Welcome! - I’m Delighted that you are here!
Hi, I’m Afif EL-Khuffash, a Professor of Paediatrics, a neonatologist, podcaster, researcher, digital artist, and, above all, a father. Parenting today is harder than ever, with a flood of mis- and disinformation often leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unsure. This space is where I merge my passions for science, creativity, and parenting to cut through the noise and provide engaging, evidence-based content that informs, inspires, and supports your journey. Whether you’re navigating the joys and challenges of raising a child, seeking well-researched insights, or simply looking for thought-provoking stories about family and health, this Substack is your trusted guide.
Why Subscribe?
Parenting is one of the most rewarding journeys, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing, especially in today’s world of conflicting advice and information overload. This newsletter is here to cut through the noise and give you what you truly need: clarity, confidence, and connection.
Every week, I’ll share actionable insights drawn from science and real-life experience, so you can make informed decisions for your family. Together, we’ll tackle the challenges that modern parents face, like managing infant feeding and sleep, navigating technology in all its forms relevant to parenting, supporting your mental health, and fostering connection in a fast-paced world. You'll find thoughtful discussions, relatable stories, and expert advice, all based on evidence and my rich lived experience as a paediatrician and as a parent. designed to make parenting less about pressure and more about growth.
When you subscribe, you’re not just signing up for a newsletter—you’re joining a community of parents who want to thrive, not just survive. Let’s find the beauty in the chaos of raising happy, healthy kids, one step at a time.
What You’ll Get From Subscribing
Here’s how subscribing transforms your inbox into a treasure trove of parenting resources:
Free Subscribers Get:
Weekly newsletters sharing research insights, and news tailored for parents.
Occasional on new podcast episodes and special guest features from Baby Tribe.
A peek into my creative world of art and science.
Paid Subscribers Get:
Exclusive weekly content aimed at empowering you with the knowledge you need to raise your children. Why it matters: Paid content takes a deeper dive into the issues that shape your parenting journey, offering thoughtful, evidence-backed content you can trust.
Direct engagement with me in the comments and chats
Monthly webinar and Q&A sessions where you can ask me anything about parenting and infant health
Exclusive discounts on all art work from afifsart.net
My eternal gratitude!
You are welcome here whatever option you choose! I am glad you decided to join and I trust that you’ll find value with me on this page.
About me
I’m a father to two wonderful teenagers, Maggie and Faisal, and husband to Anne, an obstetric anesthesiologist. By day, I’m a Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, and a Full Professor of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. By night (or whenever inspiration strikes), I’m a podcaster, digital artist, and writer.
With over 20 years of experience in newborn care, my clinical expertise includes breastfeeding medicine, addressing feeding challenges, and supporting families during those crucial early days of parenting. I’m the lead for neonatal echocardiography and heart function assessment in the NICU, with a research focus on heart function in term and preterm neonates. I’m also deeply invested in education and mentorship, having supervised nine postgraduate PhD candidates and delivered over 40 keynote presentations worldwide. As the recipient of multiple research awards and a published author of close to 200 peer-reviewed papers, I bring a wealth of knowledge and evidence-based insights to everything I do.
But beyond the titles and accolades, I’m a parent just like you—navigating the highs and lows of raising children in an age of information overload. That’s why I co-host Ireland’s #1 parenting podcast, Baby Tribe. In each episode, we explore the science, challenges, and joys of parenthood, offering real-world advice to help families thrive.
Through this Substack, I aim to bring you the best of what I’ve learned in my career, my research, and my parenting journey. Together, we’ll explore how evidence-based practices and heartfelt connection can empower parents to raise happy, healthy children.
What Readers say:
"Dr Afif gives non-judgemental and evidence based advice. Very reassuring for a mother who gave birth by c-section and combi fed baby until moving to just formula" - Aileen
"It helps me day to day with little tips for me and my new baby " - Ciara
"I love your insights and guidance on all things baby related!" - Catherine
"I appreciate your expertise and compassion. As a mum formula feeding mum who failed at breastfeeding..I appreciate that you advocate for BFeeding but also make space for formula fed mums. I was following so many BF accounts that when I failed I felt worse seeing all the content. You made me feel seen and appreciated where others didn't." - Helen
