Join Rachael & Jess as we talk all about adding on to your family. We discuss siblings and different dynamics and challenges that can come up when welcoming a new baby.
In this episode, Rachael and Jess discuss adding a second and third baby to the family and our personal experiences with this. We talk about getting through Postpartum with other children and how to prepare your older child for the birth of a sibling. Jess tells us how to connect with your older child when a new baby is born and addresses all the new feelings/ dynamics that may come up and how to handle them! We also learn how to deal with things like aggression from your older child, sleep issues that may come up after welcoming new baby & more!
Jess VanderWier is a Registered Psychotherapist who helps families understand and respond to their children with gentleness and respect. Jess has a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology and has logged thousands of clinical hours supporting parents and their children. As the founder of Nurtured First, Jess uses her expertise to support parents in her online parent community through her online courses and free resources. 
Follow Jess on Instagram
Nurtured First Website
Recommended Course: Parenting Little Kids
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Join me & our guests each week for new episodes and follow along:
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Tiktok (Rachael's tiktok account)
Show Website
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All About Sibling Stuff with Jess VanderWier

No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?!
Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations.
From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us.
So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So let's pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.

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Episode 40: Independent Play: Practical Strategies for Simplifying Play with Lizzie Assa @theworkspaceforchildren

Should parents play with their children? Or should children only play independently? Independent Play is such a polarizing topic! That’s why this week, Rachael and Lizzie Assa, founder of the Workspace for Children, talk all about the importance of play for children and how parents can foster the desire for a healthy balance between playing with children and encouraging independent play.

Here’s what they discuss inside this helpful episode:

the benefits of independent play, starting from birth!

HOW to begin fostering independent play skills

the latest debate on social media: Should we play with our kids or not!?

practical strategies for parents to create a conducive environment for play

independent play is not about specific toys or aesthetics, but about understanding and connecting with each child's unique personality and interests

the fear and guilt that parents can feel when their children are playing independently

how parents can reduce “I’m bored!” pushback and avoid burnout

Tips for using independent play to have a “quiet time” once your child stops napping

And so much more!


Lizzie is the founder of The Workspace for Children, and has become a go-to strategist for parents seeking guidance in fostering independent play for their children. With a Master’s in early childhood education and a passion for simplicity and consistency in play, she offers practical solutions to avoid burnout and promote healthy development. Lizzie's insights have been featured on The Good Inside Podcast, Parent's Magazine, NY Times Parenting, Time, and The Wall Street Journal. She is set to release her forthcoming book, "But I'm Bored!": The Complete Guide to Independent Play for Kids Ages 1-8, which promises to revolutionize the way parents approach their children's playtime.

Mentioned in this episode:
Lizzie’s Audio Course and Companion Workbook: https://twfc.kartra.com/page/sales
Lizzie’s Instagram: @theworkspaceforchildren
Lizzie’s website: https://www.workspaceforchildren.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 

Independent Play: Practical Strategies for Simplifying Play with Lizzie Assa

Episode 39: From One to Two: Rediscovering Yourself, Managing Expectations, and Splitting the Load with Cameron Oaks Rogers  @cameronoaksrogers

This week Rachael has on guest Cameron Rogers, a content creator, podcaster and mother of two! Cameron shares her journey to motherhood, including her transition from a career on Wall Street to full-time content creation. Recently a mom of 2, she discusses the challenges and surprises of transitioning from one to two children. Cameron also talks about the impact becoming a mom has had on her relationship with her partner and how they navigate the division of labor through the Fair Play method. 

In this candid conversation, Cameron shares openly about her mental health during pregnancies and postpartum, her decision to go alcohol-free and the journey to finding identity outside of motherhood. Find out how she deals with negative comments on the internet, why parenting each child differently has been so helpful, and the unexpected healing and challenges of parenthood!

Cameron Oaks Rogers is best known for her voice and relatable humor which carves out a safe space on the internet for mothers everywhere. She’s dedicated to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health, and leveraging her platforms to foster an open dialogue within her closely-knit community about real life issues. Drawing from her fearless career journey, a notable five-year stint on Wall Street, and a robust entrepreneurial skill set, she’s earned recognition as one of Forbes' "Five Entrepreneurs Who are Changing New York’s Wellness Scene." Embracing the challenges of new motherhood, she has passionately shed light on her own experiences with pregnancy, postpartum depression, and the often unspoken or overlooked trials and tribulations of navigating the journey of motherhood, she’s also a recent mother of two!

Mentioned in this episode:

Cameron’s Instagram: @cameronoaksrogers
Cameron’s tiktok: @cameronoaksrogers
Cameron’s Podcast: Freckled Foodie & Friends Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 

From One to Two: Rediscovering Yourself, Managing Expectations, and Splitting the Load

Episode 38: Advocating for Parental Leave in the US with Raena Boston @theworkingmomtras
Parental leave, or lack thereof, can be such a stressful part of the postpartum journey for new parents. That’s why this week Rachael has guest Raena Boston, co-founder of the Chamber of Mothers, on to discuss the importance of parental leave! Raena tells us about the work her organization is doing to advocate for better policies. She also shares her personal experiences with unpaid leave and the impact it had on her mental health. 
Raena highlights the barriers to passing legislation, including the lack of a strong lobby for parental care policies, and provides advice for parents balancing work and parenting.
Raena is a writer, an HR pro, and fierce advocate for parental leave which has led her to become a Co-Founder of the chamber of mothers… a collective movement all about advancing maternal rights. Raena also founded The Working Momtras, which is a community designed to help empower moms to resign from doing it all and release themselves from the pressures of mom guilt, guiding moms toward becoming more of who they already are. Raena is a space-holder, cheerleader, and conscientious connection-creator. Raena is also a mom of three!

Mentioned in this episode:
Raena’s Instagram: @theworkingmomtras 
Chamber of Mother’s Instagram Page: @chamberofmothers

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 

Advocating for Parental Leave in the US with Raena Boston

Episode 37: Splitting the Parenting Load with Betsi Flint @betsiflint

This week Rachael has on Professional beach volleyball player, Betsi Flint to talk about juggling motherhood and her demanding athletic career. Betsi discusses the challenges of balancing training and parenting, the importance of sleep for both her and her toddler, and the support she receives from her husband and family. 

Find out how splitting the parenting load has been beneficial to her and her family and how she splits parenting duties with her husband. Betsi shares all about the need for self-care and mental health in order to be a better parent. She also highlights the lessons she has learned as a mom athlete and the importance of pelvic floor therapy in her recovery. Betsi's story serves as an inspiration for other women to pursue their dreams after becoming mothers.

Betsi is a professional beach volleyball player, wife and toddler mom. She is a 6-time AVP Champion, 2-time AVCA All-American and is currently in the race toward the 2024 Paris Olympics while also balancing motherhood. Betsi is passionate about empowering women and mothers to follow their goals.

Mentioned in this episode:

Betsi’s IG page: https://www.instagram.com/betsiflint/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 

Splitting the Parenting Load with Betsi Flint @betsiflint

Episode 36: Supporting Your Child’s Speech & Language Development  with Katie & Carly of Wee Talkers @weetalkers

“Why isn’t my toddler talking yet?” “Should my child be saying more words?” “Is screen time OK for my baby?” If you have ever had these questions, you are NOT alone. Worrying about your child’s speech and language development is very common- and there is SO much scary info out there! Speech and language is such an important and complex piece of your child’s development. And spoiler alert- every baby is on their own timeline! 

It can be hard to know when you should and shouldn’t worry though. That’s why this week Rachael has special guests- Katie & Carly, pediatric speech language pathologists, owners of Wee Talkers, and mothers themselves on the pod! Katie & Carly educate us all about language and communication development in babies and toddlers. They discuss the importance of early intervention and provide tips for parents to encourage language development for their little ones! 

Katie and Carly address concerns about screen time and provide some helpful, guilt free guidelines for how to use screen time as a tool! Find out how responsive and nurturing interactions between caregivers and children helps support optimal language development and the benefits of shared experiences, and so much more! 

Mentioned in this episode:

Weetalkers Instagram
Free Baby Bundle
Toddler Course use code TOLDUS10 for $10 off 
Songs & Stories Membership use code TOLDUS10 for $10 off 
Free Milestone Checklist
How To Access Early Intervention
Cost and Alternative Options for Speech Therapy that Families Might not Know About

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources on infant and child sleep, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 

All About Sibling Stuff with Jess VanderWier

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