Sherrian Price Newcastle Baby Settling Consultant

13/02/2026

During the earliest months and years of life, a child’s brain is developing at an unparalleled rate, shaped by nurturing early experiences. Caring adults play a crucial role in fostering trust and safety, helping toddlers develop a sense of self and become confident explorers.

Research shows that all infants and toddlers need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to ensure a strong start in life. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48NTLHw

26/01/2026

To anyone who has a little one starting school or doing anything ‘brave’ that comes with anxiety … thankyou Karen Young - Hey Sigmund

Anxiety on the first days or weeks of school is so normal. Why? Because all growthful, important, brave, hard things come with anxiety.

Think about how you feel on their first day of school, or before a job interview, or a first date, or a tricky conversation when you’re setting a boundary. They all come with anxiety.

We want our kids to be able to do all of these things, but this won’t happen by itself.

Resilience is built - one anxious little step after another. These anxious moments are necessary to learn that ‘I can feel anxious, and do brave.’ ‘I can feel anxious and still do what I need to do.’

The anxiety they feel in the first days or weeks of school aren’t a sign that something is wrong. It’s part of their development and a sign that something so right is happening - they’re learning that they can handle anxiety.

Even if they handle it terribly, that’s okay. We all wobble before we walk. Our job is not to protect them from the wobble. If we do, they won’t get to the walking part.

To support them through it, remind them that this is scary-safe, not scary-dangerous. Then, ‘Is this a time for you to be safe or brave?’

Then, ask yourself, ‘Is this something dangerous or something growthful?’ ‘Is my job to protect them from the discomfort of that growth, or show them they are so very capable, and that they can handle this discomfort?’

Even if they handle it terribly, as long as they’re not avoiding it, they’re handling it. That matters.

Remember, anxiety is a feeling. It will come and then it will go. It might not go until you leave, but we have to give them the opportunity to feel it go.

Tomorrow and the next day and the next might be worse - that’s how anxiety works. And then it will ease.

This is why we don’t beat anxiety by avoiding it. We beat it by outlasting it. But first, we have to handle our distress at their distress.

We breathe, then we love and lead:

‘I know you feel […] Of course you do - you’re doing something big here and this is how big things feel sometimes. It’s okay to feel like this. School is happening but we have five minutes. Do you want me to listen to your sad, or give you a hug, or help you distract from it?’❤️

20/01/2026

If you are struggling with kids 5 and over please consider booking in for Karen Young’s Hey Sigmund sessions for parents along with Maggie Dent !! Helping a friend as well as myself !! Love her attachment based thinking … just sharing the love

Part of our role as parents is providing our children with the experiences that will help them discover their everyday magic – their courage, resilience, resourcefulness and other qualities that will move them towards growth. Sometimes though, anxiety will get in their way. Sometimes this will be ...

19/01/2026

We need to take this news onboard …and it’s one of our staples !!! We are going to have to work out how we will change and what we will use instead …

Honestly, about time❤️ Most of us have dropped ham and nitrates like a hot plate but we still need to educate some of our favorite people who still buy deli meats.🙏🤦‍♀️

The World Health Organization just classified deli ham with nitrates as CLASS 1 Carcinogen —which means —“we’re finding deli ham and it’s chemicals in cancer”

Health Risks of Deli Ham:

🤦‍♀️Cancer Risk: Consuming just 50 grams of processed meat daily (roughly two slices of deli ham) is linked to a significant increase in colorectal cancer. Newer studies also link the preservatives in ham to higher risks of breast and prostate cancer.

🤦‍♀️Heart Disease & Diabetes: A 2025 study in Nature Medicine found NO “safe” amount of processed meat, noting that even small daily portions are associated with higher rates of Type 2 Diabetes and Ischemic Heart Disease.

🙃High Sodium & Fats: Deli ham is often loaded with sodium (sometimes four times more than unprocessed pork) and saturated fats, which contribute to high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, and stroke risk.

* Why Deli Ham is Considered Harmful:
Nitrates and Nitrites: These preservatives prevent spoilage but they are #1 cancer causers.

…
We’re going to have to teach each other.

Dr Sheri Levy, Personalized Functional Medicine, Nutrigenomics (Genetic Diet) Microbiome (Gut Health) Nutritional Psychology, Longevity

17/01/2026

I love this from ZERO TO THREE!! Just perfect for parents out there to think about

To the parents and caregivers feeling stretched thin.
To the early childhood professionals carrying so much.
Thank you for being there for babies and toddlers.

It’s okay to be overwhelmed.
It’s okay to need a moment.
Your care matters, and so do you.
You're not alone.

26/12/2025

High Five or Hug? Let Toddlers Choose.

Teaching toddlers about consent starts with small, everyday choices. Like how they say hello.

A wave, a high five, a hug. When children get to decide, they learn something powerful: their body belongs to them.

This message helps build confidence, set boundaries and foster respect for others.

Consent is not just about saying yes. It's about having a choice.

Learn how to support body autonomy in early childhood. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Xy156u

18/12/2025

This is not a bad idea at this time of year !! Take one step at a time … I need this more than anyone !!

15/12/2025

Brilliant for dads and mums !!

✨ I LOVE YOUR ATTENTION, DAD!

👶 It is not possible to spoil a baby with too much attention or by giving them too much smiling and affection.

💛 The small interactions with you playing or soothing and comforting helps build safety and trust. You are letting baby know that if they need something you will try to meet their need.
💚 But you are also teaching your baby about what they are feeling. Babies will watch your face to see what you are feeling and that helps them figure out their own feelings.

👉 Download your own copy of this illustration, and the Handout too, from our website.

Written, developed and created by Bronwyn Leigh and Richard Fletcher for the Centre for Perinatal Psychology and SMS4dads.

✅ Check out the full series of resources in our Speaking for the Baby x SMS4dads campaign on our website:
Centre for Perinatal Psychology: https://www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au/resources/speaking-for-the-baby-campaign/

🫶 Illustration by Jess Racklyft of Jesses Mess - Illustrations

05/12/2025

Time Outs may not be working the way we think they are.

When your child is having a meltdown, their brain is only focused on finding safety - not learning lessons. They can't access wisdom or logic in those big emotional moments because that part of their brain simply isn't developed yet.

Here's what we're learning: children don't learn to self-soothe alone. They learn to regulate WITH you, through your calm presence and connection.

We call this "Time In," a relationship-based approach that builds security while still providing structure.

Read the full blog to discover this brain-based alternative: https://zurl.co/rsM4E

03/12/2025

We're thrilled to introduce our lovely new granddaughter who's already asserting her independence by keeping her feet out of her wrap! The gorgeous wrap was purchased from Casey at KAHM New Lambton and Kristy at Sobelle Living at Lambton also stocks these wraps. Just a little shout out to two local businesses I love!!

On her ( NBAS) Brazelton Newborn Assessment, she demonstrated remarkable abilities! Lol 😜
This tiny girl packs a big punch, getting 'hangry' quickly, going from “ zero to hero” as her mum says!! However apart from this huge crying …. She is mostly relaxed and can self-soothe using her hands to mouth at 1 week of age!! She's already forming a strong connection with her parents, recognising and turning to their voices and calming to their voices!!

For a unique gift, consider a Newborn Brazelton Assessment or Newborn Behavioural Observations for new parents or grandparents.

22/11/2025

Happy Sunday dads!!