
When Parenting Triggers Past Trauma: Healing While Raising Children
Becoming a parent can be one of life's most transformative experiences. But for many new mothers and fathers, the journey into parenthood unexpectedly reopens wounds from their own childhood.

Feeding Journeys: Supporting Mental Health Through Breastfeeding Challenges
Your feeding journey matters—not just for your baby's nutrition, but for your own mental health and your evolving relationship with your child. The emotional landscape of feeding deserves attention, validation, and support.

Mindfulness for New Parents: Simple Techniques for Stressful Moments
The journey of new parenthood brings indescribable joy, but it also introduces unprecedented challenges. Amidst night feedings, crying spells, and the constant adjustment to new responsibilities, parents often find themselves overwhelmed. Mindfulness—the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment without judgment—offers powerful tools for navigating these stressful times.

Creating a Postpartum Support Plan: What Every Expecting Family Should Consider
While pregnancy often commands significant attention and preparation, the postpartum period—those critical weeks and months after birth—can catch many families unprepared. Creating a comprehensive postpartum support plan before baby arrives can make the difference between merely surviving and genuinely thriving during this transformative time.

The Invisible Load: Managing Mental Labor in Parenthood
Parenthood comes with countless joys, but also with an often-overlooked burden: mental labor. This invisible workload—the constant planning, organizing, remembering, and anticipating family needs—can significantly impact a parent's mental health and well-being.

Returning to Work After Baby: Emotional Preparation and Practical Tips
The transition back to work after welcoming a new baby is one of the most challenging phases of early parenthood. As both a clinical social worker and someone who has supported countless new mothers through this journey, I've witnessed how this period stirs up a complex mix of emotions—from guilt and anxiety to relief and anticipation.

Finding Your Parenting Voice: Building Confidence in Your Choices
Becoming a parent launches you into a world filled with contradictory advice, strong opinions, and seemingly endless decisions. The pressure to make the "right" choice can be overwhelming, from feeding methods to sleep approaches, screen time to discipline strategies. Yet amid this noise, developing confidence in your own parenting voice is one of the most valuable skills you can cultivate.

Self-Care for New Parents: Small Practices with Big Impact
In the whirlwind of newborn care, parents often find themselves at the bottom of their own priority lists. Between feeding schedules, sleep deprivation, and the emotional adjustment to parenthood, self-care can seem like an impossible luxury. Yet maintaining your well-being isn't just beneficial—it's essential for sustainable parenting and your family's health.

When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned: Processing Birth Trauma and Disappointment
For many expectant parents, the birth of their child is envisioned as a profound, empowering experience. But when labor and delivery take unexpected turns—whether through emergency interventions, complications, or simply diverging dramatically from a hoped-for birth plan—the emotional aftermath can be complex and challenging to navigate.

Setting Boundaries with Family After Baby Arrives: A Guide for New Parents
The arrival of a newborn transforms not only the lives of new parents but also their entire family dynamic. While family support can be invaluable during this transition, establishing clear boundaries is essential for protecting parental mental health—particularly for new mothers.

Partners in the Perinatal Journey: Supporting Your Spouse Through Pregnancy and Beyond
Watching your partner grow a new life can be awe-inspiring—their body transforming, your future expanding, and your relationship evolving in preparation for this profound change. While much attention centers on the pregnant person's experience, partners play a crucial role in creating a foundation of support that strengthens the entire family. Your engagement during this journey isn't just helpful—it's transformative for your relationship, your partner's wellbeing, and your own transition to parenthood.

Navigating the Fourth Trimester: What New Parents Need to Know About Postpartum Recovery
The first cry, the first touch, the first glimpse of your baby's face—these moments mark the end of pregnancy but just the beginning of a profound transition. While much attention focuses on pregnancy and birth, the crucial period that follows—often called the "fourth trimester"—can catch many new parents by surprise.

Why Sleep Matters: A Postpartum Mom's Guide to Better Rest
The gentle rhythm of your newborn's breathing fills the room as you finally lay them down. Your body aches for rest, yet your mind races with a never-ending to-do list. Sound familiar? For new mothers, quality sleep often feels like an impossible luxury rather than the biological necessity it truly is.

The Art of Grandmothering: How to Provide Meaningful Support to New Parents
You've waited for this moment—watching your child become a parent themselves. As a grandmother, you now have the beautiful opportunity to offer wisdom, care, and support during one of life's most transformative journeys. But in today's parenting landscape, being a supportive grandmother means balancing your wealth of experience with respect for new parenting approaches.

What is a Lactation Consultant, and Why Are They Important to Moms?
A lactation consultant (LC) is a healthcare professional who specializes in breastfeeding. They provide support and guidance to mothers who are breastfeeding, as well as education and training on breastfeeding.

The Importance of Having a Birthing Doula from a Mental Health Perspective
A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women during labor and birth. They can reduce stress, anxiety, and pain and promote a positive birth experience.

Pregnancy Loss and the Effects on Women’s Mental Health
The emotional effects of pregnancy loss can vary widely from woman to woman. Some women may experience intense grief, sadness, and anger. Others may feel numb, detached, or even guilty. It is also common to experience physical symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, and changes in appetite.

Who is in your inner circle?
The people in our inner circle profoundly impact our mental health. They can help us heal or hinder our ability to do so.

Choosing a Midwife or OB/GYN: What You Need to Know
When you are pregnant, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will provide your care. You will need to choose between a midwife and an OB/GYN. Both types of providers are qualified to provide care for pregnant women, but there are some key differences between their practices.

How to Cope with Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety and stress are common experiences that can affect people of all ages. They can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, relationships, finances, and health.