Sensitive Midwifery - Issue 44 - October 2019

steps SA baby food too high in sugar A recent analysis of commercial baby foods on South Africa’s shelves has shown that the vast majority of these contain added sugars, going against global weaning guidelines set by the WHO. The study concluded that there is an urgent need to regulate sugar in South Africa’s baby foods, especially as this a ff ects health in childhood and later in life. The Conversation, ‘We tested baby food sugar levels in South Africa. This is what we found’, 28 May 2019. Available: https://theconversation. com/we-tested-baby-food-sugar-levels-in-south-africa-this-is-what-we- found-117032 Sore throat at the turn of season A common spring and summer complaint in babies and small children, clinic sisters are sure to be asked for advice. The main culprit in the early years is mucus- producing foods, such as wheat-based products, highly processed foods, sweet and savoury treats, and foods with added colourants and flavourants. Encourage parents not to be tempted by the convenience of fast foods, but rather to opt for simple, healthy meals. Knowing that antibiotic use is preferably to be limited, suggest to parents that they select one of the many safe sore throat herbal or homeopathic remedies that will help to nip symptoms in the bud! Universal home visits, a proven success A trial was undertaken to test the impact of universal home visits – carried out by trained female and male ‘home visitors’ – in Bauchi, a state in northern Nigeria. These were di ff erent from other home visits because they covered all households and pregnant women in an area, ensured that the most marginalised women were reached, and were based on local evidence about risks – like heavy work or domestic violence during pregnancy – that households themselves could tackle. Male visitors shared the same evidence about risks with the pregnant women’s spouses. The trial was successful, improving the health of mothers. Cockcroft, A, et al, ‘Impact of universal home visits on maternal and infant outcomes in Bauchi state, Nigeria: protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial’, BMC Health Services Research , 2018, 18: 510 Are you familiar with babies’ bladder and bowel basics? It often seems like parents turn to health professionals for advice on toilet training way before their little ones are ready. Bladder control mostly comes before bowel control and most toddlers are ready to start using a potty or the toilet sometime between two and three years. Su ffi cient maturity of the area of the brain that controls voiding is necessary for ‘success’. Babies go through five stages of awareness before they have voluntary excretory control: 1. In the early days, despite a glazed look in the eyes when passing urine, or fierce concentration when having a poo, babies are blissfully unaware of voiding . 2. In time, they become more aware shortly after voiding and tugg at the nappy to show discomfort. 3. Next, they gain awareness while passing urine or emptying their bowels , and look down in wonder at their nether regions. 4. Next, babies become restless just before voiding , but mostly don’t make it to the potty in time. 5. Finally, babies are able to alert parents to their need to go to the toilet — now potty use can start. Mom & Baby 43 eSensitive Midwifery Magazine Issue 44