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7 reasons newborns cry (and ways to make it stop!)

7 reasons newborns cry (and ways to make it stop!)

Babies don’t cry to manipulate. They cry to communicate a physical condition or emotion. You won’t spoil your baby when you respond to crying. Rather, your response gives your baby a sense of security, that she knows she’s heard and understood and that you will keep her safe. It doesn’t teach her to cry more.

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7 reasons newborns cry (and ways to make it stop!)

7 reasons newborns cry (and ways to make it stop!)

Babies don’t cry to manipulate. They cry to communicate a physical condition or emotion. You won’t spoil your baby when you respond to crying. Rather, your response gives your baby a sense of security, that she knows she’s heard and understood and that you will keep her safe. It doesn’t teach her to cry more.

read more

#83 Transcript – Simple Ways to Create Mental Space Daily

You're listening to parenting. In the first three years, the place where we explore the strategies and soul of parenting from pregnancy through the first three years of life. I'm your host, Ann McKittrick. Thank you so much for joining me. 3s Hey there and welcome to...

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#83: Simple Ways to Create Mental Space Daily

#83: Simple Ways to Create Mental Space Daily

    Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #83: Simple Ways to Create Mental Space Daily   As a mom, the days often feel like a whirlwind of responsibilities and cherished moments with our little ones. However, amidst the chaos, we must carve out...

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#82: Why Young Children Bite (and How to Respond)

#82: Why Young Children Bite (and How to Respond)

    Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #82: Why Young Children Bite (and How to Respond)   What are some effective strategies parents and caregivers can employ to help their children outgrow the biting behavior while maintaining a supportive...

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#73 – Setting Up Your Home For Learning

#73 – Setting Up Your Home For Learning

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #73: Setting Up Your Home for Learning with Jeanne-Marie Paynel   Have you ever wondered what to do or how to set up your home when you have other children over to play?  In this episode, Jeanne-Marie Paynel, M.Ed,...

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#70 – Overcoming Common Fears of Parenting

#70 – Overcoming Common Fears of Parenting

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #70: Overcoming Common Fears of Parenting   In this episode of "Parenting in the First Three Years," Ann discusses the common fears and worries parents may experience. She shares a recent personal story of feeling fear and...

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#68 – What to Do When Your Toddler Hits Someone

#68 – What to Do When Your Toddler Hits Someone

 Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #68: What to Do When Your Toddler Hits Someone   In this episode of "Parenting in the First Three Years," host Ann McKitrick discusses whether parents should insist that their child says sorry when their toddler hits...

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#66 – How to Find the Best Childcare Center

#66 – How to Find the Best Childcare Center

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #66: How to Find the Best Childcare Center   In this episode, we explore the world of childcare and share practical tips for parents who are on the hunt for the best care for their children. We explore some important...

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#65 – Learning with Fred Rogers Productions

#65 – Learning with Fred Rogers Productions

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #65: Learning with Fred Rogers Productions with Mallory Mbalia   As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child learn and grow. You get to choose what shows they watch, and it's a great chance to pick ones...

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#64 – Teaching Diversity with Books

#64 – Teaching Diversity with Books

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #64: Teaching Diversity with Books with Tracey Baptiste   A great children's book should have a well-crafted story, engaging language, and entertaining illustrations. This combination can stimulate your child's cognitive...

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#61: How to Make Tummy Time Fun with Michele Napierkowski

#61: How to Make Tummy Time Fun with Michele Napierkowski

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #61: How to Make Tummy Time Fun with Michelle Napierkowski   If you are a new parent, then you have probably heard that tummy time is important for your baby. It’s equally important to be knowledgeable about the container...

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#60: 5 Simple Ways to Support Language Development

#60: 5 Simple Ways to Support Language Development

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #60: 5 Simple Ways to Support Language Development   You know it's important to read to your child, but what's really happening as you read? Probably the most important is the cozy connection that happens when you hold...

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#59: How You Can Become a Mompreneur with Rachel Neill

#59: How You Can Become a Mompreneur with Rachel Neill

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #59: How You Can Become a Mompreneur with Rachel Neill   Did you know that 4 of every 10 new businesses are owned by women? What is it about parenting that equips moms to be amazing entrepreneurs?  In this episode Rachel...

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#55: 5 Myths about Newborns with Deborah McNelis

#55: 5 Myths about Newborns with Deborah McNelis

   Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #55: 5 Myths about Newborns with Deborah McNelis   It's easy to feel lost and overwhelmed when it comes to caring for your newborn, but don't worry! Let me introduce you to Deborah McNelis, who's here to help guide...

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#52: Mental Self-Care for New Moms with Colleen O’Grady

#52: Mental Self-Care for New Moms with Colleen O’Grady

   Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #52: Mental Self-Care for New Moms with Colleen O'Grady   What are the habits new moms can begin now to ensure a healthy mindset throughout the all the stages of parenting? In this episode, Colleen O'Grady explains...

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#51: The Benefits of Play with Dr. Stephanie Goloway

#51: The Benefits of Play with Dr. Stephanie Goloway

   Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #51: The Benefits of Play with Dr. Stephanie Goloway   What are the benefits of play, besides entertaining your child? Our guest today says there's lots more going on when you simply play and interact with your...

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#49: What New Parents Need to Know about Babies and Music

#49: What New Parents Need to Know about Babies and Music

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #49: What New Parents Need to Know About Babies and Music   There's just something about music and babies. New parents seem to know intuitively that it will soothe their baby and will naturally rock and sway as they...

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#48: Parenting with a Positive Mindset with Lenora Edwards

#48: Parenting with a Positive Mindset with Lenora Edwards

   Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #48: Parenting with a Positive Mindset Keeping a positive mindset as a new parent is challenging because the first 3 years can be intense. First you have months of interrupted sleep and adjustments, going back to work...

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#47: New Year Intentions for Every New Parent

#47: New Year Intentions for Every New Parent

   Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #47: New Year Intentions for Every New Parent What will happen in 2023 for you? What will happen for your child? You’ve likely got some new year intentions for yourself... or maybe not. Some people love setting...

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#45: Wisdom from a Montessori Mom with Maranda Deason

#45: Wisdom from a Montessori Mom with Maranda Deason

 Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #45: Wisdom from a Montessori Mom with Maranda Deason In this mom story, you'll meet Maranda Deason, Montessori teacher and mother of 7 children including 3 under age two! She shares her thoughts on the cultural changes...

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#43: Attachment Parenting Explained

#43: Attachment Parenting Explained

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #43: Attachment Parenting Explained with Diane Goyette and Gabrielle Holt    There's a lively conversation on social media about attachment parenting and sometimes it feels like just one more thing to get right, or...

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#42: How Your Enneagram Type Affects Parenting

#42: How Your Enneagram Type Affects Parenting

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #42: How Your Enneagram Type Affects Parenting with Rochelle Bridges   What's your Enneagram type? I'm a 9 all the way, straight up. I have all the quirks and characteristics of this Enneagram personality type. I'm...

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#40: How to Organize Toys with Amanda Liford

#40: How to Organize Toys with Amanda Liford

 Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #40: How to Organize Toys with Amanda Liford   You love ‘em, your kid loves ‘em, people give you lots of them and after a while, they take over your house! How do you organize toys? Amanda Liford, has the answers. ...

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#38: What to Expect in the Fourth Trimester

#38: What to Expect in the Fourth Trimester

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #38: What to Expect in the Fourth Trimester with Meg & Carly of Fourth Trimester Foundations The "fourth trimester" is the term coined for the first 3 months after birth. Those first weeks are beautiful, memorable and...

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#37:  Making Holiday Plans that Work for Your Child

#37: Making Holiday Plans that Work for Your Child

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #37: Making Holiday Plans that Work for Your Child with Prerna Richards It's time to make holiday plans, which will likely include get-togethers and parties with lots of people. What do you do when your child screams,...

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#34: What Grandparents Need to Know

#34: What Grandparents Need to Know

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #34: What Grandparents Need to Know Grandparents, aunties, uncles, extended family all play an important role in your baby's life. Babies have a way of bringing a new dimension to families and learning what works for your...

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#30: 5 Things to know about starting preschool

#30: 5 Things to know about starting preschool

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #30: 5 Things to know about starting preschool Starting preschool is an exciting milestone for your child and will build a strong foundation for kindergarten. In this episode, you'll learn what types of programs are...

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#29: How Motherly Helps New Mothers with Liz Tenety

#29: How Motherly Helps New Mothers with Liz Tenety

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #29: How Motherly Helps New Mothers with Liz Tenety, Co-Founder of Motherly   Liz Tenety, co-founder of Motherly, gives behind-the-scenes insight on trends, what she sees as a big source of struggles for new mothers,...

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#27: The 6 Stages of Parenting

#27: The 6 Stages of Parenting

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast   #27: The 6 Stages of Parenting   with Ann McKitrick       Just as our children are going through phases of development throughout their lives, we too are going through stages of parenting as our kid get...

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#25: How to Talk to Kids About Death with Michele Benyo

#25: How to Talk to Kids About Death with Michele Benyo

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #25: How to Talk to Kids About Death with Michele Benyo   Have you had the death talk with your child yet? Maybe it hasn't come up. Maybe you think they're too young. Or maybe you were forced to discuss it after a family pet...

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#22: The Power of Smell in Attachment with Jude Stewart

#22: The Power of Smell in Attachment with Jude Stewart

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #22: The Power of Smell in Attachment with Jude Stewart Everyone knows that special newborn smell. And if you haven't experienced it yet, you've no doubt heard about it. Mothers young and old can recall the smell their...

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#20: Debunking Breastfeeding Myths with Erica Campbell

#20: Debunking Breastfeeding Myths with Erica Campbell

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #20: Debunking Breastfeeding Myths with Erica Campbell   Breastfeeding. It's one of the most controversial topics concerning motherhood. And no wonder - it's both communal and extremely personal, there are so many...

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#17: Creating a Loving Home with Deborah Farmer Kris

#17: Creating a Loving Home with Deborah Farmer Kris

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #17: Creating a Loving Home with Deborah Farmer Kris   Showing our children that our love is not based on how "good" they are is an important part of creating a lasting bond between parent and child. Not only that, but it...

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#14: The Dos and Don’ts of Developmental Play

#14: The Dos and Don’ts of Developmental Play

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #14: The Dos and Don'ts of Developmental Play   We all need play in our lives. Yes, even you! It's amazing to watch babies and children play. It comes so naturally to them, whereas it seems like we as adults completely...

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#12: Trauma in Early Childhood with Holly Elissa Bruno

#12: Trauma in Early Childhood with Holly Elissa Bruno

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #12: Trauma in Early Childhood with Holly Elissa Bruno   Did your baby or child experience any trauma in early childhood? If you were quick to answer 'no', consider whether the past couple of years, living through a...

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#10: Help Your Baby Sleep Better at Night with Joanna Clark

#10: Help Your Baby Sleep Better at Night with Joanna Clark

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #10: Help Your Baby Sleep Better at Night with Joanna Clark   There's nothing more frustrating as a new parent than dealing with sleep disruptions. After all, when the baby doesn't sleep well, neither does one or both of the...

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#8: How to Manage Tantrums & Meltdowns with Diane Goyette

#8: How to Manage Tantrums & Meltdowns with Diane Goyette

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #8: How to Manage Tantrums & Meltdowns with Diane Goyette   Tantrums can be very triggering, leaving us feeling bewildered, impatient, overwhelmed, helpless, and ready to throw in the towel on this whole parenting thing....

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#7: Is She a Good Baby? Exploring Infant Temperaments

#7: Is She a Good Baby? Exploring Infant Temperaments

 Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #7: "Is She a Good Baby?" Exploring Infant Temperaments with Ann McKitrick   There’s one question people commonly ask new parents that I can’t stand. And that’s, “is she a good baby?” Everyone wants an easy baby! But that’s...

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#6: How to Hygge with Your Baby with Maria Dior

#6: How to Hygge with Your Baby with Maria Dior

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #6: How to Hygge with Your Baby with Maria Dior   Denmark has repeatedly been voted as having the happiest people in the world. It may be due to this thing called hygge (pronounced hoo-guh), which is a Danish term that means...

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#5: Tips for Parenting a 2 Year Old

#5: Tips for Parenting a 2 Year Old

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #5: Tips for Parenting a 2-Year-Old with Ann McKitrick   People's opinions about parenting a 2-year-old are no big secret. After all, toddlers have a bad rap. Maybe you've even had someone say to you, "just wait until...

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#4: Phones and Screen Time for Babies

#4: Phones and Screen Time for Babies

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #4: Phones and Screen Time for Babies with Ann McKitrick   Screen time for babies is a tricky topic. Babies and toddlers know, just as we do, that there are so many fun things to do with a phone! Maybe you're trying to work,...

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#2: What Makes Babies Laugh?

#2: What Makes Babies Laugh?

Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #2: What Makes Babies Laugh? with Ann McKitrick     Just like everything else when it comes to children, humor is developmental and amazingly enough it starts really early in life! Babies laugh before they talk, which...

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#1: Why “Baby Talk” is Good for Language Development

#1: Why “Baby Talk” is Good for Language Development

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #1: Why Baby Talk is Good for Language Development with Ann McKitrick     We all know that people use a different tone of voice when they talk to babies, like what we would typically call ‘baby talk’. Researchers have...

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#0: Trailer for Parenting in the First 3 Years

#0: Trailer for Parenting in the First 3 Years

  Parenting in the First 3 Years Podcast #0: Trailer with Ann McKitrick   You know, there’s a transition that takes place when we become a parent. It looks different for everyone and it’s not just one-and-done. It’s a transition that repeats itself in every stage...

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Why your toddler needs to play with puzzles

Why your toddler needs to play with puzzles

  Why should you get some puzzles for your toddler? Play is essential for toddlers - it's how they figure things out. They need opportunities to play with good toys and materials and use their imagination. Puzzles fit the bill! They provide lots of learning - from...

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Can toddlers write?

Can toddlers write?

Can toddlers write? As soon as your little one becomes interested, you can give them some big paper and a marker to get them started. Learning to make a mark on the page is actually an important part of early literacy, which begins in the first three years of life....

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How to make playdough with your child

How to make playdough with your child

Making playdough with toddlers. We had a tray on the shelf with all the playdough ingredients and made a fresh batch about every 2 weeks. When I was a teacher, our class loved making playdough. We pull out the tray of ingredients and the kids would take turns dumping...

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Why you should have a tea party

Why you should have a tea party

Tea parties. We started them early on at our house. I think it started that time I spotted Good Mood Tea at Whole Foods. I bought a box for the next time the crankies set in. Because um, that happened often with three kids under age four. I bought it for myself, then...

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How to Sanitize Your Baby’s Toys

How to Sanitize Your Baby’s Toys

Do you need to sanitize your baby's toys? Um, yeah. Today I was scrolling through facebook and saw a picture of my friend's baby wearing a cute little outfit she'd made by hand. In the background their dog was licking a baby toy lying on the floor. This is why we need...

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What new parents need to know about loveys

What new parents need to know about loveys

What's a lovey? It's a blanket, a teddy bear or some other object that children attached to. They use loveys to comfort themselves at bedtime and in other situations where they feel the need for something cozy and familiar.  The psychological term for this is...

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How to choose toys for babies

How to choose toys for babies

We've got a closet full of toys upstairs in the kids room. When the grandkids are here, they spend LOTS of time playing up there! In fact, sometimes when we're FaceTiming now, I'll walk up there and we'll "visit" the toys and they get so excited! 😂  If you were here,...

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About ann


I’m a child development specialist, parent coach and teacher trainer. I’ve cared for countless babies in child development programs, plus 3 kids, 3 grand babies and 5 foster babies! I LOVE babies and would come hold yours if I could. ❤️

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