Serena al-Haddad, "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

"With the Tears of the Eye"... When Trust Becomes a Risk for Parents

Salem to "Akhbar al-Yawm": A vital partnership between doctors, parents, and daycares

Becoming a parent is not just a life decision, it’s a leap into a world of boundless love, relentless responsibility, and unshakable commitment. When a couple chooses to bring a child into the world, they do so with open eyes and full hearts, knowing the road ahead will demand everything they have. As the Lebanese saying goes, they raise their children "with the tears of the eye" — with care that runs deeper than words.

But reality doesn’t pause for parenthood.

Once maternity leave ends, many mothers are faced with a painful dilemma: return to work and entrust their fragile infant to the care of others. They search for the best daycare they can find, hoping to bridge the gap between duty and love. And yet, an unsettling shadow has crept into this space of trust, the rising number of disturbing incidents in daycare centers.

The most recent case, reported in a daycare in the Keserwan region, sent shockwaves across Lebanon. A baby girl reportedly choked to death on her milk. The tragedy triggered outrage, fear, and sorrow, not only for her grieving family but for every parent forced to ask: Is my child safe when I’m not there?

Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Cases of neglect, poor supervision, and even abuse in some institutions have left parents torn between the need to work and the instinct to protect.

Dr. Elie Salem, a pediatrician and specialist in neonatology, spoke to the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency about the incident. He explained that the likely cause of death was a severe reflux episode, where milk returns from the baby’s stomach, enters the airways, and reaches the lungs. This can quickly cause respiratory failure and, ultimately, cardiac arrest if not addressed immediately. The Ministry of Health confirmed this analysis in its report on the case.

Dr. Salem pointed out that the daycare must bear responsibility for how it handled the situation: "When a four-month-old baby is fed, their head must be slightly elevated, about 45 degrees, to prevent reflux. Babies at this stage need close, constant monitoring", he said. "It’s not enough to feed them and lay them down. The staff must be trained, alert, and fully aware of how to respond".

He noted: "Parents also share part of the responsibility, they must provide detailed instructions about their baby’s health, any conditions, feeding methods, sleep positions, and ideally, offer a medical report in coordination with their pediatrician".

He emphasized that daycare isn’t a standalone service, it should be a three-way partnership between parents, doctors, and caregivers. "When a daycare is unsure how to handle a particular condition like reflux, they should reach out to the doctor. I’ve personally received calls from daycares in such cases".

Recounting the Keserwan case, Dr. Salem added, "It’s unlikely that this was the baby’s first reflux episode. There were probably signs before".

So, how can such tragedies be prevented? Dr. Salem gave clear, life-saving advice: "Never leave an infant flat on their back after feeding. Lay them on their side. If reflux occurs, the milk should be allowed to flow out through the nose or mouth. It must be cleared immediately to open the airway and avoid suffocation".