Baby Talk Blog

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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?

You may be used to seeing your toddler swing from happy-go-lucky to tantrum-time in seconds; they are still learning how to regulate and understand their emotions. You can support your toddler through this time of self-discovery by opening up conversations about how they’re feeling and how to enjoy more positive thoughts through positive thinking.

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 word ‘chores’ might send a shiver down your spine, but truthfully chores are an incredibly valuable way to learn life skills. You may be tentative to give your toddler chores, as you may be worried about a tantrum, or perhaps it’s just easier to do it yourself and that is absolutely fine. However, you might be surprised by how eager our little ones are to help out and contribute now they’re old enough to try. Whether your toddler is willing or reluctant, introducing chores can support their development.