Since I Became a Mother

Since I Became a Mother is a podcast about the things motherhood changes, the things no one warns you about, and where we figure out who we are becoming, together. Hosted by Taylor Rae Roman, the show creates an honest and supportive space for new mothers navigating the emotional, physical, and practical realities of early motherhood. Season One explores some of motherhood’s toughest and most consuming questions: baby sleep, feeding, caretaking, mental health, changing relationships, finding yourself, and building a community that understands what you are experiencing. “Before I was a mother, I barely noticed mothers, and now, they’re all I see.” I see you.

Latest Episodes:

Why You Resent Your Partner After Baby: The Mental Load, Fairness & How to Fix It with Leith Speer Barton Nov 10, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Why can resentment toward your partner show up so intensely after having a baby — even in a relationship that felt equal before?

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with parent coach and Fair Play facilitator Leith Speer Barton to talk about the invisible mental load of motherhood, why “just tell me what you need” often doesn’t actually feel helpful, and how couples can make the work of running a family more visible and more fairly shared.

They talk about postpartum resentment as a clue that something needs attention, why fairness doesn’t necessarily mean 50/50, how to transfer full ownership of household tasks, and the importance of regularly checking in as a couple. Leith also shares practical tools for mothers who feel like they’re carrying everything — including starting with just one task, creating regular relationship meetings, and making room for connection and fun alongside the logistics of parenting.

In This Episode

Why resentment often shows up after becoming parents
The invisible mental load of motherhood
Why “just tell me what you need” can create even more work
How to make invisible household labor visible
Why one person should own a task from beginning to end
How the Fair Play framework can help couples divide responsibilities
Why household labor doesn’t have to be 50/50 to feel fair
Letting your partner complete tasks differently than you would
How shared parenting values can guide different parenting styles
What to do when your partner is resistant or unable to take on more
Why household responsibilities need to be revisited as family life changes
The value of weekly relationship and household check-ins
Starting with one overwhelming task instead of trying to fix everything at once
Why keeping play, connection, and enjoyment in your relationship matters

Leith Speer Barton is a New York-based parent coach and Fair Play facilitator who works with couples and families around the mental load, household labor, communication, relationship equity, resentment, and the transition to parenthood. She is also a mother of two and is currently pursuing her MA in Social Service at Bryn Mawr College as she works toward social-work licensure.

https://www.instagram.com/leithspeerbarton/

Resources Mentioned

Fair Play — Eve Rodsky
Drop the Ball — Tiffany Dufu
How to Keep House While Drowning — KC Davis
Baby Knows Best — Debra Karla Solomon
Better Breastfeeding — Dr. Linda Dah
Conversations with Cam — Episode 247: “Creating Equal Partners Through Division of Labor with Eve Rodsky”
Magda Gerber - Founder of RIE
Jillian Treacy - “Managing the ship” of a relationship
Fair Play Card Deck - https://a.co/d/00A7WCdG

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY
Substack: https://substack.com/@taylorraeroman

Your Body After Baby: Pelvic Floor Health, Strength & Learning to Trust Yourself Again with Rachel Nicks Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

What does it actually mean to get your body “back” after having a baby — and should that even be the goal?

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with Rachel Nicks to talk about postpartum recovery, pelvic floor health, rebuilding strength, body image, and learning to trust your body again after pregnancy and birth.

They discuss what the body physically goes through during pregnancy and delivery, common pelvic floor symptoms, diastasis recti, core recovery, Kegels, pelvic floor physical therapy, and the pressure to “bounce back.” Rachel also shares how mothers can return to movement and exercise in a way that feels strong, sustainable, and rooted in respect for the body they have now.

In This Episode

What your body actually goes through during pregnancy and birth
Pelvic floor health and symptoms that deserve attention
Why Kegels are not the answer for everyone
What it means to have a pelvic floor that is too tight
When pelvic floor physical therapy can help
Rebuilding the core after pregnancy
Diastasis recti, breathing, and core function
What the six-week postpartum clearance does — and doesn’t — mean
How to return to strength training and exercise safely
Body image and the pressure to “bounce back”
Learning to trust your body again
Why getting “back” to your old body may not be the goal
Black maternal health and Birth Queen

This Week’s Guest

Rachel Nicks is a Juilliard-trained actor, longtime fitness professional, pre- and postnatal specialist, doula, lactation counselor, and founder of Birth Queen. She is also a mother of two and an advocate for Black maternal health.Her work sits at the intersection of movement, birth, postpartum recovery, maternal health, and body trust.

Website: https://www.rachelnicks.com/
https://birthqueen.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/?hl=en

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

I Thought This Was Just Motherhood: My Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Story Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

I thought what I was experiencing was just motherhood.

In this solo episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor shares the raw story of her experience with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, what it actually felt like from inside her own head, the symptoms she didn’t recognize at first, and how easily anxiety, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, and identity loss became tangled up with what she assumed was simply the reality of being a new mother.

This episode puts the mother at the center of the postpartum mental-health conversation. Taylor shares when she began realizing something wasn’t right, what finally led her to seek help, what treatment and recovery have looked like, and what she wishes she had understood before becoming a mother.

This episode includes discussion of postpartum depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. It reflects personal experience and is not a substitute for professional mental-health care.

In This Episode

What postpartum depression and anxiety actually felt like for me
Hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and never being able to fully switch off
The impact of severe sleep deprivation on my mental health
Breastfeeding, hormones, and the physical postpartum transition
The moment I realized I needed more support
Therapy, medication, and getting help
What recovery has actually looked like

Resources Mentioned

Bottle Service Podcast Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ppd-unfiltered-real-talk-for-maternal-mental-health-month/id1594639891?i=1000729406925
Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://www.postpartum.net/
Postpartum Support International HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773
ACOG — Perinatal Mental Health: https://www.acog.org/programs/perinatal-mental-health
Ferrari AJ, et al. Lancet Psychiatry. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(26)00085-4
Feldman N, et al. Lancet Psychiatry. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00197-X
Dennis C-L, et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2017;210(5):315–323. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.187179

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

Going Back to Work After Baby: Mom Guilt, Identity & How to Make It Work with Jessica Martin and Taara Sajnani Das Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Going back to work after having a baby can feel like an impossible equation: childcare, feeding, schedules, career expectations, guilt, ambition, and a completely different version of yourself all competing for attention at once.

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with return-to-work doula Jessica Martin and working mom, content creator, and brand strategist Taara Sajnani Das to talk about what returning to work actually feels like — and what can make the transition easier.

In This Episode

What returning to work after maternity leave really feels like
How to prepare before your first day back
Why ambition can change after becoming a mother
Mom guilt and the pressure to “do both”
The mental load of working motherhood
How partners can share responsibility more effectively
Creating systems that actually help
Practical ways to make the transition back to work feel less overwhelming

Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin is a New York City–based birth, postpartum, and return-to-work doula and the founder of Next Adventure Births. She is a Certified Body Ready Method® Pro and Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula through Manhattan Birth, with training in lactation, newborn development, postpartum recovery, nutrition, hospital communication, and supporting inductions and cesarean births.

Website: https://nextadventurebirths.com/

Taara Sajnani Das

Taara Sajnani Das is a New York City–based working mother, content creator, brand strategist, and founder of Sajnani Brand Management. Her content explores motherhood, career, style, and identity, and she brings a firsthand perspective on how ambition, priorities, and the way we work can change after becoming a mother.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taarasajnani/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taarasajnani

Products Mentioned: HealthyBaby Diapers & Wipes — This episode is sponsored by HealthyBaby. HealthyBaby is a paid partner of Since I Became a Mother, and all opinions and experiences shared are my own.

Connect With Taylor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

When Baby Sleep Takes Over Your Life: Night Wakings, Sleep Training & Maternal Mental Health with Ella Grace Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Baby sleep can quickly take over your entire mental load. In this episode, Taylor talks with pediatric sleep specialist Ella Grace Hanover about infant sleep, night wakings, sleep training, contact naps, feeding to sleep, and what’s actually normal. They also discuss how sleep deprivation affects mothers, when sleep becomes unsustainable for a family, and how to make changes without feeling like you’re failing your baby. This episode definitely leans into sleep training, so if that's not your vibe, skip this one!

In This Episode

What normal infant sleep looks like
Why babies wake at night
When sleep becomes unsustainable
What sleep training really means
Crying, attachment & sleep-training guilt
Feeding to sleep & contact naps
Sleep deprivation & maternal mental health
The mental load of wake windows and schedules

This Week’s Guest

Ella Grace Hanover is a NYC-based pediatric sleep specialist, certified sleep consultant, postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and integrative feeding and lactation specialist. She is the founder of Ella Grace Sleep Solutions.

Website: https://www.ellagracesleepsolutions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellagracesleepsolutions/

Resources Mentioned

Precious Little Sleep: The Complete Baby Sleep Guide for Modern Parents by Alexis Dubief
Hiscock H, Wake M. Randomised controlled trial of behavioural infant sleep intervention to improve infant sleep and maternal mood. BMJ. 2002. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.324.7345.1062
Hall WA, Hutton E, Brant RF, et al. A randomized controlled trial of an intervention for infants’ behavioral sleep problems. BMC Pediatrics. 2015. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0492-7
Park J, Kim SY, Lee K, et al. Effectiveness of behavioral sleep interventions on children’s and mothers’ sleep quality and maternal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2022. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07762-8

Connect With Taylor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

Is This Normal? Crying, Gas, Reflux & When to Call the Pediatrician with Dr. Nilay Donmez Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Newborns are weird — they grunt, strain, spit up, cry for seemingly no reason, and somehow make every new parent wonder: “Is this normal?”

In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with triple board-certified pediatrician Dr. Nilay Donmez to talk through the newborn behaviors that worry parents most. They discuss crying, gas, reflux, witching hour, feeding, hydration, and how to tell the difference between normal newborn behavior and something that actually needs medical attention.

In This Episode

What normal newborn behavior actually looks like
Why babies cry and what witching hour really is
Gas, grunting, straining, and digestive discomfort
Infant reflux and when it becomes a concern
How to know when to call the pediatrician
Newborn red flags parents should never ignore
How to manage the anxiety of constantly wondering whether something is wrong

Guest

Dr. Nilay Donmez is a triple board-certified pediatrician in general pediatrics, pediatric nephrology, and obesity medicine and the founder of First Steps Pediatrics in Tribeca. Her practice focuses on personalized, relationship-based pediatric care, with a particular emphasis on newborns, early childhood, prevention, and the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. She also shares practical pediatric education with parents through her @doctorforkids platform.

Website: https://www.firststepspediatricsnyc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorforkids/

Resources Mentioned

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff
Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense Guide to Your Baby’s First Year by Scott W. Cohen, MD

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

How Breastfeeding Actually Works: Milk Supply, Tongue Ties & the Mother-Baby Dyad with Dr. Linda Dahl  Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Breastfeeding is often called “natural,” but that doesn’t mean it’s simple.

Taylor sits down with Dr. Linda Dahl, board-certified ENT and breastfeeding medicine expert, to explain what is actually happening biologically and mechanically when a baby breastfeeds. They discuss milk supply, latch and milk transfer, tongue ties, lactation support, and why breastfeeding works best when mother and baby are understood as a team.

They also explore the mental-health toll of difficult breastfeeding and why new moms deserve better education, clearer answers, and less shame.

In This Episode

How breastfeeding actually works
Milk supply and milk transfer
The mother-baby dyad
Latch and oral mechanics
Tongue ties and feeding
The role of lactation consultants
Why breastfeeding advice can conflict
The mental-health toll of difficult feeding
What Dr. Dahl wishes every new mom knew

Guest

Dr. Linda Dahl is a board-certified otolaryngologist and head-and-neck surgeon specializing in breastfeeding and infant feeding. She is the author of Better Breastfeeding and Clinician’s Guide to Breastfeeding, and her work focuses on anatomy, physiology, milk supply, oral mechanics, and the mother-baby feeding relationship.

Website: https://www.drlindadahl.com/Better Breastfeeding: https://www.betterbreastfeeding.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorlindadahl/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned

Better Breastfeeding: A Doctor’s Guide to Nursing Without Pain and Frustration
Clinician’s Guide to Breastfeeding: Evidence-Based Evaluation and Management

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer

The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits

Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

Since I Became a Mother: The Identity Shift No One Prepared Me For  Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Becoming a mother changed more than I ever expected. I spent so much time preparing for pregnancy, birth, and bringing home a baby—but I wasn’t prepared for how profoundly motherhood would change me.

In the first full episode of Since I Became a Mother, I’m sharing my own story: who I was before motherhood, my birth experience, the difficult early postpartum months, postpartum depression and anxiety, severe sleep deprivation, exclusively breastfeeding, and the feeling that somewhere along the way I had lost parts of the person I used to be.

I also share why I created this podcast, why Season 1 focuses so heavily on the first year of motherhood, and why every conversation this season comes from something I found myself searching for when I was a new mom. This isn’t a story about getting back to who I was before—it’s about figuring out who I’m becoming now.

In This Episode

Who I was before becoming a mother
My birth story and the moment motherhood became real
What the earliest postpartum months actually felt like for me
My experience with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety
Sleep deprivation and the mental toll of being constantly “on”
Exclusively breastfeeding and how consuming feeding can become
Loving my baby deeply while still struggling
Losing parts of my identity after becoming a mother
How motherhood changed my body, relationships, work, ambition, and priorities
Why “getting back to myself” stopped feeling like the goal
What I spent my first year searching for and why I created this podcast
Why Season 1 focuses especially on the first year of motherhood
What I hope Since I Became a Mother gives other moms

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer
The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child.

Credits
Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

Since I Became a Mother: Why I Made This Show   Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Since I Became a Mother is a podcast about the things motherhood changes, the things no one warns you about, and where we figure out who we are becoming together.

In this trailer, host Taylor Rae Roman shares why she created the show, how becoming a mother transformed the way she sees herself and the world around her, and why Season 1 focuses especially on the vulnerable first year of motherhood.

Through solo episodes and conversations with experts and other mothers, Since I Became a Mother will explore breastfeeding, baby sleep, postpartum recovery, maternal mental health, relationships, friendship, work, identity, and the complicated process of becoming someone new after becoming a mother.

New episodes every Tuesday.

In This Episode

Why Taylor created Since I Became a Mother
The identity shift that can happen after becoming a mother
Why the first year of motherhood is at the heart of Season 1
The conversations and experts coming this season
Creating a space for honest, practical conversations about motherhood

Connect With Taylor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY

Join the Community
STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club

Work With Taylor
Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com

Disclaimer

Credits

Host: Taylor Rae Roman
Podcast: Since I Became a Mother
Artwork: WK Creative Studio
Photography: Ambe J. Williams

[FROM THE "ON THE OUTSIDE" ARCHIVES]: S2E10: Postpartum Recovery: All That Happens to Your Body During Pregnancy & What Happens After Birth (#45) Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

There’s so much focus on pregnancy and birth—but what about after? In this episode, I’m breaking down the physical changes that happen to your body during pregnancy, what actually happens immediately after birth, and the basics of postpartum healing. I’m also sharing key stats, what no one really tells you about recovery, and how to start preparing for postpartum beyond just the physical—because your emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being matter, too.

In this episode, we talk about…

Some info and stats on postpartum and postpartum depression
Changes that happen to your body during pregnancy
What happens to your body during pregnancy and immediately after
The basics for postpartum physical healing
What happens during postpartum, beyond the physical

Resources:

Follow me at @taylorraeroman, everywhere
Full episode transcription and citations: https://taylorraeroman.com/on-the-outside-podcast

Keep In Touch:

Visit taylorraeroman.com
Instagram @taylorraeroman
TikTok @taylorraeroman
YouTube @taylorraeroman
ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/taylorraeroman
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/taylorraealmonte — includes my baby registry picks and postpartum favorites

Discount Codes:

Natural Cycles: Use code TAYLORRAE for 15% off an annual plan + free thermometer / natural-cycles.sjv.io/xLQLkx

Tinyhood: Use code TAYLORR20 for 20% off up to 12 months of membership / https://tinyhood.sjv.io/c/2688864/957205/12776.

Disclaimer: The information shared on On the Outside is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, medical professional, or licensed healthcare provider. The content of this podcast is based on my personal experiences and research, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your pregnancy, health, or well-being. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person may not be right for another.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Since I Became a Mother

Episode Summary

In This Episode

Guest

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected