For parents

Activities for Infants

The first few months of your baby’s life are fascinating. You will watch them change day by day. We have rounded ten simple infant activities that will help the development of your baby’s motor skills, language skills, and that will strengthen your bond.   

1. Tummy Time

Baby playing on the floor

Sources +

[1] Hewitt, L., Kerr, E., Stanley, R. M., & Okely, A. D. (2020). Tummy time and infant health outcomes: a systematic review. Pediatrics, 145(6). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-2168.

[2] J., & Braungart-Rieker, J.M. (2005). Effects of shared parent-infant reading on early language acquisition. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 26, 2, 133-148 doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2004.12.003.

[3] Eduardo Sá and Ana Torres. The Effect of Lullabies on the Mother and on Copyright © 2019 Eduardo Sá and Ana Torres. Her Relationship with the Baby: an Exploratory Study. OA J Behavioural Sci Psych2019, 2(1): 180010. 

[4] Chiang, W. C., & Wynn, K. (2000). Infants' tracking of objects and collections. Cognition, 77(3), 169-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-0277(00)00091-3.

[5] Savage, S. (2005). The benefits of infant massage: a critical review. Community Practitioner, 78(3), 98-102. 

[6] Nichols, D.L. The context of background TV exposure and children’s executive functioning. Pediatr Res 92, 1168–1174 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01916-6.

Navigating Neurodivergent Parenthood

For many people, parenthood comes as a huge shift (understatement!). However, some of us can find the transition to parenthood–from pregnancy, through the post-natal period and beyond into parenting–more challenging than others.  

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[1] Elliott J. K. et al. The neurodivergent perinatal experience — A systematic literature review on autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Women and Birth 37, 6 (2024) 

[2] Pohl, A.L., Crockford, S.K., Blakemore, M. et al. A comparative study of autistic and non-autistic women’s experience of motherhood. Molecular Autism 11, 3 (2020). 

[3] Talcer, M.C., Duffy, O. & Pedlow, K. A Qualitative Exploration into the Sensory Experiences of Autistic Mothers. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 834–849 (2023). 

[4] Westgate, V., Sewell, O., Caramaschi, D. et al. Autistic Women’s Experiences of the Perinatal Period: A Systematic Mixed Methods Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2024). 

 

Ask Dr. Ana: How Can I Help My Son with Social Skills and Discussing Sex?

Question:

A parent seeks guidance on assisting a their son with his social skills and discussing sex with him.

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

This is an important topic, and it is brilliant that you want to support your son.  

It is never too early (nor too late) to talk about sex with our children. Rather than having ‘the talk’, it is better to have lots of little talks over time. Having regular conversations about it also sends the message that this topic is important and that it is a normal part of life.  

Ask Dr. Ana: Does Drinking Alcohol During Early Pregnancy Affect the Baby?

Question: 

What are the potential effects on a baby if alcohol is consumed twice before knowing about a pregnancy?

Dr. Ana’s Answer:

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You are not the only one that has drunk before finding out you were pregnant (for what is worth—it happened to me also). Think that nearly half of all pregnancies in the US are unplanned, so there are lots of people that have been in your situation.

Elf on the Shelf: How Does It Work?

Perhaps you have been adopting your scout elf for a few years. Perhaps you are not sure what the Elf of the Shelf is about. Discover if this family tradition is for you.  

Sources +

 

[1] Boyle, C., & McKay, K. (2016). A wonderful lie. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(12), 1110-1111. 

[2] Goldstein, T.R. & Woolley, J. (2016). Ho! Ho! Who? Parent promotion of belief in and live encounters with Santa Claus. Cognitive Development, 39, 113-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2016.04.002.

[3] Anderson, C.J., Prentice, N.M. Encounter with reality: Children's reactions on discovering the Santa Claus myth. Child Psych Hum Dev 25, 67–84 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02253287.

[4] Mills, C. M., Goldstein, T. R., Kanumuru, P., Monroe, A. J., & Quintero, N. B. (2024). Debunking the Santa myth: The process and aftermath of becoming skeptical about Santa. Developmental Psychology, 60(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001662.

 

Staying Connected as a Couple When You Become Parents

In my therapy room, I often hear parent couples ask, "What happened to us? We used to be so relaxed and carefree!" Even the most solid relationships often struggle with the seismic shift that comes with introducing a baby into the family.[1] From practical challenges like getting enough sleep and navigating childcare, to differing expectations of each other now as partners.  

Sources +

[1] Doss, B. D., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2009). The effect of the transition to parenthood on relationship quality: An 8-year prospective study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96(3), 601–619. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013969.

[2] Karimi, R., Bakhitoyari, M., Arani, A. M. (2019). Protective factors of marital stability in long-term marriage globally: a systematic review. Epidemiol Health. doi: 10.4178/epih.e2019023.

[3] Twenge, J. M., Campbell, W. K., & Foster, C. A. (2003). Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta-Analytic Review. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(3), 574–583. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00574.x.

[4] Gottman, J., & Gottman, J. (2008). And Baby Makes Three:The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance after Baby Arrives. New York: Harmony Press.

[5] Walker, S.A., Pinkus, R.T., Olderbak, S. et al. People with higher relationship satisfaction use more humor, valuing, and receptive listening to regulate their partners’ emotions. Curr Psychol 43, 2348–2356 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04432-4.

[6] Gao, M., Du, H., Davies, P.T. and Cummings, E.M. (2019), Marital Conflict Behaviors and Parenting: Dyadic Links Over Time. Fam Relat, 68: 135-149. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12322.

[7] Anderson, S. A., Russell, C. S., & Schumm, W. R. (1983). Perceived marital quality and family life-cycle categories: A further analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 45(1), 127–139. https://doi.org/10.2307/351301.

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