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10 Reasons why colouring pages are healthy for your child’s development

Coloring pages is an awesome and fun activity for children, as well as for adults. Coloring in may seem like it is all fun and games but the truth is that coloring pages provides many benefits for healthy development for kids. This makes coloring pages an important part of your child’s development and education. If you are looking for some reasons to encourage your child to spend some time coloring pages look no further. **Disclosure – this post is sponsored by Top Coloring Pages. However the opinions expressed in this post are all my own.** Here are 10 reasons why coloring pages are vital for your child’s healthy development: Improves Hand Eye Coordination Hand eye coordination refers to your child’s ability to guide his or her hand guided by vision. It is so important for a child to develop good hand eye coordination skills and what better way to go about it than coloring pages? Your child will need to learn how to hold the pencil, how to sharpen the pencil and how to color in the lines. Improves Concentration Now I don’t know what your children are like but mine are like Gummi Bears… on speed. My daughter is all over the place – except when she is absorbed with coloring pages and drawing. She can sit for hours at a time with her pencils. Coloring pages teaches children to focus and concentrate on the task at hand which is going to be a very important skill needed for their years at school! Improves Handwriting Skills Long before your child starts writing or even drawing your child will start coloring in. The skills they need for coloring in are going to be the start of your child writing. Your child will need hand strength to start writing and to be able to hold the pencil correctly, as well as the hand eye coordination mentioned above. Improves Fine Motor Skills Fine motor skills are the small movements that your child makes such as picking small things up between his fingers and holding a spoon. Coloring pages will help your child to develop good fine motor skills which will help your child in other areas of his or life such as mastering a knife and fork or tying shoe laces. Improves Confidence and Self Esteem Coloring pages is an excellent activity to boost your child’s confidence and self esteem. Your child will quickly improve at coloring in and every project that is completed will give your child a sense of accomplishment. Boosts Creativity Your child will use his or her imagination when choosing colors and how to go about making their coloring pages vibrant. Your child will have to think about different color combinations and play around with what they enjoy. Coloring pages gives your child an amazing way to express himself. You will find your child’s personality shining through in his coloring pages making them uniquely his. Stress Relief and Relaxation Coloring pages are incredible for stress relief for children as well as for adults. Coloring in is very meditative and calming on the mind while at the same time keeping the mind busy in a creative way. Coloring pages are just plain fun, they bring enjoyment and increase happiness. Many people, including children, can develop negative habits and coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. Coloring pages are a great, healthy alternative to help with relieving stress and worries. Increased Knowledge Coloring pages are a fun and easy way for your child to learn new things. Your child can learn about colors, different shapes, animals, patterns and much more. You can find educational coloring pages to help your child learn about numbers, writing and many more things. You can get bible story coloring pages to help your child in bible studies and any other topic of interest that your child is learning about at the time. Boundaries and Structure Learning about boundaries is part of child development and coloring pages teaches youngsters structure with having to follow he rules of coloring in. A child must learn to color in the lines and to keep coloring in the same direction to create a neat and beautiful piece of art. School Preparation Coloring pages involves pencils and paper, just like school does. Children will be doing written work, essays and tests. Coloring pages lays down a good foundation for your child being familiar with and comfortable putting a pen to paper. The boundaries and structure that coloring provides will also help them to adjust easier to the structured work that can be expected in school. So as you can see there are loads of great reasons to get your kids coloring pages. You can even get yourself an adult coloring book and join in the fun with your kids. It will be a great for your own stress relief as well as provide a fun activity for you to bond with your children and spent some quality time with them. Let your kids have fun when they star coloring in, help them to choose coloring pages that inspire them like their favorite characters, famous people or animals they love. You can buy coloring books, or you can easily print coloring pages from the internet. Check out Top Coloring Pages for a wide variety of free coloring pages!

April 9, 2018

The power of skin-to-skin

During pregnancy, babies are as close to their moms as they can be – getting the warmth, food, protection and oxygen that they need from their mother’s body. Then, labour occurs, and babies suddenly find themselves without immediate access to those essential needs. It is not surprising that study after study has shown a host of benefits for babies who experience skin-to-skin care (sometimes called ‘kangaroo care’) with their mothers. When babies are held against their mother’s skin, it is the closest they can get to being back in the warmth and security of the womb. Huggies® expert and Childbirth educator, Lynne Bluff, sheds some light on the benefits of skin-to-skin. While most of the early research on skin-to-skin care is focused on the benefits of skin-to-skin care during the first hour or two after birth (often referred to as the “magical hour”), more recent studies show that skin-to-skin care boosts health well beyond the new-born’s first days. The power of touch is good for your baby – and good for you too. Whenever possible, mothers and babies should be in direct contact immediately after birth. When left uninterrupted the baby will pass through the nine instinctive stages where baby will move himself to the breast, find the nipple area, latch on and suckle all on his own – this is instinctive to a baby and will lead to more successful long-term breastfeeding. Long-term skin to skin can be done by mom or dad, when baby has on a nappy to prevent both of them being covered with wee and poo, but the rest of the baby is in the nude lying in direct contact with the bare chest of mom or dad and then covered with a shirt that ties the baby to mom or dad to keep them secure and in place while they can carry on the daily chores with baby attached to them. Huggies® Gold has a New Baby range which offers Huggies® Gold size 0, disposable nappy (for babies up to 4kg in weight) specifically designed for new-borns’ comfort and gentle skin protection. This nappy has special features that include an umbilical cord cut-out to allow for easier cleaning and protection of this delicate area, a wetness indicator that changes from yellow to green when the nappy is wet, fasten anywhere outer tabs to help provide the perfect fit; cottony soft breathable materials and a triple absorbent core with a quilted liner for optimal absorption and skin protection For skin-to-skin mom can also then wrap a shirt around the baby and her together keeping the baby in an upright position between her breasts. If the mother is unable to provide skin-to-skin care, due to labour or birth complications, then dad can step in. Within minutes, you will see the benefits of skin-to-skin care become evident as both mother and baby relax. The baby’s body temperature, breathing, and heart rate stabilize. Here are the five leading benefits of skin-to-skin care: Improvement in heart and lung function Babies go through a dramatic transition after birth as they prepare to take their first breaths of air outside the uterus. Those that experience skin-to-skin tend to adapt sooner than those who don’t. They also tend to have heart and breathing rates that are both more normal and stable. This benefit holds true with premature infants as well as those born full-term. Perhaps the mother’s heart sounds and breathing patterns are familiar to the baby after spending time in the womb. Stabilization of body temperature During pregnancy, a mother maintains her baby’s temperature by sweating when hot and shivering and moving around when cold. After birth, babies have yet to acquire that same ability, so they can’t adjust their own body temperature. In fact, when it comes to keeping a vulnerable new-born warm, a mother’s body is better than an artificial warmer. A mother who has just given birth has a chest temperature that is one degree warmer than normal and has the ability to raise itself by another 2 degrees or lower it by a degree in response to the temperature of her baby on her chest – this regulation occurs automatically by the mother’s body in response to her baby’s temperature. Transfer of good bacteria Babies get exposed to their mother’s bacteria through skin-to-skin contact after birth. Early exposure helps babies develop a range of healthy bacteria. Skin-to-skin contact also supports early breastfeeding. Some of the complex sugars in human milk are indigestible in new-borns, but they boost digestive function, and provide protection from harmful bacteria (pathogens). Experts believe these good bacteria may protect against allergic disease. Reduction in crying Studies show that babies who are held skin-to-skin, cry less than those separated from their mothers. Some refer to a new-born’s cry as a “separation distress call”. During the new-born period, most babies cease crying once reunited with their mothers. Mom and baby should not be separated at birth and should stay skin to skin as much as possible both day and night Relief from pain Studies of babies experiencing clinical procedures show that babies experience less pain when held skin-to-skin during (or even immediately following) the procedure and that the duration of the pain is shortened by the close contact. Skin-to-skin contact is also more beneficial than oral glucose (sugar water, a traditional solution) in relieving pain during a heel stick for blood sampling. The longer skin-to-skin lasts the better relief of pain symptoms. Enhancement of mom-baby communication The time after a baby’s birth provides an opportunity for parents to learn about their baby’s behaviour – signs of hunger, fullness, discomfort, and so on. Having the baby in close skin-to-skin contact helps to ensure that the mother will learn her baby’s signals sooner, improving communication, boosting maternal confidence as well as helping babies develop a sense of trust and security. Skin-to-skin care is a simple, easy method of caring for new-born babies. Hold your baby close and continue to greet your baby with a hug throughout

April 5, 2018

Vitamin B12 deficiency: A silent epidemic with serious consequences

Vitamin B12 deficiency isn’t a bizarre, mysterious disease. It’s written about in every medical textbook and its causes and effects are well-established in the scientific literature. However, B12 deficiency is far more common than most health care practitioners and the general public realise. Research suggests that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 years have vitamin B12 levels in the low normal range – a range at which many individuals experience neurological symptoms. Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency are easily mistaken for signs of other ailments. If you’re feeling more anxious, tired, or worn out than usual, a B12 deficiency may be to blame. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful, so keep reading for some insight. WHAT DOES VITAMIN B12 DO? Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and is also the only B vitamin that is almost exclusively found in animal foods. The human body needs vitamin B12 (together with folate) to make red blood cells, DNA and help promote healthy function of nerves. In addition, B12 is one of the vitamins responsible for a well-functioning metabolism and robust energy levels. Like most vitamins, B12 can’t be made by the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food or supplements. And therein lies the problem: Some people don’t consume enough vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others can’t absorb enough, no matter how much they take in. The absorption of B12 is also complex and involves several steps – each of which can go wrong. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common. WHO IS AT RISK FOR B12 DEFICIENCY? There are many causes for vitamin B12 deficiency. In general, the following groups are at greatest risk for a deficiency: Vegetarians and vegans Because B12 is not generally found in plant-based foods, vegetarians are at risk for B12 deficiencies. This explains why studies consistently demonstrate that up to 50% of long-term vegetarians and 80% of vegans are deficient in B12. People aged 60 or over The condition is more likely to occur in older people due to the cutback in stomach acid production that often occurs with ageing, making it harder to absorb this vitamin. It has been estimated to affect about 40% of people over 60 years of age. It’s entirely possible that at least some of the symptoms we attribute to “normal” ageing – such as memory loss, cognitive decline, decreased mobility, etc. – are at least in part caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. People who regularly use PPIs or acid suppressing drugs If you take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) e.g. omeprazole (antacid or heartburn drugs) you may be at risk for B12 deficiency. These drugs reduce acid production in the stomach and acid is needed to absorb vitamin B12. Medical conditions Conditions that interfere with food absorption, such Coeliac or Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bacterial overgrowth (intestinal dysbiosis), atrophic gastritis (thinning of stomach lining) or gut inflammation, pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition where the body destroys intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of B12) can cause B12 trouble. Certain medications Use of some commonly prescribed drugs such as metformin (insulin resistance and diabetes), or anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin may cause a B12 deficiency. Heavy drinkers or alcoholism Drinking alcohol, even in moderation (more than one alcoholic drink a day), can have profound effects on the way your body absorbs vitamin B-12. Genetic variations Common genetic variations may interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, and subsequently levels of the vitamin in the blood. Weight loss surgery People who have stomach stapling or other forms of weight-loss surgery are also more likely to be low in vitamin B12 because the operation interferes with the body’s ability to extract vitamin B12 from food. SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly. A vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in four stages. Stage 1 – beginning with declining blood levels of the vitamin Stage 2 – progressing to low B12 levels within the body’s cells Stage 3 – increased blood level of homocysteine and reduced ability to repair and produce DNA Stage 4 – finally, macrocytic anaemia Anemia A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anaemia (low red blood cell production). Red blood cells carry oxygen all over the body. When the body does not produce enough red blood cells, the amount of available oxygen in the body, decreases as well. B12-related anaemia can cause many other issues, including: Extreme Fatigue: It’s normal to get tired during the day if you didn’t sleep well the night before, just ate a large meal, or completed strenuous exercise. But it isn’t normal to experience an overwhelming fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. Muscle Weakness: You might experience soreness after a hard workout for a day or two, but if your muscles feel like you just ran a marathon after a simple activity like brushing your hair, you may be anaemic. Heart Palpitations: Feel a flutter in your chest? You could be experiencing heart palpitations due to decreased oxygen circulation. Breathlessness: Breathlessness is normal after activity, but if you find yourself short of breath during rest, it’s an indicator that something’s not right. Just like heart palpitations, anaemia can cause breathlessness due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Pale Skin: Red blood cells are responsible for the rosy colour in our cheeks. When red blood cell production decreases—as it does in anaemic individuals—the skin becomes pale and colourless. Pins-and-Needles Sensation You know the pins-and-needles sensation you often get when your foot falls asleep? This sensation is called peripheral neuropathy and can be linked to nerve damage caused by a B12 deficiency. According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, a B12 deficiency damages the sheath that surrounds and protects nerves, resulting in an unpleasant and sometimes painful tingling sensation. Other diseases such as diabetes can

April 5, 2018

5 Signs baby is tired

If you know the signs baby is tired before he gets over-tired it will make things much easier for you. Trying to put an over-tired baby to sleep is not easy! 5 Signs Baby is Tired ( 3 months – 1 year old): Fussing, whining, crying, screaming Rubbing eyes and/ or nose Pulling ears and/ or hair Yawning Loss of co-ordination (bumping into things, falling over, spilling things more easily) Click here for the signs baby is tired (0 – 3 months old).

March 29, 2018

Thinking about the new baby

I have been trying to prepare my 20 month old daughter for the fact that there is a new baby on the way,of course she doesn’t understand what I mean. I showed her my tummy and explained that there is a baby growing in there. She then rubbed my tummy, said baby and kissed my tummy. She now does it a few times a day and is quite determined to keep pulling my top up so she can see my tummy and kiss the baby. This is of course adorable behaviour BUT a few weeks ago when I collected her from the day mother there was a 3 month old baby there for the day. The day mother was getting my daughter’s things together and this little baby starts crying, I did what any mom would do and picked him up and rubbed his back as it seemed he had a wind. My daughter immediately fell on the floor in a crumpled heap and started screaming and thrashingaround. I got the fright of my life and it took a minute for me to realise that it is because I am holding a baby. I put the baby down and my daughter came over immediately and sat on me with a look that said “This is MY MOM”…. It was at this point I started thinking things might not be smooth sailing and that I will need to start thinking very carefully how I am going to get my girl adjusted to being the big sister. Up until this point I was thinking that I have done this before, I have been pregnant, been through a long hard labour and had an emergency c-section. I have coped with the pain of that and the tiredness looking after a newborn…. now I realise I have not done this at all. I have not had a demanding toddler and a newborn. Something that is driving me crazy at the moment is that my girl climbs all over me, elbowing me in my sore preggie boobs, jumping on my stomach and bouncing on the bed while I am trying my best not to vomit. I am now having visions of trying to juggle a newborn and my demanding toddler, I can see her climbing on me and sticking her pointy little toes into my c-section cut. I can’t even wash a few disheswithout my daughter throwing a tantrum because I am not paying attention to her, how am I going to sit down and breastfeed a baby? When I was pregnant with my daughter I did 2 birth preparation courses, saw a doctor as soon as I found out I was pregnant, went racing to see a gyni and a midwife and started reading all the books I could on pregnancy, child birth, caring for a newborn…. everything I could find. I followed my pregnancy week by week in my books and online. Looking back I think I was quite obsessed. This time I felt a bit bad because when I found out I was pregnant the only reason I saw a gyni was to figure out what on earth happened to my IUD. I haven’t been for a scan yet or a gyni visit and I haven’t read anything. The only thing I did was get some pregnancy vitamins and carry on with life as normal. This pregnancy is already very different to my first. In my first pregnancy I had no problems except a bit of fatigue which I thought at the time was bad, but no morning sickness or dizziness. This pregnancy has already been quite hard on me, I have had morning sickness (which by the way is a STUPID name for this symptom….. it’s all day sickness), dizziness and real fatigue. By real fatigue I mean that I am tired and added into that is a demanding toddler and the fact that I can’t just lie down and rest when I want to. I am responsible for another little being that needs a good healthy meal cooked every day, she needs clean clothes, her nappies changed, she needs to be bathed and she needs her teeth brushed. She is also stripping all day every day and when I try and dress her it can be so demanding on me that I am tempted to just leave her and let her run around starkers in the freezing cold. I am dreading the rest of this pregnancy as I remember just about to the day I started my 2nd trimester the “heartburn” hit… I put that in inverted comma’s because yes it was bad heartburn to me when it started but it was nothing compared to the 3rd trimester heartburn. And what to say about the 3rd trimester? It was a living hell. I had I think every possible pregnancy symptom. I had pelvic pain so bad that I could barely walk at times, I was peeing in my pants if I coughed or sneezed or laughed. I had “morning sickness” all through the 3rdtrimester and of course when I vomited I also peed in my pants. Charming isn’t it? One thing that might be different this time though is that I gained about 35kgs when I was pregnant and in the 3rd trimester I could barely move. I doubt during this pregnancy I will be given the opportunity even for 5 minutes to sit and do nothing so hopefully I won’t get so huge. So what started off as me wondering how I am going to handle a new baby and a toddler I am now wondering how I will handle the rest of my pregnancy and a toddler! I am 11 weeks and waiting eagerly for the nausea to stop and when that stops the heartburn will probably hit me. I am going for my first scan in 1 week and maybe just maybe we will find out if we are having a girl or boy. With my

March 29, 2018

Teaching table manners

Teaching table manners is something vital in my home. I’m not a mom that has loads of rules and I am quite flexible with a lot of things, but one thing that was enforced by my mother in my childhood was sitting down at the table as a family for every meal. We used to beg her all the time to sit in front of the tv with our plates on our lap. The odd times she did allow this is was a great treat! Looking back I realise that at the time I thought it was a stupid rule: to always sit as a family at the table for supper. There were times when we all sat at the table stony faced and angry because of a family tiff (either between siblings or with my mom), nobody speaking and death looks being passed around. Strange how things turned around when I first became a mom! I now look back at this simple rule and remember the wonderful family meals we had, especially when we got older and everyone was off on their own daily missions but at the end of the day we all came together for that one meal, to connect. I thank my mom for having the wisdom to do something so simple for us as a family. When my daughter was born I told my husband that it is very important to me that we get a table and sit for dinner together which he thought was strange. He was not very impressed either when I told him that part of this family dinner rule is that the tv is turned off as we have an open plan house! Not only does it bring the family together, it is also a very good opportunity to teach my children basic manners. It is also the start of teaching my children the importance of helping around the house and doing their bit. Here are the basic rules we follow: Wash hands before coming to the table. My 3 year old is responsible for setting the table. No toys at the table. No phones, iPads, laptops, books at the table. No throwing or grabbing of food. No banging utensils. No spitting food out. Stay seated at the table for the entire meal. No yelling or loud noises at the table. Asking to be excused from the table. Using the words “please” and “thank you”. Saying thank you for the meal. My 3 year old and I clear the table at the end of every meal. If you are religious it is a great opportunity to say grace together with your family before your meal. What do you do for family meal times?

March 29, 2018

How long should my baby sleep?

It is every mom’s question: How long should my baby sleep Babies needs change constantly, find below a guideline for how much sleep your baby needs at his age. AGE NIGHT TIME SLEEP DAY TIME SLEEP TOTAL SLEEP 1 month 8 hrs 8 hrs (inconsistent) 16 hrs 3 months 10 hrs 5 hrs (3 naps) 15 hrs 6 months 11 hrs 3 1/4 hrs (2 naps 14 1/4 hrs 9 months 11 hrs 3 hrs (2 naps) 14 hrs 12 months 11 1/4 hrs 2 1/2 hrs (1 – 2 naps) 13 3/4 hrs 18 months 11 1/4 hrs 2 1/4 hrs (1 nap) 13 1/2 hrs 2 years 11 2 hrs (1 nap) 13 hrs 3 years 10 1/2 1 1/2 hrs (1 nap) 12 hrs Find out how to get your baby into a routine in 5 easy steps and check how long your baby should be awake in between naps.

March 28, 2018

COSATTO- Saving the world from boring baby stuff once again with the Zoomi Car Seat

Just when you thought Cosatto couldn’t outdo themselves in terms of making baby travel gear better, they have now released a car seat that not only has the most stylish look, but offers the ultimate ‘anti-escape’ system to keep baby safe on the roads. Cosatto brings a thrill of colour, pattern and quirky design to the world of baby stuff. They believe that every newborn needs a brilliant fanfare of joy and colour – and that’s just for starters. They believe every newborn also needs to be celebrated with maximum joy and colour. The business of ‘saving the world from boring baby stuff’ is about their stuff being the best. “It’s about the service you receive, being the best. We’re parents too and expect the same as you. We want to bring you the moon on a stick”, say this quirky company. And this is where we welcome the new Cosatto Zoomi car seat into the South African market. Protect your wide-eyed wanderer with these stunning any-age, any-stage adjustable car seats. State-of-the-art safety kit developed above and beyond, these toughies know how to cuddle. Grrrr… a kid’s gotta get from A to B – places to go, people to see. The Zoomi is the daddy of child car seats. With sturdy support and unique safety features, this anti escape beauty is a handsome high-backed seat that is good at literally everything. Some of the reasons to invest in the Zoomi: Converts from baby hugger through to booster seat for big kids. 9kgs – 36kgs. Grows on the Go – No need to buy separates. From small to tall, Zoomi’s there for the full journey – cuddling away, forward facing, fitting front and rear seats. Adjustable – With booster seat conversion, 2-part reversible seat liner with grow-how for extended cuddling and a 5 position head rest – Zoomi’s a growing pillar of security. Padded Protector – With tummy pad and chest pads plus comfy padded armrests, Removable washable covers. Snug Security – Bringing a five-point safety harness with quick release buckle for home time plus layers of padding around a tough core. And……… JUST LOOK AT THEM! But let’s talk about the revolutionary anti-escape system that has set the bar higher on car seats. Research has shown that more than 70% of children wriggle out of car seat harnesses, risking severe injury. That’s unacceptable – but Cosatto have built the solution. The Anti-Escape System has been built alongside the makers of the original, award-winning ‘5 point plus’ harness system and in tests, 9 out of ten children could not wriggle out of the Cosatto anti-Escape System – now that’s a result! With two new designs on the market, the Zoomi is now available in South Africa through www.takealot.com, Hamleys Eastgate, Sandton, Menlyn, Mall Of Africa, ww.loot.co.za, Me Mom and Dad Greenstone , www.thebabyzone.co.za , www.purplepepperz.com , Greendot Baby Hurlingham Manor for the suggested price of R6999.00. Invest in a life of safety swag for your little one today!

March 26, 2018

How long should my baby be awake for between naps?

When my babies were young I was concerned so much how long my baby should sleep and how many naps he or she should have. Things got a lot easier with routine when I realised that the length of time in between naps is really important too! Time Awake in between Naps is vital to your baby’s routine How long baby is awake in between naps is very important, if you try and put your baby down to sleep before he is ready he won’t sleep and if you wait until he is overtired you might struggle to get him to sleep. Watch out for signs of tiredness and use the following guidelines for how much awake time your baby needs: AGE AWAKE TIME LENGTH Birth – 6 weeks 45 – 60 mins 6 weeks – 3 months 1 – 2 hrs 3 – 6 months6 – 9 months 2 – 2 1/2 hrs 6 – 9 months 2 1/2 – 3 hrs 9 – 12 months 3 – 4 hrs Here are 5 Steps to get your baby into a routine that you might find very helpful. How long is your baby awake in between naps?

March 23, 2018

Learning to love your postpartum body

We know that it is so tough to love your body in the shape that it is in postpartum but in saying that, you’ve just birthed and grown a child. HELLO AMAZING MOMMY BODY!!! Self-love starts and ends in your headspace – something I used to remind myself all the time, is that not all skinny girls are happy. Skinny doesn’t equal happiness; rather happiness is birthed within, in a space where we dedicate our energy to love on our bodies by making healthy choices, and thinking healthy thoughts!!! 3 EASY habits to help you love your body postpartum: Write an inspiring self-love quote on your mirror and read it out aloud everyday. While this may seem pointless, remember that it is through repetition that your brain picked up on ‘hating’ your body, it didn’t happen overnight; the same goes for rewiring our brains to look for the positive. PLUS, a positive self image fuels a healthy lifestyle, meaning that by thinking better thoughts about yourself, you automatically are more likely to make better health choices and avoid self sabotaging and opening the biscuit jar (again). Rub-a-dub-dub Putting cream/lotion on your body after your daily bath/shower is a beautiful self-respect practice that encourages your brain to focus on caring for your body rather than rejecting it. Your weight distribution is different postpartum and that is something to come to grips with. This habit of putting cream on my whole body everyday had such a positive effect on me (Kit) loving my new postpartum body, especially in those early few weeks when you still look pregnant. Make a conscious choice to get active Over the first 6 weeks of returning home with a newborn, your baby should be your primary focus, not your body. In saying this, staying hydrated and making healthy food choices will likely keep your blood sugar levels up leaving you feeling better and with more energy. But if you get the ALL CLEAR at your 6 week gynae check-up, then we really encourage moms to get active as soon as possible. This is NOT about becoming body-obsessed, but rather making a decision to dedicate a few minutes to a light home workout or heading out to the gym, if you’re up for that and beginning to get back in touch with your body! Our mommy workout plans are perfect for this.

March 22, 2018

What are the early signs of autism in children

Almost every mom gets herself into a twist if her baby or child is not reaching milestones according to the so called norm, wanting to know if her child is just late to reach those milestones or if there may be a more serious cause for this. While the majority of babies and children reach their milestones at the average age, there will be some babies that reach their milestones much earlier and some that just lag behind the rest. There is usually no need for alarm, they are just late bloomers and will get there in their own time. What is important to look out for is that your baby or child is developing and gaining new skills, even if they are a little slow to reach milestones. Some babies will start crawling late, or not even at all, yet start walking earlier than the norm. If your baby is making progress overall then chances are there is nothing to be concerned about. That said if you are concerned about anything it is best to take your baby for a check up since if there is any sort of developmental delay or disability it is always best to know about it as early as possible. Early diagnosis means that interventions with autism doctors and specialists can be implemented and outcomes can be improved drastically. You will also need to learn about special needs parenting and how you can help your child. Complex disorders of brain development are now classified under the broad terms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Autism. This means that autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome all fall under the broad spectrum of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. If your child does have autism it will make the world of difference if you can start behavioral therapy before 18 months of age. What makes this tricky is that very often the most obvious signs and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between the ages of two and three years old. According to Connecticut & Golf Coast ADHD Associates: Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong conditions with no known cure. However, children with ASD can progress developmentally and learn new skills. Some children may improve so much that they no longer meet the criteria for ASD, although milder symptoms may often persist. What are Early Signs of Autism in Children? The earliest signs of autism in children involve the absence of normal behaviors as opposed to the presence of abnormal behaviors. Since autistic babies are very often quiet and undemanding parents may think that they have an easy baby and not realize that there is a problem. It is very common for autistic babies to not respond to cuddling, not reach out to be picked up and not to make eye contact with anyone. Early signs that your baby may have autism are when your baby or toddler does not: follow objects or your movements visually, or does not visually follow where you point use gestures to communicate such as waving goodbye or pointing respond to the sound of your voice or respond to being called by name make eye contact with you reach out to you when being picked up respond to or initiate cuddling make noises to grab your attention play with other people show enjoyment or interest imitate facial expressions and gestures care or even seem to notice if you get hurt or are upset in any way The following symptoms are cause for concern, so you should take your baby to be evaluated: No big smiles or signs of happiness and enjoyment by the age of 6 months Does not interact by sharing sounds and smiles, and imitating of other facial expressions by 9 months old Your baby does not respond to his or her name by one year old Your baby does not make any noises or “baby talk” by one year old Your baby does not make any gestures such as waving, pointing. reaching or showing by one year old Your baby does not speak any words by 16 months old Your baby does not speak any meaningful two word phrases that are not imitating or repeating by two years old While some babies and toddlers just develop later than others, if you are worried about anything take your child to be checked out. It is better to be safe than sorry later on, especially since the younger the child is when autism is diagnosed the better. It is also vital as a mother or father to trust your own instincts, so get a second opinion from a child development specialist if you are not sure about a diagnosis. As children get older the signs for autism become more diversified and noticeable. Impaired social skills, non-verbal communication difficulties, inflexible behavior and speech and language difficulties are typical signs of autism.

March 22, 2018

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CO-SLEEPING WITH YOUR NEW BORN?

Co-sleeping is often thought to be synonymous with bed sharing – also known as letting baby sleep in the same bed with you. But co-sleeping can also mean putting baby to sleep in the same room as you but in a separate bed. If your baby is six months or younger, experts recommend that healthy infants be placed on their backs for sleep, as this is the safest position for an infant to sleep. Putting your baby to sleep on his back decreases his chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This applies to daytime naps as well as during the night. Huggies® expert and midwife, Lynne Bluff, sheds some light on some of the benefits of co-sleeping with a newborn baby. Remember for the first three to four months of life it is recommended to have skin to skin between baby and mom and dad, as much as possible. Skin to skin is when baby only has nappy on and no clothes. Baby is then placed against mom’s bare chest (skin to skin) and baby is wrapped with a shirt or blanket against mom’s or dad’s chest. Many parents choose to co-sleep with baby because it allows for more skin to skin contact. There are many benefits to co-sleeping! Here are some benefits of keeping baby close: Babies naturally fall into a daytime and night time pattern: it isn’t uncommon for new-borns to mix up their days and nights. Many babies sleep extra soundly throughout the day but can be restless or wakeful much of the night. Keeping baby close during the day with lights and noise around can eventually help baby stay a bit more alert in the daytime. Keeping baby close at night, meeting their needs with a quiet and dim environment, can help them learn to rest more at night. Babies also rest more soundly when they feel secure. Co-sleeping helps babies practice rousing themselves: while having your new-born falling into and staying in a deep sleep might sound appealing, it isn’t the type of sleep they were designed to have. Co-sleeping babies are frequently aroused when close with their moms. This practice rousing can help babies learn to use their self-preservation instinct to rouse when there’s any danger such as being overheated, being too cold or something blocking their airway. Being able to easily rouse may reduce the risk of SIDS. Meet baby’s needs without getting up: Most babies need to be fed, soothed and changed at night. If baby is close by, mom can do all of these things while in bed and remaining in a restful state. Getting out of bed, walking down the hall, changing nappies on the changing pad, feeding in a glider and soothing baby back to sleep requires being fully awake and alert. Experience less night time crying: babies sleep well when they feel secure. Knowing mom is close will likely help baby sleep better and fuss less. Moms that co sleep are able to notice earlier signs of hunger and needing to be changed. Often mom can wake during these early signs and meet baby’s needs before they begin to cry. When you co sleep there is less trying to get baby to settle down to sleep before laying them down. This often means less crying. You aren’t likely to have an overtired baby fussing and protesting being laid down in their cot to sleep. Co-sleeping helps with bonding and secure attachment: a secure attachment between baby and caregiver is an emotional bond that leaves baby feeling secure and cared for. This secure attachment, fostered infancy, translates to a child feeling secure and knowing their caregiver will always return to meet their needs. Children with a secure attachment often respond appropriately to situations, show minimal distress when their mother leaves, and are happy when their mother returns. Co-sleeping helps with maintaining an adequate milk supply: feeding on demand helps moms maintain an adequate milk supply. Breast milk production is a supply and demand process. Babies are designed to eat frequently at night and co sleeping helps to make it easier for mom and baby to meet this need. Co-sleeping can mean better rest for mom: moms, not just babies, are wired for closeness. Studies show that new moms do not experience a better quality of sleep if their babies go to the nursery at night. Co-sleeping may not guarantee more sound sleep for every mom, but many report sleeping better knowing baby is safe and close by. Moms also release oxytocin when close to their babies. Oxytocin improves sleep quality and it’s also great for breastfeeding. As your baby grows, he may not want to sleep all night, every night, with you. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll eventually find a method that works for you, your partner, and your baby.

March 21, 2018

7 Reasons babies cry

Understanding the reasons babies cry can make this mommy business just that little bit easier. 1. Hunger Baby has different cries for different reasons, you will get to know these cries over time. Until then look for signs baby is hungry before he starts crying such as fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth. 2. Dirty Nappy Simple and easy to check. 3. Tired Look out for cues baby is tired before he starts crying such as a glazed stare, rubbing eyes, yawning, seeking comfort by sucking or feeding, pulling ears or hair 4. Temperature Baby should have one more layer of clothing than you. Feel the back of your baby’s neck to check if there is a temperature. 5. Uncomfortable or in Pain Tummy troubles such as constipation can be the cause of lots of crying, especially if it is straight after a feed. Keep baby upright for a while after a feed and rubbing or patting his back. It could also be something small like something poking him, check his clothing for anything that could be bothering him. 6. Over or Under Stimulated Babies can struggle to process all the stimulation (being passed around, bright light, too much noise) and they cry to say they have had enough. A “demanding” baby might love to be active and entertained and by staying active you can avoid baby crying although this can be very tiring. 7. Wants to be Held Babies need lots of physical closeness and comfort, especially the first few months. Here are some great ways to soothe a crying baby. If your baby cries for prolonged periods of time and there appears to be no reason for it, then your baby may have colic.

March 20, 2018

5 Ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy

Contrary to what many believe, bonding with your child begins while it is still in the womb. In the early months of pregnancy, bonding can be a bit difficult because you aren’t able to feel the kicks or see little more than a blob on the ultrasound; however as the mother’s bump grows and the child along with it, the unconditional love and devotion all parents feel towards their children can begin developing. Bonding with your unborn baby is necessary and should be done with both parents around if possible. Mothers generally bond more while the child is in the womb simply because they are carrying it and can feel the subtle movements and enjoy the unexplainable feeling of content knowing that their child is growing within them, however the fathers should as well. Ways To Bond With Your Baby During Pregnancy 1. Massaging Massaging the bump is a great way to bond between the parents and the unborn child. With various aromatic oils and lotions, parents can massage the mothers belly as it begins to grow. Many women do this regardless in an attempt to prevent those unsightly stretch marks, so why not make it a family ritual? The smells from the oils and lotions is very relaxing and can create a fantastic atmosphere for bonding. 2. Singing and talking There are actually devices out there that attach to the stomach from a small microphone so that the unborn child can begin to enjoy the relaxing sound of its parent’s voices. From singing lullaby’s (something parents should get used to from a very early start), to simply talking about day to day business or reading a book out loud, any communication between the parents and the child helps strengthen the bond. 3. Classes Attending various classes is a fantastic way for both parents to bond with the child and prepare for its arrival. Birthing classes will show the dad and mom how to handle the labour, how to breathe during the process, how to cope with the pain during labour and what to expect. Parenting classes are a great tool for first time parents to learn how to properly swaddle a child, the basics of breast feeding, and other essentials for the newborn baby. Preparation and understanding is what these classes teach, and it will be a phenomenal tool for parents as they experience the joys of their upcoming child together. 4. Go for walks Walking is a fantastic way to not only prepare your body physically for labor (and to speed it along if you’re past your due date), but also to bond. Whether its just mommy walking, or if dad is coming along to, walking gives you some quiet relaxation time to clear your mind and simply just focus on the “now”. 5. Scans Perhaps one of the best bonding experiences for parents and their unborn child is the scans. Scans make the baby so much more real, allows you to actually see what the child looks like, and you can take a photo home and keep it in a safe place. There are various types of scans that can be taken at varying weeks during the pregnancy. The early pregnancy scan is just to confirm that the mother is pregnant and that the unborn child is viable. After that, a gender scan is done (typically between 20-35 weeks) – this is optional, but most parents opt to know their childs gender to continue bonding with it more and prepare for its arrival with gender specific decorations and clothing. Another scan is the 3D/4D ultrasound and this is truly an experience parents will enjoy. You should typically have this scan done between 20-35 weeks as well. You shouldn’t wait too long for this scan as your child won’t have enough room within the womb for a really clear and great photo of the scan, however you still want to have your child with all of its facial features and digits developed. The bonding process between parents and the unborn child can begin from the very day that the woman knows she’s pregnant. Between belly rubs, parenting classes, and general communication with the child, the bond will strengthen and grow as the bump gets larger and the due date quickly approaches. Always make sure that the father is included in the bonding experience as much as possible because it will truly bring a family so much closer and create a very relaxed atmosphere for the child. What are the ways you bonded with your baby during pregnancy? Leave a comment below to join the discussion.

March 20, 2018

Heads up on infant health ahead of taps running dry

When the dam levels reach 13.5%, the city will begin to shut down its reticulation system in residential areas, which essentially means the taps will run dry. Day Zero, currently earmarked for mid-May 2018, has serious ramifications for the city, which has already been declared a disaster area and it’s close to 4 million residents. ‘We have been inundated with advice about water saving tips,’ says Gerhard Van Emmenis, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund, ‘and, as a medical scheme entrusted with taking care of our members wellbeing, we felt compelled to do our bit to help our members and the citizens of Cape Town with advice around health issues during a drought, especially for the more vulnerable such as infants and the elderly. ‘We have researched the potential health risks in the time of a water crisis and compiled easy to follow guidelines. Even before taps are turned off, when clean drinking water is not readily available there is a high risk of some diseases which, as a health care community, we need to anticipate and mitigate.’ In the case of infants (aged under 3 years), advice from the Bonitas Babyline team is as follows: Care should be taken to adequately sterilise bottles and pacifiers. In the current heat, any formula or milk left in the bottle after a feed should be discarded if not consumed immediately. Parents should take care to make just enough for baby for each feed Make sure your child has enough water to drink and is well hydrated. Children often do not realise they are thirsty and play in the heat. Ensure your child drinks water often With water restrictions, children are prone to bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. Ensuring the skin is cleaned as thoroughly as possible every day will help prevent these infections The single biggest threat to child health with water restrictions is from gastro-enteritis. Make sure food is prepared as hygienically as possible and reduce the amount of bought cold foods and salads in the child’s diet. Cooked foods served fresh are best. Here are 10 tips to help you stay healthy ahead of the taps being turned off Boil water or use water purification tablets for the rain water we are able to capture. However, preferably use this for flushing the toilet, not for drinking. Use Milton to add to water to wash raw veggies – with the listeriosis outbreak as well as the possibility of a Hepatitis A outbreak we can’t afford not to wash our fresh produce! Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or wet wipes to keep hands clean (and hand cream because that stuff gets pretty harsh after a while!). Bicarb and vinegar are excellent for cleaning especially as it doesn’t destroy water for grey use. Dodgy tummy prep: Rehydrate, probiotics and medicine for stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Use vinegar in the toilet and drains to help with any odours and bacteria. Clean with micro-fibre cloths or rags as sponges become unsanitary. It’s far easier to clean cloths and hanging them up immediately can delay them smelling. You can also throw rags away. Alternatively wipe down surfaces using wet wipes. Stock up on bottled water exclusively for drinking while water stations are being sorted out. The recommendation is 5 litres a day and to have four days’ worth of fresh water per person. Do not drink non-potable water (gray water). This water should also not be used for cooking. Vaccinate against Hepatitis A if you have never been vaccinated (especially healthcare workers, communal food handlers, patients in long-term care facilities and immune-compromised people.) Mental illnesses such as increased anxiety, depression and even suicide can be managed with the right help. If you, your family and especially your infant have any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor for an assessment sooner rather than later. ‘We know it is a difficult time for Capetonians’ says Van Emmenis, ‘it is stressful trying to save as much water as possible while trying to remain healthy through this time. But help is at hand, the local authorities and medical professionals are on high alert and standby to assist and, for Bonitas members, we also have our Babyline – 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, or health related issues, 24/7, 365 days of the year.’ The Babyline service is available to members across all Bonitas plans, for children under 3 years. Parents simply need to call the Babyline on 0860 999 121.

March 15, 2018

5 Steps to getting baby into a routine

Getting your baby into routine can make all the difference to your life when you have a young baby. Being able to plan your days makes everything so much easier. Just remember that a newborn baby won’t follow a routine. A newborn will sleep for about 2 hours and wake up for feeds and a nappy change before going back to sleep. It is only when your baby starts having more awake time that you can start with a routine. Follow these steps to get your baby into a routine: 1. Night Routine Start with a basic night time routine by doing the same thing at the same time every evening. For example every night at 6h15pm play with baby, then bath him at 6h30pm and then swaddle him and breastfeed or give bottle before putting him down to sleep. 2. First Morning Nap Watch your baby during the day for a while and see when he starts getting tired every morning, it should be around the same time. Start putting your baby down at the same time every morning. This should be baby’s longest day nap. 3. Awake Time See how much awake time your baby should need at his age and keep him awake for approximately that amount of time watching for signs of tiredness. Do more stimulating activities (shopping trips, visiting friends, games etc) with baby when he first wakes up and quieter, more calming activities (a walk in the pram) for just before his next nap when he is tired. 4. Second & Third Day Naps Depending on baby’s age he may need up to 3 naps during the day. Follow the same procedures in steps 2 & 3 to find the best times for these naps. Baby’s 2nd nap should be shorter than his 1st and if he has a 3rd nap it could be as short as 20 minutes. 5. Once you have baby’s sleep routine times you can slot in activities and feeding times to suit. Try and plan trips around his nap times and activity times as baby will often fall asleep in the car and this can throw his routine out the window for the day! Be prepared that not every day will work out according to “plan”. Little things to remember: A new born will most likely not fit into a full routine no matter how hard you try! You can possibly start the night time routine from birth but just go with the flow for the rest until about 3 months of age. The first few months are usually just a whirlwind of 2 hour naps day and night, nappy changes, feedings, burpings… relax and things will sort itself out in time. All babies are different, use the information as a guideline and adjust as needed to suit yourself and your baby Remember babies needs change all the time so refer back as soon as baby’s routine goes haywire (which it will!), as baby gets older he will need more awake time and less naps and you will need to adjust your routine to suit his needs. Every time there is a routine change it is usually a rocky week or two! Is your baby in a routine?

March 13, 2018

11 Common teething symptoms

Are you struggling with your baby? Check these common teething symptoms to see if teething is responsible: Drooling Swollen Gums Chewing on anything and everything (including hands) Loss of Appetite High Temperature (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Runny Stools (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Runny nose (although some professionals say this is not due to teething) Diaper Rash (caused by runny stools) Irritability & fussiness Sleep Problems Sore ears (rubbing and pulling at ears)

March 9, 2018

3 Signs your baby is going through a growth spurt

Here are the Signs your Baby is going through a Growth Spurt: Your baby wants to eat nonstop Your baby will be up more often at night and have short day naps, but have sleep more in total Your baby will be crankier than usual Click here for an explanation of a growth spurt. Click here to read the common ages baby goes through a growth spurt in the first year.

March 6, 2018

The Importance of tummy time

Why is tummy time important? For strengthening the back muscles to assist later on with sitting. To strengthen the neck muscles. It is essential for the development of proper head control, as well as for the development of good postural control of the rest of the body. Helps babies learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl, and pull to a stand. Tummy time lays the foundation for the development of appropriate gross and fine motor coordination in childhood. When to start: You can start tummy time from birth – with your newborn lying skin to skin on your chest. From about one month old they can be placed in this position on their own and they will slowly start developing more head and neck control as well as back and shoulder stability which will eventually allow for reaching. Care should be taken when they are still young and battle with head control. No pillows should be used. It is wise to be with your baby when you place him on his tummy so that you can ensure that he does not smother. Always do this during the day when you can keep an eye on them. As his back and shoulder muscles continue to strengthen, he will begin to push up with his forearms resting on this floor. This position continues to strengthen shoulder muscles in preparation for crawling. How to do it: Let your baby lie on a firm, but soft surface, such as a soft carpet or a mattress. Generally, babies tend not to like being on their tummies, and need to have you around to distract them a little. If they fuss and cry when on their tummies, help them get used to it by putting them on your stomach either on the floor or on a reclining chair. The best distraction you have is yourself – get on the floor with them – babies love it when you are on their level. Sing them nursery rhymes, play peek-a-boo or move their favourite toy in front of them to get their eyes to track it or to get them to reach for it. Place a mirror in front of them so that they can look at themselves. Swish your baby through the air to music, supporting him with your arms and hands under his body and chest. Lie baby across a beach ball or exercise ball, or a rolled up sleeping-bag, and rock him gently to and fro and sideways: this will also stimulate his vestibular (balance) system and help him get used to being in different positions. Just remember to start with short, frequent periods in this position and your baby will slowly develop endurance and tolerance for being on their tummies.

March 2, 2018

Must a childminder have twin experience to care for twins?

It is fair to say that just about all baby related business’s prey on new parents who are expecting multiples as they see this as an easy way to make more money. They will often mislead multiple parents into believing that if they pay a higher premium for something they will be getting a better service, or a better product etc. This is not always the case. When it comes to childcare, agencies will tell you that in order to have the best care for your multiples you should employ a lady who has experience with twins. If you do this you are expected to pay more for her than for a lady who has worked with singletons. I am very pleased to inform you that this is totally misleading and I speak from my own experience as a mom of twins who chose a lady who had no twin experience from a very large database of candidates at my disposal and she turned out to be an absolute gem. This is what you need to look for : The lady must have worked with multiple children, meaning she can multiple task, not necessarily twins. Her temperament is more important, she should be full of smiles, kind, patient, energetic and have a good command of the english language. With this half of the battle is already won. She must have experience with toddlers, if you want to have her long term she should understand that toddlers are a lot more work than babies as they are more demanding. She should have first aid, a childcare certificate and a sleep course would be an added benefit. As the children get older you can add a stimulation course Does she understand how routines work Test on basic terminology, I have found when teaching a childcare course the childminders don’t understand words like “ swaddle “ and “ drooling “ this can lead to communication problems Give scenarios and ask how she will handle it, for example if both babies are crying what will you do? I found I don’t like a candidate that has worked in a lot of homes, they become spoilt and start telling the moms what to do. There is a fine line between a new mom needing help and wanting guidance. If you have other children always have a 5 day trial run to see how she fits in your home. An interview is very different to someone in action What to do when you are ready to employ someone: Be clear on what you need, some families want a lady who will clean and take care of the children other families want a lady who acts purely as a childminder. A professional childminder earns more than a domestic childminder. You should start planning from around 30 weeks on who you want to employ. Register with an agency and start the interview process, you want enough time to not be pressurised into having to take someone. Remember you wont know exactly when your babies will be due and they may stay longer in hospital than anticipated, so rather give an estimated start date. Stay in contact with your candidate so that she doesn’t get nervous Take the time to check references, also speaking to the previous moms might give you some tips on what to do to make your life easier Always give employment contracts, I advise to start off with only a short contract of 3 months, you can then extend it if both parties are happy. That way you are not tied down if you are not happy. You are looking for someone who shares the same beliefs and principles as you and who works hand in hand with you. You need to be a single unit and not feel like you are swimming uphill every day. Remember that these childminders love their jobs and are proud of what they do. They want to make you and your children happy.

February 28, 2018

Important stages of babies at play

Babies make sense of the world around them through play. They experiment with new ideas, learn important social skills, and gain immense pleasure from just playing. Playtime is fun, and offers little one’s time to develop and thrive. Play is incredibly important in a little one’s life, as it assists in the development of fine and gross motor skills and builds emotional maturity and self-confidence for a baby to explore new things and new environments. There are different developments that parents can look out for that links to play and baby’s age and developmental progress. Lesego Mashishi-Matlala, Huggies® expert in occupational therapy, shares insights on playtime and development. From birth to three months, this first stage of play is termed as unoccupied play. It is when babies play alone without reference to anyone else, and start moving their arms and legs. They play with their fingers and toes, suck their thumbs and even sometimes suck their toes. This is when babies start discovering their own bodies. Their favourite playtime activity at this stage is often interacting with the hanging mobile over the cot as opposed to human contact, because of the motion or sounds the mobile makes. The next stage of play is solitary play. This takes place when babies gain postural control and can sit unaided and start crawling. During this phase of development many parents will experience that mischievous silence when their baby is exploring the world around them. Solitary play is generally when babies are more intrigued by objects around them and learn the cause and effect of movement in relation to their environment. Babies become so engrossed with objects around them, that they have minimal interest in engaging with others. The development of crawling and walking are encouraged at this stage of play as it is at this time when babies have the desire to interact with objects near and far from them. The onlooker stage of play is often the most exciting for parents. This often commences at the age of one or two when babies observe while others play, and at most times start copying actions. They love clapping their hands, dancing and mimicking others. This form of play is the child’s first step into social development, and is when they watch and process social cues from others. It’s therefore a good time to introduce regular playdates or to consider a play-school during this time. Between the ages of three and four, toddlers begin to engage in parallel play. This is a time when they will play with others, but usually remain engaged in a solitary activity that is parallel to what their peers are doing. It is a time when ego development commences, and when children build a strong sense of being individuals, separate from parents, siblings and playmates. It’s the ’me, mine, me, mine!’ phase, when children begin to understand the concept of ownership. Playtime is the perfect time for baby and parents to connect. It is a time to watch them develop, explore and move which ultimately leads to your little one thriving.

February 14, 2018

5 Tips for coping with a newborn and a toddler

I (Kit) gave birth to my son Noah on the 24th August and at the time of his birth my daughter, Sarah, was just over 18 months old. The months since have passed in a flash and whilst I’m still new at this mommying 2 thing; below I share 5 tips of what’s worked for me so far as a mom of 2. Be intentional with your 1st born during your 3rd Trimester 3rd trimester is hard, hands down…but with a toddler in-tow its SUPER hard. I found my last few weeks of pregnancy particularly trying but in saying that, I made it my mission to be present with Sarah and invest in quality time with her. I was fortunate enough to have a planned (day before) induction of natural labour and thus had a full day that I got to dedicate to just Se Bear and me. It was the most phenomenal way to end my pregnancy and to feel that I had given her my all, before Noah arrived. PS: I totally sobbed putting her down that night, knowing it was her last night as an only child. Eeek and now the tears come again! Embrace your time in hospital I realize that not everyone chooses to have their babe in a hospital, and I totally respect that, but this tip is for those who do. For me, my time in hospital is what I’ll always remember as bliss for both Noah and me. YES you’re emotional, and sore, and bleeding…but the truth is that while in hospital, you’re expected to do little more than lie in bed and love your little one. First time round, these early days were a blur for me but with my second, I treasured every moment that I got with him in hospital, before the chaos of heading home to a busy toddler began. Involve your toddler where possible While I definitely paid 90% of my attention to Noah in his first few days at home, as I got the hang of things (and trust me, it comes back so quickly second time around), I slowly started including Se in our daily activities. I do have a fulltime nanny but Se loves staying with Noah and I. She watches me feed him (she plays at my feet) and my mum bought her a baby bath to bath her doll, whilst I bath Noah – too sweet for words. Slow down One kid is hectic.. two is just that little bit more hectic. I laugh as I write that, thinking of me stopping on the side of the road in 5pm traffic, after a play date for Sarah, to tend to a screaming 2-week-old Noah..while Se too screamed at the top of her lungs, not understanding why Noah could get out of his car seat and she couldn’t. But that was just one day…for the most part; I’ve actually been blown away by how easily we’ve sailed through these first few months. The one thing I have taken to heart though, is how important it is to slow down. I’m quick to put the kids in the car and head out and about, but the truth is, that I’m a happier mom (with more breast milk) with happier kids when we take the day slowly! Be kind to yourself This is probably my biggest tip for this post. Beautiful, you are totally capable and whilst balancing two seems impossible at times, you’ve got this!!! Trust your mommy instinct and speak kindly to yourself; as just as your kids adjust to the changes they’re experiencing, you too are journeying in your role as mom. <3

February 8, 2018

Kangaroo Mother Care

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a way of caring for premature babies through skin-to-skin contact with their moms. It’s recommended for premature or ill babies because they miss out on critical time in the womb where they would have constantly heard their mother’s soothing heartbeat and been encapsulated in her body’s warmth and safety while getting continuous nourishment and care. Named after kangaroos that carry their babies in their pouches, the method can also be done by fathers, helping them bond with their babies. Huggies® expert, Lynne Bluff, a registered nurse, midwife and childbirth educator sheds some light on this subject. What is Kangaroo Mother Care? Kangaroo mother care (or skin-to-skin care), is a simple, easy method of caring for newborn infants where the baby is placed with just a Huggies® nappy (so mom and baby aren’t continually covered in wee and poo), on its mother’s chest – skin to skin with nothing between the two. Mom can then wrap a shirt around her and her baby, keeping the baby in an upright position between her breasts. Mom uses her own body heat to keep her little one warm. The human body is incredible, a new mom’s body has the ability to heat or cool her chest in response to the baby’s temperature and in so keeping baby at a well-regulated temperature. When it comes to kangaroo care, more is better. The first two hours after birth are the most important, in terms of easing baby into the world. After that, continued skin-to-skin contact can still be beneficial, especially for preemies that have low birth weights. Consider it an alternative to an incubator. It is also recommended that preemies get frequent kangaroo care for the first 20-plus weeks of life. Do it as long as baby enjoys it, when your baby starts fussing and trying to get off your chest, it’s a good sign it’s time to let him or her do their own thing. What are the benefits of kangaroo care? It helps baby adapt: when your baby was in the womb, they didn’t need to regulate their own temperature. By having your baby skin to skin, it regulates and stabilises their temperature. It boosts baby’s mental development: preemies who received kangaroo care had better brain functioning at 15 years old¹ – comparable to that of adolescents born at term – than those who had been placed in incubators. By stabilizing heart rate, oxygenation, and improving sleep, the brain is better able to develop. Also, the hormones that aid mental growth and stability are activated by skin to skin, whereas a baby not in skin to skin contact with their mom is on high alert and this causes added stress to the little one. It promotes healthy weight: skin-to-skin contact dramatically increases newborn weight gain. When babies are warm, they don’t need to use their energy to regulate their body temperature. They use that energy to grow instead. It makes breastfeeding easier: newborns instinctively have a heightened sense of smell, so placing your baby skin-to skin helps them seek out the nipple and begin breastfeeding. In fact, moms who practiced kangaroo care were more likely to breastfeed exclusively and, on average, these moms breastfed three months longer than those who didn’t practice skin-to-skin care². Premature babies initially will need to be fed expressed breast milk via a nasogastric tube as the sucking reflex may not yet be developed. But once the baby is feeding on its own, the breast becomes very accessible for the babies that are skin to skin with their moms. It helps you make milk: when mom and baby are together, hormones that regulate lactation will help you produce more milk. It reduces baby’s stress and pain: just 10 minutes of skin-to-skin contact reduces baby’s’ levels of stress and makes babies feel calm and safe. Research has shown that when preterm infants are held skin to skin, they react less to heel pricks, a minimally invasive way to draw blood, and a common source of pain among preemies. It helps baby sleep: less stress means better sleep. Preemies who were cradled skin-to-skin slept more effectively and woke up less often than those who slept in incubators. It prevents postpartum depression: various studies show that kangaroo care reduces postpartum depression in new moms. Activity in the mother’s adrenal axis is negatively influenced by childbirth, and skin-to-skin contact may reactivate the pathways to minimize the risk of depression. Plus, oxytocin released from skin-to-skin care decreases maternal anxiety and promotes attachment, further reducing the risk. Kangaroo Care has come to play an important role for mom and baby especially in the case of preemie babies. Those moments of bonding and hugging your little one is what matters. Huggies® is with you every step of your nappy journey. Your baby gets its first hug from you, let the second hug be just as good. Sharing our content with parents you know will go a long way to making us smile for the day

January 18, 2018

Safe, summer fun for baby’s skin

When the sun finally appears after a long winter it is natural to want to go out into the sunshine and enjoy the long, sunny afternoons. But, even though your baby might enjoy playing on the grass or getting their toes dipped into the pool, over-exposing their delicate, sensitive skin to the rays of the sun can be harmful. “We know that giving our children an outdoor life is important, however we need to remember that their skin is more sensitive than ours, and care needs to be taken while they are out in the sun, and even afterwards,” says Su-Marie Annandale, brand manager for baby skincare range Krayons. Annandale provides the following five tips on how to look after your baby’s skin while and after they have been in the sun: Keep your child out of direct sunlight by sitting under a tree or put up an umbrella for them to play under. It is also important to remember to always have a hat on hand for outdoor excursions. When the sun is at its hottest 10am to 4pm, try to keep your children out of the sun, or keep them in the shade. Use age appropriate sunscreen. Although it is advised not to use sunscreen for children younger than 6 months, there are exceptions: if your baby is going to be out in the sun for a time and there is no possibility of cover, use a small amount of sunscreen to their skin protected. Be sure not to put around their eyes or on their hands to avoid stinging eyes. Protect your baby’s eyes with a pair of baby shades. Your baby’s eyes are very sensitive and the bright light can become irritated. Make sure that the sunglasses are UV ray protected. Don’t forget the fluids. During the hotter months it is important to remember that your baby will lose more fluid. A great way to determine this is by checking to see how often you change their nappies. Staying hydrated is also important for keeping your baby’s skin healthy and firm during the hotter months. After your baby has been out in the sun, give them a lukewarm bath to cool down their skin. Since your baby’s skin will be sensitive after being in the sun, opt for cotton wool instead of a facecloth to wipe them down. Finish off with a soft massage using Krayons’ Aqueous cream which is gentle on baby’s skin, and helps to ensure that it is cleansed, protected and moisturised every time. For more information visit www.facebook.com/krayonsbabies Sharing our content with parents you know will go a long way to making us smile for the day

January 18, 2018

Why it’s important to monitor the climate in your baby’s room

With peak summer months peaking at early 30˚C or even early 40˚C in some places across the country, parents should constantly monitor their baby’s temperature to ensure their little ones are comfortable, even in the heat. In fact, t baby monitors aren’t just for sneak peeks – they can support your baby’s development too. It’s important to understand how climate can affect your baby’s health, what the ideal room climate is, and how your baby monitor can help. While a room that’s a little too warm or humid is no big deal for most of us, babies tend to be more sensitive to temperature and humidity. Too low humidity, for example, can cause the eyes and throat to dry out. And when it’s a little too cold or warm, babies aren’t yet able to regulate their body temperature the way an adult can. So what’s the ideal room climate? Think of the ideal room climate as a range rather than a specific temperature or humidity level. The healthiest room temperature for your little one is somewhere between 16-20˚, and humidity levels should ideally be kept between 40 – 60%. How your baby monitor can help If you’re wondering when all of this monitoring is going to happen in between feeding and comforting and the general business of being a parent, fear not. A smart baby monitor has your back: it continuously tracks the temperature and humidity of a room for you. By setting thresholds for temperature and humidity on the smart baby monitor, you receive notifications when the climate readings exceed these thresholds so you’ll always know whether the climate is healthy for your baby -or needs a little tweaking. Depending on the reading, you can then make adjustments to help keep your baby comfortable. Is the humidity a little on the high side? You might like to open a window to let in some fresh air. Worried about your little one overheating? Make sure your little one isn’t overdressed and consider using an air conditioner to bring the room to a more comfortable temperature. You can then also understand how your baby’s room climate affects their sleep as you’ll be able to see at a glance what kind of room temperature helps your baby sleep best. So you see, your baby monitor really isn’t just for sneak peeks. It’s a simple way to help your baby feel comfortable day and night. So make sure you choose the right baby monitor for you and your little one! Philips Mother and Child Division

January 18, 2018

5 Things New Parents Can do to Increase Infant Attachment

Attachment is the process through which infants bond with their caregivers. This usually means Mom, Dad, and if there is another caregiver in the picture nanny or early education professional. Building this relationship is about establishing trust, safety, a sense of comfort and connection. Men and women bond differently to their babies but both kinds of bonding are valid and necessary. Men bond through face to face interaction. Holding the baby and gazing into their faces. I can do this for hours. Studies also show men never pick up their infant the same way twice, this adds a variety in the interaction and give infants a sense of adventure and knowing the world can be unpredictable. While, moms also gaze into baby’s face, they also tend to talk to baby and cuddle more. Holding the infant close to the body and nurturing them. The important thing is a child is bonding with both parents. There are five things parents can do to purposely bond with their child. Hold them as much as possible during the first year. Meet the need they are crying about quickly. Talk, read, and interact with them consistently. Eliminate all screen-time before age 3. Spend time together as a family. 1. Hold them as much as possible during the first year Hold them as much as possible the first year. There is an old piece of advice which says if you hold a child too much they will expect it, so it is best not to hold them too much. However, the research supports holding infants is the best way to develop an emotional, physical, and life long bond. Touch is very important to infants. The discovery was made as researcherswanted to know why some orphanages has an infant mortality rate of 30+% and also a failure to thrive rate as well. The answer was not enough touch. I am not saying you should never put your child down. You have a life to live and they need sometime to just be. But, do not hinder yourself from holding them you will not spoil them by holding them too much. In fact the opposite is true. Holding your child and helping them develop a secure attachment is what gives them the security and confidence to explore the world when they are developmentally ready to do so. 2. Meet their needs as quickly as possible Children are new to the world and we teach them about the world by how we treat them and what we do for them. A child whose needs are met quickly develop a sense of trust and reliability on their parents and the world. Are you always going to be able to meet their needs now! No, and I do not expect you to and you should not expect that of yourself . However, meeting the need as soon as humanly possible is a key component of developing a secure bond between you and your child. Keep in mind sometimes meeting the need is tolet them cry. If you want your baby to be able to put themselves to sleep; an important part of that process is to allow them to cry themselves into an exhausted sleep. Is that easy. NO! Is it necessary? It depends do you want to rock them to sleep forever? 3. Talk, read, and interact with them consistently Human beings are social creatures and need interaction with others. You need to be this connection for your infant. So, talk to them you can just speak. Pretend they can understand everything you say and just talk. The more you talk the them the sooner they will begin to understand and the sooner they will talk back to you. I have one friend who is a complete chatter box. Her son was speaking in complete sentences by age 3. Hold them and read stories. There is so much connection in holding a book and your young child and reading and holding the book. Interact,move them around and build arm and leg strength by letting them hold onto your finger and pull, or by gently bending their legs and letting them brace their feet on your hands and push on your hands. Play peek-a-boo, blow raspberries on their necks and tummies, take something bright and colorful and let them follow it with their eyes as you wave it in the air. Just love them and play with them. It is this activity which build love, connection, trust, and attachment. 4. Eliminate all screen time before age 3 The research is ever growing that brain development and screen time are mutually exclusive. Young children need and crave the complexity of human interaction. Screen time numbs their brain activity and eliminate the brains ability to make complex neuroconnections needed in later life. I am no expert on this but a site I follow has a blog by someone who has the pulse on this issue; I suggest you read it! The long and the short of it for this post is that screen time can literally cause brain damage in young children! 5. Spend time together as a family Bonding among the rest of the family and the baby is most cemented by spending time together as a family. As much as possible include the infant in the activities the family enjoyed be for the birth. If the family enjoyed camping before then camping after may have to include a trailer or RBV to ensure the baby has all of their needs met. You may have to think outside of the box in order to accomplish this however, family life should not stop because there is now a baby. Instead find a way to incorporate the baby’s needs and continue on with living. It is a mistake to make the family’s life surround the baby. These five points will help you to build bonds with your infant and strengthen bonds with each member of the family. I hope you enjoy this time! Believe in Parenting

November 15, 2017

Why is a baby’s sense of touch so important?

The tactile system (or sense of touch) is one of the earliest to develop, and is also the largest sensory system. It comprises various receptors which allow us to feel light touch, deep pressure, texture, pain, and temperature. Its main function early in life is a protective one – allowing infants to feel pain or discomfort, for example, a wet nappy. It also guides them in feeding, as they use their sense of touch to locate the nipple for milk. The ability to process touch sensation within the mouth aids with sucking and later, with chewing and swallowing solid food. Since our tactile system develops so early on, before the visual and auditory systems are well-developed, touch is the way in which babies initially make sense of the world around them. This starts with putting everything in their mouths in order to understand the properties of the objects e.g. size, shape and texture. Later on their hands begin to process tactile input in a more mature manner and from this they start to develop gross and fine motor skills. The relationship between touch and bonding and emotional development in early life is also a significant one. It is essential for an infant to have physical closeness with his mother or caregiver so that he learns to form a primary attachment. Bonding also gives an infant his first feelings of himself as a physical body, and later allows him to develop his body scheme (awareness of his physical boundaries). This “boundary” that the skin provides, helps him to feel secure in the world around him. Stages of development: The tactile system starts to develop in the uterus and functions well from birth. 1 month: Touch sensations are important as a source of emotional satisfaction, for feeding and for reflexes e.g. when you touch your baby’s cheek he will respond by turning his head. 3 months: Starting to reach for objects and holding on as part of the automatic grasp reflex and as a reaction to the sensation of touch in the palm of his hand. 4 – 6 months: Starting to touch and look at hands and starting to use the thumb and fore-finger. [Concerns should be raised if your child is not yet grasping items, touching his hands and bringing toys together with his two hands]. 6 months – 2 years: Starting to develop more accuracy in reaching and grasping by using the hands and eyes together. 2 years: Improved ability to tell where touch occurred on the body and thus direct responses more voluntarily. [Concerns should be raised if your child is fumbling, dropping items regularly, and having difficulty playing with toys and learning new skills.] 3 – 7 years: Starting to use simple tools like paper, crayons, scissors, zips and buckles and developing accuracy and control with them. [Concerns should be raised if your child is battling with learning skills like doing buttons and zips, tying shoelaces, using eating utensils.

November 15, 2017

HOW CAN PARENTS FACILITATE BABY’S MOVEMENT AND GROWTH?

The first year of life is a time when babies strengthen their muscles and bones. They learn how to use their bodies to move around and to manipulate their environment. If babies are constantly held and carried during the first year, they will lose valuable opportunities to gain fine-tune skills. Parents and caregivers should facilitate movement and growth by giving babies safe environments to play in and allow their little ones to explore these areas on their own. Lesego Mashishi-Matlala, Huggies® expert in occupational therapy sheds some light on assistive devices for baby’s motor development. Each stage of motor development offers a new dimension of exploration and propels baby to the next stage of motor development. The natural progression of gross motor developmental phase is neck control, rolling, sitting, standing with support, standing without support and from 12 to 18 months, walking independently. What can parents do to facilitate this development? It is important to ensure that your little ones’ environment offers stimulation of all senses and encourages exploration. You may ask, is it then a bad thing to introduce toy mobility aids or assistive devices such as a supported baby chair to help baby achieve their developmental phase of walking? The answer would be, that it is important to strike a balance and to introduce these devices at the correct time. It is important for parents to allow babies to naturally lead their way through their motor developmental phases. In so doing, you are allowing brain development, language development, and baby’s spatial awareness to develop naturally. This helps baby to learn how to interact with their environment to get their desired outcome through movement. A lot of brain development and information processing occurs between the development phase of sitting and walking. This is when baby starts to learn to crawl and pull themselves up into a standing position. During this transition, there are more benefits in allowing baby to master their movements on their own rather than introducing assistive devices or toys. First, you need to allow baby to develop adequate upper body control, and to achieve some controlled body movements. Do not deprive your baby of opportunities for self-initiated or self-produced mobility. Assistive devices such as sitting aids and walkers should be introduced once baby has shown the initiative and attempted to get into the desired motor position. This ensures that the baby has processed information and is working out bilateral symmetry, crossing of the midline and is mastering controlled purposeful movements, which will ultimately be followed by the alternating coordinated movements that are needed for walking and running. What is imperative during this stage is to ensure babies level of comfort. A comfortable baby is a moving baby. By giving your little ones, the support and confidence needed to develop and explore the world around them you are allowing their movement to naturally progress and develop.

November 13, 2017

Undescended testes in premature babies common, but treatable

Undescended testes affects almost four percent of all new-born males, is more common in premature infants and poses a high risk of cancer, a Urology Hospital, Pretoria, specialist has warned. The condition – also known as cryptorchidism, in which one or both testes do not lie in the scrotum – is, however, treatable through corrective surgery. Urologist Dr Craig Mamitele explains that if, in the foetus stage, testes do not descend down to the scrotum getting stuck along the path of descent this development is described as undescended testes. The condition occurs in about 30% of premature babies and in most cases testes will descend after birth. “If one or both testes has not descended within the first year, this will need to be treated,” said Mamitele adding that while hormone injections may be recommended in some cases, surgery is often advised. “Treatment is successful in the vast majority of cases and should take place as early in the child’s life as possible – preferably within the first year. It is safe and performed under general anaesthesia. “An undescended testicle only discovered later in life,” Mamitele warned, “may need to be removed as it is not likely to function well and may pose a cancer risk.” He therefore stressed the importance of doctors checking the testes in new born babies, especially premature babies – something parents can also do. “Early detection is vital and doctors should immediately refer cases to a urologist for accurate diagnosis and correction. The Urology Hospital specialises in the treatment of urological conditions such as undescended testes and is therefore well placed to address all queries in this regard.” Contact The Urology Hospital, Pretoria on 012 423 4000 or email ansie@urology.co.za.

November 13, 2017

Breastfeeding can help prevent both breast cancer and childhood cancer

One in every 20 women in Southern Africa will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.* As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR) urges women to take action to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. “Many women understand the basics of breast cancer prevention, for example getting enough exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating properly,” says Professor Suzanne Delport, breastfeeding activist and Medical Director of the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR). “Few realise that breastfeeding your child for at least a year significantly lowers the chance of contracting breast cancer later in life,” she continues. While breastfeeding, the mother and infant are benefited simultaneously. Breastfeeding also improves long term outcomes for both mother and infant long after cessation, particularly outcomes related to cancer. A long period, six to twelve months, of breastfeeding: Decreases the risk of invasive breast cancer by 7%. This percentage translates into the annual prevention of 20 000 breast cancer deaths globally. Decreases the risk of ovarian cancer by 18%. Has long term beneficial effects on the health, nutrition, and the intellectual development of a child. Greatly reduces the risks of obesity and both type 1 and 2 diabetes in a child.**** Clinical studies have proven that producing breast milk tends to inhibit cells from “misbehaving” and becoming cancerous. Many women have fewer menstrual cycles while breastfeeding, which in turn lowers their oestrogen levels, which are a major cause of breast cancer. Women also tend to lead healthier lives while breastfeeding, and will often stop smoking and drinking alcohol while they are nursing.** Breastfeeding also reduces the chances of your child developing childhood cancers. A recent study found that babies who were breastfed for at least six months appeared to have a 19% lower risk of childhood leukaemia compared to children who were never breastfed or were breastfed for a shorter period.*** “Of course, breastfeeding is just one factor in combatting breast cancer. Women should take as many precautions as possible to reduce their risk,” says Delport. “It’s vital that every woman in South Africa learns how to conduct breast exams on themselves and commit to having regular mammograms. Smoking is also a huge contributor, and quitting this habit can reduce your risk of all cancers enormously,” she continues. Some women develop breast cancer before they have children, or even while they have a young child of breastfeeding age. “A breast cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to breastfeed,” says Delport. “Many breast cancer survivors go on to successfully nurse their infants. It’s important to explore all the options with your doctor, and not to give up hope,” she continues. “Human milk banks exist, in part, to help those mothers who are unable to breastfeed at all,” explains Delport. “So even if you’ve had a double mastectomy, you’ll still be able to feed your child with nature’s perfect baby food,” she concludes. To get involved and alleviate the challenges faced by the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR), including the low breastfeeding rates in South Africa, sourcing donor mothers, and funding for the operation of the milk banks, please visit www.sabr.org.za or call 011 482 1920 or e-mail: info@sabr.org.za.

November 9, 2017

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