Trinity Tree by Anja van Rooyen

21/01/2025

“a hungry belly has no ears.”

28/11/2024

Everyone deserves the right to live a life of meaning. 🧡

22/10/2024

05/09/2024

Finding the Perfect Fidget Toy for Kids: A Guide to Enhancing Calm and Concentration

In the quest to support children’s focus and manage their restlessness, fidget toys have become a popular tool. These small, engaging objects can provide significant benefits, helping kids improve their concentration and manage anxiety. However, with so many fidget toys on the market, choosing the right one for your child can be daunting. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you select the perfect fidget toy that will foster calm and concentration for your child.

1. Understand Your Child’s Needs
The first step in choosing the right fidget toy is understanding your child's specific needs. Are they seeking a way to calm their anxiety, improve their focus in class, or simply keep their hands busy? Identifying the primary purpose will help you narrow down the options and find a toy that addresses their unique needs.

2. Explore Different Types of Fidget Toys
Fidget toys come in various forms, each offering different sensory experiences:

Fidget Spinners: These popular toys provide a smooth spinning action that many children find calming. They’re ideal for kids who need a gentle distraction and prefer a toy that’s simple to use.

Stress Balls: Squeezing a stress ball can be an excellent way for children to release pent-up energy and calm their nerves. They’re particularly useful for children who benefit from tactile stimulation.

Fidget Cubes: Featuring multiple buttons, switches, and dials, fidget cubes are versatile and engaging. They’re perfect for kids who enjoy exploring different sensory inputs and need a variety of activities to keep them focused.

Tactile Toys: Items such as textured mats or sensory rings offer different tactile experiences that can help soothe children who need sensory stimulation. These toys can be particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing needs.

Chew Toys: Designed for children who have a tendency to chew on objects, these toys provide a safe alternative. They’re useful for kids who seek oral sensory input.

3. Consider Safety and Durability
Safety is a crucial factor when selecting a fidget toy for children. Ensure that the toy is made from non-toxic, child-safe materials and does not have small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Durability is also important, as children can be rough on toys. Choose a toy that can withstand frequent use without breaking easily.

4. Assess Noise Levels
Some fidget toys can be noisy, which might be distracting in a classroom or home setting. For quieter environments, consider toys like fidget cubes, stress balls, or silicone-based fidget toys. If the toy will be used in a quiet place, opting for something that produces minimal noise can prevent disruptions.

5. Evaluate Portability and Ease of Use
Children often need fidget toys that are easy to carry and use in various settings, such as at school or during car rides. Portable and lightweight toys like fidget spinners or small stress balls are convenient for on-the-go use. Ensure that the toy is easy for your child to manipulate independently.

6. Match the Toy to Your Child’s Sensory Preferences
Children have individual sensory preferences. Some might prefer the smooth action of a spinner, while others might enjoy the tactile feedback of a stress ball or fidget cube. Observe your child’s reactions to different sensory experiences and choose a toy that aligns with their preferences.

7. Read Reviews and Get Recommendations
Reading reviews from other parents and educators can provide valuable insights into how well a fidget toy performs in real-world settings. Additionally, seeking recommendations from teachers or therapists who work with children can help you find toys that have been effective for similar needs.

8. Set a Budget
Fidget toys are available at various price points. While many affordable options are effective, some toys come with additional features or higher durability. Determine your budget and look for toys that offer the best value within your price range.

9. Try Before You Buy
If possible, allow your child to test different fidget toys before making a purchase. This hands-on approach can help ensure that the toy is engaging and effective for your child’s needs. Many toy stores or educational supply stores have samples available for children to try out.

Conclusion
Selecting the right fidget toy for children involves understanding their needs, exploring different options, and considering factors like safety, durability, and sensory preferences. By choosing a fidget toy that aligns with your child’s unique requirements, you can support their ability to focus, calm their nerves, and manage restlessness. The right fidget toy can become a valuable tool in helping your child thrive both academically and emotionally.

https://goldenoccupationaltherapist.co.za/ReadBlog?ID=O5QimQ+bq58s4yxzWglU3Q==

05/08/2024

Welcome to the fifth day of World Breastfeeding Week! Today, we’re diving into Pumping at work.

⛽️Choosing the correct pump⛽️
First things first; Choosing the correct pump. The best will be to schedule a pump fitting with a skilled lactation consultant. I will share two links on pumps that are recommended in South Africa.
Pumps for part time pumping https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=663716542530741&id=100066772038143
Pumps for exclusive pumping
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/7Hne2GgLARq6SxEm/?
Before ordering, make sure you have measured your fl**ge size. This involves measuring the size of your ni**le, and you can buy different size inserts for the pumps. You should also consider the cost of replacing parts of your pump and do some research on which parts need to be replaced and when.
When pumping at work, I found it easiest to get a hands free pump. I personally used the Droplet, with Freemie cups. I chose the hands free as I was able to still do all of my school duties while pumping.

🕐Pumping schedule🕐
Make sure you adhere to a schedule. It will depend on your storage capacity, but usually, you should not go more than three hours between pumping sessions. Establish a pumping schedule at work. I will share my pump schedule and the times that my son drank from me throughout the day:
04:00 - 06:00: The approximate time my son last drank from me, as I needed to leave by 06:15 at the latest.
07:00 - 07:20: First pump session at work.
09:30 - 09:50: Second pump session, coinciding with our first break (snack).
12:30 - 12:50: Third pump session, coinciding with our second break (lunch).
14:00 - 14:20: Last pump session, coinciding with the start of our extra mural time once a week (14:00 - 15:00)
I left school between 15:00 - 15:15 and arrived home around 15:30, where I would then feed on demand through the rest of the day and at night.

👨‍💼👩‍💼Preparing your employer👩‍💼👨‍💼
Talk to your employer and let them know that you will be pumping. This discussion should inform them, but it is not you asking for permission. I was fortunate to have an employer who breastfed her own son for five years, so she had no problem. In this meeting, discuss any work-related questions they might have. Here are the points I discussed during my meeting:
I mentioned that I would still be in our morning meetings; this was my first pump time, so I would be pumping during the meeting.
I clarified that I would still do morning, playground, and afternoon duties; I would be pumping, but that would not stop me from doing my duties.
Discuss extra mural activities. I was granted no extra mural activities for the first six months after starting to work again. After that, I chose an activity that I could do while sitting and that was not too active. I worked at a private school, so we chose the extra mural activity. If this is not possible, try to pump before or get creative with how you approach your extra-mural activity.

🍼How much expressed milk to give:🍼
Here is a link to a post from Bloem Mom Doc which answers the question:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/DK1GRWHN8utyoXRJ/
Here is another link to a post from Bloem Mom Doc about overfeeding:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/CuWshMbFKYvs5QPG/
Paced feeding and bottles.
Paced feeding is extremely important. See link for some guidance on paced feedinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4T70OSzGs
Choosing the correct bottle is also vital. You want to choose a bottle which will let your child use the same muscles as when breastfeeding. The teat size should also stay the smallest size as your ni**le’s flow never increases.
You also do not need to use a bottle; you can even do cup feeding if you prefer. The following link will help with cup feeding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJmPDn3EA24

🧊Storing pumped milk while at work:🧊
Figure out how you will be storing your milk. Will you use the office fridge? Will you use a cool bag and ice bricks? I used a cool bag with ice bricks as the school’s fridge was opened a lot, and I was scared people might accidentally touch my things. Remember that you can also store your pump parts in the cooler or fridge at work, and they do not need to be sanitised between pumps. There are exceptions, however, for example, if your baby is in NICU.

🧼🧽Cleaning your pump🧽🧼
I cleaned my pump at the end of the day by first rinsing my pump parts under hot water, washing them in warm soapy water, rinsing them again, and then letting them air dry before packing them the next morning. I assembled my cups to make life easier in the morning when I packed my cooler bag. I also ensured my pump was sufficiently charged the day before, usually charging it in the afternoon to avoid overcharging.

Returning to work can sometimes be the biggest deterrent to discontinue breastfeeding. Please reach out to us if you are not coping and let’s see how we can help you make plans? If you have made it work, please also share some of your tips in the comments!

05/08/2024

Welcome to the fourth day of World Breastfeeding Week! Today, we’re diving into Breastfeeding Aversions and Sleep Regressions.

🙅‍♀️🚫Breastfeeding Aversions🚫🙅‍♀️
I’m going to start by sharing my personal experience with breastfeeding aversions. I don’t remember every detail, but I do remember one night telling Pieter, “Maybe we should just let him cry it out.” This was when Ethan woke up not even 30 minutes after I put him down. Thank goodness my husband thought I was just joking, laughed at me, and said, “Go before he starts to cry.” I remember dreading, and I mean dreading, having to feed him to sleep AGAIN. I even started hating to pump missed feeds at school. I remember the shame I felt for not wanting to give my child the best. As posted on day one, I even considered giving formulas.
During this time, my husband tried to help me as much as he could with night time feeds. I would ask him to tend to Ethan, but unfortunately for me, Ethan only wanted me and my b***s. We tried giving him breastmilk in a bottle, but he would just scream and cry. Despite our best efforts, Ethan only found comfort in breastfeeding directly from me. This was a blessing in disguise though. Still my favourite ‘tool’ to put Ethan down for a nap or to sleep at night and of course not just for sleep.
I’m thankful that I got through it. I just want to say that this was not just breastfeeding related; I was in a bit of a rut. It felt like my whole identity was being a mum, and I had nothing left of myself. I also had some things at work that were making me disheartened.
I did fall in love with breastfeeding again. I also try to have a different outlook when Ethan is ‘clingy’. I try to think of how fortunate I am that my child finds comfort in me.
Lastly let me link a few posts about it:
https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/breastfeeding-nursing-aversion-agitation-baa/
https://laleche.org.uk/dont-enjoy-breastfeeding/

😴💤📈Sleep Regressions and Growth Spurts📈💤😴
When Ethan went through a very bad sleep regression at around 6-8 months, the thing that saved me was bed-sharing. This was not something I had planned on, but I could just pop a b**b out and continue sleeping. Please do follow the Safe Sleep Seven if you choose to bed-share.
If you are wondering, he sleeps in a cot next to my side of the bed but still enjoys morning cuddles in bed with me at the moment.
The Wonder Weeks app will definitely be your best friend when it comes to sleep regressions and growth spurts. In short, these are times when babies are going through developmental leaps. They are usually more fussy, wake more often, and need extra comfort.
Something I did not mention was that I always set small goals. I knew my long-term goal was at least 2 years. When Ethan was born, I set a goal to breastfeed for at least 6 weeks. Then it turned into 6 months. During the aversion, I had to motivate myself weekly. Now, I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen after 2 years.

In conclusion, these times can be extremely tough. Somehow I was able to push through and here we are still going strong! If you are experiencing an aversion or just feel like you are DONE, please do reach out. We believe in you, you can do it Momma!

02/08/2024

So, my sister Yanke Grobler and I started something. 😎
If you know us, you know we can talk none stop about the things we are passionate about. We are also very opinionated and we do not necessarily read social cues very well 😅 hence the name “Sisters in "unsolicited" support” 😂 Whether you asked or not, we will probably share what we think. Even if it’s just with our faces. 😉

This new baby has been a long time coming as we are blessed to share a passion for development and education. And with Breastfeeding awareness week we jumped in imperfectly. Because if you also know us you know how we overthink. So please follow along if you’re brave enough and share with someone who may or may not have asked for support. 😅

👩‍👧‍👦 Yanke & Anja 🌟👩‍⚕️ Teacher & Occupational Therapist Duo
🤱 Breastfeeding Advocates | 🍼 Pumping Tips | 👶 Infant Behavior
🧠 Child Development | 🧸 Mythbusters | 🌍 Sharing Knowledge for Happy, Healthy Babies & Families

01/08/2024

22/03/2024