Libsyn Directory

Embracing Postpartum Sleep

The Red Tent Community

This podcast discusses the significant impact of postpartum sleep on the recovery and well-being of new parents. It highlights that sleep during the 'fourth trimester' is not just about rest but is crucial for physical healing, emotional adjustment, and hormonal balance. We explain how the nature of sleep changes postpartum, with shorter and more fragmented sleep cycles, and emphasizes that even broken sleep has value due to periods of deep, restorative 'slow wave' sleep. It also explores the interconnectedness between parental sleep and newborn sleep cycles, the challenges of sleep...

Hormones and Healing

The Red Tent Community

This podcast discusses the significant hormonal changes new parents experience during the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester. It emphasizes the abrupt drop in estrogen and progesterone levels after delivery, leading to mood swings, fatigue, and mental fog. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin become crucial for recovery, promoting milk production, sleep regulation, uterine contraction, and emotional bonding. It highlights the importance of rest, proper support, and practical strategies for recovery. It assures that these intense changes are temporary and part of the body's...

The Healing Roles of Prolactin and Oxytocin

The Red Tent Community

This Podcast delves into the roles of two crucial hormones, prolactin and oxytocin, during the postpartum period. It explores how prolactin not only stimulates milk production but also supports sleep patterns and emotional well-being. Oxytocin promotes bonding with the baby, lowers stress levels, and aids physical healing by helping the uterus contract. The discussion underscores that understanding these hormones can make the postpartum period more empowering by highlighting the body's natural support systems. Additionally, the video provides practical advice on leveraging these hormonal...