Becoming a father isn't just about having children or just being there for them. Fatherhood means taking responsibility for the children in your life. It means providing for your child, protecting them, being a positive role model and teaching your child about the world around them.

Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects infants under 12 months of age. It occurs when the very small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, become inflamed and swell up. Most cases of bronchiolitis start to get better on their own within a few days. However, some ...

Children's developing immune systems predispose them to getting more infections than adults. This constant exposure to new illnesses is necessary and important. It helps to build a child's immune system and better equips them to fend off infection as they grow older.

It is recommended that you clean your baby’s teeth daily, as soon as the first teeth appear in their mouth. From an early age, it is important to help children develop good oral hygiene habits.

Failure to thrive (FTT) occurs when an infant or young child consistently fails to grow and gain weight at the rate expected for their age and gender. It may occur as the result of a range of factors or medical conditions.

Infantile colic is a term used for periods of excessive, inconsolable crying and fretting by babies, for which no medical or other cause can be found. It is a very common condition, generally seen in about one in three very young babies.

Newborn jaundice is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes in newborn babies. It is caused by raised levels of bilirubin (a yellowish pigment found in bile, which is produced by the liver) in the blood and tissues. It is a common condition, especially in babies who are breastfed.

Circumcision is an elective surgical procedure performed on males. It is the practice of removing the foreskin from the penis. Circumcision is generally a safe procedure and complications are rare. It may occasionally be needed for medical reasons, but more commonly performed for cultural or pers...

Nappy rash is a skin rash around the nappy area that is common in babies between four and fifteen months of age. Most babies will get nappy rash at some point while they are in nappies, but they can usually be cared for at home.

The newborn baby blood test, also known as a 'heel prick test' or 'blood spot test', is carried out on all newborn babies shortly after their birth. It is a simple test that is done by taking a few drops of blood from the baby's heel.

Your new baby needs a safe, caring environment in order to thrive. It's your duty as a parent to make sure they are kept safe from harm in your home and outside of it. Looking after a newborn is a combination of common sense, love and patience – it is important that you, your partner and any othe...

Hearing screening is a non-invasive tool used to identify hearing impairment in newborn babies and young children. It is particularly difficult to detect hearing impairment is the first two months of life without screening programs. Identifying hearing impairment early means that help for your ch...

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine, an amino acid that plays an important role in metabolism. A build-up of phenylalanine in the body can lead to an intellectual disability.

A premature baby is one born before 37 weeks’ gestation. Because they have less time to develop in the uterus, they are more likely to have health problems and usually need special care after birth.

The first weeks and months after bringing a new baby into the family can be a trying time. The newborn's sleep patterns often play a major part in the difficulties faced by new parents, but after a few months, a newborn will usually settle into a more mature sleep pattern.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is also known as ‘cot death’ and ‘crib death’. SIDS is defined as any death of an infant under one year of age that cannot, after thorough investigation, be explained by a known cause. The loss of a child is a very distressing time for families; however, counse...

Around one third of families report difficulties with their babies’ sleeping patterns. Going to sleep is actually a skill that each child needs to learn in their first year of life. A few simple techniques can help babies settle more easily and learn to sleep through the night.

Teething is the eruption of teeth through a baby’s gums. These teeth are commonly called baby teeth, or milk teeth and usually appear gradually from the age of six months up to three years. They begin to fall out from around six years of age, to be replaced by permanent teeth.

Torticollis is the involuntary twisting of the neck to one side due to painful spasms in the neck muscles. Also known as ‘wry neck’, it can occur at any age. Causes can include inflammation, infection or, in babies, an abnormal head posture in utero. In adults, almost all cases of torticollis res...