While welcoming a new baby into the world can be a momentous life event and a wonderful moment many people look forward to, it doesn't always go to plan for every family. Some babies are born prematurely or are born into the world with an illness or condition that requires managing before joining their family at home. 

Being the parent of a premature baby can be confronting, but plenty of support is available to you. If you are already the parent of another child, you will need to manage their expectations and understanding around their premature sibling as well as your own. You may experience a bit of a learning curve as you adjust to your new reality, but with the guidance of your hospital team, loved ones and other professionals, most families get through the experience together.

Welcoming your baby into the world is often thought of as a joyous event, but those who encounter birth complications may experience trauma, stress or other challenging emotions. A premature birth can make a parent’s experience very layered, a bit confusing and sometimes scary. It’s common for parents of premature babies to struggle mentally, but remember that support is always available. 

If your relationship with your new partner is going well, you may eventually be thinking about blending your families. Introducing step-siblings to be can have its challenges; age gaps, different interests, jealousy… Taking things slow and keeping communication open can help you all through this journey toward a new family.

Navigating the dating world can be exciting and challenging, and having children adds an extra layer into the fold. Having a supportive partner around who gets along with your children can open a whole new happy chapter in your life, and it’s important you create a safe environment for your loved ones to connect.

Gestational diabetes affects between 3-14% of Australian pregnant women. Often gestational diabetes goes away after birth, but sometimes it can lead to birth complications or a diagnosis of type-2 diabetes later in life. With the right testing and management, you can lead a healthy life. Please note that this article does not constitute medical advice and you should always consult with your doctor.

As your baby becomes a toddler, it can take a while to realise they don’t need you to do absolutely everything for them anymore. Seeing your toddler grow up can be very exciting, and now is a great time to start teaching them tasks that they can do on their own, to help build their confidence and physical abilities.

Did you know a pregnant person's blood contains traces of their baby's DNA? A blood sample from the parent-to-be can be used to screen for abnormalities in the feotus' DNA – This is called Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT).

The toddler years are full of learning, laughter, tears and yes – tantrums. Tantrums can occur when your little one doesn’t know how else to express what they’re feeling, particularly when they’re overstimulated. Strategies involving calming the senses – sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste – can sometimes effectively reduce physical stimulation to help minimise emotional stress.

Your child begins to absorb vocabulary words and understand conversation skills well before they start talking. So how can you help equip your little one with verbal skills while they’re young?