The Silly Season Survival Guide

Your first Christmas with your little one is likely to be a very special time, filled with laughter and precious memories. Your baby will be the focus of much spoiling and indulgence; after all, it truly is a time for children. The silly season is upon us and holidays and festivals are the flavour of […]
When and how to put your baby to sleep

‘Put your baby down to sleep awake’ is common advice and very frustrating for many parents. It is frustrating because many babies just begin to cry when they are put down awake and it is just easier and shorter if you rock your baby or feed your baby to sleep. Try to imagine that you […]
Sensory Defensiveness – dealing with a fussy baby

“Is your baby fussing an enormous amount or is he slow to warm up to all social settings? Let’s look at the problem of sensory defensiveness and some ways to deal with a fussy baby.” Mary’s little boy was not doing anything by the book. He did not give her the usual two week honeymoon […]
Safer sleeping to limit SIDS

If you find yourself bending over your sleeping baby listening for breath sounds or even rousing your little one to ensure he is still alive, you are in good company. There is without question no greater fear for parents than finding that their sleeping baby had died in his sleep. Sleep is most parents’ first […]
How to sort out sleep problems

At 2am as 9 month old Amy cries out for the fifth time that night, her mum staggers down the passage, her mind dim with sleep and feels around in Amy’s cot for her dummy, wishing that just once, she could sleep for longer than 3 hours at a stretch. She is baffled by her […]
Your baby’s routine and sleep

Babies function best with a routine. But this concept is easily abused and taken to the extreme. Like you, your baby has an in-built time clock and physical needs; however these needs differ substantially from yours. Where you only need eight hours sleep a night, your baby needs anywhere from 18 or 20 hours (for […]
Remedies for common toddler sleep concerns

Sr Ann Richardson answers the most common questions from mothers of toddlers and how to remedy their toddler sleep issues: My 17 month old daughter still sleeps in my bed This needn’t be a problem if you enjoy it, but if it is impacting on the quality of sleep that the family is getting, then […]
Protein and night wakings in babies older than 6 months

Your baby needs only milk (either breast milk or formula milk) as his main source of nutrition for the first few months of age. Some babies need the addition of some solid food from age of about 6 months or older, and that is usually when one introduces some cereal, vegetables and fruit. So, let […]
Preparing your toddler for the new baby

Expanding your family is exciting and a great cause of joy, but it won’t be without its ups and downs! Here are some tips to prepare your toddler (and yourself) for the new baby. It is perfectly normal for you to be worried about managing to have enough love for another child, so don’t fall […]
Post Natal Depression

The arrival of a ‘bundle of joy’ challenges most new mothers’ whole way of life. People generally expect to feel overjoyed at the wonder of having a baby and watching it grow and develop. Sometimes, however, during those first few weeks or months at home, a mother may become aware of confusing thoughts or feelings […]