Category: Babies - Steps 2 Grow

How to make messy play and little less.... messy.

4/15/2021

Do you cringe at the thought of sensory bins and rice potentially going everywhere? Do finger (or toe!) paints cause immediate anxiety? I know so many moms who feel complete overwhelm by the thought of messy sensory play and the amount of prep work and cleanup that results. The solution is often avoiding it. But messy sensory play is so important for a child’s development! And there ARE ways to make it less messy and more tolerable for you, while still maintaining the awesome developments benefits it provides your kids.

How to boost your child's development during your daily "have-to's"

2/16/2021

One of the most relieving messages I give parents is that many of the motor skills we want our kids to develop are built into normal everyday activities. In other words, we can enrich the most mundane moments of the day with brain boosting elements that will further support your baby’s development of body awareness, motor planning, and motor skills. Without having to think about it too much! Here's how...

Retained Primitive Reflexes: Could they be impacting your child's development?

1/10/2021

You know those special moments when your baby wraps their teeny fingers around your thumb? Or the cute fencing position your baby gets into when they turn their head to the side? Those are 2 of the many primitive reflexes (palmar and asymmetric tonic neck reflex) your baby is born with. These reflexes typically disappear on their own, but sometimes they don't, and development can get hung up.

How To Help Your Baby Learn To Crawl

8/1/2020

Crawling seems to be one of the milestones that creates the most questions and concerns among parents. So, let's dive into it a little bit! When and how crawling develops, the experiences and skills your baby needs to master first, and what you can do to support the natural progression of crawling skills.

5 Things You Don't Need On Your Baby Registry

7/24/2020

It is so hard to know what you need in preparation for baby, what gear is the most beneficial for baby, and, on the other hand, what is just a really well marketed product? Especially if this is baby #1. There is a huge industry that takes advantage of new moms and moms-to-be wondering these things. But not you! Not this time! Because I am about to share with you 5 products you will now think twice about putting on your wish-list.

W-Sitting: Why It Happens And What To Do

7/11/2020

You've seen the position, right? A child sitting with their heels on the outside of their bottom. The position makes hurt just looking at it! But let's chat about it, because many parents wonder if this is an "okay" position for their child to be in. To be perfectly honest, doctors and pediatric healthcare professionals debate on how bad, or not so bad, W-sitting is for a child's anatomy and development. As a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in teaching children how to use their bodies better, here is my take...

Why We Should Stop "Teaching" Our Babies

6/6/2020

It amazes me how much pressure society puts on kids these days. Pressure to meet milestones on time, or better yet, early! And that starts day one! Doctors prescribe tummy time before a child can roll to their belly; parents try to teach their babies to roll; we "walk" our children by holding their hands above their heads before they stand on their own because we think we are helping....

5 Things Every New Mom Needs to Know

6/5/2020

If you are a new parent, or becoming one shortly or someday, this short post is for you. There are 5 really important things I want you to know about your baby's development right off the bat.

Start With A Blanket On The Floor

6/4/2020

The moment a baby is born, she starts learning! And learning is so rapid that within 12 short months, we watch our little humans go from complete dependency, to becoming mobile. And get this: From birth to age 3, about 80% of the brain is developed. By age five, 90% of the brain is developed. So, no pressure, but we have a short window of opportunity to get a few things right. One of those things is providing tons of quality movement exploration on the floor.

How To Choose The Right Childcare For You And Baby

6/1/2020

Is this you: Pregnant, just had a baby, or mat-leave is ending and your are looking for a childcare option? If so, how overwhelming that must be! First, you had to make the tough decision to go back to work, and now you have to decide where your baby's second home will be and who to trust with your little nugget. With so many options to choose from, and each one providing care differently, how do you choose?