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Latest News

Photos tackle taboo issue

Photograph: Robeccer McLean ACOCP 5 Jun | No one likes to see or hear of very sick children, yet Heartfelt, a photography exhibition by The Australian Community of Child Photographers (ACOCP) is about to shed new light on the subject.

How to have a baby on a budget

baby_1_90x60 JODIE MCEWEN 5 Jun | We didn’t set out on this parenthood journey looking to become financially rich, and yes, it takes money to raise a family. But how much does it really cost?

Directory
  1. Babycare
  2. Shop for baby equipment and accessories
  3. Buy baby gifts online

Study confirms cot death link to smoking

Quitting smoking during pregnancy LOUISE HALL 22 Apr | Australian researchers have discovered the first evidence that exposure to cigarette smoke induces abnormalities in babies' brains, putting them at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Older Mums, more babies

LOUISE HALL 14 Apr | More than one in five babies in NSW are born to mothers aged over 35, and almost one in three are delivered by caesarean section, latest figures reveal.

Directory

Breastfeeding helpline launched

Breastfeeding helpline launched ABA 19 Mar | 1800 mum 2 mum utilises the real-life experience of over 200 trained volunteer counsellors each week who help other mums with issues including expressing and storing milk, weaning, supply and what to do when baby simply says no.

More newborns tipping scales at over 4kg

Big Babies 16 Mar | Australian babies are becoming increasingly big bundles of joy, and health experts warn it's not always something to be happy about.

Teaching your baby sign language

Little Lucas signing 10 Mar | Babies learn to talk during the first two years of their life. By 10 to 14 months babies usually speak their first word but they can learn to use sign language from a much younger age.

Double is trouble when caring for premature babies

Essential Baby member Karen's baby Ethan was born at 33 weeks. JULIE ROBOTHAM 10 Mar | Care facilities for the most fragile premature babies are under mounting pressure in NSW, as a baby boom collides with rising numbers of twins - the result of fertility treatment and the increasing age of new mothers.

Baby essentials

Fact sheets

  • Prams and strollers
  • SIDS sleeping dos and don'ts.
  • Ten breastfeeding tips
  • Australian Breastfeeding Association

Video

    Being a Dad: The first weeks Being a Dad: supporting breastfeeding Being a Dad: settling techniques Being a Dad: post-natal depression Being a Dad: work and family

Baby's first year

    Free monthly guides to track your baby's development

Features archive

  • Sex after baby
  • Baby, you're just too hip
  • Congrats it's a $500,000 bill!
  • Cats and bubs

Diaries

    Read member diaries or create your own.

Newsletters

    Sign up for newsletters here!

News archive

  • You choose your baby's name, why not choose their face?
  • Ban on baby bottles chemical
  • 'Silence' on risks of baby formula
  • Babyproofing your dog
  • Childhood abuse may change stress gene
  • The flawless family
  • Child neglect linked to feeding
  • Babies fed on alcohol, food dye
  • For better, for worse
  • Mum, 70, wants second baby
  • 2008's most popular baby names
  • Jessica's honesty over baby blues
  • Half working men allowed parental leave
  • A good year for making babies
  • Researcher seeks way to soothe colic
  • Adoption made easier
  • Are Norwegian breasts better?
  • The sins of the mothers
  • Lesbian mothers legal rights
  • Breastfed bubs' expansive tastes
  • Baby smiles addictive
  • More to babies than bonus
  • Australian babies not breastfed enough
  • Drop off kids, turn up for facial!
  • Age-old problem afflicts children

Features

The wonderful world of newborn twins

Twins Congratulations! I’m going to assume that as you are reading this you have either found out that you are going to have twins, or perhaps you have twins that you've prepared earlier.

Baby naming ceremonies

Naming Ceremony Naming and welcoming ceremonies have been part of family and community life for centuries. Almost every culture has a ceremony or a ritual designed to celebrate or mark the occasion of birth.

Directory

Birth Trauma

Birth de-briefing Birth trauma can affect any woman who has given birth. Although it is experienced by many women, most women do not talk about it and many may not even know they have it. This silence does nothing to help women move past their trauma; it is my hope that this article will help you along the path to recovery.

Raising eco-babies

Raise a green eco baby The way we live, eat, drink, travel, shop, communicate and live our lives affects our eco-footprint. These days everyone is being urged to make changes to their lifestyles to reduce the impact we have on the Earth. Raising babies and children are among the most important things we will do in a lifetime, and doing it as environmentally friendly as possible, may be the most important thing we can do for their future.

Five tips for the new Dad

New dad So, you’re a new Dad. No doubt you are well prepared and have read a lot of parenting books... hmm I didn’t think so! Read five key tips here to help you, and your partner, with your new arrival.

  • The value of reading to children

    The value of reading

    By reading to our children, we are fostering curiosity, imagination and creativity and increasing the chance of academic success and positive life experiences.

  • EB blogger Ghania Dib

    Discussing death with your children

    As a mother, I have discovered that there are a number of topics which are difficult to explain to young children. One particular topic is death.

  • Mothers managing work and family

    Working Mum?

    Are you doing the working Mum juggle? Chat with other working Mums in the EB forums.

  • Sex after baby

    Daily sex urged for budding dads

    Having sex every day improves the quality of men's sperm and is recommended for couples trying to conceive.

  • Collette Dinnigan

    Collette Dinnigan – mother and designer

    Collette Dinnigan is one of Australia’s most successful fashion designers. A working mother, Collette took the time to chat with Essential Baby about how motherhood has taught her to slow down.

  • pink_baby_90x60

    Are you leaving it too late?

    Fertility experts have called for an urgent public debate on the trend for women to delay motherhood because many of them still do not understand how rapidly fertility declines after the age of 35.

  • fertile plant

    Find out when you're fertile

    Increase your chances of getting pregnant by determining when you are most fertile with Essential Baby's Ovulation Calculator.

  • Guidelines for harmonious living

    Creating family rules

    Children need to be socialised so that they can live and work successfully in the world at large.

  • Working Mums share their tips on getting everyone up and out the door!

    Practical tips for working Mums

    Essential Baby members and full-time working mothers share their tips on how they juggle work, children, and getting everyone up and out the door every morning. On time!

  • 90x60_redbag

    Packing your hospital bag

    The days of grabbing your keys, mobile and wallet and heading out the door are soon to be over, and it all starts with the birth!

  • Natalie Bloom

    Natalie Bloom - mother, businesswoman

    Natalie Bloom who took her hobby into a global business chats with Essential Baby about the challenges of being a working mother and how making an effort to get ‘me time’ makes her a better mother.

  • ed picks

    Editor's Pick

    Choosing what to feature in Ed's Picks is the hard part! This edition we feature EMU boots (for Mums), Itch clothing, Sleepy Bub's massage oil and more...

  • Paid maternity leave

    Working Mums

    Find all you need to know about parental leave, the baby bonus, family tax benefits, child care rebates and more in Essential Baby's comprehensive guide to the Federal Budget.

  • tracy_jane_90x60

    Remembering Jane: Tracy Bevan on Jane McGrath

    22nd June 2009 is the one year anniversary of Jane McGrath's passing. Tracy Bevan speaks about her best friend Jane and her battle with breast cancer to Tracey Spicer.

  • Products and Competitions

    Essential Baby Bargains

    We bring you the latest bargains on baby and kids' clothes, nursery items and toys.

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We are Discussing...

  • What's the stupidest thing you've been teased about?
  • Lightweight quilt ok in pram for newborn?
  • moving to Sydney..where is a good place to live?
  • For the Twilight and True Blood fans
  • Angelcare Monitor - False Alarms?
  • Update on Sarah - back in hospital :(
  • Home Organisers' General Chat # 3
  • wallpaper?
  • newsreaders paypacket
  • What do you like best? 3 options for a middle name for luca

Essentials

300w_pregnancy_test1

Increase your chances of getting pregnant

Determine when you are most fertile with Essential Baby's Ovulation Calculator.

Kylie Orr's blogWhose party is it really?

Kylie Orr For my eldest son's first birthday, my husband suggested we find a babysitter and go to the pub. The child would not know the difference and we needed to celebrate the fact we were still alive.

Mum in ProfileCollette Dinnigan – mother and designer

Collette Dinnigan Collette Dinnigan is one of Australia’s most successful fashion designers. A working mother, Collette took the time to chat with Essential Baby about how motherhood has taught her to slow down.

Joseph Kelly's blogPoor Dad's hair raising experience

EB blogger Joseph Kelly Frances and Maisie have borrowed one distinctive characteristic from my youth – the blond afro. While Maisie’s curls have started to grow out, Frances has such a tightly sprung head of hair she looks like the unkempt spawn of Sideshow Bob. All of which is great until you try and run a comb through it.

Amity Dry's blogSurrogacy - could you do it?

Amity Dry Sarah Jessica Parker and actor husband Matthew Broderick have welcomed twin baby girls born to a surrogate. EB Blogger Amity Dry discusses the emotional minefield the experience must be for all involved.

Feature memberA beautiful but broken heart

Ky and Mark and their children Daniel and Bella. Scratch just below the surface and you will find a family who is grieving the loss of three children.

This month's favesEditor's Pick

ed picks Choosing what to feature in Ed's Picks is the hard part! This edition we feature EMU boots (for Mums), Itch clothing, Sleepy Bub's massage oil and more...

Conception

Conception | Essential Baby Parenting Australia
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Pregnancy

Pregnancy | Essential Baby Parenting Australia
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Baby

Baby | Essential Baby Parenting Australia
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Toddler

Toddler | Essential Baby Parenting Australia
  • Your toddler
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Kids

Kids | Essential Baby Parenting Australia
  • Your kids
  • Education
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  • Health & Nutrition

Essential Baby is the place to find great information, resources and support relating to conception, pregnancy, birth, baby, toddlers, kids and parenting.  Find information about conception, pregnancy, maternity, baby names, contact information for baby support services and more. You can shop online for baby clothes, maternity clothes, maternity accessories, breastfeeding clothes and nursing wear, nappies, mothers bags, baby toys, nursery products and more.  You can also access our very active discussion groups to talk to others about conception, pregnancy, birth, baby and parenting or to get advice on shopping for maternity wear.

Today's Top 5 Articles

 
Today's Top 5 Articles
  1. The value of reading
  2. Do your in-laws drive you crazy? Coping tips for new parents
  3. Taking your kids to the office
  4. Are you leaving it too late?
  5. Daily sex urged for budding dads
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