Episode 10: What new parents should know about development and the brain
Host: Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. and Founder of Curious Neuron (www.curiousneuron.com) (follow us on Instagram here)
Guests: Carrie and Jenny, neuro OT sisters from On Track Baby www.ontrackbaby.com
Follow them on Instagram here
Episode Summary
In today’s episode, I chat with Jenny and Carrie about their advice to new parents. We talk about the importance of a stimulating environment, which doesn’t mean having a lot around your baby, but rather being present, getting down on the floor with them during tummy time, and having zero screen time. We might not realize the importance of tummy time, skin-to-skin and the environment. We talk about why these are so important. Did you know that babies should not skip crawling? We discuss the brain in terms of developing and eliminating connections.
Key Points
Tummy time isn’t about trying to get 20 min in one single session, it is all about frequency. Do it often throughout the day and start doing tummy time when you get home from the hospital.
Skin-to-skin is important as well and should be done right after delivery to help the mom and baby bond. You can continue doing skin-to-skin as they get older, especially when your baby is fussy.
You really do not need much when it comes to toys for your baby.
Hold your baby! We are social creatures and not only do baby’s need to help, but we also have an instinct to respond to a baby’s cry.
Both DNA and the environment have a role in shaping a baby’s brain.
You want babies to marinate in their milestones! Let them take time (or as Carrie says, let them wait a hot minute!) We don’t want our baby to move too fast through the milestones.
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