Three Things I Wish All Parents Knew When They Have a New Baby

Those early days with a new baby are a blur of love, worry, exhaustion, and learning on the fly. As a pediatric occupational therapist and lactation consultant—and as someone who has walked alongside countless families in those first weeks—I often hear parents say, “I wish someone had told me this sooner.”

So here are three things I truly wish all parents knew when they brought their baby home.

1. The Sleep Deprivation Is Brutal—but It Will Not Last Forever (I Promise)

Let’s say this plainly: newborn sleep deprivation is intense. It can feel disorienting, emotional, and relentless. When you’re in it, nights blur together and days feel endless. It’s not a personal failing if you’re struggling—it’s biology.

And here’s the part that’s hard to believe when you’re awake at 3:00 a.m. again: this stage is temporary. Your baby’s sleep will mature. Longer stretches will come. You will not always feel this exhausted.

You don’t need to “fix” sleep right now. You need support, compassion (especially for yourself), and reminders that what you’re experiencing is real—and finite.

2. If You Plan to Use a Bottle, Early Practice Truly Matters

If there’s even a chance your baby will take a bottle—whether it’s breastmilk or formula—introducing one by around four weeks of age and practicing consistently is crucial.

In the early weeks, babies rely heavily on neonatal reflexes that help drive feeding. This is a window where learning new feeding skills tends to be easier. When bottles are delayed or rarely practiced during this time, bottle refusal becomes much more common later on.

Bottle refusal is not stubbornness. It’s not a baby being “difficult.” It’s often simply a lack of early opportunity to learn a new skill while reflexes were supporting the process.

Practicing doesn’t mean replacing breastfeeding or changing your feeding goals. It just means giving your baby gentle, consistent exposure so they can build comfort and flexibility early on.

3. Starting Solids Should Be Fun—Not Rushed

There is so much pressure to start solids as soon as possible. Charts, milestones, and social media can make it feel like a race. But here’s the truth: starting solids should be enjoyable, not stressful.

The best timing isn’t about the calendar—it’s about your baby.

Signs your baby may be ready include:

• Showing interest in food

• Being able to sit comfortably in a supported high chair

When these pieces are in place, solids become an opportunity for exploration, connection, and learning—not a struggle.

There is no prize for starting earlier than your baby is ready. Feeding foundations are built best when babies feel safe, supported, and curious.

These topics—sleep, bottles, and solids—are all deeply connected, and each deserves more space than a single post can give. I’ll be diving into all of them in much more detail here soon.

More to come. Stay tuned. And if you’re in the thick of it right now: you’re doing better than you think, and you don’t have to navigate this alone 🌱