I almost didn't make this. 🌙

Hi Parents, 🌙

I want to tell you something I don't say enough. Being a paediatrician doesn't make Raya easier.

It makes it harder.

Because I sit in my clinic every year, after the open houses, after the family visits, after all the gelak tawa and kuih raya and selfies in baju Raya —

And I see the babies.

The ones who came back with a fever. A rash. A cough that won't stop.

And the parents sitting across from me… not angry. Just... quiet. Like they already knew. Like they had a feeling something would happen but didn't know how to stop it.

That feeling stays with me. Every single year.

So this year, I did something I've never done before.

I made a film. Not an infographic. Not a carousel. Not a reel with a checklist.

A short film.

2.5 minit. Satu cerita. Seorang ibu. Satu keputusan. It's called Ciuman.

I almost didn't make it. I kept thinking — who am I to make a film? I'm a doctor, not a filmmaker.

But then I remembered why I wanted to make it in the first place.

For the mum who sits in front of me and says, "I knew I should have said something. I just didn't know how."

For her.

🎬 Tonton Ciuman sekarang: 

Kalau rasa cerita ni kena dengan your hati please share dengan seorang je. Seorang mum. Seorang dad. Seorang yang akan beraya dengan baby kecil minggu ni.

That’s all I ask for. 🤍

And now — the real talk before Raya.

I know everyone is busy. Baju belum hantar dobi. Rumah belum kemas. Kuih belum siap. I get it.

So I'll keep this short.

Five things. That's all.

1. Sediakan satu ayat ni sebelum Raya.

"Maaf ya, doktor pesan jangan bagi orang cium baby dulu."

Letak pada saya. Letak pada doktor. I genuinely don't mind.You don't have to explain. You don't have to justify. One sentence is enough.The hardest part isn't knowing what to say. It's being ready to say it before the moment arrives. So prepare it now. Not when your aunty is already leaning in.

2. Newborn bawah 3 bulan — satu dua rumah je.

I know. FOMO is real. Extended family is important. Raya only comes once a year.Tapi baby tu pun only comes once in your lifetime as a first-time parent.Their immune system is brand new. The world outside is full of germs they've never met before. Quality over quantity. Always.The relatives who matter will understand. The ones yang tak faham..hmm they'll get over it.

3. Perhatikan tanda baby dah cukup.

🚨 Nangis tak boleh pujuk
🚨 Tak nak menyusu
🚨 Muka merah
🚨 Terlampau senyap

When baby sends these signals, that's it. Time to go home. Not after one more round of photos. Not after makan dulu. Now.

Your baby is talking to you. Listen.

4. Hands before holds.

Siapa nak dukung baby please cuci tangan atau sanitize dulu.

No exceptions.Not even for grandparents. Especially not for grandparents. 😅

(Say it nicely. But say it.)

5. You are not being difficult.

This one is for the mum who has been worrying about this all week. Who has been rehearsing conversations in her head at 2am. Who is scared of being labelled as lebay, fussy, first-time mum biasalah.

You are not difficult. You are a good parent.

And good parenting sometimes means saying no on behalf of someone who can't say it themselves yet.

Kalau sayang then please lindungi mereka. 🤍

Lastly — from my heart.

I've been a paediatrician for a long time. But I am also a wife. A mother. A daughter who still looks forward to Raya every year.

I know what it means when the whole family is finally in the same room. When the grandparents hold the babies. When the cousins run around the garden. When someone burns the ketupat and everyone laughs about it.

That's the stuff you remember forever. I just want to make sure the babies are healthy enough to be part of all of it. For years and years to come.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin. 🌙

Semoga rumah all of you penuh dengan kasih sayang, gelak tawa, dan baby-baby yang sihat.

Anyway. Just a doctor who cares too much. 😊

With love,

Dr. Nisa Khalil Consultant Paediatrician ParkCity Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Instagram & TikTok: @dr.nisa.khalil YouTube: @DrNisaKhalil

P.S. Watch Ciuman. Then call your mum. Happy Raya. 🌙🎬

With lots of love and a warm hug,
Dr. Nisa Khalil