Baby Brunch | The Parenting Series

How do I make sure I am covered with all the preparation needed for my new-born? In this important Podcast we ask a medical expert - Dr Edzani Mphaphuli, Executive Director of Grow Great. With her wealth of knowledge and years of experience, I can consider the key aspects to ensure my baby is healthy, comforted, and taken care of in the best possible way. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Rhona Erasmus made sure her dreams became a reality and her 'secret' might be simpler than you think. Now a successful businesswoman, the former beauty queen, turned reality TV star, says that simple advice is often the best advice. But she adds "We have to challenge ourselves, and for The Real Housewives I wanted to see how tough I could be in tricky situations." In this Podcast, Rhona talks about lessons learnt, challenges she mastered, and the true value of having a loving husband, being a mother to her two boys, and managing a successful business. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

How do I treat my shy child? In this podcast, veteran teacher, Sandrina Naidoo, explains why a "shy child" is simply a smart child that is introverted. Introverted children are individuals who tend to be more reserved, reflective, and inward-focused compared to extroverted children. Being introverted is a personality trait, and it does not imply shyness or a lack of social skills. They just prefer quieter & less stimulating environments and may need time alone to recharge. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Ever heard the saying, 'Having kids is expensive'? Let's break it down- just how costly is it? Join us in this week's episode as we number-crunch the nitty-gritty of raising our little ones. Accompanied by Justin Harrison, an investor, author, business guru, and fellow parent, we unravel the true costs of parenthood—from the early days to school expenses, birthday celebrations, and beyond. Let's demystify the world of baby money together! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Can I have my placenta, please? Not a common question that you would ask just after giving birth, but in this week's discussion with Melissa Mann, certified doula & placenta specialist (from OrganicBirth.co.za), we understand why this part of your body that you have created during pregnancy is important to take home with you, or, be encapsulated, to consume later. What does it mean to consume your placenta? Well, sit back, relax, and enjoy this podcast, where we learn how to create a smoothie, capsule, powder, or remedy, from your placenta, after giving birth. This is not a medical podcast but might be of interest to you if you were wondering what to do with your placenta after birth. Melissa Mann shares her fascinating journey of helping other moms with the best possible avenue to follow when it comes to consuming, or using, their placenta. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Nico Panagio is our guest this week! Why him? We have learned that children go missing every single day in South Africa. It's a reality we don't even want to consider, but child trafficking is one of the most active criminal activities in the world today. There is hope! Thanks to people like Nico, an award-winning actor, TV presenter, husband, and father of two daughters. He believes in creating action plans, awareness, and vigilance, to unite our best efforts in combatting child trafficking. Nico heads-up 'Missing Children South Africa,' a non-profit organisation that helps law enforcement services and parents to act quickly. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Nadia Jaftha is a force of joy in everything that she does, and her magical charm has helped her to turn popularity on social media into successful business projects. Today she is one of the most recognised South African influencers and a powerful, independent lady. In this captivating podcast, Nadia is joined by her equally charming (and very funny) mom, Nawal. Together they have created an adventurous life for themselves, simply by appreciating every opportunity in life - whether good or bad - and turning it into creative ideas that sparked several successful business ventures. Nadia & Nawal talk about life 'behind the scenes' of what we see on social media and share a few insights into creating their dream world! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

You're looking for a practical, affordable, and reliable family car, but have no idea where to start or how to make the right decision! Baby in the back seat, and luggage in the boot - the practical aspects are important, but we also want to enjoy the drive and the comfort - how do we marry the joy of the drive, with our practical needs (and budget)? In this podcast, veteran motoring journalist and mom, Juliet McGuire, talks about the pitfalls to avoid, the costs to consider, the brands that offer great value for money, and the styles, colours, and extras that we should think about when looking for a new (or second-hand) family car. We talk about the importance of research and which steps to take before making that final, crucial decision for a new family car. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

If you're a Pet-loving person, this one's for you! Our expert Veterinarian, Dr Motheo Masiya, talks about the most important aspects when getting a new pet - for example, the vital health checks, vaccinations, deworming, pet insurance, and considering the size of the pet (especially with kids at home). Parents of fur babies, or parents-to-be - in this podcast we'll help you to choose the right pet for your home. Whether it's a new puppy, kitten, bunny, hamster, or exotic animal - we all want to enjoy the love from our pets - in this podcast, Dr Motheo brings our attention to some of the most common diseases with popular pets, and helps us to better prepare, before getting a new pet. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

There is no easy way out: our parents will not be around forever, and being a parent while our own parents get older, or pass away, is a fundamental concept that many of us might struggle with in life. Juggling the role of being a good parent, while also looking after our parents when they age, means we must stay present - being acutely aware of appreciating every present moment of joy, with our loved ones. In this podcast Elana speaks to clinical psychologist, Dr Jenny Rose, about the beauty of creating structure - for our kids, and our ageing parents - to enable a love-filled, successful balance in our family. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

I'm a parent and want my dogs to get along with my kids, and vice versa... What is the best advice to ensure everyone's happy and play along nicely? Professional Dog Trainer, Landie Coertse, joins Elana in studio to help us understand the way dogs behave when kids are around. How do we socialise our animals? Which dogs are better with kids? Is there a golden rule to consider when getting our kids puppies? What to do when a dog bit my kid? Training our dog is more about getting trained ourselves, to ensure we know how to interact with our pets - and to teach our kids the same techniques. We want to play nice, share in the mutual love from having pets, and ensure there are no surprise incidents - Landie gives us her professional advice on keeping pets and children in the home, and keeping the peace! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Thanks to the SPAR Women's Challenge Jozi, Elana gets to see first-hand the miracle work that South Africa's Smile Foundation does for children. With the generous support of SPAR, we meet some of the heroes that work for this life-changing, non-profit organisation. Bringing together corporate support, medical experts, and initiatives like the SPAR Women's Challenge, the Foundation help to facilitate expert surgical intervention and pre-and post-operative care for children living with facial paralysis. These include, kids born with a cleft lip, and cleft palate, kids with cranio-facial abnormalities, as well as ear, nose, and hand conditions, and burn wounds. The Smile Foundation was created after a good deed by former President, Nelson Mandela, sparked the need for an organisation that could help fund these much-needed operations for children. Today, many hospitals across South Africa are satellite stations where parents could take their children. Giving back a child's smile, and the sense of a normal life again. It's a truly joyful miracle to witness! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Karlien van Jaarsveld het ’n kleurryke en suksesvolle sangloopbaan en is ’n gewilde Afrikaanse kunstenaar. Maar agter die skerms, en in die hospitaal waar sy menige nag langs haar kind se bed deurgebring het, was dinge nie altyd so maklik nie. As openbare figuur, is elke aspek van haar lewe nog altyd druk bespreek en hewig gekritiseer. Nietemin moes sy ’n rustige, standvastige en liefdevolle ma wees vir haar kinders. Dit was allermins maklik, maar Karlien het vasgeklou aan haar geloof en aan wat haar eie ma haar geleer het. Vandag is sy trots op die pad wat sy met God kon stap, en op haar kinders. Vandeesweek gesels Elana met Karlien en hoor meer oor haar lewe vandag, die moeilike lesse wat sy moes leer, en alles waarvoor sy dankbaar is. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

It has taken a mother from Cape Town a nationwide, desperate search to try and find baby food that works, until she finally decided: DIY is the only way! Nabeelah Sawant called her close-friend, and professional dietician, Shakeela Talip, to help with the science behind the recipes - to ensure it's safe for her baby - and created baby food that's inspired by the delicious, healthy 'huiskos' she grew up with. The outcome was so incredible - and her baby was so happy - they decided to help other moms, market the baby food, and turn it into a business! "Beely Baby" was born, Halal, and tasty, offering weaning packs, and more complex meals for up to 18-month-old babies. In this Podcast Elana talks to Nabeelah about the challenges of starting a business as a mom, feeding dilemmas, and creating baby food that helped many mothers across South Africa! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Creating a harmonious and disciplined lifestyle is the first step to having balance in your life — especially if you’re a mother, and even more so if you’re a new mom. Lori Milner, one of South Africa's leading lifestyle coaches, joins Elana to give us some valuable advice on the challenges that new moms face when trying to balance family life with work life. It IS possible to be a successful professional woman and a great mom, too. Listen to our podcast to find out how. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Advocate Jade Lawson joins Elana this week to give us the Legal take on Single parents, with kids. What are the implications for travelling? What if you're a mom and not earning a salary? What if you never got married, and now have kids out of wedlock? Legally, what should the father be helping you with? Advocate Lawson is both an Advocate and Mediator, with one of her areas of focus being on family law. In addition to her litigation work, Adv Lawson is accredited through the Social Justice Association of Mediators and works closely with them to mediate on cases such as parenting plans, divorce settlements, care and contact of minor children and maintenance disputes. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Winter season is often the time when cold symptoms are the worst - runny noses, infected mucus, sore throats, and coughing - but sometimes the quickest remedy is not always the best for our kids. Tonsils, Grommets, and earbuds... Learn more about the dangers of remedies, and procedures that we always thought are helping our kids. ENT Specialist, Dr Ali Makepeace, talks to Elana about the dangers of simple medical procedures and give advice on better health for our kids. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

What if you, the mom-to-be, don't make it to your own baby shower? And who should NOT be invited? What should the budget be? If these questions are playing out in your head, we have the perfect podcast for you! One of South Africa's most experienced event planners, Beatrix Lourens, joined us to discuss everything that goes into planning & creating amazing baby showers — from simple but sophisticated R2000 events to extravagantly glamorous R150 000 baby showers! Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2

One of South Africa's most successful power couples, Rolene & Daniel Strauss, talk to us about their secret to a happy marriage, and balancing all their different roles - as husband & wife, parents, business owners, and public speakers. From the outside it looks like the perfect life, but is it really? Rolene & Daniel explain to us how they make it happen and still achieve success in all their different responsibilities. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

When it comes to bringing up kids in the digital age, we’ve spoken about the dangers of devices as well as the creativity of coding — so it’s only natural that we dive into the world of gaming and social media too! We chat to mom, lawyer-turned-digital-educator, and co-founder of Klikd, Sarah Hoffman, to find out what the best approach is for parents who are raising children in a time when we can no longer avoid smartphones, gaming & social media. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an enormously misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition that can make certain social skills and behaviours challenging for children. But because it is a spectrum, no two children with autism are the same — and embracing their unique way of thinking is where we see absolute magic. Lend your ears to this incredibly insightful chat with two moms of children on the spectrum, Chantell Witbooi and Faces of Felicity’s Julie Hendricks. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Let’s be honest, every parent worries about their child’s poo. So we’re bringing in an expert to clear all your doubts and get you on the right track! Meet gastroenterologist and mom, Dr Lesley Hendricks, a specialist in all aspects of the digestive system. Dr Hendricks is currently a member of a new and exciting field of practice in Southern Africa at Midstream Mediclinic Hospital’s Paediatric Intestinal Failure Unit, where she has been a part of successfully implementing an innovative home parenteral nutrition (TPN) programme. Today, she is sharing her knowledge with us to help give parents the tools they need when it comes to their child’s gut health. A healthy gut means a healthy child – Do not miss this vital podcast! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

When your child opens their eyes every morning and goes to bed every night, have you considered what they are seeing around them? How does their environment affect their little minds and hearts? We sat down with the incredible Carin from Carné Interior Design to unpack the importance of styling your child’s room to create a therapeutic space as they grow into their best selves! Don’t miss this insightful podcast and give your children the gift of everyday beauty without breaking the budget. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

You are more than "Mommy", “Mom”, “Ma” or even “Mooooooooom!” You can still become your best self – this is your opportunity, right here. Start now, with our latest podcast specially made with YOU in mind, mom ;) Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Not knowing the answer to this question can impact your child’s life in more ways than you realise. We’re getting answers from Dr Leana Olivier, CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR). Be informed about your choices – don’t miss this vital conversation! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Moms have a million things on their mind – and worrying about whether you’re doing it right is often at the top of that list. We all feel insecure, anxious, and filled with worry about the next few minutes, the next few days, and the rest of our child’s life! And that’s okay. We’re chatting to clinical psychologist Liane Lurie to get to the bottom of ‘mom anxiety’ once and for all – don’t miss this interview! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Do you have a little gambler under your roof? Or maybe you’ve noticed sudden bratty outbursts from your little one? Justin Harrison from Money Tribe is here to talk about our children's relationship with money and how to teach them to respect its value from a young age. We’re talking credit cards, cash in hand, crypto — and when the right time is to start explaining how money really works. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

She runs a business, runs a home, and runs marathons, too! We’re talking to Elana Meyer – a mother, an Olympics silver medallist, and a woman with a heart of gold! Join us as we look back at the lessons learned along the way and the goals that push this South African icon forward. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Why is there a stigma around children's homes? And what if we needed their support for our own families one day? Join us as we chat to Johanna Strauss from the Durbanville Children's Home to better understand how children end up in these homes and learn more about the vital role they play in the nurturing and care that the children so urgently need. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Clinical psychologist Liane Lurie helps us uncover the difference between ‘sadness’ and peripartum and postpartum depression. From the signs to look out for to the role of your partner during such a bittersweet time – we’re having all the important conversations! Don’t miss this interview for vital insights on your mental health post birth. A special thank you to SADAG. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Is the answer in the number of times we chew each bite of food, or is it in the nutritious fruits and veggies that you have to convince your little one to eat? We’re chatting to Megan Lagerwey, aka The Good Gut Guru, who ‘breaks down’ everything we need to know to ensure our toddlers have optimum gut health. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

We’ve brought together two experts to help us understand the unpredictable tragedy that is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), more commonly known as cot death. Dr Mark Irvine – a Cape Town-based paediatrician with over 30 years of experience – joins Richard Powell – a California-based electrical engineer of over 40 years, specialising in the development of medical grade components for medical devices – to educate parents on this often unthinkable topic. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Remember how our parents always told us to buckle up, yet still, so many of us forget to do this with our own children? It is Child Passenger Safety Week and we discuss the importance of car seats with Operations Director of Maxi Cosi, Debbie Billson. Brought to you by Epi-max Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Award-winning radio presenter-turned-author Carol Ofori is here to help us write the stories we tell our children about our heritage. Carol’s book series of African adventures tell us about the power of parents fulfilling their dreams and the magic of our unique heritage. Catch this thrilling interview for laughter, inspiration, wisdom and more! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Is high blood pressure dangerous when you are pregnant? Well, it’s just one of the symptoms of Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication affecting blood pressure, kidneys and other organs. We’ve brought in OB-Gynae-Sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda, aka “Dr Gynae”, to explain everything pregnant mommies need to know about this condition. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Don’t you just love seeing moms flourish and thrive in their business endeavours? We’re chatting to Frances Edwards, mom of two and founder and creative director of House of Cinnamon, a design-conscious brand offering locally handcrafted footwear and accessories – and she’s telling us how she brings it all together! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

“Het hierdie kind geen maniere nie?” Well, are etiquette and manners the same thing? Riandi Conradie from the South African Etiquette Academy is here to help and class is in session – don’t miss out! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Lerato Makosholo is a mom with a message! Primary school Tuckshop Manager by day and our champion and advocate for body positivity today, Lerato is delivering perspective for all moms – from the journey of accepting our post-birth bodies to managing the lives we’ve made for ourselves. It’s time to start being kind to yourself again – join our little chat now! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Mom, blogger, eco warrior – and your guide to eco-awareness – Fay van Eeden from Enroute Foodie joins us to not only explain WHY, but show us HOW we can create a sustainable home and planet for our little ones. Listen to find out how simple bringing an eco-conscious mindset into your home can be! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

How can we identify when our children need more mental health support? Is medication really the answer? Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Nkokone Tema joins us to answer our questions, bust the myths, and give us the tools we need to help our children and teens. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

We found someone who can tell us what the baby guides don’t! We brought back your favourite doula Nicolette Hadden to tell us what REALLY happens in those first 4 days after birth – don’t miss this! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Xola Ntshinga is a familiar voice and face on our radios and televisions, from breakfast and afternoon drive shows to sports anchoring – but today he’s here with us as a dad! Join us as we delve deeper into how parenting turns into co-parenting after a divorce, how being a dad feels during a pandemic, how Xola practises being a ‘present parent’, and much more! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

How do you know if your child’s burn injury is serious? And what do you do until you can get to a hospital or clinic? We’re getting hands-on advice from specialist surgeon Dr Nikki Allorto of Burn Care Trust on how parents can take action in the face of a burn emergency. A must-listen for ALL PARENTS! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

This Podcast is in Memory of Lee Baker. Our Condolences and Prayers to Lee's Family and Friends. With Love, Elana and The Parent + Baby Brunch Team. Vaccines for this, vaccines for that… So do we still need to get our annual flu jab this year? We’re discussing the ins and outs and pros and cons of the flu vaccine with medicine information pharmacist Lee Baker – a must-listen for all parents! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Is there a right way to introduce your first child to the latest addition to your family, to avoid them feeling rejected or neglected? Clinical psychologist and parent-child expert Dr Jenny Rose chats to us about how we can approach all of the change that comes with bringing home a new-born baby and how to prepare and care for your first child in this time. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior – our family, for your family. Also supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

A dad, a gynaecologist and a registered nurse battle it out in a gameshow about all things baby-related – who wins? Get the answers to all of your burning questions without any of the pressure with singer and actor Loukmaan Adams, our favourite OB-Gynae and sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda, and registered nurse in midwifery and paediatrics Sister Nicolene Stander as they cover it all! So who has the best answers for you and your birth needs? Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior - our family, for your family & supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

What IS a healthy baby? And have you been asked if you’ve checked if your baby is ‘normal’ yet? Worrying is not the answer, dear pregnant moms. “Dr Gynae” is back with us – watch to find out what OB-Gynae-Sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda says about the approach you should be taking to your pregnancy and how to figure out what ‘normal’ actually is for you and your baby. Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior - our family, for your family & supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

What do you really know about autism? And if diversity is so important, what about neurodiversity? We chat to Julie Hendricks of Faces of Felicity who, among so many other things, is a mom to an autistic son and an artist using her art to create awareness for neurodiversity. Join us to learn about this and so much more! Brought to you by Epimax Baby & Junior - our family, for your family & supported by Jacaranda 94.2.

Tineke Ganz-Malan is from the Down Syndrome Association Western Cape – but she is also a mom to a young man with down syndrome. Join us and see how a family can adapt and grow together. Brought to you by Fedhealth, Epi-max & Jacaranda 94.2.

What is normal when it comes to bedtime and getting your little ones to sleep? We brought in paediatrician duo Dr Kooblal and Dr Ramsunder to demystify the role that nutrition plays with your baby’s sleep. Prepare for some big reveals! Brought to you by Fedhealth, Epi-max & Jacaranda 94.2.