EPISODE · Sep 30, 2025 · 1H
Baby Sleep Struggles: Letting Go of Sleep Training and Choosing Connection (Part 1)
from Mama You Belong · host Kirsten Desmarais, DPT and Molly Hilgenberg, LICSW
Kirsten traces the journey from pressure-filled, sleep training newborn days to a more child-centered and connected approach to sleep. Together, we share how postpartum rage became a compass, how sensory needs shaped real rest, and why prioritizing relationship over rules brought relief.• check in: school strain reaches a tipping point and home education is considered; Molly pursuing an amazing creative endeavor!• Kirsten's experience as a first time mom. The sleep "shoulds" were HEAVY• postpartum rage named as boundary signal and guide• the weight of sleep training culture and external validation• sensory input, proximity, and ritual as sleep supports• co-sleeping stigma vs what actually works for rest• unlearning rigid schedules or expectations and centering relationship over expectations• grief for lost early weeks and permission to choose differentlyResources:Duluth Perinatal - perinatal mental health and parenting resources curated by a perinatal mental health therapist My Connected Motherhood - Sleep consultants WITHOUT SLEEP TRAINING. Love them.Nurture Neuroscience Subscribing to our podcast and leaving us a review is one of the best ways for other people to find us. So if you enjoy what you are hearing or if it resonates with you, please subscribe and leave us a review. It would mean a lot.Support the showKirsten's Physical Therapy websiteThe Nuture CollectiveMama You Belong InstagramKirsten's Instagram Molly's InstagramMolly’s music Sister Veery on bandcampMolly’s music website
What this episode covers
Kirsten traces the journey from pressure-filled, sleep training newborn days to a more child-centered and connected approach to sleep. Together, we share how postpartum rage became a compass, how sensory needs shaped real rest, and why prioritizing relationship over rules brought relief. • check in: school strain reaches a tipping point and home education is considered; Molly pursuing an amazing creative endeavor! • Kirsten's experience as a first time mom. The sleep "shoulds" were HEAVY • p...
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Baby Sleep Struggles: Letting Go of Sleep Training and Choosing Connection (Part 1)
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