Life presents each of us with challenges that we must navigate. The ability to cope with these challenges is established in our first years of life. It begins at first with co-regulation, the adult or caregiver provides a calm presence that the child can mirror.

Even as adults, we need time to ourselves and time to be with others. Both experiences fill us up in their own way. The same is true for the young child. In times of caregiving and connection, the child is surrounded by the warmth and love of the caregiver. In the times a child is left to have experiences on their own, they are developing their sense of self. Both of these experiences help the child get to know who they are and how they fit into the world.

The infant and young child does not need a lot of external stimulation or to be entertained. Simply placing an infant or young child in a safe environment with a variety of materials to explore provides such a rich experience.

Even in the womb, the baby is moving and using their body. Each kick, wiggle, and twist has its purpose and begins the process of laying down the foundations of our neural pathways. The infant and young child do not need to be aided or instructed in their movements. Their bodies already know what to do and what is needed. By leaving infants and young children to move about freely, they are given the incredible opportunity to build their confidence and capability.

In the early months and years of a child’s life, it can feel like the moments changing diapers, giving baths, dressing, and feeding your child are never-ending. They are certainly round the clock for the newborn. But, these moments don’t have to feel like a chore, instead they can be a moment of connection with your child. Fortunately, taking the time to slow down and be present with your child can help you find the warmth and joy in these moments of giving care.

These days, the world around us moves fast enough. It can be easy to get caught up in that hurried pace, but what the child needs is space and time. This is also true for adults. Taking the time to slow down benefits the whole family and home environment. Going a bit slower as you move through the day helps your child calm down and speaking more slowly give them time to hear and understand you.

The child coming into the world is meeting everything for the first time. This is especially true of their bodies and how their bodies move in and interact with the physical world around them. The child learns by doing, and sometimes failing, flailing, and falling. But, giving the child the opportunity to freely explore their bodies and their environment will help them build the confidence and competence they will need to navigate the world all throughout the rest of their lives.

Right from birth, babies are able to communicate. These first cues and signals range from subtle to undeniable. The baby is not only teaching the people around them about their needs and wishes, they are also learning about how the world and the people around them will meet and honor the needs and wishes they express.

To the newborn, the body is unfamiliar. It takes them time to get to know their bodies: what they feel like, how they work, what they can do. Allowing a baby the space and time to explore and experiment with their bodies through free motor exploration helps them get to know their bodies.

In the womb, the baby does not experience the discomforts of the outside world. Life outside the warmth and protection of the womb can be a bit of a shock. Keeping a newborn warm not only soothes the baby, but it allows the baby to focus on growth and development rather than having to work to keep warm.

The world is busy, bright, and overwhelming to the newborn. It takes a little bit of time for babies to become familiar with the world around them. Taking the time to prepare and be aware of the environment helps ease this transition for the baby.

Babies are not a blank slate. They come into the world with capacities, preferences, and personality. Throughout life these will change, grow, and develop… all a baby needs is the space and time to unfold in their own time and in their own way.

No matter how a new child enters your life, it will be overwhelming. As prepared as you may be, anything can happen. Remember you are not alone and help is available.

What do you really need to create a warm and loving space in your home for your baby? When you visit any store or website, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume and cost of things available.

There is so much information out there about how to parent. Learning to hear your inner voice both before and after the baby comes can help you listen to and trust your own instincts.

When a new baby enters a family’s life, everything changes. It’s like a carefully constructed jigsaw puzzle has been thrown up into the air and needs to be put back together, but now the picture has changed.