Early years

Lucy Lloyd, from the Family and Parenting Institute, explains how parents can find quality childcare solutions.

The national charity, STEPS, is hoping their Baby Hip Health Week  13 to 19 March 2010 will help raise awareness amongst parents and health professionals of the vital need to check babies' hips during the first few weeks of life to prevent unnecessary pain and disability in later years – and they are asking you to help raise funds by hosting a tea party.

A new concept from Waterly Bottom Products means that potty-training is more comfortable for little bottoms and more hygienic for parent and toddler. Nicole Burroughs introduces daughter Eva to the Pourty Potty.

Baby equipment can tend to take over your home so Olivia Coates was keen to try out an new baby bath – FlexiBath – which folds flat for storage and can be used from birth to four years.

Innovative and stylish feeding products from Tomy that are ergonomically designed and PBA free.

As many parents know warming a bottle or heating up food for your baby or toddler whilst you're on the move can be a real problem. Australian company Make My Day have the answer with their great looking bottle warmer and Parenting Without Tears has six to give away.

Scope has launched a new free guide: Cerebral Palsy: Information, advice and support for parents during the early years.

David Wain, Carnation Footcare podiatrist, offers advice on when to buy and fit your toddler with shoes.

Newborns really only need to be cleaned with cottonwool and water. But what do you use for convenience when you're out and about? New dad Richard Hector-Jones tried out Waterwipes that are ideal for newborns and young babies.

Safety gates have beccome a fixed feature in many homes with young children. But what do you do when you are visiting friends and family or are on holiday? Alex Bell tried out the Lindam Flexigate while she was on holiday.

If you're planning to go back to work and have a baby or preschool child, Anne Coates thinks that Lucy Martin's The Childcare Bible should be on your recommended reading list.

Nina Otero found that Dream Tubes are the answer to keeping young children safely in bed - whether at home or away.

On their recent holiday, Nicole Borrough's daughter Eva tried out the Naturebott's UV Sunsuit.

Ever on the quest to be a "greener" mum, Nicole Burroughs tries out some eco-friendly disposable nappies, Bambo Nature, on Eva and is agreeably surprised.

To celebrate National Childcare Week (6 to 12 June), family friendly finance experts The Children’s Mutual and national childcare charity, Daycare Trust, have joined forces to launch a free Essential Guide to Childcare for Parents.

Meg Faure, author of Baby Sense, explains how even very young babies can and do communicate. Learning to understand your baby's cues can help you soothe them more easily.

Nicole Burroughs and baby Eve have been trying out Bell’s Lanolin Free Zinc & Castor Oil Cream.

To coincide with Real Nappy Week, Nicole Burroughs writes about her experience of changing from disposables to Bum Genius real nappies for daughter Eva.