Baby carrier
When my baby was about 5 months old, my friend introduced me to the Carry-B baby carrier. I did not think I would be using it much as I tend to use a stroller when I go outside.

Little did I know how practical it was, even in the house! My baby gets cranky or fussy easily when he is hungry. I used to get all stressed out trying to prepare the milk quickly while he would be howling away in the baby cot. He would only calm down when I carry him but I needed a free hand to prepare the milk at the same time. So the Carry-B was a life saver. Baby stops crying almost immediately and I could prepare the milk in peace (minus the screaming). So far, it has been six months and I am still using the Carry-B on a daily basis. Baby's happy and I am happy. – Jasmine Ooi (via email)

Be firm
Luckily Saffron’s not a fussy child. I think it boils down to me being quite strict with rules since she was very young. I do try be a little easy-going as she gets older, i.e. more like a friend so that she can confide in me when in doubt, however always standing firm when she crosses the boundaries. I find it particularly challenging as I do try to instil Malaysian values which sometimes don’t coincide with western values. So it's quite a balancing act! – Indira Ellis, mother of one girl aged 12, from England

Bored, tired or hungry
Fussiness I think comes from one of three things – they're either bored, tired or hungry. If she's just having an episode where she can't be consoled like if she's crying uncontrollably or fussing at everybody or making a problem for everyone, I'll put her in her cot for 10, 15 minutes. Either she'll fall asleep or she'll be fine and come back out with a better attitude. Sometimes she just needs a few minutes alone. The important thing to remember is babies cry because they can't speak and usually they're just bored, hungry or tired in most cases. – Melissa Lozano, mother of four children from 14 months to 5 ½ years