THE LATEST NEWS TO HELP YOU with your journey
Meg Faure

Sensory Defensiveness

Mary’s little boy was not doing anything by the book. He did not give her the usual two week honeymoon period after he was born. He just screamed from day1. He would not latch and within three weeks was being bottle fed, even though breastfeeding was so important to Mary. He cried all day every day – not colic hour – it was colic twelve hours! Then everyone said the crying would stop at 3 months, but it just got worse. By the time William was 6 months old, he had had every test under the sun. Mary was exhausted and was sick of the screaming – no one had said it would be so bad and she just felt like a useless mom. William suffers from what we call sensory defensiveness. He has an aversion to touch, even when it is nurturing. He recoils from smells and screams whenever a door bangs or a dog barks. By understanding what is at the root of his fussiness, his mom will have a much easier time managing his behaviour. We all have a specific threshold for sensory information, just as we have a pain threshold. If your baby’s threshold is high, he will be able to deal with a lot of sensory input and be happy and interactive without becoming over stimulated. However if your baby’s threshold is low, he will have a very low tolerance for sensory input. Soft and gentle touch may then seem threatening and painful. If all touch is threatening, being hugged, stroked and massage will not be pleasurable. Breastfeeding will be an intolerable event because it is fraught with tactile experiences, being skin to skin. Likewise if your baby has a low tolerance for sounds, he will stir very easily and wake at the slightest sound. Furthermore, a door banging or an unexpected dog bark will over stimulate your baby, causing him to cry. Being sensitive to smells is particularly overwhelming because the world is so full of odours and we battle to predict or control them. For a baby who is oversensitive to smells, an uncle who smokes or the smell of cooking in the kitchen may be totally unnerving. If you think your baby is an oversensitive baby, go to the checklist on this site to determine whether he suffers from sensory defensiveness. If your baby is sensory defensive, you should: Approach him with firm deep touch as opposed to light fluttery touch Schedule baby massage for the morning rather later in the day when he is already over stimulated Swaddle him for breast feeds to help him be calmer for feed times Not wear any perfume for the first year as he will probably be sensitive to it Wear your baby in a sling or pouch to calm him Play white noise or quiet lulling music to block out the effect of sudden loud sounds Speak to him before touching him so he is able to predict that your touch is coming If you suspect sensory defensiveness is at the route of your baby’s fussing, it is worth getting hold of an occupational therapist to determine whether he is sensory defensive and the extent to which the sensitivity will impact on his daily function. Being the parent of a sensory defensive baby is not easy and you may find he has a harder time settling than other babies. The support of a therapist will help you with ideas for daily life and keeping your baby happy.

March 13, 2024
Jenna Richards

Tackling Engorgement While Breastfeeding

It is completely normal for your breasts to become full, heavy and even painful when your milk comes in, when you have missed a feed, or when you have a sudden increase in your supply. Generally, this will last no longer then 24 hours (with the exception of milk coming in), the areola should remain soft and your baby should be able to latch on without any hassle. True engorgement occurs when the duct system is not cleared adequately, causing an accumulation of fluid. Increased pressure in the milk ducts and glands produce breasts that feel firm, hard, tender and warm or even hot to touch. The skin may become translucent and the nipples may flatten and even get lost in the breast. Milk flow slows down and relief is not found easily. A mother can experience engorgement at any time during her breastfeeding journey whenever milk is not removed adequately. However, it is most common in the weeks immediately following birth. This is because feeding patterns are so irregular and your body has not yet adjusted to suite your baby’s needs. Consequences of Engorgement Engorgement can compromise your milk supply – remember that milk removal promotes milk production. Breast tissue allows milk storage for as long as 48 hours before the rate of milk production and secretion begins to decrease rapidly. Engorgement affects the letdown reflex – the flattened nipple of an engorged breast makes it difficult for your baby to get a good latch. This insufficient latch makes it almost impossible to stimulate the nipple adequately in order to promote letdown. Without the letdown reflex, your baby will not be able to remove milk from your breasts and the pressure in the milk ducts will increase even more. Cracked nipples – when a baby is trying but struggling to latch correctly, you are increasing your chances of getting sore, cracked nipples. Increased risk of infection – when things remain stagnant in the breast, bacteria has a chance to grow resulting in breast infections such as mastitis Permanent tissue damage – increased pressure in the breast for lengthy periods of time can cause cells in the breast to shrink and to eventually die off Relieving Engorgement Engorgement is very painful and it can be a little scary, but it certainly is no reason for one to stop breastfeeding. It is important to remember that it is a temporary situation and with proper treatment, it is usually resolved within 48 hours. Feed – every two hours or even sooner if baby desires. Place no time limits on feeding times. Continue to feed at least 8 times in 24 hours even after engorgement has resolved. Massage – gentle breast compression during feedings will help drain the breast more adequately Express – using a good quality electric breast pump express a little milk before each feed. This will help to soften the breast making it easier for baby to latch. Expressing between feeds may also be necessary depending on the stage of engorgement. Massaging and compressing the breast during pumping may increase the flow significantly. DO NOT express between feeds for longer than a period of 48 hours as this can lead to an increase in milk supply making it impossible to relieve engorgement. Ice – cold compress applied between feedings will help ease discomfort Rest – lying flat on your back with your feet elevated will gel to reduce swelling in the breasts Cabbage – Researchers suggest that phytoestrogens present in cabbage contribute to reducing swelling in tissues. Scour the inside of a chilled cabbage leaf with a fork and place inside your bra. Change your leaves with every feed. As soon as your baby or pumping provide relief, discontinue the use of cabbage as it can suppress milk production or even dry up your milk completely. Preventing Engorgement Ultimately, prevention is the best cure. here are a few key tips: Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of life Ensure a correct latch and positioning to optimise milk extraction Become familiar with your baby’s feeding cues and feed on demand Do not limit time spent at the breast – allow your baby to drain one breast fully before moving over to the other side Listen for swallowing when your baby is nursing – this is a good indicator of milk removal Avoid the use of artificial nipples for at least 6 weeks post birth as this may cause nipple confusion Minimise interference with breast feeding If baby is not feeding well, be sure to express milk to maintain your supply until feeding is corrected Try not to miss feeds. Wean slowly. If the time has come for you to wean your baby off the breast, do it slowly and carefully

March 13, 2024
Good Night Baby

WHERE SHOULD YOUR BABY SLEEP?

Deciding where your baby should be sleeping is a very personal decision by you as a family. You know your family best! Even when assisting clients, this is a discussion as a team (us and the parents). Discuss the pros and cons of why you want to do it or why it might not be best for your family. I am here to tell you that your baby/toddler/child can sleep well no matter WHERE they sleep. Another thing to keep in mind is that when you decide where your baby sleeps, this is NOT a permanent choice. You can change your mind if your initial choice did not work out and change where your child sleeps as they grow up or your circumstances change. There are some important things to consider, though. We are here to give you some options and considerations: 1. CO-SLEEPING Co-sleeping is when you share a sleep space with your child and can be divided into what is known as bedsharing and room sharing: Bedsharing: This is when parents and babies sleep together in a bed, couch or chair. If you choose to bedshare, you need to do it safely. The reality, however, as new research shows, is that bedsharing with younger babies is associated with higher risk of SIDS. For newborns, the safest option is to use a co-sleeper. But once your baby can sit up at around five months, this is no longer a safe option, as the open sides of the co‑sleeper are quite low and your baby is top heavy. If your baby looks over the side of the co-sleeper, they can fall out. It’s also the reason why you should move your cot to a lower level at around the same time. Room sharing: This is when parents sleep in the same room as their babies but not in the same bed. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) continues to recommend that parents room share with their baby for at least the first six months, preferably a year, because it is associated with lower rates of SIDS. You can influence each other’s sleep, however – white noise throughout the night can possibly assist with this. Babies need 11 to 12 hours of sleep per night, you don’t; so you will go to bed later than your baby. When you come in later, it could wake them. The same could happen if you go to the bathroom at night or if you wake up early. Babies are noisy sleepers and their general night noises could keep you out of sleep. Similarly, some baby cots are noisy and just your baby moving around, which they do, could wake you up. 2. OWN ROOM AND OWN COT Creating a safe and beautiful baby room is often one of the top things moms do while pregnant. If you have created a beautiful, safe baby room, it might just be time to use it! As mentioned before, you can influence each other’s sleep in a negative way when sharing a room. The reality, though, is that the move can often be worse for us as parents. HOW to do the move out of the room: Moving them one shot. Not wasting time and just having them settle can especially help when your baby is close to 12 months or already a toddler. Gradually moving the cot further away from you in the room and then out. This gives baby and parents time to adjust. First having baby sleep in their own room and cot for naps, and once you all get used to the idea, then also moving them to their own room at night. 3. SHARING A ROOM WITH A SIBLING We want your baby to be in your room or a separate space until they sleep through the night. This reduces the potential for your children to disturb each other at bedtime or wake each other at night. Many parents are worried about the kids waking each other throughout the night. We have found this to be a very unfounded fear, as children are pretty good at blocking out sounds. Some things that can help to create a comfortable shared sleeping environment: Block out curtains to help with bedtime and morning light. White noise placed between the cot and bed to minimise their sleeping sounds. Placing the cot and bed as far apart from each other as possible. There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to where your little one sleeps. Inevitably, you might use all the options at one point in your parenting journey. To BETTER sleep!

March 11, 2024
Sammy Hammond

Breastfeeding: the most common challenges and how to deal with them

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful and special time between you and your baby. It can however, come with some challenges. In fact, statistics show that up to 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intended to due to challenges faced.  Below are some of the most common breastfeeding challenges or difficulties and how you can deal with them to ensure that you and your little one have a pleasant breastfeeding experience.  Pain or discomfort Pain experienced when breastfeeding can be caused by nipple tenderness, bleeding, blistering and/or cracked nipples.  How to deal with pain: Breastfeeding should not be painful. Please consult a lactation consultant to assist you.  It is important to ensure that your baby is latching correctly and find a breastfeeding position that supports an optimal latch. Make use of nipple cream (chat to your Dr or pharmacist about a recommended brand) or use a small amount of your own breastmilk to soothe your nipples.  Use breast pads to protect your nipples from chaffing on your bra or clothing. Engorgement Engorgement can be very uncomfortable and occurs when breast milk has not been adequately removed, resulting in hard and sore breasts.  How to deal with engorgement: Pump and/or nurse your baby frequently (between 8-12 times a day).  Ensure that your baby is latched on correctly so that he/she can empty your breasts. A poor latch can also result in engorged breasts.  Take warm showers or apply a warmed cloth to your breasts to encourage milk flow.  Breast massage  My baby’s not latching  There are a number of reasons your baby may not be able to achieve a sufficient latch. These include poor coordination, prematurity, discomfort and/or mom having flat or inverted nipples.  How to deal with a poor latch: See a lactation consultant! Lactation consultants are trained to identify and solve breastfeeding challenges.  Try out different breastfeeding positions. There is no one size fits all – try various holds to establish which suits you and your baby best. Support your baby’s neck, shoulders, and hips with your hands. Consider the use of a nipple shield if you have flat nipples – these can be a short term solution to assist your baby to latch. It is advised to consult a Lactation consultant before purchasing a nipple shield.  Not having enough breastmilk  Breastmilk supply is initially low while your body adjusts your hormones to trigger breastmilk production. This usually takes 2-4 days, after which your milk supply should increase to provide the optimal amount of breastmilk for your baby. There are various things that can negatively affect milk supply, and these vary between women.  How to deal with not having enough milk Feed your baby on demand. This should range from every 2 to 3 hours (can be more), day and night. Stick to this range if you are expressing too. It is important that your breasts receive this stimulation, either from your baby feeding, hand expressing or a pump. Try and get as much rest as possible (easier said than done with a newborn). Eat well and frequently as well as drink plenty of water throughout the day and night. If you have friends and/or family around, ask for assistance with chores so that you are able to focus on breastfeeding.  If you are hand expressing and still have a low supply, consider purchasing or renting a breast pump. These pumps are effective in mimicking what your baby does at the breast as well as stimulating milk production. Skin-to-skin; research indicates that skin-to-skin assists with increasing breastmilk production.  If your milk supply remains low or diminishes, consult your Doctor and/or a Lactation Consultant.  Leaking breasts This is a common occurrence in the initial stages of breastfeeding, however, usually subsides after 5-6 weeks.  How to cope with leaking breasts Wear nursing pads inside your bra in the day and night  Feed your baby or express frequently (every 2-3 hours). Producing too much milk  Once your milk supply is fully established, you may find that you have more milk than your baby needs, resulting in coughing, spluttering or vomiting after a feed.  How to cope: Express a small amount of milk before a feed. This ensures the initial let down is not too strong for your baby.  A reclined (lean-back) feeding position allows your baby to control the flow rate of milk from your breast as gravity is minimised.  Take your time and allow your baby to rest after a feed. If he/she has taken in too much milk, moving a lot or too quickly can cause her to vomit.  Above, are only some challenges that new mothers may face when breastfeeding. It is important to not “suffer in silence” but rather to seek the assistance of a lactation consultant. Luckily there are plenty of lactation consultants around that will be happy to assist you and your baby. 

March 7, 2024
Good Night Baby

Don’t get “nap trapped”

More and more in recent times have I been hearing the word ‘nap trapped’. Nap trapped is when parents feel ‘trapped’ at home because their little one can sleep well only in the cot or in a specific area for naps. This can even mean that because of the timing of naps, moms don’t want to join friends, go to classes or join groups. There is an added level to being nap trapped, as it could also mean that your baby can sleep only on you or next to you. I KNOW I was nap trapped with my babies. For such a long time, my children were sleeping horribly, and once I found something that worked, I was so petrified that if I changed something they would go back to the horrible sleeping. We could never go out for dinner, because my little ones had to sleep at home. Outings during the day or during holiday caused me so much anxiety in the end that I did not want to do anything outside the house as it just made me stress. One holiday in Cape Town (by this time, my kids were already four and two years old), we had some friends over for an early afternoon braai. I had finally stopped breast feeding, so I could drink some wine again (of course, after not drinking for years, one glass was enough). We had a fantastic time; their kids were a similar age than ours and all were enjoying themselves. Because the sun goes down later in summer in the Cape, with a shock, at 20:00, I realised that my kids were not even close to getting into bed (they had a very strict 19:00 bedtime). And there they were, running around, swimming, playing and having a great time… I had never even given them the opportunity before… And I was fine, they were fine. I was actually the only one who realised what time it was. Because they normally slept really well, they could cope really well with one night of going to bed later. And that is the reality most of the time. Even the most social couple I have helped had something on three times a week over bedtime (that is really social, I can’t remember ever being that social, even before kids!). AND even for that social couple, it was still the exception. For four out of seven nights, they were at home, could follow the bedtime routine and make sure that their baby got proper sleep. Don’t try to create your life according to the exception and also don’t be afraid of the exception. Most of the time, you will be at home, and when you are at home, make sure that your baby gets the best sleep that they can. So that when those exceptions happen (they have a short nap or skip the nap or go to bed later), they will be ready and deal with it and will be fine. There are, of course, some additional things that you can try for naps or bedtime when you do go out for dinner to at least hope you have a good time: Try to relax. In the end, if you are going to be anxious, your baby will feel it and this can make the whole situation much worse. This might mean that you need to plan a bit. This might mean that you need to allow other people to help when they offer. Or, this might just mean that you need to know that whatever you do for those couple of hours will not alter everything that you have done before. If your little one can sleep in the car, well, use it. If you are traveling during time that falls over the nap time, extend the drive a little if you have to (I know petrol is expensive!) to just ensure your baby gets a bit of sleep before you get to your activity. If your little one can sleep in a stroller, use it! Even if it is a short nap, it is better than nothing. Try using a portable white noise machine or white noise app in the stroller as well as closing it and moving it around to see if this helps to get your little one to sleep in the stroller. Some babies sleep great in a stroller when they are small, but might not sleep so well anymore as they get bigger. BUT, then, they might get into it again. If you go to a braai/dinner at someone else’s house, ask them if they have an extra cot or take your camp cot with. Do a short bedtime routine as you would at home. Instead of bathing, you can just wipe your baby’s face and feet with a warm cloth. They will survive one night of not bathing. Try to put them down even if it means helping a bit to get them there. BUT, if they don’t sleep after 10 to 20 minutes, call it. Take them with you to friends and try to enjoy yourself. You can take turns holding the baby with your partner and friends. It is one night. Too many times, I have heard moms say that they want a baby that can sleep anywhere. These moms would say things like: “I can remember falling asleep under the table at weddings!” My response:  First, how many weddings do you attend? Second, sleeping anywhere has a lot to do with your baby’s personality and age, but most importantly, lastly, why create rules for the exception? By Jolandi Becker – MD of Good Night

March 5, 2024
Parenting Hub

The New Great Tasting Grape Flavour, Panado®’s Latest Paediatric Range Addition

Panado® has expanded their paediatric range with a new Grape flavour syrup,1 designed to help relieve pain and fever in children.1 As a trusted2 name in South Africa, Panado® knows that parents want convenient and great tasting products for their children. That’s why our new Grape flavour is colourant-free, tartrazine-free, alcohol-free, and sugar-free1, ensuring that your child gets the pain and fever relief they need.  Providing comfort to little ones who are feeling unwell can be a daunting task for parents, particularly when children are not able to effectively communicate their discomfort.  Panado® is trusted2 by South African families for providing relief of pain and fever1 in babies, toddlers, and children, but it is also convenient and great tasting. This makes it a go-to choice for parents who want a reliable solution that is easy to administer and appealing for their little ones to take. Fever is one of the most frequently cited reasons parents or caregivers seek medical help for their children. It is often a source of concern for parents and health care practitioners, who believe it may be linked to a greater risk of seizures (fits).3a A fever is defined as a body temperature of more than 38 °C in children.3b     Our syrup contains paracetamol, an option for treating pain and fever in children,4 and caters to diverse tastes and preferences while being gentle on little tummies5. But we didn’t stop there. We know that getting children to take medicine can be a challenge, which is why we’ve made sure that our grape flavour is also taste-bud friendly and easy to take.  With its clear syrup, there’s no need to worry about messy clothes or unsightly stains. Plus, the grape flavour is sure to make medicine time more appealing to kids. Dosage details for the Panado®  range of products can be found at  https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight.  Add in your child’s age and weight, and our calculator will automatically calculate how much Panado®  you should give your child, and which product is best suited for your child. So, next time you find yourself in the middle of a parenting rollercoaster with pain and fever, remember to reach for Panado® Paediatric Syrup – Grape Flavour – the clear choice for parents and kids alike!  Parents trust2 Panado® for the power to fight their little one’s pain and provide fast6 relief when needed most.  Panado® products are available at Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers, including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.            2023032710267635 References: Panado ® Paediatric Alcohol Free – Grape Flavour. Approved package insert. October 2022. Circana, MT,  October 2023 MAT. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Fever in children: Overview. 2013 Dec 18 [Updated 2019 Jun 6]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279455/. Last accessed February 2023. de Martino M, Chiarugi A. Recent Advances in Pediatric Use of Oral Paracetamol in Fever and Pain Management. Pain Ther. 2015 Dec;4(2):149-68. doi: 10.1007/s40122-015-0040-z. Epub 2015 Oct 30. PMID: 26518691; PMCID: PMC4676765. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26518691/. Last accessed February 2023. Bannwarth B. Gastrointestinal safety of paracetamol: is there any cause for concern? Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2004 Jul;3(4):269-72. doi: 10.1517/14740338.3.4.269. PMID: 15268644. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15268644/#. Last accessed February 2023. Wilcock A, Twycross R. Therapeutic reviews: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2013;46(5):747-755.

February 1, 2024
CRYOSAVE

10 Reasons to choose cord stem cell banking for your baby

Stem cell storage is more than just a medical choice; it’s a step towards securing your family’s well-being. With the promise of potential treatments and the assurance of peace of mind, let’s explore ten vital reasons why storing your child’s stem cells is a decision worth considering. Reason #1: Collection at Birth – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: The collection of umbilical cord blood and tissue stem cells takes place shortly after birth. If not done at this time these precious cells are discarded as medical waste. It is the reason why collecting cord blood stem cells is particularly important because there is only one opportunity to collect them immediately after birth, unlike other types of stem cells. These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types and tissues; therefore, they can be used for treating various critical diseases. Reason #2: Potential Future Medical Treatments Umbilical cord blood-derived (UCB) stem cells can be used in the treatment of blood-related diseases. As for UCB stem cells, using the patient’s own stem cells called “autologous transplants”, are readily available when needed. Currently, several blood diseases are believed to be critical diseases and are immediately needed (unlike matching with a donor which can take months), every minute counts. Therefore, cord-blood banking is very important to be done and prepared for any future emergencies. One of the primary reasons to store your baby’s stem cells is the potential for them to be used in medical treatments. Stem cells might be used in the future to treat a range of diseases and conditions, should the need arise, such as cancer, diabetes, cerebral palsy, and more. By storing your baby’s stem cells now, you may be able to provide them access to life-saving treatments in the future. Reason #3: Low Risk There really isn’t much risk involved at all! The collection process is completely safe for both mother and child and involves only a few minutes shortly after birth for collection. Even delayed cord clamping can be done.  Additionally, cryogenic storage is entirely secure and totally reliable; even in the event of a disaster, your baby’s stem cells will remain safe with us until needed. Reason #4: Inexpensive Options Although it may sound like an expensive option initially for many parents, having the ability to treat many life-threatening diseases in the future is truly priceless. As the number one cord blood bank in South Africa, our mission is to make stem cell storage more affordable for families and offer different plans and flexible payment options to suit your needs. Reason #5: Ensuring Your Child’s Future Cryopreserving and storing your baby’s stem cells is an asset for use in their future health and well-being. Nobody knows what might happen in the future, and should your child develop a life-threatening illness, then having access to their stem cells could save their life. In the past decades, the technology has advanced substantially and will continue to do so in the years ahead. By banking your baby’s stem cells now, you can ensure they have access to any new treatments or therapies that arise from further scientific research. Reason #6: Peace of Mind Knowing that your child’s stem cells are stored safely away can give parents peace of mind about their long-term health expectations. The stress associated with trying to find a suitable donor if needed down the line, as well as removing any concerns about matching or rejection issues for transplants from unrelated donors. Reason #7: Beneficial for the entire family  Umbilical cord blood stem cells not only are used for the children themselves but also potentially used by the immediate family members. Parents have a 50% chance of a match and siblings have a 25% chance. Besides treating blood-related diseases, these stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue can also be used to treat the family member’s other degenerative diseases. Therefore, collecting and banking UCB-derived stem cells can provide peace of mind for you and your family in the future. Reason #8: The demand is growing Stem cells isolated from umbilical cord blood have been used to treat different kinds of diseases apart from blood-related diseases, including diabetes, strokes, nerve damage, muscular diseases, etc. It is believed that the stem cell umbilical cord blood market is growing by 16,% due to the increased awareness of cord blood stem cells’ potential in treating various medical conditions and also by the rising incidence of chronic diseases in the population. Reason #9: High processing standards in a state-of-the-art facility Safety is considered an important aspect of the umbilical cord blood and tissue stem cell banking process. At present, UCB- and UCT-derived stem cell collection and banking is of the highest standard with international accreditations and certifications. Therefore, you and your family can rest assured that once frozen, your stem cells can be stored for decades. Reason #10: Revolutionary innovations of umbilical cord blood transplantation The innovation of umbilical cord blood stem cells for therapeutic use has made significant progress since the 1980’s and more than 40,000 UCB transplants have been performed. Umbilical cord blood and tissue stem cells are now being studied as an alternative treatment for many diseases such as type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and heart failure, to name but a few.  Storing your baby’s stem cells poses many advantages for parents that wish to protect their child’s health long-term without breaking the bank. It offers potential medical treatments which could save lives down the line, but also offers peace of mind knowing that you have taken steps towards safeguarding your children’s health — no matter what happens in life. Our promise is that we will do our best to take good care of your future and provide you with the highest quality and most reliable service.

January 30, 2024
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

New Mommy Tips

Caring for Baby The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion. Circumcision care Newborn circumcision is a surgery that removes the loose skin (foreskin) that covers the end of a baby boy’s penis. It may be done for various reasons and usually heals with 7-10 days. Follow the care instructions you were given by your baby’s doctor. Often times they will recommend that you use a small amount of petroleum jelly on the site at diaper changes to prevent irritation. Contact your baby’s doctor if you see blood or pus around the circumcision or if you smell an odour coming from the site. Myths about newborns The following are common myths about newborns: Myth: Don’t touch their “soft spots” – Truth: Known as the fontanels, these areas are a thick protective membrane, not your baby’s brain, so if you happen to touch them gently nothing bad will happen; as with all of your baby, handle that area with gentle loving care. Myth: Baby girls don’t have periods – Truth: Baby girls may have a “mini period” within the first few weeks of life which is the result of the stimulation of their uterus by Mom’s high estrogen levels. If you ever have questions about what’s happening with your baby, contact your doctor. Myth: Babies don’t get acne – Truth: Some newborns will develop acne due to circulating hormones from their mother between 2 weeks and 2 months of age; you don’t need acne creams, just cleanse the area gently. Myth: Babies have flat chests – Truth: Some babies may temporarily have swollen breasts due to their mothers circulating hormones; this can happen to boys and girls. Myth: Sneezing must mean my baby has a cold – Truth: Newborns have tiny noses and often have some congestion, so they may sneeze a lot at first; if they have thick, coloured mucus and are sneezing a lot then they may be developing a cold. Never hesitate to contact your doctor if you are worried about what’s going on with your baby. No question is ever “dumb” if you are worried. Bathing your newborn Your baby doesn’t need a full bath every day, only 3-4 times a week. When giving them a full bath make sure the water is warm, but not hot, by testing the temperature with your elbow – if it’s too hot for your elbow, it’s too hot for your baby. Use mild bath soap made specifically for babies – harsh soaps may dry and irritate their skin. Always keep one hand on the baby while they are in the bathwater. There are some parts of your baby that will need to be washed with mild soap every day, especially their face, chin, neck and bottom. Do not use soap on their belly button (navel) or on a circumcision until it’s healed. Make sure the room you are in to bathe your baby is warm and free of drafts. Every baby is different so don’t hesitate to talk with your baby’s doctor if you have any questions about caring for your newborn. Healthy skin for newborns You don’t need to use lotion or powder on your baby unless it’s been recommended by their doctor. Don’t use fabric softener or bleach on their clothes as these can irritate their skin. Use mild detergent to wash their clothes, making sure to wash new clothing before you put it on the baby. Be careful not to overdress your baby – if you are comfortable in a t-shirt and shorts, your baby will be fine in a t-shirt or short sleeved onesie and a diaper. Diaper care for your newborn Periodically check your baby’s diaper to see if it’s wet or soiled. Change their diaper whenever one becomes wet or soiled. When changing your baby’s diaper, wash their bottom with mild soap and warm water or use disposable baby wipes. Be sure to wash your hands each time you finish changing a diaper. Additional tips for care of newborn For mouth care, wipe you baby’s gums daily with a clean damp washcloth or an infant toothbrush. To prevent scratches, keep your baby’s finger and toenails cut short. Remember that newborns sleep a lot – usually between 16-18 hours a day. Make sure to schedule your baby’s first check-up as recommended by their doctor – it’s usually recommended between 2-4 weeks of age. Umbilical cord care Do not place the baby in bath water until after the umbilical cord stump has fallen off. Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry – if it becomes soiled you can clean it with a cotton ball, mild soap and water. Umbilical cord stumps usually fall off about 2-4 weeks after birth – contact your baby’s doctor if this doesn’t happen. If the umbilical cord stump turns red around the base, bleeds, develops coloured drainage or a bad odour contact your baby’s doctor right away since it could be a sign of an infection. Contact your baby’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s umbilical cord stump. Teething pain relief The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion. To help soothe the pain from teething give your baby a teething ring, a wet washcloth cooled down in the refrigerator, or feed him/her cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt. You can also talk to your doctor about giving your baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease the pain.

January 22, 2024
Parenting Hub

UNDERSTANDING TEMPER TANTRUMS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores the underlying causes of temper tantrums in children and offers strategies for managing and defusing these challenging situations. “Temper tantrums are a common and challenging aspect of childhood development that can leave parents, caregivers, and even bystanders feeling anxious and overwhelmed,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “The neuroscience behind tantrums reveals that meltdowns happen due to the ongoing development of children’s brains. They still need to acquire the coping mechanisms to manage intense emotions effectively. The good news is that most kids will grow out of temper tantrums as they learn to express themselves better.” Understanding Temper Tantrums Toddlers possess various skills, yet temper control isn’t typically one of them. Temper tantrums are intense, emotional outbursts that often occur in young children, often between the ages of one and four. These outbursts can take various forms, from crying and screaming to kicking, hitting, and even breath-holding. While temper tantrums can be distressing for children and adults, they are a normal part of child development and communication. Common Causes of Temper Tantrums While every child’s tantrum trigger is different, a few common causes for meltdowns may include the following: Frustration: Children often lack the language skills to express their needs and frustrations adequately. When they encounter obstacles or cannot communicate their needs, frustration can lead to tantrums. Seeking Attention: Some children may use tantrums to gain attention from parents or caregivers. Negative attention, such as scolding or reprimanding, can be just as rewarding for them as positive attention. Fatigue and Hunger: Tiredness and hunger can exacerbate emotions and lead to increased irritability in children, making them more prone to tantrums. Transitions and Changes: Changing routines, from playtime to mealtime or leaving a favourite place, can be challenging for young children and may trigger tantrums. Overstimulation: Excessive sensory input, such as noise, bright lights, or crowded spaces, can overwhelm children, making them more likely to have tantrums. Independence and Autonomy: As children strive for independence, they may become frustrated when their desires conflict with parental limits or expectations. Emotional Regulation: Young children are still learning to regulate their emotions, and tantrums can be a way for them to release pent-up frustration, anger, or sadness. How to Deal with Temper Tantrums Dealing with temper tantrums requires patience, empathy, and practical strategies. Here are some steps and tips for managing and diffusing temper tantrums: Stay Calm: Parents and caregivers must remain calm during tantrums. Losing your temper can escalate the situation. Ensure Safety: Ensure the child’s safety and the safety of others during the tantrum. Remove any potential hazards or objects that could cause harm. Provide comfort and reassurance without giving in to the child’s demands. Let them know you understand their feelings. Use Distraction: Sometimes, redirecting a child’s attention to a different activity or object can help defuse the tantrum. Set Limits: Establishing clear and consistent limits and boundaries for behaviour is essential. Be firm but loving in enforcing these limits. Offer Choices: Giving children choices within reasonable limits can help them feel a sense of control. For example, you might say, “You can choose between these two snacks,” or “Which of these two t-shirts do you want to wear today?”. Time-Outs: Sometimes, a brief time-out in a safe and quiet space can help a child calm down. You should explain the reason for the time-out and use it as a moment for reflection rather than punishment. Teach Emotion Regulation: As children grow, help them understand and manage their emotions by teaching them techniques like deep breathing or using words to express feelings.  Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward positive behaviour to reinforce good choices and encourage cooperation. Seek Professional Help: If temper tantrums are frequent, severe, or interfere with daily life, consider consulting a healthcare provider or child psychologist for guidance.

January 10, 2024
Vital Baby

Raising a Vegan Baby: Tips and Ideas for Nutritional Success

Vegan-based diets are becoming more popular, especially in South Africa, where more than 100 000 vegan mothers gave birth in 2020. But can you raise a healthy vegan baby? The answer is yes if you take care of their nutritional needs for growth and development. A vegan diet for babies must be well-planned and balanced, and you should seek support from a registered dietitian with experience in pediatrics. Gestation: If you are a vegan mum, you should ensure that you eat a well-balanced diet and increase your intake of certain nutrients during pregnancy. Your daily nutrient requirements increase considerably when you are expecting. You need more iron, folic acid, B12 and other B vitamins, vitamins A, C and D, plus extra protein, and calcium. Some nutrients, like selenium and iodine, can be passed on through your breast milk, but it may be worth seeking professional advice from a registered dietitian to ensure that your diet contains enough for you and your baby. Typical adult vegan diets tend to be low in fat and high in fibre, which is not suitable for growing children, who need a lot more energy and nutrients from food to meet their nutritional requirements for normal growth and development. Vegan diets are naturally high in fibre and too much fibre can fill little tummies quickly, curbing appetite and stopping them from eating enough to get adequate nutrients.   Breastfeeding is best for vegan babies, and you should try to breast feed as long as you can and continue to supplement solid feeds with breast milk.  Vital Baby helps to ensure both parents can get involved with the baby’s nourishment with the daily use of a manual or electric Nurture Flexcone breast pump which helps you to save and store breastmilk for feeds when you can’t be there and for topping up breastmilk at mealtimes.   Occasionally, newborn infants may need a little help during feeding. The Vital Baby Feed Assist bottle enables you to gently squeeze the base of the silicon squeeze bottle to encourage milk flow through the teat and to assist with the latch. Anti-colic valves help to reduce air intake. If for some reason you are unable to breastfeed, you can use plant-based baby formula instead in either powder, concentrate or liquid form. Make sure you choose a formula that is fortified with vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients for your baby.  The Vital Baby Nurture Milk Formula Dispenser has been specially designed so that the revolving lid can click accurately into position above each compartment, and the wide, easy-pour spout makes it simple to dispense the milk formula into the bottle, avoiding spillages. Starting solids Parents can begin feeding their babies a vegan diet when they start eating solids, usually around six months of age. Your baby can enjoy fruit and vegetable purées, enriched with a variety of vegan protein, calcium, and good fat sources. These include lentils, mashed beans, quinoa, tofu, tahini, yeast extract, finely milled nuts and seeds and fortified soya products like milk or plain soya yoghurt. Most plant-based yogurts contain live active cultures, so your baby can get the same gut health benefits of probiotics from non-dairy alternatives. Beans, chickpeas, lentils, nut butters, whole meal bread and rice and fortified breakfast cereals are all good iron sources for your baby. And adding vitamin C-rich food (e.g., oranges, strawberries, cabbage, pepper, and pineapple) will help with iron absorption. It is not advised to feed your child low-protein vegan milk alternatives like almond, coconut, or rice milk as they will fill up their tiny tummies without providing much nutrition. Critical nutrients for your vegan baby’s diet: Protein: pulses (beans, lentils, peas), nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (sunflower seeds) and tofu. Iron: beans (kidney beans), pulses (lentils), peas (green peas), green leafy vegetables (spinach), nut butters (peanut butter), tofu (firm tofu). They should have an iron-rich serving at every meal. Vitamin B12: fermented yeast products (nutritional yeast), fortified foods (soya milk) or supplements. Iodine: Moms may need to supplement when baby is over 2 years old or use iodized salt sparingly. Calcium: beans (navy beans), pulses (chickpeas), sesame seeds (tahini), dark green leafy vegetables (kale), white bread (whole wheat bread), plant-based milk (almond milk). Vitamin D: exposure to sunlight, fortified foods (margarine) or supplements. Selenium: Brazil nuts (just one or two per day is enough), sunflower seeds (roasted sunflower seeds), mushrooms (shiitake mushrooms) or supplements. Omega 3: chia seeds (ground chia seeds), hemp seeds (hemp hearts), tofu (silken tofu), linseed (flaxseed oil), rape seed oil (canola oil), hazelnuts (roasted hazelnuts), pecans (raw pecans) and walnuts (chopped walnuts).  Vitamin B2: wheat germ (toasted wheat germ), almond butter (smooth almond butter), avocado (ripe avocado) and mushrooms (portobello mushrooms).  The NOURISH Prep and Wean from Vital Baby provide inspired ideas for food combinations and nutrition packed meals home cooked in your own kitchen. Steam, cook, and blend healthy homemade meals quickly for your little one with three modes – sterilise, steam cook and blend – perfect for batch cooking and feeding later. With five blending modes you can tailor consistency of food to your child’s stage of weaning – from smooth purees to chunkier textures while its 2-tier steaming system allows you to cook multiple foods with different cooking times all at once. It is suitable for use with fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. Ideas for your 9+ month Vegan Baby Blend fresh or frozen fruit (e.g., banana, mango, berries) with plain soya yoghurt and a dash of maple syrup.  Mash a ripe avocado and a ripe banana together with a fork until smooth. Spread on whole wheat toast or crackers. Sprinkle with some cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavour. Mash a ripe banana with a fork and stir in chia seeds and plant-based milk. Refrigerate overnight or for at least an hour until thickened. Serve with fresh fruit or nuts on top. Cook some quinoa in water or apple juice until fluffy. Stir in some grated apple, raisins, and cinnamon.

December 21, 2023
Lifesaving South Africa

Preventing the unthinkable

Sunshine, watermelon and flip flops… summer holidays are around the corner! If you’re a parent you’re probably planning activities to keep your little ones occupied, or maybe pulling together your holiday travel plans. Whilst you are ticking off your packing list and racing to get your shopping done, be sure to take a moment and consider how you will keep your children safe around water this summer holiday. Drowning happens quickly and silently and can devastate a family in a matter of minutes. More than 700 children under the age of 15 years old die from drowning every year in South Africa, but even non-fatal incidents in which a child is rescued can leave a family dealing with long term social and health consequences. Recent evidence from Australia suggests that an infant’s risk of drowning triples as they reach one year of age. In South Africa, we know that children under 5 years old have the highest drowning rates compared to other age groups, but rates remain high in older children as well. Young children tend to drown in water in and around the home, while older children drown in larger, open bodies of water. Whilst these numbers are sobering, it is important to remember that most drowning incidents are preventable.  Here are some tips for keeping your children safe around water this summer. 1- Layers of barriers Many drowning incidents in very young children are unwitnessed, meaning that no-one is around at the time that the child enters the water. Young children often fall into water unintentionally while playing nearby or fetching toys that they may have been playing with earlier. One of the most effective ways to prevent drowning in young children is to ensure that there are barriers preventing them gaining access to water around the home. This means ensuring that pools are fenced off or have a safety cover that meets local safety standards, even better if you have both. Having a cover or fence alone is not enough – it must be used correctly! This means replacing the cover completely when a pool is not in use or ensuring that a gate is closed and not easily opened by children. It’s important to remember that hot tubs, paddling pools, blow-up pools, and portable above ground pools all present a drowning risk and should be protected appropriately or emptied when not in use. Pools aren’t the only area of risk around your home either – small ponds, reservoirs or storage tanks should also be protected by a barrier preventing access.  2 – Designated supervision So many drowning stories start with “I thought he/she was watching”. Counter intuitively, drowning incidents can happen easily in a crowd because they are silent and not signaled by splashing as many people think. Consider the large family braai where everyone is chatting around the pool and kids are splashing and laughing. Everyone is there but no-one is watching. Designating an adult to supervise children enjoying any water is essential. A supervisor should be an adult, not an older sibling, who is sober, not distracted by their phone or a book and within arm’s reach should something go wrong. As a parent it’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that nothing bad ever happens, so I’ll just step away to take that phone call or take the pot of the stove. Supervision is about someone being able to respond appropriately in the tiny percentage of times that things go wrong, not the majority of times where it’s just another day of summer fun. Forget about the “dad bod” or “mummy tummy” – get your cozi on and enjoy the water with your kids. 3- Learn CPR and know your emergency number Knowing what to do in an emergency can make the difference between a tragedy and a close call. CPR is simple to learn and, if performed early, can save a life and reduce the chances of long-term neurological damage in a drowning incident. Calling 112 from any cell phone in South Africa will reach a call centre who will route you to the closest emergency service. 4 – Swim between the flags When heading to the beach, make sure to swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguards do not replace adult supervision of children, but swimming between the red and yellow beach flags ensures that you are in the safest location on any given beach.  5- Be mindful of unfamiliar homes and holiday locations Even the most diligent, water smart parents can get caught out while travelling. It’s important to consider water safety when visiting family who might have older children or no children, or while staying in hotels and guesthouses that are unfamiliar and exciting to explore. When you’ve arrived at your holiday location, take a slow walk around the property, and consider it from the perspective of your children – where is the water? Where are the access points? How can you prevent access? If you’re visiting an unfamiliar beach, dam or river, speak to locals or lifeguards to find out where the safe swimming spots are. 6- Watch out for lilos and pool floats That flamingo pool float is super fun but be very cautious using it on any large open bodies of water or rivers. Floaties get caught by the wind and currents very easily and can quickly take a child (or adult!) out of their depth. 7- Teach your children survival swimming skills Summer holiday preparation happens year-round and enrolling your children in a survival swimming or learn-to-swim programme can help them learn the essential skills of safe entry and exit and what to do when they fall in. Speak to them about water safety from a young age to ensure that safety becomes engrained in their behaviour. 8 -Teach your children to become Watersmart Lifesaving SA has launched a free online e-learning WaterSmart hub, making water safety content accessible to all South Africans.  The hub includes animated videos

December 19, 2023
Wriggle and Rhyme

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

The festive season is upon us.  Shops are full of Christmas cheer and wherever you go, Christmas music fills the air. Do you have a favourite Christmas song? There are some obvious recurring hits out there that come around every single year, like a merry-go-round. Yes, I’m talking about Michael Bublé, Boney M, Mariah Carey.  You know the drill! That’s because, music has a huge role to play in our celebrations.  It gets us moving, it creates a mood, and it builds memories. Music gets us moving Play some music, turn up the volume, and what happens? We get a feeling that we want to move! Whether it’s tapping our fingers on the steering wheel of the car, swaying slightly, or tapping our foot, the instinct is there. That’s even more true for children. They haven’t built up a sense of awareness of others, so they move like no-one’s watching. Dancing, jiggling their bottoms, clapping their hands, bopping their heads up and down, you name it! Music helps us to celebrate special seasons and events because it gets us moving. Music creates a mood Music also stimulates our emotions. It has the ability to make us feel happy, sad, soulful, joyful, excited, scared etc. If you want to test this, watch a scary movie and turn off the soundtrack.  Suddenly the movie isn’t quite as scary! Getting up and moving, stimulates the oxygen supply to our brains and also triggers the release of endorphins. This contributes to us feeling positive about the music we’re experiencing. Music builds memories What is it about music and memory that’s so powerful? The details of our lives pass us by every day, with very little embedding into our long term memories. It’s unlikely that we’ll remember what we ate for dinner 2 weeks ago or a passing interaction with a person years ago. But, when we hear a familiar song, the memories come flooding back. Music doesn’t just help us to remember details, it connects with our emotions.  We remember how a particular memory made us feel, and that’s really powerful. Music helps us to celebrate special times because it embeds details into our brains, and like a search engine, helps us to retrieve those memories at a much later stage, with the music acting as a trigger. Switch off the screen, turn on the music! With all of this in mind, let’s be intentional in the way that we use music over this festive season. Let’s harness all that music offers knowing that it’ll get us moving, help to create a happy mood and embed some wonderful memories into our brains. Let’s switch off screens and use music and auditory resources to encourage our children to listen and look out at the world around them. Musical resources With that in mind, we have some wonderful, uniquely SOUTH AFRICAN musical stories for your little people to enjoy. These are accessible on your favourite streaming platform (Apple music, Spotify etc.) and are a great alternative to screens.  Just go onto the platform for search for “Wriggle and Rhyme”.  There are 4 different albums available. Wishing you a safe and happy festive season, and a wonderful 2024! For more info about the W&R musical stories and online resources, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/our-music  Find us on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme

December 14, 2023
Vital Baby

The Ins and outs of Co-Sleeping with your Kids

Co-sleeping is common in many parts of Africa, including South Africa. Co-sleeping is when parents share a bed with their young infant or child. It is considered as bonding, comforting, and protecting the child, however, co-sleeping may also have risks and challenges, affecting the parents’ sleep quality, intimacy, and independence. Co-sleeping may also vary depending on the family’s preferences, values, beliefs, and circumstances. Co-sleeping was common in Western societies until the 19th century when nuclear families and private bedrooms became popular. Co-sleeping was then associated with poverty and bad parenting and discouraged by society. Babies can find it hard to sleep without the closeness of a parent and may cry when they’re in a cot. Co-sleeping can make it easier for parents to respond to their baby, settle them more quickly and hopefully get some better-quality sleep at the same time. Older children might be motivated to sleep with their parents because of separation anxiety or when feeling sensitive or vulnerable, such as during the night.  No evidence confirms co-sleeping enhances a better (or worse) emotional attachment compared to those children who sleep separately. While today’s modern paediatricians may recommend room-sharing and discourage bed-sharing, the choice remains with your family, and your cultural and societal customs.  Jake in the Bed Lisa and Mark had a two-year-old son named Jake, who slept in their bed every night since he was born. They loved the warmth and comfort of co-sleeping but faced some problems. Lisa often had back pain and neck stiffness from sleeping awkwardly to accommodate Jake. Mark often snored loudly, which disturbed Jake’s sleep and made him restless. They also felt that co-sleeping affected their intimacy and relationship, as they had no space or time for each other. They decided to try to transition Jake to his bed in his room, but they faced some difficulty as Jake was now used to sleeping with his parents. He resisted and cried whenever they tried to leave him alone which left Lisa and Mark feeling frustrated and exhausted from the constant struggle. Max in the Bed Anna and Ben had a four-month-old son named Max, who slept in a crib beside their bed. They were happy with this arrangement, but they noticed that Max often woke up crying during the night and had trouble falling asleep. They also felt that they missed the closeness and connection with their baby. They decided to try co-sleeping with Max and found that co-sleeping made their nights more manageable and more enjoyable. Max could nurse more frequently and comfortably, which helped him sleep longer and better. Anna and Ben also felt more relaxed and rested, as they did not have to get up and check on Max every time, he made a noise. They also felt that co-sleeping strengthened their bond with Max, as they could cuddle, kiss, and talk to him more often. They enjoyed watching him sleep and wake up with a smile. They continued co-sleeping with Max until he was ready to move to his room.  Co-sleeping is common in many cultures and families, but it has some benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons of co-sleeping with your kids: Weigh up the facts and set the scene to suit you before it becomes a nightly habit and ensure your best option for harmonious nights and deep, peaceful sleep for everyone. Pros for Co-Sleeping: Co-sleeping may increase your emotional bond and attachment with your baby, as you can cuddle, comfort, and communicate more easily. Co-sleeping may make night nursing more accessible and convenient for breastfeeding, as you will not have to get up and go to another room to feed your baby. Co-sleeping may help babies and toddlers fall asleep faster and sleep better, as they feel more secure and relaxed near their parents. Cons for Co-Sleeping: Co-sleeping may increase the risk of accidental suffocation, strangulation, or injury to the child, especially if the parents are obese, smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, or sleep deeply. Co-sleeping may interfere with your sleep quality and quantity, as you may be disturbed by the child’s movements, noises, or needs. Co-sleeping may affect your intimacy and relationship with your spouse, as you may have less privacy and time. Co-sleeping may make it harder for the child to develop independence and self-soothing skills, as they may become too dependent on their parents’ presence to fall asleep or stay asleep. Co-sleeping is a personal choice that depends on many factors, such as your family’s personal preferences, values, beliefs, and circumstances. There is no right or wrong answer to whether you should co-sleep with your kids. However, if you co-sleep, you should follow the safety guidelines to reduce the potential risks. You can also consider some alternatives to co-sleeping, such as room-sharing (where the child sleeps in their crib or bed in the same room as you) or partial co-sleeping (where the child sleeps in their room but joins your bed for part of the night). Safety Tips: Place your baby on their back on the side of the bed, away from the edge and to the side of one parent. Avoid placing your baby between parents or next to other children or pets. Co-sleeping with a child over one year old is less risky than with a child under 12 months. At a toddler’s age of 1 to 2, they can roll over and free themselves if trapped in the bed. Co-sleeping during the school-aged years has been associated with problems initiating sleep, less nighttime sleep, more daytime sleepiness, more bedtime resistance, increased nighttime awakenings, and greater levels of sleep anxiety. Tips for Getting Baby to Sleep in their Cot:  Make sure baby is comfortable. Check the room temperature, the lighting, and their clothing. Make the cot a safer place. Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and a comfortable baby sleeping bag. Try the gradual retreat. Move the cot closer to your bed and slowly away until it reaches the baby’s room. Eliminate motion. Avoid rocking or driving your baby to

December 13, 2023
Vital Baby

Every Mother’s Power Struggle with Junk Food & Their Toddler

Junk food is addictive, and your toddler will fall in love with their first taste of sugary treats. Managing junk foods and your toddler’s health may be your first-ascent challenge in your journey of motherhood, so it’s wise to get ahead of the pack and learn how to avoid the pitfalls and traumas of keeping those little fingers out of the sugar bowl and growing and developing without worry of tantrums, addiction, or disease. Junk food is usually gorgeous and glitzy to look at, always colourfully presented and wrapped with a silver lining or in a cluster of sugary crystalline collaboration which looks decidedly more alluring than a piece of broccoli on a plate. Even adults struggle with maintaining a healthy diet, but you can help your child ingrain good eating habits early on in life and set them up for health and longevity over a lifetime – at the same time, it may help you to get back on track after your maternity.  Everyone needs to eat healthily but especially toddlers to get the nutrients their growing bodies need. Studies show that fast food served more than three times a week is associated with disorders in children such as asthma, eczema, and rhinitis.  Cakes, sweets, puddings, potato chips, ice cream and other low-nutrient junk foods shouldn’t be part of their diet. Junk food puts everyone’s health at risk but especially your toddler and sets them up for: Obesity, low self-esteem, and the risk of developing depression later Constipation and poor bowel health  Dental problems, cavities, and mouth disease Skin complaints and dry skin and hair Anxiety, mood swings and problems with concentrating Addiction to dopamine, the reward system in the brain, throughout their life Nutrient deficiency in iron, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc, leading to stunted growth, breathing problems, fatigue, unusual food cravings, and chronic infection. How can you better manage junk food and your child’s health? Avoid power struggles.  Even if your child likes chips, sweets, and fizzy drinks, you don’t have to give in to their cravings. Your toddler can’t get to the shops to buy junk food themselves, so don’t keep it in the home. When they ask for treats, simply respond that you don’t have any and offer them a choice of two healthy snack options instead. Nature’s own sweets are fresh or dried dates, sweet melon, and grapes. Eat regular meals.  When your toddler is getting adequate nutrition with regular and timely meals, there will be no room for junk food cravings and bad eating habits to creep in. If you have a busy schedule, it is important to plan and bring healthy packed snacks when you are unable to sit down at the table to eat.  The Nourish Scoop™ High chair from Vital Baby is compact, comfortable and tailors to every stage of weaning. It is perfect for sit-down family meals while growing up, converting to a handy toddler chair when the time comes.  Set a good example.  Our children don’t do what we say, they do what we do. Let your child watch and get involved in cooking nutritious meals and packing lunches, or at least having a say in what goes into their lunch boxes. For example, let your child help squeeze fresh oranges for decanting into their juice bottle or sippy cup and let them choose their favourite trail mix style.  You can encourage their nutrition further with the Vital Baby® NOURISH Starter Weaning Kit, which is the perfect combination of utensils and accessories for little ones who are taking their first weaning steps toward independent eating and drinking. This set makes for a great weaning gift for moms and dads who are about to start their toddlers on their own food journey. It includes super-soft and shallow spoons for a little mouth, bowls and pots for easy serving and storage, a super soft silicone bib with a built-in mess catcher, free flow cup to encourage sipping and is BPA, Latex, and phthalate free. Make meals learning time together.  Engage with your child at mealtimes. You can get them involved in their meal by arranging foods into a smiley face or cutting patterns into fruit skins.  Brighten their meals by serving five different food group colours on their plate, always as fresh as possible. Help them identify the colours with parts of their body, such as their heart, bones, teeth, and eyes. Red fruits are for healthy hearts and immunity. Orange fruits are antioxidants and convert to Vitamin A in our bodies. Green food groups relate to protein and Vitamin K for healthy skin and gut. Blue fruits such as blueberries are superfoods providing a good source of fibre and Vitamin K, and C.  Encourage your child to be curious by preparing their favourite meal and adding a new vegetable or fruit to the sample. You can also serve two side dishes at the evening meal, one familiar and one as a new experience.  If your toddler is ready to move from finger foods to adult cutlery, empower them further with the Vital Baby big kid cutlery set, which includes their own stainless-steel set with rounded fork tips and chunky handles for little hands to grip easily. By feeding themselves, your toddler is developing many skills, including hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and postural control.  Quick Tips to Live By  #1 Never use junk food as a reward or bribe. #2 Order the healthiest options when eating out. #3 The number one contributor to junk eating is stress and boredom. Children often get fussy and demand junk food when they are idle and don’t have anything to keep them busy.  #4 We often feel hungry when we are dehydrated. When your child wants junk food, ask them to drink a cup of water first. Add a slice of cucumber to the glass and ask them to count the transparent seeds in the centre to take their mind off the junk. #5 Involve your child in making ‘junk food’ at home, including

December 12, 2023
Parenting Hub

Proper Dosage For Peace Of Mind

While the classic approach suggests a spoonful of sugar helps medicine go down, convincing kids to take medicines often demands more than a little patience. While administering medicine to tots can be challenging, the good news is you can make it a little easier – and keep your child safe – by giving the correct amount every time. Why Correct Dosage Is Important  Little bodies process things differently than adults, making precision crucial. A child’s weight and age often determine medicine dosage.1a Even a tiny excess can be harmful, while too little can render the medicine ineffective.1b How To Get The Right Dose – Every Time Before administering medication to your child, read the medication label and follow the dosage recommendations. If in doubt, reach out to your child’s doctor to discuss the medication’s proper amount, frequency, and duration.  Sometimes, the way we measure can lead to inaccurate doses. Here are some key pointers to keep in mind when medicating your child. Household spoons: A regular kitchen teaspoon is equivalent to 5mls but not all spoons are created equally. Some may measure significantly higher or lower than 5mls.1c  Even if medicine instructions say “teaspoon”, it’s safer to ask your pharmacist for metric measuring spoon that shows the exact millilitres. That way, you can always be sure. Dosing cups: While using a dosing cup is better than a teaspoon, it’s not always accurate as some medicine can stick to the cup. This means your child might not get the full dose.1d Oral syringes or infant droppers: Both these options are available at most pharmacies, doctors, or online stores, are safe for babies and toddlers (they don’t attach to needles), help give the exact dose by showing measurements, and reduce mess and spitting by allowing you to place medicine in the corner of your child’s mouth.1e When in doubt, calculate how much paracetamol you should give your child with Panado®’s quick and accurate dosage test. Click here. Medicine Safety Basics  Ensuring the health and safety of our children is paramount, especially when it comes to medications. In addition to always ensuring you give your child the correct dosage based on their age and weight, keep the following guidelines in mind. Avoid giving partial doses or adding “a bit more” based on your child’s perceived illness severity. Dosages are determined by a child’s weight for safety and effectiveness, not by how sick they appear. Underdosing might not work, while overdosing could be dangerous.2a Check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before giving your child two types of medicines with the same ingredients.2b Never give your child medicines prescribed for someone else, whether it’s an adult or child.2c  Children should not be given medication that contains aspirin, as it can lead to serious health complications like Reye’s syndrome.2d Do not give cough or cold medicines to your child unless the doctor gives you the green light, especially to children under four years old.2e Turn to the Power of the Panado® Paediatric Range of Products Panado® contains paracetamol, which boasts over 150 years of clinical experience.3  It’s fast-acting4 and gentle on sensitive tummies.5 Panado® paediatric range of products includes Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Strawberry,6 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint Alcohol and Sugar-Free,7 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint 5 ml Sachets8 and Panado® Infant Drops.9 Make pain and fever care easy by shopping for Panado® products available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.   2023083110309095     References:   Intermountain Health. Getting the right medication dose for your baby. Available from: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/getting-the-right-medication-dose-for-your-baby. Last accessed August 2023. John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. On call for all kids: Giving your child the correct medicine dosage. Available from:  https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/ACH-News/General-News/On-Call-for-All-Kids-Giving-Your-Child-the-Correc. Last accessed August 2023. 150 years of paracetamol. GP Pharma Update Mar/Apr 2019. Moller PL, Sindet-Pedersen S, Petersen CT, et al. Onset of acetaminophen analgesia: Comparison of oral and intravenous routes after third molar surgery. Br J Anaesth 2005;94(5):642-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aei109. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15790675/. Last accessed August 2023. Goodman & Gilman’s.The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 13th ed. Acetaminophen. p696 Panado® Paediatric Strawberry Syrup approved package insert, March 2002. Panado® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free professional information, May 2022. Panado® Paediatric Syrup professional information, May 2022. Panado® Infant Drops (Drops) approved professional information, August 1990.

December 12, 2023
Parenting Hub

HOW TO IMPROVE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN INFANTS

Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, explores various strategies and activities to nurture young minds. “The first few years of a child’s life are critical for brain development. During this time, their brain undergoes rapid growth, forming countless connections that will shape their cognitive, emotional, and social development,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “As parents and caregivers, there are numerous ways we can help improve brain development in infants and set the stage for lifelong learning.” Early and Frequent Interaction Early and frequent interaction is one of the most fundamental ways to promote brain development in infants. From the moment your baby is born, make eye contact and maintain it during feedings, nappy changes, and playtime. This simple act helps strengthen the bond between you and your baby and encourages their visual development. Talk to your baby, even if they can’t respond with words yet. Narrate your day, describe what you’re doing, and sing songs. This helps build their vocabulary and understanding of language. Pay attention to your baby’s cues, such as crying, cooing, or facial expressions. Responding promptly to their needs builds trust and helps them feel secure. Skin-to-Skin Contact Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is essential for infants’ brain development and emotional well-being. Holding your baby close to your skin provides comfort and warmth, regulates body temperature, and reduces stress. It also strengthens the parent-infant bond, which is crucial for healthy brain development. Breastfeeding Breast milk is known for its incredible nutritional and developmental benefits. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors that support brain development.  The act of breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and child. Tummy Time Tummy time is essential for strengthening an infant’s neck and upper body muscles. It also allows babies to explore their surroundings from a different perspective, enhancing their sensory and motor development.3b Gradually increasing tummy time as your baby grows helps them develop the muscles needed for crawling and eventually walking. Offer a Stimulating Environment Creating a stimulating environment for your infant can greatly benefit their brain development. Here are some ideas: Age-Appropriate Toys: Provide toys that are safe and suitable for their age. Toys with different textures, colours, and shapes encourage sensory exploration. Books: Even before they can understand words, reading to your baby stimulates their cognitive development and introduces them to the world of language. Mobiles and Visual Stimulation: Hang colourful, visually stimulating mobiles above their crib or play area. These can capture their attention and promote visual tracking. Encourage Exploration Infants are naturally curious and eager to explore their environment. Allow your baby to touch, feel, and examine objects within safe limits. Supervised exploration helps build cognitive skills and fine motor control. Music and Rhythms Music has a profound impact on brain development. Play soothing music or lullabies to help calm your baby, and introduce rhythmic play with instruments like shakers or tambourines. Regular Sleep Schedule Consistent sleep patterns are crucial for brain development in infants. Ensure your baby gets enough sleep by establishing a regular bedtime routine. Newborns typically require 16 to 18 hours of sleep per day, while infants generally need 12 to 16 hours of sleep daily, which includes their naps. Toddlers should aim for a total of 11 to 14 hours of sleep, preschool-aged children require about 10 to 13 hours, and elementary school-aged children should aim for 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. A well-rested baby is more alert and ready to learn during wakeful hours. Baby Sign Language Baby sign language is a valuable tool for improving communication with your infant before they can speak. Simple signs like ‘more’, ‘eat’, and ‘milk’ allow your baby to express their needs, reducing frustration and enhancing early language development. Maintain a Healthy Diet If you’ve started introducing solid foods, ensure your baby’s diet is rich in nutrients essential for brain development. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats in their diet. Limit Screen Time The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time for children under 18 months and limiting it for older children. Excessive screen time can interfere with physical, social, and cognitive development, so it’s best to prioritise hands-on activities and face-to-face interactions. Create a Safe and Loving Environment A secure and loving environment is the cornerstone of healthy brain development. Ensure your baby feels safe, loved, and protected. Be responsive to their needs, provide affection, and create a stable home life. Get Outside Spending time outdoors exposes your baby to new sights, sounds, and sensations. Fresh air and natural surroundings stimulate their senses and support cognitive development. Remember to protect them from the sun and dress them appropriately for the weather. Engage in Play Play is an essential avenue for learning in infancy. Simple games like peek-a-boo, tickling, and imitating facial expressions can provide hours of entertainment while promoting social and emotional development. Be Patient and Responsive Finally, remember that every baby develops at their own pace. Be patient and sensitive to their specific needs and create a loving environment in which they feel loved.

December 6, 2023
Parenting Hub

Easy ways to stay sane and serene when flying with kids

After a busy year, the festive season is an ideal opportunity to reconnect with loved ones far away. Zoom and WhatsApp calls are no substitute for longtime friends or two or more generations of a family sharing a meal together, and air-travel is the quickest way to cross great distances. But travelling with little ones can be a source of dread and stress. Serving more than 160 destinations around the world from their Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ crew get to go lots of places, often. They share some suggestions on how to not bookmark your holiday with anxiety over your kids.  Do the paperwork in good time: Depending on your destination, the documentation you’ll need will vary widely and some of it takes a while to secure. So prepare a list of what you need: visas, birth- and vaccination-certificates, and so on. Some travellers find it reassuring to carry a file with hard copies of any documentation they might need to present.  Talk about it: Depending on their age, you may be able to explain to your youngsters what to expect at the airports and in the air. There’s also a large variety of videos online that show kids what it’s like to pass through customs and to board.  Sort out seats and eats: As a parent, you can request that you and your family board your flight before or after the other passengers, depending on what you feel is easier. Plan ahead and you can reserve bassinets which are installed against the bulkheads of long-haul aircraft, and book special meals if you need to. You can also push foldable pushchairs up to the door of the aircraft. Some airports, like Doha’s Hamad International Airport, have complimentary pushchairs for passengers’ use, but remember to reserve yours beforehand. Most airlines also allow you to book children’s meals ahead of time, and they’ll be fed before everyone else, which can help settle them.   Manage the noise: Air travel can be noisy, and for neurodivergent people of all ages, the levels of sensory stimulation can be overpowering. Noise-cancelling headphones can help, although civil aviation regulations mean they’ll need to be removed for takeoff and landing.  Lay down their arms: Many kids have a favourite toy, and many will find it upsetting if they have their Jacqui or Jack Sparrow rubber sword confiscated by airport security. Rather leave anything at home that resembles a weapon.  Don’t overpack: You want to avoid running out of nappies, wipes and other essentials while airborne, but carrying too many supplies will be a burden, so pack a sensible amount in your carry-on and check the rest in to go in the hold.  Pack chewy snacks: Changes in the pressurization of airline cabins during ascent and descent can be uncomfortable and upsetting for little ones. That’s generally remedied by munching age-appropriate snacks. Avoid overly-sugary ones as that may make some kids restless.  Screentime is okay: There are times when you want your youngsters to spend time in the real world and way from their devices, but on a long-haul flight, inflight entertainment or games on a smartphone or tablet can be your new best friend. Any good airline will have a wealth of age-appropriate movies on offer, but Qatar Airways’ is unmatched.  Ask for help: The cabin-crew is trained to make life easy for passengers of all ages, and that includes parents, children and babies. 

December 5, 2023
Lifesaving South Africa

Lifesaving SA and DHL launch an online water safety learning platform

Every year, hundreds of families across South Africa lose loved ones in preventable drowning accidents. For youth 17 and under, drowning represents the second highest cause of accidental death after road accidents. The highest percentage of deaths are in children aged 1-9 years. This problem is not unique to South Africa, but follows trends seen globally, where 90% of the world’s accidental drowning deaths occur in middle to lower income countries. (World Health Organization) Following on from the success of Lifesaving SA’s WaterSmart School programme, in partnership with the Department of Education and DHL, Lifesaving SA has launched a free online e-learning WaterSmart hub, making water safety content accessible to all South Africans.  While water safety training does take place in South Africa, its reach is limited. This is because programmes currently depend on in-person instruction conducted by volunteers, such as those working with Lifesaving South Africa (LSA).  In 2016, Lifesaving SA launched WaterSmart, a paper-based educational programme written for the Department of Education Life Skills Orientation curriculum for grades 4-6. Since its inception, each year 50 lifeguard facilitators present this programme in hundreds of underprivileged schools, thanks to the sponsorship from corporates such as DHL, who through its partnership with Lifesaving South Africa, connect people and help save lives. In 2021 the KZN Department of Education partnered with Lifesaving SA where 6700 teachers and supervisors were trained to present the programme in their classrooms. In 2022 the programme was presented to 607 770 learners in more than 6000 schools, reaching over a million learners to date. The DHL Lifesaving WaterSmart Online Hub seeks to address the problem of drowning in South Africa by teaching learners about the various dangers water poses, empowering them to better manage risks and maintain a constant awareness and vigilance whenever water is around. The hub includes animated video content and interactive quizzes and spot the risks, making it fun and easy for children to learn about water safety and prevent drowning. The characters and scenes are presented in a simple, easy to understand format, allowing a greater audience to be reached. The content draws upon materials already developed by LSA for in-person training, including the character of “Resci,” who guides learners through the content. Teachers and parents are guided with learning plans, downloadable resources such as workbooks, readers, and posters to assist with delivering the programme to their learners and after each module is completed the learner is presented with a certificate. Jed Michaletos, Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, expressed his delight, adding, “As a business, we talk about delivering excellence in a digital world, so when we had the opportunity to work with the Lifesaving SA team to digitize their learning materials, we jumped at it. This will increase the reach of the programme dramatically through ease of access – and really help deliver the message of water safety, to all. This project is a true demonstration of our organisational purpose, of Connecting People and Improving Lives.” With summer having finally arrived after a long and wet winter, DHL and Lifesaving SA want to ensure that children are taught how to be safe around water to prevent unnecessary drownings because one life lost to drowning is one life too many. To access the hub, visit https://watersmart.dhllifesaving.com/library/home or click on the QR code to start learning. For more information about Lifesaving South Africa visit www.lifesaving.co.za and follow us on social media X – @LifesavingSA Facebook – Lifesaving South Africa Instagram – lifesavingsouthafrica

December 5, 2023
Parenting Hub

Travel Hacks for a Happy Holiday Season

No one wants to be bogged down by pain or fever during their holiday travels, and now, thanks to Panado®, you don’t have to be!  Whether you’re jetting off on a family holiday, embarking on a road trip adventure, or simply making a quick visit to family and friends, Panado® has your back with a range of solutions for adults and children.                       Tips for Travel With Kids  Comfortable Seating While car seats are a must for children, they are designed primarily for safety, not comfort. If you’re traveling long distances by car, ensure that your child’s car seat is properly installed and fitted,1a and that it is appropriate for their weight, and height.1b                        Ear Pressure Relief Children often experience earaches during plane journeys due to rapid cabin pressure changes.2a To help your child during air travel, teach them to relieve ear pressure by chewing gum or sucking on a lollipop.2b Manage Motion Sickness Motion sickness happens when our senses send conflicting signals to the brain.3a For example, when we’re in a moving car, our inner ear senses motion, but our eyes see a stationary interior, which can make the brain feel confused and lead to dizziness, nausea and vomiting, especially in children younger than age six.3b  If your child gets motion sick, keep a bag handy in the car, for just in case. Talk to a doctor about remedies, consider child-sized acupressure wristbands, and encourage them to focus on objects outside the car.3c Tips for Adults for Travel  Plan Ahead Planning ahead is the secret sauce to ensuring your travels are as pain-free as possible. Before you embark on your adventure, take some time to create a checklist of all your travel essentials. This checklist should include items like your passport, tickets, itinerary, and, of course, a basic first aid kit.  Stay Hydrated Dehydration can be a silent troublemaker when it comes to discomfort while traveling. It can cause headaches, nausea and fatigue.4 To combat this, make sure to drink plenty of water while you’re on the move. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and aim to stay refreshed throughout your trip.  Stretch Your Legs Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or a road trip across the country, taking regular breaks to stretch your legs and get your blood flowing can work wonders. Being in one position for an extended period can lead to stiffness and aches.5 Stand up, walk around, do some simple stretches – anything to keep your muscles engaged.  The Paediatric Range  We understand that traveling with babies, toddlers, and children can be an adventure all on its own.  Panado®’s paracetamol-based infant drops, paediatric syrups, and on-the-go sachets provide soothing pain and fever relief for your little ones. Parents trust6 Panado® to be gentle on little tummies but tough on pain and fever in babies and kids.7&8 Panado®’s paediatric range includes peppermint flavoured syrup in convenient 5ml sachets, Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Strawberry (50 ml | 100 ml),9 Panado® Paediatric Syrup, Peppermint Alcohol and Sugar-Free (50 ml | 100 ml),10 and Panado® Infant Drops 20 ml.11                   Always administer using a medicine measure or a syringe. Do not exceed the recommended dose.  Dosage details can be found at https://panado.co.za/dosage-calculator/ and are calculated according to your child’s age and weight.   The Adult Range Panado® is conveniently available in tablet12, capsule13 or effervescent14 form to suit individual preference. Panado® Tablets provide relief from pain and fever. For those seeking an alternative, Panado® Capsules offer a convenient option: the capsule shells are designed to be smoother and more slippery, making them easier to swallow – especially beneficial for individuals who struggle with tablet consumption. The tasteless and odourless nature of the capsules caters to those who find tablets’ taste or aftertaste bothersome.15 In cases where swallowing tablets or capsules poses a challenge, Panado®’s effervescent formulation serves as convenient solution.16                       Panado® products are available from Baby City, Pick n Pay, Checkers including Hypers, Shoprite, Clicks, Dis-Chem and Independent Pharmacies. For more information, visit https://panado.co.za/ and join the conversations on Facebook.            2023092110313298 References: National Childbirth Trust. Guide to child car seats. Available from: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/getting-out-about-your-baby/travelling-baby/guide-child-car-seats. Last accessed October 2023. KidsHealth. Flying and your child’s ears. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flying-ears.html. Last accessed September 2023.  University Hospitals. How to prevent and treat car sickness in kids. Available from: https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2023/01/how-to-prevent-and-treat-car-sickness-in-kids.  Last accessed September 2023.  Medical News Today. Headaches, nausea, and fatigue: How are they related? Available from:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/headache-nausea-fatigue. Last accessed September 2023.  Flarin. Why do my muscles feel stiff after sitting for a while? Available from: https://flarin.co.uk/why-do-my-muscles-feel-stiff-after-sitting-for-a-while/. Last accessed September 2023. Circana, MT,  July 2023 MAT. Blondell RD, Azadfard M, Wisniewski AM. Pharmacologic Therapy for Acute Pain. Am Fam Physician 2013;87(11):766-772. Prescott LF. Paracetamol: past, present, and future. Am J Ther2000;7(2):143-147.  Panado® Paediatric Strawberry Approved package insert March 2002.   Panado® Paediatric Syrup Alcohol and Sugar-Free & Panado® Paediatric Syrup package insert. April 2010.  Panado® Infant Drops (Drops) approved professional information, August 1990.   Panado® Tablets approved professional information, June 2005.  Panado® Capsules approved package insert, August 1984.  Panado® Effervescent (Tablet) approved professional information, July 1992.  Science Direct. Capsule. Available from : https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/capsule. Last accessed October Panado website. Panado tablets effervescent 16s. Available from : https://panado.co.za/product/panado-tablets-effervescent-16s/. Last accessed October.

December 1, 2023
Vital Baby

Correct Care and Intervention for Your Baby’s Cleft Lip & Palate

Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects that affect the development of the upper lip and the roof of your baby’s mouth.  They occur when the tissues that form these structures do not fuse properly during pregnancy. The causes of cleft lip and palate are not fully understood, but they may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cleft lip and palate can affect your baby’s appearance, feeding, speech, hearing, dental health, and self-esteem. This is because many children with cleft conditions are rejected by their cultures and their families and may face ridicule and harassment for their appearance. As a result, they often struggle with low self-confidence, bullying and social exclusion. Correct Care for Cleft Palate Early surgical intervention is important for cleft palate babies as it can prevent speech patterns from being negatively affected. “A great many South African parents do not realise that the quality of life of children born with cleft lip and palate can be drastically improved as help is available and there is always a way to get assistance for your child,” says Netcare Doctor Professor Tim Christofides. Smile Foundation SA encourages new parents to celebrate their babies and seek help from the medical professionals available through their non-profit organisation that aims to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive life-changing Plastic and Reconstructive surgery to correct facial anomalies that children have been born with or developed because of trauma. International children’s charity Smile Train South Africa supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally and empowers local medical professionals to provide cleft care in their own communities. Treatment involves surgery to repair the cleft, as well as other interventions such as speech therapy, dental work, and ear care. Cleft lip surgery usually takes place when your baby is aged 3 to 6 months old, and cleft palate surgery is done when your baby is 6 to 12 months old.  Vital Feeding Support for Your Baby Feeding your baby with cleft lip and palate can be challenging, as babies born with cleft may be unable to feed properly and may suffer from malnutrition and thirst. The risk of death is nine times higher for cleft-born children.Vital Baby offers a range of products for babies and toddlers, including feeding, weaning, hydrating, and soothing items. If you want to breastfeed your baby, you may need some extra support and guidance from a lactation consultant or a nurse. Breastfeeding a baby with cleft lip and palate can be possible but may require some modifications, such as using a breast pump, a nipple shield, and supplemental feeding appliances to help you stay calm and organised. Controlled Flow Feeding for Cleft Babies: Babies with cleft lip and palate may need special bottles or nipples that allow the parent to control the flow of milk or formula into the baby’s mouth.  Vital Baby offers a range of bottles and nipples suitable for cleft-born babies, such as the Nurture Breast-Like Feeding Bottle, the Nurture Bottle Feeding Gift Set designed to mimic the natural feel and shape of the breast and to help your baby latch on easily and comfortably, and the Nurture Flexcone Electric Breast Pump Gift Set,  Burping Your Cleft Baby Babies with cleft lip and palate may also need frequent burping during and after feeding, as they may swallow more air than usual. Vital Baby recommends using their Easy Pour Breast Milk Storage Bags to store and freeze breastmilk and to gently squeeze out any air bubbles before feeding. They also suggest using their Nipple Shields to protect sore or cracked nipples and their Ultra Comfort Breast Pads to absorb any leaks or spills. Feeding Position for Cleft Baby Babies with cleft lip and palate can benefit from a supportive and comfortable feeding position, such as holding them upright or slightly tilted to prevent milk or formula from going into the baby’s nose or ears. During breastfeeding, a mother’s nipple naturally flattens when in the baby’s mouth. The vital baby® NURTURE™ breast like teats are designed to mimic breastfeeding, with a Flexzone teat to stretch and flex just like a nipple, helping avoid bottle confusion and making the transition between breast and bottle easier so your child can get all the nutrition it needs to grow strong. Weight Management for Cleft Baby  Check your baby’s weight regularly to make sure he or she is getting enough nutrition. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how often to weigh your baby and what weight gain to expect. Remember, too, that caring for your baby with cleft lip and palate can be emotionally and physically demanding, so it’s important to take care of yourself as well as your baby.  Soon enough, you will be celebrating all your baby’s milestones and achievements; until then, focus on your baby’s strengths and abilities rather than his or her differences. Remember that your baby is unique and beautiful regardless of the cleft. Vital Baby cares about you and your newborn. Head over to our Family Corner to learn more about caring and nurturing your little one.

December 1, 2023
Good Night Baby

SUGAR, DEVIL OR FRIEND?

Over the past few years many health experts voiced their opinions loudly on social media regarding the many dangers that dietary sugar pose to our health while very few articles ever consider the merits thereof. When you consider dietary sugar intake in terms of one’s own health or the health of one’s family you need to weigh all the facts carefully before you unwittingly cut important nutrients from a diet. Always keep in mind that variety is essential as we derive the many vitamins and minerals our bodies need from all the different foods we consume. It is sensible to start off by familiarising yourself with what exactly constitutes as sources of dietary sugar. Many of us would be surprised to learn that most of the main food groups we view as essential in our diets actually are sources of dietary sugar. What exactly do I mean? Let us break down sound scientific data to digestible bites of information!

November 30, 2023
PowerPlastics Pool Covers

There are safety covers, and then there are safety covers

Know what you are buying. Understand compliance. Remember this is your child’ s life on the line here so it is perfectly OK to ask your supplier the difficult questions. A solid safety cover may seem like a simple item but sub standard materials and installation methods have a direct impact on your safety cover’s efficiency and longevity. When efficiency relates to lives, it can’t be more critical. Choose a brand like PowerPlastics Pool Covers that has been covering pools for decades, not weeks.  The finer details of safety compliance There has been wide industry collaboration and years of research that has gone into laying out the pool safety guidelines and, in South Africa, the function is addressed by the SABS, forming part of the national building standards, specifically SANS 10134. The cover specs you need to know / the technical questions you should be asking the pool cover supplier to ensure your compliance are: Are there any gaps or openings that allow unsupervised entry? If yes, can I fit a ball of 9cm x 14cm x 30cm through the gap? (this being the size of a child’s head or torso). Can the device bear weights of up to 220 kg? (static load test). Opening test – is the cover sufficiently anchored to prevent a child gaining access to the pool water? Does rain or sprinkler water drain off so the cover is dry within 10 minutes, with no pools forming on top of the cover? The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover is SA’s bestselling safety cover to prevent drownings. The baton and ratchet system creates a tensioned PVC cover that a child is not able to tamper with.  Remember, the questions will get a lot harder after a tragedy has occurred in your pool and you are found to be non compliant with SANS 10134. PowerPlastics Pool Covers keeps you compliant and the family safe. Contact us with any questions on safety compliance for pools. 

November 24, 2023
Good Night Baby

Sleep Regressions

Sleep regressions can be quite challenging for both parents and little ones. There are many regressions and some babies and toddlers might experience one or two instances of poorer sleep as they grow and very rarely some children experience all phases of sleep regression . Sleep regression also varies in the duration and severity of the experience.

November 23, 2023
Toptots Head Office

The benefits of mouthing toys

If you have found yourself horrified by what your growing baby or toddler are putting in their mouths – you are not alone! All children go through a mouthing phase, where they seem compelled to put things in their mouths. There are different reasons, benefits and downsides to this.

November 22, 2023
Wriggle and Rhyme

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

It’s got to be one of the top karaoke songs of all time!  ABBA’s “THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC”.  How often haven’t you heard it and found yourself singing or humming along to those famous words?  “Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing, thanks for all the joy they’re bringing”. Let me introduce myself.  My name is Kirsty Savides and I’m the Founder and Programme Director of Wriggle and Rhyme, a music and movement programme for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. ABBA’s words have been ringing in my ears recently.  You see, October 2023 marked Wriggle and Rhyme’s 15th birthday.   It’s been 15 years since I ran the first ever Wriggle and Rhyme class from the lounge in my home in Fish Hoek. Since then, the business has grown and evolved.  I’ve gone through all the stages of motherhood with the business – from exciting conception to a crying newborn, to a demanding toddler, to a feisty tween, to a maturing teenage.   Here are some highlights: In 2011, we branched out into PRE-SCHOOLS in Cape Town.  We extended the programme from babies and toddlers, to include children up to Grade R level.  We now have hundreds and hundreds of children participating in our music and movement classes in pre-schools each week. In 2013 the BABY and TODDLER programmes were licensed to allow other women to run classes from their venues too.  We now have branches in MEADOWRIDGE, RONDEBOSCH, CLAREMONT and MELKBOSSTRAND. In 2017 we partnered with Lifeline Energy to bring our music to children across the African Continent.  Lifeline Energy distributes solar-powered radios and MP3 players to prisons, refugee camps and schools across Africa.  These children are now also singing our songs each week! We’ve also created a range of unique and fun musical stories to enjoy.  Originally available on CD, these can now be accessed through your favourite music streaming platform – SPOTIFY, APPLE MUSIC, iTUNES, AMAZON etc. Running a business in South Africa has not always been easy.  We’ve had to weather global recessions, the really difficult COVID season and ongoing loadshedding.  Sometimes the song in our hearts has been upbeat and full of joy, sometimes it’s been melancholy and slow. These are still challenging times that we’re living in.  With the rising cost of living, wars and rumours of wars across the world, pain and suffering all around us.  It’s easy to become despondent and feel anxious. But, I wake up every single morning saying “thank you for the music”.  Not just for Wriggle and Rhyme, but thank you that I get to be part of something that contributes so beautifully to the lives of children.  Thank you that Wriggle and Rhyme assists our family and many others financially each month.  Thank you that I have the flexibility to spend time with my children each day. So, as we celebrate Wriggle and Rhyme’s 15th birthday, I’m resolved, more than ever, to live in gratitude for all that life brings – the ups and downs, the highs and lows. My song today and every day is, “thank you for the music!”. If this resonates with you, come and sing along with us.  Join our team and discover the joy of adopting Wriggle and Rhyme into your own family! For more info about the W&R business opportunity, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/join-the-team  For more info about the W&R musical stories and online resources, have a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/our-music  Find us on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme

November 21, 2023
Julie Kay Belly Way

Does a Belly Binder really work?

Women have been binding their bellies after pregnancy for many decades. Many different cultures bind the abdomens of mothers after they give birth as a standard procedure. Different materials are used to create pressure on the lower abdominal area so that the stomach that has stretched quite drastically during pregnancy is encouraged to return to its usual state. A belly binder or another form of binding after birth works wonders! Not only does the pressure cause the belly to flatten but the compression on the pelvic and abdominal area encourages healing. Compression causes enhanced blood flow and fresh, oxygenated blood is brought to the pelvic area, which improves recovery.  Belly binding and abdominal pressure also gives support to the body. Back, pelvic and hip pain is common during pregnancy and can remain for a long duration postpartum. The support offered by a belly binder gives structure and protection to the back, pelvis and hips as well as the belly, which reduces pain and discomfort arising from these areas. The first 6 weeks after baby is born is an incredibly important time for healing. Enormous changes are happening yet again to the female body as it attempts to return to normal while adapting to the needs of a new-born. It is during these 6 weeks that the belly starts to shrink. Uterine contractions during breastfeeding occur to do just that. The first 6 weeks are therefore the most crucial time to wear a belly binder as the body is working maximally for healing and recovery. Binding the belly during this time drastically enhances the body’s natural need to return to its correct position. Through compression and support the belly binder works hand in hand with the healing body. The cosmetic results are highly evident, and the belly returns to its normal state a lot faster than not binding or creating pressure at all. C-section delivery is increasingly common and is an invasive abdominal surgery that requires its own recovery. When pressure is applied to the incision by a belly binder the pain is greatly reduced as the cut is stabilized. Movement, coughing, laughing, sneezing and bed mobility is all made a lot easier as the cut is stabilized beneath the pressure of the binder. C-section healing is also promoted as the compression afforded by the binder brings fresh blood flow to the area. The compressive effect of the belly binder also enhances breastmilk production as fresh blood flow is coming into the area. This oxygen rich blood is made available to the breast area which enables the production of milk more to be more efficient and effective. The belly binder can be worn during breastfeeding to bring fresh blood flow to the breast area as well as to offer back support. Breastfeeding can cause back pain due to incorrect body positioning or poor posture assumed usually due to fatigue and attempts to keep baby comfortable. The supportive effect of the belly binder reduces this pain and maintains a good posture while feeding baby. Diastasis recti is a common occurrence during pregnancy and has varying degrees of severity. Diastasis recti is a condition where the abdominal muscles split in the middle of the abdomen due the internal force of the growing baby during pregnancy. It is most visible after delivery as the full extent and severity of the separation can be assessed. A belly binder gives support to this weakened area and prevents it from getting any worse. The binder encourages the abdominal muscles to draw back together and its constant pressure stimulates these muscles to contract, further improving the outcome of diastasis recti. It is highly recommended by medical professionals that women use an abdominal binder after pregnancy if they present with diastasis recti.  Haemorrhoids (piles), incontinence, pubic symphysis pain and diastasis, all improve with the correct use of postpartum belly binding. The pressure is taken off the pelvic floor and ‘up and out’ of the pelvis. It is important that the correct binding technique is used, and the pressure is directed upward. If too much compression is created in the upper abdominal area, the lower abdominal and pelvic areas will be under great force which can have extremely negative outcomes.  When the correct and effective techniques of belly binding are applied the results are phenomenal. Women recover a lot faster internally and externally with the help of a binder after baby. The belly binder should be worn from the first or second day after baby is born for up to 6 weeks. With the correct use of a binder, coupled with a good diet and gentle abdominal exercises, a full return to a pre-pregnancy body or an even better figure can be achieved. Preserve, protect and restore your body after pregnancy with a belly binder.  If you have made the informed decision to purchase a belly binder for your postpartum recovery Julie Kay Belly Way has the perfect solution for you! Our unique, top quality belly binders are designed and manufactured in South Africa by physiotherapist Julie Kay. Orders can be placed on our website www.juliekay-bellyway.com and delivery is within 48 hours. If you have any questions or specific requirements, please contact us directly. Join the Julie Kay maternity family today! 

November 20, 2023
Parenting Hub

Why Organic Is Best For Your Baby And Toddler 

In 2019, a study by  Healthy Babies Bright Future, an alliance of NGO’s and scientists, found that 95% of conventional baby foods in the US are contaminated with toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium, which can impact the growth of babies brains, lower IQ, and increase the risk of cancer. It also found that the effects of these toxins are cumulative, and that even low-level exposure in early life was of significant concern.   It’s no coincidence that these poisons are routinely used to produce the chemical fertilizers that are used extensively in conventional farming, and when you add in the toxic pesticides used on these crops, we have a perfect storm which many experts around the world believe is the cause of rising cases of infertility, early puberty in children, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, ADHD, and autism.   A ground-breaking study published in 1993, “Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children”, was the first to focus on the risk of toxic chemicals to this group – prior to this,  environmental safety policies had focussed on the assessment of risk to the “average adult”.   The study found that infants and children have a heightened susceptibility to chemicals in the environment. Firstly, children have a greater exposure to toxins compared to adults because they drink and eat more than adults in relation to their body weight. In addition, children’s metabolic pathways and their ability to metabolize chemicals are immature and they lack the enzymes needed to break down and remove these poisons.    Thirdly, children’s early developmental processes are complex and easily disrupted. There are critical periods in early development when exposure to even tiny doses of toxic chemicals—levels that would have no adverse effect on an adult—can disrupt organ formation and cause lifelong functional impairments.   Finally, children have more time than adults to develop chronic diseases. Many diseases triggered by toxic chemicals, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, are now understood to evolve through processes that take many years and that are kicked-off by exposures in infancy.    THE BOTTOM LINE  With the current chemical-based system of food production, humans are exposed to increasing levels of toxic chemicals which accumulate in our systems throughout our lives.  Early exposure – as infants and children – has been linked to the development of a range of cancers and neurological disorders. By limiting this exposure particularly in the vulnerable early years, through feeding infants and children organically produced food, parents can give their children the best possible chance for a healthy future. 

November 16, 2023
Clamber Club

3 Ways to Encourage Imagination at All Stages

Activities that encourage imagination play a vital role in childhood development at all stages. From birth, children are constantly learning about the world. While senses such as touch, smell, sound, taste, and sight are essential for development, skills such as imagination are also important to help with thinking, spatial awareness, problem-solving, reading, and various other functions that help your child from early childhood all the way through to adolescence.  To help encourage imagination in your child, there are a few key steps you can take. Keep reading to find out more. How to Encourage Imagination at Every Stage Some of the most effective ways to encourage imagination at all stages of childhood include the following: 1. Stories Reading is a skill that will see your child through until adulthood and beyond. Learning how to picture people, places and situations without physically seeing them is one of the best ways to teach your child how to think outside of the box. But kids don’t only have to read or be read to when it comes to getting the benefits of stories. They can also learn to make up their own stories and later, write their own stories. Once your child is able to imagine a world and all its possibilities through stories, they will be able to process real-world events much more easily. 2. Pretend play Pretend play is great for all ages. Toddlers often learn by mimicking behaviours they see each day. Tea parties, dress-up and other activities help them imagine themselves as moms or dads, superheroes, animals, monsters, princes, princesses or anything else they want to be. In older kids, pretend play takes the form of acting. All pretend play helps kids to act out scenarios and make sense of the world in a way that is gentle and fun. 3. Art It goes without saying that art is an excellent tool for boosting imagination. Art is a good tool for developing right-brained activity. While colouring in and doing specific art-based activities are good for fine motor skill development, freestyle art is best for letting your child express themself and experiment. Painting, drawing, collages and other art forms that require kids to think, strategise and play around with colour, texture, shapes, and elements will help your child unlock free-thinking abilities that stem from a creative, expressive place rather than the logical left brain.  Our baby, toddler and playschool classes are made to help your child develop key skills needed at all stages of development. Get in touch with Clamber Club today to find a class in your area that will encourage imagination in your child.

November 16, 2023
Philips Avent

How to exercise with baby in tow

For some new moms, the thought of struggling into something lycra on very little sleep, with leaking breasts, to take part in some form of exercise might fill you with horror. Fair enough! But there are those of you who feel trapped by the fact that you can’t take part in sports and activities that you used to now that you have a baby and consequently feel like you are missing out.  The good news is that things have moved on a great deal in the last 15 years when it comes to mother and baby exercise. My first piece of advice is that it is important to be sure you are taking part in exercise for the right reasons. There is a lot of pressure on mothers to regain their pre baby figure and this is a worrying trend. While it is great to be fit, healthy and to lose any weight gained during pregnancy, you simply shouldn’t feel pressure to do so on top of the demanding job of caring for a new baby.  So assuming you are looking to exercise with your baby to make you feel good, keep up a level of fitness and get out of the house, what is there on offer? There has been an explosion of mother and baby classes that involve meeting in the park with your baby and buggy and getting a sweat on! These classes often involve lunging and strength exercises and fast walking or running. These are great as they give your baby some fresh air and you get a chance to meet other mothers too. What happens in the class is designed to be safe for postnatal mums so you don’t need to worry about doing anything inappropriate.   Another popular mother and baby class is yoga. This can be done together with your baby. No one minds if your baby has a bit of a grizzle and I have memories of having a little nap in one the classes I attended, unintentional of course!  Water-based classes are another popular choice for mother and baby. Everyone is carrying post baby weight so you are all in it together squeezing your swimsuits on. A word of caution here though, a swimming pool can be a breeding ground for germs so take care when taking a small baby to a public pool. If they are showing any signs of feeling unwell then avoid swimming at all. Chlorine can be harsh on a baby’s skin too so have a think before you make the decision to take your baby swimming if they have sensitive skin.  There are of course things you can do with your baby that cost very little. A brisk walk with your baby in the buggy, a cycle with your baby on the back of your bike, and don’t forget the trusty home workout DVD as there are plenty designed for postnatal mums.  A word of caution, if you have had a C-section, do check with your doctor before taking part in any exercise as you are recovering from major surgery.  Whatever you choose to do, enjoy doing it with your baby!  To share your own exercise tips or to read tips from other moms, visit www.facebook.com/philipsavent  

November 15, 2023
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