Responsible parenting in the spotlight

On Wednesday 10 September the West Rand District Health Services in partnership with Johnson & Johnson coordinated a healthy baby and growth monitoring initiative at the Randfontein Municipality Hall.

This well attended event was held in support of responsible mothering and healthy babies.

“This initiative has been running for 16 years and it is aiming to motivate mothers to keep their babies healthy and award them, as well as make them role models to other mothers within their communities,” Karen Hansen from Johnson and Johnson said.

The age categories for the competition were as follows:

• 0-3 months

• 4-6 months

• 7-12 months

Prizes were awarded to the winners were in the form of baby product hampers, certificates and Ackermans shopping vouchers.

Ntando Ngobese, a father from Randfontein, said, “As a young father I did not know much about raising and taking care of a child. With the support of my family and my girlfriend’s family we are so thrilled to see that we have been managing very well with the baby. This is a motivation to all young fathers including myself. Attending this initiative has taught me a lot. I now know what to do in the future.”

At the event parents were asked questions and participated in antenatal care clinics and healthy child care practices. Information about immunizations, vitamins, de-worming, management of diarrhoea, and infant and toddler feeding.

The Road to Health Booklets were used to check clinic attendance, growth monitoring, malnutrition and adherence to treatment. Individual health information was given during the judging process.

The winners were:

• Winner of the 7 to 12 months category – Oripha Tshipangani

• Runner up of the 7 to 12 months category – Sakhanya Dlamini

• Winner of the 4 to 6 months category – Luthando Lubeko

• Runner up of the 4 to 6 months category – Tsiyan Heegs

• Winner of the 0 to 3 months category – Rebecca Mukondeleli

• Runner up of 0 to 3 months category – Gomolemo Mokoena