There are clingy babies and then there are what is known these days as “velcro babies.” Do you suspect that your baby may be a velcro baby or maybe a close friend or family member has one? In today’s article, we’re going to cover the signs to watch for and some things that you can … Read more
When the big day comes and your baby finally arrives, it’s easy for everyone around you to put all of their attention on the new child, and how can we blame them? But, there is a real toll that the birth process takes on the mother, whether it’s her first child or fifth. After giving … Read more
So much anticipation and preparation goes into being ready for your child’s actual birth that we tend to get tunnel vision and forget about an equally important part of the birth process: what happens when you get home? At the hospital, you are surrounded by medical professionals and family members who can help you at … Read more
When it comes to your second or third child, as a parent you definitely tend to enter that space with more confidence. You’ve already survived at least one birth and you are a pro at napping, diapers, breastfeeding or feeding in general and all of the above, however, there is one important thing that you … Read more
When you know for sure that your baby is on the way, there are about a literal million things that you need to prepare for both physically and mentally before your baby arrives. You have to pick a name, you have to prepare their room, you have to get diapers, wipes, medication, thermometers, diaper bags, … Read more
Before your parents picked out your name, or at least settled in on their top five favorites, they probably already figured out something else very important: whether or not they were going to breastfeed or jump straight into bottle feeding. Many women think about it and even come to a decision long before even becoming … Read more
It is a common enough piece of parenting advice and sounds really reasonable, but at its core, it is deceptively difficult. That piece of parenting advice is the old chestnut: “Just sleep when the baby sleeps so you won’t have to worry about getting caught up on sleep through the night.” Sounds great in theory, … Read more
We’ve all probably experienced this. When you tell someone that you’re expecting or you’ve recently had a baby, they are always quick to give you advice, whether you solicit it or not. It truly is nice when they do it, because it is from the goodness of their hearts, but what isn’t so nice is … Read more
Quick Disclaimer: We recommend having your car seat reviewed by a certified CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician) before using it with your child. You can typically get this done for free at any EMS or Fire Station in your area. Contact us if you have any questions regarding this. When it comes to keeping … Read more
Whether you use traditional plastic ones, or cloth, or a mixture of the two, diapers are a way of life when it comes to modern baby care. If you’ve been around babies enough, you know that diaper rashes are also a common part of life, but we have put together a quick guide to help … Read more
At face value, a baby monitor is an efficient, flexible, and powerful way to enable you to practically be in two places at once. You can keep the monitor with you as you do chores or grab a meal or try to relax in your own bed while your baby is sleeping in theirs. You … Read more
“I’m breastfeeding, but I would love to have a night nurse. Is that possible?” Besides questions about getting more sleep or how to put a baby down to sleep quickly, this has to be the most common question we get when talking with new parents. It makes perfect sense. Most see the role of a … Read more
Welcoming a night nurse into your home is definitely a game-changer for new parents or parents with new babies. Being able to finally get caught up on rest, concentrate on your recovery (after all moms, you just went through a major medical procedure and are expected then to take 24 hour care of someone else?!) … Read more
Many people have this idea that once you can get your child through the newborn stage that you can finally have your nights of sleep back, but that isn’t always the case. Toddlers often have trouble sleeping through the night and can wake up every few hours just like their infantile counterparts, just with less … Read more
We all are constantly hearing (from our screens) that we and our kids need less screen time each day, and that’s not wrong! However, there are a few great apps that are strong resources and tools for both you and your child that will help to make the best of screen time. You’ll feel a … Read more
Having a baby at any time of the year is stressful in and of itself, but having one, especially a newborn during the winter months, aka the dreaded cold and flu season is stressful on a completely different level. We can help you not only avoid the stress of having a sick baby, but can … Read more
One of the most common and stressful moments a parent can have when they are caring for a newborn is to be caught flat-footed during the middle of the night with a hungry, crying baby and nothing but dirty bottles. Don’t let this nightmare scenario become a reality! In today’s blog, we will cover some … Read more
Caring for a newborn is a big transition, and adding nighttime breastfeeding into the mix brings its own unique learning curve. While it can take some adjustment, the experience is incredibly rewarding and deeply bonding. In today’s blog, we’ll share some helpful tips to make nighttime breastfeeding smoother—so you can nourish your baby and still … Read more
As a new parent, you really hate the idea of making a mistake when it comes to raising and caring for your child. Mistakes are for people who didn’t prepare or study as much as we did in anticipation of our new baby, right? Unfortunately, even the most prepared can be susceptible to mistakes, but … Read more
Learn safe sleep best practices for newborns and infants. Discover expert tips to reduce risks, promote healthy sleep, and give parents peace of mind.
Discover effective ways to calm a fussy baby. Learn gentle, proven soothing techniques that help parents ease crying and create peaceful moments.
Discover simple self-care tips for new moms. Learn practical ways to recharge, reduce stress, and nurture your health while caring for your newborn.
Ok, aside from babies, we love helping people put together the perfect packing list! In today’s article, we’re going to share with you some of our favorite and possibly most surprising tips for putting together the perfect diaper bag that will help you and your baby get into and out of just about any situation … Read more
If you currently have a newborn or are expecting one, then you may be curious about how to prepare both yourself and your little one for their first (inevitable!) playdate. Even for very young babies, having even the most basic social interactions can be helpful. They can see and experience other babies like themselves and … Read more
Getting a baby to sleep through the night can feel like a mystery to many new and expecting parents—but at The Early Weeks, it’s what we do best. As professional newborn care specialists and pediatric sleep consultants, we’ve supported families across the country in creating peaceful nighttime routines and healthy sleep habits right from the … Read more
It might seem like a simple task, but preparing your baby’s bottles for overnight feedings is one of the most important steps you can take to support smoother nights and a well-rested household. In those early weeks—when newborn life feels especially chaotic—having a safe and efficient system for bottle prep can make all the difference. … Read more
Preparing for your baby’s arrival often means focusing on the physical essentials — setting up a beautiful nursery, stocking up on diapers, burp cloths, swaddles, and baby clothes, and making sure you have basic medical supplies on hand. But what many new parents aren’t fully prepared for is the intense emotional, physical, and mental demands … Read more
As much as parents might cherish those diaper-changing days (and all the surprise checks that come with them), there comes a time when it’s time to move on — to potty training. Helping your toddler make the leap from diapers to using the toilet is a big milestone, and it can feel overwhelming if you’re … Read more
Burping babies has been a go-to punchline for TV and movie sitcoms for about as long as there have been sitcoms. While it plays well on the big screen, it is anything but a silly joke played for laughs. When your baby feeds, especially from a bottle, air bubbles and pressure can build up in … Read more
Summer is a wonderful season for making memories with your family — whether it’s beach days, backyard barbecues, or long road trips. But if you have a newborn or young baby, those fun outings can quickly become overwhelming. Between managing nap schedules, keeping your baby cool in the heat, and trying to maintain some sense … Read more
It goes without saying that having a baby is one of the most stressful things you can do in life, yet it is, of course, the most rewarding. Between the pregnancy, the delivery, the hospital, and adjusting to your literal new life after bringing your baby home, there isn’t a lot of time or attention … Read more
Traveling with a newborn is quite the proposition. It takes the already Herculean task of caring for a newborn child in the comfort of your own home and adds the stresses and challenges of travel on top. However, as we start this busy summer travel season, many parents of newborns may not have much of … Read more
Having a baby is such a wonderful journey, but it does come with its challenges, as you may imagine. The great thing is that you don’t have to face those challenges alone. If you and your partner are in need of some help throughout the night in order to help you catch up on sleep … Read more
Dealing with nighttime diaper leaks can be no fun for parents and babies alike. This common phenomenon is something that many parents have to deal with, so you’re not alone in this at all! In today’s blog, we wanted to explore this topic again with an eye toward helping you and baby stay dry all … Read more
Happy Holidays! We wanted to do a holiday themed blog post this year to help celebrate our little ones and how this time of year is so special to them, from day one. So, thank you for reading and for being a part of our community. Outside of our sincerest and most heartfelt holiday wishes, … Read more
Expertise You Need: Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022) Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner 16 years professional childcare experience Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022) Travel & ROTA Nanny Katie has over 16 years experience working with children of all ages. As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Newborn Care Specialist, … Read more
There has been a lot of talk lately on popular social media platforms about whether or not you should feed your baby just before putting them down for bedtime. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of doing just that. As always, give us a shout out on social or in … Read more
As a new parent, one of the most precious yet challenging aspects of early parenthood is ensuring that your child gets enough sleep. A contact nap is a period of sleep in which the child is constantly being held by the parent or caregiver. Contact naps are about the only naps that your child can … Read more
With the rise of social media in our lives, and especially when it comes to parenting advice, it is difficult these days to decipher exactly what is best for you and your child. You may have heard about this unique style of parenting that is gaining a lot of popularity lately both on and off … Read more
We know: if your baby doesn’t sleep, you don’t sleep. And sleep is important for everyone. No new mama wants to answer the question, “how’s he/she sleeping?” unless you’re one of the few parents who have one of those miraculous beings who sleep very well, naturally. The sleep-deprived moms definitely don’t want to hear about … Read more
As a refresher, contact naps refer to the practice of a baby falling asleep while in physical contact with a caregiver, typically by being held, rocked, or even just being in the same room. This can involve the baby sleeping on the chest, arms, or lap of the caregiver, or even just being close enough … Read more
A strange phenomenon that happens for a lot of us is how mothers, while we’re pregnant, explain the agony of labor. It is labor, after all. But what’s not often described is the agony of the first months, the “fourth trimester,” as it’s sometimes known as. For moms who love their babies dearly, but are … Read more
Sleep time is crucial for babies as it plays a significant role in their overall growth, development, and well-being. Ensuring that you are providing the safest sleep environment to help support your baby’s growth and development is extremely important. We highly recommend parents use a sleep sack for their baby to support safe and productive … Read more
For a family working on crib sleep and establishing regular nap times, having your child fall asleep in the car can throw a real wrench in all of a parent’s diligent planning. This blog is focused on how to avoid an early nap in the car, what to do to recover if this happens, and … Read more
Sleeping and eating. Besides being cute and lovable, those are an infant’s primary occupations. As parents, we have to be on top of ensuring that they get enough sleep and food each day and to optimize the benefit of both, it helps to be able to time everything out correctly. If you feed too close … Read more
When your newborn finally arrives, it’s such a magical and special moment. Your family has a new member! You want to shout it from the rooftops or these days, post it on social media. It’s time to have everybody come and visit and hold and give lots of love to your new bundle of joy, … Read more
Sleep. When it comes to a newborn or infant, it can be both a valuable asset and a fond memory for a time long ago when you could go to sleep when you wanted and wake up when you felt like it. Cherish those memories. Hold them dear. Speaking of making your own bedtimes, it … Read more
Traveling with kids of any age can be a daunting endeavor, but traveling with a newborn or young baby is an Olympic level undertaking to say the least. Yes, the easiest thing to do would be to avoid traveling all together, until the kids are 18 and ready to pick their college, but that isn’t … Read more
When you first learn that your friend or family member has finally brought their newborn home from the hospital, you’re just so happy for them and so excited to snuggle the new member of the family! However, extra visitors are not always welcomed by new parents. Sometimes the time of the year or concerns for … Read more
There are so many problems both medically and behaviorally that could be solved if we could just ask our babies a question and they could give us an honest and reasoned response. However, since they can’t (or won’t!) then we have to make do with our best and most educated guess, as their parents. While … Read more
White noise isn’t just for grown ups with tinnitus! It’s actually a great tool to help you get your infant or young child to sleep faster and more soundly. White noise machines are available all over the web and even on our smartphones as apps or YouTube videos, but what white noise product is best … Read more
People often associate the stresses of having a child with him or her not sleeping through the night and keeping tired and weary parents up along with them. Many will tell you that is definitely the case, however, most of the time that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Getting your baby to … Read more
While it only happens twice a year, it seems like a jarring experience every time. I’m talking about daylight savings time and how you can help your baby or young child adjust to it without too much kicking and screaming. For most adults, the twice yearly change in time is nothing more than a minor … Read more
Winning the lottery. Eating a steak prepared by Gordon Ramsay himself. Getting more sleep when you have a newborn at home. Three things that would be wonderful to have happen to you but seem very unlikely. Or are they? No. Mr. Ramsay is very busy right now and we have no lottery strategies, but we … Read more
It’s the dream of every new parent: sleeping more during the night. For some parents, sleeping through the night is nothing but a fond yet distant memory, but it doesn’t have to be that way! We are talking today about some general tips and ideas that you can start implementing today (or tonight!) in order … Read more
Getting your baby to sleep can, in the moment, seem like an impossible task, but rest assured it is very possible! We all know what it’s like to have a tired, restless infant that just doesn’t seem to want to sleep, even when you know they need to! Rest assured, we can help you get … Read more
As adults, we need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night in order to feel rested and be able to take on the day. But, what about children? Do infants and newborns need more or less sleep than toddlers and young children? The truth is that there is definitely a difference in … Read more
The holidays are such a fun time of year, especially if you have a toddler or two at home. In most homes, decorating the Christmas tree is a much looked forward to annual event and may involve multiple Christmas festivities including music, a big dinner, and lots of eggnog! Although fun and family inclusive, … Read more
This time of year it’s easy to miss a few hours of sleep here and there, especially when wrangling the holidays, the in-laws, and especially the little ones. When mom or dad miss a few good nights of sleep, we can be a little cranky or drowsy, but coffee can help with that, yet when … Read more
Ear infections are no fun for both parent and child. They are unfortunately rather common as nearly five out of every six children will have one before the age of three in the U.S. according to the NIH. An earache can have many causes, which include cold and flu viruses, and bacterial infections among others. … Read more
Tummy time is an important activity for you and your baby and can lead to many health benefits like developing early motor skills, muscle strength and endurance, and so much more. It is a great time to both bond with your little one and to help them experience something slightly different albeit challenging in their … Read more
If you’re a new or expectant new parent, the topic of this post may seem a little baffling. You may be wondering, “why would both primary caregivers / parents not be caring for their newborn”? The reality is that the scenarios below happen fairly regularly. Bringing Up Baby Surprisingly, it is relatively common for … Read more
So your little one is finally sleeping through the night (HOORAY!), but they are waking up in the early morning hours soaking wet, with a full diaper. While this isn’t an emergent issue, it’s usually a bit annoying for many families because it creates more laundry (daily) and often causes babies, and their parents. to … Read more
What exactly is a cat-nap? Cat naps are short naps, typically between 30-45 minutes. Why does my baby catnap? There are several reasons: First, When your baby is a newborn, their sleep is very immature. There is a natural tendency for them to only sleep for 1 sleep cycle (30-45 minutes), vs connecting … Read more
TRUE or FALSE?? Babies less than 2 weeks old can get full feeds and go three hours between feeds. TRUE! Once mom’s milk has come in, usually by day 5 postpartum, a newborn can and absolutely should be able to transfer what they need to make a 2.5-3 hour time stretch. 2 hours is on … Read more
Reflux in infancy is all too common these days. Roughly 50% of the babies we have the pleasure of working with, have some degree of reflux ranging from mild to severe. What Causes Reflux? There are a number of reasons that contribute to a baby having reflux. Common triggers can be: Food sensitivities … Read more
If You’re reading this, you’re likely an Expecting New Grandparent and congratulations are in order! Congratulations on your new little grandbaby! The beauty of being a grandparent is that you can be as involved as much or as little as you want in your grand child’s life. If your relationship is solid with … Read more
Making Bath Time More Enjoyable Bath time can be daunting for new parents, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. With these tips and a little planning, bath time with you newborn will be much more enjoyable and less stressful! 1) Sponge bathe baby until their umbilical cord stump has fallen … Read more
Babies are born earth side with little concept of night and day and often have little remorse for new sleep deprived parents. The following are three important factors to help new parents understand their infant’s sleep. Circadian rhythms are not developed in infants at birth Newborn sleep is not governed by strong circadian rhythms. … Read more
There are so many products on the market for babies today, it can be really overwhelming for new parents to know which ones they really need. Today, I’m going to share with you my 5 must have items that will make your journey into parenthood easier. I will note that these items are in addition … Read more
Congratulations! You’re in the final stretch. Your baby(ies) will be here soon! Now is the time to make sure you have your bags packed for the hospital and any final last minute to-dos taken care of. Most hospitals will have a 24-hour observation period for a healthy singleton and a 48-hour observation period for healthy … Read more
The holidays are upon us and it’s one of the busiest times of year. Often it means traveling to visit loved ones many hundreds or thousands of miles away so that the whole family can be together and oogle over your sweet new baby. As a Newborn Care Special and Baby Nurse, I do travel … Read more
This is a topic I discuss with all of my new clients before baby arrives. Many new parents don’t know what to expect the first several weeks after the birth of their baby and make commitments to have in-laws or family members travel and live with them. The thought is that the guests will be … Read more
While in Washington DC earlier this year my clients came across this article in Parents magazine. I thought it was worth sharing because it think it’s important for new parents to keep a light heart and remember that their baby may not always know what they need. Even as a Newborn Care Specialist (the professional), … Read more
I was recently called to help a third time mom who really wanted some help sorting through a few things. Her little one was about 3 weeks when she contacted me. He was eating nearly every hour and she was spending another roughly 6+ hours per day trying to get her baby to sleep for … Read more
Congratulations! You are currently expecting or have recently just had your little one. Getting to this point may have been easy or unexpected. Or, it may have been a huge struggle filled with fertility and IVF treatments, surrogacy and challenges that possibly took years to achieve. Regardless of your journey to this point, you are … Read more
Today’s post is about an issue many new parents face, but were not prepared or expecting to have to deal with. Getting their new bundle of joy to take a bottle! Sounds simple right? Not so much. Why? Well, we will get to that in a minute. As a Newborn Care Specialist (also known as … Read more