Spoil Your Baby
Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, a mom and neuroscientist, challenges the common advice 'don't spoil your baby' by arguing that up to age 3, parents should spoil their babies with affection, attention, and protection for long-term mental health. The podcast features interviews with experts who support or debate this perspective, along with science-backed tips for raising healthy children.
Episodes
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 clini
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 sensor
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 spe
The Womb as the First Home: Shaping Lifelong Mental Health feat. Dr Catherine Monk | #53
How does a mother’s internal world during pregnancy shape a child’s lifelong mental health?Dr. Catherine Monk began her career as a clinical psychologist driven by a deep interest in development. She wanted to understand how our early backgrounds shape who we become as adults. This curiosity led her to the epigenetics revolution, where she discovered that experiences actually get embedded into our
Pregnancy After Loss: Finding Connection in the Midst of Fear feat. Kristin Mundy | #52
How can we continue to mother our children and find deep connection even after experiencing profound loss?Kristin Mundy was born to be a doula. She started as a "mother's helper" when she was just a kid and spent years working in education and as a nanny. About eight years ago, she felt a "light bulb moment" and decided to become a full-time doula. Her life and career changed forever when she went
The Doula’s Guide to Nurturing Birth Instincts and Connection feat. Stefanie Antunes | #51
Why is the way we connect with our babies at birth so vital for our long-term relationship?Stefanie Antunes began her journey as a doula and educator over twenty years ago after the birth of her second son taught her the true value of preparation and support. She is now a visionary in the field, training thousands of doulas and helping families navigate the intense transition into parenthood. Stef
_Motherhood Expanded: Coming Home to Yourself Through Storytelling feat. Kim Marshall | #50
How can we use the challenges of motherhood as a powerful medicine for our own healing and growth?Kim Marshall spent nearly 25 years working with children and families as a teacher before realizing the best way to support kids was to help the people raising them. Six years ago, she left her corporate teaching career to become an online parenting coach and reorganized her life to focus on her own m
Generational Love and the Power of Poetry feat. Hannah Rosenberg | #49
How can writing and community help us navigate the beautiful, scary, and opposing feelings of motherhood? Hannah Rosenberg is a poet and mother who uses writing as a vital tool to process the intense emotions of parenthood. Her journey into public writing began as a way to capture the duality of grief and joy that often defines the mothering experience. During the episode, she reflects on the "ove
Raising Anti-Doomers: Hope and Grounding in a Heavy World feat. Ariella Cook-Shonkoff | #48
How can we stay emotionally grounded and raise hopeful children when the world around us feels so heavy? Ariella Cook-Shonkoff is a psychotherapist and writer who has spent her life finding healing and refuge through the creative process. Her journey toward writing her book, Raising Anti-Doomers, was sparked by her own "mother bear" worries about raising kids in a California region increasingly
Trust Your Instinct: Quieting the Sleep Training Noise feat. Gabrielle Ferrara | #47
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 anticipati
Discipline and Development: The Zero to Three Guide feat. Dr. Vanessa Lapointe | #46
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 c
Why Nasal Breathing is Essential for Early Development feat. Dr. Shereen Lim | #45
How does optimal breathing and jaw development impact your child's sleep, mood, and ability to thrive? Dr. Shereen Lim, originally a general dentist for 26 years, first delved into the world of sleep apnea due to her husband's persistent snoring. Her initial focus was on dental devices for adults, but this quickly shifted when she wondered why children's jaws weren't helped to grow properly from
I'm Right, You're Stupid: Healing Adult Sibling Wounds feat. Jessica Marriot and Dr. Bluma Sapir | #44
Why is healing the complex relationships between adult siblings a universally overlooked area in mental health? Jessica Marriot and Dr. Bluma Sapir, who are sisters, were estranged and hated each other for their entire lives until the pandemic prompted a change. Their relationship healing began slowly on Zoom. This unusual process led to a realization: adult sibling healing is a universally ove
Evolutionary Parenting: Beyond the Sleep Training Narrative feat. Tracy Cassels | #43
Why does our society place more value on controlled baby sleep than on maternal support, proper feeding, or comfort? Tracy Cassels began her influential work while pursuing her PhD in developmental psychology, coinciding with her pregnancy. She observed a profound contradiction between the widespread advice advocating for infant sleep training—even when pushed by some academics—and the robust
Why Maternal Love is a Neurobiological Craving feat. Kelly McDaniel | #42
What happens when we spend our adult lives searching for a quality of maternal love we never received as a child? Kelly McDaniel, a licensed professional counselor and author, introduced the concept of "Mother Hunger" in her first book, Ready to Heal. She identified Mother Hunger as an attachment injury stemming from maternal deprivation, noting that millions of women suffer a lifelong emotional
Self-Mothering: Your Most Important Parenting Job feat. Dr. Gertrude Lyons | #41
What if the most crucial job we have in motherhood is learning to mother ourselves? Dr. Gertrude Lyons, a master coach and thought leader, developed the "Rewriting the Mother Code" framework after conducting an in-depth doctoral thesis. Her purpose is to help women rewrite outdated narratives surrounding motherhood, self-worth, and identity. Dr. Lyons was prompted to begin this work after realizin
Beyond Perfection: Getting "Good Enough" Sleep feat. Talia Shapero | #40
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 o
From Low Nurture to Nurture Revolution feat. The Nurture Duo | #39
How do you turn a childhood of "low nurture" into a passion for helping other parents find confidence and joy in responsive motherhood? Erin and Hayley are twins and the co-founders of The Nurture Duo. They shared their challenging upbringing, having grown up in a single-parent household with two older brothers. Due to circumstances including poverty, mental illness, and addiction, they experience
Boosting Confidence Through Nurtured Presence feat. Amanda Hadfield | #38
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 c
Finding Hope and Light in Evidence-Based Sleep feat. Linda Fitzgerald | #37
How does embracing neuroscience and genuine community support transform the challenges of early motherhood, especially when navigating conflicting advice on infant sleep? We sit down with Linda, a Nurture Neuroscience practitioner, to discuss her incredible journey into supporting mothers. Originally from the Czech Republic, Linda moved to the United States and found that becoming a mother complet
Brain benefits of Skin-to-Skin and how to do it at any age feat. Hayley Mullins | #36
What if the key to maximizing bonding time with your newborn was created out of a moment of terrifying crisis? Hayley Mullins, the founder of the Joey Band, shares the deeply personal and frightening experience that led to the development of her innovative product. When her newborn daughter, just two weeks old, startled and fell from her chest onto a hardwood floor, Hayley was devastated. After ru
A Successful Daycare Transition Story feat. Kelly Yefet | #35
What happens when the thought of transitioning your baby to daycare brings anxiety and tears, but the reality turns out to be a surprising success story? We sit down with Kelly as she shares her candid journey through the daunting process of transitioning her 10-month-old baby, Noa, into daycare. Kelly faced a non-negotiable deadline: returning to work in November. Because her chosen daycare was h
Navigating Sleep with a Newborn & Toddler feat. Rachael Shepard-Ohta | #34
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of adding another baby to your family and wondering how everyone will ever sleep? We've got you covered! In this episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, we connect with Rachel Shepard-Ota, the founder of Hey Sleepy Baby. Rachel shares her personal journey into the world of baby sleep, which began after a "horribly traumatic experience" with sleep training her fir
Conscious Connections: Holistic Baby Care & Family Bonds, with Tracy Gillett | #33
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 hi
Beyond 6 Weeks: The Real Postpartum Journey, with Maranda Bower | #32
Are we truly supporting mothers postpartum, or are we perpetuating a cycle of misunderstanding and neglect? Maranda Bower, a biological researcher, bestselling author, and the visionary behind Postpartum University, embarked on her journey into postpartum health driven by her own profound and unprepared experience as a new mother. Sixteen years ago, with her first child, she found herself amidst e
Dance Movement Therapy for Moms: A New Language of Connection | #31
Your baby speaks in movement—do you? In this episode of Spoil Your Baby, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by Erica Hornthal, a licensed movement therapist, professional counselor, and author of Body Aware and Body Talk. Known as "the therapist who moves you," Erica offers a powerful reframe on how we understand mental health—not through words alone, but through the body. Together, Greer and Erica u
Physical & Emotional Connection through Baby Carrying: with Busi Musiiwa | #30
Carrying your baby is about more than comfort… It's about fostering a deep connection through proximity. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum sits down with Busi Musiiwa: an Occupational Therapist, mom, and founder of BabueBaby, whose baby carriers are transforming the baby-wearing industry. Busi moved to Canada from Zimbabwe at a young age, yet she has always h
Trusting Your Own Intuition (feat. Kelly Yefet) | #29
Your intuition as a mother is to care for your child… and it's OK to trust it. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum sits down with Kelly Yefet, a mother, keynote speaker, brand and growth advisor, entrepreneur, and Greer's sister-in-law. Greer and Kelly have known each other for many years, and even while personally knowing and understanding the science behind c
Herbs Aren't Scary, They're a Lifeline with Sara Chana Silverstein | #28
On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by master herbalist, certified lactation consultant, doula, and mother of seven, Sara Chana Silverstein. With over 45,000 mothers and babies supported through lactation, Sara Chana brings a wealth of clinical wisdom and heart-centered, holistic care to the table. Together, they explore the benefits of mixing convent
Feeding Your Baby's Brain (feat. Dr. Marion Van Horn) | #27
Brain health matters… and it's worth prioritizing with your children. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum sits down with Marion Van Horn, PhD. Marion is a neuroscientist and a mom whose work took on a whole new meaning when it started to overlap with her everyday life. As she began to understand more about how babies' minds grow and develop, it reshaped the way
Your Baby's Growth through Stress: w/ Dr. Rocio Zunini | #26
The world will be stressful for your child. That's why they need you as a safe haven. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined once again by co-host Rocio Zunini, Ph.D., a neuroscientist, parental brain educator, and expert on the connection between your body and your baby. There's a common piece of advice in the parenting world that can be so harmful, we
Sleep Training: Strength or Disconnection? w/ Dr. Rocio Zunini | #25
There's a common message you'll hear in parenting circles. It sounds empowering on the surface, but actually? It reinforces deep disconnection to your child. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined for another great conversation with co-host Rocio Zunini, PhD. Together, they take a deep dive into a common (yet infuriating!) sentiment floating around socia
Your Breathing is Your Baby's Breathing w/ Dr. Rocio Zunini | #24
You might think you know how to breathe. But if you're not doing it intentionally, there's a good chance you don't. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by Rocio Zunini, Ph.D, a neuroscientist, parental brain educator, and expert on the connection between your breath, your body, and your baby. This is one of our most practical episodes yet. Dr. Rocio w
How to Spoil Your Baby in the Bath with Sue-Rose Reed | #23
The transition from bath to sleep matters more than you think… but it doesn't have to be hard. On today's episode of the Spoil Your Baby podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by Sue-Rose Reed, founder of Oneberrie, a company that has reimagined bath towels to simplify the transition into and out of your baby's bath. Spoiling your baby is about creating opportunities for closeness in ways that d
Reconnecting to Your Instincts with Brittany Chambers | #22
Fighting Societal Sleep Norms Isn't Easy. But That's what makes it so special. On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined for a conversation with Sleep Specialist and Neuroscience Practitioner, Brittany Chambers. Brittany's "Good Night Moon Child" program combines Modern Science with Ancient Wisdom surrounding Natural Infant Sleep. For Brittany, Sleep S
Loss, Love & Epigenetics: How Nurture Rewrites Our Parenting Journey with Emily Getz | #21
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Spoil Your Baby, host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum welcomes Emily Getz—Certified Fertility, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Coach—for a vulnerable and science-rooted conversation on what it means to parent through and after loss, fertility treatment, and donor conception. Emily shares her story with raw honesty: the emotional weight of navigating fertility trauma
How Babies Sleep (feat. Dr. Helen Ball) | #20
Shared Sleep is Done by All Other Mammals… So why don't we do it as humans? On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined for a one-of-a-kind conversation with Professor, Anthropologist, and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Center, Dr. Helen Ball. Together they celebrate the launch of Dr. Helen's BRAND NEW BOOK, "How Babies Sleep: A Science Based Guid
CoSleeping Safe and Sound with Tiffany Belanger | #19
Thinking About Sharing Your Bed With Your Baby? It doesn't have to be scary! On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined for a fantastic conversation about cosleeping with Speaker, Actor, Author, and founder of CoSleepy, Tiffany Belanger. CoSleeping has been taking place across cultures since the dawn of humanity. Despite persistent fears that arise when
Nourishing Both the Body & the Soul: feat. Dr. Deborah MacNamara | #18
Food. Safety. Sleep… It's Not as Simple As it Sounds. On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined for a fantastic and enlightening conversation with counsellor, scientist, author, teacher, and Mother, Dr. Deborah MacNamara. Despite the many varying opinions you'll hear in the world of parenting and psychology, one thing is indisputably true– your child n
Finding Your Voice In Parenthood with Tracy Gillett | #17
In this heartfelt episode of Spoil Your Baby, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum welcomes Tracy Gillett—writer, advocate, and founder of the award-winning blog Raised Good. Together, they dive deep into the experience of finding your own path as a parent amidst a sea of societal pressure, outdated medical advice, and cultural myths. Tracy shares her powerful journey from veterinary medicine to conscious mother
Pouring From a Full Cup feat. Stephanie Adler | #16
Are You Pouring From a Full Cup? On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by Hormone, Gut Health, and Fertility practitioner, Stephanie Adler. If you look back to many ancient cultures throughout World History, you'll find a common thread: human beings instinctively knew that women need to nourish themselves differently before, during, and after the p
Take a Breath, & Learn to Cry with MJ Renshaw | # 15
Cry. It's OK! On today's episode of the "Spoil Your Baby" Podcast, Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by MJ Renshaw, founder of "The Being Method" and author of the upcoming book "How to Cry". The essence of MJ's work is focused on the connection between the mind and the body, most specifically through breathwork. Understanding, controlling, and regulating the breath is essential to anchoring your
The Danish Way Everyday with Jessica Joelle Alexander | #14
Whether you're a new parent or raising teens, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable tools to create deeper connection, more joy, and lasting well-being for the whole family. Dr. Greer Kirschenbaum and guest Jessica Joelle Alexander discuss how Denmark's parenting style— centered on respect, empathy, and togetherness— creates a more connected and compassionate approach to parenting. A
The Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition with Carson Meyer | #13
In this engaging conversation, Carson Meyer, a doula and nutrition consultant, discusses her journey into motherhood, the writing of her book 'Growing Together', and the importance of nutrition and community support during pregnancy and postpartum. Meyer explores the various trimesters of pregnancy, emphasizing the emotional and physical changes women experience, and offers insights into how to na
Nurturing Aquatics: A Neuroscience Perspective | #12
This conversation explores the significance of nurturing approaches in swimming education, emphasizing the neuroscience behind trauma-free learning experiences for children. Discussing the impact of early experiences on brain development and the importance of parental involvement in creating a supportive environment for children learning to swim. They critique traditional swim lessons that may ind
Understanding Baby Sleep: Myths and Realities with Carly Grubb | #11
Host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is joined by Carly Grubb, who shares her experiences and insights on parenting. Particularly focusing the conversation on the challenges of baby sleep and the impact of external advice on new parents. She discusses the importance of nurturing in parenting, the value of co-sleeping, and the need for community support among parents. Carly emphasizes trusting one's instinct
Connecting Through Music and Mindfulness with Vered Benhorin | #10
Host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum discusses the importance of spoiling babies with affection and attention, emphasizing the role of music and mindfulness in parent-child connections. Guest Vered Benhorin, a music therapist and psychotherapist, shares insights on the significance of singing to babies, the magic of lullabies, and the concept of 'bubble moments'—intentional interactions that foster attachme
Understanding Baby Brains: Myths and Realities with Dr. Rocio Zunini | #9
Host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum and Dr. Rocio Zunini discuss the significant differences between baby brains and adult brains, debunking common myths about infant development. They emphasize that babies are not mini adults and cannot perform cognitive tasks that require a developed prefrontal cortex. The conversation highlights the importance of responding to babies' emotional needs and the role of co-
Preparing your Baby for Daycare | #8
Host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum and Dr. Rocio Zunini discuss the vital role of caregiver support systems in a baby's life. They explore the importance of maintaining nurturing relationships, practical strategies for transitioning to new caregivers, and how to choose the right daycare or caregiver. The conversation emphasizes that attachment and connection are crucial for a baby's development, and offer
Navigating Sensitive Periods in Development with Dr. Rocio Zunini | #7
Host Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum and Dr. Rocio Zunini explore the critical concept of sensitive periods in infant development. They discuss how these periods are crucial for shaping the brain's structure and function, particularly in areas such as vision, language, and emotional regulation. The hosts emphasize the importance of co-regulation in nurturing a child's emotional health and the long-term impl
Emotional Contagion with Dr. Rocio Zunini | #6
Today, we're going to talk about something that affects every parent-child relationship: emotional contagion, relatively new in study but incredibly important for our relationships with our babies and each other. It is so important to be authentic with our babies and to feel our huge range of emotions, but we also need to have self-awareness and the tools to manage our emotions and stress. In this
The Lasting Impact of Birth Experiences with Laura Latina | #5
Host Greer Kirshenbaum discusses the importance of nurturing and supporting babies through affection and attention. Joined by midwife Laura Latina, they explore the transformative experiences of parenthood, the significance of compassionate care during birth, and the lasting impact of birth experiences on both mothers and babies. They emphasize the need for personalized care, the healing power of
The Truth About Infant Sleep | #4
Today, we're diving into one of the most passionate and probably misunderstood topics in infant care: sleep. When it comes to infant sleep, it's important to know what's out there, what we're dealing with, and how deep this "don't spoil your baby" message is ingrained in our society. Tune in to learn more about listening to your parental brain and tuning out all the noise.
Myth-busting Infant Care | #3
This week, I am so excited to be joined by fellow neuroscientist and mother, Rocío Zunini. Rocío and I work together nearly every day helping parents learn to spoil their babies. Today, we are going to dive into some really big myths about infant care that can actually be really harmful to your baby's long term mental health. These myths are everywhere, from parenting books to advice from relative
Responding to Unhealed Wounds | #2
Today we're diving into one of the more challenging aspects of responsive parenting: What happens when the people around you start criticizing your approach? We have to move away from disconnected care, and that includes having compassion for those whose pain makes them resistant to change. In order to do this, we first have to understand why some people criticize responsive parenting, what to say
Welcome to Spoil Your Baby! | #1
As a mom, neuroscientist, and longtime expert to parents, I want you to know that 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 that it's the best path to the long term mental health and success of your child. On my podcast, I will interview leading expert
