Feeding & Nutrition

Vitamin D helps your child grow strong bones. All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Breast milk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs. Vitamin D helps your chil

Natural disasters can make it difficult for parents or caregivers to feed their infants and young children safely and appropriately. This toolkit can be used to help ensure that children are fed safel

In 2015, WHO and UNICEF began a process to re-evaluate and reinvigorate the BFHI programme. A WHO guideline Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and new

Breastfeeding can provide a source of comfort for babies whose normal routine is disrupted due to travel. In addition to offering ideal nutrition for your baby, breast milk keeps babies hydrated. Brea

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding offers steps for communities, workplaces, childcare agencies, hospitals, health care providers, and public health professionals to make br

Your child needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to grow healthy and strong. Three important nutrients are vitamin D, iron, and zinc. What vitamin D, iron, and zinc do. When your child needs vita

If you are feeding your baby infant formula, there are some important things to know. Explore the pages below to learn more about choosing, preparing, storing, and feeding formula. Download and prin

Baby breathing monitors alert you if your baby stops breathing. If you use a baby breathing monitor, make sure you know what to do and who to call if the alarm goes off. Follow safe sleeping guideli

Your baby’s airways need to stay open so they can breathe – whether they’re awake or asleep. During your baby’s first year, they’re still developing the strength and reflexes they need to keep their a

Baby airways need protection because babies are still developing reflexes and head and neck control. Baby airway protection involves positioning your baby so they can breathe easily. Check your baby

Babies sleep well and safely when they’re neither too hot nor too cold. Dress babies in layers of fitted clothing. You can add or take away layers as needed. If you wrap your baby, use cotton or mus

Safe cots and portacots meet the Australian Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024. Safe mattresses are firm, flat, level, well-fitting and clean. Safe cots or portacots and mat

Safe sleep position: baby on back Always put your baby on their back to sleep. This reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including SIDS and fatal sleep accidents. Don’t put

Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is when babies under one year die unexpectedly and for no obvious reason. SUDI includes fatal sleep accidents and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). All b

Safe sleep environments protect baby airways during sleep and make it easier for babies to breathe. In a safe sleep environment, your baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, flat and level surface, in

Sometimes your child might need to sleep away from home without you. It might help to prepare your child for sleeping away. It’s best to maintain your child’s sleep routine away from home. It’s a g

Dim light and consistent noise levels might help babies and toddlers go to sleep and stay asleep. To help your child sleep better, reduce sudden noises and morning light and noise. White noise or so

Plan to settle your children at different times. Try to settle your baby while older kids do quiet activities outside the bedroom. Older kids usually sleep through when babies cry at night. Tips fo

Co-sleeping is when babies sleep on the same surface as another person. Co-sleeping can help with breastfeeding and bonding. If you’re co-sleeping, it’s essential to create a safe sleep environment

Sharing a room with your baby is when your baby sleeps on a separate safe sleep surface in the same room as you. Sharing a room reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including

Bedtime fading is gradually making your child’s bedtime earlier. Bedtime fading helps children spend less time awake in their cot or bed after bedtime. It’s good to use a positive bedtime routine an

It’s good to balance flexibility with your child’s sleep needs when you’re travelling. It can help to plan trips around your child’s sleep or rest times. When you’re away from home, sticking to bedt

During the first year of life, it’s common for babies to wake at night for feeds and comfort. There’s no hurry to phase out night feeds. You can choose what works best for you and your child. For br

Dummies can soothe some babies and help them settle. Dummies might reduce SIDS risk when babies have them for every sleep. Babies need help to manage dummies, and it can be hard to break a dummy hab

A bedtime routine is a series of calming activities that happen in the same order each night. Bedtime routines help children of all ages relax and feel ready for sleep. Bedtime routines change as ch

Responsive settling is responding to children’s comfort needs while helping them settle and sleep. Settling in arms and hands-on settling are responsive ways to settle babies and toddlers. If you wa

Responsive settling is responding to babies’ comfort needs while helping them settle and sleep. Responsive settling helps babies feel safe and secure. Settling in arms, hands-on settling and verbal

In the early months, it’s important to be flexible and respond to babies’ needs. Three things can help with baby sleep and settling: make night and day different, put baby to bed drowsy but awake, an

Sleep is important for growth, immunity, learning and memory. Babies, children and teenagers need different amounts of sleep. Sleep patterns change as babies and children get older. We all move thr

When you see tired signs, it’s time to reduce stimulation and settle babies and toddlers for sleep. Newborn tired signs include pulling at ears, jerking arms and legs, and sucking fingers. Babies an

If babies seem content and healthy, it’s a sign that they’re getting enough sleep. Most babies under 6 months of age still need overnight feeds and help to settle in the night. As babies get older,

Baby development at 0-6 months What do babies need for development at 0-6 months? Everyday interactions like comforting, playing and talking help to build your baby’s brain and skills. Baby developm

Baby sleep at 2-12 months: what to expect Baby sleep changes from 2-12 months. Babies need less sleep and sleep more at night. But many babies still wake at night and need help to settle. Read more.

CPR for babies under 12 months: in pictures See how to do baby CPR. 1. Check for danger. 2. Check response. 3. Send for help. 4. Check airway and breathing. 5. Start compressions and rescue breaths.

Play is more than just fun for babies and children. It’s how they learn and develop. Playing with your child is one of the most important things you can do. Article available in: Arabic, Dari, Dinka,

Hygiene and daily care for babies Find out how to clean baby eyes, ears, teeth, umbilical cords and genitals in our illustrated guide to hygiene and daily care for newborns and babies. Article availa

Positive relationships for parents and children: how to build them Positive relationships between parents and children are key to child development. These relationships are about being in the moment,

Baby development and developmental milestones Babies develop through relationships and play. Developmental milestones track changes in babies as they learn to move, see, hear, communicate and interac

Bonding and attachment: babies Bonding and attachment are about giving your baby plenty of love, attention and interesting experiences. This helps your baby’s learning and development. Bonding with

Breastmilk and breastfeeding: benefits Breastmilk – designed by nature for human babies. Breastmilk and breastfeeding have many health and practical benefits for mothers and babies. Read more. Breas

As babies become more aware of the world, baby behaviour changes. Babies also get better at communicating, so it gets easier to understand baby behaviour. Temperament: what it is and why it matters

Telehealth appointments for children and teenagers: in pictures Our guide shows you how to get the most out of telehealth appointments: set up somewhere quiet, check technology, prepare children and

Try these tips to find what you need: Use the search bars at the top or bottom of this page. Use the main navigation to choose content by age and other groupings. Browse health topics using the A-Z

A comprehensive guide for new mothers on breastfeeding, formula, and the transition to solids.

Healthy eating during the COVID-19 pandemic Food nourishes the body and gives us energy to get through each day. Healthy eating is fundamental to good health and is a key element in healthy human de

What are healthy snacks for young children? raw vegetable sticks, such as cucumber and carrots, on their own or with hummus a plain unsweetened yoghurt with a sliced banana in it a slice of toast w

Like the rest of the family, your toddler needs to eat a variety of foods. Here are some tips on the different sorts of food to offer your child, plus a few it's best to avoid. Fruit and vegetables

The government recommends all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day. Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant

It's natural to worry whether your child is getting enough food if they refuse to eat sometimes. But it's perfectly normal for toddlers to refuse to eat or even taste new foods. Do not worry about w

Babies should not eat much salt, as it's not good for their kidneys. Do not add salt to your baby's food or cooking water, and do not use stock cubes or gravy, as they're often high in salt. Remembe