Comment LINK below and I’ll DM you my blog post all about when and how to get your toddler to help with chores 🧹🧺🧼 . Be honest… did watching this video make you cringe? 😅 It can feel excruciating to watch your toddler “help” with something when you know you can just do it in .5 seconds and be done! . But, if you want your child to become helpful as they get older, it’s crucial to start involving them when they’re young. In fact - toddlers *want* to help with tasks around the house…. it’s our job to remember to let them! . One of my best tips is to NOT save *all* household chores and tasks for nap time and after bedtime. There are some things that are definitely only possible to complete when your kids are sleeping, but in reality, a lot can be done while they’re awake, too! And it’s important for them to see these things getting done so they understand how a space gets from messy to clean, what it takes to run a household, and the importance of working as a team to get necessary tasks done. . Tell me - what are you thoughts on letting your toddler help you with chores? It can totally vary across culture, family dynamic, etc so I’d love to know more! 👇

Comment LINK and I’ll send you a link to my favorite toddler underwear @wearluckyandme! Use code “routine15” for 15% off your order. . Potty training with a child in daycare can feel daunting, but it’s totally possible. Check out this day-in-the-life reel to learn what it’s really like 😅 Accidents are a normal part of the process, so extra underwear and pants are key! 🩲👖 . I’ll be sharing more about potty training on the @wearluckyandme IG stories next Wednesday 10/18 so make sure to tune in then. . Thank you to @wearluckyandme for collaborating on this post! ❤️ #wewearlucky #luckyandmepartner #luckyandmeunderwear #sponsored

Want to learn more about how to encourage developmental milestones through simple and practical play routines for your baby? Comment LINK and I’ll send you the link to my Comprehensive Routine Guides (Ages 0-5) that include an entire section on developmental milestones and play ideas. . If you’re going to practice ONE play time activity with your baby, this is it! 😆 Rolling your baby in and out of tummy time - rather than simply plopping them down onto their belly and picking them straight up - helps their body learn and get used to the movement pattern that is necessary for future rolling. It’s also less of a jarring experience for them, which can help them tolerate tummy time better without the fuss. . You can start this early, around 4-6 weeks, and practice anytime until your baby starts rolling both ways by themselves. . Questions on tummy time or practicing rolling? Comment below! 👇

Comment “POOP PROBLEMS” below if your child struggles with poop and I’ll DM you a link to join my Poop Problems Group (once it’s ready!) so that I can help you through this! . You’re not alone if your child struggles to poop on the potty. This is a VERY common struggle for lots of children because ⤵️: . 💩 They don’t have as many opportunities to practice pooping as they do peeing, so it can take longer to learn 💩 They may feel fear or anxiety about something “falling out of their body”, rather than pressed against their body in a diaper 💩 They may have had a painful pooping experience in the past (constipation, hard stool) that is causing them to withhold their poop …. and more! . Continuing to normalize the pooping process and explain to your child *exactly* what poop is, what it’s made of, and how it comes out of their body can help 🙏

Comment LINK and I’ll send you the link to my FREE “Where the heck do I start with potty training?” one-page guide! 🚽 . Not sure which type of potty to start with? The short answer is 👉 both types have pros and cons! . RIM SEAT ON TOP OF TOILET: ✅ Pros: less “equipment” so can be better for small spaces, child learns to use regular toilet from the start therefore no transition needed later on ❎ Cons: require foot stool for proper positioning, child may feel unstable or scared SEPARATE SMALL POTTY: ✅ Pros: easier positioning especially for smaller toddlers, child feels more independent ❎ Cons: takes up more space, requires extra transition to regular toilet later on . Ultimately, I suggest weighing these pros and cons and making the choice that seems right for your child and family! If you’re still unsure, I typically recommend using a small potty first, since proper positioning is the most important factor in my opinion. . Comment below - if you’ve potty trained already, which did you use? Share with me! 👇

Comment LINK and I’ll send you a link to my Comprehensive Routine Guides that teach you exactly how to implement an appropriate bedtime routine for your chid’s age. . Ooooh the power of a bedtime routine! 💪There is a LOT of research proving the benefits of a bedtime routine for babies and children….here are some of them👇: . 😴 Reduced night wakings - children wake up less frequently throughout the night . 😴 Shorter sleep onset latency - children fall asleep faster at the start of bedtime . 😴 Decreased parent-perceived sleep problems - parents report their children sleep better . 😴 Increased sleep duration - children sleep more hours . 😴 Earlier bedtime - children go to sleep earlier . 😴 Decreased parent-perceived daytime behavior problems - parents report their children have less daytime behavioral problems . Doesn’t it sound magical?! 🤗 Bedtime routines are not the *only* thing to troubleshoot when it comes to your child’s sleep, but they can help a LOT. Questions about bedtime routines? Drop them in the comments! 👇 . Source: Jodi A. Mindell, PhD, Albert M. Li, MD, Avi Sadeh, DSc, Robert Kwon, BS, Daniel Y.T. Goh, MD, Bedtime Routines for Young Children: A Dose-Dependent Association with Sleep Outcomes, Sleep, Volume 38, Issue 5, 1 May 2015, Pages 717–722

Comment LINK and I’ll DM you the link to register for the October Potty Training Pod! 🚽 . Has potty training been on your to-do list but you’re too overwhelmed to jump in? Well, let this be your sign - registration for my October Potty Training Pod is officially open! . This is a four-week program where I teach you *exactly* how to potty train your child IN REAL TIME using my routines-based, developmentally-friendly potty training method. I answer your questions every step of the way so you know exactly what to do every single day when those inevitable potty struggles come up. . Sure, you can read a book or listen to a rando mom’s advice in a Facebook group 🤪, but what really helps is having REAL-TIME SUPPORT throughout the process (and let me tell you - it takes more than a quick three days, I promise!) . The next Pod runs October 1st-29th, with the official “bye-bye diapers” weekend on October 7th-8th (so clear your calendar and plan on staying close to home!). Registration is open and spots are limited! . Link in bio for more info! 🙌

I think there needs to be WAY more education surrounding *how* to properly bottle-feed your baby! 🍼 Just like breastfeeding, there is proper technique to follow when helping your baby learn how to latch and suck on a bottle (regardless of whether it’s breastmilk or formula in the bottle). . There is generally good awareness that breastfeeding is a learned skill that requires education and practice to help your baby latch, and there are qualified professionals (lactation consultants) that can help you achieve this - but parents who bottle-feed rarely get any info at all on how to actually do it correctly! 🤔 . There is a correct technique to offering a bottle that so many parents don’t know about. This can be the reason why it appears that a baby “won’t take a bottle”, when in fact they are just not using the correct technique (*Note: technique is definitely not the only reason why a baby may refuse a bottle, just fyi!) The technique shown in this video is GENERAL bottle-feeding technique that should be baseline for all babies (without medical or developmental concerns that affect feeding mechanisms). . 👉 Disclaimer: As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have clinical training and background in oral-motor functions and infant feeding technique. However, I am definitely not an expert in this area and I always recommend you reach out to an individualized provider (pediatrician, lactation consultant, pediatric speech-language pathologist, or occupational therapists depending on the issue) who can help you troubleshoot your baby’s feeding journey 🤍

Comment LINK and I’ll send you the link to my full blog post all about potty training readiness! 🚽 . Wondering if your child is ready to potty train? There are a few potty training readiness signs that we want to look out for! . 💩 Shows discomfort with a wet or full diaper (pulls at it, gestures to it, asks to be changed, etc) 💩 Goes into a corner or hides somewhere to pee or poop (with diaper on) 💩 Shows general interest in the bathroom or the toilet (likes to go in with you, watches you go, etc) 💩 Able to follow simple directions (“bring me that ball”, “come sit down”) . 👉 And most importantly, YOU feel ready to be consistent! 😆 . Your child may not show *all* of these potty training readiness signs and that is okay. Not every child shows every single sign! . Questions about potty training readiness? 👇

SWIPE 👉 for the top two things you need to know before your baby starts solids 🥣 . Comment LINK and I’ll send you the link to my 3-6 Month Comprehensive Routine Guide with an entire section on how to prep for starting solids in a developmentally-appropriate, routines-based way 🙌 . The idea of starting solids with your baby can feel both exciting and overwhelming, am I right? In a culture that typically pushes the idea that earlier = better, I’m here to tell you that with solids (and lots of things in child development), that is not the case! 🙅‍♀️ . Remember - breast milk and/or formula is the main source of your baby’s nutrition and calories for the entire first YEAR! They will likely not actually ingest a ton of food at first and this is 100% normal and okay. Do not force them to eat or sneak bites their mouth. . Tell me - what’s your number one question or concern about starting solids with your baby? Share below! 👇

Here’s my Monday morning reminder for you. Drop a ❤️ if you needed this this week

Comment “LINK” below and I’ll send you the link to learn more about the October 4-Week Potty Pod group! . Planning to potty train soon? 👉 One of the *most* important things to consider is your child’s BODY POSITION on the toilet🚽 . Proper potty positioning creates ⤵️: . 🚽 Optimal body stability 👉 This allows for trunk control and proper core activation, which help your child feel physically secure while sitting. 🚽 Proper internal organ alignment 👉 This allows pee and poop to most comfortably flow out, without straining or pushing. . Without proper potty positioning, a child can feel unstable, uncomfortable, and likely won’t sit long enough to go 🤷‍♀️ . If you want to learn more about how to tackle potty training, I have TWO ways I can help! 🚽💩 . 1️⃣ REAL-TIME POTTY TRAINING POD: Let me guide you through 4-weeks of *real-time support* as we potty train your child together…. next round starts October 1st! . 2️⃣ DIY POTTY TRAINING BOOTCAMP COURSE: Whether you’re itching to get started asap, already running into road bumps along the way, or simply want to educate yourself in advance, this course is for you! . Link in bio to learn more and sign up for both options! 🤍 . Questions on potty positioning? What potty set-up works for your child? Comment below! 👇