ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Hillary helps us learn how newborns experience their brand-new world —and how we as educators and doulas can help families understand them in ways they may have never been taught. Rather than seeing babies as a blob to be shaped, we can recognize them as fully formed people with unique needs. Transitioning from an internal dark, warm, water-filled home to the bright, ever-changing world can be quite an undertaking— but with our love and guidance, we can help them grow to their full potential, starting from the very first breath. Learning more about how we can teach this in a wonderfully sensitive way can change families' lives.
About Hillary
Hillary Menke, ICCE, is a childbirth and newborn care instructor with The Women's Clinic of Northern Colorado whose passion lies in the respectful, intentional care of very young children. She earned her BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado and began her career working with infants through kindergarteners in the classroom. To deepen her understanding of whole-child development, she pursued Waldorf Teacher Training at Sound Circle Center, focusing on supporting children's growth beyond academics—nurturing what it means to be deeply, joyfully human.
It was with the birth of her own little one and coming to grips with the awe-filled, wild ride of motherhood that this passion extended to the care of new parents in their journeys through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She earned her childbirth educator certification through ICEA and now helps families navigate this transformative time with evidence-based education and compassionate guidance. Her goal is to build confidence in parents as they care for their babies in ways that reflect their values, wisdom, and dreams.
What You'll Learn:
- What current neuroscience reveals about how babies actually perceive the world
- Why educators need to role model respectful interaction with their "babies" in the classroom
- What the differences are between infant and adult brain waves
- How we can demonstrate ways for parents to empathize with their babies
- Why a parent's calm demeanor can change the interaction with baby
- How to teach ways to decode infant cues
- Why free movement is part of respectful infant care
Hillary's Favorite Resources:
- Baby Bare by Stephanie Johnson
- The Nurture Revolution by Greer Kirshenbaum
- Unruffled with Janet Lansbury (Podcast)
- Anything from Magda Gerber or Dr. Emi Pikler
- Understanding Your Newborn Curriculum
- Understanding Birth Curriculum
- Understanding Breastfeeding Curriculum
- Educator Media Library
Contact Hillary at hillary.menke@gmail.com.
