BABY Over ABA: Why Relationships Come First

Sarah
May 15
3 min read

🧠A Mirror in My Brain?

Emerging research on mirror neurons offers powerful insight into why early relationships matter so much. Mirror neurons are special cells in the brain that help us understand and “mirror” the emotions and actions of others. When a caregiver smiles, comforts, or coos at their baby, the baby’s brain responds as if they are experiencing those same emotions themselves. This process is foundational for learning empathy, emotional regulation, and social connection. In early childhood, these neural pathways are shaped through repeated, attuned interactions with caregivers (Rizzolatti & Sinigaglia, 2016). In other words, your baby’s brain is literally wired through relationship—and that’s why relational approaches, like the ones we use at Baby and Me, can be so powerful.

🌱 What Is Early Relational Health?

Early relational health (ERH) is the foundation of a baby’s emotional well-being. It’s built in everyday interactions—when you respond to your baby’s cry, laugh together during playtime, or make eye contact while feeding. Those mirror neurons are firing away during each of these interactions.

These moments shape your baby’s developing brain and help build emotional regulation, trust, and resilience. Think about how you see yourself. What are the words you might use to tell someone about you? (maybe a job interview, dating profile!) How do you know these things? They come from our relationships- how we think about ourselves is always influenced by our closest relationships. A baby's first "mirror" is her primary caregiver. What she sees reflected in their face is what she begins to believe about herself.

Learn more about the science of ERH in this research-based report from Harvard.

🔄 How An Approach Grounded in Early Relational Health Is Different from ABA Therapy

Some families are referred to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) when there are behavioral or developmental concerns. ABA can be helpful for some children, especially with specific diagnoses, but it often focuses on behavior change through repetition and reinforcement.

At Baby and Me, we take a relationship-first approach grounded in early relational health:

👶 Connection Comes First

We focus on strengthening the bond between you and your child—not just teaching isolated behaviors.

🏡 Support in Real-Life Moments

Our consultations happen in your natural routines: feeding, diapering, playing, calming. No flashcards or sitting at tables required.

🤝 You’re the Expert

You know your child best. We’re here to support you, identify what is already working, and build on that.

🧠 Long-Term Growth

We’re not chasing quick fixes. We’re helping you nurture emotional development that lasts a lifetime.

🧡 When to Reach Out

You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis or referral to get support. You might reach out if:

Interactions with your child feel confusing or distant
You’re struggling to connect emotionally
You feel unsure how to support your child’s development
You just want to feel more confident in everyday moments
Something unexpected happened, and you'd like support to work through it.

We’re here to help you tune in, feel empowered, and build on the beautiful connection you already have with your child.

💬 Your Village Starts Here

If you're in the Harrisburg Hershey Region and seeking something different—something rooted in play, presence, and connection—we’re here for you. You deserve access to parenting support that values relationships over compliance. In our state, families have very few alternative options to structured therapies like ABA. At Baby and Me, we’re here to support you in a way that honors your instincts and the power of your relationship—not just your baby’s behavior.

You don’t need a new plan. You need someone to help you trust the one you already have—your relationship.

✉️ Contact us to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our services.