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.”

Gentle care for your body after birthYour body has done something incredible; it’s grown and brought a new life into the...
13/11/2025

Gentle care for your body after birth

Your body has done something incredible; it’s grown and brought a new life into the world. Now it deserves care, rest, and kindness.

If you’re feeling pain, sadness, or exhaustion that doesn’t get better, talk to your healthcare worker. Healing isn’t just physical; your emotions matter too. 💛

Let’s remind each other: recovery looks different for everyone, and there’s no rush.

💙🌍 World Diabetes Day – 14 NovemberDiabetes is one of South Africa’s most pressing health issues:- More than 4 million a...
13/11/2025

💙🌍 World Diabetes Day – 14 November

Diabetes is one of South Africa’s most pressing health issues:
- More than 4 million adults are living with diabetes – that’s about 1 in 9 adults.
- Half of them don’t even know they have it.
- Diabetes is the second leading cause of death in the country, after tuberculosis.

What you need to know:

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is often linked to diet, inactivity, and obesity.
Complications include kidney failure, blindness, amputations, heart disease, and stroke.
Early diagnosis, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and proper treatment can save lives.

South Africa has taken steps like the sugar tax and community prevention programmes, but each of us can also play a part by choosing healthier foods, getting active, and checking our blood sugar levels regularly.

On this World Diabetes Day, let’s raise awareness, support those living with diabetes, and advocate for better healthcare access for all. Together, we can fight the rise of diabetes.

Follow the steps in the image to learn how to make a sugar-salt solution at home.If your little one has diarrhoea and is...
12/11/2025

Follow the steps in the image to learn how to make a sugar-salt solution at home.

If your little one has diarrhoea and is no longer exclusively breastfed, you can help prevent dehydration by giving them a homemade sugar-salt solution (SSS) after each loose poo. It’s a simple mix that helps replace lost fluids.

But watch out for these danger signs:
❗ Drinking very little
❗ Sunken eyes
❗ Blood in the stool

If you notice any of these, take your child to the clinic immediately. Diarrhoea can be very serious in babies and young children.

Follow the steps in the image to learn how to make a sugar-salt solution at home.

It is also important to always wash your hands! Good hand hygiene practices reduce the risk of diarrhoea. Regular handwashing with soap and clean water during critical time, after changing the baby's nappy, after using the toilet and before preparing food really helps fight disease.

Share this post to help other mamas and caregivers know what to do. 💚

Nursery Rhymes: More than just songsWe all know them, and most of us can still remember the nursery rhymes we sang as ch...
11/11/2025

Nursery Rhymes: More than just songs

We all know them, and most of us can still remember the nursery rhymes we sang as children. But did you know these simple little songs play a BIG role in your baby’s development?

So next time you sing “Twinkle, Twinkle” or clap along to “Pat-a-cake,” remember, you’re doing so much more than keeping your baby entertained. You’re boosting their brain, body, and confidence!

Today we want to know, what is your favourite nursery rhyme? 🌟

A cool summer meal for your little one.When it’s hot outside, babies enjoy lighter meals served at room temperature. Thi...
10/11/2025

A cool summer meal for your little one.

When it’s hot outside, babies enjoy lighter meals served at room temperature. This refreshing combo brings together iron-rich chicken, protein-packed chickpeas, and naturally sweet pumpkin or butternut, smooth, colourful, and full of nutrients!

This meal is tasty, packed with goodness, and perfect for warmer days. Serve at room temperature or slightly cool (never cold).

Feeding Tips:

- Always wash your hands and utensils before preparing food.
- Keep breastfeeding as often as your baby wants.
- From 9 months, make food a little lumpier to help your baby learn to chew.

👶📅 Quick Tip During Parents or caregiver, always remember to carry your child's routine immunisation card (the Road to ...
09/11/2025

👶📅 Quick Tip During

Parents or caregiver, always remember to carry your child's routine immunisation card (the Road to Health Book) during clinic visits, doctor appointments, when going to the mobile clinic or even when traveling for long periods 🌍✈️ This handy record is important for keeping track of your child's immunization history and ensuring they stay on schedule for a healthy future.

Our department of health workers are ready to welcome you in our facilities. Let us make this simple step of checking your child’s immunisation card the Road to Health Booklet a habit for the well-being of our children! 💉
Vaccines save lives. Let’s all work together to make sure every child gets the protection they need.



👶Parents and caregivers, Did you know that the journey to lifelong protection against deadly diseases begins immediately...
08/11/2025

👶Parents and caregivers, Did you know that the journey to lifelong protection against deadly diseases begins immediately after birth? Yes, that's right! 🌟 Newborns should start receiving immunization right away to protect them from vaccine preventable disease throughout their lives.

This Catch up drive Month let us commit to safeguarding and protecting our future generations. Make sure your little ones start their immunization journey from birth and that they continue to receive all their scheduled immunisations.

To be a responsible parent or caregiver means making sure your child is safe from harm and from disease. Together, we can create a healthier tomorrow for all children across South Africa! 💉❤️
Vaccines save lives. Let’s all work together to make sure every child gets the protection they need.




What are zero dose and are they dangerous? Zero dose refers to the children who have not received any immunisation, not ...
07/11/2025

What are zero dose and are they dangerous?

Zero dose refers to the children who have not received any immunisation, not even a single dose - especially the first dose of the DTP vaccine (Vitamin A, Deworming, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis or whooping cough) which they should get at six weeks old as in the child’s Road To Health Booklet (clinic card).

Children who miss getting immunised at six weeks 💉🏥 are considered unvaccinated and they are completely unprotected and at risk of getting preventable deadly diseases like measles, polio and pneumonia. These diseases can cause disability or even death, but they can be prevented by a simple vaccine.

Children who miss their immunisation are also very likely to have missed getting other critical child health services. During the catch-up drive starting from the 3rd to the 30th of November, caregivers can access all child health services through mobile clinics and our health facilities. After the campaign has ended, you can still access the full services at your nearest health facility. 🌍❤️✨

Vaccines save lives. Let’s all work together to make sure every child gets the protection they need.



🦷 Let’s talk about drooool…Is your baby drooling everywhere and chewing on anything they can grab? It might be teething ...
07/11/2025

🦷 Let’s talk about drooool…
Is your baby drooling everywhere and chewing on anything they can grab? It might be teething time!

Some babies get cranky. Some get a fever or even a rash on their bottom. And some sail through it without any fuss at all. Every baba is different.

🤒 If your baby has a fever or seems very upset, visit your nearest clinic.

👧 If your child is still drooling as they get older, speak to your clinic. You may need a referral for oral care, speech therapy, medication, or other support options.

You’ve got this, mama. One little tooth at a time.

Doing everything in your power as a loving, caring parent or caregiver is important to your child's development into a s...
06/11/2025

Doing everything in your power as a loving, caring parent or caregiver is important to your child's development into a strong, intelligent, and healthy adult. You don't have to be hard on yourself to raise a healthy and happy child, it starts with simply things like providing your child with the best start in life; like exclusively breastfeeding in the first six months and taking them to the clinic to get all of their required scheduled immunisations (RTHB).

Children should NOT only be taken to the clinic when they are sick. You should also take your child for their full course of immunisations (also known as vaccines). Immunisations are free and protect your baby from preventable diseases. If you lost your immunisation card don’t panic, visit your nearest health facility and a new one will be provided.

💉Check your child's Road to Health Booklet to ensure they have not missed the scheduled immunisations for their age group. Love and care for them by ensuring that they receive immunizations to help their little bodies to fight off infections such as measles, whooping cough and polio etc…

🌍✨Vaccines save lives. Let’s all work together to make sure every child gets the protection they need.
Do you have any worries about immunisations? Ask us below and speak to a department of health official.




💛 Let’s talk about how we feel.And remind each other, it’s okay to ask for help.Mental health matters at home, at work, ...
06/11/2025

💛 Let’s talk about how we feel.
And remind each other, it’s okay to ask for help.

Mental health matters at home, at work, and in every part of our lives.
Anxiety, depression, and trauma are common and treatable.

You are not alone. Support is just a call away:
📞 SADAG Helpline: 0800 567 567
📞 Lifeline: 0861 322 322
🏥 Or speak to your local clinic or hospital for support.

Let’s stand together, Side by Side, for mental health.

Smoking is bad for you at the best of times, but it's especially damaging during pregnancy, when you're not just harming...
06/11/2025

Smoking is bad for you at the best of times, but it's especially damaging during pregnancy, when you're not just harming yourself, but also your unborn baby. Sadly, smoking while you're pregnant increases your chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirth. It may also increase the chances of cot death (SIDS) after your baby is born, so quitting now is essential to protect your baby.

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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

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