The Children's Hospital at Westmead

29/01/2026

School is back next week in NSW.. and so are the daily lunchboxes.

If you're looking to add more fruit and veg to your child's lunchbox without the daily battle, we've got you covered.
Getting children involved in choosing what goes into their lunchbox is a great way to build interest and confidence with fruit and veg. Try asking your child to pick one fruit or veggie they’d like to include — even small choices can make a difference.

🌈 You can also encourage “eating the rainbow” by choosing different colours across the week, or mixing and matching colours in their lunchbox.

❤️ Strawberries
🧡 Carrots
💛 Corn
💚 Broccoli
💙 Blueberries
💜 Grapes

If you've got a fussy eater, you are not alone. Visit the Kids Health Hub on our website for more practical tips on nutrition for your child.

22/01/2026

: Sanulac Nutritionals Australia Pty Ltd is recalling the following products due to potential contamination with the toxin (cereulide), a substance produced by the Bacillus cereus microorganism.

• Alula Gold Reflux infant formula (0-12 months) 900g
• Alula Colic & Constipation infant formula (0-12 months) 850g.

The recall only applies to those products with the below listed date and batch number details.

Sold: Both products have been available for sale in Coles, Woolworths, pharmacies and Amazon nationally and online. The Alula Gold Reflux product has also been available at independent retailers including IGA, Big W and Costco nationally.

Date markings:
• Alula Gold Reflux: Use By 17/03/2027, Batch 8000003387
• Alula Colic & Constipation: Use By 17/03/2027, Batch 8000003407

For full details: www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/news/recalls/sanulac-nutritionals-australia-alula-gold-reflux-infant-formula-0-12-months-900g-and-alula-colic-constipation-infant-formula-0-12-months-850g

22/01/2026

🌡️ With temperatures forecast to rise above 30°C this weekend, it is important to remember not to leave children alone in the car.

Did you know?
🚗 The temperature inside a parked car can rise rapidly — by up to 30°C on a hot day
👶 Children overheat much faster than adults
⏱️ It can only takes minutes for serious harm to occur

Babies and children left in hot cars, even for a short time, are at risk of heat exposure and sudden death.

Never leave children alone in a car, even for "just a minute", and always check your back seat before you leave the car park.

Simple steps can save lives.

Visit our Kids Health Hub to learn more about the risks, and how you can prevent tragedies. Link in comments.

16/01/2026

Merissa was 30 weeks pregnant when she found out her baby boy, Dallas, had a dysfunctional diaphragm. The condition meant his diaphragm muscle wasn't working properly and once born, he would have severe breathing trouble.

Merissa knew Dallas would need surgery within days of being born. What she didn't expect was how quickly he would recover.

Dallas underwent surgery at our hospital at just three days old. Two days later, he was breathing on his own.

Over the next two weeks, Dallas' strength and resilience continued surprising everyone in our Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care and within a few short weeks, Merissa got her wish - Dallas home in time for Christmas.

Dr Ahmed Moustafa, Staff Specialist in our Grace Centre, said Dallas' condition was one that had an "awful outcome once upon a time... Now children like Dallas are not only surviving but thriving".

Today, Dallas is a smart, curious, and energetic baby, meeting all his milestones, while causing a healthy amount mischief along the way.

15/01/2026

A new chapter for family-centred care has been unlocked, with the NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park MP, yesterday announcing construction of our new 14-storey building has been completed.

The expanded facilities include two dedicated floors for state-of-the-art critical care services to support patients like 11-month-old Elijah.

Elijah was born at just 26 weeks with a gastrointestinal condition and chronic lung disease, and spent more than 100 days in our Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care.

Elijah’s mum, Sam, said the new facilities will make a huge difference for families like theirs.

“Having the option to stay at the bedside in intensive care is so reassuring. It means parents can spend more time with their child and feel close, even during the hardest moments,” Sam said.

In addition, families will also have access to new areas for play and respite, giving them the ability to take a break from the clinical setting and connect with others.
With construction complete, our teams are now preparing to transition into the new building, due to open in coming months.

Thanks to our building project partners Health Infrastructure, Roberts Co, Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation, Billard Leece Partnership and Scyne Advisory.

13/01/2026

From the time he was born, 13-month-old Jock has lived with a droopy eyelid.

The condition, known as severe congenital ptosis, affects less than 1 per cent of the population and posed a significant risk to Jock's eyesight - a heavy reality for his parents to face.

Fortunately, ophthalmic surgeon Dr Krishna Tumuluri had a simple but ingenious fix - a lid-lifting operation. The technique, developed overseas and introduced in Australia by Dr Tumuluri, works by using the eyebrow muscle to assist in opening and closing the eyelid.

The surgery was a success. Now able to see through his right eye, Jock is headed toward clearer days and a brighter future. ✨

07/01/2026

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued a recall of a specialist infant formula due to the potential presence of a toxin that can cause gastrointestinal illness if consumed.

If your baby has been prescribed this specialist formula and the product you have is part of the recall:
- follow FSANZ’s recall advice
- contact the clinician who prescribed it as soon as possible
- if they are unavailable, call healthdirect anytime — 24/7 on 1800 022 222. healthdirect will connect you with specialist paediatric clinicians who can also provide advice.

For more information, visit https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/media/media-statement-recall-specialist-infant-formula-due-potential-toxin?fbclid=IwY2xjawPK_iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPYWZqcEIzZFJlNU1RQjNzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvIfTMZS99x7CuPCNCD-zNHIURLGYaCmmRHfnKJVTZLQDEJGnsq-tdhg-L64_aem_3vjrXObEwsqnXt4aafhEog

Food Recall Alert – Nestle Australia Ltd - Alfamino Infant Formula (0-12 months) 400g

Nestlé Australia Ltd are conducting a recall of the above specialised infant formula. The product has been available for sale in pharmacies, hospitals and online nationally. This recall only applies to those products with the above listed date and batch number details.

Use by date 17.04.2027, Batch number 51070017Y2
Use by date 18.04.2027, Batch number 51080017Y1
Use by date 28.05.2027, Batch number 51480017Y3
Use by date 29.05.2027, Batch number 51490017Y1
Use by date 22.07.2027, Batch number 52030017Y1

This recall is due to the potential presence of toxin (cereulide) contamination, a substance produced by the Bacillus cereus microorganism.

For more information see: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/default.aspx

27/12/2025

When Mason gave an e-scooter a test run out of curiosity, he landed himself in emergency surgery sustaining injuries to his mouth and gum.

This year alone, clinicians at the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network have treated more than 130 e-bike and e-scooter injuries, many of which have been serious.

With Christmas just around the corner, Head of Trauma at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Dr S V Soundappan reminds parents to:
- check compliance of e-bikes before purchasing them as a gift for kids
- remind kids that it is illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters on NSW roads and paths
- ensure kids are wearing helmets when riding e-scooters and e-bikes
- talk to kids about riding safely

This Christmas, choose safety and make sure you enjoy the holidays. 🎅

24/12/2025

After six long months in hospital, one very brave boy received the best Christmas gift of all— Boston is going home just in time for Christmas Day. 🎄✨

Before heading out the doors, he had a special visit from Santa himself, proving that Christmas magic doesn’t miss a stop. And just like that, Santa showed that he can meet patients wherever they are, spreading joy far beyond the North Pole.

Moments like these remind everyone that hope, kindness, and a little holiday magic go a long way.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone —wherever this season finds you and a very special thank you to our frontline workers, who are spending today caring for our patients and their families. 🎅

22/12/2025

A reminder that support is available. If you, or someone you know is struggling, please reach out.

Support is available.

If someone is experiencing mental health distress, or you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, contact:
- Lifeline (24/7) crisis support 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline (24/7) support for children or young adults 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue (24/7) for mental health advice and support 1300 22 4636
- Mental Health Line (24/7) on 1800 011 511 for advice and connection to specialist mental health services
- Griefline for grief and loss support (7 days, 8am-8pm) 1300 845 745
- Transcultural Mental Health Line (Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm) 1800 648
- 13YARN Crisis Support on 13 92 76

In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

For a full list of NSW mental health services and support, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/services.aspx

21/12/2025

Honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack

The Federal and NSW Governments have declared Sunday 21 December a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

The Day of Reflection will be observed on the final full day of Chanukah, a time traditionally associated with light, faith and resilience, making the loss felt by the Jewish community even more profound.

On Sunday, flags on Australian and NSW Government buildings will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the lives lost and the grief shared across the country.

All Australians share in this grief.

We invite people across the country to light a candle at 6:47pm, exactly one week since the attack unfolded, as a quiet act of remembrance with family, friends or loved ones. We are also asking Australians to observe a minute of silence at 6:47pm.

19/12/2025

Congratulations to our winners of the Photo Finish digital photography competition!

The People's Choice award was won by Eric, for his photograph Red, taken in his backyard.

Thank you to everyone who voted and participated in the competition this year.

Exhibition of winners and finalists is now on display at The Children's Hospital at Westmead until 24 February. Located on level 3 Outpatients department, between Children's Assessment Centre and Children's Psychiatry Department.