Babycare

Having a new baby, particularly your first, is one of the most exciting events of your life, but at times it can also feel like one of the most frightening.

Crying

A cry can mean many things and learning to understand what each one indicates can help you understand your baby's needs.

Starting solids

Introducing food to a baby’s diet is one of the biggest milestone of the first six months.

Child nutrition – fact or fiction?

EB staff writers We put six common beliefs to the test.

Baby Bath Activities

Brooke Wells Bath time doesn’t have to be structured play – as long as it’s safe, you should encourage any bath activities that make bath time a fun experience for your child. Just be prepared to get splashed!

Baby's first bath

Brooke Wells It can be difficult to know to bathe your baby properly because there are so many safety factors to consider.

Baby First Aid

Little Aid Congratulations on your new little bundle! No doubt you’ve had the roller-coaster of euphoria, fear, joy, fear, contentment, fear, happiness and... “Jeez this is just too much!”

Parenting support: where to get help

A helpful guide to contact information if you are looking for help, support or assistance.

New push for baby seat fix

Barry Park A review of infant restraints might bring benefits and problems.

Mums air dirty laundry and have hit on their hands

Nicole Brady The newest arrival on the parenting shelves began, of course, with a status update on facebook New mother Bunny Banyai wrote.

Is it time your baby saw a chiropractor?

Rebecca Martin Treating infants is relatively new in chiropractic terms, but the practice is growing in popularity. The big question is: does it work?

The pros and cons of dummies

Brooke Tasovac Pros and cons of dummies - what parents need to know before they start using them.

Baby knows best

Letting kids decide what to eat and when may be better than forced weaning.

Let's not sling off at a parenting option that does work

Zoe Morrison Babies in slings should be closely monitored - but that applies to everything.

Baby's first bath

Brooke Wells It can be difficult to know to bathe your baby properly because there are so many safety factors to consider.

Money saver

Disposable income: how modern cloth nappies can save a bundle

Rachel Wells Most Australian parents are choosing convenience over cost when it comes to nappies.

Settling techniques: newborn - 12 months

Tresillian Tips Learning how to self-settle and go to sleep is a skill babies usually gain during the first year of life.

Nannies 'vital' for gender equality

Kelsey Munro Why don't we have a nanny culture in Australia? Because of cost, culture and tradition, prominent woman say.

I'm breaking up with my baby whisperer

Erin Ivancic Dear Tizzie, It's not me...it's you. Your book was a godsend at the start, I followed it to the tee from 8 weeks. You stated that any baby using your routine would be sleeping through within 3-6 days. Well I hate to tell you, but it's been 6 months!

Advice for expectant mothers

Amity Dry Yes, labour will hurt, as much as you’re expecting and possibly more. Some people fall instantly in love with their baby, for some it’s a gradual process. In the first few days you will cry at some stage. Amity shares her experiences of new motherhood.

Child nutrition – fact or fiction?

EB staff writers We put six common beliefs to the test.

Does what you eat affect breastmilk?

Cherie Lyden Breastmilk is full of essential nutrients and is all a baby needs for the first six months of it’s life. But, what about our diet?

ASK BETH

Can I get some sleep too?

Beth Barclay My 13 week old has reflux and feeds every 2 hours, taking 2 hours to settle - often more unsettled at night. How do I best deal with reflux and how can I get some sleep too?

Creative baby food mash-ups

Cherie Lyden Creating your own baby food may take time to make, but reaps the rewards in the end. Here's some creative ideas to get you started.

Top super foods for babies

Cherie Lyden By now, hopefully all of us have heard about super foods. For those who haven’t, they’re everyday natural foods, which are high in nutrients and antioxidants to help keep the body healthy.

In praise of nannies

Mia Freedman Mary Poppins was not a horrible bitch. Neither was Maria from The Sound of Music. Both women were strong and wise, with the purest of hearts and kindest of intentions. They were also nannies.

Bin the 'bling' baby dummies: authorities

Bejewelling your baby with a "bling" dummy is not only banned in Australia but could put the child at serious risk of choking, the Department of Consumer Protection has warned.

Formula basics: how to prepare a bottle

Staff writers If you’ve decided it’s the right time to wean or place your baby on formula, here are the basics to formula feeding.

Raising a vegetarian baby

Staff writers Many people choose to live a vegetarian lifestyle for health and ethical reasons, yet question whether they should raise their children accordingly. Ultimately it’s a personal choice, however with the right planning, it is perfectly possible to provide an adequate vegetarian diet to an infant or toddler.

Stealing your baby pays off for dads

Gareth Cook WheneverI hear that a friend is going to be a dad, I tell him: steal the baby from your wife.

Sleep & Settle session: a very happy mother and baby

We recently ran a promotion to win a Sleep & Settle session in your home with Mothercraft Nurse Beth Barclay and one of our lucky winners talks to us about the session, what tips she learned and how happy she and bub now are!

It's the bottom line: no nappies, no mess

James Woodford There is a way for dads to avoid guilt trips at the change table.

Red Nose Day – Be silly for a serious cause this June!

Red Nose Day, one of Australia’s favourite fundraisers, is calling on your support this June.

Babies need solids early to ward off some allergies: study

Julia Medew Australian guidelines advising mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies until six months could be putting children at risk of allergies and coeliac disease, a controversial study suggests.

Happy family mealtimes

EB staff writers When you have young children, the family table can feel like a battleground – fussy eating leads to arguments which often end in tantrums. It’s not fun for anyone. Here’s how to regain some control and make mealtimes happy again.

Starting solids

Introducing food to a baby’s diet is one of the biggest milestone of the first six months.

ASK BETH

When Grandma won't follow your sleep routine

Beth Barclay We find it hard to get into a routine as we have our baby minded by his grandmothers 2 days a week who rock him to sleep and leave him napping on their lap? Is this the reason he is not self settling for us?

Does my baby need organic food?

Cherie Lyden The choice of food you introduce to your baby is a personal one. We all want what’s best for our baby, especially when it comes to food.