chatwithketch

When a baby is born, the skull bones are not completely fused. This ‘lack of fusion’ allows a baby’s relatively big head to pass through the narrow birth canal during delivery. These soft spots are called fontanels and they also accommodate the baby’s rapidly developing brain during infancy.

In front, there is a diamond shaped spot where 4 skull bones (cranial sutures) intersect, called anterior fontanel and there is a smaller one at the back, called posterior fontanel. These are the more conspicuous ones. There are two smaller ones (one on each side of the head).

It is normal for the anterior fontanel to pulsate with baby’s heart beats. We can also tell about the baby’s health by observing the fontanels. If it is sunken, baby may be dehydrated from vomiting or stooling and if it is bulging, it may point increased pressure in the brain as can occur in meningitis. Please note that this fontanel looks ‘full’ when baby is crying. This is normal J don’t go running to a doctor for this one. Scratch that…always consult a doctor when in doubt!

So, leave these fontanels well alone. Don’t rub any special ointment or anything on them  They are not as fragile as they look (so can be washed and touched) as they are covered by a tough protective membrane but don’t go poking there  The posterior fontanel would close off after about 2 months but the anterior fontanel usually closes off after about 18 months.

I hope this helps.

Have a good night y’all 🙂

Don’t eat plantain when pregnant or the baby’s soft spot will be too deep.

Ah… so no more dodo?

There’s no truth to this. What a pregnant woman eats does not determine how deep a baby’s fontanelle (soft spot) will be.

A sunken or depressed fontanelle is usually a sign of dehydration in the baby, not a result of the mother enjoying plantain during pregnancy.

So, eat your plantain in peace…unless there’s any other reason (medical and otherwise) why you should not eat it. Just make sure your baby stays well hydrated after birth

Put a stone at the end of your wrapper and knot it when going out to prevent miscarriage.

Really?!

This has absolutely no basis in science. Miscarriages are not prevented by tying stones to wrappers or any external objects.

Pregnancy loss can happen for several medical reasons, most commonly issues with the baby’s development, and not because of anything tied (or not tied) around the body.

There’s no protective power in stones or knots. If you have concerns during pregnancy, the best place to turn is your doctor, not myths.

Don’t eat snails or your labour will be too rapid.

Hmm… where do we even start?

This idea likely comes from the ‘slimy’ nature of snails and the assumption that it somehow translates to a ‘slippery’ or faster delivery. But in reality, there is no link between eating snails and how fast your labour will be.

Rapid (or precipitate) labour does happen, but it has nothing to do with what you ate. Factors like smaller babies or the shape of the pelvis may play a role, but even then, it’s not something you can predict or control with diet.

Bottom line: Enjoy your snails if you like them. They have nothing to do with how fast your baby arrives

If you have a lot of morning sickness, then it’s a girl.

Hmm… not quite

Morning sickness has nothing to do with whether you’re having a boy or a girl. You can be sick every day of your pregnancy regardless of the baby’s sex.

Now, let’s talk about the sickness itself…

We’re often told to eat bland foods like crackers or dry toast. That works for some people, but honestly, it didn’t work for me at all.

What worked for me? Tart things.

Lemons were my go-to. I also had a particular brand of very tart gum that I practically lived on

Brushing my teeth every morning would send me into a bout of retching, so I always had something sour ready to ‘reset; my mouth immediately after. Not my fondest memory!

So if tart things help you, go for it. A few drops of lemon in water can sometimes do the trick.

But be careful – too much can worsen heartburn, which is also common in pregnancy. So moderation is key, and if it makes things worse, stop.

Other helpful tips:

• Eat small amounts frequently – an empty stomach makes nausea worse

• Avoid fatty, greasy foods

• Stay away from smells that trigger you

• Cold foods may be easier to tolerate than hot ones

• Get fresh air and plenty of rest

• Stay hydrated

And most importantly, get support.

If cooking makes you nauseous, ask for help. This is not the time to suffer in silence.

It’s my birthday today

I’m grateful for another year of life, growth, lessons, and purpose.

More importantly, I’m grateful for you…for being part of this journey, reading, engaging, learning, and growing alongside me.

Thank you for being here.

Here’s to many more years of healthy living, together.

If a pregnant woman drinks cold water, her baby may get pneumonia.

Seriously?!

It’s already a stretch to believe that drinking cold water causes pneumonia in adults… but now an unborn baby too?

No. This is completely fictional.

Pneumonia is caused by infections, not by the temperature of the water you drink. And your baby is well protected inside the womb. What you drink does not directly expose your baby to infections like that.

So, drink your water however you like it – just stay hydrated

Sometimes, the trigger for asthma is right inside your home.

Tuesday May 5 is World Asthma Day

If you’ve ever been told your child has asthma, you’ll remember that moment – the panic, worry, fear, and the thoughts of what life will now look like. But it doesn’t always have to be that way.

One major trigger for asthma is something many of us don’t even think about – dust mites.

These tiny organisms live in fabrics like pillows, bedding, curtains, and stuffed toys. They thrive in warm, moist environments and feed on dead skin cells we naturally shed. As we go about our daily activities – making beds, dusting, and generally moving around, they can become airborne and trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.

So how do you reduce them?

• Dust with a damp cloth or oiled duster to prevent particles from becoming airborne

• Vacuum instead of sweeping with a broom

• Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers

• Wash bedding and stuffed toys weekly with hot water

• Reduce carpets, heavy curtains, and upholstered furniture where possible

• Keep the moisture and humidity low and reduce clutter. These would reduce the breeding places of the mites.

With simple hygiene measures, asthma can be better controlled and flare-ups reduced.

That embarrassing ‘sound’ down there is more common than you think

Many women notice a feeling of looseness after childbirth or experience what is often called ‘vaginal farts.’ It can be uncomfortable to talk about, but it is actually quite common.

This happens when the vaginal walls expand, allowing air in, and then release it. Unlike regular gas, it is usually odorless. It can occur during exercise, sex, or even simple movements like getting up from a chair.

So, what can you do about it?

The answer is simple – pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises.

Try tightening your pelvic muscles as though you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold for about 10 seconds, then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat several times a day. You can do this anywhere – at your desk, in a queue, or while watching TV.

With consistency, you should begin to notice improvement in about 6 – 12 weeks.

These exercises don’t just help with this issue – they also support childbirth, improve sexual function, and reduce the risk of urinary leakage later in life.

Remember that this is common and manageable. There’s no need to feel embarrassed.

However, if symptoms persist despite exercises, please see your doctor for further evaluation.