Parenting Babies & Children

Being a parent can be the best and the hardest thing you've ever done. Meet other families/whānau share their stories of parenting in the first 5 years and find out about the best things you can do to help your child learn and develop. 

A mother kissing her young son while father and daughter play in the background

A listing of organisations, resources and supports available for parents and whānau (family) of rainbow tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).

Children and teenagers' emotional wellbeing is better when whānau can get the right support. Kiwi families have access to parenting support to improve emotional wellbeing for our tamariki.

Your lead maternity carer will care for you while you are pregnant, during labour and birth and for 4 to 6 weeks after your baby is born. All maternity care is free unless you choose a specialist doctor.

Whare Kahikā (ancestral home) is an app giving whānau knowledge to create a safe physical home environment for tamariki (children).

Attachment is the deep bond which develops between a child and their primary caregiver in the first few years of life. Secure attachments have positive outcomes for infants and children throughout their lives.

Crying is your baby's way of communicating. Babies often need a lot of calming, soothing and holding when they are upset.

Every year, too many New Zealand babies die suddenly during sleep. Find out about the best ways to reduce the risk. Make every sleep a safe sleep for your baby.

Three different whānau share their stories in a video about baby's first year. Hear what mums have to say about looking after yourself and dads describe how they support mum and baby.

Meet Monique and Paulo and their 6 week old baby, Peyton. Watch a video and hear Monique's advice about looking after yourself after baby is born and how your whānau and partner can support you.

Meet Sylvia, who is 4 months old, and her mum, Emily, dad Daniel, and Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse. In a video, they talk about some of the things involved in caring for your baby from 6 weeks to 6 months of age.

Meet Frances and Wikeepa and their 11 month old baby, Waireti. In a video about caring for your baby from 6 to 12 months of age, hear how being a father has changed Wikeepa. Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse talks about how you can help your baby to learn and develop.

Between 1 and 2 years your child may become more independent and their behaviour may change. Meet Amiria and Watene and their 2 children, Tawhai and Kahukura. Tawhai is 15 months old. Find out about safety in the home and how you can help your child learn and develop.

Children at 2 to 3 years of age are learning about themselves and what they want and don't want. Meet Kanae and Steve and their 2 children, Kaila and Hugo. Kaila is 2 years old. Watch a video and find out what Kanae and Steve enjoy most about being parents and their hopes for their children.

Children at 3 to 5 years of age are busy, are interested in new things and enjoy being active. Meet Ria and Barry and their 2 children, Ocean and Kārearea. Ocean is 3 and Kārearea is 4. Watch a video and find out how Ria and Barry care for their children and keep them healthy and safe.

Watch a video to see 3 different whānau share their stories about the rewards and challenges of being parents. We hear how the Well Child Tamariki Ora nurses give them support and advice about caring for your child from 1 to 5 years of age.

Tantrums are common in tamariki (children). They are a normal part of child development. Find out what you can do when they happen.

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.

All tamariki (children) explore different ways of expressing their gender. For some tamariki, gender can be fluid. Be open to wherever your child's gender journey leads. Find out how to support your gender diverse younger child or teen, and where to get your own support. Check the resources for takatāpui and whānau, and Pasifika young people.

As tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) use more digital technology, it's important to teach them about online safety. Check some information and resources to help you keep your child safe while they are online, communicating and watching media.