“Wash your hands!”

Parents may repeat this sentence many times every day.

The easiest long-term solution is to connect handwashing with routines children already understand.

Pick the important moments

Teach children to wash their hands:

• Before eating.

• After using the toilet.

• After outdoor play.

• After blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.

• When hands are visibly dirty.

Teach the steps simply

Use clean running water and soap.

Help your child rub the fronts and backs of the hands, between fingers and around fingertips before rinsing and drying.

Younger children will need supervision.

Make the environment easy

A safe step stool can help children reach the sink independently.

Keep soap accessible.

You can also use a short song while washing to stop the routine from feeling rushed.

Model it yourself

Children notice adults.

If parents wash before cooking or eating, the behaviour feels like a normal family habit rather than another child-only rule.

Avoid making children frightened of germs.

The goal is sensible hygiene—not constant worry about touching things.

💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip

Connect handwashing to a predictable event:

Come home → shoes off → wash hands.

Habits become easier when children don’t have to decide when to do them.

Source: CDC – About Hand Hygiene in Schools and Early Care

Children can lose fluids during vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or hot weather.

Babies and young children can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.

What signs should parents watch for?

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration can include:

• Urinating less often.

• Fewer wet diapers in babies.

• Dry mouth.

• Fewer tears when crying.

• Playing less than usual.

More serious dehydration may cause:

• Unusual sleepiness.

• Sunken eyes.

• Very little urination.

• Cool or discoloured hands and feet.

What can parents do?

Offer appropriate fluids regularly.

When a child is losing a lot of fluid through vomiting or diarrhoea, your paediatrician may recommend an oral electrolyte solution.

Avoid assuming that soft drinks or very sugary beverages are good substitutes.

When should you seek help?

Contact your paediatrician if your child shows signs of dehydration, cannot keep fluids down or appears unusually sleepy or unwell.

Babies require particular attention because they can deteriorate more quickly.

💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip

Don’t judge hydration only by whether your child says:

“I’m thirsty.”

Watch urination, mouth, tears, energy and behaviour too.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics – Signs of Dehydration in Children

A sleeping baby may look comfortable on their side, surrounded by blankets and soft toys.

But for infant sleep, simple is safer.

Always place babies on their backs

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing healthy babies on their backs for every nap and every night.

Side and stomach sleeping are not considered safe sleep positions for young babies.

Keep the sleep surface firm and flat

Use a safety-approved crib, bassinet or suitable infant sleep space with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet.

Keep the sleep area free of:

• Pillows.

• Loose blankets.

• Stuffed toys.

• Bumper pads.

• Other soft objects.

What if your baby rolls?

Always place your baby down on their back.

Once a baby can comfortably roll both ways on their own, you generally do not need to repeatedly turn them back—but the sleep space should still remain empty and safe.

💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip

For baby sleep, remember:

Back. Firm. Flat. Clear.

A simple sleep space is a safer sleep space.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics – How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe

Yes.

A helmet should be part of every bicycle ride, even if your child is only riding near home.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children wear a helmet on every bike ride, including short rides on sidewalks, driveways and bike paths.

Why does a helmet matter?

Falls can happen quickly.

A properly fitted bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury.

The rule should be simple:

Bike on = helmet on.

That makes the helmet a habit rather than something used only for longer rides.

Make sure it fits properly

A child’s helmet should:

• Sit level on the head.

• Cover the upper forehead.

• Not slide over the eyes.

• Fit snugly.

• Have the chin strap properly fastened.

Use a helmet designed and certified for bicycle riding.

Parents should wear one too

Children notice what adults do.

If parents ride without helmets while asking children to wear them, the rule becomes harder to reinforce.

Also avoid buying an oversized bicycle that your child is expected to “grow into.” A properly sized bike is safer and easier to control.

💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip

Don’t negotiate about helmets based on distance.

Make it one simple family rule:

No helmet = no ride.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics – Bike Helmets for Kids