BABY'S SOFT SPOT.....

"Before you put that oil in that soft spot on the head of your newborn"....Please read what is "Okà orì" by Dr. Sururah

OKA ORI (BABY'S SOFT SPOT)
    I was a fresh medical graduate when one of my aunt told me about her neighbour’s new born child that died of what Yoruba call ‘oka ori’, someone told me it is called "ndawa isi" in Ibo. Someone should tell me the Hausa name. She thereafter asked me what ‘oka ori’ means in medical terms (being a doctor now).  Although as naïve as I was then with no practical experience, I ensured I was professional about my answer, I never heard of it before but I knew it sounded like one of those shared myths…

    Since I started practicing, I came across few mothers that don’t bother asking for the meaning of ‘oka ori’, they have been handed the standard diagnosis of "Oka" by the grannies or neighbours stat. Their own question is whether they should give "agbo oka" that is native concoction or herbal remedies for the "Oka". Another category of mums have gone beyond that and have started the treatment for "Oka"; how will you know? Once you see a new baby with clean shaven head and sticky blackish substance applied to the scalp toward the front, you are seeing a child undergoing treatment for "Oka". Therefore majority don’t even know what or where the ‘oka ori’ is, but I could deduce from their history to likely referring to either the soft spot (sunken or bulging) on their baby’s head or cranial sutures.

     Fast forward to when I gave birth, I was told my child has oka ori after the hair was shaved; will therefore needs concoction; I just laughed and told them politely that my baby has nothing like ‘oka ori’, although it’s hard to correct a widespread shared myth, but my child never took any concoction.  My curiousity made me asked what exactly is oka ori, it was the obvious cranial suture that was pointed at…

     I therefore concluded in my mind that, for me to correct the shared myth about ‘oka ori’, I need to discuss both the ‘soft spot(anterior fontannelle) and the cranial sutures’.

    If you are not from Nigeria, you may be lost from the title alone. The typical Naija Mum knows what I am talking about, especially if you are from the South-Western part of the country, specifically the Yoruba tribe.

So what is this "Oka"?
The Grannies and some mums believe that there is a "hole" or "space" which is "breathing" or pulsating in the head of the new baby which is abnormal. That this soft space is not right and should not be there. Any baby that has this "abnormal space or hole" is diagnosed with "Oka".  Some also believe obvious cranial sutures in associated with the hole or space breathing is a serious case of ‘oka’.

     For fat, hairy babies, the "hole" is not so apparent and often ignored. However, in smaller babies who are also not gaining weight or perhaps losing weight especially in the 1st ten days of life, the space is very prominent and can even be sunken; such babies are easily labeled as having "Oka" and commenced on all forms of treatment ranging from application of substances on the scalp to drinking herbal remedies. There are lots of myths and beliefs surrounding this "Oka".

So why am I talking about "Oka"?
    In addition to my encounter with ‘oka ori’, there was a story shared by a paediatrican. She said during her residency training to become a Paediatrician, she was working at the Children Emergency Room (CHER) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital when two women rushed in with a baby crying. That is not unusual in CHER.  What was terrifying about the day was when she saw the baby rushed in, he was about 2 - 3 months old and for the first time, she was seeing the brain live and direct in a living person who was not being operated. This was not a movie scene! The brain of this baby was completely visible to everyone. What happened?
In the usual fashion, the grandma who came for "omugwo" had made a diagnosis of "Oka" and has prescribed the traditional treatment which was coating the surface with a black material. Unfortunately, in this scenario, whatever substance was applied was so caustic, it eroded (burnt) away the membrane of the anterior frontanelle and you can see the baby's brain live and direct!!! Of course, this was disastrous....for baby, mother and grandma and even the doctors.

    That is why I feel like educating people around me especially mums about this traditional myths and beliefs that are dangerous to children's health. Of course, granny did not mean to harm her precious grandson but she did anyway.  That baby had to undergo brain surgery. Of course, he had serious infection of the brain even before and after surgery. Though he did not die, but there are long-term complications he will face all because of someone's ignorance. No wonder, ignorance is more expensive than education.

FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT "OKA"

1.     An infant’s skull is made up of six separate cranial (skull) bones:
    -    Frontal bone
    -    Occipital bone
    -    Two parietal bones
    -    Two temporal bones
    These bones are held together by strong, fibrous, elastic tissues called SUTURES.

    Two fontanelles usually are present on a newborn’s skull:
-    On the top of the middle head, just forward to center (ANTERIOR FONTANELLE) – usually closes between 18 & 24 months. During childbirth, it let the skull changes its shape so that the fetus can easily pass through the birth canal.
-    In the back of the middle of the head (POSTERIOR FONTANELLE) – usually closes earlier than the fontanelle

2.    Therefore, the "soft hole or space" often erroneously believed to be an abnormality is A NORMAL PART of the baby's head. It is called ANTERIOR FONTANELLE (AF).  Every baby has it. It is there to allow along with the small spaces (sutures) between the different bones of the skull to accommodate the baby's brain growth. So it is not "OKA" or any other thing....It is a normal part of the baby's head.

3.     The anterior fontanelle (AF) is covered by a membrane, and this membrane is what actually separates the baby's brain from the environment. It is that important! So any application of substances that can damage this membrane will lead to exposure of the brain to the environment with serious consequences like in the story above.

4.     The fact that in some babies, very hairy or chubby especially, that you can not see it pulsating or "breathing" in local naija parlance does not mean it is not there. Some mums have actually said their babies do not have anterior fontanelle! That is not true....every baby is born with one!

5.       Clinically, AF is very important, it usually give a clue of what is going on in the baby's system therefore treatment should be towards cause of distortion of the AF not aiming to close or treat Oka ori(AF).

6.     The size and shape of the AF varies from one baby to another normally. In some conditions, it can be too big. Also the anterior fontannelle can be elevated "bulging" in some conditions especially if the baby has infections in the brain. It can be depressed "sunken" in other conditions like in babies that are very dehydrated or malnourished.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN THESE CONDITIONS, IT IS NOT THE ANTERIOR FONTANELLE(AF) CAUSING THE DISEASE SYMPTOMS (FOR EXAMPLE DIARRHOEA AND DEHYDRATION WITH SUNKEN AF). RATHER, THE AF IS JUST REFLECTING THE FACT THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE BODY SYSTEMS.

It is important to say this because this is one of the reasons some mums believe in "OKA". Such babies are sick and may either have prominent or sunken AF in addition to other symptoms. The "OKA doctors" will now say it is the "oka" causing the symptoms.

The danger of this belief is all treatments will be directed to the AF and the underlying disease causing the change in AF will be ignored. Also some of the native medications often used have dangerous side effects and consequences especially on the immature liver and kidneys of the babies causing further damage...."fry pan to fire" scenario!!!

7.    The AF closes on its own by age of 18 - 24 months. This is because more than 90% of brain growth and development has occurred by the age of 2 years. You did not need to do anything about it. It happens on its own. Just to note that some diseases can cause delay in closure of the AF. See your paediatrician if you can still feel the AF in your baby after age 2 years.

8.     You did not need to apply oil to the AF hourly or daily....highly unnecessary and the dripping oil will cause rashes on the baby's face. The AF is not "drying up" like many naija mums believe. You also do not need to put thread from cloth. You also do not need to mop AF with hot water or apply any substances local or herbal on it. JUST LEAVE THE AF ALONE!!!

9.     Finally if your baby is sick with or without observed changes in the AF, please go to the Hospital immediately. Don't assume and don't accept the "OKA" diagnosis. Please see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. A stitch in time saves nine!

Till another time, be happy.

www.drsururah.com

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Haya

By hummuh_haiman
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I don't know where this idea of being modest is bad. It's almost like it's shameful to be modest in today's world. And I'm not talking about dress code here, I mean it most definitely applies here, but I'm talking more how we act and talk.
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Being modest isn't bad, being shy isn't shameful. Society makes those who are more modest/shy in their actions, dress and speech seem as if they can't be opinionated, can't be tough and thick skinned, can't be authoritative, can't be independent. Being modest/shy doesn't  mean you're weak. That's simply not true. Modesty and shyness are beautiful characteristics that are almost rare now.
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Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Shyness does not bring anything except good."
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It just annoys me because so many society assumes that if a person is modest/shy then they can't do anything, or that they are lacking. For example, if a guy is modest and shy they question his manhood. Why? Him being shy and modest doesn't make him any less of a man. So if a man doesn't act out all sexual like half these coconuts then he's not Macho macho? That he's a softy? That he's not independent?  The stupidity in this idea is unreal. If a woman is modest/shy you say she's oppressed, she's prude, she's too innocent. So a woman needs to be sexual to prove that she's an independent strong willed woman?
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The reason why I'm talking about this is because I see everywhere boys and girls trying to prove something by losing their modesty. Like, 'oh look at me, look what I can give you, look what I can do, look what I did.' What are you getting at? You want a cookie? Sit down pls.
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Let me put it like this, a woman or man who is shy/modest isn't lacking in anything. It doesn't make them any less man or woman. It's self respect, its a way of life  and most importantly it's in the deen. Modesty plays a huge role in Islam, but society has taught us  otherwise. Not everyone wants to sexualize everything. Some people want to keep things private or unknown.
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So if you're shy/modest don't be ashamed. Don't try to change yourself to fit in, to be a bad b, or to be a wasteman. At the end of the day, you do you..in a halal way

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Wives Corner

When a wife complains of her husband's sexual weakness, I ask her, what have you done to increase his sexual prowess? ?

The kind of food you feed your husband could make him perform soo poorly.

Sex is not an individual responsibility since both of you engage in it and enjoy it. Sex must be enjoyed  equally.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said when making love, do not walk away until you taste her water and she also tastes your water. Meaning you both reach orgasm.

Let me make the long hadith in " shafa-ul-sudur" short, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said, when a wife engage in something or beautify herself to attract her husband, inviting him to bed shall be given 10 rewards, 10 sins wiped and her daraja will be raised.

If this is the case, wives you have a big role to play not by only inviting him to bed but helping him last longer in bed and doing the work very excellent.

Let me remind you of Ginger and dried dates.

Ginger is a powerful natural aphrodisiac,  increases sexual prowess, increase libido and makes one stay longer in bed.

Dear wives,  when your lovely husband return from work in the evening and after serving his meal, just give him Ginger Juice.

Place ginger into a blender, cover with 1 and half cup of water and blend until ginger is thick and pasty. Strain and squeeze juice from ginger,  place it on fire and allow it to heat a little bit then give it to oga to drink.  Insha Allah he will climb mountain Everest with ease.

I have a friend who told me after making love to his wife just one round he fell off. Then his wife went to the kitchen,  grinned ginger and inserted it into his Anus, that very moment his boneless leg became very hard and he climbed Kalahari mountain twice.

(Allah ka inganta mana lafiyar mu).

As for dates, make sure you both eat if before taking any of your 3 daily meals,  it gives alot of energy and moreover it's sunnah eating dates.

Knowledge must be shared,  No shyness In Islam.

Credit to Unknown source

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Suratul Hujurat ...Nine Golden Rules Extracted From it.

*NINE GOLDEN RULES EXTRACTED FROM SURATUL HUJURAT*

*1. "Fa Tabayyanu":* Investigate: when you receive an information,lest you harm people out of ignorance.

*2. "Fa Aslihu"*
Make settlement: between your brothers as believers are brothers.

*3. "Wa Aqsitu":* Act justly: whenever there is a dispute try for settlement and act justly among both parties as Allah loves those who act justly.

*4. "La Yaskhar":* Don't ridicule people,perhaps they may be better than you to Allah.

*5. "Wa La Talamizu":* Do not insult one another.

*6. "Wa La Tanabazu":* Do not call each other with offensive nicknames.

*7. "Ijtanibu Kaseeran minaz-Zan":* Avoid negative assumptions, indeed some of the assumptions are sins.

*8. "Wa La Tajassasu"* :  Do not spy on each other

*9. "Wa La Yagtab":* Do not backbite each other. Its a major sin equivalent to eating your dead brother's flesh.

May Allah make it easy for us Amin

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Daily Quran Meditation

*DAILY QURAN MEDITATION*

SURAT: AL FATIAH (THE OPENER)

CHAPTER: ONE (1)

REVELED IN MAKKAH

CONSISTENCE: SEVEN (7) VERSES.

1. "In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful."

2. "(All) praise is (only) Allah's, the Lord of the Worlds."

3. "The Beneficent, The Merciful."

4. "Master of the Day of Judgement."

5. "Thee (alone) do we worship and of Thee (only) do we seek help."

6. "Guide us (O' Lord) on the Straight Path."

7. "The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy bounties, not (the path) of those inflicted with Thy wrath, nor (of those) gone astray."

*Lessons*

It opens quietly with praising of Allah

The second and third verse mention attributes of Allah

The proceeding verse talks about worshiping of Allah and depending on Him for help

Follow by supplication to the right path and safety against the ambush of Allah.

*Importance Of The Chapter*

It should be noted that this chapter is essential to all Muslims and Muslimat because without it there is no namaz.

*Prophetic commentary:*

the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book [i.e., al-Faatihah].” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 714)

It is advisable to learn it along with the meaning and lesson by heart so as to enable us reach Khushoo by pondering over it during our daily namaaz.
We pray Allah make it easier to memorise and grant up paradise in the hereafter. Aameen.

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The 7 7 7 rules for parents

*The 7 7 7 rules for parents*

Parents at times need reminding how to spend and value time with their children, it's important we understand how to support and value every second we have with our children, below is the simple 7 7 7 rule which will help....

*Age 0-7*
The age when the child will bond with you, let them play and enjoy life. Let them make mistakes but at the same time correct them with love and affection. Teach them daily duas at every stage so they may practise even when alone.

*Age 7-14*
This period is essential in the education of the child, ensure they start practicing their belief and understanding their purpose of life. Sit with them daily and guide them on daily Sunnats. Daily Islamic education is essential keeping in mind the love and affection whilst teaching them.

*Age 14-21*
As the child is now a teenager, you must now become a friend and show that you're the one who they can consult and talk to anytime. You cannot shout at them during this stage as this will drift them away from you, talk to them daily and ask what they have done all day. Keep reminding them of their purpose in life and to turn to the Almighty at any time of need.

As parents you are responsible for your child, you'll be questioned regarding their actions if you've not provided the education that was required, the important thing is to love and be there for them as today they can turn to anyone unfortunately.

May Almighty Allah protect us all.

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Don't be too quick to judge

😒😒 *A lady sat next to the taxi driver while all the seats were empty in the back.* 😒😒

😏😏 *A Muslim man with a long beard walked past a masjid while the people were praying and he didn't enter to pray.* 😏😏

😟😟 *A Muslim greeted with Assalamu Alaikum to another Muslim. The other Muslim didn't reply.*😟😟

_*The lady who sat with the taxi driver was his wife.*_

_*The man who didn't join the prayer had already prayed in another Masjid.*_

_*The man didn't reply to greeting because he has a hearing problem.*_

                  One of the Salaf said: 👇
*If I see someone with alcohol dripping from his beard, then I'll say perhaps it spilled on him. And if I see him on the top of a mountain saying, "I am your Lord the Most High" (Ana Rabbukumul A'alaa), then I'll say he is reciting an ayah from the Quran.*

👉Most of the time, we only see a part of the picture so imagine the rest of the picture in a positive way, giving the other person the benefit of the doubt, in order to not wrong others by judging them. Think good about people, give them excuses, be merciful to them and your heart will be at ease.🍃☺✨
#Dontbetooquicktojudge

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