Postpartum Better | Postpartum Recovery, Sleep Support, Breastfeeding, FTM, Postpartum Depression, Mom Guilt, Identity

Send us Fan MailTrigger Warning: This episode discusses maternal mental health crises, postpartum psychosis, and references the Lindsay Clancy case. Please listen with care.Maternal mental health conditions have nearly doubled in the past decade. So why are we still only reacting after the fact?In this episode, Chelsea shares her unfiltered response to the Lindsay Clancy trial — and what she believes it reveals about the gap between having access to resources and actually having support. She breaks down why information alone isn't care, why preparation for postpartum deserves the same attention we give to preparing for birth, and the exact steps she took to move through her own fear of birth by understanding it instead of avoiding it.Moms deserve better. Families deserve better. This is your sign to start preparing instead of waiting until you're in it — join the Postpartum Better Bootcamp waitlist here: https://postpartumbetter.com/bootcampDisclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailThey say one day it'll matter who you marry.In this episode, Chelsea Barbine sits down with Pauleanna Reid — a mom of two and founder of a wildly successful agency — to talk about something most conversations about motherhood underestimate or completely ignore: that the decisions you make before the baby even arrives are the ones that shape everything after.Pauleanna breaks down the mom tax — the assumptions, the passed-over opportunities, the quiet ways people start treating you differently the moment they know you're expecting — and why she kept both of her pregnancies almost entirely private because of it.They also get into:Why she says she didn't marry for love — and chose her husband almost like a business decision insteadWhat it actually took to run a company through two C-sections and night shifts after bedtimeThe difference between hoping you'll have a village and actually building oneWhy being a little selfish might be the thing that makes you a better wife and mother, not the oppositeThis isn't a highlight reel of "having it all." It's a conversation about what it really costs to protect a career while building a family — and what she did instead.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou "warned" for baby number one. The sleepless nights, the questioning of yourself, how your whole world rearranges overnight. What (almost) nobody warns you about is what happens when baby number two arrives — and it hits somewhere completely different.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailDon’t want to lose yourself after birth? Here are 4 tips on how not to and what to discuss with your husband about supporting you.In this episode, Chelsea Barbine talks with Sheridan De La Cruz about the steps she took to “be both” a good mom and feel like herself. They dive into conversations she had with her husband when her pregnancy became high risk, how NICU visits impact your postpartum health and the realities of taking care of yourself while taking care of another human being. Trigger warning: This episode talks about high-risk pregnancy, preterm labors, and a NICU stay. Please take care of yourself as you listen.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with Sheridan: https://www.instagram.com/shergoodhealth/Read Healthy Mom, Happy Family by Sheridan De La Cruz*: https://amzn.to/4yviNHU*Host earns commission from salesNext Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou climbed the ladder. You proved yourself. You hit every milestone you were supposed to hit.Then you had a baby — and going back to that same job, the one you were so good at, suddenly felt impossible.That's not a career crisis. That's a postpartum identity crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn the chapter to steal from the Gen Z playbook before you quit your job and burn it all down.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailCourtney kept losing her nipple shield — you know, the clear one that is impossible to find in your diaper bag — so she decided to make her own that was pretty and findable. That one idea turned into a whole company built on a simple belief: postpartum products can be functional AND beautiful, and moms deserve both. In this episode, you’ll hear from mom of 3 and Founder of Le Lolo Courtney Boylan. She shares about her own postpartum journey — the engorgement pain, the fear of leaving the hospital, the sister who told her to trust her gut — and how all of it built the confidence to leave a steady job and bet on herself.Connect with Courtney: Website: https://wearelelolo.com 15% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: PBPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareleloloDisclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou feel guilty spending money on yourself. You feel guilty when you don't. There's no version of this where you win — until you actually understand why.In this bonus episode, I break down the budgeting trap almost every postpartum mom is stuck in, and how to finally end the vicious cycle.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan Mail"You'll be fine. You'll figure it out. That's what we all did!"Survivorship bias is real and it’s affecting postpartum moms every single day. If you’ve ever felt guilty, or “extra” or weak after someone told you that you’ll be fine because they were, 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou finally found your groove… and now it's time to go back to work. Diaper bag packed, hair and makeup done by 8am, and about 20 new things on your plate. If the end of your maternity leave is looming with a pit in your stomach — this one gets real about the "second wave of postpartum".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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWhat if feeling like you don't have time has nothing to do with your calendar? Take a listen to learn what it actually means and what to do about it. 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou know what happens when you ask ChatGPT to plan your entire postpartum recovery? It gets a lot right — AND misses the three things that actually matter most.In this bonus episode, postpartum health coach and mom of 2, Chelsea Barbine let her curiosity win and ran the experiment so many of you have already tried yourselves. Typed the prompt. Read the plan. Found exactly where it falls apart.Press play. Then send it to the friend who's asked Chat to plan her whole maternity leave so she doesn't suffer either.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou know what solitary confinement criminals and many new moms have in common? Isolation.Think that's dramatic? Take a listen.In this bonus episode, postpartum health coach, Chelsea Barbine breaks down why postpartum isolation sneaks up on even the most prepared, most social new moms — and what actually closes the gap once it hits.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou snapped again — over the cup, the shoes, the same question for the ninth time — and then hated yourself for it.In this episode, Chelsea talks with mom and perinatal psychologist Dr. Moya O'Leary for the conversation that takes the shame out of it.You’ll learn why: you only have to get it “right” 30% of the timethe repair after you lose it matters more than never losing itthe four words to give another mom that change everythingThis episode talks openly about postpartum mental health. Please take care of yourself as you listen.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with Dr. MoyaWebsite: https://healingclovercounseling.com Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healing_clover_counselingNext Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan Mail"I don't know how you balance it all." Mama, same — because I'm not.Two kids under four are home with me all summer while I run my business, and I stopped chasing "balance" a long time ago. Here's the honest truth about why "balancing it all" is a myth that's quietly crushing ambitious working moms — and the reframe that changes everything: motherhood is meant to reshape you, not erase you.Your permission slip for this summer. Send it to a mom who needs it.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou've been told some babies are just bad sleepers. That sleep training is cruel. That you just have to survive the newborn phase and eventually — eventually — you'll sleep again.What if all of that is wrong?In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Chrissy Lawler — licensed marriage and family therapist, sleep expert, mom of four girls, and author of the brand new book The Peaceful Sleeper — to talk about the one thing that impacts every single cell, function, and process in your body. Sleep.In this episode they cover:Why sleep training has gotten such a bad reputation — and what it actually looks like done rightThe developmental framework that makes teaching independent sleep feel less scary and more intuitiveWhy your family's sleep is one of the most important investments you can make in your mental health, your relationship, and your childrenWhat happens when moms pour everything into the early years and lose themselves along the wayWhy a well-rested mom isn't a luxury — she's the foundationThis is the episode you send to the mom who keeps saying she'll sleep when the kids are older.Because she can't wait that long. And neither can you.Grab your copy of The Peaceful Sleeper *Follow Chrissy Lawler, MS, LMFT, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultanthttps://www.thepeacefulsleeper.com/ *Host may receive commission for purchasesDisclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailThe most fertile, the most abundant, the most beautiful growth on earth happens after something burns. And you are not the exception to that rule.If this season feels like a fire — one that’s “burning it all to the ground” — this episode will change the way you see it.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailTrigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of thoughts of self-harm and harm to baby in the context of postpartum depression. Please listen with care.Is it baby blues or signs of postpartum depression? In this episode, Chelsea Barbine is talking with Dr. Erica Borman — board certified psychiatrist specializing in reproductive mental health — for the conversation every woman deserves to have before, during, and after pregnancy. In this episode they cover:The real difference between baby blues and postpartum depression — and why it mattersThe risk factors nobody warned you about that every mom should knowWhy sleep deprivation is more dangerous than you thinkThe truth about medication during pregnancy and postpartum How to build your support team before baby arrives so you're not scrambling when you need help mostNothing comes without risk. But neither does staying silent.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWhat if the thing that saved your life was as simple as a walk?Today I'm sitting down with Jamie Oneal — founder of the Mom Walk Collective, the force behind the Mile a Day challenge, and as of today, walking 30 miles to raise awareness for maternal mental health. I mean, come on.Jamie's story starts long before the collective. A traumatic brain injury, a divorce while pregnant, a NICU stay — and a postpartum journey she had to navigate largely alone. What carried her through? Moving her body, finding her people, and one walk that turned into a viral video that turned into a movement now in over 700 cities worldwide.In this episode we cover:Walking as a postpartum tool — and why it's more powerful than you thinkWhat it actually means to build a village and be a villagerWhy vulnerability is the gateway to finding your peopleHow Jamie built a global movement starting with one free walk and one yesSend this one to the mom who needs to know someone gets it. She's going to want to find her nearest Mom Walk after this.🎙️ Find your local Mom Walk: https://www.themomwalkcollective.com/walks📲 Follow the Mom Walk Collective: https://www.instagram.com/themomwalkco/ 📲 Follow Jamie: https://www.instagram.com/jamieeastonn/ 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailFor years you've been told it happens so easily. Conception, birth, motherhood and bonding with your baby. But what if it doesn't?In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Amy Serafini — IVF mom of two, with her third miracle on the way — to talk about the maternal mental health journey that starts long before baby arrives and lasts well beyond the early years. From infertility and IVF cycles to birth trauma, NICU life, and the fears that can follow you into parenting years later unless healed, this conversation is raw and full of hope.In this episode we cover:The isolation and emotional toll of trying to conceive and IVFHow your birth experience can shape your postpartum journey and parentingWhy maternal mental health doesn't have an expiration dateThe healing that can deepen your bond with your children years into motherhoodNo matter what chapter of motherhood you're in — you are enough to move through it.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the woman who never wanted to be a mom becomes one?In this episode, Chelsea Barbine sits down with Julie Gonzalves — who spent years telling her husband motherhood wasn't for her — until a positive pregnancy test at 34 changed everything.Together they talk about:Why maternal mental health starts long before the baby arrivesHow preparing for birth supported Julie when it didn't go according to planWhat postpartum anxiety can feel like, even when you're doing everything "right"And the fears new moms carry quietly — especially around returning to workIf you're navigating new motherhood, postpartum anxiety, or simply trying to hold onto yourself through the beautiful chaos of it all — 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailDeloitte US just cut parental leave from 16 weeks to 8. And while everyone is outraged about the number — nobody is talking about what the number was never solving for in the first place.In this episode, I'm going there.Because maternity leave isn't the finish line. It's the starting line. And most companies — even the ones getting praised — are completely missing the mark.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailFor many women, the transition into motherhood—especially after years of trying—can feel different than expected.In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Lauren Dewey—mom of two and founder of Brooksybox—to talk about her journey through infertility, navigating IVF alongside her career, and what it really felt like to step into postpartum after years of trying to conceive.Lauren shares:the loss of control that comes with trying to conceivethe identity shift after baby and redefining success beyond careerthe emotional reality of returning to work—and what happens when that path no longer fitsthe 2am moment that changed everything and led her to start her businesshow Brooksy Box is supporting women through infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhoodIf you’re trying to conceive, going through IVF, pregnant after infertility, or navigating new motherhood and postpartum identity changes—this conversation will meet you where you are.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Purchase a Brooksybox: https://brooksybox.com/Follow Lauren on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brooksybox Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailOne of the most common questions Chelsea gets from the moms she coaches is simple: how do you and your partner actually divide responsibilities at home? In this episode, she shares the exact three-step activity she walks every client through — a practical, low-pressure exercise that brings clarity to one of the quietest sources of tension in new parenthood. No rigid systems, no judgment. Just a starting point that works for this season.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailMost moms think postpartum gets easier the second time around.You've done this before. You know what's coming. You're prepared.But that's not how it works.In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Dr. Jen Fraboni — Doctor of Physical Therapy and mom of two — who is one of the most trusted women's health educators online, and yet her second postpartum still humbled her. You’ll learn: The difference between Jen’s c-section and vaginal birth recoveriesWhat blindsided her most with the one-to-two transition What pelvic floor PT she did (and didn’t do) to support postpartum recoveryHow to rebuild your postpartum strength when you barely have 30 minutesWhy motivation is a myth but accountability changes everythingIf you're expecting your second, in it right now, or just feel like something is off and you can't quite name it — 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Follow Dr. Jen Fraboni, PT, DPT on IG: https://www.instagram.com/docjenfit/Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWhat if you miss it?The first step.The first word.The moment everyone tells you you’ll never get back.For so many working moms, the fear isn’t just about milestones—it’s about what those moments mean.Does it still count if you weren’t there?Will your baby feel it?Are you choosing your career over your child?In this episode, Chelsea breaks down the real reason this fear feels so heavy—and the belief shift that changes everything.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailMommy & me classes are supposed to make things easier…so why do they so often feel like the opposite?If you’ve ever:Left a class more stressed than when you arrivedSpent the entire time bouncing, feeding, or stepping outOr skipped it altogether because it just didn’t feel worth the effort…this episode is going to hit.Because what if the problem isn’t you…it’s the setup?In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Rachael Bridgens—mom of two, pre and postnatal Pilates specialist, and founder of Pilates Collective in Audubon, PA—who created the kind of postpartum space most of us wish existed.We’re talking about:Why so many mommy & me classes fall short (and what’s missing)The one shift that allows moms to actually participate (hint: it’s a game-changer)Why Pilates is one of the most supportive ways to return to movement postpartumThe connection between your core, posture, and pelvic floor (and why it matters more than you think)What realistic postpartum recovery should actually look like (not the “bounce back” version)How to reconnect with your body in a way that feels supportive—not overwhelmingThe power of being in a room where other moms just get itResources Mentioned: Check out the Pilates Collective Mommy + Me Class: https://www.pilatescollectivehq.com/Follow Pilates Collective on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pilatescollectivehq/ Build Your Postpartum Support team: https://www.perinatalpartnersnetwork.com/directory Keep your breastmilk cold: https://www.cereschill.com/ Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou expect your baby to sleep.Everyone says they will.So when they don’t?You’re left questioning everything.In this episode, Chelsea sits down with baby sleep consultant and mom of 3, Ann Marie Harriger, to unpack what’s really going on when sleep isn’t working—and why trying to “fix everything” might be the exact reason you feel stuck.This conversation will help you release the pressure, understand your baby more clearly, and finally feel like you have a plan.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why naps feel like the tipping point for so many momsThe ripple effect of sleep deprivation on your baby, your relationship, and your homeThe biggest mistake moms make when trying to improve sleepWhy focusing on one thing at a time changes everythingHow nighttime sleep becomes the foundation for everything elseWhat to do if your baby is feeding all night (and how daytime plays a role)How to stop second-guessing yourself and start feeling confident in your approachStop playing whack-a-mole and listen to this episode. 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with Ann MarieWebsite: https://amsmilessleeptraining.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/am_smiles_sleepcoach/Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailThinking about a tongue tie release for your baby — but not sure if it’s actually necessary?In this episode, I’m joined by occupational therapist Kelsey Swope, owner of Baby Basics OT, to break down what parents should really know about tongue ties.We talk about feeding challenges, reflux, body tension, baby milestones, and why the common advice to “wait and see” can sometimes leave families stuck and struggling longer than necessary.If you’ve been feeling like something is "off" — or just want to better understand what your baby may be communicating through their body — 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailAre freezer meals really enough for postpartum?In this episode, postpartum health coach Chelsea Barbine sits down with Rachel Popik, founder of Stay Doughy, to talk about one of the most overlooked parts of postpartum recovery: how moms are actually supposed to feed themselves once the baby arrives.Because yes, freezer meals can help.But they only go so far.Chelsea and Rachel unpack the invisible labor of feeding yourself postpartum—from deciding what to eat, to grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up—and why this burden so often falls on moms during one of the most physically and emotionally demanding seasons of life.They also explore why dinner gets all the attention in traditional meal trains, even though breakfast, lunch, snacks, and easy-to-grab nourishment are often what moms need most.Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:Why feeding yourself postpartum is about more than just “having food ready”The invisible labor behind every meal—and why it matters so much after birthWhy traditional meal trains can be helpful and limitedPractical ways to prepare for postpartum nourishment before baby arrivesThe key nutrients Rachel recommends moms prioritize for healing and recoveryHow postpartum food support may need to extend far beyond the first few weeksIf you’ve ever wondered what you’re actually supposed to eat postpartum—or how to make sure nourishment doesn’t become one more thing on your plate—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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Rachel Popik (she/her) is an anti-diet chef, cooking instructor and the founder of Stay Doughy, specializing in postpartum nutrition. Based in Philadelphia, Rachel is a lover of food, nature, foraging, gardening, and nature. She’s happiest when she’s in the kitchen, using cooking as a creative outlet, a way to care for her community, and heal her relationship with her body. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @StayDoughy and find her offerings on her website at staydoughy.comResources Mentioned:The Nourished Mother by Lindsay Taylor The First Forty Days by Heng Ou*Host receives commission on linked productsNext Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailAre you constantly wondering if your baby is actually getting enough—or if feeding is “supposed” to hurt this much?In this episode, Chelsea Barbine sits down with lactation consultant Ashley Feeley to unpack the biggest points of confusion families face in the early days of feeding—especially when you’re sleep-deprived, overwhelmed by advice, and trying to figure out what’s normal (and what’s not).You’ll learn:How often should a newborn eat? (Is every 30–90 minutes normal?)Is my baby getting enough milk? Signs to look for beyond the clockHow do I know if the latch is good? What effective milk transfer feels/sounds likeWhy does breastfeeding hurt? When nipple pain is normal vs. notWhen can I let my baby sleep longer at night?Why is my baby not gaining weight? What might actually be going onShould I wake my baby to feed?Is it okay to give a bottle for my sanity? (The “mental health bottle” explained)Cluster feeding or low supply? How to tell the differenceHow do I trust my gut as a new mom?If you’ve ever fed your baby… put them down… and then heard them cue again 30 minutes later, this episode will remind you: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re learning your baby—and that takes support, not shame.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with Ashley Feeley, IBCLCWebsite: www.lovelylatchlactation.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovelylatchlactationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelylatchlactation/Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailThe 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 fitness shouldn’t be about shrinking or “undoing” birth. It’s about rebuilding strength on your terms: more resilience, more vitality, and a body that feels like home again.You’ll hear:Why chasing your pre-baby body can keep you stuckWhat consistency actually looks like with babies and toddlersWhy unfinished workouts still count (even just putting your workout clothes on)How to start when you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to beginWhat to do when time and childcare feel like the biggest barrierThe “another baby vs. best shape of my life” conversation — and why it’s not either/orPractical movement ideas when time and childcare are limited—especially in winterDisclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with Kat NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise SpecialistInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/katfitstrength/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatFitStudios/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@katfitEmail Newsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/82744/165616968429208964/shareWebsite: https://www.kat.fit/ Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailHave 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 that… your intimacy, too.In this episode, Chelsea talks with marriage and family therapist, Jaclyn Zeal. Together, they talk about why intimacy often feels different after baby — and what you can actually do about it.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Connect with JaclynWebsite: https://therapywithjaclyn.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapywithjaclynNext Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailIf 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 Barbine is joined by perinatal therapist and mom of 2 Leah Andreoni, MA, LMFT, PMH-C - to discuss why boundaries aren’t selfish postpartum—they’re protective, and why people-pleasing can quietly sabotage your recovery, confidence, and nervous system.This conversation is especially for the mom who:Feels guilty saying no—even when she’s exhaustedSays yes to visitors, favors, or conversations she doesn’t have energy forWorries about being “ungrateful” or “difficult”Feels resentful, overstimulated, or depleted but doesn’t know whyDisclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailI 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 — and how those moments often become the doorway to your breakthrough.Not in a toxic-positivity way. In a what you surround yourself with actually shapes your recovery way.If postpartum has stretched you… If it’s shaken you…If you’ve felt yourself changing in ways you didn’t expect…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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 thought possible.If you’ve ever wondered why certain moments in motherhood feel so triggering… or so healing… this episode will change the way you see yourself — and your child.• Follow Cathy Heller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathy.heller/• Order the Abundant Ever After book: https://www.cathyheller.com/abundant-ever-after-book-1Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailIf 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 circumstances are unique. Before making any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou 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 about what actually makes postpartum recovery feel supported — and why preparation looks very different once you’ve lived it.From precipitous births and a foggy second postpartum to her most grounded recovery after baby number three, Miranda shares how community, boundaries, partner support, and environment shaped her healing in ways meal prep never could.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why a “beautiful birth” doesn’t guarantee an easy postpartumThe overlooked role your partner plays in postpartum recoveryHow learning to receive help changes everythingWhy your home environment matters more than most moms realizeThe difference between preparing for birth and preparing for life after birthPostpartum isn’t something you get through — it’s something you’re supported through.And when you stop trying to do it all yourself and start building a team around you, recovery feels entirely different.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWould 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 randomWhy what worked for you early postpartum might no longer be "working"The rule that she uses daily to support herself through motherhoodIf you’ve been feeling like you’re outgrowing something but don’t know what comes next — this conversation might put words to it.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou’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 isn’t about getting back to who you were — because that version of you doesn’t exist anymore.In this episode, Chelsea Barbine sits down with Shoshana McNeil, mom of five boys and personal trainer, to break down why bounce-back culture fails moms — and talk about what postpartum recovery actually requires: grace, patience, and rebuilding from the inside out.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why bounce-back expectations create pressure and shameThe identity shift no one prepares moms forWhy postpartum recovery takes time — and why that’s normalHow guilt keeps moms from caring for themselvesThe mindset shift that helps you feel stronger and more confidentThe truth?When you stop chasing who you were and start building who you’re becoming, everything changes.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailPostpartum 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 birthHow sleep deprivation and elevated stress can intensify sheddingWhy nourishment plays a key role in signaling safety to your bodyWhat regrowth typically looks like — and what not to panic aboutNext Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailDo 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 your entire identity. Dana shares how years of exclusive breastfeeding, rigid routines, solo parenting through medical crises, and never asking for help left her completely drained. And how one simple question — “What makes you happy?” — became the starting point for finding herself again.Together, they unpack:The subtle ways moms lose their identity (and why it often goes unnoticed for years)Why the second baby hits differentlyWhat inner work and self-rediscovery actually look likeThe TWO simple habits you can start todayIf you’ve been feeling lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the person you were before kids - hit play and thank us later!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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailMost 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 strategies that helped her protect her mental health after going into premature labor, delivering six weeks early, and juggling a 16-day NICU stay with a toddler at home — all during the darkest, coldest time of year.Disclaimer: 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailMost 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 so-called “baby-friendly” hospital, to crying over spoiled milk after returning to work, Lisa shares the personal challenges that inspired her to build a product (and community) that finally gives moms real options.Whether you’re currently nursing, exclusively pumping, or choosing formula — this conversation is for every mom who’s ever felt overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure if she’s doing it “right.”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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailThe 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 that can make it feel noticeably calmer and lighter.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailMotherhood 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 much as we may wish that becoming a mom will erase old patterns, it doesn’t - it just intensifies them.So if you’ve ever felt “irrationally” triggered by your toddler’s tantrum, your baby’s crying, or your husband not listening—and then immediately spiraled into shame—know that the first step to change is awareness. The second step is in this episode!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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailWe’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 turned into the best kind of foreplay), this episode will help you reconnect with your body, your time, and your desire — on your own terms.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailYou’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 not be okay — but it’s just as important to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for the care you deserve. Because when it comes to maternal mental health, awareness before baby matters just as much as support after.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailDo 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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailTrigger 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 led to symptoms of postpartum anxiety but also made it difficult to even think about, let alone prepare for, the fourth trimester.In an effort to support other mothers navigating pregnancy and postpartum after loss, Cat opens up about what she did to prepare differently the second time around—and the healing that came with it.No matter where you are in your motherhood journey, my hope is that this conversation offers the compassion and perhaps the perspective shift you need today.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter

Send us Fan MailIn 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 zones to choosing safe, functional baby gear that complements your home, she breaks down how small shifts in your environment can bring big relief to your day-to-day life.You’ll walk away understanding not just how to manage clutter with kids around—but why it matters for your energy, mindset, and overall sense of calm at home.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 any significant changes, or if you have concerns about your health, it's essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner.Next Steps:DM me on Instagram @postpartumbetter