Managing Baby Blues

Fortunately parents do not have daily reminders of the chronic debilitation and deaths caused by diseases such as whooping cough, polio, measles and diphtheria. So as a parent, you may question whether there is a need to immunise your child.

Do you love a good massage?  Ever wondered if your baby would too?  Massage could help your baby relax, encourage communication and help you bond. 

Statistics show that Australia has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world, although it’s not entirely understood why. The causes of allergies in children are complex and linked to several factors. If you suspect your child is allergic to a food or substance, always get it checked out by your doctor.

Cradle cap is a yellow crusty substance found on your baby’s scalp or eye brows that may be oily or dry to touch. Cradle cap may take several weeks to clear, can become infected and can reappear.

Lactose intolerance is a clinical condition (not an allergy), with symptoms being associated with the digestive system, which is still maturing in young infants.

Arriving home with a newborn and no midwife standing by to help or encourage you can be daunting. You may find you can’t take your eyes off your newborn and burst into tears for no good reason. Your breasts leak and you can’t sleep despite being exhausted. Don’t worry it’s all normal.

Many illnesses in infancy are caused by either viral or bacterial infections. Your doctor can help establish which type of infection your baby has and how to possibly treat them.

Feeling tired all the time. The 24/7 care that is involved in looking after a newborn. The huge sense of responsibility that comes with being a parent. Sound familiar? The shock of becoming a parent is real and adjusting to parenthood may not happen overnight. Here’s why.

Taking care of a newborn baby is a full-time job which requires dedication from you and your family. So, if you’re a working mum and you’re planning on returning from maternity leave to go back to work, you can only imagine how much that’s going to test your organisational skills!

Your baby will love a nice warm bath and if not, be patient – it won’t take long and they will and won’t want to get out! Water is warm and soothing and bathing offers a lovely opportunity for close interaction between you and your baby. Here are ten tips to make the bathing experience enjoyable and effective.

Reflux is when the contents from your baby’s stomach flow back up into their oesophagus or mouth (which may or may not include vomiting). It is actually very common and, in most cases, harmless and not a cause for concern. However, if your baby is vomiting frequently, please consult your doctor.

Sharing time with the kids. Sharing all housework. The mental load divided. Shared parenting may sound like the dream but is it really achievable? Find out who’s practicing shared parenting responsibilities around the world and what might be holding others back—it might give you ideas for your own collaborative parenting set-up.

When your baby has a fever it is naturally a concern. Fever is a symptom that occurs when our bodies are fighting an unwanted intruder such as a bacteria or virus, and may or may not need to be assessed by your doctor.

No one is an instant expert at nappy changing - don’t worry there is plenty of opportunity to practice. Your baby may lie still, wiggle, kick and scream or do all three. The most important thing is to take note of the amount of wet and dirty nappies.

Negative thoughts have a way of creeping in from time to time, which can make us doubt our path as parents. Read our tips to help reframe your thinking.

Children are our future so it’s not surprising that everyone feels invested in helping parents to better nurture their babies. While it may sometimes feel like unwanted parenting advice, it often comes from a good place.

Wondering how to help your colicky baby? Learn more about baby colic and get tips on how to soothe colic symptoms here.  

It is important to know what to expect in a nappy so you can then know when your baby’s poo is abnormal and may need healthcare professional advice. Diarrhoea is characterised by very frequent, liquid stools and may be the result of an illness or infection.

You never get a minute to yourself, yet you’ve never felt lonelier? Yes, that’s the paradox of lonely parents. While you’re likely smitten with your newborn, there’s a certain kind of loneliness in parenthood that can come with being at home with a baby, day in, day out.