Key points Keeping your baby’s genitals clean helps to prevent infections and keep your baby healthy. To clean your baby’s genitals, use warm water and a cotton ball. You don’t need soap.

Nappy rash is common and can happen no matter how carefully you look after your baby’s bottom. Almost all children who wear nappies get nappy rash at some stage.

Key points: - Plenty of clear, colourless wee shows that your baby is healthy and getting enough fluids. - The frequency, colour, consistency and smell of baby poo varies a lot among babies. - Baby poo is affected by baby diet. - Poo problems include constipation and diarrhoea. It’s best to see your GP about poo problems.

You don’t need to cut baby nails very often. It can help to cut nails while your baby is calm or drowsy, or try singing or distracting baby in some other way. Babies might get an infection around the fingernail or toenail. If you see signs of infection, see your doctor.

The baby belly button is what’s left of the umbilical cord after birth. Before birth this cord channels nutrients and oxygen from mother to baby in the womb. When the cord is cut at birth, a small stump is left attached to baby’s tummy.

Your baby’s eyes, nose and ears need gentle cleaning once a day.

Most premature babies have typical development. The earlier that premature babies are born, the more likely it is that they will have development problems. Some premature children have thinking and learning difficulties, or problems with physical, social or emotional development. If you’re worried about your child’s development, speak to your child and family health nurse, GP or paediatrician.

A premature baby’s development happens in the same order as it would have happened in the womb. How early babies are born might affect the speed of their growth and their behaviour over time. When your baby reaches certain health, growth and development goals, you will be able to take him home.

Key points: - Corrected age is your premature baby’s chronological age minus how many weeks or months early she was. - Corrected age can be helpful if you are trying to work out whether your premature baby’s growth and development is tracking in a typical way. - If you are worried about your child’s growth and development, see your doctor.

Children are born with their own ways of responding to the world. This is called temperament. Understanding your child’s temperament can help you choose parenting strategies that nurture your child’s development.