This episode is the first topic request from a listener!
Please send your topic requests to lettersforgirls.submissions@gmail.com
**Tara and Jess will be on holiday for the month of August, 2025, so episodes will be paused for the month. Tune back into the podcast in September. We have some exciting things coming!**
Are you new to parenting? Expecting? Or just want to know more about Tara and Jess' thoughts on parenting in the early days?
You're in the right place.
Tara and Jess received their first topic request via email from a listener who is expecting with their partner. They share their experience and knowledge on the subject, a long with some research and personal preferences.
Topics surrounding babies in the first year that they talked about:
-Tickling
-Touch
-Being soothed by dad/ hearing dad's voice too
-90's TV shows for infants and young children are slower paced, less stimulating than today's cartoons
-Jess' favourite 90's TV shows are: The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Little Bear. When they're a little bit older Franklin, Miss Rachel (very educational for both parents and kids, but can be stimulating. Jess likes to watch with her kid and interacts during the show!) Mr Rogers, Sherry Louise and Bran. Things with music are great.
-Books: Welcome Baby by Barbara Reid, Welcome to Your World. Jess has a goal to read 1,000 books before age 4.
-Continue reading with your kids for years! Tara used to read to her kids every night at bedtime, they started reading to her and her husband and today they still read to their teenagers periodically. When they get to the age they can read to you, they have so much pride! Content in books sparks a lot of conversation as the kids get older.
-Bedtime routines are important! Kids often like to open up and have conversation at bedtime. So starting those routines when they're really little is helpful to cultivate that safe space for kids.
-Making time for one-on-one connection with your kid(s)
-Talk to your infants even though they don't respond, they can hear you and it's good for their little brains and hearts.
-Bath time: Introduce babies to water slowly, get a little water on their face to prevent fear of water later. Be mindful of temperature, check temperature thresholds online. You can also get a water thermometer for baby bath time.
-Don't be afraid to ask professionals questions for things you're not sure of. No question is stupid.
-Talk with your partner before the baby comes about night time feedings, changes and night time routines so that everyone is on the same page.
-There's only so much you can plan with a baby. Things change and everyone has to adapt.
-Post partum Depression
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519070/
-Purple crying
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25134950/
Tickle/touch resources: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/young-infants-have-no-clue-whos-tickling-their-feet
https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/7309/1/AJBremner_accepted.pdf
https://theconversation.com/do-babies-feel-tickles-in-a-different-way-to-adults-49256
Thank you to the lovely human who sent Tara and Jess an email asking for this episode!
Follow us on Instagram + TikTok + Threads here: @lettersforgirlspod
Email us here: lettersforgirls.submissions@gmail.com
Submit a letter completely anonymously: https://surveymars.com/q/eJcvFaRDy
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/today-is-the-day
License code: PR8M0SMSX51KSUG9