New look and updates for award-winning Thule Urban Glide 2 stroller

With a modern design and slim profile the Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging stroller is the perfect stroller for running and everyday use.   The new updated versions of this popular and award-winning three-wheel stroller are now available and include a  ‘black-on-black’ colour edition (black fabric combined with a black frame for a sleek look) as well as new colour canopies in Majorca Blue and Cypress Green. New features also include a hand brake that provides deceleration, an automatic lock for folding, an extendable sunshade with UPF 50+ protection and extra ventilation, reflective rims for improved visibility and new car seat adapters for a customised fit. Featuring a sleek design and a slim profile, the Thule Urban Glide 2 is an all-round sport stroller that is perfect for everyday life and jogging. It folds easily with a one-handed motion and the air-filled tires and suspension, ensure a smooth ride that handles rough terrain like a pro. Lock the front wheel for added stability during a jog or hike, or leave it swiveling for better maneuverability while walking.  Julia Downey, brand manager for the Thule Active with Kids category offers these tips to consider when buying a pram: Think about your lifestyle and what type of pram will suit this best. If you are very active and want to bring baby along while you exercise, or simply if your family loves to fill your day with outings and activities, make sure that you buy an all-terrain pram, which is sturdy with good suspension.  Understand the dimensions of how big the pram is when it is folded and unfolded. Make sure that it will fit into your boot and double check that you can fold and unfold it easily (preferably one handed) when you have a baby and a nappy bag that you are carrying too.   Always check with the capacity of the pram is. Check that baby is comfortable, particularly if you are buying a pram for a newborn.This means opting for a pram that is well-cushioned with lots of padding, preferably with a reclining seat and sun canopy so that baby can sleep anywhere if needed. Find out if there is extra storage such as hidden pouches. This will limit the amount of stuff that you need to take with you, particularly if you are exercising with your baby. At minimum, a pram should have space for essentials such as keys, phone, a clean nappy and baby bottle.   Look at it as an investment, especially if you plan on having more than one child. A good pram will not only last through your baby’s first few years, but onto your next baby too. From there, it could be passed down to younger cousins.  Also check what the warranty on the stroller.

November 27, 2020

Skincare Expert Jomar Launches Premium, Clean Beauty-Inspired Skincare Range for Little One’s

JOMAR, a brand-new natural skincare range backed by passion and extensive research, has just launched its exciting baby and toddler skincare range. Inspired by modern, ingredient-conscious moms, the range includes 10 unique products that are specially formulated to treat delicate skin from head to toe. With over 22 years’ experience in the skincare industry, JOMAR’s dedication to promote clean beauty and to use active, natural ingredients in its products is what truly sets the brand apart from other baby and toddler products on the market. Although the products only contain ingredients sourced from nature it by no means compromise on the aesthetic experience. The objective of each formula is to soothe, protect, nourish and normalise skin. Founder Felicia Kotze explains: “When it comes to the skincare of our little ones, we only want the best! That is why JOMAR’sproducts are 99 – 100% natural and free from synthetic perfumes, colourants, parabens, lead, petroleum and sulphates. We believe in the importance of clean beauty – not just for ourselves but for our little ones too! “This is why you will never find ‘empty ingredients in our products – only active ingredients that are designed to provide your baby with the best care products on the market!” Parents will find everything they need for their little ones in the JOMAR range, including bum products and body washes, as well as signature products such as a Calming Rescue Gel, Decongesting Bath Oil, Conditioning Scalp Oil and Repairing Balm-Oil, just to name a few. “Thanks to careful development, our products are proven to be effective and help parents to treat conditions such as dry to sensitive skin, eczema and cradle cap – common baby and toddler ailments that can be alleviated using products with the right ingredients. Therefore our main ingredients include essential oils, antioxidants,  vitamins, botanical oils and butters and natural moisturisers. Essential oils are known especially for their healing, protecting, soothing and nourishing properties, which is great for babies’ skin!” adds Kotze. Devoted to being kind to the environment, JOMAR’s products are not tested on animals, are vegan-friendly and bio-degradable. With fresh, natural fragrances and beautiful packaging, each product is a joy from purchase to use, but most importantly, it provides the best skincare for babies and toddlers.  The luxurious JOMAR range for babies and toddlers can now be shopped conveniently online at https://jomarbaby.com/. Be sure to follow the JOMAR social channels on Facebook and Instagram for weekly inspiration and tips for parents.

November 27, 2020

Birth injuries

You only want the best for your baby, but sometimes harm comes to them unintentionally. During the birthing process, your baby can experience harm or physical injury; this is known as a birth injury.  Birth injuries are not uncommon, sometimes they are temporary and other times they may affect your baby for a lifetime. But what exactly are birth injuries? And what causes them?  What are the chances of my baby getting injured during birth? Birth injuries range from harmless to serve, either quickly healing or causing disability throughout life. Although significant injury or death during the birth process isn’t as likely, birth injuries are not uncommon – according to the Birth Injury Guide, about 29 in 1000 babies suffer a birth injury of some kind. Why would my baby become injured during the birth process? There are several reasons why a baby can experience physical trauma during the birthing process.  When you near the end of your pregnancy your baby moves into position for delivery, sometimes babies will move into an abnormal position, such as a breech (feet first), and this can cause them injury when they are born. Other reasons why baby’s may become injured during birth is being abnormally large, the mother’s pelvis is too small, or a long and difficult labour, where the mother’s contractions aren’t strong enough to push her baby out.  What happens if my baby has a birth injury? Generally, birth injuries affect the babies head neck and shoulders, as babies are generally born head first. There are a variety of injures that your baby could stain from birth trauma, such as bruising of the scalp, broken bones or brain damage. Sometimes these injuries are temporary and other times they can last a lifetime. Your doctors and midwives will assess the damage to your baby and help you and your baby accordingly.  Sometimes babies will sustain trauma during birth, and the injury won’t be noticeable until they have started school or being missing developmental milestones, as they struggle to mentally keep up with their peers or grow at what is considered a normal rate.  Sadly most birth injuries aren’t preventable, but even so, moms whose babies experience birth injuries often feel guilty and angry, as if they are too blame. Although feeling this way is understandable,  this is not the case and if you are feeling this way after your baby has experienced a birth injury it is best to speak to a health professional and reply on your partner, friends and family for support. 

November 26, 2020

Embracing colour

Colour makes up the beauty of our world, but why is colouring in so good for children? We’ve taken a look at some of the reasons why embracing colour and art is just so good for your little ones.  An understanding of the world Children are born in a greyscale world, seeing colour only as their eyes develop. At the age of 18 months, a child starts to identify colours. At two years and older, they start to name them.  We don’t always see how much we link colour to the world around us. Knowing that the sky is blue and the grass is green may seem obvious to us, but to a child learning everything from the start, these are crucial discoveries. Colouring in helps your child to link colours to the world around them, and their understanding and mental growth will grow and grow.  Developing their creative identity  By colouring in, children develop their hand strength and motor skills, including colouring in between the lines. Their focus and ability will continue to grow and strengthen too.  We’re most interested in helping your child develop their individuality. Through using colours to bring pages before them to life, their self-expression will burst into life! You will see them understand colour, size and shapes like never before – and they’ll be having fun the whole time too.  Taking time for them  In today’s world, we have a greater understanding of stress and how it can affect our healthy minds and bodies. Taking time for yourself is a vital skill that can be learnt from a very young age. And while your child might not want to meditate or self-reflect, colouring in has been proven as a great way to reflect, relax and de-stress.  By focusing on the task of colouring, using one pencil at a time, they will find this time away from their busy lives to be healthy and healing, making sure they’re in the best place to tackle their adventures ahead.  Hanging out with all the family  Colouring in also helps you create quiet time with all the family together. You can sit with your child as they colour in their adventures, or get on with your own relaxation while still being together. It creates a great opportunity for social time without requiring high energy playtime, and you get to watch your child discover the thrill of creativity.  Just be ready to be the proudest parent as your child rushes to show you their work, full of pride – whether it’s a modernist masterpiece, or a cheerful scribble!  At Characterful, we believe in the power of colour to inspire our readers’ imagination. Pick up any of our books and you’ll step into a world of vibrant backdrops, exciting characters and an immersive atmosphere.  And now we want your children to have the chance to colour in our books too, by releasing a colouring in version of our epic story The Door in the Garden Wall. Thanks to our personalisation, your child will now be both the hero of the story and the illustrator. 

November 25, 2020

Bennetts – The story behind the brand

Babies are a spark of heaven that we are entrusted to kindle, protect, love and nurture. But any parent who has had a colicky baby will know how quickly parents can feel that they have failed themselves and their baby.  Which is exactly what inspired our father, Basil Bennett, an exceptional South African chemist, to formulate his baby colic mixture, more than after half a century ago. So effective was the Bennetts Colic Mixture that word about it soon spread like wildfire.  Our father often opened up his pharmacy to assist parents in distress in the middle of the night.As boys, we spent most of our weekends helping him compound the mixture in our home-based lab, to meet the demand. In the process, we grew up learning a valuable lesson from our caring dad – that our fingerprints don’t fade, from the lives we touch. So we set out to establish a business in the Bennetts name, which is built on those same values we learnt from our father. Today, almost 30 years later, all our products have been developed with the utmost care, infused with that same passion and attention to detail, as our father’s very first colic mixture. As we grew into parenthood, our own fears and anxieties compelled us to learn more about the baby industry and the need for problem solving products. Whether it was Bennetts Bum Crème, aqueous cream, nose drops, wet wipes or easy changing solutions, Bennetts became a household name. As we expanded our product range, we began to expand our brand locally and internationally. Despite our growth into a large, established company whose products now compete with big international brands, we are still a family owned business. We have retained some of the original staff members of Bennetts Chemist and their families, creating an atmosphere of an inclusive community.  We believe that this personal touch enhances the quality of our products and invites our customers to share in our community of parenting.  The Bennett Brothers

November 24, 2020

Chicco Baby Senses Elliot Camping Lover and Baby Senses Roger Tennis Lover

The Baby Senses range from Chicco is the primary toy range that encourages babies from as young as 3 months old to use and develop their senses. As babies grow, they can enjoy the more advanced, electronic toys in the Baby Senses range that require batteries and make use of sonic and visual sensory engagement. Baby Senses Elliot Camping Lover is a lantern-shaped electronic toy that allows children to step into the shoes of an explorer. With electronic lights and sounds, Elliot Camping Lover helps develop and perfect those first motor skills with manual activities. Includes melodies and a rotating compass. Perfect for kids from 6 months old. Baby Senses Roger Tennis Lover is an electronic toy named after tennis legend Roger Federer, in the shape of a tennis racket. Lights and melodies and manual activities keep children engaged as they naturally develop motor skills. Suitable from 6 months old. Items available online at Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Online Home Store, Baby Boom, Babanino.co.za and TheKidZone.co.za

November 23, 2020

5 Care ingredients that are perfect for your baby’s skin

Your little one’s delicate skin needs a lot of pampering when it comes to body care products. More sensitive, porous, dryer and more vulnerable to infections than adult skin, your baby’s skin needs body creams and washes that are safe and kind to their soft skin. As parents, we understand all too well how important it is to only use skincare products with the right ingredients. We carefully consider every ingredient that goes into the products we might purchase to care for our babies skin. High on our agenda are ingredients that gently cleanse, soothe, nourish and protect the delicate skin of our little ones, each product is suitable for all skin conditions, even for sensitive or irritated skin.   So, which ingredients should we be looking for? The answer is simple: ingredients that include moisturising complexes, vitamins, antioxidants, essential oils, botanical oils and butters, all sourced from nature!  We chatted to the team at JOMAR, a natural skincare range for moms, babies and toddlers, about five favourite care ingredients that are perfect for babies’ skin. Have a look below: 1. Coconut oil  Used for anything from substituting traditional cooking oil to hair and skincare, coconut oil has been a favourite staple in many people’s pantries. However, as an ingredient in body care products for babies, it provides so many benefits that your baby will love. Coconut oil is packed with vitamins and healthy fats, not to mention anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and moisturising benefits.   It is also gentle on baby’s skin and safe to use as is or in a product formulation to treat common baby skin conditions such as dry skin, skin irritations, eczema and cradle cap. 2. Marula oil Sourced from the famous Marula tree that is inherent to Southern Africa, Marula oil is an amazing ingredient in body care products. This popular ingredient has been used for centuries to treat or alleviate several health conditions.  As a baby body care product, its high Vitamin E content, antioxidants and essential fatty acids help to gently soften your little ones’ skin and lock in natural moisture.  3. Shea butter It’s no secret: your baby’s skin loves Shea butter with its anti-inflammatory and healing properties! Its high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins nourish and soften baby’s skin, keeps moisture in and ensures that less water is lost by helping to form a barrier on the skin’s surface.   4. Rooibos A true South African favourite, rooibos as a skincare ingredient for your baby is filled with antioxidants and repairs your little one’s skin as it soothes. Conditions such as eczema, allergies and dryness benefit from rooibos’ vitamin D and zinc ingredients that promote healthy skin. 5. Lavender oil Certainly one of the most calming scents that babies and moms love, lavender is a beautiful skincare product. It can help to relax a fussy baby and even encourage sleep. Lavender can also be used to treat insect bites, skin rashes and alleviate the symptoms of colic. Baby-friendly from start to finish With these 5 key ingredients in mind, you will be able to provide your baby with the best skincare. Together with these recommendations, choose products that are free from harmful chemicals, parabens, lead, petrolatum and sulphates. Your baby will love the care these products provide, from morning to bath time! To find out more about JOMAR’s baby friendly-range, visit their website here.

November 20, 2020

ABCs and… Me?

The ABCs are the start of learning our language, and the way we communicate and speak with each other. Teaching our children how to use these letters can seem difficult, and for them it can be a daunting task.  The key when teaching ABCs to your child is to use their curiosity as a building block for learning it. Start small with identifying the first letter of their name: “A is for Andy”. This brings in a level of excitement and your child will love pointing out the letters of friends and family names too.  Using tools such as the first letter of loved ones’ names, letter toys such as letter crayons, letter magnets, and letter building blocks, all help keep the alphabet at the forefront of your child’s mind. The building block of language The ABCs are the first thing we learn when discovering how to read and write, and each letter corresponds to multiple sounds whether it’s the ‘p’ in ‘hop’ or ‘peer’, or the ‘c’ in ‘silence’ or ‘cackle’.  It can be overwhelming when learning how to use these tricky, vital blocks of sound, and we know that children learn phonetically at first.  Phonetic language, or phonics, is the sound of language, the ‘ah’, ‘puh’’, ‘kuh’ sounds that can then become known as ‘a’ ‘p’ ‘k’. This is really useful when getting your children to become familiar with letters.  Start their love of language today  With a real love of language, your child will be able to discover books, poems and more that all stem back to the written word.  The door to all of this culture, learning and art starts with a simple A B C. With easy tools, like ABC books, letter toys and crafts, you’ll be able to help them start out on a journey that they will be grateful for their entire life.  At Characterful, we love helping children take on and master challenges. Our stories focus on adventures, with personalised characters putting your child at the heart of the tale, and helping them to make the decisions and overcome the difficulties themselves.  That’s why we’ve brought out our own ABC book.  Like all our stories, ABC and ME is personalised. Your child travels through the alphabet, encountering giraffes and pirates, mermaids, zebras and best of all, themselves! Each page is beautifully illustrated, while there are easy rhymes to help your child read it flowingly, and enjoy the adventures on each page.  When reading our ABC book to your child, we recommend getting them to sound out the word with you, playing around with it and having fun! You can read them the fun rhyme to help them see the sound of the letters in action. Children’s brains are constantly learning and expanding, more so than at any other time, and by reading them stories, you will be helping their brain’s ability to think, understand and grow. 

November 19, 2020

Travelling with your baby, here is a list of what to pack

With summer in full swing and the December holiday period just around the corner, we wanted to give you a checklist of essential items to take with when travelling with babies or small children. We all know that travelling with small children and babies can be overwhelming and stressful. They key to minimize the stress is to plan ahead. Use this simple checklist to make sure you have everything packed to make your trip a memorable one, happy memory that is…  Nappies (You can never have enough of these, so pack one for every hour you’ll be travelling and then   add a few more Nappy Changing Mat (If you don’t already have one of these in your Nappy Bag, buy disposable ones, you never know what condition the changing facilities will be in. Fragranced Plastic Bags (For storing those dirty nappies or clothes) Bennetts Bum Buddy (Includes Bennetts Baby Bum Crème and Bennetts Baby Wipes in a convenient device, making one handed changing so much easier. Bennetts Hand Sanitizer Travel size Bennetts Hair & Body Wash & Bennetts Baby Aqueous Cream Dummy’s (If your baby is using one, make sure to pack a few extra) Dummy Sterilizer Clothes, socks, shoes (remember to take all weather conditions into consideration). Disposable bibs Formula (Enough to last for all the feeds while travelling to your destination and then add two extra feeds, just in case) Flask (If your baby is on formula remember to take a flask with to have hot water to prepare feeds) Bottles (Make sure you have enough to last you for all your feeds, travelling to and from your destination) Bottle Sterilizer Water / Juice (Depending on baby / child’s age) Snacks (For the whole family) Breast pump (If you use one) Breast pads (If you use these) Nightlight (You never know what facilities you have at your destination, and these are ideal for those nighttime feeds and nappy changes – make sure you get one that works with batteries and remember to pack extra batteries just in case) First Aid Kit (Pack all the essential items, like a baby safe pain reliever, plasters, ointment for minor cuts and scrapes, cotton wool, antiseptic liquid, allergy medicine, nail clippers, thermometer etc. Also make sure you pack all prescription meds if your baby is on any) Baby Carrier (Sling or front carrier, these are ideal if you need your hands to check in for flights etc. and still keep your baby close and safe) Portable Play Mat (Play mats or foldable playpens are ideal to keep baby busy and if they need a nap) Car Seat Stroller (These are easier to use than your normal pram, they take up less space in the car and can also easily be put in the overhead compartment on plains)

November 17, 2020

Why moms and their little ones need clean beauty skincare products

Clean beauty has been getting a lot of positive buzz online – and for good reason! Those that invest in products designed with clean beauty principles in mind, reap the benefits of ultimate wellbeing – and this includes moms that chose clean beauty for themselves and their little ones! So, how does it work? In a nutshell, the clean beauty philosophy allows us to be mindful about our health and our impact on the environment. It ensures that ingredients are responsibly chosen, based on their safety and efficiency, as well as their environmental impact.   Although there are diverse opinions when it comes to clean beauty products, it is important to remember why this movement started. We caught up with JOMAR, a natural, clean beauty skincare brand for moms and babies, who shared their insights on this topic. 1. Daily exposure means we need to consider what we and our little ones need to be protected from Food, skincare and medication expose us to numerous chemicals each day, which means we are exposed to a phenomenon known as toxic load. That means even ingredients that are deemed safe may become harmful or cause sensitization if use exceeds recommended exposure limits.  When choosing clean beauty products for ourselves and our little ones, we are choosing natural, plant-derived ingredients that reduce the risk of toxic load. These ingredients contain fewer chemical by-products known to cause skin reactions.  2. Pure ingredients are gentler and more nourishing Certain traditional skincare brands often have the same product ingredients to ensure each batch looks and smells the same. Unfortunately, this refining process can introduce harmful by-products or can damage naturally beneficial components – something that moms definitely not want when it comes to their and their babies’ skincare!  However, natural ingredients undergo less refining and trade consistency in colour and smell to preserve product integrity. This means vitamins and antioxidants remain intact for a longer period. Moms and babies can enjoy products with ingredients in their purest form, knowing they are reaping all the benefits of clean beauty!  3. Clean beauty inspires moms to follow a conscious living approach for them and their little ones Conscious living is all about making better choices for your health, society and the environment. When moms choose a more purposeful lifestyle, they will choose natural products that allow them to align their purchasing habits with their personal values – ensuring they provide the best skincare for their family.  Skincare products with natural ingredients require less processing during manufacturing, which means energy consumption is reduced and fewer (if any!) harmful by-products are present. By-products and synthetic ingredients are found in nature due to build-up and contaminated water and soil over time, however, clean beauty can help conscious living moms to minimise their impact on the environment.  When moms choose clean beauty products for their families as part of their conscious living attitude, they also support local farmers and sustainable growing and harvesting practices that promote the cultivation of indigenous plant species. It is clear: Clean beauty products are the only option when choosing skincare products for mothers and little ones!  To find out more about JOMAR’s clean beauty approach, be sure to visit their website here.

November 13, 2020

Vital Baby’s Guide To Travelling With Your Baby

Keep things simple… The car is probably the most frequent form of transport with a baby and the secret of successful travelling children is careful planning. Young children are surprisingly adaptable so providing you take the essentials, such as food, nappies and a favourite toy or two, your child should be quite happy.  Preparation  Prepare a survival kit for the journey before you set off and keep it where it is easily accessible.  The kit should include spare nappies, a change of clothes, baby wipes, changing equipment and a mat or towel.  If you are bottle feeding or giving solids, you will also need to include some feeds plus some feeding equipment.  With its large storage capacity the Vital Baby NOURISH snack on the go (R119,99) is the baby and toddler snack-time must-have for independent feeding, or as a baby-led weaning accessory.  Ideal for when out on family trips, or at home for less food mess and less stress!  Try to make the journey as relaxed as possible by checking the route before you set out and allow extra time to get there.  If you are going on a long journey, consider travelling at night.  If you are going by other transport, find out what facilities are available for babies and older children before you set off. For example, car seats and restraints  From birth, your child should travel in an approved safety restraint suitable for his age and weight.  Restraints must be fixed and used properly to obtain maximum protection for your child in the event of an accident.  Keeping the children amused  A good selection of toys, especially for an older baby, is essential to keep him amused on the journey.  Choose toys that have been specially designed for use in the car or ones that have suction pads that will stick on the window or the back of the front seat.  Story tapes are also a good idea, especially for long journeys.  Journeys by public transport  You will need to be selective about what you take with you, as you will probably have luggage as well as your baby.  Your survival kit should be packed into an easy to carry holdall.  If possible, take a lightweight, folding pushchair.  Put your baby in a baby carrier, either strapped on your front if he is still very young, or on your back if he is old enough to sit up on his own.  When booking a seat on a train, coach or plane, always mention the fact that you are travelling with a young child and ask for the most convenient seating accommodation available.  Some airlines have sky cots and others will allow you to take a buggy onto the plane as hand luggage.  Sun sense  Whichever method of transport you use, always shield your child from the sun and make sure that any exposed skin is protected by a high-factor sunscreen.  Keep your baby as comfortable as possible by putting him in clothes that are loose and easy to change. • A number of layers of fairly thin clothing are best, as this will allow you to add or take away a layer depending on the temperature.  Cars can get very hot in the summer, with the temperature creeping up considerably, so keep a constant check on your child while travelling.  Take plenty of water with you on hot days.

November 13, 2020

Playing and fun: the most important parts of child development

We know that children all develop in their own way and at their own pace, and that it’s important not to rush them on their journey. In allowing them to grow at their pace, you help build confidence in who they are. It is important to provide an environment that supports a child’s development in a way that they respond well to. Fun facts!  At Characterful, we are passionate about keeping learning fun, and rooted in great stories. We’ve gathered some fun facts on child development, some of which might surprise you!  Take a look… Ouch! It doesn’t just sound like it – a three year old boy’s voice is louder than 200 adults in a restaurant. Read out loud: if you read aloud to your child, it will help stimulate their brain development, especially in their early years. They’ll also learn to speak faster if you respond to their gurgles and noises more than 80% of the time.  Learn another language: your child’s brain will develop more if they learn another language. You can help them learn it by letting them watch international television programmes like Dora the Explorer with smaller words from another language.  Not ignoring you: babies and toddlers have a hard time separating background noises from voices – sometimes they actually can’t hear you when you’re calling their name! Colour blind: Babies are born colour blind, seeing only black, white and grey. As the months go by, your baby will start to develop their colour vision. They also learn what’s important to look at by watching your gaze.  And – most importantly in our view…Playtime is everything! By playing, children learn heaps of useful information, including how to socialise, how to regulate their own behaviour, and how to imagine!  Having fun while learning  To aid in your child’s development, [Characterful] released an activity book with a child’s own character throughout. Your child will be challenged with everything from adding up groups of dinosaurs, to tracing the alphabet at the insistence of a unicorn!  They’ll colour in pictures of the famous South African wildlife, while spotting differences between pirates and spaceships, completing dot to dots to find a mermaid’s best friend, and even helping knights find their way back to their castles through deadly mazes!  Our activities are designed to test and strengthen your little one’s grasp of maths, logic, language, problem solving and instruction taking. And most importantly – they’re fun!  When a child is learning and having fun at the same time, they’ll begin to realise that these challenges – although difficult – can be enjoyable in the future too. You’ll be helping them grow a love of learning and puzzles, that will help them develop even further, ready for the challenges ahead. 

November 12, 2020

World Prematurity Month and the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive

World Prematurity (Preemie) Day is observed annually on 17November but this year World Preemie Month will be celebrated with gusto by the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust during the month of November.  On the cards are a month-long virtual walk, an in-house activity restricted to Nurses of the hospital, and the Latchon! Breastmilk Drive.   The public is encouraged to join the month-long virtual walk by simply purchasing a purple ‘World Preemie” T-shirt, organise a fun walk with friends and family, post the photos on Facebook or Instagram and tag the Trust’s page.  The wackier the better.  Weekly prizes will be awarded to the best photo uploaded to Facebook and Instagram and a bumper prize at the end of the month.  Photos must feature the preemie T-shirts, which cost R100 and are available via the link attached  https://www.givengain.com/e/walk-for-preemies-2020/ – place your order today and paint the town purple! There is a great need for breastmilk at Tygerberg Hospital’s neonatal unit, especially for preemie babies who may spend months at the hospital and whose moms often cannot provide enough breastmilk.  The Corona Virus pandemic has also provided its own set of challenges in the procurement of milk, where donors were not able to donate breastmilk.  To this end the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust in partnership with Tygerberg Hospital, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Department of Health, has embarked on a breastmilk donation drive called the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive. The purpose of the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive is to ensure that there is sufficient breastmilk to help all the babies, now and into the future. The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust under the leadership of CEO, Mr Jason Falken, is garnering all its resources in support of the initiative and is appealing to moms, individuals and companies alike, to join them in support of the LatchOn! Breastmilk Drive.  The appeal is for moms to donate surplus breast milk. Moms will be screened, tested and counselled when going to donate the much-needed breast milk at the Tygerberg Breastmilk Training Room, 2nd Floor, East Side, Tygerberg Hospital. We are appealing to the general public to donate and drop off glass jars smaller than 250ml at the same space.  “We would like to create a sustainable supply of breastmilk for the Hospital to ensure that all our babies are provided with this important nutritional source”, says Mr Jason Falken. “It’s also important that we provide a clean, safe and welcoming space at the Hospital where moms feel comfortable and safe while expressing milk, and also feel free to engage with each other in a socially supportive environment.”   Tygerberg Hospital is the largest hospital in the Western Cape and cares for the greatest number of children within the Province, including many from our rural communities. It supports the most premature babies in South Africa and has the only state Human Milk Bank in the province. It is well known that breastmilk is the most complete source of nutrition for babies from birth to six months and beyond. Breastmilk provides a perfectly balanced source of nutrition for babies.  It is easily digestible, contains everything growing baby needs and provides important antibodies to fight infections and allergies.  For a preemie baby, access to breastmilk daily is vital for the baby’s survival and is especially important for brain development and ensuring a healthy immune system. Together, we may be “United for a Healthy Future” by ensuring our babies have access to the nutritional benefits of breastmilk.  For more information follow the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust on: www.tygerbergchildren.org.za, Facebook: @THCTRUST Twitter: @HospitalTrust, Instagram: @tygerbergchildren, Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tygerberg-hospital-children-s-trust

November 11, 2020

Chicco Baby Senses Bath Toys selection

The Baby Senses range from Chicco is the primary toy range that encourages babies from as young as 3 months old to use and develop their senses. Baby Senses now introduce their new bath time range of toys to keep little ones engaged and having fun during the important bonding time of bathing. Baby Senses Swimming Frog and Baby Senses Swimming Penguin are two gorgeous bath time companions that work with a mechanical win-up system. Wind them up and watch them swim the length of the bath, creating much laughter and fun for your little one. Also from the range is the Baby Senses Sprinkler Whale. Again, a mechanic wind-up toy, the whale blows water the bath water from his spout as he bobs about in the bath, creating a fun atmosphere that will keep encouraging babies to look forward to bath time. Items available online at Takealot.com, Loot.co.za, Online Home Store, Baby Boom, Babanino.co.za and TheKidZone.co.za

November 9, 2020

Care for your baby’s delicate skin with these top tips

Our little ones come into this world equipped with only their first line of defence: their skin. However, despite a full-term infant’s skin having all five epidermal skin layers intact, including the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum and stratum corneum, there are big differences on how their skin differs from adult skin. This is because the skin cells, structures and composition in a baby’s skin are not yet fully developed at birth and functional maturity only develops during their first year.  For the first 2 years of an infant’s life, thestratum corneum is still very thin, which results in your baby’s skin being more fragile, sensitive, permeable, dryer and more susceptible to infections. This is the reason why baby skin should be cared for with skincare products developed especially for baby, such as the JOMAR care range. Wondering how you can ensure even further that you are giving your little one the best care possible? Have a look at the following tips from the JOMAR team: Fragile skin needs sensible skincare Infant skin is 30% thinner than adult skin. This means that it is more prone to injury and damage. However, baby skin has a superpower: an increased healing and recovery ability thanks to the rate at which skin cells grow and mutate.   This does not mean wounds on baby skin should be neglected, even if it is unlikely to leave a scar. The golden rule is to treat your baby’s damaged skin with a sensible skincare product that is specifically formulated to calm and support the skin’s natural recovery ability and reduce inflammation.   Support sensitive baby skin with proper care Newborns often suffer from rashes, baby acne (milia), dry skin or red blotches; however, these conditions are normal and no reason for concern. Some infants do have more sensitive skin than others which could be caused or aggravated by several internal or external factors.  Parents can manage external factors which include temperature changes, detergents, harsh water, harmful chemicals, the sun and wet diapers. Change diapers frequently and choose a skincare brand that you trust and are free from irritants, parabens, synthetic perfumes, colourants and soap.   Protect permeable skin from harmful ingredients Because baby skin has an impaired barrier function, topical ingredients penetrate their skin easily and could cause skin sensitivity or a reaction to certain ingredients. Always be conscious of the fact that what you apply to your little one’s skin can seep into the deeper layer of the skin and take stock of all ingredients in a product before using it. Dry and flaky skin? It won’t be always like that! Worried that your baby’s skin is very dry and flaky? Don’t be: it is completely normal during the first three months of life. At birth, a baby’s sebum secretion is very high which could cause tiny white “pimples”, but thereafter it decreases. This low level of sebum in the epidermis and the reduced water holding capacity of the immature skin cells, result in your baby having dry skin.   This will change over time and your baby’s skin will become even more hydrated and supple than adult skin. Ensure that you are using a safe, effective and natural skin moisturiser to relieve dry, uncomfortable skin. Keep your environment hygienic to curb infections The reason why babies are more vulnerable to infections is that their skin (as part of the immune system) is not yet fully prepared to offer optimal protection. They are more susceptible to chemical irritants and bacteria compared to adults, due to their impaired barrier function. We need to ensure the baby’s environment is hygienic and clean to prevent any unwanted germs causing skin irritation, rashes and infections.  Consider the best skincare possible Based on the above, it is clear why we should carefully consider the skincare choices we make for our little ones. You have to be comfortable with your brand of choice and it is always easier if they share your values. Use a brand that you can really trust and that is kind to skin and the environment! To find out more about JOMAR’s clean beauty approach, be sure to visit their website here. www.jomarbaby.com 

November 6, 2020

Why are Personalised Stories Great for Children

What child doesn’t love being the star of the show? Besides making the child the hero in their own story, personalisation is more than a gimmick. Here’s what putting your child front and centre in their own special book can do… Improving literacy and language skills The more a child reads, or is read to, the better their communication and literacy skills will be. Children’s minds are inquisitive and curious to learn, and they can absorb new words, grammar and spelling at a magical pace, just by reading with you! By personalising a book, your child is put straight into the action as the hero of the story. This will encourage them to read more, and learn to read so they can share their special story with others. By reading more, they will cultivate and grow a love of language that will live with them their whole life long. Learning how to make decisions Characterful’s personalised stories stem from the age-old story tradition of fairytales and quests. As your child reads through the story, they will be faced with challenges and choices they have to make. These might be mathematical or moral, or even a political concept presented in an age-appropriate way. As the main character, your child is immediately encouraged to engage with the challenge personally, perhaps more than if they were learning in a classroom. Readers are encouraged to think laterally, take points of view, make decisions from the evidence, and make positive choices in the story. This will influence how they make decisions in their real lives. Education isn’t just academic. It’s also about developing social skills to prepare them for the future. Empowering our readers Many children shy away from new challenges due to the fear of failure and lacking confidence in themselves. Through personalised stories, children are encouraged to find solutions to get through these difficulties, teaching them to be proactive, and to take a chance. By solving problems in the safety of the fictional world, our young readers can feel empowered to use this same decision-making approach in the real world too, going out into the world with a more confident, courageous presence. Feeling included It’s more important than ever that children see their race, sex, gender, religion, or disability represented in stories that they read, to know that they are valid and take up a deserved space in the world. Through personalised stories, you can ensure your child’s own demographics take front andcentre. Children who might not usually be represented in fiction, can now see themselves on adventures, making friends and ultimately saving the day! A treasured keepsake Children love stories, but they’re not always so careful with the books themselves! Our books are made from sturdy, responsible materials to survive the roughest of loving! Our books are also bound to become treasured keepsakes, with your child seeing themselves as the hero of the story. When they grow up and set off on their real life adventures, you’ll be able to keep these personalised story books as a treasured memory of when they were just starting out in the world. Characterful create immersive and absorbing stories for children, full of adventure and educational elements. Our books are brimming with pirates, mermaids, elves and astronauts. And the best part is – you get to choose exactly who the stories are about! 

November 6, 2020

Top tips to encourage babies and toddlers to eat their fruit and vegetables  

We all know fruit and vegetables are an important food group, but persuading babies and toddlers to eat them can be a battle. Even if your child absolutely refuses to eat vegetables it’s important to put some on their plate at every meal so they get used to seeing them. Psychologists have found that once children become familiar with a food, they are more open to trying it, but you may need to present the same food on as many as ten separate occasions before your child feels comfortable eating it. While it’s important to put some vegetables on your child’s plate, many children find a large serving of vegetables off-putting, so it’s better to give them an amount you know they will eat and gradually increase the portion size:   Try to incorporate finely chopped vegetables such carrots, peppers and mushrooms into dishes like spaghetti bolognaise   Rather than serving them as a side dish, incorporate vegetables into main dishes. For example, add a variety of vegetables to a meat and cheese lasagna   When your child says they are hungry, offer them a piece of fruit rather than biscuit  Serve raw strips of pepper or carrot with a dip such as hummus. If you serve them at the beginning of the meal when children are hungry they are more likely to eat them  Mix cooked pureed spinach, carrots or shredded cabbage into mashed potatoes  To encourage toddlers and older children to eat their vegetables, use a star chart where you award one star for each serving of fruit or vegetable eaten. Offer a treat such as a trip to the swimming pool or the park at the end of the week if they’ve made the target of five portions each day for a week  Persuading children to eat fruit is usually less of a problem, but if children aren’t keen it can be used to make puddings or smoothies. To make fruit smoothies blend soft fresh fruit (berries, banana and, mangoes) or canned fruits such as apricots, peaches with low fat yoghurt and milk or fruit juice    Stewed or fresh fruit make a great filling for pancakes. For savory pancakes try adding spinach and soft cheese, stir-fried vegetables or ratatouille  Spread a mashed banana on toast in the morning instead of jam or marmalade or add a few chopped apricots or some fresh berries to cereal  Toddlers learn by example, so make sure that they see you and older siblings eating and enjoying fruit and vegetables     You can also share your toddler eating tips, and read advice from other moms by visiting Philips AVENT on facebook:  www.facebook.com/philipsavent   By Fiona Hunter, Nutritionist 

November 6, 2020

When a baby comes too soon: Top 5 tips for NICU moms

If you have a premature birth let Ameda and My Breastpump join with you and support, you through your NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) stay. Most premature births are unpreventable. There is nothing that a mom or dad could have done differently. There is no-one to blame. Your baby comes too soon and all of a sudden your world changes to be hyper focused on the world of NICU, expressing breast milk and spending time with your baby.  When you see your premature baby for the first time every single emotion runs through your entire body. You can be grateful and mad and at the sometime full of love ad fear.  It is important to acknowledge the feelings that you are going through but at the same time also know that you are not alone in this journey. Seeing all the tubes and pipes and hearing the beeps and alarms of the machines can be scary. While the doctors and Nurses are focusing on your baby, let us help you with your parenting and breast-feeding journey.  Even though the Medical staff are looking after and treating your baby, you are still the most important person in the world to your baby. Let’s explore different ways that you can increase your milk supply (with expressing) and also build up your bond with your baby: Try to see your baby as soon after birth as possible. You can be asked to be wheeled into NICU on your bed or wheelchair if you are not able to walk yourself. Even though you most likely will not be able to hold your baby, just seeing your child for possibly the first time is so important for you. There is security in knowing where you baby is and knowing that your baby is being cared for. Ask to kangaroo your baby as soon are your baby is medically stable. This means to have your baby (with just a nappy) directly on your chest. Skin to skin has many benefits. It can even help you to increase your milk production and keep your baby warm and comfortable so that she burns off less calories which can help her to maintain or gain weight  Use a good quality breast pump. You can rent a hospital grade breast pump or buy a personal breast pump that has hospital grade technology. Click here for information on the Ameda Elite Hospital Grade breast pump rental If you have a baby in NICU you will need a pump that stimulates your breasts and helps you to make more breast milk. Ameda can assist you with both types of breast pumps. The Elite hospital grade breast pump is an approved multi-user hospital grade breast pump. The pumps are cleaned, sterilized and calibrated between every client so that you know that you have the best quality pump while renting. Ameda has conducted research on the strength and effectiveness of the Elite breast pump. What Ameda found is that if a mother used the pump at least 8 times a day she may be able to make 500ml of breast milk by day 5. The first two week after a premature birth is often critical to your long-term milk production. Ameda also has the Finesse Double electric breast pump that has hospital grade technology which means that the pump motor is strong enough to support exclusive pumping and maintain high suction. The Finesse has the bonus of having a 2-year warranty. For more information click here All Ameda breast pumps have the HygeniKit which is FDA approved as a true closed system. The true closed system not only prevents the back flow of milk into the tubes and pump but is also clinically proven to prevent the movement of bacteria and viruses. Closed system breast pumps are designed in such a way that your breast milk, bacteria, and viruses are prevented from moving into the tubing and getting in the motor and casing of the pump. Once the milk is in the tubing or pump case it is exceedingly difficult to clean, if not impossible, and allows for the growth of the bacteria and viruses, keeping the pumps ability to create the correct about of suction.   Take as many photos as you can. Have your phone with you so that you can take a video or lots of pictures.  The photos or videos can help you to prepare for expressing your milk by letting you focus on only your baby. It is also so special to be able to send pictures of your baby to the grandparents or close friends. They will not be able to visit so this is a great way to let them see how strong your little one is getting Make use of a bonding heart. Bonding hearts are fabric hearts that absorb your smell. You wear it under your bra and when you leave the NICU you leave your bonding heart with your baby. This way your baby can continue to smell you. Babies that are born prematurely are exposed to harsh chemical smells from the NICU and by leaving your smell they are able to focus on you.  Find a support group of parents that have been through NICU. NICU moms can understand what you are going through and are able to comfort you. They have knowledge of the NICU and procedures that happens. They become your family in the NICU. They will cheer you on and celebrate each milestone with you when you and your baby reach them. This month is NICU awareness month and we want to celebrate how strong families that spend time in NICU are. It is not an easy start off being so small but babies that are born in NICU have the most amazing will to grow and be taken home. This month My Breastpump will be focusing on prematurity and sharing information around expressing exclusively to support your little one’s growth and development on our social media platforms. #PreemieStrong

November 4, 2020

What is Nappy Rash?

Nappy rash refers to a diffuse rash on the area of skin that is covered by the nappy. Nappy rash is a very common condition. It is seldom harmful and provided the cause is recognised and treated correctly, it is also easy to manage at home.  At least 1 in every 2 infants will suffer from nappy rash at some stage. Some babies will suffer repeatedly from nappy rash and others may only develop the rash once or twice.  What causes Nappy Rash? A nappy rash can usually be attributed to a combination of factors.  Moisture: Young babies urinate frequently, and their stool is often soft. This combined with infrequent nappy changes results in prolonged exposure to moisture. Irritation:  Ammonia from the urine, soaps, creams and powders, residual chemicals on washed nappies Friction: The baby’s skin is very delicate and constant friction against the nappy can cause chaffing. This, combined with moisture and exposure to irritants, causes an uncomfortable rash.  Infection:  If there is no improvement in the rash within 5 days after implementing corrective measures and treatment, then consider an infection as a cause.  Signs and Symptoms: Red rash that is usually well demarcated and raw. Skin erosion and scaling may occur. Itching and stinging may occur. Consult your doctor if the following signs or symptoms appear: Bright red, well demarcated rash. Extends to the folds of the skin and presents with tiny, white pustules. Skin is warm to touch. Fever. Advice and Management of Nappy Rash: Remember that the damaged and raw skin is very sensitive. Soaps and other chemicals are therefore likely to sting the affected area. Wash with warm water and soft cotton wool.  If soap is required, then make sure that it is not an irritant. Ensure that the baby’s bottom is dried properly before putting on the new nappy. Gently dab the area dry using a soft towel or cotton wool.  Areas where the damaged or raw skin is exposed to bacterial infection, it is important to keep these areas clean and apply a gentle antiseptic cream if necessary. Prevent prolonged exposure to wetness and irritants by changing the diapers frequently.  It is also important to expose the skin to fresh air. Leave the diaper off as often as possible and for as long as possible. Remember that a baby’s skin is very delicate and will burn easily under the harsh South African sun. Don’t let the baby crawl around uncovered outside between 10am and 4pm. The application of a barrier cream, Bennetts Baby Bum Crème, on the skin before putting on the diaper helps to reduce contact with the irritants found in the urine and faeces. Don’t fasten the nappy too tight. Babies with diarrhoea are more likely to develop a nappy rash and should therefore have their nappies changed more often.

November 3, 2020

Meet the ever so fun Linkimals!

Fisher-Price is synonymous with being an educational brand that many parents have trusted for years. With so much care and thought placed into each product it is no wonder that the new Linkimals are such a hit! As Emma is now 10 months old, it was the perfect time to introduce her to her very own Linkimals pal. This range is suitable for little ones from 9 months and up.  Baby is able to engage with learning in a way that only Fisher Prices knows how to bring to children.. The Linkimals range introduces your baby to counting, colours, music, lights and phrases. With their easy design made totally with baby in mind, Emma was able to interact with…().. easily and with little to no assistance required from mom or dad.  Of course Emma just loves pushing buttons so the Linkimals Smooth Moving Sloth was so engaging for her! Emma, and your little one, can easily develop Gross Motor and Fine Motor skills with the Linkimals collection.  And when you get the entire gang together, a whole new world of learning is opened up. With 5 Linkimals in the collection and using the Linkimals amazing technology, they are all able to communicate with each other! e How cool is that?  All the Linkimals friends want to play as well so when you synchronise them, the continuity between the range of Linkimals is fantastic. It most certainly seems like a bunch of toy friends are singing and encouraging each other all the way through. And their beautiful lights, dance and moving parts really helps to hold baby’s interest in the activity. Their songs are a little longer than would be considered normal for children of this age, but they all do have meaning and are not too long that baby gets bored. You’ll be surprised at the level of concentration your baby has! Having more than one toy from this collection is ideal. It allows children from a young age to experience support from another source, thus providing fun learning activities for your baby.  Each unit in the collection teaches different things which is what makes the entire collection so special. The Linkimals collections includes: Linkimals Musical Moose The Linkimals Musical Moose is loaded with exciting interactive play that introduces your baby to counting, colours, and more with playful songs, lights, and phrases. Just press his belly to get the light-up learning party started! Plus, when Musical Moose recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Early Academics: Sung songs and phrases introduce your tiny dancer to colours and counting from 1 to 10! Sensory: The moose’s light-up belly, playful songs and sounds, and soft antlers engage your baby’s developing visual, auditory, and tactile senses. Curiosity & Wonder: Your baby can discover the fun of cause and effect as they press the belly button to activate music and lights or bat at the bobble head. Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth The Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth gets your baby moving and learning with exciting lights, music, songs, and groovy dance moves. Press the buttons on the sloth’s feet to hear all about numbers, colours and more, as the sloth claps its hands and bobs its head. Plus, when Smooth Moves Sloth recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Early Academics: The sloth’s playful songs and phrases introduce your baby to counting, colours, opposites, and the alphabet. Gross Motor: Sung songs and music encourage your baby to move and groove, giving their gross motor skills a great workout. Sensory: Bright, colourful lights, fun music, and soft arms engage your baby’s visual, auditory, and tactile skills. Fisher-Price Linkimals Counting Koala Climbing up a palm tree with their koala friend, baby makes a startling discovery: this tree grows squares, triangles and circles. The Linkimals Counting Koala from Fisher-Price is a musical learning friend for babies with exciting lights, songs, and phrases that introduce numbers, counting and shapes. And when Counting Koala meets up with other Linkimals friends, they light-up, talk, sing and play together! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately and subject to availability.) Hands-on play, including a bat-at roller ball, shape spinner, and push buttons help strengthen your baby’s fine motor skills, while the exciting interactive content helps introduce cause and effect. Fisher-Price Linkimals Happy Shapes Hedgehog The Linkimals Happy Shapes Hedgehog is packed with exciting play that grows along with your baby! Younger babies can spin, turn, toggle, and bat the activities on their buddy’s back, or press the light-up buttons to hear songs and phrases about colours, shapes, and numbers. Then older babies can push or pull the hedgehog along for more fun music and sounds. Plus, when Happy Shapes Hedgehog recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play : Early Academics: The hedgehog’s playful songs and phrases introduce your baby to shapes, numbers, and colours. Gross Motor: From sitting up to play, to crawling and pushing, to walking and pulling their pal along, this sweet hedgehog helps your baby’s gross motor skills keep going and growing! Fine Motor: Spinning the roller, turning the butterfly clicker, pressing the toggle, and batting the bead bar isn’t just super fun; these activities help strengthen your baby’s dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Fisher-Price Linkimals Lights & Colors Llama The Linkimals Lights & colours Llama takes classic stacking fun up a notch with colourful lights and exciting music, songs and phrases that introduce your baby to different colours. Just stack the rings on the llama’s neck or press down on the topper to get the party started! Plus, when Lights & colours Llama recognizes other Linkimals friends, they create a synchronized music and light show! (Additional Linkimals toys sold separately.) Where development comes into play: Fine Motor: Grasping and stacking the colourful rings helps strengthen

October 28, 2020

The benefits of block play & young children

In my opinion blocks are one of the most important toys any young child should have in their playroom.  Blocks are a teacher’s best friend and every classroom should have an endless supply of blocks in every colour, shape and size.  There are a host of possibilities and benefits to be gained from it! 1. Imagination – Through block play children are free to follow their own ideas as they embark on a voyage of discovery or share in the development of their friends’ creations. 2. Self-expression – Children can express themselves through their play, creations and discoveries, a form of communication that’s particularly valuable for bilingual or non-verbal children. 3. Problem-solving – Blocks offer a great platform to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills. This can be deliberate, with children consciously working to develop a solution, or as a natural consequence of play, as they learn first-hand what does and what does not work. 4. Mathematics – Due to the many shapes, sizes and colours on offer, blocks offer ample opportunity for children to practise important maths skills, covering measurement, number, symmetry, balance and estimation. By comparing shapes and sizes, creating patterns or providing measuring and weighing tools, we can can extend play and exploration. 5. Physical development – Block play promotes the development of spatial awareness and develops hand-eye coordination and mid-line crossing as children reach for, lift, move and build with blocks, strengthening their fingers, hands and arms. 6. Creativity – Blocks are loose parts, meaning children are free to combine and recombine them in countless ways. Parents or teachers can add alternative resources such as dough, small world characters or paint and pencils to further extend opportunities for creativity. 7. Science – Through the exploration of cause and effect and experimentation, children are able to develop their problem-solving skills, test hypotheses and practise scientific reasoning. Blocks help them to become familiar with balance, weight, spatial awareness and gravity. 8. Self-esteem – Children can take risks in their block play, helping them to discover that they have independent ideas. Children experience a sense of achievement as they ‘have a go’, creating and developing something new and unique. 9. Problem solving – Block play allows children to co-construct and negotiate. They take turns, share materials and cooperate with others, forging new friendships. It also encourages self-reliance, increases attention span and develops their sense of self. 10. Communication & literacy – As children encounter new experiences through block play, there are countless opportunities for discussion and the development of new vocabulary. Social interaction with adults and peers unlocks further benefits, while using blocks can support story creation and collaborative storytelling. So what does mom have to say? My inquisitive one year old is learning at such an incredible pace, it’s amazing to see how much she takes in every day. Building blocks are a classic tool that helps children work on spatial reasoning, motor skills, hand-eye coordination and creativity, so I really wanted her to be exposed to them as early as possible. Mega Bloks toys are always made with good quality materials, so these blocks have a lovely feel. The vibrant colours keep my daughter engaged. She’s a bit too young to put the pieces together by herself, but her dad enjoys helping her, and I love watching the dad-daughter bonding as they play together. Cleaning up is quick and easy, and Emma has great fun throwing the blocks into the storage bag that comes with the set. If you are looking for a gift for your young child, look no further than a set of Mega Bloks! They stand the test of time; they are durable and are easy to disinfect and sanitise.  Mega Bloks are available to purchase from Takealot so don’t delay – add them to your cart or Christmas wishlist

October 28, 2020

Why we love the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price®

We love any toy that can strengthen a young child’s developmental skills and the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price® does exactly that!   Once again Fisher-Price® have outdone themselves!  Not only is the Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl super cute to look at but it is really fun too! Let’s dive straight into the features: The Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl knows when your little baker places the ingredients that comes with the set, into the bowl and rewards each movement of the child.  This works both ways, either putting the ingredients into the bowl or taking them out. What a delightful feature! With six removable ‘ingredient’ play pieces, two buttons that activate more fun songs and sounds, and an adorable light-up face, this sweet baking toy is deliciously fun! Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® Magic Color Mixing Bowl introduces everyday items to your little one whilst encouraging interactive play, they are introduced to important educational concepts like shapes. Colours and numbers.  With each action, colourful lights, music, sound and learning phases will keep your toddler really engaged. From new phrases being introduced, the alphabet and learning numbers, your toddler will be baking for hours with this new addition to the Fisher-Price® family.  Strengthen your toddlers fine motor skills through grasping and moving pieces in and out of the mixing bowl whilst introducing them to fun cause and effect skills as they figure out how to activate the bowl and music.  Where development comes into play™ Early Academics: Sung songs and phrases introduce your baby to the alphabet, colours, numbers, and more!  Fine Motor Skills: Grasping and moving the play pieces in and out of the mixing bowl helps strengthen your baby’s dexterity and hand-eye coordination The Laugh & Learn® Magic Colour Mixing Bowl from Fisher-Price® comes with 6 removable play pieces, the items are BPA-free and suited for babies ages 6-36 months old. So does this get Emma’s Parents Approval… oh yes it does!  Here is what mom had to say about it: Emma has reached the age where she loves trying to put things into containers and boxes, rather than just pulling things out. The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl is perfect to keep her engaged with fun items and rewarding sounds. The toy plays the jazziest “ABC” song I’ve heard in a musical toy, I love watching my little dancer tap her feet to the beat! I did find that she had put her shoes, comb and oversized plush toy into the bowl as well, so I’m sure it’s sparking her creativity as she learns what fits!

October 28, 2020

Chicco First Dreams Next2Moon Night-light & Projector

The Chicco First Dreams range is one of the most beloved sleeping aid, nursery toy lines in the world – more especially because they are toys that serve multi-functional purposes and really work when it comes to relaxing babies. All tested in the Chicco Observatory sleep laboratory in Como, Italy, the products are customised to soothe babies and let them drift off to a gentle sleep, as well as turn the nursery into a relaxing environment. Brand new to the line is the First Dreams Next2Moon night-light and projector.  Unique and exclusive to Chicco, the night-light works either with, or without a canopy. Easily attachable to most cots, or stand-alone on a bed-side table, the nightlight plays classical and jazz music, whilst projecting soft light onto the canopy which creates a magical environment in the nursery. Available in either pink or blue, the Next2Moon is a beautiful way to get baby to relax at night, as well as fill them with wonder whilst awake. The perfect baby shower gift. The Chicco First Dreams Nest is available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 26, 2020

Practical Tips to Stimulate Your Baby – 0-3 Months

Wondering how to stimulate your baby from the moment he or she arrives in the world? Stimulation plays a crucial role in your baby’s early development. Basic senses such as touch, hearing and talking are especially important at this age. Although over-stimulation is never a good idea, you can gently stimulate your baby in ways that help stimulate vision, hearing, touch, and motions with a few simple activities. These can be done during feeding, changing, bathing, playtime or bonding time. Stimulating Your Baby – 0-3 Months Some of the ways that you can stimulate your baby during his or her first three months include the following: Touch is extremely important at this age, helping to increase awareness of your baby’s body and their sense of movement. Massage is highly effective, not just for sensory awareness but also to help calm your baby.  Floor play is essential for movement skills. Gently cycle your baby’s legs in a kicking motion, encourage reaching towards objects and let your baby make natural movements to gain strength.  You can slowly introduce your baby to textures by gently placing your baby’s hands over a variety of textiles. It helps the tactile sensory system develop as well while using hands and fingers at this help will help with fine motor development later down the line.  Babies response to sound right from birth and recognise their parents’ voices very quickly. Talking to your baby is one of the easiest ways to encourage hearing development from the start. It will also help your baby develop vocal skills as they grow.  Singing to your baby, playing familiar music often and reading to your baby will all help your baby start to process rhythm and sound. Reading is especially good for introducing language to your baby. It’s a great bonding activity, too and soothes your baby with the sound of your voice. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to stimulating your newborn, our 0 to 3 Months Stimulate Your Baby Full Movie is sure to be an invaluable resource that will help you bond with your baby as he or she learns new skills. 

October 23, 2020

The Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers

When you think of educational toys, Fisher-Price® is the first name that comes to mind.  Fisher-Price® have been around for 90 years, it’s not surprising that they lead the way in developing educational toys that children around the world just love! As part of the Laugh & Learn® & the Smart Stages™ from Fisher-Price® come the fun learning Puppy & Zebra Walkers.  Usually babies start pulling themselves up on furniture at around six months and up.  Through their interactions with you, they show you when they just want to be up on two legs walking around.  Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers are the perfect toy to buy for them at this time. With exciting hands-on activities that encourage phrases and support your little one whilst they take their first steps. These walkers will have your toddler booming with confidence in no time!   Let the Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra Walkers introduce your toddler to the alphabet, shapes, colours, counting and so much more!  Build those muscles and perfect balance! The Fisher-Price® Puppy & Zebra walker will encourage your baby to reach for and interact with various entertaining activities thus building enough strength to get them to pull themselves up to stand and eventually walk behind the walker.. what a fun way to help them learn to balance themselves perfectly! Be delighted as your little one learns how to activate the music and phrases by pressing buttons or pushing the walker along. They see that their actions can make fun things happen—hey, that’s cause & effect! 2 ways to play as baby grows: sit & play or stand & walk! Push Puppy along for fun music & encouraging phrases 7 hands-on activities! Light-up piano keys & nose, roller, spinner, flip page & more! 75+ songs, sounds & phrases introduce the alphabet, shapes, colours, numbers & more Learning content changes with baby’s age & stage with Smart Stages™ technology

October 22, 2020

What to expect on D-Day

With nine months to prepare yourself for the day your little one arrives, it is still hard to wrap your head around everything that the day brings with it. The tremendous occasion of bringing a life into the world, often makes mothers-to-be forget the tiny details that essentially make the day go that much smoother. Whether you are having a home birth, a natural birth in hospital or a caesarean, there are definite checklists that you can have to make sure you don’t forget a thing. If you are booking into a hospital for the birth, make sure that you have done the pre-authorisation with your medical aid. Find out what documents the hospital will need from your medical aid and put them in a folder in your handbag ahead of time.  When you arrive at the hospital, whether it is after your water has broken or for a scheduled delivery, go straight to the reception and give them these documents. Some hospitals will require your ID book, and all will need your medical aid card. Hopefully, by the time D-Day has arrived for you, you will have a bag packed for both you and the baby. Depending on whether you are going to a private or government hospital, find out ahead of time if you need to provide your own bedding. Here are some essential items that should be in your hospital bag: Mom’s bag: Feeding bras High-waisted cotton panties One or two comfortable sets of pyjamas (with the top being a button down especially if you plan on breastfeeding) A nipple cream A nipple shield (in case you battle with breast feeding) Slippers Comfortable clothes to go home in (stick to your maternity clothes for this) Personal toiletries A good book or something to occupy you while you are waiting Thick maternity sanitary pads A camera with spare batteries Cell phone charger and adapter for the plug Hand sanitiser Baby’s bag: Babygros chosen according to the season Vests Newborn nappies Wetwipes Bum cream Baby lotion Baby soap Surgical spirits (to clean the umbilical cord) Cotton wool buds Soft face cloth A sterilised dummy (if you intend to give one) Baby bottles (depending on whether you can/want to breastfeed) Newborn formula (depending on whether you can/want to breastfeed) Now that you have your bags packed, it is important to know what to expect once you have been admitted. Remember that your doctor or midwife is not just there to deliver the baby, you should ask them any questions you need to regulations on what can and cannot be done, but remember that this is one of the most important days of your life, so don’t be scared to ask for what you want.  Things you should find out beforehand: Are you allowed to have personal items in the delivery room or theatre to make you feel more comfortable? How many people are allowed with you during the birth? Can you do things such as play music during the procedure to relax you? Who do you need to talk to, to ensure that your birth plan is carried out to your wishes (a birth plan stipulates what you would want to happen medically, if you want pain intervention, etc) Who do you need to talk to, to ensure that your newborn care is how you want it (latching immediately after birth, umbilical cord cutting, having baby in the room with you, not having baby bottle fed by nurses etc). If you are having natural birth, make sure you chat to your doctor about what pain relieving procedures you want, if any.

October 22, 2020

Sunburn in babies, how to prevent and treat it

Living in sunny South Africa, worrying about your baby being exposed to the sun’s rays is a valid concern. Too much unprotected time in the sun can be harmful to your baby, leading to painful sunburn and, even skin cancer later in life. Here’s how to prevent and treat sunburn if your little one has spent too long outside. How to treat sunburn  Babies and toddlers are more sensitive to the sun as they have less developed skin than adults. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to sunburn, however, if your baby has spent too much time in the sun, the reddy, painful burn will only show up a view hours later. Those who have darker complexions tend to be less sun sensitive, however, everyone has some risk of sunburn. Redness, swelling of  the skin (warmth) and pain are all symptoms of sunburn. If the sunburn has caused fever, chills, blisters and headaches its best to consult your local health practitioner. You can treat mild sunburn with a cooling bath, moisturiser or aloe gel – all of which will help cool irritated and inflamed skin. Giving your baby extra fluid in the days following the burn should prevent dehydration. It is recommended that you keep your baby out of the sun until the burn has healed.x Tips for preventing sunburn Sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm so limit your little one’s sun exposure during this time. When your baby is spending time outdoors in the sun, be sure that they are wearing a hat and sunblock with an SPF of higher than 30, if your baby is older than 6 months (if they are younger you will need to find alternative protection for them). Try to find sunblock that is formulated for kids (as this will work best for sensitive skin) and do a patch test on their skin before using it. If your child doesn’t like the feel of sunscreen (or is younger than 6 months), sun protective clothing is the better option.

October 21, 2020

Chicco Move & Grow XXL Fantasy Play Mat

Chicco is committed not only to developing senses, cognitive skills and good sleep in their toy ranges, they also have taken fitness and movement into consideration when it comes to babies. Many babies live a sedentary life for the first year and ultimately we as parents would like to see our kids move more and grow healthily. The Chicco Move & Grow range of toys is especially designed to get babies as young as 3 months moving around – at a rate that compliments their personal growth. One of the best ways to get babies moving and discovering their bodies early is with a play mat. A simple mat has been used for generations to allow babies to wriggle and crawl around on whilst either playing with toys or practising tummy time, play mats are a safe and comfy way for baby to learn how to use their bodies. Chicco now introduce the first extra-large playmat so that baby can take up as much space as they like, either at home or outdoors on picnics. The Move & Grow XXL Fantasy play mat is 140x90cm in size and has two rings to conveniently pack up and store after play time. The pattern has been designed by child psychologists in the Chicco Observatory in Como, Italy to help engage, stimulate and entertain baby as they come to realise their colours, animals and numbers. The mats are available in a bright primary coloured pattern or a pink-dominant pattern. The Chicco Move & Grow XXL Fantasy Play Mat is available now at Takealot, Loot, The Kid Zone, Babanino and other retailers

October 20, 2020

Convenient and Nutritious Food Pouches for Your Little One When You’re on The Go

For busy parents, there are always those times when you’re on the go, or pressed for time, and you don’t have any homemade baby food on hand. It’s at times like these, when baby food pouches can be a quick and convenient snack for your little one! With no plates, spoons or glass jars needed, you can satisfy your tots appetite on the go whilst being rest assured your little one is getting all the good nutrients they need. Organix has been cooking up scrummy, nutritious baby and toddler meals and snacks since 1992. Making sure little ones eat a healthy varied diet, full of texture and taste from real fruit and veggies is at the core of the brand.  When Organix make their foods, they think about little ones growing up to be healthy, independent food explorers. They also set their own standards based in their experience in children’s nutrition, from what goes in the food, to the portion sizes they recommend, so everything is just right for little ones as they grow and develop.   Organix pouches, suitable for little ones between the ages of 6 months – 36 months, are a convenient way for babies to explore food on the go – just simple combinations of fruits and grains for a fun taste adventure! When little tums are filled with tasty food you can trust, that’s when the wonder starts. The pouches retail for R32, 49 and are available in six delicious flavours; Just Apple, Pineapple & Coconut, Just Apple, Sweet Potato & Pineapple, Just Mango, Pear & Granola, Just Oat, Apple, Banana, Raspberry & Blueberry, Just Apple, Strawberry & Quinoa, Just Oat, Apricot & Banana. Their No Junk Promise is their stamp of reassurance that you will always find in all of their foods –  Always Organic – We promise to only use organic ingredients. Nothing unnecessary – We promise to only use recognisable ingredients that serve a purpose. Setting Standards – We promise to set the best standard in what good food for children should be. Organix pouches are available at Clicks, www.takealot.com  and www.babiesafrica.com.  Facebook: Organix South Africa                                  Instagram: @organixfoodsa                   #organixsouthafrica 

October 20, 2020

Practical Tips to Stimulate Your Baby – 3-6 Months

As your baby continues to grow, you will start finding new ways to stimulate your baby. From the age of three months, your baby will start to have a better idea of the world around them. They will form deep attachments to parents, smiling and looking directly into your eyes. At this age, babies will start to notice your expressions and they will start to ‘communicate’ with you and with strangers. There is more control over the body and more awareness of the body – especially when it comes to hands and feet. Over-stimulation is never ideal but you can find gentle ways to stimulate your baby that will help with development without overwhelming of the senses. Stimulating Your Baby – 3-6 Months Some of the ways that you can stimulate your baby of 3-6 months include the following: Spend time watching your baby to see what they are interested in or what they are doing. You can then repeat these actions or activity to give your baby more of what they seem to like. Talking to babies is important right from birth. At this age, you can continue to talk. The more words a baby hears, the more words they will be able to grasp later. You can give your baby a running commentary of what you’ve been up to do or have a conversation to encourage your baby to ‘talk’ back. Sensory play is great during this age. Continue to provide textures for your baby to touch. Try a fabric tactile book or try using tummy time to introduce your baby to water splashes or other supervised sensory play. Including toys in various sizes and textures is important at this age. Aside from fabric textures, include other types of tactile toys and place them in the palm of your baby’s hand. This is also a good way to encourage grasping motions. Wriggling is important for free movement, helping babies to kick, wiggle and look around. You can include things to look at, such as mobiles or dangling toys to encourage reaching. Baby classes are excellent at this age to help parents and babies. At this age, babies are starting to develop more awareness of other people and being around babies and strangers can help with social development.  Try the Clamber Club 3 to 6 Months Stimulate your Baby Full Movie for more advice on keeping your baby stimulated.

October 19, 2020
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