Attuned Parenting at its Best
Welcome
to BabyAttuned!BabyAttuned
began in 2003 as a wellness program for the healthy social emotional development of babies and their families. Over
the past nine years BabyAttuned Mom/Dad and Baby discussion groups have been offered at the Pump
Station, Birth and Beyond, HomeBoys’ Baby and Me, the Giggle store in Pasadena, the UCLA Family Commons, and in private
Santa Monica homes. In 2011, BabyAttuned Mom/Dad and Baby Groups, and BabyAttuned
Parent Education and Infant Massage Instruction classes were one of the top ten finalists in Red Tricycle’s
Totally Awesome Awards for local favorites online survey in Los Angeles.
BabyAttuned’s primary aims are to promote health, happiness,
and community for young families by
1) promoting
optimal child and parent development and mental health;
2) supporting
healthy feeding, sleep, and activity habits;
3) reducing
parental stress and encouraging healthy coping strategies;
4) recording
each child’s developmental progress, providing learning activities for each age, referring to early intervention resources
if needed; and,
5) providing a forum for parents
to ask questions, obtain guidance, express concerns, exchange ideas, and develop friendships and a sense of community.
BabyAttuned Mom/Dad and Baby Discussion
groups address the joys and challenges of parenting, with nonjudgmental guidance around all aspects of baby care and development,
including establishing healthy feeding, sleep, activity, and interactive play routines; monitoring each baby’s developmental
progress; encouraging reflective and sensitive parenting and awareness of parents’ stress and coping strategies; and
promoting camaraderie, friendships, and a sense of community. These classes are distinct from other mommy and
me groups in their focus on discussion of parents’ individual questions and concerns, and offering of research based
child development education. Classes may also include infant massage instruction, mindful meditation for mom/dad, age-appropriate
songs and interactive play and learning activities.
The curriculum is developed and facilitated by Eileen Escarce, PhD, MA, MSN, a licensed clinical developmental
psychologist, certified infant mental health specialist, certified infant massage instructor (CIMI), and experienced pediatric
nurse practitioner. Dr. Escarce currently works part-time as a mental health consultant for Family Services of Santa
Monica, serving children in the Growing Place Infant and Child Care Centers. She also maintains a private practice
in Brentwood providing assessment, consultation, and therapy for children and families.
Class Descriptions:
BabyAttuned
Mom/Dad and Baby Discussion Groups (8 weeks): Includes a developmental topic for discussion
each week, songs, interactive play, and mindful meditation practice for mom and/or dad. Includes a developmental record
and age-appropriate learning activity sheet
Minimum 6/Maximum 12, no drop-ins.
a. Babies
ages newborn to 3 months— Weekly discussions address the concerns of the new mother with nonjudgmental support, and
research based guidance on understanding early infancy, feeding, sleep, and development.
b. Babies ages 4-8 months—Weekly discussions address establishing
healthy feeding and sleep routines, developmental play, and mothers’ individual questions.
c. Babies ages 9-12 months—Weekly discussions address the
developing, increasingly mobile and communicating baby. Baby signing is taught and practiced weekly.
d. Toddlers 12-24 months—Interactive play is mixed with discussion
of developmental concerns and questions. Strategies for encouraging language development, handling challenging behaviors,
and emotion coaching are presented.
BabyAttuned Infant Massage
Class (4 weeks)—Newborn to 7 months . Group instruction in gentle Loving TouchR massage. Infant massage creates a loving, intimate communication which enhances bonding, helps both baby
and parent relax, reduces gas and colic, decreases irritability, regulates behavior and promotes sleep. Includes a step-by-step
manual for a nominal fee. Oil can be purchased by parent or on site. Minimum 6/Maximum 20 per session. Drop-ins welcome.
BabyAttuned New Paths Discussion
Groups (6 weeks)—A discussion group for parents of infants with special needs or lifelong disabilities.
The goal is to address the grief and hope that every family member of a child with special needs faces, to encourage healthy
coping, acknowledge the needs of each family member, and develop community support for all. Curriculum is adapted from T.
Berry Brazelton MD’s Touchpoints Model for Special Needs families by the Lanterman Regional Center. (This group is for
parents only.) Minimum 6/Maximum 12. Drop-ins welcome.
BabyAttuned offers
parents several opportunities to learn about, monitor, and record their infant's development from the prenatal period
through the preschool years:
Prenatal anticipatory guidance class on
"Observing and Understanding My
Newborn's Behavior, and Developing a Gentle Approach to Sleep and Crying Issues"
Newborn behavioral observation
with parent(s)
Fussy Baby Consultation
Mom and Baby support and education groups
Infant
massage instruction
High quality parent-completed developmental records for your baby book
Individual
consultation
Guided parent-child interaction therapy
Developmental assessment
Gifted
Testing www.giftedtest.com
Pediatric office, childcare, and preschool consults
Parenting Coach
