On Call With Dr. Anselm Anyoha

In this episode of Encore with Dr. Anselm and Johar, we talk about anxiety in children—what it looks like, why it happens, how pediatricians recognize it, and what parents can do to help. Anxiety is more than normal childhood worry. When fear and worry become persistent, they can affect a child’s school performance, sleep, friendships, and confidence. Many children don’t say “I’m anxious.” Instead, anxiety often shows up as stomach aches, headaches, nausea, trembling, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, or repeated “I don’t want to go” moments—especially before school, social events, or new situations. You’ll learn the common types of childhood anxiety, including separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and specific phobias. The episode explains how pediatricians detect anxiety during routine visits by observing behavior, listening carefully to parent concerns, and using validated childhood anxiety screening questionnaires to identify patterns of worry, avoidance, and physical symptoms. We also cover what contributes to anxiety—often a mix of temperament, genetics, stress, trauma or bullying, family modeling, and avoidance patterns—and why early support matters. Evidence-based treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches coping skills and gradually reduces avoidance, and in some cases, medication, especially for moderate to severe anxiety or when therapy alone isn’t enough. A key takeaway for parents: untreated anxiety can slowly shrink a child’s world, leading to avoidance, academic struggles, social withdrawal, and increased risk of depression in adolescence. But when anxiety is recognized early and treated properly, children can rebuild confidence, resilience, and joy. This episode is designed to inform and empower parents, not alarm them. Anxiety is common, real, and treatable—and children can thrive with the right support.

Why do babies die—and what can parents do to reduce that risk?In this deeply compassionate and informative episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm, we take on one of the hardest but most important conversations in parenting and public health: infant mortality and newborn survival. Using clear, respectful language, the episode explains the most common causes of newborn death, including maternal health conditions during pregnancy (such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes, and infections), complications during labor and delivery, lack of oxygen at birth (birth asphyxia or hypoxia), prematurity, congenital conditions, and newborn infections like Group B Streptococcus. Parents will learn how early and consistent prenatal care, skilled delivery, and simple life-saving actions—such as clearing a newborn’s airway, providing warmth, and basic resuscitation—can mean the difference between life and death in the first critical minutes after birth. The episode also highlights how disparities between countries affect infant survival, showing why babies born in resource-limited settings face much higher risks—not because their lives matter less, but because systems fail them. Most importantly, this conversation is not meant to frighten parents. It is designed to inform, empower, and advocate. Families are shown how to recognize danger signs in newborns, practice infection prevention, insist on quality care, and become strong advocates for their babies—especially in underserved communities. This episode blends medical insight with real-world experience and a message of hope: many newborn deaths are preventable, and when families, healthcare providers, and societies commit to basic standards of care, lives are saved

Infant and child mental health is often overlooked—but it is one of the most important foundations for lifelong well-being. In this episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm Anyoha, we explore what mental health truly means for babies, infants, and young children, long before diagnoses or labels ever come into play. Mental health in early life is about inner well-being—a child’s ability to feel safe, experience joy, express emotions, form secure relationships, and connect meaningfully with others. Babies are not blank slates. From the earliest days of life, they have feelings, expectations, and a deep need for emotional connection. This episode explains how emotional health develops through everyday caregiving moments—responding to cries, smiling back, offering comfort, maintaining predictable routines, and creating a calm, emotionally safe environment. These interactions shape brain development, support learning, and lay the groundwork for language, attention, resilience, and social skills. Parents will learn why routine creates security, why negative emotions like crying or frustration are a normal and healthy part of development, and how emotional responsiveness—not perfection—builds confidence and emotional strength in children. Most importantly, this conversation reminds families that supporting mental health starts at birth, not adolescence. Every hug, every moment of attention, and every loving response is quietly shaping a child’s future. Perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone interested in infant mental health, early childhood development, emotional well-being, parenting support, and brain development in children.

In this episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm Anyoha, we explore an often overlooked but powerful milestone in infant development: social and emotional sophistication at 9 months of age. Inspired by a real clinic visit, Dr. Anyoha explains how a quiet, observant baby can actually be a deeply engaged thinker. Parents will learn what it means when a 9-month-old carefully watches faces, follows movement, and shifts attention between caregivers and their surroundings. These behaviors are not random—they are key signs of healthy brain development, early communication skills, and emotional awareness. The episode breaks down essential concepts such as joint attention (when babies share focus with a caregiver) and social referencing (when infants read a parent’s facial expressions to decide how to respond). These early skills form the foundation for language development, learning, emotional regulation, and future relationships. Dr. Anyoha also discusses when parents should feel reassured—and when to pay closer attention. A consistent lack of interest in people, limited eye contact, or absence of shared attention may signal a developmental delay and should be discussed with a pediatrician. The importance of early intervention, hearing screening, and trusting parental instincts is emphasized throughout. Parents will come away with clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance—plus a deeper appreciation that sometimes, a quiet baby isn’t disengaged at all. They’re simply thinking hard… very hard.

In this episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm, we explore why play is one of the most powerful tools children use to grow emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically. Drawing on decades of pediatric and developmental science, including insights from T. Berry Brazelton, this conversation breaks down how play begins in infancy and evolves into the complex social learning that prepares children for adulthood. Parents often think of play as something that starts later—but play begins as early as the first smiles, coos, and eye contact. From newborn social play to peekaboo, crawling exploration, early walking, language-driven play around 18 months, and imaginative toddler games, this episode walks parents through what healthy play looks like at every stage. You’ll learn: When play actually begins in babies (hint: much earlier than you think) Why simple games like peekaboo and hide-and-seek build brain development and emotional security How walking and language dramatically change how children play Why play is essential for emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence How parents can support play without over-structuring or over-directing Why children across cultures play in remarkably similar ways How play prepares children for relationships, school, and adult life Most importantly, this episode reassures parents that play does not need to be expensive, complicated, or scheduled to be meaningful. Presence, responsiveness, and shared joy matter far more than toys or apps. If you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply curious about how children grow, this episode will change the way you see play—and why protecting it matters as much as sleep, nutrition, and love. Because when children play, they are doing the most important work of childhood.

What happens when one family decides to turn the holidays into a shared creative experience instead of just another busy season? In this special first-ever family group recording, Dr. Anselm Anyoha sits down with his wife and children for a candid, joyful, and deeply human conversation about family bonding, creativity, and making memories during the holidays. Recorded just days after Christmas, this episode captures real voices, laughter, reflections, and unscripted moments that many families will recognize instantly. Together, the Anyoha family reflects on five simple but powerful holiday activities they shared—karaoke night, poetry discussion by the fireplace, family photos, mall walks, and recording this very podcast. Each family member offers their perspective on what mattered most, why creative activities brought them closer, and how intentional togetherness can strengthen family relationships across generations. This episode explores: Why shared creative activities help families reconnect How karaoke, poetry, and art create low-pressure emotional intimacy Simple, affordable holiday traditions families can recreate at home The value of letting every family member choose how they have fun How meaningful conversations happen when expectations are removed Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, adult child, or someone looking for fresh ideas to bring family members together, this episode offers a real-life framework for connection—no perfection required, pajamas encouraged. If you’re searching for podcasts about family bonding, holiday traditions, creative family activities, parenting, relationships, or intentional living, this episode will feel like pulling up a chair and joining the conversation. 🎄 Real family.🎤 Real voices.❤️ Real connection. (And yes—there is karaoke. Enthusiastic karaoke.)

In this episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm Anyoha, parents of toddlers learn how to recognize, respond to, and prevent pulled elbow, also known as nursemaid’s elbow. Dr. Anyoha explains that this common injury occurs when the head of the radius slips out of its ligament, causing sudden pain and immobility in a child’s arm. Typical situations include playtime accidents or unintentional tugs by caregivers. The episode details the hallmark signs: a child holding the arm still, refusal to move it, and sudden discomfort without swelling or bruising. Dr. Anyoha emphasizes that nursemaid’s elbow requires clinical treatment—attempting to fix it at home can cause harm. Parents receive guidance on prevention, including safe lifting practices, and reassurance that children recover quickly once properly treated. This episode equips caregivers with knowledge to act promptly and protect their toddlers from injury.

In this episode of On Call with Dr. Anselm Anyoha, parents learn why measles remains a serious threat to young children despite modern medicine. Dr. Anyoha shares his personal “measles memory” from his medical training in Nigeria, where he witnessed children suffer severe complications including pneumonia, dehydration, convulsions, and even death. The episode explains key measles symptoms—fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and the classic body rash—along with warning signs such as Koplik spots. Dr. Anyoha highlights how easily measles spreads and why outbreaks still occur, especially when vaccination rates fall below safe levels. Parents of children under 13 will hear practical guidance on how to protect their families through timely MMR vaccination, how to respond if measles is suspected, and why prevention is far safer than treatment. This episode underscores the urgent importance of immunizing children to prevent severe illness and save lives.