Everyday habits for healthy, confident kids

Start with simple, warm conversations

• Ask what foods they enjoy and what they don’t.
• Check what their usual meals looked like before, and gently explain how your family does mealtimes.
• Reassure them that there’s no pressure — you’re learning each other’s rhythms, one day at a time.

Healthy habits

• Keep fresh fruit and vegetables available. Home-cooked meals don’t need to be fancy — simple and nourishing is enough.
• Encourage water as their main drink, and keep fizzy drinks or sugary juices as occasional treats.
• Save takeaway and hot chips for special moments rather than everyday meals.
• Support good rest. A consistent bedtime that suits their age helps their bodies grow and their minds settle.
• Move together when you can — a walk after dinner, shooting hoops, a scooter ride, swimming, or kicking a ball around.
• If they’re interested, explore local sports, dance classes, or activity groups. These can build confidence, belonging, and friendships.
• And when you can, swap a bit of screen time for fresh air and movement.

Turn off the TV — get kids walking, exploring, and feeling good in their bodies!

Create simple, steady routines

Babies and toddlers feel more secure when their day has a gentle rhythm.

• Try to keep feeding, bath time, naps and bedtime around the same time each day.
• Predictable routines help them learn what comes next and build trust in the adults caring for them.

Talk, smile and connect

Your voice and your face help little ones feel safe.

• Talk, smile, sing and repeat simple sounds.
• These small interactions teach the baby that you are the person who shows up, cares, and keeps them safe.

Keep an eye on new movers

Once babies start rolling or crawling, they can move quickly and unexpectedly.

• Never leave them alone on a bed, couch or change table where they could fall.
• Check the floor often — babies explore with their mouths!

Helping babies eat well and sleep safely

Feeding safely and simply

• Around six months, babies start trying mashed foods like soft rice, pasta, mashed veggies, banana or avocado.
• Formula and water are the best drinks. Avoid juice, cordial and sugary drinks.
• No cow’s milk until around 12 months unless guided by a health professional.

for more information see 

Useful resources

• Keep baby safe
• Keep baby safe video
• Feeding and soothing baby safety tips

• Baby carriers, wraps and slings guide
• Car seats guide
• Prams and strollers guide

Safety first for crawlers and climbers

Little ones are curious and can get into everything.

• Keep poisons, sharp objects and dangerous items stored up high or locked away.
• Toddlers love climbing and exploring — stay close and help them stay safe.
• Use barrier gates or locked doors to block off unsafe areas.
• Keep matches and lighters well out of reach.

Provide a stable environment,

a loving and caring environment for them to be in.

And roll with the punches.

 

Stephen, carer, St Ives

Toddlers learn through connection, repetition, and lots of reassurance.

• Offer plenty of cuddles and calm words so they know they matter and belong.
• By around 18 months, they may start feeding themselves, saying simple words like “milk” or “car,” and naming familiar things.
• They are full of energy and curiosity — guiding them gently through this stage helps them feel safe while learning about their world.

Even the most experienced carers need to keep up to date with information about the safest way for infants to sleep. Safe sleeping practices are vital to protect children, especially infants, from sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). 

The sudden unexpected death of a baby, when there is no apparent cause of death, is now called SUDI and includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. SIDS used to be called ‘cot death’. A baby can die of SUDI at any time of the day or night, but most die quietly in their sleep. 

Researchers still do not know what causes SUDI but have identified common risk factors. The best way to provide a safe sleeping environment is to make sure of the following:

• The baby sleeps alone in a cot and does not share a bed with others (called ‘co-sleeping’), particularly if the adult is a smoker, is affected by alcohol or drugs or is tired and likely to sleep very heavily.
• The mattress is firm, clean, fits the cot and doesn’t leave a gap for the baby to become trapped.
• The bed is dressed with a single fitted sheet, a single flat sheet and a blanket if some warmth is required.
• The infant is placed on their back and the feet are positioned at the bottom of the cot to prevent them slipping under bedding.
• Bedclothes are tucked firmly around the baby.
• No pillows, quilts or doonas are in the cot or draped over the cot.
• No cot bumpers are used and no soft toys are kept in the cot.
• The baby’s face is left uncovered and the baby does not sleep with a hat, beanie or hood.
• The baby is not at risk of overheating; don’t overdress the baby, don’t use an electric blanket or hot water bottle, and don’t have a heater in the room.
• The baby is not cold; dress the baby as you would dress yourself to be comfortably warm.
• The baby is never left to sleep in a sofa, armchair, beanbag, waterbed or other soft surfaces.
• All family members know about safe sleeping.
• No-one smokes inside the home, car or near infants and children. 

When a baby is placed in your care and recognises you for the first time, it is one of the most beautiful moments you can experience. 

 

Vikki, carer, Southern Highlands

A baby or infant’s cot can also be the site of other injuries. Most are related to falls, but children can also be injured by striking sharp edges in the cot, getting stuck between bars, or getting clothes caught on fittings such as bolts, knobs and corner posts, causing strangulation. 

All cots sold in this country must comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003. If you are buying a new cot, make sure it carries this standard. All cots sold in this country must comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003. If you are buying a new cot, make sure it carries this standard.

If your cot is a hand-me-down, make sure it meets legal requirements:

• The space between bars or panels on the sides of the cot is no less than 50 mm and no more than 95 mm apart. If gaps are smaller, infants may get a foothold and push themselves up and out of the cot. If gaps are wider they can trap a baby’s head, arms or legs.
• The distance between the top surface of the mattress and the top of the cot should be no less than 600 mm.
• There are no spaces or gaps between 30 mm and 50 mm that could trap a child’s arms or legs.
• There are no small holes or openings between 5 mm and 12 mm that could trap a child’s fingers.
• The cot is placed in a safe spot with locking brakes on. ●

For information on safe sleeping, contact your doctor or early childhood nurse, or take a look at the website run by Red Nose (formerly Sids and Kids) at rednose.org.au.

• Teach them to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Help them brush their teeth after brekkie and before bed. Celebrate their efforts — kids love feeling successful.
• Encourage good sleep, rest and downtime.

• yoghurt
• carrot sticks
• avocado
• brown rice, noodles or pasta
• soft meats or fish (without bones)
• mashed veggies or fruit
• fruit kebabs
• soft-cooked chicken with mashed potato and peas

• Talking with them often — name objects, describe what you’re doing, and respond to their sounds or early words.
• Reading or storytelling every day — picture books, songs and simple stories build language, bonding and imagination.
• Getting down to their level — eye contact and calm attention help them feel safe, seen and willing to try new words.
• Praising all communication attempts — pointing, gestures, babbling and new words are all progress worth celebrating.
• Reducing background noise — turning down loud TVs or chatter helps little ones hear clearly and practise language.

The key to navigating this is bringing a positive, super patient, and step-by-step attitude to the process. Focusing on clear, simple words and making sure they feel safe and secure (whether on a little potty or a seat with a step) can make all the difference. Remember, there's no race here.

Most children start toilet training around two to three years old, with boys often starting a little later than girls. You’ll notice they may show signs of readiness by:

• Pulling at wet or dirty nappies
• Telling you when they’re wet
• Saying they don’t want to wear nappies anymore

Getting started

Take it step by step, keeping it positive and relaxed:

• Use simple words: wet, dry, wee, poo, it’s coming. This helps children understand their body signals.
• Choose the right toilet setup: a child-sized potty or a toilet seat with a step so they feel safe and secure.
• Keep it safe: store cleaners, deodorants, and toiletries out of reach.
• Dress for success: use clothes that are easy to pull on and off.
• Teach hygiene: show them how to wash their hands after using the toilet or potty.

Encouragement matters

Toilet training can take time, and accidents will happen. Celebrate small steps and praise their efforts — this builds confidence and shows them you’re there to support them. Try not to get cross; your calm guidance helps them feel safe and capable.

Let's be honest, nighttime dryness is a whole different ballgame and often takes much longer than toilet training. Bedwetting happens to so many children, and it’s important to treat it with calmness and real empathy.

Children can feel sad or worried when they wake up in a wet bed. Tell the child that bedwetting happens sometimes, don’t be shamed and that they will grow out of it over time.

Explain that sometimes the brain doesn’t send the message to the body to go to the toilet. Change the sheets, don’t make a big fuss. Make sure they have a wash in the morning to feel fresh.

• try leaving a potty in the room at night
• leave a soft light on or tell them to call for you if they don’t like the dark
• waking them up to go to the toilet later in the night sometimes works
• don’t punish or tease the child – this will make it worse
• don’t make young children change the bed – it might feel like punishment.

Talk to the caseworker, doctor or nurse if you are worried.

Remember: your support helps them build the confidence to eventually master night dryness.

• Talk about feelings. Help them find the words: “You look upset… are you tired or sad, or just needing a break?”
• Make sure they’re rested. Many tantrums happen when kids are hungry, tired or overstimulated - stepping in early helps.
• Gently distract. Offer a book, a favourite toy, or sing a little song to shift their focus and reset.
• Show you’re listening. Look them in the eyes, nod, keep your voice soft and reflect back to them: “I hear you. I’m here. It hurts my ears when you shout, let’s breathe together.”
• Use closeness to calm. A cuddle, sitting next to them, or holding their hand can help them settle.
• Keep routines steady. Predictable mealtimes, rest times, and quiet times help children feel grounded and less overwhelmed.

• Talk about caring for our bodies in a positive way — how being clean helps us feel healthy, comfortable and proud.
• Keep bath or shower time at a regular time each day so it becomes part of their natural rhythm.
• Show them how to wash their face, feet, underarms, behind their ears, and how to shampoo and rinse their hair.
• Help with trimming fingernails and toenails as needed.
• Check for nits using conditioner and a fine-tooth comb — almost every child gets them at some stage. Keeping long hair tied back can help.
• Teach them how to blow their nose and explain why it matters (“This helps you breathe easier and keeps your ears clear”).
• Avoid comments like “smelly” or “stinky.” Focus on encouragement, reassurance, and building their confidence.
• Keep clothes clean and fresh — this helps them feel comfortable at school and blend in with their peers.
• Show teens how to use deodorant and let them know where pads or tampons are kept so they can access them privately.

• Talk about hygiene as a way of feeling comfortable, confident, and ready for the day — not as a criticism.
• Ask what they already know or what routines they had before, and build from there.
• Keep instructions simple and private. Teens appreciate dignity.

• Encourage a daily shower or bath, especially after sport or on hot days.
• Show them how to wash their hair properly and how often might suit their hair type.
• Talk about washing their face once or twice daily to help with sweat or breakouts.
• Support them to keep their clothes clean and remind them to put dirty clothes in the wash.
• Make sure they have deodorant and explain how to use it.

• Let young people who menstruate know where pads or tampons are stored and that they can ask you privately if they need anything.
• A small pouch or toiletry bag can help them feel prepared and confident at school or outings.

• Knock before entering their room.
• Give them space to manage their own care, stepping in only when needed.
• Avoid teasing, jokes, or comments about smell or appearance — these can be deeply hurtful for teens.

• Nits: reassure them it happens to everyone and help treat it privately.
• Body odour: talk about it calmly and explain that regular washing and deodorant help.
• Skin concerns: support them to find gentle products, and chat with your caseworker if they need more help.

With patience, trust, and encouragement, teens learn that caring for themselves isn’t about being judged — it’s about pride, confidence and feeling good in their own skin