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Mothering From Within
Introducing Mothering from Within - the podcast that empowers and supports new mothers on their journey through early motherhood. Join host Kaili Ets, a seasoned pediatric occupational therapist and your holistic baby guru, as she provides credible information, emotional support, and practical solutions for navigating the ups and downs of motherhood. Through solo shows and guest interviews, Mothering from Within will help you gain confidence, trust your instincts, and embrace motherhood on your terms. Get ready to connect, learn, and lead your family with courage and confidence.
Stay Connected With Kaili
https://www.kailiets.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@TheHolisticBabyGuru
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@theholisticbabyguru
Mothering From Within
Ep.43: Tight, Fussy, and Hard to Settle? Signs Your Baby Might Be Holding Tension
Does your baby feel stiff in your arms?
Arch their back when feeding or crying?
Struggle to settle or relax—even when all their “needs” seem met?
You’re not imagining it—and it’s not just colic, gas, or a “hard baby.”
In this episode of Mothering From Within, pediatric OT Kaili Ets shares what it really means when a baby feels tight, fussy, or hard to settle—and how body tension in babies often goes unrecognized and misunderstood by both professionals and well-meaning family members.
You’ll learn:
- What “holding tension” looks like in babies (subtle and obvious signs)
- The connection between birth experiences, body patterns, and behavior
- Why some babies arch, hate lying flat, or can’t fully relax—even when fed and loved
- The emotional toll on moms when no one listens to their concerns
- How to start supporting your baby’s body gently, without waiting for a diagnosis
This episode is your reminder that if your baby feels “off,” your instincts are likely right—and there is help available.
🕒 Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Mothering From Within
00:57 – You can feel when something’s off
03:41 – Why this episode matters: the missing conversation
06:30 – Signs your baby may be holding tension
09:27 – How birth, positioning, and compression affect baby’s body
12:10 – Colic, reflux, feeding issues—could tension be underneath it all?
14:45 – Why your baby’s discomfort isn’t “just a phase”
17:03 – The toll on moms when no one validates your concerns
19:56 – What to do next: looking deeper, trusting yourself, finding support
✨ Resources & Next Steps:
📘 Grab Kaili’s book: Mothering From Within → https://kailiets.com/book/
🎁 Download the Free Baby Body Tension Guide → https://freebie.kailiets.com/baby-tension
📍 Interested in local support or research participation? Learn more → https://kailiets.com/therapy/
💜 If this episode resonated, share it with another mama who needs it—and tag @theholisticbabyguru so Kaili can cheer you on.