Navigating Motherhood: From Maternity Leave to Work Life
Welcome to the Counter Culture Health podcast. I'm doctor Jen McWaters. And I'm coach Kaitlyn Reed. We're here to help high achieving women overcome mental blocks, find freedom from anxiety, create an abundant life, and build the body and life that they deserve and desire. In this weekly podcast, we'll uncover the raw truth about mental health, nutrition, fitness, and beyond.
Jen:Let's get to it.
Jen:Alright, guys. Welcome back to Counter Culture Health. Today, Kaitlin and I are gonna have a low key conversation about what it looks like to be a working mom and the things and the extra challenges you might have to navigate as you're trying to harmonize life and work and caring for a child or children, plural. We know that is a common thing that comes up with our clients that we work with, so we think it'd be helpful for you guys to hear about our own personal experience and for us to just dialogue around the challenges that we experience and how we overcome those obstacles. So with that, first, Caitlin, welcome back.
Jen:I know you've recorded a little bit, but you and I haven't recorded much together since you came back from your maternity leave. So welcome back.
Kaitlin:Thank you. So excited to be back in a new season.
Jen:Right? Yes. Yeah. And especially fall, literally a new season too. What's
Kaitlin:well, let's just
Jen:kinda start with this. What have is there anything that surprised you or things that you didn't expect that have been coming up maybe as challenges or, like, pleasant surprises, I guess, from, you know, first time first time mom? Yes. So anything that you was unexpected that you've encountered, good or bad?
Kaitlin:Oh, I think that the two things that have surprised me the most is not wanting to come back to work, to be honest. Like, I don't know. I just love being a mom and love being with him all day and just taking care of him. I mean, I'm such a nurturer anyway, so now I feel like I should just be giving everything to him. So it's very challenging for me to, like, come even though I love what I do, I love all my clients, it was challenging for me to come back.
Kaitlin:And there was this little resistance in there of, like, I don't really want to. And so facing that and and pushing through that, course, it's great being back and connecting with everyone, but it there's still, like, that challenge every day of, like, okay. I have to go go into the office, you know, and and separate from him. And, yeah, that's challenging. And I didn't expect, like I see like, beforehand, I thought I'm like, oh, maybe, like, six weeks, I'll be good to to go back and get into things.
Kaitlin:And then six weeks came, and I'm like, oh, I don't like, they're so little still. Like, I don't know. I couldn't imagine getting back into things at six weeks old. You know? And I kinda got back into things at, like, three three months, and even three months felt bad.
Kaitlin:And I totally understand now, like, the European way of giving moms maternity like, a year long maternity leave. I think that is absolutely amazing and something that we should do because, like, three months, they're still so little. You don't have a routine yet. It's just so so quick. Yep.
Jen:And
Kaitlin:I'm I'm grateful and blessed that I don't have to take him and drop him off anywhere, and I just can't I can't even imagine doing that. And so I really feel for the moms that do have to do that Yeah. At that at that age. They're just so young and little. Yeah.
Kaitlin:Those are my, like, two things that surprised me the most.
Jen:Yeah. I'm not surprised that those surprised you because I was surprised by the same things. And I recall I went back at four months part time, but even then, like, looking back, I'm like, I really needed, like, those two extra months at least. Six months, things really started to shift, and I just physically felt better. You know, the rhythm was better.
Jen:And, like, you're right. Like, we don't usually have the luxury whether usually financially, we don't have the luxury to do that always or yeah. Because of work. Like, we might have a work contract that requires us to go back. And I just found that I think so many so many moms' mental health would be so much better if they were given at minimum, I think, that six months.
Kaitlin:Six months. Yeah. What I've heard from everybody too, like, six months, things start to get, like, a little bit easier, a little more kind of have somewhat of a routine. And so, yeah, I'm thinking, like, maybe even six months would be. If not a year, like, least six months would be really great.
Jen:I agree. And even so, even with dads, especially with your your first kid, like, I just still remember, you know, I again had the luxury of having an in home nanny part time. It's still insanely expensive. I couldn't really afford that, but we made it work. But even that
Kaitlin:That's big sacrifice.
Jen:Right. Very big sacrifice. Yes. Even that, though, was really painful to leave my baby with someone else. And, again, that got easier as he got older, right, for him and for me.
Jen:But, yes, there is just and that's natural physiologically, biologically. We have all this bonding with our babies. So it is, like, feels like there's this dissonance. Like, this this doesn't feel right to do that. Right?
Jen:Especially when we're breastfeeding. I was breastfeeding my son at the same time. So that bond is so intense, and it can be really hard to be physically away. Like, I did go to an office part of the time. So that feeling is really normal for moms out there.
Jen:And I think the lack of leave and support is part of why we have a pretty dramatic level of postpartum anxiety and depression in The US because we lack community support. We lack having family nearby typically. We lack good maternity, you know, leave support, financial support. We're not super stressed out. Among other things too, our diet doesn't help.
Jen:Right? All those other factors at play, but definitely those are some major contributing factors. So with that, I was kind of alluding to this, but there's often a sense of guilt that moms feel. And I've worked with many clients who feel guilty even if they might have their baby at home and their partner's watching their baby while they're working. Have a lot of clients in that really blessed scenario.
Jen:However, they still feel guilty that they're at a computer desk, and they're not the ones actually caring for their baby, that someone else is caring for their baby the twenty four seven. So have you encountered that? I mean, I know I did a little bit. How do we navigate that as working moms? Whether your kid is even, like, you know, when you're born or even sometimes when they're older, you know, there's moms often have this pull like, well, should I homeschool my kid and be home with them?
Jen:Should I have them in school full time like preschool? Should I have them part time? Should I work at all? And, like, the guilt around what I'm supposed to, quote, unquote, do.
Kaitlin:Yep. Yeah. No. I've definitely experienced that. In our situation, he's he's home with his dad while I'm working.
Kaitlin:You know? So we're still in the same home, but it's it just feels weird to be separated and that guilty of, like, even though it's his dad, I'm not the one that's caring. I'm there caring for him. Right. And I don't know yeah.
Kaitlin:That surprised me a little bit too. And I thought that would make things easier, but it still is very challenging. And I'm sure with time, it'll get better. But I don't know if it's I don't wanna say there's, like, like, a little bit of control in there too of, like, just wanting to make sure everything is done right, you know, and, like, the routine. And so, like, just giving up some of that control and letting somebody else take care of it and trusting that everything will be okay.
Jen:Yeah. I think yeah. And there's, I think, a normal level of just guilt we feel in this process of transitioning our role and our identity as just, you know, as a single person or a couple person, a person, a person with a kid. It it's very different. There's, like, a whole shift that happens.
Jen:And I think outside of that, there's the this in the middle of the circle is what is normative, like typical experiences, and then we have things outside of that. So if you are crippled with guilt or let's say you have this constant anxiety that your baby's gonna get hurt or someone's gonna hurt your baby. Heard that one before. Right? Or guilt that your baby's gonna forget you because your baby's spending all their time with the nanny or with your partner.
Jen:Those are starting to kinda go outside of the realm, I think, of what would be typical levels of that experience for moms and might be something to look into. So if that's resonating with you listening, that might be something to talk to a therapist about in particular who's trained in postpartum health and mental health to help you look at, you know, are again, are these these are fears are somewhat normative, but also, like, common but not normal. Right? So, like, it's not common to have that, but it's it should not be our base and level of functioning where we're crippled by this anxiety and guilt all day long about our baby.
Kaitlin:Right. Yeah. And then you add, like, the sleep deprivation on top of that, and I feel like it kind of, like, magnifies the anxieties sometimes. Like, some days are better than others, but I that's kind of what I have found. Like, if we have a really bad night of sleep, then those thoughts and feelings are kind of magnified on those days.
Kaitlin:That
Jen:makes sense. Like, right, the things you have talked about in episodes past, like, the impact that sleep has on our mental health, our resilience to stress is low, we're more irritable, We're more we, you know, get teared up really easily. I had all of those experiences postpartum too. And even things like how our hormones are shifting when we're sleep deprived, the cortisol levels, like, all of that is gonna make us more susceptible to experiencing, again, out of the norm circle level of anxiety and guilt in the process.
Kaitlin:Yeah. I will say, like, moms are amazing. It like, I mean, not not getting sleep at night and still having to get up and function and do like, take care of everything, take care of the house, go to work, you know, show up for clients. It's I don't know. It's just it's just amazing how we're still able to to do all of that still.
Kaitlin:You know, that was kind of my my biggest concern was the lack of sleep and how that would impact me because I'm very much, like, eight hours of sleep. So I feel good, function well, on point you know, all of those things. And so I was like, I don't know how I'm gonna do on little sleep. But it's amazing, like, how you still you just make it work. You just you still function, and I know it's impacting me, but not as great as I thought it was going to be.
Kaitlin:And I saw this meme the other day. It was something along the lines of parenting is so weird. It doesn't matter how how tired you are. You still have to get up and and do it. It doesn't matter how tired you are.
Kaitlin:You still have to get up
Jen:and do it. And I was like, yeah. You just you just do. No sick days from parenting, unfortunately. My parent in my kid when I've been sick, and that's been unfortunate.
Jen:But, ultimately, that's what happens. Right?
Kaitlin:Yeah. Yeah. And this, I mean, this whole experience too has been great because now I, you know, like, I try I have a lot of clients that are parents, and, you know, you you do your best to understand, like, their situation and things they're going through, but it's so different to actually be in it and experience it yourself. And so it's good to have that bring that experience to the table. You know, when parents say, like, I don't have time to work out or I don't have time to meal prep or whatever the case that you know, those are, like, pretty common things in my world.
Kaitlin:And now I understand. It's like, yeah, it is challenging to fit those things in. And so you just do the best that you can and be realistic about things and give yourself grace, be flexible. And, like, being black and white is is not going to work in this situation, so being very flexible in your approach too with all of those things.
Jen:I agree. How much harder is that though for those of us who struggle with perfectionism? Because going back to work, when you're sleep deprived, well, one, no one really operates a 100% capacity every single day. Add in a child, add in sleep deprivation, there is no way you're gonna operate at the level you probably operated at before before you had a baby or a kid. So I've seen a lot of clients struggle when they already have perfectionism as an underlying and they tend to be black and white thinkers.
Jen:They really struggle just with this the whole sense of how they're performing at work and what they think people think about them. Yeah. I even recall going back and, you know, I'm part coach, part time therapist. Going back to a therapy office and really struggling with that because I really pride in myself in being very present with clients and just very, like, giving a 100%. Right?
Jen:That's kind of my own personal model. Like, I show up a 100% for my clients. But when you're sleep deprived like that and we had a lot of sleep challenges. We had feeding challenges with my son as a newborn. So, like, it was it was out of the normative.
Jen:Right? Like, it was really, really hard. And then going back to work even part time, I had a really hard time staying so present in sessions because I was so sleep deprived and all of it. So what helped me was I I don't know if it was a friend or maybe a coach or provider at the time said something like, because I was kinda like, I don't even know if I'm being effective. Right?
Jen:Like, I'm if I can't show up a 100%, am I even being effective? That's often like the black and white thought. Right? It's like, good or bad. And they told me, like, you know, you even if you show up on your 60%, you're still offering them something really valuable, and you're still showing up and being a human, and you are still being skillful and, you know, right, assuming you are at least doing the bare minimum of your job.
Jen:And and so that was helpful for me to kind of reframe. It's like, even if I'm not showing up a 110% today, if all I can show up is 60% and that's my very best, I'm still offering something of value to that person. You know, my clients kept showing up too. They didn't fire me. You know?
Jen:I I think, inherently, they had grace as well, but you just have to learn how to have that grace for yourself and realize that you are your own risk critic, and you probably aren't performing as poorly as you think you are. Because I never got bad feedback from clients and, you know, same probably for you and other clients I've worked for or worked with, but that's the thought. Right? That everyone's noticing how, like, poorly I'm performing right now or how exhausted I am. You've noticed a little bit, but typically, again, your inner critic is so much louder and stronger than what other people are actually thinking.
Kaitlin:Yep. Yep. Yeah. And now you have, like, this new little thing that you're that is, like, requiring more thinking or, like, more of your mind too. Right?
Jen:Your energy, your brain space. Yeah.
Kaitlin:Yeah. Yeah. So, like, trying to be, you know, be in it, but your mind is still, like, is everything okay? Is you know? So it's just like this another another thing added to our lives that requires more, like, thought and energy and kinda takes away from present
Jen:Mhmm.
Kaitlin:In in the work that you're doing sometimes. Right.
Jen:I like that. That's a good point. It's it's natural to be distracted in that way when you are especially with, you know, a baby and you are separate from your baby. You're gonna naturally be thinking about them. You're bonded in a very really special unique way physically to your baby.
Jen:So it is normal, and that is something that takes time in practice of how do you stay present, but also feel like you are available if needed. And that is a dance that everyone has to figure out how to make. Yes.
Kaitlin:Yeah. A dance is a good way to put
Jen:it. Yeah. And with that, my other question for you and then we can talk about is how do we engage our partners in that? So, like, for example, when I was in the therapy office and definitely, you know, can't have my phone on me because I was like, I need to have my phone in case the nanny calls, something's wrong. I had to be okay with relinquishing that and telling my partner, hey.
Jen:These hours, I will not have access to my phone. I will not see alerts. So can you make sure your phone is on and you be, like, the go to parent? I can then communicate that to the caregiver of, okay. During these hours, maybe the group text us or just text or call, you know, my husband because I will not see my phone.
Jen:That helped ease my anxiety because often that's the challenge for working moms is how do I stay present, but also be available in case of emergency and, you know, be there for for my child. So I had engaged my partner in that. So what have you done to how do you gay engage your partner in helping to care for your babies so you can both show up to work?
Kaitlin:Yeah. As this is this is a big, big challenge for me because I'm very much like, I got it. Everything's fine. Do it on my own. I, you know, take care of everything.
Kaitlin:And so asking for help is very challenging for me, and this is definitely something that I had to work through. In in the beginning, I was and it was it was fine in the beginning because he was little enough at work. I was wearing him during my appointments with clients. And, you know, they were understanding it was fine, but, you know, I got I got to a point where it's like, I need to ask him for help so to take the baby when I have appointments. You know?
Kaitlin:And that was like that was a bit it's hard for me. It was hard for me to not be like, I got this. I got every I got it on my own. It's fine. You know, asking him to change diapers or outfits or whatever.
Kaitlin:Like, that has been very it still is challenging for me to not feel like I have everything on on my own, but that's the point of having a partner, right, is is the partnership for help and and asking for that.
Jen:Which is hard for a lot of us who are used to being solopreneurs and doing it on our own and, you know, that have a hard time asking for help. So I see a lot of women struggling with that or they oftentimes even the partner's also struggling with the adjustment to having a child, a newborn. So it can also be hard for women to ask their partner for help when their partner themselves is struggling and maybe start to also function when they're super surprised, especially if they're showing up to help with feedings at night or changing at night. So that is something that people struggle with is just the guilt of sharing that burden with other people. Yeah.
Jen:And it might be or it might be also, like, a parent or, you know, in law as well. Same thing.
Kaitlin:I think yeah. And there's I think there's, like, this, like, unspoken maybe challenge that men have in the beginning of it because so much of it is especially if you're breastfeeding, like, you're just with the baby all the time. And so the men kind of feel I don't wanna say worthless, but, like, they're, like, really challenged with, like, their place in things of, well, what am I supposed to do or how am I supposed to help if I can't feed, if I the baby just wants their mom all the time. And so I think that's like a a real challenge that's not talked about a lot during the very early stages.
Jen:Yeah. I know my spouse struggle with that a bit too. It's just been kind of helpless. Like, I wanna be helpful, but yet, you know, I would be on the only one who could sue them to sleep or feed them to sleep or comfort him and all that. The the irony of that is, like, it totally switched.
Jen:So once I start breastfeeding, my son got really into my husband, and they're, like, super tight now, and oftentimes, he'll prefer him to me. So that's the irony. I was like, I yeah. I'm gonna switch. So all that time, I kinda got back after, like, the first of a couple of year and a half, two years, there was a switch.
Jen:So and and often that happens, the thing especially when you have, like, a a little boy, and that can be encouraging a partner just to know, like, this is not forever. This is physiologically meant to be that way, right, because you are the main sole food provider for your baby. It's normal for them to feel more attached to you. They've spent nine months in your body. Like, all everything about you is gonna be more comforting.
Jen:Yep. That will, though, will shift over time. It will equalize over time or maybe even flip over time. And it's just about knowing that all you you know, sometimes what it is, it's about showing up still, waking up, helping change the baby, helping maybe make the bottle, through bottle feeding, providing support, rubbing your partner's back who's breastfeeding. Like, it still show making food, cleaning.
Jen:There are so many auxiliary ways to support that matter just as much.
Kaitlin:Yep. Yeah. And that's the other thing that I struggled with too of, like, asking, like, okay. I know you can't really help here right now, but could you, like, take out the trash or put the dishes in the dishwasher, put them away? You know, in the beginning, I was I was trying to figure out, like, how I could do it all, and I was like, I can't I can't do this anymore.
Kaitlin:Like, just just ask for help. And those I think in the beginning, it's more like the help is around the house, not so much with the baby, but the help can come around the house and, like, those other things. Yeah. I'm I'm interested to see how things will shift with time as he gets older and is more mobile and can play and, you know, all those fun things. It's always changing.
Jen:Yeah.
Kaitlin:Yeah. I think the you you kinda you mentioned this before, but I think it is very something that's been helpful for me is just reminding yourself that it's the season. It will pass. It's not like this forever, and I think that's very helpful in, like, those challenging challenging moments.
Jen:Yeah. Definitely. And not comparing yourself to others. I think it'd be helpful for us to talk about that because especially when you're a new mom, first time mom, you're trying to seek out information all the time, at least I was, because everything's new. You're, like, learning how to diaper and feed and making decisions on pacifiers or the right bottle.
Jen:Like, there's there's a million decisions. Right?
Kaitlin:Yes.
Jen:And so oftentimes, you're looking online for information, which is fine. However, what it can get into is comparisons. Right? There's, like, a really big market marketing towards new moms because we spend a lot of money and spend a lot of time researching, and we care a lot about what our baby's eating and what the clothes on their body and the environment. So we're we're, like, prime targets for advertising.
Jen:But what can help is there's a lot of comparisons. And that can happen when your baby's little, but it all also extends when your kid's older. So, like, I'm in the phase now where there's a lot of moms around me, but there's such diversity. Like, some moms are working part time. Some moms are working full time at the home.
Jen:Some moms are working at home full time. A lot of moms here are homeschooling part time, full time. All these options, and there's no right or wrong choice, But it can be easy for your brain to look and say, maybe that would be better. Maybe that's the right decision. You're comparing yourself, and then you're judging yourself.
Jen:Maybe you want to work and, you know, feeling guilty about that. Maybe that's what actually fills you up, and you show up better as a parent because you're doing some work outside of the home. Maybe you're working and you wanna be home, but you feel guilty about that. You feel like you should work. And, again, maybe you have to do financial.
Jen:Maybe you don't, but you feel like you have to work. Or else I've heard this often from clients, like, like, I'm throwing away my degree if I just stay home. Just stay home, quote, unquote. Just stay home. Time job.
Jen:Right. It's a full time job.
Kaitlin:And
Jen:they have high cortisol because being around being overstimulated all day with children Yeah. Multiple children is, I think, harder than showing up to an office job sometimes. Not ever. Sometimes. I agree.
Kaitlin:Yeah. Right. So
Jen:that's also a trap to just notice and be really mindful of of not engaging in comparisons. You can use that information to maybe help guide your decision making and like, oh, I didn't know that was an option. Let me look into that. But it can become unhealthy where you start to compare and think that's better than what you're doing or that they're happier than than you. And instead of using your values to guide you on what's best for your family, you're using comparisons, which is always gonna lead to unhappiness and discontent and guilt and anxiety.
Kaitlin:Yeah. Yeah. And I think social media has kind of, like, exacerbated that too, right, of seeing what all the kids are doing at certain stages and development wise. And Yeah. Yeah.
Kaitlin:Thinking like second guessing yourself or comparing, you know, I think social media has definitely kind of exacerbated that for moms as well. Definitely.
Jen:Yeah. You you mean, you can go online and find a strong opinion about any position. Yes. So just be ready for that and know that you have to go into it knowing clearly what your values are, what's best for you and your family. And that's how we make decisions, right, based out of our values, not based out of our just our emotions or what we see other people do.
Kaitlin:Yep. Yeah. And that's I mean, that has come up multiple times in in episodes that we have discussed of how our values are should be guiding us, you know, how we should at first identify our values and let that be our guide. I mean, that has come up as, like, a common theme in a lot of our episodes that we have talked about. Yes.
Kaitlin:And maybe one
Jen:thing we can end on today is just boundaries. Again, just the importance of setting even stronger boundaries when you're a parent, and everyone's boundaries are gonna look different. So, again, some moms might say, like, I'm only gonna work x amount of hours or this many days per week. Some moms might need to extend that. And we're not here to judge the right or wrong.
Jen:It's just to know that you need to have clarity on your boundaries. And when you stick to them, you're gonna feel more at peace, and you're gonna have more contentment in your life. And that might also mean boundaries about visitors to your house, especially when you have a little one being uncomfortable to say no, even sometimes the family, to say, like, now is not the right time to visit because you have to just focus on your family or maybe that'll disrupt the routine too much for your baby. Some babies are very sensitive to routine disruption. Some are very flexible babies.
Jen:But lucky you if you have a unicorn flexible baby. Great. Or sleeper. Great. Mhmm.
Jen:But a lot of us don't have that. So you need to have more boundaries to protect your health and well-being and your well, you know, family's well-being and baby's well-being too. Yeah. Even having boundaries for your self care. That's another one I think be good to end on is it's important to not forget that you really matter and you are, like, the hub for everything in the family, especially with the newborn.
Jen:Like, mom is it. So if mom, you know, mom's sick, mom's not taking care of herself, mom's anxious, depressed, like, everyone will be impacted. Mhmm. So make sure that you're first pouring into yourself so you can pour into your baby, into your family, and your kids.
Kaitlin:Yeah. Great point. Yeah. Boundaries is definitely something I'm working on now. I'm studying, you know, now of only taking calls like these certain days and times where before I used to be like, you, and just, you know, doing whatever works for everybody else, and that's just that doesn't work anymore and not feeling bad or guilty about that and and really sticking to the schedule and the time blocks that I have.
Kaitlin:Because I also don't want to be a mom that's in front of the phone and computer all the time either. Right? I wanna be present as much as I can. So boundaries is definitely something I'm working on as well and much better now than I used to be.
Jen:We're all a work in progress with that
Kaitlin:one. Yes.
Jen:I'm wondering now that you are a mom, what what are one or two self care rituals that you are doing more consistently? I don't know if it's maybe the same as what you did before you had your baby or different. What's a couple helpful self care rituals that are time efficient as a new mom?
Kaitlin:Oh, you know, I I don't I would say I still prioritize movement. Like, that has been very important for me, but I haven't because I don't really I don't have the desire to do my movement, like, without him. I want to incorporate him with my movement. So I make sure that we get out for walks every single day and get out of the house, and then I incorporate him into my strength training. I bring him out to the I built a home a home gym.
Kaitlin:I so I have a garage gym now, which has been very helpful, and I bring him out there with me. So, like, it's it to, like, normalize it. And so he's part of it. And that has made me, like, relax around workouts too. Mhmm.
Kaitlin:You know, it's more like movement just for health. Like, it's not that serious. It's okay to, like, pick him up and play in between sets or whatever, but incorporating him into that so he can see it and that it's, like, normal and part of his, like, lifestyle and upbringing too. So I've definitely still prioritized movement. It has been so important for me because I know how I can get if I'm not moving my body as much.
Jen:Yeah. I'm with you there. Also, even with having an older kiddo, my kiddo's four, movement is so key. And ideally outside movement, if I can get some of that each day, getting fresh air and getting sunlight. Yep.
Jen:And then now that my kid's older, have the luxury being able to have some nighttime time to myself. So even just taking, like, an Epsom salt bath a couple times a week and bringing, like, a book and having calming music on, that has been just transformative for me and my self care and having a chance to really unwind and have some alone time. And it's kinda like the only alone time I get is in the bathroom. Right? So Yeah.
Jen:Really soak it up and milk it for all its worth. Okay. So it's just finding the right thing for you that Mhmm. Your nervous system down and nurtures your soul, feeds your body, nurtures your body, all those things.
Kaitlin:Yep. I'm not quite there yet, but maybe
Jen:It took me many years to get there.
Kaitlin:We're still like, you know, how can I go to the bathroom while, like, holding him? Right. So Yeah. Yeah.
Jen:New challenges, things some problems resolve, new ones, challenges arise, which is ongoing. Right?
Kaitlin:That's one thing. You get creative in in how you can do things. So Yes. You get very good at doing things one handed and picking things up with your feet. That's what I have found.
Jen:Yep. And good at bouncing all the time. That is
Kaitlin:all Yeah. No. I was thinking about that the other night. I'm like, this is why I work out so I can bounce him for an hour for him to fall asleep.
Jen:Yes. We we had to do the bouncy ball. Sit on the bouncy ball and just bounce, bounce, bounce, and fall asleep. He was a, like, a high movement needs kid too, baby. So I'm one of those too.
Jen:Yep. So, yeah. Always changing. Well, thank you, Caitlin, for sharing a little bit about your experience and talking about this with me. I think it's incredibly important.
Jen:Again, no matter what stage your child is in, just a hopefully good reminder refresher to take care of you first to make sure that you are communicating your niece to your partner, that you are a team, to know that feelings some feelings of, you know, stress, worry, guilt are normal. And if you feel like they are debilitating you, you're constantly in a state of fight or flight, like, those are indications and warning flags to get in with a provider and talk to someone who can support you so that you don't have to suffer alone and, you know, that can rob you from a lot of the enjoyment of the postpartum period too. So hope this was helpful for you guys. Please, please consider sharing it with a new mom that you know, and please like and follow, and tune in next time for another reminded of new episodes, click the subscribe button on your preferred podcast player.
Jen:You can find me, Jen, at awaken.holistic.health and at awakeningholistichealth.com. And me, Caitlin, at Caitlin Reed Wellness and caitlinreedwellness.com. The content of the show is for educational and informational purposes only. As always, talk to your doctor and health team. See you next time.
