Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep

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Why does early parenthood suddenly make even tiny decisions feel impossible?
In this episode of Doula Talk, Deb dives into the neuroscience behind postpartum brain fog, decision fatigue, mental overload, and why so many parents feel emotionally exhausted, overstimulated, and stuck second-guessing themselves.
From sleep deprivation and the invisible mental load of parenting to the overwhelm of too much information and conflicting advice, Deb explores what’s actually happening in the postpartum brain and why struggling to make decisions doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means your nervous system is overloaded.
You’ll also walk away with realistic, practical strategies to reduce overwhelm, protect your mental bandwidth, trust your intuition, and stop feeling like you have to optimize every parenting decision.
In this episode, we cover:
Why parenthood feels like decision fatigue on steroids
What postpartum brain changes actually look like (hint: it’s adaptation, not decline)
The hidden mental load of feeding, naps, schedules, and constant tracking
Why too much parenting advice can leave you frozen instead of confident
5 practical ways to reduce overwhelm and support your overloaded brain
How to stop treating every parenting decision like a life-or-death situation
Most importantly: a reminder that your baby does not need a perfect parent. They need a supported one.
Need more support? Grab access to Doula Deb's free resources, gentle sleep and postpartum consult options, and her First Year Support Program for families navigating the early months of parenting below.
Resources + Support:
 • Free parenting resources library
 • Sleep consults
 • First Year Support Program
 • Monthly parenting newsletter
Support the show
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
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.

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In this episode of Doula Talk, Deb sits down with Dr. Estelle Giraud, founder and CEO of Trellis, to talk about the massive gaps in postpartum healthcare and why so many women are left feeling exhausted, dismissed, and unsupported after birth.
Together, they unpack what is actually happening in the body during postpartum recovery, including hormone shifts, nutrient depletion, nervous system dysregulation, inflammation, thyroid changes, anemia, mental health struggles, and the long-term health impacts that can follow pregnancy and birth. They also explore why postpartum is not just a short recovery phase, but a critical biological window that can shape a woman’s health for decades to come.
Deb and Estelle dive into the realities of the broken “six-week checkup” model, the emotional and mental load women carry as the default healthcare managers of their families, and how access to personalized health data can help women advocate for themselves instead of being brushed off with “that’s just postpartum.”
They also discuss Trellis Health’s groundbreaking at-home postpartum lab kit, which allows women to test hormones, iron, thyroid function, nutrient levels, inflammation markers, and more from the comfort of home. Plus, they tackle the growing concerns around AI and medical privacy, and how Trellis is building a truly private, HIPAA-compliant healthcare platform centered around women and families.
If you’ve ever felt like postpartum care was reduced to “Are you crying? Cool. See you later,” this episode is going to make you feel deeply seen.
This conversation is for:
Pregnant and postpartum moms
Parents struggling with postpartum recovery
Women dealing with brain fog, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, or burnout
Anyone interested in women’s health, postpartum wellness, and long-term maternal health
✨ Resources Mentioned:
Trellis Health App
At-home postpartum lab testing
Doula Ambassador Program

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a postpartum parent who deserves better support.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
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.

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Postpartum is full of decisions that can feel impossibly heavy. Breastfeeding or formula? Tongue tie release or wait? Go back to work or stay home longer? Sleep support now or later?
In this episode, Deb talks about why decision-making in early parenthood can feel so overwhelming and how to reconnect with your intuition without ignoring research, support, or real-life challenges. Using her RAINBOW method, she walks parents through a grounded framework for making thoughtful, informed decisions during pregnancy, postpartum, and the newborn stage.
This episode is for parents who feel stuck between opinions, pressure, guilt, and fear of “getting it wrong.”
You are allowed to slow down, ask questions, and make decisions that align with your family.
✨ In this episode: The RAINBOW Method - Free downloadable handout here!
R - Reflect (Research & Risks)
A - Adjust (Alternatives)
I - Intuition
N - Nothing
B - Benefits
O - Obligation
W - What Now?
🎧 Connect with Deb:
 Doula Deb offers postpartum, feeding, and sleep support for families navigating the first year. 
Free Intake Call
A low-pressure conversation to talk through what’s feeling hardest and explore what type of support would best fit your family.
One-Time Consults & Ongoing Support
Flexible virtual support for feeding, sleep, postpartum recovery, regulation, and the emotional load of the first year.
Sleep Support & Coaching
Gentle, relationship-centered sleep support for babies and toddlers. Includes Sleep Foundations Consults and ongoing coaching options.
Free Downloadable Resources
Free checklists, handouts, postpartum planning tools, sleep support starters, and parenting resources.
Favorite Amazon Finds
Curated postpartum and baby essentials focused on function, regulation, and real-life parenting support.
Workbooks & Guides
Practical tools and printable resources designed to help families navigate postpartum recovery, feeding, sleep, and the mental load of early parenthood.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
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.

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The first year after having a baby can put pressure on even the healthiest relationships, not because families are failing, but because postpartum recovery, sleep deprivation, work stress, hormones, and nonstop caregiving are a lot for human nervous systems.
In this honest and practical episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Doula Deb shares 10 realistic tips for partners navigating the newborn and baby stage together. From learning how to pause during overstimulating moments to supporting a recovering partner, lowering expectations, reconnecting through play, and surviving the mental load of parenthood, this episode is packed with grounded encouragement for exhausted families in the thick of the first year.  
This conversation is especially helpful for:
Partners returning to work postpartum
Families navigating newborn overwhelm
Parents struggling with burnout or communication
Couples trying to stay connected during the baby stage
If you’ve ever looked at your partner at 3am and thought, “Are we okay?”… this episode is for you.
Doula Deb also shares reminders about trusting your intuition, finding community support, and giving yourselves permission to slow down during this season of life.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
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.

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Whether you're knee-deep in diapers or wondering if your toddler will ever nap again, one thing’s for sure: you’ve probably put yourself dead last on the priority list. In this episode, I’m sharing real-talk strategies to help you make space for self-care that actually works, even in the chaos of new parenthood.
This isn’t about bubble baths or “just go take a nap” advice. It’s about giving yourself permission to be human, asking for help before you're drowning, and finding micro-moments of calm in the middle of the mess.
From emotional regulation to partner dynamics, to why eating your toddler’s leftover string cheese absolutely counts as a meal—we’re covering it all.
We’ll talk about:
Why self-care is non-negotiable (and not selfish)
Small, doable rituals that help you feel like you again
What emotional self-care actually looks like in real life
How to share the load with your partner (without resentment)
Why support in the first year of parenting can change everything
Resources & Support Mentioned in This Episode:
🧠 Free Postpartum Mental Health Handouts –  Get my downloadable guide to help you recognize the signs of postpartum anxiety, depression, and emotional overload—and most importantly, what to do about it. 👉 Download Here
🍼 The First Year Support Program – Support for you, not just the baby. Weekly or monthly check-ins, sleep guidance, emotional support, and a whole lot of “you’re not alone.” 👉 Explore the Program
💤 Doula Deb’s Free Sleep Resources – If your baby is sleep-averse and you are touched out and running on fumes, I’ve got you. 👉 Grab Free Sleep Tips
📱 Follow me on Instagram – For snack-fueled real talk and behind-the-scenes support: @doula.deb
Let’s keep parenting honest, supported, and just the right amount of scrappy.
 If you need a reminder that you matter too, this episode is it.
Support the show
Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
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.