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Would you know if your child was suffering from asthma or how to treat it? It's more common than you think with one in seven Kiwi kids and one in nine adults living with asthma, allergies and other a respiratory conditions. Find out more about asthma, treating asthma and common triggers of asthma.

It can sometimes be a little unnerving as parents to discover a sudden outbreak of spots or a rash on your kid’ skin. However having even just a few natural health remedies to hand can help make your job a little easier and ease the symptoms whilst you work out what’s causing the problem.

You might not realise, but all sorts of asthma and allergy triggers can accumulate in your home, especially house dust mites and mould. Check out these handy spring-cleaning tips to help reduce the impact of these common triggers at your place.

Asthma is a common New Zealand illness, affecting over 521,000 New Zealanders. It’s scary when it affects the child you care for, but the good news is that asthma can be well managed. Having knowledge about your child’s asthma, what their symptoms and triggers are, and about their medication will help you to keep them happy and well.

With asthma affecting 1 in 7 children, it’s important to understand how to deal with a potential asthma emergency. Learning how to assess someone with asthma, treat the emergency and give them the ‘All OK’ can be achieved by following the simple asthma steps, using the acronym A.S.T.H.M.A.

Settling young babies and getting them to sleep can be one of the hardest tasks to achieve as a parent. Before you know it, getting your young baby to sleep and to settle has become one of the most challenging things you have to deal with. These useful settling and sleep tips will help make your life a little easier.

New parents often ask how they can encourage their newborn baby to have good sleep patterns. However, it’s important to remember that newborns have very unpredictable sleep patterns in the first 6 to 8 weeks of their life and that each baby is different.

It’s often difficult to know where to start if your baby or child is having sleep problems or you’re looking to create some healthy sleep habits. That’s where a baby and child sleep consultant comes in! The role of a professional sleep consultant is to teach your child the skills necessary to happily sleep through the night and to take long, restful naps during the day. Find out if hiring a sleep consultant might work for you and your little one.

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is a risk for babies under the age of 1 years old. You may already know about some of the contributing factors which can cause SIDS, but there are also common myths and misconceptions out there that parents should know about too. It’s really important to dispel these myths which may prevent parents from taking the necessary steps to protect their baby.

Is your home really childproof? Have you minimised the potential risks or dangers which might cause your toddler or preschooler any harm? By taking a few precautions and being prepared you could prevent your kids from being seriously harmed or even save their life. Childproofing your home can help reduce the risk of burns, drowning, choking, poisoning or falls amongst other things that might occur.

Night waking in preschoolers is not uncommon and can sometimes be caused by nightmares or night terrors. But how do you know the difference between a nightmare and a night terror? Gaining an understanding of them both is key to determining the best way to handle them. We look at nightmares and night terrors in more detail and give you some tips on how to combat the possible underlying causes and help stop your preschooler’s episodes.

So what’s it like to become a new mum when you’re over the age of 40? As women are having babies later and later in life these days, the chances of becoming a first time mum when you’re over 40 is more evident than it used to be. Read this beautiful real account of becoming a mum in your 40s from New Shoots owner, Nikki Prendergast.

Finding and choosing the right babysitter or caregiver for your kids is a hugely important task and not always the easiest one. It is also a challenge that most parents will have to face at some point or another. Here are some tips of things to take into account and ways to help you find the perfect babysitter for your situation!

Do you try to avoid doing messy play activities with your kids? You’re not alone! Not all parents relish the idea of messy play. Even the thought of organising messy play activities can be quite stressful for some parents. Find out how to survive messy play sessions at your place - and stay sane in the process!

Find out how to make the most of grandparent childcare when you need some extra help and how to keep that relationship running smoothly. It’s a great way for grandparents and grandkids to spend time together, especially if you put a few guidelines in place.

Having young kids may seem like quite a workout routine on its own, but incorporating a strength training and conditioning routine into your busy life can actually give you more energy to cope with a hectic parenting routine. Here are 5 ways you can stay fit while raising young kids.

Raising young kids isn’t always easy, but as a single dad (or mum) it can sometimes be more of a challenge when you’re on your own. You don’t have a partner to help, and while family and friends are there for you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times. It won’t always be plain sailing, but these tips will help you on your way to becoming a successful single dad.

Are you wondering if you are experiencing symptoms of postnatal depression/anxiety or even antenatal anxiety/depression? We take a look at the symptoms, the problems with delayed diagnosis and the steps you can take to receiving help.

When antenatal or postnatal depression is left untreated or poorly managed, you and relationships in every part of your life can be affected. If the condition is left untreated, depressive symptoms will generally worsen over time. We take a look at some of the common consequences and what to do if you need help.

We take a look at common mistakes you’ll want to avoid when hiring a nanny. You want to find the best nanny for you and your family, but the pressure to find someone in a hurry can often cloud your judgement.

Have you been diagnosed with antenatal/postnatal depression or anxiety? If so, you are likely suffering from significant stress in your life. While everyone’s road to wellness will vary, here are some common things you can do to help your recovery from both a holistic perspective and through the use of medication. Plus steps you can take to help you get back on track.

Baby showers have been a popular tradition in the US for years and are now very popular in New Zealand too. Baby showers are a way for the expectant mother’s friends and family to say congratulations and for her to feel supported and loved when the baby arrives. Here are some easy ideas on planning a baby shower.

Deciding what to wear in your family photos can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. However if needn't be. Just take some time beforehand to think about the outfits the whole family is going to wear. A mismatch of clothes, shoes and accessories may make or break your photos and date them instantly. Use these tips to help you pick out the perfect wardrobe for everyone.

You like the idea of having an au pair and someone to help out with your children, but not too sure what it entails? These quick tips will give you an idea of what’s involved and what you need to think about when it comes to hiring an au pair for the first time.