Advice from the experts
Prima Baby

Chicco Multifunction Gum Gel

Teething!   The bane of many a tired parent’s life… as exhausting and as challenging as it can be, it can also be a fun time in yours and your babies life as with little teeth comes a lifelong skill of dental care. WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO INTRODUCE DENTAL CARE? Dental care for baby teeth can start before your baby’s first tooth appears. Once your baby is about three months old, you can gently wipe your baby’s gums using a damp, clean face washer or gauze twice a day. This helps your baby get ready for brushing when the first tooth appears. From around 4 months old, we recommend that you use Chicco’s Multifunction Gum Gel either on your finger or a finger toothbrush to get baby used to the feeling of dental care. Our multifunction gum gel kills bacteria in the oral cavity, whether teeth have started sprouting or not.  Made from Chamomile flowers and containing xylitol, it prevents accumulation of bacteria.  It is totally harmless if swallowed and has no flavour or preservatives. Available at participating baby retailers you can get if from R99.99 For more information head to www.chicco.co.za 

September 1, 2021
Parenting Hub

From Babbling to Talking

Parents are excited by every indication of developmental advance shown by their baby. ‘Look, he’s pushing his head up off the mattress!’ ‘Did you see her grab that rattle and hold on to it?’ These advances may not appear to be ‘great leaps forward,’ but they are. And the advances that perhaps produce the greatest delight in parents are those that offer proof the baby is becoming truly human—he or she is producing sounds that will eventually be shaped into words and used in communication. Nothing is more thrilling for parents, and in no activity are they more involved. Although the human infant is born with the capacity to become a talking—and reading and writing—organism, a great deal of loving care and nurture has to take place before this miracle is achieved. The earliest manifestation of this ability is the babbling that we hear babies doing from 2-3 months of age onward. When you go in to pick her up out of the crib, you hear ‘ahhh’ or ‘oooh.’ Chances are you will either repeat that sound or, in a higher pitch, say something like, ‘I think you’re ready to get up.’ With that response, she will kick and thrash about excitedly—and repeat her sounds. If you don’t say anything back to her when she babbles, or frown as you change her wet diaper, she won’t babble as frequently as she would if you had responded to her sounds. Thus, the first absolute necessity for parents who want to help their children move along the ‘Babbles to Books’ trail is responsivity. It’s so wonderful that, if we respond to our children as infants, they will respond to us. Language development moves along through that reciprocal process. Your talking offers much more than encouragement, of course. It also provides a model of the sounds that register in the baby’s world. Research conducted at different sites over the last 30 years has consistently shown that infants in about the first six months of life can discriminate among all the sounds produced in all languages. But they gradually lose this ability and become unable to distinguish between sounds they don’t hear regularly in their home environments. So modeling is a key function for parents in helping their babies learn to produce the sounds that will mean the most to them in their daily lives. The third key component is stimulation. All children babble, even those born deaf. But without responsivity to their efforts and good models to learn from, infants babble less and less. And, when they cease babbling, they are no longer practicing the complicated movements of the tongue and lips and other parts of our anatomical speech mechanism. Furthermore, their brains then have less opportunity to make the connections needed to relate sounds to other sensory information. But, no matter how much they babble, they still have ahead of them mastery of the technique of converting sounds into real words—real words that stand for real objects and real events. Here is where stimulation is so important. Parents need to label objects and experiences for their pre-verbal infants. ‘Would you like your MILK?’ asks mother, stressing the word ‘milk’ and holding out the bottle before offering it. ‘Look, here comes DADDY. Let’s WAVE to him,’ as she takes the baby’s hand and makes a waving movement. (In fact, a wondrously effective way to comfort a crying infant is to hold him close and walk about the house just ‘naming’ or labeling ordinary objects: ‘Feel the WALL; the WINDOW seems cold; the DRAPES are soft.’ Word games, such as ‘Pat-a-cake’ and ‘So Big’ are wonderful during this transition period (from babbles to words), as they allow the baby to do something physically as part of the language game. And don’t overlook reading to your baby as an important technique for providing stimulation. Some people think babies are too young to respond to books, but, if so, they’ve never read the right kind of book to an infant. Simple books, with plenty of pictures and few words to a page, are marvelous. Your local librarian will help you choose several excellent ones. Or, make up your own: snapshots from a family vacation put in plastic holders, with just a few words printed per page, work beautifully, as can clippings from magazines and catalogs. By the time children reach two years of age, a weekly trip to the library should be a must for all children whose parents are truly concerned with fostering language development. Toys are a big help along this trail. Precisely because young children love toys and engage in activities with them during much of their waking time, they are important words to verbalize and get into the system. And talking with toddlers about toys provides an opportunity to bring verbs—much harder to master than nouns—into the conversation. ‘BRING me your truck.’ ‘TAKE the dolly to her bed.’ ‘Do you want to RIDE your horse?’ Children need to have verbs labeled as much as they do nouns. The best-laid plans for guiding children will not be successful, however, unless they are delivered in an atmosphere of love and nurture. If you get upset when your 9-month-old still won’t imitate the gestures for Pat-a-cake after half a dozen sessions and say, ‘You’re going to get it this time—or else,’ forget it. He won’t do it. Sometimes, just about the only language children hear is either criticism or a command. And that kind of language world is not conducive to having a child want to talk. There is a story told about Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, in the early 18th Century. (The story may be apocryphal, but I’ve seen it in many child development texts over the years.) He wanted to know what language children would speak if they never heard language, his theory being that they would speak Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. To test his theory, he established a foundling home for a number of abandoned children. The caregivers were ordered to

August 30, 2021
NutriPure

Delicious Vitamins – A treat for daily maintenance

In today’s world, more people are in need of food supplements to support their diets, but do not enjoy taking pills. That’s why Nutripure fruity chews make vitamins easy and painless to take.  The delicious tasting Nutripure fruity chews are specially  formulated with natural fruit pectin for adults and kids. Here are a few reasons why fruity chew vitamins are so popular: They are easy to take, especially for adults and children who struggle to swallow tablets. They are very convenient, you don’t need to have a glass of water with you, you can take them anytime and anywhere. They are easily digested. They are delicious and come in a variety of fruity flavours. Gelatine Free No Sugar Coating Vegan  Gluten Free No Artificial Colours or Sweeteners No Preservatives No GMO Ingredients   FOR KIDS: MULTI VITAMIN Complete (60)  – R109.95 NutriPure Multi-vitamin Complete have been specially formulated into a soft and chewy treat, making vitamins fun and easy for children 3 years and older. Multivitamins contribute to the normal function of children’s immune systems and the normal function of many other systems in the body contributing to general wellbeing. Each NutriPure MultiVitamin Complete contains 11 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN C (60) – R109.95 Contributes to the normal function of the immune system* Research shows that in the winter months children are at a higher risk of colds and flu due to the decline in their immune system. NutiPure Vitamin C is the tasty and effective solution to compensate for the deficiency of this vitamin and to contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C also contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal energy- yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. One Nutipure bear contains 80mg of Vitamin C which is 100% of the EC RDA. PRO BIOTICS (60) – R153.95 With 1 billion live friendly bacteria. At any age, a balanced intestinal micro-flora is highly important in keeping the body in healthy working order. The healthy bacterial micro-flora in the gut is a key element for overall well-being. NutriPure Probiotics is formulated with Bifidobacterium infantis & Lactobacillus rhamnosus, two scientifically tested bacteria strains. Each Nutripure bear contains 1 billion live cultures to help your child boost his daily culture intake.  Ideal to use every day.  Important to take when children are on antibiotics. IMMUNE SUPPORT + (60) – R109.95 A factor in the maintenance of good health* NutriPure Immune Support + contains a unique blend of 6 essential vitamins and minerals that all contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin C, B6 and B12 help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN D Gummies (60) – R109.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth plus is great for the immune system and is known to aid in the fight against viruses. Extra soft so suitable for even the fussiest eaters. Vitamin D contributes to: The normal function of the immune system, the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, the maintenance of normal muscle function, normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. FOR ADULTS MULTI VITAMIN Complete (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Multi vitamin Complete has been specially formulated for adults. Each NutriPure Multivitamin chew contains a balanced dosage of 12 essential vitamins and minerals: Vitamin D, B6, B12, C, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid and Niacin help to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins and are factors in the maintenance of good health. IMMUNE SUPPORT – Vitamins C, D, B6 & B12 (60) – R134.95 NutriPure Immune Support has been carefully formulated with 6 essential vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Selenium are all a factor in the maintenance of good health. VITAMIN D – High Strength (60) – R109.95 Helps maintain strong bones and teeth plus is great for the immune system and is known to aid in the fight against viruses.  Vitamin D contributes to:      the normal function of the immune system, the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, the maintenance of normal muscle function and the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus APPLE CIDER VINEGAR  – Gummies (60) – R159.95 A great natural Immune Booster. At last taking apple cider vinegar has been made easy and great tasting. Nutritional highlights:  500mg of Apple Cider Vinegar per serving for immune support and metabolism, Vitamin C for immune health, Vitamin B6 for energy yielding metabolism and Vitamin C & B6 to reduce tiredness and fatigue. A delicious array of vitamins and minerals for every occasion. There is now no excuse not to stock up and maintain your health.

August 25, 2021
Prima Baby

Chicco Akita Fix Air 123 Car Seat

We get asked by a lot of parents – what do we do when our baby outgrows the infant car seat that came with our Travel system?  What is the best option to keep baby safe?  When will we know to “upgrade” to the next level of car seat? In an ideal world, parents will only need one homologated seat that can be used from birth till your child is 12 years of age – but this is not always possible.  Often, parents use previously purchased travel systems in the case of a second or third child joining the family or are using gifted items from loving friends and family.   Once your baby reaches the age of approximately 9 months, they will have outgrown their infant car seat also known as group 0+ (unless you have a fully homologated option – we have a few in our range that you can research) and it will be time to transition them into a group 1/2/3 seat to ensure they are kept safe in the car. INTRODUCING THE CHICCO AKITA FIX AIR 123 CAR SEAT The Chicco Akita Fix Air 123 is a comfortable and safe solution for children that have grown out of their Gro 0+ travel system car seat and now require a front-facing car seat. Installed either with Isofix connectors or your vehicles 3-point seat belt, this seat can be used from 9 months till 12 years of age. It is imperative that the belts and headrest of the seat be perfectly adapted to your child’s size – there is no one size fits all when it comes to safety after all – but this is simply done as the Chicco Akita Fix can be adjusted simultaneously with just one movement. A seat reducer provides a supportive and comfortable cushion for smaller children. Once your child reaches the age of 4, they are considered tall enough to be buckled up with your car’s own seat belt. The built-in belt system of the child car seat can be dismantled easily – that way, the Chicco Akita Fix can be transformed into a group 2/3 child car seat in no time at all. To ensure the best possible positioning of the lap belt, an additional belt positioner forms part of this versatile seat.   Equipped with a side impact protection system for maximum protection, the comfy and elegant Chicco Akita Fix will convince the whole family and remain a loyal companion – for many years.  Get yours from any participating baby outlet for R5499.99. For more information head to www.chicco.co.za

August 24, 2021
Squish

Tantalising the Toddler’s Taste Buds

Did you know that you can influence your child’s taste buds from when you are pregnant? Starting much earlier than we realised, your baby gulps amniotic fluid in your womb and this healthy eating journey continues during breastfeeding, too. While these opportunities may have passed by the time you have a baby and toddler, it is good to know that there are still practical ways to help the not-so-exploratory little tastebuds discover the wonderful and varied world of flavours. The Spice of Life Gone are the days of boring, bland, and tasteless foods for babies and toddlers. Just like adults, our little ones, too, appreciate flavourful food. It is important that, soon after starting your solid journey, you introduce a range of flavours such as fresh herbs (e.g. mint, basil, thyme, etc.), mixed dried herbs, cinnamon, cumin, curry, garlic, cocoa powder, and the like. Sugar-free nut butter also packs a flavour punch, but always check for allergies first. Stir into a warm bowl of oats in winter or offer up on a slice of wholewheat toast as a snack. Luckily for busy moms, Squish 100% fruit and veg purees come in a range of delicious flavours so exploring many different flavours from baby, toddler and up will be easy for your little one with Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees. Mealtime = Fun Time Children eat with their eyes. Make mealtimes fun, interesting and appealing. Call in the help of your child’s favourite superhero or princess with colourful kiddie-friendly cups, plates, utensils, placemats, and lunch boxes. Cut and arrange assorted coloured fruit and vegetables into interesting shapes and funny faces. Use cookie cutters on wholegrain sandwiches or arrange mashed sweet potato into fun shapes. Squish 100% fruit and veg purees come in a convenient pouch which is safe for your little one to explore eating on their own. Squish is a convenient, tasty meal or a snack, or for older kids, try it on the side for dipping – they’re sure to love it. Game On As any parent can attest, it is a daily struggle to get children to eat their fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are some of nature’s most perfect foods: rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fibre, highly nutritious for preventing illness and disease and overall health. To encourage variety, print a picture of a rainbow and place on the fridge or in your child’s room. Encourage your child to choose a fruit or veggie each day from a different colour of the rainbow. For example, tomatoes and watermelon are red, berries and beetroot are purple, and mangoes and carrots are orange Rewards systems like using star charts to mark off how many fruit and vegetables are eaten are also a fun game for your child. Place somewhere visible and offer your child a reward when a goal is reached, such as going to the park or an extra story at night before bed. Another fun way to get your child to eat fruit and veg is by offering them Squish 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. And the 100% fruit and veg pressed juices are deliciously refreshing and a good way to get babies, toddlers and young kids to enjoy fruit and veg. Get Green Fingers Children love being outside and getting their hands dirty. Use this to your advantage and build a vegetable garden. If you do not have a garden, windowsills and vertical/hanging gardens are good alternatives. With your child, plant various herbs and vegetables, and, when ready to be harvested, pick the vegetable with your toddler. Little Chef Older toddlers and young children will enjoy being in the kitchen. Let your children watch you prepare family meals and talk to them about what you are cooking. Let them help you set the table, stir ingredients in plastic bowls, and older children can help chop soft vegetables like baby marrow with a butter knife. One at a Time As much as we want to encourage a variety of flavours, it is important to introduce new foods and previously disliked foods one at a time. Children are naturally wary of anything unfamiliar. Always offer up new food with well-liked food to help increase your child’s acceptance of the food. Remember, it can take up to 15 exposures of food before your child likes it, so keep being patient and keep trying. And if all else fails, there is always the Squish 100% fruit and veg puree range with enough delicious flavours to please even the fussiest of eaters.

August 24, 2021
Toptots Head Office

Intentional Parenting

The term Intentional Parenting has become a hot topic in recent years, but many people are not exactly sure of what it means. Intentional Parenting is a method where parents deliberately plan ways to be present in their children’s lives. And not just physically present – but emotionally, communicatively, and educationally too.  While not every moment of our lives can be planned, adapting an Intentional Parenting style helps provide us with ways to bond with our children. Science has shown that when parents deliberately spend time with their children, it assists in future academic achievement, improved relationships, and greater emotional well-being.  To children, love equals attention. With the world today being so distracting and parents being busier than ever, children seem to be missing out on the undivided attention that they need. We can’t give all of our attention, all of the time, to our kids. That would be impractical. However, this is where Intentional Parenting comes into play. It is a way to try and plan your life to fit in moments of attention. Whether it be a 10 minute cuddle in the morning before the rush starts, one-on-one story time in the evening or a walk around the block pointing out interesting things – it is these small moments that are not only doable, but will make all the difference in your relationship with your child. Another important aspect of Intentional Parenting is making teachable moments instead of letting them come by naturally. Schedule the time to teach your child to water plants, tie shoelaces, pack away toys, tummy time or help in the kitchen. Not only are you teaching them valuable skills, you will also be setting rules for them. When it comes to Intentional Parenting, setting rules and boundaries is not only about discipline but giving your children stable guidelines with which they can grow. Here are a few ideas on how you can introduce Intentional Parenting to your child’s life simply: Ages 0-4 Join a parenting and child class like Toptots [INSERT FIND A BRANCH LINK] Cuddle and sing songs Read a book Go for a walk Blow bubbles Play pretend games Water plants Ages 5-10 Join a parenting and child class like Toptots [INSERT FIND A BRANCH LINK] Play games Build with Legos or blocks Work on a puzzle Fly a kite Draw pictures outside with sidewalk chalk Throw/kick a ball Bake together

August 18, 2021
Squish

Snack Like Little Superstars

The tiny tummies of busy little bodies mean that frequent eating is a must for babies and toddlers. Healthy snacks between main meals are a great way to help your little one reach their energy and nutrient needs each day, which is why we’ve come up with a range of fun and creative snack ideas to form part of your baby and toddler’s diet. Fruity Fiesta Quick, easy, and big on nutrients, fruit is nature’s original fast food. Fruits contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fibre, highly nutritious for preventing illness and disease, and better overall health. Squish fruit purees for babies and age-appropriate soft whole fruits for toddlers are your number one snack option Apple Sandwiches: For older children, “sandwich” apple slices with nut butter or cream cheese. Apple Sauce Dip: Encourage toddlers to dip baby carrots into Squish 100% apple puree, or try any of their favourite Squish flavours. Berry and Cream Cheese Squares: As a snack, spread crème cheese on wholewheat bread and top with diced strawberries or raspberries. Cut into squares. Cinnamon Orange Slices: Slice oranges or cut into wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon. Fruit Kebabs: Skewer small diced fruit (e.g. apple chunks, banana, peach slices, berries, etc.) onto a kebab stick. Dust with cocoa powder or cinnamon and dip into baby’s favourite Squish 100% fruit and veg puree. Fruit Popsicles: For a summer treat, blend fresh fruit of choice or with Squish Summer Berries fruit puree and some water. Freeze in lollipop molds. Legen-dairy Dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese pack a powerful punch as part of our children’s daily snack choices. In fact, studies have shown that yoghurt-loving children have healthier weights. It is generally advised that children stick to full cream dairy options because of their higher energy needs. Squish has a new range of 100% fruit and veg purees: Apple, Sweet Potato & Sweet Corn or Pear, Mango & yoghurt and Sweet Potato, Apple & Cinnamon. Perfect for a meal or a snack anywhere, at home or on the go. Free from preservatives, colourants and flavourings, and with 8 tasty options to choose from, you can rest assured you are giving your baby or toddler a filling meal or snack that they are bound to enjoy. Here are some ideas on how to add dairy as a snack to your child’s diet: Smoothies: Blend fruit with Squish fruit and veg purees with yoghurt to make interesting smoothies, such as banana and dates, or berries and beetroot. Thin with milk to serve as smoothies for toddlers or keep thicker to spoon feed to younger babies. Cracking Crackers: Spread cream cheese or cottage cheese on wholewheat crackers Frozen Yoghurt: Freeze Squish fruit and veg purees with yoghurt for a chilled snack on a hot summer’s day, with or without blended fruit. Also the perfect way to ease sore gums when your baby is teething. Egg-cellent Eggs No food is as versatile as the humble egg. An American study reported that early introduction of eggs to a child’s diet can significantly improve their growth. This is because eggs are high in good quality protein, with 7g of protein per egg containing all the essential amino acids the body needs for good health at all ages. Eggs also contain nutrients like vitamin B12, biotin, selenium and manganese, and a source of vitamin D and iodine. If you’re worried about introducing potential food allergens to your child, consult with a paediatric healthcare professional for more advice. Scrambled Egg: For younger babies, keep it soft, simple and scramble an egg with pureed veg like butternut, carrot, sweet potato, or gem squash as a snack. Try adding a few spoonfuls of baby’s favourite Squish veg puree, a clever way to incorporate veg into baby’s diet! Egg Muffins: Egg muffins are a winner as a finger food for older babies and toddlers. Scramble a few eggs with a good portion of small diced veg, like carrots, baby marrows, spinach, red onion, mushrooms, and the like. Pour into a greased muffin pan and bake until set at 180C for about 10 – 15 minutes. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days. French Toast Fingers: Scramble one egg with a dash of milk, vanilla essence, and cinnamon. Dip one slice of wholewheat bread and fry up in a hot pan. Sliced into smaller pieces or fingers, this is a good snack idea for toddlers for hand-eye coordination. In these financially challenging times, eggs offer a cost-effective meal or snack option with excellent nutritional value for your money Fabulous Fats Healthy fats like avocado, olives, nuts (if your child is not allergic), and their oil contain more energy than carbohydrates and protein, helping our busy little bodies meet their growing needs. Healthy fats provided by foods such as avos, olives, nuts and nut betters help keep the immune system strong and provide essential fatty acids for healthy eyes and brain development. Nut Butter Fingers assuming no nut allergies: For older babies and toddlers, spread some sugar-free nut butter (e.g. peanut, macadamia, almond, etc.) on wholewheat toast. Slice into fingers and serve. Chocolate Pudding: Blend together 1 banana, ½ avocado and 1 tsp cocoa powder. Avo Cream Cheese: Blend together 1 avocado and 1 tub of cream cheese. Serve as is to younger babies or as a spread on wholewheat toast or high fibre crackers for toddlers. Since fats are high in energy, drizzling olive oil or avocado oil over meals is a good way to help smaller babies and toddlers who need to pick up some weight. For a convenient and tasty meal or on-the-go snack, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and Squish pressed 100% fruit and veg juices? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from

August 17, 2021
Glenoaks Remedial and Special Needs School

Your children with disabilities want to do it themselves!

From my 20 years of professional experience and a lifetime of personal experience with disability I can honestly say that helping your children with disabilities to learn and participate in activities of daily living is probably one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself and for them. Activities of daily living (ADLs) are essential and routine self-care activities that most young individuals can perform without assistance. The concept was originally proposed in the 1950s by Sidney Katz and his team at the Benjamin Rose Hospital in Ohio. Healthcare and educational professionals often use a person’s ability or inability to perform ADLs as an indication of their functionality, particularly in regard to people with disabilities. A person’s ability to safely care for themselves will significantly impact on their quality of life, will set the stage for future performance in school, work and independent living, and determine their need for different levels of care and support in adulthood. Most people engage in daily tasks, almost automatically with little thought. But for individuals with mental and physical impairments, these essential daily living skills can present barriers to leading a happy, healthy, fulfilling life. Types of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) ADLs are skills needed to manage one’s basic physical needs, as well as more complex activities associated with living independently in the community. They include a person’s ability to: Move around independently. Use the toilet independently. Feed oneself. Bathe / shower and groom oneself.Drive or organize alternative means of transport to get around.  Shop for groceries and other items like clothing. Prepare meals.  Pay expenses, use a banking service and manage money. Clean a home, do laundry and basic home maintenance. Communicate using technology. Obtain medication and take as prescribed. Do you do too much for your child? When children are young parents intuitively take over the executive functioning role of their child’s brain. They make important decisions for their children, organize their lives, and create structure and routines.  Most of the time, the responsibility for these processes moves from the parent to the child as they get older. This is an important part of a child’s development, and a clear indication of this is when children start saying ‘I want to do it myself!’ But what about children who have barriers to learning or disabilities? In these children their executive functioning skills are often compromised, negatively affecting their ability to naturally learn important life skills. These children will need more help and support to participate in ADLs and become more independent. This can be an emotionally taxing and time-consuming burden for parents and becomes a dysfunctional habit which disempowers children and increases stress, burnout, and resentment for parents. Why parents do too much for their children Parents tend to be more protective of children with disabilities, believing that their children won’t manage these responsibilities. Some parents feel sorry for their children with disabilities and believe they shouldn’t have more responsibilities when they already find many aspects of life challenging. It takes a lot of time, energy, and patience to teach children with disabilities to be more independent. Parents struggle to set aside time for this with the demands of work, running a household and caring for other siblings. Many parents believe their children with disabilities will learn daily living skills naturally when they are older and that there is no reason to start earlier.  Children are very aware that parents or the helper manage these tasks at home, unfortunately creating the perception amongst children that they will never have to do these tasks themselves.     Benefits of teaching your children daily living skills The benefits of teaching your children ADLs are endless, and although the choice to do this could be perceived as the more difficult option, it certainly results in long term advantages for both parents and their children. Increased independence. Improved confidence and self-esteem. A sense of purpose. Reduces the burden on parents. Teaches responsibility and perseverance which are critical life skills. Improves a child’s chances of being a more independent adult.  Builds an understanding of following structured activities which is vital for entry into the workplace.  Introduces the concept of being rewarded for ‘work’ if incentives are used.  How to teach daily living skills Teaching a child with a disability to be more independent will require some planning and different approaches to ensure a positive and successful experience. Do the tasks with your children. Children with disabilities learn and retain information better when the skill is demonstrated, and they can model someone else doing it.  Step1: Let them watch you first while you explain what you are doing. Step 2: Allow them to try small parts of the task while you instruct, watch and guide.   Step 3: Prompt them to explain to you what needs to be done, allow them to try on their own, observe, assist only if needed and give feedback.  Step 4: Leave them to do the task on their own by following a checklist and give feedback once complete. Teach the task where it usually happens – if you are teaching your child to use an ATM do so at a real ATM so that learning is more tangible. Break the task down into simple steps. This helps explain the correct sequence of events so that children know where to start and what comes next. Use visual reminders – checklists, a photo sequence, rosters, and videos. Visual tools work best for children with disabilities and should be exciting to look at, visible, accessible, and linked to a child’s interests where possible.  Explore using assistive devices and technology that make elements of the task easier to manage such as alarms, reminders, and adapted / assistive tools. Advances in technology and creative tools can make the impossible possible. Continuously praise and reward. Positive reinforcement is so important for children, it encourages them to keep trying and helps them to believe in their abilities. Use star charts or a points system and link achievements to

August 12, 2021
Squish

First Finger Foods Fun Time

The World Health Organization recommends that infants are introduced to solid foods from 6 months, in combination with milk feeds, to help meet their changing nutritional requirements. Soon thereafter, your baby will be eating pureed solids like a pro. And just like your baby progressed from rolling to sitting to crawling and standing, a similar yet less obvious developmental progress also occurs in the mouth as little mouths, often toothless, work out the munching movements needed for more challenging textures of the next exciting feeding journey: finger foods.  When is my baby ready for finger foods? Did your 8-month-old just launch for your dinner plate? While then it is time to shake things up with finger foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting finger foods when a child can sit up without support and bring their hands or other objects to the mouth.  These foods should be soft, easy to swallow and cut into small pieces. Some babies may have teeth at this point, some not. Either way, you can still introduce finger foods. You will be surprised at how powerful those little gums chomp away at more solid and textured foods. Watch out for foods that are too small or large as this could cause a choking hazard. Why must I start finger foods? Introducing your baby to a variety of foods is important not only for exposure to various tastes and textures but also to encourage adventurous eaters to learn to eat on their own and to master the art of grasping food and objects, which is especially important for a baby’s brain and eye development and coordination. Finger foods are not only important developmentally, but also a useful reminder to recognize a baby’s hunger and fullness cues.  Your child may be hungry if he or she: Puts hands to mouth Turns head towards mom’s breast or reaches for a bottle Puckers, smacks or licks lips Has clenched hands Which foods are good finger foods? Finger foods should be small, bite-sized, and easy to dissolve in your baby’s mouth. Continue to be wary of foods that pose a choking risk, such as foods that are hard (firm pieces of meat, hard blocks of cheese, raw vegetables, hard candy, nuts), round (whole grapes and olives), chewy (gummy sweets) or sticky (peanut butter). This is a great time to make the most of your baby’s enthusiasm for food and offer up a variety of healthy foods with fun flavours and different textures, such as: Rice cakes or crackerbreads, broken into smaller pieces dipped in any of the delicious Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees Soft fruit like raspberries or blueberries, cut in half, or chunks of banana perfect for dipping into som Squish Pear, Mango and Yoghurt Diced or sliced avocado Small blocks of soft cheese like cream cheese Scrambled eggs Omelette, made with some mozzarella cheese and soft veggies like spinach, mushrooms and onion, cut into blocks Well-cooked, soft peas, fresh or frozen Small pieces of broccoli florets, steamed until soft  Small pieces of cubed butternut pumpkin, potatoes, or sweet potatoes, steamed until soft Small pasta shapes like tubes or shells mixed with their favourite flavour of Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree Finely shredded chicken with a side serving of Squish Sweet Potato, Apple and Cinnamon Puree Grated cheese Small pieces of a healthy treat, like homemade bran muffin or blueberry pancake with a side serving of Squish Summer Berries Puree Steamed and flaked fish High fibre grains like wholewheat couscous, quinoa, or bulgur wheat, cooked until soft and mixed with avocado or cream cheese For a convenient and on-the-go snack, why not try Squish? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond.   When feeding your child finger foods, why not offer them a side dish of Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree and allow them to dip their bread, vegetables, crudites or fruit into it. How do I offer up finger foods? Start with longer, finger-like pieces of foods which are easier to pick up. As your baby masters the art of picking up food with the pincer grip, progress to smaller pieces. The Baby’s tongue is also a powerful muscle in the chewing process. The key is to make sure that the foods are soft enough for them to chew and the pieces are an appropriate size. At this stage, babies may still not be able to fully feed themselves to meet their high energy and nutrient needs. For this reason, it is important to continue to offer spoon-fed meals, adjusting consistencies from puree to lumpy to match the baby’s new-found finger food skills. Offer up finger foods in addition to these meals, possibly at one or two snack opportunities a day. It is a good idea to not place out too many pieces at once as overeager little fingers may try to eat all the finger food pieces at once. And just like with the first solid foods, your baby will not be a fan of all finger foods. It may take several attempts so practice patience and enjoy these fun times on the next part of your feeding journey.  

August 10, 2021
Toptots Head Office

3 healthy foods to feed your toddler

We all know the importance of our children having a healthy diet, but it’s not always easy to get your toddler to eat what they should. We know the struggle of trying to get your child to eat what they should, and so we have put together a list of ‘Superfoods’ that aren’t only amazingly good for your child’s health, but also taste great. 1.Bananas for a healthy child This simple and affordable fruit is packed full of nutrients for your child.  What do they have: Vitamin B6 for producing red blood cells and keeping up a healthy nervous system Vitamin C to prevent tissue and cell damage, boost their immune system, absorb iron and help them produce serotonin (the hormone that amongst other things helps them sleep better). Potassium to grow a healthy heart and keep a stable blood pressure. Fibre to keep a healthy gut, control blood sugar, aid digestion and minimise constipation. Energy that is slow releasing and will give your child what they need to play and learn If your child doesn’t like the texture of bananas, try incorporating them into this healthy flapjack recipe instead: Mash one ripe banana well with little to no pieces. Add 1/8 tsp baking powder, 1/8 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of raw honey to the bananas Combine banana mixture and two eggs thoroughly Cook on medium heat using a non-stick pan 2.Sweet potatoes for a healthy child Again, these are easy to make, affordable and tasty. They also have numerous health benefits for your child. What do they have:  Beta Carotene helps raise Vitamin A levels in their blood – and works really well in children Vitamin C to prevent tissue and cell damage, boost their immune system, absorb iron and help them produce serotonin (the hormone that amongst other things helps them sleep better). Potassium to grow a healthy heart and keep a stable blood pressure. Vitamin B6 for producing red blood cells and keeping up a healthy nervous system Vitamin E to protect their bodies against oxidative damage. Fibre to keep a healthy gut, control blood sugar, aid digestion and minimise constipation. Energy that is slow releasing and will give your child what they need to play and learn You can cook these like potatoes and mash them up, for a sweet potato mash dish. Or try this Sweet Potato chips recipe: Pre-heat your oven to 200C Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, dry them and slice them into chip sized strips with the skin on. Coat the strips with a tablespoon of olive oil Sprinkle with salt Sprinkle with Rosemary (only if your toddler doesn’t mind seeing green things on their food!) Bake in the centre of the oven for 35-40 minutes, shifting them half-way through 3.Plain Greek yoghurt and Blueberries for a healthy child Even though both of these foods carry their own benefits, together they taste good enough for most fussy toddlers to eat. What does Greek yoghurt have:  Calcium for optimal bone health and growth in children Protein is essential in any diet; it also helps them feel fuller for longer and keeps their metabolism functioning. Probiotics to balance your child’s gut with good bacteria, which has an effect on many things within their bodies.  What do Blueberries have: Vitamin C to prevent tissue and cell damage, boost their immune system, absorb iron and help them produce serotonin (the hormone that amongst other things helps them sleep better). Antioxidant compounds to help your child’s cells fight damage, help prevent chronic diseases, and boost brain function. Blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants compared to other fruit and vegetables Fibre to keep a healthy gut, control blood sugar, aid digestion and minimise constipation.  While blueberries are great to eat as is, depending on the age of your toddler, they may be a chocking hazard. Try incorporating the Greek yoghurt and make this Smurf Shake for your child. Blend together: 1 cup of blueberries  1 banana ½ cup of plain Greek yoghurt ½ cup of milk of your choice ½ cup of water Raw Honey to taste

August 4, 2021
Squish

Super Immunity, Super You

In a world where regular hand washing and sanitising, social distancing, and wearing of masks has become the new normal, so too is more attention being placed on the immune system than ever before. The immune system is the body’s natural defence, working 24/7 to protect our bodies from diseases and infections caused by invading viruses, bacteria, and other germs. Think of the immune system like an army of soldiers always ready to defend their battlefield. And just as soldiers have a range of protective equipment and tools, if these germs do get into the body, these intruders are backed up by white blood cells, proteins, tissues, and organs like the skin. The good news is that there are ways that we can support our family’s immunity through good food and nutritional choices. Vitamins and minerals, known as nutrients, fuel the body for healthy functioning each day. Like superheroes that each have different superpowers and strengths, so too do the various nutrients help you and your family be stronger every day in different ways. Let us take a closer look at a few key immune-supporting nutrients that you can include in your child and family’s diet on a daily basis to help give their immunities a fighting chance. Vitamin A We do not really think about it, but our skin is an organ that can provide great support to our immune system as the first line of defence against invading bacteria and viruses. To stay healthy, our skin needs vitamin A. Almost 4 in 10 South African children under 5 are vitamin A deficient, which can irreversibly affect the growth and development of a child as well as weaken the immune system. Butternut, pumpkin, and carrots are examples of foods that contain beta-carotene, which  the body converts into vitamin A. Beef or chicken liver is also a cost-effective source of vitamin A. Find fun ways to eat more of these vegetables. For toddlers try grated carrot salads with raisins and pineapple or offer up butternut purees to your baby, with added flavours like cumin or cinnamon for variety. For a convenient and tasty meal or on-the-go snack, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and Squish pressed 100% fruit and veg juices? Vitamin C We all know that vitamin C is important to keep the immune system strong, protecting the body cells from damage. It also supports the normal function of the skin. The body cannot make or store vitamin C, so it needs to be eaten regularly. Luckily, many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Unfortunately, our South African children are not eating enough fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruits like naartjies and oranges are a good source of vitamin C, as are strawberries, paw, mango, kiwi, peppers, and broccoli. Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. Zinc Zinc is an essential mineral that is not made or stored by the body, which means that we need to eat enough every day to meet our needs. Zinc is found in almost every cell of the body, supporting immunity, wound healing, and normal growth and development in children, teenagers, and pregnant women. It is concerning to think that 1 in 2 children in South Africa is at risk of zinc deficiency. In these tough financial times, focus on the more affordable foods that help us meet our zinc needs such as baked beans, porridge, and yoghurts which have added zinc, as well as small portions of chicken and beef. Try to incorporate your little one’s favourite Squish into the meal or as a side.

August 3, 2021
Toptots Head Office

Signs your young child may be suffering from Anxiety

There are many reasons why children develop anxiety. From genetics to traumatic events, personality types that are prone to it or natural fears that have deepened. However, it is important to remember that if your child suffers from anxiety, they may not have it for the rest of their lives, and it is a condition that can be managed. Here are signs to look out for to spot anxiety in your child. Unusual tantrums may be anxiety. If your toddler has started throwing temper tantrums and showing disruptive behaviour – these may stem from them being anxious about something. If the tantrums aren’t associated with tiredness, and come about in specific situations, try to take a step back and see if there is something about that scenario that could be overly stressful to your child. Young toddlers often can’t communicate their fears and emotions, so they act out instead. Avoiding situations Have you noticed your young child hiding behind your legs whenever you are in a new place or doing everything, they can not to go to school every day? While both of these situations can be absolutely normal reactions, if you find it persists and becomes more intense, your child may be suffering from anxiety.  Sleep disruptions If your child suddenly battles to sleep through the night, and you find them tossing and turning when they didn’t before – this could be caused by anxiety. Just like adults who suffer from anxiety battle to sleep, so too can affect your child’s sleep.  Physical signs If your toddler or young child often complains of things like tummy aches or a sore head, however, doctors have said that there is nothing wrong; this could be a sign of anxiety. And they aren’t pretending. The stress that anxiety can cause their bodies can induce these psychosomatic symptoms.  The difference between being anxious and a disorder Everyone has moments when they feel anxious. This doesn’t necessarily mean you are suffering from an anxiety disorder. In actual fact, anxiety in the form of fears can be good for our children – it is our brain’s way of telling us something may be dangerous. When usual fears and stress start to become debilitating and stops your child from doing everyday things – this is when they may be dealing with an anxiety disorder. What you can do to help Not all of the above signs mean your child has anxiety – however, if you spot more than one on a regular basis, the best bet would be to take your child to their doctor and let them know your concerns.

July 28, 2021
Toptots Head Office

Baby’s physical milestones for every age

As parents, we naturally want to keep track of how our little ones are developing or if there are any concerns around things they are supposed to be doing. This milestone guide, written by Occupational Therapist Megan Smith, gives you the average milestones children reach at certain ages. It is important to note that not all children are the same, and many develop at different paces than others. If you are concerned about drastically missed milestones, we always suggest booking an appointment with your child’s doctor to check everything is on track.  Milestones for 0 to 6-month-old babies During the first 0 to 2 months of the baby’s life, they have limited control over their own movements as they are generally due to reflex actions. (Baby massage and exercises will assist in muscle strength and tone development).  During the first few weeks, babies will lie in a flexed position (tucked inwards, knees to chest and arms towards trunk centre). This mimics the position they maintained in the womb and allows them to feel safe and secure. Swaddling assists babies in maintaining the contained position.  Babies first motor milestone are to overcome flexion and uncoil into a more neutral lying position. As their back muscles strengthen, this becomes easier and more natural.  4 to 6 weeks – during tummy time, babies will start to lift their heads off the mat for short periods of time. As the neck muscles start to strengthen, this movement becomes easier and will be sustained for longer.  By six weeks, they should be able to hold their head up for a few minutes in supported sitting and on their tummy.  12 weeks – arm movements start to appear more controlled as babies start to swipe for objects held in their visual field. This is important for developing arm strength.  By 3 months old, when babies are placed on their side, they can roll over onto their back. 3 months – babies can hold their heads up at a 45-degree angle during tummy time.  During the 8 to 12-week period, babies will start to notice their hands and bring them to their mouths actively. This is the starting point in developing hand-eye coordination.  4 to 6 months – babies start to prop up on their elbows during tummy time and may even hold themselves up on straight arms in this position. They may collapse on one arm, causing them to roll over accidentally.  4 to 6 months – when lying on their backs, babies will start to play and engage with their toes, bringing them right up to their mouths. This is important as the position strengthens their tummy muscles.  By 6 months, babies should be rolling one way – back to tummy or tummy to back.  By 6 months, babies will love to be supported on your lap in the standing position and bounce. This strengthens the leg muscles to prepare them for pull-stand.  6 months – babies should achieve the sitting position.  6 months – babies hands become more functional, and they start to actively grasp and manipulate objects.  Milestones for 6 to 12-month-old babies 9 months – independent sitting where babies will be able to get in and out of the sitting position on their own.  While sitting, babies will start to reach forward for objects and turn their trunks to the sides to reach objects. During the reach, they may find themselves propping forwards into the crawling position.  9 months – babies should have a good contralateral crawl.  By 9 months, babies can pick up an object between their thumb and forefinger.  Around 9 to 10 months, babies can pass toys from hand to hand.  At 9 to 12 months, babies will start using external objects to pull themself into a standing position.  Once in a supported standing position, babies will bounce and rock on their legs, preparing their muscles for weight shifting needed to achieve walking.  During this period, one bounce will eventually turn into a step, and they will learn how to cruise – holding onto something with their hands for support and moving their feet. Walking is the most variable milestone and really depends on the individual child. Some walk at 9 months, others at 16 months.  Milestone for 12 to 18-month-old babies  At 12 months, they will point to objects with their index finger.  At around 15 months, they can now bend in standing to pick up a toy. At 15 months, babies can crawl up a few stairs.  At 18 months, babies can start to take a few steps backwards. At 18 months, babies can page through a thick paged book.  Milestones for 18 to 24-month-old babies  Towards 2 years, toddlers can now run more rhythmically, faster and with better balance.  At 2 years, toddlers can walk up and down stairs unaided, holding onto a rail.   They can stand and kick a big ball without losing balance.  They can catch a ball if you through it into their arms.  Milestones for 2 to 3-year-old’s At 2 years, they will start to ride a tricycle.   They can hit a ball lying on the floor with a bat.  They are able to hold a crayon with all fingers and their thumb in opposition, using elbow and shoulder to draw.  They can jump down a step with two feet together. At 2,5 years, they can walk between two lines.  They will start to cross the midline of their body during activities.  They can stand on one leg momentarily.  They can throw a ball in a specific direction.  They can kick a ball without losing balance.  They can use their fingers separately – touching their thumb to their index finger.  Milestones for 3-year-olds They can walk backwards, forwards and sideways.  They can walk heel-toe with good balance. They can walk on a straight line.  They can throw a ball from above his head.  They start to use an inferior pencil grip – holding the pencil between their thumb, index

July 23, 2021
Parenting Hub

How to make sure the kids’ feeding time is not mission impossible

When a baby or toddler refuses certain foods or does not eat at regular mealtimes which adults are accustomed to, it can create tension and anxiety. Without an understanding of how young children eat, many parents find themselves disillusioned about feeding their child and misunderstand them as “fussy” eaters. This can lead to life-long issues around food.  This is the view of Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine, who says that a lot of conflict arises when parents expect their children to conform to certain unfounded expectations around eating patterns and food preferences, which can be avoided. BabyLine is South Africa’s trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond.  “Childhood is a dynamic phase, and as a child grows and changes developmentally and physically, their nutritional requirements are also changing, ” says Karbanee.   He says that when it comes to butting heads with “fussy” eaters, it is often within the 18-month to 3-year-old category where feeding tantrums, food refusal and picky or select eating give parents headaches. He adds that parents must learn to be more dynamic in adapting to the unique needs of their child.    “Although feeding and nutrition should be viewed in the context of a child’s individuality, unfortunately we also have to consider the cultural and societal norms that come with the family, as well as the influence of others on our expectations of eating,” says Dr Karbanee.  He stresses the need for parents to understand that their young child is an individual,  and as long as they fall  within the basic developmental parameters, then they’re still within normal limits and doing fine.  Below he gives his top tips to help parents and children survive the very normal “fussy” eating phase:  Patience is a virtue – parents may need to offer a certain food to a child on many separate occasions before they’ll stop rejecting it. Just keep trying while showing your child how much you enjoy the food yourself.  A child’s stomach is only the size of their fist, so they’re only comfortable eating small portions of nutritious meals and snacks.  Sometimes it’s also as if children go through certain phases where they crave more protein or more carbohydrate in their diet. Go with the flow and allow your child to eat when they are hungry, and don’t become stressed if they skip a meal here or there. Look at your child’s food intake over an entire week before worrying whether there’s a problem.   Don’t give your child excess fluids like milk or juice or other snacks between meals. Allow them to develop that hunger so that they can eat in a healthier way.  Keep mealtimes happy, positive and fun.  Don’t react if your child refuses food. Provide positive feedback even when their food is only touched, smelled, licked or tasted.  Parents should only seek professional help if their child is not drinking fluids, not growing well, and/or becoming anxious or upset around food. If you are uncertain whether your child’s fussy feeding behaviour is anything serious, consider phoning a reputable medical advice line, which can help you quickly understand whether or not you need to take your child to a doctor.   “Children eat very differently to adults. Adults seem to have regular meals at certain times, sometimes whether they’re hungry or not. We should actually aim to eat more like children, because they will eat only as much as they need to eat,” Dr Karbanee concludes. 

July 22, 2021
Squish

How to Tell if Your Baby is Hungry

Just as your baby is learning how to eat solid food, so too will you be learning the skill to read your baby’s hunger and fullness cues. A healthy baby will eat without being coaxed and stop when full. Being responsive to your baby’s signs of hunger and fullness will help manage many frustrating mealtimes and also leave you rest assured that your little human is happy and content with a full tummy. Feed Me! Your baby will let you know when they are hungry by reaching out or pointing to food. They may even become excitable when placed in a familiar eating place like a highchair, and be rather expressive with smiling, cooing, squeals of glee, and maybe even a frustrated cry. Your baby may also move their fingers towards their mouth or try and reach out for the spoon as you prepare to feed. Fill Up! Adults, babies, and children are less likely to eat beyond fullness and your baby will very clearly tell you if they need more food or if their tummy is full. What started out as a content baby in a feeding chair, now becomes fussier and more irritable. The pace of eating will slow down, and your baby will close the mouth, push food away and even spit it out. Older babies may grab and throw food to the floor. There will be a change in posture from excitable and upright to disinterested and slumping in the chair, and some babies may even fall asleep. It is good to know that it is normal for your baby’s appetite to change from day to day, and even from meal to meal. Be guided by your baby’s interest in food and appetite levels to know how much to offer, rather than worry about an exact amount eaten. It is recommended that you check your baby’s weight regularly and if you are concerned about the amount your baby eats or about its weight you should consult your doctor or specialist. For a convenient way to get your baby to try its first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond.

July 20, 2021
Squish

The Do’s and Don’ts of Baby’s First Foods

Your baby is nearing six months and excitement starts to mount as you prepare to introduce solids for the first time. To help you navigate your way through this journey, here are a few top do’s and don’ts. DO: ● Even though milk alone may not meet your baby’s nutritional needs from 6 months, milk is still an important source of nutrients essential for healthy growth. This means that you will continue to offer your baby milk when you start with solid foods. Squish 100% fruit and veg purees are the perfect way to introduce solids to your baby – free from preservatives, flavourings, colourants and starch, the Squish range of fruit and veg purees offer a convenient solution to baby’s weaning needs.  ● Look beyond cereal or porridge as a first food. Traditionally, starches like cereals and soft porridge (e.g. rice porridge or maize porridge) are preferred. While these are good options, you can also try other foods like puréed sweet potato, butternut, carrots, apples, pears, pawpaw, and peaches. ● For a convenient way to get your baby to try their first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. ● Prepare your baby’s first food with milk. Regardless of the food you choose, prepare it with baby’s milk to help your baby recognise a flavour that they have been used to for the past 6 months. Offer this food for three days before moving on to another food or changing the flavour in the food, to check that babyyour  is not allergic to anything. The Squish range of single fruits like Squish 100% Apple puree or Squish 100% Pear puree are a convenient way to start baby on solids. ● Offer your baby a variety of flavours from early on. It is good practice as you progress on your solids journey, but continually offer baby’s tastebuds new flavours and taste dimensions. Blend starches, fruit, vegetables and flavours in interesting combinations e.g. beetroot and blueberry, cinnamon and pumpkin, oats and apple puree, cauliflower and peach, etc. Squish 100% fruit and veg purees offer a wide range of flavour choices, all ready for you and baby to try, no mess, no fuss. Like Squish Summer Berries, Squish Medley of Fruits, and Squish Mixed Veg, or why not try our NEW Squish apple, sweet potato and sweet corn, or NEW Squish sweet potato, apple and cinnamon puree. ● Let your baby play with food. The eating experience is about more than just taste and the other senses like sight, feeling and smell are equally important. Allow your baby to experiment with the food you are serving by adding some to the tray of the feeding chair or scooping into their little hands. This will encourage your baby to start moving the hand to the mouth to learn the important skill of self-feeding. DON’T: ● Do not introduce solids for the first time when your baby is sick. Illnesses, fever, teething, and runny stomachs are not a good time to try solids as your baby will not be in a happy space. ● Do not limit your baby’s exposure to other textures. While it is important to start with pureed options as your baby first experiences the change in texture from liquid milk, it is easy to get stuck here. Be sure to progress to lumpier foods over time. Go from fully pureed to leaving some lumps, and rather than using a blender roughly mash with the back of a fork. The ability to handle lumpier foods is important long term for your baby’s oral development for speech and can happen quicker than most parents realise. ● Do not prepare baby’s food with added salt and sugar. A baby’s kidneys are not mature enough to manage a lot of salt. There is no need to prepare food with added salt, and it is advised to avoid adding salt when preparing your baby’s meals. There is also no need to add sugar. Let your baby get used to the natural sweetness from foods like fruit and dairy. Rather use a variety of herbs and spices to excite your baby’s taste buds, such as cinnamon, cumin, mint, vanilla essence, etc. ● Do not avoid rejected foods. Studies have shown that it takes up to 15 exposures of a new food before a baby is likely to eat it. To help track this, make a list of foods like fruits, vegetables, protein and starches and place on the fridge. Every time you offer it to your baby, mark it off with a tick (if liked) or cross (if baby spits it out). Simply freeze the pureed food that your baby rejects and try (and try and try) again another time. ● Do not avoid fruit. There is no evidence that babies will not like vegetables if they have already had naturally sweeter fruit. Suitable fruits can be introduced early on, such as apple puree or mashed banana. You can also mix fruits with yoghurt and vegetables, such as carrot and apple puree or sweet potato and pear puree. Do not worry or stress too much, follow your baby’s lead and enjoy these special first moments watching your baby learn and find their way. Whatever it is, remember your baby will let you know when it is ready and you should enjoy the process. 

July 13, 2021
Ali Samuels

Easy Ways To Encourage Your Children To Draw

Research published in Psychology, Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts found that drawing boosts your mood, making you feel happier. Not only that, but it encourages penmanship, helping with fine motor skills and muscle memory. Drawing is also an excellent way of stimulating the imagination, and provides children with a sense of accomplishment, helping them to boost their self-esteem. Encouraging your child to draw is easy, and you don’t need expensive equipment – you don’t even need a pen or pencil: you can draw in sand or soil if you’re on the beach or in the backyard. Children will enjoy spending time expressing themselves, both indoors and out, having fun with art.  Drawing family pets The pets in your home make the ideal art subject, and will give your child the opportunity to add texture to their drawings. Think about sketching fur on a cat’s face – the lines go in many different directions to create contour and help give the face a sense of dimension. It is easy to achieve the effect of fur just with a pencil when you’re drawing a cute cat face. One of the best times to draw a pet is when they’re asleep. You can then focus on small details, like the spotty dimples of a dog’s nose, or how large their ears are in comparison to the rest of their head. Your child can also have a go at drawing some colourful paw prints.  Finger painting You don’t need to use a pen and paper to be able to draw: get your child to try using different parts of their body. Finger painting is a good start, and a fun activity for pre-schoolers and toddlers. You can use coloured paints, or even make your own art materials from plants and flowers. Finger painting is only the start though – what about elbow painting? Or using your feet to create different shapes? By making drawing a tactile experience, you can engage your child and help them to improve their coordination and motor skills.  Doodling and Zentangle Drawing is a wonderful way to express yourself, and doodling in particular can be a great way of freeing the mind. It shows children that you don’t always have to draw a certain subject: even the simple act of putting pen to paper and starting with some flowing squiggles can be good fun. Those squiggles may become something unexpected entirely, or you can use them as a starting point to create imaginary creatures, aliens and landscapes. For older children, the Zentangle method can be fun, creating structured and sequenced patterns to create larger images. It helps the mind to focus and relax, easing stress and making you feel happy. Zentangle is also a great way of drawing botanical pictures, filled with trees, leaves and flowers.  Drawing is extremely beneficial for children, and helps them to develop their fine-motor skills in a creative way. Drawing is also an essential tool for helping children to express themselves, boosting mood so they feel happy. 

July 9, 2021
Squish

Ready, Set, Go! Top Tips and Tricks to Starting Solids with Your Baby

Your baby is nearing six months and excitement starts to mount as you prepare to introduce solids for the first time. This is often called first-foods (weaning) or complementary feeding, implying that foods complement milk at this stage of the weaning journey, instead of replacing it entirely. Even though milk alone may not meet your baby’s nutritional needs anymore, it is still an important source of nutrients and minerals essential for healthy growth and this means that you will still offer baby milk when you first start with solid foods. Ready… The best food to start with is one that is culturally acceptable and familiar to the family. Traditionally, this may be a soft porridge like rice porridge or maize porridge, but other options may be single flavours like puréed sweet potato, or butternut, carrots, apples, pears, pawpaw, or peaches. Regardless of the food you choose, prepare it with breast milk (or formula) to help your baby recognise a flavour that they have been used to for the past 6 months. Offer this food for three days before moving on to another food or changing the flavour in the food. For example, if your baby likes pumpkin, mix with pureed apple or a sprinkle of cinnamon next time as you can mix foods together from early on. It is good practice to continually offer baby’s tastebuds new flavours and taste dimensions as you progress on your solids journey. There is no evidence that babies will not like veggies if they have already had naturally sweeter fruit. It is also suggested that you try a food that is not an allergen for now, avoiding for example a wheat-based cereal (gluten), yoghurt (cow’s milk) or egg at first. For a convenient way to get your baby to try its first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees? Squish offers a range of 100% fruit and veg purees and pressed 100% fruit and veg juices. The convenient pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and are perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and juice flavours give parents a broader range of taste options for even the fussiest of eaters, right from the first introduction of solids through to a full meal, or tasty snack. Set… Time to stock up on baby-friendly spoons, bowls, and bibs. Think about where you want to feed your baby. Choose an appropriate feeding space, one that will help promote sensory stimulation and the social aspect of mealtimes. Remember, meals do not need to be limited to the feeding chair and you can feed your baby on the lap. Meals also do not need to be limited to the kitchen or dining room.  When age appropriate, sit on the floor with a blanket or outside under the trees on a warm day. Regardless, it is important to ensure however that your baby is always well supported and sitting upright when being fed. Invest in different sized bowls with fun colours (silicon cups work great) and a fun mini cooler bag for when you’re out and about. Squish 100% fruit and purees and pressed juices offer convenient meal solutions whether at home, on the go, right from the start of the weaning journey.  And because Squish purees are free from preservatives, flavourants, colourants, you can rest assured you are offering your baby a meal that is pretty much the same as making it yourself. Go! It’s go time which means it’s time to choose the right time of day, ideally when both you and your baby are calm, relaxed, and not in a rush. This may be the weekend for working parents, or a weekday for stay-at-home moms. You may also want to include other family members for this memorable milestone. The best time of the day to start offering solids to your baby is when your baby is most alert and awake, and in a happy mood. This may be after waking from a midmorning nap and between milk feeds so that your baby is not too tired, too hungry, or too full. During the beginning stages, do not worry too much about the formality of mealtimes as we know it, like offering cereal for breakfast at 8am or a vegetable with lunch at 1pm. Follow your baby’s lead and enjoy these special first moments watching your baby’s taste buds get excited about solid food. You can then start to add other tastes and eventually other textures when your baby is ready, and Squish 100% fruit and veg purees offer a meal solution for every occasion.

July 6, 2021
Squish

The Tell-Tale Signs That Your Baby is Ready for Solids

The first bath. The first sleepover at granny. The first giggle. And now, the first taste of solid food. Initially babies only need milk (breast or formula) but as your baby grows the more proteins and minerals as well as thicker textures are needed, which is why the introduction of solid foods is crucial in baby’s development. Starting solids is an exciting milestone for the family but can also bring about some distress as to when to start. The World Health Organisation, supported by the South African Department of Health, encourages that babies start solid food from 6 months. This is an optimal time when your baby’s gut and kidneys are physiologically mature enough to handle solid food. Another reason is that your baby is born with only enough iron and certain other mineral stores to last about 6 months, after which your baby will need to start getting iron and other necessary minerals from food. Your baby will also start to show physical and developmental signs that they are ready to start eating solid food. Baby will sit without support and can hold their head steady. Baby will watch as you or a family member moves food to your mouth. Baby may try to grab your food and put it in its mouth. Baby will instinctively open the mouth when a spoon approaches. Baby may start to wake up more frequently for night feeds than before, indicating hunger. If your toddler starts to show these signs, in addition to the age consideration, it may be time to consider introducing solids. During this time it is important to continue to offer your baby milk. It is a good idea for the first solid meal to be offered during the day after a mid-morning nap and milk feed and when your baby is not too tired or too hungry. Your baby needs to be in top form to learn this new skill and to start its first food journey. It is always a better time to start when your  baby is happy, healthy, and well, and not when ill, has a fever or any rashes. For a convenient way to get your baby to try its first foods, why not try Squish 100% fruit and veg purees, perfect for babies from the first introduction of solids, right through the weaning process – from babies to toddlers and beyond. Squish convenient puree pouches are well-loved amongst mommies and provide delicious tasting convenience, whether at home or on the go. Even better is that Squish purees are preservative free, colourant free and flavourant free with no added starch. Squish 100% fruit and veg puree and Squish 100% fruit and veg pressed juices flavours give parents a broader range of taste options for even the fussiest of eaters, right from the first introduction of solids through to a full meal, or tasty snack. For individualised professional advice for premature babies or any health or nutritional concerns, contact a healthcare professional such as a registered dietitian, paediatrician, or paediatric nurse. Brought to you by Squish 100% fruit and veg puree meals for babies, toddlers and beyond

July 2, 2021
Parenting Hub

Play Sense launches winter holiday program for pre-schoolers

South Africa has a long winter school holiday over July, when the harshest, cold weather is usually at its peak.  With SA’s third wave of the pandemic on the rise and more lockdown restrictions, families are mostly planning to batten down the hatches at home.  That’s going to be a particular challenge for parents of pre-schoolers who have to adapt to a homebound, indoor existence.  Having your little one home for the entire holidays can be daunting when the opportunities to ramble and play outside are so limited, and many parents are wondering how they are going to cope.   Award-winning early childhood education specialists, Play Sense are coming to the rescue this winter with a free four-week holiday platform, Play Box, which will guide South African parents and their pre-schoolers through an enriching, connected time.  The winter holiday program, aimed at two- to four-year-olds is easily accessible on-line, so parents around the country can sign up and tap into an array of professionally developed resources that will give them structure for their day and loads of fun content. “The winter holiday program artfully blends on and off-line so parents can choose what works best for them,” says Play Sense CEO and Co-founder, Meg Faure.  “Each holiday week has a lovely learning theme, and every day there are two fresh activities that ignite imaginations and enable sensory play, which is so important for this age group.  We have also included optional zoom sessions with our best-loved online teachers who are experts at engaging interactively with little ones on-screen.” The beauty of Play Box is that parents are empowered to proactively share in their child’s development, and it gives them unique opportunities to experience their child learning through play like they do in their pre-school environments. Lara Schoenfeld, Play Sense’s Co-founder and Director of Education says, “It’s a simple, straightforward way for parents to access early childhood education content this holiday.  It’s a simple free registration to Play Box with no need to access any additional platforms or go through a range of logins.  It’s so interesting for parents to get these first-hand insights into how their child responds to different learning materials and activities, and the whole experience fosters deep parent-child bonds.” Play Sense is a SA trailblazer of a unique home environment micro-playschool model based on the development of super-skills, such as creativity, self-regulation and executive function, through imaginary play.  Play Sense learning programs are developed by occupational therapists and qualified pre-school educators to meet the specific needs of toddlers, who are arguably, in the most exciting development stage of human life.  Play Sense offers both off and on-line playschool programs and are adept at getting the best out of both high-touch and high-tech. “What many parents will appreciate in the Play Box holiday program is that it gives them a structure,” says Faure. “Week by week they will journey through the fun worlds of the Jungle, MyTown, Dinosaurs and Bugs.  This is the answer to parents wondering what they are going to do to keep their little ones occupied.  As parents ourselves, we know how to make it easy for others to access well-developed activities and to be smoothly guided through a learning by play experience.  The real spin-off benefit is that your child is going to delight at connecting with you this way, and day by day, your heart will fill up as you see how you are making a wonderful difference for your child.” Here are some activities you and your little one can expect from Play Box this school holiday:  Imaginary play ignites your child’s language, social and emotional skills development  The Jungle-theme week includes going on a safari. Using language and props that are easily found around the house your toddler will be engaged in an imagined scenario. Imaginary play is one of the most powerful ways toddlers learn, and by facilitating this activity, parents will improve their skills to facilitate other fun games to play with your child around the house. Sensory play develops your child’s motor skills, cognitive reasoning, language, creativity, and imagination The Bug-theme week includes creating the amazing butterfly lifecycle using play dough, one of Play Sense’s favourite toys. This extra sensory activity will spark other ideas of the magical worlds and scenarios you can create together at home using simple and inexpensive materials. Creative play encourages your child’s cognitive and language development, as well as motor skills The My Town-theme week will explore different human roles and includes engrossing art activities. Your toddler’s creative activities from working with paint to create pictures to building Lego walls is more about the creative process than the end product. Movement play develops your child’s language and gross motor skills while having so much fun The Dinosaurs-theme week includes lots of enriching music and movement play. Movement play activities are not only designed to develop your little one’s body sense but is perfect for setting off fits of giggles and having silly fun together.  The Play Sense Winter holiday Play Box is available from 28 June to 28 July 2021.  The program is accessible for free, and you can register here.

July 1, 2021
Parenting Hub

Have you had your Vit D3 sunshine shots?

Here’s a winter health fact. Our bodies need Vitamin D for many important processes including supporting the immune system, bone and muscle building, and to promote better sleep and mood.  We can even produce enough vitamin D ourselves. That’s if we bare our arms, legs, back, chests or faces to the sun for a limited period of time, because the sun’s UV rays produce Vitamin D in our bodies. Scientists reckon that five to 15 minutes, or five to 30 minutes for darker skinned people, of sun exposure two or three times a week will do it.  But during winter, just when we need this immune boosting and stress relieving sunny gift to help us through the season of colds and ‘flu, the days are short, we stay indoors, and are usually covered up head to toe for much of the time. But, fun tip ladies: if you wear a cami under your warm clothing, you can head for a sunny spot at a warm time of day, strip off the top layers and you’re all set for a short spot of winter sunbathing. You may not wish to try this at the office! For those of us who can’t do the sun thing, vitamin D is also available in some foods, mainly in fatty fish like pilchards, tuna and salmon. Milk, yogurts and cereals are often fortified with Vitamin D too. Still, there are good reasons why many of us can’t get enough Vitamin D from sun or food (being elderly, covered up clothing for religious reasons, no time to go outside, being darker skinned…). In those cases, a one-a-day Nativa Complex® Vitamin D3 https://www.nativacomplex.co.za/immune-health/#nativa-complex-vitamin-d3 can fill the gap. It’s the newest addition to the well-established Nativa Immune Complex® range.  Nativa Complex® Vitamin D3 supplies 1000 IU of Vitamin D and can be administered from 6 years of age. Cost is around R100 for a month’s supply, from Takealot, Dis-Chem, Clicks and selected pharmacies nationwide. Read about this well formulated immune boosting range at https://www.nativacomplex.co.za/immune-health/#immune-complex-product, and then enter our competition for a chance to win one of two R750 vouchers from Cotton On . Their stylish men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing can see you through winter, and (yay) into Spring.   #VITAMIN D3  #sunshine vitamin

July 1, 2021
Squish

“No One Can Live on Just One Food”. Toddler: “Challenge Accepted!”

Is your toddler going through a [insert latest favourite food craze here] phase? Think about how they want to hear the same song on repeat and play with the same toy, all day, every day. Eating the same foods every day is just another version of this. So, while we can helplessly blame this on a toddler’s love for routine and repetition, as parents, there are few things we can do to make these phases as healthy as possible. Up the Nutrition Bread, cheese, potatoes: whatever the food, be sure to always offer up the most nutritious option or version of that food. For example, leave the skin on the potatoes, a valuable source of nutrients and fibre, offer up wholewheat pasta or whole grain bread, or choose sugar- and salt-free peanut butter (may contain allergens). A good tip for starches like pasta, bread or cereal is to be guided by the food label. Aim to choose a starch product that has more than 6g of fibre per 100g, as this is defined as a high fibre food. Feeding your little one Squish 100% Fruit and Veg purees you can rest assured you are giving your little one the best. Squish is preservative-free, colourant free, flavourant free and contains no added starch, what’s more, they come in a convenient pouch perfect for meal-times or on-the-go-snacks. Texturize It is a good idea to offer up the favourite food in a variety of textures, as and where possible. This will at least allow for your little one to be exposed to various textures of foods at this time, which is important for motor and oral development. For example, bread can be toasted and cut into fingers or triangles or offered as a softer, round bread roll. Potatoes can be cut into chunks or mashed, and you can mix small, diced pieces of banana or strawberries into yoghurt. Try adding a Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Puree to a small dish and get your little one to dip their finger foods into it.  Good news for moms with slightly older babies and toddlers – Squish 100% fruit and yoghurt purees now come in a new, bigger toddler-friendly 200ml pack for growing babies with growing appetites. The bigger pouch size means you can serve your toddler a full meal or snack in one handy serving, as their appetites increase, in a convenient pouch format.  The Squish 200ml bigger pouch range comes in 6 delicious fruit and yoghurt flavours, are free from colourants, flavourants and preservatives, and are ideal for your little one’s growing needs. Flavour Focus Focus on a variety of flavours with this food, both to challenge the taste buds and offer a nutrient variety. For example, if the bread is your toddler’s current favourite you could dip in egg to up the protein and make French Toast or serve up peanut butter and banana sandwiches with added healthy fats. You can mix pureed veg like carrot into mashed potato or try different types of cheese, from softer Mozzarella to stronger Cheddar. Make them scrumptious fluffy and warm breakfast flapjacks filled with sweet, hidden fruits and yoghurt: https://squish.co.za/quick-easy-recipes/sweet/apple-banana-flapjacks/  Patience makes Perfect Throughout this time, keep presenting your toddler with other healthy foods at mealtime, as well as the favourite food.  According to research, between 8 and 10 exposures to food may be needed before a child is willing to try it. This means that patience is key when getting through these phases of food obsessions.  Like all things, it is comforting to know that this too shall pass, and it is unlikely that your little human’s current food obsession will have any long-term negative health effects. If you are concerned, speak to a registered dietitian or pediatric nurse for more helpful advice.

June 24, 2021
Nintendo

It’s all about control

As parents, we all want to protect our children. The question for many parents is how you can monitor what games your children are playing in order to avoid exposing them to content you might deem unsuitable depending on their age. Luckily, most consoles have some kind of parental control system in place, and the Nintendo Switch is no different. The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls supports a safe and fun environment for your child’s gaming experience So what kind of functionality can you restrict with the parental controls and how do you do this?  To begin with, there are the obvious reasons – you think some of the games on your console, which might be appropriate for you as their parent, are just too violent or with too many adult themes for children to understand. You might want to restrict what your children can buy on the eShop, which is likely loaded with your credit card details. Or perhaps you might want to restrict the amount of online time your child has every day.  There are a number of ways you can do this – either directly on the console, or via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, which you can link to your Nintendo account (which you will need in order to be able use this feature). The app also offers a few more features if you’re looking for additional levels of control.  On the console itself you go into System Settings, and scroll down to Parental Controls, which will encourage you to download the app. You’re not required to do this but it really is the more comprehensive and the easier option, especially if you have kids who might be able to circumnavigate the parental settings.  You can set the age level of your child in order to be able to control what kind of age-appropriate content they’re exposed to, select the rating board of the country in which you reside, disable voice communication so your child can’t speak to others online, and disable VR controls which is recommended for children under the age of seven.  Make sure you choose a PIN that your child isn’t likely to be able to guess!  Setting up the controls on the app is likewise very easy. You’ll need to sign into your Nintendo account, and once you’ve linked your Switch to the app via a registration code (remember where I told you it would tell you to download the app earlier?), and now you’re ready to set up things like daily play limits. You’ll be asked to enable push notifications so you can monitor your kids’ activity.  If you want to restrict access to the Nintendo eShop, there are a separate set of restrictions for those as well which will ensure your child doesn’t make unauthorised purchases, whether those are games or add-ons you might not want your child spending your money on!  Ultimately you can remove the parental controls as well if you feel you no longer need to monitor your child’s activity – for whatever reason – but it’s comforting to know that Nintendo is equally as invested in protecting your child as you are. Feel free to read more about how Nintendo is supporting a safe and fun environment for your child’s gaming experience here. By Pippa Tshabalala on behalf on Nintendo Distributor SA

June 22, 2021
Squish

What Your Toddler Wants You to Know About Their Eating Habits

As a first-time parent, you may have thought that the most challenging part of parenting would be the newborn stage. Little did you realize the trials you would face as you enter the toddler years. Little personalities coupled with big emotions and an inability to express themselves makes it feel like you are having a conversation in an exotic language. But while our toddlers may not be able to speak to us (yet), if we pay attention, they are particularly good at communicating, especially when it comes to their eating habits. As babies become toddlers the parenting role of nourishing growing tummies continues – it’s still about the need to provide tasty, healthy meals and snacks that are nourishing, filling and simple to get into little people. With growing appetites comes growing independence and it’s exciting and liberating when little people can eat and enjoy snacks and meals by themselves.  It is normal to be a picky eater It helps to know that you are not alone in the dinnertime struggles with your toddler. According to research, fussy eating is quite common in young children, peaking at 20 months and gradually fading away by 5 – 8 years of age. This frustrating toddler habit is also about the need to express their independence as they figure out this new and exciting world. Like all things, this too shall pass. Great news for parents of picky eaters, there is a new Squish 200ml 100% fruit and veg puree offering, available in 6 delicious flavours specially made for growing kids with growing appetites. The Squish purees are preservative-free, colourant free, flavourant free with no added starch and come in a convenient pouch, perfect for meal-times, snack-times or on-the-go. “My appetite is never the same” Your child may eat breakfast like a king yet they will barely taste their dinner. It is very normal for your toddler’s appetite to change from day to day, and even from meal to meal. Every toddler is different. Some wake up very hungry to eat a lot at breakfast, while others have bigger appetites at dinner when eating with the family. Teething babies and toddlers are often not extremely interested in food, while growth spurts may mean you cannot keep up with what is on offer. Be guided by the interest your toddler expresses in food rather than assuming they will eat the same amount at each mealtime. “I’ll tell you when I am full” Babies and toddlers are particularly good at listening to their bodies and eating when hungry and stopping when full, unlike adults. Pay attention and you will quickly learn when your little one has had enough to eat. The pace of eating slows down and your toddler will purse their lips closed. They may turn their head in defiance, push food away, and even throw the food to the floor. If you don’t notice these initial signs, your toddler might get rather irritable and demand to leave the dinner table or exit the feeding chair. “Please can I feed myself” With good intentions, many parents will feed their toddlers at mealtimes. However, stepping back and letting your toddler feed themselves is a vital part of their development. The practice of self-feeding stimulates hand-eye coordination and is also important to encourage them to learn to listen to their fullness cues. From about 8 – 9 months you can start offering your baby age-appropriate finger foods like scrambled egg, small soft chunks of butternut, or grated cheese, and toddler-friendly utensils can be used from 15 – 18 months. If you are nervous, serve some meals that allow your toddler to eat on their own and others that you guide.

June 16, 2021
Parenting Hub

Fisher Price: Baby’s First Blocks & Rock-a-Stack™

Baby’s First Blocks Open a bucket of fun for your little one with Baby’s First Blocks. These chunky, colorful blocks help introduce colors and shapes as babies sort, stack and drop the blocks through the slots in the bucket lid.Open a bucket of fun for your little one with Baby’s First Blocks.… Open a bucket of fun for your little one with Baby’s First Blocks. These chunky, colorful blocks help introduce colors and shapes as babies sort, stack and drop the blocks through the slots in the bucket lid. 10 colorful blocks to sort, stack & drop All blocks fit inside bucket for storage Easy-carry handle for take-along play Introduces colors & shapes Rock-a-Stack The Fisher-Price® Rock-a-Stack® toy is classic, colorful fun for your little one! Younger babies will love grasping, holding, shaking and exploring the five colorful rings. The littlest ring has a shiny, reflective surface for baby to discover inside—with colorful… The Fisher-Price® Rock-a-Stack® toy is classic, colorful fun for your little one! Younger babies will love grasping, holding, shaking and exploring the five colorful rings. The littlest ring has a shiny, reflective surface for baby to discover inside—with colorful, swirling beads that make fun rattle sounds! When they’re ready to sit and stack, babies can place the rings on the post, then bat at the wobbly base to make it rock back and forth. Stacking helps them develop hand-eye coordination and introduces them to the concept of relative size as they learn to sort and stack from biggest to smallest! 5 colorful rings, perfect for grasping and stacking Bat-at rocker base Top ring has shiny surface with rattling beads inside Introduces babies to relative size and stacking Both are available to purchase from Takealot

June 16, 2021
Prima Baby

Chicco Multiride – Stroller Of The Week

The Chicco Multiride stroller is the all new off-road stroller that has multi-terrain wheels and is ready for all the action your little one could want as they grow up living the great outdoors.  Strong and reliable, the Multiride has already become a global best-seller due to the fact that more and more families want to take their kids out into unpredictable terrain without the fear of wheel-locking or damaging the stroller.  Equipped with ball-bearings and a full swivel, the wheels are made from a strong rubber than can withstand gravel, tar, grass and sand. Sturdy suspension makes the journey all the more comfortable. The Multiride stroller also has a fully extendable canopy that offers baby the best protection from the elements at all times. Couple this with the large storage basket and you are ready to face the world. As baby grows, the stroller maintains strength and accommodates your child with ease, allowing 22kgs of weight to be carried. Without a doubt one of the finest strollers on the market right now, the Chicco Multiride stroller is also compatible with the Kaily Gro 0+ car seat which turns  the stroller into a newborn travel system that will last until they are 9kgs in weight. Give them the most comfortable ride ever whilst offering convenience and value for money with the Multiride stroller. See www.chicco.co.za for more details.

June 15, 2021
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Toddler Milestones

The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion. Growing children Children grow and learn at their own pace. It is normal for your child to be ahead in one area, but behind in another.  Learning what is normal for each age group can help you feel comfortable with where your child is at and spot any problems early on. Milestones: age 2 Milestones for age 2 include: Walking by themselves; this usually takes place between 9-17 months with the average being 14 months Running: about 6 months after learning to walk Climbing stairs and onto furniture Kicking a ball Ability to scribble with crayons, pencils or markers Imaginative or make-believe play Communication includes using real words by 15-18 months and simple phrases by 18-24 months Milestones: age 3 Milestones for age 3 include: Improved balance: can stand on one foot for a short time, can petal a tricycle and can walk upstairs without holding the railing All baby teeth have come through Potty trained during the day 20/30 vision Communication includes increased vocabulary (hundreds of words), uses short sentences, uses plurals and pronouns and asks many questions Can dress self with exception of laces, buttons, etc. Knows their name, age and gender Learns to share Milestones: age 4 Milestones for age 4 include: Hops on one foot well Throws a ball overhand well Uses scissors to cut out a picture Communication includes increased vocabulary (thousands of words), uses longer sentences, uses past tense and asks even more questions than ever Learns simple songs Starting to understand time better Milestones: age 5 Milestones for age 5 include: 20/20 vision Increased coordination: skipping, jumping and hopping well Learning to use writing utensils well Communications includes increased vocabulary (over 2000 words), uses sentences with 5 or more words and uses all parts of speech Knows the primary colours Learning to understand math Learning to behave with more responsibility and less aggression

June 14, 2021
Baby Tastes

Baby & Kiddies Tastes makes meal time lekker for the little ones

Many South Africans live demanding lives where time is of the essence and nobody feels their pressure more than the moms and dads who, after a long day still need to ensure that the little ones have a nutritious meal when needed. Thankfully Baby & Kiddies Tastes can relieve you of that task. What is Baby & Kiddies Tastes? Baby & Kiddies Tastes trusted meal supplier for the little ones between the ages of 6 to 12 months, then up to 6 years old. The company was started by Vanessa Crichton, a dedicated mother, wife and entrepreneur who also knows her way around the kitchen, trained as a chef in London. Having started many other successful culinary companies such as Exquisite tastes catering, Vanessa, who has eleven years’ experience in making children’s food has turned her attention to helping moms and dads when it comes to mealtime for their young kids. What does Baby & Kiddies Tastes offer? Baby & Kiddies Tastes offer nutritionally tested fully textured, natural and healthy frozen meals for children between the ages of 6 to 12 months for children up to the age of 6 years old. Meals are made using the best ingredients that are also packed with flavour. Vanessa has meticulously crafted up to 50 different flavour combinations ensuring that every meal is a great experience for your child. What are the benefits of using Baby & Kiddies Tastes? Baby & Kiddies Tastes takes away the stress of having to prepare a meal for your young ones and ensures that every meal is jam-packed with essential nutrients that children need. It is also easy to prepare as the meals are cooked and frozen with a 2-month freezer life. It is also worth noting that our meals contain no additives or preservatives and no added salt or sugar, due to this, we do not suggest freezing for longer than 2 months. What other advantages can moms and dads benefit from? We know that convenience is key when it comes to mealtime, as mentioned our meals are packed with flavour and full of nutrients but they also offer added benefits. These include innovative modular packaging which limits food wastage. We know that kids can get a bit inquisitive and might make an unwanted mess. For this reason, we provide tamper-proof Kiddies Tastes tubs for those who are slightly older. Our packaging is also recyclable. Are there currently any special offers? We have a allergen range, “Local is Lekker” options, as well as vegetarian meals.  Free delivery is offered for monthly orders. How do I get Baby & Kiddies Tastes meals? Baby & Kiddies Tastes offers free delivery on all monthly orders and we deliver to Johannesburg and Pretoria based areas. Ordering is quick and easy, just head over to www.babytastes.co.za where you will find a list of our meals. Customers can order individual meals or place a monthly order. Alternatively, contact us via [email protected] and your order will be delivered within 3 to 5 days.  Baby & Kiddies Tastes brings the freshness and goodness of local South African ingredients to your freezer, ready for your child’s meal time, anytime. 

June 10, 2021
Parenting Hub

Your Toddler: A Developmental Checklist: 18 to 24 Months

Remember that all children are individuals and develop at their own pace. This checklist should be used only to get a general sense for where your child is or where he is heading. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, consult with your physician. Physical Development May jump up Builds tower of four to six cubes Throws ball overhand Puts on article of clothing Washes and dries own hands Can climb stairs with help; by 24 months can go up and down alone, but doesn’t alternate feet May climb out of cot Likes to climb everything Can kick a ball Can ride a foot-to-floor vehicle Intellectual Development Identifies and points to two to four items in picture Watches, then imitates, dumping of objects Fears loud noises, water, wind, wild animals, and others Enjoys repetition in songs and nursery rhymes Likes to point to nose, mouth etc. when asked “Where is your?” Speaks in two or three word sentences Learning that everything has a name; may ask constantly, “What’s that?” Speaks and is understood more than half the time Understands role of prepositions in speech Social And Emotional Development Experiments with aggressive responses to disliked things Separation anxiety lessens Seeks adult approval Comes when called Likes to help with daily routines Communicates feelings with words and gestures Is eager to please Language Development Speaks in two or three word sentences Learning that everything has a name; may ask constantly, “What’s that?” Speaks and is understood more than half the time Understands role of prepositions in speech Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition. By Dr. Bettye M. Caldwell Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics in Child Development and Education

June 10, 2021
Prima Baby

Chicco Multiride Travel System

Chicco has been a trail-blazer in the world of baby products for over 63 years, with a strong focus on travel products that has seen them remain industry leaders with every new item released onto the market. One of the current highlights of the travel gear collection is the awesome Chicco Multiride Travel System. A travel system built for longevity that stretches way into your child’s toddlerhood, this newborn-ready stroller comes equipped with the Kaily car seat – the perfect companion for this sturdy and versatile stroller. The two items together work perfect for your baby’s travel solutions until approximately 9kgs, where baby may require a front-facing car seat. The Multiride stroller however, will stay your little one’s best friend until they are 22kgs in weight – being the only stroller they will ever need.  With a compact fold-down solution, suspension, all-terrain wheels, a large storage basket, extendable handles and weather canopy on the stroller as well as an easy-to-install car seat, the Multiride travel system is a strong, sturdy and convenient ally in your parenting journey. See www.chicco.co.za for more details.

June 8, 2021
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