31 articles tagged with “general”
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for a GP visit in the first year. Here's how to recognise one, what the treatment options are, and what UK guidelines say about antibiotics.
Growth charts are in every baby's red book, but few parents are told how to read them. Here's what centile lines mean, what healthy growth looks like, and when to raise concerns.
Baby monitors range from a simple audio receiver to breathing sensors and HD cameras. Here's what the different types do, whether you actually need one, and what UK parents should look for.
Getting a passport for your baby and travelling internationally for the first time comes with questions most new parents haven't thought about. Here's the UK guide from application to airport.
The UK childhood vaccination schedule protects against 14 serious diseases. Here's exactly what's given when, what to expect on vaccination day, and how to manage the common side effects.
Gastroenteritis — the stomach bug — is one of the most common illnesses in babies. Here's how to tell normal vomiting from something serious, how to prevent dehydration, and when to call the GP.
Most dietary advice given to breastfeeding mothers is unnecessary restriction. Here's what the evidence actually says about diet during breastfeeding — what genuinely matters and what you can safely ignore.
The WHO recommends breastfeeding until 2 years and beyond. Here's what changes about breastfeeding after 12 months, the ongoing benefits, and how to wean gently if and when you're ready.
Caesarean section is major surgery — but recovery is rarely discussed with the same detail as the birth itself. Here's an honest guide to what to expect physically and emotionally in the weeks after a c-section.
The NHS recommends babies sleep in their own safe sleep space, but co-sleeping is common. Here's what the evidence says, when the risks are highest, and how to make any bed-sharing situation safer.
Perineal injuries are common in vaginal births — but recovery isn't widely discussed. Here's what different types of tear mean, how to look after stitches, and when something needs medical attention.
Baby skin is much more sensitive to UV than adult skin. Here's the UK guidance on sun protection for babies — when sunscreen is appropriate, how to keep cool in summer, and the signs of overheating.
Expecting or caring for twins? Here's what's different about a twin pregnancy, birth, and the first year — including feeding, sleeping, kit, and where to find support in the UK.
Baby skin produces a lot of rashes — most are harmless and pass on their own. Here's a guide to the most common baby rashes, how to tell them apart, and the warning signs to watch for.
Knowing what to do in the first minutes of a medical emergency can save your baby's life. Here's what every parent needs to know about choking, CPR, febrile seizures, and when to call 999.
Knowing which medicines are safe, at what age, and in what doses is something every parent needs to understand before their baby gets sick. Here's the UK parent's essential guide.
Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions of the first year. Here's an honest comparison of the main options — nursery, childminder, nanny, and family care — with the costs, pros, and cons of each.
Self-care isn't bubble baths and face masks — it's the basics that keep you functional as a parent. Here's an honest guide to looking after yourself in the first year.
Postnatal anxiety is at least as common as postnatal depression — but it's talked about far less. If worry after birth feels overwhelming or constant, you're not alone and there is real help available.
Cry it out, Ferber, fading, pick-up-put-down — there are more sleep training methods than most parents can keep track of. Here's an honest guide to the main approaches, what the evidence says, and how to choose.
Sending your baby to nursery is one of the most emotionally loaded decisions of early parenthood. Here's how to choose good childcare, what settling in involves, and how to handle the separation.
Sensory play supports brain development, motor skills, and emotional regulation — and it doesn't need to cost anything. Here are age-appropriate sensory ideas for every stage of the first year.
Babywearing keeps your baby close, leaves your hands free, and is associated with calmer, more settled babies. Here's how to choose the right carrier, how to wear it safely, and what TICKS means.
Car seats are the most important piece of baby kit you'll buy — but they're also the most confusing. Here's an honest guide to choosing the right seat, fitting it correctly, and understanding UK law.
Nappy rash is almost universal in babies — but it doesn't have to become a persistent problem. Here's what causes it, how to treat it quickly, and when to suspect something else.
Whether you're pumping to build a freezer stash, return to work, or support a baby who can't latch, expressing is a skill worth learning. Here's everything you need to know.
Babbling is the foundation of language — and it starts earlier than most parents realise. Here's how your baby's communication develops from birth to 12 months, and what you can do to support it.
Temperature, darkness, white noise, swaddling — the sleep environment makes a bigger difference than most parents realise. Here's how to set up your baby's sleep space for longer, safer sleep.
Every baby in England gets a Personal Child Health Record — the red book. Here's what it is, what the development checks involve, and when your baby's appointments should happen.
You don't need to wait until your baby understands words to start reading together. Here's the science behind early reading, the best books by age, and how to make it a daily habit.
NCT antenatal classes are talked about everywhere — but are they worth the cost? Here's an honest guide to what NCT offers, how much it costs, what the NHS alternative is, and whether it's right for you.