Are you ready for the first year?

I would love to tell you! But honestly, it’s not the same for everyone. This depends on so many factors. I am passionate about supporting parents in the first year! I am educated, and so eager to help you. Educating you on what’s ahead is KEY. When you are exhausted, and discouraged with a tiny human in your arms, it’s hard to find energy to figuring out your day to day. This is the main reason that I try to connect with expectant parents BEFORE their tiny human is in their arms! Let’s dive into some key areas of the first year and what you may need support with in those areas!

Breastfeeding, pumping, supplementing…

Formula…

Baby NEEDS nutrition!

The basics first, baby NEEDS nutrition and NEEDS to be able to bond with their parents as well as caregivers. It seems simple, but the nutrition journey in the first year has so many ups and downs. Your baby will start out eating every 2-3 hours minimum! It’s an exhausting cycle, but necessary for them!

Breastfeeding babies can struggle with latching, supply and transferring milk complications. Breastfeeding parents need to navigate how to balance breastfeeding with their lives as well as careers. Many choose to jump to formula to “simplify” the journey. That isn’t always an easy route either. Babies can have allergies or concerns that require you to switch formulas, or seek out professional guidance.

No matter which you choose for your tiny human, it’s ok to have questions. That’s normal. Your pediatrician can be a valuable resource, but unfortunately they aren’t always able to sit with you and dedicate the time needed to work through your babies needs. All too often they are forced to be in and out in a short time and many quickly just say “switch to xxx” and let me know how it’s going.

Having a professional that is educated in both breastfeeding and formula ingredients can give you peace of mind know that your tiny human is in good hands! Here at The Tiny Human Team, I have your back. We can navigate whatever feeding concerns you have going on to help your baby and you, THRIVE!

Bonding…

Contact naps, skin-to-skin, cuddles…all of them are encouraged in the steps I help you navigate. We aren’t crying it out, and that goes for you and your baby!

Babies are born needing love, help, cuddled…all of it. There’s a reason we are all addicted to the way a freshly bathed baby smells!!!! The Tiny Human Team is all about bonding. I have a strong desire to guide you in a “everything in moderation”. I want you to feel confident to hold your sweet baby while they nap, and also able to lay them in a safe sleep environment where they are content so sleep while you shower! BALANCE brings peace to a home! Your tiny human and an incredible human being. They are able to feel loved, cared for, happily fed, and also able to be laid down for a bit without needing to be held for a snooze. It’s a thing, I promise!

Safe Sleep…

Yes-it really is a thing!

Want to get me going on a hot topic? Safe sleep will do it! I get so discouraged when I hear the misconceptions flying around. This topic will spark some intense discussions, TRUST ME! I won’t give you my long winded foundations I stand one just yet. I’m not looking to offend or make anyone feel judged. So to keep you coming back and allowing me time to build your trust, I want you to hear my heart on this topic.

Your tiny human is capable of building a healthy foundation in sleep without ever needing to cry for a long period of time without you being there to support them. I don’t ever want my parents stressed in another room feeling as though they just need to sit and listen to their baby scream themselves to sleep. I actually despise the term “sleep training”. It immediately has a negative association. EVERY baby is “sleep trained”. Babies are “conditioned” to being soothed to sleep in many ways. Moderation, balance and consistency is all at play when we are guiding tiny humans. Curious how I can be so confident that every baby has the ability to self-soothe, and thrive while growing a healhy foundation in sleep!

I can’t skip to the next topic without sharing with you that nutrition, and bonding will ALWAYS be the very first items on our “list” we are sure to cover. There is no room for even navigating sleep with a tiny human until we have a baby that is meeting their nutritional needs AND feels secure in their environment. It is then, and only then that we start growing that healthy sleep foundation!

Leaps and Growth Spurts

Get ready….there’s A LOT!

The first year is PACKED with developmental leaps and growth spurts! They are a sign that your baby is healthy and growing exactly as they should. We all want our babies to grow big and strong, but hold tight because these leaps, and growth spurts can leave you with so many questions. I always warn my parents that in the first year, you will barely make it through a leap, developmental skill, or growth spurt just in time to be faced with a new one! The first year is amazing, you watch your tiny human go from a brand new baby that is entirely dependent on you, into a toddler that walking and independent. An independent toddler is the end goal of this first year of parenting, and that in itself is actually comical. Ask any of your friends with toddlers, they will tell you!!!!!!!

Pediatrician:

How to choose your support and find professionals your baby needs!

Finding a pediatrician could be just the start of your journey to finding professionals. Even the healthiest of babies often still need additional care and support from professionals in the first year. It’s so common for babies to have a tongue-tie, torticollis from being squished in the womb, a “restriction” in an area, colic, reflux….the list could go on and on but I will keep it short to not overwhelm you! Don’t panic. But by knowing ahead of time a little bit about some of the most common concerns, you can feel in control of how to get your tiny human some support! I love to share with expectant parents ways that different professionals advocate, and care for newborns and infants! My goal is for you to have enough knowledge that you can be aware of your options. I have connections with professionals in nearly every field and it’s important for me that you know exactly what they do, and how they help. YOU are in charge of this journey for your little one and this really can help you lower your anxiety! We cover how chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage and other professionals approach common first year concerns! Have you ever heard of myofascial release? If your tiny human has a tongue-tie, you may want to seek out a physical therapist trained in pediatric myofascial release. Why? Well, that’s one of the many areas I cover for you!!!!

Starting solids…

So many options…

Here we go again, so many options! Remember the rule, it’s an important one! Everything in moderation, balance is key! You can choose to start solids in several approaches. Whatever approach you choose, it’s the perfect one for your tiny human. I just don’t want to see you get stuck and tunnel visioned into thinking you can only choose one option! Having the ability to choose a plan and then adjust for the moment can truly help! This gives you freedom to not stress over the small things! I am passionate to help you know your options, and then guide you in keeping it simple.

Gear and Furniture

What is important for YOUR family to have?

Please don’t pick baby gear and furniture simply because it was recommended by your friend or popped up in your timeline. It is a huge investment to design a nursery, and acquire all the “needed” items for your tiny humans arrival. Can I tell you a secret? You likely only need less than half of what you think you do! We have become obsessed with having so many things that are suppose to make our days easier but in all reality, most of the options really won’t be a magical fix! Your needed items need to be specific to your family! Buying a stroller? We need to talk about your lifestyle and plans to help you navigate to the perfect stroller for you. Does that sound extreme? It really isn’t. A family that travels often by air has a completely different need than a family looking for a small compact and light weight stroller just for quick outings. My husband would argue that I have owned more diaper bags, car seats and strollers than any other parent alive if you ask him. There could possibly be some truth to that, but my knowledge gives me the ability to help you build the perfect list of needed items!

Toys

Is there a bigger picture here?

Don’t stress, but even the toys play a HUGE role in your tiny humans first year. Babies learn through play. And while I don’t believe you set them up for an Ivy League college path solely in the first year, you can definitely help them grow and develop in the first year through the toys they play with. Your baby will navigate through multiple leaps in the first two years. By being in tune to what they are working on, and matching their current needs and growth with intentional toys, you can set them up for success! I go back to, don’t panic but you do really want to be mindful of their environment and give them the opportunity to THRIVE!

Thriving is possible!

I want you, and your baby to THRIVE!

If you’re still reading, I am grateful. Thank you for stopping by and investing the time to check out The Tiny Human Team. I would love to meet you, and it would be a pleasure to be a part of your team for your little one! Please schedule a free consultation with me if you would like to chat! I would love to hear from you!