SidebySide

SidebySide Side-by-Side is an early childhood education campaign led by the National Department of Health. What is Side-by-Side? It starts with breastfeeding.

Side-by-Side is a national Department of Health campaign working to ensure that all children under 5 receive the nurturing care they need to develop to the best of their abilities. It relies on all stakeholders caring for caregivers and pregnant women to work alongside each other. Side-by-Side rests on 5 pillars:

NUTRITION - Good nutrition is important for mothers’ and children’s health. LOVE - Brain development is spurred by responsive care and love, play, and talk. PROTECTION - Children can be protected from childhood disease and injury by getting immunized, and safety in the home. HEALTH CARE - Children need care when they are sick or injured
EXTRA CARE - Some children may need special care or support. Caregivers should know what to do and where to go.

“Together, we can ensure that South Africa’s youngest children receive the care they need to survive and thrive.”

♾️Side by Side is here for all your pregnancy, conception, parenting, breastfeeding and all other issues related to rais...
13/03/2026

♾️Side by Side is here for all your pregnancy, conception, parenting, breastfeeding and all other issues related to raising happy and healthy babies, together as a village.

♾️Side by Side rests on five pillars, which are nutrition, love, protection, healthcare and extra care. Each week, we share tips related to these pillars. These are designed by a team of health experts to help you in your parenting journey.

Nutrition - good nutrition is important for mothers' and children’s health, and it starts with exclusive breastfeeding from birth.

Love - Brain development is nurtured through responsive care, which means we have to play and talk with our babies. This helps them grow and develop.

Protection - Children should be protected from childhood diseases and injury by getting them their immunisations and ensuring our homes are baby-proofed from any items that may harm them.

Healthcare - Children need healthcare when they are sick or injured.
Extra care - Some children may need special care or support. Parents and caregivers should know what to do and where to go.

📱Follow us on WhatsApp channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9TylMHbFV9h4odbe17. To receive daily parenting tips along the five (5) pillars.

💻Watch our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/

👥Raising happy and healthy babies is possible if we do it side by side, together as a village.

🤍We know caring for children with disabilities can be challenging. We want you to know that we see you and we are here t...
13/03/2026

🤍We know caring for children with disabilities can be challenging. We want you to know that we see you and we are here to support you. If you have questions, our health experts are here to answer them.

📲Send us your questions to our inbox.

☎️If you need to join a network of other parents and caregivers raising children with disabilities, sign up for Shonaquip Social Enterprise parenting network on WhatsApp here: 071 371 9103.

👥Support groups are a great place for you to seek support and other resources for raising your little one.

👋🏾Hey mommy, if you are struggling with constipation during pregnancy, we have some tips that might help. ⚠️Please remem...
12/03/2026

👋🏾Hey mommy, if you are struggling with constipation during pregnancy, we have some tips that might help.

⚠️Please remember, during pregnancy, it is advised not to take medication unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor.

🤰🏻To manage constipation during pregnancy, please do the following:

🟨Eat foods high in fibre such as beans, brown rice, oats, nuts and seeds and fruits such as avocado and pears🍐.

🟨 Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily 💦.

🟨 Engage in light physical activity such as walking or jogging 👟.

🤒If constipation persists, please talk to your healthcare provider and let them know your symptoms.

Today we observe Glaucoma rarely affects children, however, when high pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. This...
12/03/2026

Today we observe

Glaucoma rarely affects children, however, when high pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. This can cause severe vision loss. It can appear at birth, in toddlers, young children, or in teenagers. Glaucoma may also run in families. It can be linked to other health conditions, eye injuries, or past eye surgery.

If your little one has some of these symptoms, it is important to take them for a full eye exam.
Signs may include:
👁️eye watering,
👁️eye pain in bright light, and
👁️cloudy eyes in babies.

Older children may have blurry vision or fail vision tests at school.

Treatment focuses on lowering eye pressure with surgery or eye drops/pills. Many children need ongoing care. Even with treatment, vision loss can still happen. Seeing an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) early and keeping up with treatment and follow-up visits are the best ways to protect vision.

Babies' skin is sensitive to the sun, and whenever you will be playing outside or travelling long distances, please alwa...
12/03/2026

Babies' skin is sensitive to the sun, and whenever you will be playing outside or travelling long distances, please always ensure you use sunscreen and dress your little one in clothes that cover exposed areas and make sure your baby wears a hat. ☀️🧴🧢

If you are looking for a good sunscreen to use for your baby, it is important to know this.

✔️You can start using sunscreen for your baby from as early as when they reach six months.

✔️Sunscreens come in two forms: they can either be physical blocking or chemical-based.

✔️There are safe chemical sunscreens, but for babies with sensitive skin or who are eczema-prone, mineral-based sunscreens are often recommended.

Examples include:

Cerave Baby Sunscreen SPF 50
La Roche Posay Anthelios for kids SPF 50
Aveeno Baby SPF 50

You can always visit a retailer for more information or ask your doctor or nurse which sunscreen is recommended for your baby’s skin.

👥It's Protection Wednesday, and today we are debunking common myths around child vaccinations. 🤥The second myth we are d...
11/03/2026

👥It's Protection Wednesday, and today we are debunking common myths around child vaccinations.

🤥The second myth we are debunking is: “Vaccines have harmful side effects”

💯Fact: Vaccines are tested and have to be marked as safe before they can be used. For years, vaccines have protected millions against harmful diseases.

🥴It is not unusual for some vaccines to produce a mild reaction, such as a mild fever or a sore arm. This is the body’s immune system creating antibodies that can fight off the disease for real. These side effects, while present, are not considered harmful.

👶🏾Young babies are at risk of infection from the moment they are born. While mother's milk provides important nutrients for your little one, this layer of protection against harmful germs only gives your baby immunity for the first few months of life.

💉After, you have to ensure your baby is immunised before they are exposed togerms. That’s why most childhood immunisations are planned within the first 12 to 18 months of life.

💉Vaccines play a crucial role in safeguarding your child against harmful germs that could cause serious illness or even be life-threatening.

📘For parents who are moving from one province to another, please ensure you travel with your Road to Health Booklet (clinic card) as this contains important information on your baby’s immunisation schedule.

👋🏾Hi Mommy, congratulations on having your baby. The first 1,000 days of your child's life are so important for shaping ...
10/03/2026

👋🏾Hi Mommy, congratulations on having your baby. The first 1,000 days of your child's life are so important for shaping their future. Throughout this stage, their brain is developing at a very quick rate 🧠.

☺️Your interactions with your little one are so important, from touching them, massaging them, to talking to them, which helps their brain activity and improves how they grow. Just so you know, skin-to-skin contact relaxes babies, enhances their brain development, boosts their immune systems, and strengthens their muscles 💪.

🤱🏼Along with proper nutrition, like breastfeeding them one hour after birth and continuing with exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months, before you can start them on solids. You can also play with your baby's fingers, one by one. You can move around their little fingers very delicately, then massage their hands and feet 👐👣.

💜This helps you to bond with your little one.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧We all have a part to play in ensuring our little ones are developing well. When babies are small, they can be fu...
10/03/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧We all have a part to play in ensuring our little ones are developing well. When babies are small, they can be fussy and need a lot of attention. It is important that as parents and caregivers, we are there for them, we are responsive and help them as they explore the world and their surroundings.

🔍Paying attention to how they develop and grow is also important, but you need to know what you should be checking for at every age they turn.

📋Below, we have put together a list of things to pay attention to.

🟦These are some of the things you should be checking for at different stages of your little one’s growth:

☑️At 14 weeks, they should be able to hold their head upright when held against the shoulder.

☑️At 6 months they should be able to grasp toys in each hand or lift their head when lying on their tummy.

☑️At 9 months they should be able to sit without support.

☑️At 12 months they should be able to stand without support and be able to pick up small objects with their thumbs and index fingers.

While every baby grows at their own pace, it’s important to keep track of your little one's development.

If you are worried about your baby not developing like others, please take your baby to the clinic.

Feeding tips for babies six months to eleven months.🤱🏼Continue breastfeeding as often as before and as long as your baby...
09/03/2026

Feeding tips for babies six months to eleven months.

🤱🏼Continue breastfeeding as often as before and as long as your baby wants. Breastfeed first, then give other foods.

🍖It is important to give your little one iron-rich foods such as minced meat, chicken or chicken liver, boneless fish or egg. These foods should be given every day, or as often as possible. Iron is important for growth and brain development.

🫛Mix these with dark-green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured vegetables, and fruit. For example, cooked mashed pumpkin, butternut, spinach, carrots and fruit without pips such as paw-paw, avocado. These foods are a good source of vitamin A.

🥔Also add starches such as fortified maize meal porridge, mashed sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes.

🍽️Some babies will learn to eat quickly, while others will take a bit longer. Be patient and don’t give up. Your baby will get used to the food and eat more at each feed.

🍽️ A baby may spit a food out when it is first given. Try a few times, the baby may suddenly accept the food and be happy to eat it.

🍽️ You may notice changes in your baby’s stools as they eat new foods. This may change in colour and texture. Don’t be alarmed, this is normal.

😋Feed slowly and patiently and encourage your baby to eat, but do not force him or her to finish all the food in their bowl.

🍽️If your baby is coughing or vomiting at most meals or spilling most food or drink out their mouth, or if they are not gaining weight, please take them to the clinic to get their feeding and swallowing assessed

🫗Always remember to give your baby safe water to drink from a cup, regularly. Boil the water to kill the germs and cool it before you give it to your baby.

09/03/2026

📻Here’s a recap episode from season 4 of the Side by Side radio programme.🔘Today, health experts are discussing the importance of growth monitoring and the Road to Health Booklet (RTHB) or clinic card, which is for you and your child's health worker.

📘The RTHB gives you advice on how to raise a happy and healthy child. It is also a record of your child's growth and development. Your nurse at the clinic you attend uses it to make sure that your little one gets the care they need at the right time.

➡️Listen to this episode on the importance of growth monitoring here: https://omny.fm/shows/side-by-side-season-4/sa-fm-episode-38-growth-monitoring-and-road-to-health-booklet?in_playlist=podcast

▶️If you missed season 4 of the Side by Side episodes on your favourite station, you can catch up using this link:https://omny.fm/shows/side-by-side-season-4

All Side by Side episodes are here to help you become an informed parent and caregiver to your little one.

Continued breastfeeding in emergencies is possible and is encouraged for all mothers.🤱🏾Breastfeeding during emergencies ...
09/03/2026

Continued breastfeeding in emergencies is possible and is encouraged for all mothers.

🤱🏾Breastfeeding during emergencies acts as a protective measure since the risk of illness for both the baby and mom is higher.

🟡Continued exclusive breastfeeding (which means giving your baby only breastmilk and no other fluids, not even water) is encouraged.

🟡 Stress, overcrowding or the lack of privacy could interrupt breastfeeding, but all members of the family must play a part in supporting breastfeeding moms.

🟡 In emergencies, often water becomes scarce, and using formula with water that is unclean is not safe. Breastmilk is the best way to continue to keep your baby nourished.

🟡 Mothers who live with HIV are encouraged to breastfeed their little ones, provided their viral load is suppressed to avoid transmission.

🤱🏾Breastfeeding is the most effective way to protect babies. Babies under 6 months should not be given anything except breastmilk, if you are able to breastfeed well and produce enough milk.

🫂Parents and caregivers raising children with disabilities, you are not alone, you can get some help. 🏢 Shonaquip has se...
06/03/2026

🫂Parents and caregivers raising children with disabilities, you are not alone, you can get some help.

🏢 Shonaquip has set up a parenting network for parents and caregivers with children with disabilities. This support network helps parents and caregivers to better care for their little ones and themselves.

👥This is achieved through interactive sessions, where parents offer each other support, share and learn about various types of disabilities, how to identify them and overcome challenges that come with raising children living with disabilities.

💬The Network makes use of WhatsApp to connect, share information and support one another.

How can you join?

📲Send a WhatsApp to 071 371 9103 or send us a direct message on their page here: Social Enterprise

Learn more here: https://shonaquipse.org.za/parent-champion-network/

Address

Dr AB Xuma Building, 1112 Voortrekker Road, Pretoria Townlands 351-JR
Pretoria
0187

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@SideBySide_za, https://www.instagram.com

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