Kardoesie

07/04/2024

Liewe Kardoesie Kliënte & Vriende,

Ons sal ongelukkig toe wees vir die volgende 2-3 weke, soos ons gesin voorberei om ons nuwe babatjie te verwelkom. 💕

You are welcome to email orders or questions to: [email protected] for me to answer as I have a chance.

No orders will unfortunately go out before then.

Thank you 🙏🏻

04/04/2024

‼️⛔️RSV ‼️⛔️

🫁Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bronchiolitis 🫁

You might think parents are overprotective when they don’t want people kissing their babies. This is why.

RSV and other respiratory viruses are currently filling paediatric wards around South Africa. The cooler weather brings the usual sneezes, but it can also increase your baby’s risk of RSV and respiratory viruses.

RSV is one of the most common causes of bronchiolitis in children. Other causes include Rhinovirus, Enterovirus, Parainfluenza, Metapneumovirus and many others.

🫁What is bronchiolitis?🫁

Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. Many viruses can cause bronchiolitis, but RSV is the most well-known one. It occurs predominantly in children below 2 years of age, particularly infants.

RSV is highly contagious, and nearly all children have been infected at least once by the time they reach their second birthday. It causes cold-like symptoms that can lead to breathing difficulties and hospital admission.

RSV causes up to 90% of bronchiolitis hospitalisations and up to 50% of hospital admissions in winter with pneumonia.

🫁What time of year does RSV occur?🫁

RSV is usually seasonal, peaking in autumn and winter. In South Africa, the peak in RSV season varies slightly by province, with the onset of the epidemic usually in KwaZulu-Natal from December to January, in Gauteng from February to March, followed by the Western Cape in March. RSV peaks from February to June, before the influenza season, from May to September.

🫁How is RSV transmitted?🫁

RSV is transmitted from person to person through physical contact, coughing, and sneezing. It can live for hours on surfaces.

Therefore, I cannot reiterate this message any louder:

‼️DO NOT KISS SOMEONE ELSE’S BABY!‼️

Your one kiss or touch can be life-threatening.

Other contributing factors that increase the risk are exposure to to***co smoke, having school-age siblings, attending daycare, and living in crowded conditions.

🫁Who is more at risk for RSV?🫁

Due to their underdeveloped lungs, premature babies and children with chronic lung or congenital heart disease are at the highest risk of severe illness and hospitalisation and may require intensive care.

While adults and healthy children can generally cope with mild cold-like symptoms, at-risk infants are highly likely to be admitted to the hospital. Preterm infants are 2-5 times more likely than full-term infants to be admitted to the hospital for RSV-related symptoms in their first six months of life.

However, even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV and need hospital admission. They may even die from it.

🫁What are the symptoms of RSV?🫁

RSV usually begins with a mild fever, runny nose, sore throat, mild cough, blocked nose, and ear infection.

It appears to be a common cold because, technically, it is!

Most older children and adults will have these symptoms, and the condition subsides. It is essential to understand not every child contracting RSV will end up in hospital; mainly, they just present with a common cold, but if it complicates, then they will most likely need admission.

🫁What are the danger signs?🫁

If the symptoms progress and worsen, you may see wheezing, difficulty breathing, and trouble eating, drinking, or sleeping. Infants, being unable to breathe, won’t feed well, resulting in dehydration, which is one of the reasons for admission.

As the illness progresses, the lung tissue becomes inflamed, sloughs off, and blocks airways. This leads to wheezing and difficulty breathing. In some very severe cases, the child would need to be put on a ventilator in the ICU to help them overcome this respiratory distress.

If you notice your baby's chest pulling in with every breath they take, you should seek medical attention right away. Short, shallow, or rapid breathing and lethargy are red flags for parents during RSV season.

🫁How is RSV treated?🫁

Treatment at home for RSV (or the common cold, as you won’t know how to tell the difference) includes using nasal saline drops, a humidifier to keep the air moist, ensuring the baby drinks enough, and age-appropriate pain and fever medication.

As this is a viral infection, antibiotics would not be indicated. Secondary bacterial infections can occur later, but your doctor will use their discretion when prescribing it.

Most children will recover in 1-2 weeks but can spread the virus for 1-3 weeks, even after recovery.

In-hospital treatment can see children receive intravenous fluids if they are not eating or drinking well, humidified oxygen, or mechanical ventilation.

Physiotherapy and nebulisations have been proven to not be of any benefit.

🫁How can RSV be prevented?🫁

✅Regular washing of hands with soap and water.
✅Teaching kids proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.
✅Keep your child below 2 years away from others with cold symptoms during the RSV season.
✅Wash toys and surfaces that have come in contact with children with cold symptoms.
✅Discourage other people from kissing your baby.
✅Don’t expose your baby to second or third-hand smoke.
✅Try to breastfeed as long as possible.

🫁Is there a vaccine against RSV?🫁

There is no vaccine to prevent RSV, but there is a medication called Palivizumab (Synagis) that may prevent severe LRTIs in children.

It contains virus-fighting antibodies. This is not a vaccine, but it’s an injection given once a month throughout RSV season. This medication is highly costly and is only indicated for children with an extremely high risk of contracting the disease.

High-risk children are infants born prematurely and who are 6 months of age or younger at the beginning of RSV season, as well as babies with lung and/or heart disease.

In South Africa, the injections usually start in January until around June.

Scientists are working toward developing a vaccine for RSV, but right now, no vaccine for the illness is licensed anywhere in the world.

🫁What are the long-term effects of RSV?🫁

Unfortunately, being infected once with RSV does not protect the child from contracting it again.

Some children with complicated RSV continue to have recurrent respiratory symptoms throughout childhood due to lung tissue breakdown and inflammation. It is estimated that of children admitted to the hospital with RSV, almost a third will still suffer recurrent wheezing episodes 10 years later, which may be mistaken for asthma.

RSV can be severe, and it's important to remember that it's okay to say no to an invitation if you're not feeling well or reschedule if a prospective guest tells you they've got a little cold. Sometimes, minor colds can turn into big problems for little babies.

Pic of baby Nina when she was admitted with RSV when she was 10 weeks old.

01/04/2024

23/02/2024

‼️ RECALL ALERT: Woolworths Peanut Butter ice cream‼️

As per their announcement today:

“Woolworths is recalling Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream with immediate effect. Only our peanut butter ice cream is being recalled. All other Woolworths products containing peanut butter, including our range of Peanut Butter, remains 100% safe for consumption.

Earlier this month, some South African peanut butter products were found to have higher than regulated levels of Aflatoxin. Woolworths peanut butter was tested for Aflatoxin and found to be safe for consumption.

Woolworths has systematically assessed all secondary products that contain peanut butter, such as biscuits, sauces, pretzels, energy bars and ice cream. This was done as a precautionary measure to ensure all our products meet our stringent quality standards.

As a result of this process it was found that Woolworths Peanut Butter Ice Cream contains aflatoxin levels that exceed the legal limit, we are therefore removing it from shelves. Customers who have purchased the product, may return it to their local store for a full refund.“

16/02/2024

🌼 Vintage flower vibes 🌼

08/02/2024

Special little packages 📦 went out the past few weeks for new babas.

💙💕🌈🙏🏻

23/01/2024

🥦Foods to avoid while breastfeeding🥦

Asking which foods to avoid in breastfeeding is a common question new moms ask. The grannies and aunts have lists of foods that should be avoided in breastfeeding.

Many foods are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy, as the baby is connected to you through the placenta. Anything that can make you unwell can affect the baby as well. In breastfeeding, this is not always the case, and the foods that were off the menu in pregnancy are back on the menu again. Almost anything can be taken in moderation.

Here are a few things you may have in moderation while breastfeeding:

☕️ Caffeine ☕️

You don’t have to cut caffeine out of your diet completely. Caffeine does appear in your breastmilk, and newborn babies struggle to process caffeine because the enzymes to break down caffeine molecules are still immature. This may cause the caffeine to accumulate in your baby’s system and may throw their sleeping out of whack. Keep an eye on how your baby reacts after you consume caffeine.

Certain teas also contain caffeine, as well as some soft drinks like Coca-Cola.
Even chocolate contains caffeine. Try to stick to decaf options while the baby is still small.

🍷 Alcohol 🍷

Again, this does not have to be avoided entirely, but the timing and amount of your drinks are crucial. When the alcohol is metabolised in your system (about 2-3 hours), it is no longer present in your milk. Therefore, please stick to one drink and have it after feeding your little one. By the next feed, most of the alcohol is out of your system. I would not have alcohol before your baby is at least 3 months old. By then, the enzymes in their liver are more mature and can process any remaining alcohol in your breast milk.

The general rule is if you are under the legal limit to drive, you can feed. You don’t have to “pump and dump” after having a drink.

High amounts of alcohol have been shown to reduce milk supply.

🍫 Chocolate 🍫

I think many women would die if they weren’t allowed to eat chocolates while breastfeeding. While it also does contain caffeine, it may irritate your little one’s stomach and cause some diarrhoea. Monitor these effects on your little one and binge away until it creates a problem.

🍔 Processed and junk foods 🍔

A healthy diet is essential in keeping you healthy and full of energy to breastfeed your baby. Processed and junk foods contain a lot of processed carbohydrates, sugars, salts, and preservatives. It’s okay to junk out now and then but try sticking to a balanced diet.

Your diet per se does not affect the nutritional content of your breast milk. Have a read here: https://www.facebook.com/100050595844490/posts/691309312565591/?mibextid=cr9u03

🌿 Certain herbs 🌿

Certain herbs may decrease your milk supply when taken in excess. These include peppermint, sage, and parsley. Oregano and Thyme have also been shown to reduce your milk. Have them in moderation, as they are known as anti-galactagogues.

Take care of herbal preparations, teas, and supplements. They most likely have not been tested to be safe for breastfeeding use. Heavy metals may also contaminate them as they are not regulated.

🧅Gassy foods🧅

It has never been shown in research that foods that may make you gassy may also make your little one gassy. The ‘gassy” foods will react locally in the mother’s intestines, which cannot be transferred to your baby. It may, however, make them more uncomfortable if they have a sensitivity towards the food. Monitor how these affect your little one, and if it doesn’t, eat away.

These may include lettuce, onions, beans, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

🥛 Cow’s milk products 🥛

This is only relevant if your baby has a diagnosed Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy. This diagnosis needs to be made by your paediatrician. A dietician can assist with your diet in this instance.

🐟 Fish that may contain mercury 🐟

Mercury is toxic to your nervous system and kidneys. It may be present in some fish like Mackerel and certain Tunas. This mercury may be transferred to your baby through your breast milk.

💊 Certain medications 💊

Certain medications are unsafe in breastfeeding. Speak to your healthcare provider if unsure if your medication is safe. See my post on medications safe in breastfeeding here: https://www.facebook.com/100050595844490/posts/325457532484106/?d=n

🥦Which foods do not need to be avoided at all?🥦

🥜 Peanuts/Allergens 🥜

Unless you are allergic to these, there is no need to eliminate them from your diet. They will not cause allergies in your little one. It may result in your baby having fewer allergies to these in the future.

🧂 Spices 🧂

Spices and flavoursome foods in your diet may change your breastmilk’s flavour, and some babies love it. This has been shown to decrease fussy eating in the toddler years.

Read up on what influences your breastmilk’s taste and appearance here: https://www.facebook.com/1442008255941830/posts/1480647588744563/?d=n

🍣 Sushi 🍣

Sushi is safe to consume while breastfeeding. Even if you get food poisoning from sushi, it won’t be transferred to your milk.

🧀 Cheeses 🧀

All those soft and unpasteurised cheeses you were told to avoid in pregnancy are again allowed on the cheeseboard.

🍊 Acidic foods 🍊

Many moms believe that eating acidic foods like citrus, vinegar, and tomatoes can make breast milk more acidic and cause nappy rashes. This is an old wives’ tale. My poor kids wouldn’t have bums left after all the tomatoes I ate if this were true.

🥤 Gassy soft drinks 🥤

No, the bubbles cannot be transferred to your breastmilk and cause gassiness or cramps in your baby. Imagine how that expressed breastmilk would look!

🥦What signs will my baby show if reacting to food I ate?🥦

Many of these signs are non-specific and can be due to other reasons besides the foods in your diet.

Babies are usually gassy and crampy in the early weeks, so they probably are not due to the foods you eat. See my post on infant dyschezia (baby cramps/constipation) here: https://www.facebook.com/1442008255941830/posts/1827764510699534/?d=n

It takes a food’s flavour and substances about 2-6 hours to reach your breastmilk after ingestion and metabolism. They may show the following signs if they have an intolerance to it:

💨 Skin rash
💨 Excessive gas
💨Vomiting
💨Increased fussiness and crying
💨Bloody stools
💨Wheezing
💨Diarrhoea
💨Persistent nasal congestion

Studies have shown that only about 1% of all babies might show an allergic reaction to something in the breast milk. The most common culprits are cow’s milk proteins, soy, and eggs.

🥦What to do if your baby reacts to a food in your diet?🥦

See a lactation consultant, dietician, or paediatrician for advice and assessment if you think your baby is reacting to the food you consumed.

You might be advised to cut that food from your diet for 2-4 weeks and then introduce it again to see if the baby reacts again.
This needs to be done with the advice of a dietician or doctor. Eliminating a particular food from your diet may cause a nutritional deficiency in yourself.

Try keeping a food diary if you suspect your baby is reacting to the food you ate. Note down when you ate what and if your baby acted abnormally. You might see some patterns emerging.

🥦Can I diet while breastfeeding?🥦

While it is not prohibited, it certainly is not recommended to lose significant amounts of weight while breastfeeding your baby. You need an adequate intake of calories/kilojoules to keep your energy levels up for milk production. Try keeping your KiloJoule intake at around 6500 (1550 calories) daily.

Try waiting at least 6 weeks before attempting weight loss until your milk supply is established. Gradually decrease your calorie/kilojoule intake, rather than doing a diet with a sudden drop in calories/kilojoules. Weigh-Less is a well-balanced diet program that has eating plans for breastfeeding mothers. I have had success with this.

Breastfeeding in itself consumes more calories/kilojoules than a non-breastfeeding woman. If you watch your diet, you might lose weight by just boobing.

Quick-fix solutions, fad diets, and medications for weight loss are discouraged.

🥦So what is the bottom line?🥦

Unfortunately, mothers tend always to blame the baby’s milk (whether breast- or formula milk) if their baby is fussy, unwell, or out of the ordinary. Babies cannot communicate yet, and that scream, cramp, cry or whimper may actually just be a nice fart building up.

Some babies have sensitive digestive systems and might be fussy due to anything you consume. However, research has shown time and again that the best thing for a baby with a sensitive digestive system is breast milk.

Pic by Ave Calvar on Unsplash

04/09/2023

👏🏼La Leche League South Africa
👏🏼

19/07/2023

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” John 10

13/07/2023