I Can Already Sense How You’re Feeling
Even though it may seem that I don’t know a lot, I’m already really aware of how you are feeling based on your tone and how you interact with me (even if I don’t understand what that feeling means!). Don’t…
Being Close To You Helps Me to Feel Safe
From the moment I’m born, you are the center of my world. When I can sense that you are close to me, when you comfort me with a hug, when you let me lay on your chest, and when I…
When I Am Fussy or Won’t Stop Crying
I may be saying, “I am feeling out of sorts, off my routine.” Or I may be saying, “I feel tension in the house.” I may simply be saying, “My body is growing and changing and I am extra sensitive…
If a Lot of Noise Makes Me Upset
When I cry and get fussy when there is a lot of noise and/or people around, I may be saying, “It is upsetting—hard for me to take in all of the changes.” You can support me by keeping my daily…
When I Am Fussy
What I might be saying is, “I am feeling sick, or tired, or hungry.” I might be trying to tell you I am sad or mad, or just overwhelmed by everything going on around me. You can help me by…
How I Learn to Regulate My Emotions
Did you know that I need to learn how to regulate my emotions before I can follow rules and understand limits? That’s right! And I don’t have the ability to calm myself when I am first born. I need you…
Cozy Corner
When I was first born I didn’t really need a cozy corner, but as I move around more, crawling and cruising along the furniture, a cozy corner will be a nice place for me to go when I need to…
Activity Bag
I am so little, I don’t have patience! You can help me by taking an activity bag wherever we go. It doesn’t have to be big; in fact, you might be able to fit it in my diaper bag! Pick…
Talk to Me
Did you know that I can recognize your voice as a newborn? Even before I am born, I can hear the sounds around me. When I am only minutes old, I will turn toward my mother’s voice over other sounds…
Scent of You
I am comforted just by your smell. If you have to leave me for any length of time, like a deployment, why not leave me with something that smells like you! Perhaps it can be one of your t-shirts you…
Play-by-Play
When you know I am not tired or hungry, a good game for us to play is “Play-by-Play.” It’s easy! Put me on my tummy. It is OK to have a few of my favorite toys near me. You need…