Do new parents need to choose between a strict structured routine and an exhausting, anxious, start to new parenting?
The answer is NO. There is
a calm and gentle middle ground.
When you have your new baby, there are often many people giving you advice, from midwives, to parents, family and friends. Often encouraging you to choose between two very different ways to parent. Either following a very strict, structured routine which involves, clock – watching, parent led ideals, rigid schedules and the pressure to create a perfect routine from the start.
Or, on the other hand, people encourage you to have no rhythm at all – no
predictability, holding your baby ALL of time, feeding on demand constantly and
simply following your baby’s lead, with no structure or focus – often leaving
everybody exhausted and second – guessing themselves.
For many new parents neither of these two extremes feels completely right.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be one way or the other, there is
another, calmer, gentler way – a middle ground.
Over my many years supporting new parents with their new babies, I have seen
that babies respond best when they are in a calm, gentle rhythm from those very
early days, but with realistic and achievable goals that set new parents up for
success, not failure, building confidence and calm from the very beginning.
I have created a baby – led rhythm that is in tune with your baby’s natural
instincts whilst offering tired parents some structure and control over your
day and night. Helping you to parent confidently and allowing you to get the
rest and recovery that you need, without forfeiting the close connection and
flexibility that those precious early days and weeks deserve.
My method isn’t about strict, time-focussed schedules or ignoring your baby’s
natural instincts. It is about responding to your baby’s natural cues, and
understanding your baby, creating a predictable and nurturing rhythm from the
very start.
The “It’s as easy as 1 2 3” Method
I created the “It’s as easy as 1 2 3” to bridge the gap between these two
extremes in new parenting.
It offers:
Three simple rules for new parents to follow throughout the day to ensure a gentle, predictable rhythm for them and for their baby.
It helps new parents to understand their new baby’s cues and to respond appropriately.
It anticipates a baby’s needs, so responsive parenting feels natural and instinctive.
It is always with the baby’s best interests at heart and is baby – led but with some structure and focus.
It helps parents to plan their days and nights from the very start.
The aim isn’t perfection; it is a calm and connected start to parenthood.
Three simple rules for new parents to follow throughout the day to ensure a gentle, predictable rhythm for them and for their baby.
It helps new parents to understand their new baby’s cues and to respond appropriately.
It anticipates a baby’s needs, so responsive parenting feels natural and instinctive.
It is always with the baby’s best interests at heart and is baby – led but with some structure and focus.
It helps parents to plan their days and nights from the very start.
The aim isn’t perfection; it is a calm and connected start to parenthood.
It doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other.
You don’t have to just “survive” those early parenting days or choose strict
routine -based methods, if that’s how you feel right now – you are not alone,
but there is another way.
I can help you respect your baby’s natural instincts.
Supporting you as new parents, never judging you.
I can help bring calm and confidence to those early days, whilst preserving the
enjoyment and joy that new parenthood should embrace.
Parenting doesn’t have to be a confusing and anxious time; it really can be as
easy as 1 2 3!
Emma Hingston
Founder and creator of the It’s as easy as 1 2 3 method and The 12 week plan.