Chick Chat

Having a baby can get expensive fast. Between baby gear, medical costs, parental leave, childcare, and postpartum support, how do you know where your money is actually worth spending?

In this episode of Chick Chat, Nina is joined by fellow doula and Gold Coast Doulas founder Kristin Revere to talk about the real cost of having a baby. They discuss where expecting parents tend to overspend, what’s actually worth the investment, hidden expenses that can catch new parents by surprise, and the support families often wish they had budgeted for before baby arrived.

Nina also gives Kristin a challenge: If you had $5,000 to prepare an expecting family for life with a newborn, how would you spend it?

They also dive into why parents may spend thousands on baby gear but hesitate to invest in childbirth education, birth and postpartum doulas, lactation support, or pelvic floor therapy; financial conversations couples should have before baby; and benefits and resources families may not realize are available to them.

If you’re expecting and wondering what you really need, what you can skip, and how to make your baby budget work harder for your growing family, this episode is for you.

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Have you ever started a new habit feeling completely motivated, only to fall off a few days or weeks later and wonder, “Why can’t I ever stick with anything?”

I can totally relate, and if you're a mom... you might feel the same, too. For so many moms, we need to know that the answer isn’t a lack of discipline. Perfectionism, overwhelm, unrealistic expectations, and the way we’ve been taught to approach habits can really make lasting change much harder than it needs to be.

In this episode of Chick Chat, I sit down with Monica Packer, habit and identity coach, host of the About Progress podcast, and author of the book Sticky Habits. As a recovering perfectionist and mom of five, Monica knows firsthand how difficult it can be to pursue personal growth while managing the demands of motherhood.

Together, we discuss:

If you’re tired of starting over or feeling like you have to completely overhaul your life to make progress, this conversation offers a much more realistic way forward for us women.

Learn more about Monica and her work at aboutprogress.com and follow her on Instagram @aboutprogress.

🎧 Tune in to hear how you can let go of perfectionism, work with the life you actually have, and finally build habits that stick.

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Naming your baby is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in the early years as a parent (and one of the most emotional). Some people have names picked out since childhood. Others scroll baby name lists for hours, feeling totally overwhelmed because they haven't found "the right one." And once you add in opinions from your partner, your in-laws, and your fourth cousin twice removed… it’s a lot.

That’s why we’re so excited to share this week’s episode of Chick Chat, where we’re talking all things baby names with professional baby name consultant (yes, that’s a real thing!) Colleen Slagen, founder of Naming Bebe.

Colleen is a former nurse practitioner turned viral baby-naming expert whose work has been featured on NPR, Today, The Washington Post, and ABC News. With a unique blend of research, psychology, and creativity, she helps parents find names they genuinely love — names that feel meaningful, stylish, and totally “them.”

Whether you're naming your first baby or trying to match a sibling set without sounding cheesy, Colleen’s insights will help you feel way less stressed and way more confident. In this episode, we cover:

What a baby name consultant actually does (and why it’s not just for celebrities)

How to start the name search when nothing feels right

What to do when you and your partner can't agree on a name

Naming siblings without being too matchy-matchy

How to pick a name that grows with your child

Baby name "drama" — like when someone steals your favorite name

Tips for handling family pressure or traditions

The top baby name trends of the moment

Common naming regrets (and how to avoid them!)

If you’re in the middle of name-storming (or just love talking about baby names as much as we do), this episode is such a fun listen. Colleen’s advice is practical, thoughtful, and filled with ideas to help you pick a name that you’ll love and be proud of for years to come.

And don’t forget to follow Colleen at @namingbebe, visit namingbebe.com for naming services and inspiration, and check out our SHOW NOTES for more details about the episode!

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Starting solids is a major milestone, but it can also be one of the most confusing times for new parents. When should you start? What foods are best? And how do you keep things safe and enjoyable?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Krupa Playforth, board-certified pediatrician and founder of Warm Heart Pediatrics, known online as @thepediatricianmom. With her signature blend of clinical expertise and relatable, real-mom advice, Dr. Playforth breaks down everything you need to know about introducing solids, whether you’re going the puree route, trying baby-led feeding, or somewhere in between.

We cover:

Signs your baby is ready for solids

How to reduce choking risks

The biggest myths about baby-led feeding

Creating positive mealtime experiences

Easy, nutrient-rich foods to start with

Tips to prevent picky eating from day one

If you’ve been feeling nervous or unsure about starting solids with your baby, this episode will leave you feeling informed, supported, and ready to move forward with confidence.

Listen now & check out more at our SHOW NOTES!

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Think big feelings are just for toddlers? Think again.

In this episode, emotional development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell joins me to explore how to raise emotionally intelligent and connected kids, especially during the often-overlooked elementary years.

Together, they dive into:

Why big kids still have big feelings (and what to do about it)

Nervous system regulation and how it impacts behavior

Signs of dysregulation in parents and children

Alyssa’s F.A.C.T.S. acronym for staying calm in hard moments

The 5-step CEP Method to support emotion processing

Simple mindset shifts that help you connect instead of react

Whether your child is dealing with defiance, anxiety, or meltdowns, or you’re just feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers tools, compassion, and clarity for the emotional ride of parenting.

Learn more about Alyssa’s work at seedandsew.org and follow her on Instagram at @seed.and.sew. For all the SHOW NOTES, go to: https://www.baby-chick.com/big-kids-bigger-feelings-podcast/

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Grief in motherhood isn’t always about the loss of a loved one. Sometimes it’s the quiet ache of losing parts of yourself... the identity you once had, the dreams you imagined, or the version of motherhood you thought you’d live.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Mel Parent, nurse practitioner, fitness instructor, and founder of The Hive Method, to talk about the hidden grief many mothers carry and how it affects our minds, our bodies, and our ability to show up in daily life. After losing her own mother, Mel brings a deeply personal perspective to this conversation and offers science-backed, heart-forward guidance on moving from survival mode to feeling fully alive again.

We’re unpacking:

The different types of grief in motherhood (and why it’s more common than you think)

How unprocessed emotions can show up as physical symptoms and burnout

The duality of grief — holding space for both joy and pain

How movement and nervous system support can be powerful tools for healing

Small, sustainable shifts that help you feel grounded, strong, and like yourself again

Whether you’re deep in a hard season or walking alongside someone who is, this episode will remind you: you are not broken, you are not alone, and healing is possible.

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This episode is sponsored by Naturepedic.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the baby product industry, and trust me, it gets messy. From hidden toxins in crib mattresses to the rise of greenwashing and misleading “eco-friendly” labels, parents are navigating a world that’s more confusing than ever.

To help us make sense of it all, Naturepedic’s Chief Growth Officer, Arin Schultz, is joining me for a real‑talk conversation about what’s actually in the products our babies sleep on, roll on, and breathe in every day. Arin is a dad of four boys, a brilliant (and hilarious) industry insider, and one of my favorite guests to learn from when it comes to organic products.

We’re covering:

If you’ve ever wondered: “What should I really be looking for when shopping for my baby?” — this episode is your new go‑to guide.

Special savings for our listeners!

Tune in, learn something new, and feel more empowered in the choices you make for your family!

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What if your uterus could speak—what would it say?

In this episode of Chick Chat: The Baby Chick Podcast, Nina sits down with Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture—licensed acupuncturist, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and founder of The Pelvic Acu—to explore the powerful energetic and emotional connection between the heart and the womb.

Dr. Krystal shares how acupuncture and holistic pelvic care can help restore flow, support fertility, ease painful periods, and release trauma stored in the pelvic bowl. She also explains what it means when your heart-uterus connection is out of sync—and how healing this pathway can transform your emotional and physical well-being.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What the “heart-womb channel” is—and why it matters

How emotional stress affects pelvic health

What signs may indicate this connection is blocked

At-home practices to reconnect with your womb space

How acupuncture supports hormones, flow, and fertility

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone craving a deeper connection to their body, their cycle, or their healing journey.

Learn more at thepelvicacu.com and follow Dr. Krystal on Instagram @thepelvicacu

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What if the support you need during pregnancy and postpartum is already available... You just haven’t been shown how to access it?!

In this episode of Chick Chat, Nina sits down with Pachet Bryant, Founder of MINE Maternity and Pregnancy/Postpartum Care Coordinator, to explore how families can actually afford the care they need and deserve.

From insurance benefits and HSA/FSA funds to employer perks and nonprofit programs, this conversation breaks down the exact tools that can help you plan ahead, reduce financial stress, and receive more comprehensive support during this transformative time.

You’ll learn:

💡 How to decode your insurance benefits and what to ask

💡 The real difference between FSA and HSA (and how to use them for maternity and postpartum care)

💡 What to do if your preferred provider or support isn’t covered

💡 Why financial planning for your care is just as important as baby prep

Whether you’re trying to conceive, expecting your first baby, or already in the postpartum phase, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to make the most of your benefits.

👉 Connect with Pachet at minematernity.com

or on Instagram @minematernity or YouTube @MINEmaternity

Subscribe & listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

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Motherhood changes us — and not just in the ways we expect. For many women, having a child prompts a deep reevaluation of priorities, identity, and ambition. It’s not that ambition disappears; it evolves into something new. And in a world that often pushes women to choose between work and family, this shift can often leave new mothers feeling confused, lonely, or even disempowered.

But what if pausing your career to focus on family wasn’t a setback, but a powerful, intentional move that reshapes your life and strengthens your future? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Neha Ruch, wants us to see.

In this episode of Chick Chat, I sat down with Neha to talk about how we can reframe motherhood, ambition, and success, especially for women navigating the “gray area” between caregiving and career.

Who Is Neha Ruch?

Neha Ruch is a thought leader, author, and speaker on women, identity, and work. After a decade in brand strategy and earning her MBA from Stanford, she chose to pause her career following the birth of her second child and quickly realized how outdated the conversation around stay-at-home motherhood still was.

She launched Mother Untitled, now rebranded as The Power Pause, a movement and platform that supports modern women who are embracing career pauses or slowdowns as a strategic, meaningful chapter in their lives. She created a space for ambitious women who are pressing pause, not delete on their careers. Her work has sparked a cultural shift around caregiving, ambition, and redefining success in the parenting years, resonating with hundreds of thousands of women.

Her debut book, The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids – and Come Back Stronger Than Ever, is a first-of-its-kind guide that reimagines this chapter as one filled with purpose, growth, and long-term opportunity.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever questioned your worth during a season of slowing down or wondered how to hold onto your ambition while being present for your family, this episode is for you.

Neha Ruch is rewriting the script around what it means to be a mother, a professional, and a whole person. Her work gives voice to a growing movement of women who are choosing to press pause and reminding us all that there is power in every chapter.

Neha's Resources

Mentioned in the episode:

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