Parenting a teenager can feel like navigating a turbulent sea, especially when your child is missing school, being disrespectful, and expressing their frustrations in hurtful ways. It’s essential to approach this challenging phase with patience, empathy, and a focus on connection rather than conflict.
Read MoreParenting can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially in the first year of your baby’s life. Having the right information at your fingertips can make all the difference. Imagine navigating your baby’s early months with confidence and clarity, knowing exactly how to address challenges and build a strong, loving connection. Diving into information on feeding, sleep, babywearing, connection, attachment, and parenting with practical tips will help you and your baby thrive.
Read MoreImagine your child ten years from now. What words would you want to use to describe them? Kind, empathetic, happy, helpful, confident, resilient, and capable—these are qualities that every parent dreams of seeing in their child. As a trained parent coach in Attachment-Focused Parenting (AATH) and Positive Discipline, I am here to help you achieve these long-term parenting goals. Together, we’ll find practical and effective ways to nurture these attributes and cultivate amazing little humans.
Read MoreWelcome to our community! I’m excited to introduce you to Ashley Pickett, IBCLC (she/her), a dedicated professional committed to supporting families in finding balance and joy through their parenting journey. With a focus on meeting babies’ authentic needs while helping parents feel rested and less overwhelmed, Ashley’s expertise spans the realms of infant sleep, feeding, and holistic parenting.
Read MoreAs you’re preparing for the big day, it’s natural to focus on prenatal education to ensure you’re ready for your baby’s birth. But equally important is preparing for feeding your newborn. We’re here to offer you the education, guidance, and support you need to make your feeding experience as smooth and successful as possible.
Just as you would plan for the birth, understanding how to feed your baby is crucial for a successful start. As experienced moms, we know firsthand the importance of being well-prepared and knowing where to turn if things don’t go as planned. Our goal is to help you feel confident and supported, both before and after your baby arrives.
Read MoreFeeding isn’t a one-size-fits-all process—especially when it comes to the complex and often challenging journey of breastfeeding. I’m Ashley Pickett, and as an expert in feeding support, I know firsthand just how demanding this aspect of early parenthood can be. In fact, the very reason I have dedicated my career to this field is because feeding is hard work - hard work that I lived through with my own 3 kids!
Read MoreWhen it comes to getting your baby to sleep soundly, many parents turn to sleep consultants who focus on breaking so-called "bad habits" through structured sleep training. This often involves techniques that can be distressing for both baby and parent. If this method doesn't align with your parenting style, you’re not alone—and I’m here to offer a different path.
Read MoreThis week, a new study emerged focusing on the effects of letting babies cry alone and its impact on attachment at 18 months. As someone deeply interested in infant mental health, this research caught my eye. While I haven’t yet had the chance to read the full study, the linked summary provides some intriguing insights. Here’s a breakdown of how this study fits into our current understanding of childhood trauma and attachment.
Read MoreFun fact! Your baby simply doesn’t have the brain architecture available to “self-soothe” for many years.
I know, this sounds absolutely off the wall as we navigate a culture expecting our babies to be independent, to eat quickly and efficiently, to sleep alone and to generally not need us very much. Your baby’s brain is growing every day, especially in the early months.
Read MoreAs I have journeyed through mothering three children, attending many births as a doula, supporting families as a gentle parenting coach, and eventually becoming a busy IBCLC, I have realized that one single skill has made its way into each of my personal and professional toolkits.
Read MoreI’ve been reflecting on a response to a facebook post about teachers needing sensitivity training. I had to think on it... I would love to create a safe bubble around my babies forever, but its just becoming less and less realistic. They are starting to experience all sorts of harshness, unreasonable boundaries and expectations, cruel reactions and moments of true power imbalance. And I'm no longer there.
Read MoreSomeone recently asked about the nighttime breastfeeding needs of their 8-month old... their doctor let them know that at 8 months, feeding at night isn't needed and not nutritious. Even though we know better, this messaging is still coming from medical professionals..
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