Children’s health – articles and advice
Baby and toddler
Practical features for parents and carers on children’s health, growth and common conditions. For detailed reference, see our Patient Information Leaflets on children’s health.
Baby and toddler
Caring for babies and toddlers comes with many questions. From feeding to sleep and common illnesses, discover trusted advice for this vital stage of life.
- How to relieve your baby's teething pain
- Toddler bedtime routine: how to get your child to sleep
- How to help your baby sleep safely in hot weather
- How to introduce your baby to allergen foods
- How to keep your baby safe and warm in winter
- How to look after your baby's first teeth
- How to protect your baby against allergies
- How to wean a baby with a cow's milk allergy
- Putting together a budget for your baby
- What are the benefits of baby probiotics?
- When should your baby's bedtime be?
Bedwetting
Bedwetting is common in young children. Find out why it happens, how to support your child through it, and when to seek medical advice.
Child development
Every child grows at their own pace. Learn what milestones to expect in physical, emotional and social development, and when to discuss delays with a professional.
Child mental health and behaviour
Children can experience anxiety, mood swings, and behavioural challenges. Discover what’s normal, when to seek help, and how to support your child’s mental health.
- How to help your child cope with exam stress
- Grief and young people: how to cope with loss
- How to help your child with back-to-school anxiety
- How to spot the signs of anxiety in kids
- How to help if your child has an eating disorder
- Student mental health: how to tell if your child is depressed at university
- What happens when you transfer from child to adult mental health services?
- Could my toddler be depressed?
- Winter babies at greater risk of mental health problems
- How to spot the signs that your child is depressed
- How to ask kids about their health
- Should all children be screened for mental health problems?
- How to help your child build self-esteem
- How to cope if your teen is self-harming
- More evidence that social media is associated with teenage depression
- PANDAS: what we know and what we don’t
- Does taking paracetamol in pregnancy lead to behavioural problems in kids?
- Signs your child is struggling with their mental health
Childhood infections
Coughs, colds, chickenpox and more—childhood infections are common. Learn how to care for a sick child and when an infection needs medical attention.
Childhood vaccinations
Vaccines help protect children from serious diseases. Learn which jabs are recommended, when they’re given, and why vaccination is so important for lifelong health.
- Should all children have the flu vaccine?
- Why do kids need the flu jab?
- Free chickenpox vaccine to be offered to children in England for the first time
- Why isn't the chickenpox vaccine available on the NHS?
- Parents urged to vaccinate children as UK loses measles-free status
- Should your child get the chickenpox vaccine?
- Measles is back: why vaccines matter
- 1 in 5 children starting primary school are not fully protected against serious illnesses
- Offering HPV jab to boys will help prevent over 100,000 cancers
Digestive problems
Tummy aches, diarrhoea, or constipation? Discover the most common digestive issues in children and when to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Genetic conditions
Some children are born with inherited conditions. Discover how genetic disorders are diagnosed, the treatments available, and where to find support and advice.
Skin rashes in children
Rashes are common in children, but they can be alarming. Discover what’s behind different types of skin rashes and when they need medical attention.