Unswaddled NAPS

Jamie and Emily start this episode by sharing their recent walk, emphasizing the significance of spending time with friends and prioritizing self-care. They then introduce the guest for the episode, Sarah Harmon (@the.schoolofmom), who excels in prioritizing both these aspects. Sarah, a licensed mental health therapist, yoga/mindfulness teacher, corporate wellness expert, and founder of The School of MOM and Parent Wellness Group, is commended for her ability to offer practical tools for self-care and breaking generational cycles.
In their conversation with Sarah, they dive into the concept of the "mental load." Sarah suggests reframing the mental load as a "brain-body load," emphasizing its impact not only on mental but also emotional and physical well-being. She emphasizes the need to recognize and address the negative emotional component, and explore the potential for personal growth and empowerment that comes from understanding and managing the brain-body load, viewing it as an opportunity for self-awareness and assertiveness in defining one's needs and boundaries within relationships. They explore the role of community and partners in supporting personal growth and emotional well-being, and Sarah discusses her journey of self-discovery and empowerment within her relationship. They also discuss the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community, as demonstrated by Sarah's program "Flourish," which aims to help mothers prioritize self-care, break generational patterns, and create a hopeful future for themselves and their families. 
In this week's Ask a Nurse segment, Emily discusses addressing parental concerns regarding sick children during sleep training. Sharing a scenario from her sister's experience, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a child's comfort and health over strict sleep routines. Emily provides practical guidance on determining when to intervene and offers reassurance to parents navigating similar situations.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

In this podcast episode, Emily and Jamie kick off Mental Health Awareness Month by having an insightful conversation with Megan Saxelby, a mental health expert who specializes in conflict resolution, social emotional learning, and emotional intelligence. Megan discusses her research and experience regarding the impact of social media on parents’ mental health. She highlights the unconscious influence of social media on parenting decisions and the challenges of navigating digital habits as a new parent. She emphasizes the need for proactive conversations and strategies to manage social media consumption. The conversation touches on privacy concerns, geolocation tracking, and the influence of social media on children's digital footprints. They discuss the impact of parents posting photos of their children on social media, and explore how social media usage can interfere with genuine connections, especially between parents. Emily, Jamie, and Meg touch on strategies for managing digital habits, including mindful usage, setting limits, and understanding emotional triggers. Throughout, they reflect on personal experiences and societal trends, urging listeners to consider the broader implications of their digital interactions. 
In the Q&A this week, Jamie and Emily discuss supporting friends dealing with loss, recommending concrete resources that individuals can turn to, as well as practical strategies to support friends during any type of loss.
Nurture Support Groups 
Postpartum Support International 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Emily and Jamie introduce guest Sarah McKinnon (@southieot), a friend and Occupational Therapist. They talk about Sarah as Jamie’s vacation buddy, and share their personal insights on the dynamics of going on vacation with friends, emphasizing the value of finding the right travel companion. They discuss Sarah’s role as a healthcare provider, specifically in her role on Nurture, providing education and live coaching calls to members. 
In Jamie, Emily, and Sarah’s conversation, they discuss pediatric occupational therapy (OT) and its role in helping children and families develop essential skills for everyday activities. Sarah emphasizes that Occupational Therapists work with children on various developmental aspects, including sensory processing, cognition, and motor skills, to facilitate their engagement in play, learning, and self-care tasks. Furthermore, Sarah, Emily, and Jamie discuss the differences between OT, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology, underscoring the holistic approach of occupational therapy in addressing a wide range of developmental needs. Sarah emphasizes the importance of early intervention and highlights signs that may indicate a need for OT support. Additionally, McKinnon offers tips on facilitating tummy time, shares information about Southie OT's services, including in-person and virtual consultations, and encourages listeners to visit their website or Instagram for more information and resources. 
In this week’s Q&A segment, Jamie and Emily discuss the challenge of when kids should be able to wipe themselves after potty training. They emphasize that every child is different and acknowledge that independence in this task varies and may require patience. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Emily and Jamie start off this episode by discussing their excitement for a corporate workshop and Emily's relatable struggle with using her Dyson blow dryer. This week, they welcome Ellen McCue to their podcast, to talk about potty training, a common concern amongst Nurture clients and instagram followers. Ellen is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who is a familiar face on the Nurture platform, providing practical and evidence-based advice to parents. Jamie, Emily, and Ellen break down potty training, starting by emphasizing that there is no “right” age to potty train a child. They then delve into various aspects of potty training, focusing on both daytime and nighttime training. They share personal anecdotes and insights into the challenges parents face during the process. Ellen emphasizes the normalcy of boys and girls wetting the bed at older ages and advises against rushing nighttime potty training, suggesting that it often happens naturally over time. They also touch on the importance of addressing constipation issues and how it can affect potty training progress, as well as sleep issues and behavioral patterns related to accidents in older children. They provide reassurance to parents, potty training is often a process, encouraging them to be patient and understanding throughout the potty training journey. 
In this week’s Q&A segment, Emily and Jamie answer a question about whether giving a child too much dairy is possible, providing both the medical perspective and practical advice for parents dealing with picky eaters. They emphasize the importance of balance and moderation in a child's diet and encourage listeners to join their Nurture membership for more daily insights and support.
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS to get 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Kicking off this episode, Emily and Jamie banter about their weekend antics and signature dance moves before segueing into this week’s podcast episode, featuring Lydia Thibodeau, founder of Sommet Nannies (@sommet_nannies). Sommet Nannies is a nanny placement agency that specializes in connecting families with college-educated, professional caregivers. The episode is particularly timely as it coincides with International Nanny Training Day, an event taking place in Boston this year where both NAPS and Sommet Nannies will be in attendance to share their knowledge and services. 
Jamie and Lydia’s discussion explores the nuances of selecting a childcare provider. Lydia emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts when choosing a provider and advises a decisive "hell yes" or "no" approach to candidates. She encourages consideration of the candidate’s ability to meet a family’s logistical needs and to inquire about their background and experience, particularly recommending unconventional candidates with diverse childcare experiences, not just those with traditional nanny roles. They discuss the importance of in-home meetings, as they provide an opportunity for observation and interaction, with references being crucial in cases where direct interaction with the child isn't possible (ie, when you’re expecting). The discussion covers essential reference check questions, communication strategies, and the differentiation between nanny and housekeeper roles. Lydia further emphasizes the importance of proactive communication and outlines the unique recruitment process and services offered by Sommet Nannies, including nationwide placements of not only nannies, but also house managers and chefs. Lydia concludes by sharing how interested parties can connect with Sommet Nannies through their website to start their own nanny search.
In this week’s Q&A segment, Jamie and Emily address concerns about a 10 month old not having teeth yet. They draw from their nursing expertise and personal experience to discuss the expected timeline for developing teeth and tips for parents who may be worried about their own child’s tooth development. 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS to get 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

In this candid and relatable podcast episode, Jamie and Emily discuss navigating transitions as a parent, using Emily’s recent experience of ditching her daughter’s sippy cup as an example. Emily confessed to her recent decision to take away Eloise's beloved “little cup,” which had become a behavioral crutch for her two-and-a-half-year-old. Emily shares her strategy for removing the cup and navigating Eloise's reaction, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and remaining consistent. Emily shares a powerful analogy for parenting transitions, likening the parent to the pilot of a plane and the children to passengers. Jamie and Emily discuss the significance of parental readiness and alignment between caregivers, as well as the need to stay steadfast in implementing new boundaries. Throughout their conversation, they offer insights into the challenges parents face when trying to maintain routines and patterns with their children, especially after disruptions like travel or illness. They emphasize the importance of not dwelling on setbacks and instead focusing on the ability to quickly return to a positive place. Emily and Jamie share their own experiences with parental guilt and imperfection, highlighting the need for self-compassion and willingness to adapt. They conclude by encouraging listeners to seek support and guidance when navigating parenting challenges, reinforcing the message that it's okay to seek help when navigating big transitions, and highlighting the Mom Survival Groups that are offered by NAPS. 
In the Q&A segment, Jamie and Emily discuss mealtime expectations for a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler. They also highlight the importance of consistency and share personal strategies for managing mealtime challenges.
Learn more about NAPS Mom Survival Groups: 
Veteran Mom Survival Group
New Mom Survival Group
Working Mom Survival Group
 
This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:
Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order
kozēkozē: Use code NAPS to get 20% off your purchase
Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+
Little Spoon