Going Against the Grain: Foster Adventurous Eating Habits in Kids with Helene Skantzikas
Release Date: 11/03/2023
Postpartum Recovery After 35: Hormones, Healing, and Support
Dear Doula
In this episode, I’m joined by integrative nutrition expert Jodi to talk about what women over 35 should think about when it comes to conception, pregnancy, and postpartum health. We go through the basics of nutrition, how to avoid common endocrine disruptors, and what actually matters so you don’t get overwhelmed by too much information. We also talk about testing your nutrient levels, simple supplement choices, and how to make sense of all the wellness advice you see online. We touch on important topics like choline, vegan diets during pregnancy, and why testing both before and after...
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The 3 Biggest Sleep Mistakes New Parents Make
Dear Doula
In this episode, I dive into the three biggest mistakes new parents make around sleep, how to avoid them. With over two decades of experience as a doula, I've seen it all when it comes to sleep struggles during the early days of parenting. I break down the misconceptions about newborn sleep, why nutrition is essential for building strong sleep foundations, and how expectations impact your rest as a family I also share practical tips on fostering your baby’s ability to self-soothe, setting gentle routines, and why tracking feedings and sleep habits can be a game-changer. You’ll hear...
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The Truth About Hiring Childcare in the U.S.: Rates, Roles, and What No One Tells You
Dear Doula
In this episode of Dear Doula, I break down the realities of finding quality postpartum and childcare in the US, including what you can expect to pay and what industry standards look like. I guide you through the differences between postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists, and nannies. I share my insights from years in the industry, offering tips on how to find caregivers that truly fit your family's needs. I also talk about the evolving landscape of domestic work, including compensation ranges, work agreements, retainers, and new trends like rotational positions. You will learn why...
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Prepping for Pregnancy: Unlocking Hormonal Health with Dr. Shivani Amin
Dear Doula
In this episode of Dear Doula, Ι sit down with Dr. Shivani Amin, a functional medicine and women’s health specialist, to explore the root causes of hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and the vital role of minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium in women’s health. We discuss how simple shifts in habits, like proper breathwork, staying hydrated with quality water, and getting sunlight, can significantly improve wellbeing for women through every stage, from pre-pregnancy to postpartum. Dr. Amin shares her holistic approach, focusing on getting to the heart of health issues instead of...
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What Postpartum Recovery Really Looks Like (That No One Warns You About)
Dear Doula
In this episode, I sit down with birth doula and postpartum trainer Kaitlyn Wozniak to talk about postpartum recovery in a whole new way. Together, we unpack common myths and outdated expectations, like the “snap back” culture, and explore why postpartum should be treated as essential rehab, not just traditional exercise. We talk about shifting the focus from looks to real healing and functional strength. We cover everything from breathing techniques and pelvic floor health to the value of individualized care over one-size-fits-all advice. The conversation also dives into the emotional...
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Regression or Growth Spurt? How to Tell What’s Actually Going On With Your Baby’s Sleep
Dear Doula
In this episode of Dear Doula, I’m talking about something many parents experience but often struggle to understand. The sudden changes in their baby’s sleep. Is it a sleep regression, a growth spurt, or something else entirely? As a doula and sleep consultant who has supported families for many years, I see this confusion all the time. Babies suddenly waking more often at night, feeding differently, or becoming fussier than usual. These changes are often connected to developmental leaps, shifts in feeding needs, or the way a baby’s sleep cycles are maturing. In this episode, I break...
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What You ACTUALLY Need in the First 30 Days With Baby
Dear Doula
In this episode of Dear Doula, I’m sharing what I actually recommend parents have ready for the first days home with a newborn. As a postpartum doula and lactation consultant who has supported families for nearly two decades, I know how overwhelming those early days can feel. There are endless product lists, conflicting advice, and so much pressure to get everything right. The truth is that you do not need as much as you think. What you need most is support, rest, and a few thoughtfully chosen essentials. We talk about feeding, diapering, sleep, postpartum recovery, and the small...
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The Biggest Sleep Myths Parents Are Still Being Sold (and What Actually Helps)
Dear Doula
As a doula and newborn care specialist for over 20 years, I can tell you this with certainty : Parents are drowning in misinformation about sleep. From “sleep regressions” to teething, dream feeds, early rising, and even sleep supplements - there are so many myths circulating that it’s no wonder parents feel confused and exhausted. In this episode, I’m breaking down the most common newborn sleep myths and giving you something far more powerful than trendy advice: Clarity. Because newborn sleep varies widely, and while every baby is different, sleep is not random.It can absolutely...
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Raising Children in 2026: The Emotional Load of Parenting, Intentional Living, and Putting Yourself Back on the List
Dear Doula
Welcome to Season 4 of Dear Doula. After an intentional break, I’m back to talk about the emotional load of parenting and how the way we frame it shapes our experience. Modern parenting is often painted as exhausting and miserable, and I think it’s worth questioning what that mindset does to us and our families. In this episode, I share why 2025 felt overwhelming for me and what I’m choosing to do differently in 2026—being more intentional, putting myself back on my own list, and focusing on connection over survival. Resources: • Follow me on Instagram: • Follow the podcast:...
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Intimacy After Childbirth: How to Get Your Groove Back with Kiana Reeves
Dear Doula
TW: This episode contains adult content of a sexual nature As a doula, I've had countless conversations with new parents navigating the complexities of intimacy after childbirth. Whether it’s regaining libido, feeling physically or emotionally more comfortable having sex, or adjusting to the significant hormonal shifts postpartum, there's a lot tied into it. This week, I’m joined by one of the best people in the business to help me unpack these issues: somatic sex educator Kiana Reeves. Our conversation highlights the importance of patience, understanding, and open...
info_outlineFor many of us, feeding babies and toddlers can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with food rejection and other issues at the table. Helene Skantzikas is the creator of the French Foodie Baby, a blog which chronicles her journey in the nurturing and expanding of her son Pablo’s tastebuds and love of life through good food.
Helene joins me today to share her secrets to fostering healthy eating habits, including the role her family and French cultural background has played in her approach to feeding her son (possibly the best fed child I have ever known!). Listen in to discover the power of modeling a healthy, joyful approach to food, being engaged in the enjoyment of food preparation, and seeing the family meal as an opportunity for connection and togetherness.
Even if your child is only used to eating a few foods, Helene gives us hope that it’s never too late to nurture a healthy, happy, and positive relationship to the nourishment of their bodies.
Connect with Helen:
Read her blog: French Foodie Baby
Follow her on Instagram
Audio Stamps:
2:00 - Helene tells us why she started her blog ‘French Foodie Baby’
3:49 - We find out why it’s important to have an open mind about what our babies might like
6:17 - We hear Helene’s tips for how to integrate children into the preparation of family meals.
8:37 - Brandi asks Helene if it was a struggle to go against the “conventional” way of feeding her baby.
14:36 - We find out what Helene has observed around food in early childhood education.
16:30 - Helene shares what lessons her family is learning about food during their travels.
21:30 - Brandi and Helene discuss what it is about the French way of life that leads to their commitment to creating fresh, joyful meals.
26:56 - Helene gives her advice to parents who want to incorporate trying new foods, but feel they've already set an expectation where their kids are used to eating just a few things.