Real advice. Every stage.

The Crib

Practical baby care guides for UK parents. Explore teething, sleep, weaning and developmental milestones, with clear explanations and links to trusted sources to help you through the early years.

HealthPregnancy
Mother holding baby while toasting with a champagne glass in cozy festive setting.
  • by Infatot

Christmas food in pregnancy: what's fine on the festive table and what to skip

Cheeseboard, pâté, smoked salmon, eggnog and mulled wine: what is safe on the Christmas table in pregnancy and what to swap, following NHS guidance.

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Baby CareToddler 12 months+
Woman in gray and white striped long sleeve shirt carrying baby in gray and white stripe
  • by Infatot

Molars at 12 to 18 months: helping a toddler with back-teeth teething

First molars usually arrive at around 12 months and second molars at 24. Signs, safe teethers, NHS painkiller doses by age and when to see a GP or dentist.

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Baby CareAny age
A mother feeding her baby boy a bottle while sitting indoors, capturing a tender moment.
  • by Infatot

Sickness bug in babies and toddlers: spotting dehydration early

Watch wet nappies, tears and the soft spot. Call 111 if a child under 5 shows signs of dehydration, or 999 if they're hard to wake, pale or breathing fast.

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HealthNewborn 0–3 months
A baby in red pyjamas and a 'My very First Christmas' Santa hat lies on a white blanket by a lit Christmas tree.
  • by Infatot

Christmas visitors and a newborn: cold sores, kisses and coughs

Who can kiss a newborn, how to handle cold sores and coughs at Christmas, polite ways to set limits, and the signs that mean call 999 or 111.

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FeedingAny age
Person feeding baby from feeding bottle
  • by Infatot

Norovirus in babies and toddlers: how to keep them hydrated

Keeping a baby or toddler hydrated through norovirus: milk feeds, signs of dehydration, the 48-hour nursery rule and when to call 111.

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HealthAny age
A sleeping baby in a white and pale blue top, wrapped in a soft brown fleece blanket with one hand by its cheek.
  • by Infatot

Condensation and mould in your baby's bedroom: what to do

Why damp and mould matter for babies, what causes them, and how renters can get mould fixed, using government guidance for England.

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FeedingAny age
A woman holding a baby under a blanket
  • by Infatot

Blocked nose in babies: how to help them feed and sleep

Saline drops can ease a stuffy nose. Under-6s shouldn't have cough and cold remedies or decongestants unless a GP or pharmacist advises it.

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Baby CareAny age
A mother lovingly holds her baby wrapped in a towel after bath time, creating a warm and tender moment.
  • by Infatot

Baby eczema and dry skin when the heating goes on

Heated rooms and cold air can trigger baby eczema flare-ups. Emollient routines, bath habits, fabrics, and when to see a GP or call 111.

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HealthPregnancy
Close-up of a mother holding her baby's hand, capturing a tender and intimate moment.
  • by Infatot

Flu and RSV vaccines in pregnancy: when to have each one this autumn

Book the flu jab now via GP, pharmacy, NHS App or maternity service. RSV is offered from 28 weeks by your maternity service or GP, and some pharmacies.

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Health3 months+
Close-up of a baby's hand gently held by a parent, symbolizing love and care.
  • by Infatot

Croup in babies: what the barking cough means and when to call 111

Croup causes a barking cough and noisy breathing, often at night. When to call 111, how to help at home and the signs that mean 999.

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HealthAny age
Baby in gray shirt lying on bed
  • by Infatot

Fireworks and babies: protecting sleep and hearing around Bonfire Night

Firework cut-off times, safe distances, sparkler rules and when to get your baby's hearing checked around Bonfire Night.

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FeedingAny age
A newborn baby peacefully breastfeeding, capturing an intimate moment of mother-child bonding.
  • by Infatot

Vitamin D drops for babies: who needs them from October

Breastfed babies, even partly, need 8.5 to 10mcg of vitamin D daily from birth, all year. Formula-fed babies on 500ml or more a day don't.

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Baby Care3 months+
A smiling baby shows their first two bottom teeth in a bright room
  • by Infatot

Your Baby's First Teeth: What to Expect and How to Care for Them

When babies get their first teeth, the signs of teething, how to soothe sore gums and when to start brushing and see an NHS dentist.

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Health6 months+
A mother lovingly holds her baby in a serene home interior, exuding warmth and care.
  • by Infatot

Nursery Germs: Why Babies Get Ill So Often in Their First Term

Children have 5 to 8 colds a year and most clear in 2 weeks. NHS-backed timelines, nursery exclusion rules and when to call 111 or 999.

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Development3–12 months
A parent offers a soft silicone teether to a smiling baby lying on their back
  • by Infatot

When Do Babies Start Teething? A Month-by-Month Timeline

Most babies start teething around 6 months. The usual teething timeline, the order teeth appear, the signs to watch for and what helps.

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