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You are here: Home / Archives for Family / Children

Babies, Children, Family, Parenting, Parenting Advice

What is Colic?

What is colic? Well besides for being a nonsensical, immensely frustrating condition that tiny babies suffer from and something sent to test a parents every reserve. Colic is up there with myths and legends and things like UFO’s and Big-foot  and nobody really knows why it happens to seemingly happy babies and although people tell you about it, you can only truly understand it, if happens to you.

Unfortunately doctors don’t know what causes colic, what the disorder is, or how to cure it. It is also uncertain whether colicky babies are in pain but what they do know, is that colic does not indicate the presence of a serious medical problem. It is maintained that a certain amount of crying is normal and healthy for a baby.

Infantile colic is most common in the first few weeks, to four months of a baby’s life; rarely does it endure past six months of age. Paediatricians often use the “Rule of Three” to diagnose colic: “A baby that cries for three or more hours per day, at least three times per week, within a three-month period”. {Wess, et al., “Paroxysmas fussing in infancy.” Pediatrics 1984:74:998.} About 25 percent of babies worldwide meet the official “Rule of Threes” criteria for medical diagnosis of colic.

What are the signs of colic:

Some of the more common signs are – Constant crying, tongue-trusting, irritability, abdominal bloating, frequent yawning, back and neck arching, spitting-up, blueness around the mouth, mottled skin.

Realistically you may spend every waking hour, either in your paediatricians office or on the internet searching for answers, as to what colic is or how to cure it but may never get the satisfactory answers or results you actually want or need. As my paed told me many years ago – “you will have tried every medical potion and in the end your baby will have naturally grown out of that phase of its life”.

What are the potential causes or triggers of colic in a newborn:

  • Newborns have an immature digestive system that has never processed food. The gastrointestinal system is literally just learning to function. Muscles that support digestion have not developed the proper rhythm for moving food efficiently thought the digestive tract. Additionally, newborns lack the benevolent bacterial flora (probiotics) that develop over time to aid digestion. This explains why almost all infants outgrow colic within the first six months.
  • It is also thought that certain foods eaten by mothers while breastfeeding contain volatile chemicals and allergens that in a small percentage of infants result in colic discomfort and upset a babies digestive system. It is possible that while breastfeeding certain trace elements of cruciferous vegetables and other gas-producing foods may be passed via breast milk to baby and cause gas and bloating.
  • Other factors that can cause colic are: hunger, overfeeding, swallowed air, the ingredients and the reconstitution of formulae could also be an issue.

There are many different trains of though as to what the best cure or remedies are to alleviate colic, so I thought I would share a few of these with you:

  • Mix a small amount of Rooibos (South African tea) with breast or formula milk for the colicky baby.
  • Drink one cup of chamomile tea a day as long as you are breastfeeding your baby. CAUTION: Do not give chamomile to a baby because it can cause an allergic reaction.
  • Other tea remedies for breastfeeding moms to drink,  to alleviate colic symptoms are fennel seed tea and peppermint tea, which help to calm and sooth immature digestive systems and provide some relief from gas and bloating.
  • Products such as Colic Calm Gripe Water, Bennetts Colic Remedy, Colief Infant Drops. {there are many more but these are the ones I know of}
  • Homeopathic remedies such as Mag Phos and Chamomilla/Millefolium drops may help reduce the spasms and cramps.
  • Limiting the amount of stimulation that your baby is exposed to can also reduce the symptoms of colic.
  • Baby massage is also a great way to alleviate colic and reduce pain caused by bloating and it also soothing for your baby and massage can also help them sleep more peacefully. {This was a remedy that I found really worked for me – the pic above is off my youngest enjoying a baby massage!}
  • Chiropractic manipulation is also thought to help relieve colic, this is not something that I ever tried but many moms use this with great results.
  • Changes made to a mothers diet while breastfeeding can also reduce colic symptoms in a baby.
  • The last resort and a sometimes necessary option is medication, which you can obtain with prescription from your doctor or over-the-counter from your pharmacist.
Most importantly is that you seek professional help if the natural remedies do not work for your baby and remember to try one remedy at a time, to establish exactly what works and what does not. Also remember to look after yourself, a frazzled mom or dad is no good to anyone. Have a good support system and seek the help and advice of care givers such as midwives, clinic sisters or other moms that have been through this before – even if it is just to have someone to talk to.

I would love to hear from you – if you have any other colic remedies or would like to share your experience with us, please leave a comment below this post.

Source: Colic Calm, Baby Sense

Images are all property of ©Super Mom Blog please do not copy them or use them without written consent.

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Babies, Children, Family, FAR Photography

Cutest Baby Competition

I thought I would let you know about a wonderful baby competition happening over at Kalahari! You can WIN A BABY HAMPER FILLED WITH GOODIES VALUED AT R1000!

Kalahari would love to see how cute your little one is! Simply take a picture of your baby dressing up, splashing in mud or curling up on the dog, upload it, share it and get your friends to vote for your baby.

Little ones can be so full of surprises and if you’re lucky enough to capture that special moment on camera, you could stand a chance to win a baby hamper valued at R1000. There is no end to picture perfect moments with a baby, so get snapping!

The competition ends on the 31st of October, so get your entries in as soon as possible! Click here to enter.

Images: Kalahari

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Children, Family, Mothers, Parenting, Reviews and Features

Gembox

 

Today I am introducing you to Gembox by Gemgem. Gembox is a beautiful customised sample box for mom and baby, giving moms access to some of the best of or newly available baby products to trial. The best part is you can try out these products in the comfort of your own home, as Gembox is delivered directly to your door!

Developed with mom’s in mind, each month Gembox curates a themed-box, this month, September, the theme was Pampertime, in addition to your monthly goodies a few luxury pamper products were added to the box! The monthly products selected help address new challenges that mom’s may face and the various developmental stages of their baby.

Gembox source the best possible products available, ranging from independent local manufactures to big brands and products include items that are organic and suitable for sensitive skin.

What can you expect from your monthly Gembox:

  • You will discover 4-5 baby care and mom wellness samples to pamper you and your baby.
  • The personally curated monthly box themes make discovering new products fun.
  • Each month’s selection stays a secret until your box arrives – everybody loves a surprise!

You can subscribe to Gembox on a monthly basis for R99 (including delivery) or buy a three, six or 12-month subscription for at a discounted rate. To find out more about Gembox and how to order click here and you can follow them on Facebook here.

Images: Gembox, Super Mom Blog

If you are interested in your brand or service being feature on Super Mom Blog please email us for a costing and further details.

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Children, Competitions, Family, Mothers

Celebrating Motherhood Giveaway

*ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED*

Image Credit: 1000 Words Photography

Something I am always aware of is just how much time mom’s spend on taking care of their families! Whether it is those early days of pregnancy when you are preparing the nursery and planning your birth or long afternoons spent playing moms-taxi or sewing for the school play – it seems like a never-ending cycle of things to do. So hence my idea to do a mom’s celebration giveaway –  lots of goodies for moms to win and we could not leave the kiddies out, so there are lots of super prizes for them too!

The prizes that have been sponsored are amazing, lots of gorgeous goodies from amazing local brands that we would all love to win, with a total value of well over R4000! Below you can see the array of hampers and prizes you can win:

Shooshoos and jeankelly have sponsored a hamper consisting of a contemporary baby bag valued at R995 and a pair of soft soles shooshoos valued at R100.

Beautiful Earth have sponsored an amazing mom and baby hamper valued at over R500! The hamper consists of Pregnancy Hand & Body wash, Pregnancy Body lotion, Toddler Bubble Fun, Toddler Monster Spray, Toddler Breathe easy chest rub, Baby Barrier cream, Baby Bath & massage oil.

Hello Nunu have very kindly sponsored two of their adorable hand-made items; a cute Beanie, valued at  R160 and a Hoodie, valued at R280.

Coco li have sponsored a hamper consisting of three of their awesome Vanilla Body Care products – Baths Salts, Body Scrub and Body Butter and a super cute kiddies cook book by the wonderful Tina Bester, valued a R500.

Buchulife have sponsored a hamper jammed with goodies from their varies ranges and it even includes a few treats for your furry little friend as well! The hamper is valued at over R800.

We also have a wonderful baby box from Petitebox to giveaway filled with samples from amazing brands, for you and your precious bundle to try out!

Krayons have sponsored 5 of their very handy Trunki Travel Toybox’s, filled with the wonderful Krayons products you see in the image above and a cuddly teddy bear.

M.O.M. Diary have also sponsored a 2013 diary to help keep one lucky mom super organised next year!

There will also be a few extra mystery prizes that I will be sponsoring myself so get entering because this is a competition you do not want to miss out on! I have included links to all the sponsors websites so that you can find out more about them and the other wonderful products they sell.

What do you need to do to enter:~

  • Use the Rafflecopter entry form to enter – it is so easy simply click on the various links and the form does the rest.
  • Like Super Mom Blog’s Facebook Page.{On the Rafflecopter form below}
  • Like the Sponsors Facebook Pages.{On the Rafflecopter form below}
  • Once you have completed all of the above steps leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have done so and tell me what your most special mommy moment has been.
  • Please tweet about this fab giveaway to let you friends know – Celebrate Motherhood Win Fab Prizes and with @supermomsablog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Competition Details: 

  • The Celebrating Motherhood Giveaway giveaway will run from 25th September 2012, until the 10th October 2012. The winners will then be selected via the Raffelcopter form and announced on my blog and on Facebook. The winners will also be notified via email.
  • Entrants need to leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above, along with your details in the comment section below this post (please use a valid email address). Your details will be used to validate your entry if you are selected as a winner.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please be advised that the various companies sponsoring prizes are based in South Africa and therefore prizes will only be shipped within South Africa. The prizes may not be exchanged for cash. 
Image Credit: Header Image(Mom & Baby) 1000 Words Photography
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Children, Family, Healthy Living, Reviews and Features

Dettol Daily Care Hygiene Soap

Dettol is and has been a household name for as long as I can remember! To me the brand has always been synonymous with protection against germs and general hygiene. As a mom I know that hygiene in the home is of paramount importance and hand-washing is something that goes a long way to prevent the spread of nasty germs.

I recently received a few bars of the new Dettol Hygiene soap to test and review. This Hygiene Soap bar has all the germ protection properties that Dettol is renowned for; it is great for kids and family members that lead a healthy active life. While protecting your entire family from germs, the soap is gentle enough for everyday use.

 

Dettol Hygiene Soap “soft on skin, but tough on germs”

Not only is the soap tough on germs and gentle on your skin but it smells amazing too! Most often antibacterial soaps smell too much like hospital antiseptic but with the Dettol bar you can feel protected and smell good at the same time.

You can follow Dettol SA on FaceBook find their page by clicking here.

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Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

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