Spoil Your Baby

Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum
  • 4.6 (27)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

As a mom, neuroscientist, and a long time expert to parents, almost every expert has it wrong when they say 'don't spoil your baby.' Up until the age of 3, your only job is to spoil your baby with affection, attention, and protection. I promise you it's the best chance for the long term mental health and success of your child. On my podcast, I will interview the leading experts to explain why you need to SPOIL YOUR BABY as well as those that may disagree for a spirited debate. I will also give you the most up to date science-backed tools and tips that will help you to raise your baby for lifelong health and success.

  1. 4d ago

    Beyond Milestones: Why the Movement Process Matters Most feat. Babies Project | #61

    How can the way your baby learns to move today shape the way they learn about the world for the rest of their lives? Amy Matthews and Sarah Barnaby are the co-founders of Babies Project, but their path into this work didn't start with being parents themselves. Amy began her career in dance and theater, always curious about the "underpinnings" of how adults move and use their bodies. Sarah grew up in a very athletic family and spent years in gymnastics and yoga before looking for a deeper way to connect movement with the mind. They eventually met through their training in Body-Mind Centering and realized that working with infants offered the most satisfying way to explore the foundations of human development. They often see parents struggling with the "modern parenting" trap of keeping babies in containers like car seats or strollers for too long. They also noticed that many parents feel huge stress about hitting milestones on a strict timeline. Their key transformation was moving away from a "fixing" mindset to one of pure curiosity. They teach that we don't need to "teach" babies how to sit or walk. Instead, we should provide an environment where they can safely explore "horizontal life" and even practice falling to build resilience. By using gentle techniques like the "baby ball" hold, they help parents settle their babies and trust in their child's natural ability to navigate the world. We believe this perspective offers a beautiful way to slow down and truly see what our babies are capable of. Key Takeaways Learning to move is actually learning to learn, which influences a baby’s lifelong ability to engage with and understand their surrounding world.We should focus less on the exact timing of milestones and more on the rich quality and curiosity of the movement process itself.Falling is not a failure but a vital skill that helps infants build physical resilience and trust in their own bodies.Spending time in horizontal positions on the floor helps babies bond with the earth and feel supported by gravity on all sides.Holding a baby in the "baby ball" position helps them orient to their midline and creates a settling baseline for their nervous system. Resources Babies Project Website: https://www.babiesproject.orgPreparing for Caring Resources: https://www.babiesproject.org/preparing-for-caringIDME Training Information: https://www.bodymindcentering.com/program/infant-developmental-movement-educationSonder Movement Project: https://www.sondermoves.com/idme Guests Bio: Amy Matthews, CMA, IDME, BMC Teacher, RSMT/RSME, has been teaching movement since 1994. She is a Body-Mind Centering® Teacher and an Infant Developmental Movement Educator. She co-authored the best-selling book Yoga Anatomy and serves as a Program Director for the School for Body-Mind Centering. Sarah Barnaby is a certified BMC Teacher and Infant Developmental Movement Educator (IDME). She is trained in the Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) system and is a post-partum doula. She teaches developmental movement to people of all ages, from infants to elders, in New York City. Ready to Connect with Greer?"Nurture Neuroscience" Website:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE, "Nurture Your Baby's Stress":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE, "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  2. Jul 13

    TAKEAWAYS from Trust Your Instinct with Amanda Hadfield | #60

    Are you feeling conflicted because your mothering instincts feel right, but everyone around you insists you are doing it wrong? Amanda Hadfield, who was previously working as a veterinary nurse, started maternity leave looking for self-discovery and a complete career change. While pregnant, she knew she was looking for something else. She faced a major challenge during this time: she felt deeply conflicted because everything she was doing felt right in her heart, yet she was under immense pressure from family, friends, and health visitors who told her she was mothering incorrectly. Her path changed when a mother at her breastfeeding group recommended The Nurture Revolution by Greer Kirshenbaum. The book changed everything for her. When she received a newsletter announcing the certification program, she knew 100% that this was the path for her, manifesting getting into the limited spaces. Amanda became the world's first Nurture Neuroscience Practitioner to certify. She launched her first circle in March 2025, initially expecting only two mothers but welcoming eight. The impact was profound, providing mothers with a space to be nurtured and find healing from issues like birth trauma or difficulty bonding with their baby. Amanda also experienced significant personal growth, moving from being "terrified" before her first class to gaining the confidence to lead circles and workshops. Her group fostered deep connections, with the first block of mothers continuing to meet up every week, forming a tight-knit group. Key Takeaways Up until the age of three, your primary role is to spoil your baby with affection, attention, and protection. When women gather in person, magic happens, creating a supportive sisterhood and community that lasts a lifetime. The Nurtured Presence practice is highly emotive, centering on four questions that affirm to your baby, "I see you, you are enough". Inner child work involves holding your baby but answering the four natural questions as if you were addressing baby-you. Ambivalence can be practiced by holding two rocks to help you really feel two conflicting emotions at the same time. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE 38 - Boosting Confidence Through Nurtured Presence feat. Amanda Hadfield - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more. Join The Nurture Neuroscience Practitioner Certification Join our Program: https://nurture-neuroscience.com/professional-certification-sales-page Resources Amanda Hadfield is the world's first Nurture Neuroscience Practitioner to certify in the certification program. Her business is North Star Nurture. She runs in-person circles every Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the Glencore Center in Scotland. Amanda also offers sleep consulting and is planning to team up with another practitioner, Gabrielle, for parental regulation support. Amanda Hadfield´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabennisonAmanda Hadfield´s Website: https://northstarnurture.comAmanda Hadfield´s Instagram: @north.star.nurture https://www.instagram.com/nurtured.mom.nurtured.baby Ready to Connect with Greer? "Nurture Neuroscience" Website: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE - "Nurture Your Baby's Stress": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE - "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  3. Jul 6

    TAKEAWAYS from Trust Your Instinct with Gabrielle Ferrara | #59

    Why is "normal" infant sleep so often labeled as a problem needing medical intervention? Gabrielle Ferrara began her professional life dedicated to mental health counseling and social work, holding a Master’s in Social Work and licensure as a clinical social worker in both New Jersey and Florida. She initially planned to return to her full-time therapy job after having her son, never anticipating motherhood would completely uproot her career path. When her son’s personal sleep journey began to get "a little hairy" at four months old, she discovered Greer's work. Listening to the resources gave her the language and the tools to quiet the intense pressure and noise she was receiving about sleep training, allowing her to trust her intuition about what her baby needed. This transformative personal experience motivated her to enroll in the first cohort of the Nurture Neuroscience practitioner program. She saw this as an opportunity for self-education and to be among other like-minded professionals and parents with similar values, with the hope of translating the knowledge into a professional career. In her consults, she found her primary job was offering education and reassurance to parents who constantly ask, "Is what my baby doing normal?". Her own path has been challenging, as her son has nearly every medical red flag or sleep disruptor, including reflux, oral ties, low ferritin, and snoring. She has faced significant pushback from the medical system, which often promotes a medicalized behaviorist approach, prescribing "self soothing" even when physical symptoms are present. Gabrielle emphasizes that for families facing complex sleep issues, responsive co-sleeping or bedsharing is often the only way to get enough sleep to function. She uses her combined therapeutic and personal experience to help parents navigate these complexities and balance their child's medical needs with their nurturing needs. Key Takeaways The majority of consult work involves reassuring parents that their baby’s needs and behaviors are developmentally normal.We must reject the overwhelming mainstream messaging that sleep training is the only viable solution for infants.It is crucial to normalize the grief parents feel when the reality of infant sleep doesn't match cultural expectations.Some families rely on responsive co-sleeping or bedsharing as the only practical solution while addressing underlying health issues.Parents need support to stand confidently in their attachment-based choices against external pressure and medical pushback. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE 47 - Trust Your Instinct: Quieting the Sleep Training Noise feat. Gabrielle Ferrara - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more. Resources Gabrielle Ferrara is a Nurture Neuroscience Practitioner and Consultant. She holds a Master's in Social Work (MSW) and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey and Florida. Website: https://www.gabrielle-ferrara.comInstagram: @nurtured.mom.nurtured.baby https://www.instagram.com/nurtured.mom.nurtured.baby Ready to Connect with Greer? "Nurture Neuroscience" Website: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE - "Nurture Your Baby's Stress": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE - "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  4. Jun 29

    TAKEAWAYS from Beyond Perfection with Talia Shapero | #58

    Is it possible to improve our sleep and reduce anxiety, even when navigating the exhaustion of new parenthood? Talia Shapero's journey to becoming an adult sleep coach began with her own years-long battle with insomnia. This sleep struggle became significantly worse after the birth of her son. Even when her baby started sleeping through the night, Talia found she was unable to. This chronic lack of quality sleep severely impacted her cognitive, physical, and emotional health, leading to intense anxiety and a dysregulated mood. Fortunately, her medical practitioners were insightful, suggesting that addressing her sleep issues might alleviate her anxiety, recognizing the crucial bi-directional relationship between mood and sleep. Talia was diagnosed with true insomnia and underwent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which she describes as truly transformative. The treatment improved her overall well-being—she was feeling better, eating better, and became a more engaged partner and parent, gaining resilience, patience, and love to give to her family. Through this experience, she realized that many people lack knowledge about sleep and struggle silently. Motivated by her personal success and the universal need for solutions, Talia earned her certification to help others as an adult sleep coach. Key Takeaways Focus on the quality of sleep as much as the quantity, and anchor your morning wake time for circadian rhythm consistency.When a full nap isn't possible, schedule "daily pauses" by lying down horizontally, screen-free, to refresh and restore your mind.Optimize your body's sleep-wake cycle by ensuring you receive bright light exposure in the morning and limit bright light in the evening.Develop a purposeful and relaxing wind-down routine before bed to signal to your brain and body that it is safe to relax and anticipate sleep.Aim for "good enough" sleep instead of seeking perfection every night, recognizing that sleep is not static and will fluctuate. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE 40 - Beyond Perfection: Getting "Good Enough" Sleep feat. Talia Shapero - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more. Resources Talia Shapero is an Adult Sleep Coach. She can be found through her website, TaliaShapero.com, and on Instagram and Facebook at @TaliaShaperoSleep. Talia regularly posts tips and information, and she offers a free 20-minute, no-obligation call for those struggling with their sleep. Website: https://www.taliashapero.comInstagram: @taliashaperosleep https://www.instagram.com/taliashaperosleepLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talia-shapero-7a5688a1Facebook: Talia Shapero Adult Sleep Coaching Services https://www.facebook.com/taliashaperosleep Ready to Connect with Greer? "Nurture Neuroscience" Website: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE - "Nurture Your Baby's Stress": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE - "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting": https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  5. Jun 22

    TAKEAWAYS from Conscious Connections with Tracy Gillett | #57

    What if "spoiling" your baby with affection, attention, and protection is actually the best path to their long-term mental health and success? Tracy Gillett, a natural parent, felt alone in her early parenting choices like full term breastfeeding and bed-sharing. This led her to create the Raised Good summit, offering a community where parents find confidence, education, and support. The summit highlights research and experts, empowering parents to trust their intuition and parent consciously. Key Takeaways Spoil babies with affection, attention, and protection for long-term mental health.Natural parenting, backed by science, empowers trusting your intuition and conscious choices.Find confidence and community through events like the Raised Good online summit.Understanding a child's nervous system helps interpret behavior and promote healthy development.Extended breastfeeding offers immense benefits; let go of societal expectations and embrace it. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE 33 - Conscious Connections: Holistic Baby Care & Family Bonds, with Tracy Gillett - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more. Resources Raised Good online summit: https://raisedgood.com Guest Bio: Tracy Gillett is the founder of Raised Good and hosts its sixth annual online summit. As a natural parent, she started the summit to build a community for parents seeking confidence, education, and support in their alternative parenting choices. Ready to Connect with Greer?"Nurture Neuroscience" Website:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE, "Nurture Your Baby's Stress":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE, "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  6. Jun 15

    TAKEAWAYS from Discipline and Development with Dr Vanessa Lapointe | #56

    Why is traditional discipline actually causing anxiety and behavioral problems in our children? Dr. Vanessa Lapointe began her career as a practicing psychologist and mother, having been trained in a behaviorist approach that taught her to squash any unwanted behavior to make it stop. She quickly noticed a profound mismatch between this training and the reality of the children coming into her clinic. Dr. Lapointe observed that many referrals were anxiety-based, and it seemed that the very discipline methods being employed by parents were actually causing the anxiety and leading to challenging behaviors. This realization prompted her to conduct a deep dive into child development, including studying the work of Gordon Neufeld. Her key transformation involved moving away from punishment-focused methods, recognizing that the "downstream fallout" from harsh discipline creates more disruption in children's lives than a compassionate approach. Dr. Lapointe now operates from the developmentalist perspective, focusing on the antecedent—what happens in the environment before a behavior occurs—rather than the consequence. She explains that because babies' brains are immature and lack the necessary wiring for self-regulation and impulse control, their "bad behaviors" are actually developmentally appropriate expressions of overwhelm or excitement. Dr. Lapointe emphasizes that we must approach parenting with compassion, humanity, and heart, ensuring our children can grow up in the way nature intended, without having to recover from their childhood. Key Takeaways Traditional behaviorist discipline, which focuses on stopping behavior, often leads to negative outcomes like anxiety and continued disruption later in life.Focus on the antecedent (the environment and stressors before the behavior) rather than the consequence (punishment) to nurture healthy development.Misbehavior does not exist; all challenging behavior is simply communication of a child's needs or an underlying stress response.Boundaries for babies should define how we hold ourselves within, not how we keep the baby out or make them wait.Compassionate parenting gives us the opportunity to heal our inner child by retemplating our own childhood experiences and emotional reactions. THIS EPISODE REVISITS THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR EPISODE 46 - Discipline and Development: The Zero to Three Guide feat. Dr. Vanessa Lapointe - Go listen to the full episode if you want to learn more. ResourcesBooks:Discipline Without DamageParenting Right From the Starthttps://drvanessalapointe.com/child-discipline-booksWebsite: https://drvanessalapointe.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drvanessalapointeInstagram: @dr.vanessalapointe https://www.instagram.com/dr.vanessalapointeX (Twitter) https://x.com/DrVlapointe Guest Bio: Dr. Vanessa Lapointe is a mom, parenting educator, best-selling author, international speaker, and a regularly invited media guest. She holds a doctoral degree in psychology, and practiced as a psychologist for nearly 20 years, before devoting her full-time energy to connecting with parents and other “big people” around the globe in 2023. Founder of The North Star Developmental Clinic, Dr. Vanessa has long been supporting families and children in her developmental clinic alongside her team, and has previous experience in community mental health and the school system. Dr. Vanessa is known for bringing a sense of nurturing understanding and humanity to all of her work. Her passion is in walking alongside parents, teachers, care providers, and other big people to really see the world through the child’s eyes. She believes that if we can do this, we are beautifully positioned to grow up our children in the best possible way. Ready to Connect with Greer?"Nurture Neuroscience" Website:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE, "Nurture Your Baby's Stress":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE, "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  7. Jun 8

    The Roots of Resilience: Healing Birth Trauma feat. Annie Brook | #55

    How do the first impressions of birth and early infancy shape our nervous systems and relationships for a lifetime? Annie Brook is a somatic psychotherapist and educator who helps families understand the profound impact that birth and early caregiving have on lifelong wellbeing. Growing up as a premature baby herself, Annie spent time in an incubator and later navigated infant depression and sensory-motor difficulties. Her personal journey of healing led her to discover that the body holds memories of birth trauma long after they are "forgotten" by the conscious mind. In this episode, Annie explains that babies have no context for medical interventions or difficult births, which can leave deep impressions on the primitive brain, showing up as fears of abandonment or invasion. Through her work, she helps children and adults tell their "birth story" using somatic tools, play therapy, and movement. By unwinding these early impacts, parents can move from guilt to understanding, allowing for a fresh approach to behavior and deep relational healing. Key Takeaways Birth is an impactful memory phase that shapes the nervous system, even if the conscious mind doesn't remember the event.Difficult behaviors in children, such as hypersensitivity or being "clingy," are often communication of a buried birth story.Somatic psychotherapy helps adults and children access and release early trauma by focusing on the "felt sense" of the body.Birth trauma often affects the "relational field," influencing how we connect with parents and partners throughout our lives.Healing begins with non-judgmental listening and helping the "baby self" know it is no longer alone. Resources Annie Brook's Website: https://www.anniebrook.comThe Brook Institute on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrookinstituteAnnie Brook's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniebrooktherapyAnnie Brook's YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@thebrookinstitutewithannie9097 Guest Bio: Annie Brook, Ph.D, LPC, MSME (ISMETA), is a therapist, author, and educator in the somatic community. She founded the Brook Institute for Somatic Studies and Psychotherapy in 2001 and specializes in helping adults and children get to the roots of difficult behaviors by unwinding the impacts of birth on the nervous system. Ready to Connect with Greer?"Nurture Neuroscience" Website:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum FREE GUIDE, "Nurture Your Baby's Stress":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE, "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

  8. Jun 1

    The Healing Power of Nurturing Touch and Infant Massage feat. Sylvie Hetu | #54

    How can the simple act of infant massage transform your baby's health and your bond forever? Sylvie Hétu has spent over 30 years leading the way for infant massage around the world. Her journey is tied to the story of Vimala McClure, who saw the power of touch in an orphanage in India. Sylvie realized that this old tradition could solve a big problem today: many babies aren't touched enough and spend too much time in car seats or strollers. She helps parents who feel lost or shy when they bring a new baby home. She uses a gentle, five-session plan to help parents move from feeling worried to feeling sure of themselves. Her work changed how we think about baby care by focusing on love and talking through touch rather than just worrying about sleep or food. She builds a safe place where parents can find a "village" of support again. This allows them to listen to their own gut feelings and see their babies as real people from day one. We think her story shows how simple touch can build a foundation for a healthy life. Key Takeaways Massage helps a baby's body work better and helps them sleep longer by lowering their stress levels.IAIM classes use a slow approach so parents can learn at their own pace and feel more confident.Nurturing touch is like a first language that helps parents understand the subtle signals their babies are sending.These classes bring parents together to create a supportive community and fight the feeling of being alone.Parents can start right now with "resting hands" to help calm their baby and feel closer to them. Resources International Association of Infant Massage Website: https://iaim.net International Association of Infant Massage Canada Website: https://www.iaim-aimbcanada.org Guest Bio: Sylvie Hétu is an international trainer and certified infant massage instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) for over 30 years. She pioneered infant massage in Canada and has taught in countries all over the world, including South Africa, Japan, and Hungary. She also served as the president of the IAIM for 12 years. Ready to Connect with Greer?"Nurture Neuroscience" Website:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgreerkirshenbaum/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greerkirshenbaum/ FREE GUIDE, "Nurture Your Baby's Stress":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/nurture-your-babys-stress FREE GUIDE, "Manage the Stressors & Triggers of Parenting":https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/manage-the-stressors-of-parenting Order "The Nurture Revolution" Book:https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

See All (61)

4.6
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

As a mom, neuroscientist, and a long time expert to parents, almost every expert has it wrong when they say 'don't spoil your baby.' Up until the age of 3, your only job is to spoil your baby with affection, attention, and protection. I promise you it's the best chance for the long term mental health and success of your child. On my podcast, I will interview the leading experts to explain why you need to SPOIL YOUR BABY as well as those that may disagree for a spirited debate. I will also give you the most up to date science-backed tools and tips that will help you to raise your baby for lifelong health and success.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Spoil Your Baby

You Might Also Like