Tips for keeping your child healthy through the winter months
Keeping your child healthy over the winter months can feel like a losing battle. Paediatric dietitian, Jenny Douglas from …
Child health and wellbeing
Your child's health and wellbeing is your highest priority. Providing lots of love and affection and really bonding with your child will help him/her grow up healthy.
You can keep your child 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 child.
OHbaby! provide these articles for your information only and they are not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.
Waging war on head lice
The text books call them pediculosis capitis. Most people call them head lice, or nits. Some kids call them cooties, but that makes them sound cute, and they’re not cute at all. They’re currently an epidemic here in New Zealand, as they are in many …
Kiwi technology set to change pre-schooler vision testing worldwide
Vision screening tests for children around the world may change as the result of a quick measurement system designed by New Zealand medical technology company Objective Acuity. Objective Acuity has successfully completed a proof of concept …
Advice from a naturopath on how to treat eczema naturally
Does your child suffer from eczema? Naturopath Natasha Berman has some ideas for treating the problem from the inside out, naturally. As a naturopath, I see a lot of eczema. While eczema was once a rare condition, these days, it is so common that …
What's the problem with apple juice?
An apple a day - but not the drinking way! Judging by the popularity of apple juice in the supermarket aisle, many parents mistakenly believe apple juice is ideal for children. Not so! Apple juice is one of the two fruit juices known to cause …
What is sensory processing disorder and how can it affect your child?
Our senses play a huge role in how we navigate the world around us. Occupational therapist CoCo Chui looks at how a commonly undiagnosed condition can affect a child’s development. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) refers to the way the nervous …
Not-so sweet dreams: tips for dealing with nightmares
Nightmares are very common among youngsters, writes Dr Melanie Woodfield in her investigation into what's disrupting our preschoolers' sweet dreams. It's a brave mum or dad who admits they've never been afraid of the dark. Most of us are no longer …
Extending weaning
Sarah Tennant faces up to her many critics and puts the case for breastfeeding well into toddlerhood for the sake of mother and child. When I first started breastfeeding, two years and eight months ago, nobody cared. This came as something of a …
Healthy kids, active kids
There has recently been a lot of media attention focused on the 'obesity epidemic' and the importance of teaching children about making healthy lifestyle choices from an early age. Eating the right foods is important, but so is keeping fit and …
Speech development - How You Can Help
When your baby starts lisping his first words there's plenty you can do to get the language ball rolling, write speech therapists Camilla Peet and Christian Wright. As your child's communication skills develop you will see his personality start to …
Thumb suckers: breaking the habit
Thumb sucking can be a cute comfort, but when should parents consider pulling the plug? Dr Mo Al-Dujaili explains the effects on teeth and what can be done about it. Everything about a baby or a toddler changes, and it changes very rapidly. The …
How to use sunblock effectively on kids
It’s the season of slip, slop and slap, but care should be taken when considering what to apply and how to apply it. Leading skincare specialist Dr Sharad Paul shares his top ten tips on sunblock. ☀️ 1.Shade for the babesAvoid sunscreen on babies …
Teeth and teething
Teeth and Teething …
Play therapists to the rescue
Working alongside doctors and nurses are angels who play, specialists in helping children through tough moments. Catherine Tafto explores the healing power of play. Nicola Woollaston is excited. The bubbly team leader of Hospital Play Specialist …
Tips for managing chickenpox symptoms
Drink plenty of water. Trim nails and consider using mittens to decrease the risk of infection via scratching. Have a cool or lukewarm bath every 3-4 hours, but instead of soap try adding oatmeal, baking soda or moisturising bath lotion to the …
An update on allergies
With allergies seemingly on the increase, Dr Abby Baskett examines the latest research and advice for parents. Most parents will now be familiar with the birthday party dilemma of needing to cater for egg-, nut-, gluten- and dairy-avoidant …
Constipation concerns
Understanding constipation can be confusing. OHbaby! expert Dr Anne Tait sheds some light on this uncomfortable issue. It’s not the sexiest topic to discuss, but it is something that most of us do every day – and when it doesn’t happen, it can …
Eight tips for keeping sandflies and mosquitoes away
With the joy of summer comes the annoyance of those pesky sandflies and mozzies but you don’t have to take getting bitten lying down. Here are eight quick tips to help keep those sandflies away, we think these tips work just as well for mosquitoes …
Protecting your family against chickenpox
With a vaccine against chickenpox joining the National Immunisation Schedule this July, Pippa Henderson thought it timely to look into the signs, symptoms and possible complications of the disease, as well as the benefits of …
Coeliac disease: 10 tips for parents
Starting solids is an important milestone in a baby's life, but for baby Sophie Melane, solids meant misery. "Up until then she was a healthy, blooming baby," says Sophie's mum Hannah Melane. "She went from being a baby who enjoyed …
Living with food allergies: one mother’s story
When everyday foods pose life-threatening risks, cafes and birthday parties come with a side order of caution, explains Melissa Zgomba We discovered that our son had a severe food allergy. As a first-time mum introducing my son the hard way to new …
Breathing un-easy: kids & colds
Wiping little runny noses is part and parcel of parenthood, especially in winter. Paediatrician Anne Tait sheds light on respiratory tract infections and why young kids are so susceptible. Respiratory are the most common infections in children, …
Canterbury parents urged to watch for anxiety
Canterbury whanau and families are being urged to take extra care and keep an eye on their children for signs of anxiety sparked by the 7.5 earthquake on November 13-14.Psychologist and family therapist Julie Burgess-Manning says the quake will not …
Sore ears gone for good
Ear infections are common in young children and, as Dr Kathleen Wills explains, a more natural approach to treatment is gaining support. Stress. Lack of sleep. Worry. The doctor’s office feels like your second home. Another antibiotic. Please make …
Fighting the flu (influenza) in children
The flu (influenza) can be a serious and sometimes life-threatening viral infection and is not the same as having a bad cold. It is important to remember: flu is very easy to catch so good hygiene is very important to reduce …
What's in our sunscreen and should we be worried?
A bottle of sunscreen is a must-have item for the Kiwi summer, but should be worried about what's actually in that bottle? Dr Kathleen Wills explains: While the legendary Kiwi ‘slip slop slap’ slogan has been an effective campaign for prevention …
Allergies: Symptoms Testing & Treatment
A recent study revealed one in ten Kiwi children has an allergy of some kind. Paulette Crowley explains how to soothe our sensitive kids. According to the Growing Up In New Zealand study, which is following around 7000 children and their families, …
Eyecare For The Under Fives
Vision problems in children are more common than you may expect. Optometrist Melissa Hay explains why we shouldn’t over-look eyecare in our under-fives. As someone who has suffered from myopia (short-sightedness) since childhood, I can empathise …
Starship Children's Hospital - We Salute You
In honour of the fine work of Starship, health journalist and mum to one of its out-patients Paulette Crowley examines the birth and life of our national children’s hospital. I remember the first time I had cause to enter Starship Children’s …
Eczema - up close and personal
Heidi Darcy, a former wound resource nurse, and now the Intellectual Property and Science Communication Manager at Comvita, offers parents an insight into the different symptoms of common eczema complaints Big I, little i...i..i..i,Icabod is itchy. …
Itchy & scratchy: tips for treating headlice
The bane of every Kiwi parent's existence, headlice, also known as nits, kutus or cooties, seem to be rife in just about every primary school. This, of course, means they have a filter-down effect into daycare centres and kindergartens as older …
Sugar Babies
Last week I was at the library with Charlie and Sophia and I saw a child that wouldn’t have been much older than one drinking concentrated fruit drink from a baby’s bottle. It made me sad. Kids, especially this young, don’t need juice or fruit …
Chicken pox
Surviving the spots Every year in New Zealand, 50,000 people get chicken pox, the vast majority of them young children. Here's how to cope. Chicken pox (varicella zoster) is a common childhood illness, and is highly contagious, which is why …
Reasons for kids to wear sunglasses
Most of us know sunglasses are not just worn to make us look good (and hide our tired eyes), they also protect against sun damage. The same is true for children, only more so. In fact, 80% of sun damage to eyes is done before you turn 20, according …
Meningococcal disease (Meningitis)
You've probably seen the ads on TV, and no doubt read the warning signs on the cover of your child's Well Health book, but it is important to be continually aware of meningitis as it progresses very quickly and can be fatal in a very short …
Leaves of success
How a little girl's battle with eczema led to the creation of New Zealand's best-loved natural skincare companies. Brigit Blair (pictured) is one of natural skincare's veterans in New Zealand. The Christchurch mum of three launched her first Linden …
How to detect Cataracts in children
While 'red eye' is not the look we're going for when we photograph our beautiful children, but the red reflex - or the lack of it - is actually a helpful diagnostic tool. Digital cameras which automatically remove the "red eye" effect from …
Soothing the Itch
Goat's milk soap may be the cure for eczema and sensitive skin. Eczema is the cause of many sleepless nights and misery for many families but it can be a particularly tough nut to crack. Steroids is the standard medical response while some people …
Taming tangles
Little girls with beautiful curls, long flowing locks, and cute as a button pig tails… but as most parent's will agree - the picture is not quite so pretty when it comes to combing their little one's hair. Children's hair is often quite fine …
Happy feet
Happy feet When should you seek help for foot problems and how do you know which shoes are bad for your child's feet? Buying shoes Children are born with soft, vulnerable feet and the delicate cartilage in them doesn't fully develop until they …
Understanding autism
As more children are diagnosed on the autism spectrum researchers are making giant leaps into its causes, explains Dr Melanie Woodfield Rain Man is the first thing that comes to mind when many people think of autism. A slightly socially awkward …
Rescue remedies
There is no cure for the common cold or flu but here are some tried and true remedies you can turn to when the winter sniffles strike. "What can't be cured must be endured" is Grandma's maxim for all manner of ills. It's cold comfort but there is …
Eyecare for kids
Children's optician Steph Cawte explains what parents need to know about their children's vision and eye health. That first look into your newborn baby's eyes is the most precious experience. As you gaze into those gorgeous eyes, have you ever …
Keeping kids healthy at daycare
Is there a way to keep your child healthy at daycare, where one bug seems to take out the whole roll? Naturopaths Natasha Berman and Asti Renaut share some great suggestions to boost your child's immunity. Have you ever walked into a daycare or …
Understanding ADHD
No matter what age your child is, no doubt you've heard of ADHD - and at some point, you may even have wondered if your own child is exhibiting ADHD-like symptoms. But what is ADHD, and how can you tell if your child has it? Isn't ADHD just an …
Hearing and hearing loss
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 to have the least disruption to …
Allergies
Finding out your child has an allergy can be a frightening time for parents, but the number of babies and toddlers being diagnosed with allergies is increasing, so it is important to know what to look for. WHAT IS AN ALLERGY? An …
Natural Remedies for Common Childhood Illnesses
Kids spread germs before you can even say “bless you”, resulting in sickness on repeat and bugs that take out the whole family, not to mention your childcare centre. Naturopaths Asti Renaut and Natasha Berman from Qbaby offer prevention and …
When To Seek Medical Help For Your Child
We asked Sean and Imogen Thompson, medical professionals and parents of two children under five, what to look for when kids get sick and when you need to call for help. Having an unwell child can be a frightening experience and our initial …