How DO You “Play” With A Newborn, Anyway?

New Mom Struggles with Guilt

Dear BabyShrink, I’m having trouble figuring out when to put my two-month-old daughter down, and when to pick her up and play with her. I’ve heard many ways of encouraging her development, but I feel guilty when I place her in her chair to get things done. She sleeps well at night, but I often more »

YO BABY(SHRINK)!

The “Good-Enough Mother”: Are Breasts Required?

Dear BabyShrink, I fully intended on breastfeeding my first baby. But after trying hard for six weeks, we had to give up. We had 3 lactation specialists, moms, friends, and my doctor helping. But my baby was not gaining weight and crying all the time. I just never made more than a half-ounce of milk more »

The “Birth Plan”: What NOT to Expect

There is a strain of pregnancy propaganda out there that sets new moms up for failure. It says that unless you “achieve” some particular kind of delivery perfection, well, then…you haven’t quite made the cut, as a Mom. And that makes me angry. It’s in all the standard pregnancy books. Something along the lines of, more »

Babies and Sleep: Keeping Us Guessing

Dear BabyShrink, My 8-month-old Lehua is going through a real burst right now, and among other things has just figured out how to get herself up to a sitting position. This is great, but it’s really messing with her naps. Previously, she would fuss for 5 or 10 minutes, and then fall asleep. But now, more »

Ooooh Baby BABY!

Lately I’ve gotten a lot of questions from parents of toddlers, which mirrors my clinical practice. Parents of babies don’t ask as many questions, but they need answers at least as much! So where are all you readers with questions about BABIES? Oh, perhaps you’re too busy, I don’t know, not sleeping, feeling overwhelmed, worrying more »

Haircutting Fears

Hi Dr. Heather, My three-year old absolutely hates haircuts. Between the ages of 1 and 2, my barber cut his hair for free. He was fine at first, but then I think the clippers pulled him once, and he has not forgotten. We tried a children’s barber a couple of times, but, whether she used more »

The Big Kid Bed? NOT!!!

Dear Dr. Heather, When should we switch B to a regular kid bed? She’s 2 1/2 and still in her crib, but hasn’t shown ANY sign of not liking it, or trying to get out. It’s a hassle to lift her in and out, but at least she’s not up and about at all hours more »

…And Potty Training?…AS IF!!!

Dear BabyShrink, What is your take on potty training? Just GO FOR IT, or let the child initiate it all? I have heard (or read) everything from “start at 3 months old,”; to “you can do it in ONE (or three) day(s),”; to “they’ll get it when they are developmentally ready.” We are in the more »

Shhh…I Let My Kids Watch TV!

Hi Dr. Heather! I got your link from Dad Gone Mad, and love your site! I think it’s wonderful to have someone sort of “official”; to converse with, as opposed to other moms who are, like me, just guessing at solutions! My husband and I have a 2 1/2 year old girl, who is basically more »

BabyShrink’s Book Bag; My New List of Faves! Part Two: Hilarious Mom and Dad Authors

BabyShrink.com Update