Chick Chat: The Baby Chick Podcast: Recent Episodes
Baby Chick
Welcome to Chick Chat: The Baby Chick Podcast where we dole out no-nonsense pregnancy and parenting tips and advice. Host, Nina Spears, is coming from a place where experience meets expertise. She has worked with hundreds of families and has condensed all that she has learned to bring you simple, practical, and immediate advice for preventing pregnancy and parenting conundrums.
Returning to school can be a lot for the whole family — not just for the kids but also for parents. You have to adapt to a new schedule; your kids get new teachers, they may have to make new friends and more. It can be a lot. And while change can be good, it can also be challenging. Our podcast guest, Kelly Smith, is an expert in her field, and she is sharing some helpful tips and mindfulness activities for kids to make the back-to-school transition better and easier for everyone. Who is Kelly Smith? Kelly Smith is a globally renowned yoga and meditation teacher, founder of Yoga For You, and host of the chart-topping Mindful in Minutes podcast and its spin-off, MedKelly's Mama. Kelly's successful show and accessible but powerful approach to mindfulness have solidified her as a rising star in the world of yoga and meditation. In the fall of 2023, Kelly published her first book, Mindful in Minutes: Meditation for the Modern Family. Kelly wrote the book with the primary goal of helping families of all kinds learn how to use meditation to cope with the everyday struggles of being a person who is also part of a family. What Did We Discuss? In this episode, Kelly talked about mindfulness for modern families and activities to help ease the back-to-school transition for kids and parents. Here are some of the questions we covered:
How can parents and families benefit from mindfulness and meditation?
Back to school can be a time of stress and worry for both parents and children. How can mindfulness help ease some of these typical troubles?
What is the best way to introduce meditation to children?
What relaxation techniques can we arm our children with as we send them back to school?
Some children worry more than others or may be scared or afraid to go to school. Separation anxiety could be an issue. What exercises might help ease their fears?
How can we teach children compassion for other kids who may be struggling?
How can families participate in mindfulness practices together with Kelly'sher?
Kelly's mindfulness activities for kids and tips are great for going back to school, but I noticed that they can be used many times in our lives. There are so many benefits to practicing mindfulness and meditation. Doing these practices as a family is a wonderful way to introduce them into your kids' lives and grow together through challenging times. Kelly's Resources
Website: Yoga For You
Mindful in Minutes podcast
Meditation Mama podcast
Her book (available Sept 5, 2023): Mindful in Minutes: Meditation for the Modern Family
Instagram: @yogaforyouonline
Youtube: Yoga For You
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When you have a child, you realize that you'll be preparing three meals a day, seven days a week, for the next 18 years for each of your kids. That can be a bit overwhelming to think about for any parent. Thankfully, our guest today, Chef Catherine McCord, knows this all too well as a mother of three. We are excited to have her as our guest on this episode because she is sharing her experience, tips, and tricks to make the age-old question, "What's for dinner?" much easier for us all. Who is Catherine McCord? Catherine McCord is the founder of the popular website weelicious.com and the family food brand One Potato. She is the author of Smoothie Project, Weelicious, Weelicious Lunches, and her newest book Meal Prep Magic: Time-Saving Tips for Stress-Free Cooking. Catherine has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Kelly Clarkson Show. She is a regular on the NBC Emmy Award–winning show Danny Seo Naturally as well as Food Network’s #1 rated Guy’s Grocery Games. Catherine lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children and she has earned the trust of parents everywhere, including some familiar names such as Jennifer Garner and “The Pioneer Woman” Ree Drummond. What Did We Discuss? In this episode, Catherine McCord talked about all things motherhood and how to navigate the kitchen and feed your family with less stress! Here are some of the questions we covered:
How did your journey as a mom play a role in creating Weelicous?
What are your tips for not feeling overwhelmed in the kitchen?
What are some of your cooking tips that you use every day?
What ingredients do you always have stocked in your kitchen?
What are your tips for overcoming the picky eater hurdle with kids?
What are your go-to recipes for busy nights when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare a meal?
Have you ever had a cooking or kitchen “fail?”
Does your family have any mealtime traditions?
Do your children enjoy joining you in the kitchen to cook?
What are the most challenging parts about being a mother and entrepreneur, and how do you balance it all?
What does a typical day look like for you?
What mom hack do you think every mom should know?
A lot of the magic is also in her new book, Meal Prep Magic. It takes readers a step beyond the ideological approach of Marie Kondo and The Home Edit, bringing parents a practical guide to organizing the most important space in their home — the kitchen. It offers 100 of her favorite family recipes, including tried-and-tested secrets for saving time. (What parent doesn't want that?) We also really love how the recipes are easy to prep and make ahead. It's a great book for all home cooks and busy mothers! If you want your time to get easier in the kitchen, listen to this episode! Catherine's Resources
Weelicious
One Potato
Her latest book: Meal Prep Magic: Time-Saving Tips for Stress-Free Cooking
Instagram: @weelicious
TikTok: @weelicious
Twitter: @weelicious
YouTube: Weelicious
Pinterest: @weelicious
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About to have a baby? Expecting moms often think about everything the baby will need, but what about you — the mother you are becoming? Preparing for motherhood and your postpartum time is imperative. It's a transformative time — mind, body, and soul. And there is a lot to think about and consider when preparing for your new life with your baby. This is why we are grateful to chat with Anne Wanlund and Stef Werdmuller on today's episode to dive deeply into the postpartum period, including postpartum wellness and the connection between postpartum depression and breastfeeding. Who are Anne & Stef? Anne Wanlund is the Co-Founder and CEO of Canopie, a digital maternal mental health company. Before Canopie, she spent over five years leading maternal health organizations in East Africa, most recently as the COO of a social enterprise that uses technology to improve maternal and child nutrition. She has worked in global health for the State Department, USAID, and Massachusetts General Hospital and has a Master's degree from Tufts University. Anne is channeling her passion and expertise in maternal health and personal experiences with mental health conditions as a new mom to address the enormous care gap. Stef Werdmuller is an IBCLC, teacher, and medical records coordinator at Aeroflow Healthcare. She is also a postpartum doula and student herbalist with an ever-increasing passion for supporting growing families. After a challenging experience breastfeeding her first child without access to resources and support, Stef was inspired to care for other parents going through the same issues. Stef values sustainability and innovation and wants the mothers she supports to know that they matter, and that non-judgmental help is available while they nourish their babies. What do we discuss? In this episode, we chat with Stef and Anne about all things postpartum, including the connection between postpartum depression and breastfeeding. So many things are going on with our bodies when we are postpartum. With all of the changes, physically and emotionally, it's important to keep certain things in mind and do certain things for a smoother transition to new motherhood. Anne and Stef explain how mothers' mental health can impact their ability to feed their babies, and thankfully, they share where mothers can turn for help and much lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
During pregnancy, we wait nine long months (some more, some less) to meet our precious babies. Then, once our babies enter the world, our world is truly never the same. Everything is about the baby. And everyone begins asking about the baby. Yes, the baby is extremely important, but what about the mom? Our guest today, Becky Vieira, is saying, "Enough about the baby!" She wants to bring more attention and support to new moms, and we're chatting with her all about it. Who is Becky Vieira, aka WittyOtter? We're excited to have Becky Vieira as our guest! Becky is the voice behind the popular Instagram mom account @WittyOtter, where she is leading the shift in how women speak about motherhood. Becky has been a go-to writer in the parenting space for more than seven years for sites like Baby Center and Scary Mommy. Before becoming a writer, she spent fifteen years as a publicist for some of the biggest public relations agencies. She represented major consumer brands, including Mattel’s Barbie®, Disney Consumer Products, and the charitable Stand Up to Cancer program. Becky now lives in Northern California with her husband and son, and we are pumped to "chick chat" with her about the first year of motherhood. In this episode, we chat with Becky about all things motherhood, strategies for thriving, and how we can shift the traditional perspective of the first year of motherhood. Becky is hilarious and honest in sharing her struggles during her first year of motherhood. She touches on her experience with postpartum depression, the problems she faced in her marriage, and her post-baby body image. We appreciate her strength and willingness to share her own personal stories to help better prepare moms for the reality of that first year and strategies for thriving. It's a great episode that we think every new mom should listen to. Becky's Resources
Her Book: Enough About the Baby: A Brutally Honest Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood
Her Social Media:
Instagram: @WittyOtter
Twitter: @WittyOtter_
Facebook: @WittyOtter
Buy Nothing Project
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The pelvic floor is usually not something a person regularly thinks about. Unfortunately, it's not something someone necessarily pays attention to until they experience a problem. When a woman becomes pregnant and has a baby, many women start to recognize just how important their pelvic floor is and that they may need to seek help. Pelvic floor health is not the sexiest topic, but it's a vital one, especially for expecting women and mothers. And today's guest, Dr. Marcy Crouch, is an expert talking with us all about vaginas and the pelvic floor. She's sharing her vast knowledge and experience as well as what all women need to know about pelvic floor health during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Who is Dr. March Crouch? Dr. Marcy is the founder of The Down There Doc. She's a mama and a doctor dedicated to universally serving, empowering, and equipping women and the birthing community with confidence-building and injury-prevention tips, along with valuable information and knowledge to support birth preparation and postpartum recovery. Through The DownThere Doc's content, online programs, virtual sessions, advocacy, and clear, candid information, Dr. Marcy and her team of experts are dedicated to creating better care for women everywhere. Her vision is to set a new standard of physical health and well-being for birth preparation and postpartum recovery for the birthing community so women thrive physically throughout their lives. We absolutely love this mission and are ecstatic to have her on our show. You'll leave this episode feeling more knowledgeable about your pelvic floor, and you'll have a better understanding of what you can do to better prepare for childbirth, how to effectively push during labor, some recovery from childbirth tips, and the most useful pelvic floor tips in the days and weeks following childbirth. Dr. Marcy's Resources
The Down There Doc
Push Prep 101 (FREE webinar)
In this webinar, Mamas will learn what to REALLY expect during pushing and delivery (including Dr. Marcy's proven system to reduce the risk of tearing), so they can leave fear at the doorstep and give birth confidently!
Instagram: @thedowntheredoc
TikTok: @thedowntheredoc
No Mama Left Behind
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As someone with a twin brother who has autism, this topic is very near and dear to my heart. It's important to me to have this discussion with a professional so that more people can understand autism, what it means, the signs and symptoms, and how families can get help. The CDC recently released data showing 1 in 36 children is now affected by ASD. Now more than ever, we all need to understand autism better. Who is Jana Sarno? Today we have Jana Sarno as our guest! Jana is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive educational, clinical, and professional development experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University (WMU). Jana then attended The University of Southern Mississippi for her PhD. in school psychology. During her time at USM, she worked with children enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start, local school districts, a multi-disciplinary setting for children with communication and developmental disorders, and the USM School Psychology Clinic. After her time at USM, Jana completed a year-long internship at the Marcus Autism Center, an NIH Autism Center of Excellence in Atlanta, GA. While at Marcus, Jana received intensive clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, verbal behavior, and feeding disorders. It's evident that Jana is an expert in her field, and we are grateful to spend some time with her to chat about autism, early signs and symptoms, and the steps to take if your child is exhibiting any of them. We came with a lot of questions, and she delivered. If you or anyone you know has questions about ASD and wants to learn more, this episode is for you. Jana's Resources
Hopebridge
Instagram: @hopebridge360
Facebook: @hopebridge360
Twitter: @Hopebridge360
LinkedIn: @hopebridge
YouTube: @hopebridge
Association for Science and Autism Treatment
We hope you found this episode helpful. If you did and enjoyed it, please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review.
It's so exciting once your child hits the babbling and talking milestone! Their first words are precious and parents try to do everything they can to help their child learn how to better express themselves and their needs through language. But if you notice that your child isn't saying as many words as his peers, you may be concerned that your child might have a speech or language delay. I know I felt this way with my first child and brought this up to our pediatrician. It can be a real concern, but thankfully there are plenty of resources that can help. Today's podcast guest is talking with us about all of the signs of speech and language delays and what parents can do. Who is Lenora Edwards? On today's episode, we have Speech Language Pathologist Lenora Edwards. Lenora is an ASHA Board Certified Speech Language Pathologist and Chief Knowledge Officer at Better Speech. Since obtaining her CCC's in 2010, she has worked with individuals of all ages, from little ones who are learning to understand and express themselves to adults who want to improve their speaking skills and become more fluent and effective communicators. Lenora shares with us about signs of speech and language delays, how parents can identify a speech or language delay, and all the steps that follow. It's a great episode that will give parents more clarity on what to expect, and how they can help their child if they suspect a delay.
Did you know that our past experiences can affect how we parent in the present? It seems quite obvious, but there are so many layers to this. I've learned a lot about this from Dr. Shefali Tsabary and today, we have the privilege of having her with us on our show.
Who is Dr. Shefali? Dr. Shefali received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Columbia University. Specializing in the integration of Western psychology and Eastern philosophy, she brings together the best of both worlds for her clients. She is an expert in family dynamics and personal development, teaching courses around the globe. She has written four books, three of which are New York Times bestsellers, including her two landmark books, The Conscious Parent and The Awakened Family.
Today, Dr. Shefali is chatting with us about creating the ultimate parent-child relationship. We explore some practical solutions that can allow parents to connect with their children authentically, and she shares some powerful tips from her latest book, The Parenting Map.
We have Dr. Mona Amin back on our podcast! If you didn't hear our last episode with Dr. Mona Amin, she is a practicing pediatrician who sees babies and moms of every ethnicity and social circumstance. She created Peds Doc Talk and shares smart, helpful advice to make the motherhood journey a little easier for her community. Dr. Mona has built an inclusive community of over 280,000 fans and followers across her platforms! She definitely knows her stuff, and we're thrilled to have her back on our show talking about common summer health issues.
Summer is around the corner, and we have many questions for Dr. Mona about health issues that arise during summertime, and we are grateful for her knowledge and advice. There are a lot of things that can happen during the summer — sunburn, bug bites, allergies, and more. In this episode, Dr. Mona shares her first-hand experience with these issues as a pediatrician and how to treat them. You'll leave this episode feeling more prepared for summer with the family!
Parenthood is a crazy beautiful ride. There are ups and downs that so many of us experience. Josh and Paige Peck can relate! I had the privilege of having a quick sit-down chat with them the other day about their parenthood journey thus far — what they've experienced as parents and what has helped them along the way. Listening to their stories and advice was refreshing to hear because even as celebrities, they have experienced a lot of what other parents are dealing with too. I know that parents who listen to this episode will be able to take away something from what we discussed and feel a little less alone too.
Who are Josh & Paige Peck?Josh Peck is a father, actor, writer, author, and podcast host. He can currently be seen in the second season of Hulu's, How I Met Your Father, alongside Hilary Duff and in the Netflix feature film, 13: The Musical, as "Rabbi Shapiro" for director Tamra Davis, alongside Debra Messing. He starred in the Disney+ reboot of Turner & Hooch, playing the son of the beloved role that Tom Hanks originated. And Josh will next be seen in Christopher Nolan's upcoming feature, Oppenheimer, alongside Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. Oppenheimer will release in theaters on July 21, 2023.
Paige Peck is a designer who lovingly cares for their two sons, Max and Shai. The Pecks currently reside in Los Angeles, CA.
What are we chatting about?Josh and Paige recently welcomed their second baby home in October 2022 and we are chatting about all things parenting! From transitioning from one to two children, balancing careers, their advice for new parents, and more, they share their experiences with us. We are grateful to hear about their journey as parents and what they have learned along the way.
Not everyone's journey to parenthood looks the same. Some families experience infertility struggles and take fertility treatments like IVF or choose a surrogate. Other families decide that fostering or adoption is the right course for them. There are many ways to become a parent, and we recognize and value each one. To us, as soon as a person welcomes a child into their heart and supports and cares for that child as they grow, they're a parent. And a pretty great parent at that!
I've always had a deep respect for families who adopt. Their stories are heartfelt and beautiful to me. This is one reason I am very excited to have Meghan Quinn on our show! Meghan is a bestselling author, wife, and adoptive mother. As an author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
In this episode, Meghan opens up and talks to us about everything adoption and motherhood while balancing a career. Having written so many happily ever afters, Meghan shares how she and her wife found their own happily ever after through adoption. They have two beautiful children — a son and a daughter. Her story is filled with highs and lows, and we hear how Meghan grows through the experience of becoming a mother. I found myself cheering Meghan and her wife on as she told her story. It's obvious that she's a wonderful mother and a great storyteller — here's where you can buy her books!
We hope you found this episode of finding happily ever after through adoption enjoyable. Please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review. It would mean so much to us.
Postpartum. For most, it's a vulnerable and challenging time in motherhood. We are healing, learning, and evolving into the mothers our babies need us to be. It can be a lot, but thankfully there are things that we can do to prepare for the postpartum period, and there is support to help us through it. We have the Mama Psychologists with us today, and they are sharing their top postpartum tips, as well as what moms need to know after having a baby.
Who are the Mama Psychologists?Today's guests are Chelsea Bodie and Caitlin Slavens! They are best friends, registered psychologists, and, most importantly, mothers who struggled significantly in the postpartum period. From months-long NICU stay to birth traumaand postpartum anxiety—they truly have experienced many of the topics they cover with their clients and their audience on Instagram and social media.
In this episode, Caitlin and Chelsea are chatting about all things postpartum; normalizing post-baby mental health struggles, navigating #momlife, and finding strength amid the chaos. They share their own postpartum experiences and tips they believe all new moms should know. We are grateful they are here on our show to discuss these topics with us. They also give us great insight into their new book! If you're preparing for postpartum or are in the thick of it now, this episode is for you.
Bringing home your new baby is a time you've looked forward to all pregnancy and a moment you will never forget. Getting home and figuring out your new routine as you heal and bond with your baby is a whole other adventure. This is especially true if your baby has colic. This fussiness and what feels like constant crying can be tough on anyone. All you want to do as a parent is calm your baby and make them happy and comfortable. No one knows this better than our guest today, pediatrician Dr. Deena Blanchard. Two of her sons had colic when they were babies, and as a pediatrician, she has helped hundreds of families during the postpartum time. So if you're wondering what colic is, what you can do to support your baby, and want a better understanding of colic, listen to this episode. She is sharing with us her experience and expert tips!
Who is Dr. Deena Blanchard?Dr. Deena is a mother and renowned pediatrician passionate about colic, breastfeeding, and child development. She received the Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Women's Association Glascow-Rubin Achievement awards. We are very honored to have her on our show.
Let's Talk About ColicToday, Dr. Deena is chatting with us about colic — the causes, the symptoms, and the treatments, so we all can completely understand colic. Whether you are currently experiencing colic with your baby, know a friend dealing with this issue, or maybe you're expecting and want to prepare yourself just in case your new little one has colic in the future, this episode is for you.
Our babies learn so much from us as their parents, but we can learn a lot from our babies too. They are natural movers—curious about everything and always ready to explore the world. We see that all babies are already little athletes. They run, jump, squat, plank, and learn through movement and play. As we explore the world and play with our babies, we both become stronger and grow stronger together. Robin Arzón saw this in her daughter and her little friends and has now published her latest book, Strong Baby, in honor of them. We are thrilled to have her as our guest today on our show to learn more about it.
Who is Robin Arzón?Robin Arzón is Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton. She believes that sweat transforms lives, and her story is living proof. Robin is the two-time New York Times bestselling author of Strong Mama and Shut Up and Run and the author of the newly released book Strong Baby, which teaches children the importance of movement and encourages families to move together. She lives in New York City with her husband Drew and their adorable daughter Athena and has another strong baby on the way!
Today Robin is chatting with us about celebrating strength and inspiring families to be strong together. She believes movement is medicine, and it is so important to model strength for our babies as they grow. Her new book, Strong Baby, shares this message and shows us all that the power is within ourselves. You are strong, and so are our babies. Robin said, "They may be little, but they are mighty. They are strong from the inside out. Let's listen to the wisdom that lives in our bodies."
Get a copy of her book, Strong Baby, available on Amazon on February 21, 2023!
As parents, we know that each child is different, including how they learn. Because we all learn differently, how can parents set their children up for success? A great place to start is to learn more about the brain and how it works. This can help better understand how your child learns. We're excited about today's podcast guest because she gives us a deeper look into the brain and how we learn. If there is anything that parents can do to help their children have a brighter future, we want to do it! Here's how.
Who is Betsy Hill?Betsy Hill is the President of BrainWare Learning Company, a company that builds learning capacity through the practical application of neuroscience. She is an experienced educator and has studied the connection between neuroscience and education. She is a former chair of the board of trustees at Chicago State University, and she teaches strategic thinking in the MBA program at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where she received a Contribution to Learning Excellence Award. She also received a Nepris Trailblazer Award for sharing her knowledge, skills, and passion for the neuroscience of learning in classrooms around the country. Betsy is also the co-author of the recently released book "Your Child Learns Differently, Now What?"
Today Betsy is chatting with us about the benefits of building cognitive learning skills and the long-lasting effects of these skills for education and beyond. As parents, understanding how the brain learns and how your child's brain learns best can help us empower them to help them and achieve their fullest learning potential, which is what we all want! Listen to this episode with Betsy to learn more!
Resources Betsy mentioned:* Brain Matters - Dr. Patricia Wolfe * Cognitive Rating Scale on MyBrainWare.com
Every parent hopes and prays for their child to grow healthy and happy. We also hope that with our guidance, they will be respectful and loving to themselves and others. Everything we do as parents influences our children, and there's a lot that we can do to set them up for success. Today's guest has given us helpful tips and insight on what works!
Jess VanderWier is a Registered Psychotherapist, a mom of three, and the Founder of Our Mama Village. She started Our Mama Village to support parents as they raise emotionally healthy little kids and care for their own mental health in the process. Our Mama Village has helped thousands of parents learn how to understand their child’s behavior and parent in a way that feels good to them.
Today, Jess is sharing her tips on how to raise a respectful, loving child. It’s so important to understand your child's emotions as well as have compassion for your own needs. There are simple methods and techniques you can feel good about using to raise an emotionally intelligent, respectful, and loving child. Listen to the episode to learn all about them!
Today, we are honored to have pre and postnatal fitness expert Brooke Cates with us on our podcast. Brooke is the Founder and CEO of The Bloom Method, a Certified Personal Trainer, Pre & Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist, Diastasis Recti & Core Rehabilitation Specialist, and Pre & Postnatal Holistic Health Specialist. Her knowledge and experience are truly impressive. Brooke created The Bloom Method with a desire to empower women through movement before, during, and after their pregnancies. And she and her company are doing just that.
In this episode, Brooke is chatting with us about the pregnancy workout that can make childbirth easier. That’s right! Brooke recognized gaps in the mainstream and pregnancy fitness worlds and has created labor training, functional exercise movements, and innovative core techniques to keep women strong and thriving through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. She also shares many more helpful tips and wisdom in this episode that will leave you feeling more confident in your birthing journey.
Giving birth is a powerful moment in a woman's life. As a birth doula for over a decade, I've witnessed hundreds of women walk into their new role as mothers as they welcome their children into the world. The biggest goal of a doula is for the expecting woman to feel fully supported, informed, heard, and respected during her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We want her to have the birth experience she ultimately desires because that's what every mother deserves. With knowledge and support, we believe she can take charge of her birth and feel empowered in her birthing time. A woman who I've admired in my doula journey, who is well respected in the birthing world, and who has been empowering mothers for decades, is Henci Goer. I am overjoyed that she has joined us on our podcast today!
Who is Henci Goer?Henci is the author of four books: Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach (co-author Amy Romano MSN, CNM), The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth (which is one of my top books to read during pregnancy), Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities, and her latest book Labor Pain: What's Your Best Strategy? In addition, she has written numerous blog posts and articles, given lectures around the world, and received multiple awards for her work. Henci's passion and life's work provide pregnant women with what they need to make decisions about their care: complete and accurate information, presented neutrally, on the pros and cons of all their options. In her efforts, Henci wants to be a resource, not a guide, and instead of leading, she wants to have your back.
Today, Henci is chatting with us about optimal birth care. Instead of offering instruction on what constitutes optimal care and how to obtain it, she wants to help empower women to take charge of their births. Her goal is to help expecting moms figure out what is right for them and how to get it. Listen to this episode to hear her story and her best advice!
Sleep is something that many new parents obsess over. Is their baby getting enough sleep? Too much sleep? Not enough consolidated sleep? It can be overwhelming and exhausting. One of the biggest fears about sleep that many parents with a new baby have is SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. About 2,300 babies die per year in the United States.1 It's an alarming statistic, and every parent wants to reduce the risk of SIDS for their babies. Thankfully we have a special guest who is talking to us about it and what we can do.
Dr. Harvey Karp is one of America's most trusted pediatricians and we are thrilled to have him on our podcast again. He is the author of the bestselling books Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block and the video Happiest Baby on the Block, which I highly recommend. Dr. Karp has become a household name and has helped millions of parents understand safe infant sleep practices. He has guided parents on nurturing their children and relieving some of the stressful issues new parents face. We couldn't think of a better person to talk to about this important topic.
Today Dr. Karp discusses SIDS — what parents need to know and how to reduce the risk of SIDS. We talk about the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated sleep guidelines, the new research that found a possible connection to babies at risk of SIDS, and more. There are many ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and practice safe sleep, and Dr. Karp is breaking it all down for us.
Resources1. https://www.childrenshospital.org/
Childhood. It can be one of the best times of your life. No real responsibilities. You are just learning, growing, and becoming the person you were meant to be. While some of us wish we could have stayed little forever and avoided adulting and big responsibilities, others couldn't wait to grow up. They couldn't wait to be able to go out on their own, provide for themselves, make their own decisions, have control, and start a new life. Not everyone grows up in a home with a perfect family with a white picket fence. Family trauma is real. And if you have experienced family trauma and have the opportunity to start your own family, breaking the cycles of family trauma can feel like a heavy process.
Today, we have Libby Ward from Diary of an Honest Mom on our show. Libby is all too familiar with this topic. She's a digital creator, speaker, and mental health advocate with a deep commitment to breaking the cycles of family trauma. Libby knows that being a mom is hard and wants other moms to know that it's normal to feel that way. She wants to change the narrative on what it means to be a "good mom" and remind others that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your kids. We couldn't agree more.
In this episode, Libby is sharing with us how to break the cycles of family trauma and move forward. She knows firsthand how important it is to heal from the past and become the mom you want to be for your own family. With her words of wisdom and advice, we feel like you will leave this episode knowing good steps to take to move forward and break the cycles of family trauma that you may have experienced.
Resources that Libby Recommended: * It Didn't Start with You - Mark Wolynn * The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. * The Good Mom Project - a guided journal from Libby
It can often feel like there is always something big and scary going on. Turn on the news, and unfortunately, you'll probably hear of something tragic that happened that day. When you have little ears listening, many parents are unsure of how to approach these tough conversations in a safe and informative way with their child. From racism to gun violence to the pandemic and so many other complex topics, it is essential as parents to start the dialogue with our children at an early age before someone else has those conversations with them. So, how can we have these talks and prepare our children for the real world without scaring or overwhelming them? Today's guest is here to help!
In this episode, we have Tara Miko Ballentine with us. Tara is on a mission to change the way we think about parenting. With a 25+ year background in marketing, she is now focused on empowering parents to have those tough and "outside the box" conversations with their children. She started Bright Littles, a company that sells conversation tools, to help in this mission.
Today, Tara is sharing with us when and how to begin these conversations age-appropriately and why it's important to do so. Our children are being exposed to so many things, and as their parents, we need to ensure we are the ones preparing them for the world. This episode will help you feel more confident when having these talks with your kids.
We all know how wonderful and beneficial breastfeeding is for mothers and babies. However, mothers don't all experience the same breastfeeding journey. For some, it's straightforward and natural, while others experience a lot of struggles and even pain. Some women are surrounded by a lot of encouragement and support, and other women aren't. It can be very discouraging when breastfeeding doesn't happen as easily as you hoped, but we're going to talk about it — the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby, the history of breastfeeding, the root causes of disparities in breastfeeding, and so much more.
Today, we have the privilege of having Dr. Cameual Wright join us on our show. An OBGYN by trade, Dr. Wright is currently the Vice President and Market Chief Medical Officer at CareSource. She leads clinical initiatives to ensure vulnerable populations receive accessible, affordable, high-quality, and high-value healthcare. She is a passionate advocate for the care of women and children and health equity.
Today Dr. Wright is here to discuss everything about breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated its guidelines around breastfeeding, now supporting continued breastfeeding of a child until two years old or older. As the U.S. continues to face a shortage in infant formula, and with these updated guidelines, it's of the utmost importance now for mothers to be informed on breastfeeding. We're grateful to Dr. Wright for sharing informative and helpful information with us on this episode.
Becoming a parent is, in my opinion, the biggest moment in a person's life. Your life will never be the same in all the wildest and best possible ways. Today's guests can relate to this and I am so excited to have them both here on the show, Kam Williams and Leroy Garrett!
Kam is from New Jersey and Leroy is from Las Vegas. They both come from the reality TV world—Kam was originally on Are You the One, and Lee was on The Real World. The two met while they both were filming the show The Challengeon MTV. They’ve been together ever since and now reside in Houston, TX, where they recently welcomed their first child, their adorable son, Kingston. I had the honor of being their birth doula during their pregnancy and birth of Kingston and had the immense pleasure of getting to know these incredible people. We had to have them on the show to get a peek at what new parenthood has really been like.
Today I am chatting with Kam and Leroy about their journey to becoming parents. They're sharing what the pregnancy was really like, what their biggest challenges and best moments have been so far as parents, and they're even sharing what some of their favorite baby products are too! This power couple is an incredible duo. You're sure to find yourself laughing and relating with me throughout this episode. If you want to continue to follow their journey, be sure to check out their accounts below:
- Kam William
- Kam Kollection
- Instagram: @iamkamiam_
- YouTube: @iAmKamiAm
- Twitter: @iamkamiam_
- Leroy Garrett
- RoyleetheBarber
- Instagram: @royleethebarber
- Twitter: @Bruce_Lee85
Having a baby is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, day of your life. It's when you meet the little person you have been growing inside of you that you couldn't wait to meet. It's when you experience all the emotions and are so happy that they are finally here. And once they are here, the postpartum period begins, and not only do you meet your new baby, you begin to meet a new you. Holding your precious little one makes you realize that as you're learning about them, you are also rediscovering you after baby.
Today we have the privilege of having Dr. Ashurina Ream on the show. Dr. Ream is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified in perinatal mental health. After struggling through early motherhood herself, she knew there had to be a better way. She has taken everything she has learned from her own experiences and evidence-based research to help other moms navigate this time. This is how she started Psyched Mommy. She offers great information, tips, and resources through her website, courses, newsletter, and social media.
In this episode, Dr. Ream is sharing about rediscovering you after baby. Dr. Ream believes every mom deserves to be honest about how they feel and met with total support — judgment-free! We are so happy to have her as our guest, and we know that you will leave this episode feeling better about prioritizing yourself, setting boundaries, learning how to deal with all the emotions, and more.
Resources Dr. Ashurina Ream Recommends * Postpartum Support International * Open Path - low-fee service for therapy
It can feel challenging when you need to discipline your child. You may ask yourself, "What is the best way to discipline a child? How can I help my children learn what is right and wrong that won't cause more damage while still holding them accountable for their actions?" Every parent wants to do their best to raise happy, healthy, and kind children. And today, we are so excited to have New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and educator, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson with us on today's episode. She answers all of our questions and gives us solid information on how to discipline our children effectively and compassionately.
Who is Dr. Tina Payne Bryson? Tina is a psychotherapist, author, speaker, mother, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Connectionand The Play Strong Institute. If you are unfamiliar with her name, you may have heard of her work or read one of her excellent books. Tina is the author of The Bottom Line for Baby and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of The Power of Showing Up and The Yes Brain, as well as two New York Times bestsellers — The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline — each of which has been translated into over fifty languages. The Whole-Brain Child has now sold over a million copies.
However, before she's a parenting educator or a researcher, Tina is a mom. We love how she sets limits on her clinical practice and speaking engagements so that she can spend time with her family. Alongside her husband of 27 years, parenting her three boys is what makes her happiest. And this is another reason why we are so grateful that she made time for us.
In this episode, Tina discusses how to discipline our children effectively and compassionately. She gives multiple examples of parenting children of different ages and great tips to use and keep in mind. We discuss her research on the "whole-brain" of a child and what we as parents can learn from this concept. We are honored to have her as our guest, and we thank her for sharing her knowledge and research!
Resources Dr. Sara Reardon Recommends * tinabryson.com * Instagram @tinapaynebryson * Brain-Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke * The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey
A woman’s body goes through many changes during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. One of those changes is her pelvic floor. As a baby grows in the womb, the organs around it move to make room for the baby. This causes the uterus, intestines, and bladder to place extra pressure on the pelvic floor. And whether you had a vaginal birth or a cesarean birth, the pelvic floor after pregnancy and childbirth can potentially cause issues; urinary incontinence, pooping problems, painful sex, organ prolapse, and more! None of this is fun, which is why it’s so important to heal your pelvic floor after baby.
Today, we’re chatting with Dr. Sara Reardon, the Vagina Whisperer. Dr. Reardon is a Physical Therapist, Board Certified Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Therapist, and a mom of two. In 2006, Dr. Reardon created her business, the Vagina Whisperer, so women could finally get the care and attention they deserve regarding pelvic floor health. She’s an expert in her field (watch her TEDx Talk on Rethinking Postpartum Care here), and we are so grateful to have her on our show.
In this episode, Dr. Reardon shares with us how to heal your pelvic floor after baby and everything that comes along with that. She believes we shouldn’t be normalizing pelvic floor problems — instead, we should be normalizing pelvic floor conversations. We couldn’t agree more! And this is why we had this conversation with her to learn more.
Other Resources Dr. Sara Reardon Recommends * Pelvic Rehab * The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
When parents bring home their new baby, everything about their life changes — their priorities, schedules, and sleep. After many sleepless nights, parents can become fixated on how to help their new little one sleep longer stretches. We get it. We've been there. It can be exhausting. But most parents think the only way to get through it is to sleep train their baby. We thought so, too, that is until we met Rachael Shepard-Ohta. We like to call her "the no-sleep-training sleep consultant." She's all about evidence-based, intuitive, and respectful baby sleep and helps parents listen to their intuition, learn more about their specific babies, and helps them discover what's best for them.
Rachael has a Bachelor's and Masters in Elementary and Special Education. When her son was born, she became obsessed with baby sleep, and through her own baby sleep journey, she discovered her new passion. Rachael then decided to pivot her entire career to helping other mothers thrive! She does exactly that with her business and social media, gently leading parents and their babies to better sleep. If you haven't seen Rachael on Instagram @heysleepybaby yet, you'll see a refreshingly new side to baby's sleep and attachment that hasn't been discussed much before. And on today's episode, you'll learn more about sleep science, how to understand your baby (from their temperament and sensory profile to the way they form attachments), and more.
Topics We Discussed: * How she came to use this attachment-first method and why she thinks it is beneficial * Her opinion on traditional sleep training * Her tips for moms in the "sleep obsession" phase and how they can be more confident * How infant brain development and attachment play a part in how our babies learn to sleep
Raising a toddler has its highs and lows. They are incredible little human beings, but they also have a lot of big emotions. Not all of these emotions are pleasant, especially during learning moments, which can be hard for both the child and the parent. As parents, we do our best to guide our children to grow to be their best versions of themselves. Understanding their emotions, behavior, and development can help us better understand and parent our children. That is why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with expert Dr. Cathryn about everything we need to know about toddler behavior.
Dr. Cathryn is a pediatrician of over 30 years, a trained midwife, a mother of four, and a two-time author. It's evident after helping thousands of families and raising children of her own that she is a wealth of knowledge. She has devoted her life to helping parents raise happy, healthy, and successful children. If you don't follow her on Instagram already @healthiest_baby, you should. She is always sharing valuable tips and information with her audience. We are so inspired by her and her work, and we are grateful to have chatted with her. We know that you'll enjoy this episode about toddler behavior too!
Some Topics We Discussed: * Realistic expectations that parents of toddlers can set for themselves. * The best approach for parenting toddlers. * The top wants and needs of toddlers. * How to help parents survive and thrive during the toddler stage.
We love Amazon and shop on their site frequently, especially since we've become parents. However, we've learned that not everything listed for sale on Amazon is safe. This is very eye-opening and concerning for us as consumers, and we had to learn more. We're chatting with Rachel Johnson Greer about what we need to know to spot unsafe products on Amazon so that we can keep our families safe.
Rachel is the author of No Dead Babies: How Amazon Pursued Profit Above Safety and How to Protect Your Family. She worked in the compliance department at Amazon's headquarters for over a decade — that is, until she was deposed from her position for speaking up for consumers' safety. A mother herself, Rachel was sickened by the reports of children that lost their lives due to faulty products. She is on a mission to arm parents with the knowledge they need to keep their families safe.
"If you're a customer of a publicly-traded company, you are not their priority. You are their inputs so they can maximize shareholder value." - Rachel
We're grateful to chat with Rachel today. She's sharing how your Amazon cart may be putting you and your family at risk, strategies to quickly and easily identify if a household item or children's toy is dangerous, and ways for parents to find peace of mind in an often daunting marketplace.
Resources that Rachel Recommends: * CPSC.gov * SaferProducts.gov * RachelJohnsonGreer.com * KidsInDanger.org
We recently learned that there is a higher chance of postpartum depression for women with poor sleep quality. This doesn't come as much of a surprise because we know that sleep is vital to a person's mental and physical health. It's also not a secret that sleep deprivation is inevitable when welcoming home a newborn. So, how can new parents prepare for parenthood and combat this statistic? Because new parents need to care for their babies at all hours, how can they prioritize sleep to help avoid postpartum mood disorders? We're chatting with Dr. Harvey Karp to learn more.
Dr. Harvey Karp is one of America's most-trusted pediatricians and child development experts. He is on the USC School of Medicine faculty and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Karp practiced pediatrics in Los Angeles for over 25 years and is the best-selling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block. His landmark discoveries and unique ability to translate complex science into effective techniques to empower parents have revolutionized our understanding of the needs of young children. He is the founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, a smart-tech and parenting solutions company that invented the SNOO Smart Sleeper, a responsive bassinet that mimics the sounds and motions of the womb.
In this episode, Dr. Karp shares his experience as a parent and pediatrician. We discussed sleep's role in maternal and pediatric health, changing the mindset that mothers also need sleep, his advice for tired new moms, and more!
Life can get busy, especially when you have little ones. And at the end of the day, the never-ending question is always, "What's for dinner?" Today's guest knows this all too well. She's been creating delicious meals over the years and sharing her amazing recipes on her popular blog and social media, Feel Good Foodie. That's right; today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Yumna Jawad from Feel Good Foodie about her tips to get you cooking for your family!
Yumna discovered her passion for cooking after years of working as a food industry marketer. In 2007, she learned to cook with the help of her mother, who worked wonders in the kitchen when Yumna was growing up. With over 3 million Instagram followers, Yumna has become a well-known wizard in the kitchen. I also had the pleasure of meeting her four years ago and enjoyed chatting about all things food with her. She is knowledgeable and so kind. We're big fans!
Today we are chatting with Yumna about the best tips and tricks to get you cooking in the kitchen for your family. Yumna knows firsthand that it can be hard to get a home-cooked meal on the table every night but believes anyone can do it! It can be healthy, delicious, easy, and fun! She's sharing some great advice for parents to feel inspired and excited to start cooking!
Links mentioned: * Feel Good Foodie's "How to Stock a Pantry" * Feel Good Foodie's "Cooking with Kids Guide"
Infertility can feel so isolating but we know that many women experience these struggles. Thankfully more women are speaking up and sharing their stories. I think that talking about this sensitive topic is allowing more people to understand infertility and what their options are. That's why I'm so grateful to have fertility veteran and PhD Scientist, Amy Beckley, joining us today on our podcast. Amy is sharing common fertility struggles, her personal experience with fertility as well as her mission to empower and change the conversation around understanding infertility. We're happy to join her in this important conversation and spread the word.
Amy has been trying to break down barriers for those experiencing infertility for over a decade. She's been very vocal about her own struggles, experiencing 7 miscarriages and several rounds of IVF before inventing the first at-home progesterone test kit to help empower women with more information on why their bodies may be miscarrying.
We hope that today's discussion gives a lot of people hope and answers to what they were looking for.
Resources: * Proov Test * Fertility IQ
Hearing your baby say their first word is such an exciting milestone. But if you're worrying that your baby isn't saying enough words or is slower to talk, you are not the only one. Many parents have these same concerns. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to get your baby to start talking!
We just had the pleasure of having Brooke and Bridget, the Speech Sisters, as our podcast guests! They are speech and language pathologists and are experts in their field. They have more than 20 years of combined experience, and they have diagnosed and treated hundreds of children with a variety of communication disorders and delays. They know how parents feel (they are moms too!) and are super passionate about helping parents and guiding them to get their children to talk.
In this episode, Bridget and Brooke share their best tips and tricks to get your baby talking. We discussed some practical tips to integrate speech and language techniques into your everyday routine as well as their favorite activities! They were a delight to chat with and we are thrilled to have them on to dive into this important subject.
Notes from this episode: * Their thoughts on the CDC Developmental Milestones update * Speech Sisters Webinars/Workshops * You can go to their website and find a course that works for your little one!
With neverending to-do lists, parents sometimes just want their little ones to be entertained and content without always resorting to screentime. This is especially true when bringing home a new baby. You don’t want your older child to be left out, but it’s so helpful if there are some fun and easy activities that can keep them busy while you care for your newborn. This is actually what inspired our guest today!
Susie Allison, from Busy Toddler, is an early childhood education expert and advocate. She has a degree in Elementary Education, taught Kindergarten and First Grade, and was a math and reading curriculum specialist. Once Susie had children, she found her true passion for simple kids’ activities that didn’t involve screentime. And so, Busy Toddler was born! It has evolved into a million-follower Instagram account and a play-based internet haven.
Today we had the pleasure of chatting with Susie about the best tips for keeping your toddler busy and happy. Susie knows firsthand that being a parent is tough, and being a kid can be even tougher. She is answering our questions about hands-on learning and tips on how we can all make it to nap time a little easier!
Here are the great resources that Susie shared with us! All are on Instagram:
- @kids.eat.in.color
- @inclusivestorytime
- @theotbutterfly
- @pedsdoctalk
- @transformingtoddlerhood
- @busytoddler - Susie's account!
You can visit Susie on her website, busytoddler.com, and order her Playing Preschool Program or purchase her book for more!
Did you know that statistics show a girl's self-esteem peaks at age nine and falls from there? This was a heartbreaking statistic that we recently discovered. We wanted to learn more about what we can do to prevent it from falling and empower our girls. That's when we found Melody Pourmoradi, an empowerment coach who is passionate about empowering women and girls across the globe.
Melody has supported thousands of women to live out their life's purpose, create careers that they love, and cultivate a life that lights them up from the inside out. She is an award-winning author who has written books on subjects that include teaching girls how to live a peaceful and happy life and teaching women that the clearest path to raising empowered girls is by first looking in the mirror and doing the inner work necessary to nourish themselves first and foremost.
In today's episode, Melody and I talk about how moms and caregivers can raise young girls' self-esteem. We cover body positivity, friendships, wellness, and more. As a mom of a little girl, I am so grateful to learn more about this topic and how we can impact young girls and empower them to be confident and happy.
Check out Melody's FREE 10-Day Challenge (it shares 10 unique ways to empower our daughters) as well as her book, Empowered Women Empower Girls. Melody's website: getgirlpower.com or melodypourmoradi.com
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it's not always an enjoyable experience for everyone. Many different symptoms can happen; heartburn, morning sickness, back pain, stress, and more. But thankfully, there are some tips that can help you get through. We have Dr. Christine Sterling, board-certified ObGyn and mom of three, as our special guest, and she is sharing her tips on how to make your pregnancy easier and healthier.
Dr. Sterling is on a mission is to provide comprehensive support for the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy. With so much information about what you should and shouldn't do during pregnancy, it's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure it all out. That's why Dr. Sterling is doing her part and started Sterling Parents and her courses.
Today, Dr. Sterling is answering all of our questions, including handling stress during pregnancy and sharing the importance of nourishing ourselves during pregnancy and beyond. We're honored to have her as our guest and hear her expert recommendations. We know you'll leave this episode feeling more prepared and empowered for your pregnancy!
It's a beautiful thing when a couple decides to grow their family and welcome a baby. It's a wonderful way to watch the love you have for one another blossom into something bigger and even more powerful. However, having a baby can bring out the best in people and sometimes the worst. This is why it's so important to prepare for this life-changing time in advance so that you both can be on the same page as partners and as parents. But if you're listening to this episode after you've welcomed home your baby, no worries. There are incredible pieces of relationship advice for us too!
Today's guest is Catherine O'Brien, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of Happy With Baby. Catherine created Happy With Baby for expecting and new parents to discover the advice she wishes she could have had when managing expectation of parenthood and relationships. She is sharing her helpful tools parents can use to communicate better and thrive through this transition with us today. Her warm personality and knowledge will leave you feeling better and equipped to be effective caregivers and have a happy marriage.
We are so grateful to have had Catherine on our podcast to talk about this significant transition in relationships. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook @happywithbaby, as well as read her book!
As parents, we all hear sleep tips and rules from friends, family, and of course, the internet. But is everything we hear accurate? We're going to find out. Today I'm chatting with Janey Reilly about baby sleep myths.
Janey Reilly, the CEO and founder of WeeSleep, is an expert infant and toddler sleep consultant who works with families around the globe to help solve sleep challenges in a positive and personal way so that babies can rest and thrive and parents can rejoice. Janey is a single mother who launched WeeSleep after realizing how important infant and toddler sleep is while struggling with her own child's sleep issues. She knew that many other parents were experiencing similar problems, and it inspired her mission to provide babies and families with healthy sleep.
Having worked with families for over a decade, Janey has seen and heard it all in the sleep world. This is why she is a perfect person to bust the big baby sleep myths. Thankfully she is also sharing her tips for parents and their babies to get better sleep!
Being a mother is the most wonderful and powerful role a woman can have. It's a momentous, life-changing role. And while it is the best thing that has ever happened to us, it is also demanding and can be overwhelming at times. Our to-do lists seem neverending, and we are (usually) the primary caretaker of our children. With so many responsibilities, it's only natural that we feel "touched out," exhausted, and out of control at times. This is when mindfulness can help. And being more mindful in motherhood has incredible benefits for the mother and her family.
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Josephine Atluri, a mindfulness coach and author of the new book, "Mindfulness Journal for Parents." I have read it and have used it as a journal and have loved it. I even gifted it to a friend after she had her baby.
Josephine is an expert in meditation and mindfulness. She has helped thousands of people overcome adversity to find joy. Her personal experience creating her modern-day family of seven children via In Vitro fertilization, international adoption, and surrogacy inspires her work as a highly sought-after fertility and parenting mindfulness coach.
With seven children, she knows the pressures of motherhood. She also knows that life can get chaotic. It's unavoidable, especially with children. But with mindfulness, you can practice simple ways to stay calm and work through moments of stress. Josephine encourages parents to build mindfulness into their habits and routines with their kids. And on this episode, she shares some of her incredible tips and exercises for parents to stay present.
- This episode is brought to you by our friends at Binto! First time customers can receive 20% off their first month of a Binto subscription or any of their products by using our code babychick20. (Excludes gift cards.) Stay healthy, mamas!
So much happens to our bodies after childbirth—whether we’ve had a vaginal birth or cesarean birth. And caring for our bodies before giving birth and after is vital. Thankfully there are gentle products that can help us with natural healing like Momotaro Apotheca, a certified organic and cruelty-free vulvovaginal care line that supports your body’s natural ability to heal. We always want to be kind to our bodies especially during this vulnerable time. That's why we're chatting with Lindsay Wynn, Co-Founder and CEO of Momotaro Apotheca.
Lindsay founded Momotaro out of a necessity in her own life. (You can learn more about her story in this episode.) Along with her business partner, Taylor, they built the brand with the hope that we all can rethink how we talk about our sexual health issues, how we support each other in wellness, and how we understand our bodies. They've developed some groundbreaking proactive plant-based products that work gently yet effectively. They systemically address symptoms associated with common vulvovaginal issues stemming from infection and general irritation without interfering with pH balance, hormones, pheromones, or medication. It's all pretty amazing and we're so glad that they're helping people care for their bodies in places that might night be getting the love or attention they deserve.
I had the best time chatting with Lindsay on this episode. She really is making what some may consider being a "taboo topic" normal and comfortable—as it should be! She has shared some of her experiences and wonderful knowledge with us and tips on how we all can better love and take care of our bodies naturally. I love that and her products. That's why we're uncovering these topics and sharing all of this with you.
To learn more about natural postpartum healing, listen to this episode. You'll learn some valuable tips as well as how each of their Momotaro products can be used to help you before, during, and after the postpartum period.
- Momotaro website
- Momotaro Instagram: @lovemomotaro
- Momotaro blog
- Build your sexual wellness & self-care routine by taking their quiz
Birth trauma. It's a real thing, and everyone's trauma is valid. According to research, up to 34% of women report their birth being traumatic. That's 1 in 3 women. And that is heartbreaking. Not enough people have heard about birth trauma, so today, we are so grateful to chat with Teela Tomassetti, a psychologist from Alberta Canada, and the name and face behind the Instagram account @theteaonbirthtrauma.
Teela has spent the last 15 years specializing in various forms of trauma therapy such as domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, tragic losses, and sexual assault. A few years ago, Teela decided to pursue her Doctorate with a specialty in birth trauma. Since then, Teela has made it her mission to create a safe space to explore birth trauma survivors' experiences, support them in discovering their healing, and shed light on this topic.
Today's episode is all about birth trauma and how to overcome a difficult birthing experience. I am honored to chat with Teela about this. She shares some incredible insight and research, as well as her own traumatic childbirth experience. You will leave this episode so much more knowledgeable, compassionate, and empathic to all birthing trauma survivors.
Throughout pregnancy, many of us realize that we aren't remembering as much as we used to. We're not as quick-witted and are more forgetful. This is why the term "pregnancy brain" has come about. But did you know that there is also "mommy brain"? It's true! Our brains change once we become mothers, even if we're not the birthing mother, and we were fascinated by why this happens to mothers or the main caretaker.
That's why we are thrilled to be chatting with Dr. Mona Amin today about cognitive changes in motherhood. She's dishing out the real scoop on mommy brain! Dr. Mona is a pediatrician, mom, and Enfamil’s Infant Development Expert. Her mission is to share balanced, well-researched parenting advice to lessen those big worries and help moms find more joy in motherhood.
During this episode, we discussed how to support your own cognitive changes (aka mommy brain) as a mother while also fueling your baby’s cognitive changes. Dr. Mona shared some really insightful points and tips for us parents. I know this topic is relatable for so many of us (myself included) and I am excited for you to dive in with us and learn more with Dr. Mona!
When you discover you're pregnant, it's such an exciting and overwhelming time. There's so much to do and to think about! It's normal for women to begin questioning their lifestyle choices and the products they use. Maybe you want to start getting more active. Maybe you want to lower the stress in your life. And maybe you want to rethink what you have been eating in your diet.
We all know that nutrition in pregnancy is important but it can be confusing. Many women aren't sure exactly what they should be eating throughout each trimester. And what one woman should eat during their pregnancy is oftentimes different from another, especially when we look at our DNA.
In today's episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Nicole Avena, an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and a Visiting Professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University. Dr. Avena is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet, and addiction, with a special focus on nutrition during early life and pregnancy, and women’s health. She has written several books and frequently appears as a science expert in the media. This includes regular appearances on the Dr. Oz Show, Good Day NY, and The Doctors, as well as many other news programs. Her work has been featured in Time Magazine, Bloomberg Business Week, Time Magazine for Kids, The New York Times, and many other periodicals. We are thrilled to have her as a guest on our show to discuss nutrition in pregnancy.
Every pregnancy is so different and the nutrition we need from each pregnancy can vary. Thankfully there is a resource that can help us that is called 9Moons. 9Moons is a personalized prenatal nutrition program shaped by your DNA and lifestyle. Dr. Avena is sharing her expert advice and telling us all about it. We are excited to learn more!
This episode is brought to you by our friends at 9Moons.
The holiday season can spark a lot of emotions in the family—excitement, joy, anxiety, dread . . . And that's not including all of the emotions from our toddlers! We know that big events can bring up big emotions. Now that the holidays are upon us, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Leanne about how to prevent toddler tantrums during the holiday season.
Leanne Sherred is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist as well as the President of Expressable, an online speech therapy company that envisions a modern, affordable, and convenient way for anyone who needs speech therapy to access these vital services. Leanne spent her career working in a variety of speech therapy settings before starting Expressable. She worked in pediatric outpatient clinics, schools, early intervention, and home health. She studied Speech and Hearing Sciences at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and gained her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Today Leanne calls Austin, Texas home.
We know that the holidays can be stressful enough without meltdowns. Luckily, our friend Leanne has some useful tools to help us as parents stay ahead of a toddler tantrum by using communication strategies. We’re excited to explore them together with you in this episode. Cheers to preventing toddler tantrums during the holidays!
We know how important it is to take care of ourselves, especially after giving birth—whether that’s C-section or vaginal. However, it can be tough for us new moms to take the time for our health and recovery. We tend to prioritize our baby and family before ourselves. But taking care of ourselves is not saying, "me first," it's saying, "me too." Because we are also important and we matter. On today's podcast, I'm talking with Katherine Baquie, the founder of FitNest Mama. Kath is sharing with us all of her tips on how to help boost your postpartum recovery.
Kath is a proud mama of three, a perinatal physiotherapist, and host of her own podcast, The FitNest Mama Podcast. On her podcast, Kath dives into all things pregnancy care, childbirth, and postnatal recovery, helping mothers to have a better pregnancy and postpartum experience. Kath has over 16 years of professional experience guiding mamas through their pregnancy fitness journeys and postnatal rehab, and she specializes in pelvic floor rehabilitation. With these credentials, it’s not hard to see why mamas are flocking to Kath for pre and postnatal fitness help!
As I mentioned, Kath is sharing her advice with us on how to best recover from childbirth as well as our pelvic floor. She's explaining what exercises moms can do and can’t do after giving birth, and her tips to new moms just beginning their postpartum journeys. We're so grateful to have her as our guest and to listen to her words of wisdom. Cheers to boosting our postpartum recovery!
An exciting part of planning for a baby’s arrival is preparing their room! It can be so much fun pinning beautiful pictures that inspire you on Pinterest for your little one's nursery. However, designing your perfect nursery can also be overwhelming. Where should you start? What do you need? And what can you skip? Parents can feel rattled (no pun intended) when trying to make the room perfect for themselves and their little one. That's why we have a special guest and interior designer, Naomi Coe, breaking it all down for us on today's podcast episode.
Naomi Coe is the award-winning founder of Little Crown Interiors, which is an interior design studio specializing in nursery and child design. She is also the author of the nursery design book, Your Perfect Nursery. Naomi founded Little Crown Interiors in 2008, focusing her design studio on nurseries and child spaces after seeing this specialized skill missing from other firms. Bringing together beauty, functionality, and safety, Naomi believes in creating spaces for her clients that are unique, intentional, and curated.
Naomi has designed nurseries, kids rooms, and playrooms for clients all across the country with a keen eye for style, function, and safety. As one of the first designers in the country with a specialty in these spaces, Naomi is known as the go-to expert in her field. Her work has been featured in countless magazines, periodicals, and on television including People, The Wall Street Journal, Access Hollywood, Project Nursery, and Entertainment Tonight. It's obvious that she's incredibly talented and she has the portfolio to prove it!
We are thrilled to have Naomi with us today to share her expert knowledge and tips on how to create a stylish, functional, and safe nursery for our babies.
Babywearing has been a practice that mothers have used for many, many generations. It's something that I love and recommend to every new parent because it makes things easier on you and better for your baby. Babies want to be close to their parents, and with babywearing, parents can do that while still getting everything they need done.
As a new parent or caregiver, babywearing can be intimidating to start, and there are often a lot of questions. That's why I'm talking to two mamas, Skye and Mallory, who are both extremely well-versed and so passionate about babywearing that they even started their very own ring sling company. They're answering frequently asked questions about babywearing and are sharing their advice.
Skye and Mallory are the Co-Founders of hope&plum, a ring sling company that offers modern, stylish, and size-inclusive designs. Most importantly, they're a welcoming environment where caregivers of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds can come together while exploring the incredible benefits of babywearing.
Mallory is a mother of two, Selah Plum and Shepherd Keane. She lives in Minnesota with her parents, husband, and children. At hope&plum's, Mallory manages the entire production from start to finish. Not only does she handle production, but she is a babywearing educator! She helps their customers get the perfect fit with their ring slings!
Skye is a mother of three, Eleanor Hope, Madelynn Mae, and Kieran Rhys. She works as an attorney in the Washington, DC area and manages the logistical side of hope&plum. Their company has allowed her to pursue her entrepreneurial spirit while also feeding her passion for babywearing. Babywearing is close to her heart. Her first daughter, Eleanor Hope, was in the NICU for several weeks and Skye was unable to hold her until days after she was born. Babywearing allowed Skye and Eleanor to develop the bond that they initially missed out on. It has been an integral part of Skye's journey through motherhood ever since.
We're so happy to have them here answering the most frequently asked questions about babywearing and more. We hope you enjoy this episode too!
Topics that don't get as much attention as they should are when our kids have issues with potty training, experiencing bedwetting, and childhood constipation. I can understand because they're not the most glamorous topics, but some children experience these issues. And when it happens to your child, it can be worrying and frustrating. That's why we wanted to bring an expert on to our podcast to have this discussion.
In this episode, our guest is Dr. Steve Hodges, an associate professor of pediatric urology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He is the country's leading authority on bedwetting, potty training, and childhood constipation. Dr. Hodges has authored numerous journal articles, and several books for children and parents, including Bedwetting and Accidents Aren't Your Fault and The M.O.P. Book: A Guide to the Only Proven Way to STOP Bedwetting and Accidents. He is a father of three and on a mission to inform families that bedwetting is totally misunderstood and highly treatable. And it might just be because your kid is experiencing childhood constipation!
We're grateful to have Dr. Hodges on our podcast to answer our questions about potty training, bedwetting, and childhood constipation. He's giving us the real scoop on poop and sharing his expert advice and recommendations to parents out there. Let's welcome, Dr. Hodges!
Today we are chatting with Cliodhna Griffin, the founder of Born Free Birthing and Houston Placenta Services. Cliodhna is a certified and experienced HypnoBirthing Educator, Master Trainer, and Faculty Member of the HypnoBirthing Institute, and she is proudly Houston, TX’s first APPA triple-certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist providing professional placenta encapsulation services from Houston’s only freestanding commercial-grade placenta preparation kitchen.
Cliodhna hails from Ireland but currently lives in Kingwood, TX with her husband of 13 years and their three beautiful daughters. She is a dedicated educator and placenta encapsulation specialist and loves to help families have joyful and empowering births and healthy postpartum experiences.
When it comes to placentas, I knew I had to chat with Cliodhna. A placenta can be a really intimidating organ to a person who has never seen one and who doesn’t know much about them. But, in my opinion, they really don’t get enough credit for what they do. I also feel that women aren’t told what they can do with it—other than discarding it—and their options after their baby is born. So, today we are talking about what a placenta does, and what options women have after it has detached from their uterus. Cliodhna is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to placentas so we knew she would be the perfect person to answer our questions and shed some light on this important and undervalued organ.
Today’s episode is all about how to keep our sleeping babies safe and to focus on the breathability of crib mattresses. Our babies’ safety is our greatest priority, and breathability in crib mattresses may not seem like too big of a deal, but it’s more important than parents think. And Barry Cik, the Founder and Technical Director of Naturepedic, knows this all too well.
We're thrilled to have Barry back on our podcast to talk about some of the biggest risks and dangers involved with infant sleep, why breathability is an important feature in crib mattresses, as well as what to look for when purchasing a crib mattress.
A little bit about Barry—he has had a lifelong interest in preserving the environment, not only for us but for all future generations. As a board-certified environmental engineer, Barry advocates for legislative reform and has four decades of experience investigating and assessing hazardous materials/contamination, resolving environmental problems, and protecting human health, safety, and the environment.
We couldn't think of a better guest to talk about this important topic since Barry has such a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our babies spend such a significant amount of time in their cribs, so it's important to discuss this topic. We’re honored to have Barry back on the show and get into all of the details regarding keeping your sleeping baby safe.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Naturepedic and they are offering all of our listeners a discount!
20% off on their website www.naturepedic.com through September 2021 with discount code: BabyChick20
With National Rainbow Baby Day approaching — August 22nd — we want to shed some light on rainbow babies and talk to a mother who has been there. Listening to her experience and her love for both of her children has moved us and touched our hearts. We are honored to talk to her and to hear her rainbow baby story.
On September 22, 2016, Taylor Molitierno became a mother to her sweet daughter, Francesca Joy. She and her husband had to say hello and goodbye to their baby girl within the same day and their loss became the catalyst for Taylor’s work in helping parents navigate stillbirth and infant loss. Taylor’s passion is in sharing her story through her health and fitness business. This led to connection after connection and story after story of other mothers saying “I understand. I’ve experienced this, too.” Now, raising her 17-month-old daughter, Gioia, she has a passion for sharing her truth as a Mom “raising a rainbow.”
So many women have experienced losing a pregnancy/a child and we feel like it’s important for those moms to not feel alone. We want to honor all of the mothers who have experienced loss. This is why we are so grateful to have Taylor here with us to talk about loss, rainbow babies, as well as her own rainbow baby story and what others need to know. We admire her strength and courage in sharing her life with all of us. Let’s welcome, Taylor.
During the episode, Taylor mentioned an incredible resource that cares for grieving moms after infant loss called The Finley Project. It helped her immensely after losing her daughter so we had to include this here for other mothers to find if they are looking for the same support.
We know that in many countries, as many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, which can lead to tragic and long-term consequences for both mother and child. With so many mothers experiencing PMADs, we wanted to talk to an amazing mom who knows the importance of maternal mental health all too well, Erin Bagwell.
Erin is a documentary filmmaker, blogger, and new mom. In 2018, Erin became a mother and started filming her new documentary, Year One. The film is an intimate look at the first year of motherhood through Erin's eyes. It addresses the identity shifts, the challenges of experiencing postpartum depression, and the everyday extraordinary moments of being a new mom. Year One is out now and available on YouTube. Erin’s story has been featured in Forbes, TED, Vogue, and The Washington Post and she was named one of Oprah’s SuperSoul100—a list featuring extraordinary individuals that live life intentionally, create great social impact, and bring inspiration to others. Erin was also featured in Apple’s Behind the Mac campaign, highlighting some of the most creative people in Brooklyn.
We love how Erin’s latest film, Year One, really shows the significance of maternal mental health and motherhood. Having experienced postpartum depression herself, we’re grateful to have talked to her about her experience, have her answer our questions, and share her thoughts on this important topic.
Also, here is a list of Erin's recommended resources for mothers!
As a mom to a three-year-old, I am extremely familiar with toddler tantrums. I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t handle those toddler tantrums with grace. Sometimes I give in, sometimes I walk away and ignore, and sometimes I yell and completely lose my cool. I feel awful admitting this, but I know that I’m not alone. I’m sure other parents who are listening to this episode can probably relate. All of us parents have been in the situation where our toddlers have one meltdown after another and we’ve just had it. There is only so much our sanity can handle that we can sometimes lose our cool. That's why I'm thrilled to have today's guest with us, Devon Kuntzman.
Devon Kuntzman is an ICF certified coach on a mission to transform the myth that toddlerhood is terrible! Devon empowers toddler parents to overcome the challenges of toddlerhood, nurture development and create confidence in their skills by being the Loving Leader & Guide™ through using positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate parenting tools. As a result, parents are able to transform their parenting, their toddler’s behavior, and their overall experience of toddlerhood. This creates a foundation for a relationship that lasts a lifetime with their child.
Devon is the founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, the host of the Raising Toddlers Conference, and has worked with hundreds of parents across the world to transform their parenting and their toddler’s behavior. She holds a degree in psychology and child development. When she isn’t working with parents and toddlers, Devon can be found on her yoga mat, riding her bicycle, or drinking kombucha. (Not all at the same time.)
Devon is sharing with us why toddlers have tantrums, how parents can minimize those tantrums, and what parents can do during them. We're so grateful for her tips on how to handle our toddler tantrums with grace.
Have you ever wanted to be a mom of multiples or wondered what it would really be like? Well, today, July 12th, was National Triplet Day and we thought it would be really fun to chat with a mom of triplets, Brittany Werth, to get the real scoop.
Brittany is the Chief Operating Officer of Simplified, a boutique lifestyle brand specializing in products to empower busy women with the tools they need to simplify their lives. She lives in Orlando, FL, with her husband, Doug, 4-year-old son, Douglas, and infant triplets, Nash, Bennet, and Eleanor. When she’s not pushing their wagon o’kids around their neighborhood, she enjoys cooking, trying new wines, having a rare date night out, and dreaming of their next parents-only getaway.
We are so honored to have Brittany on today's episode to chat with us about all things triplets and what it's really like being a mom of triplets. She’s sharing about her pregnancy, her transition from one child to four, and what she wants all mothers to know.
Here are the products that Brittany recommended to moms of triplets!
- Burt's Bee's Belly Butter
- When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy by Dr. Barbara Luke
- Velcro Swaddles
- Medela Symphony
- LaVie Warming Lactation Massager
- Boppy Lounger
- 4moms Mamaroo
- Routine Book — Brittany used Baby Wise
Today's episode is all about how you can help new moms during postpartum. But when you're the mom and expecting a baby, there is so much to think about and plan for before the baby's arrival.
- Is my baby healthy?
- Will I be a good mom?
- Am I even ready to be a mom?
One thing I am so glad that I knew about was ViaCord Cord Blood Banking.
Cord blood banking is a simple and smart way to help plan for your family’s future health. But the only way you can do it is right when your baby is born. You can save your child’s cord blood even if you’re doing delayed cord clamping. Cord blood can be used for a range of conditions. And if you need it for a condition that can use cord blood, a doctor will help you decide if it’s the right medical option. Hundreds of ViaCord families have used their baby’s cord blood to help with various conditions and it has made a world of difference in their lives.
It’s important to think about those things like ViaCord during pregnancy, and it’s also important to start thinking about your postpartum time. Mary Alice and I have both had our babies and are in the postpartum period. As postpartum doulas and mothers, we know what is helpful and what isn’t when it comes to helping new moms during postpartum.
We appreciate our friends at ViaCord for sponsoring this episode so that we can share all of our recommendations to support new mothers. If you’re expecting, this is an episode to send to your partners! We’re discussing all the different ways he or she can help you during this fragile time.
Once you become pregnant and see those two pink lines on your positive pregnancy test, a lot of women immediately contact their doctor to confirm their pregnancy. And once it's confirmed, you'll be seeing a lot of your doctor as he/she cares for you and your baby's health! During your doctor appointments, I recommend bringing a list of questions with you. This ensures that you don't forget anything while you're there. It's important that women feel like they are participating in shared decision-making with their doctor. It all starts with good communication.
On today's episode, I'm chatting with Dr. Tamika Auguste, a board-certified ob-gyn at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Auguste also serves as chair of the Ob/Gyn Clinical Practice Council at MedStar Health and as associate medical director of the MedStar Health Simulation Training & Education Lab.
Dr. Auguste recently made us aware of the latest edition of ACOG’s book “Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month.” We were told that it focuses on shared decision-making with your doctor during pregnancy, so women can feel empowered in their choices rather than having medical decisions dictated to them. And after reviewing the book, I was impressed! The language is more conversational and it includes updates on how to manage work, travel, prenatal visits, and breastfeeding during COVID. I am thrilled that this is an option for expectant moms. That’s why I am happy that I got to chat with one of ACOG's doctors, Dr. Auguste. Listen to what she had to say.
Dr. Auguste recommends:
- ACOG's book “Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month”
- ACOG website
Now that we are in the full swing of summertime, water safety is at the forefront of every parent's mind because families are spending more time by the pool, at the beach, or at the lake. I feel like in the past few years drowning prevention and water safety has received more media attention, but I think there is still a lot that people don’t know.
Today I'm chatting with Natalie Livingston, a 25-year veteran of the aquatics industry and Co-Founder and Owner of the consulting and education firm ALIVE Solutions. Natalie spent 3 years as Vice President of OoASC focusing on accident and drowning investigations, litigation support, and consulting and training programs for aquatics operations. She was previously the General Manager of the Wave Waterpark in Vista, CA for 10 years. She has worked at both public and private facilities. Natalie is a current lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, and lifeguard instructor trainer. She is also an Aquatic Facility Operator, Certified Pool Operator, Certified Park & Recreation Professional, Certified Pool & Spa Inspector. Not only that, Natalie is currently on the World Waterpark Board of Directors. It’s obvious that Natalie is passionate about aquatic safety and training and development. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two kids.
Natalie is answering our water safety questions and shedding light on things every parent and caregiver needs to know when it comes to water safety. We’re so grateful to have her here to give us some tips and share her knowledge so we can be more prepared.
As a mother of two, I know the fragility and rawness of postpartum. I also know how important it is for new mothers to take care of themselves physically and emotionally during this stage. It's also important to plan for support during postpartum. Because, in my opinion, it’s a stage that not enough families prepare for. On today's episode, I'm chatting with Caitlin Simpson, a perinatal social worker and postpartum cook in Houston, TX. Through her business, Dish Doula, she supports the physical and emotional health of new mothers with the power of good food. She creates specialty postpartum food and products and delivers them every week in the Houston area.
With services like Caitlin’s, I think communities could have a better and healthier start to parenthood. This is why I’m thrilled to discuss the postpartum period with her. We're talking about what women need to know and prepare for, as well as what foods they should have in their fridge and freezer for optimal healing and wellness.
One of my favorite things Caitlin said was, "We teach people how to treat us. And when you ask for help, you are showing people that you are strong and that you have confidence in yourself. When we ask for help, we give other women or other people that we are asking the freedom to ask us in return. We then get the privilege of taking care of one another."
Here are the resources that Caitlin and I mentioned during this episode:
- Book: Baby 411
- Book: The First 40 Days
- Podcast: Tales from the 4th Trimester
- Doula Resources: DONA or CAPPA or DoulaMatch.net
- Postpartum Care Plan Template
As our listeners know, Mary Alice and I both have recently given birth to baby girls! Mary Alice gave birth in December 2020 and I gave birth in February 2021. We are both in the thick of postpartum and we want to share with all of YOU what you may expect during the postpartum period. There are a lot of changes not only physically but emotionally. We feel that many expecting women prepare for childbirth, but are less prepared for postpartum life. By sharing our experiences and common symptoms as we de-mystify this fragile time, we hope more women can feel more confident as they enter into new motherhood. Here's everything you need to know on what to expect during the postpartum period.
Many expecting mothers that I’ve taught or worked with as a doula or childbirth educator have expressed some sort of fear or anxiety when approaching their due date anticipating childbirth. While this is common, it still breaks my heart because birth can be a beautiful experience no matter how you give birth. And the best way to reduce your fear and anxiety is by educating yourself. It’s good to talk about what you can potentially expect so the unknown becomes more familiar and less scary. This is why we are thrilled to have Liesel Teen, a mom, wife, labor and delivery nurse from Raleigh, North Carolina, and the owner of Mommy Labor Nurse, with us today to talk about what you may expect when you go to the hospital in labor.
As a doula, I know that many people have never heard of the term “VBAC,” which is the acronym for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. The old saying “once a C-section always a C-section” is a myth! I’ve supported dozens of VBAC mamas over the years and I have felt that a lot of families don’t get enough information or support about VBACs from their communities or care providers. However, I also know that VBACs aren’t for everyone. That’s why I’m chatting with Meagan and Julie today; doulas, VBAC-moms, and co-owners of the VBAC Link, where they believe in making birth after cesarean better by providing education, support, and a community of like-minded people. We're talking all about VBACs: how to know if you’re a good candidate, what the benefits and risks are, what you can do to increase your chances of having a VBAC, and more!
Mary Alice and I have gone over "what to expect" in all three trimesters and now we're ready to talk about labor and birth! We both recently have given birth to our babies and we're here to share our thoughts and experiences. Mary Alice gave birth to her first child, a baby girl, in December of 2020 and I, just a month ago, gave birth to my second child, also a baby girl! We had different but powerful birth experiences and we thought it would be great to talk about our birth stories and share with YOU what you may expect from childbirth. We both had vaginal births so this episode is all about what you may expect during labor and a vaginal delivery. We’ll be sure to do another episode in the future about what to expect during a cesarean birth. Let’s dive in!
Today’s topic is an important one, but one that is rarely discussed . . . circumcision. As soon as you are told “it’s a boy!” during your pregnancy or after giving birth, it’s a decision that you are faced with as a parent. Should your son be circumcised or not? Some parents do lots of research, some parents think little about the decision and do what they are familiar with in their own family. Some parents follow their religious beliefs regarding this decision. Whichever way you choose, let me first state, we are supportive of both sides. However, at Baby Chick, we want all parents to be informed and make their parenting decisions from a place of knowledge and understanding. That’s why I’m thrilled to chat with pediatrician, Dr. Kelly Fradin, today about circumcision and what parents need to know and consider before baby is born.
Dr. Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician and mother of two from NYC. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and her career has focused on children with chronic medical conditions and school health. As an advocate for children, she wrote Parenting in a Pandemic. This book provides calm, realistic, and evidence-based advice to families during this stressful time. Dr. Fradin is a wealth of knowledge, and she shares parenting and children's health information on her Instagram page @adviceigivemyfriends as well as her website. We're so happy to have her here to chat about this important decision parents are faced with when they discover they are having a boy.
Notes:
- The Circumcision Debate: Beyond Benefits and Risks
- HealthyChildren.org
- How to Care for the Uncircumcised Penis
It's almost that time when we need to change our clocks! This is every parent's least favorite time of year. That's why I’m chatting with Lauren Olson today to help with prepping your baby for Spring Forward. Lauren is a certified sleep specialist and founder of Sleep + the City. She began Sleep + the City in 2014 when she found that there was a real need for a REAL person to help new and seasoned moms with sleep training in a modern way. Her mission is to teach parents a gentle, hands-on, no cry-it-out sleep plan that works with real life. With her online baby sleep classes for children 0-18 months, and helpful DIY guides for toddlers, Lauren is raved about by celebrities and families around the globe!
With daylight savings time quickly approaching, we wanted to chat with Lauren about some baby sleep tips to help our little ones seamlessly transition to the time change. When it comes to sleep, us parents will do anything to make sure that it’s undisturbed. And by preparing ahead of time and having an understanding of what to expect, we can make it an easier shift for us and our littles. So let’s welcome Lauren Olson and learn some tips on how to prep our babies for Spring Forward!
Today I have the pleasure of chatting with one of our own moms here at Baby Chick and young widow, Cheyenne Bell, and the Founder and CEO of Dayforward, Aaron Shapiro.
CEO, Aaron Shapiro, has a long history of being a marketing and technology executive, serial entrepreneur, but most of all, a father and husband to his wife and three children in New York City. He’s spent his career using digital technology to help make people’s lives better. After leaving his last company, which helped some of the world's largest companies modernize their business with digital, Aaron decided to take on the massive and important problem with financial security in the life insurance industry.
This brings us to today’s episode and the importance of having life insurance if anyone depends on you financially. We’re so happy to have Aaron here to talk about Dayforward and have Cheyenne share her story. Cheyenne is a busy mom of two young kids who suddenly found herself a widow in 2017. Since then, she has become passionate about educating other young couples about the importance of preparing for the worst. She recently wrote an article on our site about becoming a young widow and why life insurance is such a crucial element when planning for your future. And Cheyenne is here to talk about her story and insight on this critical topic.
We know. Life insurance, in general, is one of those things that you don’t necessarily want to think about. And it might not be everyone’s favorite thing to talk about either. Especially ‘what if’ scenarios about untimely death. But it is important when you decide to start a family or already have a family of your own.
Aaron and Cheyenne are both here to discuss:
- Why life insurance is so important for keeping your family financially secure.
- The importance of having the right amount of coverage to protect your loved ones.
- And lastly, how Dayforward Income Protection is different from conventional life insurance and what they want families listening to know.
Today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at Dayforward. If you haven’t heard of Dayforward yet, they’re an entirely new type of life insurance that protects your family by protecting your income. So if you die, your family will continue to receive your twice-a-month paychecks just like they depend on today, until your kids are adults.
Once you become a parent, so much of your life changes. Your daily schedule, the amount of sleep you get, the amount of time and energy you have, and the list continues. After long days and nights with the baby or working all day and dealing with a fussy toddler, let’s not even forget parenting during a pandemic, sometimes you are too drained to think about getting intimate with your partner. With so much on our to-do lists, it can sometimes feel like sex is just another thing to add to the calendar. But sex and intimacy are essential in romantic relationships. So if things have slowed down and you’re wanting to heat things back up with your partner, this podcast is for you.
Today, we're chatting with Jamye Waxman, a licensed marriage and family therapist, sex therapist, and sex educator, with over 20 years of experience talking about intimacy, romance, and sexual pleasure. She's sharing with us helpful tips about how we can keep intimacy alive in parenthood with our partners.
Jamye is an author of four books, a former radio and TV producer, and she once held jobs as a Playgirl columnist, a Playboy Sextreme Makeover expert, podcast host, Babeland employee, and adult-film maker. With a career spanning the gamut in human sexuality, one thing has never changed -- Jamye loves communicating with people about intimacy, sex, and relationships. This is why we knew she would be full of helpful tips on how to keep intimacy alive in parenthood and she definitely delivered. This is a good episode that you don't want to miss!
Resources that Jamye mentioned:
- "Sex is Not a Natural Act" by Leonore Tiefer
- "Come as You Are" by Emily Nagoski
- "Passionate Marriage" by David Schnarch
- "Getting the Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix
- "Mating in Captivity" by Esther Perel and her Ted Talks
- John Gottman books
- Laura Corn books
- Jamye Waxman books
- Scarleteen - A Sexual Inventory Stocklist (online resource)
With my due date just around the corner, I wanted to chat with Sarah Kuhn, founder of Juna, a fitness and nutrition app for pregnancy and postpartum, about exercising after birth. We know the benefits of staying active during pregnancy and after baby. However, there are a lot of details that aren't clear. As a pre & post-natal exercise specialist, I knew Sarah could give us the real scoop on what we need to know about exercising after giving birth. She's going over what we can do, what we shouldn't do, when we can get started exercising, and more!
Today I’m chatting with Dr. Samira Hodges and Dr. Ana Pal, two board-certified pediatricians who both currently practice in Houston, TX, about stress in children and how we can help our kids manage stress. It may seem like children’s lives are pretty simple and they couldn’t possibly know about or experience stress, but actually, that’s untrue. Pressures on children come from a number of sources. It could be from within the child themselves, from parents, teachers, or friends. These pressures could be from events of lasting consequence like the divorce of their parents, or from a minor hassle like going to time out, losing a toy, or being grounded. Especially over the past year, children are going through more changes and challenges than ever before which means more stress. So what can we parents do to help our kids manage stress? The PediPals, Dr. Samira and Dr. Ana are answering our questions.
The third trimester . . . the final three months before baby's arrival! Mary Alice is at the very end of her pregnancy, due December 25th, and I am officially in my third trimester, 31 weeks! We both have been experiencing a lot of different things throughout our pregnancies. We’ve already covered what to expect in the first trimester and second trimester on our podcast and today we are chatting about the third trimester; what we are experiencing as well as what you may expect from your third trimester. Some of these symptoms will sound familiar -- hello again, first trimester symptoms! But each change should encourage you since each is bringing you closer to meeting your baby. Here's what you can expect from your third trimester of pregnancy.
Here on Chick Chat, we are all about getting a good and healthy night’s sleep. But a question that many parents ask is when should they transition their babies out of swaddles? And not only that, how can they do that smoothly and successfully. Well, today, I'm chatting with Cara Walker, a certified infant & toddler sleep consultant, and the founder of Well Rested Mama. Cara is a wife and mother of three and she used gentle sleep training techniques on all three of her babies. She loves to talk about sleep and assist frustrated and sleep deprived parents with their baby and toddler sleep issues. With Cara’s experience and training, she’s answering your questions and sharing her tips about swaddling.
Over the past 10 years, I've attended hundreds of births. Some of my clients choose to have unmedicated births and some choose pain medication. Whichever you choose, do your research and decide which birthing experience is best for you. We want everyone to know that one way of giving birth is not better than the other and one way does not make you a better or stronger woman or mother. All birthing options are good options for different circumstances and it's up to you to do your research so that you can determine which is best for you and your baby. So why would someone want to have a “natural” or unmedicated childbirth? Mary Alice and I are discussing the reasons why some women choose to forego pain medication during labor and delivery. We're also sharing the different kinds of pain medications that are available should you decide on having a natural birth but change your mind during labor.
Montessori is becoming more and more popular but there are still families who don’t know what Montessori is and why it might be a good option for their child. Today, I'm chatting with Theresa, the founder of Montessori in Real Life, co-creator of The Montessori Guides, and mom to a 3-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy. Prior to momming and blogging, Theresa received her graduate degree in developmental psychology and then her AMS certification to become a Montessori infant/toddler teacher. Though not every child can attend a Montessori school, any parent can incorporate Montessori practices into their home, starting as early as birth! With Theresa’s knowledge and experiences, she is bringing the joy of Montessori accessible for all. We’re thrilled to have her here on today's episode with us to break down what Montessori is and what parents need to know.
Mary Alice and I are both currently pregnant and are here to talk about the second trimester: what to expect and what we are experiencing during our pregnancies. We hope that you listened to our episode about the first trimester. It should give you a good idea of what to expect and what is normal. In the future, we will also share what to expect in the third trimester, birth, and postpartum. Everyone’s pregnancy and parenting journeys are different, but we hope you find some comfort in what we’re sharing with you so that you can feel more prepared and less alone if you are also experiencing these symptoms. Thankfully the second trimester is normally the best trimester, but there are a few things that aren't so fun. But our babies are always worth it! So let’s chat about what to expect from your second trimester. Here we go!
Did you know that only about 8 percent of U.S. births are attended by midwives? Many women in the states are unaware of who midwives are, what they do, and where they practice. In the United States, most women never even think to consider hiring one as their maternity care provider. This breaks my heart because in many other developed countries, like France, the U.K., and Australia, midwifery is common as obstetrics. Why is this? Studies show that births attended by midwives are just as safe as physician-attended births. In fact, midwifery care is associated with lower rates of C-sections and other interventions, yet it is still not as popular. In my opinion, it's the best-kept secret of maternity care in the United States and the world.
Last week was National Midwifery Week. To shed some light on this significant role, I'm chatting with Mary Love about midwives and their care. Mary is a certified nurse-midwife, family nurse-practitioner, and Clinical Director of Heart of Houston Birth & Wellness Center. With Mary’s many years of experience in multiple settings, I knew she would be a wonderful person to answer the most common questions.
- What is a midwife?
- What is the history of midwives?
- Are there different types of midwives?
- What is the difference between a doctor (OBGYN) and a midwife?
- Where can women get midwifery care?
- How does midwifery care look in each setting?
And more.
Choosing a crib mattress may not sound like a big deal, but it’s more important than parents think. Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Barry Cik, the Founder and Technical Director of Naturepedic, a manufacturer of award-winning certified organic mattresses. Barry knows all too well the important decision of choosing the right crib mattress for your baby. Years ago when Barry was shopping for his first grandchild’s crib mattress, he was troubled to discover the state of the baby mattress industry. From that moment, Barry was inspired and determined to create mattress products that are safer and healthier for every child. And he was the perfect person to do so. (Others agree! Check out this Mattress Still Mattress report!)
Barry has had a lifelong interest in preserving the environment, not only for us, but for all future generations. As a board-certified environmental engineer, Barry is an advocate for legislative reform and has four decades of experience investigating and assessing hazardous materials/contamination, resolving environmental problems, and protecting human health, safety, and the environment. When he discovered the alarming materials used in the majority of crib mattresses, he knew he could do better. And that’s how Naturepedic was born in 2003.
Today’s episode is about the important decision of choosing your child’s crib mattress. Barry is sharing with us how and why crib mattresses play a part in safe sleep, the history of safe sleep, what parents should look for when choosing a crib mattress, and what he wants all parents to know. He has a wealth of knowledge and we are honored to have him on our show.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Naturepedic and they are offering all of our listeners a discount!
15% off on their website www.naturepedic.com with discount code: BabyChick15
Car seats can be confusing. What should we look for in a good car seat when making a purchase? What are the common car seat mistakes that we can avoid? We know that they keep our children safe in the car, but it's more than just buying the car seat. We need to know how to use it properly. I’m chatting with a nationally certified car seat technician, Michelle Pratt, for today's episode. Michelle is the owner of Safe in the Seat, which handles all things car seats; like online courses, custom car seat selection, phone-a-friend inquires and support, as well as full car seat installation and consultations -- in office, in-home, or virtual. Michelle is also a proud mom of two and lives in South Tampa with her children. You can find her on Instagram @safeintheseat.
With National Child Passenger Safety Week approaching, we thought Michelle would be an excellent person to talk to about car seats so that we can get the scoop on what parents need to know. She’s sharing with us the most common car seat mistakes parents make as well as answering our questions!
Welcoming a child into the world is one of the greatest days of a parent's life. However, if that newborn child ever has to be separated due to being preterm, having health complications, or for other reasons, that separation can be scary for parents. If the baby needs more medical attention, they are taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Most parents are unfamiliar with NICUs so this too can be scary. But it doesn't have to be.
Today’s episode is about the NICU and what parents need to know if their new baby ever has to go there. As a NICU occupational therapist for years, Dr. Aimee Ketchum is breaking it all down for us and giving us parents all the details. Dr. Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist and has been working in pediatrics for 20 years. She works in the NICU at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital and lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. She is also the owner/operator of STEM Starts Now, an early child development company.
Dr. Ketchum mentioned during our episode that if you are interested in learning more about the history of NICUs and premature birth to check out this book:
- "Early" by Sarah DiGregorio
We hope this episode brings clarity and relief to any families who have babies in the NICU now and in the future.
Mary Alice and I have a little surprise to share with all of you . . . We are both PREGNANT! That’s right! Mary Alice is expecting her first baby and I am expecting my second. We have been experiencing a lot of different things already so we thought it would be fun to chat during each trimester and share with you what we are experiencing and what you may expect. Here's what's been going on with us during our first trimesters. Here we go!
Potty training can be such a daunting task for most parents. When should you start potty training? What are the readiness signs? What are the products that you absolutely need? How can you tackle nap and nighttime potty training? There are so many questions about this major milestone so we are chatting with Allison Jandu, a professional potty training consultant and author. Allison is sharing her tips about how parents can best prepare for potty training and what we need to know. If you're about to embark on the potty training adventures, this episode is for you!
Here are the products that Allison mentioned during our episode!
- The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Seat
- Peelaways Sheets
- Lil Advents Potty Time Adventures
- For Overnights: Gerber Training Pants (for Girls and for Boys)
Once you become pregnant, something that women become more aware of is what they are putting in their bodies. The fuel we eat is also helping us grow our babies. It’s important for expecting and new mothers to understand what our bodies are deficient in, what vitamins we need to take, and what we can do to have the healthiest pregnancy and postpartum possible. So what does our body really need during pregnancy and postpartum? I’m chatting with Lisa Mastela, a registered dietitian with a master's in nutrition and public health and the founder of Bumpin’ Blends, a company that makes and delivered dietitian-designed smoothie cubes to support the many symptoms of motherhood.
Lisa has done research at the University of Washington on special needs children and Type 2 diabetes, along with research on intermittent fasting at the University of Southern California. She then worked in personalized nutrition. As a mother herself, Lisa knows how difficult nutrition for expecting and new mothers is. After years of research, Lisa is giving us the real scoop. She's walking us through what our bodies need during pregnancy and postpartum and is answering our questions.
To learn more about Lisa and chat with her, you can find her on Instagram here!
Today, I’m chatting with Jennifer Blossom, a boy mom of two, occupational therapist, host of another amazing mom podcast called The Blossoming Mommy and Baby Show, as well as the CEO and Founder of Blossoming Mommy and Baby — a digital wellness brand that helps overwhelmed moms simplify motherhood. Jennifer has a passion for helping moms create a simpler, less chaotic, and more meaningful motherhood experience. This is why she is the perfect guest to talk about mommy burnout. I feel like this topic has been discussed a little bit more recently, but what is mommy burnout? How common is it and what can you do to help yourself from feeling burnout? Jennifer is breaking it all down for us and answering our questions.
Here are some links where you can learn more about Jennifer:
Website: https://www.blossomingmommyandbaby.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blossoming-mommy-and-baby-show/id1445916435
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomingmommyandbaby/
Since we are in the month of June and we just celebrated Father's Day, we thought it would be fun to chat with a Dad about what it was like becoming a father. So, for today's episode, we have an extra special guest, my husband, the other Co-Founder of Baby Chick, Brian Spears, and he is telling us his story. Was he ready? Was he nervous? And was becoming a dad everything he expected? We rarely get to talk to or hear from Brian on our website or social pages so we hope you enjoy this episode hearing from him. Brian's answering all of our questions and sharing his journey of becoming a dad.
Every child is different from one another and this includes the ways they learn. Some children are visual learners, preferring pictures, and spatial understanding. Others are aural learners who prefer using sound and music. Some children are verbal learners who prefer using words, both speech and writing. And others are physical (kinesthetic) learners who like using their body, hands, and sense of touch to learn.
In today’s episode, I'm chatting with Punam Desormes, a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 15 years of experience as well as a faculty clinical instructor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. Her experience includes working in a private multidisciplinary clinic, a special needs school for autism, and private practice.
Today, Punam is breaking down the different ways children learn and explaining what we (parents) need to know and look for when it comes to our children’s learning. Understanding how our children learn can help us create better learning activities to help their minds grow. Punam has seen and worked with so many families and is sharing her tips and expert knowledge with us.
Here are some links that Punman mentioned during our episode. We hope these resources help!
CDC: Find your state or territory’s early intervention program - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - www.asha.org Identify the Signs of Communication Disorders - www.identifythesigns.org Autism Speaks - www.autismspeaks.org Bluebee Pals: Interactive Plush Learning Tool - www.bluebeepals.com
Pregnancy is such a beautiful time in a woman’s life. But don’t get me wrong, not every day of pregnancy is glamorous. We’ve all heard of the luxurious hair, the glowing skin, the growing belly, but there are also things that happen to a woman’s body that aren’t really discussed. That’s why Mary Alice and I are covering all of the surprising body changes a woman can experience during pregnancy. So if you’re expecting and are noticing some odd changes to your body, you can feel some relief knowing that you are not alone. *AD: Today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at EU Natural—a company that is all about empowering their customers and their health. https://store.eunatural.com
With so many baby products on the market, it’s difficult to know which products are essential that you need to register for and which ones you can skip and live without. You don’t have to buy the entire baby store to take care of and raise a happy and healthy baby! As postpartum doulas, Mary Alice and I know and have seen what items each family really needs. Today, we are sharing the baby products we feel are overrated and can be left off your list.
ad This episode is sponsored by Medela, the maker of the NEW Freestyle Flex breast pump and products that we love and recommend to our clients. Their Freestyle Flex breast pump is a product that should remain on every baby registry. https://bit.ly/35odGvZ
Are you currently pregnant and quickly approaching your due date? We know that the current Coronavirus pandemic has left many expecting moms worried about what to expect during their labor and delivery as well as how to protect themselves and their babies. Many of our expecting mama clients have come to us for reassurance and guidance during this time, so we are here to share with you everything you need to know to prepare for your baby's birth during COVID-19.
Home birth. This topic can evoke so many feelings and emotions in people. It can also bring up a lot of questions. Is it safe? What are the risks? What are the benefits? Luckily, I'm discussing this controversial topic with Sherry Oldfield, a certified nurse-midwife, lactation consultant and master life coach. Sherry has attended 1000’s of births in every setting -- county hospital, private hospitals, birth centers and homes. She has been assisting women in labor and delivery since 1987 and because she has seen it all, I knew she would be an excellent person to discuss this important topic.
During our episode, Sherry mentioned Henci Goer as an author to look into when researching reading materials for your pregnancy. Here is one of Goer's books: - The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
It feels like our world as we knew it has flipped completely upside down. With the current Coronavirus outbreak, our every day routines have been shaken up and, for many of us, not in a good way. Now that we are forced to figure out how to work from home and take care of our children full-time, we are slowly discovering our new normals. This is the time, more than ever, to organize and streamline our lives and our homes.
Today I'm chatting with Meggie Mangione, the CEO of Organized Life Design and 6 year accredited NAPO Professional Organizer. Meggie leads a team of 4 and they organize for clients in every space from garages and closets to pantries and playrooms. She and her team also offer Virtual Organization Services and Online Workshops, which I think is so cool! You can learn more about her company and services on their website or their Instagram page, @OrganizedLifeDesign.
Since clutter and chaos can really affect us as parents and employees (now working from home), I thought there would be no one better like Meggie, a professional organizer, to help us organize and streamline our lives as moms. On today's episode Meggie is sharing some great tips on how to conquer the clutter!
Here are some of the links that we mentioned during our chat that we hope helps!
- Where you can donate your items that you are purging from your home.
- Meggie's Daily Video Series Challenge: Weeks to Finally Organize Your Life
If you're suffering from morning sickness, you know how terrible it can be. I'm sure you've tried everything to find some relief. I've had many of my doula clients and friends ask me for tips and tricks on how to survive and cure morning sickness during their pregnancies so I wanted to share my list of things that can help. Hopefully you haven't tried all of my tips yet and that you find a few new things that will get you back to feeling good! Here are 22 ways to relieve morning sickness.
Today we're talking all about sleep and what every parent needs to know when it comes to baby's sleep. I have to say, baby sleep is one of our most popular topics and I think it's because most parents are trying to figure out what they can do to get more sleep. As parents, sleep is our love language now. And that's why we are chatting with Hailee Schollaardt about this topic. Hailee is the founder and owner of Nurturing Sleep Solutions. She is a certified infant and child sleep consultant based out of Northern Alberta, Canada. And she's a mother of three children; a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old.
Hailee says that having three children within five years really tested her limits many times, but it also gave her the drive and the confidence to become a Sleep Consultant and work with families all over the world. Her passion as a Sleep Consultant is to give empowerment back to parents. She believes in taking the "right" and "wrong" out of family sleep practices and instead have a healthy balance for whatever works best for YOUR family. We love that.
Hailee has met tons of exhausted parents at the end of their wits trying to get their babies to sleep. She's sharing with us all of her tips on what parents can do and what parents need to know about baby's sleep.
Pregnancy is a time when a woman can experience every emotion and sensation. Not only is her body changing as she creates life, it's also a time when she is growing mentally and emotionally to prepare for the mother she is about to become. I will admit that not every moment of pregnancy is glowing and beautiful. There can be times of discomfort and overwhelm. But during these low points it's important that we remind ourselves about the good and see the bigger picture. This is why pregnancy affirmations are a helpful tool. They can bring your mind back to a positive and joyful state.
These 10 pregnancy affirmations that we're discussing on today's episode will help you get rid of the negative comments that you might hear from others or thoughts that you're telling yourself and they will remind you about the beauty and miracle of pregnancy. These affirmations not only help during your pregnancy, they can also help you prepare for a better birth. Our minds are power and words have power, so let's give it something positive to hold onto as we welcome our new babies into the world.
Today we're chatting with Quinn Kelly and how to stay connected with your spouse after having kids. Quinn is a licensed marriage and family therapist, wife of 14 years and a mother of four wild but adorable boys so I knew she would be the perfect person to chat with about this topic. She has a blog called Sanctification and Spitup centered on faith and parenting, a podcast of her own called the Renew You Podcast, a faith Conference series for women called Renew (with an upcoming conference this March in Houston, TX that you are invited too!), and she is one of our Baby Chick writers!
This topic about staying connected with your spouse after having children is super important to us. We know that a lot of things change after you have a baby and our relationships can be one them. Sometimes its for the better and sometimes for the worse. :( We want to know what we can do to strengthen our relationship with our spouse so we had to talk to Quinn to share her amazing knowledge with us.
During the episode, Quinn mentioned her top 5 books that she recommends:
- The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by Dr. John Gottman
- The Road Back to You by Cron and Stabile
- Parenting With Love and Logic by Cline and Fay
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
And if you want to know more about Quinn and follow her, here are her details:
- Blog: www.sanctificationandspitup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctificationandspitup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanctificationAndSpitup/
- Podcast: https://renewfaithconference.com/podcast
- Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewyoupodcast/
- Faith Conference Series: www.renewfaithconference.com
There are many different comfort techniques to use during labor that will keep you more calm and comfortable. One option that many women aren't aware of or over look is hypnosis. It can sound a little weird and voodoo-like so oftentimes women will write it off. But it's actually not as strange as it sounds.
What is Hypnobirthing? Today I have the privilege of chatting with Cliodhna Griffin, the founder of Born Free Birthing and Houston Placenta Services. Cliodhna is a certified and experienced HypnoBirthing Educator, Master Trainer and Faculty Member of the HypnoBirthing Institute.
Cliodhna hails from Ireland but currently lives in Kingwood, TX with her husband of over 12 years and their 3 fantastic daughters, two of whom are darling HypnoBirthing babies. She is a dedicated educator and loves to help families have joyful and empowering births. We couldn't think of a better person to learn more about hypnobirthing with than her.
For information about Cliodhna and her services, visit: Her website - www.bornfreebirthing.com Her Facebook page - www.facebook.com/bornfreebirthing Her IG page - www.instagram.com/bornfreebirthing
Today we're chatting with Dr. Susan Albers, a New York Times best-selling author and a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Albers specializes in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. After obtaining her masters and doctorate degree from the University of Denver, Dr. Albers completed an APA internship at the University of Notre Dame and a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University.
Dr. Albers conducts mindful eating workshops across the country, and she is the author of six mindful eating books, including her latest that came out December 24th, Hanger Management: Master Your Hunger and Improve Your Mood, Mind, and Relationships.
Today, Dr. Albers is talking with us about mindful eating after baby. We’ve all heard about and experienced getting "hangry" and with so much going on with our bodies post-birth and taking care of our little ones, it can be tough to take the time to take care of ourselves and nourish our bodies properly. Hormones are real in the fourth trimester and Dr. Albers is sharing her tips including her five S's on how to mindfully eat postpartum that can help our minds and heal our bodies.
To hear more from Dr. Albers, check out her website https://eatingmindfully.com, visit her on Instagram @drsusanalbers and check out her new book Hanger Management: Master Your Hunger and Improve Your Mood, Mind, and Relationships.
All of us parents have heard about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning, but did you know that STEM and language skills start with babies? It's essential for us to encourage this type of learning early on with our babies and there are certain things that we can do as parents. Today, I'm chatting with Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Aimee’s Babies, a child development company, as well as the creator of STEM Starts Now, a digital subscription program for parents of young children to help with early child development and kindergarten readiness. She is explaining to us why it's critical for us to promote STEM learning to our babies early in life and how to do that.
Becoming a new mother, whether it be your first baby or your sixth, is filled with so many emotions. Figuring out your new normal can take a minute as you recover from giving birth and get to know your new baby. People will be at your doorstep in no time wanting to congratulate you and meet the baby, but sometimes people aren’t necessarily thinking about what they can do to be helpful. If you know someone who has recently had a baby or you are currently expecting yourself, this episode is for you! Here’s how to help when visiting a new mom.
This episode is brought to you by Skylight Frame (www.skylightframe.com). It's a digital picture frame that has a touch-screen display. I love that it documents all of your family’s special moments through a slideshow or you can push pause on a favorite image. With Skylight you can email photos directly to your digital frame -- anytime from anywhere, and photos show up within seconds. It's really a great gift for yourself or for an expecting or new mom so if you want to bring a nice gift when visiting a new mom, be sure to check out Skylight Frame and use our discount code BABYCHICK for $10 off!
At the end of women’s pregnancies many women are faced with the decision or recommendation to medically induce labor. Some reasons are for the health and well being of the baby and some are for more personal reasons. We’re covering all of these details and what you can expect during a labor induction. We hope this helps!
Below are the articles that we referenced during this episode:
-
Evidence on: Induction or C-section for a Big Baby?
-
The ARRIVE Trial (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management)
You may not know this but October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month and October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. There are so many families that have experienced these heartbreaking losses. In fact, today I'm chatting with one of my former doula clients, now turned friend, Megan McAlister, who is one of those families. Megan is a mother of four surviving children, ages 8, 6, 3 and 1. She is passionate about her personal experience with neonatal loss and her three subsequent VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean). Originally from Texas, her family now lives in Portland, Oregon.
I am so honored that Megan is on today's episode of Chick Chat. She shares her story of infant loss and what families can do to heal after experiencing such a devastating loss. I hope that today's episode gives hope and comfort to any families who have experienced or are experiencing these tragic journeys of pregnancy and infant loss.
Expecting moms prepare so much for pregnancy and childbirth, but what happens after the baby is born? The postpartum period, traditionally referred to as “lying-in” is a time to bond with your newborn and establish a connection to build upon for a lifetime. It's also a time to rest and allow your body to heal. On today's episode, we’re diving into how to create a plan for lying-in and tips for making the most out of your postpartum period. We’ve partnered with our friends at Earth Mama Organics where they harness nature’s herbal remedies to effectively support the miraculous wonders and common indignities of the entire journey of pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and baby care. Their helpful FREE Postpartum Lying-In Plan was created to help guide expectant mamas through thinking about their own healing, and to make the most of the postpartum rest time they have. With our tips and their guide new parents can plan for better healing and better bonding with their new baby.
Lyin-In: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjpTMRGUpQY Earth Mama FREE Postpartum Lying-In Plan: http://blog.earthmama.com/earth-mama-free-lying-postpartum-plan/
Having to deal with infidelity in a relationship is hard enough. When you add kids to the equation, it makes it even tougher. We've had the pleasure of talking with Melissa Davis before, the founder of After the Affair, about dealing with adultery as a new mom. But what next? Now that you have dealt with the big blow of finding out about your partner's affair, how do navigate parenting with your now ex-partner and the other woman? That is if she is sticking around. We're talking all about it with Melissa and she is giving us some amazing tips on how to manage this new and very difficult chapter.
Safe sleep is a hot topic with all parents, especially new parents. We all worry about scary things like SIDS and suffocation hazards and want to do everything we can to be sure that our babies are safe as they sleep during the night and day! Luckily there are things that we can do as parents to ensure safe sleep for our babies.
Today’s episode we are sharing 10 things you can do to ensure safe sleep for your little ones and this episode is sponsored by our friends at Boppy (https://www.boppy.com). The Boppy Company revolutionized comfortable infant feeding and support with its iconic Boppy Feeding and Infant Support Pillow. They are beloved by parents worldwide and they have quickly become a must-have staple for all nurseries. Boppy has stayed true to its humble roots and maintains its solution-driven mindset. With comfort in mind, they’ve expanded their portfolio to include more award-winning products like baby carriers, pregnancy support pillows, breastfeeding and travel accessories, baby loungers and more. They are offering 20% off to our listeners with code ‘babychick20’ - it is good through the end of the year! We’re partnering with The Boppy Company to educate parents on the importance of safe sleeping practices for infants and we applaud Boppy for their efforts to ensure that every parent understands the importance of protecting their babies while they sleep.
Becoming a new mother is wonderful and challenging on its own, but when you find out your partner is having an affair, this time that is supposed to be the happiest chapter in your life can turn completely upside-down. What is real anymore? How do you navigate through all of this while taking care of your baby? Melissa Davis, the Founder of After the Affair (www.aftertheaffair.co) knows exactly what this is like because she lived it. Melissa is here on today's episode to ensure that never again will a betrayed person attempt to navigate the affair recovery process alone. No matter someone’s finances, availability, or circumstances, help is available. Be sure to check out her Facebook page @aftertheaffair where she has an incredible support group that you can join for free for support. Today she's sharing her advice and recommendations on how to deal with adultery as a new mom and how to heal from it.
During the postpartum period women can think and feel a lot of things: love, exhaustion, excitement, loneliness, joy and sometimes even scary thoughts. All of them are normal, but when the not so good thoughts and emotions come it can be hard to know how to handle them. I'm discussing those scary thoughts new mothers think with Dr. Jane Shomof, a licensed marriage family therapist who specializes in postpartum support and owner and founder of Bloome (https://www.letsbloome.com). We're talking about common scary thoughts new moms think to themselves but never share, thoughts we had after we had our babies, and how to control, normalize and minimize them. Dr. Jane recommends checking out the book "White Bears and Other Unwanted Thoughts" by Daniel Wegner (https://rstyle.me/+8NRczFjRDf0bBsA7b64mbA) And to see other mothers breaking the stigma and sharing their scary thoughts, check out the hashtag #speakthesecret
If you are planning on expanding your family maybe you are really wanting a certain gender. Maybe you really want a baby boy to carry on the family name. Maybe you have three boys and are really hoping that fourth times a charm and crossing your fingers for a baby girl. Surprisingly there is actually a little bit of science behind gender swaying and there are some things that you can do to improve your odds for having the gender that you are wanting. While we all ultimately hope for happy and healthy children, this just may be the episode that you are looking for to sway your chances of conceiving a certain gender in your favor.
If you're approaching your due date and ready to meet your baby, you may be looking for ways to naturally induce labor. We get it! We're talking all about natural inductions: why you may want to naturally induce labor, when to do it, and how to do it! We mentioned several products in this episode that can help, and you can find those products on our shop page at www.baby-chick.com/shop
We’re discussing birth plans: what is a birth plan and how do you go about writing one? What do you even put on a birth plan? Do you need a birth plan even if you’re having a scheduled induction or a cesarean section? Are birth plans just for hippy natural births? We’re answering all of these questions and more. Download our birth plan template and we’ll walk you through it!
Choosing the best baby formula for your little one can be complicated and confusing. We know that every parent tries to do the best for their family, but there's so little information on what parents should look for when choosing their baby formula. I got to chat with Dr. Annie Salsberg from KABRITA USA about everything baby formula and what parents need to know when purchasing baby formula. Listen to today's episode to learn about essential baby formula ingredients to look for, what the difference is between cow milk and goat milk formula, and much more.
This episode is brought to you by KABRITA USA. Click here to try KABRITA's FREE Trial Offer! You'll receive a 14 oz. tin of formula + a $5 coupon (total $25 value!) – and only pay shipping & handling ($8.99)!
In order to have a better birth, there are certain things that we need to do during our pregnancies to help us achieve our wishes. For today's episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kerry Tuschhoff, the founder/director and owner of Hypnobabies. Kerry has years of experience in supporting thousands of mothers during their pregnancies and at their births and I was able to get some amazing information from her about preparing our minds and bodies for childbirth. If you are currently expecting and are wanting to do everything you can to have a better birth, Kerry and I are breaking it all down for you.
There are certain expectations that women have when we first become pregnant on what motherhood will actually be like. We think of all the happy, good, and wonderful things we'v been told, which it definitely can be. But then, once we hold our brand new little babies, reality hits. We see and experience a whole new side that most mothers don't talk about. Today's episode I am chatting with Whitney Bausman, author of the book Partly Sunny: An Honest and Humorous Look at the First Weeks of Bringing Home a Newborn. Join us as we break down motherhood: expectations vs. realities.
We've covered everything you want to know about birth doula care in one of our previous episodes, so today we are covering postpartum doula care. Most people have never heard of a postpartum doula. What do they do? What's the difference between a postpartum doula and a nanny? What is their training and certification like? How much do they charge, and what do they do?
When pregnant, it's important to schedule consultations with local pediatricians. You want to find the right pediatrician for your baby and your family. Here are the questions that you need to ask when interviewing a pediatrician.
22 Questions to Ask When Interviewing Pediatricians - https://www.baby-chick.com/questions-to-ask-when-interviewing-pediatricians/
Every pregnant person has heard some not so nice comments during their pregnancy. There are the top 10 things not to say to someone who is pregnant.
It's normal for babies to cry, but it can be tough on anyone when the baby doesn't stop crying. If your little one is difficult to soothe, we're sharing some helpful tips to get your baby back to a calm state. On today's episode learn why babies cry and what you can do to respond to those specific needs and have a happy baby.
For more on this topic please be sure to check out our website:
How To Do Infant Massage: https://www.baby-chick.com/how-to-do-infant-massage/
Have you heard the word "doula" but not sure what a doula is? We're covering all the details on what a doula is, what a doula does, the benefits of having a doula, how much doula care costs, and more.
For more on this topic please be sure to check out our website:
What is a Doula?: https://www.baby-chick.com/what-is-a-doula/
The Modern Day Doula: https://www.baby-chick.com/the-modern-day-doula/
How to Write a Birth Plan: https://www.baby-chick.com/creating-your-perfect-birth-plan/
Many women aren't sure when the right time is to head to the hospital in labor. You may have been told one thing, but we're sharing the best time to go to the hospital for first time mothers in labor.
For more on this topic please be sure to check out our website: https://www.baby-chick.com/when-to-go-to-the-hospital-in-labor/