Healing with Your Baby: The Importance of Baby-Inclusive Postpartum Care

The early postpartum period is a critical time for developing emotional and physical bonds between a parent and child. Studies have shown that skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and close proximity to the baby:

Reduce maternal stress and anxiety (Cong, Ludington-Hoe, & McCain, 2009)

Improve infant sleep and heart rate regulation (Feldman et al., 2010)

Enhance breastfeeding success (Moore, Anderson, & Bergman, 2012)

Parents who are able to bond with their babies while receiving mental health support report faster symptom relief from postpartum depression and anxiety. Baby-inclusive care also reduces feelings of guilt and separation anxiety.

How Tulia Grove Incorporates Baby-Inclusive Care

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) allows birthing parents to bring their babies to therapy sessions, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Our approach includes:

Skin-to-skin time during therapy sessions

Breastfeeding-friendly spaces

Parent-baby bonding exercises during group sessions

Attachment-based therapy to strengthen the parent-child connection

Breaking the "Rest Without Baby" Myth

While physical rest is important, emotional well-being also comes from feeling connected and supported. The idea that parents need to “disconnect” from their babies to heal reflects a misunderstanding of the postpartum period.

Healing postpartum doesn’t require separation from your baby—it requires support, understanding, and a safe space to heal together. Tulia Grove’s baby-inclusive model helps parents feel empowered and connected during their recovery.