Have a parenting challenge? Talk to the professionals

Despite the joys and happiness, the early days after birth can also be confusing, overwhelming and downright scary: Reaching out for support can be difficult, however it shows great strength….

The brain is already processing sounds, voices and language rhythm in the womb. Babies come into the world already primed for language. However, speech can only be learned if it…

Your newborn baby may be tired after just one hour of being awake. Generally, babies under three months of age will be awake for only one to one and a…

It is important for couples to openly discuss their roles within the home and outside the home. These roles can dramatically change once a baby comes along.  Three areas of…

Play is vital for developing your baby’s brain. Babies learn about themselves, the world around them, and their relationships through play. When we think of play, we often think of…

The brain experiences the outside world through the senses. Seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling are how human beings collect information about the world. This information is relayed to the brain,…

Breastfeeding can be a richly rewarding experience for you and your baby, but it can sometimes be a challenge.

Many new mothers experience breastfeeding challenges. There are steps you can take to overcome them.

There are many things you can do to support breastfeeding as your baby grows and develops. 3 to 6 months From three to four months of age, babies become more aware…

The first few months of your baby’s life may seem like a bit of a blur of feeding, burping, nappies and sleeping. Generally newborns will sleep very lightly, spending half of their sleep time in active sleep and can be wriggly and noisy!

The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time for the whole family and established routines can often go out the window. From the first days at home, toddlers…

Becoming a Dad will probably be one of the biggest events of your life. Your new role might be a steep learning curve and one that can bring intense emotions as well as an incredible lack of sleep.

Congratulations on becoming a Dad! The birthing experience and bringing your baby home for the first time are major events in any father’s life.

A good way to make an informed decision about which childcare service is going to be best for you and your child is to arrange a visit.

Did you know that the first 3 years of your baby’s life are the most important for brain development? At birth your baby’s brain weighs 400g, but by the time they have reached 3 years it’s 1.1kg.

Babies learn and develop when they are actively involved and having fun with you during everyday activities. Development usually progresses from the head down, and from the centre of the…

Common reasons for expressing breast milk There are many reasons why mothers may want to express their breast milk. Their baby may be sick or premature and unable to suckle….

During their first few weeks of life most babies gradually develop a pattern of feeding eight to twelve times in a 24-hour period. Frequent feeds are important as babies have very small stomachs (only about the size of their fist!) so milk passes through quickly.

Cow’s milk Cow’s milk should not be used as the main drink for infants before the age of 12 months as it doesn’t have all of the vitamins and minerals…

Despite the amount of support available in books and resources, nothing can quite prepare you for looking after yourself, your partner and your relationship when you first become a Dad.

The Ngala guide for nurturing the transition from co-sleeping to your child sleeping on their own. Deciding on the when and how of your child’s sleep routine is a deeply…

Many things have changed since you were a parent of young children. With years of scientific research and development behind us, we now know so much more about how children…

Your baby’s favourite thing to play with is you! Through play your baby’s brain and body develop and they learn new skills.

Dads and father figures play a unique and important role in children’s development. As a new dad, it’s important you are involved in getting to know your baby and contributing…

Screens are all around us. From phones to the TV, tablets to computers, modern children are exposed to screens from a very young age. Although children are often entertained by…

Playing with your baby helps them learn. And guess what? Their favourite thing to play with is you! Play gives your baby the opportunity to use their senses to explore…

Children, like adults, are attracted to certain textures, flavours and presentation. When we are children, appetite is a personal and innately well-controlled mechanism. Remember, the preschooler years are all about:…

As you share books with your baby, they are listening to your voice and learning new words. They are also enjoying a cosy cuddle with you and learning that reading…

Vaccines are a valuable tool in your efforts to keep your child healthy and safe.

Finger foods are anything edible your baby can hold. They need to be in small sizes that are easily picked up by small hands. Your baby may become interested in…

Try not to wait until your baby is crying for a feed. There are early signs of hunger you can look for, including: opening mouth hand to mouth movements rapid…

Your new baby doesn’t really move too much in the beginning, but that changes quickly, and it is important to know your baby’s stage of development to help keep them safe.

All babies are born with the desire to communicate. By three months of age your baby is babbling, cooing and generally engaged with what is going on around them. By…

Babies and young children learn about the world through their senses. Our senses allow us to taste, touch, smell, hear, see and move. Before your baby was born, they were…

Anxiety and depression can affect new mothers, but did you know that fathers are also at risk?

Understanding feelings and sharing them with your partner is crucial for the health of relationships. The arrival of children can be a big challenge, impacting relationships as it introduces significant…

Pregnancy and the birth of a new baby can stir up many different feelings for parents and other family members. It may bring up thoughts about what their new baby…

As a mother you may also wear many other ‘hats’:  partner, wife, daughter, sister, friend or employee. These different roles also put additional demands on your time and emotions. Pregnancy…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the introduction of solids for your baby between five and seven months of age. At this age your baby is interested in their surroundings and…

Dads need support too and, thankfully, there are some amazing resources available for almost any situation. Below are some tips, resources and information for Dads you might find helpful. Ngala…

The first thing to remember is if you, or your child, is struggling, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you. “Becoming a parent is both a joyful and overwhelming experience. The…

Preparation and cooking Wash your hands with soap thoroughly under running water. Ensure the bench is clean and utensils have been washed in hot soapy water. Wash vegetables or fruit….

Your baby can progress from soft smooth textured food to foods of different textures quite quickly. Gradually include coarse mash, grated, minced and finely chopped foods. At around nine months…

By six to 12 months of age, you will have noticed that your baby is more alert and able to stay awake longer between sleeps during the day. Your baby…

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in the same room as an adult caregiver on their own sleep surface for the first six to 12 months. This helps…

When you have children, there are many things to consider.

Responsive settling is recognising that your baby needs help and sensitively responding.  Sleep is complex and follows a normal developmental course similar to the way your baby develops the ability…

Crying is your Little One’s way of communicating – they cry because they don’t yet have words to tell you what they need. Learning to understand the cries and signs your baby gives you takes time.

This understanding, combined with learning some settling techniques, will help your baby become a good sleeper.

Sleep is necessary for all of us. It helps our brains and bodies to develop, restore and repair. That’s why growing babies need so much sleep. Sleep range 11.8 to…

Download our helpful guides that outline how much sleep, feeding and activity is within regular ranges.

Many parents say that being a parent is the toughest job they have ever had. We know that having a new baby increases the risk for experiencing stress, anxiety and…

While you are adjusting to being parents (particularly for the first time), you may find yourself feeling isolated from the people and activities that have made up your social lives….

A free resource from WA’s most trusted parenting professionals.

New parents dedicate their time and energy to the baby who relies on them for every aspect of their survival. But don’t forget yourselves. Many parents say that being a…

Staying physically active after your baby arrives will benefit both you and your whole family. When you are fit and healthy, your ability to parent well and cope with stressful…

More children are cared for by grandparents than in child care centres.

The quality of a baby’s emotional relationships directly influences brain growth and development. Babies with secure attachment relationships are more likely to show optimal development. What is a secure attachment?…

At birth a full term baby’s brain weighs about 400 grams and has around 100 billion brain cells.  The brain develops in a particular order; the brain stem is the…

Starting solids is an exciting time for parents but can be a bit daunting.

Infant formula is the safe alternative to breast milk for the first 12 months.

Your baby loves to play and spend time with you. The best thing about play time is that babies learn through their senses, so try to choose toys and activities…

Your little one’s brain starts growing and learning as soon as 3 weeks after conception. By just 5-6 weeks their heart is the size of an apple seed and already…

While we have come a long way in our understanding of Perinatal and Infant Mental Health there unfortunately still exists stigma in society, and lack of understanding about the importance of the…

Your diet can make a huge difference to how well you cope with the demands of pregnancy. A good diet can improve the health of your unborn baby, as well…

Becoming a parent is an amazing experience in so many ways.

Expecting another baby? Pregnancy and the birth of a new baby can stir up many different feelings for mothers, fathers and other family members. For mothers, it may bring up…