By: Zach Miller

Erin Carroll-Manning, the founder of Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care, has been a consistent source of support for families. With over 30 years of experience in the private childcare industry, she has spent the last 10 years guiding families through what can be some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

She is a Master Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), a trained Postpartum Doula (PPD), a Newborn Sleep Specialist, an Oral Dysfunction Specialist, and a Car Seat Safety Technician, with additional training in various child-rearing philosophies. These trainings help bring comfort, knowledge, and confidence to every family. Her career began humbly as a mother’s helper and babysitter, later evolving into a role that focused on educating, guiding, and supporting families to make this transition smoother while also helping to lay a strong foundation for the baby’s growth and secure attachment.

In 2017, Erin founded Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care & Family Services, which has become a trusted space for parents seeking real-world support and understanding in the New England area.

Raising the Bar in Newborn Care

Erin’s approach extends beyond simple caregiving. She advocates for the professional childcare industry and is deeply committed to championing families. Her philosophy suggests that newborns are highly communicative and capable beings. “Adults need to slow down and listen instead of projecting what they perceive to be what the baby is saying,” Erin explains.

• Gentle Giraffes offers personalized care plans that address the needs of singletons, twins, high-order multiples, and functionally complex newborns.
• Their Services range from overnight live-out care to 12-24/7 around-the-clock live-in care, Travel and Surrogate care, Newborn Sleep Assessment services, Formal Sleep Training and Virtual Support, à la Carte consultations, as well as education with expecting parents classes, and wellness planning, to name a few.
• Erin has been featured in Parents Magazine, NY Weekly Magazine, CradleWise, The Nanny Magazine, Care.com, Consumer Reports, and The Boston Globe.
• Erin was a top-five finalist for the INA Nanny of the Year Award in 2023.
• Her advocacy extends beyond families, including testifying in support of the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Law, trained as a Domestic Workers Mediator, and co-hosting a domestic workers radio show, as well as organizing training days for childcare providers and introducing high-quality classes and courses to New England to support the professional childcare industry and the children in their care.
• She is proficient in helping newborns sleep 8-12 hours by 16 weeks and specializes in oral dysfunction as it affects the baby from head to toe.
• Erin educates families and organizes the team of functional support professionals that newborns often require, which families may not be aware of.
• Erin is also educated and experienced in advanced twin and higher-order multiple care, among other services.

Bridging Functional Health and Wellness with Medical Support

Gentle Giraffes fills a meaningful gap between medical advice and the functional health and wellness industry, providing a well-rounded and holistic approach to whole-body and hands-on care for every newborn and family. Erin’s team acts as a guide, collaborating closely with Pediatric Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Occupational Therapists, Cranial Sacral Therapists, Myofunctional Therapists, Pediatric Dentists, Lactation Consultants, Nutritionists, Pelvic Floor Therapists, and many Mental Health Professionals, creating a comprehensive support system for families. By doing so, parents are able to feel more confident in caring for their newborns and receive both emotional and physical support throughout postpartum recovery. This approach offers reassurance, particularly in cases where parents may not feel fully supported by their medical provider, who often reassures them by saying everything is “fine” and “normal” because the newborn is gaining weight. This can sometimes leave families feeling uncertain if their baby is inconsolable, unable to sleep, or eating insufficiently, even if weight gain is occurring.

Therefore, families can establish healthier and more sustainable routines, enhance bonding, foster a deep, secure attachment, and support a baby’s early development from the very beginning.

• Focus on early habits that may influence long-term sleep, cognitive growth, and overall health.
• Support for parents’ mental health and physical recovery.
• Guidance to help families interpret their baby’s cues and respond with confidence.
• Virtual consultations and ongoing education for families seeking flexibility and support.

Their clients are also expressing appreciation. Annie says, “We were so fortunate to have Erin and her team care for our baby during the first 6 weeks of his life. They provided exceptional care for our baby, which enabled us to rest easy knowing he was in great hands. On top of that, we felt well supported by their expertise. Although this was our third baby, there were issues we hadn’t experienced before (e.g., reflux, tongue tie), and with the help of Erin’s excellent referrals, we were able to address the issues early to minimize disturbance to his health.”

Lilly says, “I can’t say enough good things about Erin and Gentle Giraffe’s. To say that Erin came into our lives when we needed her most is an understatement. I can’t imagine where we would be without her help (probably completely sleep deprived and miserable). I highly recommend reaching out to Erin to see how she and her staff at Gentle Giraffe’s can help you.”

Tréjonda says, “Erin is a great advocate in the industry with a phenomenal company that provides top-notch quality care to all clients.”

Changing the Narrative on Private Childcare

Erin has long championed the recognition of private childcare professionals. She believes society must begin to value their expertise on par with other essential professionals. She advocates for making the industry a higher priority… because children are our priority. Through her work, she helps families understand the significant role these caregivers play in promoting lifelong wellness.

Gentle Giraffes has thus evolved into a movement, working towards the creation of a world where every family has access to knowledgeable, compassionate care from pregnancy through early childhood.

• Erin actively organizes and brings training to her area while mentoring her team of newborn care specialists, striving to raise industry standards.
• Gentle Giraffes offers business community memberships for professionals to connect, learn, and collaborate with one another.
• Erin’s work is featured on TV and in various publications, helping to raise awareness about the importance of this field.
• Her leadership inspires a new generation of newborn care specialists and professional nannies who combine science, empathy, and advocacy to create a more compassionate and effective approach to care.

Summary

Erin Carroll-Manning’s Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care & Family Services is transforming the landscape of family health and wellness. By bridging the gap between medical advice and practical, hands-on guidance, Erin and her team provide parents with functional support that fosters confidence and promotes healthy development. Their work helps families thrive during what can be a challenging time, proving that the early weeks of a baby’s life don’t have to be stressful or filled with uncertainty — they can be joyful and empowering.

Gentle Giraffes shows that providing support during these formative moments can help lay a strong foundation for lifelong wellness.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Parents should consult with qualified healthcare providers for advice regarding their child’s health, well-being, and medical needs.