About the Creator of BabySense©

Cristy Balcells earned her Masters of Science in community and public health nursing at the University of Virginia in 2002. She developed a novel program for mothers and their infants called “BabySense”, and implemented the program at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. "BabySense" was recognized as the outstanding innovative program of 2004 at the recent AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) Conference in Tampa, Florida.

Cristy also has a Bachelor’s degree in child psychology from the University of Alabama-Birmingham (1996), and is a certified Dale Carnegie Instructor. She used her experience as a trainer and working with children and families to fill the need for further community education and support of new families during the first year of parenthood by developing a complete program curriculum for “BabySense”, an age-specific series which uses developmental play and sensorial activities for learning.

Her focus includes promotion of attachment parenting and positive maternal-infant interaction. Cristy also receives daily experience and training as a mother of three children ages three and under!

Cristy has written a number of articles pertaining to child development. These are available for review by clicking the links below. Please note that you must have Adobe Acrobat® Reader, a free download, to view the articles.

BabySense for New Moms and Dads BabySense: 1 to 3 Months BabySense: 4 to 6 Months BabySense: It's Time for Toys