Mothering From Within

If your baby is fussy, hard to settle, clingy, or always wants to be held…
 And you feel touched out, overstimulated, and just done by the end of the day…

This episode is for you. 💜

Join pediatric occupational therapist and holistic baby expert Kaili Ets for a powerful conversation about mother–baby nervous system co-regulation—what it means, how it works, and why it’s often the missing link when sleep, feeding, or fussiness fee...

Does your baby feel stiff in your arms?
 Arch their back when feeding or crying?
 Struggle to settle or relax—even when all their “needs” seem met?

You’re not imagining it—and it’s not just colic, gas, or a “hard baby.”

In this episode of Mothering From Within, pediatric OT Kaili Ets shares what it really means when a baby feels tight, fussy, or hard to settle—and how body tension in babies often goes unrecognized and misunde...

In this expert-packed episode of Mothering From Within, pediatric OT Kaili Ets is joined by Marisa Marino, a seasoned pediatric physical therapist who specializes in torticollis and plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) in babies as well as pre/postnatal women's health.

Together, they break down:

• What torticollis and plagiocephaly actually are (and what causes them)
• The difference between a baby’s head turning preference and a t...

In this episode of Mothering From Within, Kaili Ets—pediatric occupational therapist and holistic baby guru—dives deep into the often misunderstood condition of Torticollis in babies.

If your baby constantly turns their head to one side, struggles with tummy time or latching, hates one breast, or seems tight and fussy when lying flat—this episode is a must-listen.

You'll learn:

• What torticollis actually is (spoiler: it's...

In this episode, Kaili dives deep into the topic of “colic” and what it really means when your baby is crying inconsolably. She challenges the catchall label of colic, encouraging parents to trust their instincts and look beyond the surface for possible root causes.

Key Topics Covered:

[01:12]  What “colic” actually means and why it’s often just a label, not an explanation.

[03:10] The importance of trusting your parental intuition wh...

In this heartfelt episode, Kaili sits down with Gail Gabriel, a fellow occupational therapist, NICU mama, and founder of The NICU Collective. Gail shares her raw and powerful journey from the unexpected early delivery of her son at 30 weeks to navigating the NICU, early intervention, and her own emotional healing.

Whether you’ve experienced a high-risk birth, a NICU stay, or just the intense uncertainty of new motherhood, this episo...

Should You Hire a Doula? How to Know If It’s Right for Your Family.

In this episode of 'Mothering From Within,' host Kaili Ets sits down with Kristen Revere, the owner and founder of Gold Coast Doulas, to discuss the critical role doulas play in both birth and postpartum care. Kristen, an elite certified birth and postpartum doula, shares her journey from political fundraising to founding a successful doula agency in Grand...

In this episode of Mothering From Within, Kaili Ets—pediatric OT and holistic baby guru—dives into the fascinating world of Human Design and sleep.

If you've ever wondered why your baby doesn’t follow the "normal" sleep rules, or why bedtime feels harder than it “should,” this episode is for you. Sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all—and Human Design offers a compassionate, eye-opening way to understand your baby’s natural rh...

🎙️ Episode 36: Why Your Baby Eats, Sleeps & Plays Differently—And What Human Design Can Reveal

In this illuminating episode of Mothering From Within, host Kaili Ets, pediatric occupational therapist and holistic baby guru, welcomes special guest Meg S. from Wholebeing OT—an occupational therapist and Human Design specialist—to explore a powerful new lens for parenting: Human Design.

Together, they dive deep into how Human Design...

Welcome to another episode of Mothering From Within with Kaili Ets—pediatric occupational therapist, holistic baby guru, and your go-to guide for intuitive parenting.

In this special episode, Kaili kicks off a brand-new mini-series on Human Design for parents. If you’ve ever wondered why one of your children needs constant motion to settle while another craves calm predictability, Human Design might just be the insight you've b...

Hey, mama! Struggling with baby sleep and wondering if there's a way to get longer stretches without sleep training? You’re not alone! In this episode of Mothering From Within, I’m breaking down baby sleep in a way that actually makes sense—no rigid rules, just real, practical strategies that work with your baby’s natural rhythms.

We’ll talk about:
 ✔️ The real reasons your baby might not be sleeping well (spoiler: it’s not...

In this episode of Mothering From Within, host Kaili Ets, a mom and pediatric occupational therapist, dives into the complex world of baby sleep. Kaili addresses common sleep challenges and their root causes—such as reflux, feeding issues, body tension, cranial nerve compression, sensory processing, temperament, and developmental progressions. She offers holistic solutions and emphasizes the importance of understanding your baby&ap...

In this episode of Mothering From Within, host Kaili Ets sits down with McCall Gordon, a researcher with a background in human biology and applied psychology, as well as a certified gentle sleep coach. Together, they uncover the surprising gaps in sleep training research and discuss how temperament plays a crucial role in baby sleep.

McCall challenges mainstream sleep training advice, explaining why popular methods—like Ferber—fail ...

In this episode of Mothering From Within, host Kaili Ets takes you on a deep dive into the history of sleep training—from its origins in the late 19th century to today’s evolving perspectives. You’ll learn about different sleep training methods like cry-it-out, controlled crying, and more gentle alternatives, while also uncovering the surprising roots of these approaches.

Kaili challenges outdated sleep training philosophies—many of...

You may have noticed that this episode is arriving a little later than planned. I had originally intended for it to air at the beginning of January, but life had other plans. I took the past month to navigate my father’s illness and passing, stepping back to process, grieve, and be present with my family. While the holidays are now behind us, I know many of you are still working on getting your baby’s sleep back on track—whether af...

In the final episode of 2024, Kaili Ets, occupational therapist and holistic baby guru, encourages mothers to trust their instincts and offers actionable tips for navigating motherhood with confidence. Reflecting on highlights from the 'Mothering From Within' podcast since its launch, Kaili shares advice on tuning out overwhelming parenting noise, making gentle changes, and finding the right support. Listen in as she empo...

In this episode of Mothering from Within, host Kaili Ets, a mom and pediatric occupational therapist, discusses five common reasons why babies struggle with sleep. She discusses underlying issues like reflux, body tension, sensory processing differences, overtiredness, and the reality of normal infant sleep patterns. Kaili emphasizes looking beyond traditional sleep training methods and understanding root causes to better support b...

In this  episode of the Mothering From Within podcast, Kaili Ets sits down with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, a neuroscientist, doula, and author, to explore the profound impact of early nurturing practices on children's brain development and mental health. 

Dr. Greer shares her personal journey, from her own high-needs babyhood to becoming an expert in infant sleep and brain growth. Through their in-depth conversation, list...

In this episode, Kaili addresses the immense stress that sleep issues can bring to early parenthood. She empathizes with the struggles of trying various sleep methods without success and offers reassurance by introducing a holistic approach to baby sleep. This approach focuses on connection, responsiveness, and meeting both the baby's and the parent's needs, without relying on traditional sleep training methods. Kaili sha...