239: First year for your newborn baby: The 7 ideas that really matter

  What truly matters in a baby’s first year? This episode explores the top seven things parents should focus on, helping you set priorities with confidence.  

Questions this episode will answer

• How much influence do parents really have on their child’s development?
• What parenting practices actually make a long-term difference?
• Should you be worried about hitting developmental milestones on time?
• How can you support your baby’s emotional well-being from day one?
• What are the best ways to foster a strong parent-child bond?

 

What you’ll learn in this episode

Parenting advice changes constantly, often reflecting shifts in culture and scientific understanding. In this episode, we take a research-backed approach to uncover what truly matters in your baby’s first year—and what doesn’t.

• The Myth of the Perfect Parent: Learn why the definition of “good parenting” has evolved and how cultural expectations influence parenting choices.
• Nature vs. Nurture: Discover the surprising role genetics and socioeconomic factors play in shaping a child’s future.
• The Truth About Developmental Milestones: Understand why comparing your child to others can be misleading—and what really matters for long-term success.
• Helping Your Baby Feel Secure: Explore the key elements of emotional safety and how they support healthy development.
• Building a Strong Parent-Child Connection: Learn practical strategies to foster trust, communication, and bonding with your baby.
• Making Parenting Easier: Get clarity on what’s actually worth stressing about—spoiler: fancy baby gear isn’t on the list.

  Join us as we use our values to understand how to get parenting right from the start for your baby and family.   If you’re ready to dive even deeper into these ideas and get hands-on guidance in your parenting journey, our Right From The Start course that I run with Hannah & Kelty of Upbringing is here to help.   It’s designed to give you the confidence and tools to support your baby’s emotional well-being, strengthen your bond, and parent with intention—right from the start.   You'll get access to nine modules of content on topics like supporting baby's sleep, feeding with confidence, and supporting a strong sibling relationship. You'll also learn how to meet your own needs - because you're a whole person with needs, not just your baby's parent.   Right From The Start is available anytime, and you get access to a group coaching call once a month for a year after you join. You can give the course as a gift - it might be the most useful baby shower gift anyone can receive (besides the industrial strength laxatives and nipple shields!)   Click the image below to learn more about Right From The Start:

 

Other episodes mentioned

• 081: How can I decide which daycare/preschool is right for my child?
• 079: What is RIE?
• 084: The Science of RIE