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Becoming a new mom can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. The births of both of my daughters were two of the best days of my life. However, even with the amount of pure joy and infinite love that I felt, it wasn’t enough to prevent the onset of postpartum depression. Nine months after my first daughter was born, I was diagnosed with PPD and put on anti-depressant medication. Often times women are diagnosed much sooner, and sometimes not at all. It can be hard to see from the outside. The beautiful newborn photos, smiling faces and all the cute clothing and pastel baby goodies around can create a soft distraction. I didn’t know I...

The newborn stage of parenthood is all about adapting and surviving. It’s a beautiful but also challenging time of growing and adjustment, as well as getting to know each other. The ultimate goal is survival, and the first few weeks can be overwhelming. As a new parent, remember to take a moment to breathe and take it one day at a time.  Once your baby hits 2-3 months of age and is beginning to eat better and get into a bit of a rhythm, you might be wondering how to lay the foundation for healthy, happy sleep. Before we dive into the basics, remember to set the expectation for yourself that even if you're doing everything right, your successes will likely...

Raising children is a difficult task, and there is unfortunately no rule book to follow when it comes to parenting. Parents and caregivers rely on advice, research, and their own learning curve. There are some constants, though, such as the benefits of positive interactions between a child and his or her parent or caregiver. This yields a more positive outcome for the child, with favorable results witnessed in all stages of development.  Though the impact is lifelong, it can also be seen immediately. For example, a baby who has his or her needs met in a timely manner -- such as feeding, changing, or holding and soothing -- is able to form an attachment. These positive interactions with caregivers act as a foundation...

  “What time does my baby/toddler need to go to bed?” is often one of the first questions I am asked by the parents I work with. My answer is always, “the earlier the better!"  Adjusting expectations for working parents.  Working parents initially tend to balk at my suggestion that their child’s bedtime should be between 6pm and 8pm, or even earlier than 6pm if their child did not nap well that day. Evening is when working parents tend to spend the most time with their children. However, with an early bedtime, parents must adjust their expectations and instead spend time with their children in the morning when they wake. I challenge them to consider what is more important –...

Whether you're a first time parent or a seasoned veteran, many of us have heard that around 3-5 months old, there is a definite change in your baby’s sleep patterns. The good news is that this change doesn't last forever, even though you may feel like you have a newborn again. Rest assured that your baby is old enough to not only learn and practice independent sleep, but they are also capable of self regulating and putting themselves back to sleep without help from Mom or Dad. What Does the Four Month Sleep Regression Look Like? I like to also refer to regressions as “sleep interruptions” -- changes that are occurring in your baby’s tiny body that are interfering with or interrupting sleep. It doesn’t mean that...