Nurturing Connection in the Newborn Season
Thoughts from Postpartum Doula Susy of Baby & Doula Care
Welcoming a new baby into the world is beautiful — and overwhelming in ways you don’t always expect. In the first days and weeks, so many parents find themselves asking the same questions:
Are they getting enough milk? Will we ever sleep again? Is it normal to feel this emotional?
According to postpartum doula Susy of Baby & Doula Care, these questions are not only common — they’re a sign of how deeply parents want to do things right.
“So much of those early weeks isn’t just about learning newborn care,” Susy shared. “It’s about helping parents feel confident, supported, and never alone.”
Instead of rules and rigid routines, Susy focuses on connection — both between parents and their babies, and with themselves. She reminds families that babies are incredibly intuitive:
“They feel what we feel. When parents can breathe, slow down, and tune in, babies sense that safety.”
Research supports what many parents instinctively know: responsive, loving care helps foster secure attachment and healthy emotional development. And often, what helps most isn’t a perfect system — it’s presence.
A Few Simple Ways to Build Calm + Connection at Home
Watch your baby’s cues — they’re communicating even before words
Create small moments of rest, even 5 minutes at a time
Lean on help and community
Use touch, closeness, and gentle responsiveness
These aren’t rigid steps — they’re reminders that slowing down counts. That connection is the foundation — not perfection.
Why Support Matters
Many families find that a doula brings not only practical help but emotional grounding in a season full of unknowns. From guidance with feeding and newborn sleep foundations to simply offering reassurance and a calm presence, support can make an enormous difference in how new parents experience this time.
“The goal is always confidence, calm, and connection,” Susy says. “No one should feel like they have to do those early weeks alone.”
Susy and her team work with families throughout Newport Beach, where she says she feels a tremendous sense of warmth and gratitude from parents eager to create nurturing beginnings for their little ones.
As you scroll through these sweet newborn moments, may you feel encouraged to pause, breathe, and soak in the magic of this fleeting season. If you’re in Orange County and looking for postpartum support, you can learn more about Susy’s approach at Baby & Doula Care — a gentle resource for growing families.
Susy’s advice for capturing this season
When I asked Susy about photographing newborns, her answer perfectly echoed everything she believes about early parenthood:
“I’d say…don’t stress about perfection. The most beautiful photos come from genuine moments of connection, not from everything looking ‘just right.’ My advice is to focus on being present — hold your baby close, breathe deeply, and let your love show.
Whether your hair’s undone or the baby’s a little fussy, those authentic moments capture the real beauty of early motherhood — tenderness, strength, and pure love.”
Her reminder is simple, and so true:
Perfection isn’t the point — presence is.
You don’t need polished hair, matching outfits, or a perfectly quiet baby to have meaningful photos. What makes an image powerful is the feeling it holds — the safety, the closeness, and the softness of those first days together.
