About the Author

Posted on behalf of Zayaan Schroeder who is a mother to two kids and is passionate about making their childhood memorable and happy. She has been a parenting journalist for 10 years and also runs a parenting blog called Surviving the Madness dedicated to making things easier for moms. You can follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/survivingmadenss

As mother's we tend to take care of everyone else around us and we're usually last on the list. But as the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup and if you don't take care of yourself, how are you going to be the best mother for your kids?

But being a mom is not only hard work but it's time consuming. There's so much to do so you don't exactly have time to take a leisurely bath with a book and some candles. Chances are the kids will come knocking because they can't find that thing they're looking for that's in the very obvious place. But that doesn't mean we can't find things to help our mental and physical health.

Self-care is so much more than just relaxing. It’s taking the time and making decisions that are good for your life mentally, physically and spiritually.

So here are 5 self-care tips for moms.

 

1. Say no

This is a big one for me but your time is precious. You're allowed to say no to things when you're getting overwhelmed. A lot of people want a lot of things from you, so prioritise the important ones (doctor's appointments, school events etc) and say no to your mother's aunty's 70th birthday or that third birthday party your invited to on the same day as the other two.

 

2. Plan your day

This one is difficult for me because I want to get every second of rest I can for the day before the kids get up. But if you get up half an hour before your kids do, you can make a cup of coffee, enjoy the quiet and mentally prepare yourself for the day. It's useful to have a notebook or diary where you plan out:

• The 3 most important tasks for the day.

• Any extra curriculars or appointments happening that day.

• Something you’re looking forward to. 

• What’s for supper.

You can also use this time to meditate or pray while the house is still quiet.

 

3. Exercise with the kids

Have you ever tried doing a home exercise routine with a toddler? It's insane and everything just falls to shambles while they use you as a jungle gym. Instead, find other activities that will keep you all moving and having fun like racing in the park, playing a bit of soccer outside or going for a lovely walk. Fresh air does wonders for everyone.

4. Date your kids

When you have more than one kid not only are their lives busy with schoolwork and extra-curricular activities, there's also only so much one on one time they get with you when they’re sharing you with siblings. Take each of your kids on a date so that you can spend some time with them and develop your relationships. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just going for an ice cream or doing something that they like to do is fine. And speaking of dating, don’t forget your partner.

5. Make time for yourself

Life is busy so this can be hard especially if you don't have anyone else to watch the kids. But it's so important to block out some time for yourself where you can relax and take time to recharge.

But it’s important you do something with yourself that’s not being a mom. So either send them to the grandparents for a sleepover or make sure your partner is around to be in charge of the kids for a while. Then book that spa day or have that quiet soak in the bath. Take yourself out on a date or schedule that girls day you sand your friends never seem to have time for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Posted on behalf of Zayaan Schroeder who is a mother to two kids and is passionate about making their childhood memorable and happy. She has been a parenting journalist for 10 years and also runs a parenting blog called Surviving the Madness dedicated to making things easier for moms. You can follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/survivingmadness/

 

What is baby-led weaning?

When most parents think about starting their baby on solids, they think jars of purees or spending time at the stove making purees for baby’s first taste of butternut. With baby-led weaning baby is in charge, kind of. The idea is that you present your baby with finger foods that they feed themselves.

The concept might be slightly wild and out there but this method has long been used by cultures around the world. It became popular in the UK in 2008 after Gill Rapely and Tracey Murkett published a book on the subject.

So why would you choose to go the baby-led weaning route over traditional purees? According to registered dietician Clancy Cash Harrison it can help fine tune motor development, "Baby-led weaning supports the development of eye-hand coordination, chewing skills, dexterity, and healthy eating habits," she says. "It also offers babies an opportunity to explore the taste, texture, aroma, and colour of a variety of foods."

Another benefit of baby-led weaning is that your child learns to stop eating when they’re full. Often with spoon feeding the parent feeds their baby until they think baby has had his fill, usually trying to get a few spoonfuls more in after baby has indicated that they don’t want anymore.

When is my baby ready for baby-led weaning?

You shouldn’t start baby-led weaning before your baby is 6 months old and has reached all of the following milestones:

• Be able to sit unassisted.

• Have good neck strength.

• Lost his tongue-thrust reflex (automatically pushing food out of his mouth).

• Has developed adequate hand-eye coordination to put food into his mouth.

• Shows interest in joining family meals.

  Be CPR ready

One of the things that you should definitely do if you haven’t already is to do a course in infant CPR and First Aid course. When you know the difference between gagging and choking you will be less panicked when your baby gags the first time and you’ll also be prepared in the off chance that choking does occur.

What’s the difference between choking and gagging? Choking is when the airway is blocked causing you to stop breathing. Gagging is often confused with choking and is actually totally normal and to be expected when a child begins to eat solid food. It’s quite the opposite of choking because gagging is the body's defence mechanism against choking.

Gagging is caused when a baby either has too much food in their mouth or if the food starts to go too far back before they have chewed and broken it down sufficiently. With babies their gag reflex is much farther forward and even though it seems scary, parents should just let baby work it out for themselves.

What do you need to get started?

Unlike with spoon feeding you don’t need a whole lot to start with baby led weaning. You’ll need an easy to clean high chair because one of the downsides of baby-led weaning is that it can get very messy. That means bibs are essential if you don’t want baby’s clothes to get dirty at every mealtime. The full sleeved apron bibs are the best for this type of thing. Or if it’s summer time, just strip baby down to his nappy and let him at it.

Shop our range of high chairs.

 

At first you can place baby’s food straight onto the high chair tray if it’s plastic and easy to wipe down. Otherwise invest in some suction plates and bowls to try to minimise the mess. At first your child will eat with their hands but soon he will need spoons and forks to learn those skills.

Tips for successful baby-led weaning

Family meals: Try to have at least one meal of the day be with the whole family at the table.

First foods: Should be a selection of fresh fruits and soft cooked vegetables. Cut them up into thick, finger shapes so that baby can grip them easily.

Avoid: Salt, sugar, high choking risk foods like grapes, cherry tomatoes or nuts, honey.

Embrace the mess: Place a plastic sheet or some newspaper around baby’s high chair to catch the inevitable mess.

 

About the Author

Posted on behalf of Zayaan Schroeder who is a mother to two kids and is passionate about making their childhood memorable and happy. She has been a parenting journalist for 10 years and also runs a parenting blog called Surviving the Madness dedicated to making things easier for moms. You can follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/survivingmadenss

Our children live in a very different world to the one we grew up in. Their world is filled with the kind and level of technology that we could only dream of. And while there can be downsides to this kind of tech heavy life there are also opportunities that we were never privileged to have.

While screen time should be limited as busy parents and actually just any parent who needs a break, handing your kid your phone or tablet for a half an hour can be just what is needed to stop you falling over the edge. Or well, to get supper ready.

There are so many things in the app store for kids that are just brain numbingly bad. But here are some great fun and educational games. My kids have played each and every one of these games at one point or another and they’re the ones that keep them occupied and learning while I take a moment to breathe.

Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy Kids is for children aged 2-6 and includes thousands of educational games, activities, and books to help toddlers and pre-schoolers learn. A cast of adorable characters guide your kid through lessons, and it has an adaptive learning path that will customise their experience to help them to master different skills.

The lessons cover areas such as reading, language, writing, math, social-emotional development, problem-solving skills, and motor development. Open-ended activities like drawing, storytelling, and colouring encourage creativity and self-expression. My 5-year-old and 2-year-old each have their own profile with their own learning journey.

I love that Khan Academy Kids has partnered with the Super Simple Songs YouTube channel and uses their songs to teach various concepts. Another big plus with this app is that it’s completely free, forever - no ads and no subscriptions necessary.

Download for free on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Astronomy for Kids: Star Walk

My son like most little kids is obsessed with space, planets, the moon and stars and has 5 million questions about them that I don’t have the answers to. Astronomy for kids is a beautifully designed app with bright colours and fun animations and it’s been a really cool experience to learn with my little one. After each section there’s a little test so your child can test his knowledge.

It’s available on the Google Play Store for R14.99 or the Apple App Store for $2.99

Teach Your Monster To Read

Teach Your Monster makes learning letters and reading fun. Your child makes a Monster friend and they go on a journey identifying sounds, sight words and reading sentences. This app is worth the price for me because it covers the first two years of learning to read, from matching letters and sounds to enjoying little books. The recommended age range for this app is 3 – 6 years but it can be used a bit beyond those years especially if your child is struggling. Another reason this is one of the apps I actually paid for is because it’s been designed in collaboration with reading experts from Roehampton University and hopefully they’re a clever lot who know what they’re doing.

Download on the Google Play Store for R84.99 or the Apple App Store for $4.99

Think & Learn Code-a-pillar

This game is an early introduction to coding and with the way the world is going I think it’s essential that every child learns basic coding skills. In this game from Fischer-Price, your child must help the Code-a-pillar through the maze by giving it commands using a drag and drop function. As your child levels up they unlock new coding segments so each level gets progressively more challenging.

Your child will develop mathematical skills like planning & sequencing, problem solving, number recognition and counting in order.

Download for free on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

 

 

 

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when you’re pregnant is where your baby will sleep. The most obvious choice would be a cot but you actually have a few more options to consider. You may only go for one of them or if you’re anything like me, try a few of them before finding one that works for your family. Whatever your choice, it’s important to make sure that your baby’s sleep space is safe for them. The recommendation is to have your baby sleep on his back or side. Not all babies like to be swaddled but if they do it’s recommended that they only be swaddled until they’re able to roll over. Let’s have a look at your options for baby’s sleeping arrangements:

 

Moses basket

The classic Moses basket is what we started out with for our first born. Moses baskets take their name from the basket Moses was put in as he was sent down the river to safety. They are usually made from strong wicker, are easy to move around and are small enough to keep in your room before you move your baby to a bigger cot in their nursery in around 3-4 months. It’s a good option for the first few months when doctors recommend that babies sleep in the same room as their parents.

Bed sharing

I was a very nervous first mother though so I kept getting up for every little noise that came from my son’s Moses basket. Eventually he just ended up in bed with us but we made sure he was safe. He was never under the blankets with us but rather on top of the duvet with his own lightweight blanket, sleeping on his back. Because bed sharing can increase the risk of SIDS, if you choose to go this route you have to take safety precautions. In the early months it’s recommended to use a snuggle nest for baby. Once baby has outgrown that and moved onto your mattress, make sure that it is quite firm and that baby sleeps with his own blanket. If you are a smoker, are under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any type of sedative medication that causes heavy sleep then having your baby in bed with you is highly discouraged.

Co-sleeper

If you do want your baby closer but are not comfortable with having him in bed with you then consider a co-sleeper that attaches to the side of your bed. Hauck’s Face to Me sleeper is a fantastic option. It can be individually adjusted up to a height of 86 cm, making it the ideal solution for higher beds like box-spring beds. In addition, the side lowers so you will be close to your baby at night. Co-sleepers are fantastic for parents who need their own space in bed but your baby is still within arm’s reach if she needs a feed or a snuggle.

Cot

Once baby is a bit older and everyone needs their own space, it’s time to move baby to a cot. Whether you choose a wooden cot or a camp cot, they are great for toddlers who are prone to roll around and move in their sleep now. A cot is an ideal place for your older baby or toddler up until the age of 3. Even though some children need their own space to help them learn how to self-soothe, they feel safer and are more comfortable in small spaces. So a cot is a good way to promote better sleeping patterns in your child.

 

 

For more info on cots and sleeping options, browse the Hauck store. https://www.hauck.co.za/collections/travel-beds

 

About the Author:

Zayaan Schroeder is a mother to two kids and is passionate about making their childhood memorable and happy. She has been a parenting journalist for 10 years and also runs a parenting blog called Surviving the Madness dedicated to making things easier for moms. You can follow her on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/survivingmadness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stiftung Warentest test results

 

Stiftung Warentest and ADAC have evaluated the hauck Comfort Fix Set with the test result "GUT" (GOOD) (11/2018 magazine). The Comfortfix Set is not only the best of the sets tested in the category infant car seats with Isofix base, but also the price/performance winner.

 

We are enthusiastic about this award because we are one of the few providers that offer such complete sets and that have achieved such good test results in two categories at the same time.

 

 

In addition, these results confirm that- with hauck- children are always safe during road trips while maximum safety is guaranteed in case of frontal or side impact.

 Press release hauck Sonnefeld, Germany 

 

 The following stroller sets have the Comfort Fix Car Seat:

Maxan 4 Plus Trio Set

Maxan 3 Plus Trio Set

Soul Plus Trio Set

Rapid 4 Plus Trio Set

Rapid 3 Plus Trio Set

https://www.hauck.co.za/collections/stroller-sets