You've Got This, Mama - Podcast

Today we are going to talk about all things new mom, from infant sleep to breastfeeding and everything in-between with The Mama Coaches- Carrie Bruno and Amanda Archibald.

Carrie is the founder and CEO of the nationwide company, The Mama Coach. She leads a team of committed Registered Nurses who are passionate about supporting women through all the stages of motherhood. She is a mama herself, of two little boys, who are the reason behind The Mama Coach. She believes all mamas should be able to find sleep and feeding solutions from a health professional that are tailored to them in a non-judgemental way. 

In this episode, Carrie explains why she started The Mama Coach. She started the company when her boys were little because she was looking for a way to spend more time with her family. She is a Registered Nurse and lactation consultant and was passionate about helping other families achieve sleep and feeding success in the newborn phase. She believes that these two things are completely linked, so she wanted to bring all of her research to other families so they could all start getting some sleep as well. And her company grew! What makes them different from other companies is that they provide an in-home consultation with all families.

Carrie talks about how as new mamas we end up relying on Google for our sleep questions. This can be totally overwhelming as there is so much information and judgment out there. She shared the mantra of The Mama Coach, which is: “It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you!”. It is not up to anyone else in your world to tell you how things should be in your life as a Mom.

“It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you!” ~ Carrie Bruno; The Mama Coach

Amanda is first and foremost she is the mama to her spirited little girl Emily who will be two-years-old next month. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from BCIT with a specialty in Perinatal Nursing and worked in labour and delivery and postpartum care in Vancouver and Calgary. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and the owner of The Mama Coach in Vancouver providing Prenatal education, Lactation Consulting and Sleep Consulting for new mamas and their families. She loves caring for the families she works with and when she is not working you will find her exploring her city, out on a long run or checking out a local brewery!

The ladies delve into the #1 most Googled newborn sleep question: ‘When should my baby be sleeping through the night?" Carrie affirms there is no one right answer and no secret sauce to that question because it’s very personal. Everyone has different thoughts of what ‘sleeping through the night’ actually is. She says that there is a general guideline out there that at either three months old and/or thirteen pounds you should be able to teach a newborn to sleep through the night. As a nurse, she would argue that it would be incredibly stressful developmentally for baby and mom (aka a lot of crying) for this to be true. With The Mama Coach programs, they start with feeds, with the hopes that the babies learn the skills and sleep through the night when they’re ready. They start with changing what the middle of night feedings look like by teaching the babies a trick. She purports that it’s really about helping the baby learn how to “eat when they’re hungry and sleep when they’re tired.” This does not have to be a boot camp like experience. Carrie tells us that often just by getting the science and timing behind your baby's sleep schedule can fix things almost to the finish line.

Next, the Mamas move onto the dreaded ‘sleep-training’ debate. Carrie feels that whatever method you choose to get your baby to sleep, be it ‘cry-it-out’, co-sleeping or everything in between nobody should judge either way. There is a solution out there that will work for you and your family,

Today we are going to talk about all things new mom, from infant sleep to breastfeeding and everything in-between with The Mama Coaches- Carrie Bruno and Amanda Archibald.

Carrie is the founder and CEO of the nationwide company, The Mama Coach. She leads a team of committed Registered Nurses who are passionate about supporting women through all the stages of motherhood. She is a mama herself, of two little boys, who are the reason behind The Mama Coach. She believes all mamas should be able to find sleep and feeding solutions from a health professional that are tailored to them in a non-judgemental way. 

In this episode, Carrie explains why she started The Mama Coach. She started the company when her boys were little because she was looking for a way to spend more time with her family. She is a Registered Nurse and lactation consultant and was passionate about helping other families achieve sleep and feeding success in the newborn phase. She believes that these two things are completely linked, so she wanted to bring all of her research to other families so they could all start getting some sleep as well. And her company grew! What makes them different from other companies is that they provide an in-home consultation with all families.

Carrie talks about how as new mamas we end up relying on Google for our sleep questions. This can be totally overwhelming as there is so much information and judgment out there. She shared the mantra of The Mama Coach, which is: “It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you!”. It is not up to anyone else in your world to tell you how things should be in your life as a Mom.

“It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you!” ~ Carrie Bruno; The Mama Coach

Amanda is first and foremost she is the mama to her spirited little girl Emily who will be two-years-old next month. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from BCIT with a specialty in Perinatal Nursing and worked in labour and delivery and postpartum care in Vancouver and Calgary. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and the owner of The Mama Coach in Vancouver providing Prenatal education, Lactation Consulting and Sleep Consulting for new mamas and their families. She loves caring for the families she works with and when she is not working you will find her exploring her city, out on a long run or checking out a local brewery!

The ladies delve into the #1 most Googled newborn sleep question: ‘When should my baby be sleeping through the night?" Carrie affirms there is no one right answer and no secret sauce to that question because it’s very personal. Everyone has different thoughts of what ‘sleeping through the night’ actually is. She says that there is a general guideline out there that at either three months old and/or thirteen pounds you should be able to teach a newborn to sleep through the night. As a nurse, she would argue that it would be incredibly stressful developmentally for baby and mom (aka a lot of crying) for this to be true. With The Mama Coach programs, they start with feeds, with the hopes that the babies learn the skills and sleep through the night when they’re ready. They start with changing what the middle of night feedings look like by teaching the babies a trick. She purports that it’s really about helping the baby learn how to “eat when they’re hungry and sleep when they’re tired.” This does not have to be a boot camp like experience. Carrie tells us that often just by getting the science and timing behind your baby's sleep schedule can fix things almost to the finish line.

Next, the Mamas move onto the dreaded ‘sleep-training’ debate. Carrie feels that whatever method you choose to get your baby to sleep, be it ‘cry-it-out’, co-sleeping or everything in between nobody should judge either way. There is a solution out there that will work for you and your family,

If you don’t recognize this face it is because she is the mastermind behind the scenes, as Sabrina mentions in this episode “the glue that holds this together”. In today’s episode, we are simply just checking in. Episode 8 marks the halfway point for Season One and it is time we hear from all of you. We want to know what your burning questions are. Do you have a topic suggestion you NEED to hear about? Are you or do you know the perfect Mama nominee to be a guest on the show? On today’s show, we recap episode seven all the way back to episode one and allow you to be involved in shaping the episodes of the future. Who better to discuss than our very own producer Meghan Krmpotic?

Meghan has always been passionate about the entertainment industry, leading to a successful ten-plus year career in television production. She worked on numerous number one Canadian reality TV shows before taking a break to realize her true dream job, being a Mama! Understanding the fast-paced world of Hollywood North was not conducive to a growing family she joined forces with an incredible health and wellness company and rapidly worked her way to the VP level. She is now a Regional Vice President with Arbonne International, an upcoming contributor in You’ve Got This Mama, Too, our incredible producer and mama of three awesome little ones Gracie (7) Alexander (4) and Frankie (2).

Meghan and Sabrina start with recapping Episode 7- Canna Mommin’ they revisit some funny web browser stories and talk about their opinions and predictions on what legalization in Canada means. “At the end of the day, I think people mostly fear change,” says Sabrina. Meghan agrees and thinks this is a step in the right direction. Change can be a good thing.

They move on to Episode 5 - Let’s Talk About Sex brought to attention by more funny web browser stories. This episode is really great because it dives into the practical and tangible tools around sex after babies. For those who haven’t tuned in yet, there are even links to porn, ask Meghan’s hubby about that one.

The ladies move on to Episode 6 - Moving Through Fertility. This one hits home for Meghan having dealt with multiple personal losses. Meghan shares some of her journey into motherhood with the listeners and the ladies dig deep into mindset, positivity, and perspective when moving through a difficult season in life. “Sharing our journey is what is needed to move forward” Meghan claims and talks about how we need to support one another rather than compare our stories. We need to break out of the code of silence and shame.

This is a good segue into speaking about Episode 4 - Mommin Is A Mindset. They revisit the concept of “feel the heal” from author Kristin Hallett. Meghan also talks about how mindset plays a huge part in mom-life “we are always a work in progress, it is important to remember that these little people are mirrors reflecting parts of you that need work”.  The Mamas talk about the big picture and Meghan gives the priceless advice that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Life is too short to not take everything as a learning experience. Sabrina quotes “grow through what you go through” and talks about how all things are temporary, the good and the bad.

“We are always a work in progress, it is important to remember that these little people are mirrors reflecting parts of you that need work”. ~ Meghan Krmpotic

Next, they reflect back to Episode 3 - Threenagers vs. Teenagers and discuss their boys turning four, starting school and all of the fun that comes with that season, reminiscing on the threenager days of not so long ago. They both question why starting school comes with an onslaught of illness and endless gross and again remind each other that this is all temporary much like the baby brain from e001.

Lastly, the ladies revisit Episode 1 - Insane In The Baby Brain...

If you don’t recognize this face it is because she is the mastermind behind the scenes, as Sabrina mentions in this episode “the glue that holds this together”. In today’s episode, we are simply just checking in. Episode 8 marks the halfway point for Season One and it is time we hear from all of you. We want to know what your burning questions are. Do you have a topic suggestion you NEED to hear about? Are you or do you know the perfect Mama nominee to be a guest on the show? On today’s show, we recap episode seven all the way back to episode one and allow you to be involved in shaping the episodes of the future. Who better to discuss than our very own producer Meghan Krmpotic?

Meghan has always been passionate about the entertainment industry, leading to a successful ten-plus year career in television production. She worked on numerous number one Canadian reality TV shows before taking a break to realize her true dream job, being a Mama! Understanding the fast-paced world of Hollywood North was not conducive to a growing family she joined forces with an incredible health and wellness company and rapidly worked her way to the VP level. She is now a Regional Vice President with Arbonne International, an upcoming contributor in You’ve Got This Mama, Too, our incredible producer and mama of three awesome little ones Gracie (7) Alexander (4) and Frankie (2).

Meghan and Sabrina start with recapping Episode 7- Canna Mommin’ they revisit some funny web browser stories and talk about their opinions and predictions on what legalization in Canada means. “At the end of the day, I think people mostly fear change,” says Sabrina. Meghan agrees and thinks this is a step in the right direction. Change can be a good thing.

They move on to Episode 5 - Let’s Talk About Sex brought to attention by more funny web browser stories. This episode is really great because it dives into the practical and tangible tools around sex after babies. For those who haven’t tuned in yet, there are even links to porn, ask Meghan’s hubby about that one.

The ladies move on to Episode 6 - Moving Through Fertility. This one hits home for Meghan having dealt with multiple personal losses. Meghan shares some of her journey into motherhood with the listeners and the ladies dig deep into mindset, positivity, and perspective when moving through a difficult season in life. “Sharing our journey is what is needed to move forward” Meghan claims and talks about how we need to support one another rather than compare our stories. We need to break out of the code of silence and shame.

This is a good segue into speaking about Episode 4 - Mommin Is A Mindset. They revisit the concept of “feel the heal” from author Kristin Hallett. Meghan also talks about how mindset plays a huge part in mom-life “we are always a work in progress, it is important to remember that these little people are mirrors reflecting parts of you that need work”.  The Mamas talk about the big picture and Meghan gives the priceless advice that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Life is too short to not take everything as a learning experience. Sabrina quotes “grow through what you go through” and talks about how all things are temporary, the good and the bad.

“We are always a work in progress, it is important to remember that these little people are mirrors reflecting parts of you that need work”. ~ Meghan Krmpotic

Next, they reflect back to Episode 3 - Threenagers vs. Teenagers and discuss their boys turning four, starting school and all of the fun that comes with that season, reminiscing on the threenager days of not so long ago. They both question why starting school comes with an onslaught of illness and endless gross and again remind each other that this is all temporary much like the baby brain from e001.

Lastly, the ladies revisit Episode 1 - Insane In The Baby Brain...

With cannabis legalization just around the corner in Canada, we wanted to sneak this episode in before the country is swarmed with the madness of legislation and politics. In true YGTMAMA form, we wanted to discuss the topic of cannabis but pertaining to parenting, motherhood specifically. We see so much romanticizing of alcohol use in motherhood. The whole “Mommy-juice” and “Wine-O-Clock” phenomenon, but when it comes to cannabis there are still some pretty heavy stigmas and judgments associated.

Today we are hopefully going to debunk some of the myths and de-stigmatize the issues around marijuana. We couldn’t think of better guests to do that with than Devon Scoble and Irie Selkirk.

 

Devon Scoble is a mom, editor, and cannabis enthusiast. A former food and lifestyle writer, she moved onto the cannabis beat after a series of health issues forced her to give up eating gluten. Devon is currently the content director at Hempster, a cannabis education site with a health and wellness focus, and at Natural Care, a cannabis prescription service for seniors. When she’s not talking about how much she loves weed, she’s probably out adventuring with her six-year-old son, her partner, and their dog.

“There are different properties and different strains that can encourage different attributes...Start low and go slow.” ~Deven Scoble

Irie is a mom of an eleven-year-old daughter, six-year-old son and seventeen-year-old stepdaughter. She is the co-founder of the Green Tent and a freelance cannabis consultant. She also has founded a Toronto-based Facebook group for like-minded Cannabis-using parents to share and connect free of judgment and stigma called CannaMama Collective.

“Cannabis keeps patience and kindness in my heart.” ~ Irie Selkirk

 

Devon sees herself as an agent for cultural change in terms of the cannabis. Both mamas entered into the cannabis world by using it for its medicinal properties and it evolved from there. They both realized that this was an industry that needed more in terms of educating the public and policy makers on it. Irie shares: “We would like to guide the conversation as to how women look at cannabis, make sure that everything is education based. And help women craft their relationship to cannabis as legalization rolls out.”

As we jump into the topic of starting the conversation about cannabis with our kids, both mamas give us some tips. In Irie’s home, cannabis has always been presented to her kids as medicine, this conversation got tougher when her eleven-year-old asked why her mom was using it when she wasn’t sick. She explained to her daughter: “It’s Mom’s cup of tea”, basically anything can be solved by using it. Sometimes it’s a check-in, a start-up or a wind-down in dealing with all the things that happen in our life. Her short answer is that we need to talk to our kids openly about cannabis and educate them that it is a very safe substance that is coming out of 100 years of prohibition with a lot of misinformation about it.

Devon recommends starting the conversation with kids similar to having the sexual education talks. By explaining that cannabis is for adults, to be careful around it, and take the questions as they come. Then answer them matter-of-factly. Right now we are raising “cannabis-normalized generation”, who are learning to take it at face value.

Devon grew up in a cannabis normalized household but her education was still very fear based. “Don’t tell anyone or I will go to jail”, her father would threaten. He would caution her that it is safe, but still, they had to be careful about what they said. Now that we are moving into legalization there is a higher interest in lower dose strains, CBD strains and it’s not about trying to get as high as possible with the smallest amount of marijuana now.

With cannabis legalization just around the corner in Canada, we wanted to sneak this episode in before the country is swarmed with the madness of legislation and politics. In true YGTMAMA form, we wanted to discuss the topic of cannabis but pertaining to parenting, motherhood specifically. We see so much romanticizing of alcohol use in motherhood. The whole “Mommy-juice” and “Wine-O-Clock” phenomenon, but when it comes to cannabis there are still some pretty heavy stigmas and judgments associated.

Today we are hopefully going to debunk some of the myths and de-stigmatize the issues around marijuana. We couldn’t think of better guests to do that with than Devon Scoble and Irie Selkirk.

 

Devon Scoble is a mom, editor, and cannabis enthusiast. A former food and lifestyle writer, she moved onto the cannabis beat after a series of health issues forced her to give up eating gluten. Devon is currently the content director at Hempster, a cannabis education site with a health and wellness focus, and at Natural Care, a cannabis prescription service for seniors. When she’s not talking about how much she loves weed, she’s probably out adventuring with her six-year-old son, her partner, and their dog.

“There are different properties and different strains that can encourage different attributes...Start low and go slow.” ~Deven Scoble

Irie is a mom of an eleven-year-old daughter, six-year-old son and seventeen-year-old stepdaughter. She is the co-founder of the Green Tent and a freelance cannabis consultant. She also has founded a Toronto-based Facebook group for like-minded Cannabis-using parents to share and connect free of judgment and stigma called CannaMama Collective.

“Cannabis keeps patience and kindness in my heart.” ~ Irie Selkirk

 

Devon sees herself as an agent for cultural change in terms of the cannabis. Both mamas entered into the cannabis world by using it for its medicinal properties and it evolved from there. They both realized that this was an industry that needed more in terms of educating the public and policy makers on it. Irie shares: “We would like to guide the conversation as to how women look at cannabis, make sure that everything is education based. And help women craft their relationship to cannabis as legalization rolls out.”

As we jump into the topic of starting the conversation about cannabis with our kids, both mamas give us some tips. In Irie’s home, cannabis has always been presented to her kids as medicine, this conversation got tougher when her eleven-year-old asked why her mom was using it when she wasn’t sick. She explained to her daughter: “It’s Mom’s cup of tea”, basically anything can be solved by using it. Sometimes it’s a check-in, a start-up or a wind-down in dealing with all the things that happen in our life. Her short answer is that we need to talk to our kids openly about cannabis and educate them that it is a very safe substance that is coming out of 100 years of prohibition with a lot of misinformation about it.

Devon recommends starting the conversation with kids similar to having the sexual education talks. By explaining that cannabis is for adults, to be careful around it, and take the questions as they come. Then answer them matter-of-factly. Right now we are raising “cannabis-normalized generation”, who are learning to take it at face value.

Devon grew up in a cannabis normalized household but her education was still very fear based. “Don’t tell anyone or I will go to jail”, her father would threaten. He would caution her that it is safe, but still, they had to be careful about what they said. Now that we are moving into legalization there is a higher interest in lower dose strains, CBD strains and it’s not about trying to get as high as possible with the smallest amount of marijuana now.

Today’s episode might be a trigger for some. October is Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month and we thought it was important to talk about this topic that is very real for so many.

There are so many people that struggle with this on so many levels. Today we have three very special guests. Not only are they all upcoming contributors in the YGTMAMA series, but they all study and practice different kinds of medicine specializing in fertility. It’s incredible how little resources and education are available and how unspoken these issues actually are. The incredible struggles, the massive percentages, the undiagnosed reasons. Today we are going to get super raw and real about infertility and pregnancy loss and hopefully help and empower a lot of mamas.

Justine is a CIHR funded post-doctoral fellow working in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research is in the area of health behaviour change and she is specifically using evidence-based strategies, such as self-compassion, to help people feel great – whether it is dealing with the multiple demands that come with being a mother or coping with chronic illnesses. As a new mother herself, she is well versed in the ups and downs of motherhood, and the importance of self-care so that you can be the best YOU possible.

Justine explains in this episode that she battled with what Canadian doctors diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”, she and her husband struggled for over two years to get pregnant with no real justification as to why they could not. It was only when they went to see an autoimmune infertility doctor in Las Vegas, that they got some answers. He explained to them: “There’s no such thing as unexplained infertility, it's just undiagnosed and it’s just finding the right healthcare professional who can figure out what's going on.” Justine wishes that she didn’t feel so alone while she was going through her infertility struggles. She advises women if you don’t feel supported with the healthcare professionals who you’re working with, don’t give up, keep searching. She assures us that there are people out there who can help you, so pull them together, there are people who are out there who will believe in you.

Hillary is a naturopathic doctor focused specifically on the areas of fertility, prenatal, postpartum and children. Puzzling cases put fire in her belly and she is passionate about helping women. She has aspirations of becoming Prime Minister however, she takes it as a major accomplishment when her kiddos give her an award for the best tummy tickler. Hillary thrives in chaos, is obsessed with chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and loves to belly laugh!

Hillary explains that in the naturopathic field they are always trying to look for the root cause as to what issue is going on and treat it from a holistic standpoint. Instead of using pharmaceuticals they treat with homeopathy, high dose nutritional supplements and herbal medications. She describes the field’s main purpose as: “Helping the body shift back to its own normal healthy template again versus band-aiding the situations.” She feels very strongly about working side by side with Western medicine doctors to help support their work with naturopathic medicine.

Leisha loves skiing in the mountains, floating in the ocean and Bananagrams. She values connection, especially family game night with her kids. She has a daughter who is 10 and a toddler whom she has decided inspired the movie boss baby. She is a Chinese medicine doctor and acupuncturist. Her practice focuses on fertility, prenatal, postpartum and being well. She is inspired by the resilient women she has the privilege of walking beside.

Leisha delves into what Chinese medicine is and explains that it works along the same principle as naturopathic medicine in that they look to the root cause of the issue.

Today’s episode might be a trigger for some. October is Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month and we thought it was important to talk about this topic that is very real for so many.

There are so many people that struggle with this on so many levels. Today we have three very special guests. Not only are they all upcoming contributors in the YGTMAMA series, but they all study and practice different kinds of medicine specializing in fertility. It’s incredible how little resources and education are available and how unspoken these issues actually are. The incredible struggles, the massive percentages, the undiagnosed reasons. Today we are going to get super raw and real about infertility and pregnancy loss and hopefully help and empower a lot of mamas.

Justine is a CIHR funded post-doctoral fellow working in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her research is in the area of health behaviour change and she is specifically using evidence-based strategies, such as self-compassion, to help people feel great – whether it is dealing with the multiple demands that come with being a mother or coping with chronic illnesses. As a new mother herself, she is well versed in the ups and downs of motherhood, and the importance of self-care so that you can be the best YOU possible.

Justine explains in this episode that she battled with what Canadian doctors diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”, she and her husband struggled for over two years to get pregnant with no real justification as to why they could not. It was only when they went to see an autoimmune infertility doctor in Las Vegas, that they got some answers. He explained to them: “There’s no such thing as unexplained infertility, it's just undiagnosed and it’s just finding the right healthcare professional who can figure out what's going on.” Justine wishes that she didn’t feel so alone while she was going through her infertility struggles. She advises women if you don’t feel supported with the healthcare professionals who you’re working with, don’t give up, keep searching. She assures us that there are people out there who can help you, so pull them together, there are people who are out there who will believe in you.

Hillary is a naturopathic doctor focused specifically on the areas of fertility, prenatal, postpartum and children. Puzzling cases put fire in her belly and she is passionate about helping women. She has aspirations of becoming Prime Minister however, she takes it as a major accomplishment when her kiddos give her an award for the best tummy tickler. Hillary thrives in chaos, is obsessed with chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and loves to belly laugh!

Hillary explains that in the naturopathic field they are always trying to look for the root cause as to what issue is going on and treat it from a holistic standpoint. Instead of using pharmaceuticals they treat with homeopathy, high dose nutritional supplements and herbal medications. She describes the field’s main purpose as: “Helping the body shift back to its own normal healthy template again versus band-aiding the situations.” She feels very strongly about working side by side with Western medicine doctors to help support their work with naturopathic medicine.

Leisha loves skiing in the mountains, floating in the ocean and Bananagrams. She values connection, especially family game night with her kids. She has a daughter who is 10 and a toddler whom she has decided inspired the movie boss baby. She is a Chinese medicine doctor and acupuncturist. Her practice focuses on fertility, prenatal, postpartum and being well. She is inspired by the resilient women she has the privilege of walking beside.

Leisha delves into what Chinese medicine is and explains that it works along the same principle as naturopathic medicine in that they look to the root cause of the issue.

Today we are talking about SEX and opening up (pun intended) about all things sex after children. We have all been there, right? Where sex feels like a chore after a full day of mommin’? There are some days where Sabrina would rather watch paint dry then put her sexy face on, and she adores her hubby.

We have two amazing and very different guests on today to talk about all aspects of sex after kids. Kelly Swartz is an erotic expert and will be talking about libido, psychology around sex, self-intimacy and all things 'sexy times'. Heike Ulmer is a pelvic floor physio, midwife and doula and will be speaking more about the technical and physical aspects of sex, post children.

Let’s dive into where no Mama has gone before.

With more than ten years of experience in the area of sexuality and expression, Kelly moved from Mexico to Toronto in 2016. She has an M.A. in Critical Theory focused on Erotic Literature, an (almost-completed) Ph.D. in Erotic Literature, and as a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she is sought out for her knowledge, counsel, and wisdom. She is a published author on themes of an erotic nature. Kelly helps navigate topics that are usually laden with ignorance, taboos, and shame using humor and a holistic approach in which all areas of our lives are connected through her company Awoken Beauty. She is also a master dragon fermenter, with two kiddos (dragons) under the age of three and is currently fermenting her third who will come out into the world this month.

 

Heike is a German midwife with ten years of experience in her field who moved to Toronto with her family in 2016. In Germany, much as in Canada, midwives have the care of their clients during pregnancy, labor, and post-pregnancy, and have the care of the newborn baby. In Germany, they also help mothers with conceiving, breastfeeding, and childbirth recovery. She is also trained in Homeopathy and Acupuncture. On top of all this, she is a proud Mama to her two kiddos.

 

 

 

Kelly asserts that the number one reason why couples are not having sex after babies is EXHAUSTION. But also, EXPECTATION. There is a certain expectation that things are going to go back to the way things were pre-babies, similar to how we feel about expecting our bodies to go back to the same as they were before childbirth. She claims it will never go back, it will just be different. Everything is going to change. The attention you pay to your partner is going to be less. You can’t have the same sex. It just has to be different. She explains that you can’t have the same intimacy you had before. We think because we are spending so much time with our partner caring for the babies that we are spending time together, but in fact, we are not.

She discusses intimacy with yourself and how important it is. According to Kelly, you need to relearn what your body is like and what your new body desires your new sexual preferences. She asks: "How do you expect to be desirable to yourself if you haven’t reacquainted yourself with your new body? “Everything changes when you become a parent, so why wouldn’t sex change too?”

"How do you expect to be desirable to yourself if you haven’t reacquainted yourself with your new body? Everything changes when you become a parent, so why wouldn’t sex change too?” ~ Kelly Swartz

Kelly educates our mamas that our brain is our largest sex organ and the one that is the least used, so in truth, sex is in the brain. She claims, “You don’t really need to put your sexy face on, in truth you have to put your sexy brain on, in order to have your sexy times.” She teaches people to be more intimate with yourself, so you can be more sexual with your partner.

Heike talks about what the parameters are physically after having a baby.

Today we are talking about SEX and opening up (pun intended) about all things sex after children. We have all been there, right? Where sex feels like a chore after a full day of mommin’? There are some days where Sabrina would rather watch paint dry then put her sexy face on, and she adores her hubby.

We have two amazing and very different guests on today to talk about all aspects of sex after kids. Kelly Swartz is an erotic expert and will be talking about libido, psychology around sex, self-intimacy and all things 'sexy times'. Heike Ulmer is a pelvic floor physio, midwife and doula and will be speaking more about the technical and physical aspects of sex, post children.

Let’s dive into where no Mama has gone before.

With more than ten years of experience in the area of sexuality and expression, Kelly moved from Mexico to Toronto in 2016. She has an M.A. in Critical Theory focused on Erotic Literature, an (almost-completed) Ph.D. in Erotic Literature, and as a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, she is sought out for her knowledge, counsel, and wisdom. She is a published author on themes of an erotic nature. Kelly helps navigate topics that are usually laden with ignorance, taboos, and shame using humor and a holistic approach in which all areas of our lives are connected through her company Awoken Beauty. She is also a master dragon fermenter, with two kiddos (dragons) under the age of three and is currently fermenting her third who will come out into the world this month.

 

Heike is a German midwife with ten years of experience in her field who moved to Toronto with her family in 2016. In Germany, much as in Canada, midwives have the care of their clients during pregnancy, labor, and post-pregnancy, and have the care of the newborn baby. In Germany, they also help mothers with conceiving, breastfeeding, and childbirth recovery. She is also trained in Homeopathy and Acupuncture. On top of all this, she is a proud Mama to her two kiddos.

 

 

 

Kelly asserts that the number one reason why couples are not having sex after babies is EXHAUSTION. But also, EXPECTATION. There is a certain expectation that things are going to go back to the way things were pre-babies, similar to how we feel about expecting our bodies to go back to the same as they were before childbirth. She claims it will never go back, it will just be different. Everything is going to change. The attention you pay to your partner is going to be less. You can’t have the same sex. It just has to be different. She explains that you can’t have the same intimacy you had before. We think because we are spending so much time with our partner caring for the babies that we are spending time together, but in fact, we are not.

She discusses intimacy with yourself and how important it is. According to Kelly, you need to relearn what your body is like and what your new body desires your new sexual preferences. She asks: "How do you expect to be desirable to yourself if you haven’t reacquainted yourself with your new body? “Everything changes when you become a parent, so why wouldn’t sex change too?”

"How do you expect to be desirable to yourself if you haven’t reacquainted yourself with your new body? Everything changes when you become a parent, so why wouldn’t sex change too?” ~ Kelly Swartz

Kelly educates our mamas that our brain is our largest sex organ and the one that is the least used, so in truth, sex is in the brain. She claims, “You don’t really need to put your sexy face on, in truth you have to put your sexy brain on, in order to have your sexy times.” She teaches people to be more intimate with yourself, so you can be more sexual with your partner.

Heike talks about what the parameters are physically after having a baby.