This guide encompasses recent research and thinking on childcare and current approaches to parenting. Written from the baby and child's perspective, information is organized in easy-to-use age bands, from pre-birth to pre-school, and there is supportive advice on childcare.

Table of Contents

Getting together - The first days of life: newborn characteristics; feeding and growing; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; learning from each other; heavy heads and reflexes; senses and sensations. The first six months; feeding and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; muscle power; seeing and understanding; hearing and making sounds; playing and learning; loving and spoiling. From six month to one year: feeding and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; excreting; sleeping; crying and comforting; more muscle power; seeing and doing; listening and talking; playing and learning; enjoying the bridge from baby to toddler. From one year to two-and-a-half: eating and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; toilet mastery; sleeping; crying and comforting; even more muscle power; learning speech; playing and thinking; moving into early childhood. From two-and-a-half to five years: eating and growing; teeth and teething; everyday care; toilet mastery and after; sleeping; crying and coping; bodies, minds and feelings; talking; playing and thinking; learning how to behave; early years education.