Current competitions & offers

Win a Safety 1st Custodian Plus car seat and travel pack

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You can win a Safety 1st car seat featuring Air Protect side-impact technology and a travel pack, valued at $290.

Win a Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy

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You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.

Jay Laga'aia 'Ten in the Bed' giveaway

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You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.

Win a Babyography voucher

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You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.

Congratulations

Essential Baby competition winners

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Congratulations to our EB competition winners who have entered some of our fabulous promotions, winning them some amazing prizes from holidays, prams, beauty products and more!

More chances to win

More competitions on Essential Kids!

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Hop over to our sibling site for more great family deals and competitions.

Forum chat

2013

Baby in 2013?

Chat with other women due at the same time as you in the EB forum's 'due in groups'.

Activities

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Kid's activities

Essential Kids offers great activity worksheets, including colouring-in pages, mazes, and other craft activities for kids - all FREE!

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Download now: Essential Kids Activity Finder app

Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.

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Helping families keep up-to-date

We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.

convos with my 2-year-old

Video: Convos with my 2-year-old

It’s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter – but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.

Child restraints

ISOFIX child seats finally approved for Aussie families

At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.

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Warning on NSW mumps outbreak

NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.

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Shower tragedy shows need for postnatal help

The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.

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Family cycling: options for carrying kids on bikes

Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.

iud mirena

Why the Mirena IUD wasn’t right for me

For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake – and I've since learnt I'm not alone.

baby in box

The babies who sleep in boxes

In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child’s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.

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The ultrasound you can touch

In parents’ ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.

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Losing (then refinding) my 'me'

Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ‘me’ identity and replaced it with ‘mum’. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.

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The Kate Winslet double standard

Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.

IVF

Discount IVF can come at a cost

It has a lower success rate than the usual IVF process, but a new stripped-down version of the fertility treatment can cost less than half as much as the full service.

foster

It's time to pay our foster carers properly

Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?

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Lisa Curry trying for a baby at 51

Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she’s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.

the first years

Free: 'The First Year' ebook

Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!

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Competitions

Carseat_thumb

Win a Safety 1st Custodian Plus car seat and travel pack

You can win a Safety 1st car seat featuring Air Protect side-impact technology and a travel pack, valued at $290.

buggyCosmo_Thumb

Win a Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy

You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.

jaylaga2013Thumb

Jay Laga'aia 'Ten in the Bed' giveaway

You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.

Babyography_Thumb1

Win a Babyography voucher!

You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.

It's party time!

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Planning the perfect party?

Find everything you need to plan your next kids party. Essential Kids has ideas for kids party themes, free printable invites, cake ideas and tips for party games.

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