Since I Became a Mother

Episode Summary

Going back to work after having a baby can feel like an impossible equation: childcare, feeding, schedules, career expectations, guilt, ambition, and a completely different version of yourself all competing for attention at once.

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with return-to-work doula Jessica Martin and working mom, content creator, and brand strategist Taara Sajnani Das to talk about what returning to work actually feels like — and what can make the transition easier.

In This Episode

• What returning to work after maternity leave really feels like
• How to prepare before your first day back
• Why ambition can change after becoming a mother
• Mom guilt and the pressure to “do both”
• The mental load of working motherhood
• How partners can share responsibility more effectively
• Creating systems that actually help
• Practical ways to make the transition back to work feel less overwhelming

Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin is a New York City–based birth, postpartum, and return-to-work doula and the founder of Next Adventure Births. She is a Certified Body Ready Method® Pro and Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula through Manhattan Birth, with training in lactation, newborn development, postpartum recovery, nutrition, hospital communication, and supporting inductions and cesarean births.

Website: https://nextadventurebirths.com/

Taara Sajnani Das

Taara Sajnani Das is a New York City–based working mother, content creator, brand strategist, and founder of Sajnani Brand Management. Her content explores motherhood, career, style, and identity, and she brings a firsthand perspective on how ambition, priorities, and the way we work can change after becoming a mother.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taarasajnani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taarasajnani

Products Mentioned: HealthyBaby Diapers & Wipes — This episode is sponsored by HealthyBaby. HealthyBaby is a paid partner of Since I Became a Mother, and all opinions and experiences shared are my own.

Connect With Taylor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

Episode Summary

Baby sleep can quickly take over your entire mental load. In this episode, Taylor talks with pediatric sleep specialist Ella Grace Hanover about infant sleep, night wakings, sleep training, contact naps, feeding to sleep, and what’s actually normal. They also discuss how sleep deprivation affects mothers, when sleep becomes unsustainable for a family, and how to make changes without feeling like you’re failing your baby. This episode definitely leans into sleep training, so if that's not your vibe, skip this one!

In This Episode

• What normal infant sleep looks like
• Why babies wake at night
• When sleep becomes unsustainable
• What sleep training really means
• Crying, attachment & sleep-training guilt
• Feeding to sleep & contact naps
• Sleep deprivation & maternal mental health
• The mental load of wake windows and schedules

This Week’s Guest

Ella Grace Hanover is a NYC-based pediatric sleep specialist, certified sleep consultant, postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and integrative feeding and lactation specialist. She is the founder of Ella Grace Sleep Solutions.

Website: https://www.ellagracesleepsolutions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellagracesleepsolutions/

Resources Mentioned

• Precious Little Sleep: The Complete Baby Sleep Guide for Modern Parents by Alexis Dubief
• Hiscock H, Wake M. Randomised controlled trial of behavioural infant sleep intervention to improve infant sleep and maternal mood. BMJ. 2002. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.324.7345.1062
• Hall WA, Hutton E, Brant RF, et al. A randomized controlled trial of an intervention for infants’ behavioral sleep problems. BMC Pediatrics. 2015. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0492-7
• Park J, Kim SY, Lee K, et al. Effectiveness of behavioral sleep interventions on children’s and mothers’ sleep quality and maternal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2022. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07762-8

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

Episode Summary

Newborns are weird — they grunt, strain, spit up, cry for seemingly no reason, and somehow make every new parent wonder: “Is this normal?”

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with triple board-certified pediatrician Dr. Nilay Donmez to talk through the newborn behaviors that worry parents most. They discuss crying, gas, reflux, witching hour, feeding, hydration, and how to tell the difference between normal newborn behavior and something that actually needs medical attention.

In This Episode

• What normal newborn behavior actually looks like
• Why babies cry and what witching hour really is
• Gas, grunting, straining, and digestive discomfort
• Infant reflux and when it becomes a concern
• How to know when to call the pediatrician
• Newborn red flags parents should never ignore
• How to manage the anxiety of constantly wondering whether something is wrong

Guest

Dr. Nilay Donmez is a triple board-certified pediatrician in general pediatrics, pediatric nephrology, and obesity medicine and the founder of First Steps Pediatrics in Tribeca. Her practice focuses on personalized, relationship-based pediatric care, with a particular emphasis on newborns, early childhood, prevention, and the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. She also shares practical pediatric education with parents through her @doctorforkids platform.

Website: https://www.firststepspediatricsnyc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorforkids/

Resources Mentioned

• What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff
• Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense Guide to Your Baby’s First Year by Scott W. Cohen, MD

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

Breastfeeding is often called “natural,” but that doesn’t mean it’s simple.

Taylor sits down with Dr. Linda Dahl, board-certified ENT and breastfeeding medicine expert, to explain what is actually happening biologically and mechanically when a baby breastfeeds. They discuss milk supply, latch and milk transfer, tongue ties, lactation support, and why breastfeeding works best when mother and baby are understood as a team.

They also explore the mental-health toll of difficult breastfeeding and why new moms deserve better education, clearer answers, and less shame.

• How breastfeeding actually works
• Milk supply and milk transfer
• The mother-baby dyad
• Latch and oral mechanics
• Tongue ties and feeding
• The role of lactation consultants
• Why breastfeeding advice can conflict
• The mental-health toll of difficult feeding
• What Dr. Dahl wishes every new mom knew

Dr. Linda Dahl is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head-and-neck surgeon specializing in breastfeeding and infant feeding. She is the author of Better Breastfeeding and Clinician’s Guide to Breastfeeding, and her work focuses on anatomy, physiology, milk supply, oral mechanics, and the mother-baby feeding relationship.

Website: https://www.drlindadahl.com/Better Breastfeeding: https://www.betterbreastfeeding.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorlindadahl/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned

• Better Breastfeeding: A Doctor’s Guide to Nursing Without Pain and Frustration
• Clinician’s Guide to Breastfeeding: Evidence-Based Evaluation and Management

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer

The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits

Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

Episode Summary

Becoming a mother changed more than I ever expected. I spent so much time preparing for pregnancy, birth, and bringing home a baby—but I wasn’t prepared for how profoundly motherhood would change me.

In the first full episode of Since I Became a Mother, I’m sharing my own story: who I was before motherhood, my birth experience, the difficult early postpartum months, postpartum depression and anxiety, severe sleep deprivation, exclusively breastfeeding, and the feeling that somewhere along the way I had lost parts of the person I used to be.

I also share why I created this podcast, why Season 1 focuses so heavily on the first year of motherhood, and why every conversation this season comes from something I found myself searching for when I was a new mom. This isn’t a story about getting back to who I was before—it’s about figuring out who I’m becoming now.

In This Episode

• Who I was before becoming a mother
• My birth story and the moment motherhood became real
• What the earliest postpartum months actually felt like for me
• My experience with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety
• Sleep deprivation and the mental toll of being constantly “on”
• Exclusively breastfeeding and how consuming feeding can become
• Loving my baby deeply while still struggling
• Losing parts of my identity after becoming a mother
• How motherhood changed my body, relationships, work, ambition, and priorities
• Why “getting back to myself” stopped feeling like the goal
• What I spent my first year searching for and why I created this podcast
• Why Season 1 focuses especially on the first year of motherhood
• What I hope Since I Became a Mother gives other moms

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

Episode Summary

Since I Became a Mother is a podcast about the things motherhood changes, the things no one warns you about, and where we figure out who we are becoming together.

In this trailer, host Taylor Rae Roman shares why she created the show, how becoming a mother transformed the way she sees herself and the world around her, and why Season 1 focuses especially on the vulnerable first year of motherhood.

Through solo episodes and conversations with experts and other mothers, Since I Became a Mother will explore breastfeeding, baby sleep, postpartum recovery, maternal mental health, relationships, friendship, work, identity, and the complicated process of becoming someone new after becoming a mother.

New episodes every Tuesday.

In This Episode

• Why Taylor created Since I Became a Mother
• The identity shift that can happen after becoming a mother
• Why the first year of motherhood is at the heart of Season 1
• The conversations and experts coming this season
• Creating a space for honest, practical conversations about motherhood

Connect With Taylor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer

The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits

Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

© 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.

There’s so much focus on pregnancy and birth—but what about after? In this episode, I’m breaking down the physical changes that happen to your body during pregnancy, what actually happens immediately after birth, and the basics of postpartum healing. I’m also sharing key stats, what no one really tells you about recovery, and how to start preparing for postpartum beyond just the physical—because your emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being matter, too.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Some info and stats on postpartum and postpartum depression
• Changes that happen to your body during pregnancy
• What happens to your body during pregnancy and immediately after
• The basics for postpartum physical healing
• What happens during postpartum, beyond the physical

Resources:

• Follow me at @taylorraeroman, everywhere
• Full episode transcription and citations: https://taylorraeroman.com/on-the-outside-podcast

Keep In Touch:

• Visit taylorraeroman.com
• Instagram @taylorraeroman
• TikTok @taylorraeroman
• YouTube @taylorraeroman
• ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/taylorraeroman
• Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/taylorraealmonte — includes my baby registry picks and postpartum favorites

Discount Codes:

Natural Cycles: Use code TAYLORRAE for 15% off an annual plan + free thermometer / natural-cycles.sjv.io/xLQLkx

Tinyhood: Use code TAYLORR20 for 20% off up to 12 months of membership / https://tinyhood.sjv.io/c/2688864/957205/12776.

Disclaimer: The information shared on On the Outside is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, medical professional, or licensed healthcare provider. The content of this podcast is based on my personal experiences and research, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your pregnancy, health, or well-being. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person may not be right for another.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the to-dos? In this episode, I’m sharing the top things to remember each trimester, how to stay organized, and the tools that have helped me manage all the tasks that come with preparing for parenthood.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Top things to remember to do each trimester
• How to stay organized
• Tools for managing all of the tasks that come with becoming a parent

Resources:

• Follow me at @taylorraeroman, everywhere
• Full episode transcription and citations: https://taylorraeroman.com/on-the-outside-podcast

Keep In Touch:

• Visit taylorraeroman.com
• Instagram @taylorraeroman
• TikTok @taylorraeroman
• YouTube @taylorraeroman
• ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/taylorraeroman
• Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/taylorraealmonte — includes my baby registry picks and postpartum favorites

Discount Codes:

Natural Cycles: Use code TAYLORRAE for 15% off an annual plan + free thermometer / natural-cycles.sjv.io/xLQLkx

Tinyhood: Use code TAYLORR20 for 20% off up to 12 months of membership / https://tinyhood.sjv.io/c/2688864/957205/12776.

Disclaimer: The information shared on On the Outside is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, medical professional, or licensed healthcare provider. The content of this podcast is based on my personal experiences and research, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your pregnancy, health, or well-being. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person may not be right for another.

If you’ve ever wondered what a doula actually does—or whether you really need one—this episode is for you. I’m breaking down what doulas do, why having one can make a huge difference in your birth experience, and why Black women and other marginalized birthing people may especially benefit from this kind of support. Whether you’re already pregnant or just planning ahead, this is essential info for an empowered, supported birth.

In this episode, we talk about…

• What is a doula, and what do they do
• Why you might want a doula, including  why Black women & marginalized folks might especially want one
• How to find a doula, including free & subsidized doula programs in the U.S. and the average cost of a doula
• My personal experience with my doula

Resources:

• Follow me at @taylorraeroman, everywhere
• Full episode transcription and citations: https://taylorraeroman.com/on-the-outside-podcast

Keep In Touch:

• Visit taylorraeroman.com
• Instagram @taylorraeroman
• TikTok @taylorraeroman
• YouTube @taylorraeroman
• ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/taylorraeroman
• Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/taylorraealmonte — includes my baby registry picks and postpartum favorites

Discount Codes:

Natural Cycles: Use code TAYLORRAE for 15% off an annual plan + free thermometer / natural-cycles.sjv.io/xLQLkx

Tinyhood: Use code TAYLORR20 for 20% off up to 12 months of membership / https://tinyhood.sjv.io/c/2688864/957205/12776.

Disclaimer: The information shared on On the Outside is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, medical professional, or licensed healthcare provider. The content of this podcast is based on my personal experiences and research, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your pregnancy, health, or well-being. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person may not be right for another.

Let’s talk birth prep—because labor might be unpredictable, but preparing for it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m sharing the products, tools, and practices that have been game-changers in my third trimester. From childbirth education to creating a birth plan that actually reflects your values, we’re covering it all. I also break down why pelvic floor strength, core stability, and mobility are key for labor. Whether you’re weeks away from delivery or just starting to plan, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you feel informed, empowered, and ready.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Some products and tools I’ve loved using and recommend for birth preparation
• What preparation in terms of childbirth education might look like, including online courses, in-person courses and books I’ve learned a lot from
• Creating a birth plan
• Why Pelvic Floor, Core Strength & Mobility for Labor are important and how you can implement them into your routine
• And other useful tools to prepare for childbirth

Resources:

• Follow me at @taylorraeroman, everywhere
• Full episode transcription and citations: https://taylorraeroman.com/on-the-outside-podcast

Keep In Touch:

• Visit taylorraeroman.com
• Instagram @taylorraeroman
• TikTok @taylorraeroman
• YouTube @taylorraeroman
• ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/taylorraeroman
• Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/taylorraealmonte — includes my baby registry picks and postpartum favorites

Discount Codes:

Natural Cycles: Use code TAYLORRAE for 15% off an annual plan + free thermometer / natural-cycles.sjv.io/xLQLkx

Tinyhood: Use code TAYLORR20 for 20% off up to 12 months of membership / https://tinyhood.sjv.io/c/2688864/957205/12776.

Disclaimer: The information shared on On the Outside is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, medical professional, or licensed healthcare provider. The content of this podcast is based on my personal experiences and research, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your pregnancy, health, or well-being. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person may not be right for another.