I have just found my own plunket book which is now a ripe old age of 25!

To read it was amusing to say the least, the things mums were told back then are sure to be frowned on now, in fact it's a wonder any of us survived.

Firstly we look at suggestions for feeding: Breastmilk is best for babies, most babies grow well on breastmilk until they are 4 or 5 months old. Then add some soft food, as well as the milk. Start with sieved fruits or veges, porridge or baby cereal. It is better not to add sugar or salt.

When baby is 6 or 7 months old she can drink ordinary cows milk, give water or juice rather than tea. She can chew on rusks and crusts, she can eat mashed fruits, potato and vegetables, minced meat and fish and grated cheese.

Under the first 6 months heading: Keep the bedroom at an evenly warm temperature winter and summer. On many nights especially in Wellington and south Island you may have to shut the bedroom windows and draw the curtains to keep the room warm enough.

Under the car safety heading: From about 1 year of age, if there is no safety seat or harness for your child, she should use the adult seat belt. Tighten it until the flat of your hand just fits between belt and body. If the diagonal belt crosses near the childs face or neck, slip it behind her. If there is a restraint to use, by law it must be used. Otherwise put your child in the rear seat. A child in the front seat must by law have a restraint for her own use.

Anyone else thankful things have changed? I'm assuming that instead of global warming there has been global cooling in the last 20 years, not only do we need to shut our windows and draw the blind to keep warm, sometimes we even need to turn on the heater! At the age of 6 months I was having juice bottles, *luckily* I had flouride tablets to even things out a bit - LOL  I can still remember having a sleep on a mattress in the back of the car while travelling.

What things have changed since you were a child?