Unswaddled

Latest Episodes:

Episode #11: Tell Your Birth Story Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

As two former labor and delivery nurses, Jamie and Emily have seen and been a part of their fair share of births. Each birth story and birthing experience is so unique and a huge part of your journey to becoming a mother and a family. So why is no one asking you about it?

Talking about your birth story is extremely important but, it often feels like it is something to be brushed under the rug and not spoken of once baby arrives (who needs something else to be judged about, right?). There is also a large variance in experiences at birth. It can be assumed that the majority of us fall somewhere in between having a traumatic/life threatening birth experiences to having a lovely/enjoyable experience. The bottom line is that birth is different for everyone, but a huge part of what makes you YOU.

We want to hear your story. We want you to share your story and we want to know how you are doing.

Episode #10: What are you making breastfeeding mean? May 31, 2021

Show notes

Breastfeeding… what a loaded topic. During this episode, Jamie and Emily talk about the heavily stigmatized topic of feeding. What it means from a medical perspective, a family perspective and more importantly what YOU are making it mean to you.

As IBCLC's and business owners working in the space of newborn care and women's health, Jamie and Emily frequently encounter these strong emotions and feelings towards the choice of feeding, more specifically breastfeeding, when things are not going as expected. Breastfeeding is hard (I.e. trouble with supply, weight gain, nipple pain, diet changes and all the unknowns).

There is one question that you must ask yourself: What are you making breastfeeding mean? The answer 10/10 times is that not being able to breastfeed means that you have convinced yourself that you are failing as a mom. This is FALSE.

Jamie and Emily talk about the importance of making a plan that is sustainable, short term, and realistic.

Lastly, in case you were wondering ALL of Jamie and Emily kids have had formula… and we promise you baby #6 will too. They didn't do it all, they didn't figure it all out and they do this for a living!!! It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

The bottom line is that the choice that is right for you, is the right choice for you and your family.

Referenced in this podcast: Crib Sheet by Emily Oster.

You can find us on IG @nurturebynaps.

Episode #9: Stop Comparing May 24, 2021

Show notes

Comparing is a dangerous and vicious cycle, yet we all do it. It is as if social media exists to encourage us to compare our lives to the polished squares that are posted on instagram. We compare ourselves as women, as moms, and as partners. We compare our babies/kids with everything from feeding, to milestones, to sleep, and so on. It is not just moms who compare, it is all parents.The list goes on and the limit does not exist (iykyk).

In this episode, Jamie and Emily take a deep dive into their personal lives and experiences in their line of work regarding comparison. The ladies of NAPS discuss the common areas of comparison (i.e, development milestones, sleep, etc..) and how to address these concerns, when and how to stop cycle of comparison and the self doubt, worry, and guilt that accompany it. Jamie and Emily help you identify how to catch yourself in this nasty game and how to stop it in its tracks.

The bottom line is that parenting is tough, and that it is never what is seems. Know that we think you are great, even in your most difficult moments, and we are always proud of you.

Episode 8: Nothing in Life is 50/50 May 17, 2021

Show notes

After two heavy episodes, the women behind NAPS switch gears to discuss a much lighter topic. Jamie and Emily reconvene to talk about the parallels between running a business partnership and their home lives.

When Jamie and Emily started this business in 2011, they were loving the "side hustle" of NAPS, enjoying their new dogs, living "kid-free", and splitting all the work 50/50. Just like everything else, things change.

In 2015, Jamie and Emily decided to pursue their true passion and make the business full time. They each had 2 girls, all under the age of 3… all in diapers. While juggling pregnancies, delivery/recovery, family emergencies and life in general, there was now a full time business that demanded time, effort and a significant amount of energy. They quickly learned that you cannot be everything, to everyone, all at once.

On this episode, Jamie and Emily discuss ditching the unrealistic expectation of perfection, listening and attending to things that are demanding your attention. This means changing the conversation to manage realistic expectations and, therefore, giving necessary support.

As a reminder, these aspects of life change day to day, week to week, and even moment to moment. Running on empty is not sustainable and we are here to support you and offer help in any way we can.

You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode #7: Emily's Miscarriage May 10, 2021

Show notes

As a continuation of the last podcast episode, where Jamie opens up about her miscarriage, Emily takes the floor and shares her miscarriage experience. Like Jamie, Emily's experience is filled with many emotions and complicated feelings but is very different.

Who is the person you call in a moment of panic? For Jamie, it's Emily. For Emily, it's Jamie.

In the middle of her shift as a labor and delivery nurse, Emily calls Jamie... from the hospital bathroom, nonetheless. Through tears, Emily tells Jamie that she is pregnant. If you know Emily, from the moment she is pregnant, she is SICK. At this point Emily's mind is spiralling.

Emily talks about everything from anxiety, anxiety meds, hyperemesis, and the misconceptions surrounding the stigma of medication during pregnancy. Emily discusses hitting rock bottom without anxiety medication and the battle of trying to go off/on the meds based on the shame she felt for being on such medication. Emily highlights the importance of prioritizing taking care of yourself prior to taking care of others.

Trigger warning: In part 2 of this 2 part series, Emily and Jamie are sharing their personal stories of experiencing loss with miscarriage. Jamie and Emily offer their unique perspectives on the complicated feelings and roller coaster of emotions that accompany miscarriage and loss.

As always, we are here to open the doors to the difficult conversations that so many of us experience, yet so few of us talk about. You are not alone and we are here for you.

You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode #6: Jamie's Miscarriage Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

When NAPS was established many years ago, one of the main goals was to create a special space where women could feel completely comfortable and well supported. A place where women could share their stories, talk about "taboo" topics without judgement, bond, and feel heard. Side note… there are not many off limit topics at NAPS.

When Jamie's oldest was 6 months old, she got the ultimate surprise. Pregnant with twins. Yes, that math is correct-- 3 children under 14 months old. Cue the feelings of anger, stress, disbelief and being VERY overwhelmed. Fast forward to Jamie's 12 week ultrasound, where she found out she has miscarried both babies. Cue the feelings of shame, guilt, and more anger.

Trigger warning: In this 2 part series, Emily and Jamie are sharing their personal stories of experiencing loss with miscarriage. Jamie and Emily offer their unique perspectives on the complicated feelings and roller coaster of emotions that accompany miscarriage and loss.

As always, we are here to open the doors to the difficult conversations that so many of us experience, yet so few of us talk about.

You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode 5: What Is It Costing You? Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

On this episode, Jamie and Emily sit down for an episode full of laughs, memories, and lessons learned regarding the idea "What is it costing you?". Major credit for Jancee Dunn, for being the genius behind this concept in her book How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids. This idea can be applied to pretty much everything...especially parenting.

What is it costing you when you leave the house and come home to your happy children in front of the tv? What is it costing you when dad puts the onesie on backwards? What about coming home to your newborn who has not napped all day? What could make your life easier if you actually talked about it with your partner instead of pointing the finger and initiating the argument?

The ladies of NAPS talk about when it is time to bite your tongue and when it is time to appropriately engage in a discussion and offer up a solution, in a productive manner. Recounted by personal experiences, Jamie and Emily show you how this concept of "What is it costing you?" impacts your everyday life, sanity, happiness, and freedom -- as a family, and as a mama.

You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode 4: Don't JUST Prepare for Labor and Birth Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

Life really does come at you fast—especially when you are becoming a parent. In this episode, Jamie and Emily discuss what to prepare for beyond diaper changes and getting through the demands of labor.

There is a trend in society to put major emphasis on prepping for labor, and quite frankly, not much beyond that. Most parents practice their diapering/ swaddling techniques before birth and choose a planned method for feeding (remember, fed is best). All of a sudden, you have a gorgeous little one in your arms and you are awaiting discharge from the hospital. How can we be going home? Are we suitable parents? How are we going to know what to do? The truth is that parenting truly begins after labor and delivery. That doesn't mean neglecting to prepare for labor and delivery, or breastfeeding-- but give equal, if not more time, to prepare for parenting and the changes in family dynamic, sleep, and managing the feelings of being overwhelmed and/or anxious.

Not to fret, this episode is filled with client feedback, personal experience, tools to prepare for baby and real-life advice. At NAPS, we want to give you the proper tools to prepare for your baby without the expectation that things are going to be easy. We are here to fully support you in the total life adjustment that parenting is and to watch you succeed.

You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode #3: Visitors vs. Helpers Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

As a continuation of episode 2, Jamie takes an in-depth look into her first maternity leave. Looking back, Jamie's oldest was what some would call a "dream baby". Regardless of that fact, Jamie rode shotgun on the struggle bus. Jamie talks about the pressure she felt to entertain her visitors, how she measured her worth as a mother, and what she learned along the way to master her maternity leave with her third daughter. With this being said, the hope is that you don't have to have 2 or 3 kids to master your leave. The ladies of NAPS highlight the differences between a visitor and someone who is a helper, establishing boundaries, accepting/asking for help, setting limits and taking necessary time for yourself. Yes, all of these things sound easy on paper, but practice truly does make perfect (and a hype girl, like Jamie or Emily, definitely help). Practice, make a list, keep us posted, and take advantage of the help that is going to make you feel better emotionally, mentally and physically. You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Episode #2: Managing Your Expectations for Maternity Leave Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Maternity leave: expectation vs. reality. On this episode, Jamie and Emily dig deep into maternity leave and the false perceptions we have surrounding maternity leave. What we see on social media is wrong, and total BS. Moms, 5 days postpartum, and out and about in their pre-preggo jeans, blown out hair, and cute baby carrier. This is NOT reality. The blowouts (not the kind from DryBar), the tears, unfolding/ fumbling the stroller—that IS reality. Listen for a laugh, dose of reality and, most importantly, a shift in resetting those expectations (as nurses, moms, and friends who have been there before). Keeping a tiny human alive, and trying to fulfill your most basic human needs, is not for the faint of heart. The days seem to fly by while dragging on. All of a sudden, it is 5pm and your partner gets home from work, makes friendly conversation, and all of a sudden it's a personal attack (sees the laundry piles, dirty dishes. etc..). How do we help ourselves with communication? How can we get recognition for the invisible work we are doing through the day (aka the countless feedings, diaper changes, pumping sessions, tepid coffee we have yet to enjoy from 6am)? Throughout the episode, Jamie and Emily give strategies on how to tackle maternity leave and reset the expectation from their personal experiences, struggles, and expertise. Remember mama, you are killing it and deserve a gold star! You can find us @nurturebynaps on IG

Thanks to the sponsors of this epsiode: - Whether you've just started solids, are trying to be more createive with table foods, or are attempting to navigate picky eaters, Little Spoon can help! Get 50% off your first order at: littlespoon.com/NAPS50 and use code NAPS50.

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