Postpartum Better | Postpartum Recovery, Breastfeeding, Mom Overwhelm, Returning to Work, Postpartum Identity

Send us Fan Mail The internet loves a simple rule: “Wait 6–8 weeks, then get back to working out.” But real postpartum life isn’t that simple. In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Kat Bright, a perinatal trainer (and athlete for life), to talk about returning to movement in the first year postpartum—without the bounce-back pressure, guilt, or all-or-nothing mindset. Kat shares why postpartum fi...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever finally gotten the baby down… looked at your partner… and wondered, “Will this ever feel easy — or even fun — again?” You love each other. You chose each other. But right now? You’re exhausted. Maybe even a little distant. If you have, first of all — you’re not alone. Postpartum changes everything. Your body. Your sleep. Your identity. Your capacity. And because of t...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve always been the “easygoing one,” the helper, the yes-girl… postpartum can feel like the moment where that identity starts to crack.  Suddenly, everyone has opinions. Everyone wants time. And you’re left managing exhaustion, recovery, emotions, and a brand-new mental load—while still worrying about disappointing others. In this episode of Postpartum Better , Chelsea Barbi...

Send us Fan Mail I don’t know who needs to hear this but… postpartum isn’t your “crashout” season — it’s your comeback season. Lately, I’ve been seeing content that frames postpartum as something to survive through venting, numbing, and “just getting by.” Those moments are real — but they’re not the whole story. In this episode, Chelsea Barbine talks about why postpartum can feel like rock bottom...

Send us Fan Mail What if the way you mother has been shaped by things you learned long before you ever became a mom? In this episode, Chelsea Barbine is sitting down with Cathy Heller — renowned teacher, top-ranked podcaster, bestselling author and her personal mentor. You'll learn why your children are here to reflect your growth, your healing, and your capacity to receive more than you ever...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve been feeling disappointed by what “support” looks like after baby, this episode is for you. We’re talking about the most resourced era postpartum moms have ever lived in — and what that actually means for you. Disclaimer: The information and stories shared during this episode is intended to offer general guidance and support. However, every individual's health and c...

Send us Fan Mail You prepped the freezer. You stocked the diapers. You made a birth plan. And yet… postpartum still feels heavier than you expected. Because here’s the part most moms aren’t told: The most important postpartum prep doesn’t happen in the kitchen. In this episode, Chelsea Barbine sits down with Miranda Slaydon , mom of three and certified postpartum doula, for an honest conversation...

Send us Fan Mail Would you trust your 20-year-old self to give you postpartum advice? Chelsea doesn't think she'd give her younger self that much credit. Yet, one of the most grounding articulations she's recently discovered about motherhood came from something she read ten years ago.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Why postpartum support is rarely random Why what worked for you ear...

Send us Fan Mail You’re doing everything “right.” You’re moving your body again. You’re trying to eat well. And yet… you don’t feel like yourself. Your body feels unfamiliar. Your confidence feels shaky. And no matter how many times someone tells you “your body just did something amazing,” it doesn’t magically make it easier to look in the mirror. Here’s the truth most moms aren’t told: Postpartum...

Send us Fan Mail Postpartum hair loss can feel alarming — especially when it shows up months after birth. In this episode, Chelsea explains why it happens and shares three ways to support postpartum hair regrowth. You’ll learn: Why postpartum hair loss is a normal response to pregnancy and birth How sleep deprivation and elevated stress can intensify shedding Why nourishment plays a key role in si...

Send us Fan Mail Do you have everything you hoped for… but feel less “happy”? Most moms assume feeling overwhelmed or “not like yourself” is just part of the season. But what’s actually happening when you decide to just wait it out ? In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Dana Votto, a mom of two and founder of Inner Glow , for an honest conversation about what happens when motherhood becomes you...

Send us Fan Mail Most moms have heard of postpartum depression… but how many know that winter (specifically for those who are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder) can increase the risk — especially for mothers navigating exhaustion, hormonal shifts, breastfeeding, and early motherhood. And for NICU moms, the emotional load is even heavier. In this episode, Chelsea shares the four winter-specific...

Send us Fan Mail Most moms want to breastfeed — and 85% start with that goal. So why do only 1% make it to six months? In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Lisa Myers, mom of two and founder of Ceres Chill , to talk about the real reasons breastfeeding and pumping are so hard — and why the issue isn’t with moms... it’s with the system that fails to support them. From being handed formula in a s...

Send us Fan Mail The holidays are marketed as magical — but for most moms, they’re… a lot.  In this episode, Chelsea breaks down the most overlooked holiday stressor and why it hits even harder once you become a parent. From family expectations to unspoken pressures to the invisible load that somehow triples this time of year, we’ll explore why this season can feel so heavy — and the one shift tha...

Send us Fan Mail Motherhood has a sneaky way of resurfacing childhood wounds—especially when you’re about to spend a lot of time with family. In this conversation, Chelsea is joined by her friend and coach, Michele Maguire , to explore how our early life experiences don’t just live in the past… they show up in our nervous system, our relationships, and the way we respond to our kids. Because as mu...

Send us Fan Mail We’ve all heard about when it’s safe to have sex after birth — but what about wanting to? In this episode, Chelsea unpacks why so many moms struggle with desire after baby and shares a belief shift that might just change everything: it’s not that you’ve lost interest… it’s that you’ve lost space . From research-backed insights to real-life stories (like how an uninterrupted shower...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve probably heard “it’s just the baby blues” or “you’ll feel like yourself again soon” — but those messages miss what many moms actually go through after birth. In this episode, Jaimee Walters shares how her history of anxiety became amplified after a traumatic delivery and NICU stay — leading to postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts. Her story is a reminder that it’s okay to...

Send us Fan Mail Do you know the #1 thing most people lack ? It’s not time, or money, or motivation — it’s belief in themselves. If you’ve ever doubted yourself as a mom, this episode is for you. Disclaimer: The information and stories shared during this episode is intended to offer general guidance and support. However, every individual's health and circumstances are unique. Before making an...

Send us Fan Mail Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage, infertility, and postpartum anxiety. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month , and today I’m joined by mom and co-host of the What the Fertility  podcast , Catherine Baker to talk about her motherhood journey. Before welcoming her first baby earth-side, Cat endured six losses—an experience that not only...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, postpartum health coach Chelsea Barbine dives into one of the never-ending challenges of motherhood—keeping your home (and mind) clear. Inspired by the return of her local supper club and reflecting on the power of gathering, Chelsea shares three simple, practical tips for creating a space that truly supports your mental health. From setting up designated drop zon...

Send us Fan Mail Are you skipping breakfast—or just surviving on coffee and adrenaline? In today’s episode, postpartum health coach Chelsea Barbine sits down with registered dietitian Holly Lockhoff, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN to unpack the biggest nutrition mistakes new moms make—mistakes that leave you exhausted, moody, and frustrated with “losing the baby weight.” You’ll learn: Postpartum protein: how m...

Send us Fan Mail What if the newborn stage set the tone for every stage of motherhood—not just in how you parent, but in how you care for yourself? In this episode, postpartum health coach, Chelsea Barbine challenges the myth that postpartum has an expiration date and explores why the habits and systems you create early on are what carry you through toddler tantrums, school drop-offs, and even the...

Send us Fan Mail How does a stay-at-home mom of three get alone time every day?  In today’s episode, Chelsea sits down with friend, client, and SAHM mom of three — Lyndsey Kampen — to share her unique motherhood journey through postpartum, loss, and raising kids in very different stages of life. With an 11-year gap between her middle and youngest, Lyndsey brings the perspective of a seasoned mom w...

Send us Fan Mail September is NICU Awareness Month.  In this episode, postpartum health coach and fellow NICU mama Chelsea shares her top five tips to help you care for yourself while navigating this journey. Disclaimer: The information and stories shared during this episode is intended to offer general guidance and support. However, every individual's health and circumstances are unique. Bef...

Send us Fan Mail When Holly Kimbell was pregnant, she found herself so fearful of birth that she was avoidant of receiving care. What the first time mom didn’t realize was that postpartum would feel even scarier than birth.  By two months in, the first time mom knew that she needed therapy, but it wasn’t until her daughter’s first birthday that she finally got the treatment that changed everything...