Newborns and infants (0-12 months)

Your breastmilk makes a big difference to both your baby's health and yours. 

Exclusively breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of your baby's life and then continuing once your baby starts solids until 12 months and beyond gives your baby the best start in life.

Choosing how you feed your baby is a really important decision.

When your baby is hungry, they will show signs of nuzzling, hand-sucking, or mouthing (opening their mouth and turning their head).

When your baby is hungry, they will show signs of nuzzling, hand-sucking, or mouthing (opening their mouth and turning their head).

Positional head-flattening may happen if a baby lies with their head in the same position for a long time. Find out how you can help to prevent a flat spot developing in your baby.

Mild jaundice is common in pēpi (babies), but baby jaundice is not always normal. If your baby has yellow skin or eyes and pale poo or dark (yellow or brown) wee, your baby needs a special blood test. See a health professional or midwife as soon as possible.

Every year, too many New Zealand babies die suddenly during sleep. Find out about the best ways to reduce the risk. Make every sleep a safe sleep for your baby.

The heel prick test is a blood test - it involves collecting a sample of blood from your baby's heel 48 hours after their birth. 

Bronchiolitis is a chest condition that causes breathing problems in pēpi (babies). It's caused by a virus. Bronchiolitis is very easy to catch so wash your hands before and after handling your baby.

Biliary atresia is a rare but serious liver disorder that affects newborn pēpi (babies).

Pyloric stenosis is a condition where milk cannot get out of the stomach because the 'exit' is extremely narrow.

It is normal for pēpi (babies) to cry, and it's normal for caregivers to get frustrated. Have a plan for what you will do if your baby keeps crying and you become upset or frustrated. It is never ever OK to shake a baby. Make sure that all the people who care for your baby know this. Never leave your baby alone with anyone that you think might lose control.

Pēpi (babies) have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies at birth. Without vitamin K, pēpi are at risk of getting a rare bleeding disorder. A single vitamin K injection at birth is the most effective way of preventing this.

The main cause of nappy rash is wearing a wet or dirty nappy for too long. Keep your baby's skin clean and dry. 

Crying is your baby's way of communicating. Pēpi (babies) often need a lot of calming, soothing and holding when they are upset.