Parenting Without Tears

From cribs to cots to beds

Sonia Burke, Nursery Advisor at John Lewis Oxford Street, gives her top tips for making the transition from crib to cot to bed as stress-free as possible for you and baby.

Dads and baby massage - massage instructor Katie Whitehouse gives a step by step guide

Baby Massage is a very simple and positive start for fathers. Babies who are massaged by their dads for three months have been seen to reward their fathers with more eye contact, smiling and cooing.

Paspic.com – getting passport photos of babies and children the easy way

Melissa Talago had booked the flights and planned the holiday details including all the kit they'd need to take for a toddler and newborn. However, they’d forgotten about getting a passport for their new son. Paspic.com came to the rescue!

Guide to craft - and messy - play!

When the weather keeps you indoors, what nicer way to spend time with your under-fives than playing together with paints and dough, scissors and glue and having a lovely, messy time! You don’t have to be an artist yourself - just present the materials and let your child’s imagination flow.

First day at school - starting school is a major milestone

It’s a red-letter day and many of us can still remember that very first day school! But sometimes the first day at school is more traumatic for parents than children especially when you plan ahead!

Temper tantrums – new hope for parents from flower essences!

New research from the University of Plymouth shows that Bach’s flower essence remedies can have a significant effect on reducing children’s temper tantrums.

Overweight toddlers

Recent statistics show that there is a highly significant and increasing trend in the proportion of overweight and obese children in the UK. When does chubby become obese and what can parents do?

The question of dummies

You either loathe the sight of them or you wouldn’t be without one! No one seems to be indifferent to the use of dummies but is what's ok for a baby, acceptable for an older toddler?

Boosting your child’s creativity

Helping your child to be more creative and use her imagination will also boost her confidence

Small talk

The gentle art of conversation - don’t be shy – talk to your baby!

Making the most of grandparents

You may not have seen them in ages but once your first-born arrives, parents and in-laws are usually in hot pursuit, offering advice and sometimes interfering!

Early years