For the first time since becoming a parent, you're thinking about handing your child over to a babysitter. Do you dare to? Can you?

It begins with small portions of puréed food. The next step is chewing on more solid food, until eventually, you and your child are eating the same food.

Is it time to say goodbye to nappies? Does it look like your child can tell when they are peeing or pooing? That's great! Here's how to go about toilet training.

Routine sounds dull to us grown-ups, but it's the exact opposite for children. They love things to be predictable; it makes them feel happy and secure.

It's a toddler's body that dictates when it's time to stay dry for a whole night. Until that happens, there's no point trying to hurry the process.

If toilet training isn't working, the best advice is to relax, put your toddler back in nappies and try again later.

It's hard to tell if there's something wrong with your child's speech and language development or not. But trust your instincts and make that telephone call if you're at all worried.