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.

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.

06/07/2026

RSV can look like a normal cold at first - a runny nose, mild fever, or cough - but in some babies, it can move into the lungs and make breathing harder.

In this video, Dr Maretha shows a few important breathing signs parents can look out for, including fast breathing, chest or rib pulling and grunting.

If your baby’s breathing seems harder, faster, or different from usual, it is important to have them assessed.

Keeping a sick child at home is rarely convenient, but it remains one of the simplest ways to support recovery and reduc...
30/06/2026

Keeping a sick child at home is rarely convenient, but it remains one of the simplest ways to support recovery and reduce the spread of illness.

Consider keeping your child home if they have:
• Fever - Children should generally be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever medication before returning.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea - Return only once symptoms have settled and hydration is improving.
• Persistent coughing that affects sleep, breathing, or participation.
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or excessive fatigue.
• Conjunctivitis with discharge.
• Rashes with fever or illness symptoms.
• A child who simply seems unwell, lethargic, or unlike themselves.

Allowing children adequate recovery time may reduce prolonged illness and repeated infections. Open communication with schools and caregivers also matters. Let them know if your child has recently been unwell or exposed to contagious illness.

And even young children can learn:
Handwashing, covering coughs, and using tissues remain important healthy habits.
Sometimes staying home is part of getting better.

I am so honoured to have been nominated in the Best of Pretoria under the Medical category for Best Pediatrician.What ma...
26/06/2026

I am so honoured to have been nominated in the Best of Pretoria under the Medical category for Best Pediatrician.

What makes this nomination so special is the families behind it. The little ones I get to care for, the parents who allow me to walk alongside them, and the many precious moments shared in the practice.

It is a privilege to be part of your children’s lives, and I am deeply grateful for the support, kindness, and trust shown by this wonderful community.

If I have been part of your child’s journey, I would be so grateful for your vote.

https://www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/pretoria/bop-voting-medical/

Address

Suite 101C Mediclinic Kloof Hospital 511 Jochemus Street
Pretoria
0181

Telephone

+27123674176

Website

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