Momwell

Understanding our baby’s needs can be confusing. Are they tired? Hungry? Do they just need a cuddle? Babies don’t come with an instruction manual. But when you understand newborn hunger cues and sleepy signs, it becomes much easier to learn from and communicate with your baby.  Today, I’m joined by Sharon Mazel , author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year , to unpack newborn hunger cue...

If you’re experiencing more conflict in your relationship after having a baby, you aren’t alone—67% of couples report a decline in satisfaction in the first three years of a baby’s life. There are many reasons why this happens—including an underfunctioning and overfunctioning relationship dynamic.  Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and couple’s counselor Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to unpack what...

“Mom anxiety” often extends far beyond the postpartum period. It feels like we’re living in a scary world. We often respond by overparenting or withdrawing from experiences. But that might not be the best approach to help us learn to live with our fears and manage our anxious thoughts.  Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Lauren Cook , author of Generation Anxiety , to unpack mom anxiety and lea...

Motherhood can come with a lot of changes—identity loss, the invisible load, career impact, and relationship struggles. Moms often find themselves feeling powerless, in their lives, in their careers, and in their homes. But if we can change the dynamics in and out of the home, we can embrace power as moms and make real shifts on an individual and societal level.  Today I’m joined by NYT bestsellin...

Many moms struggle with body image and a lack of self-esteem—and we don’t want to pass those things on to our children. But understanding how to raise confident kids isn’t easy. How do we break patterns fueled by diet culture, people-pleasing, and generational cycles? Today, I’m joined by parenting educator and author Dr. Vanessa Lapointe to discuss how to raise confident kids. Show Notes: https:/...

Preparing your body for pregnancy can be confusing. There’s a lot of misinformation online about supplements and fertility, along with well-meaning but misguided advice from friends and family.  Today, I’m joined by Leslie Schrock , author of Bumpin’ and Fertility Rules , to discuss infertility, preparing your body for pregnancy, and navigating anxiety after loss. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3QYzmb...

Life with littles is full of sensory inputs—noise, chaos, touch, and mess. Many moms find themselves feeling overstimulated, leading to stress and overwhelm. We often talk about self-care in terms of bubble baths and massages—but what about sensory self-care?  Today I’m joined by pediatric occupational therapist Holly Peretz to discuss how overstimulated moms can practice sensory self-care.  Show...

Becoming a mom changes you in so many ways. But we are often not prepared for the shift. Matrescence, or the transition into motherhood, is complex—full of ups, downs, struggles, and a roller coaster of emotions.  Today, I’m joined by reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Catherine Birndorf, founder of The Motherhood Center , to talk about navigating matrescence and what we experience when becoming a mom....

After having a baby, many moms experience a sense of identity loss. Free time becomes filled with responsibilities, and household labor never seems to end. But we deserve more—creativity, time for ourselves, and permission to be who we want to be. Rediscovering yourself after motherhood isn’t easy—but it is worth it.  Today, I’m joined by Eve Rodsky , author of Fair Play , to discuss why it’s impo...

As a parent, it can be tempting to try to do everything—especially in the age of social media. But not only is that unrealistic—it also sets you up for burnout and frustration. So how do you decide what to say yes to? How do you decide what matters most? By tuning into your family values.  Today, I’m joined by Mell and Joe Hashey, founders of Strong Family Co , to find out what family values are a...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains the story of a loss of a child and the journey of grief following.   The loss of a child is something that nobody can understand unless they experience it. But bereaved parents need support, validation, and awareness.  Today, I’m joined by bereavement and grief advocate Stefania Thomson as she shares her story of navigating loss and discusses how to support b...

Surveys show that we make 1750 parenting decisions in our child’s first year of life alone. Each choice comes with a lot of pressure to do the “best” thing. And since many of us weren’t equipped with decision-making skills, this can be very tough.  Today, I’m joined by NYT bestselling author Emily Oster to discuss trusting yourself, taking in evidence objectively, and making parenting decisions th...

When it comes to maternal mental health, moms are struggling. But the more we become aware of that, the more we can collectively offer better support for moms.  Today, I’m joined by Jill Koziol, co-founder and CEO of Motherly , to unpack the company’s annual State of Motherhood survey and discuss what moms need and how we can change the way they are supported. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3rnzLdl  B...

Starting solids with your baby can be scary—especially if you struggle with anxiety. Many of us are interested in baby led weaning, but we often experience food-related concerns, from worries about choking to fear about nutrition. When you understand the feeding process, you can learn how to start baby led weaning with confidence.  Today, I’m joined by dietician Katie Ferraro , founder of Baby Led...

Between physical symptoms, wondering when to share, and juggling emotional changes, working while pregnant can feel overwhelming. But we can learn how to find our footing and navigate the changes that come our way. Today, I’m joined by Stephanie Kramer , author of Carry Strong: An Empowered Approach to Navigating Pregnancy and Work to discuss how working while pregnant impacts us and how to cope w...

From tantrums to defiance to trouble sharing, normal toddler behavior can frustrate us. But our mindset and approach play a bigger role than we realize—and if we can reframe our own outlook, we can start to see the positives in the toddler period. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Cathryn Tobin, founder of Healthiest Baby , to discuss how to change the way we view normal toddler behavior and t...

We talk a lot about the invisible load of motherhood—but dads carry a mental load too. Just like moms, dads face contradictory expectations, gender norms, and societal pressures. When we understand the invisible load we each are carrying, we can start to challenge norms and work together to share the labor in the home.  Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Dan Singley director of The Center for M...

Sharing the load in the home after a baby is born can be hard. Moms often find themselves falling into a pattern of carrying the bulk of the labor without even realizing it. This can lead to resentment, burnout, or mental health struggles. But there are ways to challenge norms and break out of these patterns.  Today, I’m joined by one of Momwell’s maternal mental health specialists, Dr. Nicole Mow...

We’re in a new era of the reproductive justice movement, but many of us don’t know how to be a part of the conversation.  Today, I’m joined by doula and activist Sabia Wade , founder of Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, to discuss what reproductive justice is, why it matters, and how we can incite change. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3oyQ06j   Book a Free 15 min Consult with a mom therapist: momwel...

Learning how to be a stepmom can be complicated. Blended families face unique challenges with relationships, contradictory expectations, and potential conflict. But with the right approach, you can navigate the dynamics and embrace your role as a stepmom.  Today, I’m joined by life coach Jamie Scrimgeour , founder of The Kick-Ass Stepmom, to discuss how to let go of perfection and expectations and...

Many new parents find themselves coping with relationship changes after baby, leaving them afraid that the passion is gone forever. They might wonder if their partner is “the one” or question the entire foundation of the relationship.  Today, I’m joined by holistic psychotherapist Vanessa Bennett to discuss how to navigate changes in our relationship after baby. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3pHLXVq...

As moms, we’re often socialized to be selfless—to put everyone else’s needs above our own, leaving us on the backburner. But when we deplete ourselves and neglect our own needs, it often leads to mental health struggles, resentment, relationship conflict, and burnout. Unlearning that socializing and discovering how to communicate your needs isn’t always easy.  Today, I’m joined by Mara Glatzel , a...

When we have children, we’re often surprised to discover how difficult it is to regulate our own emotions and show up the way we want to. We are often triggered and frustrated by our child’s behavior. But when we become more conscious parents, we can look within ourselves and change the way we react and respond—ultimately leading to stronger relationships with our kids.  Today, I’m joined by clini...

Deciding whether you are done growing your family is a tough choice—but what do you do if you and your partner aren’t on the same page? How can you work through a different viewpoint on such a big life decision?  Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw , founder of Liz Listens, to talk about how to navigate different desires about growing your family. Show Notes: http...

Between to-do lists, the mental load, and conflicting emotions, it can be very hard to know how to be more present as a mom. But it isn’t just worries about the future that keep us from being present—we also often find ourselves looking back on old memories and grieving as our children age, unsure of how to rediscover ourselves.  Today, I’m joined by marriage and family therapist Bryana Kappadakun...