GrowWellSTL

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✨A busted myth because there’s a lot of outdated or confusing baby advice out there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: If your baby sleeps well then they are a “good baby”.

When someone talks about a “good sleeper” the implication is often that babies who don’t sleep through the night are somehow not as “good”.

But babies aren’t good or bad because of how they sleep. Some babies sleep longer stretches earlier. Some don’t.

Some parents need support with sleep and some babies need time or a little support.

Either way, your baby’s sleep is not a reflection of your worth as a parent. It’s not a measure of your baby’s value, either.

If you have questions about your baby’s sleep or you feel like you could use support, reach out to me! I am excited to now be offering a new service for a sleep check-in to help guide parents who are feeling at a loss for how to improve sleep for themselves and for baby.

mythbusting

Introducing the Grow Well “team”. 😂

✨ Receptionist
✨ Scheduler
✨ Social media manager
✨ Marketing department
✨ IT department
✨ Occupational therapist
✨ Feeding specialist
✨ Lactation consultant in training
✨ Owner

Right now, every hat at Grow Well belongs to me.

While that sometimes means late nights, it also means that when you call, email, or comment on a post that you’re talking directly to the person who will be working with your family! There’s no getting passed from department to department or waiting on hold after you dial a specific number. I get to know you, your baby, and your goals from the very beginning.

One day, I hope Grow Well grows into a collaborative team of amazing therapists who share my passion for supporting babies and families through feeding, development, and all the transitions that come with the first year.

But for now? It’s just me over here wearing all the hats…and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way!!

Tiny shifts matter.

One feeding adjustment, one position change…
One supportive conversation, one calmer routine….

You do not need to overhaul everything overnight.
Often, progress with babies comes through small, consistent changes.

And those little things? They add up.

If you have a baby under 12 months old, chances are you’ve found yourself wondering things like:

“Is this normal?”
“Should I be worried?”
“How do I help my baby with this?”

That’s where I come in.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I help babies and their families navigate feeding, development, and all the transitions that happen during the first year.

While I do provide therapy, that’s not the only way I support families. I’m also working on ways to offer developmental check-ins, feeding support, education, and guidance for parents who simply want reassurance and expert support along the way.

If you’ve got a baby under 12 months, follow along. I’m sharing tips, answers to common questions, and information about the different ways Grow Well can support your family.

If parenting feels like everyone is singing a different song, you’re not alone. It’s no wonder new parents feel confused. There is so much information available on the internet today, but more information doesn’t always mean more clarity.

So many conflicting messages:
One person says hold the baby…one says put them down or you will spoil them.
One says start solids now…one says wait.
One says more tummy time…one says don’t worry about it.
One person says use this pacifier…one says pacifiers should never be used.

It’s enough to make your brain sound like this audio.

The good news? Your baby doesn’t need perfect parenting!

They need a parent who feels confident enough to make informed decisions for their unique little person.

Sometimes a little guidance is all it takes to turn down the volume on all the conflicting advice.

Myth: If a baby is gaining weight, feeding must be going well.

Truth: Weight gain is only ONE piece of the feeding picture.

If your baby is doing any of these things:
* clicking at the breast/bottle
* soaking burp cloths because of leakage during feeds
* falling asleep every feeding
* taking forever to eat
* arching/crying during and after feeds…
We both know that feeding is stressful and isn’t necessarily going “well” despite weight gain.

When you feel like something is off and seek out support, I look at the whole picture:
✨ oral function and coordination
✨ sensory preferences
✨ endurance
✨ parent stress
✨ feeding experience overall

Feeding is not only about ounces gained, it is one of the main jobs for your baby and if it’s difficult it can make life more stressful for you both!

Sometimes parents are told everything is “fine” while spending every waking hour managing feeds, troubleshooting, switching positions, or dreading the next feeding.

You are not “too anxious” for noticing something feels wrong. A feeding journey can technically be “working” while still needing support.

If you need support, reach out today by texting 636-748-4060 and scheduling a free consultation by phone.

If you’re in the baby stage right now, this is your reminder to lower the bar a little.

I know you want everything to go perfectly for your little one.

But today, I hope you also get:
☕️ a warm cup of coffee
☕️ a minute to sit down and relax
☕️ and at least one moment where nobody needs you.

That counts as a win.

At Grow Well I love helping families navigate feeding, development, and all the little transitions that can feel overwhelming in the first year. Including getting a hot coffee! 🫶

Tip Tuesday: Tummy Time Doesn’t Have to Mean Flat on the Floor.

Tummy time can look different at different times and changing positions can make it more fun, more comfortable, and easier to fit into your day!

Watch the video for a few tummy time positions to try if your baby is struggling!

Another tip that I didn’t share in the video…babywearing counts as a great way to build neck and core strength too!

The best tummy time position is the one your baby tolerates and allows them to practice lifting, turning, and strengthening little muscles over time. Small moments throughout the day add up, so don’t stress if they don’t tolerate long stretches.

If tummy time has been stressful, you’re not doing anything wrong. Sometimes babies just need a different approach, positioning support, or a gradual transition. Sometimes it can also be due to tension in their little bodies, so if you have tried all the positions and it is still tough it may be time to reach out for some support.

Save this for later and send to a new parent who could use some tummy time ideas!