Motherly Love Summer 2021

Summer Issue 2021

Motherly Love

It’s a new season

time to shine!

FOR MOMS, BY MOMS

Informed & Inspired

Coping with child allergies

Banish the winter blues

Post-pregnancy recovery

+

Some good advice for

Breastfeeding Issues

Becoming a stay-at-home dad

Nurturing good sleeping habits

contents

ISSUE 1

04

06

08

12

16

22

26

30

32

36

42

46 50 54

58

62 66

72

06 Good Buys

A few great new products for

you and your family to try

08 Beauty: Spring To it!

Get your skin out of its winter

blues and restore it for the new

season

12 Pregnancy: What is

Prenatal Care?

Staying as healthy as possible

during pregnancy is the best

way to ensure you have a

healthy baby

16 Baby: Milking the

Situation

Here are answers to some of

your top queries about

breastfeeding, especially as a

first-time mom

22 Parenting: What Kind

of Parent are You?

An overview of the different

styles of parenting, and the

pros and cons of each

26 Parenting: Good Night,

Sleep Tight

How to nurture good sleeping

habits in young children

30 Parenting: Setting

Boundaries

Teach your kids to balance

their time with technology

32 Father Time: Daddy

Daycare

Slowly breaking the age-old

stereotypes, fathers deciding

to be stay-at-home dads are

ever on the rise

Motherly LOVE Issue 1 01

contents

36 Education: Open New

Worlds

Reading to children today

paves the path for their

development in the future

42 Health: Getting Some

Relief

Advice on how to deal with the

pains and discomforts you may

have after a vaginal birth

46 Health: Itchy and

Scratchy

A top paediatrician shares

information on allergies

common in children

50 Health: Bright Smiles

Parents should be a good

example for the children when

it comes to oral healthcare

54 Nutrition: Food for

Thought

Here’s how you can ensure

your little one has a smart

brain start to his life

58 Finances: Money in

Your Pocket

Escape the vicious circle of

living from pay cheque to pay

cheque

62 Décor: Bright and

Beautiful

How to enhance each room in

your home with great lighting

choices

66 Kitchen Capers:

Around the Fire

Author and celebrity baker

Grace Stevens shares three of

her favourite braai recipes for

Heritage Month

02

Motherly LOVE Issue 1

Welcome note

It was Mitch Albom who said, “When you look into your mother’s

eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.”

What a great thing motherly love is—and an apt title of our new

digital publication. It was brought to life by two moms who, over

the years, have found that raising kids isn’t always smooth

sailing...

Motherly Love is meant to assist you through those times when

you simply don’t know what to do, when everything seems to go

wrong, when all you want is to sit down on your favourite couch

and read some good advice. To all those mothers and moms-tobe,

our publication is here to guide you through pregnancy and

birth, the baby and toddler phases, and beyond to the school

years.

We aim to fill our pages with useful information on pregnancy

issues, newborn niggles, kids’ health and safety, behavioural

development, good nutrition and more to lend you a helping hand

in raising happy, healthy children. And there’s a regular feature

for dads, too. You won’t be left behind in the parenting journey!

By moms, for moms, we have put together articles that provide

the latest expert advice, and gathered the trending baby and mom

products for you to browse. In this first edition, you can find out

all about prenatal care; breastfeeding problems and how to solve

them; the various parenting styles, and the pros and cons of each;

which foods to feed your toddler to give him a smart brain start;

why it’s so important to read to your child from a young age, and

more. We also put a ‘spring’ in your step with seasonal tips such

as how to fix winter-ravaged skin, dealing with allergies common

children, and some lovely outdoor braai recipes from Grace

Stevens.

We hope you find inspiration in this first edition of Motherly Love

and that you look forward to seeing more. We’re certainly looking

forward to bringing you plenty more publications!

From the team

04 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

GOOD BUYS

Eco Boom Bamboo Diapers

(from R299)

Nappies with non-woven bamboo fabric

comprise a high-quality super absorbent

material that locks in liquid and keeps

the surface dry. The bamboo fibre

topsheet and backsheet are also

100% biodegradable.

Available online at takealot.com and

www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

Micro Scooter Mini Deluxe ECO

Scooter (R1 899)

The new range of ECO scooters from Micro is

made using discarded fishing nets, ropes, trawls

and other plastic waste that pollute our oceans.

This waste is recovered and transformed into the

durable, colour-pop material used for the scooter

decks and brake. And kids just love the scooter—

with its intuitive lean-to-steer design, and

adjustable handlebar for years of scooting

adventures. For ages 2 to 6 years.

Available online at www.micromobility.co.za and


Mavala Stop Anti-Nail Biting Polish (R219)

Mavala Stop Anti-Nail

Biting Polish has been

heralded as “miraculous”

by parents of nail-biting

and thumb-sucking

children—and adults

who just can’t seem to

break the habit.

Available online at

mavala.co.za

NutriPure range

NutriPure Multi-vitamin

Complete (R109.95) has

been formulated into a

soft and chewy treat, for

children 3 years and older.

NutriPure Immune

Support (R134.95) for adults

has been formulated with

six essential vitamins and

minerals which all play a

role in the maintenance of good health.

Available at Dis-Chem, Pick n Pay, Spar, Clicks and

takealot.com

What’s on the shelves

A few great new products for you and your family to try

Waterpik Water Flosser

(R1 399)

The Waterpik water flosser is an easy

and effective way to improve your

family’s oral health and enjoy the

cleanest, freshest mouth possible.

Available at Dis-Chem

and selected dentists, as well as

online at www.waterpikflosser.co.za

and takealot.com

Ko-Coon Natural Baby Changing Basket (R999)

The Ko-Coon changing mat combines 100% natural ilala palm leaves

woven by Malawian artisans with a durable and easily washable inner.

It comes with a soft quilted inner covered in 100% soft cotton fabric.

Available online at www.ko-coon.co.za and www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

06 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

Linen Drawer Selene range

A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health, as sleep is

nature’s way of revitalising the brain and allowing your muscles to

completely relax. Linen Drawer prides itself on providing

supreme sleeping comfort—so when it came to naming its new

range of bed linen, it decided to look for inspiration from the

Greek goddess of the moon: Selene. This range is as gentle

and serene as moonlight, with its white 200 thread count and

100% cotton percale characterised by its cool smoothness and

excellent durability. The range comprises duvet covers and pillowcases

with piped edges for a beautiful finish.

Available online at www.linendrawer.co.za

White Glo Curcumin & Turmeric Whitening Toothpaste

(R72.95) and Micellar Whitening Toothpaste (R49.95)

Turmeric works wonders

for gum inflammation

and keeping plaque and

tartar build-up at bay.

White Glo’s Curcumin

& Turmeric Whitening

Toothpaste is equipped

with extra-strength agents

that whiten and protect

against decay at the same

time. White Glo Micellar

Whitening Toothpaste is

formulated with micelles:

active cleaning molecules

that act as a magnet to capture

stains, plaque and tartar on the enamel.

Available at Dis-Chem

efferflu C Immune

Booster Junior (R95)

A combination of vitamin C,

zinc and echinacea. Vitamin

C: essential for growth and

development in children;

maintenance of cartilage,

bones and teeth; absorption

of iron, wound healing

and supporting healthy

immunity. Zinc: prevents

the entry of pathogens into

the body. And echinacea: known for its immunebolstering

and antioxidant properties, may lower

the risk of developing colds by more than 50%.

Available at any pharmacy or online at

mydynamicsstore.co.za

FLAXi Natural Heat Therapy Bag (from R129)

The 100% cotton bags are filled with flaxseeds and lavender,

and can be used hot or cold. The baby bag assists in

alleviating colic and cramps, promotes relaxation and

encourages sleep. The toddler bag assists in relieving

abdominal cramps, provides comfort and improves sleep,

and helps with insect bites, bumps, bruises and reducing

fever. Adults can get relief from pains caused by

osteoarthritis, muscle knots, fibromyalgia and

tension headaches.

Available online at essentiallynatural.co.za,

www.feelgoodhealth.co.za and


GD Chocolate’s Turkish Rose Buttercup (R19.99)

A truly romantic indulgence, combining bittersweet dark chocolate

with a rosy soft centre. This chocolate cup is made with UTZ certified

cocoa and sweetened with raw honey, naturally flavoured with rose

geranium. GD treats are locally hand-made, using only natural

ingredients. They are also dairy-free, gluten-free and cane sugar-free.

Available at health shops, pharmacies, Wellness Warehouse, selected Spar

stores and www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

07


BEAUTY skincare

8


Spring

to it

Get your skin out of its winter blues and

restore it for the new season

A

fter months of dry and cold weather,

frigid temperatures and artificial

heating, a new season is finally on the

horizon. Flowers bloom, birds chirp,

colour is restored and our skin emerges

from a cocoon of intensive winter

moisturising.

Spring is the time for renewal, regrowth and

regeneration. Your skin is definitely ready for a

change in seasonal skincare.

With the right skincare regime in place, and a

little spring clean of your skincare vanity, you’ll be

well-prepped for the warmer mornings that add a

little ‘spring’ in your step.

Here are four top spring skincare essentials:

A gentle exfoliator, whether chemical or mechanical,

will help smooth out those rough patches on the

skin, remove dry skin and uneven skin tones after

winter, removing unwanted dead skin cells.

With the warmer weather approaching, you can

allow for a less heavy and all-rounder daily

moisturiser that can be used day and night.

SPF, SPF, SPF—always and forever. Even the

slightest bit of UV rays causes sun damage. Sun

damage is the main cause of premature ageing in

skin, which may also cause sun spots.

Consider a retinol vitamin A serum. Vitamin A

is effective for fighting ageing, acne and dark spot

concerns. Retinol inhibits collagen breakdown that

causes elastosis, unclogs blocked pores, reducing

acne breakouts. It also promotes cell turnover,

encouraging new cell growth for a more even

complexion.

With this power combination, you’ll be giving

your skin all the tools it needs during this seasonal

transition. It’s time to replace those jackets, scarfs

and jumpers for sunnies, hats and tank tops. What

better time to embrace your skin than in a new

season!


9

BEAUTY skincare

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

BOX OF GOODIES

This spring, SKIN functional and skinfluencer Dr Dudu

Kgoebane have partnered up to create a fully

comprehensive and holistic Spring Skincare Box that

has all the essentials you need in one place—and which

won’t break the bank. This limited edition collaboration

encourages accurate skincare choices with educational

content aimed at providing skintelligence that’s

accessible to everyone. Skincare shouldn’t be hard!

“When we decided to create this one-of-a-kind

skincare box for spring, choosing the correct products

based on ingredients and powerful formulations was at

the top of our list. SKIN functional’s product range is

expertly formulated using optimal concentrations of

effective and trusted ingredients to restore the skin’s

optimal functioning. We chose products that deliver

potent treatments that bring you everything your skin

needs with reproducible results, helping your skin cope

and transition seamlessly into spring,” says Dr Dudu.

In this limited edition skincare box, you’ll receive the

following items:

• Gentle Exfoliating Tonic with 6% Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid has a large molecular structure that

makes this acid suitable for sensitive skin. Mandelic

acid has keratolytic and bactericidal properties and

regulates the sebaceous glands. It’s a gentle exfoliator,

suitable for sensitive and dry skin, which smooths

rough and uneven skin tone—making it a suitable

adjunctive treatment for acne, uneven skin tone and

blemishes.

• Daily Moisturiser with 5% Black Ginseng and ATB

Complex

A daily skincare staple for hydrated, healthier skin. The

active component in ginseng is called ginsenosides. In

order to obtain the highest level of ginsenosides, the

root must be distilled using steam. After three

distillation cycles, red ginseng is the result. Black

ginseng undergoes nine distillation cycles, yielding the

highest possible level of ginsenosides. Black ginseng

extract contains 300% more actives than red ginseng.

Black ginseng is a powerful antioxidant with

comparable efficacy to L-ascorbic acid.

• Oil-based Vitamin A with 0.3% Retinol

This oil-based vitamin A is great for a first-time use of

retinoids. Suitable for sensitive, dry and combination

skin types.

The Spring Skincare Box is available for purchase

exclusively on www.skinfunctional.com for R780, with

free gifts included inside every box.

CMY

K

10


PREGNANCY prenatal care

WHAT IS

PRENATAL CARE?

Staying as healthy as possible during pregnancy is the

best way to ensure you have a healthy baby

12


The sooner you can begin

prenatal care, and start

receiving regular care from

your obstetrician, the

greater the chance of having a

healthy pregnancy. Ideally, this care

can begin before you even conceive,

so if you do want a baby, schedule a

visit to your healthcare provider for a

complete preconception check-up.

WHY SHOULD YOU SEE A

HEALTHCARE EPROVIDER

BEFORE YOU BECOME

PREGNANT?

Seeing your healthcare provider

before you try for a baby will help

ensure you’re healthy enough to carry

a child. Your healthcare provider can

assist you in numerous ways by

assessing your family health history

and the health history of your

partner. They can check that your

immunisations are up-to-date and

that any medical conditions are

well controlled. Your doctor can

talk to you about whether to

increase or start taking various

vitamins, for example, folic acid.

They can also discuss general

health with you, for example

making sure you’re a healthy


13

PREGNANCY prenatal care

weight, provide information about

which foods to eat and which to avoid

during pregnancy.

However, if you don’t manage to

see your doctor before you become

pregnant, don’t panic—but do make

sure you schedule a visit as soon as

you can. If you aren’t satisfied with

your current doctor, ensure you do

research and investigate other

healthcare professionals as, after all,

it’s your baby’s health and well-being

you’re looking out for.

HOW YOUR HEALTHCARE

PROVIDER CAN HELP

DURING PREGNANCY

Most women will thankfully enjoy

very healthy pregnancies, but babies

born to mothers who fail to get

prenatal care are more at risk of

being a low birth weight. Also,

prenatal care will detect any

potential health problems such as

pre-clampsia, gestational diabetes or

anaemia. All these conditions can be

successfully treated when diagnosed

soon enough.

ENSURE YOU GET THE RIGHT

NUTRIENTS DURING

PREGNANCY

During pregnancy, your diet is

crucial for your health and the health

of your baby. You may need to change

your diet to ensure it meets the

nutritional needs of the foetus. You

will find your obstetrician or

healthcare provider can give you lots

of useful advice about which foods

you should eat, and which foods you

shouldn’t. For example, did you

realise blue cheese dressing, hot dogs

and even polonies should be avoided

during pregnancy? Also, if you

thought you could enjoy eating for

two, bad news! For a successful and

healthy pregnancy, you only need

about 300 extra calories each day.

CHECKING YOUR BABY’S

DEVELOPMENT

As your pregnancy progresses, your

healthcare provider can keep track of

your baby’s development during your

prenatal visits. Your baby’s rate of

growth is a critical factor in how well

he or she is doing. Their growth may

be measured using ultrasound, or

even by simply measuring the belly

from the top of your pelvic bone to the

sternum. These measurements will be

taken regularly to check your baby’s

development and, of course, you can

find out your baby’s gender (unless

you prefer to keep it a surprise).

DECIDING IF YOU NEED ANY

ADDITIONAL TESTS

At your initial visit, your doctor or

obstetrician may talk to you about

various tests, depending on your

family history, your medical history

and your age. For example, an

amniocentesis can be completed

during the second trimester and will

check for genetic abnormalities. It’s

also used to monitor other things

including infections, and to assess

the maturity of your baby’s lungs.

Without regular prenatal care, you

may miss out on some tests that

could be essential for your situation.

PLANNING FOR LABOUR AND

DELIVERY

Creating your labour delivery plan is

something you can do with your

partner, but the details of this plan will

depend on the information you receive

about labour and delivery procedures.

Your prenatal visits offer the ideal

opportunity for you to discuss possible

procedures and delivery plans, and to

voice any concerns you may have. Your

obstetrician will be able to answer all

your questions, hopefully reassuring

you and allowing you to create the best

labour and delivery plan for your

needs.

With the right prenatal care, you

will hopefully sail through

pregnancy—enjoying the process

until it’s time to welcome your new

baby into the world.

14


YOGA

is great during pregnancy

as it doesn’t put too much

strain on your joints. It has

also been shown to reduce

anxiety and to help women

stay calm in pregnancy and

labour

BABY breastfeeding

Milking the

situation

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it’s perfectly okay to have

questions and concerns as a new mom. Here are answers to some of

your top queries

Q. I get the feeling breastfeeding

should be easy. How will I know if I

am doing it correctly?

A. Women get that impression

for two main reasons: Other women

do not often share how common it

is for breastfeeding to be challenging,

especially in the beginning; and

secondly, videos, photos, social

media posts etc. that we see

depicting beautiful and peaceful

breastfeeding mother/baby dyads

do not reflect the early postpartum

period!

Signs that breastfeeding is going

well include a lack of significant pain,

audible suckling, your baby seeming

relaxed and content during and after

feeding, and the establishment of a

good milk supply. An adequate milk

supply can be identified by your baby

having lots of wet and dirty nappies,

that he seems satisfied after eating

and no longer shows signs of hunger,

and he has good weight gain.

Breastfed newborns should regain

their birth weight within a week or

two after birth.

Q. Are there signals to show my

baby is getting enough milk?

A. It’s normal for infants to feed

every 1 to 3 hours, both day and night.

Frequent feedings during the first

few weeks of life are essential for the

production of hormones that are

needed for the establishment of a

good milk supply.

It can be difficult to gauge how

much milk your baby drinks at the

breast. For full-term babies, falling

asleep at the breast can be a sign that

they are finished feeding. However,

preterm babies, and even those who

are just a little before their due date

(early-term, or 37 to 38 weeks’

gestation), can fall asleep at the breast

even if they are not full. Babies who

are born before their due date, who

tend to be ‘sleepy’ at the breast, will

often start to feed again if you wake

them up. In addition to looking for the

signs of a well-established milk

supply, we recommend all mothers of

premature and early-term babies

work with a lactation consultant until

a good supply has been established.

16


BABY breastfeeding

It’s also important to note that

breastfeeding newborn babies should

not be expected to sleep through the

night! Your body secretes the largest

amount of prolactin, the main

hormone involved in milk

production, in the middle of the

night. Thus, nighttime feedings are

important in boosting and

maintaining mothers’ milk flows.

Trying to put a newborn baby (less

than one month of age) onto a strict

breastfeeding schedule can lead to a

significant decrease in one’s supply.

Q. What can I do about sore

nipples?

A. Sore nipples are common, and

up to 90% of breastfeeding moms

experience some degree of nipple

soreness early on. Treatments for

sore nipples include warm, moist

heat; nipple ointments and creams;

and hydrogel pads. Breast massage

and wearing comfortable bras can

also help.

Persistent nipple pain can be a sign

that your baby is not latching on

correctly. This can be a result of

baby’s latch being too shallow, a

tongue-tie, and/or too much suction

being present as your baby comes off

of your breast. The best way to

troubleshoot a painful latch is by

working with a lactation specialist.

Nipple shields, which are thin, silicone

sleeves that fit over the nipple/areolar

region, can be used as a temporary

tool to help with problematic latches.

It’s very important to have a

professional help you choose nipple

shields that are the correct size for

your breasts. Some women with large

breasts actually need smaller-sized

nipple shields and vice versa. In

addition, some moms may find that

certain brands of shields work better

than others.

Sore nipples can sometimes

improve if different nursing positions

are used as well. ‘Laid-back’, or

reclined breastfeeding, is increasingly

being used to promote maternal

comfort and proper latching.

Q. Any tips for getting past

shyness of feeding in front of other

people—especially those

unsupportive of nursing?

A. It’s really important to be

patient with yourself and your baby

as you bond with each other and

learn how to breastfeed. Like

learning any new skill, it’s best to

practise without an audience around.

The first few postpartum weeks often

involve countless hours of being

topless and having ‘skin-to-skin’

time with your baby between

breastfeeding sessions. This is not

the optimal time to have lots of

visitors and/or prolonged visits with

family and friends.

Once breastfeeding is wellestablished,

we recommend starting

to feed around supportive loved ones

first. This is also a good time to

practise with nursing apparel and

cover-ups to see which ones are the

most comfortable for you and your

baby as you prepare for how you will

comfortably nurse in public.

Q. I started pumping and have

noticed one breast produces more

milk. Does that mean my baby isn’t

getting enough sustenance on the

other side?

A. One mom had the exact same

question when she had her oldest

baby and started pumping; her right

breast always produced less milk

than her left. She blamed herself for

somehow ‘messing up’ and causing

this, but she came to know that it’s

actually very common for one breast

to produce more milk than another.

One way to balance things out is to

try to start feeding your baby on the

lower-producing breast first and/or

more often. Some moms are also able

to pump on the lower-producing side

while their baby feeds on the

higher-producing side, with an

improvement in supply. The reality,

however, is that a lot of breastfeeding

women have asymmetrically sized

breasts until they wean. It’s one of

those things that you sometimes just

have to get used to experiencing as a

nursing mom!

Q. How should I store

breast milk?

A. Freshly expressed breast milk

can be stored at room temperature

for four to eight hours, on ice packs

in a cooler for up to 24 hours, in a

refrigerator for about five to eight

days, in a regular freezer for six

months, and in a deep freezer for up

to 12 months.

Pumped milk should be placed in

storage bags or containers that are

made specifically for breast milk and

should always be labelled with the

date and quantity that was pumped.

When storing milk, make sure

it is kept in the back of the

refrigerator or freezer, where it

will be kept coldest, and use the

oldest milk first.

Once frozen milk has been thawed

in the refrigerator it should be used

18


BABY breastfeeding

within 24 hours to prevent the

growth of harmful bacteria.

Lastly, thawed milk should not be

refrozen, as there is not information

in regard to the safety of refreezing

previously thawed milk.

Q. Can I drink alcohol while

exclusively breastfeeding?

A. You can drink a small quantity of

alcohol without causing any harm to

your baby. It’s definitely best to limit

the amount you drink to one drink

(i.e. 120ml of wine) at a time. If you

feel tipsy or drunk, it’s best to refrain

from breastfeeding, as this means the

levels of alcohol in your blood are too

high to be safe for your baby.

Too much alcohol interferes

with babies’ sleep-wake cycles,

feeding, and weight gain and growth.

Long-term alcohol exposure

negatively impacts brain and nerve

development.

Q. Is feeding impacted by surgery

(augmentation/reduction/

reconstruction)?

A. Yes, breast surgeries can affect

breastfeeding. Fortunately, most

mothers with a history of breast

surgery can achieve at least a partial

milk supply if they work in

consultation with a lactation

specialist. If you have had breast

surgery, it can be helpful to meet

with a lactation specialist while you

are pregnant, so you can learn what

to anticipate when you start

breastfeeding.

Nursing in the setting of previous

breast surgery may include frequent

pumping, the use of galactagogues

(herbs and medications to increase

milk supply), supplemental nursing

systems, and/or donor breast milk.

Q. Will introducing a bottle

interfere with continuing to nurse?

A. This is a difficult question to

answer, as the jury is still out as to

whether or not ‘nipple confusion’

actually exists. Some babies are able

to switch back and forth between

feeding at the breast and by bottle

without a problem, but there’s no

real way to anticipate how a baby

will do with this ahead of time.

Some babies will seem to ‘prefer’

the bottle, as the milk may come

out quicker and easier than at the

breast.

If this is the case, it can be helpful

to experiment with different types of

nipples. Some slower-flow nipples

mimic the flow of breast milk from

mothers’ breasts and can be helpful

in these situations.

If your baby does not need to be

supplemented via bottle for medical

reasons, such as significant jaundice

or low blood sugar levels, it’s best

to wait until breastfeeding is wellestablished

to begin to give pumped

milk by bottle.

Some newborns will refuse to take

bottles of milk from their moms, so

it’s often recommended that a baby’s

father, or another caregiver, give the

first bottle.

Q. Should I stop breastfeeding

if I am sick?

A. In most cases you should

continue to breastfeed when you

are sick. Breast milk contains

helpful antibodies that pass from

moms to babies to help protect them

from infections.

There are only a few absolute

contraindications to breastfeeding.

Infants should not receive breast

milk if any of the following

conditions exist:

• Baby is born with a metabolic

condition called galactosemia.

These babies cannot have any

milk and will need to be formulafed

for the long haul.

• Mother has any of the following

viruses: human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV), Ebola virus, or human

T-lymphotropic virus type 1 or

type 2 (HTLV 1/2).

Mothers who have the coronavirus

(COVID-19) are encouraged to

breastfeed and/or provide pumped

milk, as long as they are well able

to do so.

To date, there have been no

reports of babies getting coronavirus

from their moms’ milk. In order to

prevent the spread to babies,

breastfeeding mothers who have

COVID-19 (or suspected COVID-19)

do all of the following:

• Wash your hands or use an

alcohol-based hand sanitiser

before touching your baby.

• Wear a mask or cloth face

covering while feeding your

baby at the breast.

• Wash your hands before

touching your pump or bottle

parts and clean all parts after

each use.

• If you are very ill, have a caregiver

who is well feed your baby your

pumped milk.

Q. Where can I go to get

more support?

A. Today’s moms are fortunate

to have so many great options for

breastfeeding support. Sources

of support include family members

and friends, lactation consultants,

support groups for moms of

newborns (both in-person and

virtual), postpartum doulas, books,

videos and the Internet.

Every mother’s breastfeeding

journey is unique. Breastfeeding

can be difficult, easy, tiring,

rewarding, beautiful, messy,

exhausting, fulfilling, confusing,

joyful and challenging (and this may

change day-to-day, or even hour-tohour).

Like so many other aspects of

parenting, expectations of

breastfeeding do not always meet

the reality.

Lastly, there are great benefits

to your baby receiving any breast

milk at all, and your success (or

lack of) in breastfeeding has no

bearing on how good of a mom

you are, or your long-term

relationship with your baby.

20 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

Why Do Breasts Become Engorged:

causes and treatments

Having a baby is extremely taxing on the body, and the burden it puts on your body doesn’t stop when the baby is born.

During your pregnancy, you must cope with body changes and hormonal fluctuations. However, once your baby is born, a new set

of changes come into play. Chief among these is the adjustment your body needs to make in terms of breastfeeding.

If you happen to think of it, when the baby was still attached via the umbilical cord, your body had a direct link to your baby and

could monitor its development from the inside. Once the baby is out, it is like a blind man feeling his way around an unfamiliar

room.

What is engorgement?

Most new mothers go through a phase where their breasts become engorged. If you don’t expect it, it can be quite an alarming

experience. Your breasts swell to such an extent that it is extremely painful and sensitive to the touch. Your hubby shouldn’t dare

come close to your breasts, or he might get an earful.

Don’t worry ladies, engorgement is quite reasonable, and it is in a way quite healthy. It means that you are producing more milk

than what baby needs. At least you know that you aren’t producing too little milk. Although it is extremely uncomfortable for you,

the baby is smiling all the way.

The good news

Luckily, engorgement doesn’t last forever, and if you are lucky, it could be a short-term problem that sorts itself out rather quickly.

When the baby is born, your body needs to adjust to the new feeding schedule. Instead of producing too little milk. Your body

prepares itself for the feast and caters for an ample supply of milk for the baby.

Before long, it will realize that it is making too much milk and will eventually produce less milk. In a way, your baby is the one

who decides how long the entire process is going to take.

The excess

Nowadays, most moms and working moms. This can either be because they are chasing their careers, or they are forced to work

to support their families. Whatever the case may be, engorgement could be used for the greater good for working moms. Maternity

leave doesn’t last forever, and when mom needs to go back to work, baby still needs to feed regularly. Instead of opting for the

formula, moms can use engorgement as a starting point for expressing milk via a pump. It takes some extra planning, but instead

of having baby decide how much milk is enough, mom can pump out the excess and build a supply of milk for when she needs to

go back to work. Mother’s milk is easily stored in a freezer and can last for a long time. Expressing milk daily will stimulate enough

milk production for baby and expressing, making going back to work much less of a stress.

Are there any risks?

Pregnancy and babies come with considerable risk, and not many moms are prepared for the hammering that their bodies go

through to have children. When their breasts become engorged the risks go both ways. Because the breast is firm and the nipples

flat, baby can struggle to latch and become reluctant to drink in the end. This could lead to baby not gaining sufficient weight

because of malnutrition. In the end, it could lead to early weaning and put the baby on formula.

For the mother, the risks go beyond having full and sensitive breasts. The milk ducts could become clogged because the baby isn’t

latching. The ripple effect is that the breast stays full of milk and doesn’t produce new milk. The pressure in the breast could lead

mom to leak milk as well. However, the most painful risk that mothers run is to develop mastitis which causes inflammation of the

breast tissue.

The easiest way to treat engorgement is to ensure regular feeding schedules. This will promote healthy milk development and keep

baby and mom happy and pain-free.

21

PARENTING raising your kids

22


WHAT KIND OF

PARENT ARE YOU?

Rebecca English gives an overview of the different styles of parenting, and

the pros and cons of each

What’s the best way to raise

your child? It’s a question

that has provoked the

publication of numerous

books, and seen authors race to coin the next

quirky name for a new style of parenting.

And it turns out there are many styles. To

date, some of the best known include:

• Tiger parents, who are seen as pushing

their children to succeed according to their

parents’ terms.

• Helicopter parents, who take over every

aspect of the child’s life.

• Bulldozer parents, who remove obstacles to

make life easier for their child.

• Free-range parents, who allow children a

great deal of freedom.

• Attachment or gentle parents, who are

relaxed but set limits in line with the child’s

needs and character.

Psychologists generally talk about parenting

as fitting into typologies, based on the work of

Diana Baumrind, a clinical and developmental

psychologist known for her research on

parenting styles. There are generally

understood to be four typologies:

Authoritarian parents are the authority in

their child’s life. They set the rules and say

“jump” and their child responds “how high?”.

(Most similar to tiger parents.)

Permissive parents are lax about their

expectations, don’t set standards and don’t ask

much of their children.

Neglectful parents are uninterested in their

children and unwilling to be an active part of

their child’s life.

Authoritative parents are highly demanding

while being highly responsive.

SO WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY

ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF

EACH OF THESE PARENTING STYLES?

TIGER PARENTS

Type of parent: You expect first-time

obedience, excellence in every endeavour and a

child who never talks back.

Why parents choose this style: Tiger mothers

are socialised to be this way by their cultural

background. Thus, when they successfully

demand an hour of piano practice, it’s part of

their cultural background that the child

complies. Western parents will have a hard

time emulating the years of acculturation that

leads to that moment. Parents who follow this

style may do so because they want their child

to be successful. It may be these parents hold

deep insecurities about the future. These

parents are most likely authoritarian.

Pros: Raising a child in this way can lead to

them being more productive, motivated and

responsible.

Cons: Children can struggle to function in daily

life or in new settings, which may lead to

depression, anxiety and poor social skills. But

again, it’s culturally dependent.

HELICOPTER PARENTS

Type of parent: You step in to prevent your


23

PARENTING raising your kids

toddler’s every struggle; you are

over-involved in your child’s

education and frequently call their

teacher; you can’t stop watching over

your teenager.

Why parents choose this style: These

parents are likely to be scared for

their child’s future, perhaps like

tiger parents. They may not trust

their child’s ability to navigate the

world. By hovering around, they

may think children will be inoculated

against failing.

Pros: Parents can be overprotective,

which may save their child or

adolescent from problems they

wouldn’t foresee.

is to trust your child. You equip them

with the skills to stay safe, and then

back off.

Why parents choose this style:

Psychologists and experts suggest

this style is a backlash against

anxiety-driven, risk-averse child

rearing. It may be that we’re

worrying too much about everything,

from germs to other people.

Pros: Children learn to use their

freedom, be autonomous and

primary caregiver are essential to the

child’s personal development.


Parents may choose this style

because they want their children to

be positive about themselves and

their relationships with others as

they mature. Attachment parenting is

associated with the authoritative

typology. These parents try to

balance high expectations with

empathy and this is associated with

the best outcomes.

Cons: Children can lack emotional

resilience and independence, which

can affect them into adulthood. Being

a child of a helicopter parent may lead

to an inability to control behaviour.

BULLDOZER PARENTS

Type of parent: You push all

obstacles out of your child’s way.

Perhaps you’ve nagged the principal

for a different teacher or bribed the

coach to get your child a place on

the team.


Maybe you think your child is

exceptional, or they’re too great to

fail, and that’s why you’ve identified

with this parenting style. In terms of

typology, there are aspects of

authoritarianism in the mix, as they

demand success (after all, they’ve

bulldozed all obstacles from their

children’s path). However, they also

score highly for permissiveness.

Pros and cons: The pros and cons

are probably similar to helicopter

parents. These parents can help

children feel safe and secure. But it

may also foster a sense of entitlement

or narcissism in your child.

FREE-RANGE PARENTS

Type of parent: You believe your role

manage themselves. They may also

be better able to handle mistakes, be

more resilient and take responsibility

for their actions. It’s also said to lead

to happier adults.

Cons: Problems with this style centre

on the legal aspects of the approach.

In certain countries, it’s illegal to

leave your child alone for an

“unreasonable” time while, in others,

parents must reasonably ensure their

child is properly looked after.

ATTACHMENT OR GENTLE

PARENTS

Type of parent: You believe a child’s

earliest attachment to caregivers

informs all subsequent attachments a

person experiences. The argument

suggests strong emotional and safe

physical attachments to at least one

Pros: It provides a safe haven of love

and respect in which to build the

child’s relationships and from which

the child can safely experience the

world.

Cons: It can be conflated with

permissive parenting. It’s also

associated, somewhat contrarily,

with over-parenting, as some suggest

it;s a name for mothers who can’t let

their child go. Some have accused

this style of being anti-women or

anti-feminist. These authors say

the style conflates women’s role

with motherhood, undoing the

work of feminism. However, others

disagree.

Rebecca English is a lecturer in

Education at the Queensland

University of Technology

24


PARENTING 101 good sleeping habits

Good night,

sleep tight

How to nurture good sleeping habits in young children

26


Sleep is essential and marks itself as a

paramount requisite in your lifestyle.

A robust body and mind needs an

uncompromised schedule for eight hours of

sleep, but unfortunately, workload stress and lifestyle habits

of this generation fail to keep up with it. And since 2020

gave us a lot of opportunity for retrospection, it’s time to

inculcate good sleep practices such as the following.

DON’T MISS THE FUNDAMENTALS

Good sleep is a hodgepodge result of widely varying factors,

such as a well-balanced diet, regular exercise etc. Make

sure your child starts the day by eating a healthy breakfast,

a moderate lunch and a light but filling dinner. Also ensure

your child doesn’t sleep either on an empty stomach or one

brimming with food, as this may cause discomfort.

PARENTING 101 good sleeping habits

LIGHTS ON, LIGHTS OFF

Did you know that the kind of

lighting you use around your sleeping

environment can influence your

sleep patterns? This is because in

order to sleep, the brain has to

induce the sleep hormone melatonin,

whose production gets affected at the

cost of high exposure to light. Hence,

for a better sleep environment

choose lights with cooling tones.

AVOID DISRUPTIONS

When your child has settled down to

finally sleep, do not cause

distractions that can affect them. For

example, avoid creating a noisy

situation and try to keep all things

dim and quiet. In this manner,

children will get accustomed to

falling asleep as soon as the sleep

environment has been set up. Try

using a blanket, as children tend to

fall asleep due to its weight on them.

MAINTAIN SLEEP

HYGIENE

Maintain continuous and undisturbed

sleep by fortifying your sleep hygiene.

This refers to organising routines,

setting clean and copiously ventilated

environments, avoiding distractions

etc.

ADAPTING TO OUR

BIOLOGICAL CLOCK

Things are not always the same, so is

our biological clock. So when it ticks

at various intervals, we have to be all

ears. We need to adjust to the natural

sleep patterns of an infant. They are

naturally drowsy, and unlike us, they

sleep and wake up regularly

regardless of the hour of the day.

But, one way to make their sleep

schedule rather more suitable to ours

is by making them sleep in a well-lit,

sunny room in the daytime and in a

darker, more soothing room at night.

In the case of slightly older children,

there should be a solid bedtime that

allows you to plan things accordingly.

GO TECH-FREE

The key to having a good night’s sleep

is the resolution to avoid screen time

well in advance before going to bed.

The visual stimulation caused by the

screens and other gadgets can result

in obstructing the inflow of melatonin

hormones produced by the brain,

which in turn delays the process of

falling asleep. Keep in mind that it’s

better to feel already dozy before

going to bed.

THE COOLER THE

ROOM, THE BETTER THE

SLEEP

Sleep essentials include cool tones

for the eyes, cooler temperatures for

the body, and the coolest pajamas for

the mood to set in.

BEDS ARE FOR SLEEP

It’s important to make your child

realise the purpose of a bed. Though,

they may like to believe in their ability

to be productive while working on a

bed, employ the rule of using the bed

only to sleep. Other activities such as

learning, doing homework or gaming

should not be encouraged.

SAY NO TO CAFFEINE

Caffeine can be a potential threat to

the process of inducing the sleep

hormone, melatonin. Especially in

the case of children, where hormonal

imbalances are infelicitous. Watch

out for their night-time diet. Caffeine

can be found not just in coffee but

also in other sources such as

chocolates, soft drinks etc. Look for

healthier substitutes for dinnertime

desserts, too.

28


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PARENTING 101 technology

Setting

boundaries

TEACH YOUR KIDS TO BALANCE THEIR

TIME WITH TECHNOLOGY

30 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

You can’t expect technology to

disappear. It’s a part of your reality, as

well as that of your children. As with

any other tool, teach them how to use

it instead of shielding them from it or

letting them cope on their own.

How do they spend their

time?

On a sunny day, does your child go

outside or stay indoors and play a

video game? If it’s the latter and it

happens frequently, something has to

be done about it. First of all, they’re

missing out on fresh air and a chance

to be active. Second, they fail to

spend time socialising with their

peers. Finally, certain children’s

games help their physical and mental

development.

Are they dedicated to

family time?

How do they function as part of the

family? Spending quality time with

the family determines a child’s

emotional development. Make sure

the electronics are not present

during family time.

How bored are they?

The new age and presence of instant

entertainment through various

electronic devices have made us lazy.

A lot of people have completely shut

down the part of their brains that

help them entertain themselves. If

you notice your child is bored

without the TV, a smartphone or

video games, it’s high time to act.

Discuss setting

guidelines and do it

Talking to your children will make

them more inclined to the rules.

Explain your reasons behind them

and your children will show less

resistance. Create the guidelines

together. Be prepared to negotiate,

and think of some of the minor

points you could use for

compromising. One of the rules is

that you have access to everything

they do.

Create tech-free zones

Set technology-free zones in both

time and space. There should be

areas in your home where no

technology should be present. Set

activities that involve zero-tech such

as a family game night or meals. Also,

determine the cut-off time for use of

technology in your home. This is a

time when you could also switch off

the Internet. Make sure your kids go

to bed fully relaxed and fall asleep

immediately.

Obey your own rules—your

children will only respect them if you

set an example first. Be aware of your

children’s actions and stay in touch

with the developments in technology

so nothing can escape your notice.


FATHER TIME stay-at-home dads

32


DADDY

DAYCARE

Slowly breaking the age-old stereotypes, fathers deciding to be stay-at-

home dads are ever on the rise

With the changes

in perceptions

of gender roles

and childcare,

moms are not the only primary

caregivers for the children. Being a

parent is hard and being a stay-athome

parent is no walk in the park.

With the sudden and drastic changes

brought on by being a stay-at-home

dad, most men tend to feel lost or

overwhelmed. If you are a stay-athome

dad or are about to become

one, read on to learn some tips on

how you can better cope with the

situation at hand.

SCHEDULE WELL

If you’re new to the whole ordeal of

parenting, figure out a routine for

yourself and try to stick to it. This

way, you can avoid feeling adrift and

know what to do in the face of

uncertainty. Yes, the baby can throw

random obstacles at you like a nappy

blowout or relentless crying, but

having a semblance of a schedule will

help you get through the day.

Besides, having a routine to keep

to is good for the kids as well.

Remember to include the suggestions

given by others who may have more

experience in the field.

GET YOURSELF A

TO-DO LIST

Now that you have a general idea of

what the day should look like, it is

time to iron out the specifics. Discuss

with your partner the chores (this

will help you avoid disagreements at

a later stage), communicate well

about each other’s expectations and

try to meet as many as possible.

If you’re working from home,

prioritising tasks can go a long way.

Also, get yourself a ‘ta-da!’ list to

enumerate all the tasks (no matter

how small) that you tackled. Stay

organised, stay motivated.

FIND SOME ‘ME TIME’

Parents, especially the stay-at-home

kind, forget to take a breather. From

changing nappies to whipping up

meals and managing out-of-the-blue

tantrums, stay-at-home parenting is

not for the weak. This is why you

should take some time for yourself

when you have the chance.

Indulge in a movie, go for a walk,

take a long shower, do what eases the

stresses of being a parent. Make sure

you’re in peak mental, physical and

emotional condition to be the best

parent you can be.

SOCIALISE

One thing that most stay-at-home

parents have to battle is loneliness.

Having only kids to hang out with all

day long and listening to “Baby


33

FATHER TIME stay-at-home dads

Shark” for the millionth time can

have serious effects on a person’s

sanity.

Connect with other stay-at-home

dads you meet at the park or the

school. Try not to be intimidated by

the stay-at-home moms who look

like they have everything under

control. Understand that they’re not

from a different species; share your

experiences, make friends and help

each other out.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO

ASK FOR HELP

You’re a stay-at-home dad—it’s no

surprise that life gets crazy at times.

You may need assistance or guidance

occasionally, so don’t let this

undermine your efforts. Don’t think

less of yourself for needing another

helping hand once in a while. In fact,

here’s where all your stay-at-home

parents/friends can help you.

Seek help in the form of parenting

books, articles on the web, or

another expert. Talk to someone if

you feel like things are spiralling out

of control. Moreover, believe in

yourself and your capabilities to care

for your child.

CONCLUSION

There’s a general social stigma that

stay-at-home parents are lesser beings

than their working counterparts; you

know this isn’t true. Stay-at-home

dads get the worse of it because of the

conventional role of men being the

breadwinners and not caregivers.

Certain people may try to undermine

or emasculate you, but we know for

sure there’s nothing to be ashamed of

in caring for your children.

On the brighter side, you get to

witness every milestone in your kid’s

life and develop a special bond with

them. If you’re feeling swamped, step

aside, take a breather, make sure you

are alright, and get right back to it.

You’ve got this!

34


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EDUCATION reading

36


Open new worlds

Reading to children today paves the path for their development

in the future, writes Jonathan Drake

EDUCATION reading

Raising your child

to love reading is

one of the most

wonderful gifts

you can give them.

As Emma Cox said, “Reading is the

most powerful gift we can give a

child: it puts stardust in their

imaginations.”

While improving a child’s

imagination is one of the benefits of

reading to them from as early as the

day they’re born, there are also other

significant benefits to children

listening to stories which will help

them throughout their school careers

and beyond.

While more than half of parents

don’t read to their children before

the age of 3, according to research

from Nielsen 45% of 0 to 2-year-olds

are read to daily or nearly every day

increasing to 58% of 3- to 4-year olds.

By the time children reach 5 to 7

years, this figure drops to 44%—this

is the most important time to be

reading to children.

According to research on

children’s brain development, by 2

years old a child’s brain is as active

as an adult’s—and by age 3 it is more

than twice as active as an adult’s

brain. Further, as cognitive processes

develop rapidly in the first few years

of life, and by age 3 approximately

85% of the brain is developed. As

such, it’s never too early to start

reading to children and promote

early development.

SPEECH DEVELOPMENT

AND VOCABULARY

Exposing young children to stories is

the first step to helping develop their

speech. By listening to adults speak

and read, children are exposed to a

wide variety of sounds and words

that help them to develop their

speech. As children listen to stories,

their brains make cognitive

connections to how language is used,

and exposes them to words that are

often not used in spoken language.

This is supported by a study on

early language exposure (Journal of

the American Academy of Pediatrics),

which states there’s a definite

relationship between language

development and early exposure to

adult language, which positively

impacts children’s language ability

through primary school. The study

emphasises the importance of

interacting with children between

the ages of 18 and 24 months, which

is the period of a language explosion.

It states that reading aloud gives

children enriched vocabulary and

prompts enriched interactions.

COGNITIVE ABILITY

Cognitive ability refers to the way in

which we perceive our world and

experiences, and is the ability to

38


EDUCATION reading

However, today there are many

options available for parents to

engage their children in storytelling

on their own. For example,

audiobooks provide entertainment

value to children while engaging

them in stories and providing many

of the benefits of reading to children.

According to Scholastic, many

audiobooks include interesting

sound effects, music and multiple

narrators, which embellish their

storytelling with silly voices and

dramatics that are especially

motivating and fun for young

children. These stories reinforce the

pleasure of reading rather than the

skill, while helping children

understand narrative structure,

language use and how to convey

meaning.

Jonathan Drake is head of accessories

at The Core Group

think and understand. Stories expose

children to different topics, issues,

experiences and information through

the characters in the story. This

background information gives

greater context to the world around

them and is used to help them make

sense of what they see, hear and read.

This knowledge helps children

develop problem-solving and

decision-making skills, as stories aid

children with information processing,

reasoning, language development,

attention span and memory.

LISTENING AND

COMPREHENSION

SKILLS

When children listen to stories, they

develop their comprehension and

listening skills. Not only are these

skills important to help children to

learn to read, these are important

skills that they will use when learning

at school. According to Scholastic,

listening is a skill that children must

learn before they can learn to read

themselves.

Further, when children are

listening to a story, they learn to sit

still, develop longer attention spans

and develop memory-retention

skills—which are all important skills

that will benefit them at school in the

later years.

AUDIOBOOKS

EMBELLISH

STORYTELLING

Often parents’ busy schedules

prevent them from finding time to

read to their children daily and, as

a result, their children miss out on

the opportunity to gain the benefits

of this much-loved pastime that

will shape the future of their

development and their school

careers.

STORY TIME

The new Yoto Player is a screenfree

device that gives children

control of their listening

experience and access to a

range of well-known and loved

stories from various authors.

Yoto has secured partnerships

and content deals with trusted

household names such as LEGO

and Disney as well as licences

with Penguin Random House,

Abbey Road Studios, Sony Music,

HarperCollins, Hachette, Pan

Macmillan and more to bring

children stories like The Magic

Far Away Tree, The Gruffalo and

The Wishing Chair, with

favourites such as Frozen and

Finding Nemo coming soon.

The Yoto Player is available from

selected Toys R Us and iStore

stores, or online at istore.co.za

and takealot.com for around

R2 299.

40 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

Umbilically

Connect with your Child

Umbilically App allows parents

to have insight into their

child’s day at preschool.

Umbilically is packed with

features such as:

• Digital Child Diary

• Parent Teacher Chat

• Daily Schedule

• Meals Schedule

• Events Schedule

• Live Class Photos

• Child Pickup Notification

• Child Medicine Notification

• Absenteeism Tracker

• Extra Mural Activities

• School Newsletter

• Covid-19 in-app screening

• and much MORE

Umbilically App allows parents to have insight

into their child’s day at preschool. Umbilically

has been designed with simplicity of use at its

core. It is designed to add value to the school

and its teachers while being as un-intrusive as

possible at it. We at Umbilically value every

second of the teacher’s time, therefore we

made it simple & quick for the teacher to use

the App so that it becomes their essential

companion rather than a disruption. Teachers

love the app for how quick and easy it makes it

for them to perform routine tasks such as

completing of Child’s Diary & administering of

child’s medication correctly. Parents love the

app for the additional peace of mind it gives

them. Umbilically makes perfect sense as a

long-term companion to your preschool.

For Android, IOS and Huawei

www.umbilically.com

HEALTH post-pregnancy

Getting some

relief

Toni Rakestraw has advice on how to deal with the pains and discomforts you

may have after a vaginal birth

42


HEALTH post-pregnancy

Much is written

about how to

deal with the

pains of late

pregnancy and birth, but you don’t

find too much on what to do for all

those discomforts you may have after

birthing your new little baby. Besides

being tired, there are many little

pains and irritations you may

experience.

If you’ve had a vaginal birth, you’re

likely to feel rather stretched out

down below. After all, a baby is a

pretty big object to pass through

something as small as a vagina!

Luckily, vaginas comprise folds of

tissues that are made to stretch.

This doesn’t mean, however, that

stretching won’t make things a bit

sore.

One of the best things you can do

is prepare some frozen menstrual

pads before you have the baby.

Disposables work best for this. If you

can get witch hazel from the store to

saturate them with, all the better.

Witch hazel acts to reduce swelling. If

you can’t find any, water will work as

well. Saturate the pads and form

them into ‘C’ shapes (a cereal bowl

works great for this) and freeze them

individually. After the birth, wrap

this around your tender nether

region. The stuffing in the menstrual

pads prevents the liquid from

freezing solid—it turns into a slush.

This can be formed to fit so the

coldness can reach all your aches. It

may sound rather strange, but it

really feels nice after having a baby.

Some women get very small tears

or splits in their vaginal skin during

birth. The splits are known as skid

marks. While neither really requires

special repairs, they can be a bit

uncomfortable while they heal,

especially when you go to the

bathroom. Having a peri bottle or

other method of squirting warm

water on the site while you relieve

yourself helps greatly. Remember to

pat yourself dry afterward, and not

wipe.

If you were unfortunate to get an

episiotomy, the icy packs help with

this pain as well. You’ll also want to

invest in one of those inexpensive

little doughnut pillows so you can sit

without putting any pressure on your

stitches. A herbal sitz bath can help

relieve discomfort and speed healing.

Once you’re ready to resume sexual

relations, remember to take it very

slowly. Episiotomies can cause

discomfort during intercourse for

several weeks.

Afterpains are contractions that

work to reduce your uterus back to

its pre-pregnancy size. They get

stronger after each subsequent birth.

It pays to have some paracetamol on

hand. There are also herbal tinctures

on the market for afterpains. Take

any remedy according to directions

on the label.

Engorgement occurs in many

moms when their milk comes in a

couple of days after giving birth. Your

breasts may feel rock hard and the

nipple may be completely flat due to

the amount of milk filling your

breast. This can be rather painful,

and it’s very difficult for a new baby

to latch onto that flattened nipple.

Try expressing some milk out onto a

cloth nappy or other washable piece

of fabric until the baby can latch on.

A quick way to relieve engorgement

is to go into the shower and let the

water hit your breasts. You may be

amazed at how milk will go shooting

out as your letdown reflex kicks in.

Once your breasts feel more

comfortable, you can go ahead and

nurse your baby.

And lastly, remember to drink

enough fluids and eat enough food

during your postpartum period. You

need energy to get your body back to

its pre-pregnancy state, and you

need to make enough milk for your

newborn. Choose foods that are

nutritious and are easily digested.

Soups, hot cereals and other comfort

foods are good choices. Rest as much

as possible. When baby sleeps, that’s

your cue to take a nap, too. Don’t

worry about the state of the house for

a few weeks. You need to take time to

get your energy back.

Toni Rakestraw has studied birth for

more than 20 years—after all, she’s

the mother of eight children! She’s

now a freelance editor and writer,

bringing important topics about

parenting to light.

44


HEALTH child allergies

46


Itchy and scratchy

Dr Anisa Vahed shares information and advice on

allergies common in children

An allergy is an

unusual

response by

the body to an

allergen that’s

normally

harmless. Allergic diseases are the

most common chronic diseases of

childhood. A third of South Africans

will suffer from some allergic

diseases during their life, with 40% of

allergy sufferers being children.

These allergies can markedly

affect quality of life and learning

potential, and can be fatal. The most

common conditions are eczema,

asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever),

food allergy and anaphylaxis.

Allergies may run in families and

are not diagnosed and managed

optimally. Many conditions can also

mimic allergies and it’s important to

differentiate these from true allergic

conditions.

Allergies can manifest as:

• A food allergy in response to a

harmless food such as cow’s milk,

eggs or peanuts.

• A respiratory allergen in the air

such as house dust mites or pollen

can manifest as nasal or chest

symptoms.

• Drug allergy from certain

medications like penicillin.

• Rashes such as eczema or hives.

COMMON ALLERGY

DISEASES

Asthma

Asthma is the most common lifethreatening

chronic disease of

childhood. Asthma can’t be cured;

however, with regular treatment, it

can be controlled and the symptoms

prevented. It causes school

absenteeism through its requirement

for regular preventative doctors’

visits as well as unscheduled

absenteeism if symptoms occur.

Asthma may limit children’s

participation in classroom activities,

sports and academic events.

In South Africa, asthma is

presently the third most common

illness resulting in hospitalisation

and has the third highest asthma

death rate in the world—yet wellmanaged

asthmatics should be able

to live a normal life. As many as 80%

of asthmatics will also have allergic

rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a common

condition where there’s swelling and

HEALTH child allergies

inflammation in the lining of the

nose. It’s sometimes called hay fever,

and the persistent form is sometimes

commonly called ‘sinus’.

It occurs in 20% to 30% of the

population, and as many as 40% may

also have asthma, often undiagnosed.

It’s a major cause of failure to

learn. Inadequate control of allergic

rhinitis has been proven to reduce

school achievement, and managing

with sedating antihistamines can

exacerbate the learning disability.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms are

triggered by allergens such as house

dust, grass and tree pollens, and

pets. Symptoms are commonly found

in the nose itself, like itching and

blocked or runny nose, sneezing and

postnasal drip—but there are also

lots of symptoms in other parts of

the body like itchy and red eyes, loss

of smell, sore throat, coughing,

irritability and poor sleep.

Many people with hay fever suffer

badly from their symptoms, but do

not get help as they have become

used to their symptoms.

amounts. Those students who

struggle with both food allergy and

asthma are more at risk of a fatal

allergic reaction.

Eczema

Atopic eczema is a common, chronic,

itchy skin rash that tends to affect

people with other allergies like hay

fever and asthma. These children do

not sleep well at night and may not

focus optimally at school. The rash

often impacts on their cosmetic

appearance. Atopic dermatitis

sufferers are frequently teased,

bullied and excluded from social

groups. They suffer physical and

emotional consequences, resulting in

allergy triggers. To find out what

triggers your allergies, your doctor

needs to find out where and when the

symptoms are worst, and then do

skin or blood tests to look for the

allergy antibody, called IgE.

It’s important that people have

allergy tests done before any advice

is given about avoiding specific

triggers. Many people have nonspecific

triggers such as cigarette

smoke and very cold air; but for

allergy triggers, skin tests or IgE

blood tests need to be done so that

triggers can be identified and

avoided.

Don’t self-diagnose. Chat to your

local GP or paediatrician regarding

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, lifethreatening

allergic reaction that’s

rapid in onset and requires

immediate medical attention and

may result in death. It can be caused

by exposure to a variety of allergens

such as food, insect stings and

medications. Learners at risk of

anaphylaxis suffer from lack of

access to treatment and care, which

limits their freedom to attend school

safely.

Food allergies

A food allergy occurs when the

immune system identifies a food

protein as dangerous and releases

substances into the blood, which

results in the symptoms of a food

allergic reaction. Reactions can vary

from mild rashes and swelling to

life-threatening anaphylaxis. The

amount required to trigger a reaction

varies between individuals; however,

some individuals react to tiny trace

failure to learn to their full potential.

Eczema requires frequent regular

preventative emollient therapy to

achieve optimal control.

If you suspect your child may have

an allergy, what should you do?

Allergens are substances to which

you are allergic. These differ from

patient to patient. There’s no ‘one

size fits all’ list of triggers for people.

Your GP or paediatrician can help to

diagnose conditions that may mimic

allergies.

Most cases will benefit from an

allergy specialist. Your symptoms

may be caused by your specific

your case and whether your child

requires investigations.

The Allergy Foundation South

Africa has wonderful information

regarding the different types of

allergies, plus a list of allergy

specialists. Check out their website at

www.allergyfoundation.co.za.

Dr Anisa Vahed is a paediatrician in

Cape Town, specialising in chronic

respiratory diseases, allergies,

gastrointestinal and dermatological

conditions in babies, children and

teenagers. Visit her website:

drvahedpaediatrician.co.za.

48


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Medical research shows that hypertonic saline may play

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HEALTH oral care

50 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

Bright smiles

Parents should be a good example for the children when it

comes to oral healthcare

HEALTH oral care

New global research

released earlier this

year has revealed

that parents are not

being the best possible examples to

their children when it comes to oral

care, with day and night brushing in

the morning and evening emerging

as an unlikely casualty of the

COVID-19 pandemic.

The research, conducted by

toothpaste brand Mentadent P,

showed that while lockdowns

prompted people across the world to

reprioritise their attitudes and

behaviours to health and well-being,

this positive shift unfortunately did

not translate into better oral care—a

cornerstone of physical healthcare.

In fact, the opposite occurred;

some negative habits have crept in,

with good, familiar habits like

brushing twice a day decreasing

among parents and their children.

The research highlights that children

mirror parents’ behaviours at a

detriment to their own health.

Children are seven times more likely

to skip brushing if their parent does

not brush day and night.

Some of the shock results included:

• Fewer people are brushing twice a

day in comparison to two years ago,

with a 5% drop in adults and an 11%

drop in children.

• 1 in 4 (26%) children are not

brushing their teeth day and night,

and 40% of adults have reported

going entire days without brushing

their teeth.

• Two in every three respondents

said they weren’t worried about

their oral health.

• While nearly three-quarters said

they had tooth-related problems

during the pandemic, seven of every

10 affected failed to visit the dentist.

Among the respondents who reported

experiencing oral health issues since

the onset of the pandemic, the top five

complaints included bleeding gums

and teeth during brushing or flossing

(30%); teeth, gum or mouth pain

(30%); dry mouth (25%); general bad

breath (25%); and trouble eating due to

oral pain (21%).

Parents also admitted to being

more relaxed with their children’s

oral health habits; three in five, or

61%, said they allowed their children

to eat sugary foods before going to

bed. One in three, or 35%, confessed

to rewarding their children with a

promise that they wouldn’t have to

brush their teeth. Concerns have also

been raised over long lockdown

periods during which only

emergency dentistry was permitted,

with less access to regular checkups

contributing to poor oral hygiene.

Prominent dentist Dr Bongiwe

Nhlangulela, better known as Dr Bee,

prioritises the oral health of her

young patients and warns parents of

the universal truth: that children

copy their parents. “We know that

COVID-19 has significantly disrupted

our world in unprecedented ways,

but the basics of dental care still

apply, pandemic or not.

“We have to remember that most

things in dentistry are preventable,

so it’s critical for every one of us—

and parents have a particular

responsibility—to drive the

educational message around

prevention, to see these actions

applied in our daily lives,” she adds.

Dr Bee’s tips for optimal oral health

are:

• Brush your teeth day and night, for

about two minutes.

• Use a fluoride toothpaste and a

soft-bristled toothbrush.

• Hold your toothbrush at a slight

angle, aim the bristles toward the

area where your teeth meet your

gums, and brush gently with

circular back-and-forth motions.

Don’t brush too hard or you could

damage your gums.

• Always rinse your toothbrush with

clean water after brushing, then

stand it upright to air dry.

• Keep it separate from the

toothbrushes of other family

members to prevent contamination.

• Daily flossing will help you reach

the bacteria in those tight spaces

between your teeth and under the

gum line, adding an extra layer of

oral healthcare.

• Develop better oral care routines

for the family by brushing together,

day and night, with your children to

help build habits that stick.

Dr Bee is a family dentist based in

Johannesburg, at her practice called

Dr B Nhlangulela Inc.

52


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Brushing

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Toothpaste to the rescue! The great-tasting toothpaste that kids absolutely

love keeps them brushing for longer and more frequently.

Jordan’s range of kids toothpastes are gentle and effective and specifically

formulated to protect children’s teeth against cavities with 0% SLS (sodium

lauryl sulfate) and just the right amount of fluoride for each age

group. With children having twice as many taste buds as adults, the mild

and fruity taste makes brush time…fun time.

Jordan Kids Toothpastes are specially formulated for each stage of a

child’s dental development. 0-5 years has been specially formulated for

milk teeth, while Jordan Junior Toothpaste 6-12 years contains the right

ingredients for those much anticipated permanent teeth.

So many South African parents have praised Jordan Kids Toothpastes,

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NUTRITION toddler brain food

FOOD

FOR THOUGHT

Did you know that a newborn’s brain is only

a quarter of its eventual adult size? Here’s how

you can ensure your little one has a smart brain

start to his life.

54


By the age of 5, a

child’s brain is

almost close to the

size and volume of

an adult brain. This

means prime growth

and development of the brain occurs

before the child turns 6.

To facilitate the proper

development of brain functions like

learning and memory, the brain

needs nutrients like complex

carbohydrates, choline, antioxidants

and fatty acids in ample amounts.

This article will help you discover the

top brain foods for your toddler.

GREEN VEGGIES

We get that it may be a little difficult

to convince your toddler to eat his

sprouts and spinach, but green

vegetables are packed with folate and

vitamins that are essential to brain

development. Studies have found

spinach to lower the risks of

developing dementia at a later stage

in life.

Besides, the antioxidants present

in these help protect brain cells from

wear and tear. So go make that bowl

of courgette noodles or make a pizza

crust with cauliflower... get creative

with veggies!

BERRIES

Adding a handful of berries to your

toddler’s cereal or yoghurt can help

him get his required amount of

polyphenols. Polyphenols are crucial

in preventing neurodegeneration.

Diets containing strawberries and

blueberries have also been found to

improve memory in individuals.

Apart from the abundance of

antioxidants, berries also contain

vitamins that prevent cancer,

specifically vitamin C. Go ahead and

swap the jam from your classic PB&J

with some fresh slices of cherries or

strawberries to strengthen your

toddler’s noggin.

EGGS

Best known as a reservoir of

proteins, eggs are also equally

abundant in choline, a

nutrient necessary

for memory

retention. Found

concentrated in


55

NUTRITION toddler brain food

the egg yolks, choline also helps

improve communication between the

brain and the rest of the body. Eggs

are rich in vitamin A and iron; these

nutrients play an important role in

the growth and repair of cells.

NUTS

Nuts have essential fatty acids,

vitamins and minerals to keep the

nervous system in check. Thiamine

found in this superfood allows the

brain to efficiently utilise glucose for

energy. Vitamin E is an antioxidant

present in nuts that nurtures the

nerve membranes and boosts mood.

Feel free to include loads of nut

butters like peanut butter or

pistachio butter in your

toddler’s diet now. You can

additionally get him snack

mixes with nuts and

seeds.

FISH

Fatty or oily fish like

salmon, sardines and

herring can be termed as

brain food owing to their

contribution to protecting

a developing brain. These

fish are rich in omega-3 fatty

acids that play a critical

role in preventing

deterioration of cognitive skills

and memory.

A healthy amount of fish in

the diets of kids below the age

of 10 has been linked to better

neurotransmitter function

that helps manage

behavioural problems.

WHOLE

GRAINS

Carbohydrates

are the best source

of fuel for the

human body. What

else is a better source of

complex carbohydrates than wholegrain

products? Whole grains like

oatmeal and brown rice also contain

several types of vitamin B and would

aid to repair and restore the nerve

cells.

In addition, whole grains have

been said to bring improvement in

short-term memory capacity and

attention. Add whole-grain bread,

pasta and crackers to your young

one’s diet to make sure his brain gets

a constant and steady supply of

energy.

DAIRY

Milk and milk products, more or

less, have all the nutrients that

should be consumed in a meal.

Teeming with proteins and vitamins,

dairy products facilitate the proper

production of enzymes and

neurotransmitters.

Vitamins B and D also have an

important role in maintaining the

nervous system. Besides, vitamin D is

essential in the proper functioning of

the neuromuscular system.

BOTTOM LINE

Children undergo tremendous

developmental changes. Finding an

appropriate diet that facilitates these

changes can be a little tricky, but is

completely worth the effort.

Without a doubt, good food

changes people, so make sure you

enjoy the process and that your child

loves his food!

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FINANCES debt

58


MONEY

IN YOUR POCKET

Escape the vicious circle of living from pay cheque to pay

cheque by setting new financial goals to reduce debt,

writes Magdalena Cismaru

Many parents are

stressed out about

money and feel it’d

be difficult to meet

their financial obligations if their pay

cheque were delayed by even one

week. Most of us are struggling to

make ends meet.

Stressing about money creates all

kind of problems. It makes people

pessimistic and causes them to feel

bad about themselves. It leads to

declining physical health and mental

health, alcohol consumption,

relationship problems and poorer

parenting, among other problems.

Most people aren’t comfortable

financially because they spend too

much and carry too much debt. Some

of the reasons people are in debt

include no budget or poor budgeting,

spending more than they can afford,

impulse or addictive spending,

abusing credit cards, missed

payments, and the lack of an

emergency fund.

The good news is that there are

ways to reduce bad debt and become

more comfortable financially.

Researchers describe a number of

ways to work toward financial

well-being. However, what works for

one person may not work for

another, so figure out what makes

sense to you.

HERE ARE SOME GOOD

TIPS TO HELP YOU

ALONG:

Recent research shows that not having

to borrow for day-to-day expenses,

and active saving, are associated with

a significant increase in financial

well-being, and there are calls for a

shift from simply improving financial

literacy and knowledge to actually

encouraging specific behaviours. That

can be as simple as having a budget

and sticking to it. Many people,

especially young adults, don’t have a

spending budget, yet this one single

step can dramatically change people’s

behaviour and their financial

situation.

Pay attention to your feelings,

especially emotions like guilt that can

be associated with overspending.

Considering the consequences of

overspending, and pausing to think

about those consequences, often

helps people abstain from buying

something they may not need.

There are lots of people like you


59

FINANCES debt

trying to bring down their debt, so

join the club. Realise that social

norms are changing, and more and

more people want to be in control of

their finances. Lean on a friend or

loved one for support in your mutual

financial aspirations. If they can do

it, you can do it, too.

Notice the effect on others—family

and friends, in particular—of your

spending behaviour. That may help

you rein in your spending and tackle

your debt.

Create a new self-image by

understanding that changing your

attitudes and behaviour in respect to

money is an important part of your

identity and your emotional wellbeing.

Working toward a better

financial situation, and benefiting

from it personally, will make you feel

better about yourself, sleep better

and improve your relationships.

Make a commitment to change by

setting personal goals, including

making the aforementioned budget,

and sticking to them. It can be as

simple as limiting yourself to one

restaurant outing a week or packing

your lunch instead of buying it every

work day. Start taking active, tangible

steps toward your financial wellbeing.

Use substitutes, or healthy

alternative behaviours instead of

harmful ones. Get to know yourself.

What are you doing well and what are

the things that need to change? Keep

doing what you do well and start

working on what you have to change.

If you go to the mall during lunch

break and keep buying clothes that

you never wear, go for a walk in the

park instead. If you buy articles you

don’t need just because they’re on

sale, make a list of items you actually

need—and stick to it. Or make a list

of the number of times you’ve bought

sale items and then never worn the

clothes you’ve purchased. It may be

sobering.

Manage your environment to avoid

engaging in harmful behaviours. If

you know that you’re spending

mindlessly when using your credit

card, leave your credit card at home

and take only cash with you. If you

know that going shopping with a

friend makes you spend more, go by

yourself. Set up automatic transfers

to your savings account every pay day

to limit your spending and build up

savings.

Ultimately, reward yourself for

making progress and becoming more

in control of your finances by using

non-monetary rewards like spending

quality time with a friend or loved

one. Keep in mind that happiness can

be achieved without spending a lot of

money. Go for a hike, cook a meal

together.

Get support. If you can’t do it by

yourself, ask for help. You can benefit

from accessing financial counselling,

financial planning, employee

hardship programmes and speaking

to your lenders about debt

consolidation.

Professor Magdalena Cismaru is a

Conexus Research Scholar in

Financial Well-being at the University

of Regina

60 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

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DÉCOR lighting

62

and beautiful


Bright

HOW TO ENHANCE EACH ROOM IN YOUR

HOME WITH GREAT LIGHTING CHOICES

The feel of a room changes

completely depending on how it’s lit.

It’s easy to forget about lighting when

you’re busy choosing furniture and

decorating, but it’s something that

affects every part of your home.

Here’s some advice, both practical

and aesthetic, on how to light a

house—room by room.

Choosing a lightbulb is just as

important as choosing a type of

lighting. Be aware of the colour

temperature. A warm white will

create a much more welcoming feel

than a cool white.

HALLWAY

• A table lamp near the front door can

create a sense of warmth and

welcome when guests step into

your home.

• A string of fairy lights won’t be

enough to light most rooms, but

they can add a whimsical feeling to

a corridor!

• When you’re going up or down a

set of stairs, your main priority is

seeing where your feet are going.

A table lamp by the top of the

stairs is fiddly to switch on and

can’t be switched off when you’ve

reached the bottom—but an

overhead light, controlled by a

wall switch at both the top and

the bottom of the stairs, is a lot

more practical.

LIVING ROOM

• Because the living room is for

relaxing and socialising, overhead

lighting can feel a little glaring.

• Table or floor lamps are often a

better fit for a living room.

• Use different levels of brightness

for different purposes—softer

lamps for ambience and brighter

spotlights for reading.

• Try dimmable ceiling or wall lights

to add a cosy feel.

KITCHEN

• Stay practical when thinking about

lighting in the kitchen.

• Table lamps leave too many

shadows and may make it harder to

see what you’re cooking.

• Ceiling lights are better for lighting

up the whole room and offer the

most practical choice.

• Spotlights can be added under wall

cabinets and extractor fans to

illuminate work surfaces for added

character and design.

BEDROOM

• When you’re going to sleep or

you’ve just woken up, you don’t

want to drag yourself out of bed

and over to a light switch by the

door, so keep a lamp on your

bedside table.

• Look for alarm clocks that

use natural-style lights to

make waking up in the mornings

easier. Illuminated clock-faces

are also good if you want to check

the time at night without putting

on a light.

• Dimmable lights can be useful

in a bedroom, particularly when

you’ve just woken up and your

eyes aren’t prepared for full

lighting yet!


DÉCOR lighting

64

BATHROOM

• Dimmable lights can also be great

for bathrooms. After all, it’s a room

where you may need bright lighting

for precise work, such as shaving or

applying makeup, but you may also

want dim lights for a relaxing bath.

If you get lights with a dimmer

installed, you can have the best of

both worlds.


GARDEN

• There’s something magical about a

garden at night but bright, harsh

lights can chase that magic away.

Unless you’re a midnight gardener,

you probably don’t need to light up

your garden completely. Instead,

consider putting up some strings of

outdoor fairy lights or festoon lights.

• Most homes don’t have power

sockets on the outside, so you may

find it easier to use battery-powered

or solar lights in your garden.

• Whatever lighting you choose for

your garden, make sure it’s

weatherproof and designed for

outdoor use. Your outdoor lighting

ideas could be ruined if water gets

into the electrics.

If you have more rooms than the

ones mentioned above, remember

the general rule for coming up with

home lighting ideas: table and floor

lamps are good for atmosphere in

rooms designed for relaxing and

socialising, but bright overhead

lighting can be more useful if you

need better visibility.

Light for the atmosphere in the

living room and bedrooms using table

or floor lamps and dimmable lights.

In the kitchen and bathroom,

remember your practical needs:

overhead lighting is the way to go!

In the bathroom and garden,

where water may come into contact

with any lighting you set up, always

keep safety in mind.

H O M E I S W H E R E T H E

H E A R T I S

O U R R A N G E O F C O S Y B E D D I N G , B L A N K E T S & S O F T

C U D D L Y T O Y S W I L L A D D J O Y T O A N Y B A B Y ' S

D R E A M S

T R A N S F O R M T H E I R B E D R O O M B Y S H O P P I N G O U R

K I D ' S R A N G E O N L I N E A T

R O O M S E R V I C E H O M E W A R E . C O . Z A

E M A I L : I N F O @ R O O M S E R V I C E H O M E W A R E . O C . Z A T E L : ( 0 2 1 ) 9 3 3 9 8 2 4

ALSO AVAILABLE IN STORE AT 183 EPPING AVE, LEONSDALE CAPE TOWN

KITCHEN CAPERS braai

Around

fire

the

Grab the grid and tongs, it’s time for a braai!

Author and celebrity baker Grace Stevens

shares three of her favourite braai

recipes for Heritage Day

66


When it comes

to South

African food

culture, we

stand truly united behind the

braai—and as families, on Heritage

Day, we have an even better excuse to

get together over the fire.

A braai is a happy place for us to

gather, a way for us to celebrate

warm days spent splashing by the

pool as the food sizzles away under

your braai master’s watchful eye.

Regardless of culture, age or race,

the braai brings us together on

common ground.

Cookbook author, culinary creator

and celebrity baker Grace Stevens,

who’s had the privilege of braaiing all

over South Africa, shares her

favourite prepare-ahead Braai Day

treats.



FIG & BLUE CHEESE SKEWERS

Roasting fruit over the open fire encourages a sticky caramelisation that balances the strength of the blue cheese

perfectly, and the walnuts add a nutty crunch.

• 9 fresh figs, halved

• Blue cheese, cut into 12 2cm cubes

• 50g roughly chopped walnuts

• 125g castor sugar

1. Thread figs and blue cheese onto skewers,

beginning and ending with a fig. Set aside

to braai.

2. Put sugar into a large frying pan and allow to melt

over medium heat. When sugar is an amber colour,

add nuts and pour out onto a greased baking sheet.

Spread out thinly and allow to cool.

3. Place skewers over warm coals and cook until figs

are warm and cheese is slightly melted.

4. Remove from heat and place onto platter. Sprinkle

over candied walnuts and serve immediately.

68


BILTONG STOKBROOD

Nothing is more South African than biltong, and this stokbrood uses biltong powder and fresh thyme in the dough to

create a delicious herby and meaty flavour.

• 250g soft goat’s cheese, to serve

• Fresh thyme, leaves pulled off the stalks

• 500ml white bread flour

• 200ml water

• 1 packet instant yeast

• 50g biltong dust

• 4ml salt

• 45g soft butter

1. In a medium bowl, combine cheese and thyme, place

in a large piping bag and set aside.

2. Mix the yeast and the water.

3. In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and

add water to form a soft dough.

4. Knead dough for about 5 minutes and set aside,

covered with clingfilm for 45 minutes until it has

doubled in size.

5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide

it into 8 pieces.

6. Roll each piece into a long sausage shape and shape

it by wrapping it around a ‘stok’ (bamboo skewer/

stick). Repeat to make remaining stokbrode.

7. Braai by placing sticks with dough on a grid over a

medium heat. Turn every two minutes until the bread

is golden brown and cooked through. (it should take

about 10 minutes).

8. Remove from heat and fill your stokbrood with

the herby cheese mixture. Serve and devour

immediately.


STRAWBERRY ICE-CREAM

This delicious creamy strawberry ice-cream is perfect on a hot day and can be served with fresh fruit, chocolate

sauce, crushed meringue or over your favourite warm pudding. The strawberries can easily be substituted for any of

the bounty of fresh produce in season.

• 450g strawberries, washed, with

tops cut off and quartered

• 250ml milk

• 250ml white sugar

• 5ml vanilla extract or 1 vanilla pod

• 500ml cream

1. Place your strawberries in a food

processor and whizz until you

have a puree. To get perfectly

smooth puree, be sure to scrape

down any chunks and give them

another whizz.

2. Bring the milk to the boil. If you

are using a vanilla pod, place it in

the milk before you boil to infuse

it with that fragrant scent.

3. Take the milk off the heat, add

sugar and give a gentle stir until

the sugar has dissolved.

4. Add the cream to the infused milk.

5. Turn your processor back on and

slowly pour the cream into the

mixture. Leaving the processor on

at this point aerates the ice-cream

mixture.

6. Place a small glass bowl inside a

larger glass bowl filled with ice

water to create an ice bath.

7. Pour your ice cream into the

smaller glass bowl and leave it for

30 minutes until it cools below

room temperature. You will know

it’s ready when all the ice blocks

are melted.

8. Once your mixture has cooled,

pour it into a metal container (I like

cake tins). You can also add fresh

fruit, caramel, chocolate sauce,

nuts and any other sweet treats at

this point. It’s important to use a

metal container, as this will help

your ice-cream set quickly.

9. Cover your metal dish in tinfoil

and pop it in the freezer overnight.

10. Serve with mint, fresh

strawberries or any other

condiments your heart desires.

For more delicious tips and treats, follow Grace on Instagram @grace_stevenschef, or meet her in person and book a

fabulous Christmas class on www.gracestevens.co.za.

70 Motherly

LOVE Issue 1

Vegan-friendly festive meals with plums,

peaches & nectarines

Tis the season to be jolly so take your festive

family recipes up a notch by bringing luscious

plums, peaches and nectarines to your

yuletide table.

If you are spending Christmas in this year,

take advantage of these summer fruits and

create delicious new vegan dishes. Besides

packing a low-calorie nutritious punch to

counterbalance indulgent summer holiday

temptations, these juicy stone fruit are incredibly

versatile when it comes to festive entertaining.

From fresh and succulent salads,

to decadent yet light desserts and deliciously

fruity cocktails, everyone will be asking for

seconds, so don’t expect any leftovers!

Even the colours of these sensational summer

fruits are perfect for sprucing up your

festive table and there is no need to be concerned

when the little ones start tucking into

the decorations.

Let stone fruit add that extra zing to your

festive plant-based recipes this year by

getting the celebrations off to a peachy start

with a vegan-friendly prosecco cocktail. Put

a new festive spin on coleslaw with finely

sliced plums and peaches. A spicy Mexican-style

nectarine salad is another sure way

to add cheer to your menu. This colourful

fresh and fruity dish pairs sweet with heat

using sweet corn, nectarines, red pepper,

sugar snap peas and jalapeno peppers. End

your festive feast with the sweet seduction of

dark red citrus poached plums and dollops

of vegan vanilla ice cream. You will have

everyone licking their lips for more.

Stone fruit are in season all summer long and

perfect for snacking on their own, so make

sure to put plums, peaches and nectarines on

your holiday shopping list.

71

RECIPES

MEXICAN STYLE NECTARINE SALAD

By Jenny Morris

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

3 cups of fresh sweet corn kernels

4 large nectarines cut into cubes

1 cup of cubed cucumber

1 small red pepper, diced

1/3 cup of finely chopped red onion

½ cup of roughly chopped fresh

coriander

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely

chopped

Sugar Snap Peas

Radishes

Baby cucumber ribbons

Baby gem lettuce

Dressing:

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp lime juice

1 Tbsp honey

½ tsp ground cumin

Salt and black pepper to taste

1 cup of vegan-friendly cream alternative

(e.g. Orley)

Method:

For the dressing, stir all the ingredients

together, taste and adjust the seasoning.

Pour over mixed salad ingredients.

Peach Prosecco Cocktail

By Justine Drake

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 peach-flavoured tea bags

1 cup (250 ml) boiling water

¾ cup (183 ml) white sugar

4-8 basil leaves

1-2 peaches, thinly sliced

1 bottle (750 ml) vegan-friendly Prosecco or sparkling

wine

Method:

Pop the tea bags into water and infuse to make a

strong tea.

Place the tea and sugar in a pot and boil to reduce by

half and create a simple peach syrup. Allow to cool.

Place 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of the peach syrup at the bottom

of each champagne flute.

Add 2 peach slices and 1 basil leaf and top with ice

cold Prosecco.

RECIPES

SIMPLE CITRUS POACHED PLUMS

Simple Citrus Poached Plums

By Justine Drake

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 cups (500 ml) water

1 cup (250 ml) fresh orange juice

½ cup (125 ml) sugar

Peel of 1 lemon

Peel 1 orange

1 cinnamon stick

6 whole plums, halved and pitted

Method:

Combine water, juice, sugar, citrus peel

and cinnamon stick in a saucepan.

Stir over a low heat until sugar dissolves.

Poach plums in the syrup for 20-25

minutes or until tender.

Remove plums from syrup and slip off

their skins.

Boil syrup to reduce by half.

Serve plums with a vegan-friendly

vanilla ice cream topped with toasted,

flaked almonds.

STONE FRUIT SLAW

By Justin Bonello

Serves 5

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

A splash of olive oil

Pinch of brown sugar

Juice and rind of 1 lime

Salt and black pepper to taste

½ red onion, chopped

1 red chilli, de-seeded and finely

chopped

A piece of fresh ginger, peeled and

grated

2 spring onions, finely sliced

3 peaches, pitted and sliced into

strips

3 plums pitted and sliced into strips

Mint leaves, finely chopped

Coriander leaves, finely chopped

Method:

To make a vinaigrette for the slaw, mix

together all the ingredients in a salad bowl

except the fruit, mint and coriander.

Finish by tossing the fruit into the dressing

and serve topped with fresh mint and coriander.

“I love it, because it simply

removes stains first time.”

ELIMINATE DEO & SWEAT

MARKS AND ODOURS

Dr. Beckmann Deo & Sweat is specifically developed with an

anti-deo stain and odour formula to remove stubborn deodorant and

sweat mark stains on both light-coloured and dark-coloured garments.

This product further eliminates lingering and locked-in stains and

odours. Perspiration odour clings to the stain and even to the fabric

itself. Both cannot be removed by conventional means and will

continue to build up every time the garment is worn. The special

deodorant stain and odour eliminating complex gets rid of all

residue permanently.

Regular use will further prevent build-up, keeping your

clothes clean and fresh. Suitable for all washable and colourfast

fabrics except silk, wool, and leather.

Love at first sight, when you use Dr.Beckmann Deo & Sweat

as it will remove stains the first time around and keeps your

clothes clean and fresh!

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always test for colourfastness first on a concealed area before use.

Use for every wash. Always test for colourfastness

first on an inconspicuous area of fabric before use.

Always check the wear care label.

1. Moisten the stain well with the spray so that

the stain is completely soaked.

2. Wait 10 minutes and with very tough stains up to 30 minutes

to allow product to take effect. Do not allow product to dry.

3. Finally wash as normal.

Available at selected

Pick n Pay, Checkers and Spar stores nationwide

#LoveWhatWorksSA

#DrBeckmannDeoSweat

How to get your copy

Download your

digital copy at

www.motherlylove.co.za

or get your online copy

from www.magzter.com

Follow us on:

@motherly_love_za

@motherlyloveza

For further enquiries, contact Shelley Swartz • 021 512 1360 • info@motherlylove.co.za

Motherly Love Summer 2021

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