Unswaddled NAPS

This week’s episode features Alison, a mom of two and a NAPS client. She shares her journey of having two children in the NICU, in hopes that her story will help other parents who are navigating medical challenges with their own children. Alison joins Emily to share how she navigated the NICU with her two children, Abby and Caleb. Alison discusses staying in the hospital while pregnant to the emotional and medical hurdles of having premature and medically complex infants. She goes on to talk about her determination to breastfeed Caleb after not being able to do so with her daughter, the difficulties they faced, and the eventual decision to prioritize bottle and tube feeding in order to ensure Caleb’s health and bring him home from the hospital. Alison further explains the process of being discharged with a baby with a feeding tube and the unexpected obstacles that accompanied it. Emily and Alison touch upon resources available to parents with children in the NICU, emphasizing the importance of seeking support from therapists, as well as connecting to parents in similar situations through social media groups and organizations like Feeding Matters. 
In this week’s Q&A, Jamie and Emily discuss ways to support someone whose child is in the NICU, using responses gathered from parents who have had this experience. 
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+

Jamie and Emily kick off this episode by sharing what they did over Memorial Day Weekend before discussing this week’s episode on summer travel, highlighting their different perspectives when it comes to traveling with their families 
Jamie and Emily share personal experiences and practical tips for traveling with children. They discuss their contrasting travel preferences and how these have evolved over time, talking about sleep environments and adjusting childrens’ routines. They also highlight the benefits of having a babysitter while on vacation to balance family time with time for personal relaxation, before diving into the logistics of traveling as a family. Emily draws from her experience flying with small children and gives her advice around managing luggage, car seats, and kids in airports. Jamie and Emily also cover important safety tips for travel, focusing on pools, the beach, and crowds. 
In this week’s Q&A, Jamie and Emily give their tips about flying while pregnant. 
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+

Jamie kicks this episode off by sharing her thoughts on the importance of estate planning for parents, not only financially but also the care and values that parents would like their children to have. She discusses her recent experience with The Parents Estate Planning Law Firm in Massachusetts, and highlights an upcoming free workshop on this topic as well as the option for listeners to book a call with the firm to learn more. Jamie introduces the guests for this episode,   Dr. Cory Whelan and Dr. Kara LaCroix, co-founders of Seasons Behavioral Services, who provide valuable insights and resources for families supporting individuals with autism.
Dr. Whelan and Dr. LaCroix chat with Emily, sharing their journey in founding their organization and explain the process and importance of early intervention and support for families navigating autism diagnoses.The conversation delves into the intricacies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, highlighting its role in helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism. They discuss the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to improve outcomes and emphasize the significance of parental support and community resources to navigate the complexities of raising a child with autism.
In this week’s Q&A, Jamie addresses a parent's concern about their four-month-old waking up frequently at night, explaining the concept of the four-month sleep regression. Jamie also mentions Nurture’s sleep consultation services for personalized support. 
Workshop with Jamie O’Day and Parents Estate Planning 
Book a call with Parents Estate Planning Law Firm 
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+

To introduce this podcast episode, Emily and Jamie discuss Jamie’s 13th wedding anniversary and her upcoming trip. They go on to reflect on the importance of self-care and introduce this episode’s guest, Jackie Lightner, talking about the different levels of mental health care and the unique approach of her program, Lightwork Therapy. 
Jamie talks with Jackie Lightner, LICSW, and Executive Director of Lightwork Therapy and Recovery, a mental health service provider for women in Massachusetts. They discuss the evolving landscape of mental health care for women, acknowledging historical biases and the pressure on women to fulfill multiple roles. They explore societal expectations, the normalization of therapy, and challenges in accessing mental health support. The conversation delves into the need for intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for women, highlighting issues with insurance coverage and the importance of tailored, supportive environments like Lightwork's female-focused space. They further discuss the challenges individuals face when transitioning from hospitalization to home care, highlighting the unpredictable wait times and insurance coverage issues. They emphasize the importance of navigating the system and advocating for proper care, sharing personal experiences and strategies to streamline the process. Jackie shares Lightwork’s different approaches and experts, as well as their structured 20 week curriculum that covers themes like safety, guilt, and shame. They emphasize the importance of self-care for high-functioning individuals, providing accessible help without the need for referrals. Jackie highlights their commitment to connecting individuals with appropriate care, even if it's not with them. She encourages reaching out via their website or Instagram for support.
In this week’s Q&A, Emily and Jamie prepare listeners for the warmer weather by answering a question about the use of bug spray on 2 year olds. 
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+

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+