Health & Wellbeing

Recent policy changes mean that newborn babies can now be enrolled with their GP soon after birth. An established relationship with a primary health care provider is a critical factor in children receiving essential healthcare and the timely delivery of immunisations.

Statistics show that 1 in 10 New Zealand babies arrive in the world too soon. The outlook for premature babies has improved dramatically in recent years, but despite medical advances, figures are on the increase. Learn about pre-natal complications, neonatal intensive care, early challenges and learning and development issues.

There are so many ways to go about toilet training or potty training your child. You may want to read up on a number of different options before you start, but this method of toilet training them in 3 days or less is definitely worth a look. The idea that your child could get comfortable using the potty in a few days may seem unbelievable to parents expecting toilet training to be a lengthy and difficult process. But 'quick-training' works for many parents and it isn't a recent trend.

The topic of immunisation for kids often throws up lots of discussion and strong view points, but remember the choice to immunise your children is yours to make.

Are you sure your home is really poison proof? It’s amazing how many poisons can be found around your house which you might not even be aware of. We take a look at common household poisons you're likely to find in your home, what preventative measures you can put in place and what to do if your child is poisoned.

No-one likes having plasters removed from their skin, not even adults! This simple and effective method will help remove plasters quickly and easily, and with minimal pain from your kids skin.

Life-Saving Lung Treatment for Premature Babies - Perhaps one of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time was developed by a New Zealander, Graham "Mont" Collingwood Liggins.

There’s many a theory on how to remove splinters, but this one using baking soda only takes a few minutes and doesn’t hurt your little ones!

Travelling with kids who have asthma can still be enjoyable if you take a few precautions. Whether you are heading off to the beach, the countryside or even overseas, good preparation can help keep your child’s asthma at bay while you’re away. Check out these helpful tips.

There are so many good reasons why babies sleep better when they're wearing or wrapped in the natural fibres of merino wool. Whether you’re using a merino blanket, merino sleeping bag, merino wrap or an underlay made from merino wool, they can all help your baby to sleep more soundly, sleep for longer and wake up less.

Reflux is simply defined as the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). The prevalence of reflux peaks between 1 to 4 months of age, and usually resolves by 6 to 12 months. Find out more about silent reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux, secondary reflux and the benefits of breastfeeding.

Needle pricks can look a lot worse than they actually feel (especially if you are a parent watching!) and any pain your child feels is over very quickly. However the whole experience can be made a little easier with these 5 Tips to help reduce the pain of the needle next time your little one has a vaccination.

Check out these tips on how to keep your kids' teeth healthy. From dental care to brushes, brushing and the effects of food, drink and medication.

Stranger anxiety is a normal, common part of your baby's or toddler's development. Just as babies and toddlers go through different phases of language development and motor development, they also go through different stages of social development. Stranger anxiety is one of these stages.

So what do you need when it comes to bathing your baby? Check out these essential baby bath time items to help make your life a little easier.

As parents we all dream about the possibilities for our children long before they ever realise them. However what happens if your child does not develop like the other children of his/her age. What should you do if you have a worry about your child’s learning or development?

It’s a fact, all babies get wind or produce gas! We take a look at where it comes from, why infant wind causes pain and discomfort and the treatment available for babies with wind problems.

Creating an eco-friendly nursery for your baby is a lot easier these days. There are lots of ways to make sure the nursery is non-toxic, safe and sustainable, while still making it ultra chic and a great place for your baby to sleep in.

Wet wipes have to be one of the most useful things you can carry around when you have a baby or little one in tow! Homemade wet wipes are easy to make and a lot cheaper than buying shop-bought wipes. By making your own wet wipes you’ll know what ingredients have gone into them too.

Do your kids suck their thumb? Thumb-sucking is common amongst young kids and a natural comforter. However when it comes to certain aspects of their development, thumb-sucking can become problematic. So what can you do to help stop your kids from sucking their thumb.

Unfortunately New Zealand does not have a great safety record when it comes to childhood accidents. We take a look at providing the safest environments for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to explore in and what risks you need to look out for.

This recipe is very easy to make. If you can melt something in a saucepan, you can make this natural baby bottom balm! Perfect for nappy rash.

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.

Is your house child-safe? You may have bought ‘child-safe’ products for your little one, but you will still need to supervise them at all times to avoid any potential hazards. Products that need you to be especially vigilant include baby walkers, prams and strollers, cots, pyjamas and bath seats to name a few.