Expert Care for Your Baby's First Years
Worried about your baby’s development, uncertain about vaccinations, struggling with feeding, or concerned about weight gain, new parenthood brings constant questions.
Our Baby Wellness Clinic provides comprehensive preventive care, routine vaccinations, growth and development monitoring, feeding support, and early problem detection.
You don’t need to travel to distant clinics or navigate parenthood alone, comprehensive baby wellness services, continuing Botshilu Bambinos care are available right here, where your baby was born.
Our Baby Wellness Clinic
Clinic Operating Hours
Learn more about Botshilu Bambinos, the Mother and Baby Programme that is prudently designed with you and your baby in mind.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment recommendations specific to your condition.
What Our Baby Wellness Clinic Offers
Vaccinations & Immunisations
Routine Vaccinations (Immunisations)
Following South African immunisation schedule:
Vaccinations protect your baby from serious diseases including:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Polio
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Rotavirus (severe diarrhoea)
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- And others per the national schedule
What We Provide:
- All routine childhood vaccinations
- Following the national immunisation schedule
- Vaccine education (what vaccines do, why they matter, side effects)
- Vaccination certificates and Road to Health booklet completion
- Catch-up vaccinations if behind schedule
- Reminders for upcoming vaccinations
Vaccination Schedule Overview:
- Birth: BCG, Polio (OPV), Hepatitis B
- 6 weeks: Multiple vaccines (first dose)
- 10 weeks: Second doses
- 14 weeks: Third doses
- 9 months: Measles
- 12 months: Additional vaccines
- 18 months: Boosters
- Continuing through early childhood
We ensure your baby receives every vaccination on time, protecting them from preventable diseases.
Baby Wellness Checks
Your Baby’s Health Record:
Every South African child receives the Road to Health Booklet (RTHB) at birth. We:
- Complete all entries (vaccinations, growth measurements, developmental milestones)
- Provide health information and education
- Create a permanent record you bring to all healthcare visits
- Essential document for crèche, school, and travel
Bring the Road to Health Booklet to every wellness visit.
Breastfeeding Sessions
Especially for first-time mothers, grasping the latching technique can be stressful, and our midwives are here to help.
Feeding Support
Comprehensive Feeding Guidance:
Breastfeeding Support:
- Troubleshooting breastfeeding challenges (latch problems, low supply, pain)
- Pumping and milk storage
- Breastfeeding and returning to work
- Weaning when ready
- Lactation consultations available
Formula Feeding:
- Choosing an appropriate formula
- Preparation and storage safety
- Amount and frequency
- Transitioning between formulas when needed
Introducing Solid Foods:
- When to start (typically 6 months)
- What foods to introduce first
- Progression of textures and variety
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Cultural foods and family meals
- Self-feeding and baby-led weaning
Nutrition Education:
- Appropriate nutrition for each developmental stage
- Preventing malnutrition and obesity
- Healthy eating patterns from infancy
- Managing picky eating
Growth Monitoring
Tracking Your Baby’s Growth:
At every visit, we measure:
- Weight
- Length/height
- Head circumference
Plotted on growth charts showing whether the baby is:
- Growing appropriately
- Following expected growth curve
- Too small (failure to thrive, needs investigation)
- Too large (overfeeding or other concerns)
Growth patterns reveal:
- Adequate nutrition
- Underlying health problems
- Need for feeding adjustments
- Reassurance that baby is thriving
Road to Health booklet maintained with all measurements, creating a permanent record of your baby’s growth.
Developmental Monitoring
Assessing Your Baby’s Development:
Developmental milestones are skills and behaviours that babies typically achieve at certain ages:
- Motor skills: Holding head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking
- Fine motor: Grasping objects, picking up small items, self-feeding
- Language: Cooing, babbling, first words, vocabulary growth
- Social/emotional: Smiling, stranger anxiety, attachment, play
- Cognitive: Recognising faces, object permanence, problem-solving
At each visit we assess:
- Which milestones baby has achieved
- Whether development is age-appropriate
- Any concerning delays or differences
- Need for early intervention if delays detected
Early detection matters:
- Developmental delays respond best to early intervention
- Identifying problems at 6 months vs. 2 years dramatically affects outcomes
- Hearing, vision, or neurological problems detected early
If concerns arise, immediate referral to paediatricians or specialists for thorough assessment.
Health Education & Parental Guidance
Supporting You as Parent:
Topics we cover:
- Normal infant behaviour (crying, sleep patterns, fussiness)
- Safe sleep practices (preventing SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Infant care basics (bathing, cord care, nappy rash)
- Teething management
- Common minor illnesses (colds, colic, constipation)
- When to worry vs. when things are normal
- Accident prevention and safety (choking, falls, burns, poisoning)
- Car seat safety
- Sun protection
- Dental care (once teeth emerge)
Answering your questions:
- No question is silly when it’s about your baby
- Experienced staff understand new parent anxieties
- Evidence-based advice (not myths or outdated practices)
- Culturally sensitive guidance respecting your parenting choices
Road to Health Booklet
Comprehensive Physical Examinations:
At key ages, thorough physical examinations checking:
- Heart and lungs
- Abdomen
- Hips (developmental dysplasia screening)
- Eyes and vision
- Hearing
- Skin
- Genitals
- Neurological development
- Overall health
Identifying problems early when treatment is most effective.
Understanding Baby Wellness Clinic
What is a Baby Wellness Clinic?
Baby wellness clinic provides routine preventive healthcare for healthy babies and young children from birth through early childhood. Focus is on:
- Keeping babies healthy (vaccinations prevent serious diseases)
- Monitoring normal growth and development
- Early detection of problems
- Supporting parents with guidance and education
- Building a foundation for lifelong health
Not for sick babies (that’s your GP or paediatrician). The wellness clinic is for routine preventive care when the the baby is healthy.
Why Baby Wellness Matters:
First years are critical:
- Rapid growth and development
- Vulnerabilities to serious childhood diseases (prevented by vaccination)
- Early detection of developmental delays or health problems (when intervention most effective)
- Establishing healthy patterns (feeding, sleep, growth)
Regular wellness visits ensure:
- Your baby receives all vaccinations on schedule
- Growth is appropriate (not too slow, not too fast)
- Development is progressing normally (milestones achieved)
- Problems detected early (before they become serious)
- You have support and guidance when questions arise
Why Choose Botshilu for Baby Wellness Clinic
Continuity from Pregnancy Through Childhood
If you’re part of Botshilu Bambinos programme:
Your baby’s care doesn’t end at birth. Botshilu Bambinos provides comprehensive support from pregnancy through early motherhood and now continues with Baby Wellness Clinic, seamless care from conception through childhood.
Same hospital, same commitment, continuous support.
Your baby’s birth records, your pregnancy history, feeding plans, everything documented and available, ensuring continuity rather than starting fresh with unfamiliar clinic.
Expert Paediatric Care
Our Baby Wellness Clinic is staffed by:
- Registered nurses with paediatric training
- Paediatricians supervising care
- Lactation support specialists
- Experienced in infant and child health
Not a generic clinic, specialist paediatric expertise.
Why Choose Botshilu for Baby Wellness Clinic
Continuity from Pregnancy Through Childhood
If you’re part of Botshilu Bambinos programme:
Your baby’s care doesn’t end at birth. Botshilu Bambinos provides comprehensive support from pregnancy through early motherhood and now continues with Baby Wellness Clinic, seamless care from conception through childhood.
Same hospital, same commitment, continuous support.
Your baby’s birth records, your pregnancy history, feeding plans, everything documented and available, ensuring continuity rather than starting fresh with unfamiliar clinic.
Expert Paediatric Care
Our Baby Wellness Clinic is staffed by:
- Registered nurses with paediatric training
- Paediatricians supervising care
- Lactation support specialists
- Experienced in infant and child health
Not a generic clinic, specialist paediatric expertise.
Comprehensive Services Under One Roof
Everything your baby needs:
- Routine vaccinations (South African immunisation schedule)
- Growth monitoring (weight, length, head circumference)
- Developmental assessment (milestones, early problem detection)
- Feeding support (breastfeeding, formula, introducing solids)
- Health education for parents
- Access to paediatricians when concerns arise
- All in one familiar location
How to Access Baby Wellness Clinic
Booking Appointments
Step 1: Contact Clinic
- Phone: 012 798 7000 (main reception, ask for Baby Wellness Clinic)
Step 2: Schedule Visit
- Book according to vaccination schedule
- Or book when you have concerns between routine visits
Step 3: Attend Appointment
- Bring baby, Road to Health Booklet, nappies, feeding supplies
- Arrive on time (allows adequate time for assessments)
What to Bring
Every Visit:
- Road to Health Booklet (essential)
- Medical aid card and baby’s details (if applicable)
- Nappies and wipes
- Bottle or breastfeeding supplies
- Comfort items (dummy, favourite toy)
- List of questions or concerns
First Visit (6 weeks):
- Birth records from hospital (if born elsewhere)
- Any medical information from birth
- Discharge summary if baby had complications
Botshilu Bambinos Connection
If you’re Botshilu Bambinos patient:
- Baby wellness automatically offered as part of programme
- Transition from maternity to baby wellness seamless
- Records already in system
- Familiar faces and continuity of care
Not Botshilu Bambinos patient but gave birth at Botshilu?
- Still welcome at Baby Wellness Clinic
- Birth records available
- Easy enrolment
Gave birth elsewhere?
- Absolutely welcome
- Bring baby’s birth records and Road to Health Booklet
We’ll catch up on history and provide ongoing care
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Concerns and Honest Answers
Absolutely. Any good surgeon will support you getting a second opinion before major surgery. If your surgeon seems offended by this, that's actually a red flag. You should feel completely confident in your surgeon and your decision before proceeding.
Appointments preferred (reduces waiting, ensures adequate time). However, we accommodate walk-ins when possible. Call ahead: 012 798 7000
We provide catch-up vaccinations. Bring the Road to Health Booklet showing what vaccines baby has received. We'll create a schedule to catch up safely.
Absolutely. Bring baby's birth records and Road to Health Booklet. We welcome all babies regardless of where they were born.
Typically 20-40 minutes depending on what's needed (vaccinations, examinations, feeding consultations, questions). First visit often longer.
Injections cause brief discomfort (baby will cry). Pain is momentary. We comfort babies and support you. Benefits of protection from serious diseases far outweigh brief injection discomfort.
Yes. Vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety. Benefits preventing serious diseases vastly outweigh tiny risks. We provide evidence-based information about vaccine safety and address concerns.
Voice concerns at wellness visits. Developmental screening at each visit, but if you notice something between visits, make appointment. Early assessment and intervention crucial if delays exist.
Schedule wellness visit. We'll assess feeding, check for underlying problems, provide feeding support, refer to paediatrician if needed.
Yes. Feeding support is part of wellness care. For complex breastfeeding problems, lactation consultations available.
Wellness clinic provides routine preventive care for healthy babies. A paediatrician provides medical care for sick babies or complex health problems. If wellness visits identify concerns, we refer to paediatrician.
Either parent can bring baby (or grandparent, caregiver). Both parents welcome if both want to attend. Doesn't need to be same person every visit.
You won't be judged. Our staff understand new parenthood is overwhelming. We're here to support, educate, and reassure, not criticise. Ask any questions without embarrassment.
Yes. Many serious problems (developmental delays, hearing loss, growth issues) aren't obvious to parents but detected through routine screening. Vaccinations essential even when baby seems healthy, preventing diseases, not treating them.
Discuss with clinic staff. Some vaccines available free through government programmes. We prioritise most critical vaccines if cost is barrier. Never skip vaccines due to cost without discussing options first.
For urgent concerns, contact clinic or your GP/paediatrician. For non-urgent questions, make appointment or ask at next scheduled visit. We're here to support you.