Ep. 455: How to shape your baby’s entire life in their first 24 months with Violeta Gordeljevic

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with parenting science educator Violetta to unpack one of the biggest questions new parents face: how do you support your baby's development without falling into the trap of over-parenting?

Together, they dive into what the research actually says about the first 12 to 24 months of life, including attachment, temperament, responsiveness, language development, and the everyday interactions that help shape a child's foundation. Violetta shares why so much parenting advice online misses the mark, how modern parenting culture often creates unnecessary pressure, and what parents really need to know about raising confident, securely attached children.

HeHe and Violetta also explore the difference between being responsive and being overly responsive, how temperament influences the way children experience the world, and what secure attachment actually looks like across different ages and personalities. They discuss practical ways to support development during wake windows, encourage language and social skills, and build connection without feeling like you need to entertain your child every waking minute.

The conversation wraps up with a thoughtful, research-informed discussion on daycare, sleep training, and the parenting decisions that often come with the most noise and judgment.

If you've ever wondered how to support your baby's development without spiraling over every parenting choice, this episode is packed with evidence-based insights and reassurance.

Timestamps / Chapters:

00:00 AI Parenting Misinformation

00:33 Birth Lounge App Advocacy

05:38 Episode Roadmap Attachment

11:53 Violeta Origin Story

23:00 Attunement First Two Years

29:12 Support Systems Colic

32:14 Attunement Vs Attachment

40:41 Temperament Goodness Fit

44:32 Attachment Styles Explained

47:58 Healthy Pushing Repair

51:32 Healing Through Repair

52:49 Mindful Home Swaps

56:17 Boys vs Girls Temperament

58:27 Language and Attention Foundations

01:13:11 Daycare Sleep Training Wrap

Guest Bio:

Violeta is a science communicator and the founder of The Parenting Class. She started her work after realizing that a lot of the research on early childhood development simply isn’t made accessible to parents—especially in the years that matter most.

She believes that sharing this data in a clear, practical way can help raise healthier children and more thriving families.

Connect with Violeta:

https://www.the-parenting-class.com/

Get 10% off the entire Science of Parenting Babies Parenting Library which includes 13 areas of development from feeding, sleep and brain development over nutrition, daycare research, potty training, raising multilingual kids and more when you mention The Birth Lounge Podcast

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Violeta on IG: https://www.instagram.com/violeta.parenting.science/

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app