MOTHERS' HELPLINE: Q&A

With Paediatric Dr. Evelyn Ng’ang’a

Q1:  We constantly see children growing with Bow Legs, what is the cause of this, and how can we prevent it?

A: A child can either have one or both legs affected with bow-leggedness. It is important for the parent to visit the Karen Hospital and see the paediatric doctor to ensure that the baby has proper levels of  Calcium consumption.  Little or low vitamin D levels in the child can also be a cause of bow legs. Rickets is a major cause, and it is important for the parent to ensure the child gets the right kind of treatment.

Q2:  Many women complain of having low milk production. Does the size of the breast matter, what could be causing this and how can it be corrected?

A: The amount of milk produced has nothing to do with the breast size. Therefore size should not even bother any mother. The environment should be conducive for the mother, she must be comfortable psychologically and emotionally in order to lactate sufficiently; a place she finds peace is best. A mother’s main concern should be her diet. I urge young mothers to attend the Paediatric forum on 28^th March 2015 at Karen Hospital; there will be a nutritionist to advise on proper dieting to increase milk production.

Q3: Children who have begun teething frequent the hospital. Fever, running stomach and cold are just a few of some of the problems the child gets when teething. What can be done to reduce this?

A: Parents need to attend the forum to discuss simple but troublesome issues like this one. They always assume that the teething is the cause of those illnesses, yet the illness comes from the children constantly putting their dirty fingers in the mouth. They do this in an attempt to ease the discomfort in the gums. Keep their fingers clean, at all times to reduce the spread of disease. A dentist will be present on the day of the talk, to address this issue that is affecting many young children.

Q4: There are children out there that are almost one year and have never murmured a sound. Is this normal? Will they catch up in a few months?

A: There are certain stages or steps that a child must go through especially in speech development. At about 6 months the child should have started mumbling, and by one year they should be able to make voices and sounds. At 2 years of age the child should have some speech; pronounce and say certain words. Incase your child has not made those steps consult a paediatrician.

Q5: What is your take on Postpartum Depression?

A: That is a tricky topic, which affects new mothers. If the mother is not fine then the child is not fine. The mother must be able to give the child their attention in the most positive way and failure to which the child suffers.Bottom-line, If mother is suffering, child is suffering.