Pregnancy & Baby - Parenting Hub

8 Awesome Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Massage is not just about it feeling good, it actually comes with many health benefits that you may not be aware of. Having a massage while you are pregnant can actually help to lessen some of the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms you may be suffering with as well as be a lovely way to unwind and relax. I had a pregnancy massage when I was 6 months pregnant and on my honeymoon. I really struggled with my first pregnancy and it was amazing to have that massage. The strangest thing though is that I felt the most amazing sensation of stress relief when the area in the crook of my elbow was massaged on the one side. When you are pregnant your body goes through some incredible changes and a massage can really help your body and your mind to cope better. If you are pregnant it is really important to highlight that you need to see a massage therapist that is qualified in prenatal massage. 1 Increased Blood Circulation This will bring more oxygen to mother and the baby, stimulating the lymphatic system. This will result in a stronger immune system and help to reduce toxins in the body. Increased blood circulation will also result in your baby getting better nourishment. An added bonus is that increase blood circulation will help prevent varicose veins from forming which is common during pregnancy 2 Massage Helps To Relieve Lower Back Pain Lower back pain is a common pregnancy symptom that can be caused by the hormone relaxin that causes ligaments that support the spine to relax. This can cause instability and pain. Pregnancy massage improves lower back pain through improving the lumbosacral tilt that occurs during pregnancy. 3 Relieves Depression and Anxiety In case you didn’t know, it is actually very common for postnatal depression to start during the third trimester of pregnancy instead of when you expect it to start (after your baby is born). Massage helps to stabilize hormone levels which can relieve anxiety and depression. Massage also releases endorphins that soothe and relax the mother. 4 Improved Sleep Any woman that has been pregnant knows how hard it can be to really relax and sleep well while pregnant. Due to massage relaxing the nervous system and extra feel good hormones moms to be will sleep better. In addition to the mom being more relaxed the other benefits of massage such as back pain relief will also make the mother more comfortable which will help her sleep better. 5 Decreased Swelling Edema, which is the swelling of joints during pregnancy, is caused by decreased circulation while pregnant as well as the increased pressure on major blood vessels. Having a pregnancy massage can greatly reduce edema by improving circulation and reducing the fluid collected in swollen joints. 6 Reduced Muscle Pain and Headaches During pregnancy your body changes and your center of gravity moves. In addition to this there is quite a bit of extra weight placed on muscles and joints. All these changes result in your muscles taking strain and can also result in headaches. Pregnancy massage can help to relieve this pain and to reduce any headaches if you are suffering from them. Pregnancy massage will also help you to keep better posture which will also in turn help to reduce muscle strains and pains. 7 Reduces Common Discomforts During Pregnancy Along with all the above benefits having a pregnancy massage can also help with lessening numerous other common pregnancy symptoms such as sciatica, heart burn, constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg cramps and much more. 8 Prepares Your Body For Labor and Birth Studies has shown that women that have pregnancy massages have less complications during birth as well as fewer postpartum complications. These women reportedly had shorter hospital stays, shorter labors and less incidence of post natal depression.

February 7, 2018

How to Budget for That Unexpected Pregnancy

An unexpected pregnancy can bring upon a slew of emotions. Should you feel excited? Should you feel stressed? Maybe a mix of both? Regardless of how you feel, there’s one thing for certain: It’s going to put a damper on your budget, even if you’re doing okay today. An unexpected pregnancy is possibly one of the most common life-altering events when it comes to your budgeting, and many soon-to-be parents are often shocked at how much a baby can really cost you. While my last pregnancy was expected, my first came as a shock. I figured, at the time, I would have nine months to plan and it would be enough time to straighten out my financial obligations so that I could enjoy motherhood to its fullest. After all, your babies don’t stay small for long, trust me on this one. To help you budget and enjoy your newborn instead of stressing out about your finances, here’s what I did when approaching my finances: Evaluate Your Needs It’s no secret a kid isn’t cheap. In fact, the USDA says it can cost $245,000 to raise a child until they reach the ripe age of 18. During my pregnancy, I needed to focus on what my child would truly need to survive. This included the obvious: diapers, food, health care, a car seat, clothes and hygiene products. Honestly, that’s it. While a baby bouncer or one of those cute baby play mats are great, it really isn’t necessary, especially if you’re on a tight budget. The same can be said about the furniture. Don’t splurge on the fancy $800 diaper changing table made from cherry wood or that $500 designer branded diaper bag. After all, it’s for a baby and things are going to get messy. Don’t forget to throw a baby shower as your loved ones can pitch in and really help you with what you need. Again, while it’s tempting to scan everything at the baby registry, again, only put the things you truly need. If anything, ask for diapers as you will need lots! Even if you plan on having a baby shower, you still won’t get everything, so create a list of all the things you need, not want, and write down how much each item will cost if you were to be as frugal as possible. For example, a gently used stroller can often be found at a local consignment shop for less than $50. The same can be said about baby clothes. Remember, your baby will outgrow their outfits fast, so don’t be surprised if they only wear it once or twice. Look at Your Healthcare Options The minute you know you’re pregnant, the first thing you will probably, and should do, is visit the OB/GYN. While it’s hard to budget for immediate healthcare since you will need it today, it’s so important to take care of your health and visit your doctor as soon as possible to get things rolling. Even if you don’t have health insurance or feel your policy isn’t adequate enough, a good doctor’s office will be able to explain what you’re going to owe, help you setup a payment plan and/or even get you in contact with the state to see if you qualify for aid. Even if you have the best insurance policy possible, it’s important to research it to know what’s going to be covered as many policies have restrictions on who you can visit and how many appointments you can have. Taking Your Income and Expenses into Consideration With my first pregnancy, I was still finishing my bachelor’s degree, and at the time, I had to rely on my husband’s income, which is kind of scary now that I think of it. While I was making some income working part-time freelance writing, it wouldn’t have been enough to pay the bills to survive. Plus, I had to keep in mind that even if I had a great paying job, I would have had to take off a few weeks after the baby to recover. For some, it could be even more time off if you were bed ridden during the pregnancy or had complications during the birth, so this is something to take into consideration. With all that being said, now is the time to start tracking your income and determine how much you can save when your baby is born. Plus, using the list you made, as stated in my first point, you can determine how much you’re going to need for all the necessary supplies. Even if you’re able to save $100 per month for the next nine months, this is an extra $900 that can go quite far in terms of diapers and formula. Remember, your child is going to be your number one priority now, so it’s best to avoid eating out, drinking those fancy $10 drinks at the bar and taking those weekend getaways that cost $500. Every dollar you can save can help save a lot of stress in the future, trust me. Aside from saving a fixed amount of money, it’s also important to plan what your expenses and income are going to look like when the baby arrives. When the baby arrives, you’re going to want to figure out when you’re going to go back to work, and if you do, who’s going to take care of the baby? Factor in the diapers, formula, daycare if needed and necessary starter accessories for survival. Remember, a good daycare can easily cost $200 per week, if not more, in a higher cost of living area. Lastly, Don’t Panic! An unexpected pregnancy won’t be the end of the world. When I really look back at it, there’s never a good time for a pregnancy as there always seems to be an excuse. If you plan it right and you know where your money is going, your stress levels can lower quite a bit. Plus, if your baby has the necessary essentials, a

February 6, 2018

Childbirth education for an empowered birth

‘Empowering Birth’ is the theme of Pregnancy Education Month in February 2018, when childbirth educators, Bio-Oil and hospitals nationwide will be highlighting how education empowers expectant parents and helps create a better birth experience. For more details visit www.pregnancyeducation.co.za. Birth is the most natural process on earth and yet studies have shown that one in every four women describes her birth as traumatic, one in every five to 10 meets the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and one in three or four has postpartum mood disorder. Studies have also found that women who fear childbirth experience longer labour and were more likely to need an emergency caesarean than those who did not. ‘There is a link between a lack of knowledge, fear and the experience of childbirth,’ says Lynne Bluff, national co-ordinator for the Childbirth Educators Professional Forum (CBEPF), which is partnering with Bio-Oil and hospitals nationally for Pregnancy Education Month 2018. With the theme ‘Empowering Birth’, the campaign highlights how pregnancy education empowers expectant parents and helps create a better birth experience. ‘It is so important that parents are comprehensively informed about birthing options safest for the mother and infant in the event of a low-risk, normal pregnancy,’ says Professor Suzanne Delport, neonatologist. Good childbirth classes, says Bluff, will equip parents with knowledge about all available childbirth options and the pros and cons of each, practical tips and techniques for the birth and after it, and the confidence that comes from knowing what to expect and how to cope. Ideally childbirth educators are nurses and midwives, as well as being parents themselves, who can prepare expectant parents for every aspect of childbirth and instil faith in their own ability and strength to give birth. ‘We believe that when parents are informed, any type of birth, from homebirth to caesarean, can be an empowering one. It shifts from a potentially overwhelming experience to one that is fulfilling, positive and, ultimately, beneficial to mother and child,’ says Anna Guerin of Bio-Oil. ‘There is simply no substitute for evidence-based information provided by qualified and experienced professionals. With quality childbirth education, parents are empowered and properly prepared in a warm and supportive way,’ says Bluff, who is also a registered nurse and midwife. “Although childbirth is one of life’s most significant milestones many parents are simply ignorant of the facts vital to decision making,” says Bluff. For example, many parents are not aware that when a baby passes through the birth canal, he or she picks up a multitude of micro-organisms that will benefit their health and guard against chronic illness for the rest of their life; or that there are a number of caesarean options available, some more friendly to mother and baby than others. And most of us know little of the interplay of birthing hormones that click in, one step at a time, to pave the way for birth, help manage pain and stress and give us the feeling of joy when seeing baby for the first time. To find out more about childbirth education, Pregnancy Education Month activities or to find a childbirth educator in your area, visit www.pregnancyeducation.co.za. #PregnancyEducationMonth #EmpoweringBirth

February 2, 2018

Surviving a Heterotypic Miscarriage

I had a heterotypic miscarriage and it was painful. Heterotypic pregnancy is when one is carrying twins, the one foetus grows in the uterus and another in the tube. It is rare in natural conception to have a heterotypic pregnancy, research estimates that 1 in 30,000 pregnancies are heterotypic pregnancies. I lost my first child on Christmas day. I had just finished preparing Christmas lunch and was taking a bath when I started vomiting, felt what the doctor later called ‘acute abdominal pain’. My 10year old son had to help me out of the bath, assist me while I was getting dressed (my mother, my husband and my nieces had gone to get some last-minute necessities for the lunch). My son called his dad who came rushing and took me to the hospital. At the ER, the doctor attending did a pregnancy test and the results were positive, she then told me that I was showing signs of an ectopic pregnancy. She wrote her diagnosis on my medical file and I was wheeled to the ward. When the gynaecologist arrived, he did a sonar and reconfirmed that I was indeed pregnant but that the pregnancy was in the womb and not an ectopic pregnancy. He then ordered the nurse to run some tests and in the morning told me that my oestrogen levels were higher than normal which meant that I was pregnant, however my oestrogen levels were lower than the previous day which meant that I was having a miscarriage. He further explained that I would undergo a ‘minor procedure’ i.e. evacuation of the womb. December 26, 2016, I went for evacuation of the womb. I did not feel better, I was still bloated, I still could not do much, I was in pain. 10 January 2017: I was back in the hospital and the diagnosis, ruptured ectopic. At 3 am that morning I felt so much pain, it felt like period pains, at the same time I was freezing cold and sweating at the same time. I woke my husband up and asked him to call someone to take us to the hospital (he panics so I’d not have made to the hospital). I told him that I was feeling faint and the next thing I remember is being carried out of the house to the car; by this time, I was vomiting and without energy. I woke up in the ER briefly and the next thing I remember is waking up in ICU, surrounded by doctors and nurses who looked very concerned. Now when nurses get concerned and curious, then I know something is not good. “My dear can you hear me?” one of the nurses asked, I nodded. As she put lip balm on my lips she said “You look much better than you did last night…” she then told me that my doctor was on his way and he will discuss a few things with me. My doctor arrived he looked at my medical file and when the nurse asked what the diagnosis was, he simply showed her the file. When my husband asked him what the diagnosis was, he said; “Don’t worry about that now, let’s take care of your wife’s health.” I went to the theatre for a laparoscopy. In the surgery, three fairly small incisions were made, two in my tummy and one in the navel; and because my tubes were ruptured, the fallopian tube containing the pregnancy was surgically removed. Upon my return to the ward, my doctor seemed to be concerned about something, he asked the nurse how much was ordered and the nurse replied “two”. “No no! We need five at least and we need it within the next hour” my doctor said. Moments later blood was delivered, the nurse explained to me that I had lost blood. “It happens with ruptured ectopic pregnancies, so now your heart is pumping faster, trying to compensate for the blood loss and is beating at twice the normal rate. You need at least five blood ”. The nurse had been coming to my bedside at least three times a day just to see how I am and explain to me what the next steps would be. Some struggles after the surgery: I went through physio therapy, to learn to walk and move I was constipated for about two weeks I was on schedule 5 pain medication for weeks I had no appetite I could not play my children or sleep because the pain was unbearable A week after I was discharged from the hospital, I went for a check-up and the doctor told me that I had had a Heterotypic pregnancy. He apologised for not seeing the issue when I’d come in on Christmas day. It only hit me as I set at home counting that in September 2017 I could have been a mother to twins, that I had to be at death’s door to get a proper diagnosis. My doctor apologised and told me that he did not know which of my tubes were removed, to this day I do not know. Perhaps mommies will learn to ask their doctors to not only check the womb but the tubes as well, to avoid or diagnose what may be missed. To my unborn children, I’d have loved you, as I do now

February 1, 2018

Kangaroo Mother Care

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

January 18, 2018

Safe, summer fun for baby’s skin

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

January 18, 2018

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

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

January 18, 2018

Will you bank them, or bin them? Wise up on stem cells before it’s too late.

Becoming a parent is fraught with responsibilities. Prospective parents should know the facts about the life-saving abilities of umbilical cord stem cells so that they can make informed decisions for their families. Stem cells should be called master cells as they can replicate, regenerate and differentiate themselves into any one of 200 different specialised cells in the body, and are used to treat over 80 potentially life-threatening blood related diseases including leukaemia, lymphoma and bone marrow failures. Blood stem cell transplantation, using stem blood cells from sources such as bone marrow, has been performed for more than 50 years, with more than one million blood stem cell transplants across the world playing an important role in the treatment of bone marrow failures, blood cancers, blood disorders, metabolic diseases, immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Cryo-Save South Africa has listed the top 10 most noteworthy facts about stem cells that you need to know: Stem cells are your body’s internal repair system Stem cells continuously replace dead or diseases cells with healthy ones to maintain a normal functioning body. They fall into two major groups; pluripotent and multipotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are powerful, meaning they can develop into any type of cell in your body. However, these cells are still fraught with ethical controversy. Multipotent stem cells, also called adult stem cells, can develop certain tissue cells to maintain your body’s organs as you age, such as blood-forming stem cells. Blood-forming stem cells produce new and healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of our body; white blood cells to fight bacteria; and platelets which form clots to pervert excessive bleeding. Best time to collect stem cells is at birth Stem cells age as we age, so the best time to collect blood stem cells is at birth. These cells have not been exposed to pollution and poor lifestyle choices and can therefore offer greater therapeutic possibilities and better transplant outcomes. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood don’t need to be a 100% match for transplants Although your baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells are a 100% perfect match for own use, there is a 25% probability for a 100% match for siblings. However, unlike bone marrow transplants, you often don’t need a 100% match using cord blood stem cells, which means the probability of finding a suitable donor is so much greater. Stem cell storage is not that costly Stem cell storage is available to anyone who wishes to store their baby’s umbilical cord stem cells. Cryo-Save offers multiple cost options and interest-free payment plans from as little as R273.00 per month to store cord blood and R350.00 per month for storing both cord blood and tissue. Mixed ethnicity parents should store stem cells The chances of finding a perfect matching blood stem cell donor for an allogeneic (matching donor) transplant are only 1:1,00,000, but the odds are much lower for anyone from a mixed-race family Despite its diverse ethnic make-up, Africa has no public cord blood stem cell bank, which makes the likelihood of finding a matching donor even more challenging. Therefore, Cryo-Save encourages mixed race families to store their babies’ stem cells. Banking stem cells is not just for families with a history of cancer Many people don’t realise that stem cells now play a part in the treatment of over 80 blood diseases and conditions. Every day we are seeing more diseases developing, and more clinical trials are taking place to identify treatments of many of these diseases. Some of the most promising research is being done to use children’s’ own umbilical cord blood stem cells in the treatment of cerebral palsy and autism. Additionally, statistics show that more than 90% of cancers develop due to lifestyle factors, not genetics, and that the incidence of cancer is increasing. Stem cell collection is a safe medical procedure Collecting stem cells from an umbilical cord is quick, painless and non-invasive, posing no medical risk to mother or baby. It is only after the clamping that the blood and tissue are collected from the umbilical cord for stem cell processing. Stem cell banking is possible with any type of birth Cord blood and cord tissue collections can be performed at both vaginal and caesarean deliveries. Immediately following the birth but before the placenta is delivered, the healthcare provider collects the cord blood from the baby’s umbilical cord. You can store your second child’s stem cells if you didn’t store for your first child Today, umbilical cord stem cells are used in more than a third of blood stem cell transplants around the world. Siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match. But because cord blood stem cells do not require a perfect match for transplant, the likelihood that siblings will be a match is much higher. Therefore, storing your second child’s stem cells has the possibility, depending on the degree of matching, to treat your first child should a stem cell transplant be required and may also be used for other immediate family members. Stem cell storage is available in South Africa Cryo-Save has been storing umbilical cord stem cells for families all over the world since 2000. It is the leading family stem cell bank in Europe and ranked fifth most influential cord blood bank in the world by Bio Informant. Cryo-Save South Africa offers both local and international storage options in either Pretoria or Europe for both cord blood and cord tissue. This local laboratory complies with the highest international standards and importantly complies to the coveted American Association of Blood Banks accreditation standards. Just as some people need organ transplants to treat or cure diseases, blood stem cells can be transplanted too. If the blood forming stem cells in our bodies cannot produce healthy cells or stop producing cells completely, we cannot function normally and our stem cells will have to be REPLACED with healthy ones that can be found in the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Sometimes these stem

December 18, 2017

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

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

November 15, 2017

5 Things New Parents Can do to Increase Infant Attachment

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

November 15, 2017

HOW CAN PARENTS FACILITATE BABY’S MOVEMENT AND GROWTH?

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

November 13, 2017

Undescended testes in premature babies common, but treatable

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

November 13, 2017

Breastfeeding can help prevent both breast cancer and childhood cancer

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

November 9, 2017

3 Silent Things That Can Affect Your Baby’s Health

Everything seemingly is turned upside down in an instant. Your schedules change, your eating habits change, your sleep habits change (a lot!), and you’re constantly worried about your little one. There’s no need to be overly stressed about everything that could possibly happen, but it’s always good to be vigilant. Bugs and Pests Every home has had a few pests here and there, and honestly, it’s not that big of a deal most of the time. You see if you can get rid of them on your own for a while and end up calling a pest controlcompany to come to your house and the issue goes away. However, that type of thinking needs altering a bit in order to mitigate potential problems for your infant. The presence of cockroaches in particular, are of much concern. There was a publication recently written about a study that links cockroaches with asthma, which can affect younger children much more than adults. While using the exterminators a lot while you have an infant isn’t always a great idea, it’s increasingly important to stay aware of the creepy crawlies during this period of life. Moisture Another silent thing in your home that could cause health issues for you and your baby is the presence of mold. Gross just thinking about it, right? However, many people have mold for months without even knowing it. The most common time during the year to get mold is during the winter and springtime, but it can happen anytime with the right conditions. Whenever an area in your home has consistent moisture, little threads of mold form, causing the air qualityin your home to worsen. Again, this might not seem like a big deal to an adult, but little bodies with little lungs need lots of care to be able to function correctly. Whenever there is a spill in the kitchen or bathroom, make sure to clean it up quickly. Dry out the area with a hair dryer or fan to ensure that all the surfaces are good to go. Make sure that any leaks or floodinggets careful attention as well. Blue Light It’s not uncommon to have your baby next to you as you’re watching the television, working on the computer, or browsing on your smartphone. It’s probably an everyday occurrence in most homes. The reason why this can be a problem has to do with the developing senses and organs of your baby. Let’s be more clear- your baby’s eyes are more sensitive than those of adults, and therefore shouldn’t spend too long looking at things that give off blue light. Basically any electronic device gives off this type of light, which is different regular natural light, sunlight. It’s also a good idea for adults to keep these things in mind as it has been shown to keep us up at night and lose sleepbecause of how powerful it is. There are other considerations with blue light as well, like whether your baby or toddler should be getting used to watching the television at a young age anyway. As their brains are developing, it’s important to teach them to use their imagination, not just to look at screens to consistently be entertained. It may be a hassle and take time, but reading to your childcan be the one thing that sets them up for success in their formative years. It teaches them verbaland auditory skills as well as keeping a close bondwith parents. It also sets their brains up to form new neural pathways, which they will use as they continue to grow and learn new things. If you’re not in the habit of reading to your child, just take a few minutes to go through some books with them each day. Most young children will love it so much that they’ll end up reminding (and begging) you to do it all the time. These are a few considerations to take when evaluating your home for the potential health hazards for your baby. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list, but can remind you of things that you normally overlook or don’t think about very often. Remember, a healthy baby is a happy baby!

October 25, 2017

Cost free stem cell storage programme gives hope to South African families affected by life-threatening blood disorders

Storing umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth could prove to be a live-saving investment for the child, or a sibling, diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disorder, treatable by a stem cell transplant. However, not everyone chooses to bank their baby’s cord blood stem cells. Cryo-Save South Africa, a private cord blood stem cell bank located in Pretoria, has recognised the plighn t of families who have a child with a blood disorder that can be treated with a stem cell transplant. It provides hope to families affected by leukaemia, other forms of blood cancers, and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, through its Cost-Free Donation Programme. Three years ago, South Africans Charlene and Ralph Subbarayan’s first-born son, then aged five, was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was frequently hospitalised and only recently completed his treatment. During this time, although unplanned and a wonderful surprise, Charlene fell pregnant with their second child. Both parents became extremely concerned as to whether their unborn child may also develop cancer in future. “My husband and I began frantically researching cancer and it was on a visit to my gynaecologist that I picked up a Cryo-Save pamphlet right there in the waiting room. After reading, I immediately called the Cryo-Save’s Information Hub, who were more than willing to help us out – and for free!” explains Charlene. To give hope to families in need, the Cryo-Save Cost-Free Donation Program is specifically designed to offer families affected by diseases that can be treated with blood stem cells, the opportunity to store the cord blood stem cells of their expected new-born child to potentially treat a sibling who has been diagnosed with a blood disorder To qualify for the Cost-Free Donation Programme, a sibling of the unborn child must have been diagnosed with a disease that is currently treatable with umbilical cord blood stem cells (an FDA approved indication for transplantation) and must be being treated by a medical specialist (oncologist/haematologist), who agrees that the stem cells could be used for treatment. If eligible, Cryo-Save will enrol the family into the Cost-Free Donation Program, provide the cord blood collection kit, and process and store (cryo-preserve) the new-born’s cord blood sample without any cost to the family. “Storing my second child’s stem cells with Cryo-Save was such a phenomenal experience! I’m glad I did it. Stem cells are used to treat and cure several diseases and not just cancer. I would advise any parent who would like to store their child’s stem cells to definitely go for it, it is a must. Use our family as an example. My child, who was diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago, will be turning nine on the 14th of December. I am so grateful to have beautiful healthy children, I love my boys and I wouldn’t give up my stem cell storage experience for anything,” concludes Mrs Subbarayan. Blood-forming stem cells are able to be collected not only from umbilical cord blood but also directly from bone marrow and from circulating blood. These stem cells have been used to treat more than 80 types of diseases ranging from blood cancers, metabolic diseases, bone marrow failure syndromes, to other blood and immune deficiency disorders. Stem cells found in the blood of a baby’s umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded at the time of birth, as both the cord and placenta are discarded as medical waste. Prospective mothers and fathers should consider the potentially life-saving investment they could make and the benefits of storing cord blood and cord tissue stem cells well in advance of giving birth. Nothing in life is certain, but if we knew we could do something to help our children, why wouldn’t we? It is for this reason that Cryo-Save enables access to umbilical cord blood stem cell storage. Visit www.cryosave.co.za for more information on stem cell collection and storage.

October 12, 2017

Foppapedretti Piuleggero

Foppapedretti came about from the passion for wood of its founder, Ezio Foppa Pedretti. It all began in 1945, in the home in Telgate (in Bergamo) where young Ezio devoted his spare time to making wooden toys out of the leftovers from his uncle Pierino’s umbrella handle factory. In the 1950s he began making the first products for babies, products that launched the company and became its visiting card for decades to come. Wood remains the most important material used by Foppapedretti, but seeing as the company is always on the lookout for new ideas to satisfy the needs of the ever-changing market; in 2004 they embarked upon an adventure in the world of pushchairs. Foppapedretti wanted to apply its company philosophy to this industry as well, and the results are clear to see: products must be highly functional, practical and safe, but also innovative to always stay at least one step ahead. And so, after about four years of experimentation, the only stroller with electrical motor on the market today was introduced in 2011 (production began in March 2012): MyoTronic, a product the President and CEO, Luciano Bonetti, invested a great deal of personal energy in. In 2011, MyoTronic won the prestigious international Red Dot Design Award. The super-lightweight and sturdy stroller Piùleggero by Foppapedretti weighs only 3, 6 kg. opened, closed and pushed with just one hand. used from birth (usable up to 3 years, maximum weight 15 kg) Adjustable footrest and extendable and removable canopy, With UPF50+ protection: this fabric shields from the sun’s ultraviolet rays with 98% protection. An aluminium stroller which weighs only 3,6 kg (without accessories) and closes easily, Standing up on its own and occupying a little space. a multi-position reclining backrest, 5-point safety belt with chest protectors, protective armrest which can be opened Spacious storage basket. Safety Strollers are designed and made in compliance with safety regulations to ensure that: The dimensions are such that no part of the body will get stuck. The structure has undergone static and dynamic load tests to ensure the stability of the blocking devices. The opening and closing mechanisms have been designed so that the stroller cannot accidentally fold up. The product is entirely stable and, under normal conditions of use, will not tip over. It has undergone mechanical resistance and stability tests to ensure that it can withstand normal daily use without breaking or warping. Tests have been done on the braking and parking mechanisms, the grip of the handles and rough terrain travel. It has no small parts that can be ingested. The materials and paints used are non-toxic and free from any ingredient that may be hazardous to human health. The instructions manual provides all the information and safety warnings you need to use the product correctly. We suggest: That you carefully read the warnings found in the instruction manual. Any product, even when constructed in compliance with European law, may be dangerous if used improperly. Do not use a damaged product nor one that has been used before as there may be invisible damage (deteriorated materials due to age or improper storage) or it may not be compliant with current law. When buying a childcare product, take note of the age for which the item was designed. When you buy a product, especially a childcare product, make sure that either the wrapping or the product itself has a reference to an EC law: this guarantees that the product is in compliance with the general product safety laws. Retail price is R 5 299.00 Available at the following retailers: Hamleys, (Sandton , Eastgate , Menlyn & Mall of Africa) www.takealot.com www.loot.com www.simplicity.co.za www.thebabyzone.co.za

October 9, 2017

Last minute shopping for your hospital bag – don’t forget the car seat!

Being an expectant mom or dad is an exciting time for both parents, whether it’s your first and even your third child. However, as you count down to the arrival of your little one, it’s important to remember to pack the correct essentials for the arrival of the new bambino. This is often a daunting task for new parents but it doesn’t have to be. While packing your bag, consider the bare essentials that you will need during your hospital stay and, more importantly, for the first trip home with your little one. In fact, the safety of your infant should take priority when thinking of what you need to pack and so – not only for your first trip home, but while traveling anywhere else – a car seat is one of the most important things to pack when getting ready to bring your baby home. In fact, did you know that it is illegal for an adult to travel with a child in a car that is younger than three years without being strapped into a car seat? The consequences of driving with children who are unrestrained are far reaching, where children can be killed or seriously injured, even in the slightest collision. It therefore comes as no surprise that many private hospitals have included a clause that no newborn children may leave the hospital premises without them being strapped into an infant car seat. It is therefore, important that, as an expectant parent, you are educated around your child’s safety, while on the road. Here are a few tips to consider when purchasing a car seat: How reputable is the brand of the infant seat you have chosen? When purchasing a car seat – one thing that most people consider is the brand reputation, by reviewing what is being said about a specific product either online or from a family or friends’ experience on a specific product. It is important to do your research and make sure that inferior products are not being sold locally – this means understanding which brands are leading and which are inferior. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Is the car seat correct for the weight and height of your baby? Height and weight are key factors to consider when selecting the right car seat for your child. It is not about age but rather about their specific frame – given that not all age-similar children are the same in height and weight. Below is a guide to which car seat your child should be using – depending on their weight and height: Group 0 seats are designed for babies from birth to 9kg, Group 0+ seats are designed for babies from birth to 13kg Group 1 seats are designed for toddlers weighing between 9kg to 18kg Group 2 seats are designed for children from 18kg or absolute minimum of 15kg Once your child has outgrown the highest adjustment of the booster seat, your child should sit on a “bum” booster until they are 1.5 metres or taller As a parent – will you be able to safely strap your baby into the seat when required, and do you know how to strap them in correctly? Strapping your children in correctly is by far one of the most important factors when purchasing a car seat. In most instances, you would choose the one that is easy to install and uninstall however, it is critically important that you know exactly how to strap the actual car seat into the vehicle, as well as that you understand how the buckle system on your child’s car seat works. There is no point of having a car seat if it is not strapped in correctly, or if your child is not buckled up as per the instructions. How much does it cost – is this really a factor? You definitely can’t put a price on your child’s safety however, the good news is that you don’t have to. While there are a number of retail outlets that sell a range of car seats (from very expensive to reasonably affordable), there are also outlets where you can buy/donate money towards a refurbished car seat which has been safety checked, cleaned and as good as new. Rather take this route to save costs if you need to, than settle for an unknown brand that may compromise your child’s safety. These are all important considerations that you need on hand, to safe guard your little one when travelling. The benefits of having your child strapped in a secure car seat cannot be stressed enough – here are a few key aspects: The seat provides comfort and protection When fitted in a rear-facing position the baby does not feel any potential harsh breaking The straps will keep the baby secure and steady from unwanted movements that might be harmful in the event of an accident/minor bumper bashing The cushion of the seat is water resistant and can help in cases where their nappies might leak or milk and juice might spill during travel. Always make your child’s safety a priority, no matter the circumstance or situation, as your child is dependent on you as a parent to safe guard them from potential harm. So, while you are doing your last-minute shopping for the hospital stay remember to make an appropriate car seat purchase a top of mind priority! By Niki Cronje, Group Marketing at Imperial Road Safety

October 5, 2017

MYTH BUSTERS BABY SLEEP EDITION

Keeping your baby up longer at night/between naps will encourage her to fall asleep faster and sleep better. This is definitely a myth. Keeping your baby up longer at night/between naps will result in an overtired child. An overtired child will be fussy, cranky, have trouble feeding and take much longer to settle into sleep. They will also be more likely to wake during the night and earlier in the mornings, and will only have very short naps the following day. Your baby will sleep through the night when she is three months of age. It is possible, if you have set the foundations for healthy sleep skills early and your child is developing good self-soothing strategies. In this instance, you can usually expect babies to start sleeping through the night between three and six months of age (providing they are healthy and developing well). However children that still rely on “props” to fall asleep, such as feeding/rocking/patting, etc. will more than likely continue to wake through the night. This is because they have never learned the ability to put themselves to sleep so they are unable to consolidate sleep cycles through the night. They will often rouse after a sleep cycle and instead of using their own skills to return quickly to sleep they will cry out for their “prop” before they are able to go back to sleep. Letting your baby fall asleep while being held is a bad thing; you should never wake a sleeping baby. It is very difficult to always put your baby in their cot/bassinet while awake and allow them to use their own skills to fall asleep when they are newborns, as they need to sleep often. Parents will sometimes be out and about and need to put their baby to sleep in the pram/car or carrier. However it is important to be respectful of your child’s sleep needs and whenever possible give them the opportunity to attempt to fall asleep in their cot/bassinet. This is the place where they are going to get the best quality sleep. Remember how challenging and disturbed your own sleep is if you have to sleep in the car, or even when staying in a hotel room as opposed to your own bed at home. If you always let your baby fall asleep in your arms they are never going to develop their own self-soothing skills. Just remember that as your child grows, they get heavier and while you may find it easy to rock a newborn to sleep in your arms it will not be as easy to do this with your one, two or even three year old. It is never enjoyable to have to wake a sleeping baby, and the only reason I would suggest doing this would be to preserve a bedtime. As children get older their sleep needs change and sometimes too much daytime sleep (for an older baby or child) can have a negative effect on bedtime and sleeping through the night. However the opposite is also true and over-tiredness will also negatively impact night time sleep so it’s best to err on the side of more sleep as opposed to less. Daytime naps aren’t always needed. Most children will usually drop their daytime nap around three or four years of age (providing they are getting their 11-12hrs of night time sleep). However, it is possible that children as young as 2 ½ years of age drop their daytime naps. Before this age, a daytime nap or naps are very important to prevent over-tiredness and recharge their little bodies for the remainder of the day. Filling your baby up by putting infant cereal in her bottle will help her sleep. This is a myth. For very young babies, the length of time for which they are able to sleep is largely determined by how quickly their little bellies empty after a feed. However, as your baby reaches the three to six month age, it is healthy sleep habits and good self-soothing skills (that can be introduced gently from birth) that will help your baby sleep for longer periods. It is always very important to ensure your baby is well fed and developing properly, but the addition of good nutrition throughout the entire day is more important than adding infant cereal to their bedtime bottle.

September 28, 2017

Tips for New Mothers and Fathers

Being a new parent is the most difficult, yet most important and satisfying work you will ever do. I remember doing all the research before our child was born, reading all the parenting books and articles that I could get my hands on and asking friends with kids for their advice. Unfortunately you only really understand and absorb this information when you are going through it yourself. Here are some practical tips on how to survive the early weeks with the new baby: Get the house and the nursery ready before you bring the baby home. You will not have a lot of spare time in the first few week s, so it will help you both if everything is prepared. If you are renovating or adding on another room make sure this is complete long before you bring the baby home. Get as much rest as possible. Sleep when the baby sleeps, and moms and dads take turns sleeping late on weekend mornings. When you aren’t sleeping use that time to relax, read or watch daytime TV. I remember catching up on all the books I had been waiting to read and paging through many a magazine while my baby was sleeping. Eat nutritious meals. If a neighbour or friend offers to help, ask him or her to bring you dinner or do your grocery shopping. Also, stay hydrated and drink fluids throughout the day. Get linked with other parents. You can share ideas, concerns and experiences. It is good to know that you are not the only ones who may be struggling. You can encourage each other when the times are tough and also celebrate together when things go well. Don’t expect too much from yourself. Housework won’t always get done, but eventually you will get back to a routine. Call your doctor or clinic with any questions or concerns you may have. This will save you from needless worry. Try and do some light exercise as soon as you can. It will help relieve some of the tension you may feel and help you to sleep. Take your baby in the pram and make it a family affair. Visitors can be helpful, but don’t let them interrupt your rest or your family time together. If you are tired don’t be shy to ask them to come back on another day. Dads: don’t let mothers have all the fun. Spend lots of time caring for and playing with your baby. The rewards are great! It’s important to ask for help when you need it. This could be family, friends or neighbours. Don’t be shy about this. Many people are happy to help and are just waiting for you to ask. Take time for yourself after the baby arrives. It may take several weeks for you to settle into a new schedule, however when you finally do, that’s the perfect time to find a sitter and take a break. Set up a good bedtime routine as soon as you can. Set a time for feeding and giving baths; stick to it every night. If you have older children, be sure to let them know every day that you love them. Start a memory book. It is a good record of your child’s early years. You can use a scrapbook or a notebook with blank pages. Write down all the great “firsts” for your baby. Things like the first time they smile, sit up, crawl, walk, talk or do anything special. Put in photos of your baby at various stages and later add pictures that they have drawn. You and your children can enjoy it together as they grow up. Enjoy every single moment and embrace your new role as parents. There will be crying, lack of sleep, highs, lows, laughs and many joyful moments – embrace them all. It won’t last forever and one day you want to look back on

September 26, 2017

Umbilical Cord Care

Becoming a new mom is filled with so many fun, exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking moments. There are also many things that you need to look out for and make sure you are doing correctly for your little one as a new mom. One of these, often very daunting things, is caring for your baby’s umbilical cord. Huggies® expert, Lynn Bluff, registered nurse, midwife and childbirth educator, sheds some light on this subject. How long does it take for a newborn’s belly button to heal? Babies in the womb receive nourishment and oxygen through the placenta, which is attached to the inner wall of the mother’s uterus. The placenta is connected to the baby by the umbilical cord, which attaches to the baby through an opening in the baby’s tummy. After your baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut close to your baby’s body, approximately 5-6cm long. It’s a painless procedure, and it leaves an umbilical stump attached to your baby’s belly button. The stump will dry up and drop off in about 7 to 21 days. When the stump falls off, you may notice a little blood on the diaper – don’t worry, this is normal. Sometimes, after the stump falls off, there may also be a little oozing of clear or yellow fluid. Cleaning the cord stump To clean your baby’s umbilical cord, you can apply surgical spirits to an ear bud or piece of cotton wool. Another option is to use sterile/cooled boiled water and gently clean the entire umbilical cord. The most important area to clean is where the cord is attached to the baby’s tummy. Your baby may cry when you do this, not because it is painful but rather the spirits feel very cold against their tummy area. It is not painful to clean as there are no nerve endings in the cord. It is very important, to not put anything on the cord. Some cultures put dung on the cord and this is very dangerous as it can lead to neonatal tetanus, a disease that is often fatal for the baby. Do not even apply any creams or powders. Just clean it well and let it dry. Over a week or so the cord will become drier and drier and eventually drop off. The drier the cord the sooner it will fall off. Tips to keep your baby’s cord clean A baby’s umbilical cord can easily become infected if not cared for properly. That’s why Huggies® developed Huggies® Preemie nappies and New Baby Size 0 nappies with an innovative umbilical cord cut-out. These Huggies® nappies make cord care easier for moms as they help prevent infection by allowing the umbilical cord to stay clean and dry, which is absolutely essential. But, it is still important to clean your baby’s umbilical cord after every nappy change and bath. Signs of umbilical cord infection Infections are rare, but consult your pediatrician if: Your baby cries when you touch the cord or the skin next to it The skin around the base of the cord is red The stump smells foul or has a yellowish discharge Also call the doctor if the stump bleeds continuously, as this may be a sign of a bleeding disorder. Becoming a new mom is filled with so much joy and a few challenges. Huggies® would like to encourage you as a new mom to be a little easy on yourself during this process. Both you and baby are learning together and this takes time but you will get the hang of it all. Huggies® is there for you every step of your nappy journey, baby gets its first hug from mom and its second hug from Huggies®.

September 25, 2017

The Basics of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been shown to have major health benefits for both the mother and child but despite this, breastfeeding may not always come naturally to new mothers. Life Healthcare therefore actively encourages women to consider exclusively breastfeeding their babies during the first six months of their lives. There are two essential ways to prepare for breastfeeding ahead of the birth. Women should start by attending a breastfeeding class conducted by a certified lactation expert. They also need a breastfeeding plan, which should include what to do during the first hours following birth, where to get support if needed and what to do if the baby has special needs, and so on. The advantages of breastfeeding include protecting babies from some of the biggest killer diseases of infants and children in South Africa – diarrhoea and pneumonia. Breastfeeding is also associated with improved development and educational achievement. However, babies are not the only beneficiaries. Breastfeeding after birth helps the uterus contract and reduces the mother’s postpartum blood loss. While there are a number of benefits to breastfeeding, there are also common problems that may limit a new mother’s desire to breastfeed. Breastfeeding problems can vary from structural problems of either the tongue or lips of the baby. In addition the mother may have incredibly sore nipples, there could be difficulties in latching the baby, or even low milk supply. Fortunately, almost all these problems can be sorted out with better support and the right advice – preferably from a certified lactation specialist. For latching problems, immediate action needs to be taken to find out what is wrong and it should be remedied. Mothers should feel reassured that although nipples may become tender during breastfeeding, painful nipples are not normal. Importantly, there should be a zero tolerance approach to the separation of the mother from her baby after birth. Separation causes anxiety in babies and there should be skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby as soon as possible.. Dads can also get involved by attending breastfeeding classes with mothers so that they understand the process. They can certainly help with other baby chores too, including tummy time, burping baby, changing nappies, or of course making mom’s tea or running a bath. While there are numerous medical advantages to breastfeeding, it is important to remember that babies need food regardless. Mothers are therefore encouraged to follow a feeding programme that works best for both them and their baby. For whatever reason, some women may decide breastfeeding is not for them. If this is the case, they need not feel ashamed or guilty. Ultimately, mothers will do what’s best for themselves and their baby. Back-to-work breastfeeding tips: When women return to work their breastfeeding schedule may get derailed. Here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth transition. Don’t start pumping breast milk before the first six weeks. This is how long your body takes to adjust to producing milk. Most women produce 900ml of breast milk a day, although this number fluctuates between 750ml and 1050ml. Work out how frequently your little one feeds during a 24-hour period, and then divide that number by the amount of milk you produce daily, using 900ml as the average to find out how much milk you should be pumping. You don’t need to introduce bottles too early in the process – a couple of weeks before you return to work should be fine. Talk to your employer about incorporating pumping into your work schedule to relieve full breasts. Know the guidelines for storing milk. Milk that has been frozen loses some of its protective enzymes and antibodies, however it is still better than formula powder. Breastfeed ‘on demand’ during weekends and plan for more nighttime nursing.

September 18, 2017

Babies and Crawling

The natural progression of a baby is moving from sitting to crawling. Crawling is your baby’s first method of getting around efficiently on his own. In the traditional crawl, he’ll start by learning to balance on his hands and knees. Then he’ll figure out how to move forward and backward by pushing off with his knees. At the same time, he’ll be strengthening the muscles that will soon enable him to walk. Lesego Mashishi-Matlala, Huggies® expert in occupational therapy sheds some light on babies and crawling. Crawling is a tough job. It requires a baby to use both mind and body. First, the muscles in his back, neck, shoulders, arms, and core must be strong enough to support his weight and help him maintain balance. His vision also plays an important role. When babies crawl, they use what’s known as binocular vision, using both eyes together to focus on one target. They go back and forth between looking off into the distance and looking at their hands, which helps build depth perception. Crawling also requires information processing and integration. Visual auditory, touch and smell sensory information and processing is facilitated through crawling. These senses lead baby’s movements. This occurs when your baby crawls to their favourite toy that emits sound or light, or when your baby crawls in the direction of your voice. Once your baby has processed the sensory stimulation, they judge the distance, speed or pace in which to crawl to reach the source of the sensory stimulation. Now this is a lot of brain stimulation for your little one. Crawling also stimulates the development of spatial awareness. This is when your little one learns to go through, over or under things. Their little brains process and work out where they are in space in relation to objects around them. Baby soon learns how to negotiate a more efficient path to their desired destination. It is common that babies start crawling with a bum shuffle, gliding in reverse or propelling themselves bilaterally first with their hands, followed by their feet. To make sure that your baby is comfortable whilst crawling, a comfortable nappy such as Huggies® Pants and Huggies® Gold is ideal. Huggies® Pants has an all-round soft and stretchy waistband. This nappy also has the double leg elastics which gently surround and hug baby’s legs for a secure fit to prevent any leaks. Huggies® Gold nappies with its stretchy waistband and fasteners to provide a snug and comfy fit. This nappy also has a DryTouch TM liner that can absorb wetness in seconds for ultimate skin protection. These qualities in a nappy not only ensures comfort for baby but freedom of movement as well. As your little one makes his way through the house, expect him to go through a range of emotions: excitement when he discovers something, disappointment if you remove it or take it away, and confusion or frustration when an obstacle blocks his path. You can look forward to engaging in a near-constant game of “follow the leader”. Anywhere you go, he’ll be right on your heels! About Huggies® Huggies® is known for providing a range of nappies for every stage of a baby’s life. From the very first moment up until the last time they wear a nappy. The range consists of Huggies® Preemies, Huggies® My First Nappy, Huggies® New Baby, Huggies® Gold for Boys and Girls, Huggies® Dry Comfort®, Huggies® Pants for Boys and Girls and Huggies® Little Swimmers®. They also offer a range of wipes – Huggies® Pure, Huggies® Natural Care, and now Disney Huggies® wipes. Huggies® is part of Kimberly-Clark South Africa, a subsidiary of the US-based Kimberly-Clark Corporation which market innovative health and hygiene products that people come into contact with every day. Find us: Website – www.huggies.co.za ; Facebook – HuggiesSA and Twitter @huggies_sa.

September 13, 2017

Stem Cell Myths – Busted

The term stem cell gleans different reactions from people both in the medical community and the wider public. Still an emerging science, but with immense possibilities, stem cell research is shrouded in many myths and misconceptions. Cryo-Save has taken on the top myths and clarifies facts regarding this fast-growing medical treatment. Myth 1 – Stem cell storage is costly Stem cell storage is available to anyone who would like to store their baby’s umbilical cord stem cells. Cryo-Save has multiple cost options and interest-free payment plans to store cord blood and tissue. Myth 2 – All stem cells are the same When you hear “stem cells”, you may not know exactly what these are or conjure up images of a certain cloned sheep. In reality, stem cells are the body’s internal repair system. It continuously replaces dead or diseased cells with new, healthy cells to ensure normal function of the body. We differentiate between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are powerful because they are pluripotent and can develop into any type of cell in your body. But they’re often controversial because of their origin and is not part of the stem cell storage services offered by Cryo-Save. Multi-potent or adult stem cells are found throughout the body and they form only certain tissue cells, maintaining your body’s organs as you age, e.g. blood forming stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. BLOOD FORMING STEM CELLS produce new and healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets continuously, to ensure normal function of the blood and immune system, (like a factory producing new cars every day). RED BLOOD CELLS are responsible to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. WHITE BLOOD CELLS are the soldiers in our blood and fight off all foreign invaders like bacteria etc. PLATELETS form clots to prevent excessive bleeding. Researchers have successfully used umbilical cord stem cells (taken from a new-born’s cord blood), to treat leukaemia and other blood disorders since 1998. Stem cells from a baby’s umbilical cord are considered adult stem cells and these precious cells, if not cryopreserved, are discarded as medical waste in many instances. Therefore, these cells are free of controversy and acceptable to most cultures and religions. Myth 3 – Umbilical cord stem cells can only be used for your baby Your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells are a 100% perfect match for your baby and biological parents’ stem cells will be at least a half match. There is a 25% probability of matching siblings, and unlike bone marrow transplants you don’t have to have a perfect match in transplants when making use of cord blood stem cells. Myth 4 – I didn’t store my first child’s stem cells so there is no point in storing for the second child Just as some people need organ transplants to treat or cure diseases, blood stem cells can be transplanted too. If the blood forming stem cells in our bodies cannot produce healthy cells or stop producing cells completely, we cannot function normally and our stem cells will have to be REPLACED with healthy ones that can be found in the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Sometimes these stem cells are your own, and sometimes they will come from a donor. Cord blood contains powerful stem cells, and fact is that if your baby becomes ill in the future you may be able to use these cells as treatment. One of the contributing factors is that partially matched cord blood stem cells can be used for transplantation, increasing the chances of finding a suitable match. Today, umbilical cord blood stem cells are used in more than a third of all blood stem cell transplants in the world. Therefore, storing your second child’s stem cells has the possibility, depending on the degree of matching, to treat your first child should a stem cell transplant be required but also other members of the family. Myth 5 – Stem cell storage is only available overseas Cryo-Save has been storing umbilical cord stem cells for families all over the world since 2000. It is the leading family stem cell bank in Europe and Africa, Cryo-Save has stored more than 310 000 samples. Cryo-Save South Africa offers both local and international storage options in either Pretoria or Europe for both cord blood and cord tissue. This local facility complies with the highest international standards and importantly complies to the coveted AABB accreditation standards. AABB, formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, is an international non-profit association, representing individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. Accreditation by the association follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained assessors who established that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the Association. AABB’s Accreditation programme (recognised by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare – ISQUA) contributes to quality and safety of collection, processing, testing, distributing and administration of stem cells. Myth 6 – Mixed race parents can’t store stem cells On average, the chances of finding a perfectly matching blood stem cell donor for allogeneic transplant, are only 1 in 100 000. These odds are significantly worse for people from a mixed descent. However, despite its diverse ethnic make-up, South Africa (nor the rest of the continent) has no public cord blood stem cell bank, which makes the likelihood of finding a matching donor even more challenging. Should a child from mixed descent be diagnosed with a blood-related cancer or disorder, the search for a possible stem cell match can be debilitating to a family’s finances and hope for recovery. Therefore, Cryo-Save encourages mixed race families to store their babies’ stem cells. Myth 7 – Stem cell banking is only for families with a history of cancer The myth is deceptive and dangerous. The uses of cord blood stem cells have extended far beyond treatments for cancer. Researchers have invigorated the field of regenerative

September 4, 2017

Stimulating Language and Listening Skills

Language is considered a verbal behaviour which is learned by means of the environment. A parent / caregiver and other significant adults in a child’s life provide modelling and reinforcement of these learned language structures and of speech (Allyn & Bacon, 2001). The caregiving environment is therefore extremely important to the child’s development. Early in a child’s life, as they start pointing to objects, parents often automatically label these objects and thus form the beginning of the child’s vocabulary acquisition. Once the child has some words, he might point and say “ball” and the parents would say “yes, that is a ball. A red ball. Do you want the ball?” The parent is thus modelling the sentence construction and the combination of words into a sentence, as well as reinforcing what the child is saying each time. Listening skills and auditory processing skills involve processing information through our hearing, memorising this information, and processing and reasoning the details to provide an output. These skills also include awareness of sounds in words (e.g. rhyme, sounding out words: c-a-t) which are crucial for later reading and writing. It seems that with the advances in technology, this generation of children are being more and more exposed to visual input such as televisions, iPad’s and smart phones, potentially reducing the necessity of the use of their auditory skills; The skills so crucial for many activities of daily life. The following ideas for activities may be used in order to stimulate your child’s language and listening skills: Make language a part of your daily routine. During bath time and dressing, name the parts of the body and your child’s clothes. During cooking, name the ingredients and make use of short phrases, such as “put it in the bowl.” and different actions e.g. “stir,” “pour,” “crack the egg.” Although your child may only learn to produce rhyming words later in their pre-school years, nursery rhymes are a fantastic way to teach rhyming incidentally. Playing games such as “I spy with my little eye” assists in your child’s listening, auditory memory and reasoning skills, as well as, creating awareness of the initial sound in a word. Playing “I am going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring…” assists in developing your child’s auditory memory skills. These are crucial for recall of details for following instructions and other important tasks. On a daily basis, your child should be provided with instructions that should be followed. These can even be silly instructions for example, “Take the spoon and put it on your head and walk to the door.” You may take turns giving each other instructions. This also gives your child a chance to express themselves and verbalise steps to be followed. Try to lengthen the complexity of the instructions, for example, if your child is able to cope with 3 details in the instruction move to 4 details (e.g.. draw a red circle under the square) or 4 steps (e.g. colour the girl’s hair in brown, draw grey eyes and then give her a mouth and nose). Identification of common labels such as Coke, Mac Donald’s, Pick ’n Pay, is an early pre-reading skill. This teaches children that symbols are associated with a meaning. Reading is such an important part of your child’s learning, language and development. From infancy, your child will learn the vocabulary and language structures, as well as early pre-reading skills such as holding a book, turning pages and that reading occurs from left to right (in English). This is crucial for language development and later reading skills. Furthermore, the love of books and of reading is an immeasurable asset. Ultimately, it seems that we need to go back to our roots and learn to enjoy and apply some of the games of our youth and our parent’s youth. For more information and ideas on how to aid in your child’s development, look at the SkidZ Clever Activity Box program. It is filled with age appropriate activities for language and listening skills as well as other areas of development. The program provides an option of a daily curriculum which includes activities for everyday of the week. The SkidZ program is not only comprehensive but provides hours of fun for little ones. For more information on the SkidZ Clever Activity Boxes visit their website at www.skidz.co.za Written by: Jemma Roets – Speech- Language Therapist and Audiologist Jemma Roets qualified as a Speech-language therapist and Audiologist at the University of Pretoria in 2007. She later completed her Masters degree in Early Childhood Intervention, specialising in severe disabilities, in 2013, at the University of Pretoria.

August 31, 2017

Technology and Tots

Embracing technology is essential in this day and age, and I am certainly pro having kids learn to use technology in education. The question is “at what age should encourage our little ones to engage with screens?” Because babies engage very readily with screens, it can be tempting to rely on screen time as a convenient baby sitter, while you grab 5 minutes to yourself. However, the American Association of Paediatrics advises NO screen time in infants less than two years of age. Let’s look at the reasons for this advice and what we can do: Screen time is void of emotional engagement. TV’s and iPads are not a relationship. While your little one plays a game on your iPad or watches a program on TV, he is missing out on essential loving interactions at a time when his brain is wiring at a rate of a million connections a second. Choose that wiring opportunity carefully. Learning happens best in the context of love and time. Research has shown that babies learn best in the context of love and fun and laughter. This emotional connection is negated whist engaging with technology. Babies who watch videos in the first year, have fewer words at 18 months. Proceed with caution – your baby needs relationships to learn. The blue light emitted by screens has been shown to hamper sleep. Melatonin is our sleep hormone, controlling sleep/wake cycles. The blue light of a screen suppresses melatonin secretion, resulting in wakefulness. So for both you and your child (of any age), no screens for an hour before sleep times. What can you do: Model responsible screen behaviour – if you are on your device constantly, you are depriving your baby of engagement. In addition, your baby will think it’s the norm and expect that same standard for himself. No TV under 1 year of age. Between 2 and 5 years old let your baby watch content that makes sense to you – if there is no language and it makes no sense to you it’s worse. Watch and engage with screens WITH your toddler – talk through the show, explain the emotions – that way your baby learns through the experience. As a mom of three, I know that when life gets hectic and you actually just need 5 minutes to yourself it’s tempting to rely on an electronic babysitter. So my message is proceed with caution and insight and be a responsible parent in the technology age.

August 29, 2017

Introducing Solids to your baby- a comprehensive guide

You may have fluctuating emotions when it comes to introducing solids. You may eagerly wait that first mouthful and be pinning a lot of hope on solids getting your baby to sleep better, while at the same time feel sad as the realization dawns that your baby is growing up. Many mistruths and myths surround when to start solids, for example: It is not true that you must start solids as soon as your baby has doubled her birth weight or when she is drinking more than 1 litre of milk a day. Nor does it mean that your baby is hungry because she has her hands in her mouth all the time at 4 months of age. Furthermore, introducing solids will not guarantee that your baby will sleep through the night. When solids are introduced too early, that is before 17 weeks of age, the immaturity of your baby’s digestive and immune system may increase her risk of developing an allergy. The exact ‘right’ age for your baby to begin eating solids will depend on two main factors: physical and emotional. Your baby needs to be both physically ready for food as well as emotionally ready. You will also have a sense whether or not your baby is ready to eat solids. Learn to trust this intuitive side of being a parent. Physical factors indicating your baby is ready for solids: Between four and six months old Can hold her head up Sits comfortably with support No longer satisfied with her normal milk feeds even if volume is at an age appropriate level Is unsettled between feeds during the day and is decreasing the time between feeds to 3 hours or less Demands more frequent milk feeds at night or suddenly start waking closer to midnight again Weight gain may have slowed down The tongue – thrust reflex diminishes Emotional factors Starts to show an interest in foods Watches you eat – social eating Turns her head towards you while you are eating Mirrors your mouth movements by opening her mouth in response to your eating Shows excitement when watching others eat By 6 months it is critical to start introducing solids even if some of the physical or emotional factors are not obviously present. Babies are born with a store of nutrients. These are normally adequate for the first few months of life. Iron is an example of this. After the first 4-6 months your baby’s iron stores begin to deplete. Furthermore, milk is no longer an adequate sole source of iron and so you need to give your baby additional iron rich foods. Foods to try between 4 – 6 months: First veggies: baby marrow, gem squash, sweet potato Orange vegetables: butternut, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, Hubbard squash, potato Green veggie mix – spinach, baby marrow, gem squash, peas, beans Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches, prunes, papino, avocado, banana, mango, melon Quinoa porridge Maize cereal Maltabella porridge If you have introduced solids closer to 4 months then you will be able to introduce some protein foods just prior to 6 months. A good time of day Introduce the first solid meal at a time of day when your baby is happily awake, in the calm alert state. Choose a time of day when you are not stressed. The early evening is not always the most relaxed time in a household, especially if you have a busy toddler under foot. A good time is in the morning about half an hour after a milk feed and during ‘play time’. Making the first food experiences fun and stimulating will set the tone for many happy feeding times. Week 1: Day 1: gem squash, baby marrow and sweet potato (green veggie) mix. Steam or bake the above. Liquidize with additional water if necessary. In the beginning blend or mash the food. Freeze in freezer containers in 3tsp quantities. Day 1 – 3: Give 1 – 3tsp green veggie mix at midday at a happy awake time. Day 4 – 7: Introduce a second veg group ; orange veggies: hubbard squash/butternut, carrots and parsnips/orange sweet potato mix. Give 1-3tsp orange veggie mix at midday and alternate with green veggie mix Optional Tactile: allow your baby to touch and feel a veggie that you have left over from the night before while feeding the solid mix Week 2 Day 1-7: Introduce a second meal at another happy time: Eg: Meal 1 orange veggie mix 1-3tsp Meal 2 green veggie mix 1-3 tsp Optional Tactile: allow your baby to touch and feel a veggie that you have left over from the night before while feeding the solid mix Week 3 Introduce a third meal of fruit Choose: apple, pear, mango, peach, guava, prune, avocado, paw paw (in season fruit) you can mix 1-3 fruits together or give individually Meal 1: fruit mix 1-3 tsp Meal 2: Green or orange veggie mix 1-3tsp Meal 3: Green or orange veggie mix 1-3tsp Optional Tactile: allow your baby to touch and feel a veggie that you have left over from the night before, while feeding the solid mix Week 4 Introduce porridge Introduce a grain food: Ideally cook from scratch like oats, quinoa, millet, spelt, maltabella, maize porridge. If you need to use baby cereal choose one that is not full of sugar, soya, cows milk protein or other additives . Soak 2 TBSP oats/quinoa/millet/spelt and 4tbsp water, cook in micro and make sure runny. Then liquidize and can also freeze Day 1 – 7 By now your routine will look something like this: Am: milk feed Breakfast: 2 – 3tsp porridge + 1-3tsp fruit puree. Mid Am feed: milk feed Lunch: 2-6tsp orange or green veggie mix Mid avie feed: milk feed Supper: 2-6tsp orange or green veggie mix Bedtime: milk feed 1-2 night milk feeds

August 25, 2017

Struggling with a teething baby?

It’s 3 ‘o clock in the morning and your baby just won’t settle down. She’s been crying non-stop for the last couple of hours and after checking that’s she’s dry, fed and not in any way uncomfortable, you still can’t figure out what’s wrong with her. Surely it can’t be that she’s teething? She’s still so tiny! But yes, it’s possible – teething can begin as early as three months and continue until a child’s third birthday. Between the ages of four and seven months, you’ll notice your baby’s first tooth pushing through the gum line. The first teeth to appear usually are the two bottom front teeth, also known as the central incisors. Four to eight weeks later the four front upper teeth (central and lateral incisors), appear and about a month later, the lower lateral incisors (the two teeth flanking the bottom front teeth) will appear. In some rare cases, babies are born with one or two teeth or have a tooth emerge within the first few weeks of life. Unless these teeth interfere with feeding or are loose enough (as they sometimes are) to pose a choking risk, this should not be cause for concern. As your baby begins teething, she might drool more and you’ll notice that she wants to chew on things. Fortunately for mom, some babies find teething completely painless and their teeth seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere! However, others may experience brief periods of irritability, and some may seem cranky for weeks, with bouts of “unexplained” crying and disrupted sleeping and eating patterns. And you guessed it – that’s when you find yourself at 3 o’clock in the morning trying to calm a crying baby! For the most part, teething can be uncomfortable, but if your baby seems very irritable, talk to your doctor. Although tender and swollen gums could cause your baby’s temperature to be a little higher than normal, teething doesn’t usually cause high fever or diarrhoea. If your baby does develop a fever during the teething phase, it’s probably due to something else and you should contact your doctor. It has been said that teething symptoms are signs of physical stress which can lower your baby’s resistance to infectious agents that under normal circumstances would not produce illness. The same germs that live in a baby’s intestines and cause no ill effects, at other times could produce ear-aches, congestion, or other low-grade infections when your baby is teething. As parents look more towards natural healing, we have found Baltic Amber, which is a fossilised resin, can provide relief. There are many gum soothing medications and remedies on the market and you should consult your pharmacist, local clinic or paediatrician to find a solution that best suits your baby’s needs. Stages of teething : 6 to 7 months – Incisors (situated 2 central bottom & 2 central top teeth) 7 to 9 months- Two more incisors (situated top & bottom; making four top & four bottom teeth in all) 10 to 14 months – First molars (double teeth for chewing) 15 to 18 months – Canines (pointed teeth or fangs) 2 to 3 years – Second molars (second set of double teeth at the back)

August 23, 2017

Why Breastfeeding and Work Can and Should go Together

Returning to work after maternity leave rates as one of the top reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding their babies before they should. Working SA mums are entitled to a minimum of four consecutive months of maternity leave. Many take at least one month of that leave prior to the birth, and then make their return to work when their infants are just around three months old. However, exclusive breastfeeding of an infant from birth to six months is what is recommended as optimal nutrition by the World Health Organisation. Therefore, the only way that working new mums can meet these important health standards is if they can breastfeed or express breast milk for some months at their workplaces. The benefits of creating workplaces that are friendly to nursing mums go beyond just the physical welfare of our new generations. Cath Day, registered dietitian and spokesperson for ADSA (The Association for Dietetics in South Africa) points out: “There is a vast body of scientific research that has shown that breastfeeding, as exclusive nutrition in the first six months and then as a supplementary food for two years and beyond, also protects and benefits the physical health of the mother; while impacting positively on her emotional well-being as she forms the essential bond with her new child. It is clearly in the interests of the employers of child-bearing women to protect, promote and support them during the times when they are breastfeeding because companies need their employees to be healthy and optimally productive.” ADSA recommends that businesses formalise their support of breastfeeding in the policies, standards and practices of their employee wellness programmes. So what can businesses do practically to protect and support the nursing mums on their workforce? Uphold the Law – Corporates must recognise and facilitate the legal rights of SA breastfeeding mothers enshrined in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Up until their babies are six months old, working mums are entitled to two, paid 30-minute breaks every work day for breastfeeding or expressing milk. Know and promote the benefits of breastfeeding – “It helps to have employers who are knowledgeable about why breastfeeding is so important and a commitment to protecting, supporting and promoting breastfeeding in the workplace,” says Cath Day. “As part of the employee wellness programme, registered dieticians can be engaged to make presentations to all staff on the advantages of a breastfeeding-friendly work environment and how to make it happen in your company. The straightforward facts and the inarguable science go a long way to reducing the discomforts and stigmas people might attach to breastfeeding.” Provide the place – Nowadays it is widely regarded as completely unacceptable for breastfeeding mums to have to lock themselves in a public toilet, or their car, to breastfeed or express milk at work because they have nowhere else to go. Many companies realise that a breastfeeding-friendly workplace means providing a secure and comfortable space for working mums to spend their 30-minute breastfeeding breaks. Preferably, this private room should have a door that locks, comfortable seating, plug points for breast pumps and a refrigerator for the safe storage of breast milk. Be flexible and adaptable – Part-time, flexitime or temporary work-from-home plans can be very effective solutions for breastfeeding mums, and should especially be employed by companies who provide no proper facilities for the legal breastfeeding breaks in their workplace. Offer child-care facilities – A number of progressive companies with a clear focus on employee engagement provide workplace child care facilities for the babies and small children of their employees. This is ideal for breastfeeding mums as they can more easily and quickly breastfeed their infants and need to express less milk. ADSA spokesperson Zelda Ackerman, whose areas of expertise include baby and child feeding, urges new working mums to know their rights and to get the support that they need from their bosses and colleagues so that going back to work doesn’t become a barrier to the continued breastfeeding of their infant. “It is really important for South Africa as a country to transform to a culture of being breastfeeding-friendly in every environment,” she says, “We have to consider the potential health burdens of being a country with exceptionally low rates of breastfeeding, and turn this trend around. From the family home to the work environment to society at large, breastfeeding mothers need support.” Zelda’s top tips for breastfeeding mums returning to work include: Before your return to work, give yourself enough time to get to grips with finding the pump that works best for you and regularly expressing milk – and give your baby enough time to get used to bottle-fed breast milk. Time and practice will help you both to establish this as a stress-free routine before the big change up ahead. Also, ahead of time, build up a stock of breast milk at home – it can be refrigerated and frozen. Stored breast milk should always be dated, and you retain more nutritional quality if you refrigerate it immediately after you have expressed. On your return to work, have straightforward conversations with your bosses and/or team members, as necessary, so that they are clear about your breastfeeding goals and needs. Be clear about your legal right to two, paid 30 minute breastfeeding breaks each working day, and establish with them how this is going to work best for you and what accommodations you will need. If you encounter resistance or lack of support in your workplace, get help rather than give up breastfeeding. Other working mothers in your workplace and HR personnel may help to raise awareness of the importance of your continued breastfeeding. External sources of help can include breastfeeding support organisations and registered dieticians. You can reduce discomfort from engorgement and pace your two breastfeeding breaks optimally at work if you arrange your workday mornings so that you give your baby a good feed that ends just before you leave for work; and then breastfeed your baby again as soon as you get

August 3, 2017

Similac Mom® on the basics of breastfeeding

Many Pregnant women have concerns on whether they will succeed in breastfeeding or if they will produce enough milk. For first time mothers breastfeeding can be a harrowing experience, but it is a learned skill, help is at hand from your doctor, midwife, nurse or healthcare professionals. When it comes to feeding your baby it’s important to know and understand the benefits of breast milk: Breast milk contains the perfect balance of nutrients to help your baby fight infection and common child illness Breast milk is convenient, always available and is delivered at the right temperature Breastfeeding helps stimulate your uterus to return to its pre-pregnant state Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer Breast milk is all your baby needs in its first four to six months of life, but you need to continue eating a well-balanced diet because what you eat or drink may affect both you and your baby. To ensure that you have the right amount of nutrients, try adding Similac® Mom to your daily diet. Similac® Mom is a complete nutritional* low-fat milk-based maternal supplement shake, containing 23 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, DHA (omega-3 fatty acid), and prebiotics. It is scientifically formulated to support your increased nutritional needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding, all your need is one to two servings per day. While you focus on being a mom you can rest assured that by taking Similac® Mom you are doing the best not just for yourself but also for your baby right from the very beginning. Similac® Mom aids in the following²: For Mom²: Low-fat, low calorie, helps manage weight during pregnancy and while breastfeeding Helps build your immune defences Supports healthy digestion Helps reduce the risk of iron deficiency anaemia Vitamin D and FOS, a prebiotic, have been shown to improve calcium absorption For baby²: Improved calcium absorption ensuring sufficient calcium is available to support the development of your baby’s bones. Provides nutrients to support the development of your child’s brain Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects “Similac® Mom is an easy and convenient way to ensure a complete nutritional solution for expecting as well as for breastfeeding moms It is really important for moms to look after themselves and to acknowledge that they also require additional support to ensure that they are happy and healthy”, says Angela Russell, General Manager at Abbott Nutrition. Similac® Mom is available at all major pharmacies, selected retail outlets as well as online shopping. SOURCE: ABBOTT NUTRITION

August 2, 2017

HELP – BREASTFEEDING DOESN’T COME NATURALLY FOR ME

Many people may argue the fact that breast feeding should be the most natural thing in the world. So, what’s wrong with you if you find the whole breast feeding thing really hard? Indeed it is a very natural and easy thing for most new mothers, but for some, it is an incredibly stressful and traumatic part of mothering. We all know the benefits of breastfeeding such as: Breastfeeding until six months helps prevent allergies later on in baby’s life Breast milk is always the right temperature and is easily digested Breastfed babies seldom have problems with constipation or diarrhoea Breast milk doesn’t cost anything! Breast milk contains antibodies to boost her immune system Breast milk perfectly meets your baby’s nutritional needs Most first time mothers would really like to give breast feeding their best shot, but many factors can occur in the early days that can really thwart any of the best intentions she may have to breast feed. Sleep deprivation, cracked and bleeding nipples and a crying baby can all add up to a miserable and emotional mom, a stressed out dad and the idea of a pain free feed by bottle feeding is all too tempting. Let’s take a look at the issues that might make breast feeding in the early days really difficult. Engorged and swollen breasts: This typically happens around day 4 after delivery (slightly longer after a caesarian birth). Most new moms are usually at home by now and do not have the support and care of the nursing staff in the maternity units to help them through this difficult time. Your breasts will become full and heavy, and excruciatingly tender to the touch. In some instances, they become rock hard, hot and sore. This is what is commonly known as “milk coming in”. It usually settles after around 72 hours. Feed your baby on demand, as normal, and don’t be tempted to express your breasts to make them emptier and softer – all you will do is encourage more milk to be produced! Place cabbage leaves in your bra (they really do work), rub arnica cream or oil onto your sore and swollen breasts, and take an anti-inflammatory medication to help with the pain and swelling (ask your pharmacist, clinic sister or doctor to recommend one that is safe for breast feeding). Applying ice packs also helps with the pain and inflammation. Persevere, it will get better – just give it some time, and don’t expect your breasts to settle down for at least a few days. Blocked milk ducts or mastitis: Blocked milk ducts commonly occur, especially in the first few days after your milk has come in and your breasts are feeling swollen and sore. You can usually feel the actual spot where the blockage is, because it is sore, and if you look, you may see a red and inflamed area. This is more prevalent before a feed when your breasts are full, and feeding usually gives you some relief. You may also feel a bit feverish and have a headache. Gently massage the tender and red area with some arnica oil or cream, and apply heat to the area after you have finished feeding. Taking Anti-inflammatory medication also helps. In some instances your doctor may prescribe anti-biotics. Keep a close watch on the affected area, as it may develop into a breast abscess if the blockage is not released. If the red and tender area does not lessen after a feed, and if the entire area does not settle down within a few days, and you are feeling feverish and unwell, it is best to seek medical advice in case you have a breast abscess, which will need to be surgically drained. Cracked and bleeding nipples; This is a common reason for throwing in the towel with breast feeding due to excessive pain and discomfort with feeding. The most frequent cause of cracked nipples is incorrect latching of the baby’s mouth onto the nipple. Make sure that your baby is latched onto the breast correctly, with both top and bottom lip in a snug seal around your nipple. Your pain level will indicate to you if your baby is latched correctly or not! To release the suction on your breast so that you can take your nipple out of his mouth, insert your finger into the corner of his mouth and gently withdraw your nipple from his mouth, and retry to latch him successfully. Using a nipple shield (available from your pharmacy or baby shop) during feeding gives cracked and bleeding nipples time to heal . Speak to your clinic sister or doctor to recommend a nipple cream to assist with healing. Exposing your nipples to some sunlight also helps to hasten healing (easier said than done!). Expressing breast milk and offering it to your baby from a spoon or a bottle is also a way to let your nipples heal whilst continuing to breast feed. Not enough milk: Don’t listen to old wives tales about your milk being too strong or too weak. It is not the quality of the milk that makes the difference, it is the quantity. If your baby is unsettled after feeds and appears hungry all the time, get her weighed frequently to ensure that she is growing adequately. If your baby is gaining weight, having at least 6 wet nappies a day, and is relatively happy in between feeds which may be very frequent in the early days, lengthening to a few hours after a few weeks; then you can rest assured that you have enough milk. Your stress and anxiety, a poor diet and inadequate fluid intake all play a part in hampering breast milk production. Make sure you are eating enough protein (you need to increase your protein intake three fold whilst breast feeding), drinking at least a litre of fluid a day and that feeding times are relaxed and calm. The main hormone that ensures adequate milk production

August 2, 2017

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2 years	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid	1 day	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_gat_gtag_UA_18530557_4	1 minute	No description
pron_ip	session	No description
pvc_visits[0]	1 day	This cookie is created by post-views-counter. This cookie is used to count the number of visits to a post. It also helps in preventing repeat views of a post by a visitor.
tk_ai	session	Gathers information for WordPress by themselves, first party analytics tool about how WP services are used. A collection of internal metrics for user activity, used to improve user experience.