Back to Basics

This week, Anna sits down with psychoanalyst and parenting expert Erica Komisar to discuss what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy, securely attached children; and why modern parenting advice is setting parents up to fail.They dive into the foundations of healthy attachment, why a mother's presence matters so much in the early years, and how modern culture has reshaped expectations around motherhood in ways that may not always serve children or families.They also tackle one of the biggest questions facing women today: Can you have a meaningful career and be an intentional, present mother? Erica shares her perspective on the tradeoffs women should consider, how to navigate the competing demands of career and family, and what mothers should know when making decisions about work and raising children. We hope you love this episode!Our Guest:Being There by Erica KomisarErica Komisar WebsiteErica Komisar InstagramErica Komisar on Sleep TrainingOur Sponsor:Thank you to Natural Cycles for sponsoring this episode of Back to Basics. You can use code FEELWELLBYANNA for 15% off your annual subscription + a free NC Band at naturalcycles.com.Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Anna sits down with Andrea Haskins, lactation counselor, breastfeeding advocate, and mother of two, to challenge some of the most common breastfeeding advice women receive in the hospital after giving birth. From misconceptions about milk supply and colostrum to feeding schedules, supplementation, latch issues, and how often newborns actually need to nurse, they break down the recommendations that may unintentionally undermine a mother's breastfeeding journey before it even begins. Andrea shares what every new mother should know about breastfeeding, which hospital protocols deserve pushback, and how women can feel more confident advocating for themselves and their babies during those first few days postpartum that set up the foundation for breastfeeding long-term. Our Guest:Andrea's Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Anna sits down for a solo episode to share honest update on her third trimester of pregnancy. She opens up about how she’s feeling as she gets closer to meeting her baby, what’s surprised her most about this stage of pregnancy, and how she’s preparing for a home birth.Whether you’re pregnant, preparing for birth, or simply curious about what it looks like to approach motherhood with intention, we hope you love this episode! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Anna is joined by Ellie Beal BSN, RN for an honest conversation about infant circumcision and what parents should know before making this decision for their baby boy. Together, Anna and Ellie discuss the function of the foreskin, the dark origins of circumcision in the US, the lack of evidence behind commonly cited medical benefits, potential complications, and the importance of informed consent for newborns. They also explore how cultural norms influence parental decisions and the real numbers behind how common circumcision is today in the US. We hope you enjoy this eye-opening episode! Our Guest:Ellie Beal Instagram Links and resources: Evidence Based Birth An Elephant in the Hospital Room Your Whole Baby Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Anna sits down with Brittany Chambers of Goodnight Moonchild to discuss everything we’ve been led to believe about infant sleep -- and what the science, biology, and history actually tell us. They discuss what normal baby sleep patterns really look like, why frequent night waking is biologically normal, the myths surrounding cosleeping, and how the modern sleep training industry has capitalized on mothers’ exhaustion and fear. They also explore why babies aren’t designed to sleep like adults, where our expectations around infant sleep come from, and what it looks like to approach sleep in a way that honors babies’ biological needs rather than forcing them into a schedule (and going crazy yourself). We hope you love this episode!Our Guest: Goodnight Moon Child InstagramGoodnight Moon Child Website Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if the way you breathe, rest your tongue, and swallow is influencing the way your face develops?In this episode, Anna sits down with myofunctional therapist Tatiana Mustafa to explore the often overlooked relationship between oral function, facial development, and airway health.They discuss why mouth breathing is more than just a bad habit (and how to nip it in the bud early with your kids), how tongue posture influences jaw development (and why proper tongue posture might be the OG looksmaxx), and what parents should know about tongue ties and their potential impact on feeding, breathing, and oral function. We also dive into the importance of nasal breathing, sleep apnea, the role of myofunctional therapy, and how modern lifestyle factors like diet may be contributing to changes in facial development. We hope you love this episode!Our Guest:Tatiana's InstagramConsult with TatianaOur Sponsor:Thank you to Natural Cycles for sponsoring this episode of Back to Basics. You can use code FEELWELLBYANNA for 15% off your annual subscription + a free NC° Band at checkout at Naturalcycles.com.Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do labels like “grass-fed,” “organic,” “pasture-raised,” and “natural” actually mean when it comes to meat; and which ones are a marketing ploy?In this episode, Anna sits down with Rob McDaniel, founder of Primal Pastures, to pull back the curtain on how meat is actually produced in America. They discuss the labels that matter (and the ones that don’t), how conventional meat is manufactured in America, the truth about imported beef, voting with your fork, and what changes when animals are raised the way nature intended.We hope you love this very eye-opening episode! Our Guest:Primal Pastures InstagramShop Primal Pastures - Code FEELWELLOur Sponsor:Thank you to Fig Wellness for sponsoring this week's episode of Back to Basics. Use code BACKTOBASICS at Figwellness.co for 10% off your order of Anna's favorite prenatal and men's fertility multivitamin. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Anna sits down with Andrea Olson of @godiaperfree to dive deep into elimination communication (EC). They discuss exactly how elimination communication works, how to recognize your baby’s cues, when and how to offer the potty, what to do when you miss a cue, and how EC can evolve as your baby grows. They also unpack why the average age of potty training has increased so dramatically over the past several decades, where the idea of “readiness” came from, and the "research" commonly used to support waiting until children are older. We hope you love this episode with Andrea!Our Guest:Andrea's Instagram Andrea's WebsiteElimination Communication BookBuy Tiny Undies & Top Hat PottiesOur Sponsor:Thank you to Fig Wellness for sponsoring this episode. You can use code BACKTOBASICS for 10% off your order at Figwellness.co and enjoy Anna's favorite prenatal vitamins! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Anna sits down with LA acupuncturist Lina Bardovi, L.Ac. to unpack the ancient postpartum practices that modern women have largely forgotten: from the importance of 40 days of deep rest to what you should actually be eating to rebuild your body after birth.They talk about the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to postpartum, why new mothers need a “newborn bubble,” how to protect your recovery in a culture that expects you to bounce back immediately, and the simple practices that can support healing for years to come. We hope you love this episode!Our Guest:Lina's Instagram Book with Lina Lina's Motherhood Course Our Sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Fig Wellness. You can head to Figwellness.co and use code BACKTOBASICS for 10% off your order for Anna's favorite prenatals and men's TTC multivitamin. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Anna sits down with friend of the pod Natalie Smith -- personal trainer, entrepreneur, and Instagram bestie. They discuss both being pregnant, her journey with Ureaplasma, the first trimester, birth plans, pressure to do everything perfectly "crunchy", body changes, and more. We hope you love this episode!Our Guest:Natalie Smith First Back to Basics EpisodeNatalie Smith InstagramThank you to Fig Wellness for sponsoring this episode of Back to Basics! Use code BACKTOBASICS at checkout at Figwellness.co for 10% off your order. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy