Emma Numanoglu qualified from Carinus Nursing College 23 years ago, with distinctions in midwifery, psychiatry, general nursing and community. She is known for her lactation support for moms in Cape Town and is a South African Certified Lactation Specialist (Wits) S.A.C.L.C and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Specialist  I.B.C.L.C. “Many moms hesitate to get professional help for breastfeeding, until their difficulties have escalated. If addressed early, small problems do not become breastfeeding road-blocks. I provide anticipatory guidance and early assistance, allowing mom and baby to have a smoother postpartum breastfeeding experience,” she says. Emma also runs ante-natal classes at Life Vincent Pallotti on Saturday mornings and also via ZOOM during the pandemic. “I believe every Mum is a superstar no matter how she gives birth and I have the utmost respect for my clients and treat them with the care and compassion that I would hope others would treat me with. I believe that the families I teach deserve and should be getting up to date information so that they can make informed choices. I put my heart into what I do and see it as a life’s calling and not just a job.”

Heather Wood has been the clinic sister at the Thula Baby Centre since it opened its door 15 years ago. It is a private well baby clinic, offering antenatal preparation classes, lactation support in hospital, as well as after discharge from hospital, and care of the newborn baby, mum and dad. They weigh and measure the babies, and teach their new parents how to care for them, learning skills for settling them when they fuss, and knowlege and skills to parent with confidence. Any feeding difficulties are prioritised. Vaccinations are given according to the South African EPI (recommended vaccine schedule) using the excellent government vaccines, as well as private vaccines not available through the state programme. Dads are welcomed and encouraged to come to clinic visits, and other pertinent issues like expressing, back to work, sleeping trouble, routine and starting solids are covered in consultations. Heather, Tasha and Alexandra run antenatal classes in Mouille Point and Newlands ( Kelvin Grove is the Newlands venue). There is a 7th class exclusively for the Dads, on a different evening. Until the COVID pandemic is under control all antenatal classes will be run on a Zoom platform.

Gayle Friedman is the founder of the Sunshine Colour and Health Academy and is a Registered Member of Allied Health Professions Council of SA. She is also the chairlady of Women Offering Mothers Birth Support (WOMBS), a doula organisation in South Africa. Gayle has been in the Healtcare field for over 30 years and has experience as a qualified Aromatherapist, Reflexologist,  Colour Therapist, Pregnancy Therapist, Doula (Child Birth support) and Yoga Teacher for pregnant and postpartum women. Gayle offers support comfort and care, using her expertise and experience as a mother of three, to guide women and their partners on their beginning journey into parenthood. Gayle is an expert in Baby Massage, which she also teaches to prospective practitioners. Parents are invited to learn this valuable skill to help calm their babies more efficiently. Gayle will be offering this course for parents online in the coming months. Currently, she runs weekly pregnancy yoga classes via ZOOM during the pandemic, as well as antenatal classes with Conny from the BabyGrow Clinic in Oranjezicht for City Bowl parents. Gayle is also available for home and hospital births, as well as for pre and postpartum care.