Fussy Babies and Later Mental Health Problems: A Discussion
New research suggests that extremely unsettled babies have a much higher risk of mental health problems in childhood. The question is now what we do with this, and I have a few ideas.
Surviving Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a normal, natural stage for babies, but that doesn't make it any easier on the caregiver. Here are some tips to help parents through this sometimes trying stage.
Is Breastfeeding Pressure Causing Postpartum Depression?
Researchers in Australia are claiming their research shows breastfeeding pressure is causing postpartum depression in women, but is it? I take a full look at the research in question to see exactly what it does and does not tell us.
When Anger Isn’t Really Anger: The Relationship Between Fear and Anger
Sometimes our children's anger can seem irrational or out-of-place given the circumstances and in turn we react defensively and with anger ourselves. What if we could see the anger as really fear-based and respond in kind?
It’s Not “Just Feed Your Baby”: Why Breastfeeding Discourse Matters
World Breastfeeding Week is gone, but it managed to highlight the anger towards breastfeeding advocates by those who don't breastfeed who are calling to end the discussions of breastfeeding. But breastfeeding discussion must continue and here's why...
Can Epidurals End Post-Partum Depression?
A new study suggests that epidurals can drastically reduce the risk of PPD. The study is flawed, but does manage to show that PPD is highly complex with multiple etiologies.
Coping with Sleep Deprivation
For new parents, a certain level of sleep deprivation is part of the job description, but how can one stave off the negative effects or at least minimize them?
Two Years Later
Some musings on the lesson that I have been forced to learn in the last two years. Pain in this world can be overwhelming and we can feel helpless in the face of it, but we are never truly helpless.
The Thing About Trauma (And Its Relationship to CIO)
Is crying-it-out traumatic for a child? Yes. With this in mind, what does it mean for our promotion of it? Is it short-term pain for long-term gain or should we possibly think a little (okay, a lot) differently?
Stress and Synchrony: Implications for Sleep Training
New research suggests stress can be "caught"; that is, mothers can pass their stress onto infants by touch. Does this provide support for sleep training? I am going to show you here why I think it does not at all...