In this Follow Up episode, I’m opening up about something I’ve counseled countless parents through yet still had to face myself: the emotional weight of percentiles. After my daughter Vera was born, a mix of postpartum complications, exclusive pumping, and constant worry about her petite size pulled me into a spiral I didn’t see coming.

This episode walks through that experience with honesty and compassion. I share what feeding looked like in those early weeks, how comparison added pressure, how anxiety shaped her feeding behavior, and the turning points that helped me step back into a steadier perspective.

Most importantly, we revisit what matters far more than the number on a chart: the big-picture signs of a thriving baby. If you’ve ever left a checkup feeling shaky or second-guessing yourself, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

What percentile anxiety actually sounds and feels like for parents

How postpartum complications and exclusive pumping layered into worry

The comparison trap and why it hits so hard in early parenthood

How anxiety can accidentally shape feeding behavior (and how to reset)

The real indicators of healthy growth beyond the chart

When to seek support for both your baby and your own mental health

Why you are not failing your child, even when the numbers feel scary

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