No One Told Us

In this episode, Rachael sits down with therapist, author, and mom Amanda E. White to unpack the often unspoken truths about motherhood—ambivalence, choice, and the radical permission to not love every moment. Together, they talk about what it means to question the path of parenthood, to feel unsure, and to still be a good enough parent. This is a deep-dive into choosing your own way in a culture obsessed with “doing it right.” Inside this episode: What it means to be a “fence sitter” about motherhood How social media shapes unrealistic expectations about parenting The grief of unlived lives and letting go of former selves Navigating differing desires with your partner about family size The emotional toll of infertility and decision-making How to know if you’re done having kids—or not Why desire, not fear or pressure, should guide family planning decisions Permission to change your mind—and the freedom in uncertainty &  so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Amanda’s website: therapyforwomencenter.com  Substack: Fence Sitter Podcast: Nuance Needed   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 87: Neurodivergent Children: Sleep, Sensory Needs, and the Right Support with Lauren Sloan What does it mean to support neurodivergent children in a world that doesn’t always understand their unique needs? This week on No One Told Us, Rachael is joined by registered nurse and sleep specialist (not to mention mom of 3!) Lauren Sloan to talk about her experiences parenting three neurodivergent boys—and why typical advice about sleep, routines, and behavior often falls short. We’re digging deep into the realities of raising neurodivergent kids—how sensory processing impacts sleep, why traditional sleep training can be risky, and why parents need flexibility, compassion, and the right resources to truly support their children. Lauren brings her professional expertise and personal stories to topics like bedtime routines, feeding challenges, sleep struggles, and the power of understanding your child’s sensory world. Inside this episode… Lauren’s personal journey raising three neurodivergent boys Why sensory processing is crucial for understanding sleep challenges in all children How “stimming” is a natural, important way kids regulate themselves Why one-size-fits-all sleep training methods can backfire for ND and Autistic children How sensory needs impact bedtime routines and feeding transitions Sensory techniques and tools that can help calm kids down at bedtime The potential risks of things like reward charts and rigid routines for neurodivergent children How parents can self-refer and seek the right support early on The emotional toll of parenting when systems don’t fit your child—and how to find validation and help Plus so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Lauren’s Instagram: @spiritedbabysleep Substack: Spirited Baby Sleep – spiritedbabysleep.substack.com Where to Start: Finding Support: https://spiritedbabysleep.myflodesk.com/aogt5sf52c My Baby Hates the Car Seat: https://spiritedbabysleep.myflodesk.com/r6t6g0ndw6 Early Neurodiversity Course: https://spiritedbabysleep.thrivecart.com/early-neurodiversity/ Lauren’s Recommended Resources: Parents as Teachers Lesson Pix Twinkl  Learning Corner  Books:  The out of sync child has fun  The Pocket Guide to Neurodiversity Sincerely Your Autistic Child NeuroTribes If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SURPRISE and welcome to a little sneak peak special treat of You're So Right, the NEW podcast hosted by me, Rachael, and BFF of the pod Caitlin Wilder! 🎉 In this special crossover episode, join your two IG besties as they talk all about Rachael's trip to LA and what went right (ear piercings!) and wrong (concussions and too many ice cream samples!). You'll also hear about how Rachael was model scouted in a Staples as a pre-teen and what we think about small talk and Chuck-e-Cheese. This episode should give you a *pretty good* vibe for what to expect over on You're So Right (this may be a positive or negative we don't know yet!), which is launching in just a couple short weeks! We'll chit chat, take questions from you, and mostly give you something easy and breezy to listen to so you can temporarily forget about the *horrors* we are all currently living through. Surviving not thriving is the name of the game over on You're So Right! Thank you so much to all of my beloved NOTU listeners for checking this episode out. I hope you'll continue to listen here for all of the educational parenting convos and then come turn your brain off with me and Caitlin at You're So Right. Because we hold multitudes my friends!!! Follow me at @heysleepybaby and Caitlin at @wilderbeginnings for updates! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth WhippmanWhat does it mean to raise boys in a world where masculinity feels impossible to get right? This week on No One Told Us, Rachael is joined by author and cultural critic Ruth Whippman to talk about her powerful new book, BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.We’re digging deep into the unspoken challenges of parenting boys today—gendered expectations that begin before birth, the emotional isolation of boys in our culture, and the ways that patriarchy harms everyone, not just women. Ruth brings a compassionate, sharp, and often funny lens to topics like toxic masculinity, feminism, screen time, school struggles, and why our young boys are struggling so much right now.Inside this episode….. Ruth’s own experience raising 3 boys as a feminist Unhelpful stereotypes like “boys will be boys” and how they harm our children Ruth’s opinion on Netflix’s show "Adolescence" and its portrayal of modern boyhood Why today’s world is a “perfect storm” for young boys and men to be radicalized How do we hold young men accountable without sending them into shame and shutdown? How patriarchy harms both men and women, and Ruth’s recommendations for both #boymoms and #boydads And what can we do—today—as parents, to change the story for our little boys? Plus so much more! This episode is for anyone raising boys, loving boys, or trying to understand them in a culture that so often gets masculinity wrong. 💙Mentioned in this episode:Ruth’s Book: BoyMom:  Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity Ruth’s Substack: I Blame Society If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 85: Navigating Grief: Support After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Loss with Jessica Zucker This week Rachael speaks with psychologist Jessica Zucker about her experiences with miscarriage and her efforts to normalize conversations around women's reproductive health. Jessica shares insights from her books, including 'I Had a Miscarriage' and 'Normalize It', emphasizing the need to break the stigma surrounding these topics. Inside this episode: The ongoing emotional impact of miscarriage and loss  How to support friends dealing with loss The often overlooked topic of termination for medical reasons Body image issues post-loss and the pressures women face regarding their bodies And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Jessica’s website: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/normalize-it  Normalize It: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683738144  I Had A Miscarriage: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/i-had-a-miscarriage  Jessica’s Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 84: Emotionally Preparing for the Fourth Trimester with Lauren Hays & Megan DaltonThis week Rachael and guests Lauren Hays & Megan Dalton, founders of The Matrescence,  talk all about the concept of “Matrescence” and why new mothers need better support. They highlight how the lack of understanding for the monumental transformation of becoming a mother is harmful and contributes to the maternal mental health crisis in this country. Inside this episode: What is Matrescence? The importance of NOT waiting to prioritize your own well-being as a mom Practical self-care strategies for postpartum  How Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) affects breastfeeding Sleep, or lack thereof, and the toll it takes on new parents And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Megan & Lauren on Instagram: @thematrescence Fourth Trimester Course: https://www.thematrescence.com/product-postpartum-class/  Matrescence App Membership: https://www.thematrescence.com/motherhood-community/  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 83: What does research say about sleep training? Bed Sharing? Debunking the Myths with Tracy Cassels @tracycasselsphdThis week Rachael and guest Tracy Cassels PhD, Director of Evolutionary Parenting, discuss all the hot sleep topics- sleep training, bedsharing, and more, and specifically dive into what research shows (as well as what’s lacking).Inside this episode: Challenging the notion that sleep training improves infant sleep Why responsive caregiving is crucial for a child's well-being and mental health The reasons why highly sensitive children may not respond well to sleep training  Ways bed sharing can be a safe and beneficial practice  The cultural stigma around bed sharing How pressure to conform to certain parenting practices can be detrimental to families And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Sleep modules offered through Breastfeeding Conferences here:  Science and Sleep Training Course: The Hidden Truth Science and Sleep Training Course: Sleep Training and the Stress Response Tracy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracycasselsphd/?hl=en  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you been thinking about weaning your baby or toddler and you have NO clue how to start? Daytime or nighttime first? What if they cry for it? How long will it take? All of these questions and MORE answered in today's episode with Rachael and "Weaning Pal" Candace St. John, MPH, CLC. This week, Rachael and Candace emphasize the need to normalize extended breastfeeding and dive into the emotional aspects of the weaning process (both for parent and baby!), as well as discuss the complexities of weaning from breastfeeding- addressing common concerns such as guilt, attachment, sleep associations, and the right age to wean. Here's what you'll hear inside this informative episode: Candace's Journey into Weaning Expertise Rach and Candace's Personal Weaning Experiences and Strategies Navigating Boundaries or "Loving Limits" While Weaning Understanding Nursing Aversions and Their Impact Navigating Weaning Guilt Is there a "Right" Age for Weaning? Managing Weaning-Related Depression Addressing Picky Eating During Weaning Alternatives to Cow's Milk Distinguishing Between Comfort and Hunger Needs + so much more! About Candace: I’m a public health professional (MPH), pediatric sleep specialist, & Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC, #34044) — but most importantly, I am a mom of one weanling! I hold a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health & worked as an Epidemiologist for 5.5 years in a rural hospital setting. After becoming a mom (& having the most tumultuous start to breastfeeding my baby), I realized that there are many gaps in parenting education & practice. Now, I provide evidence-informed guidance & support to parents in order to feel confident at the end of their breastfeeding journey!You can connect with Candace and get support on your journey on Instagram @yourweaningpalRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you felt completely depleted, exhausted, burnt-out and even a little ragey since becoming a mom? You're not alone but there IS something you can do about it! Join Rachael and guest Kim Perez, a functional nutritionist, to learn all about how to start fueling yourself in ways that can lower stress, improve mood, and boost sleep. A little of what we discuss inside this episode: Signs and symptoms that you are truly burnt out and depleted Why it's beneficial to use a "root cause" approach when targeting your symptoms What's the truth about "high cortisol?" Prioritizing nutrition and realistic self care for moms Why incorporating mineral balance and nutrient dense foods into your diet is so crucial for moms How to curb sugar and caffeine cravings Accessing functional and nutritional care postpartum + so much more! Kim Perez is a mom of 2, functional nutritionist, and owner of Root & Branch Nutrition where she guides and supports moms in restoring their energy and building resilience so they can thrive in motherhood (and beyond).Her own journey- especially the depletion she experienced after having her first son- lit a fire in her to more deeply support women in this season of life. Through her work including 1:1 containers, online courses, and a virtual community for moms, she helps women address the root causes of their symptoms, teaches them how to replenish and fully nourish their bodies, and empowers them to fall in love with caring for themselves.Kim takes a uniquely holistic yet still realistic and practical approach to health and wellbeing that honors the specific needs of parenthood and demands moms are under. And she’s on a mission to make nourished motherhood the norm rather than the exhausted, burnt-out, isolated version we’re conditioned to think we must accept. Connect with Kim: Kim’s Instagram: @rootandbranchnutrition Reignite Your Spark Course The 5 Day Revival for Moms Free Guide The Nourished Moms Village Online Community Kim’s website: https://www.rootandbranchnutrition.com/ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does your little one struggle with tummy issues like constipation, reflux, slow weight gain, picky eating etc? You're not alone! This week Rachael welcomes Dr. Rachel Ruiz, pediatrician and member of the Solid Starts team, to talk all about TUMMY TROUBLES!In this informative episode you'll learn: Understanding Normal vs. Worrisome Symptoms Growth Charts: What They Really Mean Normal Poop: Frequency, Consistency you DON'T Want to See Starting Solids: Signs of Readiness and Allergies Navigating Toddler Picky Eating + When to Worry Understanding Neurodivergent Feeding Challenges Potty Training: Myths and Methods plus so much more!! Dr. Ruiz is a mom of four, a board-certified general pediatrician, and a pediatric gastroenterologist. She completed her undergraduate at Dartmouth College, doctorate of medicine and pediatrics residency at Vanderbilt University, and pediatric gastroenterology fellowship at Stanford University. Dr. Ruiz is an attending pediatric gastroenterologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and an affiliated clinical instructor of pediatric gastroenterology at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. She treats a wide range of children suffering from constipation, abdominal pain, swallowing difficulties, inadequate weight gain, inflammatory bowel disease, fatty liver and other liver diseases, and Celiac disease. In her part-time position at Solid Starts, Dr. Ruiz reviews content for evidence-based accuracy, analyzes choking data and trends, and is a trainer for Solid Starts PRO®.📱For more from Dr. Ruiz and the Solid Starts Team, and for the best place to find me and any content related to feeding visit solidstarts.com📖🥦 Find the new Solid Starts BOOK- Available wherever you get your books:AmazonBookshop.orgRachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.Instagram | Tiktok |  Website ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices