All4Baby » PREG_16 https://all4baby.co.za From Pregnancy to birth to baby and beyond. The place to find, chat, and share. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:09:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=466 Medication for pregnant women: what’s safe to take? https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms/733/medication-pregnant-women-whats-safe-take/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=medication-pregnant-women-whats-safe-take https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms/733/medication-pregnant-women-whats-safe-take/#comments Thu, 22 May 2014 09:01:00 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=733 When it comes to medication for pregnant women, what is safe and what is not? The Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa shares their expertise.

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Aches and pains are common during pregnancy, as the body changes shape to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the uterus.

But when discomfort progresses to aches and pains, what medications can expectant mothers use for relief?

Moms-to-be can use selected painkiller options available, but as with everything else during pregnancy, diligence is necessary and medication should be used with caution and guidance from a doctor or gynaecologist.

Acetaminophen or paracetamol, is considered safe to use during pregnancy primarily for headaches, fever, aches, pains and sore throat. It can be used during all three trimesters of pregnancy.

Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication should not be taken during pregnancy as it can cause problems for both the mother and the fetus. It can also be linked to complications during labour.

According to Rodale’s Balancing Pregnancy & Work, the good news is that migraines and other severe headaches may in fact be less frequent or disappear completely during pregnancy, due to the hormonal changes involved.

(Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa)

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What is the cost of having a baby? https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/planning-for-baby/715/cost-baby/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cost-baby https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/planning-for-baby/715/cost-baby/#comments Wed, 21 May 2014 09:20:50 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=715 What is the cost of having a baby? FNB have put together a guide that can help you get financially ready for baby.

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Having a baby, especially your first one, is an exciting and over-whelming time, both emotionally and financially.What is the cost of having a baby?

More expenses, more pressure

There will be more expenses to deal with and more pressure on a budget that will now have to accommodate three and not two people, but there is hope. There are a number of financial plans you can put into place before the baby arrives to ease the pressure on your bank account.

Financial planning is a must

Eunice Sibiya, head of Consumer Education at FNB says, “Having a baby in today’s age requires careful financial planning. Everyone wants the best for their child, and first-time parents are very conscious about getting everything right whether it’s the pram they buy, or the school they send their children to. Of course everything won’t be perfect, but you can put financial plans in place before and after the baby is born to give your child the best start in life.”

Prepare before baby arrives

A lot of financial preparation can be done before a baby arrives to ease the transition of a two-person household to that of three people. Ideally, it makes more financial sense to start saving as soon as you start planning to have a baby. Sibiya suggests the following:

Cut back on expenses

Your current budget might not have a lot of wiggle room for extra expenses, so see where you can cut down. “Identify the luxuries and cut them out.. Pay off your credit card and clothing accounts and try and start your maternity leave with as little debt as possible,” says Sibiya

Buy, buy, buy

Now that you’ve freed up some room in your current budget, shop, shop, shop!

You can use the extra money while you’re pregnant to stock up on nappies, creams, wet wipes and anything else that is not perishable.

When the baby arrives, you might find it difficult to run out to the shops every day or two for supplies. Sibiya says that it’s also a good idea to stock up on non-perishable food, easy to cook meals and cleaning products while you’re expecting. And keep an eye out for sales and bargains!

Babies need baby things

There will be a few once-off and large expenses you’ll have to take care of before baby arrives, such as travel systems, sterilizers, cots, compactums, baby baths etc. These will set you back in the region of R10 000 to R15 000.

“The best thing you can do for yourself is to make lists and tackle a few items each month before the baby arrives so that the financial load isn’t too much. There are a number of websites, magazines and apps that will help you compile your lists. First time parents are sometimes skittish of looking at second hand baby goods, but if you have family or friends who want to offload a cot or pram, consider taking them up on their offer,” says Sibiya.

Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programmes

Go through all your loyalty programmes and rewards and “cash them in”. Use them before they expire and investigate how best to use them before and after baby arrives.

FNB’s eBucks rewards programme is rated the best loyalty programme in South Africa and is affiliated with a number of retail partners such as Dischem and Makro, where you can earn or spend eBucks when buying products for baby.

 

Know what your medical aid offers

Contact your medical aid to make sure what they pay for and what not. Some medical aids have a baby programme that will help you with this. There will be a number of doctors visits, blood tests and scans. There are also a number of birthing options like natural versus C-Section, which carry different costs. Your medical aid will be able to confirm whether there will be co-payments that you are responsible for. It all depends what kind of plan you’re on and what rates your doctors charge.

Sibiya says, “You will also have to add the baby to your medical aid as soon as he or she is born and evaluate your current plan. Some plans are better than others when you have dependents, so do your homework.”

Maternity Leave

“Most importantly, know whether you will be on paid or unpaid maternity leave. When you inform your employer of your pregnancy, make sure you’re well versed on their maternity policy. Understand what your income will be and plan accordingly,” says Sibiya.

If you’re going to be on unpaid maternity leave, you’re entitled to UIF benefits.* Sibiya says it’s important to start the UIF process as early as possible, whether you tackle the process yourself or decide to make use of an agency.

“There are a number of forms that you’ll need to complete, and your plate will be quite full preparing for the baby, so do what you can before the baby arrives,” she says.

Decide on Childcare

If you’re sending your child to a crèche or hiring a nanny to help out when the baby arrives, do your homework. Some employers have on-site crèches that offer discounts to employees. You’ll have the advantage of not having to drive out of the way to drop your little one off and you’ll have him or her close by if you want to visit during the day.

“Deciding to have a child is one of the biggest life decisions you can make, and the costs start way before baby arrives. The best thing you can do is plan ahead and be prepared,” concludes Sibiya.

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Congenital heart defects: What every mom and mom-to-be should know https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/birth-defects/454/congenital-heart-defects-every-mom-mom-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=congenital-heart-defects-every-mom-mom-know https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/birth-defects/454/congenital-heart-defects-every-mom-mom-know/#comments Wed, 23 Apr 2014 09:04:37 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=454 CHDs are the number one birth defect and the top cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide. One in five infant deaths that are mistakenly identified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are actually CHD related.

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There are approximately 37 known CHDs and one in 100 children born are affected. That’s one child born with a heart defect every 15 minutes globally.

If you were to ask expectant mothers what a CHD is, not many would know the answer and this is because you only really become affected by these defects if you are lucky enough to have them identified early on.

CHD Facts

CHD deaths can be avoided through education and knowledge. If moms are armed with the information they need to protect their babies from CHD related issues, death could potentially be avoided. All moms need to do is ask.

  • Congenital Heart Defects are the number one birth defect worldwide.
  • Congenital Heart Defects are also the number one cause of birth defect related deaths worldwide.
  • Approximately one out of every 100 babies are born each year with some type of Congenital Heart Defect.
  • Each year 100,000 babies (under one year old) worldwide will not live to celebrate their first birthday.
  • The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year.
  • Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research.
  • Although some babies will be diagnosed during gestation or at birth, sometimes the diagnosis is not made until days, weeks, months, or even years after. In some cases, CHD is not detected until adolescence or adulthood.
  • It is a proven fact that the earlier CHD is detected and treated, it is more likely the affected child will survive and have less long term health complications.
  • More than 50% of all children born with congenital heart defect will require at least one invasive surgery in their lifetime.
  • There are more than 37 different types of congenital heart defects. Little is known about the cause of most of them. There is no known prevention or cure for any of them.
  • Globally, twice as many children die from congenital heart defects each year than from all forms of childhood cancer combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHDs.

Meet Hudson

“Hudson was born on January 14th, 2013. Two days later, the hospital appointed paediatrician identified what he thought to be a heart murmur and immediately called the resident cardiologist to check it out. It turned out, Hudson had a congenital heart defect (CHD) called Truncus Arteriosus.

He underwent surgery at six weeks of age and everything looked so positive that we’d all but stopped worrying about his heart; so it was completely unexpected when he passed away in the early hours of the morning of May 17th.

In a sad way, we were lucky. Hudson’s CHD was identified early on and we could do everything possible to try and save him. While we weren’t successful and are struggling through the grief of losing our child, we believe that Hudson’s story can help to make a difference in saving the lives of future CHD kids”, says Hudson’s mom, Andrea Slater.

Ask your OB Gyn for information on CHD

There aren’t many OB Gyns who routinely perform the necessary scans for CHDs during pregnancy. Most scan routinely for Down’s Syndrome and various other genetic disorders, but the dangers that face unborn children go further than just these.

If heart related disorders are identified, expectant mothers can, for instance, opt for caesarean sections rather than natural birth, thereby relieving the stress on the infant’s heart and body.

Ask for a Pulse Oximetry (Pulse Ox) screen once your child is born

Pulse Ox is a simple screening test that measures how much oxygen is in a baby’s blood. When performed after the baby is 24 hours old (or before discharge), the test can help identify babies who may have serious heart problems before they go home.

Speak to other humans who know

Join pages like The Hudson Initiative on Facebook, where we bring focus to CHDs, what’s being done about them in South Africa, what mothers can do to protect their kids going forward and raise funds to help raise awareness around CHDs. Talk to us, we can help you save a heart.

About the Author: Andrea Slater is mother to a CHD angel and all she wants is to help other tiny people get a fighting chance in this life. Readers are welcome to visit her blog for more on Hudson’s journey.

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Buying for baby on a budget https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/262/buying-baby-budget/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=buying-baby-budget https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/262/buying-baby-budget/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:22:02 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=262 Used goods and home businesses can be an attractive and cost effective alternative source of baby gear, but is it safe to buy secondhand items for your baby?

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Baby boutiques and their extensive (expensive!) product ranges can be extremely attractive for any new mom – but the reality is that nursery furniture and baby clothing gets outgrown very quickly. Used goods and home businesses can provide an attractive and cost effective alternative, but is it safe to buy secondhand items for your baby?

“Buying new items for your baby is often like shopping for a wedding – it’s exciting, but ultimately not very practical or eco-friendly in the long run. Buying secondhand can knock 50% off the retail price, and in most cases, the items found on online classifieds are in pristine condition,” says Claire Cobbledick, Head of Marketing, Gumtree, South Africa.

The site has over 10 000 items aimed at children of all ages. “Most parents know that their kids’ clothing and furniture will barely be used before they’ve outgrown it, which means that there is a great market for items taking up space in someone else’s house and ready for a second life.”

But there is a definite list of dos and don’ts parents should take into consideration when buying secondhand items. “Buying gently used clothing is fine, but avoid anything with zips, hoods, or drawstrings that could lose their elasticity quickly or start to unravel. Anything that gets really grubby – like diaper bags – should rather be purchased new,” says Cobbledick.

“But baby shoes are usually hardly worn before they are discarded, which makes it a great secondhand buy. When buying furniture secondhand, be sure to check the item for flaking paint or splinters that could cause injury.”

These ten extremely popular items can be bought secondhand on the site at bargain prices:

Cribs and Cots

“Most cribs and cots made over the last five years are perfectly safe to be purchased, but do your research to ensure that the product you are considering hasn’t been recalled by quality controllers,” Cobbledick advises. “Strong mattress support is important, so replace this if necessary. Also consider portable cots – they are not only less expensive, but take up less space and offer a great alternate.”

Strollers and Joggers

“A stroller can be the most expensive item a parent invests in, which makes it a great secondhand buy,” says Cobbledick. “Avoid any with broken, loose or missing parts, when looking at used strollers. It’s perfectly fine to ask the owner if you can take it for a spin to make sure it’s sturdy and handles well. We also often have customers selling off demo models, that are almost half the retail price and unused.”

Bathtubs

Baby bathtubs are a good purchase, providing the owner has stored them correctly. “If the bathtub is clean and doesn’t smell of mildew or harsh chemicals, it’s fine. Bath seats, or inflatable tubs are not advisable secondhand purchases – if damaged, they could be dangerous.”

High chairs, compactums and changing tables

“Classifieds are a great way of sourcing furniture, because a lot of carpenters use the site to sell their handmade furniture – there are really innovative creations up for grabs, and many of the sellers are willing to customise the colour and design according to your preferences,” says Cobbledick. “Just make sure that there are safeguards to ensure that your baby doesn’t fall out of the seat. High chairs with removable trays or arms that lift above the head can also be hazardous.”

Baby monitors and electronics

“There are tons of unwanted baby monitors and electronics that can be picked up online. Replace the batteries and it’s good to go.”

Baby shower goodies

You would be surprised at how many baby shower items can be bought online. “Classifieds can be a great way of sourcing items for a baby shower or party,” says Cobbledick. “You can search for different suppliers of birth announcement cakes, party favours and even entertainment, and source dozens of quotes in your neighbourhood on a single site. Most of the suppliers offer online photo portfolios or have their own sites that can be visited to get a clearer picture of what they provide.”

For more information, visit the Baby and Kids Section on Gumtree.co.za.

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5 Points to consider when choosing a name for your baby https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/planning-for-baby/58/5-points-consider-choosing-name-baby/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-points-consider-choosing-name-baby https://all4baby.co.za/pregnancy/planning-for-baby/58/5-points-consider-choosing-name-baby/#comments Wed, 19 Mar 2014 08:07:55 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=58 Naming your baby is more important than you think. After all, they will have to walk around with the name that you choose forever.

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Whether you name your baby while you are pregnant or once you have met them, the naming process is usually fraught with disagreements, opinions from family or friends and uncertainty as to whether you have chosen the right name.

While the final decision lies with you (yes, not the traditional grandparents and over-excited aunts) there’s always a chance that you will one day suffer from naming regret.

Here are five points to consider when naming your little bundle of joy.

Excuse the pun

Some parents, whether intentional or by fluke, give their baby a name that can very easily be turned into a pun. Before you think that Justin Tyme (just-in time) is cute, think about what poor Penny (penny for your thoughts) will have to endure for the rest of her life. If the name you choose has an obvious pun or idiom, scratch it off your list. There’s enough pun in the world in the form of North West (Kim K and Kanye West’s little one).

Billy rhymes with

You guessed it. I didn’t even need to spell it out for you. Boozy Suzy, fatty Matty and prissy Chrissy join Billy in the list of names that rhyme. Now, this may be cute to you and your significant other but it won’t be cute to the grade one bully who realises that your child’s name has a built-in teasing mechanism.

Pronunciation

Why spell Michael, Mykel? While it may seem unusual (and yes I know, special) to give your child a common name that is spelt differently, all you are actually doing is setting your child up to correct people for the rest of his life. When you choose a name, spell it like you say it. If you mispronounce the name when first reading it, chances are others will too.

Keep it simple

The length of your surname should have some effect on how long your baby’s first name will be. Life is hard enough as it is. You don’t want to give your child a tongue twister that they are only able to spell in grade four.

Celeb inspiration

One word: no. Celebs are great at inspiring fashion trends, but baby names… not so much. Blue Ivy, Cricket Pearl and Bear Blu may roll smoothly off the tongue in celeb-ville but will not go down well in a South African classroom. Just because Beyonce’s child can pull it off, doesn’t mean your child can.

If you are at a loss as to what to name your baby, an old fashioned baby name book will probably set you off in the right direction. For those who prefer to turn to the internet, here are the top ten boy and girl names for 2013:

Boys:

  1. Jackson
  2. Aiden
  3. Liam
  4. Luca/s
  5. Noah
  6. Mason
  7. Jayden
  8. Ethan
  9. Jacob
  10. Jack

Girls:

  1. Sophia
  2. Emma
  3. Olivia
  4. Isabella
  5. Mia
  6. Ava
  7. Lily
  8. Zoe
  9. Emily
  10. Madison

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