The first latch: 5 signs baby is drinking well
Look for rhythmic jaw movement, audible swallows, a wide-open mouth and relaxed hands after a feed.
Health tips for Nigerian families
Bite-sized guidance from our clinicians — postnatal and newborn care, plus everyday tips on nutrition, mental health, blood pressure, diabetes and more.
Warm water, calm hands — one of baby's favourite rituals.
A good latch is the foundation of easy feeds.
Skin-to-skin and shared smiles build a secure baby.
Caring for a C-section wound at home
Keep the incision dry, wear loose cotton, and call your midwife if you notice redness, warmth or discharge.
Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Tearfulness in the first two weeks is normal. Persistent sadness beyond that deserves professional support.
Cord care in the Nigerian climate
Keep the stump clean and dry — no palm oil, no methylated spirit unless prescribed. It usually falls off in 7–14 days.
Safe sleep for your newborn
Back to sleep, on a firm mattress, no pillows or heavy blankets. Room-share for the first 6 months.
Foods that support breastmilk supply
Ogi, oats, moi-moi, palm-nut soup, plenty of water and iron-rich green leafy vegetables.
Know your numbers — check your blood pressure
One in three Nigerian adults has high BP. Aim for under 130/80. Cut added salt, walk 30 minutes most days, and see a doctor if consistently high.
Spot early signs of type 2 diabetes
Excess thirst, frequent urination, tiredness and slow-healing wounds warrant a fasting blood sugar test. Early control prevents kidney, eye and heart damage.
Prevent malaria at home
Sleep under a treated net, clear standing water around the compound, and treat fever promptly with a tested (not guessed) diagnosis.
Drink enough water in the Nigerian heat
Aim for 2–3 litres daily. Dark urine, headache and fatigue often mean you're behind. Add oral rehydration salts after heavy sweating or a stomach upset.
Small daily habits that protect your heart
Walk briskly 30 minutes 5 days a week, swap palm oil frying for grilling twice a week, and add beans, fish and vegetables to most meals.
Managing stress and burnout
Name what you're feeling, protect 7–8 hours of sleep, talk to someone you trust, and see a professional if low mood lasts more than two weeks.
Build a balanced Nigerian plate
Half the plate: vegetables (efo, ugu, ewedu). A quarter: protein (fish, beans, egg, chicken). A quarter: carbs (yam, rice, plantain). Fruit on the side.
Move more, even without a gym
Take the stairs, walk after dinner, stretch for 5 minutes on waking. 150 minutes of moderate activity a week lowers your risk of most chronic diseases.
Sleep better tonight
Keep a consistent bedtime, dim screens an hour before bed, and keep the room cool and dark. Poor sleep raises BP, sugar and anxiety.
Handwashing that actually works
Soap and water for 20 seconds — before eating, after the toilet, after handling money. Cuts diarrhoea and respiratory infections dramatically.
Adult vaccines matter too
Tetanus every 10 years, yearly flu shot for high-risk adults, and hepatitis B if unvaccinated. Ask your clinic about HPV for young women.
Screenings worth booking
BP yearly from 18, fasting sugar and cholesterol from 35, cervical screening every 3–5 years for women 25–65, and breast self-exams monthly.
A simple home first-aid kit
Plasters, sterile gauze, antiseptic, paracetamol, ORS sachets, thermometer, malaria RDT (if trained), and emergency contact numbers on the fridge.
Helping older parents stay well
Review their medicines quarterly, remove trip hazards at home, keep them socially active, and book yearly BP, sugar and eye checks.