MamaMagic Milestones Issue 27 by MamaMagic Milestones

Best toddlersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; toys for the holidays

Tips for pumping like a pro

Childhood vaccinations: Yay or Nay? Meet our

Guest Editor Tasha-Leigh Williams

Healthy eating on a budget

Delicious healthy recipes for the whole family

The sweet truth about gestational diabetes FREE ISSUE 27

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Contents IN THE SPOTLIGHT TIME TO GET JABBED: THE LOWDOWN ON CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS

TOP TYPES OF BRAIN-BOOSTING TOYS FOR TODDLERS

LET’S KEEP IT LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

A N T E N ATA L 1 0 1 MY SUGAR BABY: UNPACKING GESTATIONAL DIABETES

GETTING TO KNOW MOM AND HUGGIES AMBASSADOR LINDA MTOBA

HOW TO PUMP LIKE A PRO: BREASTPUMPING TIPS

PAMPERS PREMIUM CARE BABY ON BOARD WINNER PAYS IT FORWARD

TODDLER SHOULD MY TODDLER EXERCISE? TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR TOT FIT

MEET MY IMAGINARY FRIEND, MOM! THE BENEFITS OF IMAGINARY PLAY

4 GIFTS THAT CHILDREN CAN MAKE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

BA BY 5 MYTHS ABOUT BABIES’ VISION DEBUNKED

F A M I LY

THE FIRST 100 DAYS AFTER BIRTH

GREAT FOOD IDEAS FOR FUSSY EATERS

OUTGROWING ONESIES: A PERSONAL ACCOUNT FROM A MOM

NURTURING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER DURING THE PANDEMIC

5 MOST COMMON CONDITIONS IN SUMMER

REGULARS ED’S NOTE & GUEST ED’S NOTE

MEET THE COVER STAR

MAGIC MOMENTS:

12,26 34,44

ACTIVITY: MAKE A BIRD FEEDER

GUEST EDITOR’S BLOG

MILESTONES EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY

N OVEM B ER 20 2 0

Editor‘s Letter End the year on a high! As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the milestones you and your family have been through this year. So many challenges were thrown at you, yet you are all still standing. And as you stand tall and resilient, take a step forward into the new year with a leap of faith. Only you can ensure that your family is surrounded by love and positivity for what the future holds. Your actions and choices will determine that future. I am delighted to have Tasha-Leigh Williams as our guest editor on this last issue for the year. Her expertise as an occupational therapist and mom to 20-month-old Malakhi has been the perfect insight we need to manage the months ahead. Her positive energy is the dose we all need to end the year on a high. Stay safe, stay strong! Follow me on

@ProjeniPather

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Little moments matter big I’m Tash, OT and solo mommy to my 20-month-old little explorer. After a trying 2020, this holiday issue has me so excited. It’s not only packed with relevant information on parenting, but it also full of some fantastic recipes to try this holiday season (Page 45), some awesome local destinations (Page 10) to visit and ideas on brain-boosting toys for that wishlist (Page 8). If anything, this year has been about the power simple moments hold in shaping our lives. Here’s to a safe and happy holiday! Follow me on

@tashaleigh_cpt Tasha-Leigh Williams

Tasha-Leigh Williams GUEST EDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Projeni Pather GUEST EDITOR - Tasha-Leigh Williams PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL – Tennille Aron tennille@exposuremarketing.co.za SALES – Marita le Roux marita@exposuremarketing.co.za CREATIVE – Berna Hancke-Coles COPY EDITOR – Mandy Collins PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION – Novus Print CONTRIBUTORS Dr Jo-Marie Bothma, Dr Enrico Maraschin, Carey Haupt, Chantelle Brits, Donna Bland, Hayley Malan, Kerry McArthur, Linda Mtoba, Lorrel Singh, Nikita Camacho, Potso Mpandawana, Reevana Govender, Teixeira Murray & Tennille Aron

Meet the Cover Star

PHOTO CREDITS Laura Rose - Laura Rose Photography, Shutterstock, Supplied.

On 4 February 2019, two days before his great-grandfather would have turned 82, Ari Avishai Petersen was born. His first name means “lion” and his second, “gift of God”. These were carefully chosen because his parents had waited, trusted and believed that they’d be blessed with another child, even though they were told they could not conceive again. But 10 years after Ari’s big brother was born, he was gifted to his parents. He was born at the Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital where his brother was born a decade ago. Just as his first name states, he has a very strong personality. He is very possessive of his mommy and daddy, Hilton and Alechia Petersen and big brother Hilton should not dare come close or else he deals with him. Though he bullies his big soft-hearted brother sometimes, the two are best friends. He loves the outdoors and is always walking around with soil under his nails or on his feet. He absolutely loves playing with his two Staffies and loves his friends at school. He is a pure joy to have 1694528 in our house and hearts. Cover Star: Ari Avishai Petersen Photographer: Laura Rose Photography Clothes: Model’s own

Laura Rose Photography

My name is Laura Rose, I am a successful independent female entrepreneur. Laura Rose Photography began in the year 2017. Looking back at my timeline, I always thought that I would end up capturing photographs for brides, but it was with God’s grace that I was guided into specialising in maternity, sitter and newborn sessions. As a 51-yearold photographer, I am not able to have children of my own, however, my life has been fulfilled since I now I get to bond with many mothers and children who walk into my studio, by capturing their special memories. My work has earned me national as well as international recognition and awards. And most recently I received Silver and Bronze awards from Rise International Photography Awards. Mobile: 063 306 1153 Email: me@laurarosephotography.co.za

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I N TH E SPOT LIGHT

Time to get jabbed: THE LOWDOWN ON CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS

IF YOU HAVE FALLEN BEHIND ON YOUR CHILD’S VACCINATIONS DURING LOCKDOWN, IT’S TIME TO GET THEM BACK ON TRACK, WRITES PAEDIATRICIAN DR ENRICO MARASCHIN.

The world is starting to emerge from a unique event, or at least, a pandemic of a magnitude that hasn’t been experienced for a very long time.

our vaccination programmes have generally been so good, that we do not see the devastating effects of vaccine preventable diseases in our communities.

Naturally, people have been afraid and have kept children away from other people and medical facilities as much as possible. For curtailing the spread of COVID-19, this has been a good thing. Having said this, however, it is important to note that many of the diseases we routinely vaccinate against, can have way more devastating effects on children than we have seen with COVID-19. Despite this many parents have allowed their children to miss out on vaccinations for fear of getting COVID-19, and this is partly because the media has done a fantastic job of educating people on COVID-19, so parents are aware of its potential danger. The other factor is that

Many parents have allowed their children to miss out on vaccinations for fear of getting COVID-19. WHY DO YOU NEED TO VACCINATE YOUR CHILD? A view years ago I was fortunate enough to visit Croatia. My daughter noted that there were a lot of adults

riding around on skateboards, but with their legs bent in the wrong direction. I had to explain to her that these people had suffered a disease known as polio. In South Africa, babies are vaccinated against polio before they even leave hospital. This is then boosted three times by the time the child is 14 weeks old. This vaccination programme has been so successful, that South Africa was declared completely free of wild polio earlier this year. This is certainly one very positive piece of news for 2020. What is now of great concern to the medical world is that we see a resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases simply because children have missed out on their vaccinations during the pandemic. In 2018, more than 14 000 people died from measles. This number seems shocking, but doesn’t tell the story of the other measles sufferers who got

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secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia, or developed brain damage from the illness. Measles is a vaccine preventable disease, but there was resistance to the vaccine from various anti-vaccine groups. If children miss out on their vaccinations, then outbreaks such as the measles one will start to take place. Certain childhood diseases may not pose as much a threat as the others. In the past children have had chickenpox, mumps and Rubella (German measles) and many children do not suffer any long-term effects of the disease. However, there are those who may develop secondary infections to these childhood diseases, and these can be serious.

Your child will receive the greatest number of vaccinations in the First year of life. Unfortunately, I have personally treated children with every one of these vaccine preventable diseases except diphtheria. That being said, we did have an outbreak of diphtheria in KwaZulu-Natal a few years ago. For me the most devastating are the diseases that cause meningitis. A child infected with one of these diseases can go from a healthy child to severely brain damaged or even dead in a couple of hours. A practitioner can literally watch as the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health unravels before

their eyes, and unless immediate medical intervention is received, the consequences are nothing short of traumatic for all involved.

HOW DO VACCINATIONS HELP? Our current vaccine schedule protects children from about 17 potentially life-threatening diseases. Your child will receive the greatest number of vaccinations in the first year of life, as a child is born with a relatively naĂŻve immune system. The vaccination is designed to trigger the immune system to respond to the vaccine. This way, if the child then encounters the actual disease, the immune system will be primed to prevent the illness from taking hold of the body.

If your child is one of those children who missed out on vaccines during this period then it is strongly advised that you take your child to the clinic and begin a catch-up programme as soon as possible. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, stated that the avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunisations could be far greater than COVID-19 itself. South African children do not need to be part of this statistic, as we offer a comprehensive vaccine programme to protect our most valuable assets, namely our children.

For more information on catching up on your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immunisations, click here.

vaccination chart

AGE

VACCINE

DISEASE

Birth

BCG bOPV

TB Polio

6 Weeks

OPV1 Rotavirus 1 PCV1 Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV)1

Polio Rotavirus Pneumoccocal Infection

10 Weeks

Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV)2

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilius Influenzae Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilius Influenzae

14 Weeks

Rotavirus 2 PCV2 Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV)3

Rotavirus Pneumoccocal Infection Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilius Influenzae

6 Months

Measles 1

Measles

9 Months

PCV3

Pneumoccocal Infection

12 Months/1 Year

Measles 2

Measles

18 Months

Hexavalent (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV)4

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilius Influenzae

6 Years

Tetanus, Diphtheria

12 Years

Tetanus, Diphtheria

HPV1 HPV2

2 Doses, 6 Months Apart

ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS Girls 9 Years and Older

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I N TH E SPOT LIGHT

Top types of

brain-boosting toys for toddlers

THERE’S A DIZZYING ARRAY OF TOYS OUT THERE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND MOM TASHA-LEIGH WILLIAMS GIVES ADVICE ON WHAT TOYS WILL HELP TO BOOST YOUR TODDLER’S BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. Play is a massive and important part of our children’s lives, which is why finding the right kinds of toys will not only help to reduce toy clutter, but provide an exciting way for them to learn so much! Our little ones’ brains grow at an exponential rate within the first 100 days and these first years are some of the most important for laying that learning foundation. I have compiled a few top toy categories that encourage learning through play and boost brain-development. They can either be DIY or worth investing in. There are many toys that can fall within each category, but remember to keep your child’s unique play interests and developmental age in mind when picking out some of these. It’s amazing to see how these toys can shape development and it has been so much fun and rewarding watching my son discover his unique potential at his own pace, all the while having him teach me just as much. These toys require more initiative from the child, which in essence develops some awesome characterbuilding skills too, as opposed to them being entertained by a one-functional, pre-scripted toy. While those toys might be great to have around for the odd occasion, consistently providing

play opportunities to instil the skills below, is not only fun for the kids, but essential building blocks that may shape their approach to adolescence.

Open-ended Toys These are toys that don’t have just one purpose, but can be used in a variety of different ways. They activate and boost the creative part of the brain as your child decides which function the toy will have.

Emotional development is moulded through pretend play.

Since these toys spark imagination and pretend play, they build executive functioning (higher-functioning skills), including planning and sequencing through play scenarios. Kids love to add their own bits to play scenarios, which develops their sense of empathy and responsibility. They’re also great for encouraging self-expression and learning to self-regulate, as their emotional development is moulded through pretend play. These are all important skills needed to navigate childhood and adolescence. When we facilitate and build healthy creative minds, we are building an appreciation for their own design, and thus the design of others. Toys in this category include loose toy parts, with no particular one-play function, such as blocks or wooden peg people, which makes play versatile.

Push/Pull toys With our toddlers learning to navigate their first steps independently, push/ pull toys make for great gifts! They’re awesome for helping our toddlers strengthen core muscles, and improve balance and coordination as they learn to walk independently. As these particular physical skills

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are encouraged, their confidence to explore and take on tasks independently is boosted too, which creates a sense of positive self-esteem. They also learn a great deal of spatial awareness by navigating their environments and pushing or pulling toys in the desired direction. Spatial awareness is a great building block for mathematics. My son still loves his push-walker at 20 months old, which has a shape-sorter with sound in the front and builds his thinking and problem-solving skills. Push/pull toys with multipurpose functionality that grows with your child are all the better to invest in.

are usually only mastered in adulthood, as they can have a great calming effect on the brain’s sensory processors. What makes this such a win is the ability to build memory skills – what appeals to the senses is bound to cause an emotional response, and thus memory is built.

Sensory Play

It’s important to observe your child’s unique sensory tolerance – as some children may have a low threshold and are more sensitive to sensory stimuli, while others have a high threshold and require a lot more input to be stimulated at all.

This is one of our favourite ways to boost brain development and sensory processing. We can get through lots of basic concepts just by using sensory bins with popcorn seeds, coloured rice or lentils. (Don’t forget to monitor, especially when the contents are not taste-safe.) Sensory toys can range from musical toys to various sensory bins and have endless benefits for boosting brain functioning. The stimulation is a great way to feed into the natural built-in inclination our kids have to explore and master the world around them. They become aware, learn to problemsolve and nerve connections in the brain’s neural pathways are built to master motor and processing skills needed within the environment. Sensory toys are also an effective way to start building the self-regulation skills and emotional intelligence that

Their confidence to explore and take on tasks independently is boosted.

Activity Boards Activity boards can be filled with sensory items or fine-motor lock-andkey items. It’s an awesome way to learn about cause and effect as they pull, clip, tug and open/close items on the activity board, which lays the foundation for developing curious minds and intentional play. Activity boards are also amazing concentration and attention boosters and the right type of activity board can really keep toddlers busy for quite a while, giving them a chance to develop

those problem-solving connections and fine-motor skills.

Books Books are a brilliant way to feed imagination, develop communication connections and increase vocabulary. From textured books to pop-up books, reading these aloud together facilitates a sense of cooperation and builds socio-emotional awareness, a component to adolescent emotionalintelligence. There are endless opportunities to expand on life-themes and create category connections from 2D to the real world.

The gift shop list Here are a few favourite local/small business selections that provide a variety of brain-boosting toys for your toddlers.

ThorneWood Treasures provides handmade wooden educational toys that can be used in a variety of hands-on ways. Discount code: yayforwood

Little Amber Rabbit is a Cape Town based online store selling quality educational toys, activities and books. Discount Code: hop

Stumped Wooden Toys is based in Knysna, selling handcrafted open-ended wooden toys.

I N TH E SPOT LIGHT

Let’s keep it local this holiday season AFTER A YEAR OF VARIOUS STAGES OF LOCKDOWN, LOCAL TRAVEL HAS NEVER LOOKED SO ATTRACTIVE. KERRY MCARTHUR HAS SOME TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY LOCAL HOLIDAY. 2020 has been a year that has been full of challenges, frustration, new adventures and having to be cooped up in the house with our families. We haven’t even been able to travel to the local shopping centre, let alone to another province. The opening of our provincial borders does present a lot of excitement as to where to go next, but this coupled with having to be extra vigilant about health and safety can be quite daunting. Finding a suitable destination that fits the current regulations and our limited budgets can also be quite a task, so here are a few ideas to get you going.

Going from planning to leaving It is important that before you start deciding on a destination, you take into account your budget, time constraints and the age of your children. Don’t set your heart on a bush trip with camping if you have a one-year-old. Similarly, it will be difficult to plan a trip to a fancy hotel with a limited budget, so be realistic about your budget. And don’t forget to build in some “pudding” – in other words, an amount per day for the things you didn’t think about. Choose how far you want to drive, taking into account your child’s age, type of transport and your own preferences. Keep in mind that younger toddlers may get quite frustrated being stuck in a car for an

extended car trip, so consider breaking a longer trip up into smaller parts with an overnight stay or fun stops along the way, allowing lots of time and space to get rid of energy. Once you have decided on how far you want to drive, what your budget is and what you want to do, it is time to start looking at options.

Where to go? Kruger National Park The Kruger is a place to build memories. Your children will always remember their safari adventure where they got to search for animals that were hiding away, and they would see more buck than they ever imagined. If you are lucky you will spot the Big 5. This can be done as a few days or as a day trip. With 10 different entrances, you can plan this as part of a longer trip to a different part of South Africa.

Pros You can book and pay your entrance in advance, which is actually advised by the National Parks Board. It is affordable at between R38 and R76 per person. Picnics in the car are a novel way to entertain the family, or you can stop at one of the many camps for a meal and to stretch legs. The excitement of not knowing what you are going to see never gets old.

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Cons Being in the car for a long time can be frustrating and tiring. You will need to be aware of areas that are a malaria risk. For small children who are potty training you will need to stay relatively close to the camps, which means you may have limited sightings. A similar experience to this would be Cape Point , Cape Town, and the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve in the North West Province.

Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn Just 29km from Oudtshoorn, above the Cango Valley, you will find the Cango Caves, an underground adventure of dripstone caverns, huge halls and towering formations.

Pros A relatively easy day trip. Tours depart every hour on the hour, which makes it easy to plan into your trip. Pre-booking is required.

Cons Admission fees range between R150 and R220, which for larger families will need to be taken into account. Smaller children may be nervous about going underground. It is quite chilly (at a constant 20Â°C), which will take planning, considering the outside temperatures can rise quite steeply. Similar experiences to this are Sterkfontein and Wonder Caves in The Cradle of Humankind, Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga and uKhahlambaDrakensberg Caves.

uShaka Marine World A hybrid between world-class entertainment and marine life with the added excitement of water rides and a theme park. This is fun day out, bound to make everyone happy and exhausted at the end of a very busy day.

Pros Very close to the main areas in Durban. There is a lot of variety: seal or penguin shows, theme park rides, oceanarium, among many other attractions. Children under three are free.

Cons It is important during the off-peak season to watch out for days when they are closed. Online booking is not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Tickets may only be purchased at the ticketing office. No food may be brought into the venue. Similar experiences to this are Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and Bayworld in Port Elizabeth. For a water park not to miss, try Happy Island Water World in Johannesburg.

Table Mountain Aerial Cable Car An experience of a lifetime, this cable car will take you all the way to the top of Table Mountain. It is a five-minute trip up the mountain with views over Cape Town, Table Bay and Robben Island. Once you are at the top, there are guided walking tours, an audio tour, and a cafĂŠ that offers various teas and meals.

Pros Easy to access from Cape Town. You can decide how long you want to spend on this outing.

Cons This can be very weather dependent. Prices start at R190 for children and R380 for adults. Similar experiences to this are the Aerial Cableway in Hartebeespoort (close to JHB and Pretoria). The National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria has a lovely cable car that spans the zoo. Durban Funworld also has a cable

car, which is a great way to see the promenade.

Plett Puzzle Park Found in the Garden Route of South Africa, the Plett Puzzle Park is a fun day out for the whole family. There are two main activities, one being a life size 3D maze and then a forest puzzle walk. This is a great opportunity to exercise your body and your brain. There is a coffee shop and play area available to visitors.

Pros Can keep you and the kids busy for the whole morning. Lovely day outside in the fresh air. All ages will be entertained and challenged in the puzzle parks. Lots of other activities to keep little ones busy. Pricing starts at R115 for children.

Cons Separate entrance fees need to be paid for both puzzle walks, however a combo ticket can be purchased starting at R245. This is an outdoor activity, so you will need to watch the weather. Similar experiences to this are the Hedge Maze at Redberry Farm in George and the Honeydew Mazes in JHB. The Honeydew mazes are also open for night adventures. When choosing your holiday or experience it is important to remember to stay compliant with the COVID-19 regulations including masks, sanitisers and social distancing, and remember that all venues have a limit on how many visitors they are allowed so along with your family remember to take your sense of humour and as much patience as you can gather.

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My sugar baby UNPACKING

GESTATIONAL DIABETES GESTATIONAL DIABETES WASN’T SOMETHING THAT MOMMY INFLUENCER REEVANA GOVENDER HAD PLANNED FOR. SHE WRITES ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE. Getting the news that I had failed my standard glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks came as a shock to me and being diagnosed as a gestational diabetic was a game changer. Being of Indian descent, there are a few common things that women in my lineage hear while we are pregnant. Eat for two! Satisfy all your cravings! Don’t exercise! However, after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, this would be the advice that I needed to scrunch up into a proverbial paper ball and chuck straight into the bin. Ironically, my lineage is probably the leading risk factor for my diagnosis. I weighed a whopping 4.5kg at birth, and had an entire family marvelling at the chubby cherub that I was. The probability that my mother was an undiagnosed gestational diabetic is rather high. Even though I ticked two out of the five risk factors for gestational diabetes, I felt angry at my diagnosis. I also felt

extremely guilty. How did this happen? Did I do something wrong? I ate all the right things, I exercised regularly and after already having an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth for my firstborn, I couldn’t understand how this was possible. The most ineffable part was that I wasn’t sure what this diagnosis would mean for me, my baby or my birth plan. If there is one thing that I would like to mention at the outset, it’s that being diagnosed with gestational diabetes isn’t your fault. Don’t allow yourself to be consumed with guilt about your diagnosis; rather shift your energy into effective ways of managing it.

Unpacking gestational diabetes

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It is quite common and can affect 18 in 100 pregnant women. It occurs because your body cannot produce enough insulin

(a hormone important in controlling blood glucose) to meet its extra needs in pregnancy.

A baby that is making extra insulin may also have low blood glucose levels after birth. The placenta, which supplies your growing foetus with nutrients and water, also produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of these hormones can have a blocking effect on insulin. This results in high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes usually starts in the middle or towards the end of pregnancy and in most cases, ends shortly after birth. It does, however, put you at risk for type 2 diabetes later on in life.

A NTEN ATA L

Some women are more predisposed than others due to certain risk factors. The risk factors include : your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher you have previously given birth to a large baby, weighing 4kg or more (based on the South African guideline for foetal weight) you have had gestational diabetes before you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes your family origin is South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern.

Lifestyle changes to take on board

While any complication during your pregnancy is a concern, there is light at the end of this tunnel. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by specific lifestyle changes. I was lucky enough to be able to manage my blood glucose levels with diet and I did not need to be on medication. Medication like hypoglycemics and insulin can be avoided by maintaining a strict diet, increasing physical activity and increasing water intake. I attributed not needing medication to the fact that I had already made many changes to my lifestyle prior to my second pregnancy that were in line with my dietician’s recommendation. If you fall into any of the risk factors, I would suggest these lifestyle changes prior to pregnancy. Some of these changes included :

1. 2.

Converting all carbohydrates to brown, whole-wheat or high fibre. Reducing overall quantities of carbohydrates and increasing quantities of proteins in my meals. The protein-to-carb ratio is exceptionally important to understand. Increasing my water intake to at least two litres a day.

4. 5.

Exercising daily for 30 minutes (I followed pregnancy safe exercise routines on YouTube). Avoiding processed foods, high sugar foods and fizzy drinks.

And yes of course, I did have moments where I craved a McDonald’s chocolate milkshake with some cheesy fries. And for sure, not having cake at your own baby shower is pure evil, but it just makes planning your after-pregnancy treat all the more fun. I also didn’t completely deprive myself: with careful monitoring of my levels, daily exercise and increasing water intake I was able to have certain treats in moderation. I also experimented in the kitchen with some high protein and zero sugar treats that were diabetic-friendly. However, this was my own individual experience and I would strongly suggest chatting to your dietician in this regard before indulging. I was closely monitored by my obstetrician and midwife during the latter part of my pregnancy and thankfully my baby showed no adverse effects from the gestational diabetes. Regular antenatal checks and ultrasound monitoring for foetal growth and amniotic fluid volume are very important for women with gestational diabetes. I went on to give birth naturally at 39 weeks (in breech position, but this is a story for another day) to a 2.8kg little girl.

I ticked two out of the five risk factors for gestational diabetes.

Lessons learned

If being diagnosed with gestational diabetes has taught me anything, it’s the importance of making sustainable lifestyle changes. Being a gestational diabetic puts me at risk for type 2 diabetes in the future, and it also means that my girls are at risk for both gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes later on. I have made a mindful effort to educate them about the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, with the aim of somehow breaking the cycle. I share my story in the hope that I can help another mama who finds herself in this situation. While I was supported magnanimously with information from my healthcare professionals, I craved a real life perspective from a woman that I could relate to and who had already walked this journey. I just wanted to know that it was going to be okay. So I am here to tell you that it will be okay. Make sustainable lifestyle changes and, most importantly, enjoy your pregnancy. Don’t allow your diagnosis to consume you or drain the joy out of your pregnancy. This is a beautiful time in your life, and even though pregnancy can feel exceptionally long, it all goes by way too quickly.

Gestational Diabetes 101 Risk Factors

What is it? Diabetes that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It is quite common and can affect 18 in 100 pregnant women. It occurs because your body cannot produce enough insulin (a hormone important in controlling blood glucose) to meet its extra needs in pregnancy. The placenta, which supplies your growing foetus with nutrients and water, also produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of these hormones can have a blocking effect on insulin. This results in high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes usually starts in the middle or towards the end of pregnancy and in most cases, ends shortly after birth. It does however put you at risk for type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Some women are more predisposed than others due to certain risk factors these include: your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher you have previously given birth to a large baby, weighing 4kg or more (based on the South African guideline for foetal weight) you have had gestational diabetes before you have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes your family origin is South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern.

If you have any of the above risk factors, you should be offered a glucose test during your pregnancy. This may be a simple blood test in early pregnancy and/or a glucose tolerance test (GTT) when you are between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is important to control the level of glucose in your blood during your pregnancy. If your blood glucose is too high, your baby will produce more insulin, which can make your baby grow bigger and increases the likelihood of having your labour induced, caesarean section, birth complications and in extreme cases, stillbirth. These risks are higher if gestational diabetes is not detected and controlled. A baby that is making extra insulin may also have low blood glucose levels after birth and may need extra neonatal care to monitor their levels after birth.

Dangers of Gestational Diabetes Although most women who develop gestational diabetes will have healthy pregnancies, there are certain health problems that can occur as a result of this condition. Women who develop gestational diabetes are at risk for type 2 diabetes in the future. Also having uncontrolled gestational diabetes puts your unborn children at risk for both gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes later on.

Lifestyle Changes to Take on Board Gestational diabetes can be controlled by specific lifestyle changes. If you fall into any of the risk factors, these lifestyle changes are suggested prior to pregnancy. Some of these changes include:

1. Converting all carbohydrates to brown, whole-wheat or high fibre. 2. Reducing overall quantities of carbohydrates and increasing quantities of

proteins in meals. The protein-to-carb ratio is exceptionally important to understand.

3. Increasing water intake to at least two litres a day. 4. Exercising daily for 30 minutes 5. Avoiding processed foods, high sugar foods and fizzy drinks.

AN TE NATAL

Getting to know mom & Huggies ambassador:

Linda Mtoba WE SPENT SOME TIME GETTING TO KNOW MOM, HUGGIES AMBASSADOR AND HOST OF BRAND-NEW PARENTING SHOW LIGHTS CAMERA BABY, LINDA MTOBA. SHE LET US INTO HER BUSY LIFE JUGGLING HER BUSINESS AND LIFE WITH HER BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL, BEAN.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I am an actress, content creator, new mom to my daughter, Bean, and happily married to my life partner for three years. Bean has just turned one. Tell us how your journey of the first year as a mom has been. It has been such a beautiful ride around the sun. I have experienced so much joy, love, growth and lots of learning. No day is the same and I love that. What has been the most challenging thing about being a mom? The most challenging thing about being a mom would have to be finding a balance between being a mom and “being myself”. As much as being a mom is now part of who I am, there is so much more to me. My husband has to remind me that I must not forget about myself.

much for my family and my wellbeing. Being a Huggies mom has opened up another realm of motherhood and introduced me to a community that is very supportive and welcoming. My Huggies family has made my journey of being a new mom one that is filled with lots of memories. They have been with us from the very beginning and growing with us through every milestone. What is the one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a mom? I took a lot of advice from moms before the time and that got me really well prepared for motherhood. I also did extensive reading and research during my pregnancy, which helped me a lot. The one thing I wish I was told about and prepared for is how to handle a “poonami”. I was never ready for that.

I have been blessed to work with a brand that cares so much for my family and my wellbeing.

What was the best piece of advice you have ever received about motherhood? The best advice came from my mother-in-law. She told me that I will be a mom and I WILL KNOW, I will always know what is best for my child and I should never doubt myself.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a mom so far? Just being a mom is rewarding on its own. I have the most beautiful little girl with the biggest personality next to me everyday, who I get to watch grow and become a “real” human being. Honestly, that’s the reward itself.

What is your go-to source of advice for anything parenting related? It would have to be the people around me, especially other moms. I ask my mother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, literally all the mothers around me, because it’s true that it takes a village to raise a child.

You are the current brand ambassador for Huggies. Tell us a bit about that. I have been blessed to work with a brand that cares so

Do you have any hobbies and what are they? I recently took up embroidery and so far I am really enjoying it.

M ILES TO NES How do you separate work life from being a mom? I am always a mom, even when I am working, so it’s a matter of creating time for everything. If I know I’m shooting the whole day, I always make sure my daughter is okay and has everything she needs. When she is napping, I use that time to create content, so I don’t really separate being a mom and working, because my life actually revolves around being a mom. Tell us about your most embarrassing mom moment yet, if you have one. It would probably have to be my breast leaking in public and my only realising that when I got to my car.

Rapid fire questions Tea or coffee?

Coffee.

Day or night?

Night.

Summer or winter?

Winter.

Money or fame?

Fame.

Acting or singing?

Acting.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Savoury or sweet?

Sweet.

Movies or books?

Movies.

Biggest phobia?

I don’t have any.

Facebook or Instagram?

Instagram.

Catch Linda as the host of the new parenting show

YOU CAN FOLLOW LINDA HERE: @linda_mtoba @OfficialLindaMtoba @Linda_Mtoba

A N T ENATAL

How to pump

like a pro PUMPING YOUR BREASTMILK DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FRAUGHT WITH FRUSTRATION. DIETICIAN AND LACTATION CONSULTANT CAREY HAUPT SHARES SOME TIPS TO MAKE THE JOB EASIER.

Whether you are expressing milk for a baby in NICU, or at work, or just to quickly go to the shops, no one wants to spend copious amounts of time and effort and only get a few precious drops of breastmilk. So how do you move from getting only a few drops to filling your bottles and baby’s tummy? Here are my top tips.

Get a good quality breast pump Not all pumps are created equal. If you need to pump with speed and have higher volume outputs, then using a double electric breast pump is key. This way you save time by expressing both breasts at the same time, and have higher milk output than if only

expressing one breast at a time. Make sure when you buy a pump, that it is of good quality and that there are reliable after-sales service channels.

Make sure when you buy a pump, that it is of good quality. Look for a true closed system pump, as they are more hygienic than open systems. A back-flow protector protects your pump from milk moving back into the tubing and also back into the pump, while a true closed system pump prevents the movement and growth of possible viruses, bacteria or mould in your pump and tubing.

If you need to increase your supply, make sure that you have a pump that stimulates your breasts rather than just collecting breastmilk. The stimulation helps to increase the amount of milk produced rather than producing just a passive negative pressure. Make sure that your pump fits you properly! If the flanges (the cupped part that attaches to your breast) are too small or big, it can have a major effect on the breast pump’s ability to express milk. If too much of your breast is being pulled into the funnel of the flange, then your ducts tend to become squashed closed, making it more difficult for your milk to flow. If your nipple is too big and it rubs against the sides of the funnel, this can cause pain and blisters, which will also affect how well your milk flows. Did you know that

M I L ESTONE S

there are more than seven different sized flanges available, depending on the pump that you use? To find the perfect flange size, ensure that the nipple moves easily in and out of the funnel without any redness or pain. If you are unsure, then ask the supplier for measuring guidelines for using their flanges.

times needed to express will decrease. If you are pumping to increase milk supply, you can power pump to imitate cluster feeding and increase your supply, as well as adding an extra pump session between feeds, or pump after a feed, to make sure that the breast has emptied completely.

When you massage, start at your chest and move toward your nipple.

The use of warmth on your breast just before you express helps your body release oxytocin, which is responsible for the milk let-down (starting to flow). The massage helps to “wake up“ your breasts and get the milk flowing. If you are expressing and your milk has slowed, you can use warmth and massage during a pump session. Ways that you can use warmth are a warm bean bag, baby bottle with hot water inside, warm wet cloth or a small hot water bottle. When you massage, start at your chest and move toward your nipple. You can use circular motions, long sweeping motions, or gentle tapping with your fingers. Volume over 24 hours is more important than volume per pump session. Mothers tend to get more milk in the morning or after a good sleep. Expect to pump less in the late afternoons or after a direct breastfeed. Rather look at how much milk you have pumped over a 24-hour period and how many times you pump in that period. Breast pumps can be a great tool in managing your milk supply when used correctly. If you are not getting the results that you need, rethink how you are using your pump. Make sure there are no air leaks (sound of air escaping as this may be a valve issue), that your pump fits you correctly, that you are expressing or emptying your breasts often, and that your pump’s motor is working correctly.

Find your sweet spot on your pump’s settings Not all women are comfortable and respond to the highest setting of the pump. This means that you might express more milk at lower settings. Take your time to find the best setting for you and make sure that you are always comfortable while pumping. This will aid in getting the best results.

Pump often After the quality of your breast pump, the number of times you empty your breast is the next most important factor. This means that how often you pump is particularly important. Breastmilk is made by hormones. The higher the level of the hormones (prolactin and oxytocin), the more milk your body is able to make. Regularly stimulating and emptying your breasts results in more milk. If you are an exclusive pumper, then you need to express as many times a day as a baby would naturally feed. As your baby gets older, the number of

Use heat and massage

Quick tips for breast pumping Invest in a good quality breast pump that is suited to your specific needs. Find the pump settings that work best for you. Pump frequently and regularly. Use heat or massage to help you express milk. Find a comfortable place to relax and pump in. Remember to clean and sanitise your pump after every use.

quick tips

PUMPING LIKE A PRO Invest in a good quality breast pump that is suited to your specific needs.

Find a comfortable place to relax and pump in.

Find the pump settings that work best for you.

Pump frequently & regularly.

Use heat or massage to help you express milk.

Remember to clean and sanitise your pump after every use.

JHB 32762

Our gentle, protective hugs have grown!

Now available in sizes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

MOM’S FAVOURITES Guest editor Tasha-Leigh Williams shares some of the products that have made her parenting journey easier. Becoming a first-time mom isn’t easy – but these products made it a whole lot easier, and my baby just loved them.

Munchkin Splash Cup

Aside from having a removable press-fit lid to avoid spills when drinking, it’s great for helping our babies (from six months) and toddlers naturally learn to drink from an open cup independently.

Hipporoo’s 2-in-1 Hunger Hippo Waterproof Apron

Messy mealtimes are a given – with this lightweight, pocket feature apron/bib, clean-up is a lot simpler and those beautiful outfits can be saved! I love that it grows with our little ones from 4-36 months.

BRIGHT STARTS Ring Links

A simple, yet versatile toy option attaching to almost anything, from the stroller-set to activity mat, and even keeping other toys attached. It is great for encouraging independent play and an optional teether too.

Footsies and Tootsies Walking Shoes These are absolute favourites from quality to durability. Walking shoes with great ankle support and grip are an essential confidence booster as our little ones learn to navigate their first steps independently.

Child’s farm BathTime Range

This amazing smelling, organic range filled with naturally derived ingredients and essential oils has been a go-to since the early months. The bath-time bubbles give a fun sensory experience too!

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WINNER PAYS IT FORWARD WHEN EXPECTANT MOM LORREL SINGH WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE PAMPERS PREMIUM CARE BABY ON BOARD WINNER ON 4 SEPTEMBER, SHE WAS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION AS SHE KNEW HOW MUCH THIS PRIZE WOULD HELP HER IN HER OWN PREGNANCY JOURNEY. NOW TO SPREAD THE LOVE, SHE IS HELPING OTHER PREGNANT MOMS IN NEED IN HER COMMUNITY THROUGH HER “PAY IT FORWARD” CAMPAIGN. SHE SPOKE TO TENNILLE ARON ABOUT THIS NEW INITIATIVE.

Lorrel Singh and her family celebrating the arrival of her prizes from the Pampers Premium Care Baby on Board Competition.

The pandemic has been a trying time for everyone, especially for pregnant moms who have not only had to endure the regular demands of a pregnancy, but who have had to go through a pregnancy during one of the most stressful periods in history. However, instead of letting it get her down, Pampers Premium Care Baby on Board winner Lorrel Singh is determined to use this time as a perfect opportunity to start helping less fortunate members of her community through the Pay it Forward campaign, which she launched earlier this year.

American activist Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” Lorrel’s answer to this question was: as much as possible for those less fortunate than her.

Lorrel Singh is determined to use this time as a perfect opportunity to help less fortunate members of her community.

Ever since she was young, Lorrel’s greatest passion has been to find ways to give back to her community and uplift those around her. In January 2020, this passion led to her starting the “Lovers of Humanity | A Philanthropic Journey” movement with her husband. This movement was established as a way to raise awareness on important socio-economic problems, as well as to help impart information on certain life skills to those in her community. It was also created as a way to support disadvantaged communities through education, motivational talks and mentoring.

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After launching this initiative, Lorrel and her husband began their first campaign, which focused on collecting and donating general hygiene-related items, including sanitary towels, to three initiatives. Through this campaign, the movement managed to collect over 600 packs of sanitary towels, deodorants, sanitary wipes and drawstring bags to donate. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign had to be stopped a lot earlier than expected. Despite this, however, the group was still able to donate all the items that they collected to their chosen initiatives. While the pandemic put a hold on the other projects that the movement had planned for the year, Lorrel did receive some amazing news during this time. On 14 March, just a day before the president announced the national state of disaster, Lorrel and her husband found out that she was pregnant with baby number two, after 11 years.

A small act of kindness could be the miracle that someone else is waiting for. Going through a pregnancy in the midst of a pandemic is no easy task, as Lorrel soon discovered. “Did we plan to be pregnant during a pandemic? Of course not. What was to follow in the weeks and months to come was strange to us, confusing and scary at the same time,” she says. Attending doctors’ appointments and scans alone, and constantly worrying about the safety of her unborn child made the pregnancy that much more stressful. This is why when she won more than R85 000 worth of prizes and a six-month supply of Pampers nappies

in the Baby on Board competition on 4 September, she decided to start finding ways to pay it forward and help other expectant parents on their own pregnancy journeys. “When I was announced as the winner of the Pampers Premium Care Baby on Board competition, I said to my husband that we are so blessed, and now it’s time for us to give back,” says Lorrel. The Pay it Forward campaign, under the Lovers of Humanity movement, was born out of a desire to help pregnant moms and dads who were in need of extra help. People were asked to email through stories of expectant moms who needed help buying items for their upcoming births and a wishlist of the items that they needed. Lorrel and her husband then went through the emails and started putting together the items on the different wishlists. “The emails started to pour in and we spoilt every single mom that wrote in. We asked each of them to send us a wishlist and we tried our best to fulfil that list. For every letter we received, each mom received a box of goodies for her baby,” says Lorrel. The project was funded entirely by Lorrel and her husband, and once the lockdown dropped to Alert Level 1, Lorrel and her husband even surprised some of the moms in person (ensuring at all times that all COVID-19 safety protocols were strictly adhered to). “This was a fantastic experience for us as a family. Our second bundle of joy arrives in the middle of November, and this was our way of giving thanks for our blessing,” explains Lorrel. “Life is not only about receiving, it’s also about giving. A small act of kindness could be the miracle that someone else is waiting for,” says Lorrel. And she intends to give as much as she can, while she still can and before her second baby arrives.

How you can get involved: Lorrel still has plenty of other projects planned for her movement. If you would like to get involved in Lorrel’s movement by donating or simply follow her campaigns, you can follow her on social media:

@loversofhumanitysa

@Lovers of Humanity | A Philanthropic Journey You can also send her an email on

Loversofhumanitysa @gmail.com

Lorrel Singh’s Lovers of Humanity Projects

All you need for your babyshower. 1. Scan the code 2. Register your list 3. Share with friends & family

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MAGIC MOMENTS “Baby, It’s Spring Time! ”

Mpho Mokwana

Chante Hilse

Navashni Knowlden

Stacey Pijoos

TO ENTER OUR NEXT COMPETITION, FOLLOW THE MAMAMAGIC SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. WINNER RECEIVES A R250 BABY CITY VOUCHER.

M ILE S TO NES

5 Myths about

babies’ vision debunked WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE FOR OUR KIDS IT’S EASY TO BECOME OVERWHELMED, WRITES OPTOMETRIST CHANTELLE BRITS. THIS ARTICLE FACT-CHECKS FIVE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT BABIES AND THEIR VISION.

BABY

1. Babies don’t need their eyes checked

Untrue. A paediatrician will check for visual health problems such as cataracts or squints, but will not be able to assess whether the baby has a refractive error (eyesight problem). Refractive errors are often inherited, and studies show that where both parents have vision problems there is up to a 60% chance that the child will develop a visual difficulty as well. It is recommended that children have their first eye exam between the ages of six and 12 months.

2. It is not possible to test a baby’s eyes as they need to be able to respond verbally

Untrue. With babies and young children who are not yet verbal, the optometrist will rely on objective testing methods. Fortunately, with advances in technology, paediatric visual screening equipment has become available, making it possible for a wealth of information to be gleaned from a baby’s visual exam without the little one having to participate verbally.

3. If my child has an eye problem I would have noticed

Untrue. While some visual problems, such as squints, are immediately obvious to parents and caregivers, many are not, and

children mostly do not complain of having visual difficulties. Your child may develop some types of compensatory mechanisms such as only using one eye if there is a big difference in acuity (how well the eye sees) between the two eyes. Many times visual problems are only discovered once the child reaches school-going age and academic difficulties start to manifest.

The sooner vision problems are detected, the better the prognosis. The sooner vision problems are detected, the better the prognosis, and the less likely it is for learning to be affected.

4. Babies cannot wear contact lenses

Untrue. In some cases, such as high refractive errors at birth, after cataract surgery or when strabismus is present it is necessary for a young infant to wear a form of visual correction. Some babies do not tolerate spectacle-wear well, and this can be managed by means of custom-made, soft, extended wear lenses. These lenses are specifically designed for paediatric use, are highly breathable and the infant is closely monitored by their optometrist and ophthalmologist to ensure that their eyes remain healthy.

5. Wearing spectacles from a young age will cause my child’s eyes to get weaker

Untrue. In fact, the converse is true! The critical age for vision development is birth to three years. Where vision problems remain unaddressed beyond the critical period, a condition by the name of amblyopia (“lazy eye”) may set in. Amblyopia refers to dimness of vision not corrected with spectacles or contact lenses, and is caused by the brain effectively “ignoring” the weaker eye. Though amblyopia can be treated with vision therapy, the older the child is when commencing treatment, the longer and more difficult the process becomes. Children are less likely to become amblyopic if their refractive errors are corrected earlier in life.

They may develop compensatory mechanisms such as only using one eye.

M ILES TO NES

The First 100 Days AFTER BIRTH A BABY IS AN EXCITING EVENT, BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF UNCERTAINTY AS YOU TAKE YOUR LITTLE BUNDLE HOME AND HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR EVERY NEED. DOULA DONNA BLAND HAS SOME ADVICE FOR BRAND NEW PARENTS. Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and rewarding things anyone can do. After nine months of pregnancy and a short stay in hospital, you get to bring your baby home – but then reality sets in and you realise that you are responsible for everything this little human needs. Knowing what to expect can help you to navigate these early days. The first 100 days after a baby is born (also known as the newborn stage) is a crucial time for baby’s earliest developmental milestones,

particularly brain development. It is also the time when you, as a parent, get to learn about your new role and adjust to the changes in your life. So, what can you expect in these first 100 days?

Feeding

Regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, there are plenty of concerns and questions surrounding this topic. A bottle-fed baby will feed every three to four hours on average, whereas a breastfed baby will feed every two to three hours. This is

because breastmilk digests more easily, making babies hungrier more frequently. It is recommended therefore, that breastfed babies are fed on demand rather than on schedule. This means that a newborn baby will feed between eight and 12 times a day.

Nappies

Immediately after birth, your baby’s first stool, called meconium, will be dark green (almost black). This is from the amniotic fluid that your baby has been consuming in utero.

BABY After a couple of days, the colour and consistency will change to become more yellow and liquid for breastfed babies and a greenish colour for formula-fed babies. Plenty of wet nappies are important to know that the kidneys are functioning well.

Soothing techniques Newborn babies cry for a variety of reasons. Your baby may be hungry or have a dirty nappy, but often baby may just want to be held.

Baby is comforted by hearing your heartbeat and being near you. Babies also become overstimulated and may need a change in environment. Cuddling, swaddling or gentle swaying may help a fussy baby to settle. Skin-to-skin contact has proven not just to help baby settle, but feed and sleep better. These days, many parents “wear” their babies in a wrap or a sling. Baby is comforted by hearing your heartbeat and being near you. This practice leads to a release of oxytocin (the love hormone), creating a happier mom and baby.

Sleep

The average newborn will sleep around 16 hours a day. This may vary from baby to baby, but sleep is vital for a baby to thrive and develop during the first 100 days of life. Although sleep deprivation is guaranteed for new parents, there are some things you can do to get some much-needed sleep. Sleep when baby sleeps. Night feeds and broken sleep can make coping exceedingly difficult. Catching up when

your baby sleeps will help you survive the early days. If your baby falls asleep easily but struggles to stay asleep, it could be because of the Moro reflex. This is your baby’s startle reflex and can very often cause a baby to wake, even out of a deep sleep. Swaddling can be especially useful in combatting this problem, by extending sleep periods. “Wearing” your baby, (as mentioned before) or cosleeping can really help in making your baby feel safe and secure, ensuring better sleep. If you are afraid to co-sleep, why not try having baby in a crib next to your bed where they are still aware of your presence and are accessible for easy feeding?

Tummy time

The first step towards future developmental milestones is for baby to practise intervals of tummy time. It is recommended that a baby spend a few times a day lasting a few minutes, on their tummies either on blanket (always supervised) or on mom or dad’s chest. They don’t always respond positively initially, but if you persevere, your baby will develop the necessary physical skills, well within the recommended threemonth milestone guidelines.

Gastrointestinal disturbances

There are copious numbers of articles written about colic and reflux. All newborn babies, particularly in the first 100 days after birth, will experience some sort of gastrointestinal issue. The main reason for this is a highly immature gut system trying to cope with its new function of digesting milk. Breastmilk is more easily digested and therefore tends to create fewer

concerns in this area. Formula-fed babies need to be well burped and not overfed to prevent the newborn’s stomach from cramping. Colic and reflux, of course, do exist and present their own challenges, but remember that most newborn babies will suffer with some gastric disturbance during this stage. Speak to a lactation consultant or your clinic sister for advice on comfort measures for baby.

Support

The journey into parenthood is a joyous, exciting time that brings many changes to your life. Moms must deal with physical recovery from the birth process, sleep deprivation, feeding concerns and the rollercoaster of emotions caused by hormonal changes. This can lead to postnatal “blues” or even depression, so having good support at this time is imperative. If you do not have family or friends who can help you through this time, there are support groups available. If you are struggling in a particular area e.g., feeding, there are professionals who can assist you. Reach out to those available to you so that you can enjoy this precious time.

Knowing what to expect can help you to navigate these early days. One hundred days may seem like a long time, but it is amazing how quickly that time goes after your baby is born. Being busy with your new routine and the lifestyle changes it brings can make the first couple of months seem like they have gone in the blink of an eye. Knowing some of what to expect and having a good support system can help you to enjoy your baby during these first 100 days of life.

M ILES TO NES

Outgrowing Onesies THEY GROW UP SO FAST, DON’T THEY? MOMMY BLOGGER NIKITA CAMACHO (AKA HEARTS IN HER SHOES) REMINDS US TO CHERISH EACH MOMENT. “Mommy does this fit me?” After a pull and tug of last season’s top, the cuff of the sleeve sits 2cm above her wrist. I can almost hear the collective sighs of mothers everywhere. It is evident that with a new season comes the physical evidence that our babies, our children are growing up too fast. As eager as my little one is to grow up, I internalise my emotions of trying to keep my little girl small forever. How do they grow so fast? I reminisce about the freshly washed onesies on the washing line after my baby shower as I tried to envision the tiny tot that would soon fill those outfits. As new parents, we could not wait to meet our little girl. The pure giddiness and the anticipation of not knowing what your baby will look like was so overwhelming. How can you etch a memory in your mind? Do you look at old photos of your little one and cannot recall that the chatting child in front of you now was once a tiny, helpless baby? When your baby arrives, it is a blur of dirty nappies, sleep deprivation and countless feeds. You’re so frighteningly consumed with keeping this little baby alive, as the handbook of How to Take Care of a Baby is not handed out to you as you leave the hospital. This new fear

so overrides your emotions that you forget to admire the onesie that is a tad too big for your baby as you leave the hospital. That drive home is nerveracking despite your years of driving experience.

When your baby arrives, it is a blur of dirty nappies, sleep deprivation and countless feeds. You do not realise how quickly your little miracle in the backseat will grow. In the first six months, your baby will grow at an estimate of 1.5 to 2.5cm a month. By six months, your baby will have doubled their birth weight: amazing yet bittersweet. Then the day arrives when you squish their chubby foot into the onesie and think, “Maybe, one last time it’ll fit,” then the press studs pop open again. Another month, another clothing size done and dusted. This mommy’s heart can’t hold it together, so off the clothing goes into storage for a future sibling. So what is the upside of a growing tot? It gives you a new view of life

as you experience life through their eyes, the wonder of new discoveries as they meander their way from one milestone to the next. There’s the sweet mispronunciation of words like “goggy” instead of “doggy”. You will notice when those cute mispronunciations are self-corrected. By four years old, your little one boasts a vocabulary of over 1000 words. It’s quite impressive for someone just over a metre tall. The bombardment of questions may have you googling on the side. I know I have. “Mommy, how do elephants sleep?” And the cutest, “Mommy, do doctors fix sore hearts?” Your pocket may hurt with the rapid growth spurts, and so will your heart as you face the reality of your baby growing up. I can promise that the joy that comes along with it, does outweigh your seasonal pain. Looking at the cropped pants, and short tops that need replacing again, my frown melts away and my heart then doubles as I feel a pair of little arms wrap around my neck tightly. “Hug time, mama, I love you. “I love you the most,” I reply with the biggest smile on my face. Thinking back now, each milestone and outgrown outfit is worth it to have precious moments like these.

BABY

5 most common conditions

IN SUMMER THE WEATHER HAS WARMED UP AND IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO JUDGE HOW MANY LAYERS YOUR BABY NEEDS. PAEDIATRICIAN ENRICO MARASCHIN HAS SOME TIPS.

Spring has sprung, and we are all super excited to be emerging from a long cold winter that has also kept us very isolated. We have already experienced very hot temperatures with Johannesburg reaching over 27°C and other parts of our country already recording temperatures as high as 39°C. Given the hotter weather, parents with young babies need to take precautions so as to avoid conditions such as dehydration, heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Not only do these conditions cause illness, but they are also risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Here are some important tips: Watch your baby for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Signs may include red cheeks, sweating, fast heart rate, lethargy (excessive sleepiness) or irritability. The quickest way to deal with this is to remove some clothing or use a damp cloth to wipe baby down. Dehydration may result from your baby getting too little fluid in the

hotter weather. Breastfed babies get adequate fluid from their mother’s milk. Formula is also adequate for a baby before solids are introduced. Giving water to a newborn is dangerous as their kidneys are immature. Breastfeeding mothers should just increase the frequency of feeding during hot spells.

Breastfed babies get adequate fluid from their mother’s milk. Avoid direct sunlight. A baby under the age of six months has very little melanin in the skin compared to an adult. Melanin protects against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. While there is a lot of talk about Vit D, older children should not be exposed to direct sunlight without protection after 10am and before 4pm. The sun can cause damage to young skin that will have a lifelong impact.

Sun protection. Babies under six months of age should be protected from the sun by keeping them in the shade, with protective clothing and a hat. A sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 or more should be used on children older than six months. The cream should protect against UVA and UVB. Creams containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide won’t irritate the eyes or skin. Apply the sunscreen every two hours. The sunscreen would be in addition to a cotton hat and protective clothing. Keep surfaces cool. Make sure that the surface that your child is on is cool, such as cotton sheets, a breathable car seat cover or pram liner help to avoid overheating. It may also be a good idea to place a cotton sheet between you and baby while breastfeeding. Body on body can get hot and sticky, and babies often fuss while they are feeding. A baby only needs one more layer of clothing than you are comfortable with. Avoid swaddling your baby too tightly as they may not be able to wriggle free if they are hot.

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After the year we’ve had, we have been waiting for warmer days to hit Cape Town, and a big essential for every outing is our Nunuki Sunscreen with SPF30.

Viral and bacterial Health conditions in the 3. Gastroenteritis: infections that cause vomiting, summer months: diarrhoea and fever are common

in summer. Also be careful when storing food as the hotter weather may mean that food goes off faster and the risk of food poisoning becomes greater. Treat gastroenteritis with small, frequent amount of rehydration fluids. If your child shows symptoms like dry tongue, fewer wet nappies, irritability, lethargy or is unable to keep fluids down, seek urgent medical attention.

While we all generally dread winter and the association with colds and flu, there are also illnesses that commonly occur in summer. These include: Insect bites, stings and spider bites. We spend more time outside in summer and summer naturally has a higher number of these creatures. These are often easily treated with antihistamine creams, but if there is a strong reaction then medical attention should be sought.

2. Allergies. There is a huge increase in

the amount of pollen during spring and summer. This often causes hay fever, asthma, eczema and allergic conjunctivitis. Specific treatments are required, but these usually include some form of antihistamines and cortisone.

Treat gastroenteritis with small, frequent amount of rehydration fluids.

4. Viral infections. During summer we

Make sure that the surface that your child is on is cool.

see an increased number of children with coxsackie (hand, foot and

mouth) and viral meningitis. Coxsackie often presents with a rash on the body, the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and in the mouth. Treat the fever with paracetamol. If your child is very distressed, seek medical advice. Meningitis may present with a stiff neck, high fevers, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Seek medical advice if your child develops these symptoms. rash. This is more common in 5. Heat little babies due to their immature sweat glands. Perspiration gets trapped beneath the skin and causes red, prickly bumps. Heat rash (prickly heat) isn’t dangerous but can cause irritability and discomfort. Typically, it occurs on the face and in the little folds of skin. There is no specific treatment for heat rash, but allowing baby to have loose fitting clothing or no clothes at all prevents sweating. Avoid powders, lotions and creams as this further clog up their little sweat glands.

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Ed’s Though

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Movement really matters – hide and seek as well as dancing together are both firm favourites in our home, keeping us active too.

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Should my toddler

exercise?

AN EXERCISE PROGRAMME? FOR TODDLERS? IT’S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT FORMAL EXERCISE AS GETTING YOUR KIDS ACTIVE FROM THE START, WRITES FITNESS EXPERT POTSO MPANDAWANA. You are probably thinking… should my toddler exercise? They are only two years old! That surely can’t be right. Let’s start here: what is exercise? Well, according to the Oxford Dictionary, exercise is: An activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness. An activity carried out for a specific purpose. I would like to home in on both descriptions, because they are both important. Exercise requires physical effort and our little ones already engage in so much physical movement on a daily basis. They literally run around all day long without always showing signs of fatigue. That helps to improve their health and development. Second, exercise is carried out for a specific reason and for our toddlers, the purpose is not building muscle or losing weight, but helping their gross motor skills, coordination, balance, posture and what every mom

Benefits of activity:

wants: better sleep. These factors should be the motivation for coming up with ways to keep your toddler active. You are probably wondering how much exercise your toddler needs to do, because you’re pretty busy yourself, and fitting in a routine for them to exercise can be a bit challenging.

Getting started

I start by encouraging parents to be active themselves, because with toddlers, or even kids in general, it’s always monkey see, monkey do. So, Mom and Dad, it starts with you.

Make it fun for them; it must be part of the play time. Include your toddler in a safe, short jogging session in a suitable pram or take a walk with them. Alternatively, you can keep it indoors and put on a YouTube exercise video and encourage

Strengthens bones, muscles, heart, etc Improves coordination, balance, posture Better sleep Boosts confidence Skill development

them to do squats with you or jogging on the spot, etc. These little movements and actions are part of exercise for them. It is important to mention that exercise for toddlers falls under active play. So we need to really set out play activities that keep them busy and moving about. The guidelines say that at least three hours of active play, and this varies and changes as the child grows. For now (during lockdown) with your toddler, you can certainly fit in those three hours throughout the day, which will include various forms of play such as: structured play with an adult as well as unstructured play or independent play.

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Make it fun

To help your child enjoy the activities, try not to structure them in such a way that they scream, “Exercise!” Make it fun for them; it must be part of the play time. Toddlers older than two, and sometimes even at 18 months old should be able to run and walk. Activities that work for them would include kicking the ball and running after it. These are great fun and also help them to engage with their parents. My little one is a total outdoor bunny. One of the games I play with her, which also helps me stretch my legs after a long day, is running from one side of the garden to the other. I pretend that I’m chasing her and this gets her very happy, energetic and excited. She doesn’t know it’s a form of exercise.

Our little ones already engage in so much physical movement on a daily basis. Another active play idea can be hide and seek in the house, or simply dancing and singing along to their cartoons and making it fun and interactive. Nursery rhymes such as “Head, shoulders knees and toes” are a great way to get involved. Do the moves with your little one – and yes, that includes bending down and touching your toes. Most adults have tight hamstrings and lower back problems because they sit down most of the day. Take advantage of TV time and interact, play and dance with your little one. Activity ideas to do with your toddler: Hopping around like a frog Mini “catch me if you can” runs in the garden Dancing together Playing soccer Trying to catch the ball Use of different cones and building a mini course that’s age appropriate Riding a bike or scooter (age appropriate) Exploring your garden. Be creative and play games such as let’s find a flower, or water the garden together Swimming with supervision These are just some ideas you can use to be active with your little person. Active play requires you to be creative in order to keep your little one entertained, but it also helps them with their creativity, developing their imagination and their cognitive and emotional strength. It all starts with the parent, so try to get active and see it translate into your little ones, while building a healthy, fun, strong relationship. Remember to make exercise part of your whole family’s everyday lifestyle.

MOM’S FAVOURITES Guest editor Tasha-Leigh Williams takes us through a few of the products that have made her life a bit easier. Becoming a first-time mom can be overwhelming, and you want to make sure you have everything your newest member of the family will need. I made it my mission to find as many multi-purpose and lasting items as possible – here are a few of my absolute favourites.

SNOOKUMS Food Feeder

Great for getting in fruit snacks without the choking concern, and a great way to relieve teething gums –simply fill with plain yoghurt and fresh fruit pieces, freeze and you have a tasty teether!

Tommee Tippee Nappy Bin

Great to have from birth for that quick and convenient nappy disposal, especially since nappy changing can become an Olympic sport as they get older!

10-in-1 Hipporoo Carrier

Every mom needs a carrier and this one has all the features you need to make mom life easier. I love that the hip-seat detaches for independent use – from baby to toddler phase. It’s well worth the investment!

KENWOOD hand blender

An everyday use item in our kitchen is this compact blender. It’s easy to use and clean, and is handy for a variety of recipes, from blending oats to whipping up quick purées and smoothies.

Mimu Bathtime Cleaner

This practical spray-on cleaner is a nifty, organic and baby-safe option for cleaning bath items. It is a fragrance-free range and is perfect to use from birth.

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I really love this article – imaginary play is such an effective way for our kids to learn some really great skills that they can take with them throughout their adolescence too.

Ed’s Though

TODD L E R

Meet my imaginary friend, mom! The benefits of imaginary play

IMAGINARY PLAY IS A COMMON WAY CHILDREN LEARN, WRITES DR JO-MARIE BOTHMA, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND PLAY THERAPIST. Imaginary or pretend play is one form of play that we frequently find children taking part in. Through imaginary play a child learns to better imagine the world or a certain aspect of the real world. This form of play also adds symbolism to their work. Psychologists often refer to a child’s play as “their work”. The world of pretend-play helps a child to build on important skills to think out of the box and to get to know themselves better. This knowledge can help to build their confidence in themselves and to deal with the world’s questions in an imaginatively playful and safe way first, before it flows over into real life. It is effective and safe, and children’s overall development is supported through this.

Imaginary play has many benefits. Here are a few vital ones:

Social development

It is rare to find a child who doesn’t experiment with the social roles of life during pretend play. Little dolls sit down for dinner in a dollhouse and playful conversations take place that mimics real life scenarios, for instance. Imaginative play has a tremendous impact on the development of basic skills that are important for a child’s success with peer relationships. Children learn to cooperate and compromise when they play creatively with their siblings and peers. Even playing with toy action figures encourages children to practise their social interaction skills and experiment with non-verbal forms of

communication such as eye contact, using different tones of voice and expressing emotions.

Imaginative play has a tremendous impact on the development of basic skills. In play therapy, I have helped many children to learn and practise socially acceptable ways of conversing with friends via playing it out first with dolls and action figures. It can help to build a child’s self-esteem and any child can be a super-communicator (or a hero!), even if it is just for a little while, in a safe space and while they are pretending.

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Language development

Learning to speak and pronounce words correctly can be challenging for some. Imaginary play allows for a child to experiment freely with words in their own time without running the risk of being embarrassed if they use the words or syntax incorrectly. Children can even practise a second language that way. In the beginning phases of imaginary play, very young toddlers only have sounds to direct their play. As this form of play is encouraged and allowed, children will begin to understand how words give them the power to organise their play and to re-enact a story. It becomes an exceptionally powerful method to build a child’s vocabulary and language skills.

Emotional development

Feelings can be overwhelming for a child. Pretend play offers a child a medium to express both positive and negative feelings through ‘someone or something else’, like a doll or a puppet, or a plastic animal figure. It creates a safe space to then work through the difficult emotions and to better understand it, before owning the emotions again. Through the ‘figuring-out’-process in play, a child can experience their emotions as less threatening to their inner self.

Pretend play offers a child a medium to express both positive and negative feelings. It is developmentally normal for a child to view the world through egocentric goggles. Play can help emotional maturation along, and through pretend play a child will begin to understand the feelings of others. This effectively happens when a child pretends to be different characters while playing. He

then has the opportunity to experience being in someone else’s shoes and it can jumpstart important moral development and empathy.

Physical development

Children express themselves through so many different ways while they play. They use their muscles and all their senses. A pretend play shopping scene where money needs to be counted, shopping lists scribbled and plastic food needs to be packed, can quickly change into running after an imaginary thief, climbing over garden obstacles while chasing the culprit and hiding under furniture and in cupboards to get away from the chaser.

Imaginary play allows a child to face up to a variety of potential issues to resolve. Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills and creative planning all get a good workout during pretend play. I have time and again joined my children in play and then needed to ask my husband to rub sore muscles at the end of the day! Who would have thought it could be such a workout?

Encourage creativity and imagination

A very early benefit of pretend play is its enhancement of a child’s capacity for creative thinking. By absorbing themselves in an imaginative activity, a child is given the opportunity to practise their imagination and to exercise the brain so they learn to think for themselves in a creative manner.

Thinking skills

It is safe to agree that playing together comes with a few hiccups at times. It is tiring for parents and children when a fight breaks out, but these

unpleasant situations foster mental growth by creating opportunities to try out new ways of thinking, talking, problem solving and even negotiating. Imaginary play allows a child to face up to a variety of potential issues to resolve.

Needing to share blocks or toys, or moving around in a tight space or having to deal with older or younger siblings at different developmental levels and with different social skills, are all potential learning opportunities. Children will need to hone and use important cognitive skills during moments like those. These are valuable skills that they will use throughout their lives. If you do not feel comfortable in the way your children handle little disagreements during imaginary play, it offers you the opportunity to jump in and teach them healthier, friendlier or more effective ways of thinking and dealing with these little ‘practice’ challenges. Get your hands dirty if you find that your child lacks in this department. Climb into a ‘role’ yourself, play along and roleplay a better way of thinking and acting. Actively demonstrating to your children during play how to manage a disagreement offers one of the first opportunities to give the brain a practice run to self-regulate behaviour and emotions.

TODD L E R

4 Gifts

that children can make

without breaking the bank WITH THE HOLIDAYS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND THE FINANCIAL STRESS THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT, MAKING GIFTS FOR TEACHERS, FRIENDS AND GRANDPARENTS CAN BE A FUN AND COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION, WRITES TEIXEIRA MURRAY. We can all list the number of negative things the pandemic has brought about, yet most of us have become a tad more crafty and this is not a bad thing. Not only are crafts a great way to spend time with your children and make great gifts for friends and family, but you can save some money too. (Don’t we all need to do that?) Besides, DIY gifts are just that much more special, as so much thought and effort goes into making the gift. We have listed four easy craft ideas for you to make over the next few weeks, and they are sure to brighten up anyone’s day. Many of these will require adult supervision.

1. Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub Who doesn’t love yummy smelling body products? And what a treat if you can make delectable body scrubs ideal for aunts, grannies, teachers and dads and package them in an assortment of inexpensive beautiful glass jars that are so easy to find.

You will need: 2 cups of brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 1 cup coconut oil or any carrier oil like jojoba oil (odourless oils work best) 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract Glass jar of choice Ribbon with tag/or chalkboard glass jars to write on Cute spoon or scoop In a bowl, mix together brown and white sugar until no lumps are present, then add the oil and vanilla, and mix well. Package into jar and add tie your spoon or scoop on the outside with a pretty tag.

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2. Rice Bag Warmers This might just be the best practical DIY gift you and the little ones can make. This nifty rice bag warmer can keep you warm and even ease some muscle pain. It will require a little sewing, but the end result will be very cute.

You will need: 6cm x 6cm piece of flannel 1 cup of white or brown rice (don’t use instant rice) Sewing pins, matching thread and sewing machine Essential oil of your choice: 1-2 drops Fold your flannel square (inside out) into a rectangle and sew closed three sides, leaving one side open: an adult will have to help with this. Turn your bag right-side out and fill your bag with enough rice (mixed with essential oil of choice) to fill it three-quarters of the way. Tuck the seams of the open side in, and sew closed. You may want to make a small card with instructions to add to the rice bag warmer: Heat rice bag in microwave for no more than two minutes at a time, and use as needed on neck, back, shoulders, etc.

3. Scented milk candles There is nothing like a scented candle to create ambience. The children will love making these.

You will need: Old crayons, or leftover candle bits or wax Wicks made from string dipped in paraffin Scissors Double boiler (boil over a pot of simmering water) Full fat milk Essential oil of your choice: 1-2 drops Glass jars of choice Pencil or wooden skewer (Depending on how much wax is used, it will be 2 parts wax to 1 part milk) Melt wax, crayons or old candles in a double boiler, this must be done by an adult. Once melted, add milk and essential oils. Place the wick into the jar and twist the wick onto a pencil or sosatie stick to keep it in the centre of the candle as it dries.

4. Child’s handprint clay jewellery dish Create a keepsake handprint jewellery dish out of clay. This special gift will melt anyone’s heart and is easy to make.

You will need: Air dry clay (can find at a craft shop) Washable paint Paintbrush Rolling pin Parchment paper Pencil Small bowl of water Small glass bowl Craft knife Cutting mat Roll out a small ball of clay between two sheets of parchment paper large enough to cover your child’s hand. The clay shouldn’t be too thin, but a nice thickness that will be durable. Place your child’s hand on the clay and lightly trace around your child’s hand and fingers. Cut out the traced hand with a craft knife and remove excess clay. Use a little water to smooth out any rough edges and desired effect is achieved. Mould the hand print by letting it dry over an upside down bowl. Take some parchment paper and place over the handprint, gently press down with a book to create a level area that will ensure the dish is sturdy and flat when dry. Leave to dry for 48 hours.

TODD L E R

ACTIVITY: How to make a

Bird Feeder in a few easy steps

YOU JUST NEED THE SIMPLEST ELEMENTS TO MAKE THIS FEEDER TO BRING ALL THE BIRDS TO YOUR YARD.

What you need

Toilet roll Peanut butter Butter knife Bird seed Paper towel Tray Step 1 First, layer your tray with paper towel to work on (this helps to avoid a mess) .

Step 3: Over the tray, let your child sprinkle bird seed all over the roll until it’s completely covered.

Step 4: Add the roll to a tree in your garden and soon you’ll have some chirpy visitors.

Step 2: Using the butter knife, allow your little one to spread the peanut butter all over the toilet roll.

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MAGIC MOMENTS “ Show Us Those Masks! ”

Lise Vermaak

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Ed’s Though

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This is another favourite! I love these recipes. My little M is a bit of a fussy eater and his likes are ever-changing, which is why easy meal ideas can make switching things up every few days a lot easier.

Great food ideas for fussy eaters

TODDLERS AREN’T EXACTLY RENOWNED FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO EAT A WIDE VARIETY OF FOODS, ESPECIALLY VEGETABLES. MOMMY BLOGGER REEVANA GOVENDER HAS SOME DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TEMPT TINY TASTEBUDS.

e t t fri

We all know that kids – especially toddlers – can have their fussy food moments. And as much as mamas may try their best to expose their offspring to a variety of tastes and flavours, at some stage even the best eaters may have those picky moments. The one thing I have found the hardest to get my six-yearold to enjoy since her toddler years has been vegetables! So I’ve had to get super creative to sneak in some green goodness! Here are four of my failsafe recipes to sneak veggies into day-to-day meals.

Breakfast Egg, spinach and corn fritters This is a great and nutritious breakfast when your little one tires of the usual cereal options. Ingredients 2 tbsp brown flour 1 egg 1 tbsp finely grated cheese 5 leaves of baby spinach, chopped 2 tbsp corn (I use frozen corn, which I thaw in hot water) Salt to taste Method Beat together the flour, egg and cheese until well combined. Fold in the chopped spinach leaves and sweetcorn. Add salt to taste if necessary. Lightly grease a pan. Measuring 1 tablespoon, drop some batter onto the pan in a circular shape and press lightly to flatten. Fry on medium heat till cooked through and golden brown, and flip over to cook the other side.

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FAMILY

Lunch

Chicken, zucchini and carrot meatballs with tzatziki dip This is easy to eat and even better as an on-the-go, no fuss meal. Ingredients 1 minced chicken breast ¼ cup of grated baby marrows ¼ cup of grated carrot ¼ tsp mixed herbs ¼ tsp crushed ginger and garlic ¼ tsp garam masala (optional) 1 tsp chopped mint leaves Salt to taste Method Add baby marrows and carrot to mince and combine well. Add ginger and garlic, combine well. Add all remaining spices. Shape into balls. Air fry for 20 mins at 180°C, turning once, oven bake for 30 mins on 180°C, turning once, or pan fry on medium heat till cooked through and golden brown. Uncooked meatballs can be frozen for up to a month. Serve warm or cold with tzatziki dip.

Simple tzatziki Ingredients ¼ cup Greek yoghurt ¼ tsp chopped mint leaves ½ tsp lemon juice 2 tsp finely grated cucumber 1 garlic clove chopped finely Salt to taste Method Combine all ingredients and mix well.

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Supper Margherita Pizza Pizza is always a winner in our household!

Dough Ingredients 1 cup of Greek yoghurt 1½ cup brown flour Method Mix yoghurt with flour and knead well. Add additional flour and continue kneading until dough isn’t sticky. Shape into pizza bases and bake in the oven for 6 mins at 230°C.

Tomato sauce with hidden veggies Ingredients 2 tsp olive oil ½ tsp ginger and garlic ½ cup veg of your choice (I used broccoli, pepper, carrot and zucchini) ½ cup tomato purée or tomato-based sauce for pizza/pasta Method On a stove top, heat the olive oil and add in ginger/garlic. Once fragrant, add in the vegetables. Sauté for 5 mins on medium heat. Add in tomato purée and allow to simmer on low heat for another 10 to 15 mins or until all veggies are soft. Once cooled, blend till all veggies are fine.

Use this sauce on the base for your pizza. Top with cheese and bake for 5 to 8 mins at 200°C.

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FAMILY

a p Dessert/Treat Pancakes Who doesn’t love pancakes? But what about reduced sugar, wholewheat pancakes with hidden veggies? Sounds strange, but oh so delish! Ingredients 1 cup brown flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp cinnamon 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 cup buttermilk (I used amasi) 2 tbsp melted butter 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup finely grated baby marrow and carrot Method In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk/amasi, melted butter, egg and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients, until just combined. Fold in the carrot and baby marrow. Lightly grease a pan or griddle, and heat to medium heat. Use a spatula to pour out small circles of batter into pan. Once you notice numerous bubbles popping on the top surface, flip your pancake over. Cook until golden brown. Serve with syrup or honey, and fruit. I hope you enjoy these recipes and that they help to get some veggie goodness into your little one’s meals!

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Nurturing

YOUR RELATIONSHIP

with your partner

DURING THE PANDEMIC EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED THANKS TO COVID-19 – AND IT’S BOUND TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER, WRITES CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND PLAY THERAPIST DR JO-MARIE BOTHMA. After many months of strict stay-athome orders, pandemic life has slowly returned to some new form of normal that resembles a little of our old lives, but within a new reality. With safe social distancing measures still in place, most people have been staying at home much more than usual. Couples have found themselves having to manage more time together, which can sometimes add to tension and lead to conflicts. Add in some extra financial and health stressors, an ongoing limitation on some recreational and social gatherings, and sprinkle some cabin fever on top of that, and you have an ideal recipe for “blowing off a lid” in even the most secure relationships between partners. Nonetheless, living in a pandemic era could also be an excellent opportunity for us to nurture our relationship with our partners. This could, in fact, turn out to be a perfect time to reconnect and build our relationships so they are a pillar of support

for us in managing the stress during this period. Most couples feel like their relationships are now running on empty after all this time of uncertainty. Here are five ways to keep your relationship nurtured during the months ahead.

1. Set time aside to be on your own This advice might sound completely contradictory when one is working towards nurturing a relationship. But, listen to this: As much as human beings are social beings, we all have a very definite need for personal time and space. It may be helpful to also ask your partner what their own need for personal time looks like. Some of us need more quiet time alone, while some may need less. Some prefer to have personal time at the start of the day, while some prefer quiet time alone at the end of the day. Couples can even integrate alone time with time spent together. This can be done

by staying in close proximity, while each being mentally occupied with their own activity. For example, you can be reading a book, while your partner is taking an afternoon nap in the same room.

Fun tip 1

Sometimes space can also mean encouraging your partner to pursue the hobbies and passions they had before the two of you met. Add a twist to this and write down a few of your partner’s passions on small individual cards, and allocate a time to them. For example: “Day out fishing” or “Afternoon massage” or “Morning alone in the workshop”. Throw in some extra cards offering a treat such as: “Ice tea break”, “Midnight chocolate break”. Let your partner draw a card every few days and then be prepared to offer or arrange the incentive displayed on the card.

FAMILY

2. Be present “And so we have been spending more time together during the last months, but have actually not spoken a word to each other.” These were the arguments of a couple on my therapy couch the other day. Since the digital world completely took over our lives at the start of lockdown in March, few have realised how electronically addicted they’ve become within just a few short weeks. To really be able to listen to what others are saying and to try to understand it and focus on their needs is a skill, and apparently something that we can quickly unlearn if not practised daily. To be present means to be able to pay undivided attention to your partner and to not be distracted by your phone or work or any other interests. There is also some responsibility on the one who’s doing the talking. If you want your partner to listen to you and understand what you are saying, you need to be able to honestly share your feelings and do so without blaming someone else for the way you feel.

Fun tip 2

We are quickly approaching the holidays and it is a great opportunity to pull out those old board games that encourage communication. Think of Pictionary and Charades! Add a fun element and invite some friends over. Enforce the rule of no phones by identifying a place where everyone should leave their phones upside down for a set time. If your family is not yet comfortable with social gatherings, the same benefit of enhanced communication can be achieved by playing these games either as a couple, or with your children. Be ready to be amazed at how much you will laugh during this time.

3. Take care of yourself You can’t nurture your relationship with your partner unless you know how to nurture yourself and are regularly, actively practising it. It is simply too much to expect your partner to be your sole source of stress relief. You need to know yourself

well enough to determine your own sources of self-care first. Some people enjoy journaling; others see a therapist once in a while to clear their head of unhealthy thinking patterns. Exercise, meditation and even having enough time to practise your religion are all possible forms of self-care. Make a point of identifying your self-care repertoire if you have not done so already, and work them into your weekly schedule.

Fun tip 3

We often forget how to take care of ourselves and maybe you can start the routine of self-care by organising your bedroom into a self-care boudoir one evening, where both of you enjoy sipping on a romantic drink while soaking your feet in a foot spa. You can always end it off by spoiling each other with a massage, and who knows how wonderful the evening might turn out!

4. Get outside and do it together All this extra togetherness can get overwhelming at times, and leaves us irritated and impatient with each other. It is truly remarkable to experience a shift in that perspective once you are outside and you feel the sun on your skin. If you are into exercising outdoors that is great! If you are not that active at the moment, you can still benefit. A walk together outside, or some gardening or bird watching can still help you to reap you the benefits of feeling free, while still being together.

Fun tip 4

Plan a visit to your local nursery and pick a few extras for your garden and then tackle the project outside together over the coming holidays. Another possibility for the not so faint-hearted would be to plan that bridge-swinging or abseiling bucket-list item, or take the children for some paint-ball action and divide the family into teams with a prize for the winners!

5. Let music be your love drug Music plays a central role in human relationships. Many couples remember the first song they danced to and many hours are often spent planning the songs for a wedding. Music evokes strong feelings, influences interactions, and science shows that it stimulates emotions through specific brain circuits. In short, music brings people together and can create memories that can last a lifetime.

Fun tip 5

With sophisticated digital television channels and YouTube availability, you can plan a musical event in the comfort of your own living room and stare into each other’s eyes while singing or dancing along to your favourite songs. Deep connections can be stirred by listening to orchestral music together. You can either go big and plan an evening together, or just turn up the volume while cooking dinner and create a really romantic atmosphere within minutes.

Some of us need more quiet time alone, while some may need less. When couples are still apart due to the pandemic In some cases couples are still apart, and have been since the beginning of the outbreak earlier this year, due to work schedules or geographical distance. This can be difficult. Try to see a silver lining in this temporary separation: it forces a couple to make use of the opportunity to get to know one another through conversation, without physical contact. Learning more about your partner can help intimacy grow, and can create a strong foundation for when you do reunite.

M ILE S TO NES

Preparing our life backpacks for this holiday season

THE FESTIVE SEASON MAY FEEL A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. GUEST EDITOR TASHA-LEIGH WILLIAMS HAS SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE IT JUST AS SPECIAL. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been counting down the days to Christmas, and are already jotting down family ideas to celebrate the festive season. This time of year has always been a favourite in our household, filled with family bonding traditions, but is mostly special for the simple treasured moments of being together. This year my son is a little older too and will join in on more of the family fun (and probably be a lot more enthusiastic about tackling that Christmas tree). But 2020 is not without the pain of loss, as we have all endured so much this year. With the pandemic still on the loose, things may look a little different for us and many families whose lives have been forever changed by COVID-19, which is why planning for this season may take on a different stance.

‘Tis the season to practise planning

Even spontaneous families will need to be vigilant planners of places to visit, spots that have survived the pandemic, and finding places that are mindful of protecting its people with the necessary precautions. Shopping online as far as possible will need some research to find those nifty one-stop small businesses to support. We’ll definitely be minimising the instore shopping rush and keeping any shopping to off-peak hours/weekdays. With more people opting for the online shopping experience this year, plan to order gifts well in advance and have them collected or delivered in time.

Shape-shifting small businesses

If there was ever a time to boost local shopping, this would be the year. It’s no doubt it’ll take a lot for small businesses to recover from this pandemic, and what better way to become conscious, impactful consumers than through supporting the family behind the small/ local business?

Life behind the mask doesn’t mean living the masked life

2020 has definitely challenged perspectives on life itself and reframed ways of connecting with one another. Festivities in the past may have meant mass social gatherings or living life on the rush. However, this year, our family will be a lot more focused on keeping it small and taking it slow. Life behind the mask means boundaries and distance, but this doesn’t have to mean being disconnected. Learning to set and respect each other’s boundaries throughout this season, especially as we temporarily adapt to life with COVID-19, helps to navigate, protect and continue relationships healthily. Focus this season on what truly gives you life. Even if we cannot live this in the moment, we can still let it fuel our motivation to get from what we must do to what we want to do. Some days can and will become overwhelming. It may become difficult to enjoy what we are doing. Simply taking a

Tasha-Leigh Williams is a single mom and occupational therapist from Cape Town, South Africa, who shares her journey as a first time mom, and tips for other moms on child development. ot2mama.com

step back and hitting that pause button can give us all the perspective we need to carry on.

Ditch the comparison and choose gratitude

Whether it’s comparison to others or to the life we used to have, it’s easy to remain in the joys of the past or the joys of others’ lives, especially in the age of social media. But the moments that will matter most in shaping our experience of this season are the gift of the present.

The reason for the season

We’ve been given the gift of appreciating the things that can easily be overlooked. Don’t forget to reach out to someone you haven’t heard from in a while, pay it forward no matter how small and let’s end the year on a kind note, by spreading the love and cheer!

Business Directory 4D Scan

Baby Bullet by Nutribullet

4D Scan is a private 3D/4D ultrasound baby clinic where you can view and discuss your baby’s progress and development in a personal, relaxed environment. All scans are done by internationally qualified sonographers with years of experience in foetal sonography and 4D ultrasound. Scans can be done at any of our facilities.

Everything you need to make the most nutrient rich, fresh food for your baby. The Original Baby Bullet Complete Baby Care System is a 22-piece set that helps you make healthy, delicious, all-natural baby food that is perfect for every stage of development.

www.4dscan.co.za

Aloe Baby & Mommy

www.facebook.com/AloeBabyAndMommy

Aloe Baby & Mommy is inspired by a first time mom, who wants to share with other mothers and parents about the amazing aloe vera products that she used during her pregnancy and postpartum. These products made pregnancy a breeze and Aloe Baby & Mommy would love to share them with you.

Angelcare

www.angelcare-monitor.co.za

For more than 20 years, Angelcare has been at the forefront of parents’ minds, setting the standard in the world’s best baby items. Giving parents peace of mind while helping their children thrive.

www.nutribullet.co.za

Baby Little Kids KZN

Instagram: @babylittlekids_kzn

Locally manufactured with love. All-in-one waterproof change mats, multi-purpose covers, feeding pillows, pillow beds, hospital multiuse bags, cotton and fleece blankets – from newborn to adults, bandana bibs and burp cloths – 100% cotton toweling reverse, booties and hats, pacifier clips, headbands.

BabyWombWorld

www.babywombworld.com

At BabyWombWorld, our mission is to make your life as a parent easier. We want to help you give your child the best possible upbringing! We select our products with the utmost care – from baby monitors to brand pumps. You will find only the highest quality and best value for money at BabyWombWorld.

Biomedical Emporium

www.biomedicalemporium.com

Advanced and holistic dermatological formulations for baby and mom-to-be. A premium baby and maternity brand to ensure safe, effective and high-quality skin and health care, that stimulates a harmonious biological and therapeutic response.

Burabi SA Baby Banz World

www.burabi.co.za

Baby & Kidz Banz World offer a range of carewear from eye protection to sound protection to UPF50 skin protection. Noise cancelling earmuffs, hats, costumes, swim peaks and Banz sunglasses plus flexible sunglasses. EU and US standards apply.

Our product range is dedicated to safe and convenient baby feeding products from newborn to toddler stages. From our Formula Milk Maker Plus (that the whole family can use), our Baby Food Maker & Steamer, the Silicone Squeeze Feeding spoon, various other feeding spoons and teethers to choose from. We strive to make it easier for parents who lead busy, fast-paced lives.

Baby Factory Shop

Button and Bear

Baby Factory Shop is a convenient online store that stocks essential quality baby products at an affordable price, such as cot mattresses and linen (fitted sheets, mattress protectors, duvet sets, bumpers), feeding pillows, play donuts, changing mats and more, from our factory directly to your baby nursery.

Button & Bear baby goods are handmade mom essentials – every design from the concept, to the fabric and how the product is used, is initiated with mom and baby or toddler in mind. For moms, by moms, we’ve been there and want to make being a mother a little easier on you!

www.banzworld.co.za

www.babyfactoryshop.co.za

www.buttonandbear.co.za

Breath-Ruach

www.facebook.com/breathruach8

Breath-Ruach allows us to wrap your little one in Scripture. Raising a generation of warriors for Christ! Mannantech: Nutrition supplements made from real food. MannaBears contains nine fruits and vegetables and ambrotose complex.

Carina Baby-Peg Perego www.carinababy.com

Leaders in the baby industry since 1949, Peg Perego strives to bring you unparalleled technological innovation, durability, safety and

superb performance. All Peg Perego products are made in Italy and offer the ultimate in quality and design for you and your baby. The range includes travel systems, strollers, car seats and highchairs.

naturally safe and purely effective. As wellness advocates we are passionate about educating you on using the world’s best essential oils safely to improve your family health.

Chelino Baby

Double Trouble

ChelinoBaby brings you renowned international leading brands such as Chelino, Chelino Platinum, Cybex and CBX. Our brands offer uncompromised quality at affordable prices on a range of travel and nursery products, which are specially selected and designed to satisfy both parent and baby. Our friendly team is ready to help you select only the best.

Double Trouble is a proudly South African brand offering a variety of products. Our products are innovative, practical and niche. The only company in SA to support parents of multiples. The Double Trouble Twin pram is one of a kind and a favourite amongst parents of multiples.

www.chelino.co.za

Chew Me

www.jelebebe.co.za

www.double-trouble.co.za

Dream Furniture

www.dreamfurniture.co.za

ChewMe silicone clips and jewellery offers baby friendly necklaces for Mom and dummy clips for babies that act as a teether. Giving you great value for money. They are made of food grade silicone and are BPA, Phthalate, Lead and PVC free. Each product is made with loads of love.

A market leader, Dream Furniture has grown enormously since inception 18 years ago. A leading supplier of affordable baby furniture, nursery rocking chairs, children’s furniture ranges and bespoke linen, we are proud of our attention to safety and ecofriendly ranges. Visit our Randpark Ridge showroom or online store for more.

Comfy Mummy Rocking Chairs

Elektra Health

Comfy Mummy Rocking Chairs are custom manufactured to offer superior quality and comfort, allowing mom to sit peacefully and feed baby in a safe and secure nursery environment. Comfy Mummy chairs are designed to promote correct posture while feeding.

Elektra Health is a household name in South Africa with its wide range of humidifiers, i-Scan and multifunction thermometers, AntiMozz mosquito lamp as well as a first in the world mother and baby scale, making sure that we have products to help you give that extra TLC just when it is needed.

www.comfymummy.co.za

www.sp-africa.com

Cotton Collective

www.cottoncollective.co.za

Cotton Collective is an innovative baby linen company offering fresh designs and excellent quality at affordable prices. We are known for our unique cot linen and baby blankets. Our blankets are more than just a blanket – they become part of the family!

Crimson & Clover

www.facebook.com/crimsonandcloversa

Small mom-owned business that prides itself on high-quality full grain leather goods. We create items inspired by the storytellers, the dreamers, the drifters, the people whose lives are different than ours, that we can learn from. We believe in honest work and making products that will last a lifetime.

Djeco & Mombella www.newleap.co.za

Djeco’s creative team creates toys with a spirit of freedom which leaves place for pleasure and freedom. Mombella is a high-quality range of baby and toddler silicon teethers and safety products manufactured under the strictest safety and quality controls. Djeco stimulates children’s multiple intelligences by play and with entertaining teaching devices.

Doekies en Broekies

www.doekiesenbroekies.co.za

Doekies en Broekies provides natural, eco-friendly and affordable cloth nappies to keep your baby bums happy and healthy. Some of these amazing products are handmade by me. Being a cloth mommy myself, I can assure that these products are high-grade and user-friendly.

doTERRA WEllness Advocate www.dwtformulations.co.za

The doTERRA mission hinges on discovering and developing the world’s highest quality therapuetic grade essential oils that are

Everli Baby

www.everlibaby.com

The bespoke, premium children and baby clothing design company that fuses vibrant inspiration and stylish functionality into a unique range of garments and accessories. Proudly handmade in RSA with love from 100% natural fabrics with a touch of lace. Everli is more than a brand, it is an experience we would love to share with you. Welcome to our playground.

Fagron

www.fagron.co.za

Nourisil™ MD Silicone Scar Gel is a transparent, self-drying silicone gel which helps to heal C-section scars. It helps to fade, smooth and flatten scars, relieve the itching and discomfort of the skin, and reduce associated pain and redness.

Footsies & Tootsies

www.footsiesandtootsies.co.za

We specialise in first walking shoes. The transition between crawling and walking is such an exciting time but we mustn’t forget how vital it is for their little feet to have adequate support. Our first walking shoes have been perfectly designed for little walkers with soft, flexible and non-slip soles.

ForevaV

Inspired Mum

All our products are designed in South Africa and made with the highest quality organic fabrics and premium leathers, lovingly crafted with the finest workmanship. We source all our products both locally and internationally and pride ourselves on bringing you top quality baby and toddler goods.

Nursing wear that is both stylish and functional to feed your baby discreetly. Designs that you can wear even after weaning. Bespoke baby dresses with delicate detailing to dress your princess in something special and unique absorbent bibs that fit securely around baby’s delicate neck to ensure no exposed skin.

www.forevav.co.za

www.inspiredmum.co.za

Furniture Express

Jammies PJs

We are a leading brand in affordable and modern furniture. We offer a wide range of furniture direct to the public. At Furniture Express you can expect to shop online with ease and confidence or visit our factory showroom for a personal touch. We deliver to all major cities.

Designer sleepwear for the whole family. Specialising in maternity and kiddie’s sleepwear. High quality sleepwear for boys and girls from ages six months and up. It’s cute! It’s funky! It’s comfy! Come and check us out.

www.furnitureexpress.co.za

Instagram: @Jammies_designerwear

Hipporoo

Jeankelly Baby Bags

Hipporoo® was born out of the “Pursuit of Hipponess” and is at the heart of everything we do. We offer accessories that ease the strain of being a parent. Being parents ourselves, we best understand the need for hassle-free quality solutions that facilitate feeding and carrying your little ones around.

Jeankelly makes quality leather baby bags, dummy clips and nappy changing accessories. Manufactured and designed in South Africa.

www.hipporoo.co.za

www.jeankelly.co.za

Home Grown Africa

www.homegrownafrica.com

Home Grown Africa exists to improve lives through skills development and job creation, which means we use local design, materials and manufacturing to produce quality products. Your support directly empowers individuals in our supply chain through choosing product with purpose.

Hopscotch Baby Linen www.hopscotchlinen.co.za

Hopscotch Prides itself on quality and service. We custom make your linen to your theme/colour and cot specifications. Let us help you create the nursery of your dreams.

Jelébebé

www.jelebebe.co.za

JeléBebé Silicone Teething Necessities – your solution for teething babies. Beautiful and stylish necklaces for memés and 3-in-1 silicone clips that are practical and soothe baby’s sore and itchy gums. Made with love, of food grade silicone – BPA, PVC and lead free. Practical, safe and soft on Bebé’s gums.

House of Nuts

www.houseofnuts.co.za

House of Nuts specialises in caramelised nuts roasted in a copper rotating kiln. The nuts are caramelised with sugar and vanillacinnamon flavour on the stand, in major events all over the country, as well as on market, malls etc. We do cashews, macadamias, almond pecan, giant peanuts.

Huggies

www.huggies.co.za

Huggies® is part of Kimberly-Clark South Africa, a subsidiary of the US-based Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which markets innovative health and hygiene products that people come into contact with every day.

Johnson’s Baby

www.johnsonsbaby.co.za

JOHNSON’S® brand has improved, inside and out, to deliver everything parents want. With a mission to create the gentlest baby products in the world. JOHNSON’S® has transformed to meet the needs of today’s modern parents by providing only the best for baby. Come explore the brand through our interactive stand, only at MamaMagic.

Just Chillin’

www.justchillin.co.za

Just Chillin’ is an exclusive locally produced baby clothing brand. We put high emphasis on the quality of the products we offer and strive to produce unique products with attention to detail. With a strong belief in local job creation, we are designed and manufactured in Cape Town.

Kiddy-Calm Bath Salts

Little Lads and Ladies

Kiddy-Calm, an epic adventure of warm fuzzy baths, bubbling with benefits for the whole family. Magnesium Sulphate carries benefits for all ages and all skin types. Our award-winning Bubble Bath Salts are sure to become a daily-use item in your household.

We are mommies who love pretty things and being creative. Our flagship products are custom-made baby mobiles and play gyms, and we also make pregnancy and baby milestone cards, milestone blankets, teether chains, nursery decor and birth announcement onesies. We love keeping up with new trends and are constantly evolving.

www.therific.com

Kids’ Stuff – Books and Puzzles www.kids-stuffonline.co.za

A fantastic selection of children’s books and educational products ranging from infant to young child. Board books, touch and feel, sound books, bath and cloth books, sticker and colour activity, readers and reference books. Also, quality wooden educational puzzles and educational toys. We have a great selection of Afrikaanse kinderboeke!

Kontras Kids

www.ladsandladies.co.za

Lots 4 Tots

www.lots4tots.co.za

Lots 4 Tots is the exclusive distributor of luxury baby and kiddies’ products, including thick foam-cushioned play mats, bath safety seats and rings, bean bag chairs, knee pads, dinner plates, place mats and more! Our main focus is to bring you excellent quality baby products that have never been seen before in South Africa!

www.kontras.co.za

Love to Dream and Trunki

Leah Hawker Photography and Breastfeeding 101

Global award-winning swaddles, sleep bags and sleep suits from newborn to toddler. Our patented, award winning SWADDLE UP™ is a breakthrough swaddling solution to help your baby settle and establish a peaceful sleep routine, FROM DAY ONE™. We also make fun, innovative travel gear for families on-thego! Trunki was created to beat the boredom so often suffered by travelling tots. Designed to be used as hand luggage, kids can pack Trunki with all their favourite belongings while parents keep them in tow.

Kontras kids are proud import and distributors for Comotomo Southern Africa. Comotomo bottles are made of soft, hygienic silicone that closely mimics natural breastfeeding. No more bottle rejection! A beautiful product shouldn’t just look good but should also elegantly enhance your experience. We think our bottles do just that!

www.leahhawker.co.za

Breastfeeding 101 is an informative and exciting book about the pains and pleasures of breastfeeding. 101 women from around the world share their personal stories. Photographer and author Leah Hawker is Cape Town based and also specialises in working with mothers on maternity, newborn, birth and family photography.

Legendairy Milk

www.legendairymilk.co.za

www.lovetodream.co.za

Luli and Co

www.luliandco.co.za

LuLi&Co is a local mommy-owned and run business handmaking unique boutique-style nappies for babies as well as Ladycloth aka “reusable cloth sanitary pads” and other reusable accessories for babies, women and teens. We strive to provide a quality handcrafted product made locally with love in Kleinmond, Overberg, Western Cape.

We provide natural support for healthy breast milk production! Our herbal lactation supplements were formulated with carefully chosen ingredients to boost your milk supply. The products are 100% natural and organic while being sugar, additive and preservative free. Every capsule is brimming with only pure and potent milkenhancing ingredients.

Lifebaby

www.lifebaby.co.za

Life Baby South Africa brings you a new world of infant aquatics, building skills, swim safety, flotation and massage in an innovative, safe and sterile environment for your little one. Life baby welcomes babies from two days to 16 months. Our clean wellness centre strives to better the health and wellness in all our babies through the power of the water. We believe in early water exposure to develop water skills and strengthen our babies in their first 1 001 days of life. Prevention is better than cure!

Lulla Doll

www.dudubabacompany.co.za

Lulla Doll is a sleep solution for babies and toddlers, helping them fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer. Based on scientific research, Lulla replicates a parent’s presence through its soft, natural cotton that absorbs a parent’s scent and sounds of breathing and heartbeat that play continuously for 12 hours.

Liquid Lemon

Malonè Living

Liquid Lemon products are imported and secured locally in order to give you the best and most exclusive baby products in and around the world at unbelievable prices. Our Brands are EZPZ the original silicone placemat, unbuckle me, magic mesh, manillow pillow + mini manillow and the play pad.

Malonè Living are distributors who pride ourselves in bringing in unique and bespoke baby and kids’ products to the South African market such as Lollipop Baby Camera, a smart Wi-Fi baby monitor which will be showcased and sold at the expos. Watch this space for more products to join our range.

www.liquidlemon.co.za

www.maloneliving.com

Mama Noo Maternity Wear

Milk Lactation Products

Mama Noo specialises in maternity underwear. We provide and manufacture elegant, comfortable and functional nursing bras and maternity panties for pregnancy and beyond. We offer valuable guidance in sizing during the different stages of one’s maternity journey.

Milk Lactation Products offers the only anti-colic lactation bars on the market. They help ensure a strong, nutritious milk supply from birth without negative effects on little tummies. They are caffeine, lactose, dairy, cane sugar and preservative free to avoid any food sensitivity reactions, the perfect solution for breastfeeding mothers.

www.mamanoo.com

www.milklactationproducts.co.za

MamaMoo Breast Pump

Mima

MamaMoo Breast Pumps are revolutionising the way moms pump milk. It is pain-free, hands-free and very affordable, and requires zero effort from you to work. Visit us to show you how you can get the same or even more milk for a 10th of the price of a traditional pump.

We deliver childcare products that not only incorporate celebrated Dutch design, but that also radiate a chic, cosmopolitan air. We are passionate about design, art, children and travel, we are continually seeking to create highly desirable and beautiful products that truly evoke emotion and facilitate family life.

www.mamamoo.co.za

www.mimakids.com

Mimi Baby

www.mimibaby.co.za

The stylish Mimi Luxe is elegantly designed with simple and refined lines: it’s the perfect urban travel system that grows with your little one’s changing needs. It’s easy to use and versatile, for the cost savvy parent who won’t compromise on quality or safety.

Mamita & Me

www.mamitaandme.com

At the heart of Mamita & Me stands creativity, love and passion for handmade design, proudly made in Cape Town. The high quality, 100% cotton baby essentials, accessories and toys are all sewn by experienced seamstresses. All items are designed and made with a focus on functionality, baby safety and durability.

Marcus & Marcus

www.marcusandmarcus.co.za

Award-winning International brand Marcus & Marcus offers a variety of innovative products to make meal and snack time fun, interactive and convenient. The range is made of 100% food-grade silicone ensuring safe and sustainable products that contribute to your child’s wellbeing. Our newly released oral range, Happiteeth, is now available too! Let Marcus and his friends take you on an adventure!

Masikrafts

www.totland.co.za

Masikrafts delivers a unique blend of stylish and superior quality, hand crafted goods for children in their infancy. From nursing pillows, bibs, stuffed toys to ribbons and car seat canopies, their products are the result of research and attention to detail.

Maxicosi

www.brandsafrica.co.za

For 30 years, Maxi-Cosi has been the world’s most trusted provider of child car seats. Our award-winning car seats offer safe, practical and comfortable protection while still looking great. Millions of parents across the globe trust Maxi-Cosi’s expertise in child mobility. MaxiCosi is the global leader in innovative safety technology, dedicated to constantly improving.

Mini Magnolia

www.mini-magnolia-sa.myshopify.com

Mini Magnolia is the ultimate South African online baby store for babies, toddlers and moms! We’ve carefully handpicked our products to bring you quality products at an affordable price. Our flagship product is the 2cm thick playmat with various options to choose from. It’s the thickest playmat in the country!

Monkeybum

www.monkeybum.co.za

Monkeybum is a high-end baby and kids clothing brand. We offer clothing that is alternative in style. Our clothing is made for movement and is stylish and comfortable. Our clothing is made in South Africa from 100% cotton. We support sustainable and ethical fashion and women empowerment. Shop online.

Moo Cachoo

www.moocachoo.co.za

Add some Moo Cachoo Magic to little one’s childhood! We make practical and beautiful products for mothers to use with their infants – like our car chair covers, slings, breastfeeding snoods as well as décor products that will grow with your baby, like our original hanging tent canopy!

Mühelos Baby

www.muhelosbaby.co.za

Designed by parents just like you, for babies just like yours. Mühelos makes travelling effortless. Our high end 3-in-1 travel systems and booster seat will meet your baby’s needs, your design and functionality demands as well as your pocket.

Mustela

www.cosmetiquesdefrance.co.za

Mustela®, the skincare expert for babies, children and mothers for more than 60 years, offers innovative products with the highest safety standards, guaranteed safe to use from birth. Mustela¹s natural and dry skin products contain an average of 95% natural ingredients. Mustela cares about the environment. Packaging is recyclable, box materials come from sustainable forestry and foaming formulas are biodegradable.

My beginning

Noola

My beginning makes the most beautiful customised baby nests and braided bumpers to match your nursery. For the extra personal touch, we have Cubbies, which are personalised teddies embroidered with your baby’s birth details. We also make embroidery and other linen needs. Feeding pillow slipcovers are great for a change of cover and to match your nursery. Teething bananas and milestone stickers are also available.

Noola Baby provides parents with affordable, high quality travel systems that include everything you need for getting out and about with your little one. We focus on key decision-making factors, such as comfort, convenience and style.

www.mybeginning.co.za

My Breastpump

www.mybreastpump.co.za

Ameda, Internationally the #1 trusted brand of breast pumps. Visit our store to learn more about breastfeeding and how to express. We have quality breast pumps, accessories, free fitting and show specials. With FDA approved closed system, our pumps are hygienic, portable, quiet, comfortable and easy to use.

www.noola.co.za

Noonoo Pie

www.noonoopie.co.za

Noonoo Pie specialises in making stretch wrap carriers from a super soft fabric with a unique four-way stretch, making them the most comfortable carrier for you and for baby – 100% SA made! We also make a range of other mom and baby essentials such as the everyday shawl, car seat cover and bamboo muslins. The “tuck me tight” swaddle is our latest addition!

My Little Peanut

www.mylittlepeanut.co.za

My Little Peanut sell a wide range of muslin swaddles, blankets, sleep sacks/suits, towels and multipurpose covers. We proudly have the largest range of swaddle prints in South Africa. We focus on bamboo material and making our products affordable to South African families.

Nature’s Delicacies

www.naturesdelicacies.co.za

Healthier alternative snacks and treats both for toddlers and parents on the go have never tasted this good!

NoseFrida & Windi

www.windi.co.za ; www.nosefrida.co.za

NoseFrida® and Windi® are two Swedish products that solve two common problems most parents have with their babies ‒ blocked noses and gassy tummies! They are safe, effective and hygienic, recommended from birth, and endorsed by parents and medical professionals worldwide. Say goodbye to blocked noses and gassy tummies!

Numi

www.mynumi.co.za

NUMI® is a 100% locally produced exclusive baby and toddler brand. NUMI® strives to bring a sense of success and calm into the home through simple, modern, elegant designs. Produced using the highest quality, sustainable and safe materials, NUMI® is the perfect complement to your parenting journey!

National Sea Rescue Institute www.nsri.org.za

The NSRI is a charity staffed by unpaid volunteers on call 24/7 throughout the year. We aim to prevent drowning through education, preventative measures and reactive rescue. We visit schools around the country, teaching children water safety, what to do in an emergency and basic CPR.

Netcells – Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Banking www.nextbio.co.za

Netcells is a private, internationally accredited South African stem cell bank that is Discovery’s preferred provider, giving you the ultimate reassurance since 2005. Netcells is the brand you can trust with your baby’s future health.

Oh-Lief Natural Products www.ohlief.com

South Africa’s favourite certified natural and organic baby care range, we believe in safe and gentle products for newborns, babies and children. Our name references olive oil, a wordplay of our love for nature, our environment and your baby skin.

Old Mutual

www.oldmutual.co.za

Old Mutual is a leading financial services provider. We offer a wide range of financial solutions to encourage the wellbeing of families. Our partnership with Purity enables us to give parents advice, tips and tools, helping families to become money smart and reach for their financial dreams.

Pitta Patta

www.pitta-patta.com

Born from humble beginnings and the desire to create beautiful, long-lasting leather shoes for babies and children, the story of PittaPatta is one of love and imagination. Owners Konrad and Marjolein believe in dreaming big, working hard, having faith, and doing it all for the love of family.

Pampers

www.pampers.co.za

Pampers is committed to the happy and healthy development of babies and understands that sleep is an integral component in baby development. The new Pampers Premium Care is the first and only diaper with new absorbent channels that evenly distribute wetness for up to 12 hours. Learn more about the new Pampers Pants.

Practica Programme

www.practicaprogramme.co.za

Pre-school educational programme from parents with babies from pre-birth to seven years of age to grow and develop their children’s milestones.

PregOmega Plus

www.pregomega.co.za

PregOmega plus is a premium, unique 3-in-1 combination supplement and every pack contains: multivitamin and mineral tablets ensuring optimal nutrition during pregnancy, Omega 3 fish oil capsules containing the highest quality oils, rich in DHA and EPA, and calcium combination tablets that meet the high demands of calcium during pregnancy.

Pegasus Homeopathics www.pegasuskits.com

The Pegasus Bluebox all-in-one natural medicine kit contains 28 homeopathic remedies to treat the whole family, including pets. It travels well and is easy-to-use, and treats colic, coughs and colds, teething, diarrhoea, “snotty nose syndrome”, injuries, sinusitis, etc. It’s safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding and newborn infants: every home should have one!

Rocking Chair Studio www.csistudio.co.za

Rocking Chair Studio, based in Johannesburg, manufactures quality yet affordable rocking chairs that are not only aimed to help release endorphins in the brain which can improve mood and reduce stress and pain, but also bring comfort to both mom and baby.

Ruby Melon

www.rubymelon.co.za

Ruby Melon’s products are designed to stimulate baby’s first development milestones. Including sensory play-stations, toys, and much more, our changing range is the industry leader, providing the safest, most comfortable banding environment for baby. Hand-crafted with love in Cape Town – it’s pretty meets practical. #littlethingsthatmatter.

SiliBaby

www.rhyli.co.za

Pigeon

www.sp-africa.com

For more than 60 years, Pigeon, the trusted name in mother and baby care products, has offered a wide range of superior products, extensively researched to meet all your baby’s growing needs. Dedicated to the benefits of breastmilk, as a breastfeeding support company, Pigeon offers products that enhance your breastfeeding journey and beyond.

SiliBaby believes in functional, easy and fun silicone items for the whole family. Our products are made from the highest grade Foodsafe silicone, and is dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Most importantly, our products are reusable and eco-friendly, helping you make the right decisions for yourself, your family and the planet.

Sili-Chic

whenever baby touches them. Keeps baby amused and mother happy, makes the nursery look beautiful. Every baby should have at least one.

Sili-Chic creates beautiful hand-crafted silicone teething accessories, from personalised dummy clips to gorgeous teething necklaces for mommy to wear. We have a wide range of designs to suit all your needs. Our personalised dummy clips are made right there and then and are made exactly how mommy wants it.

Thule

www.silichic.com

Sleepy Bottle

www.sleepybottle.co.za

www.thule.co.za

Explore the unknown or stroll along familiar paths. Go jogging. Go cycling. Go hiking. Enjoy your time together and share your passions with your kids. A Thule stroller, child bike seat or child carrier backpack is perfect for you and your child to get around comfortably. Anywhere, anytime, any season.

The world’s first portable baby formula maker! No more night trips to the kitchen. Keeps formula dry and warms water to a perfect 37°C while you sleep. Just twist and shake to mix the formula with the water – ready in seconds! Great for daytime feeding and on the go too.

Snoozy Baby Rocking Chairs www.snoozybaby.co.za

A Snoozy Baby nursery rocking chair is designed specifically for moms, to make feeding time happy and relaxed. Our chairs have arm rests at just the right height, the back rest is generously padded with memory foam and a gentle rocking mechanism to calm and soothe mom and baby.

Tobbie & Co

www.tobbieandco.co.za

We specialise in the baby and toddler market with our exclusive range of products. Why not give your little one something special, which will not only put a smile on their face, but on yours too.

Tulips & Tea

www.tulipsandtea.co.za

Snapz Dummy Strapz

https://babydummysnapz.wixsite.com/snapz

Snapz dummy straps are functional, cute and designed by a mom. Choose from more than 250 designs! Our straps can be attached to dummies, teethers and toys. We also make toy straps and stock adorable BPA-free silicone teethers.

Stumped Wooden Toys www.duettkidsfurniture.com

The Tulips & Tea baby wrap carriers and genuine leather dummy clips have been an industry favourite, because of their superior quality and unique leather touch. Experience the benefits baby wearing has to offer. Browse through our dummy clips and other unique leather accessories!

WoolVreign

www.woolvreign.co.za

WoolVreign Premium Wool Fleeces will ensure your newborn, baby or toddler sleeps and plays in luxury and comfort all year round, day or night. Our wool fleeces regulate baby’s body temperature, winter and summer with 100% natural wool. All wool fleeces are naturally antibacterial and ideal for little ones struggling with allergies. Moms and babies love WoolVreign.

Stumped Wooden Toys & Accessories was founded by a family-run business in Knysna, Western Cape, with the aim to bring back timber crafts into homes across South Africa. We offer an ever-expanding children’s range of DIY kits to build at home as well as kid’s wooden toys.

Tanzalee & N’ Varro. Co www.tanzalee-nvarro.co.za

We aim at quality with affordability. Because everyone deserves that best. Come and visit – you won’t be disappointed or leave empty handed.

The Harvest Table

www.theharvesttable.co.za

Since inception in 2018, The Harvest Table has been creating pure, wholesome products packaged earth-consciously to change the lives of our customers positively by educating them and helping them to make better food choices daily.

The Spring Collection www.intledesign.co.za

Beautiful handcrafted fabric toys that hang above the cot or change station, which are suspended with a spring and bounce up and down

Zinplex Junior www.zinplex.co.za

Zinplex has been a trusted brand for the whole family for over 20 years, ranging from bestselling immune boosters like the Zinplex Junior Syrup, recommended by many paediatricians, to skincare products like our Zinplex Junior Baby Bum Cream, Baby Bum Spray and Baby Soap Bar.

We have everything to suit baby’s needs

we know you care

Being a first time mom or dad can be very overwhelming, but here at Baby City, we can help with any and every need!

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www.babycity.co.za

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BABY CITY – SOUTH AFRICA’S LEADING BABY HYPER