Judina Meus

By: Kaitlyn Freimuth Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin bonding, has been shown to be an incredibly beneficial practice between newborns and their parents. Because infants born prematurely are at higher risk for many health concerns, kangaroo care can be even more beneficial for them. However, due to the nature of kangaroo care and the complexity that can come with premature births, skin-to-skin bonding can look a little different for premature babies in comparison to those born full-term....

By: Tyler Hu Introduction Stress is often viewed as a temporary emotional response, but during early childhood, it can become a powerful biological force with lifelong consequences. While brief, manageable stress can promote resilience, chronic or unbuffered stress during early development, known as toxic stress, can alter brain architecture, immune function, and metabolic regulation in lasting ways (Shonkoff et al., 2012). Early childhood adversity may take many forms, including household...

By: Tyler Hu Introduction Sleep may seem simple, but for newborns and infants, it’s one of the most critical and complex biological processes driving growth and brain development. During sleep, the infant brain builds neural connections, consolidates learning, and releases hormones essential for physical and cognitive maturation. Despite its importance, many parents struggle to understand infant sleep patterns, which can lead to challenges in both care and development. By learning how and...