Mother & Child Issue 21

Mother

FAMILY PLANNING • PREGNANCY • BIRTH • INFANCY

&Child

RSA R35.00 (VAT Incl.)

Issue 21 (Spring 2020)

WHAT ELSE IS INSIDE?

Essential nursery furniture • Helping with homework • Mindful meals • Travel lessons •

1 +1=2 Get your preschooler ready to learn maths

NO WORRIES,

MUM!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BABY’S FIRST TEETH, THE BENEFITS OF BREASTMILK AND HOW TO CHOOSE A CAREGIVER 9 771994 644006

PLUS:

GIVEAWAYS • BEST BUYS • MATERNITY FASHION • BOOKS

cuddlersnappies

Growth Journey

TM

The Growth Journey™ app makes tracking the height of your child simple and fun.

It’s more than height.

It’s HEALTH.1

Introducing the new smart growth tracking app with a camera functionality

Measure

The built-in automatic height measurement tool makes it easy for you to measure your child simply by taking a picture of them

Children’s growth can be an important indicator of health and wellbeing.1 Growth Journey™ makes tracking the height of your child simple and fun.

If diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency…

Record

The growth book gives you a visual historical record of all measurements made in the app

The Growth Journey™ app has an adherence module where you can create your own treatment journey following your doctor’s prescription, set reminders for when to inject your child, see treatment overviews and much more.

Track

Follow your child’s measurements on a growth chart to monitor their development

Reference: 1) Haymond M, et al. Acta Paediatr. 2013;102:787–796. Novo Nordisk (Pty) Ltd, 150 Rivonia Road, 10 Marion Street Office Park, Building C1, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa.

Tel: 011 202 0500 Fax: 011 807 7989 www.novonordisk.com

Growth Journey

TM ZA20GH00004

CONTENTS ISSUE 21 (SPRING 2020)

WATCH ME GROW!

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FEATURES 24

BREAST IS BEST

Mother’s milk is full of special ingredients to help nourish and protect your baby

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SMILE!

All you need to know about baby’s first teeth and how to take care of them properly

36 A BEDTIME NIGGLEWIGGLE-WOO How Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka from In the Night Garden talk your toddler’s language

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THE NUMBERS GAME

Here’s how to get preschoolers ready to learn mathematics

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ANOTHER MOTHER

How to go about choosing a substitute caregiver for your baby once you’re ready to go back to work

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VEG OUT

Five surprising benefits of a plant-based diet

REGULARS 12

FREEBIES!

Enter our competitions for some awesome giveaways

14

THE BUZZ

News, views and trends for pregnancy, birth and motherhood

In this follow-up article of our new series, we tell you exactly how your baby is developing in the second trimester of your pregnancy

Breathe Better Winter is here and little noses, sinuses and lungs will take the strain. There are many ways to treat colds, flu, sinus infection, bronchiolitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms in children, but one of the most effective is hypertonic saline solution.

Go hypertonic

Nebulising If your little one struggles with breathing, nebulising with hypertonic saline solution is just the thing. A nebuliser turns the solution into a mist which your infant or child can easily

Developed by a leading ENT

www.kuraflo.co.za @kuraflo

@kuraflo_sa

Nasal rinsing For colds, flu and sinus infections, it is best to use hypertonic saline as a nasal rinse. When you nasal rinse, you send a gentle stream of the solution (prepared in a special bottle) through your nasal passages where it softens, loosens and flushes out the snotty build-up. You can even do it for baby.

Kuraflo for the family Kuraflo is 100% natural, preservative free and sterile, and is suitable for infants, children and adults, and can be used safely with other medications.

Available at Dischem • Clicks • Community Pharmacies Endorsed by Paediatricians, ENTs and Allergy Foundation South Africa.

A LOOKHERE DESIGN. LOOKHERE.CO.ZA

Hypertonic saline is different from the usual isotonic saline.

Its higher salt concentration helps the nose and lungs clean themselves naturally. The solution softens, loosens and flushes out the snotty build-up and gets rid of germs.

breathe in. It enters the nose, passes through the nasal passages, cleansing and soothing as it goes. There is no gentler way to treat lung conditions in little ones.

CONTENTS

46

DAD MATTERS

72

TRAVEL

How to help your children with homework—without doing it for them

It’s a whole new world! Four ways to keep your kids learning while travelling

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BEST BUYS

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean your diet needs to be boring! Check out these recipes from Izelle Hoffman’s new cookbook, Mindful Eating

68 DECOR: ESSENTIALS ONLY Which indispensable baby nursery items should be on your checklist?

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78 FASHION: CASUAL COOL Here’s some maternity style inspo from celebrities who knew how to throw together a winning outfit during their pregnancy

CONTENTS

82 IN THE BAG

92

New trending beautifying products that work a charm

86 OUR FAVOURITE THINGS

This edition’s best reads for young and old, including a rhyming book, two thrillers, a dystopian suspense and a wellness journal

A pick of the latest quality must-haves for your little one

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88 GROWING UP FAST! Here are a few nifty goodies for mommy’s big girl and big boy

90 EASY DOES IT Novel products to give mothers a helping hand

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WE LOVE BOOKS

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscribe to Mother & Child and win a fantastic hamper of magnetic decor products for your child’s playroom from Magwall, worth R1 000!

MESSAGE FROM

THE TEAM And then COVID-19 hit… bringing the entire world to a standstill.

Suddenly we had new words added to our vocabulary: coronavirus, lockdown, social distancing. People panicked, businesses closed, hospitals were overrun.

Thankfully, the world seems to be recovering well from the virus. In South Africa, too, the numbers are hopeful. Now at lockdown level 1, the country’s slowly reopening.

The fear and uncertainty can be debilitating. But life needs to go on, doesn’t it? So Mother & Child continues bringing you informative articles and good advice on all things pregnancy and motherhood. Because every mom needs a helping hand—even more so during these precarious times.

In this edition, we bring you the follow-up instalment of the series begun last quarter, showing you exactly how your baby’s developing in the second trimester of your pregnancy. The miracle of childbirth, indeed.

Another wonder of the human body is breastmilk.

Did you know it’s full of special ingredients to help nourish and protect your baby while she’s growing? Our article will open your eyes as to why breast is best!

We also answer your common questions about baby’s first teeth and how to take care of them properly, and have helpful advice on choosing a substitute caregiver for your baby once your maternity leave has ended.

For those parents doing double duty as homeschoolers, check out our features on helping your kids with their homework (without doing it for them!) and how to get the youngsters maths-ready for school. And for the toddlers, tune in to In The Night Garden before bedtime—the characters may seem to be talking gibberish, but their speech actually helps your little one develop his.

As in every edition, our Best Buys pages are brimming with trending goodies for mom, baby and tot; we share some celeb maternity wear inspo for a cool casual look; and we offer a delicious foretaste of recipes from a new cookbook—this time Izelle Hoffman’s Mindful Eating (see also our feature on the benefits of a plant-based diet).

Once again, we hope you find some inspiration, motivation and information among these pages. And stay safe!

From all of us at Mother & Child

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THE MOTHER & CHILD TEAM PUBLISHER: Donovan Abrahams MANAGING EDITOR: Ashley van Schalkwyk ashley@avengmedia.co.za COPY-EDITOR & WRITER: Tania Griffin tania@avengmedia.co.za DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Stacey Storbeck Nel Indio Graphic Design indiodesign@mweb.co.za CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sally Michener, Melissa Barnes, Katrina Tour, Erica Zippert, Bethany Rittle-Johnson, Sarah Rose, Shireen Kassam, Yoojin Lee PHOTOGRAPHIC SOURCES: Adobe Stock, Indio Design, WhoWhatWear.com, HarpersBazaar.com, Penguin Random House SALES DIRECTOR: Donovan Abrahams ADVERTISING SALES: Kay Davids, Shelley Swartz, Faith Madubula, Shirley Paris ACCOUNTS: Benita Abrahams CLIENT LIAISON: Majdah Rogers HR MANAGER: Colin Samuels ONLINE CO-ORDINATOR: Thokozani Ndlovu PRINTER: Academic Press DISTRIBUTION: Allied Publishing DIRECTORS: Donovan Abrahams, Benita Abrahams, Colin Samuels, Ashley van Schalkwyk PUBLISHED BY: Aveng Media (Pty) Ltd

ADDRESS: Boland Bank Building, 5th Floor, 18 Lower Burg Street, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: 021 418 3090 | Fax: 021 418 3064 Email: majdah@avengmedia.co.za DISCLAIMER: Mother & Child is published by Aveng Media (Pty) Ltd ©2020.

The Publisher and Editors are not responsible for any unsolicited material. All information correct at time of to print. The information in this magazine is not medical advice, and should not be treated as such. Neither is it intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained in or available through the magazine is for general information purposes only. You are encouraged to confirm with your doctor or other professional healthcare provider, any information obtained from or through this magazine and to review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment. Before making any changes to your person, or if you have any specific questions about any medical matter, consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Breathe easy Chamiflor® Ocean Nasal Spray with chamomile; • Combines physiological ocean water with natural sea salts, purified water & chamomile fluid extract.

• Ideal for gentle cleansing and rinsing of the nose.

• Can be used for babies, children and expectant mothers.

• Contains chamomile which facilitates in the regeneration of the nasal mucosa and may decrease this risk of nose bleeds. 1

Available without prescription Ask your Phamacist for Chamiflor®

References: 1. Metcalfe W, Costello R. Question from practice: When to worry about nosebleeds. Pharmaceutical Journal (2013):1-4.

Available from: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/learning/learning-article/question-from-practice-when-to-worry-aboutnosebleeds/11123224.article?firstPass=false.

Chamiflor® Ocean Nasal Spray. Chamiflor contains physiological ocean water with natural sea salts 0,9%, purified water and chamomile extract. www.chamiflor.co.za

Mylan (Pty) Ltd. Reg. No.: 1949/035112/07. 4 Brewery Street, Isando, Kempton Park, 1600. Tel: (011) 451 1300 Fax: (011) 451 1400 www.mylansa.co.za M3146 Exp: 05/2021

SS 14153-4563

• Assists with the supportive treatment in rhinitis and in a stuffy nose.

FREEBIES! Enter our competitions to win some awesome products for you and your kids

CHILDS FARM Launched in 2011 by mum of two, Joanna Jensen, Childs Farm is the second largest baby & child toiletries brand in the UK. Although not organic, the products contain naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicious smelling toiletries that care for the hair and skin of newborns, babies and young children. The Childs Farms Core Child range is packed with a variety of products including moisturisers, bubble baths and shampoos.

We’re giving away 2 hampers of Childs Farm Core Child products, valued at R480.

GIVEAWAY CODE: FARMMC21

BETTAMED CARE CREAM AND OXYGEN SPRAY Bettamed Care Cream is a soothing alternative for reducing inflammation and itching associated with nappy rash, eczema and insect bites. It’s also great for treating your sore nipples and candida.

The Bettamed Oxygen Spray is a natural cleaning solution that gives wounds much-needed oxygen to accelerate healing.

HASBRO PLAY-DOH Rolling, squishing, mixing, flattening and shaping are key to developing critical thinking skills, driving problem-solving and observation skills, and so much more. With Play-Doh, your kids can explore nearly endless possibilities with hands-on, multisensory fun.

We’re giving away 2 hampers, each containing eight tubs of Play-Doh Compound in various colours—valued at R169.90.

We’re giving away 4 Bettamed hampers, each containing two Care Creams and two Oxygen Sprays—valued at R250.

GIVEAWAY CODE: BETTAMC21

GIVEAWAY CODE: PLAYMC21 To enter any of these competitions, simply email your name, address and contact details to ashley@avengmedia.co.za, with the relevant giveaway code in the subject line.

The closing date for entries is 18 November 2020. One entry per person per giveaway. Winners will be notified via email or telephone. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Images are for illustrative purposes and may not represent the actual prize hampers.

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The

BUZZ

The latest news, views and trends for pregnancy, birth and motherhood

BABY BULLETIN

Who’s on the way?

Actress Emma

Roberts and boyfriend Garrett Hedlund are expecting their first

child together, a little boy. Emma’s aunt, Julia Roberts, is all smiles.

Who’s arrived?

Time to USHER in another birth!

The R&B star will be welcoming a third baby with girlfriend,

JENN GOICOECHEA.

Baby no. 3 is on the way for musician JOHN LEGEND and wife

CHRISSY TEIGEN,

to join daughter Luna Simone, 4, and son Miles Theodore, 2.

Baby has come!

Games of Thrones alum

SOPHIE TURNER

became a first-time parent with musician hubby

JOE JONAS in August.

Daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger,

KATHERINE and her Guardians of the Galaxy husband CHRIS PRATT welcomed their first child together in August: daughter Lyla Maria.

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It was also baby no. 1 for American Idol judge Katy Perry and fiancé Orlando Bloom.

Daisy Dove arrived at the end of August.

“We are floating with love and wonder”.

C O R O N AV I R U S FAQ F O R PREGNANT WOMEN Am I at increased risk of contracting the virus because I’m pregnant?

So far, there’s no evidence to suggest pregnant women are more susceptible to COVID-19, but research is limited and ongoing. Pregnant women seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant. However, pregnant women are considered immunocompromised, making them more susceptible to complications of viruses similar to COVID-19, so make sure to always protect yourself by following the proper precautions.

I’m pregnant. Should I still be going to work?

The Centers for Disease Control recommend that everyone, including pregnant women, stay home as much as possible and practise social distancing. If you’re unable to work from home, talk to your boss and your doctors to see what accommodations can be made.

Some of my prenatal appointments are being cancelled. What does this mean for my pregnancy?

While doctors and healthcare providers should ensure high-risk patients are given necessary prenatal care and testing when needed, prenatal appointments can be held virtually as much as possible. Different providers will have different strategies. Call your provider before your next appointment and ask how they’re handling visits, and express any concerns you have.

Should I cancel my baby shower?

Unfortunately, social distancing means your in-person baby shower should be cancelled for everyone’s safety—but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate at all. Many moms-to-be are finding joy in a virtual baby shower or drive-by baby shower.

I was planning on giving birth at a hospital. Should I switch to a home birth?

Experts don’t recommend switching to a home birth if you were planning on delivering at a hospital. While home births can be safe for low-risk pregnancies, a hospital is still the safest place to give birth, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say.

Source: www.whattoexpect.com

NOW EVEN PURER PURITY has launched its new and improved toiletries range with gentle and effective care products PURITY’s new range (still with trusted expertise from Elizabeth Anne’s) is free from sulphates, parabens and colourants, and approved by consultant dermatologists and paediatricians— ensuring your little one’s skin and hair are protected and cared for throughout their journey of a lifetime. With its tear-free formulation, the Shampoo and Bath range is perfect for bathtime splashes. Keep baby comfy and fresh all day with the Baby Powder Range that absorbs excess moisture without drying out your little one’s delicate skin. Help prevent, soothe and protect her from nappy rash with the Bum range enriched with zinc oxide—the new spray format is easy to apply and mess-free.

The new PURITY range is now available in retail stores

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PREGNANCY development

Week 14 16

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PREGNANCY development

WATCH ME GROW! In this follow-up article in our series, we tell you exactly how your baby is developing in the second trimester of your pregnancy

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PREGNANCY development

Week 16

N

ine months: It may seem a long, slow journey, but each week there’s something happening fast and furiously inside your burgeoning belly. Not only is your baby growing but your own body is changing to keep up. Here’s a look at all the stages of development in weeks 14 to 27.

Week 17

WEEK 14 Baby’s on the move! Not jerky twitches like in the previous trimester, but smooth movements—though you won’t feel them yet until the next few weeks. The neck is getting longer, making the head stand more erect. Baby’s covered in a downy coating of hair called lanugo, for warmth.

The eyebrows are filling in, too. The intestines are producing meconium: the waste that’ll be excreted in baby’s first bowel movement after birth.

WEEK 15 Growing faster every week, baby now starts looking more like a… well, baby.

The ears are on the sides of the head and the eyes are nearing the front of the face.

There’s kicking, curling of toes, and movement of the arms and legs.

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WEEK 16

WEEK 17

The backbone and tiny muscles in the back are growing stronger, so baby can straighten out the head and neck even more. Facial muscles are developing, so baby can make a few frowns and squints.

The eyes are working now, making little side-to-side movements and perceiving light. The eyelids are still sealed, though.

The skin is translucent, with no baby fat yet. Tiny bones in the ears are in place, so your baby can actually hear your voice.

Body fat is beginning to form. Baby’s heart is now regulated by the brain, and beating 140 to 150 times per minute—almost twice as fast as yours. Finger- and toe prints are beginning to form. And your little one is already practising breathing, sucking and swallowing motions.

WEEK 18 Any time in the next few weeks you’ll be able to feel baby twisting, rolling, kicking

If you want your child to perform better at school, send them to bed!

But make sure it’s an Edblo bed. Edblo gives a growing child the advantage of a great night’s sleep thanks to an advanced support system and superb comfort - a combination that gives your body the rest it needs while your brain prepares for the day ahead.

Do your homework and check out an Edblo today.

PREGNANCY development

Week 19

Week 20

Week 21

and punching around your womb. You may also sense baby hiccupping, and catch a yawn on the ultrasound. Baby’s nervous system is maturing rapidly, with the nerves in the brain further developing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing.

WEEK 19 A protective, greasy substance called vernix caseosa now covers your baby’s skin—comprised of lanugo, oil from your

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baby’s glands, and dead skin cells. It’s basically baby’s anti-wrinkle cream, protecting the sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. The lungs are developing, with the main airways (bronchioles) beginning to form.

WEEK 20 You’ll soon be able to find out the gender of your little one. If you’re carrying a girl, her uterus is fully formed and the vaginal canal is starting to develop; she also has

primitive eggs in tiny ovaries, about 7 million. If it’s a boy, his testicles will descend soon, though they’re still in the abdomen waiting for the scrotum to finish growing.

WEEK 21 Baby’s twisting, turning and even somersaulting—bet you can feel it now! At this stage, baby takes in a bit of amniotic fluid each day for nutrition and hydration.

It also aids as practice for swallowing and

PREGNANCY development

Week 23 Week 24

Week 25 Week 27

Week 26

the eyes can distinguish light and dark, and the ears can hear your voice, heartbeat, stomach and your blood circulating through your body.

WEEK 23

digesting. And because the taste buds have developed, baby will be able to taste that curry you had last night! Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage is turning to bone.

WEEK 22 Now the size of a small doll and weighing about 500g, baby’s senses are becoming more attuned. The grip of the hand is getting stronger (baby grabs hold of the ears, nose and even the umbilical cord),

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Your baby should double in weight over the next four weeks alone. Organs and bones are still visible through the skin, but it’ll become less transparent once the fat deposits settle in. The little arms and legs are quite busy, and may be seen poking through from the outside. The recently completed placenta transfers oxygen and nutrients to baby, and removes waste.

WEEK 24 Baby’s tiny face is almost fully formed, with eyelashes, eyebrows and hair (which is white, due to lack of pigment). The ears can recognise louder sounds from the outside world.

WEEK 25 The skin is turning pinker, thanks to the

capillaries forming underneath and filling with blood. Blood vessels are also developing in the lungs, and the nostrils and nose are starting to work this week, too. Baby’s practising breathing!

WEEK 26 Baby now weighs almost one kilogramme, and space is getting a bit cramped in the uterus. The eyes are now open and baby can see—but the iris still doesn’t have much pigmentation. Brain-wave activity is also increasing at this stage, while the fingernails have grown in.

WEEK 27 At this point, most babies like to snuggle in the slightly curled position: the ‘foetal position’. And they can recognise your and dad’s voices, though the sounds are muffled due to the vernix caseosa covering the head.

Don’t miss our next edition for all the developmental changes that take place during your final trimester.

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leep quality is linked to all major illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes. A good mattress ensures you have a comfortable sleep surface while giving you the support you deserve.

Dream Republic has undertaken extensive research on the best bed brands in South Africa, and globally, and it associates itself only with the finest.

SERTA PERFECT SLEEPER RANGE Every day, everywhere, we are surrounded by electromagnetic waves and radiation through our exposure to computers, microwave ovens, mobile phones and Wi-Fi. The effects of radiation may appear on our health only years later. Our bodies can defend themselves when awake, but become totally vulnerable during sleep.

Boyteks Biocare mattress ticking in the Serta Perfect Sleeper range has been developed after years of study by using nanotechnologic yarns with a special weaving technique. In this way, Biocare can acquire electromagnetic screening and can act as a magnetic barrier. This Biocare technology

prevents electromagnetic waves from making contact with our bodies during sleep by 98.5%. Behind this high percentage, innovation and technology work together.

LYLAX WELLNESS COLLECTION Dream Republic is also proud to be associated with Lylax, one of South Africa’s largest independent bedding brands. With over 35 years of experience, Lylax is continuously striving for perfection by employing world-class manufacturing processes, and using the very latest and bespoke technologies.

With our busy daily schedules, fast-paced lifestyles and the COVID-19

pandemic, now more than ever getting a good, healthy night’s sleep is not an option but a priority. A healthy immune system is directly linked to quality of sleep.

Lylax’s new Wellness Collection range consists of mattresses, mattress protectors and pillow protectors with the antiviral Apex range of fabrics. This new Apex range has been designed exclusively for Lylax, thus ensuring world-class technologies are accessible to all because everyone deserves a healthy and peaceful night’s sleep.

BUY A BED ONLINE A survey by the International Sleep Products Association reported that 45% of mattresses purchased in 2018 were online, up from 35% for purchases in 2017 (August 2019). It is merely a matter of time before we in South Africa reach these statistics. If you are buying a tried and tested or premium brand, where’s the risk? And with Dream Republic’s 30-day swap-out option, you are assured of getting a bed that will suit your needs.

Contact details Visit us on www.dreamrepublic.co.za Email us on sleep@dreamrepublic.co.za Call us on 083 752 9269 And if you are unsure, visit us at our showrooms: Durban 231 Chamberlain Road, Mobeni East. Tel: 031 468 5476 Johannesburg Herman Street (next to Renault dealership), Route 24, Unit 11, Meadowdale, Edenvale.

Tel: 011 392 1032 Cape Town CTX Business Park, Unit B2, Borcherds Quarry Road.

Tel: 021 951 1502

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BABY breastfeeding

Breast is best Mother’s milk is full of special ingredients to help nourish and protect your baby

BY SALLY MICHENER

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BABY breastfeeding

I

f you’re a first-time mother, there’ll most likely be times in the early weeks that you could become frustrated and are ready to toss in the nursing bra and reach for a bottle. But before doing that, consider all the benefits that breastfeeding provides for not only baby but yourself as well.

Mother’s milk is special. Every species of mammal formulates a milk that’s unique for the young of that species, ensuring their growth and enhancing their survival. For instance, the milk of mother seals is high in fat because baby seals need high body fat to survive the cold waters of their natural environment. On the other hand, the human baby’s survival organ is the brain, and human milk contains special nutrients that promote brain growth.

COMPONENTS OF MOTHER’S MILK The following are the main ingredients contained in the oldest living recipe. You’ll see how each is tailor-made to fit your baby.

Fats Fats are the most changeable ingredient of breastmilk, and vary according to the caloric needs of your growing baby. At various times during the day, and as your infant grows, the fat content of your milk changes during a feeding, adjusting like a self-formulating fuel to the energy needs of your baby. Your foremilk at the start of a feeding is low in fat, like skim milk. But as feeding progresses, the fat steadily increases until your baby gets the ‘cream’, the higher-fat hindmilk. This milk contains

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BABY breastfeeding

a built-in satiety factor that gives your infant a feeling of contented fullness so that he stops eating.

Older babies need fewer calories per unit of body weight. And the fat content of human milk lessens as baby grows, automatically changing from ‘whole milk’ to ‘low-fat’ during the last half of the first year. There’ll be periods of growth spurts, where every few weeks baby wants to feed continuously for a few days to get more energy for more growth. As the interval between feeds shortens, the fat content increases to accommodate the increased energy needs of a rapidly growing infant.

Brain-boosting fats, namely DHA and ARA omega-3 fatty acids, that are vital for the growth and development of nerve tissue are contained in human milk. The insulating sheath around each nerve that helps electrical nerve impulses travel faster and get to where they should go is known as myelin, which is provided by DHA. It’s been shown that DHA concentrations are

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highest in the brains of babies who are breastfed, and highest of all in those who are breastfed the longest.

Cholesterol is the next important component of the fats family. Is this vital fat really the nutritional gremlin it’s portrayed to be? Not in babies. Like other fats, cholesterol promotes brain growth and provides basic components of hormones, vitamin D and intestinal bile. Cholesterol is high in human milk, scant in cow’s milk and nearly absent in formulas. Studies have shown that exclusively breastfed babies during the first year have higher blood cholesterol than formula-fed babies. What a smart idea: higher blood cholesterol at the stage of most rapid brain growth.

Protein Because baby grows faster during the first year than at any other time, quality protein is very important. Human milk contains proteins specifically designed for infant growth. Two main proteins, whey and

casein, are contained in both cow’s and human milk. Whey is a gentle protein, easy to digest and very friendly to human intestines. Casein, the curd protein of milk, is lumpy and less easy to digest by human intestines. Human milk contains mostly whey, while cow’s milk and some formulas contain mostly casein. A baby’s intestines recognise breastmilk proteins as the right stuff: The nutrients are digested easily, absorbed quickly and are not rejected as foreign foods. Because the intestine must work harder to digest the lumpier curd, they don’t eagerly welcome the foreign proteins in formula or cow’s milk.

As the body’s nutritional gatekeeper, the intestines let into the blood the right proteins and keep out those proteins that may harm the body, called allergens. A baby’s intestines are more porous in the early months and the ‘gate’ in the intestinal lining is open, allowing foreign proteins to get through. Around six months, the intestines mature and the gate

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BABY breastfeeding

begins to close, selecting some proteins and rejecting others.

Thus, giving your baby only your breastmilk until the intestines mature is the safest way to keep potentially allergenic proteins out of baby’s blood.

Human milk contains other select proteins besides whey that are not naturally found in milks made by cows or companies. Taurine is believed to enhance the development of the brain and nervous system.

Lactoferrin acts like a ferryboat transporting valuable iron from the milk into baby’s blood. Nucleotides help the lining of baby’s intestines develop better by boosting the growth of intestinal villi, the tiny finger-like projections that process and absorb food. These substances in human milk also help promote the bacteria that belong in baby’s intestines and eliminate those that don’t—a process called maintaining the normal ecology of the gut.

Sugar Human milk contains more lactose (sugar) than the milk of any other mammal—20% to 30% more than cow’s milk. Formulas add corn syrup or lactose to make up the difference. The question is, why should your baby have this better sugar? Answer: Baby’s brain needs it! It’s believed by nutritionists that one of the products of lactose, galactose, is a vital nutrient to developing brain tissue.

Lactose also enhances calcium absorption, which is vital to developing bones. Not only does lactose help growing brains and growing bones, but your baby’s intestines also need this natural sweet to promote the growth of a useful intestinal bacteria, Lactobacillus bifidus.

Vitamins and minerals What makes these nutrients in breastmilk unique is their high bioavailability—most of what’s in the milk gets used by the body.

In breastmilk, 50% to 75% of vitamins and minerals gets into baby’s blood and tissues, with less wasted iron left

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White blood cells

unabsorbed in the intestines. Whereas only 10% of cow’s milk iron and as little as 4% in iron-fortified formulas gets into the blood. Besides the low efficiency of commercial nutrients, the excess nutrients that are not absorbed overtax baby’s waste disposal system, for which baby pays a metabolic price. Excess unabsorbed nutrients upset the ecology of the gut, encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria.

Another tribute to the efficiency of human milk is how the quantities of these nutrients change as your baby grows.

Colostrum (your first milk), transitional milk (first-week milk) and mature milk are formulated just right with vitamin and mineral content for baby’s rapidly changing needs.

Facilitators, substances that help their fellow nutrients work better, are contained in human milk to further upgrade nutrient bioavailability. For example, increased absorption of iron is facilitated by higher vitamin C in human milk.

PROTECTION FACTORS To protect and nourish is the nutritional goal of every mother. Here’s how your rich-in-nutrients breastmilk further benefits your baby:

Each drop of human milk is alive with millions of tiny white blood cells that circulate throughout your baby’s intestine, ingesting and destroying harmful bacteria. Indeed, in ancient times, breastmilk was known as “white blood” because of the valuable nutritional and disease-fighting properties contained in it.

In the early weeks of life, when your newborn’s own defence system is weakest, these protective cells are most plentiful. The first milk produced, colostrum, is the highest in white blood cells and infection-fighting proteins at the most opportune time.

Consider colostrum as baby’s first immunisation. As baby’s immune system matures, the concentration of white blood cells in human milk gradually decreases, yet they’re still present at least six months postpartum. These precious cells, like blood, also store and transport priceless elements such as enzymes, growth factors and infection-fighting proteins.

Immunoglobulin Also contained in human milk are infection-fighting proteins that circulate, like natural antibiotics, throughout the body and destroy germs. As blood antibodies in baby decrease, milk immunoglobulin increases; breastmilk completes the job of your blood, protecting baby until his own defence system matures. Breasts function after birth as the placenta did before birth: nourishing and protecting.

Each mother’s milk is a custom-made infection repellent, fighting off germs in baby’s environment. When a new germ enters mother’s body, she produces antibodies to that germ. This new army of infection fighters then enters baby, via her breastmilk. The dynamic process of milk immunisation constantly adapts to provide the mother-infant pair with the best defence system.

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BABY toothcare

SMILE! All you need to know about baby’s first teeth and how to take care of them properly

A

t around six months of age, baby loses the adorable gummy grin and starts smiling wide with his first tooth. Cute as this may be, along with teeth come teething problems and a new routine for dental care. Here are the most common questions parents have about baby’s precious little pearls.

WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT OUR BABY’S TEETH TO APPEAR? The appearance of the first tooth is as variable as the timing of baby’s first steps, but in general expect the first sharp nubbin at around six months; some babies teethe earlier, some later.

Actually, babies are born with a full set of 20 primary teeth. They are just buried in the gums, waiting in line for their time to sprout. Teeth push through in upper and lower pairs: Generally the lower appear before their upper gum mates, and girls teethe slightly earlier than boys. The ‘rule of four’ is how teeth usually appear.

Beginning around six months, expect four new teeth every four months until complete, usually by two and a half years.

Teeth come through gums at unusual angles. Some come out straight, while others first appear crooked but straighten as they twist their way through. Don’t fret about spaces. It’s easier to clean between spaced teeth, and the spacing of the baby teeth doesn’t necessarily reflect how the permanent teeth will appear.

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HOW CAN WE TELL IF BABY IS TEETHING? Besides the trademark drool and other related signs, try the gum massage test.

(Babies are more likely to accept a finger probing into their mouth than to allow a look.) Run your finger along the front edges of the gums, and you’ll feel swollen ridges of pre-teething gums.

It’s sometimes difficult to tell if a baby is teething because the degree of teething discomfort varies considerably. Some are steady, once-a-month teethers; many teethe in bursts and pauses, where suddenly baby has a miserable week and you feel four swollen ridges along the gum line. Expect the most discomfort when many teeth come through at once.

Some babies experience exquisite pain and swelling during molar teething. If allowed to look, you may notice some swollen tissue around a budding tooth.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice a mushy blue blister above an erupting tooth.

This is actually a collection of blood beneath the superficial layer of gum tissue. These painful swellings are best treated by cool compresses (for example, special teethers or even popsicles), which soothe the swelling.

HOW MUCH SHOULD WE EXPECT TEETHING TO BOTHER OUR BABY? Babies don’t ‘cut’ teeth, nor do teeth ‘erupt’. Teeth slowly slide and twist their way through gum tissue. But sharp teeth pushing through sensitive gums do hurt,

and babies protest. Here are the nuisances to expect and suggestions to comfort the budding teether: Drooling During teething time, expect the saliva tap to be wide open! In addition, listen for the young announcer’s voice to sputter.

Sensitive skin and excessive saliva don’t sit well together, especially when the skin is rubbing against a drool-soaked bed sheet. Expect a red, raised, irritating rash around lips and chin. Place a droolabsorbing cotton nappy under baby’s chin or a towel under the sheet while she sleeps. Gently wipe excess drool off the skin with lukewarm water and pat (don’t rub) dry. Lubricate with a mild baby emollient or cold-pressed coconut, almond or safflower oil.

Besides drooling out the mouth, the excess saliva escapes through the back door, dripping down baby’s throat— causing gagging and an irritating cough.

Fever and irritability The inflammation caused by hard teeth pushing through soft tissue may produce a low-grade fever (38.3°C) and the disposition of someone who hurts. Give baby some paediatric paracetamol syrup such as Calpol or Panado, as needed.

Biting The budding teether longs for something or some person to gnaw on. Teeth marks on crib rails and clicking gums on silver spoons are tell-tale signs of sore gums

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older baby who refuses to let you invade her mouth with a toothbrush.

Once baby gets a mouth full of teeth, especially molars, a toothbrush works better than a mommy-made, gauze-on-finger brush to get in the crevices between teeth. Don’t forget to take a few gentle swipes over the surface of the tongue, which harbours the same bacteria as the gums.

WHICH TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTHBRUSH SHOULD BE USED? needing relief. Expect these hard gums to clinch your knuckles, arm, finger and sometimes even the breast. Offer something cool and hard to soothe the gums.

Night waking Growing teeth don’t rest at night; neither do teething babies and their parents. A previously steady sleeper may frequently awaken during peak teething times and may have difficulty resettling into the pre-teething sleep schedule. Offer a dose of paracetamol syrup before bedtime.

Refusing to feed This is the most variable of all teething concerns. Some teethers never miss a meal, while some avid breast feeders accelerate their nursing for comfort, but a few may pass up even their most trusted human pacifier. Offer cool, mushy foods, for example apple sauce and frozen fruit-juice slush. Put these on a cool spoon to make a real hit.

WHEN SHOULD WE FIRST TAKE OUR BABY TO A DENTIST? Some time between baby’s first tooth and third birthday, schedule her first dental check-up—better early than late. Getting your baby used to painless dental checkups long before the first cavity drilling makes it easier on baby, parents and dentists. Ask to hold your child during any dental procedures or at least to be present during the exam. Some paediatric dentists ask parents to assist by sitting knee to knee with the child’s head resting on the dentist’s lap. Well-teeth check-ups, like

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well-baby exams with your paediatrician, give the dentist an opportunity to teach you some preventive care such as proper teeth brushing, avoiding night feedings, and correct fluoride dosage.

WHEN SHOULD WE START BRUSHING BABY’S TEETH? Dentists now recommend cleaning gums with gauze to remove plaque beginning around the time that teeth first appear, usually six to seven months.

The best chances for a co-operative baby and clean teeth is to use your moistened gauze-wrapped fingertip as a toothbrush. Gauze also works well in the

Toothpaste isn’t necessary for starter brushing, but if desired, a half pea-size dab will do. Dentists caution against letting baby swallow too much fluoridecontaining toothpaste. Use a mildflavoured children’s toothpaste.

Choose a short brush with two rows of soft bristles on a small head. Store a spare brush, as they get lost, get dirty, and wear out quickly. Change brushes when the bristles get bent.

It’s important to care for the baby teeth. These primary teeth hold the right spaces for the secondary, or permanent, teeth. Healthy first teeth also contribute to proper alignment of the jawbones and eventual bite.

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TODDLERS language

A bedtime niggle-wiggle-woo How Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka talk your toddler’s language

BY SARAH ROSE

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B

edtime can often be a trying experience for young children—and their parents! But evidence suggests that regular bedtimes are very important for children’s well-being and development.

One regular element of the routine for many families is children’s TV shows.

One such popular show is CBeebies’ In the Night Garden. Narrated by classical actor Derek Jacobi, it’s a programme that aims to calm and relax toddlers before a good night’s sleep.

In the Night Garden’s colourful mix of characters and concepts can seem surreal—and even incomprehensible to adult viewers. But it certainly seems to engage young children, and uses a mixture of key tools to entertain and entrance its target audience.

To begin with, it’s deliberately repetitive. Toddlers seem to love repetition, whether of a phrase or name, such as Upsy Daisy, or the same activity, such as Makka Pakka’s face washing.

As well as learning through repetition, children also find it relaxing and

comforting. Each episode follows a recognisable and predictable structure, ending with the Tittifers (colourful exotic birds) singing. Afterward, each of the characters goes to bed (except for Igglepiggle, who wanders off through the forest, falling over and waving) before the forest goes dark and the stars come out.

Another regular feature of the programme that toddlers enjoy is rhyme.

There’s evidence that exposure to this linguistic tool through nursery rhymes and songs can support children’s development in many ways, especially reading. So,

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although adults may think the Igglepiggle song (“Yes, my name is Igglepiggle, Igglepiggle-niggle-wiggle-woo”) sounds like nonsense, to toddlers it has instant appeal.

This linguistic element continues in the simple sounds of the characters’ names and the dialogue between them; the sounds are reflective of the way a toddler’s language is developing. For example, toddlers generally master vowel sounds before consonants, and the Tombliboos are named Unn, Ooo and Eee— phonetically reflecting how a toddler may say the numbers One, Two and Three.

This is also emphasised by the fact that the Tombliboos always appear in this order, with their names spoken as they appear. And there’s considerable use of words that are similar to baby babble in their formation. They have a consonant, vowel, consonant, vowel (CVCV) structure such as the beige, small, round-bodied doll named Makka Pakka.

Aside from language, toddlers make extensive use of gestures in their communication and will usually express ideas and feelings in this way before being able to express them using speech. The characters of In the Night Garden do the same. There are whole episodes that feature characters waving at each other and giving each other kisses—both gestures that are commonly practised and enjoyed by toddlers.

Excitement is often expressed by the

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You and your little one can catch Igglepiggle and friends on CBeebies, DStv channel 306, at 18h30 each evening.

Or head over to www.youtube.com/ user/inthenightgardenuk/ videos.

characters dancing, and there’s much shrugging of shoulders, especially by Igglepiggle when he’s unsure of something.

Around the age of 2, children tend to stop being preoccupied with the world as it is and start engaging with their imagination. This is reflected in their play as they begin to shift from experimenting with the physical properties of objects (banging bricks together) toward more symbolic play, perhaps pushing a brick along the floor pretending it’s a car.

It’s this early symbolic play that In the Night Garden seems to be replicating.

Examples of this include the Pontipines, 10 peg doll-like characters who represent a family living in a semi-detached house at the foot of a tree. The familiar game of toddlers pretending they’re on the

phone is also mirrored in the trubliphones, which allow characters to communicate with each other as they wander through the garden.

Another type of behaviour enjoyed by many toddlers is their attachment to a special toy or comfort blanket. They may find it reassuring that the main character of the show, Igglepiggle, is almost always seen with his red comfort blanket in tow.

It’s a clear acknowledgement of the importance of such a comforter, and the role it may play in helping children learn to control their emotions.

It’s no coincidence that the content of In the Night Garden reflects the developmental stage of its target audience.

Andrew Davenport, the show’s creator (and co-creator of the Teletubbies) has a degree in speech sciences. His personal bookshelves include works written by well-known developmental psychologists.

It’s also nothing new that something designed as entertainment for children seems so bizarre and nonsensical to adults.

Traditional popular nursery rhymes include a cow jumping over the moon and an old woman living in a shoe. Neither would be out of place on the colourful set of In the Night Garden: a different world carefully designed for the curious minds of young children (and their weary parents).

Sarah Rose is a lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Staffordshire University

TheConversation.com

TODDLERS language

EDUCATION maths

THE NUMBERS GA M E How to get preschoolers ready to learn mathematics

BY ERICA ZIPPERT & BETHANY RITTLE-JOHNSON

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EDUCATION maths

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EDUCATION maths

I

f you’re a parent of a preschooler, you may be wondering how you can help set your child up for success once they enter Grade R. By now, you’ve probably heard of the importance of reading and talking to your child to support their language and literacy skills. You might have even made reading, talking and learning the ABCs part of your daily routine.

But did you know that you can also support your child’s maths learning during everyday interactions at home?

1=ONE=AN APPLE Young children need to develop several different number skills. For instance, they need to master counting aloud from one to 10 and beyond, and learn to identify written numbers like 2 and 4.

In addition, little kids should realise that each number word and symbol represents a specific quantity of objects.

That is, the spoken word “four” and the written number 4 are the same as four cookies or four apples. They need to know that they can count to determine how many of something is in a set.

Young children are also beginning to

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understand the concepts of addition and subtraction, even if they can’t do the maths by themselves. And they need to start seeing which numbers are bigger or smaller than others.

WHERE THE THINGS ARE Little kids also need to develop spatial skills to get ready to learn maths. Examples include remembering and reproducing a

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EDUCATION maths

series of events, such as where and in what order different parts of a toy light up.

A different type of spatial skill allows kids to imagine what a shape, such as a square, would look like if you broke it in half and changed its orientation.

SEEING PATTERNS Another skill that may seem less directly maths-related is making and understanding patterns: sequences that follow a rule.

Simple repeating patterns are especially appropriate for young children. They follow a rule that one part of the sequence repeats over and over again. For example, in a red-blue-red-blue-red-blue pattern, that part is red-blue.

SUPPORTING MATHS SKILLS AT HOME When families of young children do everyday activities that support early maths at home, they tend to focus on number-related activities related to directly teaching counting and naming numbers.

For the best results, branch out. You can support number skills through playing board games and card games.

Classic board games like “Snakes and Ladders” help children learn to recognise written numbers on the spaces and dice.

They also help children see numbers laid

out in order, which can allow them to better tell which of two numbers is bigger.

Playing cards are especially helpful for learning to recognise written numbers and counting and labelling sets of objects, such as all the spades or diamonds. Additionally, simple card games can encourage families to directly compare the size of numbers side by side.

Cards can also lay the groundwork for learning subtraction when kids try to compare card quantities more exactly. For example, the 5 of hearts has two more

hearts than the 3 of hearts.

To support spatial skills, research suggests engaging your child in play with puzzles, blocks and shapes. When parents and kids do these activities together, they naturally use spatial and directional words like “over”, “under” and “next to” that help children get ready to learn these concepts at school.

At the same time, kids can get a head start on picturing how to create shapes and other objects out of individual blocks.

There are many fun and easy ways to emphasise patterns at home.

One is having children fill in a blank in a model pattern: red-blue-red … red-blue.

Another task could involve keeping a pattern going.

Preschoolers can learn even harder patterning tasks. These include replicating patterns with different materials. Given a model pattern of alternating red and blue Legos, children can make the same alternating pattern using orange and green buttons or other items you happen to have handy.

Children can also use their pattern skills to get more adept with numbers. F or example, see if they can count off odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Explain that the rule of the pattern is either adding 2 each time or skipping the next number.

Erica Zippert and Bethany Rittle-Johnson are from the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

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homework and birth DAD MATTERS labour

GOOD JOB! How to help your children with homework— without doing it for them

By Melissa Barnes & Katrina Tour

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DAD MATTERS homework

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DAD MATTERS homework

P

arents are a child’s first and most important teachers.

Parent involvement in their children’s learning can help improve how well they do in school. When it comes to helping kids with homework, however, it’s not so simple.

While it’s important to show support and model learning behaviour, there’s a limit to how much help you can give without robbing your child of the opportunity to learn for herself.

School involvement includes parents participating in events such as parent– teacher conferences and volunteering in the classroom. Home involvement includes parents talking with their child about school, providing encouragement, creating stimulating environments for learning— and finally, helping with homework.

Parents helping a child with homework has been linked to higher levels of motivation and engagement, but lower levels of academic achievement. This suggests too much help may take away from the child’s responsibility for her own learning.

But most children don’t like homework, and many parents agonise over helping their kid with it. Not surprisingly, this creates a negative emotional atmosphere

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that often results in questioning the value of homework.

When it comes to parent involvement, research suggests you should help your child see homework as an opportunity to learn rather than perform. For example, if she needs to create a poster, it’s more valuable she notes the skills she develops while creating the poster rather than making the best looking poster in the class.

Instead of ensuring your child completes the homework, it’s more

effective for you to support your child to increase confidence in completing homework tasks on her own.

HERE ARE FOUR WAYS YOU CAN DO THIS: 1. Praise and encourage your child.

Your positivity will make a difference to your child’s approach to homework and learning in general. Simply, your presence

EDUCATION learning through play

Not just another activity

Intentional playtime has an organic and affirmative influence on a child’s social, physical, mental and emotional development

R

eading and writing, visual representations, audio and kinesthetic are all considered primary learning methods of gaining access to the world of knowledge. Combining all five senses—hearing, touch, sight, smell as well as taste—is nothing short of overwhelming. Play has the ability to incorporate all the above factors.

Many may consider play as ‘just another activity for the children’ or ‘something to keep them busy’—but at Little Scientists, we believe play is an effective tool; a free and healthy environment that allows children to learn through play, breaks all mental and psychological barriers that may cause stress or academic pressure.

Allowing children to actively engage with the world around them, and fuelling their curiosity, develops their physical, emotional and cognitive abilities. Science is all about learning and understanding how the world functions, therefore, increasing the brain’s capacity. Curiosity is formed at birth—and as children navigate through this ‘new world’, they are enabling problem-solving skills. Benefits associated with particular games: developing the child’s language and communication skills, solving problems in the form of puzzles/rubrics cubes etc., as well as motor skills in the form of physical activities that allow children to challenge their bodies.

The first five years of a human life are very important. This is when personalities are formed, habits are developed and, by the age of 7, character traits and attributes are constructed. These first years determine the boundaries to which they will be accustomed, and the behaviours to which they will adhere for the rest of their lives. Introducing constructive play at a young age will provide the child with a set of skills that will remain with them for years to come.

Using accessible and regular

household items is very simple but tremendously effective. Lessons that can be taught through play include taking responsibility of household objects as well as being familiar with their functions. The relevance and importance of science to a child is extremely imperative and the capability to apply scientific understanding to daily activities will equip the child with fundamental skills.

These skills bring forth the opportunity to form new ideas and understand world phenomena.

According to Peter K. Smith and Anthony Pellegrini (Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development, September 2008) in an article titled, “Learning through Play”: “Play is often defined as activity done for its own sake, characterised by means rather than ends (the process is more important that any end point or goal)”.

The emphasis is on the enjoyment of the activity, rather than the outcome.

Whereas with school, lessons, exams, tests etc., the emphasis is placed on

the results and rarely the process. Play aids in building a sense of self-worth and confidence because it is through fun that children become absorbed and passionate in what they are doing.

Intentional playtime has an organic and affirmative influence on a child’s social, physical, mental and emotional development. Play is free, fun and entertaining; children learn and understand concepts in an emancipated manner.

Said Carl Jung, “The creation of something is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.” Play as an experience is pleasant and brings about gratification to children, and play-based learning is very efficient, just as traditionally academic teaching styles are. So bring out the Lego and let’s play!

Article supplied by Little Scientists, an extramural and party entertainment programme for pre-primary and primary school children. Visit www. littlescientists.co.za for further details.

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DAD MATTERS homework

• Put the timeline where your child can see it.

• Encourage your child to mark completed chunks to see the progress made on the task.

4. Make space for homework.

and support creates a positive learning environment. You can still play a role in supporting your child even without understanding the content, and your child will be actively engaged in her learning.

2. Model learning behaviour.

Many teachers model what they’d like their learners to do. So, if your child has a problem she can’t work out, you can sit down and model how you would do it, then complete the next one together and then have her do it on her own.

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3. Create a homework plan.

When your child becomes overly frustrated with her homework, don’t force her.

Instead, together create a plan to best tackle it: • Read and understand the homework task.

• Break the homework task into smaller logical chunks.

• Discuss how much time is required to complete each chunk.

• Work backward from the deadline and create a timeline.

Your ability to support your child’s learning goes beyond homework. You can engage her in discussions, read with her, and provide her with other ongoing learning opportunities such as going to a museum, watching a show on a channel such as Animal Planet or Discovery, or spending time online together doing something educational.

Melissa Barnes and Katrina Tour are both lecturers in the Faculty of Education at Monash University

TheConversation.com

Life is busy. But you can create positive study habits by allocating family time for this. This could mean carving out one hour after dinner for your child to do homework while you engage in a study activity such as reading, rather than watching television and relaxing.

You can also create a comfortable and inviting reading space for the child to learn in.

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PARENTING caregivers

ANOTHER MOTHER How to go about choosing a substitute caregiver for your baby once you’re ready to go back to work

BY SALLY MICHENER 52

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W

hen considering returning to work after your maternity leave, what are your options for substitute care? Is your husband willing and able to share the parenting and provide a nurturing alternative? Do you have a substitute caregiver who’s basically a nurturing and responsive person?

After many mothers come to grips with the agonising reality of dual-career juggling, next comes the search for their care substitutes. The first step is to consider the care options that are feasible in one’s circumstances.

In-home care: Having your baby cared for in your own home is preferable. The advantages of home care are familiar surroundings, familiar toys, the germs that baby has already learnt to live with, no transportation hassles, and your familiarity with the home. Shared care by your spouse is usually best, next comes grandparents or close relatives. Though more costly, a trained nanny, an au pair or live-in help are other options. But once you go beyond the inner circle of family, relatives or intimate friends, a seemingly endless search begins.

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Shared home care: An option for part-timers is sharing child care with a friend. “I’ll mother yours and you mother mine two and a half days a week”—or whatever schedule you work out. This deal brings you the advantage of having a like-minded caregiver and each is motivated to give the other person’s child the level of care they expect for their own.

Friends with the same back-to-work schedule, and mates in your childbirth class, are ready sources.

Home day care (family day care): In this arrangement, baby is cared

for in another mother’s home. Mothers often do home day care to supplement their family’s income and to be home with their own children. The same nurturing priorities that prompted this mother to set up this arrangement may carry over into her care of your baby. You can only be sure of this if you know this person well or have carefully checked out her references.

But this is not so ideal if the care provider piles in kids to the maximum allowable limit, has weak sick-child polices, and is not an attentive person. An ideal rule of thumb is that one caregiver can usually care for one 1-year-old, two 2-year-olds, three 3-year-olds, and so on, which is

modified by the number and ages of her own children. These houses should be licensed and you should be able to see the licence documentation.

Parent co-ops: Four or five mothers of similar values get together and agree to care for one another’s babies in their own homes in rotation. Since one caregiver cannot manage more than two babies under a year, the co-op hires a full-time caregiver as a parent’s assistant. Or several like-minded parents chip in and hire one or two highly qualified and highly paid caregivers to come to one of the houses to look after the babies.

On-site day care: Corporations that value keeping their employed mothers satisfied offer day care at the workplace. If your company doesn’t have this setup, lobby for it.

Commercial day care: In general, day-care centres are not advisable for infants under one year because of too many kids, too few staff members, and the increased chances of contagious illness at a child’s most infection-vulnerable time.

Before you start the search for a specific caregiver, formulate the qualities you

Keep them

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Children love the bear shaped jelly babies

PARENTING caregivers

probing questions: What will you do when baby cries?

How will you comfort him? In your experience, what comforting techniques work best for you? How do you feel about spoiling? In these openers, try to get the person to talk about baby care while you listen and see if you match mindsets. Is she basically a nurturing, sensitive and responsive person?

What would you like to know about my baby? Get a feel for her flexibility. If you have a high-need baby, can she match her giving with baby’s needs? You may need to offer more pay for this kind of baby care.

want—but keep in mind the realistic fact that your clone doesn’t exist! As a starter, consider that you want one substitute parent. Consistency of care is the least you can offer your baby. The same caregiver with the same mindset as yours is idealistic, yes; but it’s a place to begin.

Try the following sources for possible leads: • Baby’s doctor. Paediatricians often have bulletin boards of child-care positions; be sure your doctor knows and recommends the caregiver (although this doesn’t replace your thoroughly checking out this person yourself). The doctor is likely to know mothers who run a mini day-care centre in their own homes, rather than those who will come to yours. Consider putting up you own help-wanted notice on the doctor’s bulletin board.

• Resource and referral agencies. Training in how to find quality care is provided by these agencies. They also maintain a referral list of licensed day-care houses and facilities in your community.

• Your church or other place of worship.

• Your local La Leche League group.

For those of you who have to sift through CVs and conduct interviews trying to decide to whom you’ll entrust your precious baby, here’s how to make the decision process less overwhelming and the selected caregiver less of a stranger:

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Make a list. Before starting the selection process, make a list of questions you need to ask (see below). Put the most important questions at the top, so if the answers aren’t satisfactory you don’t waste time covering your whole list.

Screen first. To save time and fruitless interviewing, ask applicants to send you their CVs and references. Select from these whom to telephone-interview. Begin at the top of your question list and, as you get a phone feel for the person, either complete the list or gracefully terminate the conversation. If uncertain, by all means get a personal interview. Phone interviews, while time-saving and helpful, can be misleading. Beware the person reluctant to provide references—the right caregiver expects to be asked for references.

Your first impressions. First by phone, then face-to-face, impress upon the prospective caregiver how you value substitute care and the importance of her nurturing your baby the way you want your baby mothered. But don’t get too specific, since you want to find out her own nurturing values before you reveal yours, lest she simply parrot what you want to hear.

Besides the usual name, age, address, phone number and so on, try these

How do you feel about holding a baby a lot? What, in your opinion, does a baby this age need most? As you’re getting a feel for her nurturing abilities and her flexibility, you’re also getting a sense of whether you can work with this person and trust your baby with this person. Also, watch how she interacts with your baby during the interview. Is it forced or natural? And how does your baby interact with her?

How will you play with my baby during the day?

How will you handle feeding my baby? If you’re breastfeeding, does she understand the importance of offering your pumped breastmilk?

How will you put my baby to sleep?

If my baby throws a tantrum, how will you handle it? How will she discipline him if he seems defiant?

If, with the first interview, you don’t succeed, keep trying. Remember the importance of making the right match. Be prepared, however, to make some compromises. You will quickly realise the person you want may not exist, and the demand for quality caregivers far exceeds the supply. Keep this in mind when you begin negotiating fees.

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NUTRITION for the family

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NUTRITION for the family

VEG OUT Five surprising benefits of a plant-based diet

By Shireen Kassam

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any of the important benefits of a plant-based diet, particularly for climate health and animals, are well known. Yet, despite the science being very clear, there remains confusion about the impact on human health.

We’ve long known, for example, that a diet centred around whole plant-foods (fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, beans, nuts and seeds) significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and certain cancers. In fact, a low-fat plant-based diet is the only diet to have been shown to actually reverse established coronary artery disease. It’s also been seen to reverse type 2 diabetes, enable effective and sustained weight loss without portion control or exercise, and arrest the progression of early-stage prostate cancer.

Here are five additional benefits of a plant-based diet that may surprise you:

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A low-fat plantbased diet is the only diet to have been shown to actually reverse established coronary artery disease.

many of the hormones active in the brain.

Gut bacteria thrive on fibre, which is only found in whole plant foods. So, it’s no surprise to find that a plant-based diet can benefit mental health.

In one United States study conducted at a large insurance company, participants who were overweight or had a history of type 2 diabetes were either prescribed a low-fat vegan diet or asked to continue their usual diet for 18 weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in mental health, well-being and work productivity in those on the vegan diet, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety.

2. REDUCES ARTHRITIC PAIN

1. IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Diet choices can have a major impact on mood and mental health, and there’s a very good reason for this. Diet affects the health of our gut bacteria, which produce

Osteoarthritis, the painful breakdown of cartilage in the joints, appears to be an inevitable consequence of ageing. It’s not reversible, but manageable—usually with pain medication and sometimes surgery.

So, what role could a plant-based diet play here? One small study looking at the diet’s impact showed a significant improvement in self-reported pain and

NUTRITION for the family

BENEFITS OF PLANT BASED DIETS

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NUTRITION for the family functioning in people with osteoarthritis.

One reason for this could be the antiinflammatory properties of the micronutrients present in plant foods, as inflammation is the main cause of pain in arthritis. Meat-based diets have the opposite effect and, in general, increase the level of inflammation in the body.

TheConversation.com

3. IMPROVES PERIOD PAIN IN WOMEN If a plant-based diet could improve arthritis pain, could it also perhaps improve other types of pain? Some research suggests it could help with period pain in women.

For this study, women swapped to a low-fat vegan diet for two menstrual cycles, and then back to their usual omnivorous diet for their next two. Pain duration and intensity and premenstrual symptoms were recorded and levels of a hormone affecting oestrogen levels were measured.

On the low-fat vegan diet, women reported less pain duration and intensity, shorter duration of premenstrual symptoms, and tests showed a lower level of oestrogen.

People are often surprised to hear diet can impact hormone levels in the body. This study shows exactly that, and how lower oestrogen levels can benefit women’s health in a number of ways.

4. REDUCES THE RISK OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of infection in the general population, with the bacteria Escherichia coli (E coli) often being the culprit. Infection can occur because E coli from the intestine finds its way into the urinary tract. But UTIs can also be caused

by E coli strains commonly found in farm animals such as chickens and pigs, so eating contaminated sources of meat can lead to infection.

Given the link between E coli and UTIs, it may seem obvious that those on a plant-based diet who avoid meat may have a lower risk of infection, but whether this was the case was not known for sure until recent research came out.

The analysis of several studies shows vegetarians have a 16% lower risk of UTIs

compared to non-vegetarians. This confirms previous data suggesting meat-borne bacteria are a major contributor to the risk of UTIs. Increasingly, these food-borne bacteria are displaying antibiotic resistance.

5. SAVES ON HOSPITAL COSTS So, if those following a healthy plant-based diet have a lower risk of ill-health, then surely this will save on health costs.

In a large Taiwanese study, vegetarians were found to have a lower rate of outpatient visits, which translated into a 13% lower outpatient expenditure and a 15% lower total medical expenditure.

Plant-based diets not only have the potential to dramatically improve human and planetary health, but could have significant benefits for the health of the economy as well.

Shireen Kassam is a visiting professor at the Health and Wellbeing Research Group, University of Winchester

Superfoods for a healthy human race Seeds, flours, grains, speciality ingredients and spices.

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Popcorn

RECIPES what’s for dinner?

G O O D E AT S

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean your diet needs to be boring. Check out these delicious, nutritious and deceptively simple recipes from Izelle Hoffman’s new cookbook

Izelle Hoffman is on a mission to change perceptions about food and to increase awareness of the benefits of eating the right foods and choosing a life of health and wellness. Packed with recipes for energising breakfasts, quick weekday meals, sweet baked goodies, classics with a healthy (Izelle-approved) twist and family favourites, among others, Mindful Eating is more than a cookbook—it’s an inspirational and motivational guide to leading a healthy lifestyle through good eating.

Quick and Easy Heavenly Hake Fillets Serves 4 • 800g frozen hake fillets • 1 tsp Oryx desert salt • 1 tsp paprika • ½ tsp harissa powder, or pinch of chilli flakes • 1 tsp dried parsley • 1 red onion, diced • 1 Tbsp olive oil • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnishing 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and spray a roasting tray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Place the frozen hake fillets on the tray and bake for 10 minutes.

3. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the fish first with the salt, then with the paprika, harissa (or chilli flakes) and parsley, respectively.

4. Scatter the onion over the hake fillets and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.

5. Remove from the oven, drizzle with the olive oil and then bake for another 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

6. Serve garnished with chopped fresh parsley. The fish can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

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Tip

You may also use fresh hake fillets. If you do, skip step 2.

RECIPES what’s for dinner?

Sesame-crusted Aubergine Steaks with Pomegranate and Wild Rocket Serves 4 • 1 large or 2 medium aubergines • ¼ cup olive oil • 1 heaped tsp paprika • ¼ cup raw honey • 1 tsp Oryx desert salt • ½ tsp ground black pepper • 2 heaped Tbsp sesame seeds • 100g baby spinach • 1 Tbsp almond flour • 15g wild rocket • 80g pomegranate rubies

1. Cut the aubergines into steaks about 1.5cm thick.

2. Combine the olive oil, paprika, honey, salt and black pepper in a large bowl.

Add the aubergine steaks and allow them to absorb the marinade.

3. Coat the marinated aubergine steaks in the sesame seeds before cooking.

4. Heat a large frying pan until very hot and fry the sesame-coated aubergine steaks on both sides until golden brown.

5. Place the baby spinach on the bottom of a serving dish. Place the fried aubergine steaks on top, sprinkle with the almond flour and garnish with the wild rocket and pomegranate rubies.

Serve immediately.

Tip

Ideal for meat-free Mondays, served with quinoa.

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RECIPES what’s for dinner?

Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies Makes 12 • 1kg sweet potato, peeled and chopped • 100g almond flour • 2 heaped Tbsp raw cacao powder • 5 Tbsp raw honey • 2 tsp vanilla essence • 2 tsp caramel essence • 1 tsp Oryx desert salt • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 4 whole eggs • 4 egg whites For the icing: • 300g almond or macadamia butter • 5 Tbsp raw honey • 1 heaped Tbsp raw cacao powder • pinch of Oryx desert salt • 1 tsp caramel essence

Tip

For the topping: • F laked almonds (or pecans, hazelnuts or macadamias, or chopped dates and a grind of Oryx desert salt) • Raw honey 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and spray a 20 x 30cm ovenproof dish with non-stick cooking spray, or line it with baking paper.

2. Steam the sweet potato until soft, drain and place in a mixing bowl.

Mash until smooth.

3. Add the almond flour, cacao powder, honey, vanilla essence, caramel essence, salt and bicarbonate of soda.

Beat to an even texture.

4. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the whole eggs and egg whites until fluffy—this is important, as it

influences the texture of the brownie.

Add the beaten eggs to the sweet potato mixture and continue beating to a mousse-like texture.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30 minutes.

6. To make the icing, mix all the ingredients until smooth.

7. After 30 minutes, remove the brownie from the oven and spread with the icing. Sprinkle over flaked almonds, drizzle with honey and dust with cacao powder.

8. Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes. Allow to cool in the dish before cutting into squares.

Garnish with fresh mint before serving, if desired. As these are very moist, it’s best to store them in the fridge.

Most irresistible after 2 days in the fridge, or straight from the oven.

Recipes and images from “Mindful Eating” by Izelle Hoffman (R350). Published by Struik Lifestyle, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2020. Used by permission.

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Fre

h s

r u i s o n h s t g h e body g e

www.nulaid.co.za

DECOR nursery

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DECOR nursery

ESSENTIALS

O N LY Which indispensable baby nursery items should be on your checklist?

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f I could go back in time, I would’ve become a wedding planner—or someone who decorates nurseries for expecting moms. Why? Because there are two events in a woman’s life where she goes above and beyond a rational budget: her wedding and her baby’s arrival.

While it’s possible to reduce newborn baby costs, nurseries can become very expensive. Anxious and excited new moms often want to make sure their child has two of everything that stores suggest should be in the nursery. Purchases often become more emotional than logical.

To figure out the crucial elements of a nursery, let’s begin by understanding who it’s really for: the mother. By the time your baby becomes a toddler, the nursery has to transform to what’s required for a child that age. All that occupies the nursery is temporary. The nursery is really for the mother because each item in the room is meant for her comfort: either physically, mentally or emotionally.

So, what should you buy for your nursery?

important.

A factor to note before purchasing a crib is the visibility. More than half the cribs available today have sides that are closed off. Make sure you choose one that’s barred and visible on all four sides so you don’t have to go to the nursery every five minutes to make sure baby’s well.

CRIB

MATTRESS

A crib, before all else, must be safe. It’s where a newborn will spend most of his or her time. According to BabyCenter.com, newborns can sleep 16 to 17 hours a day (67% of their day), so a good crib is

Organic versus foam versus waterproof seems to be a big debate when it comes to mattresses. Pick one that you think is best for your child e.g. one that’s hypoallergenic.

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WATERPROOF MATTRESS COVER Not only does the crib need a waterproof mattress cover, but your bed probably does as well if your baby spends any time on it.

There are countless inevitable spit-ups and blow-outs with infants. To save yourself time in the wee hours of the night, cover your mattress with a waterproof cover so that all you have to do is change the cover, instead of having to change and wash the mattress itself.

CRIB SHEET When it comes to fabric and linens, there’s

DECOR nursery

a clear distinction in quality. Dependable and affordable—these are adjectives you want in all your baby-related products.

NURSING CHAIR AND PILLOW

www.moneycrashers.com

A nursing chair can be any chair that allows you to sit down and feed your baby comfortably. Ideally, this chair allows you to lean, rock, swivel, and put your feet up.

A newborn will feed every hour, if not more, so make sure your seat’s as agreeable as possible.

A nursing pillow is important as well.

When nursing your baby, his head needs to be propped up in order to avoid indigestion and gas. Trying to support baby in this position without a pillow will lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A Boppy Pillow can be used for nursing but also for tummy time exercises; and when the time comes, it serves also as a seat rest for baby to sit up.

DRAWERS AND DRESSERS Babies, although small, have a lot of clothing because they require changing about three times a day. This means closet space is necessary. I suggest getting a drawer or dresser for your baby which will house all the clothes, washcloths, bibs, socks, mittens and hats they’ll need. A drawer or dresser can also be used as a

surface for a changing pad kit, so there’s no need for a separate changing table.

NAPPIES, WIPES AND CLOTHES The basic necessities of nappies, wipes, onesies, socks and mittens are needed in the beginning of a child’s life. This is the most sensitive period of baby’s life, so choose the mildest options.

There are plenty of items to be purchased once a baby’s born, and it all begins with the maternity bag you brought to the hospital when your water broke. But keep in mind that there are more dispensable items than not: You can do without things like crib bumpers, changing tables, mobiles, toys and nappy pails/ disposal systems.

The money saved from making extraneous purchases can be better spent on things to help you during baby’s first few months, such as cleaning and food delivery services.

Instead of labelling herself a “stay-at-home mom”, Yoojin Lee utilises her education, experience and skill sets to learn how to be a resourceful mother and wife while striving to pave a career for herself as well.

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LEISURE travel

A WHOLE NEW WORLD New cultures, new experiences: 4 ways to keep kids learning while travelling

By Florence Monique Boulard

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f you’re planning an overseas trip with your family once the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is finally behind us, you’re in for many benefits. Research shows travel has a positive impact on mental and physical health—and family relationships.

Travel is also an educational opportunity. It’s a rich experience seeing different parts of the world and understanding other cultures. And there are several things you can do to support your children’s learning.

HOW TRAVEL EDUCATES The way children learn while travelling is in many respects comparable to what educational researchers call play-based learning. Play-based learning and travel stimulate children’s minds by boosting their creativity and imagination. Both can also help develop social and emotional skills and encourage language development.

Travelling exposes children to new scenarios and problems to solve, such as following a certain route on a map. They explore new food, encounter people

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communicating in a different language, notice cars driving on the opposite side of the road, and billboards showcasing products they haven’t seen before.

All their senses are challenged as they go through these new experiences.

New experiences can provoke some anxiety, which is what sociologist and education professor Jack Mezirow refers to as “disorientating dilemmas”. He argues such dilemmas are the first step to transformative learning, where the learner’s existing assumptions are challenged and beliefs transformed.

Although Mezirow often associates transformation with elements of life crises, others suggest transformative learning can happen in different contexts, most notably travel.

But transformative learning usually comes at an emotional cost, such as a change of routine that can lead to mixed emotions, especially for children. This is why travelling as a family provides a buffer, as it often promotes a safe environment.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Some of the richest learning, for a child, can be disguised as exploration and

adventure. Parents can maximise such learning during travel by subtly incorporating intentional teaching to the experience, just as educators do in play-based learning scenarios.

Here are some ways to do this: 1. Do some pre-reading about the destination.

This will help you identify where and how learning may occur. You may also engage your children in this. Say you’re going on a cruise to the South Pacific. Prior to departing, you may look at a map of the Pacific with your children to identify the various islands located in this part of the world.

You could also encourage your children to discover the special landmarks of different places using Google Earth. Such activities will support the development of your children’s prediction skills. This helps children anticipate future experiences, which increases their intellectual involvement with them.

Educational research has shown the act of predicting strengthens connections between children’s new knowledge and their existing understanding of the world.

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LEISURE travel

2. Learn some of the language together.

Learning even a little of the local language will open up aspects of the culture you might not have otherwise experienced.

Together with your children, you can start learning the basics of the new language by downloading some interactive language apps. Another fun way to expand your vocabulary and improve your pronunciation is by singing songs in the target language.

Knowing a bit of the local language is

a demonstration of respect, which means people are more likely to open up to you—further supporting learning opportunities.

3. Model an inquiring mind.

By asking and responding to questions with your children, you’re encouraging new knowledge and helping them engage in critical and creative thinking.

For example, when you’re walking down the street of the city you’re visiting, encourage your children to take notice of

what’s going on around them and engage in open-ended questions such as: “How does this supermarket compare to the one we normally go to back home?” or “Why do you think the houses are built that way?”

4. Throw in a little reflection at the end of each day.

Travel will provide so many learning experiences, you’ll need to allow time for your child to pause and make sense of them. Any teacher will tell you reflecting is often when the deep connections are made between new experiences and existing world views.

Some children will reflect of their own accord, but establishing a routine of doing this together will make sure it happens.

The traditional travel diary is still a great tool to engage in self-reflection. Others may enjoy looking at photos taken and reflect on the day through family conversations.

Learning is a life-long journey that extends well beyond the walls of the traditional classroom. By planning for just a little intentional teaching, you can help your children learn to think critically about and appreciate the world around them.

Florence Monique Boulard is a senior lecturer at the College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University. This article first appeared on TheConversation.com.

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THE SEA AT ITS MOST

WELCOMING

On an MSC Cruise, we welcome you on board with a never-ending aspiration to satisfy our guests’ every need and deliver a truly unforgettable holiday experience. All of our staff are highly trained and focused on providing world-class service, all for your benefit. We welcome people from around the world and are dedicated to creating a richness of experiene for our guests that is personal, yet considered.

For more information, visit msccruises.co.za

CASUAL cool

BEST BUYS fashion

Here’s some maternity style inspo from celebrities who knew how to throw together a winning outfit during their pregnancy

C

heck out the Insta-worthy casual ensembles of these celebs who rocked the streets with their well-styled preggy bellies —who says you can’t be stylish running a quick errand?

MILA KUNIS – LAIDBACK AND LOVIN’ IT

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1

Striped sweater, cropped jeans and white sneakers: the perfect outfit for those ‘roll-out-of-bed’ weekends.

1. M aternity Nursing Top in Ecru, Next Online (R298) 2. Maternity Boyfriend Jeans in Mid Blue, Next Online (R434) 3. Beverly Pin-punched PU Jogger Sneakers, Soviet at Zando (R379) 3

Rosie Huntington-Whitely – Model maternity Simple yet chic, elevate a monochrome dress with eye-catching accessories.

1. Jersey Dress in Black, Cherry Melon at Zando (R549) 2. Stud Detail Gladiator-style Sandal in Black, Ravel at Next Online (R1 131) 3. Chelsea Tote Bag in Tan, Fiorelli at Next Online (R1 414)

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Candice Swanepoel – Ready to ride

The biker look works well in pregnancy, too. Those boots are made for walking!

3

1. Gauge Long Sleeve Flattering Wrap Top in Black, Cherry Melon at Zando (R329) 2. Maternity Over-the-Bump Denim Leggings in Dark Blue, Next Online (R353) 3. Biker Jacket in Black, OBR at Truworths (R799) 4. Pearl-trim Strap Stud Sole Biker Boot, Missguided at Next Online (R543) 2

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KATE MIDDLETON – FIT FOR A ROYAL The duchess of maternity style is a pro at dressing up for special soirées, but also at making simple outfits shine.

3

1. B asic Leggings in Black, Cherry Melon at Zando (R349) 2. Smock Detail Top in Black, Chery Melon at Zando (R279) 3. Utility Jacket in Fatigue, TRS at Truworths (R775) 4. Rainer Boot in Brown, Miss Black at Superbalist (R849) 1 2

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KERI RUSSELL – OFF DUTY, ON POINT It’s easy to put together this casual look when making a turn at the stores or even meeting the gals for brunch. A trench coat adds just the right amount of chic.

3

Nicky Hilton – Cool and comfy

1

Aaah, the oh-so-feminine floral maxi dress… not only comfortable but super stylish, too.

Some colourful accessories will round off your breezy outfit perfectl 1. Nursing-friendly Wrap Dress in Red, Foxy Mama at Zando (R1 075) 2. Elevated Plaited Sandals in Brown, Lipsy at Next Online (R417) 3. Pocket Messenger Bag in Light Blue, Next Online (R321) 4. Sterling Silver Jewelled Pully Bracelet, Next Online (R289) 4

2 3 STOCKISTS Mango Online shop.mango.com/za • Next Online www.nextdirect.com/za • Superbalist superbalist.com • Truworths www.truworths.co.za • Zando www.zando.co.za Prices correct at time of print

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Photographs of Kate, Rosie and Candice appeared on www.harpersbazaar.com. Photographs of Keri, Mila and Nicky appeared on www.whowhatwear.com.

1. S tripe Maternity Jersey Dress in Mint, Next Online (R217) 2. Classic Cotton Trench Coat in Beige, Mango Online (R1 399) 3. Jenna Low-rise Sneaker in Ecru, Cotton On at 4 Superbalist (R349) 4. Reusable Canvas Bag-for-Life in Zebra Print, Next Online (R80)

PSFA_M+Cmag_277x190_PrintAd_tweaked_PrintReady.pdf

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BEST BUYS beauty

IN THE BAG

We’ve come across these new trending products—and they work a charm!

NATURALS BEAUTY LIP BALM (R52) Plump up, pucker up, and put on your best ever pout with this range of natural lip balms made with soothing ingredients such as sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, avocado butter and beeswax. Choose from Lemon Bliss (to moisturise and heal), Coconut Mint (to hydrate) and Tea Tree (to relieve chapped lips). naturalsbeauty.co.za

Estée Lauder Beautiful Belle (from R1 065)

Hello, lovely lady! Enchant everyone around you with the mesmerising scents of litchi, mimosa, rose, orange, gardenia and marzipan. The fragrance is romantic and carefree, and so very feminine. Beautiful, indeed.

Woolworths.co.za, www.foschiniforbeauty.co.za

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Pregnancy (from R830)

Containing no vitamin A, this is the alpha hydroxy acid peel of choice for nursing mothers, pregnant women, or women trying to get pregnant. Enjoy spa-grade exfoliation in the comfort of your own bathroom— correct the appearance of dark spots and discolouration, zap blemishes, and reveal a visibly brighter complexion. Organic aloe and glycerine will ensure your skin stays well hydrated, too. www.faithful-to-nature.co.za, juicebeauty.com

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L’Oréal Paris Ultra Matte Les Macarons Liquid Lipstick (R155)

Ooh la la, lipstick infused with almond, vanilla and cream— just like a yummy macaron! Available in eight gorgeous matt colours that provide full coverage and which won’t smudge, you’ll be able to get one to match each of your favourite outfits. From Mon Caramel to Framboise Frenzy, c’est très bon! superbalist.com, www.foschiniforbeauty.co.za

BEST BUYS beauty

Nature Box Shampoo and Conditioner (from R100)

This range contains cold-pressed natural oils (from fruits and nuts) that have retained all their essential nutrients, antioxidants, healthy fatty acids and vitamins. This means Nature Box shampoos and conditioners are highly effective in providing moisture and nourishment to your hair. What’s more, the products are free from sulphates, silicone, parabens and artificial colourants. Take your pick from Apricot, Pomegranate, Almond, Macadamia, Coconut and Avocado. takealot.com, clicks.co.za

STILA Lingerie Soufflé Skin Perfecting Primer (R580)

So luxurious, so opulent—yet lightweight and non-tacky. This multifunction gel formula smooths your skin and blurs imperfections, while rendering an illuminating (Sheer Illumination) or bronzing (Sun-Kissed) finish. And with its natural botanicals and over 70% water, it’ll leave your face feeling wonderfully refreshed, all day. www.woolworths.co.za, superbalist.com

AFRICAN BLISS 100% NATURAL SOAP (R37) These natural glycerine soaps are proudly made by a family on their little farm in the Kouga Mountains. The soap bars contain only ‘the good stuff’—gentle on both your skin and the environment, and packed with beneficial ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, chamomile, rooibos, fynbos and others. Support South African! www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

Glamglow EYEBOOST Reviving Eye Mask (from R125)

Resembles a masquerade ball mask, doesn’t it? But the party’s for your eyes: a boost of hyaluronic acid for instant hydration, plus skinsmoothing algae and mushroom extracts to reduce the appearance of dry, fine lines. The shape of the mask ensures the entire eye area is revitalised and energised. No need to hide your peepers anymore. superbalist.com, www.foschiniforbeauty.co.za

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BEST BUYS for baby

O U R FAVO U R I T E T H I N G S A pick of the latest quality must-have products for your little one

MUSSI CUSKI MUSLIN BABY COMFORTER (R345) Your baby will just fall in love with the Mussi Cuski! The 100% bamboo muslin comforter is super-soft and designed to soothe, calm and reassure you and your precious babe. Simply sleep with the Mussi Cuski or keep it next to your skin (or dad’s) for at least a few days to pick up all those comforting smells, then introduce it to baby. www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

TOMMEE TIPPEE SLEEPEE MOSES BASKET (R2 299, OR R1 899 WITHOUT THE STAND) This innovative Moses basket is easy to move around your home for baby’s daytime naps and provides a safe, comfortable space for a good night’s sleep beside your bed or in the nursery. Gently rock baby to sleep any time by placing the Sleepee on the optional rocking stand— it’s really quiet, so no more creaking or squeaking.

And inside, there’s a comfy mattress with air-permeable filling to help regulate baby’s temperature, and a fitted cover and liner made from 100% soft washable cotton.

When baby sleeps well, you all get some much-needed rest!

Baby City stores nationwide, various independent retailers and online from takealot.com

TOMMEE TIPPEE ULTRA LIGHT SOFT ONEPIECE SILICONE SOOTHER (R139.99) Little mouths don’t always hold onto heavy soothers. This new soother, which is 40% lighter than other Tommee Tippee soothers, is light enough to stay put—helping baby (and mommy) stay calm for longer. What’s more, the soother moves and flexes just like your breast, and curves around sensitive cheeks and noses to help prevent skin irritations and rashes.

Available for 0–6 months and 6–18 months.

Baby City stores nationwide

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STEPHEN JOSEPH HOODED BATH TOWEL AND BATH MITT SET (R699) So cute and so clean! Wrap baby up in this soft, 100% cotton hooded towel for a gentle dry after a bath using the matching cotton mitt. Not only is the mitt a durable washcloth but it doubles as a puppet and toy to make baby’s bathtime playtime. takealot.com

MATCHSTICK MONKEY TEETHER (FROM R189) Soothe your baby’s sore gums and take care of his new teeth with the multiple award-winning Matchstick Monkey Teether. There’s one for every teething stage, with a variety of textures and specially designed to help your little one through the discomfort. Safe, functional and fun—no monkey business! takealot.com

NATRALOE BABY PRODUCTS (FROM R75) These baby care products are manufactured with certified organic aloe ferox gel, right here in South Africa. Aloe ferox has the unique ability to transport moisture, nourishment, soothing and healing qualities to below the epidermis to hydrate dry skin. Plus, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Try out the whole range: Baby Bum Balm, Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Bubble Bath, Baby Oil and Baby Lotion. natraloe.co.za

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BEST BUYS for toddlers

GROWING UP FAST! Here are a few nifty products for mommy’s big girl and big boy TRUNKI’S SKYE THE SPACESHIP (R1 199) It’s time for lift-off with Trunki’s new glow-inthe-dark ride-on suitcase for kids. Skye comes with a free sticker pack, awesome glittery horns, an 18-litre capacity, a comfy saddle and teddy bear seat belt. And, as always, a five-year guarantee.

Toy Zone, selected Kids Emporium stores, and online from trunki-sa.co.za and takealot.com

Especially now during this time of the coronavirus, it’s good to teach your little ones about hygiene and regular handwashing. This antibacterial hand wash contains organic rooibos leaf extract that’s not only full of healing antioxidants but is also gentle enough on young skin. And the fresh citrus aroma is pleasing to sensitive little noses. www.purebeginnings.co.za

KIDDIEKIX SWEET DREAMS BATH SPRINKLES (R60) Get your toddler ready for a blissful night’s sleep with this soothing Epsom salt and bicarb blend. The salts are delicately fragranced with pure essential oils of lavender, passionflower and Cape chamomile to both soften your child’s skin and relax her mind before bedtime. www.kiddiekix.co.za

SIMBA ABC ANIMAL KEYBOARD (R297) Young musicians will have lots of fun with this keyboard that promotes hearing, sense of rhythm and motor skills. In addition to the numerous melodies, toddlers can press the animal buttons to learn their sounds. Your little Mozart will also be able to ‘compose’ his own pieces, which you can record. Suitable for 3 years and older.

Loot.co.za

HAPPY TOT SUPER SMART (R47) The Happy Tot Super Smart range of organic fruit and veggie blends contains DHA (Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids) and choline to support brain health. The two variants are: Bananas, Mangos & Spinach and Bananas, Beets & Strawberries. The easy-squeezy pouches are perfect for little hands, too.

Selected Clicks, Spar, Pick n Pay, Baby Boom, Baby City and Dis-Chem stores, and online at takealot.com, Loot.co.za and www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

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PURE BEGINNINGS FUN TIME HAND WASH (R64.95)

ELLA & ZIGGY MAGNETIC BOARDS (R285 EACH) These cute magnetic boards include a range of fun games for children to use their creativity while learning about the alphabet, the concept of time, weather, planning, calculation, shapes and so much more. The boards also include a weekly timetable and various reward charts to help parents stay organised and keep your little ones motivated.

Toy Zone, selected Clicks stores and online from charleysboxes.com and Loot.co.za

Globally the Most Advanced ‘Evidence Based’ Probiotic Range Adult Acidophilus & Bifidus – 25 Billion • 25 billion ProVen Probiotics per two capsules for treatment and only one taken for maintenance • Research-backed friendly bacteria for adults aged 16 and over.

• Proven to colonise the human intestine.

• Our digestive system is central to supporting our health - also contains key nutrients to support digestion (calcium) and immunity (vitamins C and D, zinc and selenium).

• Shown to help with bloating, IBS and supporting the gut alongside/following antibiotics.

• 80% of our immune system exists in our GI tract and gut, Taking probiotics is the best tool to manipulate the Microbiome and ensure strong immune health.

• All Proven Probiotics have a guaranteed shelf life of 18 months at room temperature.

Acidophilus & Bifidus with A-Z Multivitamins for Children • Developed specifically to help maintain immune function and general wellbeing in children aged 4 to 16.

• ProVen Probiotics plus Multivitamins for Children is unique in providing a combination of 100% of the recommended daily allowance of all 13 essential vitamins, together with 2.5 billion Lab4 friendly bacteria - all in one tasty chewable blackcurrant tablet developed specifically for children.

• Helps to support immune health and intestinal function.

• Reduces coughs and colds, visits to the doctor and absenteeism.

ProVen Probiotics for Women – with Cranberry and Vitamin B6 • 17.5 billion female-friendly bacteria per capsule.

• Developed specifically for women.

• Contains Lab4 friendly bacteria together with a special strain of bacteria, Lactobacillus gasseri, which is a normal part of the vaginal flora.

• Also contains cranberry and vitamin B6 to provide specific support for women’s health.

50 Billion – ShapeLine

Featured in Britain’s Daily Mail Good Health sections as “the magic pill”

• 50 billion Lab4P Probiotics per capsule.

• Proven through the largest and most extensive clinical trials, Shapeline is the first ever probiotic to offer scientifically proven weight loss, loss in waist circumference and BMI alongside other health benefits such as a reduction in respiratory tract infections, headaches and lowering of LDL cholesterol, etcetera.

• Contains Lab4, the most researched group of friendly bacteria in the UK. • Plus Lactobacillus plantarum, an additional strain of live bacteria.

• With vitamins C and D and zinc to support immunity.

• The World’s ‘Most Effective Probiotic’ which also has weight management capabilities.

All products are available on-line from www.provenprobiotics.co.za and at Clicks and Dischem stores.

BEST BUYS for moms

EASY DOES IT Novel products to give mummies a helping hand

TOMMEE TIPPEE MADE FOR ME SINGLE SILICONE BREAST PUMP (R279.99) Use this fantastic multitasker to express milk, catch let-down milk when feeding from the opposite breast, or provide relief for milk-filled breasts. It’s super gentle, hands-free, simple and compact, with clear measurements to help you monitor your milk flow. Also included is a nifty Travel & Microwave Steriliser Bag that stores your breast pump, bottle or other baby feeding items in a sterile environment on the go; then once used (up to 30 times), everything can be carried back home safely and easily—no more crying over spilt milk!

Baby City, Pick n Pay, independent retailers and online from takealot.com and Jumia

NRF CALMAG FIZZY (AROUND R55)

NATRACARE NURSING PADS (R75) Wonderfully soft and perfectly shaped, these disposable nursing pads will keep your skin and bra dry between breastfeeds. Because they’re naturally breathable, the pads will also keep your delicate nipples (and baby’s milk) free from harmful residues.

Selected health stores and pharmacies, www.faithful-to-nature.co.za, www.wellnesswarehouse.co.za

The new NRF CalMag Fizzy with added vitamin D is a lime-flavoured effervescent tablet which, when dissolved in water, is easily absorbed by the body. It’s suitable for the most sensitive of digestive systems and can be taken before, during and after pregnancy to ensure your developing baby receives enough calcium.

Dis-Chem, Clicks, independent pharmacies

BADGER PREGNANT BELLY OIL (R360) Gently rub this organic moisturising oil onto your growing belly to soothe and pamper tight skin and minimise stretch marks. It can also be used after pregnancy to hydrate your skin and improve elasticity.

And with its heady rose and vanilla scent, it makes a wonderful massage oil, especially on those days when you need a little pick-me-up. www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

KROKO WARTFIX (R116)

TUMMY TIE (R175) The award-winning Tummy Tie is a simple elasticised strip that’s fastened to your clothes using the existing button and buttonhole, to allow you to continue wearing your ordinary, non-maternity clothes comfortably throughout pregnancy and post-pregnancy.

The elastic expands with your waistline without restricting you or causing any discomfort. Simple, discreet, effective and saves you money—now that’s a winner! takealot.com, Loot.co.za, ecobaby.co.za

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Does your child suffer from warts—those irritating and unsightly growths caused by the human papilloma virus?

Well, now you can deal with them at home, safely and effectively. When applied and once dry, Kroko WartFix forms a protective covering that won’t wash off while it acts on removing warts.

No pain and no stress.

Clicks, Dis-Chem, independent pharmacies

Renewable. Recyclable.

And part of your day.

Paper has a place in every part of our lives, and every room in our homes. It serves some basic needs.

It packages and protects. And it even gives us down-time through books or our favourite magazine.

In South Africa, paper is ma de from the wood of sustainably grown trees on special farms called plantations. When the tre es are harvested, new baby trees – saplings – are planted in their place. This makes paper and wood products RENEWABLE.

Used paper and cardboard is also made into new products that we use everyday like toilet paper, tissues, newspaper and cardboard boxes.

Lots on the go?

Why not download, print and try our handy printables and planners? You will also find some activity pages to keep the kids busy while you enjoy a cup of tea and plan your week.

This is called recycling.

PAPER SCAVENGER HUNT

Word Search

How many of these things can you find around your house? They are all types of paper.

Book Magazine Brown cardboard box Sacks (potato, sugar, flour)

FOR THE

Kids

Newspaper Toilet roll Serviettes Cereal box Milk carton Label on a jar

Can you find these words?

www.thepaperstory.co.za

@paperrocksza

Bag Carton Paper Schoolbook

Book Cup Plantation Tissue

Box Magazine Recycle Tree

Cardboard Newspaper Renewable Wood

LEISURE reading

We love

BOOKS A book of rhymes, two thrillers, a dystopian suspense and a wellness journal are among this quarter’s new reads

20 TH VICTIM BY JAMES PATTERSON (R290)

All the Love in the World by Tammy Salzano & Lucy Fleming (R150)

The latest instalment in the Women’s Murder Club series. Simultaneous murders hit LA, Chicago and San Francisco. SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer is tasked with uncovering what links these precise and calculated killings. She discovers the victims all excel in lucrative, criminal activity. As the casualty list expands, fear and fascination with this shocking spree provoke debate across the country.

Are the killers villains or heroes? And who’ll be next?

“You are my joy, my little one—my brightest shining star. This world of ours is full of love because of who you are!” Tell your little one just how much you treasure them with this touching, tender book of rhyme.

THE SILENT TREATMENT BY ABBIE GREAVES (R290) Frank hasn’t spoken to his wife Maggie for six months. For weeks they’ve lived under the same roof, slept in the same bed and eaten at the same table—all without words. Maggie has plenty of ideas as to why her husband has gone quiet, but it’ll take another heartbreaking turn of events before Frank finally starts to unravel the secrets that have silenced him. Is this where their story ends? Or is it where it begins?

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7 Things that Make or Break a Relationship by Paul McKenna (R320) Do you want a happy, fulfilling relationship? Do you want a wonderful future with your partner? Drawn from decades of scientific research, the system in this book includes downloadable audio and video techniques—everything McKenna would do in personal sessions with you on relationships. The powerful processes provide the answers for anyone who wishes they could make their relationships last, and who wants them to get better and better.

Close-up shots SelямБes Automatic Exposure

SKY BLUE

CHARCOAL GRAY

BLUSH PINK instaxa

LILAC PURPLE

#DontJustTakeGive

ICE WHITE

LEISURE reading

Yoga for Giraffes

by Carly Tod (R95)

THE BOY FROM THE WOODS BY HARLAN COBEN (R355) Thirty years ago, a child was found in the New Jersey backwoods.

Living a feral existence and with no memory of his past, the locals just called him “Wilde”. Now a former soldier and security expert, Wilde lives off the grid, shunned by the community—until they need him. A child has gone missing. No one seems concerned except for a criminal attorney, who contacts Wilde and asks him to use his unique skills to find the girl. A human finger shows up in the post. And now Wilde knows this is no game.

Yoga? For giraffes? With enough hard work and a good imagination, anything’s possible, as Sindile the giraffe discovers. When he stumbles across a human yoga class under way at a game lodge, he decides to master the skill as well. Written in rhyming verse, this entertaining book not only teaches kids the benefits of perseverance, but also promotes an interest in health and well-being.

The Well Journal by Mia Rigden (R305) Whether your goal is increased energy and productivity, improved mood, weight loss, or simply eating more vegetables, being mindful of and logging what you eat will consistently deliver the results you want. With space to track meals, sleep, exercise, mindfulness practices, and how you feel, this journal will help you connect the dots between your diet and the other aspects of your well-being so that you can create a kinder, more loving relationship with yourself.

AFTERLAND BY LAUREN BEUKES (R290) Twelve-year-old Miles is one of the lucky survivors of a global pandemic that killed off most of the men. But that makes him a hot commodity. The Department of Men wants to lock him away in quarantine. A sinister cult of neon nuns wants to claim him for its own. And boy traffickers are close on their heels, thanks to his mom’s ruthless sister, whom they thought dead. In a desperate chase across a radically changed America, his mother will do whatever it takes to get Miles to safety.

All books published by Penguin Random House

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JAM South Africa is determined to provide aid to vulnerable children and their families, those that run the greatest risk of exposure to the Coronavirus and its after-effects.

With your assistance, we can provide for the many that are suffering right now - join the JAM SA Community of Hope and donate towards our efforts.

R50 can feed a child PER MONTH

R400 can feed a family

PLEASE DONATE TO HELP US IN THIS FIGHT! jamsa.co.za

Protect your family against worms On their journeys they’ll build tree houses, dig for treasures and maybe catch worms.

SMS your name to 45195 for your reminder to deworm every six months.

SMS cost R1

Speak to your pharmacist about the VERMOX solution for you and your family.

LITE-KEM PHARMACY

OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR

MON-FRI: 8AM - 11PM SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 9AM - 11PM 021 461 8040 WWW.LITEKEM.CO.ZA

MAGNETIC FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Magwall magnetic paint transforms wall and other surfaces into magnetic receptive surfaces. Magwall has a range of exciting magnetic products.

Start a subscription with Mother & Child and you could WIN MAGWALL PRODUCTS TO THE VALUE OF R1000 Magnetic paint 1 litre • Magnetic shapes (63 pieces) • Magnetic puzzle •Magnetic paper A4 10 sheets

Interactive fun games for the kids – puzzles, shapes, animals, sea life, transport, dominoes, alphabets and numbers.

For mom and dad: Memory / photo walls using magnetic paper. Write & wipe planners and whiteboards

www.magwall.co.za / mike@magwall.co.za / 082 323 4442

SUBSCRIBING IS EASY Please send my one-year subscription (6 issues a year) for R175 (including VAT) to: First name: _______________________________________

Surname: _____________________________________

Postal address: ______________________________________________________________ Postal code: ________________ Daytime tel: ______________________________ Cell: _____________________________ Email: ___________________________________ Email proof of payment to benita@avengmedia.co.za Aveng Media (PTY) Ltd | Account type: Business | First National Bank | Acc no: 62606370104 | Branch code: 250655

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THE BONITAS

Maternity Programme

The Bonitas Maternity Programme has been developed to provide pregnant mothers with multiple levels of support during their pregnancy.

Pregnant mothers can look forward to the following features:

24/7 MATERNITY HEALTH ADVICE LINE

DEDICATED CLINICAL CARE ADVISORS

ONLINE ANTENATAL CLASSES

WEEKLY STAGE APPROPRIATE SMSs

WEB CONTENT

PREGNANCY EDUCATION EMAILS

Should you have any health-related queries during your pregnancy, you can call the 24/7 Maternity Health Advice line on 087 056 9888 or on 087 056 9890.

During your pregnancy, you’ll receive a weekly SMS, appropriate to the specific stage of your pregnancy.

A maternity nurse/midwife will call you at certain key stages throughout your pregnancy with support and advice.

On the Bonitas website, you’ll be able to find a series of articles regarding common health issues during pregnancy.

BONITAS BABY BAG

We give all pregnant members a beautiful baby bag to congratulate you on the arrival of your bundle of joy. The baby bag is packed with goodies for you and your new-born.

DIGITAL WEBINARS AND EVENTS

Twice a month there will be digital webinars and region specific online events that will cover various aspects of maternity and baby care.

BABYLINE – SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WITH TODDLERS

Bonitas offers its members a 24-hour paediatric health advice line, called Babyline. This service is a dedicated line for parents with babies or toddlers under the age of three and offers professional health advice based on standardised paediatric protocols.

SMS SWITCH TO 33035 / bonitas.co.za SMSs CHARGED AT R1.50. FREE SMSs DO NOT APPLY. Ts & Cs APPLY.

From the moment you register with the Bonitas Maternity Programme, you’ll have access to online antenatal classes covering various pregnancy related topics.

You’ll also receive emails on a weekly basis, for the duration of your pregnancy, to help you prepare for the birth.