Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep

• 40 - Back to Work: Easing the Transition After Maternity Leave

  Send us a textIn this powerful episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb peels back the curtain on one of the most under-prepared-for moments of early parenthood: going back to work after maternity leave. Spoiler alert—it’s not just about logistics, it’s an identity shift.Deb opens with her own (very real) story: trying to jump back into overnight doula work while leaking milk, crying on her commute, and coaching her husband through baby care via text—only to crash hard and realize, “I wasn’t ready.” It’s the kind of raw honesty and insight that sets this episode apart. When she did go back later, on her own terms, everything changed—and she shares how you can create that same shift.This episode is packed with straight-talking, compassionate tips for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the return-to-work whirlwind. Top five tips for going back to work: ✨ Run a dress rehearsal before Day One (because chaos loves to show up uninvited)🍼 Prep your feeding game—whether you’re pumping, formula-feeding, or combo feeding🧺 Share the dang load at home and stop being the default parent and the snack planner and the emotional support human🎵 Build drop-off and pick-up rituals that help you and baby feel grounded💤 Protect your sleep like it’s sacred, even when you’re not getting much of itAnd perhaps most importantly, Deb debunks the “back to normal” myth with warmth and clarity: You’re not going back. You’re evolving.💡 Resources You’ll Want to Grab:✅ Free Postpartum Logistics Checklist: Get your ducks in a row without losing your mind.✅ Baby Soothing Guide: Quick, practical tools to help during transitions.All freebies and program info can be found at douladeb.com/free-resources-sign-up🎧 Who Should Listen:New parents returning to work soonPartners wondering how to be more supportiveAnyone feeling stretched thin and unpreparedClients needing a loving push to actually prepare instead of panic🫂 Need More Support to Plan Going Back to Work? ✅ First Year Support Program: Personalized, judgment-free support for feeding, sleep, partner dynamics, and easing back to work.✅ Sleep Coaching Consults: Ideal for prepping your baby’s sleep before your return.Hit play, share with a friend, and remember—you’re not doing it wrong, you’re doing something new.Support the showThank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.Contact Information:Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoulaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.debTwitter: https://twitter.com/doula_debDisclaimer:The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

  --------  

  12:48

  --------

  12:48
• 39 - Lactation Support Without the Shame: A Conversation with Emily Ager LM, IBCLC

  Send us a textIn this episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb sits down with licensed midwife and IBCLC, Emily Ager, for the kind of raw, no-guilt, reality-check conversation every parent needs about feeding their baby. Emily shares her journey from EMT to midwife to lactation consultant, and how her mission became crystal clear: supporting families with feeding plans that are realistic, sustainable, and completely free of shame.They tackle the myths and “shoulds” that leave parents burned out and doubting themselves, explore the freedom and sanity that combo feeding can offer, and call out harmful advice, like long-term triple feeding, that needs to be retired. Emily reminds us that feeding isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about protecting your mental health, enjoying your baby, and finding a rhythm that actually works in your life.From prepping your support team before baby arrives, to involving your partner in practical ways, to knowing when it’s time to change the plan, this episode is packed with compassionate, evidence-based, and yes, slightly sassy guidance that will leave you feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed.Listeners will walk away knowing they don’t have to choose between a fed baby and a thriving parent; you can have both.✨ Free Resources: Sign up for Deb’s Free Resource Library for downloadable guides, including feeding prep checklists and newborn care tools.💬 Work with Deb: Whether you’re pregnant and want a prenatal consult, navigating postpartum feeding struggles, or need holistic, gentle sleep support, Deb offers one-on-one services to meet you where you are, locally and virtually.Hit play and hear the truth about feeding without the pressure, perfectionism, or guilt. Your sanity, and your baby, will thank you.Support the showThank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.Contact Information:Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoulaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.debTwitter: https://twitter.com/doula_debDisclaimer:The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

  --------  

  1:14:14

  --------

  1:14:14
• 38 - Postpartum Must-Haves: What to Buy for You (Not Just the Baby) After Birth

  Send us a textIn this no-nonsense episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb pulls back the curtain on what birthing parents really need for postpartum recovery—and spoiler alert: it’s not another swaddle.Too often, new parents are sent home with scratchy mesh underwear and a peri bottle that sprays like a rogue firehose, leaving them to figure out the rest. Deb’s here to change that. She walks listeners through a doula-approved list of postpartum essentials that are simple, soothing, and seriously helpful.From clever DIY padsicles and soothing herbal sitz baths, to the lowdown on nipple creams, water bottles, and heating pads. Deb’s goal is to make healing easier and less overwhelming. She also shares gentle reminders about mental health, comfort, and the power of being prepared with easy snacks, cozy blankets, and a notebook to help capture those foggy postpartum moments.This episode isn’t just a shopping list—it’s an invitation to center your needs as a new parent, and to feel empowered and supported through one of the most transformative seasons of your life.✨ Listeners will walk away with:A full rundown of what to buy for perineal care, breast/chestfeeding comfort, and mental wellnessEasy-to-implement tips for using what you already have (hello, frozen newborn diapers!)Gentle reminders to prioritize rest, support, and self-compassionEncouragement to not wait until it hurts to get help🎁 Freebie Mentioned:Download the Postpartum Recovery Essentials Checklist for free at douladeb.com/free-resources-sign-up—you’ll get instant access to Doula Deb’s full library of practical, printable guides for birth, postpartum, and beyond.🌀 Want more personalized support?Deb offers one-on-one consults to help you prepare for postpartum and the wild ride of new parenthood—whether you’re still pregnant or already in the thick of it. Reach out through her Preparing for Parenthood consults or First Year Support Program for customized guidance.And for families juggling older kids with a newborn on the way, don’t miss Deb’s Rooted Rest Sleep Course. This is going to be a game-changer for helping siblings sleep well before the baby arrives.This is the episode every new parent didn’t know they needed.Because yes, baby gear is cute—but you deserve to heal in comfort. Tune in, take notes, and share with a friend who’s preparing for postpartum recovery.Support the showThank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.Contact Information:Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoulaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.debTwitter: https://twitter.com/doula_debDisclaimer:The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

  --------  

  14:55

  --------

  14:55
• 37 - Why Is My Newborn Crying?! Soothe with Intuition (Not Guilt)

  Send us a textIf you’ve ever stared at your crying newborn and thought, “I’ve tried everything… why are they still upset?”—this episode is your permission slip to exhale and regroup.In this heartfelt and practical episode, Doula Deb—a seasoned birth, postpartum, and sleep doula—walks you through her no-shame, intuition-first approach to understanding and soothing a crying baby. With her signature warmth and real-talk clarity, Deb shares her step-by-step checklist to decode baby cries, while gently reminding listeners that crying is communication, not condemnation.You’ll learn:How to move through the “Is it hunger? Gas? Overstimulation?” checklist without second-guessing yourselfWhy intuition matters more than the clockWhat to try when nothing is working—from the tried-and-true 5 S’s (Dr. Harvey Karp) to the surprisingly helpful Dunstan Baby Language methodThe critical red flags to watch for in the first week of life, and why excessive crying then should prompt a call to your pediatrician or lactation consultant (not a wait-and-see approach)How to embrace the fourth trimester with compassion and calm—even on the messy, sleep-deprived daysThis episode is especially powerful for parents of babies under 4–6 months old, when soothing can feel like a mystery and sleep is unpredictable. But instead of pushing quick-fix solutions, Deb invites you into a more grounded rhythm—one that centers connection over control.💛 Want to go deeper?Deb shares that this exact approach is the foundation of her upcoming Rooted Rest Sleep Course, launching Fall 2025. The course explores:Soothing techniques & baby regulationWake windows and feeding rhythmsInfant temperament and intuitive parentingAnd a sleep philosophy rooted in compassion (not cry-it-out)👶 Rooted Rest is designed for conscious parents who want a flexible, evidence-based sleep plan without abandoning their instincts—or their baby.🎁 Freebies + Resources👉 Visit www.douladeb.com/rooted-rest to join the waitlist👉 Click here to get FREE access to Doula Deb's printable resource library (including the Crying Checklist + 5 S’s handout) and sign up for her monthly newsletter: https://www.douladeb.com/free-resources-sign-up 🎧 Press play now to feel seen, supported, and reminded:✨ You’re not failing.✨ You’re learning your baby.✨ You are the magic.Support the showThank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.Contact Information:Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoulaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.debTwitter: https://twitter.com/doula_debDisclaimer:The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

  --------  

  15:11

  --------

  15:11
• 36 - From Bump to Baby: How Chiropractic Supports Pregnancy, Postpartum, Infants & Children (Guest: Dr. Emma Swartling from Lumos Chiropractic)

  Send us a textIn this can’t-miss episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb sits down with Dr. Emma Swartling of Lumos Chiropractic for a deep (and surprisingly fun!) dive into what chiropractic care actually is—and why it might be the secret weapon every new parent didn’t know they needed.Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or caring for a baby who seems uncomfortable no matter what you do, this episode is packed with aha moments. Dr. Emma breaks down the magic of nervous system regulation, explains why pregnancy pain is more than just “normal,” and demystifies infant chiropractic care (nope, it’s not bone cracking—it’s more like melting butter). From pelvic alignment and round ligament pain to fussy car rides, reflux, and tongue ties, Deb and Dr. Emma walk listeners through how bodywork can gently support comfort, development, and yes, even better sleep.Listeners will also get the inside scoop on:How chiropractic care supports feeding challenges (spoiler: it’s not always a latch issue)What to know before and after a tongue tie release (including why bodywork should be part of your plan)The brain-body connection in infancy and childhood—and how supporting it early can transform long-term developmentDr. Emma’s Brain Blossom Program for school-aged kids with emotional, learning, or social challengesHow parents can tune into their baby’s cues and trust their instincts when something feels off💛 Whether you’re prepping for birth, navigating the postpartum fog, or wondering why your baby cries every time they’re in the car seat, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, informed, and ready to explore new tools in your parenting toolbox.Tune in now—because your baby’s nervous system (and yours) will thank you.Support the showThank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.Contact Information:Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoulaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.debTwitter: https://twitter.com/doula_debDisclaimer:The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

  --------  

  56:19

  --------

  56:19

Weitere Bildung Podcasts

Trending Bildung Podcasts

Über Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep