Once they get to around six months old your baby will start needing solid foods alongside their milk, (which is why weaning is often known as ‘complementary feeding’) to help teach them how to move food round their mouth, chew and swallow.
Bonitas Medical Fund believes that as an expecting mom your pregnancy should be a unique and joyful experience. Through targeted support during each trimester, pregnancy education and specific related engagements – via telephone and digital channels – we aim to help you achieve this. With the new Maternity Programme we hope to improve the health of moms-to-be and, as a result, reduce possible complications.
Back pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy and can be frustrating to deal with. Unfortunately, if you have any pre-existing back problems you are more likely to struggle with back pain during your pregnancy. If you are suffering from back pain during your pregnancy and are wondering what you can do to help reduce it; we explain what causes it and how you can find some relief. What causes back pain during pregnancy If you are experiencing back pain during your pregnancy you are probably wondering what is the root cause of it. Generally there are two types of back pain that expecting moms deal with. Pelvic pain, which is felt in the pelvic tailbone area, and lumbar pain which is similar to any lower back pain felt when not pregnant. There are a few culprits of back pain during pregnancy. Hormones, stress, weight changes and posture are all causes of sore and uncomfortable back. During your pregnancy, your hormones change. One of them, known as relaxin, softens the joints in the pelvic region. This can directly impact on your back’s ligaments, causing you back pain. Stress can also cause your back to ache, whether you are pregnant or not. If you are worried about your job, family or pregnancy, you can find that this added anxiety can contribute to back pain. This is due to the fact that anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can then translate into back pain. Changes in weight as your baby grows and shifts in your centre of gravity can also be a cause of a sore back. If you’re already struggling with poor posture or back ache, then back pain during your pregnancy becomes far more likely. What can help relieve my back pain? Completely alleviating your back pain may not be possible, but there are things you can try that could help ease and manage your pain. Avoiding lifting heavy objects, opting for flat, supportive shoes and getting plenty of rest are all things you can try to improve your back ache. Exercises that help strengthen your glutes and abs can also help relieve back pain. Prenatal yoga and water aerobic classes are examples of gentle exercises which can help strengthen your body. However, if you are feeling cramps, experiencing vaginal bleeding, feeling feverish, numbness or sporadic pain you should consider consulting with your doctor, as these are all more than just normal pregnancy back pain symptoms.
When it comes to investing in items for your kids, it’s important to remember that all our needs are different. The items we choose are dependent on our lifestyle, our financial situations and what’s best for baby. When choosing an infant seat, find a reputable brand that you can trust, that has the highest level of safety… A seat that’s functional and comfortable for your child considering that they spend quite a chunk of their lives in various seats.
A car seat will no doubt be the most important purchase a parent will make when it comes to baby travel. A mandatory purchase, car seat purchases should be well-thought out to ensure the safest and longest use for the child.
We’ve been cooking up scrummy, nutritious baby and toddler meals and snacks since 1992. It may seem like common sense to us today, but making sure little ones ate a varied diet, full of texture and taste from real fruit and veggies, was a much less talked about idea back then, when our healthy-eating campaigner Lizzie Vann founded Organix. After searching in vain for healthy organic baby and toddler food she decided to make her own and this was how Organix was born.
If I tell you that things went horribly wrong when I gave birth to my daughter, I am not overreacting. I’m not talking about a poor maternal or foetal outcome here, since both Eryn and I were perfectly healthy throughout the labour process. I’m talking about my birth plan, and somehow I doubt I’m not the only one who had her entire birth plan turned upside down.
Car seats are expensive. Better car seats are more expensive. The cost of car seats is a common debate, even though in the end it isn’t really relevant. The safest car seat for you is the best one you can afford that installs safely in your car and matches the weight, height and age needs of your child.
A car seat will no doubt be the most important purchase a parent will make when it comes to baby travel. A mandatory purchase, car seats should be well-thought out to ensure the safest and longest use for the child.
As parents we worry a lot about our children’s health and most especially now, with this new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2). With so much information currently available online about COVID-19 it can become difficult for us to sift through the real from the fake news. I hope to simplify things a little in this post and share some of the more convincing theories we have on COVID-19 in children.
Knowing what your little explorer should be having in their diet, from good nutrients to the perfect portion size can be confusing. GOOD NUTRIENTS As your baby grows into a toddler, it’s a time of rapid change and development. Everything is a big new adventure which can make things tricky when it comes to food and mealtimes. Organix (a brand dedicated to making tasty and nutritious organic baby and toddler food) has put together a guide to find out what nutrients your toddler needs… Vitamin D: Needed for healthy bones. Under 5s will need to take a supplement as what they need can’t be found in food alone. Vitamin A: Helps keep little one’s immune system tip top along with their vision. Find it in liver, sweet potato and leafy greens. Zinc: Great for healing scratches and grazes and an energy boost. Lots of dairy foods, meat, fish and eggs contain it. Vitamin C: Helps with growth and repair of skin and other tissues. Oranges, mango, cauliflower, broccoli and berries all contain it. Iron: Essential for making healthy blood cells & carrying oxygen. It’s in red meat, fish, poultry, eggs & beans, lentils & dried fruits. PORTION SIZES There is no ‘ideal’ portion size for toddlers, they should be eating a balanced and healthy diet along with these portions of the four main food groups a day. 5-a-day fruit and veggies: Offer at each meal & as some snacks. Go for a rainbow of colours! 2-a-day protein foods: Meat, fish, eggs, crushed nuts, nut butters & pulses. 5-a-day starchy foods: Such as bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and cereals. 3-a-day dairy foods: Milk, cheese & yogurt (or calcium enriched plant-based alternatives).
One of the UK’s most popular and multi-award winning brands, Childs Farm is designed for all skin types, including sensitive and even eczema prone skin – clinically proven to be suitable for new-borns and upwards and all products have been paediatrician and dermatologist approved so you can use it on the most delicate of skin with confidence. All our products contain over 98% naturally derived ingredients. There are no artificial colours and it is free-from parabens, SLSs and mineral oils
According to doctors and professionals keeping fit is one of the most important things to do during lockdown. Exercise will strengthen your immune system, elevate your mood and get those endorphins flowing.
Childs Farms Core Child range is packed with a variety of different products which include moisturisers, bubble baths and shampoos. They only use the best naturally derived ingredients and essential oils that are gentle on sensitive skin and hair of new-born, babies and children.
Many women find that during pregnancy, their skin goes through a number of changes.
From generation to generation, PURITY has been an integral part of South African families and continues to bring essential nutrition, care, quality and support needed for raising happy and healthy children.
Eczema can be incredibly uncomfortable for children and it’s upsetting for parents to see their child suffering with itching, cracked and bleeding skin. Parents may feel they have to stop their children playing and swimming outside because of high pollen counts and chlorine or even avoid having a bubble bath with their siblings for fear of irritation. It’s clear to see why so many parents are left feeling pretty desperate, but eczema doesn’t have to limit children any longer!
The kids are at home, and the family is following government advice: staying indoors and only venture outside when necessary.
Welcoming a baby is a life-changing experience, bringing major changes to every aspect of your life. As a new parent, you can never predict exactly what is to come, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you are as stress-free and organised as possible in the hours before and after your newborn enters the world.
When your baby wakes at night and cannot settle to sleep, one of the thoughts that will go through your head is whether she is ill. If your baby is usually a good sleeper and suddenly has a few very bad nights, it is certainly a reasonable concern and worth looking into. If your newborn is never sleeping longer than 45 minutes to an hour day and night – it is also possible that health issues underlie the poor sleep. If your toddler has been a great sleeper and can self-sooth to sleep but starts waking and being unable to fall back asleep, you may need to look at health issues.
Weaning baby is such a great – and messy time. When baby is anatomically upright in posture, actively holding utensils and really enjoying their food, it makes sense to have the child part of the family mealtime.
The arrival of a new baby into the family is a time of great joy, excitement and change, and breastfeeding is known to be the best start a family can give their baby in terms of health and wellbeing. However, successfully breastfeeding a baby is not without its challenges, and there are various obstacles a new mother may need to overcome in order to achieve her goal.
When you’re preparing for the arrival of a newborn to the family, the amount of things to consider is innumerable. You thought moving house was a big deal until you’re confronted with preparing for the birth of your first child and a whole new level of responsibility dawns on you.
As many as one in five1 new mothers will experience depression just before or after giving birth, at risk to their own health and the growth and development of their newborns.
Every day with your child is an adventure, and now simplifying your routine just got easier. Enjoy each moment with Thule Spring, a lightweight, compact stroller that lets you and your family discover the world with ease.
Newly pregnant moms may be wondering, why invest in a breast pump? Truth is, owning one has endless benefits. A breast pump ensures you have the choice to offer all the benefits of breast milk to your baby at all times, even when you cannot be with them. It also enables your partner and family members to help out with feeding times.
For parents-to-be and their loved ones, pregnancy is a wonderful, almost magical time, filled with joy and anticipation. For expecting women with chronic conditions though, it can also bring anxiety and discomfort.
The range of Chicco Sippy Cups offer parents the reassurance that their oral and dental development is being looked after as baby starts drinking differently. All cups in the range help baby easily and naturally drink, respecting their abilities and age group.
As parents we always want the best for our children and so we strive to do the right thing to ensure our children grow and develop into well rounded little humans. Experts say toys are one thing parents could use to improve brain development, but do we really know what kind toys to use for this purpose?
Tip – prepare for successful breastfeeding by learning what to expect and how to do it! Attend a class if possible during pregnancy. Don’t wait for things to get better on their own. Ask for help from a skilled professional in the first few days if you need it.
