Sister Lilian Center

ISSUE 10
november–december 2014
Read our blog
Sister Lilian @ your fingertips
What to do
if your tot
• Grinds his teeth
• Paints with her poo
• Has bad breath
Find inside
Layette list
Pregnancy exercise
photo feature
Must-know
sun-sense tips!
Making sense of
maternity leave
3
things Moms
must know
1.How to prep your perineum
2.What being HIV+ means
3.How to cope as a working mom
Get labour
started…
naturally!
Thirsty Baby
at night?
Sister Lilian assists
Home gadgets
to keep your tot safe!
baby care, natural
Log on
Outbox CONTENTS
ISSUE 10 • NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2014
November is often the
busiest month of the year,
as we try to get everything
done to free up holiday time
in December!
And before we know it, it will be time to say
farewell to 2014 – a year filled with many
wonderful new beginnings, not least the many
pregnancies that were announced, the cutest
babies that took their first breaths and the new
families that were born.
Back in the eBaby offices, we’re celebrating
new life with our very own Ntombi Sikhosana,
the radiant preggy exercise model you can
see on pages 8 and 9.
In addition, we’re growing our new-look
website that we know you’re going to love as
much as we do! Come January, you’ll be able to
enjoy all the benefits of our ‘website pregnancy’
and the many new and interesting elements it will
offer you! A fitting way of seeing out 2014, and
welcoming what we hope will be an amazing 2015.
Our whole team wishes you a wonderful
holiday, and an even better new year!
PLENTY OF PRIZES!
In this issue you can win one of three books
(page 33) and a Baby City voucher worth
R500 (page 34).
Congratulations to the September–October 2014
eBaby winners…
• A two-night stay at Sea Villa Glen Craig –
Rorisang Rampolokeng
• Book winners:
Puss in Boots – Jenna Hoyer
Hansel and Gretel – Santham Chetty
The Ugly Duckling – Shayle Mentor
Cinderella – Matumelo Makhari
Publisher: Sister Lilian Centre
Editor and author: Sister Lilian
Content editor and writer: Monique Hurlin
Sales: Gillian Richards
Design: Ronel Bosch, Ultra Design
Tel: +27 (0)12 809 3342
Email: eBaby@sisterlilian.co.za
While copyright exists on all editorial content, eBaby may be freely distributed
electronically for its intended use, to inform and advise expectant couples
and parents in the Sister Lilian way. Every care is taken to share responsible
tips only, but readers are advised that if their or their children’s problems
do not improve, they should consult their practitioner or midwife.
Log on
3 Outbox – Sister Lilian bids 2014 farewell
3 Prize winners
4ChatZone
eXpecting
7
8
10
11
Baby basics – items you’ll need for Baby
Exercise when expecting
HIV in pregnancy: a summarised guide
Leanne’s Genesis Clinic pregnancy
Delivered
12 A brief guide to maternity leave
13 Let’s get labour started!
14 How to prep your perineum for easier birth
Baby bytes
15
15
16
17
18
18
18
19
20
Immunisation support tips
Advice from all corners!
Thirsty nights
Understanding hip dysplasia
Pearly fights: when Baby grinds his teeth
Losing your locks after birth
Time for a renovation?
Does your baby ‘poo-paint’?
Mom at work – 7 tips to help you cope
Toddler eQ
22
23
24
24
25
Safe as houses
Scaredy tot
Mom, my head hurts
Dos and don’ts of drinks for tots
Skincare with children in mind
eClinic
26 Baby breath blues
27 Understanding impetigo
28 Could your child have worms?
eMenu
29 Breakfast pizza
31 Summer salad
32 Kitchen cookies – liquorice,
mangoes and Peppadews®
Rel@x
33 Back to books – win four books
34 eGallery – reader photos
November–December 2014 l eBaby 3
Log on
Find out what
other readers are
saying, and see the
results of our interesting
Facebook polls… Don’t
forget to make your
voice heard too!
ChatZ ne
We asked you what you thought
about piercing a baby girl’s ears,
and we could not believe how many
passionate responses we got. Here
are the results from 258 answers:
139 (53,9%) could not see a problem with
piercing a baby’s ears
119 (46,1%) thought it best to allow the little
girl to decide for herself
Out of the 139 moms who thought it was okay to
pierce a baby girl’s ears, 84 told us how old their
daughter was when they took her for ear piercing
Younger than 3 months
14 (16,7%)
Between 3 and 6 months
36 (42,9%)
Between 6 months
and 1 year
28 (33,3%)
As a piercer and tattoo artist, I believe it’s child
abuse! The child should be able to ask for
earrings, as there are girls who don’t want
their ears pierced.
I took my three year old girl and she was so
excited! There were some tears, but five minutes
later she was showing them off to every person
who looked her way. I’m happy we waited until
she turned three.
For
I can still remember how traumatic it was to
pierce my ears. I’m all for doing it at about
six months, that way it’s done and Baby
won’t remember.
It’s just earrings, if they don’t like them,
they can take them out!
It’s the only way to tell if a child is a he or she.
I pierced my daughter’s ears when she was
three months.
I took my daughter when she was two months
so that she could look more beautiful, and it’s
better at that age, as she doesn’t feel pain.*
*“Moms, this is not true – babies do feel pain from birth, and piercing your daughter’s ears
will hurt, even if only briefly.” Sister Lilian
Between 1 and 2 years
6 (7,1%)
Some thought-provoking comments,
from both sides of the argument:
Against
I think it’s important to teach girls that they are
beautiful the way they are, without make-up
or cosmetics or clothing brands. Confidence
and identity are taught by parents, and we
must be careful what we teach our daughters
about beauty.
It makes me ill to see women who say babies
should have their ears pierced to be more
beautiful and feminine. My daughter is
beautiful without earrings.
4 eBaby l November–December 2014
We asked you what your worst
pregnancy niggle was... These were
the top 5:
1.Heartburn
2. Nausea and
morning sickness
3. Insomnia and other
sleeping difficulties
4. Swollen feet, hands,
ankles and legs
5. Back or hip pain
and sciatica
Keep an
eye on our
Facebook page and
upcoming issues of
eBaby for help with
all these niggles –
and more!
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November–December 2014 l eBaby 5
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eXpecting
Baby basics
Sister Lilian’s tips are
brought to you by
It can be rather overwhelming to prepare for life with
a new baby. Here are some of the items you’ll need…
In the early years, babies don’t need much more
than love, attention, and a few important pieces
of equipment. Although this equipment can be
expensive, you shouldn’t compromise on quality,
and generally, you can reduce the financial impact
by spreading it over your pregnancy. Also, many
of these items will hopefully be given to you by
relatives, or lent to you by friends! Here is a basic
list of baby essentials:
Software
Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion,
described by many as their ‘baby bible’
6 vests
6 cotton ‘onesies’ or Babygros
3 jerseys or jackets
6 bibs
2 caps
4 pairs of baby socks or booties –
maybe Granny can knit these?
4–5 receiving blankets
4–5 fitted cot sheets
2–3 covering blankets for a cold night
Baby carrier pouch or wrap
Fluffy toy
Accumulate a few packs of disposable nappies
during your pregnancy, in various sizes, to
lessen the financial impact – make sure they’re
soft, absorbent and gentle on a baby’s skin.
If you’re not using disposable nappies, you’ll
need 30 terry nappies and five waterproofs.
Hardware (equipment)
A car seat (this must have an SABS stamp
and be the correct size for Baby’s age)
Carry cot
Crib or cot (lead-free paint is essential)
A camp cot is nice to have, especially
for visiting friends and family
Changing table
Baby bath
3-in-1 pram (the wheels should be sturdy
enough to cope with fairly rough terrain)
If you’re using terry nappies, a nappy bucket
Musical mobile
Products
Use products that are baby- and environmentallyfriendly – preferably organic. Products that contain
calendula or rooibos are usually gentler on
a baby’s sensitive skin, although it’s important
that the base cream is made from good quality,
safe ingredients. Less is more, so use products
sparingly; Baby’s skin also needs to breathe!
Squeeze or pump-action bottles are a good
choice, as they’ll make your life a lot easier.
These are some important products:
Baby soap
Baby shampoo
Body lotion
Buttock cream
Baby oil
Calendula lotion or surgical spirits to
clean Baby’s umbilical stump and navel
Cotton buds
Cotton wool balls
Baby powder or talc (to be used very sparingly)
After Baby has been born, don’t remove all the
vernix from his skin immediately – this wonderful
natural ‘cream’ keeps Baby’s skin supple,
nourished and protected.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 7
eXpecting
Exercise
when expecting
It’s important to exercise regularly, but that doesn’t mean it
shouldn’t be fun! eBaby’s exercise guide will get you started!
3 Benefits of exercise in pregnancy
Special pregnancy moves
1. Increased fitness will build enough stamina
to see you through labour.
2. Improved posture, muscle tone and
strength will result in fewer pregnancy
aches and pains.
3. You’ll recover from birth far quicker.
Add these moves to your exercise programme
to meet the special needs of pregnancy:
Strengthening abdominal muscles
Kneel on all fours, keeping your back
straight and your head in line with your
spine; pull your navel in toward your
spine, hold for three seconds and relax
on an out-breath; repeat 10–15 times.
General exercise hints and cautions
If you’ve already found your ideal form
of exercise, feel free to stick to it if it’s
safe in pregnancy – ask your healthcare
practitioner if you’re uncertain.
If you bleed or leak water from your vagina,
or have cramps in your lower pelvis, stop
all exercise immediately and see your
doctor before resuming your programme.
Always warm up before exercising,
and cool down afterwards.
Never over-exercise, as this can make
labour more difficult and Baby more fretful
after birth.
5 Tried and tested exercise options
Lie on your left side, knees pulled up
toward your belly, your head resting in
your hand; pull your navel in towards
your spine, hold for three seconds,
and relax on an out-breath; repeat
10–15 times.
Lie on your left side, knees pulled up
toward your belly, one hip directly above
the other, your head resting on your
hand; keep your toes together and lift
your right knee without moving your
hips; exhale while you pull your navel
toward your spine; repeat 10–15 times,
then change sides.
Strengthening thigh muscles
Choose one or two of these as the basis
of your pregnancy workout:
1. Going for regular walks will tone
your whole body, inside and out.
2. Water exercise is great in pregnancy –
swim or take part in a water
aerobics class.
3. Regular dancing is a great way to
exercise; dance it for at least half an
hour at a time.
4. Exercising on a pregnancy ball
is excellent for your back and
core muscles.
5. Yoga is fantastic for body and mind!
8 eBaby l November–December 2014
Sit with a small ball between
your knees, your feet on
tiptoes and your arms held
at shoulder level with your
hands on the opposite
forearm; squeeze the ball,
hold for a few seconds and
release; repeat 10–15 times.
Place a rolled towel or small cushion
under your heels, your feet slightly
apart; squat while keeping your
back straight, using the seat of
a chair for support; push up from
the squat as far as is comfortable
and then squat back down;
repeat 10 times.
>
Strengthening chest muscles
Exercises with a pregnancy ball
Stand comfortably with good
posture, raise your elbows to
shoulder height and hold
a small ball between your hands;
squeeze the ball, hold for three
seconds and release; repeat
10–15 times.
90˚
Stretch exercises to relieve
aching and improve flexibility
Place the ball behind your back against a wall; slowly
bending your knees, roll the ball down until your thighs
are at a 90˚ angle to your knees, and up again; repeat
10–15 times to strengthen your thighs.
Sit securely on the ball
with your feet wide
apart; lunge to the
left while extending
your left arm, then roll
back to the start and
lunge to the right, while
extending your right
arm; repeat 15 times
to strengthen the
muscles at the side
of your torso.
For shoulder pain, stand with your belly and buttocks pulled
in, your shoulders back and comfortably down and your chin
slightly up; press your upper arms close to your body and
extend your forearms in front of you with your palms toward the
ceiling; swivel your forearms to the sides, consciously keeping
your good posture, hold for five seconds and return to the
starting position; repeat 5–10 times.
Sit on the floor with your
buttocks against a wall, your
legs drawn up and the soles
of your feet touching each
other; place your hands on
your thighs close to your
knees, press down and
release, making ‘butterfly’
movements; repeat five
times.
Sit securely on the ball
with your feet wide
apart; keep your spine
straight while rolling
your hips in big, slow
circles; your back will
tilt slightly as you roll;
repeat 10 times to tone
your pelvic muscles.
Sit securely on the ball
with your feet wide
apart; roll forward and
backward to ‘rock’ your
pelvis, keeping your
spine straight; repeat
10 times to tone your
pelvic muscles.
Kneel on a floor mat, spread your knees as widely as you can,
toes touching, heels apart, your buttocks resting on your feet;
keeping your buttocks low, your back straight and your head
between your arms, ‘walk’ your hands away until you feel your
inner thighs and perineum stretch; hold for 10 seconds; slowly
‘walk’ your hands back; repeat three times.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 9
eXpecting
HIV in pregnancy
A summarised guide
V
oluntary HIV testing is available to all pregnant
women as part of routine antenatal care. It’s
important to go for this test, because if you are
HIV-positive, the sooner you can make important
decisions that could influence your baby’s wellbeing, the better.
If you already know you are HIV+ when you
fall pregnant, keep taking your medication, but
consult with your doctor or clinic midwife as
soon as possible.
Your doctor or clinic will work out a treatment
plan that will help keep both you and Baby safe
during pregnancy. It’s very important that you
follow this treatment plan carefully to prevent
your baby from being infected with HIV too.
By following your recommended treatment
plan, Baby’s risk of getting HIV could drop to
less than 1%. Your doctor or clinic will most likely
do blood tests throughout pregnancy to test
your viral load and make sure that treatment
is working.
Giving birth
It’s important to give birth in the safest way possible
for Baby. If you are receiving all the appropriate
therapy and have good antenatal care, a normal
vaginal birth is the safest method of delivery;
C-sections should only be done in the case of
a pregnancy or labour emergency, or if your viral
load is extremely high.
10 eBaby l November–December 2014
After birth
Straight after birth, your baby will be tested for
HIV and placed on a short course of antiretroviral
(ARV) therapy, regardless of the test results, as
this will drastically lower your baby’s chances of
becoming infected. If your baby does have HIV, he
will continue with ARV treatment. Even if your baby
is not infected, you should still keep a careful eye
on him as he grows, to make sure he still reaches
all his milestones and stays as healthy as possible.
Research shows that if you are on ARV
treatment, breastfeeding exclusively for six months
is the safest way to feed your baby too. Baby
should not be given any formula in this time. After
six months, you can slowly introduce your baby to
solids, but should continue to breastfeed him up
until a year. When Baby’s diet is stable enough to
continue without breast milk, you can slowly start to
wean him, but don’t have to.
Taking care of yourself
Pregnancy can be stressful even in the best of
circumstances, so make sure you look after yourself!
As well as sticking to your ARV treatment, you should
eat an abundance of fruit and vegetables, and get
enough exercise. Also, tell your caregiver if you
feel extremely stressed, so that she can refer you
for counselling, or suggest an HIV support group
you can join. Remember, by taking care of yourself,
you’re doing the best thing for your baby!
eXpecting
Midwife Marilyn Sher with
Leanne and Nic Parry
We asked Leanne Parry about how her pregnancy has
progressed, since her ‘new beginning’ at Genesis Clinic…
My two midwives, Marilyn Sher and Veronica
Park, are incredible! They are so gentle and
caring, and I never feel rushed at appointments.
They talk with such calm voices, so I feel
completely relaxed and comfortable around
them. Their gentle approach has really helped
put me at ease regarding the upcoming labour.
From what I have seen and felt, everyone
who works at Genesis looks like they want to
be at work – everyone we’ve interacted with is
always friendly and smiling. There is such
a calm atmosphere there.
Birthing at Genesis
The thing I am most looking forward to is
getting the natural birth experience that I’ve
been hoping for since the beginning of my
pregnancy. I like that my experience will not be
rushed with automatic interventions such as
induction or other procedures that place stress
and anxiety on the mother!
My advice to pregnant women is to take
the time to properly research what your birth
options are. For example, I didn’t know that
my medical aid partially covered Genesis
Clinic, so I never considered it to be an
option. Get reviews and referrals on doctors
in your area, and go visit them – you’ll know
if it’s a right fit. Also, try to relax and enjoy
every moment! There are tough times in
pregnancy, but the more you relax, the
more you will enjoy it.
Take four with Leanne
1. Have you had any strange pregnancy cravings? I craved sliced tomatoes with salt… Eating
those tomatoes was like eating at a five-star restaurant!
2. What has been the best thing about being pregnant? Feeling Baby move and hearing his
heartbeat. There is nothing I can compare that to – it’s magical.
3. Have you had any ‘pregnesia’ or ‘porridge brain’ moments? A few – I once drove off with
food on top of my car, and only realised when the car behind me hooted! I also forget things
people tell me – I can’t even remember having a conversation with them!
4. What are you and Nic most looking forward to about parenthood? Nic is looking forward
to building things with his son, reading to him and teaching him to ride his bike! I am looking
forward to getting to understand a love like no other.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 11
Delivered
A brief guide to
Maternity
leave
I
t can be difficult to decide when to take maternity
leave. Ideally, you should take a few weeks off
before Baby arrives so that you can take it easy
towards the end of pregnancy, but then, you
may have less time with Baby, which is just as
important! However, you should try to take at least
10 days off before your estimated due date.
Know your rights
You are currently entitled to four months of
maternity leave*:
 You can take this leave one month before
your due date, or earlier or later, depending
on your health.
 You may not go back to work within six
weeks after birth, unless your doctor or
midwife says that it’s safe for you to do so.
Just because it is your right to take this leave
does not mean that you will necessarily get
paid. Your company’s internal maternity
regulations will govern this, but legally, they
are under no obligation to pay you. You can
claim a percentage of your salary from the
Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
While you are pregnant or nursing, you should
not do any work that is unsafe for you or your
baby, such as lifting heavy items or handling
dangerous chemicals. Talk to your supervisor
to make sure this is heeded.
Remember, your employer
also has rights, and if
you’re thinking about not
returning to work after
birth, you will need to
give your employer
a notice period as
stated in your contract.
* This does not apply to you if you
work for the National Defence Force,
the National Intelligence Agency or
the South African Secret Service;
you are an unpaid charity worker;
you work in sales and regulate
your own hours; or you work
less than 24 hours
a month.
Delivered
Let’s get labour started!
Has your due date come and gone? These natural labour triggers could help…
I
t’s common for a first-time mom to go past her
due date. Of course, by this time, you’re probably
eager for pregnancy to be over, and excited to
meet your new baby! Why not try these natural
techniques for helping labour to start? They won’t
bring on labour before your baby is ready to be
born, so rest assured that they are safe!
Relax, relax, relax!
Delayed labour is often caused by stress. After all,
anxiety causes muscular tension, which will affect
your womb, pelvic and perineal muscles, all of
which need to be relaxed to give birth more easily.
Anxiety also raises adrenaline and cortisol levels,
which inhibits the release of those hormones that
promote an easier birth, specifically oxytocin. That’s
why it’s so important for you to relax – if you’re very
tense, take regular warm baths and invest in the
homeopathic remedy, Rescue Emotion.
Oxytocin magic…
Oxytocin is one of the hormones that initiates labour.
You can trigger oxytocin release by stimulating your
nipples, or by making love to your partner.
Exercise excellence
The movement of your hip and pelvic bones as
you walk will help ‘massage’ Baby into the best
position for birth. The downward pressure on the
cervix may help initiate labour too. Once you’re in
early labour, you should still walk short distances
between contractions to continue tapping into the
power of gravity. Walking will also help you to relax.
tissue salts that will safely promote the best birth
possible. For best results:
Take one tablet a day from Week 36.
From your due date until you go into labour,
take three tablets a day.
As labour starts, take a dose every
30–60 minutes.
After birth, take the remedy three times
a day for seven to 10 days.
Birth in a bottle
Wise precautions
Raspberry leaf tea is a herbal remedy that’s
well-known for preparing your womb for labour.
Six weeks before your due date, drink only one
cup a day. From three weeks onwards, this can
gradually be increased to four cups a day, and
once labour starts, you can sip on raspberry leaf
tea throughout. Do not take this remedy before your
third trimester, and talk to your doctor or midwife
before taking any other form of herbal remedy.
Sister Lilian Rescue Birth & Recovery is
a unique combination of South African flower
essences, homeopathic remedies and supportive
If you’re overdue, take note of any significant
changes to Baby’s movements – if Baby moves
about normally, this is a good sign that all is well!
Caution!
Bowel clearing agents, like castor oil, can
sometimes induce contractions because the
nerve pathways that lead to the womb are also
stimulated and irritated. However, this is not
safe or pleasant, so rather avoid completely.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 13
Delivered
How to
prep your perineum
Follow Sister Lilian’s tips for an easier birth experience…
O
ne of the things that women fear most about
giving birth is the possibility of tearing, or
needing an episiotomy. However, you can help
prevent this from happening by doing regular
perineal massage. The perineum is the thick
wedge of muscle between the vagina and the
anus that must stretch during childbirth.
Massaging this area five nights a week, for
four to six weeks before birth, will increase the
suppleness of your perineum. It will also make
you more aware of the area, so that it’s easier
for you to push Baby out correctly.
How to do perineal massage:
1. Wash your hands, and pour a little good
quality perineal massage almond oil onto
your fingertips.
2. Lie on your back, place your thumbs into your
vaginal outlet and massage the perineum
between your index finger and middle
finger, and your thumbs, for a few
minutes until the area feels softer.
3. Keeping your thumbs in position, stretch your
vaginal outlet sideways, downwards and
slightly forwards a number of times.
Available at
If you find it difficult to reach your perineum
over your preggy belly, or you are
uncomfortable on your back, stand
Don’t
with one foot up on a chair, and
do perineal
use only one hand to massage
massage if
the area. You could also ask
you have vaginal
your partner to help you.
thrush or any
5 More tips to prevent
tearing or episiotomy
other vaginal
infection.
1. Make sure your gynae or midwife knows you
would like to prevent an episiotomy, as the
cut is sometimes done routinely.
2. Give birth in an upright position as Baby’s
head will help to stretch your perineum.
3. Regular, gentle exercise during pregnancy
will improve your muscle tone, reducing your
chances of tearing or needing an episiotomy.
4. Do Kegel exercises regularly, by contracting
the muscles as if holding in urine, and then
relaxing them.
5. Take the tissue salt remedies Calc flour
and Ferrum phos during pregnancy.
Natural, safe oil specifically for perineal massage
Flexible Perineum Massage Oil from Mommy Care is the ideal choice for all
pregnant women who would like to try their hand at perineal massage!
Made from 100% pure almond oil, Flexible Perineum Massage Oil:
• Contains no additives or preservatives, meaning it’s completely safe
• Is the ideal lubricant for perineal massage, because it
won’t immediately absorb into the skin
• Has a naturally light and delicate fragrance
Just another way Mommy Care helps mothers,
even before their babies are born!
Mommy Care’s range of leading international
skincare products are all made with quality botanical
and organic ingredients to address the specific
skincare needs of pregnant women and new moms,
and the sensitive skin of babies and toddlers.
14 eBaby l November–December 2014
Baby bites
Immunisation support tips
These tips from Sister Lilian will help make the vaccination
process a little easier for both you and your child.
M
any moms are concerned that vaccinating
their children will lead to all sorts of terrible
consequences. Rest assured though that serious
reactions to immunisations are extremely rare.
Although it’s common for little ones to have some
sort of reaction, these are usually very mild.
For example, your child may experience flu-like
symptoms, break out into a mild rash or cry more
than usual for a few days. If this happens, these
tips will help:
Give her more fluids.
Don’t force her to eat solids if she doesn’t
want to.
Give her fever medication if she has
a temperature, especially in the evening.
Add a pot of rooibos tea to Baby’s bathwater
to soothe an itchy rash. You can also dab
some cornflour on the rash.
If the injection site is red and swollen and seems
to be causing your little one pain, gently
rub on a little arnica oil.
Give your child the following remedies for
extra support:
 ImmunoCare and Thuja 30CH will help
support your child’s natural immunity.
 The tissue salt Silicea can especially help
reduce symptoms after the immunisation.
If the symptoms are severe, or your child seems
listless or behaves strangely, consult your doctor
as soon as possible.
Too ill to immunise or forgot a shot?
It is seldom necessary to delay vaccinating
your baby. If you did miss a shot, it’s not the
end of the world, but the Department of Health
recommends that you go for the outstanding
inoculation as soon as possible.
Advice from all corners!
Think about this before you dispense unwanted baby advice.
T
here’s nothing quite like pregnancy or
a new baby to unleash a flood of advice
from family, friends and even strangers!
Once Baby has been born, most
‘advice’ centres on what the mom should
do differently. However, there’s more than
one correct way to raise a child, and it
often takes a little trial and error for each
new family to discover what works best
for them.
Everyone loves the excitement and
joy surrounding the birth of a baby, and
most people have the best intentions in
the world when they share their ideas and
advice. If this bothers you, you may need
to state in a clear and friendly manner that
you prefer your chosen method of doing
things. You could also ask for help with
specific tasks – that way, they get to help
you without being overbearing.
Tips for relatives and friends
Think before you speak, and encourage her every step
of the way. This is the most helpful thing you can do for
a new mom!
Ask her what she needs help with – tell her that
you would be keen to help with household tasks
and errands.
Arrive with a home-cooked meal by midday, so that
the new mom doesn’t even need to think about the
evening meal.
Offer to look after the mom’s older children.
Refrain from telling a mom what to do, unless she asks
you for suggestions.
Never tell her how you did the task she is busy with,
unless she specifically asks for your input.
Wait until a new mom offers before you pick up her Baby.
Never pop in unexpectedly.
Offer to look after Baby one morning, while she rests.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 15
Baby bytes
Thirsty nights?
If Baby needs to drink milk to fall asleep, or wakes frequently
to drink, Sister Lilian’s tips will help save the night!
M
any moms struggle with their baby’s
night-drinking habits, and feel exhausted
trying to keep up with their baby’s
round-the-clock demands.
What’s going on?
There are a number of possible reasons your
baby may need to drink at night:
Small babies have small stomachs! They need
to drink small amounts more often, including
during the night.
Sometimes, it’s because he needs the security
of Mom’s close presence, and the emotional
comfort of suckling.
Breast milk is often nutritionally best at night
in the early months, and Baby knows that!
Babies who have allergies are usually quite
thirsty, and may need to drink more often
at night.
If Baby notices that Mom or Dad are anxious,
he’s likely going to be more restless at night –
just as you probably are too!
The solution is often about finding a compromise,
rather than trying to stop night feeds altogether.
The tips below are mostly quite successful at
improving matters, even if they can’t ensure that
Baby never wakes at night. Remember, all babies
have different fluid and milk requirements. Night
drinking is not always wrong, and may even
sometimes be best!
2 Top tips for breastfed babies
1. If Baby is under six months of age, make sure
that you know how to comfortably nurse him
right there in bed. You can breastfeed a baby
and sleep more than ever before if you perfect
16 eBaby l November–December 2014
the technique of lying down and feeding.
Just as Baby sleeps while suckling, so can
you, Mom. The real problem is that you are
tired, not that Baby needs to drink at night.
2. If an older baby drinks more at night than in
the day, keep him waiting 15–30 minutes for
a night feed, so that you gradually swap day
and night drinking around. Don’t wait for so
long that he starts to cry, just comfort and
distract him during this time.
2 Top tips for formula-fed babies
1. Ensure that Baby receives more one-on-one
attention during the day to reduce emotional
drinking at night, and change to a formula for
allergy-prone babies if needed.
2. If a baby over 12 months drinks more than the
recommended amount of formula at night,
reduce the amount by 20ml in each bottle
every few days, until Baby protests. You have
then reached the overall amount of fluid Baby
really needs. If Baby still wants too much
formula, gradually start diluting the milk in
each night bottle by replacing 20ml of formula
with water, until he drinks most of his formula
during the day, and less at night.
A note on night nappies
If your toddler still needs to wear night nappies
because he drinks so much in the evening,
rest assured that he will eventually outgrow
this on his own. It’s always easier to keep
the nappies on until his bladder has a larger
capacity, or night drinking is reduced.
Baby bytes
Understanding
hip dysplasia
It can be very upsetting when a newborn baby is diagnosed with
‘clicky hips’. Here’s what you need to know about this condition…
H
ip dysplasia occurs if Baby’s hip joint does
not develop properly. It’s not quite clear why
this happens, but there are a number of possible
causes. For example, hip dysplasia tends to
happen more regularly with breech babies, and
if you had hip dysplasia as a baby, then your
child is more likely to get it too. Some medical
conditions also increase the likelihood of Baby
having hip dysplasia, and the condition is more
common in girls.
The good news is that if hip dysplasia is
diagnosed and treated early, there’s a very good
chance that treatment will be completely successful.
However, the longer it’s left untreated or the more
serious the displacement, the more complex the
treatment becomes.
How will I know if my baby has hip dysplasia?
When the doctor or midwife examines Baby after
birth, she will bend Baby’s knees and turn Baby’s
thighs open. While she does this, she’ll feel
for a ‘click’, which could be an indication of
hip dysplasia.
Other symptoms that you should be aware
of include:
Asymmetrical skin folds on Baby’s
buttocks, although this can be misleading
Difficulty opening Baby’s legs for
a nappy change
Baby’s hips click regularly; mention
this to your doctor as soon as possible
After learning to walk, Baby may have a limp
or swayback (Baby’s back curves inwards
in such a way that his bottom sticks out)
If your doctor suspects that Baby has dysplasia,
he will start treatment and schedule follow-up
appointments. It’s important to stick to this
schedule. If necessary, he may do an ultrasound
scan or an X-ray of Baby’s hips, to see how
they’re developing.
Treating dysplasia
Occasionally, a dislocated hip can be positioned
correctly during the initial examination. However,
usually Baby will need to wear a special harness
that will hold his hips in the correct position so
as to promote normal growth and development.
This harness must be worn for at least six weeks.
Treatment with the harness is almost 90% effective,
but if it doesn’t work, more complex treatment
methods, and possibly even surgery, may
be needed.
Does hip dysplasia hurt Baby?
November–December 2014 l eBaby 17
Photo: http://trulife.com/
No, although it may be a challenge to keep Baby
happy and attend to basic baby care while he needs
to wear the harness. You may find that homeopathic
remedies like Rescue Emotion can help to ease
the burden somewhat, for both you and Baby.
Remember, treatment methods are usually very
successful, so try not to worry too much!
Baby bytes
Pearly
fights
I
t’s quite common for
babies to grind their
teeth. This is usually
nothing to worry
about; babies often
do this when
they’re teething,
almost as
though they’re
‘testing’ their
new teeth. If
your small child
regularly grinds his
teeth, distract him from doing this by involving him
in an interesting activity that grabs his attention
– this will help to break the cycle. However,
remember that persistent tooth grinding could
be a symptom of a worm infestation; read more
about this on page 28.
More seriously, frequent tooth grinding may
be a sign of stress, and if your child is prone to
anxiety, or there’s stress at home or daycare, make
sure he gets plenty of one-on-one attention, and
give him a safe homeopathic remedy like Rescue
Emotion. Often, children who are high achievers
with an intense personality are prone to tooth
grinding too. One of the best ways of handling this
problem is to simply ‘allow’ them to be children –
encourage outdoor play, for instance.
Persistent grinding can affect tooth enamel,
making dental decay more likely. If none of these
tips help, and the habit becomes more noticeable,
make sure you consult a dentist and possibly
a paediatrician.
Losing
your locks
D
uring pregnancy, most women find that their
hair grows faster, and is thicker and more
lustrous. This is one of the spin-off effects of
pregnancy’s growth hormones! Once Baby has
been born and your hormones slowly settle again,
the extra hair will start to fall out; this usually starts
at about three months after birth and carries on for
nine months – just as long as pregnancy!
Women with longer
hair usually find that
hair loss seems worse,
although this is just
an optical illusion,
as the amount is
about the same
no matter how
long or short your
hair is. Your hair
may go through
other changes
after birth too,
like becoming
straighter or
curlier, or even
changing colour.
If you’re also
excessively tired
and feel overly
emotional, you
may however
need treatment
for anaemia, and you
should take a vitamin B
supplement.
Time for a renovation?
W
henever you paint your home, keep
things safe for your children by making
sure that there’s plenty of ventilation to
dissipate the paint fumes. If possible, try to
get out of the house with your little ones, so
that they’re not in the immediate area for
prolonged periods – even if you just have
a picnic in the garden! Avoid sleeping in the
painted room or area for at least 48 hours.
18 eBaby l November–December 2014
Baby bytes
These tips from
Sister Lilian
are made
possible by
Nip it in
the nappy!
Are you struggling with
‘poo-painting’, or how to encourage
independent wiping of bottoms?
B
elieve it or not, it’s fairly common for a little one
to grope in her soiled nappy and smear the poo
around the cot, on the walls or even all over herself!
Generally, this is more common in little girls who
are otherwise rather fussy, and whose families
are quite controlling, with rigid routines where
everything needs to be ‘perfect’, but baby boys
are not immune!
Facing the faeces
Babies seem to smear to satisfy some of their
deeply ingrained needs, and not because they’re
being naughty. If you draw attention to the smearing
and make a fuss of the mess, you’ll only make the
behaviour worse, prolonging this phase. Often, the
best thing to do is to change her nappy as soon as
possible after she’s soiled it, or to clean any mess
as if it’s no big deal.
These three tips from Sister Lilian will also
help save the day:
1. If Mom and Dad relax a bit, give Baby lots of
healthy attention, play ‘silly’ family games, and
sing and dance together, there is an almost
immediate improvement.
2. Forceful potty training might trigger smearing.
Simply take all pressure to use the potty off
your child.
3. Smearing sometimes starts when Mom takes
a baby’s dummy, bottle or breast away before
Baby is ready. Remember, suckling is an
emotional need for your baby, and by trying to
stop this, you’re actually saying that your little
one must stop being a ‘baby’. Maybe, all your
child needs is to be allowed to be your ‘baby’
for a while longer; she’s really not ready to be
a ‘big girl’ yet! Give her a break, and you will
most likely get a break from smearing.
Wiping independently
Many parents long for the time when their toddler
will be able to wipe her bottom without Mom or
Dad’s help! However, this can take quite a while –
you may find that your child hasn’t totally mastered
the art even by her early school years. As soon as
your child shows sufficient dexterity with her hands,
from about three years, you can encourage her
to ‘help’ with wiping, but always check afterwards
yourself. Consider teaching her the habit of a quick,
but good wash after making a poo – this is almost
the only way to really ensure total cleanliness.
And remember, never make sounds of disgust
while wiping or cleaning your tot!
November–December 2014 l eBaby 19
Baby bytes
Mom at work
7 tips to help you cope
Every mom works 24/7, but if you have an office job outside
the home too, Sister Lilian’s suggestions will help you cope!
W
omen often tend to feel guilty, don’t they?
Mothers especially so, particularly if Mom
has a day job. Even if you choose to work
outside the home, it’s completely normal to
have mixed feelings about this, and to worry
about your baby’s care when you’re not around.
This, combined with job and relationship
demands and the daily stress of managing
a home, could make you feel as though you
simply can’t cope.
7 Strategies to ease the burden
Choose your baby’s day care well, even if it
costs a little more, and think of the caregiver
as an ‘extra mother’, rather than someone
competing for your baby’s affection.
Relicalm – for clear,
calm control
Use your lunch breaks wisely – get some
shopping done, visit your baby if possible,
express breast milk, or ask your employer if
you can have a shorter break so that you can
leave earlier.
Relicalm helps to relax the body and mind, so
when anxiety about work and family pressure
makes it difficult to cope, take one or two
tablets at any time of day, or about half an hour
before going to bed for a good night’s sleep.
Don’t take work home with you; be fully
available to your baby for the first hour at
home – go for a walk or play games together
to help you both relax and bond.
Relicalm contains L-theanine, the major amino
acid found in green tea; studies have shown
that L-theanine can help keep a person calm
and focused. With L-theanine, there is no fear
of overdosing or addiction, and no known drug
interactions, so there’s no need to limit the
duration of your treatment. L-theanine also does
not cause drowsiness or impaired concentration.
1
2
3
4
Make double portions of every meal you
cook, and freeze the extras so that you can
free up time. These little time-saving measures
can make a world of difference, allowing you
to feel more in control and relaxed.
5
Accept help from family, neighbours and
friends – there’s no shame in admitting that
it takes more than one person to raise
a baby or make sure all the necessary
chores are done.
6
Bed-share or co-sleep with your baby! You’ll
both sleep far better, and the
close contact at night will make up for the
separation in the day.
7
Use a natural remedy to help keep
you calm.
20 eBaby l November–December 2014
Available from Dis-Chem and other leading
retail pharmacies. For more information, call
021 943 4200 or visit www.cipla.co.za.
Now available at:
COUNTRY WIDE:
Pick ‘n Pay Family Stores
WESTERN CAPE:
Checkers Hyper
- Brackenfell
- Parklands
- Parow
- N1 City
- Somerset West
- Tokai
OK Foods
OK Mini Stores
GAUTENG:
Spar
FREE STATE:
Spar
If not in store,
ask for it by
name!
For every baby there is
www.facebook.com/cussonsbabysouthafrica
Toddler eQ
Safe as houses
Gadgets with your little one’s safety in mind
Curiosity is good, but it can also lead to bumps and bruises. Now, it’s easier than ever
before to ‘baby-proof’ your house, keeping your tot safe and giving you peace of mind…
A
lthough bumps and bruises are a part of
life as a child, no parent enjoys having
to soothe their little explorer’s ‘live and learn’
injuries. Fortunately, there’s a whole range
of innovative products to make your life
easier and your little one safer.
Safety 1st Lift Lock & Swing Gate
Help restrict access to out-of-bound areas!


Baby-proofing basics
Even a comprehensive list of home
hazards probably couldn’t cover all
possible risks, because little ones seem to
have an unlimited set of mischief-making
resources to tap into when they’re on
a mission to explore! However, you can
contain most risks with these top three tips:
1. Get down to your little one’s level
regularly. Think like a child and imagine
what you could get up to; there are plug
points, wiring, small fallen objects, gaps
that your tot’s head might just get stuck
in… Now, take preventative action.
2. Prevention is always better than cure.
It only takes a moment for an accident
to happen. Make sure you don’t leave
your child unsupervised for significant
periods – not only are accidents
more likely, but your little one may
get bored, which begs for infant
ingenuity to surface.
3. Never compromise on these
three things:
Medication and poisonous
substances must be locked away.
All plug sockets should be
‘baby-proofed’.
Swimming pools and other water
sources must be covered.
Make sure you browse your baby goods
store as soon as Baby starts to sit securely,
because crawling and shuffling aren’t far
behind – followed closely by all the tricks
of the baby-trade!
22 eBaby l November–December 2014


For use at top or
bottom of stairs, or
between rooms
2-in-1 design – use the
pressure security or
hardware swing mode
Has top handle locks
and releases, and
is adjustable
Has a SecureTech
indicator to show when
the gate is locked
Safety 1st
Finger pinch preventer
Protects fingers from accidental
pinches on both sides of
the door
Safety 1st
Cabinet slide lock
Keeps cabinets secure so
little ones don’t get their
fingers caught
Safety 1st
14 wide grip latches
Safety 1st
Multi-purpose strap
For more information, go to
www.facebook.com/safety1stsouthafrica
or email babyinfo@sunpac.co.za.
Toddler eQ
Scaredy
tot
Is your toddler afraid of almost
everything, even his own shadow?
I
t’s not uncommon for toddlers and small children
to develop seemingly silly fears of things like
strangers, loud noises, their own shadows,
unfamiliar situations, or imaginary ‘monsters’. But
this can be tremendously frustrating, especially if
these fears interfere with your child’s daily life.
Causes of irrational fears
Some children are simply more sensitive by nature.
These children are more susceptible to anxiety
and fear, and will benefit tremendously from
a homeopathic remedy like Rescue Emotion.
The tissue salts Kali phos and Ferrum phos
will also work wonders. All of these remedies
are completely safe for children.
Evaluate whether an older sibling, friend,
caregiver or even well-meaning adult is
unintentionally scaring your child. Also, be
honest about your own influence on your child’s
fear – in these crime-ridden times, many parents
don’t realise how much they talk about crime and
violence, and children easily pick up on this anxiety.
The same goes for your other fears too – if your
child senses how scared you are when you spot
a spider on the wall, he’s more likely to be scared of
spiders, and possibly other insects, too.
Remember to keep an eye on your child’s TV
habits – you’d be amazed at how many children’s
TV shows are actually quite violent. Rather limit TV
time as much as possible, and try to watch any
programmes or movies with your child, to monitor
their content.
3 Tips for soothing fears
1. Your reaction plays a big role in comforting your
child. If you overreact by making a huge fuss
over him, or if you trivialise his fears, you’re likely
to make matters worse. Remember, although
these fears may seem silly to you, to your child,
they are all too real, and by ridiculing them,
you’re only going to prolong or increase the fear.
The very best way to help your child is to radiate
confidence and a joy of life.
2. Assure your child that there’s no need to worry,
because you’re looking out for him. Then, try to
distract him with a creative, constructive activity.
3. Encourage your child to draw his fears, even if
his ability to do so is still very immature – this
simple technique often helps little ones to master
the fear, rather than the other way around.
Facing fears often puts them in perspective.
Fear of shadows
Fairly often, a toddler may quite literally develop
a fear of his own shadow. To combat this fear,
show him your shadow, Dad’s shadow, Gran’s
shadow, the pets’ shadows and even trees’
shadows, and explain to him how the sun makes
them. Pick your child up, dance together, and
show him how your ‘together’ shadow moves.
Maybe ask him if he can try to catch his shadow.
Then, try to distract him with another fun activity.
Over time this approach will help.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 23
Toddler eQ
Mom, my
head hurts
A
young child could have a headache for a number
of reasons. If your child gets headaches regularly,
try to identify what’s causing them:
A poor diet could cause mineral deficiencies,
blood sugar level swings, and excess mucus
production – which could all cause headaches.
Reduce processed and refined dairy and grain
products – they often cause excess mucus to
form and may well have additives that could
trigger a headache.
Dehydration is also a common cause of
headaches, so offer your toddler healthy fluids.
Take her for an eye test.
Limit the amount of TV she watches or computer
games she plays.
Determine if your child is stressed, or nervous
about an upcoming event such as starting daycare
– the safe homeopathic remedy, Rescue Emotion,
could really help with this, but give her plenty of
reassurance too!
Sometimes, medical conditions could be the cause of
recurring headaches, but if your child seems healthy,
her milestones are on track, and she’s functioning
well, you probably shouldn’t worry. However, see
a doctor urgently if your little one also has a fever,
vomits, seems listless with a lack of appetite, or
had an injury to her head.
What you can do
If your tot gets a headache, encourage her to lie
down or play quiet games – why not read stories
to her to help keep her calm? Preferably avoid
medication – if you find the cause, a solution will
usually be fairly straight forward. If need be, give
only half the recommended dosage of a child-friendly
pain medicine to see if that is not sufficient to relieve
the headache.
Take note
Excessive thirst may
be an indication of
a condition like diabetes
or allergies, so if you’re
worried, rather get this
checked out.
Dos and
don’ts of
drinks for tots
Dos
 Water should be your child’s main thirst
quencher. Preferably filter the water
first, but there’s no need to boil it if your
municipal water supply is clean. Toddlers
usually drink small amounts at a time.
 Although little ones should learn that you
eat fruit and drink water, a little freshlysqueezed fruit juice is also a healthy
beverage option. Why not freeze some
fruit juice to make ice lollies?
 Rooibos tea is healthy, and can be
given warm or cool.
 Toddlers only need 300–500ml of fluids
over and above their daily milk intake,
which should not exceed 400–500ml
from one year.
Don’ts
 Don’t give your tot any type of coldrink
that contains preservatives, as these
can trigger allergies.
 Adding sugar or other flavourants to milk,
water or tea is highly likely to cause future
dental problems, and your little one may
refuse to drink plain water in the future.
 Never give a child fizzy soda drinks.
 Coffee and ‘normal’ tea are not suitable
for small children; the caffeine may
disturb their sleep.
24 eBaby l November–December 2014
Toddler eQ
A place in the sun
Skincare with children in mind
Keep your little ones safe from sunburn,
premature skin aging and skin cancer
with the latest know-how and advice.
D
id you know that some exposure to sunlight is actually
very healthy? Moderate exposure to sunlight:
 Gives the skin a healthy glow
 Improves stamina, fitness and muscular development
 Helps to boost the immune system and energy levels
 Encourages optimal growth and development
 Helps heal skin conditions like nappy rash and eczema
Overdone!
However, too much sun exposure can cause serious damage
that may have lasting consequences, especially for young
children. After all, a child’s skin is much thinner and more prone
to sunburn than an adult’s. Too much sun can increase your
child’s risk of developing skin cancer, and can physically
damage the DNA of his skin cells. Repeated sunburn can
lead to permanent skin damage.
Because sun damage accumulates, the best thing you
can do is prevent it from happening in the first place!
7 Sun-sense tips
1. Keep your little ones out of direct sunlight from 11am to 3pm.
2. Encourage your children to play outdoors early in the day,
so that they play indoors in the heat of the day.
3. Insist that they wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and
protective swimwear whenever they’re outside.
4. Make sure your children stay hydrated when playing outdoors.
5. Set a good sun-sense example for your children.
6. Take into account that sunburn can be as bad or worse in
overcast weather, and when playing in swimming pools
and the sea.
7. Apply appropriate sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) to your child’s
skin every day, in particular to exposed areas like the face
and arms.
Sunscreen snippets
Always choose a sunscreen that is suitable for children’s
delicate skin.
Teach older children to apply sunscreen regularly.
Make sure the sunscreen is safe to use on the body and face.
Use a water-resistant sunscreen to ensure best protection
when swimming.
Always apply a generous amount of sunscreen, and
reapply frequently.
Protect your
kids’ skin with
NIVEA Sun
NIVEA Sun’s world-class products
have earned the brand no. 1 status
in sun care in the world**, and no. 1
in South Africa***. All its products are
CANSA endorsed, and are COLIPA
(European standard) compliant.
A recent test-study, conducted in
Germany by Stiftung Warentest,
showed NIVEA Sun Kids lotion to be
far superior to other children’s sun
care products on the market*.
Convenience is key when it
comes to sun protection
NIVEA Sun Kids Moisturising Sun
Spray SPF 50+ has a convenient
trigger-spray system for
easy and quick
application. The
lotion is light and
quickly-absorbed,
offering effective,
immediate protection
– the second it’s
applied to the skin.
It is also extra water
resistant, for kids
who love to play in
water. Available in an
economy 300ml pack.
*
Stiftung Warentest, Brands & Products,
2014-06-26
**
Source: Nielsen, MS 2013. Euromonitor
International Limited, MS 2013.
***
Source: Nielsen. Trade Desk. Suntan preps
Report 12MM Feb 2008–2013
Consumer Care Line: 0860 102 091
www.NIVEA.co.za
November–December 2014 l eBaby 25
eClinic
Baby
breath blues
Does your little one have bad breath?
Sister Lilian explains what’s going on…
B
ad breath, or halitosis, must be one of the
most common conditions to plague mankind!
Bad oral hygiene is one of the most common
causes. However, bad breath is often a sign of
a mucus-causing diet or a health condition
needing treatment.
What causes bad breath in children?
Though poor oral hygiene certainly plays a role,
respiratory diseases that cause excess mucus are
often the culprit. After all, mucus leaves a foul taste
in the mouth, causing bad breath in adults! Possible
causes of excess mucus include:
A diet high in processed grain and dairy
products, like bread, cheese and biscuits
Food additives, colourants and preservatives
that cause excess mucus
Tonsillitis or a throat infection
Congested sinuses in older toddlers
and children
Also, little children often push small objects up their
nostrils. These may become lodged out of sight
and can cause irritation, infection, and in turn,
bad breath.
Best breath remedies
Dietary changes to reduce mucus are an essential
part of getting rid of bad breath. Remedies that
can help include:
MucoCare to help reduce mucus symptoms
TonsiCare to help relieve throat infections
and postnasal drip
Chamomilla Tablets if teething troubles
are part of the problem
Baby breath
With smaller babies who only have a tooth or two,
simply clean their teeth with a moist facecloth or
a special ‘fingerhood’ you wear to rub down his
pearly whites. If Baby resists this, you may have to
wait until she falls asleep – most babies won’t wake if
you do this 20 minutes after they have fallen asleep.
26 eBaby l November–December 2014
5 Tips to get tots to care for their teeth
1. Lead by example. Why not brush your teeth at
the same time as your little one? You could even
get matching toothbrushes!
2. Make sure she can see herself in the mirror.
Ask her to smile, and then count her teeth.
Explain to her that each tooth needs to
‘have a turn’ being brushed.
3. Allow your little one to choose her
toothbrush. She may want a toothbrush in
a particular colour, or with a cute character on it.
If something as simple as this gets her to brush
her teeth, it’s definitely worth it! If you can afford
it, an electric toothbrush might really help too!
4. Explain why it’s important to brush teeth.
Don’t get too complicated, but a simple
explanation of how our teeth can get holes if
we don’t brush them properly may be all that’s
needed to get your little one scrubbing those
pearly whites!
5. Get an egg timer! This may sound strange, but
it will be great fun for your tot to set the timer for
two minutes. She should then brush her teeth
for these two minutes.
As always, give your child plenty of encouragement
while she brushes her teeth, and soon, she’ll be
brushing like a champion!
eClinic
Understanding
impetigo
Impetigo is one of the most common
skin infections amongst children.
Here’s how to recognise and treat it.
I
Photo Copyright © 2009 Boots UK Limited and WebMD UK Limited. All rights reserved
mpetigo is
a bacterial
infection
that causes
blisters or
sores to break
out on Baby’s
face, neck,
hands and
nappy area.
It spreads
through
contact with
infected skin or infected items, and is more likely to
break out if there’s poor skin hygiene, and in areas
of the skin affected by eczema and other skin
conditions. Usually, it’s treated with antibiotics.
Impetigo is often confused with cold sores and
hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). However,
impetigo blisters form around the mouth, nasal
area, close to the ears, and anywhere else on the
body, and can start to ooze a sticky yellow-brown
fluid that forms crusts; cold sores only form blisters
on the lips. Also, whereas impetigo is caused by
a bacterial growth, cold sores and HFMD are both
viral infections.
If your child’s resistance is low, the impetigo
sores could spread quickly, so it’s best to contain
the condition as soon as possible:
Give your child the safe homeopathic remedy
ImmunoCare – one tablet every hour or two –
and Calendula Tablets three times a day.
Keep the infected area clean by washing
it regularly with gentle disinfectant
calendula soap.
Apply a homeopathic healing ointment or
powder to promote healing and dry out any
seeping blisters.
Keep your child’s hands clean and nails
trimmed and scrubbed.
Prevent your child from picking his nose or
touching the infected area by keeping him
busy and distracted.
eClinic
Wriggly
worms
Could your child have worms?
Here’s what you can do about it if he does!
D
id you know that about one third of all South
Africans are infected with some form of worm
disease? Our warm, outdoor climate makes it very
easy to contract worms. You can become infected
in a number of ways:
By eating food (usually uncooked or unwashed)
contaminated with any parasitic intestinal
worms, like round worm, pin worm and
tape worm
Walking barefoot on soil or sand that harbours
eggs or larvae
Tiny worm eggs can also be breathed in, as they
are swept around by wind and in dust
Most households have a pet or two, which may
increase your chances of infection, so treat your
pets for worms regularly
Symptoms
Worms can have serious side-effects if left
untreated. Although it can be difficult to know for
sure if a child has worms without a stool culture,
you can find out by placing a piece of sticky tape
around your little one’s anus at night, after he’s
been asleep for about 30 minutes. If your child does
have worms, you’ll see little white eggs sticking
to the tape when you remove it. Other common
symptoms of worms include:
Itching around the anal area
Itching of the nose
28 eBaby l November–December 2014
Abdominal bloating
Concentration problems
Diffuse tummy pains
Constipation or diarrhoea
A cough that won’t go away
Unnatural tiredness
Persistent tooth grinding
A large worm load can lead to a blocked intestine,
anaemia and increasingly poor health
Treatment
Children can be treated for worms from two years
of age, every six months, with over-the-counter
medication. It may be necessary to treat a child
who’s younger than two years, especially if there’s
close contact with pets. In this case, and during
pregnancy, only do so under the guidance of
a doctor.
Stick to good hygiene measures to minimise
cross-infection, like better hand washing and
scrubbing of nails.
Replace sandbox sand regularly.
Clear away animal excrement immediately,
and don’t hose it into the lawn or garden beds.
Wash fruit and veggies thoroughly before eating.
Give children probiotics to create a digestive
environment that’s less ‘worm-friendly’.
Apply calendula cream to itchy areas.
eMenu
Breakfast pizza
Here’s a quick family-friendly, delicious breakfast that
you can make as healthy – or naughty – as you like!
Ingredients
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed (1cm)
½ an onion, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped (optional)
6 rashers of rindless streaky bacon, chopped
5 jumbo or extra-large free-range eggs, beaten
¼ green pepper, diced
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
150g mature cheddar cheese, grated
6–8 slices of mozzarella cheese (2cm wide)
2 medium black mushrooms, peeled and sliced
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper and sea salt to taste
Cook’s Note
d use
Be creative, an
urite
vo
fa
any of your
; simply
gs
in
pp
to
a
zz
pi
p of the
add them on to
acing
pl
re
cheese befo
.
under the grill
Recipe and photo: Alan Paramor
Method
1.Place a single layer of cubed potatoes into a large,
heavy-based frying pan. Sprinkle with olive oil and
fry gently over medium heat for about 5 minutes,
turning frequently to prevent browning.
2.Add onions, garlic and about half of the bacon
and continue to fry gently, stirring regularly until the
potatoes are just cooked and starting to colour.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
3.While the potatoes are cooking, add the balance of
the bacon into a dry frying pan and cook on a high
heat until crisp. Remove and set aside.
4.Quickly fry the mushrooms in the bacon fat. Add
salt and pepper to taste and a little olive oil if
required. Set aside when partially cooked.
5.Once cooked, ensure that the potato, onion and
bacon mix is spread evenly over the pan. Add the
beaten eggs and leave to cook over a medium
heat until the egg is set but not too dry.
6.Sprinkle the grated cheddar over the egg mixture,
and then the decorative strips of mozzarella.
7.Arrange the tomatoes, crispy bacon and green
peppers on top of your ‘pizza’, then place under
a hot grill until the eggs are firm and the cheese is
starting to colour.
8.Remove from grill, slide on to a round pizza platter
and serve immediately.
rv
Se
–3
2
es
November–December 2014 l eBaby 29
eMenu
Recipe: SISTER LILIAN
Photo: Alan Paramor
Summer salad
A delightful visual and taste sensation!
Ingredients
6 small beetroots, not peeled
1 medium butternut, peeled, seeded
and cubed
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cubed
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cubed
1 cup snap peas in shells, rinsed, cut in half
1 punnet baby corn, rinsed, cut into three
pieces each
4 cups loosely packed mixed baby
green leaves – rocket, baby spinach and
watercress provide a special taste treat
3 rounds feta cheese, cubed
Juice of 1 large ripe lemon
Ground coarse sea salt and black pepper
to taste
Ground mixed red pepper to taste
Method
1.Steam beetroot until a sharp knife can pierce the flesh
easily. Set aside to cool, peel and cut into 1cm cubes.
2.Place cubed butternut in a bowl, drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil
over cubes, toss and pour into a hot frying pan. After
3 minutes, reduce the heat to medium. Flip the cubes
regularly until the butternut is just cooked, but firm and
attractively golden brown.
3.Place 10% of beetroot, butternut, peppers, snap peas,
baby corn and feta cheese in a small bowl.
4.Cut off any tough or stringy stems from the baby green
leaves. Rinse the leaves and place them in a big bowl.
5.Add the remaining 90% of the beetroot, butternut, peppers,
snap peas, baby corn and feta cheese to the greens,
and toss gently but well. Place in a glass serving bowl.
6.Sprinkle the reserved 10% over the top of the salad,
to ensure that all the delightful colours are seen at
their full potential.
7.Mix the remainder of the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and
pepper, and drizzle over the salad. Do not toss.
Chill for 15 minutes before serving.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 31
eMenu
KITCHEN
cookies
Lovely liquorice
W
hen we mention liquorice, you probably
think of the sweet, don’t you? Liquorice
extract comes from the root of a plant called
Glycrrhiza glabra. This extract is used to flavour
the sweet, and is also used in fragrances,
tobacco products, tea and liqueurs – and as
a very useful herbal remedy!
Indeed, liquorice as a remedy can be used
to help with asthma, athlete’s foot, chronic
fatigue, depression, colds and flu, gingivitis and
tooth decay, and a sore throat. If anyone in your
family is ill, liquorice could help to relieve fever
and pain. This wonderful remedy can also help
ease your nerves if you are particularly stressed,
and will help soothe PMS.
Pregnant women in particular may benefit
from sipping on a weak infusion of liquorice
tea or chewing on a sugar-free liquorice sweet
if they experience particularly bad heartburn.
However, other than this, pregnant women
should rather avoid liquorice. As with any herbal
remedy, it should not be used in large doses,
or for an extended period of time.
Mango groove
M
angoes, with their distinctive tropical
flavour, are one of the most popular fruits
in the world. They’re not just delicious though;
they’re also very healthy. In fact, one mango,
which is only about 100 calories, will provide
you with 100% of your recommended daily
vitamin C, 35% of your vitamin A, 20% of
your daily folate intake and 12% of your
daily fibre. They’re also fat- sodium- and
cholesterol free. Could there be a more
perfect summer-time snack?
32 eBaby l November–December 2014
All about
Peppadews
®
D
id you know that Peppadews® are a proudly
South African discovery? In the early 90s,
businessman and farmer Johan Steenkamp was
walking around in the garden of his Eastern Cape
holiday home when he noticed an unusual looking
plant with small, bright red fruits that looked like
small, round red peppers.
Carefully, he tasted one, and instantly liked the
distinct sweet, peppery taste. He saved the seeds
from the harvested fruit, cultivated the seedlings
and figured out how to pickle them… and voilà, the
Peppadew® was born! Since then, the trademark
has been registered globally, and the company
obtained the sole international rights to grow the
plant – rumours have it that even the farmlands are
heavily protected to prevent anyone from gathering
trade secrets.
Whether or not
this is true, one
thing is for certain
– these uniquely
flavoured peppers
have kicked
off a culinary
adventure
worldwide.
Toss some
chopped
Peppadews®
over a salad
for a tangy bite,
add some to
guacamole for
a delicious dip,
or use them to
spice up some
veggie kebabs!
Rel@x
Back to Books
Snuggling up close and reading a well-loved story is one of
the best experiences your child can share with you. It opens
up whole new worlds, inspires their vivid imaginations, and
does wonders for their language mastery. These are just
a few of the gems we think you should try.
Win!
eBaby is giving three lucky
readers the chance to each
win one of these books!
To enter, simply email your name,
contact details, address, and
the book you’d like to
monique@sisterlilian.co.za.
Jeff and George and the Totem Pole (R140)
By Emily Child; illustrated by Julia Anastasopoulos
It’s a windy, rainy, misty day in Cape Town, and best friends Jeff and his
springbok George are bored. They’ve already done everything they can do
indoors – including washing the dishes – but now what? Together, these
two buddies hatch a plan that will get them outdoors even in the miserable
weather, and before they know it, they’re simply “pronking” with joy. With
adorable illustrations to match a very sweet story, you simply can’t go
wrong with this adorable children’s book!
The Name of the Tree is Bojabi (R155)
By Piet Grobler and Dianne Hofmeyer
This beautiful hardcover book tells the legend of the Bojabi Tree,
a tree that grows juicy mangoes, sweet melons and ripe pomegranates.
The hungry animals would love to eat the fruit, but there’s one small
problem… A python is tightly wrapped around the tree’s trunk, and
he’s not budging until the animals can tell him the name of the tree.
But they have no clue! This distinctly African tale is bound to become
a firm favourite with your little one!
Ouma Ruby Se Geheim (R89)
In honour of
Chris van Wy
k,
1957 –
3 October 20
14.
By Chris van Wyk;
illustrated by Anneliese Voigt-Peters
Award-winning South African novelist and poet Chris
van Wyk writes this endearing and quintessentially
South African children’s tale, based on a true story.
Chris is a young boy who absolutely loves to read.
One day, Chris’ Ouma Ruby asks him to meet her in
town because she has a wonderful surprise for him…
But how will Chris make it up to Ouma Ruby? Well,
he’s going to organise a surprise for her too! The
illustrations that accompany this very sweet story
are absolutely beautiful – look out for South African
‘goodies’ too, like rooibos tea and All Gold!
Prices were correct at time of publication. Competition closes on 1 December 2014.
November–December 2014 l eBaby 33
Rel@x
Meet some of our
eBaby readers and their
adorable little ones!
The winner of the Baby City voucher is…
Want t
o
Send y be in our e
Gallery
our hig
?
pregna
ncy or h resolution
moniqu
baby p
and yo e@sisterlilian hotos to
u
a Baby could win .co.za
worth City vouche
R500
r
!
Sadie Adams is having a lot
of fun getting dressed up!
Skyla Jade Buckley’s
toothy grin captures her
personality perfectly!
Sienna Skye Beytell can’t wait
to meet her new little sister!
Chrisanta, Sylvester and Baby
Riley Nair make one beautiful family!
34 eBaby l November–December 2014
Bath time has never
ooked so fun than with
Aryana Naicker!
Alyssa Smith is super excited about
opening her first birthday presents!
HOT SP T
Flora Force
Fenugreek
Capsules for
breastfeeding
moms
Available at
Mommy Care Biodegradable
Eco Baby Wipes
These baby wipes are perfect for cleaning Baby’s
nappy area, hands and face. The Biodegradable
Eco Baby Wipes:
- Are made with botanical and
certified natural ingredients
- Contain aloe vera, rosemary,
chamomile and vitamin E
- Are suitable for all skin types
For more information, go to
www.mommycare.co.za
Mommy Care
South Africa
SugarDots
Muslin
Blankets
Wrap your baby in SugarDots Love with two 100%
cotton muslin blankets. Muslin is world-renowned
for being the best fabric for swaddling newborns,
so your bundle of joy will feel soothed, calmed and
loved! SugarDots Muslin blankets:
Have a delicate weave
that guarantees softness
Measure 110cm x 110cm
Are available in a variety
of patterns
Available at leading baby
stores. For more info, go to
www.sugardots.co.za or
call 083 635 2727.
Flora Force Fenugreek
stimulates lactation the
natural way, resulting in:
• Sufficient breast milk
• A nourished, content
and healthy baby
• A relaxed, happy mom…
and dad!
Flora Force Fenugreek is available at
Dis-Chem, most pharmacies and health shops.
For more information, visit
www.floraforce.co.za/fenugreek-for-breastfeeding.
A safe and
natural
sunscreen
Available at
This organic sunscreen
from Mommy Care
was developed from
the highest quality
natural ingredients to
ensure safe protection
for even the most
sensitive of skin.
Daily Sun Screen:
- Provides UVA and
UVB protection,
and meets stringent
sun protection
standards
- Is safe to use on Baby
from birth
- Is light and non-greasy
For more information, go to
www.mommycare.co.za
Mommy Care
South Africa
November–December 2014 l eBaby 35