What Postpartum Really Feels Like: Mom Guilt, Screen Time & Finding Your Village (ft. Marisa Burdi, New Mom School)

No one tells you this part of motherhood: postpartum isn't just about the baby. It's about you, your identity, your nervous system, your healing, your support system, your confidence. In this episode, Dr. Danielle sits down with Marisa Burdi, founder of New Mom School in Yorba Linda, for one of the most honest conversations about what postpartum actually feels like. Marisa is a postpartum educator and community builder who helps new moms feel supported, informed, and confident instead of overwhelmed and isolated. This isn't the Pinterest perfect version of motherhood. This is real talk about lowering your expectations, giving yourself grace, and finding community when everything feels out of control. In this episode, we cover: How Marisa and Dr. Danielle met (spoiler: Kyle knew her in third grade) What New Mom School actually does and why postpartum support is so needed Why society expects moms to do it all (but that's not how it used to be) The gap in postpartum care that nobody talks about Mom guilt over formula feeding, going back to work, and screen time Why wanting two things at once is completely normal in motherhood The difference between week one and week eight of new motherhood Birth plans vs. birth reality (and why empowerment matters more than the plan) Breastfeeding guilt and why your mental health matters more The best parents are the ones who don't have kids yet (lowering expectations) iPads, Pop Tarts, and Happy Meals (finding your crunchy-ish balance) Why proximity matters when building your mom community Second time mom struggles (the guilt is real) How to support moms making "unpopular" decisions Key Takeaways: ✨ Postpartum is for survival, nourishment, bonding, and recovering (not productivity) ✨ Babies haven't changed, but our society and expectations have ✨ Lower your expectations significantly (seriously, a lot) ✨ Wanting two things at once is completely normal ✨ Your baby's birthday determines their developmental stage, not comparison ✨ Community and vulnerability are more powerful than perfection ✨ Fed is best, and your mental health matters ✨ You're allowed to be excited to go back to work ✨ Screen time so you can connect with your partner? That's okay too Marisa breaks down the real patterns she sees in new moms, from deer in headlights in week one to confidently grabbing drinks from the fridge by week eight. She gets honest about Pop Tarts, Botox, Big Macs, and why she prioritizes her marriage even when it means putting the kids in front of an iPad.   Mentioned in this episode: New Mom School (37 locations nationwide and growing) Bumps and Bagels prenatal events Free breastfeeding support classes The Venn diagram of mom friendships (kids same age + parents get along + proximity) Kendamil organic formula HiPP formula from Europe Fridge snacks as the only after-bath option Baby Mama (the Tina Fey movie about birthing classes) If you've ever felt like you don't recognize yourself postpartum, or like you're mourning the birth or feeding journey you didn't get, or like you're the only one struggling (or the only one NOT struggling), this episode is for you.   CONNECT WITH MARISA BURDI: Instagram: @newmomschool_yorbalinda Email: [email protected] Location: Yorba Linda, CA (serving Orange, Placentia, Anaheim Hills, Corona & surrounding areas) Pre-register while pregnant for classes starting at 3-8 weeks postpartum