None of us would be here without our placenta, the remarkable fetal organ that nourished and sustained us before birth. But despite its importance, the placenta is among the least studied organs and we don’t fully understand how it grows and functions, reports Alys Clark...
As swimming lessons return across the country post COVID, the Australian Swim Schools Association would like to share the following tips for parents preparing for their children's first swimming lessons. While swimming lessons can start for babies from as young as eight weeks old, the most...
Research shows that the first years of a child’s life may be the optimal window for establishing healthy eating behaviours. Like all child development, learning to eat is a skill that takes time and practice. As parents, there are a number of things you can do...
Niamh Troy reports on her new research, that boosting babies’ immune systems can protect them from serious lung infections. Babies who get bad lung infections are at higher risk of developing asthma later on, a condition that affects 10% of Australian kids and costs Australia A$28...
Researchers Anthea Lindquist and Stephen Tong report that vaginal birth after caesarean increases the risk of serious perineal tear by 20%, their large-scale review shows Pregnant women who previously birthed by caesarean section are presented with a choice: whether to try for a vaginal birth, or...
Public bottle-feeding feels like public stoning to Megan Howe. I admit it. I’m embarrassed to feed my baby in public. I try to time outings so I don’t need to feed while I’m out shopping or at the doctors’ surgery or at the park. But it’s...
Half of women over 35 who want a child don’t end up having one, or have fewer than they planned, writes Karin Hammarberg. At age 35, one in four Australian women and one in three men were hoping to have a child or more children in...
Having suffered unimaginable loss, Julie Cini now supports others experiencing the devastating effects of spinal muscular atrophy, writes Sue White. Like any proud mum, Julie Cini readily shows photos of her two daughters. Montanna and Zarlee stare out from the pictures, their blue eyes intent, their...
Board books are designed to take some tough treatment from babies and toddlers. Even chewing them is fun, but cuddling up and reading a board book to this age group is the best fun of all! Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan illus by Mike Lowery, pub. Bloomsbury...
Researchers Dr Alice Yu, Dr Jade Bilardi and Professor Meredith Temple-Smith report that miscarriage affects thousands of Australian women and their partners each year, leaving grief and heartbreak in its wake.Miscarriage occurs in at least 15 per cent of confirmed pregnancies – however the actual...
