BDA Baby (Before, During and After Baby)

Dr. Morgan Cutlip joins us today to talk about burnout and mom guilt. Burnout is a common experience many parents feel throughout various stages of parenthood. Dr. Cutlip shares how due to the overwhelming amount of information and social comparison in today’s society, burnout is frequently reported among parents. Our conversation highlights the importance of self-awareness and healthy coping mechanisms, such as spending time outside and fostering friendships. We discuss mom guilt, and Dr. Cutlip provides many insights on how to manage this guilt and how to recognize your needs. We discuss the importance of balancing roles as parents and the importance of fostering a supportive community for parents. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This episode was recorded before my baby arrived, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you!  Did you know that talking to your baby from day one is one of the most powerful things you can do for their brain development? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dana Suskind, pediatrician, professor, and author, to explore the science of early language and why the first three years of life are so critical for brain development.  We discuss:  How talking to your baby builds their brain—one word at a time  The 3 T’s every parent should know: Tune In, Talk More, Take Turns  The impact of technology on childhood development  How human connection is the foundation for learning & social skills  Dr. Suskind also shares practical tips for parents, the importance of real-life interactions, and how technology is reshaping early childhood. Whether you're a new parent, expecting, or simply curious about child development, this episode is packed with insights that will change the way you think about everyday conversations with your child.    Listen now & start the conversation with your little one today!    Find Dr. Suskind's books and resources linked below!  Parent Nation https://amzn.to/3Qz8QVm Thirty Million Words https://amzn.to/3QA6hCi     Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Marta Perez joins us today to discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding with the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Perez received the vaccine herself shortly after giving birth. She addresses common concerns regarding the vaccine’s effects on fertility and breastfeeding. We discuss the importance of vaccination for protecting both mothers and infants. She shares with us that emerging studies indicate no increase in pregnancy complications among vaccinated women. Dr. Perez reassures listeners that the benefits of vaccination heavily outweigh the risks, especially given the severe effects COVID-19 can have on pregnant women. Dr. Perez is open and honest in her advice to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. We discuss the importance of informed decision-making regarding vaccination and communication with medical providers, especially during the ongoing evolution of readily available information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

In this pre-baby, pre-recorded episode, I sit down with Jordan Harper, founder and CEO of Barefaced, to explore her incredible journey of launching a thriving skincare brand while navigating the chaos of motherhood.  We kick off by tackling pregnancy-specific skincare challenges, like melasma, and Jordan shares her expert insights on how to care for your skin during this unique time. But the conversation doesn’t stop there—we delve into her entrepreneurial journey, which began when she had an 8-month-old and was pregnant with her second child.  Jordan opens up about the challenges of building a business while balancing the demands of motherhood, her time-management strategies (hello, time-blocking!), and the key books that help her reset her focus each year. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion, and it’s packed with actionable advice for anyone striving to balance multiple roles while pursuing their dreams.  Tune in for an inspiring episode that’s all about taking risks, trusting your instincts, and redefining what’s possible as a mom and entrepreneur!  Get glowing with 15% off Barefaced! Use code BDABaby to save 15% on a one-time purchase.  Valid for new and returning customers. Limit to one use per customer. (link here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11881861) Code Expires 2/24/2025 at 3:00 A.M. EST Check out Jordan’s book recommendations below: Essentialism: https://amzn.to/3DMCtPL Atomic Habits: https://amzn.to/4053G7P Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Marc Brackett joins us to talk all things social and emotional learning for ourselves as well as our kids. Dr. Bracket is the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the author of the book Permission to Feel. In todays episode, he shares tips on how to help our children lean social and emotional intelligence, as well as ways we can use these tips for ourselves. Dr. Brackett explains that as parents, our role is to help our kids by co-regulating their feelings. To do this, we need to practice regulating ourselves as well. Dr. Brackett created the How We Feel app with these processes in mind. The app can help people get better insight into their emotional wellbeing, and Dr. Brackett and I talk about how to use the app in our day to day lives.  Order Dr. Bracketts book Permission to Feel: https://marcbrackett.com/permission-to-feel/ Download the How We Feel app: https://howwefeel.org/ Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

The recent Los Angeles wildfires, including those in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, have left many of us with big questions about air quality, safety, and health impacts—especially for pregnant people, children, and those with respiratory conditions. As a native Palisadian, this issue is personal to me. My family evacuated, and like so many others, we're trying to navigate life after the fires.  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lindsey Burghardt (Chief Science Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard) and Joe Allen (Director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard) to get expert insights on: - What’s actually in wildfire smoke and why urban fires are different - How air quality affects adults, children, and newborns - The long-term health risks of smoke exposure - Best practices to protect yourself and your family - We also discuss practical tips for monitoring air quality, reducing exposure, and making informed decisions about outdoor activities as cleanup efforts continue.  Protecting your health and home from wildfire smoke is essential—especially in the aftermath of Los Angeles wildfires. Here are expert-recommended resources to help you stay informed and take action:  Reducing Wildfire Smoke Exposure at Home   3 Ways to Minimize Risk Indoors: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/3ways-reduce-risk-wildfire-smoke-home/  How Close is Too Close? Distance & Precautions After a Fire: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/wildfire-distance-precautions-protect/  Air Quality & Filtration Tools   Find the Right Air Purifier for Your Home: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/tools/air-cleaner-calculator/  How to Choose an Air Quality Monitor for Your Space: https://hbr.org/2023/11/its-time-for-companies-to-monitor-workplace-air-quality  HEPA Vacuum Recommendations for Post-Fire Cleanup: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/do-you-need-a-vacuum-with-a-hepa-filter/  Health & Development Impacts of Wildfire Smoke   How Wildfire Smoke Affects Early Childhood Development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/briefs/wildfire-smoke-early-childhood-development/  The Health Impacts of Wildfires: FAQs & Science-Backed Answers: https://hsph.harvard.edu/environmental-health/news/health-impacts-of-wildfires-frequently-asked-questions/  36 Expert-Approved Tips for a Healthier Home: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/research/homes/36-expert-tips-for-a-healthier-home/  Healthy Buildings & Air Safety: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674278363  Children & Wildfire Smoke: Expert Guidelines   CDC: How to Protect Kids Before, During & After a Wildfire: https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/risk-factors/wildfire-smoke-and-children.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/children.htm  AAP: Wildfire Safety Tips for Parents: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Wildfires-Information-for-Parents.aspx  Stay Updated & Monitor Air Quality  Follow the Center on the Developing Child:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/developingchildharvard/#   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarvardCenter  Check Real-Time Air Quality in Your Area: Visit https://www2.purpleair.com/?srsltid=AfmBOootARbKiqOQCank9wrmaayiHbPF61HyylLEegWqaPZOHZmtmKpf  Expert Recommendations for Air Filtration: Use a MERV 13 air filter (https://amzn.to/4jRHg2R) in HVAC systems and HEPA filters (https://amzn.to/3WTk1eU) in portable air purifiers & vacuums.  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Cora Jakes Coleman joins us today to talk about all things adoption! She shares her profound and challenging journey to motherhood. Cora shares how her PCOS diagnosis led her to reevaluate her path to motherhood. We discuss how motherhood transcends biological ties and how important nurturing and consistency are to children. Cora talks about her journey fostering and adopting her two children and emphasizes the importance of embracing adoption as a gift. Cora encourages others facing similar struggles to keep faith. Our conversation is heartfelt and emotional as Cora shares her journey to motherhood with us. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Chriselle Lim joins us today to talk about the challenges of balancing motherhood and a career. She shares her experience as a working mom and mother of two young girls with us, highlighting her innovative childcare solution, Bumo. We discuss Bumo, which is a childcare solution that also offers date night care service, as well as educational programs for children. We discuss the importance of spending quality time with your children.  Chriselle talks about her feelings of mom guilt while managing her professional responsibilities. Chriselle emphasizes the need for support for working parents and the importance of creating a nurturing environment for both children and parents. Our conversation is insightful, positive, exciting, and supportive as Chriselle talks about the unique balancing act many parents are so familiar with. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Camila Alves McConaughey joins us today to share her new book, “Just Try One Bite”. Her new book is a hilarious take on picky eating with adults. Camila shares her journey in the kitchen, her experiences as a mother, and her efforts to introduce her children to healthy foods with us. She shares numerous insights on making cooking enjoyable for both adults and children, and she highlights the importance of involving children in the kitchen to foster a positive relationship with food. Throughout our conversation, Camila shares creative strategies for overcoming picky eating. She encourages parents to keep things simple and to engage their children in discussions about food choices. Our conversation is insightful, positive, and empowering as Camila shares invaluable advice about picky eating. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This episode was recorded before my baby arrived, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you! Days before I had my baby, I spoke with Jane Baecher, founder of Anya, about the profound lack of support for mothers during the postpartum period—a gap that inspired her to create a company focused on healing and recovery. Anya was born from Jane’s personal postpartum struggles and her realization that many mothers are left to navigate this challenging phase alone, with little guidance or resources. In our conversation, Jane shares how Anya addresses this white space by providing tools, products, and information that support moms during the weeks, months, and even years after birth. We discuss everything from societal stigmas around postpartum recovery to the importance of nourishment, rest, and self-care. Jane also explains how traditions from other cultures inspired her approach, creating solutions that truly prioritize the well-being of mothers. This episode is a powerful reminder of the changes we need to see in postpartum care and how one company is working to redefine recovery for moms everywhere. Shop Anya here: https://amzn.to/41FdEiE Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!