Podcast series
Toddler Development
At what age should your child drop their afternoon nap?
Here's Essential Baby's handy guide to napping.
ADVICE: How do I criticise my three-year-old without upsetting her?
Choose your boundaries and critiques, hold them, and let everything else go.
A stubborn, difficult two-year-old? Sounds about right
It should comfort you a bit to know that what you are experiencing is developmentally appropriate and you are not alone.
Treating suspected autism at 12 months
Children with autism don't usually begin therapy until they're given a diagnosis, which rarely occurs before the age of two. But new research shows there's benefit to starting early.
Move over Millennials: meet Generation Alpha
Dubbed the iGeneration, Gen Alpha will use technology like no generation before it.
Toddler troubles: Surviving the 'no!' phase
Relax, breathe and try some of these techniques to nip this frustrating stage in the bud.
Life with a Toddler
Mum left mortified after hilarious toilet training fail during husband's conference call
"I'm really confused until a heartbeat later, I realised my husband is on a conference call that is both unmuted and on speaker."
Erin Molan: Help, my two-year-old has a new favourite word starting with 'F'
At first I tried the 'No Eliza. Don't say that – naughty word', but she just got louder and louder.
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Toilet Training
The growing movement of toilet training from birth
'Elimination Communication' started in India, and the movement has made its way to our shores.
I bribed my toddler to potty-train, and I don't feel the least bit bad about it
My toddler was toilet trained in a month.
I had no idea toilet training would be this hard
Because not every kid cares about sticker charts.
Toddler Health
'Every bite counts': new dietary guidelines recommend no added sugar for babies or toddlers
The report highlights just how critical good nutrition is in the first two years of life.
'We cry every day': doctor's heartbreaking quest to find cure for cancer that killed his little girl
"I don't want any other family to hear those words.. 'we don't have any treatment for you'."
'We miss Lucy so much': heartbroken family's plea to vaccinate after daughter’s flu death
A Western Australian family has shared a moving photograph to encourage others to vaccinate their kids against the flu.
Early intervention for autism is important. My son is proof of that
New autism recommendations made all the difference for this author's son.
'Be careful': Doctors issue warning about hazards of Christmas star confetti
A nine-month-old suffered serious health issues as a result of swallowing the popular decoration.
'Scariest night of our life': Mum's warning after toddler 'almost dies' from drinking too much cow's milk
The Canadian mum-of-two almost lost her little girl after she became very ill as a result of iron-deficiency anaemia.
Education & Play
Why babies will give food to others even when they're hungry
It's a fascinating insight into early social development and the effects of family dynamics.
Teaching manners: More than please and thank you
When is the right time to teach manners to children?
Pay attention dads - you can help your baby learn faster
Paternal engagement in those early months of life can create new pathways for cognitive development, says a new study.
Adorable exchange as deaf grandma teaches deaf baby to sign
There is always something so beautiful about babies with special connections to their older family members. But what Aria McMahon has with her grandmother Pamela is pure magic.
Let your kids put the latest Fisher-Price toys to the test
Nobody knows more about engaging kids through play than Fisher-Price.
Free baby playgroup to benefit infants and their carers
Playgroup NSW membership is now free for a year, for anyone with an infant under 12 months of age.
Toddler Products
'A memorable keepsake': official Bluey stamps are here - wackadoo!
Time for a pen pal, stat!
RECALL: Target Safety Bed Rail due to entanglement risk
Consumers should cease use of this product immediately.
IKEA issues global recall of children's bibs due to choking risk
IKEA has posted details of the recall, urging consumers to cease use of the product immediately.
Childcare
Mum overhears childcare worker say 'I love you' to her kid - and sparks heartwarming debate
"I get that they spend a lot of time with these children but is this normal?"
Just 50 cents per child a day will improve food at daycare centres, new study
Small changes in childhood nutrition can lead to huge results.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces free preschool for NSW families
Preschool will be free for all NSW families for the next six months, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced Thursday morning.
'I've been anxiously waiting': NSW mum's 'relief' at free childcare announcement
Tara Ali is one of the one million Australian parents set to benefit from the Government's announcement of free childcare during the coronavirus pandemic.
Excuse me daycare, but where did my son's tooth go?
Nobody could tell me.
'I'm a mess': mum's emotional video after daycare drop-off is giving us all the feels
Make sure you have tissues before watching!