More than Milestones

Kaitlin Rickerd
  • 5.0 (46)
  • PARENTING

Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between. Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood. Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on. If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.

  1. 1D AGO

    18. Is a Helmet Really Necessary? A Pediatric PT and Orthotist Break Down Flat Spots, Torticollis & Treatment Options

    In this episode of More than Milestones, I sit down with Becki Westover, a certified orthotist with Bloom Kids who has over 20 years of experience working with infants and families. Becki explains what a certified orthotist does and why helmet therapy can feel confusing or controversial for parents. We talk through common concerns about infant helmets, including weight, size, comfort, and whether helmets interfere with development. Becki clears up misconceptions by explaining how helmets are designed, what they’re made of, and how they support natural head growth rather than forcing change. The conversation also covers the most common types of head flattening, why cases seem to be on the rise, the impact of the Back to Sleep campaign on tummy time, and the connection between torticollis, IVF pregnancies, and head shape differences. Becki shares when helmet therapy is most effective, why some families are referred to neurosurgery first, and how parents can approach these referrals with more confidence and less fear. Follow Becki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckiatbloom/ Visit Becki’s Website: www.bloomkidsorthotics.com Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    1h 1m

  2. DEC 16

    17. Baby Sleep Without the Pressure: A Conversation with Rachael Shepard-Ohta from Hey Sleepy Baby

    Today I’m joined by Rachael Shepard-Ohta, founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, for an honest look at what’s normal when it comes to baby sleep. Rachael started Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 when she was newly postpartum with her second baby, and now as a mom of three, she has become a trusted voice for parents who want an alternative to sleep training. We talk about why sleep training doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing decision. After several personal failed sleep training attempts at four months old with her own child, she  accepted that she’d just respond to him when he needed her. A few months later, he slept through the night on his own. No program, no pressure—just development and biology doing what they’re supposed to do. Rachael explains why babies are meant to wake throughout the night and how none of us truly sleep in uninterrupted stretches. She also shares how the lack of maternity leave in the U.S. pushes so many parents toward sleep training sooner than they might naturally choose.  We dig into the myth of self-soothing and how temperament plays a  role in whether a baby can fall back asleep independently. We also get into the fears around attachment and why the more important question is how different approaches impact a child’s stress response rather than whether sleep training is inherently right or wrong. Rachael’s Podcast Episode with Tracy Cassels on Sleep Training: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-83-what-does-research-say-about-sleep-training/id1704569686?i=1000702040625 Rachael’s Free Guide on Better Sleep without Sleep Training: https://heysleepybaby.com/freebie-no-sleep-training Follow Rachael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heysleepybaby/ Rachael’s Website: https://heysleepybaby.com/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

    45 min

  3. DEC 9

    16. My Birth Stories: Trauma, Healing, and the Truth I’ve Never Shared

    Trigger warning: I share traumatic details of my birth story. If you’re heading into your own birth, you may want to skip parts of this episode. I’ve been nervous to record this because these stories still feel so close. After my conversation with Illiyin Morrison in Episode 15, I finally felt permission to stop minimizing what I went through and to share the births that shaped me and my postpartum experiences. I start with Aud’s story. I had gestational hypertension with all three pregnancies, so I was induced at 37 weeks. Labor was long and slow, and once my water broke, the Pitocin hit hard. When it came time to push, everything changed. Audrey became stuck & had shoulder dystocia. My OB hit the emergency button the moment she was born, and the room filled instantly. I then began to hemorrhage, and everything went blurry fast. I woke up hours later without my baby and with no idea where she was. The NICU was closed, so I couldn’t see her. Those hours were some of the darkest of my life, and I’m certain that moment was the beginning of my postpartum anxiety.  When Audrey turned one, we got pregnant with Liv. Because of the shoulder dystocia, a C-section was always on the table, but my OB encouraged me to try for another vaginal birth. Liv’s birth became the healing experience I desperately needed. It helped rebuild trust in my body after so much fear and trauma. Toward the end of the episode, I share a story I’ve never talked about publicly — one that brings up big emotions. Each of my births was different, challenging, and beautiful in its own way.  Links & Resources LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

    31 min

  4. DEC 2

    15. Processing Your Birth Story with Perinatal Expert Illiyin Morrison: Birth Trauma, Postpartum Mental Health, Informed Consent, and Finding Your Voice Amidst It All

    Perinatal trauma expert and midwife Illiyin Morrison joins me to talk about what birth trauma really is and how we can begin to make sense of our own stories. After her own difficult birth, Illiyin created a framework that helps mothers understand what happened during their birth experience, why they responded the way they did, and how to move forward with clarity and compassion. Her work now includes remote birth debriefs, her book The Birth Debrief, and a podcast by the same name. We explore how trauma is an internal response to an external moment and why so many women don’t process what happened until long after the newborn stage. Illiyin shares how informed consent, communication, and understanding your options can shift the entire birth experience. She also explains how postpartum depression and anxiety can show up not only as disconnection, but as hypervigilance. We discuss the tender decision of whether to try for another baby after a traumatic birth and the importance of giving yourself time to heal between pregnancies. And for the mothers who know something feels off but feel too overwhelmed to address it, Illiyin offers a comforting first step: simply acknowledging aloud that something is going on is meaningful. Every mother deserves support, understanding, and space to process both the hard moments and the good ones too. Links & Resources Follow Illiyin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illiyinmorrison/ Get your copy of Illiyin’s Book; The Birth Debrief: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/the-birth-debrief Listen to The Birth Debrief Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-birth-debrief-the-podcast/id1705643396 Illiyin’s Services: https://mixingupmotherhood.com/ 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

    46 min

  5. NOV 25

    14. Why Do We Hammer with a Hammer, Rake with a Rake, but Sweep with a Broom: Misheard Mondays & The Chaos of English Decoded with Miss Beth from Big City Readers

    Why do we hammer with a hammer, rake with a rake, but sweep with a broom? This viral TikTok question sparked today’s conversation—a replay of my interview on Miss Beth’s podcast, The Play on Words Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered why English feels impossible to decode, this episode will give you clarity you can use with your child right away.  Miss Beth breaks down why English spelling is so inconsistent, using her favorite example: the word “healthy.” Since the root word is “heal,” the spelling stays the same—even though the pronunciation shifts.  We explore why the word “Pacific” contains three different sounds for the letter C, whether we’ve all been mispronouncing “longevity,” and why we drink a drink but definitely don’t “food a food.” Miss Beth also confirms that struggling with reading out loud in school doesn’t mean anything about your reading ability. We’re already planning a part two, so start sending in the words that confuse you most. Whether it’s the spelling, the meaning, or the pronunciation, we’ll break it down and help make English make sense—one word at a time. Links & Resources Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/ Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/ Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

    43 min

  6. NOV 18

    13. Are We Teaching Reading Wrong? A Candid Talk on Phonics, Sight Words & the Science of Reading with Big City Readers’ Beth Gaskill

    If the thought of “kindergarten readiness” has you spiraling, this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air. Today I’m joined by Beth Gaskill, better known as Miss Beth of @bigcityreaders, a former teacher turned literacy specialist who’s changing the way parents think about reading. Beth breaks down why we’re putting way too much pressure on ourselves when it comes to kids starting school—and what’s really going on inside kindergarten classrooms across the U.S. From the lack of regulation to teachers paying out of pocket for literacy training, she’s not afraid to call it like it is. We also get into some of the most common questions parents have about reading: whether we’re pushing kids to read too soon, if sight words are really necessary, and what the “science of reading” actually means. Beth shares what to look for in your child’s reading curriculum and why third grade is such a crucial turning point for reading development. She leaves us with one powerful piece of advice for raising readers: let your kids see you reading.  Beth’s website: https://www.bigcityreaders.com/ Follow Beth on Instagram @bigcityreaders: https://www.instagram.com/bigcityreaders/ Beth’s FREE Workshop for Kinder - 2nd Grade Parents: https://my.demio.com/ref/NdBsEKF5wWoY4Tbs Links A list of KC's favorite children's books: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/childrens-books Book that KC’s Mom wrote, Grandpa’s Garden: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/yUsgo LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere els

    48 min

  7. NOV 11

    12. Motherhood, Friendships & Social Media: Real Talk with Amy Kiefer

    Today, I’m joined by my closest social media friend, Amy Kiefer. Amy is the co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, a pregnancy and postpartum workout app she runs with her sister, Krystle. She also co-hosts the HERself Podcast, and her online journey began through @ameskiefer, where our friendship started. She’s now sharing her dream home journey at @athomewithameskiefer, and we dive into all the things — motherhood, social media, and growing through every stage. This episode isn’t an interview — it’s a real chat between two friends. We share how our friendship began online and how it’s grown. Amy opens up about supporting me through my hardest postpartum chapter, and we talk about the bitter sweetness of leaving the little kid years behind while finding joy in watching our kids grow. We also get real about social media & the influencer world. Amy shares how she’s learned to handle criticism, reframe negativity, and protect her energy. Her perspective on mean comments will shift the way you think about showing up publicly. Amy shares why genuine friendships matter more than follower counts. She also shares what most people get wrong about influencers — and yes, it involves money. Whether you’re in the baby years, growing alongside your kids, or navigating friendships and social media, this one will leave you feeling seen, understood, and a little lighter. Follow Amy on her personal page: https://www.instagram.com/ameskiefer/ Expecting and Empowered: https://www.expectingandempowered.com/ Listen to the HERself Podcast: https://www.herselfpodcast.com/ Links LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at http://drinklmnt.com/MILESTONE. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend.  💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

    48 min

  8. NOV 4

    11. Motherhood, Marriage, and the Invisible Load: Dr. Morgan Cutlip on Sharing the Weight

    Today we’re joined by Dr. Morgan Cutlip — relationship expert, psychologist, and author of How to Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself and A Better Share. We’re talking about the invisible weight of motherhood: the mental load. Dr. Morgan breaks down what the mental load really means and why one of the hardest parts is explaining it. She shares how to get on the same page with your partner without turning it into a fight, and how to visualize the load so it’s easier to communicate. We discuss why this burden often falls on women and how to build natural check-ins with your partner as life changes — because the load shifts every day. Dr. Morgan also shares what women want most: partners who anticipate needs and show appreciation, and how to invite that change without resentment. We wrap up with a conversation about mom guilt, the slow erosion that can happen in relationships, and how to stay connected through the chaos. Dr. Morgan reminds us that it’s okay to take the moment you need — because knowing and asking for what you need is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and your family. Follow Dr. Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/ Dr. Morgan’s Website: https://drmorgancutlip.com/ A Better Share: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/a-better-share How to Love Your Kids without Losing Yourself: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/love-your-kids-without-losing-yourself The Brief: A No BS Guide to the Mental Load for Men: https://drmorgancutlip.com/the-brief Links 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

    49 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between. Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood. Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on. If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.

Information

  • Creator
    Kaitlin Rickerd
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 More than Milestones
  • Show Website
    More than Milestones

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