Baby Development
How do you discipline your young baby? You don't
My 7-month old baby is a holy terror - it seems like I'm always saying "No" to him, but he just ignores me.
Babies are cleverer than we think
Eight-month-old babies know when they need another's person help – and act accordingly, finds new research examining the way infants develop their early communication skills.
Month-by-month guides to your baby's first year
This is a month by month guide to your baby's first year.
Baby talk: how to help kids discover language
In the beginning, don't worry how stupid you feel - just talk. When a baby is a newborn the content doesn't matter, and language learning has already begun in the womb.
Babies know whether you are naughty or nice
Studies have shown that infants in the first months of life try to avoid dealing with social wrongdoers - for example, sharing less with them and helping them less - and they expect others to, too.
How baby talk is beneficial for brain development
When I do talk to the baby, he ignores me anyway. How important is it to talk to the baby? And if it is important, what should I talk about?
Breastfeeding
The park bench making life easier for new mums
Here's some breastfeeding news that will have you cheering.
Beautiful photos show baby's 'breast crawl' after birth
Jessica was keen to allow her baby daughter to attempt the breast crawl, and her care providers were supportive of the idea.
Life with a Baby
Why we need to give boys space to be themselves
"It's time we stopped rigidly defining what boys are allowed to be" writes Jane Caro.
The working mum who makes multi-tasking look easy
Work and kids: it's the ultimate parenting juggle that we've all faced in one way or another. Dr Megan Meier is no different.
Paternity leave: a pile of poo and princesses
Taking time off work for paternity leave had its highs and lows writes Mathew Dunckley.
Baby Care
The US has banned antibacterials in soap. Should we do the same?
Australia should follow the US example and ban some antibacterial chemicals from everyday soaps as they could be causing serious health problems, scientists say.
Colic in babies: what it is, and how to treat it
Colic can affect up to 20 per cent of babies - and what works for one baby may not work for another.
The simple thing about nappies we've all been getting wrong
While we are busy juggling the big stuff, it is easy to overlook some of the details - like this nappy knowledge.
How a cardboard box can give a baby a healthy start to life
Baby boxes given out to to all new mothers have long been credited with saving baby's lives in Finland, now more countries are getting on board with the concept.
Would you put your baby outside to sleep?
When television personality Jessica Rowe was holidaying in Iceland last week she noticed something that caught her eye - babies sleeping in prams outside cafes and restaurants.
Australia's first baby spa opens in Perth
Sure it's aimed at a niche demographic, but it's sweet to see babies blissing out at Baby Spa Perth.
Baby Sleep
Too many parents still putting babies in unsafe bedding
A study found that a whopping 91 per cent of four-week-old babies had been placed in cots with unsafe bedding.
Putting your baby to sleep: some good news
What parents don't need to stress about is that their methods will cause more harm or have long-term negative consequences.
The doll that promises to help your child sleep better
Parents are clamouring for a doll that helps send little ones off to sleep by "sounding a bit like Darth Vader".
The bedtime bottle: will it really make your baby sleep?
How often have you been told "Just give your breastfed baby a bottle of formula at bedtime to make him sleep"? But does it work?
Researchers claim controlled crying 'does no harm'
The short and long term consequences of controlled crying are under the spotlight with new Australian research suggesting no harm results from the practice.
The luxury of merino wool sleep bags and PJs for babies
Baby will sleep soundly in the amazing winter sleep products from Merino Kids.
Baby Food
Tips for dealing with mealtime fussiness
It can be frustrating, worrying, and turn into a battle of wills - but it doesn't have to be like that
The hidden dangers in your children's food
Terms like 'natural', 'organic' and 'wholegrain' make us think that a food is healthy, but really they can be used to mask the truth of what lies below.
Savoury muffins for babies and toddlers
Muffins are good for lunches, snacks, parties, picnics, finger food, the car, the lunchbox, and, best of all, the freezer.
Baby Health
A wedding of hope and joy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Canberra Hospital has celebrated its first wedding, a very emotional event for all concerned.
Antibiotic use when babies linked to allergies
Babies given antibiotics in the first two years of life are more likely to develop allergies as adults, according to an extensive analysis of past clinical studies involving nearly 400,000 people.
Choking fears around new Apple AirPod headphones
How practical and safe are the new iPhone AirPods?
Creatine may play role in healthy birth weight
A substance used by athletes could be the key to a healthy birth weight for babies? It's a novel theory that has found some solid footing in Australian research published today.
What baby Heidi's parents want you to know about whooping cough
It's a heartbreaking video that's difficult to watch, but that's just what Sydney mum of two Sandra wants people to do.
Should children be given antibiotics in their first year?
Here are the the pros and cons of giving antibiotics to young babies.
Education & Play
How colour can affect your baby's development
Colourful kids spaces don’t only look great, but can assist in learning and behaviour, too.
10 beautiful books to buy now for later
These books make a great idea for baby showers, christenings, naming days, and early birthdays too.
Your one-year-old is more creative than you might think
Even one-year-olds can be very exploratory, experimental and creative.
Baby's water survival video divides viewers
Is it responsible parenting, or is this baby being subjected to unnecessary distress? That's the question dividing viewers of a video showing a six-month-old girl fending for herself in a swimming pool after being enticed to fall into the water.
Baby's future imagined in cute photo series
A French dad has captured his 3-month-old daughter, June, in a series that shows her in outfits of different professions in order to show the possibilities ahead of her. The dad, Malo, says that he, his wife and a few friends work quickly to avoid tiring the baby out.
Traditional toys beat gadgets in language development
Baby laptops and other talking, flashing toys that promise to improve children's language skills may do the exact opposite.
Baby Products
May Gibbs' 'Gumnut Babies' turns 100 with a special centenary edition
It's time to celebrate the centenary of May Gibbs' very first book release, Gumnut Babies.
Spotlight on Plum at the Essential Baby and Toddler Show
In the lead up to the Essential Baby and Toddler Show, we're putting the spotlight on some of the exhibitors.
Fatherhood to the beat of Daniel's drum
Daniel Gibney knew fatherhood would change him, but he didn't realise it would lead to a global business venture for his family.