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

Send us Fan Mail Ever wish your partner could read your mind after baby? Instead of hearing “How can I help?” imagine getting a text like, “I’m heading to the grocery store so you don’t have to tomorrow.” In this episode, Chelsea unpacks the ONE planning strategy that takes you from carrying the invisible load alone to actually feeling partnered. Related Episodes: How to Rekindle Relationship with...

Send us Fan Mail Gut health may be “trendy”, but for moms and babies, it’s so much more than that. In today’s episode, Chelsea sits down with Madeline Lauf, founder of Begin Health , to unpack the hidden world of the gut microbiome and why it’s a game-changer for postpartum recovery, maternal well-being, and your child’s lifelong health. From how antibiotics at birth affect mom and baby, to the su...

Send us Fan Mail You think you know how to take care of yourself — and you do… but you’ve never done it while keeping another human alive 24/7. In this episode, Chelsea gets real about the massive shift from pregnancy (where everyone’s focused on you ) to postpartum (where all eyes are on the baby)… and the part no one tells you: you are still the one responsible for your baby’s growth and develop...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about what it’s really like to give birth at a birth center—and be home just four hours later? In today’s episode, Chelsea sits down with Brittany, a mom of three, to share her full birth story—from her water breaking in the middle of the night to delivering her baby in a calm, midwife-supported setting. She opens up about choosing a birth center after two hospital births,...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when breastfeeding starts to feel more like a burden than a bond? In today’s episode, Chelsea opens up about the unexpected emotional toll of ending her second breastfeeding journey — and why it was so much harder the second time around. From NICU separation to triple feeding, exclusive pumping, and pump schedules with a mobile infant and toddler at home, she shares t...

Send us Fan Mail Night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, midsection weight gain and fatigue - are all symptoms of the postpartum transition. They’re also symptoms of perimenopause.  In today’s episode, Chelsea is joined by therapist, advocate, former attorney, and author of Millennial Menopause, Lauren Tetenbaum — aka The CounseLaur — to unpack why we need to be talking about the full spectrum of wo...

Send us Fan Mail Is going from zero to one kid harder than going from one to two? In this episode, Chelsea jumps on the social trend and breaks down the emotional, physical, and relationship shifts that happen in each postpartum transition — and ranks which one felt harder for her. Spoiler alert: 0-1 changed her. 1-2 challenged them. Disclaimer: The information and stories shared during this episo...

Send us Fan Mail Postpartum sleep deprivation isn’t just about being exhausted — it impacts your patience, your mental health, your milk supply, postpartum weight loss, your relationships — it impacts everything . In today’s episode, Chelsea is joined by pediatric sleep consultant and owner of Your Zen Baby Sarah Bossio to talk about what’s really going on when sleep feels like a never-ending stru...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve got a color-coded birth plan, your hospital bag is packed, and you’ve saved 87 TikToks about labor positions... But what about what happens after birth? In this episode, we’re diving into why having a postpartum plan (beyond your postpartum meals in the freezer and peri bottle) is just as important — if not more — than your birth plan. If you’re pregnant or in the thick of...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling with low milk supply, pumping frustration, or wondering why breastfeeding feels harder than everyone says? In today's episode, Chelsea sits down with Valene McMorrow, IBCLC, to unpack the real reasons behind breastfeeding challenges—and why milk supply is about so much more than just “nursing more often.” We dive into what actually supports lactation (spoiler: ment...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “top postpartum recovery products” at 2am… I see you. And this episode is for you. There’s SO much noise out there telling new moms what to buy, what to prep, what not to forget. But after going through it twice now, here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t need everything. You just need the right things. On this week’s episode of Postpartum Bette...

Send us Fan Mail Let’s be honest—birth doesn’t always go the way we planned. And even when we can say, “Mom and baby are healthy!” —there’s often still something underneath the surface we haven’t fully unpacked. Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s regret. Maybe it’s a questioned “what if” you haven’t said out loud. Today’s episode is pulled from a live workshop I hosted inside The Cultivate Crew , and fr...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine recovering from birth—and not having your baby in your arms? It’s something no mother plans for, but it’s the reality for so many NICU moms. In this episode, Chelsea is sharing what those first hours after birth looked like for her: recovering after birth while her son was in the NICU, navigating pumping, care windows, and bonding from across the hospital. This isn...

Send us Fan Mail Chelsea Barbine returns to the podcast sharing her peaceful unmedicated hospital birth story, welcoming her second baby, born six weeks early. Chelsea opens up about the emotional journey of a preterm birth, the decisions she faced around induction, Group B Strep, and labor interventions, and how she stayed calm and empowered throughout the experience. She discusses the critical r...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered, "Did my water just break or did I pee?" You're not alone!  In today’s episode, Chelsea reflects on her own personal experience navigating one of the most memorable—and confusing—moments of her second pregnancy. Join her as she shares tips on how to know if your water has broken, the key signs to look for, and when to reach out to your provide...

Send us Fan Mail Are you struggling with postpartum recovery and feeling like you’re not getting the support you need? You’re not alone—pelvic floor health is one of the most overlooked aspects of postpartum care, but it’s crucial for long-term recovery. Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a C-section, understanding how to support your pelvic floor and rebuild your core is key to feeling stronge...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chelsea uncovers a little-known postpartum resource that every expecting mom should know about: Acceleron. This website streamlines the process of getting a free or discounted breast pump through your health insurance, saving you time and money during the critical postpartum period. Drawing from her personal experience, Chelsea explains why having a backup breast...

Send us Fan Mail The postpartum journey is a season of profound change—both beautiful and challenging. In this episode Chelsea reflects on the parallels between setting New Year’s intentions and navigating the transition to life after birth and shares the three key questions every mom should ask herself before.  Whether you're an expecting mom preparing for your postpartum journey or a busy m...

Send us Fan Mail Finding time for movement during pregnancy can feel like just another task on an already overwhelming to-do list. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or the simple fact that some days it’s hard to muster the energy, exercise might feel like a daunting addition. But here’s the truth: prenatal movement doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming—it just needs to work for you....

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Chelsea sits down with airway and sleep dentist, Dr. Kalli Hale to discuss her journey from general dentistry to specializing in pediatric growth and development, particularly focusing on the importance of oral health starting at infancy. Together the two dive deep on the impact of tongue and lip ties in breastfeeding and child development as well as signs that...

Send us Fan Mail Are you preparing for labor and wondering how to feel calm and confident about the big day? Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, labor is as much a mental experience as it is a physical one. At 30 weeks pregnant with baby #2, Chelsea felt her first Braxton Hicks contractions—a wake-up call to the mindset work she’d been neglecting this time around. Inspired by Childbirth Wi...

Send us Fan Mail Postpartum recovery is more than just physical—it’s a multidimensional process that affects your body, mind, and spirit. In this episode of Postpartum Better , Chelsea introduces the 5-5-5 Method, a simple and effective postpartum recovery plan designed to help new moms prioritize healing after birth. Chelsea shares why this method is one of the best tools for healing your postpar...

Send us Fan Mail Are you nervous about taking maternity photos and unsure how to feel your best? In today’s episode of Postpartum Better, Chelsea shares must-know tips to feel confident and comfortable during your maternity shoot—whether it’s your first time or you’re capturing memories for baby number two. Drawing from her personal experience at 29 weeks pregnant, Chelsea opens up about the chall...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling to stay positive while trying to conceive, through the challenges of pregnancy, or recovering postpartum? You’re not alone.  In today’s heartfelt conversation, Chelsea Barbine sits down with fellow mama Paige Corso to unpack the raw realities of motherhood—from the struggles of getting pregnant to the emotional and physical challenges of postpartum. This episode dives i...

Send us Fan Mail What are the must-have items for a baby registry? When creating a baby registry, it’s easy to focus on the nursery, baby gear, and the cutest clothes and swaddles. But here’s the question so many moms overlook: What about YOU? In today’s episode, Chelsea shifts the focus to the mom behind the registry. Inspired by her recent experience as a vendor at an event, Chelsea reflects on...