Stand & Deliver Birth & Beyond & Musical Mama

23/04/2026

23/04/2026

23/04/2026

23/04/2026

Babies are supposed to be dependent.

If you can relate, Rest Assured was written for you.

Read it here 👉🏼 https://geni.us/RestAssured

"In a world that rushes babies toward independence, this book slows us down and brings us back to what is most human — our capacity to respond, to hold, to stay near." — Dr. Deborah Macnamara

Mother Nourish Nurture 🫶🏼

23/04/2026

mama

22/04/2026

What’s the evidence on optimal cord clamping?

We’ve known for many years that there are many advantages to leaving the umbilical cord intact for a few minutes after birth.

Clamping and cutting the cord too early (including with shoelaces – please don’t ever do this) can deplete a baby’s iron stores and be detrimental to their health.

In premature babies, early clamping and cutting of the cord leads to a lower chance of survival.

This is important information for parents, caregivers, birth workers and others.

I have just updated my blog post which lists and summarises the evidence on this topic.

You can see it at https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/optimal-cord-clamping/

22/04/2026

🩸✨ Breast milk is made from blood — not directly from what you eat.

Your body pulls from your bloodstream to create milk that’s perfectly designed for your baby. Most newborn gas is normal, and diet usually only matters if there’s a true protein allergy or intolerance.

Evidence matters. So does reassurance.

20/04/2026

Worth a read

What I found in here changed everything for my family.

16/04/2026

In the first months of life, a baby’s brain does not clearly separate “self” from caregiver. The mother’s voice, scent, heartbeat, and warmth are processed as part of one shared safety system.

This is not emotional dependency in an adult sense. It is neurological development. The infant brain is still learning where the body ends and the outside world begins.

Because of this, separation can trigger strong stress responses. Even short absences may feel like a loss of safety, not just distance. The nervous system reacts quickly.

Over time, responsive caregiving helps build secure attachment. This becomes the foundation for emotional regulation and healthy independence later in life.

16/04/2026

A newborn's skull isn't bone yet. It's soft cartilage that yields to pressure. For the first four months, your baby's head constantly reshapes based on where it rests. Crib. Car seat. Bouncer. Whatever surface they sleep on most becomes their normal.

Parents don't notice at first. Changes are subtle. A slight flattening. A barely noticeable asymmetry. But consistent pressure compounds. Days turn to weeks. Weeks turn to permanent changes.

This is positional plagiocephaly. It's common because babies spend more time in fixed positions than ever. Car seats. Bouncers. Swings. Each puts pressure on the same spot.

The skull can reshape itself if repositioned early. After those critical months, bone hardens in its new shape. Soft clay becomes solid bone molded incorrectly.

Prevention is simple. Vary where your baby sleeps. Switch sides. Tummy time when awake. Change positions deliberately. Your baby's skull will harden one way or another. Make sure it hardens right.