Human touch is very important for growth and development. It gives a sense of well-being and comfort, it stimulates the immune system, and assists with healing.

For a special bonding experience with your baby, try baby massage. This has proven health rewards and is a different way to bond with your baby, encouraging emotional growth through touch.

Essentially the massage flows from the head to the toes. With soft, gentle and soothing strokes you will work on baby's head, face, shoulders, chest, stomach, arms, legs and feet. To measure the pressure to use on baby close your eyes and touch your eyelids. This is the level of pressure you should use when massaging your baby.

Getting started

Put baby on a soft and comfortable surface and ensure that the room isn't too cold. Baby should be in a receptive mood and be relaxed and calm. Use a small amount of pure or baby oil or alternatively, use cream and rub it between your hands to warm before starting.

Start slowly

Gently, make small circles with your thumbs and tips of your fingers on baby's temples, forehead and the base of the cranium. You can also place your fingertips either side of baby's mouth to make a smile and move your fingers down to make a frown. Be very gentle when massaging your baby's jaw by making small strokes down the posterior part of the neck to the shoulders, in the direction of the chest.

Gentle pressure

Place both hands together, palm-down, at the centre of the chest and gently push out to the sides, following the natural curve of your baby's ribs.

Tummy rub

You can massage baby's tummy by using the outside of your hand and making paddling motions on the baby's tummy with one hand, following the other from top to bottom. This has been proven to help relieve wind and constipation. When massaging your baby's tummy, you can also make circular motions with your hands around baby's tummy - up and down and left to right. You can also walk your fingers across baby's tummy. Expect a few giggles from baby as they may be ticklish.

The backstroke

Turn your baby over and begin with slow and sweeping movements from the top of baby's back down to the base. Do not massage over baby's spine. Simply put your hands over it so baby can feel the warmth of your touch. Give your baby soft strokes on the shoulders and back with your fingertips, one side at a time, in slow circular movements.

Gently does it

Form a ring around your baby's arm with your thumb and fingers and begin at the base near the armpit. With a slow, light caress, move down your baby's arm to the wrist. You can gently practise turning motions but remember to be very gentle with these movements, especially near the elbow which is particularly sensitive. Repeat on the other arm.

Feeling good

Hold your baby's leg up and place both of your hands on either side at the knee. Gently roll your baby's leg between your hands with gentle motion down to the ankle and back up; again, remember to be extremely gentle. You can also repeat the same massage technique for the legs as was used on baby's arms in the previous step, by going from the top of the thigh to the ankle.

Tip to Toe

A foot massage is very relaxing and can also assist in relieving stomach pain. Begin by putting soft pressure on the underside of each toe with your fingertips and move down to the foot and heel and back up again. Caress all of the toes gently with circular movements, finishing with light circular motion on the heels.

Your baby should now feel calm, relaxed and more loved than ever! Repeat these steps whenever you want to enjoy a great bonding experience with your baby.

• The more active and fit during pregnancy, the easier it will be to cope with your body's changing shape and weight gain.
• Most women gain 10-12.5kg (22-28lb) of weight in pregnancy.
• Weight gain is due to your baby growing and your body is storing fat in preparation for breast feeding.
• The fitter you are during pregnancy the more likely you are to get back into shape after the delivery.
• Physical exercise is a great way to reduce stress and tension.
• Keep active everyday for approximately 20-30 minutes, eg. go for a walk, swim, dance, ride.
• Go at a comfortable pace, don't exhaust yourself.
• If you were inactive before pregnancy, don't suddenly do strenuous exercise.
• Take it easy in hot weather, drink plenty of water.
• Be sure to discuss a suitable exercise programme with your GP, Midwife or Obstetrician.

Information and tips on how to avoid and treat this common occurrence.

Causes.

• Prolonged contact with the ammonia in urine or bacteria from poo, causing a burning sensation or irritating the skin.
• Sensitive skin.
• Strong soap, detergent or bubble bath.
• Baby wipes containing alcohol.
• Diarrhoea or illness.
• Changes in diet such as weaning or changing from breast milk to formula.

How to protect against nappy rash.

• Change regularly
  • young babies 10-12 times a day.
  • older babies 6-8 times a day.
• Clean whole nappy area thoroughly.
• Use only plain water.
• Leave nappy off at least twice a day for about 20 minutes at a time, so fresh air is in contact with the skin.
• Apply zinc and castor oil cream to nappy area while baby has nappy rash.
• If nappy rash does not improve within 3 days, please see a GP or Maternal and Child Health Nurse.
• Remember to wash your hands after changing a nappy.

Children only gain control of their bowel and bladder when they're physically ready, the age varies from child to child.

• Bowel control tends to come before bladder control.
• By 2 years, 1 in 2 children are dry during the day.
• By 3 years, 9 out of 10 children are dry most of the day.
• Staying dry at night - most learn this between 3 and 5 years.

Learning to use the potty.

• Watch and wait for signs that your child is ready
• they become aware they are wet or soiled.
• they know when they need to do a wee or poo.
• Remember not to force your child to use the potty.
• Try not to make it seem so important. Don't get too carried away when they sit on the potty for the first time. Acknowledge it by giving some praise, something like "good boy, well done". Don't celebrate by offering lollies. Give a hug. Keep it simple. Remember, children respond better to praise than criticism.
• Leave the potty where the child can see it.
• Try taking the nappy off only in the mornings to begin with, up until 1pm.
• Let your child see you using the toilet.
• If your child has a regular time each day of passing a motion then, take nappy off at that time.
• The summer is a good time to start.
• Do not draw too much attention to accidents.
• Remember to show your child how to wash their hands after using the potty.

Problems.

• If your child refuses to use the potty, take the pressure off and put the nappy back on. They're probably not ready.
• They may have little accidents for some time. When they get excited or when they are really enjoying play, they forget to go! Remember this is often very upsetting for them so don't overreact. Keep a spare set of clothes in your bag for a bit longer.
• If your child has been dry and then starts to dirty themselves again, there may be something upsetting them eg. If there is a new baby in the house, they don't feel they are getting enough attention, or even a change of house. If there are no emotional concerns or changes, then please see a doctor.
• Relax; remember your child will not want to go to school in nappies.

The age at which your baby gets his or her first teeth (primary teeth) varies, along with whether they cause discomfort or not.

Most babies have their first tooth appear at around 6 months of age. The lower front teeth usually appear before the top. Babies eventually get 20 primary teeth - 10 top & 10 bottom - most of which will be there by 2.5 years of age.

The second or permanent teeth start appearing at around 6 years of age (just in time for school photos).
Common Signs.

• Lots of dribbling.
• Unsettled, irritable, fretful.
• Rosy, flushed cheeks.
• A tendency to chew everything.
• Gums are sore and red.
• Runny poo.

What to do.

• Offer more water, as babies lose a lot of fluid from all that dribbling. When they lose a lot of fluid, their urine can become concentrated and cause nappy rash.
• Pain relief. Offer something hard to chew on, like a cool teething ring. Avoid offering sugary rusks, as they can cause tooth decay.
• Try sitting and giving your baby a comforting cuddle.
• Go for a walk. Sometimes distraction can help.
• Consider sugar-free teething gels. Ask your pharmacist which gel is age appropriate for your baby, follow instructions, and don't overdo it!
• Consider sugar-free paracetamol. Once again, check with your pharmacist that it is age appropriate, and follow instructions.
• Think safety, as everything ends up in the mouth. Think about older children's small toys, or small objects left on the floor. Be careful where you leave your's or nanna's handbag, as there can be many things, such as medications, that pose a danger to children or cause them to choke.
• Think hygiene. With everything going into the mouth, try washing toys, teething rings, at least once a day with dishwashing liquid, rinse and allow to dry overnight.
• Be careful not to put everything down to teething. If you're concerned about your baby, please see a Doctor.

Start by making baby's room comfortable.
Have dark blinds or curtains to keep it dark when baby is sleeping, but brighten the room after baby wakes.
No need to leave a light on at night. Remember humans are diurnal animals: we're stimulated by light.
Ensure room is not too warm and baby is not too warm.

Babies like routine.

As a guide, follow this simple routine: FEED then PLAY then SLEEP. Work on it. It usually gets easier around 3-4 months.

After a feed, cuddle and burp, allow your baby down on the floor for a kick and play. Then watch for tired signs such as:

• jerky movements;
• yawning;
• grizzly or grimacing face;
• rubbing eyes; and
• starting to cry.

Each baby has their own symptoms. You'll get to know these signs over time.
Respond to baby and take them to their basinet or cot.
Newborns tend to like being wrapped.
Put baby on their back - follow the SIDS Prevention Guidelines which can be found by clicking here.
There are many ways to settle your baby if they are having trouble getting to sleep.

Newborn (6 months)

• Take note of the TIME you start to settle baby.
• With young babies it can take up to 15 minutes (of crying on and off) before they eventually settle.
• Don't talk to baby once in bed.
• Reduce making eye contact.
• Pat, rub, rock or gently stroke baby, stay with your baby at this age.
• If your baby's crying becomes too much, pick baby up, give a cuddle and then put back down in cot.
• Keep going with settling/ resettling for 30-60 minutes.
• Be consistent.
• Concentrate on at least ONE sleep in the mornings everyday, until you see a change, your baby will start to self settle.

Older baby (6+ months)

• Take note of the TIME you put baby down.
• Say "sleep/bed now" once or don't talk at all.
• Leave the room for 5 minutes and then return for approximately 1 minute.
• Then leave again for 10 minutes and return for approximately 1 minute.
• Each time you return, remain calm, don't talk, or smile, just resettle baby and leave the room.
• Then leave for 15 minutes, if the baby has still not settled, go back to 5 minute cycles again.
• Continue this for up to 60 minutes from the time you started.

Remember babies learn from repetition and consistency.
Hang in there. It should work, given time.
If it becomes too much, see your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or Doctor.
Also remember sleep is good, and necessary for everyone. You are helping your baby and yourself by teaching good sleeping habits from the outset.

Babies' skin is soft and sensitive and requires special, gentle care. Keep things simple.

First 3 months

• Newborn skin can be flaky, dry, pimply, blotchy, have rashes and be quite sweaty.
• They often have 'hormone rashes', these are probably due to the fact they have been in the womb for some time. Now their bodies are working things out and they are getting used to the outside world.
• Using creams will not necessarily get rid of these skin rashes, spots etc. Your baby's skin should improve and settle down in the first 3 months without any intervention.

Bathing

• Just use water. After a few weeks, babies begin to relax in the bath.
• No need to use baby bath soaps or lotions every day. Once every 3 days is enough.
• No need to cover in creams. Better to let the skin breathe naturally.
• No need to use powder. If you do, be careful not to blow it on baby, as they may inhale it.
• If you want to use some creams or oils for dry spots - think about using natural vegetable oils, eg. Olive oil or pawpaw cream. Many creams and oils are made up of paraffin, which is petroleum based. Read labels thoroughly prior to applying to your baby's sensitive skin.

Other tips

• Wash new clothes before baby starts to wear them.
• Wash clothes in a gentle, non-irritating soap, such as Lux flakes.
• Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can contain strong chemicals.
• Put baby's clothes through a second rinse cycle.
• Most sunscreen creams are for babies over 12 months, so the best solution is to keep baby OUT OF THE SUN.
• Dress baby in 100% cotton whenever possible.
• Put a hat on baby when going out.
If you are concerned with any skin rashes please see your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or a Doctor.

When is the best time to start your baby on solids? Here are some tips to help identify when the time has come, however please note the following advice is of general nature only - for more specific guidelines for your baby consult your dietitian. Hints your baby's ready to start solids.

• Your baby often shows great interest in your food
• Baby has good head control
• Baby seems hungrier than usual
• Baby may start waking again at night, when previously was mostly sleeping through

Starting solids before 4 months of age is of NO benefit to your baby and NOT recommended, as they cannot properly digest any foods before 4 months and it may even increase the risk of such conditions as food/ skin allergies, eczema or dermatitis just to name a few. IDEALLY it is recommended that baby receives only breast milk or formula up until 6 months. However if this isn't possible solids can be introduced earlier, but NOT before 4 months of age. Starting solids is a process achieved over time. Babies begin taking only small teaspoons of rice cereal and gradually, their appetite for different foods and an increased amount of food builds up. Did you know: Your baby's first experience of flavours probably occurred in the womb! Just remember. Eating should be an enjoyable time. It is a very social activity and also nutritionally important. As your baby's activity increases, then so does their demand for solids/ calories. Get the camera out for some messy memories! Do's: Go at your baby's pace. When introducing solids, smile. Your own facial expressions are very powerful, "mmmmm isn't this rice cereal just SO tasty" will help your baby to understand. Use a clean soft spoon and dish for baby. Do look at commercial food labels and consider the following:

• Check if suitable for baby's age
• Check expiry date
• Check seals on jars and ensure cans are intact
• Choose foods that contain no added sugars
• Check for no added salt

If there is a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies to food, please consult your Doctor, Maternal and Child Health Nurse or dietitian to see if your baby needs to avoid particular foods. All babies should have foods introduced gradually to aid in detection of potential allergies. For the latest information on Infant Feeding Guidelines (2003) prepared by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) please click here.
Don'ts:

Don't force feed your baby - they will let you know they have had enough, eg. They'll turn their head away and may even start spitting food out! That's your little sweetie telling you that's enough.

• Do not reheat previously warmed food
• There isn't any need to give juice - they will thank you when they are older with lovely teeth and skin. However, if you do give juice, dilute it - 1 part juice to 10 parts water.
• Never give juice to your baby in a bottle.
• Do not add any salt to foods - this is very important as your baby's kidneys cannot cope with it.
• Do not add sugar - there are enough natural sugars in fruit. Never leave your baby unattended when eating.

Starting foods around 6 months.

Texture of foods:
Soft, smooth/pureed

Foods you might like to try:

• Rice cereal: Prepare with breast milk or formula (Follow instructions on the box)
• Vegetable or fruit purees
• Potato - Carrots
• Pumpkin - Sweet Potato
• Zucchini - Broccoli
• Green Beans - Avocado
• Parsnip - Cauliflower
• Cucumber - Peas
• Pear -Peaches
• Apple -Plums
• Banana -Mango
• Kiwi fruit -Apricot
• Melon -Paw Paw

Gradually introduce a wide variety of foods.
Also increase the amount of food - start with 1-2 teaspoons once a day and slowly increase.

Before 6 months offer breast milk or formula before solids.
Around 6 months start offering solids before breast milk or formula.

Remember this is a gradual process; it will take time. Try following your baby's appetite.
6 - 9 months.

Texture of foods:
Mashed, minced, chopped or diced (babies can chew soft lumps before they get teeth)

Foods you might like to try:

• Meats: Chicken, beef, pork, lamb, turkey
• Rice, porridge, semolina
• Split pulses ie. Lentils
• Wider variety of Vegetables and Fruits

7 months.

• Full-fat milk products
• Yoghurt, fromage frais, plain custard
• Cheese
• Wheat-based foods (including wholemeal)
• Bread, rusks, wheat noodles, pasta

8 months.

• Citrus fruit
• Berries
• Tomatoes
• Fish - canned sardines, pilchards, salmon and mackerel
• Tuna
• Baked Beans

9 months.

• Well cooked eggs * if no family allergies
• Egg noodle * if no family allergies

9-12 months.

Texture of foods:
Chop, diced finger foods - starting to self feed (bring out that plastic apron and newspaper for the floor).

• You might like to try making modified family meals or encourage self feeds (stay near by in case of choking)
• Avoid sweet biscuits
• Stop bottles at 12 months

Be Cautious:

If no family allergies exist, you can start to try your baby on tiny amounts of shellfish, cooked egg yolk or smooth peanut butter after 9 months of age. Be sure to consult your dietitian if you have any concerns.

Avoid :

• Nuts and seeds eg. Sesame - do not give to children under 5 years
• Honey - Do not give before 12 months. Honey may contain a type of bacteria, which can produce toxins in your baby's intestines, putting your baby at risk of a serious illness called "infant botulism".
• Sugar - it could encourage a sweet tooth and lead to tooth decay.
• Salt - Don't add salt as your baby's kidneys cannot cope.

So what happens next?

The first, tumultuous six weeks of life with baby. - By Australian Accredited Maternal Health Nurse, Catriona Cross.

Until now, you've been your own person - occasional bout of morning sickness aside. You've lived life on your own terms. Made your own choices. Created a life with your partner. Perhaps even built a career.

Well that's all about to change. Life for the first six weeks or so after your baby comes home can be the most eye-opening and chaotic period in a person's life. Routines, expectations and sleep patterns aren't just turned upside down - they're shaken, stirred and positively thrown into disarray.

At times it can seem like you'll never regain control of your life. Don't despair; that's sleep deprivation for you! It just takes a little time. And if it makes you feel any better: It happens to every parent.

If there's one generally useful piece of advice every first-time parent should heed, it's 'Prepare to be unprepared'.

You can do many things to make this unpredictable time easier to deal with, but the key is to be flexible enough to throw the rule book - and the clock - out the window.

If anything, prepare friends and family for the tumultuous time ahead. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be too hard on yourself if things seem to be going wrong. And don't stress if you can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. Things generally get a lot easier into baby's second or third month.
First up, some practical tips.

Before baby is born, it's a clever idea to prepare a batch of frozen meals, ready to go when things get a little too much or you're feeling too tired to cook. The exhaustion that comes from a few nights' interrupted sleep has to be experienced to be believed! Stocking up on snack foods like cheese, crackers and muesli bars is also a good idea - in case of emergency!

If you can, organise for someone - your partner, mum or perhaps a professional cleaner - to help out with the household chores for a week or three. And if you find yourself needing to make a choice between cleaning the house and getting some extra sleep, sleep should always be a priority. Rest whenever your baby rests, be it morning, noon or night.

It may also be helpful to have a family member or close friend stay for a few days, to ease the load. But before you do, be sure this person will be supportive, not critical, and isn't likely to overwhelm you with advice.

It's advisable for your partner to take some time off work, and if at all possible, allow yourself the flexibility to return to your own work only when you're feeling ready, rather than at some predetermined date.

Another thing that can suffer is exercise. You may not feel much like leaving the house, but a short walk each day can make a genuine difference to how you feel. Fresh air and light exercise can stimulate your body's endorphins, and make you feel better. And always make sure you eat regularly and drink plenty of water.
Too much advice is never enough.

You may have already experienced an overload of advice from well-meaning people, but things tend to move up a gear after baby's arrival. The difficulty is that much of this advice is contradictory, so always be guided by those you trust most, and above all, by your own instincts. Remember, baby hasn't read any of the books!

There is rarely only one right way to do things. That said, DO always follow anti-SIDS guidelines about putting your baby to bed. And when it all gets too much, leave the phone off the hook and turn on the answering machine.

If you're feeling overwhelmed - or even if you're not - it's amazing how therapeutic talking to someone else can be. A close friend, family member or professional can be a great source of support. Working through your birth experience is often helpful, and asking questions of someone who's been there before can help you deal with problems and concerns before they get out of hand.
Cry baby cry.

Crying is how babies tell you they're hungry, tired, wet, have a pain, have wind, want a cuddle, are too hot or cold, or aren't comfortable. The big question is, what do the different cries mean?

In the early days, it can be difficult to work out what baby wants, but this will gradually become easier. In fact, it may take around four months before you're fully able to appreciate the difference. However, it's important to not get too stressed when baby cries - they have a remarkable ability to pick up on how you're feeling and it can unsettle them further. Try to remember that crying is perfectly normal in healthy babies, as it's their only way of communicating.
Breastfeeding.

Many midwives and health professionals are extremely enthusiastic in their encouragement of new mothers to breast-feed. The health benefits have been proven in numerous studies. However, if breastfeeding is proving difficult, this sometimes puts extra pressure on a new mother. Be aware that breast feeding can always be re-established within the first 3 months after delivery as your body is still producing the necessary hormones to produce breast milk.

Many factors influence the success of breastfeeding so it's important to seek professional support from a maternal health nurse or lactation consultant if the milk won't come, if baby doesn't seem to be getting enough, or if you're suffering sore nipples. Their expertise can work wonders.

Babies tend to feed a lot at night, particularly in the first two to three weeks. It's believed that one reason for this is that at night, mothers release large amounts of prolactin. This is an important factor in healthy milk production. Not wonderful for tired parents, but wonderful for baby's health.
Hey, remember me.

When your primary focus shifts to your baby, there's a chance your partner may start to feel a little neglected. Maintaining good communication is important for both of you, particularly on the topic of sex. Some women feel up to it during this early time, while others don't, so it's important to communicate your feelings on the issue. Discomfort during intercourse is another factor. On the other hand, some men may feel uncomfortable and fearful about having sex with their partner during this early stage, particularly if the delivery was traumatic. Talking about the birth experience is the key.

Of course, sleep deprivation and sheer exhaustion can be the major factor in whether sex is on the agenda or not!
The emotional roller coaster.

There's joy and wonder to be had during this time, but conversely, the first six weeks can also be a time of overwhelming emotions - many of them negative. Exhaustion and uncertainty can take their toll and blow even simple things out of proportion. At times, you may wonder whether you'll ever get through it. Or you may feel everyone knows your baby better than you.

Given the dramatic change in your life and the new pressures you'll be experiencing, it's not uncommon for some mothers to take some time to fall in love with their babies. If you have sad or negative feelings for longer than two weeks at a time, or don't feel that you're enjoying your baby at all, there's a chance you may be developing post-natal depression. It's time then, to seek professional advice. Excellent support and treatments are available these days. Often, simply asking your doctor or child health nurse for help can have a dramatic positive outcome.
Top survival tips.

• Always remember YOU are the best parent for the job. There's no such thing as a perfect parent or perfect child, and you know your baby better than anyone else.
• Be kind to yourself. Conversely, don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go according to plan. Nobody expects you to have all the answers in this early period.
• Put you and your baby's welfare first. If necessary, be a little bit selfish and say no to others' requests if you don't have the time or energy.
• Give yourself four months to feel confident about understanding baby's different cries.
• Spend time skin-to-skin with baby. This helps with growth and development and also helps improve breast milk supply.
• Involve your baby's father as much as possible in this period. You are all learning and growing together.
• Trial and error is the way you're going to learn most about what's right for your baby during this time. If something doesn't work out, don't see it as doing 'The Wrong Thing' or 'Making Mistakes'.
• Babies need love, cuddles, milk and to be kept safe.
• Spend as much time as you can holding and watching your baby during this stage of their life. Enjoy this time; they grow up so quickly.