Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep

Doula Deb
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Doula Talk is a podcast for parents navigating the real, often messy middle of postpartum and early parenthood. Hosted by Doula Deb, a birth, postpartum, and sleep doula with over 15 years of experience, this show offers compassionate guidance, honest conversation, and practical support for the first year and beyond. We talk about postpartum recovery, newborn care, sleep, nervous system regulation, and the emotional load that so many parents carry quietly. This isn’t about quick fixes or perfect routines. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and building steady, supportive foundations that help both parents and babies feel more regulated over time. Through solo episodes and thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, Doula Talk helps you make sense of sleep struggles, feeding questions, recovery, and the constant mental load of early parenthood, without shame, pressure, or panic. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the exhaustion of caring for a baby, this is a place to slow down, feel less alone, and remember that you’re not doing this wrong.

  1. 58 - The RAINBOW Method: How to Make Intuitive Decisions in Postpartum (When Everything Feels Uncertain)

    1d ago

    58 - The RAINBOW Method: How to Make Intuitive Decisions in Postpartum (When Everything Feels Uncertain)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 - IntuitionN - NothingB - BenefitsO - ObligationW - 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.

    27 min
  2. 57 - Ten Tips for Partners to Keep Calm, Keep the Peace, and Keep Your Sanity (Especially When Everyone Is Exhausted and Someone Has to Go to Work Tomorrow)

    May 27

    57 - Ten Tips for Partners to Keep Calm, Keep the Peace, and Keep Your Sanity (Especially When Everyone Is Exhausted and Someone Has to Go to Work Tomorrow)

    Send us Fan Mail 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 postpartumFamilies navigating newborn overwhelmParents struggling with burnout or communicationCouples trying to stay connected during the baby stageIf 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.

    16 min
  3. 56 - Hot Mess, Big Heart, No Sleep: Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional

    May 12

    56 - Hot Mess, Big Heart, No Sleep: Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional

    Send us Fan Mail 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 againWhat emotional self-care actually looks like in real lifeHow to share the load with your partner (without resentment)Why support in the first year of parenting can change everythingResources & 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.

    9 min
  4. 55 - The Taboo Conversation: Cannabis, Women’s Health, and Making Informed Choices (Dr. Amanda Reiman, Founder Personal Plants)

    May 5

    55 - The Taboo Conversation: Cannabis, Women’s Health, and Making Informed Choices (Dr. Amanda Reiman, Founder Personal Plants)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb sits down with public health researcher Dr. Amanda Reiman to explore a topic that many parents are already navigating quietly, but rarely feel safe talking about openly. Cannabis. For families moving through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and early parenthood, the messaging has often been clear and rigid: just say no. But behind the scenes, many parents are dealing with sleep deprivation, anxiety, pain, and nervous system overwhelm and are left trying to piece together information on their own without clear, supportive guidance. This conversation gently opens the door. Dr. Reiman brings over 20 years of research and experience to the table, offering a thoughtful, harm-reduction approach that helps listeners better understand how cannabis interacts with the body, especially for women. Together, Deb and Amanda walk through what’s actually happening beneath the surface, from the role of the endocannabinoid system to the differences between THC, CBD, and CBN, and how these compounds may affect sleep, mood, inflammation, and pain. What makes this episode especially powerful is how it holds both sides of the conversation. There is space for caution, especially around pregnancy and breastfeeding, where the research is still evolving and individualized care is essential. And there is also space to acknowledge the reality that many parents are already making decisions in the gray areas, often without the support or information they deserve. Rather than offering quick answers or blanket recommendations, this episode invites a deeper understanding. It helps listeners move away from fear-based thinking and toward informed, thoughtful decision-making that honors both their body and their family. For parents who have ever felt unsure, hesitant, or even a little alone in navigating this topic, this conversation offers something different. Clarity. Context. And a reminder that you deserve access to information that helps you feel steady and supported in your choices. If you’re curious about how cannabis fits into conversations around postpartum recovery, sleep, or women’s health, or if you’ve simply been wanting a more grounded, research-based perspective, this is an episode worth listening to all the way through. Resources: Hello Again - Vaginal SuppositoriesCharlotte's Web - Gummies, topicals, oilsSupport 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.

    1h 2m
  5. 54 - What Actually Helps When Feeding Is Hard (And What Quietly Makes It Worse)

    Apr 28

    54 - What Actually Helps When Feeding Is Hard (And What Quietly Makes It Worse)

    Send us Fan Mail If feeding feels harder than it should right now, this episode offers a grounded, practical shift in perspective. Deb, a birth, postpartum, and sleep doula, explains why most feeding advice isn’t wrong, it’s just often given out of order. Tools like schedules, wake windows, and spacing feeds can help, but only when a family’s system is ready for that level of structure. Otherwise, they tend to add pressure instead of relief . In this episode, Deb walks through what actually helps when feeding feels hard, including reducing decision fatigue, building gentle rhythms, and focusing on regulation before optimization. She also highlights the common patterns that quietly make feeding more stressful, even when families are trying their best. This episode is especially helpful for parents who feel stuck despite trying all the “right” things and are ready for support that meets them where they are. Sleep Foundations consults, feeding and regulation check-ins, and ongoing postpartum support are available for families who want more personalized guidance. 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.

    10 min
  6. 53 - When Feeding Feels Hard: Why It’s Not Just About the Bottle

    Apr 14

    53 - When Feeding Feels Hard: Why It’s Not Just About the Bottle

    Send us Fan Mail If feeding your baby feels stressful, emotional, or overwhelming, this episode is for you. Many parents are told that feeding struggles mean something is wrong with the bottle, the formula, the schedule, or their technique. But in practice, feeding challenges rarely exist in isolation. In this episode, Deb gently reframes feeding stress as a whole-system issue, not a personal failure. Drawing on over 15 years of experience supporting families in the first year, she explains why reflux, bottle refusal, and fussy evenings so often show up together and what they are really communicating. This conversation is about nervous system load, depletion, and why feeding stress is often one of the earliest signals that a family needs more support, not more advice. In this episode, we cover: Why feeding struggles are rarely “just about the bottle”The common cluster of reflux, bottle battles, and evening fussinessAnxiety vs intuition when feeding feels chargedHow parental depletion and burnout show up through feedingWhy mental health is healthcare in the postpartum periodWhat actually helps when feeding feels hardHow to reframe feeding as information, not a problem to fixIf feeding feels heavy right now, you are not doing it wrong. You are responding to a system under load. Support is allowed. And it matters. 🎧 Next episode: What Actually Helps When Feeding Is Hard (And What Quietly Makes It Worse) Resources + Support One-time feeding, sleep, and regulation consultsOngoing in-home or virtual postpartum supportMedicaid-covered postpartum care for eligible familiesSupport 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.

    9 min
  7. 52 - Navigating the Fourth Trimester: Adjusting to Life with a Newborn

    Mar 31

    52 - Navigating the Fourth Trimester: Adjusting to Life with a Newborn

    Send us Fan Mail What if nothing is wrong… but everything still feels hard? In this episode of Doula Talk, Deb gently explores the often-overlooked reality of the fourth trimester. Those first three months after birth can be beautiful, but also exhausting, disorienting, and full of questions no one quite prepares you for. This episode helps shift families out of panic and into understanding, covering: Why frequent night waking, cluster feeding, and contact naps are normalHow gentle rhythms (not rigid schedules) support sleep and recoveryThe connection between newborn behavior, parental healing, and nervous system regulationWhen to trust the process… and when to seek extra supportDeb also shares why postpartum support is essential, not optional, and how having the right guidance can make this transition feel steadier and more manageable. Looking for more support? Deb offers prenatal consults, virtual support, and her First Year Support Program, along with helpful resources at douladeb.com. If you’re expecting or in the thick of those early months, this episode will help you feel less alone and more grounded in what actually matters. Because when understanding replaces fear, everything starts to feel just a little bit steadier. 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.

    17 min
  8. 51 - When Patterns Shift: Growth Spurts, Illness, and Big Changes in the Newborn Phase

    Mar 17

    51 - When Patterns Shift: Growth Spurts, Illness, and Big Changes in the Newborn Phase

    Send us Fan Mail Many families reach a moment in early postpartum when things finally start to feel familiar, and then suddenly shift again. Sleep looks different. Feeding feels harder. The rhythm they were beginning to understand feels less clear. In this episode, Deb, a birth, postpartum, and sleep doula, explains why these shifts are not setbacks, but a normal part of newborn development. She explores how growth spurts, illness, and stimulation naturally reorganize sleep and feeding patterns, and why change itself is part of the rhythm  . Deb also discusses why trying to “fix” these phases often adds more pressure, and how postpartum support helps families stay oriented instead of overwhelmed. This episode is especially helpful for parents who are starting to wonder if they need more support, not because something is wrong, but because carrying the mental load alone feels heavy. Listeners will walk away with a steadier understanding of newborn pattern shifts and reassurance that support is allowed while things are moving. Postpartum and first-year support options, including newborn sleep and feeding guidance, are available for families who want help navigating this season. 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.

    8 min
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out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Doula Talk is a podcast for parents navigating the real, often messy middle of postpartum and early parenthood. Hosted by Doula Deb, a birth, postpartum, and sleep doula with over 15 years of experience, this show offers compassionate guidance, honest conversation, and practical support for the first year and beyond. We talk about postpartum recovery, newborn care, sleep, nervous system regulation, and the emotional load that so many parents carry quietly. This isn’t about quick fixes or perfect routines. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and building steady, supportive foundations that help both parents and babies feel more regulated over time. Through solo episodes and thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, Doula Talk helps you make sense of sleep struggles, feeding questions, recovery, and the constant mental load of early parenthood, without shame, pressure, or panic. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the exhaustion of caring for a baby, this is a place to slow down, feel less alone, and remember that you’re not doing this wrong.

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