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april issue: allergies
PARENTING | TRENDS | REVIEWS
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Top toy reviews
How to avoid dust mite allergens in your kid's bedroom with checklists and décor advice
Protect your bed from dust mites, spills and damage by using a special fabric protector.
Use the free FNB App to search for your next home, get pre-approved, apply for a home loan.
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Find your family home
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We were recently reminded how quickly our children can fall ill, when Ethan was admitted into hospital in an emergency. He was diagnosed with asthma and allergies. Looking back, the signs were there he was allergic and have since educated myself on the topic using resources from the Allergy Foundation of South Africa's website. Ethan's most serious allergy is dust mites, which I tackle on page 4 , 5 and 7. If you are looking to buy a home, I can recommend the free tools available on the FNB App. You will find a summary of my four steps to finding your next family home on page 6. Please visit my blog for a detailed breakdown of each step and how you can make your dream happen, even on a budget. For the kids, we review the latest and most popular toys to reach South Africa.
april 2018
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Blogger: Sarah Huddy Email: sarah@themommycity.co.za Website: www.themommycity.co.za Em
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The Disney Mom Blog interviews me about my journey to motherhood. Read here as I open up and share more of my personal experiences.
Play Sense invites you to their Joburg launch party at BubHub on 5th May. Join Meg as she looks at ‘Play for the Future’. Play Sense is different from all other programs – it’s a small home-based school for up to six 2-to-3 year olds. The focus is on play, particularly imaginary play. RSVP here: http://eepurl.com/dqWbz1
new mungo baby blankets
play sense invites JHB parents
baby sense bandana bibs
One of Cape Town's favourite baby stores has opened a new branch at Canal Walk. Happy shopping! http://petitlove.co.za/
petit love opens at canal walk
NEWS | TRENDS
The Mungo Organic Cotton Cot Baby Blanket range is growing. New additions include Caterpillar Green, Flamingo Pink and Elephant Grey. http://mungo.co.za
Add instant style with Baby Sense's newly launched super absorbent, double layered bandana bib that makes it cool to drool. Made of a 100% cotton front and a 100% polyester microfiber back, with adjustable snaps for a stay-put fit, that grows with your baby. Perfect for teethers and messy minis. https://babysense.co.za
design for allergies
Your kid’s bedroom should be a relaxing and safe environment for them to play and sleep in. For my son Ethan, however, his room was making him sick. After a hospital visit, we discovered he has a severe dust mite allergy and asthma. Dust Mite Allergy I immediately started researching about allergies, dust mites and what changes I needed to make around the home to help Ethan’s condition. The Allergy Foundation of South Africa has helpful information on allergies, patient brochures, recommended products and a list of allergy specialists. According to AFSA, allergy to dust mites is common with around 10% of the general population showing clinical symptoms. Further, around 30% of all allergic patients react to dust mites, making it the single most common allergen in South Africa. I will be sharing what I have learnt about dust mite allergens, what signs to look out for as well as how to make your kid’s bedroom allergy friendly. I want to stress that you can never rid your home of house dust mites completely, but you can make a big difference with these changes.
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CHECKLIST AND GUIDES ON: BEDDING FLOORING DÉCOR TOYS CLEANING
FULL POST
BEDROOM DÉCOR & CLEANING
avoid dust mites
Dust and fabric are your two main concerns, so keep to minimal décor and easy to clean fittings. Bedding Pillow and mattress protectors: use air-permeable fabric protectors to prevent coming into contact with mites. Direct sunlight: place bedding in direct sunlight for several hours to kill mites. Bunk beds: allergic persons should use the top bunk. Flooring Replace carpets: dust mites live in carpets and are difficult to vacuum up as they use their claws to cling to the fabric. Replace carpets with vinyl, wood laminate or tiles to reduce contact with mites and make cleaning easier. Vacuum cleaner: vacuum daily/twice weekly. Cleaners installed with HEPA/ electrostatic filers are most effective. Décor Remove shelving: use closed cabinets instead of dust-collecting shelves. Keep furniture to a minimum, preferably made of wood or plastic. Upholstered furniture: remove upholstered furniture and clutter. Window shades: remove thick heavy curtains. Use washable shades/curtains. Wall hangings: minimal wall hangings to prevent dust collection. Wall vinyls are preferable. Damp-dust all surfaces weekly. Toys Soft toys: remove all soft toys. Only keep favourite soft toys which can and should be washed weekly. Place washed toys in a plastic bag in the freezer overnight to kill mites. Toy boxes: store all toys in plastic or wooden boxes, or in a closed cupboard. Wipe clean regularly. Cleaning checklist Daily/twice weekly: Vacuum Damp dusting Store toys Weekly: Wash and air bedding in sunlight Wash soft toys and place in freezer Monthly: Wash pillow and mattress protectors Wash window shades/curtains
This is a summary of how to avoid dust mite allergens in your kid's bedroom. Read the full post on my blog for more detailed advice and tips to save!
How to use the FNB App to buy your family home
READ FULL POST HERE FOR DETAILED ADVICE ON THE ABOVE STEPS
The FNB App is a powerful tool when it comes to purchasing your home. What we have learnt is that instead of thinking “I can’t afford it”, rather take control of your finances and there will be a responsible FNB solution out there for you. Finding your family home and applying for finance is easy with these four steps. 1. What can I afford? Calculate what you can afford and property costs using the FNB calculators. 2. Find a property. Start your property search by choosing an area based on work, schools, family, using the tools in the FNB App . Get pre-approved on your phone. 3. Apply for a home loan. Once you have found the home for you, apply for or switch a home loan through the FNB App. 4. Love your home. Take care of your home so it can continue to bring enjoyment and increase in value. Find a moving company and household services through the FNB App.
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WHY YOU SHOULD BE USING SPECIAL FABRIC PROTECTORS TO PROTECT AGAINST DUST MITES All the advice on dust mites states that mattresses and pillows must be covered with air-permeable fabric protectors. The fabric must be breathable, unlike plastic, or else the bed becomes hot and uncomfortable. By using special fabric protectors, you are preventing dust mites from getting through into the bedding. Just by adding a pillow and mattress cover, I can reduce Ethan’s contact with allergens.
PROTECT-A-BED
Why choose Protect-A-Bed? In order for protectors to be effective against dust mites, they need to be breathable and waterproof. Protect-A-Bed are made using the waterproof Miracle Membrane® that forms an impenetrable barrier to dust mites, whilst still allowing air transfer for a comfortable night’s sleep. Protect-A-Bed offer a 2 to 10 year warranty, across their product range Absorbent, breathable and waterproof Dust mite barrier and allergy protection Cotton terry surface Cool and comfortable to sleep on Protects mattresses from stains Range includes cot mattress protectors
Review of Premium Deluxe Protect-A-Bed kindly sent me mattress and pillow protectors for the whole family. It’s important that I also protect my bed, as Ethan does crawl in to cuddle during the night. The Premium Deluxe is their most popular range and offers a 5 year guarantee (or 200 washes) for the mattress protector and 2 years (or 50 washes) for the pillow protector. Before putting them on the bed, you must wash the protectors first. The protectors are thinner than I had thought, and don’t take much space in the wash. This is a good thing, as they should be washed every 4 weeks with the rest of the linen, to remove absorbed perspiration and skin scales. The protectors dry surprising quickly, compared to another waterproof cot cover brand I had which took hours or overnight to dry. Protect-A-Bed covers are tumble dry safe, which is a bonus, though it is recommended you dry in the sun to kill off dust mites. The protectors have a thin terry cotton surface which is comfortable and allows the sheet to fit over it and the mattress easily. The protector doesn’t move around in the night, as the waterproof coating seems to keep it in place. Compared to other protectors I have slept on, I don’t have to adjust it each morning or smooth out ruffles which are uncomfortable to sleep on. The expanding skirt fits all depths of mattresses, as well as extra length. Can you used with an electric blanket. Besides worrying about dust mites, if the kids have an accident in the night or spill their water on their beds, the mattress is protected. It is recommended you wash your pillow every month, unless you use a protector. By using a pillow protector and washing it monthly, I can stretch out having to wash our pillows to once every year. Top tip: if the pillow protectors seems a bit puffy and full of air, leave a small gap (1cm) when you zip it up. For allergy sufferers, it is still best to zip it up completely. READ FULL REVIEW HERE
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Blaze and the Monster Machines get muddy In every episode, Blaze and the Monster Machines race into high-octane adventures that explore STEM concepts. Blaze along with his 8-year old techie driver AJ, Blaze races around Axle City solving problems. Talking Mud Fest Blaze is designed to look like Blaze has been doing doughnuts on a muddy track. Enchantimals dolls and their animal besties The Enchantimals dolls are a group of lovable half animal characters who have a special bond with their animal best friends, with whom she shares an unbreakable bond of friendship. These pairs of animal besties use their abilities and compassion to maintain balance, peace and harmony. Dancing with the pretty Molly Ballerina A doll that every ballerina will love. Molly plays 8 classical ballet tunes and speaks 200 words, with phrases such as ‘let’s dance together‘ and ‘I want to hug you‘. This adds an interactive element, and Paige’s favourite feature. She has the most gorgeous hair for a doll, and pretty pink pumps.
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