Newbies: New Moms, New Babies

Newbies host Kaile Garcia discusses sleep tips for new mothers with Carissa Gustafson a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health.

Gustafson shares her own experiences with gestational diabetes, a traumatic first birth involving breech presentation and nuchal cord, and subsequent pregnancy losses before having her second child.

The conversation emphasizes sleep as a key factor in postpartum mood regulation, including the importance of “anchor sleep” (about four consecutive hours), creating a sleep plan for mom, and building support through partners, family, night help, or shifts especially when breastfeeding.

They cover how anxiety, hypervigilance, and doom scrolling can prevent sleep, when to seek therapy or medication, and practical routines like an hour-long wind-down, avoiding screens, meditation/body scans, journaling, gentle movement, reading, and magnesium lotion.

Gustafson offers a free postpartum guide, an online ACT-based course (Reclaim Your Life After Birth), and individual therapy for California residents.

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Host Kaile Garcia interviews Aly Wood, a former tech professional, stay-at-home mom, military spouse, and future CFP, about financial tips for new mothers navigating postpartum, maternity leave, and potential shifts to one income.

Aly shares her surprise pregnancy, breech baby, and positive scheduled C-section experience, then discusses the emotional and practical adjustments of leaving a high-earning job, including money guilt and planning for military pay uncertainty.

She recommends tracking spending with a budgeting app (they use Monarch Money), building baby expenses into monthly/annual budgets, and using registries informed by other parents’ must-haves to avoid unnecessary purchases. Cost-saving strategies include investing in “grow-with-me” items, saving gradually for big purchases, buying secondhand when safe, and shopping sales.

They emphasize budgeting as “favors for future you,” aligning spending with family goals, and starting financial conversations as a team.

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If you were passionate about working out before pregnancy, continued with moderate exercise during, and now want to reclaim your shape after having a baby, this episode is for you.

We dive into a discussion about postpartum strength training with wellness and postpartum strength coach Kailey McPherson

Hosted by Kaile Garcia, this episode offers invaluable insights for new moms eager to get back into their fitness routines.

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Host Kaile Garcia interviews Karthik Gangiredla, a Seattle-based dad and founder of birchstore.com, about what newborn gear parents truly need and how to avoid being overwhelmed by unnecessary products.

Karthik says newborn needs fall into four categories: sleep, feeding, transportation, and diapering with essentials like a safe bassinet or crib setup (firm, flat, bare), bottles or breastfeeding supplies as needed, an infant car seat, and diapers/wipes plus a changing surface and diaper bin.

He advises buying minimally at first, then adjusting based on baby temperament or medical needs (e.g., contact napping, startle reflex, reflux, preemies, sensitive skin) and following safe sleep and swaddling guidelines.

He explains Birch as a curated store and toolkit with a universal smart registry, checklists, trackers, research library, and a Trust Score using safety and review signals, offering free US shipping and generous returns.

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Host Kaile Garcia welcomes Dr. Ricki Pollycove, a longtime Bay Area OB/GYN, to discuss what’s normal and not normal in postpartum recovery. They compare healing after vaginal birth and C-section, noting that discomfort varies with the birth experience and that reducing perineal swelling by positioning hips above the heart can lessen pain and speed healing.

Dr. Pollycove explains typical C-section pain triggers (coughing, sneezing, laughing, sometimes urination) and factors that affect recovery, including excess weight gain.

She emphasizes postpartum nutrition and hydration—high protein, lower carbohydrates, and ample fluids—to support mood, energy, and wound healing.

At the 6–8 week visit, common issues include breastfeeding nipple pain, relationship support, isolation, and mood changes linked to low estrogen while nursing; she also recommends evaluating anemia, thyroid function, possible UTI, and considering safe estrogen support when needed.

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Newbies host Kaile Garcia interviews Theresa Hunt, a level three NICU nurse in Northeast Ohio, about what parents can expect during a NICU stay.

Hunt explains NICU levels 1–4, which babies are admitted (including those born before 35 weeks), and how transfers work when higher-level care is needed. She describes typical assignments ranging from “feeder growers” to critical infants needing IV medications and respiratory support, and shares ways nurses prepare parents by setting expectations and involving them in care through touch, diapering, weighing, skin-to-skin, and feeding practice.

The discussion covers breastfeeding in the NICU, pumping, “nuzzling,” lactation support, and measuring intake, along with discharge milestones and corrected/adjusted age. Hunt outlines night-shift routines, visiting policies, and common items families bring, and ends with a story of a 22-week infant who survived without deficits.

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Host Kaile Garcia welcomes Lori Harding, a Dallas-based Pilates instructor and solo mom of an under-one-year-old, to discuss working out postpartum and its physical and mental health benefits.

Lori shares her planned C-section birth story due to placenta previa, her IVF baby born on World IVF Day, and returning to exercise about eight weeks postpartum after being medically cleared.

She explains contemporary Pilates on a reformer as strength-focused training distinct from classical Pilates, and describes how she supports postpartum and pregnant clients with modifications, accessible transitions, and encouragement to listen to their bodies and give themselves grace.

The episode includes at-home movement ideas (squats, lunges, light weights, standing core) and Lori’s “aha” moment from her first postpartum class.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free!

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Having a newborn is fun, messy, loud and so exciting! You may be thinking of taking a newborn class with your partner to learn the ins and outs of caring for your new bundle of joy! Today we are diving deep in the joys of motherhood, what you will walk away with at one of these classes and so much more!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free!

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For more information about Suma Metla or Three Little Ducks click here! Don't forget to check them out if you are located on Oahu and subscribe to their newsletter for more information!

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With Summer like weather come summer showers! & It’s great being outside with your baby when you can but sometimes that is simply not possible. Today we are talking about playhouses! Why you should bring your baby to one and if they are worth the hype!

Jessica Lawson with The Palmetto Playhouse chats about why she created this playhouse for families, how playhouses can be beneficial for those under one and how to enjoy your time at one!

If you are near the low country be sure to check them out!

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 Whether you choose to breastfeed your baby or formula feed, cosleep or have your infant in their own room, start your baby on purees or baby led feed,  you might be feeling ashamed about your parenting decisions. Today we are taking a deep dive into shame that you might feel during motherhood and ways to help navigate these feelings!

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