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Disclaimer

Last updated: May 2026. Please read before using any content in this application.

This application is not medical advice. Nothing here replaces the judgement of a paediatrician, family doctor, child psychologist, or other qualified professional. If you are concerned about your child's health, development, or safety, contact a qualified professional.

Section 1

Not medical advice

Lehrjahre provides general information about parenting approaches, research findings, and communication strategies. The content is intended to support parental decision-making, not to replace clinical assessment or professional guidance.

The evidence tiers (A, B, C, D) reflect the state of published research as understood by the author. They are a navigational aid, not a clinical recommendation system. Individual circumstances vary significantly.

Section 2

When to contact a professional

Do not rely on this reference for the following situations. Contact a paediatrician, GP, child psychologist, or family therapist directly.

Developmental concerns: speech delays, motor delays, suspected autism spectrum, or any developmental milestone that worries you.
Persistent feeding refusal with weight loss or signs of failure to thrive.
Suicidal ideation, self-harm, or any mention by a child of not wanting to live. See Section 4 for crisis lines.
Any signs or suspicion of abuse, neglect, or safeguarding concerns.
Assessment for neurodivergence (ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorders, etc.).
Ongoing severe sleep disruption associated with physical symptoms, seizures, or significant distress.
Persistent, escalating aggression or violent behaviour that is not responding to consistent parenting approaches.
Eating disorders or severely disordered eating in children or adolescents.
Significant anxiety, depression, school refusal, or social withdrawal that persists over weeks.
Any situation where you feel unsafe or where a child is at immediate risk.

Section 3

Sleep training and safe sleep

The reference includes content on sleep approaches for infants and young children. This content discusses behavioural strategies and parenting approaches. It does not override safe-sleep guidelines.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NICE (UK) safe-sleep guidelines apply regardless of which parenting school you follow. Key rules: always place infants on their back to sleep; use a firm, flat sleep surface; keep the sleep environment free of soft objects, loose bedding, and bumpers; room-share without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months.

Co-sleeping (bed-sharing) under unsafe conditions (parental alcohol or sedative use, soft mattress, heavy bedding, smoking household) significantly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If you are considering co-sleeping, read the NICE and Lullaby Trust guidance first.

Section 4

Suicidal ideation and crisis situations

This reference includes content for parents navigating hard conversations with older children and teenagers, including topics related to suicidal thoughts and self-harm. This content is written to help parents understand what to say and how to respond.

If you are reading this because your child has expressed suicidal thoughts or harmed themselves, this is a clinical situation, not a parenting communication challenge. Please contact a crisis line or take your child to an emergency service immediately.

If you or your child is in crisis right now

Samaritans Free, 24 hours, 7 days: 116 123 (call or text) / [email protected]

Telefonseelsorge Kostenlos, 24 Stunden: 0800 111 0 111 oder 0800 111 0 222

Kinder- und Jugendtelefon (Nummer gegen Kummer) Mo-Sa 14-20 Uhr: 0800 111 0 550 (fur Kinder und Jugendliche)

Telefonseelsorge Osterreich Kostenlos, 24 Stunden: 142

Die Dargebotene Hand Kostenlos, 24 Stunden: 143

INT

International Association for Suicide Prevention Directory of crisis centres worldwide: iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres

These numbers are correct as of May 2026. Verify with the provider if you are reading this significantly later.

Section 5

Sex education content

This reference includes content to support parents in having age-appropriate conversations about bodies, puberty, relationships, and sex. The content uses anatomically correct language and is written to be suitable for the age groups indicated in each entry.

This is educational content for parents, not content directed at children. Parents should exercise their own judgement about timing, depth, and framing based on their child's maturity, cultural context, and family values.

Section 6

AI-generated adaptations

The optional 'Adapt to my situation' feature uses a large language model (via your own API key) to generate a personalised version of an entry based on the context you provide.

AI-generated adaptations can be wrong. Language models can misinterpret context, produce plausible-sounding but incorrect advice, or fail to flag situations that require professional intervention. Use AI-adapted output as a starting point for your own thinking, not as instruction. If an adaptation surprises you or feels wrong, trust that instinct and consult a professional.

Section 7

Age-appropriate use and parental judgement

The age bands in this reference are based on typical developmental trajectories, not fixed rules. Children vary enormously. An approach that suits a 6-year-old in one family may not suit a 6-year-old in another. The age ranges are a starting point, not a prescription.

You know your child. The reference gives you frameworks. You decide what applies.