Baby care guide

277 guides · Sleep, feeding, health and development

Everything you need for the first year, in one place. Whether you have a two-day-old and no idea what a normal nappy looks like, or a six-month-old and questions about starting solids, find your topic below and go straight to the detail that matters right now.

Sleep

Safe sleep basics, sleep by age, common regressions, and settling techniques — all in one place. Browse all 25 sleep guides.

• Safe baby sleep: reducing the risk of SIDS — the NHS safer-sleep basics: back to sleep, a clear flat cot, the right temperature and smoke-free.
• Baby sleep by age and wakeful phases — how much sleep babies need at each stage, and why wakeful phases happen.
• 4-month sleep regression: what it is and how to cope — why sleep changes around 4 months and practical tips for getting through it.
• Building a bedtime routine for your baby — simple, calming steps to help your baby learn when it is time to sleep, from newborn to 12 months.

Feeding

Breastfeeding, formula, starting solids, allergens and everything in between. Browse all 58 feeding guides.

• How often should a newborn feed? — demand feeding, hunger cues, cluster feeding and what to expect in the early weeks.
• Breastfeeding latch and positioning: getting it right — step-by-step NHS-sourced guidance on latch, holds, feeding frequency and when to seek help.
• When to start solids: weaning around 6 months — signs of readiness, safe first foods and textures, and going at your baby's pace.
• Introducing allergen foods to babies — how to introduce egg, peanut, dairy and more, one at a time, and what to watch for.

Health

When to call the doctor, fever, rashes, reflux, and the common illnesses of the first year. Browse all 42 health guides.

• When to call 111 or go to A&E: danger signs in babies — which symptoms mean call 111, go to A&E, or call 999 right now.
• Baby fever: when to worry and when to wait — what temperature counts as a fever, when to call for help, and home care while you wait.
• Reflux in babies: symptoms, causes and what helps — spotting silent reflux, when to see a GP, and what actually helps day to day.

Development

Month-by-month milestones, tummy time, language, vision and what is normal. Browse all 37 development guides.

• Baby development milestones: a guide from birth to 12 months — a complete overview of what to expect, what to try, and when to speak to your health visitor.
• Tummy time: why it matters and how to practise safely — when to start, how much your baby needs each day, and simple ways to make it enjoyable.
• Baby language development: from coos to first words — how your baby's communication grows from birth to twelve months and how to help it along.

Care and safety

Bathing, nappies, babywearing, colic, teething and baby-proofing your home. Browse all 81 care and safety guides.

• Bathing, washing and nappy care — how often to bathe, topping and tailing, cord care and nappy basics for new skin.
• Soothing a crying baby and coping with colic — why babies cry, gentle ways to settle them, what colic is, and looking after yourself too.
• Car seat safety for newborns and young babies — how to choose and use a car seat safely: rear-facing guidance, seat groups and second-hand warnings.
• Baby-proofing your home: a first steps guide — room-by-room safety checklist for babies 3-12 months covering the main hazards.

Vaccines

Schedules by country, what to expect on the day, side effects and catching up on missed doses. Browse all 11 vaccine guides.

• How to never miss a baby vaccine — a simple system for tracking doses and due dates across every caregiver.
• Baby vaccination side effects: what is normal — common side effects, how long they last, when to call your doctor and why the jabs are worth it.
• Baby vaccine schedules compared — UK, US, UAE and Germany side by side, and what changes if you move country.

Growth

Weight, length, growth charts and what the centile lines actually mean. Browse all 11 growth guides.

• Baby weight gain in the first year: what is normal — normal patterns from birth to 12 months, with NHS-sourced guidance on growth charts.
• Reading your baby's growth chart: a guide for parents — what centile lines mean, how often your baby should be weighed, and when to talk to your health visitor.
• Baby growth spurts: signs, timing and how to cope — what a growth spurt looks like, when they typically happen, and how to get through them.

Frequently asked questions

How do I care for a newborn baby?

Focus on a few basics: feed on demand (8-12 times a day for newborns), keep sleep safe (always on their back in a clear flat cot), and respond to your baby's cries promptly. You do not need to sterilise the whole house — clean hands and a gentle approach are what matter most in the early weeks.

When do babies start sleeping through the night?

Most babies do not reliably sleep through until 6 months or later, and many take much longer. Night waking is normal in the first year because a newborn's stomach is small and needs frequent refills. Around 3 to 6 months many parents notice longer stretches, but there is a wide range of what is normal.

What should I feed my baby in the first year?

Breast milk or infant formula is the only food your baby needs for the first 6 months. Around 6 months you can start introducing solid foods alongside milk feeds, beginning with soft mashed or pureed vegetables, fruit, and protein-rich foods. Cow's milk, honey, and added salt should be avoided before 12 months.

What are the signs of a healthy baby?

A healthy baby gains weight steadily, has wet nappies (at least 6 a day after day 5), is alert when awake, feeds well, and has periods of calm settled behaviour. Your health visitor will check growth at regular appointments using a centile chart.

When do I need to take my baby to the doctor?

Call 111 or go to A&E if your baby has a high temperature (over 38°C in under 3 months, over 39°C in 3-6 months), is unusually drowsy or difficult to wake, has a rash that does not fade under a glass, is breathing fast or struggling, or you are worried for any reason. Trust your instincts — you know your baby.

What baby milestones should I expect in the first year?

By 2 months most babies smile and track faces. By 4 months they babble and hold their head steady. By 6 months many can sit with support and reach for objects. By 9 months most babble in long strings, understand their name, and may crawl. By 12 months most can pull to stand, say a word or two, and point at things they want.