Secret society
Mia Freedman There are some questions almost too big to answer. Or too loaded. "How many times have you been pregnant?" is one of them.
Motherhood a piece of cake? You're kidding
Jo Case Smug musings of privileged women don't help mothers struggling with family life.
Healthy pregnancy weight best for baby
Julia Medew Women planning to give birth have a further reason to keep fit after research found that the bigger the mother, the bigger their baby.
Nine steps to a healthier, greener household
Natalia Forrest It is becoming more and more apparent that substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates are a potential danger to ourselves and especially our children. Here are nine steps – five relatively easy, and four that might be a bit more of a challenge, but well worth considering – that you can take to start eliminating BPA and Phthalates from your life.
The toxic danger in every household
Natalia Forrest What if you were told that your child is coming in to daily contact with a substance that has been linked to cancer, obesity and other serious health complaints?
Three-in-a-bed: The mothers outsourcing sex to save their marriages
Dida Bella Every Saturday I spend 3-4 hours at the new “confessional” in my country town – the day spa. There, like minded ladies talk, bitch and weep. We strip ourselves bare, physically and emotionally.
Sex and baby
Although everyone’s different, a new baby will inevitably have some impact on your sex life. Here Sarah Scheller O’Donnell explains what to expect before, during and after pregnancy
How to treat colds and flu in babies
All infants at some point suffer from the common cold. It’s not a pleasant experience but neither is it a cause for alarm. Babies’ immune systems are still developing and they are likely to catch colds several times within the first year. Sleep and regular fluid intake are essentially the only treatments.
'Love drug' may help mums bond to babies
Danielle Teutsch A hormone nasal spray may help mothers bond better with their babies.
Scientists to test treatments for children who shun food
Linda Morris A team of Australian scientists will seek to pinpoint the best course of treatment for young problem eaters in a bid to reverse an unprecedented surge in the number of malnourished children who require medical intervention for food refusal.
Small steps can shape your future
A commitment to fitness sits high atop most New Year's resolution lists. Those who lack fitness want to get closer to it; those who are fit want to tweak, tone, maintain and manage.
Obsession with possessions has us chasing happiness down blind alleys
Christopher Bantick It seems that Australians have a problem being happy. Researchers at the University of Michigan had Australia coming in at number 22, one place below Britain and seven below New Zealand, on their international happiness index.
Learning how to use leisure well
Caroline West The summer holidays can offer a rare opportunity to shut off from the demands of work and enjoy a little of that precious commodity, leisure - freely disposable time that we can use as we choose. Time in which we can do "something, anything or nothing", as an essayist once said.
Surgeons fear rapid rise in super obese
Jill Stark Almost 500,000 Australians are ''super obese'', a five-fold increase over two decades, with weight-loss surgeons reporting they are treating more patients at serious risk of premature death.
Our A to Z of what's good for you - and when it's not
Kate Benson Confused by seemingly contradictory health advice? You're not alone. Here we guide you through the very latest research.
Busting breast cancer myths
Bronwyn McNulty Tall tales about what causes breast cancer can do more harm than good, writes Bronwyn McNulty.
Calm mother, calm baby
Renée Mill As a mum, have you thought about your temperament and its potential effect on your child? You and your child are in a relationship that is very intense from conception. After birth, your baby absorbs your moods and nuances, no matter how subtle. He is fine-tuned that way.
Allergy essentials
Dr Anna Pham There seems to be an increasingly level of public awareness around children and allergies, yet not everyone understands the basics, nor how vital allergies can be. Read the basics here.
Less than half women check breasts
AAP Australian women believe in checking their breasts for signs of cancer but fewer than half actually do it, a survey has found.
Old battles for new mums
Kate Benson Medical Reporter Putting on weight during pregnancy is expected and encouraged, but for some women it can release demons long since exorcised.
Blog your way to happiness
Elissa Baxter Today, blogging is so ubiquitous that health professionals have begun investigating the health effects of blogging as an activity.
Obese mums-to-be urged to diet
Louise Hall and Kylie Davis Obese pregnant women should be encouraged to limit their weight gain or even lose weight, experts say, as evidence builds that shedding kilos may not only do no harm to mother and child but might benefit them.
Snuggling is good for stress
AAP Hugging and kissing can lower levels of stress hormones in the body, new research suggests.
Weighty problems born of bad pregnancy diet
Jennifer Brown Eating junk food during pregnancy could have a bigger impact on childhood obesity, liver disease and diabetes than whether a mother is overweight, according to a study conducted on monkeys.
Thursday Plantation
Thursday Plantation’s newly reformulated organic range is pure nurturing for your family. Visit thursdayplantation.com
Guilt-free 'me-time'
I know a lot of parents, women in particular, who struggle with 'me time' - otherwise known as time away from your children to do something, anything, without interruption. We all legitimately need child-free time to refresh and re-energise.
