What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00 Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00 Thursday 08:00 - 17:00 Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Happy Feet Paediatrics

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Happy Feet Paediatrics

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Welcome to Happy Feet Paediatrics (Dr Mark & Dr Meryl). Please contact the rooms or your local emergency department as needed.

In the interests of patient safety and confidentiality, no personal details may be shared or advice given via this page.

04/11/2026

Such an inportant diagnosis - we cannot miss it!

03/11/2026

🐼💚 YOUR CHILD’S BELLY BUTTON – WHAT’S NORMAL & WHEN TO WORRY?

👶 Little lumps, soft bulges or a belly button that stays wet? Here's what parents should know!

🩵 UMBILICAL HERNIA
A soft bulge around the belly button, often more noticeable when your baby cries or strains.

✅ Usually painless.
✅ Many close naturally by age 5.
✅ Surgery may be needed in some cases.

🌸 UMBILICAL GRANULOMA
A small, moist, pink or red lump that appears after the umbilical cord falls off.

💗 Usually treatable by a healthcare professional.
🚫 Avoid home remedies or chemicals without medical advice.

💧 A BELLY BUTTON THAT KEEPS LEAKING
Persistent discharge may indicate an infection or an underlying connection inside the tummy that hasn't closed properly.

🩺 Arrange a medical assessment if your baby's belly button continues leaking.

🚨 WHEN TO SEEK URGENT HELP

🔴 A painful, firm bulge that won't go back in.
🔴 Vomiting or a swollen tummy.
🔴 Dark skin discolouration.
🔴 Spreading redness.
🔴 Poor feeding or unusual sleepiness.

💚 DOES MY CHILD NEED SURGERY?

Not always! Many belly button conditions resolve naturally or can be treated without surgery.

A paediatric surgeon can assess your child and recommend the best approach.

🐼 Dr Martin Herbst – Paediatric Surgeon

Gentle Strength, Healing Young Lives.

💚 Book a consultation with Dr Martin Herbst today.

☎️ 021 879 0870
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.martinherbstpaedsurg.co.za

02/11/2026

Hi everyone. This is going to be a tough short week. Please book early. Vredendal - Dr Mark will see you on Thursday and Friday!

30/10/2026

Dr Mark & Dr Meryl are here to assist with all your paediatric needs. Call Luzelle or Nadene to book your appointment or use our online booking platform found on www.happyfeetpaediatrics.co.za

28/10/2026

Vredendal patients - don’t forget to book for next week!

26/10/2026

🐼🧡 DOES YOUR BABY ALWAYS LOOK ONE WAY? 👶

A little head tilt could be more than just a cute habit! 💚

Have you noticed that your baby always turns their head to the same side, tilts their head towards one shoulder, or struggles to look in the opposite direction?

Your little one may have a condition called Torticollis, sometimes known as wry neck.

🌸 WHAT IS TORTICOLLIS?

Torticollis occurs when a neck muscle is tight or shortened, causing your baby's head to tilt or turn more easily in one direction.

🧡 SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

🧡 Your baby's head tilts towards one shoulder.

🧡 They prefer looking in one direction.

🧡 Turning their head the other way seems uncomfortable or difficult.

🧡 One side of their head appears flatter than the other.

🧡 You may notice a small, firm lump in the neck muscle.

🌿 THE GOOD NEWS?

With early assessment, gentle exercises and appropriate paediatric physiotherapy, most babies improve beautifully! 💚

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR LITTLE ONE?

🌼 Encourage your baby to look in both directions using toys, faces and play.

🌼 Practise short, supervised tummy-time sessions while your baby is awake.

🌼 Alternate sides when holding or feeding your baby.

🌼 Follow the gentle exercises recommended by your baby's physiotherapist.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Never force your baby's head into position or attempt forceful neck stretches.

💤 REMEMBER SAFE SLEEP!

Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface. Never use pillows, wedges or positioning devices to keep their head turned.

🐼 WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK HELP?

If you notice a persistent head tilt or difficulty turning the head, arrange an assessment. Don't wait for it to become more noticeable.

A new head tilt accompanied by fever, injury, severe pain or unusual symptoms needs prompt medical attention.

💚 EARLY SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

Every little movement matters, and helping your baby develop comfortable, balanced movement can make a wonderful difference as they grow.

At Dr Martin Herbst's Paediatric Surgical Practice, we believe in gentle care, early guidance and supporting families every step of the way.

🐼💚 Gentle Strength, Healing Young Lives.

📞 Book a consultation with Dr Martin Herbst today.

☎️ 021 879 0870
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://www.martinherbstpaedsurg.co.za

26/10/2026

Happy new week everyone!

23/10/2026

Our last classes for 2026! Don’t miss out - book now!

21/10/2026

Be safe when travelling

20/10/2026

🐼💚 LUMPS IN THE NECK – SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED? 💚🐼

Have you ever felt a little lump in your child's neck and immediately started worrying? 😟

You're not alone! 💕

The good news is that most swollen glands in children are completely harmless and are simply a sign that their little bodies are hard at work fighting germs! 💪🦠

🔍 WHAT ARE THESE LITTLE LUMPS?

Lymph nodes (often called "glands") are part of your child's immune system. They can become swollen when fighting off common infections like colds, sore throats or skin infections.

💚 WHEN IS IT USUALLY REASSURING?

✅ The lumps are small and move gently under the skin.

✅ Your child is happy, active and playing normally.

✅ The swelling gradually becomes smaller.

✅ The lumps may remain noticeable for weeks or even months after an infection.

🚩 WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE IT CHECKED?

⚠️ The lump keeps growing or feels hard and fixed.

⚠️ It appears just above the collarbone.

⚠️ The area becomes red, hot or painful.

⚠️ Your child has ongoing fever, unexplained weight loss, unusual bruising or drenching night sweats.

⚠️ The swelling isn't improving or you're concerned.

🚨 WHEN TO SEEK URGENT HELP

If your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly increasing swelling, or appears very unwell, seek urgent medical attention.

🩺 WILL MY CHILD NEED TESTS OR SURGERY?

Not necessarily! Many swollen glands settle on their own. Sometimes an ultrasound or blood tests may be needed, and certain infections require treatment. Surgery or a biopsy is only considered in selected cases.

🌈 REMEMBER, PARENTS!

A lump that sticks around doesn't automatically mean something serious. Every child is different, and knowing what to look out for can help you make informed decisions. 💕

🐼 Dr Martin Herbst – Paediatric Surgeon

Gentle Strength, Healing Young Lives. 💚

Because even the smallest concerns deserve gentle care and attention. 🐼🧡

Book a consultation with Dr Martin Herbst today.
☎️ 0218790870
📧 [email protected]
https://www.martinherbstpaedsurg.co.za

Address

Suite 10, Life West Coast Hospital, 22 Voortrekker Street
Vredenburg
7380

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00

Website

http://happyfeetpaediatrics.co.za/

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