Mother and Child (Issue 27)

PLUS! RECIPES, BOOKS FOR KIDS, BEST BUYS & MUCH MUCH MORE!

ISSUE 27

RSA R35.00 (VAT incl.)

Welcome to the inaugural African Business Awards, South Africa’s premier awards for leaders & businesses in South Africa. The result is that committed South Africans, from across all sectors, are motivated to pursue equally impressive success. All individuals and organizations are honored for their contribution to the South African economy.

Hon. Gwede Mantashe Dr Mathews Phosa

John Dludlu

Nkosikhona Mbatha

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BaBies Best! We Kno W

TWO WAY ZIPS FOR EASY NAPPY CHANGES

CONTENTS

FEATURES

16 THE RISK IS REAL

What all new mums need to know about the pregnancy perils that are rather not spoken about

22 YOUR CHOICE

Not too sure about having a hospital birth? Here's information about alternative birthing methods that could help with your decision

28 WIDE AWAKE AND WAITING

What’s really going on when a child is ‘overtired’—and how to help them go to sleep

34 TO CEASE OR NOT TO CEASE

Moms can feel pressured to stop breastfeeding their baby—here’s how to cope

40 THE GOOD FIGHT

Give your young child's immunity a boost to help stave off infections

44 BEHIND THE SCREENS

How to find the best online school for your child in a crowded field

50 DAD MATTERS

Men’s fertility also declines with age—here’s what to know if you’re planning to wait to have kids

52 LOVE AND LIMITS

An expert explains the concept of gentle parenting, whereby parents try to understand the reasons behind their child's behaviour

54 DEAL WITH DEBT

It's important to manage your credit responsibly, as it impacts your long-term financial future—here are five ways how

58 THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Sick of packing school lunches already? Here’s how to make it easier

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

78 WE LOVE BOOKS

A new Peppa Pig tale, a touch-and-feel and pop-up book, and an illustrated encyclopedia are all among this quarter’s favourite reads for youngsters

message from

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Isn't the miracle of childbirth wonderful? And you can make it even better by planning everything in detail before the Big Day arrives. Good thing we're here to help! In this edition, you can learn more about alternative birthing options and the pregnancy perils that no one wants to talk about, but of which you really should be aware.

For those moms who have already brought their bundles of joy into the world, we have helpful articles on breastfeeding (don't feel pressured to stop) and sleep (is your little one overtired?).

And for mommies who are wondering how they're going to get through the year, we have advice on how to boost your toddler's immune system— particularly while at crèche or daycare—and how to make nutritious lunchboxes. Looking to change your child's education scene? Read our article on choosing the best online school.

When it all seems to be getting out of hand, see our feature on gentle parenting; it will hopefully help you understand your child's emotional state and the reasons for his or her 'bad' behaviour.

As in every edition, our Best Buys pages are brimming with trending goodies for mom, baby and tot as well as maternity fashion inspo; we serve up some easy dishes made in an air-fryer (your new best friend); and give you the opportunity to win some great products for you and your child.

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

from all of us at Mother & Child

PUBLISHER

MANAGING EDITOR

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PHOTOGRAPHIC SOURCES

SALES DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING SALES ACCOUNTS

CLIENT LIAISON ONLINE

CO-ORDINATORS

IT & SOCIAL MEDIA

HR MANAGER

PRINTER DISTRIBUTION DIRECTORS

PUBLISHED BY

Donovan Abrahams

Ashley van Schalkwyk ashley@avengmedia.co.za

Tania Griffin tania@avengmedia.co.za

Kauthar Renamé

Adobe Stock Unsplash Pexels Freepik

Donovan Abrahams

Andrea Swartz

Benita Abrahams Bianca Alfos

Majdah Rogers

Majdah Rogers

Ashley van Schalkwyk

Freddy Shikwambana

Freddy Shikwambana

Colin Samuels

Print on Demand

www.motherandchild.co.za

Donovan Abrahams Colin Samuels

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 © 2023. The Publisher and Editors are not responsible for any unsolicited material. All information correct at time of publication. 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 and its website 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 any specific questions about any medical matter, consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Suitable for the whole family

Suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Suitable for use in children under 1 year of age

1. Healthline. Wells D. Abdominal Pain And Constipation. [updated 2019 March 07; cited 2022 December 05]. Available from https:// www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-pain-and-constipation 2. LACSON IMS TPM Data September 2022.

FREEBIES

Enter our competitions to win some awesome products for you and your family

ECO DIVA HOLISTIC SKIN CONSULTATION

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Safer than a microwave, the Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer will warm baby’s milk quickly and evenly in just three minutes. It features a handy defrost setting and can be used to warm baby food, too. Designed for maximum airflow, the ultra air Soother Collection features pacifiers with extra-large air holes and a lightweight shield that lets your baby’s skin breathe and helps keep it dry.

We’re giving away a baby care gift pack containing a Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer and a pack of two ultra air Soothers, worth R1 800!

Eco Diva provides superfood skincare— it's clean, kind and ethical. The Holistic Skin Consultation, presented by Eco Diva founder Nicole Sherwin, offers insightful tips and information to help you achieve continual healing: not only through your skin but also through supporting excellent gut health as well as mental and emotional health. More information can be found at bit. ly/3tqEHMb

We're giving away an Eco Diva Holistic Skin Consultation plus a Guidebook and Mini Solution Set (products would depend on the outcome of your consultation), all to the value of R2 000!

To enter, email your name, address and contact details to ashley@ avengmedia.co.za, with the giveaway code AVENTMC27 in the subject line.

To enter, email your name, address and contact details to ashley@avengmedia. co.za, with the giveaway code ECOMC27 in the subject line.

To enter, email your name, address and contact details to ashley@ avengmedia.co.za, with the giveaway code BRAMMC27 in the subject line.

BRAMLEY TISSUE OIL

Using Bramley Tissue Oil during and after pregnancy will keep your skin supple and toned—reducing stretchmarks, uneven skin tone, dry and itchy skin, and even C-section scars. The product is enriched with Bramley's unique Bio-Pharm oil and vitamin E. There are four pregnancy-safe variants: Magnolia, Lavender, Cocoa Heaven and Pink Blossom.

We're giving away five Bramley Magnolia hampers—containing tissue oils plus a bunch of other Magnolia body care goodies— worth R200 each!

The closing date for entries is 15 June 2023. One entry per person per giveaway. Winners will be contacted via email or telephone. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

In January, socialite Paris Hilton and her husband Carter Reum quietly welcomed their first child together, little boy Phoenix Barron, via surrogate. "From the moment I laid eyes on him, my heart felt so full," she said on her iHeartRadio podcast.

What’s the buzz

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

BABY BULLETIN

Which little celeb babies have arrived over the past quarter?

Jane the Virgin alum Gina Rodriguez and husband Joe Locicero welcomed their first child—a baby boy—in March.

It was “The Big Baby Theory” for actress Kaley Cuoco and her partner Tom Pelphrey when they brought daughter Matilda Carmine—“the new light of our lives”— into this world at the end of March.

Following a heartbreaking miscarriage in 2020, musician John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen were overjoyed to have their third child, a daughter named Esti Maxine, greet the world on 13 January.

The S.W.A.T. team has a new member! Shemar “Hondo” Moore and his girlfriend Jesiree Dizon welcomed baby daughter Frankie on 24 January.

It's a family of six for Hollywood couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds! The new arrival joined sisters Betty (3) and Inez (6) and brother James (8) in February.

BRING BACK THE CLASSICS

Ten 19th-century girl names that are making a comeback

Agnes means “chaste”

Alice means “noble”

Charlotte means “free”

Dorothy means “gift of God”

Edith means “fortune, blessed (in war)”

Edna means “delicacy, tenderness”

Evelyn means “beautiful (bird)”

Josephine means “God will increase”

Mabel means “lovable”

Vera means “faith”

Source: www.babygaga.com

GO, GO, GADGETS!

Bring theatre-style entertainment to a couch near you

Projectors have become the modern-day answer to movie time and sharing fun family moments—whether it's in your own home or at holiday accommodation. With these new offerings from Philips, you can turn any wall into a screen for series, films and videos.

NeoPix Easy Projector

(R4 314)

Compact and affordable, this is the ideal first projector for your family. The fast, easy setup means you'll enjoy comfortable images and stereo sound in no time—with all the connectivity you need for streaming everyone's favourite content.

NeoPix

(R7 479)

Featuring the Smart Philips OS system (with preloaded apps), it offers Wi-Fi screen mirroring for smart sharing and stereo speakers, plus true HD 720p resolution. A newly designed remote control with AirMote function helps you navigate into the interface smoothly.

(R12 649)

Among the smallest (about the size of your hand) mobile projectors on the market, delivering a big screen in a small space. It features in-built Android TV and stereo speakers, and the long-lasting battery projects up to four hours of streaming and gaming.

PicoPix MaxTV Projector

(R27 449)

Three's a charm: extreme brightness, extreme sound and extreme portability. This product projects images up to 300cm in True Full HD. And the Smart Autofocus and supercharged image correction will provide a hands-free experience.

Available at medhealthsup.com

Prime 2 Projector

PicoPix Micro 2TV Mobile Projector

THE RISK IS REAL

What all new mums need to know about the pregnancy perils that are rather not spoken about

regnancy is a miraculous event that has supported the birth of new life on Earth for all mankind for well over 200 000 years. In 2020, a total of 1 003 307 births were registered in South Africa from a total population of 60 000 000 people—and while birth fatalities decrease year-onyear, unfortunately some mothers will experience complications during their pregnancy which can put both them and their in-uterus foetus at risk.

While more common pregnancy issues such as high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, obesity and leg cramps are frequently discussed, some of the unspoken complications that can arise need to be highlighted so as to reduce the number of fatalities and promote a healthier pregnancy into safe and joyous new motherhood.

Knowing what to expect during your full pregnancy term is essential for managing both your and your baby’s health. Early pregnancy checkups and correct prenatal care go a long way toward identifying any issues you may not be aware of, and supporting you in experiencing a healthy pregnancy and birth. This is especially true for pregnancies termed ‘high risk’: for those women aged 17 or younger, women aged 35 or older, those who are under- or overweight prior to pregnancy, or mothers carrying more than one foetus.

Your first trimester of pregnancy may be both exciting and challenging as you experience your body changing. You'll become more easily fatigued and your breasts will become tender and swollen. You may experience food cravings, heartburn, nausea and/or vomiting, often referred to as morning sickness, and constipation.

It's important during this time to avoid smoking or using e-cigarettes, alcohol, raw or undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurised dairy, raw sprouts, certain seafoods and too much caffeine.

The danger signs during pregnancy

to be alert to include fast or difficult breathing, severe abdominal pain, fever and extreme fatigue, severe headaches with blurred vision, convulsions and vaginal bleeding.

BLEEDING IN PREGNANCY

In the first few weeks of your pregnancy, you may experience light bleeding or ‘spotting’ caused by the developing embryo planting itself in the wall of your womb. This usually occurs around the time your period would've been due and between six to 12 days after conception. Typically light, and called ‘implantation bleeding’, it commonly occurs over a few days and is not something to be concerned about.

However, the main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding—and if it lasts longer than a few hours, and is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills or contractions, contact your doctor or gynaecologist immediately.

Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy. Bleeding during miscarriage can appear brown and resemble coffee grounds or it can be pink to bright red, getting heavier over time.

Eventually the pregnancy tissue, foetus and placenta will pass naturally, either over a few days or as long as four weeks.

Be gentle with yourself if this is your experience. Take time to acknowledge your loss and find support with other women to talk about your feelings. On the other hand, if you know of a new mom who has recently miscarried, avoid any clichéd comments and unsolicited advice and recognise that grief doesn’t have a time limit.

The good news is that miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence, with most women going on to enjoy a healthy pregnancy after their loss.

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Considered a ‘high-risk’ pregnancy issue, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) came into the media spotlight when Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, spoke about her experience that caused severe and debilitating vomiting during all three of her pregnancies with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Characterised by extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting throughout

pregnancy, HG has been shown to increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, stillbirth and preterm delivery.

Worldwide, between 0.3% to 11% of pregnant women experience this problem, which is said to be caused by rapidly rising serum levels of hormones such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and oestrogen.

HG can make you feel very unwell and may cause you to lose weight, with symptoms starting around the 4- to 6-week mark. Along with avoiding highfat foods, Kate used mindfulness and meditation to manage her symptoms; the simplest coping tactics rely on keeping hydrated, discovering which foods will stay down, and spending lots of time resting.

The good news is that women with HG have lower rates of miscarriage, said to be due to the increased levels of pregnancy hormone HCG.

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg is unable to reach the uterus and attach properly to the lining of the womb, instead implanting itself either within the fallopian tube (which

carries the egg from the ovaries to the uterus) or in other parts of the body.

An ectopic pregnancy can't proceed normally and the fertilised egg won't survive outside of the uterus; the growing tissue may also cause lifethreatening bleeding, if left untreated.

An ectopic pregnancy may seem normal in the beginning; however, it's usually accompanied by symptoms such as tummy pain on one side, vaginal bleeding or watery discharge, pain in

the tip of your shoulder, and discomfort when using the bathroom—with risk of rupturing at around six to 16 weeks.

In most cases, medical intervention is necessary with blood tests and ultrasound confirming the diagnosis. Treatment is administered either via a surgical procedure or with medication.

DEPRESSION IN PREGNANCY

Anxiety and depression are the two most common psychological illnesses

Knowing what to expect during your full pregnancy term is essential for managing both you and your baby’s health.

that may arise during pregnancy—and while it's natural to feel emotional during pregnancy due to the natural increase in the body’s hormone levels, some mothers are sensitive to these hormonal shifts that can lead to the onset of anxiety and depression.

Perinatal depression occurs both during and after pregnancy, and if left untreated can put you at risk of prematurity and low birth weight for your baby, and its future development. This is because studies suggest stress in the womb can affect a baby’s temperament and brain development. It can also interfere with your own ability to look after yourself during your pregnancy or bond naturally with your newborn following birth.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, but they can be treated. Look out for signs such as:

• Having recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

• Having a depressed mood throughout the day for longer than 14 days.

• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness.

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions.

• Loss of pleasure or interest in usual activities throughout the day, sleeplessness and loss of appetite for longer than 14 days.

If you feel stuck in emotions of sadness or irritability, talk to a medical professional who can support you through these feelings and assess the correct treatment, if necessary.

For women with a psychological diagnosis who are considering falling pregnant, or are already pregnant, there are many treatment options available from your medical practitioner which are safe for pregnant women.

Article courtesy of Vital Baby

Vital Baby believes in real moms and dads parenting as best they can. Join the Vital Family for the latest articles and information to help you on your journey to calm and happy parenthood: vitalbabyshop.co.za/family-corner

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Not too sure about having a hospital birth? Here's aboutinformationalternative birthing methods that could help with your decision

You are the one in charge of your body and only you will know the best option for yourself when it comes to birthing your baby.

PREGNANCY Birth planning

As a mother, the experience of birth will be the most poignant, memorable and empowering event in your life as you step into the role of custodian in bringing new life into the world.

As the primary creator of that experience, you'll want to be prepared and plan it in detail, with all the essential information at your fingertips so you can respond appropriately when the birthing process begins with those first twinges of labour.

Deciding on the right birth plan for the arrival of your baby is up to you, your partner and your extended support team of family and friends. One thing is certain: You'll have plenty of advice and anecdotes from mothers who have experienced the birthing process before you.

Remember, as a unique creation of the universe yourself, you are the one in charge of your body and only you will know the best option for yourself when it comes to birthing your baby.

There's a wonderful adage: When in doubt, go with your gut. Let your inner wisdom and the advice of your doctor help you design the delivery of your own and your partner's choice so there are no regrets later.

Your childbirth delivery options include:

• Natural, unassisted birth at home;

• Assisted childbirth at home or in a private birth centre; and

• Natural or assisted birth, including Cesarean surgery, at a public or private hospital.

Before settling on your personal preference of birth plan option, it's important to understand that it will depend on three key factors: the overall health of yourself and your foetus, as well as your finances.

HOSPITAL BIRTH

Getting the right medical aid/insurance coverage for your baby’s birth is

important, as it may require many visits to the doctor. The costs of giving birth at a public or private hospital can be seen as reaching anywhere upward from R10 000 to R50 000.

Why does it cost so much? With medical aid, you and your baby are covered by the best cutting-edge medical care and support available. With this type of support network, you gain access to antenatal classes, pregnancy and gestation monitoring and ultrasound scans by your gynaecologist.

Hospital care includes being seen by an obstetrician—known as a pregnancy specialist—should a high-risk vaginal birth occur, or an elective or nonelective Caesarean section take place; a midwife, which is a nurse who specialises in childbirth; and an epidural anaesthetist for emergency monitoring and after-birth pain relief. Care after birth includes episiotomy care, which is a more common occurrence with hospital births. Your baby is also treated with the same top-notch care, with all the available equipment and expertise should your baby be premature or require medical attention.

A hospital birth may mean you don’t enjoy much privacy, as you're often placed in a general ward with other patients during one of the most personal events of your life, and this may be a suitable time to use your medical coverage to book a private room. Unfortunately, only one person is usually allowed into the birth room.

ALTERNATIVE BIRTHING OPTIONS

If you don’t have medical aid, or you don't like hospitals, or you have chosen to save up for your own choice in birth experience, you'll need to first consider if it's the best option for your baby and for yourself. For many women who choose a natural home birth, they find it's not possible due to health risks.

If you have a low-risk pregnancy, using a midwife can be a major cost saver and a more natural and relaxed birthing experience for the whole family.

Natural childbirth emphasises an unrushed, supported process, with minimal interference and less invasive monitoring. Until about 80 years ago,

If you have a low-risk pregnancy, using a midwife can be a major cost saver and a more natural and relaxed birthing experience for the whole family.

natural childbirth at home was the usual and only childbirth delivery option, and mothers only went to hospital if there was an urgent health emergency.

Attending antenatal classes will help you and your partner understand and formulate your own birth plan and prepare you for what to expect, as well as teach you about the different pain management and relaxation techniques to prepare you for labour and the birthing process.

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AT HOME

Start early on finding a suitable midwife, doula (a modern-day birthing coach) or birthing specialist so you can find connection and trust with them and discuss your needs. A midwife or doula will first check your health and that of your baby and give you useful information to help you have a healthy pregnancy, including advice about

eating and exercise. Most importantly, they will be available to discuss your options and choices available for your care, labour and birth, and the health of your baby once delivered.

Even if you elect to have a home birth, you'll need a checkup by an obstetrician at 28 weeks, 35 weeks and 37 weeks of pregnancy where they will do scans to monitor the growth and general wellness of your baby—as well as be on call during labour in case of a home birthing emergency.

For many moms-to-be, the support and care of a private midwife and doula is the best solution and outcome for themselves and their baby. The midwife or doula provides a solid base of emotional support and care without the rush associated with hospitals and doctors’ waiting rooms. A midwife is on standby 24/7 for home births or may use a private hospital birthing

unit or even run their own private birthing centre that looks like a luxury guesthouse over that of the clinical and business-like bustle of a hospital.

A home birth will be a more personal birthing experience, but without the support of medication. Instead, you're supported with natural pain relief such as water, massage, reflexology and aromatherapy and you may choose your own, most comfortable position to give birth using breathing techniques such as the Lamaze method. Hypnobirthing is another technique that helps momsto-be relax and prepare for labour and helps reduce feelings of fear, anxiety as well as pain during the birth.

Surrounded by your family, your child can be born in his or her own home, without being subjected to suctioning, bright lights or rough handling.

WATER BIRTH

Some mothers choose to give birth in water, as it can be relaxing and less painful. Since your baby lives in the fluid-filled amniotic sac for nine months, some believe that being delivered into a similar environment is less stressful. Your baby can be delivered underwater, or you can get out of the water and deliver it in another position.

A water birth is not appropriate: if you have herpes, since it can be transmitted through the water; if your baby is in the breech position; if you have excessive bleeding, an infection, or high blood pressure; or if you are in preterm labour.

Your birthing experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body and your spirit for the rest of your life, which is why it's so important to prepare and plan as much as you can before your miraculous life-giving event.

Article courtesy of Vital Baby

Vital Baby believes in real moms and dads parenting as best they can. Join the Vital Family for the latest articles and information to help you on your journey to calm and happy parenthood: vitalbabyshop.cop.za/family

Wide awake and waiting

What’s really going on when a child is ‘overtired’—and how to help them go to sleep

BY HELEN L. BALL

Sometimes babies and children need help to become calm before sleep pressure can kick in and they can nod off.

nyone who’s cared for a young child will recognise the signs: They’ve had too little sleep or missed a nap, they’re cranky, tearful and stroppy, and they can’t or won’t fall asleep. They are 'overtired'. But is such a thing really possible—to be more tired than tired?

What we tend to call overtiredness happens when an emotional state such as anxiety, distress or fear blocks our ability to go to sleep even when we’re really tired. This is a survival response that helps us stay awake when in danger, no matter how tired we are. It suggests overtiredness can be reframed to help us better respond to our child’s needs when it happens.

At the end of the day, the feeling we have of needing to sleep is called sleep pressure. The longer we stay awake, the more sleep pressure rises. Typically, the higher it gets, the easier it is to fall asleep. If we stay awake for long enough, eventually we’ll fall asleep.

The sensation of sleep pressure is caused by the build-up of chemicals (called adenosines) in the brain. These are proteins that are removed from our brains while we sleep, and build up again while we are awake.

For adults, this process takes about 14 to 16 hours. When we delay sleep past this point, the build-up of adenosines cannot go on unchecked. At some point, eventually, we must sleep.

Babies’ sleep pressure builds up more quickly than adults'. Young babies often fall asleep after being awake for an hour or two. As children get older, sleep pressure builds more slowly. But it takes several years until a child is able to stay awake all day.

WHAT STOPS US SLEEPING?

To fall asleep, we must be calm, relaxed and able to switch off our brains so that the build-up of sleep pressure can tip us into sleep. When something blocks the action of sleep pressure, such as

fear, pain or racing thoughts, we may struggle with sleeplessness.

Sleep happens more easily for a baby or child when sleep pressure is high, they are in a calm and relaxed state, and nothing is preventing sleep onset. But sometimes babies and children need help to become calm before sleep pressure can kick in.

When a baby or young child’s sleep pressure is high and the need to sleep is strong, but they are emotionally unable to calm themselves, or they are in a situation where they cannot relax— where there is noise, lights or activity— we may label them as overtired. Emotional exhaustion, which is a form of stress, prevents both children and adults from sleeping and makes them cranky.

Some responses to overtiredness are heavy-handed. Ordering a child to their room, putting them to bed in the face of distress, or punishing them for not falling asleep when told to do so will dial up the child further and push sleep further from reach. After all, none of us can fall asleep on command.

HELPING BABIES SLEEP

In this situation, we must remember that babies and young children need our help to manage their emotions. It's our job as parents to help them become calm, dial down and relax in preparation for sleep.

We can do this in many ways. Physical contact such as cuddling, rocking, stroking or patting works for

most children, although it must be remembered that some neurodivergent children can find touch irritating rather than calming.

Non-contact methods also work. The presence of a relaxed, slow-breathing adult can calm a child, as can listening to gentle talking, singing and humming. In Czech, there's a specific word for lying with and helping a child to relax so they can fall asleep: uspávání.

There's no name in English for the process of helping a child relax so that sleep pressure can tip them into slumber, so we often don’t discuss or acknowledge it. We can use it, though. And we can understand that what we have named 'overtiredness' is the conflict between sleep pressure being high and something blocking the effect of that sleep pressure.

In this situation, actively removing the blockage—fear, pain, anxiety—by helping babies and children become calm is the quickest way to help them fall asleep.

Next time your baby is having a meltdown at bedtime, or your child is throwing a tantrum at the end of the day, hug them, cuddle them, talk gently to them and calm them. Let sleep pressure do its thing, and they’ll be snoozing in no time.

Helen L. Ball is the director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre at Durham University

Physical contact such as cuddling, rocking, stroking or patting works for most children

NOT TO CEASE OR TO CEASE

Moms can feel pressured to stop breastfeeding their baby—here’s how to cope

BY AMY BURTON & ALISON OWEN

Mothers can also worry over breastfeeding in public. Some feel pressure over perceived judgement from strangers.

Becoming a parent comes with all sorts of questions and pressures. One of the most important decisions for new parents to make is how they're going to feed their baby: whether to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or a mixture of the two.

Research has found that many parents feel pressure to feed their babies in certain ways. This can happen during pregnancy as well as when the baby arrives and during infancy.

Researchers at Staffordshire University have carried out a number of studies on women’s experience of breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are wellknown, and include health benefits for both the mother and baby. Our research has even found that breastfeeding can help women feel more appreciative and positive about their bodies. However, many women still feel pressure to stop.

Mothers can feel pressure about breastfeeding from people who are close to them, such as partners, friends and other family members. Partners or other members of the family may want to feed the baby too, and mothers may worry about people feeling left out.

One mother commented: “[My inlaws] said that I was being selfish [for breastfeeding] because then no-one else could feed the baby.”

Mothers can also worry over breastfeeding in public. Some feel pressure over perceived judgement from

strangers. A mother who breastfed past a year said: “[When I breastfeed in public] people will be looking at me, and I know in their head that they’re either thinking, ‘Good for you, I fed my children’ [or] ‘that’s disgusting’... You’re always slightly on guard, waiting, for something to happen or be said.”

This feeling of being judged when breastfeeding in front of other people can also come from the attitudes of family members. Another mother who breastfed past a year said: “My in-laws were a bit funny about it; they don’t

Partners or other members of the family may want to feed the baby too, and mothers may worry about people feeling left out.

KuraFlo® – so much more than Seasonal

Hay fever, allergies, dry coughs, asthma… these are the conditions that are most experienced during Spring and Summer seasons. Because of the heat and humidity, there is a lack of air movement which can cause pollutants like dust and pollen to be trapped in the airways. And although flu is prevalent in cold weather, we are also still susceptible to flu because of sudden temperature changes in Summer when we move from air-conditioned rooms to outdoor heat, or sudden rainstorms.

With a higher salt quantity in the product than that of the body, hypertonic saline draws fluid from the inflamed, swollen lining of the nose, sinuses, larynx and bronchi to help open the airways. This then helps wash out those trapped particles.

In addition, we have also launched our new anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic Skin Healing Cream to help for those skin irritations, rashes, mosquito bites, cuts and sunburn.

Helping you Breathe Better & now Feel Better too!

BABY Breastfeeding

like seeing it in front of them... I think my husband would've said something if it had carried on—he’s very supportive of it, he understands all the benefits of it, so I think he would've just had a quiet word if it had carried on.”

Parents should be able to make informed decisions about the way they choose to feed their babies. Ideally, they wouldn't feel pressured to do things that they don't feel comfortable doing—such as stopping breastfeeding when they would rather carry on. There are several solutions that we feel can help people:

Support from friends and family is important to help parents feel confident in their choices. Partners, in particular, can play an important role in championing and supporting mothers’ breastfeeding choices.

Finding role models who have made similar choices can help normalise breastfeeding and provide a valuable source of support. These role models can be friends or can be found through online support groups such as Facebook groups, local parenting groups, plus NGOs and their helplines.

Education before the birth about what breastfeeding really looks like is really important, including its challenges— such as the difficulties babies may have in latching onto the breast and cluster feeding, when a baby may feed for hours at a time.

Research has shown that lack of understanding of these challenges is a significant reason given by women for stopping breastfeeding. Being empowered with knowledge can help parents feel confident in their choice to breastfeed, even when others may be questioning this choice.

It can also help to know that there are many other ways to bond with a baby than through feeding. Partners can help in other ways: by bathing the baby, dressing them, and simply cuddling and caring for them.

Other solutions must come from healthcare professionals. Parents

should be provided with breastfeeding support, and mothers should be supported physically about issues such as positioning and latching. A lack of breastfeeding support during COVID-19 was a key challenge for new moms.

More generally, where it's in their power, venue managers and others in positions of authority must ensure

mothers can breastfeed in public areas without fear of interruption or criticism.

Ultimately, all parents need the support to make informed choices, and to feed their infants in line with these choices.

Amy Burton and Alison Owen are lecturers in Health Psychology at Staffordshire University

The good fight

Give your young child's immunity a boost to help stave off infections

The school year is well into its second quarter, with many parents dreading the common ailments that often befall toddlers and preschoolers whose immune systems are still developing. While it's normal for young children to get up to eight infections a year, it’s no picnic!

Elani van Zyl, antimicrobial category manager for Pharma Dynamics, says even the cleanest of daycare centres won’t keep your child from getting sick. “Whenever there’s a large group of children together, there will be germs. The upside is that it may actually improve your child’s immunity in the long run.”

THE BEGINNINGS OF YOUR CHILD’S IMMUNE SYSTEM

She explains, “Initially, a child gets passive immunity from their mother, who passes on the antibodies through the placenta during the last three months of pregnancy. At birth and after birth, the newborn is exposed to the mother’s intestinal microflora, hence their skin and gut microbiome being similar to their mother’s.

“Breastfeeding is the second mode of transferring immunity. It stimulates the baby’s immune system, providing long-lasting protection against various infections and diseases.

“As your child grows, the immune system is shaped by the microorganisms they encounter in their environments, diet and medicinal use.”

Van Zyl suggests a few practical ways to improve your child’s immunity:

1

TAKE CARE OF THEIR GUT.

The lymphoid tissue in the gastrointestinal (GI) system— the organs from the mouth to the anus—represents almost 70% of the entire immune system. So, keeping your child’s gut microbiome balanced is essential.

Give them probiotics to boost healthy bacteria.

Serve up fibre-rich food, as it feeds the gut microbiome. Fibre can be found in garlic, bananas, beans, crunchy vegetables and whole-grains.

Give them probiotics to boost healthy bacteria. Probiotics are live bacteria found in certain foods such as yoghurts, kefir or other fermented food.

Offer a variety of fruit and vegetables that are in season. This leads to a more diverse microbiome, as the type of fibre and the microbes differ.

Limit their intake of sugar and sweeteners. Sugar causes an imbalance in gut microbes and can increase inflammation.

Reduce the amount of snacking your child does throughout the day, and give the microbes time to rest.

Use antibiotics only when necessary, since they disrupt the balance of the gut bacteria—sometimes even up to six months after use. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.

GET THEM OUTSIDE AND INTO THE SUNLIGHT.

Children should interact with each other, get dirty, and be exposed to bacteria and parasites commonly found in the natural environment. Natural environments provide biologically and genetically diverse microbes, and the immune system is strengthened by this biodiversity.

When your child spends time outdoors, the vitamin D that they will get naturally from the sunshine is not only essential for bone health but also for modulating innate and adaptive immune responses.

3

LET THEM GET ENOUGH SLEEP.

Sleep plays a fundamental role in a child’s physical, mental and emotional health. Children need sleep so that their immune defences can fight infection and inflammation. If your child is constantly sleep-deprived, it increases their risk of infections.

2

4

KEEP YOUR CHILD AWAY FROM SECONDARY SMOKE.

In South Africa, pneumonia is the most common reason for hospital admission and cause of death (postneonatal) in children aged 5 and under. The risk doubles for children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). ETS inhaled by children and pregnant women, as well as tertiary smoking—the residue found on clothes, furniture and other objects—affects the respiratory tracts of children.

MANAGE THEIR STRESS.

A study published in the Journal of Immunology showed that psychological stress not only affects the physical and psychological well-being of a child, but may also have an influence on immune suppression. The researchers found that the consequences on the immune system are generally adaptive in the short run, but can be damaging when stress becomes chronic.

6

KEEP THEM ACTIVE.

Exercise has a host of benefits including improving the body’s defences against inflammatory diseases, reduced risk of depression, and improved thinking and memory skills. These are the recommended amounts of physical activity for your child’s growth and development: Kids aged 3 to 5 should be physically active throughout the day. Kids aged 6 and older need at least an hour of moderate exercise, three days a week.

ENCOURAGE GOOD HYGIENE HABITS—AT THE RIGHT TIMES.

5 7 8

Good hygiene habits also play a big role in keeping your children healthy, so ensure they are washing their hands at specific instances. This is called targeted hygiene.

These instances include washing hands:

• after using the toilet;

• after taking out the dirt;

• before preparing food;

• before and after eating;

• after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose;

• when looking after someone ill;

• after doing dirty laundry; and

• after handling pets.

GIVE THEM VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS.

While getting nutrients from food remains the best source, sometimes our busy schedules interfere with the best of intentions—and even when we do prepare healthy meals, our kids turn their noses up at it. This can make healthy eating a real battle. Supplements are available to fill nutrient deficiencies and can provide essential vitamins and minerals to support growth and development in children.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK

Van Zyl says that if you have a newborn or baby under three months who

If your baby appears to be lethargic or is having trouble breathing, take them to the doctor or ER as soon as you can.

Health TODDLERS

presents with a high fever (38 ° C), it’s best to contact your paediatrician for advice. “If your baby appears to be lethargic or is having trouble breathing, take them to the doctor or ER as soon as you can.

“If you have a toddler, first assess the situation by asking them to describe their symptoms, followed by taking their temperature. If symptoms are mild, you can treat them at home with over-the-counter medicine recommended by a pharmacist—but if you’re not sure, or if symptoms don’t improve, it’s best to consult a GP.

“When caring for them at home, move them to a comfy sofa with a blanket so you can keep a closer eye on them. Keep the room airy without being draughty. Give them plenty of water or rooibos (this tisane has a naturally sweet taste and is packed with antioxidants that will aid their recovery). Offer them some healthy snacks like fresh fruit or a sandwich, and see how they respond.

“To pass the time, play boardgames, read stories to them, but encourage them to rest. When they’re sick, they need plenty of it.

“The good news is that as your child grows, you’ll become more adept at diagnosing certain symptoms and how to treat them—but whenever in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.”

SCREENS BEHIND THE

How to find the best online school for your child in a crowded field

their promises to students.

Over the past two years, many schools that on the surface appeared of a high standard were unable to fulfil

EDUCATION Online schooling

In the wake of the COVID-19 lockdowns, parents increasingly considered online schooling a viable alternative to traditional inperson schooling. As a result, several new schools opened their (virtual) doors to prospective students. However, parents don’t always know how to determine the quality of these schools objectively.

It has now become clear that over the past two years, many schools that on the surface appeared of a high standard were unable to fulfil their promises to students.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that choosing an online school requires the same kind of due diligence from parents as choosing an in-person school would,” says Colin Northmore, principal of Evolve Online School, a brand of ADvTECH.

“However, there is still a misconception that online schools and their offerings are comparable because they use similar technology, stick to a curriculum, require a child to have a device and some self-discipline, and from there it's smooth sailing. The reality could not be further from the truth, as good online schools must offer much more than a curriculum and some tutoring from behind a screen,” he adds.

Northmore says many young South African students who started online schooling in 2021/2022 are finding themselves in a difficult situation right now, after having signed up with online schools whose marketing didn't live up to their delivery, and with parents now trying to remedy the problem.

“Online school is a great option for students who work better on their own, families who are mobile and need to ensure consistency of education while travelling, and so forth—there are many reasons for choosing to attend an online school. But we implore parents to carefully weigh different schools against the objective factors that can mean the difference between success and failure.”

Carefully weigh different schools against the objective factors that can mean the difference between success and failure

Some of the complaints that have arisen over the past year as online schooling became more mainstream include overwhelming workloads, lack of communication, lack of student support, logistical incompetence on the part of the institution, and sub-standard materials.

REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION

The most basic first check is to ensure the school is registered and accredited by the relevant authorities. The registration is difficult to check because the Department of Basic Education needs a policy for online school registration. Without this certainty, parents can check if the school is a stand-alone or part of a group of schools. They can also find out if the school is registered with an examining body like the Independent Exams Board of Cambridge International. Registration with an examining body should be nonnegotiable.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, REPUTATION, TRACK RECORD AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

Is the online school part of a school group with a proven track record of academic excellence in its brick-andmortar schools? Do their students have a reputation for excelling and thriving online and at in-person schools across the board? These are essential

questions to ask to determine whether a new school is exploiting the growing demand for online schools or whether they have a history, track record and the requisite institutional support to deliver quality education. Can an online school demonstrate it has translated its historical track record in the in-person space to the online area? Reputation is a crucial consideration, given that sometimes reputable institutions have yet to make the transition successfully. Ask for evidence, and speak to current parents and students.

LOGISTICAL COMPETENCE

Can the school deliver assessments, lectures and materials timeously, and stick to the annual calendar without floundering around? Online study requires a great deal of discipline and independence. The last thing a student needs is to have his or her progress hampered and frustrated by an institution logistically incapable of delivering a consistent quality offering.

ROUNDED EDUCATION, SCREEN TIME VS GREEN TIME

Is the school committed to the whole child and a rounded education? Simply being a delivering and testing factory is not going to cut it. An excellent online school will incorporate diagnostic testing to determine the exact level

of proficiency of a student before placement and during the educational journey; asynchronous learning so that learners can move through content at their own pace and according to their own proficiency, with direct access to teachers who will facilitate extra activation classes; synchronous learning where students will also be able to attend live interactive lessons; and socialisation opportunities with academies, studios and day camps so that students can mingle with their peers and balance their screen time with green time.

“When investigating an online school, parents should take heed of their experience dealing with the school during the initial phases. They should also continue to interrogate all claims, as promises are easily made but hard to keep in the online education environment,” says Northmore.

“Are you confident that they are responsive and accessible after dealing with the school? Are you confident your child can access additional support easily and routinely? Online schooling is much more than a delivery of the curriculum. An online school should be focused on helping students grow, develop and perform at their best academically while also supporting them to grow into confident and competent members of society,” he concludes.

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While women are often reminded about their 'biological clock', many guys just don’t feel the same pressures when it comes to settling down and starting a family. In fact, a lot of men in their 20s—especially cisgender, heterosexual men—don’t think a great deal about having children or when they may want to have children.

This may be because many people think men have all the time in the world when it comes to having children. Exceptional examples such as Mick Jagger—who had a child when he was 73 years old—are often cited to reinforce this argument. But in reality, there are many things men need to bear in mind when it comes to their fertility and starting a family.

In recent decades, we've seen a gradual shift toward more people becoming parents later in life. Men now have children on average aged nearly 34-years-old, compared to around 29-years-old in the mid-70s.

There are multiple, complex reasons for this: including young people facing more difficulties buying houses and living in an uncertain economic climate, alongside changes in the way people date and form relationships. Another factor is that both women and men are staying in education longer, and taking longer to establish careers. Alongside this, people appear to feel more pressure to have children at a time when they can give them the 'best start' in life.

While some people can have children in their 30s, 40s and beyond with ease, others may struggle. There are often misconceptions that only women face fertility difficulties the older they get, but growing evidence suggests age also affects a man’s fertility, from around about 40 onward. In fact, age has been shown to negatively affect sperm quality, reduce fertility and carry a greater likelihood of both miscarriage

NEVER NOW or

Men’s fertility also declines with age— here’s what to know if you’re planning to wait to have kids

BY CAROLINE LAW

and health conditions in children— particularly autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and childhood leukaemia.

But this evidence is rarely talked about, and men often aren’t aware their fertility can decline as they get older. While this is not a reason to panic (arguably the risks still remain low), it's something to be aware of if you're planning to wait to have kids.

IMPROVING YOUR ODDS

So what can you do then to make sure you have the best chance possible when you do want to have children? There are a couple of factors to take into account.

Fertility DAD MATTERS

may affect your chance of conceiving or the well-being of your children. Although many people believe men can continue having children well into old age, the evidence shows this may not necessarily be true—and may also come with risks. This is why it may be important for more young men to start thinking about whether, when and under what circumstances they may want children, and build these ideas into how they plan and live their life.

Being single is a key reason both men and women aren’t able to have children at their ideal time—and why some remain childless even if they wanted children. So it’s important to keep fatherhood in mind when navigating dating and relationships. Both avoiding 'settling down' or staying with the wrong person for too long can affect your (and your partner’s) chances of finding the right person to have children with in the future.

Fertility isn’t just down to one person. If you do have a partner, it may be important to consider both of your ages and fertility when considering having kids. A woman’s fertility decreases faster than a man’s does, so having frank and honest conversations about if and when you’d both like to become parents may help you avoid future arguments and disappointments.

The first is your lifestyle. Research shows that many different lifestyle factors can affect a man’s fertility. In particular, research suggests avoiding smoking and excess alcohol intake, as well as having a healthy diet and BMI, are important for healthy sperm and for fertility. Men (and women) are encouraged to think about these things—and others such as avoiding tight underwear, drugs and steroids— in their teens and 20s.

But having a healthy lifestyle is only one part of the equation. Another key part is age. Ideally, you want to try to have children before 'fertility ageing' becomes a problem, that is, before age

New technologies continue to be developed, which may help people increase their odds of becoming parents in the middle and older age. In particular, egg freezing is a growing phenomenon, and some suggest sperm freezing in younger adulthood can help men have children later in life but using the best quality sperm.

But just because these technologies may make it possible, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still think about whether and when you want to have children as you begin to plan your adult life.

Caroline Law is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Reproduction Research at De Montfort University

Research shows that many different lifestyle factors can affect a man’s fertility.

Love and limits

An expert explains the concept of gentle parenting, whereby parents try to understand the reasons behind their child's behaviour

BY STEPHEN SCOTT

In the past decade, the concept of 'gentle' or 'respectful' parenting has gained considerable traction. The foundation of the idea is in being a parent who's emotionally attuned to their child, and tries to understand the reasons behind their behaviour.

There is great value in this, but it's not the whole story. Children also need their carers to set clear limits.

A common theme of gentle parenting is that parents should not rush in and immediately condemn their children if they don’t like what they’re doing. Instead, they should stop and listen to their child, then validate their feelings. For example, they may say “So, you're cross and shouting because you think your brother was being unfair when he took your toy, and that upset you.”

Gentle parenting suggests that when a parent shows understanding of the child’s emotional state, it will help the child calm down. Only after doing this should the parent decide what to do. This approach also has the longer term aim of promoting emotional intelligence. The idea is that as children grow older, they will learn to identify their own emotions more thoughtfully and act more appropriately.

Higher emotional intelligence is associated with fewer emotional problems and higher school attainment.

But we also know that, when it comes to the parent-child relationship, how the parent responds to their child is crucial. After listening and clarifying what the child is feeling, the parent then needs to build on this to help the child think calmly and positively about the problem and find a good solution.

RESPONDING TO CHILDREN

Parents who do this are, in the language of child development, 'responding sensitively' to their children, both when the child is upset and when they are happy. A research study of more than 1 000 pairs of children and mothers showed that children whose mothers

responded sensitively in their first three years of life had better social skills at age 15 and also performed better academically.

What’s more, parenting like this can be learnt. I carried out research with colleagues in which groups of parents and children attended a two-hour session each week over three months. In this time, parents were encouraged to get down on the floor to play with the children in a particular way where they make positive comments on the child’s play activity and keep up a positive tone.

They also avoided asking questions, which interrupts the child’s imaginative play and imposes the adult’s agenda. This led to an improvement in sensitively responding from parents. It also resulted in enduring improvements in child adjustment and reading ability, as seen in our follow-up study of the children into adolescence.

However, this is only half the story. In addition to the warm, close relationship created by sensitive responses to a child, boundaries need to be set as well. Children need to be able to live in the world with other people and get on with other children and adults. They need to learn how to fit in with externally imposed rules and that there are consequences if they don't. Children need both love and limits.

SETTING BOUNDARIES

The trick is to set limits calmly and not be angry or explosive as a parent. A frustrated reaction is often unconscious and related to the way the parents themselves were brought up; they may not know any other way.

The good news is that parents can learn calm, effective discipline. If parents pay lots of attention when children are misbehaving, they are more likely to continue to behave badly. The drive for children to feel connected to their parents is so strong that, especially in a background where there isn't much attention to go round, they will prefer negative attention to none. They soon learn that they need to play up to connect, so misbehaving becomes more frequent.

The solution is to briefly withdraw attention when children are misbehaving, followed by engaging with them warmly when they are behaving better. At this point, emotional feelings can be aired and an appropriate response should be set.

Such an apparently simple regime takes a bit of learning, but usually has a striking effect on improving behaviour. Also, crucially, if children are encouraged and paid warm attention when they are behaving well, they will do more of it.

There's good evidence that listening to your child and showing that you've understood them can be helpful, so long as the next step is to respond sensitively and, if necessary, set a calm limit. All this needs to be in the context of a positive relationship where the parent takes the time to have fun with their child.

Stephen Scott is a professor of Child Health and Behaviour, as well as a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at King's College London

Gentle parenting suggests that when a parent shows understanding of the child’s emotional state, it will help the child calm down.

DEBT Deal with

It's important to manage your credit responsibly, as it impacts your long-term financial future. Here are five ways how

A realistic budget will give you a clear indication of what your expenses and income are.

FINANCES Credit

As a result of high inflation, interest rate hikes and the increase in food prices, South Africans are feeling the pinch financially.

Due to financial pressures, many people are driven to taking on credit to get through tough times. According to the 2022 Quarter 3 Eighty20/XDS Credit Stress Report released in December last year, 60% of middle-income salaries go toward servicing credit accounts.

The most well-known rule in personal finance is to live within your means; however, with so many South Africans living from pay cheque to pay cheque, many are relying on credit facilities to help cover their expenses.

“It is important that individuals manage their credit responsibly, as it impacts their long-term financial future,” says James Williams, head of marketing for Wonga. “Taking the necessary steps to meet your credit obligations can ultimately pave the way toward successfully meeting your financial goals.”

He continues, “Having access to credit requires the responsibility of being financially literate in order to be in control of your money. Before entering into a credit arrangement, one also has to be honest with oneself and be realistic about what one can afford.”

analysing your bank statement and highlighting the unnecessary items on which you spend money. This will increase your awareness about your spending patterns and affordability.

PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME.

Williams shares five ways that enable one to manage debt more responsibly:

BUILD A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT.

1 2

A realistic budget will give you a clear indication of what your expenses and income are. Make a habit of

This will save you from a bad credit rating and stress from additional costs due to missed payments. Keeping a healthy credit profile enables you to borrow money when you need it most, and help you access lower interest rates when buying high-value items (home or car).

Taking the necessary steps to meet your credit obligations can ultimately pave the way toward successfully meeting your financial goals.

KNOW HOW MUCH YOU OWE—AND WHOM YOU OWE.

Determine exactly how much debt you owe, and to whom. Keep an up-to-date list of all your debts including creditors, total amounts, monthly repayments and deadlines. Some debts are more expensive than others, so target the debt that carries the highest interest rate first.

CURB IMPULSIVE SPENDING.

Understand your triggers for impulsive spending and devise a strategy to avoid them. For example, set aside a grocery budget with a strict list to stop you from spending on things for which you didn't budget. You can also set an amount to spoil yourself with the luxuries you enjoy to reward yourself for sticking to your financial goals and meeting them.

AVOID OVERINDEBTEDNESS.

With all forms of credit, make sure you only borrow what you really need. Focus your credit spending on things that will benefit you in the long term, such as renovating your home or furthering your studies. It's the type of debt that builds wealth, leaving you better off than you were.

“To determine whether your credit load is more than you can afford, you'll want to calculate your debt-toincome ratio by comparing the amount you owe to the amount you earn,” concludes Williams. “This way you can avoid feeling overwhelmed with debt and manage to stay on top of your repayments.”

Wonga Online not only provides shortterm loans in South Africa, but also offers financial literacy around saving, budgeting, investing and debt via its free online portal, the Money Academy. For advice on how to become #MoneySmart, visit www.moneyacademy.co.za.

BY LAUREN BALL & LANA MITCHELL

THE BOX THINK outside A

s academics and dietitians, we (the two authors of this article) have a head start in making nutritious choices for our kids, but we also sometimes struggle with lunchboxes.

Even without the war in Ukraine affecting food prices and availability, supporting a healthy diet for your whole family can be difficult.

Common issues include finding time to prepare food, making nutritious food appeal to kids, budgeting with the climbing prices, feeding picky eaters, buying sustainably, and reducing food waste.

On top of all that, there are considerations for food allergies and packing a lunchbox safely for food hygiene.

Sick of packing school lunches already? Here’s how to make it easier

One way to improve kids nutrition at schools and reduce parental stress is to move to a system of providing children with school lunches. Of course, this would come with a cost to taxpayers and, if adopted, would take time to implement.

So, what can parents can do in the meantime?

SCHOOLS SHOULD ENCOURAGE, NOT SHAME

Children’s eating habits are more malleable than those of adults—and for more than a decade of their life, they spend a large proportion of their time at school.

These formative years of education should include skills for children to make healthy choices throughout their lives. Programmes to promote nutritious school lunchboxes are particularly important because they can reach diverse groups of children across socioeconomic backgrounds.

But following these programmes can also be a challenge for parents. Some schools may 'audit' lunchboxes and return home food that doesn’t comply with the guidelines, causing feelings of shame for some families.

SCHOOLS SHOULD CONSIDER PROVIDING FOOD FOR CHILDREN

Many countries around the world have school lunch programmes that provide food to kids, meaning families don’t need to pack a lunchbox each day.

Brazil has the longest running programme, starting back in 1954; and India has one of the largest, feeding lunch to 140 million children in a year.

Japan stands out as the gold standard of programmes. The school menus are planned by nutritionists, focusing on a balance of fresh, seasonal food including greens and seafood. Children are taught to respect the value of their food, how to prepare it safely, and understand where it comes from. Furthermore, Japan’s universal school lunch programme has helped close

the socio-economic gap in fruit and vegetable intake in Japanese children.

A universal school-provided lunch model is needed to improve the health and well-being rankings of our children. Research shows insufficient government support is a barrier to such a model.

AND WHAT CAN PARENTS DO NOW?

Here are our top tips for reducing parents’ lunchbox anxiety and increasing the healthiness of kids’ lunches:

Plan for the week ahead.

Use the weekend to plan and shop for lunchboxes and make what you can ahead of time. Wash and cut up fruit and veggie sticks, bake with your kids, or make sandwiches with fresh bread and freeze individually, ready for kids to pull one out each day.

Involve your kids.

Encourage your kids to make their own lunch from as young an age as possible. This will help their food knowledge and independence. Help them choose items from each food group and category (for example, a fruit, a vegetable, sandwich or wholegrain crackers, cheese or yoghurt). An added benefit is that they'll be more likely to want to eat the food they pack themselves.

Reduce pre-packaged foods. Packaged, highly processed foods such as muesli bars and chips are often high in salt and saturated fat, and low in fibre and nutrients. Replace these with fresh fruit or vegetables, homemade dips, seeds, popcorn, wholegrain rice crackers or boiled eggs.

Balance cost with convenience.

It’s cheaper to buy in bulk and prepare items for your kids' lunches—but if cost is not an issue, save time by buying items pre-prepared. For example, you can buy block cheese and slice yourself, but pre-sliced cheese will save time. Having suitable containers available to store items will make your life easier and will also benefit the environment through minimising single-use plastics.

Give kids 'lunchbox accountability'. Being responsible for what comes out of a lunchbox is just as important as what goes into it. When your kids come home from school, make it their responsibility to dispose of spoilt food and clean their containers. If the food is still good, put it out on the table as an afternoon tea snack, or as a pre-dinner nibble.

Lauren Ball is an associate professor at the Menzies Health Institute, and Lana Mitchell the programme director for the Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics, both at Griffith University.

Encourage your kids to make their own lunch from as young an age as possible.

NUTRITION What's for dinner?

FRIES

QUICK FIX

An air-fryer is the latest kitchen must- have, especially for time-strapped moms

With an airfryer— the nifty countertop appliance that everyone’s buying these days—food is cooked crisp and delicious in no time and, most notably, it makes the perfect alternative to a deep-fat fryer for anyone adopting a healthier lifestyle.

But air-fryers offer plenty of other benefits: They require practically no heat-up time, cook food fast and evenly, can be used away from home (making them popular for camping trips and staycations), plus clean-up is a breeze.

Leading British nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche has developed 101 triedand-tested recipes to help you get the very best out of your air-fryer. Her appealing ideas take their inspiration from all styles of world cuisine, and there’s something to suit every occasion—from snacks and sides, to complete meals and sweet treats.

Here are a few recipes to get you started:

POLENTA FRIES

Serves 6

A cornmeal-based alternative to potato fries. Of Italian origin, these make an ideal side dish or are great served as a snack.

INGREDIENTS

800ml water

1 ½ vegetable stock cubes

¾ teaspoon dried oregano

¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

200g quick-cook polenta/ cornmeal

2 teaspoons olive oil

6 tablespoons (55g) plain flour (gluten-free, if you wish) garlic mayonnaise, to serve

METHOD

1. Bring the water and stock cubes to the boil in a saucepan with the oregano and black pepper. Stir in the polenta/ cornmeal and continue to stir until

the mixture becomes significantly more solid and is hard to stir—this should take about 5–6 minutes.

2. Grease a 15cm × 15cm baking pan with some of the olive oil. Tip the polenta into the baking pan, smoothing down with the back of a wet spoon. Leave to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then pop into the fridge for at least an hour.

3. Remove the polenta from the fridge and carefully tip out onto a chopping board. Slice the polenta into fingers of 7.5cm × 1cm × 2cm. Roll the polenta fingers in the flour, then spray or drizzle the remaining olive oil over the fingers.

4. Preheat the air-fryer to 200°C.

5. Lay the fingers apart from one

another in a single layer in the preheated air-fryer (you may need to cook these in batches, depending on the size of your airfryer). Air-fry for 9 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

6. Serve immediately with garlic mayonnaise.

KOREAN CHICKEN WINGS

Serves 2

You’ll want to pick these up and nibble away at every last tasty morsel of chicken on these flavour-packed wings.

INGREDIENTS

6 chicken wings

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

finely sliced spring onion, to garnish

For the glaze:

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1½ tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon unrefined sugar

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

METHOD

1. Preheat the air-fryer to 200°C.

2. Toss the chicken wings in the oil, then season with a little salt and pepper. Add these to the preheated air-fryer and air-fry for

10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, add the glaze ingredients to a small saucepan and heat over a medium heat until reduced and the alcohol has burnt off. You’ll know it is ready when you can stir the thickened glaze and you momentarily see the base of the pan.

4. After the 10 minutes, brush the reduced glaze onto the chicken wings and cook for a further 5 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the wings has reached at least 74°C using a meat thermometer—if not, cook for another few minutes.

5. Serve sprinkled with spring onion.

HONEY AND MUSTARD SAUSAGES WITH POTATOES, PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Serves 2

The saltiness of sausages combines beautifully with the sweetness of honey and piquancy of mustard. The potatoes, peppers and onions complement these flavours well.

INGREDIENTS

400g baby new potatoes

1 onion, chopped into 4 wedges

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp runny honey

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard

6 sausages

5 baby peppers, roughly chopped

1 pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 handful of fresh rosemary sprigs, to garnish

METHOD

1. Preheat the air-fryer to 180°C.

2. Chop any larger potatoes to 3cm in length (leave any smaller potatoes whole). Toss the potatoes and onion wedges in the oil, with salt and pepper to taste. Add the potatoes and onion wedges to the preheated air-fryer and air-fry for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, mix together the honey and mustard, then toss the sausages in the mixture until evenly covered. Add these to the air-fryer and cook for a further 6 minutes.

4. Give the food in the air-fryer a toss, then add the peppers. Stir everything well and air-fry for a further 7 minutes.

5. Tip onto a serving platter, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs (if you wish) and serve.

Recipes and images from “Air-fryer Cookbook” by Jenny Tschiesche (R320).

Published by Penguin, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa, 2022. Used with permission.

BEST BUYS Beauty

Pretty healthy

Protect your skin against free radical damage with antioxidants

host of benefits for the skin, including protection against UV damage, calming inflammation and slowing premature ageing.

“Topical antioxidants provide an additional line of defence against harmful free radicals. By reducing the number of free radicals through the use of antioxidant-rich serums and similar skincare products, you can reduce inflammation and provide essential nourishment,” she adds.

Try these fantastic antioxidant skin products from SKIN functional:

By now we're all aware of the many damaging effects the environment and climate can have on our skin. As the skin is our largest organ, with direct interface with the environment, it's directly affected by free radicals.

Free radicals are unpaired electrons or energy particles that are produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to radiation, tobacco smoke and similar dangers. These particles then react with cells of the body and damage DNA. Over time, this damage can lead to inflammation, signs of ageing and a decreased ability of the cells to be able to repair themselves.

Incorporating antioxidants into your skincare has been proven to help protect skin by reducing inflammation and increasing the skin’s natural

niacinamide and co-enzyme Q10.

Kevin Khosa, skin expert at SKIN functional ( skinfunctional.com), explains that antioxidants are substances that help protect the skin’s surface from oxidative damage—essentially, mopping up free radicals by donating electrons and thereby stabilising the molecules, preventing their damaging effects to the DNA.

Dr Lauren Knight, a board-certified dermatologist, says that topical antioxidants have been shown to have a

VITAMIN C: 12% ASCORBIC ACID + BRITEODANT COMPLEX (R270)

A patented formulation that ensures a perfectly stable delivery of ascorbic acid, which is the most powerful form of vitamin C. The Briteodant Complex™ is a powerful complex that brightens and evens the skin complexion for a more even skin tone. An added benefit is increased collagen production.

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-AGEING BOOST: CO-ENZYME Q10 + PEPTIDES (R295)

This product provides a perfectly balanced treatment that repairs, rebuilds and protects your skin. It is formulated with natural yet powerful co-enzyme Q10, which protects against skin damage while regenerating the skin and reducing the effects of photo-ageing. Peptides increase collagen production, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.

SKNLOGIC PROTECT SPF 40 (R305)

SKNLOGIC Protect is a sun cream that provides certified high broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and anti-ageing benefits. But it goes beyond UVA and UVB protection to help defend your skin from blue light (digital pollution) and pollution as well as infrared light emitted by the sun. SKNLOGIC Protect is a non-whitening formula and is suitable for all skin types. It does not contain parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances or colourants, lanolin derivatives, mineral oils or MITs.

Salons and spas across the country, or online at www.sknlogic.com

ZAO ESSENCE OF NATURE DEFINITION MASCARA (R478)

This mascara glides over lashes and coats the last tips with its light texture. The formula is enriched with cellulose fibres to thicken and lengthen, and organic castor oil to strengthen your lashes and promote their growth. The brush features very closely knit bristles, enabling you to separate lashes from root to tip. The product is also refillable (R310.50), using sustainable bamboo for its outer packaging. Available in brown and black. www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

ECO DIVA SUPERFOOD MAKE-UP FOUNDATION SET (R1 495)

If it’s flawless, silky smooth, even-toned, glowing skin you’re after—and you’re a toxin-free skincare enthusiast—you’ll be over the moon

BRAMLEY MAGNOLIA CLEANSING WIPES (R16.99)

An on-the-go convenient refreshment, these cleansing wipes remove make-up and refresh your face and hands. The excellent quality woven fabric is infused with Bramley's Magnolia fragrance and soothing ingredients to gently provide all-day freshness. Packed in a convenient 30-pack with a resealable flap, they are perfect for home, handbags or desk drawers. S elected PEP stores nationwide

to discover these unique makeup foundation cover balms that not only create flawless coverage but also offer sun protection (SPF 15). Included are powerful superfoods, vitamins and antioxidants so that your skin is consistently being hydrated, rejuvenated and recharged. The foundation lasts a good eight hours. The four base colours—Maca, Baobab, Chia and Cacao—are named after the superfoods that lead the healing charge in each balm, and are formulated to work together so you can blend your own shade perfectly every time. The set includes a washable bamboo mixing palette, two wooden scraper tools, plus a shading & highlighting tutorial. ecodiva.co.za

LITCHI & TITCH THE SERUM BOTANICAL INFUSION (R950)

A complex blend of plant, seed and flower oils that hydrate, nourish, calm, soothe, balance and bring a natural glow to your skin. It's the ultimate botanical complex for rejuvenated skin. Hero ingredients include bakuchoil—a natural alternative to retinol—as well as rosehip, baobab, aloe ferox, vitamins E and C, among others.

www.litchiandtitch.co.za

SKOON. SLEEP DEPUFF EYE GEL PEN (R599.95)

SLEEP DEPUFF is a lightweight eye gel with caffeine, youth-boosting peptides and bulbine frutescens to depuff, minimise fine lines and improve skin complexion around the eye area. It also helps reduce dark circles and improve hydration. Leave the gel pen in the fridge for five to 10 minutes for a cooling and refreshing application.

www.skoonskin.com

TOP IT ALL

Stylish maternity tops to zhoosh up a plain pants or skirt

off

Hmmm, what to wear, what to wear... A top-and-bottom ensemble, perhaps? Well, get your jeans, jeggings and skirts ready for pairing because here's our latest pick of fashionable maternity tops for every mood and every occasion— and even ones that will make nursing easier and more comfortable when baby

ALL BUTTONED UP

1. Maternity/Nursing Embroidered Cotton Shirt in White, Next Online (R480)

2. Maternity and Nursing Boyfriend Check Shirt in Blue and Pink, Next Online (R494)

3. Maternity and Nursing Oversize Denim Shirt in Dark Blue, Next Online (R423)

4. Oversized Maternity Shirt in Green, Truworths (R370)

5. Maternity Plissé Top in Black, Next Online (R451)

WORKING IT AT THE OFFICE

Maternity Wrap Ruffle Blouse in Forest Green, Next Online (R367)

Maternity Tunic in Floral Print, Truworths (R350)

Maternity Top in Floral Print, Truworths (R370)

Ruffle Tie-Neck Maternity Blouse in Animal Print, Woolworths (R499)

5. Mamalicious Maternity ¾ Sleeve Tunic Top in Cream, Next Online (R627)

Prices correct at time of print

fashion BEST BUYS

ALL IN THE DETAILS

Maternity and Nursing Ruche-Front Top in Ecru Cream, Next Online (R367)

H&M MAMA Twist-Detail Cotton Top in Powder Beige, Superbalist (R329)

Maternity and Nursing Tiered Belted Wrap Top in Khaki Green, Next Online (R395)

Maternity and Nursing Long-Sleeve Top in Green Stripe, Next Online (R339)

Crochet Panel

in Brown, Mango Online (R1 199)

SPORTY SPICE

Prices correct at time of print

Sweater

1. Maternity Sports T-Shirt in Pale Pink, Next Online (R282)

2. Maternity Hooded Sports Top in Lilac, Next Online (R451)

3. Adidas Maternity Hoodie in Black, Zando (R729)

4. Puma Maternity Studio Oversized Tee in Dusty Plum, Superbalist (R699)

5. Adidas Women's Maternity Sweatshirt in Medium Grey, Zando (R1 499)

BEST BUYS fashion

NICE FOR NURSING

Prices correct at time of print

STOCKISTS

FOXY MAMA

foxymama.co.za

MANGO SOUTH

AFRICA ONLINE shop.mango.com/za

NEXT ONLINE

www.nextdirect.com/za

SUPERBALIST superbalist.com

TRUWORTHS www.truworths.co.za

WOOLWORTHS www.woolworths.co.za

ZANDO

www.zando.co.za

1. Maternity/Nursing Shelf Layer Top in Khaki Green, Next Online (R310)

2. JoJo Maman Bébé Shoulder-Open Maternity/ Nursing Top in Navy and Ecru Stripe, Next Online (R627)

3. Floral Nursing-Friendly Hoodie in Mint Green, Foxy Mama (R495)

4. Maternity/Nursing Popper-Side Sweatshirt in Neutral, Next Online (R494)

5. Seraphine Tie-Side Maternity to Nursing Shirt in Blue and White Pinstripe, Next Online (R1 157)

Easy does it

Novel products to give mummies a helping hand

1. HAAKAA LADYBUG SILICONE BREAST MILK COLLECTOR (FROM R300)

No more crying over spilt milk! Use this nifty breast pad alternative to save every drop of leakage and letdown instead of soaking it up. The one-piece design attaches to your breast with suction and sits securely and discreetly in your bra. The suction is light and gentle to hold the product in place. It’s completely portable and has small feet on the bottom to stand upright on any flat surface, preventing spills after use. Once you’ve finished collecting your letdown, simply open the plug on the top and safely pour out your milk into a container or bottle. takealot.com and www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

2. BAOACTIVE 100% PURE BAOBAB POWDER: IMMUNITY & GUT HEALTH (R175)

This daily supplement (produced locally) is high in bio-available vitamin C and an excellent source of plant-based calcium. It also contains magnesium, potassium and iron as well as elevated levels of dietary fibre that provides a prebiotic effect to help stabilise blood sugar levels and boost satiety and natural vitality. Add to smoothies, sprinkle over cereal or stir into porridge. BaoActive products are naturally gluten-free, vegan-friendly and made for raw and plant-based diets, with each ingredient certified organic. Also available in capsule form (R164).

baoactive.co.za

3.

These bags offer the ultimate convenience while you’re out and about with baby or need a simple space-saving solution at home. Each bag can be used up to 30 times, offering fast and convenient sterilising with minimal clutter. The sterilising process kills 99.9% of common bacteria to keep your baby healthy and happy. You can sterilise up to three bottles, teats, locking rings and caps all in one go.

vitalbaby.co.za

4. ECO BOOM BIODEGRADABLE NAPPY BAGS (R119.99)

The perfect solution for disposing of stinky nappies! These bags will take any size

nappy, and are so compact, thick and strong—you can take them anywhere. They are tear- and leakproof to prevent spillage and the spread of germs. Better still, they are made of natural GMO-free cornstarch, which can decompose easily.

www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

5. PHILIPS AVENT REUSABLE BREAST MILK STORAGE CUPS (R549)

Make breast milk storage and feeding easier by eliminating the need to transfer milk. Attach a 180ml storage container to your breast pump and express directly into the container. Cover with the leak-proof, twist-on lid and then store in the refrigerator or freezer. Simply replace the sealing disc with a nipple for easy feeding—no need to transfer milk from a container to a bottle, and you’ll be protecting your precious breast milk at the same time. The cups and lids can be written on, so you can conveniently track dates. Compatible with Philips AVENT breast pumps, Classic, Classic + and Natural teats. Dis-Chem, Clicks and takealot.com

6. NOA & CO BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT (R550 FOR 30 SACHETS)

With postpartum challenges adding even more to a mama’s plate, maintaining milk supply shouldn’t be one of them. This supplement is healthy, natural and, best of all, effective. Breastfeeding Support is a safe and convenient way for moms to stay hydrated and boost their milk supply without added preservatives and unnecessary sugars. The formulation is fast-dissolving and comes in convenient 5g sachets to support moms at home and on the go. Simply throw a few in the nappy bag, add to water or apple juice, and shake.

noaandco.com

VITAL BABY® NURTURE™ MICROWAVE STERILISING BAGS (R166.99)

BEST BUYS for Babies

Our favourite things

1. INFANTINO PIANO & NUMBERS LEARNING TOUCAN (FROM R340)

This playful toucan has light-up piano keys that introduce little learners to music and numbers. It features nine songs, 18 spoken words and phrases, plus 13 fun sound effects. Switch to mode two for older toddlers in order to unlock playful quizzes. Clicks, Mr Price, Makro and takealot.com

2. VITAL BABY® NOURISH™ STORE AND WEAN POTS

At 60ml each, these pots are perfectly sized for early weaning when only a small amount of food is needed for baby. The freezer pots enable you to prepare homemade baby food and snacks and store in the fridge or freezer, ready for use. Simply press and pop into your bowl to defrost in the microwave, or defrost and feed directly from the pot using baby’s spoon. The secure lids are fully leak-proof, and the stackable design keeps the pots stored neatly in the fridge or freezer. vitalbabyshop.co.za

3.

PostUCare™ seeks to address the shortcomings of some traditional baby seating products. Its unique seating design intentionally targets healthy postural development and hip support during the formative stage of infant development (around 4 to 12 months).

The baby walker has the first patented ergonomic and postureimproving baby seat. Your little

one will be properly supported, encouraging her to play with the activity console while comfortably moving between a sitting and standing position. www.postucarebaby.com

4. INFANTINO BATH BOOK (R159)

This soft book is sure to become a tub toy favourite— incorporating storytelling into bath time, bedtime, anytime! It introduces baby to animals, patterns and bright colours to support visual stimulation. What’s more, the book is 100% sealed to eliminate pesky bath toy mould. Baby City, Mr Price and Makro

5. VITAL BABY® PROTECT™ NASAL DECONGESTER (R94.99)

During their early months, babies breathe through their noses, so congestion can interrupt sleep or feeding as well as cause discomfort. This Nasal Decongester has been designed to clear blocked noses with just a gentle squeeze. The ergonomic design is easy to hold, giving you the ultimate control, as it’s designed with adult hands and little noses in mind. vitalbabyshop.co.za

6. HAPPY BABY SUPERFOOD PUFFS (R99.99)

Parents, meet your pantry’s unsung hero! Happy Baby Puffs—available in two variants—are a melt-in-yourmouth organic snack fortified with choline for eye and brain health. Dusted with fruit and veggie powders, lightly sweetened with real fruit juice concentrate, and enriched with vitamins and minerals, the puffs encourage self-feeding. Baby City

POSTUCARE™ 3-IN-1 BABY WALKER (R2 499.99)

BEST BUYS for Toddlers

Growing up fast!

Here are a few nifty products for mommy’s big girl and big boy

Developed with experts, this cup allows healthy oral development. With its ergonomic handles and lower straw that’s bent, it’s ideal for little ones who are getting acquainted with this novel way of sipping. The integrated anti-leak valve and flip-top design also prevent spills. Clicks, Dis-Chem and medhealthsup.com

2. SOLENCO AIR PURIFICATION PAL (R1 999)

Ensuring your toddler breathes purified air gives him the best start in life. It’ll help protect his health by reducing the chance of catching colds and flu, and developing asthma, allergies and hay fever. Designed with young children in mind, the Air Purification Pal will improve the air quality in baby rooms with its triple filter system that kills bacteria and viruses and traps up to 99.975% of particles, allergens, pollen, dust, smoke, mould spores and pet dander. It also reduces volatile organic compounds, toxic fumes and odours. The product is also a nifty night light.

Now designed for little ones aged 3 years and up, the latest Kabrita Drink is naturally gentle on tummies and fortified with critical nutrients such as vitamins C, D, E and DHA. With A2 proteins, natural prebiotics and added probiotics, the goat milk–based drink supports a healthy gut and your growing child’s needs. Goat milk has a unique fat and protein composition, which makes it naturally easy to digest. Wellness Warehouse and takealot.com

4. KEEEPER EWA TOILET TRAINING SEAT –PEPPA PIG (R189)

This kiddies’ toilet seat makes toilet training child’s play thanks to its anatomical shape for increased comfort, anti-slip function and easily cleanable surface. And which kid wouldn’t be delighted with the illustrations of their favourite pig on their potty? takealot.com

5. BAMBOO BABY TRAINING PANTS (R115)

These pants can fit kids of up to 25kg. There are three rows of rise snaps in the front to adjust the crotch height, and the waist is adjustable with snaps on either side. The outside has soft waterproofing, while the inside is made of bamboo terry with two layers of microfibre to absorb those little accidents that happen during potty training. With 28 prints to choose from, your little one can wear a different training pants for every day of the week!

bamboobaby.co.za

6. ME4KIDZ MEDIBUDDY FIRST AID KIT –ANIMALS (R122)

A compact kids’ first aid kit that’s perfect for those little cuts and scrapes. All cases are made from recycled, leadfree plastic and come in four designs: cat, dog, monkey and penguin. With 50 items—including latex-free plasters— it’s great to slip into your toddler’s bag or backpack for those unforeseen accidents at crèche or daycare. medhealthsup.com

1. PHILIPS AVENT BENDY STRAW CUP 200ML (R177) AND 300ML (R214)

3. KABRITA POWDERED JUNIOR DRINK (R529.99)

BOOKS We love

A new Peppa Pig tale, a touch-and-feel and pop-up book, plus an illustrated encyclopedia are all among this quarter’s favourite reads for youngsters

MIDDLE SCHOOL 15: WINTER BLUNDERLAND

by James Patterson & Brian Sitts (R170)

Things heat up at Hills Village Middle School when Rafe gets an invitation from Dr Daria Deerwin to join a research study on polar bears. Alaska is pinkie-freezing, hair-freezing, snotfreezing cold, but Rafe may be headed for a meltdown. He’s spending every waking moment with Penelope, whom he definitely has a crush on, and a polar bear Dr Deerwin is tracking goes missing—with poachers on the tundra. It’s up to Rafe, Penelope and their new friends to save the day.

BLUEY: THE CREEK

by Ladybird Books (R170)

Bluey and her friends are bored at the park, and Mackenzie suggests a trip to the creek. Bluey is unsure, as she has never been there before. What will Bluey find when she explores the creek? And will she end up liking what she finds?

An exciting board book about the beauty of trying something new.

POP-UP PEEKABOO!: SHARK

by DK Books (R150)

Join Sally the Shark as she swims around her ocean home to find her four best friends. Babies and toddlers can lift big flaps and see five peekaboo surprises pop up from the pages: a humpback whale blowing bubbles, a sea turtle in the colourful coral reef, a clever octopus hiding on the sand, a playful dolphin splashing on the surface, and Sally Shark playing hide and seek with her friends.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’S TOUCH AND FEEL ANIMALS

by Eric Carle (R215)

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he meets animals from the rainforest, the farmyard, the seaside and so much more. With touchand-feel elements to explore on every page and first concepts to discover—including wild words, animal actions and a noisy farmyard— this is a richly satisfying board book for babies and toddlers.

FRIENDS LIKE THESE

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (R215)

Tegan Sheffield's annual end-of-summer beach party is the only way to start their senior year. At least that's what Jake Healy tells his girlfriend Jessica Sanchez. But when a video prank from the party goes viral and a body is discovered at the beach, Jake and Jessica find themselves at the centre of a national media storm and a police investigation.

THE NEW CHILDREN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA

by DK Books (R350)

When? Where? What? Why? This stimulating and comprehensive encyclopedia answers all the questions children love to ask. Each chapter is jam-packed with maps, charts, time lines, diagrams, beautiful images and amazing facts. The New Children's Encyclopedia, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies since it was first published in 2009, has now been fully updated in line with the most up-to-date research.

PONY

by RJ Palacio (R190)

When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool... who happens to be a ghost. But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do. So begins a perilous journey to find his father—a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him.

DON'T WORRY, PEPPA

by Ladybird Books (R170)

Mummy Pig is worried they're going to be late for lunch at Granny and Grandpa Pig's house. Daddy Pig is worried that it may rain. And George is worried about driving his little car downhill in case it goes too fast. But Peppa isn't sure she can tell everyone about her little worry... Kids will find out how sharing their worries can help them disappear.

All books published by Penguin Random House