GrowWellSTL

Sometimes the smallest movements can make a big difference.

When I’m working with a baby, I’m always paying attention to things like tension, alignment, movement patterns, and how comfortable they seem in their body.

That might mean gentle hands-on work, helping baby find a different position for functional activities, changing how we approach a movement, or simply giving their body a little time and space to respond.

It’s not about forcing a baby into a position or making them do something they aren’t ready to do. It’s about meeting their body where it is and working with them.

And sometimes, what looks like a very simple little technique can be one piece of helping baby move more comfortably and freely.

That’s one of my favorite things about working with babies. There is so much information in the way they move, and we can learn a lot when we slow down and pay attention.

Sometimes you get a little reminder that the work you do matters long after the appointment is over.

One of my favorite things about working with babies and their families is knowing that I get to be a small part of their story. Sometimes we work together for a while, and sometimes it’s just one visit.

Either way, getting to hear that a little one is doing well, growing, learning, and thriving?

That’s the good stuff. 🥹

Those little unexpected reminders are pretty special. And honestly, they’re one of the reasons I love what I do.

Grow Well is about more than reaching a milestone or solving a feeding challenge. It’s about supporting families, building confidence, and helping babies grow well.

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Feel Good Friday is a little mix of goodness from the week.

You will find:
✨ Motivation for the days when parenting feels overwhelming
✨Recap of Tip Tuesday to make feeding and development smoother
✨A busted myth because there’s a lot of outdated or confusing baby advice out there
✨A little about Grow Well
✨And a little joy from the week because it’s important to focus on the positive!

If you would like to save one of the slides from the reel, just Comment or DM me and I can send it over!

My goal with Grow Well is simple:
To help parents feel confident, informed, and supported as their baby grows through the first year.

Because most of the time, parents don’t need more pressure. They just need the right information and a little guidance.

Myth: There is one “right way” to parent.

Can we talk about all the parenting “shoulds”?

You SHOULD breastfeed.
You SHOULD bottle-feed.
You SHOULD sleep train.
You SHOULD contact nap.
You SHOULD do BLW.
You SHOULD do purées.
You SHOULD use baby-led everything.
You SHOULD use all the developmental toys.
You SHOULD limit screen time.
You SHOULD have a schedule.
You SHOULD let baby lead.
You SHOULD be doing MORE tummy time.
You SHOULD…

No wonder parenting can feel so overwhelming sometimes. There is a LOT of advice out there telling parents what they “should” be doing.

And sometimes those “shoulds” contradict each other…

The truth? There are evidence-based recommendations around things like safety and development, but parenting isn’t a one-size-fits-all checklist. Your baby is an individual, your family is an individual unit, and sometimes you have to figure out what works for your family on some things.

You don’t need to do every single thing perfectly to give your baby a wonderful start.

A good reminder for a Monday…and honestly, for life.

You don’t need the perfect situation to make progress. You just need to keep going and do what you can with what you have.

“I SAID I WANT MORE PUFFS.” 😂

Babies have so many ways of communicating before they ever use words.

Gestures, facial expressions, sounds, body movements, reaching, pointing, eye contact…they are constantly giving us information about what they want, need, enjoy, or don’t enjoy.

And sometimes their message is VERY clear! 🤣 (Of course, it is not always that easy unfortunately.)

One of the best things we can do is slow down and pay attention to those little signals. They are meaningful communication, even when there isn’t a single word involved yet.

Clearly in this video, the puff delivery service was not moving quickly enough. 😂 🤣

Maybe we don’t always need to do more. Maybe we just need to slow down enough to notice what’s already good.

The sunshine.
The fresh air.
The little moments.
The people we love.
The things we usually rush right past.

A little less hurry. A little more noticing. A little more being present for the life we’re already living.

Sometimes, slowing down is exactly what we need. I need to hold onto this reminder as I come back from vacation!

Myth: If your baby refuses the bottle, just keep offering it until they take it.

Truth: Bottle refusal doesn’t mean your baby is being stubborn.

If you’re going to return to work and your baby isn’t taking a bottle, it can feel really stressful. And while it’s tempting to think that you should just keep offering it until baby gives in, pressure isn’t usually the answer.

Babies can have very real preferences about how, when, and from whom they eat. Sometimes they need time to become comfortable with a new way of feeding. Sometimes there are oral motor or sensory preferences that need to be taken into account and bridged to make a plan that works for your family.

Instead of turning every bottle into a battle, we can look at why baby is refusing, how the bottle is being offered, and ways to build comfort and confidence gradually.

You don’t have to force it. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If bottle refusal is on your pre-work checklist, save this for later!

Tip Tuesday: Let the Mess Happen

Starting solids is about so much more than eating…it’s also about exploring and having a sensory experience.

Touching, squishing, smearing, and exploring food with little hands helps babies learn about new textures and tastes. What looks messy to us is actually important learning for them.

Another simple tip: try to avoid wiping your baby’s face after every spoonful. Frequent wiping can sometimes be uncomfortable for babies, especially for babies who are more sensitive to touch, and this might make mealtimes less enjoyable for them.

Instead, allow a little mess during the meal and save most of the cleanup for the end. A gentle pause, singing a song, or offering your baby a chance to help wipe their own hands and face as they get older can make a difference too.

Messy meals are often full of learning!