Key points: Symptoms of an external ear infection include pain and itchiness. The ear usually feels blocked. Your child might get an external ear infection from swimming, cotton buds, eczema, dermatitis and so on. Take your child to the GP if you think he has an external ear infection.

Bedwetting or enuresis is when children who are toilet trained wet the bed at night without meaning to. Bedwetting is most common in children under seven years, but it also happens in older children. There are things you can do about it. It is imporatnat to see your doctor if your child started again with bedwetting after she was already "dry' at night.

Most first teeth appear at 6-10 months, but babies get teeth at different times. When teeth arrive, brush twice a day with water and a soft infant toothbrush. Avoid tooth decay by feeding your newborn only breastmilk or infant formula. Don’t give your baby a bottle in bed.

Picking up a newborn baby

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Baby cues: ‘I want attention’

Key points Preschoolers love using their developing language skills to understand and explain their world. Preschoolers are starting to use words to describe feelings. They can also use longer sentences and tell longer stories. When your child is talking, show her that you’re listening. And encourage her to listen and take turns in conversation.

Tooth decay can cause pain or infection. It can also affect growth and development. Signs of decay include white patches or brown spots on teeth, red or swollen gums, holes in teeth or broken teeth. If you think your child has tooth decay, see your dentist. Prevent decay with good dental care, healthy eating and drinking, and regular dental check-ups.

What happens after birth depends on your labour, how your baby is born and how quickly your baby adapts to life outside the womb.You can bond with your baby as soon as he’s born if he’s breathing well and your health is stable. If your baby needs help to breathe, doctors and midwives will give your baby extra oxygen, a special breathing mask or breathing tube.

It is normal for children to feel upset when they hear a new baby is coming. Talk early to your other children about the baby and involve them in planning and preparing. Try to keep children’s routines the same, especially in the early months. Introduce new routines gradually. When the new baby arrives, look for ways to make all children feel special.

Vitamin D helps bones grow, develop properly and stay strong. Children get most of their vitamin D from sunlight as well as a small amount from some foods. If you’re worried your child has a vitamin D deficiency, it’s a very good idea to talk with your GP.