Postpartum Prep Podcast

Motherbaby Wellbeing
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PARENTING

Pregnancy is just the beginning - but who’s helping you prepare for life after birth? The Postpartum Prep Podcast guides expecting and new moms into motherhood with confidence and support. Hosted by postpartum doula Ceridwen | https://motherbabywellbeing.com The podcast offers evidence-based insight and compassionate conversations on the journey from birth, through the fourth trimester, and beyond. Topics include: postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, newborn sleep, maternal mental health, identity shifts, and building your support system - so life after birth feels smoother, more nourishing

  1. 3D AGO

    34: Preparing for the Emotional Rollercoaster of Motherhood | What Every Expecting Mom Should Know

    Becoming a mother is one of the most meaningful transitions in life - but it can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster. In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, we talk about preparing for the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood so you can enter this life change with more understanding, self-compassion, and realistic expectations. I’m joined by matrescence coach and motherhood mentor Jenaveve for a Q&A conversation based on real questions from expecting parents. Together we explore what it actually looks like to navigate the emotional ups and downs of early motherhood. In this episode, we discuss: • Why it’s normal to feel both excited and terrified about becoming a mom• What to expect emotionally after your baby arrives• Why you may not love every moment—and why that’s okay• How to cope with the pressure to be the “perfect mom”• The impact of social media on motherhood expectations• When it might be helpful to seek support for postpartum mental health Motherhood brings joy, love, uncertainty, exhaustion, growth, and so many other emotions. Preparing for the emotional side of this transition can make the postpartum experience feel far less overwhelming. If you’re pregnant, expecting a baby, or planning for postpartum, this episode will help you better understand the emotional realities of early motherhood and how to support yourself through them. For more on mindset preparation for motherhood, be sure to listen to our companion episode where we talk about matrescence, nervous system regulation, and preparing mentally for life with a new baby. Jenaveve's links ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Website⁠ Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠⁠

    22 min

  2. 4D AGO

    33: Matrescence & Postpartum Mindset Prep | Preparing Emotionally for Life After Baby

    Becoming a mother isn’t just about having a baby. It’s a profound transformation called matrescence. In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, I’m joined by matrescence coach and motherhood mentor Genevieve, founder of A Mama Friend. We talk about the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts that happen as women move into motherhood, and why understanding matrescence can make postpartum feel far less confusing and isolating. Many women spend months preparing for birth and newborn care, but very little time preparing for the inner transition into motherhood. In this conversation, we explore how to prepare your mindset and nervous system for postpartum, so you can move through early motherhood with more self-compassion and resilience. If you’re pregnant or planning for postpartum, this episode will help you understand why motherhood can feel overwhelming. Plus, you'll walk away with practical tips for how to support yourself through this season of life. In this episode, we discuss: • What matrescence is and why every mother experiences it• Why motherhood can sometimes feel like an identity crisis• How understanding matrescence helps reduce mom guilt and self-criticism• Practical ways to prepare your mindset for postpartum• Simple nervous system regulation tools for overwhelmed moms• Why emotional preparation for motherhood is just as important as physical preparation• How identity shifts continue through every stage of motherhood Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or even navigating the toddler years, this conversation will help you understand the deeper emotional transition of becoming a mother - and remind you that you’re not alone in the messy (but magical) experience of becoming a mother. Jenaveve's links Instagram Website Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    44 min

  3. FEB 13

    32: Postpartum Chores for New Dads | How to Support Your Partner After Baby

    What should dads actually be doing during postpartum? In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, I’m joined by Antonio of @WawaLifter — a babywearing educator from Peru who advocates for active, nurturing fatherhood — to talk about how new dads can organize postpartum chores, cleaning, and daily routines in a way that truly supports the mother-baby dyad. We cover: • Why fathers are not observers, but active participants in postpartum• How to organize household chores before baby arrives• The difference between personal, shared, and team tasks• Simple systems for reducing stress and decision fatigue• Budget organization during postpartum• Meal prepping for short paternity leave• How to prevent unnecessary arguments about chores• Why embracing a little chaos is part of the process• The mental health benefits of community support after birth If you're expecting a baby and wondering how to divide responsibilities during maternity leave or paternity leave, then this episode will help you prepare intentionally. Because postpartum recovery isn’t just about the mother. It’s about how the whole family shows up to protect the mom-baby connection. 🎧 Be sure to also check out Antonio's full episode on babywearing for dads. Connect with Antonio on Instagram ⁠@wawalifter⁠ Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    22 min

  4. FEB 12

    31: Babywearing for Dads | How Fathers Can Support Postpartum Recovery & Bond With Baby

    Can dads babywear? And how can fathers truly support postpartum recovery? In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, I’m joined by Antonio of @wawalifter — babywearing educator and father from Peru — for a powerful conversation about babywearing for dads, postpartum support, and how fathers can build deep connection with their newborns from day one. We talk about: How babywearing supports postpartum recovery for moms Why dads’ oxytocin and bonding matter How babywearing builds fatherly intuition and confidence When to get started with babywearing (hint: during pregnancy!) How to choose the right newborn carrier Why feeding isn’t the only way to bond with your baby Cultural differences between parenting in Peru vs. the U.S. Community care, co-sleeping, and collective postpartum support Why “detachment” has become a modern industry Antonio shares how traditional babywearing in Peru is simply called “carrying your baby,” and how intuition, community, and connection are still central to parenting in many South American cultures. If you're preparing for postpartum and wondering how dads can be more involved, how to organize support, or how to strengthen the father-baby bond — this episode will give you both practical insight and a powerful mindset shift. Whether you're an expecting parent, a new dad, or a mom wanting more support after birth, this conversation will help you think more intentionally about postpartum life. 🎧 Be sure to also listen to our Q&A episode on organizing postpartum chores and responsibilities for new dads. Connect with Antonio on Instagram @wawalifter Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    54 min

  5. FEB 6

    30: Building Your Postpartum Support Network | How to Find Your People After Baby

    Navigating the early weeks of parenthood can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, I’m joined by Amy Brown, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at Swansea University, to answer all your questions about postpartum support and building a postpartum village. Amy has spent over 20 years researching how first-time moms and new parents can get the new parent support and baby care support they need while caring for their baby. She shares practical, real-world strategies for building community after baby, even if your family isn’t nearby, and explains why having the right people around you can make a huge difference for your postpartum wellbeing. In this episode, we cover: What a postpartum support network actually is and why it’s essential. How to build a support network from scratch, especially if you’ve moved away from family or friends. The importance of shared experiences and finding people who “get” your parenting choices. Social and systemic ways communities, businesses, and governments can better support new parents. Tips for connecting with local baby groups, online communities, and like-minded parents. Breastfeeding support and other practical ways to find people who understand your parenting journey. Amy also shares personal stories from her early days as a new mom, highlighting the power of connection and community, and practical ideas for finding your people - think coffee shops, baby groups, and even themed social events. Whether you’re a first-time mom feeling isolated or just looking to expand your postpartum village, this episode is packed with actionable insights, evidence-based research, and reassurance that you don’t have to navigate parenthood alone. 💌 Want to submit a question for a future Q&A episode? Subscribe to my email list and get your free Postpartum Prep Checklist. I share Q&A topics in my newsletter, and your question could be featured in the next episode! Amy's links ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    12 min

  6. FEB 5

    29: Do Strict Baby Routines Actually Work? What the Research Says About Infant Sleep & Feeding

    Are strict baby sleep routines actually helpful? Or are they just increasing stress, feeding challenges, and self-doubt for new parents? In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, I’m joined by Professor Amy Brown, a leading maternal and child public health researcher at Swansea University and one of the most influential voices in infant feeding, breastfeeding support, and perinatal mental health. Professor Amy Brown directs the Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translational Research Centre and has spent over 20 years researching breastfeeding, infant feeding, parental anxiety, baby sleep, and the cultural pressures placed on new mothers. She has published more than 150 peer-reviewed research papers, contributed to global infant feeding policy, and authored several widely respected books for parents and professionals. In this conversation, we explore what the research actually says about strict infant routines and schedules - the kind often promoted in popular baby sleep books and online programs - and whether they truly support babies and parents. In this episode, we discuss: What “strict infant routines” really mean (and how they differ from responsive rhythms) Why so many baby books promote rigid schedules for feeding and sleep What Amy’s research found about parents who try to follow strict baby routines Whether routine-based baby books actually work in real life How strict feeding and sleep schedules can impact breastfeeding success The link between rigid routines, maternal anxiety, and early feeding challenges Why normal infant behavior is often framed as a “problem” How parents internalize blame when their baby doesn’t follow a schedule The emotional toll of being told your baby needs “fixing” Why responsive feeding and baby-led care are biologically normal How pressure to create a “good baby” can undermine parental confidence We also dive into the idea of informed choice, a core theme of Amy’s book Informed is Best. Rather than telling parents what they should do, Amy explains how parents can: Evaluate baby sleep and feeding advice more critically Identify biased or commercially driven information Understand how research is often misrepresented in headlines Make decisions that align with their baby’s needs, their values, and their real-life circumstances Feel more grounded and confident - even when things feel hard This episode is especially supportive for: Expecting parents preparing for life after birth New mums feeling overwhelmed by baby sleep advice Parents navigating feeding challenges or breastfeeding difficulties Anyone feeling anxious because their baby doesn’t fit a “schedule” Professionals supporting postpartum families 🎧 Be sure to listen to episode 30, our follow-up Q&A episode, where Professor Amy Brown answers questions about building a postpartum support system - even if you don’t have family nearby - and how communities and systems can better support mothers and babies. If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another parent who might need reassurance that they’re not doing anything wrong - they’re caring for a very normal baby. Amy's links ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    37 min

  7. JAN 27

    28: How to Prepare Mentally for Postpartum Challenges (Sleep, Identity & Mental Health)

    Preparing for postpartum isn’t just about baby gear and birth plans - it’s also about preparing mentally for one of the biggest identity shifts of your life. In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen is joined by maternal mental health therapist and neuroscience-based infant sleep specialist Gabrielle Ferrara for a deeply grounding conversation on how to prepare emotionally and mentally for life after birth. Together, they explore what expecting mothers really need to know about postpartum mental health - including identity changes, sleep deprivation, and postpartum depression - through a compassionate, non-pathologizing lens that centers support, connection, and biologically normal infant behavior. This episode is especially for pregnant mothers who feel excited about motherhood and nervous about losing themselves, struggling with sleep, or worrying about their mental health after birth. In this episode, we cover: How to mentally prepare for the identity shift into motherhood Why “losing yourself” isn’t the full story - and how to bring your core values into motherhood How to cope with newborn sleep deprivation without changing your baby’s sleep Practical, nervous-system-supportive strategies to protect maternal sleep The relationship between postpartum depression and lack of support What actually helps prevent postpartum mood disorders Why support, boundaries, and being vocal about your needs matter - before baby arrives Gabrielle brings both professional expertise and lived experience as a mother, offering reassurance that postpartum mental health struggles are not a personal failure - and that meaningful support can make all the difference. ✨ If you’re pregnant and preparing for postpartum, this episode will help you feel more grounded, informed, and supported as you step into motherhood. 🎧 Be sure to also listen to Gabrielle's full episode, where we dive deeper into biologically normal infant sleep. Listen to Episode 27: Why Babies Want to Sleep Close | Baby Sleep & Bedsharing Explained Gabrielle's links ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠Website⁠ Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from The Little Milk Bar with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    19 min

  8. JAN 26

    27: Why Babies Want to Sleep Close | Baby Sleep & Bedsharing Explained

    Why do so many babies struggle to sleep alone — even when parents plan not to bed share? And why does closeness feel so instinctive for both mothers and babies? In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen is joined by Gabrielle Ferrara, nurture neuroscience practitioner and perinatal mental health therapist, to explore the biology, neuroscience, and emotional foundations of infant sleep. Together, they unpack why sleeping close to a caregiver is not a “bad habit,” but a biologically normal expectation for human babies. This conversation builds on our previous episode about why families end up bed sharing, adding scientific context around nervous system regulation, extero-gestation, breastfeeding, and infant brain development. In this episode, we discuss: Why human babies are wired to sleep close to their caregivers What extero-gestation means and how it shapes infant sleep The neuroscience of co-regulation and why babies “borrow” our nervous systems The difference between co-sleeping and bed sharing How bed sharing can be practiced more safely using the Safe Sleep Seven Why “self-soothing” is widely misunderstood — and what babies are actually capable of Common baby sleep myths, including “drowsy but awake” and “bad sleep habits” Why frequent night waking is biologically normal in the first years How closeness and responsiveness support long-term emotional wellbeing The impact of infant sleep expectations on maternal mental health and confidence This episode is especially valuable for pregnant parents, new mothers, and anyone questioning mainstream sleep advice. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, it offers understanding, perspective, and evidence-based reassurance — empowering you to trust your baby and your instincts. 🎧 If you’re navigating infant sleep, bed sharing, or feeling conflicted about what you’ve been told, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate lens on what babies truly need. Keywords: baby sleep, infant sleep science, co-sleeping, bed sharing, safe sleep seven, postpartum sleep, nurture neuroscience, infant mental health, breastfeeding and sleep, normal baby sleep, maternal mental health, postpartum preparation Gabrielle's links ⁠Instagram⁠ Website Postpartum Prep Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Postpartum Prep Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://motherbabywellbeing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off nursing bras, breastfeeding clothes, and more from ⁠The Little Milk Bar⁠ with code MOTHERBABYWELLBEING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOW NOTES⁠

    1h 3m
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About

Pregnancy is just the beginning - but who’s helping you prepare for life after birth? The Postpartum Prep Podcast guides expecting and new moms into motherhood with confidence and support. Hosted by postpartum doula Ceridwen | https://motherbabywellbeing.com The podcast offers evidence-based insight and compassionate conversations on the journey from birth, through the fourth trimester, and beyond. Topics include: postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, newborn sleep, maternal mental health, identity shifts, and building your support system - so life after birth feels smoother, more nourishing

Information

  • Creator
    Motherbaby Wellbeing
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Motherbaby Wellbeing
  • Show Website
    Postpartum Prep Podcast