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Health and wellbeing

Science-backed information for looking after your family’s health.

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UNICEF South Africa/Hearfield
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Every parent wishes for their child to grow up happy and healthy. Find out how to support your child’s physical and mental health.

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Baby health
Mental health and well-being
Protecting against childhood illnesses
Safety tips
Digital parenting
Healthy habits

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Baby health

Advice for taking care of your new family member.

Video

Newborn health warning signs

A doctor explains the red flag symptoms that parents should know

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Video

7 questions every new parent has about babies

A baby expert answers some of parents' most searched for questions

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Why do babies cry?

Learn how to translate your child’s first language

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What you need to know about newborn sleep

Your questions: Answered

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Mental health and well-being

Expert tips and resources to help you support your child's and your own mental health.

All tips and resources
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How to start the conversation

Mental health conditions explained

For infants to pre-teens | For teens | Self-care for parents

Guides to big conversations

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Vaccines

Questions about vaccines? We've got the answers.

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All you need to know about childhood vaccinations

The safest method to protect children from life-threatening diseases.

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How to prepare your young child for getting a vaccine

7 tips to help make the moment go smoothly

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Vaccines for children: Answers to your questions

Parents’ most frequently asked questions about vaccines

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Protection from cervical cancer

All you need to know about the HPV vaccine and the school-based vaccination campaign

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Digital parenting

Expert tips to help your family's online experiences stay safe and positive.

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Supporting your child through a negative online experience

5 steps to respond and help support your child

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10 ways to create healthy digital habits at home

Expert advice on how to improve your family’s relationship with tech – and each other

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Cyberbullying: What is it and how to stop it

What teens want to know about cyberbullying

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Resource

Low-data resources to empower parents

Supporting you in the most precious task of all – raising your child

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How to keep your child safe online

5 ways to help keep your child’s online experiences positive and safe

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What you need to know about “sharenting”

Expert tips on protecting your child’s privacy in the digital age

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Teen mental health and social media

We asked mental health experts how they approach social media in their families

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Online privacy checklist for parents

How to protect your child’s identity and personal information online

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Safety tips

Guidance for keeping your family safe.

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Road safety tips

Expert advice for protecting your family

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Burns, scalds and fire-related safety tips

How to prevent and treat burns and scalds

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Heat wave safety tips

Learn how to help keep your children and family safe in extreme heat

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Drowning prevention tips

Life-saving advice to help keep your family safe near water

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Healthy habits

Simple steps that can provide lasting benefits.   

Resource

Low-data resources to empower parents

Supporting you in the most precious task of all – raising your child

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Explainer

How to raise a healthy eater

6 ways to set your child on the path to a lifetime of positive habits

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Explainer

10 ways to create healthy digital habits at home

Expert advice on how to improve your family’s relationship with tech – and each other

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Talking about periods at home

How to approach the period conversation and help your child feel safe, healthy and supported

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More to explore

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Child care

Expert parenting tips on everything from handling big conversations to getting the most out of play

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Child development

With expert guidance and tips, we’re with you for every step of your child’s journey

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Food and nutrition

Learn how to set your child on a path to healthy habits for life

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UNICEF parenting

Helping parents give children in South Africa the best start in life.

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