If you’re a parent, or have simply spent time around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I’m almost 14 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Laura Markham on this valuable subject.

Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How To Stop Yelling and Start Connecting, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life, and now her latest book, The Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using mindfulness and connection to raise resilient, joyful children and rediscover your love of parenting.

Dr. Laura earned her PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless families across the world. Her aspiration is to change the world, one child at a time, by supporting parents. The proud mother of two thriving young adults who were raised with her peaceful parenting approach, she lives with her husband in New York.

In this episode, we cover how to talk to your child when they are in states of activation so that they listen, what you can expect from children based on their stage of development, and what’s behind the behavior of a tantrum! Why are they whining? For parents of children of all ages, this episode has amazing takeaways that will help defuse challenging moments.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Community birth stories are, for me, some of the most important episodes to share on this podcast. Oftentimes, we’re overwhelmed with negative birth narratives, which can impact one’s confidence in their ability to birth. I feel passionate about hearing, and sharing, stories where individuals acknowledge their birthing anxieties but ultimately overcome them.

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Jessie Valentine. Jessie is a registered dietitian who specializes in fertility and perinatal nutrition, a registered prenatal yoga teacher (and PYC teacher training grad!), and a postpartum doula servicing Nassau and Suffolk counties of NY. She is now a mom of two (a two year old son and 4 month old daughter)!

During her time studying at PYC for teacher training, Jessie became pregnant and started taking classes as a student. After her birth, she shared with me how she achieved the VBAC she had desired so deeply, dedicating time and effort into preparing for it. I’m honored that she agreed to come on the podcast and share her story—one filled with support, vision, research, and commitment. Jessie’s journey is incredibly inspiring, and I can't wait for you to hear it!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today, we're talking all about prenatal chiropractic work and how it can help you have a smoother birth and more comfortable pregnancy. I love the idea of chiropractics because it all goes back to alignment. And as a studio owner, yoga teacher and former doula, I am confident in saying that when the pregnant body is aligned, it not only feels better for the pregnant person but also helps their birth!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Robert Shire. Dr. Shire became a chiropractor in 1999 after graduating cum laude from Life University in Georgia. He also completed a fellowship with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and became certified in the Webster Technique. Although Dr. Shire cares for patients of all ages, he has a particular interest in prenatal chiropractic to help parents-to-be experience the healthy and happy pregnancy they deserve.

If you are interested in understanding the nervous system and the function of your body during pregnancy, this episode is for you. Additionally, we expound on the Webster technique which is especially helpful in the case of a breech baby. There are so many golden nuggets of information packed into this episode, and I am so excited for you to listen to this conversation.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today, we're exploring a topic that has impacted so many people around the world, including some of my closest friends and students. I'll admit that I didn't know much about IVF, as I haven’t had personal experience with it, so I set out to learn more. Interestingly, my cousin is an expert on the subject, and one day shared with me about the the history of IVF and the globalization and the technology behind it. From that point on, I knew I had to have her on the podcast!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Donna J. Drucker. Donna is the assistant director of scholarship and research development at the Columbia University School of Nursing. She has a master of library science degree and a PhD in history, both from Indiana University. She is the author of four books and many articles and shorter publications, and has a fifth book on abortion under contract.

While many of us know the outcome that we're hoping for with IVF, and perhaps a bit about the procedures involved, Donna shares insight on aspects such as the donors, the surrogacy, the laws, and so much more. We also talk about how race and appearance generally factor into decision-making, along with many other things I had not thought about. I am really excited for you to hear Donna’s perspective on IVF as a researcher in this field.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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For many sex is a very different experience while pregnant and newly postpartum. From wondering if you might hurt your baby to the physical discomfort one may experience, a lot of questions come to mind. Today we're going to talk about sex during pregnancy and after baby. I gathered some of the students together from the prenatal and postnatal classes and asked what their questions were. Questions I heard included: concerns about sex during pregnancy and will it hurt the baby? If the vagina changes forever after birth? How postpartum hormones change sex? And what can you do if sex hurts?

So to have this conversation today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Sabrina Baxter, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in Pelvic Floor dysfunction. I love that she talks about individualized treatment because, while we're answering these questions in somewhat broad strokes, it is such an individualized experience what is going on with your body. I hope this just gives you some insight into your body and some curiosity about your body because you deserve to live a really wonderful quality of life and part of that is to have a healthy pelvic floor.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we are going to talk about SLEEP: your sleep, your baby’s sleep, and how to help your baby get good sleep. We dive into the topic of sleep deprivation, its impact on maternal mental health and bonding with baby, and also the different types of sleep training methods. 

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Liza Kaplan Montanino. Liza is a dual-certified pediatric and special needs sleep consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management and Institute for Pediatric Sleep & Parenting, respectively. She is also a graduate of the Sleep Health Intelligence Program, cofounder of the Westchester Mama & Child Wellness Expo, and sleep expert in The Indy Lab’s Parenting Center. She is also a sleep instructor with Virtual Village Parenting, a newborn care professional, and lactation educator.

It was a true pleasure having Liza on the show to talk about sleep. She’s an incredible resource filled with valuable insights! Not only will improving your own sleep enhance your wellbeing, but there are numerous benefits to helping your child learn to sleep independently. I hope you enjoy this episode!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today, we have a community birth story. I look at these stories as a wonderful chance to hear firsthand about the incredible experience of birth from someone in our very own community—an experience that deeply influences so much of what we do here at PYC!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Fiamma. Fiamma was born in NYC grew up as a competitive equestrian show jumper where she would travel between Europe, the US and South America. She was also a competitive downhill skier. She took a break from competing and and teaching and spent time in Brazil all of 2023, right before getting pregnant. She currently lives on 180 acres in a 350 year old farmhouse in Virginia, and has been there for almost a year now with her 2 dogs and now perfect baby!

In this episode, Fiamma shares about her health challenges pre-pregnancy, her birth story, and the obstacles she faced during both her birth and postpartum journey… All with remarkable wisdom, grace, and vulnerability. Happy listening!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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If you are a new and expectant parent, I know that childcare is a subject that has crossed your mind before. Whether you’re going back to work full-time, or just need some assistance throughout the day, remember that you don't have to do it all on your own! As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” The right choice for your family will depend on your individual priorities, so let’s explore the options.

To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Elizabeth Narins. Elizabeth is a freelance writer who has previously held staff positions at Cosmo and Women's Health. Her work has appeared in Scary Mommy, What to Expect, The Bump, Parents, and many more! Currently, she is in the process of launching a parenting Substack, More than Mom, that explores identity, career, body image, along with all of the child-rearing questions that keep new parents up at night. Elizabeth is a mother of two.

In this episode, we’ll explore the main differences between daycare and hiring a nanny, how to spot potential red flags for both options, and the important questions to ask. Ultimately, choosing what's right for your family is a personal decision, and I bring you this episode in hopes of helping you navigate the journey!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we’re diving into a topic that’s very close to my heart. Along with being a parent of a child often labeled as "difficult," I know that so many other children are unfairly pigeonholed because of their behavior. And I’ve come to realize: it’s not so much about the actual behavior as it is about understanding the root cause of that behavior.

To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Nina Essell. Nina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience as a school social worker supporting children and families. Nina holds a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s of Science in Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. Nina is an advanced certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach as well as Kimochis, a social emotional learning curriculum. Currently, she is a parenting coach and consultant, providing 1-on-1 coaching, parenting workshops, and professional training.

In this episode, we explore how families can reframe challenging behaviors, the importance of parents finding their own grounding during moments of dysregulation, and practical tools children can use to identify big feelings- before they boil over. My hope is that we, as a society, can get to a place of understanding these kids without judgement. Enjoy this episode.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we are diving into a topic near and dear to my heart: doulas. Tune in as we explore how to find a doula who best fits you and your unique needs!

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Francie Webb. Francie is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Go Milk Yourself. She is a mom of 3, author and former middle school teacher. She’s worked with 1600+ parents and provided training to 2000+ professionals. Additionally, she has trained 40+ doulas and trained 40+ lactation professionals in her Go Milk Yourself Lactation Training.

In this episode, we discuss why identifying your priorities is crucial when selecting the right doula for you. We’ll cover key questions to ask potential doulas based on your priorities, and red flags to watch out for in interviews. Additionally, we go over where to find a doula, what to expect in terms of cost and on-call availability, and so much more. Enjoy this episode!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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