It's a question I hear from new parents quite a bit. Your baby pulls their knees up, goes red in the face, grunts, squirms, strains, and looks like they're working incredibly hard just to pass wind or do a poo. And often they are. One of the surprising things about newborns is that they're still learning how to coordinate all the muscles needed to do these everyday tasks. Their digestive system is adjusting to life outside the womb, and sometimes their bodies are still figuring out how everything works. While it's always important to speak with your healthcare provider if you're concerned, a lot of this grunting, straining, and fussiness can be completely normal in the early weeks. This is one of the reasons many parents enjoy learning baby massage. Baby massage isn't just about relaxation. It can help support: • Parent-baby bonding and connection • Relaxation and calmness • Body awareness •Positive touch and communication • Wind and digestive comfort • Establishing quiet moments together during busy days One of my favourite things about baby massage is that it encourages parents to slow down, put distractions aside, and simply spend time connecting with their baby. ❤️Sometimes the biggest benefit isn't what it does for the baby. It's what it does for the relationship between you.❤️ Have you noticed your baby grunting, straining, or pulling their knees up lately? Or did they go through a particularly windy phase in those early weeks?

There was something really special about Tuesday’s Baby Sensory & Massage session. Our theme was nature, and alongside all the gentle sensory play, we focused on massaging baby’s arms and hands. Tiny fingers, little stretches, soft connection moments. One of my favourite parts of these classes is watching the mums slow down for a moment. The outside world quietens, the to-do lists pause, and it becomes about simply being present with their baby. The eye contact. The little smiles. The way babies relax into familiar touch. The quiet connection happening in the room. These classes are never about doing things perfectly. They’re about creating space to connect, bond, learn your baby’s cues, and enjoy these moments together. Thank you to all the beautiful mums and babies who joined me this week. I loved watching your connections grow. https://belliestobabies.co.nz/babysensorymassage

What newborn sleep really looks like If you’ve been wondering whether your baby’s sleep is “normal”… this one’s for you. We cover: - what sleep actually looks like in the early weeks - why babies wake so often - day and night confusion - gentle ways to support your baby (without pressure to fix anything) It’s a simple, honest look at newborn sleep that helps take some of the guesswork out of it. You’ll find it in the classroom now. Have a read and let me know what surprised you most or what your nights are looking like right now.

This is one of the most common thoughts in those first few days - usually whispered at 2am while you’re pacing the room, wondering if you’re doing something wrong. You’re not. What you’re seeing is a brand new human adjusting to a brand new world. The biggest transition of their life Your baby has gone from a warm, constant, all-inclusive environment…to lights, noise, hunger, and space. Inside, everything was automatic. Outside, everything is new. The shift no one warns you about.... Day 1 can feel calm. Then day 2–3 hits and suddenly: - Feeding feels constant - Sleep is short and broken - Baby wants to be held all the time - Nights feel… a lot This is often called second night syndrome - and it’s very normal. ❤️This is biology, not behaviour Your baby isn’t being difficult. They’re: - Waking to feed often (tiny stomach) - Learning to regulate themselves - Looking for what feels familiar - you Why they don’t like being put down In the womb, they were never alone. So the bassinet can feel big and unfamiliar. ❤️Being close helps them feel safe, settled, and regulated. A quick reality check on sleep Newborn sleep is: - Short - Light - Unpredictable So the noises, the wriggling, the constant waking… it’s all normal. And you? You might feel overwhelmed, emotional, unsure, exhausted — sometimes all at once. ❤️That’s part of this transition too. What helps Keep it simple: - Hold your baby - Feed responsively - Lower expectations - Let yourself be supported You’re not getting it wrong If your baby wants you constantly…If nights feel long… You’re not failing. ❤️You’re both learning how to be here. What have you heard about those first few days with a newborn - and are you wondering if it’s actually true?

Many parents imagine their baby sleeping quietly and peacefully. Then the first night arrives… and suddenly there are grunts, snuffles, squeaks, stretching, wriggling and all sorts of little sounds coming from the bassinet. It can be surprising if you’re not expecting it, but most of these noises are completely normal. Newborn sleep cycles are very different from adult sleep cycles, and babies spend much more time in lighter stages of sleep where they move and make sounds. I’ve just added a new topic inside the Early Parenting Classroom about newborn sleep — what’s normal in the early weeks, why babies wake so often, why they love being close to you, and some gentle ways to help them settle. If newborn sleep is something you’ve been wondering about, head over and have a read. And I’m curious… What have you heard about newborn sleep that surprised you the most?