At what age should you wean a child, and how?

Claire Scott says...
Infants should be exclusively breast-fed for six months. Then let him join you at the table, in arms or in an appropriate chair, and offer him food that you are eating on his own plate. Over the next year or two he will take less breast milk and more solids. His last breast-feed should be around 2

Dreena Hamilton says...
I believe 3-4 months is a good time when baby’s digestive system has settled and colic problems are easing. Start by replacing the early evening feed with a bottle. After a few days replace a second breast-feed with a bottle and so on until through a period of two to three weeks, the baby is completely weaned from the breast

Claire Verity says...
The DOH advises that you do not wean a child until it is 6 months. I, however, wean as and when a baby requires – it’s usually around the four months stage. Some babies cannot survive on milk alone until 6 months – I would rather feed them than starve them.

When should you start potty-training and what is the best method?

Claire Scott says...
A potty should be made constantly available from about the age of 1, in many rooms of the house. At every nappy change, sit your baby on the potty. Notice when your baby is doing a poo and offer him the potty. If you can tell if he is weeing, again offer the potty. He or she will soon be familiar with it and you’ll find that by 2 or slightly later your baby will be toilet independent

Dreena Hamilton says...
Potty training is best left until 18 months to 2 years. Introduce the potty at intervals throughout the day, starting after breakfast. Make light of it and relax: praise and loving encouragement get you everywhere

Claire Verity says...
Not applicable: Claire Verity deals only with babies up to a year old

What is your view on dummies and other pacifiers?

Claire Scott says...
abies that have unfettered access to the breast don’t need a dummy: they can get nipple confusion and suck on the breast incorrectly, causing sore nipples. Using a dummy can also affect your milk supply

Dreena Hamilton says...
Babies and young toddlers love the sucking sensation. It is soothing. If it works for you, fine, as long as you ignore the opinions of family and friends: it’s your baby, your life and your sanity. The downside is dependency

Claire Verity says...
I have no objections to dummies whatsoever. Sometimes a baby needs more than a cuddle to soothe it. Dummies have been proven to cut down on cot death and you can control their use, unlike a thumb

How do you deal with a child who won’t sleep at night?

Claire Scott says...
If you are feeding the baby on a schedule, denying it physical contact, not allowing it to sleep with you and ignoring its cries, you are ignoring your own instincts and making your baby an adversary. It fills the baby with despair and he learns to distrust his parents: that his signals are not worthy of being listened to. It is always detrimental to leave a baby to cry

Dreena Hamilton says...
A winding-down time after the last meal followed by a warm bath and a warm milky drink can help. When the child is in bed, cuddle up together with a story and keep the lights dim. Sometimes young children wake in the night because they feel insecure. No harm in climbing into the child’s bed on the odd occasion, but best not to make a habit of it. TV in the bedroom, an absolute nono

How do you deal with sibling rivalry?

Claire Scott says...
Parents can be too child-centred. A child needs a mother who is confident and calm, who knows what to do. It may look like the child is struggling for more control, but ironically she is struggling not to be in control and is pushing you until you stand firm. Never ask her what she wants to do or give her choices: tell her, and be firm, but never in an angry way. She’ll try to push you until you do stand firm, then she’ll feel safe and secure. This security will result in a calmer, happier, more confident child and less sibling rivalry

Dreena Hamilton says...
I found the best solution was to make time for each child at some point in the week that was completely our time together without siblings. There will always be some kind of jealousy dynamic in families. I don’t believe the “smugglies”, whose children never fight or compete. The rest of life is a competition of sorts, so it’s best to start at home to learn how to cope with human feelings. My last word on the subject: equal love, just different treatment

How do you persuade fussy eaters to eat their greens?

Claire Scott says...
Start from birth. Breast-feeding is the absolute best start to a baby’s life. When introducing solids, keep it healthy. As a family, eat healthily and don’t have processed foods in the house. If you are time-tight, there are plenty of whole foods that take under ten minutes to prepare

Dreena Hamilton says...
Have fun with food. Make spooky green potato monsters in which to hide puréed green veg squirted with modest amounts of ketchup. Hide good things in brightly coloured soup full of Alphabety spaghetti. Make a smoothie and hide anything in it as long as you add honey

Assuming both parents work, what form of daycare would you recommend?

Claire Scott says...
Rethink your lifestyle and career. First, is there anything you can cut back on? Cable TV/the extra takeaway/gym memberships? Second, look at each parent’s career and working hours. Many people can play “tag”, working from home one day a week each. The best form of care for the baby is to be brought up by her whole family, using Mum, Dad, grandparents, aunties and uncles. Ultimately we all have choices in how we manage our jobs, careers, finances and lifestyles

Dreena Hamilton says...
Grandparents are the best solution but not everyone has that luxury. Word of mouth is the best recommendation for nursery or childminder. References are crucial. Nannies, au pairs and mothers helps are fine if a home has the space to accommodate someone living in. This is good solution for parents who then have a resident babysitter and wonderful continuity for the baby. Parents can experience jealousy, though, when the child becomes attached to a carer

Claire Verity says...
Daycare all depends on the limit of your budget, ranging from a nursery through to a nanny. A lot of parents also rely on grandparents if they are available, but whichever daycare you choose you should be very happy with it. Don’t take any chances – these people are caring for the most precious thing in your life

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