Intercare Kids

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Intercare Kids

Your trusted partner in children’s healthcare, providing parents with expert advice on children's health and wellness. Making people feel better.

Providing child-friendly medical, dental, and day hospital services at Intercare. Making healthcare a positive experience for children. From the very beginning of Intercare, our reason for existence has remained the same: we exist to make people feel better.

09/09/2025

⏳How long does teething last?

Teething timeline: Most babies start teething around 6 months, but it can begin as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months.

Duration: Each tooth can take several days (about 8) to weeks to emerge. Typically, the entire teething process continues until about age 3.

👶Watch for these common signs that your baby may be teething:

🔹Increased drooling: Excess drool is a classic sign, often leading to drool rash.
🔹Chewing & gnawing: Babies may chew on anything they can reach to relieve gum pressure.
🔹Irritability: Increased fussiness or irritability can indicate discomfort.
🔹Changes in sleep patterns: Teething can disrupt sleep, causing more night awakenings.
🔹Loss of appetite: Babies may refuse to eat or drink due to gum pain.
🔹Swollen gums: Look for red, swollen gums where teeth are coming through.
🔹Slight increase in temperature: A mild fever (below 38°C) can occur but is not usually a cause for concern.

If you notice persistent symptoms or have concerns, don’t hesitate to consult your family doctor.

05/09/2025

Is your heart strong enough to keep up with your busy life?

Be heart-wise and join us for a FREE on-demand Heart Health Webinar. You can gain heart-smart insights from our top experts, Dr Chris Moschides and Dr Thapelo Mamiala. They'll guide you through essential topics to keep your heart healthy and strong:

❤️ Understanding your heart's vital role
❤️ Identifying and managing risk factors
❤️ Heart-healthy nutrition
❤️ Effective exercise routines
❤️ Managing stress and sleep
❤️ The importance of regular check-ups
❤️ Common heart conditions

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to care for your heart.

Facebook: Click the link below to secure your spot today!
Instagram: Secure your spot today: https://healthhub.intercare.co.za/webinars/heart-health-webinar/

27/08/2025

Nosebleeds are very common among children and many start spontaneously. Simple treatment whereby the blood is encouraged to clot is usually effective.

Once the bleeding has stopped, discourage children to scratch, pick or blow their noses (for several hours), to drink hot liquid and to exert themselves, as all these activities can dislodge the clot and cause bleeding to start again.

TO PREVENT FUTURE NOSEBLEEDS:
• Keep nasal passages moist with saline spray
• Use a humidifier in their room
• Trim fingernails to prevent nose picking
• Gentle nose blowing

🚨 Get medical help If:
• Bleeding continues after 20 minutes
• Blood flow is very heavy
• Nosebleed happens after a head injury

https://healthhub.intercare.co.za/2025/01/06/quick-and-easy-steps-to-stop-a-childs-nosebleed/

22/08/2025

🍽️ PICKY EATER? Turn mealtime battles into food adventures!

Is your child often saying "YUCK!" to new foods? Picky eating is common in early childhood and usually improves with age. Here’s your survival guide to making mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free.

🌈 Try these parent-tested tricks to make mealtimes easier. But keep in mind that kids may need to try new foods 10+ times before accepting them. Be patient. Keep offering with a positive attitude—consistency matters.

💡 Tip: Give toddlers some control by offering a choice between two healthy options: “Would you like to try the red pepper or the yellow pepper today?” Avoid pressuring to eat—this helps prevent power struggles.

Picky eating is typically a phase. Stay patient, keep the atmosphere light, and celebrate the small victories! For more advice, explore our 'Feeding the Picky Eater' article on the Health Hub https://healthhub.intercare.co.za/2020/04/06/feeding-a-picky-eater/

Share your tips below: What methods have helped your picky eater try new foods?

20/08/2025

When dental disasters strike, knowing what to do can save your child's smile! Swipe to see our quick-action guide.

🎯 While knowing what to do in an emergency is crucial, let's talk about preventing these scary situations in the first place. Prevention today keeps dental emergencies away.

🛡️ Smart ways to protect those smiles:

• Gear up: Make mouthguards non-negotiable for sports
• Watch what they chew: No ice-crunching or hard sweets
• Safety first: Keep play areas and stairs well-lit
• Clear the way: Remove tripping hazards at home
• Stay regular: Don't skip those dental check-ups!

🚨 Save our number!
Don't wait until it's an emergency - save your nearest Intercare Dental Practice number today.

https://healthbeat.intercare.co.za/guest/create

18/08/2025

Did you know? A properly fitted mouthguard is your child's best defence against sports-related dental injuries!

Why mouthguards matter:
• Prevents broken teeth and cut lips
• Protects soft tissue in the mouth
• Reduces risk of jaw injuries
• Can be custom-made to fit over braces

👉 Not all mouthguards are created equal! While store-bought options exist, custom-fitted mouthguards from Intercare dentists offer:
• Superior protection
• Better comfort and fit
• Easier breathing and speaking
• Longer-lasting durability

Parents, check that guard! Regular inspection ensures:
• No wear and tear
• Proper fit as your child grows
• No damage that could affect protection
• Replacement when needed

💡 The cost of a custom mouthguard is far less than treating a dental injury! Book an appointment with your Intercare dentist today for a perfectly fitted mouthguard that'll keep your young athlete's smile safe. https://healthbeat.intercare.co.za/guest/create

🏀🏈⚽️ Whether it's rugby, soccer, hockey, or even skateboarding, their safety is our top priority! 🛡️🦷

Share this reminder with fellow parents to ensure all our little athletes stay protected on the field. 💕🏆

14/08/2025

Does your child have an unusual rash, spots or feeling under the weather? HFMD is common in young children, but early detection is key!

Understanding how this virus travels through our communities helps us protect our children better.

How does it spread? 📝
• Close contact with infected person
• Coughing and sneezing
• Contaminated objects and surfaces
• Contact with infected faeces

The good news is that with proper precautions, you can significantly reduce your child's risk of infection.

Keep your little ones safe! 🛡️
• Wash hands frequently with soap
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Clean and disinfect toys/surfaces regularly
• Stay home if infected
• Keep hands away from face
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Read more about HFMD on our Health Hub. https://healthhub.intercare.co.za/2025/07/16/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/

⚠️ If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your Intercare doctor immediately for proper diagnosis and care.

12/08/2025

Think of hormones as your body's messaging system - these powerful chemical messengers orchestrate everything from your mood and metabolism to your sleep and stress response. When they're in balance, you thrive. When they're not... well, that's where our expertise comes in.

Join us for a webinar where leading experts Dr Karlien van Dyk and Dr Pooja Dooken discuss hormonal health and how to find your balance.

What you’ll learn:
• Understanding hormones: What they are and why they matter.
• Common signs your hormones might be out of sync
• Practical support for hormonal health: Diet, exercise, and lifestyle tips.
• Managing stress: How it impacts your hormones and what you can do about it.

Perfect for you if:
• You're experiencing unexplained weight changes
• Your energy levels are on a roller coaster
• Sleep feels like a distant memory
• Your mood swings have mood swings
• You're planning for pregnancy
• You're approaching menopause
• You want to optimise your hormonal health

This webinar is perfect for busy moms who want to better understand their bodies and take charge of their health. Empower yourself to live a balanced and healthy life.

The doctors will see you now. Join the on-demand webinar when it suits you.

Register now - https://healthhub.intercare.co.za/webinars/hormonal-imbalance-in-women/

09/08/2025

👩‍👧 Strong Women, Stronger World: Celebrating the hearts of our homes

To every mother who's kissed away tears, every aunt who’s shared wisdom, every sister who's offered a helping hand, and every grandmother who's passed down love through generations – today we celebrate you! Your strength isn't just in the visible moments of multitasking magic or the late-night fever watches; it's in the quiet determination to raise kind, healthy, and resilient children. You juggle careers while monitoring temperatures, lead meetings while planning healthy meals, and somehow still find time to bandage scraped knees with a smile.

To the female doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, and healthcare heroes who pour their hearts into keeping our children healthy – your compassion creates ripples of wellness that touch countless families. You're not just treating children; you're nurturing the future.

When we empower women, we strengthen families. When we support mothers, we build healthier communities. And when we celebrate the incredible women in healthcare, we inspire the next generation of caregivers.

Here's to the women who make our world not just stronger, but kinder, healthier, and more beautiful. 💝

30/07/2025

Parents, that nighttime cough keeping everyone awake? Yes, but should I be worried?
⠀
💡 Why do children cough?
Coughing is actually your child's body being clever! It helps:
• Clear airways from irritants
• Remove excess mucus
• Protect lungs from foreign particles
• Fight off infections
• React to allergies or asthma triggers
⠀
🔍 Wet vs dry cough:
WET COUGH:
• Sounds "wet" because of mucus
• You can hear fluid movement
• Often brings up phlegm

DRY COUGH:
• Sharp, consistent sound
• No mucus movement
• Caused by airway irritation
⠀
🚨 When to see a doctor:
Book an appointment if you notice:
• Cough worsening after 7 days
• Fever above 38°C for 3+ days
• Thick yellow/green phlegm
• Barking cough with high-pitched breathing
• Additional concerning symptoms
⠀
💚 While most coughs aren't serious, trust your parental instinct! Our Intercare doctors are here to help - in person or via virtual consultation. https://healthbeat.intercare.co.za/guest/create
⠀⠀
❓ Has your little one been coughing lately? What home remedies work for your family?

24/07/2025

🦷 Little teeth, big responsibility!
⠀
Keep those smiles healthy with these simple tips!
⠀
✅ DO's:
• Brush twice daily (2 minutes each time)
• Use a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush
• Start dental visits by their first birthday
• Make brushing fun with songs or games
• Choose fluoride toothpaste (rice-grain size for under 3s)
• Serve crunchy fruits and vegetables
• Drink plenty of water, especially after meals
⠀
❌ DON'Ts:
• Don't put baby to bed with a bottle
• Skip the sugary drinks and sticky sweets
• Avoid sharing spoons or cleaning dummies with your mouth
• Don't let them brush unsupervised until age 7-8
• No toothpaste swallowing
• Don't forget to change toothbrushes every 3-4 months
⠀⠀
💡 Did you know?
Healthy baby teeth are crucial for:
• Proper speech development
• Good nutrition
• Guiding adult teeth into place
⠀
👶 When should brushing start?
As soon as that first tooth appears! Use a clean, damp cloth for gums before teeth emerge.
⠀
🏥 Book your child's dental check-up at Intercare today! Early prevention = lifelong healthy smiles. https://healthbeat.intercare.co.za/guest/create

22/07/2025

Cold vs Flu: Know the difference! 🤒

❌ MYTH: "The flu is just a bad cold"
✅ FACT: While symptoms may overlap, flu is much more severe and can lead to serious complications

🔍 Key differences:

FLU SYMPTOMS: 🌡️
• Sudden onset (within hours)
• High fever (38°C+)
• Severe body aches
• Extreme fatigue
• Headaches
• Dry cough
• Loss of appetite
• Can last 1-2 weeks

COLD SYMPTOMS: 🤧
• Gradual onset (over days)
• Mild or no fever
• Mainly nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Mild fatigue
• Usually lasts 7-10 days

🚨 When to see a doctor:
👶 Children under 5 are at higher risk for flu complications. Watch for:
• Rapid breathing
• Bluish face/lips
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not interacting normally
• Extreme irritability

💊 Treatment approaches:
Cold: Rest, fluids, over-the-counter symptom relief
Flu: May require antiviral medication (most effective if started within 48 hours)

🏥 Not sure if it's cold or flu? Our Intercare doctors can help determine the best treatment plan for your family! https://healthbeat.intercare.co.za/guest/create

Address

6th Floor, Menlyn Central Office Tower, 125 Dallas Avenue, Menlyn
Pretoria
0181

Website

https://www.intercare.co.za/

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