Held from the start: Getting to know your new baby
Welcoming a baby is one of the biggest transitions you’ll ever experience. It’s exciting, emotional, and often overwhelming - especially when you’re trying to prepare for a tiny human you haven’t yet met.
That’s why we’re so excited to introduce a new service for expectant/new parents, built around one simple but powerful message: When babies feel regulated and supported, everything else - sleep, feeding, play, and bonding - becomes easier.
Regulation Matters
From the moment they are born, babies are learning how to cope with this new world around them. Their nervous systems are immature, and they rely on caregivers to help them feel safe and settled.
Regulation affects:
Sleep and wake cycles
Feeding and digestion
Crying and soothing
Early movement and play
Emotional connection and bonding
By supporting regulation early, we can reduce stress for both baby and parents - and lay strong foundations for healthy development.
As our name suggests, we at Now, Next & Then believe in the importance of being by your side at all stages of your child’s journey.
Before Baby Arrives: Preparing the Ground
A session at this point would focus on helping you feel prepared - not just practically, but emotionally and physically.
We can explore things like:
How babies regulate and what they need from the start
Creating a calming sensory environment at home (light, sound, touch, movement)
Understanding sleep rhythms and realistic expectations
Gentle ways to prepare your body and mind for life with a newborn
Building confidence so you feel ready—not fearful
This session is about empowerment, not information overload. You’ll come away with simple, usable tools and a clearer sense of what really matters in those early days.
Newborn Sessions: Supporting Your Baby in Real Time
Newborn babies are wonderful little humans, talking to us all the time about what they like or dislike, and how regulated they are feeling. But learning how to read these cues isn’t always easy.
Support at this stage could include:
Reading your baby’s cues and signals
Helping your baby regulate through movement, touch, and positioning
Creating a sensory environment that supports calm and sleep
Supporting early play in a way that feels natural and pressure-free
Helping parents feel confident in soothing and settling
Introducing baby massage
Review Session: Reflect, Adjust, and Grow
As your baby grows, their needs change. A review session allows space to pause, reflect, and adapt.
We can look at:
What’s working well for your baby and family
Sleep, play, and daily routines
Sensory needs as your baby becomes more alert and active
Supporting regulation through early movement and interaction
Any new questions or challenges that have emerged
This session aims to help you feel grounded and reassured as you move confidently into the next chapter of your parenting journey.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to babies. Every child, every parent, and every family dynamic is different. These sessions are tailored to your needs as a family, and your goals.
Lou Race
Children’s Occupational Therapist