It is dreaded by most parents, but few understand why it happens and how to prevent it. THE term ‘convulsion’ is commonly used interchangeably with ‘seizure.’  There are many types of seizures, but one particular type relevant to babies is ‘febrile seizure’, which is triggered by a fever. This type of seizure mostly occurs between…

The sheer quantity and of toys are enough to any parent’s head spin, as we speak, more are manufactured around the world. This has made it pretty difficult for parents and relatives on the hunt for these precious items to identify suitable and safe toys for their children. This dilemma is further compounded by the fact that…

How to cope with the ‘minority rulers’ I tell you, there is nothing in the world like coming home in the evening to the embrace of a baby,’ says Steve Omwanda, an IT specialist and father of four. ‘Holding that baby close to you can cure a man of all ills!’ Babies are those little, wingless angels who, when placed…

I was never a big fan of school in my days, it now seems. School came across as a punishment, exam time only compounded my hatred, let’s call it lack of enthusiasm, for school. I was sure my mother hated me—sending me to school and seeking to check on my progress. Now older and wiser,…

Sinuses are air spaces in the bones of the face around the nose and they are usually moist. Babies have sinuses. However, they are usually not well developed. These air spaces are in four sets located in the brain, forehead, behind the nasal passages and cheekbones and have a lining of a mucus layer and…

We had just been introduced to each other and were now having tea. ‘Ah, so you are a doctor! I have a concern that has been disturbing my mind.’ I sat up and listened. This is a common line and quite frankly, as a doctor, I enjoy it, even in a social setting. It reminds me of my role in…

It came as a shock to me to find out that, when I reached my early twenties, the brain cells that I had refused to use in mathematics and similar figures-laden science subjects, shriveled up and died. No more growth for me in that direction, as opposed to baby, who has a lot of growing…

How to answer his many many questions What is it that makes a toddler keep asking, ‘Why?’ to almost every answer? Could there be an explanation to this age old habit? While the ‘Why?’ bit may be a daunting a task, it is inevitable as this is a right of passage. So don’t blame it…

Research shows that the hormones passed on from the mother to the baby at the end of her pregnancy over-stimulate the baby’s oil-producing glands resulting in ‘cradle cap’. The condition is characterized by a dry, flaky, scalp or a thick, yellow and scaly scalp. The scales may appear cracked or even greasy. While the condition…