Surviving Postpartum: What's My New Identity?

You recently had a baby and your transition into motherhood may leave you a little puzzled. Who are you, now that you're a mom? How do you shift between caring for yourself, your partner and this new little being that just came into the world? How do you discover your new identity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adoption can happen through many avenues and under a variety of circumstances. Each baby’s adoption story is uniquely beautiful and uniquely challenging. How do you know if adoption is right for your family? What are some of the challenges you may face when adopting a newborn? How do you overcome obstacles that may come your way? In this episode, moms of adopted newborns share their personal experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From your baby's first smile to his first steps, there are so many exciting milestones to look forward to. But sometimes, keeping track of them all can be a little overwhelming. And what if your baby’s not rolling by the time your friend’s baby did? Or what if she’s a late talker or walker? At what point should you actually seek help? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes unexpected events during childbirth can wound a new mother. The physical scars fade, but emotional trauma can produce feelings of helplessness, shame, and defeat. How can a mother process these emotions and even embrace them as moments of courage and strength, rather than weakness? And how can loved ones support mom during this important transition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New moms experience many new emotions after the birth of their baby, and some of those feelings may surprise you, such as anxiety. Postpartum anxiety is a common condition that is often overlooked because of the belief that new mothers are just naturally anxious. So, what are the symptoms, and how does it differ from other postpartum mood disorders? And how can this condition impact a mother's ability to care for her child if gone untreated? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes parenting doesn't turn out the way we planned. We may envision our birth plan unfolding perfectly, followed by days, weeks, months, or years of complete happiness as we watch our children grow. But reality can look much different. What happens when our expectations aren't fulfilled? How can that lead to depression and fears of failure as a new mother? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caring for a toddler is both an exciting and challenging adventure, for any parent. If you're struggling with postpartum depression or another postnatal mood disorder, this transition may seem completely overwhelming. So, how can you better prepare yourself? How do you manage your child's temper tantrums when you might be on the verge of doing the same thing yourself? We'll explore some tips to help give you more structure to help both you and your child feel more secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's hard to walk through baby stores without feeling like you need absolutely everything on the shelves. But, when it comes to devices that restrain your baby, less is probably best. Today we're learning all about the concept of "container babies" and the potentially harmful effects it could have on your child's development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early parenthood is full of difficult decisions that could be made easier by establishing boundaries before the baby is born. How do you identify boundaries that work best for your family? And how do you communicate those to well-meaning family members who try to push back? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New babies spend half their day sleeping. Nice, right? Knowing the best sleep environment for your baby will not only keep them safe, but it will result in better sleep so both you and baby can be well-rested. Where should (and shouldn't) your baby be sleeping? What should you look for in a crib and crib mattress? And what should our babies be wearing when they go to sleep? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices