Baby Steps #2 by Mario Oneup

CHILD SAFETY 101 SEX AFTER BIRTH DEALING WITH PICKY EATERS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION A MOM’S STORY

WIN SEE YOU AT THE BABA INDABA

second quarter 2013

issue 2

R29.95

contents Editors note ......................................................................................... 04 Letters .................................................................................................... 06 Competitions ...................................................................................... 08 Pregnancy the 2nd trimester ........................................................ 12 82

Tips for creating a birth plan ......................................................... 16 Uif benefits........................................................................................... 18 Counselling in preparation for birth........................................... 20 Preventing and reducing stretch marks .................................... 22 Stem cell storage ............................................................................... 26 A star is born ....................................................................................... 30 What is the cost of a life? Reani Badenhorst ............................ 32 Healthy milk teeth leads to healthy permanent teeth......... 34

What is Autism?.................................................................................. 38 Nursery decor – all-in-one small space ..................................... 42 Breastfeeding into toddlerhood .................................................. 46 South African breast milk reserve .............................................. 48 Postnatal depression – a mom’s story........................................ 50 Sex after birth ..................................................................................... 54 From crawling to walking ............................................................... 58 Babies and allergies .......................................................................... 62

Kids overdosing on salt ................................................................... 64 Picky eating ......................................................................................... 66 CAPFSA – child safety in and around the home..................... 68 Preventing choking and suffocation .......................................... 72 How to choose a safe toy................................................................ 74 How safe are our children playing outside? ............................ 76 Preventing poisoning ...................................................................... 82 Would you throw a baby away? ................................................... 84

Jhb child welfare – a call for foster parents .............................. 86 Nelson mandela children’s fund .................................................. 90 1

credits

MANAGING DIRECTOR TB Mabecha EDITOR Charlene Heyburgh PROJECT MANAGER Gaynor Thompson

SALES EXECUTIVES Gaynor Thompson Anthony Botha Kiara Hagglund Ehrin Manuel Wendy Scullard TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Kiara Hagglund DESIGNER Mario Morgan mario@1upcreative.co.za

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE Laurenda Hagglund OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Carmen Puma BEYOND PUBLISHING CK 2008/187319/23 25 Voortrekker Road, Unit 29, Goodwood, 7460 Tel: 021 592 5721 Fax: 021 592 5714 Email: beyondpublishing@telkomsa.net Website: www.beyondpublishing.co.za

The opinions in Beyond are not necessarily those of the publisher. COPYRIGHT MABECHA PUBLICATIONS All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission from the publisher

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editors note

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from the 1st to the 7th of August each year in more than 120 countries. While researching article ideas for this edition, I learnt that only 8% of women in South Africa breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months. I do understand that there are women that simply cannot lactate due to special circumstances but why, when the World Health Organisation recommends nursing until AT LEAST 6 months of age and with this view also endorsed by our government, are South African mothers not opting to breastfeed? It is proven that breastfed babies enjoy better health and there are countless health and emotional benefits for Mom too. What better reason could you ask for? In most parts of the world, nursing a child who is four years or older is not uncommon. What our nursing Moms need is continued support, especially within the home and community, in order to breastfeed for as long as possible. Hats off to those mothers who continue to nurse their babies into toddlerhood. To support breastfeeding week, I urge all nursing Moms to read the article by the South African Breast Milk Reserve on page 48 and to support them by becoming a breast milk donor. In this edition of Baby Steps, our expert Paediatric Dietician, Kath Megaw, gives us some unique tips and tricks on how to deal with picky eaters. My 1 year old daughter has recently declared a war on food and I will definitely be using her advice to make mealtimes easier in my household! We haven’t forgotten about our pregnant readers. There is so much preparation involved before a new baby is born. From decorating the nursery to buying the cot, top-of-therange stroller to the latest in baby fashion. The list goes on and on. What we don’t prepare ourselves for is the change that a baby brings to a marriage or relationship. We give you an interesting article on preparing your marriage and relationship for baby’s arrival on page 20. For those parents concerned with safety, the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of SA (CAPFSA) shows you how to childproof your home from top to bottom, how to choose a safe toy and how to prevent choking and poisoning. We have a great prize to give away in this edition. One lucky reader will win an Aqua Scale 3-in-1 digital scale, water thermometer and bath. For a chance to win, pop me an e-mail (before the 30th of September) and share your thoughts, tips and advice on pregnancy and parenting. Thanks to all who shared their wonderful stories in our previous competition and congratulations to Zawjatu Muhammed who won the Joie Muze Travel System. Looking forward to hearing from you and good luck! Enjoy the read.

charlene@beyondpublishing.co.za 4

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letters

Congratulations to Zawjatu Muhammed for sharing her story and sending in the winning letter for the Joie Muze Travel System.

The winning letter for the Joie Muze Travel System

Dear Charlene I love magazines and was full of smiles when I purchased my first copy of Baby Steps. I love the fact that your magazine is informative and colourful. I will definitely be taking out a subscription. Let me share my story with you.. I'm a mum to a 5 year old girl and a 4 month old son. My first pregnancy was smooth sailing but baby was breech. Doctors told me not to worry she'll turn on her own. But, because I was a first time mum and super anxious I decided to have her turned by an experienced midwife. Everything went well and baby turned to normal position. Boy was I glad! But things were not meant to be! Two days later, at the beginning of my 30th week, my waters broke. Baby was born via emergency caesarean section weighing just under 1.9kgs, but she was a perfectly healthy, perfectly formed angel. The cause of early labour in this case was that baby decided to turn back to the breeched position after I had her turned and in the process, managed to rupture a membrane with her little legs. When I fell pregnant again, my dream was to have a normal birth. All through my pregnancy, my midwife kept my hopes up that this time I was going to deliver naturally! My son had other ideas! He was born in my 8th month via emergency caesarean section again! This time it was because he managed to rupture a membrane with his arm and it got stuck in my cervix at the same time. He weighed 2,3kgs and was also a perfectly healthy little boy. My family always laughs and says that one came kicking her way into this world like a little ballerina and the other came punching his way out like a typical boy. Both my kids were supposed to be born at a private hospital but the moment they said I was having a caesarean section,

I asked for a transfer to a government hospital. We really couldn't afford the Caesar fees. Today I have no regrets of giving birth there. Go with an open mind and you will be surprised at the environment, the nurses and the professional stance of the gynaecologistsand all of it is for free. I might not be able to give normal birth again but by having these two angels in my life, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change it for anything.

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competition winners Cussons competition winners: Alison Sigerson, Nomadloza Tshabalala, Lauren Rossouw Pick â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n win winners: Mr Miam, Mrs Martin Jackflash winners: Mrs Seedat - Benoni, Mr Spies - Witbank, Mrs Mlango - Troyville, Mrs Volschenk - Nigel, Mrs Flanagan - Roodepoort, Mrs Cleghorn - Pretoria, Miss Mokobodi - Kelvin, Mrs Pillay Midrand, Mrs Sebapole - Sebokeng, Mrs Nkhumishe - Mabopane

the second trimester

The worst of the nausea may have passed and your baby isn’t big enough to crowd your abdominal organs and make you uncomfortable just yet. You may be feeling wonderful and sporting that pregnant glow but major changes are happening within your womb and you might notice physical changes to your body very soon. Foetal development takes on new meaning in the second trimester. The highlights of this trimester might include finding out your baby’s sex and feeling your baby move. You might hear the heartbeat for the first time and your baby will begin to seem more real. Let’s take a closer look at what happens to Mom and the developing baby during the second trimester. Week 13: Thirteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 11 weeks after conception, your baby’s intestines have returned to his or her abdomen from the umbilical cord — where they’ve been growing for the past couple of weeks. Your baby is also beginning to form urine and discharge it into the amniotic fluid. Tissue that will become bone is also developing around your baby’s head and within his or her arms and legs. Week 14: Fourteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 12 weeks after conception, your baby’s arms have almost reached the final relative lengths that they will be at birth and your baby’s neck has become more defined. Red blood cells are forming in your baby’s spleen.

move. The ears are close to reaching their final position. Your baby might be able to make sucking motions with his or her mouth. Your baby’s movements are becoming coordinated and can be detected during ultrasound exams. Week 17: Seventeen weeks into your pregnancy, or 15 weeks after conception, fat stores begin to develop under your baby’s skin. The fat will provide energy and help keep your baby warm after birth.

Week 16: Sixteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 14 weeks after conception, your baby’s eyes have begun to face forward and slowly

For girls, the uterus and vagina might begin to form this week. Week 20: Halfway into your pregnancy, or 18 weeks after conception, you might be able to feel your baby’s first movements, also known as quickening. If you’ve been pregnant before, you might have begun feeling your baby’s movements a few weeks ago. Week 21: Twenty-one weeks into your pregnancy, or 19 weeks after conception, your baby is poised to gain more weight. By this week your baby is becoming more active and is able to swallow. Week 22: Twenty-two weeks into your pregnancy, or 20 weeks after conception, your baby is completely covered with a fine, down-like hair called lanugo. The lanugo helps hold the vernix caseosa on the skin. Your baby’s eyebrows might be visible.

Your baby’s sex will become apparent this week or in the coming weeks. For girls, ovarian follicles begin forming. For boys, the prostate appears. Week 15: Fifteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 13 weeks after conception, your baby is growing rapidly. Your baby’s skeleton is developing bones, which will become visible on ultrasound images in a few weeks. Your baby’s scalp hair pattern is also forming.

abrasions, chapping and hardening that can result from exposure to amniotic fluid.

Week 18: Eighteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 16 weeks after conception, your baby’s ears begin to stand out on the sides of his or her head. Your baby might begin to hear.

Week 23: Twenty-three weeks into your pregnancy, or 21 weeks after conception, your baby’s skin is wrinkled, more translucent than before and pink to red in colour.

Week 19: Nineteen weeks into your pregnancy, or 17 weeks after conception, a greasy, cheeselike coating called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby. The vernix caseosa helps protect your baby’s delicate skin from

This week your baby begins to have rapid eye movements. Your baby’s tongue will soon develop taste buds. Fingerprints and footprints are forming. For boys, the testes are descending from the abdomen. For girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place -

complete with a lifetime supply of eggs. With intensive medical care, some babies born this week might be able to survive. Week 24: Twenty-four weeks into your pregnancy, or 22 weeks after conception, your baby is regularly sleeping and waking. Real hair is growing on his or her head. Week 25: Twenty-five weeks into your pregnancy, or 23 weeks after conception, your baby’s hands and startle reflex are developing. Your baby might be able to respond to familiar sounds, such as your voice, with movement. Week 26: Twenty-six weeks into your pregnancy, or 24 weeks after conception, your baby has fingernails. Your baby’s lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, the substance that allows the air sacs in the lungs to inflate - and keeps them from collapsing and sticking together when they deflate. Week 27: This week marks the end of the second trimester. At 27 weeks, or 25 weeks after conception, your baby’s lungs and nervous system are continuing to mature — and he or she has likely been growing like a weed. Your baby’s crown-to-rump length might have tripled since the 12-week mark. Second Trimester – What Mom can expect During the second trimester of pregnancy, you might notice physical changes from head to toe. Larger breasts Stimulated by oestrogen and progesterone, the milk-producing glands inside your breasts get larger during the second trimester. Additional fat might also accumulate in your breasts. Although

Growing belly As your uterus becomes heavier and expands to make room for the baby, your abdomen expands — sometimes rapidly. Starting in the second trimester, expect to gain just under 2 kilograms a month until delivery.

Dizziness Your blood vessels dilate in response to pregnancy hormones. Until your blood volume expands to fill them, your blood pressure will fall and you might experience occasional dizziness. If you’re having trouble with dizziness, drink plenty of fluids and rise slowly after lying or sitting down. When you feel dizzy, lie on your left side to restore your blood pressure.

Braxton Hicks contractions Your uterus might start contracting to build strength for the big job ahead. You might feel these warm-ups, called Braxton Hicks contractions, in your lower abdomen and groin. They’re usually weak and come and go unpredictably. Contact your health care provider if the contractions become painful or regular. This could be a sign of preterm labour.

Leg cramps Leg cramps are common as pregnancy progresses, often striking at night. To help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy, stretch your calf muscles before bed. It also helps to stay physically active and drink plenty of fluids. If a leg cramp strikes, stretch the calf muscle on the affected side. A hot shower, warm bath or ice massage also may help.

Skin changes As the number of pigment-bearing cells in your skin increases, you might notice dark spots on your breasts or inner thighs. You might also see a faint, dark line down your abdomen.

Shortness of breath Your lungs are processing more air than they did before your pregnancy. This allows your blood to carry more oxygen to your placenta and the baby — and might leave you breathing slightly faster and feeling short of breath.

Dark patches might appear on your face as well. Sun exposure can aggravate the issue. When you’re outdoors, be sure to use plenty of sunscreen. Stretch marks You might notice pink, red or purple streaks along your abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks or thighs during the second trimester of pregnancy. Your stretching skin might also be itchy. Moisturisers can help. Although stretch marks can’t be prevented, most stretch marks eventually fade in intensity.

Vaginal discharge You might notice a thin, white vaginal discharge. This acidic discharge is thought to help suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria or yeast. You might want to wear panty liners for comfort. Contact your health care provider if the discharge becomes strong smelling, green or yellowish, or if it’s accompanied by redness, itching or irritation. This could indicate a vaginal infection.

Nasal and gum problems As pregnancy increases your circulation, more blood flows through your body’s mucous membranes. This causes the lining

7 weeks

of your nose and airway to swell, which can restrict airflow and lead to snoring, congestion and nosebleeds. Increased blood circulation can also soften your gums, which might cause minor bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Switching to a softer toothbrush can help decrease irritation.

some of the initial breast tenderness will likely improve, nipple tenderness might continue throughout the pregnancy. A supportive bra is a must.

20-36

creating your birth plan The birth of your baby should be one of the most memorable and life-changing experiences of your life. However, like all babies, no birth is ever quite the same and women have different experiences and expectations of their birthing experience. All pregnant women spend countless hours daydreaming about how things will pan out when the time comes to have their bundle of joy. Creating a birth plan is an ideal way for you to communicate your wishes to the doctors and midwives that will be attending to you during the labour and birthing process. A birth plan can help you to maintain focus and regain a measure of control even if unexpected events occur. A birth plan is very personal and should reflect your preferences but keep in mind that a birth plan is not set in stone and you will have to be as flexible as possible when creating your ideal birth plan. Remember that the most important part of your experience is ensuring the safe birth for your baby. Providing a copy of the plan for everyone directly involved in the birth will help them better understand what your preferences are. Because there are so many aspects of birth to consider, it is best not to wait until the last minute to put your plan together. The plan will provide you with an opportunity of discussing important details with those responsible for supporting and caring for you before and during the big day which will ease your mind.

t t

t t t t t t t

labour? You may want more than one person to be with you. Would you prefer the option of moving around freely during the first stage of labour? In other words, would you like mobility or do you wish to stay in bed? Would you prefer to eat and drink freely during your labour? Would you like to have a pain-free birth or would you prefer to avoid using pain-relieving medicine during your labour? What activities or positions do you plan to use? (walking, standing, squatting, hands and knees) Do you prefer a certain position to give birth? Would you like to play your own music during labour? How do you feel about foetal monitoring? How do you plan to keep hydrated? (sips of drinks, ice chips) Would you prefer to hold your baby immediately after birth? Would you be willing to have an episiotomy? Or, are there certain measures you want to use to avoid

t t t t

t t t

one? What are your preferences for your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care? (when to feed, where to sleep) Would you like your birth partner to cut the cord? Do you want to wear your own clothing? Would you prefer that your baby be placed skin-to-skin on your chest and let breastfeeding occur naturally on babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own time? Do you want to use the tub or shower after the birth? If you do need to have a caesarean, do you have any special requests? Would you like your baby to be with you at all times during your hospital stay?

Most of the time, health care providers have a set routine. They have been trained, and they also want what is best for the birth. They might or might not be receptive to some of your ideas. They might view your list as being too demanding or as increasing certain risks. Make an appointment with the labour and birth area of your hospital or birthing centre to have the staff review your plan in order to make suggestions. You can request to spend time in an empty birthing or labour room to become more familiar with where you will be and what you might want to add to your packing list (extra pillows, pictures etc). This should leave you feeling more confident about your birth plan and your choice of birth location.

Find out as much as you can about all of the procedures and routine policies associated with labour and birth at the hospital where you will be delivering. If you do not agree with a policy or procedure, you should discuss it with your health care provider. As you learn more about what to expect, you will likely identify details that you want to include in your plan. Here are a few points to consider when creating your birth plan: t

Who will be with you during your

uif beneďŹ ts Writer: Bridget de Kock

During the nine months of pregnancy, a lot of planning goes on in preparation for the arrival of baby. This includes the planning of the nursery, the birth/hospital plan, the baby shower plans, the shopping plans, and so the list of things to plan for goes on and on. One of the most important aspects of your planning is to be financially prepared for when you will go on maternity leave. Often, the pregnant mom gets so caught up in all the other plans that the financial planning is almost always left to the ninth month. The starting point to being financially prepared for when baby arrives is to find out exactly what the maternity benefits are that your company will offer to you. These days, it is common for companies to have a policy in place which covers everything pertaining to maternity leave. Companies offer different maternity benefits to their staff so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of great importance that you find out what benefits will be available to you early on in your pregnancy. Companies are under no obligation whatsoever to offer paid maternity leave. If you find yourself in the position of not receiving any pay or receiving a reduced salary while you will be on maternity leave, it is imperative to plan ahead of time to find out how you can obtain additional compensation for your reduced earnings. In this instance, UIF becomes essential! 18

What is UIF? UIF refers to the Unemployment Insurance Fund and a person is able to claim monetary benefits from the fund should the need arise. UIF is made available to you by the Department of Labour (DOL) and so all claims for UIF benefits are submitted directly to the DOL. What UIF benefits are available to me? There are two different UIF benefits that one can claim for, namely: unemployment benefits and maternity benefits. The unemployment benefits are available to someone who becomes unemployed as a result of an involuntary termination of the employment contract i.e. retrenchment/ company liquidation/contract expiry, etc. The maternity benefits are available to female employees going on maternity leave. It is important to note that these are two separate benefits that one can claim for. Due to the nature of this article, we refer specifically to the maternity benefits and do not talk about unemployment benefits in detail. Is UIF applicable to me? If you are currently contributing to UIF on a monthly basis and you have noticed the UIF deduction coming off your payslip each month, then yes, UIF is applicable to you! You can only claim UIF if you are contributing to the fund. Do I qualify to claim UIF?

ends irrespective of this and you cannot continue to claim for the remaining days. When is the claim submitted? You start claiming the UIF benefits once your reduced earnings comes into effect and this is generally at the start of maternity leave. The claim is submitted the moment you require the additional compensation from the fund. If your company does pay your full salary for a portion of your maternity leave, in this instance, the claim will only be submitted at the time when the benefits are required and no sooner!

Bridget has a BCom Hons (Industrial Psychology) degree and spent a few years working within the Human Resources field during which time she assisted numerous staff with handling their maternity leave matters including that of providing assistance with claiming uif. After personally attempting to claim uif at the birth of her first child, Bridgetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Uif Assist was started in an effort to help other working Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

When is the best time to start preparing for the claim? As we all know, babies are on their own time and therefore it is important to be well prepared in case you have an early delivery. The more you do in advance as far as the paperwork for the claim is concerned, the better! It is advisable to start sorting out your documents at least two months ahead of your claim period. Make sure you pick up the next issue of Baby Steps as we will discuss claiming UIF in further detail.

A claim can be lodged for maternity benefits in the event that you will not receive your full salary from work while on maternity leave. Furthermore, even if your company does pay you a certain percentage of your salary you can still make a claim for the shortfall in earnings. If you receive your full monthly salary while on maternity leave, then you cannot claim for benefits. How long will I be able to claim for? You are able to claim maternity benefits for a period of four months (121 days) and the claim commences at the start of maternity leave when the reduced earnings comes into effect. If for whatever reason you return to work earlier than expected, at which point your normal full salary once again gets paid to you, it is important that you stop claiming immediately as you can only claim up to the last day of your reduced earnings being received. Even if the full 121 days has not lapsed and you return to work, the claim still 19

counselling in preparation for birth Written by: Meenaaz Adams Expectant parents’ excitement, together with their loved ones, is primarily focused on the new arrival or arrivals. Baby clothes, top of the notch strollers, together with the latest baby equipment and technology on the market, are on the shopping “to-do-list”. However, expectant parents also need to consider another task on their “to-dolist”: their marriage skills in preparation for baby’s arrival. Numerous studies have shown that a couples’ satisfaction with their marriage takes a nosedive after the birth of their first child.

The fun of their marital relationship is now fraught with sleepless nights and conflicts over whose turn it is to change diapers. It is in preparation counselling that the key source of conflict is to be amicably resolved. Expectant couples make a list of every potential task from paying bills and cooking dinner to attending to baby at 3am. These need to be clearly defined including responsibilities of each.

Men and women may experience these demands and changes differently. Mother’s satisfaction in the marriage plummets immediately due to hormonal changes and the physical demands of childbirth and nursing. Furthermore, an abrupt shift from the working world to being at home as a full-time caregiver is all too overwhelming. For men, the slide may be more gradual. Constructive problem solving can simply combat these issues of conflict. These include: talking and sharing difficulties and successes, time out – selecting an activity, taking a walk with baby in the stroller, watching a soapie as husband and wife or eating together. Select what works for you as a couple and family. Note when tempers are high, do not let it get out of control, act before it is too late! Enjoy your new arrival by forming your own practical parenting journal! Make the most of being a good parent, with a “happy” child. Enjoy the parenthood journey!

Other issues to note are role changes. Men may feel “unneeded” as women breastfeed and focus their energy on baby. The conversation dulls to only baby-related matters, real talks that bond are hard to come by. Sleep is scarce; baby’s schedule means that both parents may be sleepdeprived and short-tempered.

Influence the Next Generation Families South Africa (FAMSA)

Ensure that your children have the BEST possible start in life Get professional, pre-natal counselling for you and your partner FAMSA has 28 affiliates throughout S.A. where counselling is available

Call: (011)975-7106/7 national@famsa.org.za

Meenaaz Adams Famsa Pietermaritzburg Meenaaz Adams is the Social Work Manager at FAMSA Pietermaritzburg, an NPO specialising in family and relationship issues. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work, and over 20 yrs experience in the field. She is currently responsible for supervising and mentoring social workers involved in family counselling..

preventing and reducing stretch marks Pregnancy stretch marks are a natural result of the skin around the abdomen stretching out to make room for your growing belly. They are narrow pink or purplish streak-like lines that develop on the surface of your skin. It is thought that up to 80% of pregnant women are affected by stretch marks and if you do get them during your pregnancy, they are most likely to appear on your tummy, upper thighs and on your breasts as your pregnancy progresses. It is possible to prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks if you act early in the pregnancy. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you prevent and reduce stretch marks during your pregnancy.

Eat a skin-nourishing diet Incorporating foods that are especially beneficial for the health of your skin can improve your skin’s elasticity which will help prevent stretch marks from forming. Add the following yummy fruits and veg to your diet: t Foods rich in antioxidants which help to nourish and protect the skin such as spinach, strawberries, blueberries and other fresh fruits and vegetables. t Foods containing Omega 3’s, which keep cell membranes healthy and make your skin glow. Fish, eggs and walnuts contain Omega 3’s. t Foods containing Vitamin A, which repairs skin tissue. Carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes and squash contain Vitamin A. t Foods containing Vitamin E, which protects skin cell membranes. Nuts, seeds, broccoli and avocados contain Vitamin E. Stay Hydrated Water helps to detoxify your body and it keeps your skin cells plump which makes your skin healthier and more likely to bounce back from the stress caused by the stretching of the skin due to your growing tummy. t Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day. t Eat watery fruits and vegetables. Watermelon and strawberries contain lots of water.

Drink green tea and herbal tea. Choose teas without caffeine.

Exercise during your pregnancy Exercising helps the skin retain its elasticity by improving your body’s circulation. Exercise will also help prevent too much weight being gained, too quickly, which will keep stretch marks from forming. Gain weight gradually Stretch marks happen when you gain too much weight, too fast. Avoid eating for two and be mindful of what you eat. Fill your plate with fruits and veggies which will keep the hunger pangs at bay between meals and opt to eat 6 or 7 small meals a day instead of 3 main meals. Practice dry brushing. Exfoliating your skin using a dry brush improves your circulation and keeps your skin healthy. It’s recommended as a way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks that have already formed, but dry brushing can also be used as a preventative technique. Use a dry brush made from natural fibres. Start brushing from the bottom of your legs and brush your skin upward, towards your heart. Focus on the areas where stretch marks may occur such as your abdomen and thighs – do not dry brush on your abdomen while you are pregnantwait until after your baby is born.

Avoid using harsh chemicals on your skin Many commercial body washes contain sulfates which can dry out your skin and your skin will lose elasticity over time. Try using coconut oil which acts as a healthy skin cleanser. Choose a cleanser made with natural oils that will hydrate your skin rather than making it lose too much moisture. Moisturise your skin It is important to use a moisturiser to hydrate the skin on your tummy, sides, lower back, legs, thighs and anywhere else that you might get stretch marks. Choose products specifically made for pregnant women as regular creams and lotions won’t penetrate the skin deeply enough to keep it hydrated or choose a natural oil. Cocoa butter, almond oil and shea butter are popular choices for moisturising skin during pregnancy. Moisturise your skin in the morning after bathing and again at night. Use sunscreen If you go swimming or spend time in the sun, make sure you use plenty of sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body especially where stretch marks might occur. The sun’s rays are especially tough on skin in South Africa so it is important to protect yourself during pregnancy.

Tiny baby?

Newborn baby diapers too big? 24

lavonne s story Simone was born at 34 weeks and weighed only 1.5kg when she entered the world. I had been on bed rest until 28 weeks, due to it being a high-risk pregnancy. Despite reading about all the signs of premature labour, I was not prepared for Simone’s birth, nor the roller-coaster ride that would follow. In my mind’s eye, she would have been small, and that’s it, but we quickly discovered the world of premature babies, and especially the growing up years, is far removed from this picture. About six months after Simone’s birth, I started a support group for the parents of premature babies, which resulted in several hospitals asking us to investigate special prematurity products such as diapers. And so a company was born, a company with PASSION! Little Miracle® Premature Diapers The solution for 10 years and now for you! If you look at the way in which a premature baby lays down in an incubator and compare it with the way a full-term baby lays down, you will notice that full-term babies often lie in a curled-up position. The premature infants were still supposed to be curled up in the womb, in a foetal position, legs crossed and hips rotated slightly to the inside. Premature babies have weak muscle tone and if they are not supported in any way and left to lie on their backs, they tend to sprawl, legs akimbo and arms flung out sideways. Parents instinctively feel it is uncomfortable for babies to lie down in this way. A growing body of medical research has noted the positive effects of correct

positioning of a premature infant so he / she can lie in a better position. This helps the baby develop a normal posture and muscle tone, so that the child is more likely to achieve milestones such as sitting, crawling1 and walking at a normal pace. Nurses and parents can assist with positioning. Positioning is the name we use for the practical art of gently supporting premature babies so they lie in a more comfortable position, as close as possible to the position they had inside the womb. This enables and encourages premature infants to gently exercise, flexing their muscles and pushing against boundaries, which helps normal development. The incorrect size diaper, not only leads to long-term damage, but also prevents the parents and nursing staff to position the baby correctly as described above. When parents are blessed with a full-term baby, they can choose any diaper they like from the vast range of brands catering for normal-sized babies, but with premature babies, “it’s the SIZE that matters!”® Imagine this scenario: You’re in a car accident and break both your legs. At the hospital both legs are put in plaster and a one-metre splint is placed between them. You now need to lie on your side, back or tummy with this splint pushing your legs apart for 12 weeks… Would you be comfortable? How would your hips feel?

close as possible to how they sit in the womb? While many companies out there offer diapers that are labelled for premature babies, the majority are still much larger than Little Miracle® Premature diapers. Little Miracle® Premature diapers have the following qualities: t t 5IF EJBQFS JT øFYJCMF BOE TNBMM enough to help nursing staff practice neurodevelopmental care. t It has a super absorbent gel pad with embossed drainage. t The fasteners can be resealed. The diaper can be checked many times, as the fasteners are designed to continue sealing. t The diaper contains spandex elastic. t U-shaped leg cuffs which are leak proof. t The soft front top folds over to expose the delicate umbilical cord. t The diaper is chlorine-free. t The diaper has been manufactured in an ISO 9001:2000 Standard (Quality Management Systems)-approved factory. “…Along with strengthening the trunk, shoulders and hand muscles, the mechanics of crawling stimulate different areas of the brain that are important for future learning. When a child begins crawling, this repetitious movement helps stimulate and organize neurons, allowing her brain to control cognitive processes such as comprehension, concentration and memory. When an infant crawls, she visually determines where she wants to go and physically moves in that direction. Her hands become the guides and the child’s first test of hand/eye coordination becomes established. This skill set is used later in life for reading, writing and sports activities…” Resource: http://www.medcentral.org/main/ Whatssoimportantaboutcrawling.aspx

Little Miracle® Products and Services Office: 0861 LITTLE (0861 548 853) Fax: 086 564 9357 Cell: 082 497 8927 Web: www.littlemiracle.co.za

This is essentially what over-sized diapers do to premature babies. Would it not be better to have a diaper that helps your baby rest comfortably in a position as 25

stem cell storage what every parent should know On behalf of Cryo-Save South Africa

There is so much a new parent needs to know and plan for the arrival of their little bundle of joy. From looking for the right gynaecologist, hospital and paediatrician to making sure the baby room is kitted out with a cot, compactum and of course, buying the best pram, car seat and let’s not forget the stock piling of Huggies nappies. Parents often don’t think further than the first few months and how they will get through this rollercoaster ride. Luckily there is a company that can do this for you – Cryo-Save South Africa, a Private Stem Cell Storage Bank. While you are pregnant you often don’t think about the possibility of your child getting sick or any other family member for that matter. These are the happiest times of your life. But if you could do something to help them get better you wouldn’t hesitate would you? There is something you can do – store your baby’s cord blood stem cells for potential future use. “For well over a decade it has been possible to store a baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth for future medical use,” says Louis Rehrl, Director at Cryo-Save South Africa. “Rather than just discarding umbilical cord blood as medical waste, you can choose to store your baby’s stem cells for private use,” says Rehrl. So what is cord blood? This is the blood that remains in your baby’s umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of the baby and the umbilical cord has been cut. This cord blood contains specialised stem cells which have the unique ability to develop into all the different blood cell types.

“Saving these cells ensure that you have lifelong access to your baby’s pure stem cells that could be used to treat many, often fatal, diseases that could occur later in life,” says Rehrl. For example, a wide range of blood cancers, blood disorders and immune system deficiencies. Storing your baby’s cord blood privately ensures that it is immediately available for your baby and family. Apart from the apparent benefit of having these cells available for use, there are situations where it is important that you consider Stem Cell Storage. For instance, where there is already a history of disease in the family or where the baby will be one of mixed ethnicity. While your child’s umbilical cord stem cells will always remain a perfect match for them there is also a probability of these cells being a viable match for their siblings, parents and even grandparents. This is an obvious benefit for the entire family. “The first question most parents ask us is the cost of storing their baby’s cord blood stem cells,” says Rehrl. Cryo-Save understands that becoming a parent is already very expensive and not all parents have the financial means to immediately meet the costs involved. This is why they have developed payment options to make this once in a lifetime opportunity more affordable. “We have six flexible payment options allowing you to save these precious stem cells as an insurance policy for your child,” concludes Rehrl.

could do something to help our families why wouldn’t we? So add Stem Cell Storage on your list when preparing to be a new parent and contact Cryo-Save for a professional, affordable and caring service. About Cryo-Save South Africa: Cryo-Save South Africa is part of the Cryo-Save Group, Europe’s largest private human stem cell bank. There are six internationally accredited labs and CryoSave globally stores more than 200 000 samples. In 2009, Cryo-Save became the first lab in the world to offer a validated cord tissue stem cell storage service. Driven by its international business strategy, Cryo-Save is now represented in over 40 countries on four continents with ultra-modern processing and storage facilities in Belgium, Germany, Dubai, India, France and South Africa. CryoSave consists of a highly qualified stem cell advisory board consisting of more than 20 international doctors. Cryo-Save South Africa is owned by two publicly listed companies, providing unmatched financial security. The South African lab is a newly built facility that complies with international standards for blood bank laboratories and is situated in Cape Town. For more information on Cryo-Save or Stem Cell Storage contact 0860 783 6231 or info@cryo-save.co.za.

Nothing in life is certain but if we knew we

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are bamboo nappies the way to go? I’m sure you’ve recently been hearing more about cloth nappies from friends and neighbours. Cloth nappies? Are we really going back to the Stone Age? Cloth nappies were used in an age where women stayed home, raised babies, did laundry and washed the dishes!

getting allergies from the nappy. Bamboo is also highly absorbent. In fact, it absorbs up to more than three times its weight! This means that our bamboo nappies do not need to be enhanced with absorbent chemicals, giving you a more natural nappy, which is better for baby.

The new cloth nappy design is a far cry from all of this.

Most disposable nappy manufacturers offer you a product that promises to keep your baby dryer for longer, but they don’t inform you of the impact their product may have on your baby, our planet and your bank balance! Disposable nappies should be a concern for anybody wishing to do their bit to preserve our planet. These nappies fill up our landfills at an alarming rate, and is a major contributor to climate change. Studies have shown that disposable nappies could take up to 500 years to decompose! It is our responsibility as modern-day parents, to put baby’s health first, without it costing the planet’s health.

Modern-day cloth nappies do not involve big grandma pins, plastic covers and prewash bathtub soak sessions. Cloth nappies have evolved from the terry cloth folding period to a well-designed product that’s easy to use, and great for the environment. In our day and age, with unstable economic times, and our carbon footprint offering much food for thought, cloth nappies are well worth considering. Nappies have been evolving since the 18th century. They’ve been available in all sorts of different materials, including wool, cotton, paper and even rubber! These days a new type of nappy can be added to the range: a bamboo nappy! Although it sounds strange at first, bamboo is a perfect material for making nappies from. What makes bamboo so special? In a nutshell, here are some of the most important reasons moms change to bamboo nappies: t They’re a healthy alternative for baby t They’re environmentally friendly t They’re cost effective Bamboo is a natural fibre with an exceptional growth-rate (literally up to a metre or more per day, in some cases). Because of this superb growth rate, the plant offers a highly sustainable product. We won’t run out of bamboo anytime soon! Bamboo is known for its anti-bacterial qualities. This reduces the risk of baby

Bamboo nappies will save you a bundle of cash in the long run. Estimates show that disposable nappies cost between R2.50 and R4.00 per nappy. This amounts to up to R19,000 per child, until the child is potty-trained. Bamboo nappies, in comparison, cost around R0.66 per use! This means that you could be saving up to 70% by using our nappies! The benefits of using bamboo nappies far outweigh the benefits of using disposable nappies. Our bamboo nappies are comfortable, fashionable and convenient. By changing our approach to such a simple thing such as nappies, we play not only a major role in the comfort of our precious little ones, but also a big part in conserving planet earth, which we want our children to enjoy when they’re grown up.

a star is born Wtitten by: Marissa Meiring Expecting a baby is more than just the physical change your body is undergoing and preparing a room in the house. Most parents to a certain degree have expectations for their children. What are your expectations ? Firstly, most often your thoughts will be wondering about the gender. What about family names ? What physical appearance will the baby have ? We might expect the next best SA sport champion or the next leader in politics or the artist the family always wanted. Sometimes we have clouded expectations of this baby. We are clouded by our own expectations of our past. Expectations about the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour and characteristics could be forcing a child to be something he or she is clearly not. How we think about this boy or girl will determine how you go about teaching, interacting and guiding this child. Parents are entrusted with this baby that many might call a miracle and how you raise this child is of the utmost importance. In my opinion, it is the most important job you will ever sign up for.

Okay, so now you realise your baby might not be the superstar you want, but nevertheless, still a star, just a different star from what you have envisioned. Ways you can help your child to become the person he or she was intended to be: t Be realistic with what you expect from your child t Focus on natural talents and interests your child is showing. The pressure that parents place on children to achieve is not always positive when it is extreme. t Be aware of activities you force on the child like after school activities. Could it be things you always wanted to do and never had the opportunity? t People that are dealing with their past issues or problems will be much healthier parents. They will be able to focus on the child and the unique interests and talents of the child. When the parents have unresolved issues, it can be projected onto the child and then become the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues as well.

Awareness about the challenges of raising your child can give you a head start to be a better equipped parent. Counselling can help you to unlock your thinking and support you in preparing for your baby and the life he or she is going to live. Contact Famsa Pretoria or your nearest Famsa office for your counselling needs.

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Marissa is a qualified social worker and has completed short courses in play therapy. Currently she is a counsellor at FAMSA Pretoria, doing trauma debriefing, relationship counselling, individual counselling and counselling with children.

Call: (011)975-7106/7 national@famsa.org.za

what is the cost of a life? More importantly, what is the cost of your child’s life? For some, it is school fees, clothes and food. I have been faced with this question with my pets. My dog got sick and had to have an extended stay at the local vet. Due to obvious financial considerations, I had to decide at which point do I pull the plug? I cannot begin to imagine what it must feel like to be confronted with a similar situation when it comes to my children.

The feeds that she requires are called Pepticate and Neocate. The cost of these feeds are in the region of R 700 per day, depending on the exchange rate. Can you imagine paying R 700 per day to feed just one family member? She has been to theatre 4 times already for different procedures and in ICU for a while after having a major stomach operation at the age of 8 months.

Madeleine Badenhorst, mother of Reani Badenhorst, lives with the constant fear of what is waiting for her and her family around the next corner. At present, they are in negotiations with their medical aid to give their daughter and their unique situation special consideration to ensure that her medical needs are met. They (the medical aid) have been fantastic to date. So what is wrong with Reani? Reani was born on the 12 June 2012 with genetic and metabolic disorders causing different kinds of problems. At birth, her mom had heart failure and had to be resuscitated. Reani was left without oxygen for 20 minutes. After many doctor’s consultations, Reani was admitted to hospital at the age of 6 weeks. Her little body does not digest and break down proteins. This means that she must have a special medical formula for feeds and other medications to help her feel better and to keep the pain under control.

What is the name of her condition you might ask? There are different problems and not only one condition. THAT is what’s making life SO difficult. The short reality of the situation is that this family is faced with gigantic financial pressure to keep their baby alive. Every

Written by: Dries Badenhorst (no relation to the family) day is a new struggle with new challenges. Although they stand firm in their belief that prayer is the most powerful form of support and that miracles can only be achieved by holding firm onto their faith, the reality is that they need financial help NOW, and plenty of it. But, before we go into all of this, I would just like to mention that Madeleine raves about the assistance of the medical aid, the doctors, nursing staff and the hospital. Their support has been incredible and is the main reason that her child is still alive and has come so far by being well taken care of by all of them and the love that they have shown her. The Financial Burden As it stands at the time of writing this article, the financial assistance for the nursing staff at home is currently under threat. Motivational letters have been sent to the medical aid and the family is eagerly awaiting a response. If this request is denied, an additional expense of R35 000 per month will have to be covered somehow. Due to the complexity of the care required, it is imperative that trained professionals provide this care to Reani. With mom working full-time and Reani needing 24 hour professional supervision, this is a huge issue brewing with potentially catastrophic consequences. This additional expense will add even more pressure on a budget that already has to fork out between R 32 000 and R 35 000 per month for primary care priorities. These include, medical feeds, feeding lines, feeding bags and consumables. This little girl goes through 70 nappies in 3 days! These are the “normal” expenses facing the family and excludes doctor visits, tests, possible hospitalisation, feeding therapy equipment and occupational therapy equipment. I’m sure that you can now understand my

first question. What is the price of the life of your child? Here is another, “How much stress can a family endure?”

like a normal 1 year old, despite how she feels.

Unfortunately, this family cannot come close to meeting the primary need of the feeds. Few families would be able to deal with a living cost increase like this. In fact, it is more than 250% up from their previous “normal” budget – and potentially 500% if the financial assistance around her nursing ceases. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if they just simply can’t afford the food required to feed their child. Will they just have to stand and watch their child starve to death? I sketch a grim picture, but raise a very realistic scenario. Having to stress about both the health and wellbeing of your child, who has serious health issues, and having to stress about paying excessive amounts of money to keep her alive would place unthinkable pressure on any family. The thought of it increasing even more due to the potential loss of nurse funding, places the stress levels of this situation in a category so unique, that there is not even a word to describe it. I mean, what do you do if you can’t afford to feed your child if there is simply no money? The community has rallied around them and many people and institutions are doing as much as they can to try and raise money, awareness and donations. Incredibly valuable as these efforts are and as thankful as the family is for all of this, it is unfortunately not a sustainable solution. What is, one wonders? Is there one? On the other side of these financial headaches, is a little girl that despite her condition, seems pretty normal. If people had to see her like her Mom, Dad, Sister and the nurses do, then they will see a baby that just wants to live, laugh and play

As they say, the best way to eat an elephant is to eat it piece by piece. And that is what we as human beings should do in this situation. None of us normal folks can lift this family financially out of their black financial hole of expenses. But, each of us can make a small contribution that can assist just a little bit in ensuring that the family is able to at least feed their precious child as the medical superheroes do their bit to ensure that she can experience some sort of quality of life. Together, WE CAN take some of the questions raised above out of the equation. The family is very aware of other very sick children and great causes that exist. They are adamant that they don’t want you to abandon your help and support of those causes in favour of this one.

Yes, sometimes she is pretty frustrated because of the fact that for a large portion of the day, she can’t move around (due to tube feeding). But one can understand this, as none of us likes to be constrained for a prolonged period of time. Of course, as she gets older, this is becoming a greater challenge for both mom and the nurses. Mom’s reward for dealing with all of this weight on her superhuman, strong shoulders is that special smile that she receives from Reani daily. It’s that excitement to see her Mom. It’s there like clockwork, regardless of how she feels. Except for her listed conditions, weird things often happen. Elevated sugar levels, black sunken eyes, her whole face turning blue, unexplainable rashes that comes and goes within hours and swelling double her size to name a few. That is in addition to allergic reactions to unknown triggers as she does not eat and is always in the same surroundings. What it is in her surroundings that suddenly trigger a reaction one day but not the next is a mystery …

If you feel in your heart that you would like to help and are in a position to do so, please take note of the Banking Details below. Her Trust Account Details are as follows: Account Holder: Mej Reani Badenhorst Bank: Nedbank Account Type: Nedbank 4me account (savings) Branch Code: 198765 UNIVERSAL code (104509 is the area branch code) Acc nr: 2005503223 Reference: Your Name and Surname (unless you would like to stay anonymous) 92 Gladstone Street, Parow, Cape Town I would recommend that you set up a debit order at your bank for an amount that you are comfortable with. This will ensure that your determined amount is automatically paid to the trust, on a monthly basis. This will help to establish some form of a regular and potentially sustainable monthly income for this family. If you would like to follow Reani’s story and for regular updates please visit https://www.facebook.com/ ReaniBadenhorstOndersteuning

However which way I look at this situation, I come up with many more questions than answers. And these are not easy questions to answer, and for some of these questions I don’t even think there are any answers.

healthy milk teeth leads to healthy permanent teeth Written by: Dr M R Kalan

Good oral care habits are established very early in life and are critical to your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future overall health, educational potential and well-being. You as parents and caregivers play a crucial role in implementing preventative oral health 34

strategies from the time of the birth of your infant. By the time your child is 30 months old, there are 20 milk teeth present in the mouth. These milk teeth are precious

and must remain in place in a healthy pristine condition up to the time that the permanent teeth erupt into the mouth. The first permanent teeth will start coming into the mouth at around the age of about 6 years.

The structures in the baby’s mouth are exposed to everything that goes in, including foods, liquids and foreign objects. It is the newly erupted teeth that are most prone to undergo changes and the most common change is the onset of dental decay. There is a continuous onslaught on the surfaces of the teeth after they erupt in the mouth. TOOTH DECAY AND CHILDREN Dental caries (cavities) is the most common chronic infectious disease of early childhood. Early childhood caries (tooth decay) is the number one chronic disease affecting young children. Early childhood caries is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Tooth pain keeps many children home from school or distracted from learning. There is an urgent need to prevent early childhood caries through nutrition and oral hygiene interventions, starting from birth. This is where you, as a parent or caregiver, have an essential role to play.

t t

of cleaning it in your mouth Baby bottles at bedtime must contain only unsweetened water. Remove the bottle when the baby falls asleep Wipe off baby’s teeth/gums with a damp washcloth at least twice per day and when the baby has finished eating Stick to a feeding schedule and limit between meal snacking

WHEN THE FIRST TEETH ARRIVE: When your baby is six months old or when the first teeth erupt, begin brushing your baby’s teeth with a small, soft toothbrush. You may want to use fluoridated toothpaste with a fluoride concentration appropriate for the age of the child. Use a mere smear layer of toothpaste on the surface of the brush. The quantity of toothpaste can be increased to a pea-size dab at the age of two. Continue to help your child to brush their teeth until they have mastered this skill – usually around

eight years old. Parents play an important role in the early detection of decay. Regularly examine your child’s teeth to look for early signs of decay. REMEMBER: - Avoid passing your saliva to your child - Put water and not sweetened drinks in baby’s bottle or sippy cup at nap/bed time - Check your child’s teeth for signs of decay - Limit between meal snacking - Keep baby’s mouth clean - Take your baby to a dentist by the age of one year old www.oralcare.co.za

Early childhood caries is preventable. It is caused by certain types of bacteria (bugs) that live in the mouth. These bacteria stick to the film on your teeth called plaque. The bacteria feed on what you eat, especially sugars and cooked starch. About 5 minutes after you eat, or drink, the bacteria begin making acids as they digest your food. These acids can break down the tooth’s outer surface and dissolves valuable minerals. The result is cavities. Children who snack frequently, have a high level of bacteria, or go to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water, are more likely to have early childhood caries. Research shows that children are not born with the bacteria that cause decay, but these are transferred to them usually at an early age, from their caregiver – primarily mom. Caregivers with untreated cavities have higher levels of bacteria in their mouth and are more likely to pass bacteria to their children. Bacteria are passed through saliva and can be present in the infant’s mouth before the first tooth erupts. Some tips for parents to prevent transmission of bacteria and tooth decay: t Avoid sharing spoons and forks with your child t Use water to clean a pacifier instead

Dr M R Kalan is an established dentist who has been practicing in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town for many years. He is a respected member of the community who has also been an ardent advocate and supporter of the promotion of Preventative Oral Care Practices in ECD Centres throughout the Western Cape Province. Dr Kalan has initiated a number of oral care projects in the communities and regularly makes toothbrushes and toothpaste available through his company, Integrated Oral Care. 35

what is autism? TYPES OF AUTISM In broad terms, there are 2 main â&#x20AC;&#x153;typesâ&#x20AC;? of autism on the spectrum; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kanner/Classic Autismâ&#x20AC;? where in addition to the autism, there is also intellectual impairment. Statistically, it is considered that 76% of people with autism have â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kanner/ Classicâ&#x20AC;? Autism (i.e also have intellectual impairments in varying degrees), where as 24% of people with autism do not have any intellectual impairments, nor speech delay in early childhood years and these people are classified as having â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asperger Syndromeâ&#x20AC;?, displaying a â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? or more than often, above average intellectual ability. QUARTET OF IMPAIRMENTS Regardless of the manifestation of autism, ALL people on this spectrum, are affected in different degrees, by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quartet of Impairmentsâ&#x20AC;? that causes a disturbance in quality of development in the following areas:1. Language and Communication. 40% of people with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kanner/Classic autismâ&#x20AC;? never speak nor fully understand verbal communication. People with Asperger Syndrome with seemingly fluent speech will have areas of their communicative abilities that are adversely affected; for instance an extreme difficulty in reading nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, body language etc. 1. Social Interaction. For a person with autism, the area of the brain that enables us to understand other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emotions and feelings is altered and thus a person with autism cannot fully understand the complexity of the thoughts of people around them and the resulting social interactions. 1. Imagination and Creative Play. A person with autism usually becomes trapped by rigid thought patterns and behaviours. Difficulty in understanding abstract concepts and the day-to-day jargon we regularly

use flippantly in conversation, such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is Raining Cats and Dogsâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throw the baby out with the bathwaterâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I nearly died laughingâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś. Sensory Processing Issues. Many people with ASD have difficulty processing everyday sensory information such as sounds, sights and smells. This is usually called having sensory integration difficulties, or sensory sensitivity. It can have a profound effect on a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. People who struggle to deal with all this information are likely to become stressed or anxious, and possibly feel physical pain. There are seven sensory systems and people with an ASD can be over- or under-sensitive in any or all of these areas. You may hear this referred to as being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hypersensitiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hyposensitiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

RED FLAGS FOR POSSIBLE AUTISM IN A YOUNG CHILD (Taken from Autism Ontario - Durham Region). Warning Signs of Autism in Early Childhood Parents should ask their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family doctor for a referral to a developmental paediatrician for assessment if there are any concerns with any of the following: Communication Red Flags: t /P CBCCMJOH CZ NPOUIT PG BHF t /P TJNQMF HFTUVSFT CZ NPOUIT F H waving bye-bye) t /P TJOHMF XPSET CZ NPOUIT t /P XPSE QISBTFT CZ NPOUIT OPVO verb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; e.g., â&#x20AC;&#x153;baby sleepingâ&#x20AC;?) t /P SFTQPOTF XIFO OBNF JT DBMMFE causing concern about hearing t -PTT PG BOZ MBOHVBHF PS TPDJBM TLJMMT BU BOZ age Social Red Flags: t 3BSFMZ NBLFT FZF DPOUBDU XIFO interacting with people

t %PFT OPU QMBZ QFFL B CPP t %PFTO U QPJOU UP TIPX UIJOHT IF TIF JT interested in t 3BSFMZ TNJMFT TPDJBMMZ t .PSF JOUFSFTUFE JO MPPLJOH BU PCKFDUT than at peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces t 1SFGFST UP QMBZ BMPOF t %PFTO U NBLF BUUFNQUT UP HFU QBSFOU T attention; doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow/look when someone is pointing at something t 4FFNT UP CF iJO IJT IFS PXO XPSMEw Behaviour Red Flags: t 0EE PS SFQFUJUJWF XBZT PG NPWJOH ĂśOHFST or hands t 0WFSTFOTJUJWF UP DFSUBJO UFYUVSFT TPVOET or lights t -BDL PG JOUFSFTU JO UPZT PS QMBZT XJUI UIFN in an unusual way (e.g., lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole) t $PNQVMTJPOT PS SJUVBMT IBT UP QFSGPSN activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted) t 1SFPDDVQBUJPOT XJUI VOVTVBM JOUFSFTUT such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels etc. Early and appropriate intervention optimizes future outcomes. For more information please contact: Claire Allen- National Education Facilitator at Autism South Africa - educator@ autismsouthafrica.org Or visit our website www.aut2know.co.za Show you care, Be Autism aware.

Autism is a lifelong, complex condition that occurs as a result of disordered brain growth, structure and development. Autism is believed to stem from a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors and affects 4-5 times more boys than girls. There are a vast number of ways that a person can manifest their autism and as a result this condition is now more often referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Autism Spectrum Disordersâ&#x20AC;? (ASD).

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all-in-one small space Written By: Belinda McCall - Director www.nestdesigns.co.za

Small space decorating can be a challenge. Maximising storage and selecting and arranging furniture is only part of the equation. By following some simple do’s and don’ts when it comes to selecting colours, mixing patterns and customising your small space with finishing touches, you can create a room that exudes both charm and personality whilst still being functional and liveable. When planning your space make sure that your primary arrangement suits your day-to-day needs. A 9msq shared bedroom/nursery could easily feel cramped if you do not consider placement and scale when arranging your furniture. By avoiding tall pieces of furniture, your sight line will extend uninterrupted across the room, opening it up. If you have a tall piece of furniture like a wardrobe, that needs to be utilised, then tuck it into a corner. Keep furniture pieces neutral. White furniture tends to open up a space visually and allows décor to evolve as needs and preferences change. The best part about white furniture is that it goes with everything! A day bed should prove to be a great investment – a comfortable bed for mum at night and (dressed up with cushions) a convenient resting place for mum and baby during the day. Incorporating a day bed may also eliminate the need to include a rocker or a chair in the bedroom. Choose a day bed design that includes under-bed storage. Drawers on castors will keep essentials accessible but contained. Hide away blankets, surplus nappies and even that bulky vaporiser. Think ahead when purchasing furniture - a day bed will work for years to come, enabling you to move your toddler straight from a cot into a full sized bed.

the day bed and cot can also be used as a handy baby changing station by adding a changing mat. A unit with a combination of shelves and drawers below plus a storage caddy strategically positioned alongside the changing mat will provide at-your-fingertips accessibility to all your baby care essentials. When floor space is limited, you definitely need to get creative with savvy space-saving ideas and solutions! Organisation is key in a small room. Learning to de-clutter and efficiently organise your possessions can make your space seem much larger than it actually is. Why not mount a mirror above the chest of drawers and dedicate a drawer to your own “get-ready” supplies? Choose a cot that has a sleek, unfussy shape and tuck it into a corner to create a separate zone for baby. Take advantage of the storage space under the cot by adding stylish storage boxes for keeping toys neatly organised and within easy reach. Boxes and bins are great for storing toys and games because they are transportable and can be carried around the house, from room to room. Hang a mobile above the cot to create some interest for baby. Whilst you might have space for only a bed, a cot, a chest of drawers and a

wardrobe, a small bedroom still has walls. Rather than adding more space-consuming furniture, put your walls to work and make them interesting. Mount a multi-compartment wall shelf above the day bed to create extra storage space for your own personal mementos, books, perhaps an alarm clock or even a clip-on lamp. Remember don’t over accessorise – choose a few key pieces and edit out the rest! A wall shelf hung above baby’s cot will provide a convenient resting spot for cuddly toys, story books or even a bottle at bedtime. If wardrobe space comes at a premium, then use the chest of drawers to store items of baby apparel that can be easily folded. Consider a small hanging rail or over-the-door hook for hanging up other items of clothing. Take care of shoes and other accessories not stored in the dresser with an over-the-door pocket organiser. Add flair to the room’s décor by installing a pendant light. And why not consider a dimmer switch to regulate light levels from a faint glow for midnight feeds to bright light for changing or playtime? When choosing paint colour for a small space, make sure that you balance dark colours with bright/light colours. Pick a colour palette that will expand and brighten up your small space. Just because space is limited doesn’t mean décor should go by the wayside. Dark floors tend to anchor light-coloured rooms. No matter what size your room is or how you find yourself having to live, by considering your needs and planning accordingly, you can create a comfortable space, make your home work hard for you and at the same time, also look beautiful.

A chest of drawers positioned between

green baby tips Written by: Joanne Austin, owner of Mother Nature Products cc. Mother Nature Eco Baby Tip 1: Have a Green Pregnancy With the birth of your baby comes the birth of a greater sense of awareness of their future world. What better time to start going green (if you haven’t already) than with nature’s miracle growing in your tummy? Here are a few tips to consider while you are pregnant.

Suggest having an eco-baby shower where the guests make up a green baby gift basket with eco nappies, baby clothes, natural skincare and natural home cleaning products to get you started.

Reduce the amount of chemicals (in particular those containing lead) your unborn baby is exposed to by using less unnatural deodorants, shampoos, nail polish, hair highlights and makeup during pregnancy as these all contain toxins which are absorbed by your skin and passed on to the foetus. Tests have even found traces of these chemicals in the umbilical cord of newborn babies. Consider natural birth at home, a birthing centre or at a hospital. See: birthworks.co.za , a web site dedicated to natural birthing options and advice. When it comes to shopping for the new arrival stick to the basics and rule out the hype: write love, nourishment and basic comfort on your shopping list.

Breast is best to nourish baby but did you know it is also the most environmentally friendly option? Breast-feeding can also be a significant bonding experience. Here are a few tips on the most environmentally friendly and natural feeding options available: t

Remember; mothers- to- be have tremendous power as both role models and spending influence in the baby

Research shows that during pregnancy, a mother-to-be is exposed to an average of 83 000 different chemicals used in the home and work environment. A certain number may pose a risk to your unborn child through ingestion, inhalation or absorption through your skin.

t Try wee go, Dr. browns or evenflo classic glass bottles & holder

t industry so don’t forget; you are the force! There are a myriad of eco options available to you. Mother Nature Eco Baby Tip 2: Breast feeding and the Environment

by mother nature products

Breast feeding is not only the perfect immune-boosting and nutritional formula for baby; but is freely available and by far the most environmentally friendly feeding option. If you are storing your breast milk, then consider using a hand pump or hire a breast pump instead of purchasing one. To reduce waste use washable/ reusable nursing pads. Pads with natural materials against your skin are best. Buy these at: mothernatureproducts.co.za Stick to natural nipple creams which have olive oil or lanolin as their primary ingredient. E.g.100% Natural Mother & Baby Barrier balm by Mother Nature Products. If you are not able to breast feed, consider purchasing an organic formula which also does not contain genetically modified ingredients. Apli/ Holle lactose free organic goat’s milk formulas are a good option. Buy bottles that do not contain Bisphenol-A – an endocrine altering plastic found in plastic bottles which is able to leach out when heated and is ingested by baby during bottle feeding. BPA Free: the Nuk range. For a non- plastic option buy a glass baby bottle.

Don’t despair! Some babies latch on easily but it is not always the case. Good support from a health professional is essential. However, be assured, you can still offer your baby great nutrition and eco- friendly options even if you are not able to breast feed.

breastfeeding into toddlerhood The World Health Organisation advises breastfeeding for at least two years, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months And, in most parts of the world, nursing a child who is 4 years or older is not uncommon. Why then, is nursing a child past 6 months still questioned, almost unheard of and even frowned upon? Let’s take a look at the health and emotional benefits for you and your baby should you decide to breastfeed into toddlerhood.

Health Benefits for Your Toddler t Many of the health benefits that your milk provided to your child in infancy continue to be present for as long as you breastfeed. This is also true for the health benefits afforded to you through nursing. It is a myth that after a certain time period, the health benefits of breastfeeding end! They continue for as long as you breastfeed and are more significant the longer you breastfeed. t Breastfeeding for at least one year has been associated with better oral development due to the unique sucking action required with nursing at the breast. There is also evidence that extended breastfeeding results in earlier reading in boys and fewer speech problems. t Breastfeeding toddlers enjoy better health. The immunological benefits of human milk have been found to remain high throughout the first and second years. Toddlers who are nursed have fewer incidence and duration of illness and are less likely to require medical care than their non-breastfed peers. t Human milk is readily digested and an 46

accepted source of nourishment for a sick child. Even when other foods may not be tolerated, such as with a stomach virus, a nursing child can go back to complete breastfeeding if necessary, thus allowing him to continue to receive adequate fluids and nutrients. Many times a nursing child will refuse all other food and drink when ill but can still be persuaded to breastfeed. Human milk provides a natural “cushion” for the child with food allergies or who is slow to take well to solids until his system is mature and ready enough to accept other foods.

Health Benefits for Moms t The natural child-spacing effect of breastfeeding may continue throughout the baby’s second year. Although breastfeeding alone is not a reliable means of birth control, when it is exclusive in the beginning and gradually followed with the introduction of solids, there may be some suppression of fertility for a longer period of time. t Hormones present with breastfeeding continue to help relax the mother,

perhaps making daily life with a busy, curious toddler more enjoyable and less stressful. Emotional Benefits for Both of You t Breastfeeding allows the mother an easy way to provide comfort when a toddler is ill, upset, tired, or hurt, perhaps making this aspect of mothering a little easier. t The closeness of nursing enhances the child’s relationship with his mother and provides a sense of stability during a time of rapid growth and development. t Breastfeeding guarantees physical closeness when life becomes hectic for mother and child. This can be especially important for a mother with older children or a mother who works outside the home. t Only once a baby enters toddlerhood can he truly express his sheer delight in nursing by the way he grins, nods, chuckles, or sighs in anticipation of being at his mother’s breast. Moments like these are impressed upon a mother’s memory forever!

travel furniture decor accessories

Shop online at www.kidsliving.co.za or visit our shop for more inspiration at Northgate Island (close to Paardeneiland) 20 Section Street | Cape Town | T:021 510 0167 | info@kidsliving.co.za | Google maps: - 33.916196, 18.483853 Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be friends on Facebook | www.facebook.com/KidsLiving

donate breastmilk save a life secure a future Baby X, born to a South African mother living with HIV/AIDS, is likely to arrive prematurely, in a public sector hospital, weighing I,8 kg or less. His mom could have a CD4-cell count that is so low she will be unable to breastfeed – the recommended method of feeding of infants born to HIV positive moms who do not have access to first-world healthcare facilities. Despite his mother’s CD4-cell count, however, she will most likely be too traumatised to produce breast milk anyway. At this point, Baby X is in grave danger because, if artificially fed, he is likely to get Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a serious condition that has high morbidity and mortality rates, usually leading to bowel perforation, a critical medical emergency. Infected with NEC, Baby X is highly contagious to other hospitalized infants and has more than a 60% chance of dying. The 2013 State of the World’s Mothers report outlines that whilst South Africa has made significant gains in the rolling out of anti-retroviral treatment and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, there has been no progress in saving the life of the HIV exposed infant at the perinatal stage. For 10 years the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR), a registered Public Benefit Organization, has provided high-risk premature HIV exposed infants like Baby X with safe, pasteurized breastmilk. In so doing, SABR has established 13 breastmilk banks (donor breastmilk collection, pasteurization and storage facilities) in Neo-Natal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in public sector hospitals, 11 in private sector - primarily Netcare - hospitals and 8 collection corners (interim collection and storage facilities). The bulk of donated milk 48

from private hospital moms is distributed into public hospitals by SABR, where the demand is much higher. This secures the flow of donated breast milk towards infants in need, as opposed to only those with financial means. According to the World Health Organisation, mortality is 19 out of every 1 000 live neonatal births in South Africa. When micro-premature infants are given donated pasteurised breastmilk, the incidence of NEC and death is considerably and significantly reduced –1 295 infants were fed by SABR in 2012 (at least 1 150 of these being in the public hospital) and 1 292 were subsequently discharged alive from their NICUs. Baby X, provided he is in an NICU within the SABR network, will obtain a paediatric prescription for donated breastmilk. Pasteurised donor breast milk will be delivered on demand to Baby X and will literally save his life. But, not all babies will be so lucky! Despite human milk banking being part of government policy since the Tshwane declaration on breastfeeding (August 2011) and CARMMA (campaign for the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Infant Mortality in Africa - 2009), there are still 45 public sector South African hospitals with NICU facilities in urgent need of human milk banks so as to strengthen infant survival at this critical stage. SABR does not charge for the provision of donated breastmilk to public sector infants. It operates with minimal resources delivering an emergency service. It is probably the 3rd largest human milkbanking network worldwide and is proudly South African.

South Africa currently has a low breastfeeding rate of 8%. SABR wishes to promote a strong breastfeeding message and recruit breastmilk donors. Every lactating woman can assist by registering to donate breastmilk and literally save Baby X’s life. Those who cannot lactate can also assist by donating money. To help go to www.sabr.org.za

postnatal depression a mum s story Nqobile Ndlovu* (31) says the first few months of her son’s life are a blur. ‘It was like one day I was Nqobile and the next time I looked I had a four month old son. , I was deeply depressed and could barely remember what had happened.’ Nqobile, who’d met her husband at university, had always wanted children. She says, ‘Once we were married it seemed like the next natural next step.’ The pregnancy went well although she says she did feel more and more anxious as the time for the birth due nearer. It was only after her baby was born though that she really started to take strain. Her son had reflux and colic and was up most nights crying for hours at a time. Nqobile felt that her husband, who was also battling to cope with the intense crying and lack of sleep, withdrew, leaving her to handle all baby affairs on her own. At the same time she felt guilty about asking her husband to help as he worked full time and she felt as the mother she should be the one to cope with the baby.” On top of this, most of my friends hadn’t had children yet. They kept saying, “You’re so lucky. Your son is so beautiful. It must be so lovely to be a mom.” And I just didn’t feel like this.’ Nqobile’s’s depression and feelings of isolation deepened. Nqobile hoped that returning to work when her son was five months would help, but she only felt worse and more exhausted. Her relationship with her husband had become strained, and she felt totally unsupported by him. It was only at her one-year check-up that she finally broke down in front of her gynaecologist who diagnosed her with postnatal depression. According to the Post Natal Depression

Support Association of South Africa (PNDSA), Nqobile’s situation is more common than many think. Bavi Vythilingum, chair of PNDSA says that postnatal depression (PND) affects at least 10-15 percent of all mothers worldwide and may affect as many as 35% of South African women and although it is a fairly common condition, many women, like Nqobile, feel severe shame when they find themselves depressed at a time that is often perceived to be one of joy and happiness. Life crisis According to the PNDSA, the birth of a baby changes a woman’s life so dramatically that some women experiences a crisis where she has to rediscover who she is, and what it means to be a mother. Vythilingum says, ‘This crisis is very stressful, and some people react to this intense stress by becoming depressed or very afraid and anxious.’ But what makes some women develop it while others don’t? In retrospect, Nqobile realises that she was a likely candidate for developing PND. Firstly she had suffered from bouts of depression in the past and also lacked adequate support. Linda Lewis, a psychologist in private practice and a board member of PNDSA says, ‘Women who have suffered from depression in the past and have no support system are at particular risk of developing PND.’ A healthy social support structure is crucial in protecting women from developing PND and also in recovering from it. The support of a partner is of particular importance. Research has shown that a supportive partner is one of the most

important factors in recovering from PND. Getting help Postnatal depression can significantly affect mother-infant bonding and infant well-being and development. It is therefore vital to the health of you and your baby to get help if you are suffering from PND. Vythilingum says, ‘Treatment depends on the individual patient, and her circumstances. Usually for moderate to severe depression, a combination of medication and therapy works quite well.’ Many breastfeeding mothers with PND are concerned that medication will affect their babies. However, studies have shown that most antidepressants, if taken as prescribed, have no ill effect on a breastfed child. The impact of untreated depression on the health of mother and child must also be considered. Lewis adds, ‘Although postpartum depression can overwhelm a new mother, the symptoms are temporary and are treatable. The key is recognising the symptoms and finding support.’ A brief season Nqobile started medication and saw a therapist. As her depression improved she was able to bond more with her son. Nqobile says “I learnt that I was not alone in feeling depressed and with that knowledge I began to feel less ashamed. I also learnt that depression is a brief season in a lifetime of being a mother. Now when I feel down I reach out for help and remind myself ‘that this too will pass’ ” Are you suffering from PND? The Post Natal Depression Support Association of South Africa (PNDSA) say that although the following symptoms are normal for new moms, and are part of the 51

adjustment to motherhood, if mothers feel this way often or most of the time, it is vital to get help from a professional: t Mood fluctuations, disturbed appetite, fatigue, tearfulness, irritability and anxiety, suicidal thoughts and recurrent thoughts of death t Preoccupation with infant’s wellbeing t Feeling withdrawn and disconnected from your baby and feelings of

wanting to harm the baby. Otherwise ambivalent or negative feelings towards baby. Helping hand Contact the Post Natal Depression Support Association of South Africa (PNDSA) on 082-882-0072 or sms HELP to 0828820072 and we will call you back. You can also email info@pndsa.org.za or visit www.pndsa.org.za

Linda Lewis PNDSA Board Member : Professional Representative and Training Advisor Linda holds a Masters degree in Research Psychology from the University of Cape Town, specialising in postnatal distress. For the past 15 years she has worked exclusively in the area of perinatal wellness, facilitating support groups and seeing women on an individual basis. More specifically, her expertise lie in the area of emotional distress, both during and after pregnancy, as well as managing fertility difficulties, pregnancy loss or terminations. She has recently written a book based on her Masters thesis called When Your Blessings Don’t Count -A guide to recognising and overcoming Postnatal Distress. In her book she shares her own experience of PND as well as that of many other women who have overcome PND. She is married, has two children and lives in Cape Town. 52

Dr Bavanisha Vythilingum - PNDSA Chairperson Is a Psychiatrist in private practice and an honorary senior lecturer at UCT. She previously held the position of the head of the Woman’s Mental Health Unit at UCT. Her clinical research interests are in the field of Women’s Mental Health. She is a mom who also had PND.

sex after birth Sex after pregnancy might be the last thing on your mind but, it is inevitable. Vaginal soreness if you have had a natural birth or the healing after a C-section as well as the sheer exhaustion of looking after your newborn is likely to take its toll. Here we answer some frequently asked questions.

How soon can I have sex after birth? Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, your body will need time to heal. Many health care providers recommend waiting four to six weeks before having sex. This allows time for the cervix to close, postpartum bleeding to stop, and any tears or repaired lacerations to heal. The other important timeline is your own. Some women feel ready to resume sex within a few weeks of giving birth, while others need a few months — or even longer. Factors such as fatigue, stress and fear of pain can take a toll on your sex drive. Will it be painful at first? Hormonal changes might leave your vagina dry and tender, especially if you’re breast-feeding. To help ease any discomfort during sex, take it slow. Start with cuddling, kissing or massage. Gradually build the intensity of stimulation. If vaginal dryness is a problem, use a lubricating cream or gel. Try different positions to take pressure off any sore areas and control penetration. Tell your partner what feels good — and what doesn’t. It’s also important to focus on the moment. Keep your mind on yourself and your partner — not the laundry and other household chores.

Will it feel different? After a vaginal delivery, decreased muscle tone in the vagina might reduce pleasurable friction during sex — which can influence arousal. This is usually temporary. To tone your pelvic floor muscles, try Kegel exercises. Simply tighten your pelvic muscles as if you’re stopping your stream of urine. Try it for five seconds at a time, four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions. Once you’ve got the hang of it, do at least three sets of 10 Kegel exercises a day. What if I’m too tired to have sex? Caring for a newborn is exhausting. If you’re too tired to have sex at bedtime, say so. This doesn’t mean your sex life has to end. Consider making love early in the morning, while your baby naps, or while your baby spends a few hours with a trusted friend or loved one. What if I’m not interested in sex? There’s more to an intimate relationship than sex, especially when you’re adjusting to life with a new baby. If you’re not feeling sexy or you’re afraid sex will hurt, share your concerns with your partner.

other ways to express affection. Rekindle the spark that brought you together in the first place. If communicating with your partner doesn’t help, be alert for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression — such as intense irritability and anger, overwhelming fatigue, lack of joy in life, and difficulty bonding with the baby. If you think you might be experiencing postpartum depression, contact your health care provider. Prompt treatment can speed recovery. What can I do to boost my sex drive? Most sexual concerns associated with pregnancy or childbirth resolve within a year. In the meantime, concentrate on ways to promote your physical and mental health. For example: t t t t t t t

Until you’re ready to have sex, maintain intimacy in other ways. Spend time together without the baby, even if it’s just a few minutes in the morning and after the baby goes to sleep at night. Look for

Set reasonable expectations as you adjust to parenthood. Appreciate the changes in your body. Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fluids. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Rest as much as you can. Ask your partner, loved ones and friends for help. Join a support group for new moms.

Remember, taking good care of yourself can go a long way towards keeping passion alive.

start saving now for your children s future Raising a child is one of the biggest expenses that South Africans face. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why, from the minute they get the news that a baby is on the way, expectant parents should make planning their finances a top priority. Here are a few helpful tips from Old Mutual.

There’s no single number for how much money you need to raise a child, but many researchers put it at well over R1,5 million from birth to age 18. That may sound completely overwhelming but sensible financial planning will go a long way towards making it achievable. Plan for your children’s education For a child born this year, parents will need to save R1 500 per month for public schooling and a three-year degree, and should increase this premium with education inflation. For those who don’t opt for inflationary increases, the premium could be as much as R3 200 per month. (For private education, the figures are R3 800 with inflationary increases and R8 100 without.) “Covering the cost of education is best planned years in advance,” says Jean Minnaar, Development Actuary at Old Mutual South Africa. His advice: arm yourself with info using the new generation of online tools; and if you haven’t begun yet, start saving for your kids’ education today. Protect your family “Protection against death or disability resulting from an accident will give you peace of mind, knowing that your family will be taken care of financially,” says Sinenhlanhla Nzama, Marketing Actuary at Old Mutual South Africa. “Disability cover can cover the costs of making adjustments to your lifestyle after an accident. Even if you’re completely disabled and unable to work, adequate cover will ensure that you’ll continue to receive a regular income,” Nzama explains. If you already have insurance, make sure you update your beneficiaries when a child is born. Review and update your will Having an updated will is an important part of a financial plan, to determine how

your estate gets divided when you pass on. If you’re married in community of property, your spouse is entitled to half of all the assets in the communal estate when you die. The other half of your assets will be divided between the people you nominate as heirs in your will. If you’re married out of community of property, your entire estate will be divided up in terms of your will. If you don’t leave a will, you die “’intestate”, and the job of dividing up your estate falls to the Government. This can be both costly and time-consuming. “There are major implications should you pass away without having a will in place, especially if there are children involved,” confirms Nzama. So speak to a financial adviser or your broker about updating your will.

controls on spending are two sure-fire ways of keeping your finances under control. Speak to a financial planner about your financial needs and goals, and get professional input on how best to save for them. The figures on the cost of education are based on selected government and private schools and universities. The projected annual school fees are increased at a flat rate of 9% annually. To view the online planning tools for education savings go to www.smartmax.co.za For more information visit : www.oldmutual.co.za/savingsmonitor or contact your Old Mutual Financial Adviser or call 0860 WISDOM (947366) Old Mutual is a Licensed Financial Services Provider

Plan for retirement The earlier you start investing for your retirement, the more you can benefit from the effect of compound interest. This is when interest is added to the principal amount, and that interest itself then earns interest. The effect of compound interest means it’s better to invest a small amount per month over a longer period than it is to start investing bigger amounts later in life. It’s also crucial that you don’t cash in your pension when you change jobs – you need to protect and preserve your investment. A retirement annuity is one of the most tax-efficient investments you’ll ever make. Start saving and control spending While there’s no way to know what the future will bring, instilling a culture of saving and putting sensible

from crawling to walking! Writer: Liz Senior

When you look at your newborn baby, mobility, or at least walking may be the last thing on your mind. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite miraculous that in around 12 months time your baby will grow from an immobile infant with little control over her limbs, a floppy head and movements that are jerky and uncoordinated to an actively mobile child who can walk, run and jump!

Where does it begin… Although we may think that our little ones just `get up and walk’, it actually takes loads and loads of long term muscle strengthening, lots of balance practice, and months of preparation to get to the walking phase. You have to crawl before you can walk… Your baby’s development, and the way in which she gains control of her body takes place in a set order. To prepare her body for walking, your baby begins to gain slow and steady muscle strength and control from day one. She starts gaining muscle control of the head and neck first, then the arms and shoulders and later, the hips, legs and feet. Your baby will learn to control her arms and legs before gaining control of her hands and feet. This control will start off being rather awkward and clumsy and become smooth and coordinated as your baby develops. She’ll pass through several stages as she becomes mobile: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Head control Rolling Sitting Bottom shuffling or crawling Standing Cruising Walking!

Your baby will need strong back and tummy muscles, an ability to transfer or shift weight from one side of the body to the other, as well as an ability to balance to begin the big walk! What is normal? While all babies follow a fairly standard pattern of development there are huge variations in when they do things. Most babies walk between the ages of 9 and 15 months. The age at which your baby walks has nothing to do with her intelligence. Physical development occurs with maturation of the nervous system, and the maturational time span is different for every individual. Don’t panic if your baby seems late in comparison to a friend’s child. Your baby will move in his own time and at his own pace. If however, your baby is a long way behind his peers (for example – he is unable to sit unsupported by nine months or can’t walk by 18 months), or if you are concerned about your baby’s development, talk to your paediatrician or to a physiotherapist

who works with young babies. Here we go …! Once your baby can hold her head up, she will gradually start learning to control her body. First she starts to bear weight on her arms, pushing up from her tummy onto her forearms, then onto her hands. Next she has to stretch out her arms. Then her knees come up under her body and … we’re crawling! Shuffle shoes....... Moving forward and coordinating arm and leg movement is a very difficult thing to do. Initially your baby may devise other means of satisfying her ever-growing desire to move. She may move sideways in a crab-like movement, she may roll from one end of the room to the other, she may wriggle or shuffle on her bottom and she may move backwards. Whatever the `shuffle’ is, she’s moving! What you can do Encourage any efforts to move, no matter how odd they may seem to you. Your baby is learning to control her limbs and discovering the joys of balance! t Get down on the floor and roll and crawl around together. t Put a toy just out of reach and encourage her to take it. t Put your baby on her tummy on the floor as much as possible. By doing this you are creating opportunities for her to move. A – crawling we go! ........ From `commando crawling’ to the true crawling position on hands and knees! Your baby may rock back and forth transferring his weight for quite a few weeks before actually moving, or he may move forwards (or backwards!) immediately. Don’t be concerned if your baby `crab’ walks or `bear’ walks on his feet and hands. These alternatives to crawling are not wrong and can be just as effective. Provide as much space for your baby to crawl around in, enabling him to move to the full extent of his capabilities and to explore. What you can do t Pile some cushions up and crawl over the `obstacles’ together. t Roll a ball around and crawl after it. t Make a tunnel with boxes or chairs for him to crawl through. t The chairs can be covered with a

blanket. Put toys in the tunnel for him to retrieve.

Block Is it important for my baby to crawl ? Crawling prepares your child for walking. Crawling: t Strengthens the back and neck muscles, as well as the shoulder girdle. It also strengthens many little hand muscles that are essential for manipulative skills later on. t Provides a wealth of tactile input. Think of all the textured surfaces your baby crawls on and the amount of input this is giving his entire body. t Promotes the development of the right and left brain, as it requires reciprocal and coordinated use of both sides of the body. t The distance between the eye and hand of your baby is approximately the same distance he will be reading from in a few years time. Think of all the practice he is getting at focusing from this distance. t Promotes the coordination of arms and legs and the development of balance. t Crawling enables your baby to explore! (Compare this to putting your baby in a walking frame, surrounded by plastic. Will he derive the same benefits as a crawling baby? He needs to learn to pull himself up against gravity and balance on his two newly discovered legs! He cannot do this unless you provide the opportunity.) Cruising….. Muscle control of the knees and feet will have improved by now. Almost as soon as he’s crawling, he will start to pull himself up on furniture to standing position, even though his balance is far from perfect! Once adept at pulling up and holding, she may start side stepping around furniture. This is called `cruising’. N.B. Make sure your furniture won’t topple over! Some babies abandon crawling altogether and `cruise’ instead, and some may not cruise at all! At this stage, she may walk forwards with you holding her hands. What you can do t Put furniture fairly close together so that she can move holding easily from one to the other without having to sit and crawl to get further. As she becomes more agile, move 59

the furniture a bit further apart to encourage a few independent steps. Sit opposite your partner with your baby’s back to you. Encourage her to take a step to daddy/mummy who gives her a big hug and lots of rewarding sounds. Each partner takes and holds baby’s hand, walk a few steps with her and then swoop her up into the air. One, Two, Three steps and wheeeee! (NB. Hold under the shoulders to provide support when lifting)

The big walk!.... Eventually your baby will become bold enough to stand unsupported and to take a step or two alone. She needs a wide base of support, and so usually walks with feet wide apart. She balances by holding her arms up and forward. She’ll still need to get up from the sitting to the standing position with support, and soon she’ll be toddling!

NB! There is no right age for your baby to start to walk. Her first unsupported steps will probably occur between 9 and 15 months. Do remember that in order to walk she needs to pass through all the stages that lead up to it as they provide the building blocks to those first steps. What you can do t Sit a few paces in front of your baby and encourage her to walk to you, or to walk to certain easily obtainable toys. t A sturdy and stable push -along walker is a great toy to encourage your baby to walk. There are many on the market, one that can be used as a ride on toy later or one that has a place to put soft toys in would be good buys. t Swing, rock, tumble and roll around together. This provides an all-round energetic and joyful appreciation of movement. Block SAFETY FIRST t Because babies have so little knowledge about themselves and their surroundings (they’re still learning!), they seem to lack a sense of fear. This, with their added inborn

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curiosity could lead to danger. It is therefore important to look at the safety of your home from your baby’s viewpoint. It’s a good idea to get down on the floor and look at each room from your child’s level. Make sure that all furniture is stable enough for your baby to pull himself up on it. Keep the floor clear of toys and other items that could hurt his feet or trip him up. Keep all medicines, detergents, and cleaning materials locked away and out of reach. Secure the garden gate, or the pool gate, and make sure he can’t lock himself in the bathroom or any other room! Fit safety glass to patio doors and low level windows or make them highly visible with stickers or coloured paper. Use socket guards for plug points It’s worth moving pot plants off the floor. Make sure baby has no access to any poisonous plants. Re-position shelves of books. Ripping up pages can be a favourite pastime. Beware of dangling cords from electrical appliances. An often forgotten one being the iron. Keep anything that can be climbed on away from windows.

5 Tips to walking wisely 1. Be prepared for lots of bumps and grazes as your child becomes mobile. This is inevitable. 2. Allow for as much exploration as is safely possible. Try not to restrict him too much. 3. From early on, provide a wide variety of movement experiences and challenges. E.g. Rocking, rolling, bouncing, tumbling, swinging and spinning. These prepare the ground work for the big moment. 4. Have specific cupboards or places with safe items to play with such as pots and pans or Tupperware (a favourite). This could be a motivating factor in getting there. 5. Make sure you always praise and encourage any efforts your baby makes! Clamber Club runs Baby and Toddler movement and stimulation classes countrywide, as well as sports classes at preschools and party entertainment. Visit www.clamberclub.com for more information. 60

babies and allergies Written by: Kath Megaw

Kath Megaw qualified as a clinical dietician through the University of Natal. After the birth of her first child, she qualified as a paediatric dietician through John Hopkins University in the US. She relocated to Cape Town 5 years ago where she continues to run a busy clinical Paediatric practice. Her interests include, premature infant feeding, special needs babies and children and allergy weaning diets amongst others. She co-authored the book, Feeding Sense in 2011 and enjoys speaking and travelling and recently attended a certificate course in Chicago on Feeding the very low birth weight infant and PICU nutrition run by the Chicago Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospital as well as a course on feeding disorders through the Great Ormond Street hospital in the UK. 62

What is an allergy? An allergy is the body’s response to a substance that the body sees as harmful. These substances are called proteins and are found in foods high in proteins. The food itself is normally not harmful; however in the allergic child a specific food protein will cause a response that can be harmful to the child. The response is a result of the child’s immune system attacking the protein as it sees the protein as the enemy. There are essentially two different responses the body can have. The one response is called IgE response and we can pick these allergies up on a blood test. The other response is non-IgE and we can’t pick these up on a reliable blood test as yet. The difference between these responses can be seen in the table below:

Dioxide, nitrates, MSG, Tartrazine and food colourings (Azo dyes). These allergens are found in a lot of medications and even some antibiotic preparations. Allergy prevention There is very little evidence to suggest that avoidance of the food allergen during pregnancy and breastfeeding would protect the baby from developing allergies later in life. There is more concern about the adequacy of the pregnancy and breastfeeding diet if certain foods are avoided and concern of putting the mom and baby at nutritional risk. Breastfeeding is best for newborns and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is recommended worldwide.

IgE response

Non-IgE response

Diagnosis Blood test can pick up these allergies Skin Prick test Clinical observation

Diagnosis Can’t be picked up with a reliable blood test Clinical observation

Reactions can be immediate and life threatening or can be delayed

Reactions are generally delayed for up to 4 days

Symptoms: Anaphylaxis (stopping breathing) Hives Vomiting Blood in stools Eczema Atopic dermatitis (skin Rash) Asthma Rhinitis GUT symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea Reflux

Symptoms: Hives Vomiting Blood in stools Eczema Asthma Rhinitis GUT symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea Reflux Atopic dermatitis (skin rash) Constipation

The challenge with allergies is that they are not always clear cut and easy to assess and sometimes it takes a lot of detective work in order to get to the bottom of the cause of certain allergic reactions. Common allergen foods that could potentially cause allergic reactions include: Cows milk, Soya milk, Egg, Wheat, Fish, Peanuts, Tree nuts. Certain food preservatives, additives and colourants have a protein origin and can cause an allergic reaction in the unsuspecting child. Common preservative allergies include Sodium Benzoate, Sulphar

However, in some cases, breastfeeding is not an option and in children with special needs, breastfeeding is often not a long term option especially in cases where the baby is unable to suck and the mom is not able to express breast milk. Breast milk, especially in the first 17 weeks, is shown to have protective affects against eczema and asthma. For high risk babies who are not able to breastfeed, using a hydrolyzed infant formula (HA formula) may be protective against allergic disease especially eczema. The use of soya and other mammal milk like goats milk is not protective or recommended in the place of

breast milk in order to prevent allergies. Introducing solids in the first 4 months of life may put a baby at an increased risk of allergies especially eczema and asthma. Introducing solids after 4 months of age doesn’t seem to increase the risk of allergies. This can be a challenge for some babies who suffer from severe mechanical reflux where more solid or thickened foods are needed early on. The use of milk thickeners to make a porridge consistency can help in these very challenging cases. For the baby with allergies, milk choices in the absence of breast milk may pose a challenge. There are a variety of options available and under guidance, the correct feeds should be chosen to ensure not only adequate nutrition but also avoidance of the child’s allergens. This is in the case of diagnosed allergies but as mentioned a large number of babies’ allergies may be missed due to other more pressing issues. Parents will often complain of constipation in baby which in some cases may be made worse by an underlying cows’ milk allergy that results in chronic constipation. Managing allergies Once your baby has been diagnosed with a specific allergy, either through a blood test, skin prick test or clinical observation, it will be important to avoid the food containing the allergen altogether. You will need to find a substitute for the food to ensure that the removal of one or more foods doesn’t result in a nutritional deficiency. You will need to educate yourself on the allergen and other foods containing the allergen. After a period of time (no less than 6 – 18 months), you may want to re challenge the allergen food. Depending on the type of food allergy and whether your child has a life threatening reaction will determine how and when you re challenge and where you re challenge (doctors rooms or at home). Certain hospitals overseas have re challenge programs that you can attend, however in South Africa it is up to the expertise and willingness of your paediatrician and assisting dietician. When feeding your baby and managing their overall well being, don’t forget allergies and if you feel your child may be responding negatively to a certain food, trust your parenting instinct and ask your health care professional to consider looking further!

letting your kids overdose on salt

could set them up for chronic diseases later Many South African children may unwittingly end up eating too much salt as their parents allow them to indulge in ready-made soups, snacks and other foods high in sodium, thus setting them up for long-term chronic health problems like hypertension and cardio-vascular disease later in life, warns the country’s leading supplier of generic CVD medication. “The average day’s meals can be loaded with salt. At breakfast, cereal, milk, bread, butter, a spread and bacon can all contain sodium.

A mid-morning snack of chips, pretzels or nuts will be salty. At lunch, a ready-made pizza or even a homemade hotdog made with a bun, vienna sausage and tomato sauce will contain salt. At dinner, an instant soup and a ready-made pasta with a cheese like parmesan and a salad with feta will have more salt. Your son or daughter may follow your lead and automatically add salt to all these dishes, tipping the scales against their future health,” says Mariska Fouché, Pharma Dynamics’ public affairs manager. “Without realising it, you and your family could easily eat 40g of salt a day, more than eight times the government and the World Health Organisations’ recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 5g or about a teaspoon full – especially if you add salt at the table. It is estimated that the average South African eats at least double the RDA every day, which is helping fuel our skyrocketing rates of high blood pressure and heart disease. “Babies under one should have virtually no salt at all as both breast milk and formula contain the correct saline levels for their bodies to function. A child under one’s kidneys simply

cannot cope with any more than 1g of salt a day. “From the ages of one to three, they can have about 2g of salt per day according to international guidelines. Between four and six, they can have about 3g and between seven and 10, about 4g. After the age of about 11, they should be able to cope with the adult RDA of 5g. “Allowing your child more salt than that, predisposes them to serious chronic diseases like hypertension and heart disease, as well as osteoporosis and some kidney ailments. The shocking statistics show that about 130 of us will die from a heart attack every day of the year, while at least 240 of us will suffer debilitating strokes.” Pharma Dynamics has issued the warning as part of its Cooking from the heart project, which was launched last year with a heart-friendly cookbook featuring many favourite local dishes that award-winning cookbook author and food expert, Heleen Meyer, reworked to be lower in salt, fat and sugar. Cooking from the heart is part of the group’s wider iChange4Health campaign, which encourages South Africans to eat healthier diets, take more exercise, stop smoking and cut down on alcohol use. “Too much salt is closely linked to increased blood pressure, which is a major factor in heart disease,” explains Fouché. “The body carefully regulates its salinity and works to remove excess salt. But, simply put, excess salt leads to water retention, which increases blood pressure inside blood vessel walls – even in active youngsters. “Fortunately, cutting back on salt can reverse these effects. “Start by looking at the salt content of the

foods you buy and by gradually weaning you and your family off adding salt to everything you eat. Instead of imparting flavour with salt, try herbs and spices instead. Your taste buds will soon adapt to a lower-salt diet – and your body with thank you for it.” In March this year, the government amended the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act of 1976 to require processed foods like bread, butter, cereals, chips, snacks, ham, salami, bacon, sausages, soup powder, gravy powder, two-minute noodles, stock cubes and jelly all be lighter in sodium by 2019. The change is part of the plan by the health department to curtail diseases linked to high salt consumption.

Consumers can find out more about iChange4Health by visiting www.ichange4health.co.za. And as an added bonus, Cooking from the Heart can still be downloaded for free from www.cookingfromtheheart.co.za or via a mobi-site www.heartrecipes.mobi. Cooking from the Heart is a collaboration between Pharma Dynamics, the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSF), the Chronic Diseases Initiative for Africa (CDIA) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) and forms part of the national iChange4Health project – encouraging South Africans to eat healthier diets, take more exercise, stop smoking and cut down on alcohol use.

“Many consumers are unaware of everyday foods that can be high in salt because they only think of salt in terms of the salt they add at the table,” says Meyer. “Be sure to read the labels of especially the following foods: powdered soups, stocks and gravies; sauces and spreads like soy, mustard, mayonnaise and tomato sauce; processed meats like bacon, ham, sausages, viennas, polony and salami; cheeses like feta, parmesan and cheddar; snacks like popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and chips; pickled foods like olives and gherkins; bread and cereals; anchovies and smoked fish; and ready-meals including instant pasta sauces and pizzas. Just because something doesn’t taste ‘salty’ it doesn’t mean that it is low in salt. Even ‘sweet’ foods can contain salt because it acts as a preservative that prolongs shelf life. “Some foods may be relatively low in sodium, such as bread which currently contains 4.8g per loaf, but we tend to eat large quantities of it, thus pushing up our salt intake.” “A certain amount of salt is necessary for good health,” she says. “But you probably get enough sodium naturally from foods that already contain it, without eating too many processed foods or adding even more salt to your meals.” Meyer is so passionate about helping ordinary South Africans eat better that she offers advice about food and how to cut down on salt on the Cooking from the heart SA Facebook page. (CookingFromTheHeartSA facebook.com/CookingFromTheHeartSA)

“Someday you will call your child to dinner and she will come willingly. Someday you will encourage her to taste a new food and it won’t precipitate a power struggle…” Ellyn Satter, author of “Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense.” 66

picky eating WHAT IS SUCCESS? Before you develop a timeline in your head about when you should start seeing results with regard to your child’s eating habits, it’s important to determine exactly what your idea of success is. As you can see from the above quote, “someday” is about the best word we can use to answer the question: “When will my child finally start eating more/less/different kinds of food?!?” There is no expert that can tell you exactly how many days it will take for your two-year-old to finally eat broccoli. Nobody can tell you exactly when your three-year old will come to the table and heap his little plate with foreign-looking food. Every child is different and every child has a different history of eating habits. So what exactly do you think will be the definitive moment for you? When your child eats anything you serve without complaint? When you take him to a spicy Szechwan restaurant, and he doesn’t order the chicken nugget kid meal option? Think about it for a minute…. Does it really matter if your child still has strong food aversions? Does he really need to eat everything on his plate? Or are those your expectations? In terms of physical and emotional health, there are two really important factors: a healthy child and a healthy family dynamic. Follow some simple guidelines set out below and without a doubt, you will start to see improvements to the family dynamics around the dinner table as you start to follow the guidelines and don’t engage in power struggles with your child around food. And yes, it can take a while to see changes to your child’s actual eating patterns, and unfortunately nobody can tell you exactly how long. But there are a few factors that can determine the length of the road to success. Start trying new foods and really liking them, it will be a year well spent. Your only job will be to provide healthy meals at specific times. You can leave the rest entirely up to your child. Consistency Okay, this one’s all up to you. Some parents are far better at being consistent than others, but it’s no mystery why most

parenting books will tell you it’s one of the most important things when it comes to discipline and children. And it applies to food, too. However, one thing is clear: If you want your child to realize that you are the one who decides what and when he eats, you want him to know you trust him to be the one who decides how much or whether he eats at all, and you want him to know without a shadow of a doubt that you will not be his short-order cook anymore, you absolutely have to be consistent.

Written by: Kath Megaw actually getting what they need. As you start to see what your kids actually do eat, you’ll realize that they do, in fact, eat foods from all the food groups, though not as many as you would like. You can then pinpoint areas that need more encouragement.

FIVE DO’S AND DON’TS

Food Log This is one tool that will really help you notice the small changes (and the big ones). Write down what you offer your child for the main meals of the day, and then write down what he actually ate.

Do 1. Offer nutritious food 2. Have at least one sit-down family meal a day 3. Have planned, healthy snacks halfway between meals 4. Offer the “one treat a day” to discourage eating dinner to get dessert 5. Let your child determine how much and whether she eats at all

Healthy Eating Chart Who’s the healthiest eater in your family? This is a fun chart that you can make with your kids to help monitor the foods that are being eaten in your home and show you who is making an effort to eat better. Start by making a poster of the food guide pyramid with felt markers. You can cut out pictures of the different food groups, and stick them to the poster and then hang it on the refrigerator door.

Don’t 1. Bribe, threaten, coax, plead, or disguise food 2. Prepare special meals for your child if she doesn’t like what you’re having for dinner 3. Offer snacks throughout the day, even if your child didn’t eat much during mealtime 4. Engage in arguments or negotiations about food with your child 5. Don’t give up!

Make about a dozen name labels for each family member and stick them to magnetic tape. Each day, have the kids place a label on the chart for each serving of a food they ate. At the end of the day you can see who ate the healthiest foods that day. It’s amazing what a little competition can do for kids!

Track Your Child’s Eating Habits. For your own peace of mind, it’s important to really get clear about what your child is eating and what he isn’t, and the best way to do this is write it all down! This way you will get a better idea of what to be serving (in a totally neutral manner, of course). Does she eat every kind of fruit known to man but refuse meat and fish? Are carrots the only vegetable he’ll ever eat—and only cooked in bite-sized cubes? Write it down, so you really know what you’re working with. And most of all, you will be surprised to see that your little ones are

Fruit and Vegetables Chart: To get your kids more excited about eating their fruits and veggies, you can make a simple chart with spaces for every member of your family and each day of a one-week period. Find different coloured stickers to represent the fruit and vegetables: red, orange, yellow, purple, and green. If you can’t find stickers, just use felt pens or even crayons. Have your children stick their stickers on the appropriate day, one sticker for each serving of vegetable or fruit of that colour.

child safety in and around the home Written by: CAPFSA (Child accident prevention foundation of SA)

A home is a very special place. It is the place where children should feel safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many homes as the majority of children’s injuries occur in and around the child’s own home. The good news is that you as parents can protect toddlers and small children from harm. Just use the following steps to make your home child safe. 1. Spot the hazard. Go through your home, room for room and identify hazards. 2. Decide how to deal with the hazard. 3. Remove the hazard. 4. Guard the hazard. 5. Last resort is to watch your child within grabbing distance 6. Make the change. Do this as soon as possible / straight away. Just remember it is no use having created a physical safe home without applying safe behaviour and good habits. Hazards change in the home according to the child’s age and development. Therefore you need to create a safe home for children looking at different risks at different age groups. No pre- school child can take responsibility for his or her own safety. It is therefore the caregivers and parent’s responsibility to create an as safe as possible environment for children. Children at the toddlers’ age are active, explorative and unpredictable and it is important that parents should think carefully about specific safety in the home. Never depend on telling a toddler not to do something. The younger the child, the more difficult it is for them. It is advisable to crawl on your knees (level of a toddler), to see the hidden dangers in your home. The world and

environment has been designed for adults and unfortunately, children are exposed to various dangers. Every parent should take the time to go through the home from room to room and identify risks and danger spots that could be changed in order to create an as safe as possible environment. It is important to remember that “childproofing your home is not a guarantee that no injuries will occur. It will build in an extra form of protection, which may result in less severe or fatal injuries, if they do occur. KITCHEN The kitchen is the centre of many households and activities. It is however, particularly hazardous due to the presence of hot electrical and other appliances, toxic substances and sharp objects. t t t

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Never leave small children alone in the kitchen when preparing food. Use back burners on the stove and turn pot handles inwards or to the back. Keep electrical cords of appliances such as the kettle cord short and out of reach so that they cannot be pulled. Install child safety latches on all cupboards with dangerous products (Poisons, glass, sharp objects). Buy potentially poisonous products with childproof caps if available. Always lock away out of reach. Install smoke detectors. Avoid hanging curtains near the

stove. LOUNGE/ LIVING AREA t Cover electrical sockets that are not in use with safety plugs or heavy furniture. t Secure bookshelves and furniture that can topple over. t Do not overload electrical sockets (same for every room in the home). t Use place mats instead of table cloths. t Safety glass should be used for sliding doors and large glass panes. Mark door at child’s level with sticker or tape. t Tie away loops of hanging blind cords. t Do not place extension cords under carpets that serve as a walkway. t Store alcoholic beverages out of reach in a lockable cupboard. t Never leave matches or lighters lying around. t Place fireguards in front of fireplace t Secure loose rugs and carpets t If you live on a first floor and have no guarding on the windows, install locks that will stop the window from opening too wide. It should however, still be able to open in case of an emergency t Place poisonous plants out of reach. BATHROOM t Never leave small children unattended in the bath. t Always empty bath when finished. t Lock away all medicines. Install child 69

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locks on medicine cupboards. Store razors and other hazardous products out of reach. Cover nappy bucket with a secure lid and keep the bathroom door closed. Toilet seat guards are available. Set hot water cylinder to a safer temperature (50 degrees C or less). Use non â&#x20AC;&#x201C;slip mats in the bath. Also on the tiles. Always place cold water in the bath first and test before using. Lock all cleaning products away. Make sure that the shower door is made of safety glass. Avoid using detachable toilet cleaners in the toilet bowl. Remove key from door. Hang on the top of doorframe. Never use electrical equipment in the bathroom.

BEDROOM t Avoid leaving medication on the bedside table. t Never burn candles where children can reach them. Always extinguish when leaving the room. t Use approved heating equipment. t It is safer not to carry medication in your handbag or keep it out of reach. t Children should not be allowed to play on bedroom furniture. t Prevent access to electrical appliances and cover electrical outlets. t Avoid hanging clothes over heaters to dry. CHILDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEDROOM t If using a cot, place it away from windows, counter tops, lamps or any

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appliances. Avoid using pillows for infants. If still using a cot, make sure that it is deep enough to prevent climbing babies from falling out. Use a sturdy changing table and never leave your child of any age unattended on it. If child is old enough to sleep in a bed, make use of a safety rail at first. Children under six years should not sleep on the top of a bunk bed, Do not allow children to play on furniture. It is not safe to use an electrical blanket for small children. Always try and supervise play. Buy suitable age appropriate toys. Throw away broken toys or repair. Avoid placing furniture under bedroom windows. Tie blind cords out if reach. Place baby oils and cleaning products out of reach.

STAIRS t Make sure the banisters are secure and that the gaps between bars are small enough for children not to be able to fall or squeeze through. t Make use of safety gates. t Make sure stairs are well lit. t Always tidy toys and other objects from stairs. t Teach children how to use stairs properly OUTDOORS t Most dangerous area in the garden is the pool. Make sure it is either fenced with an SABS approved fence or have

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a safety net installed. Both would be the best protection for your child. Children should still be supervised even if they use flotation devices. Keep potential hazards out of reach. Store turpentine, paint, and pool chemicals away and locked out of reach. Buy products with child proof caps. Store garden and other tools locked away and out of use. Make sure that when they are in use that children are supervised. Keep car doors locked in the garage or driveway. If using an electronic garage door, make sure that it stops if it touches an obstacle. Never reverse in your driveway or close electronic door/ gate without keeping an eye on your children. So many parents have reversed over their own children in driveways. All outdoor play should be supervised. Make sure that small children do not have access to the road. Never allow children to be out in the sun for long periods between 11h00 and 14h00. Use sunhats and good sunscreen protection at all times. Always keep the garden shed locked and teach children not to play in it. Never leave sharp tools lying around. Make sure your garden is secure. If you have play equipment in your garden, make sure they are age appropriate and well maintained. Have soft landing surfaces underneath equipment. Never leave children unattended near a fire. Always empty paddle pools after use. Cover deep ponds with a net or mesh. Make sure you know which plants are poisonous in your garden.

Have emergency phone numbers handy and equip yourself and your caregiver with emergency care knowledge. Prevention is so much better than cure. Take a few minutes of your time to check your home from room to room and make the necessary changes to create a safe as possible home for your child.

prevent choking & suﬀocation How you can prevent it. It only takes a few seconds for a child to pop a small object into his mouth and choke. With a few simple precautions, you can protect your children against these accidents. Every year, more than 100 children under five years old, die from choking and suffocation. Many more are saved just in time. You can protect children and babies from choking and suffocation by knowing what causes it. Food t Never leave a baby to drink his bottle by himself. He could vomit or inhale the milk and choke. t Babies should not be given any food they cannot chew properly. Large chunks are easily breathed in. t When preparing food, remove small bones - for example from fish or chicken. t Never give children under five peanuts because they frequently cause choking. t Avoid giving children dried peas and beans to play with. t Teach older children not to give hard biscuits or sweets to a young baby. Small objects t Choking most frequently happens to babies between the ages of five and eighteen months. Keep all small objects out of reach of the baby who is at the hand-to-mouth stage of development. t Safety pins should always be out of your baby’s reach. t Keep small toys or toys with small parts away from babies until they are old enough to handle them. Parts broken off toys and games should be thrown away or be repaired. Get rid of small pieces of crayon as well. t Dummies used should be well designed. Beware of soft or small dummies that may fit into the baby’s

mouth wholly. Also be aware of parts separating and becoming lodged in the throat. Beware of letting small children play with beads, buttons, coins, bits of torn plastic or broken balloons. Make a habit or picking up these small items if they are lying around.

What Causes Suffocation? Plastic t The fine plastic used for packing mattresses, pillows, etc. is very dangerous. Never leave it lying around. Cut it up before throwing it away. t Plastic bags can be lethal. Teach children never to put them over their heads - and do not allow little ones to play with them. Tie a knot in the bag for safety. t Use waterproof sheets of heavy duty thickness. Cords and ribbons t Remove bibs or any clothing with ribbons or cords before putting the baby to sleep. A loose bib may cause suffocation. t Do not attach a dummy to a string around the baby’s neck. t Most babies don’t need pillows. If you have to use a pillow, make sure it is thin and firm, not soft. Pillows with ventilation holes are available. t Take care that no dangling cords, like those of venetian blinds, are within the baby’s reach. t Children under five years should not be allowed to play with cords, ropes, etc. unless an adult is watching. Old fridges t Always remove the entire door or locking device before discarding old refrigerators. Children trapped when playing in a fridge will suffocate because it closes airtight.

Written by: CAPFSA (Child accident prevention foundation of SA)

Rubbish dumps and sand-holes Make sure your children do not play on dumps or in sandy holes. Other causes t Use talcum powder carefully. The fine powder may enter the baby’s lungs. t Place a safety net over a pram or cot to stop cats from curling up on the baby’s face. t Cot bars should be spaced in such a way that the baby can’t slip its head through the bars and be strangled. Emergency Treatment t Do not panic if a child appears to be choking. His normal cough reflex will generally expel the object. t If the child is small, hold him up by the heels and give him a firm slap on the back. t If this is not successful, get the patient to a doctor immediately. t Do not slap him hard on the back while he is sitting up as this may make him gasp and suck the object further into the air passage. t Do not try to remove the object with your fingers. This will only push it further down. t If an older child is choking, stand behind him, put your arms around his waist, find the spot in the chest halfway between the waist and lower ribs. Gently press the clenched fist of your left hand as far as you comfortably can. Firmly clasp your right hand over your clenched fist and give short, sharp “hugs” pushing inwards and upwards as far as you can. Repeat if necessary. Air pressure will pop out the blocking object. t If you suspect your child has inhaled an object or pushed beads or nuts up his nose or into his ears, get medical aid as soon as possible. t If a child develops a chronic cough or wheeze, consider the possibility that he may have inhaled a foreign body into his air passage and take him to the doctor. t If the child cannot breathe spontaneously after removal of the foreign object, apply mouth to mouth resuscitation. t Seek expert advice from a first aid organisation.

Love them . . . Cherish them . . . Protect them against Whooping Cough

CONGRATULATIONS! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about to bring a new life into the world As you prepare to take care of your new baby, did you know that; t Close contacts of infants, especially parents and siblings are responsible for 71% of whooping cough transmission to babies 1 t Most whooping cough related hospitalisations and deaths occur in children under the age of 6 months 2 t A prolonged cough may be the only manifestation of whooping cough in adults 3,4,5

Ensure your family is vaccinated before your baby is born. Speak to your baby clinic sister about the whooping cough booster vaccine.

www.kiddivax.co.za References: 1. Wendelboe A, Njamkepo E, Bourillon A, et al. Transmission of Bordetella pertussis to young infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J.2007;26. 2. Wood N et al. Pertussis in infants : Preventing deaths and hospitalisations in the very young. J Paediatr Child Health 2008;44:161-5. 3. Crowcroft NS, Pebody RG. Recent developments in pertussis. Lancet. 2006;367(9526):1926-36. 4. Hay JW, Ward JI. Economic considerations for pertussis booster vaccination in adolescents. Paed Infect Dis J. 2005:24 S44-47. 5. Hewlett EL, Edwards KM. Clinical Practice Pertussis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Not Just for Kids. N Engl Med. 2005; 352:1215-22. Sanofi Pasteur, Division of Sanofi South Africa (Pty) Ltd. 2 Bond Street, Grand Central Ext 1. Midrand, 1685. Private Bag X207, Midrand 1683. Company Registration No: 1996/010381/07 ZA310.12.12.02

OLESCENTS &

ULTS

Pertussis Booster Vaccine

how to choose a safe toy

Written by: CAPFSA (Child accident prevention foundation of SA)

A toy should reflect the appropriate age and development stage of a child. If a child is unable to manipulate the toy, then it is inappropriate for his / her age and their developmental stage. It is no good buying any toys with small or removable parts for a child under three because of the danger of the child putting small parts into the mouth. There are general recommendations for buying safe toys. Among these are the four ‘S’ guidelines: S for size; the smaller the child the bigger the toy needs to be S for shape; which means no sharp or rough edges S for surface; this should be non-toxic and non-flammable S for strings; there should be no cords, ropes, ribbons or strings on a toy for a young child. Guidelines to buying toys t Toys should suit the age and developmental stage of the child. They should be interesting and involving. t Watch age recommendations for toys as they are there for children’s safety. Toy labelling for children under the age of 3 is the most important. t Be aware of any parts that can be broken or detached from a toy and

might be swallowed. This means anything smaller than a ping pong ball and includes items like stickers and labels. Avoid badly made toys that could come apart easily. For example, buttons that could come loose. Again, these present swallowing hazards. Do not buy toys with moving parts that could pinch, cut or trap parts of a child’s body. Toys should be solid, strong and well made. Strings, cords or ribbons over 30 cm long on toys can strangle a child. Avoid them. Do not buy toys that need constant supervision; if a child always needs help with a toy, or has to be watched because the toy breaks easily, it is best not to buy the toy. Remember that everyone has to live with toys in the house- if a toy is very noisy, it may become family unfriendly. Alternative toys may be better. Keep older children’s toys separate

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from younger children as much as possible- older children’s toys can present danger. Check children’s toys for wear and tear; mend them or throw them away. Tidy away toys when not in use. Tidy away the Christmas packaging that covers the toys; the packaging may include ribbons, plastics and other things not safe for young children. Bicycles and bike helmets go together; a present of a bicycle should also include the appropriate helmet. Most presents of sporting equipment need to be accompanied by protective gear; for example, roller blades or skateboards should come with a helmet and wrist pads. Do not buy toy guns that could be mistaken for real guns or that fire objects that are potentially dangerous because of their shape or speed at which they move. Outdoor play equipment needs impact absorbing surfaces. Trampolines should be set in the ground. Do not buy toys that may be a oneday wonder. Toys should have lasting interest and not just be the latest on the market. Any guide for a toy relates to child development and is not an intelligence guide. Although it is tempting to buy toys that may be suited to an older child, you may not be doing your own child a favour.

Guides on age appropriate toys at different ages is available from Childsafe, PO Box 791, Rondebosch 7701. Tel: 021 6855208

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how safe are our children while playing outside? Written by: CAPFSA (Child accident prevention foundation of SA) The following are important safety tips from Childsafe, a campaign of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa (CAPFSA), for parents to observe before letting their children play in the neighbourhood: All children are eager to play outdoors. While the outdoors provides a wonderful outlet for children to release energy, there is always the potential for â&#x20AC;&#x153;accidentsâ&#x20AC;?....

Children need and want to take risks when they play. It is therefore important to offer children stimulating, challenging environments for exploring and developing their abilities. It is however, also important that the environment should be such that children are not exposed to unacceptable risk of death or severe injury. Almost any environment contains hazards and sources of harm. At birth we have to give children one hundred percent protection. As children grow older we have to slowly educate them and protect less, until they are old enough to protect themselves from injury. As the Convention of the Rights of the Child state, children have a right to safe environments. We as adults, caregivers and parent have to take some responsibility to make sure that our children play and grow up in a safe environment without the threat of being hurt. Unfortunately, the environment children are exposed to poses various dangers that could lead to severe or fatal injuries.

Preâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;school children cannot take responsibility of their own safety and it is therefore essential that they are supervised for or cared for by responsible adults or caregivers.

parents to ensure that their children are safe while playing outside with other children from the neighbourhood. t

Why do children have more accidents than adults? It is important to be aware of the developmental stages of children in order to prevent accidents. Children in certain age groups have numerous limitations and are therefore at risk of injury. Young children are at risk because: t They are still learning and do not always do things correctly. t They may not yet understand safety instructions. t They are easily distracted, get excited and are adventurous. t They want to impress friends. t They are without sufficient supervision â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is hard to supervise children 24 hours a day. The Child Accident Prevention Foundation suggests the following safety tips for

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It is the job of all that is responsible for children at play to assess and manage the level of risks that children are given at play. We need to provide controlled opportunities for children to encounter and manage risk, otherwise they may be denied the chance to learn skills. If not, they are more likely to choose to play in uncontrolled environments where risk is greater. Parents must have rules that children who are old enough to play by themselves must always tell caregivers or parents where they will be playing. Designate and develop safe play areas within your own neighbourhood. Teach children where the safe places to play are, and warn them of possible danger areas in the neighbourhood that are not safe to play. Make sure that you know where your children are playing and with who. Care groups of responsible adults can be formed to take turns to supervise children at play in the community. Pre- school children should be supervised during play at all times. Scan and identify dangers in your neighbourhood and environment together with your children for possible danger. Notify your local council of danger areas that you have identified, and insist on making these safe in order to reduce the risks to children. It is the local municipalitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legal obligation to make sure that the environment is safe and free from dangers. Danger areas are for example, open masses of water, rubbish dumps, open water outlets and drains, canals and deep holes, old buildings, olds fridges or cars in the backyard or in the neighbourhood, sand dunes or building rubble, unsafe or poorly maintained play equipment in play parks, busy roads, open electrical wiring, unfenced electrical sub- stations and more. Bored and unstimulated children could mean that children explore or create danger. So make sure that children are kept busy and have organized playtime, which could result in safe play.

the nit-pickers lice treatment centre opens new franchises Lice – the very word sends shivers down any parents’ spine. Head lice are notoriously hard to get rid of and multiple infestations often occur. Parents can now add a highly effective treatment to their arsenal. The Nit-pickers, South Africa’s original lice clinic, established in 2011, is dedicated to the safe and effective treatment of head lice and nits. There are now three clinics available to parents and schools – two in Johannesburg (Randburg and Linksfield) and one in Nelspruit. Treatment is as easy as dropping your child at the nearest clinic, requesting a home treatment, or using your child’s school to make an appointment (if the school is participating in the offering provided by The Nit-pickers).

penetrate beyond the insulating layer of hair is used to lift the hair slightly while directing airflow right onto the lice and eggs. A specific, timed treatment pattern is followed to ensure all areas of the head are treated. No pesticides or other chemicals are used in the therapy; just a controlled amount of heated air. This portion of the treatment takes only 30 minutes, thereafter the dead lice and nits are combed out. It is the removal of these lice eggs that is the key to ridding children of head lice, as they are the most difficult life stage of lice to kill.

The Nit-pickers use a practical, ecological approach to killing head lice with a device called the LouseBuster™. A special combination of temperature, airflow, time and technique kills the lice and their eggs. “The LouseBuster™ head lice treatment was developed in the United States and has been clinically proven to kill head lice and virtually all of their eggs,” continues Davis. The LouseBuster™ device is highly effective - due to the small size of the head lice and their eggs, it makes it difficult for them to conserve water. As such, when they are exposed to the right amount of precisely controlled heated air for the correct amount of time, they dehydrate and die.

If a pharmacy provides parents with a clearance certificate and they can still see nits in their child’s hair, they are not clear from lice and treatment needs to continue. Davis explains that if the nits are left untreated, there is a chance of re-infestation due to the fact that nits take only 7-10 days . In addition, head lice can live up to 30 days on a human host. As such, The Nit-pickers not only offers professional advice, but is also available to go into a client’s home in order to clear the infestation from prone areas such as bedding, couches, towels and clothing, and reduce the chances of re-infestation. Additionally, the full range of 100% organic preventative products from Eco.Kid is available at all the clinics. The hair products aid in preventing future infestations.

The device delivers carefully controlled heated air directly to dry, untangled hair that is free from hair treatment products. The air temperature is cooler than most hair-dryers and the air is blown at a higher flow rate. A unique, single-use applicator tip, specially designed to

The Nit-pickers offers a detection and treatment service, the first of its kind in South Africa in Randburg, Linksfield and Nelspruit. It is provided through a mobile clinic at schools and homes, or treatments can be booked at any of their three clinics, depending on where you are based. “The

Nit-pickers offers School Screening and Detection Services for participating schools on a regular basis and examine children, an extremely effective way of reducing lice infestations in schools and has the means to effectively treat those who have head lice with a proven, safe, efficient, effective solution, which completely does away with the need for harmful chemicals” explains CEO, Mandy Davis. The clinics are designed with children in mind. Games, magazines, movies, cartoons, music videos and refreshments are guaranteed to keep you and your child entertained for the duration of the treatment. “Although not every potentially harmful chemical our children are exposed to can be removed, we consider it imperative to remove those that we can control. We will never eradicate this scourge, but at least we are now better armed to get lice pandemics, like the one that happened in previous years, under control sooner and ensure a healthy school and work environment for everyone” Davis concludes. For more information on franchising, booking a treatment or registering for the school screening and treatment programme, please visit www.nitpickers.co.za

preventing poisoning Written by: CAPFSA (Child accident prevention foundation of SA)

Every year, thousands of children swallow dangerous things at home. These include medicines and tablets, sedatives, household products, garden and garage preparations. Hundreds of children are admitted to hospital for treatment after swallowing poisonous substances. Some die as a result. Others are left with permanent damage.

How to Avoid Disaster Storage of Medicine The golden rule: Lock up all medicines and potentially dangerous household products. Even a high shelf is not safe. Don’t forget that children are curious and persistent. And they can climb. Children can’t be poisoned by something they can’t get their hands on. Specially designed childproof boxes or cupboard catches are obtainable. Where possible, you should have two such childproof cupboards in the home – one for medicine and one for other dangerous substances. Always make sure that you replace the cap after having given your child a tablet or having taken one yourself. Put the container away immediately. Storing medicines and tablets in bedside tables can be perilous. Never store potentially harmful products in soft drink bottles, containers or cups used for food or drink. Children get confused and might drink the contents by mistake. Keep medicines separate from other products. Never store cleaning agents with food – keep them in a locked cupboard. How To Prevent Poisoning In The Home Know your child. The young child: Explores with his mouth. Is unable to distinguish between odours. Will swallow even bad tasting substances. Children under four years of age are the ones most exposed to danger. Be Alert You must know which products in your home are poisonous or dangerous. Attractively packaged products that look harmless and are used in and around the home can be dangerous when swallowed by a child. Often such products are not labelled as poisonous and contain only the word “Caution” as a warning. Remember, small children cannot read warnings. Be especially careful When there is stress in the home. When normal routine is disrupted. When visiting other homes, e.g. those of

grandparents. The Trouble Spots Kitchen The cupboard under the sink with its polishes, bleaching powder, detergents, ammonia, washing powder, insecticides and cleaning agents for drainpipes, ovens and windows. Bathroom cupboard Medicines and tablets, practically all prescribed medicines that can be bought “over the counter”, e.g. aspirin, Panado, tonics, iron tablets and home perm kits. Toilet Disinfectants, deodorant blocks and toilet cleaners. Bedroom Perfumes, nail polish and nail polish remover, moth balls and insect repellents in strips, sticks, aerosol cans and fluids. All batteries. Be especially careful with button-sized batteries used in calculators and digital watches. Garage and garden shed Petrol, paraffin, brake fluid, battery acid, anti-rust paint, paint thinners, swimmingpool chemicals, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, rodenticides and fertilizers. A small child may also accidentally spray products from aerosol cans into his eyes. Store poisons away safely, preferably in a locked cupboard. Poison out of doors Some plant, berries and mushrooms are poisonous. Children should be taught never to eat anything from the garden before asking an adult. Preventive Hints Administering medicines First make sure you have the correct bottle before giving medicine to children. Don’t give medicines in the dark. Using the wrong bottle could have tragic results.

“Deadly sweets”! Your medicine can be poison to a child! Tell your child the tablet he or she is taking is to make him or her better. Don’t allow a child to take his own medicine. Teach older children to read and follow directions and warnings on the label. Explain that more than the prescribed dose will make them ill. Avoid taking medicines or tablets in a child’s presence. Children love imitating adults, especially their parents. Remember always to put containers away after use. Don’t be lazy! How To Prevent Poisoning Dispose of unused medicines in this way: Never throw bottles of medicine in the rubbish bin. Dispose of unwanted, left-over medicines and pills by returning them to your local pharmacist. If this is not possible, flush them down the toilet or wash them down the drain. Wash out the empty bottle before putting it in the rubbish bin. Never allow children to play with medicine containers, empty or full. Teach your children not to eat or drink from bottles or cans left lying about. Make your home a safe home. Protect your children by making your home poison-proof. Lock poisons away. IMPORTANT Contact your nearest Poisons Information Centre immediately if you suspect that your child has accidentally swallowed some medicine or a poison. Treat all cases of poisoning as urgent. If you take the child to a doctor or hospital, also take along the following: the container, label, prescription, remaining tablets, the substance swallowed, vomited matter or whatever might help the doctor to identify and estimate the amount of poison taken.

Read the label Measure the dose carefully with a medicine spoon and give only the quantity prescribed for a child. Never talk your child into taking tablets by telling him that they are “sweets” or “lollies”. This makes them dangerously attractive at other times.

would you throw a baby away? Written by Louise Freeman ‒ Snappi Holdings - www.snappi.co.za

In greater Johannesburg alone, at least three babies are abandoned every day!

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Contact her on 082 714 1394 or email her at merle@mecministries.co.za or via mecministries.co.za/ray-sunshine-house

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On the 28th May, Eyewitness News reported the abandonment of a newborn baby, discovered in a dustbin in Brackenhurst, Alberton. Police said a homeless man was going through a bin when he made the grim discovery. The little body was wrapped in a plastic bag.

Merle Ray from MEC Ministries Ray of Sunshine House in Durbanville will tell you stories that will make your hair stand on end. Stories of abandoned babies consumed by ants.... stories of township dogs returning home at the end of a day of wandering, carrying bits and pieces of babies in their mouths... There is another way! Merle will assist in placing unwanted babies in the Western Cape.

“This is now a graveyard for unwanted newborns. It is a baby dumping ground! This is not good for the people of the community. We are not murderers here,” community leader Yvonne Barthies told the citizen Newspaper.

In another incident, a newborn baby was found in a fridge in Johannesburg earlier in May. The baby’s umbilical cord was still attached.

For more information, or to get involved, please go to www.doorofhope.co.za, call Marcel on 011 432 2797 or mail her at info@doorofhope.co.za. Through public awareness and involvement, perhaps we can make a difference.

On 29 May 2013, a man crossing the Philippi East field at the Klipfontein Mission Station came across a baby’s corpse in a plastic bag. Initially he thought it was a little doll. Police spokesperson, Frederick van Wyk, said police are investigating a case of concealment of birth, and to date, no arrests have been made. Several babies have been discovered abandoned in the same field.

The week of the 21st May, the body of a one-week old baby girl was found in bushes in Delft, Cape Town. A passerby found the infant wrapped in a blanket near the Tsunami informal settlement. Western Cape Social Development MEC Albert Fritz appealed to desperate moms not to dump their babies.

Recently, a baby boy was discovered in a field in Bloemfontein, unwrapped, exposed to the elements and hanging on to dear life. He was rushed to hospital by paramedics, and has recovered. Doctors have cautioned that there may be long term effects after his ordeal.

The police’s Jeanette Makhubela said, “Police were called out but no suspect has been arrested. The baby was taken to the Germiston Mortuary.”

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Children wrapped in plastic bags and dumped in rubbish bins, discarded in fields or rubbish dumps, thrown from buildings, left on pavements or lying on the side of roads, or thrown into rivers – this is what our society has come to.

The fact is that these abandonments are unnecessary. Door of Hope offers parents the opportunity to spare the life of an unwanted infant, anonymously. Door of Hope has installed a hole in their wall, with a “baby bin” to accommodate an infant, allowing a mother to leave a baby in the bin – day or night. The moment a baby is placed in the bin, a care worker on duty receives an electronic signal alerting them. The baby is taken in, and the anonymity of the donor ensured. There are now three Doors of Hope – the most frequently used being at 48 Hillbrow Street, Berea, Johannesburg.

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call for foster parents Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;burg Child Welfare (JCW) is an organization that takes care of children who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, orphaned or made vulnerable by circumstances (including the many that are infected with or have been affected by HIV and AIDS). Through its Foster Care programme, JCW strives to create a better world for these children by securing families in which these children can be raised with love, care, support and parental supervision.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a lot of love in my foster home, the entire household was supportive of me and within that environment I learnt to respect others, communicate my feelings and have confidence in my dreams.â&#x20AC;? For more than 100 years, the organization has been extending vital care and support to underprivileged children, families and communities in Johannesburg. JCW believes that if our children suffer, our community and society suffers too and we therefore seek to build a society where children are cared for and parents and caregivers are supported, creating an atmosphere where our children can grow up strong, safe and happy. I met with Mrs Khumalo*, a JCW Foster Mom, this is what she had to say about her experience: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was recruited by JCW as a foster parent 13 years ago and have 3 children in my care. I became lonely when my biological children had grown-up and left the family home. Fostering children has reinvigorated me and added value to my life, it has given me renewed purpose and I take great pride in the role I play in these childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. I am making a positive contribution to their development by providing them with an opportunity orientated environment which will greatly increase their chances of success in life. My peers, family and friends are so supportive of my efforts to provide these children with a home environment and JCW has appointed a designated social worker who actively assists me with any problems that arise regarding the care of these children. The social worker links me to resource systems which makes my task of fostering a pleasurable experience. I would like to make a heartfelt appeal to the public to open their homes and hearts to provide care and love to orphaned, abandoned and abused childrenâ&#x20AC;? *name changed to protect the children in care. What is foster care? Foster care is the placement of a child/ ren into the care of screened, trained and approved individuals or families in the

community. Who is a child in need? A child in need is a child who is orphaned abused, neglected or abandoned. Foster parents open their hearts and homes to children in need and provide them with the necessary love, care and attention. Assessment procedure Individuals or families who are interested in becoming foster parents undergo a screening process which involves screening interviews, completion of certain documents, training which explains foster care in detail and home visits by the social worker. The process UBLFT XFFLT BOE TUBSUT XJUI BO intake interview. During this stage JCW gathers information about the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current situation, motivation, financial circumstances, age, family circumstances and it forms the beginning of the relationship between JCW and the foster parent. The house assessment involves an evaluation of the suitability of the prospective parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home environment. Issues that are taken into consideration include accommodation, safety, security, cleanliness as well as availability of social amenities and other facilities. The screening interviews involve gathering detailed information about the prospective foster parent. Documents including a medical assessment form, reference check forms and affidavits with regard to the National Register for Sexual Offenders are issued. JCW offers a two-day training course. The training covers legal procedures, child care and child rearing, child protection, dealing with social, cultural and day to day issues involved in caring for a foster child. It also equips prospective foster parents with skills to handle the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behavioral problems, dealing with biological parents and the dynamics within their own families. Foster parents receive support from social workers throughout the process and after the child has been placed in their care. What do you need to become a foster parent? To be considered for screening as a foster parent, one should meet the following criteria: Be a South African or have permanent residence. Reside in the Johannesburg or Randburg magisterial districts. Be able to provide proof of income

(either a payslip or three monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank statements). Must not have a criminal record. Must have adequate accommodation to cater for a child. Must have the capacity to provide a child with a loving and caring home. Andile Sikhakhani (now aged 22) grew up without knowing his biological parents. He was placed in foster care with a single Foster Mother while he was still in diapers. He tells his story below: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Foster Mother taught me the value of education; I went to CrĂ¨che, Primary and Secondary school and attended extra classes to help me to improve my academic performance. After completing Secondary School, I attended Rosebank College where I completed a 2 year diploma in financial accounting. I am so thankful that I had such and inspiring Foster Mother who supported me and continued to believe in me. She attended my graduation on the 17th of May 2013 and we celebrated my success at home. Today I am a proud, dignified person within my community. There was a lot of love in my foster home, the entire household was supportive of me and within that environment I learnt to respect others, communicate my feelings and have confidence in my dreams. I would like to say to other children in foster care, show your foster parents respect, talk about the problems you face and if you are faced with challenges in school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; attend extra lessons. Have faith in your life even when you are experiencing hardship! With God nothing is impossible and remember: God helps those who help themselves. Education is a powerful tool and you can use it to unlock your future, your dreams are achievable and you can become anyone you want to be.â&#x20AC;? JCW is currently experiencing a critical shortage of foster parents due to the socio-economic climate and the constantly growing numbers of children in need of care. If you are able to open your home and your heart to a child in need. Please Contact Julie-Ann Adams Joâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;burg Child Welfare 0112988500 / 0112988538 fostercare@jhbchildwelfare.org.za 87

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the nelson mandela children s fund

Every caring heart has a special place within it that moves it to abide by the causes that direct world attention to the good of humanity. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund is one of such causes. It owes its origin to the vision of one man whom the world looks up to as nothing short of a father to the global community and one of the African continent’s best of sons. That man is South Africa’s founding democratic president, Nelson Mandela. Of the many causes that the South African society presented to him upon his release on February 11, 1990, Mandela prioritised one most dear to him – the wellbeing of children. The platform he personally established in February 1995 to highlight the best that life has to offer to children was the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund. The year 2013 marks the 18th year being in existence and 95th birthday of its Founding Chairman. The Fund was established within a year of Mandela assuming political office as President following his official inauguration on May 10, 1994. To direct its course, he assigned to the Fund a vision that endures to this day: Changing the way society treats its children and youth. Having spent 27 years in prison, this was not a well-endowed person to start a foundation. Foundations such as this Foundation require money. Having just emerged from prison, Mandela had not had a source of income to enable him to initiate the Fund as a public benefit organisation as an expression of his commitment to children. His first source of income was when he became President of the democratic Republic of South Africa. He pledged a third of his salary for five years of his presidency to start the foundation. This brought a selfless dimension to philanthropy. On the basis of his pledge, Mandela challenged all and sundry, locally and abroad, to match his contribution to build the Fund.

He was also prudent enough not to burden his administration with the same request. Being head of state he would have left it with little option to decline his appeal for financial support. He carefully did not wish to place his administration in the awkward position of having to make such a consideration. This is how funding from government was excluded. So did the Fund emerge to claim its place on the South African development landscape not just as a non-government organisation but also as a non-partisan and non-sectarian platform to change the plight of the youngest, voiceless and defenceless members of our society - the children - especially those from disadvantaged communities due to segregationist policies of the past. Starting off as a grant-making organisation, and driven by various needs emerging from the community. This innocently made the Fund ‘everything to everybody’. Every appeal was met in the affirmative. There were food parcels for the most needy. Shoes were sought and delivered for those without. Wheelchairs were sourced for those in need of them. Coastal trips were planned for children living on the streets, some of whom were not experiencing travelling by air for the first time but also seeing the sea. Every need that came in its way was taken up by the Fund as matter to address. Giving was the driving motive. Doing more for as wide a range of causes was the uppermost. During the month of December, Mandela’s birthday place in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, was a point of convergence for all the needy to experience Madiba’s

charitable heart. With each year end Christmas party staged for children, the queues for women and children coming for alms grew bigger, longer and winding with anxious moments for their safety and care ever mounting. It would be a relief when each December in Qunu, passed without an incident. The Fund had started on a welfare footing, doing all the best that it could muster. It was here, there and everywhere. The image of a Santa Clause with gifts for the world to give became a strong association that soon proved unsustainable to keep. The resources were limited and the needs unlimited. Reality soon gradually came knocking on the door, to drive the point home, that however much the Fund wished to spread its goodwill, it could only do as much as the means at its disposal. Saying ‘yes, to some and ‘no’ to others, was in Madiba’s heart of hearts, so hard to do. Being a fund, spurred into existence by such a heartbeat, was too steep a task to bring about a turnaround to act to reorient operations in accordance with the demands of what was realistically within reach of the Fund’s resources to do. Those were the formative years. What was certain in everyone’s mind though is that the picture of a desired future that Madiba had wished the Fund to shape and see, fundamentally directed it to place emphasis in altering the unhappy circumstances in which children found themselves in for reasons not of their making. The point Madiba was

making, through the Fund, was that there is no future for society than its children. Changing their circumstances therefore effectively meant changing the future. The fund was thus called upon to build that future. The driving motive of this mandate, finds expression in what runs through the documentation of the Fund. The isiZulu equivalent, name and description of this mandate finds expression in the phrase is Sakha Ikusasa, meaning building the future. With that in mind, the evolution that the Fund has undergone through the years has been graded in five year terms at each turnaround point. The years 1995 - 2000 could best be described as the formative stage to deal with the state of South African children in an emergency way so to speak. The Fund was welfarist in approach. For the years 2000 – 2005, the fund was repositioned as a development-cum advocacy agency using grant-funding as tool. HIV and AIDS pandemic, was at its peak. Many parents were succumbing to the disease, children becoming orphans and families being weakened either due to the infection rate or generally being affected by sick next of kin. While doing its share of supportive intervention and relief work, the key message of the Fund was a call for the strengthening of communities, families and responsive government. While the Fund saw the sheltering of children as a temporary measure, it strongly argued that the best setting for children was in families. Sheltering was considered as the last resort when all else had failed. Government responded by entering in groundbreaking partnerships with the civil society organisations culmination in the National Co-ordinating Committee for Children affected by AIDS (NACCA), with the Department of Social Department (DOSD) acting as a Secretariat to date. At the establishment of NACCA, the minister was Dr Zola Skweyiya. NACCA remains active as a civil societypublic sector collaboration platform under current Minister Bathabile Dhlamini. The establishment of NACCA represents an outcome of one of the Fund’s earliest realisable advocacy activities. By then, the Fund, had begun to drill the message: “We would like to be known for the work we do rather than the icon behind it.” The Fund firmly began to focus into specialised programme areas in the period 2005 - 2010. The growing appreciation 92

was that attention to children should only be given when they are sick. They have dreams to dream. They must be exposed to games and sports to play for their talents to be nurtured. They must be accorded skills to acquire in order to prepare them to enter the world of work. And those with special needs, due to disability, must be integrated into mainstream society. The four areas for focused programmatic intervention included: t Children wellbeing t Leadership and excellence (promotion of leadership potential through sports and arts) t Skills (entrepreneurial skills development to prepare children into the world of work) t Disability (facilitation integration of children living with disabilities into mainstream society) t Goelama (dedicated to care for orphaned and vulnerable children due to a variety of factors) Since the Fund did not directly implement these programmes, it did so via community based partners who were identified by means of publicly announced Request for Proposals (RFPs). Community based organizations that were legible and meeting the criteria were contracted and funded for an agreed period. The approach, this time round, was to pilot viable models of child care at a scale affordable to the resources of the Fund. The approach was to place successful models before government to apply at national scale. In this way, the Fund would save the government the hazard of experimenting but afford it the benefit of being presented with proven methods that work in order to invest in. The experience gained from programme implementation between 2005 and 2010 saw the Fund better positioned to isolate issues for its advocacy work nationally as well as share successful indigenous models of child care with peer organisations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. For the period 2010 to 2015, the plan is not only to strengthen proven models to child care and youth development and then advocate for their application on a national scale by government but also to couple with building of a countrywide child rights movement. The objective is to

use programme-based advocacy for public policy change pertaining to children and youth, as well as impress mind-set and behaviour change in the best interest of the child. The inspiration for this is derived from Section 28 of Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa dealing with children. While growing in stature and strategic advocacy work in the area of public policies and legislation dealing with children. But it has not just been all things serious and sombre. Changing the way society treats its children and youth has been pepped up with fun times of children adding a cheer of pleasant innocent. Serious work occasionally finds the joy of being brightened by the special occasions where children drop by at the Fund to sing and wish Madiba well on his birthday. The day is today known as the Annual Children’s Celebration. The children’s celebration is staged around Mandela’s birthday month in July. This has been the tradition until 2011. Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel, would usually make a provision in their respective diaries to honour time with children. Tents would be pitched. Tables would be laid. Drinks and food would be prepared. Jumping castles be rolled into the yard for the fun to begin. The sound of children playing would cheerfully punctuate the premises at 21 Eastwold Way. This is where the offices of the Fund are located. Children would deliver their messages. Mandela would acknowledge the tiny but well meaning pleasantries. The cake would then be cut, served to all present and washed down with the drinks of the day. Mandela would then depart. And the day will inject such joy in the tiny hearts of the day’s well wishers. Nothing pleased Mandela more than being with children. And a wave by Mandela on his departure would be a mark of a day well spent. This has been the practice until 2011 when age was no longer in his favour. On his 90th birthday on July 09, 2008, he was hailed by children as the Children’s Champion. His birthday message read in part: “Ours is to make the world more familiar with the smiles of children rather than their tears. Were that to be true, our communities would be safer, our youth happier and citizens relatively at peace with government.”

On his 91st birthday, he was a distinguished guest of his dearly beloved well wishers to witness a site dedication ceremony at the Wits Education Campus on July 31, 2009. This is the site where the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital would be built. Even then, he had words that remain cheer to recall: “Our bodies may give in to the force of age but the dreams that lie in our hearts may not retire.” The theme for Mandela’s 92nd birthday was, during Fifa 2010 soccer world cup was Africa’s age old proverb: “It takes a village to raise the child.” The year 2011, was the last he was able to make contact with a few children on his 93rd birthday. When Mandela announced his withdrawal from public life at an international media conference in Johannesburg on 1 June 2004, the adoration had grown in leaps and bounds. But he assured us that his humanitarian work would henceforth be passed on to the three designated organisations he had established to promote specific aspects of his legacy. The three organisations are the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (established 1995), Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (established 2002), and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (est.2002) The organisations are independent of one another but co-operate closely, and they abide by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by their respective Chief Executives in Mr Mandela’s presence in 2006. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund’s provides leadership on issues of children and young people, influencing institutional changes in the manner in which children are seen, heard, supported, nurtured and serviced in society. The NMCF has established affiliated organisations in several countries. It is also the driving force behind the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg (www. nelsonmandelachildrenshospital.org). The Nelson Mandela Foundation, renamed the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in February 2012, is tasked with giving practical expression to the memory and dialogue aspects of Mr Mandela’s legacy. The Centre of Memory provides an integrated public information resource on the life and times of Nelson Mandela and

convenes dialogue around critical social issues. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation runs the Rhodes Scholarships, and identifies and nurtures future generations of excellent, ethical leaders in Africa. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarships constitute its flagship programme, and more than 200 Scholars have been elected from across the African continent. In his 2004 retirement speech, Mr Mandela exercised due care to illustrate that the causes for which he established his charities were independent legal entities with each accountable for its mandate and overseen by a separate board of trustees. Mandela stated his position thus: “My diary and my public activities will, as from today, be severely and significantly reduced … This does not mean, however, that the work we have been involved in, supported and promoted, comes to an end. It has been our practice to establish organisations to do certain work and then to leave it to those organisations to get on with the job.” “The leaders of the organisations are present here today as proof and assurance that our work will continue, perhaps in an even more focused way now that the attention shifts from the individual to the organisations.” “We are now able to concentrate very clearly on the work of these three independent but interlinked legacy organisations. I am very satisfied to tell you they are in full alignment with one another, each charged with giving expression to a specific aspect of human development. The work of the three foundations is distinct but complementary and supportive of one another.”

our name. I hope you will also get a clear picture of how much care and thought has gone into aligning these structures and preparing them for playing a major role in South Africa and Africa for many years to come.” His parting shot at that media conference remains unforgettable: “Do not call me. I will call you.” This, he said, to spontaneous laughter. Mandela appealed for support for the organisations, making it clear that he wished them to operate in perpetuity, and he charged his Trustees and staff with ensuring that the institutions were financially sustainable through adequate reserves. Those who wished to support his work, he said, could choose among the organisations according to the donors’ own areas of interest. Unlike his charities, the Mandela family trust falls within the ambit of his private concerns that have no bearing on neither operations of the charities established to champion public good. He remains a giant on whose shoulders we are proudly invited to stand and see the distant horizon in which children not only matter but treated with all the care that society can muster. Nineteen years ago, Mandela was moved by the plight of children to establish the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. And in turn, the world has been moved by him. By Mandela’s enduring wish, may children be treated better in the societies that they are born into.

“I hope that you all will be as excited as I am about what will be achieved by these three highly functional and well organised bodies working in

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