Dr Maretha Combrink Paediatrician

Dr Maretha Combrink Paediatrician Dr Maretha studied MBChB at Stellenbosch University and graduated in 2006. She completed her postgrad

She completed her postgraduate degree at University of Pretoria & has been in private practice since 2015. Dr Maretha is a caring, compassionate mother of two and truly understands the concerns parents may have.

Our children are always learning from us, often in the moments when we do not realise they are watching.They notice how ...
08/08/2026

Our children are always learning from us, often in the moments when we do not realise they are watching.

They notice how we eat. How often we move our bodies. How much time we spend on our phones. How we speak about ourselves. How we cope when life feels stressful. How we rest, connect, and make time for the people we love.

Healthy habits are not built through one perfect meal, one screen-free day, or one family walk.

They are built through what children see us choosing, again and again.

So, eat the vegetables. Put the phone down too. Go outside together. Talk about difficult feelings. Show them that taking care of yourself is simply part of everyday life.

Children do not need perfect examples.
They need real ones.

The impact goes beyond weight.Childhood obesity is not about appearance, blame, or making a child feel different. It is ...
06/08/2026

The impact goes beyond weight.

Childhood obesity is not about appearance, blame, or making a child feel different. It is a health issue that can affect many parts of a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Childhood obesity can increase the risk of:
· Sleep apnoea and disrupted sleep, which can affect concentration, mood, and school performance.
· Breathing difficulties and reduced exercise tolerance.
· Joint and back pain, which can make movement uncomfortable.
· Insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
· High blood pressure and high cholesterol.
· Fatty liver disease.
· Low self-esteem, bullying, and social isolation.
· A greater likelihood of obesity continuing into adulthood, increasing the risk of long-term health problems.

The good news is that early support can make a meaningful difference. Small, sustainable changes made as a family can positively affect a child’s health now and in the future.

If you have concerns about your child’s growth or health, speak to your paediatrician. The goal is helping children feel well, move comfortably & grow confidently.

Children are made to move.Running, climbing, jumping, swimming, dancing, playing outside. All of it is doing far more th...
04/08/2026

Children are made to move.

Running, climbing, jumping, swimming, dancing, playing outside. All of it is doing far more than simply “burning off energy.”

Regular physical activity helps children build stronger hearts, muscles and bones, while also supporting coordination, balance and motor development.
But the benefits go well beyond physical health.

Movement can also help children:
• Concentrate and focus for longer
• Sleep better
• Manage stress and emotions
• Build confidence
• Develop social skills through play and sport
• Support memory, learning and problem-solving

Children do not need a perfect exercise routine to benefit. For younger children, movement often looks like play. For older children and teenagers, it may be sport, dancing, cycling, swimming, walking, or simply being active in a way they enjoy.

The important thing is that movement becomes a normal, enjoyable part of everyday life.

Healthy habits often begin long before adulthood, sometimes with nothing more complicated than getting outside and letting children move.

Parents, we need to stop feeling like it is our job to entertain our children every minute of the day.Boredom is not a p...
02/08/2026

Parents, we need to stop feeling like it is our job to entertain our children every minute of the day.

Boredom is not a problem that always needs fixing. In fact, it is often where creativity begins.

When we step back instead of immediately offering a screen, a new activity, or another distraction, children are given the space to imagine, explore, problem-solve, and create something of their own.

Yes, there may be some complaining first. But give it a little time.
Because when we leave them to work through that boredom, something magical and wonderfully imaginative so often unfolds.

Tell us in the comments what happened the last time your child said they were bored and you simply left them to it?

How much screen time is too much? Screens are part of everyday life. They help us connect, learn, work, and sometimes si...
30/07/2026

How much screen time is too much? Screens are part of everyday life. They help us connect, learn, work, and sometimes simply make it through a busy afternoon.

The goal is not to make parents feel guilty about screen time. It is to notice when screens begin taking the place of the things children need most: sleep, movement, play, conversation, and connection.

Too much screen time can affect:
• Sleep, especially when screens are used close to bedtime
• Physical activity and active play
• Concentration and behaviour
• Speech, social interaction, and development

A helpful guide:
Babies and toddlers: Keep screens very limited, apart from video calls and carefully chosen, shared experiences.
Ages 2–5: Aim for around 1 hour a day of high-quality content, ideally watched together.
School-aged children: Set consistent boundaries that allow enough time for sleep, schoolwork, movement, family time, and offline interests.

A few simple habits can help:
• Keep devices out of bedrooms at night.
• Set timers and clear limits.
• Choose age-appropriate, meaningful content.
• Create screen-free meals and family time.
• Lead by example - Be mindful of how much time you spend on devices in front of your children. Let your children see you put your own phone down too.

Screens are not the enemy. But children still need plenty of time to move, imagine, talk, explore, and simply be bored enough to create their own fun.

Children experience stress too, even when they do not always have the words to explain it. School pressure, friendship d...
27/07/2026

Children experience stress too, even when they do not always have the words to explain it.

School pressure, friendship difficulties, bullying, changes at home, anxiety, or worries they are carrying quietly can all affect how a child feels physically.

Sometimes this looks like:
• Being tired even after a full night’s sleep.
• Changes in mood.
• Becoming more irritable.
• Withdrawing from friends or activities.
• Struggling to concentrate.
• Changes in appetite.
• No longer seeming quite like themselves.

Emotional strain can also affect sleep quality, which means a child may spend enough hours in bed but still wake feeling exhausted.

Persistent tiredness should never automatically be dismissed as laziness, a busy term, or “just a phase.”

Children need a lot of energy to grow, learn, play, and keep up with their busy days. When meals are skipped, diets beco...
26/07/2026

Children need a lot of energy to grow, learn, play, and keep up with their busy days.

When meals are skipped, diets become very limited, or most of their food is highly processed, low energy can sometimes be one of the first things parents notice.
A few nutrients play an especially important role in supporting healthy energy levels:
• Iron
• Protein
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D
• Complex carbohydrates

Iron deserves a little extra attention. Low iron levels can leave children feeling tired, irritable, less able to concentrate, and struggling to keep up physically.
This does not mean every tired child needs a supplement. It means persistent tiredness deserves a closer look at the whole picture - including what they are eating.

If your child is a very picky eater, follows a restricted diet, looks unusually pale, or seems tired most days, speak to your paediatrician before starting vitamins or iron supplements.

Sometimes, the clues are hiding on the plate.

Your child used to run from one activity to the next… and now they are always tired.They are sleeping more. Complaining ...
22/07/2026

Your child used to run from one activity to the next… and now they are always tired.

They are sleeping more. Complaining that they have no energy. Struggling to get through school. Losing interest in activities they usually love.

So, is it just a busy week or something worth looking into?
Children can feel tired for many reasons. Sometimes they simply are not getting enough good-quality sleep. Diet, low iron levels, recent illness, busy routines, growth, and emotional stress can also play a role.
What matters is the pattern.

A tired day here and there is part of childhood. But when your child seems exhausted most days, has been tired for several weeks, or simply is not themselves, it is worth taking a closer look and important to seek professional care to understand what might be going on.

Does your child often sleep with their mouth open, snore or wake with a dry mouth?The way your child breathes matters mo...
20/07/2026

Does your child often sleep with their mouth open, snore or wake with a dry mouth?

The way your child breathes matters more than many parents realise. Nose breathing is the body’s preferred way to breathe. The nose helps warm, moisten, and filter the air before it reaches the lungs, while also supporting normal tongue and lip posture. Mouth breathing is common when children have a cold, allergies, or a blocked nose. But when it becomes persistent, especially during sleep, it is worth looking a little closer.

Chronic mouth breathing may be associated with:
• Increased risk of dental decay and gum problems.
• Snoring and disturbed sleep.
• Changes in tongue and lip posture.
• A narrower dental arch or palate.
• Crowded teeth or bite changes.
• Difficulties with chewing, swallowing, or speech in some children.

Persistent mouth breathing can sometimes be a sign that your child is not breathing freely through their nose because of allergies, ongoing congestion, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

And when mouth breathing is linked to disturbed sleep, parents may also notice restless nights, daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, or changes in behaviour.

A few things to watch for:
• Sleeping with the mouth open.
• Regular snoring or noisy breathing.
• A constantly blocked nose.
• Dry mouth on waking.
• Restless sleep.
• Difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed.

Breathing difficulties in children are not always loud or obvious.Sometimes the first sign is simply that your child is ...
19/07/2026

Breathing difficulties in children are not always loud or obvious.
Sometimes the first sign is simply that your child is breathing a little faster, using extra muscles, becoming more tired, or just not seeming like themselves.

Swipe through to learn the breathing changes parents should notice, common causes, and the signs that mean your child should be assessed.

When it comes to breathing, even subtle changes can be important. Learning what to look for can help you act sooner when your little one needs help.

Address

Suite 101C Mediclinic Kloof Hospital 511 Jochemus Street
Pretoria
0181

Telephone

+27123674176

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