Why Health and Education Matter at Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic
- Samantha Pieterse
- Jan 30, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
A note from Sr Samantha Pieterse, nurse practitioner, mom, and founder.
Hi there, and welcome to Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic in Centurion.
I’m Sr Samantha Pieterse, though most moms just call me Sr Sam. I’m a nurse practitioner, a mom, and the founder of this small, very real clinic built around families.
This blog is an extension of the conversations I have every single day with moms, dads, and caregivers who just want answers and a little reassurance.
How Mums & Bums Started
Mums & Bums began with a newborn, very little sleep, and a drive to do things differently.
After my first son was born in 2021, I stepped away from public healthcare to spend more time with him. As a new mom myself, I also realised how much parents needed a space that felt kinder and more personal than a rushed waiting room.
Starting a clinic with a newborn is not the easy option. But even in the chaos, I fell in love with it.
What Mums & Bums Has Grown Into
Today, Mums & Bums is a place built on connection.
I’ve cried with grieving parents, laughed through baby milestones, and sat with moms long after their appointment time because they needed space to talk. The families who walk through our doors are more than patients, they become part of our clinic family.
Behind the scenes, I’ve learned just as much. From rare rashes to how medical aid billing really works, this journey has been humbling and deeply meaningful.
Why I Started the Mums & Bums Blog
I started this blog with a mix of coffee, clinic conversations, and quiet moments where I finally get a This blog started in the quiet moments between clinic days and motherhood, fuelled by coffee and real questions I hear daily.
Here’s what I want this space to do:
Share honest stories from clinic life and motherhood
Give clear, reliable health information for moms and babies
Bring a sense of calm on the days that feel overwhelming
Help you feel supported, not judged or rushed
If you’re pregnant, raising tiny humans, or just reading along, I’m so glad you’re here. I hope what I write might leave you feeling supported and maybe a little less alone.
What You’ll Find on This Blog
This blog is shaped by the questions I hear every day in the clinic, the worries that keep parents awake at night, and the small moments that remind us we’re doing better than we think. Everything here is written to inform, reassure, and make things feel a little less heavy.
Baby and Child Health
Fevers, rashes, reflux, feeding struggles, sleep worries, and how to know when something needs attention.
Pregnancy Support
What’s what’s normal to what’s not, and how to survive pregnancy without feeling lost or scared.
Clinic Life
Real stories and patient journeys, always shared with permission.
Moms Supporting Moms
Encouragement, reassurance, and practical advice from real experiences.
Printable Guides and Checklists
Because your brain is already full enough.
Whether you’re here for answers, reassurance, or just a quiet minute with a cup of tea, I hope this blog feels like a safe place to land. You don’t need to read everything or do everything perfectly, just take what helps when you need it.
How We Care for Families at Mums & Bums
The way care is delivered matters just as much as the care itself. From how appointments are structured to how conversations unfold, everything here is shaped to reduce stress, build trust, and create space for real questions.
We Take Our Time
Listening Comes First
Sometimes what a parent needs most isn’t medication, it’s to feel heard. A non-judgmental space can change everything.
Small on Purpose
We don’t run a crowded waiting room. We aim to know your name, your child’s story, and how hard you’re trying.
This way of caring has grown from years of listening and sometimes getting it wrong before getting it right. It’s shaped by the belief that parents deserve time and kindness, especially when they’re tired or unsure. I don’t aim to do everything perfectly, but I do aim to show up fully, and that’s what families can expect every time they walk through our doors.
Things Parents Ask Us All The Time
We often hear questions like:
Is this rash normal?
How do I know if my baby has colic?
Should I worry about this fever?
Are vaccines safe?
These questions are important. If you’re wondering, another parent probably is too, and this blog exists to answer them honestly and accurately.
Mums & Bums is a Space for Dads, Grandparents, and Caregivers, Too
Even though our name says “Mums,” dads, grandparents, and caregivers are very much part of this space. Babies are raised by families, not individuals, and every person involved in a child’s care deserves to feel supported. Whether you’re a dad coming to your first appointment, a grandparent helping day to day, or another caregiver doing your best, you’re welcome here, questions, worries, and all. Parenting works better when it’s shared, and there’s always room for another cup of tea.
Why Education Matters So Much Here
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and advice can feel overwhelming or contradictory. Guidelines change, babies change, and the questions you have today may not be the same ones you had last week.
Staying informed is a big part of how I support families. I keep up to date with current research, training, and best practices so I can explain things without unnecessary medical language or added anxiety. My goal is not to overwhelm you with information, but to help you understand what’s happening with your body or your child’s health.
This blog follows the same approach we use in the clinic. No scary explanations, no judgment, and no assumptions about what you should already know. Just information you can trust, shared in a way that helps you make the best decisions for your family.
We Celebrate the Small Wins
At Mums & Bums, progress isn’t measured only in big milestones. Yes, first vaccines matter, and so does that first outing alone, but so do the signs that things are moving in the right direction.
Sometimes a win looks like a baby finally gaining weight after a feeding struggle. Sometimes it’s a fever settling, a rash improving, or a parent walking out feeling calmer than when they arrived. These moments don’t always feel dramatic, but they matter deeply. We see these small shifts every day during growth checks, follow-up visits, and routine appointments. They remind us that health is built gradually and not overnight.
For many parents, especially in the early months, confidence grows slowly. Understanding your baby’s cues, learning what’s normal, and knowing when something needs attention are all progress. This blog celebrates those moments just as much as the big ones, because they’re often the ones that keep families going.
If you’ve ever left an appointment thinking, “Okay, I can do this,” that’s worth celebrating.
What My Moms Have Taught Me About Parenting and Baby Care
The families who come through this clinic teach me something new every day. You’ve taught me that no amount of training replaces a parent’s instinct, and observations often matter more than perfect wording.
I’ve learned that a mother who says, “Something just isn’t right,” is usually correct, even when everything looks normal on paper. I’ve learned that exhaustion can mask worry, that confidence doesn’t always look calm, and that asking the same question more than once is part of processing fear.
Parents have shown me the importance of slowing down. Of listening beyond symptoms. Of understanding the context around a baby, the sleepless nights, the pressure, the self-doubt. These lessons shape how I practise and how I write.
You’ve also taught me that reassurance is powerful when it’s honest, and that clear explanations can ease more anxiety than any quick fix. Most of all, you’ve reminded me that you know your baby better than anyone ever will, and my role is to support that, not override it.
Why the Name Mums & Bums?
The name Mums & Bums is meant to reflect real life with babies and families.
It speaks to the people doing the work of parenting, and to the babies at the centre of it all. If you’ve ever changed a nappy, soothed a fussy newborn, or admired a cute little baby bum, you know how much care and attention those early days require.
“Mums” represents the mothers and families who carry the mental load, ask the questions, and are there for their families even when they’re exhausted. “Bums” is a gentle nod to the babies themselves, the very real, very hands-on side of caring for small humans. It reminds us that baby care is messy and deeply human.
The name also reflects how we share information here. This blog offers honest guidance, clearly explained and shared with warmth, because learning about your baby’s health should feel supportive.
Looking Ahead at Mums & Bums
Mums & Bums continues to grow in response to what families actually need. As the clinic evolves, so does the way we support parents. We're constantly working on building thoughtful, practical ways to make care feel more accessible and reassuring.
What’s Coming Next
New classes, updated resources, and additional support options are always being developed, guided by the questions and challenges I see in the clinic every day. This includes educational content, practical guidance, and services that meet families where they are, not where they’re expected to be.
If there’s a topic you’d like covered, a question you wish more people would answer clearly, or something you’ve struggled to find reliable information on, I’d really love to hear it. This space grows best when it grows with you.
Let’s Stay Connected
This blog is just one part of how we stay in touch. You’re always welcome to book an appointment, send us a WhatsApp, or sign up for updates on new blog posts and upcoming classes.
If something you read here helps you feel more confident or simply less alone, please tell me. Those stories matter more than you might think.
All my love,
Sr Sam
Do you have thoughts or questions?
Leave a comment or share this with a friend deep in the baby trenches.
FAQs About Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic
What is Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic?
Mums & Bums is a mother and baby clinic in Rooihuiskraal, Centurion, that focuses on unhurried, family-centred care. We support parents through pregnancy, baby and child health visits, routine check-ups, and education, with an emphasis on clear explanations and listening.
Who can visit Mums & Bums?
Although our name says “Mums,” we welcome dads and grandparents as well. Our services cater not only to babies but families as a whole.
What makes Mums & Bums different from other clinics?
Mums & Bums is intentionally small and appointment-based, allowing more time for each family. Visits focus on understanding your concerns, explaining health information clearly, and supporting parents without judgment.
What kind of information is shared on the Mums & Bums blog?
The blog shares practical, evidence-based information about baby health, pregnancy, parenting concerns, and clinic life. Topics are based on real questions parents ask, explained in simple language without unnecessary medical terms.
Where is Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic located?
Mums & Bums Mother and Baby Clinic is based in Rooihuiskraal, Centurion. We serve families in Rooihuiskraal, Midstream, Thatchfield, The Reeds, the greater Centurion area (including Lyttelton, Doringkloof, and Irene), as well as Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Do I need an appointment to visit Mums & Bums?
Yes. Visits are appointment-based so that each family has enough time to talk, ask questions, and feel supported without feeling rushed. Booking ahead helps us keep the clinic quiet and personal.
What ages does Mums & Bums support?
We support families from contraception to pregnancy through babyhood and early childhood. This includes birth control, pregnancy care, newborn visits, baby and child check-ups, and ongoing support for parents as questions change over time.
Is Mums & Bums only for first-time parents?
Not at all. We see first-time parents, experienced parents, blended families, and caregivers supporting children in many different ways. Every stage of parenting comes with its own questions, and all are welcome here.
Can I visit Mums & Bums just to ask questions?
Yes. Many visits are about reassurance, understanding what’s normal, or deciding what the next step should be. You don’t need to have everything figured out before booking.
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