Postpartum on Purpose

Hey Lady! This guest episode approaches sacred ground, a taste of the unique complexities, triumphs, and trials that come when a child is born and an unsuspected medical condition is discovered. Elena doesn't overwhelm the listener with particular details of her daughter Maggie's diagnosis, she draws out themes that any mother facing similar uncertainty will recognize. What shines through her test...

Hi Lady! There's so much noise around how and when you introduce solids to your baby, including a fair amount of maxims about what you must do or must not do. Five babies in, my approach has become progressively more relaxed with each child. Here's what I'd offer for your consideration if you asked me how to ditch the stress about starting solid foods.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for yo...

Hey Lady! Let's talk about keeping your sanity and your peace while traveling with a baby (and older sibling/s) over the holidays. Here's what to consider as you decide a) whether you want to travel at all b) how to set reasonable expectations for holiday travel c) how to not be overwhelmed by *all*the*things everyone tells new parents they *must have* for traveling with a baby.  If you enjoyed th...

Hi Lady! If you're pregnant now, everyone and their brother will tell you to prep freezer meals before baby comes. But if you're postpartum and that didn't happen....same. I've got you. Here's an alternative to batch cooking/freezer meal prep that doesn't require you to cook for hours and hours on end or shop for a month's worth of groceries at once. Plus, we know foods that have been thawed tend...

Hi Lady! At this time of year, we're facing increased commitments, increased stressful interactions (with in-laws, family of origin, etc.), AND we want to make meaningful Advent resolutions in order to enter into the "already...not yet" of this season and living it in light of eternity. When it comes to commitments, I'd love for you to ask "What do I really want to happen?" and then to modify what...

Hi Lady! I look at 4 months postpartum as a key transition point: your hormones are still likely pretty low if you're breastfeeding but your daily activities are more or less back to normal (including your 'new normal'). Here's what this key transition time looks like for me in terms of sleep, activitity level, a baby milestone, and the outside support I'm still needing.  If you enjoyed this episo...

Hi Lady! This week wraps up an informal 3-part miniseries. The first episode (#66) addressed what to do when everyone (thinks they) need you at once, with two movie quotes to make you laugh and help you shift your mindset about (and perhaps during) those moments. The second episode (#67) offered some logistical or practical considerations for triaging the times when your time and attention are in...

Hi Lady! Last week, I talked about the 2 movie quotes that help keep me sane when everyone (thinks they) need me at once. This week, I'm sharing 3 principles that help me navigate this type of scenario: 1) Safety first 2) Prevention is the Best Medicine (avoid four-alarm everyone-needs-me-at-once scenarios when possible) 3) Build Buffers into Your Day (....and the reason scrolling on your phone do...

Hi Lady! In this episode, I share 2 quotes from the 1938 Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn hit Bringing Up Baby that I rely on in those moments when everything seems to be going sideways at once. The baby needs to eat and the little boys are crying and one of the older kids isn't listening and the other needs to know how to spell a word...from the other room. Here's how I get as close as I can to calm,...

Hi Lady! In this episode, guest host Grace Shepard shares the four pillars for preconception health, and my favorite is the fourth one (hint: it's not all on you, Mama!). Here's what to consider if you're postpartum now and hoping to conceive again in the future.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and share this with a mom friend! Get in touch annemari...

Hi Lady! I've been interviewed for 2 different podcasts lately, and each host has asked me to share the one main thing I want women to know about or do during postpartum. My one main thing is: Build a Grandma Tribe. Today I'm talking about why to start one (including why I say you have to 'build' one) and how to do so in a painless way.  If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll RATE the podcast,...

Hi Lady! Here's how things went at my first lactation consultant appointment (and what you can expect if you work with a LC yourself), plus why I sought one out and the exact moment all my stress about feeding/weight gain/pee and poops went away.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, leave a REVIEW (especially a written review, so other moms know what to expect) and SHARE wi...

Hi Lady! Postpartum hair loss is a real deal, and I'm in the thick (or thin!) of it now. Let's talk what causes it, how long it lasts, whether biotin and other over the counter products can slow it down, and then the type of haircut that can help it look fuller.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast (and esp to leave a written review, please and thank you!)...

Hi Lady! This episode is guest hosted by Haley Yeager, Creighton FertilityCare Practitioner and host of the Truth & Fertility Podcast. She openly and honestly shares her experience of postpartum depression after each of her three births, including what did and didn't help her.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touc...

Hi Lady! Social media drives a narrative that other people (even family members) are a threat to our baby's immune system. But does that viewpoint unnecessarily isolate new moms, especially firsttime moms? I weigh in with the experience I've gained as a mom of five.  If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @p...

Hi Lady! Here's my honest review (not a sponsored post! I'm not that fancy. :)) on a postpartum nutritionist consult I had through the Fay platform. I hope it helps you decide whether you'd like to try something similar.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and share the episode with a friend. As always, get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or...

Hi Lady! Let's talk weeks 5 and 6 both from a postpartum recovery perspective and then also what our family schedule and dynamics looked like.  If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com . 

Hi Lady! This week I'm sharing another guest episode, hosted by my friend Caitlin Lasnoski, who recently gave birth to baby #11. As I texted her to check in during her first week postpartum, she told me she was observing the 5-5-5 Rule. I was intrigued. The more I learned, the more I wanted others to know about it too, and she graciously agreed to share her experience. ***Head's up that there will...

Hey Lady! Here's the good and the bad from my third and fourth weeks as a mom of 5, including why I call this time the 'adrenaline detox' phase, especially when it comes to big siblings. ;)    If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll SUBCSCRIBE and RATE the podcast on your player of choice, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpu...

Hey Lady! I'm so pleased to share a guest episode with you today, hosted by mom of 5 Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC. Jaimie is the owner of Little Bear Lactation, based out of Abilene, TX. She offers virtual-yes, virtual-lactation care to moms across the country. By the end of the episode, she made a believer out of me that virtual lactation care can indeed be a thing, most especially for rural moms (or milit...

Hey Lady! Here's a rundown of my first two weeks as a mom of five (plus one miscarried baby), including what was unexpected, especially compared to previous postpartum experiences.  If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE, leave a starred REVIEW, and SHARE with a mom friend. Get in touch annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com or @postpartumonpurpose on Instagram. 

Hi Lady! As a mom of five, here are the things I do and don't do during middle-of-the-night feeds to help baby (and myself!) go back to sleep ASAP.  If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll SUBSCRIBE, leave a starred REVIEW, and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com .   

Hi Lady, Does your doctor's office stock kits for women who suffer miscarriage? In today's guest episode, Maria Servold of the Early Pregnancy Loss Association talks about being postpartum after miscarriage, and how the EPLA helps support women who've suffered a loss before 20 weeks. Learn more about the EPLA at  https://www.miscarriagecare.com/ and learn more about miscarriage treatment options b...

Hi Lady! Here's birth story #5, my positive hospital birth. Enjoy!!!!  If you enjoyed this episode, I hope you'll SUBSCRIBE, leave a REVIEW so other moms can find the podcast, and SHARE it with a friend. Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com. 

Hi Lady! Today's episode is chock full of tips on how to afford a lactation consultant (tip #1: don't overlook the obvious! Does your insurance cover it? Here's how to find out). This guest episode is hosted by Jacque Ordner of The Milk Guide, and she previously guest hosted Episode 33 https://sites.libsyn.com/530027/33-setting-yourself-up-for-breastfeeding-success-w-ibclc-jacqueline-ordner If you...