Preparing for the Holiday Season: Balancing New Motherhood and Family Expectations
Release Date: 11/04/2024
What We Learned About Early Momming This Year
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In this season finale, Hillary and Erica look back at the most-played episodes of the year and unpack the biggest lessons moms kept coming back to: feeding and sleep, postpartum hormones (including GLP-1s), breastfeeding in the first four weeks, vaccines and pediatric partnerships, pelvic floor recovery, and why “bouncing back” isn’t the goal. Get clear on the feeding–sleep loop and next steps: https://babysettler.com Connect: Baby Settler: https://www.babysettler.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babysettler Early-Momming Podcast:...
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Holiday Kickoff: Cozy Traditions, Low-Stress Gifting, and the Ultimate Early-Momming Gift Guide
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Navigating the holidays with a bump or a brand-new baby? In this episode, Hillary and Erica kick off the season with calm, cozy, doable ideas—plus their ultimate gift guide for expecting moms, fourth-trimester recovery, new dads, and babies through toddlers. Hillary (two November babies!) shares what actually made the season feel special—not stressful—while Erica (37 weeks pregnant) talks about setting expectations with family, picking just one or two “anchor traditions,” and saying yes only when it serves your recovery and sanity. They also swap real-life gift ideas that feel...
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Baby Prep Blueprint: Set Up Baby Gear, Feeding, and Sleep Systems That Actually Work
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If you’re a partner, best friend, grandma, or future parent, this episode gives you the exact setup checklist, gift ideas, and feeding–sleep rules that prevent those brutal first-week meltdowns. Not pregnant? Perfect. This is the ultimate baby prep playbook for anyone who loves or supports a new mom. In this episode, Hillary and Erica share how to go from baby shower to setup without the chaos—including practical systems, simple gear-organization tips, and the stress-reducing feeding–sleep foundations that help every new family find rhythm from day one. Whether you’re expecting,...
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Labor & Delivery 101: Stages, Inductions & Epidurals (with Dr. Kate White)
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Erica (32 weeks!) and Hillary kick things off with a bump update, a baby-shower wardrobe saga, and a funny “am I late…or pregnant?!” moment—then OB-GYN Dr. Kate White joins to walk first-time moms through Labor & Delivery 101. We cover: – Stages of labor in plain English (what Braxton Hicks really are, and the 5-1-1 rule) – When to head to the hospital vs. when it’s okay to wait – Pain management options: preparing for unmedicated birth, when to ask for an epidural, what “too late” actually means, and non-pharmacologic tools (showers, TENS, nitrous where available) –...
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Surviving the Emotional Rollercoaster of New Motherhood (with Dr. Alice Pickering, PsyD)
The Early Momming Podcast
Erica opens with a candid check-in (plus a surprise cameo from her husband, Nate) before welcoming licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Alice Pickering. Together with Hillary, they normalize the emotional highs and lows of new motherhood—baby blues vs. postpartum depression and anxiety, identity shifts, sleep and feeding stress, and practical ways to protect mental health in the fourth trimester. Links Mentioned: – Postpartum Support International (find trained providers): – Dr. Alice Pickering, PsyD: Get clear on the feeding–sleep loop and next steps: Connect: – Baby Settler: –...
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EMFs & Baby Monitors: What Really Matters
The Early Momming Podcast
Hillary and Erica unpack EMFs, 5G worries, and the crowded market of baby monitors—audio, wearables, and video—so moms can pick gear that supports intuition instead of anxiety. Hillary shares why sound + room temperature are her must-haves, when a wearable (like a pulse-ox sock) can be useful, and how video feeds can sometimes spike stress. What You’ll Learn: – EMFs 101 (light touch) and practical ways to reduce exposure – Pros and cons of audio, wearable, and video monitors – When vitals tracking helps (illness or specific scenarios) – Why video can increase...
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Understanding Vaccines for Your Baby
The Early Momming Podcast
Navigating vaccines can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Hillary and Erica unpack common questions around infant immunizations, how the schedule is structured, and practical ways to make informed decisions for your family—without fear or confusion. What You’ll Learn: – Why vaccines are part of many families’ health plans – How the standard vaccination schedule is structured in the first year – Tips to prep for vaccine appointments (comfort measures, timing, aftercare) – Common parent concerns and how to evaluate evidence – How to have informed, collaborative conversations...
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The Working Mom’s Pumping Schedule: How to Maximize Output Without Losing Your Mind
The Early Momming Podcast
<h1>Back to Work + Pumping: Real Strategies for Working Moms</h1> <p>In this episode, Hillary and Erica dive into the realities of returning to work while navigating pumping and maintaining your milk supply. They cover everything from choosing the right pump setup, to flange sizing, to safely storing milk during the workday. Hillary shares actionable tips she gives her one-on-one clients, including how to structure a pumping schedule, what to replace and when, and how to balance nursing with pumping. They also talk about the emotional side of going back to work and how moms...
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Why You Still Feel Off After Baby: Hormones, GLP-1s, and What Actually Helps
The Early Momming Podcast
<h1>Why You Still Feel Off After Baby: Hormones, GLP-1s, and What Actually Helps</h1> Guest: Brooke Vaughn, WHNP, founder of The Women’s Health Company</p> <p>In this powerful conversation, Hillary and Erica talk with <strong>Brooke Vaughn, WHNP</strong>, all about why postpartum often feels so hard—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Brooke is the founder of <a href="https://www.thewomenshealthcompany.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Women’s Health Company</a>, a boutique hormone clinic that offers high-touch, root-cause care...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Early Momming Podcast, Hillary and Erica dive into the holiday season and the unique challenges it brings for new moms. They explore how to balance family expectations while navigating the joys and stresses of welcoming a new baby during this festive time of year.
Key Topics Discussed:
Personal anecdotes about preparing for the holiday season with young children.
Strategies for setting boundaries with family regarding holiday commitments.
Tips for managing the needs of a newborn during holiday festivities.
Suggestions for simplifying holiday traditions while creating meaningful memories.
Navigating unsolicited parenting advice from family members.
Links and Resources Mentioned: Baby Settler Nighttime Weaning Guide - A resource designed to to help new moms with feeding and sleep strategies during the holiday season.
Sleep Out Portable Blackout Curtains - A useful tool for ensuring quality sleep for babies while traveling. Use code BABYSETTLER10 for 10% off.
Catch Up on Previous Episodes - Links to earlier episodes for those looking to binge-listen.
Final Thoughts: As the holiday season approaches, it’s crucial for new moms to prioritize their needs and those of their babies. Setting boundaries and having open conversations with partners can alleviate stress and enhance the enjoyment of this special time with family.
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