The Carol Gray Center for CST Studies

01/05/2026

Last night I had a dream about Barbara Harper. She came to my house for dinner. She gave me two necklaces as gifts. The next day (in the dream) I posted about our visit on social media. One of my friends (in the dream) left me a voicemail saying that I should not post about other people because it would dilute my brand. I then called my friend and explained that Barbara is super famous and worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. I said it was an honor to know her. If anything, I was name dropping. That part is true in all realms. Here is a video of Barbara's presentation at a conference I hosted in 2014. Enjoy! I love you, Barbara.❤ Thank you for all the work you do to help babies and all of humanity.
Barbara Harper's Fan Page

© Carol Gray 2014 All Rights ReservedThis presentation was part of the Infant & Maternal CST Conference 2014, September 10-13 in Portland OregonBirth creates...

01/04/2026

It's newsletter time! If you don't get it in your inbox you can read it here: https://mailchi.mp/carolgray/g9uqin4gmc-17446887

01/02/2026

I've been working on a swaddling handout. What do you think?

When babies are swaddled for sleep they miss the benefits of movement. When babies are restricted from moving they can't effectively build strength and coordination in their bodies. The only way they can learn how to move and use their bodies is to actually do it.

If babies rarely stretch their arms, move their legs, wiggle their toes and touch their bodies, their learning and development may be delayed.

Newborns have protective reflexes that make them automatically turn their heads from side to side and bat things away from their faces. These reflexes diminish over time. Swaddling poses a suffocation risk for babies who are starting to roll from back to side and from back to front. If they have been allowed freedom of movement they are able to lift their heads and shift their weight. If they have not developed sufficient strength and coordination due to swaddling, they may become stranded face down when their newborn protective reflexes naturally diminish. This is especially true if they are swaddled when it happens.

Two months is the suggested age for stopping swaddling entirely. We recommend stopping it much sooner.

What are the benefits of swaddling?
1. Swaddling helps soothe an awake fussy baby in the first couple of weeks.
2. Babies who are placed on their backs for sleep may sleep longer if swaddled.
3. Swaddling for sleep may dampen the startle (Moro) reflex which could arouse a drowsy baby.
4. Denying access to their hands may prevent babies from scratching themselves.
5. Swaddling is an extra layer to keep a baby warm.

What are the downsides of swaddling?
1. A blanket can come undone and obstruct the baby's mouth or nose, making it hard to breathe.
2. Swaddling may cause overheating.
3. Lack of body mobility opportunities may delay development.
4. Swaddling may increase the risk of hip dysplasia if wrapped too tightly around the baby's lower body.
5. It interferes with normal motor skill acquisition by restricting shoulder mobility and arm movements. Babies need to develop shoulder girdle strength in order to get ready for crawling.
6. It inhibits skin to skin contact.
7. Swaddling may cause babies to sleep when they should be awake feeding. This may affect their growth and possibly jeopardize the milk supply.
8. Swaddling for sleep increases the time it takes the startle (Moro) reflex to go away. It takes practice.
9. Swaddling deprives babies access to their own hands. Babies need access to their hands:
- for hand eye coordination development.
- to show hunger cues.
- to learn about their own bodies.
- to calm themselves.
- to learn about the world around them.

12/02/2025

My top 10 things to do while awaiting the return of the light:
1. Take a bath
2. Delete things from the to-do list
3. Build raised garden beds
4. Sit by the fire
5. Make fun plans
6. Knit
7. Go for a walk
8. Call a friend
9. Make soup
10. Read a non work-related book
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What are yours?
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Here's the link to my December newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/carolgray/g9uqin4gmc-17446155

11/02/2025

The November newsletter is ready. You can read it here (if you don't already get it in your inbox): https://mailchi.mp/carolgray/g9uqin4gmc-17445373

10/28/2025

Need an ethics class? I still have openings in Professional Ethics for Bodyworkers on November 22. This is a live interactive virtual class (not prerecorded) approved by NCBTMB for 4 hours of continuing education credit. This class meets ethics/boundaries/communication requirements for LMTs including Washington and Oregon.

Professional Ethics for Bodyworkers $89 4 Hours: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Pacific Time This is an interactive live virtual class. It is not prerecorded. You’ll get a confirmation email when you register. You’ll get a reminder and a Zoom link for the online class 48 hours before it starts. Saturday N...

10/28/2025

CST for Infants October 2025. How many times have I taught this class? 80!!!! That's hundreds of students trained and THOUSANDS of babies treated in our clinics.
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It was pouring rain at the end of class so we took an indoor masked group photo. The one I like best is the one where we made silly faces.
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What's not silly? The beautiful baby treatments my students provided. Special thank you to Sasha Froblom, my fabulous teaching assistant.

10/19/2025

Last night my husband asked me how many times I've taught Subtle Hands-On Skills. I counted them up. Guess what? I've taught it 127 times. I had no idea the number was so high!
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Here are my students for the 127th Subtle Hands-On Skills class - October 2025 . This class was super special. Extra thanks to my amazing teaching assistant, Anjuli Shah-Johnson

10/02/2025

Here's a link to my latest newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/carolgray/g9uqin4gmc-17444638 It's October already!

10/01/2025

Have you been thinking about taking a class with me? Does it seem like my classes are always full? A spot just opened up in Subtle Hands-On Skills October 15-17. Things I teach in this class form the foundation of every skilled CST practice. What you learn will blend with and enhance manual therapy skills learned elsewhere. Plus, it's the prerequisite for my CST for Infants and other classes.

Subtle Hands-On Skills $1350 USD 21 hours – three days Wednesday – Friday 9:00 – 5:00 October 15-17, 2025 – one opening April 29 – May 1, 2026 – waiting list May 27-29, 2026 October 21-23, 2026 Subtle Hands-On Skills Class Description: This class is the prerequisite for CST for Infants, ...

09/30/2025

Understanding Infants - September 2025: For some reason, I have no class photos taken indoors. Although my new studio IS wonderful. It's just that the weather cooperated again and allowed us to spend afternoons outdoors. It was glorious! Emily Spaeth from Be Well Baby taught a knockout class to a top notch group of students! I know some people wanted to take this class, but couldn't make the dates work. We'll be offering it twice in 2026 - in March and September. I can't wait!

09/20/2025

Hey Portland: We have a unique opportunity for parents of infants. The fabulous Emily Spaeth of Be Well Baby is teaching a class at The Carol Gray Center for CST Studies. It's called Understanding Infants: Reflexes, Skills and Temperament September 27-28.

We have demonstration appointments available for babies. Do you want to participate? PM me for more details.

During this 30-minute session, you and your baby will join Dr. Emily Spaeth at the front of the classroom for a live demonstration. Dr. Emily will gently guide everyone through the milestones and skills your baby is working on right now—highlighting what’s typical for this stage and showcasing the remarkable ways your little one is growing, moving, and connecting.

While the demo is designed for students to deepen their understanding of infant development, it’s also a joyful opportunity for you to celebrate your baby’s progress, notice the subtle details you may not have seen before, and gain confidence in recognizing and supporting your baby’s unique development.

P.S. We also have room for more students in this class.
P.P.S. Emily will give babies mini CST treatments while she talks.

Understanding Infants: Reflexes, Skills, and Temperament $900 USD 14 hours – two days Saturday – Sunday 9:00 – 5:00 September 27-28 Taught by Dr. Emily Spaeth, DPT, IBCLC, TIP Class Description: Most people aren’t quite sure how to engage with a baby in a way that supports their little brain...