All genders

A spacer is a clear plastic tube that helps deliver asthma medicine to the right place. Younger tamariki may need help to use a spacer, but as they grow older, they will be able to use a spacer themselves.

X-rays help health professionals diagnose and monitor medical conditions and guide treatments. Find out more about what an x-ray involves. 

Ultrasound scans help health professionals diagnose and monitor medical conditions and guide treatments. Find out more about what an ultrasound involves. 

Nuclear medicine scan scans help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions and guide treatments. Find out more about what a nuclear medicine scan involves.

Fluoroscopy helps health professionals diagnose and treat medical conditions. Find out more about what fluoroscopy involves.

MRI scans help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions, plan surgeries, and guide treatments. Find out more about what MRI involves. 

CT scans help health professionals diagnose and monitor medical conditions, plan surgeries, and guide treatments. Find out more about what a CT scan involves.

Fussy eating is common in tamariki (children), and it's common for them to dislike certain foods. Tamariki will gradually eat and explore new foods as they get older. Providing healthy food and an enjoyable eating environment for your child will help them enjoy mealtimes.

Many tamariki (children) come across porn and online sexual images now, whether it’s by accident, a friend has shown them, or because they’re curious. Sexual content is now featured across many mainstream social media platforms and often easier to find than avoid. Over a quarter of tamariki have seen porn by age 12. Having simple and age-appropriate conversations around porn and online sexual content with tamariki is a great way to help protect and prepare them to navigate their online world.

The online world is changing rapidly, and chances are most teenagers will see, or have seen, pornography (porn) either on porn sites or across mainstream social media platforms. Talking about porn can feel awkward at first, but young people tell us that they want, and need, better porn conversations and support from adults.

If you think your child or young person has an eating disorder, visit a health professional straight away. Ask for a referral to an eating disorder specialist service. Find out more about services for rangatahi (young people) with eating disorders, and support for parents and whānau (family).

Eating disorders are uncommon but serious mental health conditions that also affect physical health. Eating disorders can happen to anybody - regardless of their age, sex or size.  Check out the signs and symptoms if you're concerned your child or young person may have an eating disorder. Learn how to get them the help they need. 

Animal bites from dogs and cats are common, especially in tamariki (children). If your child has had an animal bite, see a health professional as soon as possible. They may need treatment.

Tiny powerful magnets can be very dangerous if swallowed by tamariki (children). If your toddler or child has swallowed a magnet, go straight to your nearest hospital.

When raising a child with a disability or illness, there may be appointments to attend and lots of healthcare providers to interact with. Having some systems in place to manage appointments and medical information can help you adapt to your new ‘normal’. 

Tamariki (children) need sleep to grow and develop. Sleep needs vary and change as they grow. Your child's sleep needs may differ from other tamariki their age. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you understand their sleep needs as they grow.