Welcome to Dr Ali’s Blog
All information provided on this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for individualised medical advice and should not be relied on as personal health advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or your baby’s health.
Sun Safety and Vitamin D
It's well known that early life sunlight exposure can increase skin cancer risk later in life, but sunlight is also the most important source of Vitamin D at all ages. So, how do Aussies (with varying skin colours and living across a wide range of latitudes) ensure that they balance their child's sun exposure with sun protection year round?
Why wait until around six months to introduce solids?
As new research emerges, guidelines change.
When I was in medical school and GP training, the advice was to introduce complementary foods between 4-6 months of age, whenever babies were showing signs of readiness.
The current recommendation by the WHO and NHMRC Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines is to introduce solid foods at around six months (or within a few weeks of this age).
Medical causes for sleep disturbance
Waking overnight is developmentally normal and common in infants. There are times when sleep can be particularly challenging, such as during developmental leaps, periods of increased separation anxiety or when your little one is unwell with a viral illness.
Whilst they aren’t the most likely reason for night waking, it is important to consider and rule out medical conditions which could be contributing to sleep disruption in your little one. Common culprits are iron deficiency, sleep apnoea and uncontrolled eczema.
Promoting healthy hip development
At birth, your baby’s hips are made of soft cartilage that gradually hardens into bone. The ball and socket need to fit together well because they act as moulds for each other.
Hip dysplasia, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally and the ball of the thigh bone is not stable within the socket. This allows the hip joint to become partially or completely dislocated and ‘clicky’.
Vitamin D levels in pregnancy
You may be surprised to learn that many Australian women are found to be vitamin D deficient in pregnancy.
If you have a low vitamin D level in pregnancy, then your baby will be born with low vitamin D. Some studies suggest that low vit D in pregnancy may be associated with complications like pre- eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Should you worry about reflux in your baby?
It’s possible your baby has reflux, many babies do! The good news is, in most cases, reflux doesn’t cause your little one any pain or problems. The bad news is, your washing machine will definitely be getting a workout!
Gastro-oesophageal reflux simply describes the passage of stomach contents back up the oesophagus, often into the mouth with effortless vomiting or ‘possets.’ It is physiological process that occurs many times daily in healthy, thriving babies.
What’s involved in a fertility assessment?
If you’ve been trying to fall pregnant for 12 months and you are less than 35 years old, or six months and you are 35 or older, seeing your GP for a fertility assessment is a good first step.
Frequently asked questions about miscarriage
The symptoms can vary and may depend on the gestation of the pregnancy and the type of miscarriage you experience.
Most commonly, bleeding and cramping like a heavy period is experienced. Sometimes women have severe cramping like that experienced in labour, from the uterus contracting to pass the pregnancy tissue.
What I wish I knew about breastfeeding before I started
I had no idea what to expect with regards to breastfeeding my babies, except that I was determined to do it. The reality was, I was going into the fourth trimester blissfully blind, with limited breastfeeding knowledge and lacking a plan for when things went pear-shaped.