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Who doesn't love a snuggly, cozy contact nap? While it may seem like a small act, the impact of contact naps on emotional well-being and relationship dynamics can be significant.

Contact naps are simply when your baby takes a nap on you!! Or when your baby falls asleep while in a baby carrier against you? Have you found yourself with an asleep baby on you and figured, let's stay here and make the most of this sleep?….. that is a contact nap 😊

At the core of contact naps lies the concept of secure attachment. Dr. John Bowlby's attachment theory emphasizes the importance of consistent and responsive caregiving in the early years of a child's life. Contact naps reinforce a sense of security and trust, laying the foundation for a solid emotional bond. This early sense of security forms the basis for future emotional resilience and healthy social development.

In a world where stimuli can overwhelm a newborn, the emotional benefits of contact naps are immeasurable. The physical touch and close proximity trigger the release of oxytocin, which acts as a natural stress reliever, helping your newborn navigate the world with a greater sense of ease. A strong parent-infant bond also enhances your ability to understand and respond to your baby's cues.

Contact naps also provide parents with a unique opportunity for rest and rejuvenation. Relaxing alongside your napping newborn strengthens your emotional connection and allows for moments of self-care amid the demanding early days of parenthood.

Always prioritize safety when practicing contact naps. Follow recommended guidelines for safe sleep, and if possible, have someone check in on you and your baby periodically during a contact nap to make sure you haven't dozed off while snuggling your baby.

Contact naps with newborns are a simple yet powerful way to nurture a strong emotional connection and foster a sense of security.

Becoming a new parent is a joyful yet challenging experience. With the digital age in full swing, there are now numerous apps and websites designed to support and simplify parenthood.

Baby Tracker Apps:
🔶Glow Baby:
Glow Baby is a comprehensive app that helps parents track feeding times, diaper changes, sleep schedules, and more. It also provides insights into your baby's development, ensuring that you stay on top of crucial milestones.

🔶Baby Connect:
Baby Connect is an app to track literally everything your baby does, and in great detail, if you wish, you can also use Siri shortcuts for regular tasks, and they’ll be auto-logged upon your command. So, you don’t have to leave your baby to unlock your phone, as Baby Connect supports voice assistants (Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant).

🔶Huckleberry:
Huckleberry is a sleep-tracking app that uses artificial intelligence to analyze your baby's sleep patterns. It offers personalized insights and recommendations to improve sleep quality for both babies and parents.

Breastfeeding Support:
🔶La Leche League International:
La Leche League International offers a comprehensive website and app for breastfeeding support. It provides information on breastfeeding techniques and common challenges and connects mothers with local support groups.
🔶Medela:
Medela, a well-known brand in breastfeeding products, offers a helpful app that tracks feeding sessions, diaper changes, and sleep patterns. It also provides expert advice on breastfeeding and pumping.

Embracing the digital age can significantly ease the challenges of parenthood. By integrating these digital resources into your routine, you can enhance your parenting experience and ensure you have the support and information you need. Welcome to the world of parenthood, where technology can be your ally in this incredible journey!

Since 1992 The AAP has advised that all babies be put on their back to sleep which has drastically reduced the incidences of SIDS.

Since this change one issue that has been noticed is that as babies are now lying on their back they are not developing the upper body strength the way they used to when they were lying other stomachs and this is partly why the popular use of tummy time has risen.

Start to encourage tummy time ideally during the first week with your baby, most babies don’t seem to like it at first so you will want to start with very short bursts, maybe just a minute or two at a time scattered throughout the day. I have noticed that some babies really don’t find tummy time comfortable until after their umbilical cord has fallen off, which is normally anywhere between 7 and 14 days after being born.

It can be helpful to work regular tummy time into baby’s daily routine to ensure they get consistent and frequent chances to practice. AFTER nap time and diaper change but BEFORE they eat is often a great time to play on the belly since the belly isn’t full, and they well rested. Since baby is likely taking multiple naps a day this is a good way to make sure that there are several chances to work on tummy time.

If your baby is struggling with tummy time, talk to your pediatrician and consider a PT referral. It is such a crucial activity for baby’s development, and there are always things to do to help your baby succeed.

So again, start with short bursts throughout the day and work your way up to 15 to 30 minutes of total tummy time daily by around 2 months and an hour each day by around 3 months. You will be helping them to build up their neck muscles and upper body strength and that way they are going to be able to roll over sooner, crawl earlier and really do all the things that babies used to teach themselves to do when they slept on their stomachs.

Ah, the holiday season—a magical time of joy, love, and a touch of chaos. If you're a new parent, you might wonder how to keep the festive spirit alive while catering to your little one's needs. Fear not! Here are a few tips to help you navigate the holidays with grace and merriment:

Prioritize Rest: Your baby's schedule doesn't take a holiday break. Make sure to prioritize their nap times and bedtime, even if it means bowing out of a late-night gathering. A well-rested baby (and parent) makes for a happier holiday season.

Create Baby-Friendly Traditions: Start family traditions involving your little one. Whether it's a special holiday story, a cozy snuggle by the fire, or a baby-friendly ornament for the tree, these moments will become cherished memories as your family grows.

Keep It Simple: Don't succumb to the pressure of creating a Pinterest-perfect holiday. Your baby won't remember the intricately decorated cookies; focus on creating a warm and loving atmosphere rather than a flawless one.

Accept Help: Holidays are a time for community and support. If friends or family offer to lend a hand, accept graciously.

Embrace Virtual Celebrations: If your baby is too young for the holiday hustle and bustle, consider virtual celebrations. Video calls can connect you with loved ones without disrupting your baby's routine.

Pack Wisely: If you're traveling, pack strategically. Bring along baby essentials, a familiar blanket, and a few favorite toys. A well-packed diaper bag can be a game-changer.

Be Flexible: Plans may change, and that's perfectly fine. The most important thing is to enjoy the special moments with your growing family.

Remember, the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones. Cherish these moments, and don't forget to take a few pictures to capture the magic of your baby's first holiday season. Wishing you and your little one a joyful and stress-free celebration! 🎅👶✨

Welcoming a new baby into your life is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with some challenges, including the often persistent crying of newborns. If you find yourself asking, "Why won't my baby stop crying?" you're not alone. Let’s explore some common strategies to soothe your baby.

Check the Basics:
Firstly, ensuring your baby's basic needs are met is crucial. Is their diaper clean? Is your baby hungry or tired?

Comfort and Security:
Swaddling your baby snugly in a soft blanket can mimic the feeling of being in the womb, providing a sense of security.

Gentle Rocking or Motion:
Rocking your baby gently in your arms can be calming. The rhythmic motion mimics the sensations your baby experiences in the womb.

White Noise or Music:
Background noise can create a soothing environment for your baby. Experiment with white noise machines, gentle lullabies, or even the hum of household appliances.

Skin-to-Skin Contact:
Physical contact is incredibly comforting for newborns. Try holding your baby against your bare chest; this provides warmth and allows your baby to feel your heartbeat, creating a sense of familiarity.

Calming Bath:
A warm bath can be a relaxing experience for both you and your baby. Ensure the water is comfortably warm, and use a mild, baby-friendly soap.

Explore Feeding Options:
Ensure your baby is feeding well. If you're breastfeeding, check for proper latching, and if you're using formula, ensure it agrees with your baby's stomach.

Consult Your Pediatrician:
Consulting with your pediatrician is always a good idea if your baby's crying persists. Persistent crying could indicate an underlying issue, such as reflux or other health concerns.

Caring for a crying baby can be challenging, but understanding and responding to their needs can make a significant difference.
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During this time of year, cases of RSV and Flu become common and both are quite contagious. For babies in their first year, RSV is one of the most common causes of respiratory infections and visits to the ER.

Although RSV might feel like just another cold to adults and older kids, it can result in pneumonia or bronchiolitis in children. Babies under ten weeks of age and preemies are at the highest risk.

A high fever, labored breathing, stuffy nose, coughing up colored mucus, and reluctance to eat are some of the symptoms of RSV.

Call your pediatrician right away if you notice these symptoms. In the event that your baby begins to breathe rapidly, looks tired, or has a blue tint, do not delay in seeking medical help, this is an emergency.

Coughing, sneezing, and even touching surfaces can spread RSV and Flu and with these and common colds being so prevalent, what can we do to protect our most precious possessions?

You can take everyday prevention measures to help reduce the spread of RSV and other respiratory illnesses during the RSV season from November to March by washing hands regularly and keeping things clean and particularly for babies under 10 weeks, avoid crowded places.

A widespread myth about infant sleep is - babies need to fall asleep alone for naps, bedtime and when they wake in the night - in order to build lifelong sleep health.

The exact opposite is true. When we accompany infants 0-3 years and children to sleep we build lifelong sleep health by:

🧠 Lending our adult brain so infants enter sleep in a rest and digest parasympathetic state

🧠 Create an association between sleep and a feeling of safety and comfort

🧠 Facilitate brain waves in sleep that are more restorative

🧠 Influence less night waking

🧠 Help them go to sleep faster

🧠 Influence their childhood, adolescent and adult sleep to be more consolidated, better quality, reduced insomnia

If we’ve been trying to get our baby to fall asleep alone or if we’ve been leaving them to fall asleep alone - and we see our baby is struggling with this - consider making a change.

Our presence makes all the difference in their developing brain between stress and nurture. It builds the brain towards resilience and builds sleep health.

When babies and children have sleep nurtured they grow up to sleep independently.

Share far and wide to normalize the support for infant sleep and share The Nurture Revolution 💜🧠💜

In the last few days, I have seen many posts celebrating the new study just released by Carmel Harrington at the SIDS and Sleep Apnea Research Group, New South Wales, Australia, where they have identified a possible link in an enzyme deficiency and an increased risk of SIDS. This is all very exciting, but what does it actually mean and what happens next?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the fear every new parent has. Scientists and doctors don't yet understand the actual cause of SIDS, but through years of research and collecting data have identified five risk factors for SIDS

- S*x. Boys are slightly more likely to die of SIDS.
- Age. Infants are most vulnerable between the second and fourth months of life.
- Race. For reasons that aren't well-understood, non-white infants are more likely to develop SIDS.
- Family history of SIDS
- Secondhand smoke.
- Low birth weight, prematurity

Researchers have also identified a Triple Risk Model, which helps us understand how the risk factors for SIDS interact. The Triple Risk Model poses that a vulnerable baby at a critical period in development, when exposed to an external stressor with which they are unable to cope, may die from SIDS.

The Back to Sleep campaign was launched in 1994, and through education on safe sleep practices, cases of SIDS were reduced by 50% by the year 2000.

Researchers have thought for some time that infant arousal levels may be a factor that makes them more vulnerable to SIDS, and this new study seems to support that thinking.

The new Harrington study is a small case-control study of 67 infants whose deaths were classified as a sudden unexpected death. Blood spots were taken from routine newborn blood screening at birth and compared with gender and date of birth matched surviving infants within the study.

An enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was found in lower levels in the blood of the infants who died.

BChE plays a role in the brain's arousal pathway. Researchers believe its deficiency likely indicates an arousal deficit, which could reduce an infant's ability to wake or respond to the external environment, causing vulnerability to SIDS.

Put more simply, if a baby were to roll onto their stomach and their breathing became compromised, they may be breathing in exhaled carbon dioxide. Eventually, their oxygen level would drop. Usually, once their brain recognizes the drop in oxygen, the baby would startle awake and cry out for help. Potentially a baby with lower levels of BChE may not have the same arousal response and therefore would be susceptible to SIDS.

While this is potentially an amazing breakthrough, it raises many questions and much more research is needed.

The next step for researchers is to begin looking at introducing the BChE biomarker into newborn screening and developing specific interventions to address the enzyme deficiency. It is expected this will take around five years to complete.

Could it possibly be as simple as identifying lower levels of BChE at birth and supplementing to 'normal' levels, and could that potentially bring a broader complacency about safe sleeping environments?

If there is no possibility of supplementing BChE, what are the implications of parents being told their babies are at higher risk for SIDS, and how do we then support these parents?

Either way, we must continue to practice and advocate safe sleep guidelines and practices at all times by ensuring babies are placed on their backs, on a flat and firm mattress, and have nothing else in their sleep space with them, ensuring that airways are not obstructed in any fashion, baby has open-air around them to breathe and encourage room sharing, specifically being within sensory range of a sober, dedicated adult caregiver.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(22)00222-5/fulltext----

Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome BChEsa, measured in dried blood spots taken 2-3 days after birth, was lower in babies who subsequently died of SIDS compared to surviving controls and other Non-SIDS deaths. We conclude that a previously unidentified cholinergic deficit, identifiable by abnormal -BChEsa, is present at birth in SIDS....

BREAKTHROUGH STUDY SHOWS 21 DAY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION OF INFANTS PERSISTS AT 1 YEAR
The human gut microbiome plays an instrumental role in human health. The early infant gut microbiome is critical in impacting immune maturation, which is instrumental in establishing lifelong health.

Modern lifestyles and the unintended consequences of medical practices, while saving lives, have disrupted the infant gut microbiome over the past 100 years and this disruption is implicated in increased risk for autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Probiotic supplementations have previously been used in an attempt to restore the infant gut microbiome; however, colonization has been transient. But A NEWLY PUBLISHED STUDY AT UC DAVIS has shown for the first time that probiotic supplementation with B. infantis within the first month postnatal, in combination with human breast milk, resulted in stable colonization that persisted without supplementation until at least 1 year postnatal.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides or HMOs which are abundant in breast milk have a multitude of functions in infants ranging from prebiotic functions, pathogen decoys and maturing and educating the naive immune system. As a prebiotic HMOs selectively enrich the growth and function of the specific species of bacteria called bifidobacterium, especially the strain B. Infantis.

The UC Davis study was able to show for the first time that
RESTORING THE GUT MICROBIOME OF INFANTS WITH LASTING COLONIZATION OF B. INFANTIS WAS DEPENDANT ON TWO THINGS.
1. A supplement of B. infantis AND
2. A human milk diet
BECAUSE HUMAN MILK SUCCESSFULLY FEEDS B.INFANTIS WITH HMOs