We look at infant jaundice & the role of breastfeeding
Midwife, lactation consultant and mum of five, Stephanie Callaghan-Armstrong discusses the reasons behind infant jaundice …
Baby health and wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Your baby's health and wellbeing is your highest priority. Providing lots of love and affection and really bonding with your baby will help him/her grow up healthy. Feeding baby a balanced diet even including eating a balanced meal while breast feeding, all aids in keeping baby healthy.
You can keep your baby active and stimulated by doing some of the activities listed in our Fun Stuff pages.
When it comes to health problems and issues remember, it is always advised that you see your doctor if you have any concerns about your baby. OHbaby! provide these articles for your information only and would never replace the advice of a qualified medical professional.
Things you can do to help cope with a colicky baby
Colic improves on its own, usually by the time your baby is three months old, and can seem to disappear almost overnight. If …
What actually is 'tongue tie'?
Tongue tie affects an increasing number of babies today, and if left untreated can cause difficulties for both mum and baby, as well as in adult life. Stephanie Callaghan-Armstrong gives us the rundown. Tongue tie, or medically termed …
Are baby jumpers & other 'containers' safe for your baby?
Baby containers. Are they good? Bad? Or is it more about how we’re using them? Dr Ainslee, chiropractor and parent educator explains... What do baby jumpers, prams, bumbos, capsules, high chairs and baby walkers all have in common? They all fall …
Arm yourself to help your baby for winter ills
If it's one cold after another at your house, followed by a bout of stomach upsets and yet another round of conjunctivitis, take comfort from the thought that so many ailments are doing a great job of building up your family's resistance to viruses. …
Tips and advice on massaging your baby
"Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant - food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins." ~ Dr Frederick LeBoyer Parents all over the world know that their babies need to be held, carried, rocked and touched. The …
Natural remedies for soothing baby
Naturopaths Asti Renaut and Natasha Berman offer advice on natural treatments that support babies through life’s little challenges. Arriving in the outside world must be a rather interesting experience for a baby. Along with all the love they …
How do you know if your baby has reflux or colic?
How do you know if your baby has reflux or colic, or whether they’re just a ‘happy spiller’? Dietitian Jennifer Douglas outlines the symptoms and explains how you can help. It’s quite normal for a baby to ‘spill’ after a milk feed; it’s their …
Best tips for making bath time fun!
On the surface, bath time is about getting clean, but it also provides a wonderful chance to bond with your baby. Your newborn may not be keen on their first few baths, but as they get older most babies tend to enjoy it more. Here are some tips to …
Skincare specialist talks sunscreen & skincare
Leading skincare specialist Dr Sharad Paul sheds light on what to look for in sunscreen, and how best to protect your baby’s skin in summer. We all know the importance of slip-slop-slapping with sunscreen and hats over summer, but do we really know …
The importance of tummy time
What's the big deal about tummy time and is it really necessary? Our experts give their best advice on what to do and how to do it Despite all assurances that tummy time is fun, many infants seem to dislike being on their bellies on the floor, and …
How do you know if your baby has a tongue tie?
How do you know if your baby has a tongue tie, and what can be done if they do? We asked three experts to share their knowledge and advice on the condition and its effects on babies, breastfeeding and beyond. For many mums suffering through …
The best ways to treat and minimise your baby's eczema
Skin expert Dr Sharad Paul offers advice and relief for parents with itchy babies. Here’s an intriguing fact: the word ‘eczema’ is derived from Latin and Greek words that mean ‘to boil’. Treating it is almost like fighting fire – sometimes we …
What is osteopathy and how can it help you and your baby
Heard of osteopathy but still not been entirely sure as to what it is, or how it helps? Osteopaths Kristi Milliken and Royden McWha explain the benefits it offers to pregnant women, post-partum mothers, and even newborn babies. The fundamental …
Help lines for parents in New Zealand
Take a note of these numbers for when chaos strikes and you need help: It is quite normal for parents to feel overwhelmed, and even isolated when caring for their newborn. Please don't struggle on in silence - there are services available providing …
Eczema: tips for soothing itchy skin
If itchy eczema is a problem for your little one, find relief in the experience and wisdom of our experts. Eczema is one of those troublesome childhood afflictions that is all too common. Red, dry, itchy patches appear on the skin and you may need …
The beautiful benefits of baby massage
Massage for very young babies bestows important emotional and physical benefits, writes Petra Tip. Human beings have a multitude of senses but out of the five most recognised ones - sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste - the sense of touch is the …
Baby skincare and conditions
Ever hear the phrase 'skin as soft as a baby's'? As the parent of a newborn, you may be wondering when, exactly, this lizard-skinned little creature's body is going to soften up. Sadie Morgan investigates infant skin conditions and finds out what …
My baby can't hear me: one mother's story
The Afele household can be pretty quiet sometimes, despite the presence of busy toddler Aria. That’s because much of the talking is done through New Zealand Sign Language, something 20-month old Aria and her parents Maryanne and Cody, have been …
Reflux: how to help your baby
Baby spill on the shoulder is a badge of honour for new parents. But while some babies simply require piles of spit cloths, others —with extreme symptoms —may require medical intervention. Paediatrician Dr Anne Tait explains. Gastro-oesophageal …
Baby health: symptoms you shouldn't ignore
Dr Anne Tait helps take the guesswork out of when to seek medical assistance, bringing parents one step closer to that all-important peace of mind. Knowing when to take a child to the doctor can be a difficult decision. In the cooler months when …
Measles vaccine age now 12 months for Auckland babies
Babies aged 12 months and over can now be vaccinated for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) in Auckland following the region’s outbreak of measles. There have been 104 measles cases in Auckland so far this year. The Auckland Regional Public Health …
Sun-kissed Summer
Babies and small children have tender, delicate skin, and can burn easily in New Zealand's summer sunshine. Even if you're only going to the local playground for an hour, your child needs sunscreen and a hat, and you should be careful to protect …
How much should kids drink? Lifting the lid on sippy cups
Drink more water, we’re often told, But how do we gauge a baby’s thirst? Dr Anne Tait lifts the lid on sippy cups and their contents. We’ve all heard the recommendations that we grown-ups should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. …
When a baby's fever turns serious: febrile seizures
Mum of two Jayde Eddy recounts how her 17-month old daughter went from 'a bit grizzly' to blue-lipped and not breathing in the space of a few hours. My day on March 22 started out like most others: kindy and daycare drop-off, then off to work. …
Making the most of massage
Massage is a hugely meaningful way to connect with your baby, and as Malcolm Aitken explains, it helps baby make some vital connections of her own. Touch has a special place in all relationships and massage especially has a powerful and unique …
Tongue-tie: cause and effect
Tongue-tie seems like the condition every new parent is talking about these days. Lactation consultant and paediatrician Dr Abby Baskett answers some key questions about its effects, treatment and frequency. Many parents have either heard of …
When to call your doctor
All babies have times when they are unwell, or off-colour. It's estimated that, on average, babies have around six colds in their first year of life. Throw in teething and immunisations, and it's no wonder they sometimes get a little grumpy! But …
Fever: how to treat for under fives
What is fever? The normal temperature inside your child’s body is usually around 37°C. Your child has a mild fever if their temperature is higher than 38°C. A high fever usually means more than 39°C. Fever by itself does not tell you whether your …
Baby's temperature
When a baby is born, they enter an environment that is significantly colder than what they've been used to, so take precautions to keep your baby warm, and at a comfortable temperature. Baby's head is 20% of the body surface, so must be dried …
Are our babies anxious?
The Rise Of The Anxious Baby The idea or thought of a worried, anxious or stressed-out newborn would seem unnatural to many, after all, what would a baby be stressed out or anxious about, you wonder? At the very least it is a saddening thought to …
A special little smile: Cameron's cleft lip
When Sophie Leutenegger’s baby boy was born, his cleft lip diagnosis came as a complete surprise. Knowing very little about this birth defect, Sophie was surprised to learn how common they are – around 1 in 700 babies are born with a cleft. Sophie …
Sunkissed: summer skin protection for babies and toddlers
New parents face many questions about caring for their kids, and it’s no different when it comes to sun safety. New Zealand has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, so it's important to be sun-safe. We’ve put together a list of handy …
Tips for treating baby's eczema
Leading Sydney paediatric dermatologist Dr Li-Chuen Wong shares tips on treating skin conditions and eczema in babies and young children. It is estimated that up to 20% of children suffer from eczema. Eczema usually reveals its troublesome self …
Osteopathy: hands-on help for your newborn
In our last issue, osteopath Sarah-Jane Attias looked at how osteopathy can help women during pregnancy. In this article, Sarah-Jane explains how it can treat your brand new baby. It is well documented that osteopathy offers a unique, successful …
The life changing power of touch
Parents have long known that a cuddle can cure a multitude of ills. Research now proves just how powerful touch is in a baby’s development. Ellie Gwilliam reviews the science that matters so much to our every day. Nothing compares to the feeling of …
Save A Life With New CPR App
If you were with someone when they stopped breathing and their heart stopped, would you know what to do? Could you save their life? Even if you have been trained in CPR in the past, in the heat of the moment, would you be able to remember just how …
Colds
Colds usually last one to two weeks. However, you could get a bacterial infection after a cold, such as an ear infection or sinus infection, which may mean you’re unwell for longer. How colds are spread There are over 200 different viruses that …
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough can be very serious for babies and children – especially those under one year old. If babies catch whooping cough, they: may not be able to feed or breathe properly. may become so ill they need to go to hospital. could end up …
Baby safety
While your new baby will spend much of their early life unable to move very far, there are many things parents can do to protect their babies from accidents and harm. Here are some tips for ways you can ensure your baby's safety and create an …
Natural babycare
New mums are becoming increasingly concerned about what products and treatments they're administering to their newborns. Lots of products say 'natural' on the label, but how can you really know you're choosing something safe? Su-lin Sze explains. …
Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves
Must-haves for the medicine cabinet to deal with everyday aches and pains. Your medicine cabinet sits out of reach of little children’s grabbing fingers but once you have kids, those shelves are at risk of becoming crammed with …
Baby's hearing
How much can babies hear, exactly? And what should you do if you're concerned about your baby's hearing? Elizabeth Gasson talks to clinical audiologist Dr Richard Bishop about infant hearing. How can I tell if my baby can hear? It can be very hard …
Hearing loss
Who is affected by Hearing Loss Babies Hearing is essential for normal speech and language development in children. The internationally recommended age of identification of a hearing loss is 3 months, with intervention and rehabilitation by 6 months …
Immunisation
Immunisation in New Zealand When your baby is born, he or she is protected against a variety of infections by your antibodies, which have passed to your baby during pregnancy. If you breastfeed your newborn baby, further antibodies pass to him or …
Hygiene
Hygiene From bathing baby to changing nappies, cleaning the floors to dirty laundry. Hygiene is important when it comes to babies and children since they can be more prone to infection while their immune system builds. Washing your hands is just …
Cranial Osteopathy - How Does It Work?
What is cranial osteopathy and how can it help your crying baby? Auckland osteopath Felice Karuna explains the potential benefits and how it works. Parents usually arrive at a cranial osteopathy clinic in a state of desperation, hoping for some …
Born with a cleft
Finding out your child has a cleft lip or palate can be frightening, but as one Auckland mum shares, with our well-equipped health system, there's little to be afraid of. The first time we heard the term "cleft palate" was when the paediatrician …
