Unswaddled

Jamie and Emily celebrate their last podcast episode before their summer break by discussing a highly requested topic- their daily routines! They emphasize both the similarities and the differences in their parenting styles, and how this plays out in their day to day schedules. Emily starts out by discussing her mornings and the challenges of dealing with an early-rising toddler, while Jamie talks about her more relaxed mornings and the benefits of having older, more independent children. They delve into mealtimes, and the strategies of ordering out and letting kids watch TV during meals vs eating together as a family. Emily and Jamie then discuss their bedtime routines, highlighting the different routes they each take with their children, from quick good nights to more involved nighttime rituals. They reflect on the flexibility and challenges of parenting, emphasizing the importance of adapting routines to individual family needs and doing what works best for the family as a whole. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Jamie and Emily start off this week’s episode by introducing their guest, Alex DiGrado (@bostonpelvicpt), a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in pelvic floor health. They humorously discuss their own personal experiences with Alex, and highlight the resources that Alex provides both in person and virtually.

In their conversation, Jamie, Emily, and Alex discuss the importance of pelvic floor health, especially during and after pregnancy. They talk about common misconceptions and fears about pelvic floor physical therapy, and Alex shares her approach to trauma-informed care, ensuring that patients feel safe and respected when in her care. She describes the logistics of pelvic floor PT, from when to go, how to find a good provider, and what patients can expect before and during their visit. Alex also touches on the flexibility of care, from one-time postpartum visits to more extended treatments, and the significance of realistic lifestyle modifications and home exercises in maintaining pelvic health.

In this week’s Q&A, Jamie and Emily discuss when parents can stop using baby monitors.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Directory 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Emily and Jamie kick off this week’s episode by discussing Jamie’s recent experience with training her dog. Switching gears, they introduce their guest for this week, Nicole Fox. Nicole is a familiar face on the Nurture platform, providing virtual and in-person support and education for parents. As a registered nurse, dietician, and lactation consultant, Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, addressing common parental questions about infant formula and feeding.

In their discussion, Nicole acknowledges the overwhelming variety of infant formulas and the key factors to consider when choosing a formula, such as accessibility, cost, and specific dietary needs. Nicole shares her expertise on the importance of gut health in infants, explaining the differences between standard and hypoallergenic formulas, and the common misconceptions about lactose intolerance versus milk protein allergies. In their discussion, Emily, Jamie, and Nicole’s discussion also underscores the crucial role of proper education and support for parents, particularly regarding elimination diets in breastfeeding mothers, and emphasizes consulting with dietitians to ensure nutritional adequacy and manage dietary changes effectively. 

In this week’s Q&A, Emily and Jamie discuss the transition from formula and bottles at the one year mark. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Emily shares her recent experience with end-of-school-year activities at her kids’ school before introducing their guest on this week’s episode, Marika Frumes. Marika is the cofounder of Mysha Pods, and both Emily and Jamie have witnessed her talents in community building and facilitating meaningful connections firsthand. 

In their conversation, they discuss Marika’s journey through motherhood and community building. Marika shares her transition from a career in hospitality to creating a global women's community called "Her" (@her.usa) and later founding Mysha Pods (@myshapods), a supportive space for moms to form intimate connections with one another. They delve into the importance of genuine connections and fostering inclusive environments where women can share their experiences and support one another. Marika discusses the delicate and challenging first six months of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of virtual support during this period. She shares her journey of creating a supportive community for new moms through WhatsApp groups, which evolved into the formalized support system of Mysha Pods. Marika highlights the significance of forming connections and building community, encouraging listeners to engage and reach out to others in their everyday environments.

In this week’s Q&A, Emily and Jamie answer a mom’s question about going into labor prior to a scheduled c-section. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

In this Father’s Day episode, Emily and Jamie sit down with Max Kirchoff, a father of two and facilitator of Nurture’s Dad Support Group, to explore the multifaceted journey of fatherhood. Max shares his insights on being a father, friend, and partner, highlighting the distinct ways men and women approach relationships and parenting. The conversation delves into the challenges men face in forming meaningful friendships and the importance of intentionality building lasting bonds. They discuss how societal expectations shape men's roles in work, family, and personal relationships. Max shares how he stays intentional and present when spending time with his kids, and emphasizes the value of building relationships and having a “third place” outside of work and home to foster meaningful connections and a sense of community.

In this week’s Q&A segment, Emily and Jamie discuss a question asking whether an infant can receive tylenol or motrin labeled as “Children’s.” 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

This week’s episode features Alison, a mom of two and a NAPS client. She shares her journey of having two children in the NICU, in hopes that her story will help other parents who are navigating medical challenges with their own children. Alison joins Emily to share how she navigated the NICU with her two children, Abby and Caleb. Alison discusses staying in the hospital while pregnant to the emotional and medical hurdles of having premature and medically complex infants. She goes on to talk about her determination to breastfeed Caleb after not being able to do so with her daughter, the difficulties they faced, and the eventual decision to prioritize bottle and tube feeding in order to ensure Caleb’s health and bring him home from the hospital. Alison further explains the process of being discharged with a baby with a feeding tube and the unexpected obstacles that accompanied it. Emily and Alison touch upon resources available to parents with children in the NICU, emphasizing the importance of seeking support from therapists, as well as connecting to parents in similar situations through social media groups and organizations like Feeding Matters. 

In this week’s Q&A, Jamie and Emily discuss ways to support someone whose child is in the NICU, using responses gathered from parents who have had this experience. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Jamie and Emily kick off this episode by sharing what they did over Memorial Day Weekend before discussing this week’s episode on summer travel, highlighting their different perspectives when it comes to traveling with their families 

Jamie and Emily share personal experiences and practical tips for traveling with children. They discuss their contrasting travel preferences and how these have evolved over time, talking about sleep environments and adjusting childrens’ routines. They also highlight the benefits of having a babysitter while on vacation to balance family time with time for personal relaxation, before diving into the logistics of traveling as a family. Emily draws from her experience flying with small children and gives her advice around managing luggage, car seats, and kids in airports. Jamie and Emily also cover important safety tips for travel, focusing on pools, the beach, and crowds. 

In this week’s Q&A, Jamie and Emily give their tips about flying while pregnant. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Jamie kicks this episode off by sharing her thoughts on the importance of estate planning for parents, not only financially but also the care and values that parents would like their children to have. She discusses her recent experience with The Parents Estate Planning Law Firm in Massachusetts, and highlights an upcoming free workshop on this topic as well as the option for listeners to book a call with the firm to learn more. Jamie introduces the guests for this episode,   Dr. Cory Whelan and Dr. Kara LaCroix, co-founders of Seasons Behavioral Services, who provide valuable insights and resources for families supporting individuals with autism.

Dr. Whelan and Dr. LaCroix chat with Emily, sharing their journey in founding their organization and explain the process and importance of early intervention and support for families navigating autism diagnoses.The conversation delves into the intricacies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, highlighting its role in helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism. They discuss the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to improve outcomes and emphasize the significance of parental support and community resources to navigate the complexities of raising a child with autism.

In this week’s Q&A, Jamie addresses a parent's concern about their four-month-old waking up frequently at night, explaining the concept of the four-month sleep regression. Jamie also mentions Nurture’s sleep consultation services for personalized support. 

Workshop with Jamie O’Day and Parents Estate Planning 

Book a call with Parents Estate Planning Law Firm 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

To introduce this podcast episode, Emily and Jamie discuss Jamie’s 13th wedding anniversary and her upcoming trip. They go on to reflect on the importance of self-care and introduce this episode’s guest, Jackie Lightner, talking about the different levels of mental health care and the unique approach of her program, Lightwork Therapy. 

Jamie talks with Jackie Lightner, LICSW, and Executive Director of Lightwork Therapy and Recovery, a mental health service provider for women in Massachusetts. They discuss the evolving landscape of mental health care for women, acknowledging historical biases and the pressure on women to fulfill multiple roles. They explore societal expectations, the normalization of therapy, and challenges in accessing mental health support. The conversation delves into the need for intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for women, highlighting issues with insurance coverage and the importance of tailored, supportive environments like Lightwork's female-focused space. They further discuss the challenges individuals face when transitioning from hospitalization to home care, highlighting the unpredictable wait times and insurance coverage issues. They emphasize the importance of navigating the system and advocating for proper care, sharing personal experiences and strategies to streamline the process. Jackie shares Lightwork’s different approaches and experts, as well as their structured 20 week curriculum that covers themes like safety, guilt, and shame. They emphasize the importance of self-care for high-functioning individuals, providing accessible help without the need for referrals. Jackie highlights their commitment to connecting individuals with appropriate care, even if it's not with them. She encourages reaching out via their website or Instagram for support.

In this week’s Q&A, Emily and Jamie prepare listeners for the warmer weather by answering a question about the use of bug spray on 2 year olds. 

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase

Kibou: Use code NAPS for 15% off your purchase of $89+

Jamie and Emily start this episode by sharing their recent walk, emphasizing the significance of spending time with friends and prioritizing self-care. They then introduce the guest for the episode, Sarah Harmon (@the.schoolofmom), who excels in prioritizing both these aspects. Sarah, a licensed mental health therapist, yoga/mindfulness teacher, corporate wellness expert, and founder of The School of MOM and Parent Wellness Group, is commended for her ability to offer practical tools for self-care and breaking generational cycles.

In their conversation with Sarah, they dive into the concept of the "mental load." Sarah suggests reframing the mental load as a "brain-body load," emphasizing its impact not only on mental but also emotional and physical well-being. She emphasizes the need to recognize and address the negative emotional component, and explore the potential for personal growth and empowerment that comes from understanding and managing the brain-body load, viewing it as an opportunity for self-awareness and assertiveness in defining one's needs and boundaries within relationships. They explore the role of community and partners in supporting personal growth and emotional well-being, and Sarah discusses her journey of self-discovery and empowerment within her relationship. They also discuss the significance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community, as demonstrated by Sarah's program "Flourish," which aims to help mothers prioritize self-care, break generational patterns, and create a hopeful future for themselves and their families. 

In this week's Ask a Nurse segment, Emily discusses addressing parental concerns regarding sick children during sleep training. Sharing a scenario from her sister's experience, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a child's comfort and health over strict sleep routines. Emily provides practical guidance on determining when to intervene and offers reassurance to parents navigating similar situations.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by our fabulous sponsors:

Feast & Fettle: Use code NAPSPOD for $30 off your first order

kozēkozē: Use code NAPS for 20% off your purchase