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With my due date just around the corner, I wanted to chat with Sarah Kuhn, founder of Juna, a fitness and nutrition app for pregnancy and postpartum, about exercising after birth. We know the benefits of staying active during pregnancy and after baby. However, there are a lot of details that aren't clear. As a pre & post-natal exercise specialist, I knew Sarah could give us the real scoop on what we need to know about exercising after giving birth. She's going over what we can do, what we shouldn't do, when we can get started exercising, and more!

Today I’m chatting with Dr. Samira Hodges and Dr. Ana Pal, two board-certified pediatricians who both currently practice in Houston, TX, about stress in children and how we can help our kids manage stress. It may seem like children’s lives are pretty simple and they couldn’t possibly know about or experience stress, but actually, that’s untrue. Pressures on children come from a number of sources. It could be from within the child themselves, from parents, teachers, or friends. These pressures could be from events of lasting consequence like the divorce of their parents, or from a minor hassle like going to time out, losing a toy, or being grounded. Especially over the past year, children are going through more changes and challenges than ever before which means more stress. So what can we parents do to help our kids manage stress? The PediPals, Dr. Samira and Dr. Ana are answering our questions.

The third trimester . . . the final three months before baby's arrival! Mary Alice is at the very end of her pregnancy, due December 25th, and I am officially in my third trimester, 31 weeks! We both have been experiencing a lot of different things throughout our pregnancies. We’ve already covered what to expect in the first trimester and second trimester on our podcast and today we are chatting about the third trimester; what we are experiencing as well as what you may expect from your third trimester. Some of these symptoms will sound familiar -- hello again, first trimester symptoms! But each change should encourage you since each is bringing you closer to meeting your baby. Here's what you can expect from your third trimester of pregnancy.

Here on Chick Chat, we are all about getting a good and healthy night’s sleep. But a question that many parents ask is when should they transition their babies out of swaddles? And not only that, how can they do that smoothly and successfully. Well, today, I'm chatting with Cara Walker, a certified infant & toddler sleep consultant, and the founder of Well Rested Mama. Cara is a wife and mother of three and she used gentle sleep training techniques on all three of her babies. She loves to talk about sleep and assist frustrated and sleep deprived parents with their baby and toddler sleep issues. With Cara’s experience and training, she’s answering your questions and sharing her tips about swaddling.

Over the past 10 years, I've attended hundreds of births. Some of my clients choose to have unmedicated births and some choose pain medication. Whichever you choose, do your research and decide which birthing experience is best for you. We want everyone to know that one way of giving birth is not better than the other and one way does not make you a better or stronger woman or mother. All birthing options are good options for different circumstances and it's up to you to do your research so that you can determine which is best for you and your baby. So why would someone want to have a “natural” or unmedicated childbirth? Mary Alice and I are discussing the reasons why some women choose to forego pain medication during labor and delivery. We're also sharing the different kinds of pain medications that are available should you decide on having a natural birth but change your mind during labor.

Montessori is becoming more and more popular but there are still families who don’t know what Montessori is and why it might be a good option for their child. Today, I'm chatting with Theresa, the founder of Montessori in Real Life, co-creator of The Montessori Guides, and mom to a 3-year-old girl and 1-year-old boy. Prior to momming and blogging, Theresa received her graduate degree in developmental psychology and then her AMS certification to become a Montessori infant/toddler teacher. Though not every child can attend a Montessori school, any parent can incorporate Montessori practices into their home, starting as early as birth! With Theresa’s knowledge and experiences, she is bringing the joy of Montessori accessible for all. We’re thrilled to have her here on today's episode with us to break down what Montessori is and what parents need to know.

Mary Alice and I are both currently pregnant and are here to talk about the second trimester: what to expect and what we are experiencing during our pregnancies. We hope that you listened to our episode about the first trimester. It should give you a good idea of what to expect and what is normal. In the future, we will also share what to expect in the third trimester, birth, and postpartum. Everyone’s pregnancy and parenting journeys are different, but we hope you find some comfort in what we’re sharing with you so that you can feel more prepared and less alone if you are also experiencing these symptoms. Thankfully the second trimester is normally the best trimester, but there are a few things that aren't so fun. But our babies are always worth it! So let’s chat about what to expect from your second trimester. Here we go!

Did you know that only about 8 percent of U.S. births are attended by midwives? Many women in the states are unaware of who midwives are, what they do, and where they practice. In the United States, most women never even think to consider hiring one as their maternity care provider. This breaks my heart because in many other developed countries, like France, the U.K., and Australia, midwifery is common as obstetrics. Why is this? Studies show that births attended by midwives are just as safe as physician-attended births. In fact, midwifery care is associated with lower rates of C-sections and other interventions, yet it is still not as popular. In my opinion, it's the best-kept secret of maternity care in the United States and the world. Last week was National Midwifery Week. To shed some light on this significant role, I'm chatting with Mary Love about midwives and their care. Mary is a certified nurse-midwife, family nurse-practitioner, and Clinical Director of Heart of Houston Birth & Wellness Center. With Mary’s many years of experience in multiple settings, I knew she would be a wonderful person to answer the most common questions. What is a midwife? What is the history of midwives? Are there different types of midwives? What is the difference between a doctor (OBGYN) and a midwife? Where can women get midwifery care?  How does midwifery care look in each setting? And more.

Choosing a crib mattress may not sound like a big deal, but it’s more important than parents think. Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Barry Cik, the Founder and Technical Director of Naturepedic, a manufacturer of award-winning certified organic mattresses. Barry knows all too well the important decision of choosing the right crib mattress for your baby. Years ago when Barry was shopping for his first grandchild’s crib mattress, he was troubled to discover the state of the baby mattress industry. From that moment, Barry was inspired and determined to create mattress products that are safer and healthier for every child. And he was the perfect person to do so. (Others agree! Check out this Mattress Still Mattress report!) Barry has had a lifelong interest in preserving the environment, not only for us, but for all future generations. As a board-certified environmental engineer, Barry is an advocate for legislative reform and has four decades of experience investigating and assessing hazardous materials/contamination, resolving environmental problems, and protecting human health, safety, and the environment. When he discovered the alarming materials used in the majority of crib mattresses, he knew he could do better. And that’s how Naturepedic was born in 2003. Today’s episode is about the important decision of choosing your child’s crib mattress. Barry is sharing with us how and why crib mattresses play a part in safe sleep, the history of safe sleep, what parents should look for when choosing a crib mattress, and what he wants all parents to know. He has a wealth of knowledge and we are honored to have him on our show. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Naturepedic and they are offering all of our listeners a discount! 15% off on their website www.naturepedic.com with discount code: BabyChick15  

Car seats can be confusing. What should we look for in a good car seat when making a purchase? What are the common car seat mistakes that we can avoid? We know that they keep our children safe in the car, but it's more than just buying the car seat. We need to know how to use it properly. I’m chatting with a nationally certified car seat technician, Michelle Pratt, for today's episode. Michelle is the owner of Safe in the Seat, which handles all things car seats; like online courses, custom car seat selection, phone-a-friend inquires and support, as well as full car seat installation and consultations -- in office, in-home, or virtual. Michelle is also a proud mom of two and lives in South Tampa with her children. You can find her on Instagram @safeintheseat. With National Child Passenger Safety Week approaching, we thought Michelle would be an excellent person to talk to about car seats so that we can get the scoop on what parents need to know. She’s sharing with us the most common car seat mistakes parents make as well as answering our questions!

Welcoming a child into the world is one of the greatest days of a parent's life. However, if that newborn child ever has to be separated due to being preterm, having health complications, or for other reasons, that separation can be scary for parents. If the baby needs more medical attention, they are taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Most parents are unfamiliar with NICUs so this too can be scary. But it doesn't have to be. Today’s episode is about the NICU and what parents need to know if their new baby ever has to go there. As a NICU occupational therapist for years, Dr. Aimee Ketchum is breaking it all down for us and giving us parents all the details. Dr. Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist and has been working in pediatrics for 20 years. She works in the NICU at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital and lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. She is also the owner/operator of STEM Starts Now, an early child development company. Dr. Ketchum mentioned during our episode that if you are interested in learning more about the history of NICUs and premature birth to check out this book: "Early" by Sarah DiGregorio We hope this episode brings clarity and relief to any families who have babies in the NICU now and in the future.

Mary Alice and I have a little surprise to share with all of you . . . We are both PREGNANT! That’s right! Mary Alice is expecting her first baby and I am expecting my second. We have been experiencing a lot of different things already so we thought it would be fun to chat during each trimester and share with you what we are experiencing and what you may expect. Here's what's been going on with us during our first trimesters. Here we go!

Potty training can be such a daunting task for most parents. When should you start potty training? What are the readiness signs? What are the products that you absolutely need? How can you tackle nap and nighttime potty training? There are so many questions about this major milestone so we are chatting with Allison Jandu, a professional potty training consultant and author. Allison is sharing her tips about how parents can best prepare for potty training and what we need to know. If you're about to embark on the potty training adventures, this episode is for you! Here are the products that Allison mentioned during our episode! The First Years Super Pooper Plus Potty Seat Peelaways Sheets Lil Advents Potty Time Adventures For Overnights: Gerber Training Pants (for Girls and for Boys)

Once you become pregnant, something that women become more aware of is what they are putting in their bodies. The fuel we eat is also helping us grow our babies. It’s important for expecting and new mothers to understand what our bodies are deficient in, what vitamins we need to take, and what we can do to have the healthiest pregnancy and postpartum possible. So what does our body really need during pregnancy and postpartum? I’m chatting with Lisa Mastela, a registered dietitian with a master's in nutrition and public health and the founder of Bumpin’ Blends, a company that makes and delivered dietitian-designed smoothie cubes to support the many symptoms of motherhood. Lisa has done research at the University of Washington on special needs children and Type 2 diabetes, along with research on intermittent fasting at the University of Southern California. She then worked in personalized nutrition. As a mother herself, Lisa knows how difficult nutrition for expecting and new mothers is. After years of research, Lisa is giving us the real scoop. She's walking us through what our bodies need during pregnancy and postpartum and is answering our questions. To learn more about Lisa and chat with her, you can find her on Instagram here!

Today, I’m chatting with Jennifer Blossom, a boy mom of two, occupational therapist, host of another amazing mom podcast called The Blossoming Mommy and Baby Show, as well as the CEO and Founder of Blossoming Mommy and Baby — a digital wellness brand that helps overwhelmed moms simplify motherhood. Jennifer has a passion for helping moms create a simpler, less chaotic, and more meaningful motherhood experience. This is why she is the perfect guest to talk about mommy burnout. I feel like this topic has been discussed a little bit more recently, but what is mommy burnout? How common is it and what can you do to help yourself from feeling burnout? Jennifer is breaking it all down for us and answering our questions. Here are some links where you can learn more about Jennifer: Website: https://www.blossomingmommyandbaby.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-blossoming-mommy-and-baby-show/id1445916435 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomingmommyandbaby/

Since we are in the month of June and we just celebrated Father's Day, we thought it would be fun to chat with a Dad about what it was like becoming a father. So, for today's episode, we have an extra special guest, my husband, the other Co-Founder of Baby Chick, Brian Spears, and he is telling us his story. Was he ready? Was he nervous? And was becoming a dad everything he expected? We rarely get to talk to or hear from Brian on our website or social pages so we hope you enjoy this episode hearing from him. Brian's answering all of our questions and sharing his journey of becoming a dad.

Every child is different from one another and this includes the ways they learn. Some children are visual learners, preferring pictures, and spatial understanding. Others are aural learners who prefer using sound and music. Some children are verbal learners who prefer using words, both speech and writing. And others are physical (kinesthetic) learners who like using their body, hands, and sense of touch to learn.In today’s episode, I'm chatting with Punam Desormes, a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 15 years of experience as well as a faculty clinical instructor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida. Her experience includes working in a private multidisciplinary clinic, a special needs school for autism, and private practice.Today, Punam is breaking down the different ways children learn and explaining what we (parents) need to know and look for when it comes to our children’s learning. Understanding how our children learn can help us create better learning activities to help their minds grow. Punam has seen and worked with so many families and is sharing her tips and expert knowledge with us.Here are some links that Punman mentioned during our episode. We hope these resources help!CDC: Find your state or territory’s early intervention program - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.htmlAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - www.asha.orgIdentify the Signs of Communication Disorders - www.identifythesigns.orgAutism Speaks - www.autismspeaks.orgBluebee Pals: Interactive Plush Learning Tool - www.bluebeepals.com  

Pregnancy is such a beautiful time in a woman’s life. But don’t get me wrong, not every day of pregnancy is glamorous. We’ve all heard of the luxurious hair, the glowing skin, the growing belly, but there are also things that happen to a woman’s body that aren’t really discussed. That’s why Mary Alice and I are covering all of the surprising body changes a woman can experience during pregnancy. So if you’re expecting and are noticing some odd changes to your body, you can feel some relief knowing that you are not alone.*AD: Today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at EU Natural—a company that is all about empowering their customers and their health.https://store.eunatural.com

With so many baby products on the market, it’s difficult to know which products are essential that you need to register for and which ones you can skip and live without. You don’t have to buy the entire baby store to take care of and raise a happy and healthy baby! As postpartum doulas, Mary Alice and I know and have seen what items each family really needs. Today, we are sharing the baby products we feel are overrated and can be left off your list.#ad This episode is sponsored by Medela, the maker of the NEW Freestyle Flex breast pump and products that we love and recommend to our clients. Their Freestyle Flex breast pump is a product that should remain on every baby registry. https://bit.ly/35odGvZ

Are you currently pregnant and quickly approaching your due date? We know that the current Coronavirus pandemic has left many expecting moms worried about what to expect during their labor and delivery as well as how to protect themselves and their babies. Many of our expecting mama clients have come to us for reassurance and guidance during this time, so we are here to share with you everything you need to know to prepare for your baby's birth during COVID-19.