Baby Base

07/08/2026

29/05/2026

Sound can be regulating when it is slow, predictable, rhythmic, and gentle. Using soft percussion, chimes, and xylophone tones at the end of the day can help support nervous system down-regulation and smoother transitions into sleep.

This is a simple strategy parents can recreate at home with very little equipment, the key is repetition, rhythm, and slowing the pace of input.

16/05/2026

From around 8 months onwards, the lunch nap stops being a “flexible little nap” and starts becoming a true recovery window for the nervous system. This is the nap most responsible for:

1. Reducing cumulative overtiredness
2. Supporting sleep cycle consolidation
3. Regulating evening cortisol levels
4. Protecting bedtime and night sleep quality

And clinically, this is often the first nap that becomes significantly less restorative “on the go.” A stroller or car nap may take the edge off temporarily, but it often doesn’t provide the same depth or continuity of sleep as a protected crib nap at home.

That’s why many babies seem completely fine after an on-the-go nap and then unravel later through false starts, split nights, frequent waking, bedtime dysregulation and early rising

At this age, the lunch nap is no longer just about daytime sleep.
It becomes the nap that helps stabilise the entire second half of the day and supports overnight recovery.

15/05/2026

30-minute lunch naps are often not a schedule issue. They are frequently a habitual transition point within the nap itself.

Many babies are capable of sleeping longer they just repeatedly surface at the same point in the sleep cycle.

This is where I use a gentle “reset” intervention. By slightly shifting the sleep pattern earlier in the nap, we can often bypass that habitual waking point entirely. And suddenly that same baby who “couldn’t nap longer than 30 minutes” begins connecting sleep cycles naturally.

11/05/2026

Did you know inversion activities like handstands can actually support better sleep in children?

Upside-down movement provides powerful vestibular and proprioceptive input, helping the nervous system organize, regulate, and release built-up sensory energy from the day. These activities strengthen body awareness, improve regulation, and often leave children feeling calmer, more grounded, and more ready for restful sleep.

06/05/2026

It’s not just cute, it’s powerful! Why hand massage is good for babies

From an OT perspective, gentle hand massage helps:

• Open tight fists and support early grasp
• Build body awareness through touch
• Encourage exploration and hand-to-mouth play
• Regulate and calm the nervous system
• Strengthen connection and communication

The hands are how babies learn about the world.
When touch feels safe and organized → development follows.
Slow, firm, and always follow their cues.

05/05/2026

Hello, dear parents and aspiring tiny dancers !

Delighted to announce that Toddler Ballet classes will be back in session starting monday 11 May 16:30-17:15

What's New This Term: Life with toddlers can be busy and unpredictable. That's why this term, we're introducing a flexible approach. You can choose to drop off and leave your little one in our capable hands, or you can participate in only some of the lesson if that suits your schedule better.

Important: To ensure your spot in Toddler Ballet class, please register by end of week. 380 5 lessons.

Toddler Ballet link

Dizengoff 222