Imagine if you rolled together the expertise of your pediatrician and the real talk of your mom best friend, and then had them write a book. That is the experience you are getting in this episode.

We're joined by Dr. Diane Arnaout, a board-certified pediatrician, mom, and author of Hiccups: A Pediatrician Mom's Guide to Surviving Your First Year of Parenthood. After 15 years in pediatric practice and two kids of her own, Dr. Arnaout brings both evidence-based guidance and the honesty of a parent who's been through it.

One of the coolest things about this conversation is realizing that even your pediatrician experiences the ups, downs, anxieties of that first year of parenthood and survived to tell the tale. Together, we talk about the most common questions parents bring into the pediatrician's office, how to think through parenting advice on social media, why every baby really is different, and how parents should approach big topics like feeding, sleep, crying, vaccines, and baby products.

What we cover:

Who this episode is for: Expecting parents, new parents in the thick of the first year, anyone feeling overwhelmed by baby advice online, and parents who want practical, reassuring guidance from a pediatrician who has also been there herself.

To learn more about Dr. Diane Arnaout, follow her on Instagram at @drdianearnaout and check out Hiccups: A Pediatrician Mom's Guide to Surviving Your First Year of Parenthood.

For more from The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical or professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.

One of the most common things parents say after getting through the newborn stage is that their village made all the difference. But what does that village actually look like, and how do you find it?

In this episode, we're joined by Dawn Ellis, founder of Gather Well, an organization that brings together expectant parents, new moms, and new dads through support groups and community gatherings in the Boston area. After more than a decade supporting families through pregnancy and the early months of parenting, Dawn shares what she's learned about the power of connection during one of life's biggest transitions.

Together, we talk about why joining a mom group can be one of the most helpful things you do as a new parent, what these groups are really like, and how having a community of parents going through the same stage can make early parenthood feel a little less overwhelming.

Who this episode is for: Expecting parents who want to build support before baby arrives, new moms looking for connection and reassurance, and anyone wondering how to find their village during the early months of parenting and beyond.

To learn more about Dawn and Gather Well, visit GatherWellByDawn.com.

For more from The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Breastfeeding doesn't always come naturally—and that's okay. If you're pregnant and anxious about nursing, currently struggling with breastfeeding pain or latch issues, or carrying guilt about your feeding journey, this episode is for you.

We're joined by Jaimie Zaki, certified lactation consultant, nurse, and host of Breastfeeding with Confidence. Jaimie shares honest insights from breastfeeding five kids herself, debunks common breastfeeding myths, and offers practical tips to help you have a positive experience—even when it's not perfect.

What we cover:

Who this episode is for: Expecting moms who want to feel prepared, new moms struggling with breastfeeding, or anyone feeling guilty or alone in their feeding journey. You'll walk away feeling supported, informed, and empowered—whatever your feeding path looks like.

To learn more about Jaimie and her work, visit LittleBearLactation.com or follow her on Instagram @littlebearlactation. You can also check out her podcast Breastfeeding With Confidence for deeper dives into infant feeding topics.

For more from The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical or professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.

Breastfeeding doesn't always come naturally—and that's okay. If you're pregnant and anxious about nursing, currently struggling with breastfeeding pain or latch issues, or carrying guilt about your feeding journey, this episode is for you.

We're joined by Jaimie Zaki, certified lactation consultant, nurse, and host of Breastfeeding with Confidence. Jaimie shares honest insights from breastfeeding five kids herself, debunks common breastfeeding myths, and offers practical tips to help you have a positive experience—even when it's not perfect.

What we cover:

Who this episode is for: Expecting moms who want to feel prepared, new moms struggling with breastfeeding, or anyone feeling guilty or alone in their feeding journey. You'll walk away feeling supported, informed, and empowered—whatever your feeding path looks like.

To learn more about Jaimie and her work, visit LittleBearLactation.com or follow her on Instagram @littlebearlactation. You can also check out her podcast Breastfeeding With Confidence for deeper dives into infant feeding topics.

For more from The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical or professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.

If you’re already a parent—or expecting a baby—you know how precious every minute of sleep is. In this episode, we’re talking with Brandon Reed, father of three and founder of Dwellspring.io, about what actually helps babies sleep—and how parents can survive the early years together.

What began as a desperate attempt to soothe his own baby led Brandon to experiment with different sleep sounds, from white noise to brown and green noise, and even mixes designed to mimic what babies hear in the womb. That experimentation eventually grew into a comprehensive library of sleep sounds used by families around the world. Drawing on both his experience as a parent and his work building sleep tools, Brandon shares what he’s learned about helping babies sleep longer and deeper—and what it’s really like parenting three young kids.

Throughout the conversation, we also talk about the less-discussed side of baby sleep: how chronic sleep deprivation can strain even strong relationships, why prioritizing your partnership matters during the early years, and how couples can stay connected when everyone is exhausted.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What white noise, brown noise, and other “noise colors” are—and how they affect baby sleep

If you’re navigating broken nights, trying to figure out which sleep tools are worth it, or feeling the strain that exhaustion can put on your relationship, this episode offers both practical tips and reassurance that what you’re experiencing is normal.

To learn more about Brandon and his work, visit Dwellspring.io.

For more from The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. We encourage listeners to evaluate the content independently and consult appropriate professionals for their specific circumstances.

This week we're getting a pediatrician's view on parents' most common baby questions. When should you actually worry about a fever? Is your baby eating enough? And, of course, what's normal when it comes to baby poop? Dr. Michelle Wagner of Tuckahoe Pediatrics, a pediatrician and mom of three, helps us dig into everything from understanding why doctors take fevers so seriously in those first few months to navigating feeding worries and surviving the nonstop cycle of daycare illness.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• When doctors typically consider a fever as a true emergency—and why the rules change after the first few months

Wherever you are in your parenting journey, you'll get the doctor's perspective on some of the burning baby health questions you'll likely be tackling in the first year

To learn more about Dr. Wagner, follow her on Instagram @tuckahoepediatrics.

For more on The Starter Set visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests, contact us at [email protected]

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Information in the podcast does not constitute personal professional advice. We encourage you to independently evaluate any content and consult with appropriate professionals as needed for your specific circumstances.

You've probably heard of postpartum depression—or maybe the baby blues—but maternal mental health is so much more complex than that. From postpartum anxiety to intrusive thoughts to navigating the massive identity shift that comes with becoming a parent, we’re diving into it all with Jen Mendoza, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and perinatal mental health. As a mom of three little ones herself, Jen has lived these challenges firsthand and now supports other families through their own journeys. In this conversation, she breaks down what new parents and their partners should be looking out for, how to build the right support system after birth, and why emotional wellness deserves just as much attention as physical recovery.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to tell the difference between baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety

Wherever you are in your parenting journey, this episode will give you practical insight into what postpartum mental health really looks like—and what support can make a meaningful difference.

To get in touch with Jen, visit motherthrivetherapy.com or follow her on Instagram @motherthrivetherapy.

For more on the Starter Set visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests, contact us at [email protected]

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Information in the podcast does not constitute personal professional advice. We encourage you to independently evaluate any content and consult with appropriate professionals as needed for your specific circumstances.

Ever had that feeling of a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? It's all too common when you're facing pregnancy and postpartum. In this episode, we talk with stylist and new mom, Julia Nauer of Sort and Style Co about how to dress the bump and beyond—and what it means to keep your clothing simple, functional, stylish, but also true to you. We'll cover how to solve some of pregnancy’s unique styling pain points, the wardrobe questions to ask yourself, and how to punch up basics to feel stylish no matter what life phase you're in.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're dressing the bump, newly postpartum, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you feel confident, comfortable, and stylish every step of the way.

For more from Julia, visit www.SortandStyleCo.com or follow on Instagram @sortandstyleco.

For more on The Starter Set, visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests? Contact us at [email protected].

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute personal professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.

You've gotten the happy news—you're expecting! Now what? Beyond planning the nursery and registering for gear, what should you really be preparing for? In this episode, host Jane Dashevsky sits down with Deborah Koumoutsidis, a doula and certified massage therapist who's been part of over 1,000 births. Deborah shares the insider knowledge she wishes every expecting parent had—from creating a crisis plan for labor to building a postpartum support team that actually works.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're considering hiring a doula or just want to feel more prepared for birth and beyond, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's basically seen it all.

For more information about Deborah's work, visit www.PelvicLove.com or follow on Instagram @deborahthedoula.

For more on the Starter Set visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on Instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests, contact us at [email protected]

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Information in the podcast does not constitute personal professional advice. We encourage you to independently evaluate any content and consult with appropriate professionals as needed for your specific circumstances.

Pregnant or recently had a baby and feeling like your wardrobe doesn't match your life anymore? You're not alone. This week we're chatting with stylist and mom of three Megan Timmons about how to feel confident and put-together during pregnancy and beyond. Whether you're struggling with body changes, need help transitioning from going-out clothes to mom life, or just want to look less like you live in leggings, Megan has you covered. We're talking family photo styling secrets (spoiler: mom goes first!), building a capsule wardrobe that actually works, and why a good blazer can save any outfit. Plus, she spills on rental services for special occasions, the best comfortable sneakers that still look cute, and her favorite busy mom hack: baseball caps. Because when mom feels confident and put-together, it carries over to the whole family.

For more style guidance, find Megan on www.StyledbyMegT.com or follow on instagram @styledbymegt.

For more on the Starter Set visit www.TheStarterSet.com or follow us on instagram @thestarterset_baby.

Have questions or episode requests, contact us at [email protected]

Note: Information in this episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. Information in the podcast does not constitute personal professional advice. We encourage you to independently evaluate any content and consult with appropriate professionals as needed for your specific circumstances.