Introducing the High Needs Babies and Toddlers Series

I knew Henry was different from the time he was three hours old. When he was born, he was wide awake. Wide awake. For seven hours straight. Every hour or so, he would scream out. Just bloody murder for a few seconds. It would stop as soon as it started. It scared me, it scared Morgan, it scared my mom and everyone else that visited. From that very day we heard "what's wrong with him?"

From that moment, Henry has been 100 percent different than what I imagined. Reflux, no sleep, colic, constant screaming, endless energy, an extreme need to be held, and the list goes on.

After months, I came across the term "high needs." It fit Henry to a T. It turned out there are other babies like him -- lots of them. I wasn't alone. I wasn't crazy. I wasn't doing something wrong. 

At 18 months old, Henry is still very much a high needs toddler. But thankfully, I'm very different. I'm more prepared to deal with a high needs child. I'm more informed and loaded with much different expectations. Now I want to share what I've learned, seen, and experienced. 

I know there are a lot of other parents who are struggling with their high needs babies or toddlers -- and most of all I want them to know they aren't alone.

So, I've started this series: High Needs Babies and Toddlers: Having a sense of humor, and other ways to survive a high needs little. 

Each Friday, I'm going to write about a high needs related topic. I have some guest posters and other exciting events lined up. If you are a high needs parent/blogger and want to participate, please email me at thekavanaughreport@gmail.com. I would love your input and perspective.

If you know someone with a high needs baby, or any baby, please pass this series along. I cannot tell you how happy I would have been to read something like this when Hen was tiny.  

Next week's topic: What is exactly is a high needs baby?

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