How to count the 'babies'? That's card counting. Renzey's point is that many of these decisions are very close calls, and it doesn't take much of a change in the count to make these plays appropriate.
Even against a CSM, if the table is covered with small cards, some changes in strategy become mathematically correct. I definitely don't advise that anyone make these plays by guessing when it is appropriate. The true basic strategy player is better off just ignoring these situations.
The main thing the basic strategy player should take from this article is the idea that if you see another player not playing exact basic strategy, don't assume it is because they don't know any better. They may just have a better handle on the game than you think.
As for pressure from the rest of the table, you're right about that. A good example is the commonly correct play for a card counter of hitting 12 against a dealer 4,5, or 6. It's a play that is appropriate quite often, but it invariably draws unwanted attention from the other players. That's another good reason to play heads-up if possible.