The Basic Needs of Babies – a Time to Slow Down
In our fast-paced world, the arrival of a newborn offers an invitation to pause, reconnect, and reflect on what these smallest humans truly need from us. Maria Montessori spoke of the spiritual embryo, a phase of human development that is as significant as the physical growth within the womb. She believed that after birth, the newborn still requires a special, nurturing environment — animated, loving, warm, and rich with nourishment — where everything is done to accommodate, and nothing to hamper their development. This is the heart of The Basic Needs of Babies course and workshop. Designed for parents-to-be, new parents, grandparents, educators, health professionals, midwives, doulas, and birth attendants, this online course is a space to explore how we can gently and practically meet the fundamental needs of newborns. Whenever we gather to run this course, I am deeply moved by how it becomes a true time of deepening. Together, we slow down and become more present — for ourselves, for one another, and most importantly, for the babies arriving in our world. Course topics include:– Understanding the spiritual embryo and our responsibility in nurturing the newborn’s inner world– Creating a sense of belonging and authentic connection for newborns and families– Learning from pioneers such as Maria Montessori, Adele Costa Gnocchi, Frédérick Leboyer, Michel Odent, and Nils Bergman– Exploring the basic needs of mothers in labour and the newborn child– Becoming fluent in the language of newborns through behaviour and subtle cues– The neuroscience of connection and secure attachment This is a time to pause, to listen, and to remember what the youngest humans need to feel safe, seen, and welcomed into the world. The Basic Needs of Babies Course runs from 30 September 2025 to 21 April 2026, with an early bird discount available until 31 July 2025. Click here to book your...
Read MoreThe Fetus Ejection Reflex
One cannot help an involuntary process, the point is not to disturb it… If the labouring mother has had her basic needs met during the first stages of her labour, her body will prepare itself for something called the Fetus Ejection Reflex. What are the basic needs of a woman in labour? To feel safe To leave the thinking brain (the neo-cortex) switched off Silence Darkness or low lights Warmth Not feeling observed No adrenaline It is very important that the labouring mother has utmost privacy during this time, otherwise the fetus ejection reflex will not take place. How does it occur? When a fetus ejection reflex is about to take place, the mother will suddenly become fearful and will say things like: “I want to die!” or “Kill me!” It would be a mistake at this point to try to soothe or placate the mother with reassuring words. Soon after this there will be some very strong contractions. The labouring mother will suddenly be full of energy and she will want to be upright. The baby will be expelled in a few strong contractions. The Fetus Ejection Reflex is different from what we know as the second stage of labour, which is when the mother has to actively push the baby out. When a true fetus ejection reflex takes place, the likelihood of the mother tearing is very low and the placenta should only take a few minutes to separate. A fetus ejection reflex cannot take place if the basic needs of a woman in labour have not been met. Read more on the Fetus Ejection Reflex...
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