Surviving Tiny Humans: 10 Minute Triage for Postpartum & Newborn Care

Dr. Kailey Buller
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Surviving that first year with a newborn isn’t supposed to feel like an escape room, but between clickbait, contradictory advice, sleepless nights, and the unpredictability of babies… it often does. Surviving Tiny Humans is fast, evidence-based postpartum and newborn support from Dr. Kailey Buller; physician, author, and mom of two. Each episode is a mini “triage moment” — what's true, what matters, and when to be seen. Covering newborn sleep, feeding, illness, postpartum recovery, mental health, and everything in between, this show is your weekly dose of sanity from a doctor who gets it.

  1. 6D AGO

    Formula 411: Brands, Bottles, and Everything Else

    Nobody really teaches you about formula. You get a crash course in breastfeeding and then if formula enters the picture — whether it’s day two while you’re waiting for your milk, or month two because breastfeeding just isn’t working — you’re standing in the grocery store staring at a wall of cans with absolutely no idea what you’re looking at. So let’s fix that. In this episode, I break down everything you actually need to know about formula: which one to choose (spoiler: almost any of them are fine) what the different types of preparation mean and when they matterhow to store it safelyhow to clean bottles without losing your mindand how to know when it’s time to size up the nipple. And at the end, we’re talking about paced feeding — a simple bottle feeding technique that reduces gas, cuts down on spit up, and helps your baby start to learn their own hunger and fullness cues. You can use it with formula or expressed breast milk. No shame. No pressure. Just the information you needed someone to give you a long time ago. Grab a copy of Surviving Tiny Humans to get all of this (and way more!) to help you survive that first year with your baby. You can find it here: https://a.co/d/06q6EWNG Or check out the Formula Flowchart Quick Tool linked below — it walks you through choosing the right formula for your baby in about 30 seconds. https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/formula-flowchart

    10 min

  2. MAR 8

    Latch, Supply, and Weight Loss: Your Breastfeeding 101

    Breastfeeding can be beautiful, frustrating, painful, confusing, time-consuming—or all of the above in the same 24 hours. In this episode, we walk through the basics of breastfeeding in a practical, no-shame way, covering:     •    what a good latch actually looks like     •    why a shallow latch is painful and often ineffective     •    how to know if baby is getting enough milk     •    when sleepy feeding, short feeds, or weight concerns might matter     •    what to do if you’re worried about low supply     •    breastfeeding more often vs pumping vs power pumping     •    galactagogues, supplements, and when to ask about medication     •    what to know about mastitis and common troubleshooting     •    whether breastfeeding really helps with postpartum weight loss This episode is designed to help you understand the mechanics of breastfeeding without spiralling over every feed, every ounce, or every wet diaper. Free guide here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/low-milk-supply-read-this-before-you-panic Key takeaway: A painful latch is not something you just have to push through. Low supply has solutions worth trying. And breastfeeding does not have to be all intuition and guesswork. We also talk honestly about the reality that breastfeeding and weight loss are not nearly as predictable as people claim—and why your worth has absolutely nothing to do with what your body looks like postpartum. If you want an easy-reference tool for supply concerns, check out the free breastmilk supply guide here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/low-milk-supply-read-this-before-you-panic Follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage! Supplements: - leafy greens, oats, barley, and nuts - Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle - potentially beer (some non alcoholic options include Guiness 0.0, Erdinger Alkoholfrei and Bravus Oatmeal Dark)

    11 min

  3. MAR 1

    Newborn Sleep Myth #5: Can sleep training ruin breastfeeding?

    If you’re breastfeeding and even considering sleep training, this fear can feel overwhelming: What if sleep training harms my milk supply? What if my baby stops nursing? What if I ruin something that was already hard enough? In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans, Dr. Kailey Buller carefully separates fact from fear. She breaks down: The difference between sleep training and night weaning (they are not the same thing) How you can teach sleep skills without removing feeds What healthy sleep fundamentals look like at different stages of development How supply is established—and when longer stretches overnight are safe Why reducing unnecessary overnight feeds doesn’t mean harming breastfeeding What changes once baby is established on solids We also talk about how chronic sleep deprivation affects stress—and how better sleep can improve your breastfeeding relationship. And at the end, Dr. Buller shares a fascinating fact about breastfeeding moms and overnight wake-ups that explains why this fear feels so intense in the first place. Key takeaway: Sleep training does not automatically mean fewer feeds. Night weaning is a separate decision. And once breastfeeding is established, healthy sleep and breastfeeding can absolutely coexist. You don’t have to choose between your baby’s sleep and your breastfeeding journey. If this episode helped, you’ll find a more comprehensive sleep roadmap linked below—so you can decide what works for your baby, your body, and your sanity. And be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage!

    10 min

  4. FEB 22

    Bleeding, Bladder & Bowels: Adult Diapers & Other Postpartum Truths

    Postpartum recovery is messy. And before we talk about anything else, let’s normalize something important: adult diapers are elite-level postpartum gear. In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans: 10-Minute Triage for Postpartum and Newborn Care, Dr. Kailey Buller—ER and Labour & Delivery physician, mom of two, and author of Surviving Tiny Humans—walks you through what actually matters in those first weeks after birth. We’re talking about the real basics of recovery: What normal postpartum bleeding looks like—and when to seek care How long bleeding should last (and when it’s no longer “normal”) Passing clots: what’s expected vs. what’s concerning Urinary leakage: common but not something you have to live with When to involve pelvic floor physiotherapy How to survive your first postpartum bowel movement And at the end, Dr. Buller shares her top 3 postpartum recovery hacks—simple, practical changes that make those early weeks significantly easier (including a surprisingly effective bed-sheet trick). Key takeaway:Recovery is not glamorous.It is physical, hormonal, uncomfortable—and completely normal.You are not failing if it feels messy. It is messy. If this episode helped, check out Surviving Tiny Humans. It's jam PACKED with tips from friends and colleagues to help make the first year postpartum just a liiiiittle bit easier. 12 months. 12 topics. Zero judgement. https://a.co/d/0dS2OSOo

    9 min

  5. FEB 15

    Newborn Sleep Myth #4: Sleep Training means "Cry It Out"

    When parents hear “sleep training,” many immediately think one thing: cry it out. But are sleep training and "cry it out" really the same thing? In this episode of the Surviving Tiny Humans podcast, Dr. Kailey Buller breaks down one of the most common misunderstandings in baby sleep. We unpack: Why sleep training became synonymous with cry-it-out in the first placeThe difference between extinction, modified extinction (Ferber), and total extinctionWhy night weaning and sleep training are not the same thingParent-present methods like pick-up/put-down, the sleep ladder, and the Sleep Lady ShuffleWhy some crying is often part of learning—but that doesn’t mean neglectHow temperament and family capacity matter more than internet opinions This episode also introduces a flexible, customizable approach Dr. Buller calls the “Block Method”—a simple, developmentally appropriate system that allows you to choose: how long you might expect baby to go between feeds how much reassurance you provide and how much independence you’re ready for Because sleep training isn’t one rigid method. It’s a spectrum of tools—and some families truly need those tools. Key takeaway: Sleep training is optional. Cry-it-out is one method—not the definition. And you’re allowed to choose the approach that protects both your baby’s sleep and your sanity. If this episode helped, take a look at the Sleep Quick Tools linked here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep-quicktools These are easy-to-implement supports that can help decipher night wakings navigate sleep regressionscreate a sustainable (and fair) overnight plan Or, for more guidance on what to know and how to start supporting sleep, download the free “7 Lies You’ve Been Sold About Sleep Training” guide: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7 And, as always, be sure to follow so you don't miss the next episode!

    12 min

  6. FEB 8

    Colic vs. "Normal" Crying -- What's Going On & What To Try

    Newborn crying can feel endless — and when you’re sleep-deprived, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what might be something more. In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans, Dr. Kailey Buller breaks down the difference between typical newborn crying (yes, it can be hours a day) and colic, using the classic “rule of threes” — and explains why colic isn’t really a diagnosis so much as a description of how much crying is happening. We’ll walk through the most common reasons babies cry excessively, including: an overstimulated nervous system (and how to use the 7 S’s to soothe) reflux (what to look for, and how to troubleshoot) an immature GI system (and simple ways to help) You’ll also learn one of the most practical, low-risk things to try if your baby is colicky or fussy, like reducing cow’s milk protein (not lactose) in your diet or choosing the right type of hydrolyzed formula. And at the end, Dr. Buller shares one of the only supplements with solid evidence for helping colic . If you’re in the trenches with a baby who won’t settle, this episode will help you feel less helpless and more clear on what’s worth trying next. If you want an even deeper breakdown, Surviving Tiny Humans covers colic and troubleshooting in more detail: https://a.co/d/0hNEhhnH Resources mentioned: the 7 S’s, cow’s milk protein vs lactose, and the probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri -- strain DSM 17938. And don't forget to follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage!

    11 min

  7. FEB 1

    Newborn Sleep Myth #3: Can Sleep Training Ruin Attachment?

    Does sleep training harm your baby’s attachment… or their brain? If you’ve ever heard “crying raises cortisol, cortisol is the stress hormone, so sleep training is harmful” and felt completely uneasy about the idea of prioritizing sleep — this episode is for you. In this 10-Minute Triage, Dr. Kailey Buller slows the fear down and breaks it apart with calm, evidence-based clarity. We’ll cover what secure attachment actually is (and what it isn’t), why cortisol gets misunderstood online, and what high-quality research shows about sleep training and long-term outcomes — including when there’s some crying involved. You’ll also hear what is associated with harm (hint: chronic stress, severe sleep deprivation, and untreated parental distress matter), why short stress isn’t the same as trauma, and when sleep training might not be the right move right now. If you’ve been stuck in the exhausted-anxious loop, afraid to make any change in case you “do damage,” consider this your permission to be precise — not dramatic. Grab the “7 Sleep Training Lies” guide linked here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7 Next up: Sleep training doesn’t have to mean cry-it-out — we’ll talk options and how to choose a method that fits your baby and your nervous system.

    11 min

  8. JAN 25

    Sex After Babies: Pleasure, Not Pressure

    Sex and intimacy after having a baby can feel… different. Your body has changed. Your hormones are shifting (especially if you’re breastfeeding). You’re exhausted. Your nervous system is stuck in care-mode. And somehow you’re supposed to just “get back to normal” at six weeks? Nope. In this episode, we talk about what’s actually happening postpartum that affects desire and comfort, why there’s no timeline you’re meant to follow, and how pressure—whether it comes from a partner, society, or yourself—often makes everything worse. We’ll also reframe what intimacy can look like right now (hint: it does not have to mean sex), how to tell when you might be ready to try physical intimacy again, and why pain is information—not something you should push through. Plus: a direct note for partners—because one of the biggest libido killers after baby isn’t hormones… it’s mental load. Support isn’t “extra.” It’s the foundation. If intimacy feels awkward, off your radar, or just not worth the effort right now—this episode is your permission slip to slow down. Bottom line: Intimacy after baby should be guided by pleasure, not pressure. There is no deadline. Free resources for postpartum recovery and reconnecting are linked here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sex If this helped, follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage.

    11 min
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Surviving that first year with a newborn isn’t supposed to feel like an escape room, but between clickbait, contradictory advice, sleepless nights, and the unpredictability of babies… it often does. Surviving Tiny Humans is fast, evidence-based postpartum and newborn support from Dr. Kailey Buller; physician, author, and mom of two. Each episode is a mini “triage moment” — what's true, what matters, and when to be seen. Covering newborn sleep, feeding, illness, postpartum recovery, mental health, and everything in between, this show is your weekly dose of sanity from a doctor who gets it.

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