Frequently Asked Questions

To book an appointment, call or send a WhatsApp message to the mobile number +90 501 202 24 94. The practice line is +90 232 202 24 94. You can also request an appointment using the form on this website.

The practice is in Alsancak, Izmir: Ali Çetinkaya Bulvarı No:14 D:5, Alsancak, Konak / Izmir, Turkey.

Well-child check-ups, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, private vaccinations and any necessary tests are provided for all babies and children from the newborn period up to the age of 18.

Consultations can be held in Turkish, English and German.

The combined vaccine given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months can cause a fever, and the likelihood increases with repeated doses. However, not every baby will get a fever. Fever-reducing syrups given before vaccination have been shown to reduce the vaccine's effectiveness, so there is no need to give a syrup unless your baby actually has a fever.

Especially in hot weather and in babies who sweat, the urine becomes more concentrated and urate crystals settle out, leaving a pink colour on the nappy. Touch it with your fingertip and you will feel it crumble like sand. It is not blood and there is no need to worry. Give plenty of water to babies who drink water; if your baby is only breastfed, the mother should drink plenty of water. It is common in the first week after birth.

A baby who breastfeeds well and gains enough weight may pass stools up to 8 times a day in the first weeks. After the first month the number of stools decreases and may drop to once every other day.

Babies who are well fed on breast milk and gaining weight may bring up milk as it overflows. Infant reflux can continue up to 18 months. If the baby is not gaining the weight they should, medication may be used. Otherwise simple anti-reflux measures are enough: do not lay the baby down for 30 minutes after feeding; when you do, use a pillow to raise the upper body by 45 degrees so the mouth and stomach are not on the same level; and carry the baby without pressing on the tummy.

The water content of breast milk is enough to keep your baby from feeling thirsty. However, in very hot weather and to help prevent oral thrush, you can give 1 teaspoon of boiled and cooled water after each feed.

A mother's health matters as much as her baby's. Dyeing your hair, which can be good for your wellbeing, is fine while breastfeeding; it is better not to apply the dye too close to the scalp and to choose an organic dye.

Although this is a widespread belief, there is no clear evidence in the literature to support it. If what the mother eats gives her gas, this may affect breastfeeding negatively. Because of misconceptions, mothers are often seen to move away from a balanced diet and put their own health at risk.

Babies can sweat enough during feeding to wet their mother's arms, or enough during sleep to wet the pillowcase. Babies' heads are large relative to their bodies, which means much of their blood flow and metabolic activity is concentrated there, so sweating is common. Some families sweat a lot for genetic reasons, in which case it is natural for the baby to sweat too. The most important condition linked to sweating is thyroid disease. In Turkey, thyroid disorders are detected within the first 15 days through the national newborn screening programme; if your family doctor has not contacted you about the heel-prick test, there is no need to worry.

When milk touches the cheeks during feeding, the sugar in the milk can irritate the skin. This can cause redness and crusting, especially in babies with sensitive skin, and is more likely if there is a family history of allergies. The skin on the cheeks should be moisturised with a good baby face lotion. If the crusting increases and starts to spread, medicated ointments may be used on your doctor's advice.

During growth spurts, especially between the ages of 3 and 5, children can have pain in both legs below the knee. Children often ask their mothers to rub their legs. This is also known as growing pains. Signs that suggest a problem are joint swelling, weight loss in the last 3 months and fevers at night.

Because the nasal passages and upper airways of babies are still narrow and they spend most of their time lying down, air passing through the narrow passages can make a rattling sound. Check that the nose is not blocked; you can use saline drops from time to time. Do not use a nasal aspirator unless there is an obvious blockage. If your paediatrician listens to your baby's lungs and finds no problem, do not worry – the noise will fade over the coming months as your baby grows. If it is loud enough to worry you, you can also consult an ENT specialist.

We do not really recommend baby walkers. They can delay independent walking, may cause bowing of the legs and can put too much pressure on boys' testicles. However, so that mothers of babies who always want to be held can rest a little or get small tasks done, a walker can be used in 10–15-minute periods during the day once the baby can sit without support (around 8 months). Remember that walkers increase the risk of accidents at home.

The stools of breastfed babies can be many colours, such as white and curdy, yellow or green. Stool colour does not always mean the baby has caught a chill; iron supplements can also change the colour. However, if green stools come with frothy poo and severe gas pains, see your doctor to check for conditions such as cow's milk protein allergy.