Newborn gassiness is extremely common and usually caused by swallowing air during feeds, an immature digestive system, or oversupply of breast milk. Try paced bottle feeding, frequent burping mid-feed, bicycle leg exercises, and tummy massage in a clockwise direction. Most babies improve significantly by 3–4 months as their digestive system matures. If your baby seems in severe pain, arches their back, or has blood in their stool, see your paediatrician.

The most reliable indicators are: 6 or more wet nappies per day from day 5 onwards, yellow seedy stools in breastfed babies, your baby seems settled after most feeds, and they are gaining approximately 150–200g per week after the first week. Weight gain checked by your midwife or health visitor is the gold standard. Feed frequency alone is not a reliable indicator — breastfed babies feed 8–12 times per 24 hours normally.

Most babies are not developmentally ready to sleep through the night until at least 4–6 months, and many healthy babies continue waking for feeds until 9–12 months. “Sleeping through” for a 3-month-old means 4–5 hour stretches, not 8 hours. Every baby is different. Focus on safe sleep practices (back to sleep, firm flat surface) rather than achieving long uninterrupted stretches too early.

Always place your newborn on their back on a firm, flat surface for every sleep — naps and night time. This is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Once your baby can roll from back to front independently, you do not need to reposition them. Keep the sleep space free of pillows, bumpers, loose bedding, and soft toys.

Yes — weight loss of up to 7–10% of birth weight in the first 3–5 days is completely normal as babies lose extra fluid they were born with. Most babies regain their birth weight by 10–14 days. Weight loss beyond 10% or failure to regain birth weight by 2 weeks warrants review by your paediatrician or midwife. Frequent feeding (8–12 times per 24 hours) is the best way to support weight regain.

On day one of life, a newborn’s stomach holds just 5–7 ml — about the size of a marble. This tiny capacity is why your baby feeds every 1–3 hours. It is not a sign of low milk supply. By one month, the stomach grows to 80–150 ml and feeds naturally space out. Read our full guide: Why Is My Newborn Still Hungry After Feeding?

Nipple confusion occurs when a baby struggles to latch to the breast after using a bottle teat. To minimise it: introduce bottles after breastfeeding is well established (usually 4–6 weeks), use a slow-flow teat that requires active sucking, and use paced bottle feeding technique. If your baby is already showing confusion, focus on skin-to-skin contact and consider consulting a lactation consultant.

Try: having someone other than the nursing parent offer the bottle, offering when baby is calm (not starving), warming the teat to body temperature, trying different teat shapes and flow rates, and offering the bottle in a different position (facing away from feeder). Most babies eventually accept a bottle with patience — rarely does a baby truly starve themselves.

It is very rare. Babies breastfed directly from the breast are excellent at self-regulating and naturally stop when full. Trust their instincts and your body’s cues. Overfeeding is more possible with bottle feeding — use paced bottle feeding to allow your baby to regulate their own intake.

Absolutely. Lactose-free formula is nutritionally complete and meets the same regulatory standards as standard formula. The only difference is the carbohydrate source. It is appropriate for babies with lactase deficiency but should only be used on the advice of a healthcare professional.

A fever is a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above. In babies under 3 months, any temperature of 38°C or above is a medical emergency requiring immediate assessment. In babies 3–6 months, 39°C or above requires same-day review. In children over 6 months, focus on how your child looks and behaves rather than the number on the thermometer.

Both paracetamol (from birth) and ibuprofen (from 3 months and over 5kg) are safe and effective when given at the correct weight-based dose. They do not need to be alternated routinely — give one, then switch only if the first has not worked sufficiently. Never give aspirin to children under 16. Always check the dosing guide on the packaging based on your child’s weight.

See your paediatrician if fever lasts more than 5 days in a child over 6 months, more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years, or immediately for any fever in a baby under 3 months. Also seek urgent care if your child has a fever with a non-blanching rash (glass test), difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or unusual drowsiness.

Fever without an obvious source is usually caused by a viral infection. In children under 3 years, roseola (sixth disease) is a classic cause — 3–5 days of high fever followed by a pink rash as the fever breaks. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is also a common hidden cause of fever with no other symptoms and is diagnosed with a urine test. Read more: Fever with No Other Symptoms in Children

Teething may cause a slight temperature rise up to 37.5°C but does not cause a true fever of 38°C or above. If your teething baby has a temperature of 38°C or higher, there is another cause that should be investigated. Never dismiss a true fever as teething — this is one of the most common parenting myths that leads to delayed diagnosis.

No — the vast majority of childhood coughs and colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not treat viral infections. The best treatment is rest, adequate fluids, and paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort. See your paediatrician if symptoms worsen significantly after 7–10 days, as a secondary bacterial infection is then possible. Read more: Child’s Persistent Dry Cough — No Fever

General milestones: 12 months — 1–2 words | 18 months — at least 10 words | 2 years — 50+ words and 2-word phrases | 3 years — 200+ words, mostly understood by strangers. Concern is warranted if your child has no words at 16 months, no 2-word phrases by 24 months, or loses language skills at any age. Early referral to a speech therapist produces the best outcomes.

Tantrums are completely normal in toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years. They occur because toddlers have big emotions but lack the brain development and language skills to regulate or express them. The most effective response is staying calm, not giving in to demands made during a tantrum, and offering comfort once they settle. Tantrums typically reduce significantly once language improves.

Early signs to discuss with your paediatrician include: not responding to their name by 12 months, not pointing or waving by 12 months, limited eye contact, no words by 16 months, no 2-word phrases by 24 months, loss of previously acquired skills, and being unusually distressed by changes in routine. Early assessment and intervention significantly improves outcomes.

WHO and AAP recommend: no screen time for children under 18 months (except video calls), 30 minutes/day maximum for 18–24 months with co-viewing, and maximum 1 hour/day of high-quality programming for children 2–5 years. For school-age children, consistent limits with screen-free times at meals and bedtime are recommended over specific hour counts.

Recurrent ear infections (3 or more in 6 months) are common in young children due to their anatomy — their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than adults’, making drainage difficult. Daycare attendance and exposure to cigarette smoke are risk factors. Children with recurrent ear infections may be referred for grommets (ear tubes) which significantly reduce infection frequency.

Picky eating is extremely common between ages 2–6 and is usually a normal developmental phase. Most children self-regulate their intake over the course of a week rather than each meal. Concern is warranted if your child is losing weight, has a very limited range of textures, or shows extreme distress at mealtimes. Pressure and force-feeding worsen picky eating.

Total recommended sleep including naps: Newborns (0–3m) 14–17 hrs | 4–11 months 12–15 hrs | 1–2 years 11–14 hrs | 3–5 years 10–13 hrs | 6–12 years 9–11 hrs | 13–18 years 8–10 hrs. Signs of insufficient sleep include difficulty waking, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation, and poor concentration at school.

Frequent night waking is normal in babies under 6 months as they have shorter sleep cycles (approximately 45–50 minutes) than adults and often need help transitioning between cycles. Common causes include hunger, developmental leaps, teething, and sleep associations (needing to be fed or rocked to sleep). Sleep training is considered appropriate from 4–6 months if exhaustion is significantly affecting family wellbeing.

No — bouncers, swings, car seats, and inclined sleepers are not safe for unmonitored sleep. A baby’s head can fall forward in these positions, restricting their airway. They are fine for brief supervised use when awake, but your baby should always be transferred to a flat firm surface for sleep. This applies to naps as well as night time sleep.

Most children naturally drop their daytime nap between 3 and 5 years. Signs they are ready include: consistently taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at nap time, napping disrupting night sleep, and still being full of energy at usual nap time. A quiet rest period (books, calm play) at the same time can help with the transition.

Change nappies frequently. Clean gently with plain water and cotton wool or fragrance-free wipes. Apply a thick zinc oxide barrier cream at every change. Allow nappy-free time in the air when possible. If the rash is bright red with satellite spots or has been present for more than 3 days, it may be a fungal infection requiring antifungal cream from your pharmacist or GP.

Do the glass test: press a clear glass firmly against the rash. If it does not fade (blanch), call emergency services immediately — this can indicate meningococcal disease, a life-threatening emergency. A rash that fades under pressure is less immediately worrying. Other urgent signs: rash with high fever, rapidly spreading rash, or a very unwell child. Read more: When To Worry About Hives In A Child

Mild: fewer wet nappies, dry mouth, no tears. Moderate: sunken eyes, sunken fontanelle in babies, very dark urine, lethargy. Severe: no wet nappy in 8+ hours, mottled skin, extreme lethargy. Moderate to severe dehydration requires immediate medical assessment. Use oral rehydration solution (Dioralyte) rather than water or juice for vomiting and diarrhoea.

Yes — anxiety in children very commonly presents as physical symptoms including stomach aches, headaches, nausea, and frequent toilet trips, particularly before school or social events. These physical symptoms are real, not imagined. If your child frequently complains of stomach aches or headaches that improve at weekends or during holidays, anxiety is worth exploring with your paediatrician. Read more: Panic Attacks in Children

Sudden regression after successful potty training is almost always caused by an underlying trigger — most commonly a UTI, constipation pressing on the bladder, emotional stress, or an overactive bladder. It is rarely a behavioural choice. Always rule out a UTI first with a simple urine test. Read more: Why Does My Child Wet Themselves?

Neonatal jaundice is yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by bilirubin buildup — it affects up to 60% of full-term newborns and is usually harmless, resolving within 2 weeks. However, very high bilirubin levels can cause serious brain damage (kernicterus) if untreated. Seek immediate review if jaundice appears within 24 hours of birth, spreads to arms and legs, or your baby is very difficult to wake for feeds. Read more: Bilirubin Normal Value in Newborns

Premature babies should be assessed using their corrected age (chronological age minus weeks premature) for developmental milestones until at least 2 years. A baby born 8 weeks early uses corrected milestones until they are 2 years old. Most premature babies catch up with their peers by 2–3 years, especially those born after 32 weeks. Your neonatologist will monitor development at regular follow-up appointments.

Normal primitive reflexes: Rooting (turns to touch on cheek) — fades at 4 months | Sucking — fades at 4 months | Moro/startle (arms fling out) — fades at 3–6 months | Grasp (grips fingers) — fades at 5–6 months | Stepping — fades at 2 months. Persistence beyond their expected disappearance age can indicate neurological concerns and warrants paediatric assessment.

Ear rubbing is often simply a self-soothing habit or a sign of tiredness. It can also signal teething (especially molars) or an ear infection. Look for other clues: fever, pulling hard while crying, crankiness, or disturbed sleep. If concerned or if ear rubbing is accompanied by fever, have your paediatrician check for an ear infection.

Call emergency services immediately if your child: is not breathing or breathing with great difficulty | is unconscious or unresponsive | has a first-time seizure or one lasting more than 5 minutes | has a non-blanching rash (glass test negative) | has blue or pale lips | is impossible to wake | has swallowed something dangerous | or you feel something is seriously wrong. Always trust your parental instinct.

Focus on the “P” fruits: pears, prunes, and peaches. Increase water intake and fibre-rich foods like berries and oats. Ensure adequate physical activity. Reduce constipating foods like excess dairy, bananas, and processed foods. If constipation is persistent or painful, see your paediatrician — chronic constipation can contribute to bedwetting and soiling.

Respond calmly but firmly: “I will not let you hit. It hurts.” Gently block the hit and redirect to an acceptable outlet like hitting a pillow or stomping feet. Avoid hitting back or harsh punishment. Stay consistent. Most toddlers hit due to frustration and limited language — as communication skills develop, hitting typically reduces significantly.

Most babies need burping until they can sit up independently, typically around 6–9 months. You can gradually stop once they are efficient eaters and seem comfortable without burping after feeds.

Most children grasp the basics in a few days to three months once they show signs of readiness — interest in the toilet, staying dry for 2+ hours, and being able to follow simple instructions. Starting before readiness typically makes the process longer, not shorter. The key is waiting for the child, not the calendar.