The wonder weeks

Brooke Tasovac Dutch doctors Frans Plooj & Dr Hetty van de Rijt came up with the term ‘wonder weeks’ to describe the developmental leaps babies experience in their first 20 months of life. Each wonder week leads to your baby learning new skills they'll use for the rest of their life.

The baby fog: growth spurts and wonder weeks

Brooke Tasovac Your baby will sometimes seem moody and suddenly won't sleep or eat as normal. This can be the result of growth spurts and what's known as 'wonder weeks'.

The baby fog

Brooke Tasovac We look at some of the issues new parents can face and offer answers on queries parents often come up with, looking at breastfeeding and sleep issues, growth spurts and wonder weeks, illness, and parenting support.

The baby fog: sleep issues

Brooke Tasovac Waking in the middle of the night, although tiring, isn’t the only sleep challenge babies present to their parents. Before babies learn to sleep through the night, the family is likely to face several other sleep issues.

The baby fog

The baby fog: breastfeeding

Brooke Tasovac Breastfeeding can bring about many tricky issues for parents - and sometimes, you wouldn't even be aware of these challenges until you're facing them. We reveal some of these issues and how you can cope with them during those early months.

Child privacy: where do you draw the line?

Amity Dry With the rise of ‘Mummy bloggers,’ Twitter and Facebook we are all sharing stories and pictures of our offspring more than ever - but i it dangerous?

Q&A with Ann Paton from Tresillian

Staff writers When we recently hosted the EB mums morning tea, we asked Ann from Tresillian to share some of her knowledge and answer some questions our mums may have had on the day and here is what our mums were most concerned about.

Baby's first month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells Congratulations you have a brand new addition to your family! Whether it is your first or fifth plenty of Mums can't remember exactly what's it's like to have newborn, so find out about baby's first month on Essential Baby.

Baby's First Year - Month 9

Being a mum is often described as the toughest job in the world but also the most rewarding. We have included below some tips on how to get some often much needed instant energy. Baby adores your attention and we have some handy games for you to play together. This age is also one of potential accidents as baby starts to move around. Read below what you can do to avoid your little one being injured.

Baby's First Year - Month 12

Happy birthday and congratulations! You have made it through the first year with your baby which is often said to be the most exhausting but also incredibly rewarding. The first birthday party is very often for the parents to celebrate this great achievement! Your baby is moving rapidly into toddlerhood and you will be noticing significant changes. We have some tips for you here.

Learning to see

Watching your child develop and grow is one of the joys of parenthood. Actively participating in your child's development will ensure that your child realises his or her full visual potential.

Baby's First Year - Month 6

At this stage many parents introduce solid food for the first time. Solid food is actually assortments of purees. We have some tips to get you started below. Baby will also be continuing to absorb language and it is never too early to start reading and singing songs to your baby who just loves the sound of your voice!

Baby's First Year - Month 3

At 3 months old your baby is getting stronger and more interested in his surroundings. It is a good time to talk, sing and read to your baby who will now love this type of interaction. Some babies might even have settled into a routine and be sleeping more consistently, however most babies will still not sleep as well as many parents would hope.

Baby's fifth month: teething

Brooke Wells Tooth eruption rate is hereditary so if you or your baby’s father had teeth come in early or late, this is a good indication of how your own baby’s teeth will come in.

What really goes on at sleep school

Amber Robinson Tresillian Family Care centres provide intensive sleep stays for parents and carers. Here's what happened on our stay.

Developmental milestones: the first six months

It is important to realise that babies developmental progress varies greatly. Some children may miss out on developmental milestones all together - such as crawling.

Developmental milestones: the first year

Track your baby’s developmental progress with our milestone checklist guide.

Baby's First Year - Month 1

Your baby is born with some amazing abilities - he is not just a little sponge waiting to soak up experiences. From the moment he is born, his ability to snuggle into your neck, grip your finger tightly and look into your eyes will have you falling in love.

Baby's first month: breastfeeding

Brooke Wells Breastfeeding is often the first real challenge mothers face with their newborns. Rest assured there is plenty of advice and help to encourage and support you with this important job.

Baby's First Year - Month 2

In the early months so much is new that it is natural to wonder or worry about how your baby is feeding, sleeping and crying. Below we answer some of the questions most frequently asked about newborn cries, feeding, sleep and how you can interact with your baby at this age.

Baby's second month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells Early experiences are significant in shaping babies minds. A baby can begin to communicate as early as two months and will be able to smile and coo although crying is still his main form of expressing their needs.

Baby's second month: SIDS

Brooke Wells There is no known reason for SIDS but it is believed to be related to a baby’s inability to wake up when breathing irregularly, as part of a larger defect of the arcuate nucleus in the brain or elsewhere in the body that goes undetected.

Baby's third month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells Setting aside time a couple of times each day to have fun with your baby is important both for your baby’s development and for your relationship with your baby.

Baby's third month: routines

Brooke Wells A structured routine is not the same thing as a schedule. A schedule is about time slots whereas routine is about keeping up the same daily pattern and repeating that pattern every day.

Baby's First Year - Month 4

By four months your baby may be better at sleeping but if not we have some settling tips below. It is also time for the next set of immunisations, and a general health check up. If baby is suffering from nappy rash, which many will at some point we have information below on how to treat it.

Baby's fourth month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells By the age of four months, your baby will be able to follow a moving object with her eyes and look around and smile at people she sees frequently.

Baby's fourth month: delayed development

Brooke Wells In most instances, babies reach each developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting, walking, and talking right around the expected time, and if they don't they catch up soon.

Baby's First Year - Month 5

This could be the month of laughs and giggles. Your baby is discovering how she can gain your attention. She is also learning the principles of gravity. You may find yourself repeatedly picking up objects she is dropping. She may also be recognising her name, turning her head towards you when you call her.

Baby's fifth month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells Your baby will still be learning hand-eye co-ordination and will use his mouth to explore objects

Baby's sixth month: development, medical and sleep

Brooke Wells Your baby might have realised that he can use rolling as a way to transport himself, or he may skip it altogether and move on to sitting, lunging, and crawling.

Baby's sixth month: weaning

Brooke Wells There are a number of signs your baby will give you when they are ready to be weaned and start eating solids including showing a curiosity in food, chewing or lipsmacking.

Baby's First Year - Month 7

Your baby is developing his own personality and may also start to show the first signs of separation anxiety. It's a good idea to get baby used to close family members if you want some time to yourself. You can slowly introduce more foods to your baby being careful to watch for any reactions. If your baby is an early riser we have some tips to get you more sleep.

Baby's seventh month: stages of development

Brooke Wells Your baby’s hand to eye coordination is quite sharp by seven months, although teething may cause her some discomfort.

Baby's First Year - Month 8

Many parents are quite fascinated by their baby's poo and you will be noticing a few changes since she has been on solids. We have some tips below on what to do if your baby is constipated and what to look for. Your baby may also have cut some teeth. It is important to care for them from early on. Baby will need more cuddles and attention if she is finding teething uncomfortable.

Baby's eighth month: stages of development

Brooke Wells Your baby becomes increasingly sociable and affectionate towards familiar people by eight months.