easier. We’ve seen the positive effects first hand, which is why music and activities promoting rhythm and timing form part of our programme. Proper Posture & Flexibility Evidence of bad posture is all around us. Everywhere you look, you seepeople hunching over desks, slouching in front of the TV and slumping over their cellphones. As they get older, this can lead to back pain, neck pain and other health issues.  That’s why it’s important that children learn to sit, stand and move with the right posture. At Catrobatkidz, we focus on developing the core muscles that children need to be able to maintain an upright posture and relaxed shoulders at all times. Flexibility is just as important when it comes to maintaining a healthy, pain-free body because a flexible body is less prone to injury. Although children are naturally more flexible than adults, without maintaining their muscles and joints, they’ll lose this flexibility as they grow up. By instilling a love of movement and exercise from an early age, Catrobatkidz is the ideal choice for parents who want their children to experience exercise as fun and not a chore. Every type of sport and exercise has its benefits but there are few that manage to combine, physical, mental and emotional advantages the way Catrobatkidz does. If you’re interested in learning more about the programmes we offer, get in touch or ask your child’s school to sign up for a FREE demo class. We love what we do and we’d love to share it with you.

Caribbeantan

Preparation For Valentine’s Day

“Roses are red, violets are blue, your tan is golden and so are you.” The most romantic day of the year is upon us and there’s no doubt that you’ll want to look good and feel good. Whether you’re going for a self-love kind of vibe or going out with your girls or even a romantic date with BAE, we’re here to help you prepare for this romantic-filled evening. And by prepare, we mean getting your tan on! The Night Before V-Day It’s time to prepare your skin for what’s to come. Shave the night before and exfoliate your skin with our Cinnamon & Coconut Skin Smoothing Exfoliathat will get rid of dead skin and leave your skin soft and smooth. Afterwards, apply our Milk & Honey Hydrating Body Butterto lock in the moisture and keep your skin hydrated and supple. Your skin will now be the perfect canvas for the next day. The Morning of V-Day It’s time to get ready and bronzy for Valentine’s Day! We recommend using our instant self-tanners because the tint provides immediate colour while the tan develops and darkens over 8 hours. Apply our Milk & Honey Hydrating Body Butter to dry areas such as elbows, knees and ankles. Choose between our Tanning Spritzer or our Tan In A Can Instant and spray evenly all over and remember to wear loose-fitting, dark clothing after application. While your tan develops, go about your day- whether you’re at work or running errands and getting BAE a special gift, you’re getting darker and darker by the hour, how fabulous? V-Day Pamper Light a few candles and hop into the shower to freshen up. After your first shower, the colour will wash out and you will be left with a longer-lasting, natural-looking tan. Apply a face mask, do your hair and makeup and just show yourself some self-care and self-love this Valentine’s Day. For the finishing touch, apply our Tinted Body Bronzer Shimmer Cream to add a glamorous glow and to extend the life of your tan while moisturising your skin. V-Day Outfit Of The Night #OOTN Now that you have a beautiful bronzed tan that will ensure your skin looks radiant all night long, it’s time to choose your outfit of the night. A beautiful dress with sexy lingerie looks amazing against sun-kissed skin and it gives you a boost of confidence too. Make it a Valentine’s Day to remember. Available at Dis-Chem, Clicks, Takealot, Zando, Superbalist, & Caribbeantan.online

Dr Judey Pretorius

Why it’s important to care for your skin during and after pregnancy

The skin is our largest organ and it serves a number of essential functions. During and after pregnancy a woman may experience changes in her skin. In order to protect herself and her baby, certain skincare ingredients need to be avoided during these periods while others need to be introduced to nourish and care for the skin’s new needs. When selecting skincare products for yourself during pregnancy, and for your baby after birth, it’s important to understand that our skin serves a vital function in our relationship with our babies.  What role does the skin play when it comes to mom’s relationship with baby?  Skin-to-skin contact is usually referred to as the practice where a baby is dried and laid directly on their mother’s bare chest after birth, both of them covered in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour or until after their first feed. Skin-to-skin contact provides an appropriate and affordable, yet high quality alternative to technology. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates skin-to-skin contact after the birth helps babies and their mothers in many ways: It calms and relaxes both mother and baby. It regulates the baby’s heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb. It stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding. It regulates temperature. It enables colonisation of the baby’s skin with the mother’s friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection and boosting baby’s immunity. It plays an important role to help prevent postpartum depression. It stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering. It stimulates the release of the oxytocin hormone (“cuddle” and pleasure hormone) in both mother and baby. What makes human skin so special? Human skin is a complex living material but in biomechanical tests it reveals its homogeneous nature. Our environment can directly influence who we are: the skin reacts immediately and directly to the outside environment. The skin is colonised by a diverse milieu of microorganisms, most of which are harmless and some very beneficial to their host. The primary role of the skin is to serve as a physical barrier, protecting our bodies from potential assault by foreign organisms or toxic substances. The skin is also an interface with the outside environment and as such, is colonised by a diverse collection of microorganisms. Symbiotic microorganisms occupy a wide range of skin functions and protect against invasion by more pathogenic or harmful organisms and may play a role in educating T cells in the skin, priming them to respond to pathogenic counterparts. In utero, foetal skin is sterile, but colonisation occurs immediately after birth. Microbial communities of the skin and other sites are established and stabilised during the first years of life especially with skin-to-skin contact with mommy or daddy as a newborn explores its environment and matures its immune system. During puberty, changes in sebum production parallel the levels of lipophilic bacteria on the skin. Physiological and anatomical differences between male and female cutaneous environments – such as sweat, sebum and hormone production – partially account for the microbial differences seen between the sexes. Environmental factors specific to the individual, including occupation, clothing, skincare regime and antibiotic usage may regulate colonisation by the skin microbiota.  The importance of using specific products on both mother and baby to sustain the effect of skin-to-skin contact Mommy and baby care, hygiene and skincare products are potential factors contributing to the variation of skin microbiota. For example, the use of products that are not pH balanced will alter the conditions of the skin barrier and may either encourage healthy skin flora growth rates or cause it to deteriorate.  Understanding the ingredients in skincare products that may affect skin health Particular compounds and molecules need to be applied to skin in order to assist and supplement a homeostatic balance at all times, even when the skin is exposed to the atmosphere with social and environmental stressors. A product with measurable quality, safety and efficacy standards should be considered. Bottom line: don’t settle for just anything when choosing a skincare brand and product, as not all products are created equally. Do your research and choose a product that proves its efficacy by using scientific evidence. Do some research on ingredients, and ensure the products you are using contain ingredients that are safe and effective.   Look for a product that understands this scientific rationale and will optimise your skin-to-skin contact with your baby Offering a wide range of skincare solutions for the entire human race, with no exception to mommies-to-be and babies, Biomedical Emporium understands that skincare has to work both on a cellular and a molecular level. Their latest skincare range is the Maternology series for pre-conception and pregnancy, and the Biosimilar BioBaby series for baby. During the process of trying to fall pregnant, IVF treatments and pregnancy itself it is important for a woman to change her skincare regime. The Maternology range helps prepare the mother’s skin for the skin-to-skin contact after baby is born. Many biochemical changes take place during pregnancy. Some women get a beautiful glow during pregnancy due to the elevated hydration and skin moisture retention levels along with the amplified exposure to vitamins and minerals via placental fluid transport. Unfortunately, for other expecting mothers, the increased and fluctuating hormonal activity during the first trimester can have the opposite effect, and may result in an increase in sebum production that may lead to acne and the expression of pigmentation. Skincare during pregnancy should be simple and easy due to the skin being much more sensitive and reactive. The following product ingredients should also be avoided during pregnancy: Retinoic acids. Beta Hydroxy Acids. Any peroxide-containing ingredients. Artificial colour-stained products and products containing fragrances. Skin-staining products (refrain from using self-tanning products during pregnancy). Avoid skin lightening or bleaching ingredients such as hydroquinone-containing products. Avoid mechanical exfoliation as this may deteriorate the skin’s barrier function.  The Biomedical Emporium Maternology range is simplistic, easy, and safe to use. The ingredients are rich in vitamins and

Impaq

What to do when your teen wants to start dating

The prospect of your child wanting to date is a little unnerving – what if they get hurt, are manipulated, get in over their head, or have their heart broken? Yet as uncomfortable or scary as it may feel, dating is a normal, healthy, and necessary part of any young adult’s emotional development. In fact, romantic relationships are a major developmental milestone.  Too young to start dating? While some teens will want to start dating early, others will have no interest in romantic relationships until their late teens. Both scenarios are perfectly normal and healthy. Experts agree that there isn’t a ‘right age’ to start having relationships – every teen is different, and every family will have different views and beliefs about dating. On average, however: Children might start to show more independence from family and more interest in friends between the ages of nine and eleven years. From ten to fourteen years, they might want to spend more time in mixed-gender groups. They might meet up with someone special among friends, and then gradually spend more time with that person alone. Romantic relationships can become central to social life between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. Read more: The history of Valentine’s Day Having the Talk It is important to talk to your teen about various dating topics, including personal values, expectations, and peer pressure. While these conversations may initially revolve around treating other people with kindness and respect, it may also raise issues about sex and intimacy. When it does, be open with your teen about your beliefs around sexual activity and, in turn, listen to theirs. Give your teen permission to express their views, ask questions, define what feels safe and comfortable for them in terms of dating. If your child knows that you are there to listen without judging, they are more likely to come to you with questions and concerns down the road. Rules of engagement Your job is to keep your teen safe while helping them build the skills they need to navigate healthy relationships. Here are some suggested rules you might want to establish for your child once they start dating: Get to know anyone your teen wants to date.   Make it clear you need to know the details of who your teen will be with, where they will be going, and who will be there. Set a clear curfew.   If your teen is going to a date’s home, find out who will be there. Have a conversation with the date’s parents to talk about their rules and your expectations. Discuss the dangers of technology. Many teens talk online, which can create a false sense of intimacy. Remind them that people they have chatted with but have never met are strangers. Teens are also often tempted to comply with a date’s request to send nude photos. Warn them of the consequences – they can end up hurt, shamed, and embarrassed.  Read more: Practical tips on how to keep your kids safe online While it is essential to set clear rules once your teen starts dating, aim to offer your child at least a little bit of privacy. Here you will need to consider your values, your teen’s maturity level and the specific situation (as well as your instincts). Dealing with break-ups  Dating helps teens build vital life skills – independence, communication, caring, selflessness, and intimacy – and promotes emotional growth. Just like starting any new phase of life, dating can be both exciting and scary! Teens will need to put themselves out there by expressing romantic interest in someone else, risking rejection, and figuring out what exactly dating means. They often have unrealistic expectations – reality can never match the relationships in movies or books – which means that they can easily become disillusioned.  Of course, break-ups and broken hearts are part of teenage relationships. However, this too is essential to their development, particularly in terms of learning how to cope with difficult decisions and disappointments. Whether your teen suffers heartbreak or inflicts it, they might need a shoulder to cry on and a willing ear.  Also read: How to help a child manage depression Providing guidance As with any other relationship, romantic relationships can bring many emotional ups and downs for your child. Keep in mind that your input and reaction as parent during this stage can have a lasting impact on their future relationships (romantic and otherwise), their lifestyle choices, and the adult they eventually become.  Remember, the more open and supportive you are, the better. After all, if something does go wrong, you will want your child to know that you love them, no matter what. By Danielle Barfoot

Philips Avent

What to eat during pregnancy

A healthy diet is important for everyone, but now you are pregnant, choosing the right food is more important than ever before, as your baby is relying on you to provide all the nutrients they need to grow and develop.

Parenting Hub

Nutrition for growing bodies has never been easier

The Harvest Table launches its Kids Range Say goodbye to the mealtime battle zone with The Harvest Table’s new kids range of products which promises to provide the right nutrients for growing bodies. Catherine Clark, Owner and Founder of The Harvest Table, says that she understands first-hand what it’s like to try and get children to eat healthily. “I have two kids, Joshua (12) and Emma (9), and I understand this daily struggle all too well. What’s worse, when I don’t get it right, I’m left feeling guilty that they are not getting the right nutrition for their growing bodies. These products have allowed me to provide them with a meal replacement option that is not only nutritious but tasty and convenient too,” she says.   Catherine adds that not unlike most kids, her children are drawn to fun packaging, and so, she and her team made an effort to create a vibrant range that is not only earth-consciously packaged but appealing to children too. The range features a variety of eight shakes for kids aged 3-6 and tweens aged 7-12. “We’re proud to launch a range that features different packaging for girls, boys and different age groups. We did not want to produce one-size-fits-all packaging, but rather, products that were inviting and appealed to the child’s imagination, all while making the parent’s job easier,” she adds.  Each shake contains prebiotics, probiotics, protein, magnesium, barley grass juice, and lion’s mane mushrooms. The shakes are flavoured with chocolate or blueberry, so they are guaranteed to be a firm favourite in your home. Catherine explains the benefits of the ingredients below: Collagen: Collagen consists of protein building blocks, otherwise known as amino acids, which are essentially structural components found in the bones. Collagen is surrounded by calcium and phosphate, which help form mineralised (hard) bone. Children need to include it in their diet as they go through peak bone-building years at around age 10. The more collagen they have in their bodies, the more readily available it is for their bones. Bone broth: Bone broth contains gelatine which is essential for restoring the gut. It seals up holes in your stomach, heals the lining, and nourishes the gut with essential nutrients. It contributes to a well-functioning digestive system and thus helps the body absorb nutrients easily.  Lion Mane mushroom: Lion Mane mushroom contributes to the production of nerve tissue growth and brain cells, which can suffer damage over time. It works throughout the body, and not just in the brain by repairing damaged nerve tissue, regenerating nerve fibres, and also improving the communication between neurons and axons. It also supports cognitive functioning, boosts mental focus, and improves memory. Probiotic: Probiotics are essentially bacteria that is found naturally in our gut. It coexists with harmful bacteria, which can set off the balance in your gut, leading to irregular bowel movements, constipation and diarrhoea. Probiotics help counter the negative effects of the bad bacteria and thus, improve gut health and function. Prebiotic: Prebiotics stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria and balance in the gut. By promoting changes in the gut bacteria, prebiotics directly affect the mucosal immune system, which is the bodies defense mechanism against toxins. This results in decreased susceptibility to inflammatory diseases.  “Parents no longer have to worry about their children getting enough nutrients. This meal replacement can be prepared with three tablespoons of the shake, 250ml of water and three ice cubes, all blended and ready to be enjoyed in a matter of seconds. This range combines great taste, good nutrition and, of course, convenience,” Catherine concludes.

PregOmega

Pregnancy and the Immune System

The role of nutrition in strengthening the immune system has been the focus of many studies over the years1. The immune system is your body’s natural defence system. It is an intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend your body against invaders, invaders that can include bacteria, viruses, parasites, or even fungus, all with the potential to make us sick2. Your immune system works all year round to ward off all kinds of illnesses2. But what happens to the immune system when you fall pregnant? Are there ways to naturally boost your immune system during pregnancy? The immune system and pregnancy are very much interconnected, with your immune system undergoing some very intense changes when you are pregnant3. So fascinating are the highly orchestrated changes in the immune system throughout pregnancy that the Stanford University School of Medicine conducted the first-ever study into the meticulously timed immune system changes in women that occur during pregnancy. The results, which were published in 2017, revealed that there is an immune clock of pregnancy and that the timing of immune system changes follow a precise and predictable pattern in normal pregnancy. These results may be a step towards understanding why some babies are born prematurely and how this can be prevented, by researching why someone’s immune system is not adapting to pregnancy the way it is expected to4. While these immune system changes can help you to fall pregnant, stay pregnant and deliver your baby, they ironically can also make you more susceptible to illness3. This is because changes in hormone levels and immune system function can make you more vulnerable to infections and complications. During pregnancy, different parts of your immune system are enhanced while others are suppressed5. These changes also help protect your baby from your body’s defences and means that during pregnancy, your immune system has to work harder since it’s supporting two of you. This makes you susceptible to certain infections5. These changes in the immune system during pregnancy make pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum) more prone to severe illness from flu which is why many healthcare experts recommend that pregnant women get the flu vaccine6. Consuming the right nutrients is important at every stage of life, but it is especially critical during pregnancy, as pregnant women need to nourish both themselves and their growing babies6. Vitamins and minerals support maternal and foetal growth at every stage of pregnancy and are required to support critical functions such as cell growth7. Hannelise Rademan, a Registered Dietitian currently volunteering at Worcester Provincial Hospital in the Western Cape, reiterates that vitamins and minerals can be seen as building blocks to strengthen your immune system. “These building blocks include vitamins A, C and D, minerals such as zinc and omega-3 fatty acids,” she says8. When you are pregnant, a healthy diet should include the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, as well as micro-nutrients like iron, folate, calcium, and vitamin9. Many health experts globally recommend that all pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and folic acid supplement. This is advised to fill nutritional gaps and also to prevent birth defects like spina bifida7. A prenatal vitamin, such as PregOmega Plus, which is South Africa’s No.1 prenatal choice10, not only contains 500 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, but also added Omega 3, Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium and other vitamins and minerals which all have a myriad of benefits for both the mother and her growing foetus, some of which are mentioned below11. Calcium’s key function is to ensure the proper growth and structure of teeth and bones.  Low calcium intake throughout life, and particularly in periods of rapid growth such as pregnancy, increases the risk of osteoporosis later in life, particularly after menopause11. During pregnancy, women require an additional 15mg of vitamin C per day. Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient for ensuring good dental health for the pregnant woman and her foetus, as it plays an important role in the development of healthy gums11. Vitamin D has an important function in assisting the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus. It is also an important nutrient for optimal immune function, maintaining healthy skin and muscle strength. Vitamin D deficiency in a pregnant woman is an important risk factor for the development of osteoporosis later in life11. Magnesium is a micronutrient that  plays a role in regulating the function of other minerals including calcium and potassium11. It is associated with a maintenance of overall good health and plays a role in helping to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins as well as contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue12. Zinc plays a role in regulating how genes and genetic traits are replicated in the DNA11. It also importantly plays a role in the maintenance of immune function and contributes to normal cognitive function12. Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in the maintenance of overall good health13 and are important components of cell membranes, including the membranes of cells which form the eye, and the central nervous system11.  Rademan recommends the we should stock up on a variety of foods according to their nutritional benefits. These include8: Vitamin A: Sweet potato, Kale, Broccoli and Bok Choy, Spinach Vitamin C: Red Peppers, Berries, Citrus Fruits Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty Fish (Salmon, Trout, Sardines, Anchovy) Zinc: Lean Meat, Chicken, Whole Eggs, Fatty Fish, Wholegrains and Pumpkin Seeds Magnesium: Green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach and kale), figs, avocado, banana and raspberries, Nuts and seeds, black beans, chickpeas and kidney beans, peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, artichokes, asparagus, brussels sprouts, salmon, mackerel, tuna) “It is also important to keep in mind which foods not to consume in excess during pregnancy, including too many Vitamin A rich foods”, says Hannelise8. While a healthy diet can certainly boost your immune system, remember too that plenty of sleep, moderate exercise and staying hydrated is also very important9. “Sleep is the time our bodies need to rest and repair, particularly in deep sleep,” she says8. Speak to your doctor or a dietician about your nutritional needs and a suitable supplement

Brainline

Home Education is a valid and trusted alternative for your child’s education, through Brainline

Many leaners are being swallowed by the current school system. They are suffering due to the pressures of a full workload and failure to receive sufficient individual attention, resulting in them not being able to reach their full potential. There is also a lot of pressure on learners to take part and excel in extracurricular activities, of which the options may be limited to the offerings by the school. . At the same time, parents are confronted with the constant fear over the safety of their child in a school environment and the possibility of bullying.

Tommee Tippee

How do I safely thaw frozen breast milk?

Don’t lose those precious nutrients you worked so hard for. So you’ve worked hard to build up your supply of breast milk in the freezer but now what? Thawing it correctly will protect the nutrients. The easiest way to thaw frozen breast milk that has been expressed is to just place it in the refrigerator or leave it at room temperature. It can also be defrosted by leaving it standing in lukewarm water.  DO NOT be tempted to microwave it even if you are in a hurry. Not only will this destroy all the nutrients in your milk, but it can cause ‘hot spots’ which might burn your baby’s mouth. If you have defrosted milk in the refrigerator, it can be stored in there for 24 hours as long as you have not warmed it. If you defrosted it at room temperature, you can keep it in the refrigerator for 4 hours. However, DO NOT be tempted to refreeze it. Finally, if your baby isn’t that hungry and there is breast milk left after a feed then, however much you’ll hate doing it, you should throw away the rest. 

Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Pregnancy and Medical Aid

Motherhood and pregnancy are times of great anticipation and joy. Each experience is unique but what is probably high on the agenda is that you have a trouble free pregnancy, a healthy baby and then know and anticipate the cost involved for pre-natal check-ups and the birth.  ‘Choosing the right medical aid is critical in ensuring the healthcare needs of you and your loved ones are taken care of. More so, when you’re looking at expanding your family. For those who are on a medical scheme or wish to join one, here are some important points to consider when you fall pregnant,’ says Lee Callakopen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund. When you are already a member of a medical aid scheme When should you advise your medical aid of your pregnancy? If you are already a member, you can access the out-of-hospital maternity benefits without advising your medical aid that you are pregnant. However, please ensure that your doctor uses the correct ICD-10 codes on your claim to ensure that it is processed correctly. Bonitas pays for maternity benefits in addition to savings and day-to-day benefits, which help members get the care they need during pregnancy while limiting out-of-pocket expenses. Remember that pre-authorisation is needed for the delivery of the baby, which can usually, be done from 20 weeks onwards. Pre-authorisation will help you understand the benefits you have available on your plan and ensure that you are aware of what is covered. Bonitas members can also register for the Bonitas baby bag once pre-authorisation is obtained. The baby bag is packed with of useful goodies for the baby to make parenthood a little easier. When do you advise the medical aid that your baby has been born and needs to be added onto your medical aid? For our members, the baby needs to be registered within 30 days from the date of birth to ensure there is no break in cover and that your child will be covered from the first day of life. Are there Designated Service Providers (DSPs) in terms of gynaes and hospitals for childbirth?  We strongly advise members to use DSPs to get maximum value and avoid co-payments. We agree special rates with these providers, which are covered within a member’s benefits so that they can focus on taking care of their health and wellbeing during pregnancy. What is normally covered in the maternity benefit? This differs from scheme to scheme and according to the plan you are on. Bonitas pays for up to 12 maternity consultations (paid for from a separate benefit), an amniocentesis, antenatal classes, 2x 2D ultrasounds and the delivery. In addition, there are additional benefit for newborn hearing screening tests and childhood vaccination.   Does Bonitas cover the cost of a Caesarian birth? Yes, medically necessary Caesarians are covered on all plans.  Some expectant mothers do prefer home births – is this covered? Yes the cost for a home delivery is covered.   Are all the childhood vaccinations covered by Bonitas and if so, are there any conditions attached ie where the vaccinations should be done? Vaccines are covered as per the EPI schedule on immunisation. Please note this benefit is available on specific plans. The vaccines can be done at any clinic or pharmacy. If an administration fee is charged by these providers, it will be paid from your savings or day-to-day benefits.  The vaccines covered are as follows: The Bonitas Babyline – a dedicated children’s health advice line In 2016, Bonitas introduced Babyline – a 24-hour children’s health advice line manned by paediatric trained registered nurses.  They are on the other side of the phone to assist with any parental concerns, vaccination schedules and health related issues, 24/7, 365 days of the year.  How does Babyline work? Bonitas parents, or their caregivers, simply call the Babyline number on 0860 999 121 to speak to paediatric trained nurse.  Through a series of questions asked regarding the health issue, parents will be provided with professional advice on what to do next. Depending on the symptoms, the advice might be to head straight to the ER or to see a doctor or specialist.  The nurse will advise which healthcare provider is the most appropriate, given the health issue. The services offered by the Babyline include: Home care advice Clinic/primary care/GP referral for the same day Clinic/primary care/GP referral for the following day After-hours care within the next six hours Immediate referral to the ER The Babyline service is available to members across all the Bonitas plans, for children under 3 years. Joining a medical scheme when you are already pregnant It is very common for women to apply to join a medical aid scheme when they fall pregnant. But according to the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, medical aid schemes are entitled to impose a 12-month condition specific waiting period for any pre-existing medical condition, such as pregnancy. These waiting periods must be imposed for specific pre-existing conditions to protect the interests of current members of the scheme. When a waiting period is applied to pregnancy, then the pregnancy and birth will not be covered but your baby will be covered from the first day of life – if you register them on your medical aid within 30 days. This will allow you to ensure the needs of your child and the healthcare will be covered.  Bonitas has different plans and expectant mothers will be able to select the one most suitable for their needs.   Informing the medical aid of your pregnancy Prospective members need to inform their medical aid upon application or within 30 days after you complete the application. What is the policy regarding a member joining Bonitas when they are pregnant? What sort of cover can they expect, if any? The pregnancy would be considered pre-existing and therefore not covered. The baby will be covered if registered within 30 days post-delivery. What happens if someone signs up for medical aid not realising they are already pregnant? At what point is

Gelusil Plus®

Tips to reduce heartburn during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you may have expected swollen ankles and morning sickness, and even having to invest in a bigger bra. But where does this burning indigestion come from?1 The fact is that heartburn affects up to 85% of pregnant women2, with many women experiencing this uncomfortable feeling throughout all three trimesters of their pregnancy3. Heartburn (also called gastroesophageal reflux and acid indigestion) can feel like a burning sensation that starts behind your breastbone and travels up your oesophagus (the tube connecting your throat to your stomach). These acids can even make it all the way up your throat1. During pregnancy, the increase in the hormone progesterone causes the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus to relax3, which accounts for why heartburn is more frequent during pregnancy3. Here are some diet-related tips that might help! Hannelise Rademan, a Registered Dietitian currently volunteering at Worcester Provincial Hospital in the Western Cape, says that following a healthy, nutritious diet which includes adequate fibre such as wholegrains, fruit and vegetables, is very important. Ideally, your diet should be low in fat4. “Limit fried foods, cream sauces, gravies, fatty meats, pastries, nuts, potato chips, butter and margarine,” she says, and adds that moderate portions of protein should be included to stimulate a hormone called gastrin to aid digestion and increase valve (known as LES or lower oesophageal sphincter) pressure4. As your uterus expands with your growing baby, it places pressure on your stomach, which also increases the likelihood of acid reflux, especially if your stomach is full1. Drinking liquids at the same time as eating your food can create a full “sloshy” stomach environment primed for heartburn1. “Fluids may be better taken between meals to avoid distension (or swelling) of the stomach and carbonated beverages should be avoided,” Rademan says4. “Avoid large meals that increase gastric pressure, and rather eat smaller meals throughout the day”4, she says. This helps to avoid overwhelming the stomach and allows it to empty more quickly. Rademan recommends that during acute bouts of heartburn, eat small frequent meals of soft and bland foods4. Fatty meals, coffee (both decaffeinated and regular), chocolate, peppermint and spearmint, garlic and onion are all foods that can exacerbate heartburn and should be avoided4. This includes acidic and spicy foods that create more stomach acid than blander alternatives, and should be avoided by those suffering from heartburn1. Although smoking and drinking alcohol should not be part of pregnancy regardless, these can also negatively affect valve pressure and increase heartburn4. Lifestyle adaptations can also be helpful to alleviate symptoms of heartburn4. These include not eating for within 3 to 4 hours before going to sleep at night, staying upright and avoiding vigorous activity after eating and not wearing tight-fitting clothing4. Some natural and alternative remedies that may help relieve symptoms include ginger and lemon water or chewing gum4. Eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk or even adding a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk might also help ease symptoms or heartburn5. Gelusil Plus® is an antacid suspension that can be taken to relieve heartburn in pregnancy3,6. This treatment has a dual mode of action that neutralises stomach acid whilst creating a barrier to reduce acid reflux into the oesophagus6. Heartburn is common and uncomfortable during pregnancy, but it should subside once you give birth and your hormone levels return to normal. While you may not be able to prevent heartburn altogether, simple lifestyle changes, such as eating small meals, avoiding spicy or fatty foods, and sleeping with your head and shoulders elevated, might help ease the symtoms1. For more information about Gelusil Plus® which has been proven to be suitable and effective to relieve symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy6, go tohttps://pregomega.co.za/gelusilplus/. This editorial has been commissioned and brought to you by iNova Pharmaceuticals. Content in this editorial is for general information only and is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. This article includes views and opinions of the named Healthcare Provider and not reflect the views of iNova Pharmaceuticals, nor is it intended as medical advice. For more information, speak to your healthcare provider. Scheduling Status: S0 Proprietary name and dosage form: Gelusil Plus® Suspension. Composition: Each 10 ml suspension contains: Sodium alginate 500 mg, Sodium bicarbonate 267 mg, Calcium carbonate 160 mg. Registration number: 43/11.10/1124. The claims made in this material are for medical information and educational purposes only. Marketed by: iNova Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd Co. Reg. No. 1952/001640/07,15E Riley Road, Bedfordview. Tel. No. 011 087 0000. www.inovapharma.co.za. Further information is available on request from iNova Pharmaceuticals. IN1267/20 References: Healthline – Heartburn in Pregnancy (2019) at https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/heartburn-during-pregnancy#takeaway (website accessed on 8 October 2020) Lindow, SW. An open-label, multicenter study to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel reflux suppressant in the treatment of heartburn during pregnancy. Int J Clin Pract. 2003 Apr;57(3):175-9. Meteerattanapipat, P. and Phupong, V. Efficacy of alginate-based reflux suppressant and magnesium aluminium antacid gel for treatment of heartburn in pregnancy: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Sci. Rep. 7, 44830; doi: 10.1038/srep44830 (2017). Q&A with Registered Dietitian Hannelise Rademan – 5 October 2020 (unpaid) American Pregnancy Association. Heartburn during pregnancy – Causes and treatment (2015) at https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/heartburn-during-pregnancy/. (Website accessed on 7 September 2019) Gelusil Plus approved package insert, August 2015

Parenting Hub

Back to school fun with Play-Doh

The past year has challenged parents in many ways including finding endless at-home activities to keep kids entertained while ensuring they continue to learn and develop outside of a traditional classroom environment. Fostering creativity, being able to think out of the box, brainstorming, generating new ideas and improving on existing ones are important tools for young minds. Which is why Play-Doh continues to captivate the imaginations of children around the globe, providing them with the best in colourful, creatable, makeable adventures!  High quality Play-Doh compound is non-toxic and is made up predominantly of simple ingredients including water, salt and flour. As children’s safety is always Hasbro’s top priority, Play-Doh compound undergoes vigorous testing to ensure it meets (and exceeds) all applicable global safety standards and regulations. This is why, after more than 64 years, Play-Doh remains a loved and trusted brand for parents, caregivers and teachers worldwide! A classroom favourite, Play-Doh combines the fun with essential development and learning benefits (listed below). Providing ideal opportunities to practice and nurture kids critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity skills while exploring a range of topics and skills including language, math, science, social studies, and the arts.   Additionally engaging toddlers and young children (ages 2-6 years) with sensory, open-ended play activities can help them prepare for the big, elaborate world.  Combine the fun with essential development and learning benefits: Play-Doh encourages creativity and imagination by providingyour child with unlimited moulding possibilities and the freedom to explore. Creating different shapes or mixing different Play-Doh colours together to discover a new colour, can assist children in growing their curiosity, develop cognitive exploration and enhance their mathematical thinking. All the squishing, rolling, flattening and shaping helps to enhance fine motor skills by developing and strengthening hand muscles, which encourages pre-writing and other motor skills such as cutting with scissors, using tweezers, holding a pencil etc. The tactile, hands-on nature of Play-Doh compound can also help encourage development of hand-eye coordination.  Play-Doh offers kids a multi-sensory experience allowing them to learn about their world through touch, sight and smell. Sitting and squishing Play-Doh is also a very calming and soothing activity, which eases tension, releases extra energy as well as improves focus and concentration. Playing with Play-Doh in a small group and/or with adults presents opportunities for children to develop social skills such as collaborative problem solving, planning and playing as well as learning to effectively communicate ideas or discuss what they are making. Children can also learn to effectively engage in individual play sharpening their focus, patience and concentration skills.  Nominate a teacher for the #CansOfKindnessAward!    For many the past year has also renewed our appreciation for the incredible job that teachers do to keep kids inspired, motivated and encouraged while learning!  This is why Play-Doh is calling on the kids to nominate their favourite  Grade 0 or Grade 1 teacher for the #CansOfKindnessAward!   Stand the chance to win an exciting Play-Doh hamper, while the winning teacher will receive a year’s supply of Play-Doh for the classroom. All you have to do is post a video to FB @PlayDohSouthAfrica of your kid telling us about their incredible teacher and use #CansOfKindnessAward.  Entries close 26 February 2021. For more inspiration visit @PlayDohSouthAfrica on Facebook  Play-Doh is available from Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, ToyZone, Takealot.com and other major retailers. PARENT GUIDE Some fun activities designed to ensure kids have fun while learning At its core, Play-Doh is creativity – providing endless interactive play options.  Guide your child to explore different shapes, forms and colours, which increases curiosity and knowledge while developing their fine motor skills and hand to eye coordination.  Play-Doh allows children the flexibility to experiment and develop their own stories and leads to innovative, imaginative thinking and increased confidence down the line.  Engaging in child-adult conversation, assists with communication and vocabulary growth – ask questions and allow your child to practice critical thinking and decision-making skills.  Repetition can be a great way to reinforce the skills you’ve explored. Have fun doing the activities multiple times and in different ways! All Set for some Play-Doh fun! Get creative with Sticky the Octopus! Gather the materials you’ll need:  4 Play-Doh colours  Red or pink   A light colour i.e. white or yellow  A darker colour i.e. blue Your favourite colour Toothpick/ fork/ beads Using your favourite colour roll out a round-shaped ball for the head Roll two small balls (in your lightest Play-Doh colour) for the eyes and place two smaller circles in a darker colour on top for the pupils. Add the eyes to head Curl eight ‘snake shapes’ in the same colour as your head for the tentacles Attach the tentacles to the bottom of the head Use your toothpick or fork to ‘scratch’ lines, circles or any pattern onto the tentacles as decoration Make 30 small balls in a contrasting colour and add them onto the tentacles and head If you’d like add beads as decoration – press these into the tentacles for added colour and texture (please note if adding beads to Octopus creation – the Play-Doh will not be able to be reused). Roll a short thin red/ pink piece of Play-Doh and complete your Octopus by adding a bright smile.  If you are feeling extra creative shape a top hat or a bow tie for your Octopus to wear or create a beach ball for your Octopus to ‘play’ with. Skills match: fine motor skills, creativity, collaboration, sensory play (Task source Una van Staden, Pikanini) Play-Doh Faces Fun Making Play-Doh faces is so much fun and a great way for kids to learn about their bodies more specifically the face while developing fine motor skills.  Before starting the activity discuss the different parts of the face and the shapes and size each aspect has in relation to each other i.e. eyes, ears, hair, nose, and mouth. Create a Face Mat – on a blank sheet of A4 paper draw a round circle for ahead with shoulders

Parenting Hub

Let your child Fly… through stories

Nal’ibali, the national reading-for-enjoyment campaign, has been bringing a special story to children to celebrate World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) for the past eight years. In the first year (2013), the campaign reached 13 000 children and in 2021, the goal is to read aloud to 3 million children in a single day.  Nal’ibali celebrates WRAD on Wednesday 3 February in 2021, to draw attention to the importance of reading aloud to children in their mother tongue. The NGO commissions a brand-new story – best suited for reading aloud to primary school children – and translates it into all 11 official SA languages.  This is an ongoing campaign to urge parents, teachers and caregivers to read aloud to the children in their lives.  The announcement that schools will be opening two weeks later than anticipated means that learners will lose more schooling days in 2021.  The Covid-19 pandemic meant learners lost valuable schooling time in 2020, and the importance of reading has become even more relevant, especially for primary school children.   The 2021 story and author This year’s story is Fly, everyone fly! by Sihle Nontshokweni, the best-selling children’s author of Wanda (published in 2019). She says sharing stories with children can help them become resilient and brave in real-world situations. ‘The beauty of stories is their immersive nature, they allow children to enter a world in which they believe. In that sacred world, they can find the language and tools they need to deal with the pressures of the external world.’ Nontshokweni will be giving a special reading of the story, live on Nal’ibali’s Facebook page (@nalibaliSA) at 1.00 pm on the day. Caregivers and their children are invited to join the digital read-aloud not only to hear the story, but to engage with the author and each other too.  Another champion of reading, Christina Nomdo, the Western Cape Children’s Commissioner, will also be giving a virtual reading of the story on the campaign’s page. The commissioner will be specifically highlighting the power of stories to set children up for success in school and life.  The power of stories, at home, at school and in the community Reading underpins all school learning and children who read regularly perform better in the classroom, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances. Stories can be shared anytime, anywhere so, wherever children and caregivers find themselves on Wednesday, 3 February, Nal’ibali is encouraging them to start or maintain a reading routine. This simple habit can be an invaluable investment in their futures. Reading to babies and 3-6-year olds  Many caregivers do not realise the benefit of reading and sharing stories with children this young, but it is the children who were read to when they were very little who perform better in school, as they will have better developed their memories, vocabularies and comprehension skills. Typically, Nal’ibali’s WRAD drive focuses on primary school children but this year, following the recent crisis in the early childhood development (ECD) sector, the Centre for Early Childhood Development and PRAESA (the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa) have come on board to help open up the day to preschool children and their caregivers as well.  “2020 saw the extended closure of ECDs during the national lockdown. The result of this is that many of these facilities have had to permanently shut their doors, leaving scores of young children bereft of early learning opportunities, meals and safety,” explains Eric Atmore, Director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Extraordinary Associate Professor in the Education Policy Studies Department at Stellenbosch University. To help ensure these children are also able to benefit from the simple power of stories and join in the nationwide celebration, PRAESA has developed a short guide for caregivers on how to share Nal’ibali’s official WRAD story with children aged 3-6. The guide is available to download from the campaign’s website in seven official languages.  Nal’ibali is therefore inviting caregivers everywhere to read its story aloud to children of all ages, whether they find themselves at home, in the classroom or in the community.  Members of the public wishing to get involved can visit www.nalibali.org or WhatsApp ‘WRAD’ to 060 044 2254 to make their pledge and gain free access the official story and PRAESA’s guide to sharing the story with preschool children. They are also encouraged to share pictures of their read-aloud sessions online using the hashtag #MyWRAD2021.

Prima Baby

Chicco Polly Highchairs

Chicco, one of the world’s most beloved baby products labels, brings you indoor furniture for your baby with the utmost luxury and quality, that is affordable and most importantly, guaranteed for 12 months. Highchairs are an important part of your child’s life and will be there as they discover their new senses through food. The Polly Highchair is the perfect solution for your little one to go from bottle feeds to weaning with ease. Designed with an elegant finish, this highchair offers 3 reclining positions as well as 7 height adjustments for parents, making it a stand-alone chair with tray, or come down to meet the level of any table or chair the parent may want to use for feeding. With a clip-off, easy to clean and store tray, the Polly highchair can be folded up into a compact and discreet size that stores easily – not that you would want to hide these beauties away. With Italian quality, the Polly comes in two classy colours including Nottingham (dark beige) and Orion (deep black), both suitable for any household décor. Pick up a Polly highchair from a variety of baby retailers including Baby City, Baby Club at Clicks, Takealot, Loot.co.za, The Kid Zone, Babanino.com, Brand Hubb, Baby Boom, and selected Makro stores. 

Parenting Hub

Back to school: Time to boost your child’s immune system?

The kids have been at home for almost two months, but in just a few short weeks, they will be back to school. Most of us headed the president’s plea to keep safe, sanitise and stay home, which means that our children have been around fewer people, have been exposed to less germs, and may require a little immunity boost.   Catherine Clark, Owner and Founder of the Harvest Table says that even if you’ve already started giving them vitamins, there are other ways to help boost immunity, “A strong immune system does not necessarily mean your child will not get sick, but their body will be in a better position to fight against bacteria and viruses,” she adds. Catherine offers these four ways to boost your child’s immunity: Encourage adequate sleep time: Sleep is one of the most important components of the immune system. Many studies show that sleep deprivation increases susceptibility to infection in children. The Sleep Foundation recommends that children aged 3-5 years get 10-14 hours of sleep, and those aged 6-13 get 9-11 hours of sleep. In order to help give your child a longer, better rest at night, it is essential to get them back into a well-defined sleep time routine. Have set bed- and wake-up-times, limit noise in the home by switching off devices and wind down by reading them a book.  Keep up the hygiene: According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing hands prevents illnesses and the spread of infections to others. They also recommend regular hand washing because it helps prevent 30% of diarrhoea-related illnesses, and 20% respiratory infections. Encourage your children to not only sanitise regularly, but also wash their hands often (and not only when they are visibly dirty!). Furthermore, clean their toys and high-touch surfaces often to limit the transfer of germs.  Make movement a part of play: Research shows that prolonged hours of sitting can increase the risk of upper respiratory infections by two or three times a year, but, moderate exercise can reduce this by stimulating an immune response in the body. Children don’t spend as much time outside as they used to due to distractions like television and other devices. It can be challenging to encourage them to do something outside, so it’s important to make outdoor play fun. And, it’s not enough to tell your children to play in the yard, you need to get involved too! They will be more motivated if mom or dad doing it as well. Up the probiotics and prebiotics: About 70% of the body’s immune cells are found in the gut. There are good and bad bacteria found in the gut. Probiotics increase the good bacteria and thus reduce the potential damage caused by the harmful bacteria. Prebiotics, on the other hand, stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria and directly impact the body’s defense system by decreasing susceptibility to inflammatory disease. You can increase your child’s probiotic and prebiotic intake with The Harvest Table’s new Kid’s range. It contains prebiotics, probiotics, collagen, bone broth, magnesium, barley grass juice, and lion’s mane mushrooms — all vital ingredients for growing bodies. Plus, it tastes like a milk shake so it’s easy enough to get them to take it!  “Illness is a part of life. Your child is likely to still get sick, no matter how many vitamins and supplements they take, but boosting their immunity builds up their ability fight off illnesses quicker and gives them a fighting chance,” Catherine concludes.

Parenting Hub

Waiting for matric results: focus on what you CAN control

As South Africa entered the new year, it quickly became clear that 2021 would not represent a return to the normal we knew before the pandemic, and that the country, like the rest of the world, would continue living with ongoing uncertainties for at least the near future. Following arguably the most tumultuous year a Matric class had to face in recent history, the Matric Class of 2020 now await their results, with many still not having a clear idea about what their future in general, or this year in particular will hold. “The one thing that these Matrics can do now, is to focus on those things that are within their control, rather than take a wait and see approach,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider. He says there are still many unknowns about the coming year, and the only constant one can bargain on during these times is change. “However, waiting things out until normal returns one day is not an option. The world continues despite the challenges we continue to face, and there are things you can do to continue on your personal and professional journey to ensure you are not left behind,” he says. Kriel says one of the most important things 2020’s Matrics can do in the coming weeks, until results are released on February 23 (as currently scheduled) is to review their plans for the year and ensure that they will be able to continue on their chosen path regardless of any new and unforeseen circumstances that may arise to throw a spanner in the works. “So, if you have signed up to study somewhere, you can use these coming weeks to make sure that your institution will be able to continue seamlessly in the event of, for instance, another hard lockdown. The way to determine this is to ask an institution about their readiness and ability to quickly adapt their offering to a hybrid or online model,” he says. “Additionally, you should not just take an institution’s word for it, but also speak to students who experienced last year’s response. You need to ask questions to determine whether students last year were able to continue their learning journey seamlessly, whether they got the support they needed to do so effectively, and whether the learning was adapted in such a way that they continued to be engaged,” says Kriel. Kriel says that on-campus education is the preferred and most effective way to learn for many young people and it has strong advantages in terms of outcomes.  So, if you want the campus experience don’t give up on that aim now – look for an in-contact institution that can move between online and face-to-face as circumstances change.  For some students, distance education is a great alternative, but it is not right for everyone – it is a mistake to think that in current times it is a direct swop for contact.  If contact is what you want, make sure your institution can move between the two so you can have the benefit of contact with lecturers and classmates in person when the pandemic allows. Kriel adds that those Matrics from the Class of 2020 who have not yet decided on their plans for the year, and are waiting for results before making a move, should seriously consider approaching an institution to talk through their options rather than leaving it too late. “Our world has changed forever and is becoming more and more competitive all the time, with technology constantly developing and giving rise to new and exciting career paths. Instead of waiting for your results and attempting to get clarity thereafter, use this time to contact respected registered and accredited institutions that have shown themselves to be up to the task during 2020, and speak to a student advisor about your options.” It also makes sense to ensure that your computer skills – including old-fashioned typing skills – are up to the task ahead of you.  Anything you can do to make the transition easier will be very worth it in the long run, he says. “There is much that is outside all of our control right now. But there is still much that is within our control, and by focusing on what they can make happen instead of the many uncertainties that prevail, the Class of 2020 can continue to build on the resilience they displayed last year, and ensure the best possible outcomes for themselves in the face of any new or existing challenges we will face in the future.”

Parenting Hub

Here’s what to do if you’ve been retrenched

COVID-19 created unprecedented chaos for the global workforce, not just South Africa’s job market. If you have been retrenched due to the impact the pandemic had on your company, we have some practical suggestions that can help you tackle this problem. What should I do if I’ve been retrenched? The first step to take is to get all your paperwork in order so you can claim benefits like UIF. You might be upset with your boss about the whole situation, but it’s essential to keep a professional relationship with the company that retrenched you. You might need references from your managers and maintaining your network is important for searching for new employment opportunities. How soon can I search for a new job? Before you apply for a new job, make sure your CV is up to date. It needs to look professional while highlighting your skills and experience. If you apply for more than one job, tailor your cover letter for each application. Be open to roles that might not be a perfect fit but can help you stay afloat in the meantime. This is also an excellent time to consider what your passion is and which companies you’d ideally like to work for Is there something I can do while I search for work? Part-time jobs can be great sources of income while you’re searching for permanent employment. Adding this experience to your CV is also a great way to show potential employers that self-improvement and productivity are some of your strong points. You can also take an online course (or two) to learn valuable new skills while you’re not employed on a full-time basis yet. How can I stay positive if I’ve been retrenched? Right now, you need to focus on controlling what’s in your hands. Set achievable goals for every day so you’ll feel a sense of achievement at the end of the day. One of the best ways of staying mentally strong is exercise. It works your brain and body at the same time! When you exercise regularly, your body releases endorphins, which helps regulate stress. Fitness plays a crucial role in mental health, especially if you’re stressed and anxious. Need more help? Adzuna is here to help you during these challenging times by giving you access to the information you need most. Take a look at their blog to find the latest news on the SA job market. They also list all the jobs advertised online on one platform, making it easy for you to find the job of your dreams!

Impaq

Multigrade teaching made easy

In most mainstream schools, teachers tend to teach one subject to one grade – which generally consists of learners of around the same age – at a time. In smaller private or rural schools, however, there is a gradual shift to multigrade teaching, which essentially means teaching two or more grades in one class. Multigrade teaching is also the reality of many homeschool parents. Homeschool families vary in size and often have children across various grades, ranging from Grade R to 12. While the prospect of teaching children in multiple grades seems daunting, it is certainly doable.  If you are about to embark on your homeschooling journey, or if you are adding another learner to the mix in 2021, don’t fret. Multigrade teaching is not as difficult as you might think.   Tips for multigrade teaching Know your children: Every child is different. Some do best with every minute accounted for while others prefer a general list of daily activities; some need constant monitoring while others can be left to their own devices; some are energised in the early morning, while others do their best work after dinner. As a parent, you know your children better than anyone. When homeschooling more than one child, create a system that works based on each child’s ability to concentrate, preferences and learning abilities. You know what works best for you and your family. Schedule one-on-one time: With a multi-child and multi-grade setup, it is impossible to spend hours every day with each child. Instead, spend short blocks of one-on-one time with each child every day. Just 10 to 15 minutes of direct, focused instruction can be valuable, especially when you have a solid curriculum as guidance. Once you have taught one child a new concept or covered specific content, let him/her work on the rest independently while you spend time with the next child. However, be sure to cover everything your child can’t do independently during your one-on-one session. While waiting their turn, other children can do independent work, read quietly or aloud to one another, or practise other skills.    Encourage independence: Independent learning can help instil a sense of self-motivation, and responsibility in your children, so allow them to work independently as often as possible. While this may be easier with older children, there are plenty of learning activities younger ones can manage on their own, especially once they are able to read independently. It is vital, to check in when your children work on their own to ensure that any questions they might have or challenges they might face, are addressed to ensure that they stay on task. Use all available resources: When you homeschool, you should take advantage of the wealth of quality resources out there, many of which are available for free. Consider educational games, apps, online classes, documentaries, YouTube – the list is endless. In fact, there are a number of ways you can use screen time to your benefit. Also, keep in mind that there are learning opportunities everywhere and in everything, even in what may seem ordinary. Think cooking, gardening, and even shopping.  Be organised but not rigid:A well-planned and easy-to-follow schedule will ensure that your children know what is happening at different times of the day. This will make life easier for everyone. Remember though that in homeschooling, as in life, things don’t always go as planned. So, be sure to leave room in your schedule for the unexpected. Remember, structure gives children a sense of security. Advantages of multigrade teaching Research suggests that teaching children of different ages and abilities together offers a number of benefits. It fosters independence, encourages cooperation and collaboration, allows children to work at their own pace, promotes responsibility, and teaches organisational and time management skills. In addition, it enforces re-teaching, meaning that older children benefit as they listen in on lessons being given to younger ones. A review of basics concepts can reinforce and clarify a child’s understanding, even when they may be working at a more advanced level. It also exposes younger children to pre-teaching. By ‘eavesdropping’ on lessons and discussions, generates new knowledge and younger children can get a glimpse of what to expect when moving to higher grades.     Whether you have one child or many, one of the greatest benefits of home education is being able to do what works best for your family. So, consider these tips, then adjust accordingly. By Danielle Barfoot

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