How I Show Up (Virtually) for New Parents:

Infant Soothing and Sleep Tips

When I'm not in your home with you, I can't hold your crying baby so you can shower. I can't swaddle them and put them down for a nap.

But, I can always give you some tools and tips to calm and relax your baby, help you to understand their behavior and answer your concerns. In turn, this will quiet your mind (and hopefully, your baby) so you can breathe easier, feel more confident and hopefully have a little more time to take care of yourself.

With the help of my life-size baby doll and video calls, I demonstrate burping positions, baby holds that soothe the stomach, how to swaddle and a variety of tips to soothe a crying baby. We talk, in real time, so I can see what you're dealing with and the challenges you're personally facing.

You know your baby best. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to what will work to soothe your newborn. My support is tailored to suit you and your growing family.

But there is one tip that's my first "go-to," when babies are fussy, won't latch or are having a hard time quieting down. It's so simple, costs nothing and it's good for both caretaker and baby!

It's skin-to-skin. It's exactly what it sounds like. Baby is stripped down to their diaper and held against the bare chest of mom, dad or even older sibling! Wrap a blanket around the baby's back to keep warm. The benefits are many, including stabilizing body temperature, reduction of pain and breastfeeding initiation. For more detailed information, read on.

After breastfeeding, sleep is the next biggest concern for new parents. Or, should I say, the lack of sleep. I help parents understand infant sleep patterns so they can have realistic expectations of what their baby is capable of and how best to meet their baby's needs. We also talk about how to minimize the risk for SIDS.

All this and so much more can be done virtually, right from the comfort of your bed. Rest easy.