Nappy rash happens when a baby’s skin is covered by a wet or dirty nappy for too long. How long is ‘too long’ varies a lot with different babies, and varies for any one baby depending on, for example, whether the baby is well or unwell. Nappy rash is very common and can happen no matter how careful you are. Some babies with the best care still get a lot of nappy rash, while others hardly get it at all, so a lot depends on how sensitive the child’s skin is.

Babies need to learn how to put themselves to sleep. Like most skills, it takes time and occurs at an individual rate. In the early months of life a baby has a need to be physically connected to their mother and other significant family members. If this closeness is provided the baby learns to separate more easily from their parents as they can trust that in times of need the parent or other significant adult will come to their assistance.

A consistent routine is important to help your child recognise and establish good sleep patterns. Developing a bedtime ritual will also help signal to your child that it is time for sleep, this may include saying goodnight to family members, cleaning their teeth, reading a bedtime story and saying goodnight to their soft toys.

Laughing, playing, having fun, loving and being loved. These are the things people think about when considering becoming parents. Most parents want to enjoy a close relationship with their children. For children, developing a trusting relationship between themselves and their parent, or main caregiver, is necessary for healthy development.

Infant massage is an ancient art first practised in China and India several centuries ago. It is rapidly gaining popularity across the western world, and it’s not surprising when you read the list of benefits. Not only has infant massage been shown to increase your confidence in handling your baby, it also helps your baby respond to touch and activates your maternal hormones. It helps to settle your baby, promotes good circulation, eliminates toxins, strengthens the immune system and can relieve physical discomforts such as colic and teething.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition affecting one in three Australasians at some stage throughout their lives. The condition is most common in people with a family history of an atopic disorder, including asthma or hay fever.

When your baby cries it is her way of communicating with you. It can be overwhelming when you do not know what she wants. Offers of advice may come from everywhere and can be conflicting, for example: “let her cry”, “don’t spoil the child”, “don’t pick her up, a good cry will do her good” and “she must be hungry”.

Many parents feel anxious about toilet training. This can be heightened by a wish to have the child using the toilet by a specific date, such as before the start of 3-year-old kindergarten, or before another child joins the family, thinking it will lessen the workload. Unfortunately child development doesn’t occur according to dates. Neither does development occur consistently. Children appear to learn skills one day and then don’t seem to have retained them the next. New skills need to be learned and re-learned. Toilet training is no different. There will be steps forward and steps backward.

Night terrors are characterised by intense screaming and/or sobbing while a person is asleep. The affected person is often flailing about and seems absolutely terrified. Many sufferers truly feel as if they are seeing something in their room which is not actually there. Common sights include monsters, ghosts, snakes, spiders, intruders and fire.