VK View Photography

16/05/2026

👀

10/05/2026

21/02/2026

Amazing!

Most people picture breast milk as something simple.
White. Plain. Just food.

But this is what it looks like inside.

This is a glimpse of the inside of a breast while it is making milk.
Thousands of tiny milk making sacs, each one filling, flowing, responding in real time to a baby’s needs.

Every drop is alive.

Breast milk is not just nutrition.
It is a living, adaptive system.

It changes by the hour.
By the day.
By the age of the baby.

It adjusts for illness.
For growth spurts.
For comfort.
For survival.

Your body reads your baby’s saliva and responds with antibodies.
It knows when your baby is premature.
It knows when your baby is sick.
It knows when your baby just needs closeness.

No lab can recreate this.
No formula can copy this intelligence.
No machine can replace this connection.

This is biology at its most powerful.
This is love in liquid form.
This is the miracle happening quietly inside millions of women every single day.

And if no one has told you lately
Your body is incredible 🤱

Disclaimer- This image is AI just meant to represent what it may look like. Image by Salud Articular

19/02/2026

🫁 RSV Infection in Babies & Children
(Now preventable with newly available vaccines)

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is very common, and most children will be infected at some point. In older children and adults it often looks like a simple cold, but in babies and young children RSV can be serious and may lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

📅 RSV season in the Western Cape:
Mostly during the winter months, with a peak from March to August, although we see cases throughout the year.

👶 Why RSV can be dangerous for babies

* The younger the baby, the higher the risk — especially under 6 months of age
* RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants and young children
* RSV accounts for more than 50% of paediatric hospital admissions during winter months

🚨 Warning signs – seek urgent medical care if you notice:

* Very fast, wheezy or laboured breathing
(rib muscles pulling in, nostrils flaring, chest sinking with each breath, or grunting when breathing out)
* Bluish lips, tongue, face or nails (low oxygen levels)
* Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, fewer wet nappies, no tears when crying)
* Extreme sleepiness or poor feeding
* Fever lasting more than a few days

🛡️ Prevention & reducing risk

💉 Vaccines (3 options available):

* Synagis – given to high-risk babies (premature infants, heart or lung conditions, immune deficiencies)
➤ Given monthly during RSV season
➤ Extremely expensive
* RSV vaccine during pregnancy – given to the mother in the third trimester
* Beyfortus – for all babies entering their first RSV season
➤ Effective for about 5 months after administration
➤ Cost ± R6 500
➤ Expensive, but very worthwhile protection for young infants

🧼 Everyday prevention:

* Wash hands frequently
* Limit contact with sick people, especially for young babies
* Smoke-free environment
* Clean toys and frequently touched surfaces
* Breastfeeding where possible for immune support
* Pay attention to air quality and ventilation

🩺 What to expect during a clinical visit

* Assessment of breathing, oxygen levels, hydration and feeding
* Lung examination with a stethoscope
* Nasal swab tests may be done to identify RSV
* Treatment is mostly supportive care (fluids, rest, comfort)
* Antibiotics are only used if a bacterial infection is suspected

💊 Treatment – home vs hospital

🏡 Home care:

* Encourage plenty of fluids
* Use fever and pain relief as advised (paracetamol or ibuprofen, age-appropriate)
* Keep your child comfortable and slightly upright to ease breathing

🏥 In a medical setting:

* Oxygen therapy if oxygen levels are low
* IV fluids if your child is not drinking enough
* Some children may receive bronchodilators or other medications in selected cases (effectiveness varies)
* Hospitalisation may be needed for:

* Severe breathing problems
* Dehydration
* Very young infants
* Children with underlying medical conditions

👩‍👦 Quick caregiver tips

✔️ Monitor breathing and fluid intake
✔️ Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
✔️ Do not give cough medicines to very young children unless advised
✔️ Seek medical care early if you are unsure or worried

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

06/02/2026

Tiny details. Infinite love. 🤍

This is the kind of special... adorable... that only exists for a very short season… and lasts forever in photographs. ✨📷

02/02/2026

If YOU are wondering why your child is ALWAYS ill…
THEN READ THIS.

I’m reposting something I wrote a few years ago — because it is still just as relevant today.

🤧 Crèche Syndrome (CS)

You won’t find Crèche Syndrome in medical textbooks or journals.
Yet it is probably the most common chronic “condition” seen by paediatricians in private practice.

CS is not a diagnosis, but rather an acquired state of frequent illness caused by repeated exposure to other children — in crèches, daycares, or through older siblings.

👶 Who is affected?

* Mostly children under 3 years
* Peak incidence: under 2 years
* Gradually improves towards age 3 as immunity matures

🧠 An important truth:
The severity of CS often depends on a parent’s tolerance of symptoms.
A happy, playful child with a constant runny nose and wet cough may be medically well — but emotionally exhausting for parents.

📌 What is Crèche Syndrome?

There is no formal definition, but typical features include:

* Recurrent wet cough
* Excessive runny nose / phlegm
* Occurring in children aged 0–3 years
* In a setting of close contact with other children

Children in crèches can experience 10–20 viral upper respiratory infections per year.

Each infection may cause:

* Runny nose & cough for 10–20 days
* Fever for the first 72 hours

📊 This means:

* 30–60 days of fever per year
* 100–400 days per year of cough and snot

So it often feels like your child is sick all the time — when in reality, one infection simply overlaps with the next.

⚠️ Possible complications (these DO need medical attention)

* Middle ear infections (acute otitis media / glue ear)
* Acute or chronic sinusitis
* Recurrent bronchitis
* Bronchiolitis
* Pneumonia

These may require medical treatment and antibiotics.

🚩 Warning signs that need assessment

Seek medical advice if your child has:

* Fever lasting longer than 3 days
* Fever without typical cold symptoms
* Fever repeatedly above 40°C
* A child who looks very ill or lethargic between fevers
* Persistent vomiting
* Poor feeding
* Severe pain
* Breathing difficulties, fast or laboured breathing, or grunting

🔍 Factors that should be excluded

Certain contributing conditions must be considered:

🚬 Cigarette smoke exposure
Damages airway defenses and increases infection risk.
Stopping smoking is one of the most powerful interventions.

🌿 Allergies
Hay fever, asthma, and eczema can increase susceptibility and are treatable.

🧬 Immune deficiency disorders
Rare, but considered in children with recurrent severe infections or hospital admissions.

🧠 Other rare causes
Such as cystic fibrosis, anatomical abnormalities, or impaired airway cilia function.

🩺 Treatment & management

* Good nutrition is essential (iron, zinc, vitamins)
* Multivitamins may help picky eaters (evidence is limited)
* Formula milk (Stage 3) may be preferable to cow’s milk under 3 years
* Supplements like Moducare, Echinaforce, and Propolis may have marginal benefit
* Probiotics play an important role in immune regulation

🤱 Breastfeeding and natural birth (where possible) help establish a healthy microbiome.

💊 Antibiotics

* Reserved for bacterial complications only
* Overuse damages the microbiome and worsens long-term immunity
* Always accompany antibiotics with probiotics

✅ The moral of the story

* Crèche children will get sick repeatedly for 2–3 years
* This phase does pass
* Don’t demand antibiotics if they’re not needed
* Keep sick children at home
* Avoid smoke exposure
* Support the immune system naturally

💙 Conclusion

Don’t panic.
This too shall pass.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

02/01/2026

New Year, New Memories!
If you forgot to book your family shoot last year—or you’re ready for a fresh start—now’s the perfect time.
Book before the end of January and get a free desk calendar!

Studio and outdoor options available
T's & C's apply

02/01/2026

As I step into the new year with fresh energy, new ideas, and big goals, I felt it was important to pause and look back. While going through last year’s shoots and backing everything up to my archive drive, I found myself reflecting on each session and the memories attached to them.

My heart is so full of gratitude when I realise how many of you return year after year, as well as new clients who trust me to capture your stories and be part of both your happy and difficult moments. Knowing that these photos will be looked back on in 10 or 20 years—when the kids are all grown—means everything to me.

This is why I love what I do: the connections, the relationships, and freezing a moment in time that will forever hold a piece of your past. Thank you for letting me be part of your memories
Lots of love 🤍

14/12/2025

Christmas Mini's