Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Nil Yazar Alpay sees patients at the Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic of Özel Olimpos Hastanesi (Olimpos Private Hospital) in Konyaaltı, Antalya. Address: Öğretmenevleri Mah. 460. Sk. No:48, 07070 Konyaaltı / Antalya, Türkiye. For appointments and information, the hospital switchboard: +90 242 228 09 09.

Patients are seen on weekdays, Monday to Friday, between 09:30 and 16:30. The clinic is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Pediatricians follow babies, children and teenagers from birth up to the age of 18. Growth, development, nutrition and illness from the newborn period to the end of adolescence all fall within this specialty.

Yes. Well-child check-ups are done to track height and weight, assess development, complete vaccinations on time, and catch problems that have not yet caused symptoms — such as iron deficiency, hearing or vision problems, or developmental delay — early.

In babies younger than 3 months, a fever of 38 °C or higher always needs urgent assessment. In older children, the child's general condition matters more than the exact temperature: seek help without delay if the child cannot be woken, refuses to drink, breathes fast or with difficulty, turns bluish, has a rash that does not fade when pressed, has a seizure (febrile convulsion), or has had a fever for more than 3 days.

No. Most childhood infections are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not work against viruses. Unnecessary antibiotics carry a risk of side effects and also contribute to antibiotic resistance. The decision is made based on the examination findings and, when needed, test results.

The most effective period is the first 1-2 weeks, because latching problems, nipple pain and the regulation of milk production take shape in this period. However, support can be sought at any stage, such as starting solid foods, returning to work or weaning.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend giving only breast milk for the first 6 months, and continuing breastfeeding together with suitable complementary foods after 6 months up to 2 years and beyond.

No. In Türkiye, all childhood vaccines within the Genişletilmiş Bağışıklama Programı (Expanded Program on Immunization) are free of charge. The current schedule is published on the Sağlık Bakanlığı Aşı Portalı (the Turkish Ministry of Health vaccine portal).

No. When the vaccination schedule is delayed, it does not start over; a catch-up schedule is followed, continuing from where it was left off. It is recommended to complete missing vaccines as soon as possible.

In the younger age group, 6-8 upper respiratory tract infections (colds, throat and ear infections) a year, and up to 10-12 in children attending daycare, are expected, and the frequency decreases with age. What matters is how severe the infections are, whether the child fully recovers in between, and whether growth is affected.

The World Health Organization recommends that babies under 1 year are not shown screens at all, and that daily screen time for children aged 2-4 does not exceed 1 hour. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend screens between 18 and 24 months, except for video calls.

Yes. Under the Ministry of Health program, 400 IU (3 drops) of vitamin D a day is recommended for all babies from birth to 1 year, and iron supplements from 4 months to 1 year; these supplements are provided free of charge. A blood count check is done at 9 months.

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