Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

raisingchildren.net.au

raisingchildren.net.au is Australia’s trusted, online parenting resource from pregnancy and birth to raising teens.

Reviewed by experts and based on evidence, raisingchildren.net.au is designed for busy families and contains videos and articles on hundreds of topics. With easy-to-digest information tailored to ages and stages, raisingchildren.net.au helps parents navigate the daily decisions of raising children and looking after their own needs.

More than 78 000 parents visit raisingchildren.net.au every day to explore reliable information about children’s health, sleep, behaviour, eating, physical activity, family relationships, raising teenagers and much more.

How raisingchildren.net.au can help

raisingchildren.net.au provides up-to-date, evidence-based information about raising children and caring for yourself as a parent or carer. They use everyday language with plenty of real-life examples.

Health and education professionals who work with families also recommend the website and distribute its information to parents.

raisingchildren.net.au is Australian Government funded and free of advertising and commercial interests.

Some parents who use raisingchildren.net.au have commented:

  • “I use it whenever I have a parenting issue. I think it’s the best parenting website I have found.”
  • “Having somewhere safe to look for advice makes me feel strong as a parent.”
  • “[The site] often reinforces what I am already doing which gives me confidence.”

The website is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. It is a partnership between the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Recommended links

Last reviewed: March 2024

Information from this partner

Found 874 results

Orthodontics, mouth guards & more: teens | Raising Children Network

Common teenage teeth issues include teeth-grinding, orthodontics and injuries to teeth. If your child plays sport, a mouth guard is a very good idea.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Child disability & parent relationships | Raising Children Network

There are great things about raising children with disability, autism or other additional needs. If you’re in a relationship, it can also bring challenges.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

School refusal: autistic children & teens | Raising Children Network

Autistic children might have school refusal because they’re worried about school or don’t want to leave home. Working with schools can help children return.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Corporal punishment & smacking | Raising Children Network

Corporal punishment harms children and doesn’t help with behaviour. Behaviour strategies based on quality time and positive attention are better for children.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Cloth nappies & disposable nappies | Raising Children Network

What nappies should you use for your baby? Our guide takes you through the pros and cons of cloth nappies and disposable nappies to help you decide.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Sleepwalking: children and teens | Raising Children Network

Sleepwalking is when your child gets out of bed and walks around as if awake. Sleepwalking doesn’t hurt your child. Most children grow out of sleepwalking.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Pregnancy care and appointments | Raising Children Network

In this pregnancy care video, parents talk about why it’s important to go to pregnancy appointments. The video has information for parents new to Australia.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Doulas & how they can help in pregnancy | Raising Children Network

Doulas support women with information and practical and emotional care during pregnancy and birth. Doulas work in homebirth and hospital settings.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

NICU noise & sleep: sick or premature baby | Raising Children Network

Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can affect how sick or premature babies sleep. You can work with NICU staff to monitor and manage noise.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Kabuki syndrome: signs, diagnosis, support | Raising Children Network

Kabuki syndrome causes intellectual disability and developmental delay. If your child has Kabuki syndrome, early intervention can make a big difference.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.