The Juna Moms Podcast

Episode Summary

In this weeks episode Sarah talks to Jessica Irwin from Rooted in Routine. Jessica is a Pediatric Occupational therapist and has helped many kids with their toilet learning journey's. We go deep into the specific problem of a child only wanting to poop in the diaper. Jessica goes through 4 different reasons why your child may be struggling with this specifically and gives practical tools for you to start employing today. Nothing is a quick fix, but slow and steady wins the race, or in this case, gets poop in the potty. 

Episode Summary 

Whilst we don’t want women to be sweating the small stuff when it comes to nutrition and pregnancy, there are some essential pieces of information you should know.

But finding accurate information is no easy task. Just when you think you’ve figured out how much caffeine you can drink, you’ll soon find another article telling you something entirely different.

In this episode, we’ll take away all the stress and anxiety from finding the pregnancy nutrition answers you need.

Registered Dietician Lauren Manaker joins us to tell us the 5 most important tips we should know. We’ll be discussing prenatal vitamins, hydration, seafood and more.

Pull Quotes

3:55 - “There is not one perfect one [prenatal vitamin] for every single person, so it’s really meant to supplement your diet. So see what you’re eating, what you’re missing, and supplement accordingly.”

07:39 - “You have to find a way to stay hydrated because once you get dehydrated, that’s when things can get really dangerous.”

11:03 - “There’s so much data showing that pregnant people that eat their two/three servings of low mercury seafood a week just have so many better pregnancy outcomes in terms of reducing the risk of early labor.”

15:37 - “We can’t categorize fruit in the same category as jelly beans. It’s just not the same. And we’re missing out on so many of these plant compounds that we’re not getting anywhere else when we’re not eating fruit.”

17:32 - “Just try to really maximize what you’re eating for the most part, but not with every single thing that you’re doing. You still need to live life and enjoy yourself and it’s easy to get hung up on the details and you really shouldn’t get hung up on the details.”

In this episode Sarah hosts Dr Siggie Cohen who has dedicated her life's work to helping families connect and thrive. Dr. Siggie shares her tried and true techniques for simplifying parenting, helping you remain calm and in charge, feel empowered, and reduce tension in your home.

This is Mom Fails by Juna, the podcast that debunks the myth that Moms have to be perfect. In this episode we are joined by a guest who shares a Mom Fail we can all relate to. 

About The Show

When it comes to our kids, we mess up all the time.

Our hope is that by hearing funny, awkward and embarrassing stories from real Moms, you’ll feel less alone, less like a failure, and more a part of our community of Moms who are trying their best, sometimes slip up, and learn from their mistakes.

This podcast is free of judgment, full of snark, and definitely not safe for kids.

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We want to hear your Mom Fail!

This is the 1st episode of a new series from Juna called Mom Fails with Sarah and Dillan. 

This is Mom Fails by Juna, the podcast that debunks the myth that Moms have to be perfect. 

When it comes to our kids, we mess up all the time. 

Our hope is that by hearing funny, awkward and embarrassing stories from real Moms, you’ll feel less alone, less like a failure, and more a part of our community of Moms who are trying their best, sometimes slip up, and learn from their mistakes.

This podcast is free of judgment, full of snark, and definitely not safe for kids.

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We want to hear your Mom Fail! 

Stepping on the scale and seeing a much bigger number than you’re used to, your favorite jeans feeling tighter than ever… there’s no doubt that postpartum weight gain can be a shock.

While you can pretty much Google ‘how to lose weight’ or even use your common sense, the key is finding the strategies that can incorporate health into your daily life and make it sustainable, because let’s face it - newborn parents have a lot on their plates.

In this latest podcast episode, health coach Amanda Lauren tells us how we can marry up our behaviors with our intentions to create the best and healthiest version of ourselves. She gives us her 5 top tips for weight loss as a new mom whilst helping us to understand how to prioritize ourselves in the whirlwind that is postpartum.

If you’re struggling to shift those stubborn pounds after having a baby, you don’t wanna miss this one!

Pull Quotes

04:00 - “There is a one size fits all diet. It turns out, it’s called the ‘put yourself first’ diet.”

08:33 - “If you’re trying to build muscle, if you’re trying to have a lot of energy, you really want to have a protein forward day.”

18:26 - “Guilt happens when we eat things that really are not in line with what we truly want.”

22:40 - “Let’s not fear being a little bit hungry for the right reasons.”

34:11 - “The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism goes, the better you feel and look in your clothes and it’s just a win-win.”

42:47 - “Be conscious of what you’re doing. Make conscious choices and own your choices, whether that’s having a treat food or having a rest day, just own it and enjoy it.”

Listen Now! 

Pull Quotes

4:00 - “When the baby is trying to get it to cue the melatonin and not, it’s taking all the cues from the environment mostly. I have had some clients that say all I needed to do was put in blackout shades.”

10 - “At four months, we want to still be in this idea that there is a rhythm and a flow that we sleep, we wake up, we eat, we play, we sleep.”

14 - “Bedtime routines still exist even into adulthood. So really pay attention and teach them that this bedtime routine is important to allow our bodies to fall asleep.”

24 - “Exit ‘goodnight’ and reunite ‘good morning’. Those are the two bookmarks. And those can form our relationships throughout our day and throughout our life really, they’re such amazing habits to be in.

34 - “You cannot make them eat, you cannot make them sleep. You can’t really make them poop without medicine. But what we do is we set up the environment for them to do what their body is designed to do.”

Podcast Description

The newborn stage can definitely lure you into a false sense of security when it comes to sleep. Those extended 2-3 hour naps are now catnaps and you can barely put a load of laundry on before they’re awake again. Your baby might even be waking more at night and you’re left wondering ‘what the hell happened to my perfect sleeper?!’

From 4 - 12 months, there are a lot of developmental milestones and changes that can affect your child’s sleep routine. The 4 month sleep regression is the biggest change in your baby’s sleep that they will ever go through. So how on earth do you survive this as a parent?

In this episode, Sarah is joined by pediatric counselor and sleep consultant Jessica Schaffer, who helps us make sense of our little one’s sleeping patterns, just as we’re starting to feel like every day is becoming a bit of a circus. They talk us through what to expect from the 4 month sleep regression, the ideal bedtime and morning routines, and how to interpret wake windows.

If you’re pulling your hair out with a nap-resistant baby, this one’s for you.

Listen Now!

Podcast Description

While breastfeeding is preferred by many health experts, we can’t ignore the fact that some women can’t, shouldn’t or don’t want to breastfeed. There are many emotional and health reasons a mom may choose to formula feed her baby.

If a mom is making the choice to formula feed her baby, it’s paramount that she has the knowledge, education and information needed to make the most informed decisions when it comes to formula milk.

That’s why Sarah is sitting down with Elke Pascoe, Founder of LittleOak, which makes infant formula products based on goat’s milk rather than cow’s milk. She explains how her son’s skin condition triggered the idea for her business and informs us about harmful ingredients to look out for, as well as how to navigate a healthy relationship with formula.

Pull out Quotes

04:37 - “This terrible infant formula issue wasn’t isolated to just Australia. In fact, it was a global issue.”

04:53 - “We all agreed that goat milk was significantly more naturally akin to human breast milk.”

07:09 - “In our mind, every child deserves the best start in life and the best nutrition.”

10:17 - “I will stand in front of every CEO of every large infant formula company in the world and insist that they take palm oil out of their formula.”

18:42 - “I really do encourage you to look into those other ingredients and make sure not only you know where they come from, but how they’re extracted, because that plays an

overall impact on your child’s health now and in the future.”

25.11 - “Get all the knowledge, get the education, get the information that you need to make a good decision.”

31:18 - “Children need to lay down really strong layers of iron and magnesium for cognitive development, but also for later in life around anxiety.”

As a parent, worrying is second nature. You're constantly afraid that something could go wrong and when the worst happens and your child gets sick, it’s horrible to see your little one suffering.

Even worse, if the domino effect means your whole family gets struck down by an illness, looking after your kids can become a real challenge with viruses beginning to spread like wildfire during the winter season.

An early surge of respiratory viruses among babies and toddlers this fall has caught doctors off guard and means we could be in for a more challenging season when it comes to illnesses such as flu, RSV and Covid-19.

In this podcast episode, Sarah is joined by pediatrician Jessica Hochman, MD, to help us prepare for the season ahead.

Listen now to find out about:

Pull Out Quotes

01:08 - “Viruses are more prevalent this year than we’ve seen since the pandemic started.”

18:04 - “There’s so little population immunity from the past few years that there’s some concern that it will be a rougher season.”

25:44 - “There is a true consolation prize to getting sick. You’re building up your immune system.”

26:09 - “It’s a sign that we’re getting back to normal, that we’re back to being connected, because just by nature of humans being around each other, unfortunately with that come viruses.”

26:49 - “Once a month is the average that a kid gets a cold.”

28:56 - “We’re seeing the effects of being away from each other for a couple of years. I think there’s a lot of immunity that we have to rebuild.”

30:55 - “RSV is definitely something that we should take seriously.”

No matter how much you have going on in the day, if the playroom is a mess, the mom guilt takes over. You blame yourself and wonder how all the other Instagram playrooms can stay so perfectly tidy.

If the constant state of mess, the yelling and the stress haven’t driven you to insanity already, you can guarantee the next piece of Lego you step on probably will.

What you need is a permanent solution that won’t involve you doing any more work and will even get your kids to help too.

That’s why Evelyn Cucchiara, aka The Toy Tamer, joins Sarah in the latest podcast episode to tell us how your messy, disorganized playroom can soon become a thing of the past. Evelyn talks us through her S.A.N.E. Method which empowers your kids and makes them actually want to put their toys away.

Don’t miss how this magic works!

When it comes to having a plant-based pregnancy, you can be faced with a lot of misinformation and discouragement about your well-intended choices. Trying to find accurate advice often ends up with you stuck in a Google rabbit hole, swamped by conflicting ideas.

Then comes the self-doubt about whether it’s healthy or even possible to stay vegetarian or vegan while pregnant, leaving you to consider sacrificing your beliefs and values for a healthy pregnancy.

In this podcast episode, Sarah is joined by Crysta Pollitt MS, RDN, who helps us to feel confident about plant-based pregnancy choices during pregnancy and gives us the guidance we need to ensure we get all the important nutrients needed to grow a healthy baby.

Today I am talking to Brittany Clair, author of "Carrying On', the book that helps expecting parents make sense of the overwhelming amount of information available to them. 

We talk about how she came up with the idea to write the book, how pregnancy recommendations have evolved over time, and how you can use this book to help guide you through pregnancy. 

In this episode Sarah talks with Samantha Davis from Mommy Made Encapsulation. Samantha specializes in all things placenta encapsulation. They talk about the benefits, the different methods of consumption, and more. If you're currently pregnant, planning to get pregnant or just curious about placenta encapsulation, you'll love this episode. 

Sarah talks with Jessica Schaeffer. Jessica is a child counselor who specializes in working with children who have anxiety, sleep problems, or behavioral issues. We share some real life examples of when play therapy would be helpful and Jessica shares tips on how you can implement some of her findings in your own parenting. 

Sarah talks with Elise Knox, who specializes in coaching Moms on how to reconnect with themselves and therefore create stronger relationships with their kids and partners. Elise shares her tips on how to communicate your needs as a person and not a Mom, and ways to strengthen the bond with your children. 

Sarah talks with Lisa Curtis - founder of Kuli Kuli. They discuss Lisa's story on bringing Moringa to the US and how she accidentally discovered Moms everywhere love MORINGA! 

Sarah talks with Lisa Myers. Lisa is a Mom, Attorney, and creator of Ceres Chill - a breastmilk storage solution she created to meet her needs as a working Mom. She shares her pregnancy story and how she went about turning her dream into a product that helps Moms everywhere.

Sarah talks to Kara Hardin about a topic she is seeing more and more in her work as a mental health + performance therapist -- this idea that everything has to be perfect all the time.. We dive into this and explore how having your shit together as a Mom is 100% not the NORM and Kara shares some of her tips on overcoming this feeling that we're not doing enough.

Sarah talks with Jessica Lorion, founder of Mamas In Training. Jessica was diagnosed with an auto immune disease that put her path to Motherhood on hold. As a result she used the time to learn everything she could about Motherhood from the Moms who've been there. On this episode she shares her story and much of what she's learned as a "Mama In Training".

Sarah talks with Katie Hunter, a pelvic floor physical therapist from Southern California. 

Katie is Sarah's personal PT and has helped her tremendously in her recovery after having children. 

In this episode we talk all about how to recover and repair your body after a C-Section. 

Sarah talks with Shawna Holman, creator of the brand A Little Less Toxic. 

Shawna is a Mom and is passionate about creating an environment for her family that minimizes and reduces toxins. We talk about how to get started on the journey to creating a life that's a little less toxic and Shawna shares her top 3 tips that you can start implementing today.

Sarah talks with Meagan and Julie from The VBAC Link. 

Meagan and Julie are Moms, doulas, and experts on VBACs.

Their goal is to provide woman with the information to advocate for themselves and the birth experience they want to have. 

This episode covers all things associated with having a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, or VBAC, including the risks, benefits, how to find a provider who will support your VBAC journey, and some tips to advocate for the birth you want to have.

Sarah talks to Sarah Dorset, CEO of the sleep company Nanit. Sarah has worked in e-commerce for two decades, scaling retail businesses and building brands, including Coty, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Bloomingdales. Sarah and Sarah are both moms with three kids and have their share of experiences, both good and bad with sleep.

In this episode they talk about fostering good sleep habits early that take kids through childhood. They also talk about how tracking their own sleep helped them make more deliberate choices and better decisions about their health. They also discuss how technology has helped parents and their children get better and more effective sleep.

Today I am talking to Becky Rapinchuk, also known as The Clean Mama. Becky is the creator of the Clean Mama System, which was designed to help you have the clean home you've always wanted. We talk about how and why she started this business and she shares her best advice for making cleaning a manageable part of any daily routine.

Today I am talking to Lo Mansfeld, a Registered Nurse and creator of The Labor Mama. On this episode we dive deep into the concept of "Motherless Mothering". Both Lo and myself have bonded over being Moms, but not having our Moms available and present to us during Motherhood. This is a  raw and emotional episode that will hopefully help any mama who's in a similar situation.

In this episode Sarah talks with Katie Thomson from Square Baby Food. Katie founded her baby food company to address a need in the market for clean, organic baby food made with high quality healthy ingredients. They discuss Katie's entrepreneurial journey, what it's like starting a business and raising two kids, as well as share some practical tips for Moms who want to feed their kids the best possible food. 

Sarah talks with Dr. Alice Pickering about maternal mental health. 

In the episode they discuss some of Alice's top tips for new Moms, how to avoid burnout, the mental load of parenting, the identify shift that happens during Motherhood, and much more. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Sarah talks with Cassy Joy Garcia about her approach to simplifying both food and fitness so they can become sources of joy and inspiration in your life - rather than feel like a chore or add unnecessary stress.

In the episode they discuss some of Cassy's favorite tips for saving time and money in the kitchen. If meal time is a source of stress for you, you will love this episode!

Sarah talks with Aiyana Davison, a midwife who's goal is to create a safe space for those interested in better understanding their bodies, birth work, and heal through sharing stories and experiences. 

In this episode Sarah talks with Ana Maria Temple, a holistic pediatrician from Charlotte, NC. Ana's approach to medicine helps children and families achieve a better quality of life with less missed school days, less doctor visits, and less medications. We talk about what led her to holistic medicine and how it's different than the care you might be used to.

In this episode Sarah talks with Brianne Taggart from Breezy Babies. Brianne has years of experience as an RN and IBCLC and she shares much of her accumulated knowledge with the Juna Moms in this episode.

In this episode Sarah hosts Dr Siggie Cohen who has dedicated her life's work to helping families connect and thrive. Dr. Siggie shares her tried and true techniques for simplifying parenting, helping you remain calm and in charge, feel empowered, and reduce tension in your home.

In this episode Sarah talks with Dr Jenn Gerber, Dr Jenn Gerber, an anesthesiologist and Mom of 2. 

We focus the majority of our conversation on Jenn's experience with epidurals, both administering and receiving during her labors and she busts 1 of the biggest myths around epidurals.

In this episode Sarah talks with Marni Wasserman, the host of the Ultimate Baby Podcast and co-host of the Ultimate Health Podcast.

Marni uses her passion and experience to help educate mamas and mamas to be on how thrive during pregnancy. She shares some of her favorite pregnancy foods and her top tip for new moms. 

In this episode Sarah  talks with Michelle Acerbi from Babies and Brains. Michelle is a behavioral and mental health specialist who focuses on working with parents who have children from ages 0-5.

Michelle specializes in teaching parents how to read their child's cues and respond to their children in a way that enhances the relationship, supports their needs, and builds healthy brain architecture for future learning, security, happiness, and success.

In this episode Sarah talks with Olena Danko from the blog C-Section Strong. Olena is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Mom of two who founded the blog C-Section Strong to help support women who's births don't go as planned.

Olena goes into detail on her experience with two c-sections as well as some great tips for preparing and educating yourself if your birth doesn't go as planned.

If you are planning for a C-Section or know anyone who is, this episode is a must listen!

In this episode Sarah talks with Laura Brown from Mommy and Me Milestones.

Laura specializes in early intervention for children struggling to develop language skills.

Sarah and Laura talk about early language, the simple things you can do to help your child develop skills, when to worry and reach out for help, and all the steps to keep your child developing language into toddlerhood.

In this episode Sarah talks with Chelsea and Caitlin from The Mama Psychologists. Chelsea and Caitlin are therapists from Canada who bonded over the mutual struggles they were having with Motherhood. 

They set out to create a business to help mamas thrive and enjoy Motherhood again. 

In this episode they talk about 

- postpartum depression
- baby blues
- breastfeeding aversion
- Intrusive thoughts about accidental harm
- sleep deprivation
- importance of community and support

and much much more. 

This is the mini-mom therapy session you didn't know you desperately needed!

In this episode Sarah talks with Cindy Covington from Curious Neuron.

Cindy is a neuroscientist, Ph.D and Mom of 3. She decided she wanted to spend more time at home after having babies, but still wanted to use her degree to do research. So she started researching parenting. 

Her evidence and science based approach is calming and clear and her tips will work for many parenting styles. 

In this episode Sarah and Cindy cover topics like:

Baby development

The importance of play 

Connection with your kids

Parenting styles 

What to do when you don’t agree with your spouse 

And much much more. 

Anyone who has tiny humans at home will get something out of this episode! 

In this episode Sarah chats with Dr. Nicole Avena, author of the book What To Eat When You Want To Get Pregnant. 

Today's topics include: 

• the optimal diet for conception⁣
• how early you should start prepping your body if you want to get pregnant⁣
• the correlation between weight and fertility⁣
• foods to avoid⁣
• the role of diet on male fertility⁣

and much more. 

If you know anyone trying to have a baby in the next year or so, definitely share this episode with them! 

In this episode, Sarah chats with Dr. Stephanie Canale from the Lactation Lab. Stephanie is a Mom of two and founded the lactation lab to help moms understand their nutritional makeup of their breast milk and be able to make informed, science based decisions around their nutrition and how it relates to feeding their babies.

In the episode Sarah and Stephanie cover topics like:

Stephanie is a wealth of knowledge and we are lucky to have her on the Juna Women Podcast.

On the episode, Sarah chats with Debra Pascali Bonaro, a doula, author, and documentary filmmaker.

Debra's goal is to make sure each person has pleasure and a community of caring support during pregnancy, birth, and the transition to parenting.

In the episode Sarah and Debra cover topics like:

On the episode, Sarah chats with Mallory, better known as The Formula Mom.

After going through struggles with breastfeeding and striking out finding adequate resources to help her with formula feeding, Mallory set out to create a movement to help parents drop the guilt about how they feed so they can stress less and enjoy their baby more.

Whether you plan to breastfeed 100%, supplement with formula, or do 100% formula, you will find this episode super helpful!

On this episode Sarah chats with Jessica from Rooted In Routine. 

Jessica is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of "The Rooted Routine" which is an online parent education and coaching platform with the goal of teaching parents how to help children thrive through routine and structure. 

Jessica shares why she believes so strongly in the power of routine and how the key to a happy and healthy child is something we as parents can control.

I learned so much from Jessica and hope you will do the same.

On this episode Sarah chats with Krupa Playforth from The Pediatrician Mom. 

Krupa does a great job of equipping parents to confidently navigate the complexities of raising tiny people.

In this episode the girls cover topics like how to treat fevers, viruses, when to call the Doctor, when to freak out, and when not to. 

This episode is a big help for first time Moms who are feeling unsure about the myriad of issues you might experience during the 1st year of parenting. 

On this episode Sarah chats with Mia Clarke and Eden Lauren from Nyssa. 

Mia and Eden are co-founders of Nyssa, a postpartum clothing line and women empowerment movement.

In the episode, the girls discuss:

• struggling with the identity shift in motherhood
• how to advocate for yourself and your needs
• how to run a business and be Mom at the same time

On this episode Sarah chats with Amanda Lauren from Amanda Lauren Wellness.

Amanda is a Certified Health Coach who specializes in working with women who are looking to prioritize their health goals, especially in postpartum. 

In the episode Sarah and Amanda discuss:

• the common issues women face in postpartum and how they derail your health goals
• how to make time for
• the key for a healthy mindset and approach to food and eating
• the uniqueness of the postpartum period and how to navigate the new role(s) you are playing

If you are pregnant, this episode might be a bit early for you, but getting ahead of this is huge! Postpartum will be here before you know it! 

If you have a little eater at home, this episode is for you!

Sarah chats with Edwena Kennedy, a pediatric dietician and Mom of 2 who teaches parents how to confidently feed their babies and toddlers.

They talk about how to approach conversations around food and using age appropriate language that can help our kids thrive. 

Some topics covered include:

Feeding your kids can be a source of stress, but throughout this episode Edwena delivers tips to make things easy and approachable. I hope you enjoy :-)

On this episode Sarah chats with Lily Nichols, RDN. 

Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based prenatal nutrition.

In the episode Sarah and Lily discuss the following topics related to food and pregnancy:

• eggs
• fish
• choline
• folate
• caffeine
• protein
• veggies
• eating for gestational diabetes
• baby brain health
• nausea
• and much much more. 

Lily also shares her top 3 food tips for pregnant mamas. Listen to find out! 

On this episode Sarah chats with Dr. Shannon Clark from Babies After 35. 

Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG is a double board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist focusing on the care of women with maternal and/or fetal complications of pregnancy

Shannon created her social media presence "Babies After 35" to help Moms starting their family after 35. More recently she has spent her time researching Covid-19 and specifically its effect on all things maternity. 

In the episode Sarah and Shannon discuss:

• the Covid-19 vaccines and Fertility
• Covid-19 and its effect on pregnancy
• the recent news with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine
• how to ask the right questions to your healthcare provider 

April is recognized every year as Cesarean Awareness Month. To that end, we are sharing this interview with Olena from C-Section Strong.

In this episode Sarah talks with Olena Danko from the blog C-Section Strong. Olena is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Mom of two who founded the blog C-Section Strong to help support women who's births don't go as planned.

Olena goes into detail on her experience with two c-sections as well as some great tips for preparing and educating yourself if your birth doesn't go as planned.

If you are planning for a C-Section or know anyone who is, this episode is a must listen!

On this episode Sarah chats with Tara Clark from Modern Mom Probs.

During pregnancy, you could drive yourself crazy Googling the safety details of the skincare products you use every day. With so much conflicting information, and so little solid research done on the subject, it can be frustrating. All you’re trying to do is wash your face, and here comes Google telling you you’ll put a curse on your baby if your cleanser contains ulmus davidiana root extract.

In this episode Sarah talks with Dr. Aegean Chan to break down the typical questions about what products are safe for you and baby. 

Note: This perspective on skincare/beauty is from Dr. Chan and Juna does not endorse a singular position on skincare during pregnancy. We are simply sharing knowledge from a credible source and encourage you to do your own research and come to a conclusion that works for you and your pregnancy. You can find Dr. Chan at https://www.instagram.com/draegeanchan/?hl=en. 

On this episode Sarah chats with Katie Hunter, DPT.

Sarah talks to Jen Schwartz from Motherhood Understood. 

Jen had a fairly straightforward path to becoming a Mom, but when she brought her son home from the hospital, everything turned. She fell into deep postpartum depression and her mom and husband took over the parenting duties *while she cried in bed. 

Jen shares the not so pretty side of the role we are taught to believe comes naturally when we decide it’s time to start a family. For her, it took a whole year, lots of therapy and medication, just to adjust to her new life as mom. 

Jen’s goal with sharing her story so openly is to help Moms feel less alone if they are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings, and let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Sarah talks with Quiara Smith, a pediatric pelvic floor occupational therapist, which basically means that she specializes in all things related to potty training and treating the myriad of issues that may arise. 

Quiara is a wealth of knowledge and together they get into some very helpful topics like how to know when your child is ready for potty training, the most common problems she sees, how to parent to each child individually, transitioning to nighttime potty training, and more.

This is one of those episodes you listen to 3x because there is so much good stuff packed in here. 

Sarah talks to Jennifer Skilja, a mom from Anchorage, Alaska who has developed a following by being wildly transparent about her fertility and motherhood journey. Jennifer shares her story around secondary infertility, ectopic, pregnancies, and her thoughts on getting ready to deliver during a pandemic.

On today’s episode Sarah chats with Emily Watson.

Emily is a fertility and wellness Coach who helps women & their partners take control of their health, navigate fertility & find clarity in parenthood. She does this with a strong focus on diet and lifestyle and by teaching you how to work on relationships with yourself and others.

On this episode we talk about Emily's journey to becoming a Mom and how she founded her business, My Nest Well, at the same time she was having her baby.

Emily saw a big hole in the market for connecting Moms with the support they need --  whether that was during fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond -- and she has created an amazing resource to help Moms at every stage.

On this episode Sarah chats with Sharon Mazel, a contributing writer for WhatToExpect.com, about all the most common pregnancy myths - things like dying your hair , eating for two, if you can actually tell the gender of your baby based on the way you are carrying, stretch marks, sleeping positions, getting labor started, and more.

They also discuss some common early parenting myths like what position baby should be sleeping in, swaddling, when to introduce the bottle if you are breastfeeding, using pacifiers, introducing solids, and more.

This episode will save you from unnecessary googling and stress. If you like it, please share it with an expecting mama friend!

On today’s episode Sarah chats with Olivia Scobie.

Olivia has her Master’s in social work and specializes in helping moms and families deepen their resiliency and navigate the most challenging aspects of parenting.

On this episode they dive into the top signs of “mom burnout” and the six things you can do to help avoid getting burned out in the first place.

This episode should be required listening for all new Moms and especially poignant during the pandemic where we are all finding ourselves in new and unexpected situations.

Sarah talks with Dr. Christine Sterling about preparing for Motherhood. They talk about the steps you should take if you are getting ready to conceive, the different things you can do to prepare yourself for pregnancy, and using pregnancy as a time to implement strong self-care routines that will carry over into your everyday life.

They also talk about how to best prepare yourself for birth as well as the ESSENTIAL things to do to prepare for life once baby arrives.

Dr. Sterling gives voice and lends her warm-hearted, doctor-informed insights to the many physical and emotional changes women experience as they navigate pregnancy and motherhood.

If you liked this episode, please subscribe!

In this episode Sarah talks with Kara Hardin about her experience transitioning from 1 to 2 kids. 

Kara was the 1st guest on the podcast and she's back to share an update to her life and to talk through what she's learned with adding another kid to the mix. 

They talk about how the challenges can start even before the baby is born because the challenges of being pregnant and raising a toddler make it much harder than being pregnant with no children. They also touch on...

- prenatal depression
- hyperemesis
- asking for help from your partner
- partner having to pick up the slack with the 1st kid
- how different kids can be
- how everything you learned about parenting 1 kid could be completely different for the next 

and much more.. 

On today’s episode Sarah talks with Elizabeth Morel, a physical therapist and Mom who is an expert in helping other mamas raise calm, cool, and collected babies.

In this episode Sarah and Elizabeth go into detail on the topics that will help keep mamas sane and babies happy. Things like:

In this episode Sarah talks with Becca Pardess, a Mom of baby Shane. Becca shares her postpartum story and birth story, which includes a 55-hour labor and getting preeclampsia during labor.

In this episode Sarah talks with Erin Elliott, a Mom with two wildly different births and postpartum experiences. Aaron shares very candidly the way she navigated through recovering from a traumatic birth.

She shares how she planned for a vaginal birth, but wound up have to have a last minute C-section with her first baby. On her 2nd birth, she found herself with a third degree tear and a rush to the NICU after her second had some breathing issues.  

She also shares her struggles with breastfeeding  and all the beautiful things that came from postpartum as well. I really hope you enjoy this episode.

In this episode Sarah talks with her friend Dillan who recently had a baby. At the time of recording her first baby was just two months old. The idea with this series of Postpartum Stories is to hear from Moms about their postpartum experiences. There are lots of podcast episodes about birth stories, but the rawness of the postpartum phase is often less considered.

In this episode Lauren and Dillan go into detail about:

This episode is Sarah's full interview with Author Eve Rodsky, who has crafted a real world solution for dividing the 100 or so invisible tasks that must get done every day as part of her book "Fair Play".

Let’s Talk About Sex. 

This is the full interview with Dr. Renee Hilliard. You can listen to the original episode here: https://anchor.fm/juna-women/episodes/Family-Planning-101-Lets-Talk-About-Sex-ed34qs

Today we’re talking all about sex and intimacy, specifically during this period of your life where you’re either trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum. By the end of this episode you should learn some new communication skills, feel more confident discussing vulnerable topics like painful sex, orgasms, sex shaming, and be on track for a deeper connection with your partner.

In today's episode we talk about what couples can do to prepare for their fertility journey and how you and your partner can prepare for what life is going to look like after having a baby. 

By the end of this episode you should have a much better idea how to communicate with your partner about your wants and needs as well as come together to create a family plan that you both feel comfortable with. We’ll be talking about sensitive topics like miscarriage, infertility, & how those things can impact your relationship as you approach parenthood.

What happens when you actually become parents? How do you keep the fire burning, the connection strong, and avoid the fate of the nearly 50% of couples who wind up getting divorced?

Yes, it's true -- the current divorce rate in the United States is somewhere between 40-50%.

Trimester zero. It's not a term you hear often, but reproductive endocrinologists would like to change that.

Today's episode Today’s episode is the 12th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about adoption. To help with this topic, I sat down with Amy from Kansas. Amy is a Mom of two adopted boys who are virtual twins and was pregnant with a third boy at the time we recorded.

There are many reasons why an individual or couple might consider adopting a child. For some it might be Infertility, health concerns, or to help a child in need. For others it could be the lack of a partner or to go from Step-Mom to Mom. But, regardless of your motivation, adoption can be an amazing way to make your dreams of having a family come true.

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Today we have a special episode! Juna Founder, Sarah Kuhn, and her husband Eric, sat down with their friend Kara to share the story of their home birth. 

Their third baby and second son Levi was born last week and it was Sarah's first home birth. 

We will resume Episodes of Season 2 next Tuesday. 

Mom and Dad. Before you earn those titles you are simply two people in a relationship, feeling all the feels, with lots of free time to focus on yourselves and each other.

But what happens when you actually become parents? How do you keep the fire burning, the connection strong, and avoid the fate of the nearly 50% of couples who wind up getting divorced?

Today’s episode is the 8th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about the little things we do every day that often go unnoticed.

To help us with this topic, I enlisted my husband Eric for a candid conversation on how we divvy things up, and Author Eve Rodsky, who has crafted a real world solution for dividing the 100 or so invisible tasks that must get done every day as part of her book "Fair Play". 

By the end of this episode you should have a clear picture of the importance of domestic responsibility and be able to set the “every day” of your life up for success. 

If you’re listening to this episode before having kids, that’s even better. Put the system in place early and you’ll be way ahead of the game.

In this episode Sarah talks with Allison Jandu aka The Potty Training Consultant. 

Sarah was in a crisis during the Pandemic attempting to potty train her daughter and reached out to Allison for help. They got the idea to record their conversation so you all can benefit too!

Allison is a professional consultant who assists families with one of childhood’s most important, yet daunting, milestones - potty training.

Allison has helped countless children of all ages. Her custom potty training plans are based on building independence and empowerment and she thrives on seeing children succeed. She has made it her personal mission to revolutionize the way we think about potty training as a society.

If you plan to potty train your kids, this is the episode for you.

Today’s episode is the 7th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about prenatal nutrition.

When I sat down with Stefanie I was actually in the process of Trying To Conceive my 3rd baby, and I’m happy to report that her advice helped and I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant - HELLO 3rd Trimester.

What you’re going to hear in the episode is a high level overview of the things we should and shouldn’t be doing when it comes to our diets and fertility.

Stefanie does an amazing job breaking down fertility for both men and women and keeping things simple and informative.

Today’s episode is the 6th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about the emotional toll infertility can take on the lives of those it affects and the people around them. By the end of this episode you should have some tools to help you process many of these emotions, learn the things to say and do if you have a friend or family member going through infertility, and set yourself up for success if you’re just beginning you’re trying to conceive journey.

Let’s Talk About Sex. Not in the Cosmopolitan headline, “21 Mind Blowing Sex Moves You’ve Never Tried” kind of way. But rather about the things that are actually going to help make your sex life, your relationship, and your marriage better. According to Dr. Renee Hilliard, a former OBGYN turned Sex and Love Coach, nearly 85% of people have some difficulty with getting their sex life back after kids, or struggled during the baby making process. That means that most of you listening to this episode will find something to relate to:

Today’s episode is the 5th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about sex and intimacy, specifically during this period of your life where you’re either trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum. By the end of this episode you should learn some new communication skills, feel more confident discussing vulnerable topics like painful sex, orgasms, sex shaming, and be on track for a deeper connection with your partner.

Today’s episode is the 4th part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about the dynamics at play between you and your partner when you decide to add a baby to the mix. By the end of this episode you should have a much better idea how to communicate with your partner about your wants and needs as well as come together to create a family plan that you both feel comfortable with. We’ll be talking about sensitive topics like miscarriage, infertility, & how those things can impact your relationship as you approach parenthood.

Today’s episode is the 3rd part of our Family Planning Series, and we’re talking all about Naturopathic and Alternative medicine for reproduction and fertility. By the end of this episode you should have a much better idea of what naturopathic doctors do, whether this is the right route for you, and gain a better understanding of the connection between your overall well-being and how that might affect your ability to get pregnant. In western culture, alternative medicine has a bit of a stigma associated with it -- namely that it’s practices or medicines may not have a body of scientific evidence that proves their effectiveness.  But as our Doctors, Dr. Aimee, Raupp and Dr. Saru Bala tell us in this episode, naturopathic medicine is actually more of a bridge between the conventional and alternative world of medicine, often giving you a more complete picture of your overall health. For more from juna, visit juna.co or check out the Juna App for Pregnancy and Postpartum. If you liked this episode, please subscribe! Pregnancy, Fertility, Alternative Pregnancy, Alternative Fertility, Alternative Reproductive Care, Natural Fertility, Natural Medicine, Natural Health, Trying To Conceive, Alternatives to IVF, Alternatives to Western Medicine

Trimester zero. It's not a term you hear often, but reproductive endocrinologists would like to change that.

In this episode Sarah talks with Olena Danko from the blog C-Section Strong. Olena is  is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Mom of two who founded the blog C-Section Strong to help support women who's births don't go as planned.

Olena goes into detail on her experience with two c-sections as well as some great tips for preparing and educating yourself if your birth doesn't go as planned.

If you are planning for a C-Section or know anyone who is, this episode is a must listen!

In this episode Sarah talks with Nathalie from the blog Fertilust. Nathalie is a brand marketer who went through unexplained infertility and set out to redefine the conversation around infertility on her blog, Fertilust.

In February 2017, Nathalie was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Here were some her stats:

Nathalie goes into detail on her IVF / IUI process, the emotions that accompany unexplained infertility, and the importance of sharing your journey and experience with others.

In this episode Sarah does a solo episode where she shares her experience through the 1st Trimester of her 3rd pregnancy. She was 11 weeks pregnant at time of recording.

Sarah talks about her struggles - including fatigue, nausea, constipation, and navigating a pregnancy with two kids under 5 and shares her wins - small as they may be. Some of the wins include finding time for naps, leaning on her husband Eric for help with the bedtime routine, staying consistent with her colace and calcium/magnesium to help manage constipation, and more.

If you know anyone in their 1st Trimester or who may be soon, please share this episode with them!

In this episode Sarah talks with Marcy Crouch, a women's physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor.

They talk about postpartum stuff like getting cleared for sex after pregnancy, prolapse, how to retrain your bladder, and abdominal separation.

In this episode, Sarah talks with reformed lab scientist heading up the R&D at Natalist Co, Elizabeth Kane, BA, NYU. PhD, Harvard.

On the show, Sarah and Elizabeth talk about all things "trying to conceive" and Elizabeth walks us through all the steps to take to find your ovulation window, as well as debunking many of the the myths around getting pregnant.

They talk about birth control cleanses, fertility teas, and other products that are not evidence based, but exist in the marketplace. This episode is an absolute must listen for anyone trying to conceive.

In this episode Sarah talks with licensed mental health counselor, Bryce Reddy (@mombrain.therapist on Instagram). Bryce is Mama of two living in Massachusetts, with a clinical focus in maternal mental health and a really helpful Instagram account that provides Moms with real life tools to mange their mental health.

In this episode we talk about her journey to Motherhood and the massive shift from “not mom” to Mom. Bryce provided some amazing tips and insight for setting boundaries with in-law and family members, keeping communication lines strong between you and your partner, dealing with loneliness, disconnection, and the general wonderment if Motherhood is really this hard for everyone? Spoiler alert: It is.

This conversation between Bryce and Sarah will give you the tools you need to feel confident as a new Mom.

This is Episode 011, IUI, Twins, and Becoming a Second-Time Mom with Amanda Applebaum.

In this episode I chat with my good friend and chief receiver of all my Mom complaints, Amy Toohey. 

Amy is a Mom to two wonderful girls and was a nurse before making the game time decision to put her career on hold and stay at home with her daughters. 

Amy and I talk about her unexpected C-Section, the Challenges of Breastfeeding and the magic six week number, and how she plans to go back to work once her daughters are in school full-time. 

The biggest takeaway from this episode was our realization that every Mom must have this one thing in her Mom community and that we provided it for each other. There are a lot of great nuggets in here, so I hope you enjoy :-)