Baby's and Beyond - Issue 9 - April - June 2016

Baby’s and Beyond

babys aby a ab b by y beyond TM

April - June 2016

and

April - June 2016

Making informed birth choices The silent guardians of parenthood Responding to tantrums Helping children deal with divorce

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ISSN 2311-5467

9 772311 546706

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CONTENTS FEATURES

Making informed birth choices ............................................8 The silent guardians of parenthood ...................................11 Helping children deal with divorce....................................14 Responding to tantrums ......................................................17 Prioritising expenses in a tough economic climate ......... 20 Decoding your baby’s cries ...............................................23 Missing children ....................................................................26 An unwelcome guest come to stay ..................................28 Illegal corporal punishment persists in schools ................. 31 Getting to grips with left-handedness ...............................34 Discussing sex with primary school children ......................37 The simple things in life ........................................................40 Crossing borders: A story of hope ......................................42

HEALTH

Reflections of a paramedic ................................................43 Self-defence for kids ............................................................46 How to improve your child’s mood and concentration? ....................................................................48 Nutrition and fertility .............................................................51 The benefits of paediatric physiotherapy .........................54 Physiotherapy for pregnancy aches and pains ............... 62 Lifting childhood TB out of the shadows............................58 Identifying signs of ADHD ....................................................60

EDUCATION

Why reading is so important ...............................................64 Talking to, and not at, your teen ........................................67

REGULARS

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News: Creating allergy awareness ....................................79 Mysmartkid launches Smartstart Pregnancy Pack........... 79 A plea for help: child car seat initiative ............................80 Babyglow Smart Suit now available in SA .........................80 New 30-day birth registration law ......................................81 Stimulation for babies ..........................................................81 Kicks for Kids: Fun puzzles and activities ...........................69 Book Review: This edition’s recommended reading ....... 83 Grab Some Grub: Prawn and Chicken Combo with Peri-Peri Prego Sauce ..................................................72 Bread and Cheese Bake .....................................................72 Advertorial: Think about what your kids are drinking ....... 84 www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Baby’s and Beyond April - June 2016

CREDITS

babys aby a ab b by y beyond TM

Editor: Emma Dawson editor@babysandbeyond.co.za

and

Editorial Contributors Aneesa Rasool Anthea Jordaan Carey Haupt Corné Waldeck Craig Wilkinson Daniella Forsyth Diana Coetzer Fiona Morgan Gavin Sutton Jeanine Beukes Lynne Bluff Megan Faure Nolene Rust Philip Brand Susanne Hugo Wouter Fourie

April - June 2016

Making informed birth choices The silent guardians of parenthood Responding to tantrums Helping children deal with divorce

Content Manager: Melanie Taylor artwork@mediaxpose.co.za Content Coordinator: Melany Smith artwork2@mediaxpose.co.za

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Design and Layout: CDC Design carla@cdcdesign.co.za

ISSN 2311-5467

Project Manager: Elroy van Heerden elroy@babysandbeyond.co.za

9 772311 546706

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Sales Manager: Sarina Afonso sarina@mediaxpose.co.za

Cover: Photographer: Jeanine Bresler Photography Models: Amy Basson, Liam Brown, Bonolo Duma, Jamaludeen Peck Product: Huggies Nappy Pants

Advertising Sales: Ehrin Manuel ehrin@babysandbeyond.co.za Lorraine Beneke lorraine@babaysandbeyond.co.za Allison Davids allison@babysadnbeyond.co.za Chief Financial Officer: Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.

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ED’S NOTE Protecting our children

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s I write my editor’s letter for this edition of BABY’S AND BEYOND, the media is full of news about the senseless murders of Franziska Bröchliger in Tokai, Cape Town, and Sinoxolo Mafevuka in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. While their deaths are extremely tragic and shocking, and my deepest sympathy goes to Franziska and Sinoxolo’s families, I wouldn’t usually single out two teenagers’ murders to highlight in this way. However, while many of us mourn their deaths, the devastating reality is that they just two of a terrifying number of children and teenagers who are abused, murdered or kidnapped in South Africa every day. I became aware of Franziska and Sinoxolo’s deaths just as I was completing an article about Missing Children SA. According to the Missing Persons Bureau, a child goes missing every five hours in our country and, in 2013, 1 697 cases of missing children were reported to the South African Police Service.

On a daily basis, Missing Children SA strives to make more people aware of the reality of human trafficking.

While they are sure that the increased number of cases reported to SAPS and their organisation is because of human trafficking, this cannot be proven. However, according to the International Labour Organisation it is estimated that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Furthermore, 32 billion dollars’ profit is generated annually from human trafficking.

Please take some time to read the safety tips for adults and children provided in Missing Children SA’s article (page 26) and, importantly, teach your children about the BUDDY SYSTEM: Always take a friend with you – don’t go anywhere alone.

We have another jam-packed edition, filled with educational and advice-based articles written by experts in their fields. To highlight just some of our features, don’t miss the helpful article about responding to tantrums on page 17, or how physio can help with pregnancy aches and pains (page 62), as well as the benefits of paediatric physio (page 54). There’s also a revealing article about ‘making informed birth choices’ and the importance of antenatal classes on page 8, as well as how a doula, ‘the silent guardians of parenthood’, can help to make your baby’s birth a happy experience (page 11). And, something very close to my heart, an article about why it’s so important for children to read, and love reading (page 64).

The team at BABY’S AND BEYOND extends its heartfelt sympathy to the Bröchliger and Mafevuka families, and to the families of all the children whose names don’t make headline news.

Every child’s life is precious. We need to work together to keep our children safe and to help the authorities bring criminals to justice.

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FEATURE

Making informed

birth choices

The thought of giving birth can be both scary and confusing; particularly with conflicting advice given by friends, health workers, family and the internet. EMMA DAWSON talks to LYNNE BLUFF, national coordinator for the Childbirth Educators’ Professional Forum, about making informed choices when it comes to giving birth.

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uring February, the theme of this year’s Pregnancy Education Week campaign was ‘date and way of birth – what would baby choose?’. This theme highlighted how childbirth education enables parents to make informed choices about what is best for them and their babies.

Lynne Bluff, national co-ordinator for the Childbirth Educators’ Professional Forum, says childbirth education makes a visible difference. ‘During the birth you can tell whether or not parents have been to classes. If they have, they are more knowledgeable, less anxious and more relaxed.’

Only about 5% of pregnant women in South Africa attend private antenatal classes. Medical doctors would like to see that number increase because the

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labour outcome for an educated parent is likely to be better.

‘We really want people to understand the importance of childbirth education and being armed with the information to make an informed choice.

In antenatal classes parents receive the undivided attention, experience and advice of an expert who provides the pros and cons of all birth options available,’ Lynne explains. She adds that going with advice from friends or your mother is not necessarily the best way to go. Rather educate yourself and decide what’s best for you and your baby. By attending antenatal classes, you’ll learn about the latest evidence-based information, as well as gather support from other pregnant women.

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FEATURE The importance of antenatal classes In addition to educating yourself about childbirth and the best options for you and your baby, antenatal classes provide parents with some precious time in their busy lives to plan, think, slow down and give their babies their undivided attention.

It is important for your partner to attend antenatal classes with you. You’re not in this alone and both parents need to be educated. ‘By going to classes and sharing information, you can discuss what you’ve heard and talk about what your ideals are.

You’ll have the time and focus to discover how you’re going to co-parent, and how you want the labour and birth to be. Discussions are stimulated at antenatal classes and uncover divides between partners, and, importantly, reveal how to work at it together,’ Lynne explains.

During classes, among other things you’ll learn about the last few weeks of pregnancy, what you can expect to feel, what is normal and what isn’t, when you need to worry and when not to.

‘It’s clear to professionals whether a woman has attended antenatal classes or not,’ Lynne points out. ‘While labour and the birth is still painful, a woman who’s attended classes is more relaxed and understands what’s happening. Pain, tension and fear are a vicious cycle – the more you tense up the more pain you feel, and the more pain you feel the more scared you are. The classes take away some of this vicious cycle and teach you relaxation techniques that break the cycle as well,’ Lynne maintains.

‘It’s awe-inspiring to watch someone in labour and watch a birth. If you and your partner know what to expect you’ll have a better understanding of what’s happening. And, after the birth, you’ll come away with a feeling that, while it was hard work, it was a wonderful experience,’ Lynne adds.

‘Giving birth is a life-long memory that you impart to your children. In fact, research reveals that if a mother transfers a positive birth experience to her daughter this will be passed on through the generations. The same can be said for a less positive birth experience. The better the birth experience, the more your daughter’s self-esteem will increase.’

What would your baby choose?

Another focus of Pregnancy Education Week was about considering the birth from the baby’s perspective. What would my baby choose?

Lynne insists that the first choice should be a normal birth (providing everything is progressing normally).

If there is no need for medical intervention, its far healthier to have a full-term pregnancy and for the baby to initiate labour.

The World Health Organisation says that a Caesarean rate above 15% is unjustifiable, yet private hospitals in South Africa have rates as high as 68% (National Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity Committee Triennial Report, 2008-2010).

‘Antenal classes educate parents and, because of this, they tend to choose natural births. However, where the system falls apart is when gynaecologists don’t support parents’ birth choices. Gynaecologists

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generally fall into two groups – those that are up front about caesarean births, and those that promise the earth, offer anything the parents want, and then don’t deliver on that promise. They undermine the mother, her body and the birth process, and place doubt and coerce the mom into having a C-section. Moms often feel they can’t contradict their doctor. However, parents who have attended antenatal classes will be armed with the information they need to choose a gynaecologist who will support their birth choice,’ Lynne notes.

‘For a low-risk pregnancy, the best option for a natural birth is to go to a midwife. They are really knowledgeable and are still overseen by a gynaecologist in case there’s a problem. There are now a lot more midwife units opening and midwives are becoming more widely accepted in hospitals,’ Lynne maintains. ‘If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, then it’s best to have an uncomplicated birth.’

Regarding C-sections, another factor to consider is that they are done before the baby initiates labour. ‘You want the length of your pregnancy to be as long as possible,’ Lynne points out. A full-term pregnancy used to be considered to be somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks. However, newer research shows that foetal brain development continues late into the last week of pregnancy. Full-term is now considered to be 39 to 40 completed weeks; birth prior to this is now considered early term and carries a risk of delivering a baby that may develop serious complications because of immature organs, including the brain.

• Six good reasons to attend childbirth education classes: • Expertise – educators are experienced nursing sisters and midwives who have chosen to specialise in childbirth education because they passionately believe in it.

• Knowledge – you learn about all the childbirth options available to you, and the pros and cons of each.

• Tools – you’ll be given practical tips and techniques, such as breathing, relaxation, positions, massage and visualisation, which help you have an easier birth.

• Confidence – you and your partner will feel more confident knowing what to expect and how to manage it.

• Preparation – you’ll be taught about all aspects of pregnancy and birth, from stretch marks to caring for your new-born baby.

• Connections – you’ll meet other expectant parents from your area.

Lynne concludes by advising that you choose your childbirth educator carefully. Find out what her philosophy and ideals are and whether they’re the same as yours. Find out whether she’s a mother, and research her qualifications and whether they’re up to date.

To find a childbirth educator in your area, visit www.expectantmothersguide.co.za or www.facebook.com/ExpectantMothersGuideZA.

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FEATURE

The silent guardians

of parenthood

By Aneesa Rasool, doula

Becoming a parent is an intensely emotional experience. Its lifealtering quality can only truly be understood by experiencing it personally, and there is little you can do to prepare yourself for the overwhelming impact of the emotions in the delivery room and in the months after giving birth. It is here – at the coalface of human life – that continuous physical, emotional and informational support can be provided by a doula. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

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ven now, many years later, when Megan* recalls the birth of her daughter, she still shudders at the profound loneliness she felt in the moments after.

Megan wanted to give birth vaginally, but things became complicated when her baby presented with a strangling umbilical cord and a vacuum extraction had to be performed. Excellent medical professionals were on site, and when the baby’s exhausted sigh signalled life after an eternity of anguished postpartum moments, the delivery room was momentarily abuzz: the midwife whisked the tiny being to paediatric intensive care, dad in tow. Other staff bustled out of the room to perform their assigned tasks. Megan, still numb from the epidural and suddenly alone in the delivery room, felt the solitude intensely. Much later, when she asked her husband he estimated that she must have been alone on the delivery bed for just a short while. But for her it felt like ages, and feeling deserted became her lingering memory of giving birth.

Woman who helps It is an ancient tradition for women to assist during birth by providing continuous care and support.

A doula (pronounced ‘doo-la’, from the Greek meaning ‘woman who helps’) is a trained and experienced professional who provides non-medical, emotional and practical support to the mother and her partner before, during and after birth; and also during the postpartum period.

In this age of the nuclear family, the need for such support is greater than ever before. The doula’s main purpose is to be a source of comfort to the expectant parents. She assists them in creating a safe and stress-free environment, keeping the mother relaxed with breathing techniques, targeted massaging, and advice on birthing positions to relieve discomfort and ease pain. She helps the couple to communicate with the medical professionals, translating ‘medical speak’ to assist informed decision-making.

Usually mothers themselves, doulas have good knowledge and awareness of the birth process, and can prepare expectant couples for their journey through birth and beyond. Doulas can help parents to conserve a memorable birth experience.

Studies have shown that doula support can halve, or more, requests for C-sections, epidurals and analgesics. It can also reduce the period of labour and the need for medication, as well as the need for forceps delivery. Doula support is useful to initiate breastfeeding, and may reduce the incidence of postnatal depression. It is generally linked to maternal and foetal health.

Today, with fathers being much more involved in the process of birth and the period thereafter, one might think that there is less need for doula support.

On the contrary, engaging a doula can take the pressure off the parents, allowing the new father to play a more loving and supportive role, and reinforcing his confidence.

In the postpartum period, a doula will offer education, companionship and non-judgmental support at a time when parents are still adjusting to their new situation, might still lack appropriate coping skills, and might feel overwhelmed. She can help

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care for the new-born baby, prepare meals and even tidy the home. She can share her knowledge on infant feeding and soothing, and can monitor the mother’s emotional and physical recovery from birth, making appropriate referrals when necessary.

A doula’s purpose is centred on the new mother’s safety and comfort, which is in contrast to the goal of the medical professionals involved – to ensure a safe delivery and postpartum physical recovery.

When a birth doesn’t go as the mother might have wanted it, or when life with a new baby becomes too much to manage, the doula is there to console and encourage. She is positioned to care and protect professionally, with intuitive compassion, while maintaining a professional distance to aid interpersonal and familial relations at an extraordinarily vulnerable time in a young family’s life.

Since pregnancy and birth have become more medicalised, the role of the doula has become undervalued. But the nature of the work of medical staff makes it impossible for them to be present during every moment of an expectant mother’s labour: they have to monitor and document vital information, communicate effectively as per protocol with one another, and take care of the physical wellbeing of mother and child. They work long shifts and attend to many patients at once.

The doula will not replace or challenge medical staff. She will not perform medical procedures and she does not make decisions for the labouring mother. She is there to fill the spaces in between medical care, to ensure that labour becomes a memorable experience. Above all, she is there for the mother’s emotional well-being. She banishes anxiety and provides consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort and encouragement. She can be there to hold your hand during the early stages of labour, or to help initiate that first special feed after birth.

Excellent medical care coupled with the emotional support that a doula can provide an expectant couple gives them the best possible start on their journey into parenthood.

Doulas are the silent guardians of parenthood, they come when they are needed, and depart quietly once the new family is coping.

How do I hire a doula?

Make sure you screen appropriately to find someone who will fit well with your family’s dynamics, who can be invisible when necessary, and who will give you and your partner privacy. You will need to pay a deposit to secure availability throughout your pregnancy and labour, and as required for pre- and post-natal visits.

How do I choose the right doula?

A doula should be patient, caring, friendly, gentle, loving, open-minded and compassionate. She must be non-judgmental, respecting the choices and lifestyle of the expectant couple. She should exude calm and strength, and be able to communicate professionally and build trust.

When interviewing, ask the prospective doula about her training and previous birth experiences.

Ascertain whether her philosophy about childbirth www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE corresponds with yours to know that she will support you throughout labour. Get her views on your birth plan, to determine whether she will be able to play the role you would like her to play. It is important to establish her conditions for availability: when and for what reasons may you call on her? Ask about backup plans in case of non-availability, and be sure to meet her associates who might have to substitute her if the need arises. Do not hesitate to ask about fee structures and refunds. Ask her for references, and be sure to check these.

Photo Credit: Aneesa Rasool

* Name changed to protect the individual’s identity.

Aneesa Rasool is a qualified HypnoBirthing® practitioner, doula and infant massage instructor. Through these services she supports young mothers’ journey into motherhood, empowering them to enjoy the miracle of birth. A wife and mother of two, she knows the challenges of balancing work and family, and understands the tension between the joys and woes of motherhood.

For Aneesa, the well-being of the family is key. She knows that peace of mind comes as a mother’s understanding of her child grows. Her practice can help increase a mother’s confidence – a trait that is important in facilitating learning of how to soothe a baby and boost infant development. At the core of Aneesa’s pre- and postnatal services is ‘support that empowers’. For more information, contact Aneesa on aneesar@ telkomsa.net or call 083 3069669.

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FEATURE

Divorce and

children

By Craig Wilkinson

This is not an article on how and why to avoid divorce, or the merits of staying together or not for the kids, it’s an article on how to love, protect, nurture and equip children through divorce.

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elling my children that their mom and I were getting divorced was probably the hardest conversation I have ever had. My son, Luke, was 11 at the time and my daughter, Blythe, was eight. My heart broke as I looked into their sad, shocked eyes.

It took everything I had to stop my tears from flowing.

Their lives were being turned upside down by the two people they trusted and relied on most in the world.

Divorce is a difficult and painful reality that affects almost half of everyone who gets married. Tragically, it’s our children’s hearts that are so often caught in the crossfire of negative emotions that come with divorce.

If there is one thing I have learnt as a parent it’s that it is not about us, it’s about our children. They are not there for us, we are there for them. We brought them into the world and it’s up to us to look after them. Whatever the reason a divorce takes place, and regardless of who was most to blame, when we fail to keep our marriages together, which I did, our primary responsibility as parents remains the nurture, care and protection of our children.

After I saw first hand the impact my announcement had on my children, I vowed to do everything in my power to protect them from the harmful emotional effect of our divorce. It’s very easy during a divorce

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to become so immersed in our own emotions and self preservation that our children take a backseat. The reality is they need us more than ever. The break up of a family is a major trauma for children and we as their parents are in the strange position of being both the cause of their distress and their source of strength and security during it.

Tragically, it’s our children’s hearts that are so often caught in the crossfire of negative emotions that come with divorce.

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Here are eight things I learnt through my own experience that can help children deal with divorce: 1. Let them know that it’s not their fault. As irrational as it may seem, children often feel that somehow they are to blame when a family splits apart. Make sure they understand that this is mom and dad’s fault and they are not responsible in any way.

2. Never put your children in a position where they need to choose between mom or dad. Don’t blame. Your children need both of you and they don’t want either one of you to be the villain. This is your stuff not theirs, keep it that way and do everything you can to ensure your children maintain a great relationship with both of you.

3. Reassure them that everything will be okay.

Let them know that even though the living arrangements will be changing, you still love them deeply and will be present in their lives. Explain to them that they will have two homes where they will be loved and accepted completely.

4. Help them deal with the change by talking about it. They need to mourn the passing of how life was and adjust to how life will be. The more they are able to talk about the changes and express themselves, the quicker they will be able to accept and process the transition.

5. Help them identify their feelings. No matter what they say, they will be going through pain and confusion and you need to help them deal with this. Find a way to get into their hearts and minds and truly see and hear what they are thinking and feeling. The younger they are the more challenging this will be as young children don’t have the emotional understanding and maturity to identify their emotions, nor do they have the vocabulary to express them. You may need to enlist the help of an expert such as a counsellor or art therapist.

6. Validate their feelings. Let them know that what they are feeling is normal and okay. Children often experience guilt when feeling anything negative towards their parents and will hide or suppress their emotions. Yet, in a divorce, they have every right to feel negative emotions towards us; we are responsible for breaking up the world as they know it. After my divorce I realised that Luke was feeling very angry with me and his mom but he felt confused and guilty about what he was feeling. I let him know that it was okay to feel that way, that he had every right to be angry.

7. Help them process their feelings appropriately.

Their unspoken question will be: ‘Okay, so I realise I’m angry and it’s ok to be angry but what do I do with my anger?’ Again, you may need to enlist the help of an expert or older mentor. In Luke’s case I asked him to forgive me and his mom and gave him the space to express and feel his anger.

Often an angry child will take his frustration out in inappropriate ways like bullying, self-harm or other destructive behaviours. Helping your children to

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deal appropriately with emotions will set them free from harmful thoughts and behaviours and grow their emotional intelligence.

8. Get your children involved in a divorce recovery programme. There are churches, community centers and counseling groups that offer programmes specifically for children going through a divorce. These can be very beneficial in assisting children to deal with their emotions and equipping them with the tools to handle the change.

By taking theses eight actions, prioritising your children’s hearts, and staying deeply involved in their lives, it’s possible to minimise the trauma of divorce and turn it into a powerful growth experience for both you and them.

Craig Wilkinson is the author of DAD – THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF AUTHENTIC FATHERHOOD – an inspiring read for both men and women on the crucial role of fathers. The book is now available as an online course with videos and exercises. Both the book and information about the online course can be found at www.thedadbook.co.za.

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MYTHS ABOUT TODDLER TANTRUMS MYTH When a toddler cries or has a tantrum they are naughty

FACT

Toddlers communicate their feelings through their behaviour. A tantrum is your child’s way to react to overwhelming stress and frustration.

It is a way to communicate what is happening inside of them. They do this in the only way they are able to, due to their still underdeveloped prefrontal cortex and an overflow of stress hormones.

References: Powell, B., Cooper, G., Hoffman, K., & Marvin, B. (2013).

The Circle of Security Intervention: Enhancing attachment in early parent-child relationships. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Siegel, D.J., & Bryson, T.P. (2014). No-drama discipline: The whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nurture your child’s developing mind. New York: Bantam.

Waldeck, C. (2015). Responding to Toddler Tantrums. Retrieved from: www.infantmentalhealth.com

MYTH A tantrum should be punished or ignored

FACT

Punishing or ignoring gives the message that what they feel is not allowed or doesn’t matter. You can try to understand what they are feeling and give comfort without necessarily “giving in” to their demands.

INSTEAD

1. Ask yourself why the tantrum? Are they tired, hungry, sad, scared, angry, frustrated? 2. Listen with empathy 3. Repeat what they are saying (“mirroring” calms the emotional part of the brain) 4. Validate their feelings.

Western Cape Association for Infant Mental Health (WCAIMH) THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS! Contact us to learn more: www.infantmentalhealth.co.za BAB 9.indd 16

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FEATURE

Responding to

tantrums CORNÉ WALDECK discusses an approach to dealing with emotional outbursts by toddlers.

With children that have regular or severe tantrums, this approach will take time and patience but it is proven to be effective.

It also works well for older children, and offers a way to deal with conflict in adult relationships.

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hesitate to prescribe techniques because that simplifies the situation and no one solution fits all families or children. Keeping that in mind, the following five-step guideline could be used as ‘first aid’ for emotional outbursts. Using the acronym SERVE (Safety, Empathic, Listening, Repeat, Validate Feelings, and Exchange), provides an approach when confronted with a toddler having a tantrum or hurting another child. It is not a magic solution that will stop a toddler from ever throwing a tantrum again, but it should lead to children calming down more quickly and, over time, becoming better able to regulate their emotions. Other benefits for children should be increased self-worth, social skills, emotional intelligence, resilience and empathy towards others.

A tantrum is a child’s way of reacting to overwhelming stress and frustration. It’s their way of communicating what’s happening inside them. It may be a combination of tiredness, hunger, or simply frustration at not feeling understood. Small children communicate their feelings through their behaviour.

Adults may view tantrums as inappropriate and problematic behaviour, but for toddlers it is usually the only way they have to express themselves. This ‘inappropriate’ communication is the result of an underdeveloped brain and an overflow of stress hormones. The prefrontal cortex helps us predict the consequences of our responses and use logic to figure out the appropriate behaviour to get what we need instead. But this ability only begins to develop at around four years old and will only be fully developed by our mid-twenties.

Why do toddlers have tantrums?

There are many factors that could trigger a tantrum, some of which, according to Oakwell-Smith’s TODDLER CALM, 2014, may be: • Frustration – they can’t have something/do something, or indeed because they are made to do something they don’t want to do.

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A tantrum is a child’s way of communicating what’s happening inside him.

• Feeling unhappy/sad/insecure – perhaps after the arrival of a new sibling/house move/starting preschool.

• Brain immaturity – they do not have an ‘off switch’ when it comes to flipping out. They cannot calm themselves down or reason with themselves or understand the consequences of their behaviour, particularly when it comes to understanding other’s feelings.

• They can’t cope with an invasion of their personal space.

• They are not getting enough exercise/roughhousing/physical or messy play.

• They are tired or over stimulated.

• The adult with them has missed their early calls for attention/help.

• They enjoy the physical sensation (particularly biting and throwing).

• Parenting that is too strict, authoritarian and controlling with too many punishments.

• They are modelling the behaviour of an adult (or child) close to them.

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2016/03/29 10:49 AM

FEATURE Understanding tantrums Firstly, we need to adjust our expectations of toddler behaviour. A tantrum is not a calculated move to get attention, or to spite or manipulate you. Rather, it is a way to express the overwhelming emotions that a small child is struggling with. And tantrums happen, no matter how good a parent or teacher you are.

What not to do?

Do not give in, ignore or punish the child. Dealing with tantrums in an empathic way does not involve ‘giving in’ but rather being supportive of a child’s emotional needs while maintaining boundaries and then teaching new methods of coping. Put simply, standing your ground while acknowledging a child’s feelings and providing love and support during a hard time are critical to a child’s emotional development. Saying ‘no’ does not mean you need to also deny the child understanding and comfort.

What to do instead?

Safety – Take a quick moment to make sure that the child, you and those around you are safe. Move the child away from other children if you need to. A child that is very upset may do something irrational like bolt away from you, throw an object or break something.

Empathic listening – The next step is to adjust your state of mind and become empathic. You are most probably also experiencing your own overwhelming emotions: panic, anger, fear, resentment. Try to keep in mind that your child is suffering. According to OckwellSmith (TODDLER CALM, 2014): ‘They are not acting this way to give you are hard time, they are having a hard time!’ They are not deliberate or manipulative. They do not hate you, they need you. They are completely overwhelmed and behaving this way for a reason and they need you to try to figure out what that reason is.

For them to be able to calm down, they need you to be with them.

Breathe deeply, listen quietly to what they are saying, and ask yourself: ‘Why are they upset? What is behind this behaviour? Try to put yourself inside your child’s mind and think about what the reasons could be for them acting this way. What has triggered the tantrum?’

Do not lecture or reason with the child. He is flooded with emotion and the activity in the emotional areas of the brain (lymbic system and right brain) overrides the logical left brain. Just listen and communicate empathy, which helps to diffuse the situation. Get below eye level, give a loving touch, stroke the child’s hair, nod your head, or give an empathic look.

Repeat – This is the golden rule of communication.

When the child is upset, first listen without interrupting.

Then repeat back what the child says or wants.

Children who are in the middle of a meltdown are incapable of hearing our message (our reasons, reassurance, distraction or warning) until they’re sure we understand and respect their message. So when the child is upset, before you mention your ideas, take a minute to sincerely describe what he’s doing and saying.

It is more important how you repeat the child’s words than your exact words. It is not helpful to simply parrot the words back to the child with a blank face. When we repeat what a child is saying in an understanding way it helps them to calm down and become more reasonable because they feel heard and understood.

When you repeat, use only a few words or keep your phrases short. With very small children, it may take four or five repetitions before you even begin to get their attention. One sign that you are making progress is when they suddenly look at you, surprised that you are hearing them.

Validate Feelings – Even if we don’t like a child’s behaviour, we should look for the underlying emotion and acknowledge and validate it. Don’t dismiss or try to talk a child out of how he is feeling. This usually leads to an intensified tantrum to make you ‘see’ how upset he is.

Help him to understand what he is feeling by naming his emotions (for example: ‘I can see you are very angry that the girl took your car...’). This will further help him to calm down and learn to understand his emotions. With time, validating their feelings helps children to develop healthy emotional regulation and expression. They learn that they are allowed to experience emotion, that they can talk about it and communicate their needs with words, instead of exploding or throwing a tantrum.

Exchange – It may be necessary to repeat the cycle of Repeat and Validate Feelings a few times until the child is calm and feeling better. Wait with this final step until the child is ready. It may not be the same day.

This step is where you teach the child alternative and more acceptable ways of handling the situation in future. If at all possible, involve the child in the process and think of creative solutions.

If you continue to struggle, consider seeking a professional assessment or some support. Dealing with intense emotions can be challenging and it often helps to get a professional perspective.

Photo credit: Corné Waldeck

Corné Waldeck is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. She works with couples, adults, teenagers and parents of small children. Being a mom of three children (in high school, primary school and pre-school), she has a special interest in assisting parents with parenting-related challenges. Her other great interest is couples’ therapy. For more information, visit www.cornewaldeck.com

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FEATURE

Prioritise your family’s expenses in a tough economic climate

By Wouter Fourie, CFP® FPI Financial Planner of the Year 2015/2016

While a general consensus indicates that the economy will remain under pressure for the next two to three years, WOUTER FOURIE from the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa provides some tips about prioritising your family’s expenses.

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or the year ahead economists are predicting a general economic growth rate of less than 1%, while living costs are expected to rise faster than inflation thanks to the weakening rand. The prime interest rate is expected to increase by 2% to 3% over the course of the next two years, and we may see an increase in personal and business tax, which will further strain our disposable income and drive up living costs.

During tough economic times, you should try to limit your exposure to debt as much as possible. Because debt rises with higher interest rates and it grows

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with interest every month, it magnifies the effect of negative economic news on your pocket.

1. Set yourself a target of when you want to be debt free and put any disposable income towards that goal. Rank your debts based on their interest rate and try to pay off the most expensive debt first.

Don’t fall behind on any debt payments, but put any extra income towards the most expensive debt.

2. While you are paying off your debt, start saving for your retirement. Consider what the current economic climate would do to you if you were

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FEATURE

Reducing or eliminating non-essential expenses To be able to eliminate non-essential expenses you must first know what you are spending your money on. We are all prone to underestimate the amount of money we spend every month, especially on food and trivialities. However, without keeping track of those expenses you will never know just how much you are spending and how much you could save.

Step one is tracking your expenses. Set up a detailed budget that includes your fixed expenses (car, mortgage, rent and variable expenses). You should then use this as a strict guideline as to what you should spend money on. If you want to go out for dinner but the budget does not allow this, then you know you cannot do it.

If you have a tight budget and very limited variable expenses, you should also steer clear of using debt, such as your credit card, to pay for non-essential things. If you have to borrow money to buy the item, then you simply cannot afford it.

Prioritising expenses When looking at your monthly expenses, consider the fixed expenses first. It is important to honour agreements that you have made with someone else, such as when you bought a car and signed for the monthly repayment.

If your fixed expenses are too high, based on the budget that you have created, then rather negotiate for a lower payment or exchange the product (such as a car) for something that is more affordable. Do not try to skip your payments.

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After that, consider your variable expenses in priority of importance. These include food, transport and communication, and are normally expenses that you have to make to continue working or to keep your children fed and in school. As an example, paying for fuel is a necessary expense because if you cannot get to work you will not earn a salary.

Your satellite television, on the other hand, is not a necessary expense.

Use your budget as a guideline and reference past months’ expenses to see where you have been spending money, what is costing you too much and where you can cut your expenses.

Where to get help The old adage is that you should ‘seek wise council’.

The first step for this is discussing your financial situation with your husband, wife or partner. This person should share your earnest for managing your budget and, between the two of you, you can share ideas and concerns. Parents, elders or people you respect can also offer good advice on how to best manage your money.

The next step would be to find a professional that can give you good advice. It is important to find a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional; a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa (FPI) – the only recognised professional body for professional financial planners. There are many sales people in the market who will give you advice that suits their pocket or a sales pitch framed as financial advice. CFP® professionals will charge you for their professional service but in exchange you get sound and impartial advice.

The last resort would be to look for debt counselling.

Debt counsellors can be a great help if you are so indebted that you cannot find your way out, but once you have entered debt counselling you are bound to their repayment plan. First seek financial counsel from a CFP® professional to make sure there are no alternatives to debt review before you take this course of action.

To find a CFP® professional/CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional near you, visit www.fpi.co.za or contact FPI on 086 1000 FPI (374) / (011) 470-6000.

Photo Credit: Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa

living on a small pension every month. So start saving a minimum payment every month towards your retirement.

Once you have done these two steps, you can build up an emergency fund of two to three months of your monthly expenses. Use the money that you have been spending on your debt, before you became debt free, towards building up this emergency fund. An emergency fund gives you a welcome cushion if living expenses rise beyond your salary or you have sudden large and unexpected expenses, such as car repairs or medical bills.

Keep in mind that you have two types of costs: • Fixed costs: These are costs that you have to pay because you made an agreement with someone else or an external party. They include costs that are deducted by monthly debit order, such as your car or house payment.

• Variable costs: These are costs that you have control over, such as movies, food and other costs. You can shop around for the best price for these expenses or you can decide, in the case of the movie, to postpone or cancel it to save money.

If you have large household expenses and very little room for luxuries in your monthly budget, then you should seriously consider holding off on unnecessary expenses. A new car or other luxury items might not be the best investment now, especially when interest rates are set to go up.

Wouter Fourie, CFP® FPI Financial Planner of the Year 2015/2016

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2016/03/28 11:07 PM

FEATURE

Decoding

your baby’s cries Occupational therapist, author and founder of Baby Sense, MEGAN FAURE, provides some valuable advice about how to decode your baby’s cries.

Day 1 to 3 Your newborn has arrived and you are not only recovering from the birth and getting used to broken sleep, but you don’t have a clue why she is crying.

However, these newborn cries are an essential part of survival – your baby is helping your body to establish a milk supply while she gets used to her hunger and satiety signals.

TIP – The best way to go is to feed your baby when she cries in the early days – this helps your breasts to shift from that wonderful rich colostrum to mature milk. In these early days don’t follow any advice on limiting time between feeds, timing feeds or using a dummy to sooth your little one.

Two weeks Between days 10 and 14, your sleepy newborn, who was not too niggly, may suddenly become a little unsettled and cry a whole lot more. After the www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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soothing deep pressure input of the tight womb world, most babies are calm for the first two weeks of life. As the effects of the womb and birth wear off, babies become more alert and don’t fall asleep as easily or sleep as well. They become more susceptible to over stimulation, and long periods of irritable crying may ensue. This is not because of digestive immaturities or tummy issues (as you may be told) but because of neurological immaturities. By three months old, your baby’s brain will cope better with stimulation and your baby will settle down a whole lot.

TIP – Swaddle your baby to replicate the womb world – swaddling creates deep pressure, which is soothing. Swaddling also inhibits the startle reflex, which can be very disconcerting for a little baby. A shaped 100% cotton swaddle with some stretch is a great tool.

TIP – Limit stimulation, especially in the evenings. Try to encourage Dad not to ‘play’ with his little one in

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FEATURE the evening as this can push a tired baby over the edge. Rather let him do the early morning stint – your little one will be more receptive at this time of day.

TIP – Move bath time to the morning – sometimes the sensory stimulation of being undressed, shifts in environmental temperatures, and the pampering of bath time is all too much for an over stimulated baby.

TIP – Use white noise – played at the same volume as your baby’s cry (such as a hair dryer or a white noise CD like Womb to World) – if she is having a long distressing crying spell. Somehow this switches off a colicky cry.

4 to 6 Months Your little one is gaining weight well and feeds like a champ during the day but still wakes, often crying out, at night. While most babies still require a feed or two at this age, it certainly is the time when your baby can learn to sleep for a good seven- to tenhour stretch.

TIP – Listen to those night time cries before responding. Between 4 and 6 months old, little ones start to learn to self-sooth back to sleep. When your baby comes into a light sleep state she may cry out, not because she has a need but just because she is slightly alert. If you listen and wait for a minute or two you may find she settles herself – a good skill to learn at this age. This does not mean you should sleep train at this age but just listen before you respond.

Your little one has recently woken from her sleep and has been under the mobile for 10 minutes and starts to niggle and moan – she could well be bored by the position or is becoming visually over stimulated.

TIP – It is time for a change of scenery and a change of sensory stimulation. Babies have short attention spans and need sensory variety. Shift from visual input (such as a mobile) to auditory input (lying on the bed with you listening to you sing), to movement input (a walk while being carried in a sling), to baby exercise (lie on the floor and roll her over and back again).

6 to 12 Months You have just popped out the room leaving your

little one under the mobile so you can grab a cup of tea and she starts to yell in distress. At around 8 to 10 months your baby will develop separation anxiety and will be really distressed when you leave the room or pass her to someone else.

TIP – Help her to develop object permanence (knowledge that you exist when she can’t see you) by playing games such as hide and seek behind the couch – call her name and see if she can find you when she can’t see you. If she is too little to come look for you – play peek-a-boo – pop out from your hiding place.

Your little one generally sleeps well but every now and then screams hysterically in the night. When you go in to her, she appears to be asleep and having a night terror – these cries are so distressing and you may be very concerned for your little one. Night terrors can happen at any age and are usually linked to overstimulation and over tiredness.

TIP – Make sure your baby or toddler has good day sleeps and watch her ‘awake times’ (see BABY SENSE, Metz Press). She should be settled to sleep for day sleeps regularly, according to her age appropriate awake time. Do not keep her awake in the day to tire her out, expecting better sleep at night – that is a false myth and may result in night terrors.

Toddlers Your toddler embarrassingly throws a crying tantrum in the shops when you won’t give her a sweet in the checkout isle – this has to be every mom’s worst public nightmare. Toddlers throw tantrums when they are tired, hungry or feel misunderstood.

TIP – Do not take your toddler shopping when hungry or tired – this is a recipe for disaster. As you enter the shop, head for the fruit isle and get a punnet of strawberries or fruit. Offer this to your toddler to snack on while you shop – this will fill her up so that sweets appear less appealing. If she insists on a sweet, make sure she knows you understand her: ‘I know you want a sweet’, then provide a boundary: ‘We can’t have sweets,’ and finally offer a choice: ‘You can have something to drink or some fruit’. By making her feel understood and giving her some control, you may prevent a tantrum.

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Photo Credit: Megan Faure

Megan Faure OTR, is an occupational therapist who has worked with babies in the US and South Africa. She co-authored BABY SENSE, SLEEP SENSE and FEEDING SENSE. In 2011, Meg wrote Your SENSORY BABY and is currently writing PREGNANCY SENSE, which will be released in August 2016. In 2004, Megan founded the Baby Sense product company, which she has subsequently sold. Megan runs her practice in Cape Town, treating babies and toddlers with sleep problems and sensory processing difficulties.

She is married with three children, James (17), Alex (15) and Emily (11). For more information and for the latest baby advice and research, visit Megan’s website at www.megfaure.com, her Facebook page, MegFaureOfficial, or follow her on Twitter @ MegFaure.

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FEATURE

Between December 1, 2014, and November 30, 2015, 265 children went missing in South Africa. Of these, 200 were found.

Missing

children

According to the Missing Persons Bureau, a child goes missing every five hours in our country. In 2013 they recorded 1 697 cases of missing children reported to the South African Police Service.

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issing Children SA is a registered NPO and PBO that assists the authorities when an individual goes missing in South Africa, for any reason whatsoever. The organisation works closely with the South African Police Service, and other government bodies, NGOs and private initiatives, to assist in the recovery and safe return of any missing person.

Missing Children SA’s first tier is that of an emergency response service. It has a national helpline for incident reports and callers are advised about immediate steps to take in logging an incident officially so as to ensure efficient and timeous action. Secondly, by activating a vast national social and media network it distributes flyers of missing children, creating mass awareness of the individual and maximising the chances of

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that child being recovered. Lastly, since prevention is the most efficient way to keep our children safe, Missing Children SA strives to educate both parents/ guardians and children about the dangers of abduction, human trafficking and related issues.

It also liaises with investigating officers on cases to ensure a continuous flow of information between parents and the authorities.

Between December 1, 2014, and November 30, 2015, 265 children went missing in South Africa. Of these, 200 were found. The breakdown of the ages of children reported to Missing Children SA is 14% (0 to 6 years), 17.8% (7 to 12 years) and 68.2% (13 to 17 years). These figures are only based on cases reported to Missing Children SA and do not reflect all the cases reported to SAPS. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE Safety tips for children • Never go anywhere alone – always be with people you know and trust.

• Always tell your parents where you are going, even if your plans change. Make sure your parents have your friends’ phone numbers.

• Know your parents’ names and telephone numbers off by heart – also know another family member’s details in case you can’t get hold of your parents.

• If you get lost in a shopping mall, don’t go looking for your parents by yourself.

• Don’t go with people you don’t know or don’t trust. Go to public toilets accompanied by your friends or parents.

• Don’t take any gifts from strangers, even if it’s a chocolate you really like. Never accept lifts from strangers.

• Make a scene when you think someone is following you – rather be safe than sorry.

• Write your name and parents’ phone number on the inside of your clothes and schoolbag. This way, strangers can’t see it.

• Don’t play in the streets alone – it’s dangerous.

• Remember the BUDDY SYSTEM: Always take a friend with you – don’t go anywhere alone. This way, you can help each other when you are in trouble.

Tips for parents • Do not wait 24 hours before reporting your child as missing.

• Know where your child is at all times, who they’re with, and what they’re wearing.

• Always keep a recent photograph of your child on you so that the photo is readily available in case of an emergency.

• Make an effort to know your child’s friends – know their names, addresses and numbers. Be involved in your child’s life, but don’t force it. Build a trusting relationship and create a home environment where they want to be and bring their friends to.

• Teach your children their own names and addresses, as well as your name and telephone number.

• Keep your children close to home and teach them the importance of the BUDDY SYSTEM: Never go anywhere alone.

• Take your children to the nearest police station, hospital and clinic to show them how to find them easily: point out landmarks to prevent them from getting lost.

• Teach your children to take the same route to and from places. If your child goes missing, you can start looking on the discussed route. Teach your child to make loud noises to attract attention.

• Teach your child that they should never trust strangers: they should not accept gifts from strangers or go anywhere with them.

• Create a family exclusive password – teach your children that when you send someone to pick them up, the person should know the password otherwise your children should not go with this person.

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Remember the BUDDY SYSTEM: Always take a friend with you – don’t go anywhere alone.

• Be one step ahead. If your child has Mxit or Facebook, familiarise yourself with the technology and find a way to monitor it.

General safety tips • There is NO WAITING PERIOD for reporting a person missing to the nearest police station.

Should you report a person to the police station and the police officer tells you to come back after 24 hours, demand to speak to the station commander or, alternatively, contact Missing Children SA and the organisation will intervene and assist wherever possible.

• When reporting a person missing to the police station, the following information will be required, together with a recent photograph: • Full name of missing person • Age of missing person • Description of missing person • Eye colour • Hair colour/style • Height • Weight • Distinctive marks – scars/birthmarks • Where the person was last seen • Clothes the person was wearing • Missing Children SA has an informal document called an Interim ID Kit (downloadable from its website) that serves as a guideline to parents about what will be needed by SAPS when a child goes missing.

On a daily basis Missing Children SA strives to make more people aware of the reality of human trafficking. While they are sure more cases reported to SAPS and their organisation are because of human trafficking, at this stage this cannot be proven.

However, according to the International Labour Organisation it is estimated that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Furthermore, 32 billion dollars’ profit is generated annually from human trafficking.

Source: Missing Children SA

To report a missing person: www.missingchildren.org.za/page/report Emergency number: 072MISSING / 072 647 7464 General Enquiries/Office: 021 950 1546 To get involved: www.missingchildren.org.za/ page/get-involved/ Website: www.missingchildren.org.za Facebook: Missing Children SA Page Twitter: @072missing

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FEATURE

An unwelcome guest come to stay JEANINE BEUKES, M.A Clin Psych, provides a glimpse into what a first-born child experiences when a new sibling comes along, and explains why it’s important to support and love your child as they come to accept the arrival of an unwelcome guest.

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aria was a cute, curious little girl with pigtails.

She was described as ‘mommy’s little helper’ and was doing well at playschool. According to her mom, she seemed excited about the imminent arrival of the baby currently and uncomfortably housed in mommy’s tummy. Nevertheless, a month later after the baby was born, when her parents left her in the waiting room of the doctor’s surgery, sweet Maria quietly pushed the baby’s pram out of the waiting room and was tipping it down the stairs when a vigilant patient sprang into action and caught the baby.

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A normal reaction Maria’s wishful fantasies about the removal of her troublesome sibling are absolutely normal. However, it is our task as parents and caretakers to ensure that they never get acted upon.

Maria has no ability to understand the true consequences of her action. She was told that a new baby was arriving and everyone assured her what good news this was. No one actually read her the fine print – that with the arrival of your new sibling you will forever lose the place of baby in your mother’s

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FEATURE mind, your treasured place on her lap will be usurped and taken by another, your mother’s delight in you will be strained, and you will be irritably told to wait as she first attends to the baby’s needs. The baby will cry for no apparent reason and you, Maria, might be shouted at as the baby gets cuddled and soothed.

Your father will suddenly be given free rein to take you out without mother’s worried questions or desire to come too. The family as you knew it will be forever lost and you will be expected to smile and say you love your brother!

It’s no wonder that on closer questioning, most verbal older children are able to say that, given the choice, they would rather the baby goes back to the hospital now, or back into mommy’s tummy where he was less noisy. More eloquent protests could include, ‘I want to take that baby and throw it over the hedge’, or ‘maybe I could twist its neck and then throw it away forever’.

The greatest challenge

Photo Credit: Jeanine Beukes

Maria’s wishful fantasies about the removal of her troublesome sibling are absolutely normal.

Chairperson of WCAIMH(Western Cape Association for Infant Mental Health), Jeanine Beukes is a clinical psychologist with 31 years’ experience in private practice and has a special interest in the new parent-infant ‘couple’. She has studied both locally and abroad, and has a psychoanalytic practice in Rondebosch in the Western Cape.

She has presented various papers at psychology conferences, and has published articles about moms at risk. She is currently extending her work to include nannies co-parenting alongside parents. Honouring mothers and mothering/parenting is the cornerstone of her work. Jeanine is a mother of three. To contact Jeanine, email jeaninebeukes@telkomsa.net.

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This ambivalence or the hatred, as well as the love that will surely grow, and learning to survive it (and of course that the baby survives his older sister) is the greatest challenge that an older child has to come to terms with.

Ambivalence can be held and acknowledged by parents, and once your toddler’s feelings are validated without being acted upon, the hatred can blossom into true love, which encompasses the full range of emotions. Only then can compassion and empathy grow.

If your first born is sensitively supported, firmly contained and loved through the soon-to-be unwelcome guest’s arrival and prolonged stay, the lessons experienced will be the greatest gift a second born child’s arrival can give your firstborn.

A suggested story to read to your first born in preparation for the newcomer is ROSIE’S BABIES, by Martin Waddell.

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FEATURE

Illegal corporal punishment

persists in schools

By ActionAid South Africa’s SeViSSA Coordinator

Violence and corporal punishment remain prevalent in many South African schools despite the powerful legislation that seeks to protect our children and ensure their safety at home and at school. Working with partners, ActionAid South Africa calls on government, teachers and parents to blow the whistle on any violation of children’s rights.

Artist: Mbuso Ngubane

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ctionAid South Africa (AASA) works closely with three powerful partners in Gauteng and Limpopo – The Teddy Bear Clinic, Xihlobo Xa Ndivho and Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme – to tackle Sexual Violence in South African Schools (SeViSSA). This collaborative project seeks to empower learners to speak out against violence and sexual abuse, and to hold different duty bearers to account.

The continued unlawful use of physical force and punishment in schools can be viewed as an extension of an existing culture of violence in South Africa, within a context of high prevalence rates of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse, both in private and public spaces. Corporal punishment is the use of physical force to inflict pain and discomfort upon a child with the aim of enforcing rules and achieving discipline. However, this form of punishment is illegal and is prohibited in Section 10 of the 1996 South African Schools Act. In 2015, the SeViSSA baseline study asked learners to identify incidents of sexual and gender-based violence they experienced, witnessed or had knowledge of. The results revealed that learners are regularly faced with violence in the form of rape, sexual assault, harassment, bullying, as well as verbal and physical abuse, some of which is perpetrated by teachers.

Corporal punishment violations were also cited by learners as part of their daily experience in the schooling environment.

Some of the learners narrated these daily violations:

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FEATURE ‘Teachers hit our toes early in the morning when we are late. Some they even ask to leave school.’

(Male learner, Vhembe district school, Limpopo). This punishment for late coming occurs within a context of many learners walking long distances to and from school, which could be a significant contributor left unexplored.

‘My friend and I were beaten by the teacherr because we didn’t tuck our shirts into our trousers.

The teacher didn’t report the issue, and should have discussed the issue with us rather than beating us.’

(Male learner, L112). Here the learner questions the disciplinary process that goes unreported while there is willingness for learners to have conversations.

In some instances, learners even come to accept violent punishment as acceptable behaviour: ‘A boy was teasing a girl about being ugly and that no one would love her. The girl reported this to the teacher who beat the boy. This was good because the girl reported it to the teacher.’ (Female learner, Vhembe district school, Limpopo) ‘A prefect was requested to write down the names of people who were making a noise in class. These noisy learners were then beaten by the teacher.

One of the boys who was on the list came back to class and beat the prefect. The prefect did not report this to the teacher and they fought again after school. The prefect was supposed to report to the teacher.’ (Male learner from Vhembe district school in Limpopo) Even when dealing with issues such as late arrival, bullying and negotiating dating among youth, teachers resort to corporal punishment.

‘When a girl has two boyfriends and the boys decide to fight each other for her, the principal beats them. At school we learn not to have intimate relations.’ (Male learner, Vhembe district school, Limpopo) In many instances, teachers hit learners with electricity cables and sticks. These punishing tools are often stored in the staff room, implying teachers’ awareness of illegal punishment by staff, as well as their complicity in failing to blow the whistle on corporal punishment. Unfortunately, some parents from these communities fail to object to the administration of corporal punishment in schools, either because they are unaware of the law or they themselves advocate corporal punishment and physical force to instil discipline in a culture of violence.

The EDUCATION SERIES I FOCUS ON SCHOOLING IN LIMPOPO REPORT (StatsSA 2015) indicates that the prevalence rate of children aged five years and older attending school, who experienced some form of violence, corporal punishment or verbal abuse at school, remained steady between 2009 and 2013 (15.9%; 12,4%). Under reporting of cases within the schooling context implies the distrust and detachment of teachers. Learners were asked who they would immediately approach for support when they or others have experienced some form of violence and aggression. The main sources of support identified by learners across all the schools were family members, especially the mother or grandmother of the child (at an average response rate of 32%), followed by

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the police (at an average response rate of 25%), the teacher (at an average response rate of 12%), and a social worker (at an average response rate of 10%).

Other sources of support included churches, NonGovernmental Organisations, neighbours and friends.

Despite learners responding positively to the support provided, the report showed that there was still room for improving the quality of support services provided. On average, 15% of all learners suggested that there is still a need for more counselling, while 16% on average reported that learners in such situations require extra care by service providers. An average of 13% proposed more and better quality education be provided by the school, while an average of 11% of responses declared that learners should be treated with more respect, and that their cases be kept confidential to avoid further loss of dignity and self- esteem.

The effects of violence result in poor performance and drop-outs. However, the violation scars far beyond the physical, permanently damaging the psyche of the learner and breaking down the trust in the teacher-learner relationship. The affected learners may also internalise the belief that they deserve to be hurt, which negatively affects their self-esteem.

Corporal punishment also teaches learners that physical violence is an acceptable way to deal with unwanted or unacceptable behaviour. It normalises violence and fails to address the underlying attitudes that drive learners to misbehave.

This is not solely an issue of bad teachers and absent parenting. It is a systemic issue perpetuated by the culture of violence, particularly domestic violence, both in private and public spaces. Violent punishment and the use of force should also be tackled and condemned in people’s homes.

Corporal punishment and bullying only contributes to the normalisation of this kind of violence in schools. The violation of learners’ rights is a serious offence punishable by law. Reports often present the learner and teachers as guilty perpetrators, yet the teachers and parents set the example, and learners behave accordingly. Violations need to be critically identified and swift action must be taken to not only ensure justice, but also to ensure that the relevant support systems are in place and that prevention programmes are developed and functional.

Parents and teachers must speak out against those who continue to be perpetrators of violence. We appeal to the principals as leaders to stop hiding the perpetrators and report them to the relevant authorities without endorsing their transfers to other schools where they continue with the same abusive and illegal practices. We urge parents and community members to be aware of what practices and issues are prevalent in their schools so that we can all hold our teachers, government and learners accountable. Additionally, the responsibility to create a zero-tolerance attitude towards violence in schools lies with the Department of Education that must capacitate and support teachers to learn and implement alternative forms of discipline that create a safe and healthy learning environment for the children of our country.

For more information, visit www.actionaid.org.za.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Getting to grips with left-handedness Do you feel like you are raising your left-handed child in a right-handed world? SUSANNE HUGO, Mysmartkid’s expert for the developmental areas of wellbeing and concepts, provides some advice.

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ou might be concerned about how to help a left-handed child when she learns to write, use cutlery, play an instrument or practise a new sport.

Are you supposed to model some of these activities to her by switching to your left hand if you happen to be right-handed? Or should you let her figure it out as she goes along?

The most important thing to remember is that left-handed children develop in exactly the same way as their right-handed peers. The dominance of one hand (or side) over another is determined by the brain and won’t be influenced by the way a child plays or by watching another person, such as

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a parent, demonstrate certain tasks with a particular hand. Children who show a dominance for one side, but are then forced to perform tasks with the other hand, will still eventually master these tasks. However, it could take them a bit longer to do so and their work might not be as neat and accurate as tasks completed with the naturally dominant side.

Hand, foot, eye and ear dominance is determined by the development of the brain’s hemisphere specialisation. During a little one’s prenatal development, nerves cross from the one side of the brain to connect to muscles on the opposite side of the body. Therefore, left-handed people simply have www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE better developed nerve networks in the right side of their brains.

Hand dominance is only determined by the age of five and it is quite normal for children younger than this to switch hands while doing activities. If you are still unsure of your pre-schooler’s hand dominance at this age, pay close attention to which hand she uses spontaneously when drinking from a cup, cutting with a pair of scissors, throwing a ball, and drawing or writing.

Hand and foot dominance usually correlates, but cross dominance is nothing to worry about.

Some people are also ambidextrous and can use both sides equally well. However, it is often better for a child to have one dominant side that is more accurate and quicker during fine motor tasks.

It is important to note that the development of the pencil grip follows a predictable course for left and right-handed children. You will first see your little one hold a pencil with their entire hand and make use of shoulder movements to scribble or draw. Thereafter,

The most important thing to remember is that left-handed children develop in exactly the same way as their righthanded peers.

they will hold the pencil between the tips of the thumb, index finger and middle finger. By the age of five they should have a dynamic three-pointed grip like an adult, and use fine, isolated hand movements to move the pencil. It is always a good idea to provide your child with a wide variety of writing tools and utensils to determine which they are more comfortable with. Wider diameter pencils do not improve performance when drawing or writing, but triangular pencils may facilitate the tripod grasp.

Keep in mind that it is quite normal for your child to write with her left hand, but hold a pair of scissors with her right. However, left-handed scissors are available and would probably make it easier for your child to cut.

Whether left or right-handed, it is always beneficial to encourage your child to practise good posture when drawing, colouring in or writing. Your little one should be seated with her feet firmly on the floor, next to each other and facing forward. Ask her to sit up straight with her shoulders in a straight line and parallel to the table. Your child’s head can be held somewhat forward and her back a little curved, but never to the extent that her chest is pressing against the table. The table surface should ideally be about 5cm above elbow level when bent and the distance between her eyes and the paper or book should be about 20cm. Position the page in the middle of her body and parallel to her dominant hand’s forearm when rested on the table. Right-handed children may slant the top of their page approximately 25 degrees to the left, with the paper just right of the body’s midline (the imaginary line dividing the body in two halves). Left-handed children may slant the top of the paper approximately 35 degrees to the right with the paper placement to the left of the midline.

Remember that it is always a good idea to encourage your child to lie on her tummy or stand while writing or drawing at any age!

Photo Credit: Susanne Hugo

Susanne Hugo, occupational therapist, finds occupational therapy extremely rewarding because, as she says, you can really see the difference you are making and how even a small input can have a big impact on a child’s development.

Susanne is married to Pierre and is a doting mom to Annebel.

Susanne is Mysmartkid’s expert for the developmental areas of Wellbeing and Concepts.

Mysmartkid is South Africa’s foremost play-based educational programme for children from pre-birth to six years. By focusing on your child’s development through the use of ageappropriate toys and activities, Mysmartkid promotes school readiness.

For more information, visit www.mysmartkid.com.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Discussing sex with primary school children

By Nolene Rust

Perhaps your primary school aged child already has some idea about sex and sexuality. It could be that you have already given him some information, or he received some pointers and information from his peers. Either way, this could be a difficult subject for you to approach, but a necessary one at that.

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ost primary school aged children have indicated that they have experienced some form of sexual information or exposure before the age of 13, and the vast majority of children who got into sexual trouble indicated that their parents never spoke to them about sex. For most children their peer

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group plays a big role in this. However, the question should always be how accurate and healthy is the information that your child receives from another 10year old? In South Africa alone we know that 60% of sexual abuse takes place in the form of child on child sexual abuse.

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FEATURE Research has proven that children whose parents frequently educated them about sex and didn’t shy away from the topic were more resilient and safe from sexual abuse. Adding to these pros, these children also made healthier sexual choices later in life, increasing healthy sexual development and laying the foundation for healthy marriages.

Whether or not sex and gender education took place in your home when your child was younger, the need for continuous discussion and deliberations about the topic of sex is quite important at this age.

This also seems to set the stage for continuous talks and input from parents about sex and sexuality in the teenage years. If these talks take place they also convey a sense of sexual values in your family group that helps guide your child’s decisions later on.

Conversations about sex and sexuality should take place in natural teachable settings and time, such as after an advertisement or a topic about relationships during your favourite soap opera.

Let your child’s questions guide you. For example, ask him what he thinks about HIV or premarital sex.

Age appropriate information includes anything from gender differences, how babies are made, what sex is, who can have sex, gender and sexual orientation, what is abuse, what the law says, and about sexually transmitted infections.

Whether or not sex and gender education took place in your home when your child was younger, the need for continuous discussion and deliberations about the topic of sex is quite important at this age.

Most primary school aged children have indicated that they have experienced some form of sexual information or exposure before the age of 13.

These are moments when you do not judge, but listen and share your thoughts and ideas about these topics. These are priceless educational moments that will serve as a barometer for your child in the coming years.

It is important to make sure that the information you are providing is positive, as negative information about sex can have a negative impact on your child’s sexual and moral development. It should be as natural as any other part of your child’s development and any other milestone that is celebrated.

Normative sexual behaviour during this phase includes interest in gender differences, where babies come from, and exactly how babies are made. At this age, children have the capacity to understand the basic biology behind sex. Normal awareness of all things sexual, and a modesty or slight disinterest in the opposite sex is also possible in this group. Once your child’s questions have been answered, you should see that their focus will shift back to other childhood interests.

As a parent, the only way you can have an input in fostering positive and safe sexual connotations for your child is to be present – specifically for these conversations. This helps build a foundation and offers a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your child.

Nolene Rust is a qualified forensic social worker and a registered counsellor specialising in play therapy.

For nine years, she has worked with families and children in welfare organisations, hospitals, in schools, and in the private sector. Her work includes advocating for children’s rights and working with abused and neglected children in a child protection and counselling capacity. Nolene is a regular speaker on radio, presents seminars, is involved with Jelly Beanz (NGO), and is vice president of OPSSA. To contact Nolene, call 012 7526503 or email Nolene.rust@gmail.com

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FEATURE Photo credit: Pampers

The simple things in life While you may want to spoil your child with expensive toys and clothes, it’s the simple things – such as a massage before a bath, playing floor-time games, going for walks, and seizing spontaneous moments for cuddling – that your child will remember forever.

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arenting and Pampers Institute expert, Sister Lilian says: ‘Many moms are lucky enough to form an instantaneous bond with their babies when they are born. But for some it may take a little longer. Take heart though, when you hold your baby in your arms, breathe in her special baby scent, take care of her basic needs, and watch her develop, the bond will develop.’

It’s important that a mom is not too hard on herself if she doesn’t immediately feel the bond when her baby is born. Give yourself time to get to know your baby and yourself in your new role. What worked for your mom, your family, or friends is not necessarily right for you. Trust your motherly instincts, because they are your staunchest ally.

Sister Lilian’s five top tips for bonding with your baby: 1. Skin to skin contact: Babies feel secure when they have skin to skin contact with their moms. They respond to the warmth of your touch, and you too will feel the bond developing.

2. Pay attention to your baby: When you pay attention to your child, you’ll automatically learn how she communicates. You can tell through her cries and body language what’s bothering her and will soon be an expert at what her squirms or cries mean.

3. Create a flexible routine for you and baby: Find a routine that suits you and your baby because that will always work best. Moms and babies are individuals and rigid routines don’t take that into account.

4. Seize the moment: Don’t think you need to wait for the perfect time to bond – every little thing you do with your baby presents a golden bonding opportunity.

5. Play: Play, sing and talk to your baby. Babies are more perceptive than we realise and grow in the womb hearing their moms’ voices. That familiar voice after birth provides them with a sense of protection and familiarity.

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Pampers is committed to the happy and healthy development journey of babies and conducts regular research to understand mothers and babies’ needs. Scientific research shows that better baby sleep is associated with positive daytime behaviour, mood and temperament. Pampers nappies have delightful cartoon characters called Pampers pals to encourage moms to engage happily, creatively and lovingly with their babies during nappy changing.

The unisex pants have an absorbing material that’s spread across the pants to draw moisture away from the skin, leaving your baby feeling dry and comfortable so that you have more time to bond with your little one.

For more information about Pampers unisex pants, visit www.pampers.co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

Crossing borders: A story of hope

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ary, her mother and two sisters hoped that by coming to South Africa they could leave their ordeal behind them and start a new life. With no job or money, and little protection from South African officials, they found themselves in a refugee shelter.

For six years, Mary and her family struggled to survive, moving from one shelter to the next and often sleeping on the streets in the bitter cold. After a bad spell of ill health, Mary’s mother was diagnosed with HIV and passed away a few months later. Mary and her two sisters were then taken in by social workers who found them a loving home at the Siyaphambili AIDS Orphan Village.

The Siyaphambili AIDS Orphan Village, in Langa in Cape Town, provides a temporary home for children affected by the AIDS epidemic. It also has two outreach programmes – one for teen mothers and a second for grandmothers raising their grandchildren – and it also assists child-headed households, provides counselling and has an after-school programme and on-site crèche.

Siyaphambili takes guardianship of orphans who are of school-going age and undertakes to ensure that they have a safe environment where they can flourish and become upstanding citizens who contribute constructively to society.

Today, Mary is a confident 16-year-old who has a bright future ahead of her. ‘I owe my life to

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Photo Credit: FoodBank SA

Imagine running away from your place of birth to a strange country and not knowing if you’d ever see your home again. This is what happened to 16-year-old Mary* and her family when, because of ongoing political conflict, they fled to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mama Ndileka, the founder of Siyaphambili AIDS Orphans Village, who saw the need for HIV and AIDS orphans to be cared for and loved. Before we were discovered, we lived in a shelter with no food, no privacy and no warm clothes,’ Mary remembers.

‘Additionally, the monthly food support we receive from FoodBank South Africa guarantees us a meal every day, which helps us to save money.’

After school, Mary wants to attend university to study Business Administration. She also hopes to better her life and pay it forward by supporting other orphans who come to South Africa in pursuit of a better life.

Apart from the nutritious food it donates to Siyaphambili AIDS Orphan Village, FoodBank SA also assists with detergents, sanitary towels, toiletries, and infant care products. These help the orphanage to save money and focus on developing their facilities and the welfare of their beneficiaries. *Name changed to protect the individual’s identity.

FoodBank SA relies on the generosity of corporates and individuals to help feed hungry people. There are a couple of ways to help – either feed one hungry person for a year by donating R480, or make a monthly donation of R40. For more information, visit www.foodbanksa.org. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

2016/03/28 11:11 PM

Photo credit: Be Safe Paramedical

HEALTH

Being a paramedic is one of the most incredible career callings one could ever have.

Reflections

of a paramedic…

By Gavin Sutton, veteran paramedic and COO for Be Safe Paramedical South Africa

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hen people ask me what I do for a living and I say ‘I am a paramedic’, I usually get the same response every time, ‘wow that’s awesome, you must have seen some things eh?’ Yup, I certainly have.

Some amazing things, some terrifying things, and some things that make you question everything you have ever seen or experienced in life. In truth, being a paramedic is not all about the adrenaline rush, sirens and lights. It is a direct peek into the world that we only read about in newspapers, a world where a split-second bad decision changes lives forever, where ‘meanies’ rule, and the product of their actions leave you asking ‘how can things like this happen?’

Let me also say that being a paramedic is one of the most incredible career callings one could ever have. It gives you a special place alongside some of the most amazing demonstrations of human courage, commitment and the will to live. Being a part of these events shapes you in a very special way. It humbles the most arrogant of souls, teaches www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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you empathy, toughens you up, softens you (if that makes any sense) and brings you to the ultimate conclusion that life is very special and should be treasured – every second of every day.

Of all the thousands of calls I have responded to over the years, calls involving children are always the most challenging to manage. No amount of training and experience can prepare you for the emotions you experience on the scene. I’m not embarrassed to say that I have, on many occasions, climbed into the back of the ambulance after a call, closed the door and cried my eyes out. Call me a softy, call me weak, if this means that my work has not made me forget empathy and humility, then I am more than happy to accept any name thrown my way. I know that outside appearances are very different from what is happening inside. If you feel nothing, you are in the wrong profession. This is a message I used to deliver to my students on the very first day of every Paramedic Programme.

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HEALTH The Law of Silly…

As a paramedic, you often experience the outcome of bad decisions and poor choices. Many of these decisions are made on the basis of ‘it won’t happen to me or to my kid’. Take car seats and safety belts as an example. How many times have you stopped at a traffic light and seen the parents safely buckled in while their four-year-old kid is standing up on the back seat? I usually respond to this by winding down my window and very respectfully asking them to strap their little one in. The reply from many parents most often contains some rather choice words, which are far better suited to a Stephan King novel than BABY’S AND BEYOND. I think you get the idea of it though!

Even so, it is something I feel very strongly about and a few nasty words thrown my way are certainly not going to deter me.

I call this ‘The Law of Silly’. When parents make a decision to buckle up, they do so because the law stipulates they must. If they don’t and they are stopped by a traffic officer, this will more than likely result in the issuing of a fine, right? What about the kid? There were loopholes in our Road Traffic Laws that only recognised a child as a person from between three and 14 years of age. However, there was no provision for an infant (birth to three years) in the seatbelt legislation. Thankfully, this legislation has been amended. All passengers, irrespective of age, must now by law, be buckled up. The question to ask is, ‘does the threat of a fine supersede child safety?’ It shouldn’t. However, ‘I didn’t think it could happen to me or to my kid’, or, ‘I only popped down the road,’ are common responses I have heard on scenes. I am here to tell you that it can and it does

happen to everyday people. I know this because I have witnessed it far too many times.

The facts speak…

When an accident occurs, children who are not buckled in or are being held on the lap of a passenger are usually thrown forward and effectively become a missile. They collide with structures within the car, including other passengers. At 40km/h the blow to your unrestrained child’s head making contact with any part of the car is the same as dropping her from six meters onto concrete. Would any reasonable parent drop their child head first onto concrete? No, I don’t believe they would. So why risk driving even a few metres with an unrestrained child in your car? Finally, if an accident occurs and a child is ejected from the car, there is a 75% chance that the child will die. Still worth taking a chance?

Studies show that children in rear-facing seats have an 8% risk of sever injury, whereas children in front-facing seats have a 40% risk of serious injury.

Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time.

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HEALTH

Of all the thousands of calls I have responded to over the years, calls involving children are always the most challenging to manage.

back is flat against the seatback. If your child’s legs stick out, rather than folding over the seat, a booster is needed.

Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time.

Because we have no control over what other road users do, we need to make sure that we stack the odds in our favour by protecting our children and ourselves in the best way possible.

I have seen so many unavoidable accidents with avoidable outcomes. It only takes a few seconds to make the decision to buckle your kid in to a properly positioned car seat. It takes a millisecond for things to go wrong and a lifetime to try and deal with the consequences thereof. All I can say is that it simply is not worth the heartache. If you haven’t already, please make sure that the car seat you have is suitable for you little one. Their lives depend on it.

Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible.

About car seats

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Gavin is a paramedic and previous head of training for the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services. He is currently the chief operating officer at Be Safe Paramedical South Africa. www.be-safe.co.za

Photo credit: Gavin Sutton

Many parents are unfamiliar with the best option for restraining their children in a car. Having been a young parent myself, I was always under the impression that as long as the child was strapped in, we were good to go. My ideas changed quite dramatically after my first few months in the Emergency Medical Services. The things I experienced, felt and saw, changed my perceptions forever.

What are the recommendations for safely restraining your child in your car?

Birth to 12 months: Always use a rear-facing seat.

Experts suggest that investing in a 3-in-1 convertible seat, many of which have higher weight limits than other rear-facing seats so your child can stay in it longer.

1 to 3 years: Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. Studies show that children in rear-facing seats have an 8% risk of sever injury, whereas children in front-facing seats have a 40% risk of serious injury. Keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they reach the seat’s weight limit.

4 to 7 years: Your child is ready for a forward-facing seat with a harness. Make sure that the harness buckles fully across his chest at all times. All front-facing seats must be placed in the backseat of the car.

8 to 12 years: When your child passes the weight restrictions of his car seat, move to a booster seat.

Not sure if you need one? Your child’s knees should be able to bend over the car’s seat cushion while his

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HEALTH

Self-defence for kids A balanced diet is vital to a child’s optimal growth, health and development and, in ideal circumstances, this would be sufficient. However, there are times when additional nutritional supplementation is required.

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balanced diet can be achieved by eating a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure that a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are provided. By far, the most vitamin-rich foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, which are sometimes the most difficult foods to get your toddler or young child to eat.

Why use supplements for your infant and child?

With the incidence of working moms on the rise and more babies and children spending their days in crèche, it is important for parents to consider a vitamin and mineral supplement to boost their child’s immune system. There are always bugs, such as colds and flu, doing the rounds at day care, and giving your little one a daily multivitamin can assist with keeping the bugs away.

Additional nutritional supplementation can be required for other issues: • Poor eating habits – children who eat erratically or are picky about certain food groups (eg fruit and vegetables).

• Poor appetites, especially during illness • A low level of immunity and children who are undernourished • For a restricted food group diet • Weight issues and children following weight management programmes A supplement should never substitute food but rather complement a child’s diet. A balanced meal supplies other nutrients and nutrient combinations besides vitamins and minerals that can never be replaced by a multivitamin supplement.

Getting your infant and child to take vitamins Sometimes it can be tough to convince your child to take vitamins as they tend to think it is a medicine. For infants, use a liquid multivitamin and add it to their milk, formula or cereal.

For toddlers and children, consider using a syrup or an emulsion that is fun and tasty. And if you still need to disguise it, add an emulsion to a fruit juice or a nice fruity smoothie. Alternatively, you can buy vitamins in fun and tasty formats, such as lollypops, which you can use as a reward after your child has eaten his meal.

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Vi-Daylin has a range of multivitamin and mineral supplements to suit the needs of each developmental age group from infants of one month old to older children up to five years. They assist in maintaining a strong immune system and optimal growth, helping your child to get a good start and to achieve their best. Available in drops, syrup, orange flavoured emulsion and fruity, fun, tasty lollypops.

For more information, contact the customer care line on 0860 004 755. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

Five-point plan to improve your child’s mood

and

concentration According to PATRICK HOLFORD, internationally-acclaimed psychologist and nutritional expert, attention deficit has become one of the most common problems affecting children today.

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utrition plays a huge part in how we feel and behave, and this is especially true for children.

‘The correct, and preferably optimum, nutrition can help to alleviate learning and behavioural difficulties and put your child on the path to a healthy, happy life,’ says internationally-acclaimed psychologist and nutritional expert, Patrick Holford.

‘Being able to stay focused on a task, both in the developmental stages and at school, is a key part of maximising a child’s abilities,’ Holford adds. He

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advises a five-point plan that will help balance your child’s mood and improve his concentration – simply through what he eats.

Blood sugar balance – the key to concentration Sugar creates imbalances in energy that can contribute to erratic behaviour and mood changes.

Sweets, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, most breakfast www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH cereals, soft drinks, puddings and many other foods contain sugar in one of its many forms.

‘When checking labels, look out for sucrose, glucose, maltose, dextrose, inverted sugar syrup, golden syrup, corn syrup and treacle. Also check for additives – artificial colourings, sweeteners, preservatives and flavourings – as they can all contribute to adverse behaviour, particularly the orange colouring (tartrazine) found in some orange squashes and sweets. Avoid giving your child processed foods and opt instead for natural and sugar-free alternatives,’ says Holford.

Establish healthy eating Many parents make the vital mistake of weaning their children onto sweet fruit and ‘baby cereals’, which are packed with sugar and will lead to a diet defined by what stimulates their sweet taste buds. Holford recommends teaching your child to love a variety of foods, especially vegetables, from a young age. By doing this, you will be setting them up for a healthy appetite later on.

‘Use your imagination to make fresh food more exciting – tempt children with bite-sized snacks of cherry tomatoes or grapes, baked apples or bananas with sultanas and creamy Greek yoghurt.

Cut vegetables into fun shapes to eat with dips or purée and disguise them in sauces and soups,’ suggests Holford.

‘White bread, rice and pasta have their nutrients stripped out of them, so rather serve wholemeal varieties, which are also more filling and contain fibre to encourage healthy digestion.’

Food for the brain Some fats, such as saturated varieties found in processed meats and fried foods, are bad for your child’s health, while others are essential and a deficiency could negatively impact his behaviour.

The brain and nervous system needs a good supply of fat to function and develop effectively. To ensure your child gets enough of the right essential fats, Holford recommends the following three choices: a) Serve oily fish three times a week – such as salmon, mackerel, sardines or fresh tuna (tinned tuna has had the natural oil taken out of it). b) Add seeds and nuts to your child’s diet. The best formula is to mix one-part pumpkin, sunflower and

The correct, and preferably optimum, nutrition can help to alleviate learning and behavioural difficulties and put your child on the path to a healthy, happy life.

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It’s difficult to get all the nutrients we need from our diet, so to be sure your child is not deficient by supplementing his diet with a good-quality daily multivitamin and mineral designed for children. sesame seeds with one part linseeds. Store in a glass jar in the fridge and grind them in a coffee grinder before serving. A heaped tablespoon of freshly-ground seeds on his cereal or sprinkled on soups or in salads every day works wonders for little brains. c) Supplement essential fats. This could either be a fish oil (which contains Omega 3 fats) or a seed oil (which contains a blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats). These are available as liquids or capsules from most health food shops.

Supplement the diet It’s difficult to get all the nutrients we need from our diet, so to be sure your child is not deficient by supplementing his diet with a good-quality daily multivitamin and mineral designed for children. Most small children cannot swallow tablets, so choose chewable, flavoured options to make it easier for them.

Patrick Holford’s Smart Kids Chewable Omegas® provide a blend of Omega 3 essential fatty acids from fish oil with added Vitamin D and E for children.

It is available from Dis-Chem, selected pharmacies and health stores at a RSP of R188.42.

Eliminate allergens from the diet The most common food allergens are wheat, gluten (the protein found in wheat, barley, rye and to a lesser extent oats), dairy foods, eggs, citrus fruits, tea, coffee, chocolate and soya.

‘If you suspect your child is intolerant to a particular food (for example if they react badly after eating certain foods, or they seem to crave a particular food), eliminate it from his diet and monitor the reaction. If after two weeks you see no difference in behaviour or symptoms, reintroduce it and see if there is a reaction. If not, then try a different suspected food group until you find what’s bothering him,’ Holford suggests.

You can also test for more than 113 foods simultaneously with an allergy test, which can be done in most pathology laboratories. It is a quick and effective way of establishing what is affecting your child and will help you to change and plan their diet accordingly.

For further information, visit www.holforddirect.co.za.

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HEALTH

Nutrition and

By Carey Haupt

fertility

For men and women, getting our bodies into the best nutritional shape to fall pregnant is important. Also, for women, nutrition is key to supporting a healthy pregnancy.

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he decision to start a family or to have another child is one that may take some time to consider.

However, once you and your partner have decided that you’d like to fall pregnant, you can work at getting your bodies into the best nutritional shape for falling pregnant and supporting your pregnancy.

Below are four areas that you can focus on to improve your fertility:

Find your healthy body weight Studies have shown that a healthy body weight helps a woman to fall pregnant, and most woman will fall pregnant within 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. For women with BMIs of 25 to 39, it may take twice as long to fall pregnant, and a woman with a BMI below 19 can take up to four times as long to fall pregnant.

Stop smoking Smoking impairs both male and the female fertility, and creates a negative relationship between the eggs and the uterus. If a woman continues to www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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smoke during pregnancy it can increase her risk of miscarriage. In men, smoking can decrease sperm production and damage the DNA inside the sperm.

Avoid pesticides Avoid contact with pesticides and other harmful exposures that are found in our environment. Be aware of solvents and cleaning chemicals used in your home and at your work. Wash your fruit and vegetables before eating them to reduce the amount of pesticides that are on them.

Diet Diet may play a role in helping you to conceive.

Both the male and female should have diets that support them to maintain a healthy body weight.

For overweight women that are not able to reach their goal weight, as little as a 5% weight loss can improve ones’ fertility. It is also important for the male to maintain a healthy weight as obesity can have hormonal changes that affects his testosterone and decrease sperm count and its mobility.

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HEALTH Food type

Female

Fibre

Opt for high fibre carbohydrates such as oats, whole grain bread, couscous and brown rice

Vegetables and fruit

Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables. Try for 5 a day. A vegetable serving is 1 cup raw or 1 cup cooked vegetables. Fruit is 80g or ½ cup fresh fruit juice or ¼ cup dried fruit

Protein

Eat more vegetable protein (green Cut down on red meat while peas, beans, Quinta, tofu and increasing the amount of leaner chick peas) than animal protein proteins like chicken, fish and turkey. Also include non-animal proteins.

Dairy

Eat more full-cream dairy such as full-cream milk, high-fat cheese and full-cream yoghurt.

Eat three servings of low-fat dairy a day.

Iron

Eat more iron from vegetable sources such as dark green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.

Use an iron supplement that has at least 27mg iron.

N/A

Fat

Replace saturated fats (butter, bacon, coconut and fat on meat) with unsaturated fats such as an 1/8 avocado, 1tsp mayonnaise, 6 almonds, 2 pecan nuts, or 20 small peanuts. Avoid trans fatty acids found in foods that are deep fried, such as donuts, chips, fried chicken and pie crusts.

Caffeine

N/A Moderate intake of 200 to 250mg caffeine a day. 2 to 3 x 180ml cups of instant coffee, 5 x 180ml cups tea or 2 x 180ml cups filter coffee.

More than 500mg a day has been linked to a lower fertility rate.

Alcohol

General healthy guideline of 1 or less per day. A study found that 2 servings of alcohol a day can reduce a women’s fertility by 60%.

Stop all alcohol as soon as you fall pregnant.

N/A

Supplementation

Start taking a folate supplement (800mg) at least 3 months before trying to fall pregnant. Consider a perinatal supplement.

N/A

If you take longer than 12 months to fall pregnant, make an appointment with your gynaecologist so that you can explore why you have not fallen pregnant and to receive assistance. The dietary guidelines above are a basic guide. You may find it more beneficial to see a dietician who will be able to tailor make a diet plan that will help you with your healthy weight while ensuring that you have the correct mix of macro and micro nutrients to support you falling pregnant.

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Family Kitchen is a company of dieticians who each have a special interest in different aspects of family health and nutrition. We provide oneon-one services for individuals and wellness and training services for corporate clients. We also run workshops on nutrition related topics such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding, fussy eating or disease of lifestyle. For more information, email info@familykitchen. co.za or visit, www. familykitchen.co.za.

Photo credit: Carey Haupt

Suggested further reading: www.ifaasa.co.za/, www.eatright.org/resource/ health/pregnancy/fertility-and-reproduction/fertilityfoods, www.webmd.com/baby/guide/8-ways-toboost-your-fertility?

Male

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www.dradelrossouw.co.za | Cell: 083 719 9021 (emergency only) | Phone: (012) 752 9000 (reception) Email: info@adelrossouw.co.za | 577 Rubenstein Road, Moreleta Park, Pretoria Phone (012) 252 7431 | 28 de Wits Avenue, Brits

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HEALTH

The benefits of

paediatric physiotherapy

It is sadly the case that infants and children can be unwell. When this happens, a physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatrics can sometimes assist to restore the child’s full function and quality of life. Physiotherapist, DIANA COETZER, discusses some ailments that affect children and what physiotherapy can do to help.

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hysiotherapists use various techniques, depending on the ailment, and ensure that they treat children with love and care.

Chest conditions The most common cause for a child needing a physiotherapist is when he has a productive cough and needs help getting any mucous out of the chest.

This can be done in many ways, depending on the child’s condition. Using a nebuliser and manual

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techniques, including percussions, vibrations and postural drainage, are popular ways of helping to clear the chest. Other ways include certain blowing and breathing games that your physiotherapist will teach you to aid in getting rid of any mucous.

Developmental delay Developmental delay is defined as when a child does not, for a number of reasons, reach the required milestones in the average time frame necessary. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH A milestone is a significant stage of development in a child’s life. These include head control, rolling, sitting, crawling and walking, to name a few.

Physiotherapists with a special interest in paediatrics are trained to identify if there is a delay, and then also to assist the child in obtaining the specific milestone. These children are seen for physiotherapy to assess why they are not reaching these milestones and to assist the child in obtaining them. Various play techniques are used to allow these children to obtain the required milestones that they are lacking.

Premature infants Premature infants are defined as babies that are born before 37 weeks of gestation. These children are seen as ‘at risk’ and should be screened by a physiotherapist until the age of two years. This allows for any issue that has arisen because of the prematurity to be addressed prior to it becoming a problem requiring intensive therapy. Premature infants should also see a physiotherapist trained in NICU physiotherapy treatment techniques while the child is still in the NICU. Research is showing that this form of treatment is very effective for decreasing the risk of developmental delay that is often present in premature infants.

Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a condition that can occur anytime during pregnancy and up until a child is seven years old. This is when the motor brain of a child stops developing. Described as an injury to the developing motor brain, CP has various ways of presenting itself that can range from a child being very stiff to very floppy, and even a mixture of the two.

This disability requires the help of a physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatrics to assist the child to obtain various milestones and teach the family to cope with aspects that arise from living with CP. Physiotherapists help these children to have as good a quality of life as possible. Special games, exercises and stretches are used to help these children.

Torticollis

Photo Credit: Diana Coetzer

In a percentage of infants, a condition known as torticollis occurs. This is where the infants’ chin is

Techniques There are several different techniques that can be used to assist children with developmental conditions.

There are various play techniques – games that are carried out in very specific ways and by changing postures to help children to get better.

There are also exercises that can be done in water that have especially good results in children with CP who cannot move in normal patterns. By doing the exercises in the water, these children can move in ways they are not usually able to.

Another technique that can be done by trained physiotherapists is hippotherapy – a treatment strategy that uses equine movement. This means that the physiotherapy is done with a horse, allowing the physiotherapist to work on aspects such as balance, posture and muscle strength while the child is on a horse. These children can then exercise muscles in a way that is not possible in a medical practice office.

Physiotherapists in South Africa are known as first line practitioners. This means that patients do not need to be referred by another doctor before seeing a physiotherapist. They are able to diagnose various conditions and treat them for that condition.

If you are looking for a physiotherapist with a special interest in paediatrics, visit www.saphysio.co.za/finda-physio/.

Diana Coetzer graduated from The University of the Witwatersrand in 2006 and did her community service at Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. She then went on to do her Masters degree in Physiotherapy with her research area being premature infants. She is currently completing her PhD with her research focusing on development of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She has her own private practice in Krugersdorp where she sees out patients as well as in the NICU at Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital. She also offers hippotherapy as a treatment technique at SARDA Gauteng. For more information, visit www.babyphysio.co.za or call 084 585 4044.

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pointing to one shoulder while the head is tilting towards the opposite shoulder. This is because a muscle in the baby’s neck is shortened. Research has not proven conclusively what the cause of this condition is, but it can be attributed to the birth process, or the position of the baby in the uterus during the end stages of pregnancy. Treatment is needed to ensure your child is able to turn his head through the full range of motion, as well as to ensure that the skull and face forms correctly. Parents often notice this as a problem when they look at photographs of their child and see their child is always looking to one side, or they notice the infant’s head is flatter on one side. Your physiotherapist will teach you exercises and stretches to do with your child to help overcome this condition. They will also teach you ways to hold your baby so that you can prevent the neck from becoming sore again.

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HEALTH

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HEALTH

Lifting childhood

Tuberculosis

out of the shadows Every day up to 200 children die from Tuberculosis (TB) – a preventable and curable disease. Each year, over half a million children fall ill with TB and struggle with treatment that is not child friendly. In 2010, more than ten million children were orphaned around the world as a result of their parents’ death from TB.

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ccording to TBFacts.org, TB in children is often missed or overlooked because of non-specific symptoms and difficulties in diagnosis, making it difficult to assess the actual magnitude of the childhood TB epidemic, which may be higher than currently estimated. There is an urgent need for public attention, prioritisation, commitment and funding for this disease that, in this day and age, should never take the life of a child.

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How many children get TB? In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that one million children suffer from TB worldwide (<15 years), and that more than 136 000 die each year. This estimate pertains to HIV negative children, as children who have TB and who are also HIV positive when they die are internationally classified as having died from HIV.

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HEALTH Many people believe that these numbers underestimate the true extent of the problem. 70 to 80% of children with TB have the disease in their lungs (pulmonary TB). The rest are affected by TB disease in other parts of their bodies (extra pulmonary TB). Drug resistant TB is also a problem in children. It is estimated that more than 30 000 children become sick every year with strains of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB).

Why aren’t there better estimates?

There are various reasons why the number of children that get TB may be underestimated. These include: • Difficulties with access to TB diagnosis and care • Clinical similarities with other common childhood diseases • Children treated for TB outside of national TB programmes (NTPs) • A lack of routine recording and reporting of childhood TB cases by age and outcome by some NTPs. Equally as diagnostic uncertainty is very common in children treated for TB, this can result in over diagnosis particularly for pulmonary TB.

How does a child get TB? A child gets TB in the same way that an adult does, by inhaling TB bacteria in the air released by someone with active TB. The source of infection for children is usually an adult in their household who has active TB and is coughing and infectious. However, there have also been instances of children being infected in a communal setting such as a school.

Once the TB bacteria are inhaled they may reach the lungs where they can multiply and then spread through the lymph vessels to nearby lymph nodes.

The child’s immune response then develops a few weeks after this primary infection. In most children their immune response stops the TB bacteria from multiplying, although there may continue to be a few dormant bacteria.

However, in some cases the child’s immune response is not strong enough to stop the multiplication of the bacteria and the TB disease then develops. The risk of progression to TB disease is greatest when the child is younger than four years old and, to a lesser extent, when they are younger than ten years old. There is also a greater risk of progression in children who have a compromised immune system, for example because they are HIV positive.

Children who develop TB disease usually do so within two years of first being infected. A small number of older children develop TB later, either because of reactivation following a period when the TB bacteria have been dormant, or as a result of reinfection.

How is TB diagnosed in children?

Diagnosing TB in children is difficult as children are less likely to have obvious symptoms of TB, and samples such as sputum are more difficult to collect from young children. Even when sputum can be collected, it may have very few TB bacteria in it (paucibacillary smear-negative disease).

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Every day up to 200 children die from Tuberculosis.

What are the symptoms of TB in children?

As with adults, the symptoms of TB depend on the type of TB the child has and the child’s age. The most common type of TB disease in children is pulmonary TB, but extra pulmonary TB occurs in approximately 20 to 30% of all cases in children. Disseminated TB, such as TB meningitis particularly, occurs in young children younger than three years old. Miliary TB is another name for disseminated TB. Adolescents are at particular risk of developing adult type disease (i.e. they are often sputum smear positive and highly infectious).

In children with pulmonary TB, the most common chronic symptoms are a chronic cough that has been present for more than 21 days, a fever, and weight loss or failure to thrive.

How do you treat TB in children?

In the same way as TB treatment is provided for adults, TB treatment for children involves a child taking a number of different drugs at the same time for several months. TBFacts.org provides more about TB treatment for children.

How do you prevent TB in children?

The main way that TB is prevented in children is by the use of the BCG vaccine, and by diagnosing and treating cases of active TB among adults. Children with TB are usually not infectious, and will usually not pass on TB to other children or adults.

TB and HIV TB and HIV co-infection is when people have both HIV infection and also either latent or active TB disease. When someone has both HIV and TB, each disease speeds up the progress of the other. In addition to HIV infection speeding up the progression from latent to active TB, TB bacteria also accelerate the progress of HIV infection.

HIV infection and infection with TB bacteria are though completely different infections. If you are affected with HIV, you will not get infected with TB bacteria unless you are in contact with someone who is also infected with TB bacteria. Similarly, if you have TB you will not get infected with HIV unless you carry out an activity with someone who already has HIV infection, which results in you getting the HIV virus from them.

Ed: BABY’S AND BEYOND thanks Annabel Kanabus for this information published on her website. For more information, please visit www.tbfacts.org.

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HEALTH

Identifying signs of

ADHD Are you clued up on the signs and symtoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

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here has been a long-standing misperception that ADHD exists only in the classroom. Although this is one environment in which focus can be a struggle and the signs of ADHD are more easily noticed, the disorder doesn’t keep school hours and requires a holistic treatment plan for long-term management.

Without the correct diagnosis and treatment, ADHD can severely affect a child’s ability to focus and can lead to academic struggles and underperformance throughout a child’s school career. The knockon effects of this underperformance can have a negative impact on the emotional and social wellbeing of your child, far beyond school hours, with lowered self-esteem and confidence issues.

Key indicators Psychiatrist and convenor of the ADHD South African Special Interest Group, Dr Rykie Liebenberg, says teachers should be aware of the very different ways in which ADHD presents in the classroom. ‘Most people don’t know that boys and girls present in different ways and there is often misdiagnosis as a result,’ explains Dr Liebenberg. ‘Boys’ symptoms are distinctly “outward”, while girls struggling with the disorder have more “inward” symptoms.’

Dr Liebenberg describes how, in a classroom situation, boys with ADHD may draw attention to themselves with rambunctious, uncontrolled behaviour, such as physical aggression, throwing things, jumping and running around. They can also show emotional dysregulation with outbursts.

In contrast, girls may be withdrawn, prone to daydreaming and are even chronically fatigued.

‘The disruptive behaviour of boys makes it much easier for a teacher or parent to notice and, hopefully, correctly diagnose,’ says Dr Liebenberg.

‘In contrast, undiagnosed girls are often quite well behaved – they just struggle to focus and remember what they’re told.’

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One trait that can occur in both girls and boys with ADHD is hyperfocus. ‘A child struggling with undiagnosed ADHD will typically become fixated on one subject or item, to the exclusion of all their other school work,’ Dr Liebenberg adds.

Holistic analysis Although the classroom is a key environment in which to identify the signs of ADHD, symptoms must present both at home and at school for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD. If a teacher suspects one of her pupils might be showing signs of undiagnosed ADHD, she should consult with the child’s parents immediately.

‘The first step is to rule out other factors (divorce, abuse, an ill sibling) that could be having an effect on the child’s behaviour at school,’ Dr Liebenberg insists. However, if conditions at home are comparatively normal, and the child is showing similar signs of ADHD at home – inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity – it’s best for the parents to visit a medical professional to seek a formal diagnosis.

‘Left untreated, ADHD can be crippling for a child trying to navigate the school environment. However, with correct management, children with ADHD can avoid unnecessary frustration, find focus in the classroom and reach their full potential.’

For more information on signs, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, visit www.facebook.com/ myadhdSA/?fref=ts. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

Physiotherapy for pregnancy aches and adjustments

FIONA MORGAN, a woman’s health physiotherapist at Physiodynamix, provides some advice on what you can do to alleviate pregnancy aches and pains yourself, and how physiotherapy can help.

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here are many discomforts that are seen as being ‘common pregnancy issues’, which range from lower back pain, breathing difficulties and rib pain to pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and calf cramps.

However, there is a general rule when it comes to pregnancy discomfort – previous aches may not bother you as much as they did; and if you didn’t have aches before, pregnancy can pull you out of balance so that you experience new ones. You may also find that what was bothering you last week might not be bothering you today. Most of these issues can be alleviated in some way, sometimes through your own efforts and sometimes by seeing a physiotherapist who works with mothers before and after giving birth.

Some common pregnancy issues include: Neck and back pain This usually happens because your posture changes with your growing bump and, depending on what you do during the day (prolonged sitting at a desk,

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prolonged standing or lots of physical activity), this can lead to a strain in the ligaments, stiffness in the spine, or joint and muscle irritation. A physiotherapist aims to balance the body with good movement, releasing tight areas, adding stretches, and teaching you how to keep yourself from feeling sore. You can also make sure not to stay in a position for more than 45 mins at a time, use heat (a hot pack or hot water bottle) as a way to release tightness in ligaments and muscles, or have a gentle massage. Try to avoid high heels.

Rib pain This can occur when there’s a pull on the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breast bone or when your baby is positioned in a way that restricts the natural rib movement that occurs when you breathe. Your baby may also be kicking your ribs! A physiotherapist will work to facilitate movement in the ribs to provide relief for the irritated muscles. You can help yourself by practising breathing as deeply as is comfortable and using heat over the area. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) This happens when there is a fluid build-up in the wrist that then compresses nerves and causes the fingers to have a pins-and-needles-like feeling, numbness and a puffy feeling. The extra fluid in the body is there to support your baby. A physiotherapist may use ultrasound, exercises, kinesiotape, and lymph massage to ease this fluid build-up. You can also keep your hands elevated above your head, especially at night in bed, and pump your fingers to aid gravity in decreasing the pressure build up in the wrist and fingers.

Lower abdominal discomfort This can be the result of the broad or round ligament, which supports your uterus, stretching as your baby grows. A physiotherapist will work to support the abdominal area using tape or a brace and ease the discomfort with hands-on treatment. This discomfort does ease as your ligaments stretch. When in doubt, see your GP or gynaecologist.

Buttock pain This pain is usually one sided. It most often occurs as muscles and ligaments get tight and restricted in their movement. This is as a result of the muscles working harder than usual to support the pelvis and the growing weight of baby against the pull of gravity. A physiotherapist will work to balance out the muscles and ligaments as the body changes. It doesn’t help to strengthen the muscles as this can potentially restrict the pelvis from loosening up in preparation for birth. You can use heat compresses, massage and even a spiky massage or tennis ball to ease the muscle tissue. Collectively, discomfort around the side and back of the pelvis and what feels like it’s coming from the hip, groin and buttock areas is described as pelvic girdle pain (PGP).

Photo Credit: Fiona Morgan

Pubic symphysis discomfort This is felt below your belly button (where the two parts of your pelvis meet and form a joint). A little extra movement can occur here as a result of the hormone relaxin allowing the pelvis to expand to support your baby. A physiotherapist will work to create some support around the pelvis and teach you how to move while, for example, turning over in bed or getting in and out of a car without

Numbness/altered sensation down the leg Some women may feel a variety of uncomfortable sensations in their leg(s) during pregnancy. Mostly this is from increased pressure on the nerves in the lower back and/or the legs, either from an increase in body fluids (our blood volume increases by 40% during pregnancy), or from tight muscles. A physiotherapist will work to relieve that pressure through hands-on techniques and gentle movement.

Swelling in the feet During pregnancy, our bodies produce more fluids to support the baby’s growth. This fluid increase can make some women feel puffy or have swollen feet.

The swelling is mainly caused by gravity pulling the extra fluid down into the lower leg and foot area, and then the body struggles to pump the fluid back up into the body’s normal circulatory system. Hot weather can also exacerbate this. Comfortable (usually looser) shoes are needed and the elevation of the feet in line with the chest helps to relieve the pressure. A physiotherapist may use lymph drainage massage, exercises, and sometimes compression socks/stockings to treat this. You can help by keeping your feet moving while elevated, up and down and in circles.

Calf cramps This is probably the bane for most pregnant women as it comes mainly during the night, interrupting much-needed sleep. The lower legs support the increasing weight of the upper body during pregnancy and the muscles can get tight and tired, going into cramp or spasm. Most of the time a good rub and a gentle stretch, perhaps applying some heat, will ease them, but sometimes physiotherapy can also be helpful.

It is comforting to know that even if you experience one or more of the issues mentioned here, most of them resolve themselves once you give birth. While it may take a few months to adjust back to your body’s pre-pregnancy form, if any discomfort lingers post pregnancy, seeing a physiotherapist can be beneficial.

Fiona has worked in the area of woman’s health and general physiotherapy both internationally and locally for the past six years. She is also a trained Pilates instructor. She currently works at Physiodynamix in Bryanston, Johannesburg, and can be contacted on 011 706 7433 or at www.physiodynamix.co.za.

To find a woman’s health physiotherapist close to you, visit www.saphysio.co.za, the official website of the South African Physiotherapy Society (SASP).

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experiencing discomfort. The use of a sacro-iliac joint (SIJ) belt or maternity belt is very beneficial as well, but must be fitted and worn correctly.

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EDUCATION

Why reading is so important

By Philip Brand, principal of Maragon Olympus: Preparatory

To read and write is the most basic definition of literacy, which makes reading one of two very important building blocks that parents and educators should be concentrating on to prepare our children for life.

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ome resources indicate that almost 90% of successful people say that they read on a daily basis. If this is an indication of one of the important determining factors of successful people, then one of the biggest favours that we can bless our children with is to create an environment for them that is inviting and conducive to developing a deep-seated love for reading.

Many parents really struggle with their children, and have to put pressure on them or even force them to read. It will take an even greater effort to get them to study effectively because now it becomes an effort. The challenge is to solve the mystery of why

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some children love reading and some will never read because they just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it.

Some of our intelligent childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents only discover that their children have a reading problem when they reach the Intermediate Phase at school. This is the phase when the learning process accelerates and sometimes parents and teachers only then realise that these intelligent minds have memorised reading lessons and never read them properly with comprehension. As the schoolwork increases in volume and intensity the problem emerges and the challenge is to find proper solutions.

We need to make sure that the correct basic www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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EDUCATION measures are in place to solve this problem much earlier in the child’s years of development.

In some educational circles it is stated that reading therapists go so far as to say that a learning difficulty is a reading problem. This statement may be debatable but it is generally accepted that an effective reader will find it much easier to study than someone who struggles to read. If we can make a contribution to helping solve the problem, our children will bear the fruit and they will become good readers and effective learners.

A meaningful contribution towards the goal of instilling a greater love for reading, as well as infusing more effective reading in young readers, would be limited to two crucial factors for the purpose of this article: Reading stories and the effective expansion of the child’s word knowledge and vocabulary.

Reading stories Meghan Cox Gurdon, in her WALL STREET JOURNAL article, The Great Gift of Reading Aloud, says that in the not so distant past, reading aloud was the way children fell in love with stories. Enticing storytellers would captivate their listeners as unfolding sentences offered gifts to their imaginations. The child who learned to love stories by hearing them would be a child who would willingly gravitate towards more sophisticated literature on his own.

It is also important that the relationship between the reader or storyteller and the listener can influence the effectiveness of the reading process. If our children love the person who is reading to them out loud, they will tend to listen more willingly and will also develop a love for reading. Storytelling can have the same effect.

In the Early Childhood Phase, it is found that those who were regularly read to have a greater ability to analyse, interpret and decode words compared to children who were read to less often. It also helps to open up discussions that may arise on topics that we maybe otherwise would never have come across.

The parent or teacher can influence the topics covered in the book and they can be used as a tool to educate children in preparation for life.

Reading to a child builds memories and creates great opportunities to share experiences, humour and emotions that could have lasting effects on the relationship. Additionally, the chances are good that we light the fire for a lasting love for reading, which is indicated in several studies.

The digital world and the challenges of reading for school assignments are not the best stimuli for pleasurable reading. Educators and parents should look for opportunities in their busy schedules to open up spaces for reading books to their children that make them laugh and cry, otherwise reading would end when school ends. Five or ten minutes of reading a day can create great memories, and a lifestyle of greater influence!

Expanding word knowledge and vocabulary It is very important to note that the language used in reading aloud is more structured and formal, which differs from language heard in daily conversations www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Some resources indicate that almost 90% of successful people say that they read on a daily basis. and exposure to other forms of daily language, such as television. Reading from books stimulates children’s imaginations and allows them to explore events beyond their own experiences.

It is also important to keep constant conversations going to build on the foundations of children’s vocabulary. Create opportunities for conversation away from modern technology and media such as: • Being an accessible parent or educator and creating a natural platform for conversation and dialogue.

• Trying to be available to answer all or most of their questions, especially when the question relates to the meaning of a word, concept or an object.

• Preparing family meals to eat at the dinner table as in years gone by.

• Taking the family on outings and picnics in nature and intentionally having discussions about topics that would interest children and that are age appropriate.

• Creating activities to expose children to healthy ways of dialogue and discussion, such as social, sports, cultural and arts activities.

• Reading to children from a book or telling them a story and then stopping in the middle of a passage and letting them predict what would happen next, or to tell the story further on their own. This will stimulate their creative minds and will capture their imaginations.

• Letting them read and stop at any stage, pointing to certain words in the passage so that they can explain the meaning of the words.

• Teaching them songs and rhymes and creating context for them to be able to understand fully what every word in the lyrics or text means.

The most important investment that any parent can make in their children’s lives is to prepare them for the future. An important part of this process is to lead them to unlock the world by reading and understanding this world through the written word.

The best way to achieve this is to spend one of the most expensive commodities on them ... your time!

All the activities mentioned in this article assume that you offer quality time and attention to give meaning to their world. As we only have limited opportunities to prioritise our time spent on important issues, we need to make wise decisions with our children’s interest in mind. It seems that we have an important role to play in developing confidence in our young readers of today.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

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EDUCATION

Talking to,

not at, your teen

By Anthea Jordaan, Intersen Phase, acting deputy principal at Crawford Preparatory Pretoria

It is no secret that relationships between parents and teenagers are typically complicated, but how do you foster a true connection through authentic communication?

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ou and your teen: two different worlds, two different perspectives – and a giant disconnect that can make communication a real mystery. That’s because distance, ‘nobody loves me syndrome’, and being explosive are often the only ways teenagers know how to communicate when things get intense.

This in turn only causes more conflict.

Does this sound familiar? As parents, you’re probably thinking, ‘how could I have raised such an inconsiderate child? He’s so disrespectful.’ Your teenager is thinking, ‘You just don’t understand!

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Leave me alone.’ As a parent you end up completely overwhelmed and wondering why your child doesn’t listen to you and why he has to fight you on everything.

It is no secret that relationships between parents and teenagers are typically complicated. When adolescence hits, teenagers turn away from their moms and dads towards their friends – that’s when things get really tricky. Parents grapple with the hurt of rejection while fiercely trying to protect their children from the pain they themselves have experienced as a teen.

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EDUCATION Communication between parents and teenagers comes to a screeching halt and parents yearn to know what is happening in their teenager’s lives. Is it possible to break that silence during the teen years?

Yes, by fostering a true connection through authentic communication. In this way parents and teenagers truly see and hear each other in a meaningful way.

There are five strategies for creating more opportunities for communication – talking to, and not at, your teen: 1. Start with a clean slate – Give yourself permission to wipe the slate clean and commit to making a conscious shift going forwards.

2. Drop the expectations – By letting go of how and when you and your teenager communicate, you’ll be more likely to find peace with what is, instead of dwelling on what should be. Then you’ll open the door for new, healthier communication patterns to emerge.

3. Respectful listening – Teenagers crave being heard and not lectured. They don’t want every experience turned into a ‘teachable moment’.

This means tuning in to what they say and, more importantly, to what they are feeling. When you do respond, start with empathy and not answers.

4. Stay calm – The ability to stay calm is important if you want teenagers to come back to you so that you don’t ask yourself, ‘how did I miss that?’

Resist the urge to jump in and instead thank your teenager for coming to share the information/

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Teenagers crave being heard and not lectured. They don’t want every experience turned into a ‘teachable moment’. experience with you. If ever you need to take action, do it in a non-threatening way.

5. Share your stories – there is no quicker way to break down the barriers and give your teenagers a chance to see you for who you really are than to let them know about the challenges that you went through as teens and how that experience had an impact on the person that they are today. Take time to be vulnerable and share, and the chances are that your teenager will see you in a different light.

Unfortunately, there is no navigational chart for making it through the rough waters of teen-hood. By following these compass points, both parents and teenagers may make the trip just a little more navigable.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

2016/03/28 11:15 PM

babys beyond

KICKS FOR KIDS

and

Easter eggs The legend of the Easter Bunny dates back many, many years. The Easter Bunny brings baskets filled with coloured and chocolate eggs and sweets, and sometimes toys, to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny either leaves the baskets of eggs, or hides them somewhere in the house or garden for children to find when they wake up in the morning.

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KICKS FOR KIDS

puzzle

Crossword

a Use the pictures to help you find the names of the items in this crossword.

Join the

dots

b Draw a line from dot number 1 to dot number 2, then from dot number 2 to dot number 3, and so on. Keep going until youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve joined all the dots, and then colour in the picture.

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2016/03/28 11:16 PM

KICKS FOR KIDS

Help the hungry monkey find his banana.

Find

the route

c

Spot the differences Can you find the 10 differences between these two pictures?

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d

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GRAB SOME GRUB

Prawn and Chicken Combo with Peri-Peri Prego Sauce Above: Keep prawns flat and open using toothpicks.

Above right: Add cooked prawns to chicken and reheat.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1kg tiger prawns in their shells with heads on Ina Paarman’s Fish Spice 1t (5ml) Ina Paarman’s Lemon & Black Pepper Seasoning 1T (15ml) cornflour 400g chicken mini fillets ¼ cup (60ml) olive or canola oil 1 x 200ml Ina Paarman’s Peri-Peri Coat & Cook Sauce or Peri-Peri Marinade 1 cup (250ml) coconut cream or fresh cream 4 cloves of garlic, finely sliced and then chopped ¼ cup (60ml) chopped parsley Grated rind of one lemon

Method

Defrost the prawns in lukewarm tap water. Slash open along the backs, remove the black vein that runs along the back. Spread each prawn open and spear with a toothpick. Pack prepared prawns out on a platter and season the meaty side lightly with Fish Spice.

Add oil to the wok or pan. Swipe the meaty side of the prawns through the oil and lay the prawns meaty side down on the sides of the wok or in the pan. Cook until nicely browned and then turn. Do not overcook.

Remove the prawns, keep on one side, no need to cover or keep warm.

Dip and turn chicken mini fillets in a mixture of Lemon and Black Pepper and cornflour.

Lightly brown the strips of chicken in exactly the same way as the prawns. Be careful not to overcook.

Add the Peri-Peri Sauce and coconut milk to the chicken in the wok, bring to the boil, add the prawns and just heat through.

Mix the garlic, parsley and lemon rind and sprinkle over the dish.

Serve immediately with a large bowl of savoury rice and a green salad.

Variation: For a milder take on the recipe Use Ina Paarman’s Lemon & Herb or Sun-Dried Tomato Coat & Cook Sauce instead of the Peri-Peri.

Use ¾ cup (180ml) fresh cream in place of coconut milk.

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Ina’s Tip: Quick Savoury Rice Sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 diced red bell pepper in 2T (30ml) olive oil. Add 2t (10ml) of Cajun Spice, 1 cup (250ml) of frozen peas and 3 cups (750ml) of rice cooked in Ina’s chicken stock. Warm through and serve.

Ina’s Tip: One cup of raw rice will yield three cups of cooked rice.

Add 1T of Ina Paarman’s Chicken Stock Powder when boiling the rice.

Video available online at www.paarman.co.za.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

2016/03/28 11:17 PM

GRAB SOME GRUB

Bread and Cheese Bake Serves 4

You will need:

27cm x 17cm ovenproof dish pastry brush chopping board small serrated knife large measuring jug wire whisk pair of scissors

Ingredients

175g (6 slices) brown or white bread 100g gouda or cheddar cheese, cut into 1cm x 1cm cubes 3 eggs 1 x 200ml Ina Paarman’s Ready to Serve Cheese Sauce 1½ cups (375ml) fresh full cream milk A handful of baby tomatoes, cut in half Ina Paarman’s Green Onion Seasoning

Method

Use the pastry brush to oil the ovenproof dish.

Cut the bread slices, with crust on, into 2cm squares and put the bread into the dish.

Scatter the cheese blocks over the bread.

In a large measuring jug, beat together the eggs, cheese sauce and the milk. Slowly pour milky mixture evenly over the bread, make sure that all the pieces are coated with the mixture. Leave the dish to stand for ten minutes so that the egg and milk mixture is absorbed into the bread and it goes slightly soggy.

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Cut the tomatoes in half and scatter over the dish.

Season everything with Green Onion Seasoning. Put the dish into the oven and bake for 35 minutes, until golden brown.

Recipes and pictures courtesy of www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Know where your child is and make phone calls at your convenience.

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2016/03/28 11:21 PM

NEWS

Creating allergy awareness

A

Photo Credit: AllergyKids

llergyKids has launched a national campaign to create awareness for allergy and diabetes suffers by introducing blue and white wristbands.

An allergic reaction happens when the body’s immune system mistakes something like a food or pollen as a harmful invader.

With severe food allergies, your child could go

into anaphylactic shock – a widespread and very serious allergic reaction. Immediate emergency treatment is required for this type of shock. For children 12 months or older, a skin or blood test can determine what the child is allergic to. If your child is younger than 12 months, and hasn’t gone into anaphylactic shock, then the best way to establish if your child has an allergy is to start a food diary.

Children don’t only have allergic reactions to food they try for the first time – it can take time for the immune system to build up enough of a response to cause noticeable symptoms.

‘As the first step to safety is awareness, we’ve developed these wristbands to help safe-guard allergy and diabetes suffers by making others aware of their conditions,’ explains Chantal Waisman, spokesperson for Allergykids.

The wristbands are adjustable to fit most size wrists, safe for children, and colour coded to match most school uniforms. They cost R79 each and are available at all Pick n Pay pharmacies nationally.

For more information, visit www.allergykids.co.za or www.facebook.com/Allergykids.co.za.

Mysmartkid launches Smartstart Pregnancy Pack

Photo Credit: Mysmartkid

M

ysmartkid, a local leader in the field of Early Childhood Development (ECD), is encouraging expectant parents to celebrate a lifetime of wonderment with the launch of its new Smartstart Pregnancy Pack.

An exciting addition to the existing Mysmartkid offering, the Smartstart Pregnancy Pack focuses on in-utero stimulation, which has been shown to develop and strengthen neural pathways, priming babies for learning and interaction from birth.

Focusing on three main areas of stimulation – touch and relaxation, voice and sound, and nesting and preparing for baby – this pack is particularly beneficial to mothers in the last two trimesters of their pregnancy when their baby’s cognitive capabilities are developing.

Says Catherine Barry, a Mysmartkid expert with a keen interest in Foetal and Early Childhood Development: ‘There is so much information available to parents today and we want to help direct the focus to what is truly important for both

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BAB 9.indd 79

mom’s wellbeing and baby’s development.’

Barry explains that this begins even before a child is born – while your baby is still in the womb during the pre-natal period. ‘While the most important reason for in-utero stimulation is to start your baby’s development, this process also helps parents to focus on their child’s needs and to establish the positive, loving relationship that will last a lifetime.’

The Smartstart Pregnancy Pack is endorsed by Baby Sense and includes Natural Olive Tummy Wax from Oh-Lief, a Baby Sense Muslin Receiver, the Majors for Minors Baroque CD, the best-selling book

by Meg Faure and Ann Richardson entitled BABY SENSE, as well as a Mysmartkid sign for your car.

The Smartstart Pregnancy Pack is available online at www.mysmartkid.com at a cost of R325 excluding delivery and is the first available pack in the subscription programme. Once your child is born, you will receive a Smartbox every two months (the first one will contain two free welcome gifts). For more information, visit www.mysmartkid.com.

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NEWS

A plea for help T

• MasterDrive: Meyersdal Office Park, 65 Phillip Engrelbrecht Drive, Meyersdal. T: 011 867 4778 or 011 022 0352 • Petroports: Debonairs – Panorama Bridge and Total – Panorama West • Dekra Automotive: Get a free vehicle safety check from Dekra after dropping off a car seat For parents in need of a car seat, contact Peggie Mars from Wheel Well on 072 385 7121 or peggie@wheelwell.co.za.

Photo credit: Babyglow

o give a child the gift of safety this year, Imperial Road Safety and Wheel Well are calling for all parents in the Gauteng region to donate car seats they no longer use. This outreach forms part of Imperial Road Safety’s continued annual outreach in the form of the Car Seats for Kids Campaign.

Launched in 2012, the campaign has embarked on various collection drives across the country in a bid to collect pre-owned car seats from South Africans. The campaign has been a phenomenal success. It has distributed over 5 490 car seats since its inception and, in 2015 alone, collected 1 486 seats that were later donated (for a small fee) to parents that can’t afford them or haven’t yet realised their importance.

All car seats collected from the generous public are reupholstered, safety checked and cleaned

by Wheel Well, a non-profit organisation, before distribution.

To make a difference to a family in need, drop off your old car seats to any one of these locations: • Wheel Well: Shop U108, Entrance 4, Brightwater Commons, Republic Road, Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg, 2125. T: 072 385 7121 or 073 393 7356 • River Hawk Spur: Coachman’s Crossing, Peter Place, Bryanston. T: 011 706 7968

Babyglow Smart Suit now available T

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Photo credit: Car Seats for Kids Campaign

he Babyglow Smart Suit range is now available in South Africa from takealot. com.

‘Take a Lot has a broad customer base and because of its logistical infrastructure, it gives us the chance to sell directly to our South African customers,’ says Warren Powell, GM of Retail Ventures at Seven Stars holdings – the Exclusive Babyglow distributors in South Africa.

‘Purchasing on Take a Lot is cost effective – a ‘must factor’ for all parents – and the site makes it easy to control pricing and stock availability from our side, which means that we are able to offer customers great service.’

For more information about the Babyglow Smart Range, visit Facebook Babyglow SA Smart Range, or to purchase, visit www.takealot.com/baby/ all/?brand=Babyglow.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

2016/03/28 11:21 PM

NEWS

New 30-day birth registration law F

or children to enjoy their rights as a South African citizen, the responsibility is on their parents to ensure that they register their children’s births with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) within 30 days of the birth. Procter & Gamble’s (P&G’s) trusted baby brand Pampers® is partnering with the DHA to educate parents about why this needs to be done.

‘Having a birth certificate is vital to being a citizen of South Africa, at all stages of an individual’s life,’ explains Khululiwe Mabaso, P&G’s Communication Associate Director for sub-Saharan Africa. ‘Like the DHA, Pampers is concerned about children’s rights and ensuring they are given access to a bright future. If we can help to educate parents about this important 30-day birth registration law, then we are happy to do so.’

According to the new law, parents have to register their children at the closest DHA office within 30 days of their birth. This is free of charge but if the registration is late, parents will have to pay penalties. The DHA has opened offices in some hospitals and health facilities throughout the country to help parents register their child’s birth immediately. Parents who are unsure should speak to the clinic or hospital staff for advice.

Registering your child’s birth enables them to access to their rights to: • Education and health – Non-registration of a child’s birth may impact on their education, as

schools will not register a child who does not have a birth certificate that includes the details of both parents.

• Family environment – A birth registration ensures that a child’s citizenship, identity and human rights are protected. For example, they are protected against identity theft.

• Protection against human trafficking and kidnapping – One of the reasons that government is being so strict about the need for birth certificates is to reduce the number of child kidnappings and child trafficking incidents.

‘A birth certificate is a vital element for being able to lead the best life you can, which is why Pamper supports this cause,’ Mabaso concludes.

A source of stimulation

Photo Credit: Snookums

A

rattle is a rattle is a rattle right? Not according to history… The origins of the rattle were lost in time but it can definitely be regarded as the oldest toy in the world.

Some say that the rattle was invented by Archytas of Tarentum (born around 440 BC). But it wasn’t merely something for a child to play with. The material that the rattle was made from often determined its role.

Dried fruit, pomegranates, terracotta, gold, silver, mother of pearl, coral and crystal were all used in earlier years to produce rattles, and the material was sometimes an indication of the child’s family’s wealth.

They were also used as lucky charms to protect babies against sorcery or disease.

Paul Revere began making silver rattles that could be chewed, and Tiffany’s, the famous New York company, soon jumped on the band wagon and made sterling silver rattles as baby gifts.

Today, rattles are less complicated and the reasons for using them are probably still the same.

Rattles are a source of stimulation – babies like the sounds they make and try to follow the path of the rattle with their eyes. So while entertaining your baby, the rattle is also honing her senses, helping

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her to learn to explore, and doubling up as a teething aid.

Snookums has just launched two baby rattles, The Twisties rattle and the Crown teether rattle, both designed with colour, shape, texture and sounds to stimulate babies. They double up as teethers and can be washed. Both are available from leading baby retailers at R54.95.

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2016/03/28 11:21 PM

BOOK REVIEW

Fynbos Fairies

By Antjie Krog and Fiona Moodie (illustrator) Photo credit: Penguin Random House South Africa

Penguin Random House South Africa | RRP R160.00 It is for its fynbos – fine-leaved, shrub-like vegetation – that the southwestern and southern Cape has been named one of the world’s six plant kingdoms: The Cape Floral Kingdom. At less than 90 000 square kilometres, it is the smallest floral kingdom on earth. Yet it is home to 8 600 plant species, some 5 000 of which occur nowhere else in the world. Table Mountain alone boasts almost 1 500 fynbos species.

With FYNBOS FAIRIES, Antjie Krog and Fiona Moodie, both of whom regularly walk on the slopes of Table Mountain, pay homage to one of the natural wonders of the world. Inspired by Cicely Mary Barker’s A WORLD OF FLOWER FAIRIES, Antjie began the process by writing poems that each feature a plant and at least one imaginary little being.

Fiona meticulously researched the features of each plant, insect and little animal depicted in these pages. The fairies and other imaginary beings in these pages are her own creations, but the flowers and creatures she copied from nature.

The ‘Landy’ Series

By Veronica Lamond Penguin Random House South Africa | RRP R95.00 each Photo credit: Penguin Random House South Africa

LANDY: The first book in the series, LANDY, tells of Jack finding Landy abandoned at the bottom of a field and how they start their new life together.

FENDER: In the next book, FENDER, we meet Landy’s friend who lives near the beach. The story is based around a beach clean-up and tells how Fender and Dan rescue a seal pup.

LANDY’S NEW HOME: The third book, LANDY’S NEW HOME tells us how Jack and Landy set up their smallholding and make homes for all the animals.

FENDER’S DAY AT THE HARBOUR: In the final book of the series, we return to the coast and hear of Jack and Dan going fishing while Fender spends the day at the harbour.

Photo credit: Penguin Random House South Africa

What a Way to Go

By Julia Forster Penguin Random House South Africa | RRP R330.00 It’s 1988 and 12-year-old Harper Richardson’s parents are divorced. Her mum got custody of her, the Mini, and five hundred tins of baked beans.

Her dad got a mouldering cottage in a Midlands backwater village and default membership of the Lone Rangers single parents’ club. Harper got questionable dress sense, a zest for life, two gerbils, her Chambers dictionary, and the responsibility of fixing her parents’ broken hearts.

Set against a backdrop of high hairdos and higher interest rates, pop music and puberty, divorce and death, WHAT A WAY TO GO is a warm, wise and witty tale of one girl tackling the business of growing up while those around her try not to fall apart. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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ADVERTORIAL

Think about what your

kids are drinking

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cited childhood obesity among the most serious health challenges in the 21st century, and encourages parents to make more informed decisions about their children’s nutritional choices.

Photo Credit: Tea4Kids

T

he South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012, published in the SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION in 2013, stated that the combined childhood overweight and obesity prevalence in the country was 13.5% for children aged six to 14 years. This was higher than the 10% global prevalence.

Another National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey has criticised the poor state of children’s school lunches, specifically the high intake of sugary cool drinks. About two in three school children purchase sugary drinks at least twice a week, with each soft drink containing up to 55g of sugar.

The WHO guidelines recommend a maximum daily limit of 40g of sugar for children, less than the sugar content in just one serving of some sugary drinks.

It is in this regard that Joekels Tea Packers director, Jonathan Kelsey, says that South Africans should look closer to home when making their nutritional and dietary choices. ‘The choices kids make when buying from the school tuckshop are naturally influenced by the food and drinks they’re given at home,’ Kelsey notes, adding that we often focus more on the sugar and calorie content of the food we consume rather than what we’re drinking.

Locally-grown Rooibos is a sugar-free alternative drink that has the additional benefit of being naturally caffeine-free and contains antioxidants to boost the immune system. It also helps to reduce allergies and inflammation, keeps the body hydrated, soothes stomach cramps and colic in infants, and helps to reduce stress levels.

Joekels produces the Tea4Kidz Rooibos range that was launched in 2001 and was the first tea to be created specifically for kids.

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Tea4Kidz offers children a range of six flavours and characters to choose from: • Minki the Monkey’s All-in-One Tea (a blend of Rooibos, Honeybush, and Black Tea) • Trumpy the Elephant’s Regular Rooibos • Henry the Hippo’s Rooibos Honeybush Blend • Rory the Lion’s Strawberry-Flavoured Rooibos • Jabu the Giraffe’s Vanilla Custard-Flavoured Rooibos • Roxy the Rhino’s Caramel Fudge-Flavoured Rooibos ‘Parents can creatively use Rooibos to produce healthier snacks and drinks for their children’s school lunch boxes or as treats at home, knowing they are investing in their long-term health and nutritional requirements,’ Kelsey concludes.

Rooibos iced tea Make up one litre of Tea4Kidz Rooibos using four to six tea bags. Sweeten with honey to taste and leave in the fridge to cool overnight. Experiment with the basic iced tea by adding mint, lemon, orange, granadilla, mango or apple, or a combination to find an iced tea variant suited to personal tastes.

Rooibos ice lollies Pour Rooibos iced tea into popsicle containers or ice trays to freeze as a refreshing after-school treat.

For more information on the Tea4Kidz brand, visit www.facebook.com/ LaagerRooibos or www.more4momz.com. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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