Baby Development
Why ‘baby talk’ is good for your baby
People often tell new parents to avoid sing-song "baby talk" with their new addition to the family because it will slow the child's language development.
Lisa Wilkinson says parents are 'crazy' for allowing kids access to iPads
Lisa Wilkinson has slammed parents who expose their toddler children to technology.
Why you should never tell a parent to 'just wait and see'
When I became a parent I learned to fear many things – trucks, motorbikes, sunny streets with no shade, any kind of renovations and especially lawnmowers.
Children inherit intelligence from their mothers
Mothers have always been good at passing on advice, now it seems they are also likely to be the ones responsible for how intelligent their children are.
When your babies miss their milestones
Babies grow at different rates. They're all wonderful little creatures who do things in their own time.
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.
Breastfeeding
Help! My baby won't drink my expressed breast milk
"I need my baby to drink my milk because I am going back to work in a couple of weeks – please tell me I won't have to ditch my entire freezer stash!"
How one mum is helping others to honour their breastfeeding journeys
A Queensland mother and jewellery designer has devised a beautiful – and incredibly unique – way to honour women's breastfeeding journeys.
Life with a Baby
Baby hears late mum sing thanks to kind strangers
Baby James will sadly never know his mother's loving touch. But, thanks to the work of strangers, the little boy is lulled to sleep by her voice each night.
The device that allows you to bottle feed and use your phone at the same time
"It dawned on me that I could do some catch-up work while he fed, but I needed something to help me hold a bottle and my smartphone."
Nurse cuts off part of newborn's finger
A newborn baby is without the tip of one finger after a nurse accidentally cut it off with scissors.
Baby Care
12 babywearing myths - busted
Myths like this sometimes mean that parents who may have benefited from babywearing miss out, so it's time we did some myth busting.
Frightening moment a hospital worker catches a newborn with one hand
Leaving hospital for the first time with your baby is a big moment for all parents, but this father's excitement quickly turned to terror when he accidentally dropped his newborn out of a carrier.
'Think before you kiss a baby', mum warns
Coldsores may not be harmful to adults, but the herpes virus that causes them can be very serious for babies, and in some cases it's fatal.
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.
Baby Sleep
The wonder cot that soothes crying babies back to sleep
Promising to come to the aid of exhausted parents, the high-tech bassinet can detect when a baby is crying and soothe them back to sleep.
Child sleeping on her head frightens babysitter
Babies can sometimes get themselves into unusual positions while sleeping, but this youngster has the makings of an acrobat.
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?
Baby Food
Family rituals to make mealtimes easier: mums share their tips
Special rituals, as well as favourite cutlery and plates, can make dinner times less challenging and a lot more fun!
Keep your growing kids healthy
Tips to help you support your kids through some of the most common children’s health challenges.
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
Baby Health
Baby bottles fail world standard, study finds
Parents could be accidentally overfeeding their babies because more than half of all baby bottles sold in Australia have inaccurate measurements, a study shows.
Loud shirts the call to help deaf children
A range of tests in baby Oliver's first month proved he could effectively hear nothing. But today he can hear – and talk – as well as any two-year-old, and his parents want everyone to don "loud" shirts next week to help others with the same problem.
Baby born with adult-size tongue can finally smile
A baby born with an adult-sized tongue can now show off her smile after undergoing life-changing surgery.
How the way you’re born and fed can affect your immune system
Vaginal or caesarean, bottle- or breastfed: it all influences our gut microbes and future health.
Meningococcal vaccine shortage prompts concerns during peak season
The recent death of a child in Western Australia from meningococcal disease and a worldwide shortage of a vaccine for one strain of the bacteria is spreading fear among parents as health authorities warn to be on the lookout for symptoms.
Why I didn't realise my children were allergic to milk
I don't know how I could have missed it, but it took almost eight months before I realised that my twin girls are allergic to cow's milk.
Education & Play
Early touchscreen use may help fine motor skills in toddlers, study finds
If you're feeling guilty about giving your little one the iPad so you can have a few moments' peace/do the laundry/catch up on some work - here's some welcome news.
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.
Baby Products
Real mums review the ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bag
We asked the Essential Baby Real Mums' Review Team to check out the new ergoPouch Spring/Summer 1.0 Tog Sleep Suit Bag - here's what they thought.
Divine Marimekko baby dresses by Karlacola
An Aussie mum of three makes divine baby dresses from Marimekko fabric.
The high-tech stroller with headlights and a phone charger
Yes, it has both headlight and taillights, as well as a phone charger.