SidebySide

17/09/2026

💚 Ukunakekela ingane yakho kuqala ngokuzinakekela wena.

Ukuba umzali noma umnakekeli, ikakhulukazi uma ingane yakho idinga ukunakekelwa okwengeziwe, kungakulethela injabulo kodwa futhi kungakukhathaza. Nsuku zonke unikela ngothando, isikhathi namandla akho. 🌸

Khumbula: awukwazi ukuthela enkomishini engenalutho. Ukuzinakekela kukusiza uhlale unamandla futhi ukwazi ukuba khona enganeni yakho.

N**i izindlela ongazinakekela ngazo:

🤝🏾 Cela usizo. Akudingeki wenze konke wedwa. Cela ukwesekwa emndenini, kubangani noma kubasebenzi bezempilo.

😴 Phumula uma uthola ithuba. Ngisho nekhefu elifushane lingawenza umehluko.

🥗 Yidla kahle futhi uphuze amanzi anele. Impilo yakho ibalulekile nayo.

💬 Khuluma ngemizwa yakho. Ukwabelana ngezinto ezikukhathazayo noma ezikucasulayo kunganciphisa umthwalo.

🌸 Jabulela impumelelo encane. Nsuku zonke lapho unakekela ingane yakho ngothando nangesineke, usuke wenza umsebenzi omkhulu.

Wenza umsebenzi omuhle kakhulu. 💚 Ukuzinika isikhathi sokuzinakekela nakho kuyingxenye yokunakekela ingane yakho.
National Department of Health (South Africa)

16/09/2026

📘If you have lost your clinic card, misplaced it, or missed your clinic date, you can still return to the clinic and request a new clinic card or a new appointment date.

👶🏻From birth until your child is of school-going age, they must receive all their immunisations to prevent them from getting sick from diseases such as Measles, Rubella, Tuberculosis, human papillomavirus, Polio, Mumps, Pneumonia, Chickenpox, or Hepatitis.

👶🏻Once your child reaches 24 months (2 yrs), they should also receive their Vitamin A and deworming every six months until they turn 5 years old.

📲When you miss your clinic date, it is ok to return to the clinic to vaccinate your child or to get a new date. Even when vaccine stocks are low, please register on by dialling this free USSD code: *134*550*2 #. You will be notified when vaccines are back in stock.

🧾Losing your clinic card or finding out that the immunisation shots are low should not discourage you, mommy. We do have resources that inform you when stock is available at your clinic on our online platforms.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏾It takes all of us to protect our little ones. Showing up at the clinic is the first step.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

15/09/2026

children isn't limited to caring for our little ones; everyday activities like reading and storytelling also help them grow up smart. By taking turns telling children stories and reading to them, we are investing in their bright futures.

All it takes is ⏰ just setting aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to play or read stories to and with them, as this is important for their development.

🧠If you cannot remember the stories ugogo used to tell you, don't worry; we have a bunch of resources from our friends at Takalani Sesame

📺Please visit their website: https://takalanisesame.org.za/ to access the resources.

📲Follow Takalani Sesame on their platforms to gain more access to useful resources you can use with your little one to play, bond and grow.

Department of Basic Education South Africa

15/09/2026

🧸 Giving your child time to play on their while you stay nearby helps them learn, grow and build confidence.

When you play with your child, try not to step in too quickly; they learn by exploring, making mistakes, and trying again.

❤️ Remember, independent play doesn't mean leaving your child alone. It means giving them the freedom to explore while knowing you are close by for comfort and support.

Even 10–15 minutes of supervised independent play each day can help your child develop skills they'll use for life.

🌟Sometimes the best way to help your child learn is to step back and let them discover the world for themselves.

Department of Basic Education South Africa

14/09/2026

👶🏻Once your child starts eating at 6 months or older, it is important to know which food items are safe for them to eat.

👶🏻Because children's taste buds are still getting used to different textures, food must be prepared in a texture that is safe for them to eat at their age.

👶🏻For example, at 6 months, the food must be soft and mashed. As they grow older, around 9-11 months, food pieces have to be cut into small pieces so they do not choke. From 12 months to 5 years, their food has to be cut up into small pieces so they can eat on their own. This is also how they learn to be independent.

⚠️Remember, when feeding your child, do not leave them unsupervised. Always stay next to your child and encourage them to eat (do not force feed them).

⚠️Don’t give your child Rooibos tea or any other tea, coffee, creamers, condensed milk, flour water, sugar water, or cold drinks. These foods and drinks do not contain any nutrients and will not help your child to grow.

From the age of 6 months, give your baby clean, safe-to-drink water from a cup during the day. Boil the water and cool it before you give it to your child.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

13/09/2026

The survey is still live, and we want YOUR ! Take this short 5-minute survey and tell us your issues when accessing immunisations at your healthcare facility:https://sidebyside.typeform.com/to/Bhl0tcBX

We would like to know how immunisation levels can be improved, and your feedback will help us understand what can be done to support caregivers when accessing healthcare services.

Add your feedback now: https://sidebyside.typeform.com/to/Bhl0tcBX
By taking the survey, sharing it with other caregivers and following us on all social media platforms, you stand a chance to win R100.

The survey will be open until the 30th of September. 3 Lucky winners will be in the running for a R100 e-wallet prize.

Take the survey before time runs out!

Turn data collection into an experience with Typeform. Create beautiful online forms, surveys, quizzes, and so much more. Try it for FREE.

11/09/2026

♾️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 our channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9TylMHbFV9h4odbe17

To receive daily tips on 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.
National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/09/2026

Protecting your child from starts with . There are also simple everyday steps you can take to help keep your family and community free from illness.

✅Keep vaccinations up to date. Make sure your child receives all their routine immunisations, and if you are planning a pregnancy, speak to your healthcare provider about your rubella immunity.

🧼 Practise good hygiene. Wash your hands with clean water and soap before preparing meals, before feeding children, and after using the toilet or changing a baby’s nappy.

Always remind children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after playing outside or with pets, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. Remember to lead by example; when children see you washing your hands regularly, they will follow your lead.

🏠 Stay at home if you are sick. If you or your child has rubella, stay at home until your healthcare provider says it is safe to go back to school or work.

🌬️ Keep your home clean and well ventilated. Opening windows and cleaning frequently touched surfaces can help reduce the spread of infections.

Every small step you take helps protect your child, your family and your community.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/09/2026

💡 Did you know? 💊Using PrEP alongside condoms and contraception can give you added protection against HIV, other s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy. 💙

🏥 Good news: is available at primary healthcare clinics. Visit your nearest clinic to learn more and find out if PrEP is right for you.

💊 PrEP is for people who test HIV-negative. If you take daily oral PrEP as prescribed, it can reduce your risk of getting by more than 90%. HIV testing is recommended every 3 months while using PrEP.

🫂 Let’s look after ourselves and each other. Practising safer s*x remains important during pregnancy too.

🔗 Learn more about PrEP: www.myprep.co.za
National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/09/2026

Children need urgent care when they are unwell. Knowing the danger signs can help you act fast and protect your child’s health; don’t wait until it’s too late.

⚠️ Go to the clinic or hospital immediately if your child:
• Is not able to drink or breastfeed.
• Vomits everything.
• Has convulsions (shaking or fits).

⚠️ For young babies (especially under 2 months):
They can become very sick very quickly. If your baby is not feeding well or has a fever, take them to the clinic immediately. Do not give children aspirin or other homemade remedies.

💧 If your child has diarrhoea:
Give them a Sugar Salt Solution (SSS) after each loose stool to prevent dehydration. If your child is unable to drink water or thin liquids, take them to the clinic.

💛 Acting quickly can save your child’s life. Trust your instincts and seek help early.
National Department of Health (South Africa)
For more information visit: https://www.health.gov.za/ and https://sidebyside.co.za/