Dr Aleksandra Gajecka - Pediatrician in Malta

26/09/2025

🌍📱 On social media today, many parents feel enormous pressure to be “perfect.” Endless expert tips, influencer advice, and checklists can make you feel like you’re never doing enough. 😔

But here’s the truth: raising a child is not a competition. It’s not about ticking off exercises from the internet or following every “must-do” activity.

✨ What matters most is this:
❤️ Trust your intuition.
👶 Observe your child and respond to their real needs.
😊 Enjoy the time you spend together.
🍲 You don’t need to cook every trendy recipe or complete every recommended activity to be a good parent.

👉 You are the most important specialist for your child. Don’t let the pressure of “perfect parenting” make you forget that.

Let’s give ourselves permission to step back, breathe, and simply be present with our children. That’s what truly builds a strong and healthy bond. 🌱💞

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

23/09/2025

🌸 Labial Adhesion in Young Girls – What Parents Should Know 🌸

Labial adhesion (when the small lips of the v***a stick together) is a fairly common condition in girls aged 6 months to 6 years. While it often sounds worrying, in most cases it is harmless and temporary. 💕

👶 Causes:
• Low estrogen levels in early childhood (a normal stage of development).
• Irritation from diapers, poor hygiene, or frequent infections.
• Dryness or inflammation of the ge***al area.

🏡 At-home prevention:
✨ Maintain gentle hygiene – wash with lukewarm water, avoid strong soaps.
✨ Use cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing.
✨ Apply a thin layer of natural protective ointment (like plain petroleum jelly) to reduce friction and irritation.

👩‍⚕️ When to see a pediatrician?
• If the adhesion covers most of the vaginal opening.
• If your child has difficulty urinating or complains of pain.
• If the adhesion keeps recurring despite proper care.

👉 Most cases resolve on their own as estrogen levels rise with age. Treatment is usually gentle, and surgery is rarely needed.

💡 Remember: never try to separate the adhesion at home – this can cause pain and injury.

💞 With the right care, your little girl will grow out of this condition naturally and safely.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

19/09/2025

Dear Parents of Little Ones! Do you massage your children? I recently came across a very interesting article about reflexology for babies, and I'd like to share its essence.
Reflexology is a gentle foot massage that, among other things, helps your baby calm down and fall asleep faster.
🌸 Before you begin the massage, make sure it's performed in a warm and quiet environment, preferably in the evening, when the massage is most relaxing (but you can do it whenever your little one needs it to fall asleep). 🌸 Start with your child's right foot:
1. Using your thumb, press and simultaneously make circular motions on the ball of your child's big toe (the so-called head reflex point), repeating this 2-3 times.
🌸 Then massage both feet simultaneously:
2. Using both thumbs on both feet at the same time, press and simultaneously make circular motions on the top of the sole, below the metatarsal heads, in the middle of the foot (the so-called solar plexus reflex point), repeating this 2-3 times. Let your child press their feet against your thumbs.
🌸 Return to your right foot:
3. Move your thumb from the inside of the heel of your child's foot to the tip of their big toe, repeating this 2-3 times.
🌸 Repeat steps 1 and 3 on your left foot.

After a foot massage, you can add a small amount of the blend from the roll-on bottle (use 1 drop of therapeutic lavender oil diluted in 10 ml of fractionated coconut oil to make the blend) to the solar plexus point to enhance the feeling of relaxation.

❣️Note: If you are applying essential oils to your child's feet while they are in the process of catching their feet or putting them in their mouth, wear socks to prevent the blend from getting into their mouth.

Before first use, always test the essential oil blend on your child's arm or leg and observe for 12 hours for any signs of sensitivity. If a reaction occurs, discontinue use and apply a carrier oil to alleviate discomfort. Do not dilute or wash off with water, as this may increase irritation.

15/09/2025

13/09/2025

📚🍂 Back to school means new friends, new challenges… and unfortunately, the start of infection season 🤧. Parents often ask me: What foods can support my child’s immune system?

Here are some science-backed tips 🥦🍊🐟:

✨ Vitamin C–rich foods: citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers, berries – they help white blood cells fight off infections 🍊🍓.
✨ Vitamin D: even in sunny climates, supplementation is often needed – it plays a crucial role in immune defense 🌞💊.
✨ Zinc: found in lean meat, eggs, pumpkin seeds, and legumes – supports healing and resilience 🥚🌱.
✨ Probiotics & fiber: yogurt, kefir, and fiber-rich veggies nourish the gut microbiome, which is central to immunity 🥛🥕.
✨ Omega-3 fatty acids: fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds help reduce inflammation 🐟🌰.
✨ Protein: essential for building immune cells – eggs, poultry, beans, and lentils 🍗🍳.

💡 Remember: a balanced diet, adequate sleep 😴, and physical activity 🏃‍♂️ are just as important as specific nutrients.

Let’s give our kids the best start to the school year by keeping their little immune systems strong and ready! 💪🍎

Yours,
Dr. Aleksandra 🦋

11/09/2025

🏊‍♀️💦 Baby Swimming Classes – Are They Worth It? 💦👶

Many parents wonder if taking their baby to the pool is a good idea. The answer is: YES – with a few important considerations! 🌟

✨ Benefits of baby swimming classes:
🌊 Support motor development and coordination
🤝 Strengthen parent–child bonding
💤 Help babies relax and improve sleep
💖 Build water confidence from an early age

🍼 Things to remember:
✔️ Babies can usually start from around 3–4 months of age (once the umbilical cord has fully healed and after your pediatrician’s approval)
✔️ Make sure the pool is clean and warm (around 32–34°C) 🌡️
✔️ Use swim diapers and keep sessions short at the beginning (10–20 minutes)
✔️ Never force your baby – the goal is play, not training 🎈

⚠️ When to avoid swimming:
🚫 If your baby is sick, has a fever, skin infection, or ear infection
🚫 If the pool does not meet hygiene standards

Water fun can be a healthy and joyful adventure for the whole family 💙



⸻

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

09/09/2025

Parents often ask me in my office: "What should I do when my child gets so angry that they scream, stomp their feet, throw toys?"

And I see the fear in their eyes – that they're doing something wrong, that their child isn't listening, that they "should have learned to control themselves by now."

But the truth is: a child's anger isn't a problem. It's just an emotion, a signal that something has been "too much."
The problem begins when a child is left alone with this emotion – embarrassed, rejected, or silenced by screaming.

That's why, at work , I repeat:
👉 Name the emotion,
👉 Give space to release it,
👉 Be there.

It's not easy – I know how difficult it is to stay calm when a child screams. But it's your presence and calm that teach them how to regulate their emotions.

🌿 Anger doesn't distance them. It can become a path to closeness if we don't leave a child alone in their feelings.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

04/09/2025

🤰💉 Why should you get the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine in EVERY pregnancy?

Whooping cough (pertussis) can be extremely dangerous for newborns, especially in the first months of life when they are too young to be fully vaccinated.

✨ By getting the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy (usually between 27–36 weeks):
• You pass protective antibodies to your baby through the placenta 🤱
• Your baby is protected right after birth 🛡️
• It lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or even death from pertussis 🚑

💡 Even if you had the vaccine in a previous pregnancy, you still need it again — because the level of protective antibodies decreases over time.

🌸 Getting vaccinated is a simple way to give your little one a safe and healthy start in life.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

28/08/2025

👶💙 Phimosis in Boys – What Parents Should Know

👉 A tight fo****in in infants and young boys is physiological – it usually resolves naturally with age.

🧴 Care tips:
• No need to forcibly retract the fo****in 🚫
• Gentle hygiene and mild cleansing 🫧
• A light massage can help the fo****in gradually loosen over time ✨

⚠️ When to see a doctor?
• If your child has pain, infections, trouble urinating, or ballooning of the fo****in during peeing 🚑

💡 Most cases improve naturally – patience and gentle care are key.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

22/08/2025

🌙💧 Bedwetting in Children – When to See a Pediatrician? 💧🌙

Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is more common than many parents think – and it can be a normal part of development in younger children. 👶🧸

✨ When is it usually “normal”?
➡️ In children under 5–6 years old, occasional night-time accidents are quite common. Their bladder and nervous system are still maturing.

✨ When should parents consult a pediatrician?
🔹 If bedwetting continues regularly after the age of 6–7 🗓️
🔹 If a child who was previously dry at night starts wetting the bed again 🔄
🔹 If there are other symptoms, such as pain when urinating, frequent urination, or daytime accidents 🚨
🔹 If bedwetting affects the child’s self-esteem or social life 💔

✨ What can help at home?
💧 Limiting fluids right before bedtime
🛁 Regular bathroom visits during the day and before sleep
🌙 A calm, supportive atmosphere — no shaming or punishment
👪 Understanding that this is usually not the child’s fault

👉 Remember: bedwetting is rarely a sign of a serious medical problem, but sometimes it can point to urinary tract issues, constipation, sleep problems, or stress. That’s why a gentle medical check-up can bring peace of mind. 🩺💙

🌟 If you’re worried, talk to your pediatrician — together, we can help your child feel confident and supported.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

18/08/2025

🧀👶 Cheese in an infant’s diet – which ones are safe, and which should wait?

Yes, babies can eat cheese! 🙌 But… not all types are suitable at the beginning. Cheese is a great source of 🥛 protein, 💪 calcium, and 🧈 fats – all crucial for a growing body. Still, some cheeses are better introduced later ⏳.

✅ From around 6 months you can offer:
• 🥣 Cottage cheese – plain, without salt or additives
• 🍶 Natural ricotta – mild, low-sodium
• 🧀 Mozzarella – only if made from pasteurized milk
• 🍴 Quark / farmer’s cheese – natural, unsalted

💡 Remember: dairy is just one part of your child’s diet. Variety is the key to healthy development 🌱🌈.

🔬 Research shows that early exposure to cow’s milk proteins (like in yogurt 🥛 or cheese 🧀) may actually lower the risk of developing milk protein allergy in the future 🚫🤧.

⚠️ What about aged or mold cheeses?
• 🧂 Hard, aged cheeses (e.g., parmesan, grana padano) – can be offered after around 10–12 months 👶, in small amounts, because of high salt.
• 🚫 Mold cheeses (brie, camembert, gorgonzola) – NOT safe for infants ❌! They carry the risk of bacterial contamination 🦠 (Listeria) and too much salt. These should wait until after 2–3 years of age ⏳👧👦.

👉 Do your little ones enjoy cheese yet? 🧀😊💛

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

14/08/2025

“All too often, I see among the parents of my little patients 😔 a deep worry about vaccines 💉—especially the fear of autism 🧩.”

Let’s talk openly about the MMR vaccine (measles 🤒, mumps 🤕, rubella 🤧) and the myth linking it to autism.

⸻

🔬 What Does the Evidence Say?

1️⃣ Scientific Consensus is Clear
Since the flawed and retracted 1998 study 🚫, many large-scale studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism (en.wikipedia.org, cdc.gov).

2️⃣ Thimerosal & Ingredients
Major reviews—including by the U.S. Institute of Medicine—show no causal relationship between thimerosal 🧪 and autism (en.wikipedia.org, cdc.gov).

3️⃣ Large-Scale Data
A Danish study of over 500,000 children 👶👶👶 and U.S. data (including high-risk siblings) found no increased autism risk with MMR (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

4️⃣ Meta-Analyses Confirm Safety
A 2014 review of studies covering 1.2 million children 🍼📊 found no link between vaccines and autism (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

⸻

🤔 Why Does the Myth Persist?

Even with crystal-clear science 📚✅, fears linger due to misinformation 📲, anxiety ❤️, and distrust. Sadly, one fraudulent paper 📰 left a lasting shadow.

⸻

💡 What Parents Can Do:
1. 💖 Remember—your worry comes from love.
2. 🌍 Trust reliable sources like the CDC, WHO, and pediatric experts.
3. ⏳ Don’t delay MMR vaccination—postponing doesn’t prevent autism but does increase the risk of dangerous diseases.

⸻

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

⸻

📚 Further Reading & Sources:
• CDC – Vaccines & Autism
• IOM Report – No Causal Link
• Danish Cohort Study
• 2014 Meta-Analysis
• Lancet Fraud Overview