Parenting

Babysitter

Inside a car temperatures can increase 75% within the first five minutes.

Kids in hot cars

Kidsafe With summer well and truly on its way, so are the safety risks when combining kids, cars and hot weather. The heat of an Australian summer can be extreme and it can be dangerous for kids.

Nannies can be a super option

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Lisa Wachsmuth The nanny is not just limited to the wealthy anymore. With many families having both the mother and father working, hiring a nanny is becoming a more popular option, writes Lisa Wachsmuth.

Off-road with the rugrats

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Sheridan Rhodes Mum's the word as two daredevil parents take their bubs on a 4WD tour of outback South Australia.

Glued to the set - taming the television

Kid watching TV

Tania Andrusiak and Daniel Donahoo It could be any household, any evening, anywhere: fights over the remote, battles about unfinished homework, another skirmish lost against reality TV, tired parents wondering if it’s ever okay to use...

Extreme mothering

Samantha Pearson, attachment parenting, with the kids.

Alison Cameron A preschooler feeding from his or her mother's breast can raise an eyebrow or two. But those who adopt attachment-parenting techniques, such as extended breastfeeding, communal sleeping and "wearing"...

Search for live-in help

Rachel Browne Almost unheard of a decade ago, au pairs are increasingly popular among families unable to find child care or put off by the fees of up to $100 a day.

Specialised pregnancy support groups

If you are experiencing pregnancy-related problems, rest assured you can find support on Essential Baby.

Find a nanny you can rely on

Search Australia’s largest source of child care with over 48,000 profiles of nannies & babysitters. It’s easy and it really works!

Take our quick survey

Have you travelled with the kids in tow? We'd love to hear your feedback.

Public or Private Hospital?

I could be out of pocket by going private – money that I could otherwise use for my maternity leave. Is it really worth that cost or should I think about going public instead?

The bedtime shuffle

Putting kids to bed is one of those exercises that seems to get harder the more you practice it. A lot like golf, only far less fun.

Cooper's story

When Cooper came into our world it changed everything. It turned our world upside down, it changed us, it changed our family.

Weekly guide to your pregnancy

Find out what changes are happening to your body and see how your baby is developing each week of your pregnancy.

Has a midwife made you cry?

Not all midwives are created equal. I’ve had some amazing midwives throughout my three pregnancies. And I’ve had some shockers.

Planning for the first six weeks of a baby's life

They're a hugely unsettling time, so a little planning will go a long way.

New child restraint laws FAQ

Read our frequently asked questions to find out more about the introduction of new national child restraint laws for 0-7 year olds.

Find A Babysitter

Essentials Editor's Pick Mum in Profile Feature Member

FindABabysitter.com.au was so easy!

"After posting a nanny job we were inundated with so many qualified people. We found a fantastic nanny straight away." - Mary, QLD.

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